Sikhi is the complete revelation of the Eternal Truth, offering the fullest and clearest vision of divinity and the reality of life. While Sikhs recognize that rays of divine light, truth, and virtue shine within all human beings, Sikhi uniquely provides the direct, unbroken path to merging with Waheguru. Many traditions contain glimpses of noble ideals, yet where human influence has shaped belief, conflicts with compassion, morality, and spiritual liberation inevitably arise. In contrast, Sikhi stands as the flawless embodiment of divine wisdom, free from temporal distortions, guiding seekers to rise above ego and reunite with the Timeless One. To encounter and embrace Sikhi is not merely a choice, but a profound blessing. It is the fruit of past good karma and divine grace, a priceless opportunity to live the Eternal Truth in its purest form.
Throughout history, many belief systems have guided humanity, yet they often bear the marks of cultural influence, moral compromise, and evolving standards. Practices once accepted, such as slavery, exploitation, violence against non-believers, and the subjugation of women, reveal the limitations of human-shaped traditions. What is born from time must change. Only the Eternal Truth remains unchanging.
Sikhi, by contrast, is the direct recognition and living of Sach (the Divine Universal Truth) and Hukam (the Divine Universal Law). Rooted in divine revelation, it does not require modernization or reinterpretation to remain aligned with morality, compassion, and spiritual awareness. The eternal wisdom of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji remains fully relevant today, grounded in universal compassion and spiritual truth.
Sikhs are followers of Hukam, the Eternal, Universal Divine Law, and Sach, the Eternal Universal Truth. Living in harmony with Hukam and Sach is known as Sikhi. The Divine is Akaal, meaning Timeless, Unchanging, and Undying, while creation is Kaal, bound by time, ever-changing, and perishable. Whatever originates from Akaal shares in its timeless and divine nature.
While many belief systems have guided humans, there are some really obvious things within them that clearly show that they have been shaped by time and culture, and thus have been pushed to be changed as societies evolve. Practices once accepted, like slavery, adult men marrying little girls, sexual exploitation of female captives, the subjugation of women, the allurement of male sexual gratification in a painted picture of heaven, violence and intolerance against non-believers, are now rightly condemned. What is born from finitude must eventually change or pass away; only Truth remains eternal.
In contrast, Sikhi, the recognition and embrace of Sach and Hukam, is timeless and embodies divinity. Followers of Akaal, known as Akalis, walk a path that does not require modernization to keep updated with a growing understanding of awareness of morality and compassion for oneself, others who do not believe what we believe, animals and the environment. One learns from the eternal wisdom found in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji that the test of divinity and righteousness is compassion. A growing awareness of compassion not just for ourselves but beyond ourselves has made many question the ancient traditions that previously people had thought to be relevant and meaningful to bettering themselves and humanity, and seeking to go from mundane existence to experiencing divine existence. The timeless teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, revealed centuries ago, remain as relevant today as ever, rooted in compassion and eternal truth, proof of its divinity and necessity for human and societal flourishing.
Ideologies and acts devoid of compassion, violence, hatred, intolerance, cruelty, oppression, originate and represent Kaal, bound by time, ever-changing, and perishable, and cannot originate from Akaal. Over time, the text or interpretations of texts have adapted to changing understanding of the world and science, to compromise the reality of the Earth, planets, Sun, Moon, and universes. You can find beliefs that the world was supported by a bull, with a fish underneath it, believed the Earth was flat, believed the Earth was stationary or that the Sun sets in a muddy pool, etc., in most of the world religions, which in turn have been forced to re-evaluate how they interpret and present their religious claims to a more scientific and advanced world. However, the truths revealed in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji do not need to change to keep pace with science or society; they are already aligned with the deepest truths of existence.
Finally, Sikhi is the undying Truth. Despite centuries of martyrdoms, persecution, attempts at annihilation, and countless hardships, by superpowers of the time, and rulers from time to time, Sikhi has not only endured but grown stronger. The testimony of its scripture, ideology, and practices remaining immovable with the test of time proves it as Akaal in a world of Kaal. It stands today, Timeless, Compassionate, and Eternal.
Some, due to misinterpretation, believe that Sikhi allows individuals to remain within their existing faiths without embracing Sikhi for spiritual advancement and union with Waheguru. However, this view does not align with Gurbani, which clearly commands full alignment with the Eternal Truth.
Sikhi forbids practices that act as barriers to spiritual realization, such as idol worship, animal sacrifice, cruelty, superstition, intolerance, and veneration of demi-gods. It also rejects ritualistic practices such as religious fasting, circumcision, and worship of stones or graves — practices not aligned with the path of liberation.
Gurbani declares:
ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਕਹਹੁ ਮਤ ਝੂਠੇ ਝੂਠਾ ਜੋ ਨ ਬਿਚਾਰੈ ॥
Meaning: (O Mullah!) (Kahahu = say) recognise the (mat) teachings of the (beyd) Vedas and (kateyb) Abrahamic texts to be (jhoottehy = false) faulty; (jhoottha = false) false are (jo) those who do not (bichaarai = reflect) contemplate the Truth.
