On the day of Vaisakhi, 1699, Guru Gobind Singh ji did the initiation ceremony a little differently. He called for his devoted sikhs to give up their heads while holding his glistening sword ready to behead them.
Bhagat’s newest painting captures this critical moment in not just Sikh History but the History of Punjab, that changed the very face of the region and the people who lived there.
Guru Gobind Singh ji – Vaisakhi
After the persecution and execution of Guru Arjun Dev ji and Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, Guru Sahib’s great grandfather and father, Guru Sahib wanted to inspire the warrior spirit in his sikhs so that they would be able to stand up to the oppressors and be able to defend themselves.
So during the Vaisakhi of 1699, Guru Gobind Singh ji addressed the sangat that had gathered to listen to him. He said that great actions require great sacrifice, and with that he pulled out his sword and asked for one head.
Guru Gobind Singh ji
The congregation of sikhs were shocked. Some wondered whether the Guru was kidding. Some wondered whether the Guru had gone mad. Guru Sahib’s request sent waves of fear and doubt throughout the sangat.
Sangat
However one brave man got up and offered his head to Guru Sahib. He bowed down and performed the namahskar to Guru Sahib with folded hands.
Bhai Daya Ram ji
Guru Sahib took him inside the tent behind him. After a while, he came back out with his sword dripping with blood, and asked for another head.
Again, another man got up and offered himself as sacrifice.
This happened a total of five times.
These five men who offered themselves up for sacrifice were known as the Panj Pyarey. Bhai Daya Singh ji, Bhai Dharm Singh ji, Bhai Himmat Singh ji, Bhai Mohkam Singh ji and Bhai Sahib Singh ji.
Guru Sahib prepared them for the initiation ceremony. He asked for a cauldron full of water and a khanda sword and thereafter began to stir the water while reciting divine hymns over it. He added sugar to sweeten the water and offered this to the Panj Pyarey. Guru Sahib also requested that he be given the same.
Thus the Khalsa, the pure, were born, ready to defend the sikh nation, ready to fight for the oppressed!
They chanted –
Waheguru ji ka khalsa,
Waheguru ji ki fateh!
That both the Khalsa and the Victory belong to the Wonderful Guru!
“He is the Supreme Spirit, the God of Gods. For his devotee he came as Narsingh.”
– Bhagat Kabir Ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 1194)
Narsingh ji Liberates Bhagat Prahlaad ji
Narasimha or Narsingh ji, as I know him, is the ferocious man-lion attire of Vishnu ji.
He represents some key qualities of God. Here are three.
1. Horrifying
2. Resides everywhere
3. Protector of loved ones
Narsingh ji is known for protecting Prahlada, or Bhagat Prahlaad ji, who was still a child when he was brutally tortured (to the brink of death) for several days because he refused to give up his religion ie his knowledge of God and his practice of meditating on him.
King Hiranyakaship or Harnakash wanted his son Prahlaad ji to rule his kingdom and spread the religion of their ancestors. Prahlaad ji however had been born outside the kingdom, in the home of and taught by, the enlightened, Narad ji.
So here’s a religious father, a man of faith, a spiritual man, who is desperately trying to keep his dying religion alive, and wants Prahlaad ji to carry forward the flame.
Prahlaad ji however had adopted Narad ji’s religion and he had become enlightened through Narad ji’s methodology. So his faith in this religion was quite strong.
Bhagat Prahlaad ji
However his desperate father could not see his enlightenment, nor was he enlightened himself. In total ignorance, he released several orders to wipe out the gatherings of the rival religion, from his kingdom. He also took many, many steps to convert Prahlaad ji back to his own faith, the very last desperate attempt of which, was torture and death.
Fast forward to the torture – Prahlaad ji was given poisons, thrown off cliffs and burned in bonfires. Having survived all methods of execution, made Harnakash very angry. He had broken all ties with his son at this point. He was no longer his son… maybe still 1% left?
This was the final moment, he was going to kill Prahlaad ji with his own hands.
Prahlaad ji’s main point was that God is everywhere if one looks for him.
Narsingh Narayan ji
Harnakash did not see this but at least was honest about it. Still he was desperate, he really did not want to see his son die so gave him one final chance.
A heated argument took place!
Fast forward to the throne room – He screamed again and again, “where is your God?”. Prahlaad ji said, “here and here and there, everywhere really”.
He broke everything that Prahlaad ji pointed towards but Harnakash did not see God.
Now completely fed up by his son’s nonsense and enraged to the point where he had destroyed half his throne room, he pointed one last time.
Harnakash pointed towards one of the giant pillars in the throne room, which was so big it could house a being larger than man. He thought if God is anywhere, he must be in this giant pillar. So he asked, “is your God in this pillar?”
Prahlaad ji could see that God was there also. So obviously he said, “yes”.
Harnakash broke the pillar and yet, no God appeared. This was the last straw…
“That’s it” Harnakash again screamed and rushed towards Prahlaad to kill him.
BOOM!
A pillar behind Prahlaad ji exploded and Narsingh ji burst forth!
Harnakash’s guards rushed to defend him. They fought with Narsingh ji. Other guards and soldiers heard the commotion and rushed in as well. They battled with death only to be consumed by it.
King Hiranyakaship
After defeating Harnakash’s army, Narsingh ji battled with Harnakash and then ripped him apart with his claws, thus liberating him from his human body.
Narsingh ji was so scary that Prahlaad ji could not face him and look at him. Prahlaad ji however recognized that it was God who had come in such a terrifying form. His love for God, his bhagati overpowered his fear, and he fell at the feet of Narsingh ji.
To purchase prints of this iconic image of God protecting his devotee, click here.
“Wherever the Sadhus and Saints gather, they sing praises of Hari with music and poems. In their gathering there is peace and bliss. Only those obtain the company of Saints, who have good actions and habits.”
– Guru Arjun Dev ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 676)
Bhai Vir Singh ji
Bhai Vir Singh ji was a giant in Punjabi literature. His works have rejuvenated Punjabi writing and have heavily influenced the Sikh psyche many generations after him.
Born in Amritsar in 1872, Bhai Vir Singh ji grew up training and learning Sikh scriptures in gurudwaras. He became fluent in multiple Indian languages, Punjabi, Urdu, and Sanskrit.
Bhai Vir Singh ji’s father, Sardar Charan Singh ji was also a poet, musician and writer. Following in his father’s footsteps, he used his novels and poems to teach the core dogmas of Sikhism.
Amidst the foreign and native pressures of politics and proselytizing, Bhai Sahib revitalized the Sikh and Punjabi culture through his literary art.
This painting was created upon commission, to revitalize the legacy of Bhai Vir Singh ji.
To commission art that enlivens the memory of your loved ones please contact artist Bhagat Singh.
“Those who dwell in the realm of Pure Actions, their words are powerful with the ability to connect the listener with Ram. No one can take their power away. In this realm, dwell great warriors who have mastered their mind, body and senses. They are completely imbued with Ram. Where there is the Sun-like Ram, there is the Moon-like Sita, who threads coolness and tranquility in to the fabric of their being. Their beauty is beyond words!”
– Guru Nanak Dev ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 8)
Hanuman ji Meditating on Shri Ram ji
Artist’s Notes
This painting of Hanuman ji was inspired by the species of Indian monkeys named after him, known as ‘Hanuman Langur’.
Even though most people associate the image of Hanuman ji with ‘Rhesus Monkeys’, I thought it would be interesting to see Hanuman ji with the facial characteristics of the ‘Hanuman Langur’, with black-skin and white fur.
I painted this portrait of Hanuman ji in a meditative state, where most of my mental distractions had ceased and the mind came to rest in its own awareness.
In this state, there is a pool of cooling, soothing peace.
This pool erases all baggage of past actions, eases suffering in the present moment and gives one strength to face the future, head on!
Hanuman ji knew that through the chanting of Ram naam such a state can be achieved and perfected, and he was a master at maintaining such a perfect state.
Ever since I found this out about him, he has become an inspiration for me, as he inspires me to connect to God and access this pool of everlasting peace for myself.
Who is Hanuman ji?
Hanuman ji is an exalted Devotee of the Supreme God.
He is a major character in the Ramayan, the story of God, written by Sant Valmiki ji. His name, Hanuman, comes from his facial feature, and means ‘one with a prominent jaw’.
He is strong, heroic and assertive, always ready to take action, as well as loving, calm and innocent, and immersed in states of pure love.
He is an inspiration for warriors, strongmen and weightlifters, as well as devotees of God, who want to develop compassion.
He inspires us not only to do Meditation, bhakti, but also inspires us to be full of Energy, shakti, to exercise and to stay fit.
Hanuman ji inspires us to remain fully alert and be ready to take action.
Tyar bar tyar!
Sant Kabir ji’s Hymn
Sant Kabir ji gives Hanuman ji as an example of one of God’s devotees, who has become awake from the attachment to the transient world.
Kabir ji says that the highly intelligent priests, scholars, meditators, ascetics, etc, even though they read scriptural texts, meditate and perform penance, are not able to detach themselves, the way Hanuman ji and others have, through the chanting of Ram naam.
He sings –
ਜਾਗੈ ਸੁਕਦੇਉ ਅਰੁ ਅਕੂਰੁ ॥ ਹਣਵੰਤੁ ਜਾਗੈ ਧਰਿ ਲੰਕੂਰੁ ॥
Sukhdev ji is awake and so is Akroor ji. Hanuman ji is awake and so is Sugreev ji.
ਸੰਕਰੁ ਜਾਗੈ ਚਰਨ ਸੇਵ ॥ ਕਲਿ ਜਾਗੇ ਨਾਮਾ ਜੈਦੇਵ ॥੨॥
Shiv Shankar ji is awake, serving Ram ji’s feet. In Kaliyug, Nam Dev ji and Jai Dev ji are awake.
ਜਾਗਤ ਸੋਵਤ ਬਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰ ॥ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਾਗੈ ਸੋਈ ਸਾਰੁ ॥
There are many types of waking and sleeping, however, waking up from the transient world, through the teachings of a Guru, that is the best type of waking up.
ਇਸੁ ਦੇਹੀ ਕੇ ਅਧਿਕ ਕਾਮ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਭਜਿ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ॥੩॥੨॥
Kabir ji says, this body will find it incredibly useful to meditate on the name of Ram ji.
(Guru Granth Sahib, 1194)
Sant Trilochan ji’s Hymn
In the story of God, Hanuman ji is the helper and messenger of God. He finds Sita ji, persuades her that he is Ram ji’s messenger, and delivers Ram ji’s message.
On the way out, he uproots Ravan’s forest and eats all the fruits. He gets captured by Ravan’s guards for tresspassing and is punished through torture.
Ravan’s guards light his tail on fire in order to punish him. Hanuman ji uses his burning tail to light Ravan’s fortress and surrounding buildings on fire.
However when Hanuman ji was a child, he was very mischievous. He once went into a gathering of Sadhus and Saints and stole their clothes as they were immersed in God, leaving only their underwear.
When Hanuman ji grew up, he ended up only wearing an underwear or loin cloth, and no other clothes, as the Pehlwans, the strong-men and wrestlers, of India do.
So Sant Trilochan ji sings –
ਦਾਧੀਲੇ ਲੰਕਾ ਗੜੁ ਉਪਾੜੀਲੇ ਰਾਵਣ ਬਣੁ ਸਲਿ ਬਿਸਲਿ ਆਣਿ ਤੋਖੀਲੇ ਹਰੀ ॥ 25
Hanuman ji burnt the fortress of Lanka, he uprooted Ravan’s forest, and brought medicinal herbs for the wounds of Lakshman ji, thereby pleasing God.
ਕਰਮ ਕਰਿ ਕਛਉਟੀ ਮਫੀਟਸਿ ਰੀ ॥੫॥ 12
However due to the consequences of his past actions, he wore no clothes except for a loin cloth.
ਪੂਰਬਲੋ ਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਕਰਮੁ ਨ ਮਿਟੈ ਰੀ ਘਰ ਗੇਹਣਿ ਤਾ ਚੇ ਮੋਹਿ ਜਾਪੀਅਲੇ ਰਾਮ ਚੇ ਨਾਮੰ ॥ 25
The consequences of past actions cannot be erased, dear wife, so this is why I chant the name of Ram ji.
The consequences of past actions will follow you, they can become a burden on you, and cause suffering.
