Bibek Rehit

What is ‘Bibek Rehit’ and why are some Sikhs strict about who prepares the food they eat?






<DL style="WIDTH: 479px" id=attachment_1283 class="wp-caption aligncenter"><DT class=wp-caption-dt> <DD class=wp-caption-dd>Baba Jarnail Singh eating Langar prepared by Amritdharis.</DD></DL>
In Sikhi, there is an important concept known as ‘bibekta’. Bibek literally means from two to one. Bibek is a God-given conscience that allows a Sikh to discriminate between right and wrong, i.e. knowing what is good and what is bad.
Not only is Bibekta applied in a Sikh’s everyday life – for example, knowing it is wrong to cut one’s hair or that it is right to do Nitnem (daily prayers) in the morning – but it can also be applied to what one eats. Bujjar Kurehats (cardinal prohibitions) and other Rehat Maryada (Code of Conduct) rules come into play here.
Keeping Bibek Rehit for eating is not a Rehit made up by individual Sikhs or a group of Sikhs. All Gursikhs keep Bibek Rehit for eating to some degree or another.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji states:
A ‘Bibeki’ is a person who adheres strictly to and regulates his life in accordance with the Guru’s commandments. One who truly loves Guru Ji will follow his commandments since it is dearer to Guru Ji than the Sikh itself. That Sikh has truly offered his head to Guru Ji, who only lives to please Guru Ji. However, this rehit will be of no use if one does not maintain Amritvela, perform daily Naam Abhiyaas (practice of repeating the Divine-Name), and keep humility and sincerity, otherwise keeping Bibek will just promote ego.
Gurbani clearly states:
Naam is given during initiation. So Guru Ka Langar or food that Gursikhs eat pertains to food prepared by people who have taken Amrit and received Naam.


Story of Bheesham Pitama

In accordance to Hindu mythology, Draupadi asked the saint Sant Bheesham Pitama, why he had not come to her rescue when she was stripped of her clothing in Duryodan’s court. She queried him, saying that if he was a saint, why did he not raise his voice when evil was going on before his very eyes in Duryodana’s court. He started to cry and said, “Daughter, I shall tell you the truth; my mind became clouded by darkness as I had eaten in Duryodan’s house.”
Therefore, this shows how the love of God breaks away from a being as their mind becomes clouded by filth and prevents them from performing good deeds.
Gurbani says:
Note: According to Gurbani those who drink alcohol are ‘husbands of prostitutes’ (ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਮਦੁ ਜੋ ਪੀਵਤੇ ਬਿਖਲੀ ਪਤਿ ਕਮਲੀ || Ang 399); those who don’t Jap Naam are called ‘murderers’ of the soul (ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਜਪਹਿ ਤੇ ਆਤਮ ਘਾਤੀ ||੧|| Ang 188); those who eat meat are called ‘thieves’ (ਸਿੰਘਚ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਜੋ ਨਰੁ ਜਾਨੈ || ਐਸੇ ਹੀ ਠਗਦੇਉ ਬਖਾਨੈ ||੨|| Ang 485).

Story of Bhai Lalo Ji and Malik Bhago

During Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s time, there was someone named Bhai Lalo Ji who earned his living by honest work. Bhai Lalo Ji once got lunch for Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his companion, Bhai Mardana Ji to have. Bhai Mardana Ji asked, “This meal tastes like nectar. What has been put in it?” Guru Nanak Dev Ji replied, “That was the taste of truthfulness and honesty that you tasted. This taste is above the taste of worldly delicacies.”
There was a high government official of the city called Malik Bhago who gave a general feast and also welcomed Guru Nanak Dev Ji. However, Guru Ji refused the invitation and said, “We are fakirs, what have we to do with your feast?” He was then asked again; therefore, Guru Nanak Dev Ji took Bhai Lalo Ji with him and went to Malik Bhago. Malik Bhago said furiously to Guru Ji, “You are dishonouring Kshatriyas by eating dry chapaties in the house of a low caste carpenter. My feast will offer you delicious food. Why do you refuse to eat it?”
Guru Nanak Dev Ji then took Bhai Lalo’s chapati and Malik Bhago’s fried sweet pancake. When he squeezed Bhai Lalo’s chapati milk dripped out from it but when he squeezed Malik Bhago’s fried pancake, blood dripped out from it.
Guru then said, “Look Malik Bhago, wealth gathered by cruelty and corruption towards the poor is like sucking their blood which you have done. You had invited me to partake of blood, leaving food pure as milk. How could I accept it?” This showed that Bhai Lalo was the symbol of honesty and hard work.
Therefore, the story shows how food from the faithless cynic is nothing but poison, just how Gurbani mentions that Maya is just like sugarcane which is sweet from the outside but inside Maya is just poison which only leaves pain in the end.
Story from the early life of Guru Amar Daas Ji

