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Society: Sikhism: Institutions:
Amrit Ceremony
Historically speaking, Amrit is Nectar or holy water used
to initiate the Sikhs into the order of Khalsa Brotherhood. It is cognate
to ambrosia which means water of immortality. It is the elixir of life
which bestows immortality. It brings the dead to life and makes human beings
immortal.
Literally, Amrit is combination of two words i.e. Am-Mrit.
Marit
means death-mortality and Am-Mrit means immortal, which never
dies. It is called Abe-Hyat in Persian and Nectar in English.
Amrit is prepared by dissolving sugar crystals (Patashas-sugar
plums) in water and stirred by Panj Pyaras with two edged Khanda to the
accompaniment of scriptural recitation of five sacred Banis. Amrit is supposed
to confer eternal life on the neophytes. Any person who undertakes
Amrit, is blessed with Naam Daan, humility, sweet nature and dedication
to the service of mankind irrespective of caste, color and creed. Amrit
turns pacificists into saint-soldiers and prepares them to die for
a righteous cause and seek unity with Almighty Lord.
Macauliffe writes,
“The Guru caused his five faithful Sikhs
to stand up. He put pure water into an iron vessel and stirred it with
a Khanda or two edged sword. He then repeated over it the sacred verses
which he appointed for the ceremony , namely, the Japji, the Japji, Guru
Amar Das's Anand, and certain swaiyas or quatrains of his own composition.”
-The Sikh Religion by M.A. Macauliffe, V-5, p.94
Through Amrit, the novice is born again, but this time on
a spiritual level instead of physical level.
Amrit is not a simple water. It is the Naam of Akal
Purakh. It is Sat, Santokh and Vicharo as enshrined
in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. It is spiritual food for the soul.
“Amrit Naam Thakar Ka Paiyo Jis Ka Sabhas
Aadharo”
Amrit is acquired through guidance and grace of the Guru
Guru Amar Das says,
“The angelic persons and the silent sages search
for the Divine Nectar. That Nectar I have obtained from the Guru.”
suir nr muin jn AMimRqu Kojdy
su AMimRqu gur qy pwieAw ]
(918)
On the day of Baisakhi in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh
performed the ceremony of preparing and administering Amrit (Khande-di-Pahul)
for the first time to the five Sikhs and brought them into the Khalsa
Brotherhood at Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur.
As already quoted, literally, Amrit means deathless,
immortal, imperishable, ambrosia or nectar like food. It has the
significance of attaining immortality and eternal bliss.
Guru Arjan Dev says,
Amrit (Nectar) is your Name O God, whosoever
drinks it, is satiated.
AMimRq nwmu suAwmI qyrw jo
pIvY iqs hI iqRpqws ]
(1208)
Ambrosia is the True Name but one can say not
its praise. No sooner does the man drink the Name Nectar then he becomes
acceptable and gets absorbed in perfect Lord.
AMimRqu swcw nwmu hY khxw kCU
n jwie ]
pIvq hU prvwxu BieAw pUrY sbid
smwie ]
(33)
Nectar is Lord’s Name which I ever meditate.
AMimRq hir kw nwau sdw iDAwieAw
]
(517)
Guru Amar Das says,
Thus thou shalt abide in thy own home, drink
Nectar and get at the peace of Lord’s presence.
inj Gir vsih AMimRqu pIvih
qw suK lhih mhlu ]
(37)
Quaff thou, the immortalising Nectar of the Guru’s
Word.
gur kw sbdu AMimRq rsu cwKu
]
(178)
Thus shalt thou taste Nectar relish the Supremely
precious commodity.
mhw pdwrQu AMimRq rsu cwKu
]
(193)
Guru Ram Das says, “The Guru’s body is drenched
with the Nectar of God, the king, and he has sprinkled the Lord’s Nectar
on me”.
gur AMimRq iBMnI dyhurI AMimRqu
burky rwm rwjy ]
(449)
Guru Amar Das says,
The mind is brimful with Nectar but the perverse
does not know its relish. Just as the deer does not know its own musk
and wanders about guiled by doubt.
Gr hI mih AMimRqu BrpUru hY
mnmuKw swdu n pwieAw ]
ijau ksqUrI imrgu n jwxY BRmdw
Brim BulwieAw ]
(644)
Note for those who rationalise Bhekhdharis
When you are initiated Lord dwells with you and in you
in an even more intimate way. There are many Sikhs who have not received
Amrit. or who do not grasp the teaching, who are nevertheless doing a wonderful
work in the way of the Guru...... We can saw trees with a handsaw or with
a powersaw. Either tool will cut trees down…but imagine how much more can
be done with a powersaw ! The important thing is to use the power. If you
only admire a powersaw instead of using it, the man with the handsaw will
get more done. He is at least using the tool that he has........ Sikh Gurus
have made the power available but there is nothing to force you to use
it....... So many people rationalise and are heard saying that so and so
Amrit Dhari is doing so and so. They would be seen giving examples of Bhekhadharis.
Just it is a matter to understand that no man can be the criterion
by which you judge the validity and importance of Amrit, neither can anyman
give the experience of being an Amritdhari, it is only you who need
Amrit for earning Guru's Grace. Get initiated and then see the difference.
Be a good role model for others.
Amrit Ceremony
Amrit ceremony is initiation of Amrit or Sikh baptism
ceremony.
The initiation ceremony started initially in the times
of Guru Nanak Dev. In those days such like ceremonies were called as Charan
Amrit or Charan Pahul. The water was poured on Guru's toe and then the
devotees would drink it and seek blessings of the Guru. The Guru would
guide the Sikhs about the Sikh teachings and instruct them to adopt them
as a way of life.
Khande Di Pahul (Amrit ceremony) was initiated in the
timesof Guru Gobind Singh when Khalsa was inaugurated at Sri Anandpur Sahib
on the day of Baisakhi in 1699.
Khande Di Pahul not only embodies the primary objects
of Sikh faith and the promises connected therewith, but also is itself
a promise to lead a pure and pious life to unite with Almighty Lord. It
is about inward cleansing of the conscience and seeking unity with Supreme
Lord through His Grace.
Note:-
-
Through Amrit, the novice is born again, but this time on
a spiritual level instead of physical level.
-
Wherever the word baptism ceremony is used, it means Amrit
initiation ceremony.
Guru and Disciple
in one
After this ceremony of initiation of Amrit, the
Guru kneeled down before the five Beloveds and begged of them to initiate
him into the new order of Khalsa. The Amrit was thus prepared by the Panj
Pyaras and after initiation, Gobind Rai became Guru Gobind Singh. He became
a Guru and disciple in one at the same time. Bhai Gurdas writes about Amrit
Chhakna,
“Take Amrit prepared with double edged sword,
so that your life may become blessed. The Khalsa adores the company of
holy men, while the bystander is miserable. Hail ! hail ! Guru Gobind Singh
who is both Guru and disciple.”
pIvhu pwhul KMfy Dwr, huie
jnm suhylw ]
gur sMgiq kInI Kwlsw, mnmuKI
duhylw ]
vwh vwh goibMd isMG, Awp y
gur cylw ]
(BweI gurdws vwr 41)
The concept of Guru Chela was prevalent throughout the Guru
period. Guru Nanak bowed before Guru Angad Dev Ji while anointing him as
the second Guru. In fact, it is not bowing before the physical body but
it is bowing before the glow of Divine Light.
This transformed the nation of pacifists into Sant
Sipahis (Saint soldiers) and armed the Sikh nation to make the supreme
sacrifices for upholding liberty, equality and fraternity. It changed the
psychology of the Sikh mind. Amrit laid emphasis on the refined inner life
through spirituo-ethical living and Five Kakars (Bana) gave
Sikhs the ethical, social and temporal thinking from outside. The Panj
Pyaras (Five Beloveds) were to prepare and administer the Amrit to
the neophytes.
Guru
did not deviate from the spirit
All the nine Sikh Gurus from Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru
Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji carried on the dipensing of Amrit upon their
followers through Charan Pahul Amrit. The Gurus used to prepare baptismal
water with the sanctifying touch of their lotus feet. Guru Gobind Singh,
the tenth Guru revealed Amrit in 1699 by authorising the five accomplished
and authentic Sikhs to give Amrit through baptism. Guru Gobind Singh
himself took Amrit from Panj Pyaras, the five elect and conferred Guruship
upon Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The new initiation was in letter and spirit
the same.
“He changed the formal rites of preparation of
Amrit from the initiation by the living Gurus personally to initiation
by the Five Elect Khalsa. The basic principle of Amrit remained the same.”
(The meaning of Sikh baptism -Amrit Ki Hai by
Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh, p-34).
Amrit Chhakna
It denotes drinking of nectar. It is another name of Sikh
initiation (baptism). It is a ceremony of induction into Khalsa brotherhood.
The Amrit is administered in presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The candidates
take full bath, wear five Kakars and present themselves before the Guru
Granth Sahib for initiation of Amrit.
