ਸਰਬਲੋਹ ਬਿਬੇਕ // Sarbloh Bibek

Importance of Dietary Bibek and eating from Gursikhs

Sarbloh Bibek: The True Rehat of the Khalsa

Introduction

Among the many spiritual disciplines in the Khalsa Panth, Sarbloh Bibek stands as one of the most misunderstood yet profound practices of Gurmat Rehat. Rooted in the founding principles of the Khalsa by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee Maharaj, Sarbloh Bibek is more than a dietary rule—it is a spiritual fortress that guards against worldly influence, ensures sangati discipline, and fosters the lifestyle of Naam Abhiyaas.

Often sidelined or dismissed as unnecessary or extreme in today’s age, the practice of Sarbloh Bibek is in fact a divine Hukam embedded within the very birth of the Khalsa. Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee, a Brahmgiani and embodiment of Gurmat, has written extensively about the necessity, spiritual power, and origin of this Rehat in his book Gurmat Bibek. This article aims to clarify the true status of Sarbloh Bibek in Gurmat Maryada, its spiritual necessity, and the dangers of neglecting it.

Sarbloh: The Metal Chosen by Guru Sahib

Vaheguru has complete control and sovereignty over all substances—gold, silver, rubies, diamonds. Yet Guru Gobind Singh Jee specifically chose Sarbloh (pure iron/steel) to prepare Amrit. The sacred Khanda used to stir Amrit, the Bata from which the Khalsa is born, and the Kirpan which instills courage—all are Sarbloh. Guru Sahib didn’t choose aluminum, copper, or brass. This divine selection isn't symbolic—it's a directive.

As Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee writes in Gurmat Bibek,

“Exactly at the time of birth, the Gudti from the edge of Khanda was administered, power of Sarbloh right at the time of birth entered in our every cell, as if this immovable and eternal divine Hukam had been carved on our chests that Khalsa Jee is to always remain Sarblohi and whoever would obey this order, whoever would make an effort to earn this Hukam, would always stay in Jeevan-Mukat Chardi Kala.”

(Gurmat Bibek, Page 217)

Sarbloh Bibek: A Rehat of Distinct Identity

The Khalsa is not just a spiritual path but a distinct nation. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee declared:

"ਰਾਜ ਕਰੇਗਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਆਕੀ ਰਹੇ ਨ ਕੋਇ।"

The Khalsa’s sovereign rule depends on niyarapan—staying distinct and separate from worldly influences. Sarbloh Bibek helps us maintain this by ensuring we only eat food prepared by Gursikhs who sanctify it with Naam and follow Rehat. It also limits social interactions with non-gursikhs, protecting our spiritual energy and guarding against mental and karmic impurities.

While Baanaa and Dastaar serve as external shields, Sarbloh Bibek operates internally—guarding the soul through what we consume.

The Western saying, "you are what you eat," is deeply reflected in Gurmat.

Bhai Sahib writes that body and soul are intertwined—what affects one, impacts the other.

Spiritual Power and Vibrations of Sarbloh

In Bhai Sahib's own life experiences, he felt electric currents running through his being when chanting Naam with a Sarbloh Mala. This is not metaphorical—Sarbloh conducts spiritual energy. The more Naam imbued in a utensil or food, the more spiritually charged it becomes. This is why Amrit, Degh, and Langar prepared by Tyaar-bar-Tyaar Gursikhs in Sarbloh has such an immediate and powerful effect.

Langar prepared with full Maryada, by Bibeki Singhs who are immersed in Naam, becomes more than nourishment—it becomes spiritual Amrit. Bhai Sahib testifies that the effect is instant and profound.

Rehat Comes First: Naam Follows

In Gurmat Bibek, Bhai Sahib clearly states: before one can receive Naam, one must first agree to live by Rehat. Rehat is the vessel that holds Amrit and sustains Naam. Just as we do not pour Amrit into a dirty vessel, Naam cannot dwell in a life polluted by indiscipline. Sarbloh Bibek is not a post-Naam option—it is foundational.

Even those who became spiritually elevated without Sarbloh Bibek, did so through immense Naam Abhiyaas—but Bhai Sahib clarifies that such individuals are exceptions, not the model. One can never use examples of unique souls to justify rejecting Rehat. In fact, Sarbloh Bibek exists to make Naam Abhiyaas easier and more powerful.

Bibek: From Two to One

The word Bibek literally means "to distinguish"—to choose the Guru's path over all others. Bibek is not confined to diet, but a comprehensive Gursikh lifestyle. However, dietary Bibek remains central. Who we eat from, where we eat, and what we eat directly affects our Naam and concentration. Bhai Sahib emphasizes: we must only eat food prepared by Gursikhs who themselves keep Bibek and Rehat. Anything less corrupts our spiritual vibration.

Samaan Rehat and the Langar Maryada

Bhai Sahib defines Samaan Rehat as the principle that we can only share food with those who follow the same Rehat as us. The Amrit Sanchaar itself teaches this: all candidates drink from the same Sarbloh Bata, symbolizing unity in Rehat. Eating from those outside this discipline not only breaks Bibek, but damages our jeevan.

Bhai Sahib explains that a Gursikh should only eat food prepared by someone whose Rehat is fully known and trusted. Sharing food with those who don’t follow the same Bibek is forbidden for a disciplined Sikh. This practice is a high spiritual action, and the shared Bata at Amrit Sanchaar reminds us to only eat from those who keep the same Rehat.

The question then arises, if Sarbloh is such an important Rehat, then who should do Seva in Guru Ka Langar? Bhai Sahib answers this question:

Guru Ka Langar, Bhai Sahib clarifies, must be prepared and served only by Tyaar-bar-Tyaar Gursikhs—those who are fully Dharmi, Bibeki, Sarblohi, and immersed in Naam. Langar made by non-Bibekis or distributed without Maryada is no longer Guru ka Langar in the true sense. (Gurmat Bibek, Pages 163 - 166)

The Decline of Sarbloh Bibek and the Rise of Compromise

After the time of great Gursikhs like Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh and Giani Gurbachan Singh Bhindranwale—who was also a Sarbloh Bibeki—weaknesses crept into Jathebandis. Where once Sarbloh Bibek was mandatory in many Jathebandis, it became optional. The head of the Namdhari sect, Baba Raam Singh Jee kept full Rehat, which included Sarbloh Bibek, Shastar and Baanaa. He was a complete Khalsa. Their Rehat did not stay, unfortunately, the group is still around. Nowadays they are far from Gurmat ideals and have started their own line of Gurus, this is why they are rejected by the Khalsa Panth. There are some Sarbloh Bibekis left within the Nihang Singhs, but only a handful that adhere to this Rehat. Even with the Nihangs, there are those who do Jhatka and Bhang, and their Bhagti all to waste. Modern groups like the Neeldharis wear symbolic blue Kamarkassai but reject even the basic Rehats of Guru Sahib.

Today, Sarbloh Bibek is practiced by a few, mocked by many, and misunderstood by most. Easy-going Sikhs, unwilling to accept hardship, ridicule Bibekis to justify their own negligence. Bhai Sahib writes that it is because of these easy-going Sikhs, who prefer to keep the Rehats that are convenient for them to follow, that the Panth has become confused about which Rehats to follow. It is because of these weak Sikhs that it seems as if those that do keep Sarbloh Bibek are a part of a separate Panth. Those that wish to keep Rehats that are easy for them do not even look towards Sarbloh Bibek. