Central Gurdwara Resource Centre Newsletter

Issue 9 June 1996

The Newsletter for the Sikh Youth of Today

It gives me pleasure this month to introduce our ninth newsletter and with the Grace of Waheguru and your support we will continue this small Seva.

This month we have two interesting articles, one about Punjab with various little known statistics and the second answering some questions about Women in Sikhism. Together with the regular items I hope you all enjoy the newsletter.

I urge you all to lend support to the various events that are taking place over the next few months: including the Demonstration in Hyde Park marking the attack on Harmandir Sahib; and the Sikh Youth Forum. These are both National events that all Sikhs should endeavour to attend.

Bhupinder Singh - Editor

C O N T E N T S

The Month of Asarh

Punjab - Island of Prosperity

Q&A: Sikhism & Women

Poets Corner - The role of Princess

Important Dates in Sikh History - June

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This year Asarh is from 14 June to 15 July 1996. This Gurbani about the Summer month stresses the importance of faith in GOD.

Asarh tapanda tis lagai. Har Nah na jinna paas

Asarh is a scorching month for those who are seperated from the Lord-Spouse

Jag Jiwan purkh tiagkai, manas sandhi aas

They place their hopes on man and forsake the Lord, who is the life and support of the Universe

Duyai bhae viguchiai gal pais jam ki phas

They are strayed by placing their hopes on others and thus find themselves in the stranglehold of Death

Jeha bijai so lunai mathai jo likhias

They reap what they have sown, they get what is written on their foreheads

Rain vihani pachhtani uth chali gai niras

The wife seperated from her Lord-Spouse passes her night (life) in regrets and leaves the world in despair

Jin kau sadhu bhetiai so dargeh hoe khalaas

Those who are blessed with the company of the Saints attain the final bliss

Kar kirpa Prabh apni tere darsan hoe pias

Oh God, by your grace, create in me thirst for Your sight

Prabh tudh bin duja jo nahi, Nanak ki ardas

Nanak thus submits that their is no one else except YOU

Asarh suhanda tis lagai jis man Har Charan Niwas

Even the burning month of Asarh may be pleasant for those who have lodged God's feet in their hearts

Contents

The rich soil of Punjab stretches flat as a pancake in neat fields as far as the eye can see. Bullock carts and destitution of abject poverty - the hallmarks of much of rural India - are nowhere to be seen. Instead tractors driven by turbaned Sikhs buzz around the fields, helping make Punjab the country's bread basket. Prosperity is the order of the day in Punjab. Yet not long ago Punjab was the epicentre of bloodshed and devastation.

The year 1947 saw Punjab ravaged by the bloody and calamitous Partition. Sikh refugees from the new state of Pakistan were resettled on 25 acres of un-irrigated land, about a quarter less than they had held in the rich canal colony from which they had been driven. They left behind great mansions and found themselves having to inhabit the tiny buildings vacated by Muslims fleeing to Pakistan. However, by the 1960's the Sikhs had transformed the Punjab into India's boom state, a model of success. A model to which not only other regions of India, but indeed other third World countries aspire. Punjab's claim of being India's most prosperous state is backed up by ample statistics. A note for those who do not like statistics: Don't be put off from reading further, for you are about to be enlightened!

Punjabis, particularly the Sikhs are prospering - even in the aftermath of Operation Blue Star. Punjab's gross domestic product (GDP) per person is nearly 20 per cent greater than its; closest rival, Maharashtra. Punjab's average per capita GDP is nearly twice that of other states. The income of an average Punjabi is 65 percent greater than that of the average Indian. All this prosperity is revealed in the standard of living enjoyed by the Punjabis- western writers have been staggered by the abundance of gadgets in the rural areas. Punjab has a population of under 2.5% of India's 800 million people, yet Punjab has 10% of India's television sets and 17% of its tractors. The Punjabi is twice as likely as the average Indian to own a radio and three times as likely to own a motor vehicle. He or she also has three times more road per square kilometre on which to drive and uses twice as much electricity as the average Indian; has twice as much money in the bank as the average Indian; and he or she has twice as many bank branches per 10,000 people, in which to make deposits.

Whether it is the prosperity which gives a certain flamboyancy to the Punjabi Sikh mentality or whether it is the flamboyant mentality which has produced the prosperity - I leave it to you to decide. What is true is that the Punjabi Sikh certainly has a particular mentality. Words such as pride, honour, generosity and aggressive masculinity may as well have been invented in this small state in Northern India. The Punjabi Sikh takes pride in eating well; in cooking in plenty of ghee; in forcing glasses full of steaming hot creamy milk upon their guests; in their daals not being watery, in their sabjis not being of small quantities etc. etc. Looking after guests with a generous display of food and drink, is a matter of honour and self-respect for the Punjabi Sikh. These are people who believe in hard work, and would rather move their hands than wag their tongues - although plenty of tongue wagging also takes place. Punjabi Sikhs also value an aggressive masculinity - they love the tough guy; the Dara Singh, the Sher Singh, the wrestlers and gatka players. It is no wonder that their numbers in the Indian Army are in predominance to their numbers within the population as a whole. They also love to have fun: one only needs to look at their greatest cultural export - Bhangra music and dance - to realise the vitality of Punjabi culture and mentality.

All in all, the Punjabi Sikhs are vigorous virile people for whom everything has to be bigger, better, rougher and tougher - and who would have it any other way? Certainly not the Indian Government who gains immensely from all the taxation collected from this productive state - or so it should be. But you can't have everything, or can you?

Shaminder Kaur Rayatt

Contents

1. What rights do I have as a Sikh woman?

A Sikh woman has equal rights to a Sikh man. Unlike Christianity, no post in Sikhism is reserved solely for men. Unlike Islam, a woman is not considered subordinate to a man. Sikh baptism (Amrit ceremony) is open to both sexes. The Khalsa nation is made up equally of men and women. A Sikh woman has the right to become a Granthi, Ragi, or one of the Panj Pyare (5 beloved).

