INTRODUCTION
To understand Sikhism properly, one must understand the situation of the region of Punjab, both politically and spiritually at the time of its emergence[1] as it was the time of Mughal rule in India, though Hinduism had already been thoroughly evolving. As one studies this he can see that Sikhism didn’t just come up in one day, but was developed through the lives of the ten Guru’s, each contributing something to it’s development -though some played larger roles- resulting in the birth of a new world religion, Sikhism.
PROBABLE ROOTS
Sufism
Sikism is said to have come out of Sufi and Bhakti tradition. Sufism is the name given to Islamic Mysticism. The humility and piety of Sufis as well as their teaching about the immanence of God were congenial with the beliefs of many Indians. By the fifteenth century Sufism had lost most of dynamism and was ensnared by the maneuverings which accompanied Muslim political ascendancy. Also within Islam, after the death of Mughal Emperor Akbar, orthodox Sunni Muslims strongly disapproved of Sufism.
BHAKTI
As with Sufism being a sect out of Islam, the Bhakti tradition was out of Hinduism. It is known by its devotion to a personal god(Shiva, Vishnu, ect.) expressed in congregational singing or chanting of hymns (kirtan) of the gurus. This was done in temples where both men and women participated.
SANTS
The sants were known to be great spiritual and poetic figures of that age. People consulted them for intruction about God. Kabir was a poet who influenced Nanak to some extent, and some even say Nanak was a disciple of Kabir, which Sikhs tend to deny, though they do acknowledge the kinship of the two men. Many of the Hymns in the Sikh scriptures are by Kabir put in by Guru Nanak.
1ST GURU NANAK
EARLY DAYS
Much of what is known of Guru Nanak is found in the Janam Sakhis, which are traditional biographies or birth and life evidences. The founder of Sikhism was Guru Nanak who was born in 1469 in Talwandi, which is near Lahore comprised of both orthodox Hindus and Muslims. He came from a high caste(Ksatriya) family. At his birth the Hindu pundit through horoscope had predicted of future greatness.
At early age he was educated in Sanskrit by a village pundit and in Persian and Arabic in the Talwandi Muslim School. Living in a much more Muslim context, as the employee of an Afghan administrator in a town of the main highway from Lahore to Delihi, he met many Muslim teachers. In his religious search he consulted both Hindu and Muslim teachers, but did not find satisfactory answers to his questions.
DEVOTION TO GOD
He was well educated and married at the age of 19 and had two sons a few years after and settled in the village of Kartapur. He was known to rise before dawn to bathe in the river and after meditation lead his followers in singing kirtan(hymns) before returning home for breakfast and work. At the end of the day a congregation would gather at his home to sing kirtan far into the night.
The janam sakhis speak of an life-changing event which took place when Nanak was around 30 years old. One day he failed to return from his meditations, and his clothes were found at the river bank, and so people concluded that he had drowned. After three days he reappeared but remained silent. On the next day when he spoke he made the pronouncement: ‘There is neither Hindu or Mussulman so whose path shall I follow? I shall follow God’s path. God is neither Hindu nor Mussulman and the path which I follow is God’s.’ As he explained what had happened to him he said he was taken to the court of God and escorted into his presence. There was a cup filled with nectar and was given to with the command, ‘This is the cup of adoration of God’s name. Drink it. I am with you. I bless you and raise you up. Whoever remembers you will enjoy my favor. Go, rejoice in my name and teach others to do so. I have bestowed the gift of my name upon you. Let this be your calling.’
Nanak believed that everyone should have direct communication with God, and that birth, wealth, religion, race, and sex should not determine this. He taught that the way of salvation was by leading a good honest life of kindness and generosity toward others, a life of activity and endeavor within society and family. He was very missionary-minded as he traveled extensively with his message.
By the time of his death in 1539 Guru Nanak had laid the foundation for the emergence of the Sikh religion. He had compiled 974 hyms and the community of Kartarpur was exclusively Sikh. Nanak named Lehna, who would later be named Guru Angad, as his successor over his own sons.
2ND Guru Angad
Angad(part of me), was named so by Guru Nanak. He was converted to Sikhism during the Kartarpur period and was known for his humility and unhesitating discipleship, which was something Nanak’s own sons did not show at all. He was also known to rise before dawn, bath and then meditate until day-break. Kirtan would be sung and then people would come to him for spiritual comfort. He was appointed Guru in 1539 when he was 35 years old a was Guru for 13 years.
GURMUKHI
Guru Angad made a biography of Guru Nanak and distributed it. He also composed 63 hymns of which most are in the Adi Granth. He helped separate the Tankre script as the new script of Gurmukhi and a vernacular script of the Punjabi Sikhs. This made a clear separation from the Sanskrit script of the Hindus. He died in 1552.
3RD GURU AMAR DAS
He was the uncle of Angad’s son-in-law who became a convert and devoted follower of his. He was 73 years old when he became Guru and was Guru for 22 years. Though he had never met Guru Nanak he held fast to the basic truths that Nanak had established.
