Ans. Langar is the free (community) kitchen, which is an integral part of Sikh way of life. The term Langar is of Persian origin. It means anchor, a pronged weighty device made of steel, which is cast into the sea in order to hold the ships/boats in a particular place.
That is why we use the term “langar pauna” (to cast langar) rather than to eat langar*Our Gurus used this term because, as a ship is stopped by casting the anchor and after loading, it again moves on. Similarly, in the world, our body, the ship, while traversing this world ocean has to stop periodically by casting anchor (langar) to load before moving on towards its final goal.
In other words, unlike the way some people think – eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die, eating is a necessary part of life. In other words we eat to live and not live to eat. Moreover, since the anchor (langar) is associated with steel, we call “loh langar”, meaning steel anchor.
Pangat means to sit in a row** (at the same level) in order to partake food. In terms of Sikh culture it is to forget the difference between high and low, rich and poor, black and white and caste the langar.
In India, the superstitions about purity and impurity were at its extreme at the time of the Gurus. So much so that each member of the same family, while starting to eat a meal, would sprinkle water around him/her and draw a ‘chakra’ (line). Sometimes different members of the same family had separate cooking stoves. Among some sects the superstition prevailed that their food would get defiled if a person of a low caste simply looked at it.
Thus when Guru Nanak visited Bhai Lalo, who belonged to a low caste, the latter made a separate place for Guru Nanak to eat his meals. But the Guru said, “Lalo! The whole world is a sanctified place for me. Any one who has recognized the reality is pure”.
At the time of the third Master, Guru Amar Das, no one could go to the congregation unless he/she had partaken the langar with everyone else sitting in the same line. He himself would also sit at the same level as everyone else.
Some Brahmins complained to emperor Akbar that Guru Amar Das, by creating the tradition of everyone sitting together and eating, was degrading the Hindu traditions. Hearing this the emperor became curious to see such a person who could boldly go against the Brahminical traditions. He visited the Guru at Goindwal and partook the langar sitting with common people. He was so impressed by the personality of Guru Amar Das that he offered a large chunk of land (estate) to the Guru. When the Guru declined, Akbar insisted and finally gave the land to the Guru’s daughter.
At Anand Pur, the tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh, had directed that no one should cook his/her food. Everyone was supposed to partake food in Pangat. No one was to be deprived of food. He further enjoined, “Do not be superstitious regarding impurity and ‘chauka’, prevalent in the Hindu society. When the food is ready, request the Almighty with humble and earnest heart to send someone in need to share with you. Keep a separate plate full of food and if any needy person, may he be a Hindu, a Muslim or a Sikh, give it to him”.
These days when we are celebrating historical days (Gurpurabs etc.), all we do is, sit ourselves in a large Pangat and cast the Langar. This is good too, but it would be much better if we invite the followers of other religions also to come, sit with us and partake the food. The tradition of beating the drum at the time of Langar signifies that even if the enemy comes at that time, he is also to be offered food like a friend. The tradition goes to the extent that one should eat only if some food is left after serving to others.
The use of the word “langar” does not seem to be the way it is described by in use even at the time of Guru Gobind Singh. For example, “khaavat langar Prof. Satbir Singh, i.e. “langar pauna”. Eating langar (langar khana) has been devat gaaree”. (In Dasam Granth – Krishan Avatar). Recently there has been a controversy regarding the meaning of Pangat. Whether it is to sit on the floor at the same level or on benches or chairs at the same level. Unfortunately, this controversy resulted in some violent fights in some Gurdwaras.