Who are Nihang Singhs? True Definition of a Nihang

Nihang Sikh : Supreme in Panth Khalsa

The word Nihang means free from ego (nih-ahan). The goal of a Gursikh is to give up the ego or get rid of egotism. With a complete understanding of Gurbani, one can get rid of ego. A Gursikh who has a complete understanding of Gurbani is a Gurmukh or a person of perfect intellect. The discerning intellect alone is called Gyan Kharag, ‘Sach Ki Kati’ in Gurbani. It is only by wielding this formless sword oneself has to conquer his mind. This means that the complete realization of Gurmat and the fact that all the thoughts that arise in the mind stop coming out of the mind and is the only indicator of becoming Atam Gyani, Atam Darshi, Udasi in Maya. The meanings of the word ‘Nihang’ in the Mahan Kosh by Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha Ji, are in accordance with the above context.

Meaning of words Sant, Sadh, Braham Gyani, Satguru, Guru, and Dev, etc. were propagated in the worldly people’s beliefs by giving meaningless translations. The meanings of all these words have been modified in Gurbani by the Bhagats and Gurus. In the same way, the meaning of the word ‘Nihang’ was also accepted by the fake Gyanis according to their own opinion. Those meanings have been rejected by Gurbani with proof of the following lines:

ਨਿਰਭਉ ਹੋਇਓ ਭਇਆ ਨਿਹੰਗਾ ।।
Being fearless, oneself becomes Nihanga. (Asa M: 5, Page 5)

Two Opinions: Gurmat and Man-mat

There are two types of opinions in the world. One wisdom is true wisdom, God’s own wisdom. Which transforms the human intellect into a conscious intellect and makes it a three-dimensional intellect as well as an enlightenment of the hereafter. The second opinion deceives the so-called to achieve the achievements of the first opinion, but since it is unable to do so, it entangles the Seeker in its delusion so much that he becomes an extreme fanatic, a blind believer. Anything can be done in the name of so-called religion because the only inner power of discernment is destroyed in him.

Therefore, such people are limited to the purity of the external body instead of the purity of the mind or soul. The delusion of attaining the mind is achieved only by the acquisition of external Maya material possessions and keeps on accumulating the material possessions only. Deprived of the insight of the Formless within them, these delusional and Saakat, trapped in the darkness, lose their human birth in vain.

Trapped in the darkness, these people consider their physical sacrifice to their gods and goddesses to be extremely pious deeds. Only such suicide bombers were fearlessly considered ‘Nihangs’. While according to the Gurmat, true wisdom should be given to the mind. That is to say, only the mind should have killed or renounced, but they considered the death of the body as a religious act or a Punya Karma, which is nothing but a crime. The above line of Gurbani is an indication of this.

All Meanings of Word ‘Nihang’

According to Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha’s Mahan Kosh, There are 6 Meanings of Nihang:
1. Khadag, Sword ‘ਬਾਹਤ ਨਿਹੰਗ। ਉੱਠਤ ਫੁਲਿੰਗ.’
2. Pen, Writings ‘ਕਲਮ. ਲੇਖਨੀ’
3. Alligator ‘ਜਨੁਕ ਲਹਿਰ ਦਰਯਾਵ ਤੇ ਨਿਕਸ੍ਯੋ ਬਡੋ ਨਿਹੰਗ.’
4. Horse ‘ਬਿਚਰੇ ਨਿਹੰਗ। ਜੈਸੇ ਪਿਲੰਗ.’
5. Fearless ‘निः शङ्क ‘ “ਨਿਰਭਉ ਹੋਇਓ ਭਇਆ ਨਿਹੰਗਾ.” (ਆਸਾ ਮਃ ੫)
“ਪਹਿਲਾ ਦਲਾਂ ਮਿਲੰਦਿਆਂ ਭੇੜ ਪਿਆ ਨਿਹੰਗਾ.” (ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ)
6. Detached ‘निः सङ्ग’
“ਨਿਹੰਗ ਕਹਾਵੈ ਸੋ ਪੁਰਖ ਦੁਖ ਸੁਖ ਮੰਨੇ ਨ ਅੰਗ.” (ਪ੍ਰਾਚੀਨ ਪੰਥ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼)
“ਮੁੱਲਾ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣ ਨਾ ਬੁਝੈ ਬੁਝੈ ਫਕਰ ਨਿਹੰਗ.” (ਮੱਕੇ ਮਦੀਨੇ ਦੀ ਗੋਸਟਿ)

As far as the meaning of the word ‘Nihang’ to be a sword is concerned, yes it is but which one? This is Gian-Khadag (Sword of wisdom), Viveka-Buddhi ‘True-Form’ Sach Ki Kaati (or Sword of Truth). Bhagat Sahiban or Guru Sahiban used this Gyan Kharag in the discussion of Gyan with Anmatis (Opposite faiths) and cut the delusion trap of Bharam-Gyanis (Fake Saints) and showed the path of salvation to the gullible people. Using this sword of knowledge, they were able to cut the delusion trap of the delusional people and showed them the way of salvation.

