Guru Gobind Singh : Founder of Khalsa

Guru Gobind Singh ji (1666 to 1708) was born “Gobind Rai” in Patna, Bihar in India  and was the tenth and last of the ten human form Gurus of Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh became Guru on November 24, 1675 at the age of nine, following in the footsteps of his father Guru Teg Bahadur ji. He was the leader of the Sikh faith, a warrior, a poet, and a philosopher. In the Sikh society, Guru Gobind Singh is considered a perfect example of manhood; highly educated, skilled in horsemanship, armed combat, chivalrous, and generous in character.

Birth of Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Gobind Singh was born as Gobind Rai in Patna to Guru Tegh Bahadur and his wife Mata Gujari. He was born while Guru Tegh Bahadur was touring Assam to spread his teachings.

It was here that Gobind Rai was born to Mata Gujari 1666. It is said that Pir Bhikan Shah approached the child and offered two bowls of milk and water, signifying both the great religions of Hinduism and Islam. The child smiled and placed his hands on both bowls. The Pir bowed in utter humility and reverence to the new Prophet of all humanity.

Guru Gobind Singh was born with a holy mission of which he tells us in his autobiography “Bachitar Natak” (Wonderous Drama). Guru Ji describes the purpose of his coming to this world and why he emerged from the Supreme Reality in human form to carry out his Creator’s command:

“For this purpose was I born, let all virtuous people understand. I was born to advance righteousness, to emancipate the good, and to destroy all evil-doers root and branch.”

Guru Gobind Singh held an open air diwan in Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpur. The Guru drew his sword and in a thundering voice said, “I want one head, is there any one who can offer me?”Guru Gobind Singh’s such most unusual call caused some terror in the gathering and the people were stunned. There was dead silence. The Guru made a second call. Nobody came forward. There was still more silence. On the third call there raised Daya Ram, a khatri of Lahore who said, “O true king, my head is at your service.”

Guru Gobind Singh took Daya Ram by the arm and led him inside a tent. A blow and thud were heard. Then the Guru, with his sword dripping with blood, came out and said, “I want another head, is there anyone who can offer?” Again on third call Dharam Das, a Jat from Delhi came forward and said, “O true king! My head is at thy disposal.”

Guru Gobind Singh took Dharam Das inside the tent, again a blow and thud were heard, and he came out with his sword dripping with blood and repeated, “I want another head, is there any beloved Sikh who can offer it?”

Upon this some people in the assembly remarked that the Guru had lost all reason and went to his mother to complain.

Mohkam Chand, a calico priner/tailor of Dwarka (west coast of India) offered himself as a sacrifice. The Guru took him inside the tent and went through the same process. When he came out, he made a call for the fourth head. The Sikhs began to think that he was going to kill all of them.

Some of them ran away and the others hung their heads down in disbelief. Himmat Chand, a cook of Jagan Nath Puri, offered himself as a fourth sacrifice. Then the Guru made a fifth and the last call for a fifth head. Sahib Chand, a barber of Bidar (in central India), came forward and the Guru took him inside the tent. A blow and thud were heard.

The last time he stayed longer in the tent. People began to breathe with relief. They thought may be the Guru has realized “his mistake” and has now stopped.

Guru Gobind Singh now clad his five volunteers in splendid garments. They had offered their heads to the Guru, and the Guru had now given them himself and his glory. When they were brought outside, they were in the most radiant form. Now people were sorry for not offering their heads.

The Panj pyare with Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Gobind Singh put pure water into an iron vessel or Bowl (Batta of Sarbloh) and stirred it with a Khanda (two edged small sword). While stirring the water with Khanda, he recited Gurbani (Five Banis- Japji, Jaap Sahib, Anand Sahib, Swayas, and Chaupai). Sugar crystals called ‘Patasas’ which incidently the Guru’s wife, Mata Sahib Kaur, had brought at that moment, were mixed in the water.

