ÿþ<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>V&#256K</TITLE> <style type="text/css"> .BODY { background-color: #EAF1F7; background-image: url('images/gtbh.jpg'); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; color: #0066CC;} .C1{text-align: justify;color: #0066CC;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .BIB{text-align: center;color: #000099;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .CONT{text-align: right;color: #FF0000;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} </style><META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="VK"> <META http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></HEAD> <BODY class="BODY" oncontextmenu="return false" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false"> <FONT ALIGN="JUSTIFY" FACE="Tahoma"> <p class="C1">&#65279V&#256K, from Sanskrit <i>v&#257ka</i> (sounding, speaking; a text, recitation or formula) or <i>v&#257kya</i> (speech, saying, statement, declaration, a sentence or period), has a special connotation in the Sikh system. In Sikh terminology, <i>V&#257k</i> means the command or lesson read from the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib. <i>V&#257k lai&#7751&#257</i> or <i>hukam lai&#7751&#257</i> (obtaining or receiving the Gur&#363's word or command) is for the Sikhs tantamount to having a <i>darshan</i> or audience of the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib, ever present Gur&#363 for them. It is an act of seeking the counsel or instruction of the Gur&#363 who 'speaks' through the <i>v&#257k</i> or hymn recited aloud. Customarily, <i>v&#257k</i> or <i>hukam</i> is recited in <i>sa&#7749gat</i> by an officiant after the installation or opening of the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib in the morning and every time after <i>ard&#257s</i> or supplicatory prayer is said at the end of the service. <i>V&#257k</i> or <i>hukam</i> may be read individually by the seeker from the Holy Book in the<i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i> or in his own home or he may request the <i>granth&#299</i> (officiant) or any one else present to read it out for him.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The <i>Sikh Rahit Mary&#257d&#257</i> or the code governing Sikh belief and practice published by the Shiroma&#7751&#299 Gurdw&#257r&#257 Parbandhak Committee, statutorily elected religious body representative of the entire Sikh community, lays down the following procedure under the head <i>hukam lai&#7751&#257</i>:</p> <blockquote class="C1"><p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) To bow before the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib, respectfully to attend the <i>sa&#7749gat</i> which truly represents the Gur&#363, and to recite or listen to <i>v&#257k</i> amounts to having the <i>darshan</i> or sight of the True Gur&#363. To have a sight of the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib by uncovering it and then not to read the <i>v&#257k</i> is <i>manmat</i> or self-willed transgression.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) During the congregation, only one thing should take place at a time--- <i>k&#299rtan</i>, discourse or scripture-reading.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) During the congregation, only a Sikh (man or woman) is entitled to sit in attendance of the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) While any one, Sikh or non-Sikh, may read the Scripture for himself, only a Sikh should read it aloud for the <i>sa&#7749gat</i>.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) For obtaining <i>v&#257k</i>, the hymn at the top of the left hand page of Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib opened at random should be read out from the beginning. If the beginning is at the preceding page, the leaf may be turned. A complete hymn should be read ending with the line where usually the name N&#257nak appears.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) Hukam should also be picked from the holy book at the end to mark the close of the ceremony.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</blockquote></p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<i>V&#257k</i> thus recited in slow rhythm and with correct intonation makes impact on the listeners. It is taken to be the Gur&#363's command for the day. Historically, there have been instances when theological or even mundane disputes have been settled by having recourse to <i>v&#257k</i>. For example, on 12 October 1920, when the priests of the Harimandar refused to accept the sacrament (<i>ka&#7771&#257h pras&#257d</i>) brought by a group of the so-called low castes, it was agreed to obtain the Gur&#363's verdict. The priests agreed. As the custom goes, the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib was opened at random and the words read impromptu went unambiguously in favour of the reformers. This was accepted without argument and without question. Such reliance on <i>v&#257k</i> arises from the belief of the devotees that the <i>b&#257&#7751&#299</i> of Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib is revelation enjoying Divine sanction.</p> </font> <p class="BIB"> BIBLIOGRAPHY<p class="C1"><ol class="C1"><li class="C1"><i>Sikh Rahit Mary&#257d&#257</i>. Amritsar, n.d<BR> <li class="C1"> Cole, W Owen, <i>The Guru is Sikhism</i>. London, 1982<BR> </ol><p class="CONT">Pi&#257r&#257 Si&#7749gh S&#257mbh&#299<br></p><BR> </font> <img src="counter.aspx" width="1px" height="1px" alt=""> </HTML></BODY>