Vaisakhi -- 307 Years of the Birth of the Khalsa Panth

Vaheguroo Ji Ka Khalsa
(The Khalsa Belongs to God)
Vaheguroo Ji Ki Fateh
(All Victory is the Victory of God)

Vaisakhi -- 307 Years of the Birth of the Khalsa Panth

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, our tenth Guru, held a ceremony in Kesgarh Sahib near Anandpur on the first day of Vaisakh in April 1699. Guru Gobind Singh Ji emerged from a tent with a sword, and asked for people to give their lives for their faith.5 young Sikhs volunteered and Guru Gobind Singh Ji called these 5 Sikh, 'Panj Pyaarai' -- 'The Beloved Five'.

This day marks the Creation of the Khalsa!

The Khalsa was created as a Divine dynamic force to lead the human race to strive forever to achieve excellence in human relationship for establishing a society of equals without any discrimination of caste, creed and country. The Khalsa was designed to be an army of winners, fearless and pure in service of God and man. Guru Sahib gave his followers a new greeting :
“WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH”
(The Khalsa belongs to God and victory is of God).


I. They must all wear the following articles. The name of each article begins with 'K':

1. Kes - unshorn hair. This represents the natural appearance of sainthood. This is the first token of Sikh faith.

2. Kanga- A comb to keep the hair clean and free from tangles.

3. Kachha - An underwear to indicate virtuous character.

4. Kara - A Iron bracelet on the wrist, a symbol of dedication to the Divine Bridegroom.

5. Kirpan - A sword symbolising dignity, power and unconquerable spirit.

II. They must observe the following guidelines:

1. Not to remove hair from the body.

2. Not to use Tobacco or other intoxicants (alcohol).

3. Not to eat any meat of an animal.

4. Not to commit adultery- 'Par nari ki sej, bhul supne hun na jayo' (never enjoy, even in dream, the bed of a woman other than that of your own wife)
(A supplementary ordinance was issued that any one who did not observe any of the above four directives, must be re-baptized, pay a fine, and promise not to offend any more; or he must be excommunicated from the Khalsa).

III. They must rise at dawn, bathe, meditate on Gurmantar-'Waheguru', Moolmantar- the preamble of Japji, and recite five banis- Japji, Jaap Sahib, Swayas, Chaupai Sahib, and Anand Sahib in the morning; Rehras in the evening; and Kirtan Sohela at bed time at night.

IV. They must not worship idols, cemeteries, or cremation grounds, and must believe only in One Immortal God. The Guru further spelled out that they should practice arms, and never show their backs to the foe in the battle field. They should always be ready to help the poor and protect those who sought their protection. They were to consider their previous castes erased, and deem themselves all brothers of one family.

For more information please visit the following websites:

http://www.searchsikhism.com/nanak10.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Gobind_Singh