According to the Hindu Shasters , ritual cleanisng is most beneficial in the month of Maagh .
But what does Guru Sahib say about Maagh?
ਮਾਘਿ ਮਜਨੁ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਾਧੂਆ ਧੂੜੀ ਕਰਿ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ॥
Guru Sahib tells us in the month of Maagh we should stay distinct from the path of other religions; instead,
of ritual cleansing in numerous rivers one should cleanse their mind by becoming the dust of the distinct-
sadh sangats charan.Guru Sahib states , In the month of Maagh joining Sadh Sangat is the greatest deed, because
In this age of Kaljug, Gurbani kirtan is the truest and best form of Gurmat Parchar.
ਕਲਜੁਗ ਮਹਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਪਰਧਾਨਾ ॥
It is through Gurbani Kirtan , souls are uplifted and thousands of sins are destroyed. People suffer due to their deeds, but
this suffering and futher suffering due to karma gets destroyed when in the company of sadh sangat. In the month of Maagh,
Guru Sahib states
ਅਠਸਠਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਸਗਲ ਪੁੰਨ ਜੀਅ ਦਇਆ ਪਰਵਾਨੁ ॥
Practicing compassion is better then going on a pilgrimage to the 68 places which Hindus regards as holy. In this age
of Kaljug the most compassionate deed is to give people the opporunity to redeem themselves in the presence of Sadh Sangat.This is the greatest seva and this is the greatest method of Gurmat Parchar. Compassion refers to being empathetic towards other beings/atmas; however, Guru Sahib states practicing compassion, practicing rituals are all useless if there is no love for God.
ਤੀਰਥ ਨਾਨ ਦਇਆ ਦਮ ਦਾਨ ਸੁ ਸੰਜਮ ਨੇਮ ਅਨੇਕ ਬਿਸੇਖੈ ॥
ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਕਤੇਬ ਕੁਰਾਨ ਜਮੀਨ ਜਮਾਨ ਸਬਾਨ ਕੇ ਪੇਖੈ ॥
ਪਉਨ ਅਹਾਰ ਜਤੀ ਜਤ ਧਾਰ ਸਬੈ ਸੁ ਬਿਚਾਰ ਹਜਾਰਕ ਦੇਖੈ ॥
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਭਜੇ ਬਿਨੁ ਭੂਪਤਿ ਏਕ ਰਤੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਏਕ ਨ ਲੇਖੈ ॥੪॥੨੪॥
Sri Dasam Granth
As mentioned in Gurbilas, "Khalsa" is he who only loves Naam Rass, and renounces Semitic and Hindu teachings.
ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤੁਰਕ ਸਗਲ ਮਤ ਤ੍ਯਾਗੇ
ਏਕ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਰਸ ਅਨੁਰਾਗੇ
Bhai SUkha Singh, GurBilas
When we stay distinct from other faiths Guru Sahib becomes extremely merciful and blesses us with the power of Naam, but once we start to follow the path of other faiths Guru Sahib will turn his face on on us.
ਜਬ ਲਗ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਰਹੇ ਨਿਆਰਾ। ਤਬ ਲਗ ਤੇਜ ਦੀਉ ਮੈਂ ਸਾਰਾ। ਜਬ ਇਹ ਗਹੇ ਬਿਪਰਨ ਕੀ ਰੀਤ। ਮੈ ਨ ਕਰਉ ਇਨ ਕੀ ਪਰਤੀਤ।
Sri Sarab Loh Granth
In the presence of Sangat who follow Guru Sahibs teachings the vibrations of Naam are much more powerful. It is these vibrations which attract non Gursikhs to the color of Sikhi. The greatest seva for a Gursikh is to follow the teachings of Gurmat on an indvidual level and attend sadh sangat programs when the opportunity arises.
Once again, in the month of Maaghh Guru Sahib is telling us to remain distinct from practicing rituals of other faiths. Not only should we remain disticnt in beliefs we should remain distinct in appearance especially when doing Gurmat Parchar via Gurbani Kirtan. WHen attending GuruGhar one should be in BaNa wearing panthic colors of of Khalsa . When performing kirtan Seva one should strive to wear traditional colors of Khalsa ( blue Bana, yellow keski). This is Guru Sahibs uniform and when we do parchar via Gurbani Kirtan we should wear Guru Sahibs unifrom being servants of Guru Sahib.
ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਦੇਵੈ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਿ ਸੋਈ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਸੁਜਾਨੁ ॥
In the presence of Sadh Sangat who perform Nishkam Seva ( kirtan), Guru Sahib showers compassion to all souls in attendance. In such a Darbar one pefroms true cleanising ( teerath) of mind and they become Sujjan ( Bibekee).
Nothing is more dishearting then" Dodra Sangat" who pefrom " Gurmat Parchar" by individuals who do not live a distinct life according to Khalsa Maryada. Unfortunately, other prominent Jathebandis are following this trend. How can someone do parchar of Gurmat if they dont follow Gurmat? In this month of Maagh may Guru Sahib bless us with distinct sangat which bring us closer to Guru Sahib.
ਗੁਰੂ ਕਾ ਸਿਖ, ਭਲੇ ਸਿਖ ਕੀ ਸਂਗਤ ਕਰੈ , ਜਿਸ ਕੇ ਸਂਗਿ ਭਾਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੋਇ
- Bhai Chaupa SIngh rehatnama
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਬਚਨਕਮਾਵਣੇਸਚਾਏਹੁਵੀਚਾਰੁ॥