Guru Nanak raised his voice for the oppressed and the downtrodden. Whilst the clergy of the major faiths had their firm hold over the spiritual affairs in the Indian sub-continent, the kshatriyas (warrior caste) control the military might of the continent. All other jaatees (castes) were assumed to have been born to live a life of servility and oppression. Guru Nanak starteda movement to address the injustices of the caste system.
The successor Gurus carried on Guru Nanak’s by educating people both on the Spiritual and Temporal facets of life. This came to fruition when the Sixth Master, Guru Hargobind Sahib formalised the concept of MIRI PIRI, by wearing two kirpans (swords), one for Miri (temporal, i.e. physical prowess and awareness of worldly affairs) and the other for Piri (spirituality, compassion and humility). In one stroke Guru Ji conferred upon the , hitherto, oppressed masses the temporal prowess of the Kshatriyas and the spiritual domain of the Brahmins, the priestly class. He elevated the lower castes to the noble embodiment of a Saint-Soldier, humble in serving humanity, but ferocious in the battle for justice, equality and righteous cause,
16/9/20