Eye Opener - Conversation with Sidhas

[Gurtej]

THE SIDDH GOSHT

Snuggled in the Guru Granth Sahib on pages 938-946 are seventy-three exquisite stanzas that encapsulate the philosophy of Guru Nanak. Written in a musical measure is a discourse between Guru Nanak and the Nath yogis. The latter were ascetics (siddhs) who had renounced the world and made their home in the caves of the Himalayas, where they practiced their religious austerities; they subscribed to the belief system that certain mental and physical exercises are necessary for acquiring occult powers (also known as siddhs), which in turn would lead to the attainment of liberation.

So what is the Siddh Gosht?

The Siddh Gosht is a series of questions put before Guru Nanak by the yogis. What is fascinating is that the questions of the yogis are the very same questions we face in the world today. Guru Nanak answers the yogis in their language, using their idiom and symbolism. His answers are as fresh and enlightening as they were some five centuries ago. His belief that liberation can be attained while "living in this world" by becoming truth-oriented, comes out loud and clear. For Guru Nanak, true yoga is a meditative remembrance of the Word, but must be combined with selfless service to those in need in the community.

Read below:

THE DIALOGUE



The siddhs join

The saintly congregation

And offer salutations.



Says Nanak:

I salute

The Infinite One

Who is beyond reach.



Siddhs:

Speak truthfully-

Who are you?

What is your name?

Which path do you follow?

What is your life's aim?



Nanak:

I speak only Truth.



I bow only

To the Infinite One.



I dedicate my life

To the Infinite One.



I seek

A truthful congregation

To experience Equipoise.



In wandering

I see no merit.

Liberation comes from

The Word.

Sidhas:

Where is your home?

Where have you come from?

Where are you going?

You were once a wanderer.

Now, you are a householder.

Which path are you pursing?

Enlighten us.



My home is

In the Infinite One

That dwells in all.



I've come from Truth,

To Truth I'll return.



I pursue only Truth

By Guru's Grace.



This world is an impassable ocean.

How does one cross over?

Give us your thoughtful reply,

Says Charpat.



To the one who claims

To know all,

What answer can I give?



Attune the mind

To the Word.



Amidst desires,

Be without desire.



Amidst attachment,

Live detached.



Then,

Like a lotus in muddy waters,

Like a duck floating in a stream,

You, too, will cross over.



The truth-oriented

Realizes -

The self is

Merged in

Truth.

I won't copy the full dialogue but you can find it below


Read more: The Sidh Gosht- Dialogue With The Sages

 

[Onkara]

Thanks for sharing this.

 

[GURSIKH]

Mehrbani Gurtej ji ,


Waheguru ji ka Khalsa
Waheguru ji ki fateh

 

[Jassa]

I'm absolutely thrilled to have come across this; a truly humbling experience.

The Sidh Gosht serves as an excellent chronicle encapsulating the essence of Guru Nanak's philosophy. This brief imparting of knowledge guidelines how one can affix oneself to being 'truthful' whilst engaging actively in the world, a fundamental concept in Sikhism - as the Guru once said: "Truth is higher than everything; but higher still is truthful living."

Additionally, the Guru supplicated three requisite precepts consisting of selfless service, the remembrance of God, and cultivation of pure virtues so that one may become pure amidst impurities.

Guru Nanak's teachings are all-inclusive intended for all of mankind. No one is exempt. Perhaps this is what attracts me the most to this fabulous faith.

 

[Gurtej]

I'm absolutely thrilled to have come across this; a truly humbling experience.

The Sidh Gosht serves as an excellent chronicle encapsulating the essence of Guru Nanak's philosophy. This brief imparting of knowledge guidelines how one can affix oneself to being 'truthful' whilst engaging actively in the world, a fundamental concept in Sikhism - as the Guru once said: "Truth is higher than everything; but higher still is truthful living."

Additionally, the Guru supplicated three requisite precepts consisting of selfless service, the remembrance of God, and cultivation of pure virtues so that one may become pure amidst impurities.

Guru Nanak's teachings are all-inclusive intended for all of mankind. No one is exempt. Perhaps this is what attracts me the most to this fabulous faith.

Yes Guru Nanak was a true teacher. In regards, I always say Teacher is more important than any messenger out there. The reason is quite simple. A messenger give the message or brings the message. A guru (Teacher) is someone who explains that message. That's why guru is regarded as someone who you look unto.

Not only guru Nanak, all Sikh guru's (We consider all as one soul but different bodies) were perfect teachers. I really hope that Sikhs do their best to spread this great religion as this is a universal one and the most beautiful.

 

[Jassa]

Not only guru Nanak, all Sikh guru's (We consider all as one soul but different bodies) were perfect teachers.

Thanks Gurtej. It all makes sense now. I had come under a lot of confusion as to why Guru Nanak was frequently mentioned in the SGGS, and not the other Gurus.

Yes Guru Nanak was a true teacher. In regards, I always say Teacher is more important than any messenger out there. The reason is quite simple. A messenger give the message or brings the message. A guru (Teacher) is someone who explains that message. That's why guru is regarded as someone who you look unto.

Quite an insightful analogy distinguishing between the separate roles of a Guru and a messenger.

A distinctive immanent feature of the Guru is that the Guru is eternal as he resides in the Naam. One must seek Guru's grace by reciting the Naam, the imperishable truth, enacting upon this instruction is to embrace the love of the Guru which will bring forth God-realisation. Until the dome of ego is not obliterated the disciple cannot fuse with the eternal Guru.

Such is the way of the Guru: an ever-present guide, inspiring each and every one of us to find the singular source. Many (like me) search for God externally but the Guru made clear that it is an intrinsic process. Blessed are they who have the eternal Guru for guidance.