No, Sikhs do not worship Hindu gods. Sikhi is a distinct religion with its own set of beliefs and practices, and its followers, known as Sikhs, believe in the worship of one God (Waheguru). The sacred verses from Gurbani, clearly prohibit Sikhs from engaging in the worship of Hindu gods.
However, some people mistakenly believe that Sikhi includes the worship of Hindu gods, as their names are referenced in Gurbani. It is essential to clarify that this belief is incorrect, and the purpose of this article is to rectify such misconceptions.
Here are some verses-
ਏਕਸੁ ਕੀ ਸਿਰਿ ਕਾਰ ਏਕ ਜਿਨਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਰੁਦ੍ਰੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥
Everyone must serve the One Lord, who created Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਸਾਚਾ ਏਕੋ ਨਾ ਓਹੁ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਜਾਇਆ ॥੫॥੧॥੧੧॥
O Nanak, the One True Lord is permanent and stable. He does not die, and He is not born.
Guru Granth Sahib Ji- Ang: 1130
ਦੇਵੀ ਦੇਵਾ ਪੂਜਹਿ ਡੋਲਹਿ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਨਾ ॥
You worship gods and goddesses, but you do not know the Supreme Lord God.
ਕਹਤ ਕਬੀਰ ਅਕੁਲੁ ਨਹੀ ਚੇਤਿਆ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਸਿਉ ਲਪਟਾਨਾ ॥
Says Kabeer, you have not remembered the Lord who has no ancestors; you are clinging to your corrupt ways.
Guru Granth Sahib Ji- Ang: 332
ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨੁ ਮਹਾਦੇਉ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਰੋਗੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਹਉਮੈ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਈ ॥
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva suffer from the disease of the three gunas – the three qualities; they do their deeds in egotism.
ਜਿਨਿ ਕੀਏ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਨ ਚੇਤਹਿ ਬਪੁੜੇ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੋਝੀ ਪਾਈ ॥੨॥
The poor fools do not remember the One who created them; this understanding of the Lord is only obtained by those who become Gurmukh. ||2||
Guru Granth Sahib Ji- Ang: 735
ਕਾਹੂੰ ਲੈ ਠੋਕਿ ਬਧੇ ਉਰਿ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਾਹੂੰ ਮਹੇਸ ਕੋ ਏਸ ਬਖਾਨਯੋ ॥
Someone has tied the stone-idol around his neck and someone has accepted Shiva as the Lord
ਕਾਹੂ ਕਹਿਯੋ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਦਰ ਮੈ ਹਰਿ ਕਾਹੂ ਮਸੀਤ ਕੈ ਬੀਚ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਨਯੋ ॥
Someone considers the Lord within the temple or the mosque
ਕਾਹੂੰ ਨੇ ਰਾਮ ਕਹਯੋ ਕ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਕਹੁ ਕਾਹੂ ਮਨੈ ਅਵਤਾਰਨ ਮਾਨਯੋ ॥
Someone calls him Ram or Krishna and someone believes in His incarnations,
ਫੋਕਟ ਧਰਮ ਬਿਸਾਰ ਸਬੈ ਕਰਤਾਰ ਹੀ ਕਉ ਕਰਤਾ ਜੀਅ ਜਾਨਯੋ ॥੧੨॥
But my mind has forsaken all useless actions and has accepted only the One Creator
Guru Gobind Singh ji – (Dasam Granth Sahib: 713)
ਕਾਹੇ ਕੌ ਏਸ ਮਹੇਸਹਿ ਭਾਖਤ ਕਾਹਿ ਦਿਜੇਸ ਕੋ ਏਸ ਬਖਾਨਯੋ ॥
Why do you consider Shiva or Brahma as the Lord ?
ਹੈ ਨ ਰਘ੍ਵੇਸ ਜਦ੍ਵੇਸ ਰਮਾਪਤਿ ਤੈ ਜਿਨ ਕੋ ਬਿਸੁਨਾਥ ਪਛਾਨਯੋ ॥
There is none amongst Ram, Krishna and Vishnu, who may be considered as the Lord of the Universe by you
Guru Gobind Singh ji – (Dasam Granth Sahib: 714)
ਮੈਂ ਨਾ ਗਨੇਸੇ ਪ੍ਰਥਮ ਮਨਾਊ
ਕਿਸਨ ਬਿਸਨ ਕਬਹੂ ਨਾ ਧਿਆਊ
I do not adore Ganesha in the beginning and also do not mediatate on Krishna and Vishnu
Guru Gobind Singh ji – (Dasam Granth Sahib: 295)
ਜਾਗਤ ਜੋਤਿ ਜਪੈ ਨਿਸ ਬਾਸੁਰ ਏਕੁ ਬਿਨਾ ਮਨਿ ਨੈਕ ਨ ਆਨੈ ॥
He is the true Khalsa (Sikh), who remembers the ever-awakened Light throughout night and day and does not bring anyone else in the mind
ਪੂਰਨ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਤ ਸਜੈ ਬ੍ਰਤ ਗੋਰ ਮੜ੍ਹੀ ਮਠ ਭੂਲ ਨ ਮਾਨੈ ॥
He practices his vow with whole heated affection and does not believe in even by oversight, the graves, Hindu monuments and monasteries
Guru Gobind Singh ji – (Dasam Granth Sahib: 712)
The verses provided above clearly emphasize that Sikhi is against the worship of Hindu gods.
Even they have not found God’s limits; what can I speak of (God’s Virtues) and contemplate (His Greatness)? ||7||
ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਭੀ ਉਸ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੇ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਦਾ ਅੰਤ ਨਾਹ ਲੱਭਾ । (ਮੈਂ ਕੀਹ ਵਿਚਾਰਾ ਹਾਂ?) ਮੈਂ ਕੀਹ ਆਖ ਕੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਦਾ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਕਰ ਸਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ? ।੭।
-Raag Aasaa – Guru Amar Daas Ji – Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji – Ang 422
ਰੁਦ੍ਰ ਭਗਤ ਜਗ ਮਾਹਿ ਸੁਖ ਕੇ ਦਿਵਸ ਸਦਾ ਭਰੈ ॥
ਮਰੈ ਫਿਰਿ ਆਵਹਿ ਜਾਹਿ ਫਲੁ ਕਛੁ ਲਹੈ ਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕੋ ॥੨੪੫੬॥
The devotees of the Rudra always pass their life in the world comfortably, but they cannot attain salvation and always remain in transmigration.
Guru Gobind Singh ji – Dasam Granth Sahib
This verse underscores that devotion to deities like Rudra, although it may bring temporary comfort, does not lead to ultimate liberation (mukti). Sikhi emphasizes that true spiritual liberation is achieved through devotion to the one formless God, Waheguru, and not through the worship of Hindu gods.
In summary, Sikhs do not worship Hindu gods. Sikhi is a unique religion with its own beliefs and practices, centered around the worship of one God, called Waheguru. The verses from Gurbani, clearly tell Sikhs not to worship Hindu gods.
While, the names of Hindu gods are mentioned in Gurbani, but this does not mean Sikhs should worship them. These mentions are meant to highlight the oneness of God and to reject the worship of many gods. The verses in Gurbani focus on the importance of worshipping Waheguru alone and discourage the veneration of other deities.
The teachings of Sikhi, stress the worship of the formless and timeless Waheguru, and promote unity and devotion to the One Creator.
