Satkar (Respect) For Gutka Sahib
All Gurbani Pothis and Gutka Sahibs in your home should be wrapped in nice, clean,
fresh rumallas and kept respectfully away from other books & materials.
Gutka Sahibs should be kept respectfully closed in a high clean place on the same
side as your pillow (if in bedroom). Your feet should never be directed towards Gutka
Sahibs.
Hands must be washed properly with soap up to your elbows (including your kara or
anything you are wearing) at least 3/4 times including the tap.
After washing your hands you mustn't touch anything else to keep sucham.
Wear a hazooriya to keep your hands suche, one sucha side and one joota side
(when you need to open a door or something).
When reading from your Gutka Sahib you should sit in a higher place if anybody else
in the room (i.e. bed or even chair).
Your Gutka Sahib should still be covered with your rumalla while reading and if you
have one, use a rail (gutka stand).
When reading Gurbani do not touch anything else (face, feet, floor etc)
If you recite Gurbani from a Pothi Sahib or Gutka Sahib then a sheet should be
placed down in order for you to sit on. If there is a bed or chair, you should recite the
Gurbani sitting on the highest seat. A seperate sheet under the Pothi/Gutka Sahib
should be higher than the one lying under the reader. You should not read a Pothi
Sahib or Gutka Sahib on the bare floor, without lying anything on the ground.
If you are reciting Gurbani or reading from a Gutka Sahib and there is a person sitting
on a higher platform than you, you should not; face their feet, sit lower than them or
on the floor, or sit behind them.
Do not follow the bani with your finger when reading.
Do not eat / chew / drink when holding a Gutka Sahib.
Please cover your head when you are in the presence of Gurbani, reading Gurbani or
listening to Gurbani. This is an act of humility, respect, and devotion.
Please take off your shoes and socks when reading, listening or in presence of
Gurbani.
When handling the Angs (pages) of a Gutka Sahib, please ensure your fingers are not
wet.
There should be no pieces of paper or thread to act as a bookmark.
Angs (pages) of a Gutka Sahib should not be folded
An open gutka sahib should not be placed facing downward.
Whilst reading from a Pothi Sahib or Gutka Sahib you should not allow a fly or other
insect to rest upon it. Sometimes seeing a creature on the ang we act in haste and
squash the animal into the ang, we should feel mercy towards the creature and
move it away gently with a peice of cloth.
You should never place a watch, spectacles or anything else on top of a Gutka Sahib.
If we are reading a Pothi Sahib or Gutka Sahib, it does not matter which saintly soul
walks in, we should remain seated, firstly and fore mostly upholding the respect for
Gurbani.
Do not wrap the rumalla around the Gutka Sahib, instead fold from the four corners
(like an envelope).
It is a great disrespect of Guru Sahib to make Rumallas containing pictures of Guru
Sahib or lines of Gurbani. Only those rumallas should be presented to Guru Sahib Ji
which do not have Ik Onkar, Waheguru or lines from Gurbani written on them,
because rumallas are offered out of respect for Gurbani.
At any time when a Gursikh is listening to Gurbani through radio, cassette, CD or
television the form of communication must be placed higher than those listening in
order to maintain respect for Gurbani.
If Gurbani appears in newspapers, letters, sweet boxes, books or wedding cards,
these should not be thrown away or allowed to be placed amongst rubbish or near
feet (see last bullet point)
All in all, the most important thing is that you handle Gurbani with Love, respect and
sincerity, as best as you can.
In case you have any old or torn Gurbani Gutkas, Papers, etc, please do not dispose
them. Contact a sevadar at your local gurdwara.
www.leicestersikhs.com