THE LUNGAR
Having food together with all castes was a means of expressing oneness in the Guru’s presence. This was called the lungar which though Guru Nanak had started, it was established by Guru Amar Das.
The Guru’s also played a role in social and political action. For example Guru Amar Das succeeded in persuading the Mughal government to repeal the tax it imposed on pilgrims going to Hardwar. It is said that the Mughal Emperor Akbar found favor for the Guru’s and also attended a lungar in the village of Goindwal on the Beas river.
WOMENS RIGHTS
He also worked for women’s rights. He spoke against sathi, the Hindu tradition of a widow throwing herself on her husband funeral pyre and burning to death. He also encouraged widow’s to remarry, something again that the Hindu tradition forbids. He even had some women preach..
4TH GURU RAM DAS
Before his death in 1552, Guru Amar Das named his son-in-law Jetha as his successor. He was re-named Ram Das (slave of God). He was 40 years old when he became Guru and was Guru for 7 years.
AMRITSAR
Out of some land along the Kabul Delhi road -that was either given by Emperor Akbar, or bought from him according to different traditions, a village called Guru Ka Chak(the Guru’s village) was established. Later it was called Ramdaspur, and eventually named Amritsar(pool of nectar) which became the holy city of the Sikhs.
Guru Ram Das also was instrumental into helping develop the uniqueness of the Sikh community. The Gurmukhi script was implemented into all the sangats of the congregation and Hindu festivals were used as occasions of Sikh assembly. He also helped further establish women’s rights and also he composed the wedding hymn used by Sikh to this day.
The panth(body of Sikh community) at the time of Guru Ram Das was growing steadily into the ten of thousands. The Jat peasants were especially being drawn, though most of its members were from Hindu backgrounds.
5TH GURU ARJAN
Guru Ram Das’ youngest son Arjun(also the grandson of Guru Amar Das) would become the first Guru who was born a Sikh. He became Guru in 1581 at the age of 18 and was Guru for 25 years. His brother Prithi Chand, however, sought to usurp the Guruship from him.
ADI GRANTH
While Guru Ram Das was visiting other parts of the Punjab, more Jats were becoming Sikhs. It was during this time that Prithi Chand composed some of his own hymns and tried to put them out as authentic scriptures for the Sikhs. In response, Ram Das compiled his own authentic hymn and adding them to the collection of the first three Guru’s he compiled the Adi Granth in 1604.
Ram Das had also placed a 10% tax on the panth to help various needs. One was the building of Harmandir at Amritsar. It was built in the center of an artificial lake. A square building with a door on all four sides, to show it was open to all castes. Also it was built at a lower level than the surrounding area to symbolize that one has to lower or humble him/herself when seeking God. Later in the 19th Century the Golden temple would be built on the same site.
OPPRESION
Though Emperor Akbar had been tolerant of the Sikhs, Guru Angad’s brother Prithi Chand stirred up opposition against Angad. This came to fulfillment in 1606, a year after the death of Akbar. He was tortured by Mughals for many days and then led to a river where he drowned. However, before this he had appointed his successor, his son Hargobind
6TH GURU HARGOBIND
SELF DEFENCE
During the time of Hargubind, who became Guru in 1606 when he was 11 and was Guru for 38 years, Sikhism took on a different element, that of using arms to protect themselves from those who attack them. This was done according to Guru Arjuns instructions left for Hargobind, ‘let him sit fully armed on his throne and maintain an army to the best of his ability’. And so Hargobing was the first of the Guru’s to have more of a soldier saint image.
Other contributions made by Hargobind was the restoring of the dharamsalas (places of worship) including the lungar, and the introduction of the Sikh flag called nashin sahib. Also he introduced the use of the kettle drum for his armies, and today you will find one kettledrum in each gurdwara.
During the last years of his life four of Hargobind’s sons died. Though one was left, he chose his grandson Har Rai instead.
7TH GURU HAR RAI
Har Rai was 14 when he became Guru in 1644 and led for 17 years. He was known for his particualar love of plant life, as he made herbal medicine, and his love for animals. Though he was fond of hunting, he would not kill the animals but keep them as pets in his zoo.
When Mughal emperor Shah Jehan’s eldest son Dara Shikoh was seriously ill, Guru Har Rai sent a herbal medicine which cured him. Thus relations with the Mughals remained on a good footing for a short time.
AURANGZEB THE TYRANT
Aurangzeb, Shah Jehan’s second son was bent on taking the throne. He imprisoned his father in Agra and forced his brother Dara Shikoh to flee towards Punjab. Dara Shikoh went to Guru Har Rai for refuge Later however, he was captured by the forces of Aurangzeb, and was executed. Thus Aurangzeb would continue to be a tyrant toward the Sikhs during his long and cruel reign.
Aurangzeb, knowing of Guru Har Rai’s alliance with Dara Shikoh, summoned him to his throne in Delhi. Har Rai, however sent his son Ram Rai as his representative.
