Chandigarh, October 5, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
The Institute of Sikh Studies. Chandigarh, a lecture was organized as part of an ongoing lecture series dedicated to the late Dr. Gurbhagwant Singh Kahlon (the first Milk Commissioner of Punjab).
The subject of today’s lecture was “The Last Sermon of Guru Amardas ji and the Contemporary Sikh Society.” This lecture was delivered by Dr. Jaswant Singh, Director of the Sikh Research Institute. The lecture was presided over by renowned Sikh scholar Professor Avatar Singh.
Dr. Jaswant Singh reflected deeply with the audience on the life, writings, and teachings of Guru Amardas ji for the Sikh community. He highlighted that, despite his advanced age, Guru Amardas ji carried out significant and memorable tasks for the Sikh world.
He expanded the langar tradition and mandated that anyone who came to meet him must first partake in the langar in a spirit of equality, regardless of social status or background. This was a major step toward ending the evil of caste discrimination and fostered brotherhood even among Hindus and Muslims.
When Emperor Akbar came to meet Guru Ji, he too had to partake in langar before being meets. Through this tradition, the barriers of high and low, and caste divisions, began to break down, and people started to share each other’s joys and sorrows as equals.
Guru ji also worked to abolish the custom of women wearing veils and staying hidden, and women began to come to the congregation openly. He also entrusted women with the duty of preaching.
Guru Amardas ji composed the Anand Sahib and introduced the Sikh marriage ceremony, Anand Karaj, where the lavaan are recited from this sacred hymn. His writings made a significant contribution to strengthening the foundation of the Sikh faith.
In addition to pauris, ashtpadis, chhants, chaar vaaran, patti, alaahniyaan, and other important compositions, Guru Amardas collected the bani of the previous Gurus and initiated efforts to transcribe it into scripture.
He established 22 manjis across different regions for the spread of Gurmat and, before merging with the divine, gave special instructions to his family and the congregation. These instructions were later recorded in writing by his great-grandson Baba Sundar ji and were included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Arjan Dev ji under the title “Ramkali Sadh.” This scripture later became the foundation of Sikh ceremonies.
Dr. Jaswant Singh remarked that in the present day, Sikhs have abandoned the teachings of the Gurus and are falling back into ritualistic practices. It took nearly 240 years for the Gurus to establish the high and pure philosophy of Gurmat, but why have these values eroded in today’s time?
In his presidential address, Dr. Avtar Singh noted that today’s Sikhs are drifting away from Gurbani and are now limited to merely bowing before Guru Granth Sahib.
Modern-day Sikhs are disconnecting from the “Shabad Guru” and are instead running after Dehdhari Baba. He emphasized that Gurmat teaches that while engaging in devotion, one must always view the Divine as present before them. For this path of devotion, Guru gave strength to renounce hypocrisy, ego, and all negative tendencies, as these are obstacles to true devotion.
S. Gurbir Singh Machaki efficiently handled the role of stage secretary during this lecture. He shed light on the discussions and seminars being held by the Institute and highlighted the institution’s primary goals to the audience.
He pointed out that the evils creeping into Sikh society today should be addressed by Sikh intellectuals who should guide Sikhs according to the philosophy of Gurmat.
Due to a lack of guidance, lapses in Sikh conduct and traditions have occurred, which allowed the priestly class to reestablish itself—something Guru Nanak had termed the “chain of desolation.” Lt. Gen. R.S. Sujlana, President of the Institute, welcomed the scholars and attendees, and Dr. Khushhal Singh expressed thanks to all present.
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