Gurbani’s Universal Message of Oneness and Brotherhood

Sikh Gurus and Bhagats were humanist leaders instead of  narrow thinkers. Their Bani enshrined within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) connects each one of us with the entire humanity – the spirituality of ‘ੴ ‘ (Eko or Iko). Guru Nanak used ‘ੴ ‘ for the ENTIRE UNIVERSE! Simply put, ‘ੴ ‘  means one within everything and everywhere —  unity of both the Creator and the creation.

That being said, nowhere the Gurbani enshrined within the SGGS teaches us to make a separate distinction from rest of the humanity. The teaching of Gurbani is about commonality, caring, sharing, compassion, service, human equality, justice and the good of all, respect for human rights irrespective of caste, creed, race, gender, or nationality etc. In other words, it is the Way of life based on internalization of the enlightening spiritual Message contained in the Guru Shabad (in SGGS) that teaches the human mind (Surt-conscience) to realize the Creator‘s divine Hukam and  Virtues and then live daily life accordingly.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਏਕ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮੋਈ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥ : As Gurmukh, (Enlightened, Guru Shabad-Oriented), look upon all with the single eye of equality; the Divine Light (the One Creator) is present Within all. (sggs 599).

The Gurbani of the SGGS teaches (1) there is only ONE Creator, (2) this One Creator extends into everything including all humans as the One Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ), (3) and this one Creator must be realized within. This is the base or Foundational principle of Unique and Pure spirituality of Guru Nanak.

• ਤੂੰ ਸਾਝਾ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਬਾਪੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥ : O Universal God, You are the Father of all beings. (sggs 97).
• ਸਰਬ ਭੂਤ ਏਕੈ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਨਿਆ ਚੂਕੇ ਬਾਦ ਬਿਬਾਦਾ ॥ : I see ONE GOD pervading in all beings (look upon all beings alike), therefore all my conflict and arguments with other have ended. (sggs 483).
• ਨਾ ਕੋ ਬੈਰੀ ਨਹੀ ਬਿਗਾਨਾ ਸਗਲ ਸੰਗਿ ਹਮ ਕਉ ਬਨਿ ਆਈ ॥੧॥ : No one is my enemy, no one is a stranger to me, I have BECOME ONE with the entirety of the humanity. ||1|| (sggs 1299).

Thus, the direct relationship of ALL humans is with the ONE CREATOR and the ONE HUKAM. That said, the spiritual Message embedded within the Shabad) is not only for the Sikhs but also for the entire humanity to take and benefit from it (‘ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਇਸੁ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ’ – Gurbani is jag mahi chaanan).

• ਪਰਥਾਇ ਸਾਖੀ ਮਹਾ ਪੁਰਖ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਸਾਝੀ ਸਗਲ ਜਹਾਨੈ ॥ : The Great Men may be speaking about or addressing certain story or a particular situation, but the Teaching in those is applicable to the entire world. (sggs 647).
• ਮਾਰਿਆ ਸਿਕਾ ਜਗਤ੍ਰਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਪੰਥ ਚਲਾਇਆ । : In the world of spirituality, the Way (of spirituality or Sikhi) of Nanak has its Trademark in its Uniqueness as being ‘Nirmal‘ (pure — free from contamination/impurities of the existing pre-1469 beliefs). (Bhai Gurdas Ji, Vaar1, Pauri 45).

Simply put, the Unique and Revolutionary spiritual Message of the Gurbani in the SGGS is NEVER specific to location, occasion, person, incident or era (i.e. it’s not time-bound). Therefore, it is relevant in all times, all locations, and the entire humanity in the world. In short, the spiritual Message of the Gurbani is Universal and egalitarian.

This Message of universal brotherhood is the basis of Sikhi or Gurmat propagated in the SGGS. It teaches the entire mankind that we humans are neither Hindus nor Muslims (‘ਨਾ ਹਮ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ-Na Hum Hindu Na Musalman’) etc. However, many are misinterpreting this verse of the Gurbani to mean Sikhs are separate from Hindu ands Muslims.

