Guru Sahib....On Caste

[Degha Singh]

tum kat baraahman ham kat sood.

ham kat lohoo tum kat doodh. ||3||

What makes you a Brahmin and I merely a Sudra?

If blood runs in my veins, does milk flow in yours?

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji -Ang 324

Raag Gauri

*Sudra- so called "untouchables" in the Vedic caste system.

*Brahman- literal meaning is someone who has knowledge of WaheGuru.

Here Guru Sahib critiques the self proclaimed "Brahmin" of the Vedic caste system which inherently restricts the potential of human beings on the basis of ritualistic social hierarchies. This system was and still is a source of immense social disparities due to the discriminatory laws it manifests in society.

Raag Bhairo Mehlaa 3 Cha-upday Ghar 1

Raag Bhairao, Third Mehl, Chaupadas, First House:

(Sri Guru Amar Das Ji)

Ik-Onkaar Satgur Parsaad.

One Universal Creator. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

jaat kaa garab na karee-ahu ko-ee.

Let no one be proud because of their caste.

barahm binday so baraahman ho-ee. ||1||

That one alone is the true Brahmin, who keeps WaheGuru in their heart. ||1||

jaat kaa garab na kar moorakh gavaaraa.

So, O fool, do not be vainglorious about your caste

is garab tay chaleh bahut vikaaraa. ||1|| rahaa-o.

So much sin and corruption comes from this pride. ||1||Pause||

chaaray varan aakhai sabh ko-ee.

Though they say that there are four castes,

barahm bind tay sabh opat ho-ee. ||2||

They all emanate from the same drop of WaheGuru’s Seed. ||2||

maatee ayk sagal sansaaraa.

The entire universe is moulded of the same clay.

baho biDh bhaaNday gharhai kumHaaraa. ||3||

The Great Potter has merely varied their shapes. ||3||

panch tat mil dayhee kaa aakaaraa.

All are created of the same five elements.

ghat vaDh ko karai beechaaraa. ||4||

None can reduce an element in one, increase it in another||4||

kahat naanak ih jee-o karam banDh ho-ee.

Says Nanak, this soul is bound by its actions.

bin satgur bhaytay mukat na ho-ee. ||5||1||

Without meeting the True Guru, it is not liberated. ||5||1||

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji -Ang 1127-1128