Strengthening the True Fort of Guru Nanak [OP-ED]

Strengthening the "True Fort" of Guru Nanak

"Red Fort ritual symbolizes state sovereignty", read an article headline in one of India's leading newspaper as I surfed through its online version. It described the historicity of the ritual of unfurling Tiranga on every Independence Day of India, but what struck to me were the last few lines which read, "The symbol works, so the state works. As a symbolic machine, the rituals at Red Fort (Lal Qila) keep the state alive in its muscularity and monumentality."

I questioned myself after I finished reading, why should this ritual or Red Fort be called a symbol of sovereignty? Although, it is a magnificent looking structure in the heart of Delhi; however, in my view it cannot be the symbol of Sovereignty either ritually or rationally, for it has been the symbol of power & oppression (Red or Shakti) for few centuries whether it was Mogul Monarchy, British Raj barracks, or Black days of emergency when it was used as a torture & interrogation center. Since its erection by Mogul emperor, it symbolizes the Shakti which lead to a long list of atrocities (of minorities, downtrodden & whistle-blowers). The list of atrocities has swelled recently in 1984, 2002, 2008 and it continues to be everyday in the largest democracy of World. Anyways Red Fort is not the point of my discussion today here but this made me think about the vision of Sikhs today?

Guru Nanak came to this world in 1469, with very simple, straightforward message, "To preach, practice and put forth nothing else but Truth while loving & praising one lord." Guru Nanak's vision, which is beautified by Rai Balwand & Satta in Ramkali Ki Var in simple yet concrete words, I believe, remains unfulfilled while we are celebrating his 541st birthday.

If we go back in time the majority of Sikhs in earlier centuries were definitely different from the majority of Sikhs today. Common people transformed by 10 Nanaks into 'the Spirit Born People' (as Prof Puran Singh described Sikhs) lived and died for what Guru taught them. Whoever knows and understands the History of Sikhs can not deny the fact that "way before Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, Sikhs could have been the rulers of a vast area in North-West India, had they kept, what they won in all battles. Starting post Guru period from conquering Sarhind (Baba Banda Singh Bahadur), to Red Fort Delhi (Sardar Baghel Singh) to conquering Lahore Fort (Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia), Sikhs fought and defeated Moguls numerous times. They won scores of land in uncountable battles from Indus to far over Yamuna, from Northern mountains (Himachal) to South in today's Rajasthan but they gave it back to the ordinary people with only one mission in their mind and heart, that they are here to strengthen the True Fort and to establish a sovereign state of Nanak's vision. A state free of sorrows (Begampura), a state free of slavery, a state based on equality, a state which is the protector of human rights, a state where a father be proud of his daughter, a state where a weakest is ready to face mightiest head on, a state where no one fears and frightens and a state where a True Fort is built on the Strong foundation of Truth, as visioned by Guru Nanak.

It was the wisdom of Guru's vision that unlike the rulers of other religions, they did not force their religion on anyone, and they did not even try to erect Forts of Power (Red Fort).

ਜੇ ਰਾਜਿ ਬਹਾਲੇ ਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਲਾਮੁ ਘਾਸੀ ਕਉ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਢਾਈ ॥ ਮਃ 4
'If the Lord were to set me upon a throne, I would still be His slave. If I were a grass-cutter, I would still chant the Lord's Name.'

Just keeping the Vision of Guru in mind, Sardar Baghel Singh & Sikh army conquered Red Fort many times, unfurled the Khalsa Flag on it and then left every time they won it. Their thoughts and actions were in perfect synchronization with Guru's vision. They remained focused to fulfil that vision and never bound it in the physical boundaries of a Red Fort. Sardar Baghel Singh used to say;

ਦਿੱਲੀ ਦਾ ਕੀ ਮਾਰਨਾ! ਜਿਹੋ ਜਿਹੀ ਬਿੱਲੀ ਮਾਰ ਲਈ, ਉਹੋ ਜਿਹੀ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਮਾਰ ਲਈ !
"What is in there to kill Delhi, it is like killing a cat".

I am sorry if it hurts, but Sikhs today are perfectly analogous with the famous 80-20 rule (which states that the 80% of world's wealth is owned by 20% of the population). In our case this becomes 95-5 rule, where 95% of Panthic work which is Guru centered and related to Sikh issues is done by less than 5% of active & committed Sikhs, majority of us (95%) are ignorant of Guru's message and Guru's Vision. However, on the flip side it doesn't mean that we (I include myself in 95%) don't believe in our faith. (I do! My day starts with Sukhmani Sahib and ends with Chaupai Sahib. This is my (non-Amritdhari) way of remembering the creator and thank my Guru to give us this unfathomable ocean of Shabad (wisdom).) But it is simply not enough because we (95%) are not active at all to resolve issues in & around us to fulfill Nanak's Vision.

Irony of Sikhs (95%) today is that, intentionally or unintentionally we are in direct contradiction of Guru's vision. Guru's Vision is not even in our wildest dreams anywhere. The meaning of Miri, Piri & Sovereignty has changed for us. It has taken the exact same shape within us for what Gurus have fought and sacrificed everything. Most of us would be of my opinion that our vision today is contracted merely to politics (Shakti); the politics of tactics, inequality, blame & fame. Money, muscle, mafia, and male only mentality seem to have captured Guru's vision.

Some of us are born Sikhs and some are Sikhs by choice but we all have a mission common, given to us by the Pinnacles of Perfection, the ten Nanaks and Guru Granth Sahib. We need to question ourselves that how could we help humanity, empower Panth and be a part of building a sovereign state (without boundaries) to strengthen the True Fort? I believe no single person is capable of guiding Panth today; however, what can we do collectively to strengthen Guru's True Fort, is the most important question to ask ourselves? Answer is simple, as Guru Arjan Sahib (the 5th Nanak) says;

ਜੇ ਕੋ ਖਾਵੈ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਭੁੰਚੈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਉਧਾਰੋ II ਮਃ 5
'One who eats it and digests it shall be saved.'

Today we (95%) don't know how to eat & digest Guru's Shabad (wisdom). Mind is like the body, it needs food, a good healthy food of (Shabad) which would lead us to completeness, satisfaction, and wisdom. We must follow the path that our Gurus have shown us, we need to change our life styles to minimize personal priorities for Panthic priorities. We must be Guru centered and must love Guru Granth Sahib ("He is only source of power and a binding Force for us all") without skepticism and exclusiveness, Guru must be in our thoughts day & night, and our actions must follow our thoughts. ???

ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਸਜਣਾ ਐਸਾ ਹਸਣੁ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਮਃ 1
'Surrender mind and body to (the Lord) your Friend; this is the most excellent pleasure.'

Sikhs (Guru Lovers & Followers) must listen to His clear message and must work towards fulfilling Guru Nanak's vision (both political & spiritual) to help the humanity. We must happily submit to Guru's will and must stop pleading, begging, & stop trying to bribe Guru to get everything without giving first.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਿਹ II

Yadwinder Singh
[Business development manager, BC
[email protected]]