SPREADING THE WORD OF GOD 1

Guru Nanak taught people that everyone was equal and there was no higher or low caste.

IN a society, where the Hindu community was internally divided into castes and where there was a growing hatred among the Hindus and the Muslims, Guru Nanak's message of equality was much needed.

Guru Nanak voiced against the injustice done to the Sudras, who were ill-treated by the people of other castes and were not even allowed to enter the temples.

They were humiliated and were called 'untouchables'. No one wanted to touch them or let them come inside their houses. Even looking at them was considered inauspicious.

They had to live in poverty on the outskirts of the city or village.

When Guru Nanak told the so called 'low people that they were equal to the others, he not only gave them happiness but also rescued them from a sense of inferiority which they had internalized because for years they had been told that they were lower and inferior to others.

Guru Nanak taught that even those who were considered as 'low' by society could remember God and worship the Almighty like the so called 'high' people.

Guru Nanak said that as all people had a common God, they were all brothers and sisters. He said that for God all men were equal as they were all His children.

His teachings brought about a feeling of happiness to the Sudras.

Though Guru Nanak's message of equality found much favor among the poor and downtrodden masses, the high caste people did not like it. They were not ready to mix with the low caste people.

spreading the word of god 2

So Guru Nanak had many people who were against him because of his teachings, but he never hated his enemies.

For him the real enemies were not those who disliked him personally but those who were the enemies of humanity at large. Like the cruel rulers who hurt people or those who cheated the poor.

He did not like dishonest people or thieves who stole from others.

He preached his people to follow thoughts and actions that were honest and morally good. He wanted to turn people on the path towards God.

He told the people to stop following all that were evil and dishonest.

At times when he was preaching his enemies would come and create problems.

Some of them would throw tomatoes, shoes and rotten things at Guru Nanak, but he did not move from the path of righteousness. He would still preach that all men were equal as they were all God's children.

The things 5that were thrown at him fell on him as flowers, and everyone would shout Sar Shree Akal. His enemies  were always fewer than his followers.