This article is about a gathered quintet of five baptised Sikhs. For the Sikh martial community, see Khalsa.
Fresco depiction of Guru Gobind Singh with the inaugural quintet of Panj Pyare from an abandoned Sikh samadhi in Kot Fateh Khan, Attock, Punjab, Pakistan
Panj Pyare (Punjabi: ਪੰਜ ਪਿਆਰੇ, Pañj Piārē, the five beloved ones) refers to a gathered ad hoc quintet of five baptised (Amritdhari) Khalsa Sikhs who act as institutionalized leaders for the wider Sikh community.[1][2][3]
Function
The Panj Pyare are convened for pressing matters in the Sikh community, covering both local and international issues.[3] The constituent members of a Panj Piare quintet are selected based on meritocratic grounds.[3]
Ceremonies
Panj Pyare leading a procession in Wolverhampton, U.K.
They are responsible for leading a Nagar Kirtan procession.[4] The Panj Pyare are also responsible for carrying out the Amrit Sanchar ceremony of baptizing new members into the Khalsa order of Sikhism.[1] Until the Vaisakhi of AD 1699, the Sikh initiation ceremony was known as Charan Pahul.[5] They are responsible for laying the cornerstone of newly built gurdwaras.[3]
The inaugural group of Panj Piare formed the nucleus of the Khalsa: the first five persons to receive Khanda di Pahul initiation and rites (baptism) of the two-edged sword. They were the inaugural Panj Pyare. However, the term is not limited only to this inaugural group. After them, any group of five baptized Sikhs are also referred to as the Panj Pyare.[6]
During the Second Battle of Chamkaur, it was a council of Panj Piare who commanded Guru Gobind Singh to leave the battlefield to preserve his life and continue leading the Sikhs, an order which the Guru obeyed.[3]
After the formation of the institution of Panj Piare in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh appointed five Sikhs in Nanded to accompany Madho Das (popularly known as Banda Bairagi) on his northwards mission to conquer Sirhind in 1708.[7] The names of these five Panj Piare were: Binod Singh, Kahan Singh, Baj Singh, Daya Singh, and Ram Singh.[7] Guru Gobind Singh requested Banda to obey the counsel of the Panj Piare but since no accounts of Banda's life mention the institute of the Panj Piare beyond this, it is believed he may not have heeded their commands fully and went astray.[8]
Background
The idea of five beloved ones predate the formalization of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Guru Nanak alludes to the institution of "five beloved sons" in his gurbani.[2]
"Guru Nanak says, 'In Gurmat (Sikhism) five beloved ones are the sons of the Guru.' Maru M. 1"
— Jaspal Singh, Guru Granth Sahib: The Sikh Scripture (2021), page 62
Throughout Sikh history, there have been five beloved ones during different guruship terms. Examples are given below for some of them:[2]
His five beloved ones were Baba Buddha, Paro Julka, Amar Das (later successor), Paida, and Sadharn.[9]
Guru Amar Das
His five beloved ones were Baba Buddha, Paro, Malhan, Balu, and Jetha (later successor).[9]
Guru Ram Das
His five beloved ones were Baba Buddha, Bidhi Chand, Teeratha, Dharam, and Guria.[9]
Guru Arjan
His five beloved ones were Bidhi Chand, Bhai Jetha, Bhai Langah, Bhai Pirana, and Bhai Pera.[2]
Guru Hargobind
Mural of Guru Hargobind, with Bhai Lakhu, Bhai Tiloka, Bhai Jetha, Bhai Bidhi Chand, and Baba Buddha, from an unidentified Samadhi located near Gurdwara Bhai Than Singh at Kot Fateh Khan, Attock, Punjab
His five beloved ones were Bhai Gurdas, Bidhi Chand, Behlo, Kalayana, and Bhallan.[9]
Guru Har Rai
His five beloved ones were Bhai Suthra, Feru, Dargah, Bhana, and Bhagta.[9]
Guru Har Krishan
His five beloved ones were Bhai Dargah, Gurbakhsh, Baba Gurditta,[note 1] Sant Ram, and Gurdas.[9]
His five beloved ones were the original/inaugural group of Panj Piare as already named in the article.[2]
Establishment
Fresco from Gurdwara Baba Bakala depicting the birth of the Khalsa Panth on the occasion of Vaisakhi in Anandpur, 1699
Guru Gobind Rai was 33 years old when he had divine inspiration to actuate his designs and make an undying legacy. Every year at the time of Baisakhi (springtime), thousands of devotees would come to Anandpur to pay their obeisance and seek the Guru's blessings. In early 1699, months before Baisakhi Day, Guru Gobind Rai sent special edicts to congregants far and wide that year the Baisakhi was going to be a unique affair. He asked them not to cut any of their hair—to come with unshorn hair under their turbans and chunis, and for the men to come with full beards.
