Sri Guru Granth Sahib on dance: Difference between revisions

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{{p|File:Bhangra by the 3 Singhs.jpg|Bhangra by the 3 Singhs and Singhnia - Would the Gurus Approve?}}
{{p|File:Bhangra by the 3 Singhs.jpg|Bhangra by the 3 Singhs and Singhnia?}}
{{Message of Gurbani}}
{{Message of Gurbani}}


This articles lists [[Gurbani]] relating to dancing and singing which are activities where many preconceived prejudices and views exist in the [[Sikh]] and [[Punjabi]] community. Singing and dancing are traditions of [[Punjab]] which have been in existence for many thousands of years. These traditions are not encouraged and supported by [[Sikhi]] and [[Gurbani]].  Many provide Gurbani quotes that make reference to dancing and claim that dancing is accetable provided that it is used as a positive, communal and constructive function for unity and celebration of society. They also claim that dancing has negative outcomes when used to escalate ones ego or pride; or for self-excitation;  or for sensual gratification, these same activities are condemned by the Guru. However, such analysis of Gurbani is superficial at best and avoids the deeper connotations of the Guru's Word, which is limitless in its depth.
This articles lists [[Gurbani]] relating to dancing and singing which are activities where many preconceived prejudices and views exist in the [[Sikh]] and [[Punjabi]] community. Singing and dancing are great traditions of [[Punjab]] which have been in existence for many thousands of years. These traditions are encouraged and supported by [[Sikhi]] and [[Gurbani]] provided that they are used as a positive, communal and constructive function for unity and celebration of society. When used to escalate ones ego or pride; or for self-excitation;  or for sensual gratification, these same activities are condemned by the Guru. The Guru tells us:
 
The Guru tells us:


{{tuk|124|5089|ਹਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸ੝ਹਾਵਣਿਆ ॥ ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਗਾਵੈ ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਨਾਚੈ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਤੀ ਚਿਤ੝ ਲਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ <br>
{{tuk|124|5089|ਹਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸ੝ਹਾਵਣਿਆ ॥ ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਗਾਵੈ ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਨਾਚੈ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਤੀ ਚਿਤ੝ ਲਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ <br>
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'''The Gurmukhs <u>sing</u> , the Gurmukhs <u>dance</u>''', and focus their consciousness on the Lord. ((1)(Pause))}}
'''The Gurmukhs <u>sing</u> , the Gurmukhs <u>dance</u>''', and focus their consciousness on the Lord. ((1)(Pause))}}


The first question that must arise when the above verse is mentioned is whether there is a single historical text that supports the Gurus or the Sikhs ever dancing?  No references can be found of the Gurus or their Sikhs ever engaging or being encouraged to dance.  But further study of more Gurbani will clear up what the "dancing" being referred to is. Ask yourself, can you see Guru Nanak Dev Sahib or Guru Gobind Singh Ji, or the Punj Pyare dancing?  If not, then why would the student (Sikh) engage in activities that the teacher (Guru) would not?  The teacher sets the example for the student, and the perfect student is the very image of the teacher.
Singing and dancing are great to lift ones mood and bring brightness into the mind; they also provide great exercise and are very beneficial for the circulation of blood in the body. However, when you sing and dance, remember that only by the Hukam of God are you enjoying all these wonderful activities. Keep your focus on the Almighty. With each motion remember Him!


{{tuk|364|16734|ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਨਿਰਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਾਗੈ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਪੂਰੇ ਤਾਲ ਵਿਚਹ੝ ਆਪ੝ ਗਵਾਇ ॥
{{tuk|364|16734|ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਨਿਰਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਾਗੈ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਪੂਰੇ ਤਾਲ ਵਿਚਹ੝ ਆਪ੝ ਗਵਾਇ ॥
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|The Gurmukh's dance is to embrace love for the Lord;
|The Gurmukh's dance is to embrace love for the Lord;
to the beat of the drum, he sheds his ego from within.}}
to the beat of the drum, he sheds his ego from within.}}
Do Bhangra/Giddha/Hip Hop/R&B/Bollywood songs and the accompanying dance allow one to embrace the Lord?  Is the dance being mentioned that of the worldly or spiritual?  Have there been references made in Sikh history, or any other history for that matter, that proclaim that the ego has been shed through dancing?  Or is the dance being referenced in this verse of another nature? 


