Nirmala: Difference between revisions

Nirmala Sikhs

Nirmalas also called Santan Sikhs. The word "Nirmala" means:

(a) Adjective: Pure, pious, clean, without impurity or without blemish. (b) Noun: A Sikh sect initiated at the time of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs.

Nirmala teachings incorporated Sikh teachings and doctrines within a largely Hindu/Vedantic framework. 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 Tat Khalsa on certain beliefs.

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 accordance with the Sikh traditions. 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.

Brief History of Nirmalas

The sect asserts that Guru Gobind Singh sent five of his chosen Sikhs, e.g. Ram Singh, Karam Singh, Ganda Singh, Vir Singh and Sobha Singh to Benaras for further study of Sanskrit and the holy books with a view to consolidate the philosophical basis of Sikhism. However this is highly improbable since there is scarcely any mention of the incident in the Sikh literature before the 19th century

However, it is said that these five Sikhs returned to Anandpur Sahib after completing their allotted task after 1699, which is the date of the first initiation of the Khalsa. It is further purported that Guru Ji assigned them the task of translating Sanskrit holy books into Gurmukhi and of preaching Gurbani. These five and their followers came to be known as "Nirmalas".

These Nirmalas, as wandering ascetic preachers, propagated Sikh teachings in and beyond the Panjab. They were thus the first itinerant movement to teach the ideas of the Gurus. The most famous Nirmala was Pandit Tara Singh Narotam (1822-91), who devoted his entire life to the revelation of Sikh theology/philosophy. He wrote over ten books and reference materials. The deeply influential Giani Gain Singh (1822-1921) was taught by him. Sant Attar Singh (1867-1927) one of the most influential Sikh Sants (saint), also had his formal training at a Nirmala establishment.

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 (but are obviously not Khalsa Singhs), more so than the Udasis.

Organisation

Their 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, current statistic to accurately give an indication of their present numbers.

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.

External Links

• philtar.ucsm.ac.uk