Vidhya Series Part 3 - What is the importance of Santhia Abhiaas ?

In this new series, we will be sharing sections from various Granths which inspire us in our study of Santhia. In the previous part, we covered the 'inner' aspects (ਅੰਦਰ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ) which help our Vidhya grow. In this part, we will look at the importance of Abhiaas, which is the key to successful Vidhya. The following Dohra from Pandit Hardiaal Ji’s Saarkutavli explores this topic:

ਸਹਿਸ ਗੁਣਾ ਵਿਦਿਆ ਵਧੇ ਪੁਨਾ ਪੁਨਾ ਅਭਿਆਸ।।

ਰਸਨਾਗਰੈ ਨਿਸ ਦਿਨ ਬਸੈ ਜਿਉਂ ਜਲ ਨੀਚੇ ਵਾਸੁ।।

- ਸਾਰਕੁਤਾਵਲੀ, ਅਧਿਆਇ ਤੀਸਰਾ

ਸਹਿਸ ਗੁਣਾ ਵਿਦਿਆ ਵਧੇ ਪੁਨਾ ਪੁਨਾ ਅਭਿਆਸ।।

Padh Arth (word by word meaning) line 1: ਸਹਿਸ ਗੁਣਾ (100 times) ਵਿਦਿਆ (knowledge) ਵਧੇ (increases) ਪੁਨਾ ਪੁਨਾ (again and again) ਅਭਿਆਸ (practice of Vidhya)

Arth (meaning): The Vidhya we learn increases manifold, when we repeat it again and again (i.e. do Abhiaas).

ਰਸਨਾਗਰੈ ਨਿਸ ਦਿਨ ਬਸੈ ਜਿਉਂ ਜਲ ਨੀਚੇ ਵਾਸੁ।।

Padh Arth (word by word meaning) line 2: ਰਸਨਾਗਰੈ (Rasna:tongue + aagrai:in front) ਨਿਸ (night) ਦਿਨ (day) ਬਸੈ (dwells) ਜਿਉਂ (like) ਜਲ (water) ਨੀਚੇ (low) ਵਾਸੁ (resides)

Arth (meaning): As a result of doing Abhiaas, the vidhya we learn resides on our tongue day and night, just like water always comes to dwell at a low surface.

Pandit Hardyal Ji is saying that as a result of doing Abhiaas, the Vidhya we learn comes to reside permanently in our mind. The Greek philosopher Aristotle once commented on the importance of Abhiaas in education by noting, “It is frequent repetition that produces a natural tendency.” Repetition of what we learn is a key learning aid because it helps transition what we learn from the conscious to the subconscious. As a result, whenever we read Gurbani, we can apply what we have learnt in terms of Vishraam and Uchaaran very naturally. Alongside the practical benefits of Abhiaas, we also get untold spiritual benefits. Doing the Jaap of Gurbani again and again, with our mind focused on the correct Uchaaran, Vishraam and Arth, the sins accumulated over many lifetimes are washed away.

Stay tuned for the next part which will go through more beneficial advice from Granths, to help us develop our study of Gurbani Vidhya.