Boundaries of Worship (Bhakti) - Sant Rampal Ji
Important information for those taking (Naam) Initiation from Sant Rampal Ji
Identity of a Purna Guru (Complete Guru):- A person seeking initiation should first of all identify the Guru. Thereafter, he/she should take initiation. Today in Kalyug the most difficult question before the devotee community is to identify a Complete Guru. But its answer is very short and simple, that only a guru who does bhakti according to the scriptures and makes his followers i.e disciples do the same, is a Complete Saint. Because religious scriptures like - speech of God Kabir, speech of Shri Nanak Sahib Ji, speech of Sant Garibdas Ji Maharaj, speech of Sant Dharmdas Ji Sahib, Vedas, Gita, Puran, Quran, Holy Bible etc are the constitution of the path of Bhakti. If a saint tells sadhna and shows the path to the devotee community according to the scriptures, he is a Complete Saint; otherwise, he is a big enemy of the devotee community who is making others do sadhna opposite to the scriptures. He is playing with this invaluable human life. Such a guru or saint will be hung upside-down in deep hell in God's court.
For example, if a teacher teaches from outside the syllabus, he is an enemy of those students.
Gita Chapter 7 Verse 15
Na, mam', dushkrtinH, moodaH, prpadhyante, naraadhmaH,
Mayya, aphrtgyanaH, aasurm', bhavm', aashritaH ||15||
Translation: Those whose knowledge has been stolen by Triguni Maya i.e. Rajgun Brahma, Satgun Vishnu and Tamgun Shiv ji, meaning those who do not worship any god above these three deities, are completely attracted to these only. Such men who have demoniac nature, who are lowest among men, the evil-doers, fools, do not worship me i.e. they only keep worshipping the three gunas (Rajgun-Brahma, Satgun-Vishnu, Tamgun-Shiv).
Yajurved Chapter 40 Verse 10 (Translated by Sant Rampal Das)
AnyadevahuHsambhvadanyadahurasambhvaat', iti,
shushrum, dheeranaM, ye, nastdwichchakshire ||10||
Translation: - About God, normally it is said that He is formless i.e. who never takes birth. Others say that He is in form i.e. takes birth in the form of an incarnation. Those who are (dheeranam) completely knowledgeable narrate properly whether that God takes birth or not. They impart proper i.e. accurate first-hand knowledge on this topic in different ways. Listen to the correct knowledge about God from those knowledgeable mahatmas. (Yajurved Chapter 40 Verse 10)
Gita Chapter 4 Verse 34
Tat', viddhi, prnipaaten, pariprshnen, sevya,
Updekshyanti, te, gyanm', gyaninH, tatvdarshinH ||34||
Translation:- O Arjun! In Gita Chapter 4 Verse 32, it has been said that the true spiritual knowledge that (BrahmnH) Sachidanand Ghan Brahm i.e. Param Akshar Brahm imparts (mukhey) in the speech uttered from His lotus-mouth, is Tatvgyan. Understand that knowledge. By properly prostrating before the saints who know the true knowledge and solution of that Supreme God, by serving them, and by giving up deceit, asking them questions with simplicity, those knowledgeable Mahatmas, who know the Supreme God in essence, will instruct you in that (Tatvgyan) true spiritual knowledge. Other identities of a Complete Guru:-
Characteristics of a Guru have been described in Sukshm Ved:-
Garib, Satguru ke lakshan kahun, madhurey baen vinod |
Chaar ved chH shastr, keh athaarah bodh ||
Supreme God Kabir had met Sant Garibdas ji (Village-Chhudani, District-Jhajjar, Haryana). God Kabir took his soul above to His Satyalok (eternal supreme abode). Showing all the (lok) places above, He had brought him back on earth. He had told him the entire spiritual knowledge. Supreme God Kabir had opened his divine vision of knowledge. Based on that, Sant Garibdas ji has described the identity of a Guru that a True Guru i.e. Satguru will be one who imparts such knowledge that his words exhilarate the soul; they sound euphonious because they are based on truth. The reason is that the Satguru elaborates the knowledge of the four Vedas and all the holy books.
Supreme God Kabir has given the same evidence in Sukshm Ved in Kabir Sagar’s Chapter “Jeev Dharm Bodh” on Page 1960:-
Guru ke lakshan chaar bakhana, pratham Ved shastra ko gyana (gyata) |
Doojey Hari bhakti man karm baani, teesrey samdrishti kar jaani |
Chauthey Ved vidhi sab karma, yeh chaar guru gun jano marma |
Meaning: - A Tatvdarshi Saint (Complete Satguru) has four main characteristics:-
- He is a complete scholar of the Vedas and all other holy books.
- He himself does the worship of God with mind-action-word; he is not merely a speaker. There is no difference in his actions and speech.
