How is taking Amrit important on my spiritual journey? What is the importance of Amrit? How will society view me if I take Amrit? What does Amrit mean? When do you know you are ready to take Amrit? These are questions which many people have asked themselves regarding the concept of Amrit. I, myself, have asked these questions numerous times and the answer is found just from Guru Sahib. Over the course of this article, these questions are answered through gurbani lines, sakhis, and research.
There are various definitions used for Amrit in Gurbani. When looking at the literal definition, mrit means mortal and once we add the airhaa (ਅ) in front of the word it makes the word completely opposite. Amrit means immortal, without death, in this sense. In Gurbani Amrit also refers to naam and literal nectar. It is also key to know the history behind Amrit. Many people have the belief that Amrit was first created by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and that previous Gurus were not Amritdhari. There are two ways in Sikhi in which Amrit is obtained: Khande Di Pahul and Charan Di Pahul. Charan Di Pahul is how all of our Gurus before Guru Gobind Singh Ji obtained Amrit. Amrit was poured onto Guru's foot and then Sikhs would drink it and seek blessings from Guru Sahib. On the other hand, Khande Di Pahul was created during Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s time period. In Khande Di Pahul, the double-edged sword (khande) is stirred in water while reciting paath. This was created when the Khalsa Panth was formed, and many devotees of Guru Sahib were able to receive this Amrit.
Now Amrit is a very hard concept to describe, but it’s value to Sikhi is priceless. Amrit is a powerful and invaluable gift given to us by Guruji. Many people nowadays say, “Have you taken Amrit?” or “When will you take Amrit?” This word “take” implies that we're getting hold of something from our Guru, but this isn’t the case. When you give your head to the Guru and the Khalsa Panth, it’s at that moment you get the gift of Amrit from the Guru. Those who are ready and willing to give up their head for the Guru are the ones who are worthy to receive the gift of Amrit. The ultimate surrender to Guru Sahib is giving up the concept of duality and ego. We all say that there are three pillars in Sikhi. Naam Jaapo, Kirt Karo, and Vand Chako. Have I meditated, Have I given back to the community, and Have I earnt an honest living are all questions we are asking ourselves as Sikhs. However the reality is there is no “I”. The pillars of Sikhi are supposed to make us aware of the fact that there is no “I”. Thinking that there is builds up one's ego. We give our head to Guru Sahib by giving up our ego, giving up the “I” notion, giving up the concept of duality which we have created. This is considered the ultimate surrender to the Guru, and once we receive Amrit from Guru Sahib this is what we are declaring we are giving up in return.
Jin Ko Lagee Piaas Anmrith Saee Khaahi
Those who feel the thirst for you, take in you Ambrosial Nectar
In this line Amrit refers to Naam and to Amrit as literal nectar as well. The piaas (thirst) being talked about here is talking about that thirst for knowledge, that thirst for naam, that thirst for bani, that thirst for unity with Guru Sahib. Realizing that we have this thirst within us is how we start our life as an Amritdhari Sikh. Now many people might say that they haven’t felt this way, but when we comprehend Sikhi more and take time out of our day to do paath and understand the message Guru Sahib had been giving us for centuries this piaas for Amrit will come out itself. We can’t expect Amrit to just fall into our hands. We have to take the initiative to obtain more knowledge, obtain naam, obtain unity with Guru Sahib, which all comes back to taking Amrit, that first step to commitment with the Guru. Amrit is the initiation to the Khalsa Panth. Nowadays, we have made Amrit the last step in Sikhi, thinking that Amrit is the aim of this spiritual path to the Guru. Amrit is the initiation ceremony where one states,that they will now commit to the Guru. Now, can we really spiritually progress without taking Amrit, that first step? Let’s take a closer look at this concept. If you were with someone and engaged with someone, and they list all the reasons they like you and tell you they love spending time with you, but then go on to say, “I just don’t want to marry you”. Basically saying I want to be with you, but I don’t want to marry you. You can’t say that you want to be in a relationship with someone for the rest of your life and not marry or commit to them. Amrit is that marriage, marriage between you and Guru Sahib. There are no conditions in this journey with Guru Sahib, saying that I will do everything, but never commit to you. When we do more paath, more simran, and understand Sikhi more, that piaas (thirst) for Amrit will manifest itself. This goes back to the line stated above as well. This piaas for Amrit takes away our fear condoned with Amrit and replaces it with the want for Amrit, the thirst for Amrit. Falling in love with Sikhi and Guru Sahib shouldn’t be something we fear, it should be something we yearn for and this yearning will only come once we learn more. Starting off a relationship with Guru Sahib asserting that one will never commit or take Amrit, makes it harder for one to learn everything there is to learn about Sikhi. Setting barriers is going to create this spiritual path even harder.
