On Baisakhi (March 30th) 1699, Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa Order; any person calling themselves a Sikh, would have to follow the path set down for them in the Khalsa. This universal brotherhood of humankind was created to destroy all previous barriers seperating fellow Sikhs such as Caste, Creed, Colour or Gender.
Guru ji held a very large gathering & addressed them, "My devoted friends, this sword is daily clamouring for the head of a dear Sikh. Is there anyone among you all ready to lay down his life at a call from me?." He stood firm, grasping a talwar (sword) in his hands. Many people fled, fearing for their lives, but 5 volunteers stood up, turn by turn, volunteering to put their lives in Guru ji's hands.
First,
Bhai Daya Ram, a Khatri form Lahore,
then
Bhai Dharm Das, a farmer from Delhi,
then
Bhai Mokham Chand, a washerman of Dwarka,
then
Bhai Sahib Chand, a barber of Bidar
&
Bhai Himmat Rai, a water carrier of Jagannath.
They were each one by one, beheaded by Guru ji. Guru Gobing Singh ji was headstrong & continued asking for more volunteers, until his sword had been stained with the blood of 5 loyal GurSikhs. Then, the Guru was satisfied and in a miracle, Guru ji brought forth the 5 volunteers, all now dressed in saffron clothes; orange salwar & kameez uniform, the same as Guru ji. Guru ji gave them the title of 'Panj Pyarae' or '5 beloved ones'.
Then they were asked to recite the Path of Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Anand Sahib, Swayas & Chaupai, while Guru ji stirred Pure water in an Iron vessel with a Khanda (double edged sword). The Khanda was used to represent Sovereign strength & Godly Truthfulness. The Iron vessel represented the strength of a pure heart. The hymns symbolised divine power & to provide a constant link between the Khalsa & God. Patashas (Sugar crystals) were then stirred in, brought in at the time by Mata Sahib Kaur, to bless the Khalsa 'with the grace, warmth & sweetness'. This Amrit, holy water, had thus been prepared & since it was created with the sword, was called, 'Khande ki Pahul'.
Guru ji asked the Sikhs to kneel on their left knees, Guru ji then showered the Amrit into their eyes & asked them, in turn, to speak aloud, "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fatheh", 'the Khalsa belongs to the True Lord, the Victory belongs to the True Lord'. The Amrit was then sprinkled in their hair & they were all asked to take deep draughts of Amrit from the same vessel to bond them together as brothers, destroying distinctions.
Guru Gobind Singh told his Khalsa;
This my order, listen my beloved.
Without Hair and Sword, do not come to me.
Without the rehit, do not call yourself a Sikh.
Without the rehit, you will be suffering.
The first rehit should be taken as being the taking of Amrit.
(All of the Rehits or codes of Conduct can be found in the Rehit Maryada section)
Guru Gobind Singh sang Waheguru's praises aloud;
YOU are the sign of Victory,
Today, YOU are the World-Warrior,
YOU are Death
YOU are All Power,
YOU are the Sword and Arrow.
After serving Amrit to the Panj Pyarae or 5 beloved ones and baptising them into the Khalsa, he then took Baptism himself from the Panj Pyarae. Then, he gave them an authority; superior to his own! Such an event has never been observed in History when any Prophet has held his Baptees in a higher regard to his own, we record:
Wah Wah Gobind Singh aapae Gur Chela
Praise be to Gobind Singh, he is the Guru as well as the Servant (of the Khalsa)
Guru Gobind Singh created this Khalsa, Akal Purkh ki Fauj, blessed by Waheguru, they served as Saint Soldiers (Sant Sipahi) of the world. The Khalsa served both to gain full Bhakhti & Spirituallity, but with full Shakti; Physical martial being. After taking Amrit, the Surname 'Singh' was given to males, 'Kaur' to the females.
The Khalsa were to follow the Rehit Maryada (go to Rehit Maryada section) as their code of conduct.
