Guru Granth Sahib on kindness
Importance of kindness
Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith built the religion on the firm foundation of Sewa (service) and Simran (meditation). On this bedrock stand the three pillars of - Naam Japna (focus of God), Kirat Karni (honest living) and Vand Chakna (sharing with others). He further asked his Sikhs (students) to focus their efforts in evolving various positive virtues. One of these virtues is Kindness
Below are a few Shabads from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib that give the Sikh guidance on the importants that the Guru places on this positive human quality:
Kindness.... is most excellent way of life
In the following Shabads, Guru Sahib informs the Sikhs of the importance of kindness and put this virtue together with "truth" and "contentment" on equal footing. Elsewhere, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib highlights five such qualities, "truthfulness", "honest living", "goodwill to all", "praise of the Lord" and finally "charity in the name of God". A spiritual person cannot be complete without kindness. Kindness is a most excellent way of life...
| SGGS Page 51 Full Shabad |
| ਸਤ ਸੰਤੋਖ ਦਇਆ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਝਹ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਾਰ ॥ ਆਪ ਛੋਡਿ ਸਭ ਹੋਇ ਰੇਣਾ ਜਿਸ ਦੇਇ ਪਰਭ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ॥੩॥ Saṯ sanṯokẖ ḝaiĝ kamĝvai ėh karṇī sĝr. Āp cẖẖod sabẖ hoė rėṇĝ jis ḝėė parabẖ nirankĝr. ॥3॥ |
Be God-conscious...show kindness
In this second shabad the Guru tells us in clear terms that a person who is aware of God always shows kindness to all. The important thing to remember is that one must be kind to all - not just to your friends but also to your enemies. See how we are reminded that - no evil should come from us - Don't have vengeance or enmity with others as that "Lord's light" is in all.
| SGGS Page 272 Full Shabad |
| ਬਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਕੀ ਸਭ ਊਪਰਿ ਮਇਆ ॥ ਬਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਤੇ ਕਛ ਬਰਾ ਨ ਭਇਆ ॥ Barahm giĝnī kī sabẖ ūpar maiĝ. Barahm giĝnī ṯė kacẖẖ burĝ na bẖaiĝ. |
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