1. What Does It Mean To Observe Gurmat Bibek?

Bibek literally means to use discerning intellect. In the context of Gurmat, the foremost distinguished intellect is to live in accordance with Hukams of Satguru. Although only the rarest of rare Sikhs is able to fully submit to each and every Hukam of Satguru, it is the duty of every Sikh to make efforts to do so.

2. How does Gurmat Bibek help a Sikh?

The essence of Gurmat Bibek is to imbibe Naam at all times in the heart. Naam is the One Hukam that is central to all other Hukams of Satguru. These other Hukams, Rehat of a Gursikh, are only to help in continual engaging in Naam.

3. Doesn’t one get Naam from Punj Pyaare at Amrit Sanchaar? Then what fore are the other Hukams of Gurmat Bibek? Wouldn’t they be distractions from the One Hukam?

There are very few fortunate individuals who get to the stage of continous-unhindered Naam Abhyaas immediately after Amrit Sanchaar but they too have to follow all the other supporting Gur-Hukams to retain the bliss. In fact, Bibek just comes naturally to them. The majority of us, however, have to follow all Gur-Hukams to gradually earn the Essence of Naam. Bibek practice brings about a host of benefits effortlessly. It is our straying mind that leads us away from Naam. All thoughts that come to a Bibekee Gursikh are for meeting ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮਾ (Beloved) and progress along Gurmat lines. Thus, Bibek keeps the mind in check. One must be very careful, however in following the supporting Gur-Hukams so as to not forget the One Hukam – Naam. They should never replace Naam as it the principal pursuit of a Gursikh.

4. If the other Hukams are only to support a Sikh to earn the One and Only Hukam, can the Sikh disregard these after attaining the stage of swaas-swaas Naam?

On who gives up some Gur-Hukams after reaching the ultimate stage is only being ungrateful for their help in getting there and is misleading others, Gursikhs – ਸੁਹਾਗਣਾਂ (wives) enjoy obeying the Hukams of their Guroo-Akal-Purakh-Husband all along. They get unique ਰਸੁ (elixir) from following his ਭਾਣਾ (Will).

5. What is the single most important act that brings about Naam?

The most important act, as per Gurmat Bibek, is to sing Har-Keertan. There is no higher knowledge, philosophy or practice than Har-Keertan. Even while doing Har-Keertan the dhunee (Sound) of Naam continues unabated. Only that thought is highest that brings about singing of Har-Gunn – Gurbanee. Such thought only comes through SatSangat when ਰੰਗਿ (hue) of Gurmat gets instilled. Only those Bibekee Gursikhs will get to be thus blessed who practice the Hukam of doing Keertan. Without practice of this ਸਿਫਤਿ ਸਾਲਾਹ (Har-Keertan) one cannot have Bibek as Gurmat. The highest Gurmat-Karam without a parallel is Har-Keertan. All heavenly pleasures come easily to one immersed in Har-Keertan. Gurmukhs who thus taste the sweet rsu of Gurbanee also get the Ones Divine Vision.

6. Wouldn’t everyone who does Har-Keertan get ਰਸੁ?

Even though anyone who comes in touch with Gurbanee gets blessed, the Pleasure that Bibekee Gursikhs, with ਜੀਵਨ ਕਣੀ: Naam in their hearts, enjoy is indescribable. In fact, anyone who does Gurbanee Path gets drops of Amrit trickle within. But only those blessed ones experience it who are dealers of Amrit in their daily life, Gurmat Bibekees. Those who experience Amrit once engage themselves in earning it again and again and thus dwell in Amrit Ras to ultimately recognize the One Akaal Purakh. Such love-drenched Gurmat Bibekees never turn away from Guru’s Hukams.

7. What is another important part of Gurmat Bibek?

Gurbanee Nitnem is solid pillar of Gurmat-Bibek. A lot of people do practice Nitnem, for they have not realized the pwrs klw (inducing-power) of Gurbanee. Gurmat-Bibekee Singhs consider their loving devotional act of Nitnem to be more important than any other of their daily chores. The daily serving of Gurbanee initiates swaas-swaas Simran so as to sew it into the heart, to have ਬਚਨ ਜੀਅ ਨਾਲੇ (Gurbanee abiding in ones soul). The best reward of having Gur-Shabad entrenched in heart is that ones remains immersed in ਹਰਿ-ਰੰਗਿ without break and ਲਾਲਨ is found form within. The true seva for Gurmukhs is to drink the Great Ras of Naam continuously. Gursikhs should also make doing Keertan part of their Nitnem. It banishes all shortcomings.

8. Gurbanee teaches us that the reason for all that ails is ਹੳਮੈ (Ego)
How does Gurmat Bibek help in this regard?

Gurmat Bibek is about Naam. Those who relish Naam Have conquered ਹੳਮੈ
and truly recognize themselves to be subservient to all.


9. But not everyone who starts on this path begins to relish Naam?

Gurbanee makes it certain that we must recite Naam ceaselessly all our lives, Initially, while one hasn’t tasted the Ras of Naam one should keep doing Simran as a Hukam , even if with ਹਠ (self effort). Once rass comes, then as we Simar Naam the ras keeps working and the eagerness to continue doing so ever increases.

10. Are there any techniques to help during the ਹਠ stage when one’s mind is not yet under control?

In Kalug (Dark Age) there is no better technique than sitting in SatSang for Akhand Paaths or Akhand Keertan (Akhand meaning unbroken/continuous). The only cure for runaway thoughts is such SatSang.

11. How do you classify the ‘other hukams’?

One simple classification is ‘To-Do’ and ‘Not-To-Do’. There are several Shabads in Gurbanee that list these and in each the central focus is always Naam. Thus, these other Hukams are clearly specified as supporting Hukams. For example, Naam-induced humble living and uttering sweet-words for all are two key ‘To-Do’ hukams. At the same time, egoistic show and slander are big items on the ‘Not-To-Do’ list.

Translated By Sikh Digest Sevadaars