User talk:Harisingh/SGGS on meat sept 2006

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

{{Cleanup}}

The term SGGS is short for Sri Guru Granth Sahib which is regarded as the final, current and perpetual Guru, Spiritual teacher, Master or Prophet of the Sikhs. Sikhism is regarded as the fifth largest organised religion in the world and is a faith that was formalised in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh. A Sikh by definition must accept the teachings of the SGGS to continue to be called a Sikh. The teachings of this holy Granth has many clear messages for the believer of this faith. The issue of whether a practising Sikh should kill and eat meat is one such issue. This article is intended to list only the teachings available on this issue from the Sikh holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib and Varan Bhai Gurdas. The various personal views have been stated on the page: Sikh Diet

For a Sikh, Gurbani is the ultimate and supreme spiritual and moral guide for his or her actions and motivations in everything that they do. "Those Sikhs who hear and obey the Guru - all their desires depart" (SGGS page 726). No Hukamnama (Order, pronouncement or edict) by anyone else can move the Guru's Sikh away from this stand. Gurbani offers clear guidance on this issue. There is no reason to rely on other or further advice by any other third party. The following quotes from Varan Bhai Gurdas and Sri Guru Granth Sahib give the Sikhs clear and concise direction on what a Sikh should eat and other aspect of this facet of human life.

Bhai Gurdas ji was the first scribe of the Adi Granth who was responsible for the writing of the first compilation of the Holy Granth. While Guru Arjan Dev ji dictated the Bani, Bhai Sahib put the words to paper. He probably spent many years in gathering and then scribing the words of Gurbani. He is recognised as the first Scholar of Sikhism and his own writings, called the Varan Bhai Gurdas were called by Guru Arjan Dev "the Key to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib". The Varan offer some clear guidance on this subject to the Sikh.

Despite this article, it should be very clear to all Sikhs that whether one eats meat or not, this is only a small aspect of a life of a Sikh. Our Gurus have allocated most of the 1430 pages of Gurbani on other issues and perhaps only about 5 pages have been dedicated directly to this topic. So undue importance should not be given to this matter and the Sikhs should not engage in any undue prolonged argument of this matter. It is clear from history that Sikhs of both type have existed and no prejudices should exist in the Panth. Our Guru's have placed more emphasis on and given greater importance to Naam Simran – remembering the Lord with every breath; Kirit Karni – honest living within His Hukam; and Wand kay Shako - Sharing, Nishkam Sewa and Dedicated community service.


Contents

[edit] Shabads from Guru Granth Sahib

[edit] Shabads referring to "Eat a Simple Diet"

SGGS Page 467 Full Shabad
ਓਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਮੰਦੈ ਪੈਰੁ ਨ ਰਖਿਓ ਕਰਿ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਓਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਤੋੜੇ ਬੰਧਨਾ ਅੰਨੁ ਪਾਣੀ ਥੋੜਾ ਖਾਇਆ ॥

onHee mandai pair na rakhi-o kar sukarit Dharam kamaa-i-aa.
onHee dunee-aa torhay banDhnaa ann paanee thorhaa khaa-i-aa.

They do not place their feet in sin, but do good deeds and live righteously in Dharma.
They burn away the bonds of the world, and eat a simple diet of grain and water.


This is a Shabad of Guru Angad which tells the Sikh and other to eat a simple diet of grain and water so that the negative bonds to the materialistic world can be broken. Do not commit sins and live a life of truthfulness and subject to spiritual wisdom. Move away from ego which is a serious trap for most people. On the previous page 466, the Guru says, "Ego is a chronic disease". Only by subduing these negative desires and meditating on the "Lord's Name" can one gain the wisdom to overcome these obstacles to ones spiritual progress.


