Logo

How are Hinduism and Sikhism related, considering they both originated in Punjab, India?

Last Updated: 18.06.2025 07:13

How are Hinduism and Sikhism related, considering they both originated in Punjab, India?

Let’s see what Gurbani has about Ramanandacharya’s views.

Now that my time to die has come, I have come to dwell at Magahar! ||3||

Because in my previous life, I did not practice penance and intense meditation. ||1||

What does the stink of the skunk look like? Why would it be dangerous?

The influence of Kabir is significant on Sikhism. The following Bani from Ang 1136 is attributed to GURU ARJAN DEV but if you observe at the end you can see that he was talking in the spirit of Sant Kabir.

If God be within the mosque, then to whom does this world belong?

These morons know nothing, they wander about in ignorance,

How do I become mentally strong?

— Kabir, III.2, Translated by Rabindranath Tagore

Ramananda accepted disciples without discriminating against anyone by gender, class or caste and they included even people from humble origins like

There is a reason why I mention ROOTED and thus NOT implying that it belongs to one of the numerous sects in Sanatana Dharma like Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Smartism etc…

I want to have anal sex, but my wife refuses. What do I do?

NOW…

I do not make pilgrimages to Mecca, nor do I worship at Hindu sacred shrines.

Now tell me, Lord, what will my condition be?

What are some fun/kinky things to do with your partner?

ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਸਭ ਦੇਖੇ ਜੋਇ ॥

ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠੈ ਆਹਿ ॥੪॥੧੦॥

Kabir (a weaver)

Does Taylor Swift actually play the guitar, or is it a prop?

ਸੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਬਤਾਇਓ ਗੁਰ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਮਾਹਿ ॥੧॥

At the time of my death, I moved to Magahar. ||2||

then who is there to know what happens without?

What does "feeling like your life is over" mean and why is it not in any dictionary online?

From where did the word Maya come? Isn’t it a typical Vedantic concept discussed profoundly in Advaita? It definitely isn’t a concept pioneered by Kabir or even his teacher Ramanandacharya! It is ultimately from Sanatana Dharma!

ਮੁਆ ਕਬੀਰੁ ਰਮਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਾਮੈ ॥੫॥੧੫॥

ਕਤ ਜਾਈਐ ਰੇ ਘਰ ਲਾਗੋ ਰੰਗੁ ॥

Have you ever been forced into bestiality?

I am like a fish out of water,

ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਾਟੈ ਕੋਟਿ ਕਰਮ ॥੩॥੧॥

How can people understand You, when they are entranced by Maya? ||1|| Pause ||

Sometime ago, the Iranian Minister said that a US Navy aircraft carrier would be an easy target for 300 speed boats armed with Katyusha rocket launchers. Is this true?

He does not dwell at the Lord's Feet. ||3||

Where millions of Shivas are lost in contemplation, where millions of Indras dwell in the sky,

Recklessly they display boundless pride while explaining their own aims, they kill cows.

What is so great about Jiraiya?

ਅਬ ਕਹੁ ਰਾਮ ਕਵਨ ਗਤਿ ਮੋਰੀ ॥

Where should I go? My home is filled with bliss.

The divergence of Kabir’s views from Vedanta is seen in the fact that he fully opposed religious symbolism of ALL KINDS and not just IDOLS.

Why are Americans obese? Is it the food or is it the psychology?

He accepted even women (Sursuri and Padywati) as disciples. Bhagat Pipa and Dhanna were Rajput and Jat who were also his disciples.

ਤਜੀ ਲੇ ਬਨਾਰਸ ਮਤਿ ਭਈ ਥੋਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Here ਰਾਮੈ is Rama and not just lord. Kabir died chanting the name of Rama DESPITE him not finding any result of penances done in holy cities in his previous birth. Another example to show how much Kabir valued personal devotion to Rama in his own NIRGUN style.

What are the pros and cons of living in Male, Maldives?

