Home/ Questions/Q 11424
Next
In Process

Sikh Wisdom Latest Questions

Asked: 2021-08-27T18:20:43+00:00 In:

What is the purpose of repeating Paath over and over again if you don’t understand it?

Aadhik
What is the purpose of repeating Paath over and over again if you don’t understand it?
What is the purpose of repeating Paath over and over again if you don’t understand it?
Share

    Leave an answer

    You must login to add an answer.

    Need An Account,

    13 Answers

    1. Satpal Kaur Anand

      Theres a bful story my sister once told me.

      A Sikh brother asks Guruji why do i repeat or even listen to the sermons or Guru ki Bani if i dont understand anything, its of no use to me or anyone.

      Guruji asked the man to pick an empty wicker basket from nearby.
      This basket was used to carry coals.

      He asked the brother to fill it with water from the river n bring it to him every day for the next 10 days and then he will be given his answer.

      The brother said but its a futile exercise, Guruji asked him to do as he was told to get the answer.

      Every day for the next 10 days the brother did as he was told expecting to get his answer.

      After the 10th day, the man was very happy and satisfied that he has completed his task and will finally get the answer.
      So Guruji asked him, did u fill the water every day.
      He said yes.
      Did u manage to bring the water to me from the river.
      The brother said no.
      Did u see what happened to the wicker basket in these 10 days.

      Thats when he observed, the basket was no longer black from the coals but shining like new

      Guruji said, just like the water cleaned the soot in the basket, our minds n hearts and souls get cleansed by listening to Gurbani, even if we dont understand it, the Guru’s words does its job irrespective of our knowledge and understanding.

    2. Gulbarg Singh Basi
      Scholar

      Your question is so pertinent to today’s Sikhi practices. Among them the NIT MAEM.

      Per Gurbani, repeating some word or words has no value.
      ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਕਹੈ ਕਹਿਐ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ (ਮ:੩, ਪੰ:੪੯੧)
      Everyone repeats RAM RAM, but saying does not achieve their results.

      Just reading the same Bani over and over without understanding has no values except for memorizing it.

      Gurbani message is:
      ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗਾਵੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੂਝੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੇ ॥ (ਮ:੩, ਪੰ:੭੫੩)
      A Gurmukh is to sing (recite), understand and discuss Gurbani.
      The further purpose of understanding and discussion of Gurbani is to adopt it in one’s life.

      Therefore, mere reading the same passage over and over without understanding has no value.

    3. Dr. Kala Singh
      Scholar

      Gulbarg Singh Ji has given a very good answer to a very important question. To add, Path should be done slowly to understand it. Even one line per day is enough if one understand it as per Shabd
      ਤਿਤੁ ਜਾਇ ਬਹਹੁ ਸਤਸੰਗਤੀ ਜਿਥੈ ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਬਿਲੋਈਐ ॥ ਸਹਜੇ ਹੀ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਲੇਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਤਤੁ ਨ ਖੋਈਐ ॥ AGGS 587
      Tit Jae Behu Satsangatee Jithai Har Ka Har Naam Biloeai || Sehaje Hee Har Naam Lehu Har Tat N Khoeai ||
      ਨਿਤ ਜਪਿਅਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਰਾਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਗਹ ਢੋਈਐ ॥ ਸੋ ਪਾਏ ਪੂਰਾ ਸਤਗੁਰੂ ਜਿਸੁ ਧੁਰਿ ਮਸਤਕਿ ਲਿਲਾਟਿ ਲਿਖੋਈਐ ॥
      Nit Japihu Har Har Dinas Raat Har Dargeh Dtoeeai || So Pae Poora Satguru Jis Dhur Mastak Lilat Likhoeai ||
      ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰ ਕੰਉ ਸਭਿ ਨਮਸਕਾਰੁ ਕਰਹੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਹਰਿ ਗਾਲ ਗਲੋਈਐ ॥੪ ॥
      Tis Gur Ko Sabh Namasakar Karhu Jin Har Kee Har Gaal Galoeai ||4||
      Guru gives example of how butter (Ghee) is obtained from curdled milk. It is put in a pitcher and churned slowly with a churning stick. If it is churned fast then it will turn to butter milk, but there will be no butter. In the same way we should go, and sit in the company of Gurbani (Sat Sangat), where the Virtues (Naam) of the God is discussed (churned). The message should be contemplated in peace and poise so that the essence is not lost. We should remember that message constantly, day and night to get celestial peace. Only those find the Perfect True Guru, who looks for one and receive the spiritual knowledge and wisdom. Let everyone bow in worship to the Guru, who makes us realize us Virtues of the God. Contemplation cannot be done if we do Path fast like during Akhand Path. It has to be done slowly, in peace and poise (Sehaj).
      To read more about different topics you can read my book Gurmat Doctrines (Part1) available on amazon.com

