sikh Navratri Dusshera Dushera Dussehra

[ipledgeblue]

Just posting this up to make it easier for sikhs to find out about how we are meant to celebrate Navratri and Dusshera. There is actually something similar for Diwali as well where Dasvin 10th Patshah actually uses the word 'Diwali'! Hopefully I will find it before Diwali.

 

https://www.facebook.com/652447751445011/photos/navratri-and-dushera-are-days-to-do-shastra-puja-the-nine-nights-of-naurate-star/995158367173946/

 

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Navratri and Dushera are days to do shastra Puja.

The nine nights of Naurate, started this year on October 12th, and go to the 22th. The tenth day, which is today, will be Dusshera, marking the date when Ram Chandra destroyed the Demon Ravan. Celebrations for Dusshera happen at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Paonta Sahib, and Chamkaur Sahib.

The tradition for Navratari is in a passage from Suraj Prakash Granth where Guru Gobind Singh Ji commands his Singhs to conduct the seva worship of shastra. Below is a passage from Gurbilas Patshahi 10, a historical book written in 1751 CE by Kuir Singh mainly dealing with the life of Guru Gobind Singh:

"ਆਜ ਨੁਰਾਤਾ ਆਦਿ ਨਿਹਾਰੋ । ਪੂਜ ਕਰੋ ਸਬ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਨਿਕਾਰੋ " ॥੧੩॥ [Guru Gobind Singh Ji stated] "Observe the first day of Nurate, worship and take out all of your weapons."

ਸੁਨ ਕਰ ਬਚਨ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਧਾਯੋ । ਪੂਜਨ ਕੀ ਸਭ ਸੌਜ ਲਿਆਯੋ । Listening to the words [of the Guru] the Khalsa ran to bring back weapons and do worship of them.

ਪਹਿਰ ਰਾਤ ਲੇ ਤੇ ਸਭ ਜਾਗੇ । ਪੂਜ ਕਾਲਿਕਾ ਕੀ ਮਧ ਲਾਗੇ ॥੧੪॥ In the last period of the night they [the Khalsa]awoke, and started to worship Kalika.

ਸਭ ਜਨ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਕੇਸ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਆਵੈ । ਧੂਪ ਦੀਪ ਨੈਬੇਦ ਕਰਾਵੈ । All the [Guru's] servants came to [Takht] Kesgarh Sahib, and lit incense, lamps and offered food.

ਪਾਛੈ ਅੱਛੁਤ ਪੁਸਪ ਮੰਗਾਵੈ । ਕਰ ਚਰਨਾਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਚਮਰ ਝੁਲਾਵੈ ॥੧੫॥ After they would offer rice and flowers toward Kalika, taking the Amrit from the Feet of the Guru and waving the wisk [over the weapons].

ਦੇਵਿ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁਖ ਗਾਵੈ । ਉਸਤਤਿ ਕਰੈ ਮੋਦ ਮਨ ਭਾਵੈ । The stories of the Devi were recited from the Guru's mouth, reading the praises [of the Devi] everyone's mind was left in bliss.

ਨਵਿਨ ਨੁਰਾਤਨ ਪੂਜਨ ਧਾਰੀ । ਪੁਨਹਿ ਦਸਹਿਰਾ ਆਯੋ ਭਾਰੀ ॥੧੬॥ On the ninth day of Naurate the worship continued, then came the [tenth day] Dusshera.

...

ਸਭ ਸਿਲ ਖਾਨਾ ਛੋਰ ਮੰਗਾਯੋ । ਉੱਚ ਤਖਤ ਕੁਰਸੀਨ ਧਰਾਯੋ । All of the weapons were gathered and placed on high platforms.

ਗਿਰਦੇ ਚਮਰ ਧੂਪ ਨਰ ਕਰਹੀ । ਜੈ ਜਗ ਮਾਤ ਕਾਲਿ ਮੁਖ ਰਰਈ ॥੫॥੧੭॥ All around whisks were being waved and incense was being lit, "Jai Jag Maat" [Victory to the Mother of the World] was being recited from everyone's mouth.

ਅੜਿਲੁ । ਰਾਮਾਯਨ ਕਲ ਪਾਠ ਸਭਨ ਮੁਖ ਗਾਇਯੋ । [On Dusshera] the beautiful Ramayana text was recited from everyone's mouth.

ਅਜਾ ਸੂਨ ਜਮ ਬਾਹਨ ਭੇਟ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਇਯੋ । [During the celebrations] goat's and buffalo's were being sacrificed.

ਦੁੰਦਭਿ ਔਰ ਨੀਸਾਨ ਸੁ ਪੂਜ ਕਰਾਯ ਕੈ । The battle drums and battle standards were also being worshiped during this time.

Bansavalinama written in 1769 CE by Kesar Singh Chibber also mentions the celebrating of Dusshera. Kesar Singh Ji writes:

ਦੁਸਹਰੇ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਪੂਜਾ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਰਨ । ਚੰਡੀਪਾਠ ਕੀਤਾ ਰਸਨਾ ਦਾ ਉਚਾਰਨ । On the days of Dusshera, worship your weapons. From your mouths you should recite the scriptures of Chandi.

