Why Sikh Scholars Have Failed to Convey Sikhi New Age Message to the Masses

ਮਨਮੁਖ ਪੜਹਿ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਕਹਾਵਹਿ ॥

The self-willed manmukhs read and recite they are called Pandits-(scholars).

SGGS 128

Post-partition (1947) Sikh scholars have failed to make an impact on the masses nor have they been able to respond in a timely manner to the distortion of Sikh history by anti-Sikh elements and some Indian scholars, for example those employed by the Indian National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) relying on hostile Mughal reports and Persian sources.

Most modern Sikh scholars have simply chased higher qualifications. Their research is for other serious students and scholars and to qualify for higher degrees and positions. Their work is way above the heads of average readers.

Classical Sikh scholars had in-depth knowledge of Gurbani and experience of lived-Sikhi. They were not chasing degrees or trying to impress other scholars with abstract concepts and high-flown language. They were humble Gur-Sikhs. They followed in the footsteps of the Guru to take the simple message of Sikhi to the masses. Think of the teaching tours of Guru Nanak Sahib and Guru Tegh Bahadur. They travelled extensively and showed the way while discoursing with the most learned pundits, Muslim scholars and holy people of the time.

The Sikhi message of Shabad-Guru was understood by diverse urban and rural audiences, by the kings and paupers. In short, the intellectual depth of Sikh scholars was conveyed in the language of the people.

Amongst the traditional scholars the name of Bhai Gurdas is at the top. Traditionally, Sikhs believe that the 40 Vars of Bhai Gurdas were approved by the Guru Arjan Dev Ji as the key to unlocking and understanding the basic Sikhi teachings and concepts with direct reference to Gurbani. He was a historian and a missionary. He knew many languages and wrote the lives of the first six Gurus. He bridged diverse philosophical texts and interpreted the true spirit of Gurbani for the masses. Numerous folk sayings (akhaan) are quotations from Bhai Gurdas.

So followed a tradition of scholars like Bhai Mani Singh and Bhai Nand Lal. The main qualities of authentic Sikh scholars have been summarised to include: deep scriptural and historical y. They possess profound knowledge of Gurbani and Sikh history, approaching texts with transparency, academic honesty, and critical thinking, humility and open-mindedness. They recognize the vastness of divine wisdom. Scholarship in Sikhi is a lived experience. True Sikh scholars maintain an active personal spiritual practice (Naam Simran) to ensure their teachings come from a place of realization rather than mere intellectual exercise. They advocate for the egalitarian principles of Sikhi, actively speaking out for human rights, equality, and poverty alleviation. They bridge the gap between complex theology and the modern world, encouraging the Sangat (congregation) to think critically and reflect on their faith.

Amongst later scholars we are reminded of Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha, Prof. Sahib Singh and some others. Otherwise, many have been influenced either by Brahmanical and derawaadi thought or are biased against the Sikhi mission of the Gurus.

Sikh scholars need to study the methodology used by classical Sikh scholars. They should look for the meaning of Gurbani within Gurbani Itself and not resort to non-Sikh Western philosophies, ideologies and systems to compare and authenticate Sikhi ideology and great institutions.

They should write and speak in the language of the people to spread the simple Message of Guru Nanak Sahib practised through Guru and Khalsa Ithaas (history and tradition).

Gurmukh Singh OBE

E-mail: sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk

https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurmukh_Singh_OBE