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Punjab . Sikhism
Introduction |
| Sikhism, the youngest among world
religions, arose over 500 years ago in (sub-continental) India. It
surged up across the horizen as a great revolutionary force that
changed the very course of Indian history. With its values of
universalism, liberalism, humanism and pluralism, preached and
propagated in the medieval age, Sikh religion introduced new
elements which later flowered out in modern world civilization. Sikhism, a unique 'revealed' religion originated with Guru Nanak (1469-1539 AD) who was succeeded by nine other Prophets-Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 AD) being the last and tenth Prophet. It is a distinctive monotheistic faith envisioning one Supreme God who is Creator also. Sikhism endeavoured for a new dispensation characterized by the values of liberty, equality, justice, tolerance and non-violence, discarding discriminations of all kinds on grounds of creed, caste, class, race, region, sex, etc. God is realizable by man in his very earthly, household life, through spiritual enlightement, moral responsibility, intellectual catholicity and social commitment. The Sikh Scripture, Guru Granth (ealier known as Adi Granth), is unique among the Scriptures of different religions. The Adi Granth was prepared by the fifth Prophet himself who compiled holy compositions of the earlier Gurus as well as of like-spirited Hindu Saints and Muslim Sufis. Later Guru Gobind Singh added to the Adi Granth the hymns of the ninth Prophet (with one couplet of his own). Before passing away, Guru Gobind Singh bestowed 'Guruship' on the Adi Granth, making it the Guru Granth, that is, the embodiment of the spirit of the Gurus. The Guru Granth-the divine World-thus is revered and worshipped as the eternal "living" Guru by the Shikhs. The Sikh Scripture contains 5894 holy hymns in 31 ragas (classical musical measures) of the Sikh Gurus, Hindu Saints and Muslim divines-36 in all-from the length and breadth of (sub-continental) India, embodying the spiritual enlightment and religious consciousness, from the thirteenth to the seventeenth century, with continuing significance and relevance for the liberation of man and amelioration of society.
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