Sikhism "Deep within the self is the light of God. It radiates throughout the expanse of his creation and through the teachings of Guru all the darkness of spiritual ignorance is dispelled", these words elucidate the honest wisdom of Sikhism. A progressive religion well ahead of its time when it was founded over 500 years ago, The Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide and is ranked as the worlds 5th largest religion. The word `Sikh` in the Punjabi language means `disciple`, Sikhs are the disciples of God who follow the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. The wisdom of these teachings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib is practical and universal in their appeal to all mankind. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Sikh religion believes in only one God who has no form and no relative as well.

Origin of Sikhism
Sikhism was born at a time when India was in a state of political upheaval, social instability and religious ritualism, externalism without much inner illumination and spiritual experience in depth. Guru Nanak was the real founder of Sikhism. He was born in a village called Talwandi, which is some fifty miles south of Lahore in the year 1469. It is now in Pakistan and has been named "Nankana Sahib".

Guru Nanak
The founder of Sikhism faith the youngest of the world religions, Guru Nanak, was born in 1469 in a Hindu family of the Bedi Khatri clan. Guru Nanak spread a simple message of "Ek Ong Kar": we are all one, created by the One Creator of all Creation. This was at a time when India was being torn apart by castes, sectarianism, religious factions, and fanaticism. He aligned with no religion, and respected all religions. He expressed the reality that there is one God and many paths, and the Name of God is Truth, "Sat Nam".

Guru Nanak laid down the foundation of Sikhism. Guru Nanak`s Hindu and Muslim followers began to be called Sikhs (learners). Through words and example, the Guru demonstrates to followers how to experience God within themselves, bringing them from darkness into light. Guru Nanak was a humble bearer of this Light of Truth. He opposed superstition, rituals, social inequality and injustice, renunciation and hypocrisy and inspired seekers by singing divine songs, which touched the hearts of the most callous listeners. These songs were recorded, and formed the beginnings of the Sikhs` sacred writings, later to become the "Siri Guru Granth Sahib".

Concept of Sikhism
Sikhism is wholly an Indian religion in the sense that its founders were all of Indian origin. Secondly its religious scripture and teachings are wholly Hindu. Sikhism fully subscribes to the fourfold principles of Karma-Samsara-Jnana-Mukti. Sikhism is marked out as a Guru-centered religion much more than any other Indian tradition. Guru is given a place of great importance in Nyaya, Advaitism, Nathismand, Kabirpanth, but the Guru is held in the highest esteem in Sikhism. Unlike any other form of Hinduism, it enjoins upon the Sikhs to fight against social injustice and in defense of one`s faith.

The Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib the sacred book of the Sikhs contains four poems of Trilochan, 62 of Namadeva and 240 Sakhis and 227 padas of Kabir. Most of the characteristic teachings of Sikhism like monotheism; crusade against idolatry and caste, externalism (bhaiachara), ritualism could be easily traced to the saint poets. Guru Granth Sahib for the Sikhs is what the Bible is to the Christians, the Quoran to the Muslims, the Veda to the Brahmins. It is the most sacred scripture for the Sikhs and they even pray the Guru Granth Sahib. It contains Bani, which stands on the level of `the Word` of the Christian and of the followers of Shabda Brahma and of the Saivites. Guru Nank himself had composed a number of songs; the best of them may be named Japji, Asa-di-var, Rahi-rasa Patti, Dakani Omkara, Siddha Gosthi and Bara Mah.

Other Gurus after Guru Nanak have also added their compositions. Guru Granth Sahib was composed in 1604 by Guru Arjan Dev who was assisted by the great devotee Bhai Gurdas. It was written in Gurmukhi Script so that the Sikhs may remain Guru-centred. Guru Granth Sahib includes not only the compositions of Gurus but also of many Saint Poets. It includes verses of Ramanand, Jaideva, Namadeva, Trilochan, Veni, Dhanna, Pipa, Sain, Kabir, Rai Das, Shaikh Bhikhaji, Sadhna, Surdas, Poona Nane and of Muslim Sufis.