Dear Editor,
By providing forum for different meaningful points of view about Sikh history and theology, WSN is doing a great service to its readers, Alice Basarke’s well researched piece Origins of Nonviolence Movement in India, und Dr.D,S. Chahal’s Interpretation of Gurbani: A Scientist’s Approach can be cited as recent examples, Though I have my reservations about Dr. Chahal’s interpretation of ‘sanjog vijog, L appreciate his thought provoking views on freeing Sikhism from illogical, mythic ‘and ritualistic cocoon woven around it by some thoughtless and selfish pseudo-scholars and so called preachers of Gurmat.
He is right that a logical interpretation of Gurbani, not a superficial, literal or mythical one, can stand the test of time in our science dominated milieu. Guru Nanak taught us the value of reason by his extraordinary way of exposing unreasonable and ritualistic practices at Hardwar and Mecca, Recently a welcome opportunity to address a local University class on *A Sikh Perspective on Environmental Crisis’ came my way. My work for this purpose wonderfully enriched my humble knowledge of Gurbani. I was blessed with better understanding of Nature and Creation as well as a keener sensitivity to ‘environment and ecology by meditating ‘on such quotes as:
Eh Jog warhi mera prabh malt Sada samalay ko nahi khall Dhartt deg milal ik wari bhag tera Bhandari Pant pran pawan bandh rakhay chand sooraj mukh dive Maran jiwan ko dharti dint etay gun visray Ratt ruti thitt var.. Dharamsal Pavan guru Pani Pita…sangal jagat Isc glimpse of Guru Nanak’s Vismad, Abhul Guru Kartar, Qudrat and Hukam in the following excerpt from Albert Binstein’s “The Religious Spirit of Since.
‘His (the scientist’s) feeling takes the form of a rapturous amazement at the harmony of natural law, which reveals an intelligence of such superiority that compared with it, all the systematic thinking and acting of human beings in an utterly insignificant reflection. This feeling is he guiding principle of his life and work, in 50 far as he succeeds in keeping himself from the shackles of selfish desire. It is beyond question closely akin to that which has possessed the religious geniuses of all ages.” Pritam Singh Grewal Canada.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 17, 1996
