Why we have Langar?

The Sikh Gurus themselves used to do Langer Seva

One of the major principles of Sikhism is equality for all; regardless of gender, cast, creed, culture, wealth, etc. In the fifteenth century, the Hindu caste system had become strongly rooted in India. Many Hindu priests (Brahmins) believed in the caste system and perpetuated it as much as possible, by segregating individuals of certain backgrounds (perceived as lower) and looking down on them. Some people in India, who considered themselves of a high-class society wouldn’t even touch a person who they considered as being part of any lower class. If they touched the low class accidentally they would take a bath. They also used to make the low class servants sit on the floor and eat while they sat in a chair.

The Sikh Gurus preached to “recognize the Lord's Light within all, and not to consider social class or status; there are no classes or castes in the world hereafter” (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 349).

Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru established langar, a free community kitchen. Langar is free food served in the Gurdwara Sahib, which is prepared by Sikhs and then consumed by them, guests and the poor while sitting at the same level next to each other. The purpose of the langar is to eliminate any type of caste system and look to view all humans as equal. While eating langar together, there remains no difference between rich and poor, and a superior or inferior person, for all present are eating the same food at the same level. Langar should be served in all Gurdwaras around the globe twenty-four hours a day.

“All beings and creatures are His; He belongs to all” (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 425).

“Sing the Praise of the One, the Immaculate Lord; He is contained within all” (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 706).

“The special feature of the Sikh of the Guru is that he goes beyond the framework of caste-classification and moves in humility. Then his labor becomes acceptable at the door of God” (Bhai Gurdas Ji, 1).

Equality

Guru Amar Das and King Akbar

Akbar was a famous king of India. He was a kind and good king and respected the Sikh Gurus for their sensible practices and their fair and just teachings. In the year 1569, Akbar came to the Punjab and wanted to see the Guru.

So he sent a message to Guru Amar Das ji that he was coming to visit him. The Sikhs were very happy at the news. Some Sikhs thought that special arrangements should be made to welcome the king. But the Guru said, "Akbar is as much a human being as others are. The Guru's place is open to all. The king and his subjects, the Hindus and the Muslims, the rich and the poor are all equal here. So Akbar will be welcomed like all other visitors to the Guru's place and special arrangements need not be made."

"Caste has no power in the next world; only the humble are exalted there. It is only the good who are honoured for good acts." (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji – Ang 469)

The king, along with the Rajah of Haripur, arrived in Goindwal where the Guru lived. The Guru and a few Sikhs received them warmly. They were shown round the place. Akbar was interested to know how the Guru's Langar was run. Simple food was served to all in the Guru's Langar. It remained open day and night.

Travelers, beggars, and strangers, as well as the followers of the Guru, were all served with food. Whatever was left was thrown to the cattle and birds so that nothing was wasted. The Guru had given an order that all persons coming to visit his place must have their food in the Langar (when hungry). There they were to sit in rows (Pangat) as equals and were to be served simple food in turn. Akbar and the Rajah of Haripur took their meals in the Guru's Langar. They sat among the common people in a row and the Sikhs served them food. They enjoyed the simple food and were very happy. Akbar liked the working of the Guru's Langar very much.

Before leaving, Akbar said to the Guru,

"I like Guru Nanak's religion very much and I respect you for your teachings. I want to make a grant of land for running the Langar. Would you mind it?”

The Guru replied,

"Dear Akbar, I am very glad you like the path of Baba Nanak. I am also grateful to you for your offer of a grant of land for the Langar, but I am sorry I cannot accept it because the Guru likes all to work hard to earn (Kirt Karni) and to share their honest earnings (Wand Chakna) with others, by giving something to the Langar from their honest earnings to help others. As such, the Guru's langar is the people's (Sangat's) Langar and it must be run on people's free gifts and not on a royal grant. That is why all share equally in the Guru's Langar and no one is looked upon as an outsider. In the Guru's Langar, each gives as much as we can spare and takes as much as he/she needs. Here, there is no difference between kings and beggars. All sit together; and eat simple food served with loving care." Akbar liked the Guru's idea very much.

One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has - O Nanak, he knows the Path. (Sri Guru Guru Granth Sahib Ji – Ang 1245)

First Ever Langar

Guru Nanak was about sixteen. He loved everybody and liked to help everyone. He made friends with many boys of his age. Two of his friends were Bala and Mardana. Bala was a Hindu and Mardana was a Muslim. The three friends loved one another very much. They called one another Bhai (Brother). They always sang the Guru's hymns and played together. Mardana was a good singer and Guru loved him very much. But the Guru's father did not like the Guru's friend Mardana because he was a Muslim. He did not like to see Nanak playing with a Muslim boy. But the Guru always said, "There's no Hindu and no Muslim. We are all brothers."

The Guru's father was all the more angry with him because he always gave away his clothes, books, shoes and money to the poor boys. He even gave away his food to the hungry people. He always liked to listen to the wise men and saints. Sometimes he prayed to God with his friends for long periods of time and was late for home. His sister, Nanaki was very kind to him but his father and mother were unhappy. They were thinking of finding some work for the Guru.

At last one day the Guru's father found work for the Guru. He gave him twenty rupees. It was a great sum of money in those days. He asked him to go to some city and do some trading. When we buy things for less money and sell them for more money we call it trade. The Guru agreed. His father was very happy. He thought that Nanak would learn the trade and become a rich man. He would have beautiful clothes, a good house, rich food to eat and a number of servants.

The Guru and his friends Bala and Mardana set out on their journey. They had to travel on foot. They went from village to village. In every village they asked the people to live like brothers. They asked them to think of God and help one another. After a few days they reached a jungle where they saw about twenty good men. They were saints who were praying to God. But almost all of them looked very thin and weak. The Guru and his friends stayed to talk with them. They prayed together and talked a lot. The Guru came to know that all the saints were hungry. They needed food but they had no money. The saints did not ask for food but the Guru did not like to see them hungry.

At once he put his hand in his pocket. He could feel the hard coins. He began to think about the hungry people and about trading.

He thought for some time. He remembered what he had told the villagers to do. "Help all, love all," he said in a loud voice. His friends looked at him in surprise, but the Guru said, "Dear friends, what other trade can be better than helping these hungry men? Let us go and buy food with this money for our hungry brothers." So the three friends went back to the nearest town. They bought food and milk. Then they brought it to the jungle and served it to the hungry men. The saints enjoyed the food very much. They thanked the Guru a lot.

Now the Guru had no money in his pocket. He could not trade without money. So he and his friends went back to their village. The Guru's father was very happy to see his son back. He thought Nanak had made a lot of money by trade. He called him to his side and asked, "Did you do any trade?"

"Yes father, I did the best trade I could," replied Nanak.

"How much money did you earn?" asked his father.

"Not a penny," answered the Guru.

His father was very angry and surprised at these words.

"Don't be a fool. Tell me, what did you do with the money?" said his father, red with anger.

"I spent the money to feed twenty hungry men. What other trade can be better than this, dear father?" said the Guru.

The Guru's father was so angry that he slapped the Guru very hard. The Guru only said, "Father, you don't know what God wants me to do." Once again the Guru's father was left thinking about his son.