Baabaa Nanak teaches to create a casteless society. To the contrary, however, the Sikh society being casteless is a great MYTH!
Although decried by the Gurmat of Baabaa Nanak (teaching of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS), casteism (Jaat Paat) is practiced at every level of the society.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) asserts God created human beings in His own image (i.e. Jot Saroop). SGGS is the embodiment of principles by which a Sikh should live. It states that a ‘Sikh‘ (learner, student) has no caste (Jaat Paat). However, a closed minded, self centered, egoist section of the Sikh society is bent on destroying that image by creating caste system within this casteless society of human beings.
Brahmins and other castes would look down upon, discriminate against, verbally abuse and Socially distance themselves from Shudras (so called untouchables). Owing to utter foolishness or ignorance, people follow this ‘untouchability’ system since centuries in order to maintain their outer purity.
For instance, if a Shudra should accidentally touch someone of a higher caste, such as a Brahmin, then that Brahmin would consider himself / herself contaminated, and extensive rites of purification would be necessary to remove the stain. How stupid!
Before and during the time of Baabaa Nanak’s Journey on this earth, Brahmins or Pundits in their stubborn mindedness and fanaticism would accept neither cooked food nor water across caste lines.
This practice even exists today!
Furthermore, not only Brahmins and Pandits but other castes also practice untouchability to a certain extent.
It seems like there is a new class of Sikhs as well: The Brahamins Sikhs, who for the sake of outer purity also cook their own separate food! They don’t let anybody touch it or partake it.
Shattering this stupidity, Baabaa Nanak say:
- ਕੇਸਰਿ ਕੁਸਮ ਮਿਰਗਮੈ ਹਰਣਾ ਸਰਬ ਸਰੀਰੀ ਚੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਣਾ ॥ ਚੰਦਨ ਭਗਤਾ ਜੋਤਿ ਇਨੇਹੀ ਸਰਬੇ ਪਰਮਲੁ ਕਰਣਾ ॥੨॥ : Saffron, flowers, musk and gold are used on the bodies of all (no one believes in who touched them – ਇਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਭਿੱਟ ਕੋਈ ਨਹੀਂ ਮੰਨਦਾ, ਇਹ ਸਭਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਰੀਰਾਂ ਤੇ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ). Your Bhagat (Das, Jan, Gurmukh…) spread their fragrance (Wisdom / Virtues) like sandalwood to all. (sggs 721).
- ਘਿਅ ਪਟ ਭਾਂਡਾ ਕਹੈ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਐਸਾ ਭਗਤੁ ਵਰਨ ਮਹਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ : No one ever calls the (expensive or richer items such as) silk and ‘Ghee‘ polluted (whose hands have touched them – ਇਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਇ ਭਿੱਟਿਆ ਨਹੀ ਮੰਨਦਾ). (O God!) Your Bhagat (Das, Jan, Gurmukh…) is like that, does not matter what caste he/she belongs to. (sggs 721).
Afraid of being contaminated (Polluted, ਭਿੱਟ), these illiterate fanatics and Pakhnadee who call themselves GurSikhs, Baabaa, Brahm Giaanee, sant etc. will refuse to partake in the Langar (common kitchen) and will not eat with rest of the congregation. Instead, they cook their own separate food in their separate utensils and kitchens. They even allow very selective people to enter their kitchen!
This practice is totally contrary to the Gurmat of the SGGS.