While other scriptures may contain moral teachings and cultural wisdom, Gurbani alone is flawless divine revelation, entirely rooted in the Eternal Truth. Where other traditions at times justify violence, inequality, or cruelty, Gurbani remains grounded in justice, compassion, and Naam (the Divine Name).
The centrality of Naam in Gurbani as the key to liberation distinguishes Sikhi from all other spiritual paths. Therefore, while spiritual journeys elsewhere are respected, full realization of Waheguru — merging with the Divine — is shown to be attained through the path laid out by Gurbani.
Gurbani asserts:
ਏਕੋ ਧਰਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜੈ ਸਚੁ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਜੁਗਿ ਜੁਗਿ ਸੋਈ ॥
ਅਨਹਦਿ ਰਾਤਾ ਏਕ ਲਿਵ ਤਾਰ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਵੈ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰ ॥੪॥
Meaning: Only one Dharma, Gurmat, is perfect and complete for all ages. Those who adopt it experience union with the Infinite, the Unseen.
History testifies that the Bhagat Sahibans, though born into other traditions, found union with Waheguru only after aligning with Gurmat through Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s grace.
While virtuous individuals in other faiths may attain heavenly realms, these are still below Sachkhand, the Realm of Eternal Truth. True liberation — freedom from the cycle of birth and death — comes only through embracing the path of Sikhi.
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and all subsequent Gurus emphasized:
ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
Meaning: No one has attained Waheguru without the True Guru.
To walk the path of Sikhi is a rare blessing — a gift of divine grace and accumulated good karma. It is the greatest opportunity: to live aligned with Truth, to merge with the Eternal, and to embody divine virtues in this life and beyond.
Though texts of other faiths do contain some valuable teachings and moral guidance, and hold deep historical and cultural significance for many, but from the Gurmat perspective, they are not capable of leading one to supreme liberation. They differ from Gurbani in that they contain elements which are not aligned with the eternal truth. Gurbani, by contrast, is revealed divine wisdom – eternal, flawless, and rooted in divine revelation.
Gurbani emphasizes the importance of Naam as the essential path to spiritual liberation. Other scriptures may focus on different spiritual practices or beliefs, but they do not carry the same central emphasis on Naam as found in Gurbani. Additionally, there are certain practices or ideas found in texts of other faiths – such as the justification of violence, slavery, inequality, or mistreatment of women, that stand in contrast to the compassionate and just principles upheld in Gurbani.
When Gurbani clearly guides seekers toward a path that leads to true liberation through Naam and spiritual discipline, it naturally distinguishes itself from other paths. Therefore, according to Sikhi, while people and their spiritual journeys are always to be respected, the full realization of Waheguru is shown to be attained through the path laid out in Gurbani.
Gurmat asserts that the direct and complete connection with Waheguru is achieved through the teachings of Gurbani. Its outlined in Gurbani as follows:
ਏਕੋ ਧਰਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜੈ ਸਚੁ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਜੁਗਿ ਜੁਗਿ ਸੋਈ ॥
ਅਨਹਦਿ ਰਾਤਾ ਏਕ ਲਿਵ ਤਾਰ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਵੈ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰ ॥੪॥
Meaning: Only one Gurmat Dharma is perfect and complete (Poora) for eternity. Those who adopt this true Dharma will experience constant concentration or Samadhi. Such Gurmukhs attain the Unseen, Infinite God.
History shows us that the Bhagat Sahibans, though originally from non-Sikh backgrounds, came into the fold of Gurmat after meeting Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Through the Guru’s grace, they received Naam and aligned themselves with the path of Gurmat. It was only after this that they attained union with Waheguru.
Sikhi has always been shown as a unique and distinct path, revealed by the Gurus to lead seekers toward the highest spiritual goal – union with Waheguru in Sachkhand. According to Gurmat, it is through living in alignment with the Guru’s guidance that one can attain this ultimate liberation.
While individuals from other faiths may accumulate virtue and reach heavenly realms, but these are still lower than Sachkhand (Highest Realm/Realm of Truth). Once the fruits of those deeds are spent, the soul returns to the cycle of birth and death. This cycle continues until they achieve true liberation by walking the path of Sikhi.
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and subsequent Gurus emphasized that Waheguru can only be attained through the true Guru: ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
Meaning: No one has attained Waheguru without the true Guru. This is emphasized twice to highlight the necessity of the true Guru in attaining the Divine.
Some people interpret the verse “ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ – Recognize the entire human race as one.” by Guru Gobind Singh Ji to mean that all religions are the same and that following a specific path is not necessary. However, this verse highlights the spiritual equality of all human beings, not a merging of all religious traditions. Guru Gobind Singh Ji encouraged people to rise above divisions of caste and status and guided them towards a higher spiritual goal through the path of Sikhi.