Ram Rai compromised a passage of Guru Nanak in Auranzebs presence. Thus Har Rai, would not allow him to even see his face. In responce, Ram Rai made an alliance with Aurangzeb. Before his death in 1661 Guru Har Rai appointed his yougest Son Har Krishan to be his successor.
8TH GURU HAR KRISHAN
Har Krishan was 5 years old when he became Guru in 1661. He was summoned to Delhi by Auranzeb, to which he eventually consented, on the condition that he would meet the emperor -something his father Har Rai had instructed him to.
In Delhi he had many visitors, and also helped heal some people. However, he caught small pox. Before dying he appointed his Baba (grand-uncle) who lived in Balaka to be his successor. Har Krishan died at the tender age of eight.
9TH GURU TEGH BAHADUR
Tegh Bahadur which mean brave sword was the name given to Tyag Mal, for his courage in battles against Mughals. He was the son of Guru Har Gobind, and was 43 when he became Guru in 1664 and led for 11 years.
He had turned from the battlefield to renunciation and contemplation. This may be a reason his father had passed him by as his successor. Upon accepting his role as Guru, Tegh Bahadur he set out on a number of missionary journeys to spread the messages and teachings of Sikhism among the masses across the land..
There was much jealousy in his early reign, and even an assassination attempt. He acquired a tract of land from the raja of Kahlur and founded the town of Chak Nanaki in 1665, which now is known as Anandpur Sahib.
Meanwhile Aurangzeb, who did not tolerate other religion, was proceeding on a brutal campaign of repression. Famous Hindu temples throughout the country were demolished and mosques built in their place.
The Hindu Brahmin Pandits of Kashmir were among the most highly learned and orthodox of the Hindu leadership. Aurangzeb sought to convert them by force. A large delegation of 500 Kashmiri Pandits went to Anandpur Sahib to seek the help of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The Gurus believed in the freedom of religion and the right of the Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs to live in peace and practice their own religions. With this Guru Tegh Bahadur laid down the life in the fight for freedom of religion and told the Pandits to inform Aurangzeb that the Brahmins would gladly accept and embrace Islam if Guru Tegh Bahadur can be convinced to do so. Guru Tegh Bahadur made preparations to leave for Delhi. he bid farewell to his family and followers and dictated that his son Gobind Rai should be installed as the next Guru.
With four other faithful followers, he was asked to embrace Islam. Upon refusal, he watched the brutal killings of his disciples and later also was beheaded in 1675.
10th GURU GOBIND SINGH
Gobind Rai was 9 years old when he became Guru in 1675 and led for 33 years. He had witnessed the oppression of Aurangzeb from early age with the martyrdom of his father and would stand against it all his life. His father had trained him well in arms and horsemanship, and he was known for his exceptional chivorous and geneous character. His Guruship stands out as the greatest after Nanak.
INTRODUCTION OF SIKH SYMBOLS
One of his most significant contribution to Sikhism took place in 1699. On the occasion of the Sikh assembly during Basaki he urged them to greater unity and loyalty for the times were perilous. In his charismatic style he drew his sword and asked men to come forward to him. No one responded and there was great silence. Finally one man stepped forward and Guru Gobind Rai took him into his tent. Blood was then seen flowing out of the tent. The Guru came out with his blood staind sword and asked for another to come to him. Though many departed four others came forward and the same procedure was carried out with each. Lastly the Guru went into the tent and to the astonishment of all he escorted all five men out of the tent.
AMRIT
He then mixed some amrit(nectar) and gave each to drink. He then declared the five men the Panj Pyare (five beloved). The Guru also took the same initiation and had many thousand come to receive it also. People of many castes came forward even as the Panj Pyare were of different castes. This ceremony is still practiced by Sikhs to this day and is highly revered.
CODE OF DISCIPLINE
This was followed by the Guru’s proclamation of a code of discipline; Tabacco, halal meat(meat slaughtered by Muslim ritual), sex with Muslim women were to be avoided.
THE KHALSA
The members of the new brotherhood were to take on the name Singh(lion) or Kaur(princess). The brotherhood was to be called the Khalsa(Pure Ones). The members of the Khalsa were to wear five symbols- uncut hair, a comb, a sword, a bracelet, and special shorts(boxer type).
THE FINAL GURU: THE ADI GRANTH
The other great contribution of Guru Gobind Singh took place in 1708 as he was dying. Knowing he would not recover from a knife would during a battle, he took five coins and a coconut -the same ceremony the other Guru’s had used to intiate a succesor- and he placed them before a copy of the Adi Granth. In doing this he declared that the Adi Granth would be the Guru from thence forth and that there would be no more human Guru’s. A new name was given to the Adi Granth, the Guru Granth Sahib. It was to be the spirit of the Guru, and all decisions of the Sikh community would be made in its presence.
Dasam Granth
Though Gobind Singh had revised and added 161 of his fathers hymns to the Granth Sahib, he did not put any of his own into it. He had written many poems which later where collected by his disciples and compiled as the Dasam Granth.
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