Sangrand of Vaisakhi in April According to the Nanakshahi Samvat Calendar
The first day of the month of Vaisakh or Vaisakhi is known as the Sangrand of Vaisakhi. On this day, Sikhs celebrate the changing of the month. April 14th is the 2nd Sangrand (Sangrand of Vaisakhi) of the year, as given to us by Saheb Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Siri Guru Arjan Dev Ji in their Bani of Baramaha.
You can view the list of all Sangrand dates for each month in the current year. You can also see the English calendar dates for Sangrand in January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December for the current year.
The Birth of Khalsa during Sangrand of Vaisakhi
This is a special day—the day of Vaisakhi (ਵੈਸਾਖੀ) the Sangrand of Vaisakhi—when Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ) brought forth the Khalsa (ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ), Khalsa Akaal Purakh Ki Fauj (ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਕੀ ਫੌਜ), the Khalsa is the army of Akaal Purakh Waheguru .
ਪਰਗਟੇ ਹੋ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਪਰਮਾਤਮ ਕੀ ਮੌਜ (The Khalsa manifested as per the will of God).
They came forth because it was the Hukam (command) of Akaal Purakh Waheguru themselves. Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth form of Waheguru on this earth—the tenth form of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ)—took the heads of the Panj Pyare (the five beloved ones) and then brought them back to life by giving them Khandey Di Pahul (ਖੰਡੇ ਦੀ ਪਾਹੁਲ, Amrit).
They became immortal and became the Guru Khalsa (ਗੁਰੂ ਖਾਲਸਾ), and that is how the Khalsa was brought forth.
Sangrand of vaisakhi (The Changing of the Month)
Sangrand of Vaisakhi is also the changing of the month and Sangrand of Vaisakhi is the begining of the new month. Vaisakhi is the second month of the Sikh calendar; the first month was Chet (ਚੇਤ). Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in their Bani (ਬਾਣੀ), have given us teachings for the changing of this month (Sangrand of Vaisakhi).
Teachings of Guru Arjan Dev Ji During Sangrand of Vaisakhi
Understanding Separation and Love During Sangrand of Vaisakhi
During the Sangrand of Vaisakhi or in this month of Vaisakh (ਵੈਸਾਖ), Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji teaches:
ਵੈਸਾਖ ਤੀਰਣ ਕੇਉ ਵਡਿਆ (How can there be peace in Vaisakh?)
ਜਿਨਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਬਿਛੋਹੁ (Those who are separated from love).
Vaisakh (ਵੈਸਾਖ) is the month; ਤੀਰਣ (tīraṇ) means in ਤੀਰਜ (tīraj, patience), which is sometimes translated to patience in English. Still, tīraj means calmness and peace with oneself, and ਵਢਿਆ (waḍhiā) means separation. So which separation is Guru Arjan Dev Ji talking about? They are talking about the separation of the soul brides from their husband Lord, Waheguru (ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ).
The Soul-Bride and the Husband Lord (Sangrand of Vaisakhi)
We are soul brides, and Akaal Purakh Waheguru is our husband, Lord. So how can the soul-brides have peace with themselves, ਤੀਰਣ (tīraṇ), when they are separated, ਵਢਿਆ (waḍhiā), from their husband Lord Akaal Purakh Waheguru? They are separated from the experience with their husband Lord Waheguru, ਸਾਕ (saak), the experience of Akaal Purakh Waheguru, who is a witness to all their actions.
ਸਾਕ ਸਾਖੀ ਰੂਪ ਹੋਕੇ (Waheguru is the witness to all their actions).
Reconnecting with Waheguru During Sangrand of Vaisakhi
During the Sangrand of Vaisakhi or in this month of Vaisakhi, so the first part of the Pangti (ਪੰਕਤੀ):
How can the soul-brides have peace with themselves when they are separated from the experience of their husband, Lord Akaal Purakh Waheguru, who is a witness to all their actions because Waheguru exists within us in this month of Vaisakhi? What is the reason for that? Why are they separated?
ਜਿਨਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਬਿਚੋਹੁ (Those who have lost the love).
