Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANINational Character – 5Brotherho...

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANI

National Character – 5

Brotherho...: GEMS OF GURBANI National Character – 5 Brotherhood (bhrataribhav) The characteristic of social equality however necessary and fund...

GEMS OF GURBANI

National Character – 5

Brotherhood (bhrataribhav)

The characteristic of social equality however necessary and fundamental in the process of individual character building and social relationship is not enough for stress on this supreme ideal of universal brotherhood. It says all human beings are equal and The One Lord is the father of all and we are the children of the One Lord. Thou O Lord art our Guru. GGpg.611 since the Supreme Lord is the father of all human beings He has the welfare of all in equal measures same as father treats all his children equally. Each one of us gets the same light from Him. Sabuh main jyot jyot hai soi II Tis dai chanan sabuh main chanan hoye II GG.Pg 13 Amongst all there is light and that light art thou. By His light shines within all the souls. Guru says call everyone exalted none appears to be low. The One Lord has designed the pots(human beings) in various shapes and one light is pervading the three worlds.

Ikanne bhande sajiye ikk chanan tih loi II GG Pg 62

Guru Gobind Singh ji says,” As out of a single fire millions of spark arises, arises in separation but come together again when they fall back in the fire. As from heap of dust, grains of dust swept up fill the air and filling it fall in the dust of heap again. As out of single stream countless waves rise up and being water, fall back in water again.” Guru Gobind Singh Akal Ustat pg 87                                                        

This is for the human beings to realize that they originate from the same source thus the brotherhood does exist. The wall of ignorance and separation created by the vested interest will fall if man realizes this fact of brotherhood and the universal peace can be restored. Brotherhood of mankind is a stronger and deeper bond then family, community or national affinities because it has the sanction of the Supreme Being in the interest of world peace. Guru Nanak says: Pawan Guru Pani Pita mata dharat mahat II

Divas raat dui dayee dayaa khele sagal jagat II GG Pg.8

Airs is the Guru water the father, earths the great mother and day and night are two matrons in whose lap the entire world plays. Thus Nanak says the entire cosmos is belonging to all the human beings. Gurus have also suggested measures to ensure imbibing of the universal brotherhood as individual characteristics for the benefit of world peace. The first measure is renunciation of slander(ninda) because the slander can cause distrust and hatred. Slandering continues by the powerful and mighty nations to establish their economic agenda, political dominations and dominations of ideology. Renunciation of slandering at individual level becomes necessary so that the poison of slandering does not affect communities, nations in the larger interest of the humanity. Guru Arjun says: “First I gave up the slander of others, then all the anxiety of my mind were dispelled… I have abandoned the companionship of ego, and now the friend and foe are alike to me….”

Prathme chhodi parayee ninda II

Uttar gayee sabuh mann ki chhinta II

Aham budh ka chhoriya sang II

Bairee meet hoye saman II GG Pg 1147

To continue….

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANINational Character – 4Equality (San...

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANINational Character – 4Equality (San...: GEMS OF GURBANI National Character – 4 Equality (Sanjhhiwalta) It is very easy to learn discrimination and make it a part of our nat...

GEMS OF GURBANI

National Character – 4

Equality (Sanjhhiwalta)

It is very easy to learn discrimination and make it a part of our nature and character because human mind enjoys such negative propensities. If you have bettered your position in the society you like to use it as tool to retain this position and this is the origin of inequality in the society. This human propensity has created the caste system and State oppressions - economic, religious and socio-political. The colonialists, the Muslim invaders and Brahmin have committed atrocities on humanity and forced people to become slaves and the humiliation was to such an extent that made people totally passive so much so that they thought God has decided this fate for them. The darkness in which they were pushed they are still unable to come out of it. 65 years of independence and our country is still struggling with issues of reservations. India is not yet able to give education to each and every child, we are still employing child as labour and our conscience is still not fully awakened. Guru Nanak dwelt on this matter in the 15^th century and before him Bhagtas like Kabir and Namdev. Guru Nanak studied this matter minutely and decided that this has to be dealt at personal level because corroborating with perpetrators of this crime on humanity namely orthodox State structure and Brahmin was not possible because of their vested interests. Religion and The Almighty were his inspirations so through this very medium it was easy for him to touch the people’s heart and bring about change and create followers who would start believing like him. Guru Nanak collected the verses of all such great souls who had equality for human being on their mind and fought for this virtuous character. These Bhagtas had to suffer great atrocities by the State and the Brahmin and in certain cases face death penalty. Guru Arjun Devji while composing Guru Granth Sahib has enshrined the verses from these bhagtas thus giving them respect they deserve for fighting this noble character. One of Bhagat Kabir’s verses says: Awal Allah Noor upayiya kudrat ke sab bande II

                               Ek noor te sab jag upjiya kaun bhale ko mande II   GG Pg.1349

Meaning: first God created light and then with His omnipresence he created the human beings. When the whole universe has welled up from this one light then who is good and who is bad?

Guru says: “sabueh sanjhhiwal sadayan tun kise na dise bahra jiyo II” GG pg 97

Meaning: all are called partners in thy grace. Thou art seen alien to none.     Inequality on the basis of caste system has been categorically rejected in Sikhism. There are no fundamental differences in the physical appearance and the law of nature is also same for all. There is nothing like, that law of nature is more kind if you are upper caste. Even the human emotions at the important events like birth  and death are same. In Hinduism only the upper caste can attain Moksha or salvation and spiritual realization and a low caste must wait for another human birth to realize this. This concept is rejected in Sikhism and Guru says:

Jati dai kiya haath sachuh parkhiye II

Mahura hove haath mariye chakhiye II GG pg.142

Meaning: what merit is in the caste? It is like a poison in the hand by tasting which one will die. One must recognize the righteousness and not the power of caste.

The Sikh Gurus further rejected the inequality based on economic status. Guru Nanak preferred course grain roti of Bhai Lalo then the sumptuous food offered by Malik Bhago a rich man. The rich man was exploiting and amassing the wealth. Guru Amardas ji asked the Emperor Akbar to eat in a Pangat before giving him an audience. In Sikhism superiority of an upper caste or rich is rejected in the matters of religion. Guru Arjun Devji says:

Brahm gyani kai drishti saman II

Jaise raj rank ko lage tul pawan II GGpg.272

Meaning: The wise who are enlightened about God look upon all alike like the wind that blows equal for the commoner and the King.

