In light of recent events, I wanted to make this blog to set the record straight about matters pertaining to the Anand Karaj (Sikh Wedding Ceremony) and whether interfaith Anand Karaj aligns with Sikhi. Firstly, you’re probably wondering why I have written ‘the only perspective’ in the title and are stirring thoughts into your mind as to how narrow this statement is but hold on for just a moment and allow me to take you through this journey through the Sikh lens.

First and foremost, The Anand Karaj is a RELIGIOUS ceremony and not a cultural ceremony as many seem to believe. So what exactly is an Anand Karaj?

Anand Karaj is a Sikh marriage ceremony which translates to ‘Blissful Union’. The core of the Anand Karaj is the ‘Laavan’ (marriage vows) whereby hymns are sung with both individuals complete ‘Pakarima’ (Circumambulations) around Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The ceremony serves to provide the core principles towards a successful marriage and also places the marriage within the context of unity with God.

The message of the Lavaan is for the merger with a higher spiritual being, and marriage is used as a metaphor for seeking the merger.

ਧਨ ਪਿਰੁ ਏਹਿ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਨਿ ਬਹਨਿ ਇਕਠੇ ਹੋਇ ॥

They are not said to be husband and wife, who merely sit together.

ਏਕ ਜੋਤਿ ਦੁਇ ਮੂਰਤੀ ਧਨ ਪਿਰੁ ਕਹੀਐ ਸੋਇ ॥

They alone are called husband and wife, who have one light in two bodies.

The Anand Karaj is a huge commitment to the Guru and should not be taken lightly. The couple getting married with the blessings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji are not just committing to each other, they are also committing to the Guru and living a life following the Guru’s advice and teachings continuously. They will live merged with and married to God as well. There is a much greater significance to the Anand Karaj than catches the eye. It is not a formality to be completed but a greater linking.

Through the Sikh Lens

Firstly, in an ideal world the Anand Karaj is only meant for Gursikhs as they walk the path our Guru’s set out and believe Guru Granth Sahib Ji to be the living Guru. However, maryada has been adopted to include all Sikh’s non practicing and practicing to get the same the opportunity and experience to centre Guru Granth Sahib Ji around their life when getting married which is perfectly valid but the issue now winds down to non practicing Sikh’s not having the same level of respect or understanding of this ceremony. Perhaps even taking it for granted.

In my opinion, it’s all well and good having that respect but you NEED to be living that lifestyle to have an Anand Karaj otherwise you are just completing a formality more than anything. Again this is just my viewpoint to reduce beadbi (dishonour/disrespect) and increase people’s understanding of this significant ceremony. Basics of Sikhi have enrolled a Anand Karaj course which I believe is a must for every Sikh. Education on our ceremonies is the key to counter this problem.

It is worth noting that there are 5 main rites of passage for a Sikh, Janam (Birth ceremony), Vidhia (Gurmat education), Amrit Sanchar (Initiation to becoming Khalsa) , Anand Karaj and finally the Antim Sanskar (Death Ceremony). Note that Amrit Sanskar comes BEFORE the Anand Karaj. This is the path that has been chosen by our Guru. This isn’t discrimination, this is about guarding the sanctity and significance of commitments made when having an Anand Karaj in the presence of the Guru.

There are many so called ‘Sikhs’ who treat Guru Granth Sahib Ji as a mere book or they simply don’t understand the significant role that Guru Granth Sahib Ji plays in our lives. If some members of our own community don’t know how to respect Guru Granth Sahib Ji how do you expect a Non Sikh to showcase the same level of respect commanded for this ceremony. In reality everyone is a namesake Sikh until they receive Khande Di Pahul (Amrit made by the double edge sword) through the Amrit Sanchaar. We must remember Sikhi is not our birth right, Sikhi is earned through sacrifice.

Which leads me onto my next point on why interfaith Anand Karaj is strictly prohibited and why Sikhs must uphold the sanctity of our ceremonies and not disrespect our Guru. Please read the last sentence carefully. I have nothing against interfaith marriage between Sikh’s and non-Sikhs.

