Nirmala
Nirmala(s) or Nirmal Akhada is a ascetic order, sect of celibates associated to the time of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, that commanded particular strength in the 19th century. Nirmalas are the old order of Sikhs intellectuals. The Nirmalasa, like the Udasis, commanded considerable influence under the Sikh rulers of the Punjab, but unlike them they have been able to preserve at least a measure of that earlier respect.
History
By tradition the Nirmala order was founded by Guru Gobind Singh, who dispatched five Sikhs to learn Sanskrit. Their origins lie with the five Sikhs, Ganda Singh, Karam Singh, Sena Singh(or Saina Singh or Sobha Singh), Vir Singh and Ram Singh whom Guru Gobind Singh sent from Paunta Sahib to Benaras to learn Sanskrit in 1688.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked his court Pandit Ragunath to teach his Sikhs Sanskrit, but the pandit refused saying that Sanskrit was the sacred Hindu language that by tradition was only taught to the higher castes. People of the lowest caste, especially the so called untouchables were forbidden from ever reading the Vedas, in fact they were not allowed to enter Hindu temples, as they might hear the holy language of the Devtas. The Sikh Gurus however, saw all men as being equal. Since there were many Sikhs who had been born into the low castes, Pandit Ragunath refused to teach them.
So Guru Gobind Singh sent 5 Sikhs in the guise of Sadhus to Banares. There, they learned all manner of ancient Indian Sanskrit knowledge. Guru Gobind Singh gave them a duty to educate the illiterate Indian populace and promote the philosophy of oneness of Nirankar God and all mankind, amongst Hindu scholars regardless of caste or creed. These Sikhs are said to have worked diligently for several years and returned to Anandpur Sahib as accomplished scholars of classical Indian theology and philosophy. In view of their piety and their sophisticated manner, it is believed that they and their students came to be known as 'Nirmalas' the masters of Sanskrit who were the first intellectuals and scholars of Sikhism.
However this is thought to be highly improbable since there is scarcely any mention of them in the Sikh literature before the 19th century.
After the evacuation of Anandpur Sahib in 1705, it is believed that the Sikh preachers went to different places outside the Panjab, particularly to Haridvĝr, Allĝhĝbĝd and Vĝrĝṅasī where they established centres of learning that exist to this day—Kankhal, near Haridvĝr, Pakkī Saṅgat at Allĝhĝbĝd, and Chetan Maṭh and Chhoṭī Saṅgat at Vĝrĝṇasī. These Sikhs, who became known as "Nirmalas", became influenced by the Brĝhmanical (Hindu) teachings and worship as a consequence of them spending a lot of time and company amongst the Hindu Brĝhmans at Hindu educational centres across India. When, during the second half of the 18th century, the Sikhs established their sway over the Panjab, some of the Nirmala saints came back here and founded at different places centres which were liberally endowed by Sikh chiefs.
It was customary for Nirmala scholars to attend, along with their disciples, religious fairs at prominent pilgrimage centres such as Haridvĝr, Allĝhĝbĝd and Gayĝ, where they, like other sĝdhūs, took out shĝhīs or processions and held philosophical debates with scholars of other religious denominations as a part of their preaching activity. Sometimes these scholastic exercises led to bitter rivalry and even physical confrontation. During the Haridvĝr Kumbh in 1855, a general meeting of the Nirmalas held in their principal ḝerĝ at Kankhal took the first concrete step towards setting up a central body by electing Mehtab Singh of Rishīkesh, reputed scholar of the sect, as their Srī Mahant or principal priest. Mehtab Singh attracted attention of the rulers of Paṭiĝlĝ, Nabhĝ and Jīnd with whose help a pañchĝitī akhĝṛĝ named Dharam Dhujĝ was established at Paṭiĝlĝ in 1861. Its formal inauguration took place on 7 August 1862. The headquarters of the sect, however, remained at Kankhal. The sect comprises several sampradĝyas or sub-sects each with its own ḝerĝ and its own following.
