| Sikh Woman- A Multi Dimensional Personality |
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Woman - the most beautiful creation of God, the embodiment of Nature and Nurture personified. A woman plays various roles that of a mother, daughter, sister and a wife and added to that she has made her mark as a successful professional too. Sikh History has witnessed great women as Bebe Nanaki, Mata Khivi Ji, Bibi Amro, Mata Kaulan Ji, Mata Gujri ji, Mata Sahib Kaur and many others. In 21st century much noise is being made as regards woman liberation and her subsequent empowerment. But, do we all really understand the real essence of these two terms.? Bra Burning Feminism, Besharmi Morcha of girls from across the country to bring home the point that they must have the freedom of wearing whatever they wish to wear, Lesbians and Gays having an open march to claim their sexuality, live in relationships, pre marital sex, divorce or extra marital relations and 50% reservation for the woman in the parliament do not in any way make a woman liberated and empowered. The freedom to choose the profession and life partner is quite available to the women in metropolitan cities and to some extent in rural areas too but with divorce rates getting higher and depression and aimlessness playing havoc with the minds of youngsters its time we all fall back to our roots. Guru Granth Sahib our revered scripture explains in detail the role, responsibility and the strength of a woman’s character. The message of the ten Guru’s is very much relevant and most modern in approach. There is no other scripture in the world that has given so much importance to the woman empowerment. Guru Granth Sahib talks of a complete woman- a woman of substance. Guru Amardas appointed women as the religious representatives by having 52 peeras. The mid 18th century witnessed the rise of the Feminist movement that began with focussing on the qualities and virtues of a woman and subsequently the shift was made to her rights. But Guru Nanak talked of her rights much earlier than that, not only her rights but her duties and role in the social set up. Lets understand his philosophy. At the time of Guru Nanak their was a total collapse of value system, failed political order and humanity was at its lowest ebb. Guru Nanak says “dharam sharam doe chhap khaloe, kood phire pardhaan o laalo” (righteousness and coyness have vanished and uncouth behaviour prevails hear o laalo). This seems relevant even today if we look at the present social system and the way we ape the western concepts. The women had no respect leave aside the freedom of giving opinions in family matters or religious matters. Woman was not even allowed to pray as she was considered impure due to her puberty and also otherwise. So much so that she was considered a hindrance in the path of salvation, whereas Bhai Gurdas beautifully suggests “Lok ved gun gyan vich ardh shareeri mokh dwaari”. In this context only Guru Nanak said in Asa Ki Var “So kyon manda akhiye, jit jamhe raajaan”. (why call her bad who gives birth to the kings). Here also Guru Nanak expained that men must- Accept, Respect and Protect the rights of every woman. Accept that as an individual she too has dreams, desires and aspirations. Then respect her dreams and then protect her rights- stand for her rights not only at home but outside in society at large. The beauty of Guru Nanak’s message was that firstly he established equality in male and female when he said “Ekei kant sabaai naar” (there is only one male that is the Almighty God, rest all are females) The hidden message was to instruct the women to be an individual first and a gender later and secondly he explained the virtues a woman must possess. Today youngsters indulge in pre-marital sex and girls lose their virginity at the age of 13 or 14 yrs. Not only this girls from the age group of 15 to 18 yrs go in for illegal abortions. Hence Guru Nanak warns against unchecked and uncontrolled sex or lust . Guru Nanak says “bhay vich chalde lakh daryaao”. Here he refers to a discipline that all the galaxies or entire nature follows hence a disciplined life is to adopted by us also. He guides for sense directions and that is through Dhyaan. Dhyaan not only means remembering God but it has a more serious connotation. Dhyaan refers to Right Concentration, Right Understanding, Right Thoughts and Right Knowledge. Gyan and Dhyaan have been used simultaneously in Gurbani ‘Gyan Dhyan kuj karam na jaana” and “Gyan dhyan sab Gur te hoyi saachi rehat saachaa mann soyi” Right thoughts and right concentration refers to What to think, and How to Think. Present generation of girls only aspire for glamorous life hence they are totally focussed on fashion and outward beauty and hence they follow a same pattern of wardrobe and food habits as their male counterparts in college or social circle. Unable to handle peer pressure they develop a herd mentality which is dominant trait of animals not humans. Presently divorce rates are high because the temperament of women has undergone a huge change. The qualities of tolerance, wisdom, compassion and adjustment are considered as weaknesses by many. No doubt that a woman is no less competent than her male counterparts but the education that leads to arrogance or ego is of no worth. Gurbani says ‘Parya moorakh aakhiye jit labh lobh ahankaara” (consider that person as uneducated even if educated who has greed and ego). Woman as a home maker Since Sikhism promotes a householders life it explains what type of Grihasth or family life should be practised and also explains the qualities required for a successful married life. The Gurus guide us to avoid - “kaam krodh ahankaar lobh, hath, moh na mann seo leyave” (one must avoid lust, anger, ego, greed, obstinacy, attachment) These vices never come alone, they are always in a group and work simultaneously by creating a self-interest in a woman and hence all her decisions and actions become self-centred and selfish. Today the communication between couples has even ended as each one lives in his or her own world. When they communicate it is mostly cribbing against each other’s family or woman demanding to live separately. The Gurus said “soyna roopa rangla moti te maanak jeo Woman as a mother A mother has been given great importance as various verses of Gurbani begin by addressing the mother “Mai” Three important concepts in Sikhism lay great importance to women. Firstly a woman is equated with Nature or Kudrat. Nature or Praakriti is also a feminine gender “Balihaari kudrat vaseya” and secondly Dharti (Earth) is referred as a mother “Mata dharat mahatt”. Both Nature and Earth have the quality of nurturing, tolerance and both have a giving nature. Nature and Earth both are exploited by humans but they just give. And thirdly Sangat enjoys great place in Sikhism . Sangat comes from the word Samiti which means ‘Daughter of God’. Hence what qualities a daughter of God must possess. A mother is the first Guru of every child because it is through her that a child learns his or her first alphabet. It is the mother who makes the child understand the importance of ‘Maa boli’ the mother tongue and ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ . Mother is the only person through whom a child has his first interaction with the world hence it is the role of a mother to bring up the child un-biased. Gurbani says – “Pehla pyar laga than dudh, dooja mai baap ki sudh” Bhawna Malik - is a Delhi based journalist and a writer. She began her relation with Guru Nanak by listening to the kirtan and ultimately was engulfed and embraced by the entire philosophy of Guru Nanak hence she lives by a commitment to share the thought of the Gurus with humanity through her writings.
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