Apparently on account of selfishness, greed and ignorance these Sikhs have totally ignored the very basic lesson of the SGGS:
- ਙੰਙਾ ਖਟੁ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਹੋਇ ਙਿਆਤਾ ॥ ਪੂਰਕੁ ਕੁੰਭਕ ਰੇਚਕ ਕਰਮਾਤਾ ॥ ਙਿਆਨ ਧਿਆਨ ਤੀਰਥ ਇਸਨਾਨੀ ॥ ਸੋਮਪਾਕ ਅਪਰਸ ਉਦਿਆਨੀ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਸੰਗਿ ਮਨਿ ਨਹੀ ਹੇਤਾ ॥ ਜੋ ਕਛੁ ਕੀਨੋ ਸੋਊ ਅਨੇਤਾ ॥ ਉਆ ਤੇ ਊਤਮੁ ਗਨਉ ਚੰਡਾਲਾ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਹ ਮਨਿ ਬਸਹਿ ਗੁਪਾਲਾ ॥੧੬॥: Through the letter ‘ਙੰਙਾ’, the SGGS gives us the lesson that one may have the knowledge of six Shastras (i.e. Saankh, Niyaaye, Visheshik, Mimaasa, JOG or Yoga and Vedant); one may practice Pranayaam actions of breathing in (‘ਪੂਰਕੁ’), holding the breath in (‘ਕੁੰਭਕ’), and breathing out (‘ਰੇਚਕ’); one may be engaging in religious debates, practicing meditations and bathing at many Teerath or pilgrimage places; (for the sake of external purity) who cooks his own food (‘ਸੋਮਪਾਕ’), doesn’t let anyone touch him nor touches anyone or anything (‘ਅਪਰਸ’) and may live in jungles (‘ਉਦਿਆਨੀ’) as hermit; but if such person does not have Love for Raam – Naam in his mind; then consider all his religious actions (described before) as useless or worthless. Even (a so called untouchable pariah or) lower caste person is better than that person. (253 sggs).
These illiterate, stubborn-minded Brahmin-Sikhs think the food or water get defiled by direct or indirect contact with other Sikhs they think are inferiors.
The foregoing Shabad calls these people worse than a so called untouchable pariah (‘ਚੰਡਾਲਾ’) or a so called lower caste person.
This is one of the burning example of a stubborn minded (ਮਨ ਹਠ) person’s display of his/her foolishness, ignorance, arrogance, false ego-sense (Haumai), anti-Gurmat conduct…
The Wisdom of the SGGS thunders that no one would be helped along with one’s nonsense rituals stemming from Mayaic consciousness (ਮਾਇਕੀ ਬੁੱਧੀ), mental concoctions, doubts (ਭਰਮ), superstitions, fear etc.
The Gurbani in SGGS debunks such useless practices because they will not help anybody become good human being or realize Rabb.
It’s not that the Gurbani is only telling Brahmins or Pundits not to practice such stupidity, it is also telling the Sikhs as well!!!!!!!!!
If a Sikh does than why wouldn’t a Brahmin be helped along with his rituals, or a Muslim or a Christian or a Yogi with his? How absurd! The fact of the matter is that the Gurbani’s instructions are for the good of all mankind; including Sikhs as well.
Yet, afraid of being contaminated, many self proclaimed sants and Baabaas (and their equally ignorant followers), fanatically cook their own food; using their separate utensils and kitchens!
Although they preach or attend the congregations at religious gatherings but refuse to eat food from the common kitchen (Langar), or share their own cooking with others.
Apparently, when it comes to God, Hukam or Spiritual matters such Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaaree do not know the difference between the ear and the elbow, because he / she does not understand the real Message of the Gurbani!
- ਬਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਭਜਨ ਸਗਲ ਦੁਖ ਪਾਵਤ ਜਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਬਢਾਇ ਸੂਤ ਕੇ ਹਟੂਆ ॥ ਪੂਜਾ ਚਕ੍ਰ ਕਰਤ ਸੋਮਪਾਕਾ ਅਨਿਕ ਭਾਂਤਿ ਥਾਟਹਿ ਕਰਿ ਥਟੂਆ ॥੨॥੧੧॥੨੦॥: Without Uniting with Mool within (Hari, Raam, Gobind, Jot…), they all suffer in pain like the spider, which with love increases her web of yarn. They perform worship ceremonies, draw ritual marks on their bodies, cook their own food fanatically, and make pompous shows (Pakhand) of themselves in all sorts of ways (but, without Uniting with Mool within it’s all useless). ||2||11||20|| (sggs 1389).
