Bhenji thanks for mentioning this topic. There is something I have been wondering lately which I hope somebody can answer.I was wondering what is the word for ex-communication in the puratan rehatnamey The only word I could find is ਪੱਕਾ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ ( complete/fixed Tankhiya) which to me does not seem like ex-communication when taking certain rehatnamey into account.
Historically it has been understood that any AmritDhari who has committed a Bajjar Kurehit ( use intoxicants, premarital relations, eat meat, or disrespects one kes) is considered a ਪੱਕਾ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ . I dont think it means such people are ex-communicated and no longer in the panth. Instead I think it means such people can no longer do prominent seva such as Panj Pyaarey di seva. My understanding is that ਪੱਕਾ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ does not mean someone who is ex-communicated from the panth because everybody can be forgiven as Sikhi is a dharam of forgiveness.
When an AmritDhari commits a Bajjar kurehit they become a complete/fixed Tankhiya untill they retake Amrit. but when a Kesdhari breaks rehat they become a tankhiya such people are already exempt from doing Guru Jis seva.
ਕੇਸਧਾਰੀ ਛਾਤੀ ਦੇ ਰੋਮ ਲੁਹਾਏ, ਸੋ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ
The KesDhari Sikh whom removes hair ( kes) from their chest is a tankhiya.
While it has been understood that an AmritDhari who removes their kes is a ਪੱਕਾ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ , while a KesDhari whom removes their kes is a ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ. Anybody who commits a Bajjar Kurehit they are no longer considered AmritDhari and are classifies as Kesdhair as long as they start keeping their kes again. The Amrit which gives everlasting life ( mukhti) is no longer part of their being and they cant be regarded as AmritDhari.
Below are some more historical Rehatnamey recorded by Bhai Chaupa SIngh Ji which further indicate only an AmritDhair Sikh can be called an fixed tankhiya( ਪੱਕਾ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ )
ਜੋ ਸਿਖ ਕੇਸਧਾਰੀ ਲੱਗੋਟ ਰਖੇ , ਸੋ ਭੀ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ
The KesDhari Sikh who wears a loincloth is a apostate.
ਜੋ ਸਿਖ ਕਛ ਅੱਦਰਿ ਲੱਗੋਟ ਰਖੇ, ਸੋ ਪੱਕਾ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ
That AmritDhari Sikh whom wears a loincloth under his Kashera is a permanent tankhiya.
Notice how the first rehatnama says a Kesdhari is considered a tankhiya for wearing a loincloth. Perhaps such people would be punished ( fine or something else) in order to redeem themselves.
In the next rehatnama Guru Sahib states that the AmritDhari Sikh whom wears a loincloth under his Kashera is a permanent tankhiya. When one becomes a permanent tankhiya they "break" their Amrit and cannot receive Mukhti after their death. Amrit cant break but I used the word break because I dont know any under word to use. The point is by becoming a permanent tankhiya one cannot receive Mukhti nor can one do Guru Jis Seva one starts over on the path and becomes a KesDhari. It takes time depending on the Individual to recover from such transgression. So does this mean if one removes their kes for medical reasons they are permanent tankhiya. Of course not one must pesh and re-take Amrit.
Perhaps many people believe that those whom pesh are unworthy to ever do Panj Pyaarey Seva. I do undertand their logic because it could be dangerous to allow someone to do such seva whom had weak beliefs in the past. Meaning it would be wrong to allow someone to do such seva whom broke their rehat under the influence of Panj Doot. Such people need to do much Bhagti so Panj Doot do not allow them to re-commit a Bajjar Kurehit.
when a Kurehiti KesDhari Sikh re-takes Amrit then they are given a new life and their old life is forgiven. Thats what Amrit is about forgiving a person of their old deeds, and allowing a person to get Mukhti. So I dont understand why a Gursikh who removes their kes for medical reasons would be exempt.
In the past there have been many Senior Gurmukhs whom have faced similar situation. Sant Kartar Singh Ji decided to keep his kes and pass his seva on to SANT Jarnail Singh Ji. Such a person is worth much respect since they chose their Sikhi over life, and still allowed their seva to continue.
Bhai Rama Singh Ji whom is also another respectful and honorable Gurmukh to a different route. Bhai Sahib to needed to have surgery upon the request of Sangat to continue his seva for the panth he decided not to leave this earth and decided to take surgery. Bhai Sahib also deserves much respect as deciding to postpone his stay at Sach Khand so he could do more seva to benefit the panth.
That being said I think it would be wrong to not allow a Gurmukh with the calibre of Bhai Rama SIngh Ji to not do seva if they have removed their kes for medical reasons. Because Bhai Sahibs goal in life as directed by Guru Sahib was to do Panj Pyaarey Seva and make sure Keski was given as rehat. This is what Bhai Sahib did exactly in respects of Guru Sahibs orders. He did not remove his kes for selfish reasons he only did so he could continue this seva at the request of Sadh Sangat.
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਬਚਨਕਮਾਵਣੇਸਚਾਏਹੁਵੀਚਾਰੁ॥