    4. singh surjeet

      the gurbni path has two components, one involves brain and another voice box or larynx. when we recite aloud sound waves are produced from voice box and travel via ears to brain. these sound waves carry energy and have soothing effect on brain and body. sound waves have lot of healing and other effects. Guru nanak says in japuji sahib . sunyee andee pawee rah, meaning by listening even blind can see and by listening your pain and disease will go away. some people will say sounds can’t do it. but science has proved it beyond doubt power of sound waves. everyone one must have done ultrasound on him or his relatives atleast once. the ultrasound machine is based on sound waves called ultrasound with frequency more than 20000which human ear can’t hear, however bats fly during night with this technology. ultrasound machine takes photos from any internal organ of body and displays on screen and is also printed on paper, so already this proves that sound waves can make you see, our eyes can’t see internal organs. so to conclude repetition of gurbani has immense powers and it doesn’t come over night, needs lots of practice and patience. so how great is Guru Nanak who predicted Ultrasound machine more than 550 years ago and this machine is available in every hospital and clinic. Say Dhan Guru Nanak 🙏

    5. jagdeepsingh
      This answer was edited.

      NITNAEM (Repetitive) and general Gurbani (Non-Repetitive) are two different things, and have different purposes.
      1. NITNAEM is for social well-being/ prosperity (but within hukam). It acts like mantras, or you can equate it with pooja. Its objective is prosperity, seeking the support of GOD to conquer social hurdles. It should be done at almost the same time every day, with some discipline, preferably with a lamp (Jot). By doing this, you register your service and commitment of service to God, in return, he becomes AANG SANG SAHAI.
      It can be done without understanding meaning as well, of course with meaning its impact will increase.
      2. Objective of GURBANI (Keertan mainly) is for Spiritual learning and growth. This doesn’t need any repetition, but understanding is required. We don’t read it, rather we sing it (means with appropriate tone/feeling/emotions of Shabad). It can be done anytime.
      Repetition is beneficial in a way that you remember some Shabads and sometimes in some situations, you may recall relevant Shabad and apply it to that particular situation, or analyze yourself based on Gurbani.
      When we are beginners, we are easily shattered by hurdles. So we need NITNAEM with provides us support. Otherwise, someone who has not developed strong faith yet will face huge troubles.
      For example, Going spiritually we don’t ask God for Sukh or prosperity
      >>Dukh daaru sukh rog bhaya,
      >>Je sukh dehe ta tujhai aaradhi, Dukh bhi tujhai dhayai, Je Bhukh dehe taan itt hi rajan, dukh vich sukh manai
      Someone who practices spiritualism but doesn’t do NITNAEM properly doesn’t receive the support of Guru. They are prone to break-down under “testing circumstances”.

    6. gurbanikhoj13@gmail.com

      Gurbani says Chant ਜਪੁ. Please read and understand section on Sat Naam ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮ and Jap ਜਪੁ in the book (at the LINK). Also read Note 9 and you will better understand Jap Chant. Also, see Figure A1.5 in Appendix 1. You are welcome to ask questions on the book. See link on pages ii.

      Download LINK: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AgJ9TLoOiZkMgpdR2vTeMUW7sh07Bw?e=CuH19S