Tanakhanama - Bhai Nand Lal Ji
Bhai Nana Lal Ji wrote a code around 1718 which makes it one of the earliest of its kind, Tanakhah-nama. Tanakha literally means reward or salary; in this case, receiving a penalty is a reward, for it puts the offender back on right spiritual track. Tanakha-nama’s major tenets include nam (recitation on the divine Name), dan (charity), and isnan(purity of mind). Although, these principles do not greatly differ from the other rahit-namas, the inclusion of "rewards" in Bhai Nand Lal’s work clearly distinguishes it from the others. Accepting a dowry, using intoxicants, associating with anti- Sikh cults (like the Minas), and violating the Rahit comprise the main type of offenses. Here, thetanakhah system builds on the idea of the "Guru Panth", for the entiresangat decides an offernder’s "reward". Rewards include doing community service, distributing langar (community kitchen), reading the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and reciting Ardas
Apostasy, or renunciation of faith is the next form of violation, but technically, it applies only to Amritdhari Sikh , or initiated Sikh . If an amritdhariSikh defies any of the Four Kurahits-injunctions against cutting hair, using tobacco, eating halaal meat, or committing adultery - he must appear before the ‘representative’ Panj Pyare, receive a tanakhah, reappear before the Panj Pyare, and take Amrit again.
Kazi Noor Mohammed, a Muslim chronicler in the mid-18th century, commented on the high Sikh moral character during the time of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and particularly on the last Kurahit, forbidding adultery. He wrote that when Sikh troops defeated Jahan Khan’s army, Jahan Khan ran away and left his female retainers at the battle site: the Sikh soldiers escorted the Muslim women to their homes after the battle. Guru Gobind Singh also clearly forbids adultery in his life story, Bachittar Natak. "Par Nari ki sej, bhool supne hoon na jaeeo." The last type of offense in the tanakhah system is the most serious because it affects the entire sangat. A person can restore his/her Sikh status only if he/she apprears before five Takhats and receives a tanakhah. |
Here is a translation of part of the rehit-nama which is written as a question – answer session between Bhai Nand Lal Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Questions: Bhai Nand Lal Jee Responses: Guru Gobind Singh Jee Dohira Nand Lal queried, “Guru Jee, enlighten me, Which deed is ethical and which is not becoming.(1) Dohira Nand Lal, listen to the premise, the Sikh conduct deems this, Without the celestial name, ablution and benevolence, a Sikh should not savour the food.(2) Chaupeyi One who does not participate in the true congregation early in the morning, Will be adjudged as deserving a (religious) retribution.(3) The one who participates in the true-congregation half-heartedly Will find shelter nowhere.(4) While listening to the celestial glories, (one who) starts idle-talks, Says Gobind Singh, goes to the hell.(5) Coming across a poor-man, if he does not entertain him, He obtains the fundamental punishment.(6) One who tattles without the knowledge of the celestial word, Benefits by nothing at all.(7) If he does not pay his obeisance, He will attain not access to the Supreme Being.(8) Dohira One who distributes graced-pudding with avarice in his heart. More to some and scanty to others, he, for ever, remains in affliction.(9) Chaupeyi Listen to the procedure of preparing consecrated pudding. Take three components in equal quantity.(10) After brooming, mud-plastering the floor, And using the scrubber, wash all the utensils.(11) Then take the bath and come forward all clean, And, except Vaheguru, the Almighty, utter nothing else.(12) Take a pitcherful of fresh water, Then, Gobind Singh says, he will be physically fit.(13) After preparing it, place it on a stool, With holy hymns flowing in all the four directions.(14) Dohira One who bows his head to a Turk (enemy) and surrenders his sword at his feet, Gobind Singh says, “Listen Lal Jee, he runs into the cycle of life and death.”(15) Chaupeyi One who never goes to the divine congregation, And distributes sacred pudding withtout proper conduct.(16) One who wears red (shining clothes) and takes snuff, Gobind Singh says, he will be punished by the Yama of death.(17) When sisters and mothers come to the congregation, One who casts an evil eye at their row,(18) And being a Sikh, if he renders wrath, (He) loses the respect which a daughter could endow.(19) One who plunders the daughter or the sister, Says Gobind Singh, he is pushed towards the devil.