According to the Hindus, this day is marked, ‘As per the traditions, the sister on this day
prepares the pooja thali with diya, roli, chawal and rakhis. She worships the deities, ties Rakhi
to the brother(s) and wishes for their well being. The brother in turn acknowledges the love
with a promise to be by the sisters’ side through the thick and thin and gives her a token gift.’
Nowhere in Sikh history has any Guru Sahib known to have accepted this Hindu custom. In a
painting, Guru Nanak Sahib is being depicted to have a rakhi being tied on his wrist by his
sister Bebe Nanaki Ji. This is nothing more than a work of fiction. The Guru, who rejected
the spiritual thread that the Hindu Brahmins consider makes them connected to God, in
the midst of all the learned Pandits, Brahmins and his own father, would that same
Guru Sahib accept the far more earthy thread called a ‘rakhi’? It’s plain logic, he
wouldn’t. When asked by his father to go forth and make a profitable bargain in business,
young (Guru) Nanak (Sahib) came back having spent all his given money on feeding starving
fakirs. If Guru Nanak Sahib could challenge the Brahmins and reject outright the Janeu, would
he want to contradict himself by accepting another thread ??...
‘So what’s the harm in commemorating the day ?’ - is the usual counter-argument of those
Sikhs that accept the practice. There’s no harm in doing any of these things, but Guru Sahib
just did not approve them for his Sikhs. He’s taken us out of all the clutter of all those things
that have no meaning in Sikhi and have instructed us to focus more on God than on worldly
funfairs that eventually take the mortal away from God. The heritage of the Sikhs is so unique,
that the men and women have been given an equal status. Why would a Khalsa Kaur ever
need anyone’s protection when they have the power within them to defend themselves? That
is why if the Singh was given a Kirpan, so was a Kaur granted the same. It is a proof of the
might of the Guru Sahib’s daughters – that they are as mighty, or even mightier, than men.
‘Truth is High’ Guru Nanak Sahib said and, further added, ‘but higher still is truthful living’
So how can a mere thread prove the love between a brother and sister. Will that thread not
wear out too, just like the janeu?
Sikhs were blessed with the roop of the Guru Sahib so that they may emulate their example of
life and living which would connect us to Waheguru. Ceremonies like rakhsha bandhan are
good for those for whom it was made, for the Hindu faith has it’s own reasons. Sikhi is a
completely distinct faith. And how? Guru Nanak Sahib did not accept the janeu; he rejected
the offering of water to his ancestors; he did not recite the Hindu Vedas; nor prayed to the 330
million gods, but contemplated only on the SHABAD what was revealed to Him from the Court
of the Lord. Likewise, the other Guru Sahibs further developed what Guru Nanak Sahib
preached, they never contradicted Guru Nanak Sahib’s message and way of life.
prepares the pooja thali with diya, roli, chawal and rakhis. She worships the deities, ties Rakhi
to the brother(s) and wishes for their well being. The brother in turn acknowledges the love
with a promise to be by the sisters’ side through the thick and thin and gives her a token gift.’
Nowhere in Sikh history has any Guru Sahib known to have accepted this Hindu custom. In a
painting, Guru Nanak Sahib is being depicted to have a rakhi being tied on his wrist by his
sister Bebe Nanaki Ji. This is nothing more than a work of fiction. The Guru, who rejected
the spiritual thread that the Hindu Brahmins consider makes them connected to God, in
the midst of all the learned Pandits, Brahmins and his own father, would that same
Guru Sahib accept the far more earthy thread called a ‘rakhi’? It’s plain logic, he
wouldn’t. When asked by his father to go forth and make a profitable bargain in business,
young (Guru) Nanak (Sahib) came back having spent all his given money on feeding starving
fakirs. If Guru Nanak Sahib could challenge the Brahmins and reject outright the Janeu, would
he want to contradict himself by accepting another thread ??...
‘So what’s the harm in commemorating the day ?’ - is the usual counter-argument of those
Sikhs that accept the practice. There’s no harm in doing any of these things, but Guru Sahib
just did not approve them for his Sikhs. He’s taken us out of all the clutter of all those things
that have no meaning in Sikhi and have instructed us to focus more on God than on worldly
funfairs that eventually take the mortal away from God. The heritage of the Sikhs is so unique,
that the men and women have been given an equal status. Why would a Khalsa Kaur ever
need anyone’s protection when they have the power within them to defend themselves? That
is why if the Singh was given a Kirpan, so was a Kaur granted the same. It is a proof of the
might of the Guru Sahib’s daughters – that they are as mighty, or even mightier, than men.
‘Truth is High’ Guru Nanak Sahib said and, further added, ‘but higher still is truthful living’
So how can a mere thread prove the love between a brother and sister. Will that thread not
wear out too, just like the janeu?
Sikhs were blessed with the roop of the Guru Sahib so that they may emulate their example of
life and living which would connect us to Waheguru. Ceremonies like rakhsha bandhan are
good for those for whom it was made, for the Hindu faith has it’s own reasons. Sikhi is a
completely distinct faith. And how? Guru Nanak Sahib did not accept the janeu; he rejected
the offering of water to his ancestors; he did not recite the Hindu Vedas; nor prayed to the 330
million gods, but contemplated only on the SHABAD what was revealed to Him from the Court
of the Lord. Likewise, the other Guru Sahibs further developed what Guru Nanak Sahib
preached, they never contradicted Guru Nanak Sahib’s message and way of life.
In conclusion, the ceremony does not has place in Sikhi because it is not higher than the Sikh
way of life. The simple thread that is meant as a prayer to protect a sister and to seek the
blessings of the brother’s long life and wellbeing is not any higher than believing that it is
Akaal Purakh that protects and blesses His beings. A thread is just an illusion, a Sikh of the
Guru has no need for it to be reminded of his duty to the world, and otherwise Guru Sahibs
would have allowed us to adopt it. And what of those who have no brothers? Who will protect
them? What of those who have no sisters, who will pray for their long life and wellbeing? It’s
all out of logic for Sikhs.
way of life. The simple thread that is meant as a prayer to protect a sister and to seek the
blessings of the brother’s long life and wellbeing is not any higher than believing that it is
Akaal Purakh that protects and blesses His beings. A thread is just an illusion, a Sikh of the
Guru has no need for it to be reminded of his duty to the world, and otherwise Guru Sahibs
would have allowed us to adopt it. And what of those who have no brothers? Who will protect
them? What of those who have no sisters, who will pray for their long life and wellbeing? It’s
all out of logic for Sikhs.
Courtesy
GurmatStudy Team
www.GurmatStudy.com
