Sikhi
Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhi
Sikhi is a monotheistic religion that originated in the Punjab region of South Asia during the 15th century. The faith was founded by Guru Nanak Dev and shaped by his nine successors in the 16th and 17th centuries before becoming crystallized under the 10th Guru, Gobind Singh. With over 20 million followers globally, Sikhi is today the world’s fifth largest religion.
Sikhi arose in an environment of increasing tensions between Hinduism and Islam marked by deep class and caste divides.
Guru Nanak questioned and rejected rigid religious dogmas, superstitious practices, and social inequalities propagated by Brahmin priests and Mughal rulers alike.
He preached a simple message of Ek Onkar (One God) who dwells in every one of His creations and constitutes the eternal Truth. Sikhi emphasises the equality and interconnectedness of all human beings irrespective of caste, creed or gender. By stressing an active life of truthfulness, service and humility, it rejects asceticism, celibacy and withdrawal from society.
The spirit of the Khalsa Panth was created by Guru Gobind Singh as a community of saint-soldiers dedicated to social justice and protecting the oppressed.
Origins and History
Guru Nanak (1469-1539) was born in a Hindu family at Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, near present-day Lahore in Pakistan. From an early age, Nanak exhibited profound spiritual qualities and contemplated the meaning of life.
He would spend time meditating, reading scriptures, bathing in rivers, and reflecting in the wilderness. At the age of 30, he went missing near a stream where he had an intense mystical experience of the Divine.
Reappearing three days later, Guru Nanak began speaking divine revelations which formed the basis of his new, radical teachings.
Rejecting the religious divisions, ritualism and discrimination propagated by clerics and rulers, Nanak taught about internal devotion to one FORMLESS God or Akal Purakh beyond any human attributes.
He denounced the caste system and proclaimed all human beings equal, regardless of gender, background or socio-economic status.
He established key Sikh principles such as honest work, sharing with others, service to humanity and remembrance of the Divine Name. Guru Nanak embarked on long udasiya (missionary journeys) accompanied by his Muslim ragi (musician) Mardana to spread his universal message of compassion, wisdom and human dignity.
Guru Nanak rejected asceticism and the renunciation of householder life. He taught that spiritual liberation could be attained while leading an active life devoted to family and society.
He appointed his most loyal disciple Lehna as his successor, who assumed the role as Guru Angad in 1539. Angad formalized the Gurmukhi script for writing the Punjabi language as a medium for recording the teachings of the Sikh gurus.
The third Guru, Amar Das (1479-1574) instituted structured sangat congregations and langar free kitchens. His successor, Guru Ram Das (1534-1581), founded the city of Amritsar with a pool believed to have healing powers.
In 1581, Guru Arjan Dev became the fifth guru and accomplished major contributions. He constructed the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in the center of the pool in Amritsar. Guru Arjan compiled the first authorised version of Sikh scripture, the Adi Granth, collecting the teachings of the first four Gurus and other saints. As the Sikh community flourished, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir viewed Guru Arjan as a threat and had him imprisoned, tortured and executed in 1606.
Guru Hargobind, his successor, constructed the Akal Takht facing Harmandir Sahib as a symbol of political as well as spiritual authority.
He armed his followers and fought four defensive battles against Mughal forces. His grandson Guru Har Rai carried forward the military tradition but maintained cordial ties with Mughal emperors.
At age five, Guru Har Krishan became guru before dying of smallpox ministering to the poor. Guru Tegh Bahadur, who became guru in 1664, was a scholar-poet and championed religious tolerance. He was beheaded in 1675 for defending the right to freedom of worship after refusing to convert to Islam.
The 10th Guru, Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa order in 1699 and infused the community with a warrior-saint identity. Wearing the five articles of faith or 5 K’s became mandatory for initiated Sikhs.
Before his death in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh decreed the eternal guruship to the Adi Granth, now called the Guru Granth Sahib. Banda Singh Bahadur led the Sikhs in an uprising against Mughal rulers before being defeated and executed in 1716.
