Sikhism and Hinduism - Acc. to Sikh Scriptures

==Gurbani==
“Many Shashtras and many Simirtis have I seen and searched them all. Nanak, they equal not Lord God's invaluable Name.” (Ang 265)
 
“You worship gods and goddesses, but you do not know the Supreme Lord God. Says Kabeer, you have not remembered the Lord who has no ancestors; you are clinging to your corrupt ways.” (Ang 332)
 
“The Pandits, the religious scholars, the teachers and astrologers, and those who endlessly read the Puraanas, do not know what is within; God is hidden deep within them. || 4 ||” (Ang 419)
 
“The Hindus have forgotten the Primal Lord; they are going the wrong way. As Naarad instructed them, they are worshipping idols. They are blind and mute, the blindest of the blind. The ignorant fools pick up stones and worship them. But when those stones themselves sink, who will carry you across? ||2||” Ang 556
 
“Why worship gods and goddesses, O Siblings of Destiny? What can we ask of them? What can they give us? The stone gods are washed with water, O Siblings of Destiny, but they just sink in the water.” (Ang 637)
 
"The Hindu is sightless; the Muslim has only one eye. The spiritual teacher is wiser than both of them." (Ang 875)
 
"I do not make pilgrimages to Mecca, nor do I worship at Hindu sacred shrines. I serve the One Lord, and not any other." (Ang 1136)
 
"I do not perform Hindu worship services, nor do I offer the Muslim prayers." (Ang 1136)
 
"I am not a Hindu, nor am I a Muslim." (Ang 1136)
"I have abandoned both the Pandits (the Hindu religious scholars) and the Mullahs (the Muslim priests). ||1||Pause|| I weave and weave, and wear what I weave. Where egotism does not exist, there I sing God's Praises. ||2|| Whatever the Pandits and Mullahs have written, I reject; I do not accept any of it. ||3||" (Ang 1158)
 
"They who say a stone is a god; in vain is their service. He who falls at the feet of the stone; vain goes his labor. My Lord ever speaks. The Lord gives gifts to all the living beings. The Lord is within, but the blind one knows not. Deluded by doubt, he is caught in a noose. The stone speaks not, nor gives anything. In vain are the ceremonies of the idolater, and fruitless his service." (Ang 1160)
 
"The blind ignorant ones stray in doubt and so deluded, deluded they pluck flowers for worship. They worship the lifeless stones and adore tombs. Their service all goes in vain." (Ang 1264)
 
If the Lord Allah lives only in the mosque, then to whom does the rest of the world belong? According to the Hindus, the Lord's Name abides in the idol, but there is no truth in either of these claims. ||1|| (Ang 1349)
 
"I do not accept Ganesha as important. I do not meditate on Krishna, neither on Vishnu. I do not hear them and do not recognize them. My love is with the Lotus feet of God. He is my protector, the Supreme Lord. I am dust of his Lotus feet." (Guru Gobind Singh)
 
"Mahadev called himself eternal; Vishnu called himself Supreme, Brahma called himself lord; none of them realized the Transcendent Lord. All those sages created by Hari, They propagated their own Simritis, the way by which one can enshrine the Lotus feet of Hari in mind, they did not adopt that way of meditation. Brahma produced the four Vedas but those who love the Lotus-feet of Hari rest outside the attachment of the Vedas. Prophet Mohammad was created by the Lord. He was made sovereign of Arabia. He also created a new Dharma and the circumcised (Muslims) became supreme. All were forced to meditate on his name (Mohammad Rasul). Nobody remembered the Name of the True Lord. Then I (Hari) adopted you as my Son so that you may start the Khalsa Panth. Everywhere you spread the Dharma and instruct the public not to practice chicanery. What the Hari says I (Gobind Singh) utter that, and do not subject myself to anybody’s influence. We do not worship stones, neither adopt various garbs. We do not keep matted hair nor wear ear rings. We do not subject ourselves to anyone’s influence. We perform whatever God ordains. I have come for this in the world. The Lord sent (me) to uphold Dharma. All the Avtars (Prophets) that have been before proclaimed themselves only." (Bachittar Natak, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
 
"Some say the Muslim rosary, others meditate by Hindu Mala. Some read Puranas, others read Quran. Both waste themselves in the love of arguments. Lord is distinct from both." (Bachittar Natak, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
 
"Ever since I have grasped Your feet, I have not thought of anybody else.
I do not accept the doctrines enunciated by various faiths, believing in Ram, Rahim, Puranas and Qoran.
The Simritis, Shastras and Vedas mention different concepts but I do not subscribe to any of them.
O God, the Sword-bearer (of justice)! With Your Grace, all that has been uttered by me has been done under Your command.
 
