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.