For several decades, the Sikhs lived as guerilla fighters against religious persecution. Under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikh Empire was established in 1799 and ruled over the Punjab from Lahore till 1849. Following British annexation, the Singh Sabha reform movement aimed to revive Sikh identity.
After India’s independence from Britain, Punjab was divided with a majority going to Pakistan leading to mass displacement.
Religious Philosophy and Scriptures
Sikh religious philosophy is grounded in the teachings of Guru Nanak and his nine successors enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib.
The sacred scripture serves as the eternal, authoritative guru for Sikhs guiding their beliefs and practices. Edited and compiled by the fifth Guru Arjan Dev, it comprises over 6000 hymns or shabads arranged into 31 sections according to musical styles.
The Mool Mantar which precedes Japji Sahib, is an essential distillation of Sikh theology proclaiming the existence of ONE supreme eternal reality, the Onkar or Akal Purakh, that is without form, fear or enmity and is attained through Guru’s grace.
Sikh teachings emphasise truthful living, remembrance of the Divine, service to humanity and justice for all as the path to enlightenment.
The realisation of God is attained through internal devotion rather than empty external rituals or blind superstitions.
Sikhs believe in cradle to grave cycles of birth and rebirth driven by one’s karma but ultimate salvation lies in liberation from this cycle.
The Guru Granth Sahib rejects asceticism, renunciation and withdrawal from life to attain salvation. It promotes the active life of a householder along with responsibilities towards family and society while remaining focused on the Divine.
All human beings are considered equal with women clearly afforded equal status. Honest labor and work are glorified while caste discrimination and priestly classes are condemned.
Strongly opposed philosophies include ritualism, idol worship, pilgrimages, astrology and superstitions. Selfless service towards community constitutes an essential aspect of Sikh spirituality.
Guru Gobind Singh’s spiritual contributions are recorded in the Dasam Granth which contains his poetry as well as texts attributed to him.
The Sarbloh Granth consists of early compilations of his teachings while the Gur Partap Suraj documents his life.
His Zafarnama letter and Bachittar Nataks highlight his bravery and sacrifice. The evolution of the Sikh religion is captured in Janamsakhis (birth stories) and Rehitnamas (code of conduct treatises) from the 18th century.
Concept of God
Sikhi is uncompromisingly monotheistic in its belief of ONE all-pervading creator or Akal Purakh, who constitutes the eternal, omnipresent truth.
All human beings can establish contact with Waheguru through contemplation and grace. God has no gender, human form or material attributes but manifests in creation.
Ek Onkar refers to the singularity, reality and oneness of God. Simran (remembrance) of the divine name is central to spiritual pursuit.
The Mul Mantar invokes key attributes of the creator as compassionate, without fear or hatred, immortal, self-existent, realized through the Guru’s grace. God permeates the cosmos as karta (creator), rakhia (sustainer) and jugta (destroyer). The universe operates under the order of Hukam reflecting divine will rather than human actions.
Maya refers to worldly illusions and temporary pleasures that distract the soul from reality. Attaining enlightenment requires overcoming the five thieves or evils of Kaam (lust), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Moh (attachment) and Ahankar (ego) through God’s sabad (word).
Human Condition and Salvation
Sikh teachings reject the idea that human beings are inherently sinful. Instead, clouded by ego and worldly illusions, people become distanced from Akal Purakh.
The cycle of birth and rebirth driven by karma perpetuates this separation until one attains enlightenment and liberation from the cycle.
The four key obstacles to salvation are Kam, Krodh, Lobh and Moh which keep individuals bound to physical and material existence.
To attain mukti or moksha (liberation), one must meditate on the divine name and recite virtues in Nam Simran while remaining detached from Maya. Good deeds, selfless service and disciplined worship bring one closer to God.
The human body provides a rare opportunity for liberation from material bonds and Union with the Divine.
