{"id":108,"date":"2019-08-23T05:15:41","date_gmt":"2019-08-23T05:15:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/icp03.epgpbooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/?post_type=chapter&p=108"},"modified":"2019-08-23T05:31:53","modified_gmt":"2019-08-23T05:31:53","slug":"sikhism","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/ebooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/icp03\/chapter\/sikhism\/","title":{"rendered":"Sikhism"},"content":{"raw":"
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INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Sikhism took its rise in the Punjab in the 15th Century and at present it has assumed great importance on the Indian scene. Sikhism is Hinduistic in the sense that it accepts the four-fold principles of Karma-Samsara-Jnana-Mukti. It also adopts a general Hindu view of life, poetry and music.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Sikhism was born at a time when India was in a state of political upheaval, social instability and religious ritualism, externalism without much inner illumination and spiritual experience in depth. Sikhism at the hands of the first Guru, named, Nanak, was not primarily a political movement. From the social point of view, it was founded on the rejection of caste and it promoted egalitarianism. Naturally, it did not support untouchability. Sikhism of Guru Nanak was essentially a religious reformist movement in the direction of Saint Poets of India. Guru Granth Sahib is the sacred book of the Sikhs. It contains four poems of Trilochan, 62 of Namadeva and 240 Sakhis<\/em> and 227 padas<\/em> of Kabir. Most of the characteristic teachings of Sikhism like monotheism, crusade against idolatry and caste, externalism (brahamachara<\/em>), ritualism could be easily traced to these saint poets, specially Kabir. Kabir appears to be a contemporary of Guru Nanak.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Again, in the beginning, terms like Sikh<\/em>, Saint, Sadhu, Bhakta<\/em> and Sevak<\/em> were used in the same sense. However, now, the term 'Guru' is to be used for the first ten Gurus and for Adi<\/em> Granth Sahib<\/em>. All poets whose lines have been included in Adi Granth Sahib are called 'Saint'. But 'Guru'<\/em> is not to be called 'Saint'. However, one can note that Guru Nanak was greatly influenced by Saint Kabir. 'Sikh' is really derived from the word 'Sisya\u2019<\/em>. Hence, Sikhism is the religion often Gurus and their followers Sisyas<\/em>. A Sikh is one who is willing to lay down his life for the sake of his Guru.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

2. TEN GURUS<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Guru Nanak was the real founder of Sikhism. He was born in 1469 in a village called Talwandi, some fifty miles south-west of Lahore. It is now in Pakistan and has been named Nankana Sahib. True, Sikhism of Guru Nanak was largely a religious and spiritual movement, but even Guru Nanak advised his followers to resist evil 'even to the point of sacrifice and martyrdom'. Later on Guru Hargobind Singh girded on two swords 'miri'<\/em> (to defend and pursue political end) and 'piri\u2019<\/em> (for safeguarding spiritual pursuit). But it was the last Guru Gobind Singh who infused martial spirit into his Sikh followers called 'Khalsa' and\u00a0who were to be called 'Singh' (lion). The new order of Khalsa had to fight in defence of their faith, home and hearth and their honour.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n

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A short reference to Guru Gobind Singh is necessary, for, he changed the whole tenor of life of the Sikhs. He was born at Patna, and, was only nine years old when he was called to assume the sacred trust of being a Guru. Sikhs always had to struggle against the Muslim rulers and there is little doubt that Sikhs were turned into incomparable soldiers as a result of that struggle. However, it was the cruel assassination of the bold but highly virtuous Guru Teg Bahadur that created a sense of revolt against the Muslim rulers in the mind of the Sikhs. After all Guru Teg Bahadur died to safeguard the honour of Sikhism.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Guru Gobind Singh thought and meditated over the matter deeply. His sons too were all killed by Wazir Khan. Naturally the question was 'Do or Die'. On Baisakhi<\/em> day in 1699 Sikhs had assembled, as usual in a large number. He announced in the assembly that he needed five heads as offerings to the Guru. Sword in hand, with unflinching courage he waited for the response. First one and then other four also offered themselves for the supreme sacrifice. Kabir writes,\u00a0Sir rdkhe sir jathai, Sir Kate Sir hoe\u00a0<\/em>(He who would cling to his life would lose it, and he who would sacrifice it would gain.)<\/p>\r\n \r\n

