Science behind Baptism

Ever wonder that there is a scientific aspect to baptism ?? To understand the concept thoroughly, let's start with the basic concept of science i.e. three states of matter namely:

1) Solid
2) Liquid
3) Gas

But a Lehman may not be aware of the other states of matter that exist in the universe. These states are named as:

4) Plasma
5) Ether

Plasma in most general terms is defined as a gas that has been energized to the point that some of the electrons break free from, but travel with, their nucleus. Gases can become plasmas in several ways, but all include pumping the gas with energy. A spark in a gas will create a plasma.

Now, ether in scientific terms is described as an oxygen atom bonded with two hydrocarbons. In scientific terms, it is described as:

1) A classical physical element, considered as prevalent in the heavens and inaccessible to humans. In some versions of alchemy, this was the fifth element in addition to air, earth, fire and water.

2) (archaic, physics, uncountable) A substance (aether) once thought to fill all space that allowed electromagnetic waves to pass through it and interact with matter, without exerting any resistance to matter or energy. 

Ether is usually referred to as "Amrit Rass" in Sikhism and Hinduism.

Though, Albert Einstein disproved the presence of Ether in his "Theory of Relativity" by showing that the speed of light in vacuum is exactly the same as in some other medium. Though this theory of Einstein may discard the presence of any such element but his "Theory of Everything" (close to Guru Nanak's words of "Ik Onkaar") does give some margin to believe in the existence of spirituality and metaphysics.

Now my personal deduction on this entire process is that a Bulgarian philosopher called Omraan Mikhael Aivanhov in his books did emphasize on this transition of the matter from one state to another as from Solid => Liquid => Gas => Plasma => Ether. He illustrated this transition by the simple phenomenon of ingestion of food where he said the one mouthful of bread can produce the energy to pull a hundred wagons around the world thrice.

Though Baptism somehow is considered to happen in the spiritual realm in every religion, I believe that it happens naturally in the Cosmos as well. If we consider the ceremonial aspect of baptism which is present in every religion in the world, "water" is the element used in every baptism ceremony across various religions e.g. "Holy water" in Christianity, "Zam Zam"  in Islam, "Amrit Sanchaar" in Sikhism, "Mata rani da chhita" (for Durga-worshippers) in Hinduism etc. Now this ceremony is just another ceremonial/ symbolic display of that conversion of the matter to ether or simply based on an individual's personal experience that enlightens him/ her about the existence of such phenomenon, about the conversion of matter from one state to another, in the universe.

What your physical body is today was "zygote", a liquid formed by the fusion of sperm and ovum once and the day when it gets cremated, the flesh will melt into liquid in the first instance. So the bi-directional transition i.e. Liquid=> Solid => Liquid is clear. Maybe, the entire chain of the material transition is bi-directional and is centered around ether as:

Solid=> Liquid => Gas => Plasma => ETHER => Plasma => Gas => Liquid => Solid

This may not be a standard deduction but more of my imagination somehow supported by a geographical phenomenon called the "Water cycle". In the end, I would just say that we must keep alive our spirit of mysticism because that would unveil many things we wish to know in our life time.

Guru Arjan Dev- Gandhi's inspiration

Actually, there are no written records available to substantiate the fact that Mahatma Gandhi's ideologies have a considerable influence of Guru Arjan Dev ji's teaching's. Though Sikhs, especially youth are considered to be against Gandhi's ways out of an assumption that, by default, they are aggressive and rebellious. But there are some noticeable similarities between their ideologies that cannot be ignored. Though, this comparison may itch a sikh fundamentalist and gandhian too may find it a little uncomfortable to digest but this is the truth.

Though Gandhi always advocated simplicity, selflessness, non-violence etc. but the fifth sikh guru went too far ahead of Gandhi in not only preaching it but also practicing it. There's no bigger example of patience, tolerance, self-sacrifice and surrender to almighty's will, than the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev but Gandhi's teachings are no more than a reflection of Guru Arjan's in a different century.
Though, it would be idiotic to compare the stature of a political personality to that of a spiritual guru who is more of a messiah than a just a political leader, I still want to put forward this comparison in an attempt to pacify sikh radicals and anti-sikh forces operating in India. Though some intellectuals can very well prove the anti-sikh nature of Gandhi but let's not look at him for only religious perspective but also from political and nationalistic view.

But a fact worth mentioning here is that I want to put forward a striking similarity between Gandhi's and Guru Arjan's political ideology which are almost identical.
Fifth Guru has said:

ਰਾਜ ਬਿਨਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਧਰਮ ਚਲੈ ਹੈਂ ॥ ਧਰਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਸਭ ਦਲੈ ਮਲੈ ਹੈਂ ॥
which is very Similar to Gandhi's thought:

"Politics bereft of religion is the death of conscience."

