Ans.NIRMALAS:
Guru Gobind Singh himself started the Nirmala sect. For educational and intellectual leadership he selected some knowledgeable Sikhs and sent them to Kashi (Benaras) for higher education in Sanskrit.
When they returned after successful completion of their education they were then given the title of “Nirmal Panth”. It is clear that the tenth Master started “Khalsa” Panth in order to uproot injustice, cruelty and brutality. He started the Nirmalas so that the pristine missionary work of Sikhism should be carried out. Sant Gulab Singh, in his Panth Prakash, has expressed a similar idea. “Guru Gobind Singh, an embodiment of God’s light created two types of Sikhs. To one he gave a sword and strength to cleanse the earth of cruel people. To the other he bestowed high intellect and education. These were believers of one ‘Akaal Purakh’ and were called Nirmalas (means clean, free from dirt).
All these Nirmalas were Amritdhaaris (had taken Khande di Pahul). They were always preaching to make the people aware of the high ideals of the Gurus and the great martyrdoms of innumerable Sikhs and urging them to hold on to these ideals. Thus they instigated the Sikhs to stay steadfast on the path followed by these Sikh martyrs. They always wore long white robes as if it was their uniform (like a black jacket is of lawyers). They also led the life of celibacy so that they could devote their lives to missionary work, being free from the encumbrances of the family. This does not separate them from the Panth.(These days there are certain groups among Sikhs who do not eat if the food is not prepared in steel utensils. Also there are some groups whose women wear turbans like men. Such minor differences (in life style) do not make them belong to a separate religion. As long as a group preaches one Guru, one Bani (Word) and contemplation on one Shabad, that group is an inseparable part of the Panth.)
The first five Sikhs whom Guru Gobind Singh sent to Kashi for higher education, were:
1. Bhai Karan Singh
2. Bhai Veer Singh
3. Bhai Ganda Singh
4. Bhai Sobha Singh
5. Bhai Ram Singh.
In his book, Nirmal Bhushan, Bhai Ganesa Singh has written that Nirmala Saints, not caring for comfortable life, go to villages where they teach Gurmukhi to children and make them remember Gurbani by heart. By doing such community service they gain the respect and reverence of the people. Also they initiate people into Khalsa brotherhood by administering Amrit.
The first Nirmala center (Akhara) was established, by Bhai Dargah Singh, in Kaithal, in September 1710. The Khalsa flag was also raised there.
There are five Nirmala centers at the following places:
1. Hardwar
2. Paryag
3. Ujjain
4. Triyanbak
5. Kurukshetra
B. UDAASIS:
The Udaasi sect was founded by Baba Siri Chand, the eldest son of Guru Nanak. Initially, he separated himself from the main stream Sikhism. Gradually, however, he realized his mistakes and became closer so that now it has become an inseparable part of the Panth. He was greatly impressed by the humility of Guru Ram Das, the service of Guru Arjan Dev to the community and the bravery of Guru Har Gobind. When he was old and ready to retire, he came to Guru Har Gobind and asked for one of his (Guru’s) sons to take care of the Udaasi group, which by then had become very close to Sikhism and had actually started working as a group of Sikh missionaries. Guru Har Gobind who had realized the transformation that the Udaasis had gone through, gladly gave his eldest son, Baba Gurditta, to become a successor to Baba Siri Chand. Baba Siri Chand was pleased and bestowed all his spiritual powers to Baba Gurditta.
Baba Gurditta was an accomplished planner. For the purpose of missionary work he established four centers (Dhuans).
He picked four dedicated Sikhs from Kashmir to head these centers. Their names are:
Bhai Balu Hasna,
Bhai Phool,
Bhai Goinda a
Bhai Almast
With the blessings of Guru Hari Rae, Guru Hari Krishan and Guru Tegh Bahadur, the Udaasis developed six groups (Bakshishs) who spread the teachings of the Sikh Gurus far and wide.
These Bakshishs were:
1. Suthre Shahi
2. Sangat Sahibee-e
3. Bhagat Bhaagwaahee-e
4. Miha Shaahee-e
5. Jeet Mallee-e
6. Bakhat Malee-e
Udaasis wear read robes and a black ‘Seli’ around their neck (some also wear orange robes). They do not cut their hair or shave their beards.
C. SEHJDHAARI:
A Sehjdhaari is one who is gradually coming into the folds of Sikhism and has started leading his/her life according to the Sikh tenets (does not use tobacco, does not eat meat of an animal slaughtered slowly) and has decided to make his children Sikhs .Those who cut their hair after keeping them are not Sehjdhaaris. They are ‘Patit’ (fallen ones). A Sehjdhaari is proceeding upward towards the destination (of Sikhi) but a ‘Patit’ is falling downward.