- He looks equally upon all the disciples. He does not discriminate on the basis of superiority or inferiority.
- Fourth - He himself performs and gets performed all the acts of bhakti (worship) according to the Vedas, that is, he follows and makes others follow scripture-based worship.
This above evidence is given in Sukshm Ved that Supreme God has uttered from his lotus-mouth. Now I will show you evidence in Shrimad Bhagavat Gita that what the identity of a Tatvdarshi Saint is.
It is clear in Shrimad Bhagavat Gita Chapter 15 Verse 1 that -
Oordhav moolam adhH shaakhm ashvattham praahuH avyyam |
Chhandaasi yasya prnaani yaH tam ved saH vedvit ||
Translation :- With roots above and the three gunas-like branches below, consider this inverted tree to be world-like Peepal tree; it is called immortal. Because the cycle of creation-destruction continues forever, it is called immortal. The leaves etc are the parts of this world-like tree. (Ya Tam Ved) He who knows all the parts of this world-like tree in essence, (SaH) he (Vedvit) knows the purport of the Vedas, that is, he is a Tatvdarshi Saint. Like, in Gita Chapter 4 Verse 32, it is stated that the Param Akshar Brahm Himself appearing on Earth utters the Tatvgyan (complete spiritual knowledge) in detail from His lotus-mouth.
Code of Conduct for a Disciple
1.Consumption of intoxicating substances is prohibited:- Let alone the consumption of hukkah (smoking tobacco through water), alcohol, beer, tobacco, beedi, cigarette, to take snuff, gutkha, meat, egg, sulfa (a wad of tobacco smoked in chilam), opium, cannabis and other intoxicating substances, do not even have to bring any intoxicating substance and give to anyone. Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj, calling all these intoxicating substances as bad, states in his sacred speech that -
Surapan madhya masahari, gaman karae bhogaen par naari | Sattar janm katat hain sheeshM, sakshi Sahib hai jagdeeshM || Par dwaara stri ka kholae, satar janm andha hovae dolae | Madira peeve kadva paani, sattar janm shwaan ke jaani || Garib, hukka hardam pivte, laal milaavaen dhoor | ismein sanshay hai nahin, janm pichhle soor ||1|| Garib, so naari jaari karae, sura paan sau baar | ek chilam hukka bharae, dubae kaali dhaar ||2|| Garib, soor gau kun khaat hai, bhakti bihune raad | bhaang tambaakhu kha gaye, so chaabat hain haad ||3|| Garib, bhang tambaakhu peev heen, sura paan sae het | gaust matti khaay kar, jangli bane pret ||4|| Garib, paan tambaakhu chaab heen, naas naak mein det | so to iraanae gaye, jyun bhadbhooje ka ret ||5|| Garib, bhang tambaakhu peev heen, gost gala kabaab | mor mrig koon bhakhat hain, denge kahaan jawaab ||6||
2. Going to places of pilgrimage is prohibited: - Do not have to keep fast of any kind. Do not have to do any pilgrimage, nor have to take any bath in Ganga etc, nor have to go to any other religious place for the sake of bathing or seeing. Do not have to go to any temple or place of pilgrimage of a favoured deity with the feeling of devotion or worship thinking that God is in this temple. God is not an animal whom the priest has tied in the temple. God (is omnipresent) is present in every particle. All these sadhnas (ways of worship) are against the scriptures.
Just think a little that all these places of pilgrimage (like, Jagannaath Temple, Badrinaath, Haridwar, Mecca-Medina, Amarnaath, Vaishnodevi, Vrindavan, Mathura, Barsana, Ayodhya Ram Temple, Kashi Dhaam, Chhudani Dhaam etc), temples, mosques, gurudwaras, churchs and places of pilgrimage of favoured deities etc are such places where some saint used to live. They after doing their sadhna there and collecting their wealth of bhakti, left their bodies and went to the lok (place) of their favoured deity. Thereafter to preserve the evidence of their presence, someone built a temple there, some a mosque, someone a gurudwara, someone church or someone an inn etc, so that their memory remains, and insignificant people like us keep getting the evidence that we should perform actions similar to these great souls. All these religious places only give this message to all of us that just as these famous saints have done sadhna, so should you. For this, you must search for the saints who do and tell sadhna in this very way, and then do as they say. But later people started worshipping these places only, which is absolutely useless and is contrary to the scriptures.
All these places are like such a place where a sweet-maker built a bhatti (clay-oven), made sweets like laddu, jalebi etc, and after eating himself and feeding his near and dear ones, went away. Thereafter neither is there any sweet-maker in that place, nor any sweet. Only the bhatti is there then. Neither can it teach us how to make sweets, nor can it fill our stomachs. Now, if someone says, "Come, brother! I will show you that bhatti where a sweet-maker had made sweets. Let's go." Went there and saw that bhatti, and also circumambulated it seven times. Did you get the sweet? Did you find the sweet-maker who teaches the method of preparing sweets? For this, you will have to find a similar sweet-maker who first of all feeds you the sweet and then also explains the method of its preparation. Then only do what he says, nothing else.
