AMRITSAR SAHIB—The 412th Miri-Piri Diwas was today celebrated with full enthusiasm and devotion at the supreme Sikh throne Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Following the culmination of Sri Akhand Path Sahib, the Hazoori Raagi Jatha of Bhai Rai Singh delighted the present devotees with melodious Kirtan. Head Granthi of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Malkit Singh performed the ‘Ardas’ (prayer) and read the sacred ‘Hukamnama’ (order of the Almighty Lord) on this occasion.
Addressing the gathering on this occasion, the SGPC appointed Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said that the concept of Miri-Piri teaches us to fight against tyranny while practicing religion. He added that by wearing the two swords of Miri and Piri, the sixth Sikh master Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji had made it clear to the oppressive Mughal regime that its atrocities on common masses will not long last. “History is evident of how the Khalsa Panth fought against oppression following the teachings of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji and the Sikhs didn’t even refrain from attaining martyrdom” he said.
Giani Gurbachan Singh appealed the Sikh masses to adopt the concept of Miri-Piri to fight against injustices and for the high spirit of the Sikh community.
The words Miri and Piri in Sikh tradition denote the temporal and spiritual components of life. The term, Miri Piri represents, for Sikhs, the basic principle that has influenced their political thought and governed their social structure, political behavior, organization, leadership and politics since the origin of the concept by Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (1595 – 1644) in 1606 as the sixth Guru or prophet-mentor of the Sikhs, when as part of the investiture he wore on his person two swords, one representing Miri (political) command of the community and the Piri, spiritual leadership.
