Hinduism is a dangerously absorbent ocean which has swallowed Budhism, sanskritised Jainism and devoured other hundreds of tribal faiths i.e every philosophy . Today Sikhism faces the same kind of threat which Budhism had once

Bhai Kahn Singh of Nabha (1867-1938) wrote a number of books such as Gurmat Prabhakar and the Gurmat Sudhakar, besides a comprehensive encyclopaedia of Sikh literature, the Gurushabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh. His Hum Hindu Nahin, (We're Not Hindus), first published in 1897, reflected tellingly in its deliberately challenging title as well as in its daring argument the Singh Sabha's emphasis on Sikh identity. Narain Singh of Hoshiarpur had penned a book ‘Sikh Hindu Hain’ the Sikhs are Hindus and Nabha’s work was in fact a rejoinder to Narain’s book.

Punjab Monitor publishes excerpts from the book ‘Hum Hindu Nahi’ which has become more relevant today. It is in question/answer form.

A. It is not correct to say so. In fact the Fifth Nanak has dealt this issue in detail_ at page 1136 of Guru Granth Sahib [GG]

BYrau mhlw 5 ] vrq n rhau n mh rmdwnw ] iqsu syvI jo rKY indwnw ]1] eyku gusweI Alhu myrw ] ihMdU qurk duhW nybyrw ]1] rhwau ] hj kwbY jwau n qIrQ pUjw ] eyko syvI Avru n dUjw ]2] pUjw krau n invwj gujwrau ] eyk inrMkwr ly irdY nmskwrau ]3] nw hm ihMdU n muslmwn ] Alh rwm ky ipMfu prwn ]4]

[I practise not fasting nor observe the Ramzan;...... I go not on pilgrimages to Mecca nor worship at Hindu places of pilgrimages. I serve the one God and non-else. I neither perform puja like the Hindus do nor I do the Muslim namaj. I take the formless God into my heart and there make obeisance unto him. I am neither a Hindu and nor a MusaIman. This soul and body belong to God whether He be called Allah or Ram.)

Similar references are profusely available in Gurbani reacting to various Hindu concepts. At most places Guru criticises and condemns them. Please see pages 71.98, 128,202,201,227,230. 231,324,327,419,423,455,464,467,468,471, 475,476,479,525,556,559,593,654,710,719, 739, 747, 789, 864, 874,885, 894, 896, 902,912, 954,

Warran, the ballads of Bhai Gurdas Bhalla [Nephew of Third Nanak] which have been treated as key to Gurbani have also touched this issue at several places and in very clear terms he treats Sikhism as the birth of a third religion. Please see Warran numbered at 38,39,...........

Guru Gobind Singh in his compositions has also treated Sikhs distinct from Hindus. [)-33 Swaiyyas.

All the historic Rahitnamas the codes of conduct written after the demise of X Nanak also treat Sikhs distinct from Hindus. See Rahitnamas of Bhai Daya Singh, Chaupa Singh, Bhai Nandlal etc. Rattan Singh Bhangu author of Panth Prakash of early half of 19th century is rather highly vocal on this issue. pun ihMdU qurkn qy inAwrw[ rcoN Kwlsw Xih blI Apwrw

So much so even Bhai Sukha Singh a writer of 18th century who partially believe in Brahminism has admitted introduction of third religion (from two faiths he created three do qy qIn pMQ kr ly hY[

Poet Santokh Singh Chudamani of Suraj Prakash, is also very categorical in his descriptions. He quotes Guru Gobind Singh as having said to the Emperor Bahadur Shah how he has created a third religion

Not only the Khalsa, Hindus have always been treating Sikhism a religion different and often exercised their boycott. Bhai Mani Singh the prime martyr [early 18th century] while giving a commentary on the 11th War of Bhai Gurdas explains how on several occasions the Sikhs of Guru Arjun Dev faced a similar boycott from Hindu. Kavi Senapati also describes a Delhi boycott of Sikhs.

I] Today your past of a different religion and caste is over ..[ii] Don't worship any god or goddess, Avatar the incarnation or any prophet except Akal the timeless God. [iii] You shouldn't have faith in any religion book other than Guru Granth Sahib.

O.K, by that parameter even the Muslims and Christians of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh even Afghanistan are Hindus. All Christians should be Jews.

Q-Sikhs are Hindus because they intermarry and on death both burn their dead?

[Though the Sikhs have been categorically prohibited from marrying outside their religion.] Budhists, Jews, Christians of many countries intermarry and bury their dead while rest of the funeral rites of the Sikhs are much different from Hindus.

