Sikh Religion And Hinduism

2010·2.4 MB·English

by  G S Sidhu

Sikh Religion and Hinduism

G.S.Sidhu M.A.FIL(London)

Published by:- Guru Nanak Charitable Trust
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Contents
Opinions ................................................................................................ 8
Acknowledgments ............................................................................... 15
Foreword ............................................................................................. 17
Introduction ......................................................................................... 20
Chapter 1 ............................................................................................. 25
Vedant ................................................................................................. 25
1.1 What is Vedant? ................................................................... 25
1.2 Historical developments ............................................................. 27
1.3 Sikh point of View ..................................................................... 31
Chapter 2 ............................................................................................. 36
The Vedas and Sikhism ........................................................................ 36
2.1 The Vedas .................................................................................. 36
2.2 The importance of the Vedas ...................................................... 38
2.3 The Rig Veda ............................................................................. 39
2.4 Contents of the Rig Veda ............................................................ 40
2.5 The ‗creation‘ according to Rig Veda ......................................... 42
2.6 Yajur Veda ................................................................................. 48
2.7 Contents of the Yajur Veda ........................................................ 50
2.8 Sam Veda ................................................................................... 53
2.9 Atherva Veda ............................................................................. 56
2.10 Contents of the Atherva Veda ................................................... 57
2.11 ―The Fifth Veda" ...................................................................... 58
(a) The Ramayana ....................................................................... 59
(b) The Mahabharta ...................................................................... 61
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2.12 The Origin of the Vedas ........................................................... 65
2.13 Who is the real author of the Vedas? ......................................... 68
2.14 Are the Vedas sacred and infallible? ......................................... 70
2.15 Views of the Europeans ............................................................ 72
2.16 The Sikh View ......................................................................... 73
Chapter 3 ............................................................................................. 84
Hindu scripture VS. Sikh scripture ....................................................... 84
3.1 The Hindu scripture .................................................................... 84
3.2 The Simrtis................................................................................. 84
3.3 Manu Simrti ............................................................................... 87
3.4 The Puranas and Upnishads ........................................................ 92
3.5 Tantras ....................................................................................... 93
3.6 The Gaytry Mantra ..................................................................... 95
3.7 Importance of the Gaytry mantra ................................................ 97
3.8 Bhagvad Geeta and Gaytry ......................................................... 99
3.9 The Sikh View ........................................................................... 99
Chapter 4 ........................................................................................... 104
Images of God ................................................................................... 104
4.1 gods and goddesses .................................................................. 104
4.2 Some popular Hindu gods and goddesses.................................. 106
4.3 Dattatraya/Trimurti................................................................... 111
4.4 Brahma................................................................................. 114
4.5 Vishnu and Shiva ..................................................................... 115
4.6 Supremacy of Gods .................................................................. 116
4.7 Wars of the gods ...................................................................... 120
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4.8 Sri Ram Chander ...................................................................... 121
4.9 Some facts about Sri Ram Chander ........................................... 126
4.10 Sri Krishna ............................................................................. 134
4.11 Some facts about Sri Krishna .................................................. 140
4.12 Krishna calls himself God ....................................................... 142
4.13 Ganesha ................................................................................. 145
4.14 Hanuman ................................................................................ 147
4.15 Sidhs and Naths ...................................................................... 148
4.16 Sexual morality ...................................................................... 149
4.17 The Sikh View ....................................................................... 157
Chapter 5 ........................................................................................... 167
Social Division .................................................................................. 167
5.1 The Caste System. .................................................................... 167
