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Vaisakhi

Tuesday, 14 April 2009 ‡ 07:07

Today is the celebration of the birth of The Khalsa and i wish everyone Happy Vaisakhi

In 1699 a Sikh guru, requested a gathering of all Sikh followers at Anandpur on 30 March 1699. Guru Gobind Singh Ji (then Gobind Rai) requested volunteers who were prepared to sacrifice their head in the name of Sikhism. As one volunteer stepped forward, he was taken into a tent, then the Sikh guru emerged with blood on his sword and requested another volunteer. This occurred 5 times, which is how the Panj Piare were created. "The Five Beloved Ones" were Daya Ram, Dharam Das, Himmat Rai, Mohkam Chand and Sahib Chand. The Sikh guru then requested the five to initiate him as a member, on an equal footing with them in the Khalsa. The Sikh guru then recited the rallying-cry of the Khalsa, "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji Ki Fateh" (Khalsa belongs to God; victory belongs to God). He gave them all the name "Singh" (lion), thus becoming Guru Gobind Singh Ji with Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, thus becoming the sixth member of the new order.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji then addressed the Sikh followers:

From now on, you have become casteless. No ritual, either Hindu or Muslim, will you perform nor will you believe in superstition of any kind, but only in one God who is the master and protector of all, the only creator and destroyer. In your new order, the lowest will rank with the highest and each will be to the other a brother (bhai). No pilgrimages for you any more, nor austerities but the pure life of the household, which you should be ready to sacrifice at the call of Dharma. Women shall be equal of men in every way. No veil (purdah) for them anymore, nor the burning alive of a widow on the pyre of her spouse (sati). He who kills his daughter, the Khalsa shall not deal with him.

Five K's you will observe as a pledge of your dedication to my ideal.

• Kesh: Hair unshorn representation of saintliness.
• Kangha: a comb to keep it clean and untangled.
• Kara: a steel bracelet to denote one universal God.
• Kacchha: a piece of practical wear to denote modesty.
• Kirpan: a steel dagger for your defence.

Smoking being an unclean and injurious habit, you will forswear. You will love the weapons of war, be excellent horsemen, marksmen and wielders of the sword, the discus and the spear. Physical prowess will be as sacred to you as spiritual sensitivity. And, between the Hindus and Muslims, you will act as a bridge, and serve the poor without distinction of caste, colour, country or creed. My Khalsa shall always defend the poor, and Deg (community kitchen) will be as much an essential part of your order as Teg (the sword). And, from now onwards Sikh males will call themselves "Singh" and women "Kaur" and greet each other with "Waheguruji ka Khalsa, Waheguruji ki fateh"