Guru Nanak Dev Ji And Mata Sulkahni Ji.

[13Mirch]

A year back me and a few other members discussed writing an article orbiting the personal life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. This piece, of writing, would highlight answers to the different criticisms thrown at the Guru. I have compressed these points into three main queries. Can anyone please help me answer them? Thank you.

This is an excerpt from the article, in question:

'Critiques have often lambasted several attributes of the Khalsa Gurus.' They have perpetually called into question the familial hierarchy and personal lives of their subjects. They have failed to intuitively grasp the fact that the Gurus were ubiquitous iconoclasts in their own right. Descended from high stock they empathised with and reformed the lower classes. This, in an era where scriptural authorities vilified any contact between an elite and a dreg as a blasphemy, created an uproar. Exactly a condition the Gurus' required. After all, what better way to promulgate their tenets other than attach emotives to it? Regarding pro-feminism, many authors call into question Guru Nanak Dev Ji's perceived desertion of his own wife. Their condemnation orbits several factors:

a.) The Guru deserted his wife and unceremoniously burdened her with the responsibility which should have logically been his.

b.) In an era where sexuality was intricately taboo, how would the Guru's wife have fulfilled her desires?

c.) What need was their for the Guru to undertake an intercontinental expedition? Why did he not regulate his ethos to the sub-continent alone?'

Via point a, I aim to answer why women can easily operate without a male influence. For this I require historic material regarding Mata Sulakhni Ji's life after Guru Ji left. The fact that she led the regional Sikhs, and enjoyed great success as a leader indicates something but I want to expand upon this point.

Point b does not aim to 'sexualize' the lives of our Gurus, but has been inserted to demonstrate that sex is not the A-Z of any relationship and intimacy can be enjoyed between a couple in it's absence.

Point c is quite self-explanatory in light of the primary points. I will put up the full article here once I am finished.

[Bundha]

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a devoted husband and father and cared and provided for His family. How could Guru Ji, who promoted family life over that of the ascetic, abandon His family.

Peace does not come to this heart - he is not content to eat what comes his way.

With his stubborn mind, he begs and grabs and annoys those who give.

Instead of wearing these beggars robes, it is better to be a householder , and give to others. (ang 586)

Guru Ji was wed when He was still in his teens, around fifteen years old as was the custom of the times. By the time of the first udassi, Guru Ji was around thirty years old. So, for fifteen years, the most important in a married life of a young family, Guru Ji was with Mata Ji and raised the children. He cared for them and provided for them. Remember this was an extended family, Guru Jis mother and father were still there overlooking things, just like parents are today. Guru Ji's dear sister Baybay Nanaki Ji liked in Sultanpur with her husband Rai Ram Ji who were very fond of Guru Ji and would have lent a hand when needed. Rai Bhulaar Ji the local land owner recognised the divineness in Guru Ji and was always willing to do whatever was asked of him. So , the Akaal Purkhs calling came and Guru Ji left to do Gods work, His children were already able to do many things for themselves, Guru Ji had been with the family for fifteen years, the family, the home was now well established. So in no way did Guru Ji neglect his family.

Remember in those days even a short journey would take days to make, so families were well used to members not being around and they all pulled together, aunts, uncles, grand parents, all helped. But most importantly in the early years Guru Ji took full responsibility of his family.

(b) What we forget is that Kaam is a basic need. It is needed for procreation, but for the rest of us Kaam takes over and it is the be all and end all. As you grow spiritually you realise that Kaam is nothing more then a distraction to the real reason why we are here. But, I understand that this answer would not satisfy those who ask these type of questions as they are deep down with their faces in the trough of kaam themselves.

Guru Ji had a family and was with Mata Ji for over fifteen years, then as the udassies ended Guru Ji returned to the family home. So, all these family matters were taken care off.

© The need for intercontinental expeditions was the calling from God. All those who had come before had failed utterly to convey Gods message. They came and changed Gods message. They came and started a tradition of circumcision, why would you mutilate the body that God created? Then they slaughtered animals in Gods name. Why would you slaughter animals in a cruel manner and then put Gods name on it? Others smeared themselves with ash. others prayed in one direction, others prayed to animals and trees.

