ideologyof
sanatanhindusikh
shastarvidiya

All martial traditions that teach with the weapons of war, in particular the sword, inculcate in their students great respect for their weapons.

Amongst the traditional Sikh warriors, this respect for their weapons has transmuted to 'Shastar Pooja' (the worship of weapons). In the Khalsa code of conduct written by Bhai Chaupa Singh Hazooria, an attendant of tenth Sikh Guru, Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh, states:

'A Guru's Sikh should respect and worship the sword. The Master himself worshipped it.'
('Rehitnameh', Piara Singh Padam, Pa. 87)

A European writer, who visited the Punjab during the late 19th Century noted with regards to the Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa:

'We have seen that one great distinguishing feature of their [the Akali Nihang] system is that war is made an essential part of religion. To indicate their belief in this doctrine, they worship the military weapons of their Gurus.'
('Religious Thought And Life In India', By Monier Williams (1883), Part 1, Pa. 172)

In the 'Dasam Guru Durbar' is clearly stated:

''Assu', 'Kirpan', 'Khando'(Khanda), 'Kharag', guns, battle-axe and arrows.
'Saif', 'Sirohi', javelins they are my 'Pir'."
(Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh, Shastar Naam Mala, Dasam Guru Durbar)