ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
Bibek is a universal Rehat for the Khalsa, it is not a choice, it is Guru Sahib's hukam to us to keep Bibek. As Guru Ke Khalsa we cannot eat from anywhere and everywhere, there are standards for the Khalsa of Guru Gobind Singh. Guru Sahib said:
ਖਾਲਸੇ ਕਰ ਮੇਰੋ ਸਤਕਾਰਾ
I am honoured because of the Khalsa.
Guru Sahib says he is honoured because of the Khalsa, Guru Sahib holds the Khalsa very highly.
ਖਾਲਸਾ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਨ ਕੀ ਜਾਨ
Khalsa is my life & soul
Guru Sahib says that Khalsa is my everything. Guru Sahib has placed us in such a high place.
ਹਮ ਰੁਲਤੇ ਫਿਰਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਬਾਤ ਨ ਪੂਛਤਾ ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੰਗਿ ਕੀਰੇ ਹਮ ਥਾਪੇ ॥
I was rolling around in the dirt, and no one cared for me at all. In the Company of the Guru, the True Guru, I, the worm, have been raised up and exalted.
Without Guru Jee we are nothing, so if Guru Sahib has given us Hukam then we must follow it!
ਗੁਰਿ ਕਹਿਆ ਸਾ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਵਹੁ ॥
So do that work, which the Guru tells you to do.
Guru Sahib has told us to follow Bibek, there is enough
evidence to support this. It is the Rehni-Behni of a Gursikh.
Bibek is infact a Khalsa Rehat not just for the Jatha Sikhs.
Sant Gurbachan Singh Jee and BibekSant Gurbachan Singh Jee all their life kept a Strong Bibeki Pehra. Daas had the chance to Talk to a few of Sant Jee's students, one being Bhagat Jaswant Singh Jee (of [
gursevak.com]). I asked them if Sant Gurbachan Singh Jee kept Sarbloh Bibek. What Bhagat Jee said was originally Sant Jee did keep Sarbloh Bibek and did so for a while. They only stopped when they got really old but still went all over India to do parchar. With an old body and the amount of travelling they did it became hard for them to keep Sarbloh Bibek, but nonetheless they still kept a strong Bibeki Pehra. They would only eat food made by Amrit Dhari Singhs that was made while they recited Bani. Bhagat Jee said the entire Jatha was bibeki and only ate from Amrit Dharis. Infact the Laangri Singhs and Degh Sevadaars were very strict Bibeki Singhs. When they were doing Seva they never spoke anything but recited Gurbani and did jaap of vaahigurooo vaahigurooo vaahigurooo.
Sant Gurbachan Singh in their writings and Katha make it clear how important Bibek is in Sikhi. Sant Kartar Singh writes about Sant Gurbachan Singh Jee's Bibeki Pehra:
ਜੇਕਰ ਮੋਨੇ ਜਾਂ ਸਿਗਰਟ ਪੀਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਦੇ ਹਥੋਂ ਲੰਗਰ ਦੀ ਕੋਈ ਮਠਿਆਈ ਆਦਿਕ ਬਣਦੀ ਤਾਂ ਨਾ ਆਪ ਛਕਦੇ ਤੇ ਨਾ ਹੀ ਜਥੇ ਨੂੰ ਛਕਣ ਦਿੰਦੇ। ਆਪ ਜੀ ਸੁਚਮ ਪਵਿੱਤਰਤਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਰਖਦੇ ਨਾ । ਕਦੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਦਾ ਜੂਠਾ ਖਾਂਦੇ ਤੇ ਨਾ ਹੀ ਖੁਵਾਉਂਦੇ। ਚਾਹ, ਅਫੀਮ ਆਦਿਕ ਨਸ਼ੀਲੀ ਚੀਜ਼ ਦੇ ਵਰਤੋਂ ਦੇ ਸਖਤ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਸਨ ।
If a Mona, or someone that smoked made any langar, sweets, etc. Sant Jee would not eat it or let any of the Jatha eat it. They kept a lot of cleanliness. They would never eat any Joot or let anyone else in the Jatha eat any Joot. Sant Jee were against the usage of Cha (Tea), Opium and other intoxicating drugs.
Sant Gurbachan Singh Jee keeping the importance of Sarbloh says that during an Amrit Sanchar all utensils used should be of Sarbloh. The Baltee, Garva, Bate, Karahee,Khanda, Kirpan etc. everything that is used to make Degh and Amrit should be of Sarbloh. Degh should always be made in Sarbloh, with a Sarbloh Karaahee, Sarbloh Karshee. When Bhog is done the Kirpaan should be of Sarbloh.
