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Summary of Question:	Marital Role Of Sikh Women
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 8/19/2003 11:56 AM MDT

What is the role of sikh women as a wife according to Guru sahib ji? In other faith, there is strong diffrence importance given to man and women as husband and wife. what does our guru's say about role of wife and husband

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"They are not said to be husband and wife, who merely sit together. Rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one soul in two bodies." - Guru Amar Das, Pauri, SGGS pg. 788

We must not confuse culture with dharma. Culture may not allow women to do ishnan seva at Darbar Sahib, but our Guru has clearly stated that men and women are equal. In marriage the most important thing is to be mutual - to be blended - like milk and water and to revolve your union around the Guru as the central altar of your relationship.

In a true marriage there is excellent subtle communication and sensitivity to each other. Marriage is a yoga. It requires work and the investment of attention and energy. The duties of the wife and the husband may be different, but the status is absolutely equal. The best thing to do to get a marraige back on an even keel is to meditate together EVERY day. You might start with the Lavan:

1. In the first round of the marriage ceremony, the Lord gives you His Instructions for performing the daily duties of married life. Instead of performing rituals by routine, embrace the righteous life of Dharma, and do nothing that separates you from God. Meditate on God’s Name. Embrace and practice Simran, the continuous remembrance of your True Identity. Worship and adore the Guru, the Perfect True Guru, and all the errors of your past shall be washed away. By your great destiny, you will know that bliss, which passes all understanding, and the Lord - Har, Har, will become sweet to your mind. Servant Nanak proclaims that in this first round, the marriage ceremony has begun.

2. In the second round of the marriage ceremony, the Lord guides you to meet the True Guru, the Primal teacher. Filled with the awe of the Infinite, your ego dissolves away. In awe of God, who is forever pure, sing His Wonderful Praises, and see God in all. The Lord, the Supreme Soul, is the Master of the Universe. He fills everything, everywhere. He fills all spaces. Deep within you, and outside as well, there is only One God. God’s humble servants meet together and sing the songs of joy and ecstasy. Servant Nanak proclaims that in this second round, the music of the spheres resounds.

3. In the third round of the marriage ceremony, your heart is filled with Divine Love. By my great destiny I have met the humble Saints who love the Lord and I have found God. I have found the pure Lord and I sing His Wonderful Praises. I speak the Word of the Lord’s Bani. By great destiny, I have found the humble Saints, and I speak the silent language of the Infinite. The Lord’s Name - Har, Har, Har, vibrates and resounds within my heart. Meditating on God, I have realized the great destiny inscribed upon my forehead. Servant Nanak proclaims that in this third round, the heart is full with Divine Love of the One God.

4. In the fourth round of the marriage ceremony I have found God and my mind is filled with peace. As a Gurmukh, I have met Him with simple ease. My mind and body are full of sweet delight. I am pleasing to God and night and day, I lovingly focus my awareness on Him. I have obtained my Lord and Master, and all my desires are fulfilled. The Lord’s Name resounds and reverberates within me, and all around me. The One God, my Lord and Master, merges with His Divine Bride, and her heart blossoms with His Holy Naam. Servant Nanak proclaims that in this fourth round, we have become One with the Eternal Lord.

.....G