Gurbani on Mantra's, Tantra's, Yantra's

Last updated on Jun 4, 2026

[Translator’s Note: There is a distinction to be made. Sikhs have Vaheguru Naam as our GurManthar. They have Mool Manthar which is the first pauri of Sri Japji Sahib. Sri Japji Sahib is recognized as the Mala Manthar. Beej Manthar is Ik Oankaar. If you notice that all of these are in praise of Vaheguru. The more they chant and reflect on this, the more they get closer to Vaheguru Ji. Some people have taken the following attitude of Mantra’s to push away from the core of Sikhi which is to practice devotional worship for the One Vaheguru Ji. The intentions behind the chanting of Mantra’s are different. We rely on the one for everything whereas, the Hindu’s have specific Mantra’s for certain causes or to certain deities to receive their powers etc. This is quite different. Some of these things that they receive such as objects of lust, greed, emotional attachment etc are all condemned as part of the five vices]
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There are a lot of rituals connected to Mantra’s, Yantra’s, as well as worshipping planets in Hindu philosophy, as per:
‘It is through the strength of Mantra’s that one gets Ridhhee-Sidhhee (Supernatural powers), the enemies get destroyed, the Devte can be placed under control, it is through Mantra’s, Yantra’s, Tantra’s that one can get what their mind desires’
(Mantar Mahodhadhhee aur Mahaa[n] nirbaaN Tantra)
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Who ever worships the planets daily, they don’t receive any illness, they get lots of wealth, 100 girls to have sex with, and a long age
(Brihath Praasir Samhita, Adhiyaye 9)
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In Gurmat, these hypocritical traps are described as useless, as per:
ਤੰਤ ਮੰਤੁ ਪਾਖੰਡ ਨ ਜਾਣਾ, ਰਾਮ ਰਿਦੈ ਮਨ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥
Tha[n]th[u] Ma[n]th[u] Paakha[n]d[u] na JaaNaa, Raam Ridhai Man Maaniaa
Don’t recognize/believe in the hypocrisy of Tantra’s and Mantra’s.
Believe in Vaheguru Ji within Your Heart...
(Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji in Raag Soohee, Ang 766)
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[TN: It is important to note what exactly Tantra’s and Yantra’s are. Whereas a Mantra is a line used to chant and attain/manifest something. Tantra is what people claim to be a spiritual science which sees the human body as technology to tap into frequencies/experiences. Yantra’s is a physical diagram which is used to invoke a certain deity/vibration. In Tantric understanding, Mantra uses sound to invoke favour of a certain deity or their associated power]
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ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਭਰਮਿ ਭਵੈ ਬੇਬਾਣਿ ॥
Man-mukh[i] Bharam[i] Bhavai Bae-BaaN[i]
The man-mukh (self-willed person) wanders around deluded and like a ghoul...
ਵੇਮਾਰਗਿ ਮੂਸੈ ਮੰਤ੍ਰਿ ਮਸਾਣਿ ॥
Vae-maarag[i] Moosai Ma[n]thr[i] MasaaN[i]
On the wrong path of being plundered, they chant mantra’s at cremation grounds...
ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਚੀਨੈ ਲਵੈ ਕੁਬਾਣਿ ॥
Sabadh[u] na Cheenai Lavai Ku-BaaN[i]
They don’t recognize the Shabad and speak wrongly...
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚਿ ਰਤੇ ਸੁਖੁ ਜਾਣਿ ॥
naanak Saach[i] Rathae Sukh[u] JaaN[i]
Guru Sahib: Know them to be peaceful who are immersed in the Truth
(Sidhh Gost[i], Ang 941)
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ਨਾਨਕ ਉਧਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਪੁਨਹਚਾਰ ॥
naanak Udhhrae naam Punahchaar
Guru Sahib: they are saved who make the Naam as their repentance...
ਅਵਰਿ ਕਰਮ ਲੋਕਹ ਪਤੀਆਰ ॥
Avar[i] Karam Lokah PatheeaarAll other actions are just to please others...
(Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji in Raag Bhairo[u], Ang 1142)
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ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਦੋਇਆ ਧਰਮੁ ਸੁਚਿ, ਸੰਤਨ ਤੇ ਇਹੁ ਮੰਤੁ ਲਈ ॥
Sath[u] Sa[n]thokh[u] Dha-iaa Dhharam[u] Such[i], Sa[n]than Thae Ih[u] Ma[n]th[u] La-aee
I received the mantra of Truth/Honest, Contentment, Compassion, Righteousness, Hygeine/Cleanliness from the Saints...
(Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji in Raag Bilaaval, Ang 822)
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Bhai Gurdaas Ji wrote the following about delusions like Yantra’s, Mantra’s:
ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਖੰਡ ਬਹੁ ਤੰਤ੍ਰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਨਾਟਕ ਅਗਲੇਰੇ ।
Ridhh[i] Sidhh[i] nidhh[i] Paakha[n]d Bah[u] Tha[n]thr Ma[n]thr naatak Aglaerae
The great hypocrisy of supernatural Powers, treasures and the drama of Tantra’s, Mantra’s...
ਵੀਰਾਰਾਧਣ ਜੋਗਣੀ ਮੜ੍ਹੀ ਮਸਾਣ ਵਿਡਾਣ ਘਨੇਰੇ ।...
VeeraaraadhhaN JogaNee Marrhee MasaaN VidaaN Ghanaerae ...
There are endless spectacles like the 52 Warriors. The blood drinking vampires, graves, cremation areas...
ਸਾਧ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦ ਵਿਣੁ ਥਾਉ ਨ ਪਾਇਨਿ ਭਲੇ ਭਲੇਰੇ ।
Saadhh Sa[n]gath[i] Gur Sabadh ViN[u] Thhaa-o[u] na Paain[i] Bhalae BhalaeraeWithout the Saadh Sangath and Guru’s Shabad, one doesn’t find a good space [for eternal rest]
ਕੂੜ ਇਕ ਗੰਢੀ ਸਉ ਫੇਰੇ ॥੭॥
Koorr Ik Ga[n]dtee So[u] Phaerae
The Falseness is a knot with 100 loops [of string entangling]
(Bhai Gurdaas Ji’s 5th Vaar)
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ਦੇਵੀ ਦੇਵ ਨ ਸ਼ੈਵਕਾਂ ਤੰਤ ਨ ਮੰਤ ਨ ਫੁਰਨ ਵਿਚਾਰੇ ।...
Dhaevee Dhaev na Shaivakaa[n] Tha[n]th na Ma[n]th na Phuran Vichaarae
Nor goddesses/female deities, nor gods/male deities, nor Tantra’s nor Mantra’s nor desires
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪੰਥ ਸੁਹਾਵੜਾ ਧੰਨੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਧੰਨੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਪਿਆਰੇ
Gurmukh[i] Pa[n]thh Suhaavrraa Dhha[n]n[u] Guroo Dhha[n]n[u] Guroo Piaarae
The Gurmukh Panth is so beautiful;Blessed are the Guru and Blessed are the Guru’s Beloved...
(Bhai Gurdaas Ji’s 40th Vaar)
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ਤੰਤ ਮੰਤ ਰਾਸਾਇਣਾ ਕਰਾਮਾਤਿ ਕਾਲਖਿ ਲਪਟਾਏ॥...
Tha[n]th Ma[n]th RaasaaiNaa, Karaamaath[i] Kaalakh[i] Lapataa-ae
Tantra’s, Mantra’s, Potions/Elixirs, Miracles, they are all engrossments of darkness...
ਕਲਿਜੁਗਿ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਏ ॥੧੯॥
Kal[u]jug[i] A[n]dhar[i] Bharam[i] Bhulaa-ae
In this age of darkness, they are deluded and mistaken...
(Bhai Gurdaas Ji’s 1st Vaar)
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ਤੰਤ ਮੰਤ ਪਾਖੰਡ ਕਰਿ ਕਲਹਿ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਬਹੁ ਵਾਦਿ ਵਧਾਵੈ ।...
