Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Consecration and the Timeless Teachings of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji
Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Consecration and the Timeless Teachings of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji
How to obtain the blessings of Lord Ram? The Third Nanak Illuminates the Way.
Ram Janmabhoomi Temple at Ayodhya and the Timeless Teachings of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji
As we stand on the verge of a historic moment—the inauguration of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple at Ayodhya on January 22, 2024 at 12:20 PM IST exactly at the Abhijeet Mahurat—we join together in a global tapestry of faith, devotion, and reverence. This event, a once-in-a-millennium celebration, honours Lord Ram, widely revered as an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Ram epitomizes the pinnacle of righteousness, moral integrity, and the virtues of the quintessential ruler, a 'Maryada Purushottam,' symbolizing an era of ideal society and governance, fondly remembered as "Ram Rajya."
On this auspicious day, as the echoes of devotion resonate across the globe, it is a profound moment to reflect upon the eternal wisdom of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, the third Sikh Guru, as enshrined in the sacred Ang 555 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Ji's hymns are a beacon of spiritual guidance, encouraging the seeker to transcend the superficiality of ritualistic chants and embrace a connection with the Divine through the depths of sincere devotion. Guru Sahib’s teachings remind us that the realisation of the omnipresent Ram (God) comes not through mere recitation or chanting but through the grace of the true Guru. These teachings resonate deeply today as we gather, imbued with devotion, to witness the consecration of the magnificent temple at Ayodhya, scheduled at the auspicious time of 12:20 PM.
For those who do not know Punjabi/ Gurmukhi, a video at the end, guides you through these priceless verses.
How to obtain the blessings of Lord Ram? The Third Nanak Illuminates the Way.
The Limitations of Mechanical Recitation
Sri Guru Amardas ji observes the world's preoccupation with the outward chanting of divine names, "ਰਾਮੁ ਰਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਫਿਰੈ ਰਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥" (Rām rām karṯā sabẖ jag firai rām na pā▫i▫ā jā▫e). He asserts that the Lord is not found through mere repetition or chanting, suggesting a deeper form of contemplation and consciousness is required to truly connect with the Divine.
The Divine's Incomprehensible Greatness
Guru Amar Das Ji elevates the seeker's understanding by describing omniscient God as unfathomable and beyond comparison, "ਅਗਮੁ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਅਤਿ ਵਡਾ ਅਤੁਲੁ ਨ ਤੁਲਿਆ ਜਾਇ ॥" (Agam agocẖar aṯ vadā aṯul na ṯuli▫ā jā▫e). The Divine is beyond sensory perception and cannot be quantified, indicating that the Almighty's presence is to be experienced rather than explained.
The Invaluable Nature of the Divine
"No one can evaluate Him; He cannot be purchased at any price," continues the Guru, emphasizing the divine's value as beyond the scope of worldly transactions, "ਕੀਮਤਿ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਈਆ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਲਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥" (Kīmaṯ kinai na pā▫ī▫ā kiṯai na la▫i▫ā jā▫e). This line teaches that the Divine cannot be appraised or acquired using worldly wealth, underscoring the priceless nature of spiritual wisdom.
Realization Through the Guru's Word
The mystery of the Divine, Guru Amar Das Ji explains, is accessible through the Guru's teachings, "ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਭੇਦਿਆ ਇਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥" (Gur kai sabaḏ bẖeḏi▫ā in biḏẖ vasi▫ā man ā▫e). The Shabad, or Word, is the medium through which God becomes manifest within the minds of devotees.
The Omnipresence of the Infinite Divine
"O Nanak, He Himself is infinite; by Guru's Grace, He is known to be permeating and pervading everywhere," the Guru proclaims, affirming the boundless and omnipresent nature of God, "ਨਾਨਕ ਆਪਿ ਅਮੇਉ ਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ॥" (Nānak āp ame▫o hai gur kirpā ṯe rahi▫ā samā▫e). This omnipresence is realized through the true Guru’s grace, which is pivotal for spiritual enlightenment.
Divine Union and Eternal Presence
The concluding lines of this ‘shabad’ express the ultimate union or merger of the Divine with His creation, "ਆਪੇ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਮਿਲਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਆਪੇ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਆਇ ॥" (Āpe mili▫ā mil rahi▫ā āpe mili▫ā ā▫e). God, of His own will, merges with the individual soul, and this union is described as eternal and absolute, and comes out of the grace of the Guru.
Summing up
In conclusion, the verses from Ang 555 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib encapsulate the essence of the Sikh spiritual journey — a path defined by inner contemplation, divine grace, and the transcending of ritualistic practices. The illuminating wisdom of Guru Amar Das Ji guides seekers towards realizing the omnipresent nature of the Divine, encouraging a direct and profound connection with the eternal truth. These teachings of Guru Sahib transcend religious boundaries, resonating universally, urging us to perceive Lord Ram not merely as the Prince of Ayodhya, the son of King Dashrath but as a manifestation of the divine.
Embracing the Divine on the Day of Inauguration: The Eternal Wisdom of Guru Amar Das Ji
As the doors of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple (राम जन्मभूमि मंदिर) at Ayodhya swing open on this blessed day, the 22nd of January at 12:20 PM, hearts around the globe overflow with devotion and reverence. In this sacred hour, we turn our reflections to the divine teachings of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, as immortalized in the holy Ang 555 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. On this very day, as we share these reflections at 4:00 AM, the essence of Lord Ram is invoked not just in stone and structure but in the spirit of the seeker. It is a poignant reminder from Guru Ji that the true blessings of Lord Ram are revealed not through superficial rites, repetitive chanting or the (mis)guidance of false gurus.
Mind is the also a Temple
The term 'temple' itself, derived from 'mandir' (मंदिर), is said to originate from 'man' (मन), the mind, suggesting that the ultimate abode of the Divine is within our own consciousness. Today, as we witness the inauguration of this majestic temple, let us also embark on an inward pilgrimage, guided by the luminous wisdom of the Satguru, the True Guru, enshrined within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Guru Amar Das Ji’s teachings bridge the expanse between faiths, offering everyone a profound and universal path to the Divine. They caution us against squandering lifetimes in hollow ceremonies and aimless meanderings, urging us to awaken to the realization that the omniscient Lord, the Akal Purakh, is interwoven throughout the fabric of the cosmos.
May Lord Ram Bless Us All
As we celebrate the manifestation of collective faith in the physical edifice of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, let us also awaken to the spiritual edifice within our own 'man' (मन), our minds, where the eternal presence of Lord Ram truly resides. May this day mark not only a monumental event in the annals of history but also a moment of collective spiritual awakening, as we draw closer to the Divine that permeates every atom of the universe. On this day of profound importance, may the wisdom of Guru Amar Das Ji illuminate our paths and unify our hearts in a symphony of divine love and understanding.
जय श्री राम
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