Sant Kartar Singh Bhindranwale & BibekTaken from Yeh Rutbe Lahoo Baha Ke Liye by Bibi Satvant Kaur
Translated by Admin www.tapoban.org
Sant Kartar Singh Bhindranwale had very strict attitude towards bibek. Here are a couple stories about this:
The Alcoholic DriverSant Kartar Singh Bhindranwale went on parchar missions not just inside Punjab but all across India including Calcutta and Bombay. Sant Kartar Singh would not eat food from the home of a manmukh. Only an amritdhari family could prepare the food for him. But it must be noted that if any family, be they Sikh or Punjabi, even if they were not amritdhari, wished to meet Sant jee, he would certainly go and encourage them to chhak amrit.
During Sant jee’s program in Bombay, a Punjabi Sikh (who was a truck driver) asked Sant jee to visit his home. Sant jee gave him a time he would arrive.
When that Punjabi Sikh left, other Singhs told Sant jee that he drank a lot of liquor and he also cut his hair and so it was best if Sant jee did not go to such a bujjer kurehitee’s home. It is important to note here that the Punjabi Sikh driver was quite poor and barely earned enough to eat twice a day.
However the driver’s wife had complete faith in Guru Sahib. When she heard from other Sikh bibian that Sant jee was coming to Bombay, she pressed her husband to ask Sant jee to come to their home. She thought that if a Chardi Kala Singh who read bani would come to their home, perhaps everything would change for them. The truck driver had no interest in meeting Sant jee but upon being pressed, he invited Sant jee. When he returned home that day, he said to his wife, “That Sant does big programs and people beg him to come to their homes. What is he going to get by coming to our poor house?”
Arrival at the Home & Promise.The next day at the set time, Sant jee along with the other Singhs arrived at the home. Seeing them, the driver left his home and hid at the neighbours. He was afraid that if Sant jee saw he was an alcoholic he may receive a curse.
The wife however immediately put a washed sheet on the bed and asked Sant jee to take a seat. Sant jee sat down and saw that the wife was quickly warming milk. He called out, “Bibi! First call your husband. We’ll drink milk later.”
She went to the neighbour’s home and convinced her husband to come. Sant jee asked both to sit in front of him and he asked the driver, “Brother, what do you want to talk about?”
Instead of speaking, the driver put his hands together and hung his head. The wife however, with folded hands said with humility, “jee, our home is very poor. My husband spends more on liquor than what he earns. He doesn’t even say Vahiguru nor does he go to Sangat. Please bless our family.”
The driver shrunk ever further down and thought to himself that Sant jee will surely curse him now. Sant jee picked up his long arrow and lightly tapped the driver on the head and said, “well brother, what’s your name?”
The driver replied, “jee, Piara…”
“Brother, it’s not enough to be just Piara (beloved), you’re going to have to become Guru Ka Piara (Guru’s beloved). You have to chhak amrit and become a Singh. Become Piara Singh, the Guru’s son. In the future you are not to even think about liquor. You must stay away from the bujjer kurehits and adopt Sikhi. Both of you should chhak amrit and have your children also do the same. Go to Gurdwara every day. By listening to katha and kirtan, wash your sins and whenever there is a Satsangat nearby, go there along with your children. Vahiguru will himself have mercy on you. When you become tyar-bar-tyar then I will certainly take milk at your home.”
Both husband and wife promised to chhak amrit soon and Sant jee himself stood and did the ardaas. Jaikaras were shouted at the end.
Today, in short, Piara Singh does seva in the Punj Pyaray when amrit sinchaars take place in Bombay. Along with Sikh, great success came to his home and his business increased many fold.
Letter to Bhai Amrik SinghShahid Bhai Amrik Singh, Sant Kartar Singh’s son, was studying at Khalsa College in Amritsar when someone complained to Sant jee that he would eat food in the College cafeteria. Sant jee said that it was against Rehit to eat from just anywhere and this may have a bad influence on others. Sant jee wrote to Bhai Amrik Singh from Calcutta, where he was doing parchaar:
Below is a letter sent by Sant Kartar Singh Jee Khalsa Bhindranwale to his son, Bhai Sahib Bhai Amrik Singh Jee, condemning him for not keeping Bibek and eating openly. He tells Bhai Amrik Singh (who was called Bhai Harbhajan Singh) that look at the honour and respect of the Jatha. He says it is not good to eat freely, it will ruin your Gursikhi Jeevan. Sant Jee says I will be ashamed if someone tells me your son does not keep Rehat. He says there is no point in studying if it is at the sake of keeping Rehat. Gurmat Rehat is above all!
Ik Oankaar Sri Vahiguru Jee Kee Fateh
Young Harbhajan Singh [Bhai Amrik Singh was called Harbhajan Singh in the Jatha], please accept my Gur Fateh. The Jatha is happy and I hope you are also doing well. I sent a letter to our village but have not received a reply. The Jatha will leave Calcutta on 27 Fuggan to go to Sri Hazoor Sahib to celebrate Holla Mohalla and then there will be programs in Bombay.
I have heard that you are eating whatever from just any store. This is not right. Look at the honour of the Jatha, look at your own jeevan. I want you to make you a beautiful and strong preacher of Gurmat but you too must make your lifestyle high. I will be ashamed if someone says that Harbhajan Singh doesn’t keep rehit, doesn’t read bani and eats just anywhere. Don’t make any mistakes. Study with attention and get good marks. Be sure to read bani, keep rehit and then your studying will be fruitful, otherwise not. What more should I write? You are smart and you will understand this to be enough. May Maharaj do kirpa on you and keep you in Chardi Kala.
Fateh from the entire Jatha. Send me a letter in your own hand and tell me about how things are going in the village.
Servant of the Guru-Kartar Singh ‘Khalsa’
This letter was sent by hand through Baba Thara Singh who was to also personally tell Bhai Sahib not to eat anything from outside.
Later on, Bhai Sahib stopped eating from the cafeteria and began eating at the home of a local Gursikh, Bhai Avtar Singh.
Sant Baba Jarnail Singh Ji and SuchamOnce Sant Baba Jarnail Singh Ji was travelling in the moga area for Amrit parchaar and many of the Singhs on the bus were very hungry. One young Singh got off the bus and bought a banana from one of those people with carts that sell fruit and vegetable in Punjab. The Singh ate the Banana with out washing it and another Singh told sant ji. Once the bus got moving again, sant ji asked the Singh in front of the entire bus if he had eaten the banana, the Singh replied, Yes. Sant ji grabbed both of the Singhs ears and made him do baatka (squats) for 34km while sant ji held his ears.
Baba Nihal Singh Ji, Jathedar Taruna Dal - listen to their views on
Panth KhalsaBhagat Jaswant Singh Jee - student of Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee BhindranwaleBhagat Jaswant Singh Jee (Lovingly called Bhagat Jee) is a student of Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee Bhindranwale, here he shares his views on Sarbloh Bibek. Below is the original from one of their Books, and a Humble translation:
ਜਿਸ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਦਾ ਸੱਚੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਭੋਗ ਲੁਆਇਆ ਹੈ,ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਬਿਬੇਕੀ ਕਿਉਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਖਾਂਦੇ? ਪਦਾਰਥ ਤਿਆਰ ਕਰਨ ਲੱਗਿਆਂ, ਜੇ ਪੂਰਨ ਮਰਿਯਾਦਾ ਸੁੱਚਮ, ਸਰਬ ਲੋਹ ਦਾ ਪੂਰਨ ਪਹਿਰਾ ਨ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਆਪਾਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਗੁਰਮਖਿ ਬਿਬੇਕੀ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਨ ਕਹੀਏ,ਆਪਣੀ ਸੋਧ ਕਰੀਏ ਜੀ
That food even it has been blessed by Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee (i.e. Kirpan Bhet), but it was not made according to complete maryada and utmost cleanliness was not kept while making the food,and Sarbloh Utensils were not used, then we should not tell a Bibeki Gursikh, to eat that food, instead we should correct ourselves, and make the food in Sarbloh, with complete maryada and cleanliness.
Bhagat Jee then shares some more thoughts on Sarbloh Bibek, they are presented below with translations:
"ਨੌਨ ਸਟਿਕ ਭਾਂਡਿਆਂ, ਸਟੀਲ, ਪਿੱਤਲ ਦੇ ਭਾਂਡਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਤਿਆਗ ਕਰੋ ਜੀ, ਕੇਵਲ ਸਰਬਲੋਹ ਭਾਂਡੇ ਵਰਤਣੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀ
ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ ਹਨ..."
Here Bhagat Jee says to never use non-stick, steel, or brass utensils, only use sarbloh utensils. Bhagat Jee says it is very important to use Sarbloh utensils.