Doctrines
Nirmala teachings incorporated Sikh teachings and doctrines within a largely Hindu/Vedantic framework. Nirmala Study any kind of spiritual knowledge book like Vedas, Puranas, katebs. Like the Udasis they were celibates, and did not believe in holding private funds. The Nirmalas, with the Udasis, form part of the Sanatan Sikh world-view and share many of its beliefs; along with belief in yogic/meditative and scriptural recitation and study. In addition to the Adi Granth, they rely on the Vedas, Shastras, Puranas and Epic literature. It is not surprising therefore that their Sanatan position does pitch them against the so-called Tat Khalsa which some sikhs classify as fanatic version of Sikhism.
The Nirmalas believe in the Ten Sikh Gurus and Guru Granth Sahib Ji. However, due to being influenced by Brahmanical ideology and teaching over years of mixing with Brahmans, the majority of present-day "Nirmalas" do not consider it compulsory nor common among them to receive Amrit i.e. Khaṇḝe dī Pĝhul. Any individual that does not believe in the importance of taking Amrit or in wearing the 5 K's cannot be considered as a Sikh in accordance to the Sikh Rehat Maryada.
Nirmala Scholars easily integrated with the scholars of other religions and philosophies. Nirmalas see themselves as true Sanatan 'Sam Vadi' (egalitarians) as opposed to 'Katar Vadi' (religious fanatics).
Symbols
At first Nirmalas wore only white garments but later adopted the ochre robes worn by Hindu ascetics, which is now a distinguishing mark of the sect, and shared some other practices, such as birth and death rites, with Hindus. They generally practise celibacy and are devoted to scriptural and philosophical study, but by tradition they are inclined towards classical Hindu Vedic philosophy.
They wore saffron robes (symbolising saintliness and renunciation), and all were Keshdharis (Uncut hair). They established sacred shrines in northern India to preach their version of Gurbani. In the early days of their development, they did not generally settle at one place and continued to move from place to place preaching their philosophy.
Adherents
The number of establishments expanded rapidly from the late 18th century to the mid 19th century. In the 1891 census 2,828 Hindus and 1,952 Sikhs returned themselves as 'Nirmalas'.(Census of India, 1891, Vol.XX, The Punjab and its Feudatories, by E.D. Maclagan, Part II and III, Calcutta, 1892, pp.826-9 and pp.572-3.) However, there are no official, contemporary numbers, (see also the note at the end of the Explanatory Introduction).
Headquarters/Main Centre
The Nirmalas have been particularly focused in the Malwa region in the 19th century. This was due to state patronage of the Sikh Rulers of Patiala, Jind and Nabha. However their principle centre, other than Patiala, is at Hardwar, though they do have sizeable centres at Amritsar, Prayag, Ujjain, Triambak and Kurukshetra.
More About Nirmalas
Their historic contribution towards the preaching of Sikh doctrine and production of philosophical literature in Sanskrit, Braj, Hindi and Punjabi is considerable. Some of the important works that contributed to Sikh learning in general and the elucidation and regeneration of Sikh principles in particular are as follows: Saṇgam Sĝr Chandrikĝ by Paṇḝit Saddĝ Siṅgh of Chetan Maṭh, Vĝrĝṇasī, is commentary on a Sanskrit work on Advait philosophy, Advait Siddhi; Paṇḝit Tĝrĝ Siṅgh Narotam (1822-91) wrote several books of which Gurmat Nirṇaya Sĝgar (1877) and Guru Girĝrath Kosh in two volumes (1889) deal with philosophy of Sikh religion. His Srī Guru Tīrath Saṅgrahi is a pioneer work on historical Sikh shrines in and outside India. Another famous Nirmalĝ scholar Paṇḝit Sĝdhū Siṅgh wrote Shrī Mukh Vĝkya Sidhĝnt Jyotī and Gurū Sikhyĝ Prabhĝkar (1893). Giĝnī Giĝn Siṅgh (1822-1921) is known for his contribution to Sikh history. His Panth Prakĝsh in verse appeared in 1880 and Twĝrīkh Gurū Khĝlsĝ in prose in 1891. However, the Nirmalĝs also contributed to heavy Brĝhmanical influenced interpretations of Sikh scriptures and Sikh history. They also introduced Brĝhman rituals into the Sikh Gurdwĝrĝs during the time the Khĝlsĝ were considered fugitives by the state and lived in the jungles up until the Singh Sabhĝ movement.
