Lehal Library

From Lhe Pacifist Sikh Lo lhe MililallL Khalsa 79 Before giving practical shape to these ideas Gobind decided Lo abolish the institution of ma.sands which had become a fenile cause of disruption in the community. Many masands had set themselves up as gurus in their own districts and had begun to nominate their own successors. Instead of propagating Sikhism and forwarding the collections they made to the Guru, many of them engaged in moneylending and trading on the 'offerings' they extoned from the poor peasants. Gobind realized that the abolition of the masands would for some time deprive the central exchequer of its only source of income. Nevertheless, he felt that the risk was wonh taking and might in the end prove beneficial. He did not compromise on half measures like trying to reform the masands or separating the less conupt from the thoroughly conupt, but with one stroke of his pen pronounced an excommunication on the lot of them. Gobind had to give his people something positive to replace what he had destroyed. He had created a manial atmosphere and an expectancy of militarv action. His father's murder was still unavenged, and the persecution of religious minorities continued as before. Gobind had already written about his life's mission. He decided to proclaim it and take practical steps to fulfil it. Early in 1699 he sent messages inviting his followers to make a special effon to come to Anandpur for the festival of the first of Baisakh. He specifically exhorted the Sikhs to come with their hair and beards unshorn. n The crowd that collected at Anandpur is said to have been great. After the morning service the Guru appeared before the congregation, drew his sword out of its scabbard, and demanded five men for sacrifice. After some trepidation one rose to offer himself. He was taken into a tent. A little later the Guru reappeared in front of the throng with his sword dripping with 11 The wording of the Huknmniimii according to the author of Lhe SO.raj PraJriii. iij, 21. was: ·The Sikhs should come to me wearing long hair. Once a man becomes a Sikh. he should never shave himself. He should not touch tobacco, and should receive baptism ofLhe sword.' (feJa Singh and Ganda Singh, A Short History of IN Sikhs, p. 69.)