Langar and Sewa(voluntary service) are two practical measures adopted by Gurus to eradicate all feelings of superiority amongst followers. Guru Nanak says ego ridden person forgets that this life span is short and death would level the superiority if one possesses this vice. He says: raje, raiye,rank nahin rahna aiye jaiye jug chare  II  

Meaning: The Kings, the Emperors and the paupers shall not remain. They continue coming and going through all four ages.

Building upon this high prized human character becomes all the more important for making a national character otherwise we can never stand in the row of welfare oriented states in the world.

Looking forward...: GEMSOF GURBANINational Character – 3 ...

Looking forward...: GEMSOF GURBANINational Character – 3              ...: GEMSOF GURBANI National Character – 3                                                      Sharing (vand shakna) Charity and alms ar...

GEMSOF GURBANI

National Character – 3                                                     

Sharing (vand shakna)

Charity and alms are seen as negative values in Sikhism and are discouraged. Charity is seen as negative value because it adds ego in a person and it provides a religious sanction to clear your conscience which may be laden with the fear of God if one has been doing wrong things like corruption, exploitation, frauds and inhuman excesses on fellow human beings. The concept of charity has been developed by Brahmin in Hinduism as he himself was the receiver of charity in the form of cow, grains, gold, silver etc expensive items in the name of God. In Christianity charity is used as a tool to attract underprivileged people to convert into Christianity. All these acts are made into religious traditions to get sanctions for doing something that may not have the will of the Almighty.

There are others who give charity to earn a name for self and their families. You will find such people giving charity at places where there are large congregations near temples so that people recognize them and say that these are great benefactors. Guru Nanak warns from such fake people and asks to recognize who are sharing with. Because the beneficiaries could be people who are shy of work. He says: Gyan vihuna gaye geet II

               Bhukhe Mulla ghare masit II

               Makhtoo boye eke kann pharaye II

               Phakar kare horeh jaat gawaye  II

               Guru-peer sadaye mangan jaye II        

               Take mul na lagiye paye II       GG.Pg 1245

Meaning: one without divine knowledge sings sermons. The hungry Mullah turns his own home into a mosque. Becoming an idle, a good for nothing he pierces his  ear. Another one adopting mendicancy(beggars who go door to door in religious robes) loses his caste. Do not fall at the feet of those who call themselves Guru or Pir and go begging.

For sharing your earnings he warns from all such disguised beggars. He says: “Khet pachhaniye bije daan II so khatri dargah parwan II GG pg 1411

Meaning: You shall recognize the right fields to sow the seeds of beneficence. Then only you will be acceptable to the Lord.

When Guru Nanak is against charity and alms then why does he wants his followers to develop the character of sharing? Mostly people who come to wealth develop the habit of accumulating their wealth and ego becomes bloated and then they start forgetting the welfare of humanity. Gurus themselves had this bitter experience when they appointed masand for the collection of excess money from the Sikhs from far off places to develop the mission, Langar and Harmandir Sahib. Many of these masand saw cash money flow they started appropriating these funds and also started using pressure to part with the money. Ultimately Guru Gobind Singhji had to stop this practice. The human character becomes weak misuse and corruption starts. Still to build upon a character for sharing is necessary because the work and play of the Almighty cannot be fathomed and humanity can be in dire need of help. For example at the time of natural calamities like floods, earthquakes or any other disasters the fastest help needed can reach if we have that character of sharing. Most large Gurudwaras run langars all over the world and they need to be financed so it is the community sharing that fulfills this need. The help is also provided to the needy and sick. Education institutions and hospital are run by the community. Guru Nanak’s preaching is understood very well. The accompanying character of Sewa or free service has become important features of Sikh ethics. If we have this character of sharing imbibed at national level then we need not wait for the help to come from rich nations at the time of disasters

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANINational Character – 2WORK (Kirat k...

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANINational Character – 2WORK (Kirat k...: GEMS OF GURBANI National Character – 2 WORK (Kirat karni) A community like Indians who suffered humiliation, who were reduced to the...

GEMS OF GURBANI

National Character – 2

WORK (Kirat karni)

A community like Indians who suffered humiliation, who were reduced to the downtrodden state by foreigners and by own people and where inequality in the matters of social, economic and gender status became an eminent fact, presence of national character will be too much to ask. When a community is made to believe that your state of condition, your honour, your dignity are all due to your fate and destiny then bringing a change in their attitude will not require a revolution but a change in attitude over several generation could be the right approach. Exactly that approach was taken by Guru Nanak and the facts that he established were many. He observed that rich landlords, priest class and many who could manipulate others and make a living and wandering Sadhus and Jogis who didn’t do any work and lived from the labours of others by creating fear in people. The socialist concept that every able bodied person must work and earn his living in the larger interest of the society in order to avoid exploitation by the few powerful persons who maintain a luxurious life style without doing any work themselves may not have come from Gurbani. But Guru Nanak practices and preached these concepts centuries before Karl Marx laid these in his socialist doctrines. At the end of his several wandering missions Guru Nanak settled in Kartarpur and started doing agriculture to ingrain the work culture in his followers and he established a langar system and all the followers who visted him were asked to do sewa( free labour) to cook food and distribute. Work and working people were raised to a higher status in Guru Nanak’s preachings to establish respect for work and working class. There is one difference in Karl Marx’s and Guru Nanak’s doctrines. For Karl Marx religion makes a person lazy and worthless whereas Guru Nanak while criticizing worthless and lazy people has incorporated the religion in work culture of a person. Guru says:” Udham kareyenda jiyo tun kamavyan such bhuun wich II Dhiyandya tun prabhu mil, nanak utri chint II Gujri  waar mahala 5 GG 522 Meaning: By being industrious you shall earn the comfort and the peace on this earth and reciting and meditating on His Name thou shall meet the Lord and your anxiety shall vanish. The work with your hand and feet is encouraged remaining in touch with the Lord : haath pao kari kam sabuh cheet niranjan naal.II GG Page 1376

Before the parliamentary system came into being with rights and dignity for working class the situation in every country was same for the labour. He was exploited by the mighty and rich and was not even given a dignified status in the society. To plunder wealth the Islamists turks, pathans and Moguls came to India and remained here to amass wealth and live a luxurious life. They were so immersed in the luxury of wealth that they forgot they have to be prepared to face the attack of Babur and suffer genocide. Guru Nanak says: Is jar ghani viguti ini jar ghani khuayee II papan bazhu hove nahin muayan saath na jayee. GG 417 Meaning: for the wealth many are ruined and it has disgraced many. Without misdeeds it cannot be amassed and departs not with the dead.

