These are my views on abortions from the perspective of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as requested by some members of the sangat.
Mindful of the fact that I am no expert in Gurbani, I respectfully give my humble views.
Gurbani emphaises that God is the Doer. He is “karan karavanhaar suami” . He is “Karta Purakh.”
Japji Sahib Ji tells us He operates through His Hukam. It is emphasized that we have to abide by His Hukam.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Pauri no. 1 tells us that –
“Hukam razayee chalna Nanak likhya naal”
“O Nanak it is written that you shall walk in the Way of His Command”
There is no exception to His Hukam. Of course, in His Kirpa He can do anything He wishes including over-riding His Hukam, but Gurbani tells us again and again that you need to take Naam and get the Guru’s Grace before any kirpa takes place. And that is not easy.
In Pauri no. 2 Guru Ji tells us
“Hukami hovan akaar hukam na kaheya jai”
“By His Command all creation takes place; His Hukam is beyond words”
The next line says.
“Hukami hovan jee hukam millai vadiayiee”
“By His Command souls come into being; by His Command one gets glory and greatness”
Thus, Gurbani tells us that His Hukam operates for all and we have to live in accordance with His Hukam. It is according to His Hukam that a woman gets pregnant with child (hovan akaar). Gurbani also tells us that you need a seed from a man and eggs from a woman to beget a foetus.
Bhagat Ravidass Ji says at Ang 659 that the body is actually a…
“….Rakat boondh ka garaa”
“The egg and the sperm are the mortar” (for forming the base of the body).
Thus, it is accordance with His Hukam by which creation takes place in the mother’s womb.
In the Pahire at Ang 74, Guru Nanak Dev Ji again tells us ..
“Pehle pahire rain ke vanjareaya mitra hukam bhaeyaa garbhaas”
“In the first watch of the night O my merchant friend you were cast into the womb by the Lord’s Command”
Thus when conception takes place, it is in accordance with His Hukam, His Divine Order.
Gurbani tells us at many places that you have to abide by His Hukam. If you breach His Hukam, there will be consequences and you will be liable to punishment.
At pauri no. 20 of Japji Sahib, Guru Nanak Dev Ji also says
“Sanjog vijogh doey kaar chalavai….”
“Union and separation come as He operates His Will..”
At Ang 700 Guru Arjun Dev Ji says.
“Maat pita banita sut bandap isst meet aur bhai
Purab janam ke millai sanjogi antah koiy na sahaieey”
“Mother, father, spouse, children, relatives, lovers, friends, siblings, they meet, having been associated in previous lives; none however will be of support in the end”
Thus Bani tells us that a pregnancy occurs in accordance with His Hukam. It further tells us that children (including children to be born) have a sanjog with that set of parents from past lives (purab janam ke millai sanjogi).
To do an abortion would be to act in defiance of His Hukam and there would naturally be consequences.
Gurbani does not tell us when life actually begins. By life, I mean when the soul is infused into the foetus. At Ang 1007 in Maru Mehla 5 Guru Arjun Dev Ji says
“Sanjogh vijiogh dhuro hi huaa”
“Union and separation are Divinely Ordained”
The foetus is made of 5 elements.
“Panch dhaat kar putla keeya”
“The puppet [foetus] is made of five elements”
The soul however is infused into this foetus when He so wishes – in His Mauj.
“Saahai ke furhmairhai jee dehi vich jeeo aaey peaaya”
“By the Command of the Lord, the soul is made to come and occupy the body”
So, the pregnancy is a play of His hukam. Any interference with His Hukam, will invite Divine Displeasure.
From the viewpoint of Gurbani abortions are treated as an interference with His Divine Hukam, and are wrong.
Baba Sheikh Fareed Ji states in Raag Suhi that the foetus takes 6 months to fully form. Ang 488 tells us.
“Gandediya sheh mah…”
“It takes six months to form the body…”
Nevertheless, as His Hukam is in operation from the time of conception itself, as Pahire tell us, abortion of any foetus is wrong from the standpoint of Gurbani.
When pregnancy is not developing and the Doctor’s advice is to abort rather than give birth to a disable child, it is best to listen to advice from doctors.
If an abortion is done based on medical advice, it is best to do prayers after that for release and peace of the aborted soul.
Gurbani says, life begins in the womb, according to God’s Hukam.
“Pahile pahire rein ke vanjariya mitra Hukam bheya garbhas.”
“In the first watch of the night, O my merchant friend, you were cast into the womb, by the Lord’s Command.”
If the pregnancy is a result of rape, can the lady or girl opt for abortion as the pregnancy is not with consent of both persons?
I cannot advise on the word “opt.” It is an individual decision and karma. If the decision is made to abort, then I would advise prayers for the aborted soul be done as stated above.
Bhul Chuk Maaf. Gurfateh.
Manjeet Singh
