AMRIT SANCHAAR
Amrit
Sanskar or Amrit Sanchaar or Khande di Pahul or
the Amrit ceremony is the Sikh ceremony of initiation or baptism.
This practice has been in existence since the times of Guru Nanak Dev (1469 - 1539). During that time-period, this ceremony
was known as Charan Amrit or Charan Pahul or the Pag Pahul,
the words Charan and Pag both signifying the foot of the teacher.
During that time-period, the neophytes poured water over Guru's toe to be initiated
into the fold. When the Guru was not present, the masands or the local sangat
leaders officiated. A reference to initiation by Charan Amrit occurs in Bhai Gurdas,
Varan, I.23, born 12 years after the passing away of Guru Nanak. 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 times of Guru Gobind Singh when
Khalsa was inaugurated at Sri Anandpur Sahib on the day of Baisakhi in 1699. Guru
Gobind Singh asked a gathering of Sikhs, "who is prepared to die for God?" At first,
the people hesitated, and then one man stepped forward, and he was taken to a tent.
After some time, Guru Gobind Singh came out of the tent, with blood dripping from
his sword. He asked the same question again. After the next four volunteers were
in the tent, he reappeared with the five, who were now all dressed like him. These
five men came to be known as Panj Pyares or the Beloved Five. These
five were initiated into the Khalsa by receiving Amrit. These five were Bhai Daya
Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh, Bhai Sahib Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh and Bhai Himmat Singh.
Sikh men were then given the last name "Singh" meaning "lion" and the women
received the last name "Kaur" meaning "princess"
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 The Supreme Lord through His Grace. The word Pahul is
a derivative from the substantive, Pahu- which is an agent which brightens,
accelerates or sharpens the potentialities of a given object.
Amrit
Chhakna
Amrit Chhakna refers to
the drinking of the Amrit or the Nectar. The Amrit is administered in the presence
of the holy text of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib which is considered the 11th
Guru. The candidates take a full bath, wear the five 5 Kakaars and present themselves
before the Guru Granth Sahib for initiation of Amrit. The five Sikhs, who represent
the five beloved, who have led a virtuous life and have strictly observed 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 Pyares start
preparing the Amrit.
A Sarb Loh (Iron)
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
( seated on the ground with left knee down and the right knee up) around the cauldron.
The mixture of Amrit is
stirred with a Khanda while the Panj Pyares 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 the cauldron. The solution thus prepared is called Amrit
(nectar of immortality).
The various ingredients
and the aids to the preparation of this Holy Nectar are symbolic of a few things
that are held in the highest regards by the Khalsa. The "Sarb Loh Bata" (Iron
cauldron) signifies the strength of heart and mind. The chanting of hymns signify
strong faith and cohesion in the devotees. The Khanda (the two-edged sword)
signifies a spirit of valor and bravery.
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 person who offers to be initiated. Each
time after receiving the nectar, the person being initiated says “Waheguru Ji Ka
Khalsa, Sri Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.” The remaining of the nectar is then shared by
those receiving initiation, all drinking from the same bowl. After this, all
those taking part in the ceremony recite the Mul Mantra in unison. The Panj Pyares
explain the initiates' future commitment to uphold Sikhism and help the community,
and the ceremony ends with a vak (command or lesson or hukam
read from the Guru
Granth Sahib) and
the sharing of karah prashad (blessed food).
It should not be taken
into mind that Amrit Chhakna is the end purpose. It is the start of one's journey
on a right path to attain a pure and pious life which is essential to attain God
(according to the Guru Granth Sahib). It is not something external.
Is
Amrit Chhakna essential for a Sikh?
Every Sikh is under an
obligation and is required to submit himself to the order of the Khalsa. This is
a pledge to remain under control, governance of the Ultimate reality. Amritdhari
is the honour of being a member of the Panth (a disciplined force of God).
A Sikh must live life
according to the terms of Sikhism. There is general understanding that a novice
must have a "lent period" during which he/she must prepare to go the way of Guru
with a voluntary and firm decision to change his/her life style, they must desire
to and be willing to live their life by the values and virtues of Gurmat. Then and
only then, the novice will become worthy to get the gift of Almighty Lord's 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."
-(Bhai Gurdas Var 3.11)
-
"The life
may become successful and blessed, if you take Amrit of double edged sword."
-(Bhai Gurdas Var 41)
For more details on Amrit
sanskar, please follow this link :
http://www.sgpc.net/sikhism/amrit-sanskar.asp
References :