The Creation of the Khalsa

Guru Gobind Singh Offering Amrit To Panj-Piyare. (late 19th century). [Paper, 28 x 20 cm] Chandigarh, India: Govt. Museum and Art Gallery.

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
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ਵੈਸਾਖ ੧ (April 13): The Creation of the Khalsa
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The first day in the beautiful month of 'Vaisakha', marks the auspicious occasion known as 'Vaisakhi.' This occasion symbolizes many different things among various Indian cultures. some people, notably farmers, celebrate it as the start of the Spring harvest. Many Hiʼnḏūs recognize this event to mark the beginning of the Solar new year. However, for Sikhs, the occasion of 'Vaisakhi' was given a new meaning when Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji initiated the warrior order of the 'Khalsa' on this very day in the year of 1752 BK (1699 AD.) It was on this occasion that Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji would eliminate the caste distinctions among the Sikhs, and unite them all into one Paʼnth; the 'Khalsa' Paʼnth. Gurū Ji were clairvoyant with this endeavor; they knew from the beginning what their 'Khalsa' would embody. The 'Khalsa' would be created to give the Sikhs a uniform identity, which would appoint them with the duty to fight injustice, protect the 'cow and pauper,' and relentlessly wreak havoc amidst the battlefield; destroying those who oppose the true Gurū. The ambrosial elixir Gurū Ji would prepare on this day would invoke 'Bīr Ras' (the warrior spirit) within their Sikhs; rendering them fearless, even when needed to face death. In fact, the Khalsa Siʼngẖs would be so timid and fearless, that death itself would fear these warriors; as decapitated Siʼngẖs would continue fighting with their heads on their hands. It would be due to this that the spectacle of Vaisakhi would be considered a miracle. The tenth Nanak had fulfilled the prophecy uttered by the first, and the Sikhs would be transformed from simply saints, into saint-soldiers. The beloved Khalsa of the Guru would later continue to fight against oppression even after Gurū Ji's departure. They would drive out the Turks, and persist in their conquest; establishing their own empire across the land. In tribute to the event of the creation of the Khalsa, is presented an Episode from the 'Sri Guru Panth Prakash,' which details this wondrous spectacle in the perspective of Rattan Singh Bhangoo:

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੧੫. ਕੇਸਗੜ੍ਹ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਖਾਲਸੇ ਕੋ ਪੰਥ ਕੀ ਉਤਪਤੀ ਕੀ ਸਾਖੀ

(ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸੰਸਕਾਰ)

"Episode 15,

Episode About the Creation of the Khalsa At Srī Keshgarh Sāhib

(Amriṯ Pahul — Initiation Ceremony)"

ਦੋਹਰਾ:

ਇਤਨੀ ਬਾਤ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਕਰ ਹੁਤੀ ਬਾਤ ਲਈ ਚੀਨ।

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬਹਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਕੇਸਗੜ ਉਦਮ ਸੋਊ ਕੀਨ ।੧।

"Upon great contemplation of the entire situation,

Saṯigurū Ji arrive at a resolution within their mind.

They then seat themselves at Srī Keshgarh Sāhib,

whilst endeavoring to implement their resolution."

ਸਦ ਪੰਡਤ ਬਡ ਜੋਤਕੀ ਮਹੂਰਤ ਖੂਬ ਕਢਾਇ।

ਕੀਏ ਭੁਜੰਗੀ ਛਾਂਟ ਪੰਜ ਪੰਜੇ ਜਾਤ ਗਿਣਾਇ ।੨।

"They summon Paʼndiṯs and other intellectuals,

to foresee the most auspicious time for the event.

They then select five 'Bhujangis' from the crowd;

selecting one from each of the five major castes."

ਚੌਪਈ:

ਪੰਜ ਭੁਜੰਗੀ ਲਏ ਉਠਾਇ। ਚਾਰੈ ਬਰਨ ਇਕ ਕੀਏ ਭਰਾਇ।

ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਦਯਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੋਫਤੀ ਜਾਤ। ਬਸਤ ਲਾਹੌਰ ਹੁਤੇ ਬਖਯਾਤ ।੩।

"Upon selecting these five brave 'Bhujangis,'

they created a brotherhood among the four castes.

First was Ḏayā Siʼngẖ, of the 'Sobti' Kshatriya clan;

who was an inhabitant of the city of Lahore since birth."

ਦੂਜੋ ਧਰਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਹਸਤਨਾਪੁਰ ਬਾਸੀ। ਹੁਤੋ ਜੱਟ ਸਿਵ ਜਟੋ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ੀ।

ਤੀਜੋ ਮੁਹਕਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਦ੍ਵਾਰਕਾ ਜਾਯੋ। ਨਾਮਦੇਵ ਅਵਤਾਰ ਸੁ ਆਯੋ ।੪।

"Second was Ḏẖaram Siʼngẖ from Hastinapur;

who was of the Jat caste, born from the hair of Shiva.

