Sikh Ethics (An Old and Rare Book)

In this short treatise on Sikh Ethics, the Adi Granth has been taken as the basic and main sourcebook of the Sikh moral-code. The path of life enunciated by the Sikh Gurus is the path of self-realisation or perfectionism; it is neither self-gratification or hedonism nor self-denial or rationalism. Emphasis in Sikh Ethics is laid on the practice of godly qualities. Their observance makes a human being godlike. The field of the body is to be cultivated for truthful life and spiritual advancement. All the senses are to be harnessed properly and the virtues of body, speech and mind are to be inculcated. The discipline enunciated by the Sikh Gurus is a universal discipline and requires the discipline to perform his worldly duties alongwith his spiritual progress; he has not to become a one-sided personality. He has to remain alert on all the three planes, i.e., physical, mental and spiritual. The Sikh Ethics, in practice, brings before us an ideal person, thoroughly balanced in physical, mental and spiritual cultures. Whereas he works as a healthy constituent of society, he also rises to spiritual zenith. In him, we find, an exact combination of action, knowledge and devotion.

The Sikh Religion is being recognised and adopted throughout the world. It is the youngest of world religions. Its founder Guru Nanak visited the major centres of the living religions of the world and after great deal of introspection and study, he evolved his own religious system. His discussions with his contemporary Muslim divines, Buddhist and Jaina monks, the Kanphata yogis, votaries of various Hindu Bhakti cults, which have been recorded in the Janamsakhis and other Sikh chroni- cles are quite interesting and show his deep insight into the various thought-currents and concern for the welfare of humanity.

The final shape to Sikh Religion was given by the tenth and last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh when the Khalsa came into being. A Sikh became a Singh. A code of conduct for the Sikh and the Khalsa was formed. But still the basic moral code for all Sikhs is contained in the Adi Granth, the Sikh scripture.

In this short treatise on Sikh Ethics, the Adi-Granth has been taken as the basic and main source-book of the Sikh moral code. Any thought, which has not been found in consonance with the spirit of the Adi Granth, has been rejected. The Sikh Ethics in practice, brings before us an ideal person, thoroughly balanced in physical, mental and spiritual cultures. Whereas he works as a healthy constituent of society, he also rises to spiritual zenith.

I am confident that this short treatise will prove of immense value to the votaries, students and researchers of Sikhism, I shall feel amply rewarded, if it creates an interest in the general readers, for the discipline enunciated in it.

**Contents and Sample Pages**