32ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES : JAN-MARCH <strong>2006</strong> / 537-38 NSdo something for the benefit <strong>of</strong> all. And, to our surprise and grief,new problems <strong>of</strong> global terrorism, social and economic domination,use <strong>of</strong> drugs and increase in violence, political domination, are nowbecoming endemic despite our seeming progress and better living. Thereality <strong>of</strong> these problems can be assessed in terms <strong>of</strong> moral and spiritualorientation. If you are not able to believe and stress that we are allequal, we all are entitled to live in peace and happiness, we are allchildren <strong>of</strong> one God who would never like to discriminate, we have toget rid <strong>of</strong> the exploitation <strong>of</strong> the under-privileged, and that the grief<strong>of</strong> my brother is also my grief, you will never be in peace yourself. Inthis distressing scenario, Guru Granth Sahib’s message, approach anddirection show perpetual guidance. Of course, we are talking <strong>of</strong> thenew millennium. I believe these teachings will be relevant as long asthe world exists. Before I talk <strong>of</strong> other things, let me explain why Ithink so. Guru Granth Sahib –– Never suggests that these teachings are for the benefit <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sikh</strong>salone;– Never suggests that <strong>Sikh</strong> religion is superior to others’ beliefs;– Never suggests that any man is inferior to anyone else;– Never suggests that the <strong>Sikh</strong>s’ way <strong>of</strong> worship or the <strong>Sikh</strong>s’ prayerhousesare more sacred than others;– Never suggests that the <strong>Sikh</strong>s will be judged more compassionatelythan others.The core message <strong>of</strong> our scripture is development <strong>of</strong> Man’s moraland spiritual strength so that he can face evil squarely, and not onlyovercome it but also share his well-being with all others, irrespective<strong>of</strong> caste, creed, sex, nationality or race. Since the whole world wantsto live in peace, but expects everyone else to tow his particular line,conflicts arise. Guru Granth Sahib has one and the same message forall, and also advises prayer for all mankind, Sarbat Da Bhalla. Here aresome quotes :Khatri brahman sood vaish, updesh chauh varna kau sanjha.(The message for everyone is common, whether one is <strong>of</strong> thisvarna or that.)– Guru Granth Sahib p 747-48Sarb dharam mein sreisht dharam, harko naam jap nirmal karam.(The highest dharma among all dharmas is the meditation on God’s
GURU GRANTH SAHIB – THE PERFECT, PERPETUAL GUIDE...33name and doing good deeds.)– Guru Granth Sahib, p 266Koi bole raam raam koi khudae.......(Some call him Ram, some Khuda; He is the gracious Doer;Some call him Gusain, other Allah.Some go on pilgrimage to Hindu centres, others to Mecca forHaj;Some worship in temples, others <strong>of</strong>fer Namaz;Some read Vedas, others Quran; some wear blue, others white;Some call themselves Muslims, others Hindus. Some wish to goto Swarag, other to Bahisht (Hindu and Muslim Names forHeaven)But, says Nanak, only those who recognise the will <strong>of</strong> the Lord,are able to know His secrets.– Guru Granth Sahib, p 885Jagat jalanda rakh lei apni kirpa dharJit dware ubhre, teite leio ubhar.(Oh Lord, save this burning world by your Grace, by whicheverdoor – religious path, they approach you, lift them from thequagmire.)– Guru Granth Sahib, p.853Daya kapah santokh soot jat gandi sat vatEh janeo jeeka haai tan pande ghat.(O Pandit, let their be cotton <strong>of</strong> compassion, yarn <strong>of</strong> contentment,knots <strong>of</strong> self-control and interwining <strong>of</strong> truth, if you have such ajaneo <strong>of</strong> the soul, bring it to me.)We shall see that whether one belongs to any <strong>of</strong> the divisions <strong>of</strong>the Hindu religion, or to a Muslim faith or to self-proclaimed Brahminfold, Guru Granth Sahib dwells on values and makes no distinction.In fact, the Guru’s two-fold emphasis is that every religion is wonderfulif recitation <strong>of</strong> Naam and good deeds form the core. And, the prayerto the Lord is to lift everyone from whichever religion they are.Here is thus a perpetual system <strong>of</strong> spirituality which neither believesin conversion <strong>of</strong> faith, nor is interested in making others adhere to thetenets <strong>of</strong> a particular faith from outside. In other words, it is clear that solong as one believes in truth, love and meditation <strong>of</strong> God’s Name, anyonecan belong to the religion <strong>of</strong> Guru Granth Sahib.