The Meaning of Panth

[Sher Khalsa]

No word synonymous to "Panth exists in a Hindu dictionary or a Muslim Encyclopedia or in any other dictionary.

The Hindu thought has been confined to sects and denominations while Muslims have not been able to go beyond their restricted and exclusionary brotherhood (Millat). The Europeans, on the ohter hand cannot think anything beyond their 'superior' race.

Panth includes those who have moulded their life according to the directions of the Gurus and are always ready to sacrifice self for these ideals. They have neither prejudices of sects and denominations nor arragance of race. Only through forsaking the arrogance of profession, lofty claims of superior actions, race, religion, communal afflictions that one ca become a part of the 'Panth".

When Balwand and Satta wrote in their Vaar in Raag Ramkali (ang967)

"the followers are waiting at the door of the Guru for service, they meant that the Sikhs came to the door of the Guru with no thought other than that of the service." ... "cleansed mind... free from any thought that may render the mind dirty"

Cunningham writes. "When the divine ligh of the 10 Gurus shine in a Sikh, he is Panth"

Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Jap Ji Sahib writes (ang3)

"A Sikh forsaking the fear of death, freely walks on the divine highway. He/she doesn't follow the paths of doubt, illusions and misconceptions but follows the path of truth"

Guru Nanak Dev Ji had revealed this Panth and all subsequent Gurus prepared the Sikhs to follow this path. We should remember the words of Guru Arjun Dev Ji in Mehma Parkash

"Having realized that the Panth was revealed (to Guru Nanak Dev Ji) in this world, Guru Arjun Dev Ji compiled the Adi Granth, to show the true way"

When taking Amrit the Sikhs accept Guru Gobind Singh Ji as their father, Mata Sashib Kaur as their mother, and Anand Pur as their abode, they become members of a family, rather than a race, sect, tribe or clan.

Panth is not the subject of a wordly king or emperor. It is soveirgn and shall keep on the struggle for soveirgnty. It has been, right from the beginning, struggling against the unjust and ruthless rulers (Prachin Panth Prakash).

[CHARANDHOOR]

Panth in sikhism means ' a way (rusta), a direction'.

Bhai Sahib Gurdass JI stated that Guru Nanak Dev Ji created a NIRMAL PANTH.

Nirmal means a separate, different, pure, humble and truthful.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji laid down the foundation for the NIRMAL PANTH and subsequent Gurus added further elements and then Guru Gobind Singh JI fortified this way by making it stronger than steel.

Just like a highway is built, first the constructors have to carve out a way/direction for the digging to take place and the foundations of pebbles, stones and top surfaces (tarmac) are placed.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji's foundations was the sacrifices of his four beloved sons, instead of the pebbles their bones and bodies were laid and in place of tarmac, their blood was poured to give strength and bondage to the panth. THEY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. SADLY WE HAVE NOT LIKED THE WAY CREATED BY GURU JI AND PREFER THE MANMUK WAYS. PLEASE WAHEGURU WE PRAY YOU DIRECT US ON TO THE WAY CREATED BY GURU JI.

Finally, the way GURU JI created leads to sach khand.