A Journey from Sikh to Singh

(Article contributed by one my close friend Dr. Umesh Gulati. Dr. Gulati writes on several subjects and simplifies spiritual teachings for common men like me.  His articles are published in various magazines.)

 

Vaisakhi or Baisakhi festival is celebrated all over India; it usually occurs on April 13, but once in 36 years, it occurs on April 14. This year Vaisakhi will occur on April 14. In Assam, it is called Rongoli, Nab Barsha in Bengal, Puthandu in Tamilnadu, Vishu in Keral, and Vaishakh in Bihar. In Punjab, it is called Vaisakhi. It is essentially the beginning of the harvest festival. But it is more than the harvest festival; the most important about April 13 is that it coincides with the birth or creation of Khalsa.

 
It was 13 April 1699, the day of Vaisakhi (or Baisakhi), when 800 Sikhs from areas ranging from Dhaka (now the capital of Bangladesh) to Kabul had gathered at the request of Sri Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib. The guru entered the assembly with the naked sword in hand and said: 'I need a head. Who is willing to dedicate his life for the sake of the faith?' There was complete silence. Guru Gobind Singh repeated his demand three times. Then with folded hands arose Daya Ram from Lahore and said, 'I am willing to sacrifice my life at your holy feet.' The guru took him inside the tent; there was a dreadful shriek as if the guru beheaded him. 

Then the guru came out of the tent with the sword dripping with blood. Once again the guru made the same demand of having a head for the sake of the faith. This happened five times and five devotees dedicated their heads. Each time, the guru came out with a blood-soaked sword. The other four who sacrificed themselves were: Dharam Das from Delhi, Himmat Rai, a cook, Mohkam Chand, a washer man, and Sahib Chand, a barber. 

After this when the guru came out of the tent, it was a different sight altogether. The dedicated disciples, whom the people thought to have been beheaded, came out wearing out the same type of attire of blue color as that of Guru Gobind Singh. The guru then introduced them to the assembly, saying, 'they are my five beloved ones, the pure, the Khalsa.' After this introduction, they were baptized with Khande di Pahul, meaning, nectar prepared with the double-edged sword.  Five hymns, namely, Japuji, Jaap Sahib, Chaupai, Anand Sahib and Swaiya were recited.  

In addition, the guru gave the five disciples the likeness of his own personality having beard, long hair, and turban on. All of these five were administered baptismal water (amrita) from the same bowl, thus eradicating the distinction between high and low, rich and poor, and caste and creed. Guru Gobind Singh declared that henceforward, the epithet Singh (lion) would be used as their surnames. The baptized ones became members of a common brotherhood. In a similar way, the women and girls were given the common epithet Kaur (lioness). 

The baptized ones were renamed as Bhai (brother) Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, and so forth. Their parents were Guru Gobind Singh and Mata Sahib Kaur (the wife of Guru Gobind Singh). The place of their rebirth was to become Gurudwara Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib. After this ceremony the guru requested his five beloved ones to baptize him as he had baptized them. After this baptism, he was renamed, and became Gobind Singh, from his previous name Gobind Rai. 

Thus Gobind Singh himself became the disciple as well as the guru because he had invested all his powers in the collective leadership of his beloved Khalsa-the five beloved ones (Panj Piyaare). It is therefore said that there is no other example of a guru becoming the disciple in the history of the world.

Guru Gobind Singh composed a hymn in praise of Khalsa that essentially means this: 'The Khalsa is my own form and I live in Khalsa. Khalsa is the very life of my life and the very soul of my soul.' It follows that Guru Gobind Singh created Khalsa in his own image and raised its collective leadership to a unique pedestal of democracy. When he said, 'I am born for them, to live among them,' it was the psychological and spiritual strength of the guru that was flowing through the baptized ones. 

Along with these two types of strength, the guru gave the people a form and uniform also. He made it imperative for the Singhs to use the five ka-kaars, or five symbols beginning with the sound ka. This was done to make their appearance distinctive at the physical level as well, and reminded them of belonging to the community of lions.