ਧੂਪ ਦੀਪ, ਪੁਸ਼ਪ, ਬਹੁਤ ਹੋਵੈ ਸੁਗੰਧਿ । ਕੇਸਰ, ਚੰਦਨ, ਚਉਰ ਝੁਲੰਤ ।੩੯੦। [Worship your weapons by using] lots of Incense, Gee-lamps, flowers and nice fragrances. [Use] Saffron, Sandalwood and a Wisk to wave [above your weapons].

- Bansavalinama pg. 161 ਬੰਸਾਵਲੀਨਾਮਾ ਪਨਾ ੧੬੧

The tradition of celebrating Dusshera continues today in the Sikh tradition followed by most noteably the Budha Dal Nihung Sikhs and Takht Hazur Sahib, who recite Chandi Chritars and Chandi Di Vaar, along with Raam-avatar [a section from Dasam Sri Guru Granth Sahib which deals with the life story of Ram Chandra] and a pothi called Dusshera Mahatam, which is a pothi with various shabads in it dealing with the occasion. 

 

 

Since this post contains content objectionable to some jathe, I guess you will need to lock this. However please at least leave this post up so sikhs know how to celebrate Navratri and Dusshera, and can see the historical quotes.

[ipledgeblue]

 

Sri Dasam Baani Dasherea "Dussehra" Mahtam maryada of Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib Ji "BAANI SRI DASEHRA MAHATAM" (SACHKHAND SRI HAZOOR SAHIB)                TRACK NO.              01- JAAP SAHIB                             *  AKAL USTAT                         * BACHITTAR NATAK               * CHANDI CHARITR UKAT               * CHANDI CHARITR LIKHAITE               * CHANDI DI VAAR               * GYAN PARBODH               * ATH CHOBEES AVTAAR               * BEESWAN RAM AVTAAR               * KRISHNA AVTAAR               * NEHKALANKI AVTAAR               * PARASNATH RUDRA AVTAAR               * RAMKALI PATHSHAHI-10               * BATTI SEWAIYE               * KHALSA MAHIMA               * SHASTAR NAAM WALA               * ATH PAKIYAN CHARITAR     SINGH SAHIB GIANI PRATAP SINGH JI        (HEAD GRANTHI SACHKHAND SRI HAZOOR SAHIB)    SINGH SAHIB SANT BABA KULWANT SINGH JI JATHEDAR SACHKHAND (SRI HAZOOR SAHIB NADED)    SANT BABA BALWINDER SINGH JI (GURDWARA LANGER SAHIB)

 

 

 

ਆਜ ਨੁਰਾਤਾ ਆਦਿ ਨਿਹਾਰੋ । ਪੂਜ ਕਰੋ ਸਬ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਨਿਕਾਰੋ " ॥੧੩॥ ਸੁਨ ਕਰ ਬਚਨ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਧਾਯੋ । ਪੂਜਨ ਕੀ ਸਭ ਸੌਜ ਲਿਆਯੋ । ਪਹਿਰ ਰਾਤ ਲੇ ਤੇ ਸਭ ਜਾਗੇ । ਪੂਜ ਕਾਲਿਕਾ ਕੀ ਮਧ ਲਾਗੇ ॥੧੪॥ ਸਭ ਜਨ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਕੇਸ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਆਵੈ । ਧੂਪ ਦੀਪ ਨੈਬੇਦ ਕਰਾਵੈ । ਪਾਛੈ ਅੱਛੁਤ ਪੁਸਪ ਮੰਗਾਵੈ । ਕਰ ਚਰਨਾਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਚਮਰ ਝੁਲਾਵੈ ॥੧੫॥ ਦੇਵਿ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁਖ ਗਾਵੈ । ਉਸਤਤਿ ਕਰੈ ਮੋਦ ਮਨ ਭਾਵੈ । ਨਵਿਨ ਨੁਰਾਤਨ ਪੂਜਨ ਧਾਰੀ । ਪੁਨਹਿ ਦਸਹਿਰਾ ਆਯੋ ਭਾਰੀ ॥੧੬॥

 

"In the 1897 report on the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, they note that Dasshera was linked with the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib. Under the control of the SGPC, this practice of Dasshera was stopped. However it still takes place at Hazur Sahib and the Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa. In a dispute about the leadership of Buddha Dal the Sikh mystic Akali Baba Mitt Singh said that who ever ensured this tradition with Shastar Puja,would remain intact, should be the rightful leader, to which Baba Kaladhari agreed. According to Uday Singh, in the foreward to Dusshera Mahatan Granth Sahib, he states that the worship of weapons was an ancient practice of the Devas and when the Guru formalised Shakti into the tradition of Bhakti, the worship of weapons was important to the Khalsa. Due to the Khalsa being a Raj Yogi, and needing to prepare the mind and spirit for battle. According to him this was stopped in the Akal Takht Sahib by the new commitee after 1919. At Hazur Sahib, Baba Mitt Singh ji had this Granth written by Bhai Ram Singh and Sewa Singh. it was first printed in the 1940s. The path is Akhand for nine days with the bhog on the tenth with these following bani's repeated: Jap Sahib, Akal Ustat, Bachitra Natak, Chandi Charitra Ukhati Bilas, Chandi Charitra, Chandi di //, Gian Prabodh, Chaubis Avatar, Ram Avatar, Krishnaavatar, Nihkalanki Avatar, Paras nath, Shabad Hazare, Svaiye, Khalsa Mahima, Shastra Nam Mala, Charitropakhyan first invocation, on the last day. Jap Sahib, full Chaupai Sahib, Ramavatar, Zafarnama Sahib, Svaiye, should be read."