The Panj Pyarae were renamed to
Panj Pyare
Bhai Daya Singh Ji,
Bhai Himmat Singh Ji,
Bhai Mokham Singh Ji,
Bhai Dharam Singh Ji &
Bhai Sahib Singh Ji.
They were given 5 kakkars or 5 religious symbols to be worn at all times,
they include:
Five kakkars
- Kesh- Uncut Hair throughout body.
- Kirpan- The Kirpa-Aan is a shastar (dagger) used for Righteousness & self-defence as a last resort.
- Kanga- This is used to help preserve Hair in Good condition; clean & tidy.
- Kara- a bracelet to be worn on right hand, this is a symbol of God's oneness & a constant remider of Sikh values of Self control over the Mann (mind)
- Khaccha- Knee length shorts to remind beholder of Self-control & restraint from Kaam (lust)
Five Takhts
- Shri Akal Takht Sahib, Shri Amritsar
- Shri Kes Garh Sahib,
- Shri Dam Damma Sahib,
- Shri Patna Sahib &
- Shri Hazoor Sahib.
Who is Khalsa
"Khalsa mero roop hai khaas.
The Khalsa is my complete image
Khalse maih hau karo nivaas.
I dwell in the khalsa
Khalsa mero mukh hai ang-aa.
Khalsa is my chief organ
Khalse ke hau sadh sadh sang-aa.
I am always with the khalsa
Khalsa mero mitr sakhaa-ee
Khalsa is my closest friend
Khalsa maat pitaa sukhdaa-ee
Khalsa is my mother, father & source of all comforts.
Khalsa meri jaat ar pat.
Khalsa is my caste & creed.
Khalsa sau maa kau utapat.
My creation is through the khalsa
Khalsa mero bhavan bhand-aa-raa.
I dwell in the khalsa who is a storehouse of all my requirements.
Khalse kar mero satk-aa-raa.
I am honoured because of the khalsa.
Khalsa mero pind par-aan.
Khalsa is my body & breath.
Khalsa meri jaan ki jaan.
Khalsa is my life & soul
Khalsa mera satgur poor-aa
Khalsa is my full-fledged Guru.
Khalsa mera sajan soor-aa.
Khalsa is my brave friend.
Khalsa mero budh ar giaan.
Khalsa is my wisdom & knowledge.
Khalse ka hau dhar-au dhiaan.
I always contemplate the khalsa prayerfully
Upmaa khalsae jaath na kahi
Eulogy of the khalsa is beyond me.
Jihv-aa ek paar nah lahi.
I cannot fathom full praise of the khalsa with one tongue.
Ya mai ranch na mithe-aa bhaakh-ee.
I certify that I have not mis-stated anything in the foregoing.
Paarbrahm gur Nanak saak-ee.
God & Guru Nanak are my witnesses to endorse the foregoing truth.
Guru Gobind Singh, Sarb Loh Granth, (MS), 519-526.
CHARACTER OF THE KHALSA
He is the Khalsa, who gives up calumny.
He is the Khalsa, who fights in the forefront.
He is the Khalsa, who destroys the five passions.
He is the Khalsa, who burns his past karma.
He is the Khalsa, who renounces pride.
He is the Khalsa, who keeps away from undesirable women.
He is the Khalsa, who covets not other people's wealth.
He is the Khalsa, who is absorbed in His Name.
He is the Khalsa, who is devoted to the Word of the Guru.
He is the Khalsa, who is prepared to encounter
The sword of the enemy courageously.
Knowing the people to be creatures of God: Khaalaq.
Let no one cause sorrow and suffering to the people.
He who wilfully tyrannises over the people
Will be destroyed by the wrath of God.
He is the Khalsa, who helps the poor.
He is the Khalsa, who destroys oppressors.
He is the Khalsa, who contemplates the Name of God.
He is the Khalsa, who attacks the wicked people.
He is the Khalsa, who is absorbed in His presence.
He is the Khalsa, who keeps a war-horse.
He is the Khalsa, who is ever ready for the battle.
