Thursday, May 30, 2013

Bhaang Machuli Sura Paan Jo Jo Prani Khaaye

It is often quoted by people who do not take Animal meat but take plant food.

The Shalok was used by Kabir:

SGGS Page 1377
ਕਬੀਰ ਭਾਂਗ ਮਾਛੁਲੀ ਸੁਰਾ ਪਾਨਿ ਜੋ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀ ਖਾਂਹਿ ॥
Kabeer, Bhaang Maachuli Suraa Paan, Jo Jo Praani Kha-yein
ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਕੀਏ ਤੇ ਸਭੈ ਰਸਾਤਲਿ ਜਾਂਹਿ ॥੨੩੩॥
Teerath Barat Neym Kee-ye, te sabhe rasatal jaa-hein

General Interpretations:
In General people interpret it, whosoever consumes marijuana, fish and alcohol, no matter what  pilgrimages, fasts and daily rituals they follow, they shall go to hell.

All "anti bhaang machuli surapaan jathas" use these lines to tell their own followers that they will go to hell if they consume these things which is misguidance about underlying concept.

Veechar

First important thing to consider:
TEERATH(Pilgrimages)...BARAT(Fasts)...NEYM(Daily Rituals) are not Gurmat so above meanings are out of context lead to wrong conclusions. Gurbani never encourage any of above three verbs and call it PAKHAND(ਪਾਖੰਡਿ) and BHARAM (ਭਰਮੁ-Illusion)

It is misinterpretation that these lines are against consumption of animal food as
  • Bhagat Kabir lived his life among the Religious Scholars (Hindu Pandits) and has written various verses in response or in relation to discussion he had with them. This verse by Bhagat Kabir is a satire on the belief of Pandits who say that ਭਾਂਗ ਮਾਛੁਲੀ ਸੁਰਾ lead one's ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ to Bhrasht i.e. nullifies them.
  • The satire is on the point that the ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ and ਨੇਮ as outlined by Hindu Pundits are so fragile/weak/impotent, that mere consumption of some items nullifies them. 
  • What should instead have happened is that ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ should in-fact nullify any wrong doing of a person, be it ਭਾਂਗ ਮਾਛੁਲੀ ਸੁਰਾ or other vices. Gurbani (i.e. the view that Kabir delineates) does not believe in the ਤੀਰਥ(TEERATH) as believed by the Pandit.In Gurmat viewpoint, Teerath is
ਤੀਰਥੁ ਸਬਦ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਹੈ ॥
ਤੀਰਥ ਨਾਇ ਨ ਉਤਰਸਿ ਮੈਲੁ ॥

As following lines, Gurbani also does NOT encourage fasting as it does not encourage any other such rituals.
ਤੀਰਥ ਵਰਤ ਸੁਚਿ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਰਮੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਪੂਜਾ ॥
ਵਰਤ ਨੇਮੁ ਸੁਚ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਪੂਜਾ ਪਾਖੰਡਿ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ 
Courtesy: Bhai NS Khalsa