572 words essay on Sikhism

Sikhism began in Punjab in the fifteenth century. The Indian society at that time was divided into two groups- the Hindus and the Muslims. The reformers of the Bhakti Movement did try to narrow the gulf between the two communities and do away with the defects that had crept up in the Hindu society. But still ignorance prevailed. So Guru Nanak felt the need to reform religion and thus he laid the foundation of the Sikh religion.

Guru Nanak was born in A.D. 1469 in Talwandi, near Lahore. He was born in a Kshatriya family. His father was a merchant by profession. Nanak was a brilliant boy. He mastered many of the shastras while still he was young. From an early age he showed no interest in worldly affairs. He spent more time with sadhus and ascetics.

Troubled by Nanak’s unworldly attitude, the first Sikh Guru his father tried to settle him in business, but all in vain. Nanak’s brother-in-law took him to Sultanpur and installed him in a government service as a storekeeper. He won a great reputation for his hard work and honesty. But he continued to brood in quest of true knowledge. Once he went to take a bath in the river nearby and remained there for three days in a state of meditation. After a few days, Nanak gave up his job and began preaching. At first people laughed and scorned at him. But gradually he was able to convince a few people. He travelled far and wide to places like Haridwar, Assam, Rameshwaram, Jagannath Puri, Mecca and Medina, etc.

Nanak combined his preaching with devotional music. This made him popular among the masses. His appeal also lay in his attire which was a combination of the traditional Hindu and the Muslim dress. Guru Nanak now won a large number of followers who came to be known as Sikhs. The word ‘Sikhs’ means disciple. The followers of this religion consider themselves to be the disciples of Guru Nanak and the other 9 Gurus. (Guru Nanak was the first Sikh Guru). Nanak settled in Kartarpur and in A.D. 1538, at the age of 70 he breathed his last.

Teachings of Guru Nanak:

The teachings of Guru Nanak are very simple and do not contain difficult religious dogmas. He preached in the simple language of the common people, which could be understood by the ordinary men in the street. The main principles of Sikhism are contained in their holy book the Adi Granth. They are as follows:

1. Faith in one God.

2. Worship of Satnam or True name. The True name is nothing else but God Himself.

3. Nanak attached great importance to a guru or teacher. He felt that without the guidance of a spiritual guru one could not realize God or true knowledge.

4. Emphasis on good actions.

5. Condemnation of caste system ad faith in universal brotherhood.

6. Organizing of langars or community kitchen.

7. No faith in idol worship.

Nanak’s simple teaching had a great appeal for the common man and soon he too began to be regarded as a prophet. Like the prophet, he too freed people of blind faith, superstition and idolatry. By his efforts, he left the people of Punjab better than before.

This followers the Sikhs today are found all over the world. In Indian Punjab is the homeland of the Sikhs and the Golden Temple in Amritsar is a special place for the entire Sikh community.