How Were Beings Saved Before Guru Nanak Sahib- Bhai Sahib

Some friends question that if Satnaam is only received through Guru Sahib and it is only with Satnaam that beings can be truly saved, then how were people saved before Guru Nanak Sahib Jee came to this world? This is a valid inquiry, as it has been proven that true mukhti can only be achieved through Gurmat.

In response to this, we loudly proclaim a million times with much enthusiasm that genuine mukhti can only be attained through Gurmat! Receiving Satnaam from Satguru Nanak Sahib Jee is the only way to be saved.

Within Bachitar Natak, Sri Guru Nanak-Dasmesh Jee clearly emphasizes that all spiritual beings or prophets were sent to this world by Akal Purakh, to save humanity. Guru Sahib writes:

ਸਭ ਅਪਨੀ ਅਪਨੀ ਉਰਝਾਨਾ ॥ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕਾਹੂੰ ਨ ਪਛਾਨਾ ॥…
They all places their own interests first, they did not recognize the Supreme Parbrahm
ਜੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਪਰਮ ਪੁਰਖ ਉਪਜਾਏ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਤਿਨ ਅਪਨੇ ਰਾਹ ਚਲਾਏ ॥…
All the great Purushas created by me started their own paths
ਜਿਨਿ ਜਿਨਿ ਤਨਿਕਿ ਸਿਧ ਕੋ ਪਾਯੋ ॥ ਤਿਨਿ ਤਿਨਿ ਅਪਨਾ ਰਾਹੁ ਚਲਾਯੋ ॥
Whosoever attained a little spiritual power, he started his own path
ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰ ਨ ਕਿਨਹੂੰ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਾ ॥ ਮਮ ਉਚਾਰਿ ਤੇ ਭਯੋ ਦਿਵਾਨਾ ॥੧੬॥…
None of them could recognize the Supreme Lord, and instead they went insane with their own ego
ਪਰਮ ਤਤ ਕਿਨਹੂੰ ਨ ਪਛਾਨਾ ॥ ਆਪ ਆਪ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਉਰਝਾਨਾ ॥…
They did not recognize Akaal Purakh, they were lost in their own egos
ਸਭ ਤੇ ਅਪਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਯੋ ॥ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਾਹੂੰ ਨ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਯੋ ॥੨੭॥
They all made others recite their own name, no one gave the True Naam

Sri Nanak Dasmesh Jee’s Bani stresses that none of these prophets gave Satnaam to the world. How could they give it? Only Satguru Nanak received Satnaam from Akaal Purakh’s Court. How could the mere spiritual beings obtain it, when they solely cared for themselves and not for others? After hearing Akaal Purakh’s Akaash Bani (words), these prophets lost themselves within their own egos. In contrast, Guru Nanak-Dasmesh Jee was saved from this ego. Vaah! With such humility, Sri Guru Dasmesh Jee states the following:

ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਬਾਚ ਇਸ ਕੀਟ ਪ੍ਰਤਿ ॥
Akaal Purakh’s Words to this insect

Akaal Purakh gave Hukam to Guru Sahib:

ਮੈ ਅਪਨਾ ਸੁਤ ਤੋਹਿ ਨਿਵਾਜਾ ॥ ਪੰਥੁ ਪ੍ਰਚੁਰ ਕਰਬੇ ਕਹ ਸਾਜਾ ॥
I have adopted you as my son and hath created you for the propagation of the Panth
ਜਾਹਿ ਤਹਾ ਤੈ ਧਰਮੁ ਚਲਾਇ ॥ ਕਬੁਧਿ ਕਰਨ ਤੇ ਲੋਕ ਹਟਾਇ ॥੨੯॥“
You go therefore for the spread of Dharma (righteousness) and cause people to retrace their steps from evil actions”.29.


In response to this, Akali Hukam Sri Dasmesh Jee humbly says the following:

ਠਾਢ ਭਯੋ ਮੈ ਜੋਰਿ ਕਰ ਬਚਨ ਕਹਾ ਸਿਰ ਨਯਾਇ ॥
I stood up with folded hands and bowing down my head I said:
ਪੰਥ ਚਲੈ ਤਬ ਜਗਤ ਮੈ ਜਬ ਤੁਮ ਕਰਹੁ ਸਹਾਇ ॥੩੦॥
“The path (Panth) shall prevail only in the world, with THY ASSISTANCE.”30.


Satguru Nanak Dev Jee was sent by Akaal Purakh. Whenever Guru Sahib came, whenever he came to other planets and realms of existence, he himself never did anything. Guru Nanak Dev Jee always went to Sach Khand and himself adopted Akal Purakh as his Guru - receiving the true Gur-Deekhia (initiation) from Akaal Purakh. He continued to do this. Yes! ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਈ ਦਾਤਿ ਇਲਾਹੀ॥ Guru Sahib received this celestial gift. Yes! ਬਾਬਾ ਪੈਧਾ ਸਚ ਖੰਡਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਗਰੀਬੀ ਪਾਈ॥ Guru Sahib went to Sach Khand and received Naam, the storehouse of all powers and humility. Obtaining Satnaam from Akaal Purakh, Guru Baba Nanak spread this gift. He did not only spread it in India, but all over the world.

