Guru Granth Sahib against cruelty
What is cruelty? Cruelty is any act that causes distress, discomfort, pain and/or suffering to a living organism. It does not always involve violence although most people associate violence with acts of cruelty - this does not always follow. One can be cruel without using violence.
Any act of mercilessness, pitilessness and ruthlessness done without any feelings of kindness in ones heart; a feelings of extreme and complete heartlessness is termed cruel. Any act of harshness, brutality or barbarousness on any living being causing it to suffer tension, annoyance, discomfort, irritation and/or pain is termed as cruel.
Guru Nanak's message
In Sikhi cruelty is not permitted; cruelty is an aspect of human understanding that has been addressed very clearly by the Sikh Gurus. "Cruelty, material attachment, greed and anger are the four rivers of fire. Falling into them, one is burnt, O Nanak!" (SGGS p 147).
So anyone who wants to follow the Sikh way must discard cruelty, material attachment greed and anger otherwise they will be burnt! What is the point of living a life where in the end your are burnt.
So don't be a Manmukh (ego-centric, self willed person) but follow the Guru's instruction and become Gurmukh; follow the well thought out instructions of the wise Guru! The Guru tells us, "The hearts of the self-willed manmukhs are hard and cruel; their inner beings are dark. Even if the poisonous snake is fed large amounts of milk, it will still yield only poison." (SGGS p 171)
Remove that "hardness" and "darkness" in your heart and make it pure and clear; discard these negative features in your personality and bring peace to your life.
Why are people cruel?
Importance of discarding cruelty
If you wish to make your life on this planet meaningful and purposeful, then you must discard your cruel ways. Don't ever do anything to harm or disturb others; bear kindness in your heart at all times.
Without tackling the evils in our hearts, we cannot progress in our spiritual life; only if we get rid of our evil ways can we obtain contentment in our minds. Gurbani informs us, "So slaughter your evil nature, doubt and cruelty; consume the five demons and you shall be blessed with contentment." (SGGS p 1158) So do away with the demons within you to progress on the path of Sikhi!
However, the Guru warns us, "Some have cruelty in their hearts - they constantly act in cruelty; as they plant, so are the fruits which they eat." (SGGS p 302) Don't fall into this trap. Ones cruel acts will result in "pay back time" - this is the way of the Lord - What you sow you will have to reap. So refrain from doing nasty things!
If you do not heed to this warning, then the Guru tells us in clear terms that you will be committed to perpetual cycle of painful life and death thus: "Intoxicated with the taste of corruption, cruel pleasures and countless sins, he is consigned to the cycle of reincarnation." (SGGS p 615)
The way forward
This beautiful and priceless tuk (verse) of the Guru place deep in a prominent location of your heart; remember it always; never forget it and the Divine will bring peace to your life; sadness and doubt will disappear from your life.
Background: Sikhi values
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.
What to do?
What do I do to improve my life and live a better life of higher consciousness? The Guru has guidance for us; some instructions are direct and some indirect. The Guru says: "One who eradicates cruelty from within his own mind, looks upon all the world as his friend." (SGGS p 266)
When you see all the world as your friend then you are moving in the correct direction; Further, "Let the Fear of God be your food, drink and support." (SGGS p 151) - Keep the thought of the Lord in your mind and fear of the Infinite One!
Together with the fear of the Divine, by singing the soothing Gurbani Shabads, your "stone heart" will become softer and then peace and joy will enter it thus: "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. Pierce your stone heart with the Word of the Shabad; let peace and tranquility come to abide in your mind. If good deeds are done in this state of peace, they are approved by the Lord and Master." (SGGS p 551)
One who then continues to do good deed in this state, enters the realm of the Lord; your mind will then abide in perpetual peace and tranquillity; nothing will be able to disturb this state of bliss in the state Nirvana.
What Gurbani tells us:
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
This beautiful Shabad by the third master, Guru Amar Das, is telling the mind to let go of the "inner harshness/force" - (ਅੰਦਰਹ is anḝrahu which means "from the inside"; ਜੋਰ is jor which means "force") - Let go of this inner harshness/ cruelty; have fear of the Lord and relinquish your madness. By reciting the word of the Shabad - Gurbani, peace and tranquillity will come to your mind; and any good deeds and actions done in this state of mind will be approved by the Lord. So, the Guru is asking the devotee to change the state of the mind and become humble and tranquil thus:
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. |
Cruelty has not left you ... why?