On Baisakhi Day, March 30, 1699, hundreds of thousands of people gathered around his divine temporal seat at Anandpur Sahib. The Guru addressed the congregants with a most stirring oration on his divine mission of restoring their faith and preserving the Sikh religion. After his inspirational discourse, he flashed his unsheathed sword and said that every great deed was preceded by equally great sacrifice: He demanded one head for oblation. "I need a head", he declared. After some trepidation one person offered himself. The Guru took him inside a tent. A little later he reappeared with his sword dripping with blood, and asked for another head. One by one, four more earnest devotees offered their heads. Every time the Guru took a person inside the tent, he came out with a bloodied sword in his hand.
Thinking their Guru to have gone berserk, the congregants started to disperse. Then the Guru emerged with all five men dressed in orange suits with a blue bib. (These are the colors of Sikhism). He baptized the five in a new and unique ceremony called pahul, what Sikhs today know as the baptism ceremony called Amrit. Then the Guru asked those five baptized Sikhs to baptize him as well. This is how he became known as Guru Chela both teacher and student. He then proclaimed that the Panj Pyare—the Five Beloved Ones—would be the embodiment of the Guru himself: "Where there are Panj Pyare, there am I. When the Five meet, they are the holiest of the holy."
He said whenever and wherever five baptized (Amritdhari) Sikhs come together, the Guru would be present. All those who receive Amrit from five baptized Sikhs will be infused with the spirit of courage and strength to sacrifice. Thus with these principles he established Khalsa Panth, the Order of the Pure Ones.
Unique identity
At the same time the Guru gave his new Khalsa a unique, indisputable, and distinct identity. The Guru gave the gift of bana, the distinctive Sikh clothing and headwear. He also offered five emblems of purity and courage. These symbols, worn by all baptized Sikhs of both sexes, are popularly known today as Five Ks:
Kangha, the wooden comb, which keeps the tangles out of Sikhs' hair, which shows that God keeps the tangles out of one's life;
Kara, the iron (or steel) bracelet, which has no beginning or end, which shows that God has no beginning or end;
Kirpan, the sword, used only to defend others weaker than the bearer; and
Kashera, the underwear worn by Sikhs in battle so they can move freely.
By being identifiable, no Sikh could ever hide behind cowardice again.
Political tyranny and brutality by Islamic Rulers of the day was not the only circumstance that was lowering people's morale. Discriminatory class distinctions (the Indian "caste" system) were responsible for the people's sense of degradation. The Guru wanted to eliminate the anomalies caused by the caste system. The constitution of the Panj Pyare was the living example of his dream: both the high and low castes were amalgamated into one. Among the original Panj Pyare, there was one Khatri, shopkeeper; one jat, farmer one Chhimba, calico printer/tailor; one jheewar, one kumhar, water-carrier; and one Nai, a barber. Further the five were from distant regions - lahore, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka odisha.. He gave the surname of Singh (Lion) to every Sikh and also took the name for himself. From Gobind Rai he became Guru Gobind Singh. He also pronounced that all Sikh women embody royalty, and gave them the surname Kaur (Princess). With the distinct Khalsa identity and consciousness of purity Guru Gobind Singh gave all Sikhs the opportunity to live lives of courage, sacrifice, and equality.
The birth of the Khalsa is celebrated by Sikhs every Baisakhi Day on April 13. Baisakhi 1999 marks the 300th anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh's gift of Panth Khalsa to all Sikhs everywhere.
