ਕੁੰਭ ਅਤੇ ਗੁਰਮਤ | Kumbh (coconut and water ritual) and Gurmat...

I was having discussion about the Sikh Rehat Maryada document with someone. The other person said it was prohibited by the Sikh Rehat Maryada document to place water near to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji during the reading of an Akhand Paath Sahib.


The actual Sikh Rehat Maryada document states:

(ਕ) ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਪੰਘੂੜੇ ਦੇ ਪਾਵਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੁੱਠੀਆਂ ਭਰਨੀਆਂ, ਕੰਧਾਂ ਜਾਂ ਥੜ੍ਹਿਆਂ 'ਤੇ ਨੱਕ ਰਗੜਨਾ ਜਾਂ ਮੁੱਠੀਆਂ ਭਰਨੀਆਂ, ਮੰਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਪਾਣੀ ਰੱਖਣਾ, ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਿਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਮੂਰਤੀਆਂ (ਬੁੱਤ) ਬਨਾਣੀਆਂ ਜਾਂ ਰੱਖਣੀਆਂ, ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬਾਨ ਜਾਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਬਜੁਰਗਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਤਸਵੀਰਾਂ ਅੱਗੇ ਮੱਥੇ ਟੇਕਣੇ, ਇਹੋ ਜਿਹੇ ਕਰਮ ਮਨਮੱਤ ਹਨ।
f. Pressing the legs of the cot on which Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is installed, rubbing nose against walls and on platforms held sacred, or massaging these, placing water below Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s seat, making or installing statues, or idols inside the gurdwaras, bowing before the pictures depicting the Sikh Gurus10 or elders - all these are Manmat, irreligious self-willed actions that are contrary to Gurmat (the Guru’s way).

Placing water undearneath the Manji Sahib or seat of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, however, prohibition keeping water in a container nearby is not prohibited.

It is common Sikh personal practice, of placing water nearby a place or individual reading Gurbani, in particular when doing Nitnem at home. The reason behind this is that the water will absorb the vibrations of Gurbani and become blessed.

When someone condemns this practice and states that Gurbani has no effect on water, then they are indirectly questioning the process of Khande-Di-Pahul, known as Amrit, being prepared. Panj Pyaare sit around a Sarbloh Baattaa (iron bowl) filled with water and Pataase, and whilst looking into the water they each recite a Bani and stir the Sarbloh Khanda (double-edged sword). It is accepted that the reciting of Gurbani makes the water into Amrit. Now, if Gurbani can have such an impact on water in an Amrit Sanchaar, then it must have some, even if a little, impact when an individual lovingly reads Gurbani near water either at home or a Gurdwara Sahib.

Now, the Sikh Rehat Maryada document states:

ੲ) ਅਖੰਡ ਪਾਠ ਜਾਂ ਹੋਰ ਕਿਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾ ਦੇ ਪਾਠ ਵੇਲੇ ਕੁੰਭ, ਜੋਤ, ਨਲੀਏਰ ਆਦਿ ਰਖਣ ਜਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਨਾਲ ਜਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਵਿਚ ਕਿਸੇ ਹੋਰ ਬਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਪਾਠ ਜਾਰੀ ਰਖਣਾ ਮਨਮਤ ਹੈ |
c. It is Manmat, contrary to the Guru’s Way, to place a Kumb (a ritualistic pot), Jyot (a venerated ritualistic flame), (a ritual) coconut etc. during an Akhand Paath, or to read another Paath (scriptural reading) side by side or during the Akhand Paath. 

It must be remembered that the Sikh Rehat Maryada document was written in response to the growing Brahmanical practices and influences of Hinduism in Gurdwaras. The Maryada, is a very basic outline, and does not elaborate in detail on points. This one reason, that sometimes the Maryada document can be misunderstood or read with different interpretations. 

Kumbh ritual in Hindu worship

The Sikh Rehat Maryada document does not state that keeping 'Jal', meaning water, near the reciting of Gurbani is Manmat. Instead the word Kumbh (ਕੁੰਭ), literally meaning a pot, is mentioned. In the context of Hindu rituals, a Kumbh is a pot of water, with its mouth covered usually with a red cloth that is tied around with a red ritual thread called a Maulee (ਮੌਲੀ). Then a coconut, wrapped in red material, is placed on top of it to complete the Kumbh ritual. Hindus believe that a coconut resembles the human head, and therefore a coconut is chosen as a substitute for human or animal sacrifice in religious rituals.

The Sikh Rehat Maryada document prohibits such ritualistic behaviour influenced by Hinduism. Sikhs do not believe in human, animal or any substitute sacrificial rituals. The Guru asks us sacrifice, i.e. fully submit, our mind and body:

ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਲਧਾ ਜੀ ਰਾਮੁ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਰਾਮ ॥

Meeting with the Guru, I have found my Beloved Lord God.

ਇਹੁ ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਦਿਤੜਾ ਵਾਰੋ ਵਾਰਾ ਰਾਮ ॥

I have made this body and mind a sacrifice, a sacrificial offering to my Lord.

(Vaddhans M:5, Ang 576)

However, coconuts can be donated as fruit offering to the Gurdwara and placed before Guru Sahib for distributing to the Sangat to eat.

In regards to water, there is no restriction in keeping water in a container nearby to where Gurbani is being recited in order for the water to get absorbed with the energy and sound of Gurbani in order to later drink it. Science has now proven that water has memory and words and thoughts can influence its life energy. Many Gursikhs use this spiritualised water for Amrit Sanchaars. However, reducing such practices to mere ritualism or holding the belief that not having water next to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji makes an Akhand Paath Sahib deficient is contrary to Gurmat.