One of the main principles of Sikhi is the concept of Miri Piri. Most people separate politics from religion, but Sikh Guru Sahibs unified political and religious power under the principle of Miri-Piri. They proved that proper governance is possible only when it operates under the guidance of religion. This is the uniqueness of Sikhi. In this note, we will discuss the word Miri-Piri, the beginning of this principle, and their interrelationship.
Literal Meaning
Miri and Piri are different Arabic and Persian words. According to Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi[1], the word Miri is derived from ‘Mir’, which is a shortened form of ‘Amir’. Thus, Miri means wealth or royalty. The word Piri is related to the Persian word ‘Pir’, which means a religious leader or Guru. Therefore, Piri means religious authority or Guruship.
In Sikhi, these two words are used together, where Miri signifies political power and Piri spiritual power. Guru Nanak Dev Ji also used these words in his Bani.
[1] Writer of Sikh Panth Vishavkosh published by Punjabi University Patiala.
ਕੋਟੀ ਹੂ ਪੀਰ ਵਰਜਿ ਰਹਾਏ ਜਾ ਮੀਰੁ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਧਾਇਆ ॥
Millions of religious leaders failed to stop the invader, when they heard of the emperor’s invasion.
ਥਾਨ ਮੁਕਾਮ ਜਲੇ ਬਿਜ ਮੰਦਰ ਮੁਛਿ ਮੁਛਿ ਕੁਇਰ ਰੁਲਾਇਆ ॥
He burned the resthouses andthe temples; he cut the princes to pieces and cast them into the dust.
— SGGS, Ang 417
The Principle of Miri-Piri
The initiation of this principle was done by the sixth Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji; for this reason, he is called the Master of Miri-Piri. However, this principle existed within Sikh philosophy since the time of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. Just as the words Mir and Pir were used by Guru Nanak Sahib Ji and Guru Arjan Dev Ji commanded Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji that upon ascending the Gurgaddi (Guruship), he must don two swords – of Miri and Piri.
These facts proves that the principle of Miri Piri was present in Sikh philosophy from the very beginning. However, it was Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji who turned this principle into a practical reality.
The Interrelationship of Miri-Piri
In Sikhi, Miri and Piri are not used separately but are applied in a single context. The political and temporal power of the Sikh Panth was formally manifested with the establishment of Sri Akal Takht Sahib by Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. At the time of its foundation, the face of Sri Akal Takht Sahib was kept towards Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib. This divine alignment signifies that political power (Miri) must always be guided by spiritual wisdom (Piri).
Guru Sahib envisioned a sovereign power under which every individual could lead a life of peace and justice. Emphasizing this vision of a benevolent rule, Guru Arjan Dev Ji wrote in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:
ਸਭ ਸੁਖਾਲੀ ਵੁਠੀਆ ਇਹੁ ਹੋਆ ਹਲੇਮੀ ਰਾਜੁ ਜੀਉ ॥੧੩॥
Let all abide in peace, under this Benevolent Rule.
The rule of the Emperor Jahangir was the exact opposite. To stop this oppression, Guru Arjan Dev Ji commanded Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji to don the two swords of Miri and Piri to establish sovereign power where everyone lived in peace. The fact that Sri Akal Takht Sahib faces Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib demonstrate that political decisions must always be guided by religion. Guru Sahib Ji commanded political power to always function within the sphere of religion. In this way Guru Sahib Ji transformed Miri and Piri into two sides of the same coin.
Conclusion
From the principle of Miri Piri, the concept of the Sant-Sipahi (Saint-Soldier) was born among the Sikhs. Guru Sahib Ji instilled the qualities of both a saint and a soldier within a Sikh. Studying the history of religions reveal that some completely rejected the world, while others became entirely engrossed in worldly affairs, but Sikh Guru Sahibs commanded us to maintain a balance between these two. Guru Nanak Sahib’s command is:
ਜੈਸੇ ਜਲ ਮਹਿ ਕਮਲੁ ਨਿਰਾਲਮੁ ਮੁਰਗਾਈ ਨੈ ਸਾਣੇ ॥
Just as the lotus flower floats untouched upon the surface of the water,
and the duck swims through the stream;
ਸੁਰਤਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਭਵ ਸਾਗਰੁ ਤਰੀਐ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੇ ॥
so does one cross the world-ocean by focusing the mind on the Shabad and meditating on the Name
Guru Sahib Ji demonstrated that living in this world, we can remain detached from the worldly bondage. It is the duty of a Sikh to fulfill one’s family and social responsibilities while staying dedicated to the spiritual path, keeping a good balance between both.
