Inner Strength - 13
Enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib are many teachings of Guru Nanak where he reprimands the Brahman for taking Bhada( fees) for performing wedding ceremony of a daughter and his total outlook on this problem where parents are depended on a Pundit for getting their daughter married was so emotional that one can reflect that he considered this a serious matter. This impulse of Guru Nanak was carried forward by the fourth Guru Ramdasji and he scripted Lavan ( The hymns to be sung for a wedding ceremony) and ordained that from now onwards the Sikh marriages will be performed by singing these hymns only. Another reason for this dictate was that according to Hindus the marriages could be performed only by a Pundit whereas Guru Ramdasji totally stopped this tradition and marriages could be performed by any Granthi irrespective of his caste and class. The Sikh marriages are called Anand Karaj- a ceremony of bliss and happiness. The role of Brahman was cut-off forever. The Sikh marriages are supposed to be simple, without fan fare, early morning( at Amrit vela), without dowry and tamasha. Last year I attended few weddings in Punjab and observed that there was only sheep mentality in all the weddings. None of the weddings were performed at Amrit vela. Marriages were held in Palaces( So called) where barati and gharati gather and unlimited circle of snacks and drinks starts. Men and women are separated, women get chairs near the stage and cheap dancing on full volume starts that majority of the women are not interested to watch. Men get round tables with liquor bottles, soda, cola and chips served. Unlimited non-veg snacks make rounds here whereas women are served only veg snacks. Everybody is fully intoxicated and nobody even bothers for what they have gathered here for. Marriage of the groom and bride is hushed up in a nearby Gurudwara in the presence of parents and few close friends only. Most marriages take place around 3 P M. Meanwhile people are forced to sit and wait and to pacify waiters keep making rounds of snacks and drinks which most people are now tired of. After 3.45 the bride and groom make entry and every body rushes to throw shagun in their lap where a towel is spread to collect it. The food stalls now open and chaos break open. The most interesting thing that I was amused with was the Menu - it was always same each and every wedding. Without any taste and without any imagination. In a wedding the gathering of people is supposed to come and bless the couple when Lavan are taking place and guide them to do righteous things in life. There is no community interaction, just food, drinks and merry making at the cost of poor parents of bride who might have sold his property for this extravaganza.
Enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib are many teachings of Guru Nanak where he reprimands the Brahman for taking Bhada( fees) for performing wedding ceremony of a daughter and his total outlook on this problem where parents are depended on a Pundit for getting their daughter married was so emotional that one can reflect that he considered this a serious matter. This impulse of Guru Nanak was carried forward by the fourth Guru Ramdasji and he scripted Lavan ( The hymns to be sung for a wedding ceremony) and ordained that from now onwards the Sikh marriages will be performed by singing these hymns only. Another reason for this dictate was that according to Hindus the marriages could be performed only by a Pundit whereas Guru Ramdasji totally stopped this tradition and marriages could be performed by any Granthi irrespective of his caste and class. The Sikh marriages are called Anand Karaj- a ceremony of bliss and happiness. The role of Brahman was cut-off forever. The Sikh marriages are supposed to be simple, without fan fare, early morning( at Amrit vela), without dowry and tamasha. Last year I attended few weddings in Punjab and observed that there was only sheep mentality in all the weddings. None of the weddings were performed at Amrit vela. Marriages were held in Palaces( So called) where barati and gharati gather and unlimited circle of snacks and drinks starts. Men and women are separated, women get chairs near the stage and cheap dancing on full volume starts that majority of the women are not interested to watch. Men get round tables with liquor bottles, soda, cola and chips served. Unlimited non-veg snacks make rounds here whereas women are served only veg snacks. Everybody is fully intoxicated and nobody even bothers for what they have gathered here for. Marriage of the groom and bride is hushed up in a nearby Gurudwara in the presence of parents and few close friends only. Most marriages take place around 3 P M. Meanwhile people are forced to sit and wait and to pacify waiters keep making rounds of snacks and drinks which most people are now tired of. After 3.45 the bride and groom make entry and every body rushes to throw shagun in their lap where a towel is spread to collect it. The food stalls now open and chaos break open. The most interesting thing that I was amused with was the Menu - it was always same each and every wedding. Without any taste and without any imagination. In a wedding the gathering of people is supposed to come and bless the couple when Lavan are taking place and guide them to do righteous things in life. There is no community interaction, just food, drinks and merry making at the cost of poor parents of bride who might have sold his property for this extravaganza.
No comments:
Post a Comment