[edit] Shabads with the word "Kill"

SGGS Page 723 Full Shabad
ਬੰਦੇ ਚਸਮ ਦੀਦੰ ਫਨਾਇ ॥ ਦੁਨਂ‍ੀਆ ਮੁਰਦਾਰ ਖੁਰਦਨੀ ਗਾਫਲ ਹਵਾਇ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਗੈਬਾਨ ਹੈਵਾਨ ਹਰਾਮ ਕੁਸਤਨੀ ਮੁਰਦਾਰ ਬਖੋਰਾਇ ॥ ਦਿਲ ਕਬਜ ਕਬਜਾ ਕਾਦਰੋ ਦੋਜਕ ਸਜਾਇ ॥੨॥

banday chasam deedaN fanaa-ay. duneeN-aa murdaar khurdanee gaafal havaa-ay. rahaa-o.
gaibaan haivaan haraam kustanee murdaar bakhoraa-ay. dil kabaj kabjaa kaadro dojak sajaa-ay. ((2))

O human being, whatever you can see with your eyes, shall perish.
The world eats dead carcasses, living by neglect and greed. ((Pause))
Like a goblin, or a beast, they kill and eat the forbidden carcasses of meat.
So control your urges, or else you will be seized by the Lord, and thrown into the tortures of hell.
((2))


This is a Shabad (Hymn) by the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev. The Shabad begins with the line: "The Lord infused His Light into the dust, and created the world, the universe. The sky, the earth, the trees, and the water - all are the Creation of the Lord. (1)" The Almighty Lord by his power created the world, universe, sky, earth, trees and water. But Guru Arjan says that all these things that we see with our eyes will perish. Because of neglect and greed, the world eats "dead carcasses" – If one does not control one's greed, then they will be seized by the Lord and thrown into the tortures of hell and no one will be able to help you. So do the right thing and remember the Lord and perform the right deeds.


SGGS Page 1103 Full Shabad
ਜੀਅ ਬਧਹੁ ਸੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਥਾਪਹੁ ਅਧਰਮੁ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਤ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਆਪਸ ਕਉ ਮੁਨਿਵਰ ਕਰਿ ਥਾਪਹੁ ਕਾ ਕਉ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਸਾਈ ॥੨॥

jee-a baDhahu so Dharam kar thaapahu aDhram kahhu kat bhaa-ee.aapas ka-o munivar kar thaapahu kaa ka-o kahhu kasaa-ee.

You kill living beings, and call it a righteous action.
Tell me, brother, what would you call an unrighteous action?
You call yourself the most excellent sage; then who would you call a butcher? ((2))



SGGS Page 1128 Full Shabad
ਸੋ ਜਾਗੈ ਜੋ ਤਤੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੈ ॥ ਆਪਿ ਮਰੈ ਅਵਰਾ ਨਹ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੩॥

so jaagai jo tat beechaarai. aap marai avraa nah maarai. ((3))

One who contemplates the essence of reality remains awake and aware.
He kills his self-conceit, and does not kill anyone else. ((3))



SGGS Page 1350 Full Shabad
ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਕਹਹੁ ਮਤ ਝੂਠੇ ਝੂਠਾ ਜੋ ਨ ਬਿਚਾਰੈ ॥ ਜਉ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਹਤ ਹਉ ਤਉ ਕਿਉ ਮੁਰਗੀ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੧॥

bayd katayb kahhu mat jhoothay jhoothaa jo na bichaarai. ja-o sabh meh ayk khudaa-ay kahat ha-o ta-o ki-o murgee maarai.

Do not say that the Vedas, the Bible and the Koran are false.
Those who do not contemplate them are false.
You say that the One Lord is in all, so why do you kill chickens? ((1))



SGGS Page 1375 Full Shabad
ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀਅ ਜੁ ਮਾਰਹਿ ਜੋਰੁ ਕਰਿ ਕਹਤੇ ਹਹਿ ਜੁ ਹਲਾਲੁ ॥ ਦਫਤਰੁ ਦਈ ਜਬ ਕਾਢਿ ਹੈ ਹੋਇਗਾ ਕਉਨੁ ਹਵਾਲੁ ॥੧੯੯॥

kabeer jee-a jo maareh jor kar kahtay heh jo halaal. daftar da-ee jab kaadh hai ho-igaa ka-un havaal.

