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Q. What are the essentials of Guru Hari
Rai's sermon to the congregation on his assumption of Guru Nanak's
throne?
A. On becoming the seventh
Nanak, Guru Hari Rai exhorted, "maintain an unshakable faith
in God and always remember His Name. He further directed, "stay
away from lust and anger, for they corrode the body. Avoid bad deeds
and do not shirk good deeds. Never steal, earn your living with
honest work. Do not enter into discrepancies over frivolous issues.
Do not speak ill of anyone. Hurting someone's feelings is a taboo".
"Service to ones parents is true devotion to God (Bhagti).
God can be attained to within ones home. Human form is hard to come
by, do not waste it by indulging in sinful acts. Discard selfishness,
live a life devoted to well being of others. Acquire spiritual education.
Search and get into the company of saintly persons. Keep your consciousness
and ideals at a high level. God is eternally true and in a state
of bliss. Saintly company is the only mean to go across this ocean
(of Maya). Concentrate and focus within self. Recitation of Lord's
Name is the supreme task".
"To achieve (spiritual) knowledge is the meditation. Donate
tithe out of your honest earnings to charity. To lead a life free
from desires is a great boon. Have firm faith (in God) and stay
detached (from Maya)".
After these directions Guru Hari Rai recited fifteenth stanza of
twenty-eighth Vaar of Bhai Gurdas.
"A Gursikh wakes up in the predawn hour and meditating upon
Naam, he becomes alert for ablution and charity. He speaks politely
and gets pleasure in helping others. Sleeping and eating in moderation,
he also speaks less according to the Guru's teachings. He works
hard to earn (his living), performs good deeds and even though may
be superior, would never get his superiority noticed. Day and night
he goes to where Gurbani is being sung in the congregation. He keeps
his conscience merged in (Guru's) word and maintains love for the
true Guru in his mind. (Living) among hopes and desires, he remains
detached."
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