Similarly, instead of worshipping the places of pilgrimage, find the same kind of saints who do and tell bhakti of Supreme God Kabir according to the scriptures. Then only do as they say. Do not act arbitrarily.
Samved Mantra no. 1400 Utarchik Adhyay no. 12 Khand no. 3 Shlok no. 5 (Translated by Sant Rampal Das)
Bhadra vastra samanyavasaano mahaan' kavirnivachnani shansan' |
Aavachyasv chamvoH pooymano vichakshano jagrvirdevveetau ||5||
Translation: - Clever people, through their speeches, instead of guiding the true path of the way of worship of Supreme God (Purna Brahm), in place of nectar, are respectfully making sip pus (from a boil or wound) of the worship of others [like, ghost-worship, Pitra-worship, carrying out shraadhs, worship of the three gunas (Rajgun-Brahma, Satgun-Vishnu, Tamgun-Shankar) and worship of Brahm-Kaal and way of worship upto temple, mosque, gurudwaras, churchs, places of pilgrimage and keeping fasts]. The supreme-happiness-giving Complete God Great Kabir acquiring another body made up of (tejpunj) masses of light similar to that of Satyalok appears in body in an ordinary attire (vastra) [The meaning of 'vastra' is 'attire' - in saint language, it is also called 'chola'. Like, if a saint gives up his body, then it is said that Mahatma has left his chola], and by spending life like a common man and living in the world for a few days reveals this secret by means of His hymns and verses. He Himself reveals the hidden actual true knowledge and worship of the Supreme God i.e. of Himself.
Gita Chapter 16 Verse 23
YaH, shastrvidhim', utsrjya, vartte, kamkaratH, na, saH,
Siddhim', avapnoti, na, sukham', na, paraam', gatim' ||23||
Translation: He who, abandoning the injunctions of the scriptures, acts according to his whimsical desires, neither attains siddhi, nor supreme state, nor happiness.
Gita Chapter 6 Verse 16
Na, ati, ashrnatH, tu, yogH, asti, na, ch, ekantm',
AnshrnatH, na, ch, ati, swapnsheelasya, jagrtH, na, ev, ch, Arjun ||16||
Translation: O Arjun, this bhakti (worship) is neither successful of a person who eats too much, nor of a person who does not eat at all i.e. who keeps fasts, nor of a person who sleeps too much, and nor of a person who always stays awake.
Poojain deii dhaam ko, sheesh halaavae jo |
Garibdas saachi kahae, had kafir hai so ||
Kabir, ganga kaathae ghar karae, peevae nirmal neer | mukti nahin hari naam bin, Satguru kahain Kabir || Kabir, teerth kar-kar jag mua, udae paani nhaay | Ram hi naam na japa, Kaal ghasitey jaay ||
Garib, peetal hi ka thaal hai, peetal ka lota | jad moorat ko poojte, aavaega tota || Garib, peetal chamcha poojiye, jo thaal parosae | jad moorat kis kaam ki, mati raho bharosae || Kabir, parvat parvat main firya, karan apne Ram | Ram sarikhe jan mile, jin saare sab kaam ||
3. Worship of gods-goddesses and pitras (manes) is prohibited:- Do not have to do any type of worship of Pitras, carrying out shraadhs etc. God Shri Krishna has also clearly forbidden worshipping these Pitras and ghosts.
In Gita Ji Chapter 9 Verse 25, it is said that —
Yanti, devvrtaH, devan', pitrn', yanti, pitrvrtaH,
Bhootani, Yanti, bhootejyaH, yanti, madhyajinH, api, mam' ||25||
Translation: Worshippers of gods go to gods, worshippers of pitras go to pitras, worshippers of ghosts go to ghosts, and those devotees who worship in accordance with the scriptures (matanusar) are benefited by me alone.
Bandichhor Garibdas Ji Maharaj and Kabir Sahib Ji Maharaj also say-
“Garib, bhoot ramae so bhoot hai, Dev ramae so Dev |
Ram ramae so Ram ahi, suno sakal sur bhev ||”
Therefore, do bhakti of that Supreme God, from whom you will attain complete salvation. That God is Purna Brahm/SatPurush Sat Kabir. Its evidence is also in Gita Ji Chapter 18 Verse 46.
