“Divine Baba, 1955“
PREFACE
The title of this book “The Divine Baba” is perhaps a misnomer. The reader would expect a chronological narrative of the life of Guru Nanak Devji. In this he will disappointed. No attempt has been made to give the life story of the Baba. A non Sikh will presumably will be more interested on being acquainted, however briefly, with the teaching a message of the Guru than his life story. For Sikhs any number of publications dealing with the history Guru Nanak’s
life are available and there seems no need to add one more.
This book is solely confined to some fundamental and important aspects of the teaching and message of the Divine Baba. As the booklet was under preparation, at one of the meeting of the Sikh Culture Study Circle, Rangoon, some skepticism was discerned among some young men of the community re: the benefit that can accrue from the form of worship practised by the Sikhs viz: Nama-Marga, and it’s potency as a vehicle for spiritual evolution. The author was also asked at this meeting to explain what was meant by Simirin and how should it be practised. An advantage has therefore been taken of this opportunity to discuss in these pages in some details Nama-Marga, Simrin and and other essentials of religious worship in Sikhism. If by this attempt a conviction is carried home by the younger members of the community and if they are, even to a small extent, drawn to Nama-Marga and the Divine Baba the author would be amply rewarded.
This booklet is, however, primarily intended to provide information about the teachings of Guru Nanak for non-Sikh readers. The incentive to undertake this task came from the appreciative reception that has been accorded to my two previous publications – “Essentials of Sikhism” and “The Philosophy of Guru Nanak”, and the demand for more information on Sikhism and its Founder.
Guru Nanak has given us a doctrine which is simple and shorn of religious orthodoxies and ritualisms. It consists of a simple requirement that to promote spiritual accent and union with God one should cultivate love for God and his creation through loyalty to, perfect faith in, deep affection for and willing obedience to Him. This union is obtained by plunging deep into his glories and seeking thrilling bliss by love and devotion through Nama-Marga.
The Gospel if the Guru is enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib — The Scripture of the Sikhs — in the form of hymns, (Shabads) by the Guru and all those who are eagar to have a glimpse of the Baba and his Divine Message should resort to the sacred volume. From this storehouse of spirituality they will gather wisdom and self-realization which will illuminate their whole being. Some quotations from the Granth Sahib have been given. Their English rendering are reproduced from “Guru Nanak” by Sir Jogindera Singh and Raja Sir Daljit Singh, and “The Gospel of Guru Granth Sahib” by Duncan Greenless. To both these sources the author is gratefull.
R. S. DUGAL
243 Sparks Street, Rangoon, Burma
19th November 1955