Those who have lost love, ਬਿਚੋਹੁ (bičohu, lost), ਪ੍ਰੇਮ (prēm, love), obviously mean love. Those who have lost the love of Akaal Purakh Waheguru, obviously have no peace because they are separated from the experience. That is the teaching Guru Arjan Dev Ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜਨ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ) is giving us.
Developing Love and Sacrifice During Sangrand of Vaisakhi
The Path to Finding Peace during Sangrand of Vaisakhi
During the Sangrand of Vaisakhi or in this month of Vaisakhi, we have to understand how we can find that peace. Therefore we must develop love. How do we develop a love for Waheguru? because love is how we reach Waheguru.
ਜਿਨਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕਿਓਹ (When they have love).
We only find Prabhu Waheguru (ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ) when we have love for Akaal Purakh Waheguru. But how do we develop love? The form of love, the first action of love, is sacrifice.
ਜਉ ਤੋ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਖੇਲਨ ਕਾ ਚਾਉ (If you want to play the game of love),
ਸਿਰ ਧਰਿ ਤਲੀ ਗਲੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਆਉ (Put your head on the palm of your hand and walk on my path).
This was a teaching Guru Nanak Dev Ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ) gave to Bhai Lehna Ji (ਭਾਈ ਲੇਹਣਾ ਜੀ), who became Guru Angad Dev Ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਅੰਗਦ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ), the first Guru to the second Guru. So, to play the game of love, we must make a sacrifice; that is the first action, and that is the teaching we get in this month of Vaisakhi (Sangrand of Vaisakhi).
The Sacrifice of the Panj Pyare
The Call to Sacrifice
When Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked for the head of a Sikh, nobody stood up. Sikhs got worried. First of all, Bhai Daya Ram Ji (ਭਾਈ ਦਇਆ ਰਾਮ ਜੀ) stood up, and they came forth. The head was taken off, and one by one, the Panj Pyare came. Bhai Daya Ram obviously became Bhai Daya Singh Ji (ਭਾਈ ਦਇਆ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ), and then Bhai Dharam Singh Ji (ਭਾਈ ਧਰਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ), Bhai Himmat Singh Ji (ਭਾਈ ਹਿੰਮਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ), Bhai Mohkam Singh Ji (ਭਾਈ ਮੋਹਕਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ), and Bhai Sahib Singh Ji (ਭਾਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ).
Demonstrating True Love
One by one, they came up, the head was taken off, and then Guru Sahib Ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ) came back out each time. What happened then? Because many Sikhs were worried, many Sikhs made complaints that Guru Sahib Ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ) was cutting the heads of their Guru’s Sikhs. But Guru Gobind Singh Ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ) was bringing forth the Khalsa. The Khalsa was going to show love through their sacrifice to Guru Ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ), and at the same time, if we do that, Guru Ji shows love back.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji did show that love back to the Khalsa by showing their sacrifice. So Guru Gobind Singh Ji got a Kanda (ਖੰਡਾ), and Khandey Di Pahul (Amrit) was made, and that was made in an iron Batta (ਬਟਾ, bowl). A Kanda (ਖੰਡਾ) was used, made of iron, and then, within that Batta (ਬਟਾ, bowl), water was poured. Mata Ji (ਮਾਤਾ ਜੀ), our mother, placed the Patase (ਪਤਾਸੇ, sugar crystals), the sweetness, and Guru Gobind Singh Ji, mixed the Patase within the water, and also read Gurbani (ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ), and that prepared the Amrit (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ).
The Creation of Amrit
The Five Banis
Japuji Sahib (ਜਪੁਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ) was read, Jaap Sahib (ਜਾਪ ਸਾਹਿਬ) was read, Dway Prasad Swayia (ਦਵੈ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਸਵੱਯੇ) was read, Sri Chaupai Sahib (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਚੌਪਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ) was read, and Sri Anand Sahib (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਨੰਦ ਸਾਹਿਬ), the complete Anand Sahib, was also read. The five Banis (ਬਾਣੀਆਂ), two Banis from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ), and three Banis from Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s (ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ’s) Bani in Dasam Granth (ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ). Together, ਬਰਾਬਰ (barabar) Guru Gobind Singh Ji read them, and then Khandey Di Pahul (Amrit) was prepared.
Granting Immortality
They placed five mouthfuls in each Panj Pyare’s mouth, and each time:
ਬੋਲਿ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ (Boli Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa),
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ (Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh),
and each time the Panj Pyare replied:
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ (Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa),
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ (Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh).