Gita Chapter 18 Verse 46
YatH, prvrttibhootanaM yen sarvmidM tatam' |
Swakarmna tambhyachrya siddhiM vindati manavH ||46||
Translation: The God from whom all the living beings have originated and from whom this whole world has pervaded, by worshipping that God through the performance of one's natural activities, a man attains supreme spiritual success.(46)
Gita Chapter 18 Verse 62
Tamev sharnM gachchh sarvbhaven bharat |
Tatprsadatparam shantiM sthanM prapyasi shashvatam' ||62||
Translation: O Descendent of Bharat, Arjun! You, in every respect, go in the refuge of only that Supreme God. By His grace, you will attain supreme peace and the eternal place.
The meaning of 'in every respect' is to not do any other worship and to have faith in only one God by mind-action-speech.
Gita Chapter 8 Verse 22
PurushH, saH, parH, paarth, bhaktya, labhyaH, tu, ananyya,
Yasya, antHsthani, bhootani, yen, sarvam', idam', tatam' ||22||
Translation: O Prthanandan Arjun! The (Param Purush Parmatma) Supreme God, under whom are all the living beings and from whom this whole universe has pervaded, is attainable only by undivided devotion.
The meaning of undivided devotion is to worship one Supreme God and not other gods-goddesses i.e. the three gunas (Rajgun-Brahma, Satgun-Vishnu, and Tamgun-Shiv).
Gita Ji Chapter 15 Verses 1 to 4: -
Gita Chapter 15 Verse 1
Oordhvmoolam', adhHshaakham', ashvttham', praahuH, avyyam',
Chhandaasi, yasya, parnaani, yaH, tam', ved, saH, vedvit' ||1||
Translation: With the roots above and the branches below, it is an eternal and extensive world-like peepal tree, whose small-small parts are said to be twigs and leaves. One, who knows that world-like tree in this manner, is completely knowledgeable i.e. Tatvdarshi.
Gita Chapter 15 Verse 2
AdhH, ch, oordhvam', prsrtaH, tasya, shaakhaH, gunprvrddhaH, VishayprvaalaH, adhH, ch, moolani, anusanttani, karmanubandheeni, manushyaloke ||2||
Translation: Spread above and below, that tree's three gunas Rajgun-Brahma, Satgun-Vishnu, Tamgun-Shiv -like defects - lust, anger, attachment, greed, arrogance-like shoots and branches - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiv, only are the root (main) cause of binding the soul to actions (karm), and in the world of men - Heaven, Hell and Earth, have been arranged below (in, 84 lakh births of various living beings) and above.
Gita Chapter 15 Verse 3
Na, roopam', asya, ih, tatha, uplabhyate, na, antH, na, ch, aadiH, na, ch, Samprtishtha, ashvattham', enam', suvirudmoolam', asangshastren, drden, chhitva ||3||
Translation: This Creation has neither a beginning nor an end, nor that form is perceived. And here in this discussion i.e. in the knowledge of Gita being imparted by me, even I do not have full information because even I do not know about the proper state of the creation of all brahmands. By slashing with this firm weapon of untainted i.e. pure Tatvgyan which has a properly stabilized state and a strong form, i.e. by considering the bhakti of Niranjan to be short-lived.
Gita Chapter 15 Verse 4
TatH, padam', tat', parimargitvyam', yasmin', gataaH, na, nivartanti, bhooyH,
Tam', ev, ch, aadhyam', purusham', prpadhye, yatH, prvrttiH, prsrta, puraani ||4||
Translation: After that one should search for that Supreme God with supreme state. Having attained whom, human beings do not return to the world, and from whom this ancient creation - srishti/nature has extended. I am also in the refuge of that Aadi Purush Parmatma only.
Thus, even God Shri Krishna himself, making others relinquish the worship of Indra who is the king of gods-goddesses, had encouraged to do bhakti of only that Supreme God. Because of which by raising the Govardhan mountain, he had protected the residents of Brij from the anger of Indra.
Garib, Indra chada brij dubovan, bheega bheet na lev |
Indra kadaai hot jagat mein, pooja kha gaye dev ||
Kabir, is sansaar ko, samjhaaoon kae baar |
Poonchh jo pakdae bhed ki, utra chaahae paar ||
4. Obeying orders of Guru:- Without the permission of Guruji, do not have to perform any type of religious rite at home. Like, Bandichhor (Liberator from prison) says in his sacred speech-
"Guru bin yagya hawan jo karhin, mithya jaave kabahu nahin falhin"
Kabir, guru bin maala ferte, guru bin dete daan |
Guru bin dono nishfal hain, poochho Ved Puraan ||
Meaning:- There is no use of remembering God or giving donations without the permission of a Guru.
Guru ki aagya nishchay kar maanae | Purna Guru ki sewa thaanae ||
Peedhi sahit narak mein padhahi | Guru aagya shishya lop jo karahi ||
5. Worship of Mata Masaani (a mother goddess named Masaani) is prohibited:- Do not have to worship 'madi' (memorial structure/statue) made in your field or any 'kheda' (a site where a village or city has been destroyed) etc or the grave of any god. Whether grave is of anyone, do not have to worship it at all. Do not have to do any other worship. Even do not have to worship the three gunas (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiv). Only have to act according to Guruji's instructions.