5.2 How did the caste distinctions start in India? ............................ 168
5.3 The untouchables/unapproachables ........................................... 172
(a) The Untouchables ........................................................... 172
(b) The unapproachables ...................................................... 172
(c) The unseeables ..................................................................... 173
5.4 Treatment of the Shudras .......................................................... 174
5.5 Caste and the Bhagvad Geeta.................................................... 175
5.6 In-equality and Hinduism ......................................................... 177
5.7 The Sikh View ......................................................................... 179
Chapter 6 ........................................................................................... 187
Debased humans ................................................................................ 187
6.1Women in Hinduism ................................................................. 187
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6.2 Dev Dasis ................................................................................. 189
6.3 The History behind the custom of Sati ...................................... 192
6.4 Some prominent Sati cases ....................................................... 196
6.5 The Sikh view .......................................................................... 202
Chapter 7 ........................................................................................... 207
Dietary Habits .................................................................................... 207
7.1 Meat ......................................................................................... 207
7.2 Meat-eating in History: ......................................................... 211
7.3 Position in Independent India ............................................... 214
7.4 Sikh Point of View ................................................................... 215
Chapter 8 ........................................................................................... 217
Sikh Worship vs. Hindu worship ........................................................ 217
8.1 The object of worship ............................................................... 217
8.2 Sikh Worship ........................................................................... 219
Chapter 9 ........................................................................................... 222
Japuji and the Bhagvad Geeta ............................................................ 222
9.1 Ideology of Japuji and Geeta .................................................... 222
9.2 The Holy Bhagvad Geeta.......................................................... 222
9.3 Synopsis of the Holy Bhagvad Geeta ........................................ 223
9.4 The Holy Japuji ........................................................................ 227
9.5 Synopsis of the Holy Japuji ...................................................... 227
9.6 Comments ................................................................................ 229
Chapter 10 ......................................................................................... 241
Hindu Rituals ..................................................................................... 241
10.1 Janeu ...................................................................................... 241
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10.2 Curses .................................................................................... 242
10.3 Sharadh .................................................................................. 242
10. 4 Good /bad days ...................................................................... 244
10.5 Omens .................................................................................... 245
10.6 Varat (apu vws-fasting) ............................................................. 246
10.7 Child marriage........................................................................ 246
10.8 Food ....................................................................................... 247
10.9 Ritual baths in the Ganges ...................................................... 248
10.10 Yajna/ Yagya or Homa sacrifices .......................................... 249
10.11 Vanprasth Ashram ................................................................ 250
10.12 Hindu Religion is not constant .............................................. 251
10.13 Bhadan ................................................................................. 252
10.14 Re-conversion (Shudhi) ........................................................ 253
10.15 Cow worship ........................................................................ 253
10.16 The object of worship ........................................................... 254
10.17 The festivals ....................................................................... 255
10.18 Yoga .................................................................................... 256
Chapter 11 ......................................................................................... 257
The truth ............................................................................................ 257
11.1 What is religion? .................................................................... 257
11.2 History ................................................................................... 258
11.3 Nomenclature ......................................................................... 260
11.4 Defining Hinduism ................................................................. 262
11.5 Sikhism is independent ........................................................... 264
(1) The Gurus were born in a Hindu family ................................ 265
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(2) The Sikh Gurus used Hindu vocabulary ................................ 265
(3) The Gurus used Hindu Concepts ........................................... 268
(4) Sikhism and the Vedas .......................................................... 269
(5) Guru Gobind Singh and goddess worship .............................. 271

