Charnamrit

Bhai Kahan Singh Of Nabha has done a great and valuable service to the Sikh-Panth.His knowledge of the Sikh Scriptures and history is very deep and profound.But he had three questions which needs to the further explanation from the new generations in the light of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji,  to make them clear to the congregation.Those questions are on the pages no. 457, 433 and 939 of Gurshabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh.They are concerned with Charnamrit, Gangu and Mackey-Madine Di Gosat respectively.On the page no. 457 Bhai Kahan Singh defined the theory of Chanamrit of Sanatan Dharma or called the Hindu Dharam.The Hindu community washes the idols or the feet of their gurus or their advisors(Updeshaks).This is extremely true, but his definition of Sikh Charnamrit or Charan-Pahul needs further explanation from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the history of the Sikh Gurus. The Almighty Guru confirms that ---Nanak Sodhey Simrat Ved Parbrahm Gur Nahin Bhed--Pious page no. 1142 of SGGS.On the Great page no.      the Almighty Guru gives the definition of Charnamrit as---Gur Ke Charan Shabad Satgur Ko Nanak Bandheo Pal---.In these Pious lines the Great Guru says that the feet of the Almighty God is the Shabad of the Almighty Satguru only which Nanak has firmly taken of.This means the reciting of Gurbani or His Name is His Charans(His feet).In the light of this Great Shabad and Guru-History,let us define this word. Bhai Gurdas-1 has defined in his War---

 

"Sodar Arti Gaweai Amrit Wele Jap Uchara"In this Pauri Bhai Sahib Ji talked about that Soder Pauri which has been included both in Japji Sahib and Rehras Sahib. From the first Satguru, the Sikh was made in the morning or evening by Pauri --Sodar Tera Keha-----and Dhanasari mahala-1---Gagan Mah Thal Rav(i) Chand Deepak Bane--Pious page no.13 of SGGS.In the life periods of first and second Nanak the recitation of Sri Japji Sahib and Dhanasari Mahala-1 continued When the third Nanak came the same procedure continued upto Sammat 1660 corresponding to 1603 when Sri Anand Sahib was written at the birth of Bhai Anand Ji.Then Anand Sahib was also introduced with Sri Japji Sahib and Aarti Shabad.At that time there was one Shabad of the Aarti.Then came the fourth and fifth Nanak  and this procedure continued till ninth Nanak that is Satguru Teg Bahadur Ji.and the tenth Nanak that is Satguru Gobind Rai Ji.Upto March 30, 1699 the same method continued but on the first of Baisakh it was converted  to Khanda-Bata-Amrit by Satguru Gobind Rai and he became Satguru Gobind Singh Ji.

This was the distance(Safar) or march of Charnamrit which was merged in to Khanda-Bata-Amrit.Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa,Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh.

Bibliography.

1.Darpan by Prof. Sahib Singh

2.Shabdarath by S.G.P.C. Sri Amritsar

3.Steek by Baba Gurbachan Singh of Damdami Taksal

4.Waran Bhai Gurdas-1

5.Gurshabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh by Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha.

Copyright 2008 by Harpal Singh Kasoor.