Khalsa 1699: Final Phase of Socio-Political Revolution Started by Guru Nanak Sahib

ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਓ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਤਮ ਕੀ ਮੌਜ ॥

Khalsa Emerged by the Will of The Supreme Being

(Sarabloh Granth)

==========================

Part 3: (1) Khalsa Revealed In Ten Guru-Steps

(2) SIKH Defined by Guru Gobind Singh

Shabd Guru (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) and Sikhi, lived by the Ten Guru-Persons, cannot be separated. Through their Own lives, the Ten Guru-persons showed how the Shabd Guru should be interpreted in life. Sikhs of the Guru are seekers of One Reality, within self and without in creation. The Gurus did not look for blind-faith followers like the derawadi sants of today. They said Sikhi Sikhia Gur Vichaar (Sikhi is reflective learning of the Shabd Guru).

From the outset, Guru Nanak Jote (Light) in Ten Guru-persons looked for those who were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for Truthful conduct. They also showed by two shaheedis, how and for what cause.

Two observations are relevant: J D Cunningham noted that Guru Nanak, by making universal truth as his sole instrument rendered his mission applicable to all times and places. M A Macauliffe, found it difficult to point to a religion of greater originality than Sikhism of Guru Nanak.

Through selection of worthy successors, the non-discriminatory institutions of the Sikh Panth, founded by Guru Nanak, were developed and consolidated over a period of over two hundred years. Institutions like Langar were meant to remove social discrimination under any pretext. Gurmukhi script developed at the time of Guru Nanak and Guru Angad, democratized education and knowledge in Punjab.

So, let us summarise the Ten Steps in which Vaisakhi 1699, the High Point of Sikhi was reached. These were 10 rungs of One Sikhi ladder, Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh. There was only One Guru Nanak Jote (Parkash) in Ten Nanaks from 1469 to 1708, which now resides in Sri Guru Granth Sahib and in Guru Khalsa Panth (Khalsay may hao karon nivaas).

Guru Nanak founded the basics of Sikhi Guru Angad further promoted transcaste institutions, education and stressed physical fitness Guru Amardas continued building Sikh organisation stressing non-discrimination under any pretext Guru Ram Das founded Amritsar as Sikh Centre of community life, giving visibility to the great Sikh institutions of the future Guru Arjan instituted the (Guru) Granth at Darbar Sahib and led the Sikhi martyrdom tradition setting the scene for direct confrontation with oppressive regimes Guru Hargobind strengthened combination of worldly and spiritual twin track aspects of Sikhi life and gave the Khalsa a fearless disposition through armed defence as a last resort Guru Har Rai stood for compassion and human welfare while maintaining a position of strength Guru Har Krishan was an image of sewa and purity Guru Tegh Bahadur showed inner detachment, sacrifice for others in a spirit of fear not, frighten not and, Guru Gobind Singh, the Living Martyr, stood for rising spirit (Chardhi Kalaa), and unyielding courage in the face of impossible odds.

Guru Gobind Rai, who after Vaisakhi 1699, became Guru Gobind Singh (1675-1708), made final preparations for the formal introduction of the Sikh assertive identity and brotherhood for organisational strength, common direction and purpose.

Guru Gobind Singh defined not just Khalsa but also a Sikh through the Nash Doctrine (link below). Because, Sikh and Khalsa are on the same path (Panth) leading to One Shabd Guru and none other.

Sikhs need no temporal court or law to define a SIKH.

Further reading:

https://panjabtimes.uk/detail/news_37650.aspx

Vaisakhi 1699 - The High Point of Sikhism

Gurmukh Singh OBE

E-mail: sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk

https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurmukh_Singh_OBE