KIRAT KARNA, VAND CHHAKNA,
NAAM JAPNA
‘Kirat Karna’ (Honest earning), ‘Vand Chhakna’ (sharing with the others) and ‘Naam Japna’ (meditation upon name, i.e. Word of God) are the basic postulates of Sikhism.
Kirat Karna: A Sikh cannot earn his livelihood by unfair means. Wealth earned by unfair means is a sin for a Sikhs. Kirat Karan does not mean labour or farming. It may be any profession (job, business or any other activity), a Sikh must perform it in honest manner. A Sikh cannot earn wealth by smuggling, cheating, plundering, or any other corrupt means.
Vand Chhakna: A Sikh is supposed to be a positive part of the society. He must share his income and wealth with those who don’t have enough income or wealth. It is not giving alms or donation. All the Sikhs are brethren; the Sikh world is one big family; hence everyone should be helpful to the other members of their big family.
Naam Japna: Mediation upon the Name (of God) is basic tenet of Sikhism.
Naam Japna is not simple reading of hymns or non-stop or continuous repeating of one of the many names of God; it means to read hymns (from Guru Granth Sahib), understanding their meaning and living one’s life according to the teachings of the verse). Naam Japna dispels darkness and leads one to self-realization and finally to union with God.
Without honest earning and sharing with others (i.e. playing social role), mere meditation upon the Name of God is of no use. Such a meditation is just a ritual, a formality and almost hypocrisy.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)