By Tarlok Singh Sandhu

Baisakhi has multiple significance for the Sikhs: religiously, socioeconomically, ecologically, and culturally and calendric ally.

Religiously, the birth of New Order the Khalsa (the pure), combining Bhakui with Shakti (spiritualism with power) in other words “the Saint Soldier” mold occurred this day 1699. The experience of the predecessors proved that when all the means to change the oppressor fail, it is justified to take up arms for the defence of the meek and the oppressed.

Guru Gobind Singh’s (the founder of the Khalsa) father, Guru Teg Bahadur was executed dastardly at Delhi in Chandni Chowk (square) 1675; this brought the matter to the brink. His martyrdom was the last word in passive resistance.

Grandfather of Guru Teg Bahadur, Guru Arjan Dev was tortured to death 1606, His son Guru Har Gobind had to organize armed band, And, to crush the head strong and oppressor ruling hierarchy was natural and justified. Gum Gobind Singh decided to make hawks out of doves by inspiring them a fresh mode of thinking and acting.

Guru Nanak the founder of the Sikhism (1469) and the Guru Gobind Singh (1669) the architect of the Khalsa, brought out entirely a new structural order with very strong spiritual base grafted with ‘strong marshal power to crush the oppressor.

Guru Gobind Singh, the unique national Leader and a spiritual leader of eminence wanted his Khalsa to be fearless, the protector, the equal, the sharer (socially oriented), the well-wisher of the fellow being and the benevolent, all treading to idealness.

Khalsa order was further subjected to very rigorous discipline and disciplined way of life ie. objective spiritualism and very high moral quality of life. The divinely oriented (Gurmukh) and divinely conscious being (Brahmangyani) for highest spiritual attainment was the guide line for the aspirant to become the member of the Khalsa Order, The former, aman of moral excellence and virtue, nonattached to the world, fearless but full of compassion and the later, man of enlightenment of cosmic awareness, in full view of mysterious dimensions of reality. The former personifies the ethical ideals and the latter an embodiment of the philosophicals. So these two are interchangeable, hence they merge with each other, resulting in the union of ethical and philosophical approaches in the religious life.

Thus Sikhism has a secular and institutional aspect, with a tradition of five centuries of social protest. It was a protest against conventionalism too.

Saint Soldier C

Saintly heritage descended from the First Master Guru Nanak to Ninth Master Guru Teg Bahadur. ‘The posture of strength arose from the misuse of power by the rulers of that time. Thus Guru Gobind Singh had to dovetail religion and power into one mix to put forth a generation of freedom fighters and protectors but morally justified individuals, with three hedonistic disciplines.

Moderation in eating (alap ahar); moderate sleep (sulap nindra) and chastity in sex pursuit (sheel).

He further counselled control over egoism, anger, infatuation and dogmatic tendencies. These qualities, in fact, aim at overall virtue of truthfulness. Guru further promoted the principles of human dignity in social and corporate life i. ¢., values of liberty, equality and fraternity. He further emphasized on hard but honest labour (kirat karo) to eam livelihood, and to contribute 109 (daswand) of that earnings for the welfare activities; such as education, free kitchen and dwelling places (sarai).

SEWA, the voluntary service in Langar (kitchen) and shrine is the philosophy and culture of Sikhism, signifying the active public life, Equality before Guru and the congregation to liberate the social order from caste shackles. Guru thought of Executive Council of five for deciding all matters of the community with a voice vote of the congregation (Sadh Sangat). For that plan to put to test, a special congregation was scheduled at Anandpur Sahib (city of bliss) on Baisakhi day.

Humanism of Guru Gobind Singh

He acted both’ on political and social framework to ameliorate the lot of down trodden. “Homo sapiens, I recognize as one single race.” Arrows of Guru carried 10 grammes of gold so that the injured can treat the wounds. Sikh army was forbidden to pursue the wounded and defeated army. The action of Bhai Ghannayia in the battle field to supply water and apply balm to the injured soldiers irrespective of their religious affiliation, won the whole hearted approval of the Guru. Thus Guru Gobind Singh was to be the first Red Cross Ranker in the world. He literally acted upon neither to frighten any one, nor to be afraid” was another golden postulate put into practice.

 

He never believed in revenge or vengeance. He was against tyranny, not against any individual or fetishism, that is why, Pir Badhu Shah (Pathan) with his two sons and his real brother fought on the side of the Guru in the battle field against the enemy. He never wanted to establish a kingdom; Resort to force was necessitated by the pressure of circumstances to punish the monsters for total extermination. One has to admire the bravery, heroism, and gallantry of the Guru, yet, he was, primarily and fundamentally, a man of peace, this enunciated the twin qualities of fearlessness and enlightenment.

Guru being a great patron of learning kept on producing literary work of excellence even under

The trying and hostile situations. He kept 52 poets of class quality. He maintained his cool and total balance of mind. Zafarnama, the letter to Aurangzeb, was written at times when his army was hotly pursuing him. Nonviolence or pacifism was not a creed with him, nor violence was adopted for fun of it, it was used when humanly justified, The Guru was against the worship of idols, stones, graves and saluting effigies. He extorted men to think straight. Let the passions be subordinated, Let the reason dominate.

Concept of new nation

The New Order, The Khalsa, needed strength of arms not for the sake of subjugating other people, but for defending the right of loving its own pattern of life, its art & literature, its linguistic niceties and its contribution to civilization.