Gita Chapter 7 Verse 15
Na, mam', dushkrtinH, moodaH, prpadhyante, naraadhmaH,
Mayya, aphrtgyanaH, aasurm', bhavm', aashritaH ||15||
Translation: Those whose knowledge has been stolen by Maya i.e. those who are firm on the worship of Trigunmayi Maya i.e. Rajgun Brahma, Satgun Vishnu and Tamgun Shiv ji, their intellect is firm on these alone. They do not worship any god above three three deities. Such men who have demoniac nature, who are lowest among men, the evil-doers, fools, do not worship me (Kaal Brahm who has delivered the knowledge of Gita) i.e. they only keep worshipping the three gunas (Rajgun-Brahma, Satgun-Vishnu, Tamgun-Shiv).
Kabir, maai masaani shed sheetla, bhairav bhoot hanumant | Parmatma unse door hai, jo inko poojant || Kabir, sau varsh to guru ki sewa, ek din aan upaasi | vo apraadhi aatma, parae Kaal ki faansi || Guru ko tajae bhajae jo aana | ta pasuva ko fokat gyaana ||
6. Lord Kabir is Sankat Mochan (Liberator from a crisis):- On arrival of any suffering (crisis) as a result of karm (deeds), never have to worship any other deity god or Mata Masaani etc., nor have to go to any palmist/astrologer. Only have to worship Bandichhor God Kabir who removes all the miseries, who is the liberator from crisis.
Samved Mantra no. 822 Utarchik Adhyay 3 Khand no. 5 Shlok 8 (Translated by Sant Rampal Das)
ManeeshibhiH pavte poorvyaH kavirnrbhiyatH pari koshaaM asishyadat' |
Tritasya naam janayamadhu ksharannindrasya vaayuM sakhyay vardhayan' ||
Translation: Primordial i.e. Eternal Supreme God Kabir, by giving instruction of three mantras to a devout soul who loves Him by heart and does worship with faith, by purifying him, releases him from birth and death, and fully increases the countable life-breaths, which have been given to his friend i.e. devotee according to destiny, from His store. As a result of which, He makes him attain the real happiness of Supreme God by His blessings.
Kabir, Devi Dev thaade bhaye, humko thaur bataao |
jo mujh (Kabir) ko poojaen nahin, unko looto khaao ||
Garib, Kaal jo peesae peesna, jora hai panihaar |
ye do asal majoor hain, Satguru ke darbaar ||
7. Unnecessary charity is prohibited: - Do not have to give anything in form of charity anywhere and to anyone. Neither money, nor unstitched cloth etc, nothing. If someone comes asking for any charity, then feed him and give something to drink like tea, milk, lassi, water etc, but do not have to give anything else. Who knows that beggar might misuse that money. For instance, a man hearing a false story of a beggar (in which he was telling - my children are suffering without treatment and please give me some money), out of emotions, gave him Rs 100. Earlier that beggar used to drink 250 ml of alcohol. That day he drank half a bottle of alcohol and beat his wife. His wife along with his children committed suicide. That charity done by you became the cause of destruction of that family. If you want to help such a distressed person, then get his children medication from the doctor; do not give money.
“Kabir, guru bin maala ferte, guru bin dete daan |
Guru bin dono nishfal hain, poochchho ved puraan ||”
8. It is prohibited to eat remnants of food previously consumed by someone:- Do not have to eat food remnants of a person who consumes alcohol, meat, tobacco, egg, beer, opium, cannabis etc.
9. Performance of last rites after (death) departure to Satyalok is prohibited:- If someone dies in the family, then anybody can light the funeral pyre - a family member or someone else. They should utter Manglacharan while lighting it. Do not have to pick up anything like ashes etc. If it is compulsory to clean that area, then picking up those ashes you may yourself immerse them in any flowing water. Utter the Manglacharan at that time. Neither have to offer pind etc, nor have to do anything like terahmi, chhHmahi, barsodi, and shraadhs etc. Do not have to get any hawan performed by any other person. Determine any one day for the relatives or near and dear ones who come to express their condolences. That day, do the Nitya Niyam which is done daily, light the lamp, and then feed everyone. If you want to do any meritorious act on his (deceased person's) name, then after taking permission from your Gurudev Ji, you should keep the Akhand Paath of Bandichhor Garibdas Ji Maharaj's sacred speech. If you do not get the permission to do Paath, then the initiated devotees of the family may light a continuous lamp of desi ghee at home for four or seven days and do jaap of Brahm Gayatri mantra four times in a day and may offer three or one time of jaap to the deceased person who has departed to Satlok. As considered appropriate, they may donate the fruit of upto one, two, or three jaap of mantras to him/her. You have to continue lighting lamp, doing Aarti, and chanting mantra etc like every day, bearing this in mind that -
Kabir, saathi hamaare chaley gaye, hum bhi chaalan haar |
koye kaagaj mein baaki rah rahi, taate laag rahi vaar ||
Kabir, deh padi to kya hua, jhootha sabhi pateet |
pakshi udya aakaash koon, chalta kar gaya beet ||
A Real Story About Karm Kaand (Ceremonial Acts)
My (Sant Rampal Das's) venerable Gurudev Swami Ramdevanand Ji Maharaj became detached (vairaag - free from worldly desires) at the age of 16 years after hearing satsang of a Mahatma. One day he had gone in the fields. There was a forest nearby. He went into the forest, tore his clothes and threw them near the bones of a dead animal, and himself went along with the Mahatma Ji.
