On June 6, 1984, the Indian Government launched a horrific attack against the Akal Takhat, the seat of Spiritual and Temporal Authority for the Sikh community. The Akal Takhat martyred itself that day, along with thousands of our Sikh brothers and sisters, to awaken the consciousness of the Panth.

In 1985, one year after this historic event, Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji gave a landmark talk about the martyrdom of the Akal Takhat. In this talk, he reminds the Sikhs that our history is filled with challenge and betrayal, because that is sometimes the only way to understand and experience the invincible power of the Heavens.

"Opposition, abuse, deceit and tragedy are very painful. Nobody wants them. But do you know they are simple challenges?Without them, how could one have understood how to live beyond the feeling of this earth with the power of the heavens?

"Me and you, in our sensitivity, can feel the pain. But you do not understand or feel the joy of those people at that time because they were giving this body back as an offering.

"Those who are responsible for attacking the Akal Takht, whatever the reason is, we are grateful to them today. They have awakened us."

June 6, 1985 in Los Angeles, California, USA.



The Resurrection of the Akal Takhat from Sikh Dharma International on Vimeo.

For more video lectures on the topic of the Akal Takhat martyrdom, and its significance for the Sikh community and humanity, see The Awakening of the Khalsa Video Series from Sikh Dharma International.

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