Happy Vaisakhi: Many reasons to
celebrate
Mata Sahib Kaur - The Spiritual Mother of the Khalsa. During the first Amrit
ceremony of the Khalsa on Vaisakhi 1699, She added sugar wafers (Patasae)
in the preparation of the Holy nectar (Amrit) in order to infuse mercy and
benevolence into the preexisting properties (courage and strength) of the Amrit.
Sikh Women are vital to the foundation and the future of the Sikh way of
life. On this auspicious occasion of Vaisakhi, let us be inspired by Mata
Sahib Kaur’s courage and compassion and continue to stay involved in our
communities.
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'Pragtiyo Khalsa Parmaattam Ki Mauj' [In his will, God created the Khalsa]
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In 1699, on the first day of Baisakhi, Guru Gobind Singh ji, the tenth
Spiritual Master of the Sikhs, created the ‘Khalsa’.
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The Word ‘Khalsa’ means:
Pure
Ordained by God
He who has recognized his true inner self
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Guru Gobind Singh ji gifted the Holy Nectar (Amrit) and the 5 - K’s to the
‘Khalsa’.
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The ‘Five Beloved’ (Panj Pyaare) were transformed into Khalsa by Guru
Gobind Singh ji.
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They belonged to different parts of the country and to different castes and
occupations.
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The names of the ‘Five Beloved’ reflect important qualities, which can
make us Pure (Khalsa).
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These names and qualities are:
1. Daya Singh: Compassion and Sympathy.
2. Dharam Singh: Truth and Discipline.
3. Himmat Singh: Strength and Courage.
4. Mohkam Singh: Determination and Fortitude.
5. Saheb Singh: Royalty and Nobleness.
What Vaisakhi means to different people
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Sikhs
For unfolding the cosmic event (Bachittar Natak) at the mound (where now
stands the Takht Sri Keshgarh) at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind chose the
first day of solar month of Vaisakh ( the Vaisakhi day) that fell on March
30 in 1699 AD-now celebrated on April 13. Guru Gobind Singh
purposely chose this day for ushering in a new dawn, a new chapter in world
history, a new phase of world civilization, envisioned by the first Prophet
of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. The Guru had asked the faith-followers from all over
India to assemble at Sri Anandpur Sahib on the chosen day. The huge
congregation became mysteriously innervated when the Guru with a divine glow
in his eyes and a naked sword in his hand, gave a thundering call for a
devout Sikh to come forward to offer his head then and there for the sake of
dharma. Guru Gobind Singh was putting to test his followers readiness for
sacrifice of life - a sacrifice of the mundane life sublated [sublimated]
into the Life Divine. Guru Nanak himself had laid down the test. Read more on: The Order of the Khalsa and it's
Significance in World History and Civilization
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Men and Women
Under the universal principles of Sikhism, the Guru's advocated
religious tolerance and the equality of women among other principles of
humanity. "In 1699, Sikh Women were given the last name 'Kaur'
and and Men 'Singh' by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs.
This initiate intended to end the caste system, social stratification and
much of the apparatus of Hindu ritual and legalism. In Indian society,
an individual's name reveals his or her caste, and Sikhs were freed from the
caste system by having all men incorporate Singh in their names and all
women, Kaur. Based on the premises of gender equality, Kaur was
given to Sikh Women to establish an identity independent of their father or
husband." Significance
and Importance of the name 'Kaur'
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People of Punjab
The beginning of the month of Vaisakh symbolizes renewal and regeneration,
ripening and fruition.
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Buddhists
Earlier, it was on this day that Gautam realized enlightenment and became
the Buddha, heralding a new era in Indian civilization qualitatively
different from the prevalent Hindu civilization and culture. (From the
Punjab Government archives)
Renewing our convictions
Who will be Graced or Saved in the end?
Only God knows the specifics of God's justice and glory. However, a person who
remembers God, the name = NAAM, will be
graced. That is a promise to the entire existence, reiterated over and over in
the Guru Granth Sahib. We have to believe and remember our savior. Guru
Nanak declared non-denominational origin of humanity and therefore the word of
the Guru is applicable to all beings - regardless of race, color, gender,
caste, social attributes, physical or mental handicap, Khalsa or non-khalsa,
religious affiliation or lack thereof. By the virtue of being God's creation,
we all enjoy the benefits of NAAM...
constant remembrance of the creator. Here are a few quotes from the Guru
Granth Sahib. (From Introduction
to Sikhism)
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Nanak, the Gurmukh meditates on the Naam, and finds the gate of salvation.
||4|| Page 443, Line 13
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Nanak, meditate on the Naam, deep within yourself, day and night. You
shall find the Door of Salvation. ||1|| Page 1248, Line 4
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Nanak, the Gurmukh meditates on the Naam, and is united with the True
Lord. ||4||13||46|| Page 31, Line 14
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By God's Grace, we meditate on the Naam, the Name of the Lord. Without
God's Mercy, it cannot be obtained. Page 35, Line 10
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Through the Shabad, meditate on the Naam, through the Shabad, you shall
merge in Truth. ||4|| Page 67, Line 1
Liberation (Mukhti)
Only way to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death is by being
God-conscious (Gurmukh). Though Sikhism affirms Karma, it recognizes the
possibility of the modification of one's Karma with the grace of the
Guru. Attachment to material objects is the primary cause of
rebirth on the basis of past karma (action). Through devout worship and
service, a person would accumulate good karma. Eventually, one would be
released from the cycle of birth and become one with God. Guru Nanak
delivered a message of peace and urged his followers not to worship idols or
practice asceticism, which he believed only distract from one's
faith. (SGPC)
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Happy Vaisakhi: Many reasons to
celebrate
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