The weight of your past will interfere with your future. Your past actions will hold you back from achieving greatness in the present.
However there is nothing you can do to change your past actions. There is nothing you can do to change their consequences.
What you can do, is alleviate the suffering they cause. You can remove their weight and be free from the suffering caused by your past.
Chanting Ram is the cure to the suffering of past actions. It is the way to remove the weight of the past.
When this burden stops bothering you, then you are free to express yourself fully in the present moment.
Through the chanting of Ram naam, Hanuman ji was able to cross the ocean in search of Lanka to find Mata Sita ji.
Through the chanting of Ram naam, Hanuman ji destroyed Ravan’s fortress and forests.
Through the chanting of Ram naam, Hanuman ji was able to bring medicine for Lakshman ji.
Through the chanting of Ram naam, Hanuman ji overcame all obstacles that came in his way and defeated his enemies.
Through the chanting of Ram naam, Hanuman ji became awake and aware in the present moment.
Trilochan ji is saying that this is why it is important to chant the name of Ram ji and meditate on him. And that this is why Trilochan ji, himself, meditates on Ram ji.
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“Whatever speaketh the animals, the fish and the birds, other than Hari they speak of no one else.”
– Guru Arjun Dev ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 262)
Guru Arjun Dev ji – Spiritual Blossoming
Artist’s Notes
This painting developed over time as the result of reading Guru Arjun Dev ji’s bani and feeling the emotions expressed therein. I was moved to tears by the love Guru Maharaj expressed for Akal Purakh Sahib so I just had to create this portrait of my Gurudev.
ਹਉ ਨਾ ਛੋਡਉ ਕੰਤ ਪਾਸਰਾ ॥ ਸਦਾ ਰੰਗੀਲਾ ਲਾਲੁ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਏਹੁ ਮਹਿੰਜਾ ਆਸਰਾ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
I will never leave the intimacy of my Husband God. My Beloved Lover is always and forever colourful. He is my vital support. ||1||Pause||
– Guru Arjun Dev Ji, 761
ਨੈਣ ਅਲੋਇਆ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਸੋਇਆ ਅਤਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਗੂੜਾ ॥
With my eyes I have seen him, resting within each and every heart; my Beloved is the sweetest ambrosia.
– Guru Arjun Dev Ji, 924
ਹਮਰੀ ਗਣਤ ਨ ਗਣੀਆ ਕਾਈ ਅਪਣਾ ਬਿਰਦੁ ਪਛਾਣਿ ॥
He did not count any accounts of my past actions, after seeing my current nature.
ਹਾਥ ਦੇਇ ਰਾਖੇ ਕਰਿ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਰੰਗੁ ਮਾਣਿ ॥੧॥
He gave me his hand, saved me, and made me his own; forever and ever, I am enjoying happiness.
– Guru Arjun Dev ji, 619
I found myself listening to these shabads over and over as I painted. They filled me up with joy, peace and inspiration.
ਸਭ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਰੈਣਿ ਗੁਣ ਉਚਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਉਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੁ ॥
All day and night I chant the qualities of Hari, and in my heart, I become focused on the name of Hari, Hari, Hari.
ਸਭੁ ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਹਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਮਨੁ ਖਿੜਿਆ ਹਰਿਆ ਬਾਗੁ ॥
Meditating on Hari, my body and mind are totally rejuvenated, and the garden of my mind has blossoms forth in lush abundance.
– Guru Ramdas ji, 849
Inspired by Guru Ram Das ji’s hymn, I painted a lush, flowering, garden, with free-flowing birds, as a metaphor for the state of Guru Arjun Dev ji’s mind.
Each element of the garden and each article that Guru Arjun Dev ji is wearing, has spiritual significance and is a symbol of spiritual ideas and of hymns from Guru Granth Sahib.
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“She is the most beautiful among women who loves the Guru and wears this jewel on her forehead.”
– Guru Nanak Dev ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 54)
Mai Bhago ji – New Edition
Mai Bhago ji, Mother Bhago, sought after Guru Gobind Singh ji’s blessings to have a son. But while travelling to Guru ji, she was distressed to hear that a group of 40 Singhs had deserted him during the Battle of Anandpur.
