Jan-March 2006 - Institute of Sikh Studies

WOMAN IN SIKHISM15of social and political activity. Quite recently they got the right ofvote, along with men, to elect representatives to the Central Board ofManagement for the Sikh Temples, called the Shromani GurdwaraParbandhak Committee. In the book of ritual, prepared by this body,women along with men have been given the right to join the PanjPearas or the Five Beloved Ones, who are commissioned to administerbaptism and perform other functions as the Guru incorporate.Thus are abolished all the invidious distinctions between menand women.~~~References1. Guru Amar Das, up to the sixtieth year of his life, had not yetbecome a Sikh. He was living when Guru Nanak was preachinghis gospel, but he did not know him. Even when Guru Angad,the second Guru, came and carried on the mission of Guru Nanakhe did not know it. It was reserved for Bibi Amro to bring himinto the Sikh fold. She was the daughter of Guru Angad, andwas married to the nephew of Guru. Amar Das who lived in anadjoining house. One early morning she was churning milk andas usual singing the hymns of the Guru Amar Das, thirsty forspiritual satisfaction, lay awake restlessly in bed. The wordstouched him and he requested her to take him to her father, GuruAngad, and she did so.2. He lived from the time of the 3rd to the 6th Guru. Next to theGuru’s words, the Sikhs prize his works which are a sort ofexposition and are called the key to their Scriptures.¤Gurbani is the treasure of jewels of Lord’s meditation.By singing, hearing and acting upto it, one is satisfied.– Guru Granth Sahib, p 376Bgiq BMfwr gurbwxI lwl ] gwvq sunq kmwvq inhwl ]