The Guru declared
The Guru declared that Baba Nanak had found only one devoted Sikh in Guru Angad, while he had found five such Sikhs. Through the devotion of one true disciple Sikhism had flourished so well. By the consecration of five Sikhs his mission was bound to spread all over the world. He further said that since the time of Guru Nanak Sikhs took Charanpahul. The newly initiated Sikhs drank water in which Guru had dipped his great toe. It was derived from an old Indian tradition where Students will drink the water in which teacher's feet were washed. It developed spirit of humility and meekness. The times had changed. In place of humility and meekness, boldness and pluck were required. He would there fore change the form of baptism, and would administer to his warrior Sikhs water stirred with a double edged dagger in an iron vessel, with continuous recitation of hymns from Adi Granth. [this is what is called "Khande Baatte da pahul"]
In the double edged dagger (Khanda) Guru Gobind Singh combined the two swords of Miri and Piri of his grandfather (Guru Har Gobind ji, Sixth Guru) into one and would change the name Sikh to Singh or lion. This title previously was exclusively confined to the noble Rajputs, the second military class of Hindus after Kshatriyas. His Sint of gh would look upon himself as inferior to no other. Every man was a sworn soldier from the time of his baptism. His Singh's would fight against the enemies of their faith and freedom like lions. They would be heroes in this life and would attain salvation and bliss thereafter.
Mata Jito did not like that the five Sikhs who had offered their heads to Guru should be given plain water. She immediately brought a plate full of sugar cakes (patashas) and with the approval of Guru put them in water.
The Guru observed: "We filled the Panth with heroism (Bir Ras) by stirring it with double edged dagger, you have mixed it with love (Prem-ras)."
While stirring water the Guru recited the sacred hymns of the holy Adi Granth. The following five banis were recited by the Guru while preparing the Amrit or the Nectar Guru Nanak's Japji, Guru Amar Das's Anand, and his own Jap, Chaupai and Ten swayyas. The five Sikhs were asked to kneel down on their left knees and look into the eyes of Guru. The Guru then gave every one of them five palm full of sweet water called Amrit or netcar to drink, and five times was the holy water sprinkled over their heads and faces. The Guru said that the five beloved ones were his sons. Their mother was Jito. Individually each was called a Singh and collectively they were given the name of Khalsa.
Request of Guru Gobind
After administering baptism, the Guru stood before these five beloved ones and requested them to baptise him in the same manner. They pleaded their unfitness for such a performance. The Guru replied that he was not superior to his devoted disciples. His superiority lay in one thing. The Guru had attained salvation, nirwan or Sachkhand. While his disciples were in the process of attaining it. The Guru said "The Khalsa is the Guru and the Guru is the Khalsa. There is no difference between me and you." They baptised him, everyone of the five giving one palmful of nectar and sprinkling it on his head and face turn by turn. He added Singh to his own name in place of Rai and henceforth came to be called Gobind Singh.
Somebody in the congregation observed:
"Waah wah Guru Gobind singh.
ape Guru te Ape Chela"
--
[Bravo Guru Gobind singh! himself divine as well as disciple]
--
This was spiritual socialism.
The Guru then addressed the five beloved ones:
"You are now of one creed, followers of one path.
You are above all religions, all creeds, all castes,
and all classes. You are the immortal soldiers of
true dharam. You are messengers of God. This
country's honous and liberty is entrusted to you
by Wah Guru. Mix freely with the world, but remain
of one soul, one ideal and one mind, so you
posses one soul and one mind in the service of
Wah Guru, dharam and your country. You are members
of the Khalsa brotherhood. Anandpur is your
birthplace. Gobind singh is your father. Jito is
your mother. In you four classes have been merged into
one. You are all brothers, all equal. No one is
superior to the other. Eat from one dish. The
independence and security of your country is entrusted
upon you. Work for it with one mind. Success is sure.
From today your salutation will be,
Wah Guru ji Ka Khalsa, Wah Guru ji ki Fatah.
Meaning of Khalsa
Kavi Churamani Bhai Santok singh in Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, Rut V Sai and VI Jari, published by Khalsa samachar in March 1933,
Kha means yog or Jap,
l means bhog mahin,
and sa means sagarhane majh or IKATH or MEL.
Thus khalsa implied yog+bhog+mel or spirituality, worldly enjoyment and unity, all combined into one.
to be continued...
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