Panj Pyaare

VAISAKHI 1699

On the eve of Vaisakhi 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji called a large Sikh gathering at Anandpur Sahib. After the morning devotions and kirtan Guru Sahib addressing the Sikh sangat asked for a head. Hush fell over the assembly. Daya Ram, a khattri from Lahore offered his head. Guru Ji took him into a nearby tent and came out with the sword covered with blood. Guru Ji asked for another head, this time Dharam Das, Jatt from Hastinapur came forward. On calling again, Mohkam Chand, a tailor from Dwarka came ahead. Next was the Himmat Rai, a water-bearer from Jagannath Puri. The fifth one to offer his head was Sahib Chand, a barber from Bidar. After this, Guru Sahib brought the five from the tent similarly dressed with neatly tied turbans. Guru Sahib was also dressed similarly. They received Khande Di Pahul from Guru Ji and Guru Ji received Khande Di Pahul from them. They were called Panj Pyare. Before receiving Khande Di Pahul they belonged to lower and upper castes. Now, they formed the nucleus of the self-abnegating, martial and casteless fellowship of the Khalsa. They wore the 5 K's - Kesh (unshorn hair gifted by GOD), Kangha (comb, symbol of tidiness), Karha (the bracelet, Khalsa wears nothing else to eliminate superstitions), Kachera (an undergarment to stay away from characterless acts) and Kirpan (the sword, for self-defense and helping the weak and needy). The last names of Panj Pyare were changed to Singh and they become Daya Singh, Dharam Singh, Mohkam Singh, Himmat Singh and Sahib Singh. Guru Sahib became Gobind Singh from Gobind Rai.