 Ranked as the world's fifth largest religion in the world, Sikh religion was founded around 500 years ago by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Today the religion has over 20 million strong devotees all over the world. Sikhism preaches that there is only one God and denounces any kind of ritualism or superstitions. The history of Sikhism is enriched with valuable teachings of the ten enlightened Sikh Gurus. These teachings are compiled in a holy book known as Guru Granth Sahib. The book does not narrate the lives of the Gurus, but instead highlights the teachings and message of universal love given by the Gurus. You shall find much information about Sikhism belief in our related sections.
Guru Nanak Dev
Guru Nanak Dev was the founder of Sikhism is considered to be the first Sikh guru. Guru Nanak Dev was born on 20th October, 1469 in a place called Nankana located in the present day Pakistan. Guru Nanak is revered by both Hindus and Muslims alike and his teachings are practical and emphasize on peaceful co-existence rather than conducting rituals and performing religious rites. The life history of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is very inspiring and interesting. Read this biography of Sri Guru Nanak Dev to know more.
 Guru Nanak showed extra ordinary talent since a very young age. When he was born, an astrologer prophesized that he would achieve fame as a great man and spiritual leader. When Guru Nanak Dev was just 5 years old, he surprised everyone by talking about God and high level spiritual knowledge. He was a brilliant student and was well versed in languages like Hindi, Persian, Punjabi and Sanskrit. Even though he was brilliant in studies, he preferred to seek spiritual knowledge and meditate.
He had no interest in business or working to earn a living and collect money. Once his father gave him some amount to start a business of his own, but he spent the money on some hungry ascetics whom he met on the way. He married at the age of 16 and had a happy married life. Despite having a domestic life, he never left meditating and pursuing higher knowledge and level of realization. But very soon, he left home to seek out the higher truth.
Guru Nanak never differentiated between men and ate with the poor with as much pleasure as he ate with the rich. He believed that the poor man's bread was much more rich and pure than the rich man's bread. He once squeezed the bread of a poor man and a rich man. The poor man's bread oozed milk and the rich man's bread oozed blood. This way he taught that people should make a living honestly and not through unfair means.
Guru Nanak never differentiated between different religions and considered all Gods to be the same. He condemned the elaborate rituals that were performed in the name of religion. Once, Guru Nanak visited Haridwar where he saw that people were offering water to the Sun in the belief that the water would reach his forefathers. Guru Nanak started to throw water in the opposite directing saying that if water could reach dead people in heaven, the water that he offers can certainly reach crops in his field. This way he proved the ineffectiveness of these meaningless rituals.
Guru Nanak did not believe in these mindless superstitions and rituals. He always believed and taught that there was only one God who was omnipresent. He taught that chanting God's name and living life purely would free a person from the cycle of birth and death. To make it easier for people to take God's name, he prepared the Japji, which was essentially a morning prayer. He also composed a set of poems that constitute the first chapter of Guru Granth Sahib which is the holy book of the Sikhs. His teachings and philosophies continue to inspire many around the world. Guru Nanak breathed his last in 1538 when he was 70 years old. He appointed one of his disciples as the second Guru and named him Angad.
Guru Granth Sahib
The holy book of the Sikhs is known as Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. For devout Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib is not a book or a holy scripture. Instead it is a living Guru to them who guides them in the right path of life. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is also known by the name of Adi Granth Sahib. The word Guru basically means one who enlightens; Granth is Punjabi for book; Sahib is a Hindi word which means a Master. Thus, Shri Guru Granth Sahib is actually considered to a permanent living master who provides the right path to enlightenment. Read about Guru Granth Sahibji.
 The Guru Granth Sahib has 1430 pages and consists of actual words spoken by holy Gurus. The holy book also consists of teachings of famous Hindu and Muslim saints. The language used for the text is Gurmukhi and also contains chapters written in Sanskrit, Persian, Punjabi and Khariboli. The fifth Sikh Guru Arjan Dev compiled the Guru Granth Sahib for the first time in the year 1604 at Amritsar. After the death of the tenth and last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, it was declared that there shall be no more Sikh Gurus but the Granth Sahib would act as a living Guru for all from now on.
Every Gurdwara (Temple of Sikhs) keeps the Granth Sahib in the main Durbar or Hall. The book is kept on a raised platform and is decorated with beautiful robes. The platform is covered with a splendid canopy as a symbol of respect to the Holy Book. Guru Granth Sahib is not worshipped as an idol since Sikhism condemns idol worship. It is worshipped as a symbol of enlightenment and the knowledge that is present within the book is worshipped. The hymns are sung to ragas of classical music and different Talas (rhythmic beats).
Message of Guru Granth Sahib
The Guru Granth Sahib has a very valuable message for humanity. The Holy Book emphasizes on the concept that one can attain enlightenment if one controls his/her emotions and desires and meditating sincerely. The main messages that the Guru Granth Sahib delivers are listed below.
- All People of the World are Equal
- Control the Five Vices
- Follow God's Hukam (Universal Laws)
- God is one for all
- Practice Humility, Kindness, Compassion, Love, etc.