Guru Nanak like the Bhagtas of the time didn’t want to leave anything for the conscience of the high caste and rich to change their attitude towards the working and lower castes. All his followers were working on the fields and shared this earning in a langar where food was cooked and distributed irrespective of caste and standing in the society. With this simple exercise the work, sharing, sewa and equality became the part of Gurus followers and paved way for respect to humanity as part of Sikh ethics.

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANINational Character – 1Sikh doctrine...

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANINational Character – 1Sikh doctrine...: GEMS OF GURBANI National Character – 1 Sikh doctrines call for a universal brotherhood sans borders but the actual ground reality is d...

GEMS OF GURBANI

National Character – 1

Sikh doctrines call for a universal brotherhood sans borders but the actual ground reality is different because the development history of mankind has seen nations coming into being with geographical boundaries. Each nation has further developed into societies with regional characteristics, languages, ideologies and political and economic aspirations. Accordingly the nation character building takes up and these are pronounced by the collective nature of their people. Mostly people in a country are driven by their rulers to expand and occupy territories for economic benefits but also to spread their belief. Mostly economic plunder and spread of belief goes hand in hand. Countries with Christianity and Islam were foremost in such plunder of wealth and spreading their religion. Islamic invaders made it a State policy to impose Islam by brutal force whereas European nations were more subdued with missionary work though they did support it with finances. Nations are forced directly or indirectly to abandon their culture, languages, political thinking. By imposing rules and regulations of the invaders and their subjective countries, the loss of a National character takes place and natives are humiliated and subjected to live in subjugation. In case of India there was no national character before the severe invasions by Muslim forces because our own Hindu society was divided by caste system and majority were forced to live a sub human life with no education and economic rights. The horizontal and  vertical division of the society was so strong that something like unity against foreign powers could not be built. This was always a land of plenty and the trade was good so the upper castes and the ruling class only indulged in luxurious life and no thought was given to nation and its security. Small geographical territories were the aim of Kings to earn enough revenue for living and maintaining an army. The society didn’t have the strength to stand united and fight invaders and colonialists who just came to plunder and establish their rules.

In the 15 century Guru Nanak contemplated on these matters and he tried to preach for a national character. The facts that he established were similar to those of Karl Marx of 19 th century albeit there is a difference that Karl Marx ‘s focus was ruling political class and changing the system of ruling in a revolution whereas Guru Nanak’s focus was to bring change to strengthen personal and collective attittude towards building a character. Indian society is basically religious so the God element also remains strongly implemented in Guru Nanak’s preaching. Guru Nanak laid foundation for a strong personal character and his principles can be applied universally and these principles of personal character can make a basis for national character. His principles of 1) Kirat karni (work) 2) wand shakna( share) 3) sanjhiwalta(equality) 4) brotherhood(bhrataribhav) 5) equal rights to women 6) socialist democracy(Lokraj) 7) religious tolerance and unity and 8) independence. These principles can be universally valid because they don’t need any religious sanctions and they are for personal growth and then the national character. Apart from this the human propensities like self respect and self confidence and respect for own culture and language should be paramount.

To continue……

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANIArt of Living – 11Sikhism is ground...

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANIArt of Living – 11Sikhism is ground...: GEMS OF GURBANI Art of Living – 11 Sikhism is grounded in forward looking optimism that Gurus cultivated in themselves as an example s...

GEMS OF GURBANI

Art of Living – 11

Sikhism is grounded in forward looking optimism that Gurus cultivated in themselves as an example so that the followers could make it part of their lives. Guru Nanak’s bold reprimands to the Rulers and their administrators, to Sidhas and fear cultivating Brahmins sounds more like a challenge. When he says: Raje shihn Mukkadam kutte…… he tries to awaken a spirit of chardi kala in dormant people who have lost all self respect he says:

 “so jivya jis man wasaya soi II          

   Nanak aur na jive koi         II

   Je jive patt lath jave           II

  Sabuh haram jeta kichh khave II” GGPg 903

Meaning: if you live without self respect then whatever you eat and achieve is all waste. Life becomes meaningless if you cannot recognize the real dharma of living life with self respect for yourself and the country. He suggested a new principle of worshipping that contained a self respectful life or death instead of slavery. For Guru Nanak social contentment was not a life without self respect and in slavery there was no spirit alive. A virtue of contentment or Santokh as we call it in Sikh ethics is an interpretation of continuous activity and hope that takes you away from psychological lethargy or feelings of distress and despair. Man gets ready to fight any adversities and challenges and that has given Sikhs a heritage of martyrdom. Its permanent disposition in human beings has a great moral and psychological value.  Cultivation of Chardi Kala a forward looking progressive virtue that could lead to contentment (Santokh) in Sikh followers was important and every Guru has contributed to cultivate this feature in their followers. Guru Nanak by challenging the oppressor, the tyrant, the Brahmin and the exploiters like jogis and corrupt officials. Guru Angad Devji developed gurmukhi and challenged the social system of the time that didn’t allow the education to all. Guru Amardas ji didn’t allow the audience to Akbar unless he eats food in Langar sitting in a pangat. Guru Ramdas ji created Amritsar and broke the myth of holi ganges. He made Amritsar in to a house of praises where people irrespective of caste could live together. A city where all four varnas and four religions could converge and Guru Arjun ji martyrs his life to fight the tyranny and asks his son to prepare the community to fight against atrocities. Guru Hargobindji create a new wave by adopting Miri-Piri and Guru Har Rai ji gives shelter to runaway prince Dara shikoh and challenges Auranzeb’s power that this is our dharma and we will keep doing it. Guru Teg Bahadurji martyred for the duty to human kind and human rights. Guru Gobind Singh ji created Khalsa to make a permanent disposition of Chardi Kala as an art of living in Sikhs.

