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THE FIVE ARE ACCEPTED, THE FIVE ARE SUPREME
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Posted by: "army_joginder"
army_joginder@hotmail.com
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Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:46 am (PST)
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THE FIVE ARE ACCEPTED, THE FIVE ARE SUPREME
Joginder Singh Sethi
To catapult at the helm of a party, a nation or Panth, you can take
the path of Democracy (Parja Tantar), Mobocracy (Gunda Tantar) or
Meritocracy (Guun Tantar).
A large number of countries have opted for democracy. Here electors
decide upon leaders through an _expression of their preference. This
system helps to pamper their ego. But in an indigent and unlettered
country like ours, this fails to sub-serve their interests. Nearly
half of electors rate poorly the value of vote .So they don't feel
inclined to participate in the election process. The other half are
glad to sell their right against fish-chicken curries, foreign-
liquor jaunts and green-note tenders; the hard nuts are cracked with
lathi blows and gun shots. In result, a few thousand manipulators
seize power and ride roughshod over the hearts of voters. Once in
saddle, they dump interests of their countrymen in the back yard and
use this opportunity to fill their coffers to the hilt. No wonder,
across half the century of our independence, they have been taking
turns to rule over the destiny of more than one billion.
In pursuit of their self-interest, they have totally mismanaged the
country's affairs. Even now, nearly one third of fellow citizens
don't get two square meals and a large number die on account of
starvation, cunningly labeled `malnutrition deaths' by govt.
agencies. This system surely cannot herald `Hameli Raj' dreamt of by
our gurus.
Other option is `Mobocracy'. A brute gangs up a few thousands and
attacks a village, a region or a country. He forcibly appropriates
people's properties, enslaves young men and women and sells them in
foreign markets. He savagely rules over the destiny of captives.
Guru Nanak was an eyewitness to such a slaughter and pillage by
Babar's forces at Amenabad. He provides a graphic account of this
painful event. He succinctly records-
Bringing the marriage party of sin, Babar has hastened from Kabul
and demands perforce gift of land etc, O Lalo. Modesty and
rightness both have vanished and falsehood moves about as leader, O,
Lalo.
(GGS.722)
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Army Commander of a neighboring country usurps powers in this manner
and externs the lawfully elected Prime Minister. Currently, much
against the world opinion and UNO concerns, USA attacks Iraq with
full force and seizes control over its territory, resources and
destiny. Such a tyrant is law unto himself. His dictates are
absolute and indisputable. Our 5th Guru was tortured to death, 6th
was lacerated in Gwalior jail, 8th was troubled to no end, 9th was
beheaded in full public view, and 10th was stabbed to death after
murdering his mother and four sons (including two who were bricked
alive), by persons acquiring power through mobocracy. Deputies of
such despots submitted thousands of Sikhs to heinous manner of
torture. Hence, this system is most abominable. Surely, gurmat does
not sanction this `gunda rule'.
Sikh gurus dismissed both democracy and mobocracy. Instead, they
opted for meritocracy. In picking up their successors, they chose
the most worthy, even ignoring their family members and thus
antagonizing them. What merit was sought in a new incumbent?
Guru Nanak largely demonstrates this in the search of his successor.
One day in a queer make up and bizarre dress he throws silver and
gold coins before Sikhs and moves on. Most of them stay back
collecting dhan (wealth). The Guru berates, insults and reviles the
rest. In this manner, he attempts to hurt their mann (ego). They
discard the Guru considering him unworthy of their devotion. Still
five cling to him. As a last move, the Guru gives a lathi blow to
Bhai Lehna's (some say Bhai Buddha's) head which bleeds profusely.
Apprehending a mortal danger to their life, all the four run away.
Their first thought was to protect their tan (body). Bhai Lehna
stays put with his bleeding head. He negates all temptations
for "tan, mann, dhan'. In this manner, he passes the test and is
bestowed gur-gaddi as 2nd Nanak. Guru Nanak sets his criteria very
succinctly in the following verse-
-If thou yearn to play the game of love, step on to my path with thy
head placed on the palm of thy
hand.
(GGS.1412)
So the first requirement of a person seeking to serve the Panth is
to abandon all attachment to `money-power-person.' All gurus
applied this standard test in appointing their successors.
But an individual howsoever upright is at times apt to succumb to
temptations. For that reason, Guru Nanak conferred Panthic
leadership on a Group of Five, each satisfying the above qualifying
factors. He settled that only meritorious should lead Sikhs, that
they should be Five (panch samay) and that they should be true
sewaks of gurmat (gurmat payak). He said-
He alone who is worthy of throne, sits on the throne. He has merits
of five and is a true servant of
Lord.
(GGS.1039)
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He reiterates this Concept of Five in `Jap ji Sahib', recited daily
by Sikhs. He uses the word `panch'. In Sanskrit this means `vast,
unlimited, measureless' Hence when we say `Panch mein parmeshar', we
mean that God permeates this vast Universe. But in gurbani `panch'
commends Five. Jap ji Sahib recounts those who listen (suniaye) to
Guru (poaris 8 to 11) and those who accept (maniye) Guru's words
(poaris 12 to 15). The Guru ordains that out of the listeners we
should select those who accept Gurbani and out of the latter we
should pick up Five who meet the tests described above. Emphasizing
in the next poari (16) the Concept of Five, Guru Nanak elaborates-
-The Five are accepted, and the Five are supreme. The Five obtain
honour in the Lord's court. These Five look benefactors of the court
of kings. The chosen centre of their attention is
Oneness.
