THREADS OF COMPASSION
Although, as a youngster, I was raised in a fairly non-religious environment, I still had some awareness of certain historical stories from the lives of the Sikh Gurus, which I had picked up from various children’s books.
One of the most common stories that is shared is the one where Guru Nanak Dev Jee refuses to wear the holy thread of the Hindu Brahmins and instead questions how this will make him a good person. Unfortunately, this is the extent of the story that is typically shared.
However, the real message of this story and one of the central tenets of Guru Sahib’s teaching is the detailed response that they gave to the practice of wearing a holy thread.
It was probably twenty years after having first heard the story, I realised that the answers were in the fifteenth section of Asa Kee Var.
In essence, Guru Sahib challenges the Pandit’s by saying that they are prepared to wear a thread, but not a physical thread that will break, get dirty etc. Guru Sahib asked for a thread for their soul that was made of compassion, truth, contentment and self restraint.
What an amazing teaching! Below is the first verse on the subject from Asa Kee Var but I would strongly recommend a study of the full section if you get the chance.
Dhaeiaa Kapaah Santhokh Sooth Jath Gandtee Sath Vatt ||
Make compassion the cotton, contentment the thread, modesty the knot and truth the twist.
Eaehu Janaeoo Jeea Kaa Hee Th Paaddae Ghath ||
This is the sacred thread of the soul; if you have it, then go ahead and put it on me.
Naa Eaehu Thuttai Naa Mal Lagai Naa Eaehu Jalai N Jaae ||
It does not break, it cannot be soiled by filth, it cannot be burnt, or lost.
Dhhann S Maanas Naanakaa Jo Gal Chalae Paae ||
Blessed are those mortal beings, O Nanak, who wear such a thread around their necks.
Choukarr Mul Anaaeiaa Behi Choukai Paaeiaa ||
You buy the thread for a few shells, and seated in your enclosure, you put it on.
Sikhaa Kann Charraaeeaa Gur Braahaman Thhiaa ||
Whispering instructions into others' ears, the Brahmin becomes a guru.
Ouhu Muaa Ouhu Jharr Paeiaa Vaethagaa Gaeiaa ||1||
But he dies, and the sacred thread falls away, and the soul departs without it. ||1||
Vaheguroo!
