Message of Guru Granth Sahib

On September 1, 2004, the Sikhs celebrated the 400th anniversary of the first installation of their holy scriptures now called the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This was a significant landmark for the Sikhs; the Guru Granth Sahib was compiled and first installed at Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar, Punjab India in 1604. The holy book contains hymns written by the Sikh Gurus, saints and scholars of different religions and was completed on the 30 August 1604, it contains an important message for the whole of humanity. 
The Sikhs believe that the Guru Granth Sahib provides unique and unequalled guidance and advice for the whole of the human race. It is the torch that will lead humanity out of Kaljug, (the dark era) to a life in peace, tranquillity and spiritual enlightenment for all the nations of the World.
The SGGS is about living a life of Truth, respect for others; humility; tranquillity, peace, blessings, high moral standards, equality, co-existence, etc. These are qualities which will result in a situation which will take humanity to higher level of living; to a situation where everyone will be proud and humbled at the same time for being part of pure society.
One who follows the teaching of and accept the SGGS as their Guru or Spiritual Guide is called a Sikh. A follower of the teachings of the SGGS is also called a Gurmukh – which literally means “follower of Guru”.
For more comments by outsiders about the SGGS, see Worldwide Praise for the Guru Granth Sahib
Below are listed the qualities promoted by Sri Guru Granth Sahib:
== All Peoples of the World are Equal ==
The Guru Granth Sahib promotes the message of equality of all beings. Discrimination of all types is strictly forbidden. Since Fatherhood of God was the basic Sikh tenet, sisterhood/brotherhood of humans ipso facto became its social corollary. No one was to be reckoned low or high –“Reckon the entire mankind as One” (Akal Ustat, 15.85) was the Guru Gobind Singh’s precept. The Gurus went further than just proclaiming the equality of humans. They established dignity of labour, by making social service (seva) as an important vehicle of spiritual advancement. “The hands and feet that shun seva are condemnable; actions other than seva are fruitless” (Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XXVII. 10). Begging is taboo for the Sikhs. While bhaktas could live on alms and public charity, not so a Sikh. He is ordained to earn his living by the honest labour of his hands (kirat) and share his earnings with others. It rehearsed in the fifteenth century the ideology of fraternity, equality and liberty. The Gurbani below gives a general idea of the message put forward by the Gurus:
Sri Guru Granth Sahib promotes the concept of equality by highlighting the fact that we are made of the same flesh, blood and bone and we have the same light of God with us – Soul . Our building bricks are the same:
== Women as Equals ==
A drastic distinction between the roles of the male and female exists in all the history of modern human societies. Women have grown to accept, not without resentment though, the male-dominated atmosphere of the world. Because people use religious doctrine to define their life styles, religious views in both the East and the West seem to condone, even encourage, the unequal treatment of women. In the 15th century, Guru Nanak established Sikhism, the first religion to advocate emphatically the equality of all people, especially women. In a continent characterized by severe degradation of women, this bold declaration, along with others, determined to erase the impurities of the Indian society. However, prejudices and injustices based on gender linger even today. (by Valerie Kaur) www.sikhwomen.com
* See also the full article of Sikh Women
== One God for All ==
Sikhism is strictly monotheistic in its belief. This means that God is believed to be the one and sole Reality in the cosmos, and no god or goddess or power like Satan or Ahirman or any other has reality such as God's. God alone is worthy of worship, and the highest end of existence, that is mukti or liberation can come through Devotion to God alone. All other worship is false and a waste of the precious gift of this human life. Besides its monotheism, Sikhism also emphasizes another philosophical idea, which is known as monism. Monism is the belief that all that our senses comprehend is only a "vision" or illusion (Maya); ONLY God is the sole "Continuing Reality". Forms being subject to Time, shall pass away. God's "Reality" alone is eternal and abiding. Hence behind the shows of things, the spiritual vision is always aware of the "reality of God". According to this philosophy, the differences created by man's limited thinking which result in selfishness, egoism and hate are meaningless. Since nothing exists except God; the man of God sees in all beings the reality of God. Some text from the holy Guru Granth Sahib will illustrate this point:
*The SGGS tells us that there is only one God and no other:
*Further, it informs us the this One God is merciful, infinite and is everywhere:
== Speak and Live Truthfully ==
Human beings must be truthful, whether one is Hindu or Muslim or of any other religion. Self-recognition is very important for truthful living. Body impured by falsehood cannot be purified by taking a bath in holy rivers or by visiting holy places. Purity of mind is essential. Impurity of mind leads to many other vices such as anger, lust, attachment, ego, and greed. If mind is not free from evils then cleansing of the body even million times is useless. Restless mind is unable to get in touch with God's love. Continuous practice of austerities and penance do not help in acquiring truthful life. One has to earn his living by honest means. Guru Nanak Dev Ji explains in Japji Sahib how to become truthful and how to break the wall of falsehood:
So how can you become truthful? And how can the veil of illusion be torn away? O Nanak, it is written that you shall obey the Hukam of His Command, and walk in the Way of His Will. ||1|| (sggs Page 1)
The following Shabads reinforce this important message of SGGS:
== Control the Five Vices ==
The SGGS tells us to control our animal instincts of Pride/Ego, Anger/Temper, Greed/Urges, Attachment/Dependency and Lust/Addiction (PAGAL)
==Live in God's Hukam==
A Sikh or person of God should live and accept the command of God easily and without too much emotional distress. Live in contentment and in Chardikala (positive attitude)
== Practise Humility, Kindness, Compassion, Love, etc ==
The necessity of controlling the mind and subduing one's egoity is repeatedly taught in the Sikh religion. All the virtues such as Truth (Sat), contentment (santokh), Love (Pyar), Compassion/Mercy (daya), Service (seva), Charity (dana), forgiveness (ksama), humility (nimrata), patience (dheerjh), non-attachment (vairagya) and renunciation (taiga), are fundamental constituents of the Sikh religion and ethics. On the other hand, all the major vices or evils that overpower human beings and ruin their religious life, such as anger (krodh), egoism (ahankara), avarice (lobh), lust (kama). Infatuation (moha), sinful acts (papa), pride (man), doubt (duvidha), ownership (mamata), hatred (vair), and hostility (virodh) are condemned. Man is exhorted to eradicate them but certainly not through ascetic self- mortification. Sahaj is attained through tension-free, ethical living, grounded in spirituality.
And if you do not practise humility, truth, abstinence or self-discipline then what is in store for you:
== See Also ==
== References ==
* www.sikhism.com
* www.sikhitothemax.com
* www.srigranth.org
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Category:Sikh belief
Category:Glossary of Sikh Terms