| (21) Question:- |
When a sincere worker of the house of the Guru is unnecessarily criticized or rebuked by people, what should he do? |
| Answer:- |
The sincere worker never bothers about people who are in the habit of picking holes. They are slanderers and do not do anything
else except criticising the genuine workers. A true Sikh serves the house of the Guru and the people without any selfish motives. Since his intention is honest, he need not worry about those who merely find faults. However, everyone should do introspection from time and if one feels himself that there is some shortcoming or defect he should pray to God for the removal of the same and work with sincerity as to get the deserved honour. A slanderer has to ultimately suffer as he is exposed and nobody likes him. |
| (22) Question:- |
What is Gurmat view point regarding possession of wealth by a Gursikh? |
| Answer:- |
A Gursikh is never a Garib (poor) in the material sense as he feels contented with whatever he has. Sikh religion does not prohibit a person from earning, and there is no bar on the extent thereof. Similarly, there is no check on spending also. However, the Gurus wanted that only that much money should be had which is essential for making our life smooth and reasonably good. Maya (money) has been treated as Gujran, which means living. A Gursikh should not become unreasonably greedy or involve himself in Moh (all material pleasures). in short, Gurmat does not approve of either excessive money or too low money as in both the conditions one has to suffer. Guru Arjan Dev has expressed the Sikh viewpoint regarding having money in the following words:-
ਜਿਸੁ ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਤਿਸੈ ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਚਿੰਤਾ ॥
ਜਿਸੁ ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਥੋਰੀ ਸੁ ਫਿਰੈ ਭ੍ਰਮੰਤਾ ॥
ਦੁਹੂ ਬਿਵਸਥਾ ਤੇ ਜੋ ਮੁਕਤਾ ਸੋਈ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ਭਾਲੀਐ ॥1॥ (ਅੰਗ 1019)
JIS GREH BAHUTT TISA1 GREH CHINTA JIS GREH THOREE SU PHIRA1N BHARMANTA.
DUHOO BIVASTHA TE JO MUKTA SOEE SUHELA BHAALEEAl.
He, who has much wealth in his home, is worried due to care.
He, who little of it in his home, wander about in search of it.
He alone is in peace who is free from both the states. |
| (23) Question:- |
What are the view given in Gurbani regarding such acts as that of slandering, jealousy, deceit, cheating and ungratefulness? |
| Answer:- |
Gurbani considers all such acts as acts of human debasement. The same have been condemned and the followers have been directed to not to indulge in such acts. Slandering is such a bad habit that everyone is directed to abandon it. The Third Master says:-
ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਤਜਿ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਹਉਮੈ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੁ ॥ (ਅੰਗ 29)
Mere Man Taj Nindaa Haume Ahankaar
O My mind, abandon slander, self conceit and arrogance
Guru Ram Dass also draws the image of a slanderer in following words:-
ਨਿੰਦਕੁ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਕਰਿ ਮਲੁ ਧੋਵੈ ਓਹੁ ਮਲਭਖੁ ਮਾਇਆਧਾਰੀ ॥ (ਅੰਗ 506)
Nindak Ninda Kar Mal Dhove, Oh Malbhakh Maaiaadhaaree
By slandering, the slanderer washes other's filth,
He is the filth eater wealth worshipper.
Kabir's famous hymn in this respect clarifies that when a slanderer indulges in tarnishing the name of a noble soul, he himself becomes a subject of slander.
ਹਮਰੇ ਕਪਰੇ ਨਿੰਦਕੁ ਧੋਇ ॥1॥ (ਅੰਗ 339)
Hamare Kapre Nindak Dhoe
The slanderer washes my clothes
Bhai Gurdas in his 12th Vaar while specifying qualities of a Sikh maker it clear that he never indulges in slander and wherever it is, he keeps himself away.
ਹਉ ਤਿਸੁ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਇਆ ਪਰ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਸੁਣਿ ਆਪੁ ਹਟਾਵੈ। (ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਵਾਰਾਂ - ਪਉੜੀ 4)
Haun Tis Ghol Ghumaaia Par Ninda Sun Aap Hattave.
I love him deeply, who keeps himself away from backbiting.
Bhai Chopa Singh's Rehatnama also conclusively mentions that feeling of jealousy is also an impediment on the path of noble living. Gurbani castigates such feelings as the possessor of these feelings cannot tolerate the greatness and popularity of a person who deserves it. Guru Ram Dass goes to the extent of saying
ਜਿਸੁ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਤਾਤਿ ਪਰਾਈ ਹੋਵੈ ਤਿਸ ਦਾ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਹੋਵੀ ਭਲਾ ॥ (ਅੰਗ 308)
Jis Andar Tat Paraaee HovAI Tis Da Kade Na Hovee Bhala.
He, who is filled with jealousy,
Never gets any good.
Guru Arjun also holds accordingly, when he says
ਏਕਸੁ ਸਿਉ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਮਨੁ ਰਾਤਾ ॥ ਵਿਸਰੀ ਤਿਸੈ ਪਰਾਈ ਤਾਤਾ ॥1॥ (ਅੰਗ 189)
Ekas Sio Ja Ka Man Raata. Visari Tisai Paraaee Taat.1.
He who is imbued with the love of one Lord
Abandon jealousy for any one.
Such a quality comes to a person only by grace of God. When, according to Guru Nanak, one understands that there is one God of all creatures, it is then that a stage is reached.
ਸਭਨਾ ਜੀਆ ਕਾ ਇਕੁ ਦਾਤਾ ਸੋ ਮੈ ਵਿਸਰਿ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥5॥ (ਅੰਗ 2)
Sabhana Jiaa Kaa Ik Data So Main Visar Na Jaaee.
That there is one Lord of all. May I never forget Him.
Deceit means to pretend to be what one is not. Such a person is different from inside and outside. This type of man takes shelter under pack of lies for achieving his objects. Guru Ram Dass tells us about the temperament of such person
ਇਕਿ ਵਲੁ ਛਲੁ ਕਰਿ ਕੈ ਖਾਵਦੇ ਮੁਹਹੁ ਕੂੜੁ ਕੁਸਤੁ ਤਿਨੀ ਢਾਹਿਆ ॥ (ਅੰਗ 85)
Ik Val Chhal Kar Kai Khaavade Muhahu Koorh Kusat Tini Dhaahiaa,,
Those who feed themselves by decait and fraud,
Drop falsehood and untruth from their mouths.
The Gurbani cautions us that such persons cannot be trusted and as their life is of no use.
ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਕਪਟੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੈ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਣਿਆ ॥4॥ (ਅੰਗ 123)
Birthaa Janam Gavaaiaa Kapati Bin Shabadai Dukh Paavaniaa. 4.
Deceiver loses his life in vain
And suffers hardship without God's Name.
In the present day World there are even saints who deceive the innocent people with their dresses and pretensions.
Cheating is also a mode of deceit. If it as a source of livelihood for someone, Guru Nanak says about him
ਠਗਿ ਖਾਧਾ ਮੁਰਦਾਰੁ ॥ (ਅੰਗ 15)
Thhag Khaadha Murdaar.
By cheating one eats carcass
The biggest crime as per Gurbani is that ungreatfulness. It is unfair to someone if one becomes ungratful to him forgetting all his gestures of kindness and timely help. Guru Nanak noticed that what to speak of another persons. The man was ungreatful even to God whom he has forgotten despite the fact that itwas He who had blessed him with everything. Thus, says the fifth Master in Sukhmani (Ashtpadi 20)
ਸੋ ਕਿਉ ਬਿਸਰੈ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਦੀਆ ॥ (ਅੰਗ 289)
So Kyoun Bisre Jin Sabh Kich Deeya.
Why to forget Him, who has given everything
Kabir Calls n ungreatful person a 'SAKAT' and says that even a swine, eater of filth, is better than such a person. Bhai Girdas also clarifies that Gursikh cannot be forgetful of the Lord, who has blessed us with Ears, nose, tongue and all other things. |
| (24) Question:- |
What is the concept of education as enunciated in Gurbani? |
| Answer:- |
In worldly sense, education means the acquisition of a particular branch of knowledge. A person is said to be educated, if he is in possession of diplomas and degrees. The Gurus wanted the Sikhs to be learned persons in the real sense. The history records that a number of Sikhs had been deputed by the Gurus to go to the cities of learning to acquire knowledge about original scriptures, classics and languages. All the Sikhs Gurus were themselves highly learned as becomes evident from their poetic compositions. However, the Sikh concept of education does not merely believe in mechanical reading of books or scriptures, unless the contents therein are put to use for the benefit of the humanity. One is required to ponder upon the thoughts as are contained thereof. Such a thinker acquires a real knowledge and becomes a Braham Giani as becomes evident from the Sukhmani Sahib:
The concept of education as emerges from Gurbani, further requires a knowledgeable person to use his knowledge for the welfare of humanity. A misuse of education shows the lack of understanding and appreciation by such a person. If it is not used at all, it is of no avail as such a person is as good or bad as any other ignorant or illiterate person. The concept is summed up in only one line of Guru Nanak which reads:
ਵਿਦਿਆ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ਤਾਂ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ ॥ (ਅੰਗ 356)
Vidiaa Veechaari Ta Parupkaari
That who ponders upon his education turns a benefactor.
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