"ਸਰਬਲੋਹ ਦੀ ਮਹਾਨਤਾ: ਪਰਮਪੂਜਨੀਕ ਸੱਚੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਿਆ ਜਾਣ ਕੇ,
ਸਰਬਲੋਹ ਨੂੰ ਮਹਾਨਤਾ ਦੇਣੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ।ਹੱਥੀਂ ਸਰਬਲੋਹ ਚ, ਆਪ ਬਣਾ ਕੇ ਬਿਬੇਕ ਦਾ ਲੰਗਰ ਛਕੋ। ਸਰਬਲੋਹ
ਚ ਬਣੀ ਦਾਲ਼ ਕਾਲ਼ੀ ਕਹਿ ਕੇ ਨਫ਼ਰਤ ਨ ਕਰੋ।ਵੱਡਭਾਗੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ ਸਰਬਲੋਹ ਦੇ ਪਤੀਲੇ ਚ ਦਾਲ਼ ਸਬਜ਼ੀ
ਬਣਾਉਣ, ਮੱਠੀ-ਮੱਠੀ ਅੱਗ ਤੇ ਰਿੰਨ੍ਣ,ਅਤੀ ਸੁਆਦ ਬਣਦੀ ਹੈ ।"
The Greatness of Sarbloh- Recognize that Sarbloh Bibek is a great gift given to us by Guru Jee so because of this we should respect and recognize the greatness of Sarbloh Bibek. Don't get turned off by the colour of food made in Sarbloh, i.e daal turns a blackish colour. Daal and Sabzee made in Sarbloh is extremely tasty!
"ਪੂਰਨ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਗਿਆਨੀ ਭਾਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਲਿਖਦੇ ਹਨ, ਭੈੜੀ ਤੋਂ ਭੈੜੀ ਚੀਜ਼ ’ਤੇ, ਮੰਦੀ
ਨਿਗਾ ਪੈਣੇ ਕਰਕੇ ਭ੍ਰਿਸਟ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਸਰਬਲੋਹ ਬਿਬੇਕ ਦਾ ਲੰਗਰ ਆਪ ਤਿਆਰ ਕਰਕੇ ਛਕੋ ਛਕਾਉ,
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜਪੋ ਜਪਾਉ, ਭੈੜੀਆਂ ਬਿਮਾਰੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਚੋ ਬਚਾਉ। ਇੱਕ ਤਾਂ ਚੀਜ਼ਾਂ ਭੈੜੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਦੂਜਾ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ
ਤਮਾਕੂ ਸ਼ਰਾਬ ਬੈਡ ਕ੍ਰੈਕਟ੍ਰ ਹੋਣੇ ਕਰਕੇ, ਹੋਰ ਭੀ ਭੈੜੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਸਰਬਲੋਹ ਬਿਬੇਕ ਦਾ ਲੰਗਰ ਆਪ ਤਿਆਰ ਕਰਕੇ ਛਕੋ ਛਕਾਉ..."
Bhai Gurdas Jee writes that even the dirtiest and dirtiest of things can be made even dirtier when a bad person looks at them, in this Shabad:
ਮਦ ਵਿਚਿ ਰਿਧਾ ਪਾਇ ਕੈ ਕੁਤੇ ਦਾ ਮਾਸੁ॥
The meat of dog cooked in the wine was,
ਧਰਿਆ ਮਾਣਸ ਖੋਪਰੀ ਤਿਸੁ ਮੰਦੀ ਵਾਸੁ॥
Along with its foul smell, kept in the human skull.
ਰਤੂ ਭਰਿਆ ਕਪੜਾ ਕਰਿ ਕਜਣੁ ਤਾਸੁ॥
It was covered with blood stained cloth.
ਢਕਿ ਲੈ ਚਲੀ ਚੂਹੜੀ ਕਰਿ ਭੋਗ ਬਿਲਾਸੁ॥
Covering thus, the scavenger woman (chuhari) after appeasing her lust was carrying that bowl.
ਆਖਿ ਸੁਣਾਏ ਪੁਛਿਆ ਲਾਹੇ ਵਿਸਵਾਸੁ॥
On being asked about (the abominable covered material) she cleared the doubt,
ਨਦਰੀ ਪਵੈ ਅਕਿਰਤਘਣੁ ਮਤੁ ਹੋਇ ਵਿਣਾਸੁ ॥੯ ॥
By saying that she had covered the meat to hide it from the sight of an ungrateful person to avoid its pollution.(9)
Bhagat Jee is saying that Langar made today in a Gurdwara is made by those that smoke,drink, and have bad character, so for this reason this food should not be eaten by Gursikhs. So Gursikhs should prepare langar in Sarbloh and eat that.
