Devotion for Liberation: From Sikhism’s Holy Scripture – Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Part 1 of 2

Let us start with selections from Siree Raag 53 and 54, which expound on the idea that the purpose of life is to find and follow God for eternal liberation.

“O mind, work to serve the Guru. If you walk in harmony with the Guru's Will, you shall remain immersed in the Lord's Name, night and day.

The birds in the beautiful trees fly around in all four directions. The more they fly around, the more they suffer; they burn and cry out in pain. Without the Guru, they do not find the Mansion of the Lord's Presence, and they do not obtain the Ambrosial Fruit.

The Gurmukh is like God's tree, always green, blessed with the Sublime Love of the True One, with intuitive peace and poise. He cuts off the three branches of the three qualities, and embraces love for the One Word of the Shabad. The Lord alone is the Ambrosial Fruit; He Himself gives it to us to eat.”

“The Gurmukhs meditate on the Naam; the self-willed manmukhs do not understand. The faces of the Gurmukhs are always radiant; the Lord has come to dwell within their minds. Through intuitive understanding they are at peace, and through intuitive understanding they remain absorbed in the Lord. O Siblings of Destiny, be the slaves of the Lord's slaves. Service to the Guru is worship of the Guru. How rare are those who obtain it!”

“Without the Guru, liberation is not attained, and the double-mindedness of Maya does not go away. What is called Maya? What does Maya do? These beings are bound by pleasure and pain; they do their deeds in egotism. Without the Shabad, doubt is not dispelled, and egotism is not eliminated from within. Without love, there is no devotional worship. Without the Shabad, no one finds acceptance.

Through the Shabad, egotism is conquered and subdued, and the illusion of Maya is dispelled. The Gurmukh obtains the Treasure of the Naam with intuitive ease. Without the Guru, one's virtues do not shine forth; without virtue, there is no devotional worship. The Lord is the Lover of His devotees; He abides within their minds. They meet that God with intuitive ease. O Nanak, through the Shabad, praise the Lord. By His Grace, He is obtained.”