Tha[n]th Ma[n]th Paakha[n]d Kar[i] Kalah[i] Krodhh Bah[u] Vaadh[i] Vadhhaavai
In Kalyug/Age of darkness, they act hypocritically by practicing Tantra’s, Mantra’s, They are filled with anger and increase division...
ਫੋਕਟਿ ਧਰਮੀ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਵੈ ॥੧੮॥
Phokat[i] Dhharamee Bharam[i] Bhulaavai
The people who are religiously empty, they are deluded in doubt...
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ਧ੍ਰਿਗੁ ਜਿਹਬਾ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦ ਵਿਣੁ ਹੋਰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਸਿਮਰਣੀ ।.....।੧੦॥
Dhhrig[u] Jihbaa Gur Sabadh ViN[u] Hor Ma[n]thr SimraNee
That tongue is cursed which is without the Guru’s Shabad and instead remembers other Mantra’s...
(Bhai Gurdaas Ji’s 27th Vaar)
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ਤੰਤ ਮੰਤ ਪਾਖੰਡ ਲਖ ਬਾਜੀਗਰ ਬਾਜਾਰੀ ਨੰਗੈ ।...
Tha[n]th Ma[n]th Paakha[n]d Lakh Baajeegar Baajaaree na[n]gai.
Tantra’s, Mantra’s are all hypocrisy which 100,000s actors nakedly act out...
ਗੁਰ ਸਿਖੁ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਵਹੁ ਸੰਗੇ ॥੨॥
Gur Sikh[u] Dhoojai Bhaavah[u] Sa[n]gai
The GurSikh shy away from the love of another [besides Vaheguru Ji]...
(Bhai Gurdaas Ji’s 28th Vaar)
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ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਲਿਵ ਮੂਲ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਆਨ ਤੰਤ੍ਰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਕੀ ਨ ਸਿੱਖਨ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਤ ਹੈ ।...॥੧੮੩॥Sathigur Shabad Surath[i] Liv Mool Ma[n]thr; Aan Tha[n]thr Ma[n]thr Kee na Sikhan Pratheeth Hai
Having your focus on Guru Sahib’s Shabad is the Mool Mantra;
The Sikhs don’t have any belief in other Tantra’s Mantra’s...
(Bhai Gurdaas Ji’s Kabith)
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In Dhabisthaan-i-Mazaahab, it says the following:‘Sikhs don’t read the Mantra’s of the Hindu’s and they aren’t concerned with the Sanskrit language (which are referred to by Hindu’s as the language of the Brahmin-Devte);
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The Sikh faith’s view on planet and constellations is as follows:
ਸੂਖ ਸਹਜ ਆਨਦੁ ਘਣਾ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਗਾਉ ॥ ਗਰਹ ਨਿਵਾਰੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਅਪਣਾ ਨਾਉ ॥
Sookh Sahaj Aanah[u] GhaNaa Har[i] Keerthan[u] Gaa-o[u];
Garah nivaarae Sathiguroo Dhae ApNaa naa-o[u]
In Delightful and Peaceful Bliss, Sing Kirtan;
Guru Sahib gives Their Name and removes the doubts about the planetary alignments...
(Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Raag Aasaa, Ang 400)
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Within Thauseef-o-Sanaa, Bhai Nand Lal Sahib Ji write that Akaal Purakh Ji sent Guru Sahib in order to remove delusion and duality of the people of this world:
ਰਾਹੇ ਜ਼ਿਕਰਮ ਬ ਆਲਮੇ ਬਿਨਮਾ। ਬਾਹਮਹ ਸ਼ੋ ਜ਼ਿ ਵਕਫ਼ੇ ਮਨ ਗੋਯਾ ॥੨੬॥
Raahae Zikaram Ba Aalam-ae Binmaa;Baahamah Shau Zi Vak-Fae Man Goyaa
ਗਿਰਦਿ ਆਲਮ ਬਆ ਓ ਹਾਦੀ ਸ਼ੋ । ਕਿ ਜਹਾਂ ਗੈਰਿ ਮਨ ਨਾ ਯਚਜ਼ਦ ਜੌ ॥੩੦॥
Giradh[i] Aalam B-aa O Haadhee Shau; Ki Jahaa[n] Gair-i-Man naa Yachzadh Jau
ਸ਼ੁਦਹ ਗੁਮਰਾਹ ਆਲਮੇ ਬੇ ਮਨ। ਸਾਹਿਰਾਂ ਗਸਤਾ ਅੰਦ ਜਾਦੂਏ ਮਨ ॥੩੪॥
Shudhah Gumraah Aalam-ae Bae Man; Saahiraa[n] Gasthaa A[n]dh Jaadhoo-ae Man
ਮੁਰਦਗਾਂ ਰਾ ਕੁਨੰਦ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਹ ਹਮੀ । ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗਾਂ ਰਾ ਬਜਾਂ ਕੁਸ਼ੈਦਹ ਹਮੀ ॥੩੫॥
Murdhgaa[n Raa Kuna[n]dh Zi[n]dhah Hamee; Zi[n]dhgaa[n] Raa Bajaa[n] Kusha[n]dhah Hamee
ਆਤਸ਼ ਰਾ ਕੁਨੰਦ ਆਬੇ ਵਸ । ਬਰ ਸਰੇ ਆਬ ਬਰਜ਼ਜ਼ਨੰਦ ਆਤਸ਼ ॥੩੬॥
Aathash Raa Kuna[n]dh Aabae Vas; Bar Sarae Aab Barzazana[n]dh Aathash
ਹਰਚਿ ਖਵੰਦ ਮੀ ਕੁਨੰਦ ਹਮਾਂ। ਜੁਮਲਹ ਜਾਦੂ ਫਨ ਅੰਦ ਬਰ ਸਾਮਾਂ ॥੩੭॥
Harchi Khhvaha[n]dh Mee Kuna[n]dh Hamaa[n]; Jumlah Jaadhoo Phan A[n]dh Bar Saamaa[n]
ਰਾਹੇ ਸ਼ਾਂ ਰਾ ਨਮਾ ਬਸੂਏ ਮਨ । ਕਿ ਪਜ਼ੀਰੋਦ ਗੁਫ਼ਤਗੂਏ ਮਨ ॥੩੮॥
Raahae Shaa[n] Raa namaa Basoo-ae Man; Ki Pazeera[n]dh Gufthagoo-ae Man
ਗ਼ੈਰ ਜ਼ਿਕਰਮ ਬਜਾਦੂਏ ਨ ਰਵੰਦ । ਜੁਜ਼ ਦਰੇ ਮਨ ਬਜਾਨਬੇ ਨ ਰਵੈਦ ॥੩੯।।...
Gair zikram Bajaa-dhoo-ae na Rava[n]dh; Juz Dharae Man Bajaanabae na Rava[n]dh...
ਅੰਜੁਮਨ ਮੀ ਕੁਨੰਦ ਅਜ਼ ਅੰਜਮ। ਬਰ ਸ਼ੁਮਾਰੇਦ ਰੋਜ਼ਿ ਸ਼ਾਦੀ ਵ ਗ਼ਮ ॥੪੩॥
A[n]juman Mee Kuna[n]dh Az A[n]jam; Bar Shumaara[n]dh Roz-i-Shaadhee v Gam
ਬਰ ਨਗਾਰੋਦ ਨਹਿਸ ਓ ਸਾਅਦ ਸਆਦ ਹਮੀ । ਬਾਜ਼ ਗੋਇੰਦ ਕਬਲੋ ਬਾਅਦ ਹਮੀ ॥੪੪॥...
Bar nagaara[n]dh nahis O Saa’Adh Saa’Adh Hamee; Baaz Goi[n]dh Kabalo Baa’adh Hamee...
ਰਾਮ ਨੁਮਾ ਜੁਮਲਹ ਰਾ ਸੂਇ ਫ਼ਿਕਰਮ । ਕਿ ਨਾ ਦਾਰਦ ਦੋਸਤ ਜੁਜ਼ ਜ਼ਿਕਰਮ ॥੪੬॥...
Raam numaa Jumlah Raa Soo-i-Fikaram; Ki naa Dhaaradh Dhosth Juz Zikaram...
