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Shatter myths with
facts In the Witches
Cauldron
Religion is an effective and deeply emotive agent that turns a person into an extremist, cropping up so many variations and interpretations that create confusion. Though the title of the book is Witches Cauldron, the focus remains on divinity. The author has taken up the strenuous task of bringing out decayed, disoriented dogmas and rituals, which take us away from the actual meaning of religion. These beliefs and superstitions bind man in a mental chain that hampers natural growth. Guru Nanak waged a life-long war against the rampant superstitions and fruitless rituals. His struggle was not against any particular religion, but against fear-based rites and rituals. There are hundreds of qualms ingrained into the human psyche that even educated people fall prey to these. Every man wishes to seek God and converse with Him, but the men of God claim that He reveals himself to those who observe rituals. In contrast, each hymn of the Guru Granth Sahib seeks a direct dialogue with God. Ancient philosophers have classified human aspirations into four broad categories—kama, artha, dharma and moksha—and society into castes. Guru Nanak and his successors rejected this division. According to Guru Nanak: "Meditate on the True Name, always on the True Name." The passion in love for the Guru is the causeway to reach God. Sacrifice is the final outcome of surrender to the object of love. Doubts and objections cease with strength and power of Gur Sabd, which releases continuous energy and zeal to cope with various situations. The efficacy of prayer is universal and psychological, as it heals the nerves and controls temper, anger, fear, greed and lust. Our prayers should not harm others. A Sikh prays after accepting His orders totally, the Sikhs today are succumbing to imitating the karamkand of the Vedic mantras by holding Akhand Path, recitation of Japji Sahib, praying at Samadhis, etc. This is not the character of a true Sikh. As per the Guru Granth Sahib, these rituals cannot take a person to the desired heights. Japji can ingrain integrity, honesty and truth in one’s nature and help in acquiring true knowledge with right perception. Divine mystery is resolved and the person is transformed with Gur Sabd. Guru Nanak has given a simple solution: "Ever meditate on God the doer, sincerely, honestly, engage in your profession; share your earnings with others." This beautifully written
book appropriately quotes and translates hymns from the Guru Granth
Sahib. This is a must read for all. |
Guru Gobind Singh has
given the Sikhs the distinct tag of the Khalsa and an eternal Guru in
the holy Guru Granth Sahib. These essays set examples for every Sikh.
Quoting from the Guru Granth Sahib, the author looks to shatter
various old beliefs, dogmas, rituals, etc. that have crept into religion
and society, but should not be followed by a Sikh.