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….