Q-May be you avoid being referred as Hindu as in Persian it means 'a thief, a black slave'?

No, we have nothing to do with such titles. Gurbani condemns such terming of a group or a nation,

[In 1920 AD a conference of 45 prominent Pundit of Kanshi (Benaras) made a declaration advising their nation to avoid Hindu term for 'Arya' people of 'Aryavrat']

Q-Has not Guru Gobind Singh said; "sakal jagat mei khalsa panth gaje : Jagge dharam Hindu, Turk dhund bhaje." We hope this is enough to settle how GGS was well-wisher of Hinduism?

Notwithstanding this stanza from the book Ugradanti doesn't belong to GGS and is instead composition of Bhai Sukha Singh of Patna yet we leave the issue on this very Ugradanti's other contents. [We hope the RSS would accept the 'emergence of third religion and all embrace it];

Ugradanti claims that the Hindus are more deceitful or Machiavellian. [Though Sukha Singh should not have generalised]

Ugradanti wishes for the establishment of Third Religion with blue garmented braves.

No, your contention is historically incorrect. Guru laid down his life to protect the dignity of the oppressed people you may call them the Kashmiri Brahmins who had come' under the Guru's protection. It is the duty of every Sikh to fight tyranny taking the side of the oppressed and weak. We consider you and the Muslims also a part of ourselves but surely. do not fall under your religious category.

The same Guru at his martyrdom [according to a Sakhi] told the Emperial Court which was bent upon absorbing entire Hindu nation in Islam that they should get prepared as the Sun of the third nation is also on the rise very soon.

Along with Questionnaire let us also keep dealing with various Hindu concepts and Sikh reaction to them:

According to the Gurbani's commandment Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Simritis, Puranas find no honour in Sikhism. For a Sikh Gurbani is above all:

bwxI q gwvhu gurU kyrI bwxIAw isir bwxI ] ijn kau ndir krmu hovY ihrdY iqnw smwxI ] pIvhu AMimRqu sdw rhhu hir rMig jiphu swirgpwxI ] khY nwnku sdw gwvhu eyh scI bwxI ]23] siqgurU ibnw hor kcI hY bwxI ] bwxI q kcI siqgurU bwJhu hor kcI bwxI ] khdy kcy suxdy kcy kcˆØI AwiK vKwxI ] (SGGS Page 920)

i.e Gurbani is above all and all other literature and those who sing and listen it are raw.

swsqu bydu bkY KVo BweI krm krhu sMswrI ] pwKMif mYlu n cUkeI BweI AMqir mYlu ivkwrI ] (SGGS Page 635)

The Vedas and Shastra advise on rituals. Inner dirt will not be cleansed with these formalities.

byd kqyb isimRiq siB swsq ien@ piVAw mukiq n hoeI ] eyku AKru jo gurmuiK jwpY iqs kI inrml soeI ] [One is not liberated with the sole recitation of Vedas and other Shastras and Quran.]

Mind focussed on Gurbani with love and assuming God almighty everywhere is the Sikh prayer and not the ringing of loud bells in Mandirs as our brethren do.

Q- Mr Sikh! how would you explain Gurbani commandments such as: Vedan mei naam uttam, sune nahin phiren jio betalia [GG page-919] i.e You don't listen to the sublime name of God that is given in the Veda, and are thus wandering like a ghost. ?

In fact Guru sahib regret the Hindus don't listen to the traces' of references to the God in the Vedas and are instead after rituals of Havanas, Yaggas, etc.

Q- and also says Gurbani? Char pukarey na tu maney [SGGS page 886] i.e. you don't listen to the commandments of the four Vedas and other Shastras.?

Here Guru sahib advises the Yogi that your efforts in reading and understanding Vedas and other Shastras have been in futility as you have failed to reach at the deep meaning of God.

Obviously when Guru is advising a Yogi he will refer to the Vedas and other Hindu scriptures and not to Quran, Bible or Gurbani.

Guru sahib has similar advice for the Muslims; Dojakk pauda kio rahe jan chitt na dhare Rasul [SGGS page-319]

Do you mean here that Guru sahib is advising the Sikhs to be faithful to Mohammed and always keep him in mind?

Q- Is it not there in Gurbani? Bed kateb kaho matt jhuthey, jhutha jo na vicharey [SGGS page-1350]

Two quarrelling groups of Hindus and Muslims who were condemning each others religiou_ bopks approached Kabir sahib. Kabir sahib advised them that agitated they achieved little and through peaceful mind and that too focussed on the point will attain the desired. Another quotation of Kabir sahib is also worth quoting: Bed kateb iftra bhai, dil ka phikar na jai [SGGS page-727]

Sikhims doesn't recognise any caste categories while Hinduism is synonymous with casteism and in the name of casteism Hindus have inflicted tyranny on the creations of God almighty. A few quotation_ from some Hindu scriptures will reveal how the Brahmins have been unjust to a large section of society the Shudra.

"The whole property that exist in the world, even if others are using it. belongs to Brahmin." (Mannu Simriti A:I S:IOO]

"If the king happen to unearth some treasure he should pass on half of it to the Brahmin." [Mannu Simriti A:6 S:38]

"Educated or illiterate Brahmin is a great god, like fire is a god even if it created without the chanting of Mantras." [Mannu Simriti A:9 S:347]

"If a Brahmin is caught stealing he should not be punished becuse it is .the king's inadequate administration that the Brahmin remained hungry and had to resort to stealing." [Mannu Simriti A:77, S 22]

"Even a characterless Brahmin is worth worship, while the Shudra even if in a great control of his desires is not. Who will milch a donkey, ignoring an errant cow." [Prashar Samhita A:6]

"A farmer Brahmin can plough as much land as he wants as he is the owner of all lands. He need not pay revenue." [Brihta Prashar Samhita A:3]

"Like the fire doesn't get polluted by burning the dirty things and the woman by extramarital relations, the Brahmin doesn't get polluted even if he does things against the Veda tenets." [Brihat Prashar Samhiata A:2]

"If a Shudra says harsh words to the Brahmin or Kshatriay the king should get his tongue severed." [Mannu Simriti A:8 5:270]

"If a Shudra resorts to advice to the other castes, a red hot nail be pierced in his mouth." [Manna Simriti A:8 S:27f] .

"With what ever part of body the Shudra becomes harsh with other castes, same parts of body should be cut removed." [Mannu Simriti A:8 S:79]

"Ensure that. Shudra doesn't accumulate money because after he becomes rich he causes trouble. to Brahmins." [Manna Simriti A:30 S:229]

"Impact of food is like blood. If food offered by a Shudra is consumed and while the food in the stomach and one indulges into sex and accordingly if a child is born, such a child would be treated as Shudra."[Laghu ati Samhita A:5]

"If a Shudra indulges into prayers to God, the king should get such Shudra killed." [Ati Samhita]

[Valmiki Ramayan has an instance where god Rama himself kills a such Shudra and the gods shower flowers on Rama for the 'pious deed'.] [Valmiki Ramayana Uttarakand A:76]

If a Brahmin eats food offered by Shudra he will be born 7 times as dog, 9 times as pig, and 8 times a vulture." [Bridati Samhita A:5]

Do not offer food to Shudra in some utensil and just leave it on the floor as Shudra and dog are one and the same thing." [Apstamb Simriti A:9 S:34]

And now see, Guru recognises no caste; because caste again is the product of 'haumen 'the ego

jwiq jnmu n pUCIey sc Gru lyhu bqwie] sw jwiq sw piq hY jyhy krm kmwie (SGGS page 1330)

Gurbani is replete with such commandments that it is sinful to promote belief in casteism which is a product of ego the haumen.[Also see pages 1330, 349, 67 SGGS]

The Gurus brought a revolutionary change in the society. There is an incidence related in Gur Pratap Suraj Granth how some'

caste minded Hindus lodged a serious complaint against Guru sahib before Emperor Akbar complaining how the Guru was 'polluting' the Hindu society by asking his followers to dine together irrespective of their castes.

Q-Is it not provided in the Janam Sakhi Bhai Bala that Guru Nanak wore the Hindu thread Janeo when he visited Bhai Lalo?

Wearing of Janeo violates the concepts of Guru Nanak's own Bani. There are several stories given in many Janam Sakhis which make the Sakhis factually unreliable.

Rather in all the Janamsakhis there is a story that Guru Nanak refused to wear the Hindu thread. This story is also corroborated by the Gurbani also. Where Guru Nanak advises the Brahmin to prepare the thread of kindness and compassion;

dieAw kpwh sMqoKu sUqu jqu gMFI squ vtu ] eyhu jnyaU jIA kw heI q pwfy Gqu ][SGGS page 473]

In fact there are several shabads in Gurbani that condemn the wearing of ritual thread.

