Khalsa

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The Amrit Sanskar ceremony before one becomes a Khalsa

Golden temple fix fulll.jpg

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Khalsa which means 'pure' is the name given by Guru Gobind Singh to all Sikhs who have been baptised or initiated by taking Amrit in a ceremony called Amrit Sanchar. The first time that this ceremony took place was on Baisakhi, which fell on 30 March 1699 at Anandpur Sahib in India. The Sikhs celebrated the 300th anniversary of the day in 1999 with thousands of religious gatherings all over the world.

The word "Khalsa" is derived from Arabic khalis (literally meaning "pure" or "unsullied") and Perso-Arabic khalisah (literally pure; office of revenue department; lands directly under government management), is used collectively for the community of baptised Sikhs. The term khalisah was used during the Muslim rule in India for crownlands administered directly by the king without the mediation of jagirdars or mansabdars.

In the Sikh tradition, the term appears for the first time in one of the hukamnamas (literally written order or epistle) of Guru Hargobind (1595-1644) where a sangat of the eastern region has been described as "Guru ka Khalsa" (Guru's own or Guru's special charge). It has also been employed in the same sense in one of the letters of Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-75) addressed to the sangat of Patna. The word occurs in Sikh Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, once, but there it carries the sense of the term khalis, i.e. pure.(see below)

The term "Khalsa", however, acquired a specific connotation after Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) introduced, on 30 March 1699, the new form of initiatory rites— khande di pahul (rites by khanda or double-edged sword). Sikhs so initiated on that Baisakhi day were collectively designated as the Khalsa — Khalsa who belonged to Vahiguru, the Supreme Lord. The phrase Vahiguru ji ka Khalsa became part of the Sikh salutation: Vahiguru ji ka Khalsa, Vahiguru ji ki Fateh (Hail the Khalsa who belongs to the Lord God! Hail the Lord God to whom belongs the victory!!)

Background

It is significant that shortly before the inauguration of the Khalsa, Guru Gobind Singh had abolished the institution of masands, the Guru's agents or intermediaries assigned to sangat, of different regions, and his hukamnamas of the period confirm the de-recognition of masands, establishing a direct relation between the sangats and the Guru. Sainapati, a poet enjoying the patronage of Guru Gobind Singh, in his "Sri Gur Sobha" relates how some Sikhs, when questioned how they had become Khalsa because khalsa was a term related to the king of Delhi, replied that their Guru by removing his former naibs or deputies called masands had made all Sikhs his Khalsa.

Guru Gobind Singh, at the time of his departure from this mortal world, conferred guruship itself upon the Khalsa along with the holy Guru Granth Sahib. During the eighteenth century the volunteer force organized by the Sikhs was known as Dal Khalsa (literally the Khalsa army). Even the government of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) was called Sarkar-i-Khalsa. In Guru Gobind Singh's Dasam Granth, and in many later religious and historical Sikh texts, such as Sarbloh Granth, Prem Sumarg Granth, Gur Bilases, Gur Pratap Suraj Granth and Prachin Panth Prakash, the Khalsa is repeatedly extolled as composed of men of excellent moral qualities, spiritual fervour and heroism.

The words "Khalsa ji" are also used loosely for addressing an individual Singh or a group of them. However, it is more appropriate to use the term for the entire community or a representative gathering of it such as "Khalsa Panth" or "Sarbatt Khalsa." The Khalsa in this context implies the collective, spiritually-directed will of the community guided by the Guru Granth Sahib.

After 1699, the Khalsa was established as a Saint-soldier and was ordained to carry the five symbols, Panj Kakka, or the Five Ks:

  1. Kesh – uncut hair to represent the natural appearance of sainthood. It is argued by some that the requirement is Keski instead, a small turban to be worn underneath a bigger turban. However the latter idea is not contradictory to the former, since the purpose of the Keski is to preserve the kesh.
  2. Kanga – a small comb.
  3. Kaccha – warrior short trousers, also denotes chastity.
  4. Kara – steel bangle as a sign of restraint and bondage, and a symbol of dedication to the Guru. Guru Gobind Singh proclaimed that by wearing Kara all fears will be removed.
  5. Kirpan – a sword for defence. The Kirpan is a symbol of dignity, power and courage. Kirpan is from Kirpa (act of kindness, Sanskrit) + Aan (self respect, Persian language).