The issue winds down to Interfaith Anand Karaj – which is completely unacceptable. Ultimately, why is a non Sikh bowing down to Guru Granth Sahib Ji in reverence if they don’t believe in or follow the Path prescribed by our Guru’s? When other faiths are strict on their ceremonies and practices I don’t see the same level of criticism headed in their direction. So why is the narrative different for Sikh ceremonies and practices? It is through dilution of our faith to appease ‘outsiders’ that our school of thought and interpretations that have led us to these problems we face today. As a Sikh, we should only need to focus on pleasing our Guru Ji.

Maryada

History shows that the correct procedure is as follows for an interfaith marriage between a Sikh and non Sikh is as follows you can have a court marriage, Matha Tayk (bow in reverence) to Guru Granth Sahib Ji and hold a Anand Sahib prayer to receive blessings to start your married life but you cannot have an Anand Karaj unless you are both practicing Sikhs.

If you both practice the path of Sikhi as given by that same Guru who you sit in the presence of during the ceremony, then you will surely receive the blessings of the Guru.





However, if one of the partners does not follow the Path of Sikhi, then how can we expect to receive the same blessings? This is the equivalent of a slap in the face of the Guru – “We want your blessings, however we are not prepared to follow your teachings”.

Non Sikhs do not believe Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the living Guru, that is why it becomes a meaningless ritual and you do not get the full fruition of having an Anand Karaj. Remember folks, Guru Granth Sahib Ji is not merely a scripture, they are the living entity that one can establish a connection through with the almighty creator.

The true blessings of Anand Karaj

There is a story from our 10th Masters time which emphasises the importance of Anand Karaj. At Sri Anandpur Sahib, the Sangat (congregation) asked Guru Gobind Singh Ji about the reality of spirits stuck in the cycle between life and death. Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj then uttered a line from Sri Sukhmani Sahib and summoned the spirits in front of the Sangat. After being questioned by the Sangat, the ghost revealed that their population has dramatically reduced.

When Sangat asked what the reason was for this to which the ghost replied that it’s because of the Laavan da Path (wedding vows) created by Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji and that those who conduct an Anand Karaj according the prescribed method of the Guru’s, they can never fall into our life form and instead are blessed with liberation. That is why there is an order from the Guru when getting married you should listen to these hymns to undertake and complete the wedding ceremony.

Those who fully believe in Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the living Guru and have an Anand Karaj are free from the bonds of the afterlife of turning into a ghost. They obtain salvation through the ceremony of Anand Karaj and that is the real power Anand Karaj wields. The Anand Karaj can bless you with a deep connected bond with the Lord Creator yet today some people have the audacity to question our ceremonies. Why? This is precisely the reason I strongly advocate to keep the sanctity of Sikh ceremonies. Those who obey the Guru’s command are known as Sikhs.

(You can listen to this saakhi here –https://bit.ly/2xqPcSU)

Location Location Location

While I have your attention it is paramount for me to express that the Anand Karaj should only take place in a Gurdwara in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. You do not accommodate Guru Sahib just because you simply want aesthetics i.e. destination beach wedding or in a hotel hall. You accommodate yourself to Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Mahraj is meant to have their own Darbar. You won’t get that outdoors, as it is a shared venue plus there is a high chance of dirt being flown onto Mahraj which is ultimately beadbi. That’s why Anand Karaj is and should be held in Gurdwara’s.



As my brother Rajbir perfectly provides a fitting analogy above. I would like to follow up by simply saying if any of the Gurus were standing in front of us we would not tell them to come meet us at a specific location We ourselves go to the Guru and we should be clawing at every chance we can get to receive as many possible blessings as we can. There is no better place than the court of the Guru.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed learning about the Anand Karaj through the Sikh perspective and understand how integral it is to keep the sanctity and grace of Sikh practices. You can gain more understanding of the Laavan here- https://www.searchgurbani.com/baanis/laavan-anand-karaj

Let me know your thoughts on the matter.

The Scottish Sikh