The Sikh Society

You have castes such as the jatts, etc. Good way to follow scripture right?

There is no high or low caste in Hinduism, another gross misinterpretation of the Varna caste system which is something totally different. The afterlife or Hindiusm and Sikhism is exactly the same with no difference.

Whats to suggest this is any different for a Hindu temple?

So does Hinduism. The Guru Granth Sahib explains the deitites of Hinduism are all the form of One God called Waheguru in Sikhism or the Brahman in Hinduism. It goes onto say there is no difference between the Gurus and God which just adds to the evidence that it supports Adviata Vedenta, idea that the soul and God are essesntially the same once you have become enlightended such as the Gurus achieved.

God never is born and never dies true. But is the soul really born at a point? No it never has a beggining and never an end. The illusion of being born and dieing is just that, an illusion as is the material world.

Neither does Brahman.

The apparent importance of the cow is just another misconception. There is no scriptural evidence supporting the fact that cows are somehow holy.

Neither do Hindus, your referring to Muslims here.

The practice of Sati has no scriptutral evidence in any of the major texts. Women and men are equal, there were many women Hindu sages. Where any of the gurus female?

What do you mean by this?

Every indiviudal has the ability to reach a high spiritual state regardless of caste, creed or status.

Simply put, all Guru Nanak did was to cut down on the ritualistic activtities and caste system that had plauged Hinduism from cultural settings. He came to restore Hinduism back to its original state, not to create a new religion. He also tried to convey to both Hindus and Muslims who had been arguing for centuries that they are in fact equal and no religion is higher than the other since he said Allah and Vishnu are one and the same.

If you actually know the theology of Brahman/Adviata and compare it to descriptions of God in the Granth without looking at all the surface but at the actual core ideas, you will see they are the same.

There is high or low caste in Hinduism and it is incorporated in the cycle of reincarnation

Yajurved 26.2:
The way I gave this knowledge of Vedas for benefit of all humans, similarly you all also propagate the same for benefit of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Shudras, Vaishyas, Women and even most downtrodden. The scholars and the wealthy people should ensure that they not deviate from this message of mine.

Atharvaved 19.32.8:
O Lord! May I be loved by everyone – Brahmin, Kshatriya, Shudra or Vaishya. May I be admired by everyone.

In The Bhagawad Gita, sloka 20, Chapter 10, Lord Krishna says,

"I am the Self seated in the heart of all creatures. I am the beginning, the middle and the very end of all beings". All beings have, therefore to be treated alike.

Rigveda 1.117.21
The King and minister should sow seeds and do farming from time to time to set right examples for Arya. This makes them deserving of praise.

Rigveda 8.22.6 echoes the same sentiment.

Rigveda 4.57.4 states that the king should hold the plough and start the farming during beginning of season. He should also ensure healthy cows for milk.

The practice of Sati has no scriptutral evidence in any of the major texts. Women and men are equal, there were many women Hindu sages. Where any of the gurus female?

Oh really? You just keep saying that there is no scriptural evidence, but again I disagree entirely.

(RV 10.18.7)
Let these women, whose husbands are worthy and are living, enter the house with ghee (applied) as collyrium (to their eyes). Let these wives first step into the pyre, tearless without any affliction and well adorned.[62]

Hindu practices such as Sati, the expectation of a wife to throw herself on her husband's funeral pyre at his ceremonial cremation, were not known in the Vedic period. The ancient Hindu scripture the Rig Veda states, "Rise up woman, thou art lying by one whose life is gone, come to the world of the living, away from thy husband, and become the wife of him who holds thy hand and is willing to marry thee." This passage makes it clear that at a husband's death a wife is not expected to perform Sati

Hindu scriptures clearly convey the role of women in the Vedas. "The wife and husband, being the equal halves of one substance, are equal in every aspect; therefore, both should join and take equal parts in all work, religious and secular." Wives and husbands were directed by the Vedas to perform religious rites, ceremonies, and sacrifices together as is evidenced by the Sanskrit name given to the spiritual role of wives, Sahadharmini, or "spiritual helpmate." Women had property ownership rights and the ability to plead their own court cases as is shown in Book X of the Rig Veda

Hindu gods and goddesses personify manifestations of Hindu religious concepts and nature. Interestingly, Hindu goddesses, rather than gods, are most often used to represent abstract fundamental principles such as power, strength, education, and wealth as well as important natural phenomena such as the mountains, the dawn, the earth, and the rivers. For example, Hinduism personifies divine strength and power in the form of a female figure referred to as Shakti. Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, Music and Fine Arts, is portrayed as a female in Hindu texts and paintings. Likewise, Lakshmi is the Goddess of Wealth,

Rigveda 10.17.10: O Mothers! Purify us with your compassion, understanding and enlightenment. The women cleanse us all from all our sins, corruption and defects. We come out firm, pure and noble from their blessed company.

