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kaur-1 · #3 (**permalink**) 14-07-2007, 12:13 AM

Continued

The True Savior

By: Bijla Singh

Neglect or Sacrifice?

Muslims claim Guru Sahib “left home and neglected his family” and “did not fulfill his responsibilities”. Such claims can only be made by those who fail to understand the truth and are blinded by ignorance. The fact is that Guru Sahib wanted to liberate the humanity from the fire of lust, anger and greed because such were (and still are) the main causes of one’s separation from Waheguru (God). Those who do not meditate upon Naam are engrossed in five vices and suffer in their entire life. Guru Sahib preached Naam and whosoever obtained it forsake all worldly pleasures that lead to separation from Waheguru.

If Guru Sahib wanted to deliver peace to the humanity would he not have started His mission from his own family? He very well did and the first person to become Sikh was His sister, Bibi Nanki Ji, followed by many others including His own wife, Mata Sulakhanee Ji. The message delivered through Guru Sahib by Waheguru not only provided absolute blissful peace for people but also eradicated the five vices (Lust, Anger, Greed, Worldly Attachment and Ego).

Lust, anger, egotism, jealousy and desire are eliminated by chanting the Name of the Lord. (Ang 1388)

It would’ve been very selfish to know the path of liberation and not show it to others. Guru Sahib wanted everyone to enjoy the true peace. The only way to do that was by traveling in all four directions and preaching the truth. He targeted the major religious centers first. He went to Hardwar and Banaras (Hindu places), Mecca, Baghdad and Medina (Muslim places), Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tibet which are Buddhist places.

Guru Sahib left His home for a greater good i.e. to provide true happiness and peace to the humanity. It was a sacrifice He made for the mission He was bestowed upon by Akal Purakh (God). Mata Sulakhanee, His wife, was a very wise person and a devout Sikh. She clearly understood the mission and fully supported her husband in this great feat. There are no sources that claim that Mata Sulakhanee did not approve Guru Sahib leaving home or if she was not consulted in making this decision. She was satisfied by the blessings of Naam and wasn’t attached to the materialistic pleasures.

In Sikhi, Naam (constant meditation of God) has the power to provide all satisfactions. With Naam one’s desire to eat, drink and sleep goes away. There have been numerous accounts of Sikhs who never got married and never had sexual desires. Muslim Sufis, Buddhist Monks and many Hindu and Christian saints live the life of celibacy. Most fundamental teaching of Sikhi is to control one’s desires and be absorbed in Naam.

Mata Sulakhanee enjoyed the company of Guru Nanak Sahib and had received the blessings of Naam. She had attained peace and spiritual level of attachment only with Waheguru. Had she been so worried about her sex life, she never would have consented Guru Sahib to go. According to history records such as Prachin Panth Parkash and Nanak Parkash, Mata Ji stayed with her in-laws while Guru Sahib was away. Guru Sahib was from a wealthy family which proves that neither Mata Ji nor the kids were deprived of basic worldly needs and they were well taken care of financially. Furthermore, disagreement between Guru Sahib and Mata Ji would have resulted in separation but such never happened. After each journey Guru Sahib returned home but never once did Mata Sulakhanee Ji object Him going away again. She understood very well that Guru Nanak Sahib had come to this earth for the entire humanity and it was absolutely necessary for Him to spread the message of God.

By taking journeys Guru Sahib taught that for the sake of truth one should not hesitate to sacrifice not only himself but also his entire family. Sikhs, being the true followers, lived up to it and sacrificed their families and children but never gave up the true path of life, Sikhi. Therefore, it is utterly foolish to disregard His sacrifice and turn it into neglect.

to be continued