Women In Sikhism

[Guest SatwantBeantKehar]

Women In Sikhism

According to Guru Nanak, women as a part of the divine creation could not be the carriers of pollution, nor could they be the object of man’s lust and violence for vahiguru (the lord )views men and women as equal.

BMif jMmIAY BMif inMmIAY BMif mMgxu vIAwhu ] (473-8, Awsw, mÚ 1)

bhand jammee-ai bhand nimmee-ai bhand mangan vee-aahu.

From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged

and married.

BMfhu hovY dosqI BMfhu clY rwhu ] (473-8, Awsw, mÚ 1)

bhandahu hovai dostee bhandahu chalai raahu.

Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come.

BMfu muAw BMfu BwlIAY BMif hovY bMDwnu ] (473-8, Awsw, mÚ 1)

bhand mu-aa bhand bhaalee-ai bhand hovai banDhaan.

When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound.

so ikau mMdw AwKIAY ijqu jMmih rwjwn ] (473-9, Awsw, mÚ 1)

so ki-o mandaa aakhee-ai jit jameh raajaan.

So why call her bad? From her, kings are born.

Also,

siB Gt Awpy BogvY ipAwrw ivic nwrI purK sBu soie ] (605-6, soriT, mÚ 4)

sabh ghat aapay bhogvai pi-aaraa vich naaree purakh sabh so-ay.

The Beloved Himself enjoys every heart; He is contained within every woman and

man.

Guru Nanak writes emphatically about being the appropriate arena of liberation which further assigns a position of considerable importance to women as guarantors of a peaceful, well-organized household.

Guru nanak’s successors continued in his belief in the importance of the family and home in the pursuit of liberation. Guru Amardas denounced the custom of widow burning.

kMqw nwil mhylIAw syqI Aig jlwih ] (787-10, sUhI, mÚ 3)

kantaa naal mahaylee-aa saytee ag jalaahi.

The widows burn themselves in the fire, along with their husbands' corpses.

jy jwxih ipru Awpxw qw qin duK shwih ] (787-11, sUhI, mÚ 3)

jay jaaneh pir aapnaa taa tan dukh sahaahi.

If they truly knew their husbands, then they suffer terrible bodily pain.

nwnk kMq n jwxnI sy ikau Aig jlwih ] (787-11, sUhI, mÚ 3)

naanak kant na jaannee say ki-o ag jalaahi.

O Nanak, if they did not truly know their husbands, why should they burn themselves

in the fire?

BwvY jIvau kY mrau dUrhu hI Bij jwih ]3] (787-12, sUhI, mÚ 3)

bhaavai jeeva-o kai mara-o Dhoorahu hee bhaj jaahi. ||3||

Whether their husbands are alive or dead, those wives remain far away from them.

Respect for women is also reflected in repeated edicts against visiting prostitutes, mistreating the women of one’s enemies defeated in battle and against having interactions with those who kill their daughters.

The rahit literature stressed women’s full participation in religious life. They were expected to be the best informed member of the household and able to instruct their husbands and children in matters of belief and practice.

Notable Sikh women – sada kaur, rani jinda, mai bhago, mata sunder kaur.

[Guest HaRdKaUrWaRrIoRz]

:D thanks for a wonderful post

[Guest SarblohKhalsa.Net]

:TH:

[Singh With Dunalli]

:D :nihungsmile:

[FaujKaur]

In Sikhi, the beliefs and practices in accordance to Women’s rights is a beautiful thing. As Sikhs we should be blessed in respecting each other with utmost admiration. However, this is only possible if everyone considers these teachings practical, just like how our Gurus did during their time.

It’s one thing to say you believe in equality with women, it’s another thing to actually practice it. Sikh women should not be second class to Sikh men. But I will admit, we do see a shift from this notion, many Sikhs in the West are treating Sikh women and allowing them to partake in all practices of Sikhi.

This article you have shared is a great step in reminding the Sangat what Guru Ji’s Bani says about women, and how respect and treat them. Teaching the youth about the truth about equality amongst all groups is the first step in practicing the teachings Guru Ji has requested. Thanks!

[Guest SatwantBeantKehar]

Dear Sis FaujKaur,

It’s one thing to say you believe in equality with women, it’s another thing to actually practice it. Sikh women should not be second class to Sikh men

I think this is more a problem of Punjabi culture which unfortunately dominates sikh "culture" . Recently it was manifest in the brahiministic jathedars and sgpc voicing against women's right to do sewa at the durbar sahib and quoting ancient maryada for their stand.

As you correctly pointed out that we are seeing a wave of change in the west which will hopefully carry through to Indian subcontinent and true gurmat would dawn upon our clergy.

Thanks everyone for comments however I still haven' recieved any comments about something needs to be added /changed / omitted .