Charitropaakhian and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee

Charitropaakhian in an Old Gutka Sahib

Those that do not consider Sri Charitropaakhian to be the Bani of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee usually say that  you cannot read this composition in front of your mothers,sisters and daughters as it is "awkward". Kaam is a big a problem for humans, it may be called the strongest of the 5 Chors, especially for youth. It has led the fall of great kings and leaders of our world.
Gurbani Says:

ਕੋ ਕੋ ਨ ਬਿਗੂਤੋ ਮੈ ਕੋ ਆਹਿ ॥੧॥
Who has not been ruined by sexual desire? What am I? ||1||
(1194)

Who hasn't been ruined by Kaam? Kaam is very dangerous so Guru Gobind Singh Jee looking out for the Khalsa wrote extensively about Kaam in Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Jee. This is not to say that the topic of Kaam does not come up in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee. Guru Granth Sahib Jee makes references to a lot of metaphors and historical events which are then expanded upon by Guru Gobind Singh Jee in Sri Dasam Granth.

Guru Jee Says in Guru Granth Sahib Jee:

ਉਰਝਿਓ ਕਨਕ ਕਾਮਨੀ ਕੇ ਰਸ ਨਹ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਗਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
I am entangled in the love of gold and women, and I have not sung the Kirtan of God's Praises. ||1||Pause||
(718)

ਕੁਚਲ ਕਠੋਰ ਕਾਮਿ ਗਰਧਭ ਤੁਮ ਨਹੀ ਸੁਨਿਓ ਧਰਮ ਰਾਇ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ  ॥
You filthy, heartless, lustful donkey! Haven't you heard of the Righteous Judge of Dharma? ||1||Pause||
(1001)

ਕਾਮਿ ਕ੍ਰੋਧਿ ਲੋਭਿ ਮੋਹਿ ਬਿਆਪਿਓ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ਰਖੇ ਫਿਰਾਇ ॥
You are engrossed in sexual desire, anger, greed and emotional attachment; you have turned your eyes away from the Truth.
(1001)

Guru Granth Sahib Jee mentions countless times that we are engrossed in Kaam, sexual desire and we have forgotten Akaal Purakh.

Direct references to Kaam are mentioned  in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee:

ਕਾਮੁ ਚਿਤੈ ਕਾਮਣਿ ਹਿਤਕਾਰੀ ॥ 
The lover of women is obsessed with sex.
(225)

ਇਸਤਰੀ ਪੁਰਖ ਕਾਮਿ ਵਿਆਪੇ ਜੀਉ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਬਿਧਿ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਣੀ ॥ 
Men and women are obsessed with sex; they do not know the Way of the Lord's Name.
(246)

ਮਿਥਨ ਮੋਹ ਅਗਨਿ ਸੋਕ ਸਾਗਰ ॥  
Attachment to sex is an ocean of fire and pain.
(760)

ਬੇਸੁਆ ਰਵਤ ਅਜਾਮਲੁ ਉਧਰਿਓ ਮੁਖਿ ਬੋਲੈ ਨਾਰਾਇਣੁ ਨਰਹਰੇ ॥
Ajaamal, who had sex with prostitutes, was saved, by chanting the Name of the Lord.
(995)

ਜੈਸੇ ਬਿਖੈ ਹੇਤ ਪਰ ਨਾਰੀ ॥
As the man driven by sex wants another man's wife,
(874)

ਭੋਗੀ ਕਉ ਦੁਖੁ ਰੋਗ ਵਿਆਪੈ ॥
Painful diseases afflict those who are sexually promiscuous.
(1189)

Now there are other Pangtis in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee that allude to "enjoying God" and "God entering a woman's bed". These are all references to pleasure. We are all Soul Brides and God is our Husband who we so desperately want to enjoy. And Guru Sahib has the used the metaphor of a husband and a wife enjoying each other in Bed, to show that a Gursikh yearns to enjoy God. Aren't explaining these shabads "awkward" as well?

ਗਿਆਨ ਰਾਉ ਜਬ ਸੇਜੈ ਆਵੈ ਤ ਨਾਨਕ ਭੋਗੁ ਕਰੇਈ ॥੪॥੧॥੩੫॥
then, when the King of spiritual wisdom comes to her bed, He shall take her, and enjoy her. ||4||1||35||
(359)

ਕਾਇਆ ਕਾਮਣਿ ਜੇ ਕਰੀ ਭੋਗੇ ਭੋਗਣਹਾਰੁ ॥
If I surrender my body like a bride, the Enjoyer will enjoy me.

