ponderings & pennings

20^th of this month will mark 300 years of guidance that my community – Sikhism, has been receiving from its present and eternal guru – Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS).

Yesterday in office, my colleagues were asking me questions and I was surprised to know that not much is known about SGGS outside my community. So I thought to put up some information on SGGS here. To keep it brief I am giving a few highlights that in my opinion would clear certain things which I gathered were unknown to my friends.

1.       SGGS does not contain a single word of praise for any human, not even the ten human-gurus of the Sikhs. The 1430 pages of it praises only One God who does not belong to any one religion;

2.       The SGGS has been compiled by the gurus themselves with each guru from 5^th onwards added hymn compositions of previous guru(s) and therefore the book does not contain compositions of the last human-guru, Guru Gobind Singh;

3.       SGGS contains compositions from six sikh human-gurus out of the 10 human-gurus;

4.       SGGS also contains compositions from 15 hindu and 3 muslim saints and 17 others (I am not sure if they were Hindus or Muslims). It is pertinent to note that among these saints many were from the then considered lowly and untouchables like Kabir;

5.       SGGS is a collection of poems/hymns and not a story of any person. Each hymn praises God and guides all to a life dedicated to One God. The hymns are in 31 ragas;

6.       SGGS urges us to get free of superstitions like fasting (for pleasing gods), vaastu, offerings to the dead, etc.

7.       SGGS’ central idea revolves around the three golden rules given by the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev:

a.       Naam Japo – Recite God’s name with breadth;

b.      Kirat Karo – Work. Sanyas is forbidden in Sikhism. SGGS teaches one to work for livelihood;

c.       Vand ke shakko – Share your earnings with men/women of God.

Well, this was some information on SGGS. But I think it is pertinent that on this occasion of the three centuries of SGGS we look at the malpractices that have crept in the religion which are contra to the teachings of SGGS:

1.       Its hurts me the most when I learn that Punjab tops the list in cases of female infanticide/foeticide in India. The homeland of SGGS, which asks to respect women, is the flag bearer of this grave sin;

2.       The prime reason for sprouting of Sikhism was then prevailing rigid caste system. Sikh religion itself is mired in caste system of its own;

3.       We are celebrating shraads of the very gurus who taught us and ordained us to refrain from such practices;

4.       Sikhs are by default considered to be heavy consumers of alcohol and non-veg. SGGS advises against both. The advice is from health & effect on thought perspective and not from any superstition.

5.       For many of us Sikhs the SGGS is nothing but a book they bow to and in my opinion bowing to a “book” makes the reverence akin to idol worshipping, which is not allowed as per SGGS teachings.

6.       A large section of us believe in show-offs and are attached to worldly matters which again goes against the teachings of SGGS;

I implore the Sikhs (including myself) and believers in SGGS to just not recite the SGGS but to follow the path of living life that it shows.

Before I end, I tempted to produce some of my favorite lines from the SGGS:

(Since I attached myself to you) neither do I fear death, nor do I desire life

Win your heart/desires and you will win the world

Just as clothes that get dirty are washed with soap and water, in the same way thoughts/mind that is dirty can be washed by reciting God’s name and attaching oneself to the God

Whatever You (God) give me, is all that I get and have

Place your head on your palm and then come to me – is what God has to say to mankind. This implies that God will accept you only when you are unattached and ever ready for any sacrifice.

You can read in more detail about SGGS here.