Says Kabeer, unto whom should I tell this?

There is my Lord self-revealed, and the scent of sandal and flowers dwells in those deeps.

We can understand that Kabir despite being in favor of formless worship was very much embedded in the Dharmik fold but always preached in the spirit of the transcendental nature of Brahman to the point that HE LOST THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN HINDU AND MUSLIM.

Was Daenerys' downfall inevitable after she left Meereen in Game of Thrones?

He who has highest Bhakti of Deva (God), just like his Deva, so for his Guru (teacher),

Look within your heart, for there you will find both Karim and Ram;

ਮਰਨੁ ਭਇਆ ਮਗਹਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਸੀ ॥੩॥

Why is the mainstream media, traditionally liberal except for Fox, not reporting on Trump like he's a traditional candidate who has ideas, values, and a concern for the common good?

ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਉ ਨ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਗੁਜਾਰਉ ॥

All the men and women of the world are His living forms.

Sikhism is fundamentally rooted in BHAKTI tradition and thus ultimately in Sanatana Dharma. There is no doubt about it despite what modern McSikh acrobatics try to claim otherwise

What is the XXX XXX Keerna Kappor video?

That Kabeer died chanting the Lord's Name. ||5||15||

As mentioned above Guru Arjan Dev was talking from the perspective Sant Kabir whose views we have discussed much earlier here. We know that Sant Kabir continuing in the Ramanandi Sampradaya went further away from the mainstream ritualistic Hinduism and was journeying more towards a SEAMLESS Dharma.

— Kabir, Ramaini 1, Translated by David Lorenzen

For a superficial McSikh who is interested only in separation and not enlightenment the views of Kabir can be easily shown as a denouncement of Hindu practices.

ਨਾ ਹਮ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ॥

Now here in this verse

From Guru Granth Sahib ji - Ang 1195

ਹਜ ਕਾਬੈ ਜਾਉ ਨ ਤੀਰਥ ਪੂਜਾ ॥

Again we see that the originator of this Sant Sampraday himself talks about Brahman even in Gurbani.

One day, a desire welled up in my mind.

I left Benares - I had little common sense. ||1|| Pause ||

Sikhism is a NIRGUN path descending from the Sant Sampraday of Ramanandacharya and traces its ideas to VEDANTA!

The views of Kabir are very much in parallel to the Advaita philosophy and it is obvious that as the disciple of Ramanandacharya he will carry forward with his chosen NIRGUN BHAKTI.

There the streams of light flow in all directions, few are the men who can cross to that shore!

As long as the mind is filled with the desire for heaven,

ਤੂ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਸਮਾਨ ॥

ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਇਹ ਕਹੀਐ ਕਾਹਿ ॥

I went to God's place, and worshipped Him there.

Ramarchan Paddati gives more info about his teachings.

———————————————————————————————————————

Ravidas (a chamar shoemaker)

The Sant Sampraday of Sikh panth integrates the warrior spirit of the Nihangs and Khalsa, the service of Seva panth and the renunciation of Udasi/Nirmala saints.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮੈ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਤੋਰ ॥

ਜਹਾ ਜਾਈਐ ਤਹ ਜਲ ਪਖਾਨ ॥

But we have actually seen how much Kabir is also rooted in the Vedantic concept of “supreme realization” but in a non-mainstream path.

ਬਹੁਤੁ ਬਰਸ ਤਪੁ ਕੀਆ ਕਾਸੀ ॥

With inadequate devotion, how can anyone swim across? ||4||

———————————————————————————————————————

The Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, is heaven. ||4||10||

Sain (a barber)

ਅਲਹ ਰਾਮ ਕੇ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਪਰਾਨ ॥੪॥

You are totally pervading and permeating in all.

ਊਹਾਂ ਤਉ ਜਾਈਐ ਜਉ ਈਹਾਂ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥੨॥

Ramanandacharya was a 14th-century Hindu Vaishnava devotional poet saint who amalgamated Advaita with Vaishnava Bhakti. He was the pioneer in validating NIRGUN and SAGUN Bhakti as parallel paths.

