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Idols in Harimandir Sahib: Misinterpretation-based claims.
Vaaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaaheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
In a posting a few days ago, Mr Rajiv Varma quoted poetry by one
Santokh Singh, and on the basis of his own interpretation, claimed
that Guru Ramdas wished there be installed idols of Mahavishnu
inside Harimandir Sahib [aka Golden temple], Amritsar.
As I pointed out in another posting, the text is NOT Guru's own
bani. Had Guru Ramdas had any intentions of installing idols
in Harimandir Sahib [against his own teachings, btw], he would certainly
have made such intentions clear explicitly in his bani, which would then
be a part of Guru Granth sahib. Citing secondary sources is hardly
convincing. Or useful.
However, that argument turns out to be unnecessary. Because, even the
poetry of Santokh Singh that Mr Varma cited as the basis for his claims
[and on the basis of which it was enquired by him who removed
such Guru-installed idols!! ] does not back his claims. Take a look
at the text:
Rajiv Varma (rvarma@stallion.jsums.edu) wrote:
>Sri Guru Ramdas ji instructs Sri Guru Arjundev ji, thus :-
>taal vikhe shobha hui aise | hari biman thitt nabh mahi jaise ||
>kidho farash baidu-raj mani ko | beech ban-yo ghar mahaa bishnoo ko || 56||
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>mam aagyaa ei-hu dhar-hu man mai(n) | nit prati rahi-aahi ratan jatan mai(n) |
>suni kari sri arjan kar jor | karan kara-van mai(n) tum jor || 57||
>Source: Sri Guru Pratap Suraj Granth, 2nd Raas, Ansu 24, Part 5, Page 1741
>The above proves that an idol of Maha Vishnu was established at Shri
>Harimandir Sahib at Amritsar.
It does not say "...and install an idol of Mahavishnu..." [see
underlined text above]. What the text says is "...and in the middle
let there be constructed the house of mahavishnu.." (where Mahavishnu
is another name for God, just like Allah, Ram, Eeshwar, Kartaar, Krishan,
Akaal Purkh etc etc.) which actually means: "..in the middle of the
tank let there be constructed the Golden Temple..." ["taal" is the
word used for sarovar].
The word for "idol" does NOT occur anywhere. Mr. varma's claims
are not backed by even the poetry he cites; let alone any support
from Gurbani.
Vaaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaaheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Rajwinder Singh
http://photon.bu.edu/~rajwi/sikhism/
