AdminPANCHAMI, the fifth day of either phase {vadior sudi) of the moon. In the three Sikh hymns entitled Thitin/ Thiti devoted to the lunar days of the month, the point commonly made in verses on Panchami is that the people are too engrossed in the worldy pursuits to take to remembrance of the Divine which […]
PANCHAMI, the fifth day of either phase {vadior sudi) of the moon. In the three Sikh hymns entitled Thitin/ Thiti devoted to the lunar days of the month, the point commonly made in verses on Panchami is that the people are too engrossed in the worldy pursuits to take to remembrance of the Divine which alone can bring real joy and bliss. Guru Nanak says that people are mad about the world and the creation made up of the five elements, and fail to understand the Incomprehensible Unattached Being.
Guru Arjan has affirmed that those saints are really great who understand the reality of the five elements and, thus, get rid of the five lusts. Men are exhorted in all the three compositions to observe Panchami not by performing any rituals but by living unattached in the material world and by being devoted to the Name. By custom, however, Panchami, particularly of the bright phase, is observed in some of the gurudwaras when special divans take place. Devotees forgather from distant places to offer homage and make ablutions in the holy tanks.
The Basant Panchami (fifth day of the bright phase of the moon in the month of Magh) falling in late January or early February is marked by special celebrations, especially at the historical Gurdwara at Chheharta, about three miles from Amritsar, and at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, in Patiala.
For Sikhs, in the Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, on the day of Vasant Panchmi, musicians start the music by singing Basant Raga. This practice continues up until the first day of Vaisakh when Basant Rag is no longer used.