Skip to main content

Violence Against Women: What does Guru Ji say?

November 25th is the international Day for the elimination of violence against women. This day was recognized by the General Assembly of United Nations in 1999 with a view too raising public awareness of violations of the rights of the women, why was this step deemed necessary?



In many cultures women are viewed and treated as inferior or as second class citizens. Prejudices against them are deep rooted. Gender based violence is an on going problem even in the so-called developed world. According to former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan ““Violence against women is global in reach, and takes place in all societies and cultures,” he said in a statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. “It affects women no matter what their race, ethnicity, social origin, birth or other status may be.”



It is a shameful fact of life that is invisible in the society. Council of Europe estimates that 1 in 4 European women suffer from domestic violence. According to British Home Office, in England and Wales, averages of two women each week are killed by current of former partners. The Magazine India Today International reported that “for women across India, fear is a constant companion and rape is the stranger that they may have to confront at every corner, on any road, in any public place, at any hour.” Amnesty International describes violence against women and girls as today’s most pervasive human rights challenge.



Do the statistics mentioned above reflect Sikh Guru’s attitude towards women? NO, every sikh knows it but still In Punjabi (Sikh) community, the Psychological Battering is accepted cultural norm. Most women do not even realize it till it is too late to stop it in a relationship. NCADV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence) defines Psychological Battering like this - “ The abuser’s psychological or mental violence can include constant verbal abuse, harassment, excessive possessiveness, isolating the woman from friends and family, deprivation of physical and economic resources, and destruction of personal property. "


In response to various incidents in recent years in US and Canada, Sikh Coalition wrote "the Coalition recognizes that Sikhs often fall short of practicing the Guru’s directive of equality, mutual respect, individuality and freedom. " The Coalition further recognizes:


  • Family Violence is a serious and widespread problem in our community, just as in every other community.

  • Family Violence must not be condoned in any circumstance.

  • Family Violence is a crime and not just a ‘household problem’.
    Family Violence cuts across boundaries of culture, class, education, income, ethnicity, religious faiths and age.

  • Those affected by Family Violence show a lot of strength in taking a stance against such violence.
    There is no excuse for Family Violence, it is wrong in all circumstances.

  • Men and Women can combat this societal ill by supporting the victims and by helping victims find help.

  • Due to cultural barriers, Family Violence is one of the most under- reported crimes and cultural taboos preventing conversation about such issues need to be lifted.




The heart is filled with anger and violence, which cause all sense to be forgotten. Guru Tegh Bahaadur Ji Raag Gauree 218

In the peaceful poise of intuitive bliss, violence will be gone, as we sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe. Guru Arjan Dev Ji Raag Gauree 249

One whose mind is pleased and appeased, has no egotistical pride. Violence and greed are forgotten. Guru Nanak Dev Ji Raag Saarang 1198

violence, anger and pride
No one is my enemy, and no one is a stranger. I get along with everyone. Guru Arjan Dev, Raag Kaanraa, 1299

In the peaceful poise of intuitive bliss, violence will be gone, as we sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe. Guru Arjan, Raag Gauree, 249

One whose mind is pleased and appeased, has no egotistical pride. Violence and greed are forgotten. Guru Nanak, Raag Saarang, 1197, Line 5

The heart is filled with anger and violence, which cause all sense to be forgotten. Guru Tegh Bahaadur, Raag Gauree, 218

Do not associate with those, whose hearts are filled with anger. Guru Raam Daas , Siree Raag, 40

Sexual desire, anger, intoxication, egotism, slander and egotistical pride are eradicted in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. Guru Arjan Dev, Raag Bhairao, 1151

Conquer sexual desire, anger, greed and worldly attachment; only such a game as this is dear to the Lord. Guru Arjan Dev, Raag Basant, 1185

Sexual desire, anger, greed, pride and envy are destroyed in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. Guru Arjan Dev, Raag Saarang, 1223

Evil passions, slander of others, sexual desire and anger - give up all these. Guru Nanak Dev, Raag Malaar, 1255

Anger barks and brings ruin on itself, blindly pursuing useless conflicts. Guru Nanak Dev, Raag Malaar, 1288

How can I be free of anger, lust and greed?Lust, anger, egotism, jealousy and desire are eliminated by chanting the Name of the Lord. Guru Arjan Dev, Svaiyay Mehl 5, 1389

When the Lord, the Boat to carry us across, bestows His Glance of Grace, even for an instant, the mortal contemplates the Shabad within his heart; unfulfilled sexual desire and unresolved anger are eradicated. Bhatt Nal, Svaiyay Mehl 5, 1398

Gurmukhs adopt truth and contentment and do not indulge in lust and anger. Bhai Gurdaas, Vaars Bhai Gurdaas, 19

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Uh jo chhote han na vaade

“………….but I want to do what I want to do”. The loud voice of ‘once’ sweet son, came from the family room as I asked him to turn the TV off and ‘practice’ that he learns after school and on weekends. I was not only shocked but almost in tears as this was not my same son who religiously followed the evening routine and took everything seriously that he learnt in extra curricular activities, along with his learning at school. Above all that he has been ‘Mama’s helper’ in tutoring his younger sister, passing on all the good stuff that he learnt to his sisters. Like his first-grade teacher still says about him "They don't come in better package than this one". I had no complaints and said prayer of gratitude for these children every morning and before going to bed. But what happened this last week? I don’t know except that I know he is going to celebrate his 12 th birthday in few weeks and he is growing. I think that is what they call adolescence. If I remember it right it is...
8 comments
Read more

The Punjabi Garden - By Patricia Klindienst

Patricia Klindienst is a master gardener and an award-winning scholar and teacher. She lives in Guilford, Connecticut, and teaches creative writing each summer at Yale University. Excerpted from The Earth Knows My Name: Food, Culture, and Sustainability in the Gardens of Ethnic America, by Patricia Klindienst. Copyright © 2006 by Patricia Klindienst. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A California gardener used the farming wisdom of her native India to create a suburban paradise that restored her soil--and sustains her soul. “I told my father, ‘I will be poorer in America, but my conscience will be free.’” I write the words on a paper napkin and turn it to face her. “Is this right? Is this what you just said?” “Yes. I did not come to America to trade my cultural heritage for money.” I take the napkin back and write the second sentence as well. Her words are so striking that I do not want to rely on memory al...
2 comments
Read more

We Are Not Symbols

'We Are Not Symbols' is a letter from a Sikh Father to his son facing identity crisis at college. Hope the visitors at this blog would like to read it once again. (http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/archivedf/feature-feb2001.html ) The centipede was happy, quite Until a toad in fun Said, 'Pray, which leg goes after which?' This worked his mind to such a pitch, He lay distracted in a ditch, Considering how to run. THE earth on that day was parched and brown, the roads were unusually deserted of the traffic and even the construction workers, otherwise so busy and undaunted by the heat, were looking for a shade to rest in. It was a very hot and humid day. In the well manicured lawns of an elitist college in the Delhi University , many students were stretched out on the grass or sitting on the worn out wooden benches, under a cluster of Banyan trees. They were taking cold drinks and gasping for fresh air. The clouds were gray, the...
3 comments
Read more