Q-Doesn't the following stanza from GGS Bachitar Natak prove that Guru Teg Bahadur wore the Hindu thread? Tillak janjhu rakaha prabh taka : kino bado kalu mey saka.

No, it says Guru was the protector of Tilak and Janeo wearing downtrodden Brahmins of Kashmir who had come in the protection of Guru.

Hindus believe that the incarnations are the God himself and they worship them while Sikhism .is opposed to this theory. The issue is discussed at hundreds of places in Gurbani to reject this theory of re-incarnation. So much so even the issue is taken up right in . the Mulmantra the flag mask of Gurbani.

- Here Ajuni means the God is neither born nor dies and we think a single example will suffice to say that Sikhism is opposed to this theory

sgl prwD dyih loronI ] so muKu jlau ijqu khih Twkuru jonI ]3] jnim n mrY n AwvY n jwie ] nwnk kw pRBu rihE smwie ]

To hell with such a mouth which says that Lord almighty appears through incarnations. Here Guru Arjun Dev the Fifth Nanak becomes somewhat tough with those who persistently say that the almighty Lord takes births and dies as other human beings.

Q- In your Guru Granth sahib at page 1082 there is a shabad wherein names of several Hindu avataras have been given for worship?

Acuq pwrbRhm prmysur AMqrjwmI ] mDusUdn dwmodr suAwmI ] irKIkys govrDn DwrI murlI mnohr hir rMgw ]1] mohn mwDv ik®s˜ murwry ] jgdIsur hir jIau Asur sMGwry ] jgjIvn AibnwsI Twkur Gt Gt vwsI hY sMgw ]2] DrxIDr eIs nrisMG nwrwiex ] dwVw AgRy ipRQim Drwiex ] -------------

Says Guru that people with their given intellect worship you with different names OJ thee nameless but your real name is Satnam the true name which has been there from ages immemorial.

Similarly Allah was the name of a special idol but in Quran reference to Allah are for the Timeless all-pervading Maula. Similarly originally the word god was used with reference to gods by Teuton people and when they embraced Christianity it meant God which doesn't die neither is born. Exactly similar is the origin of Jehovah name of Jews which was originally used by Assyrians for a particular god.

Guru Nanak explains the term Sat nam the true name because it has been existing irrespective of any age:

By Rama the Guru thus doesn't means _ err FJTfu»Ir He means R UIC 1.I.fC Hfu FlwfE'»fq the all pervading God. Besides the islamic names of Rabb, Allah also appear in Gurbani.

Sikhs are the. worshippers of one Satinam or Waheguru while the Hindus worship numerous gods and goddesses. As to the understanding of these gods and goddesses the Gurbani says:

bRhmw ibsnu mhwdyau moihAw ] gurmuiK nwim lgy sy soihAw ]2] vrq nym kir Qwky punhcrnw ] qt qIrQ Bvy sB Drnw ] sy aubry ij siqgur kI srnw ] [GG page-394]

dyvI dyvw pUjIAY BweI ikAw mwgau ikAw dyih ] pwhxu nIir pKwlIAY BweI jl mih bUfih qyih ] [GG page_67]

Q-You say worship of gods and goddesses is prohibited in Sikhism but the fact is Guru Gobind Singh has himself worshipped devi, as evident from his compositions?

Our dear brother Hindu, the Guru has described the God in feminine gender assigning various feminine names to the Akal the Satnam who is beyond the concept of time.

[I salute thee 0 all knowing God! I salute thee of mother of whole universe 1Jaapu of X lord]

qY hI durgw swj kY dYqW dw nws krwieAw (cMfI dI vwr) [you created goddess Durga to annihilate the demons]

So much so Guru sahib has at one place written" Well yo,u are called Ad Bhiwani where did you hide yourself, when you were most needed for salvation,"

Our dear brother Hindu! it appears at places you get confused where you see translations by Guru's court of the Hindu classics like Durga Saptashati of Markandey Purana. We suggest you to also see the remarks in the end of Chandicharitara

kauiqk hyq krI kiv ny siqsX kI kQw ieh pUrI BeI hY]232] [For fun sake the poet translated Durga Saptashati and it ends here]

At the end of Krishanavtar it is there: dsm kQw Bgwauq kI BwKw krI bnwie] Avr bwsnw nwhI pRB Drm juD ko cwie]2482][I have translated Dasam Sikand Purana I have no other motive than the pious war]

Similar comments are given' elsewhere in the Dasam Granth compositions. Not only this the names of Guru sahib's court poets like Ram and Shyam are also given at the end of the translated works and compositions. kQw sqrvI rwm kiv aucrI ihq icq lwie](pMnw 835)[Dasarn Granth page 835] Ram named poet has composed seventieth story,

kib isAwm kibqn md kQXo (Dasam Granth page 160] The poet Shyam has said it in the form of Kabitan. Ram and Shyam are two of the galaxy of 52 court poets of Guru sahib.

In the end of the compositions and translations the poets [and Guru sahib] has clarified their viewpoint as well. For example in the end of Krishan Avatar translation the poet says:

-Again interestingly at the end of Ram Avatar translation the poet clarifies his stand; [Page 254 Dasrn Granth]

After I became Your devotee I would not see others, The Hindu books and their gods [Rams] and the Muslim books and their prophets tell different stories which I don't believe in. Ohl my God you have blessed me to say so otherwise I am not worth it.

Q- Don't you daily chant in your morning and evening prayers? ipRQm BgOqI ismr ky gur nwnk leI iDAwie]

_II Now you can't run away from the fact that in Sikhism too, worship of Bhagwati Devi is provided?

Here again we repeat that either you say so with malafide intentions [Because by saying so many innocent Sikhs are lapsing back into Hinduism.] or you are ignorant of the Bani of the Tenth lord. Bhagauti means sword and Bhagwati the Hindu goddess 'Bhagwati', We reproduce some stanzas from Bani, which will remove your doubt;

leI BgOqI durgSwh vrjwgn BwrI ] lweI rwjy suMB L rq pIey ipAwrI {Chandi di Var P: 10}

It means the brave Goddess Durga [She is also called Bhagwati] took the sword [Bhagauti] and stabbed King Sumba where the sword drank the precious blood.

Now how will our Hindu brother translate the stanza otherwise? Can he say that Durga took Durga in her hand?

nmo sRI BgOqI bfYlI srohI] --- nwau BgOqI lyho GVwieAw] How will our brother interpret these lines? Would he ,say that goddess Bhagwat or Durga is made up of steel and is tampered?

The author of 'Dabistan-e-Mazahib' a contemporary of Sixth Nanak witnessed an interesting episode which proves that the Sikhs abhorred worshipping of Hindu gods and goddesses and cow.

Dear brother Hindu, in your religion there is dominance of idol worship while Sikhism repudiates it.

Guru Nanak says; mÚ 1 ] ihMdU mUly BUly AKutI jWhI ] nwrid kihAw is pUj krWhI ] AMDy guMgy AMD AMDwru ] pwQru ly pUjih mugD gvwr ] Eih jw Awip fuby qum khw qrxhwru ]2] [GG page-556}

[Some beasts are worshipping images and others their dead. People are, engaged in pseudo activities and have not learnt the secret of God almighty]

Q-With the support of Gurbani you have definitely proved that Sikhism denounces idol worship, but the fact is that today you Sikhs worship Guru Granth more like an image?

Sikhs pay obeisance to Granth sahib because it carries the message of God almighty; We don't worship like the idol-worshippers do.

Q-you keep some 'prasad' under the Granth sahib before the rest is distributed, among Sangat. Does it not amount to 'bhog lagawna' like we do with an image?

The parsad is in fact reserved by the Granthi for himself as he himself distributes the rest.

In the evening the devote Hindus recite Gayatri mantra do Agnayas i.e ritually touch chest [heart], eyes, arms, head and sprinkle water to cool their ancestors, This ritual is unknown to Sikhs now as Guru sahiban had condemned this ritual [See GG page 553, 603]

Hindus according to their scriptures' advice consider a mother impure who has recently delivered a baby, A Brahmin mother remains impure for 11 days, Kshatriya -13, Vaishya 17 and Shudra 30 days. No interaction with this woman is allowed during this period, She is denied entrance in the kitchen. Hinduism in its somewhat pure form can still be seen in the South India. Hindus even consider a woman in her menstruation period as impure.

Guru Nanak condemned this and the Sikhs don't observe such codes. [See GG pages 472, 229, 331)

Hindus draw a line around their kitchen and then sit inside it to have food. According to a Hindu scripture if some one doesn't draw a line after coating the floor with dung such food would be stolen by the demons and the gods will not participate in such a dinner. Hindus have been observing such rituals and were very particular about untouchability principles.

For long span of life- towards east,
For fame- towards South
For money- towards West and
For attainment of truth- North
[Mannusimriti]

Eating while head is covered, facing south, and with shoes on - the food gets consumed by demons. [Mannusimriti]

Ensure that your feet are wet while taking meals, it is sinful to dry one's feet with cloth.

