1) BIRTH CEREMONY / JANAM SANSKAR (first ceremony)

When Vaheguru blesses a couple with a child, at this auspicious moment the first rite is to utter "Vaheguru" Gurmantar4 to the child. The midwife should be a Sikh, so that she can enact this rite.

As soon as is possible after the birth Amrit is to be prepared in the following way:

· An Ardas (prayer of supplication) is performed before the start of the ceremony
· An Amritdharee5 Singh should get a Sarab Loh6 bowl and half fill it with water.
· Five patase7 should be added to the water
· This mixture is to be continuously stirred with a Sarbloh Kirpan8
· During the stirring, the Singh is to recite Japjee Sahib from memory and is to sit in the ‘Bir-Asan’ position, a Warrior stance9
· Once the Japjee Sahib recital is complete the Amrit is ready and an Ardas is to be performed and then the Amrit can be administered. Five drops from the tip of the Kirpan are to be given to the child and the mother is to drink the rest of the Amrit.

This is the first ceremony of initiation of a child into the Khalsa Panth (Sikh Nation). The mother is then to breast-feed the child, from this the child should become virtuous, a warrior, saintly, charitable and a vibrant Gursikh. Enacting any other sort of birth rites/ceremony is not allowed in Gurmat; for example lucky charms or strings tied on the child’s wrist or around his/her neck. To break all superstitions a Sarab Loh Kara is to be placed on the child’s right-hand wrist. Drinking alcohol and eating meat whilst celebrating the birth of a child is a grave sin. After the above ceremony10, Karah Parshad is to be prepared and an Ardas recited in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee. The child’s name is based on the first letter of the Hukamnama11 taken from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee.

4 Blessed word of the Guru
5 Initiated Sikh
6 Pure iron
7 Sweets made of sugar and glucose
8 Blessed sword
9 The left leg is to be folded inwardly to rest on and the right is to be upright, similar to a sprinters stance before a race
10 The Janam Sanskar and preparation of Amrit are to be done as soon after birth as possible, and can be performed at the place of birth. The taking of the child into the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to be blessed and named are to be done as soon as is physically possible, but superstitions of the mother not going to the Gurdwara for 40 days are not to be adhered to.
11 Command of the Guru If possible on the same day a Sehaj Paath
12 should be started. The child and his/her mother should listen to the whole Paath. At the Bhog (completions of recital) Guru ka
Langar
13 is to be served to the Sadh Sangat (Holy Congregation).

CONTENTS

1. Birth Ceremony
2. Knowledge Ceremony
3. Amrit Ceremony
4. The provision of Amrit and the Selection of the Panj Pyare
5. Ardas for the worthiness of the Amrit Ceremony Sevadars
6. Questioning of the initiates who wish to take Amrit
7. Ardas to prepare the Amrit
8. Preparing Amrit
9. Ardas upon the creation of the Amrit
10. Bestowing Amrit
11. Mool Mantar and the manifestation of Gurmantar in the initiates
12. Teachings given by the Panj Pyare
13. Five Kakkaars
14. The Four Cardinal Sins
15. The Five Takhats (Thrones) of the Khalsa
16. Four Foundations
17. The Four Colours of the Khalsa
18. Five groups of people who are not to be associated with
19. Wedding Ceremony/Anand Karaj
20. The Recital of Paath and Parkarma
21. Death Ceremony
22. Respecting Gurbani
23. Summary of the Rehat of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee
24. Akhand Paath & Sehaj Paath
25. Raagmala
The Five Ceremonies

There are five ceremonies of life that most Sikhs undergo which explain what a Sikh should do at these significant/pertinent points in life. The following is a brief description of each ceremony and what should occur from cradle to grave for a Sikh.