The lands were riddled with cast prejudice , if a shadow of a lower caste passed over the food of a brahamin then the food was contaminated. There was untold misery for the masses. Then the invaders came and they piled on the misery. You could not worship, you could not own land. You could not ride a horse, you could not sing. You wives and women folk were taken at any time, sadhus and fakirs were killed on the spot, ALL in the name of God. So yes, yes, yes, there was a need for a pure soul to come and show the wretched people, the corrupted people, the godless people, the lost people, the people full of pride, to show the true path of God, this is what Guru Nanak Dev Ji did.

[Mehtab Singh]

ਗੁਰਿ ਕਹਿਆ ਸਾ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਵਹੁ ॥
Do those deeds which the Guru has ordained.

ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਕਰਣੀ ਕਾਹੇ ਧਾਵਹੁ ॥
Why are you chasing after the Guru's actions?

[13Mirch]

ਗੁਰਿ ਕਹਿਆ ਸਾ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਵਹੁ ॥

Do those deeds which the Guru has ordained.

ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਕਰਣੀ ਕਾਹੇ ਧਾਵਹੁ ॥

Why are you chasing after the Guru's actions?

You do not need to emphasize that point, but who is chasing actions? I am only trying to find a logical answer to rebut they-who-if-named-will-cry-foul.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a devoted husband and father and cared and provided for His family. How could Guru Ji, who promoted family life over that of the ascetic, abandon His family.

Peace does not come to this heart - he is not content to eat what comes his way.

With his stubborn mind, he begs and grabs and annoys those who give.

Instead of wearing these beggars robes, it is better to be a householder , and give to others. (ang 586)

Guru Ji was wed when He was still in his teens, around fifteen years old as was the custom of the times. By the time of the first udassi, Guru Ji was around thirty years old. So, for fifteen years, the most important in a married life of a young family, Guru Ji was with Mata Ji and raised the children. He cared for them and provided for them. Remember this was an extended family, Guru Jis mother and father were still there overlooking things, just like parents are today. Guru Ji's dear sister Baybay Nanaki Ji liked in Sultanpur with her husband Rai Ram Ji who were very fond of Guru Ji and would have lent a hand when needed. Rai Bhulaar Ji the local land owner recognised the divineness in Guru Ji and was always willing to do whatever was asked of him. So , the Akaal Purkhs calling came and Guru Ji left to do Gods work, His children were already able to do many things for themselves, Guru Ji had been with the family for fifteen years, the family, the home was now well established. So in no way did Guru Ji neglect his family.

Remember in those days even a short journey would take days to make, so families were well used to members not being around and they all pulled together, aunts, uncles, grand parents, all helped. But most importantly in the early years Guru Ji took full responsibility of his family.

(b) What we forget is that Kaam is a basic need. It is needed for procreation, but for the rest of us Kaam takes over and it is the be all and end all. As you grow spiritually you realise that Kaam is nothing more then a distraction to the real reason why we are here. But, I understand that this answer would not satisfy those who ask these type of questions as they are deep down with their faces in the trough of kaam themselves.

Guru Ji had a family and was with Mata Ji for over fifteen years, then as the udassies ended Guru Ji returned to the family home. So, all these family matters were taken care off.

© The need for intercontinental expeditions was the calling from God. All those who had come before had failed utterly to convey Gods message. They came and changed Gods message. They came and started a tradition of circumcision, why would you mutilate the body that God created? Then they slaughtered animals in Gods name. Why would you slaughter animals in a cruel manner and then put Gods name on it? Others smeared themselves with ash. others prayed in one direction, others prayed to animals and trees.

The lands were riddled with cast prejudice , if a shadow of a lower caste passed over the food of a brahamin then the food was contaminated. There was untold misery for the masses. Then the invaders came and they piled on the misery. You could not worship, you could not own land. You could not ride a horse, you could not sing. You wives and women folk were taken at any time, sadhus and fakirs were killed on the spot, ALL in the name of God. So yes, yes, yes, there was a need for a pure soul to come and show the wretched people, the corrupted people, the godless people, the lost people, the people full of pride, to show the true path of God, this is what Guru Nanak Dev Ji did.

Are there any records showing what Mata Sulakhni Ji did in his absence?