• Welcome to all New Sikh Philosophy Network Forums!
    Explore Sikh Sikhi Sikhism...
    Sign up Log in

Amrit Sanchar Ceremony

gascosikh

SPNer
Mar 20, 2008
9
6
Greetings Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki fateh

I am new to Sikh faith and wish to take Amrit soon. But I am desperate to find the plain clothes that are appropriate for the ceremony. I am a small female and have simply decided to get a mens white kurta pajama. I don't want to wear anything inappropriate. The other K's have not been hard for me to find, but the simple kurta pajama unisex are very difficult as most are gaudy and made for Hindu Puja etc.

Can anyone tell me a good quality but not too high cost place to acquire these? I would be greatly appreciative. So far I am having one made in India but it is expensive ship to US. Should I just buy the cloth and have it tailored?

Many many thanks, laura
 

spnadmin

1947-2014 (Archived)
SPNer
Jun 17, 2004
14,500
19,219
Laura,

Where in the US are you located? And if you have the patience to work with several Internet sites, several links to follow up, you may save some money.

Your clothing has to be white, new and made of cotton (forum members correct me if I am wrong about this).

On one site that I located, you can get pants and a short cotton caftan (which looks exactly like a kurta -- top or shirt). Think you may have to wear a white tee under it though because the cotton is very fine. They have extra small sizes.

But we cannot post a commercial link in a discussion thread. So if you are interested in having the link, you may have to send me a private message.
 

gascosikh

SPNer
Mar 20, 2008
9
6
Sat Nam, Thank you, I would be very interested--thank you so very very kindly!

laura

Laura,

Where in the US are you located? And if you have the patience to work with several Internet sites, several links to follow up, you may save some money.

Your clothing has to be white, new and made of cotton (forum members correct me if I am wrong about this).

On one site that I located, you can get pants and a short cotton caftan (which looks exactly like a kurta -- top or shirt). Think you may have to wear a white tee under it though because the cotton is very fine. They have extra small sizes.

But we cannot post a commercial link in a discussion thread. So if you are interested in having the link, you may have to send me a private message.
 
Apr 4, 2007
934
29
Your clothing has to be white, new and made of cotton (forum members correct me if I am wrong about this).


i believe that is only true for 3HO sikhs. at my amrit sanchar, women just wore plain everyday salwar kameez's... actually, i think i was the only one there wearing white. :) remember that in punjabi culture, white is the color of mourning, so it's usually only worn by widows.

any simple clothing will be fine. you can purchase a plain cotton salwar suit at any indian clothing shop, or online, just type salwar kameez in google and you'll find a ton of them.

kurta pajama is more of a men's outfit... i've never actually seen a woman wearing one, it might come across as out of place. just a thought. :)
 
Feb 14, 2006
512
31
Your clothing has to be white, new and made of cotton..

i believe that is only true for 3HO sikhs.
Thank you Jasleen Ji for answering. I never heard of this either. Jatha where they all dress in white makes sense though. From that yoga angle, coming from Hindu renunciate traditions, maybe the white represents death of self.
 
Apr 4, 2007
934
29
Thank you Jasleen Ji for answering. I never heard of this either. Jatha where they all dress in white makes sense though. From that yoga angle, coming from Hindu renunciate traditions, maybe the white represents death of self.


i think you are right. nanaksaris wear white turbans as a symbol of death of ego. maybe it is the same for 3HO.

also, in the west, white represents purity, a purity we regain when we receive amrit. that's why i chose to wear white. :)
 

gascosikh

SPNer
Mar 20, 2008
9
6
I am taking Amrit tomorrow... :eek:
I am going to be taking Amrit at the Sikh Gurdwara tomorrow at 3AM. My elderly Sikh friend is not even allowed in. Only 3 other people and myself are taking the amrit. Geez I did not think I would be so nervous! :confused:I am freaking out! I want it all to go well. I am so afraid I'll be asked to recite something and will not know what to say! I told the panj that I don't speak Gurmukhi or Paanjabi and he says it is OK. He says I can help him learn English!:idea:

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA! WAHEGURU JI KA FATEH!

