Mystic Mantra: Let's be pure

Khande de Pahul or in simple terms, called “Amrit-Chakhna” (to partake nectar) is the Sikh ceremony of baptism which is of immense socio-religious significance. Khande de Pahul is like taking a new birth with a transformed physical, mental and spiritual faculties. It is a journey from a mundane to a spiritual field of life, though remaining within the householder’s way of life.

The Sikh baptism ceremony is open to all. Any person of any caste, class, gender, religion or nation can embrace it and become a “pure” new person by becoming a member of the Khalsa. The ceremony was started by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 when, on the day of Baisakhi, he had baptised the “Five Beloved” ones (Panj-Piyaras). The turning point of the ceremony was a request by the Guru to initiate him into the Khalsahood by the Panj-Piyaras. And lo and behold, no distinction was left between the Guru and the followers, the self and the supreme! Such is the power of this ceremony!

The initiation ceremony can be conducted at any quite place in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib and six baptised Sikhs — one granthi to read from the sacred granth and five Sikhs to administer the Khande de Pahul. These six may even include Sikh women. Everyone, the seeker and those administering it, must take bath and wash their hair prior to the ceremony. With their heads covered and Five Kakkars donning their bodies, the persons seeking initiation must stand respectfully with hands folded facing the Guru Granth Sahib. One of the five beloved ones explains the main rules and obligations of the Khalsa Panth. These are to meditate only on the one supreme creator and  renunciation of the worship of any created thing; study and live according to the Sikh teachings, and to help and serve humanity at large. The Sikhs, waiting to be baptised, are then asked if they are willing to abide by these rules. On an affirmative response, the ceremony starts with an ardas and the preparation of the amrit (nectar) starts after taking hukam (command) from the Guru Granth Sahib.

Amrit is prepared in a pure iron/steel bowl filled with clean water and some batashas (sugar puffs). The Five Beloved Ones  (Panj-Piyaras) position themselves around the bowl in the bir asan (the posture of a warrior with the left knee raised and the right knee touching the ground) and while stirring the bowl with a double-edged sword (Khanda), the five Sikhs recite sacred bani. The seekers or the initiates should place both hands on the bowl and concentrate and meditate. After the completion of the prayers and the ardas, the amrit is received by the Sikhs while sitting in a bir asan and with the hands cupped, right hand on the left. The amrit is received five times, on the eyes and the hair. Each time after receiving the nectar, the person being initiated says, “Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh.” The remaining nectar is shared by those receiving initiation, all drinking from the same bowl (men as well as women). Hence all the previous ties, impurities of the mind and body, and distinctions based on caste, religion, class and gender are removed. Thus commences a new life, a new person — a pure one.

The ceremony proceeds with the recitation of the Mul-Mantra — “Ik Onkar, Satnam, Karta-Purakh, Nirbhau, Nirvair, Akal-Murat, Ajuni Saibhang, Gurprasad... There is only one God. His name is truth, the all-pervading creator, without fear, without hatred, immortal, unborn, self-existent, the grace incarnate”. One of the five then explains to the newly born Khalsas, “From now on your existence as ordinary individuals has ceased, and you are members of the Khalsa brotherhood... you have become the pure Khalsa...” Having explained all the rules in detail, ardas is said and Karah-prasad is distributed and the newly-initiated enter the new world of equality, purity and brotherhood.