Guru Nanak Prakash - 13
As said earlier that Guru Nanak reprimands both the donor of offerings and the Brahman for taking them. The most degrading social consequences of making offering are begging. What started as sacred duty to make offerings and give charity has resulted in a class called beggars and this has spread all over the country the members of this class behave like pest and don't move away unless you give them something. Hindus have selected Amawas and Sankrat - 'changing of moon phase and beginning of month as auspicious days when offerings should be made to get returns from Gods. Around these two dates hordes of beggars line up outside temples. Guru Nanak has shunned this cultural downfall of the society where offerings have a religious sanction because it has the creation of sub-human class of beggars. I will mention just one verse from Ang 1012 of Guru Granth Sahib though his work is very elaborate in this matter He says," A disguised person colours his clothes prescribed by the Brahman that is saffron, makes a begging bowl and bag of cloth, goes door to door for begging and reminds people to take path of truth and forgets that he has forgotten the Lord himself and wanders through the world aimlessly, lost himself and his self respect like a gambler."
In his bani Jappuji Guru Nanak reminds us the Lord Almighty is a great Giver and he keeps giving without making any distinctions. He has given us planet earth with so many precious materials that we have been exploiting it for millions of years but it never ends. Still we keep asking for more and if we do not control our greed it removes shame, pride and self respect from within us. This development of the negative attributes makes us forget that we have the part of divine heritage within us. Once you forget the divine presence within you you can turn savage, plunderer, tyrant or even a thief.
As said earlier that Guru Nanak reprimands both the donor of offerings and the Brahman for taking them. The most degrading social consequences of making offering are begging. What started as sacred duty to make offerings and give charity has resulted in a class called beggars and this has spread all over the country the members of this class behave like pest and don't move away unless you give them something. Hindus have selected Amawas and Sankrat - 'changing of moon phase and beginning of month as auspicious days when offerings should be made to get returns from Gods. Around these two dates hordes of beggars line up outside temples. Guru Nanak has shunned this cultural downfall of the society where offerings have a religious sanction because it has the creation of sub-human class of beggars. I will mention just one verse from Ang 1012 of Guru Granth Sahib though his work is very elaborate in this matter He says," A disguised person colours his clothes prescribed by the Brahman that is saffron, makes a begging bowl and bag of cloth, goes door to door for begging and reminds people to take path of truth and forgets that he has forgotten the Lord himself and wanders through the world aimlessly, lost himself and his self respect like a gambler."
In his bani Jappuji Guru Nanak reminds us the Lord Almighty is a great Giver and he keeps giving without making any distinctions. He has given us planet earth with so many precious materials that we have been exploiting it for millions of years but it never ends. Still we keep asking for more and if we do not control our greed it removes shame, pride and self respect from within us. This development of the negative attributes makes us forget that we have the part of divine heritage within us. Once you forget the divine presence within you you can turn savage, plunderer, tyrant or even a thief.
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