The common man is fleeced both by the political leaders and the religious priests. Nanak exposed the un-just & irreligious acts of both these classes in un-mistakable words and awakened the people to struggle for their religious & political rights.
Power makes a person mad and absolute power makes a person absolutely mad. Political authority, financial strength, social status & other such powers are used by men to snatch the human rights of the weak. It is said that an open door tempts even a saint. Similarly weakness of the people invites repression from the strong. If the “weak” unite and stand up for their rights, God gives them the necessary help to defeat oppressors. Mahabbarat, the great epic of India, tells us that a wicked Kauray, Duryodhan, beat & tortured people even when his mother warned him not to do that, Worried by repeated complaints from the helpless persons, the mother asked Duryodhan as to why he tortured & bullied innocent people. He said “I have to do that because I cannot resist the temptation, when a man thrashed by me wreaths in agony and pain, I feel lot-of satisfaction and pleasure, Well, how otherwise, can I exhibit that I am great and powerful?” Powerful people commit cruelty and injustices upon the people to satisfy their ego. There is no dearth of excuses for them to suck the blood of the poor and to torture them.
The epic also mentions how Kauravas usurped the Kingdom of Pandavas (Arjan and his brothers) and refused to return it to them according to the agreement observing that the Pandavas were too weak to get it back. Lord Krishna agreed to help Pandavas in their war against their cousins. In the battle field Arjun declined to fight and kill his kith and kin to retrieve his kingdom. The sermon that Krishan gave to Arjun on that occasion is there is the form of Bhagwat Gita.
He made Arjan to fight the war and win it. The lesson taught by the epic is that ultimately it is the truth, not the “power” that wins. The real power is “truth” and not the army and the guns.
The same story has been repeating itself in the whole world. In the contemporary world is the old story is being repeated at many places. The rulers are killing their ‘own people. To justify their tyranny and killing, people in power claim themselves to be the legal government and those who demand their just rights are labeled as terrorists anti-social or ant national elements, (Read loyal soldiers or terrorists, WSN Feb 7, Feb 14), Unfortunately in India where gita is worshipped, people of the minority communities, low castes, Muslims & Sikhs are mercilessly killed in thousands every year, worst being 1983, 1984 & 1985.
(a) Protecting from the corrupt & deposit rulers:
Five centuries ago, Nanak fearlessly decried such crimes and sins committed by the Muslim rulers against the Hindus, by high caste Hindus against the low castes and by religious priests against the common man. First step he took was to speak and killing one another in the name of God as Allah or Ram (see Part I of this series). He explained all names are actually one & equally good, As a next step he publically ridiculed and exposed the corrupt officials & rulers. He compared them with blood sucking wild beasts and dogs in his hymns which were widely loved and respected by the people. He warned that usurping the rights of others is like beef for a Hindu and pork for a: Muslim. Nanak un-ambiguously declared that a king has the right to rule only if he can deliver justice to his people and protect them from outside invaders. A few incidents are narrated below to explain the way Nanak implemented his mission.
In the beginning of his first Travel, Nanak, though himself a high caste he stayed with a low caste Bhai Lalo, a carpenter of poor honest means. Local official of the town, Malik Bhago invited all saints and residents of the town for a feast to exhibit his wealth and impress the public, Nanak declined the offer. But when forced to participate, Nanak embarrassed Malik in the presence of his guests, “you are feeding blood of the poor people and not the delicious meals as you pretend to do. By putting more spices in “Haram (un-pious sacrilegious) food it does not become “Halal” (sacred). III-gotton got money does not become justified if some of it is given in charity. A cloth stained by blood is called “ginyy”. How can those, who drink the blood of the poor, keep their heart clean & pious.” This lesson, given boldly to Malik, changed him and he became a true servant to the people.
During his travels, Nanak visited a Sarai (an inn) in Tulamba (now in Pakistan), It was owned by a cheat, named Sajjan. He used to steal valuables of the travellers or even kill them to take over their property. Nanak knew his nature and sang a hymn which questioned how one can call himself “sajjan” (a noble person, a kind friend) if he acts as a thug and a bad willed person. The sweet hymn touched the heart of Sajjan and he really became a “sajjan”. He distributed all his ill-gotten wealth in charity & started earning his livelihood through honest means.
Before starting his travels, Nanak worked as a manager of stores & stocks with the Administrator of Sultanpur Lodhi (Punjab). The dishonest & corrupt officials were very un-happy because of his watchful eyes & high integrity. To defame him they complained about “mishandling” administration. Nanak exposed the tow character of the officials, the Administrator became a devote of Nanak.
Wherever Nanak went to the spread the message of truth. Wicked and corrupt people, after meeting him, became saints & noble men. Nanak told that abode of God is human mind itself. God is always with us & watches our deeds. To worship him, one should serve the needy, support the helpless & console the bereaved. If any person is ill-treated, God in him will be displeased.
Nanak, thus started a revolution to denounce corruption & injustice practiced by officials and to protect the human rights of the common man.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 25, 1986