After the first five initiates into the Khalsa order, the next five (out of a total of ten) were termed the Panj Mukte ('five martyrs') and are named as follows:[11][12]
According to the Guru Kian Sakhian, after the first ten baptisms (Panj Piare and Panj Mukte), around 20,000 men were ready to accept the baptism whilst a few rejected it.[12] The list of men in-sequence who then underwent the Pahul were: Mani Ram, Diwan Bachittar Das, Ude Rai, Anik Das, Ajaib Das, Ajaib Chand, Chaupat Rai, Diwan Dharam Chand, Alam Chand Nachna, and Sahib Ram Koer.[12] This group was then followed by Rai Chand Multani, Gurbakhsh Rai, Pandit Kirpa Ram Dutt of Mattan, Subeg Chand, Gurmukh Das, Sanmukh Das, Amrik Chand, Purohit Daya Ram, Ratna, Gani Das, Lal Chand Peshauria, Rup Chand, Sodhi Dip Chand, Nand Chand, Nanu Rai of Diwali, and Hazari, Bhandari and Darbari of Sirhind.[12] As many as 80,000 men are said to have been baptized in the first few days after Vaisakhi 1699.[12]
Gender
Since the inaugural quintet that began the institution of Panj Pyare, and who had been appointed by Guru Gobind Singh himself, had been all-male, many Sikhs believe the Panj Pyare can only consist of men and that women cannot be initiated as representatives.[4] However, this is challenged as being against the Sikh belief and practice of gender equality.[4] The 3HO sect of Sikhs allow baptized Sikh women to form the Panj Pyare.[4]
^ abWilliams, Victoria (2016). "Dastaar Bandi and Amrit Sanchar, Sikhism". Celebrating life customs around the world: from baby showers to funerals. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. p. 70. ISBN978-1-4408-3658-9. OCLC956633929. During the ceremony the amrit is accompanied by a solemn oath in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Panj Pyare, or the five beloved ones. Panj Pyare is a quintet of initiated Sikh men or women who act as leaders within the Sikh community. The Panj Pyare oversees the Amrit Sanchar ceremony by preparing the initiates and administering the Amrit to those ready to be initiated
^ abcdefSingh, Jaspal (2021). Guru Granth Sahib: The Sikh Scripture. K.K. Publications. p. 62.
^ abcdeSandhu, Gian Singh (2023). "34. Who are the current panj pyare?". Who Are the Sikhs? An Exploration of the Beliefs, Practices, & Traditions of the Sikh People. Archway Publishing. ISBN978-1-6657-3953-5. OCLC1376370414. Today, the term panj pyare refers to an ad hoc group of five amritdhari Sikhs who are recognized by the congregation for their commitment to Sikhi and are asked to perform certain functions. The panj pyare are given the honour of conducting the amrit sanchar (initiation ceremony) and may also be called upon to perform other important services, such as laying the cornerstone of a gurdwara or leading a religious procession. They may also assist in dispute resolution, such as deciding issues confronting a family, the local Sikh sangat (community), or the greater Sikh panth as a whole. They must be of the highest moral standing and adhere strictly to Sikh principles and values. The panj pyare are all volunteers, and they are selected when the need arises. They maintain this status until the duty they were asked to perform has been fulfilled.
At crucial moments of Sikh history, the panj pyare have collectively acted as supreme authority for the Sikhs. For example, during the battle of Chamkaur, the last five surviving Sikhs constituted themselves into the Council of Five, and they commanded Guru Gobind to leave the fortress and save himself by reassembling the Sikhs. Before Guru Gobind Singh passed away, he ended the line of living gurus. Through the institution of the panj pyare, the Guru envisioned a continuing society that would conduct itself democratically and choose its leaders based on merit.
^"Charan pāhul | The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2022-09-24. Charan pāhul (Pañjābī, 'foot-initiation'). Hindu initiation ritual continued by Sikh Gurūs. Gurū Gobind Siṅgh replaced charan pāhul with khaṇḍe-dī-pāhul, initiation with the khaṇḍā on Baisākhī day 1699.
^"Pañj pyāre | The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2022-09-23. Pañj pyāre (Pañjābī, 'five beloved ones'). 1. Five men who volunteered their heads for Gurū Gobind Siṅgh on Baisākhī 1699. All were renamed Siṅgh. They subsequently fought bravely for the Gurū. The pañj pyāre are remembered daily in Ardās, and a portion of kaṛāh praśād is taken out in their memory before general distribution. 2. Five baptized Sikhs who administer khaṇḍe-di-pahul. They are normally men and must be amritdhārī, physically whole, and known to observe the Sikh code of conduct (rahit). 3. The central and final authority for all Sikhs, located at Amritsar.
^ abSagoo, Harbans Kaur (2001). Banda Singh Bahadur and Sikh Sovereignty. Deep & Deep Publications. p. 119. ISBN9788176293006.
^Fenech, Louis E. (2021). The Cherished Five in Sikh History. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 48. ISBN978-0-19-753287-4. OCLC1157751641. As we can note, the sakhi contains the names of both the Panj Piare and the lesser known pañj mukte, or the Five Liberated Ones. The Five Liberated Ones, namely Ram Singh, Fateh Singh, Deva Singh, Ishar Singh, and Tahil Singh, were, according to Sikh tradition, the next five Sikh men to be administered the elixir of the double-edged sword after the Panj Piare. They are referred to as the five bhujangis or the mahan mukte (great liberated) in the late-eighteenth-century rahit-nama attributed to Daya Singh.
^ abcdeGandhi, Surjit Singh (2007). History of Sikh Gurus Retold: 1606-1708 C.E. History of Sikh Gurus Retold. Vol. 2. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. pp. 790–791.
Singh, Patwant (1989). The Golden Temple. South Asia Books. ISBN962-7375-01-2.
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