Happy Vaisakhi 2021!

Apologies for the late posting, it's been a busy workday. Wishing all the sangat a Happy Vaisakhi! 

On Vaisakhi 1699 Guru Gobind Singh Ji called hundreds of thousands of Sikhs to gather at Anandpur Sahib. The crowd was completely silent, fully taking in the words of Guru Ji. After spiritual discourse, Guru Ji addressed the crowd, and then took out his sword and asked for a sacrifice, a head. Suddenly the sangat was scared...Can you imagine what it must have felt like standing amongst the crowd at that time? Bhai Daya Ram Ji bravely approached. Guru Ji went in a tent and came back with his sword, dripping with blood. He asked for another head. Next was Bhai Dharam Das, then Sahib Chand, Himmat Chand, and finally Mokham Chand. Some of the sangat started to disperse in fear, when suddenly Guru Ji came out with all five and performed the Amrit ceremony. These Singhs became our Panj Pyare, the embodiment of the Guru. Then Guru Ji got the 5 to baptize him. The mother of the Khalsa is Mata Sahib Kaur Ji and she added patasay to the Amrit. In baptizing the Sikhs, Guru Ji gave the Khalsa the distinct identity of today- kesh, kanga, kirpan, kachera, and kara. This united the Khalsa and because the panj were from different castes and now equal, it also showed that there would be equality and no caste distinction. The identity was important in that no Sikh would be allowed to hide- their identity would stand out as Sikh and therefore they would be responsible for their actions. This would allow others to get help from Sikhs. The Khalsa was important in uniting the Sikhs as saint-soldiers, as warriors in standing up against the oppression and injustices that were being faced. Sikh women were given the middle name Kaur (princess) and males were given the middle name Singh (lion).

As some of the world has passed another Vaisakhi in isolation, I think we will appreciate so much more when we will be able to get together again. I'm looking forward to travelling around for Nagar Kirtans to different parts of Canada and the States when that becomes possible again. I really missed being able to celebrate with my family today, being able to go to the Gurdwara to matha tek, and listen to or play kirtan on my vaja. I guess that is what was written for this year and there must be some learning from this too- our Guru Ji is with us always. It is a time for us to remember who we are and where we come from. 

picture reference: https://www.sikhpa.com/campaigns/sikhvaisakhi/ 

 

Pictures from Anandpur: