Vaisakhi has traditionally been a harvest festival in the state of Panjab, in modern day India. It is marked by the first day of the month of Vaisakh on 14th April. For Sikhs, Vaisakhi is the highlight of the year marking the Birth of the Khalsa and a time to celebrate their faith and identity.
The Sikh Gurus began their mission of teaching spiritual enlightenment at the start of the 15th century with their first Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469 – 1539). The subsequent nine Gurus contributed to making Vaisakhi an annual time of gathering for the Sikhs. Each year, at Vaisakhi, the Gurus would introduce new elements to the Sikh teachings.
At this time, the Sikh faith was under vicious attack for its revolutionary nature. The rise of the faith promoted many new freedoms, such as the outlawing (by the Sikh Gurus) of female infanticide, the affordance of equal rights for women and the advancement of an egalitarian society. The fifth and ninth Sikh Gurus were martyred whilst peacefully undergoing torture from the rulers of the time. In reaction to these martyrdoms, the Sikhs were militarised by the sixth and tenth Gurus, by varying degrees, to ensure the survival of the Sikh faith.
The Vaisakhi of 1699 was to be the most revolutionary yet.
On Vaisakhi 1699, at Anandpur Sahib, the 10th Guru posed a unique test to the 80,000 Sikhs who had attended that day. 5 Sikhs came forward. They formed the Khalsa.
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked for volunteers who were ready to sacrifice themselves for upholding righteousness. The Panj Pyarey (Five Beloved Ones) who answered this call proved their unconditional commitment to the Guru. Respectively, Bhai Daya Singh Ji, Bhai Dharam Singh Ji, Bhai Himmat Singh Ji, Bhai Sahib Singh Ji and Bhai Mokham Singh Ji were the first Khalsa.
The Panj Pyare, through their pious first names, epitomised the five virtues that all Sikhs
should aim to cultivate.
• DAYA (Compassion)
• DHARAM (Righteousness)
• HIMMAT (Courage)
• MOKHAM (Steadfast)
• SAHIB (Mastery)
These five names are the foundations of faith for Sikhs. They are presented in order of spiritual progress and were created as part of the Divine Order of the Khalsa.
Whilst initiating these five Sikhs, five prayers were recited over water and glucose crystals, stirred by a Khanda (double-edged sword) in an iron vessel. The five prayers that were recited during the initiation ceremony each have their own significance and spiritual understanding to share.
• Japji Sahib: imparts divine wisdom and is a summary of all scriptures
• Jaap Sahib: praises and describes the innumerable aspects of God
• TvaParsad Svaye: teaches detachment and deters one from false practices
• Benti Choupaiee: prayer for protection
• Anand Sahib: teaches how to attain bliss
Thus, the water was transformed into the immortal holy nectar known as Amrit. The original location of this divine ceremony is today called Kesgarh Sahib, the Fort of Kes (unshorn hair). The Panj Pyare were then initiated by drinking the Amrit from the same iron bowl, to symbolise their equality. They were instructed to wear five articles of faith at all times (The 5 Ks), which would be constant reminders of virtue and high moral living. Sikhs believe that five vices permeate our lives: lust, anger, attachment, greed and ego.
The Sikh daily prayers consist of the aforementioned five prayers, which are recited in the morning. An additional prayer, Rehras Sahib (a summary of teachings for daily living), is recited in the evening, and a final prayer, Kirtan Sohila (a song of praise, asking for protection here and hereafter) is recited at bedtime.
Sikhs were to make their breath a rosary and meditate on the glorious enlightener God at all times, as part of their saintly living. The above seven prayers are the minimum to be recited daily, and Sikhs are taught to meditate and remember God 24/7. Kirtan (devotional singing through music) is integral to faith and prayer, making up a large part of daily services in Gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship).
The abovementioned vices (lust, anger, greed, attachment, ego) can be repelled by wearing five physical reminders, which are to be worn at all times by practising Sikhs.
The Khalsa were also given royal surnames; Singh for men and Kaur for Women. They also wore a Dastaar (Turban) to reflect this sovereignty.
After initiating the Panj Pyare, Guru Gobind Singh himself kneeled in front of them and requested that he be initiated into the Khalsa. Thus, the prophet became the initiate and installed this practice of initiation for eternity. At this point, a nation of warrior saints, the Khalsa, was founded.
The Khalsa was destined to become a thorn in the Mughal Empire’s tyrannical rule at that time and a challenge to the hegemony of the Hill Kings of the surrounding areas. Being an egalitarian order, the Khalsa abolished differences of caste and creed. This meant that the poor could be educated, bear arms and become rulers in their own right. Such social advances were seen as threats to the existing political structures of the region.
The Khalsa has no caste, no colour and no distinctions. They are sworn to stand up against oppression and uphold freedom for all, ensure quality regardless of colour, creed, religion or sex, ensure food, clothing, health and education for all and to spread spirituality.
Above article written with contents taken from www.akaalpublishers.com and www.everythings13.org. Many thanks to them both.