By infusing this spirit in Sikhs a new identity has been given to Sikhs with a teaching that never to fall in despair or melancholy and this prepared the followers for fighting for their right wherever they are and untold sacrifices were given by men and women to keep their rights upright. Martyrdom is celebrated as a community get together (Jod-mela) in Sikhs and not as a memorial service. We praise our martyrs in daily prayers “Ardas” and also say that:”Nanak naam chardi kala tere bhane sarbat da bhala.” Meaning: Nanak says by reciting His name be in an ascendant spirit so that with His grace all His Creation can be benefitted.

On page 463of Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Nanak has taken the whole cosmos as the house of Lord where He dwells and enjoys His whole creation with glorious delight. Then why abandon his creation, corrupt or mutilate it for vested interests. Sikh world view is to live a positive life of a householder and living in a Society keep doing your social responsibilities

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANIArt of Living – 10Chardi kala or hi...

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANIArt of Living – 10Chardi kala or hi...: GEMS OF GURBANI Art of Living – 10 Chardi kala or highest degree of optimism: Chardi Kala is a state of mind that keeps a person chee...

GEMS OF GURBANI

Art of Living – 10

Chardi kala or highest degree of optimism: Chardi Kala is a state of mind that keeps a person cheerful, vigilant and brave to bear any adversities. This state of mind can vanish, lost or diffused due to many external factors like oppressions by rulers, social discriminations by religious heads as in Hindu Society, continuous invasions and plundering of country by Islamic people in India. Over several generations when people are forced to live in humiliation a kind of pessimism becomes the part of human nature. This kind situation pushed Indians in to a deep cleft of distress and helplessness. Over several generations people lived in the environment of melancholy and helplessness and give up on several characteristics was accepted and to avoid any unwarranted pains and sufferings it was advised to keep low profile and accept it as God’s will. During his several travels to study the facts of this downtrodden condition of the country Guru Nanak established several factors that could have caused this situation. He noticed that pessimism is one of the factors that people have lost will to counter the oppressors, rulers and socio-economic discriminations caused by the invaders and our own people. Guru Nanak was appalled to see that there is darkness (KUR) everywhere and people had just given up to this downtrodden state. This missing of optimism became one of the important characteristic for Guru Nanak to build in his followers. Guru Nanak’s consideration was to make it a part of art of living for his followers and this was not an easy task. It had taken several generations and the Nanak’s built it slowly ultimately Guru Gobind Singh ji could infuse this spirit of Chardi kala in his followers and it became part of Sikh ethics.  During one of his wanderings Guru Nanak reached Sumair Mountains in Himalaya where he encountered Sidhas. These are people who learn many expertises that can be shown as miracles and they tried to win over Guru Nanak to their cult. Guru Nanak remained unmoved so they tried to win him with their spiritual knowledge. They were left speechless by Guru’s counter arguments. Since they escape from worldly misery and abandon civilization they had no knowledge of state of affairs of the country. When they were intrigued by Guru’s knowledge of the country and he told the affairs in such painful manner that astonished and they wondered,” how could this happen in God’s own country?” Guru answered that they themselves are responsible for such conditions of the country because a country having such intelligent people who turn away from the affairs of the country by renouncing the world will be doomed because of your selfishness and selfish motives of achieving spiritual bliss you are forgetting the needs of people. People are suffering from the pains of invasions, social discriminations and ignorance. According to ancient Hindu belief a successful person is who achieves the attributes of Dharma (righteousness), Karma(fate), Artha(worldly prosperity) and Moksha( release from the rebirth in this world). Guru Nanak replaced this ancient belief by Naam( recitation of the Name of Almighty), Chardi Kala a belief in yourself and the Almighty that brings optimism, Bhana( Will or command of the Almighty), and Sarbat da bhala that is welfare of the universe in mind.

To continue……         

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANIArt of living – 9Nirbhay (fearless)...

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANIArt of living – 9Nirbhay (fearless)...: GEMS OF GURBANI Art of living – 9 Nirbhay (fearless): In the mulmantra or invocation in Japuji Sahib the word   Nirbhay has been attri...

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANIArt of living – 9Nirbhay (fearless)...

Looking forward...: GEMS OF GURBANIArt of living – 9Nirbhay (fearless)...: GEMS OF GURBANI Art of living – 9 Nirbhay (fearless): In the mulmantra or invocation in Japuji Sahib the word   Nirbhay has been attri...

GEMS OF GURBANI

Art of living – 9

Nirbhay (fearless): In the mulmantra or invocation in Japuji Sahib the word   Nirbhay has been attributed to the Lord. The literal meaning of this word is fearless and according to Guru Nanak only the Almighty can be fearless because the rest of His creation lives under His discipline and fear. This he expresses in his most beautiful poetry –Asa di waar. All his creation the sun, the moon, the earth, the fire, the wind, the ocean and the man live in the grip of His fear..

Bhay wich pawan wahe sadvau

Bhay wich chaleh lakh dareau

Bhay wich agan kadai waigar

Bhay wich dharti dabbi bhaar

Bhay wich induphire siir bhaar

Bhay wich raja dharma dwaar

Bhay wich suraj bhay wich chand

Koh krori chale na anant II   GG page 464 Asa di Waar Mahala 1

 The fear of Almighty makes the wind to blow, rivers to flow, fire to burn hot, earth to carry all the weight, rains to pour, Kings to follow the path of righteousness, sun to shine and moon to spread light. All his creation lives under His fear but in a discipline and performing a duty according to the will of the Supreme Being. Guru Nanak ji want the human beings to follow this fear and take a right path to become fearless like the Almighty. The fear that is created in humanity by selfish, powerful people for the benefit of their own vested interest are the fears about which Gurus try to warn. The fear from unseen, un-natural forces make you fearful and you start looking for solutions from the Astrologers, Pundit and grave dwellers (Sarwarias). This takes you away from realizing the will of the Lord and belief in yourself. In Gurbani Guru Nanak ji have given many terminologies to express the attributes of God like Akal, Nirbhau, Nirvair, Satnaam and with these he has tried to consolidate the direction to human beings that can lead for a right personal development of his character. A common person who does not follow the directions usually fall victim to the fears of one kind or another. A truthful person who fears only God becomes fearless and his actions and deeds also become truthful. A fearless person can always speak truth in any circumstances and such people never remain sad and don’t fall prey to psychological problems like distress and depressions. On page 84 GG..” so dare jo paap kamavanda dharma vigsetu  II meaning: He alone who commits sins is in fear and the virtuous one rejoices. Though, Thyself  are true and true is your justice, then why man should be afraid.

