by SS Nihal Singh Khalsa, Santiago Chile
Summer 2013
After the death of Guru Arjan, the Sikh community went through a profound change. During the previous 100 years, they had developed a deep meditative tradition founded in peace and tolerance. However, after the sacrifice of his father Guru Arjan, the Sixth Guru recognized the need for the community to be able to defend itself. This started the martial practice of the Sikhs.
Guru Hargobind became a powerful warrior and trained the Sikhs to fight, but would only defend, never attack. They never took the property of others. They never used force as a means to enslave people. The Sikh warriors used their strength to defend themselves against unjust attacks, and to defend those who could not defend themselves.
Guru Hargobind created the martial art of the Sikhs called Gatka. He also built the Akal Takhat, or the Throne of the Undying One, next to the Harimandir Sahib.
The throne was a statement that the Sikh community was sovereign in its spiritual identity, and was self-governing in its social/political identity. This principle came to be known as Miri Piri. It was a direct statement to the ruling Emperor of the time that the Sikhs considered no one to have higher authority in their lives than God and Guru.
Guru Hargobind embodies integrity, dignity and above all, justice. His entire life and legacy were dedicated to teach us how as Sikhs we have to live and walk the double-edged sword of this spiritual path—fully dedicated to God while mastering the material world.
The Strength of the Arc Line
Guru Hargobind also represents the Arc Line, our sixth spiritual body, which is the psychological protection we have as humans. The Arc Line gives us the mental strength, the meditative mind and the capacity for deep concentration we need in our daily life.
The stronger the Arc Line, the stronger and deeper our projection (and protection) will be, and no comment on the power of our prayer! It can move mountains and oceans when we pray and when we are in synchronicity with God and Guru’s will.
According to Tantric numerology, the year 2013 embodies the energy of our Sixth Guru and challenges us to master and strengthen the Arc Line to cope with the challenges and hurdles of the Aquarian age. For that there is no better thing than our daily sadhana, at the ambrosial hours in which the communion with God is best and the mastery of our mind, worries, negativities and personal commitment is challenged the most. But as Sikhs we love a challenge!
I believe that in the Aquarian age spirituality is for all—not only for sadhus or priests—but for all women and men who need to be in balance internally and externally.
So the legacy and real-life example of Guru Hargobind is fantastic and important to understand and to share: be a person of prayer, master both the material and spiritual world and live your values and beliefs with integrity. Now the legacy is ours. We represent the Guru’s legacy and in this way we are called to be lighthouses for all those in need.
About the Author
SS Nihal Singh Khalsa is an ordained Sikh Dharma Minister. He serves 3HO in Chile and is part of the team that leads and organizes the Kundalini Yoga Festival in Chile. As a Sikh Dharma Minister, he served as part of the team that working towards the legal recognition of Sikh Dharma and its establishment as a recognized religious organization within the society in Chile. There is a thriving community of Chilean-born Sikh families in Chile, who host many spiritually-uplifting events in their country.