Ans. The literal meaning of the term ‘Golak’ is “coming and going”, not staying put at one place. It also means the holes in the body, e.g., ears, eyes, nostrils etc.
The money offered to Gurdwaras or donated for Gurus’ causes is supposed to come and go (spent for charitable purposes as it comes). That is why this money is called, “keeping Golak”. In other words, the money coming to Gurdwaras is not for keeping permanently (in a bank account or buried in the ground) but is to be spent.
In the Rehit Naama (Sikh code of conduct) by Bhai Daya Singh, it is written that a Sikh must consider a poor man’s mouth as the Golak of the Guru. It means that if a poor man asks for something, a Sikh should provide it.Guru Angad Dev, the second Master, had decreed that no one should tell him how much money came and how it was spent. He did not even want to know the accounts of the offerings.
Guru Amar Das would go to bed only after all the utensils in the Langar had been emptied (all food prepared that day had been consumed), cleaned and kept upside down.Guru Ram Das says:
ਗੁਰਸਿਖਾਂ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਵਰਤੈ ਜੋ ਸਿਖਾਂ ਨੋ ਲੋਚੈ ਸੋ ਗੁਰ ਖੁਸੀ ਆਵੈ ॥
(SGGS, P. 317)
(The true Guru is pervasive among Sikhs. Whoever likes the Sikhs, the Guru is pleased with him).
Guru Har Gobind, the sixth Master expressed his displeasure on a Sikh who had refused to give honey to Bhai Kattu, saying that it was to be served only to the Guru. It is also written that Guru Har Gobind would not keep any money with him. Whatever came, he would spend on charitable causes.The directive of Guru Gobind Singh is that spending for the welfare (of Sikhs) is the best charity. Any other charitable donation is not as good. He also had said, “those who indulged in shady businesses should not keep the money of Golak. They will go to hell if they do so”.