Sikh History & Personalities
Who is Bhagat Ravidaas? Why do some people call him 'Guru Ravidaas'?
There is a holy bhagat (devotee of Waheguru) named 'Ravidaas Ji' who was from the "Chamaar" (leather-maker) caste according to the old caste system.
Waheguru does not recognize castes and clans. Waheguru recognizes devotion. Bhagat Ravidaas Ji was blessed with union of Akaal Purakh and the jyot (Light) of Akaal Purakh wrote Gurbani through him which was made official by Guru Arjan Dev Ji and included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.
The Guru gave one Amrit and one Maryada, then why are there so many different Rehats today?
(1) The Guru authorized the Panj Pyaare to give Amrit to anyone desirous of being spiritually reborn into the Guru's Family (the Khalsa Panth). Thousands joined this brotherhood & sisterhood on Vaisakhi 1699 after the manifestation of the Khalsa Panth and the first Panj Pyaare received Amrit of the double-edged sword.
What do you know of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha?
The Akhand Kirtani Jatha (or AKJ) is a collective group (jatha) of Gursikhs dedicated to the Sikh lifestyle and service of the Panth through kirtan, akhand paaths, sehaj paaths, literature, Gurmat camps, setting up colleges and sacrifices & martyrdoms for the Panth. AKJ kirtan programmes take the form of 'Rainsbai Kirtans' (Kirtan that goes on all night) and also Kirtan Darbars (which usually last around 6 hours). The kirtan is usually sung with basic musical tunes - the main emphasis of the kirtans being on the Gurbani rather than the music.
In Bachittar Natak, the Tenth Guru claims His family ancestry to Lav and Kush (sons of Rama). Does this mean Sikhs are Hindus?
This argument does not hold any ground when we evaluate it with some rationality. Many Sikhs take an easy approach and reject the authority of Bachittar Natak but this way we will have to reject everything we don’t like or don’t agree with. I do not want to discuss authenticity or validity of Dasam Granth here but our objective is to see if Guru Ji’s lineage really makes Him a Hindu.
a) Family background has nothing to do with religion. Religion is not inherent.
Did Guru Gobind Singh Ji worship 'Kali Devi' on Hemkunt Parbat where Guru Ji meditated for long time, as claimed by the RSS?
The truth is that Guru Ji never ever worshipped any idols of Hinduism. Guru Ji always worshipped one God and taught Sikhs to do the same. RSS is not using Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s lines accurately. RSS is saying this:
“Mahan Kaal Kalka Aaradhiâ€
Kalka is name of Hindu Goddess Kali Devi but Guru Ji never said anything like this. Guru Ji’s original lines are these:
“Mahan Kaal, Kaal Ka Aaradhiâ€
What are the historic foundations of a Sikh Identity as supposed to a pluralistc nature known as "Sanatan Sikhi"?
I. Introduction
The issue of defining Sikh Identity has been a topic of much debate in modern Sikh scholarship. Clearly, Sikhs today form a unique and distinct community with a separate identity, but has this always been the case? Many scholars argue that different Sikh identities existed within the Panth until the latter part of the 19th century and all made an equally legitimate claim to being "Sikh"Â.
What do you know of Bhai Mardana?
MARDÄ€NÄ€, BHĀĪ (1459-1534), GurÅ« NÄnak's long-time companion throughout his extensive journeys across the country and abroad, was born the son of a Muslim MirÄsÄ« (a caste of hereditary minstrels and genealogists) couple, BadrÄ and Lakkho, of TalvaṇdÄ« RÄi Bhoe, now NankÄá¹‡Ä SÄhib, in SheikhÅ«purÄ district of Pakistan. GurÅ« NÄnak and BhÄÄ« MardÄnÄ grew up in the same village.
What do you know of Bhai Bala and whether he actually existed?
According to popular belief, some believe that Bhai Bala was a life-long companion of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji and was the son of Chandar Bhaan, a Sandhu Jaá¹á¹ of Talvaṇá¸Ä« RÄi Bhoi, now NankÄá¹‡Ä SÄhib in Pakistan. It is claimed he was 3 years senior in age to Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, and was Guru Sahib's childhood playmate in Talvaṇá¸Ä«. From Talvaṇá¸Ä«, it is claimed that he accompanied Guru Nanak Sahib Ji to SultÄnpur where he stayed with him a considerable period of time before returning to his village. It is claimed that Bhai Bala died in 1544 at Khaá¸Å«r SÄhib.
What do you know of Udaasis?
'Udaasi' is an ascetic sect founded by Baba Sri Chand (1494-1629), the elder son of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. The word 'Udasi' is derived from the Sanskrit word which means "one who is indifferent to or disregardful of worldly attachments, a stoic, or a mendicant." In Sikh tradition, the term udasi has also been used for each of the four preaching tours of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji; in this sense, udasi meant a prolonged absence from home. Some scholars, including many Udasis, trace the origin of the sect back to the Puraaṇic age, but, historically speaking, Baba Sri Chand was the founder.
What do you know of Nirmalas?
'Nirmala' is derived from the Sanskrit 'nirmal', meaning spotless, unsullied, pure, bright, etc. It is the name of a sect primarily engaged in religious study of Sikhism and ancient Hindu texts. The members of the sect are called Nirmalas. The sect of celibates commanded particular strength in the 19th century.