Glossary

Amrit Immortal nectar – which is made from recital of Gurbani (this is in initiation ceremony).
Amritdharee A person male/female who has become initiated into the Sikh nation.
Anand Sahib Prayer of bliss (authored by Sri Guru Amar Das Jee)
Ang Limb, usually used out of respect when referring to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee. A Sikh out of respect would say Ang 57 (this is due to Sikhs respecting Sri Guru Granth Sahib as a living Guru)
Ardas Prayer of supplication
Bhog This word has two meanings. Bhog in relation to food would mean offering the food to the Guru. Akhand Paath Bhog would mean the completion, so Bhog can mean making a first offering or completion.
Bir Asan Similar to a sprinters stance before a race, the left leg is folded inwardly to rest on and the right leg is to be upright.
Chaur Sahib Whisk waved over Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, it is waved over Guru Jee out of respect, in the past such a whisk was waved over the heads of Kings (it is a sign ofroyalty and respect in the Indian sub-continent and other parts of the world)
Chola Sikh gown/warriors dress which is worn by both men and women.
Darbar Court of the Guru commonly referred to as Sri Darbar Sahib, which is the worship hall in a Gurdwara.
Dharam Righteousness
Dharamraj Gods ordained servant who is the judge of one’s destiny in the next world Gatra Holster for a Kirpan
Granthi A person who recites the Sri Guru Granth Sahib
Gupt Anonymous
Gurbani Divine word of the Guru (scriptures/prayers)
Gurdwara Literally meaning door of the Guru, refers to the physical place of worship. Guru’s abode where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is present.
Gurfateh Sikh greeting of victory – which is Vaheguru Jee Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Jee Kee Fateh
Gurmantar Divine word of the Guru, which is invested in a Sikh in the initiation ceremony, it is to be meditated upon at all times, this is the word Vaheguru.
Gurmat Knowledge of the Guru
Gurmukhi This is the Punjabi script that was created by the second Guru, Sri Guru Angad Dev Jee.
Gursikh Sikh of the Guru
Gutka Small anthology of prayers.
Guru(s) Spiritual enlightener – literally Gu means darkness, Ru means light, thus the Guru takes you out of ignorance and enlightens you.
Guru Ka Langar The kitchen/refectory of the Guru, at which free meals are distributed, without discrimination to all those in attendance.
Gurupanth Nation of the Guru, Sikh Nation
Hukamnama Command of the Guru
Ishnaan Cleansing/bathing and meditating at the same time.
Jakara Sound of victory/war cry. The most common is, “Bole so Nihal, Sat Sri Akal” – which literally means those whomeditate upon God their pains are eradicated, the truth is eternal.
Janam Sanskar Birth ceremony
Japjee Sahib First prayer of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, authored by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee, recited to gain perfect knowledge of God.
Jathedar Leader
Jee Suffix used to signify respect
Kakkar Articles of faith, namely Kes, Kirpan, Kangha, Kara and Kachera
Kamarkasa Waste-band
Kara Iron bangle
Karah Parshad Sweet blessed pudding, which is distributed at all services/ceremonies in the worship hall of a Gurdwara.
It is made of flour, water, sugar and clarified butter, with Gurbani being constantly recited during its preparation.
Kaur Princess – surname of an initiated female Sikh
Khalsa Literally meaning pure, commonly used to refer to Sikhs.
Khalsa Panth Sikh Nation
Khanda Double edged sword
Khanda da Amrit Immortal nectar created with the use of the Khanda, in the initiation ceremony
Kirpan Blessed sword
Kirtan Singing Gurbani with the use of instruments, an integral part of Sikh worships.
Kirtan Sohela Prayer that is recited before a Sikh goes to sleep and recited at the death ceremony of a Sikh.
Mool Mantar Opening lines of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, literally meaning the essence or root of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, starting with Ik Oa(n)kar and ending in Nanak Hosi Bhi Sach
Naam Divine Name of God, this is Gurbani.
Nitnem Daily prayers – these being 7 in total of Japjee Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tva Parsad Svaye (10 verses), Choupai Sahib, Anand Sahib (40 verses), Rehras Sahib & Kirtan Sohela. The aforementioned are the minimum prayers to be recited daily, a Sikh can meditate on more prayers as part of their daily recital.
Paath Recitation of Gurbani
Palki Canopy
Panj Ishnaan Cleansing of hands, face and feet
Panj Pyare Five beloved ones, they administer the initiation ceremony.
Panth Nation
Parna Scarf hung loosely around the neck (usually white in colour)
Patase Sweet puffs that are added to Amrit in the initiation ceremony, they are made with sugar and glucose.
Pehradaar Guardsman
Pothi(s) Anthology of prayers, vary in sizes but are bigger than gutkas and smaller than Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee.
Ragee Person that performs Kirtan.
Rehat Discipline/Way of life
Rehat Maryada Code of conduct
Rehatnama Code of conduct
Rehras Sahib Evening prayer
Rumala Clothing of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee
Sadh Sangat Congregation of Saints/Sikhs, where only the name of God is meditated or discussed.
Sahib Master – used as a suffix
Sangrand First day of a new month according to the solar calendar.
Sarab Loh Pure iron
Sarovar Sacred pool, sarovars usually adjoin Gurdwaras where Sikhs/pilgrims bathe.
Satguru True Guru – the Sikh Gurus.
Sehaj Paath A complete recital of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, which is completed in intervals (no time restriction for
completion is imposed).
Seva Selfless service performed to attain the merit of God’s grace or the blessing of other Sikhs, no worldly reward is attached to doing seva.
Sikhi Practice of the Sikh faith
Singh Lion – surname of a male initiated Sikh
Sri Prefix meaning supreme (short for shromani)
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee The Guru of the Sikhs, anthology of Sikh prayers
Vaheguru Gurmantar, meaning wonderful Lord
Vidiya Education
Vidiya Sanskar Education ceremony

Abbreviations
SGGSJ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee

Rehat Maryada

"God is One, He is the Creator, He is forever Victorious."

"I love a Sikh’s disciplined way of life, not the Sikh."

Gurmat Rehat Maryada – Sikh Code of Conduct
(Summarised Version)
Published by:
Humble Servant Thakur Singh Khalsa,
Damdami Taksal (Jatha Bhindran) Mehta
http://damdamitaksaal.org
Handle with care – this publication contains Gurbani
Gurmat Rehat Maryada – Sikh Code of Conduct
(Summarised Version)
Publishers:
In Heavenly abode, Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee Khalsa Bhindranwale
Their Successor in Heavenly abode, Sant Giani Kartar Singh Jee Khalsa,
Their Successor Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Jee Khalsa,
In the absence of which, their Humble Servant Thakur Singh Khalsa
Damdami Taksal (Jatha Bhindran) Mehta

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