Pri.Narinder Bir Singh
Gurbani- The Universal Way Of Life:
Though considered by most of the
people only a scripture meant to give spiritual nourishment to the starving
soul of man, Guru Granth Sahib is equally equipped to guide destiny of man in
matters relating to everyday social, political and economic problems of life.
It enunciates a way of life that enables a man to lead a harmonious life
enjoying cordial relationship with the people around him. It dwells at length
on the kind of relationship a husband and wife should ideally have,
parent-child, brother-sister and friendly relationship also find adequate
attention. It tells a king to be a just king, while warning the general public
against ignorance and falsehood.
It recommends the establishment of a
state where the mind is without fear and the head is held high. Where walls of
narrow nationalism are broken, where the crystal clear waters of rational
thinking flow, where all the citizens live in love and the pious fear of the divine.
The Gurus vehemently rejected all kinds of
formalistic religions while respecting true religion of the spirit regardless
of its form. Instead of denouncing ‘Namaz’ and ‘Aarti’, ‘Kazi’ and ‘Pandit’ are
told to perform true ‘Namaz’ and ‘Aarti’. The Gurus laid stress on the practice
of true religion which for them is truthful living. ‘Truth is high, higher
still is truthful living’.
Shabad Guru:
Guru Granth Sahib affirms the ideal
of ‘Shabad Guru’, ‘Word is the Guru’ says Guru Nanak and the idea is at the
centre stage of Guru Granth Sahib. It is the message of the Guru that is
revered by the Sikhs and not the physical body of the Guru. No physical being
can be a permanent companion to the soul that is abstract.
ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰ ਪੀਰਾ ਗਹਿਰ ਗੰਭੀਰਾ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਜਗੁ ਬਉਰਾਨੰ ॥ {ਪੰਨਾ 635}
The
word is now my Guru, Deep and Waveless,
Without
the word, the world goes about like mad. {SGGS 635}