Blessings to all the Sikhs out there, those taking/taken Amrit and all who have not yet taken the plunge.

Laura (Simran Kaur)-we'll see if they accept this nam at Amrit...
 

spnadmin

1947-2014 (Archived)
SPNer
Jun 17, 2004
14,500
19,219
Gascosikh!
Congratulations and all of God's blessings upon you. I am excited for you. And I hope that you and your friend, and your family, do something really special afterward.

A nice dinner. Go to a park.

This is extremely good news. Thank you for letting us know.
 

futurekaur

SPNer
Sep 10, 2007
88
7
North Carolina
Gascosikh;
congratulations! what a great step. I'm so impressed. I hope everything goes well for you and you have a big celebration.
for the future this link should be usefu to obtain sikh goods:

why wouldn't they let her Sikh friend observe the Amrit ceremony? I didn't think it was private.

no commercial sites permitted in the forum or in the blogs. you meant well. the thing to do is to send gascosikh the link by private message.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Gyani Jarnail Singh

Sawa lakh se EK larraoan
Mentor
Writer
SPNer
Jul 4, 2004
7,708
14,381
75
KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA
The Khandeh Batte dee PAHUL (Amrit) ceremony is an INITIATION RITE for memebership of the Guru Khalsa Panth Brotherhood.
It is a PRIVATE Ceremony guarded by a SEWADAAR who stands outside the closed door. ( Guru Gobind Singh Ji also performed this in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib in a Closed TENT).
The Abhilakhees ( initiates ) , the PANJ and the Sixth sewadaar in attendance to the SGGS are the ONLY ones allowed into the Room. The seventh sewadaar stands guard outside so no interference/interruptions/disturbances etc. Finally at the Conclusion the newly KHALSA SINGHS/KAURS are taken to the Main darbaar and matha tek to SGGS and everyoen in the snagat can see them in their new Khalsa Roles.
Thus this is not a "show" or public performance. It is striclty between the GURU and his Disciple who is going to GIVE HIS/HER HEAD in return for the Amrit.
Gyani jarnail Singh
 

