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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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Why Is Sikhism The Best Religion?
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<blockquote data-quote="dalbirk" data-source="post: 95678" data-attributes="member: 6456"><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">while living this life to its maximum usefulness, working to earn his livelihood and performing all his mandatory duties. All one need is to hold the apron of Lord firmly. </span></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Nanak Sat(i)gur(i) bheliai, poori hovey jugat(i). </span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Hasandia khelandia painandia khavandia, </span></em></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>vichey hovai mukat(i). (Page 522) </em></span></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Sat(i)gur ki aisi vadiaee. </span></em></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>Putr kalatr vichey gat(i) paee. (Page 661) </em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>11. An Organised Religion : </strong>The aim of Sikhism was to bring a total revolution in the society. This revolution was badly needed in religious, social, economic and political spheres of their life. Therefore an organisational approach was needed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">To achieve this aim, Guru Nanak commenced the formation of <em>Sangat </em>and appointed preachers. The third Guru Ji established preaching centres (manjian), sub centres (peerhey). The fourth Guru Sahib commenced the system of <em>masand </em>and the fifth Guru established a central religious place by the name of Amritsar. He also gave the Sikhs an exclusive religious and sacred scripture-Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Thus the Sikh movement kept progressing from strength to strength, forming a Sikh society in the process. This was subsequently polished and named as <em>Khalsa Panth </em>by the Tenth Guru Ji. </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The <em>Khalsa Pan!h </em>gradually became so strong that despite myriad martyrdoms, tyranny, oppressions and holocausts, it became successful in establishing their own kingdom. This organization. even faced the present day challenges with success and glory and made many sacrifices for the protection of its ideology and culture. </span></p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">12. Supporting </span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Oneness of <strong>Mankind : </strong>Sikhism vehemently opposed the societal division on the basis of </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">caste, creed, colour, rich and poor and untouchability. It propagated that being children of one God, all are like brothers and therefore equal in all respect. How beautifully has the Tenth Master said- </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Ko-oo bhaeo mundia sanyasi ko-oo jogi bhaeo, ko-oo brahmchari ko-oo jati anumanbo. </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Hindu, Turk ko-oo Rafzi imam Sari, </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">manas ki jat sabhai ekai pehcMnbo. </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Karta Karim soi Rajak Rahim </span></em><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">o-i </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">doosro n bhed koi bhool bhram manbo. </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Ek hi ki seva sab hi ko gurdev ek, </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">ek hi sarup sabai ekai jot(i} janbo. [Akal Ustat(i)] </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>13. Respect for Woman : </strong>Woman has faced <em>very </em>disrespectful treatment <strong>in </strong>the field of religion. She has been <em>called-Shudra, </em>fit for admonition, she-wolf, ignorant, shoe of the foot, picture of falsehood, cause of all sins and distresses, killer poison, intoxicating wine etc. She kept serving a man like a maid servant, kept burning on the pyre of her dead husband, kept satisfying the carnal desires of the priestly class as <em>dev dasis. </em>Even then she was sold and bought like animals. Some kept her confined behind the curtain and did not permit her to enter religious places or participate in any religious functions. Some even said that she cannot achieve emancipation. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Sikh Gurus did a revolutionary work by granting woman an equal status with a man. Women had started adopting Sikh way of life even in the times of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Guru Nanak Dev Ji has described the importance of woman so aptly and beautifully in the cantos of the 19th ode of <em>Asa ki Var. </em>A woman plays a significant role in the life of a man either as a mother, sister or a wife. She is the one who gave birth to kings, emperors, warriors, scholars, philosophers and Bhagats. How can she be called bad or evil ?