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Sikhism and Gender Equality

Prima

Well-Known Member
With Guru Nanak's preaching and the beginnings of Sikhism, the Indian society received a shocking new idea of equality. To say that a woman is inferior based on her gender has no logical or divine basis:

"In a woman man is conceived,
From a woman he is born,
With a woman he is betrothed and married,
With a woman he contracts friendship.
Why denounce her, the one from whom even kings are born ? From a
woman a woman is born,
None may exist without a woman."

(Guru Granth Sahib, page 73)

Furthermore, the True Name, as Sikhism calls God, is neither male nor female, and is both masculine and feminine. This idea is clear when in original texts, God is referred to as mother and father. Part of the equality of the sexes is explained by the fact that the human body, being transitory, should not be a basis of judgement - instead, actions make the whole of a person's character.

With the beginnings of Sikhism, radical change emerged. Women were allowed to worship and work with men. The shocking idea emerged that not only must wives be faithful to their husbands, husbands must be faithful to their wives. Monogamy was considered true marriage - the joining of two equal persons. Forcing women to wear veils was condemned by Guru Amar Das. Guru Amar Das also condemned female infanticide, and allowed widows to remarry. As an important example, 52 out of the 146 missionaries chosen were women - more than a third. 4 out of 22 Manjis were women, also.

Mata Gujri Ji stands out as one of the examples of a Sikh woman who was, not only a good wife and mother, but also a good leader and thinker.


Reflection on Mata Gujri Ji

Mata Gujri was a perfect woman, a Puran Istree. The word “Stree” originates from Sanskrit and means “expansion.”http://www.sikhwomen.com/equality/essay_status_of_sikh_women_in_contemporary_society.htm#_edn2 In a physical sense women expand by being mothers. In a spiritual sense, women give their children the ideals and values to live by; they nurture a sense of security; and they have the power to construct or destroy their families and their generations to come.So, it is only pertinent to say that Mata Gujri was a Puran Istree in both the physical and spiritual realms. She completed the life and mission of Guru Teg Bahadur; raised the extraordinary child Gobind; managed the affairs of the Sikh Panth while the Guru was still a child; and inspired and prepared her young grandsons for the extraordinary courage, grace and sacrifice that would be required of them at such tender ages.

Let us look at her life and the different roles she plays as a perfect woman.

· As a Daughter: MataJi was brought up with the consciousness of the Guru’s light; she fulfilled her parent’s aspiration of serving the path of the Guru beyond their expectations by growing into a perfect role model of grace, strength, persistence and sacrifice.

· As a Wife: She supported Guru Tegh Bahadur when he was deep in meditation for years, again while he was on his missionary tour, and finally, when the Guru left for Delhi to make the supreme sacrifice.

· As a Leader: After Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom, she and her brother, Kirpal Chand had the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Panth. She also organized the langar (community kitchen) and played an important role as the administrator of the army. She had an important role inspiring the Khalsa armies during the battles Guru Gobind Singh had to fight. Her role in the battle of Bhangani is especially remembered.

· As a Mother: She molded the father of the Khalsa, the great Guru Gobind, raising him as a single mother after the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadurji.

· As a Grandmother and inspiration to the young martyrs: When Mata Ji and the sahibzadas were arrested and confined in Sirhind Fort, and as the children were summoned to appear in court each day, she kept urging them to remain steadfast in their faith. She constantly reminded the Sahibzadas that their Grandfather and Great-Grandfather had both sacrificed their lives to strengthen the ideals of Guru Nanak. Her support of her grandsons played such an important role in Sikhism that as Sikhs, we probably owe our existence to her. It was due to her role that the seven and nine year old children did not budge from their beliefs and attained martyrdom. If the Sahibzadas had accepted Islam on that winter day, Sikhi probably wouldn’t exist as it does today. So, in fact, we stand tall because of the teachings and the inspiration Mata Ji provided to her grandsons and thousands of martyrs who gave their heads and not their faith.

· As a Martyr: While imprisoned on top of an open tower during the cold month of December, Mata Gujri continually did simran with no complaints about her physical being. She attained martyrdom the same day as her grandsons after hearing that her grandsons had been bricked alive rather than give up their faith. Her mission had been fulfilled.

Shashi Bala, Reader of Guru Nanak Dev University, writes, “Mata Gujri holds the position of wife of a martyr, mother of martyr, the grandmother of martyrs and herself a martyr.” She truly knew how to live. She definitely knew how to die. She remains an inspiration for millions of souls for all time to come.


http://www.sikhwomen.com/equality/essay_status_of_sikh_women_in_contemporary_society.htm



Others, such as Mata Khivi, Bibi Amro, Bibi Bhani, Bibi Dani, Bibi Pal, and Mai Dhago led the way towards female equality. More famous Indian women: http://www.sikhwomen.com/equality/social/history/index.htm

Sikh women also took prominent roles in the military as exemplified by Mai Bhago and the battalion of 200 women who rode from Punjab to Nanded to rescue the Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib
The status of women in Sikh thought is perhaps best seen in wartime. When females were captured by Sikh warriors, they were treated as sisters and were escorted back to their side. Their gender was not taken advantage of through rape.

It is on record that in a battle, the Begum of the Governor of Bassi Pathan fell into the hands of the Sikhs. Sahibzada Ajit Singh, escorted her back to the enemies' camp, but during her time with the Sikhs she was treated as a sister.http://www.sikhwomen.com/equality/essay_status_of_sikh_women_in_contemporary_society.htm#_edn10 The numerous examples of chivalry in history have earned Sikh men a reputation even from their opponents. Qazi Nur Muhammad, who fought against the Sikhs, recorded in his Jangnama, "Really, these dogs have great respect for women.
Though Sikhism was a leader in women's rights, it would be ridiculous to say that women and men are considered completely equal in modern times. Sikh women continue to speak out against gender preference: Many cite the huge number of female fetuses aborted in India as a sickening example of inequality. Others say that women are judged on their dowry size instead of their worth as a person, and that sexual assault is not reported as often as it should be.





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