DONNA

SPNer
Jul 24, 2008
5
0
UK
Amrit Sanskar (Ceremony of Khande di Pahul) -1


[SIZE=-1]a. Ceremony of Khande di Pahul( Amrit Sanskar) should be held at an exclusive place away from common human traffic. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]b. At the place where the ceremony is to be administered, the holy Guru Granth Sahib should be installed and ceremonially opened. Also present should be six committed Amritdhari Sikhs, one of whom should sit in attendance of the Guru Granth Sahib and the other five should be there to administer the Khande di Pahul. These six may even include Sikh women. All of them must have taken bath and washed their hair. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]c. The five beloved (Panj Piyare) ones who administer Khande di Pahul should not include a disabled person, such as a person who is blind or blind in one eye, lame, one with a broken or disabled limb, or one suffering from some chronic disease. The number should not include anyone who has committed a breach of the Sikh discipline and principles. All of them should be committed Amritdhari Sikhs with appealing personalities. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]d. Any man or woman of any country, religion or caste who embraces Sikhism and solemnly undertakes to abide by its principles is entitled to Khande di Pahul(Amrit). [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]The person to be Amritdhari , should not be of very young age; he or she should have attained a plausible degree of discretion. The person to be Amritdhari must have taken bath and washed the hair and must wear all five K's- Kesh (unshorn hair), strapped Kirpan (sword),. Kachhehra (prescribed shorts), Kanga (Comb tucked in the tied up hair), Karha (Steel bracelet). He/she must not have on his/her person any token of any other faith. He/she must not have his/her head bare or be wearing a cap. He/she must not be wearing any ornaments piercing through any part of the body. The persons to be Amritdhari must stand respectfully with hands folded facing the Guru Granth Sahib. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]e. Anyone seeking Khande di Pahul again, having committed an aberration, should be singled out and the five beloved ones should award chastisement to hinilber in the presence of the congregation. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]f. One from amongst the five beloved ones administerning Khande di Pahul to persons seeking to be Amritdhari should explain the principles of the Sikh religion to them: [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]The Sikh religion advocates the renunciation of the worship of any created thing, and rendering of worship and loving devotion to, and meditating on, the One Supreme Creator. For the fulfilment of such devotion and meditation, reflection on the contents of Gurbani and practising of its tenets, participation in the congregational services, rendering service to the Panth, benevolent exertion (to promote the good of others), love of God's name (loving reflection on and experience of the Divine), living within the Sikh discipline after getting Amrit etc. are the principal means. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]He should conclude his exposition of the principles of Sikh religion with the query : Do you accept these willingly? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]g. On an affirmative response from the seekers of Khande di Pahul, one from amongst the five beloved ones should perform the Ardas for the preparation of Khande di Pahul and take the holy Hukam (command) The five beloved ones should come close to the bowl for preparing the Khande di Pahul. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]h. The bowl should be of pure steel and it should be placed on a clean steel ring or other clean support. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]i. Clean water and sugar puffs should be put in the bowl and the five beloved ones should sit around it in bir posture(Bir Assan) and recite the undermentioned scriptural compositions. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]j. The scriptural composition to be recited are : The Japuji, The Jaap, The Ten Sawayyas (commencing with Sarawag Sud), The Bainti Chaupai (From "hamri karo hath dai rachha" to "dusht dokh te leho te bachai") and Anand Sahib. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]k. Each of the five beloved ones who recites the scripture should hold the edge of the bowl with his left hand and keep stirring the water with a (Khanda) double-edged sword held in his right hand. He should do that with full concentration. The rest of the beloved ones should keep gripping the edge of the bowl with both hands concentrating their full attention on the Khande di Pahul. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]l. After the conclusion of the recitation, one from amongst the beloved ones should perform the Ardas. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]m. Only that person seeking Amrit who has participated in the entire ceremony of Amrit Sanchar can be Amritdhari. One who has turned up while the ceremony was in progress cannot be given Khande di Pahul. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]n. After the Ardas as thinking of our Father, the Tenth Nanak Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, the wearer of the aigrette, every person seeking to be Amritdhari should sit in Bir Assan , putting his/her right hand cupped on the left cupped hand and be made to drink the Amrit five times, as the beloved one who pours the mix into his cupped hand exclaims : say, Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh! (The Khalsa is of the Wondrous Destroyer of darkness; victory, too, is His!) The person being Amritdhari should after imbibing the Amrit, repeat : Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh. Then five handfuls of the Amrit should he sprinkled into the eyes of the person being Amrit and another five into his hair. Each such sprinkling should be accompanied by the beloved one administering Amrit saying, "Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh", and the person getting Amrit repeating the chant. Whatever Amrit is left over after the administration of the Khande di Pahul (Amrit) to all individual seekers, should be sipped by all (men and women) Amritdharies, together. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]o. After this the five beloved ones, all together in chorus communicating the name of Waheguru to all who have been administered the Khande di Pahul, recite to them the Mul Mantar and make them repeat it aloud : [/SIZE]

See amrit sanchar Ceremony-2

Sat Sri Akal,

When I read this description of the amrit ceremony something bothered me-section c states that those administering the Khande di Pahul should not be disabled or ill. How can this be as everyone is equal. Surely what matters is that the person is amritdhari and not whether they are able-bodied or not. I stepped onto the Sikhi path quite recently mainly because of it's belief in equality and that we are all the same under one god -which is an absolute truth-therefore, I do not understand and cannot accept part of the above account. Can this be correct. I would be very grateful to hear everyone's views on this matter.

Kind regards.

Donna.
 

