All the doctrines of the Sikhs are found set forth in the two Granths and in compositions called The Sikh doctrines. Rahit Namas and Tanakhwah Namas, which are believed to have been the utterances of the tenth guru. The cardinal principle of the sacred books is the unity of God, and starting from this premiss the rejection of idolatry and superstition. Thus Guru Govind Singh writes:
| “Some worshipping stones, put them on their heads; Some suspend lingams from their necks; Some see the God in the South; some bow their heads to the West. Some fools worship idols, others busy themselves with worshipping the dead. The whole world entangled in false ceremonies hath not found God’s secret.” |
Next to the unity of God comes the equality of all men in His sight, and so the abolition of caste distinctions. Guru Nanak says:
| “Caste hath no power in the next world; there is a new order of beings, Those whose accounts are honoured are the good.” |
The concremation of widows, though practised in later times by Hinduized Sikhs, is forbidden in the Granth. Guru Arjan writes:
| “She who considereth her beloved as her God, Is the blessed sati who shall be acceptable in God’s Court.” |
It is a common belief that the Sikhs are allowed to drink wine and other intoxicants. This is not the case. Guru Nanak wrote:
“By drinking wine man committeth many sins.”
Guru Arjan wrote:
“The fool who drinketh evil wine is involved in sin.”