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">So kio manda akhiai jit(u) jammeh rajaan.</span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Sikhs vehemently opposed the custom of 'Sati' whereby a widow burn herself voluntarily on the pyre of her husband. Women were advised to draw the veil over their faces, The Gurus opposed this practice and also encouraged widow remarriage. The third Guru Sahib appointed women to do preaching jobs. The women in Sikh religion are free to partake <em>Amrit </em>of <em>Khanda-baata </em>and can participate in the battles campaigns on equal terms with iheir Sikh brethren. They had been equally active and effective as rulers and administrators. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>14. Langar-an </em>Exclusive Institution: The institution of <em>Langar </em>gives a very distinct character to Sikhism since it is not prevalent in any other religion. This routine has been in vogue since the times of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Where as it satiates hunger of the needy it also removes the distinction of caste, creed, high-low and rich-poor from the minds of the Sikhs. <em>Langar </em>also afford opportunity of service to the Sikhs. Guru Amar Das Ji had institutionalised the tradition and had issued an edict that all those visiting the D<em>arbar </em>must eat in the <em>Langar. </em>Respecting the edict, Emperor Akbar too partook food sitting with common men. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">15. </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Amalgmation of Spiritual and Temporal Life: Love of God and His worship has been well amalgamated with the armed struggle for righteous cause another unique principle of Sikhism. When the tyrants use force to perpetrate injustice and oppression on poor, decrepit and destitutes, they cannot be brought on the righteous path without use of force against them. The Tenth Master has rightly written in Zafarnama- </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Choon kar </span></em><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">az </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>hama</em><em> heeltey darguzasht, Ha/a/ ast burdan bfi-shamsheer dast. </em></span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">It means when persuasions and all other means of resolving an issue fail, it is just to unscab the sword. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Therefore Bhagats of Lord (saints) must become fearless and free of animosity in order to do service to the poor, needy, oppressed and tyrannised by unrighteous elements. He has to be ready to discharge duties of a <em>Sant </em>and <em>Sipahi </em>at the same times. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">16. Path of Optimism and Prosperity : To remain in <em>Chardi Kala </em>state of mind is a unique feature of Sikh community. It means one should remain in optimistic state </span><em><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">even </span></em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">in the face of adversities and when the conditions are highly unfavourabie. In this state, one remains hopeful and keep struggling to achieve success with infallible faith that God always sides the righteous people. <em>Gurbani </em>has instilled this virtue in the minds of Sikhs. </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Sikhism is a path of optimism and it is the living example of always looking at the bright side of life. After the martyrdom of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur (1716), clouds of calamity exploded on Sikhs. Royal edicts to put Sikhs to sword had beer, issued. The mobile patrol parties hunted for the Sikhs. Those who were caught, whether young, old, male, female or small babies or children were tortured to death. Many thousands lost their lives in holocausts. </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Even then they did not accept defeat. They lived in hope of divine dispensation accepting what was happening to them as divine order or His will. They progressed towards their goal <em>even </em>in the most adverse conditions till able to establish a powerful kingdom under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. If they lost their kingdom or authority, they took to the path of struggle to restore their glory. They confronted the British Empire and resolutely fought the political injustice in independent India. The barbarity and atrocities that the Sikhs faced in </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">1984 would have destroyed the morale and confidence of any other nation. But the Sikhs remained in a state of positive and high morale as if all that had happened was part of their lives. They have always been creating glorious and grand history. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">17. Harmony Between Religion and Politics: Religion and politics go side by side. They cannot be separated. Guru Nanak had called the rulers of his time as bloodsuckers, butchers and wolves. When Biibar invaded India, he called him 'Jiibar' and had to undergo some period of imprisonment while leading the people against his tyranny. All the Guru personalities imparted political consciousness to their followers. The ever increasing influence of Sikh movement became the cause of martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Guru Hargobind Sahib wore two swords-one of <em>Piri </em>and the other of <em>Miri </em>at the time of coronation as a Guru. He constructed the Akal Takht Sahib, (Throne of the Timeless God) and erected two <em>Nishan Sahib </em>in front of it. He was addressed as <em>Sacha Patishah </em>by the Sikhs and other population. All these events are the proof of the fact that religion and politics go side by side and in harmony with each other in Sikh religion. Guru Gobind Singh Ji had proclaimed that he would make man trampled for centuries into kings- </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>Jin ki jat aur kul mahi, sardari na bhaee kidahi. Tinhi </em>so <em>sardar banfwon, </em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">tabai Gobind Singh naam kahaoon. </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">First the Sikhs took up cudgels with the moghul rulers and then confronted the British rulers. The success of the key campaign during Gurdawaras Reform Movement won them accolades from all. Mahatama Gandhi had called it. <em>'First War of Indian Freedom and </em></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">a </span><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">decisive Victory. </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Therefore <em>Gurbani </em>and Sikh history are the proof of </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">the fact that both religion and politics have a very close association. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">18. A new Economic Ideology: Sikhism is the only religion that formulated and presented its own economic ideology-(l) Earning livelihood through honest hard work, (2) Setting aside one tenth of the earnings for social and religious welfare projects, (3) Distribution of surplus to remove the chasm between rich and poor. Satguru Ji has advised- </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Ghal(i) khaey kichh(u) hathauh deh(i). </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>Nanak rah(u) pachhflneh(i) se. (Page 1285) </em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">He has also condemned taking bribe and usurping </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">others wealth- </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Hak(u) paraeya Nanakfl us(u) saaar us gaey </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Gur(u) peer(u) hflma fa bharey, </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>ja murdar(u) n khfley (Page 141) </em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Laying emphasis on equitable distribution of money, the fifth master says that he who has much is worried about its safety and he who has scanty, is ever wandering in fulfilling his needs of bread, cloth and shelter. He alone is happy who is free from both conditions. That is he is neither rich nor poor. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Jis(u) greh(i) bahuf(u) fisai greh(i) chinta. </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Jis(u) greh(i) thori su phirai bhramanta.</span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Duhoo bivastha te jo mukta, </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>sol suhela bhalleeai. (Page 1019) </em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">19. Selfless and Voluntary Service of Mankind : </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Sikhism preaches selfless service <em>of </em>mankind without consideration of religion, caste, country, race and gender. God is the father and all people of the world are His children. His spirit resides in all. Therefore, service of humanity is service to God. It is a medium of coming </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">closer to God. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Vich(i) dunia sev kamai-ai. </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>Ta dargah baisan(u) pai-ai. (Page 26) </em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The initiation of a Sikh into <em>sewa </em>(service) commences from cooking <em>Langar, </em>cleaning utencils, fanning the <em>Sangat, </em>cleaning the shoes of the <em>Sangat </em>in Gurdwara and helping the needy with clothing and money. Thus the whole world becomes an arena of service. Our Gurus have set perfect examples of selfless service. Homes for destitudes and dispensaries in Gurdawaras had been opened with this aim in mind. Guru Arjun Dev Ji himself served the sufferers of famine and epidemic in various towns and cities of the Punjab. Guru Nanak and other Gurus did preaching service to attach the people with One God. To free the people from political oppression of the rulers, fifth and ninth Guru Sahib served the cause of the people at the expense of their own lives. Guru Sahib fought all the wars and their Sikhs bore unprecedented brutalities only in the service of mankind. Thus the <em>'sewa' </em>aspect of the life of Sikhs has associated them with entire humanity. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">20. A Complete and <strong>Distinct </strong>Religion : Sikh religion is an independent religion. It has an unique ideology of its own in the shape of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. It has its own code of conduct, its own culture, separate places of worship, a glorious history and historical places. All these make Sikhism a distinct and ideal society. </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Bhai Kahn Singh 'Nabha' has well established the distinct character of Sikhism in his book <em>Hum Hindu Nahin. </em>Bhai Veer Singh writes in this regard that Sikhs should be proud of the virtues of their religions. They must stick to the truth that Sikhism is an original and true religion. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Mohsin Fani who had come to India during the period </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">of Guru Hargobind Sahib writes that- </span></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Sikhs do not recite Hindu incantations (mantras) nor do they hold faith in any of their incarnations. Hindus consider Sanskrit as the language of the gods and thus hold it in high esteem, but for Sikhs it </span></em><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">is </span><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">like any other common language used for communication. They attach no special importance to it. Sikhs do not follow any sacraments of Hindus." </span></em></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>Mr. Macauliffe </em>considers Sikhism as totally free and pious from the influence of semitic religions. As regards the strong ideology of Sikhism, he says- </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"It would be difficult to point out a religion with comprehensive ethical system." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">In the end we submit the <em>views </em>of Mr. Dorothy Fields who depicts most appropriate analysis of Sikh religion. She says that- </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Pure Sikhism (as enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib) is far above dependence on Hindu rituals and is capable of distinct position so long as Sikhs maintain their distinctiveness. The religion is also one which could appeal to the occidental mind. It is essentially a practical religion. If jUdged from the pragmatical stand-point which is <em>favourite </em>point of view in some quarters, it would rank almost first in the world. Of no other religion can be said that it has made a nation in so short a time. The religion of the Sikhs is one of the most interesting at present existing in India, possibly indeed, in the whole world." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Of all religions, this one is the purest: That is one Meditates on the lord's name and does what is holy." P. 266 </span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="dalbirk, post: 95678, member: 6456"] [FONT=Arial]while living this life to its maximum usefulness, working to earn his livelihood and performing all his mandatory duties. All one need is to hold the apron of Lord firmly. [/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial]Nanak Sat(i)gur(i) bheliai, poori hovey jugat(i). [/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]Hasandia khelandia painandia khavandia, [/FONT][/I] [FONT=Arial][I]vichey hovai mukat(i). (Page 522) [/I][/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial]Sat(i)gur ki aisi vadiaee. [/FONT][/I] [FONT=Arial][I]Putr kalatr vichey gat(i) paee. (Page 661) [/I][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][B]11. An Organised Religion : [/B]The aim of Sikhism was to bring a total revolution in the society. This revolution was badly needed in religious, social, economic and political spheres of their life. Therefore an organisational approach was needed. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]To achieve this aim, Guru Nanak commenced the formation of [I]Sangat [/I]and appointed preachers. The third Guru Ji established preaching centres (manjian), sub centres (peerhey). The fourth Guru Sahib commenced the system of [I]masand [/I]and the fifth Guru established a central religious place by the name of Amritsar. He also gave the Sikhs an exclusive religious and sacred scripture-Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Thus the Sikh movement kept progressing from strength to strength, forming a Sikh society in the process. This was subsequently polished and named as [I]Khalsa Panth [/I]by the Tenth Guru Ji. [/FONT][FONT=Arial]The [I]Khalsa Pan!h [/I]gradually became so strong that despite myriad