1. We were talking about Satguru’s hukam in part two for Sikhs to lead domestic lives. However, on the other hand, Satguru’s hukam is also to be detached and renounce the world.

As per Gurmat, the way to be detached and renounce is to be in Sat-Sangat (in company of Gursikhs where all dealings are of Naam) while leading a domestic life. It is in Sat-Sangat that one overpowers the mind and Naam comes to dwell inside. Those who renounce their worldly duties but haven’t controlled their mind, what good is their renunciation!

2. Domestic life is so distracting that one may even become unable to attend Sat-Sangat. How does one get the drive to follow Guru-Hukams?

Gursikhs are driven by ਭੈ (loving fear of Satguru). This fear is no the “ਪਿਤਾ ਸੁਕਾੳਣ ਵਾਲਾ” type that makes one a coward. This is borne out of respectful love and realization of Truth; that Satguru is always alongside; witnessing all that we say, see and do. It may be that one has not experienced the Truth of Gurbanee. But it is important to believe in it. The True Lord will Himself Grace the seeker with all experiences to validate the Truth and will come to abide in the heart. Now, an important hukam of Satguru is not to have friendship with those who do not have such a loving fear of Satguru. This saves us from becoming unable to attend Satsangat. Doesn’t It? Our founding relationship with the ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਮਡਲ of Gursikhs comes from instilling in ourselves this loving fear. Without this fear it is mere talk that will not bring about any Spiritual progress.

3. Is being afraid of the messengers of death, afraid of their tortures, part of this fear?

Not at all! Messengers of death and their unbearable tortures are a fact but they don’t scare a Gursikh. Satguru has taught us to “neither wish for heaven nor fear dwelling in hell”. Gursikhs just have One hope, One thirst, nothing else appeals to them, nor creates fear. They become fearless (soldiers of the Khalsa Fauj) who don’t even fear death. As I mentioned before, Gurmat is not of the wordly nature. Gurmat fear teaches us proper respect for Akaal Purakh, for the Akaalee Gurbanee, for the Fountain of Akaalee Banee – Our True Satguru – Siree Guru Granth Sahib Jee. Gursikhs treat small ਪੋਥੀਆਂ of Gurbanee with equal respect as well. Guideline of respect is to follow all Hukams that come from the Akaalee Gurbanee. This is the loving fear of Gursikhs

4. Does this fear always remain in a Gursikh or is it only required to get started?

All Gurmat Bibek karams forever remain the ਸੀਗਾਰ of a Gursikh. Only the ungrateful would five up on something that helped them at some stage. Fact is that more the Gursikhs progress of the Gurmat path; more they experience the Love of Satguru – Akaal Purakh; the lower they bow; to remain humble. Not even an iota of ego enters their minds. They seek to be the dust of all – envisioning Akaal Purakh everywhere. They can never falter from the path of Gurmat fear. The one, who does, loses all. This why Bhai Nand Lee Jee has equated this fear with ਰਾਹਿ ਖੁਦਾ (path to Vaheguru). Gursikh will never
leave this path.

5. Bhai Sahib, please give some more examples of ਭੈ ਬਿਬੇਕ?

Respectfully visiting Gurdwara Sahibs is also part of this ਬਿਬੇਕ. As the Gursikhs bow their head to Gur-sites, lay prostrate in homage, go around them in Parkarma, they thus envision in all Miraculous Glory the Guru-Jot enhancing the love in them to sacrifice their all for sites of such sightings! Such Gursikhs alone have fearless spirit to defend the respect and sanctimony of Gur-sites. Respect of ਸਸਤਰ (weapons) also falls under this category of ਭੈ ਬਿਬੇਕ. Some important considerations with regards to weapons are:

• Gursikhs must adorn ssqr to use athe Hukam of Guru Sahib & Guru Panth
• Khalsa cannot use ssqr for anything other than Dharam-Yudh
• To fight in battles that are not for Dharam as hired hands is against Guru-Hukam

6. It is often said that when Gursikhs fight in battle they do so in a spirit of ਬੀਰ ਰਸ. What is this spirit?

ਬੀਰ ਰਸ, an inner spiritually courageous zeal for selfless service, can be said to have burst forth inside only when one is a witness to acts of cruelty and suppression against the helpless & weak; the environment is of unrighteousness & tyranny; then stands, Divinely inspired, to fight the injustice but without a trace of anger, rancor or egoistic pride.

7. This sound impossible!

It is possible only for Guru Dashmesh Jees relishers of the Naam-Rass determinedly brave, Akaalee Khalsa. Nobody dies at their hands; instead all those who get struck by their Siree Sahib feel the taste of Amrit. There is no pain, just bliss! Shaheed Baba Deep Singhs ਖਡਾ (double edged sword) doused the fire hatred and animosity. The shaheed Baba’s head came off but the ever-smiling face was still glowing red with AgmI colours of Naam. The ਖਡਾ was still swinging putting scores of the opposing forces to rest. The headless Baba continued this march for 3 miles! History will forever bear witness to this unparalleled martyrdom prompted by ਬੀਰ ਰਸ.

8. Wow! Bhai Sahib is ਸਾਂਤ ਰਸ contradictory to ਬੀਰ ਰਸ?

It might appear so if you ਸਾਂਤ ਰਸ to remain outwardly peaceful regardless of the pain inflicted. But are you ਸਾਂਤ when you haven’t been able to really feel the ਦੁਖ just as you would ਸੁਖ! ਸਾਂਤ ਰਸ was truly by Bhai Taru Singh whose peace, glow of Naam happiness, inner blossom, never left even while his scalp was being chiselled off. Ask Bhai Bir Singh about ਸਾਂਤ ਰਸ as he continued to enjoy his meditation in Naam while being blown away by cannons; or Bhai Matee Dass as he was being sawn half; or Bhai Dayala Jee as he was being boiled alive! ਸਾਂਤ ਰਸ is infact a result of steady, continuous meditation of Naam. This is when ਦੁਖ and ਸੁਖ seem to be the same; it is a very high stage of Divine pleasure. Only when one has obtained ਸਾਂਤ ਰਸ can true ਬੀਰ ਰਸ come about.

9. Can you brief us about some other Do’s & Dont’s of Bibek?

As discussed before Naam is the ultimate goal of Bibek. Everything that helps in earning of this Jewel is Gurmat Bibek. Avoiding every obstruction is also Gurmat Bibek. Some examples are: practice Truth, Contentment & kindness; guard against the wanderings of the mind; leave egoistic pride & believe yourself to be the dust of all; keep the mind as well as body pure; rid yourself of the five – lust, anger, greed, attachment & ego; do selfless seva; serve at the feet of the Guru-like Khalsa Sangat; burn away hope & desire while keeping the one & only hope – ਦਰਸ ਪਿਆਸਾ; neither praise anyone; Slander is the worst sin of all. Gurmukh Pyaare are always wary of hearing their own praise. It is as bad them as it is do another’s Ninda.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫ਼ਤਹਿ

Translated by Sikh Digest Sewadars.