Gurbani says:
Before Guru Amar Daas Sahib Ji became the third Nanak, he met a Saadhu (holy man) who once ate in his house. On leaving, when the Saadhu realised that Baba Amar Daas Ji was without a Guru, the Saadhu became angry and told Baba Amar Daas Ji that, by eating with him, he the Sadhu had lost all his spiritual wealth which he had earned after many years of meditation. Baba Amar Daas Ji cried the whole night. This shows that if one eats from someone who is without a Guru (has not taken amrit) and does not recite the Gurmantar, one looses their profit of Naam. So how can they ever cross over? By eating by someone who is unrighteous, they too become unrighteous.

When we eat from a faithless cynic, this affects our Naam. It influences the five vices and thinking. Just as when people say, “you are what you eat” due to physical health, this also includes for our spirituality.
Sai Mai Mir Ji and Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Sai Mia Mir was very close to Guru Arjan Dev Ji. However, Guru Sahib didn’t even consume food from Sai Mian Mir even though they were very close since Sai Mian Mir was a Muslim (non-Sikh). Sai Mian Mir prepared different utensils to be used for Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji for cooking and eating food from. Whenever Guru Sahib and his Sikhs stayed over with Sai Mian Mir ji, these utensils were used to cook and eat langar from. Also, even different utensils were used to cook food for Guru Arjan Dev ji and Guru Sahib’s sewadars. This proves that Sikhs and Guru Sahib himself did not take food cooked from those who were not Sikhs.


Story of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Bhai Dayaal Daas

One day Guru Gobind Singh Ji went to Bhai Dayaal Daas’ ( descendant of Baba Aadam Ji) village and told Bhai Sahib to take Amrit. Bhai Sahib did not take Gurus Hukum seriously and ignored the request. Some time went by and Bhai Sahib had a strong desire to meet Guru Sahib at Sri Damdama Sahib. When approaching Guru Sahib he greeted Guru Sahib but Guru Ji ignored him. Bhai Raam Singh a devoted servant of Guru Sahib asked Guru Sahib why he had ignored Bhai Dayaal Daas knowing that he was descedenent of a Gurmukh (Baba Aadam Ji ) who served the fourth Guru. Guru Sahib responded “He is without a Guru, he has not taken Amrit”. Dayaal Daas responded “I am a Sikh. Sikhi has been in my family since the fourth Guru. I don’t smoke, drink or eat meat. I dont cut my hair”. Still Guru Sahib did not embrace him.
Bhai Ram Singh Ji told Dayal Das “We will be apporaching your village in some time prepare langar for the Guru.” When Guru Ji approached the village ( Bhuchey) Guru Sahib’s horse was thirsty. There was a nearby pond in the village; however, Guru Sahib’s horse did not drink from the pond. When the Sangat asked Guru Ji as to why the horse refused the water from the pond. Guru Sahib said that in this village there is a ‘nigura’ .
Dayaal Daas then requested Guru Sahib to come to his house and bless the langar. Guru Sahib responded:
Meaning the food can be only blessed if prepared by a Sikh of the Guru. Guru Sahib further stated:
Guru Sahib then quoted the following Gurbani line:
Meaning their greeting is insincere.


http://www.sikhanswers.com/rehat-ma...-strict-about-who-prepares-the-food-they-eat/



Is this an extremism ?
Or does it not fuel haumai and give brahmin status ?
The amritdharis that practice it, refuse to believe so !