ਗੜ ਬਗਦਾਦੁ ਨਿਵਾਇਕੈ ਮਕਾ ਮਦੀਨਾ ਸਭੇ ਨਿਵਾਇਆ॥
After making Baghdad bow, Mecca Medina and all were humbled
ਸਿਧ ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਮੰਡਲੀ ਖਟਿ ਦਰਸਨਿ ਪਾਖੰਡਿ ਜਿਣਾਇਆ॥
Baba Nanak subjugated the eighty four siddhs and hypocrisies of the six schools of Indian Philosophy
ਪਾਤਾਲਾ ਆਕਾਸ ਲਖ ਜੀਤੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਜਗਤੁ ਸਬਾਇਆ॥
Lacs of underworlds, the skies, earths and the whole world were conquered
ਜੀਤੀ ਨਉਖੰਡ ਮੇਦਨੀ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਚਕ੍ਰ ਫਿਰਾਇਆ॥
Subjugating all the nine divisions of earth he established the cycle of Satnaam
ਦੇਵ ਦਾਨੋ ਰਾਕਸਿ ਦੈਤ ਸਭ ਚਿਤਿ ਗੁਪਤਿ ਸਭ ਚਰਨੀ ਲਾਇਆ॥
All the gods, demons, raksasas, daitys, chitragupt bowed at his feet
ਇੰਦ੍ਰਾਸਣਿ ਅਪਛਰਾ ਰਾਗ ਰਾਗਨੀ ਮੰਗਲੁ ਗਾਇਆ॥
Indra and his nymphs sang auspicious songs
ਭਇਆ ਅਨੰਦ ਜਗਤੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਕਲਿਤਾਰਨ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਇਆ ॥
The world filled with joy because Guru Nanak came to give deliverance to the kaliyug
ਹਿੰਦੂ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣਿ ਨਿਵਾਇਆ ॥੩੭॥
He made Hindu Muslim humble and suppliant

Beyond this world, Guru Sahib spread Satnaam and saved millions all over the universe. Guru Baba saved hundreds of thousands, no, millions of planets just like ours - by spreading Satnaam. He gave millions the support of this Naam. Yes! This is True! ਕੋਟਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ਕੋ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸਰਬ ਜੀਆ ਕਾ ਦਾਤਾ ਰੇ ॥ Guru Sahib is the giver to countless beings in this universe. ਜੀਅ ਦਾਨੁ ਦੇ ਭਗਤੀ ਲਾਇਨਿ he is giver the of gift of Bhagti.

Scientists recently discovered that the stars seen from Earth are planets just like ours, and that there are many suns similar to our sun. Guru Nanak Sahib Jee declared this hundreds of years earlier: ਕੇਤੇ ਇੰਦ ਚੰਦ ਸੂਰ ਕੇਤੇ ਕੇਤੇ ਮੰਡਲ ਦੇਸ ॥ Not only did he proclaim it, Guru Sahib showed this to Gursikhs as well. Science is still catching up today and their knowledge will always remain half-baked. To remove falsehood from Pir Dastagir’s mind and to enlighten him, Guru Nanak Dev Jee showed his son countless planets in just a blink of an eye.

ਨਾਲਿ ਲੀਤਾ ਬੇਟਾ ਪੀਰ ਦਾ ਅਖੀ ਮੀਟਿ ਗਇਆ ਹਾਵਾਈ॥
Guru Nanak Dev Jee taking along with him the son of the pir, melted into thin air
ਲਖ ਅਕਾਸ ਪਤਾਲ ਲਖ ਅਖਿ ਫੁਰੰਕ ਵਿਚਿ ਸਭਿ ਦਿਖਲਾਈ॥
And in a wink of the eye visualized him the upper and lower worlds.
ਭਰਿ ਕਚਕੌਲ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਦਾ ਧੁਰੋ ਪਤਾਲੋ ਲਈ ਕੜਾਹੀ॥
From the nether world he brought a bowl full of sacred food and handed it over to the pir.

Evidently, Guru Baba saved numerous planets and realms with Satnaam - before even saving this world. The Sangat in these places is similar to our Sangat, and they too enjoy Karah Parshaad. Guru Sahib takes cares of his entire creation.

-From Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh’s Book Gurmat Parkash Pages 62 -65

Guru Sahib willing there is another chapter similar to this one in the same book that Daas will try to translate as well.

So the bhagats before guru sahib did they have to be reborn during gurujis time? or did they get Gurujis blessed vision and naam whilst they were alive (time travel). Excellent post by the way.

This is great article by Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee and many thanks to gsingh for providing the translation.

