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Sikhism
 Sikhism
is the religion of the Sikhs, the followers of Guru Nanak. Sikh, translated
literally, means disciple. It is the Punjabi form of the word 'shishya'.
Sikhism arose at a time when the masses were on the lookout for a religion
that would bring them closer to God. The Hindu religion had grown too complex
and formal and the Muslim rulers were too tyrannical.
Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism.
He was born in a small town in Talwandi to an educated family. Nanak was
an intelligent boy and learnt Arabic, Persian, and Sanskrit in addition
to the other subjects. Since an early age he had a questioning temperament,
and stood by his beliefs. When he was but a boy, he refused to wear the
sacred thread at the thread ceremony, (a custom among Hindus) as he felt
that one must remain pious in the head and heart without indulging in external
acts of piety. Similarly, when he saw Brahmins offering oblations in the
water to their ancestors, he faced the other direction and started sprinkling
water. When asked what he was doing, Nanak said that he was offering water
to his fields. He argued that if the water could reach their ancestors
in another world, surely they could reach paddy fields, which were relatively
so close! Another day Nanak was sitting with his feet facing the mosque.
When the Muslims asked him to turn his feet elsewhere, he argued that no
matter which direction he would face his feet, they would face God, as
God was everywhere.
The Nine Gurus
Soon people began to recognise Nanak
as a man of God. Nanak was a very learned man, who travelled all over the
country spreading his teachings. After Guru Nanak, there were nine gurus.
These were Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan, Guru Har
Govind, Guru Hari Rai, Guru Har Kishan, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind
Singh, in that order.
Of these, Guru Gobind Singh was the
most important after Nanak, as he formalised the Sikh religion. He had
to convert the Sikh religion into an active one as it was suffering at
the hands of the Mughal rulers. He gave it a militant form, as he believed
the Sikhs must use force, if necessary, to protect their country and Dharma.
Five Symbolic
Wears
The Guru instructed his followers
to put on five symbolic wears: Kesha that is long hair that must not be
cut, which is a way of pledging their dedication to their holy commitment,
just like ancient sages. Kangha, a comb to keep their long hair neat and
tidy, Kada, a steel bracelet worn on the right hand to remind one not to
do wrong, Kaccha, underwear, for chastity, and finally the Kirpan, dagger,
that must be carried for protection.
Teachings of Sikhism
Guru Nanak (as well as all the Gurus
after him) denounced the idea of a personal God as well as any kind of
idol worship. There was also no ritualism, which at that time was coming
in the way of the progress of Hinduism. Nanak did not advocate asceticism.
He himself was a householder. One should be a man of the world, yet not
be too attached to it. The GuruGranth Sahib is the holy book of the Sikhs
in which whatever was written by the Gurus and other holy men, like Kabir,
Namdeo, Surdas and Farid, exist in poetry form. The book is kept as a guide
for all Sikhs in their temple or Gurudwara as they do not believe in idol
worship. Sikhism denounces idol worship, untouchability, the caste system,
taboos against women, and worshipping God.
Places of Worship
The Sikhs visit the Gurudwara for
worship. There are four famous Gurudwaras in India the most famous being
the one in Amritsar known as Harmandir. The others are in Bihar at Patna,
in Punjab at Anandpur and Nanded in Maharashtra.
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