UNAWARE FORFEITS

To lose or be deprived of property or right or privilege as a penalty for wrong doing defines the word forfeit. So in a way forfeit is losing a right or property without compensation as a sequence of violating the law, breaching a legal/contractual obligation or neglecting a legal duty.  The fear of law keeps one aware of the forfeits.   

The role of society forfeits implies a loss in position importance or standing within a social structure. These can happen due to various reasons. There are also the worldly forfeits referring to giving up worldly possessions, opportunities, or advantages, often in the context of religious or spiritual devotion. It suggests a deliberate choice to prioritize spiritual or moral values over material gain or comfort.

Often under neglect are some ‘Unaware Forfeits’: but those on a spiritual path no matter which religion have awareness and are conscious of their actions so as not to forfeit their Creators Benefits and Blessings. Commonly such forfeits happen when people abandon spiritual practices or neglect spiritual development, or even reject spiritual beliefs. 

Most scriptures on this subject say the same: people are forfeiting their benefits and blessings by their actions. Gurbani has detailed it in many verses for humanity. To share a few:

The manmukhs (self-centred and driven by their own desires and impulses) do not recognize the Shabad (divines word) hence they forfeit their honour and depart in disgrace.   SGGS Ang33.

As humans a common practice is obtain ten things and conveniently put them behind us. But for the sake of one thing withheld, we forfeit His faith. But what if that one thing were not given, and the ten were taken away? Then, what could the fool say or do? ….” We need to realise our Lord and Master cannot be moved by force, we need to bow forever in adoration all pleasures come to abide in his mind and the one who abides by the Lord’s Will obtains all things. SGGS Ang268

Every religion talks of quality of selfless service but many forfeit it. “Being true to Divine the gift one seeks is the dust of the feet of the Saints. One obtains it by renouncing false greed, and meditates single-mindedly on the unseen Lord.” But sadly when one obtains the dust of the feet of the saints, one conducts himself with small-mindedness forfeiting the merits of selfless service.

The yuga we live is said to be a polluted world and likely those in the world are influenced by it.  Gurbani states “In attachment to duality, it comes and goes. This love of duality has ruined the entire world”…. The manmukh suffers punishment, and forfeits his blessings. SGGS Ang664

How people forfeit all the merits of one’s good deeds Gurbani says…. We collect those entanglements that shall be of no use, we are in love with those things that will not go with us and we mistake our (5 vices) enemies as friends. In such confusion, the world has gone astray wasting the precious human life. We do not see Truth and righteousness as we are attached to falsehood and deception as they seem sweet. We Love all the gifts but forget the Giver. One fails to understand death, cries for the possessions of others hence forfeit merits of his good deeds and religion. SGS Ang676

From egg and sperm, we were conceived, and placed in the fire of the womb. He protected and preserved us then, why forget Him, even for an instant.

Stay aware so as not to have any reason to forfeit ‘His Benefits & Blessings’….