Ramanandacharya’s teachings were centered on pure and personal connection with the God Rama and didn’t believe in any kind of formal ritualism. He used the common vernacular language instead of Sanskrit so that everyone could understand.

ਏਕੋ ਸੇਵੀ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ॥੨॥

To him who is high-minded, these teachings will be illuminating.

CONCLUSION:

ਏਕ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਲੇ ਰਿਦੈ ਨਮਸਕਾਰਉ ॥੩॥

I ground up sandalwood, along with several fragrant oils.

Says Kabeer, this is what I say:

My body and breath of life belong to Allah - to Raam - the God of both. ||4||

So in the same spirit Kabir finds pilgrimages to holy cities futile as his mind is fixated on Rama!

ਕੈਸੇ ਬੂਝੈ ਜਬ ਮੋਹਿਆ ਹੈ ਮਾਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਬ੍ਰਹਮ is Brahm i.e the Brahman of vedanta but it gets interpreted as an all-pervading lord god.

Gauree, Kabeer Jee, Panch-Padas:

ਪੂਰਬ ਜਨਮ ਹਉ ਤਪ ਕਾ ਹੀਨਾ ॥੧॥

I wasted my whole life in the city of Shiva;

Hari is in the East, Allah is in the West.

Bhagat Kabir ji / Raag Gauri / / Guru Granth Sahib ji - Ang 325

Bhagat Kabir ji / Raag Gauri / / Guru Granth Sahib ji - Ang 326

Sant Kabir was staunchly against cow slaughter.

Raamaanand Jee, First House:

================================================================

ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਰਮਤ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ॥

I have searched through all the Vedas and the Puraanas.

If Ram be within the image which you find upon your pilgrimage,

ਮੇਰਾ ਚਿਤੁ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਮਨੁ ਭਇਓ ਪੰਗੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

=======================================================

We can see that great saints like Kabir and Ravidas etc… descended from the Ramananda sampradaya which is still the largest ascetic order in India.

ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਇਹੁ ਕੀਆ ਵਖਾਨਾ ॥

Kabir, Ravidas and ultimately the NINE SIKH GURUS are a product of this very Sant Sampraday founded by Ramanandacharya!

The Word of the Guru's Shabad eradicates the karma of millions of past actions. ||3||1||

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਜੀ ਘਰੁ ੧

ਮਰਤੀ ਬਾਰ ਮਗਹਰਿ ਉਠਿ ਆਇਆ ॥੨॥

Bhagat Kabir ji / Raag Sriraag / / Guru Granth Sahib ji - Ang 92

ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਹੋਇ ਨਹੀ ਚਰਨ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ॥੩॥

Raamaanand's Lord and Master is the All-pervading Lord God.

ਕਾਸੀ ਮਗਹਰ ਸਮ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ॥

ਮੁਆ ਕਬੀਰੁ ਰਮਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਾਮੈ

Says Kabeer, the Guru and Ganaysha and Shiva all know

ਜਿਨਿ ਸਕਲ ਬਿਕਲ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਕਾਟੇ ਮੋਰ ॥

ਏਕ ਦਿਵਸ ਮਨ ਭਈ ਉਮੰਗ ॥

ਸਗਲ ਜਨਮੁ ਸਿਵ ਪੁਰੀ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥

ਓਛੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਕੈਸੇ ਉਤਰਸਿ ਪਾਰੀ ॥੪॥

Bhakti movement began in South (Tamil Nadu to be precise) and slowly spread to Northern parts of India. This movement was extremely popular because of its simple fundamentals which could be understood by even commonfolk. Vaishnavism, Shaivism etc… were already connecting with commonfolk from a long time and this Bhakti movement reinforced it by making the devotee feel a personal connection with the deity.