When he was searched, the family members saw that torn clothes are lying near the bones in the forest. They thought that some wild animal has eaten him. They brought those clothes and bones home and performed the last rites. Thereafter, they performed terahveen and chhHmah and barsodi and then started carrying out shraadhs.
When my venerable Gurudev had grown very old, then once he went home. Then those family members came to know that he is alive and had left home. They told that when he had left home, we searched for him. We found his clothes in the forest. Some bones were lying next to them. We thought that some wild animal had eaten him and brought those clothes and bones home and performed the last-rites.
Then I (Sant Rampal Das) asked the wife of the younger brother of my venerable Gurudev that - “When our venerable gurudev ji had left home, then what did you do in his absence?” She told, "When I got married, I found that his shraadhs were being carried out. I have carried out nearly 70 shraadhs of his with my own hands." She told that whenever there used to be any loss at home; for example, a buffalo not giving milk, any problem in the udder, any other loss etc, then we used to go to the exorcists. They used to say that someone has died unmarried in your family. He is troubling you because he has become a ghost. Then we used to give his clothes etc.
Then I said, “He is saving the world. Whom was he troubling? He is now a giver of happiness.” Then I (Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj) said to that old lady, “Now that he is in front of you, at least now stop doing these useless religious practices like carrying out shraadhs.” Then she replied, "It is an old custom. How can I give it up?" In other words, we have become so much engrossed in our old customs that even on seeing with our own eyes that we are doing wrong, we cannot leave it. It is evident from this that carrying out shraadhs and worshipping Pitras etc are all useless.
10. It is prohibited to do worship against the scriptures on the birth of a child:- On birth of a child, do not have to celebrate any chhati (sixth day after birth) etc. Because of 'Sutak' the daily worship, bhakti, aarti (prayer), lighting lamp etc do not have to be stopped.
In this context, let me tell you a short story. A person got a child after ten years of his marriage. In the happiness of having a son, he celebrated a lot. He invited twenty to twenty-five villages for food and there was a lot of singing and dancing. In other words, he spent a lot of money. Then after a year that son passed away. Then that same family cried like hell, and blamed their misfortune. Therefore, God Kabir tells us that -
Kabir, beta jaaya khushi hui, bahut bajaaye thaal |
aana jaana lag raha, jyon keedi ka naal ||
Kabir, patjhad aavat dekh kar, ban rovae man maahi |
oonchi daali paat the, ab peele ho ho jaahin ||
Kabir, paat jhadanta yoon kahae, sun bhai taruvar raay |
ab ke bichhude nahin mila, na jaane kahaan girenge jaay ||
Kabir, taruvar kehta paat se, suno paat ik baat |
yahaan ki yaahe reeti hai, ek aavat ek jaat ||
11. Going to place of pilgrimage of a favoured deity to get child's head tonsured is prohibited:- Do not have to go to any place of pilgrimage for getting the child's head shaved off. When you see that the hair have grown, get them cut and throw them away. Saw in a temple that reverential devotees came to get their son's or daughter's head shaven off. The barber over there asked for three times more money than outside, and cutting a scissor full of hair gave them to the parents. They offered them with faith in the temple. The priest put them in a bag. At night, he threw them away in a distant solitary place. All this is just a drama. Why not get head shaven off in a normal manner as before and dispose them outside. God becomes pleased with naam, not by hypocrisy.
12. Giving or accepting dowry is prohibited:- After taking initiation, neither one has to give dowry nor accept it.
13. Take initiation for self-welfare: - Naam (initiation) should not only be taken with a viewpoint to remove sorrows; rather, it should be taken for self-welfare. Then with sumiran (repeatedly remembering the given mantra) one gets all the joys automatically.
