Guru Gobind Jayanti reinvigorates humanity
Guru Gobind (or Govind) Singh Jayanti is a Sikh festival that commemorates the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs.
It is a religious celebration in which prayers for prosperity are offered.
It is common for large processions to go through markets in India on Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti. People sing devotional songs during the procession and share sweets and a cold drink or a sharbat among the adults and children. Gurdwaras throughout the world conduct special prayers and discourses.
Guru Gobind Singh was born at Patna, Bihar, India, on December 22, 1666.
He was the son of Guru Tegh Bahadur who gave his life to protect religious freedom.
He succeeded his father when he became a Guru at nine years of age.
Fighting injustice
Guru Gobind Singh’s teachings have a big impact on Sikhs. In his lifetime, he stood against the Mughal Rulers and fought against injustice.
In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh took five men from the lower caste of society and baptised them as His Five Beloveds, endowing them with great courage and a devotion to God.
It was his dedication to God, his fearlessness and his desire to protect the people from being oppressed that led Guru Gobind Singh to establish the Khalsa, a military force of saint-soldiers which he baptized.
Under Guru Gobind Singh’s guidance and inspiration, the Khalsa followed a strict moral code and spiritual discipline. It was through his courage that the people rose against the oppression of the Mughal ruler in India at the time. Aside from being a spiritual and a military leader Guru Gobind Singh was also a gifted writer who penned a large body of literary work.
Before his death in 1708, he declared the Guru Granth Sahib, which is Sikhism’s Holy Scripture to be the permanent Sikh Guru.
Five Khalsas
In 1699, the Guru sent ’Hukmanamas’ (Letters of Authority) to his followers, requesting them to congregate at Anandpur on March 30, 1969, the day of Vaisakhi (the annual harvest festival).
He addressed the congregation from the entryway of a small tent pitched on a small hill (now called Kesgarh Sahib). He first asked everyone who he was for them.
Everyone answered, “You are our Guru.”
He then asked them who they were and the reply was, “We are your Sikhs.” Having reminded them of this relationship, he then said that today the Guru needs something from his Sikhs. Everyone said, “Hukum Karo, Sache Patshah” (Order us, True Lord).
Then, drawing his sword, he asked for a volunteer who was willing to sacrifice his head.
No one answered his first call, nor the second call, but on the third invitation, Daya Ram (later known as Bhai Daya Singh) came forward and offered his head to the Guru.
Guru Gobind Rai took the volunteer inside the tent.
The Guru returned to the crowd with blood dripping from his sword. He then demanded another head. One more volunteer came forward, and entered the tent with him. The Guru again emerged with blood on his sword. This happened three more times. Then the five volunteers came out of the tent in new clothing unharmed.
Guru Gobind Singh then poured clear water into an iron bowl and adding Patashas (Punjabi sweeteners) into it, he stirred it with double-edged sword accompanied with recitations from Adi Granth. He called this mixture of sweetened water and iron as Amrit (Nectar) and administered it to the five men.
These five, who willingly volunteered to sacrifice their lives for their Guru, were given the title of the Panj Pyare (“the five beloved ones”) by their Guru. They were Daya Ram (Bhai Daya Singh), Dharam Das (Bhai Dharam Singh), Himmat Rai (Bhai Himmat Singh), Mohkam Chand (Bhai Mohkam Singh), and Sahib Chand (Bhai Sahib Singh).
The Five Ks
He also pronounced the ‘Five Ks’ to Sikhs. They are
Kesh: Uncut hair is a symbol of acceptance of your form as God intended it to be, and to give an unmistakable visual identity to the Khalsa.
Kanga: A wooden comb, a symbol of cleanliness to keep one’s body and soul clean.
Kara: an iron or steel bracelet worn on the wrist, to remind the Khalsa of their vows and as a mark or iron self-restraint.
Kirpan: A sword to defend oneself and protect the poor, the weak and the oppressed, regardless of religion, race or creed.
Kachera: Shorts, which are riding breeches cut off at the knee, to keep the soldiers of the Khalsa always ready to go into battle on horseback
Guru Gobind Singh instilled courage, strength and spirit of sacrifice among Sikhs, who are partners in progress throughout the world, including New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Europe, United States of America and Canada.
