Question from a satsanggi:

WJKKWJKF, Can someone please explain the concept of Shiv and Shakti in Gurbani, what exactly does it mean? Thank You and Waheguru Bless.

Mr Manjeet, I had posed the above query to a Sikh vichar group because I did not want to trouble you. The response which I got was as follows:
“there is no such concept in Gurmat ji. In Gurmat, the one and ONLY control is the Creator Ek Oangkaar. period.”

The above seems rather curt and is not very helpful. Could you please be of assistance when you are free. Thank you Mr Manjeet and Waheguru bless always.

Bhai Manjeet’s response:

Shiv Shakti is a very important part of Sikh teachings.

 In pauri 26 (SGGS Ang 920) Anand Sahib Guru Amardas Ji says

ਸਿਵ ਸਕਤਿ ਆਪਿ ਉਪਾਇ ਕੈ ਕਰਤਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਵਰਤਾਏ

(Shiv shakat aap upai ke karta aape hukam vartaiye)

Shiv refers to Divinity – the jot and shakat refers to maya – matter.
 God is Formless. As He created forms the life force in each jeev is the jot (Shiv) while matter is the shakti.

 In pauri 10 of Maru Ki Vaar M. 3 (SGGS Ang 1090), we are told

ਦੋਵੈ ਤਰਫਾ ਉਪਾਈਓਨੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਸਕਤਿ ਸਿਵ ਵਾਸਾ

ਸਕਤੀ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਫਿਰਿ ਜਨਮਿ ਬਿਨਾਸਾ

(dovai tarfa upaeon vich shakat shiv vaaasa.

Shakti kinne na paiyo firr janam binasa)

Guruji says, God created both Spirit and matter. The Spirit (jot) dwells in shakti (matter). You can never reach the Lord through matter. In fact all such attempts only lead to ” firr janam binasa.”

 In Maru Ki Vaar M.5 (SGGS Ang 1096) Guru Arjun Dev Ji says

ਹਾਠਾ ਦੋਵੈ ਕੀਤੀਓ ਸਿਵ ਸਕਤਿ ਵਰਤਾਈਆ

ਸਿਵ ਅਗੈ ਸਕਤੀ ਹਾਰਿਆ ਏਵੈ ਹਰਿ ਭਾਈਆ

(haatha dovai kitiyo shiv shakat vartaiya.

Shiv agay shakti haria evay har bhaiya – Pauri no.6)

The Lord created both spirit and matter. It is His Will that matter will always lose to spirit.
 It is because of this concept the Gurus have said it is pointless to rely on rituals (which are based on matter). The Gurus say we should only rely on Naam to connect with the jot within us since Naam is spirit in it’s essence.

ਵਾਹੁ ਵਾਹੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਹੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਜੇਵਡੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ

“Wah wah Bani Nirankar hai tis jevad avar na koi..” (SGGS Ang 515)

Gurfateh
Manjeet Singh
18th March, 2017