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Guru Granth Sahib
Composition, Arrangement & Layout
ਜਪੁ | Jup
ਸੋ ਦਰੁ | So Dar
ਸੋਹਿਲਾ | Sohilaa
ਰਾਗੁ ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ | Raag Siree-Raag
Gurbani (14-53)
Ashtpadiyan (53-71)
Gurbani (71-74)
Pahre (74-78)
Chhant (78-81)
Vanjara (81-82)
Vaar Siri Raag (83-91)
Bhagat Bani (91-93)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਝ | Raag Maajh
Gurbani (94-109)
Ashtpadi (109)
Ashtpadiyan (110-129)
Ashtpadi (129-130)
Ashtpadiyan (130-133)
Bara Maha (133-136)
Din Raen (136-137)
Vaar Maajh Ki (137-150)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ | Raag Gauree
Gurbani (151-185)
Quartets/Couplets (185-220)
Ashtpadiyan (220-234)
Karhalei (234-235)
Ashtpadiyan (235-242)
Chhant (242-249)
Baavan Akhari (250-262)
Sukhmani (262-296)
Thittee (296-300)
Gauree kii Vaar (300-323)
Gurbani (323-330)
Ashtpadiyan (330-340)
Baavan Akhari (340-343)
Thintteen (343-344)
Vaar Kabir (344-345)
Bhagat Bani (345-346)
ਰਾਗੁ ਆਸਾ | Raag Aasaa
Gurbani (347-348)
Chaupaday (348-364)
Panchpadde (364-365)
Kaafee (365-409)
Aasaavaree (409-411)
Ashtpadiyan (411-432)
Patee (432-435)
Chhant (435-462)
Vaar Aasaa (462-475)
Bhagat Bani (475-488)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗੂਜਰੀ | Raag Goojaree
Gurbani (489-503)
Ashtpadiyan (503-508)
Vaar Gujari (508-517)
Vaar Gujari (517-526)
ਰਾਗੁ ਦੇਵਗੰਧਾਰੀ | Raag Dayv-Gandhaaree
Gurbani (527-536)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਿਹਾਗੜਾ | Raag Bihaagraa
Gurbani (537-556)
Chhant (538-548)
Vaar Bihaagraa (548-556)
ਰਾਗੁ ਵਡਹੰਸ | Raag Wadhans
Gurbani (557-564)
Ashtpadiyan (564-565)
Chhant (565-575)
Ghoriaan (575-578)
Alaahaniiaa (578-582)
Vaar Wadhans (582-594)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸੋਰਠਿ | Raag Sorath
Gurbani (595-634)
Asatpadhiya (634-642)
Vaar Sorath (642-659)
ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਰੀ | Raag Dhanasaree
Gurbani (660-685)
Astpadhiya (685-687)
Chhant (687-691)
Bhagat Bani (691-695)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਤਸਰੀ | Raag Jaitsree
Gurbani (696-703)
Chhant (703-705)
Vaar Jaitsaree (705-710)
Bhagat Bani (710)
ਰਾਗੁ ਟੋਡੀ | Raag Todee
ਰਾਗੁ ਬੈਰਾੜੀ | Raag Bairaaree
ਰਾਗੁ ਤਿਲੰਗ | Raag Tilang
Gurbani (721-727)
Bhagat Bani (727)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸੂਹੀ | Raag Suhi
Gurbani (728-750)
Ashtpadiyan (750-761)
Kaafee (761-762)
Suchajee (762)
Gunvantee (763)
Chhant (763-785)
Vaar Soohee (785-792)
Bhagat Bani (792-794)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਿਲਾਵਲੁ | Raag Bilaaval
Gurbani (795-831)
Ashtpadiyan (831-838)
Thitteen (838-840)
Vaar Sat (841-843)
Chhant (843-848)
Vaar Bilaaval (849-855)
Bhagat Bani (855-858)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗੋਂਡ | Raag Gond
Gurbani (859-869)
Ashtpadiyan (869)
Bhagat Bani (870-875)
ਰਾਗੁ ਰਾਮਕਲੀ | Raag Ramkalee
Ashtpadiyan (902-916)
Gurbani (876-902)
Anand (917-922)
Sadd (923-924)
Chhant (924-929)
Dakhnee (929-938)
Sidh Gosat (938-946)
Vaar Ramkalee (947-968)
ਰਾਗੁ ਨਟ ਨਾਰਾਇਨ | Raag Nat Narayan
Gurbani (975-980)
Ashtpadiyan (980-983)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਲੀ ਗਉੜਾ | Raag Maalee Gauraa
Gurbani (984-988)
Bhagat Bani (988)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਰੂ | Raag Maaroo
Gurbani (889-1008)
Ashtpadiyan (1008-1014)
Kaafee (1014-1016)
Ashtpadiyan (1016-1019)
Anjulian (1019-1020)
Solhe (1020-1033)
Dakhni (1033-1043)
ਰਾਗੁ ਤੁਖਾਰੀ | Raag Tukhaari
Bara Maha (1107-1110)
Chhant (1110-1117)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕੇਦਾਰਾ | Raag Kedara
Gurbani (1118-1123)
Bhagat Bani (1123-1124)
ਰਾਗੁ ਭੈਰਉ | Raag Bhairo
Gurbani (1125-1152)
Partaal (1153)
Ashtpadiyan (1153-1167)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਸੰਤੁ | Raag Basant
Gurbani (1168-1187)
Ashtpadiyan (1187-1193)
Vaar Basant (1193-1196)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸਾਰਗ | Raag Saarag
Gurbani (1197-1200)
Partaal (1200-1231)
Ashtpadiyan (1232-1236)
Chhant (1236-1237)
Vaar Saarang (1237-1253)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਲਾਰ | Raag Malaar
Gurbani (1254-1293)
Partaal (1265-1273)
Ashtpadiyan (1273-1278)
Chhant (1278)
Vaar Malaar (1278-91)
Bhagat Bani (1292-93)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕਾਨੜਾ | Raag Kaanraa
Gurbani (1294-96)
Partaal (1296-1318)
Ashtpadiyan (1308-1312)
Chhant (1312)
Vaar Kaanraa
Bhagat Bani (1318)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕਲਿਆਨ | Raag Kalyaan
Gurbani (1319-23)
Ashtpadiyan (1323-26)
ਰਾਗੁ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤੀ | Raag Prabhaatee
Gurbani (1327-1341)
Ashtpadiyan (1342-51)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਜਾਵੰਤੀ | Raag Jaijaiwanti
Gurbani (1352-53)
Salok | Gatha | Phunahe | Chaubole | Swayiye
Sehskritee Mahala 1
Sehskritee Mahala 5
Gaathaa Mahala 5
Phunhay Mahala 5
Chaubolae Mahala 5
Shaloks Bhagat Kabir
Shaloks Sheikh Farid
Swaiyyae Mahala 5
Swaiyyae in Praise of Gurus
Shaloks in Addition To Vaars
Shalok Ninth Mehl
Mundavanee Mehl 5
ਰਾਗ ਮਾਲਾ, Raag Maalaa
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<blockquote data-quote="roopk" data-source="post: 54941" data-attributes="member: 4845"><p><strong>[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]<strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange">Women in Sikhism</span></span></strong>[/FONT]</strong></p><p> </p><p>[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]<span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">I have tried to examine the status of Sikh women as per the following question and answer format.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><strong><span style="color: darkred">1<span style="color: blue">.</span></span><span style="color: blue"> Is God considered male or female? </span></strong></span></strong></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak11.html" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Guru Granth Sahib (G.G.S.)