Bhagat Parmanand tells us to discard cruelty and embrace kindness for other living being otherwise this lifetime will be wasted. Maharaj says that without good deeds and remembrance of the Lord, this priceless jewel of a life is lost for a shell. Keep company of the wise and holy and learn the lesson of Gurmat.
ਹਿੰਸਾ ਤਉ ਮਨ ਤੇ ਨਹੀ ਛੂਟੀ ਜੀਅ ਦਇਆ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਲੀ ॥ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਿਲਿ ਕਥਾ ਪਨੀਤ ਨ ਚਾਲੀ ॥੩॥੧॥੬॥ |
Hinsĝ ṯao man ṯė nahī cẖẖūtī jīa ḝaiĝ nahī pĝlī. Parmĝnanḝ sĝḝẖsangaṯ mil kathĝ punīṯ na cẖĝlī.((3)(1)(6)) |
Cruelty has not left your mind; you have not cherished kindness for other living beings. Parmaanand has joined the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. Why have you not followed the sacred teachings?((3)(1)(6)) |
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) |
Manmukhs are hard and cruel
ਮਨਮਖ ਹੀਅਰਾ ਅਤਿ ਕਠੋਰ ਹੈ ਤਿਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਕਾਰ ਕਰੀਠਾ ॥ ਬਿਸੀਅਰ ਕਉ ਬਹ ਦੂਧ ਪੀਆਈਝ ਬਿਖ ਨਿਕਸੈ ਫੋਲਿ ਫਲੀਠਾ ॥੩॥ |
Manmukẖ hīarĝ aṯ kaṯẖor hai ṯin anṯar kĝr karīṯẖĝ. Bisīar kao baho ḝūḝẖ pīĝīai bikẖ niksai fol fuṯẖīlĝ.(3) |
The hearts of the self-willed manmukhs are hard and cruel; their inner beings are dark. Even if the poisonous snake is fed large amounts of milk, it will still yield only poison.(3) |
Eradicate cruelty .... world becomes a friend
ਮਨ ਅਪਨੇ ਤੇ ਬਰਾ ਮਿਟਾਨਾ ॥ ਪੇਖੈ ਸਗਲ ਸਰਿਸਟਿ ਸਾਜਨਾ ॥ |
Man apunė ṯė burĝ mitĝnĝ. Pėkẖai sagal sarisat sĝjnĝ. |
One who eradicates cruelty from within his own mind, looks upon all the world as his friend. |
Practicing cruelty ... lost in darkness
ਪਰ ਦਰੋਹ ਕਰਤ ਬਿਕਾਰ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਪਾਪ ਰਤ ਕਰ ਝਾਰ ॥ ਬਿਨਾ ਸਤਿਗਰ ਬੂਝ ਨਾਹੀ ਤਮ ਮੋਹ ਮਹਾਂ ਅੰਧਾਰ ॥੨॥ ਬਿਖ ਠਗਉਰੀ ਖਾਇ ਮੂਠੋ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਸਿਰਜਨਹਾਰ ॥ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਗਪਤ ਹੋਇ ਰਹਿਓ ਨਿਆਰੋ ਮਾਤੰਗ ਮਤਿ ਅਹੰਕਾਰ ॥੩॥ |
Par ḝaroh karaṯ bikĝr ninḝĝ pĝp raṯ kar jẖĝr. Binĝ saṯgur būjẖ nĝhī ṯam moh mahĝʼn anḝẖĝr.(2) Bikẖ ṯẖagurī kẖĝė mūṯẖo cẖiṯ na sirjanhĝr. Gobinḝ gupaṯ hoė rahio niĝro mĝṯang maṯ ahaʼnkĝr.(3) |
He practices fraud, cruelty and slander against others; he sins, and washes his hands. Without the True Guru, he has no understanding; he is lost in the utter darkness of anger and attachment.(2) |
See also
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