India on 65th Anniversary of Independence

15^th August 2011 marks India’s 65^th anniversary of Independence from British after a long struggle and a bloody partition. Where is India today after 64 years of Independence?

	Achievement	Yet to achieve / failure
Economy	India is 5th largest economy in the world after EU, USA, China and Japan	Though India is rich, Indian people are poor. GDP per capita remains low and stands at 163rd in the World. According to a study, 25% Indians still live in poverty.
Literacy	According to 2011 census, literacy rates stands at 74%. In 1947 it was around 12%.	Average literacy rate of the world is 84%. India still has most illiterate people in the world.
Population	Per 2011 census, India’s population is 1.21 Billion. The rate of population increase has decreased.	India is likely to bypass China in 2025 and expected to have population of 1.6 Billion in 2050. Are population control program really working? In addition male to female ratio is high and there is always a question if that is due to abortion of female fetus.
Corruption	Democracy and strong media are supposed to keep corruption in control.	Corruption remains very high. India is ranked 84th in corruption index measurement. (Rank 1 means least corruption)
Government	While several new and old countries went through or are still dictatorship, military rule or anarchy, India continues the present a good example of successful democracy.	21 month period of emergency rule imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi will remain a block spot in Indian history.
Secularism and religion	India is truly a secular nation. At one time three key powerful positions were held by minorities – a Sikh PM, a Muslim President and a White female ruling party’s president. People are free to practice and choose any religion.	While religion is used as a card in election by all parties, a layman always worries about Hindu Muslim communal riots. Babri Mosque episode still haunts both communities. Massive massacre of Sikhs in Northern part of India in the first week of November 1984 hints the superficiality of secularism.
Foreign Relation	Being a major economic power and a successful democracy, India enjoys good relations with the USA, Russia, Japan, the UK and most other developed countries.	No viable solution of Kashmir problem is in sight. Kashmir remains an obstacle to build good relationship with Pakistan.

Contradictions in the achievements are clear. But India has been and probably will remain a country of extreme contradictions for several years to come. A relatively new country with one of the oldest civilization and glory of rich history, India always mesmerized rest of the world. With over hundred languages, a foreign language English is and will remain the common language among Indians of various regions. A wealthy may spend more money on a single meal than monthly salary of the person preparing the meal. Coexistence of luxury houses and slums constantly points to an incredibly high inequality between rich and poor. Culture, tradition, clothing, language and values vary dramatically based on religion, urbanization, education level and economic status. Towering disparity gives the impression that every Indian has its own India.

But that is the beauty of India and makes it a unique country in the world. Just being an Indian gives a sense of unity regardless of differences. Accepting the dissimilarities is inherited in Indians. Unity in diversity holds absolutely true and makes India the most vibrant place in the world.

Often one hears ‘You can take an Indian out of India but cannot take India out of Indian’. Is not that statement correct in spite of of issues, problems and challenges?

Happy Independence Day to all readers and a peek of India through Gateway of India

Reference:-

1. India Fact Book
2. Literacy Rate in India
3. Current Population
4. Demographics of India
5. Corruption Index

Happy Raksha Bandhan

Why write on Raksha Bandhan?

Simple, it is my favorite Indian festival.

I guess you are wondering why Raksha Bandhan is my favorite out of all. We have Lohri, Holi, Dusera, Diwali, Eid, Good Friday, Christmas and many more festivals in India so why Raksha Bandhan. All these festivals are full of fun and food. Raksha Bandhan is not even a public holiday in India.

Still it is my favorite? Any guesses why?

Yes, there is a victory tale associated with Raksha Bandhan but it is not important any more. Gods, Goddess, good and evil forces are not predominant either.

In one sense it is not a festival.

