KHALSA KHALSA KHALSA KHALSA KHALSA
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Khalsa means pure. The name Khalsa was given by Guru Gobind Singh ji to all Sikhs who have been baptized or initiated by taking Amrit (nectar) in a ceremony called Amrit Sanchar.
First time this ceremony was started by Guru Gobind Singh ji on Baisakhi (Sikh Festival) in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, India.
This is that place where the birth of the Khalsa took place.
History :
In the year 1699 AD, on the 1st of Vaisakh of Punjabi calendar month, a festival day, in a full congregation of about 80 thousand devotees, Guru Gobind Singh ji took out his unsheathed sword and asked for one head from the masses present there. All were stunned. Never a Guru asked his followers like this.
The Guru was determined. He again gave the call for the offer of one head.
A follower got up and with folded hands offered himself.
Repeating his call the Guru asked again, and the other person got up.
And like that 5 persons, one after the other offered themselves.
All the five were of different castes, from far places throughout India.
The Guru attired them in a simple, beautiful uniform and baptized them.
He declared them "Punj Piaras" - the Five Beloved Ones and called them Khalsa.
Each Sikh was called a Singh (Prince) and each Sikh lady was called Kaur (Princess).
Thus a classless society of Saint-Soldiers was created and called Khalsa - the human being in its purest form.
Emblems of the Faith :
Khalsa Sikhs keep five emblems of their faith intact on their bodies at all times.
These collectively form a uniform for members of the community of "Pure Ones".
- Kesh : Uncut hair.Unshorn hair is a sign of spirituality and sainthood.
- Kanga : A small wodden comb used to keep the hair tidy at all times.Typically worn underneath a turban, this represents cleanliness; and as such, is a practical way to look neat and pure at all times.
- Kachera : Long undershots typically worn by soldiers to ensure freedom of movement.
- Kara : A Iron bangle worn arround the wrist as a reminder of one's faith.
- Kirpan : A saber to be used as a last measure of protection in case the need to defend oneself, or another, arises.
Guru Gobind Singh ji laid down the following duties for the Khalsa :-
- The khalsa is to worship one God and read Nitename (Five Banis(religious poems)) and daily meditate on the name of God.
- He is to keep the symbols (Panj Kakar - emblems) and to lead his life according to the Guru's teaching.
- He has no caste after joining the brother-hood ; he has to repudiate non-Sikh rites and ceremonies, and follow only Sikh practices.
- He is not to commit any of the four misdeeds namely, the shaving or cutting of hair, eating Halal meat, adultery and the use of tobacco or any other intoxicant.
- He is not to commit any of the social offences, such as giving dowry, using liquors and intoxicants, raising monuments over graves.
- He must contribute one-tenth ("daswand") of his income for religious purposes.
- He is to serve the sangat in all ways.
- He must practice arms and be ready to defend the weak.
Amrit Sanchar Ceremony :
The Sikh initiation ceremony was started by Guru Gobind Singh ji in 1699.
Five Amritdhari Sikhs (Khalsa's), those who have already undergone initiation into the khalsa fold, recite prayers and stir a double - edged sword in a bowl of sugar water called Amrit (nectar).
After the recitation of prayers ends, those Sikhs who seek to undergo initiation, drink out of the same bowl.
Expected to have an understanding of the responsibilities of being a Khalsa Sikh, the initiated one promise to live a life of purity, in accordance with the teachings of the Gurus.
The Khalsa are widely regarded as Saint - Soldiers; not only have they vowed to live by the principles of Sikhism, the Khalsa historically stands ready to defend the defenceless, and themselves, with the use of force if necessary.
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