Page 12 - PSL Gurmat Book 2

Lesson 6: Matha Tekna

Matha tekna is an act that shows respect to Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the

Gurbani in it. “Matha” means forehead and “Tekna” means to bow. It means

sitting on the knees and touching the floor with our forehead in front of
Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This is the Sikh way of paying respect to Guru Granth

Sahib Ji.

After entering the Gurdwara, we walk respectfully and slowly to be in front

of Guru Granth Sahib. We may place our offerings in front of Guru Granth

Sahib Ji, or in the Golak.

When we do Matha tekna we believe that

our wisdom is much smaller than that

of Guru Ji. You can say, “Guru Ji,
please bless me with a life of Gursikhi.”

or “please give me strength to be

truthful, brave, nice to all, and creative.”

qU smrQu vfw myrI miq QorI rwm ]

(Waheguru, You are great and capable of everything. my understanding of You is
inadequate.)

We should not go to gurdwara with our list of demands all the time.

However, when we need something done, we can ask Waheguru for wisdom
and a good way to get what we need. Waheguru gives us what is good for us.

If we don’t get what we asked for, then may be that thing is not good for us

at that time. We should have faith in Waheguru. We should surrender

ourselves to Waheguru. We should ask for the blessings and the knowledge

of Guru Granth Sahib Ji to live a life of Sikhi.

Who do you think we do Matha Teko to in Gurdwara? We bow to the Gurbani

in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. We do not bow to the person sitting behind Guru

Stepping Stones Gurmat Sikhia Book 2 2023 Edition Page 10