The Sikh Flag-Nishan Sahib Part One -Gurcharan Singh Kulim,Kamuning Hills/London
The position of the Nishan sahib among the Sikhs is not only significant and important but unique and unparalleled when compared to the flags in the rest of the world.There has been little constructed discussion, and far less constitutional understanding among the Sikhs regards the Nishan sahib and its existence and... position in the Sikh faith.Many think it's significance is simply as much as that of the flag of a country!
I would like to explore this further and share my research and understanding about the subject, history, development and origins of the Nishan Sahib, associated with some historical antcedents.
Unlike the flags of other nations, the Nishan sahib is not simply a flag of the Sikhs.It is connected seriously to the Sikhs developed tradition, Sikh image / vision, Sikh cultural and religio-spiritual history of its people and the community's futuristic aspirations.
The Nishan sahib is undoubtedly the 'living' ensign of the continual high spirited development of the Sikhs, it is the sign of the ever revolutionary Sikh religion and its hard working adherents.It is perhaps the only flag that was created for more than being a flag.Many may believe that it is the expression of our military and warrior might and a window of the fighting qualities of the martial Sikhs; and that it began with Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, which is an incorrect assumption.
Guru Amardas Ji in the following shabad merited by a bhat called kalashar says-
Jis dhiraj dhor dhaval dhuja, sait bekunth binna. Sawaiye meh 3rd,1392/15
[ਜਿਸ ਧੀਰਜ ਢੋਰ ਧਵਲ ਧੁਜਾ , ਸਿਤ ਬੇਕੁੰਠ ਬਿੰਨਾ . ਸਵੈਯੇ ਮੇਹਲਾ ੩ਰ੍ਦ ,੧੩੯੨ /੧੫]
This shabad indicates that there was a white Flag that flew over the centre at Goindwal sahib.This suggests that prior to Gur Hargobind sahib there was already the Nishan of PIRI- saintliness - in existence.
Some scholars of Sikhism, are of the opinion that the mentioned white flag carried the sign of the ੧(ਓੰ
This flag is believed to represent Guru Nanak's Era [raj]- rule- as said in Ramkali Vaar, Rai Balwand, pages 966/15
Nanak Raj Chalaiya
sach kott stani niv de//
funn Dharam dhuja farhat sda
aggh punj trangg nivawaran kau//
[ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਜ ਚਲਾਯਾ
ਸਚ ਕੋੱਟ ਸਤਾਣੀ ਨੀਵ ਦੇ //
ਫੁੰਨ ਧਰਮ ਧੁਜਾ ਫਰੱਹਟ ਸਦਾ
ਅਗ੍ਗ੍ਹ ਪੁੰਜ ਤ੍ਰਾਨੱਗ ਨਿਵਾਵਾਰਾਂ ਕੌੳ//]
sawaiye :4,Bhat Mathra Pages 1404/06.....
However, this colour appears to have changed from white to saffron.Further changes took place which we will discuss later on ... after the martydom of Guru Arajan Dev Ji.
In swaiye 5, kal, pages 1407/016 it says ...Dharam dhuja Arjan
har Bhagta....[ਧਰਮ ਧੂਜਾ ਅਰਜਨ ਹਰ ਭਗਤਾ ]
In the supplicatory prayers[ARDAS],it is read This
Sikhaa Noo Sikhee Daan, Kesh Daan, Rehit Daan, Bibek Daan, Bharosaa Daan, Daanaa Sir Daan Naam Daan, Chounkiyaa Jhande Bunge Jugo Jug Attal, Dharam Ka Jai Kaar Bolo Ji Waheguroo
ਸਿਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਖੀ ਦਾਨ , ਕੇਸ਼ ਦਾਨ , Rehit ਦਾਨ , ਬਿਬੇਕ ਦਾਨ , ਭਰੋਸਾ ਦਾਨ , ਦਾਨਾ ਸਿਰ ਦਾਨ ਨਾਮ ਦਾਨ , ਚੋਉਂਕਿਯਾਂ ਝੰਡੇ ਬੁੰਗੇ ਜੁਗੋ ਜੁਗ ਅੱਟਲ , ਧਰਮ ਕਾ ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ]
Kindly confer upon the Sikhs the gift of Sikhism, the gift of long hair, the gift of observing Sikh laws, the gift of divine knowledge, the gift of firm faith, the gift of belief and the biggest gift of Name. O God! May the choirs, the mansion and the banners exist forever; may the truth ever triumph; utter Wahe Guru (Wondrous God)!
Thus, it can be seen there is a special mention and position of the Nishan Sahib in the most important part of Sikh prayers.Sikh history tells that Sikhs have fought bravely and attained martydom while defending the Nishan Sahib.
Just how important and privileged the Nishan Sahib is regarded by the Sikh Panth can be gauged from the following story of one Sikh, Bhai Alam Singh Ji.