Dohra!
I have shunned every door and have entered Your door
Please hold my arm and keep my honour, Gobind is ever Your slave." (Raam Avtar, Guru Gobind Singh)
 
Guru Gobind SIngh Ji on Khalsa
 
Day and night they meditate on the Light manifest. Accept the One, and they do not contemplate anyone else. In complete love they keep the form. They never keep faith in fasts, graves, Mausoleums, pilgrimages, ritual charity, false compassion, austerity, false constraints. Except the one, the Lord, they do not recognize anyone. When the Light illuminates the Mind, only then Khalsa is known, distinct and pure. (33 Swaiyas)
==Bhai Gurdas Ji==
 
There are four castes of Hindus and four sects of Muslims in the world.
The members of both religions are selfish, jealous proud, bigoted and violent.
The Hindus make pilgrimage to Hardvar and Banaras, the Muslim to the Kaba of Mecca.
Circumcision is dear to the Muslims, sandal mark (tilak) and sacred thread to the Hindus.
The Hindus invoke Ram, the Muslims, Rahim, but in reality there is only One God.
Since they have forgotten the Vedas and the Katebas, worldly greed and devil have led them astray.
Truth hidden from both; the Brahmins and maulvis kill one another by their animosities.
Neither sect shall find liberation from transmigration. 
(Vaars Bhai Gurdaas on Pannaa 1)
 
Hindus and Moslems have their two ways. Moslems call it Mazhab and Hindus call it Varna. Hindus call themselves Gurus and Moslems Pirs. Hindus call their followers Shishya and Moslems theirs Murid (But both trap themselves with falsehood). Hindus worship (God) as Rama and Moslems call Him Rahim, and they indulge in ego. Moslems call pilgrimage to Mecca Ziarat and Hindus adore the Ganges and Varanasi. Moslems fast and call it Rozas, Hindus call it Vart. They pray by prostrating on the ground. But nothing is equal to the Gursikh who abandons his ego, 'I am ness'. 
(Bhai Gurdas Var 38 Pauri 9)
 
Sunni, Shia, Rafzi sects of the Moslems pleases many. Mulhids (Atheists) do not believe in God and are lost in doubt. Christians and followers of Moses are lost in doubt and ego. Europeans, Armenians and Egyptians are too proud. Kalandars who wear black are not worth two shells. None is equal the Gursikh who has sold himself to the Guru. 
(Bhai Gurdas Var 38 Pauri 11)
 
Hindus read and explain the Vedas; the Moslems recite their books. Moslems like the name Khuda and Hindus call Him Parmeshwar. Moslems read their Kalma (Quran) and practice circumcision, while Hindus wear Janeau (sacred thread) and apply Tilak.
Mecca is sacred to Moslems and Varanasi to Hindus. Moslems practice Rozas (and say the prayer); Hindus call the fast Vart and adore Hari. The four religions (sects) of the Moslems, four Varnas, and six systems give different education. Moslems Pirs covet their Murids (disciples) and the Hindus also covet their followers. Hindus believe in Ten Avatars but the Moslems believe in one Rehman. In fact they are pushing and pulling (fighting) for no profit. 
(Bhai Gurdas Var 39, Pauri 10)
 
Those who are addicted to the congregation serve themselves of the cup of His love and describe the indescribable. They break the rosary and do not meditate any more by counting, because for them Ram and Rahim are the same. They consider the world a game of chess. They cross the barrier of Maya; they take the cup of His love and enter in themselves. They pass the three stages and enter the fourth (sublime) state. For them Waheguru and Khuda are the same and do not fight over words. They merge in the word and make manifest the true word. They recognize the Eternal as the True King and love the Truth. 
(Bhai Gurdas Var 39, Pauri II)
 
We do not accept the authority of. The Vedas, neither that of Simritis and Puranas. We worship neither Bhairva, nor Ganesha. We recognize neither Tithis nor Omens, nor days. Neither Rahu, Ketu, Shani, Shukar, Sun nor Moon. We do not believe a bit in Sandhya, Sutak, Caste, Varna, Jantar, Mantar, Fasting, Homa or Shradh. Disciples of the Tenth Master, Khalsa Panth is distinct. Really ignorant is he who calls Khalsa as Hindu. 
(Kabit Bhai Gurdas Ji)
 
We acknowledge One, Eternal, Primal Lord. The whole expanse has originated from Him. Forgetting the Creator we do not worship any mortal (created one). Guru Granth is our faith, our support. We have abandoned all distinction of caste. We are friends of all and love all. Love of all is like that of Lotus in water. Distinct is the Khalsa of Guru Nanak. (Kabit Bhai Gurdas Ji)
==Other Sikh Texts==
 Bhai Mani Singh writes in Gian Ratanavali:
 
 Hajees asked Baba Nanak, "O Saint, are you a Hindu or Moslem?" Then Baba Nanak replied, "I am witness for both."
 
