To be in Chardi Kala is to be in sync with the rising divine force that guides life. To be in this evergreen, blissed, positive state of mind that doesn’t get defeated by adverse circumstances, the underlying trust in the divine will and the spiritual discipline that purifies the mind is the key.
How many times have we wished for a magic wand that will transform the mundane pumpkin of our existence into a vibrant, golden carriage? Or seek that divine mantra that will cause the sun to rise in the dark night of the soul? The good news is, it does exist! It’s not hidden in some lofty tower guarded by fire-breathing dragons but is in the pit of fire in our hearts. The Sikhs have a term for it – Chardi Kala.
The Sikhs are a community you might have seen often serving langars (free community meals) or helping people when there’s a disaster or need, with the men identified by their turbans and beards.
What does it mean?
Chardi Kala is that magic mantra or the magic wand we’ve always secretly wished for! Simply speaking, it means staying optimistic in all that unfolds in life. And no, it doesn’t mean your pumpkin will become a golden carriage, but you do learn to see the gold in the pumpkin!
Chardi Kala is to be in an ever-inspirational, optimistic, and positive state of mind no matter what the external circumstances. You are not to bury your head in the sand and pretend all’s right with the world when it’s not. Yet, even in storms the will, the spirit is to align itself with the uplifting divine force. No matter how dark the tunnel gets, the spiritual eye is focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. And, the tunnel definitely has an end, opening into the light.
The literal meaning of Chardi Kala is ‘rising force’ (‘Chardi’ means rising or ascending in the Punjabi language, and ‘Kala’ means energy or force). To be in Chardi Kala is to be in sync with the rising divine force that guides life. Going through hardships, injustice, pain, and suffering, you may wonder how are you in Chardi Kala? Understand that what the human mind perceives as a setback or a fall may not be so in the wider divine scheme. It would be naïve to assume that life will always be a bed of roses. Spirituality in its truest sense gives us endurance in times of suffering, and resilience as well as courage to act even when the going gets tough. One is not to resort to escapism or be in denial of difficulties, but to act even when it seems that the task is impossible.
The epitome of this principle is seen in the life of the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, who founded the Khalsa Panth and gave to the world the concept of the saint-soldier. His life inspires millions to this day. In the battle of Punjab’s Chamkaur, where the Guru, along with 40 Sikhs including his two elder teenage sons, was surrounded by an army of over one hundred thousand soldiers, every Sikh fought valiantly till the last drop of blood. And, when his two younger sons (aged 5 and 7) were cemented alive because they refused to give up their faith, he accepted it all with grace and fortitude. So, to be in Chardi Kala is by no means an escape from the struggles and challenges of life, but it is staying rooted in the deep faith in the divine at all times.
Is this practically possible?
Such examples may seem superhuman to us now, and one may wonder whether this is possible for us at a time when mental health issues are a cause for deep concern everywhere. The reason this is possible is that at the core of Sikhism is the underlying deep faith and resonance with the divine will that shapes and guides life. The understanding is that goodness and progress of all must be sought, and not just a small, selfish, seeking wish fulfilment. The daily Sikh Ardas or prayer includes:
Nanak naam Chardi Kala, tere bhane sarbat da bhala
This means, in ‘Naam’ or the divine word, the name of God, is the harbinger of the rising divine force that seeks the upliftment of all beings. To be in this evergreen, blissed, positive state of mind that doesn’t get defeated by adverse circumstances, the underlying trust in the divine will and the spiritual discipline that purifies the mind is the key.
This is not in any way a vague or merely theoretical principle. Living in the spirit of Chardi Kala has given the Sikhs the courage to withstand storms and live by helping themselves and the community. The Sikhs are doers with a deep, abiding faith. You find them in the army, police, sports, farming, and trucking, besides other professions, always making a significant contribution. A community that has arisen from spilled blood again and again, from the signal bloodbath when India was sliced into India and Pakistan after attaining freedom from the British. It was the Sikhs who bore the brunt of the partition the most with Punjab fractured and riots leaving their blood trail in the heart of the Punjabi community and history books. The Sikhs endured with a gilded stoicism, faith, and a never-say-die spirit, rising phoenix-like from the ashes. Today they are the fifth largest religion in the world with the Sikh diaspora flourishing in every corner of the globe, with more concentrated populations in Canada, the US, and England.
How can you be in Chardi Kala?
One is always naturally in Chardi Kala, but our minds seek only one side of the coin life tosses at us. We want only success, pleasure, safety, and health, without acknowledging the opposite. Here are a few simple steps and inspirations from the Sikh way of life that help our minds to be in sync with this energy of ascension:
Accept change
Accept and understand that circumstances will change no matter what. We cannot foolproof life, all ivory towers tumble – ultimately. Make peace with adversity. Even when the circumstances are not to one’s liking, it does not mean we are forsaken. Submit to the mystery of the universe of which we are but a tiny spec. Let your faith in the Divine Will hold you, even when the ground trembles.
Stay on the spiritual track
Stay true and steadfast to your spiritual discipline or path. Don’t live merely at the skin of life; let your life be rooted in spiritual nurturing. Cultivate a spiritual discipline and pursue it with devotion and steadfastness.
Be everyone’s friend
Widen your heart to embrace humanity and all beings. Don’t let smallness, parochial views, narrowmindedness, or pettiness become your cage. The Sikhs go out of their way to serve all people, without consideration of religion, country, or background. Seek to work for the upliftment of all. A pure heart alone can hold the light.
Do seva or service
Find some time to use your energy, time, and resources to serve people selflessly. This is a great emancipator and frees your energy from fear, giving your heart wings. It helps not only those who are served but also those who serve. The Sikhs practice service and are known for organizing massive langars (community kitchens) and for helping all in times of need (like the oxygen langars during Corona waves in India, and rushing aid in the earthquake-hit Turkey recently).
Keep positive company
Satsang or the company of like-minded, spiritual souls is deeply emphasized in Sikhism as in many other spiritual and religious paths. Keep the company of happy, selfless people as far as possible. This is an effortless way towards positive transformation. It is one of the strongest factors in influencing a person’s mind, as the energy exchange between people leads to significant shifts in the energy and aura of a person.
May you be in Chardi Kala! May you be blessed!
Photo courtesy Kaurlife.com
