In my childhood, Paath (ਪਾਠ) was a very crucial part of my daily routine. It took months to fully memorize a Baani, but once I did, it was necessary to repeat and recite it every day. My parents always asked, “Did you finish Paath?” And I would nod my head, putting a proud and broad smile on their faces. However, it was my parents who were pleased, never myself.
Speaking from personal experience, I would always hurry to finish Jap Ji Sahib so I could quickly go back to do what I was doing before. As soon as I entered Babaji’s room, I made sure that I was covering my head and bowing in front of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, not realizing why I was doing it or its purpose. Sitting down in unease, I just murmured the words of Jap Ji Sahib, the words that the Guru has given us. Looking down at my Gutka, flipping the pages to see how many were left, I was left doing Jap Ji Sahib as if it was a punishment. As soon as I was finished, I instantly stood up on my feet and hurried out the room. As I headed back to watching TV or playing a childish game, I didn’t even think twice as to why I was doing Paath, and why it is so important in Sikhi.
As I have grown older, I came to realize that a true Sikh is one who follows the path that the Gurus have given us and always remembers Waheguru’s name. When they are at battle, they would remember Waheguru and ask for strength and braveness to defeat the enemies. When they are eating a meal, they would thank Waheguru for having food to eat. When they are spending time with family, they would thank Waheguru for giving the perfect soulmate and children. And, when they are alone, they would chant Waheguru’s name, knowing that this world is all false, and the only true being is Waheguru and Waheguru alone. A true Sikh is one who does Paath, not because they have to, but because of their love for Waheguru. Looking at my dad as an example, he strives to complete the 5 Baanias every day. Even if he is busy, he would do Paath in the night. And if he wasn’t able to do it during the day or night, he would do the Baanias twice the next day. I was in awe, as it made me realize that Paath is so much more valuable than I thought it was.
Before I realized that Paath is such a significant part of our daily lives, I would never focus on doing it. Whether I was in the car or at home, my mind would wander to other thoughts, and I didn’t even realize what words I was reciting. Taking my dad as an example, I tried to do Paath with ultimate focus and no distractions. Even though I didn’t understand the words, I felt like I was in a different world- a world full of tranquility and Waheguru’s Kirpa. As I finished, I was so amazed by the amount of peace I could get by doing Paath.
Paath isn’t just reciting it, it is:
1. Reading the message
2. Understanding the message
3. Benefiting from the message/Putting the message into practice in your daily life
Without doing the first two, the third cannot be achieved. Yet, the benefits of doing Paath are endless. Because Gurbani was written in a poetic form, it cools our nerves and calms our minds, just like how music does. Additionally, with all the problems going on, including racism, murder, and a global pandemic, doing Paath will relieve us from the stresses of the outside world. Paath will make us dissolve our feelings about the world, as we are focusing on Waheguru, and only Waheguru, the creator of everything. Moreover, as teenagers, we spend our time on useless things, such as video games, social media, and chats. Instead of doing something unproductive, we should do something that is meaningful and beneficial. There is nothing more productive than remembering Waheguru and following the path of a Gursikh!
Doing Paath every day reminds us that our life has a purpose. We all have different daily routines, which consists of doing the things we love to do. However, it is important to also remember Waheguru, the creator of all living things. Doing Paath daily is a responsibility, and if we forget that, we humans will wander Earth as clueless creatures. Another benefit of doing Paath is becoming better human beings. As written earlier, even if you don’t understand the meanings of Paath, what really matters is that you are doing it with focus and devotion. When you do Paath, you will make righteous decisions and follow the path that the Gurus have created for us. As humans, we know what is right and wrong, but sometimes, we do the wrong anyway. Reciting Paath provides us the control we need to make the right decisions and stay away from wrong acts. Lastly, as we are reciting Paath every day, we will become motivated to know what we are reciting, to understand the words of the Guru. And, when we learn the concepts that Paath is teaching us, we will be determined to integrate that in our lives and become better Sikhs. At the same time, we will not only be making ourselves happy, but we will also be spreading happiness to our Sangat.
With this, I became interested in understanding the meaning of the Baanias that I read. From the first word of Jap Ji Sahib to the last line, I was so absorbed in the meaning and I had gained a lot of wisdom. I kept a smile on my face for the entire rest of the day, and my mind was in peace. No complaints, arguments, or stress.
