| Sikh Missionary
Society: Sikhism: Institutions:
Pangat
 Sikhism
believes in :
“Let no one be hungry where the spirit of God
prevails”
“Let no one sleep without food”
“Let no one die of hunger”
Literally, Pangat means line or row for interdining (Commensality
s~Jw
LMgr). Pangat is an institution in Sikhism which means to
dine together sitting in row or line in Langar ( Kitchen). Pangat
denotes partaking of food from community kitchen (Langar) while
sitting in a row (Pangat).
As a principle, all are equal in Sikh Langar. Every body
sits in row irrespective of caste, color or creed and eats the same Langar
whether rich or poor, prince or a pauper.
It is strong belief in Sikhism that Sangat helps to attain
spirituality and Pangat helps the human beings to increase mutual understanding
and health preservation. Sharing of food, creates a sense of universal
brotherhood on equality basis.
sMgq rwhIN AiDAwqmk
SkqI vDdI hY Aqy pMgq rwhIN srIrk SkqI vDdI hY |
After performance of service in the Gurdwaras, Langar from
the community kitchen is served without any prejudice and discrimination.
The Langar is prepared by the volunteers. The Sikhs believe that
food and water are gifts of God and they only take pleasure in serving
these gifts free.
“Bread and water belong to the Lord and
the desire to serve is the pleasure of Sikhs.”
A@n pwxI gurU kw, tihl Bwvnw
is@K~ dI |
The institution of Pangat was started by Guru Nanak
Dev Ji. It was further strengthened by Guru Amar Das who ordered that free
Langar must be served first, before any person could meet with him.
 Once
Emperor Akbar and Raja of Haripur came to pay a visit to the Guru. They
had to partake food in the Pangat before they could join the company
of the Guru. It is a saying that first is sharing of the food
from community kitchen and then enjoying the company of the Sangat (Congregation
of holy people)
“Pehle Pangat, Pichhon Sangat.”
The institutions of Gurdwara, Langar, Sangat and Pangat
are the refineries for practical life where gold like electrolytic refining
treatment is given to the devotees so that admixture of impurities
is over thrown and virtues of life are inculcated instead. Sikhism teaches
to attain a pure and pious life to unite with the Supreme Soul through
these institutions.
Pangat plays a significant role to create sense
of equality, brotherhood, humility and homogeneity. The twin institutions
of Sangat and Pangat were started by Guru Nanak Dev Ji which
was a revolutionary credo.
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