Guru Granth Sahib on meat

This article is based entirely on the views expressed by the Sikh Gurus in Gurbani – and does not rely on any outside views. Guru's message is clear and unambiguous and anyone who understands Gurmukhi will be able to come to their own conclusion. 
Gurbani i.e. writings within Sri Guru Granth Sahib (or SGGS) are the most important spiritual guidance for a Sikh as the Bani is regarded as the Guru or "Spiritual teacher" for the Sikh. ("Bani guru, guru hai bani vich bani amrit saaray."… "Bani is Guru, and Guru is the Bani. Within Bani, all Ambrosial Nectars are found." sggs p982)
To be a Sikh is to regard the SGGS as ones only spiritual guide. The message within the Guru Granth Sahib is the universal and moral guide for all of humanity and in particular for all Sikhs. No Hukamnama (order, directive or decree) by anyone other than the Sikh Guru can move the Guru's Sikh away from this stand ("Hukam rajaa-ee chalnaa naanak likhi-aa naal.." …. " O Nanak, it is written that you shall obey the Hukam of His Command, and walk in the Way of His Will". sggs p1). 
Gurbani offers clear guidance on this important issue. The following quotes from Varan Bhai Gurdas and Sri Guru Granth Sahib give the Sikhs clear and concise direction on what a Sikh should eat or not eat and other aspect of this important facet of a person's spiritual and moral life.
Bhai Gurdas ji was the first scribe of the Adi Granth. He was responsible for writing the first compilation of the Holy Granth. While Guru Arjan Dev ji dictated the Bani, Bhai Sahib put the words to paper. He is recognised as the first "Scholar of Sikhism" and his own writings, called the Varan Bhai Gurdas were called by Guru Arjan Dev, "the Key to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib". The Varan also offer clear secondary guidance on this subject to the Sikh as well.
Despite this article outlining the fact that eating meat is not in strict compliance with the principles of Sikhism, it should be very clear to all that whether one eats meat or not, is only one aspect of the life of a Sikh. So no greater importance should be given to this issue at the expense of the many other issues which are of equal importance to a Sikh. It is not an issue where one should engage in heated argument - Read Gurbani and make your own decision on this matter. 
This topic is very emotive and many Sikhs who cannot read or understand the original Gurmukhi text are unable to understand the Guru's clear message and will use their own Manmat (entrenched personal stand) or views of other academics to propagate their own views or views of other who have not relied on the Guru's word. When deciding on this subject or any other issue about Dharam (righteous living), a Sikh should rely only on Gurbani and disregard views of others. ("Saṯgur kī banī sat sat kar jānhu gursikhahu har kartā āp muhhu kadhā­ė." … "O GurSikhs, know that the Bani, is true, absolutely true. The Creator Lord Himself causes the Guru to chant it." sggs p308 )
* Also see Discussion page for dialogue on this matter
== Shabads from Guru Granth Sahib ==
This section below lists shabads directly from Guru Granth Sahib which have a connection with meat and related matters. They are further sub-divided into sub-sections for easy of reference:
===Shabads with the word "Kill"===
The following shabads have the word kill in the translation:
====Shabad page 723====
====Shabad page 1103====
====Shabad page 1128====
====Shabad page 1350====
* See SGGS 1350 for detailed breakdown of the Shabad
====Shabad page 1375====
===Other Shabads connected with Meat===
====Shabad Page 141====
 
====Shabad Page 1374====
====Shabad Page 139====
====Shabad Page 15====
* English translation by Bhai Manmohan Singh
====Shabad Page 483====
===Shabads in connection with fish===
===Shabads referring to "Eat a Simple Diet" ===
=== Fools Argue about Meat & Flesh===
* See full Shabad here
==Varan Bhai Gurdas ji - Key to SGGS==
The following Shabads are from the Varan by Bhai Gurdas ji, whose Bani is referred to as the "Key" to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib:
====Vaar 25 Pauri 17====
====Vaar 37 Pauri 21====
=====Kabir On Meat Issue=====
ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਕਹਹੁ ਮਤ ਝੂਠੇ ਝੂਠਾ ਜੋ ਨ ਬਿਚਾਰੈ ॥ ਜਉ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਹਤ ਹਉ ਤਉ ਕਿਉ ਮੁਰਗੀ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੧॥ 
Do not say that the Vedas, the Bible and the Koran are false. Those who do not contemplate them are false. You say that the One Lord is in all, so why do you kill chickens? ||1|| 
ਮੁਲਾਂ ਕਹਹੁ ਨਿਆਉ ਖੁਦਾਈ ॥ ਤੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ 
O Mullah, tell me: is this God's Justice? The doubts of your mind have not been dispelled. ||1||Pause|| 
ਪਕਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਆਨਿਆ ਦੇਹ ਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਮਾਟੀ ਕਉ ਬਿਸਮਿਲਿ ਕੀਆ ॥ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਅਨਾਹਤ ਲਾਗੀ ਕਹੁ ਹਲਾਲੁ ਕਿਆ ਕੀਆ ॥੨॥ 
You seize a living creature, and then bring it home and kill its body; you have killed only the clay. The light of the soul passes into another form. So tell me, what have you killed? ||2|| 
ਕਿਆ ਉਜੂ ਪਾਕੁ ਕੀਆ ਮੁਹੁ ਧੋਇਆ ਕਿਆ ਮਸੀਤਿ ਸਿਰੁ ਲਾਇਆ ॥ ਜਉ ਦਿਲ ਮਹਿ ਕਪਟੁ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਗੁਜਾਰਹੁ ਕਿਆ ਹਜ ਕਾਬੈ ਜਾਇਆ ॥੩॥ 
And what good are your purifications? Why do you bother to wash your face? And why do you bother to bow your head in the mosque? Your heart is full of hypocrisy; what good are your prayers or your pilgrimage to Mecca? ||3|| 
ਤੂੰ ਨਾਪਾਕੁ ਪਾਕੁ ਨਹੀ ਸੂਝਿਆ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਮਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਭਿਸਤਿ ਤੇ ਚੂਕਾ ਦੋਜਕ ਸਿਉ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੪॥੪॥ 
You are impure; you do not understand the Pure Lord. You do not know His Mystery. Says Kabeer, you have missed out on paradise; your mind is set on hell. ||4||4||
==See also==
* SGGS 1350
* Kuthha
* Vegetarianism 
* Vegetarianism Other Views
=== Video ===
* Taksal view on Meat Part 1 of 2 (in Punjabi), Taksal view on Meat Part 2 of 2 (in Punjabi)
* SIKHI AND MEAT-IS IT ALLOWED? Gruesome video - exercise discretion (NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED)
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Category:Sikh belief
Category:Scriptures and Literature