For many teenagers, it may be hard to understand the meanings, and it was for me at first, but if you have the willpower to learn and become a better Sikh, Waheguru will give you that blessing. Because us teenagers are learning more each and every day, we don’t yet understand every concept of Sikhi and Gurbani. However, the fact that we are making the effort to learn, the experience of doing Paath is even more satisfying and valuable.
Reading the meaning again the next day, I felt the same bliss and peacefulness wash through me. And, even though I was reading the same lines again, I gained a lot more insight into the teachings of the Guru. I have attained peace, learned to remember Waheguru, and most of all, I have become a better Sikh.
Recently, I read this short message about conversations with my Guru, and it instantly made me realize how significant Paath is in our daily lives:
Jap Ji Sahib: The sun rises, I rise, you call for me and we sit together. The day has begun.
Jaap Sahib: You offer me words that carry more strength than this body has ever known.
Tav Parsaad Savaiye: I realize there is no ritual that can bring me to you. There is only love.
Chaupai Sahib: I tell you this world is a terrible place. You smile and tell me you already know, why else would you give me this protection?
Anand Sahib: I always ask for happiness in some shape or form, but you remind me there is bliss, pure happiness that is still waiting to be felt.
Rehraas Sahib: The day has been long; my mind aches, and when we sit together, I realize my soul has been aching too.
Kirtan Sohila: The moon and the stars join in, sometimes. A lot of things haunt my mind, but tonight they cannot penetrate my dreams. You are here, after all.
By this, one can understand that Paath is something that keeps us going through all the troubles in life. In order to keep going and face hardships, we must do Paath as that will not only take away our worries, but will also give us a solution to those concerns. The significance of Paath is infinite, such that we will never be able to realize it until we actually start doing it. Its significance reminds us that during times when it may seem like Waheguru is not helping us, He actually is listening to our prayers all the time. Whenever we do Paath, it is not because we chose to- it is because Waheguru Ji has given us the blessing to recite the words of the Guru. The value gained from Paath reminds us that Waheguru is the only true being in this universe, there is no one else who can even understand the powers of Waheguru. He is the most unique, the most intelligent, and the most merciful being. He will always be there to guide us on the right path and to help us whenever we are off-track.
I understood that Paath isn’t just lines we have to repeat every day because of our religion; they are lines filled with an unlimited amount of wisdom so that we are reminded about our obligation to Waheguru. Paath helps us calm down, find our purpose in life, and follow the teachings of the Guru. There are many problems in life, and sometimes it may seem like there is no solution- but there is, and that is doing Paath and following the teachings of the Guru. As said at the end of Jap Ji Sahib:
ਭਾਂਡਾ ਭਾਉ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਤਿਤੁ ਢਾਲਿ॥
In the crucible of love, melt the Nectar of the Name,
ਘੜੀਐ ਸਬਦੁ ਸਚੀ ਟਕਸਾਲ॥
And mint the True Coin of the Shabad, the Word of God.
ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰਮੁ ਤਿਨ ਕਾਰ॥
Such is the karma of those upon whom He has cast His Glance of Grace.
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਦਰੀ ਨਦਰਿ ਨਿਹਾਲ॥ ੩੮
O Nanak, the Merciful Lord, by His Grace, uplifts and exalts them. ||38||
As said before, Gurbani can be a bit difficult to understand. However, it is important to at least make the effort. In this line, Guru Ji is telling us that those who follow the teachings of Gurbani (do Paath) and remember Waheguru, those are the ones who are blessed with His glance; those are the ones who are uplifted and exalted with Waheguru’s blessings. And that is the greatest gift one will ever receive in life.
A couple of years ago, I was a young girl who was contemplating the concepts of Sikhi and wondering why I believe in Sikhism. After reading Paath, the words of the Guru, not only did I get an answer, but I also became dedicated to following the path of a Sikh. For all those wondering why you have to do Paath daily, reading and understanding its meaning is the only way you will get to know why. It may seem repetitive, but the power of reciting Paath is immense. Don’t do it just to see your parents’ smile or to make them proud, do it to make your inner soul smile and make yourself proud. Paath is one of the many ways to get closer to Waheguru, and whether you do just Jap Ji Sahib, or all the Baanias, do it with a positive mindset, and ultimate focus and devotion. With Waheguru’s Kirpa, you will, too, feel a connection with Waheguru reciting the words of the Guru!
Dani Kaur, 13, CA
Thank you so much