Attachments - Sikh Philosophy Network
More...
The position of the Nishan sahib among the Sikhs is not only significant and important but unique and unparalleled when compared to the flags in the rest of the world.There has been little constructed discussion, and far less constitutional understanding among the Sikhs regards the Nishan sahib and its existence and... position in the Sikh faith.Many think it's significance is simply as much as that of the flag of a country!
I would like to explore this further and share my research and understanding about the subject, history, development and origins of the Nishan Sahib, associated with some historical antcedents.
Unlike the flags of other nations, the Nishan sahib is not simply a flag of the Sikhs.It is connected seriously to the Sikhs developed tradition, Sikh image / vision, Sikh cultural and religio-spiritual history of its people and the community's futuristic aspirations.
The Nishan sahib is undoubtedly the 'living' ensign of the continual high spirited development of the Sikhs, it is the sign of the ever revolutionary Sikh religion and its hard working adherents.It is perhaps the only flag that was created for more than being a flag.Many may believe that it is the expression of our military and warrior might and a window of the fighting qualities of the martial Sikhs; and that it began with Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, which is an incorrect assumption.
Guru Amardas Ji in the following shabad merited by a bhat called kalashar says-
Jis dhiraj dhor dhaval dhuja, sait bekunth binna. Sawaiye meh 3rd,1392/15
[ਜਿਸ ਧੀਰਜ ਢੋਰ ਧਵਲ ਧੁਜਾ , ਸਿਤ ਬੇਕੁੰਠ ਬਿੰਨਾ . ਸਵੈਯੇ ਮੇਹਲਾ ੩ਰ੍ਦ ,੧੩੯੨ /੧੫]
This shabad indicates that there was a white Flag that flew over the centre at Goindwal sahib.This suggests that prior to Gur Hargobind sahib there was already the Nishan of PIRI- saintliness - in existence.
Some scholars of Sikhism, are of the opinion that the mentioned white flag carried the sign of the ੧(ਓੰ
This flag is believed to represent Guru Nanak's Era [raj]- rule- as said in Ramkali Vaar, Rai Balwand, pages 966/15
Nanak Raj Chalaiya
sach kott stani niv de//
funn Dharam dhuja farhat sda
aggh punj trangg nivawaran kau//
[ਨਾਨਕ ਰਾਜ ਚਲਾਯਾ
ਸਚ ਕੋੱਟ ਸਤਾਣੀ ਨੀਵ ਦੇ //
ਫੁੰਨ ਧਰਮ ਧੁਜਾ ਫਰੱਹਟ ਸਦਾ
ਅਗ੍ਗ੍ਹ ਪੁੰਜ ਤ੍ਰਾਨੱਗ ਨਿਵਾਵਾਰਾਂ ਕੌੳ//]
sawaiye :4,Bhat Mathra Pages 1404/06.....
However, this colour appears to have changed from white to saffron.Further changes took place which we will discuss later on ... after the martydom of Guru Arajan Dev Ji.
In swaiye 5, kal, pages 1407/016 it says ...Dharam dhuja Arjan
har Bhagta....[ਧਰਮ ਧੂਜਾ ਅਰਜਨ ਹਰ ਭਗਤਾ ]
In the supplicatory prayers[ARDAS],it is read This
Sikhaa Noo Sikhee Daan, Kesh Daan, Rehit Daan, Bibek Daan, Bharosaa Daan, Daanaa Sir Daan Naam Daan, Chounkiyaa Jhande Bunge Jugo Jug Attal, Dharam Ka Jai Kaar Bolo Ji Waheguroo
ਸਿਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਖੀ ਦਾਨ , ਕੇਸ਼ ਦਾਨ , Rehit ਦਾਨ , ਬਿਬੇਕ ਦਾਨ , ਭਰੋਸਾ ਦਾਨ , ਦਾਨਾ ਸਿਰ ਦਾਨ ਨਾਮ ਦਾਨ , ਚੋਉਂਕਿਯਾਂ ਝੰਡੇ ਬੁੰਗੇ ਜੁਗੋ ਜੁਗ ਅੱਟਲ , ਧਰਮ ਕਾ ਜੈ ਕਾਰ ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ]
Kindly confer upon the Sikhs the gift of Sikhism, the gift of long hair, the gift of observing Sikh laws, the gift of divine knowledge, the gift of firm faith, the gift of belief and the biggest gift of Name. O God! May the choirs, the mansion and the banners exist forever; may the truth ever triumph; utter Wahe Guru (Wondrous God)!
Thus, it can be seen there is a special mention and position of the Nishan Sahib in the most important part of Sikh prayers.Sikh history tells that Sikhs have fought bravely and attained martydom while defending the Nishan Sahib.
Just how important and privileged the Nishan Sahib is regarded by the Sikh Panth can be gauged from the following story of one Sikh, Bhai Alam Singh Ji.
Attachments - Sikh Philosophy Network
More...