Guru Nanak's doctrine was strictly monotheistic. In
a phrase reminiscent of the Upanishads, he called god simply ekh (one). He is
eternal, infinite and all-pervasive. He is perennially self-existent and is the
source of love and grace. God is one, but what he has created has reality. He is
both nirguna and saguna, i.e., he is with attributes as well as without
attributes, yet he is formless.
The affirmation of the
reality, the ultimate ground
of all that exists, was the central value in Guru Nanak's teachings. The main
quest was for mukti or release. Truest virtue one can
have is the loving devotion to God. By immersing oneself in nam, i.e. by constant
remembrance of the Divine Name, one can attain moksha or mukti. This was freedom
from ego and self bondage from the circuit of birth, death and rebirth. One
could go beyond this contingent state, could transcend Sansara-the sphere of
temporality by concentrating on god's name. According to him fasting and
visiting holy places was not that important. The first step towards enlightment was
the awakening that the experience of the supreme being was the only ultimate truth. This awakening
must be accompanied by an intense love of god, self-surrender to him and
complete faith in his will.
The society thus taking shape was the precursor to
historical Sikhism. Its main inspiration was supplied by Guru Nanak. He
determined its principal truths and doctrines. In his life-time, it had acquired
certain institutional features-the sangat, i.e., Holy fellowship or community
the Dharamasala and the langar. Guru's word bequeathed to it through his 'bani' or
revealed utterance. It had its own script-'Guru Mukhi' - in which the bani was
recorded and its own style of singing. Its constituents were all common
people like farmers, artisans, traders. Caste, icon-worship and empty
ritual were its common rejections. Its mainstay was fervent faith in the divine,
truly ethical practice and a full acceptance of life. Its ideals of fraternity
and Seva and its concern with day-to-day affairs were elements which defined the
course of its future evolution.
Sikhism is opposed to
the caste system and all Sikh men carry the last name "Singh", Idol
worship is also rejected. These features show the influence of Islam. But the
ideas of Karma and rebirth are accepted. In their religious life and ritual,
Sikhs are very close to the Hindus.
