Women Not Allowed to Take Amrit?

[Sikh Theology]

Recently came across a shocking and disappointing post on social media, which spoke praisingly about the exclusion of women from the Khanday-ke-Pahul Amrit Sanchar ceremony which would officially affirm them as Khalsa Sikhs.

You can read for yourself what this account, called Akaali Chronicles, posted:

While this poster has disguised the “Kirpan Amrit” as a means to allow women to “preserve their femininity”, the purpose should be clear to any individual who is being honest with themself: the segregating practice is intended to maintain men as the receivers of the full benefits and rewards of the Khalsa status, while keeping women in a lower position.

We may believe that these practices are behind us, but we have heard of them taking place even in Surrey, BC, a place that is generally forward and liberal when it comes to female equality.

We have heard of these same groups conducting Amrit Sanchars in our local area in which the “lower fourth castes” are ostracized and purposely given Amrit last and separately, as to not “contaminate” the Amrit bata.

In the 21st century, it is disheartening that these practices can continue to take place; and that, too, outside of India, among the educated and supposedly forward generations of the diaspora.

In previous generations, the knowledgeable and brave Gurmukhs of the past spoke out against these practices. For instance, Baba Jarnail Singh Bhinderawale is seen admonishing this practice of having a separate “Kirpan Amrit” for women:

Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Ji has also spoken out against discriminative practices in Amrit Sanchars, writing:

ਇਹ ਇਤਫ਼ਾਕ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਉਸ ਸਮੇਂ ਪੰਜ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜੋ ਨਿਤਰੇ, ਉਹ ਗਿਣਵੇਂ ਪੰਜ ਵਰਨਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਹੀ ਸਨ। ਇਸ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਭਾਵ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਿ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਜਾਤੀ ਆਦਿਕ ਹੋਰ ਸਾਰੇ ਵਰਨ ਵਾਂਝੇ ਰਖੇ ਗਏ, ਜੈਸਾ ਕਿ ਝੀਵਰ, ਨਾਈ ਆਦਿਕ ਵਰਨਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਲਏ ਗਏ। ਪੰਜਾਂ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਿਸਾਲ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਅੱਜ ਕੱਲ੍ਹ ਦੇ ਥੋੜ-ਦਿਲੇ ਵਰਨ-ਆਸ਼ਰਮੀ ਹਮਾਕਤ-ਬਾਜ਼ ਇਹ ਪ੍ਰਗਟ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਗੇਣਵੇਂ ਵਰਨ-ਆਸ਼ਰਮ ਹੀ ਪੰਜ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰੀ ਬੰਦਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਹੋਰ ਕੋਈ ਵਰਨ-ਆਸ਼ਰਮੀ ਬੰਦਾ ਪੰਜਾਂ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਲਿਆ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ।

ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਜਾਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਆਮ ਹਿੰਦਵੈਣੀ ਅਕੀਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਸ਼ੂਦਰ ਜਾਤੀ ਵਿਚ ਸ਼ੁਮਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਸੀ, ਜੋ ਅੱਜ ਕਲ੍ਹ ਓਸੇ ਘਟੀਅਲ ਅਕੀਦੇ ਵਾਲੇ ਨਾਈ ਝੀਵਰ' ਆਦਿਕ ਪੰਜਾਂ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਿਸਾਲ ਵਾਲੇ ਕੁਸਮਝ ਲੋਗ ਕੁਸਮਝੀ ਬੈਠੇ ਹਨ। ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਹੀ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਪੁਰਸ਼ ਆਨ ਵਰਨ-ਆਸ਼ਰਮਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਸਮੇਸ਼ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਜਾਏ। ਏਥੋਂ ਤਕ ਕਿ ਮੁਹੰਮਦੀਆਂ ਚੌਥੇ ਪੌੜੇ ਵਾਲੇ (ਅਖਾਉਤੀ ਰੰਘਰੇਟ) ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਖੰਡੇ ਦੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਦਾ ਬਾਟਾ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਉਚ ਦੁਮਾਲੜੇ ਵਾਲਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਜਾਇਆ।
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਸਮੇਸ਼ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਚੌਜ ਨਿਰਾਲਾ ਹੈ।



Roughly translated, this means:

Today, some narrow-minded, caste-obsessed fools, citing the example of the five beloved ones, claim that only those from the five castes (from which they came) can be part of the five Beloved Ones, excluding all others. It was a coincidence that the five beloved ones who stepped forward at that time were from the five castes. This does not mean that women or other castes were excluded. Today, some narrow-minded, caste-obsessed fools, citing the example of the five beloved ones, claim that only those from the counted five castes can be part of the five beloved ones, excluding all others.

Women were, in the general Hindu population, categorized under the Shudar low-caste by the general Hindu population. Nowadays, those types of same low-thinking, ignorant people, coming among the Panj Pyarey, are sitting with this misunderstanding.
Countless women and men were baptized by Sri Dasmesh Ji. Even Muslims and those from the fourth caste (referred to as Ranghreta) were given the nectar of the sword and adorned with “Uch Dumalaray” (high turbans). This act of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji was unique.

These Anti-Gurmat practices have been rejected over and over again over many years by the Bahadur, Soojhvan, and Naam-Rasiye Gurmukhs of the past.

Why, despite being banned by the Akal Takhat, are the creeping back into the Panth?

 

[swarn bains]

women are allowed to take amrit. who is this idiot spreading rumors

 

[sunny1]

It's not gender discrimination. Khalsa is an army and its suppose to be masculine. Khalsa is a masculine dharam. Women can take kirpan da pahul.

 

[Harkiran Kaur]

It's not gender discrimination. Khalsa is an army and its suppose to be masculine. Khalsa is a masculine dharam. Women can take kirpan da pahul.

You'd be very upset then at my chosen career. I have spent 20 years in the Canadian military. Khalsa was created to unite. Not divide. It's known that Mai Bhago took amrit (not this so called half baked kirpan version) and Mata Sahib Kaur took it the very first day. As did may others.

 

[swarn bains]

well done kiren. great how are you

 

[Warriorlight]

It's not gender discrimination. Khalsa is an army and its suppose to be masculine. Khalsa is a masculine dharam. Women can take kirpan da pahul.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji did the amrit ceremony in a way that did not discriminate between the sexes, because the Gurus taught Equality, both of women and men, and also all human beings (and beyond).

 

[Warriorlight]

Recently came across a shocking and disappointing post on social media, which spoke praisingly about the exclusion of women from the Khanday-ke-Pahul Amrit Sanchar ceremony which would officially affirm them as Khalsa Sikhs.

You can read for yourself what this account, called Akaali Chronicles, posted:

View attachment 23263

While this poster has disguised the “Kirpan Amrit” as a means to allow women to “preserve their femininity”, the purpose should be clear to any individual who is being honest with themself: the segregating practice is intended to maintain men as the receivers of the full benefits and rewards of the Khalsa status, while keeping women in a lower position.

We may believe that these practices are behind us, but we have heard of them taking place even in Surrey, BC, a place that is generally forward and liberal when it comes to female equality.

We have heard of these same groups conducting Amrit Sanchars in our local area in which the “lower fourth castes” are ostracized and purposely given Amrit last and separately, as to not “contaminate” the Amrit bata.

In the 21st century, it is disheartening that these practices can continue to take place; and that, too, outside of India, among the educated and supposedly forward generations of the diaspora.

In previous generations, the knowledgeable and brave Gurmukhs of the past spoke out against these practices. For instance, Baba Jarnail Singh Bhinderawale is seen admonishing this practice of having a separate “Kirpan Amrit” for women:

Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Ji has also spoken out against discriminative practices in Amrit Sanchars, writing:

ਇਹ ਇਤਫ਼ਾਕ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਉਸ ਸਮੇਂ ਪੰਜ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜੋ ਨਿਤਰੇ, ਉਹ ਗਿਣਵੇਂ ਪੰਜ ਵਰਨਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਹੀ ਸਨ। ਇਸ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਭਾਵ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਿ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਜਾਤੀ ਆਦਿਕ ਹੋਰ ਸਾਰੇ ਵਰਨ ਵਾਂਝੇ ਰਖੇ ਗਏ, ਜੈਸਾ ਕਿ ਝੀਵਰ, ਨਾਈ ਆਦਿਕ ਵਰਨਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਲਏ ਗਏ। ਪੰਜਾਂ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਿਸਾਲ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਅੱਜ ਕੱਲ੍ਹ ਦੇ ਥੋੜ-ਦਿਲੇ ਵਰਨ-ਆਸ਼ਰਮੀ ਹਮਾਕਤ-ਬਾਜ਼ ਇਹ ਪ੍ਰਗਟ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਗੇਣਵੇਂ ਵਰਨ-ਆਸ਼ਰਮ ਹੀ ਪੰਜ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰੀ ਬੰਦਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਹੋਰ ਕੋਈ ਵਰਨ-ਆਸ਼ਰਮੀ ਬੰਦਾ ਪੰਜਾਂ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਲਿਆ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ।

ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਜਾਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਆਮ ਹਿੰਦਵੈਣੀ ਅਕੀਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਸ਼ੂਦਰ ਜਾਤੀ ਵਿਚ ਸ਼ੁਮਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਸੀ, ਜੋ ਅੱਜ ਕਲ੍ਹ ਓਸੇ ਘਟੀਅਲ ਅਕੀਦੇ ਵਾਲੇ ਨਾਈ ਝੀਵਰ' ਆਦਿਕ ਪੰਜਾਂ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਿਸਾਲ ਵਾਲੇ ਕੁਸਮਝ ਲੋਗ ਕੁਸਮਝੀ ਬੈਠੇ ਹਨ। ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਹੀ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਪੁਰਸ਼ ਆਨ ਵਰਨ-ਆਸ਼ਰਮਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਸਮੇਸ਼ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਜਾਏ। ਏਥੋਂ ਤਕ ਕਿ ਮੁਹੰਮਦੀਆਂ ਚੌਥੇ ਪੌੜੇ ਵਾਲੇ (ਅਖਾਉਤੀ ਰੰਘਰੇਟ) ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਖੰਡੇ ਦੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਦਾ ਬਾਟਾ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਉਚ ਦੁਮਾਲੜੇ ਵਾਲਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਜਾਇਆ।
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਸਮੇਸ਼ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਚੌਜ ਨਿਰਾਲਾ ਹੈ।



Roughly translated, this means:





These Anti-Gurmat practices have been rejected over and over again over many years by the Bahadur, Soojhvan, and Naam-Rasiye Gurmukhs of the past.

Why, despite being banned by the Akal Takhat, are the creeping back into the Panth?

Good post. No matter how much some humans may try and preach false maya patriarchal beliefs- they will always just be that- false and maya. Truth is always overall and overrides all the false.

 

[A_seeker]

because the Gurus taught Equality, both of women and men, and also all human beings (and beyond).

What Equality ???? when understood in the spiritual sense—as the realization of oneness with the Divine holds profound meaning. However, in worldly affairs, the concept often proves inadequate or misapplied. Even the ideal of the Khalsa, which aspires to embody equality, has not consistently achieved this in practice; indeed, many who embrace it tend to perceive themselves as distinct or superior to the ordinary individual.

 

[gjsingh]

Even the ideal of the Khalsa, which aspires to embody equality, has not consistently achieved this in practice; indeed, many who embrace it tend to perceive themselves as distinct or superior to the ordinary individual.

The whole point of Khalsa is to be distinct. That's the exact purpose of wearing the 5 K's. And as to superior, wasn't the turban the signifier of royalty? If you have a problem with this take it up with Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

 

[A_seeker]

The whole point of Khalsa is to be distinct

Being distinct does not mean being equal. This notion of distinctiveness has given rise to various religions and sects, each intent on indoctrinating the masses. Every believer is convinced that their own faith is the true and superior one.

If you have a problem with this take it up with Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Its not a problem but an observation .I would surely have discussed with the Guru but he is not around

 

[Warriorlight]

What Equality ???? when understood in the spiritual sense—as the realization of oneness with the Divine holds profound meaning. However, in worldly affairs, the concept often proves inadequate or misapplied. Even the ideal of the Khalsa, which aspires to embody equality, has not consistently achieved this in practice; indeed, many who embrace it tend to perceive themselves as distinct or superior to the ordinary individual.

I'm surprised that there is anyone with such primitive mindset on this forum. The Gurus clearly taught that men and women are equal. Look at bhagats like Mai Bhago, there is simply no question of the equality of the sexes. If anyone thinks they're higher than anyone else, that's just ego. These are such simple concepts, common sense, basic Respect and human Civility. Even many children know this. It shouldn't be a topic of discussion. Such disrespect for women is shocking.

 

[gjsingh]

Being distinct does not mean being equal. This notion of distinctiveness has given rise to various religions and sects, each intent on indoctrinating the masses.

Equal, unequal I don't care. Guruji's hukam should be enough for any Gursikh. Do you disagree?

Every believer is convinced that their own faith is the true and superior one.

You are making a tautological statement. Of course people that choose a certain certain path are going to do so because they believe in it. So what?

Its not a problem but an observation .I would surely have discussed with the Guru but he is not around

Did not Guruji pass on the mantle of leadership to Guru Granth and Guru Panth? You could consult with the latter on why they aren't wearing janeu and performing Hindu idol worship.