GEMS OF GURBANI

National Character – 12

Awareness of a negative character

Guru Nanak ji’s several missionary travels were not without incidents that made deep impact on his thinking and analyzing the reasons for the downfall of Indian society and conditions of slavery in our own country. On one his travels he was in Aimnabad that came under attack of the invader Babur. The attack was so brutal that everywhere dead bodies of young men were laying scattered, houses and crops in the fields were all burnt and most of the women were captured, raped and hair shorned their babies were not spared. Guru Nanak and Mardana were captured too and forced to grind wheat to make floor for the soldier’s food. After humiliation most women were forced to grind to prepare food for the invading looters. When Guru Nanak saw this tragic humiliation of the daughters of this country his poetic soft heart couldn’t bear it and he cried and contemplated on this matter. His creation on this matter is known as Baburwani in which he not only reprimands the tyrant but also the countrymen and expresses his thoughts vehemently and boldly. His reprimands sound like challenge but a truthful person can say anything because he explicitly gives correct reasons. He says Indians came to this downfall because they were too busy living a luxurious life, enjoying all kinds of vices. Such a life made them carefree, weak, and depressed and paralyzed their powers. They were just not aware enough to contemplate that a tyrant can come and make them slaves for centuries. Pathan, Turks and Lodhis who had already settled here were sailing in the same boat. The worst thing was what pained Guru Nanak the most was that daughters of this country were subjected to these inhuman humiliations and their youth and beauty became their enemies. After humiliations they were sold in the markets as slaves.  

Guru Nanak says; dhan joban duyi wairyee hoye jinni rakhe rang laye II dutta no pharmaya le chale patt gavaye II je tis bhave de wadiyayee, je bhave deyee sajayee II GG Pg 417  Meaning; Both wealth and beauty that afforded them pleasure are now become their enemies. The order was given to the soldiers who having dishonoured them, took them away. If He (Lord) pleases he will grant greatness. If it pleases Him He will award punishment. If man had contemplated on this why would He punish?

He remembers that : jin sier sohan pattiyan mangi payee sindhur II

                                   Se sier kati muniyan gaal wich avey dhur II

                                   Mahalan andar hondiyan hun bahin na miley hadur IIGG.417

Meaning: the heads that were adorned with tresses and vermillion are now shorn with scissors and their throats are choked with dust. Those who were living in the palaces are not allowed to stay near them. He says the rulers lost their conscience in merry-making, sensual spectacles and revelments. Guru says the Lord punishes because man and the responsible people forgot their moral duties and Baburwani happened. Baba Nanak is so perturbed with this kind of insult that he keeps asking questions to awaken people.( Plz read the full page 417 to know more)

The condition of women in today’s context is not better anymore when you daily read the news of exploitations, rapes, bashing, and humiliation of women of every class. One questions whether we give proper moral education to our children to grow this negative virtue of disrespect to women. It seems this negative virtue has become a part of Indian National Character otherwise we may not have so many beastly men who pounce upon women and dishonor their chastity, disregard their womanhood and their freedom to live a natural life.

To continue…….