Greed and cravings to possess more can take man to path of self demolition of his nature and in the process of multiplying his possessions he might grab what does not belong to him; he might hurt others and himself because the fear of exposure might haunt him all the time. A person who learns to live above greed and cravings can become fearless and his deeds and acts are also fearless. The Almighty does not have any weaknesses therefore He is always fearless Being fearless He is truth. Guru Nanak says: “Adi sachh jugad sachh II hai bhi sachh Nanak hosi bhi sachh II GGpg 1  Meaning: He is true from the beginning when He expressed Himself. He is true from the beginning of the ages. He is true now and He shall always be true.

When the Almighty is true His justice is always truthful. Only a fearless person can do truthful justice since he is not under pressure of any kind. Therefore attaining this attribute becomes an important part of human life. On the way to attain this attribute one needs to have the fear of Lord in mind. In bavan akhri enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib Kabir says the alphabet d should produce daar( fear) of Lord. “When Lord’s fear is produced in one’s mind all other fears vanish. Once you stop fearing Lord all other fears cling to you. Only if a person becomes fearless the fear of mind flees away.” GG page 341( dada daar upaje daar jaye…………….)

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of living – 8Surrender of Ego –...

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of living – 8Surrender of Ego –...: Gems of Gurbani Art of living – 8 Surrender of Ego – Haumai Ego or haumai as it is called in Punjabi is a state of mind when it is r...

Gems of Gurbani

Art of living – 8

Surrender of Ego – Haumai

Ego or haumai as it is called in Punjabi is a state of mind when it is ruled by feelings of self-love, self –concern and I am-ness. This state arises from man’s immediate environment when he is consciously taught about his caste status, standing of his family in the society, his economic status and his understanding that he gets that he is above others in other words a complex of superiority is ingrained. When man develops this kind of complexes he cannot learn the higher values and the purpose of his life as per the will of Almighty. As a result there are direct social consequences that cause inequality, intolerance and urge to oppress others and misuse of power. At personal level an ego-ridden person becomes proud and his pride restrains him from interacting with others. Such people start doing actions and deeds of wayward nature. In Gurbani such people are called manmukh because they listen only to their mind. Ego ridden person when comes to riches he likes to show off by pilgrimages, donation of free food, charities to express that he is above others. With all this excessive show of acts and deeds the pride ratio keeps growing and the vital link between Almighty and man’s part of divine lineage gets diluted. There are another set of people who acquire knowledge and inner spiritual development but because of their ego they don’t like to share and benefit the humanity. The downfall in the values of higher caliber may not come under the purview of the ego-ridden person but others know how to evaluate. Guru Amardas says: “the riches of the world give rise to excessive ego; the man drowns in the pride and receives no honour. GG.pg.666

There are people who perform heroic deeds and suffer pain to feed their pride. Mostly such people work under the force of their own will and not the Will of Almighty. Guru says: “They are not called heroes who die of pride and suffer pain.”  GG pg 1089…sure eh na akhiye…….

Guru Arjun ji has very clearly tried to explain the destiny of an ego ridden person,” The King who is proud of his kingship is a hell dweller a dog, he who is proud of his youth and believes that he is ever going to be young is a worm of ordure. He who calls himself a man of good actions and proud of that will never get salvation. He who is proud of worldly riches like land and wealth is stupid blind and ignorant. He in whose heart Lord mercifully plants a seed of humbleness, O Nanak obtains salvation here and hereafter. ( Jis ke antar raj abhiman…..).

Thus we see that ego has been awarded a negative value in Sikh ethics and its surrender alone can lead to socially accepted living. Ego ridden person are not welcome though their wealth, power, and people’s dependence for economic reasons may make them acceptable but they are not welcome.

“A humble person abides in peace. By stilling his ego he behaves meekly. All those haughty and proud people are consumed by their pride.” GG pg.278 …sukhi base maskiniya……

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of living – 7Tolerance – Sehans...

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of living – 7Tolerance – Sehans...: Gems of Gurbani Art of living – 7 Tolerance – Sehansheelta. There are several levels of understanding tolerance namely personal, com...

Gems of Gurbani

Art of living – 7

Tolerance – Sehansheelta.

There are several levels of understanding tolerance namely personal, communal or religious, economical and political. For world peace all levels of understanding and practicing tolerance are required. This is possible if tolerance at individual level is understood, ingrained as part of your nature and practiced to enhance your own image in the society. There have been great upheavals in the history of mankind to overpower others for the economic benefits and impose religions or faith by force. An overdose of tolerance was practiced by certain societies or they were reduced to the status of downtrodden by their own people and made to believe that tolerance is their only fate. The zealous believers of Islam still think that if the whole world is converted to Islam they can safeguard their place in heaven so is the case with Christian missionaries and a constant effort by them to convert others continues. This results in hatred and a collective effort by intolerant people keeps disturbing peace in the world. Powerful nations have been always exploiting poorer nations and on top of it they have been being intolerant in their behaviour towards the natives because they were ingrained that they are superior and others must tolerate them. Therefore it is though necessary to ingrain tolerance but not blindly. Why not blindly because that may cause tendencies to bear tyranny, religious imposition, political and economical dominations by the powerful and that gives rise to ignorance and cowardice. With tolerance other faculties of human nature needs to be sharpened. For the development of all round human and civilized character Gurbani gives us lot of guidance and tolerance is one of them. In this chapter we shall see what gurus and their contemporaries have to tell us because tolerance is an important feature for world peace. Tolerance is one of the characteristic of civilized behavior and the basis for world peace.

