Guru Gobind Singh, at the time of Baisakhi, is known to have asked for heads. The test was to see whether people who claimed that they belonged to the Guru came through or not. Five came and passed the test. To those who offered their heads, Guru Gobind Singh did not give the Amrit. He first gave them the bana. It was the foundation stone laid for the beginning of the most beautiful consciousness, the Khalsa. Dress has a very unique power in it. It gives you confirmation in relation to the world around you. It gives you spirit and power to relate in your grace and your values to the values around you.
Guru Gobind Singh had mastery, therefore he cut through the mystery of time and space. He gave us the bana, then Amrit, and later the Siri Guru Granth as banee. Now this fact and eventful situation is twisted by different people to serve different purposes, and it is sometimes very confusing. However, we belong to the land of free people and our caliber cannot accept slavery. Therefore we must not value social pressure. Social pressure is meant for those who are mentally bankrupt of their spirit and values. Sometimes people feel that if you wear a three-piece suit that you will look socially impressive.
I ask you, what social impression do you want to create when you are mentally a coward and spiritually bankrupt?
You must live with your values. If your children see you are in duality with your concept of life, it is enough reason for them to hate you. Your generation could not live with bankruptcy of spirituality and truth. You could not live with demagogy and clever moves. Learn from your own lesson. Live inside and outside alike so that your own born may find the unison of your caliber as a human being and give you respect.
The greatest philosophy on which this Dharma lives is fearlessness. We have no political allegiance because we have no seat to win. Our mission is simply to serve humanity and to conquer the heart of every human being so that everybody on this earth can live healthy, happy and holy. As our extended goal does not recognize boundaries, so we do not recognize boundaries. Therefore, you must remember, when you fault in bana you de-value the sacrifice of the five beloved ones.
You have to look distinct. Guru Gobind Singh has said it clearly. When there will be living in you a very distinct, disciplined life, Guru Gobind Singh promises that he will inject in you the entire cosmic power of radiance and spirit. So it is in your hands how grateful you can be to live a wonderful human life. There is no use in living half-minded. Value not social pressures, my friends, they have always been exerted on all men of God.
Therefore, on his day, I'd like to let you know that we will serve everybody for all time to come, but in the house of Guru Gobind Singh, those alone shall be accepted who walk on the tenets of the Rahit Maryaadaa given by the great Master. If you want to live as a liberated human being, which is called in the scriptures Jeevan Mukht, follow the path very carefully, and gracefully, distinctly enough that you can all the time feel that you belong to someone who is someone to God. I hope the few words I have shared with you from the depths of my heart shall be of value to you in the course which you have adopted to live.
1979 The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan LLC