Ans. Guru Nanak has given three main rules in regards to eating and wearing. Do not eat or wear what would result in: 1. Turning your joy into regret, just as it happens after the use of intoxicants and excessive rich food in lavish parties. 2. Making your body feel compressed, as when one wears […]
Ans. The fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan Dev said: ਪਰਮੇਸਰ ਕੈ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਜਿ ਹੋਇ ਬਿਤੀਤੈ ਸੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਆਖਿ ਸੁਣਾਵੈ॥ (SGGS, P. 373) “Nanak tells whatever happens at the portal of God”. One can easily infer and, consequently, firmly believe that the founding Gurus of Sikhism have not borrowed any thing, in terms of philosophy, from anywhere
Q.64. How is Sikhism an independent, sovereign religion? Read More »
ਸੂਹੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਭਜਿਓ ਪੁਰਖੋਤਮੁ ਸਭਿ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਦਾਲਦ ਦਲਘਾ ॥ ਭਉ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣਾ ਮੇਟਿਓ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਹਰਿ ਅਸਥਿਰੁ ਸੇਵਿ ਸੁਖਿ ਸਮਘਾ ॥੧॥ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਭਜੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਅਤਿ ਪਿਰਘਾ ॥ ਮੈ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਅਰਪਿ ਧਰਿਓ ਗੁਰ ਆਗੈ ਸਿਰੁ ਵੇਚਿ ਲੀਓ ਮੁਲਿ ਮਹਘਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਨਰਪਤਿ ਰਾਜੇ ਰੰਗ ਰਸ ਮਾਣਹਿ ਬਿਨੁ […]
Ans.NIRMALAS: Guru Gobind Singh himself started the Nirmala sect. For educational and intellectual leadership he selected some knowledgeable Sikhs and sent them to Kashi (Benaras) for higher education in Sanskrit. When they returned after successful completion of their education they were then given the title of “Nirmal Panth”. It is clear that the tenth Master
Ans. According to “Prachin Panth Prakash” the practice of serving “Karhah Prasaad, at the conclusion of congregational prayers was started by Guru Nanak who seems to have invented its recipe also. Guru Arjan Dev once said that on returning after the cremation of a person, the relatives and friends should gather in the Gurdwara where
Ans. A triangular saffron coloured, piece of silk or cotton with printed or patched Khalsa symbols in the middle, is called ‘Nishaan Sahib’. If the Nishaan Sahib’ is to be installed for the first time (e.g., at a Gurdwara), then the prepared cloth flag should be brought from a historic Gurdwara. This symbolizes the everlasting
Q. 59. How did the Sikh “Nishaan Sahib” (flag) evolve? Read More »
Ans.It was Guru Nanak who honoured us the principle of: ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ॥ (SGGS, P. 1245) (Those who share their honest earnings with needy, truly recognize the way (to God). When Guru Nanak started farming at Kartar Pur, towards the last few years of his life, he used to
Q.56. How and when did the practice of “Daswandh” (tithe) start in Sikhism? 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. Before Guru Nanak the expression, “sadhu na chale jamaat”, or a saintly person could not perform his religious activities in congregation, was often heard in the Hindu society. The Western Judeo-Christian) religions emphasized on, “flight of alone to the alone”. But Guru Nanak started the institution of “Saadh Sangat” (holy congregation). On a question
Q.52. Why is ‘Sangat’ (congregation) given so much importance in Sikhism? Read More »
