Kach bigariou naahin ajahu jaag – by Acapella Jatha

WE CONTINUE.  AS SAID EALIER our analysis in the values of Malaysia Gurdwara Council (MGC) and what it stands for was mooted by the recent MGC’s letter dated 20-Mar-2017 accusing Gur Vichar of mischievously writing that GSC is a Panth Dokhi in addition to other claims.  

The analysis we performed was very interesting and we have commented on this MGCs letter through our post on 23-Mar-2017.  The conclusion from that analysis was that 

It appears that MGC is condoning those who are acting against the edicts of Akal Takht and SRM.

Continuing from that post we posted the following information on 24-Mar-2017.  The conclusion in the post was that 

MGC is contravening its own CONSTITUTION, the SRM and the AKAL TAKHT GURMATTA by

• banning the singing, reciting and discourse of Guru Gobind Singh’s banee in Dasam Granth,
• espousing the Ek Granth concept

Further on 26-Mar-2017 we analysed the RESOLUTION DISCUSSION (as per MGC letter dated 21-May-2016).  Our conclusion was MGC

That meeting appeared more like a LOGIC VOID game of chance e.g. THE ROULETTE WHEEL IN A CASINO executed by MGC, SNSM, KDM, Melaka Vidayala and the Sikh Religious Scholars BANNING THE ACTIVITY THE MALAYSIAN SANGAT HAS BEEN DOING SINCE THE TIME OF THEIR FOREFATHERS than a serious discussion on matters affecting the Malaysian Sangat.

IN THIS POST we will look at their Ek Granth Ek Panth Ek Maryada concept.  This buzzword appears all over their letters.  MGC states that this concept is 

• based on “Eka Bani Eka Gur Eka Shabad Bichar”
• it is the UNIFYING FACTOR for the Gurdwaras and the Sangat.

We will analyse each of these dot points below.

1. EK GRANTH EK PANTH EK MARYADA IS BASED ON “EKA BANI EKA GUR EKA SHABAD BICHAR” 

The verse from SGGS Ji 646 is reproduced below.

ਇਕਾ ਬਾਣੀ ਇਕੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਇਕੋ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰ ॥ 

Eka Bani Ek Gur Eko Shabad Vichar.

The Romanised version based on the style used by MGC is shown below the Gurmukhi text.  The words is RED show the difference between that written by MGC and what it should be.  It is not being picky but for something so important; the MGC cannot even get it correct.  Ek / Eka and Eko have different meanings.  

The particular verse is from Chakka 10 of Vaar Mahala 4 Ki in Raag Sorath (SGGS 642).  A Vaar means a long poem in which the praises of a hero are sung. 

The religious Vaars included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, are made up of Chakkay (ਛਕੇ) which contain a slok, a small verse complete in itself which is mostly subjective, before each paurdi. The slok clarifies the idea in the paurdi. The paurdi captures the main message of the Chakka (ਛਕਾ).  Therefore the proper method of deciphering the one verse is to study the entire Chakka.  Generally the sloks explain the Paurdi.  

The essence of the Paurdi of Chakka 10 is that those permeated with falsehood (e.g. fraud, sin) do not speak the truth; falsehood is burnt away by speaking the truth which will be the result when one starts to meditate on Naam with the Grace of God.  

The first stanza of the Slok discusses those permeated with falsehood.  They do not think about spiritual wisdom, act in blindness and do not praise God.  The stanza ends by stating that Naam is internalised by realising the Shabad.  The next stanza expounds on the Shabad.  The first part states that the Bani comes from God, and that we should contemplate on the Shabad which is the true spiritual treasure realising which we will be able to acquire Naam.

The verse in question is from the first part of the second stanza of the Slok.  

To substantiate our understanding we also refer to a credible source for the meaning.  The extract explaining the above verse plus the next verse from Professor Sahib Singh’s Teeka is shown in Figure 1.  

MGC used the first verse which is only part of the stanza 2 of the Slok.  Not very prudent especially when something on which a concept is pinned!

Figure 1: Extract Professor Sahib Singh’s Teeka 

The above in Gurmukhi, translated into English is written below.

Eka and Ek mean  ONE or THE ONE.  Eko has means ONLY ONE.  

Only Bani is Parmanic Guru, one should contemplate on the Shabad of Guru, only this (i.e. Shabad of Guru) is eternal, this is the true trade, which is the treasure of jewels, if the Giver gives, this treasure is obtained by the Grace of God.

Based on the above and other credible resources the explanation of the verse is as follows:

ਇਕਾ ਬਾਣੀ (Eka Bani) –  The Bani of THE ONE (this implies God).      