Shaikh Farid’s verse on page 1378 of Guru  Granth Sahib says:

Farida jo tai maran mukiyan tina na mare ghumm II

Apnade ghar jayiye pair tina de chumm II

Shaikh Farid was victim of religious intolerance because he believed in equality and one Supreme Lord for everyone. Mostly intolerance is shown in the matters of religion. Though the basis of all religions is on good values but people with half baked knowledge indulge in intolerant behavior and mass hysteria is created by the vested interests and they cultivate intolerance for their sinister plans. The founders of every religion had welfare of humanity on their mind but intolerance raises the point of conflict. Guru Amardasji reflected this in one of his verse that man should widen his horizon and view for the world peace. He says: “O Lord, the world is on fire. Showering thy benediction save it Thou. Through whichever way it can be delivered, deliver it that wise.” Jagat Jalanda……GG page 853, Waar Bilawal mahala 3

People who develop love and caring for humanity irrespective of caste and creed are above selfishness. When you come above selfishness you automatically develop tolerance. Sikh Gurus have lived by example for this value of tolerance and to develop this value amongst their followers. They instituted langar system where food was cooked and served irrespective of caste and standing in the society. This was to show to high caste Hindus to tolerate their low caste and poor brethren so that they know the value of equality. Sikh gurus were tortured to martyrdom by Mogul but they never ever showed hatred for Islam or preached against it. At the same time they never tolerated oppression by state or religious heads and spoke vehemently against it. Guru Nanak says: “another’s right is swine for him( Muslim) and cow for him(Hindu) but the Guru or prophet will stand surety if man does not eat carrion. GG page 141 hakk paraya nanaka…….    By carrion he means the flesh and blood of people with dormant spirits. When tyranny and oppression exceeds their limits it is necessary to fight them and this also is a service to humanity. The difference between what to tolerate and what not has to be clearly understood. Guru Nanak in one of his verse on page 140 says:”if clothes get stained with blood the garment gets polluted. Those who suck the blood of others how can their mind be pure.” 

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of living – 6Truthful – Sachiar...

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of living – 6Truthful – Sachiar...: Gems of Gurbani Art of living – 6 Truthful – Sachiar Being truthful is a state of self realization. Guru Nanak says; “Truth is highe...

Gems of Gurbani

Art of living – 6

Truthful – Sachiar

Being truthful is a state of self realization. Guru Nanak says; “Truth is higher than everything else but true conduct is higher than even the truth.” GG pg. 62  

When man starts walking on the path of truthful living it is arduous and one can stumble upon it if one does not follow the other attributes like surrender of ego or haumai, acquiring humbleness, tolerance and optimism. The final stage of sachiar is arrived when the truth becomes principle of life to maintain equality, non-exploitation, and love for humanity, knowledge and unity. In one of his verse Guru Amardasji says: “Truth is enshrined in Guru and truth he enshrines in others. The mortals he blesses with true Name. He within whose soul truth is enshrined his body and mind becomes true as well. Nanak, if man submits to the true Lord’s command, the Lord blesses him with true glory. He to whom Lord shows true mercy, he merges in the true Lord.”   GG  Mahala 3  page 1089. 

For Guru Nanak truthful conduct alone was not enough he wanted the mankind to stand up against the tyranny, wrong behavior of the rulers and powerful and the religious heads who divided the society and perpetrated crime of caste system. That is why his mission was to propagate one Supreme Being for all humanity. He says:” eko hukam warte sab loi,”

“ reyat raje kaha sabaye, duh antar so jassi, kehat Nanak Guru Sachhe ki pauri, rehsi alakh niwasi. Maru GG. 1 pg 1016 .  To stand against wrong is another truth that we learn from Gurbani if one can notice that Guru Grant Sahib has enshrined the bani of many bhagtas but all this bani is to recognize the truth of one Supreme Being and bringing equality in the mankind and come above caste system. None of these Bhagtas could become so courageous to tell the truth to the powerful and mighty and inspire people to bring a change in themselves so as to lead an independent life. Guru Nanak openly admonishes the rulers and the mighty when he says: raje shihn, mukadam Kutte……GG page 1288 with this he has tried to infuse an awakening in people by calling the rulers as man eater lion and their administrators as dogs who pounce upon the left overs of the blood and flesh that these man-eaters are extracting from the people with dormant spirits.  On page 903 the beginning verse Guru Nanak admonishes the people and tries to awaken their dormant spirit by telling the truth of his time, when he says: Kalyuga has arrived and the justice of the three ages has now ceased and in this age Muslim law decides the cases and the blue robed Quazi has become the judge. Worship without faith, discipline without truthfulness and janeyu or sacred thread without chastity of what avail are these? The glory can be obtained only if you leave all these empty rituals of bathing and applying tilak( sacrificial mark on forehead) and start the good deeds. Thus without hesitation Guru Nanak admonishes the wrong doers because he obtained the final stage of being Sachiar that gives him the power from Almighty to speak the truth.

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of Living – 5With indoctrinatio...

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of Living – 5With indoctrinatio...: Gems of Gurbani Art of Living – 5 With indoctrination of religious values most suitable to the religious heads who have assumed power ...

Gems of Gurbani

Art of Living – 5

With indoctrination of religious values most suitable to the religious heads who have assumed power and sway over people and economic and social domination by the ruling class the growth of individual values suffer and society tends to lose the analytical power. Instead the individuals develop a sheep mentality and they behave and act as all others. The best example of this is the behavior of people during riots. The 1984 genocide of Sikhs in India is the best example when people simply followed the conspiracy instigated by Rajiv Gandhi and other congress men to eliminate Sikhs in Delhi and other parts of the country. Most rioters never even once gave second thought that something could be wrong on the other end and that these very Sikh’s Guru had laid his life to save the Hindu religion and its elimination from this country. Same kind riots were again repeated in Gujrat.The political and religious heads play with the psyche of the people by dominating with doctrines, ideology and muscle power. This is a downfall of civic and social values in a Society. These types of game plans are prominent in Indian sub continent only where people get instigated in the name of religion or idol worshipping because they have lost the inner strength of an analytical mind and un learned the art of living as per the guidance or will of the Creator. It is Guru Nanak who fully understood the meaning of art of living and wanted the whole universe to understand its value and develop the inner strength and we can turn again and again to Gurbani and the truth keeps revealing itself. During the end of his journey on this earth he wanted to practically live the values that The Creator had enlightened in him and also he understood that his enlightenment needs more time to spread on this earth. The need of values and their ingraining as human nature was necessary so that the powers vested in the single religious or political head gets diffused forever. The human beings are social animals and like to live in groups so the development of families, societies and nations have taken place. Every society and nation has developed certain value system so that the life becomes harmonious for its members. The problem arises when the vested interests manipulate values and rules and instead of a dynamic society we get a society ridden with rigidity and static values. As a result we can see most religions have created rigid boundaries and the members are expected to behave in a particular manner as fixed by their rule books. Guru Nanak was born in a time when two major religions had created very stressful situations for the humanity and his enlightenment paved the way to definitely liberate people from this kind of situation. Guru Nanak’s vision encompasses not only The Supreme Creator but cosmos, man, nature and society or the universe in totality. Guru Nanak believed in the divine lineage of human being thus he was hopeful of the potential of man developing into a perfect human being who would listen to the Supreme Being for guidance he called him Gurmukh, the fifth Guru called him Brahm Gyani and the tenth Master as Khalsa. For attaining this perfect human being status man needs to understand and posses many attributes of character. First of all man should not cause any hindrance in the Will of the Almighty and understand and recognize the Will of Lord. Man cannot have an aimless life so the purpose of life should be understood. Man needs to understand that God has bestowed him with highest intelligence that needs to be best utilized for the benefit of mankind, nature and his immediate environment. As his understanding of these matters establishes he starts growing into becoming a perfect human being (Gurmukh). The following characteristic traits should become part of his growth process and they are: 1. He should become truthful( Sachiar),2. Tolerent( sehansheel) , 3. Surrender his ego( haumai), 4.Fearless( Nirbhay), 5.Highest degree of optimism(Chardi Kala).

