________________
have no wounds; He has no muscles, no nerves, no sinews. He is pure. He is all knowing. He witnesses everywhere. He is a causeless cause, self existent. He is the creator of universe as it should be.28 This topic shall be dealt with elaborately in the II Chapter.
Sikhism
According to the Popular Dictionary of the Sikhism, "The god is transcendent, creator of the universe in a manifestation of divine power, and gracious, being self revealing in order to save humanity". 29 Sikhism stresses the absolute unity of godhead. The word 'Ek' in the mulamantra30 signifies the singularity of god and rejects the plurality. Thus monotheism is a basic principle of Sikhism. However, the Sikh canon mentions the terms Rama, Hari, Govinda, etc. for the God. These words are well known in Hinduism. Apart from these Hindu names for the God; Allah, Khuda etc. are also synonymous terms for the God. Thus, it is evident that there are several names for the only one God. Revered Guru Nanakji stresses the unity of god and declares, "Think upon the one who is contained in everything". The same unity is described as omnipresent by Guru Ramdas Ji, "Thou, O god! art in everything and in all places"."1 Prayer chant is adored and recited by a Sikh and is as follows32: "God is the sole supreme being; of eternal manifestation; creator; immanent reality; without fear; without rancour; timeless form; un-incarnated; self-existent; realised by grace of the holy preceptor".
Sikhs believe that all are under the Divine will, none is out of the Divine will.33 He is friendly and merciful. It is believed that God can be realised through the blessings of 'Guru Prasadi'. One attains liberation through the blessings of Guru.34
God is the first and foremost object of devotion and adoration. The heart of this devotion is the practice of namasimran, constant concentration and recitation of God's name. He is the real refuge in dark age.35 They believe in "Ek onkar", as the Supreme Divinity.
18
Jain Education International
THE CONCEPT OF DIVINITY IN JAINISM
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org