We can love God only when we cease to love ourselves. We must first destroy the ego. Sikh religion is opposed to austere asceticism and emphasizes the ideal of achieving saintliness, as a member of society. Abide in God amid the impurities of the world, thus shalt thou find the way to salvation. The Lord driveth thee as is his will, but his pen writeth as are thy deeds.
Sikh religion prohibits idolatry, caste system, sati, use of wine and tobacco smoking.