According to Gurbani, who is a Sikh?

Question: According to Gurbani, who is a Sikh?

Answer: Gurbani provides a clear and detailed definition of a Sikh as explained by the Guru Sahiban. When Guru Gobind Singh Ji introduced the Khande-Bate-Di-Pahul (Amrit ceremony), the discipline and code of conduct instilled in Sikhs were rooted in Gurbani itself. 

In the words of Guru Ram Das Ji:  Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 305  

ਮਃ ੪ ॥

ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥

"One who calls themselves a Sikh of the True Guru should rise early in the morning and meditate on God's Name.  

ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰੇ ਭਲਕੇ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਕਰੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ॥

They should make an effort at early dawn, bathe, and immerse in the pool of nectar.  

ਉਪਦੇਸਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪੁ ਜਾਪੈ ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਪਾਪ ਦੋਖ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਵੈ ॥

Following the Guru's teachings, they should chant the Name of the Lord, erasing all sins, misdeeds, and vices. 

ਫਿਰਿ ਚੜੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਗਾਵੈ ਬਹਦਿਆ ਉਠਦਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥

As the day dawns, they sing Gurbani and continuously remember the Lord’s Name, whether sitting or standing.  

ਜੋ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਧਿਆਏ ਮੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ॥

Such a Gursikh, who with every breath and morsel remembers my Lord, is beloved of the Guru.  

ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਸੁਣਾਵੈ ॥

Those upon whom the Lord, my Master, is merciful are instructed in the Guru's teachings.  

ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਧੂੜਿ ਮੰਗੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਕੀ ਜੋ ਆਪਿ ਜਪੈ ਅਵਰਹ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਵੈ ॥੨॥ 

ਅੰਗ ੩੦੫ 

Servant Nanak seeks the dust of the feet of such a Gursikh who chants the Name themselves and inspires others to do so."

Additionally, in Ang 601, Guru Amardas Ji describes a Sikh as follows:  

ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ॥  

ਸੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਸਖਾ ਬੰਧਪੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਵੈ ॥  

"That person is a Sikh, a friend, and a relative, O brother, who walks in harmony with the Guru's will.

ਆਪਣੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਜੋ ਚਲੈ ਭਾਈ ਵਿਛੁੜਿ ਚੋਟਾ ਖਾਵੈ ||  

One who acts in self-will, O brother, is separated and suffers.  

ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੁਖੁ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਪਾਵੈ ਭਾਈ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਪਛੋਤਾਵੈ ॥੧॥ ਅੰਗ ੬੦੧ 

Without the True Guru, one never finds peace and continually regrets their actions."

Beyond Gurbani, Bhai Gurdas Ji has also extensively elaborated on the definition of a Sikh in his Vars (11, 12, 16, 32, 39) and Kabits.

Guru Granth Sahib Ji provides the ultimate guidance on who is a Sikh, a Gursikh, a saint, or a devotee. However, it is unfortunate that many contemporary preachers define Sikhism based on their interpretations. Some Sikhs, influenced by these preachers, have created personalized versions of Sikhism, leading to confusion and doubts within the Sikh community. 

Punjab, the land where Guru Nanak Dev Ji planted the seed of Sikhism, nurtured by the subsequent nine Gurus, is witnessing the weakening of this sacred heritage. The Khalsa, which once flourished through sacrifices and devotion, now seems to be fading. There are few visible Sikhs who maintain their physical identity, and even among them, many are distant from Naam (God's Name) and Gurbani.

Today, if Muslims needed to promote Islam in Mecca or Christians had to advocate Christianity in Vatican City, it would be considered a shameful situation for them. Similarly, 550 years after Guru Nanak Dev Ji's time, if efforts are required to save Sikhism in Punjab itself, it is a matter of great embarrassment for us all.

The preservation of Sikhism lies in practicing it, and this responsibility falls on every Sikh. Instead of blaming Gurdwara management committees, institutions, seminaries, or preachers, we must take ownership of creating a Sikh environment in our own homes. While it is true that there may be shortcomings in organizations, the real question is:  

"Are we ourselves practicing Sikhism or not?"

If we neglect our responsibilities, Guru Sahib will categorize us as superficial Sikhs. It is up to us to decide whether we want to be superficial or genuine Sikhs. The decision must be made.  

Author: Arvinder Singh, UK  

Panjabi Lehar UK Blog (https://panjabileharuk.blogspot.com/)