Great importance has been laid on an industrious life in the Holy Granth so that a person, while becoming a good family man, may also make a good and positive contribution to his family, his country, his society, and his religion.
According to Gurbani, hard and honest labour, enriched with an enterprising nature, frees the mind from impurities. In such a state of mind, the heart becomes cool and tranquil, and one attains mental satisfaction and pleasure:
“Industry brings happiness and joy; divine remembrance brings bliss and peace.”
An honest lover of Gurbani is expected to earn his living with the sweat of his brow. Such earnings bring all possible comforts. Though wealth is essential for our maintenance, we should not abandon patience and contentment in its pursuit. Through the endless craving for wealth, peace of mind vanishes and greed increases. If this greedy impulse gains strength, a well-balanced life is disturbed.
Therefore, only that earning is acceptable which is obtained through virtuous means. Gurbani rejects blind desire, which instigates unprincipled materialism. Thus, Gurbani places a check on unnecessary temptations and lustful desires, thereby strengthening the tendency toward patience and fortitude.
ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰੇਦਿਆ ਜੀਉ ਤੂੰ ਕਮਾਵਦਿਆ ਸੁਖ ਭੁੰਚੁ ॥
ਧਿਆਇਦਿਆ ਤੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਮਿਲੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਉਤਰੀ ਚਿੰਤ ॥
ਅੰਗ 522
“O my soul, remain in bliss through honest endeavour and righteous work.
By meditating on the Lord, union with Him is attained; thus, says Nanak, anxiety departs.”
The real purpose of life is not the accumulation of wealth by fair or unfair means. Rather, it is to remember God and thereby gather the treasure of His Holy Name, which provides everlasting comfort, peace, and solace.
Such devotees remain detached from worldly affairs even while leading a full family life and performing all worldly duties. They remain ever awakened to the meditation of God. They understand well that it is far better to share one’s bread with others than to become a parasite and beg from them.
The great Gurbani has sharpened our intellect to understand that there is no need to renounce the world in order to attain union with Him. It is entirely possible for a householder—living in the world with family, sons, daughters, and relations—to unite with the Divine.
ਹੋਇ ਉਦਾਸੀ ਗ੍ਰਿਹੁ ਤਜਿ ਚਲਿਓ ਛੁਟਕੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਨਾਠਾ ॥
ਅੰਗ 1003
“One may leave his home and wander in renunciation,
yet his worldly wanderings do not cease.”
Therefore, by acting upon the teachings of Gurbani and the tenets of the Sikh religion, one should enjoy family life while remaining detached from worldly illusions. One should lead a Gurbani-ordained life that reflects divine wisdom arising from the Holy Naam.
Dr. Saroop Singh Alag