Turn of the century, in 1699
Vaisakhi festival was coming
it was a special occasion
Anandpur was humming
Sikhs were invited from afar
to join a special occasion
and many thousands arrived
filling the tents and pavilions
Huge crowds gathered
something was in the air
it began with prayers
the Guru himself was there
the Guru stepped on the dais
and from where he stood
he pulled his sword and raised it
causing a stir, no one understood
he spoke, pathos in his voice
“I want a gallant head,” he said
“sacrifice of a life is needed
for the cause that lies ahead”
Silence fell on those assembled
the Sikh sangat was stunned
the weak were scared and left
Guru’s voice rose above everyone
Daya of Lahore made a move
he stood tall in the gathering's eye
" take my head, my Lord", he said
" by thy sword, I am glad to die"
The Guru led Daya to a tent
a sound was heard inside, a thud
and when the Guru emerged
his sword was steeped in blood
the Guru was back on the dais
his sword was raised, they eyed
he looked at them and then
“I need another head”, he cried
more Sikhs left the gathering
only the brave ones stayed
the lot were in a state of shock
as Dharam got up and obeyed
Once again, they entered the tent
and the Guru emerged repeating
“yet another head is needed” it was hotting up in the meeting
Mokkam, Himmat and Sahib
offered themselves for the cause
each in turn was led to the tent
but then there was a pause
the Guru emerged this time
with those five, all neatly attired
the gathering jumped in joy
thrilled at what transpired
the men were clad in saffron
and their turbans were blue
the assembled looked admiringly
and relished the precious view
the Guru praised the five
their courage and devotion
the men bowed in humility
charged with much emotion
these five beloved men
with death defying genes
were the first of the Khalsa
Panj Pyaras on the scene
this was a special task
assigned by God to the Guru
who now prayed for the Khalsa
to be blessed with true virtues
the Guru then prepared
Amrit to baptise these men
to impart valour, caring love
Guru‘s grace, true religion
it was made in an iron urn
wherein water was poured
some sugar was stirred in
with a double edged sword
sugar was specially added
to comply with Jeetoji's view
thus blending in this nectar
sweet feminine virtues too
divine hymns were chanted
and these were repeated
till the Amrit ceremony
was finally completed
with swords in the hands
and on the left knee poised
as soldiers in a combat pose
the five were first baptised
Palmful of the holy Amrit
was passed to each in turn
they sipped it and uttered
these holy words in unison
"Waheguru ji ka Khalsa,
Waheguru ji ki Fateh" both Khalsa and the victory
come from God Almighty
they were anointed, as Amrit
was sprinkled on their face
on their body and the hair
then in a final act of grace
Amrit was sipped by the five
from the same common urn
a brotherhood was fostered
and new values were won
the Guru himsef was baptised
the five assisted in the act
others were invited to join
they did, with great respect
many thousands on that day
came into the Khalsa fold
the order of Khalsa was ready
an order of kind and the bold
II
Remembering Sardar Jaswinder Singh Chadha
It is with deep regret that I report on the passing away of Jaswinder Singh at his home in London.
Jaswinder Singh was born in Bewal, now in Pakistan, in 1935 and moved to Delhi during the partition of India. He won a scholarship to study Chemistry at St Stephen's College, Delhi, later moving to England as a research scientist with Unilever in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. He was an exceptional scientist and had several papers published in well known journals. In his spare time he was a keen poet and had a number of poems published in England in the late 60s including two in "Contemporary Poets of 1971", published by Regency Press in London. He later changed careers and started in business which gave him the opportunity to travel to far flung places around the globe.
During the last fifteen years he devoted much of his time to the study of the Sikh religion and the Sikh Gurus. He re-kindled his interest in writing poetry, but this time taking the Sikh Gurus as his inspiration. He printed several leaflets containing his poems depicting the lives of the Gurus in an accessible format ideal for young Sikhs. Many of these poems were regularly published in the "Sikh Review" magazine and on many web sites. He then authored a complete anthology of poems entitled "Sikh Gurus, a poetic appreciation," published by Libroitaliano World, Italy in 1999.
Following the success of this collection he established the Sikh Research and Resource centre, advising many organizations on Sikh issues including elevision producers and publishers of religious education resources. He also completed a translation of the Jap Ji Sahib, again in English verse, which was also published in 1999. His last published work was finally completed in July of 2003 and is a book co-authored by Dr. Hakam Singh of CA, USA on the life and Bani of Guru Tegh Bahadur entitled, "India's Guru Martyr, Guru Tegh Bahadur." The dedication printed at the beginning of the book gives a brief insight into the things that Jaswinder Singh Ji valued.
"This book is dedicated to the ethical and honest. Thank God for these that the world carries on despite the visible and concealed carnage and destruction rough the egotists riding their bigoted high horses of untruth.
Many a man and woman have aspired to be recorded in history and have gone to extreme lengths to achieve this, often causing death and destruction. History is full of names. Some names like that of Aurangzeb provoke a feeling of revulsion, but there are innumerable others that are skipped over as if these were sheer words. Only when names like Ran, Krishan, Christ, Mohammed, Buddha, Guru Nanak or the saintly clan is mentioned, the reader pays his respects as he reads about them. Guru Tegh Bahdur has said this eternal truth:
What will last, is His Name, the saintly
And Glory of the Guru
Those who have contemplated in the world
O' Nanak, and followed the Guru's word
Let the ambitious beware that they will not last unless they get down to a life of love and service to the humanity, within the framework of God's will."
Jaswinder Singh was always keen on new technology and learnt the art of computing and desktop publishing, when many of his age try to stay away from them. He not only wrote his books but also type-set them himself. He was a regular contributor to the Gurmat Learning Zone and other Sikh mailing lists.
Jaswinder Singh was a loving family man, who leaves behind his wife, two sons and four grandchildren. A much loved man who touched so many people throughout his life.
If he won't flatter or indulge in slander
And values gold and iron, just the same
Nanak, listen my mind, such a man
May be regarded as a liberated person. (Salok M: 9 p. 1427)
