WASHINGTON: Every year at this time, between 15 to 20 new Sikhs in the Washington Metropolitan area take Amrit at Guns Gobind Singh Foundation (GGSF) Gurdwara Sahib, and pledge to observe the Sikh Rehat Maryada, do their daily Nit Naam, and grow in stature as the “Khalsa” of Guru Gobind Singhjt. As a result,GGSF Sangat now consists mostly of “sabatsurat”and Amnidhari Sikhs and the true Guru is always among Us, in the congregation as we assemble in love and humility, in complete surrenderat Guru’s feet. It is a noble sight, and we come back feeling rejuvenated and reaffirmed in the great community. It has become easier to understand the sentiment behind Guru Gobind Singhji’s words:

“Khalsa mero roop hai khas, this year too, 21 Sikhs, wearing saffron duppattas and turbans and 5 K’s, with Kirpans side by side with the Panj Piaras. Their faces glowing with the joy of having been accepted in the fellowship, rich and poor, men and women, regardless of their worldly achievements and social status, all equals, beloved daughters and sons of Gun Gobind Singhji and Mata Sahib Kaurji. A Christian Saint once remarked on baptism, “It is a comfort to parents to see their child through baptism and confirmation, accepted into the community and the inheritance of the ancient faith: so the generations are united into a timeless family, and the individual need not feel alone…is it not beautiful that in the sacrament of the Eucharist weak man is strengthened and inspired by union with God? Have you ever seen anything lovelier than children going to their first communion?”

Indeed, Sikh generations are united in the timeless family, and at the time of taking “Pahul,” a weak man is strengthened, and inspired to be a “Sava Lakh,” just as a meek Bachitar Singh, was inspired to pierce through the head of a mad elephant of the enemy, the Nagni spear handed over to him by Shri Guru Gobind Singhji.

The Panj Piaras, who administered the Pahul on April 13,1993, at GGSF were, Bhai Ranjit Singh, Bhai Manjit Singh, Bhai Harpal Singh, Bhai Harminder Singh, and Bhai Gurdarshan Singh, Bhai Gurdarshan Singh is responsible for motivating these brave Sikhs to enter this unique fellowship, A young Granthi at GGSF he is an inspired missionary, who visits Sikhs homes with Gurus message, and having identified the future soldiers of Guru’s army keeps visiting these homes, to dispel any doubts, answer questions, regarding the blessings of Nam Simran, and how to live up to the conditions laid down by the Guru. Bhai Gurdarshan Singh did not force anybody to tread this difficult but noble path, he only told them about the duties and privileges of Amritdhari Sikhs and showed them through his own example, that it was possible, The names of the youth members who took Amrit are, Bhai Gurdeep Singh, Kaka Amardip Singh, Bibi Navneet Kaur, Bibi Priti Kaur, Bibi Amandeep Kaur, Bibi Joganjit Kaurand Kaka Vikramjit Singh.

Bhai Arvinder Singh and Bhai Bakhshish Singh were the sewadars at the ceremony, and Dr.Balwant Singh acted as the Granthi. Langar sewa was coordinated by Bibi Bhupinder Kaur, and the response and cooperation from the community was simply overwhelming, Looking at this large group of newly baptized Sikhs, Bhai Gurdarshan Singh said: They will have no problem the Rehat Maryada because they understand their responsibilities, they have been explained the true relationship of a Sikh with his Guru.” The relationship reiterated by Himadri Bannerjrin his paper, “Creation of the Khalsa: A non-Sikh Indian Literary Perspective.” He says:

“Sikhs should not only be brave, but they should always try to emulate the tradition of Guru Angad when he had been serving Guru Nanak Devji as one of his disciples.,. deep veneration, unquestioned surrender, absolute faith and universal readiness to serve the Guru even at the risk of one’s life, would be some of the distinguishing marks of a true Sikh.”

In the diwan that followed, Bhai Jaspal Singh Raagi, from California, cited Gurbani and brought out the true nature of a Sikh through his katha and kirtan. Bhai Gurdarshan Singh was so moved by the entire Amnt Sanchar ceremony, he sang the shabad, “Main bauri, mera raam bhatar” i.e. lam the bride, wedded to my lord, God.

This ceremony was a festive and as colorful as a Punjabi wedding, the wedding here being that of the soul of Akal Purakh Waheguri and the newly baptized Sikhs. GGSF decided to hold monthly meetings of Amritdhari Sikhs, so that the new entrants to the Khalsa community discuss the difficulties and personal concerns for common solutions. This support system will help them counteract any problems they are likely to face in their schools and/or places of work because of their uniform —5 K’s.

Article extracted from this publication >>  April 23, 1993