Then, five times in each, within the eyes, both eyes:
ਬੋਲਿ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ (Boli Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa),
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ (Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh),
was the reply. And then, five times in the case of the Panj Pyare:
ਬੋਲਿ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ (Boli Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa),
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ (Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh),
and they replied each time for five times:
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ (Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa),
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ (Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh).
Resurrection of the Panj Pyare
So even though their heads were taken off, they had been killed, you know, but they came back to life. They were brought forth as the Khalsa. So each Panj Pyare got five times each, then to the next Panj Pyare sang, and each time, each was brought back to life because they were given Khandey Di Pahul (Amrit). They were granted immortality.
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ (Amrit) means death, and ਅ-ਮ੍ਰਿਤ (Amrit) means no death or immortality.
This Khandey Di Pahul (Amrit), made with a Kanda (ਖੰਡਾ) and Gurbani (ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ), is what gave them immortality. They showed true love by giving their sacrifice, and Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked for Amrit themselves. The Panj Pyare said, “We’ve given our heads; what will you give?” Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji said, “I’ve already given my father, who they sacrificed when the Kashmiri Pandits (ਕਸ਼ਮੀਰੀ ਪੰਡਿਤ) came and said, ‘We need a spiritual person to stop all the oppression within India.
They have already been sacrificed; they are Shaheed (ਸ਼ਹੀਦ). I will give my mother, Mata Gujar Kaur Ji (ਮਾਤਾ ਗੁਜਰ ਕੌਰ ਜੀ), and I will also give my Sahibzaade (ਸਾਹਿਬਜ਼ਾਦੇ), my four children. Mata Gujar Kaur Ji, with the Chotte Sahibzaade (ਛੋਟੇ ਸਾਹਿਬਜ਼ਾਦੇ), were bricked alive, and Mata Gujar Kaur Ji, on Thanda Burj (ਠੰਢਾ ਬੁਰਜ), left this world. The two elder ones fought in Chamkaur (ਚਮਕੌਰ) the Jung (battle), in front of the eyes of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and gave their Shaheedi (martyrdom) there. So they showed their love back to the Khalsa.”
Love and Sacrifice in Sikhi (Sangrand of Vaisakhi)
The Relationship with Guru Sahib Ji
When we show love to our Guru (ਗੁਰੂ), Guru Sahib Ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ) shows love back to us because they are our father; they are also our husband Lord as we are their soul-brides. They show their love back to us just like they showed the Khalsa their love back by giving their sacrifice, ਸਾਰਬਣ ਸ੍ਵਾਰਤਾ (sārbān swārṭā), they sacrificed everything for all of Sikhi (ਸਿੱਖੀ), for all of humanity, for all of their creation, for the Khalsa, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Practical Ways to Develop Love During Sangrand of Vaisakhi
In this month of Vaisakhi or during the Sangrand of Vaisakhi, we must develop love. The practical way is by making a sacrifice. So if we cannot take Amrit yet, that is the ultimate step. And if we cannot take that, let us make changes. Let us try to keep our gaze (eyes), let us learn Paath (ਪਾਠ), and let us try to do more Simran (ਸਿਮਰਨ, meditation). Those are the first steps. But if we are already Amritdhari (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਧਾਰੀ), maybe we want to increase our Paath (ਪਾਠ), increase our Seva (ਸੇਵਾ, selfless service), and improve our discipline. The more love we show through sacrifice, the more love we will get back from our father, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Conclusion
ਵੈਸਾਖਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਕਿਉ ਵਡੀਆ (In Vaisakh, how can they find peace?),
ਜਿਨਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਬਿਛੋਹੁ (For those who have lost their love).
But for those who have lost their love, how will they find peace? Because they are separated from their husband, Lord Akaal Purakh Waheguru, who is a witness to their actions. They are separated from the great blessings and experiences they get in this month of Vaisakhi or during the Sangrand of Vaisakhi. So we want to have that peace, so we should always show that love and pray Guru Sahib Ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ) blesses us with that opportunity to make a sacrifice and take those steps of showing love so we can get that love back from our Guru. We can live Sikhi (ਸਿੱਖੀ).