Sikh Research Institute

10/14/2026

What role does karma play in Sikhi?
In Sikhi, karma is the idea that our actions shape our outcomes. We need to learn to own our actions, and we need to make good mental decisions. If we are thinking clearly, our behaviors will be better. But in Sikhi, efforts alone do not determine the final result. It is the grace which decides what happens—the grace of the Divine, the grace from the One. Efforts are finite; grace is infinite.

Have questions or thoughts to share?
Submit your questions to us at https://social.sikhri.org/ask-fb

Watch: https://youtu.be/In_MO10QfTE?si=vzCa8xvcwvvd_Xtl

Ask SikhRI is completely anonymous; it doesn’t require your name or contact information.

In Sikhi, karma is the idea that our actions shape our outcomes. We...

10/14/2026

Gurduara Bangla Sahib has once again emerged as a sanctuary and shelter for protesters, this time demanding the resignation of India's Chief Election Commissioner. The Delhi police first sought permission from the Delhi Sikh Gurduara Management Committee to enter the Gurduara and carry out arrests. Despite being denied, they entered the Gurduara premises with their heads bare and shoes on, dragging protestors out, and violating Sikh protocols.

What is the principle of Sikh sovereignty? What is the role and function of the Gurduara in relation to that sovereignty? To explore these questions, we return to Sirdar Kapur Singh's The Golden Temple: Its Theopolitical Status and SikhRI's State of the Panth report titled Gurduara: A Sikh Place of Learning.

Explore the report: https://social.sikhri.org/sotp3-download-fb
Read the article: https://social.sikhri.org/golden-temple-fb

10/13/2026

Today in History:
Sirdar Kapur Singh (1909–1986), the eminent Sikh philosopher, theologian, politician-parliamentarian, linguist, and prolific writer, was bestowed the honor "National Professor of Sikhism" by Sri Akal Takhat Sahib.

Learn more: https://social.sikhri.org/phenomenality-of-sikhism-fb

10/13/2026

ਤੰਤ੍ਰ
Ta**ra, tantar | Popular Spelling
ta**ra | Transcription

The word ‘ta**ra’ refers to magical or occult practices, often involving rituals performed with items such as vermilion, turmeric, lentils, rice, etc. However, in the Guru Granth Sahib, such practices are rendered unnecessary, and the Nam (Identification) of IkOankar (the Divine) is revealed as the true ‘ta**ra.’

Learn More: https://bit.ly/tggsp-savaiye-fb

10/13/2026

Today in History:
On this day in 1996, Jathedar Ranjit Singh was released from Tihar jail after serving 13 years of a sentence. In 1978, a group of members of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and members of the Mehta Chowk branch of the Bhindranwale Taksal (Damdami Taksal) under the leadership of Bhai Fauja Singh protested against a meeting of Sant Nirankaris that was being held in Amritsar on Vaisakhi. The Sant Nirankaris are an anti-Sikh sect denigrating the Sikh Gurus and traditions. The Nirankaris responded to the peaceful protest by shooting into the crowd and killing thirteen Sikhs, including Bhai Fauja Singh.

Later that year, on 26 Sept., 13 more Sikhs were killed by Nirankaris in Kanpur. In response to these deaths and the ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege) of the Sant Nirankaris, Ranjit Singh, a member of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha, and Kabul Singh, on 24 Apr 1980, delivered justice to the Sant Nirankari leader, Gurbachan. Ranjit Singh escaped but was arrested on 24 Mar 1983.

After the 1984 Ghallughara, there were two sets of Akal Takhat Jathedars, one chosen by the Sarbat Khalsa of 1986 and one by the SGPC. In 1993, as a compromise between the two factions, Ranjit Singh was chosen as Jathedar of Akal Takhat. In 1996, Ranjit Singh was released on bail. The government would later commute the rest of his sentence.

Ranjit Singh was formally installed as Jathedar upon his release in 1996. However, his tenure as Jathedar of Akal Takhat would be short-lived, as his independent spirit was not appreciated by the Shiromani Akali Dal and SGPC, who removed him from his post in March of 1999.

