This website has been designed to provide a
comprehensive overview of Sanatan (Traditional) Sikhism,
its origins, philosophy, and heritage. This is the original
form of Sikhism that existed prior to the arrival of the British
Raj in Punjab in 1849, and is true to the eternal philosophy
expounded by Akali Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the
first living Sikh Guru.
Akali Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj
The first Sanatan Sikh living Guru (right) and his
companion Bhai Mardana (a muslim) seen here playing the Rabab
Modern Sikh historians trace the origins of
Sikhism back to Akali Guru Nanak (1469-1539). However, Sanatan
(Traditional) Sikh orders - the Udasis, Nirmalas,
Seva Panthis and Akali Nihang Singh
Khalsa, think otherwise.
The Udasi - the missionary
A photograph taken in c. 1862 of two Udasi Sanatan Sikhs.
The founder
of the Udasis was Baba Sri Chand Maharaj, the son of Akali
Guru Nanak Dev Ji
The Nirmala - the intellectual
A photograph of Baba Teja Singh Nirmala, Punjab, India. The
Nirmalas
were founded by the tenth Sanatan Sikh living Guru, Akali
Nihang Guru Gobind Singh Ji
The Seva Panthi/Addan Shahi - the philanthropist
A contemporary painting of Shriman 108 Mahant Bhai Jagta Ji
(1741-1811),
a great philanthropist and once head of the Seva Panthi/Addan
Shahi order. The order itself
was started by the revered Bhai Kanhaiya with the blessing
of Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh Ji
The Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa - the warrior
A photograph of an Akali Nihang Singh. The Akal Sena (immortal
army) was started
by the 6th Sanatan Sikh Guru, Akali Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji,
and later given its final form
as the Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa Panth by Akali Nihang Guru
Gobind Singh Ji at Anandpur Sahib, Punjab
These Guru-ordained groups, drawing upon the
internal evidence from the three sacred Sikh scriptures -
Adi Guru Durbar, Dasam Guru Durbar
and Sarbloh Guru Durbar, trace the origins
of Sikhism to before the beginning of time.
The Scriptures
A photograph taken at Batinda, Punjab, of Adi Guru Durbar
and Dasam Guru Durbar.
Sarbloh Guru Durbar is traditionally kept as a secret text
amongst the Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa
In the words of the first Sikh Guru, Akali
Guru Nanak, Sikhism is that ineffable spiritual truth:
‘Truth before time began,
Truth when time began,
Is truth now, and,
Oh Nanak, will be the truth in the future.’
(‘Adi Guru Durbar’, Japji, Pa.1)
Hence, Sanatan Sikhs term their Dharma (spiritual
path) as ‘Sanatan’, meaning the
'most ancient'.
That Dharma, which proceeds all things, the
highest being, 'Nirankar' (Formless) God,
Himself and no other. The 10 Sikh Gurus, the Sanatan traditions
and Sanatan orders, all see Nirankar God and 'Sarbloh'
(martial designation of God), as One and the same:
‘Traditions that are Sanatan
are the ancient Dharma whose virtues the Vedas sing.
That [Sanatan] Brahm [all pervasive God] highest God,
Sarbloh, is known as king of all demigods.’
(‘Sarbloh Guru Durbar’, Vol. 2. Chapter Five,
Pa.549)
A further, more concrete definition of 'Sanatan' is given
in Sarbloh Guru Durbar thus:
‘...Siri Sarbloh consider as Sanatan.’
(‘Sarbloh Guru Durbar’, Vol. 2. Chapter Five,
Pa.196)
Bhagat Kabir (a Muslim Indian saint whose
works are found within the foremost Sikh scripture Adi Guru
Durbar) speaks of how his mind, on seeing the one primordial
Nirankar God, had become Sanatan:
‘From seeing angels of death [fearing
death] now I see but Ram [Ramachandar/Nirankar God].
My suffering has fled and comfort taken abode [in my heart].
Those denying God [the five senses], have become noble
[having acknowledged Nirankar God].
Now I have attained complete bliss.
I have been cooled [mind settled] when I appreciated Gobind
[God].
In the body are found innumerable troubles.
Now, spontaneously in comfort, I am absorbed in God.
I have recognized my true self.
Now no ailment of the three fevers affects me. Now
my mind has changed and become Sanatan.
Now I appreciate [Truth] having died whilst alive [meaning
being unaffected by temptations of the world].
Says Kabir, in comfort spontaneously be absorbed in God. I fear no one, nor am I intimidated by anyone.’
(‘Adi Guru Durbar’, Raag Gauri, Pa.326-327)
Bhagat Kabir
A painting depicting the great muslim sufi saint Kabir
(1398 - 1448) who's followeres today are known as the Kabir
Panthis.
Now, this Sanatan Sikh Dharma is not a ‘religion’
in the modern sense, but it is the ineffable truth of which
Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth
Sikh Guru writes:
‘According to one's intellect
one expresses it [the truth] in a myriad of ways.’
(‘Dasam Guru Durbar’, Treh Charittar 104)
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