martyrdoms, tyranny, oppressions and holocausts, it became successful in establishing their own kingdom. This organization. even faced the present day challenges with success and glory and made many sacrifices for the protection of its ideology and culture. [/FONT] [B][FONT=Times New Roman]12. Supporting [/FONT][/B][FONT=Times New Roman]Oneness of [B]Mankind : [/B]Sikhism vehemently opposed the societal division on the basis of [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Arial]caste, creed, colour, rich and poor and untouchability. It propagated that being children of one God, all are like brothers and therefore equal in all respect. How beautifully has the Tenth Master said- [/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial]Ko-oo bhaeo mundia sanyasi ko-oo jogi bhaeo, ko-oo brahmchari ko-oo jati anumanbo. [/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]Hindu, Turk ko-oo Rafzi imam Sari, [/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]manas ki jat sabhai ekai pehcMnbo. [/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]Karta Karim soi Rajak Rahim [/FONT][/I][FONT=Times New Roman]o-i [/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial]doosro n bhed koi bhool bhram manbo. [/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]Ek hi ki seva sab hi ko gurdev ek, [/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]ek hi sarup sabai ekai jot(i} janbo. [Akal Ustat(i)] [/FONT][/I] [FONT=Arial][B]13. Respect for Woman : [/B]Woman has faced [I]very [/I]disrespectful treatment [B]in [/B]the field of religion. She has been [I]called-Shudra, [/I]fit for admonition, she-wolf, ignorant, shoe of the foot, picture of falsehood, cause of all sins and distresses, killer poison, intoxicating wine etc. She kept serving a man like a maid servant, kept burning on the pyre of her dead husband, kept satisfying the carnal desires of the priestly class as [I]dev dasis. [/I]Even then she was sold and bought like animals. Some kept her confined behind the curtain and did not permit her to enter religious places or participate in any religious functions. Some even said that she cannot achieve emancipation. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]Sikh Gurus did a revolutionary work by granting woman an equal status with a man. Women had started adopting Sikh way of life even in the times of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Guru Nanak Dev Ji has described the importance of woman so aptly and beautifully in the cantos of the 19th ode of [I]Asa ki Var. [/I]A woman plays a significant role in the life of a man either as a mother, sister or a wife. She is the one who gave birth to kings, emperors, warriors, scholars, philosophers and Bhagats. How can she be called bad or evil ?[/FONT] [FONT=Arial]So kio manda akhiai jit(u) jammeh rajaan.[/FONT] [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Arial]Sikhs vehemently opposed the custom of 'Sati' whereby a widow burn herself voluntarily on the pyre of her husband. Women were advised to draw the veil over their faces, The Gurus opposed this practice and also encouraged widow remarriage. The third Guru Sahib appointed women to do preaching jobs. The women in Sikh religion are free to partake [I]Amrit [/I]of [I]Khanda-baata [/I]and can participate in the battles campaigns on equal terms with iheir Sikh brethren. They had been equally active and effective as rulers and administrators. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial][I]14. Langar-an [/I]Exclusive Institution: The institution of [I]Langar [/I]gives a very distinct character to Sikhism since it is not prevalent in any other religion. This routine has been in vogue since the times of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Where as it satiates hunger of the needy it also removes the distinction of caste, creed, high-low and rich-poor from the minds of the Sikhs. [I]Langar [/I]also afford opportunity of service to the Sikhs. Guru Amar Das Ji had institutionalised the tradition and had issued an edict that all those visiting the D[I]arbar [/I]must eat in the [I]Langar. [/I]Respecting the edict, Emperor Akbar too partook food sitting with common men. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman]15. [/FONT][FONT=Arial]Amalgmation of Spiritual and Temporal Life: Love of God and His worship has been well amalgamated with the armed struggle for righteous cause another unique principle of Sikhism. When the tyrants use force to perpetrate injustice and oppression on poor, decrepit and destitutes, they cannot be brought on the righteous path without use of force against them. The Tenth Master has rightly written in Zafarnama- [/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial]Choon kar [/FONT][/I][FONT=Times New Roman]az [/FONT][FONT=Arial][I]hama[/I][I] heeltey darguzasht, Ha/a/ ast burdan bfi-shamsheer dast. [/I][/FONT] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Arial]It means when persuasions and all other means of resolving an issue fail, it is just to unscab the sword. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]Therefore Bhagats of Lord (saints) must become fearless and free of animosity in order to do service to the poor, needy, oppressed and tyrannised by unrighteous elements. He has to be ready to discharge duties of a [I]Sant [/I]and [I]Sipahi [/I]at the same times. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]16. Path of Optimism and Prosperity : To remain in [I]Chardi Kala [/I]state of mind is a unique feature of Sikh community. It means one should remain in optimistic state [/FONT][I][FONT=Times New Roman]even [/FONT][/I][FONT=Arial]in the face of adversities and when the conditions are highly unfavourabie. In this state, one remains hopeful and keep struggling to achieve success with infallible faith that God always sides the righteous people. [I]Gurbani [/I]has instilled this virtue in the minds of Sikhs. [/FONT][FONT=Arial]Sikhism is a path of optimism and it is the living example of always looking at the bright side of life. After the martyrdom of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur (1716), clouds of calamity exploded on Sikhs. Royal edicts to put Sikhs to sword had beer, issued. The mobile patrol parties hunted for the Sikhs. Those who were caught, whether young, old, male, female or small babies or children were tortured to death. Many thousands lost their lives in holocausts. [/FONT][FONT=Arial]Even then they did not accept defeat. They lived in hope of divine dispensation accepting what was happening to them as divine order or His will. They progressed towards their goal [I]even [/I]in the most adverse conditions till able to establish a powerful kingdom under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. If they lost their kingdom or authority, they took to the path of struggle to restore their glory. They confronted the British Empire and resolutely fought the political injustice in independent India. The barbarity and atrocities that the Sikhs faced in [/FONT][FONT=Arial]1984 would have destroyed the morale and confidence of any other nation. But the Sikhs remained in a state of positive and high morale as if all that had happened was part of their lives. They have always been creating glorious and grand history. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]17. Harmony Between Religion and Politics: Religion and politics go side by side. They cannot be separated. Guru Nanak had called the rulers of his time as bloodsuckers, butchers and wolves. When Biibar invaded India, he called him 'Jiibar' and had to undergo some period of imprisonment while leading the people against his tyranny. All the Guru personalities imparted political consciousness to their followers. The ever increasing influence of Sikh movement became the cause of martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Guru Hargobind Sahib wore two swords-one of [I]Piri [/I]and the other of [I]Miri [/I]at the time of coronation as a Guru. He constructed the Akal Takht Sahib, (Throne of the Timeless God) and erected two [I]Nishan Sahib [/I]in front of it. He was addressed as [I]Sacha Patishah [/I]by the Sikhs and other population. All these events are the proof of the fact that religion and politics go side by side and in harmony with each other in Sikh religion. Guru Gobind Singh Ji had proclaimed that he would make man trampled for centuries into kings- [/FONT] [FONT=Arial][I]Jin ki jat aur kul mahi, sardari na bhaee kidahi. Tinhi [/I]so [I]sardar banfwon, [/I][/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial]tabai Gobind Singh naam kahaoon. [/FONT][/I] [FONT=Arial]First the Sikhs took up cudgels with the moghul rulers and then confronted the British rulers. The success of the key campaign during Gurdawaras Reform Movement won them accolades from all. Mahatama Gandhi had called it. [I]'First War of Indian Freedom and [/I][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman]a [/FONT][I][FONT=Arial]decisive Victory. [/FONT][/I] [FONT=Arial]Therefore [I]Gurbani [/I]and Sikh history are the proof of [/FONT][FONT=Arial]the fact that both religion and politics have a very close association. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]18. A new Economic Ideology: Sikhism is the only religion that formulated and presented its own economic ideology-(l) Earning livelihood through honest hard work, (2) Setting aside one tenth of the earnings for social and religious welfare projects, (3) Distribution of surplus to remove the chasm between rich and poor. Satguru Ji has advised- [/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial]Ghal(i) khaey kichh(u) hathauh deh(i). [/FONT][/I] [FONT=Arial][I]Nanak rah(u) pachhflneh(i) se. (Page 1285) [/I][/FONT] [FONT=Arial]He has also condemned taking bribe and usurping [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]others wealth- [/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial]Hak(u) paraeya Nanakfl us(u) saaar us gaey [/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]Gur(u) peer(u) hflma fa bharey, [/FONT][/I] [FONT=Arial][I]ja murdar(u) n khfley (Page 141) [/I][/FONT] [FONT=Arial]Laying emphasis on equitable distribution of money, the fifth master says that he who has much is worried about its safety and he who has scanty, is ever wandering in fulfilling his needs of bread, cloth and shelter. He alone is happy who is free from both conditions. That is he is neither rich nor poor. [/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial]Jis(u) greh(i) bahuf(u) fisai greh(i) chinta. [/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]Jis(u) greh(i) thori su phirai bhramanta.