Ans. Guru Nanak Dev always enjoined his disciples for Naam, Daan and Ishnaan, and asserted that all Sikhs should practice honest work and sharing their earnings with less fortunate fellow human beings. According to him the life of those observing Naam, Daan and Ishnaan always stayed in perfect balance or equipoise.
Bhai Gurdas in the first stanza of his first ‘Vaar’ writes, “while Guru Nanak Dev has removed the fear of cycle of death and birth and brought us close to ‘Waheguru’, he has also made it clear to the Sikhs that the Guru will bestow the gifts of Naam, Daan and Ishnaan on those Sikhs who feel elated in celebrating the Gurpurabs with love and devotion for the Guru:
“BHAO BHAGAT GURPURAB KAR,
NAAM DAAN ISHNAAN DRIRAAIAA”
The meaning of Naam is to always keep ones face towards God (Waheguru), or to always remember Him.
Daan means to lead a life of which welfare of others is the main purpose, i.e., always facing society.
Ishnaan means continuous self-introspection, soul searching and thus keeping ones conduct clean and pure.mo
Anyone who keeps his/her face towards God (always remembers Him); spends time for the welfare of others and does not let ego get better of him/her, is a complete person in the eyes of Guru Nanak.
According to ‘Puraatan Janam Saakhi’, whenever Guru Nanak preached any one, he exhorted him to:
“Naam Japo, Kirat karo and Vand chhako (meditate on Lord’s Name, earn your living by honest work and share the proceeds with less fortunate fellow human beings”. There is no better way to summarize the teachings of Sikhism.
Kirat (honest work) is an essential and foremost part of our religion. It does not tolerate laziness or usurpation of others rights. Guru Nanak said: “Honest work for ones livelihood keeps ones body pure”. Today if the Sikh is not dependent on anyone, it is not because of pity or favours of others, but only because he has embraced the doctrine of honest labour of Guru Nanak. While doing honest work he/she does not forget God and recites His Name.
While describing about the Sikhs, Zakaria Khan, the governor of Punjab, told Nadar Shah (the Iranian invader of India) that they (the Sikhs) uttered their Guru’s name at all times. This recitation of God’s Name they had learnt along with honest work and sharing with others. To feel happy by giving to others was an essential part of their principles of life.
Bhai Gurdas has said of a Sikh: “Hathon de ke bhala manaave”. He feels happy by giving to others (needy ones).
Guru Har Gobind, the sixth Master, used to give a few crumbs to birds before taking his meals. Guru Hari Rae, the seventh Master, had enjoined that every Sikh must contribute his/her share in the Langar (community kitchen) howsoever small it may be (a pinch of flour or a few grains). The Guru also directed: “A Sikh should give help to any other Sikh who is in a difficult situation and needs help. He should feed this Sikh if he/she is hungry and do it with a happy heart, without fretting”. He then added, “It is my promise that he will be accepted (in God’s court)”.
Bhai Nand Lal says in praise of honest work and sharing with others:
“He who earns his living by honest work and out of his earnings gives tithe for the Guru (to needy people), earns fame in the world”.