Kabeer, they oppress living beings and kill them, and call it proper.
When the Lord calls for their account, what will their condition be? ((199))


[edit] Other Shabads connected with Meat

SGGS Page 141 Full Shabad
ਹਕੁ ਪਰਾਇਆ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਉਸੁ ਸੂਅਰ ਉਸੁ ਗਾਇ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੀਰੁ ਹਾਮਾ ਤਾ ਭਰੇ ਜਾ ਮੁਰਦਾਰੁ ਨ ਖਾਇ ॥

ਗਲੀ ਭਿਸਤਿ ਨ ਜਾਈਐ ਛੁਟੈ ਸਚੁ ਕਮਾਇ ॥ ਮਾਰਣ ਪਾਹਿ ਹਰਾਮ ਮਹਿ ਹੋਇ ਹਲਾਲੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਗਲੀ ਕੂੜੀਈ ਕੂੜੋ ਪਲੈ ਪਾਇ ॥੨॥

hak paraa-i-aa naankaa us soo-ar us gaa-ay. gur peer haamaa taa bharay jaa murdaar na khaa-ay.
galee bhisat na jaa-ee-ai chhutai sach kamaa-ay. maaran paahi haraam meh ho-ay halaal na jaa-ay.
naanak galee koorhee-ee koorho palai paa-ay. ॥2॥

To take what rightfully belongs to another, is like a Muslim eating pork, or a Hindu eating beef.
Our Guru, our Spiritual Guide, stands by us, if we do not eat those carcasses.
By mere talk, people do not earn passage to Heaven. Salvation comes only from the practice of Truth.
By adding spices to forbidden foods, they are not made acceptable.
O Nanak, from false talk, only falsehood is obtained. ॥2॥



SGGS Page 1374 Full Shabad
ਕਬੀਰ ਖੂਬੁ ਖਾਨਾ ਖੀਚਰੀ ਜਾ ਮਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਲੋਨੁ ॥

ਹੇਰਾ ਰੋਟੀ ਕਾਰਨੇ ਗਲਾ ਕਟਾਵੈ ਕਉਨੁ ॥੧੮੮॥

kabeer khoob khaanaa kheechree jaa meh amrit lon.
hayraa rotee kaarnay galaa kataavai ka-un. ((188))

Kabeer, the dinner of beans and rice is excellent, if it is flavored with salt.
Who would cut his throat, to have meat with his bread? ((188))



SGGS Page 139 Full Shabad
ਕਲਿ ਹੋਈ ਕੁਤੇ ਮੁਹੀ ਖਾਜੁ ਹੋਆ ਮੁਰਦਾਰੁ ॥ ਕੂੜੁ ਬੋਲਿ ਬੋਲਿ ਭਉਕਣਾ ਚੂਕਾ ਧਰਮੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥

kal ho-ee kutay muhee khaaj ho-aa murdaar. koorh bol bol bha-ukanaa chookaa Dharam beechaar.

In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, people have faces like dogs; they eat rotting carcasses for food.
They bark and speak, telling only lies; all thought of righteousness has left them.



SGGS Page 15 Full Shabad
ਰਸੁ ਸੁਇਨਾ ਰਸੁ ਰੁਪਾ ਕਾਮਣਿ ਰਸੁ ਪਰਮਲ ਕੀ ਵਾਸੁ ॥ ਰਸੁ ਘੋੜੇ ਰਸੁ ਸੇਜਾ ਮੰਦਰ ਰਸੁ ਮੀਠਾ ਰਸੁ ਮਾਸੁ ॥ ਏਤੇ ਰਸ ਸਰੀਰ ਕੇ ਕੈ ਘਟਿ ਨਾਮ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ॥੨॥

ras su-inaa ras rupaa kaaman ras parmal kee vaas. ras ghorhay ras sayjaa mandar ras meethaa ras maas. aytay ras sareer kay kai ghat naam nivaas. ॥2॥