“Kabir, sumiran se sukh hot hai, sumiran se duHkh jaay |
Kahaen Kabir sumiran kiye, Saain maahin samaay ||”
14. Adultery is prohibited:- One should look upon other women as mother, daughter or sister. Adultery is a heinous sin. Like - “Garib, par dwaara stri ka kholae | sattar janm andha ho dolae ||”
Surapaan Madhya maasahaari | gavan karein bhogain par naari ||
Sattar janm katat hain sheeshaM | saakshi Sahib hai jagdeeshaM ||
Par naari na parsiyo, mano vachan humaar |
Bhavan chaturdash taas sir, triloki ka bhaar ||
Par naari na parsiyo, suno shabd saltant |
Dharmrai ke khambh se, ardhmukhi latkant ||
15. To hear criticism and to criticise is prohibited:- Do not criticize your Guru even by mistake, nor hear his criticism. To hear means if someone says false things about your Guru Ji, you do not have to fight; rather, you should think that he is speaking without thinking i.e. he is telling a lie.
Guru ki ninda sunae jo kaana | taako nishchay narak nidaana ||
Apne mukh ninda jo karheen | shukar shwaan garbh mein parheen ||
Do not have to criticize anyone, and do not even have to listen to it, even if it is about a common man. God Kabir states that -
“Tinka kabahu na nindiye, jo paanv taley ho |
Kabahu uth aakhin padey, peer ghaneri ho ||”
16. It is mandatory to listen to Satsang and do service:- Whenever you get time, try to come to satsang and do not come to satsang to put on airs (pride-superiority). Rather come considering yourself ill. Like, an ill person, no matter how wealthy he is, or whatever high designation he has, when he goes to a hospital, at that time his only aim is to become free from the illness. Wherever the doctor says him to lie down, he lies down, wherever the doctor says to sit down, he sits, when directed to go out, he goes out. Then when he is called to come in, he quietly comes in. If you come to satsang just like this, then you will get the benefit of coming to the satsang; otherwise it is fruitless. In satsang, wherever you get to sit, sit down, whatever you get to eat, considering it as prasaad (blessed food) by the grace of God Kabir, eat it and remain happy.
One gets a lot of benefit by obtaining a sight of Guru ji. Supreme God Kabir has stated that :-
Kabir, sant Milan koon chaaliye, taj maaya abhimaan |
jo-jo kadam aage rakhe, vo hi yagya samaan ||
Kabir, sant milan koon jaaiye, din mein kai-kai baar |
aasoj ke meh jyon, ghanaa kare upkaar ||
Kabir, darshan saadhu ka, Parmatma aavae yaad |
lekhe mein vohe ghadi, baaki ke din baad ||
Kabir, darshan saadu ka, mukh par basae suhaag |
darsh unheen ko hot hain, jinke pooran bhaag ||
17. Do not have to give anyone importance equivalent to Guru ji: - If an Akhand Paath or spiritual discourse is going on somewhere or one has just gone to visit guruji, then first of all, one should (do dandwat pranaam) prostrate oneself in reverence before Guruji, and should later bow before Sat Granth Sahib and the pictures like the idol of God Kabir, the idol of Saint Garibdas Ji and Swami Ramdevanand Ji and of Guru Ji, by which only the devotion is maintained. Do not have to worship the idol. To only bow respectfully before a picture does not come in worship. It only helps in maintaining the devotion of a devotee. Worship has to be done only of the living Guru and naam mantra who will convey one across (liberate).
Kabir, Guru se adhik na koyi thahraai |
Moksh panth nahin Guru bin paai ||
Kabir, Guru ko tajae, bhajae jo aana | ta pashuva ko fokat gyana ||
Kabir, Guru Govind dou khade, kaake laagun pay |
Balihaari Guru aapne, jin Govind diyo milaay ||
Kabir, Guru bade hain Govind se, man mein dekh vichaar |
Hari sumre so rah gaye, guru bhaje hoy paar ||
Kabir, Hari ke roothtaan, Guru ki sharan mein jaay |
Kabir Guru jae roothjaan, Hari nahin hot sahaay ||
Kabir, saat samundr ki masi karoon, lekhni karun baniraay |
Dharti ka kaagaj karoon, to Guru gun likha na jaay ||
18. Consumption of meat is prohibited:- Do not have to eat egg, meat or kill any living being. It is a heinous sin. Like, Lord Kabir and Garibdas Ji Maharaj have explained -
Kabir, jeev hane hinsa kare, prakat paap sir hoye |
Nigam puni aise paap tein, bhist gaya nahin koye ||1||
Kabir, til bhar machhli khaayke, koti gau de daan |
Kaashi karaunt le mare, to bhi narak nidaan ||2||
Kabir, bakri paati khaat hai, taaki kaadhi khaal |