</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> contains many names for God, both masculine and feminine. These are all used to describe God. Ultimately, the Gurus do not consider God to be male or female. The Mul Mantra states that God is Ajuni (Unborn), in other words, God belongs to neither sex </span></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><strong>2. What does Guru Granth Sahib say about women? </strong></span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak1.html" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Guru Nanak </span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">dismissed the prevailing values that downgraded women. He says: 'It is through woman that order is maintained. Then why call her inferior from whpm all great ones are born.' G.G.S.,p.473 </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">The Gurus use woman symbolically in the bani to represent the disciple. Bhai Gurdas, the scribe of G.G.S., says, "<span style="color: darkorange">Of all the Vedas' knowledge and all other virtues, it is the woman who can best guide man to the gates of salvation." </span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><strong>3. What rights do I have as a Sikh woman? </strong></span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">A Sikh woman has equal rights to a Sikh man. Unlike Christianity, no post in Sikhism is reserved solely for men. Unlike Islam, a woman is not considered subordinate to a man. Sikh baptism (amrit) is open to both sexes. The </span></span><a href="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/events/khalsa.html" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Khalsa </span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">nation is made up equally of men and women. A Sikh woman has the right to become a granthi, a ragi, one of the panj pyaras (five beloved), etc. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><strong>4. Are there any restrictions on what I can wear? </strong></span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">When Sikhs take amrit they must all, regardless of sex, keep the 5 K's. </span></span><a href="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak1.html" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Guru Nanak</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> says that one should only wear clothes which do not distress the mind or body. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">'<span style="color: darkorange">Friend, all other wear ruins bliss, The wear that to the limbs is torment, and with foul thinking fill the mind.' G.G.S., p. 16 </span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">The Gurus were against the wearing of the veil, which is so popular amongst Muslims and Hindus. Even Christian nuns are made to cover themselves more than Christian priests. </span></span><a href="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak3.html" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Guru Amar Das</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> refused to allow a Hindustani Queen from entering the sangat unless she removed her veil. In Guru Granth Sahib, the veil is compared to suppression. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange">'False modesty that suppressed is ended. Now, with veil cast off, am I started on the way of devotion.' G.G.S., p. 931 </span></span></p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><strong>5. Can I read Guru Grarsth Sahib? </strong></span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Yes. The reading of Guru Granth Sahib, is open to all. In Hinduism, a woman is not considered capable of reading the Vedas in a mandir. </span></span><a href="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak3.html" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Guru Amar Das </span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">got attracted to of Sikhism after hearing </span></span><a href="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/amro.html" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Bibi Amro </span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">reciting bani. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><strong>6. Can I be forced into an arranged marriage.? </strong></span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Sikhs are forbidden to marrying off their children without their prior consent. Both sons and daughters are required to reach a mature age, both physically and mentally, before they marry. Thus, parents must ensure that their children are allowed to grow and be educated to the fullest. Arranged marriages are the norm for Sikhs. Sikhs are forbidden from marrying outside their faith and are not allowed to keep sexual relationships outside of marriage. The Gurus considered marriage an equal partnership. Guru Amar Das states: </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange">'They are not said to be husband and wife who merely sit together, Rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one soul in two bodies.' G.G.S., p. 788. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">This is in contrast to other faiths. In Islam the husband is permanently the dominant partner. </span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">'If your wives are overbeanng, advise them against it. If they do not care, refuse them sexual intercorse. If they still persist, then give them a thrashing.' Holy Quran, Ulnissa 434. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><strong>7. What about dowry? </strong></span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Sikhs are forbidden from marrying off their children for monetary benefit. Concerning dowry, Guru Ram Das states: </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange">'Any other dowry, which the perverse place for show, that is false pride and worthless gidding.' G.G.S.,p.79 </span></span></p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><strong>8. Who is considered more spiritual ~ man or woman? </strong></span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Unlike other faiths, Sikhism states that both man and womxn are capable of reaching the highest levels of spirituality. A particular hymn in Guru Granth Sahib states: </span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange">'In all beings is He Himself pervasive, Himself pervades all forms, male or female.' G.G.S., p. 605 </span></span></p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><strong>9. Why is the birth of a boy more welcome than that of a girl? </strong></span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">If this is the case, it is totally against the teaching of Sikhism. The birth of a girl or boy should be equally joyous for Sikhs. The practice of giving sweets and celebrating Lohri only on the birth of a boy is anti-Sikh behaviour. Female foeticide is condemned in the Sikh Code of Conduct. There are clear instructions that one who kills female infants, has no place in Sikh society, and has to be excommunicated. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><strong>10. What about my independence? </strong></span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">No Sikh is taught to be subservient to anyone else. Thus, independence is open to both sexes. Every Sikh is able to attain spirituality independently, as there is no priestly dass in Sikhism. The path of love which Guru Nanak initiated is open to all. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange">'Shouldst thou seek to engage in the game of love, Step into my street with thy head placed on thy palm, While onto this stepping, ungrudgingly sacrifice your head.' G.G.S., p. 1412 </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">The Khalsa nation is open to men and women alike. Guru Nanak observed how defenceless women had been when Babar, the first Mughal Emperor of Hindustan, invaded Punjab: </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange">'Babar with wedding party of Sin from Kabul rushed down, and forcibly demanded surrender of Indian womanhood' </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange">'Set aside were KaSs and Brahmins, and Satan went about solemnizing marriages. Muslim women, reciting the Quran, in their affliction called on Muda. Other women of lower castes and of the Hindus in this suffering too include in your account. Saith Nanak: Sung are paeans of blood and sprinkled is blood for saffron'. G.G.S., p. 722 </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">The Gurus ensured that such an event will never occur again. They made a nation of soldiers capable of defending themselves as well as others. Thus, ensuring they need not depend on anyone. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><strong>11. Asian women in general are subservient to their husbands. What is the Siki view-point? </strong></span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange">Hinduism does state that women are under the control of men. The laws of Manu state: 'In childhood, a female must be subject to her father, in youth to her husband, when her lord is dead, to her sons; a woman must never be independent.' Law 148, Chapter V. </span></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Sikhism is totally opposed to this view. Christian women must change their names after marria&. The concept of maiden and married names is alien to Sikh philosophy. Sikhs practising it now do so out of ignorance. A Sikh woman is born with the surname Kaur and dies with it. Thus, allowing her to keep her identity throughout life. </span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><strong>12. Are there any famous Sikh women in history? </strong></span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Sikh history is one which has been made by both men and women. There are many, many outstanding Sikh women. The Gurus' wives led highly spiritual and independent lives. </span></span><a href="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/matasundari.html" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Mata Sundri</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> led the Sikhs for a long period after Guru Gobind Singh's death. </span></span><a href="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/warriors/sadakaur.html" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Sada Kaur </span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">was a famous Sikh General who led the Khalsa army along side Ranjit Singh. The list of important Sikh women is endless. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/archivedf/feature-june.html" target="_blank">This month's featured article at www.sikh-history.com</a>[/FONT]</p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: darkorange">Sikhism : As the world sees It.</span></span></strong></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">The following is the write up taken from </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105865/Sikhism" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105865/Sikhism</span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">. It is widely referred to . The world sees us as per the references made. </span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Indian religion founded in the Punjab in the late 15th century. Its members are known as Sikhs. The Sikhs call their faith Gurmat (Punjabi: “the Way of the Guru”). According to Sikh tradition, Sikhism was established by </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9054766/Nanak" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Guru Nanak</span></span></u></strong></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> (1469–1539) and subsequently led by a succession of nine other Gurus. All 10 human </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9038571/Guru" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Gurus</span></span></u></strong></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">, Sikhs believe, were inhabited by a single spirit. Upon the death of the 10th, </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9037140/Gobind-Singh" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Guru Gobind Singh</span></span></u></strong></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> (1666–1708), the spirit of the eternal Guru transferred itself to the sacred scripture of Sikhism, <em>Guru Granth Sahib</em> (“The Granth as the Guru”), also known as the </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9003730/Adi-Granth" target="_blank"><em><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Adi Granth</span></span></u></strong></em></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> (“First Volume”), which thereafter was regarded as the sole Guru. In the early 21st century there were nearly 25 million Sikhs worldwide, the great majority of them living in the Indian state of </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9111203/Punjab" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Punjab</span></span></u></strong></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">.</span></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"><span style="color: darkorange">The following discussion of the lives of the 10 Gurus relies on the traditional Sikh account, most elements of which are derived from hagiographic legend and lore and cannot be verified historically. This point should be borne in mind throughout, especially in the sections on the early Gurusn.</span></span></span></p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">History and doctrine</span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Sikh in Punjabi means “learner,” and those who joined the Sikh community, or Panth (“Path”), were people who sought spiritual guidance. In its earliest stage Sikhism was clearly a movement within the </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105952/Hinduism" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Hindu</span></span></u></strong></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> tradition; Nanak was raised a Hindu and eventually belonged to the </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic?idxStructId=1193977&typeId=13" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Sant</span></span></u></strong></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> tradition of northern India, a movement associated with the great poet and mystic </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9044255/Kabir" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Kabir</span></span></u></strong></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> (1440–1518). The Sants, most of whom were poor, dispossessed, and illiterate, composed hymns of great beauty expressing their experience of the divine, which they saw in all things. Their tradition drew heavily on the Vaishnava </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9079030/bhakti" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">bhakti</span></span></u></strong></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> (the devotional movement within the Hindu tradition that worships the god </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9075520/Vishnu" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Vishnu</span></span></u></strong></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">), though there were important differences between the two. Like the follwers of bhakti, the Sants believed that devotion to God is essential to liberation from the cycle of rebirth in which all human beings are trapped; unlike the followers of bhakti, however, the Sants maintained that God is <em>nirgun</em> (“without form”) and not <em>sagun</em> (“with form”). For the Sants, God can be neither incarnated nor represented in concrete terms.</span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Certain lesser influences also operated on the Sant movement. Chief among them was the Nath tradition, which comprised a cluster of sects, all claiming descent from the semilegendary teacher </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9037403/Gorakhnath" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Gorakhnath</span></span></u></strong></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> and all promoting Hatha </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9077981/Yoga" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Yoga</span></span></u></strong></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> as the means of spiritual liberation. Although the Sants rejected the physical aspects of Hatha Yoga in favour of meditation techniques, they accepted the Naths' concept of spiritual ascent to ultimate bliss. Some scholars have argued that the Sants were influenced by </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105852/Islam" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Islam</span></span></u></strong></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue"> through their contact with the Mughal rulers of India from the early 16th century, but there is in fact little indication of this, though </span></span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105856/Sufism" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">Sufism</span></span></u></strong></a><span style="color: blue"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"> (Islamic mysticism) may have had a marginal effect.</span></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: blue">[<a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105865/Sikhism" target="_blank">]Sikhism --* Encyclopaedia Britannica</a></span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="roopk, post: 54941, member: 4845"] [B][FONT=Arial,Helvetica][B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange]Women in Sikhism[/COLOR][/FONT][/B][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]I have tried to examine the status of Sikh women as per the following question and answer format.