So! I believe such an analogy has never been made by any religious preacher or a political leader in the past, anywhere in the world. Those people like me, who believe in communal harmony and universal brotherhood should come up with more such analogies to defeat religious fundamentalism which is one big reason behind communal tensions in the country.

"Bhapa"- an offensive & derogatory term for sikhs

I have already covered the existence and operationality of caste discrimination in my article "Caste System in Sikh community" where I highlighted the major caste types in Punjab. Though personally a strong critic of the "Caste system" and an individual who is always against caste-bias, I feel an utmost need to address this issue in my writings as it is a harsh social reality and truth about it should not be left unsaid. As the title suggests I will try to highlight the discriminatory use of the term "Bhapa" and the historical aspects of this caste.

In the cities, Khatri and Arora dominate the sphere of business activities. Khatri and Aroras are essentially identical caste and are primarily a caste of traders, shopkeepers and accountants. Sometimes people belonging to these castes are called "Bhapa Sikhs". Khatris and Aroras are equivalent of Baniyas found elsewhere in India. Please note there are also Agarwal Baniyas in Punjab too but they are almost 100% Hindu. All of the Sikh Gurus were born in Khatri caste. Guru Nanak's father Mehta Kalu was also a shopkeeper and he tried his best to make his son follow his caste profession of shopkeeping. But Guru Nanak rejected his teachings and became a man of spirit.

Please note that although the word Khatri appears to be a vernacular form of Sanskrit "Kshatriya", the caste is exclusively composed of cloth merchants, grocers, perfume sellers (or "Gandhis") and traders. Some eminent historians, have described this caste as probably a "pratiloma" or ritually inferior mixed caste created through union of "Kshatriya fathers and brahmin mothers" or "Shudra fathers and Kshatriya mothers". Though Rajputs , the bonafide Hindu Kshatriya caste, disown all connection with them and treat them as one of the Baniya castes, Aggarwal Baniyas, a reputable vaishya caste of Hindus, also deny any link with them.

Some speculate that the word Khatri is derived from the word "Khata" or accounting scroll . Before the partition of Punjab, Khatris were largely concentrated in West Punjab where they were the subordinates of Pathans and were employed in a rather humble way by Pathans as their accountants. It could be that Arora caste which came under patronage of Pathans and Khokhars in NWFP (North-West Frontier Province) and upper western Punjab as their accountants came to be called "Khatri" because of maintaining "Khatas" or accounting books of their patrons.

As stated before, sphere of Khatri and Arora influence in Punjab is the urban centers where they dominate the shopkeeping profession. Being connected with commerce and trading, their literacy rate is among the highest in Punjab and they were also the earliest beneficiaries of colonial education system being located in urban areas. Khatris are a forward caste in Punjab but as we have seen that neither their social standing nor their occupations are uniform across the country, it is no surprise that they are enlisted among Other Backward Castes (OBC) in many other states like Gujrat, Tamil Nadu, etc. Though Punjabi "Arora/ Khatri sikh" community has produced some of the most prominent political and religious personalities of the country like the former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh and the famous sikh scholar Giani Sant Singh ji Maskeen who has been honored with the "Panth Rattan" decoration. The famous Punjabi singer Daler Mehandi is also belongs to this caste.

Among the Dalit caste groups prominent ones "Chamars" and "Chooras". Both communities are called "Balmiki/ Mazhabi Sikhs". The word Chamar is derived from Charmakar or leather tanner. They used to be expert shoe-makers. Some poor men and women of this caste also work as laborers in the farms of traditional landowning castes like Jat, Mahton, Saini, etc. Discrimination against them unfortunately still exists in Sikh society. For this reason , Mazhbi Sikh brethren are extended reservation as SC (Scheduled Caste) . Mazbi Sikhs have in the past made sterling contribution to Sikhism both as mystics and soldiers. Bhagat Ravidas belonged to Chamar caste but is accorded highest respect in Sikhism with his poetry being included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Akali Phoola Singh wan another "Mazhabi Sikh" who acquired the top post of the "Akal Takhat Jathedar" and is known for his uprightness and bravery.

Now, I would like to use the reference of the historical aspect of "Balmiki/ Majhabi sikh" community and their socio-political and a legal achievement in the contemporary times to make the usage of the discriminatory term "Choora" as a  legal offense punishable as per the court of law. I expect some intellectuals from "Arora/ Khatri sikh" community to take a constructive lesson from the the B/M sikh brethren and pursue a legal/ political course to make the discriminatory usage of the term "Bhapa" too, a legal offence punishable in the court of law.