A Glimpse of Sikhism

According to the Croation Times, Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) Langar (free-kitchen) is the home to the world’s largest free-kitchen which serves free food to approx. 300,000 people per day. The revolutionary concept of the langar was started by Guru Nanak (first Sikh Guru) to uphold the principles of equality between all people regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender, or social status in the caste-ordered society of 16th century in India where Sikhism began. In addition to the ideals of equality, the tradition of langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness, and oneness of all humankind. Since then, the Sikh religion has held the legacy to date [World Book of Records].

Every Gurdwara has:

Langar hall: where anyone regardless of any religious or other identities can feed his/her stomach (Langar chhakkna) by sitting in a particular sitting position (Palthi markar: The sitting position when your maximum body parts are being in touch with the mother earth). The most beautiful thing about this culture is no matter it’s a labour or a president, everyone will be served in the same way and no one can break this rule down. And, this is how even in today’s hour it is defining the notion of equality and equanimity expressed in the above-mentioned para. The second wonderful thing about the langar is, Sevadar (who serves food etc.) called you Waheguru (Waheguru ji Prasadda, Waheguru ji Dal, Waheguru ji………..) this means you are not just a human but a God or God resides within you and this is the true example of the notion ‘Atithi Devo Bhavah’ elaborated in Sanatan tradition. And, the third most amazing thing about the langar is, when you catch the Prasadda (rotti) by outstretching your both hands like a Bhikshuk from the Sevadar; it re-roots us with the ground humanity by crushing our ego and fake attitude in pieces.

I strongly believe the culture of langar can transcendence humanity even from today’s crises of racism, inequality, religious conflicts and cultural orthodox to global peace, equality and equanimity, if it is assimilated from the core of humanity.

Amrit Sarovar: Every Gurdwara has Sarovar (water body) as an integral ang (part) of its identical architecture. Excavation of the Sarovar was begun by Guru Raam Das (the fourth spiritual master of the Sikhs) and his son and successor Guru Arjan Dev completed the Sarovar and described it in these words:

Raamdaas sarovar naatae ||1||
Bathing in the sacred pool of Guru Raam Das,

~Shri Guru Granth Sahib

Sabh laathae paap kamaatae ||2||
All the sins one has committed are washed away.

~Shri Guru Granth Sahib

According to learnreligions.com, Sarovars are fundamentally constructed to perform spiritual ablution known as Isnaan. And there is a belief that says ‘Sacred water of Sarovar passes curative properties this is because of continual prayer of Sikh scriptures which makes their pious soul recite in the vicinity.

Though there is no well-tested proof but scientists are working to establish the relationship between sound (Mantras/Vanis) and its effects on other 3E’s (Element, Environment and Energy). I too believe the chanting of Mantra/Vani can make the Sarovar water sacred and curative, colourful fish makes it pious and its stillness makes our soul, body, mind and heart calm and cool.

Jora-Ghar: The members of ‘Nankana Sahib Sikh Yatree Jatha’ had been doing the free shoe-keeping and shining service for years (around 21 years). President of Nankana Sahib Sikh Yatree Jatha Swaran Singh told TOI in the year 2012 that, when he went to Pakistan on pilgrimage for the first time in 1990, he saw heaps of shoes and slippers lying unevenly outside gurudwaras and devotees arguing over their missing shoes and slippers. And then he decided to start ‘Jora-Ghar Service’ in Pakistan and later in India and that’s it started. Shoe service (Jora-Ghar Sewa) is considered an act of humanity and has great significance in Sikhism (TOI, 2012). An unbelievable scene of “Singh stepping out from a brand new car and joining Jora-Ghar Service to clean, polish and keep your shoes and slippers in a proper manner’ can only be seen at Gurudwara’s Jora-Ghar.

What can be more beautiful than the religion which teaches you the true value and meaning of worship through the act of humanity?

Nisan-Sahib: The symbol of Sikh sovereignty and identity is an integral part of every Gurudwara. A landmark which helps starved men/women to reach Gurudwara and quench their thrust.

Guru Granth Sahib: The Guru Granth Sahib is a collation of many hymns, poems, shabads and other writings from many different scholars, including the Gurus and Hindu and Muslim writers which makes it different from all other available literature. Every Guru Granth Sahib has 1,430 pages.

Wait a minute, the Guru Granth Sahib is not just the holy scripture of Sikhism. It is also considered as the living Guru. Before Guru Gobind Singh died, he declared that there would be no more human Gurus and that the Guru Granth Sahib would be the Eternal Guru. And, therefore the pages are called as the Anga (BBC).