[NaamTiharoJoJape]

On 10/21/2020 at 8:09 AM, ipledgeblue said:

In the 1897 report on the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, they note that Dasshera was linked with the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib. Under the control of the SGPC, this practice of Dasshera was stopped. However it still takes place at Hazur Sahib and the Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa. In a dispute about the leadership of Buddha Dal the Sikh mystic Akali Baba Mitt Singh said that who ever ensured this tradition with Shastar Puja,would remain intact, should be the rightful leader, to which Baba Kaladhari agreed. According to Uday Singh, in the foreward to Dusshera Mahatan Granth Sahib, he states that the worship of weapons was an ancient practice of the Devas and when the Guru formalised Shakti into the tradition of Bhakti, the worship of weapons was important to the Khalsa. Due to the Khalsa being a Raj Yogi, and needing to prepare the mind and spirit for battle. According to him this was stopped in the Akal Takht Sahib by the new commitee after 1919. At Hazur Sahib, Baba Mitt Singh ji had this Granth written by Bhai Ram Singh and Sewa Singh. it was first printed in the 1940s. The path is Akhand for nine days with the bhog on the tenth with these following bani's repeated: Jap Sahib, Akal Ustat, Bachitra Natak, Chandi Charitra Ukhati Bilas, Chandi Charitra, Chandi di //, Gian Prabodh, Chaubis Avatar, Ram Avatar, Krishnaavatar, Nihkalanki Avatar, Paras nath, Shabad Hazare, Svaiye, Khalsa Mahima, Shastra Nam Mala, Charitropakhyan first invocation, on the last day. Jap Sahib, full Chaupai Sahib, Ramavatar, Zafarnama Sahib, Svaiye, should be read."

was sgpc right to ban shastar puja?

why is nihang history so confusing, on one hand they were on verge of extinction during british raj and had emigrated to sri hazur sahib, during the other they were in control of gurudwaras like sri akal thakt from where they were kicked out of by sgpc and were involved in various morchas for sikh's rights while some say they were preventing dalits from entering sri darbar sahib when they came back from war 

can I get more info on akali baba sahib singh ji 

[ipledgeblue]

On 4/20/2021 at 5:12 PM, NaamTiharoJoJape said:

was sgpc right to ban shastar puja?

why is nihang history so confusing, on one hand they were on verge of extinction during british raj and had emigrated to sri hazur sahib, during the other they were in control of gurudwaras like sri akal thakt from where they were kicked out of by sgpc and were involved in various morchas for sikh's rights while some say they were preventing dalits from entering sri darbar sahib when they came back from war 

can I get more info on akali baba sahib singh ji 

I don't think shastar puja is banned by sgpc as such.I just think sgpc don't put any emphasis on shastar pooja, or enough emphasis on shastar, since they have removed many sikh traditions, and don't focus as much on Guru Gobind Singh's bani.

Singhs wearing bana were hunted via shoot-to-kill policy after the anglo-sikh wars. So Nihang Singhs had to emigrate, but perhaps there were pockets who were left behind, or they emigrated back when things calmed down?

The Nihang Singhs' main body, Budha Dal, split from SGPC when SGPC was created. This was because the British demanded that Khalsa Raj will not be asked for, and this was included in the conditions when the SGPC committee was signed into being. So the Budha Dal split from those sikhs due to this betrayal to Khalsa values. This led to Budha Dal Nihang Singhs being beaten and put into jails, and of course being removed from Akal Takht by SGPC putting their women as a type of shield. 

There history sources available from when Nawab Kapur Singh combined the Khalsa jathas into Budha Dal and Tarna Dal, with Budha Dal being the main body to look after gurdwaras and administer khanda pahul Amrit to the whole panth.

 

Jathedar Baba Sahib Ji Kaladhari - SikhiWiki, free Sikh encyclopedia.

click on link about for more info on Jathedar Baba Sahib Ji Kaladhari

 

 

[S1ngh]

Navratri - Sikhs got nothing to do with this Hindu Religious day. We don't have any significance attached to this date. We respect all other religious days but we don't celebrate them at all and those who do; either they got something to learn or has some dubious agenda. 

[ipledgeblue]

On 4/23/2021 at 5:01 AM, S1ngh said:

Navratri - Sikhs got nothing to do with this Hindu Religious day. We don't have any significance attached to this date. We respect all other religious days but we don't celebrate them at all and those who do; either they got something to learn or has some dubious agenda. 

read the first post and understand what Guru Gobind Singh said. We are being told to practise our shastar on these days, nothing dubious about this except being Guru maryada!