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Social Behaviour Within the Panth
Hospitality
Share with others when eating. Feed a hungry person. Do not scorn another’s food. [14, 83]
Business dealings
Do not trade in grain, straw, wood, or hides. [74]
Tanakhahs specified
Five Singhs can settle matters concerning the Rahit by imposing a variety of penances. These penances are specified for particular offences against the Rahit, and include monetary fines and strokes of the cane. Some of the offences seem highly inconsistent. For example female infanticide or having sexual relations with a minor earns a fine of only 1 1 / 4 rupees, whereas gambling, thieving, or drinking alcohol receives a penalty of 25 rupees. Smoking a hookah receives a punishment of 24 rupees, 50 strokes of the cane, and re-initiation. Eating halal meat or concealing one ‘s knees with a kachh, are described as serious offences. [49—53, 55, 57—8, 61—2]
The Sangat
Hear kirtan and participate in singing it. Offer a gift, placing it in the poor-box. If he says Ardas silently, all that he does will be approved. Do not think lustful thoughts while going to the gurdwara. Do not enter a satsang (sangat) empty-handed. [14, 17, 24]
Guru Granth Sahib
Where the Granth resides, there one obtains spiritual liberation. Whenever the Sarbat Khalsa gathers the Granth Sahib should be present in its midst. By worshipping the Granth you worship God (parameshar). Singing [the Guru’s] sacred words is the duty of every Singh. Do not recite the bani of anyone other than the Gurus. Read the sacred scriptures every eighth day. He who carries the Guru Granthji on his head will spend as many years in heaven as the number of steps which he takes. [4, 14, 15, 37, 40, 42, 46, 92]
Rituals
The Sikh who does not perform the Guru’s rituals is a tanakhahia. [91]
Birth
When a birth in your family occurs donate 11/4 rupees as an offering. [60]
Marriage
If anyone’s daughter is not engaged seek a partner for her and perform the marriage. If the man is not a Sikh have him become one. Celebrate a marriage only by using the Anand order.” At the time of marriage donate 11/4 rupees as an offering. Do not accept food from anyone who has a marriage performed by a Brahman. [17, 60, 80, 91]
Initiation
The correct procedure for administering Khalsa initiation is described in specific detail in items 4—8. The qualities required of those who administer initiation are specified, illustrated by reference to particular Hindu rishis. Receiving amrit brings spiritual liberation. [4—9]
Funerals
When a Sikh dies change his kachh, bathe him, and tie on a turban. Read Japuji continuously. Sing Guru Arjan’s M«ru 6. Prepare and distribute karah prasad to Sikhs. At a cremation donate 1 1 /4 rupees as an offering. Do not weep when a Sikh dies. If a Khalsa dies without wearing a kachh he cannot achieve spiritual liberation. When the water from Singhs’ foot-washing is poured on a corpse, the deceased person obtains spiritual liberation. [19, 56, 60, 80]
Karah prasad
Items 66 and 67 detail the procedure for the correct distribution of karah prasad. The three ingredients for preparing it have been given by Vishnu, Mahadev (Shiv), and Brahma. He who is initiated at a takhat should donate 1 1 / 2 rupees for the purchase of karah prasad. [51]
The Preparation and Consumption of Food
In your earthen cooking-square cook over a wood fire, not a dung one. Wash your hands and feet and sit in a clean place to eat. Always wear a kachh when eating. Do not eat with your kes uncovered. Neither consume too much grain nor wholly abstain from it. Do not drink water in which you have washed your hands. Do not eat from the same dish as someone else. Those who have received either khayule hi pahul or charan hi pahul cannot eat Muslim meat (kuttha), domestic pig, or donkey. [15, 42, 63, 79, 80]
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