At the formal level, within Sanatan Sikhism, ‘Shabad’
is recognized as ‘Ist Dev’ (Guru’s
Guru). Amongst the Nirmalas and Udasis, at an individual personal
level, ‘Dehdhari’ Gurus in the context
of ‘Ustads’ (teachers) are also recognized.
Nirmalas
Nirmala Sikhs seen here standing during 'Ardas' in the holy city
of Ujjain
These 'Gurus' are adopted by either accepting a particular
‘Mantra’ (invocation) given by the
one being adopted as Guru, or through institution of ‘Charna
Phul’ (traditional Sikh initiation given by making
neophyte drink the water touched by toe of individual adopted as
Guru). Note - the Charna Phul institution is considered defunct
by modern Sikhs from the time Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh Ji
initiated the Singh Khalsa in 1699(?). This is a false
idea propagated by Tat Khalsa Singh Sabhia Sikhs. Dr. John Campbell
Oman commented on Udasi initiation rites early last century:
‘The initiatory ceremony is brought to
a conclusion by the ‘chela’ [initiate] drinking
the water with which his guru’s feet have been washed.
He is then taught certain portions of a hymn known as
the ‘jap-ji’, and dismissed with this final
admonition– “ Charan sadh ke dho dho peyo
Urap sadh ko apna jeyo.”
(Drink the water with which the sadhu has washed his feet, and
give up your soul and body to the sadhu, i.e. the guru)
‘The Mystics, Ascetics And Saints Of India’, by
John Campbell Oman, 1903, Pa.195-196
Udasis
Udasis at Sadhubela Akhara in Mumbai singing 'Aarti' in praise of
Baba Sri Chand Ji Maharaj, the founder of the Udasi order
Giani Gurdev Singh of Samparda Bhindra,
most prominent of Sikh Gianis taught by Baba Gurbachan Singh Khalsa
‘Bhindranwaley’, comments:
‘Nirmalas [like Udasis] were also great
intellectuals, they were very great intellectuals. They
do extra worship of their Guru who is their ‘Ustad’.
Nirmalas do with extra ways, and adopt a Guru. Who they learn
of, they stay within his say and serve him.’
Giani Gurdev Singh, transcript of on October 2003
During the nineteenth century, the descendants of
Akali Guru Nanak, the Bedis, such as Sahib Singh Bedi enjoyed phenomenal
status as ‘Guru’ to many Sikhs. Even
Maharaja Ranjit Singh worshiped Sahib Singh Bedi as Guru during
his reign.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh
A painting of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his 'Sirdars' (commanders),
Imam Bakhsh Lahori (circa 1830)
