GEMS OF GURBANI

Guru Granth Sahib ji -2

When a baby is born its first concern is its hunger. It cannot see properly or recognize anyone but the moment the mother brings her breast to it, it starts sucking. The hunger is a primary phenomenon that man learns even before knowing the source that satisfies his hunger and that is his mother. This primary need hunger can give many directions to the life of a person and he makes himself busy in all types of daily chores in that he learns the ways of the world. The worldly affairs without the elements of compassion or love are like Kur (darkness) and makes man directionless. A man who has no direction in his life can become victim of oppression, suppression, confused and powerless. For inner strength, convictions, bravery and consciousness it is important to elevate one’s spiritual quest. This spiritual quest has been named hunger by Guru Arjun Devji in the above mentioned shloka of raag Mundavini. To quell this hunger ( emancipation or udhar) the three things that have been served in Thaal (Guru Granth Sahib) are truth, contentment and meditation. In other words a path is shown to emancipate oneself from the dark ocean of worldly mess.

The uniqueness of this Granth or scripture is not only its composition in musical ragas and classical prose but the broadmindedness of its acceptance of other scriptures that have been written much before its time. The acceptance comes because the Sikh doctrines of Guru Nanak believes in Sanjhiwalta that is universal brotherhood and any scripture that gives message of this brotherhood and belief in one God concept has been accepted. In Guru Nanak’s own words : Chheh ghar chheh updes II Gur gur ekko ves anek II1II  Baba jai ghar Karte kirat hoye II so ghar raakh wadai toi (Sohila ang 12) GG.” There may be six teachers, six concepts or doctrines to sing your praise O Lord. But the teacher of all teachers is one Lord though he may appear in various Images. O father the house where in the praises of the Creator are uttered follow that system or doctrine. In it rests thy greatness.”

The concept of one God has been so strongly represented in Sikh Doctrines that  any scriptures that reveals this truth of oneness of Lord is accepted and promoted because in it lies the greatness of the Lord himself. This is indeed a unique concept and a revolutionary step to promote the one God concept. History is witness of this fact that most major religions that do not belong to India or that their origin is not India have been at war to establish their supremacy. All major religions have been taking help of the Rulers by force or oppression to force their supremacy on people. There have been attempts to make rules and conditions to downgrade the beliefs of others and force their own. In Sikhism there been rejections of all such beliefs that worked against the welfare of humanity and that promoted the multiplicity of the God to the extent that presence of One God whose Will or Hukam prevails was neglected.