This week, Sikhs around the world celebrate the birthday of the Khalsa. Remembering the world-changing event that took place in 1699, we recall the profound story of five brave Sikhs who offered their heads, and their lives, unconditionally to Guru Gobind Rai: Bhai Sahib Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkum Singh and Bhai Daya Singh. The Guru performed a special ceremony with these Five Beloved Ones, and created the order of the Khalsa. Then he, in turn, asked them to bring him into this order, changing his name to Guru Gobind Singh.
But Vaisakhi is not just a story of pure devotion and bravery. It is also a story of kindness. Mata Sahib Dev Kaur, it is said, put the sweets into the Amrit. It is that sweetness that we must not forget.
This year, during Vaiskahi, SikhNet will be focusing on Mata Sahib Dev Kaur as the Mother of this Spiritual Nation.
The life of Mata Sahib is one of great devotion to her Husband-Guru. She was truly not interested in worldly ambitions. All she wanted to do was meditate on Naam and serve her Husband. She was the embodiment of devotional bhagti. She was an angel on the earth. All who came into her presence were moved by her purity and spiritual attitude. Guru ji wisely deemed her to be the mother of the Khalsa. With great compassion she looks over all of us still. She too has the power to liberate us. We always remember Mata Sahib Kaur in our lives and especially during Vaisakhi. Let us know that there is no limit to remembering. We can always deepen our relationship with our mother. Sing for her, sit in her lap and share your love of the Guru with her.
When we sing Gurbani, if we sing sweetly from our hearts, we get the true benefit of our devotion. Mata ji, bless us. If we do seva and do not think of others besides our Guru, instead keeping our mind absorbed in love, then we get the benefit of our seva. Mata ji be with us. If we do gatka from our heart than we will do the true gatka. You are the mother of true warriors. If we refrain from ordinary thoughts while we put our turbans on and instead adorn ourselves with the love she adorns us with, than we will know how she cares for us.
There is little written in books about Mata Sahib but there is much written in the hearts of the Guru's beloveds. Many true saints and warriors know more than could be written in books.
If there are differing views on certain aspects of her life, we just want to encourage the attitude that it matters more if one single word has helped us to know her better. Whatever helps us to bring her into our hearts, let us do that thing. She has the power to unite us with her Husband!
From all of us at SikhNet, we wish you a happy and blessed Vaisakhi!
Remember your mother and remember that this is Our Sweetest of Birthdays.
LIVE Vaisakhi Broadcast on SikhNet.com:
The global sangat is invited to participate in the Vaisakhi Celebrations from Los Angeles, California, via live stream broadcast. The live stream will begin approximately 7:00 am Pacific Standard Time on Sunday, April 13th.
- We will be featuring videos and articles discussing Vaisakhi and Mata Sahib Dev Kaur. (some articles in the news will not be on the home page. Just click on the ‘NEWS’ tab this week.)
- We have selected our Vaisakhi video picks which will be featured on the SikhNet homepage.
Enjoy this other content SikhNet has selected for
this year's Vaisakhi celebration!
Katha of Mata Sahib Kaur Ji's Jeevani
She is your mother, who is she? Only those who know and love their mother will understand the blessing of a relationship with her. Children of the Guru won't hesitate to hug their Guru Mata.
Great is she, and fortunate are her children!!
Mata Sahib Kaur - Katha
The Khalsa Panth has a Mother, her name is Mata Sahib Kaur. The love she gave her child Khalsa cannot be captured into words, her blessings to us are beyond the senses. Listen and be blessed!
Vaisakhi: Lions, not Goats
Shanti Kaur Khalsa explains the different versions of the Vaisakhi story: In some of them Guru tricks the crowd by using goats, and in some versions the 5 beloveds truly and literally give their heads.
Audio Story
Vaisakhi - Birth of the Khalsa
After his father left his body Guru Gobind Rai knew the time of the warrior had arrived. The gentle and serviceful Sikhs needed to have the strength of steel for the times ahead. How would he give them this power?
Articles
The First Vaisakhi, 1699
Three hundred years ago, the finite being known as Guru Gobind Singh could see the unseen times to come. He said not a word from himself because he was not himself. He was the very Self of God....
What is Baisakhi to me?
Sometimes the mind debates with the soul. This is a lovely depiction of such a debate. Open your heart, read this and say Sat Nam!
The Day I Bowed and Gave My Head
"In order to keep my bana I must keep working on the core, the heart; keep my head bowed low, serve everyone and let the other, even if he or she is not Amritdhari, have the humbling and divine experience of..."
