Vaishakhi or Baishakhi:
The harvesting of the year’s crops takes place in Vaisakhi, India. When farmers and their employees celebrate their accomplishments, it’s a happy occasion. But Sikhs also commemorate Vaisakhi because it marks the creation of “The Khalsa,” a new crop of humanity.
The Punjab saw a revolution on the day of Vaisakhi in 1699. Guru Gobind Singh established a brand-new nation at Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur—a nation of soldiers who battled against oppression, for the weak and destitute, and for the just cause of humanity.
In Kesgarh, the Guru called a sizable assembly to Anandpur. Special “HukamNamas” (orders) from distant locations invited the Sikhs. As the chanting of the morning hymns, known as Asa Di War, came to an end, the Guru retired inside the tent while divine music was played. Then he emerged, raised his sword, and spoke to the crowd, saying, “My loyal friends, this sword is clamoring for the head of a beloved Sikh every day.” When I call on one of you, are you willing to sacrifice yourself? Everyone wondered what the Guru had in store, and there was a profound quiet.
Finally, Bhai Daya Ram, a thirty-year-old Khatri from Lahore, rose and bowed his head in front of the Guru. He was led into the tent by the Guru. After a short while, he emerged with blood streaming from his sword. He repeated the same request, and four more people followed: Bhai Dharm Das, a 33-year-old Delhi farmer; Bhai Mokham Chand, a Dwarka washerman; Bhai Sahib Chand, a Bidar barber; and Bhai Himmat Rai, a Jagannath water carrier.
It took the Guru longer to emerge once he had brought the fifth man inside. His face was gleaming with delight and joy as he finally emerged with his blade sheathed. Presumably, those who murdered them walked behind him.They all wore saffron clothing, much like the Master. They resembled the Master in look, attire, and faces.
The “Five Beloved Ones” (Panj Piyaray) were the five Sikhs who had offered their heads to the Guru. After that, someone asked them to concentrate on the All-Powerful God. Then, using the Khanda, a two-edged blade, the Guru swirled the pure water in an iron jar until they sang the ceremony’s required prayers.
Using a Khanda has profound significance. The initial edge of the Khanda represents the creative force of life, its omnipotence, and its unstoppable immortality. The Khanda’s second edge represents the strength of justice and reprimand that upholds the truth and all those who believe in God and truth. The iron container swirls the pure water and represents mental and emotional fortitude. Sikhs gain a deep confidence in their religion and the Almighty Lord through the chanting of hymns, which represents divine force.
Mata Sahib Kaur, the wife of the Guru, brought in the holy water (Amrit) and added sugar crystals (Patashas). This was intended to bestow upon the initiates “the grace of womanly sweetness” in addition to courage and power. The Guru asked the Five to kneel after preparing the Amrit, known as “Khanday Ka Phul.” “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Kee Fateh” (beautiful God’s is the Khalsa, and lovely God’s is the triumph) was the phrase the Guru uttered after showering each person’s eyes with Amrit.
They instructed them to drink the Amrit from the same cup after they sprinkled it on their hair. As a result, they destroyed the differences between caste and creed, and they linked together in a brotherly love that turned them into lions. The Guru then bestowed the title of Singh, which means lion, to each of them.
The Guru himself bowed before the Five, folded his hands, and pleaded for them to initiate him into the new faith after teaching them. Guru Gobind Rai adopted the title of Singh and became Guru Gobind Singh in a similar procedure. Guru Gobind Singh and his Khalsa (meaning “the pure one who seeks for truth”) saw no distinction between themselves, and they began to defend one another in return. The Guru’s declaration that he would be wherever any of the Five were gave the Sikhs the ideal democratic principle. The authority of the “Five Beloved Ones” will surpass his own authority.
A Persian news writer reported on this unusual event, and Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor of India at the time, received the official account. The report cited Guru Gobind Singh’s instructions to his Sikh followers following their baptism. “Let us all embrace one creed and eradicate religious differences,” the directive read. Allow the four Hindu castes, each with its own set of rules for guidance, to give up all of them, embrace a single form of worship, and unite as brothers. No one should think he is better than anyone else.
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