Guru Granth Sahib against cruelty
Importance of discarding cruelty
Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith built the religion on the firm foundation of Sewa (selfless service) and Simran (meditation). On this bedrock stand the three pillars of - Naam Japna (focus on God), Kirat Karni (honest living) and Vand Chakna (sharing with others) with the support of which one is able to follow the path of righteousness and become a better and more spiritually concious human being.
The Guru further asked his Sikhs (disciples/students) to focus their efforts on evolving various positive traits by adhering to the following virtues - Sat (Truth), Santokh (Contentment), Daya (Compassion and kindness), Nimrata (Humility) and Pyare (Love). The founder Guru also asked the Sikh to shun various negative human vices; one of these vices is cruelty to others. He asked his Sikhs to be ever kind and polite to all and to never practise cruelty.
Below are a few Shabads from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib that give the Sikh guidance on the importance of moving away from this negative human trait:
Cruelty ..... is a river of fire
In the following Shabad, Guru Sahib informs the Sikhs of the importance of keeping away from four negative human traits - cruelty, material attachment, greed and anger. Anyone who fails to do so will be burnt by the consequences! Guru Sahib asks the devotee to practise good deeds and actions and that only then can one be saved from the fires of hell!
| ਹੰਸ ਹੇਤ ਲੋਭ ਕੋਪ ਚਾਰੇ ਨਦੀਆ ਅਗਿ ॥ ਪਵਹਿ ਦਝਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਤਰੀਝ ਕਰਮੀ ਲਗਿ ॥੨॥ |
| Hans hėṯ lobẖ kop cẖĝrė naḝīĝ ag. Paveh ḝajẖeh nĝnkĝ ṯarīai karmī lag. ॥2॥ |
| Cruelty, material attachment, greed and anger are the four rivers of fire. Falling into them, one is burned, O Nanak! One is saved only by holding tight to good deeds. ॥2॥ |
Abandon your cruel nature
| ਸਲੋਕ ਮਃ ੩ ॥ ਸੇਖਾ ਅੰਦਰਹ ਜੋਰ ਛਡਿ ਤੂ ਭਉ ਕਰਿ ਝਲ ਗਵਾਇ ॥ ਗਰ ਕੈ ਭੈ ਕੇਤੇ ਨਿਸਤਰੇ ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਮਨ ਕਠੋਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਭੇਦਿ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥ ਸਾਂਤੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਵਣੀ ਸਾ ਖਸਮ ਪਾਝ ਥਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾਮਿ ਕਰੋਧਿ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਪਛਹ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥ |
| Salok mehlĝ 3. Sėkẖĝ anḝrahu jor cẖẖad ṯū bẖao kar jẖal gavĝė. Gur kai bẖai kėṯė nisṯarė bẖai vicẖ nirbẖao pĝė. Man kaṯẖor sabaḝ bẖėḝ ṯūʼn sĝʼnṯ vasai man ĝė. Sĝʼnṯī vicẖ kĝr kamĝvṇī sĝ kẖasam pĝė thĝė. Nĝnak kĝm kroḝẖ kinai na pĝio pucẖẖahu giĝnī jĝė. (1) |
| Shalok, Third Mehl: O Shaykh, abandon your cruel nature; live in the Fear of God and give up your madness. Through the Fear of the Guru, many have been saved; in this fear, find the Fearless Lord. |
cruel-minded .... shall suffer in pain
Although in this shabad, the Guru is referring to "cruel-minded rulers", this verse applies to any person in a dominant position. If because of that honoured position, which you have obtained due to your past good deeds and karmas, you practise cruelty on your subordinates, then be warned, the Guru promises you suffering in pain for a very long time. Take heed; listen to Gurbani and amend your ways; have mercy in your mind; see the God's light in all; be kind and considerate! - Don't be cruel to anyone.
| ਦਾਨੰ ਪਰਾ ਪੂਰਬੇਣ ਭੰਚੰਤੇ ਮਹੀਪਤੇ ॥ ਬਿਪਰੀਤ ਬਧਯਯੰ ਮਾਰਤ ਲੋਕਹ ਨਾਨਕ ਚਿਰੰਕਾਲ ਦਖ ਭੋਗਤੇ ॥੨੪॥ |
| Ḏĝnaʼn parĝ pūrbėṇ bẖuʼncẖanṯė mahīpaṯė. Biprīṯ buḝẖyaʼn mĝraṯ lokah Nĝnak cẖirankĝl ḝukẖ bẖogṯė. (24) |
| The kings of the earth are eating up the blessings of the good karma of their past lives. Those cruel-minded rulers who oppress the people, O Nanak, shall suffer in pain for a very long time. (24) |
See also
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