During the past issues, I was blessed well by the Almighty and Sri Swamiji Siddhar to share my ideas on Spirituality. In this issue, also I am blessed well by the Almighty and Swamiji Sri Siddhar to share my ideas on Spirituality. During the past issues, I tried to quote some examples from ancient Siddhars and monks like Sri Adhi Sankaracharya, Acharya Ramanuja and Sri Madhvacharya. In this issue, I wish to describe the spirituality of Sikhism. The word “Sikh” itself has a very wonderful meaning.

S – Sincerity

I – Integrity

K – Kindness

H _ Humanity.

The Sikhs are very famous for their sincerity. In the Army forces of India, at least 40% of the battalion will be Sikh only. They are so fond of the Nation.

A progressive religion well ahead of its time when it was founded over 500 years ago, The Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide and is ranked as the worlds 5th largest religion. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of humankind and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji founded Sikhism, (1469-1538). At Sultanpur, he received a vision to preach the way to enlightenment and God. He taught a strict monotheism, society of humanity. He rejected idol worship, and the oppressive Hindu concept of caste. Only according to the Guruji’s directions In 1801, Maharaja Ranjit Singh founded the Sikh state of Punjab in Northern India. According to a historian Vincent Smith, \"The Punjab State was neither a traditional Indian territorial State and monarchy, nor merely a dictatorship of one community over another.

The name of the religion means learner. It is often mispronounced \'seek\' It should be pronounced \'se-ikh\', with the final \'kh\' sound like the \'kh\' in Mikhail Gorbachev. He is responsible for the saying “There is only humanity and Spirituality. There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim or any other religion\" which has since become one of the pillars of Sikhism. He taught a strict monotheism, society of humanity. He rejected idol worship, and the Hindu concept of caste. Guru Nanak and Panth (his followers) later built the first Sikh temple at Katarpur. There are nine Gurus followed by Guru Nanak. They are Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji ,Sri Guru Ramdas Ji ,Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji ,Sri Guru Har Gobind Ji , Sri Guru Har Rai Ji ,Sri Guru HarKrishan Ji ,Sri Guru Teg Bhadur Ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji .

A succession of nine Gurus (regarded as reincarnations of Guru Nanak) led the movement during the period from Guru Nanak\'s death until 1708. At that time, the functions of the Guru passed to the Panth and to the holy text, considered the 11th Guru.

Mogul emperors ruled a large area of South Asia from the 16th century until the end of the 18th century. They attempted to convert the Sikhs to Islam, but were unsuccessful. It has been said of one of the Sikh Gurus (considered by many Sikhs to have been the last guru) that \"Had there been no Guru Gobind Singh, the entire country would have gotten circumcised\" i.e. been converted to Islam. He fixed some rules for the Sikhs. Every female should cover the head with a cloth called “Duppatta”. Every Sikh male should have 5Ks with him. They are Kesh (long hair and beard), Komb (to keep the hair clean), Katag (a ring made of gold copper or steel worn in the wrist).Kripan (a knife to be used as a life saving weapon), Katcha (dhothy worn to cover from hip to thigh and tied in a tight position). Above all these 5 Ks, they should have the 6th K, which is kindness. There are only three things to be followed compulsorily by every Sikh. They are Service (Seva), Sincerity and kindness. The teachings of Guru Nanak are very high in Spirituality. Guru Nanak was a reformer. He attacked the vicious tentacles of corruptions in society. He strongly protested against formalism and ritualism. He carried the message of peace and of love to everybody. He was very liberal in his views. He did not observe the rules of caste. He tried his level best to remove the superstitions of the people. He preached purity, justice, goodness and the love of God. He introduced the singing in praise of God, along with music, as a means of linking the soul of man with God.

Guru Nanak had great reverence for women. He allowed them to join all religious gatherings and conferences and to sing the praises of God. He gave them their full share in religious functions.

To him, there are no barriers of race, class, caste, creed or color, which check the progress of any in reaching the goal. He realized the great truth of fellowship of religions. He preached the universal brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God to all people.

Guru Nanak points out that the road to the abode of God is long and arduous. There are no short cuts for rich people. Everyone must undergo the same discipline. All human beings must live according to the will of the Lord without grumbling or murmuring. The best way to find God is to make His will your own. Be in tune with the Infinite. The first stage in making the divine will one’s own is attained through prayer for divine grace or favor. Guru Nanak attaches very great importance to prayer. He says that man without divine favor can achieve nothing. He says: \"Approach God with perfect humility. Throw yourself on His mercy. Give up pride, show and egoism. Beg for His kindness and favor. Do not think of your own merits, abilities, faculties and capacities. Be prepared to die in the pursuit of His love and union with Him\".

The beautiful composition of mystic poems uttered by Nanak is contained in Japji. Every Sikh sings it at daybreak. In Japji, Guru Nanak has given a vivid description of the stages through which man must pass in order to reach the final resting place or abode of eternal bliss. There are five stages or Khandas. The first is called Dharm Khand or \"The Realm of Duty\". Everyone must tread the path of righteousness. Everyone will be judged according to his actions.

The next stage is Gyan Khand or \"The Realm of Knowledge\" where the spirit of divine knowledge reigns. The aspirant does his duty with intense faith and sincerity. He has the knowledge now, that only by doing his duty in a perfect manner, he can reach the abode of bliss or the goal of life.

The third stage is Sharam Khand. This is \"The Realm of Ecstasy\". There is the spiritual rapture here. There is beauty. The Dharma has become a part of one’s own nature. It has become an cheap self balance wheel ingrained habit. It is no more a mere matter of duty or knowledge.

The fourth stage is Karam Khand or \"The Realm of Power\". The God of power rules over this realm. The aspirant acquires power. He becomes a mighty hero. He becomes invincible. The fear of death vanishes.

The fifth or the final stage is Sach Khand or \"The Realm of Truth\". The formless One reigns here. Here the aspirant becomes one with God. He has attained Godhead. He has transmuted himself into Divinity. He has attained the goal of his life. He has found out his permanent resting place. Now ends the arduous journey of the soul.

The teachings of GuruNanak are summarized as follows. Love every faith: Put away thy pride. Remember the essence of religion. Do not do and encourage the fauge things of selfish people. It will not lead you in the path of spirituality and godliness. However, a life of goodness and pure spirituality you can attain all the things you need. You will have a permanent place in this earth and very good place in the heaven after your demise.

I thank the Almighty God and Swamiji Sri Siddhar for giving me a chance to share my ideas on spirituality. In the next issue, we will meet with some more thoughts on Spirituality. I pray the Almighty to shower its blessings on all of us to have a very good spiritual life. By these blessings, as according to our Swamiji’s words we can lead a comfortable living.

OM Shanthi Om Shanthi Om Shanthi.

Posted by Selvam Siddhar

Posted date 12.05.2015