Ceremonies
pertaining to Birth and Naming of Child
a.
In a Sikh's household, as soon after the birth of a child as the
mother becomes capable of moving about and taking bath (irrespective
of the number of days which that takes), the family and relatives
should go to a Gurdwara with Karhah Prashad (sacred pudding) or get
Karhah Prashad made in the Gurdwara and recite in the holy presence of
the Guru Granth Sahib such hynins as "Parmeshar dita bana"
{Sorath M. 5} (The Almighty Lord has granted support. [Sorath M. 5,
Guru Granth Sahib P. 628]), "Satguru sache dia bhej" {Asa M.
5} (The true Lord has sent this gift. [Asa M. 5, Guru Granth Sahib P.
396]) that are expressive of joy and thankfulness. Thereafter if a
reading of the holy Guru Granth Sahib had been taken up, that should
be concluded. Then the holy Hukam (command) should be taken. A name
starting with the first letter of the Shabad of the Hukam (command)
should he proposed by the Granthi (man in attendance of Guru Granth
Sahib) and, after its acceptance by the congregation, the name should
be announced by him. The boy's name must have the suffix "Singh"
and the giri's, the suffix "Kaur".
After that the Anand Sahib (short version comprising six stanzas)
should be recited and the Ardas in appropriate terms expressing joy
over the naming ceremony he offered and the Karhah Prashad
distributed.
b. The superstition as to the pollution of food and
water in consequence of birth must not be subscribed to, for the holy
writ is : "The birth and death are by His ordinance; coming and
going is by His will. All food and water are, in principle, clean, for
these life-sustaining substances are provided by Him."
c. Making shirts or frocks for children out of Guru
Granth Sahib 's draperies is a sacrilege.
