Gurbachan Singh, a publisher from Patiala University in Punjab, has come for Maharaj’s audience. Maharaj ji says to him,
In Guru Granth Sahib, there are Names of God such as “Sohang” (Whatever You are, so am I) and “Gobind” (Bringer of Light into the darkness, Names that come from Vedic tradition). Reading them, one is amazed: Is this a religion or the voice of God? Guru Granth Sahib gives seats to so many Names and their users. Whoever worships them is given great respect. Anyone who understands Guru Granth Sahib as a sectarian religion is wrong. A sect is a matter of a particular discipline.
In Jaap Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh says, “You have no form, symbol, caste, class or lineage….Who can ever recite all Your Names?” He says, “You have no sectarian religion, no particular place, no pilgrimage site, no country.”
If you read Guru Gobind Singh’s words and Guru Granth Sahib, you could write so many books about each aspect of Narayin, of Hari (two more “Hindu” Names of God). Sikhs think that Hari belongs to Hindus, Allah to Muslims, and Wahe Guru to Sikhs. First this must be clarified. Our religion has not spread because they have made it a fortress. Kabir says, “By keeping long hair or cutting it short, you will not meet Hari.” Hair is natural. Why be proud of it? Why did Kabir give us a hint?
Religious figures have made a religion of symbols. People are wearing kirpan outside, but what is inside?
You must write clearly about Guru Nanak’s dharma. First consider the aspect of science: He spoke of crores of suns that are larger than this one. If you take only Guru Granth Sahib, it can be a universal religion. Otherwise, it is such a small dera.
Other people come with their brother, who needs a heart operation, and also ask for blessings for building a house. Maharaj advises the brother to read seven Jaap Sahibs, stir a glass of water with a kirpan seven times, saying “Dhan, dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji Sahib” (Great, great Guru Gobind Singh), and then drink it for blessings. Then he returns to speaking to the publisher:
When I went to the United States, an Associated Press person who interviewed me did not even know who Guru Nanak was. If it’s a question of Guru Nanak, scientists, philosophers, the whole cosmos will side with him. Guru Gobind Singh was so amazing, as if God came in human form. Our example is bad, so dharma has not spread.
Say what Guru Nanak said. He said, “Dhan, dhan Mata Devaki” (Great, great mother of Lord Krishna), because he knew we would become rigid fanatics. The Ninth Guru spoke of Lord Ram as our Protector.
It is amazing that people take the Guru’s name and yet are full of self-interest. Guru Nanak gave seats to those saying “Allah,” “Hari,” “Ram,” etc. Guru Granth Sahib includes the story of Bhagat Nam Dev, who as an innocent child offered milk to Hari in a statue.
When we celebrate the birthday of a prophet, we are thanking God that “You have sent one like us.” God is both manifest and non-manifest. Guru Nanak was so much against merely doing rituals. He said to pandits, “Why are you doing puja when you can’t even protect your honour?)
Dr. Karan Singh wrote that he appreciated that I don’t try to join people with myself, but rather with the prophets. There is nothing new to say. The Name of God “Wahe Guru” (which many Sikhs recite) is used only thirteen times in Guru Granth Sahib. (Names from other traditions appear far more often.)
Never make Guru Nanak a sect. He said, “One who has complete faith in God does not go on narrow paths of sects and creeds. His alliance is with Dharma, the True path of righteousness.”
The spokespeople are so wrong. The Guru spoke so lovingly of Lord Krishna in Gurbani. How can we attack Him? He said, “The Four Vedas are true.”
Until you meditate, you will never understand dharma. In your organization, with your resources, emphasize enlightened wisdom.
Jaap Sahib is spreading like waves. Turn toward the Guru. There is no need to ask for anything. Our demands are so small and He is so great. People have no idea how powerful Guru Gobind Singh is. Believe in him and everything is yours.
Our country is so lucky to have been the place of so many great prophets and scriptures. Science is the greatest dharma, but scientists and dervishes never get together. Dharma is the Supreme Power on which all sciences stand. Jaap Sahib has been kept in reserve, ready for the great interest that would arise.