Foreword To The Book 'Perspectives on Guru Amardas - Third Sikh Master' By Fauja Singh , Rattan Singh Jaggi

(First Edition)

Sikhism is one of the youngest in the Fraternity of great religions of the world. Started by Guru Nanak in the last quarter of the fifteenth century, it has grown in vigour as well as in the extent of its influence. Today, its votaries are found not only all over India, but practically in most parts of the world. Its importance, thus need not be measured merely in terms of numbers, its vigour far outweighs its numerical strength, both here and abroad.

A distinguishing feature of the origin of Sikhism, a rare one in fact, is that it did not have one single founding father. Guru Nanak, the founder, gave the fundamental doctrines as well as institutions and prepared the basic ground for its subsequent development. One after another, in an unbroken line of succession, nine great teachers followed him and nursed the seedling planted by him. The whole founding process was extended over a period of more than two centuries.

Guru Amar Das, the third in this line of these ten teachers, brought a new dynamism to his holy ministry. Having attained this high pontifical office through a life of dedication and selfless service, he nurtured the infant plant of Sikhism with vision, sagacity and loving care. For over twenty-two years he guided its destinies through difficult times, facing repeated challenges from forces hostile to its growth. Under his guidance Sikhism was able to aquire a secure and wider base, a stronger organisation and a larger following. Indeed the advance made under his leadership laid a firm and sure foundation for many of the new directions given to the faith by his immediate successors.

It is a matter of rare good fortune for us that we have had the honour of participating in the country wide celebrations of 500th Birth Anniversary of this great teacher, Guru Amar Das. This book, for which I have been invited to write a few lines by way of a Foreword, is a bouquet of research papers presented at a special seminar convened by the Punjabi University early in 1980, as part of its comprehensive plan of academic programmes. I am glad that is has been possible for us to present these scholarly papers to wider reading community in the shape of a book. The contributors hailing from different disciplines have brought their respective specialised approaches to bear upon the subject. This inter-disciplinary approach, naturally, provides a greater depth to the endeavours and must for that reason be welcomed.

I heartily thank the Editors, Professor Fauja Singh and Professor R. S. Jaggi, for the valuable work they have done in the production of this book.

Table Of Contents Of The Book 'Perspectives on Guru Amardas - Third Sikh Master' By Fauja Singh , Rattan Singh Jaggi