Third was Muhkam Siʼngẖ, who hailed from Dwarka;

and belonged to the 'Chhimba' lineage of Nāmḏev."

ਚੌਥੇ ਨਾਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੋਊ। ਸੈਣ ਭਗਤ ਜਹ ਰਹਤੇ ਸੋਊ।

ਪੰਚਮ ਹਿੰਮਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਝੀਵਰ ਕਹੀਐ। ਪੰਜ ਭੁਜੰਗੀ ਪੰਜ ਜਾਤ ਲਹੀਐ ।੫।

"Fourth was Sāhib Siʼngẖ, a barber by caste;

who hailed from the abode of Bẖagaṯ Sain.

Fifth was Himmat Siʼngẖ, the water-carrier;

the five 'Bhujangis' were of these five castes."

ਪਾਹੁਲ ਖੰਡੇ ਤਯਾਰ ਕਰਵਾਈ। ਜਲ ਮੱਧ ਆਨ ਮਿਠਾਈ ਪਾਈ।

ਤਿਹ ਮੱਧ ਰਾਖੀ ਕਰਦ ਗਡਾਇ। ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਰਾਖੀ ਕਰਦ ਧਾਰੇ ਦਾਇ ।੬।

"Thereafter, Gurū Ji have the ‘Kẖaʼndé Ḏī Pahul’ prepared;

as the bowl was enshrined in water, sweets were added.

They then stirred the ‘Pahul’ with a double-edged sword;

by keeping its sharp edge towards themselves at all times."

ਦੋਹਰਾ:

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਨਾਮ ਕਹਿਓ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖ ਉਚਾਰ।

ਅਕਾਲ ਅਕਾਲਹ ਜਾਪ ਕਰ ਤੋਰੀ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨਿ ਸਧਾਰ ।੭।

"Srī Saṯigurū Ji keep on chanting: 'Saṯʼnām';

continuously reciting the name, 'Karṯā Purakẖ.'

They advance with a recitation of 'Akāl, Akāl';

whilst stirring the 'Pahul' with a merciful gaze."

ਚੌਪਈ:

ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਭਗੌਤੀ ਵਾਰ ਜੁ ਪੌੜੀ। ਪੜ੍ਹ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮੈਂ ਆਪ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਜੋੜੀ।

ਨੌਂ ਪਤਸਾਹੀਅਨ ਲਯੋ ਧਿਆਇ। ਅਬ ਦਸਮਨ ਪਰ ਹੋਈਂ ਸਹਾਇ ।੮।

"They then recited the ballad of 'Pritham Bẖagauṯī';

this is when they had first recited this very ballad.

Thereafter, they invoke the grace of the nine Gurūs;

beseeching them to bestow their aid upon the Tenth."

ਬਹੁਰ ਸਵੱਯੇ ਬੱਤੀ ਉਚਾਰੇ। ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁੱਖੋਂ ਸਵਾਰੇ।

ਤੇਜ ਤੇਜ ਜੋ ਚੰਡੀ ਬਾਣੀ। ਸੋਉ ਪਾਹੁਲ ਕੇ ਮੱਧੈ ਠਾਣੀ ।੯।

"They then recited the thirty-two savaiyas;

Srī Saṯigurū Ji recite with their 'Mukẖār-biʼnḏ.'

that war ballad of Chaʼnḍī which is glorious;

Gurū Ji recite that ballad as they stir the 'Pahul.'"

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ਤ੍ਰਿਭੰਗੀ ਛੰਦ:

ਖਗ ਖੰਡ ਬਿਹੰਡੰ ਖਲ ਦਲ ਖੰਡੰ,

ਅਤਿ ਰਣ ਮੰਡੰ ਬਰ ਬੰਡੰ।

ਭੁਜਦੰਡ ਅਖੰਡੰ ਤੇਜ ਪ੍ਰਚੰਡੰ,

ਜੋਤਿ ਅਮੰਡੰ ਭਾਨ ਪ੍ਰਭੰ।

ਸੁਖ ਸੰਤਾ ਕਰਣੰ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਦਰਣੰ,

ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਹਰਣੰ ਅਸਿ ਸਰਣੰ।

ਜੈ ਜੈ ਜਗ ਕਾਰਣ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਉਬਾਰਣ,

ਮਮ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਰਣ ਜੈ ਤੇਗੰ।

Tribhaʼngī Chhaʼnḏ:

The sword chops well, chops the forces of fools

and this mighty one bedecks and glorifies the battlefield.

It is the unbreakable staff of the arm, it has the powerful luster

and its light even bedims the radiance of the sun.

It brings happiness to the saints, mashing the vicious ones,

it is the destroyer of sins and I am under its refuge.

Hail, hail to the cause of the world, saviour of the universe,

it is my preserver, I hail its victory.

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ਦੋਹਰਾ:

ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਅੰਚਰੀ ਭਰੀ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਉਨ ਲਲਕਾਰ।

ਸਨਮੁਖ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ਰਖਵਾਇ ਕਰ ਦਈ ਮੱਧ ਮੈਂ ਡਾਰ ।੧੦।

"Taking the first handful of the prepared 'Pahul,'

Srī Saṯigurū Ji persist in exhorting the five Siʼngẖs.

Instructing them to come forth with their eyes open,

they sprinkle the cupped 'Pahul' into their eyes."

ਚੌਪਈ:

ਅਕਾਲ ਅਕਾਲ ਕਰ ਜਾਪ ਜਪਾਈ। ਸ੍ਰੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰ ਫਤ੍ਹੇ ਬੁਲਾਈ।

ਪੁਨ ਪੰਜ ਪੰਜ ਸੀਸ ਅੰਚਰੀ ਪਾਇ। ਪੰਚ ਪੰਚ ਪੰਚਨ ਦਈ ਛਕਾਇ ।੧੧।

"Gurū Ji have them repeat the chant: 'Akāl, Akāl';

commanding them to claim victory to 'Srī Wahegurū.'

Thereafter, they pour five handfuls into each one's head;

making each one of them drink five handfuls of the 'Pahul.'"

ਇਕੈ ਸੁਨਹਿਰੇ ਸਭੀ ਰਲਾਏ। ਭਿੰਨ ਭੇਤ ਕਛੁ ਰਖਨ ਨ ਪਾਏ।

ਚਾਰ ਬਰਨ ਔ ਆਸ਼੍ਰਮ ਚਾਰ। ਜਨੇਊ ਟਿੱਕੈ ਦਿਯੋ ਉਤਾਰ ।੧੨।

"Then they have them all eat food from the same bowl;

they refuse to have them differentiate between castes.

The four castes and divisions which are in the world;

along with the thread and saffron marks, are removed."

ਪੁਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਉਨ ਸਿੱਛਯਾ ਦਈ। 'ਮੀਣੇ ਮਸੰਦਨ ਬਰਤਯੋ ਨਹੀਂ।

ਕੁੜੀਮਾਰ ਰਮਰਈ ਨੜੀਮਾਰ। ਜੋ ਇਨ ਮਿਲੇ ਸੁ ਹੁਇ ਹੈ ਖ੍ਵਾਰ ।੧੩।

"Thereafter, Saṯigurū Ji give the following injunctions:

'Thou must not associate with the Meenas or Masands,

nor with doers of female infanticide, Ramraiyas, or smokers;

for whosoever deals with them will be greatly dishonoured."

ਜਥਾ ਸ਼ਕਤ ਗੁਰ ਗੋਲਕ ਪਾਯੋ। ਕੜਾਹ ਕਰਾਇ ਖਾਲਸੇ ਛਕਾਯੋ।

ਪਹਿਰ ਕਛਹਿਰੇ ਸਿਰ ਬੰਧਯੋ ਪਾਗ। ਗੁਰ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਬਚਨ ਪਰ ਰਹਯੋ ਲਾਗ' ।੧੪।

"Thou must also contribute to the Gurū's charity to the best of thine ability,

as well as distribute the ‘Karah Prashad’ among the Khalsa fraternity.

Under-shorts must be worn on the waist, and a turban on thine heads;

Thou must always follow the teachings of the Srī Gurū Graʼnth Sāhib."

ਦੋਹਰਾ:

ਯੌ ਕਹਿਕੈ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਗਲ ਤੇਗੋ ਦੀਨੋ ਪਾਇ।

ਕਰਦ ਚਕਰ ਸਿਰ ਪਰ ਧਰੇਂ ਮੁਖੋਂ ਅਕਾਲ ਜਪਾਇ ।੧੫।

"Saṯigurū Ji, upon giving these instructions,

adorn each of the five Siʼngẖs with a sword.

adorning chakrams and daggers on their heads,

Gurū Ji have them shout war cries of 'Akāl.'"

ਚੌਪਈ:

ਔਰ ਕਹੀ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਪੜ੍ਹਾਯੋ। ਜਪੁ ਜਾਪ ਦੋਇ ਵੇਲੇ ਜਪਾਯੋ।

ਔ ਅਨੰਦ ਰਹਿਰਾਸ ਜਪੱਯੋ। ਚੰਡੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਖੜੇ ਪੜੱਯੋ ।੧੬।

"They then further instruct them to read Gurbāṇī,

and chant the lord’s name in the morning and evening.

