Panch baar gang jaai baar panch praag naai
This is a famous shabad by Bhai Gurdas in his composition called the Kabit Savaiye. These Savaiye are not as famous as the Bhai sahib's Varan - Varan Bhai Gurdas which are regularly quoted from by Ragis and scholars. The verses below highlight the relative benefits of service as opposed to pure ritual, which was very common place during the time of the Sikh Gurus. The shabad also stresses the benefits of helping others who are following the path of good; the service rendered to other followers of the righteous path is deemed to be more worthy than performing empty rituals and pilgrimages. The shabads highlights the benefits of Seva, service to others.
Ritual v Service
Kabit no 673: (Amrit Keertan page 655)
| ਪੰਚ ਬਾਰ ਗੰਗ ਜਾਇ ਬਾਰ ਪੰਚ ਪਰਾਗ ਨਾਇ , ਤੈਸਾ ਪੰਨ ਝਕ ਗਰਸਿਖ ਕਉ ਨਵਾਝ ਕਾ । ਸਿਖ ਕਉ ਪਿਲਾਇ ਪਾਨੀ ਭਾਉ ਕਰ ਕਰਖੇਤ , ਅਸਵ ਮੇਧ ਜਗ ਫਲ ਸਿਖ ਕਉ ਜਿਵਾਝ ਕਾ । |
| panch baar gang jaai baar panch praag naai, taisaa punn ayk gurasikh kau navaaay kaa । sikh kau pilaai paanee bhaau kar kurakhayt, asav maythh jag dhal sikh kau jivaaay kaa । |
| Five pilgrimages to the (holy) Ganges, bathing five times at Prayag, is as virtuous as providing bathing facilities to one Sikh. For lovingly serving a Sikh with water and food, is as fruitful as visiting Kurukshetra and performing Ashwamegh yag |
