Stanza 36 of Japji Sahib, first commenting on the previous Khand
(Gian Khand), speaks of the next spiritual stage Saram Khand (Sphere
of hard work):
‘In the sphere of knowledge [Gian Khand], knowledge
is all powerful.
There the pleasures of all sound, fun and games are experienced.
Saram Khand is expressed by form.
There, a form is forged of the mind most beautiful.
He who tries to express what this state is in words will regret
his actions.
There concentration, intellect, mind and wisdom is forged
and shaped.
There the individual attains the consciousness and awareness
equal to demigods, and greatest of enlightened men.’
('Adi Guru Durbar', Japi Sahib)
Awareness
As one reaches higher stages of spiritual enlightenment their awareness
becomes
equal to that of the greatest of men and demigods (as speaks Akali
Guru Nanak Dev Ji)
Within Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa ideology, employing
the Guru’s teachings contained within the three Sikh scriptures
and Budha Dal oral tradition as a lantern, an individual pursues
more and more knowledge. He/she eventually realizes the more he/she
pursues knowledge, more there is of it. A wonderful story, told
amongst the Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa is related with regards to
gathering knowledge:
‘The great sage Shukrat [Socrates] studied
all forms of knowledge.
Yet his mind remained perturbed. In a agitated state he left
his town and came to a forest near a river. In frustration at
not being able to find mental peace he sat down.
In time a young boy came to collect some water from the river.
As he filled his vassal of water on filling he poured it back
into the river. Over and over again he did this as Shukrat watched.
The sage's inquisitive mind had to know why he was doing this
seemingly meaning less act.
Shukrat went over to the little boy and asked:“Why are
you doing what you are doing? What is the purpose of filling
the vessel with water only to pour it back again?”
The boy replied:“I wish to fill all of the river water
in this vessel but it just wont happen.”
Hearing these words Shukrat was awe struck. He realized that
like the child who was trying to contain the vast river in his
small vessel, he likewise was trying to contain and encompass
the infinite wisdom and knowledge of the universe and divine
in his small mind. A action as foolish as the child’s.
Realizing his folly Shukrat bowed to the child for enlightening
him so.’
Shukrat (Socrates)
The great sage Socrates was labelled as a subversive element by
narrow minded conservatives within Athens for seeking to question
everything
and was forced to drink the poison Hemlock on him refusing to be
silent with regards to the truth
As mankind constantly seeks knowledge under the guidance
of the lantern of Gurmat (Guru’s teaching) eventually his/her
consciousness is eventually elevated to a higher state and he/she
begins spontaneously to appreciate that there is a knowledge that
lies beyond the human senses. Bhagat Kabir commented:
‘What shall we read?
What shall we contemplate?
What scriptures shall we listen to?
What is the benefit of reading and listening?
When spontaneously we do not attain onto Va-eh Guru.
The fool does not contemplate the eternal beings name.
What is there else to think over over again.
In the darkness we need a lamp.
We need to attain onto that which is beyond our senses.
I have attained this that is beyond the senses.
In my heart the light [Of Va-eh Guru] shines.
Says Kabir, I have come to know [That which is beyond reach
of senses].
As I have known I have accepted.
People follow their own mind and do not accept [Va-eh Guru’s
will].
They can not accept so what can be done?
(‘Adi Guru Durbar’, Pa.655)
This divine knowledge is that underlying Hukam
(divine will) of God that makes all things function. On attaining
this overwhelming knowledge he/she attains, ‘Ascharj
Avstha’, the state of awe-struck wonder that is Va
eh-Guru.
The individual having reached this humbling aesthetic
state now steps into the sphere of hard work. They transcend the
sphere of knowledge having passed through it, but not left it behind
as one is always learning, and enjoyed and experienced many of it’s
wonders.
Now begins his/her true spiritual transition. In Saram
Khand an individual is transformed internally and externally. The
Atma, which had been weighed down by negative Karma and thus being
dragged down from it’s original true form in Saram Khand is
transformed back to it’s original form. Hence, the third sphere
of spiritual ascent is a sphere of complete spiritual transition
to a Gurmukh (one who abides within Nirankar God's
will).
The Gurmukh
As one is transformed internally, there is a transition from ignorance
to wisdom
The key point in Saram Khand is:
- One's self is transformed naturally spontaneously
by the power of knowledge gained in Gian Khand into the form pleasing
to Nirankar God.
