Significance of the Basics

Martyrdom and Sikhism

A martyr is defined as someone who chooses death for being resolute with his idea. The one who didn’t bow to the tyrannous. The courage in a martyr is deep-rooted, more moral than physical. This comes out of spiritual conviction rather than love of worldly gain.

Martyrdom is an important concept in Sikhism which is always seen with great pride. Laying down one’s life for a particular principle or faith is one of the most sacred traditions in Sikhism. This concept of martyrdom was laid down by the first Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Nanak Dev.

We often came across stories where the legends laid down their lives for their values, religion or the motherland. Even Alexander the Great was made to return back to his country by the king of Punjab, Porus at that time. Even after that the Sikhs fought back repeated invasions from Afghan and other Muslim rulers.

 

Now people remember them as heroes as they fought for the truth. The truth that world accepted, the truth before which everyone bows down, truth or the synonym of God. They were ready to pay any cost to save the dignity of their pride, their religion Sikhism. The highest form of sacrifice is martyrdom.

To recall the sacrifices of the martyrs throughout the course of Sikh history is a part of the Sikh tradition. This is done while offering ardas or the daily prayer morning and in evening.

The Sikhs have always revolted against the cruelty and trying to achieve peace and harmony. Even during the 18^th century, when the ruling powers and foreign invaders launched a ruthless campaign against them, they matched the situation with courage. They show the true spirit of heroism and unparallel faith in the power of almighty. These values are imbibed in the children at a very young age.  The glory of Sikhism is all about the legends who laid their lives fighting for the truth.

Harmandir Sahiband: the ‘Golden’ History of Sikhism

Located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India, Sri Harmandir Sahib which is also known as Golden Temple and the 'Darbar Sahib, is the holiest Gurdwara and the most important pilgrimage site of Sikhism. 

The temple, which is built around a man-made pool (sarovar) was completed by Guru Ram Das in 1577. Guru Arjan – the fifth Guru of Sikhism, requested Sai Mian Mir – a Muslim Pir of Lahore to lay its foundation stone in 1589. 

In 1604, Guru Arjan placed a copy of the Adi Granth in Harmandir Sahib, calling the site Ath Sath Tirath. The temple was repeatedly rebuilt by the Sikhs after it became a target of persecution and was destroyed several times by the Muslim armies from Afghanistan and the Mughal Empire. The army led by Ahmad Shah Abdali, for example, demolished it in 1757 and again in 1762, then filled the pool with garbage. Maharaja Ranjit Singh after founding the Sikh Empire, rebuilt it in marble and copper in 1809, overlaid the sanctum with gold foil in 1830 which led to the name the Golden Temple.

The temple is spiritually the most significant shrine in Sikhism. It also became a center of the Singh Sabha Movement between 1883 and 1920s

Harmandir Sahib is the spiritual hub for the millions of Sikhs all around the globes. Not just the Sikh, the temple is a shrine of devotion for everyone, welcoming everyone to its rich, prosperous courtyards and kitchen which is proven by the no. of people enjoying a heartfelt langar in the premises of the temple every day.  Golden Temple is truly the most apt symbol of Sikhism and its principal.

Sikhism and Food

When it comes to food, Sikhs have very simple rules and practise to follow. There are no elaborate meal plans and no customary rules to follow. Sikhs believe in simple eating and simple living to enjoy the essence of life.

Although the modern Punjabi culture is seen as very volatile, enjoying good hearty meals which includes lots of non-vegetarian dishes and great quantity of alcohol and the recent problem with drugs epidemic in Punjab region may make you believe that Sikhs have a very light attitude towards them but in actuality, alcohol and drugs are completely forbidden in Sikhism as a part of their religion.

As part of Sikhism, only lacto-vegetarian food is served in the Gurdwara in langar but Sikhs are not bound to be meat-free. The general consensus is that Sikhs are free to choose whether to adopt a meat diet or not. But Sikhs, once they become Amritdhari (baptised) via the Amrit Sanskar (baptism ceremony), are forbidden from eating Kutha or ritually-slaughtered (Halal, Kosher) meat because it transgresses one of the four restrictions in the Sikh Code of Conduct.

According to the Akal Takht (Central Body for Sikh Temporal Affairs), Sikhs are allowed to eat Jhatka meat. Other dietary Sikh practices include Sarbloh Bibek, which translates literally to "all-iron lifestyle", and consists of the use of only iron utensils.

