Demeaning the Sikh Tradition- A Study of Mina Poetry

About the Book Guru Nanak Dev laid the foundation of Sikh religion whose basic tenets are unity of God and brotherhood of mankind. For making his message reach the people, he travelled the country as well as abroad and established certain institutions for fulfillment of his mission. After Guru Nanak Dev, his successors strengthened these ideals and also these institutions. As a result a new socio-religious community came into being in north India.

In Sikh religion, the institution of guru ship has a pivotal place. While nominating his successor, Guru Nanak Dev instead of adhering to the tradition of inheritance, selected Bhai Lehna, an enlightened Sikh among his disciples. Though his nine successors (Sikh Gurus) were physically different yet they carried the spiritual effulgence of Nanak in them. The Sikh Gurus while composing their hymns used the name of 'Nanak' in place of using their personal name. The Sikh history sources also establish the Sikh belief that the persons installed on guruship carried the 'spirit of Nanak'. This belief i.e. the 'spirit of Nanak' was prevalent in his successors, played a significant role to propagate the idea of unity of guruship amongst the Sikhs. It also helped them feel convinced that Guru Nanak's spiritual qualities and authority were extended and equally radiant in his accessors.

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