Glimpses Of World Religions

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Navbharat Sahitya Mandir

Page 99

Glimpses of World Religions
years of his life at Katarpur. In 1539 A.D. Guru Nanak set out on the last journey of his life to heaven.
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Guru Nanak sowed the seeds of laying the foundation of Sikh Dharma, and got decided for the people, the ideal of duty (Dharma) for the Sikhs. The word "Sikkh" has its origin in the Sanskrit word "Shishya" meaning 'a disciple', but some scholars believe that it has come down from the word 'Sikh' of Pali dialect, meaning 'the Chosen'. For the Sikh scholars, 'Sikkh' means chosen by God or elected by God. This implies it is a pure religion of God Himself. Guru Nanak sowed such spirited seeds as would sprout the humaneness or manhood to be blossomed in full colours. Man may not stop getting his own liberation or 'Moksha' only, but would also be ready to sacrifice or stake his own life at the altar of other men's worldly and other-worldly happiness and Moksha or liberation of the soul and that too, fearlessly and free from hatred, and in all humility. He must also struggle and fight against injustice, fraud, malice and falsehood.
The meaning of the word 'Khalsa' given by the tenth Guru Govindsinh, also is holy, pure and unadulterated. The Guru, describing Khalsa, explains :
"That type of holy person is Khalsa, who keeps enkindled for ever the lamp of truth, would worship one and only one God and no other, has full trust and full love in that one God only; who does not believe, by mistake even, in either fasting, Madhi or monastery of any kind and who is convinced and sure that in maliceless unfrauded love of God only all the centres of pilgrimage, alms or charity, penance and self-control are included and in whose heart, there is full luminous light of the perfect."
In the Sikh Dharma, the importance of the teacher or Guru is most important and hence it is that he is called "Guruttam" or the best teacher. Sikh Dharma is a collection of such religious