She rode to their gathering, made them realize their mistake and then set off along with them to find Guru Sahib, who was still being followed by the Mughals. They reached Khidrana, where a battle took place between the two armies.
In this battle, those 40 Singhs were all slain, Guru Sahib forgave them and they came to be known as the Chali Muktay, the liberated ones, and Khidrana came to be known as Muktsar.
Tragically, Mai Bhago ji’s husband and brothers were killed in this battle and so she dedicated her life to meditation and attained liberation.
After attaining liberation, Mata ji became detached from the physical world and its customs and traditions. She started to live her life free of all attachment to objects and any desire to do anything.
Kavi Santokh Singh ji explains that her spiritual state reached a point where she became even detached from basic things such as wearing of clothes.
This is when Guru Gobind Singh ji intervened and suggested to Mata ji that in order to preserve the honour of her family, she should cover her head and wrap herself with a shawl.
Mata ji obeyed Guru Sahib and continued to meditate on God until her last breath.
The Daughter turned Wife turned Warrior turned Saint, Mai Bhago ji’s story is very inspirational to those who are on the Path of the Saints.
For me Mai Bhago ji has been a constant inspiration to take action, to take charge, and make things happen. When I heard about the latter part of her life, she then also became an immense inspiration for me to meditate and to cultivate strong states of detachment.
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“I am blind, you are my walking stick, Hari; your name is Supporter of Saints. I am poor and meek, your name is my support.”
– Sant Nam Dev ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 727)
Bhai Taru Singh ji
Artist’s Notes
My painting of Bhai Taru Singh ji shows him meditating after his scalp was removed by the Mughal executioner. Admist the darkness, Bhai Sahib reclines back as a beacon of light and shows us that the path to enlightenment is to uphold Dharma.
Who was Bhai Taru Singh ji?
In his early 20s, Bhai Taru Singh ji chose to have his scalp removed rather than give up his religious traditions. He was born 12 years after the passing of Guru Gobind Singh ji and was initiated in to the tradition of the Ten Gurus, through Bhai Mani Singh ji.
In 1700s, Sikhs were being persecuted by Zakariya Khan, who ruled Punjab under the Mughal Empire. Bhai Taru Singh ji and his family would support and provide food for Sikh rebels who wished to take him down.
During this rebellion, Bhai Taru Singh ji was arrested by Zakriya Khan’s police and was tortured. The executioner used a chisel to remove his scalp, however Bhai Taru Singh ji remained absorbed in meditation.
Bhai Taru Singh ji lived after his torture, and continued to meditate and sing the praises of the Lord. He left his body immediately after the death of Zakariya Khan.
Painting Taru Singh ji
I worked on Baba Ajit Singh ji’s painting when I was his age when he sacrificed himself in the Battle of Chamkaur. Then I did Bhai Taru Singh ji’s portrait when I was his age, when he sacrificed himself for the Sikh panth.
It gives me new insights into the mindset of our warrior saints and into my own mind, to paint them at that same point in my life when they made their sacrifices.
I think about what they did at my age and what I am doing. I think about where they were headed at my age and where I am heading. In this way I align my moral compass to the Truth North and follow it.
A great man once said that we don’t get to choose whether we sacrifice or not, we only get to pick what we sacrifice. Sikh Saints followed in the footsteps of the Ten Gurus and sacrificed themselves to uphold Dharma.
So to see our warrior saints side with their Duty, over their own lives, is very inspiring, and fills me up with a fearless spirit.
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“Of all religions, the highest religion is to meditate on Hari and perform pure actions.”
– Guru Arjun Dev ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 266)
Baba Deep Singh ji – To Victory
Artist’s Notes
My painting of Baba Deep Singh ji shows him riding to battle, on horseback, leading a jatha of Singhs, with kesari nishan sahibs waving in the sky.
Baba Deep Singh ji’s Iconography
Baba Deep Singh ji rides a Horse named Bali – Sacrifice. He wields a Khanda named Dharma – Responsibility. He holds the Insignia of Gurmati – Guru’s teachings. He wears the Cummerbund of Jat – Self-Control. He wears the Turban of Surti – Awareness – and the turban’s Farla flares above, showing his Mastery over himself and his craft. Together with the Sadh Sangati – the Holy Congregation – Baba ji rides to Mukti – Liberation from the Cycle of Births and Deaths.
