Sikh values
Remember, work honestly, share — and be truthful, kind, brave and fair.
Grown-ups: Connects the three pillars to everyday values; the story of Bhai Lalo and Malik Bhago is a traditional sakhi told simply.
The three pillars
Guru Nanak Dev Ji gave three simple pillars for life. Naam Japna: keep Waheguru in your heart and mind. Kirat Karni: work hard and earn honestly. Vand Chhakna: share what you have with others. Like the legs of a stool, all three together help you stand steady.
Honesty
Sikhs value truth very highly. Gurbani teaches that truthful living is even higher than knowing about truth. That means being honest when it is hard, like owning up to a broken vase or telling the teacher you didn't finish your homework. Honesty also means not taking what belongs to someone else, even something small.
Kindness and equality
Sikhs believe the same Divine light is in everyone. So no one is better or worse because of their family, money, skin colour, religion or whether they are a boy or a girl. Kindness means treating each person as part of your own family: sharing, listening, and including someone who is left out.
Courage
The Gurus showed that being good sometimes needs courage. Courage is not about fighting; it is about doing the right thing even when you are nervous. It might mean standing up for a friend, saying no to something wrong, or telling the truth. Sikhs call a brave, cheerful spirit Chardi Kala.
Words to know
Bhai Lalo and Malik Bhago
This is a story from Sikh tradition. On his travels, Guru Nanak Dev Ji stayed with Bhai Lalo, a poor carpenter who earned his living honestly. A rich man called Malik Bhago held a big feast and was cross that the Guru did not come. When the Guru was asked why, he held Bhai Lalo's plain bread in one hand and Malik Bhago's rich food in the other. The story says that Lalo's bread showed goodness, like milk, while Bhago's food showed the pain of the poor people he had treated unfairly. Malik Bhago understood, and chose to change his ways.
From Gurbani
ਘਾਲਿ ਖਾਇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹਥਹੁ ਦੇਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਹੁ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਸੇਇ ॥੧॥
Ghaal khaae kichh hathahu dee. Naanak raahu pachhaaneh se.
One who works for what they eat, and gives some of it away with their own hand — says Nanak, such a person recognises the true path.
ਜੋ ਮਿਹਨਤ ਕਰਕੇ ਖਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਕੁਝ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥੀਂ ਦਾਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ — ਨਾਨਕ ਆਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਜਿਹਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਸੱਚਾ ਰਾਹ ਪਛਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ।
Work for what you have and share some of it with your own hands — that is the true path.
ਸਚਹੁ ਓਰੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਉਪਰਿ ਸਚੁ ਆਚਾਰੁ ॥੫॥
Sachahu orai sabh ko upar sach aachaar.
Truth is higher than everything — but higher still is truthful living.
ਸੱਚ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਉੱਚਾ ਹੈ — ਪਰ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਵੀ ਉੱਚਾ ਹੈ ਸੱਚਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਜੀਉਣਾ।
Truth is great, but living truthfully every day is even greater.
Values stool
- Draw a simple three-legged stool.
- Write Naam Japna, Kirat Karni and Vand Chhakna on the three legs.
- On the seat, write one value you want to practise this week: honesty, kindness, equality or courage.
- Each day, draw a small star on the stool when you practise it.
- At the weekend, share one star-moment with your family.
Family conversation
- Why do you think Guru Nanak Dev Ji chose to eat with Bhai Lalo?
- When is it hard to tell the truth? What helps you do it anyway?
- How can our family share a little more this month?