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

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

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.

ਗਉੜੀ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀ ਪੰਚਪਦੇ ॥

Can I use ChatGPT to get chapter ideas? I’ll be writing it with my own words but I just get writer’s block when it comes to what to write?

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

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

ਮਰਤੀ ਬਾਰ ਮਗਹਰਿ ਉਠਿ ਆਇਆ ॥੨॥

If babies could write, what questions would they ask on Quora?

ਤੂ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਹੈ ਸਭ ਸਮਾਨ ॥

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

Wherever I go, I find water and stones.

Are democrats inherently stupid or just lazy? They can Google " Ohio is investigating reports by residents that migrants are eating the local wildlife " why can't they seem to do the most simple things? Blind, ignorant, stupid or obtuse?

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

ਜਹਾ ਜਾਈਐ ਤਹ ਜਲ ਪਖਾਨ ॥

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

Have you or anyone you know invested in cryptocurrencies before? If so, which one did you invest in and how much profit did you make?

ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਾਟੈ ਕੋਟਿ ਕਰਮ ॥੩॥੧॥

ਹਜ ਕਾਬੈ ਜਾਉ ਨ ਤੀਰਥ ਪੂਜਾ ॥

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

When was the first time you suck on a penis?

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

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

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

Are there any political parties or groups that have a mix of conservative and liberal beliefs? Why are they not as prominent in the media?

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

ਸਗਲ ਜਨਮੁ ਸਿਵ ਪੁਰੀ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥

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Is the Shia claim true that Imam Ali was born inside the Kaaba?

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

ਓਛੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਕੈਸੇ ਉਤਰਸਿ ਪਾਰੀ ॥੪॥

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

Musk's DOGE workers are now investigating Medicare and Medicaid. They want to eliminate fraud, but can they also be hurting poor Americans and senior citizens' benefits?

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

ਮਰਨੁ ਭਇਆ ਮਗਹਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਸੀ ॥੩॥

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

Have you worn a tight black mini skirt?

ਗੁਰ ਪੀਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਖੁਦਿ ਖਸਮੁ ਪਛਾਨਾ ॥੫॥੩॥

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

— Kabir, III.2, Translated by Rabindranath Tagore

Are fanservice-y characters (i.e. Lara Croft, Tifa Lockhart) immediately bad?

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

Says Kabeer, unto whom should I tell this?

ਏਕ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਲੇ ਰਿਦੈ ਨਮਸਕਾਰਉ ॥੩॥

Have you ever had sex with your female cousin? How did it start?

Shvetashvatara Upanishad (6.23)

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

ਜਿਉ ਜਲ ਛੋਡਿ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਭਇਓ ਮੀਨਾ ॥

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…

ਏਕ ਦਿਵਸ ਮਨ ਭਈ ਉਮੰਗ ॥

I have searched through all the Vedas and the Puraanas.

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

I ground up sandalwood, along with several fragrant oils.

ਕੈਸੇ ਬੂਝੈ ਜਬ ਮੋਹਿਆ ਹੈ ਮਾਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

There, where millions of Krishnas stand with hands folded,

— Kabir, Ramaini 1, Translated by David Lorenzen

ਕਹੁ ਗੁਰ ਗਜ ਸਿਵ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਜਾਨੈ ॥

Says Kabeer, the Guru and Ganaysha and Shiva all know

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

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮੈ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਤੋਰ ॥

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

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

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

I am like a fish out of water,

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

ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਇਹੁ ਕੀਆ ਵਖਾਨਾ ॥

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

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.

Raamaanand Jee, First House:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਉ ਨ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਗੁਜਾਰਉ ॥

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

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.

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

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

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.

One day, a desire welled up in my mind.

ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਰਮਤ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ॥

Sadhna (a Muslim butcher) and

ਪੂਜਨ ਚਾਲੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਠਾਇ ॥

You have cut through all my confusion and doubt.

I wasted my whole life in the city of Shiva;

ਮੁਆ ਕਬੀਰੁ ਰਮਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਾਮੈ ॥੫॥੧੫॥

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

ਸੋ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਬਤਾਇਓ ਗੁਰ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਮਾਹਿ ॥੧॥

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

You are totally pervading and permeating in all.

ਘਸਿ ਚੰਦਨ ਚੋਆ ਬਹੁ ਸੁਗੰਧ ॥

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

ਤਬ ਲਗੁ ਹੋਇ ਨਹੀ ਚਰਨ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ॥੩॥

Kabir (a weaver)

Sant Kabir was staunchly against cow slaughter.

ਤਜੀ ਲੇ ਬਨਾਰਸ ਮਤਿ ਭਈ ਥੋਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

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

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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!

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

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

ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਜੀ ਘਰੁ ੧

ਜਬ ਲਗੁ ਮਨਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਕੀ ਆਸ ॥

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

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

Kaashi and Magahar - I consider them the same.

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

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

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

ਅਬ ਕਹੁ ਰਾਮ ਕਵਨ ਗਤਿ ਮੋਰੀ ॥

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

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.

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.

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

Let's look at the views of Sant Kabir

ਨਾ ਹਮ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ॥

ਏਕੋ ਸੇਵੀ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ॥੨॥

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

Ramarchan Paddati gives more info about his teachings.

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

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

Now here in this verse

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

Ravidas (a chamar shoemaker)

Gauree, Kabeer Jee, Panch-Padas:

— Kabir, II.57, Translated by Rabindranath Tagore

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

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

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

ਪੂਰਬ ਜਨਮ ਹਉ ਤਪ ਕਾ ਹੀਨਾ ॥੧॥

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

ਊਹਾਂ ਤਉ ਜਾਈਐ ਜਉ ਈਹਾਂ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥੨॥

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.

ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਰਮਤ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ॥

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

ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠੈ ਆਹਿ ॥੪॥੧੦॥

ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਸਭ ਦੇਖੇ ਜੋਇ ॥

These morons know nothing, they wander about in ignorance,

ਬਹੁਤੁ ਬਰਸ ਤਪੁ ਕੀਆ ਕਾਸੀ ॥

ਕਾਸੀ ਮਗਹਰ ਸਮ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ॥

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

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

ਅਲਹ ਰਾਮ ਕੇ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਪਰਾਨ ॥੪॥

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

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

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

ਕਤ ਜਾਈਐ ਰੇ ਘਰ ਲਾਗੋ ਰੰਗੁ ॥

ਨਾ ਹਮ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ॥

ਜਿਨਿ ਸਕਲ ਬਿਕਲ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਕਾਟੇ ਮੋਰ ॥

ਮੁਆ ਕਬੀਰੁ ਰਮਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਾਮੈ

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

From Guru Granth Sahib ji - Ang 1195

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.

Says Kabeer, this is what I say:

then who is there to know what happens without?

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

CONCLUSION:

Sain (a barber)

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

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

NOW…

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.

ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਇਹ ਕਹੀਐ ਕਾਹਿ ॥

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

ਕਬੀਰ ਨਿਰਗੁਣ ਨਾਮ ਨ ਰੋਸੁ ॥