THE SIKH WAY OF LIFE
BY RANBIR SINGH
Introduction
GURU NANAK appeared on this earth at a time when the sublime spirit of true religion was largely obscured by elaborate ceremonialism and meaningless formalities. Religion had been reduced to just a code of certain dogmas and observance of mechanical rituals,. Man worshipped the creation rather than the Creator. The noblest ideals and truths had dropped from consciousness and sight into the mire of debasing idolatory. The symbol had superseded the spirit. The image was taken for the real. The aim was forgotten and the means were taken to be the end. The people associated religion only with the life hereafter. It had no practical impact on their conduct in the present life. The soul had left. The body was dead. Yet the people blindly clung to it thinking it all in all. When the body is deprived of its soul force, putrefaction sets in. Thus with the ignorance of the essential spirit of religion, the society began deteriorating.