CREATION OF KHALSA

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

1. Kesh- Uncut Hair throughout body.
2. Kirpan- The Kirpa-Aan is a shastar (dagger) used for Righteousness & self-defence as a last resort.
3. Kanga- This is used to help preserve Hair in Good condition; clean & tidy.
4. 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)
5. Khaccha- Knee length shorts to remind beholder of Self-control & restraint from Kaam (lust)

 Five Takhts 

1. Shri Akal Takht Sahib, Shri Amritsar
2. Shri Kes Garh Sahib, 
3. Shri Dam Damma Sahib, 
4. Shri Patna Sahib & 
5. 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. 

1. Ajit means unconquerable, My Khalsa would rather die fighting than run like a coward. 
2. Jujhar means warrior, My Khalsa is powerful and strong. 
3. Zorawar means Power, as long as My Khalsa is distinct I will give them all of my power. 
4. 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

Sikh the Pure..

A wake up call - 
Some friends were going from Delhi to Jaipur in a taxi whose driver was a Sardar (Sikh) .
All the friends were making jokes on Sikhs ,
sharing it with each other and laughed at on the journey .

The Sikh driver dos'nt speak anything during the whole journey .
He just listened to them politely and remained patient .

At the end of the journey , he called one of them & said "I will not stop u on making jokes on Sikh neither i will tell u the stories of their bravery.... .Just take this 1(One) Rupee coin and give it to any
poor SIKH beggar "

6(Six) months have passed that 1 Rupee coin is still with those friends.

U know Why ?

Coz he has'nt find any sikh begging anywhere .
Sikhs never give up. they earn with their hardwork and never beg till their last breath .

Still people dont stop making jokes on Sikhs .
Some has realized, when will others....? 

Coz its easy to laugh on other but difficult to be like a pure SIKH (a true human) ,

SERVE HUMANITY & SPREAD LOVE ..

Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Leh ,J & K,India

In the late 1970s, during the construction of the Leh-Nimu road, a large boulder was found in the middle of the road bed covered with Buddhists prayer flags by Lamas. The bulldozer driver tried to push and throw away the stone but it did not move and in the process the blades broke and the work stopped. The driver had a dream that night not to move the stone.

He narrated his dream to the army officer who did not give any importance to it. When all efforts to remove it failed it was decided to blow it apart with dynamite the next day. That night the army officer also had a dream not to remove the stone but he again disregarded it. The next day being Sunday he and the workers were visited, early in the morning, by several Lamas and Ladhakhis who came and told them a true story of Baba Nanak ji and the unyielding boulder.

On enquiring further he was told that this pathar they had been having so much trouble with was a "Wax Statue" (a mould with a negative impression) of their revered Lama Nanak and it contained the imprints of his shoulders, head and backside. He was told that during the period of 1515-18 when Guru Nanak was returning back to Punjab through Srinagar, after travelling to Sikkim, Nepal and Tibet, he rested at this place. It is believed that Guru Nanak Dev ji reached Leh via Sikkim, Nepal, Tibet and Yarkhand. The place is revered by both the local lamas and Sikh sangat. Currently the Army is looking after the gurdwara.

As per a local legend, there lived a wicked demon who terrorised the people in the area where the gurdwara is situated. The people prayed to the Almighty for help. It is said that Guru Nanak heard their woes and came to their aid. He settled down on the bank of the river below the hill where the wicked demon lived. The Guru blessed the people with sermons and became popular in the area. The locals called him Nanak Lama. The demon got into a rage and decided to kill Guru Nanak Dev ji.

One morning when the Guru ji was sitting in meditation, the demon rolled down a large pathar (boulder) from the hilltop, with the intention of killing the Guru. The boulder came rolling down and when it touched the Guru's body, it softened like warm wax and came to a halt against Guru Nanak's back. The Guru ji kept on meditating unhurt and undisturbed. Thinking that the Guru ji had been killed, the demon came down and was taken a back to see the Guruji deep in meditation. In a fit of anger, he tried to push the boulder with his right foot, but as the pathar still had the softness of warm wax, his foot got embedded in it. Pulling his foot from the boulder the demon was dumfounded to see the impression his foot had just left in the stone.

On seeing this, the demon realised his own powerlessness as compared with the spiritual powers of the great Guru. He fell at the feet of Guru Nanak Dev ji and begged for forgiveness. Guru Sahib advised him to get rid of his wicked ways and asked him to lead a life of a noble person. This changed the life of the demon, who gave up evil deeds and started serving the people.

Guru Nanak Dev ji thereafter continued his holy journey towards Srinagar via Kargil. The pathar pushed down by the demon, with the imprint of the body of Guru Nanak Dev ji as the the footprint of the demon, is at present on display in Gurdwara Pathar Sahib. It is said that since the visit of Guru Sahib (in 1517) to 1965, the local lamas have held the pathar sacred and offered prayers to it.