To continue…….

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of Living – 4By following insti...

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of Living – 4By following insti...: Gems of Gurbani Art of Living – 4 By following institutionalized religions with their code of conduct and other instructions man start...

Gems of Gurbani

Art of Living – 4

By following institutionalized religions with their code of conduct and other instructions man starts unlearning the art of living. With centuries of indoctrination the personal analytical mind and freedom for righteous way of living gets lost. The religious societies start behaving in a particular collective system. Not to go far back in history the country was divided on the basis of religion in 1947 and the collective behaviour that crossed all parameters of human and civilized behaviour could be seen using their naked hatred and wrath. Both religious and political heads could do little about it. The outcome and the brunt were borne by the Punjabis in most possible brutal manner by loosing lives in millions and humiliation of women. It is not the Creators guidance that can cause such havoc and that is what Guru Nanak has tried to teach us to understand ourselves and take the divine guidance and not to let the collective behaviour taught by the religions to overpower our mind and behave in a manner that is not approved by the civilized societies. To highlight that the personal development with particular values that are approved by the Creator he cites many historical incidents that we need to understand from Gurbani. When Babur reached Kandhar there was news that next he will attack Punjab and the Muslim rulers mostly Pathans were indulging in sinful living of alcohol and womanising and same was the case with Hindu Rajas. The soldiers never had the practice of weapons and people were so downtrodden with their superstitious beliefs and their dying spirit and then when the news of Babur’s invasion came they were told to tie talismans and pray that the invaders are blinded by the wrath of God and Allah. Babur’s soldiers were trained and they had cannons. The princes were cut into pieces and rolled in dust. No Mogul was blinded and no miracle happened. This genocide happened near Aimanabad and Guru Nanak was witness to this whole episode. This is documented in Granth Sahib on page 417-18 as;

Is jar karan ghani viguti, inn jar ghani khuayi I

Papan bajh hove nahin, muyian saath na jayi I

Jis nu aap khuaye karta, khus laye chhangiyai I

Koti ku Peer varaj rahaye, ja mir suniya dhaya I

Than mukam jale bij mandar, much much kuiyar rulaya I

Koi Mugal na hoa andha, kinne na parch laya I

Mugal pathana bhai larayii, ran me teg wagayi I

Uni tupak taan chalai inni hast charai I

Jinni ki chiri dargah patti, tina marna bhai I asa mahal 1 asht Page 417-18

This all happened because the strength of personal convictions was lost and all the religious heads and Kings who were teaching codes of conduct could do nothing. Such things will keep repeating in the history unless we learn the art of living as per Creators guidance.

To continue……

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of living – 3Guru Nanak’s trave...

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of living – 3Guru Nanak’s trave...: Gems of Gurbani Art of living – 3 Guru Nanak’s travels consolidated his faith in Almighty and his realization of the truth and the fac...

Gems of Gurbani

Art of living – 3

Guru Nanak’s travels consolidated his faith in Almighty and his realization of the truth and the fact that the world has divided the Creator for their own beliefs and ideologies and these powerful people were imposing them on others. People were forgetting the Art of Living and there was darkness all around and only the way of powerful was working. This was not the way the Creator wanted His creation to be. Guru Nanak observed that the world has become place for struggling like the arena of wrestlers with two kinds of wrestlers the ones who listened to their own heart and mind and followed the negative forces of lust, wrath, greed, money and ego. He called them Manmukh and the others who followed the guidance of Guru (Creator) and remained in harmony with Creator and His creation were able to beat the negative forces. He called these wrestlers as Gurmukh. In one of his verse which is documented in Granth Sahib as Waar an art of poetry popular in Punjab that is usually sung to enhance the spirit of listeners to make them feel brave and depict the bravery of the person in whose praise it is sung. “Chhinj’ is very popular in Punjab till to date where wrestlers compete in tournaments. Guruji say:

                  Aappe Chhinj pawai, mallakhada rachiya I

                  Lathhe bhadhthu paye, Gurmukh machiya                                                                    Manmukh mare pachad, murakh kachiya I

                  Aaap bhide mare aap, aap karaj rachiya I4I              Waar Malhar, mahala 1,                                        

                                                                                                                   Page 1280

      By suggesting us that this world has become a struggling place like an arena of wrestlers Guru says, what we have to learn is that He has pervaded in us and given us part of his divinity and we have to recognize that and proceed to better our art of living. Though he says Lord Himself has created these discrepancies by making two personalities of opposing nature and caused strife by spreading the gospel of Vedas. Manmukh who only listens to his heart and mind is a worthless egocentric and looses in the court of Lord whereas Gurumukh who follows the instruction of Guru win over the lust and wrath like a warrior. Attachment and detachment are the two sides the Creator has created and it is the righteousness or dharma that will make the decision as to who is right. Guru says a Pauri in the same verse on page 1280    :

              Dove tarphe upaiy ek wartaiya  II                  

              Bed bani wartayi andar waad ghatiya II 

              Parvirat, nirvirat hathha dove wich dharma phire rebariya II

              Manmukh kache kudiyar tinni nischau dargah hariya  II

              Gurumukh sabad soor hai kaam krodh jinni mariya    II

The world is like a drama for the Creator and maybe He enjoys seeing the struggle of people but knows that whoever follows His instruction and create an atmosphere of harmony with all concerned will win over in His court.

