Amrit and the Khalsa

The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism describes two stages of initiation. From the time of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji until 1699, a new Sikh sipped water touched by Guru Ji's toe, or by a local leader's where Guru Ji was absent. This was called charan pahul or charanamrit. Bhai Gurdas refers to it in Var 1.

At Anandpur in 1699, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji replaced it with khande di pahul, initiation by the double-edged sword. Guru Ji called for Sikhs ready to give their lives, and five came forward. They were Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh, Bhai Sahib Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh and Bhai Himmat Singh, known as the Panj Piare. Guru Ji stirred water in an iron bowl with the khanda while reciting Bani. Mata Jito Ji, or according to some accounts Mata Sahib Devan, added sugar crystals. Guru Ji then asked the five to initiate him in turn.[EoS][EoS][EoS]

The Sikh Rehat Maryada sets out the rite. Five Amritdhari Sikhs, who may include women, administer it before Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, with a sixth in attendance. Anyone, man or woman, from any country, religion or caste may receive it, if old enough to understand. They come bathed, with hair washed and wearing the five Ks.

While sitting around a steel bowl, the five recite Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, the Ten Savaiye, Benti Chaupai and Anand Sahib. Each initiate drinks amrit five times from cupped hands and receives it five times on the eyes and five times on the hair, repeating Vahiguru Ji ka Khalsa, Vahiguru Ji ki Fateh. All then drink from the same bowl and share kara prashad from one dish. This is meant to end former divisions of family and caste.[Src][EoS]

The articles are kesh (uncut hair), kangha (a comb), kara (a steel bangle), kirpan (a sword) and kachhera (a short undergarment). The Encyclopaedia offers meanings for each. Kesh is linked with sanctity and with rejection of ascetic practice. The comb stands for cleanliness, the bangle for restraint and an unbroken bond, the sword for courage in defence of the weak, and the undergarment for self-control. These are later explanations, and the same entry warns that some symbolic readings are imposed afterwards. The Rehat Maryada itself lists the articles without assigning meanings.

Initiates are told their spiritual father is Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and their mother Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, and that their birthplace is Kesgarh Sahib. Men take the name Singh and women Kaur.[EoS][Src][EoS]

The Rehat Maryada names four transgressions: dishonouring the hair, eating meat slaughtered in the Muslim way, sexual relations outside marriage and using tobacco. Anyone who commits one deliberately must seek pardon and be initiated again.[Src]