"ਪਰਮਪੂਜਨੀਕ ਧੰਨ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਮਹੱਲੇ ਦਸਵੇਂ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਤਕਰੀਬਨ ਸਵਾ ਤਿੰਨ ਸੌ ਵਰੇ੍ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਲੋਹੇ ਦੇ ਬਾਟਿਆਂ ਚ
ਛਕਣ ਦੀ ਮਰਯਾਦਾ ਬਣਾਈ, ਅੱਜ ਡਾਕਟ੍ਰ ਲਬਾਟ੍ਰੀ ਟੈਸਟ ਕਰਕੇ ਦੱਸਦੇ ਹਨ...ਮਹੱਲੇ ਦਸਵੇਂ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਅਮੋਲਕ ਸ਼ੁਭ ਸੱਚੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਲੋਹੇ ਦੇ ਭਾਂਡਿਆਂ ਚ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਬਣਾਉ ਅਤੇ ਛਕੋ ਜੀ। ...ਸਰਬਲੋਹ ਚ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਬਣਾ ਕੇ,ਕੱਢ ਕੇ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਚੀਨੀ ਦੇ ਭਾਂਡੇ ਚ ਰੱਖੋ।"
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee started Sarbloh Bibek Maryada 300 years ago, Guru Jee knew the health benefits of cooking and eating in Sarbloh, these same benefits are only now being discovered by Doctors. This is Hukam of Guru Jee for his Sikhs to cook and eat in Sarbloh. After making food in Sarbloh it should be stored in Mitee or Chinee vale Bhande.
"ਬਿਬੇਕ ਦਾ ਲੰਗਰ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਤੇ ਛਕਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਬਰਤਨ ਚੰਗ਼ੀ
ਤਰਾਂ ਰੇਤੇ ਸਾਬਣ ਨਾਲ ਮਾਂਜੋ।ਹੱਥਾਂ ’ਚ ਚੂੜੀ, ਛਾਪ ਨ ਹੋਵੇ।
ਨਲਕੇ ਜਾਂ ਟੂਟੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਬਣ ਨਾਲ ਚੰਗੀ ਤਰਾਂ ਸਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ।
ਫਾਰਮੀ ਘਿਉ ਨਹੀਂ ਵਰਤਣਾ।ਬਜ਼ਾਰ ਦਾ ਬਣਿਆਂ ਪਨੀਰ,ਪਕੌੜੀਆਂ,
ਸੇਵੀਆਂ,ਦਹੀਂ ਚੀਨੀ ਕੱਚ ਦਾ ਭਾਂਡਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਵਰਤਣਾ।ਲੰਗਰ ਬਨਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਸਾਰੇ
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਧਾਰੀ ਹੋਣ ਜਾਂ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਛਕਣ ਦਾ ਵਾਅਦਾ ਕਰਨ।ਧਰਮ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰਕ ਜੱਥੇ ਪੰਜ
ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਚਾਹ ਪੱਤੀ ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਵਰਤਣੀ।ਇੱਥੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਚਾਹ ਵਾਲੇ
ਭਾਂਡੇ ’ਚ ਜਲ ਪਾਣੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਬਨਾਉਣਾ ਤੇ ਚਾਹ ਵਾਲੇ ਹੱਥ ਕਿਸੇ ਬਰਤਨ ਨੂੰ
ਨਹੀਂ ਲਾਉਣੇ।ਲੰਗਰ ਤਿਆਰ ਕਰਕੇ ਇੱਕ ਥਾਂ ਰੱਖ ਦੇਣਾ ਵਰਤਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ,
ਜੱਥੇ ਦੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਆਪ ਕਰਨਗ਼ੇ।ਸੁੱਚ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰਤਾ ਦਾ ਖਿਆਲ ਰੱਖ਼ਣਾ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਦਾ ਤਿਆਰ
ਕਰਨ ਲੱਗਿਆਂ ਪੈਰ, ਮੂੰਹ ਆਦਿ ਨੂੰ ਹੱਥ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਾਉਣੇ।"
To make Bibeki Langar the utensils should be properly cleaned. Those making langar should not be wearing jewellery (i.e bangals, rings etc.). Wash the water pump or where ever you get water from properly with soap and water before using the water. Food that is made outside like paneer, pakoria, seveean should not be used. Use home made version, use home made butter. Everyone that is making langar should be amrit dhari or should promise to take amrit soon. Those that do Seva in Panj Pyare are not allowed to drink Cha at all, infact they should not even use the utensil that has ever been used to make cha. If cha is made for the rest of the sangat, the person making it should not touch anything else. After making the Langar, the sevaadaars should leave it in a clean place. Singhs of the Jatha (Jatha Bhindran) will distribute it themselves. Whilst making the food, the sevadaars should never touch their face, feet, etc.
I merely compiled all the info together and corrected a few spelling mistakes
Manmander Singh