GEMS OF GURBANI

Guru Granth Sahib – 8

Guru Nanak’s anger on the socio-political situation was expressed against the high caste Hindus especially Khatri or kshatriyas who had forgotton their duties of defending the country instead they adopted the ways of the Islamic invaders, their languages for their personal gains. He shows his contempt for such disgraceful behavior in various verses and on many occasions. He says: khatriyan te dharma chhodiya malechh bhakhiya gahi II srishti sab ikk varan hoyi dharma ki gat rahi II GG ang 663 M1

Meaning: Khatris have abandoned their righteousness and have started speaking the language of the malechh (the Islamic invaders and those who adopted their religion were called Malechh). The whole universe is being given to the evil and the righteousness is getting lapsed.

The invaders started ruling this country by overpowering the khatris and for effecting their rule and justice they took the help of Khatris. To proclaim their rule the injustice was done in many ways like they started charging taxes for having your own belief and Hindus were taxed to go to their pilgrim places, they couldn’t ride horses and were supposed to wear coarse clothes. Guru Nanak said in one of his verse; Adi purakh ko Allah kahiye shekhan aiyee vari II

Deval devtayan kar laga aisee kirat chali II5II Kujja bang niwaz musla neel roop banwari II ghar ghar mian sabhuna jiyan boli awar tumahri II6II GG.ang 1191

Meaning: The primal Lord is called Allah. The turn of the Muslim quazi has come. Taxes are being levied on God’s temples, such policies are being practiced.The ablution pots, calls to prayers and prayer carpets are seen everywhere and the lord appear in blue form. In every house you are being addressed as Mian and your language has changed O men.

It is very necessary to understand the thought process of Guru Nanak because his thinking is not only for the contemporary time period of his presence but his contemplations that resulted in his anger for people in power, religious heads, tyrant rulers and people getting downtrodden and distressed are forever valid. He has tried to awaken people from their slumber and asked them to build a strong character and take the path of reciting only one God's name. God is only one and he treats everyone equally. Any one who is strong will not fall prey to slavery; a strong person will always fight for his rights, his culture and his language and his country. Once you honour your values, you retain your self respect and confidence.