Good controversial topic. And I am wondering even if you would like it moved to Hard Talk or to the Sects section under Sikh History (because the history of Akhand Kirtani Jatha is in and off itself a key to critical controversies that persist.) Just my thoughts. You have a good set of issues set forth.

Wherever you feel it is more appropriate is fine.
I have come across some that are strict believers in this and I did respect them for that previously. However, I question it now and don't feel that it is pure gurmat because it borders with haumai and judging in my opinion.

What is intriguing to me is the particular usage and translation given to bibek... which you know has a somewhat more universal meaning in other contexts. Anyway, this would do well in Hard Talk.

Its a Good Discipline..and all the Tuks quoted are really not that far out in translation and or application to whats being said...BUT...if we argue that this leads to "haumaii hankaar ego...then I agree and will also add..Amrtidhareeism to this list...many "Amritdharees" I know are so full of ego, haumaii and hankaar...seemingly becasue they believe themselves Holier than THOU simply due to the fact of them wearing the 5 kakars etc....
Amrit and Bibek by THEMSELVES are not harmful...they are Both good disciplines...
Just like I would say..Being a Trained Commando..a Boy Scout...a self defence expert a good horseman..a good archer..etc is GOOD..but being overly PROUD of it and showing off or treating others as "dirt" would be bad..

I wouldn't eat at a flithy restaurant... where food is cooked by filthy cooks..served by filthy waiters....or infested with rodents {censored}roaches flies..THIS BIBEK thingy places the STAKES much much HIGHER than simply "physical cleanliness.."..it also wants/STRESSES... SPIRITUAL CLEANLINESS in the Cooks, waiters etc !! So its GOOD if used in MODERATION...and I would personally prefer a Bibeki than a smoker cook who keeps a lighted cigarette in one hand while cooking and keeps flicking ash about..or trying to smoke pot while cooking !!!

A very good explanation Gyaniji.
I was beginning to get a real negative attitude on it.

I totally agree that the spiritual cleanliness is good discipline and those practicing strick bibek should be sensible and not too overboard in judging.

A good example and explanation that can help open new doorways.
Thanks

How does one measure the spiritual cleanliness of the person preparing their food? :whatzpointkudi:

The Final Para is whats called "extremism" and EXCLUSIONIST...and imho not at all a true historical perspective of the Sikh Gurus at all.
WE all know perfectly well that Guru Ji stayed with, viisted the homes, mixed around with many faithful Muslims...Right form Bhai Mardana Ji and Guru nanak ji Sahib...the Gurus didnt discriminate in an extremist style. Its a FACT no one cna deny that Pir Budhu Shah's four sons and many hundred followers SACRIFICED their lives on the Battlefield of Bhanganni fighting FOR Guru Gobind Singh ji against their fellow muslim mughal armies and aganst the HINDU RAJAS who attacked Guru ji in naked AGGRESSION. Guru Ji certainly DID NOT tell them: I shall NOT visit your houses, I wil NOT accept your offerings etc etc as supposedly said to Bhai Dyall dass in the Concluding Para of the Post.
Today its an undeniable Fact that MOST GURDWARAS..readily ACCEPT and even WELCOME Monetary Gifts Bhetas rumallas langgar rasad rations etc etc form NON-Sikhs, Patit Sikhs, Sehajdharees, Non-Amritdharee Sikhs..in fact everybody and all sundry....and the SGGS is taken to homes of all these and the SANGATS participate freely. BARRING ALL THOSE would be disastrous to Sikhism and its IMAGE. Such Strict BIBEK is an INDIVIDUAL AFFAIR and should NOT be IMPOSED on all - Military Dictatorship style of Leave it or Take IT. GURMATT ha snever been and will never be EXCLUSIONIST...or ELITIST..The position we must all take is ULTIMATELY BIBEK is a GOAL..we must all strive for..but dont exclude those who cant make it. WE must all strive to be FAUJA SINGHS..BUT NOT all can be Fauja Singhs and dont exclude or deride those who cant wlak a mile let alone finish a Marathon..Lets welcome ALL to walk along...the GURUS PATH...