Gurū Ji instruct to recite Ānaʼnḏ Sāhib and Rehrās,

as well as to recite the ballad of 'Chaʼnḍī-Ḏī-Vār.'"

ਦੋਇ ਵੇਲੇ ਉਠ ਬੰਧਯੋ ਦਸਤਾਰੇ। ਪਹਰ ਆਠ ਰਖੱਯੋ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਸੰਭਾਰੇ।

ਪੀਓ ਸੁਧਾ ਔ ਖੇਲੋ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ। ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਵਿਦਯਾ ਜਿਮ ਹੋਇ ਸੰਭਾਰ ।੧੭।

"They instruct them to tie their turbans twice a day,

as well as to wear weapons during all eight 'Pėhars.'

Upon taking 'Pahul,' they must go on hunting expeditions,

in order for them to have proper training with weapons."

ਕਰ ਝਟਕੈ ਬਕਰਨ ਕੋ ਖੱਯੋ। ਮੁਰਦੈ ਕੁੱਠੈ ਨਿਕਟ ਨ ਜੱਯੋ।

ਕੇਸਨ ਕੀ ਕੀਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਲ। ਨਹਿ ਉਸਤ੍ਰਨ ਸੋ ਕਟਯੋ ਬਾਲ ।੧੮।

"They must only eat goat which has been slaughtered with one stroke;

they must not eat any meat slaughtered according to Islamic tradition.

They must care for the hair on their head by washing it every four days;

and they must desist from using a blade to cut the hair from their heads."

ਪਿਤ੍ਰਨ ਕਰਮ ਸੋ ਛੋਰਨ ਕਰਨੋਂ । ਰਖਯੋ ਧਯਾਨ ਸੁ ਮਧ ਗੁਰ ਚਰਨੋਂ।

ਪਰੈ ਔਰ ਜੋ ਖੋਟੇ ਰਾਹਿ। ਤਿਨ ਕੋ ਲਾਯੋ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਤਨਖਾਹਿ ।੧੯।

"They must not partake in rituals involving their dead ancestors;

they must direct their meditation toward the lotus-feet of the Gurū.

If any person within the fraternity happens to commit a misdeed,

they must act with vigilance, and punish that person for doing such."

ਦੋਹਰਾ:

ਕਰੀ ਜੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਬਿਧ ਸੋਈ ਪੁਨ ਬਿਧ ਕੀਨ।

ਪੰਜ ਭੁਜੰਗੀ ਜੋ ਭਏ ਗੁਰ ਉਨਤੇ ਪਾਹੁਲ ਲੀਨ ।੨੦।

"Thereafter, the procedure that had been devised earlier;

Saṯigurū Ji repeated that same procedure once again.

they asked for themselves to be initiated in the same manner;

from those five 'Bhujangis' whom they themselves had initiated."

ਚੌਪਈ:

ਵਹੀ ਵਰਤਾਰੋ ਭੁਜੰਗਨ ਵਰਤਾਯੋ। ਆਪਸ ਗੁਰ ਚੇਲਾ ਕਹਿਵਾਯੋ।

ਯਹੀ ਆਦ ਹੁਤ ਆਯੋ ਵਰਤਾਰਾ। ਜਿਮ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰ ਅੰਗਦ ਧਾਰਾ ।੨੧।

"After the 'Bhujangi' Siʼngẖs returned the same dealings,

Gurū Ji came to be known as both teacher, and disciple.

This was nothing new; it was the tradition since the beginning,

as Gurū Nānak had also accepted Gurū Aʼngad as their Gurū."

ਪੀਯੋ ਪਾਹੁਲ ਗੁਰ ਬਚਨ ਨਿਵਾਰੀ। ਭਯੋ ਖਾਲਸੋ ਵਡ ਕਲਧਾਰੀ।

ਸਾਲ ਬਾਵਨ ਪਰ ਸੱਤ੍ਵੇ ਸਈ। ਬੁਧਵਾਰ ਬਸਾਖ ਪੰਥ ਉਤਪਤਿ ਭਈ ।੨੨।

"In this way, Gurū Ji have instructed the taking of the 'Pahul';

The Khalsa had been created to embody both saint, and soldier.

'Twas during the year of seventeen fifty-two (Bikrami Samvat),

when the Khalsa was founded on the Wednesday of Vaisakha."

- Sri Gur Panth Prakash; Volume I, Episode 15

  Author: Rattan Singh Bhangoo (English Translation: Parmveer Singh)

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਿਹ!