The holiday season has arrived and finds us all scurrying around to malls and shopping centres as we try to decide on just the right gift for that special someone. But with all the Christmas hoopla, sometimes the special events of other religious faiths can be left out, such as the celebration of the birth of the tenth Guru of the Sikh religion, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born in 1666 to Sri Guru Teg Bahadur and his Wife, Mata Guijri Ji. Guru Gobind Singh Ji was the last Living Guru for the Sikh religion. Throughout his life, Guru Gobind Singh Ji epitomized the life-style of a Sikh ‘spiritual soldier.’ One on hand, he was a very dedicated spiritual man who wrote and preached to the Sikhs the many pieces of wisdom and principles of life everyone should follow. However, he also fought the oppression levied against Indian Sikhs and Hindus by leading the powerful Sikh army against the Mughal Emperor, Aurenzabh.
One of the major achievements in his life was the creation of Khalsa. The Khalsa, or Universal Brotherhood, was an establishment created by Guru Gobind Singh Ji for all baptized Sikihs. Bringing together individuals from various castes and occupations, he made them symbolically equal in the eyes of the Lord by having them drink a special nectar of baptism water and having them carry the five symbols of a true Sikh—Kes (uncut or shorn hair), Kanga (a 7-8 cm comb kep in a person’s turban), Kara (a steel bracelet signifying unity and unversla brotherhood), Kachara (drawstring boxer briefs) and Kirpan (a ceremonial dagger, representing strength and willingness to stand up for what is right and just). With the establishment of the Khalsa, Sikhs have been able to retain a unique identity that is recognized all around the world.
This year according to the Sikh calendar, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Birth Celebration will be held on (January 6, 2025). So in essence, Sikhs also have a lot to celebrate during the holiday season. If only I could figure out some carols in recognition of this glorious day, but I digress…
Hardip Singh Manku was a U2 Psychology student when he published this piece in the December 2000 issue of Radix.Â
