GURU NANANK: HIS PERSONALITY AND VISION

Abstract

Guru Nanak strongly advocated Human Rights for human beings. In the Guru Nanak’s vision, all human beings have Human Rights simply due to the very fact of their being human. The state does not grant these rights, but it ensures the non-violation of these rights either by the ruler or from any other quarter. It was not easy task to bring about a change in the mindset of a society as a whole that had forgotten the meaning of self respect, honour and dignity. But Guru Nanak followed a more positive approach by suggesting how a benevolent ruler should perform his duties and what should be the obligations of ruling elite. Right to Resist Oppression : In Guru Nanak Bani subjects have been made conscious of their rights to raise their voice against the oppression of the ruler, who fails to serve the people. They are supposed not to bear oppression under any circumstance. Guru Nanak condemned the brutalities of the rulers of his time. He stood against the rulers without any fear and hesitation. He spoke against the injustice being done by the rulers of his time. In the Guru Granth Sahib we have several hymns of Guru Nanak, which showed the sorrowful and deplorable pictures of those times, where the administrative officials exploit their citizens and violate the Human Rights like: In Kali-Yuga have mankind turned dog-like, carrion its food false hood it barks out gone is righteous thinking those that in life had no faith, in death too foul is their repute.