ਇਕੁ ਗੁਰੁ (Ek Gur) –  This Bani, from GOD, came through our Gurus in the form of Shabad and is termed PARMANIC.  Only Bani is our Guru, our Teacher.

ਇਕੋ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰ (Eko Shabad Vichar) –  Contemplate on the Shabad which comes from God (through our Gurus as stated above).  

Nowhere in the slok is a reference to Granth, Panth or Maryada.  How can then “Ek Granth, Ek Panth, Ek Maryada” be based on this Shabad?  The only commonality is that the verse also has three Ek (albeit in different forms).

This shows lack of understanding of the teachings of SGGS Ji’s on the part of MGC and its advisors.

Ek Granth has failed the test so the validity of Ek Panth Ek Maryada is also a big question mark?

This concept breaks the age old tradition of singing, reciting and discourse of Guru Gobind Singh’s banee from Dasam Granth.  HOW CAN IT BE UNIFYING?

2. A BIT ON MGC’S HISTORY ABOUT EK GRANTH EK PANTH EK MARYADA

MGC via its letter dated 12-Jul-2016 stated that it will be launching the Ek Granth Ek Panth Ek Maryada (3Ek) concept PARCHAR YEAR soon.

MGC started with an article by Sikh Vichar Forum in Asia Samachar (AS) article “Ek Granth, Ek Panth, Ek Maryada: A logo that says it all” on 3-Nov-2016.   In this article the 3Ek concept logo was introduced.  

Surprisingly the verse “Eka Bani Ek Gur Eko Shabad Vichar” was missing.

The new claim was that Ek Granth was said to be hinged on two verses from Gurbani.  

ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਪੂਰੀ ਜਾ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਅਿਨਕ ਗੁਣਾ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਜਾਹਿ ਨ ਗਣੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥  (SGGS 805)

Gur Pooraa Pooree Jaa Kee Baanee Anik Gunaa Jaa Kae Jaahi N Ganae ||1|| Rehaao ||

ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਬਾਣੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿ‡ਤੁ ਸਾਰੇ ॥  (SGGS 982)

Baanee Guroo Guroo Hai Baanee Vich Baanee Anmrith Saarae || 

Both the verses when analysed do not at all refer to Ek Granth.  This is shown in Gurvichar article at LINK A.

This concept was first launched in Gurdwara Sahib Klang on 13-Nov-2016 (article Asia Samachar Klang gurdwara makes history with launch of ‘Ek Granth, Ek Panth, Ek Maryada’dated 24-Nov-2016 refers).  In this launch Karminder Singh the lay parcharak of MGC was back singing the “Eka Bani Ek Gur Eko Shabad Vichar” tune.  We are not sure what happened to the two verses quoted in their AS article dated 3-Nov-2016.  

The next launch was at Gurdwara Sahib Seremban, where it was, as in Klang launch, also claimed that the 3Ek concept was based on the concept by Wold Sikh Council (WSC).  Article by Asia Samachar Seremban leadership endorses ‘Ek Granth, Ek Panth, Ek Maryada’ dated 27-Nov-2016 refers.  The WSC is a suspended company see LINK B.  Asia Samachar claimed that WSC had a meeting in Paris in 2016.  This statement is FALSE.  They should be referring to the GLOBAL SIKH COUNCIL, which recently had a meeting in Kuala Lumpur hosted by MGC.  

This was followed by the Perlis launch at Gurdwara Sahib Kangar launch on 20-Nov-2016 and then the launch at Gurdwara Sahib Kuala Pilah launch on 4-Dec-2016.  The same false statements were made regarding WSC.

No more launches (from common knowledge barring any secret launches) have taken place subsequently.

3. CONCLUSION

The 3Ek concept appears, from common knowledge information, barring any secret launches, to have been launched at four Gurdwaras, Klang, Seremban, Kangar and Kuala Pilah. 

There is no reference to Granth, Panth or Maryada based on the MGC quoted verse.  The only commonality is that the verse also has three Ek (albeit in different forms).

What kind of concept is this that does not even meet the meaning of the verse it claims to be based on?  Do MGC and its advisors really understand Gurbani?  

HOW CAN THIS CONCEPT BE UNIFYING when it breaks the age old tradition of singing, reciting and discourse of Guru Gobind Singh’s banee in Dasam Granth?

Are they MISGUIDING THE SANGAT?

SANGAT JI PLEASE WAKE UP TO THIS MISGUIDE.

….. to be continued.