Let's look at the views of Sant Kabir

Where spring, the lord of seasons reigneth, there the unstruck music sounds of itself,

There, where millions of Krishnas stand with hands folded,

ਪੂਜਨ ਚਾਲੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਠਾਇ ॥

Guru Nanak (right) and Bhai Mardana (foreground) with Bhagat Kabir (left). This painting is found in the B-40 Janamsakhi, written and painted in 1733. The painting was made by Alam Chand Raj

Shvetashvatara Upanishad (6.23)

How can they kill the mother, whose milk they drink like that of a wet nurse?

I serve the One Lord, and not any other. ||2||

Kaashi and Magahar - I consider them the same.

ਨਾ ਹਮ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ॥

That God showed me the Guru, within my own mind. ||1||

ਕਬੀਰ ਨਿਰਗੁਣ ਨਾਮ ਨ ਰੋਸੁ ॥

Here ਨਿਰਗੁਣ is Nirgun and not just lord. This is just another example to show that Kabir himself continued in the NIRGUN BHAKTI path.

For many years, I practiced penance and intense meditation at Kaashi;

Bhagat Kabir ji / Raag Gauri / / Guru Granth Sahib ji - Ang 325

Kabeer: O worthless mortal, do not lose the Naam, the Name of the Lord.

My consciousness does not go out wandering. My mind has become crippled. ||1|| Pause ||

ਗਉੜੀ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀ ਪੰਚਪਦੇ ॥

Meeting with the Guru, my Spiritual Teacher, I realize God, my Lord and Master. ||5||3||

Without looking into one's heart, how can one reach paradise?

Wherever I go, I find water and stones.

The young and the old drink milk pudding, but these fools eat the cow's body.

यस्य देवे परा भक्तिः यथा देवे तथा गुरौ । तस्यैते कथिता ह्यर्थाः प्रकाशन्ते महात्मनः प्रकाशन्ते महात्मन इति ।

I have taken the One Formless Lord into my heart; I humbly worship Him there. ||3||

ਗੁਰ ਪੀਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਖੁਦਿ ਖਸਮੁ ਪਛਾਨਾ ॥੫॥੩॥

Where the demi-gods and the munis are unnumbered, where millions of Saraswatis, goddess of music play the vina,

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਮਨਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਕੀ ਆਸ ॥

ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਰਮਤ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ॥

ਜਿਉ ਜਲ ਛੋਡਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭਇਓ ਮੀਨਾ ॥

ਕਹੁ ਗੁਰ ਗਜ ਸਿਵ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਜਾਨੈ ॥

Raamaanand's Lord and Master is the All-pervading Lord God.

ਘਸਿ ਚੰਦਨ ਚੋਆ ਬਹੁ ਸੁਗੰਧ ॥

— Kabir, II.57, Translated by Rabindranath Tagore

We have searched the turaki Dharam (Turk's religion, Islam), these teachers throw many thunderbolts,

I do not perform Hindu worship services, nor do I offer the Muslim prayers.

Let’s look at the most used verse by McSikhs to show that Sikhs are neither Hindus nor Muslims.

Actually, this part of the Ang 326 is widely used by McSikhs to show that Sikhism considers Hindu pilgrimages as useless and thus drives home the point again that the “religion” has got NOTHING to do with Hinduism.

———————————————————————————————————————

You have cut through all my confusion and doubt.

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

Where millions of Vishnus bow their heads, where millions of Brahmas are reading the Vedas,

I am not a Hindu, nor am I a Muslim.

Sadhna (a Muslim butcher) and

Kabir is the child of Allah and of Ram: He is my Guru, He is my Pir.

For him Dharma was beyond everything physical including the desire for heaven because was fully into the NIRGUN . The last verse shows that according to him the company of the enlightened Sadhus is heaven which is again a typical teaching of Sanatana Dharma.

I am a sacrifice to You, O my True Guru.

I am not a Hindu, nor am I a Muslim.

I would go there, only if the Lord were not here. ||2||