Selection of 300 years of Nirmala Sikh scholarship.
SANSKRIT WRITINGS 1. Pandit Hari Singh Kashi - Guru Sidhant Parijat.
2. Pandit Ishvar Singh Kashi - Wahiguru Mantrarth Parkash.
3. Pandit Sada Singh Chetan Matth Kashi - Advait Sidhi Di Sugamsar Chandrika Tika.
4. Pandit Tara Singh Taran Taran - Mumuksu Bodhan Prakash.
5. Pandit Kaur Singh Ji - Guru Kaumudi.
6. Sri Mahant Udhav Singh Ji Naiyayak - Abhav Rahasya, Ashram Dharam Rahasya.
7. Pandit Nihal Singh Ji Thakur - Khalsa Shattak.
8. Pandit Gurdit Singh Sadhu - Guru Nanakashttak , Guru Gobind Singhashttak, Ramashttak, Sri Guru Gira Rupantar.
9. Pandit Atamdev Singh Lahore - Abhedakhand Chandrama.
10. Baba Prem Singh Rishikesh - Sri Wahiguru Mantr Satotra , Guru Satotra Trayan.
11. Pandit Budh Singh Ji- Tarak Sangreh Di Padkritya Tika.
HINDI-BRAJ WRITINGS
1. Sant Hari Singh Virkat - Advait Anubhav Prakash.
2. Sant Sampuran Singh Taran Taaran - Praan Sangali di Teeka.
3. Pandit Deva Singh Ji - Adhyatmik Anubhav Prakash.
4. Pandit Gurdit Singh Sadhu - Vedant Sidhant Nuktawli Di Teeka.
5. Gobind Singh Sadhu - Udyog Tatha Puarbadh, Nyaya Sidhant Muktawli Di Teeka, Vedant Paribhasha Di Teeka, Itihaas Guru Khalsa and many others.
6. Pandit Dayal Hari – Sarukatawli.
7. Pandit Tara Singh Nirotam - Mokhsh Panth Prakash Di Teeka (see more of his writings in the Punjabi-Braj section).
8. Nirmal Swami Ji - Japji Sahib Sateek and many others.
9. Swami Arjan Singh Muni - Guru Granth Sahib Sateek (until Raag Maajh).
10. Sri Mahant Balbir Singh Ji Shastri - Shabadarth Guru Granth Sahib.
11. Sant Makhan Singh Shahpur - Nanak Prakash Hindi Anubhav.
12. Pandit Hardev Singh Ji - Sri Narayan Hari Updesh.
PUNJABI-BRAJ WRITINGS
1. Pandit Gulab Singh Ji - Karan Vipak, Bhavrasamrit Granth, Prabodh Chandra Natak, Adhyatam Ramayan, Moksh Panth Prakash. Unfortunately, 35 of his other writings have been lost in history.
2. Pandit Tara Singh Narotam - Guru Girarth Kosh, Bhagat Bani Sateek, Guru Granth Sateek (untill Raag Siri), Gurmat Nirneh Sagar, Sri Guru Tirath Sangreh, Wahiguru Shabadarth Teeka, Teeka Bani Bhagatka, Teeka Guru Bhav Dipika, Shabad Sur Kosh, Akal Murat Pradarshan, Guru Vans Taru Darpan, Prikhia Prakaran, Updesh Shatak Basha, Sehrafi Raje Bharthari and many more. It is alleged that Sri Pandit ji also wrote an entire teeka of Guru Granth Sahib which now appears to have been lost.
3. Kavi Santokh Singh – Nanak Prakash, Guru Pratap Suraj Granth, Teeka Japji Sahib Garab Ganjani, Atam Puran anuvad, Balmiki Ramayan anuvad, Naam Kosh.
4. Sant Giani Gian Singh - Sri Guru Panth Prakash, Tvarikh Guru Khalsa, Nirmal Panth Pradipka, Suraj Prakash Vartak (3 volumes), Ripudaman Prakash (5 volumes), Ramayan Bhai Mani Singh Ji Di, Twarikh Lahore, Twarikh Amritsar, Patit Pavan, Gurdham Sangrah, Bhupendranand, Ithias Bagarian and many more.
