Science and Sikhism

Sikhs do not disagree with science, as it does not conflict with Sikh Scriptures or beliefs. In fact scientists are just now discovering the concepts that were written in Sikh scriptures centuries ago. Sikh Gurus told Sikhs not to smoke, do drugs or drink alcohol centuries ago. Scientists confirm that drinking alcohol, smoking and consuming drugs have harmful effects on the body.

Sikhism beliefs have not been disproven by science. Scientific facts support the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Granth Sahib states that, “There are planets, solar systems and galaxies. If one speaks of them, there is no limit, no end. There are worlds upon worlds of His Creation. As He commands, so they exist. He watches over all, and contemplating the creation, He rejoices. Nanak says, to describe this is as hard as steel!” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 8). Furthermore, it is stated that God created the whole universe including the earth. “You Yourself created the earth, and the two lamps of the sun and the moon” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 83). And, “Many millions are the moons, suns and stars” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 275).

Clarification: The meaning of “You Yourself created the earth, and the two lamps of the sun and the moon” (Guru Granth Sahib, 83) is that God created the Sun and the Moon. The lamp is figurative not literal. Which means they both give us light, Sun during the day and Moon during the night. But in no way Guru Granth Sahib Ji is saying that Moon makes or generates its own light.

God has created the entire universe. Guru Granth Sahib Ji explains that there was nothing present and then God created everything. "For endless ages, there was only utter darkness. There was no earth or sky; there was only His command. There was no day or night, no moon or sun; God sat in primal, profound meditation position. There were no food or sources of speech, no air or water. There was no creation or destruction, no birth or death. There were no continents, regions, seven seas, rivers or flowing water. There were no heavenly realms, earth or nether regions of the underworld. There was no heaven or hell, no death or time ... When He so willed, He created the world. Without any supporting power, He sustained the universe ... He created the creation, and watches over it; His Command is over all. He formed the planets, solar systems and nether regions, and brought what was hidden to manifestation. No one knows His limits. This understanding comes from the Perfect Guru. O Nanak, those who are attuned to the Truth are wonderstruck; singing His Glorious Praises, they are filled with wonder." (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 1035)

Furthermore, "From the True Lord came the air/gasses, and from the air came water. Based on water, He created the three regions (sky/air, land and ocean). In each and every heart, He has infused His Light." (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 19). God created the gases. Water (H2O) came from the gases. When two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom combine, they form water. Life in the ocean, on land and in the air is based on water. Without water, life cannot sustain. Within all life, He has infused His Light, meaning our soul, which is a part of God. This quote on a broad scale implies that God created the entire Universe including the Earth and life on the Earth.

Scientists have found that there are billions of galaxies, each galaxy containing billions of starts and millions of planets revolving around those stars with millions of moons revolving around those planets. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, has approximately 200 billions stars and millions of planets from which few are known. There are billions of galaxies like ours in the universe and this is just now being realized by modern science, where as Sikh Scripture mentioned it long before its discovery.

Scientists are slowly attempting to unravel the creation of God but the whole creation is so vast that currently it is beyond what humans can explore. Scientists study the creation of God and try to comprehend the mysteries of His creation. The more they learn, the more they are amazed. Some spend their entire life studying God’s creation and yet they are unable to find His limits. However, when one meditates on God, God Himself unfolds the mysteries and shows the galaxies, the stars, and all of His creation.