Sri
Guru Granth Sahib is the ocean of the spiritual wisdom, but majority of
Sikhs ignore gurbani and engage in variety of rituals only. As a Sikh we
should engross in gurbani and understand the divine message enshrined in it
and for this we will have to study Sri Guru Granth Sahib, in depth.
Our Guru has never
suggested or practiced the concept of Akhand Paathh; it is hijacked from
akhand reading of Ved and Puran and Shastras etc. There is no historical
proof of akhand paathh by Guru Gobind Singh jee.
In fact ignoring the Gurbani's teaching,
many perform "Akhand Paath” and never try to read listen or understand.
While in MUNDAAVANEE Guru Arjun Sahib has suggested to read, listen,
understand and follow the Gurmat message.
In MUNDAAVANEE Guruji said “Upon this Plate,
three things have been placed: Truth, Contentment and Contemplation. The
Ambrosial Nectar of the Naam, the Name of our Lord and Master, has been
placed upon it as well; it is the Support of all. One who eats it and enjoys
it shall be saved. This thing can never be forsaken; keep this always and
forever in your mind. The dark world-ocean is crossed over, by grasping the
Feet of the Lord; O Nanak, it is all the extension of God”. (GGS: 1429)
The spirit of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib can
truly be expressed if we can manage to live lives of humble souls -
practicing love, compassion, wisdom, mercy, contentment, humility, etc.;
looking beyond people's shortcomings; taking on their good qualities;
forgiving others; trying to understand others without first waiting to be
understood; and so on.
By
hiring readers (Pathhee) for Akhand Paathh and never bother to listen or
follow is one way of struggling with Akal Purakh for peace with the help of
others! Today Akhand Paathh is growing business on a commercial scale all
over the world, and the reading is never completed with clear connotations
(pronunciations) but just a speed reading to finish the paathh as rituals
only. Unfortunately there is no honesty or loyalty in this regards.
Sri
Guru Granth Sahib has 1430 pages and it is just not possible to read entire
Granth in 48 hours with clear connotations (Shoodh Uchaaran) that can be
understood by the listeners in Sangat. As established over a period of time
by expert readers (Paathees) normally one can read around 20 pages per hour
with Shoodh Uchaaran or reading with concentration.
For example Bani Sukhmani has 33 pages and the standard time for reading
this bani is anywhere between 100 to 120 minutes. During Akhand
Paathh the same bani is finished in one hour with a speed reading, which
perhaps from sangat no body will be able to follow or understand.
In normal course real Akhand Paathh with shoodh
Uchaaran will take over 71 hours!! Today’s practice of Akhand Paathh
is based on fast track reading or call it mindless reading as the members of
the host family never bother to listen or even do not follow what’s going on
and many a times remain absent and shows no interest in Gurbani. This is why
several Gurdwara Prabandhaks, preachers and paathees are taking advantages
of the situations and earn cheap money. They are no more honest or loyal to
our Guru, Gurbani or God but simply engrossed in making money out of our own
ignorance. Perhaps this is the reason why the entire process of Akhand
Paathh is turning into Pakhand Paathh and we Sikhs tolerate all this
silently.
Akhand Path Audio
Recordings:
available in
MP3 playback format, where you will find clear pronunciation (shoodh
Uchaaran), check the following.
http://www.mrsikhnet.com/2010/05/18/akhand-path-gurbani-mp3-downloads/
1). Prof Satnam Singh Sethi (File Size: 721 MB – Audio length
70 hours). This is one of the most
eloquent because Prof. Satnam Singh has a great voice and makes it extra
enjoyable to listen to. In this there is a voice of Gianee Sant Singh
Maskeen jee. He has recited
Dakhanee Ongkaar, Maru Dakhne and Sehskritee Shaloks. He could also read
around 15 pages in span of 45 minutes with clear connotations.
2). Bhai Balbir Singh Sidki (File Size: 720 MB – Audio length
70 hours)
3). Unknown Singh (File Size: 706 MB – Audio length
68.5 hours)
4). Bhai Sarvan Singh (File Size: 797MB – Audio length
77 hours)
5). Giani Bhupinder Singh (Damdami Taksal) (File Size: 725MB – Audio length
42 hours
– fast track as per today’s practice)
From the above facts we should understand how we are being carried away by
present day practice of Akhand Paathh out of our own ignorance. Such kind of
Akhand Paathh is never beneficial to any one either to the host or to the
readers – the so called paathee Singhs. The
knowledge of the Gurbani urge us to earnestly study and analyze the mind,
rise above its temptations and deceptions, make it steady, dissolve it in
the Divine Essence by the constant and intense Self-inquiry, fix it on God
Consciousness, and, thus, get rid of the menacing body consciousness. All
other activities are said to be mere babbling in ignorance! Remember
Guru Arjun has said in bani Sukhmani, “Karṯuṯ
pasu ki manas jaṯ”. They belong to the
human species, but they act like animals. Evan Guru Nanak has also said in
GGS on page 832,
“The human is a pig, a dog, a donkey, a cat, a beast, a filthy, lowly
wretch, an outcast, if he turns his face away from the Guru. He shall wander
in reincarnation. Bound in bondage, he comes and goes.”
Khalsa jee wake up
and save yourselves from this
open loot of Akhand (but) pakhand paathh and get tuned to
Gurbani on your own. Let us be honest and loyal to our Guru, Gurbani and God
in our own interest.