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Opinions

1. At last there is a book which differentiates in detail what
Hinduism and Sikhi are. For a long time, nearly 99% authors,
Europeans as well as those of the Indian Origin have been
muddling the two. Time and time again we heard that Sikhi is the
essence of Vedas, it‘s an offshoot of Hinduism; Jap Ji of Guru
Nanak Dev Ji is a copy of Bhagvat Gita. Lately, Hindu politicians
as well as scholars have been hammering down our throat that the
use of the word ‗Ram‘ in Guru Granth Sahib, makes it a Hindu
scripture; therefore Sikhs are Hindus.
Even greater tragedy is that our own so-called scholars never
examined things in detail; just one sheep have been following
another. Few had the guts to quote Bhai Kahan Singh Ji Nabha‘s
book ―Hum Hindu Nahin‖ (written at the turn of the twentieth
century); accepted by few but hated by many under the
misrepresentation by the media. No body bothered to ask the Guru.
A crystal clear answer exists in Guru Granth Sahib Ji, ―nah hum
Hindu nah musalman, Allah Ram ke pind pran,‖ (nw hm ihMdU n
muslmwn] Alw rwm ky ipMf prwn) GGS page1136.
In my opinion, this book is a thorough analysis of all the major
books of Hinduism and is a very scholarly contrast with Guru
Granth Sahib Ji‘s bani. Scholars like Swami Ram Thirath Dhandi
Sanyasi have been heavily quoted by Sidhu Ji. Dhandi Sanyasi had
a lifelong experience of Hindu religion and its scriptures, and later
accepted the great disparity which existed between the two
religions, and became a Guru‘s Sikh before his demise.
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I had requested Sidhu Ji to produce a scholarly work like this on
Hinduism and Sikhi, since he had done similar work on Islam and
Christianity. He looked at me and said, ―health permitting and with
help forthcoming from you, I‘ll do it.‖ I must admit that I have not
been much help in the production of this book, but he has done a
brilliant job single handed. May the Guru bless him with long and
healthy life to produce more books of this calibre.
Dr Hardial Singh Dhillon, PhD CBiol.,MIBiol; Cchem.,MRSC; Cert Ed
A Sikh Advisor and [Ex] Director of Multifaith Centre
University of Derby (England
2. Like his previous books Mr. Sidhu has tried to record the facts
about Hinduism in his book ―Sikh Religion and Hinduism‖. As
usual this book provides documentary evidence and references
which can be easily verified. The facts quoted by him can be very
helpful in understanding the various rituals and ceremonies of the
Hindus living cheek by jowl amongst us.
Sikh religion is based on Guru Granth Sahib and is independent
and distinct from all the prevailing religions in this world. It has its
own independent philosophy and practical approach for the
collective development and welfare of mankind. Clearly two things
about Sikhism are not found in Hinduism. It has only One God as
compared to the multitude of Hindu gods and goddesses and it has
only One scripture as compared to the thousands in Hinduism. Its
philosophy is also unique and it differs from all other religions
except in certain ethical domains which remain the same world
over.

These days some dera vallas have become self-styled Sikh
preachers. They misinterpret religion and corrupt Sikhism through
mythical stories from Hindu sources. Their misinterpretation of
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Sikhism and political clout are causing a lot of damage to Sikhism
and the gullible people are being led astray by their devious tricks.
Mr. Sidhu has brought out the facts behind these stories which can
go a long way in clearing the fog. May Akal Purkh grant him
health and prosperity to continue this service.

(Dr. Sarbjit Singh) 16.04.2010
RH1 / E-8, Sector-8, Vashi, Navi Mumbai – 400703
Radio Chemistry Division,
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai – 400085.

3. The book entitled, ‗Sikh Religion and Hinduism‘, is a
comparative study of two important Eastern Religions. It brings out
the fundamental aspects of Sikhism and Vedic scriptures including
Upanishads, Puranas, Simirities and Bhagwad Geeta. A sequential
comparison of Vedic literature and tenets of Sikhism makes it
useful for beginners of religious studies. The book interoperates the
subject matter impressively and succeeds in its purpose.
The author compares the parallels between both scriptures. First
the contents of the Vedic literature are outlined followed by the
corresponding and relevant thoughts from the Sikh scripture, the
‗Guru Granth Sahibji‘. Whilst discussing the creed of these
religions, the author has successfully highlighted both the
similarities and the dissimilarities with the effective use of relevant
quotations.
Importantly, the book relates to some vital aspects of the discussion
with religious and social implications of both religions. For
instance, God and His images, nature of worship, complexity of
rituals, pitfalls of social division, violence in religion etc. It
specially compares the most revered book of Hinduism, the
Bhagwad Geeta, with Japuji Sahib, the emblem of Sikhism. The
author has clearly taken on a ‗Herculean task‘ to write about such a
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