By Shanti Kaur Khalsa
Baisakhi is time of rejoicing, the advent of spring, the time when green sprouts shoot up through brown earth and the air carries the smell of life. For the Sikhs, Baisakhi conveys this same feeling deep within the heart. This is the time that each Sikh rises up in strength and commitment, pledging themselves as magnificent graceful warriors of the Khalsa Panth. On Baisakhi day, 1699, Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa in a brilliant move of leadership and strength, forever changing the identity of those who call themselves Singh and Kaur.
As the leader of a fledgling spiritual nation, young Guru Gobind Singh faced a daunting responsibility. The Sikhs were a small minority in seventeenth century India, surrounded by greedy hill-rajas, and the merciless armies of the Mughals. His father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, had been executed in Delhi, achieving martyrdom at the hands of the cruel and fanatical Emperor Aurangzeb. Guru Gobind Singh knew that terrible times were upon them and that something must be done to secure the freedom of the Sikhs. From his experience in battle, he had seen with his own eyes how ordinary men could be transformed into heroes, or shamed as cowards, when faced with mortal combat. What the Guru needed was a nation of warriors tempered with the depth and compassion of spirituality. The farmers and merchants of Punjab needed to be reborn as saint-soldiers, strong and fearless.
Since the days of Guru Amar Das, Baisakhi was a traditional time of gathering for the Sikhs. In the spring of 1699, large numbers the Sikhs arrived at Anandpur Sahib and set up their camps and langar kitchens.
The sangat began as usual with an Ardas and from a beautifully decorated palki the Adi Granth was opened and read. When this was finished, the crowd waited with expectant anticipation. Unlike any event that had gone before, the Guru strode out onto the stage alone. He was powerful in his appearance. He was dressed in beautiful clothes with garlands of jewels around his neck and a feathered plumb on his turban. A powerful sword hung at his waist. His usually peaceful expression was gone, and a deep intensity penetrated his being. The fire of battle, bir ras, charged his every movement and radiated over the crowd, exciting the hearts of the Sikhs. A hush fell over the crowd and all eyes were riveted to the unfolding drama on the stage. Unsheathing his sword and raising it to the sky, he called out “My sword is thirsty. I want the head of a Sikh!” Leaning forward and searching face to face the Guru boomed in an unforgiving voice. “I need a head! Who is willing to satisfy the calling of my sword!”
The crowd was shocked! Some thought that the Guru had gone mad, and they ran away. But many more searched their own hearts for a personal answer to the calling of the Guru. Five times the Guru roared for the head of a Sikh, and each time a loyal devotee, simple in nature and humble in stature, stepped forward and offered his life to Guru Gobind Singh. One by one the Guru took them to the tent, out of sight from the crowd, and returned alone with his sword dripping with blood.
After five Sikhs had volunteered, the Guru took a little longer in returning from the tent. When he emerged, he walked slowly and calmly with a bearing of mastery. Behind him walked Panj Piare, the five beloved ones, dressed in beautiful bana of gold threads and resplendent turbans. Their faces glowed. Even their families could not recognize them as these humble Gursikhs radiated the light of the Guru himself.
In a dramatic move, Guru Gobind Singh changed forever the measure by which a Sikh was gauged. No longer were a gentle nature and a meditative mind enough – now the times called for absolute commitment, unreserved devotion, and selfless dedication. These attributes fused the Sikhs into an indestructible force that gave them the foundation to survive through the dark and difficult days to come.
These characteristics serve us even today as Sikhs face the challenges of the modern world. It inspires us to fight against injustice, tyranny and social indifferences. A saint-soldier is fierce yet humble; willing to defend yet loath to attack; in awe of God yet fearless in the face of death
As a corollary to fearless and truthful behaviour expected of the Khalsa, the Guru prescribed a disciplining and distinct identity for the Sikhs, as well as principles and a code of conduct as constants in a changing world, to provide spiritual stability.
The Khalsa keeps unshorn hair (kesh) symbolising a saintly disposition and completeness of the human body and soul (hair to be covered by a dastar - Sikh turban); wooden comb (kangha) to keep the hair tidy; a steel bangle (kara) representing the God quality of infinity and symbolising discipline and allegiance to the Guru; a sword (kirpan) reminding a Sikh of his duty to defend the weak, human dignity and honour; and a pair of shorts (Kaccha) to cover human nakedness, to allow agile movement and symbolising chastity.
What this means is that the Khalsa represents far much more than just a temporary bout of militarism, Guru Ji implemented to fend off the Mughal hordes; the mere fact that it is still existing and growing shows its relevance even today. It is the living example of community-building efforts and the eternal essence of the Gurus’ leadership qualities. With the growing strife and problems on account of the population resource imbalances these self protection techniques not only is a ready art with the person who knows it but also in distress condition can be used to protect others too. Many of the specific traditions and values of faith are still practices by Khalsa and have relevance for example turban. In many modern Western countries, nobody really makes the connection that the turban is a symbol of Indic royalty, and that Sikhs wearing them is a sign of their individual sovereignty and defiance to aristocracy, which prevents anyone from being the supreme force.
The Khalsa provides for all, promotes equality and sharing, sees human race as one, defends the human rights of all, and defends diversity in a spirit of global unity. Thus the responsibility of the Khalsa as the "Army of the Timeless Being" (Khalsa Akal Purakh ki Fauj) was clearly and laid down by the Guru. Need of the time is to find meaning and essence in the age old faith, Khalsa truly is a graceful warrior caste in the finest mould.
Shanti Kaur Khalsa – Sikh Dharma International (Sikh Dharma International, non-profit Religious Organization, United States)