The Jote.
Gurbani always stresses the inner Jote which becomes parkash through Shabad Guru Ji and Gur Parsad.
The external joth whether with ghee or oil is never worshipped by Sikhs.
Some photographs of Joth at Harimandar Sahib have been circulating in the media and watsapp groups.
They do not know the history behind the joth at Harimandar Sahib.
One must read history of electrification of Harimandar Sahib in Sikh Encylopedias, and the book Harimandar Darshan by Dr Saroop Singh Alagh (2013) to get an idea of the joth ithaas. Specifically read Chapter 50, pages 200 – 202, “Harmandar Sahib vich anokhi joth da parkash.”
Electricity came to India around 1890’s. By 1896, some Sikhs felt it would be a good idea to bring electricity into Darbar Sahib. They were opposed by the Lahore Sabha group and labelled as bijli bhagats.
The Raja of Faridkot offered to bear the cost of a generator. Some 300,000 Rupees were given by him. The opposing group refused his offer.
They said puratan maryada would be defiled and stories of people dying of electrocution in Europe were spread around.
It took almost 30 years before the breakthrough was made and electricity came into Harmandir Sahib only around 1929. By this time the whole of Punjab had electricity.
To appease the opposition, a joth was still lit and put in a corner of Darbar Sahib. It served as an emergency light too in the case of electricity disruption which was often.
No one ever prayed to the joth or bows to it. It is still lighted as a unique tradition of Harmandar Sahib but it has no spiritual purpose.
Another major reason for the joth goes back further in history. During the times of Mir Mannu, Zakaria Khan, Massa Ranghar and others who were all out to wipe out Sikhi, Sikhs went to the hills. Many took it as a challenge to take a dip at the heavily guarded sarovar. They used to ride on horseback, take a quick dip and ride off under cover of darkness. Many were killed in the process. The Sikh spirit remained unbroken.
Besides taking a dip at the sarovar, some went further. They used to light a lamp, a diva, as a reminder that the Sikhs and Sikhi was still alive.
A house engulfed in darkness is a sign of desolation and abandonment. This took place between the times of Emperor Farukh Shiyar (1713) till about 1762, by which time the Sikh misls had complete control of Harmandar Sahib.
Thus the joth at Harmandar Sahib continues to be lit in memory of the Sikh martyrs and as an appeasement to those who opposed the electrification of Darbar Sahib.
It has no religious significance, but is part of the unique traditions and history of Harmandar Sahib.
In Harmandar Sahib, Asa Ki Vaar starts about 4am. Guru Sahib’s Saroop comes in when Asa Ki Vaar is about halfway. Parkash is then done. This is not done at other Gurdwaras in the world. It is part of the unique history and tradition at Darbar Sahib. These traditions have no place in other Gurdwaras.
Gurbani tells us about the inner Jote. This Jote requires no oil or ghee to light it.
Bhagat Kabir Ji at SGGS Ji Angg 971 tells us about Simran. As you do simran, with Gur Parsad you can be blessed to receive Darshan of His Jote. This Jote needs no oil or ghee.
“Jeh simran kare tu Kel ; Deepak bandh dhariyo bin tel.”
Gurfateh
Manjeet Singh
December 16, 2024.