(20) Being a Sikh if one goes around without a sword, His soul faces the transmigration.(21) If he swindles the effects of the guest, All his prayer and worship bear no fruit.(22) Sortha One should comb the hair and put around the turban twice a day, Should clean the teeth and, Lal Jee, this way one will never suffer.(23) Dohira One who does not spare tithe for the Guru and revels in fabrications, Lal Jee, Gobind Singh says, should not be trusted.(24) Chaupeyi If he does not take bath in cold water, And without reading Jap, takes his food,(25) Without saying Rehras, passes the evening, Without reciting Keertan (Sohila) goes to sleep,(26) Through back-biting if he gets his way through, Cursed is his birth if he forgets the righteousness.(27) One who stands not by his words, Says Gobind Singh, he is honoured nowhere.(28) One who eats meat taken from Turks, One who utters any words except the Guru’s Shabad,(29) Puts heart to hear the Triya Raga, Listen, Lal Jee, he heads for the domain of death.(30) Chaupeyi Without supplication one who commences a task, Prior to offering, puts something in the mouth.(31) Abandoned belongings, one who takes away, And takes an other’s wife to the bed,(32) One who does not serve an approaching guest, He won’t be honoured in the divine court.(33) If he does not listen to the explications and singing of hymns, And abuses a saintly Sikh,(34) By back-biting and gambling, if he gains, He suffers greatly through the death.(35) If he not listen to the criticism of Guru’s, Honour him by offering a sword.(36) Dohira One who keeps not the charitable cashbox and indulges in deceitful trade, Says Gobind Singh, Lal Jee, he suffers through thousands of hells.(37) Chaupeyi Without worshipping Waheguru, one who eats, The Sikh who pays visit to a prostitute,(38) Who revels with an other’s wife, Says Gobind Singh, such a Sikh is not regarded.(39) One who is cunning and impostor for the Guru, He should be considered severely punishable.(40) Abandoning the Guru, one who goes to beg others, And sleeps at night without anything on,(41) Unclothed one who revels in sex, And all naked cleans his teeth,(42) Dohira One who goes around naked or eats bare headed, Or gives out sacred pudding in a naked state is adjudged as a big offender.(43) Chaupeyi Khalsa is the one, who renounces calumny, Khalsa is the one who volunteers to contend in the first rank.(44) Khalsa is the one who annuls the five vices. Khalsa is the one who burns the (effect of) the (previous) actions.(45) Khalsa is the one who relinquishes the ego. Khalsa is the one who keeps away from another’s wife.(46) Khalsa is the one who does not imitate the others’ viewpoint. Khalsa is the one who is infused with the divine name.(47) Khalsa is the one who puts his heart into Gurbani. Khalsa is the one who can eat the steel.(48) Dohira Regarding the creation as that of the Creator, one should not exploit the creation. If creation is put in agony, Lal Jee, the Creator is enraged.(49) Chaupeyi Khalsa is the one who looks after the poor. Khalsa is the one who annihilates the the evil-doers.(50) Khalsa is the one who remembers the divine name. Khalsa is the one who invades the barbarians.(51) Khalsa is the one who is permeated with the celestial entity. Khalsa is the one who destroys the bondage.(52) Khalsa is the one who rides the horse. Khalsa is the one who is ever ready for righteous war.(53) Khalsa is the one who adorns the arms. Khalsa is the one who exterminates the vicious.(54) Dohira Outcry prevails for the Almighty and the slander fosters no one. The hills and forests in all the three domains (of creation) will remember him.(55) Chaupeyi Listen, Nand Lal, this is the veracity, Through which (I) reveal my sovereignty.(56) All the four castes, (I) blend into one caste, And popularise the worship of Waheguru.(57) They will mount the horse and fly the falcon, Seeing them as such, Turks (enemies) will flee.(58) (I will) make the one combat a hundred and twenty-five thousand. The Sikh proceeding thus, (I will) get emancipated.(59) The spears wave and the elephants are decorated, At every door the victory drums beat.(60) When a hundred and twenty-five thousands fire-works sparkle, Then assume that, Khalsa has attained victory.(61) Dohira The Khalsa will rule and the rebels will be eliminated, All will be obliged to join and only those who surrender will survive.(62) This is the directive of Guru, that if the son of a Sikh shaves the head, His posterity will be ruined, and if a shaven one becomes Sikh, his descendants will flourish. This concludes the Code of punishment Translation by Pritpal Singh |
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