Yajurveda 6.17: O pure and blessing Mothers! Cleanse us all from sins, immorality and pollution. Purge us from falsehood, hatred, jealousy and frustrations.

Yajurveda 6.31: O pure and blessing Mothers! Satisfy our mind, speech, life, eyes, ears, soul and society with nobleness.

Atharvaveda 3.13.7: O pure and blessing Mothers! I am your beloved son. O powerful mother, please guide me towards fulfillment of my noble aspirations.

Rigveda 6.61.7: O enlightening Mother! You have the potential to destroy the evil. You have a character as pure as gold. You have the potential to destroy the clouds of frustrations and doubt. You are brave and you only aspire for our well-being and success! We are indeed blessed!

Atharvaveda 7.68.2: O enlightening Mother! May you always shower your blessings in form of peace, happiness and success. May you always be pleased with us and may we never conduct any act that excludes us from your blessing gaze.

Yajurveda 12.15: If you desire brilliance, approach the mother. With her blessing, be the scholar of all subjects. Do not aggrieve the mother. Enlighten yourself with pure blessings of the noble mother.

May these pearls of wisdom inspire us all to lay foundation of a society that respects and nurtures women to conduct their duties as mothers of entire humanity. May the women never deviate from this glorious path. May we never deviate from lowering our respect for the motherly woman. And may we all work together to annihilate – within and outside us – all those forces that attempt to cause such deviations.

Hindus whether they have many Gods and Goddesses, or simply one God who has many forms. The majority would say that they have many Gods and Godesses, for many different things.

The Supreme One who represents selflessness, controls the entire universe, is present everywhere and is the Devata of all Devatas, alone is source of bliss. Those who do not understand Him remain drenched in sorrow and those who realize Him achieve unconditional happiness. (Rigveda 1.164.39)




Quote:
To dispel such confusions, there are several mantras in Vedas that clearly state that there is One and Only One Ishwar without any assistants, agents, prophets or juniors to liaison between Him and Us. For example:

Yajurveda 40.1:
This entire world is embedded within and managed by the One and Only One Ishwar. Never dare do any injustice or desire riches through unjust means. Instead follow the righteous path and enjoy His bliss. After all He alone is source of all bliss!

Rigveda 10.48.1:
Ishwar alone is omnipresent and manager of entire universe. He alone provides victory and eternal cause of world. All souls should look up only to Him in same manner as children look up to their Father. He alone provides for our sustenance and bliss.

Rigveda 10.48.5
Ishwar enlightens the entire world. He is undefeated and undying. He is the creator of the world. All souls should seek bliss through seeking knowledge and acting thereupon. They should never shun the friendship of Ishwar.





Quote:
Atharvaveda 13.4.16-21
He is neither two, nor three, nor four, nor five, nor six, nor seven, nor eight, nor nine, nor ten. He is, on contrary, One and Only One. There is no Ishwar except Him. All devatas reside within Him and are controlled by Him. So He alone should be worshipped, none else.

Atharvaveda 10.7.38
Ishwar alone is greatest and worth being worshipped. He is the source of all knowledge and activities

Hinduism has many Gods

The Supreme One who represents selflessness, controls the entire universe, is present everywhere and is the Devata of all Devatas, alone is source of bliss. Those who do not understand Him remain drenched in sorrow and those who realize Him achieve unconditional happiness. (Rigveda 1.164.39)




Quote:
To dispel such confusions, there are several mantras in Vedas that clearly state that there is One and Only One Ishwar without any assistants, agents, prophets or juniors to liaison between Him and Us. For example:

Yajurveda 40.1:
This entire world is embedded within and managed by the One and Only One Ishwar. Never dare do any injustice or desire riches through unjust means. Instead follow the righteous path and enjoy His bliss. After all He alone is source of all bliss!

Rigveda 10.48.1:
Ishwar alone is omnipresent and manager of entire universe. He alone provides victory and eternal cause of world. All souls should look up only to Him in same manner as children look up to their Father. He alone provides for our sustenance and bliss.

Rigveda 10.48.5
Ishwar enlightens the entire world. He is undefeated and undying. He is the creator of the world. All souls should seek bliss through seeking knowledge and acting thereupon. They should never shun the friendship of Ishwar.





Quote:
Atharvaveda 13.4.16-21
He is neither two, nor three, nor four, nor five, nor six, nor seven, nor eight, nor nine, nor ten. He is, on contrary, One and Only One. There is no Ishwar except Him. All devatas reside within Him and are controlled by Him. So He alone should be worshipped, none else.

Atharvaveda 10.7.38
Ishwar alone is greatest and worth being worshipped. He is the source of all knowledge and activities

Women and Caste- Talk about opposite sides of the spectrum. Women were treated as animals in terms of importance

Hindu gods and goddesses personify manifestations of Hindu religious concepts and nature. Interestingly, Hindu goddesses, rather than gods, are most often used to represent abstract fundamental principles such as power, strength, education, and wealth as well as important natural phenomena such as the mountains, the dawn, the earth, and the rivers. For example, Hinduism personifies divine strength and power in the form of a female figure referred to as Shakti. Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, Music and Fine Arts, is portrayed as a female in Hindu texts and paintings. Likewise, Lakshmi is the Goddess of Wealth, a female personification

Hindu practices such as Sati, the expectation of a wife to throw herself on her husband's funeral pyre at his ceremonial cremation, were not known in the Vedic period. The ancient Hindu scripture the Rig Veda states, "Rise up woman, thou art lying by one whose life is gone, come to the world of the living, away from thy husband, and become the wife of him who holds thy hand and is willing to marry thee." This passage makes it clear that at a husband's death a wife is not expected to perform Sati, as was instituted by many Hindu cultures centuries after the Vedic period.

Atharva 11.5.18

In this mantra of Brahmcharya Sukta, it is emphasized that girls too should train themselves as students and only then enter into married life. The Sukta specifically emphasizes that girls should receive the same level of training as boys.


Atharva 14.1.20

Oh wife! Give us discourse of knowledge

Yajurveda 5.10: O woman, you are a lioness. Destroy the enemies of ignorance, immaturity, negativity and savagery for welfare of all. O woman, you are a lioness. Destroy the enemies of ignorance, immaturity, negativity and savagery for purity of all. O woman, you are a lioness. Destroy the enemies of ignorance, immaturity, negativity and savagery for happiness of all.

Rigveda 10.159.4: My husband has performed exemplary acts of selflessness. I have also conducted similar selfless acts of bravery. Since I am completely selfless and powerful, I have no enemies

In The Bhagawad Gita, sloka 20, Chapter 10, Lord Krishna says,

"I am the Self seated in the heart of all creatures. I am the beginning, the middle and the very end of all beings". All beings have, therefore to be treated alike.

Yajurved 26.2:
The way I gave this knowledge of Vedas for benefit of all humans, similarly you all also propagate the same for benefit of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Shudras, Vaishyas, Women and even most downtrodden. The scholars and the wealthy people should ensure that they not deviate from this message of mine.

Atharvaved 19.32.8:
O Lord! May I be loved by everyone – Brahmin, Kshatriya, Shudra or Vaishya. May I be admired by everyone.

Higher caste/lower caste and untouchability are in direct contradiction to 12 other richas of Vedas viz. RV (VIII.93.13), RV (X.191), Atharveda III.30 and VII.54 (or VII.52) and Yujurveda (26.02) and (36.1. Unity in diversity is famous Indian motto.

Cows of different colours like black, red and spotted ones give white milk (RV VIII.93.13) is a metaphor used in Vedas for diversity yielding to unity.

HH Wilson translates (X.191.2): “Meet together, talk together, let your minds apprehend alike: in like manner as the ancient gods concurring accepted their portion of the sacrifice.” RV (X.191.3) “Common be the prayer of these (assembled worshippers), common be the acquirement, common the purpose, associated be the desire. I repeat for you a common prayer, I offer for you a common oblation.” RV (X.191.4) “Common (worshippers), be your intention; common be (the wishes of) your heart; common be your thoughts, so that there may be thorough union among you.”

Lord Rama visited Shabri, called her a mother (mata); ate food from her hands and washed feet of Nisadraj. Lord Rama lived for years among vanvasi (tribals). So the second lesson of Ramayana is that a true Rambhakta should never discriminate against SC/ST/Dalit Hindus, should never hesitate to visit and dine with them. Mahatma Gandhi always followed both these two lessons of Ramayana.

Thus, the central command of the 14 harmony richas and 10 profession not hereditary richas of Vedas is that all Hindus are totally equal by birth, of one bunch, share same water and food, worship together united in same temple, common are prayers, common purpose, common thoughts, united like spokes of a wheel, common oblation and friendly towards each others.

One becomes a warrior (Rajnya), Brahman (educated ones) or rishi, not by birth but by his efforts/training (karma) vide RV (X.125.5). No one is superior and no one is inferior by birth

Rigveda 1.117.21
The King and minister should sow seeds and do farming from time to time to set right examples for Arya. This makes them deserving of praise.

Rigveda 8.22.6 echoes the same sentiment.

Rigveda 4.57.4 states that the king should hold the plough and start the farming during beginning of season. He should also ensure healthy cows for milk.

Thus it is evident that not only Vedas contain description of various kinds of skills and technology, but also glorify the dignity of labor.

It is a baseless allegation that Vedas demean those involved in labor-oriented tasks.

On contrary, Vedas affirm highest Dignity of Labor. In next article, we shall discuss about Vedas and Caste System.