- Remember the name of God always
- Speak and Live Truthfully
- Women are Equal to Men
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Sikh Gurus
 The religion of Sikhism was founded and established by Sikh Gurus. The teachings and philosophies of the 10 Sikh gurus have made the foundation of the Sikh religion really strong. These Gurus were believed to have been sent from the heavens above and their mission in human life was to enlighten people and spread the message of love and peace. Each of the ten Gurus made his own contribution to the religious philosophies and ideals and they are as practical today as they were back then. The first Guru of Sikhs was Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The last and tenth guru was Guru Gobind Singh. After him, the Sikhs have considered the holy book Guru Granth Sahib as their teacher. Read about each and every guru of Sikhism.
- Guru Nanak Dev (1469 to 1539): Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the first Guru of the Sikhs. He is considered to be the founder of the Sikh religion and is worshipped as God among the Sikhs.
- Guru Angad Dev (1504 to 1552): Guru Angad Dev was appointed the second Guru by Guru Nanak Dev himself. He is credited with standardizing the Gurumukhi script of Guru Granth Sahib.
- Guru Amar Das (1479 to 1574): Guru Amar Das was the third Guru of the Sikhs and he started the concept of free food for all visitors of Gurudwara. He also created the prayer known as Ananda Sahib.
- Guru Ram Das (1534 to 1581): The fourth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Ram Das was the key person who organized the structure of the Sikh society. He also composed the marriage hymns and finalized them.
- Guru Arjan Dev (1563 to 1606): Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Guru of the Sikhs and is remembered as the first martyr among the Sikh Gurus. He was the one who compiled the teachings of the Gurus before him and called it the Adi Granth.
- Guru Hargobind (1595 to 1644): The sixth Guru of the Sikhs was a saint, a soldier and an able sportsman. He was the one who told the Sikhs to carry swords with them for protecting the innocent masses against oppressive forces.
- Guru Har Rai (1630 to 1661): The seventh Guru continued the tradition of carrying weapons and using martial arts for the protection of the weak and the helpless.
- Guru Harkrishan (1656 to 1664): Guru Harkrishan died at tender age of seven yet left his impact on Sikhism. According to legends, when there was a smallpox epidemic in Delhi, the water blessed by the young Guru helped cure many people of the illness. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib was built in his memory.
- Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621 to 1675): Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Guru and master of the spiritual sword. He was the one who encouraged people to give away wealth in the name of charity with a pure heart and in the process, come closer to God. He was executed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
- Guru Gobind Singh (1666 to 1708): The tenth and last Guru of the Sikhs was Guru Gobind Singh. He spread the teachings of the Sikhs far and wide and declared that after him there will be only one Guru for the Sikhs and that would be the Guru Granth Sahib.
Sikh Khalsa
Khalsa in Sikhs was started off by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhs. The basic meaning and essence of Khalsa is "Pure" and it is the title given to those Sikhs who have tasted Amrit or in other words, have been baptized. The rise of the Sikh Khalsa force dates back to 13th April, 1699 at a place called Anandpur Sahib in India. Recently in the year 1999, the Sikhs celebrated 300 years of the Khalsa Revolution in a very grand way. A Khalsa must carry these five symbols, known as Panj Kakka with them always.
- Kanga: A Khalsa must always carry a small comb in order to keep his/her hair in place.
- Kachcha: A Khalsa must always wear warrior shorts as it provides agility and swift movement to a warrior. It is also a symbol of chastity.
- Kara: A Khalsa must always wear a Kara or a steel bangle since it is a symbol of bondage and self-control. Wearing a Kara also dismisses all sorts of fears from the mind.
- Kesh: A Khalsa must not cut hair as naturally grown hair gives the appearance of a saint. A turban must be worn on the head to protect the Kesh (hair).
- Kirpan: A Khalsa warrior must have a Kirpan or a small sword for the purpose of defense and protection. It not only protects self but can also be used for defending the weak and helpless.
The story of the origin of Khalsa is very inspiring. One day, Guru Gobind Singh while addressing a crowd, asked who was ready to die in the name of religion and for his faith. After initial hesitation and feelings of confusion, a man named Bhai Daya Ram stepped forward ready to sacrifice his life. He was taken into a tent by Guru Gobind Singh. After some time, Guru Gobind Singh emerged from the tent holding a sword drenched in blood. He again announced if there was anyone else ready to sacrifice to their life in the name of faith. Four more people stepped forward and their names Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh, and Bhai Sahib Singh. All the four were taken inside the tent to be sacrificed. After some time, when the tent opened everyone saw the five men to be alive. These five men were then baptized and they became the Khalsa Brotherhood.
Khalsa was also used a major military force. One of the chief duties of a Khalsa was to protect the weak and the hapless. The Khalsa had weapons with them and were trained in martial arts. With the rising torture of the Mughal rulers, the Sikhs needed protection and the Khalsa were appointed for this purpose. The Khalsa rose as a strong military force of saint warriors that protected the weak and defenseless against the atrocities of the Mughal rulers. After the decline of the Mughals, the Khalsa was declared a democratic body that could go against the Maharaja of Punjab. |
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