10/12/2026

In this couplet, Guru Amardas Sahib, using the letter ਜ (jajjā, #13), delivers a wake-up call: anyone who lets their consciousness be robbed is a fool. Our consciousness is the light of IkOankar (One Creative and Pervasive Force, 1Force, the One), guiding us through this world. But when we fixate on degrees, accolades, and titles while neglecting Sabad, we suffocate the spark of this light.

Caught in ignorance, we drift through cycles of birth and death, consumed by vices, missing the richness of true purpose. This light is our torch in the darkness—without it, what debts can we settle and what burdens can we release?

Explore Patti (Mahala 3): https://bit.ly/pm3-4-fb

10/12/2026

Today in History:
On this day, a group of Sikh women and oppressed caste Sikhs, led by Sikh reformers Jathedar Kartar Singh Jhabbar and Jathedar Teja Singh Bhuchar, marched to the Sri Harimandar Sahib Complex to liberate it from Mahant control. This action followed the significant Amrit Sanchar held the day before in Jallianwala Bagh, where oppressed caste Sikhs and Sikh women were initiated into the Sikh fold.

Upon entering Sri Harimandar Sahib, the reformers were met with resistance from the Mahants, who insisted that women and oppressed caste individuals were not permitted inside the gurduara. To resolve the conflict, the reformers, respecting the sanctity of the space, sought guidance from Guru Granth Sahib. After performing Ardas (supplicatory prayer), they took a Hukam from Guru Granth Sahib. The Sabad recited was by Guru Amardas Sahib from ang (page) 638, in which the Guru extols the virtues of those considered lowly or worthless, praising them when they serve the Guru.

The power of the Hukam was so profound that the Mahants immediately vacated Sri Harimandar Sahib, turning over control of the sacred site to the reformers. The reformers then proceeded to Akal Takht Sahib, where the Mahants fled before the reformers even entered.

In one day, without violence or further conflict, the Gurduara Reformers regained control of the most important gurduara in Sikhi. This marked the beginning of what would later be known as the Akali movement, a five-year struggle that ultimately freed all historic gurduaras in Panjab from British-backed Mahant control.

10/12/2026

ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨਿਧਿ
kripānidhi | Transcription
Kripanidh | Popular Spelling

(O) Treasure of grace! (O) Source of grace! (O) Gracious/Benevolent!

Learn More: https://bit.ly/tggsd-fb

10/11/2026

Today in History:
In early 20th century Panjab, systemic discrimination against so-called low castes (oppressed castes) was widespread, even within traditional Sikh spaces. Oppressed castes and women were often barred from participating in the Sikh initiation ceremony, the Amrit Sanchar (or Khande di Pahul). However, on this day in 1920, the revivalist Khalsa Baradari organization held a significant Amrit Sanchar ceremony at Jallianwala Bagh for oppressed caste Sikhs and Sikh women.

This ceremony was part of the broader Akali movement aimed at liberating Gurduaras from the control of British-backed Mahants. Sanatanist Sikhs, offended by the ceremony, insisted that oppressed castes and women were not eligible to receive Khande di Pahul. Despite their objections, the ceremony succeeded, with dozens of new initiates receiving Amrit and formally entering the Sikh fold.

The choice of Jallianwala Bagh as the location for the ceremony, just over a year after the infamous massacre, was deeply symbolic. It served as a statement of defiance not only against the Sanatanist groups but also against the British, who supported many of these traditionalist factions. At the time, the ceremony could not be held at Akal Takht Sahib because the Sri Harimandar Sahib Complex was controlled by British-backed Mahants.

10/11/2026

Dastar. Pagri. Pag. Dumala.
Different words for one visible commitment: the turban.

Why do Sikhs wear it?
Is it only for men? Is it just ceremonial?
Watch the short video to hear Harinder Singh’s response: https://social.sikhri.org/ask-12

Join the conversation and ask your questions (anonymously).