Ans. The tenth Master started the tradition that whenever one ‘Singh’ meets another ‘Singh’, he/she should say, “Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki Fateh”.
Saying “Sat Sri Akaal” instead of “Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki Fateh” is inappropriate and against the tradition. When two Sikhs meet and utter this greeting, they utter the word “Waheguru” four times.
The proclamation of the tenth Master, regarding this way of greeting, has been described by Bhai Mani Singh in his book, “Bhagat Ratanaawali” as follows:
“My face is towards those who pronounce “Waheguru Ji ki Fateh” to the Sikhs; my right shoulder is towards those who respond in like manner (with equal enthusiasm). To those who respond in a subdued manner is my left shoulder and those who do not reply at all, towards them is my back.I like those who loudly proclaim this greeting”.
Zakria Khan, the governor of Lahore (at the time of invasion of Nadir Shah of Iran), explained to Nadir Shah, “they do not greet by saying ‘Ram’ like Hindus, nor they greet by saying ‘Salaam’ like Muslims; they loudly proclaim the triumph of God”.
Once Swami Viveka Nand (a Hindu saint) said, “Waheguru Ji ki Fateh, is the roaring slogan of the new society”.
- 1. There are also Hikayat and the Zafar Naama, which Prof. Satbir Singh seems to have included in the Pakhian Charittar. However, the Zafar Naama cannot be lumped up with the Pakhian Charittar.
- 2. Ever since the appearance of this Granth (Dasam Granth) there has been a lot of controversy regarding the authorship of the compositions contained in it. Some researchers think there are only about 70 pages (out of a total of 1428 pages) that could be considered the bani (compositions) of the tenth Master. Some other writers think not even one composition belongs to Guru Gobind Singh.