He strongly upheld the dignity and freedom of all, while also revealing that true spiritual freedom and union with Waheguru can be found by following the path of Sikhi. This path is based on Naam, divine wisdom, and living in harmony with the Guru’s guidance. The Khalsa was established to unite seekers in truth, courage, and devotion to Waheguru.
The phrase “ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ” signifies that Sikhi is open to every human being, regardless of background or birth. However, simply being human does not make one a follower of the Khalsa path. According to Gurmat, liberation is attained by walking this path consciously and with devotion. The arrival of Guru Nanak-Dashmesh Ji was to restore True Dharam and offer a clear path to spiritual truth. Guru Sahib Said:
ਹਮ ਇਹ ਕਾਜ ਜਗਤ ਮੋ ਆਏ॥ ਧਰਮ ਹੇਤ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਪਠਾਏ॥
ਜਹਾਂ ਤਹਾਂ ਤੁਮ ਧਰਮ ਬਿਥਾਰੋ॥ ਦੁਸਟ ਦੋਖੀਅਨਿ ਪਕਰਿ ਪਛਾਰੋ॥੪੨॥
ਯਾਹੀ ਕਾਜ ਧਰਾ ਹਮ ਜਨਮੰ॥ ਸਮਝ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਾਧੂ ਸਭ ਮਨਮੰ…॥੪੩॥
Before the coming of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the lineage of Gurus up to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, many spiritual figures appeared in the world with the intention of guiding humanity. While they shared valuable insights and inspired people in their own ways, from the perspective of Gurmat, the complete and true message of Waheguru was fully revealed through Guru Nanak-Dashmesh Ji. The Gurus not only shared divine wisdom but also practically established a path of true Dharam that leads to lasting liberation. As Guru Gobind Singh Ji said:
ਜੇ ਜੇ ਭਏ ਪਹਿਲ ਅਵਤਾਰਾ॥ ਆਪੁ ਆਪੁ ਤਿਨ ਜਾਪੁ ਉਚਾਰਾ॥
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਦੋਖੀ ਕੋਈ ਨ ਬਿਦਾਰਾ॥ ਧਰਮ ਕਰਮ ਕੋ ਰਾਹੁ ਨ ਡਾਰਾ॥੪੪॥
ਜੇ ਜੇ ਗਉਸ ਅੰਬੀਆ ਭਏ॥ ਮੈ ਮੈ ਕਰਤ ਜਗਤ ਤੇ ਗਏ॥
ਮਹਾਪੁਰਖ ਕਾਹੂ ਨ ਪਛਾਨਾ॥ ਕਰਮ ਧਰਮ ਕੋ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਜਾਨਾ॥੪੫॥
These words make it clear that, prior to the Gurus, the complete understanding of the path of righteous living was not fully established in the world.
All souls are equal, created by the same Divine Light. No one is higher or lower by birth, caste, or status. The One Creator, full of mercy and love, sustains all beings equally. There should be no room for division or misunderstanding in this truth. Every person has the right to remember and serve that One Akal Purkh, whose presence shines within every heart. This is the spirit behind the sacred teaching “ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ”.
The teachings of the Vedas and other scriptures may guide individuals in their spiritual journeys, but they differ from the message of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, as emphasized in the sacred verse:
ਕੋਈ ਪੜ੍ਹਤ ਕੁਰਾਨ ਕੋ ਕੋਈ ਪੜ੍ਹਤ ਪੁਰਾਨ॥
ਕਾਲ ਨ ਸਕਤ ਬਚਾਇ ਕੈ ਫੋਕਟ ਧਰਮ ਨਿਦਾਨ॥੪੭॥
– Guru Gobind Singh Ji
This verse reminds us that without the true guidance of the Guru, none could save you at the end. The path of the Sikhi, as revealed by Guru Sahib, offers the true way to salvation and liberation.
Therefore, when the verse “ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ” is used to support ideas that differ from its true intention, such interpretations can lead to misunderstanding. The verse promotes the oneness of humanity, not the blending of all religious paths as equally leading to the same spiritual goal. According to Gurmat, while all human beings are equal and deserving of respect, the path shown by the Guru is distinct and complete. Believing that there is no need to follow any specific path or that all paths are spiritually the same does not align with the message given by Guru Sahib.
According to the teachings of Sikhi, the highest spiritual goal, Sach Khand, the realm of Truth, is attained through the path of Gurmat. This is where the soul merges with Waheguru, breaking free from the cycle of reincarnation. Sikhi, with its emphasis on Naam and the guidance of the Guru, is considered the most complete and direct path to true liberation and eternal oneness with Waheguru.
The doors of Sikhi are open to every soul, regardless of religion, caste, gender, or nationality. Just as Bhagat Ravidas Ji, Bhagat Farid Ji, Bhagat Naamdev Ji and others left behind incomplete faiths to embrace the light of Gurmat, today too, the call of the Guru remains the same: come, shed the veils of superstition and ritual, and walk the path of truth. In this age of darkness, the light of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji shines for all. May every soul be blessed to receive this light, take Amrit, become a Sikh, and walk the path that leads to True Salvation.