Alcohol and drugs are frowned upon by Sikhism and is regarded as one of the bigger sins which transcend a person on the path of sin.

Overall, Sikhism has a lax attitude when it comes to food and it doesn’t force any eating habits on anyone, making it one of the most relaxed religions.

The Festival of Harvest

Vaisakhi or Baisakhi is probably the most important date for any Sikh in the calendar. Celebrated as the Sikh New Year every year on either 13th or 14th of April, Baisakhi was a traditional festival of spring time celebrated for centuries around the Punjab region of India but since 1699 has taken on a great deal of religious significance for Sikhs. On Vaisakhi in that year, Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa and established much of what is at the core of the Sikh faith today. 

As the story goes, “On the Vaisakhi day of 1699 (the first day of the month of ‘Vaisakh’ in the Sikh calendar), Siri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, the tenth Guru, formalized the concept of Saint-Soldier by introducing the Amrit ceremony (the formal initiation ceremony). The initiates were instructed to keep the five K’s: Kes (uncut hair), Kangha (a small comb), Karra (an iron bracelet), Kachh (a special short) and Kirpan (a sword).

They were given the title of Khalsa, meaning those whose life and spirit belonged only to the One Universal Creator and not to any ruler, tyrant or even a messenger of the Creator. The principle of One Universal Creator, a founding principle of the Sikh Faith, means that all human beings are children of the same One Creator, and are thus all equal, irrespective of their religion, gender, race, colour, caste or the like.”

Vaisakhi is all about community, progression and celebration. The festival around the world is marked with processions known as a Nagar Kirtan. These processions are led through streets and religious hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy book) are recited. In India the main celebration takes place at Talwandi Sabo in Punjab. Major celebration is also observed in Anandpur and Harmandir Sahib, this being the main festivals for the Sikhs. 

The beauty of Sikhism lies in the ensemble of community, it being one of the most accepting religion and Vaisakhi is just another symbol of this.

Significance of the Basics

The Last Human Guru

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji - Guru from 1675 to 1708

A divine messenger, a warrior, a poet, a philosopher, Guru Gobind Singh molded the Sikh religion into its present shape, with the institution of the Khalsafraternity, and completion of the sacred scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, in the final form that we find today. 

He created the Khalsa (The Pure Ones) in 1699, changing the Sikhs into a saint-soldier order with special symbols and sacraments for protecting themselves. After the Guru had administered Amrit to his Five Beloved Ones, he stood up in supplication and with folded hands, begged them to baptize him in the same way as he had baptized them. He himself became their disciple (Thus the saying, “Wonderful is Guru Gobind Singh, himself the Master and himself the disciple”). The Five Beloved Ones were astonished at such a proposal, and represented their own unworthiness, and the greatness of the Guru, whom they deemed God's representative upon earth. He also gave the Sikhs the name Singh (lion) or Kaur (princess).

Extracts from Guru Gobind Singh's writings;

"God has no marks, no colour, no caste, and no ancestors, No form, no complexion, no outline, no costume and is indescribable. He is fearless, luminous and measureless in might. He is the king of kings, the Lord of the prophets. He is the sovereign of the universe, gods, men and demons. The woods and dales sing the indescribable. O Lord, none can tell Thy names. The wise count your blessings to coin your names.

8th and 9th Guru

Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji - Guru from 1661 to 1664

He was born in 1656. Guru Har Krishan was the youngest of the Gurus. Installed as Guru at the age of five, Guru Ji astonished the Brahmin Pundits with his knowledge and spiritual powers.

To the Sikhs he proved to be the very symbol of service, purity and truth. The Guru gave his life while serving and healing the epidemic-stricken people in Delhi. The young Guru began to attend the sufferers irrespective of cast and creed., but succumbed to the disease himself at the age of eight.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji - Guru from 1665 to 1675

He was born in 1621 in Amritsar.

He established the town of Anandpur. The Guru laid down his life for the protection of the Hindu religion, their Tilak and their sacred (janeau) thread. He was a firm believer in the right of people to the freedom of worship.

It was for this cause that he faced martyrdom for the defence of the down-trodden Hindus. So pathetic was the torture of Guru Tegh Bahadur that his body had to be cremated clandestinely (a follower burned down his own home to cremate the Guru's body) at Delhi.