The Numeral 6

In the Hindu belief system there are a number of concepts connected with the number 6. These include the scriptures, the authors, rituals and the chakras in the body. Gurbani mentions these and gives practical interpretation for each of them.

In our daily bed-time Baani of Sohila we read
ਛਿਅ ਘਰ ਛਿਅ ਗੁਰ ਛਿਅ ਉਪਦੇਸ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਏਕੋ ਵੇਸ ਅਨੇਕ ॥੧॥੧੧੨
There are six schools of Hindu philosophy, by six authors who teach six ways of spiritual advancement; their presentations are different; (in reality) the Guru (source of knowledge of all these is the One Lord (SGGS, p 12).

The source of knowledge of all is the Divine. Every one lays emphasis on some aspects he considers important. The six schools and their authors are: Samkhya – Kapal, Nyaaey – Gautam, Vaishayshik – Kanaad, Yog – Patanjali, Meemaansa – Jaimni and Vedanta – Vyas.

In essence Samkhya talks of dualism between mind and matter, Niaaey of logic, Vaishayshik of atomism i.e. all existence is reducible to atoms, Yog is theistic in uses meditation and physical postures for union of the soul with the Creator, Vedanta studies Dvait (Dualism) and Advait (non dualism).

In addition to these Gurbani often mentions the emphasis in Hindu thought on six types of activity called Khat Karam. In Rehras Sahib we recite:
ਤੇਰੇ ਅਨੇਕ ਤੇਰੇ ਅਨੇਕ ਪੜਹਿ ਬਹੁ ਸਿਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਸਾਸਤ ਜੀ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਿਆ ਖਟੁ ਕਰਮ ਕਰੰਤਾ ॥ਸੇ ਭਗਤ ਸੇ ਭਗਤ ਭਲੇ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੀ ਜੋ ਭਾਵਹਿ ਮੇਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਭਗਵੰਤਾ ॥੪॥੪੧੧
O Lord, Your innumerable devotees read many Smritees and Shaastras, they perform rituals and six types of activity: (But) the real devotees are those with whom my beloved Lord is pleased (SGGS, p 11).

The six types of activities mentioned above are teaching and being taught, performing Yagnas and getting Yagnas done, giving charity and receiving charity. These activities are thought to help in spiritual advancement. There are similar other rituals like ceremonial baths which are believed to cleanse one. In such cases also Gurbani says:
ਤੀਰਥਿ ਨਾਵਾ ਜੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵਾ ਵਿਣੁ ਭਾਣੇ ਕਿ ਨਾਇ ਕਰੀ ॥ ੧ ੨
I should bathe at a place of pilgrimage if it pleases the Lord, what use is such baths if it does not please Him? (SGGS, p 2).

The yogis believe that the body has six chakras starting from the anus and going up to the forehead. Kundalani is believed to be a coiled sleeping serpent at the bottom of the spine and holds the body energy. The yogis try to awaken and straighten the serpent and the energy rises through the chakras to the top of the body. Many rituals are performed and Kundalini is considered a branch of Yoga. Gurmat does not agree with this and teaches that in reality it is the mind that is inattentive and needs to be awakened . This awakening can be done by participating in Sadh Sangat, the holy congregation:
ਕੁੰਡਲਨੀ ਸੁਰਝੀ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦ ਗੁਰੂ ਮੁਖਿ ਮਚਾ ॥ ਸਿਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਸਭ ਊਪਰਿ ਮਨ ਬਚ ਕ੍ਰੰਮ ਸੇਵੀਐ ਸਚਾ ॥੫॥ਭਟ ਗਯੰਦ੧੪0੨
Once the mind kundalini is bereft of the kinks and twists by taking part in holy congregation, through the Guru’s teachings one experiences supreme bliss; The Lord is above all and we should serve Him in thought, word and deed (SGGS, p 1402).

The fifth Guru deals with all such activities and says that they do not connect one to the Creator:
ਪੂਜਾ ਅਰਚਾ ਬੰਦਨ ਡੰਡਉਤ ਖਟੁ ਕਰਮਾ ਰਤੁ ਰਹਤਾ ॥ ਹਉ ਹਉ ਕਰਤ ਬੰਧਨ ਮਹਿ ਪਰਿਆ ਨਹ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਇਹ ਜੁਗਤਾ ॥੫॥ ਜੋਗ ਸਿਧ ਆਸਣ ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਏ ਭੀ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਰਹਿਆ ॥ ਵਡੀ ਆਰਜਾ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਜਨਮੈ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਸੰਗੁ ਨ ਗਹਿਆ ॥੬॥—- ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਹੈ ਸਿਰਿ ਕਰਮਨ ਕੈ ਕਰਮਾ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਇਓ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਜਿਸੁ ਪੁਰਬ ਲਿਖੇ ਕਾ ਲਹਨਾ ॥੮॥੫੬੪੨
Engaging in idol worship, paying obeisance, prostrating, and six types of activities. These are all done in ego and are not the right methods for union with the Lord; accomplished Yogis and Sidhas engage in 84 types of Yoga postures; they attain long life-spans by breathing actions, but they keep reincarnating and do not obtain union with the Creator; —- Praising the Lord in holy congregation is above all other actions; this is achieved by those whose past deeds warrant it (SGGS, p 642).

The Gurus used the terminology and belief systems held by the audience to describe rituals and their futility. The real way for union with the Divine is to recount the virtues of the Creator together in Sadh Sangat and try to emulate them.