On Vaisakhi day of April 2006 we commemorated the 307th anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa Panth. Vaisakhi of 1699 A.D. is unique to Sikh Nation -- the only Nation in history having her birthday to celebrate. On this day, the virile Khalsa Panth -- the Order of the Khalsa (the pure creed) was commissioned by Guru Gobind Singh to spread the message of Universal Love and Brotherhood and to liberate the country (India) from foreign fetters, misery, suffering and lawlessness.

Brief Background

Centuries ago, hordes of invaders came to India and succeeded in establishing their rule because the Hindu society was divided into rigid walls of caste system, ritualism and superstitions. The cruel and bigoted Mughal tyrants of that age imposed their religion and culture on the Hindus. Millions of Hindus accepted Islam at the point of the sword. They reserved the right of bearing arms, riding horses and wearing turbans for themselves.

Unusual Occurrence in History

The Sikh Gurus always stood champions of the cause of tolerance and freedom of religion for all. In 1606 A.D. Guru Arjan, the 5th Nanak, was martyred in Lahore (Pakistan) on the orders of Mughal Emperor Jehangir. After that Ninth Guru’s only son of nine, orphaned himself by suggesting his father to go ahead for sacrifice to relieve the grief of Kashmiri Pandits (Brahmins), others and for the freedom of religion. Then the 9th Nanak, Guru Teg Bahadur went to Delhi to protest against the bigotry, oppression and onslaught on Hinduism by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Guru’s closest disciples were boiled, burnt and sawn alive in front of his eyes.

When the Guru refused to submit to the brutal will of the ill-advised King, he was publicly beheaded in the Chandni Chowk (Delhi). One Sikh stole a chance of taking away the head to Anandpur Sahib to Gobind Rai of nine, who received his father’s head with gratitude and cremated it with honour; another Sikh took away Guru’s body and cremated it by setting fire to his own house in Delhi. This is an unusual occurrence in history that the head and the body of the martyred Guru were cremated about 300 miles apart. Thus the Guru and his Sikhs gave their lives for protecting the faith of the helpless destitute Hindus and for the greater cause of religious freedom for all. They sacrificed themselves for the religion, in which they themselves didn’t believe.

Voluntary Acceptance of Death in Love

This wave of merciless repression and religious oppression of the emperor compelled Guru Gobind Singh to resolve to awaken his followers to a new life. So, the Guru called a special congregation on Vaisakhi of 1699 A.D. at Anandpur in the Indian Punjab. About 80,000 Sikhs responded to Guru’s call. The Guru wanted to test the faith of his followers and transform them into the Men of God, as visualized by Guru Nanak—the Founder of Sikhism.

Suddenly, the Tenth Nanak appeared in a splendid martial uniform with a flourish of sword in his hand and thundered: “Is there anyone here who would lay down his life for righteousness (Dharma)?” At this the people were stunned and silent. At such demands for five heads, five Sikhs stepped forward for sacrificing one after the other for the rightful freedom of all.

After a while, all were amazed to see the Guru with those five Sikhs, who had voluntarily accepted death in love, all shinning in golden robes alike. The Guru blessed them as the Five Beloved Ones, who formed the first nucleus of a new Order, the Order of the Khalsa. It was an unparalleled way the Master selected the leaders for a spiritual democracy.

Preparation and Administration of Amrit (Nectar)

Guru Gobind Singh then held the ceremony of Baptism of the Double-edged Sword (Pahul Khande-Dhar). The Guru and five Sikhs sat in a heroic posture (Bir-Asan). Five Banis (Divine Hymns) were recited, all the while stirring water in the iron bowl with his Khanda (double-edged sword). Thus the tenth Nanak unusually dissolved the Divine Word in water and turned it into Nectar (Amrit). Mata Sahib Kaur sweetened it with sugar cakes. The Guru administered Amrit to the first five aspirants and asked them to sip the left over Amrit from the same bowl by turns. “Khalsa belongs to God and Victory is to God” was repeated five times by each aspirant. Thus the Guru practically valued the Human Spirit, and abolished the notorious caste system and declared them equal. They were given the appellation of Singh (lion). Likewise, women taking Amrit were given the surname of Kaur (lioness).

Duties Enjoined in Sikhism

Having baptized the Five Beloved Ones, the Guru addressed the great gathering of the Sikhs and said, among other things: Today, you have taken a new birth in Guru’s family and profession. [Now the Beloved Five elucidate that Guru Gobind Singh is the spiritual Father and the holy Sahib Kaur, the spiritual Mother of the Khalsa.] You have become members of the Khalsa Commonwealth. Your birthplace is Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and you are the citizens of Anandpur Sahib, the Town of Bliss. Your previous name, caste, creed, race, genealogy, religion, customs and beliefs have been burnt up and annihilated. You are enjoined to be the reciter of five Divine Hymns of daily prayers (Nitnemee of Panj Banis) and to wear five K’s: Kesh (uncut long hair); Kangha (a comb); Kara (a steel bangle); Kirpan (sword); Kachha (short drawers). You shall help the poor and fight the oppressor. You shall have faith in One God and consider all human beings equal, irrespective of caste and religion. Admission to the Order of the Khalsa is free and voluntary for people of all classes, but a disciplined conduct is a must. From now onwards, on meeting each other, you shall greet with “Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh.” (Khalsa belongs to God and Victory is to God).

The Disciples Administer Amrit to the Master

Having administered Amrit to the first Five Beloved Ones (Panj Pyare), the Guru begged of them to baptize him and others likewise. The Blessed Five, inspired by the Master, prepared the Nectar, baptized the Guru and initiated him first into the Order of the Khalsa. From Guru Gobind Rai his name was changed to Guru Gobind Singh. The Guru becoming the follower of his disciples is a unique example in the entire history of mankind, especially in its spiritual annals.

Grave Prohibitions (Taboos)

Guru Gobind Singh strictly prohibited the committal of four grave breaches of discipline as:

(1) Removing of hair from any part of the body.

(2) Adultery.

(3) Eating of Kuttha, sacrificially prepared meat by gradual and painful slaughter of the animal.

(4) Use of Tobacco and all other intoxicants.

Thus, the foresight of the Guru saved the Sikhs from the evils of smoking and intoxicants. The world, after all, has realized the injurious and dangerous effects of these to health.

Message of Love and Discipline

Tenth Master says in Akaal Ustat: Love is the foundation of the New Order and of One World.

“I tell you truly hear ye all, those alone who practice love shall find the Lord.” (Ten Savaiyas, #9)

“The Human Race, essentially, is a Universal Brotherhood…” (Stanza 85)

Moreover, he elucidates his respect for all religions in Stanza 86 as:

“The same are the Temple and the Mosque. It is the same if Hindu worships and Musalman prays. All human beings are the same. The difference is only of the appearance, the seen. …All human beings have the same eyes, the same ears, the same body and the same build. All are a compound of earth, air, fire, and water. …All human beings are the same, fashioned in the same mould by the same Creator.”

Thus an enlightenment of Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man was ascertained to the Khalsa in 1699 A.D. Guru Gobind Singh gave his form and spirit to the Khalsa after Baptismal Ceremony and emphasized actual living according to the high standard of conduct laid down for the Khalsa. He said:

“ I love the Sikh but for his acceptance of my discipline.”
“ He who maintains high conduct is my Sikh, He is my master and I am his disciple.”
“ When the Khalsa adopts sanctimonious ways, I will not trust him.”

Guru Gobind Singh established such a lighthouse of high value and exaltation of Human Spirit for mankind. Furthermore, principle of Liberty, Freedom of Religion, Fraternity and Equality were enunciated, which became the bedrock of the Khalsa life. The Vaisakhi, the birthday of the Khalsa, is jubilantly celebrated by the Sikhs all over the world, every year to propagate the massage of Oneness of Mankind of Only One God.


Copyright ©2006 Nirmal Singh Kalsi. About the author