Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
03 February 2009
Reading The SRM
If you are a regular reader, you might notice that, for the first time, something has displaced our dedication. A poll. I love polls. I'm afraid my readers don't. Please indulge me this time. I am really very curious whether Sikhs actually read the SRM (Sikh Rehat Maryada). And when I get curious, I take action.
This is not a scientific poll, but any means. To begin with, my readers hardly represent a cross section of the Sikh community. First, you are probably at least semifluent in English. And you are online. And you are not put off of a publication with "Khalistan" in the title. So I am aware that you are an elite group.
Nevertheless, this will give me some idea if anyone actually reads this document. It's not very long; I think I read it in two sittings. It is available at the link given in both English and Punjabi. So, please, take this survey.
A point of interest, my own dear Dad never accepted the SRM or the SGPC, considering them both artifacts of British occupation. I find the SRM to be an imperfect, flawed document. It is, however, the best we have and I accept it and try to follow it. Right now the Panth has more pressing problems than revising it.
Someday, that will need to be done, but it can wait. My poll cannot. Please take it now!
The pictures are a little bit interesting. I googled on SRM Pictures, curious (of course!) at what would come up. I frankly found the first picture offensive and decline to use it. These are the next three. The painting is from a Thai Sikh site; the Photographs are from Sikhwiki.
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"a flawed document"
ReplyDeletethere was a time when i thought it was the end all be all... these days i'd have to agree with you. though i'm not sure revising it isn't a pressing need in itself.
what are the biggest issues facing the panth today? i'd submit that the fact that Sikhs are so divided over seemingly minor issues is one of them. how to solve it? hold a proper Sarbat Khalsa, and sort them out. if representatives of every major Sikh faction are present, we should be able to sort out these controversies once and for all. a united panth is a strong panth.
just my penny worth of thought. :)
Dear Bhenji Jasleen - Always a pleasure to receive one of your thoughtful and thought-provoking comments.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Panth is full of foolish - at least to me - divisions. I'm not sure we can put our differences aside long enough toi do anything. The corruption at the highest levels can be disheartening to those who just want to live a good life as devout Sikhs of the Guru.
Ah, well, let us think ahead. Let us start at the beginning. The definition of a Sikh needs to be much clarified. That's way too divisive.
How about the parts of the SRM that do not support gender equality, such as the Anand Karaj? Some of this is hidden when reading the SRM in translation. For example, in defining the Panj Piyare, the English version uses "Sikhs" whereas the Punjabi uses "Singhs." Now, you and I are Sikhs, and most certainly not Singhs!
Those are just a couple of examples. I'm sure we Sikhs couyld spend the next millenium arguing even about these points.
What to do? What to do?
Not a clue as to what you are talking about.
ReplyDeleteDear S. S. Ji
ReplyDeleteIt's a Sikh thing. You wouldn't understand.
:-P
ReplyDeleteDear S. S. Ji:
ReplyDelete:-P and again :-P
*giggles and exits*
*sticks head back in and giggles again*
To my two dear sisters here - I hope you're both subscribing to these comments - since its Valentine's Day and, at its root (might I say Mool?) Sikhi is all about love -
ReplyDeleteLots and lots of love to you both!