Five Sikhs representing five beloveds who lead virtuous
life and strictly observe the Sikh discipline are chosen to prepare and
administer the Amrit. The candidates for baptism are apprised of the Amrit
conditions for acceptance before the ceremony is started. They are apprised
about the pure and virtuous life they must lead. When the candidates agree
to live by the discipline and code of Sikh conduct, the Panj Pyaras start
preparing the Amrit.
A Sarb Loh (Iron-steel) cauldron (Bata or
bowl) is filled with clean water. Some Patashas (sugar crystals / plums)
are poured into the water. The Five Beloveds then sit in Vir Asan
(sit on ground with left knee down and the right knee up) around the cauldron.
The mixture is stirred with two edged Khanda and Panj
Pyaras recite path of five Banis (Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Sawayae, Chaupai
Sahib and Anand Sahib) from Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth with
attention and full concentration on the Amrit preparation in Cauldron.
The solution thus prepared is called Amrit (nectar of immortality).
The “Sarb Loh Bata” signifies the strength
of heart and mind. The chanting of hymns create strong faith and cohesion
in the devotees. The Khanda creates a spirit of valor and bravery. The
Patashas create strength, courage and grace of sweetness. The Five beloveds
create a spirit of unity and democracy. They are mirror of God and the
devotees can see through them, their way of life. The evils of caste, color
and creed are vanished. The mortal gets both Bani and Bana to attain Truth
and be one with the Almighty God.
Five handfuls of Amrit are given for drinking, five handfuls
are sprinkled over the hair and another five are sprinkled into the eyes
of each of the devotee who offer to be initiated.
Each time the recipient says “Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa,
Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh”. The devotees chant “Wahe Guru” Mantar. (All such
devotees are then asked to drink the Amrit from the same Bata (steel bowl)
to shed previous caste, colour and creed. By eliminating the caste differences,
a sense of oneness and equality is created in the neophytes who take rebirth
in the new order of Khalsa brotherhood.) Prayer is offered at the start
and end of Amrit ceremony and Hukam Nama (Divine order) is read from Sri
Guru Granth Sahib. After completion of the ceremony, Karah Parsad
is distributed. The Sikh now becomes Singh and Khalsa. He enters the corporate
life of community called Panth.
It is to be taken into mind that Amrit Chhakna is not
the end purpose. It is the start of journey on a right path to attain
pure and pious life which is essential to attain God. It is not something
external
“Nanak there is but one Name Nectar. Any other
Nectar there is not. Nanak, the elixir of the Name is within and is attained
by grace of God.”
nwnk AMimRqu eyku hY dUjw AMimRqu
nwih ]
nwnk AMimRqu mnY mwih pweIAY
gur prswid ]
(1238)
“The Shabad alone is the essence of the nectar,
realizable through the Divine grace.”
AMimRqu eyko sbdu hY nwnk gurmuiK
pwieAw ]
(644)
The novice must have “lent period” during which he must prepare
to go the way of Guru and a voluntary firm decision to change life style
and must be desirous and willing to live by the values and virtues of Gurmat
. Then and then only, the novice will become worthy to get the gift
of Almighty Lord' grace and attain eternal unity.
Khande Di Pahul not only embodies the primary objects
of Sikh faith and the promises connected therewith, but also is itself
a promise to lead a pure and pious life to unite with Almighty Lord. It
is about inward cleansing of the conscience and seeking unity with Supreme
Lord through His Grace.
Five deliverances of the Guru for the neophytes from the
day of Amrit initiation
-
Janam Nash
Freedom from previous family influences and caste effects.
-
Dharam Nash
Freedom from previous religious practices and customs.
-
Karam Nash
Freedom from rituals, prejudices and past bad deeds.
-
Bharam Nash
Freedom from duality and rituals prescribed by
previous caste.
-
Sharam Nash
Freedom from shyness and stigma of occupation and disappearance
of previous hereditary professional distinctions.
The
new entrants are called neophytes
According to Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia,
“Looked from this angle the initiation ceremony
of Khande-da-Amrit (whereby a Sikh is admitted into the order of the Khalsa)
is of the nature of sacrament, and not ritual in the ordinary sense of
term....... The testament of the Shabad and the sacrament of the Amrit
are not two different ways; these are two aspects of one and the same thing;
partaking of the Amrit is realizing the Shabad in a sacramental form”.