ਮਨ ਤੁਰਾ ਆਫ਼ਰੀਦਮ ਅਜ਼ ਪਏ ਆਂ। ਕਿ ਸ਼ਵੀ ਰਾਹਨੁਮਾ ਬ ਜੁਮਲਹ ਜਹਾਂ ॥੪੮॥
Man Thuraa Aafreedham Az Pa-ae Aa[n]; Ki Shavee Raah-numaa Ba Jumlah Jahaa[n]
ਕੁਬਿ ਗੇਰ ਅਸ਼ ਜ਼ਮੀਰਿ ਸ਼ਾ ਬਿਜ਼ਦਾਇ । ਹਮਗਿਨਾਂ ਰਾ' ਤੂ ਰਾਹੇ ਰਾਸਤ ਨੁਮਾਇ ॥੪੯॥
Kub-i-Gaer Az Zameer-i-Shaa Bizdhaa-i; Hamginaa[n] Raa Thoo Raahae Raasath numaa-i
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This means:
Vaheguru Ji commanded Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji to come on to this earth to show people the Path of Vaheguru Ji’s Simran and to make people listen to Vaheguru Ji’s Praises through Keerthan [In Summary]
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Guru Sahib are the one to show everyone in the whole world - this Path.
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And that to make people have conviction that this entire world is not worth even a grain of Barley without Vaheguru Ji.
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Forgetting Vaheguru, all of the world is misguided and the spiritual experts have become hypocrites. If they have the power to bring people to life, to kill the living then make the impossible possible, and are able to flip the creation upside down... even still they cannot be referred to as Aatham-Dharshee (those who have seen their own True Form) nor a pure soul. Instead, these types of people can only be called sorcerer’s/sorceresses and hypocrites.
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Guru Sahib are here to direct us towards Vaheguru. From which, they can listen and follow Vaheguru Ji’s orders, to be immersed in Vaheguru Ji’s Naam, not to let people get caught up in anyone’s deception. They should not let go of Vaheguru’s Door and not go to anyone else.
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The hypocritical people, make horoscopes based on the position of planets and constellations and assign good or bad days/times then state that pain and suffering connects with those times.
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They write about auspicious and inauspicious times then tell the past or future.
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Guru Sahib came to make such people come into Vaheguru Ji’s Sharan/Sanctuary and not to make friends with any others. This is why Vaheguru Ji brought Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji into a physical form in order to guide everyone.
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Vaheguru Ji made Guru Sahib to have everyone not worship nor have love for anyone but Vaheguru Ji. They were made to bring everyone on the Path of Reality.
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Bhai Gurdaas Ji narrate about this as well:
ਗੁਰੁ ਸਿਖ ਸੰਗਤ ਮਿਲਾਪ ਕੋ ਪ੍ਰਤਾਪ ਐਸੋ
Gur[u] Sikh Sa[n]gath Milaap Ko Prathaap Aiso
When Guru Sahib, the Sikh Sangat meet then the Glory is like:
ਪਤਿਬ੍ਰਤ ਏਕ ਟੇਕ ਦੁਵਿਧਾ ਨਿਵਾਰੀ ਹੈ।
Path[i]-Brath Aek Taek Dhuvidhhaa nivaaree Hai
Just like a devoted wife sees her One Husband as her support and doesn’t have any attention for others...
ਪੂਛਤ ਨ ਜੋਤਕ ਐਂ ਵੇਦ ਤਿਥਿ ਵਾਰ ਕਛੁ
Poochhath na Jothak Au Vaedh Thithh[i] Vaar Kachh[u]
They don’t ask the Jyotish/Astrologer nor do they consult Vedic understandings of the days of the month and the week...
ਗ੍ਰਹ ਔ ਨਛਤ੍ਰ ਕੀ ਨ ਸ਼ੰਕਾ ਉਰ ਧਾਰੀ ਹੈ ।......॥੪੪੮॥
Grah Au nachhathar Kee na Sha[n]kaa Ur Dhhaaree Hai
They don’t have any doubts in their heart related to planetary alignments or constellation positions...
(Bhai Gurdaas Ji’s Kabith)
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