Ans. Before Guru Nanak the expression, “sadhu na chale jamaat”, or a saintly person could not perform his religious activities in congregation, was often heard in the Hindu society. The Western Judeo-Christian) religions emphasized on, “flight of alone to the alone”. But Guru Nanak started the institution of “Saadh Sangat” (holy congregation).
On a question from Sidhas (yogis) to Guru Nanak as to why he had left his home and turned away from the world, he answered, “it was to search the God-oriented people”:
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਖੋਜਤ ਭਏ ਉਦਾਸੀ॥
(SGGS, P. 939.)
Wherever Guru Nanak went he established a congregation. In history the names like temporary sangat, permanent sangat, big sangat, kartari sangat or hazoori sangat are mentioned. Later on small sangat was also established. According to Guru Nanak a gathering of people for fun or worldly discussion is not sangat.
Only a gathering where belief in Naam (God’s Name) is affirmed is sangat. According to Gurbani:
ਲਖ ਸਿਆਣਪ ਜੇ ਕਰੀ ਲਖ ਸਿਉ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਪੁ॥
ਬਿਨੁ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਸਾਧ ਨ ਧ੍ਰਾਪੀਆ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਦੂਖ ਸੰਤਾਪੁ॥
(SGGS, P. 20)
“One may indulge in a million feats of cleverness and may make alliances with millions of people, but without holy company (Sangat) fulfilment is not achieved and without Lord’s Name torment of sufferings does not go away”.
In Guru Granth Sahib wherever the word ‘sangat’ (in Gurmukhi script) comes it is always with the diacritical sign of ‘sihari’ before the last letter (tatta). According to Punjabi grammar it implies that it is the company of those (saintly) people, which generates activity towards emancipation (gati), elevates ones consciousness and reveals the light of God’s Name.
ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਕੈਸੀ ਜਾਣੀਐ॥ ਜਿਥੈ ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੀਐ॥
(SGGS, P. 72)
(By what qualities can one recognize holy congregation? Wherein only the Name of the Lord is expounded).
This very holy congregation later on became ‘Khalsa’. When the Sikhs stopped following their own mind and started following unquestioningly the Guru’s directions, they became Khalsa.
“GUR SANGAT KINI KHALSA, MANMUKHI DUHELA”.
(Bhai Gurdas Singh II, Vaar 41)
“The Guru transformed the congregation into Khalsa, thus removing the self-oriented ones from it”.
The Gurus did not like or condone self-interest. To satisfy ones own hunger is selfishness. Inception of idea that, “as long as others are hungry, I am not satisfied”, is the birth of feeling of congregation. It is due to such people that many more get satiated
ਗੁਰਸਿਖਾ ਕੀ ਭੁਖ ਸਭ ਗਈ ਤਿਨ ਪਿਛੈ ਹੋਰ ਖਾਇ ਘਨੇਰੀ॥
(SGGS, P. 451)
This is a necessary condition for a Sikh.The palace of Sikhism has been created on the wide foundation of congregation and Gurbani (Guru’s utterances).
Furthermore, it is easy to walk alone and when one takes along another person the journey may become easier, but one has to become more cautious and careful because of increased responsibility.
Even our liberation is through holy congregation:
“Parvaare saadhaar”
(Interrelated ones are liberated).
The emphasis on the superiority of a householder’s life in our religion is for this very reason. A lone Sikh is one but a householder has the potential to establish a congregation and a “Dharamsaal”.
Wherever five Sikhs get together to pray that is equivalent to a Gurdwara. Bhai Gurdas emphasizes the importance of holy congregation as follows:
Holy congregation is the seat of God. In holy congregation resides the Lord.
Those who faithfully get up early in the morning, go to on the Guru’s shabad holy congregation, focus single-mindedly (word) and make it the food for their soul, to them God reveals Himself. According to Bhai Gurdas:
“GUR MOORAT GUR SHABAD SUN,SAADH SANGAT AASAN NIRANKAAREE;AAD PURAKH AADES KAR, AMRIT VELA SHABAD AHAAREE.