Introductory - Global Sikh Studies

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From beginning to end, I reveal myself in the Khalsa.’ 28
Bhai Nand Lal, a close associate of Guru Gobind Singh, writes:
‘Khalsa is one who does not speak ill of others;
Khalsa is one who fights in the front ranks.
Khalsa is one who conquers the five evils;
Khslas is one who destroys doubt.
Khalsa is one who gives up ego;
Khalsa is one who keeps away from woman, not his wife;
Khalsa is one who looks upon all as his own;
Khalsa is one who attunes himself with God.’ 29
In the Rehatnama of Bhai Prahlad Singh, it is written, ‘He who
lives up to the Sikh ideals, he alone is my Sikh. ’30 Guru Gobind Singh’s
uncle Kirpal Singh and some other leading Sikhs expressed their
concern to the Guru that it would not be possible to maintain the
sense of discrimination between good and evil in the revolutionary
struggle he wanted to initiate. And, if that discrimination is lost, the
Sikh ideals would be nowhere. The Guru’s reply was that the true
Sikhs would not lose that discrimination; only those would go astray
who join the revolution from ulterior motives. 31 In fact, in the literature
of the revolutionary period, there is great emphasis on the observance
of the ethical values by the Khalsa. For his overall development, the
Sikh was asked both to maintain the highest moral standards and to
faithfully pursue the socio-political objectives of the Khalsa.
Sikhism regards Haumen (ego or individualism) as the greatest
human failing. It is this which leads to acts of encroachment and
aggression. It is for this reason that they have laid great stress on the
elimination of individualism. The Sikh ideal is : “Neither frighten
anyone, nor fear of anyone.” 32 “The Gurmukh is powerful, yet humble
in spirit.” 33 The sublimation of ego was not only a theological ideal,
but also a social ideal of Sikhism.
The Gurus had all along been identifying themselves with the
Sikhs or the Sikh Panth. The tenth Guru made it clear that the corporate
movement was of greater significance than any individual, howsoever
highly placed he may be. All his achievements, he says, he owed to the