Observing Fasts are Useless - Guru Granth Sahib

The following verses by Sahib Kabir, recorded in the Guru Granth Sahib, convey profound spiritual wisdom, challenging the misconceptions surrounding extreme asceticism and the outward display of renunciation. In this composition, Sahib Kabir emphasizes the balance between physical sustenance and spiritual devotion, pointing out that both the body and soul require nourishment—food for the body and the Name of God for the soul.

Through rich metaphors and sharp criticism of hypocrisy, Sahib Kabir highlights the futility of abandoning worldly needs like food in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, stating that such actions do not lead to true union with God. Instead, Sahib Kabir advocates for a path of sincere devotion and remembrance of the Divine, which brings eternal peace and liberation. His teachings remind us that spiritual fulfillment comes not from external displays of renunciation such as observing fasts but from internal devotion and the constant remembrance of God's Name.

Gond | ਗੋਂਡ | गोंड - Page 872 - Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Punjabi

ਧੰਨੁ ਗੁਪਾਲ ਧੰਨੁ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ॥
ਧੰਨੁ ਅਨਾਦਿ ਭੂਖੇ ਕਵਲੁ ਟਹਕੇਵ ॥
ਧਨੁ ਓਇ ਸੰਤ ਜਿਨ ਐਸੀ ਜਾਨੀ ॥
ਤਿਨ ਕਉ ਮਿਲਿਬੋ ਸਾਰਿੰਗਪਾਨੀ ॥੧॥
ਆਦਿ ਪੁਰਖ ਤੇ ਹੋਇ ਅਨਾਦਿ ॥
ਜਪੀਐ ਨਾਮੁ ਅੰਨ ਕੈ ਸਾਦਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਜਪੀਐ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੀਐ ਅੰਨੁ ॥
ਅੰਭੈ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਨੀਕਾ ਵੰਨੁ ॥
ਅੰਨੈ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਜੋ ਨਰ ਹੋਵਹਿ ॥
ਤੀਨਿ ਭਵਨ ਮਹਿ ਅਪਨੀ ਖੋਵਹਿ ॥੨॥
ਛੋਡਹਿ ਅੰਨੁ ਕਰਹਿ ਪਾਖੰਡ ॥
ਨਾ ਸੋਹਾਗਨਿ ਨਾ ਓਹਿ ਰੰਡ ॥
ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਬਕਤੇ ਦੂਧਾਧਾਰੀ ॥
ਗੁਪਤੀ ਖਾਵਹਿ ਵਟਿਕਾ ਸਾਰੀ ॥੩॥
ਅੰਨੈ ਬਿਨਾ ਨ ਹੋਇ ਸੁਕਾਲੁ ॥
ਤਜਿਐ ਅੰਨਿ ਨ ਮਿਲੈ ਗੁਪਾਲੁ ॥
ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਹਮ ਐਸੇ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥
ਧੰਨੁ ਅਨਾਦਿ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੪॥੮॥੧੧॥

Hindi

1. धंनु गुपाल धंनु गुरदेव ॥
2. धंनु अनादि भूखे कवलु टहकेव ॥
3. धनु ओइ संत जिन ऐसी जानी ॥
4. तिन कउ मिलिबो सारिंगपानी ॥१॥
5. आदि पुरख ते होइ अनादि ॥
6. जपीऐ नामु अंन कै सादि ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
7. जपीऐ नामु जपीऐ अंनु ॥
8. अ्मभै कै संगि नीका वंनु ॥
9. अंनै बाहरि जो नर होवहि ॥
10. तीनि भवन महि अपनी खोवहि ॥२॥
11. छोडहि अंनु करहि पाखंड ॥
12. ना सोहागनि ना ओहि रंड ॥
13. जग महि बकते दूधाधारी ॥
14. गुपती खावहि वटिका सारी ॥३॥
15. अंनै बिना न होइ सुकालु ॥
16. तजिऐ अंनि न मिलै गुपालु ॥
17. कहु कबीर हम ऐसे जानिआ ॥
18. धंनु अनादि ठाकुर मनु मानिआ ॥४॥८॥११॥

English Explanation

The verses mentioned above are from the teachings of Sahib Kabir as recorded in the Guru Granth Sahib, in Raag Gond on page 872.

1. Thanks to the Lord and thanks to Gurudev.
2. Gratitude to the Eternal Lord who nourishes the hungry which keeps the body lotuses blossoming.
3. Thanks to the saints who have understood this truth.
4. They shall meet with the Lord.
5. From the Eternal Lord, came forth the whole creation.
6. One should chant the Name of the Lord, just as one eats food for nourishment.
7. Chant the Name of the Lord, and eat food mindfully.
8. The company of water makes the forest lush and green. Likewise, God's grace and the chanting of His Name allow the soul to flourish.
9. Those who abstain from food altogether...
10. ...lose themselves in the three worlds
11. Those who abandon food and engage in hypocrisy.
12. They are neither married women nor widows.
13. Those who claim to sustain in this world just on milk...
14. ...secretly eat everything in their hidden enclosures.
15. Without food, there can be no peace.
16. If one abandons food, they will not find God.
17. Says Kabir, I have come to understand this truth.
18. Gratitude to the eternal Lord, whom my mind has accepted.

Summary

Sahib Kabir's message here focuses on the futility of extreme renunciation and hypocritical practices. He advocates for a balanced life, where one should recognize the importance of both physical nourishment (food) and spiritual nourishment (God's Name). Sahib Kabir emphasizes that true liberation comes from sincere devotion and chanting the Lord's Name, not from abandoning food or engaging in asceticism for the sake of appearances. By following this path, one can connect with the eternal Lord and attain true liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Read Bhagavad Gita 6.16 which conveys exactly the same message thereby rendering the practice of observing fasts futile. 

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