Sanatan Sikh

Sanatan Sikh referred to conservative Sikhs, was formed during the Singh Sabha Movement in 1873.[1] They campaigned for an inclusive interpretation that accepted wide range of beliefs drawn from Hinduism and Islam.[1] Sikh Sabha was led by Khem Singh Bedi, Avtar Singh Vahiria and others. Sanatan Sikhs accept beliefs and practices such as the belief in the teachings of the Vedas and Puranas, Hindu epics and Sufi Pirs.[1][2][3] They also were tolerant to the use of idols and images of Sikh Gurus as well as other icons within Gurdwaras. Instead of treating the scripture as the only guru, Sanatan Sikh campaigned for acceptability of living gurus to guide those Sikhs who seek one which resulted in Khem Singh Bedi considering himself the Guru.[2] The main text of the Sanatan Sikh was Dasam Granth created in 19th century.[4] The dispute intensified and by the early decades of the 20th century, the influence of panth was given to Tat Khalsa ("pure, true Khalsa")[5] resulting in the decline of Sanatan Sikhs.[1][2][6]

References

  1. Louis E. Fenech; W. H. McLeod. Historical Dictionary of Sikhism. p. 273. ISBN 978-1-4422-3601-1.
  2. Pashaura Singh; Louis E. Fenech (2014). The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies. Oxford University Press. pp. 28–29, 73–76. ISBN 978-0-19-969930-8.
  3. Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair (2013). Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed. Bloomsburg Academic. pp. 85–86. ISBN 978-1-4411-0231-7.
  4. Stanley J. Tambiah. Leveling Crowds: Ethnonationalist Conflicts and Collective Violence in South Asia (Comparative Studies in Religion and Society). p. 154. ISBN 978-0520206427.
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. (2009). Britannica Guide to India. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. p. 187. ISBN 978-1-59339-847-7.
  6. Harjot Oberoi (1994). The Construction of Religious Boundaries: Culture, Identity, and Diversity in the Sikh Tradition. University of Chicago Press. pp. 382–. ISBN 978-0-226-61593-6.


Baba Khem Singh Bedi branched off to establish himself as guru. My grandfather Baba Sujan Singh Bedi of the lineage of the family tree of Guru Nanak Dev, was considered to be anointed in a ritualistic ceremony of turban or dastaar tying upon coming of age, as guru. However, he firmly believed in the preachings of the Guru Granth Sahib. As such, he disallowed the customary bowing of the head and offerings to him by his followers. Renouncing his guru-ship, he decided instead to earn his own living. He rose to be among the most respected and well to do enterpreneurs of his time.

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