Sword of Wisdom

It was with this sword of wisdom that Guru Nanak laid the powerful foundation of the kingdom of truth. That is, Gurmat, on the basis of Sachchi Mat itself, continued till the tenth Light Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He later formed the Khalsa Panth and established the Khalsa ‘Nihang’ Panth – the one who possess Gyan-Khadag of Gurbani. Now the responsibility of propagating and disseminating Gurmat lies with the Nihang Singhs. This responsibility was given to the Singhs not only from today but then when the Satguru Gobind Singh Ji themselves received the Amrit (Nectar) from the Five Beloveds.

Although Satguru Ji was yet present physically and continued to teach Gurmat, He never considered himself above the Khalsa Panth. That is why they were ready to leave Garhi Chamkaur following the word of Nihang Singhs (Panj Singhs). Since then the leadership of the Khalsa Panth has always been under the leadership of Panj Mukhi Singhs. Or let’s say that instead of Satguru Ji, only Panj Singh continued to lead the Khalsa Panth religiously.

Gurmat Wisdom

Gurmat is the original wisdom because it is the wisdom of God. This voice of the inner soul is within all, therefore it has always been achieved from within and will continue to be achieved. The ‘Nihang Khalsa’ is the holder of this doctrine. He is the official of the imperishable kingdom, the bumble-bee at the feet of the Shabad Guru, the renunciant of the worldly kingdom, the one who does not accept any worldly man as king except God. To this day, the desire for a secular state has never been expressed in the minds of those who hold this ‘Nihang’ view.

ਰਾਜੁ ਨ ਚਾਹਉ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਚਾਹਉ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲਾਰੇ ।। The sermon of (Ang 538 SGGS) is like a hook on the spirit of ‘Raj Karega Khalsa‘. If the Khalsa is using this sentiment for the immortal state, for the Jivan Mukt Awastha, then it cannot be aloof from the Guru. Although the sardars who ruled the misls were also from this Khalsa, before becoming a misldar, ‘Guru ka Bana’ was taken down because such a Khalsa was considered a second class Sikh. That is why the Bana of the Nihang Singhs and the Bana of the Sikh Sardars were different. To this day, the Nihang Singhs have never aspired to worldly dominion. Even though most of the Nihang Singhs today may not be aware of this fact, naturally many weaknesses appear with the passage of time. Lack of complete understanding of Gurmat is the biggest reason behind this.

Nihangs: Army of Akal Purakh the Almighty

Nihang Singh considers himself an army of Akal Purakh. Dasam Patshah also made the Khalsa an army of Akal Purakh. That is why while drinking Amrit, the Singhs are told, “Bol Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh”. This statement is repeated over and over again which means that ‘the Khalsa has become God’s from today, and the victory of the Khalsa is not possible without God’s command.’ The victory achieved by God’s command will be God’s victory. Don’t follow the illusion of a person’s victory. Forgive me, if I follow the illusion of victory for myself or my comrades, such a Khalsa will not remain a Khalsa in the true sense. Without Guru Parmeshwar, he will become arrogant, foolish, lusty, extremely blind, and deaf.

As far as the detachment of the Khalsa from Maya is concerned, looking at today’s materialistic age, it can be said that even today Nihang Singhs have been blessed by God. Even today, many of these Singhs are living a life detaching themselves from this Mayajal. In the recent past, there have been great ‘Santokhi Singhs’ among the Nihang Singhs who protected Guru Khalsa from consumption of Sangat’s Money during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. That is why when the management of Gurudwaras passed into the hands of the mahants, the Panth Khalsa itself supervised the mahants. Their close association with the Sikh Sangat has not been possible because the Sikh Sangat, which has adopted the worldly path, has considered those who follow the path of Nirol Gurmat to be insane.

Present Scenario

Sikh leaders who consider themselves the guardians of the Sikhs have also been jealous of the Nihang Singhs. That is because Nihang Singhs were well aware of the emotion hidden within them. By establishing the rule of misls, the Khalsa has had many sweet and sour experiments in the past. Nihang Singhs are the flag bearer of Sikhism. The so-called contractors who have only harmed Sikhism by seizing power from the Panth Khalsa, the Sardars, can no longer fool the Panth Khalsa. Thankfully, the general Sikh community is now aware of their hypocrisy.

To know more about the Living style of Nihang Singhs, Please check out this Documentary showing footage of Puratan Nihang Sikhs.