He is to lead his life according to the Guru's teaching and repudiate non-Sikh rites and ceremonies. This includes abandoning the caste system. All Sikhs were taught to treat all in the community as equals; no distinction was made to be between the different professions.

Analysis

Guru Gobind Singh in his composition called the "33 Swayya" in the Dasam Granth writes the following about the Khalsa:

ਜਾਗਤਿ ਜੋਤ ਜਪੈ ਨਿਸ ਬਾਸ੝ਰ ਝਕ ਬਿਨਾ ਮਨ ਨੈਕ ਨ ਆਨੈ ॥ ਪੂਰਨ ਪ੝ਰੇਮ ਪ੝ਰਤੀਤ ਸਜੈ ਬ੝ਰਤ ਗੋਰ ਮੜੀ ਮਟ ਭੂਲ ਨ ਮਾਨੈ ॥
"He who keeps alight the unquenchable torch of truth, and never swerves from the thought of One God; he who has full love and confidence in God and does not put his faith, even by mistake, in fasting or the graves of Muslim saints, Hindu crematoriums, or Jogis places of sepulchre;

ਤੀਰਥ ਦਾਨ ਦਇਆ ਤਪ ਸੰਜਮ ਝਕ ਬਿਨਾ ਨਹ ਝਕ ਪਛਾਨੈ ॥ ਪੂਰਨ ਜੋਤ ਜਗੈ ਘਟ ਮੈ ਤਬ ਖਾਲਸ ਤਾਹਿ ਨਖਾਲਸ ਜਾਨੈ ॥੧॥
He does not recognize anyone else except One Lord, not even the bestowal of charities, performance of merciful acts, austerities and restraint on pilgrim-stations; the perfect light of the Lord illuminates his heart, then consider him as the immaculate Khalsa.1.

Also another composition called Khalsa Mahima which begins with the line "Khalsa mero roop hai khas, Khalsa mehi ha karo nivaas"

The Beginning of the Khalsa

Although the word "Khalsa" had existed before 1699, it is accepted that the Khalsa panth or Khalsa movement was started by the tenth Sikh Master. In the Sikh Holy book, called the Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagat Kabir uses the word "Khalsa" for the first time in Sikh sacred literature. The tuk (line) that contains this word is:

ਪਰਿਓ ਕਾਲ੝ ਸਭੈ ਜਗ ਊਪਰ ਮਾਹਿ ਲਿਖੇ ਭ੝ਰਮ ਗਿਆਨੀ ॥ ਕਹ੝ ਕਬੀਰ ਜਨ ਭਝ ਖਾਲਸੇ ਪ੝ਰੇਮ ਭਗਤਿ ਜਿਹ ਜਾਨੀ ॥੪॥੩॥
Pari­o kĝl sabẖai jag ūpar mĝhi likẖė bẖaram gi­ĝnī. Kaho Kabīr jan bẖa­ė kẖĝlsė parėm bẖagaṯ jih jĝnī. ॥4॥5॥
Death has fallen on the whole world; the doubting religious scholars are also listed on the Register of Death. Says Kabeer, those humble people become pure - they become Khalsa - who know the Lord's loving devotional worship.॥4॥5॥

However, the radical change in the Sikh faith was instigated when Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, holding a kirpan (sword), asked a crowd of Sikhs which ones would die for their faith and for them to step forward into a tent. One man walked into the tent and the Guru followed. A few seconds later only the Guru emerged holding his sword, dripping with in fresh blood. After asking if there were any more, four other brave people strode into the tent, ready to be slaughtered for their faith. It was then that the crowd found out that none of the five men were actually killed, and these five men became The Khalsa Brotherhood. They were baptised and they could then baptise others that follow the "Five Ks" and the other requirements into the brotherhood.