Guru Gobind Singh then stood up with the sacred Amrit (nectar) prepared in the iron bowl. Each of the five faithful, by turn, each kneeling upon his left knee, looked up to the Master to receive the divine amrit. He gave five palmfuls of Amrit to each of them to drink and sprinkled it five times in the eyes, asking them to repeat aloud with each sprinkle, “Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.” (This means: Khalsa belongs to God and all triumph be to His Name) Then he anointed with five sprinkles in the hair. In this way Amrit was administered to the five faithful from the same bowl. After that he asked them to sip Amrit from the same bowl to signify their initiation into the casteless fraternity of the Khalsa. All the five faithful were baptized in this way by the Guru who then called them the ‘PANJ PYARE’ or Five Beloved Ones.

Guru Gobind Singh gave them the appellation of SINGHS (Lions) and they were named from Daya Ram to Daya Singh, Dharam Das to Dharam Singh, Mohkam Chand to Mohkam Singh, Himmat Chand to Himmat Singh, and Sahib Chand to Sahib Singh. The Guru then addressed them as the supreme, the liberated ones, pure ones and he called them THE KHALSA.

He then ordained them to do the following:

I.First they must wear the following articles whose names begin with ‘K’:
1. Kesh – unshorn hair. This represents the natural appearance of sainthood. This is the first token of Sikh faith.
2. Kanga – A comb to clean the hair.
3. Kachha – An underwear to indicate virtuous character.
4. Kara – An Iron bracelet on the wrist, a symbol of dedication to the Divine Bridegroom.
5. Kirpan – A sword symbolising dignity, power and unconquerable spirit.

II. They must observe the following guidelines:

1. Not to remove hair from the body.
2. Not to use Tobacco or other intoxicants (alcohol).
3. Not to eat or touch Kuttha (Halal or Kosher) meat of an animal (see Hukamnama by Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji to the Sikhs of Kabul).
4. Not to commit adultery- ‘Parnari ki sej, bhul supne hun na jayo‘ (never enjoy, even in dream, the bed of a woman other than your own wife) (A supplementary ordinance was issued that any one who did not observe any of the four directives, must be re-baptized, pay a fine, and promise not to offend any more; or he must be excommunicated from the Khalsa).

III. They must rise at dawn, bathe, meditate on Gurmantar- ‘Waheguru’, Moolmantar- the preamble of Japji, and recite five banis-Japji, Jap Sahib and Swayas in the morning; Rehras in the evening; and Kirtan Sohela at bed time at night.

IV. They must not worship idols, cemeteries, or cremation grounds, and must believe only in One Immortal God. The Guru further spelled out that they should practice arms, and never show their backs to the foe in the battle field. They should always be ready to help the poor and protect those who sought their protection. They were to consider their previous castes erased, and deem themselves all brothers of one family. Sikhs were to intermarry among themselves.

“The creation of the Khalsa was the greatest work of the Guru. He created a type of superman, a universal man of God, casteless and country less. The Guru regarded himself as the servant of the Khalsa. He said, “To serve them pleases me the most; no other service is so dear to my soul.” The Khalsa was the spearhead of resistance against tyranny.” (Miss Pearl, S. Buck)

• Worship the One God who is the Lord of all. Know that his form is one and He is the One light diffused in all.”
• “The Khalsa is my own image. I shall always manifest myself in the Khalsa.
• The Khalsa is my body and soul; The Khalsa is the life of my life.
• The Khalsa is my perfect leader. The Khalsa is my brave friend.
• I say nothing untrue and to this; Guru Nanak, united with God, is my witness.”
• “Why impress false religion on the world? It will be of no service to it.
• Why run about for the sake of wealth? You cannot escape from death.
• Son, Wife, friends, disciples, companions none of those will bear witness for thee.
• Think, O think, you thoughtless fool, you shall have in the end to depart alone.” (Swayya 32)