The Word 'Sikh' in the Punjabi language means 'disciple', Sikhs are the disciples of God who follow the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. The wisdom of these teachings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib are practical and universal in their appeal to all mankind.
"I observe neither Hindu fasting nor the ritual of the Muslim Ramadan month; Him I serve who at the last shall save. The Lord of universe of the Hindus, Gosain and Allah to me are one; From Hindus and Muslims have I broken free. I perform neither Kaaba pilgrimage nor at bathing spots worship; One sole Lord I serve, and no other. I perform neither the Hindu worship nor the Muslim prayer; To the Sole Formless Lord in my heart I bow. We neither are Hindus nor Muslims; Our body and life belong to the One Supreme Being who alone is both Ram and Allah for us." (Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Granth Sahib, Raga Bhairon pg. 1136)
"Any human being who faithfully believes in:
(i) One Immortal Being,
(ii) Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh,
(iii) Guru Granth Sahib Ji,
(iv) The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and,
(v) The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion is a Sikh." (Reht Maryada, Sikh Code of Conduct)
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa,
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh...ੴੴੴ
Khalsa Rules
The Nishan Sahib is a Sikh holy triangular flag made of cotton or silk cloth, with a tassel (bunch of loose threads or cords bound at one end and hanging free at the other) at its end.
The word, Nishan means symbol, and the flag is hoisted on a tall flagpole, outside all the Gurudwaras in the world. The Flagpole itself covered with fabric, ends with a two-edged Khanda on top. The Emblem on the flag is known as Khanda, which depicts a double-edged sword called as "Khanda" in the centre, a chakkar which is circular, and flanked by two single-edged swords.
Traditional symbol of the Khalsa Panth, the Nishan Sahib can be seen from far away, signifying the presence of Khalsa in the neighbourhood.
It is taken down every Baisakhi, and replaced with a fresh flag, and the flagpole refurnished.
The background color of the Nishan Sahib during the early phase of Sikh history was red. Its colour underwent a change, from white to saffron, in the hands of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji and it was hosted for the first time at Akal Takht Sahib in the year 1609 CE. However, it is steel blue in colour at Gurudwaras managed by Nihangs.
The Nishan Sahib is placed outside every Sikh Gurdwara and is supported by a pole of timber or metal.
The Khanda, a Sikh symbol, is rendered in blue on the saffron background. The khanda is placed high up on a flagpole as a sign for all Sikhs and indeed any other people that they can come and pray in this building.
Great respect is shown to this flag which is shown by its washing using milk and water every year in April at the festival of Vaisakhi. The Nishan Sahib is changed once the saffron color has faded.
Like a Flag of any institution, this Flag symbolizes the presence of the Khalsa and hence is hosted at every Gurdwara premises. Therefore, anybody in need of help. However, with the Khalsa now being in non-war status, but always functional the Gurdwaras serve the purpose of congregational meeting, Langar and lodging.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa,
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.......ੴੴੴ
Khalsa Rules
The Khanda is one of symbol of Sikhism. The Khanda is like a "coat of arms' for Sikhs. It was introduced by the Sixth Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. The Khanda is on the Nishan Sahib or Flag of the Sikhs and in Gurudwaras. It is a collection of four weapons commonly used by Sikhs at the time of Guru Gobind Singh.
In the centre it is the Two-Edged sword which symbolises the Creative Power of God which controls the destiny of the whole universe. It is the Sovereign Power over life and death. One edge of the Sword symbolises divine justice, which chastises and punishes the wicked oppressors; the other edge symbolises Freedom, and Authority governed by moral and spiritual values.
In the center is the Khanda, the double-edged sword, used by the tenth guru,Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji to prepare Amrit to initiate the Sikhs. Khanda has cutting edge on both sides indicative of two swords fused together representing Spiritual and Temporal powers, giving birth to “The Khalsa”, who is a saint-soldier (Sant-Sipahi), the saint meaning scholarly in knowledge of Gurbani and soldier meaning martial in spirit.
To summarize, the Sikh national Emblem, reminds the Sikhs that they are warriors, they should take Pahul (Amrit), become ‘Khalsa’ i.e, The ultimate form of the Sikh, keep Guru Ka Langar going so that no body sleeps hungry, protect the weak and hapless, fight injustice and oppression, wherever it takes place, the victory will be theirs: ‘Deg-Teg-Fateh’.
There are three different items used in a Khanda, which also have a symbolic meaning:
• A double-edged sword called a Khanda which is in the centre
• A Chakkar which is circular
• Two single-edged swords, or kirpans, are crossed at the bottom and sit on either side of the Khanda and Chakkar. They represent the two characteristics, one being Miri (Temporal power) and the other, Piri (Spirituality).
On the outside of the two-edged sword, we can see two swords:
• On the left is the Sword of Spiritual Sovereignty (Piri);
• On the right is the Sword of Political Sovereignty (Miri)
The Chakra / Chakkar which was worn by the great martyr Baba Deep Singh is still preserved in the sanctum sanctorium of the Akal Takht.
In the symbol the sword to the left represents truth, and the sword to the right represents the willingness to fight for what is right- dharma (religion). The circle in the middle denotes the one God, never beginning and never ending.
The Khanda represents knowledge of God, the Chakkar represents the eternal nature of God and oneness of humanity, the two swords represent Miri (political sovereignty) and Piri (spiritual sovereignty).
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa,
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.......ੴੴੴ
Khalsa Rules
