Guru Nanak’s teachings gifted wisdom to world, says CJI Bobde

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 1

Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh Guru, championed the cause of equality and justice and his teachings go beyond all boundaries irrespective of race, caste, creed or religion. This was stated by Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde while presiding over an international conference on “Philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev and its relevance today in equity, social justice and environment” here today.

Bobde, while recalling the first Guru Nanak’s ideology of “pavan guru, pani pita, mata dharat mahat” (air the guru, water the father and earth the mother), said had people followed this message sincerely, the country would not have faced the dreadful environment crisis.

“Guru Nanak and his philosophy do not belong only to Punjab or the Sikh religion, but his teachings have gifted the wisdom to the entire world,” he said.

Stating that Guru Nanak’s teachings revealed that he was a rationalist, he said the first Sikh Guru challenged superstitions and dogmas in simple and thoughtful words that were well understood and accepted by the clergy and common man alike.

“Guru Nanak Dev advocated the cause of equality and justice both for men and women,” he said, adding that Guru Nanak’s views about women were far advanced of his time. He formed a democratic congregation where single, married and widowed women were welcomed and treated as equal partners of the community, he said. On impurity of women, Guru Nanak had often stated that how people could call her polluted where she had given birth to great ones, said the CJI.

He said Guru Nanak had taught a lesson to the world through feeding the poor by organising ‘langar’. “Guru Nanak termed such sewa (service) as ‘Sacha Sauda’ or true business of life,” he said. He also released a book “The First Sikh – The Life and Legacy of Sri Guru Nanak Dev” written by UK author Prof Nikki Guninder. He honoured environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal, SPS Oberoi, journalist Baljit Balli and poet Padma Shri Surjit Patar.

Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court, said Guru Nanak Dev gave practical form to oneness and equality. Oxford University Prof Preetam Singh said Guru Nanak Dev raised his voice against social inequality. He said: “We should follow the path Guru Nanak Dev has shown us in Sri Guru Granth Sahib”. He called upon for immediate need to deal with problem of pollution.

Federal Minister from Canada Ujjal Dosanjh and Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Ravi Shankar too delivered thoughts on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev.