Vaisakhi Revolution 2014
Vaisakhi day holds a special significance in the hearts of the Sikhs, as that is the day on which Guru Gobind Singh Ji created Khalsa in the year 1699. In addition, there is another significant event that took place on that day in year 1469 and that is birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism.
Although, the chronological birth date is first of Vaisakh, but it has been traditionally celebrated in the month of Katik. When Guru Nanak Dev Ji had the divine revelation and decided to embark on his first long journey, he decided to get a new Rabab (a string instrument) for Mardana, who became his lifelong companion. Guru Ji decided that musical singing will be his method of delivering the message and providing scour to the suffering masses. Guru Ji needed Rupees twenty for the Rabab and this money was provided by Bebe Nanaki, his sister.
This little well-known fact establishes that kirtan was the medium of choice by Guru Ji and there was a significant contribution of the women towards it. Yet even today women are not allowed to perform kirtan from the holiest sanctum of the Golden Temple. Before debating on this gender issue, let us first explore as which gender Guru Nanak Dev Ji claims for himself from his own sayings:
ਲਾਲ ਬਹੁ ਗੁਣਿ ਕਾਮਣਿ ਮੋਹੀ ॥ ਤੇਰੇ ਗੁਣ ਹੋਹਿ ਨ ਅਵਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
“Laal bahau gun kaaman mohee. Thaerae gun hohi n avaree.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 359)
Meaning: O my Love, (Your) multitude of virtues has mesmerized this woman. These Glorious Virtues
In this picture painted by Guru Nanak Dev Ji of himself, he considers himself as a female. Guru Amar Das Ji has expressed a similar feeling in these words:
ਮੈ ਕਾਮਣਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਕੰਤੁ ਕਰਤਾਰੁ ॥
“Mai kaaman maeraa kanth karathaar.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 1128)
Meaning: I am the bride; the Creator is my Husband Lord.
Now this is reaffirmation of the viewpoint expressed by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. In fact, now let us explore the similar feelings, sentiments, emotions and expressions by Bhagats in Gurbani:
ਮੈ ਬਉਰੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਰਾਮੁ ਭਤਾਰੁ ॥
“Mai bouree maeraa raam bhathaar .” (SGGS, Pg. No. 1164)
Meaning: I am crazy (for)- the Lord is my Husband.
Here, we saw Bhagat Namdev Ji’s expression, and now let us see how Bhagat Kabir Ji has expressed his feelings when he says:
ਮੇਰੇ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਆਏ ਰਾਜਾ ਰਾਮ ਭਤਾਰਾ ॥੧॥
“Maerae grih aaeae raajaa raam bhathaaraa.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 482)
Meaning: The Lord, my King, has come to my house as my Husband.
Thus, we have seen that Guru Sahibs and Bhagats considered themselves as a spouse of God.
Now, let us see what their statement is for the rest of the mankind:
ਇਸੁ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਏਕੁ ਹੈ ਹੋਰ ਸਗਲੀ ਨਾਰਿ ਸਬਾਈ ॥
“Eis jug meh purakh eaek hai hor sagalee naar sabaaee.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 591)
Meaning: In this world, there is one Husband Lord; all other beings are His brides.
Here Guru Amar Das Ji has defined a unique perspective for the entire mankind. When we start viewing the world with this perspective, then we can see that everyone is female irrespective of their gender classification. So, the restriction that biologically females cannot participate in the kirtan activity in the house of Nanak does not make any sense. It is time that this irrational issue be revisited, and corrected. Let this Vaisakhi be the day of initiation of this corrective action. In the modern world where gender discrimination is becoming a thing of past, we are still continuing a tradition that would not be.
Let us begin a new revolution from the holiest house of Guru Nanak in Darbar Sahib, Amritsar.
Let the Vaisakhi 2014 usher in this new revolution. Once this revolution is set in motion, other citadels which have resisted in providing this opportunity will also change their viewpoint. Now that will be beginning of the revolution that Guru Nanak Dev Ji had initiated in middle ages in the country that was divided by caste and women were considered not equal. Today, when the women are being increasingly accepted even in hazardous vocations like military combat, and space flights which were closed to them in the past does not make sense. It is sad that we are still persisting with practices in the houses of Guru Nanak that would not be accepted or approved by him. Even at the emotional level the feeling of love, care, concern, affection, adoration that the females have inbuilt, males can only aspire to cultivate only with great effort and difficulty. Thus, the way the feelings can be expressed by a female singer cannot be replicated by a male. It is time to change this dogmatic bias, and there can be no better time than on Vaisakhi.
That will be a true homage to him and a salute to his message. Imagine the powerful impact that this initiative will generate. It will be truly revolutionary. It will not be just a powerful message in itself, but it will also stem the decline in the Sikhi that we are experiencing today. How? Because, with females more connected to their faith, will have the impact of bonding the entire family to it. Thus it will also act as a powerful counter measure against spread of alcoholism and drug culture that we are witnessing today. This gesture will open new vistas to make the society centered on faith and the added benefit will be the countering of the drug culture that is proliferating now and damaging the society.
After all men are born of women, and with women we get married and seek companionship as Guru Ji has said:
ਭੰਡਿ ਜੰਮੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਨਿੰਮੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਮੰਗਣੁ ਵੀਆਹੁ ॥
"Bhandd jameeai bhandd nimeeai bhandd ma(n)gan veeaahu." SGGS, Pg. No. 473)
Meaning: From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married.
So, why not let them perform keertan.
Bhupinder (Bo) Singh