2. MOST of the So called "Hukmnamahs" attributed to Guur Gobind Singh and earlier to Guru hargobind Sahib ji are actually FAKES written by Nakedly PRO_HINDU writers aiming to impose their BIPPAR colours onto the Pristine Gurmatt Raangs and make ANTI-MUSLIM rants. These are ADULTERATED like for example the 41st Vaar spuriously attached to and faked to be Bhai Gurdass Jis Vaar by an anonymous writer which is seriously anti Muslim and even distorts facts to make his point that the KHALSA was solely created to ELIMINATE the Muslims and destroy Mosques etc....what a LIE...a NAKED LIE..and its all there in black and White in the 41st vaar always SUNG by Sikh ragis even without knowing its author who "pretends" to be someone he is NOT simply because he is from 200 years AFTER the Real authentic Bhai gurdass Jis time...WE MUST use the yard stick of GURBANI in SGGS.

Another rather intriguing fact to note is..The Battle of Bhnagganni..one of the MOST decisive Battles of Guru Gobind Singh jis Military career...in which the MOST MUSLIM FAITHFULS died fighting on Guru jis side..and the Greatest contributor being Pir BUDHU SHAH who was blessed by Guru jis GIFT of His personal Kanghha with some KESH still in it..( When after the battle and having lost four sons in battle..Pir approached Guru ji and Guru Ji ASKED HIM..PIR JI..ask anything of me..and Pir Ji replied..OH my beloved GURU JI..I dont ask for anything..but if you must bestow something additional..please gift me the KANGHA you are using now to comb your Kesh...!!It will remind my generations of the LOVE we shared.."

THIS BATTLE is completely IGNORED in whats called the bachitar natak - claimed to be the AUTOBIOGRAPHY of Guru Gobind Singh ji....esp intriguing becasue of the MUSLIM ELEMENT..perhaps....which many now take as proof that the BNG is NOT guru gobind singh jis writings at all but by a pro Hindu poet pretender. Only such a nakedly PRO-HINDU and ANTI-MUSLIM pretender would WHITEWASH such an important incident in Guru jis Life (Autobiography ??)

This comment is not to sidetrack the Bibek Post..but to provide an insight into why the Final para is considered suspect.winkingmunda

To add to what Gyani Jarnail Singh ji mentioned we all have painfully heard about 'Gangu Brahman' who was the Guruji's household cook betraying the younger sahibzadas and their grandmother near Chamkaur.

Obviously, Gangu wasn't an Amritdhari. We don't hear in history 'Gangu' being originally called 'Ganga Singh' or having taken Amrit to cook the meals in Guruji't household. This betrayal, if historically true conclusively proves that tenth Guruji had nothing to do with this 'Rehat Bibek'. It is the Brahminic concept smuggled into Sikhism. It was created by Babu Teja Singh Bhasaur of Panch Khalsa Diwan along with Bhai Randhir Singh ji. In his biography we hear that Bhai Randhir Singh ji after taking Amrit when he joined back his family in Narangwal, he didn't take his food cooked even by his mother for a couple of months till she got her Amrit. I feel it was too much egoistic. These bibeki sikhs are surely inflicted with ego or 'Amritism'.

The Gurus not only ahd Brahmin cooks..they also had Brahmin nannies (khidawas) like Chaupa Singh..Koor singh etc...who later wrote rehatnamahs named after them....so while there is no "Ganga Singh alias Ganggu..there are Chaupa dn koer "Singh"...like the famous Dhyan "singh" dogra and his brothers in Lahore Court !!...Guur nanak ji ahd BHAI MARDANA with him at all times..and Guru nanak ji did eat at Bhai Lalo's..a carpenter...did Bhai lalo keep bibek ??..Mardana Ji..?? all questions...