[/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]Duhoo bivastha te jo mukta, [/FONT][/I] [FONT=Arial][I]sol suhela bhalleeai. (Page 1019) [/I][/FONT] [FONT=Arial]19. Selfless and Voluntary Service of Mankind : [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]Sikhism preaches selfless service [I]of [/I]mankind without consideration of religion, caste, country, race and gender. God is the father and all people of the world are His children. His spirit resides in all. Therefore, service of humanity is service to God. It is a medium of coming [/FONT][FONT=Arial]closer to God. [/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial]Vich(i) dunia sev kamai-ai. [/FONT][/I] [FONT=Arial][I]Ta dargah baisan(u) pai-ai. (Page 26) [/I][/FONT] [FONT=Arial]The initiation of a Sikh into [I]sewa [/I](service) commences from cooking [I]Langar, [/I]cleaning utencils, fanning the [I]Sangat, [/I]cleaning the shoes of the [I]Sangat [/I]in Gurdwara and helping the needy with clothing and money. Thus the whole world becomes an arena of service. Our Gurus have set perfect examples of selfless service. Homes for destitudes and dispensaries in Gurdawaras had been opened with this aim in mind. Guru Arjun Dev Ji himself served the sufferers of famine and epidemic in various towns and cities of the Punjab. Guru Nanak and other Gurus did preaching service to attach the people with One God. To free the people from political oppression of the rulers, fifth and ninth Guru Sahib served the cause of the people at the expense of their own lives. Guru Sahib fought all the wars and their Sikhs bore unprecedented brutalities only in the service of mankind. Thus the [I]'sewa' [/I]aspect of the life of Sikhs has associated them with entire humanity. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]20. A Complete and [B]Distinct [/B]Religion : Sikh religion is an independent religion. It has an unique ideology of its own in the shape of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. It has its own code of conduct, its own culture, separate places of worship, a glorious history and historical places. All these make Sikhism a distinct and ideal society. [/FONT][FONT=Arial]Bhai Kahn Singh 'Nabha' has well established the distinct character of Sikhism in his book [I]Hum Hindu Nahin. [/I]Bhai Veer Singh writes in this regard that Sikhs should be proud of the virtues of their religions. They must stick to the truth that Sikhism is an original and true religion. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]Mohsin Fani who had come to India during the period [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial]of Guru Hargobind Sahib writes that- [/FONT] [I][FONT=Arial]"Sikhs do not recite Hindu incantations (mantras) nor do they hold faith in any of their incarnations. Hindus consider Sanskrit as the language of the gods and thus hold it in high esteem, but for Sikhs it [/FONT][/I][FONT=Times New Roman]is [/FONT][I][FONT=Arial]like any other common language used for communication. They attach no special importance to it. Sikhs do not follow any sacraments of Hindus." [/FONT][/I] [FONT=Arial][I]Mr. Macauliffe [/I]considers Sikhism as totally free and pious from the influence of semitic religions. As regards the strong ideology of Sikhism, he says- [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]"It would be difficult to point out a religion with comprehensive ethical system." [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]In the end we submit the [I]views [/I]of Mr. Dorothy Fields who depicts most appropriate analysis of Sikh religion. She says that- [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]"Pure Sikhism (as enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib) is far above dependence on Hindu rituals and is capable of distinct position so long as Sikhs maintain their distinctiveness. The religion is also one which could appeal to the occidental mind. It is essentially a practical religion. If jUdged from the pragmatical stand-point which is [I]favourite [/I]point of view in some quarters, it would rank almost first in the world. Of no other religion can be said that it has made a nation in so short a time. The religion of the Sikhs is one of the most interesting at present existing in India, possibly indeed, in the whole world." [/FONT] [FONT=Arial]"Of all religions, this one is the purest: That is one Meditates on the lord's name and does what is holy." P. 266 [/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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