Ans. According to Gurmat (Sikh tenets) these five should be controlled and utilized in moderation rather than harbouring hatred towards them and uprooting them. Stress is laid on detachment (bairaag) rather that giving up (tiaag). Gurmat accepts those who annulled their worldly attachment: ਅੰਦਰਹੁ ਜਿਨ ਕਾ ਮੋਹੁ ਤੁਟਾ (SGGS, P. 917) One has to dam […]
Ans. Bhagat Kabir says: ਕਬੀਰ ਮਾਨਸ ਜਨਮੁ ਦੁਲੰਭੁ ਹੈ ਹੋਇ ਨ ਬਾਰੈ ਬਾਰ॥ (SGGS, P. 1366) Kabir: human birth is hard to attain, it does not occur again and again”. This is why the Gurus’ directive is that we should not waste the (counted number of breaths that the Creator has bestowed upon us.When the
Ans. Guru Nanak has strongly condemned the working of miracles. According to him to show (work) a miracle is a curse. The third Master, Guru Amar Das, has called it attachment (to Maaya): ਰਿਧਿ ਸਿਧਿ ਸਭੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਹੈ “The pursuit of occult powers is attachment to Maaya”. When the Sidhas (yogis) asked Guru Nanak to
Q.67. What is the place of miracles in Sikh religion? Read More »
Ans. Sikh religion does not recognize any ritualistic procedures. The details of mantras (formulas) for various rituals together with their performing procedures are given in a part of Rig Veda known as ‘Atre Brahmin’. These are supposed to be used to defeat the enemy or to acquire occult powers. The votaries of ritualistic procedures believe
Q. 66. Does ritualism have any place in Sikhism? Read More »
Ans. The literal meaning of the term ‘Golak’ is “coming and going”, not staying put at one place. It also means the holes in the body, e.g., ears, eyes, nostrils etc. The money offered to Gurdwaras or donated for Gurus’ causes is supposed to come and go (spent for charitable purposes as it comes). That
Q. 55. What do we understand by the term “Golak”? Read More »
Ans. Gurdwara is one of the most important institutions of Sikhs. During his travels (udaasis), wherever Guru Nanak went and established his congregation, he founded a “Dharamsaal”. Over time Dharamsaal evolved into what is now known as Gurdwara. The meaning of the term ‘Gurdwara’ is, through Guru or Guru’s door, e.g., ਗੁਰੂ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਹੋਇ ਸੋਝੀ
Q.54. What do we understand by the term ‘Gurdwara’? Read More »
Ans. Langar is the free (community) kitchen, which is an integral part of Sikh way of life. The term Langar is of Persian origin. It means anchor, a pronged weighty device made of steel, which is cast into the sea in order to hold the ships/boats in a particular place. That is why we use
Ans. In Guru Granth Sahib the praises of Naam Simran have been certainly given many times, but its definition has purposely been left untold. This means that every one of us is presumed to possess Simran (within), only it needs to be firmly entrenched by remembering it always never to forget it. The very meaning
Ans. While meditating, when mind attains the awareness of existence of God through His light, that state is called the revelation of Naam. Naam is also the sudden awareness (like lightening) regarding collective virtues of God. According to the third Master, Guru Amar Das: ਅੰਤਰਿ ਖੂਹਟਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਭਰਿਆ ਸਬਦੇ ਕਾਢਿ ਪੀਐ ਪਨਿਹਾਰੀ॥ (SGGS, P. 570)
Q. 50. What do we understand by “Naam”? Read More »
Ans. To worship any one of the twenty-four Avtaaras (of Hindu mythology) as ones spiritual preceptor is Bhakti according to Hindu belief. The idea that God is merciful and from time to time He takes birth for the emancipation of human beings has been prevalent in the Hindu society. The twenty-four Avtaaras, which include Lord
