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ikhs offer Langar and Karah Parshaad (sweet pudding) to their Guru before they give it to the Sangat (congregation). In this article we will learn about why they do this and what the importance of a Kirpan is when doing Bhog.
Why do we do Bhog?
Bhog is when we make an offering to Guru Sahib of our Langar or Karah Parshaad. The idea is that we request Vaheguru to come eat. Just like a bride when she makes her husband's favorite food and asks him to come eat. We ask that Guru Sahib come bless this food by doing Bhog (swiping/blessing).
As Sikhs of the Guru, we are trying to purify our souls, to beautify ourselves so Vaheguru can come reside within us. Which is why we ask that Guru Sahib blesses this food. This idea comes from the following Shabad (hymns).
ਅਨਿਕ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰ ਭੋਜਨ ਬਹੁ ਕੀਏ ਬਹੁ ਬਿੰਜਨ ਮਿਸਟਾਏ ॥
I have prepared all sorts of foods in various ways, and all sorts of sweet desserts.
ਕਰੀ ਪਾਕਸਾਲ ਸੋਚ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰਾ ਹੁਣਿ ਲਾਵਹੁ ਭੋਗੁ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਏ ॥੨॥
I have made my kitchen pure and sacred. Now, O my Sovereign Lord King, please sample my food. ||2||
The spiritual meaning of the Shabad is that we have done internal cleaning for Vaheguru to reside in our hearts. This verse is used to do Bhog (swipe/sanctify/bless) because it is about the food. It is not necessary to read out this Shabad to do Bhog but it is reminiscent.
Why do we do it with a Kirpan?
The idea of using a Kirpan (sword) is that Shastar (weapon) is a form of Guru. In the following Shabad Guru Gobind Singh Ji tells us that Shastars are our Master as well.
ਅਸ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ ਖੰਡੋ ਖੜਗ ਤੁਪਕ ਤਬਰ ਅਰੁ ਤੀਰ ॥ ਸੈਫ ਸਰੋਹੀ ਸੈਹਥੀ ਯਹੈ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਪੀਰ ॥੩॥
By doing Bhog with the Kirpan our Guru samples it, making it Pavittar (purify/blessed). It is similar to the concept of Charan Amrit when Guru Ji dipped/touched the water with their feet and Sikhs would drink it. There are also many Hukamname (letters of command) that state we must do Bhog with a Kirpan as well.
