One day, Guru Har Rai Ji Mahraj was resting and two Sikhs who were blessed with gift of doing Kirtan came from far to do Darshan. Looking at Mahraj asleep, they contemplated if they should do Kirtan near Guru Ji as they did not want to wake Guru Ji up. They then contemplated that the Guru is never asleep in their spiritual state, and is beyond humanly activities, therefore they are always awake. So, they proceeded to do Kirtan near Guru Ji devotedly. As soon as Guru Mahraj heard Gurbani being sung, Guru Mahraj jumped out of their bed quickly, hitting their knee on the leg of the bed and sat on the floor. Looking at Guru Mahraj being injured from waking up quickly, Guru Ji's Sikhs tended to the injury and enquired " why did You wake up so abruptly, Guru Ji? This Gurbani that these two Sikhs were singing is yours after all that you recited in your previous forms". Guru Ji then replied:
"Listen my dearest Sikhs, do you know that the fearless Guru Nanak Dev Ji Mahraj resides in Gurbani? The Gurbani whose praises is immeasurable is the boat to help us pass through this ocean of fire (world) and source of bliss. Those that recites Gurbani gets the vices in their self removed just like a lion (Gurbani) chases after the running) deer (desires).
Like an elephant uprooting huge trees tree, Gurbani uproots sufferings. Like a tool to produce fire, reading and contemplating Gurbani, parkash of Gyan is produced.
Guru Ji then said the Sikh of mine that gives respect to Gurbani, he shall be effortlessly be liberated from this burning ocean of fire. The mehima of Gurbani cannot be expressed and if I do not keep the maryada of respecting Gurbani, how will my Sikhs do the same? However much Gurbani you shall read, until you don't start respecting Gurbani, you shall not be liberated. How can I be resting on a higher position than my beloved Sikhs that reciting Gurbani at a lower place? This is why I have abruptly woken up.
The Sikh of mine who implement the teachings of Gurbani in his life shall attain liberation (Param padvi). Those who don't keep neither fear nor faith in Gurbani, they shall not obtain wisdom (gyan). Wisdom is not obtained without fear of Parmatma and bhagti. Without gyan, one can't be liberated and without liberation, eternal bliss is not found.
ਭੈ (fear of Parmatma) —> ਪ੍ਰੇਮ (affection) —> ਭਗਤੀ (devotion) —> ਗਿਆਨ (wisdom) —> ਮੁਕਤੀ (liberation) —> ਅਨੰਦ (eternal bliss)
This is why having ਭੈ is fundamental. Those Sikh that do not have respect of Gurbani, is not my Sikh.”
ਜੋ ਗੁਰ ਭਗਤਿ ਸੋ ਸਿਖ ਹੈ ਮੇਰਾ। ਗੁਰਬਾਨੀ ਭੈ ਤਿਸੈ ਘਨੇਰਾ।
One lovingly devoted to the Guru is my Sikh, having great awe & respect for Gurbani.
ਜਿਨ ਭੈ ਅਦਬ ਨ ਬਾਨੀ ਧਾਰਾ। ਜਾਨਹੁ ਸੋ ਸਿਖ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥੨੦॥
One who has no fear or respect of Gurbani is not my Sikh.
Hearing Guru Ji’s invaluable teachings, the two Kirtaniya Sikhs bowed on Guru Ji’s feet and pleaded to Guru Ji to bless them with fear of Parmatma and love for Gurbani so that they can reach the door of liberation (Gyan) and their shackles of Karma be removed.
Listening to their plea, Guru Ji was pleased and said:
“May you always be blessed with ਭੈ and love for Gurbani, your mind always be immersed in Guru’s teachings and your sleeping mind of countless incarnations be awakened. The sign of an awakening mind is when one starts finding Gurbani to be sweet/pleasing and such Sikh of mine is great.
ਮਨ ਜਾਗੇ ਕੀ ਇਹੀ ਨੀਸ਼ਾਨੀ ।
ਪ੍ਰਿਯ ਲਾਗਹਿ ਉਰ ਸਤਗੁਰ ਬਾਨੀ ।
Such Sikhs are pleasing to me those that make their mind like a fish wanting to always live in the ocean of Gurbani, whose mind is like a jungle that the lion form Gurbani is roaring in.
The world is locked by the lock of doubts which can only be opened by the key of Gurbani. When this lock is open the treasure of values like Bhagti vairaag prem gyan sat santokh daya dharam etc are all unlocked. Those that enter their house (go inwards - antar mukh) shall find this gems.
Gurbani is like sandalwood that fills fragrance in all tress nearby in spring but Gurbani gives fragrance all the seasons. Those whose preordained karam lights up, starts finding Gurbani to be pleasing and obtains this fragrance of Bhagti. Without bhaga preordained Karam, one does not receive it and how else shall oje be librated in this Kalyug”
Why Guru Mahraj gave this various examples to their Sikhs? Because they want all their Sikhs to grasp the understanding to get liberated in this human life.
ਇਮ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਦੇ ਦੇ ਉਪਦੇਸ਼ ।
ਦਾਸਨਿ ਕੀ ਸ਼੍ਰੇਯ ਚਹਿਤ ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ ।
Adhyai 21, Ras 10, Sri Gurpratap Suraj Parkash Granth