Guru Gobind Singh’s commandment is:
“If a Sehjdhaari makes his son a Singh, his root becomes green (live). He who cuts his hair and keeps his beard trimmed, he is uprooted (from Sikhi).
D. NIHANGS:
Anyone who lives free from fear is called a Nihang. Guru Arjan Dev has described Nihang in this very manner:
ਨਿਰਭਉ ਹੋਇਓ ਭਇਆ ਨਿਹੰਗਾ॥
(SGGS, P. 392.)
According to old Panth Prakash, a person who has forsaken the fear of death and is always ready to embrace martyrdom is called a Nihang.
Nihang Singhs are unattached to worldly materials. They wear blue clothes and tie a turban that is a foot high with a “dumala” on top of it. They always keep several weapons like chakkar, khanda etc. on them.
This group was also established on an order from Guru Gobind Singh. He was so impressed by the devotion of Bhai Maan Singh, who stayed with him from Anand Pur to Nanderh, that he praised him and his blue attire and said,
“A fearless, pure, immaculate and devoted Sikh, with a distinct attire, like you should have his own group”.
These Nihangs used to be famous for their generosity, strict adherence to Dharma and of such a spotless character that even in those days of turmoil, there was a saying, “Open the door, do not be afraid, a Nihang has come to your house”.
They used to lead such an intrepid and unpredictable life style that even their family did not know of their whereabouts. While riding or fighting they always uttered “Akaal”. That is why they also became known as “Akaalis”. They had their own typical language that indicated their positive thinking. For example:
Charhaaee karna.
To die (literal meaning is to invade).
Sickness or sleep Dharam Raj di dhee.
(literal meaning is daughter of the angel of death).
Punishment to a guilty Shaheedi maar.
Grams (garbenzo beans)
Badaam (literal meaning is almonds)
Salt Sarab rass
(literal meaning is all tastes).
A little Sawaya
(literal meaning is one and a quarter).
To run out on food Langar mast ho gia.
Grass Hara palla.
Shanty Sheesh Mahal
(literal meaning is a glass palace).
Calamity Swarag
(literal meaning is heaven)
Worn out scarf Hazar mekhi.
Coarse grain Gurmukhi Parshaad.
Rupees Chhillar
(literal meaning is bark of a tree).
Someone loose on Sikh conduct Dabarh Ghusarh.
One Sava lakh
(literal meaning is one hundred twenty five thousand).
Oneself one Fauj
(literal meaning is army).
E. SEVA PANTHI:
Seva Panthis are also an inseparable part of the Panth. Guru Tegh Bahadur first gave them his blessings. To this seed of ninth Master’s blessings, the tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh further nurtured with the water of his grace.
Bhai Kahnaiya was the first sprout of this seed and Bhai Seva Ram the first healthy branch of this tree. To this, later on, several other healthy branches grew. Notable among them are, Bhai Adam (Adam Shaahee-e), Bhai Aya Ram, Bhai Bhala Ram, Bhai Seva Das, Bhai Dukh Bhanjan and many more.
According to Sikh history, when Guru Tegh Bahadur looked at Bhai Kahnaiya, the latter went into a state of ecstatic trance. He felt as if his physical self had separated from his spiritual self. According to another tradition, Guru Tegh Bahadur asked Bhai Kahnaiya to bring a pitcher of water from a distant well. When he brought the water, the Guru asked him to spill it and bring another pitcher. Bhai Kahnaiya brought another and this was also spilled by the Guru’s order. This process went on for many times but Bhai Kahnaiya neither questioned the motive of the Guru nor indicated any drop in his enthusiasm to serve the Guru. The Guru was preparing him for tireless service without any discrimination (a kind of Red Cross) in the battles of the future. The purpose of repeatedly spilling the water was to test the devotion of the Sikh. If he (Bhai Kahnaiya) had indicated a concern on the repeated spilling of water (without any apparent reason) then how could he serve water to the (wounded) enemy soldiers? When Guru Tegh Bahadur found his great devotion and unshakeable resolve to service, he gave Bhai Kahnaiya the duty of serving water to the congregation. Later on (in Guru Gobind Singh’s time) he was given the duty of serving water to the wounded soldiers in battles. This he did by carrying a large container made with a goatskin.
F. BUDDHA DAL AND TARUNA DAL:
These are the names of two groups started by Nawab Kapoor Singh in 1774. Buddha Dal was stationed at Amritsar and was given the duty of protection of the Golden Temple. Another duty of Buddha Dal was to train young men in the art of fighting, who would then become members of Taruna Dal. This group was later on divided into five sub-groups.
G. NANAK PANTHI:
Those who follow the spiritual path delineated by Guru Nanak (irrespective of their creed) – who believe in one God and meditate on Him are called ‘Nanak Panthi’. Guru Nanak had given the true Name of the creator to the world.