Op/Ed: What is a Model Gursikh?

Before I start I would like to ask for the blessing of the King of Kings, the Giver of all Givers, The Support of all Supports, the true leader of the Khalsa Panth, the physical form of Waheguru on earth. Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj, without you there is nothing and with you everything is possible. Please give this lowly soul your guidance.

To all my beloved brothers and sisters, in traditional fashion I must first address you with the greeting given to us by Shamsher Pita, Panth Ke Vali Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji; Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh (The Khalsa Belongs to The Supreme Soul, All Righteous Victory Belongs to The Supreme Soul).

It seems I fear what I want to write, because I know that whatever I have to say will inspire 1% of us and insult 99% of us. Times have become so hard in our faith that Amritdhari Gursikhs have been pushed to the side and the Punjabi community has managed to take over the Khalsa Panth.

I resorted to keeping quiet in the face of blasphemy or the naïve things that people sometimes say in regards to our faith. But then I came across something the other day which sparked emotions that I have never had before. A ‘Singh’ in the Metro Newspaper modelling the new Samsung Phone. His matching suit and dastaar (Turban), good looks and swagger can’t be denied. I wasn’t upset by the campaign itself but it forced me to ask myself; “Where are we going as Sikhs?”.

When I close my eyes I see an image of a Singh in a beautiful Navy Blue Chola. His turban is tall covered in Shaster (weapons). His beautiful long beard sways in a light breeze, his eyes closed he is attached to nothing but Akaal Purakh (God). He sits cross legged with Prayer Beads in one hand and a Talwar (Sword) in the other. He can perform any seva (service) for Maharaj – whether that means to wash the feet of his Guru or sever the very head of his Gurus enemy. The Gursikh wakes up in the morning to remember Akaal Purakh, reading hours of Gurbani (prayer) and sitting in a position of Samadhi (Meditation). In a time of peace he recites Japji Sahib and in a time of war he recites Shaster Naam Mala. He is forever ready. Regardless of the year or the age that we are in at present, nothing changes for a Sikh. The rules are the same, the commands that were given by Maharaj so many years ago still stand now. The process of taking Amrit, wearing the 5 K’s and adhering to the Sikh code of conduct is just as necessary now as it was not so very long ago.

So why now has the face of Sikhi changed? We seem to prefer to fit in rather than stand out. We take some sort of pride out of having a semi-Singh plastered all over the media. Why is it that we seem happy to go Gurdwara on a Sunday, sit down for 7 minutes, have Langer (free kitchen) and go home? There is so much more that we should be doing as Sikhs. Why is it that stage names like ‘Hard Kaur’ and ‘Yo Yo Honey Singh’ are acceptable in our society? I only wonder what Baba Deep Singh Ji or Mata Bhag Kaur would say upon hearing names like that.

Why is it that it so hard for an Amritdhari boy to find a wife? One of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s commands was to marry our daughters into Gursikh families who read and respect Gurbani. The ultimate question is; what does an Amritdhari father say to his children when they tell him that it’s acceptable to turn away from their Gursikh responsibilities because ‘everybody else does’?

As I mentioned earlier – this isn’t just about the Samsung Model – that was the tip of the Iceberg. If this article has offended you, then that means you care. You know there is something missing in your life, but you can’t seem to get to where you want to go and seeing an Amritdhari Singh like me trying to give you a lecture just gets under your skin, it used to get under mine not so long ago.

To all my Sikh brothers and sisters, it’s time to wake up. The Khalsa Panth is not dead, it is very much alive. Go to any Gurdwara Sahib and our Guru is still there, waiting to embrace you. There is so much work to do, just get involved and an ocean of opportunity will be laid in front of you. We have so many positive influences around us: Basics of Sikhi, Sikh to Inspire, The Tera Panth Vasse Movement, Nirvair Khalsa Jatha. When these people walk into a room, its reminiscent of the Sikhs of the past. Heads turn, their radiance shines upon the Sangat and the moment they speak they breathe life back into every Sikh in the congregation. Their Sikhi will make them shine on forever, longer than any front page edition of a magazine or advertisement on television.

It’s time to stop arguing on Facebook and start doing what’s important, this article isn’t to spark a debate. Its sole purpose is to encourage our people to come back to the true form of Sikhi. We seem to overlook the process of taking Amrit, it’s deemed an impossible task by most of us. I know, some of us seem to be so very far away from the path of Sikhi, but little steps can cover a long distance. Look towards making small changes and come back to the Panth. Let’s steer clear of silly debates that seem to be plastered all over Facebook and focus on the important elements of Sikhi; Gurbani, Simran and Amrit.

If you look down to the side of your waist and do not see a Kirpan, then why are you hiding Singh? This false roop, it’s not you, the Khalsa Panth is where you need to be. If more of us came back into Sikhi as Singhs or Singhnis, think of the attention we would attract and the example that we would set for our youngsters not just in the media, but on the streets, in our Gurdwara and most importantly in our homes.

Why are we denying ourselves of our birth right? Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave us passage to a free life, one without restrictions, attachment and depression. Maharaj is still supporting us now, look at how many countries are trying to ban the Kirpan but they have all failed, because wearing a Kirpan is a birth right and if the governments of the world can appreciate that then why can’t we? Escape from that ‘wanting feeling’, give your head to your Guru and I guarantee you for the first time in your life you will say, “I don’t just have everything, I have so much more”. A Nihang Singh once said to me. “They say, when a person looks into a diamond they see a bigger reflection of themselves. A Sikh is like a diamond, when a Saint looks at a Sikh he sees a bigger Saint and walks towards him but when a Demon looks at a Sikh he sees an even bigger Demon and runs in the opposite direction.” Unearth that diamond of Sikhi inside you and do what you were born to do, to serve our Satguru Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj.

Please take this short piece as an attempt to encourage us to come back into Sikhi and embrace our beautiful faith. Gurbani Paro, Simran Karo, Amrit Shako (Read Gurbani, Recite the Name of Waheguru, Drink the Gurus Amrit and become one with Waheguru.) That’s what we should all aim to do as Sikhs. If I have offended anyone please forgive me and do an Ardas that I might wake up from my Hankar and never dare to write anything like this again. If I have aroused any positive feelings inside you, then please direct your thanks towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj, as He is the only one who can inspire and guide us, especially when we need it most.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheuru Ji Ki Fateh.