Baba Sri Chand and Sikhism

BlazinSikh · #1 (**permalink**) 19-Apr-2012, 01:18 AM

Well under the this topic, i have a question about Baba Sri Chand the son of Guru Nanak Dev ji.

1) Why do a majority of sikhs reject Baba Sri Chand as an important figure in sikhism?
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harry haller · #2 (**permalink**) 19-Apr-2012, 01:25 AM

I don't think he quite grasped the householder bit, my understanding is we are not meant to live life as ascetics, however he is lauded by some Sikhs, 3HO have a golden statue of him at the entrance of one of their Gurdwaras

BhagatSingh · #3 (**permalink**) 19-Apr-2012, 02:17 AM

BlazinSikh ji,

Your question makes a wrong assumption. The majority of Sikhs do accept him as an important figure in Sikhism. In India they celebrate him as much as any other important figure. Have you ever seen the crowds at his Nagar kirtan in Amritsar? They are huge! Sri Chand ji taught ascetics just like the Gurus taught householders. He was an enlightened soul like his father. His contributions to the Udasis and their contributions to society and Sikh panth are crucial to understanding Sikh history.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/38380-baba-sri-chand-and-sikhism.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38380

Some people might say that he went against his father. This is false. Guru Nanak Dev ji understood that enlightenment can be found as a householder or an ascetic. His message was for both householders and ascetics. He understood both lifestyles as he experienced both lifestyles himself. He spent 15 years as a householder, 24 years as an udasi and then returned to his family for another 15 years before his death.

Any other questions?

Scarlet Pimpernel · #4 (**permalink**) 19-Apr-2012, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Any other questions?

Yes Veera just one ,was Baba Nanak not udasi whilst he was a householder,are ones geographic coordinates important or is it the mind set .

Kanwaljit Singh · #5 (**permalink**) 19-Apr-2012, 07:44 AM

Udasis believed that by not entering marriage and staying out of society you would attain detachment. Guru Nanak proved otherwise.

BhagatSingh · #6 (**permalink**) 19-Apr-2012, 09:19 AM

SP ji, Ya if we take udasi to mean "one who is detached" then no doubt Baba Nanak was already an udasi before he left his town.

passingby · #7 (**permalink**) 19-Apr-2012, 09:25 AM

Baba Sri Chand ji has been accepted as an enlightened soul in Sikh history. His chosen way of living was not of a householder. But he did not preach that life of a householder is an obstacle for realizing Brahmagyaan.

The sect 'Udasis' started after Baba Sri Chand. And it played a very positive, constructive and creative role in Sikh History. The Udasis preached Gurbani and respected Guru Grantha Sahib as a spiritual Guru of the Sikhs. They were teachers and doctors for village people. They taught Gurmukhi and gave free medicines to everyone.

The role of Udasis as scholars is a very important one which has not been highlighted enough in Punjabi circles yet. All of the university professors at Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjabi University Patiala, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar know the HUGE literary contributions made by Udasis in terms of translations as well as original creations. They tanslated not only Sanskrit Granthas but Arabic and Persian as well.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38380
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38380

I believe some PhDs have been undertaken on Udasi Literature but a vast reservoir is still lying hidden in original form in reference libraries and Udasi deras.

jasbirkaleka · #8 (**permalink**) 19-Apr-2012, 22:04 PM

I am of the firm view that Udasis should have been kept out of the Sikh fold.I completely fail to grasp the compulsions behind the decision to accept them as Sikhs, when theirs is an absolute Hindu way of life.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38380
There are quite a few Udasi Deras at Patiala and I have observed their activities from very close quarters.

swordfight

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #9 (**permalink**) 20-Apr-2012, 05:04 AM

Baba Sri Chand actively Disobeyed Guru nanak ji at every step and was NOT at all in SYNC with the teachings of Guru Nanak ji and thats why he was bypassed for Gurgadee. The Sons of Guru Angad Ji and Guru Amardass Ji too followed the same ANTI_GURU GHAR paths most actively. Guru ramdass Jis Sons Prithi Chand carried this enmity with Guru Arjun to extreme ends..and then onwards the ANTI-GURU-GHAR Lineage of Meennas, Hindalis, Dhirmalliahs, Wadbhagees, ram raiyas etc have been very ACTIVELY flowing along as an :alternative" path to the House of Guru nanak ji.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38380

Baba Sri Chand was actively PROMOTED by the Late GOBIND SADAN Chief, and his cohorts the 3HO Yogi harbahjan Singh and the Present Badal Regime which has declared a PUBLIC HOLIDAY for Baba Sri Chands Birthday and NOT for Guru Angad Jis GURPURAB !!

Its a fake argument thta .."majority" Sikhs accept Baba Sri chand blah blah..same as saying the Majority Sikhs accept the thousands of Deras and Babas...these Babas/Derawaad is exactly what the Udasis were earlier...that is while the Genuine Gurmatt Following SIKHS were roaming the Land with PRICE on their HEADS and sacrifcing themsleves..the "udasis" were busy "supporting" the Govt as are the Babas deras today. The Udasis and Nirmalas took over the Sikh Gurdwaras, Dharamsals and rewrote Sikh History to reflect their Views and drag sikhi of Guru nanak ji back into the Hindu fold..see how the BHAGWA/reddishOrangish/so called Kesri colour ( Udasis/Nirmalas/Sants/babas..... has almost OVERWHELMED the BLUE Colours of the NIHUNG Khalsa which colour now only exists among the Nihungs.
The Singh sabha Movement which sought to ROLL BACK some of these encroachments of Brahminishm has been labelled as British Stooges....but in actual fact not so.
History may be temporarily changed..but TRUTH stands its role..forever as Gurbani declares...Sach patteh nahin kadeh puranna nahnin hoveh...TRUTH doesnt tear or fade or become Old....as long as Sikhs rally behind their One and Only TRUE GURU..the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji..the Gurmatt of Guru nanak ji will TRIUMPH once again and emerge out of the Bhagwa cloud of baba sri chandism...