editorial articles reviews news & views - Institute of Sikh Studies
editorial articles reviews news & views - Institute of Sikh Studies
editorial articles reviews news & views - Institute of Sikh Studies
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SIKHS CONTRIBUTION IN NATIONAL INTEGRATION AND COMMUNAL HARMONY<br />
51<br />
lower strata <strong>of</strong> society : Kabir (weaver) Nam Dev (calico printer)<br />
Dhanna (cultivator) Sadhna (butcher), Sain (barber), though Pipa was<br />
a king and Tirlochan a Brahmin :<br />
The sinner, whom no one <strong>of</strong>fers refuge<br />
If he seeks Thy protection, then immaculate becomes he. 2<br />
ABOLITION OF UNTOUCHABILITY<br />
From one clay has the Creator shaped innumerable forms :<br />
Neither is the clay-vessel defective nor the Potter. 3<br />
EQUAL STATUS FOR WOMEN<br />
Guru says in Asa Di Var :<br />
Within a woman, the man is conceived and from a woman he is born.<br />
With a woman he is betrothed and married.<br />
With a woman man contracts friendship and<br />
With a woman the system <strong>of</strong> propagation keeps on going.<br />
When one’s wife dies another lady is sought for.<br />
It is through a woman that man restrains his passions.<br />
Why call her bad, from whom are born the Kings 4<br />
The Guru elevated their status in a society which treated them<br />
as door-mats and raised them to the male’s level. Now according to<br />
UN Charter also, their status has been brought at par with men. Our<br />
Gurus had the foresight five centuries back. Almost half <strong>of</strong> the world’s<br />
adult population is made up <strong>of</strong> women. Their equal status and<br />
integration in the mainstream <strong>of</strong> life is not only economically, ethically,<br />
religiously desirable but essential for societal peace.<br />
INTEGRATION OF INDIA/GLOBE<br />
The present chaotic state <strong>of</strong> the world on the basis <strong>of</strong> rich and<br />
poor, high or low caste, religions, geography, political polarisation,<br />
requires healing, soothing, integrating teachings <strong>of</strong> the Holy Granth.<br />
Save by Thy grace, the world in flames;<br />
Save it at whatever portal it may be saved. 5<br />
Here is this integrating message from the Guru Granth :<br />
All are called partners in Thy grace.<br />
Thou art seen alien to none. 6<br />
The Bhagats came from all over the country. The language <strong>of</strong><br />
the Granth is Hindi, Prakrit, Braj, Punjabi, Persian and Arabic. Here