"He, who calls himself a Sikh of the True Guru, should rise early and meditate on God's Name.
"He should make efforts early in the morning, take bath and have ablution in the tank of Nectar. By repeating Lord God's Name under Guru's instruction all his sins, misdeeds, and accusations are wiped off. Afterwards, at sunrise, he sings Gurbani and whilst sitting or standing he meditates on God's Name.
"The Guru's disciple, who with every breath and morsel contemplates over my Lord God, he becomes pleasing to Guru's mind.
"He unto whom my Master becomes merciful, to that disciple of his, the Guru imparts his instruction.
"Servant Nanak asks for the dust of the feet, of that Sikh of the Guru, who himself contemplates on God's Name and makes others contemplate there on."
Guru Ram Das ji writes this on page 305 of the G.G.S. The ambrosial hours have a great significance in the life of a Sikh. It is an ideal time to meditate on the Name of the Lord. There is no disturbance during those early hours of the day, and concentration becomes ideal. A Sikh makes every effort to avail this opportunity. He has ablution in the tank of Nectar means a Sikh recites the five Banis and Amrit is prepared every morning by him in his mind. He does kirtan and earns the blessing of the Guru. He remembers God with every breath of life. The dust of the feet of such a Sikh becomes heavenly and even the Guru seeks this dust to honour his Sikh.
Guru Amardas ji says on page 601 of the G.G.S.: "He alone is the True disciple, friend, kinsman and brother who walks in the Guru's will."
A Sikh of the Guru has faith in the will of the Guru. He remembers the Guru in comfort and in suffering. A Sikh takes this advice from the Guru. In the association of the sangat a Sikh sheds petty thinking and jealousies. He always puts the interests of the community first and acts accordingly. His own interests are bound with the interests of the sangat, Sikh congregation.
Bhai Gurdas ji, the first exponent of the Sikh religion, writes about a Gur-Sikh:
"The Gur-Sikh who listens to the instructions of the Guru, appears simple outside, but is wise within.
"Linking his consciousness to the Guru's hymns, his mind becomes closed to everything else.
"His eyes are fixed on the Guru, and when seated in the midst of the sangat (Sikh congregation), he becomes oblivious of all else. As he recites "Waheguru", he quietly drinks the cup of nectar of divine love.
"He bows to the feet of the Guru and mentally bathes in the dust of the feet of the Guru; he washes the feet of the Guru and acknowledges the new-found spirituality of the water.
"Like the moth which loves the flame, he is in love with the presence of the Guru and remains clean in the rough and tumble of the world.
"He is liberated while alive, for his life has been blessed.
"The Sikh Family-man: like a Sandal-wood tree, wrapped by snakes, a Sikh lives in his home undisturbed by worldly evils.
"He is a Philosopher's stone (Paras) unaffected by other stones which lie besides.
"Like the serpent with jewel in his crest, a Sikh is like other men, but with a difference.
"Like the swan floating on the waves and picking up pearl-drops, the Sikh moves in the world, seeking the best virtues.
"Like the lotus-blossom, unwetted by the water, a Sikh lives unattached in his household.
"He lives in the world inspired by noble thoughts like one liberated in spirit.
"Beyond all praise is the company of such holy men."
These are the lofty and pious views of Bhai Gurdas ji, the most revered writer during the period of the Gurus.
A Sikh lives the life of a saint and gathers the wealth of wisdom, spirituality and righteousness. His life becomes a beacon in this world of complexities and intricacies. He swims across this ocean of life unaffected by the tribulations and trials of life. He is like the moth which sacrifices itself over the flame, a Sikh surrenders his life to the Guru and accepts his guidance at all times.
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