Since the appeal of the Unique spirituality of Guru Nanak is universal, such narrow interpretation goes against the very spirit of the Sikhi or Gurmat of Guru Nanak, hence could not be further from truth. The Sikhi or Gurmat of Baabaa Nanak addresses ALL humans as men and women and not as followers, flock, believers, sect or tribe etc. Since the ONE CREATOR is the common Father/Mother equally of ALL humans, the ENTIRE HUMANITY is seen as ONE and therefore no human is considered alien or the ‘other’.

• ਨਾ ਹਮ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ॥ ਅਲਹ ਰਾਮ ਕੇ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਪਰਾਨ ॥੪॥ : We are not Hindus, nor are we Muslims (i.e. for the guidance of spiritual life, we do not depend on them). My body and breath of life belong to (whom Muslims call) Allah and to (whom Hindus call) Raam. ||4|| (sggs 1136).

Simply put — the counsel of the Guru’s spiritual Message is that we do not get stuck in dogmas or a code (ਮਰਿਯਾਦਾ) like the Hindus, like the Muslims (Sharia like Semitic religious codes) etc. Also, the Gurbani rejects and teaches us not to get stuck in existing pillars of the organized/institutionalized religions — rituals (karamkaand), religious paraphernalia and symbols, religious dogmas, clergy class (Pujaaree) etc. Because the direct relationship of ALL humans is with the ONE CREATOR and the ONE HUKAM.

• ਹਮਰਾ ਝਗਰਾ ਰਹਾ ਨ ਕੋਊ ॥ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਛਾਡੇ ਦੋਊ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : (Bhagat Kabeer Ji says) I have no conflict in my mind whatsoever — no struggle within me anymore. (I have achieved this state because) I have discarded all the claims of the clergy (Pujaaree). |1|| Pause || (sggs 1158).

Therefore, the Unique spirituality of Guru Nanak rejects beliefs made contrary to the universal Law of Nature (Hukam) in no uncertain terms.

• ਕੋਈ ਬੋਲੈ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਮ ਕੋਈ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥ ਕੋਈ ਸੇਵੈ ਗੁਸਈਆ ਕੋਈ ਅਲਾਹਿ ॥੧॥ ਕਾਰਣ ਕਰਣ ਕਰੀਮ ॥ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ ਰਹੀਮ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਕੋਈ ਨਾਵੈ ਤੀਰਥਿ ਕੋਈ ਹਜ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਕੋਈ ਕਰੈ ਪੂਜਾ ਕੋਈ ਸਿਰੁ ਨਿਵਾਇ ॥੨॥ ਕੋਈ ਪੜੈ ਬੇਦ ਕੋਈ ਕਤੇਬ ॥ ਕੋਈ ਓਢੈ ਨੀਲ ਕੋਈ ਸੁਪੇਦ ॥੩॥ ਕੋਈ ਕਹੈ ਤੁਰਕੁ ਕੋਈ ਕਹੈ ਹਿੰਦੂ ॥ ਕੋਈ ਬਾਛੈ ਭਿਸਤੁ ਕੋਈ ਸੁਰਗਿੰਦੂ ॥੪॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਤਾ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਾ ਤਿਨਿ ਭੇਦੁ ਜਾਤਾ ॥੫॥੯॥ : Some utter repeatedly Raam Raam (Hindu name of God); others utter Khuda (Muslim name of God). Some worship Gusaee-aa (Hindu name of God); others worship Allah. ||1|| But the gracious Creator who creates all is ONE. ||1||Pause|| Some people (Hindus and others) bathe at the so called locations of pilgrimage, and some (Muslims) go on pilgrimage to Mecca. Some worship idols, and some bow their heads in prayer towards Mecca. ||2|| Some read the Vedas (Hindus), and some (Muslims) read the Koran. Some (Muslims) wear blue clothes, and some (Hindus) wear white. ||3|| Some call themselves Muslims, and some call themselves Hindus. Some yarn for paradise, and others long for heaven. ||4|| Says Nanak – one who has recognized the Hukam, that person has understood the mystery of ‘Prabh Saahib‘ (i.e. Universal Energy…). ॥5॥9॥ (sggs 885).

That said, according to the Gurbani (SGGS), anybody and everybody can read the Gurbani and benefit from its Wisdom (ਲਾਹਾ…). No particular person or a group owns it. Those who claim (Pujaaree …) that only a particular person or a particular group can read the Gurbani are utterly selfish who have turned the Gurbani into a mundane business (ਧੰਧਾ). They are either ignorant or purposely being indifferent to the Enlightening Message of the Gurbani!

Here is Guru Nanak’s edict (ਫੈਸਲਾ, ਫੁਰਮਾਨ):

• ਏਥੈ ਜਾਣੈ ਸੁ ਜਾਇ ਸਿਞਾਣੈ ॥ ਹੋਰੁ ਫਕੜੁ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੈ ॥ : The one who realizes the Creator right here is recognized as the Wise one. Mere claim to be a Hindu or Muslim is worthless. (sggs 952).
• ਮਿਹਰਵਾਨ ਮਉਲਾ ਤੂਹੀ ਏਕ ॥ ਪੀਰ ਪੈਕਾਂਬਰ ਸੇਖ ॥ ਦਿਲਾ ਕਾ ਮਾਲਕੁ ਕਰੇ ਹਾਕੁ ॥ ਕੁਰਾਨ ਕਤੇਬ ਤੇ ਪਾਕੁ ॥੩॥ : The Merciful One is the only Emancipator (Maula), not Pirs (spiritual guide), Sheikhs and prophets. The Master of every Heart, who delivers justice, is beyond Quran and other Semitic texts. ||3|| (sggs 897).

Ending

In a nutshell, Gurmat (Wisdom of the SGGS) embodies the central theme of ONENESS of existence — seeing nothing as apart from the ONE Creator; not to be impressed by some one’s wealth, social status, education, titles, family of birth etcetera but how one treats other human beings!

The Gurmat further teaches that ‘Kudrat-ਕੁਦਰਤਿ‘ never divides people. This crafty work of dividing people in the name of religion, God, sectarianism etcetera is the invention of the crafty and selfish man. Someone else decides name, religion, nationality, tribe and other things after one is born. Then we spend rest of our life defending and fighting over what was chosen for us by others!

Some even give religious color to public festivals that promote atmosphere of commonality (ਭਾਈਵਾਲ…), love, and unity in the society! Can people who create divisions in society be religious or Dharmic?

• ਸਭੇ ਸਾਝੀਵਾਲ ਸਦਾਇਨਿ ਤੂੰ ਕਿਸੈ ਨ ਦਿਸਹਿ ਬਾਹਰਾ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥ : (O God!) All are part and parcel of You. None is beyond You. ||3|| (sggs 97).
• ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਕੈ ਵਸਿਆ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਵਖਤੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੇ ਸੁ ਬੰਦਾ ਹੋਇ ॥ : The Creator resides within the Creation that He Created. To recognize such in a timely manner is to recognize Humanity. (sggs 83).

Let’s humanitarians be wary of those who divide people. Let’s widely share / disseminate the Unique and Revolutionary Message of the Gurbani’s commitment to the all inclusive Universal Family, so that the whole world become ‘Begam Pura-ਬੇਗਮ ਪੁਰਾ’ – free from conflicts, prejudices, casteism, grief, corruption, fanaticism, disharmony, wars, spiritual decline, and so on.

• ਓਅੰਕਾਰਿ ਏਕ ਧੁਨਿ ਏਕੈ ਏਕੈ ਰਾਗੁ ਅਲਾਪੈ ॥ ਏਕਾ ਦੇਸੀ ਏਕੁ ਦਿਖਾਵੈ ਏਕੋ ਰਹਿਆ ਬਿਆਪੈ ॥ : (A true seeker) keeps his mind attuned to the One God, and lives a life of Divine Virtues. (For such a seeker), the entire world is like one country governed by the One God, and he preaches others also likewise that One God pervades everywhere. (sggs 885).

Until or unless the Unique Sikhi of Guru Nanak is freed from the anti-Nanak or anti-Gurmat Pujaaree clique – freeloading (ਵੇਹਲੜ) Deraa-Vaad and their trained Granthis, Parcharaks, Ragis, Dhadees etcetera pullulating worldwide Gurdwaras etcetera – Guru Nanak’s ‘Nirmal‘ spirituality is not going to see the light of day.

• ਦੁਨੀਆ ਹੁਸੀਆਰ ਬੇਦਾਰ ਜਾਗਤ ਮੁਸੀਅਤ ਹਉ ਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥ : O people of the world! Be vigilant and Alert;  O brother! you are being robbed even while you are awake. (sggs 972).

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