“Power is needed to promote and preserve religion, power becomes corrupt and oppressive without religion” is Guru’s pronouncement.

Test of sword

In order to implement the foreseen above New Order, Guru Gobind Singh sent special invitations across the length and breadth of the country for the festival of Baisakhi, which fell on March 30,1699 (1st of Baisakhi month at that time) to be celebrated at Anandpur Sahib (city of bliss). The Sikhs came in thousands from all directions to attend the summoned festival.

Profile of new men

The profile of the new man was to be free from fear, incapable of concealing his identity. Strong of limb and heart, godly jet human, friend of the weak and the lonely, a foe of tyranny and oppression, with Zero caste curse and equal to all in rank and file, the ideal man was to be a Saint Soldier. After the Morning Prayer, the Guru came out with naked but flashing sword from his tent, reciting the hymn “Those who would enter the game of love, must come to the street of the beloved holding their head on the palm of the hand.” A humble man of about 30a trader of Lahore, Daya Ram dared to respond to the call of the Guru. He was taken to the camp, a sound of thus was heard. The Guru came out with his sword with blood and demanded four more heads, Dharam Dass 33an agriculturist from Delhi; Mohkam Chand 36a washer man from Dwarka (Western India); Himmat Rai 38a waterman of Jagan Nath Puri (East India) and Sahib Chand 37a barber from Biddar (South India) came forward one by one to offer their heads to the Guru.

After this happening, the Guru reappeared with five beloved ones, beautifully dressed in yellow and blue robes, looking gracefully dignified. They were the first to be baptized and then the Guru received baptism from them, setting a new but unique example of “Master and Disciple in one.” Then, 20 thousand embraced the baptism from the holy Guru. Thus, the Guru happened to be the first spiritual democrat, with his order, truly secular in structure, growth and responsibility.

Amrit is prepared by a special and standard procedure and administered by standard process to the aspirants. Then the Guru Outspake: ~ “Khalsa is my Special Form, 1 have my being in Khalsa Khalsa is my body, Khalsa is the life of my life Khalsa is my very God, My Khalsa is a saintly knight.”

Admission to the New Order is subjected to rigorous discipline to avoid the risk of relapsing into meaningless traditions, empty rituals, superstitions and customs of the past. Khalsa had new symbols and form, distinguishable from the old, feeling proud of new identity, togetherness, since of belonging and similarity in outlook and external appearance, Iris, because of this New Order,

Guru spoke:

“My victories are due to them, my education due to them through their grace I am what I am, Else millions like me there be in the world poor and unnoticed.”

Identity, forbidden fronts & identity or five kakars

Kesh: Adorning uncut hair Kangha: The comb for cleaning hair

Karah: Iron bangle, a symbol of universality Kachchehra: Pair of shorts to symbolize abstinence Kirpan: A small sword as. A symbol to protect the meek

 EORBIDDENS

Tobacco, Alcohol, drug and Kochchar meat use. Sex other than wedded wife.

NECESSARY

Khalsa should be lover of arms, horse riding and sword’s play (because Hindus were forbidden the use of these by Royal proclamation November 2, 1665) He should be a good shot: value Spirituality as much as physical prowess. He should help the poor and the unfortunate irrespective of color, caste or country of origin. The sword and kitchen shall have the sway in the Khalsa Panth. Use of word “Singh” (Lion) with men’s name, and “Kaur” (Lioness) with women’s name. Greeting each other with the shout of Wahee Guru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh (Khalsa belongs to God, and the victory belongs to God). Khalsa has to lead the life of householder. Khalsa women would enjoy ‘status quo’ with men in all walks of life (religious, economic & Political) meaning perfect gender equality. This is real change with real impact on the spirit of the Khalsa. With a warning to his followers: with no truck with the killers of, daughters, Thus, this true pilgrimage, ready to sacrifice for the truth, There is a tendency for the growth of gods in India, The only object of worship is the God the Akal Purkh (the immortal being). The Guni thus warned his followers; “He, who considers me a God, shall perish in the fire of hell.” Ultimately, the Guru bestowed Guruship on Guru Granth Sahib to do away with any controversy about God and physical Guru. OTHER IMPORTANCES OF BAISAKHI

A festival of bountiful wheat harvest and rejoicing. Farmers feel immensely happy over the golden harvest of wheat. So, Baisakhi for farmers means prosperity and happiness.

It is beginning of summer and end of winter.

Spring gets in with the commencement of Baisakhi Month,

Khalsa year starts with first day of Baisakhi month.

Baisakhi cattle fair of Amritsar has a historical importance, where in buffaloes, cattle, camels, donkeys and finest quality horses used to come from near and far off places for trading. Bhai Paro of Dalla was the first to start this fair with the permission of third Guru Amar Dass (around 1560).

Dhanni Ram Chatrak, a celebrated poet of Punjab wrote a classic poem on Baisakhi Fair and the Jat (Agriculturist) of Punjab.

It was also unfortunate Baisakhi day of 1919 when Jallianwala Bagh Massacre happened at the cruel hands of General Dyer of the British Government, killing several hundreds of innocent Punjabis gathered at this Bagh of Amritsar. Apparently, this was done to demoralize and silence the voice of freedom loving Punjabis.

Article extracted from this publication >>  April 16, 1993