On Baisakhi Day in 1699, Guru Govind Singh, the tenth prophet of Sikh religion created the order of Khalsa through the sacrament of baptismal ‘amrit’. With this the scope of religion was widened to include social responsibility and to become a powerful instrument of social change. This was unique historic event completes 300 years in 1999.
The founding of the Khalsa that the order of the Khalsa is perhaps the only spiritual phenomenon in Indian history whose need arose from a strong patriotic urge. In every conceivable sense, the Khalsa has been the sword arm of the country. The inspiration for this was provided by Guru Tegh Bahadurji who is aptly called ‘Hind Di Chadar’ The Khalsa, truly represents the pride, the dignity and the sovereign spirit of India. The Khalsa also represents a new stage in the social reform movement in India, for it once again forcefully asserted the equality of all humanity, irrespective of caste, creed and gender.
The Guru Granth Sahib contains hymns from Hindu saints and Muslim Sufi poets drawn from different parts of the country. The Panj Piaras chosen by Guru Gobind Singh today convey a great message of democracy, social justice and national integration. They came not only from different castes, but also from different states. What is more, the Guru did not place himself above the authority of the Panj Piaras.
Guru Govind Singh’s message of the Khalsa that all humanity is one in spirit, is more relevant today in view of the growing ethno-religious conflicts throughout the world.
The Khalsa formally came into being with the baptism of Panj Piaras by Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib. Panj Piaras who are baptised bellonged to the lower castes and were from different parts of India. They are :
1. Daya Ram (Khatri) from Lahore (Pakistan)
2. Dharam Dass (Jat) from Hastinapur (Delhi)
3. Himmat Rai (Cook) from Jagannath Puri (Orissa)
4. Mohkam Chand (Washerman) from Dwarka (Gujrat)
5. Sahib Chand (Barber) from Bidar (Karnataka)
The most profound symbolism inherent in the act of Guru Gobind Singh in choosing 5 persons from different parts of the country, belonging to the lowest strata of Indian society as the Five Beloved, was that it struck a blow for nationalism and secular classless and casteless society.
The founding of the Khalsa that the order of the Khalsa is perhaps the only spiritual phenomenon in Indian history whose need arose from a strong patriotic urge. In every conceivable sense, the Khalsa has been the sword arm of the country. The inspiration for this was provided by Guru Tegh Bahadurji who is aptly called ‘Hind Di Chadar’ The Khalsa, truly represents the pride, the dignity and the sovereign spirit of India. The Khalsa also represents a new stage in the social reform movement in India, for it once again forcefully asserted the equality of all humanity, irrespective of caste, creed and gender.
The Guru Granth Sahib contains hymns from Hindu saints and Muslim Sufi poets drawn from different parts of the country. The Panj Piaras chosen by Guru Gobind Singh today convey a great message of democracy, social justice and national integration. They came not only from different castes, but also from different states. What is more, the Guru did not place himself above the authority of the Panj Piaras.
Guru Govind Singh’s message of the Khalsa that all humanity is one in spirit, is more relevant today in view of the growing ethno-religious conflicts throughout the world.
The Khalsa formally came into being with the baptism of Panj Piaras by Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib. Panj Piaras who are baptised bellonged to the lower castes and were from different parts of India. They are :
1. Daya Ram (Khatri) from Lahore (Pakistan)
2. Dharam Dass (Jat) from Hastinapur (Delhi)
3. Himmat Rai (Cook) from Jagannath Puri (Orissa)
4. Mohkam Chand (Washerman) from Dwarka (Gujrat)
5. Sahib Chand (Barber) from Bidar (Karnataka)
The most profound symbolism inherent in the act of Guru Gobind Singh in choosing 5 persons from different parts of the country, belonging to the lowest strata of Indian society as the Five Beloved, was that it struck a blow for nationalism and secular classless and casteless society.
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