A new code was announced with emphasis on moral excellence, heroism and strict discipline, prepared and from that one bowl drink symbolising brotherhood within the rank and casteless-ness and absolute equality. They all were to bear the name of 'Singh'<\/em> (lion) and they were given five vows to observe. These five vows known as panca-Kakara<\/em> i.e., Kesh <\/em>(keeping of long hair), Kara <\/em>(iron bracelet), Kachh <\/em>(under drawers), Kangha <\/em>(comb)\u00a0and <\/span>Kirpan<\/em> (Sword). The five heads offered to the Guru were known as <\/span>panj pyare<\/em>. They are remembered even now in the daily prayers of the Sikhs. These Sikhs with five K's are now known as <\/span>Khalsa<\/em> (the pure).<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

These vows of strict discipline and <\/span>panca-Kakara<\/em> have infused new militancy and a close-knit brotherhood. In addition to this, Guru Gobind Singh abolished the succession of personal Guru-ship. AdiGranth Sahib was to serve as Guru. Its <\/span>Bani<\/em> would serve as the guide of the holy assembly. Further, he gave this injunction that wherever five Sikhs with pure heart would gather together, he would be present in their midst for their guidance in spirit. Thus, Guru Gobind Singh invested Guru Granth Sahib with spiritual power and <\/span>Panth<\/em> with temporal sovereignty.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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  1. GURU GRANTH SAHIB<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\"\"\r\n
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    What the Bible is to the Christians, the Quran to the Muslims, the Veda to the Brahmins, Guru Granth Sahib <\/em>is for the Sikhs. It contains Bani which stands on the level of 'the Word' of the Christian and of the followers of Shabda<\/em> Brahma and of the Saivites. Guru Nank himself had composed a number of songs, the best of them may be named Japji, Asa-di-vdr, Rahi-rasa Patti, Dakani Omkara, Siddha Gosthi <\/em>and Bara Mah<\/em>. Other Gurus after Guru Nanak have also added their compositions. Guru Granth Sahib<\/em> was composed in 1604 by Guru Arjan Dev who was assisted by the great devotee Bhai Gurdas<\/em>. It was written in Gurmukhi<\/em> Script so that the Sikhs may remain Guru<\/em>-centred. Guru Granth Sahib<\/em> includes not only the compositions of Gurus but also of many Saint Poets. It includes verses of Ramanand,<\/em> Jaideva, Namadeva, Trilochan, Veni, Dhanna, Pipa, Sain, Kabir, Rai Das, Shaikh Bhikhaji, Sadhna, Surdas, poona Nane <\/em>and of Muslim Sufis. However, the compositions of Kabir are far more numerous than of any other non-Sikh composers. 243-245 Sakhis<\/em> and 227 padas<\/em> of Kabir have been included in Guru Granth Sahib<\/em>. This shows the great esteem in which Kabir was held by Sikh Gurus. Kabir was a non-Vedic Hindu influenced by Gorakhnath and some Buddhist poets. Hence, much of Sikhism has to be understood and interpreted in terms of Saints' religious philosophy. However, Sikhism in course of its historical development has to be understood as an independent religion like Jainism and Buddhism. But it is an Indian religion and wholly embedded in the culture and tradition of India, more non-Vedic than Vedic.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

    4.\u00a0<\/strong>BASIC FEATURES OF SIKHISM<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n

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    Sikhism is wholly an Indian religion in the sense that its founders were all of Indian origin. Secondly, its religious scripture and teachings are wholly Hindu and hardly Muslim. With these standpoints we can submit the following points as the outstanding features of Sikhism which distinguish it from any prophetic religion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n