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APPENDIX B


Appendix B cited in Evaluating Dayanand's Views on Guru Nanak & the Sikhs


Guru Nanak was not afraid of anybody, he called spade a spade. For example while the custodians of Christianity were investing despots with “divine rights,” the Muslim ruler (khalifa or caliph) was regarded as the representative of Prophet Mohammad and the Hindu elite was calling even tyrannical Muslim rulers as Ishwaro va Dillishwro va (the king of Delhi is as great as   God)5  Guru Nanak denounced the bigoted and cruel rulers and their allies. He called for the establishment of rule of justice.  He proclaimed that the ultimate source of spiritual as well as temporal power is God. He declared spiritual and temporal sovereignty and freedom of conscience/religion by pledging his allegiance only to God.


jy dyhY duKu lweIAY, pwp grh duie rwhu
rqu pIxy rwjy isrY aupir rKIAih eyvy jwpY Bwau ]
BI qUM hY swlwhxw AwKx lhY n cwau ]

If my body was to be afflicted with pain under the influence of unlucky stars (reference to Hindu myth) and blood-sucking rulers were to hold power over me -- even under this situation, I would still love You (God) and praise you and, my longing to adore you would not diminish. (In other words, I will not waver from the path of righteousness).            

AGGS, M 1, p. 142.

 


iqsu ibnu rwjw Avr n koeI ]

There is no other King, except the Almighty.           

AGGS, M 1, p. 936.

 


eyko qKqu eyko pwqswhu ]

There is one celestial Throne and one King.             

AGGS, M 1, p. 1188.

 


qKiq bhY qKqY kI lwiek ]
pMc smwey gurmiq pwiek ]

He alone sits on the throne who is a gurmukh - who has control over worldly temptations - lust, anger, greed, attachment and egotistical pride.                     

AGGS, M 1, p. 1039.

 

Young Nanak rejected the Janeu (sacred thread) which was mandatory for a Khatri boy and when he grew up he denounced the the caste system and caste hierarchy and openly declared his solidarity with the down-trodden.

 


dieAw kpwh sMqoK sUqu jqu gMFI squ vtu]
eyhu jnyaU jIA kw heI q pwfy Gqu]

Make compassion the cotton, contentment the thread, continence the knot and truth the twist. O pundit (priest), a thread of this type awakens the inner-self (conscience). If you have such a janaeu (thread), then go ahead and put it on me?                                                   
AGGS, M 1, p. 471.

 


nIcw AMdir nIc jwiq nIcI hU Aiq nIcu]
nwnku iqn ky sMig swiQ vifAw isau ikAw rIs]
ijQY nIc smwlIAin iqQY nidr qyrI bKsIs]

Nanak will stand by the lowest of lowest, not with the elite. Societies that take care of the downtrodden have the blessing of God.                                         

AGGS, M 1, p. 15. 

      


PkV jwqI PkVu nwau ]
sBnw jIAw iekw Cwau ]

Worthless is the caste and worthless is the status attached to it as the Protector of all is One.                   

AGGS, M 1, p. 83.

 

He denounced the Khatris and exposed the nexus between Khatris, Brahmans and Muslim rulers.

 


KqRIAw q Drmu CoifAw mlyC BwiKAw ghI ]
isRsit sB iek vrn hoeI Drm kI giq rhI ]
Ast swj swij purwxu soDih krih byd AiBAwsu ]
ibnu nwm hir ky mukiq nwhI khY nwnk dwsu ]

The Khatris have abdicated their duties. Instead they have adopted the language and manners of their masters (Muslim rulers), whom they consider as malesh (defiled/polluted). As a matter of fact the whole Hindu society has degenerated abdicating moral obligations. The Brahman is busy talking about the “rule of eight” to study and analyze the Puranas and Vedas. But Nanak submits humbly that without contemplation on God, there is no liberation (from ignorance, falsehood and vices).                        
AGGS, M 1, p. 663.

 


mwxs Kwxy krih invwj ]
CurI vgwiein iqn gil qwg ]
iqn Gir bRhmx pUrih nwd ]
aunw iB Awvih EeI swd ]

The man-eaters (Muslim rulers) perform Namaz (Muslim prayer). The ones who carve out the flesh for them wear the sacred thread around his neck (Khatris). The Brahmans blow the conch in the Khatris’ homes to sanctify their doings. The Brahmans shares the ill-gotten bread of the Khatris.

AGGS, M 1, p. 471.

 

He denounced the bigotry and oppression of Muslim rulers at the time when the caste hierarchy was seeking favor from the Muslim rulers and helping them in consolidating their power and hold over Indian territory.

 


kil kwqI rwjy kwsweI Drmu pMK kir aufirAw]
kUV Amwvs scu cMdRmw dIsY nwhI kh ciVAw]

It is a murderous age, the kings are butchers and righteousness has taken on wings. It is the dark night of falsehood and the moon of truth do not rise anywhere.      

AGGS, M 1, p. 145.


rwjy sIh mukdm kuqy]
jwie jgwiein bYTy suqy]
cwkr nhdw pwiein Gwau ]
rqu ipqu kuiqho cit jwhu]

The rulers are like tigers/lions and their officials as dogs, who harass and persecute the innocent subjects. The claws of the dogs (government servants) inflict wounds on the public. The rulers suck the blood of the public through these dogs who lick the wounds.                        
AGGS, M 1, p. 1288.

 


hku prwieAw nwnkw ausu sUAru ausu gwie ]
gur pIru hwmw qw Bry jw murdwru n Kwie ]
glI iBsiq n jweIAY CutY scu kmwie ]
mwrx pwih hrwm mih hoie hlwlu n jwie ]
nwnku glI kUVIeI kUVo plY pwie ]

To violate or usurp someone’s right or to take away something that rightfully belongs to others is like eating pork for a Muslim and beef for a Hindu. The Guru or pir (spiritual guide) would standby only if the follower does not make unlawful living. Mere talk does not lead to paradise; salvation lies in right conduct. If you add spice to unlawfully earned food, it does not become halal (lawful). Nanak, falsehood begets only falsehood.      
AGGS, M 1, p. 141.

 


Appendix A | Introduction | Appendix C

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