To continue……

Basant Panchami – today on the fifth lunar day of the month Maagh a festival of Spring is celebrated in Punjab. This is a festival typically dedicated to the season of the year. Before partition this festival was celebrated by people of all religions by Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims and had nothing to do with religion. People wore yellow clothes, added saffron to sweets and cooked yellow halva and rice. Ladies joined together and swayed swings and men pulled their kites. After partition all the charm of Basant fairs was lost and now Hindus and Sikhs go to temples and
Gurudwaras and pay obeisance. In Amritsar Golden temple hymns in Basant raga are sung throughout the month of Maagh. Basant the yellow colour which is the colour of spirituality and wisdom comes from the colour of the season from glowing flowers of the sarson or mustard that are interspersed with the young yellow green sprouting wheat saplings. In winter the trees in Punjab become bare but they still spread their magic when they try to peep through the thick fog that engulfs the whole scenario. Punjab is most scenic in the spring when morning begin cold strewn with fog and sun trying to show its strength and dispersing the
fog, school children waiting shivering on roadside for their school buses, milkmen collecting milk. The sun finally pushes the fog and the day with its yellowish light spreads its magical charm and young wheat sprouts and mustard look like a nature’s best woven carpet. Hindus on this day pay obeisance to Goddess Saraswati who is considered as the bestower of word and knowledge. In ancient times children were initiated to learn words on this day. Sufis who travelled with the invaders from turkey into India enjoyed the beauty of this season and wrote couplets to praise the Almighty and that is how this festival was celebrated by all.

Gems of Gurbani

Art of living – 2

The fine balances of ethical values have to become the part of one’s art of living in human societies in a larger perspective. The religion plays a great role in making of such societies provided the religion teaches tolerance for the otherwise thinking societies or religions that would live parallel and stop provocation or hatred. In the time contemporary to Guru Nanak a wide communication gap, intolerance and hatred existed between Hindus and Muslims. The power, wealth and religious zealots from central Asia and Arabia started pouring in India as invaders and created havoc by using brutal force to establish themselves. The Hindu society hated them and called them Malechh – untouchables. The invaders who used brutal force and banished and humiliated the natives of India became egocentric and thought only if everyone becomes Muslim he is worth keeping company. The fact that Guru Nanak realized was that the human being who are created by the same Creator could become so distant to each other and that was all because of the people who took over the charge of religion assumed that God has given them this power and now it is up to them to wield their power and keep the Creation separated. In this power greedy status all the religious heads, Kings, rich class people become one and play with the emotions of the people. By retaining power and by playing the show of conservatism the power hungry heads refrain people to learn from the real values for the art of living. For retaining the power position the heads of religions, political states do not like to delegate power to all others who may be equally interested in the proper development of the society and which may be beneficial to the society at large. This way the religions are institutionalized and no scope for contributions by the welfare oriented are left. Guru Nanak who was born as an enlightened soul realized the truth in his childhood but to confirm and consolidate his convictions he took several travels to get firsthand experience of the state of people in India and Asia. His teachings which he expresses in his poetry of the contemporary style and his collection of the verses of poets from 12 th century onwards are all enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib. The prevalent language in which the verses of Granth Sahib are written is called Sant bhasha or santukdi. Grammatically it is difficult and different from modern Punjabi and there is mixture of other languages like Farsi, Arabic, Marathi, Brij etc. The poets whose verses he collected from all over India were actually reformers who had realized the same truth as Guru Nanak but unfortunately didn’t have the vision of Guru Nanak to travel and spread the truth more vehemently. They remained in their small geographical sphere and were brutalized by the Rulers for raising a voice of freedom and truth. Guru Nanak had another advantage that he belonged to the so called high caste of Kshatriyas and his excellence in debating about the matter of religions, state of people and country, his analytical power, his courage to admonish rulers, jogis, Kazi or mullah, Brahmin or priests and even God were so strong that his gaze alone was enough to make people speechless when he argued.

To continue…..

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of living –1Bringing a total ch...

Looking forward...: Gems of GurbaniArt of living –1Bringing a total ch...: Gems of Gurbani Art of living –1 Bringing a total change in the way of thinking about religion, rituals, concepts of God, social dutie...

Gems of Gurbani

Art of living –1

Bringing a total change in the way of thinking about religion, rituals, concepts of God, social duties and social hierarchy is nothing short of a revolution. There have been many revolutions in the recent history of mankind to bring about changes in the political and economic changes but they were short lived and they caused bloodshed, distress and short lived political gains. The Bolsheviks, French and Chinese revolutions in the recent history of mankind are good example. The changed political Masters themselves became authoritarians and ruled the people with iron fist. The revolutions still created classes and kept people divided and suppressed. Total change in old values and giving rise to the new and making them to be the art of living is indeed a revolution that Guru Nanak stirred by creating a universal society called Sikhs. In a society like Hindus with age old value system of thousands of years that reached a deteriorating state where morality, humanity, bravery had fallen to a chaotic level and where invaders with their new found religion Islam used force and brutality to Islamize and rule this country, in such a society bringing a change and creating a new value system is indeed a revolution. The other revolutions targeted political systems, monarchies, religions and higher classes to bring about a change. None of these revolutions targeted a change in the society itself or more precisely human beings. In modern times the great thinkers, industrialists, organizations and philosophers have realized that man needs a perfect balance of ethical values for perfect performance of duties to the organization or even the Nation. The best business schools, the Art of Living classes cannot bring an overnight change in human beings to make fine balance of ethical values. These values or value system needs to be ingrained in human psyche and that should be the character of religion in which one is born that teaches you tolerance, truth of God and value of human life. Hindu society having higher values but failed on the human front by dividing the society into caste system and Islam that zealously wanted to change the world into Islamic thinking only by force and brutality failed on human front. Buddhism and Jainism also failed on human front by negating the existence of God. The truth of God as in mul mantra Ek Onkar Karta Purakh, Nirbhau, Nirvair, Akal Murat, Ajuini, Saibhung, Gur Prasad is the one that makes man realize that the Almighty is there and also within us. Only after this realization we can seek guidance for the Art of Living and make a fine balance of ethical values.

To be continued…….