Achievements
In his early years, Baba Deep Singh ji spent much of his time learning swordsmanship, getting disciplined, horse riding, and studying Sikh Scriptures.
At 20 years of age, he got married and settled down for a while. A few years later, he helped to make copies of Adi Granth, with Bhai Mani Singh ji. This was back when copies of documents had to be penned down by hand.
At 27 years of age, Baba ji was already fighting under Banda Singh ji Bahadur, in his campaigns against the Mughal government, who had persecuted its people and murdered the small children of Guru Gobind Singh ji.
At age 51, Baba ji served under Nawab Kapur Singh ji. At age 66, he was given leadership of Shaheed Misl, after the 65 squads of Dal Khalsa army were reorganized into 12 Misls.
At age 75, Baba Deep Singh ji was still going on missions, to protect his people, and to save his country from invaders who sought to steal its treasures, kill off the men and enslave its women and children.
Martyrdom
Ahmad Shah Durrani had attacked India multiple times, and Baba Deep Singh ji interrupted his fourth raid. Durrani suffered huge losses and decided to weed out the Sikhs. He demolished Shri Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple) and filled its surrounding pool with slaughtered cows.
When Baba ji heard of this, he gathered an army of 500 men at Damdama Sahib, Bathinda, and by the time he reached Taran Taaran, the number of men with him had grown to 5000. He then lead the men to Amritsar and fought Timur Shah, the son of Durrani.
It is said that during the battle, the opposing commander decapitated Baba Deep Singh ji and his head fell to the ground. Baba ji picked up his fallen head and continued to fight, his body radiating with both fury and the chanting of Hari. Carrying his head in one hand and his Khanda in the other, he fought until him and his men defeated Timur Shah’s army and dealt a severe blow to Durrani.
Baba Deep Singh ji had vowed to give his life, his head for Amritsar so after the battle ended, he reached the Harimandir Sahib, Golden Temple. He walked over to the edge of the pool, he put down his head, he bowed and attained liberation.
Benefits of Meditation on Baba Deep Singh ji
Baba Deep Singh ji is the son of Hari, the protector of Saints and the vanquisher of Evil. Those who meditate on Baba ji become proficient in martial arts and in their studies. Those who meditate on Baba ji radiate with energy and vitality. Those who meditate on Baba ji forget the distractions and become focused on their goals and achieving them. Those who meditate on Baba ji become masters of their skills and masters of their body and mind. Those who meditate on Baba ji attain Hari, the Master of the Universe himself. They do not have to meditate on anything else, those who meditate on Baba Deep Singh ji.
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“Those who die to the World and become alive in the Presence of Ram, merge into the Formlessness of Ram. Those who remain Pure – Truthful, Responsible and Blissful – in this world, they never fall into the terrifying ocean of Meaningless Suffering. My Ram, this is the Milk we ought to churn! Through the Guru’s teachings, we can cultivate a steady mind, a concentrated mind, free from distractions, and in this way, we can have a drink of the Amrit, the Timeless State of Consciousness.”
– Sant Kabir Das ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 332)
Guru Amardas ji – Langar Seva
Artist’s Notes
In this painting, Guru Amar Das ji stirs the milk in pure devotion to Hari, while Mata Mansa Devi ji brings forth the rice to add to the milk, to make kheer (pudding). Guru Pita ji provides the spirit and Mata ji provides the material, and together this results in something beautiful.
Stirring the Ocean
Waheguru stirs the Ocean of Milk. From this stirring, come various elements.
One of these elements is Amrit, that Timeless Quality of Consciousness.
The wicked ones try to steal it from the Saints however Waheguru makes sure to steal it back from those who have Enmity within their Hearts and perform Actions laced with Anger, Greed and Lust. He gives Amrit to his Saints, who chant the name of Hari and perform Pure Actions, actions that are Truthful, Responsible and Blissful.
Langar Tradition
Langar is an old Indian tradition. But in the Sikh tradition, it has a very special and significant place. Many stories of the Gurus revolve around Langar, the process, the devotion, the servitude and the pureness of Being, that goes into cooking Langar.
