Introduction
A lot of young people seem to be taking Amirt, but they do not seem to have the traits of an Amritdhari.
In this essay I will look at why this is happening?
After the Shaheedi of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Created the Khalsa Army. He describes in Dasam Granth that he was instructed by God to create this Army as Gods army. The Khalsa was to uphold righteousness and justice amongst humanity by any means. Guru Ji wanted so much determination from the soldiers of this army that even death would not put them off the path of truth. He therefore asked his Sikhs for 5 heads, five men came forward amongst thousands and answered the Gurus call. They became Singhs and are known as the 5 Beloved of the Guru. Once the 5 were baptized by Guru Ji, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked them to bless him with Amrit. Daya Singh said to Guru Ji we have given our heads to receive this nectar, what do you offer?
Guru Ji said if the need be I will offer my whole family for the sacrifice for the sake the Khalsa!
The gist is that to join the Khalsa one must be ready to face struggle, oppression and hardships. The soldier of the khalsa must be willing to sacrifice there all for the betterment of humanity. (These days people aren’t willing to even put ten pound petrol in a car and go to a protest against injustice, but claim “we have gave our head to the Guru”)
When we take Amrit we make promises to Guru Ji and claim that we will live our life according to Gurmat (the teachings of Gurbani). But when the same Gurbani is being disrespected and then you just turn a blind eye! Have you really given your head?
If you desire to play this game of love with Me,
then step onto My Path with your head in hand.
When you place your feet on this Path,
give Me your head, and do not pay any attention to public opinion. Ang 1410 SGGSJ
Role of the Khalsa
A soldier of the Khalsa pays homage and alliance to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikh of the Guru never bows their head before any mortal being. The Sikh meditates on Waheguru (the Immortal Supreme Soul). The Sikh has a daily routine of Nitnem and Simran. The Sikh sees Gods light in all and does not believe in rituals, superstitions and the worship of none other then Akal Purakh.
These days Sikhs Indulge in many rituals such as rakhri and lorhi (which are festivals that discriminate against the female sex)
Loads of Sikhs are superstitious for example tie black threads on their arm for protection. Don’t wash their hair on Thursdays because it is supposed to be bad luck.
A Sikh will parrot read Gurbani (they read bani paying no attention or not absorbing the message of the Guru). Ikonkaar means one light of all, but Sikhs are still racist. For Example they will Look pissed off when a black man comes to the Gurdwara to eat Guru Ka Langar. Loads of Sikhs live hypocritical lives which go against Gurbani because they are ignorant or have not took time out to learn the message of the Guru.(They just Keep Parrot reading all their lives)
People that are meant to be amritdhari encourage and start anti gurmat activities in Gurdwara sahibs. (they also openly Slander Guru Ji and a lot of the real Sikh way of life)
So called Sikhs abuse and Disrespect Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, By taking Maharaj to Pubs or opening up anti Gurmat Halls with Guru ji’s Money)
This happens because people take Amrit just for the outside look, i.e. to join a committee, or to look good in the community. Sometimes kids are pressured into it by the family or peer pressure. One must only take Amrit if they understand the Gurus message and are willing to live that lifestyle. The person must have a thirst in their heart for Amrit. In this way we will avoid having Amritdharis that live hypocritical lives (because the person will be taking Amrit for more genuine reasons).
The role of the Khalsa is to be a saint soldier, not one of them. They both go hand in hand.
The Khalsa is god’s voluntary army and has never tolerated injustices.
When all means fail in addressing a wrong it is just and pious to raise the sword. – Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
The State of cowardice
Guru Gobind Singh Ji clearly stated that there is no room for cowards within the Khalsa fauj, during the first ever Amrit ceremony he said to his Sikhs “Do not even come before me without Kesh and Weapons”
However these days Sikhs have no love for shaster, if they see a Singh with a pistol Standing at a Gurdwara to protect the sangat they will get annoyed. But when they go heathrow and see the British police with their big guns they dont feel annoyed!
Guru Ji gave us the Amrit of the Khanda (double edged sword) and showed its strength when a bird (sparrow) took a zip of it and fought a hawk and eagle off.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji says that his Khalsa was created to protect the saints and root out tyranny from the world.
“I will make one Singh stand against 125,000 oppressors, only then will I be fit to be called Guru Gobind Singh”
We all use the name Singh (lion) but if a sleeping lion is kicked it will get up and bite, but as Singhs we get bullied and mugged everyday! Are we really lions?
Even the SP back in the days who used to mainly drink (pub Boys) held it strong (although there was some real Amritdharis in the SP). Yet we Drink the Immortal nectar of the double edged sword and get treated like sheep!
A lot of the Singhs are unwilling to do physical training and are fat and out of shape, but yet they joined an army! Even worldly armies have a basic fitness test to see whether they will accept the person as a soldier! We have brought shame and disgrace to our forefathers who held the honour of the Khalsa so high. We have made the Khalsa into a mere joke. Loads of Singhs are timid and feel that it is alright for Sikhs to be gay! (This is how low and impure the mentality of the so called Sikhs has gone). If a real Singhs speaks up and says the truth, ever one says he is a trouble maker and extremist to defame him. Because they know to face the truth and overcome our plight we will have to go through hardship “just call him an extremist and hope he gets locked up”
Sant Jarnail Singh ji brought back the real Spirit of the Khalsa, but this was short lived due to the oppression if the Indian Government.
Panthicness
Even in our history we have had misals that operated in different regions and ways! The aim of these misals was to safeguard Sikh principals and defend the Panth. Even dough they may have had different view they had so much unity for common Panthic causes. These days the jathas want to kill each other and all our youth do is slander and defame each other for the wrong reasons. The sense of self preservation and protection of Sikh identity and principals is at an all time low. A lot of ego and disunity is spread over the Panth therefore making it easier for the enemies of the Panth to cause chaos amongst us.
Sikh women in the khalsa have exactly the same role as the men; they have fought back in the days and supported Panthic causes. But most women these days are too busy doing their nails (even if they are Amritdhari) and looking for a date. The modesty and self respect of the traditional women is rarely present amongst this generation. The dress sense is so bad (immodest) and we all seen the flirting at kirtan programmes.
Real Singhs got cut up into little bits, but held it strong. These days Singhs get a paper cut and complain to god, Oh My God what have I done wrong?
Let us all pray to Guru Ji to Bless us all with a jeevan which is worthy of Gurus Amrit and a place in the Khalsa Fauj!
By Harpreet kaur 17
London