5. Pandit Nanu Singh - Guru Granth Sahib Sateek and many others . 6. Pandit Ishar Singh Kashi - Gurmat Dig Vijay, Budhi Varath, Waheguru Mantrath (also translated into Hindi & Sanskrit)
7. Pandit Nihal Singh Thoha Khalsa - Chakradhar Charitar Char Chandrika Jaap Sahib Teeka.
8. Pandit Nihal Singh Kavindra - Kavindra Prakash, Sri Bhavsagar Setu, Sri Dohra Bhedawli, Vedanti Barahmah and 12 other granths.
9. Pandit Nihal Singh Gobind Mandir Lahore - Akal Natak, Sikhi Prabhakar, Nirmal Prabhakar, Nirmal Panth Prabodh etc.
10. Pandit Nihal Singh Thakur - Guru Sidhant Ravi Prakash and many others.
11. Pandit Deva Singh Nirmale Haridwar - Jap Pradeep ( Japji Sahib Sateek), Sidh Gosht Sateek, Suman Vichar and 28 other granths.
12. Mahant Ganesha Singh Ji - Adhyatmak Prakash Sateek, Panj Granthi Sateek, Bharat Mat Darpan, Nirmal Bhushan and 23 other books.
13. Pandit Sadhu Singh Patiala - Uthanka Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Sri Mukhwaak Sidhant Joti (2 volumes), Granth Vriti Deepika, Panch Kosh Vivek, Guru Sikhiya Prabhakar (3 volumes) and 13 other granths.
14. Sant Sampuran Singh - Kabit Sawaiye Bhai Gurdas Sidhant Bodhni Teeka, Bhagat Bani Di Maram Bodhni Teeka, Guru Pad Prabodh and 22 other granths.
15. Sant Tehel Singh Nirmale -Asli Guru Prakash, Bharam Binash, Gyan Prakash and 14 other granths.
Today they form a well respected and highly disciplined organisation with many establishments. As a legitimate part of Sikh History they are accepted as a part of the Sikh Panth, more so than the Udasis. However, any individual or group that does not believe in Khaṇḝe di Pahul, maintaining Kesh, wearing the 5 Kakkaars blessed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and believe in the superiority of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
External Links
| Sects & Cults |
|
♣♣ Ad Dharm ♣♣ Akalis ♣♣ Bandai Sikhs ♣♣ Balmiki ♣♣ Bhatra ♣♣ Brindaban Matt ♣♣ Daya Singh Samparda ♣♣ Dhir Malias ♣♣ Handalis ♣♣ Kabir Panthi ♣♣ Kirtan jatha Group ♣♣ Kooka ♣♣ Kutta Marg ♣♣ Majhabi ♣♣ Manjis ♣♣ Masand ♣♣ Merhbanieh ♣♣ Mihan Sahibs ♣♣ Minas ♣♣ Nirankari ♣♣ Nanak panthi ♣♣ Nanakpanthi Sindhis ♣♣ Namdev Panthi ♣♣ Namdhari ♣♣ Nanaksaria ♣♣ Nihang ♣♣ Nikalsaini ♣♣ Niranjaniye ♣♣ Nirmala ♣♣ Panch Khalsa Diwan ♣♣ Parsadi Sikhs ♣♣ Phul Sahib dhuan ♣♣ Radha Swami ♣♣ Ram Raiyas ♣♣ Ravidasi ♣♣ Ridváni Sikhs ♣♣ Suthra Shahi ♣♣ Sewapanthi ♣♣ Sat kartaria ♣♣ Sant Nirankaris ♣♣ Sanwal Shahis ♣♣ Sanatan Singh Sabhais ♣♣ Sachkhand Nanak Dhaam ♣♣ Samparda Bhindra ♣♣ Tat Khalsa ♣♣ Sikligars ♣♣ Pachhada Jats ♣♣ Satnami's ♣♣ Udasi Sikhs ♣♣ |