He is the Khalsa, who destroys oppressors.
The drums of the glory of God will beat.
No one will dare to abuse and insult God.
The trees and mountains will ring with His Name.
The three worlds will sing His glory.
(Rehitnama; Bhai Nand Lal)
Guru Gobind Singh ji was asked by Mata Gujri ji, whether he missed seeing his 4 martyred sons, The Master replied, "You are wrong if you think I had only four sons, I have thousands of sons and in them I see the four I sacrificed. Those four sons were four virtues from Waheguru, their body pots were to be smashed so that those virtues could be poured into the Khalsa.
- Ajit means unconquerable, My Khalsa would rather die fighting than run like a coward.
- Jujhar means warrior, My Khalsa is powerful and strong.
- Zorawar means Power, as long as My Khalsa is distinct I will give them all of my power.
- Fateh is victory, My Khalsa will fight for Waheguru's victory.
O Mata Ji, when I see one Khalsa with these 4 qualities I see all four son. By creating the Khalsa, Guru Gobind Singh ji had organised the Sikhs so that they weren't just members of a Religion, they were now members of a unique Nation and Ethnic Community, with it's own language, even it's own National Anthem, Dress code & Surnames. Members of this Nation abided by the same Rehit Maryada. Those Sikhs that diverted from the Sikh Spiritual Path can ask the Panj Pyarae for help to remain on the Path to Waheguru. The Sikh's had it's own Government; the Akal Takht, the Temporal Throne of God,. The Akal Takht set down Temporal Authority that was to be abided by all calling themselves Sikhs, guarding the sanctity of the Akal Takht with their lives.
The Sikh Anthem
DEH SHIVA BAR MOHE IHAE
Grant me O, Lord this boon from Thee
SHUBH KARMAN THAE KABHOO NA TAROON
May I never shun Righteous Acts
NA DAROO AR SIYO JAB JAH LAROO
May I fight fearlessly in battle
NISCHAI KAR APNI JEET KAROO
Give me faith so that Victory will be mine
AR SIKH HO APNE HI MAN KO
May One Glorious Objective guide my mind
EH LAALACH HO GUN THAU UCHROO
And my highest Ambition be singing Thy praises
JAB AAV KI AUDH NIDHAAN BANE
When this mortal life reaches its limits
ATH HI RUN ME THAB JOOJH MAROO
May I die fighting heroically.
Question to Sikh
Guru Gobind Singh ji, the Tenth Nanak was fully justified in creating the Khalsa, His means are unquestionable, let us not forget Guru Nanak Dev ji also states that he MUST ask this FIRST fundemental question to any potential Sikh:
Jo Tau Prem Khelan Ka Chao
"If you yearn to play the game of love, step on to my path,
Sir dhar tali gali meri aau
With the head placed on the palm of your hand.
It marag pair dharije
And, once you set your feet on this Path,
Sir deejai kaan na keeje
Then lay down your head without any fear or drudge."
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1412)
Since it's creation in 1699, the Khalsa's message has spread out to all parts of the Globe. The Khalsa have served in many wars, such as the Moghul wars lasting many centuries, against the British Invasion of South East Asia, as well as against the Nazis in WorldWar 1 & 2, always protecting the Righteous or meek. The Khalsa proved that normal men and women are capable of extraordinary feats for Righteousness, if need so welcoming Death, but upholding Truth.
The Sikh Flag
The Khanda Insignia, consisting of:
4 overlapping Shastars (weapons used for Good Kirpa:
KHANDA: as the most powerful shastar, Guru ji stated the double-edged sword was a source of Shakti
CHAKHAR: the circle symbolises the Ever lasting Power of Waheguru is all around us. This was made of Iron & worn by Sikh Warriors around Turbans.
MIRI: this sword signifies Temporal Power. Guru Har Gobind ji wore it to reflect his Shakti.
PIRI: this sword signifies Spiritual Power or Bhakti.
So Proud to say.....I'm SIKH