Gur Partap Sooraj Parkash:
 
First there were Hindus and Muslims, take note, there are three now. (GurPartapSurya)
 
On his way towards Deccan, Guru Gobind Singh reached Pushkar .The discussion that took place there is recorded this way in Surya Prakash.
 
Brahmins, Merchants and others came with Pandit Chaitin. Having made salutation they sat down in the assembly and asked, “What is their Caste? How we recognize them. Your companions wear unshorn hair, what we can say is their Caste? There are many new garbs, but none of them is Hindu or Moslem.” Having heard that Guru replied, “Khalsa is the third Panth in the world. It is distinct from Hindus and Moslems. They are servants of the Eternal, Immortal.” When Guru Gobind Singh met the Emperor Bahadur Shah, this discussion transpired.
 
Bahadur Shah said, “There are two religions, Hindus and Moslems, What appeals to you? On what you have faith, Hinduism or Islam?”
 
To that Guru Gobind Singh replied, "Hindu, Moslems whatever way they follow we wish them both well. The Moslems preach fasting; prayer call and five prayers are supreme for them. Hindus perform Sandhya, adoration and rites of stone Gods, and such others are acceptable to Hindus. We consider both the same way abandoning all others; we have established the Khalsa as the third (religion). Without distinction we abandon all else and seek the shelter of the Eternal, the Purusha." (Gur Pratap Surya)
 
Rehatnamas:
 
Khalsa should stay distinct from Hindus and Moslems. (Rehatnama Bhai Chaupa Singh-l0)
 
Khalsa should remove the domination (influence) of Hindus and Moslems. (Rehatnama Bhai Daya Singh-11)
 
Bhagat Ratnavli:
 
Not only the baptized Sikhs are separate from Hindus and others, but also stories of Sahajdhari Sikhs tell us that they abandoned other rites and customs and adopted Gurmat. For this see the explanation of the 11th Var of Bhai Gurdas. (Bhagat Ratanavali by Bhai Mani Singh)
 
 
Sikhs addressed their supplication, "O True King, the Pundits in Kashmir do not allow the Sikhs to read Bani (Word) of the Guru. They say that Sanskrit is the language of the Gods and the vernacular is the language of mortals. You have abandoned the daily rites and so we are not going to have daily relations with you." Then the Guru asked Sodhi Madho to go to Kashmir and preach Sikhism there.
 
 
Gur Bilas and Panth Parkash:
 
To the two religions was added the Third. Taking the support of Almighty, Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa Panth, above the Hindus and Moslems. "Forgetting all ways adopt the Khalsa Panth,” said the Tenth Guru, the Light Incarnate. (Gur Bilas)
 
Again distinct from the Hindus and Moslems, He said, "Establish I this Panth, powerful indeed." (Panth Parkash)
 
==Conversation between Nadir Shah and Governor of Lahore==
 
It (Khalsa Panth) is distinct from Hindus and Moslems. Distinct and marvelous is their sect. They perform marriage ceremony neither like Hindus nor like Moslems.
 
Their marriage is Anand ceremony. When a Singh (man) or Singhni (woman) dies, they prepare sacred food and distribute it. They do not perform the Hindu rites and they do not throw the bones (of the dead) in the Ganges. On the tenth day they complete the reading of the Granth and distribute the offerings to the poor. They do not wear the sacred thread, nor put the mark on their forehead. They never worship idols. They worship the One Almighty and do not make obeisance to anyone else. Vedas, Puranas and other (Semitic) books, they do not accept the authority of any. Whatever Guru Nanak said, they keep faith on that. From the same vessel they administer Amrit (baptismal water) to everyone. They all eat together and live like true brothers. They leave behind all caste, Varna, family names, Karma and Dharma of the ancestors. On the contrary, if any Sikh comes to our religion (Islam), on getting the opportunity he goes back and baptizing him they absorb him in their religion.
 
Tat Khalsa is the representation of the Guru “(they say) it is beyond the coming and going through the life cycles. Hindus are blind, Muslims are one eyed, but really sages are the Sikhs of the Guru” distinct from Hindus and Moslems.
 
All the customs are different, among them. They do not acknowledge the ghosts at all. They do not recognize graves and cemeteries. They do not go to the Ganges for pilgrimage. They do not consider impure puerperium (state after child birth).
 
They do not wear the Janeau and do not put the sacred mark. They do not abide by the rites of the Hindus like keeping a Bodi (tuft of hair), Dhoti and Rosary of Tulsi, performing Hom, or Shradh.
 
They consider their own religion to be better and if somebody calls them Hindu they get angry. They have abandoned all the customs of the Hindus. They live like real brothers, and respect each other. They are greatly united.
 
A Sikh always sacrifices himself for other Sikhs gladly in time of need.
 
