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CREATION OF THE KHALSA (MARCH 30, 1699) & CASTELESS SOCIETY

 

ONE TRANSCENDENT LORD, CREATOR, FORMLESS, WITHOUT FEAR, WITHOUT HATRED, IMMORTAL, UNBORN, SELF-EXISTENT, INFINITE IS TOTALLY PERMEATING AND PERVADING EVERY WHERE. TRUE IN THE TIMELESS BEGINNING, TRUE IN THE PAST INFINITY OF AGES, TRUE NOW AND FOREVER SHALL BE TRUE. (ADI GURU GRANTH SAHIB, (AGGS, PG.1).
BASAKHI CELEBRATION AT CONVENTION CENTER, SUNDAY 29 MAY 2011


Waheguru Je ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ke Fateh. Congratulations and greetings to all for celebration of Basakhi, the birthday of the Khalsa, the Sikh Nation. It is essential for all of us to know and remember what actually Guru Gobind Singh did and what happened on Basakhiday of: 30 March 1699 at Keshgarh, Anandpur Sahib.

CREATION OF THE KHALSA (MARCH 30, 1699) & CASTELESS SOCIETY

  1. GURU’S CALL: The Guru sent Hukamnamas to his followers all over India to visit Anandpur at the Basakh festival to be held on March 30, 1699. 80,000 followers came from all parts of the country. 

A small tent was pitched on a small hill called Kesgarh Sahib at ANANDPUR SAHIB and an open air dewan (assembly) was held.

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The Guru drew his sword and in a thundering voice said, ‘I want one head, is there anyone who can offer me?’ The most unusual call caused terror in the gathering and the people were stunned. There was dead silence. The Guru made a second call. Nobody came forward. There was still more silence. The Sikhs began to think that the Guru was going to kill all of them. Many of them ran away and the other hung their heads down. Many were called and a few are chosen. On the third call rose:

  1.  Daya Ram, a Khatri of Lahore who said,’O true king, my head is at thy service.’ The Guru took Daya Ram by the arm and led him inside the tent. A blow and thud were heard. Then the Guru, with his sword dripping with blood came out and said, ‘I want another head, one by one 4 more rose:
  2. Dharam Das, a Jat from Delhi
  3. Mohkam Chand, a washer man of Dwarka (west coast of India),
  4. Himmat Chand, a cook of Jagan Nath Puri, and
  5. Sahib Chand, a barber of Bider (in central India)

The Guru took one by one inside the tent and repeated the same process. They offered their heads to the Guru, and the Guru had now given them himself and his glory.

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When they were brought outside, Guru dressed them in splendid garments and they were in the most radiant form. There were exclamations of wonder and the sighs of regret on all sides. Now people were sorry for not offering their heads. The Guru proceeded to initiate them to his NEW ORDER and Baptised them.

 NEW ORDER ‘AMRIT’ (SIKH BAPTISM) CEREMONY & CREATION OF CASTELESS SOCIETY :  Amrit is must and mandatory for every Sikh. The idea is Sikh may get immersed in ‘AMRIT’, the divine presence within him or her. No minimum or maximum age is stipulated for getting baptized. Through Amrit initiation March 30, 1699 at KESHGARH, (Anandpur Sahib) to five to whom Guru called them ‘FIVE PYARAY’ or Five Beloved ones.  Guru created a ‘CASTLESS SOCIETY’ through his ‘NASH DOCTRINE, and reaffirmed: ‘Recognize thy all human race as one’. ‘NASH DOCTRINE’ is as follow:

  1. DHARM NASH: Freedom & restrictions to WORSHIP ONLY ONE, GOD, Formless to be glorified. Sikhs shall not indulge in any form of IDOL worship.
  2. KARAM NASH: Freedom from rituals of karma – Kand, belief in this or previous life.
  3. KIRT NASH: Freedom from limitations on choice of occupation. Every occupation is sacred, dignified and noble.
  4. KUL NASH: Freedom from caste associated with birth or lineage. We are one and no particular caste or creed is superior to one another. We all are sons and daughters of one God.
  5. BHARAM NASH: Freedom from all kinds of superstitions, caste, black magic, jantar, mantar, tanter, fortune telling, good or bad days, and prophecy. All are hurdles in the development of human mind.

SLOGAN AND SALUTATION: Guru gave a slogan and salutation to his five and the humanity at large “Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh. Means, Khalsa belongs to God and all triumph is to His Name).

APPELLATION OF SINGHS: Guru gave them the appellation of ‘SINGHS or Lions and they were named from: Daya Ram to Daya Singh, Dharam das to Dharam Singh, Mohkam Chand to Mohkam Singh, Himmat Chand to Himmat Singh, and Sahib Chand to Sahib Singh. The Guru then addressed them as the supreme, the liberated ones, pure ones and he called them THE KHALSA.

It is unfortunate for those who do not use their Guru given name ‘SINGH’: We should all know, this is Guru’s stamp and blessings. In addition the Guru ordained them: 

  1. Not to use Tobacco or other intoxicants. The world is now aware of its harmful effects and making laws for not to smoke. This is what happening in America. What a contribution of Sikhs preserving Mother Nature and not polluting it?

      2.  They must rise at dawn, bathe, mediate and recite 5 banis – Japji, Jap Sahib and Swayas in the morning;  Rehras in the Evening; and Sohela at the bed time at night.

     3. They must not worship idols, superstitions of all kind, cemeteries, or cremation grounds, and must

BELIEVE ONLY IN ONE IMMORTAL GOD. These superstitions are considered HURDLES in the  development of human mind.

I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU:

Character of Sikhs in the word of Qazi Nur Mohammed:  The khalsa brotherhood was constituted of saint –soldiers committed to peaceful and co-operative social existence but ever ready to stand against any type of oppression and injustice.  To get a glimpse of this new personage it will be worthwhile to quote two contemporary chroniclers. Qazi Nur Mohammed, who accompanied the invading forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali (1740 – 1770), records in his Jangnama (autobiography) as:

(1) They (the Sikhs) never kill a coward and do not obstruct one who flees from the battle field. (They seldom restored to cold blooded murder even of their enemies).

(2) They respect the chastity of women as part of their faith and honor; adultery does not exist among them.

(3) They do not rob a woman of her gold and ornaments, may she be a queen or a slave girl.

(4) They never resort to stealing & no thief exists among them and they do not keep company with the adulterer or the thief.

(5) When in festivities, they surpass Hatim (in generosity).

SIKH PRAYER REMINDS US:  “Nanak Naam, Chardi Kala thire bhane sarbat da bhala”: MEANS: O God grant me dynamic spirit with positive thinking and May the whole world is blest thy Will and Mercy.

For the SIKHS, this is what reminds you your VERSA. Thus, it is our duty of every Sikh family, mothers in particular to educate their children the principles of Sikhism. If you do so, rest assures they will be obedient and thankful to you for rest of their lives and will be better human beings and better citizen no matter wherever they go and live. God bless you all.

 

 

 

Dr. Piara Singh



DR. PIARA SINGH, PH. D., P. E. (CIVIL)

  • Chief Engineer, U. S. NAVY (Retd).