Eating in an iron pot is like consuming pioson, [Sikhs in principle prefer iron-sarbloh]

If a Brahmin is eating fruits while on the tree and a Shudra [Chandal] touches the trunk of the tree, the brahmin will have to undergo shudi the purification process. Do not consume vegetables such as carrot, onion, garlic, mushrooms elc, Do not consume meat unless it is offered to god [indirectly Brahmin] If one is to consume meat he should prefer fish [certain varieties are specified] However one can consume meat of camel, tortoise, hare, varanus, etc. without any hesitation. [Mannusimriti]

Gurmati rejects such beliefs on kitchen line and other miscellaneous omens. [See GG pages 472, 1090, 91, 413, 1195]

Guru has settled the issue of as to what is to be eaten and what not in just a single line:

bwbw horu Kwxw KusI KuAwru ] ijqu KwDY qnu pIVIAY mn mih clih ivkwr ]1] [GG page-16) i.e don't take such food that causes pains and problems and the mind gets polluted,

In Hinduism fasts such as Ikadashi Janamashtami, etc, have been prescribed while Sikhism condemns such fasting, [See GG pages 905, 299, 1136, 1245,873, 1136.)

Hindus believe in auspicious/ inauspicious timings and most of their ceremonies are determined according to this belief. Hindus have firm belief in Jyotish Shastra and omens. The Sikhism again rejects this belief and advises that man should always keep doing his duty keeping God in mind,

Hindus believe that on the death of their near and dear it is necessary to perform certain rituals on the centres of pilgrimages like Benaras, HardwarGanga, Gaya etc,

On a certain fixed month, fall the festivals of Shradhs, Hindu holy scriptures command that during Shradhs foods be offered to Brahmins so that it goes to the ancestors, If the Shradhs-food is offered the sins of the ancestors would vanish.

The clever Brahmins then have made a schedule of the various foods. A tastier food offered would benefit more the ancestor than the simple food. [Mannusimriti]

Guru Nanak said all these beliefs are mere superstitions and ignorance. Bani of Gurus on this issue is available at pages

358,138.472,556,332.116,140,890,986, 687. 1329, 490, 558, 753,484, etc. of Guru Granth,

Q- You say Death Rituals are prohibited in the Sikhism then why did Guru Amardas said as follows?

AMqy siqguru boilAw mY ipCY kIrqnu kirAhu inrbwxu jIau ] kyso gopwl pMifq sidAhu hir hir kQw pVih purwxu jIau ] hir kQw pVIAY hir nwmu suxIAY bybwxu hir rMgu gur Bwvey ] ipMfu pqil ikirAw dIvw Pul hir sir pwvey ] [GG page-923]

Reply- This is from 'Sadd' named Bani composed by Guru Amardas's grandson named Sunder on the formers death. Guru Amardas has not advised on calling of a particular Brahmin named Kesho Gopal. This stanza is strictly in accordance with the Bani of Guru Nanak

ipMfu pqil myrI kysau ikirAw scu nwmu krqwru ] AYQY EQY AwgY pwCY eyhu myrw AwDwru ]2] gMg bnwris isPiq qumwrI nwvY Awqm rwau ] scw nwvxu qW QIAY jW Aihinis lwgY Bwau ]3] iek lokI horu CimCrI bRwhmxu vit ipMfu Kwie ] nwnk ipMfu bKsIs kw kbhUM inKUtis nwih ]4]2]32] [GG page 358] Thus at both the places the word it'R is for God all pervading. Elsewhere in the Sadd Sunder says Avro n jwxih sbid gur kY eyku nwmu iDAwvhy ] prswid nwnk gurU AMgd prm pdvI pwvhy ] [You are not to utter other than the Shabad of the Guru] Thus the meaning of ufo ufo 0fCf' tSfu _ t1W1I is that the Purana of God's katha be read.

Thus only an ignorant would say that Guru advised on reading of Purana on his death. Moreover Guru has been very critical of the Pandits.

Hindus believe that with the recitation of certain words from their scriptures one attains magical powers that are materially useful. For example;

"With the powere of Mantar Yantra Tantra one gels magical powers through which wishes could be fulfilled, enemies are destroyed, gods fall in your controL". Mantra Mahoddhi aur Maha Nirban MCij1tra.

Says the Hindu scripture Brihat Prasir Samhita, "Those who daily worship planets, no disease will occur to him, he gets plenty of money, will have 100 women to 'use', and attains long life span."