[/COLOR][/FONT] [B][FONT=Georgia][B][COLOR=darkred]1[COLOR=blue].[/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=blue] Is God considered male or female? [/COLOR][/B][/FONT][/B] [URL="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak11.html"][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Guru Granth Sahib (G.G.S.)[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] contains many names for God, both masculine and feminine. These are all used to describe God. Ultimately, the Gurus do not consider God to be male or female. The Mul Mantra states that God is Ajuni (Unborn), in other words, God belongs to neither sex [/COLOR][/FONT] [B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][B]2. What does Guru Granth Sahib say about women? [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [URL="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak1.html"][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Guru Nanak [/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]dismissed the prevailing values that downgraded women. He says: 'It is through woman that order is maintained. Then why call her inferior from whpm all great ones are born.' G.G.S.,p.473 [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]The Gurus use woman symbolically in the bani to represent the disciple. Bhai Gurdas, the scribe of G.G.S., says, "[COLOR=darkorange]Of all the Vedas' knowledge and all other virtues, it is the woman who can best guide man to the gates of salvation." [/COLOR][/COLOR][/FONT] [B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][B]3. What rights do I have as a Sikh woman? [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]A Sikh woman has equal rights to a Sikh man. Unlike Christianity, no post in Sikhism is reserved solely for men. Unlike Islam, a woman is not considered subordinate to a man. Sikh baptism (amrit) is open to both sexes. The [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/events/khalsa.html"][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Khalsa [/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]nation is made up equally of men and women. A Sikh woman has the right to become a granthi, a ragi, one of the panj pyaras (five beloved), etc. [/COLOR][/FONT] [B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][B]4. Are there any restrictions on what I can wear? [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]When Sikhs take amrit they must all, regardless of sex, keep the 5 K's. [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak1.html"][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Guru Nanak[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] says that one should only wear clothes which do not distress the mind or body. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]'[COLOR=darkorange]Friend, all other wear ruins bliss, The wear that to the limbs is torment, and with foul thinking fill the mind.' G.G.S., p. 16 [/COLOR][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]The Gurus were against the wearing of the veil, which is so popular amongst Muslims and Hindus. Even Christian nuns are made to cover themselves more than Christian priests. [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak3.html"][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Guru Amar Das[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] refused to allow a Hindustani Queen from entering the sangat unless she removed her veil. In Guru Granth Sahib, the veil is compared to suppression. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange]'False modesty that suppressed is ended. Now, with veil cast off, am I started on the way of devotion.' G.G.S., p. 931 [/COLOR][/FONT] [B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][B]5. Can I read Guru Grarsth Sahib? [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Yes. The reading of Guru Granth Sahib, is open to all. In Hinduism, a woman is not considered capable of reading the Vedas in a mandir. [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak3.html"][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Guru Amar Das [/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]got attracted to of Sikhism after hearing [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/amro.html"][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Bibi Amro [/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]reciting bani. [/COLOR][/FONT] [B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][B]6. Can I be forced into an arranged marriage.? [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Sikhs are forbidden to marrying off their children without their prior consent. Both sons and daughters are required to reach a mature age, both physically and mentally, before they marry. Thus, parents must ensure that their children are allowed to grow and be educated to the fullest. Arranged marriages are the norm for Sikhs. Sikhs are forbidden from marrying outside their faith and are not allowed to keep sexual relationships outside of marriage. The Gurus considered marriage an equal partnership. Guru Amar Das states: [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange]'They are not said to be husband and wife who merely sit together, Rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one soul in two bodies.' G.G.S., p. 788. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]This is in contrast to other faiths. In Islam the husband is permanently the dominant partner. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]'If your wives are overbeanng, advise them against it. If they do not care, refuse them sexual intercorse. If they still persist, then give them a thrashing.' Holy Quran, Ulnissa 434. [/COLOR][/FONT] [B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][B]7. What about dowry? [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Sikhs are forbidden from marrying off their children for monetary benefit. Concerning dowry, Guru Ram Das states: [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange]'Any other dowry, which the perverse place for show, that is false pride and worthless gidding.' G.G.S.,p.79 [/COLOR][/FONT] [B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][B]8. Who is considered more spiritual ~ man or woman? [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Unlike other faiths, Sikhism states that both man and womxn are capable of reaching the highest levels of spirituality. A particular hymn in Guru Granth Sahib states: [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange]'In all beings is He Himself pervasive, Himself pervades all forms, male or female.' G.G.S., p. 605 [/COLOR][/FONT] [B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][B]9. Why is the birth of a boy more welcome than that of a girl? [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]If this is the case, it is totally against the teaching of Sikhism. The birth of a girl or boy should be equally joyous for Sikhs. The practice of giving sweets and celebrating Lohri only on the birth of a boy is anti-Sikh behaviour. Female foeticide is condemned in the Sikh Code of Conduct. There are clear instructions that one who kills female infants, has no place in Sikh society, and has to be excommunicated. [/COLOR][/FONT] [B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][B]10. What about my independence? [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]No Sikh is taught to be subservient to anyone else. Thus, independence is open to both sexes. Every Sikh is able to attain spirituality independently, as there is no priestly dass in Sikhism. The path of love which Guru Nanak initiated is open to all. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange]'Shouldst thou seek to engage in the game of love, Step into my street with thy head placed on thy palm, While onto this stepping, ungrudgingly sacrifice your head.' G.G.S., p. 1412 [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]The Khalsa nation is open to men and women alike. Guru Nanak observed how defenceless women had been when Babar, the first Mughal Emperor of Hindustan, invaded Punjab: [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange]'Babar with wedding party of Sin from Kabul rushed down, and forcibly demanded surrender of Indian womanhood' [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange]'Set aside were KaSs and Brahmins, and Satan went about solemnizing marriages. Muslim women, reciting the Quran, in their affliction called on Muda. Other women of lower castes and of the Hindus in this suffering too include in your account. Saith Nanak: Sung are paeans of blood and sprinkled is blood for saffron'. G.G.S., p. 722 [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]The Gurus ensured that such an event will never occur again. They made a nation of soldiers capable of defending themselves as well as others. Thus, ensuring they need not depend on anyone. [/COLOR][/FONT] [B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][B]11. Asian women in general are subservient to their husbands. What is the Siki view-point? [/B][/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange]Hinduism does state that women are under the control of men. The laws of Manu state: 'In childhood, a female must be subject to her father, in youth to her husband, when her lord is dead, to her sons; a woman must never be independent.' Law 148, Chapter V. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Sikhism is totally opposed to this view. Christian women must change their names after marria&. The concept of maiden and married names is alien to Sikh philosophy. Sikhs practising it now do so out of ignorance. A Sikh woman is born with the surname Kaur and dies with it. Thus, allowing her to keep her identity throughout life. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][B]12. Are there any famous Sikh women in history? [/B][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Sikh history is one which has been made by both men and women. There are many, many outstanding Sikh women. The Gurus' wives led highly spiritual and independent lives. [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/matasundari.html"][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Mata Sundri[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] led the Sikhs for a long period after Guru Gobind Singh's death. [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/warriors/sadakaur.html"][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Sada Kaur [/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]was a famous Sikh General who led the Khalsa army along side Ranjit Singh. The list of important Sikh women is endless. [/COLOR][/FONT] [URL="http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/archivedf/feature-june.html"]This month's featured article at www.sikh-history.com[/URL][/FONT] [B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=darkorange]Sikhism : As the world sees It.[/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]The following is the write up taken from [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105865/Sikhism"][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105865/Sikhism[/COLOR][/FONT][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]. It is widely referred to . The world sees us as per the references made. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Indian religion founded in the Punjab in the late 15th century. Its members are known as Sikhs. The Sikhs call their faith Gurmat (Punjabi: “the Way of the Guru”). According to Sikh tradition, Sikhism was established by [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9054766/Nanak"][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Guru Nanak[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] (1469–1539) and subsequently led by a succession of nine other Gurus. All 10 human [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9038571/Guru"][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Gurus[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue], Sikhs believe, were inhabited by a single spirit. Upon the death of the 10th, [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9037140/Gobind-Singh"][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Guru Gobind Singh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] (1666–1708), the spirit of the eternal Guru transferred itself to the sacred scripture of Sikhism, [I]Guru Granth Sahib[/I] (“The Granth as the Guru”), also known as the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9003730/Adi-Granth"][I][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Adi Granth[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/I][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] (“First Volume”), which thereafter was regarded as the sole Guru. In the early 21st century there were nearly 25 million Sikhs worldwide, the great majority of them living in the Indian state of [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9111203/Punjab"][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Punjab[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue].[/COLOR][/FONT] [INDENT][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][COLOR=darkorange]The following discussion of the lives of the 10 Gurus relies on the traditional Sikh account, most elements of which are derived from hagiographic legend and lore and cannot be verified historically. This point should be borne in mind throughout, especially in the sections on the early Gurusn.[/COLOR][/COLOR][/FONT][/INDENT] [B][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]History and doctrine[/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Sikh in Punjabi means “learner,” and those who joined the Sikh community, or Panth (“Path”), were people who sought spiritual guidance. In its earliest stage Sikhism was clearly a movement within the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105952/Hinduism"][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Hindu[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] tradition; Nanak was raised a Hindu and eventually belonged to the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic?idxStructId=1193977&typeId=13"][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Sant[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] tradition of northern India, a movement associated with the great poet and mystic [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9044255/Kabir"][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Kabir[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] (1440–1518). The Sants, most of whom were poor, dispossessed, and illiterate, composed hymns of great beauty expressing their experience of the divine, which they saw in all things. Their tradition drew heavily on the Vaishnava [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9079030/bhakti"][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]bhakti[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] (the devotional movement within the Hindu tradition that worships the god [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9075520/Vishnu"][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Vishnu[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]), though there were important differences between the two. Like the follwers of bhakti, the Sants believed that devotion to God is essential to liberation from the cycle of rebirth in which all human beings are trapped; unlike the followers of bhakti, however, the Sants maintained that God is [I]nirgun[/I] (“without form”) and not [I]sagun[/I] (“with form”). For the Sants, God can be neither incarnated nor represented in concrete terms.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Certain lesser influences also operated on the Sant movement. Chief among them was the Nath tradition, which comprised a cluster of sects, all claiming descent from the semilegendary teacher [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9037403/Gorakhnath"][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Gorakhnath[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] and all promoting Hatha [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9077981/Yoga"][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Yoga[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] as the means of spiritual liberation. Although the Sants rejected the physical aspects of Hatha Yoga in favour of meditation techniques, they accepted the Naths' concept of spiritual ascent to ultimate bliss. Some scholars have argued that the Sants were influenced by [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105852/Islam"][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Islam[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/URL][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue] through their contact with the Mughal rulers of India from the early 16th century, but there is in fact little indication of this, though [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105856/Sufism"][B][U][FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue]Sufism[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B][/URL][COLOR=blue][FONT=Georgia] (Islamic mysticism) may have had a marginal effect.[/FONT][/COLOR] [FONT=Georgia][COLOR=blue][[URL="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9105865/Sikhism"]]Sikhism --* Encyclopaedia Britannica[/URL][/COLOR][/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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