It's a must read. When I read this article more than 25 years ago, I was blown away by it. It contradicted everything I had been taught about level of religions in comparison to each other. The wrong belief that all religions are equal and all lead to the same destination was shattered. The fact that only Gurmat leads to the ultimate Reality, the ultimate Truth is not known to most Sikhs.

Kulbir Singh

Aalas Moorakh Wrote:
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> So the bhagats before guru sahib did they have to
> be reborn during gurujis time? or did they get
> Gurujis blessed vision and naam whilst they were
> alive (time travel). Excellent post by the way.

Verily, whoever swam across this terrible ocean of Maya, did so through the Gurmukh Naam Roopi Gurmantra bestowed by Satguru jee. Siri Guru Granth Sahib jee declares unequivocally that no one has ever attained Vaheguru without the True Guru:

ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਕਰਿ ਵੇਖਹੁ ਮਨਿ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥
(No one has attained Vaheguru without Satguru, do analysis in your mind)

The aforementioned Pankiti declares that no one has attained Vaheguru without Satguru. Satguru gives Naam Gurmantra to the true Seeker and through this Naam, he swims across this terrible ocean.

Please have a look at the following Pankitis:

ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਉਧਰੇ ॥ ਧ੍ਰੂ ਪ੍ਰਹਿਲਾਦੁ ਬਿਦਰੁ ਦਾਸੀ ਸੁਤੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਤਰੇ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
“O my mind, by chanting Naam, they got delivered. Dhru, Prahlaad, son of servant (Bidar) swam through Gurmukh Naam.”

Please notice the force of the “Gurmukh Naam”, above. They did not swim through just any Naam but Gurmukh Naam. Gurmukh Naam is the Gurmat Naam that is received from no one other than Satguru jee. Some people claim that since these Bhagats lived many hundreds or thousands of years before the advent of Pargat Roop of Satguru – Siri Guru Nanak Dev jee – they could not have been delivered by Satguru jee. How naive of them to think that Siri Guru Nanak Dev jee did not exist before He appeared in his open form in 1469. Just because Siri Guru jee had not appeared in open, does not mean that He was non-existent and did not do His work of giving salvation to selected Bhagats.

The next Pankiti of the above Shabad is very interesting:

ਕਲਜੁਗਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਭਗਤ ਜਨਾ ਉਧਰੇ ॥
ਨਾਮਾ ਜੈਦੇਉ ਕਬੀਰੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਲੋਚਨੁ ਸਭਿ ਦੋਖ ਗਏ ਚਮਰੇ ॥
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਲਗੇ ਸੇ ਉਧਰੇ ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਬਿਖ ਪਾਪ ਟਰੇ ॥2॥
“In Kalyug too Naam the supreme Substance, delivered Bhagat Jan. Naamdev, Jaideo, Kabir and Trilochan got delivered and all sins of Chamaar Ravidaas jee were washed away. All those who got into Gurmukh Naam, got delivered and all their sins were washed away.”

Again please notice the force of Gurmukh Naam in the 3rd Pankiti above. In the first two Pankitis Guru Sahib explains that with Naam, Bhagats were saved but in the third Pankiti Guru Sahib, in order to avoid any doubts, clearly says that whoever got engaged in Gurmukh Naam were saved.

Now the question remains, how did Bhagats before Guru Nanak Sahib get saved? The answer is that all we are told is that they were saved and they were saved through Satguru jee. How Satguru jee managed this, is not for us to worry. We just need to believe and have faith that these Bhagats were saved by Satguru jee and no one else.

Giani Gurdit Singh jee has proved beyond doubt that the Bhagat Sahibaan whose Baani appears in Siri Guru Granth Sahib jee were contemporaries of Siri Guru Nanak Dev jee and they became Sikhs of Guru Sahib. Only their Baani written after they became Sikhs of Guru Sahib, has been included in Siri Guru Granth Sahib jee.

Giani Gurdit Singh jee, as per his own words, had Asheervaad of Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee. Bhai Sahib in clear words instructed him to dedicate his life to writing on Gurmat. When Giani jee asked how he would manage without working. Bhai Sahib blessed him by saying that he would have no money problem and he did not need to work. Guru Sahib would take care of his needs if he did Sewa of Panth. When we met Giani jee, many years ago, he was sitting in a house worth millions and he had not worked all his life. He had just done sewa of Panth by writing on Gurmat. Guru Sahib is Great. I would say that his best book is his book on Bhagat Baani history.

If Guru Sahib wills, this Daas will write a detailed article on the Bhagat Sahibaan and their Baani, in the coming days.

Daas,
Kulbir Singh

All Gianijis books are in Panjabi from what I've searched, do you know of any english copies?

Great job translating an important lekh! Keep it coming.

Amazing article by Bhai Sahib Ji and good job with translation. I'm not sure why majority of Panth assumes that all Dharam's are equal when the concept that the only way to Mukhtee is through Gurmat/Guru Sahib is clearly established in Gurbani. There are countless examples of this in Gurbani, but many choose to ignore facts and use their own "logic" to try to explain Sikhi.