The month of March has numerous events of importance to the Sikhs. It marks the time when Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s successor Guru Angad ji, nominated as the third Guru, Amar Das Ji (27th March) and similarly the sixth Gumi Guru Hargobind ji appointed as the seventh guru, Har Rai ji (25th March). It also marks the departure from life of Guru Hargobind ji (31th March) and Guru Angad ji (30th March)

Guru Nanak’s Dev Ji’s appointment of his follower, Bhai Lehna and not his son’s was unprecedented. It effectively demonstrated that qualities and qualifications not only hereditary rights were to be considered in the selection of the Guru’s. That also, by the same token, lineage could not to be excluded is to be seen by the passing of Guru Ship by Guru Hargobind Ji to his deserving grandson Guru Har Rai ji.

Guru Amar Das Ji

“Through deeds of devoted service, he (Guru Amar Das) attained Guruship,” says Bansavalinama. He was born on May 5, 1479 and was 25 years older than Guru Angad ji. He spent a number of years in the service of the Guru and his conduct is described by contemporaries as a paradigm of humility and devotion.

“In his hands the Sikh faith was further consolidated. He created a well-knit ecclesiastical system and set up 22 manji’s (dioceses or preaching districts) covering different parts of India. Each was placed in the charge of a pious Sikh. Guru Amar Das appointed the opening days of Baisaikh and Magh as well as Diwali for the Sikhs to foregather at Goindwal. He laid down for them the simple rites of birth, marriage and death. In this way the Sikh faith began developing signs of a well-marked social group,” says Prof Harbans Singh in his “Heritage of the Sikhs.”

The Guru Ka Langar became still more renowned during the time of Guru Amar Das ji and even Emperor Akbar had to partake food in the common kitchen with the rest of the pilgrims before he met the Guru at Goindwal. The institution meant to minimize the divisive distinctions of caste and rank,

The disadvantages which women of India suffered at the time were also combated and their removal became an urgent task of the Gum. He assigned women the responsibility of supervising the communities of disciples in certain areas and actively discouraged the practices of sati (widow’s immolation) and purda (women wearing veils which resulted in their isolation).

According to the Mahima Prakash the Gum said that a Sikh must conduct himself in the following manner; “He who firmly grasps the Guru’s word is my beloved Sikh. He should rise before dawn, make his ablutions, and sit in seclusion. The Guru’s image should implant in his heart and he should contemplate on Gurbani. He should keep his mind and consciousness firmly in control. He should never utter falsehood and not indulge in slander. He should make an honest living and must be always prepared to serve holy men. He must not covert another’s woman or wealth. He should not eat unless hungry and should not sleep unless tired. He who breaks this principle falls a victim to sloth. His span is shortened and he lives in suffering. My Sikh should shun those who fail to worship the Lord. He should seek the company of pious men. Thus will be shed his ignorance. Thus will he adhere to holy devotion?

Guru Har Rai ji

The sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind ji who had a small boy imbibed the sacred lore and the mastery of such martial arts as archery, had visibly combined the spiritual and the temporal Miri and Piri and had instituted the Akal Takhats, the throne of the Almighty.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 9, 1990