- ਮਾਣਸ ਖਾਣੇ ਕਰਹਿ ਨਿਵਾਜ ॥ ਛੁਰੀ ਵਗਾਇਨਿ ਤਿਨ ਗਲਿ ਤਾਗ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਘਰਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਣ ਪੂਰਹਿ ਨਾਦ ॥ ਉਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਭਿ ਆਵਹਿ ਓਈ ਸਾਦ ॥ ਕੂੜੀ ਰਾਸਿ ਕੂੜਾ ਵਾਪਾਰੁ ॥ ਕੂੜੁ ਬੋਲਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਆਹਾਰੁ ॥ ਸਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਕਾ ਡੇਰਾ ਦੂਰਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੂੜੁ ਰਹਿਆ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ॥ : Those who devour humanity by plundering it (i.e. those who violate or usurp someone’s right or take away something that rightfully belongs to others – ਪਰਾਇਆ ਹਕ ਖਾਣ ਵਾਲੇ) perform Namaz (Muslim prayer). There is the sacred thread around the necks of those who wield the knife of such robbery (corruption, bribe, etc.). To whose house the Brahmin (clergy or Pujaaree) blow the conch to sanctify their doings, they also have the same taste (i.e. they are also corrupt). The capital of falsehood is the only thing they have. They only trade in falsehood. They mislead people by speaking falsehood and make living through falsehood (deception). The sense of shame and Dharma is not even close to them, it is far away from them. Nanak, in this way, there is falsehood all around in the name of religion. (sggs 471).
The Gurbani further enlightens us:
- ਸਾਚ ਬਿਨਾ ਕਹ ਹੋਵਤ ਸੂਚਾ ॥: Without the Truth, how can anyone be pure? (sggs 269).
- ਅੰਤਰਿ ਜੂਠਾ ਕਿਉ ਸੁਚਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਸਬਦੀ ਧੋਵੈ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਕੋਇ ॥: If (someone) is impure within, (he) cannot become pure (without washing the mind with Shabad. How rare is the person who washes (his mind) with the Shabad (Wisdom, Upadesh, Sikhiaa, Naam…). (sggs 1344).
- ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਤੇਈ ਨਰ ਸੂਚੇ ਸਾਚੀ ਪਰੀ ਬਿਚਾਰਾ ॥: Says Kabeer, they alone are pure (Soochae), who contemplate (Vichaar) the Truth (sggs 1195).
In ancient India the system of division was more scientific and was based on character and capability.
However, today, cast is decided by birth. The result is now a days people eat and drink like a Kshatriya (Khatris), live an work like a Vaishya, think and behave like a Shudra, but pretend to be a Brahmin or of high social status!
Hence according to the Wisdom of the SGGS, the real contaminated person is he /she who lacks Giyan-Wisdom.
The Gurbani compares such illiterate, corrupt, fools and depraved persons with animals as follows. Their minds are filthy and contaminated (filled with Bhangaar).
- ਗੁਰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਹੀਣਸ੍ਯ੍ਯ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਧ੍ਰਿਗੰਤ ਜਨਮ ਭ੍ਰਸਟਣਹ ॥ ਕੂਕਰਹ ਸੂਕਰਹ ਗਰਧਭਹ ਕਾਕਹ ਸਰਪਨਹ ਤੁਲਿ ਖਲਹ ॥੩੩॥: That mortal who lacks the Gur-mantra (Guru’s counsel, advice, Wisdom, Upadesh, ਸਲਾਹ), cursed and fallen (depraved, polluted…) is his life. That wicked person is a dog, a pig, a jackass, a crow, a snake (in this very life, here and now, not after death). ||33|| (1356).
- ਸਾ ਜਾਤਿ ਸਾ ਪਤਿ ਹੈ ਜੇਹੇ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਇ ॥: (Jaat Paat of a person) is as he acts (sggs 1330).
- ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਾਤਿ ਪਤਿ ਨਾਮੇ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥: In Naam is ‘Jaat Pat’ and honor of who has become the Gurmukh (sggs 230).
Some Related posts:
- Sikhs who Believe in Caste or Jaat Paat are Brahmins in Sikh Masks
- White Blood in Veins!
- Gurbani Debunks Superstitions of Casteism
- Jaat Paat – Madness of Casteism in Sikhi
- Gurbani Debunks Casteism
- Sikhi: a Way of Life
- It’s the Mind that Needs to Become a Sikh
- Opening Verse of the SGGS – Concept of God in Sikhi
- Seven Days of a Sikh
- True Guru in Sikhi!
- Sikhi of the Clergy – Pujaaree
- Hukam is the Core of Sikhi