Vaisakhi by James Clark Archer

[Baldeep Singh]

Vahegurooo Ji Ka Khalsaaah, Vaheguroooo Ji Ka Fateeeeeh!

I have been recently reading a book titled "The Sikhs" by John archer published in 1946 [Year before the so-called independence of India]. Within the book itself Mr Archer has written some wild facts about the Gurus and he doesnt reference where he has got the information from.

Anyhow, this is what he writes about the events that occurred on the fay of Vaisakhi.

THE KHALSA OF GOBIND SINGH

If there was a Sikh who would yield himself to death then and there in the guru's stead to insure success to the cause for which the guru stood?

There was no immediate response but silence on the part of all, as if no one fully understood. The guru added that Durga required sacrifice, actual bloodsacrifice, if the Sikh cause were to be successful, and this time there was at least thoughtful silence.

Gobind spoke a third time in sincere, appealing vehemence, and five men, one by one, responded, offering themselves. It was a solemn moment and Gobind expressed deep satisfaction. Then he led them at intervals, one by one, into his tent, the place of sacrifice. Each time there could be heard by those without the fateful cry, "Ya Durga," and the sound of the falling blade-no other sound or utterance. Thereafter, on each occasion, Gobind emerged with the sword-blade dripping blood. The bystanders were at first awe-struck, soon many trembled in great anxiety and at the last sonic fled in mortal terror. But the solemn rite was slowly executed, and five loyal Sikhs, apparently, had gone to death as willing victims to Durga's pleasure. Then it was that Gobind spoke again with reassurance to the company, and turning toward the tent called the five men out again-who came at once to meet a still wondering but transformed audience. They had not been slain, those five. The blood was goat's blood, an animal dear to Durga as an offering, and the five willing, would-be victims were vet alive, to live as influential heroes wherever the Sikh cause led. They had become the immortal nucleus of the Khalsa! They were, by name, Dava Ram, a khatri of Lahore; Dharm Das, a Jat shudra of Delhi; Muhakam Chand, a shudra cloth-printer of Dwarka; Sahib Chand, a brahman of Bidar, and Himmat, a shudra kahar, or bearer, of Jagannath-three shudras, a kliatri and a brahman, now in a new casteless fellowship.

What these five men had endured as a test of loyalty had a very great effect on all who were assembled at the....."- Page 193

"..... mela, and was destined to become a cherished, influential memory among all Sikhs. But there was need of something more continually effective if the Sikh cause was to prosper permanently. The Khalsa must depend on something more than newly kindled enthusiasm-such might wane-and the cherished memory of heroic acts and a sacrificial episode. Not that the sacrifice, even with the blood of goats, should be repeated and become habitual. This was hardly in keeping with the true Sikh religion. Gobind would provide, however, something quite as definite and likewise appropriate. What lie actually did at this time was manifoldthere would be several unifying factors which would make the Khalsa Sikhs unique, without any necessarily violent departure from their whole tradition. IIc instituted a baptismal rite, the pahul, the assumption of a new name, Singh, the wearing of tangible symbols of membership, the kakkas, a communion, with the sipping of nectar, amrit, and a managing committee, the panchayat.

The five heroes of Anandpnr were the first to be baptized and immediately afterward the pahul or baptismal "cleansing" was administered to all, and all assumed the new name Singh, or "lion." The communion likewise was administered to all, beginning with the five. The original ceremony went somewhat in this fashion: Gobind took pure water in an iron vessel, stirred it with a two-edged dagger as lie recited some verses of the Japji and some other verses of his own composition, while his wife Jita threw in some sweets (patase). The result was amrit, nectar, the "water of immortality." The "baptism," then, consisted in sipping the liquid and submitting to a sprinkling with it-a rite altogether different from anything in Moslem or in Ilindu ritual, although possibly reminiscent of a Christian sacrament. The drinking of the liquid was in itself "communion" -all drank from the one vessel, thereby breaking caste! The five drank first as the guru held the vessel, then the guru" – Page 194

[`KuMi´]

V. Nice

but email the man and tell him dont just put gorbind singh, say GURU gorbind singh

nuff luv

[H4RPAL]

Excellent fabrication by the author- truly an imaginative account. At least he's tried to put the effort in to be as incorrect as humanly possible.

A great effort at distorting history A+++++

[Baldeep Singh]

V. Nice

but email the man and tell him dont just put gorbind singh, say GURU gorbind singh

nuff luv

93651[/snapback]

I presume the bleeder is dead by now

[H4RPAL]

V. Nice

but email the man and tell him dont just put gorbind singh, say GURU gorbind singh

nuff luv

93651[/snapback]

Were you being sarcastic?

[Akaal Purakh Di Fauj]

V. Nice

but email the man and tell him dont just put gorbind singh, say GURU gorbind singh

nuff luv

93651[/snapback]

Were you being sarcastic?

93694[/snapback]

i think he was being serious u know

[ms514]

Sat Sri Akal:

Of course...and Jesus was a Hindu...

[H4RPAL]

V. Nice

but email the man and tell him dont just put gorbind singh, say GURU gorbind singh

nuff luv

93651[/snapback]

Were you being sarcastic?

93694[/snapback]

i think he was being serious u know

93715[/snapback]

Thats what I feared

[Harnek Singh]

Sat Sri Akal:

Of course...and Jesus was a Hindu...

93726[/snapback]

Christianity is Krishnamurthy (sp?)

Ask any hindu.

[Ek Kaur]

Forgive my ignorance, but the were did the blood on Guru Gobind Singh ji's talvar come from? Everyone time I have heard this sakhia and asked about this no one seems to know the answer.