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NEWS & VIEWS127hell and heaven, transmigration and karma, miracles, demons, angels,gods, and goddesses. Guru Nanak also rejected the concept <strong>of</strong> salvationpreached by the Semitic and the Indian religions.2. “<strong>Sikh</strong>ism exhorts Hindus to become true Hindus and Muslimsto become true Muslims.”– Again, this statement is a distortion <strong>of</strong> Guru Nanak’s teachings.Guru Nanak urged both Hindus and Muslims to give up theirconventional beliefs and focus on higher religion – universalhumanism – love, respect, equality and justice for all. Whereasduring Guru Nanak’s time a true Hindu followed the dictates <strong>of</strong>the caste system faithfully and a true Muslim believed in thedreadful punishments for non-believers (kafirs) plus some otherun-human doctrines.Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dharam Singh has misinterpreted the hymn <strong>of</strong> BhagatKabir on page 1349 <strong>of</strong> Guru Granth Sahib: “Neither the Vedas northe Qatebs (the Semitic scriptures like the Bible and the Quran) are tobe called false, rather false are those who do not reflect on them orhowever, they do not condemn scriptures – eastern or western: thesescriptures are not false, rather false are those humans who do notcontemplate and comprehend them.”Dr Sidhu is correct in saying that Kabir did not vouch for thevalidity <strong>of</strong> Vedas and the Semitic texts; rather he rebukes those whodo not reflect on the teachings <strong>of</strong> these texts before rejecting/condemning them. Kabir strongly disagreed with the Vedas and theSemitic texts similar to the <strong>Sikh</strong> Gurus and other bhagats whose hymnsare recorded as part <strong>of</strong> Guru Granth Sahib.– I have searched many Shastras and Smritis; their teachings do notshow the way to God, but the dwelling on God’s attributes isinvaluable. (p. 265)– Many a Brahma got tired <strong>of</strong> studying the Vedas, but they couldnot estimate even an iota <strong>of</strong> God’s greatness. Ten incarnations <strong>of</strong>Vishnu and the famous ascetic Shiv, who got tired <strong>of</strong> smearinghis body with ashes, could not fathom God’s extent. (p. 747)– Using horse as a metaphor for mind and good actions as the pathto God, Kabir says that a good rider keeps his focus on the pathand is not distracted by the teaching <strong>of</strong> Vedas and Kateb. (p 329)– O my brethren! Smriti is based on the Vedas. It has brought chains <strong>of</strong>
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