ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਕਮਲੁ ਬਿਗਸਿਆ ਤਾ ਸਉਪਿਆ ਭਗਤਿ ਭੰਡਾਰੁ ॥
Through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, my heart-lotus has blossomed forth; the Lord blessed me with the treasure of devotional worship.
(Guru Amar Das Ji, Ang 950)
As with every faith, the Sikh faith has its own ceremonies/traditions in accordance to what the Guru has given to us. The Guru blessed Sikhs with three ceremonies: the birth ceremony, wedding ceremony and death ceremony. The common factors underpinning all ceremonies is that of Gurbani, Karah Prashad (Offering) and Ardaas. In its essence, each ceremony is there to represent thankfulness to God by singing His praises; celebrating life, marriage and/or death. For Sikhs, death is not something to be mourned – we have the belief that the soul is eternal and thus never dies. If one has lived a righteous life in accordance to the Gurus teachings, then one does not view death as an unpleasant experience.
ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਜਮੁ ਜੋਹਿ ਨ ਸਾਕੈ ਸਾਚੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਇਆ ॥
Following the Guru's Teachings, I cannot be touched by the Messenger of Death. I am absorbed in the True Name.
(Guru Amar Das Ji, Ang 87)
The other similarity throughout all ceremonies is the respect of the Panj Pyare (five beloved ones). The Panj Pyare in Sikhi retain the highest control or say in matters and affairs when it comes to Panthic decisions. The original philosophy of Guru Gobind Singh Ji was that each Gurdwara would be run by the Panj Pyare and this would all be governed under the Akaal Takht (a Headquarters). Each Gurdwara would be run by five respected and pious individuals from the local community and this created community centres that catered for the needs of the local Sangat. The induction of committees into Sikh institutions today has led to Sikhi being put after power and ultimately, money.
The Guru was against ritualistic worship. This is why throughout the life of a Sikh, the Guru instructs us to sing the divine praises of the Creator; grounding us in all situations. Even if we take a look at Karah Prashad (offering), it is something that is highly important. It is considered to be of the purest of offerings which is why it is one of the few things accepted in the court of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji worldwide. There is also a Sakhi (story) which refers to Karah Prashad being present in other realms and universes.
When Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji went to Baghdad, there was a Muslim man of the name Peer Dastigeer that lived there. One day, Dastigeer came to Guru Sahib and said that in your Bani, you say that there are millions of realms and universes:
ਪਾਤਾਲਾ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਲਖ ਆਗਾਸਾ ਆਗਾਸ ॥
There are nether worlds beneath nether worlds, and hundreds of thousands of heavenly worlds above.
(Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Ang 5)
But in the Quran (Islamic Scripture), Prophet Mohamad said there are seven of each. Who is lying? Guru Sahib said that we both tell the truth. Prophet Mohamed has said what they know and I have said what I know. Dastigeer then challenged Guru Sahib to show him these nether worlds but was reluctant to put himself forward to pose the question. Instead, he put somebody forward that he knew he could trust - his son.
Guru Sahib then took Dastigeer’s son to all the universes and realms. To prove he had gone there to his father, he brought back Karah Parshad. The Bata (Bowl) which came with the offering is still here to this day in Baghdad and it has been described as possessing elements that can not be verified by the periodic table.
ਨਾਲਿ ਲੀਤਾ ਬੇਟਾ ਪੀਰ ਦਾ ਅਖੀ ਮੀਟਿ ਗਇਆ ਹਵਾਈ।
Guru Nanak Dev taking along with him the son of the pir, melted into thin air.
ਲਖ ਆਕਾਸ ਪਤਾਲ ਲਖ ਅਖਿ ਫੁਰੰਕ ਵਿਚਿ ਸਭਿ ਦਿਖਲਾਈ।
And in a wink of eye visualized him the upper and lower worlds.
ਭਰਿ ਕਚਕੌਲ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਦਾ ਧੁਰੋ ਪਤਾਲੋ ਲਈ ਕੜਾਹੀ।
From the nether world he brought a bowl full of sacred food and handed it over to pir.
(Bhai Gurdas Ji, Vaar 1, Pauree 36)
This was then widely adopted as the purest of offerings and was what Guru Gobind Singh Ji ultimately formalised for Sikhs until the end of the time. Bhai Nand Lal Jis TankhaNama teaches how to correctly prepare Karah Parshad using five elements: purified butter (ghee), sugar, flour, water and fire each representing a sacred element of a Sikh (compassion, sweetness, humility, empathy and unity).
ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਕੀ ਬਿੱਧ ਸੁਣ ਲੀਜੈ
Listen to the procedure of preparing consecrated pudding.
ਤੀਨ ਭਾਂਤ ਕੋ ਸਮਸਰ ਕੀਜੇ ॥ (੧੦)
Take three components in equal quantity.(10)
(Bhai Nand Lal Ji, Tankahnama)
The Guru that has taken the fear out of dying and put purpose into living is the greatest Guru of all. To provide what no amount of money could purchase is the work of God himself. We are forever indebted to the Guru, the true King, the forever benevolent and merciful Vaheguru – the Wondrous Enlightener.
ਰਾਮ ਭਗਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਤਰਣਾ ॥
Through devotional worship of the Lord, and service to the Guru, one swims across.
ਬਾਹੁੜਿ ਜਨਮੁ ਨ ਹੋਇ ਹੈ ਮਰਣਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Then, one is not born again, and is not subject to death. ||1||Pause||
(Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Ang 154)