(Sovereignty of the Sikh Doctrine by Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia,
p.73-74 and 75)
Mere wearing of five Kakars is of no use if an Amritdhari
Sikh does not lead an honest and pious life according to the teachings
of ten Gurus and Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Guru Nanak Dev says,
“When a Hindu comes in the house of a Hindu,
he recites Mantras and puts the cotton thread around the neck of the incoming
Hindu. Though he puts the sacred thread around his neck, he commits evil
actions. His ablutions and washings for purification are of no avail”.
ihMdU kY Gir ihMdU AwvY ]
sUqu jnyaU piV gil pwvY ]
sUqu pwie kry buirAweI ]
nwqw Doqw Qwie n pweI ]
(951)
Simply, getting initiation without practicing the proper
way of life, is of no use. Every neophyte is required to follow the set
principles and Sikh concepts laid by the Gurus. Mere keeping of outer look
will amount to show ritualistic tendencies and nothing else. The
novice must be clean both from inside and outside.
Guru Arjan Dev says,
“When there is no love with God’s Name, then,
these rituals are sinful”.
pRIiq nhI jau nwm isau qau
eyaU krm ibkwr ]
(252)
About Bhekh
Guru Arjan Dev says,
“Small is man’s service and great is his demand.
He does not obtain presence of God but says he has arrived there. He rivals
those who are accepted by the beloved Lord. This is but stubbornness of
the false fool. He ostensibly wears the religious garb, but does not practice
Truth”.
syvw QorI mwgnu bhuqw ]
mhlu n pwvY khqo phuqw ]
jo ipRA mwny iqn kI rIsw ]
kUVy mUrK kI hwTIsw ] rhwau
]
ByK idKwvY scu n kmwvY ]
(738)
* “Rehani rahe soi Sikh mera,
oh Sahib mein uss ka chera.”
rhxI rhY soeI isK myrw
|
vh Twkuru mYN ays kw cyrw
|
(Rehtnama Bhai Desa Singh)
**"Reht bina nah Sikh kahave, Reht bina dar chotan
khave".
rhq ibnw nih isMG khwvY
|
rhq ibnw dr cotw KwvY
|
(Rehtnama Bhai Desa Singh)
Taboos for the Sikhs
-
Not to remove hair from any part of the body.
-
Not to use Tobacco and intoxicants.
-
Not to eat Kutha meat.
-
Not to commit adultery.
A Sikh is not to show disrespect and cut his hair which is
God's endowment.
Use of Alcohol, drug, intoxicants and tobacco is strictly
prohibited in Sikhism. These addictions drive a person away from realities
of life and give birth to mental, moral, social, legal, and physical deterioration.
Ritualism and sacrificing the animals for the purpose
to eat their meat is a taboo. Eating of Kutha meat is not allowed
as per Sikh Reht Maryada. Many of the Sikhs strongly believe that eating
of meat is not allowed at all in Sikhism.
Adultery is not allowed at all in Sikhism. A Sikh is never
allowed to share bed with any other person except the duly married spouse.
A Sikh is required not to be involved in pre-marital and extra-marital
relationship including sexual promiscuity. Sexual fidelity in Sikhism is
confined to one's marital spouse which develops moral personality. These
taboos are the pitfalls in the personality development and spiritual attainment
of a mortal.
Is
Amrit Chhakna essential for a Sikh ?
Every Sikh is under obligation and is required to enter
into the order of Khalsa Brotherhood. This is a pledge to remain under
control, authority and governess of the Ultimate Reality. Amritdhari has
the honor of being a member of the Panth, a disciplined force of God. Bani
and Bana, both are essential for a Sikh to attain the Truth but
Bana
alone is not the passport to attain God.
A Sikh must live life according to terms of Sikhism. There
is general understanding that novice must have “lent period” during which
he must prepare to go the way of Guru and a voluntary firm decision to
change life style and must be desirous and willing to live by the values
and virtues of Gurmat . Then and then only, the novice will become
worthy to get the gift of Almighty Lord' grace and attain eternal unity.
Some people are of the view that initiation may be administered
to a boy or girl when he or she reaches an intelligent age.
According to Bhai Gurdas,
“Whosoever gets initiation of the Guru and follows
the Guru’s instructions is in fact a real Sikh.”
gur dIiKAw lY isK isK sdwieAw
]
(Bhai Gurdas Var 3.11)
The life may become successful and blessed, if
you take Amrit of double edged sword
pIvhu pwhul KMfy Dwr, huie
jnm suhylw ]
(Bhai Gurdas Var 41)
Whether
Amrit Chhakna is Ritualism ?
One who performs external gesture without inner committment
to the ideas being expressed under philosophy of Amrit, is performing ritual.
Without practice of the teachings in life and without cleaning inside and
outside, such like initiation will be termed as ritualism.
Amrit is not ritualism when novice promises and submits
to the will of Gurmat, leads clean, pure and pious life according to concepts
and philosophy of the Guru and emerges from the ordeal endowed with a totally
different being from that which he possessed before his initiation.
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