Sikhs believe in an egalitarian society without caste or gender discrimination as a stepping stone to spiritual salvation. The Khalsa represents the ideal of saint-soldiers fighting oppression while surrendering to the will of Akal Purakh.
Concepts like heaven and hell carry little importance in Sikhi or are seen as metaphors for distance from or closeness to God.
Complete enlightenment leads to Union with the Divine spark and escape from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
However, spiritual liberation requires Divine grace which cannot be achieved through mere ritual or ascetic renunciation. Living honestly and serving humanity constitute the righteous path.
Practices and Traditions
Sikhi has several practices and traditions deriving from the teachings of the 10 Gurus and enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib. However, emphasis remains on inner devotion rather than outward ritualism.
Nam Simran (remembrance of God’s Name) through meditating on scriptural hymns and chanting virtues is an essential spiritual practice promoting mysticism and peace.
Congregational worship revolves around the Guru Granth Sahib as the living Word installed in Gurdwaras. Worshippers listen to katha exposition and kirtan hymn singing while seeking blessing of the Guru’s wisdom.
Langar free vegetarian community kitchens promote equality, service and a caste-free society. Karah Prashad sanctified food is shared among sangat members. Sewa or selfless service by performing duties in Gurdwara and helping the needy reflects the Sikh spirit of compassion.
Dasvand mandates donation of 10% income to charity. Kirat Karna emphasises earning honest livelihood and performing good deeds while sharing with others.
The Khalsa Panth embodies the highest ideals of saint-soldier duties, morality and justice. Initiated male Sikhs adopt common surname Singh while initiated females take the name Kaur and adhere to the 5 Ks – Kesh (unshorn hair), Kangha (comb), Kara (steel bracelet), Kirpan (ceremonial sword) and Kachhera (soldier shorts). The turban is a matter of great pride.
Important festivals include Gurpurbs celebrating the birth anniversaries of Gurus, Baisakhi commemorating Khalsa inauguration, Hola Mohalla consisting of military skills displays, and Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Sikh weddings called Anand Karaj are performed by circumambulating the Guru Granth Sahib. Funeral ceremonies avoid idolatry and cremation is common.
Pilgrimage centers include the Harmandir Sahib Golden Temple, Akal Takht and Hemkund Sahib.
Social Structure and Influence
Sikhi promotes egalitarian and casteless social structure. Congregations typically participate in langar and sit together on the floor as equals.
The Golak or centralised treasury manages Gurdwara donations. All services are performed by volunteers called Sewadars. Hereditary priesthood and caste discrimination are prohibited.
The SGPC or Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee oversees Sikh gurdwaras in India. The Akal Takht serves as the highest seat of authority on spiritual, theological and temporal Sikh matters.
Baptised Sikhs worldwide are represented by an elected parliament called the Sarbat Khalsa.
Sikhs have made a significant impact beyond South Asia through diaspora populations in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia.
The Sikh principles of hard work, education and philanthropy combined with a strong sense of identity have enabled their success and integration. Racialdiscrimination and hate crimes remain challenges.
Sikhs have traditionally maintained a peaceful coexistence with other religious groups. The interfaith efforts of Gurus like Arjan Dev and Tegh Bahadur are today manifest in Sikhi’s tolerance.
However, religious fundamentalism and Khalistani separatism have also marked its modern history. Nevertheless, the progressive, egalitarian and inclusive message of the Sikh Gurus holds universal appeal.
Sikhi originated as a beacon of light against religious hatred and social discrimination propagated by the 16th century religious elite. Through the teachings of the 10 Gurus enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, it has promoted the equality of all human beings irrespective of caste, colour, race or gender while advocating honest living and service to the needy.
The Sikh ideals of saintliness and heroism established by Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh embody resistance to injustice through moral courage and social consciousness.
While riots, separatism and fundamentalism have sometimes marred interfaith relations, the lamps lit by Guru Nanak emphasising the oneness of God and humanity continue to inspire the global Sikh community.