Q. What is Dharma?

(Note: The usual English translation of 'Dharma' is 'Religion'. Though close it is not the correct meaning of Dharma. However, because of lack of any other suitable word, 'Religion' will be used here.)

A. According to Gurmat (Sikh teachings) there is only one religion, which is "the emphasis on Truth that is ever constant and unchanged by the ravages of time".

"Eko dharam drirhay sabh koee"

When the Sidhas, during their discussions* with Guru Nanak, asked if he (Guru Nanak) had come in this world to have his own name glorified so people would recite it like a 'Mantra'. Guru Nanak answered in the negative. He said, "I have come to show the path of righteousness and give to the world the Name of the Supreme Truth":

"Aad sach, jugaad sach, hai bhi sach, Nanak hosi bhi sach".

"The one who was true in the primal time, has been true throughout the ages, is true now and will ever be true".

He further said that meditating on this Naam emancipated him himself.

"Nanak Naam japay gatt paaee."

According to Bhai Nand Lal, the poet laureate of Guru Gobind Singh, Akal Purakh, the Supreme Being, enjoined Guru Nanak to show the path of meditation (on His Name) and to steer the thoughts of the world towards absorption in Lord's Name such that it should be considered the only friend and benefactor.

So the true religion, according to Guru Nanak's teachings, is to focus on God Almighty and meditate on Him. This way one would reach the abode of Truth and stay there.

According to the Oxford dictionary, the meaning of the word 'religion' is: 'that science or metaphysical knowledge that illustrates the relationship (or harmony) between Nature and attributes of God with man's world and society'. To a Sikh, the meaning of religion is to get in tune with the Lord.

Guru Nanak, in his acrostic composition, "Patti Likhi" (in which each letter of the Gurmukhi script has been explained on a spiritual level), expounds a similar idea for the letter 'sassa'. According to Guru Nanak, first we have to firmly believe that God does exist. Then study His creation and consider all creatures to be various forms of His own. Thus respect them accordingly. Then shun ego and focus only on Him.

One who follows this way will make his/her life a success. Such a person can be called a religious person.

"Sassay soe srishth jin saaji, sabhna sahib ek bhaya.
Sevat rahay chitt jin ka laaga, aya tin ka saphal bhaya."

"He who created the whole universe is the Sole Lord of all. Those who were attuned to Him served Him well; blessed is their birth."

* These discussions are described by Guru Nanak himself in one of his long compositions, 'Sidh Gosht', in Guru Granth Sahib (PP. 938-46).

Dr. Hakam Singh of the Sikh Welfare Foundation of North America is in the process of translating Prof. Satbir Singh's Punjabi book "Sau Sawal", One Hundred Questions.