{{tuk|350|16032|ਵਾਜਾ ਮਤਿ ਪਖਾਵਜ੝ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਹੋਇ ਅਨੰਦ੝ ਸਦਾ ਮਨਿ ਚਾਉ ॥ <br>
{{tuk|350|16032|ਵਾਜਾ ਮਤਿ ਪਖਾਵਜ੝ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਹੋਇ ਅਨੰਦ੝ ਸਦਾ ਮਨਿ ਚਾਉ ॥ <br>
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Know that the perfect beat is the Praise of the Lord; other dances produce only temporary pleasure in the mind. ॥1॥Pause॥ }}
Know that the perfect beat is the Praise of the Lord; other dances produce only temporary pleasure in the mind. ॥1॥Pause॥ }}


Again, the above questions must be asked.  If dancing from this verse is taken literally to mean the worldly act of dancing, who has played the instrument of intellect, the tambourine of love?  Analogies, metaphors and similies are aplenty in Gurbani, that associate worldly activies to the reader to allow for a spiritual awakening through explanation in simple terms.  Are such things to be taken literally?  If so, then one must also be able to fulfill the conditions set in Gurbani.  The above verse for instance, states that dancing would impart bliss and lasting pleasure.  Have the worldly dancers achieved this?


{{tuk|364|16740|ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਨਿਰਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਾਗੈ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਪੂਰੇ ਤਾਲ ਵਿਚਹ੝ ਆਪ੝ ਗਵਾਇ ॥ .....<br>ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਜ੝ਗਤਿ ਸਚ੝ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਪਾਖੰਡਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਨਿਰਤਿ ਦ੝ਖ੝ ਹੋਇ ॥੩॥
{{tuk|364|16740|ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਨਿਰਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਾਗੈ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਪੂਰੇ ਤਾਲ ਵਿਚਹ੝ ਆਪ੝ ਗਵਾਇ ॥ .....<br>ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਜ੝ਗਤਿ ਸਚ੝ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਪਾਖੰਡਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਨਿਰਤਿ ਦ੝ਖ੝ ਹੋਇ ॥੩॥
|Gurmukẖ niraṯ har lĝgai bẖĝ­o. Pūrė ṯĝl vicẖahu ĝp gavĝ­ė....<br>Gurmukẖ bẖagaṯ jugaṯ sacẖ so­ė. Pakẖand bẖagaṯ niraṯ ḝukẖ ho­ė. ॥3॥
|Gurmukẖ niraṯ har lĝgai bẖĝ­o. Pūrė ṯĝl vicẖahu ĝp gavĝ­ė....<br>Gurmukẖ bẖagaṯ jugaṯ sacẖ so­ė. Pakẖand bẖagaṯ niraṯ ḝukẖ ho­ė. ॥3॥
|The Gurmukh's dance is to embrace love for the Lord; to the beat of the drum, he sheds his ego from within.....<br>For the Gurmukh, loving devotional worship is the way to the True Lord. But the dances and the worship of the hypocrites bring only pain. ॥3॥ }}
|The Gurmukh's dance is to embrace love for the Lord; to the beat of the drum, he sheds his ego from within.....<br>For the Gurmukh, loving devotional worship is the way to the True Lord. But the dances and the worship of the hypocrites bring only pain. ॥3॥ }}
This verse is in the similar vein of the above verse, where the "dance" mentioned is actually to develop unrelenting love for the Almighty.  Devotional worship, in which one develops love, longing and a deep desire to meet the Almighty is the dance being alluded to in the verses.  One must again query whether Bhangra or Giddha or Salsa dancing impart such high spiritual states.




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He plays upon the guitar, tambourine and cymbals, and the unstruck sound current of the Shabad resounds. ॥1॥Pause॥}}
He plays upon the guitar, tambourine and cymbals, and the unstruck sound current of the Shabad resounds. ॥1॥Pause॥}}


Is the Anhad Shabad - the unstruck sound current struck during worldly dancing?  Have the dancers of the worldly heard it?  Guru Sahib provides the inherent proof of this being an analogy within the very verse. 


{{tuk|506|22680|ਖੰਡ ਬ੝ਰਹਮੰਡ ਤ੝ਰੈ ਗ੝ਣ ਨਾਚੇ ਜਿਨ ਲਾਗੀ ਹਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਤ੝ਮਾਰੀ ॥ ਜੀਅ ਜੰਤ ਸਭੇ ਹੀ ਨਾਚੇ ਨਾਚਹਿ ਖਾਣੀ ਚਾਰੀ ॥੫॥
{{tuk|506|22680|ਖੰਡ ਬ੝ਰਹਮੰਡ ਤ੝ਰੈ ਗ੝ਣ ਨਾਚੇ ਜਿਨ ਲਾਗੀ ਹਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਤ੝ਮਾਰੀ ॥ ਜੀਅ ਜੰਤ ਸਭੇ ਹੀ ਨਾਚੇ ਨਾਚਹਿ ਖਾਣੀ ਚਾਰੀ ॥੫॥
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|The planets and solar systems dance in the three qualities, as do those who bear love for You, Lord.<br>The beings and creatures all dance, and the four sources of creation dance. ॥5॥ }}
|The planets and solar systems dance in the three qualities, as do those who bear love for You, Lord.<br>The beings and creatures all dance, and the four sources of creation dance. ॥5॥ }}


Is the "dance" being referred to here a worldly dance, or that of the entire play of the world being acted out on the universe-stage?  "Dancing" here is referring to the constant happenings of the universe.  The very being, the existence of the world, is "dancing" to the Almighty's Will.  There is no justification being provided to engage in worldly dancing.


{{tuk|1165|50126|ਪੂਰੇ ਤਾਲ ਨਿਹਾਲੇ ਸਾਸ ॥ ਵਾ ਕੇ ਗਲੇ ਜਮ ਕਾ ਹੈ ਫਾਸ ॥੩॥
{{tuk|1165|50126|ਪੂਰੇ ਤਾਲ ਨਿਹਾਲੇ ਸਾਸ ॥ ਵਾ ਕੇ ਗਲੇ ਜਮ ਕਾ ਹੈ ਫਾਸ ॥੩॥
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But the noose of the Messenger of Death is around her neck. ॥3॥}}
But the noose of the Messenger of Death is around her neck. ॥3॥}}


This verse actually tells of how people are deluded in the worldly stage, with dancing being given as a means for a woman to entice onlookers, and will one day perish to the ultimate reality of Death.  Guru Sahib is actually telling the reader to awaken from their slumber of the 5 vices and to realize that Death is ever close.


{{tuk|522|23370|ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗ੝ਰਿ ਭੇਟਿਝ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਜ੝ਗਤਿ ॥ ਹਸੰਦਿਆ ਖੇਲੰਦਿਆ ਪੈਨੰਦਿਆ ਖਾਵੰਦਿਆ ਵਿਚੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਮ੝ਕਤਿ ॥੨॥
{{tuk|522|23370|ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗ੝ਰਿ ਭੇਟਿਝ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਜ੝ਗਤਿ ॥ ਹਸੰਦਿਆ ਖੇਲੰਦਿਆ ਪੈਨੰਦਿਆ ਖਾਵੰਦਿਆ ਵਿਚੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਮ੝ਕਤਿ ॥੨॥
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|O Nanak, meeting the True Guru, one comes to know the Perfect Way.
|O Nanak, meeting the True Guru, one comes to know the Perfect Way.
While laughing, playing, dressing and eating, he is liberated. ॥2॥}}
While laughing, playing, dressing and eating, he is liberated. ॥2॥}}
Indeed, Guru Sahib's path never encouraged the recluse lifestyle.  The gristi (householder) lifestyle was encouraged and accepted.  The activities described in the above verse are a testament to that, where Guru Sahis is preaching to the reader that the Gursikh will be able to attain liberation while engaged being a part of it, not only as a tyagi (he/she who has abandoned the world).  A Sikh must embody the concept of tyagi of tyag - one who has no attachments in the world and yet is able to participate in it.  As a lotus that sits on the world ocean, the Sikh is rooted in the world, and yet above it (mentally and spiritually one with the Almighty).
Therefore, Gurbani has not given Sikhs a green light to dance their lives away.  Even if a very liberal view of dancing was to be accepted, one must always remember that any activity that a Sikh undertakes is to be in constant meditation of the Almighty and to reach ever closer to that One-Supreme.  All other activities are useless per Gurbani.


