GURBANI AWARENESS SERIES-2

 Dharamsal
ਧਰਮ ਸਾਲ

A Dharmashal (or Dharamshala), etymologically, means 'a religious school'. This word is also used for a place where pilgrims can stay,  a place of public welfare.  However, in Sikhism this word is used for a place where people from different walks of life can join to understand the teachings of Great Gurus in order to lead a truthful life. Of course now we use word Gurdwara but earlier the religious institutions were called Dharamsal and the place is also used for other welfare activities.
Guru Nanak Sahib visited a number of places to spread the word of truth.  Wherever he went, he would establish Sangats, organize people of that particular area and advise them meditation in order to cleanse the minds and live a better life.  Bhai Gurdas Jee mentioned about this revolutionary step of Guru Nanak Sahib. He writes:
Whereever Guru Nanak visited, that place became place of worship. The most important centres including those of the Yogis visited by the Guru became Dharamsal (spiritual centres). Motive of Guru Jee behind organizing such centres was:
1) To unite people of different walks of life and also this common congregation  will do away the sense of un-touchability. As per Hindu traditions the society was divided in four castes and the upper caste never allowed the so called shudras to sit with them. Here in Dharamsal, anyone could join, Listen Gurbani and partake Langar without consideration of Low or High, Rich or Poor.
2) To bring socio-economic parity. Help the needy.
3) Tolerance amongst people of different faiths.
4) Equality and entry of woman at the place of worship (Dharamsal)
ਚਾਰੇ ਪੈਰ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਚਾਰਿ ਵਰਨ ਇਕ ਵਰਨੁ ਕਰਾਇਆ | 
ਰਾਣਾ ਰੰਕ ਬਰਾਬਰੀ ਪੈਰੀ ਪਵਣਾ ਜਗਿ ਵਰਤਾਇਆ | ਉਲਟਾ ਖੇਲੁ ਪਿਰੰਮ ਦਾ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਉਪਰਿਸੀਸ ਨਿਵਾਇਆ | 
ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਬਾਬੇ ਤਾਰਿਆ ਸਤਿਨਾਮੁ ਪੜ੍ਹਿ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਸੁਣਾਇਆ | ਕਲਿ ਤਾਰਣਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕਆਇਆ |੨੩|
the four castes were converted into one. 
Equality of the King and beggar, he spread the custom of being humble. 
Reversed is the game of the beloved; the egotist high heads bowed to the feet. 
Baba Nanak rescued this Dark Age; read ‘satnam’ and recited the mantar. 
Guru Nanak came to redeem this Dark Age of Kaljug. Bhai Gurdas - Vaar 1 pauri 23
This was a great Revolution to build a Society where every one would have freedom to live, to earn, to share and have freedom to follow his/her faith.
There is another reference by Bhai Gurdas when he says:
GHAR GHAR ANDR  DHARAMSAL
HOVE KEERTAN SADA VASOA.
That Guru Jee wanted each one of us to feel Dharamsal inner self.  When a devotees follows the teachings of Guru, his mind is imbued with the Naam, he/she will lead a peaceful life and can build an ideal Society which is called HALEMEE RAAJ
ਹੁਣਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੋਆ ਮਿਹਰਵਾਣ ਦਾ ॥
Now, the Merciful Lord has issued His Command.
ਪੈ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਕਿਸੈ ਰਞਾਣਦਾ ॥
Let no one chase after and attack anyone else.
ਸਭ ਸੁਖਾਲੀ ਵੁਠੀਆ ਇਹੁ ਹੋਆ ਹਲੇਮੀ ਰਾਜੁ ਜੀਉ ॥੧੩॥
Let all abide in peace, under this Benevolent Rule. ||13|(sggs Page 74)
Infact this was the Dharamsal planned by Guru Nanak Sahib Jee.
Theologically speaking, for a Sikh the whole of this earth is veritably a Dharamsala- a place to practise Dharama.
We have been blessed with human life to live as explained by Guru Jee in his teachings and to do noble cause on this earth. In Japu Jee Sahib (Pauri 34), Guru Nanak Sahib has very clearly directed us that this earth is Dharamsal and live likewise. His Divine Law keeps watching our every step whether bad or good.
ਰਾਤੀ ਰੁਤੀ ਥਿਤੀ ਵਾਰ ॥
Nights, days, weeks and seasons;
ਪਵਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਅਗਨੀ ਪਾਤਾਲ ॥
wind, water, fire and the nether regions -
ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਥਾਪਿ ਰਖੀ ਧਰਮ ਸਾਲ ॥
in the midst of these, He established the earth as a home for Dharma.
ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਜੀਅ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਕੇ ਰੰਗ ॥
Upon it, He placed the various species of beings.
ਤਿਨ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਅਨੇਕ ਅਨੰਤ ॥
Their names are uncounted and endless.
ਕਰਮੀ ਕਰਮੀ ਹੋਇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
By their deeds and their actions, they shall be judged.
ਸਚਾ ਆਪਿ ਸਚਾ ਦਰਬਾਰੁ ॥
God Himself is True, and True is His Court.
These lines are part of our daily Prayer and there should be no doubt for what purpose we have come on this Pious place (earth) to which Guruji addressed t also ias “Mother” in Shaloka (Pavan Guru Panee Pita Mata Dharat Mahat).  While committing a crime, doing dishonest designs and taking intoxicants one must feel ashamed of in front of MOTHER EARTH. Let’s have a look on Guru Nanak Sahib’s following Shabad:
ਮੈ ਬਧੀ ਸਚੁ ਧਰਮ ਸਾਲ ਹੈ ॥
I have established the Temple of Truth.
ਗੁਰਸਿਖਾ ਲਹਦਾ ਭਾਲਿ