ਤਿਸੁ ਸਿਉ ਨੇਹੁ ਨ ਕੀਜਈ ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਚਲਣਹਾਰੁ ॥
Do not make love with one who is just a passing show.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਰਵਹਿ ਸੋਹਾਗਣੀ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸੇਜ ਭਤਾਰੁ ॥੩॥ 
The Gurmukh is ravished like the pure and happy bride on the Bed of God, her Husband. ||3||
(21)

ਸੇਜੈ ਕੰਤੁ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਹੋਇ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥
Her Husband Lord does not come to her bed; day after day, she grows more and more miserable.
(31)

ਸੇਜ ਸੁਹਾਵੀ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਵੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਭਰੇ ਭੰਡਾਰ ॥ 
Upon her beautiful and cozy bed, she enjoys the Love of her Lord. She is overflowing with the treasure of devotion.
(38)

ਨਾ ਮਾਣੇ ਸੁਖਿ ਸੇਜੜੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਪਿਰ ਬਾਦਿ ਸੀਗਾਰੁ ॥ 
She does not enjoy the pleasure of His Bed; without her Husband, her ornaments are absurd.
(58)

ਦੂਖੁ ਘਣੋ ਦੋਹਾਗਣੀ ਨਾ ਘਰਿ ਸੇਜ ਭਤਾਰੁ ॥੧॥ 
 The discarded bride suffers terrible pain; her Husband does not come to the bed of her home. ||1|
(58)

ਕਾਮਣਿ ਪਿਰੁ ਰਾਖਿਆ ਕੰਠਿ ਲਾਇ ਸਬਦੇ ਪਿਰੁ ਰਾਵੈ ਸੇਜ ਸੁਹਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੭॥
 That soul-bride keeps her Husband Lord clasped tightly to her heart, and through the Word of the Shabad, she enjoys her Husband Lord upon His Beautiful Bed. ||7||
(127)

One of the most popular Shabads sung at Akhand Keertani Jatha Rainsbhais is:

ਕਰਮਹੀਣ ਧਨ ਕਰੈ ਬਿਨੰਤੀ ਕਦਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਵੈ ਵਾਰੀ ॥
The unfortunate soul-bride makes this prayer: O Nanak, when will my turn come?

ਸਭਿ ਸੁਹਾਗਣਿ ਮਾਣਹਿ ਰਲੀਆ ਇਕ ਦੇਵਹੁ ਰਾਤਿ ਮੁਰਾਰੀ ॥੧॥
All the blessed soul-brides celebrate and make merry; bless me as well with a night of bliss, O Lord. ||1||
(959)

ਹਿਕ ਦੂੰ ਹਿਕਿ ਚਾੜੇ ਅਨਿਕ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਨਿਤ ਕਰਦੇ ਭੋਗ ਬਿਲਾਸਾ ॥
Each of them is more beautiful than the others; countless are His lovers, constantly enjoying bliss with Him.
(703)

All of these Shabads from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee talk about pleasure and a woman enjoying her husband Lord. These are metaphors for Gursikhs when they get Darshan of Akaal Purakh. These shabads are "awkward" to read in front of our mothers,sisters and daughters as well.

What about these shabads? Will they be "awkward" ?

ਉਤੰਗੀ ਪੈਓਹਰੀ ਗਹਿਰੀ ਗੰਭੀਰੀ ॥
O you with swollen breasts, let your consciousness become deep and profound.

ਸਸੁੜਿ ਸੁਹੀਆ ਕਿਵ ਕਰੀ ਨਿਵਣੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ਥਣੀ ॥
O mother-in-law, how can I bow? Because of my stiff nipples, I cannot bow.

ਗਚੁ ਜਿ ਲਗਾ ਗਿੜਵੜੀ ਸਖੀਏ ਧਉਲਹਰੀ ॥
O sister, those mansions built as high as mountains

ਸੇ ਭੀ ਢਹਦੇ ਡਿਠੁ ਮੈ ਮੁੰਧ ਨ ਗਰਬੁ ਥਣੀ ॥੧॥
- I have seen them come crumbling down. O bride, do not be so proud of your nipples. ||1||
(1410)


ਕਾਮਨਿ ਚਾਹੈ ਸੁੰਦਰਿ ਭੋਗੁ ॥
The woman desires beauty and pleasure.
(1187)


Guru Gobind Singh in Sri Charitropaakhian mentions many tales of how men and women crazy with kaam have ruined their lives. Guru Sahib warned us about Sexually Transferred Diseases in Gurbani:


ਭੋਗੀ ਕਉ ਦੁਖੁ ਰੋਗ ਵਿਆਪੈ ॥
Painful diseases afflict those who are sexually promiscuous.
(1189)

Gurbani says that Kaam has ruined the lives of many people, how do we know it will not effect us?

