Ans. The (Sikh) Gurus and Bhagats have described the contents of the Vedas as exaggeration, doubt, business-like and confined mainly to the discussion on good actions and sins. The Vedas emphasize on worship, which does not equal to meditation on the Name Divine:
ਪੂਜਸਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਹਰਿ ਹਰੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਅਮੋਲ॥
(SGGS, P. 265)
According to Guru Granth Sahib the Vedas teach bias and put fetters (of rituals):
ਮਾਂਦਲੁ ਬੇਦਿ ਸਿ ਬਾਜਣੋ ਘਣੋ ਧੜੀਐ ਜੋਇ ॥
(SGGS, P. 1091)
“The drum of Vedas beats, bringing dispute and divisiveness”
Guru Granth Sahib teaches how to meditate on only one God and recite His Name. It shows the way to the state of equipoise.The second Master, Guru Angad Dev, has accurately described what Vedas are, in one of his ‘Saloks’ in the ‘Vaar’ of the Saarang Raaga:
ਕਥਾ ਕਹਾਣੀ ਬੇਦੀ ਆਣੀ ਪਾਪੁ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
ਦੇ ਦੇ ਲੈਣਾ ਲੈ ਲੈ ਦੇਣਾ ਨਰਕਿ ਸੁਰਗਿ ਅਵਤਾਰ॥
ਉਤਮ ਮਧਿਮ ਜਾਤੀ ਜਿਨਸੀ ਭਰਮਿ ਭਵੈ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ॥
(SGGS, P. 1243)
“The Vedas have given currency to myths that make a man reflect on good and evil, and also to believe that one takes only what one gives; through this (give and take) is man cast into heaven or hell. The sense of high and low, and of caste and colour; such are the illusions created in mind”.
On the contrary, Gurbani deals in meditation and contemplation, and brings us close to God, from whom we have been separated:
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਣੀ ਤਤੁ ਵਖਾਣੀ ਗਿਆਨ ਧਿਆਨ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਈ॥
(SGGS, P. 1243)
“The nectar word of the Guru makes one know the Quintessence, for it sprang from wisdom and contemplation”.
Once the seventh Master, Guru Hari Rae said, “the Vedas have their root in ‘vidya’ or education (knowledge). By studying Vedas ones mind does not get imbued (with love and devotion to God) but is inclined towards doubt and criticism – tries to find arguments. With Gurbani, on the other hand, the mind is imbued (with God’s love)”.