Guru Sahib offers Amrit to each and every one of us and the door is always open to become a part of the Khalsa, but one has to be ready and willing to do so. Now how can one become ready on this journey to the Guru? Practice the way of life of an Amritdhari Sikh, practice reading bani, practice not cutting any of your kes, practice wearing your kakkars, and many more things as well stated in the rehat maryada. Physical features aren’t the only aspects of an Amritdhari Sikh. Learning that we are all equal and doing seva out of love, rather than obligation is principal. Your commitment to the Guru is shown when you take that first step to give up everything - ego, attachment, lust,- for the Guru. In society nowadays, the hardships that come with taking Amrit aren’t easy, but the gift which you are given is like no other. Many people have also turned away from Amrit, worried about what other people might say about them. Karmee Aapo Aapnee It’s you who determines your relationship with the guru and no one should be able to stop you from doing so. This path to Sikhi and ultimate goal to be united with Guru Sahib has no place for other people’s viewpoints. Although it might be hard to not fall subject to societal views, it is you who determines that your relationship with Guru Sahib and your Sangat as well can have lasting impact on your decisions in life. Keeping a good sangat around which accepts you for who you are and your path in Sikhi is very important.
Jo Tho Prem Khaelan Kaa Chaao
If you desire to play this game of love with Me,
Sir Dhar Talee Galee Maeree Aao
Then step onto My Path with your head in hand
Eit Maarag Pair Dhareejai
When you place your feet on this Path,
Sir Deejai Kaan n Keejai
Give me your head, and do not pay any attention to public opinion
Once you play this game of love and desire to play this game of love with Guru Sahib, then you should be willing to give your head up for the Guru. This means you should be willing to dispel all your ego, all your maya, houmai, kaam, etc. This doesn’t refer to physically giving your head up to the Guru, but instead refers to sacrificing your attachment to ego and materialistic things. This unconditional surrender to Guru Sahib is the game of love, and once you do so and step onto this path, all these opinions of other people will seem obsolete. Without this true love for the Guru, it is not possible to reach the Sikh goal in life, union with Guru Sahib. Without this true love it is also impossible to take that first step towards Guru Sahib, Amrit. Many people learn along the way after they take Amrit, many people have this love before they take Amrit, but without this love unity with Guru Sahib is impractical. The last line also refers to giving up one’s head to Guru Sahib, which stated earlier means giving up one’s ego. Giving up this ego and attachment to materialistic things in life helps us lose this attachment to public opinion as well, all given to us when we take this first step.
Than Man Dhhan Sabh Soup Gur Ko Hukam Manniai Paaeeai
Surrender body, mind, wealth, and everything to the Guru; obey the Order of His Will, and you will find Him
When you receive Amrit from the Guru in return for giving your head up, you are getting bliss as well in exchange for giving up all your ego and attachment. Although the title of my article may seem confusing, there is no such thing as the “importance” of Amrit, Amrit is priceless and it is very hard to describe, but what can be shown and described to show the “importance” is what Amrit gives you. Having full faith and trust in Guru Sahib is a very important concept in life. Once one understands the value of Sikhi, understands what the Sikh faith stands for, understands what the Guru is oneself, then all doubts and fear will be eradicated. Once we put that full faith into Guru Sahib, every obstacle doesn’t seem that hard anymore. Once all these doubts and fears are clear, giving your ego to the guru doesn’t seem like a difficulty or compromise, as many people say. One Sakhi which I would like to share, which helps me visualize this concept a bit more clearly is the story of Bhai Lehna Ji. Bhai Lehna Ji, also known as Guru Angad Dev Ji, was devoted completely to Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Sikhi. One day a congregation of Sikhs came to Kartarpur. It had been raining for days and days in Kartarpur and it was impossible to cook or make a fire, so there was no food for the Sikhs who had come. Guru Nanak Dev Ji believed that it would be inappropriate to not give these Sikhs food and shelter. He told his two sons Baba Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das to climb up a tree and shake it and then the tree shall rain sweets to serve the Sikhs. The tree is like any other tree, it was just made of leaves, no sweets or fruits were even visible. Both of his sons refused and made a mockery of what Guru Nanak Dev Ji was saying and so did many others as well. Bhai Lehna Ji, on the other hand, immediately climbed the tree and shook it. That instant, fruits, and sweets fell on the ground, just like Guru Nanak Dev Ji had mentioned. No one else was willing to do this, thinking that Guru Ji was wrong and doing so they would make a mockery of themselves. They didn’t have faith in Guru Ji. Something which seemed difficult to others was easy for Bhai Lehna Ji since he had this faith in Guru Sahib.
As a Sangat we have a duty to guide ourselves and others to take this first step in Sikhi, obtaining Amrit from Guru Sahib. Learning more about the beauty of Sikhi, the beauty of Guru Sahib, this piaas for Amrit will come out. Just keep in mind that after taking Amrit there is a lot more to do, which we can all learn from each other as a Sangat!
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Gurmehar Kaur, 17, NJ
Comments