The pleasure of gold, pleasure of silvers and damsels, pleasure of fragrance of sandal,
pleasure of horses, pleasure of common cushion with a houri and a palace, pleasure of sweets and pleasure of meats,
So many are the relishes of the human body. How can then God's Name secure an abode within the heart? ॥2॥


  • English translation by Bhai Manmohan Singh


[edit] Fools Argue about Meat & Flesh

This is the only Shabad (hymn) that is quoted by the exponents advocating meat eating in Sikhism that is generally quoted to support their view. In this Shabad the section "…fools argue about flesh and meat" is very prominent in their minds. However the full line as quoted in the holy scripture is: "The fools argue about flesh and meat, but they know nothing about meditation and spiritual wisdom." Most spiritually aware Sikhs are of the view that before you start arguing about meat and flesh (which both come for animals) make sure you know something about mediation and spirituality. So, it appears that what the holy scriptures are advocating here is the fact that before a devotee can argue about what is meat and what is flesh, they need to make sure that they have attained spiritual wisdom otherwise it is suggested that they do not argue about these things. The following is a quote from SGGS page 1289: [1]

SGGS Page 1289 Full Shabad
ਮਃ ੧ ॥ मः १ ॥ mehlaa 1. First Mehl:

ਮਾਸੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਕਰਿ ਮੂਰਖੁ ਝਗੜੇ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਣੈ ॥ ਕਉਣੁ ਮਾਸੁ ਕਉਣੁ ਸਾਗੁ ਕਹਾਵੈ ਕਿਸੁ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਪ ਸਮਾਣੇ ॥
ਗੈਂਡਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਹੋਮ ਜਗ ਕੀਏ ਦੇਵਤਿਆ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੇ ॥ ਮਾਸੁ ਛੋਡਿ ਬੈਸਿ ਨਕੁ ਪਕੜਹਿ ਰਾਤੀ ਮਾਣਸ ਖਾਣੇ ॥

maas maas kar moorakh jhagrhay gi-aan Dhi-aan nahee jaanai. ka-un maas ka-un saag kahaavai kis meh paap samaanay.
gaiNdaa maar hom jag kee-ay dayviti-aa kee baanay. maas chhod bais nak pakrheh raatee maanas khaanay.

The fools argue about flesh and meat, but they know nothing about meditation and spiritual wisdom.
What is called meat, and what is called green vegetables? What leads to sin?
It was the habit of the gods to kill the rhinoceros, and make a feast of the burnt offering.
Those who renounce meat, and hold their noses when sitting near it, devour men at night.


[edit] Varan Bhai Gurdas ji - Key to SGGS

The following Shabads are from the Varan by Bhai Gurdas ji, whose Bani is referred to as the "Key" to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib:

ਪਉੜੀ 17 (ਬਕਰੀ)

ਸੀਹ ਪਜੂਤੀ ਬਕਰੀ ਮਰਦੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੜ ਹੜ ਹਸੀ॥ ਸੀਹੁ ਪੁਛੈ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਹੋਇ ਇਤੁ ਅਉਸਰਿ ਕਿਤੁ ਰਹਸਿ ਰਹਸੀ॥
ਬਿਨਉ ਕਰੇਂਦੀ ਬਕਰੀ ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਅਸਾਡੇ ਕੀਚਨਿ ਖਸੀ॥ ਅਕ ਧਤੂਰਾ ਖਾਧਿਆਂ ਕੁਹਿ ਕੁਹਿ ਖਲ ਉਖਲਿ ਵਿਣਸੀ॥
ਮਾਸੁ ਖਾਨਿ ਗਲ ਵਢਿ ਕੈ ਹਾਲੁ ਤਿਨਾੜਾ ਕਉਣੁ ਹੋਵਸੀ॥ ਗਰਬੁ ਗਰੀਬੀ ਦੇਹ ਖੇਹ ਖਾਜੁ ਅਖਾਜੁ ਅਕਾਜੁ ਕਰਸੀ॥
ਜਗਿ ਆਇਆ ਸਭ ਕੋਇ ਮਰਸੀ

seeh pajoothee bakaree maradhee hoee harr harr hasee. seehu pushhai visamaadh hoe eith aousar kith rehas rehasee.
bino karae(n)adhee bakaree puthr asaaddae keechan khasee. ak dhhathooraa khaadhhiaaa(n) kuhi kuhi khal oukhal vinasee.
maas khaan gal vadt kai haal thinaarraa koun hovasee. garab gareebee dhaeh khaeh khaaj akhaaj akaaj karasee.
jag aaeiaa sabh koe marasee.

(She Goat)

Lion catches a goat; As the goat is dying, it begins to laugh. In awe the lion asks, why are you laughing?
Humbly the goat says: Our sons are destroyed (castrated). We only eat wild plants and suffer being slayed & skinned alive.
Those who cut our throats and eat our flesh, what will be their plight?
Proud and arrogant their bodies are a waste; inedible and fruitless. All who come to the world will eventually die.
Vaar 25 Pauri 17


ਪਉੜੀ 21 ( ਨਿਗੁਰਾ ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਵਸ ਵਿਚ ਨਹੀ ਆ ਸਕਦਾ )

ਕੁਹੈ ਕਸਾਈ ਬਕਰੀ ਲਾਇ ਲੂਣ ਸੀਖ ਮਾਸੁ ਪਰੋਆ॥ ਹਸਿ ਹਸਿ ਬੋਲੇ ਕੁਹੀਂਦੀ ਖਾਧੇ ਅਕਿ ਹਾਲੁ ਇਹੁ ਹੋਆ॥
ਮਾਸ ਖਾਨਿ ਗਲਿ ਛੁਰੀ ਦੇ ਹਾਲੁ ਤਿਨਾੜਾ ਕਉਣੁ ਅਲੋਆ॥ ਜੀਭੈ ਹੰਦਾ ਫੇੜਿਆ ਖਉ ਦੰਦਾਂ ਮੁਹੁ ਭੰਨਿ ਵਿਗੋਆ॥
ਪਰ ਤਨ ਪਰ ਧਨ ਨਿੰਦ ਕਰਿ ਹੋਇ ਦੁਜੀਭਾ ਬਿਸੀਅਰੁ ਭੋਆ॥ ਵਸਿ ਆਵੈ ਗੁਰੁਮੰਤ ਸਪੁ ਨਿਗੁਰਾ ਮਨਮੁਖੁ ਸੁਣੈ ਨ ਸੋਆ॥
ਵੇਖਿ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਅਗੈ ਟੋਆ

kuhai kasaaee bakaree laae loon seekh maas paroaa. has has bolae kuhee(n)adhee khaadhhae ak haal eihu hoaa.
maas khaan gal shhuree dhae haal thinaarraa koun aloaa. jeebhai ha(n)dhaa faerriaa kho dha(n)dhaa(n) muhu bha(n)n vigoaa.
par than par dhhan ni(n)dh kar hoe dhujeebhaa biseear bhoaa. vas aavai guruma(n)th sap niguraa manamukh sunai n soaa.
vaekh n chalai agai ttoaa.

Pauri 21 (Man having no Guru is uncontrollable)

The butcher slaughters the goat; salts the meat and strings it on a skewer.
While being killed the goat laughingly says: I have come to this condition for grazing only coarse leaves of arid wild plants.
What will be the plight of those who cutting the throat with a knife eat the flesh of animals?
The perverted taste of the tongue is harmful for the teeth and damages the mouth.
The one who eyes another’s wealth or body or slanders becomes a poisonous Amphisbaena.
This snake is controlled by the Guru's mantra but the Guru-less manmukh never listens to this glorious mantra.
The Manmukh blindly moves ahead, never realizing the approaching deep pit ahead!

(note: Amphisbaena is a mythical serpent having a head at each end of its body.)
Vaar 37 Pauri 21

[edit] Also See

[edit] References

  1. ^ Srigranth.org SGGS page 1289