editorial articles reviews news & views - Institute of Sikh Studies

36
ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES : APRIL-JUNE 2005 / 537 NS
This should jolt us to reality. If no other authority is seized of the
urgency of the project, it is earnestly appealed to the Institute of Sikh
Studies, Chandigarh, to shoulder this stupendous task and once again
lead the community to a major achievement.
Our image is sought to be tarnished and damaged by misleading
propaganda by persons pushing their own faiths to the gullible Sikh
masses. Recently, I heard about a padre speaking at a Sikh congregation
in a village gurdwara, that Sikh Gurus were keen to promote
Christianity. He quoted: Nirmal sacho mann vase, so janey abh pir. He
stressed that Nirmal stands for Jesus since he was the only one who
was without any blemishes. He reinforced it by the Chopai of Guru
Gobind Singh, Pun rachhas ka kata sissa; Sri asketu jagat ke issa.
Triumphantly he argued that the Tenth Master reinforced the
supremacy of Issa that is Jesus! Similarly some Hindu preachers are
going round stressing that in Jap, Guru Nanak declared: Asankh Granth,
mukh Ved path. He translated the word mukh as ‘main’ or ‘predominant’!
We are talking of translations of Guru Granth Sahib into various
languages spoken in various states of our country, and, on a wider
scale, of the whole world. The desirability is, of course, strong and
urgent. We have not pondered about the methodology of creating so
many correct translations, for which panels of persons qualified in
those languages are required. At the cost of repetition, it is stressed
that the panels must be of persons of integrity and knowledge of the
philosophy of gurbani and the lofty traditions of Sikhism. More than
their name in print, such scholars must rather prefer anonymity and
cherish the cause of the projects and genuinely create masterpieces
for eternity. Surely, their names will live, may be, in finer print, but
the task is tremendously important and urgent to be ignored any longer.
¤