Listen to Katha

Q. Who is the first Jathedar of Damdami Taksal?

Founder Jathedar is Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji but the first Jathedar is Baba Deep Singh Ji and Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale is the 14th and present Jathedar.

Q. When was Damdami Taksal started and why was it needed?

The Damdami Taksal was founded by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1706 as an Institue for Sikh Studies. When Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji was at Sri Anandpur Sahib a Singh was reciting Dakni Oankar and he was pronouncing ‘kY’ ‘ky’ Guru Sahib told the Singh 3 or 4 times to pronounce his recital correctly ad when he did not understand Guru Ji’s command Guru Sahib told another Singh to go and slap this Singh and forcibly move him away. After completing his recital the Singh made his way back towards where Guru Ji was and said to Guru Ji

“You tell us that we will be liberated if we recite Gurbani yet in your own court I get slapped and moved away when reciting Gurbani”
Guru Ji calmly replied to the Singh

“In the same way you got hurt when slapped don’t you think I got hurt when you were breaking my limbs (ang).”

Guru Ji explained to the Singh that making the wrong pronunciation he had changed the whole meaning of the line he was reciting making it degrading to the Guru instead of praising the Guru.

Bhai Deya Singh and other famous Singhs of the time then made supplications to Guru Ji to teach the Sikhs the correct pronunciations and meanings of Gurbani so they are educated and do not carelessly make mistakes in recitations. Guru Ji said to the Sikhs that when he is not in battle he will sit down with the Sikhs and educate them.

Guru Ji left Sri Anandpur Sahib and was displaced from his family at the Sirsa River and the Sahibzade and Mata Gujri Ji were martyred. Then Guru Ji was by himself at Macchiwara Jungle from where he got disguised as ‘Uch da Peer’ with the help of two Muslims who were devotees of Guru the respected Nabi and Gabi Khan. Making his way to Alamgeer and Khidrana/Muktsar Guru Ji then went to Dina Kangar where he wrote the Zafarnama which led to the death of Aurangzeb (due to the guilt he felt after reading the Zafarnama/epistle of victory). Guru Ji then went onto Sabo Ki Talwandi (Damdama Sahib as it is known today) where he removed his Kamar Kasa (wasteband) signifying that He will not enter battle again. The Singhs then made supplications to Guru Ji to educate them as had been promised and Guru Ji agreed to fulfil their request.

Guru Ji sent 25 Singhs to get the Kartarpur version of Sri Adh Granth Sahib from Dhirmal and he refused to hand it over stating that if Guru Ji was of the same light and spirit as the other Guru’s he should not read the Saroop but on the contrary He should be able to recite all of it from memory. Guru Ji then did recite all of the Shabads from memory and daily at Amrit Vela (Ambrosial Hours of 2am-5am) Maharaj would utter Gurbani and Bhai Mani Singh Ji was the scribe Baba Deep Singh Ji would get all the paper ink and materials needed in compiling the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (as we know it today). In the evening Guru Ji would do Katha and teach the meanings of the Gurbani uttered in the morning. In total this whole process took 9 months and 9 days and the Damdama Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was compiled.

There were 48 Singhs who got educated at Damdama Sahib and out of these 46 immediately left their bodies and ascended to Sachkand after the completion of the compilation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (as they became enlightened). Bhai Mani Singh Ji and Baba Deep Singh Ji were ordered by Guru Ji to carry on the teaching and there is an unbroken lineage of leadership of Teachers/Jathedars of Damdami Taksal that have carried on the teachings of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji from generation to generation.

Q. If Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale is not Shaheed where is he?

Baba Thakur Singh Ji said that Sant Ji is in high spirits and will return when the time is right Baba Ji said he cannot say where they are or when they will show themselves. 

Q. There are controversies and divergent opinions of the Sikh scholars about the authenticity of the authorship of the Dasam Granth. What have you got to say in this regard?

Damdami Taksal looks upon every part of the Dasam Granth as the creation of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji. We deem it as the divine Bani of the tenth Master.

Q. Who is now the present Jathedar of Damdami Taksal?

Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale

Q. What are the Sikh five K’s?

Kirpan Kara Kachera Kangha Kesh

Q. Damdami Taksal is known for its strenuous struggle of years to safeguard the distinct identity of the Sikh Panth and place it on an exalted pedestal. What are the reasons behind the general declivity of Sikh spirit and modern trend of apostasy among the Sikh youth?

The decline of the Sikh values among the youngsters is all due to the degrading conduct of the Sikh leadership. The leaders are supposed to be a guiding force and source of inspiration for the younger generation. About 75% of them are lacking in the moral character which they must build in themselves to impress and inspire others. That is why there is widespread trend of apostasy in the upcoming generation.

Q. Who put the pathase (sugar crystals) in the bata at the first amrit sanchar in 1699?

Mata Jito Ji