INTRODUCTION
(AGGS, MI, P 1255)
Guru Nanak through his t en forms (Guru Nanak 1469… to Gura Gobind Singh…1708) founded the most modem, scientific, and logical religion, Sikhism, for the welfare of the humanity on this planet, the earth. Due to the activities of some unscrupulous Sikhs, Sikhism has been wrapped in a cocoon woven with the silken fibers of ancient writings, ¢.g., mythology recorded in Janam Sakhis, Hukm Name, Rehit Name, some writings in Dasam Granth, some Vars of Bhai Gurdas and Sikh literature of late 18th and 19th centuries (Fig. 1). Consequently is being rep resented as a ritualistic and mythic religion like others. Even in the Science Age (the Space Age and the Computer Age), Sikhism is being interpreted by many scholars and searchers along the lines of a these ancient writings without looking into their authenticity and validity according to the Gurbani, science, and logic the touchstones of the truth. Sikhism is a modus vivendi, which can be learnt through deliberation of Gurbani in the sangat (congregation of the Sikhs) in Gurdwara. Gurbani is that bani (words) revealed by the Sikh Gurus that has been incorporated into the Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS) by the Fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan and the Tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh. The Sikhs must devise a system of deliberation of Gurbani in sangat in the Gurdwaras to educate the community and for achieving salvation. Salvation according to Gurbani is liberation from ignorance or illusion, deliverance from danger or difficulty, and preservation from destruction or failure. Illusion is the state or fact of being intellectually deceived or mislead. Unfortunately the sangat is being lead into the illusionary world by some Kathakars and Kirtanwalas in the Gurdwaras. It is, therefore, imperative to liberate Sikhism from the co coon woven with silken threads of myths.
- MODUS VIVENDI
Modus vivendi is generally considered as a way of life or manner of life. Keeping in view these meanings some Sikhs have promulgated what is generally called the Sikh way of life. In fact, modus vivendi is a feasible arrangement or practical compromise; especially: one that bypasses difficulties. Thus, Sikhism should be included in one’s modus vivendi to bypass the difficulties and to achieve salvation. Some salient features of Sikhism are given as follows:
2.1. Salient Features of Sikhism
I have discussed a few salient feature of Sikhism based on Gurbani, nevertheless, many more could be enlisted. The interpretation of Gurbani given in this paper, is based on the application of science and logic known to the author as he did in his previous writings. Never the less, the outstanding interpretation of the Gurbani given by Dr. Sahib Singh and meanings given by Bhai Kahn Singh have been extensively used to do my own interpretation.
2.1.1. Sikh Philosophy:
Sikhism is founded on the philosophy recorded in the Gurbani in the AGGS:
AGGS,M 1,p465.
Sikhism is the philosophy of the Gurus.
2.1.2, Sabd (Gurbani) Vichar (Deliberation):
Sikhism cannot be adopted just by visiting Gurdwara early in the morning to have some glimpses of the Aad Guru Granth Sahib and to listen the kirtan. According to Gurbani it is through the deliberation, understanding of Sabd The highest is the deliberation of sabd (Gurbani).
I don’t care about other discussion that is a complete ash (nothing).
AGGS,M4,p 76
If there is any Gurmukh, he/she would deliberate on Gurbani and will contemplate fully attuned and accepts (practices) (the ad vice of the Guru) from the core of the heart, purifies one’s mind (antergat).
AGGS, M 3, p 594.
Everybody can visualize/realize the presence of the Almighty in His creation. But one cannot get salvation just by doing so (or by seeing the AGGS), until one deliberates on His Sabd (teachings) in the AGGS.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 4, 1996