Guru Nanak Dev ji
It is said that when Pita Kalu ji gave Guru Nanak Dev ji a whole bunch of funds to start his own business, the Master of Seli and Topi spent all of it on feeding and clothing Sadhus, the Saints of the Lord.
In this painting, Guru Nanak Dev ji brings Dal (lentil soup) to the congregation, to the Sadhus.
Guru Angad Dev ji
Guru Lehna ji (later Guru Angad Dev ji) demonstrated his devotion, dedication and divinity through Langar. Prior to meeting Guru Nanak Dev ji, Lehna ji was a Guru himself and commanded a following of his own. Despite having such status, he became a mere Servant in Guru Nanak Dev ji’s kitchen. When no one would do the job, he was there in the thick of it, doing the grueling and messy work of collecting materials for Langar. The former Guru became a servant and a part, angad, of Guru Nanak Dev ji, and thus, he was given leadership of Guru ji’s own following.
In this painting, Lehna ji (Guru Angad Dev ji) hands out Chapatis (bread) to the congregation.
Guru Amar Das ji
Bhai Amar ji (also Bhai Amru ji, later Guru Amar Das ji or Guru Amar Dev ji) followed in the footsteps of Guru Angad Dev ji. He meditated on Ram, and performed Responsible Actions, and became a complete servant of the Guru. Guru Angad Dev ji became so impressed by Bhai Amru’s devotion, his dedication and the divinity shining from within him, that he made him the next Guru of the Sikhs.
Guru Ram Das ji
In the time period of this painting, Bhai Jetha ji (later Guru Ram Das ji) has not yet been given Guruship. In the painting, Jetha ji is seen standing in front of the Guru’s house. He collects the Chapatis from Bibi Bhani ji, his wife, the daughter of Guru Amar Das ji, who is cooking them on the hot plate.
Langar Amplified
When Guru Amar Das ji attained the Throne of the Guru, he amplified the Langar tradition and made it a regular part of the community. He required that everyone who wanted to see him, join the langar first before joining the congregation.
Guru ji made everyone, belonging to different social class, caste and religion, sit together and eat together and pray together. He eliminated the tensions between groups and created a heavenly atmosphere.
Even the Emperor of India, Akbar, had to take part in Langar before seeing Guru Sahib. In this painting, the Emperor sits amongst the poor and the Sadhus, the Hindus and the Muslims, and eats off a simple leaf-plate and patiently awaits more servings.
The advancements made by Guru ji made Langar a critical part of Sikh discipline.
Performing Seva, selfless service, in Langar and not being afraid to get yourself dirty in the process, is of great spiritual value, which was demonstrated strongly by Guru Angad Dev ji and Guru Amar Das ji.
Sikhs took this technology that their Gurus brought to them and amplified it even further. Today Sikh Panth is feeding millions of people daily with free meals. This is one of the greatest achievements for not only Sikh community but the whole of mankind itself.
Artistic Process
I started this painting of Guru Amar Das ji back in 2010!
As I painted and re-painted it, it went through many many changes. A big change was the change of setting.
Originally I had imagined the Langar Kitchen set in a building akin to modern kitchens in old Gurudwaras. But later I stumbled upon some resources that suggested that the the setting would be very different from where we cook langar nowadays.
The kitchen would have been built outside, and the langar would have been cooked in the open air, at least for a large congregation.
So I imagined the kitchen under the shade of a large tree, with the sangati eating the langar on one side and buffalo on the other.
There is the creation of the langar (the buffalo), the people who process the langar (the sevadars) and those who consume it (the congregation).
Guru Amar Das ji is cooking kheer, and is flanked by his sikhs, who are preparing the dough and creating chapatis.
Behind Guru Amar Das ji, we see important figures, one of whom is Mata Mansa Devi ji who is bringing rice in her jholi.
I imagined this scene like the scene of Vaisakhi, where Guru Gobind Singh ji stirred the water and his wife, Mata Sahib Devi brought the patashay in her jholi, to add to the water.
In this way, Guru Amar Das ji stirs the kheer while his wife, Mata Mansa Devi ji brings the rice to add to it.
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