Gurbani considers it as a fraud to cheat people. Says Guru Nanak qMqu mMqu pwKMfu n jwxw rwmu irdY mnu mwinAw ] AMjnu nwmu iqsY qy sUJY gur sbdI scu jwinAw ] [GG page 766 also see pages 941,1142 and 822 and also see Bhai Gurdas's Varan Nos,S, 40. 1. 1, 27,28]

Yajna fulfils all wishes, gods survive because of Yajnas, the animal which is sacrificed in the Yajna attains the heavens along with the one who killed it." and lo Mannu Simriti provides:

"Lord Brahma has created animals for Yajnas only. Killing of animals for Yajnas is for a the good of the world. Animal killed in the Yajna will next attain higher !!nd superior Yoni class."

"Brahmin shouldn't perform such Yajna where he has apprehensions that his fees will be meagre."

About the fires Mannu sahib provides: - Commodity thrown in the fire reaches the Sun. Clouds result from the juices of such a victim which produce crops of corn and human beings."

Swami Daya Nand the modern Mannu. founder of Arya Samaj justifies the fires of Homs,

"Hom fires purify the air. If we don't perform Homs the man will emit foul odour and pollute the air, thereby spreading diseases. Should Homs !>e performed like we did in the past all the ailments of Hindustan will vanish. More ghee should be used in the Homs than the man actually consumes."

hom jg qIrQ kIey ibic haumY bDy ibkwr ] nrku surgu duie BuMcnw hoie bhuir bhuir Avqwr ] [GG page 214 also see pages 150,213, 214,393,1129,1351 also see Bhai Gurdas Vars-7, 28,29,]

The rites of the Sikhs on the occasions of 1. Birth, 2 Baptismal, 3. Marriage, 4. Death are altogether different from Hindus.

Q-Gurus have not prescribed any separate code, It is the separatist Akalis who have framed their own code?

This is: your ignorance. Whatever Sikhs do on this accord are according to Gurbani.

[1. Birth] For example on the birth of a child you Hindus administer _ cow urine and _ Panchggvay [Lo here is the formula of Panchgvyacow dung, cow urine, ghee, milk, and curd mixed in equal quantities] Whereas our Guru Amar Das the Third Nanak composed Anand sahib on the birth of his grandson 'Anand' and desired that the Sikhs fecite this on the occasion of births. The Fifth Nanak historically first complied with when a son to him was born. A shabad composed by the Fifth on this occasion is a witness to it;

dsI mwsI hukim bwlk jnmu lIAw ] imitAw sogu mhw Anµdu QIAw ] gurbwxI sKI Anµdu gwvY ] swcy swihb kY min BwvY ]2] vDI vyil bhu pIVI cwlI ] Drm klw hir bMiD bhwlI ] mn icMidAw siqgurU idvwieAw ] Bey AicMq eyk ilv lwieAw ]3] ijau bwlku ipqw aUpir kry bhu mwxu ] bulwieAw bolY gur kY Bwix ] guJI CMnI nwhI bwq ] guru nwnku quTw kInI dwiq ]4]7]101] [GGpage389]

Sikhs accordingly read Anand prepare prasad and administer Amrit to the new, born. Name is given to the new born in accordance with Gurbani.

[ii] Baptismal- You Hindus wear Janeo the thread on baptismal while we administer Amrit.

[iii] Marriage- Sikhs follow the Anand marriage where Lavan are recited from Granth sahib and is comparatively much simple marriage with no ritual.

[iv] Death Rites- Sikhs do not perform the Hindu. rituals on death and straightaway burn their dead reciting Guru Nanak's Alauhnian and distribute prasad.

Hindu - O.K But all the Gurus before Guru Gobind Singh were Hindus because non of them kept hair?

It is a mere vicious propaganda by you clever Hindus that the Gurus prior to Guru Gobind Singh took hair cuts. Bani of Gurus is a proof that the Guru sahiban did not cut their hair.

nYnhu sMig sMqn kI syvw crn JwrI kyswieE ] AwT phr drsnu sMqn kw suKu nwnk iehu pwieE ]2]43]66]

[GG page-749 also see pages 381,408,500,561, 633,659,745,749,811.1,821,870,907,952,1084, 1104, 1106, 1217, 1224, 1335, 1366, 1369,1379, 1380, and 1406] So here the Fifth Nanak says if the Lord should appear before him, he would make a morsel of his hair and wave around the Lord. May we ask our brother whether can we make a morsel of tail or tuft hair or could it be made from hair that is less than an inch length. Some Hindus do mischief when some later day paintings are shown where Guru Sahiban are shown in hair cut.

Q-Well theoretically you have attempted to prove that the Sikhs are not Hindus. It appears you are ignorant of the seven rules of Hinduism namely1.To believe that Vedas are the revealed knowledge and base of Hinduism,

Thus no body can't separate Sikhs from the Hindus who are a sword arm of India?

Reply- Our simple reply is that two religions can't be unite_ if one or two of the characteristics are similar. However our point-wise explanations to your yet another enquiry are as under:

1. Vedas are not at all base of the Sikh religion. On the contrary Vedas have been deplored by the Gurus. [See comments in preceding paras]

2. Theism is not restricted to Hindus alone. More over all the religious people of the world have belief in good and bad deeds you may call them paap pun.

3. Belief in birth/rebirth -It is not the Hindus alone that believe in rebirth. Anient Greek and Egyptians also had the similar belief. Philosophers like Pythagoras, Empedocles and Father Druid of England had similar faith.

5. Burning of the Dead- Hygienically it best to cremate a dead but this is not a fundamental principle of Sikhism. Body of Fifth Nanak and MataGanga ji was flown into water. People in the west these days are also preferring cremation of their dead. But there are some Hindus that bury their dead and there are some that flow their dead in the Ganga.

6. Cow is a useful animal and it has to be protected and reared but not for the Gomutra i.e its urine or dung- so do believe the Sikhs. It is a sour fact that Sikhs in western countries are taking beef.

Sikhs till date are protesting against its implementation though it is a common law, Had it been the Hindu Personal Law, today there would have been several such people without nose, ears, eyes and arms severed, there would have been several in whose ears hot oil might have been poured. What is applicable today is the customary law.

Notwithstanding it is clarified that the Sikhs do have their own personal law which is only to be given a formal shape by editing through Guru Granth sahib and history.

Q- I am convinced that the Sikhs are a separate religion and a nation but is it in their own interest to declare themselves as a separate community? .

If we closely note how nations have strengthened after separation we must fight back any attempt to amalgamate us.

No community has ever been able to progress and has always been loosing so long it remained a branch or a 31ave of any other community, For example Christianity couldn't flourish until it separated from Judaism. There came an epoch in history when only traces of Christianity were left. So much so they went to the extent 0' disowning Saturday as the pious day in violation to the dictates of Lord adopted Sunday as holy day, Similarly Islam couldn't flourish until it was separated from the original faith.

The prime advice of the Guru to us is of mutual respect and love which we can't forget at any cost. We respect all nations like our neighbours. We consider their loss as our own loss and their gain as ours, But we can't become one on religious and social reasons. On the contrary experience tells us that Sikhism has incurred heavy losses as and when the two where close,

-Consistent efforts are on to eradicate the symbols of Sikhism. Whenever some Sikh perform Shrad ceremony the Brahmin insists that he should remove his Kachha and Karha. [ This is no longer in practice- Editor] -Selfish and mischievous people have inserted articles in newspapers and booklets and tried to prove that the Sikhs are Hindus.

-The fact is Sikhism grew stronger when the Mughals persecuted Hindus and Sikhs, In West Punjab it was one of the major gains to the Sikhism, As and when the Muslims struck Hindus they would rush to the protection of Sikhs thereby learn the superior qualities of Sikhism and ultimately become Sikhs.

-It is hard fact that were ever there had been interaction with the Hindus the Sikhs lost. The examples the Khatris, Aroras, Bhatias, Mohial Brahmins etc, these castes are faster lapsing into Hinduism, According to 1881 census 15% of the Khatris were in Sikh fold now only 3 to 5% are left in Sikhism, On the other hand the Jatts arid Ramgarhias have practically no social interaction with their counterparts in Hinduism and there is no loss on this count.

-The 1991 census should wake the sleeping lions, It is for the first time in Sikh history that the community has registered a negative growth rate.

We really feel sorry for talking in these terms but the situation has reached to such an alarming position. Though we are aware of the advice of the Guru – Na ko bairy nahi baigana sagal sang ham ko ban ai.

Accordingly we shouldn't have any ill will against any body but instead set our own house in order

`The historic book originally written in 1898 AD is reproduced in Image form. A brief extract of the book in English is also reproduced.`

`Please install Punjabi Font RAAVI RN to correctly read some Punjabi quoations in the translation`

Along with Questionnaire let us also keep dealing with various Hindu concepts and Sikh reaction to them: