Sikhism - Culture - Gurmat Veechar

Being a woman, she was quite conversant with the over all
miserable plight of women in the society. She was much concerned
about the worries and the pains ofthe widows, who were often thrown
out ofthe homes and were treated very badly both by their parents and
the in laws.
It is said that she was instrumental in shaping the thinking and the
ideology of Baba Amar Dass, who when ascended to the throne of
Guru Nanak and having Guru Nanak's Jote in him, raised his voice for
the emancipation ofwomen through his 'Bani'. He took up their cause
very seriously and was at the forefront in creating a congenial
atmosphere for their uplifting. He was most outspoken in this regard
and composed several verses 'Gurbani' that showed his concern for
women. He campaigned against Sati system, advocated re-marriage of
the widows, preached and practiced against 'pardah' system. He even
allotted 'manjis' dioceses to some of the women and gave them full
authority for the spread ofSikhism in their allotted area.
The magnanimity ofMata Mansa Devi is also revealed by the fact
that when Guru Amar Dass Sahib picked up Bhai Jetha, later Guru
Ram Dass as his son in law, a groom for their daughter Bibi Bhani,
knowing fully well his background and poor financial position, did not
raise any hue and cry but bowed to the selection ofher husband, taking
the same as the edict and will ofGod and in the interest ofher daughter.
Who ., knew at that time that the selected lad would one day become
Sodhi Sultan Guru Ram Dass?
Thus when we sing the saga ofGuru Amar Dass 'Bhale Amar Dass
gun tere, teri upma tohe ban Aawe,, we are automatically attracted
towards the benevolent qualities of Mata Mansa Devi as well, the
revered mother Mansa Devi, oldest ofall our Guru wives.
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110 / The Sikhism - Culture, History & Religion