Introduction
Sikhism, the
youngest among world religions, arose over 500 years ago in
(sub-continental) India. It surged up across the horizon as
a great revolutionary force that changed the very course of
Indian history. With its values of universalism, liberalism,
humanism and pluralism, preached and propagated in the medieval
age, Sikh religion introduced new elements which later flowered
out in modern world civilization.
Sikhism, a unique 'revealed' religion originated with Guru
Nanak (1469-1539 AD) who was succeeded by nine other Prophets-Guru
Gobind Singh (1666-1708 AD) being the last and tenth Prophet.
It is a distinctive monotheistic faith envisioning one Supreme
God who is Creator also.
Sikhism endeavoured for a new dispensation characterized by
the values of liberty, equality, justice, tolerance and non-violence,
discarding discriminations of all kinds on grounds of creed,
caste, class, race, region, sex, etc. God is realizable by
man in his very earthly, household life, through spiritual
enlightement, moral responsibility, intellectual catholicity
and social commitment.
The Sikh Scripture, Guru Granth (ealier known as Adi Granth),
is unique among the Scriptures of different religions. The
Adi Granth was prepared by the fifth Prophet himself who compiled
holy compositions of the earlier Gurus as well as of like-spirited
Hindu Saints and Muslim Sufis. Later Guru Gobind Singh added
to the Adi Granth the hymns of the ninth Prophet (with one
couplet of his own). Before passing away, Guru Gobind Singh
bestowed 'Guruship' on the Adi Granth, making it the Guru
Granth, that is, the embodiment of the spirit of the Gurus.
The Guru Granth-the divine World-thus is revered and worshipped
as the eternal "living" Guru by the Sikhs. The Sikh
Scripture contains 5894 holy hymns in 31 ragas (classical
musical measures) of the Sikh Gurus, Hindu Saints and Muslim
divines-36 in all-from the length and breadth of (sub-continental)
India, embodying the spiritual enlightment and religious consciousness,
from the thirteenth to the seventeenth century, with continuing
significance and relevance for the liberation of man and amelioration
of society.
|