Another Historic Account:
 
Bhai Dhesi and Bhai Jodha sought protection of Guru Arjan. They addressed their appeal thus, "O True King, the Pundits do not let us sit in Pangat. They complain, in spite of being Brahmins we have become disciples (Sikhs) of a Kshatriya. We have abandoned the language of the Gods in the Vedas and sing the songs of the Guru in Vernacular, having abandoned Janam Ashtmi, Shivratri, Ekadsi, we feed Sikhs. We have abandoned Gyatri, Tarpan, Sandhya, Pind, Patal, rites of birth and death and perform the Sikh prayer and distribute Karah Prasad after Ardas, as the rites of the dead. O Protector of the humble we have come to your shelter. You have saved us. The egoist Brahman has gone away from us. We have received gnosis and name of the Lord." 
==Amrit Sanchar==
The advice that is given at the time of administering Baptism, considering that one can see that Khalsa is distinct from the Hindus and other religions.
i. Today you are born in the house of the Guru. Previous caste, Varna, religion, etc., all have been obliterated. Consider Guru Gobind Singh as your father, Mata Sahib Kaur as your mother, birthplace Patna and you are resident of Anandpur.
ii. Early morning take bath and keep your body clean.
iii. Jap, Jaap, Swaiyas, Cahupai, Anand, Rahiras and Sohila should be recited daily, with love and adoration.
iv. Wear the five K's: Kachh, Kara, Kirpan, Kesh, and Kanga.
v. By virtue of being sons of the Guru you are all brothers. Therefore, deal amongst yourselves as brothers.
vi. Consider the Ten Gurus as one light and accept Guru Granth, embodiment of the Bani of the Ten Gurus as the Guru. Accept the Khalsa as the form of the Guru. Serve sincerely and obey the Khalsa.
vii. Earn your livelihood with honest labor.
viii. Donate one tenth of your income for the Guru and put it for the progress and development of the Panth.
ix. Consider the task of the Panth as your own work and help it to accomplish with money and sincere labor.
x. To do good acts, consider that as sublime actions of man and worthy of Sikh religion.
xi. Study diligently, in particular Gurmukhi and religious books of the Khalsa and practice horse riding and use of weapons.
xii. Be humble and develop your intellect.
xiii. Consider Turban as insignia of the Qaum and protector of Keshas.
xiv. Associate with Gurmukhs (those conscious in Guru).
xv. On death and other occasions perform all rites according to Gurmat.
xvi. Make all efforts for the propagation of Gurmat.
xvii. At Gurpurbs perform Kirtan and exposition of Gurbani.
xviii. Be loyal to your master.
xix. According to the rules of the Khalsa Panth understand the advantages of the organization and remain united as if woven in a thread.
xx. Keep the daughter unvidh (no piercing of ears or nose). Treat them like sons and impart them education in secular and religious subjects.
xxi. If you happen to commit something against Dharma make amends for that in a congregation of the Khalsa.
xxii. Accept the One Almighty. Never worship any god, goddess, pir, prophet or avatar.
xxiii. Accept the Guru Granth Sahib and do not believe in any other religious books or scriptures.
xxiv. Do not believe in Omens, auspicious days, etc. These acts are done in duality.
xxv. Have (family) relations with Sikhs only.
xxvi. Do not have relations with Minas, Dhirmalias, smokers, those who practice infanticide and those who cut hair. In addition anyone who creates factions in the Panth and sets himself as Guru and goes against the counsel of the Guru never deal with him.
xxvii. Abandon forever theft, robbery, falsehood, injustice, back biting, betrayal of confidence, gambling and other demerits.
xxviii. Consider all intoxicants as destroyers of mind and body and hence abandon them.
xxix. Never call a Sikh by his half name.
xxx. Never go back on your promise.
xxxi. Do not wear the ornaments and colors worn by Chanchal (seductive) women.
xxxii. Tobacco (and other intoxicants) and the love of another's wife; these are destroyers of Dharma; abandon these.
xxxiii. Do not receive Prasad (offerings) made to any god, goddess or grave.
xxxiv. Do not commit yourself to any Sukhna (offerings for any favor).
xxxv. Never accept other's right, e.g., corruption money.
xxxvi. Except Gurdwaras do not accept any other place as your religious place.
xxxvii. Never have enmity with or envy of the loyal Sikhs of the Guru. Never think of doing harm to anyone.
xxxviii. Do not color your hair, and do not pick grey hair.
xxxix. Do not accept anything from your daughter.
xxxx. Never resort to begging.
xxxxi. Never show your back in the battlefield. Bhai Nand Lal in his book "Tausifosna" designates as supreme the Guru (Guru Gobind Singh) and considers the Sikh religion distinct and prominent from Hindus and Moslems. He says; "The Guru is much higher than the prophets of the Hindus, Atheists, Christians, Daudis and Moslems. In other words Sikh religion is prominent than others."
Category:Sikhism and hinduism