Question from a satsanggi:
A satsanggi requested the views of Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji on “Vedic Astrology and the effectiveness of lighting candles to ward off the coronavirus pandemic.
Can you also please give some brief views about shukrana?”
Bhai Manjeet’s response:
The Gurus say the Vedas only speak of the physical universe. But they do not tell us anything about the Unseen One who drives the physical universe. If you get stuck at the physical level only, there is no hope of you ever evolving and merging into the Infinite One.
At SGGS Ang 154 Guru Nanak Dev Ji says.
“Charey bedh kathe akaar”
ਚਾਰੇ ਬੇਦ ਕਥਹਿ ਆਕਾਰੁ ॥
The four Vedas speak only of the physical world (akaar).
“Teen avastha kahe vakhiyaan”
ਤੀਨਿ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਕਹਹਿ ਵਖਿਆਨੁ ॥
(The Vedas tell you of the three modes of maya).
(To know about the fourth state of sahaj where the Formless One operates, you need enlightenment from a Satguru)
“Turiavastha (sahaj) Satgur te Har jaan”
ਤੁਰੀਆਵਸਥਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਜਾਨੁ ॥੧॥
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (SGGS) is a Pura Satguru who gives you enlightenment about God when you receive Gur Parsad.
Gurbani does not believe in astrology. At Ang 904, Guru Nanak Dev Ji tells us.
“Saha ganne na kare bichaar : Sahe upar Ekankaar”
ਸਾਹਾ ਗਣਹਿ ਨ ਕਰਹਿ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ਸਾਹੇ ਊਪਰਿ ਏਕੰਕਾਰੁ ॥
Addressed to a Pandit.
(You calculate auspicious days but you do not reflect; above all these auspicious days is the One Creator Lord).
Further..
“Gann gann jotak kandee kinee : parhe sunave tatt na chinee”
ਗਣਿ ਗਣਿ ਜੋਤਕੁ ਕਾਂਡੀ ਕੀਨੀ ॥ਪੜੈ ਸੁਣਾਵੈ ਤਤੁ ਨ ਚੀਨੀ ॥
(Calculating and counting you draw up the horoscope; you read and declare to others but you do not understand the true reality, the essence (tatt) of things).
What do we rely upon then?
“Sabse upar Gur Shabad bichaar : hor kathi badho na saglee shaar”
ਸਭਸੈ ਊਪਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ਹੋਰ ਕਥਨੀ ਬਦਉ ਨ ਸਗਲੀ ਛਾਰੁ ॥੨॥
(Reflection upon the Guru’s Shabad gives you the highest wisdom; do not engage in any other reflections – it is mere ashes).
Even the Hindu Scriptures say that the Vedas only speak of the material world.
In Chapter 2, paragraph 45 of the Bhagvat Gita, Krishna tells Arjun to move beyond the Vedas as they only speak of the perishable physical world.
“Tria guniye vishve Veda : nistray guniye bhavarjun”
(Rise above these three modes of the Vedas and immerse yourself in the Pure Spiritual Consciousness)
“Nirdvando nitya satva satho nirgoya kheshma atmavan).
(Rise above dualities and reside in your true inner self).
The Gurus tell us at many places to reach out internally through the Shabad to our inner self – our nijhi ghar.
Lighting candles may seem very fulfilling to those involved in such acts. But Bani tells us it does not help in your spiritual evolvement in any way. Only the Shabad and grace of the Satguru can lead you to union with the Divine inside you.
As for gratitude, Gurbani tells us we must be in shukrana always. Guru Nanak Dev Ji tells us to be in awe of His Kudrat. To appreciate His kudrat and to be ever grateful for whatever has been put in place by God.
“Kudrat kavan kaha vichaar : variaya na jaavan ek vaar”(Japji Sahib – Ang 3)
ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਵਣ ਕਹਾ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ਵਾਰਿਆ ਨ ਜਾਵਾ ਏਕ ਵਾਰ ॥
Even dukh is to be treated as His daat. Gurfateh
“Eh bhi daat teri dataar.(Japji – Ang 5).
ਏਹਿ ਭਿ ਦਾਤਿ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਾਤਾਰ ॥
Gurfateh
Manjeet Singh
Malaysia
April 6th, 2020
