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| - According to the Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhi, the purpose of life or the goal of this human life is to become an "enlightened being" and to "enlighten others". In the beginning of Japji, Guru Nanak refers to God as "sach" meaning "True" - True at the beginning of time, ....: Then in the first stanza of Japji the Guru talks about the purpose of human life in question and answer format: ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵੈਰ ਵਿਰੋਧ ਗਵਾਵੈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਗਲੀ ਗਣਤ ਮਿਟਾਵੈ ॥ Gurmukh is free from enmity and hostility. Gurmukh gets rid of ill will completely. (SGGS, M 1, p. 942.)
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| abstract
| - According to the Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhi, the purpose of life or the goal of this human life is to become an "enlightened being" and to "enlighten others". In the beginning of Japji, Guru Nanak refers to God as "sach" meaning "True" - True at the beginning of time, ....: Then in the first stanza of Japji the Guru talks about the purpose of human life in question and answer format: Harmony with Hukam means concern for the ecosystem; treating all beings with kindness and respect for the environment. It is knowledge of Truth that destroys ignorance, falsehood, superstition and doubt. When the yogis asked Guru Nanak: ਤੇਰਾ ਕਵਣੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਤੂ ਚੇਲਾ॥ … ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਧੁਨਿ ਚੇਲਾ ॥ “Who is your Guru or whose disciple are you?” “Shabad is the Guru and my mind, which is focused on the Shabad and comprehends it, is the disciple,” replied Guru Nanak. AGGS, M 1, pp. 942-943. Shabad in the Guru Granth Sahib means God's Bani or teachings and Knowledge. So it is the understanding of God or knowledge of Truth that is needed for the understanding of Hukam (Cosmic Law). The one, who understands the Hukam and conducts himself/herself, accordingly, is a sachiara (gurmukh, sadh, sadhu, sant, bhagat, and braham gyani). All these words are used interchangeably in the holy Granth. According to Guru Nanak there are two types of people, Gurmukhs (God-centred beings) and Manmukhs (self-centred beings). A Gurmukh dwells on God's attributes constantly and does every thing according to Hukam whereas a Manmukh is a degenerate person who does every thing according to his/her own will. A Gurmukh sees God everywhere and in each living being whereas a Manmukh is blind to God. Gurmukh follows Hukam whereas Manmukh follows the dictates of Haumai. The Guru Granth Sahib asserts again and again that one should not become slave to Haumai and the five passions/drives - lust, anger, greed, attachment and egotistical pride; rather one should subdue Haumai and make the five passions subservient by exercising restraint, so that one's energy and talent are directed to positive thinking and creative activities. One who achieves this objective conquers the corrupting influence of Maya (worldly temptations). Haumai is a deep malady but hope is not lost for a Manmukh since God is gracious, loving and forgiving. The door to Truth is always open. Naam Simrana/Naam Japna (constant focus on God's excellences) inculcates humility, love and compassion that lead to truthful living. This process gives one the inner strength to control one’s passions and Haumai. Slowly and steadily one makes progress to subdue/restrain Haumai and the five passions, thus becoming a Gurmukh: ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵੈਰ ਵਿਰੋਧ ਗਵਾਵੈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਗਲੀ ਗਣਤ ਮਿਟਾਵੈ ॥ Gurmukh is free from enmity and hostility. Gurmukh gets rid of ill will completely. (SGGS, M 1, p. 942.)
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