It has to be conceded that Sanatan Sikhs, though they
respect all other religious texts, they being Sikhs themselves,
tend to give that extra reverence to Adi Guru Durbar. This is likened
to the Muslim concerning the holy Koran, a Christian concerning
the holy Bible, Hindus concerning the eternal Vedas etc. These are
inherent biased sentiments within the followers of any particular
religion/spiritual path and are only natural.
Whilst not dismissing the other world religious/spiritual
traditions, Sanatan Sikhs speak of Sikhism as expounded by the Adi
Guru Durbar as ‘Gadi Rah’ (easiest
path to salvation) for it is the ‘Bhagti Marg’
(path of loving devotion to the Almighty). Bhai Gurdas Ji wrote:
‘Satgur is true King he established the
Gadi Rah of Guru Sikhs.’
‘Bhai Gurdas di Varaan’, by Bhai Gurdas Ji, Var
5, Pauri 13
Sanatan Sikhs recognize Muslim Pirs, Hindu Bhagats
etc. and as such, if any other religion/spiritual path advocates
loving devotion of ‘Ekh’, then that
can also be considered ‘Gadi Rah’.
Sonahri Masjid
The Sonahri Masjid in Lahore, built in 1753 and reguilded in gold
by Maharaja Ranjit Singh (circa 1827)
Within ‘Parchian Sewadas’
and ‘Suraj Prakash’, is recorded the
incident involving the great Yoga master Gopi Chand.
It is said that as Sikh bards sang the beautiful spiritual story
of the great renouncer Gopi Chand in Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh’s
court, one fanatical Sikh objected. This Sikh fanatic, just as his
modern counterparts wanted this singing to stop and insisted in
Guru’s court that only hymns from the Sikh scriptures should
be sung and none other. The Guru not only reprimanded this foolish
fanatic, but further instructed his Sikhs:
‘That ‘Bani’ (speech/words/scripture)
on reading or listening.
From which peace of mind, freedom from worldly desires, knowledge
arises. Such a Bani, read/said of such good advice.
Consider as equal to ‘Gurbani’ (Sikh scripture).
‘Suraj Prakash’, by Kavi Santokh Singh, edited by
Vir Singh, Vol.12, Page 5206
‘Parmeshwar’ is not only
limited to holy texts or hearts of ‘Bhagats’
(devotees of God). It is all- pervasive and is everywhere. Sanatan
Sikhs accept that God that is ‘Ekh Nirankar’
(One Formless Being) resounds through out all creation. Akali Nihang
Guru Gobind Singh writes:
‘In water is 'Hari' (Eternal God/Vishnu).
In the desert is Hari.
In the heart is Hari. In the jungles is Hari.
In the mountains is Hari. In the caves is Hari.
In the earth is Hari. In the skies is Hari. In this world is Hari. In the after life is Hari.’
‘Dasam Guru Durbar’, Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh,
Akaal Ustat
Durgiana Mandhir
Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated the gold to this Mandhir, dedicated
to the worship of Chandi (Durga)
Hence, the Guru God, that One who is supreme over
all others, i.e.‘Mahakaal’ (God that
is greater than death) is in all if only one can see this.