BhagatSingh

SPNer
Apr 24, 2006
2,921
1,656
Sat Sri Akal,

When I read this description of the amrit ceremony something bothered me-section c states that those administering the Khande di Pahul should not be disabled or ill. How can this be as everyone is equal. Surely what matters is that the person is amritdhari and not whether they are able-bodied or not. I stepped onto the Sikhi path quite recently mainly because of it's belief in equality and that we are all the same under one god -which is an absolute truth-therefore, I do not understand and cannot accept part of the above account. Can this be correct. I would be very grateful to hear everyone's views on this matter.

Kind regards.

Donna.
[SIZE=-1]"n. After the Ardas as thinking of our Father, the Tenth Nanak Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, the wearer of the aigrette, every person seeking to be Amritdhari should sit in Bir Assan "[/SIZE]
Would like to add on to Donna's comment that not everyone can sit in a Bir Assan.
 

Gyani Jarnail Singh

Sawa lakh se EK larraoan
Mentor
Writer
SPNer
Jul 4, 2004
7,708
14,381
75
KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA
The "Requirements" of Bir-Assan, having One Hand on the Batta Edge and the other stirring the KHanda, keeping BOTH eyes on the Amrit...are PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS.
This has absolutley nothing to do with "Equality..discrimination..whatever. Just as a" Physically Blind " cannot be a pilot/driver....(simplistic example)...so a paraplegic cannot hold the khanda/stir the Amrit...or sit in Bir Assan....and simialrly a BLIND person wouldnt be able to concentrate on the Amarit with hsi eyesight....and a MUTE wouldnt be able to RECITE the Banis necessary....
I have had to answer this sort of queries umpteen times in the past 30 years of my academic life....and my reply is always as above. The "physical qualities" are not meant to discriminate..BUT FACILITATE the proper procedire for preparing the PAHUL and Administration of Amrit.
2. The Amrit is administered into the KESH....and into the EYES besides being given to be drunk by the abhilakhees.

Gyani JS
 

BhagatSingh

SPNer
Apr 24, 2006
2,921
1,656
The "Requirements" of Bir-Assan, having One Hand on the Batta Edge and the other stirring the KHanda, keeping BOTH eyes on the Amrit...are PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS.
This has absolutley nothing to do with "Equality..discrimination..whatever. Just as a" Physically Blind " cannot be a pilot/driver....(simplistic example)...so a paraplegic cannot hold the khanda/stir the Amrit...or sit in Bir Assan....and simialrly a BLIND person wouldnt be able to concentrate on the Amarit with hsi eyesight....and a MUTE wouldnt be able to RECITE the Banis necessary....
I have had to answer this sort of queries umpteen times in the past 30 years of my academic life....and my reply is always as above. The "physical qualities" are not meant to discriminate..BUT FACILITATE the proper procedire for preparing the PAHUL and Administration of Amrit.
2. The Amrit is administered into the KESH....and into the EYES besides being given to be drunk by the abhilakhees.

Gyani JS
n. After the Ardas as thinking of our Father, the Tenth Nanak Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, the wearer of the aigrette, every person seeking to be Amritdhari should sit in Bir Assan

 

Gyani Jarnail Singh

Sawa lakh se EK larraoan
Mentor
Writer
SPNer
Jul 4, 2004
7,708
14,381
75
KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA
Bhagat Singh Ji, Gurfateh.
Yes each amrit abhilakhee is to be in a position of Bir Assan..BUT IF he/she CANNOT be ( for any reason) then I dont think this negates initiation. A Blind person can be initiated even though his eyes cannot receive the amrit....Anyone inlcuidng the paraplegics and the handicapped are ALLOWED to BOARD the SHIP of GURU NANAK-GURU GOBIND SINGH JI.....only the "CAPTAIN and His CREW ...(Panj) ...need to be able bodied/sighted/best of the best. IF it was the other way around..these woudl be "specifically EXCLUDED..as the clauses about the PANJ are self expalnatory.
Warm regards
Gyani JS:yes:
 
Top