ਕੋ ਕੋ ਨ ਬਿਗੂਤੋ ਮੈ ਕੋ ਆਹਿ ॥੧॥
Who has not been ruined by sexual desire? What am I? ||1||
(1194)

Guru Gobind Singh Jee knew that as Kalyug gets stronger and darker his Gursikhs will need to make greater efforts to stay away from the Panj Chors, especially Kaam. So he wrote Charitropaakhian. He warned us of the dangers in indulging in Kaam. It destroys any Punn, i.e. good deeds you do and leads you to hell:

ਹੇ ਕਾਮੰ ਨਰਕ ਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮੰ ਬਹੁ ਜੋਨੀ ਭ੍ਰਮਾਵਣਹ ॥
O sexual desire, you lead the mortals to hell; you make them wander in reincarnation through countless species.
(1358)

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee in Charitropaakhian mentions the same Sikhia in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, but he goes into more detail when mentioning how Kaam has ruined lives. Here are some lines from Charitropaakhian where Guru Sahib warns us about having relations with Par Naree (a woman other than your wife):

ਜੋ ਤੁਮ ਸੌ ਹਿਤ ਕਰੇ ਨਾ ਤੁਮ ਤਿਨ ਸੋ ਕਰੋ। ਜੋ ਤੁਮਰੇ ਰਸ ਢਰੇ, ਨ ਤਿਹ ਰਸ ਤੁਮ ਢਰੋ। 
If Parayee woman (not your own woman) loves you, you should not return her love. If she becomes intoxicated in your love, you should not do the same towards her.

ਕੋਟ ਕਸਟ ਸਯਾਨੇ ਸਹਹਿ, ਕੈਸੋ ਦਹੈ ਅਨੰਗ। ਨੈਕ ਨੇਹ ਨਹਿ ਕੀਜਿਯੈ, ਤਊ ਤਰੁਨਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਗ। 
No matter how much wise people warn you about facing difficulties, no matter how much Kaam (sexual urge) burns you, still you should never commit fornication (have sexual contact) with Parayee woman (woman not your own wife).

ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਕੈਸਿਯੈ ਤਨ ਬਢੈ, ਕਸਟ ਕੈਸਹੂ ਹੋਇ। ਤਊ ਤਰੁਨਿ ਸੋ ਦੋਸਤੀ, ਭੂਲਿ ਨ ਕਰਿਯਹੁ ਕੋਇ।

No matter how much love Paraayee woman expresses, no matter how much she tortures you, still even in your dreams don't do friendship with her.

ਸੁਧ ਜਬ ਤੇ ਹਮ ਧਰੀ ਬਚਨ ਗੁਰ ਦਏ ਹਮਾਰੇ ॥ ਪੂਤ ਇਹੈ ਪ੍ਰਨ ਤੋਹਿ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਜਬ ਲਗ ਘਟ ਥਾਰੇ ॥
When I came to a mature age my Guru told me; Son, remember these teachings for the rest of your life:
ਨਿਜ ਨਾਰੀ ਕੇ ਸੰਗ ਨੇਹ ਤੁਮ ਨਿੱਤ ਬਢੈਯਹੁ ॥ਪਰਨਾਰੀ ਕੀ ਸੇਜ ਭੂਲਿ ਸੁਪਨੇ ਹੂੰ ਨ ਜੈਯਹੁ ॥੫੧॥
Love and care for your wife daily, but never even in your dreams go into the bed of another woman.

ਅਧਿਕ ਹਰੀਫੀ ਜਾਨਿ ਭੋਗ ਪਰਤ੍ਰਿਯਾ ਜੂ ਕਰਹੀ ॥ਹੋ ਅੰਤ ਸ੍ਵਾਨ ਕੀ ਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਹਾਥ ਲੇਂਡੀ ਕੇ ਮਰਹੀ ॥53॥
Those that have sexual relations with someone other than their spouse, they die the death of a dog.


Kaam is a big issue and needs to be dealt with. Just because it makes us feel a little awkward does not mean we shove it under the carpet and ignore anywhere Guru Sahib has talked about it in Gurbani. It is easy to shove the Charitars under the carpet and say "Guru Sahib would never write anything like that", but what about all the countless times Guru Sahib talks about Kaam and indulging in pleasure in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee? Can we say Guru Sahib would never write anything like that for bani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee? Can we call it "dirty" and "kanjar kavita" ? Charitrpaakhian is Bani and was written by Guru Sahib for the betterment of the Khalsa Panth.

Starting of Charitropaakhian from an old Saroop of Sri Dasam Granth