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 […]
Ans. Discrimination based on caste or race has absolutely no place in Sikhism. According to Bhai Gurdas, the creation of four castes (in the Hindu society) resulted in discrimination in the world. From this discrimination grew hatred to such an extent that now the whole humanity is a victim of bigotry. The (Sikh) Gurus broke
Q.47. Is there a place for caste system and racism in Sikhism? Read More »
Ans. It is said that in order to determine the level of progress of any society, one should consider the place it gives to its women-whether it is running away from or running after (lusting) them. The sign of an unhealthy society is the suppression of its women, to consider them inferior to men or
Q. 46. What is the status of women in Sikhism? Read More »
Ans. Just before dawn the following prayers are to be recited: Japu Ji, Jaap Sahib, Sawaiyye (beginning with ‘Saravag -and ending with Sri Bhagwan ko bhed na sudh samooh sidhan payo”). Chaupai Sahib Anand Sahib The significance of these prayers is given below: Japu Ji: This prayer is the premier segment of our scripture. Consider
Q. 45. Name the prayers prescribed for daily recitation and describe their significance. Read More »
Ans. The meaning of this sentence, which is recited towards the conclusion of Ardaas (Sikh supplication), is that Guru Nanak says, whoever keeps the name of God as his/her guiding beacon in life shall always be in ascending spirits being lies in staying within God’s will every ones well Also, in Guru Granth Sahib it
Q. 44. What is the meaning of “Nanak Naam charhdi kala, tere bhaane sarbat ka bhala”? Read More »
Ans. This sentence comes from that “Tankhaah Naama” (code of discipline) whose beginning lines are: “Questions by Bhai Nand Lal, with answers by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji”. It contains the following (poetical) proclamation: “Listen Nand Lal, this truthWhich I shall make happen during my (spiritual) reignAll (four) castes will become oneAll will meditate on
Q. 43. Where is the sentence, “Raj karega Khalsa, aakee rahe na koe” written? Read More »
Ans. Our (national) slogan is, “Bole So Nihaal, Sat Sri Akaal”. This means, only those who keep saying throughout their life that: Timeless God is the only truth, shall be happy, successful and spiritually enriched. The vigour and enthusiasm with which the Sikhs used to utter this slogan at the conclusion of religious ceremonies, like
Q. 42. What is our national slogan? Read More »
Ans. The tenth Master started the tradition that whenever one ‘Singh’ meets another ‘Singh’, he/she should say, “Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki Fateh”. Saying “Sat Sri Akaal” instead of “Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki Fateh” is inappropriate and against the tradition. When two Sikhs meet and utter this greeting, they utter
Ans. There are, in all, fourteen poetical compositions in the ‘Dasam Granth’. There names and the count of the stanzas (chhants) in each one of them is as follows: 1. Jaap Sahib199 stanzas2. Akaal Ustat171½ stanzas3. Bachittar Naatak471 stanzas4. Chandi Charittar I233 stanzas5. Chandi Charittar II212 stanzas6. Vaar Bhagauti Ji ki55 stanzas7. Giaan Prabodh336 stanzas8.
Ans. The word ‘Ardaas’ is derived from the Persian word, Arz-I-Dasht, which means petition. The meaning of Ardaas is much broader and higher than ‘prayer’. Our Ardaas is our whole history, encapsulated in a microcapsule of five minutes, from which space and time have been removed. In Ardaas there is no mention, by name, of
Q. 39. Describe our Ardaas (supplication) and its meanings. Read More »