Jo bakri ko khaat hai, tinka kaun hawaal ||3||
Kabir, gala kaati kalma bhare, kiya kahae halaal |
Sahib lekha maangsi, tab hosi kaun hawaal ||4||
Kabir, dinko roja rahat hain, raat hanat hain gay |
Yeh khoon vah bandagi, kahun kyon khushi khudaay ||5||
Kabir, kabira teii peer hain, jo jaanae par peer |
Jo par peer na jaani hai, so kaafir bepeer ||6||
Kabir, khoob khaana hai kheechdi, maanhi pari tuk laun |
Maans paraaya khaaykae, gala kataavae kaun ||7||
Kabir, musalmaan maaraen karadso, hindu maaraen tarvaar |
Kahae Kabir donu mili, jaehaen Yamke dwaar ||8||
Kabir, maans ahaari maanav, prtayaksh rakshas jaani |
Taaki sangat mati karae, hoi bhakti mein haani ||9||
Kabir, maans khaay te ded sab, mad peevaen so neech |
Kulki durmati par harae, Ram kahae so oonch ||10||
Kabir, maans machhliya khaat hain, surapaan se het |
Te nar narkae jaahinge, mata pita samet ||11||
Garib, jeev hinsa jo karte hain, ya aage kya paap |
Kantak juni jihaan mein, sinh bhediya aur saanp ||
Jhote bakre murge taai, lekha sab hi let gusaain |
Mrig mor maare mahmanta |achra char hain jeev ananta ||
Jihva swaad hite praana |neema naash gaya hum jaana ||
Teetar lava buteri chidiya |khooni maare bade agadiya ||
Adle badle lekhe lekha |samajh dekh sun gyaan viveka ||
Garib, shabd humaara maaniyo, aur sunte ho nar naari |
Jeev daya bin kufar hai, chale jamaana haari ||
An unintentional violence directed against living creatures is not sinful. Bandichhor God Kabir states: -
“Ichchha kar maarae nahin, bin ichchha mar jaay |
Kahain Kabir taas ka, paap nahin lagaay ||”
19. Contact with a traitor of Guru is prohibited: - If a devotee is hostile towards (turns away from) Guruji, then he incurs heinous sin. If someone does not like the path, he can change his guru. If he becomes hostile towards the former Guru or criticizes him, then he is known as the traitor of Guru. If a disciple holds bhakti-discussion with such a person, then he is at fault. His bhakti finishes.
Garib, guru drohi ki paed par, je pag aavae beer |
chauraasi nishchay padae, Satguru kahaen Kabir ||
Kabir, jaan bujh saachi tajai, karae jhoothe se neh |
jaaki sangat he prabhu, swapan mein bhi na deh ||
In other words, a person, who goes to a traitor of a Guru, will become devoid of bhakti and will go to hell and in 84 lakh birth of various living beings.
20. Gambling is prohibited:- One should never gamble or play cards.
Kabir, maans bhakhae aur mad piye, dhan vaishya so khaay |
Jua kheli chori karae, ant samoola jaay ||
21. Singing and Dancing is prohibited:-It is against the belief of devotion to dance and sing vulgar songs on any kind of happy occasion. Like, once a widow sister had gone to a relative's house on some happy occasion. All were dancing and singing with joy, but that sister was sitting in a corner and was engrossed in the thoughts of God. Then her relatives asked her that why are you sitting so disappointed? You may also dance and sing like us and make merry. On this, that sister said, “What should I celebrate for? I had only one son and he has also passed away. Now what happiness is there for me?” Similar is the state of every person in this lok (place) of Kaal. Here, there is a speech of Guru Nanak Dev Ji that -
Na jaane Kaal ki kar daarae, kis vidhi dhal ja paasa ve |
Jinhaade sir te maut khudagdi, unhaanu keda haansa ve ||
Saadh milein saadi shaadi (joy) hondi, bichhad da dil giri (sorrow) ve |
Akhde Nanak suno jihaana, mushkil haal fakiri ve ||
God Kabir Ji also says that —
Kabir, jhoothe sukh ko sukh kahae, maan raha man mod |
Sakal chabina Kaal ka, kuchh mukh mein kuchh god ||
Kabir, beta jaaya khushi hui, bahut bajaaye thaal |
Aavan jaana lag raha, jyon keedi ka naal ||
Important: Women and men both have the right to attain God. Women even during their monthly periods (menses) should not stop their daily worship and lighting lamp etc. Even on anyone’s death or birth, the daily worship should not be stopped.
Note: A devotee who will not follow these twenty-one formulated orders, his naam (mantra) will finish. If someone commits any mistake unknowingly, it is forgiven, and if one has knowingly committed it, then that devotee becomes devoid of naam. Its only solution is that, ask for forgiveness from Gurudev Ji and again receive (naam-updesh) initiation.
Author
Sant Rampal Das Maharaj
Satlok Ashram, Barwala
District- Hisar, Haryana (India)