The Khalsa as a military force

One of the duties of a Khalsa was to practice arms and be ready to defend the weak. This was deemed necessary due to the rising religious persecution from zealous Islamic Mughal rulers. The fifth Guru Arjan Dev was arrested and executed by Jahangir in 1606, and the persecution continued through the century. Jahangir's grandson Aurangzeb demanded that all Sikhs either convert to Islam or be killed.

In this context the Khalsa rose as a group as saint-warriors to withstand the Mughals. After the fall of the Mughal empire and the later establishment of a Sikh state in Punjab, the Khalsa became an instrument of the Punjab Maharajas, although an unruly one: The Khalsa was a democratic body, and could oppose the Maharaja.

By the death of Ranjit Singh in 1839 the regular army of Punjab was assessed by Sir Lepel Griffin at 29000 men, with 192 artillery guns. The irregular levies were estimated at a similar number. [1]

Other Quotes

Bhai Nand Lal, poet laureate of Guru Gobind Singh's royal court, writes the following about the true qualities of the Khalsa in his composition called the "Tankah Nama":

Khalsa so-i jo nindaa ti-aagay Khalsa so-i laray jo agay

Khalsa so-i jo panchaa ka maaray Khalsa so-i karna ko saraay

Khalsa is the one who does not slander others Khalsa is the one who fights in the front line

Khalsa is the one who conquors the 5 evils (lust, greed, anger, excessive attachment, excessive pride) Khalsa is the one who fulfills all duties


Khalsa so-i maan jo ti-aagay Khalsa so-i jo par istaree-aa ti-aagay Khalsa so-i par drisht ko ti-aagay

Khalsa so-i naam rat laagay

Khalsa is the one who renounces self-pride Khalsa is the one who remains faithful within marriage

Khalsa is the one who abandons sexual desire for others than the spouse Khalsa is the one who is blessed with God's Name


Khalsa so-i guru hit laavay Khalsa so-i saar mukh khaavay

Khalsa so-i nirdhaan ko paalay Khalsa so-i dusht kao gaalai

Khalsa is the one who loves Waheguru Khalsa is the one who fights bravely in battle

Khalsa is the one who helps the needy Khalsa is the one who overpowers the enemy


Khalsa so-i naam jap kaaray Khalsa so-i malaych paar charay

Khalsa so-i naam si-o joray Khalsa so-i bandan ko toray

Khalsa is the one who chants God's Name Khalsa is the one who rises above the evil ones

Khalsa is the one who is in tune with God's Name Khalsa is the one who breaks false rituals


Khalsa so-i jo charai tarang Khalsa so-i jo karay nit jang

Khalsa so-i shaastar ko dhaaray Khalsa so-i dushat kao maaray.

Khalsa is the one who becomes a crusader Khalsa is the one who fights the war daily against internal and external enemies

Khalsa is the one who is always ready with weapons Khalsa is the one who destroys all evil.


References

  • 1. Kuir Singh, Gurbilas Patshahi 10. Ed. Shamsher Singh Ashok. Patiala, 1968
  • 2. Sukha Singh, Gurbilas Dasvin Patshahi. Lahore, 1912
  • 3. Chhibbar, Kesar Singh, Bansavalinama Dasan Patshahian Ka. Ed. Rattan Singh Jaggi. Chandigarh, 1972
  • 4. Kapur Singh, Prasarprasna. Jalandhar, 1959
  • 5. Harbans Singh, The Heritage of the Sikhs. Delhi, 1994
  • 6. Major Pearse, Hugh; Ranjit Singh and his white officers. In

External links

  1. ^ Ranjit Singh and his white officers. Major Hugh Pearse