The pure ones

Amrit or nectar, in Gurbani, refers to the recitation of naam. Shabad, the word or naam simran, is the true amrit that leads to the ultimate state of bliss. The Guru says, “Your Name, O Transcendent Lord, is ambrosial nectar; whoever meditates on it, lives.”

Amritnaam or amrit chakna, in Sikh religion, refers to the baptismal ceremony or the Khande di Pahul, transforming the Sikh into a sant-sipahi — the perfect state of saint-soldier. Khanda is the emblem of the Khalsa consisting of a two-edged sword symbolising disintegration of false pride and false boundaries of caste, class and regional differences.

In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh had created amrit for the sole purpose of forming the Khalsa brotherhood. An ideal Sikh is a saint-soldier who has realised the true aim of life — naam simran, while defending the true cause at the same time. “All the virtues of the heart and the excellence of the mind: These are the natural qualities of the Khalsa. This is to be a new and unique type of man, who bears arms and constantly lives in the presence of God, who strives and fights against evil with his gaze riveted to the stars. Such is the goal to be achieved which the Khalsa has been ordained. And lo, it is a well-armed and well integrated man.”

The Guru also gave a unique and distinct identity to the Khalsa. There were five emblems of purity and courage known as five Kakars or simply five Ks. These symbols, along with the bana, are to be worn by both men and women. The first Kakar kesh or unshorn hair is a sign of spiritual devotion. A turban protects the kesh as well as guards the dasam dwar, the 10th gate of spiritual consciousness. Kangha is a symbol of cleanliness. It is a small wooden comb worn in the hair. Kara is an iron bangle, a constant reminder to the Sikhs to do everything in accordance with the dharma. The kara symbolises God as the ultimate truth, with no beginning and no end. By wearing a kara a Sikh is reminded of the supreme truth and its hukam or will prevailing in the world. Kachha or drawers shows a life based on ethical conduct. Kirpan or sword is used as a symbol rather than a real weapon. Kirpan is a destroyer of illusion — illusion of false ego, pride and power. It is to be used to protect the weak and maintain dharma.

Guru Gobind Singh, after the first baptism ceremony of the five Sikhs, had asked these Sikhs to baptise him as well. No distinction was left between the creator and the creation — between the guru and the disciple. All those who received amrit were infused with the spirit of courage and strength to sacrifice. “I will create my Khalsa of such courage and vigour that he will take on armies of the enemy, he will stand up for the poor and the downtrodden. One Sikh will confront a lakh and a quarter of the enemy. It is when I make sparrows fight hawks that I am called Gobind Singh.”

Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa Panth — the order of the pure ones.

Kulbir Kaur teaches sociology at Shyama Prasad Mukherji College, Delhi University