Sikhism Quotes

“Daughter of a Sikh father and a Hungarian mother, Amrita Sher-Gil in her short life (1913–41) transformed the course of Indian art. In her oft-quoted words: ‘Europe belongs to Picasso, Matisse and Braque and many others. India belongs only to me.”
― Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, Sikhism: An Introduction

“The Guru Granth dramatically dispels conventional taboos against female pollution, menstruation and sexuality. Menstrual bleeding is regarded as an essential, natural process. Life itself begins with it. The first Guru reprimands those who stigmatize the garment stained with menstrual blood as polluted (GG: 140).”
― Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, Sikhism: An Introduction

“In a battle, some soldiers of Guru Gobind Singh saw a Sikh named Ghanaya giving water to the enemy. They went to the Guru with their complaint. Ghanaya was called and questioned. Ghanaya’s response was that he had not helped the enemy: as he went around the battlefield, he saw no friend or foe but only the Guru’s face.”
― Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, Sikhism: An Introduction

“Though it was a son, brother and husband who entered the river, the mythic initiation endows him with his fundamental humanity. Located in the amniotic waters, he goes through the process of physical drinking, which gives him the metaphysical insight into the Divine. He responds in a sensuous, poetic outpouring, and is honored with gender-inclusive clothing from the Divine court. Unlike other initiation rites, there are no additions to or subtractions from the body: no tattoos, circumcision or scarring marked his transition. In Guru Nanak’s case, his new identity is marked by the unity of bana (the material cloth) and bani (poetry); sirpao (dress) and nam (word).”
― Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, Sikhism: An Introduction