{{gurbani}}
{{gurbani}}

Revision as of 19:51, 6 November 2009

Bhangra by the 3 Singhs and Singhnia?

This article is part of the series on the "Message of Gurbani"

This articles lists Gurbani relating to dancing and singing which are activities where many preconceived prejudices and views exist in the Sikh and Punjabi community. Singing and dancing are great traditions of Punjab which have been in existence for many thousands of years. These traditions are encouraged and supported by Sikhi and Gurbani provided that they are used as a positive, communal and constructive function for unity and celebration of society. When used to escalate ones ego or pride; or for self-excitation; or for sensual gratification, these same activities are condemned by the Guru. The Guru tells us:

ਹਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਜੀਉ ਵਾਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸ੝ਹਾਵਣਿਆ ॥ ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਗਾਵੈ ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਨਾਚੈ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਤੀ ਚਿਤ੝ ਲਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

हउ वारी जीउ वारी हरि हरि नामि सढ़हावणिआ ॥ गढ़रमढ़खि गावै गढ़रमढ़खि नाचै हरि सेती चितढ़ लावणिआ ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥

Ha­o vĝrī jī­o vĝrī har har nĝm suhĝvaṇi­ĝ. Gurmukẖ gĝvai gurmukẖ nĝcẖai har sėṯī cẖiṯ lĝvaṇi­ĝ. ॥1॥ rahĝ­o.
I am a sacrifice, my soul is a sacrifice, to those who look beautiful in the Name of the Lord, Har, Har.

The Gurmukhs sing , the Gurmukhs dance, and focus their consciousness on the Lord. ((1)(Pause))

Singing and dancing are great to lift ones mood and bring brightness into the mind; they also provide great exercise and are very beneficial for the circulation of blood in the body. However, when you sing and dance, remember that only by the Hukam of God are you enjoying all these wonderful activities. Keep your focus on the Almighty. With each motion remember Him!

ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਨਿਰਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਾਗੈ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਪੂਰੇ ਤਾਲ ਵਿਚਹ੝ ਆਪ੝ ਗਵਾਇ ॥
Gurmukẖ niraṯ har lĝgai bẖĝ­o. Pūrė ṯĝl vicẖahu ĝp gavĝ­ė.
The Gurmukh's dance is to embrace love for the Lord;

to the beat of the drum, he sheds his ego from within.

ਵਾਜਾ ਮਤਿ ਪਖਾਵਜ੝ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਹੋਇ ਅਨੰਦ੝ ਸਦਾ ਮਨਿ ਚਾਉ ॥

ਝਹਾ ਭਗਤਿ ਝਹੋ ਤਪ ਤਾਉ ॥ ਇਤ੝ ਰੰਗਿ ਨਾਚਹ੝ ਰਖਿ ਰਖਿ ਪਾਉ ॥੧॥
ਪੂਰੇ ਤਾਲ ਜਾਣੈ ਸਾਲਾਹ ॥ ਹੋਰ੝ ਨਚਣਾ ਖ੝ਸੀਆ ਮਨ ਮਾਹ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

vĝjĝ maṯ pakẖĝvaj bẖĝ­o. Ho­ė anand saḝĝ man cẖĝ­o.

Ėhĝ bẖagaṯ ėho ṯap ṯĝ­o. Iṯ rang nĝcẖahu rakẖ rakẖ pĝ­o. ॥1॥
Pūrė ṯĝl jĝṇai sĝlĝh. Hor nacẖṇĝ kẖusī­ĝ man mĝh. ॥1॥ rahĝ­o.

Make your intellect your instrument, and love your tambourine; thus bliss and lasting pleasure shall be produced in your mind.

This is devotional worship, and this is the practice of penance. So dance in this love, and keep the beat with your feet. ॥1॥
Know that the perfect beat is the Praise of the Lord; other dances produce only temporary pleasure in the mind. ॥1॥Pause॥


ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਨਿਰਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਲਾਗੈ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਪੂਰੇ ਤਾਲ ਵਿਚਹ੝ ਆਪ੝ ਗਵਾਇ ॥ .....
ਗ੝ਰਮ੝ਖਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਜ੝ਗਤਿ ਸਚ੝ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਪਾਖੰਡਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਨਿਰਤਿ ਦ੝ਖ੝ ਹੋਇ ॥੩॥
Gurmukẖ niraṯ har lĝgai bẖĝ­o. Pūrė ṯĝl vicẖahu ĝp gavĝ­ė....
Gurmukẖ bẖagaṯ jugaṯ sacẖ so­ė. Pakẖand bẖagaṯ niraṯ ḝukẖ ho­ė. ॥3॥
The Gurmukh's dance is to embrace love for the Lord; to the beat of the drum, he sheds his ego from within.....
For the Gurmukh, loving devotional worship is the way to the True Lord. But the dances and the worship of the hypocrites bring only pain. ॥3॥


ਤੇਰਾ ਜਨ੝ ਨਿਰਤਿ ਕਰੇ ਗ੝ਨ ਗਾਵੈ ॥ ਰਬਾਬ੝ ਪਖਾਵਜ ਤਾਲ ਘ੝ੰਘਰੂ ਅਨਹਦ ਸਬਦ੝ ਵਜਾਵੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Ŧėrĝ jan niraṯ karė gun gĝvai. Rabĝb pakẖĝvaj ṯĝl gẖungẖrū anhaḝ sabaḝ vajĝvai. ॥1॥ rahĝ­o.
Your humble servant dances and sings Your Glorious Praises.

He plays upon the guitar, tambourine and cymbals, and the unstruck sound current of the Shabad resounds. ॥1॥Pause॥


ਖੰਡ ਬ੝ਰਹਮੰਡ ਤ੝ਰੈ ਗ੝ਣ ਨਾਚੇ ਜਿਨ ਲਾਗੀ ਹਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਤ੝ਮਾਰੀ ॥ ਜੀਅ ਜੰਤ ਸਭੇ ਹੀ ਨਾਚੇ ਨਾਚਹਿ ਖਾਣੀ ਚਾਰੀ ॥੫॥
Kẖand barahmand ṯarai guṇ nĝcẖė jin lĝgī har liv ṯumĝrī. Jī­a janṯ sabẖė hī nĝcẖė nĝcẖeh kẖĝṇī cẖĝrī. ॥5॥
The planets and solar systems dance in the three qualities, as do those who bear love for You, Lord.
The beings and creatures all dance, and the four sources of creation dance. ॥5॥


ਪੂਰੇ ਤਾਲ ਨਿਹਾਲੇ ਸਾਸ ॥ ਵਾ ਕੇ ਗਲੇ ਜਮ ਕਾ ਹੈ ਫਾਸ ॥੩॥
Pūrė ṯĝl nihĝlė sĝs. vĝ kė galė jam kĝ hai fĝs. ॥3॥
She dances to the beat, exciting the breath of those who watch her.

But the noose of the Messenger of Death is around her neck. ॥3॥


ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗ੝ਰਿ ਭੇਟਿਝ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਜ੝ਗਤਿ ॥ ਹਸੰਦਿਆ ਖੇਲੰਦਿਆ ਪੈਨੰਦਿਆ ਖਾਵੰਦਿਆ ਵਿਚੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਮ੝ਕਤਿ ॥੨॥
Nĝnak saṯgur bẖeti▫ai pūrī hovai jugaṯ. Hasanḝi▫ĝ kẖelanḝi▫ĝ painanḝi▫ĝ kẖĝvanḝi▫ĝ vicẖe hovai mukaṯ. ॥2॥
O Nanak, meeting the True Guru, one comes to know the Perfect Way.

While laughing, playing, dressing and eating, he is liberated. ॥2॥

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