Guru Granth Sahib against cruelty

What is cruelty? Cruelty is any act that causes distress, discomfort, pain and/or suffering to a living organism. It does not always involve violence although most people associate violence with acts of cruelty - this does not always follow. One can be cruel without using violence. 
Any act of mercilessness, pitilessness and ruthlessness done without any feelings of kindness in ones heart; a feelings of extreme and complete heartlessness is termed cruel. Any act of harshness, brutality or barbarousness on any living being causing it to suffer tension, annoyance, discomfort, irritation and/or pain is termed cruel.
==Guru Nanak's message==
In Sikhi cruelty is not permitted; it is an aspect of human life that has been addressed very clearly by the Sikh Gurus. . 
If anyone wants to follow the Sikh way, they must discard cruelty, material attachment, greed and anger otherwise they will end up getting burnt! What is the point of living a life where in the end you are thrown into the fire!
So don't be a Manmukh (ego-centric, self-willed person) but follow the Guru's instruction and become Gurmukh; follow the well thought out instructions of the wise Guru! The Guru tells us, 
Remove that "hardness" and "darkness" in your heart and become pure and pristine; discard the negative features in your personality and adopt a path of righteousness bringing peace to your life. Don't be like a snake which even when fed with pure life-giving milk (considered sacred by some cultures) still indiscriminately yield deadly life-destroying poison!
==Why are people cruel?==
Sacred Gurbani tells us that it is those who do not realise the existence of the Divine who display cruelty. Those who understand the ways of the Divine do not harbour cruelty in their hearts. The Gurbani line, makes is clear that cruelty is a litmus test of ones distance away from God. 
The more cruelty that a person display, the further he or she is from true religion and from the way of the Infinite Soul. So go on, apply this litmus test on your own actions! How much do you hurt others? Why do you do it? Don't you realise that God is in all? 
Step on the correct path now; discard the cancer of cruelty that resides in your heart; walk on the path of the tall ones like Guru Nanak, Baba Farid, Bhagat Namdev and the like! Don't associate with the ugly ones and don't follow the path trampled by the likes of Hitler, the Mughals, the Taliban and many many more like them. Who will you walk with on this journey to the Almighty? Whose path Nanak or Hitler?
==Importance of discarding cruelty==
If you wish to make your life on this planet meaningful and purposeful, then you must discard your cruel ways. Don't ever do anything to harm or disturb others; bear kindness in your heart at all times.
Without tackling the evils in our hearts, we cannot progress in our spiritual life; only if we get rid of our evil ways can we obtain contentment in our minds. Gurbani informs us, So do away with the demons within you to progress on the path of Sikhi!
However, the Guru warns us, Don't fall into this trap. Ones cruel acts will result in "pay back time" - this is the way of the Lord - What you sow you will have to reap. So refrain from doing nasty things!
If you do not heed to this warning, then the Guru tells us in clear terms that you will be committed to perpetual cycle of painful life and death thus: 
==The way forward==
Place this beautiful and priceless tuk (verse) of the Guru in a prominent location deep in your heart; remember it always; never forget it and the Divine will bring peace to your life; sadness and doubt will disappear from your life. 
==Walk with the Tall ones==
Take into your heart the purity of the Lord's Light, discard forever your cruel instincts, embrace kindness and mercy; throw away the ego which gives the 'me' in you undue importance; realise the greatness of the Divine and enjoy continuously the sparkling delights of the Almighty day and night, 
Why don't you, beautiful soul of the Divine, fall at the feet of the Pure one? Listen to the Guru; change your path; direct yourself to the right path to your Eternal Home. Join the Sadh Sangat, the true and pure travellers on the path of the Lord, sing the songs of the True One; for nothing else with be your help in the end; only the Lord will be your saviour; your friend and your helper; follow only on His path; discard all other ways!
==Background of Sikhi values==
Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith built the religion on the firm foundation of Sewa (selfless service) and Simran (meditation). On this bedrock stand the three pillars of - Naam Japna (focus on God), Kirat Karni (honest living) and Vand Chakna (sharing with others) with the support of which one is able to follow the path of righteousness and become a better and more spiritually conscious human being. 
The Guru further asked his Sikhs (disciples/students) to focus their efforts on evolving various positive traits by adhering to the following virtues - Sat (Truth), Santokh (Contentment), Daya (Compassion and kindness), Nimrata (Humility) and Pyare (Love). The founder Guru also asked the Sikh to shun various negative human vices; one of these vices is cruelty to others. He asked his Sikhs to be ever kind and polite to all and to never practise cruelty.
==What to do? ==
What do I do to improve my life and live a better life of higher consciousness? The Guru has guidance for us; some instructions are direct and some indirect. The Guru says: 
When you see all the world as your friend then you are moving in the correct direction; Further, - Keep the thought of the Lord in your mind and fear of the Infinite One!
Together with the fear of the Divine, by singing the soothing Gurbani Shabads, your "stone heart" will become softer and then peace and joy will enter it thus: 
One who then continues to do good deed in this state, enters the realm of the Lord; your mind will then abide in perpetual peace and tranquillity; nothing will be able to disturb this state of bliss in the state Nirvana. 
==What Gurbani tells us==
Below are a few Shabads from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib that give the Sikh guidance on the importance of moving away from this negative human trait:
===Cruelty ..... is a river of fire===
In the following Shabad, Guru Sahib informs the Sikhs of the importance of keeping away from four negative human traits - cruelty, material attachment, greed and anger. Anyone who fails to do so will be burnt by the consequences! Guru Sahib asks the devotee to practise good deeds and actions and that only then can one be saved from the fires of hell! 
===Abandon your cruel nature ===
This beautiful Shabad by the third master, , is telling the mind to let go of the "inner harshness/force" - (ਅੰਦਰਹੁ is anḏrahu which means "from the inside"; ਜੋਰੁ is jor which means "force") - Let go of this inner harshness/ cruelty; have fear of the Lord and relinquish your madness. By reciting the word of the Shabad - Gurbani, peace and tranquillity will come to your mind; and any good deeds and actions done in this state of mind will be approved by the Lord. So, the Guru is asking the devotee to change the state of the mind and become humble and tranquil thus:
 
=== Cruelty has not left you ... why? ===
Bhagat Parmanand tells us to discard cruelty and embrace kindness for other living being otherwise this lifetime will be wasted. Maharaj says that without good deeds and remembrance of the Lord, this priceless jewel of a life is lost for a shell. Keep company of the wise and holy and learn the lesson of Gurmat.
===cruel-minded .... shall suffer in pain===
Although in this shabad, the Guru is referring to "cruel-minded rulers", this verse applies to any person in a dominant position. If because of that honoured position, which you have obtained due to your past good deeds and karmas, you practise cruelty on your subordinates, then be warned, the Guru promises you suffering in pain for a very long time. Take heed; listen to Gurbani and amend your ways; have mercy in your mind; see the God's light in all; be kind and considerate! - Don't be cruel to anyone.
=== Manmukhs are hard and cruel ===
===Eradicate cruelty .... world becomes a friend===
===Practicing cruelty ... lost in darkness===
==See also==
* SGGS on kindness
==External Links ==
* www.gurbani.org
Category:Sikh belief
Category:Scriptures and Literature