Friday, 9 November 2012

Parkarma - Circumabulation

QN:


Preeto bhaji,
What does a Parikrama mean??
I've heard it many times BUT don't understand it
As I was listening to a Sakhi they said a Gursikh should do a Parikrama of Guru Granth Sahib and by doing that he gets rid of all Bad luck.
The topic was about us people believing in Star Signs (Rashi) n what ever they say/ reads we go along with that how stupid! BUT if we do Parikrama we get rid of all what's said in the star signs which I strongly believe because if by doing a Matha - Tek by a true mann we get a good day all along then surely we get rid of Bad luck.
So I didn't understand what and how we do a parikrama?
If it means going around a couple of times around the Guru Granth Sahib then how can we do it if there's NO space to go around it?
Because remembering from the top of my head I know that Hindus go around Shivlings and call it a Parikrama.
So I'm kind confused here!
Can you please throw some light on here"
Thanx


REPLY FROM PREETO


Satnaam ji,

In Hinduism there is a story of Shiva and his wife Parvati, decided to test their sons Ganesha and Karthikeya.  They said whichever sons went around the world first would inherit everything. Karthikeya raced off, but Ganesha just went around his parents with great devotion and said you are my world.  Going around is call parkarma, or pardakshna or circumambulate in english.   So that has become a ritual in Hinduism and Sikhism to show that the object of their devotion is the world for them.  It is also done by Muslims around their Kabba and Budhists and even some Christians.   As with any ritual, if done in the correct spirit, from deep down with reverence it can help you to express your love and devotion.  Otherwise it can just become a meaningless act done by people who are just copying each other with no sense of love and devotion.  Same with dong Dandauth Bandhna (prostration greeting) or touching each other's feet - if done with humbleness it can kill ego and bhai Gurdas Ji wrote that this humble act shouldn't be forgotten in this Dark Age.  But Baba Nanak Ji warned that a hunter also lies low but has only violence on his mind.   So the outer act or ritual is only meaningful if it is an expression of deep down love and devotion.   Devotion to who is next thing to ask yourself.  The highest object of devotion should be SatNaam and the carrier of Naam - the SatGuru, rather than a holy place or holy scripture or holy idol. 

Bhai Gurdas Ji wrote:

"ਚਰਨ ਅਮੋਲ ਪਰਦਛਨਾ ਕਰਨ ਕੈ"

"Those feet that do Parkarma (of the SatGuru) are priceless." (Kabit Svaye Bhai Gurdas Jee p.17)


When you do your Sat Naam Simran, with GurParsaad,  you will feel that energy is swirling all around you, that the whole universe is spinning, the planets are spinning, everything is going around and around, like the Hindu priest swirling the tray for Arti and Dhan Baba Nanak ji saying to them that the whole creation is going around and around in praise of its creator- satnaam kartapurakh - Sat Kartar.



BTW Here is the full verse by Bhai Gurdas ji - it really captures the intense devotion a Sikh has for the SatGuru.


ਚਿਰੰਕਾਲ ਮਾਨਸ ਜਨਮ ਨਿਰਮੋਲ ਪਾਏ ਸਫਲ ਜਨਮ ਗੁਰ ਚਰਨ ਸਰਨ ਕੈ

Chirankaal Maanas Janam Niramol Paaay , Sadhal Janam Gur Charan Saran Kai

चिरंकाल मानस जनम निरमोल पाए सफल जनम गुर चरन सरन कै

After wandering many births, this human life is obtained. But the birth becomes successful only when one takes the refuge the holy feet of a True Guru. 

 

ਲੋਚਨ ਅਮੋਲ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸ ਅਮੋਲ ਦੇਖੇ ਸ੍ਰਵਨ ਅਮੋਲ ਗੁਰ ਬਚਨ ਧਰਨ ਕੈ

Lochan Amol Gur Daras Amol Daykhay , Sravan Amol Gur Bachan Dharan Kai

लोचन अमोल गुर दरस अमोल देखे स्रवन अमोल गुर बचन धरन कै

Eyes are invaluable only when they see a glimpse of the Lord ugh the form of Sat guru. Ears are fruitful if they listen the precepts and command of Satguru attentively. 

 

ਨਾਸਕਾ ਅਮੋਲ ਚਰਨਾਰਬਿੰਦ ਬਾਸਨਾ ਕੈ ਰਸਨਾ ਅਮੋਲ ਗੁਰਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕੈ

Naasakaa Amol Charanaarabind Baasanaa Kai , Rasanaa Amol Gurmantr Simaran Kai

नासका अमोल चरनारबिंद बासना कै रसना अमोल गुरमंत्र सिमरन कै

Nostril's are worthy only when they smell the fragrance of dust of Satguru's lotus-feet. The tongue becomes invaluable when it recites the word of the Lord given as consecration by Satguru Ji. 

 

ਹਸਨ ਅਮੋਲ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਸੇਵ ਕੈ ਸਫਲ ਚਰਨ ਅਮੋਲ ਪਰਦਛਨਾ ਕਰਨ ਕੈ ੧੭

Hasan Amol Gurdayv Sayv Kai Sadhala , Charan Amol Paradachhanaa Karan Kai 17

हसन अमोल गुरदेव सेव कैसफल चरन अमोल परदछना करन कै ॥१७॥

Hands are invaluable only when they involve in the comforting service of Satguru and feet 

become precious when they circumambulate the Satguru. (17)

 

ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ : ਕਬਿੱਤ ੧੭


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