| The Khalsa Code
In order to become a member of the Khalsa,
one has to accept the 'Nash doctrine', or the doctrine of destruction.
A person has to give up his or her previous religion (Dharam Nash), give
up the practice of ritualistic or superstitious behaviors (Karam Nash),
and also give up any caste distinctions (Kul Nash). Instead, the new member
adopts Sikhism as his or her religion, the Khalsa Rehat as his or her
code of conduct, and Singh or Kaur as his or her lineage.
First Day of the Khalsa
Guru Gobind Singh Ji was the first to become
a member of the Khalsa on the day he introduced the initiation ceremony,
followed by the 'Five Beloved Ones', Bhai Daya Ram of Lahore (Khatri),
Bhai Dharam Chand of Delhi (Jat), Bhai Himmat Das of Dwarka, Gujarat (a
washerman), Bhai Mohkam Chand of Puri, Orissa (a calico-printer), and
Bhai Sahib Chand of Bidar, Karnataka (a barber). They were all given the
surname 'Singh', and they were told that from that day forward they were
no longer defined as Jats, Khatris, high castes, or low castes. Instead,
they were equal brothers and sisters.
This was followed by a mass induction of
disciples into the Khalsa Panth. Everyone who believed in the principles
preached since Guru Nanak Dev Ji, was welcome to take Amrit and become
a member of this new community. Different writers have given different
figures regarding the number of Sikhs who took Amrit that day. According
to confidential reports sent to the emperor and subsequent writings of
Sikh authors, it is said that more than 40,000 people became Sikhs on
this occasion. Taking Amrit was considered a great honor.
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