(GGS.3)
Guru ji clarifies that the secret (gur) of success of these Five
shall be the constant awareness (dhyan) that they are one in body,
mind and action- panchan ka gur ek dhyan. They are equal in station.
They are one, their decisions are unanimous and their actions are in
the best interest of Panth. It is said that all the gurus nominated
a band of Five Advisers to assist them.
When the 10th Nanak (Guru Gobind Singh) on the Baisakhi of 1699
demands heads of five Sikhs, he is just putting to test what he has
been preaching during the past two hundred and thirty years - come
to me with your head on your palm. Likewise, when he demands only
five heads, neither less nor more, he is merely restating the
Concept of Five, laid down by him in his first incarnation.
Before passing on gur-gaddi to Panth (Granth Guru, Panth Guru), he
devoted enough time and labour to deeply hone in the Concept of Five
in Sikh psyche. Hopefully, they could as a matter of course accept
the leadership of Five. In obedience to this doctrine, the Tenth
Master himself received baptism at the hands of these Five for
joining the ranks of khalsa. That is why he left the fortress of
Chamkor at their bidding (much against his preference to lay down
his life along with forty muktas); he cheerfully received their
reprimand when he meaningfully casts his arrow towards the tomb of a
fakir (salutation to a tomb is disallowed in panthic maryada); he
instructed Banda Singh Bahadur to always follow the advice of Five
Beloved sent along with him. These Five, wherever and whenever so
chosen, were able to keep Panth united and in high spirit during the
darkest period of Sikh history. Thereafter, at some unclear stage
and for unknown reasons, this Concept of Five lost its luster and
primacy. Now, they are paid a sort of lip service at ceremonial
occasions. What went wrong and how?
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Doom dawned when Sikhs accepted vote- system and government
supervision to manage their gurdwaras and religious affairs. This
allowed the ugly practices of sham democracy to sneak into gurdwara
matters. Importing such an immoral system in matters religious was
most irreligious. No wonder, greedy, immoral, and irreligious
persons snatched power and totally mismanaged the affairs .It is a
shame to record that the managing committee of one takht was
suspended by government for alleged embezzlement of millions of
rupees, head of another takht was involved in siphoning off a large
chunk of gurdwara funds, and that of a third takht was charged with
the murder of his daughter-in -law. These are the high moral
pedestals on which our lofty religious leaders stand exposed and
condemned. It is not worth talking of lesser operators. In fact,
the evil of vote snatching by hook or crook has seeped deeply in
gurdwara management. These unsightly episodes are repeated at
elections of many a local gurdwaras when swords are flashed and
turbans are trampled upon. In a number of cases, in India and
abroad, the matters have been dragged to courts. What a mess of our
dignity and self-respect! Panth has no future in election game. Yes,
of course, our fraudulent leaders have. Our gurus never recommended
elected leadership. How do we introduce meritocracy of their concept?
First, we should totally disown Gurdwara Management Acts and regain
freedom to manage our religious affairs without govt. interference.
I don't know whether any other religion has invited such a control
by government.
Second, we should re-introduce the Concept of Five and the selection
criteria presented to us by our Gurus.
To implement this-
- At each local gurdwara, only such persons should come
forward to serve as can exhibit the credentials asked for by Guru
Nanak
--Accept thy death first, abandon the hope of life and be dust of
feet of all; then alone come thou to
me.
(GGS102)
- There should be no membership restrictions, no voting rights
and no limit on the number of persons coming forward to serve.
- The outgoing Five should scrutinize and short-list the names
of eligible candidates.
- Slips bearing names of these persons should be submitted to
GGS and five slips picked up from a rotating drum. (Such a procedure
shall trustfully not provide scope for manipulation since a
Spiritual Authority (GGS) who is beyond influence and machination,
would in fact direct the selection). The five selected should serve
for a period of five years.
- Five Beloved from each of the gurdwaras world over should
constitute `Sarbat khalsa. They should assemble and select Five
Beloved from amongst themselves by the slip system mentioned above.
If necessary, the existing five takhts can provide regional
leadership and select Five Beloved in the above-said manner.
- The `Sarbat Khalsa' should meet once /twice a year and
debate Panthic matters, under the guidance of Five Beloved and
exercise legislative functions.
- The Five Beloved at the apex level shall exercise
administrative and judicial powers and take steps to implement the
resolutions of Sarbat Khalsa. They can solicit the advice of subject
specialists, whenever so needed. Their decisions should always be
unanimous.
I suggest reversion to meritocracy and recommend resurrection of the
Concept of Five as envisaged by our Gurus. I submit this, a sort
of `approach paper', for serious debate and open discussion by your
readers and the entire Khalsa Panth. Details can be worked out later.
* * * * * *
303/1, Ivory Tower, Juhu Road, Mumbai,400049
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