|
Next Page >>>>
Sikhism
is the youngest of the World Religions, barely 500 years old. It was founded
by Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
in 1469 who laid the basic principles of Sikhism. It offered the people a
simple Sikh religion teaching "Oneness of God", whose name is TRUTH. Nine
Gurus followed him who all reinforced and added to what was taught by the
first Guru. After which in 1708, the holy book of the Sikhs, The Siri GURU GRANTH SAHIB
JI was Proclaimed to be the only
Guru by the last Guru, Siri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This holy book embodies
the philosophy and fundamentals of Sikhism. It is the only holy book of a
major religion which was written and authenticated by its founders.
All the fundamentals of Sikhism
emanate from the concept of love for God which follows the love of man. God
is the Supreme being, Universal and all powerful. For a Sikh, all human
beings are creatures of God and must be treated equally. One must work hard
and share one's earnings with the less fortunate which had to be earned by
righteous means. One must be always active in mind and body.
Siri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the last Guru gave
the Sikhs a distinct Uniform and appearance so that they were easily
recognized. So, in 1699 on the day of Vasakhi
April 13, he assembled his Sikhs and baptized five beloved who were brave
and obedient to his orders and called this brotherhood - The Khalsa. Also he
gave them a new surname "SINGH"
(Lion) to be added to their first
names. He gave them the five symbols and five basic prayers. These saint -
soldiers were devoted to mankind. The women were given equal status with men
as the new brotherhood had no distinctions of caste, creed, color or sex.
The women were to add "KAUR" (Princess)
to their names and were to be always protected.
The five symbols are necessary
for the strength and unity of the religion and also for the value each had.
All Sikhs were to have Kesh or unshorn hair, a Kanga or the comb to keep
this hair neat and clean, Kaccha or the underwear worn as a symbol of
agility and readiness for action, Kirpan or sword which is an emblem of
courage and adventure to be used for defensive purposes and lastly, Kara or
the Steel bracelet to remind the Sikh of his bond to the God.
A Sikh is easily recognized by
his beard (Uncut and untrimmed ) and unshorn hair which he protects with a
turban on his head. Sikhs are not allowed to wear caps and have to grow
their hair to its natural lengths as it be going against the law of God and
nature to cut them. Also it is a mark of Distinction for the Sikhs. The
simple ideals of Sikhism and the history of fearless courage of the Sikhs
has made the Khalsa proud and fearless even today. In fact, a Sikh has his
feet firmly planted on the earth but his head is always towards god.
Gurus History
Pahli Patshai (First Guru)
Founder-Guru of Sikhism
His Message
Share their earnings with others who are less fortunate - "Vand Chakna"
Always remember God - "Naam Japna"
Live a honest Life and to earn their living with honest labor - "Kirat Karna"
Name- Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Date of Birth- October 20, 1469
Place of Birth- Talwandi - Nankana Sahib
(Pakistan)
Father- Siri Kalyan Das Mehta (Siri Kalu
Mehta)
Mother Mata- Tripta Mahal (Wife) Mata
Sulakhani
Sons- Baba Siri Chand, Baba Lakhimi Das
Year of Gurgadi 1469 Duration of Gurgadi Entire life Ruler of the Time Babar,
Behol Lodhi, Sikandar Lodhi
Date of Eternal Rest- September 22, 1539
Place of Eternal Rest- Siri Kartarpur
Sahib (Punjab)
Total Age- 70 Years, 5 Months, 7 Days
Doosri Patshai (Second Guru)
1504 – 1552
Name- Siri Guru Angadev
Ji
Date of Birth- March 31,
1504 A.D.
Place of Birth-
Matte di Sarae,
Dist. Ferozepur (Panjab - India)
Father- Bhai Pheru Mall
Mother- Mata Daya Kaur
Other Kith and
Kin-
*Guru ke Mahal- O Bibi Khivi
*Shibazade-
O Baba Dasua o
Baba Datu
*Sahibazadian- O Bibi
Amarso o Bibi Anokhi
Accession to Gurugaddi- 1539 A.D. at Kartarpur on the banks of river
Ravi.
Bani- Total number of hymns 63, in Salokas.
His Message
He enjoined the Sikhs
* To do selfless Service to humanity.
* Completely surrender to the Will of God.
* Disapproval of exhibitionism and hypocrisy.
Special Contribution
* Compilation of the biography of Guru Nanak Dev, known as ‘Bale Wali Janam
Sakhi’
*
* Modification of Gurmukhi Script. Started a school at Khadur Sahib to teach
children through Gurmukhi alphabet.
* Encouraged sports and wrestling.
Contemporary Rulers
* Emperor Humayun (r. 1530-1540 A.D.)
* Sher Shah Suri (r. 1542-1545 A.D.)
* Islam Shah (r. 1545-1553 A.D.)
Succession to Gurugaddi- 1539 A.D. at Kartarpur on the banks of river
Ravi.
Guru Angad Dev nominated Amar Das as the third Guru of the Sikhs
Joti-Joti Samae- March 29, 1552 A.D. at Khadur Sahib in Panjab.
Tesri Patshai (Third Guru) 1479 – 1574
 Name-
Siri Guru
Amardas Ji
Birth Place- May 5, 1479
A.D.
Born at- Village Basarke
in Dist. Amritsar
Father- Bhai Tej Bhan
Mother- Mata Sulakhani
Other Kith and Kin
*Guru ke
Mahal- o Bibi Mansa Devi
*Sahibzade-
o Baba Mohan, o Baba Mohari
*Sahibzadian- o Bibi Dani, o Bibi Bhani
Accession to Gurugaddi-
1552 A.D. at Khachir Sahib.
Bani
Total number of hymns 869 in 17
Ragas, e.g. Sri Rag, Asa, Majh, Gujari, Sorathi and Gauiri etc. Guru Sahib
recited Anand in Rag Ra.makali in the year 1554 A.D. which is his unique
Bani that describes the rich experience of Eternal Bliss.
His Message
To dispense with the system of
Sati and Parada
City Founded- Goindval on
the banks of river Bias in 1552 A.D.
Special Contribution-
* Established 22 centers called
Manjis on the Mughal pattern of 22 paraganas to strengthen the economy of
the Sikh Movement.
* Provided new vigour to the
system of Langar. When Emperor Akbar visited the Guru Sahib, the former was
asked first to take Langar.
* On the plea of Guru Sahib,
Emperor Akbar abolished Jazia - a tax imposed upon non-Muslims.
Contemporary Ruler-
Emperor Akbar (r. 1556-1605 A.D.)
Succession to Gurugaddi-
Guru Sahib nominated Bhai Jetha, his son-in law, with the name of Guru Ram
Das, as the fourth Guru of the Sikhs.
Joti-Joti Samae-
September 1, 1574 A.D. at Goindval, Dist. Amritsar.
Next Page >>>>
|