2. Is God considered a Male or Female?

God is beyond gender, God is unborn "Ajuni": The Guru Granth Sahib contains many Names for God, both masculine and feminine. Indeed, in the Daily prayer Ardas, God is called Bhagwati, the Mother Goddess, Spirit of Power.

3. What does the Guru Granth Sahib say about Women?

The Guru Granth ji is unique in religious history. It is the only religious text that was compiled and authenticated by the founders of its faith. It consists of beautiful hymns which teach you about your spirituality and purpose in life. Guru Arjan states that the Guru Granth Sahib will give you 'Truth, Contentment and Contemplation'. Concerning women, Guru Nanak has said,

'It is through woman that order is maintained.

Then why call her inferior from whom all great ones are born.

Pg 473, Guru Granth Sahib

Further, the Guru Granth Sahib uses the analogy of all disciples as female and God being the only Male, to describe the relationship that we have with God.

4. What restrictions are there on what I can wear?

When Sikhs take Amrit they must all, regardless of sex, keep the same 5 k's. Guru Nanak Dev Ji has stated that one should only wear those clothes which do not distress the mind or the body.

'Friend, all other wear ruins bliss, The wear that to the limbs is torment, and with foul thinking fills the mind.'

Pg 16, Guru Granth Sahib

The Gurus had also made a firm stand against the wearing of the veil. Guru Amar Das refused to allow a Hindu Queen from entering the sangat unless she removed her veil. In the Guru Granth Sahib the veil is compared to suppression.

'False modesty that suppressed is ended. Now with veil cast off am I started on the way of devotion.'

Pg 931, Guru Granth Sahib

5. Can I read the Guru Granth Sahib?

Yes. The reading of the Guru Granth Sahib is open to all. For example, Guru Amar Das was brought to the fold of Sikhism after hearing Bibi Amro reciting the Gurbani. In no other faith are women allowed to carry out any or all religious functions.

6. Can I be forced into an arranged Marriage?

Sikhs are forbidden from forcibly marrying off their children without their prior consent. Both Sons and Daughters are required to reach a mature age, both physically and mentally, before they marry. Thus, parents must ensure their children are allowed to grow and be educated to the fullest. Arranged marriages are the norm for Sikhs. The Gurus considered marriage an equal partnership. Guru Amar Das has stated,

'They are not said to be Husband and Wife who merely sit together, Rather they alone are called Husband and Wife, who have one soul in two bodies.'

Pg 788, Guru Granth Sahib.

This is in contrast to other faiths. In Islam the Husband is permanently the dominant partner.

'If your wives are over-bearing, advise them against it. If they do not care, refuse them sexual intercourse. If they still persist, then give them a thrashing.'

Holy Quran, Ulnissa 4-34.

7. What about a Dowry?

Sikhs are forbidden from marrying off their children for monetary benefit. Concerning the Dowry, Guru Ram Das says,

'Any other Dowry, which the perverse place for show, that is false pride and worthless gilding.'

Pg 79, Guru Granth Sahib.

8. Who is considered more spiritual, Men or Women?

Unlike other faiths, Sikhism states both men and women are considered capable of reaching the highest levels of spirituality. A particular hymn in the Guru Granth Sahib states,

'In all beings is he himself pervasive, Himself pervades all forms Male and Female.'

Pg 605, Guru Granth Sahib.

9. Why are we then not treated equally at birth?

If this is the case, then this is against Sikhism. The Birth of a daughter or son is equally joyous for Sikhs. The practice of giving sweets and celebrating only on the birth of a boy is anti-Sikh like behaviour.

10. I may have religious rights, what about Independence?

No Sikh is taught to be subservient to anyone else. Thus, independence is open to both sexes. However, this does not mean that you merely know your rights and not your responsibilities. There is no priesthood in Sikhism, so every Sikh must lead a devotional life. The path of love which Guru Nanak initiated is open to all,

'Should thou seek to engage in the game of love,

step into my street with thy head placed on thy palm, while onto this stepping, ungrudgingly sacrifice your head.' Pg 1412, Guru Granth Sahib.

11. Asian women are subservient to their Husbands. Does Sikhism state that I must be also?

Sikhism is totally opposed to this view. Under western convention a women must change her name after marriage. The concept of maiden and married names is alien to Sikh philosophy. Sikhs practising it now do so out of ignorance. A Sikh woman is born with the surname Kaur and dies with the same surname. Thus, allowing her to keep her identity throughout her life.

12. Are there any famous Sikh women in our History?

Sikh history is one which has been made by both men and women. There are many, many outstanding Sikh women. The Gurus' wives led highly spiritual and independent lives. Mata Sundri ji led the Sikhs for a long period after Guru Gobind Singh's passing away. Sada Kaur was a famous Sikh general who led the Khalsa army alongside Ranjit Singh. The list of important Sikh women is endless.

Jatinder Singh, Reading

Contents

Contents

June 1 1746 Small Holocaust in which 10,000 Sikhs were killed by Lakhpat Rai on orders of the mughal governor of Punjab Yahiya Khan.

June 3 1984 Invasion and desecration of the Akaal Thakt by the Indian Army

June 6 1628 First battle of Amritsar fought and won by Guru Hargobind against the mughals

June 9 1716 Banda Singh Bahadur was tortured to death in Delhi.

June 14 1698 Birth of Baba Fateh Singh youngest Son of Guru Gobind Singh Ji

June 19 1595 Birth of Guru Hargobind Ji

June 28 1839 Death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh

June 29 1606 Ascension to Guruship of Guru Hargobind Ji

Contents

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