In Hukam #12, we spoke about the importance of Karah Prashad (offering) as a key part of the Sikh faith. This is further compounded in this Hukam by Guru Sahib where the Guru is saying to not leave the Darbar Sahib (Royal Court) without having Karah Prashad. To look at this in more detail, we have to first understand how the Darbar Sahib works. Generally speaking, if you go to the Gurdwara at specific times, the Karah Prashad will already be there ready to receive. However, there are times in the Gurdwara where the GurSikh who is giving out the Karah Prashad will physically come around and give Karah Prashad to the Sangat after doing Bhog (blessing bestowed by the Guru).
These times will generally be at Amritvela (between the hours of 4-6am in most Gurdware in the UK) & sometimes in the evening (7pm onwards). This is because in these times, there is a Divan taking place where either Katha (discourse of Gurbani/Sikh history), Kirtan (Singing the praises of the Lord) or the physical recitation of Gurbani is happening. In addition to this, when Akhand Paat Sahibs (3-day recitation of Gurbani from start to finish) finish (typically on Sundays) they will give out Karah Prashad to the Sangat. To some, this may seem like a trivial thing, but the philosophy of the Guru is just amazing.
The Guru is aware of the fact that by the Sangat waiting to be given Karah Prashad, they would have to sit there & listen to the recitation of Gurbani/Kirtan/Katha. They would be compelled to pick their heads up out of their mobile phones & at least try to make sense of their faith. You see, for some, Sikhi has just become a Kara (steel bangle) & a name (Singh/Kaur). This is not the way of life the Guru intended for us. But this is the extent of the Gurus love for us all. The Guru understood the fact that not everybody would fall into love with Gurbani & Sikhi instantly and thus placed certain parameters in place to keep Sikhs on the right path.
ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਭੀਨਾ ਜਿਉ ਜਲ ਮੀਨਾ ਲਾਗਾ ਰੰਗੁ ਮੁਰਾਰਾ॥
This mind is enraptured, like the fish in the water; it is lovingly attached to the Lord.
ਕੀਮਤਿ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਤੇਰਾ ਮਹਲੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ॥
Your Worth cannot be described, O my Lord and Master; Your Mansion is Incomparable and Unrivalled.
(Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Ang 1175)
This is the way the Guru intended us to have Sikhi; to be immersed with it & enthralled with it. To see nothing else but the cooling sensation of the Gurus embrace. We have come pretty far from this sentiment now, however. We spend all of our time outside the Darbar Sahib talking, fiddling & on our mobile phones and from personal experience, it’s not too different inside either. We are at an unparalleled time in Sikh history. Since the times of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Sikhs have never been hesitant in following their Guru down the long, beaten road to Righteousness. We seem to have lost this about us. We don’t really want to acknowledge the truth of Sikhi & would rather believe a watered down, politically correct religion called Sikhism. Do we really believe that wearing a Kara, having Singh/Kaur in our names & going to the Gurdwara to ‘matha tek’ will get us anywhere? Because if we do, the Guru is here to tell you that it’s not enough. The Guru asks for your undivided attention but in return he promises life, peace, tranquillity & satisfaction; things that money could never buy.
ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪੰਥਿ ਚਲੇ ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਿਖਾ॥
The Sikhs travelled with the Guru, the True Guru, on the path, along the road.
(Guru Ram Das Ji, Ang 1165)
