Miri and Piri
The two swords
At his installation, Guru Ji wears two swords, one for spiritual and one for worldly authority.
The Encyclopaedia gives the common account. For the ceremony Guru Ji chose a warrior's equipment over the usual marks of office, and Baba Buddha performed the investiture on the new platform. Guru Ji wore two swords, naming one as the sign of his spiritual office and the other as that of his worldly one.
Macauliffe has Baba Buddha gently question the young man on seeing him in armour. Guru Ji answers that the swords fulfil the old man's own blessing, and that under Guru Ji's roof faith and worldly life would be joined: a cauldron for feeding the poor and a blade for striking oppressors.
How do we know?
Several traditional accounts tell this story, without close independent support.
The Dabistan confirms that Guru Ji wore a sword against his father's practice. That is close support for the change of manner, not for two swords. The symbolism comes from later Sikh writing.
- ScholarshipDescribes the armed seat before the Harmandir Sahib and the meaning of the two swords.[EoS]
- ScholarshipHas Baba Buddha carry out the investiture.[EoS]
- Later traditionGives the dialogue about the two swords and the cauldron and the blade.[Macauliffe]
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