It is a day of brothers and sisters. It is a day of their relationship. With a relatively short ritual of tying a Rakhi (a hold thread) on wrist of her brother, sister prays for his long life. The brother reiterates care, affection and commitment to protect her.

It is day of reinforcing relationship and obligation towards sister - a live human. It is about real people who are present around us; and that makes it distinct and my favorite.

A Visit to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

“How many Gods do Sikhs believe in?” My very curious Christian friend Joe asked with sincerity on my proposal of a visit to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib en route to Connaught Place.

Religion being a difficult subject for me, I carefully phrased my answer, “Sikhs believe there is only one God.”

“I thought Hindus and Sikhs are the same and have many Gods,” Joe stated.

“Sikh religion originated from Hinduism but it is different on this and some other aspects,” I managed a reply.

“Is that why a Sikh temple is called a Gurudwara?” Joe continued.

“The literal meaning of Gurudwara is the residence of the Guru and Guru means a spiritual guide that leads the way from darkness to light,” I tried to provide a complete answer.

At reaching the Gurudwara, Joe was not sure if he should accompany me inside of just wait for me in the car, “Am I allowed to come in? I am not a Sikh and I am not a member.”

I ensured him the entry in the Gurudwara without anyone asking any question,” Everyone is allowed in Gurudwara.”

“Why are they polishing shoes inside?” Joe asked another question as soon as he deposited the shoes in the locker room.

“It is to pay respect to attendees.”

“Who are these people polishing shoes and do I need to pay them?” Joe asked

“They are people like you and me who chose to dedicate time and you don't have to pay.”

“Some of them look very wealthy to me, “Noticing the clothing of some people inside the locker room, Joe stated.

After covering the head, washing the hands and feet, we entered the Gurudwara and followed a large crowd through the process of paying respect to the Guru Granth Sahib.

“Where are the idols?” Joe whispered realizing chanting of gurubani by narrators and the concentration of listeners.

 “Sikhs don't worships idols or pictures,” I replied back.

“So what is here?”Joe raised his head towards the Guru Granth Sahib.

“Sikhs consider Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book, to be the eleventh guru or the leader that provides direction for day to day living as well as guidelines for the spirituality.”

“When was this book written?”

“It was complied by ten Sikh Gurus from 1469 to 1708AD. It is pretty much during the time of Mogul kingdom in India.”

“So the Sikh religion started during Mogul kingdom in India?”Joe continued asking questions.

“Yes that is correct. Initially Sikhism followed non violence principles, but at the time of Aurungzeb, the Gurus and their followers (Sikhs) took arms to fight against forced conversion of Hindus to Islam. “

At ‘Langar’ (Dining) hall, Joe asked another question, “Is this the place to feed the poor?”

“It is the place to feed the body and soul of the congregation. Attendees have to sit side by side regardless of the caste, rank, financial or social status. Over here Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or his driver Mohan Chand, Reliance CEO Anil Ambani or our peon Anil, they all sit side by side signifying equality and casteless society.”

Joe continued asking questions, “What is the significance of this Gurudwara?”

“In 1664, the eighth Guru, Guru Harkrishan stayed here on what used to be the mansion (Banlga) of Raja Jai Singh. Guru Harkrishan helped sufferers of Small Pox and Cholera by providing fresh water from the well of this mansion. Fresh water, being very important, helped cure many victims. The well is preserved and enclosed in the glass walls and it is believed this water has healing powers and therefore also called ‘Amrit’. While helping Cholera and Small Pox victims, Guru Harkrishan died on March 30, 1664. Later in 1783, a Sikh general, Sardar Bhagel Singh converted it to Gurudwara.“
 “Do you believe in the healing powers of the ‘Amrit’?” Joe asked a very difficult question now.

“Millions of people have faith in it and I have faith in them.”

It is been few years since this conversation. Joe is still a practicing Christian but he tells me, “I don't consider Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to be a mere tourist place. When I go to Connaught Place, I make a point to visit the Bangla Sahib and have a different perspective.”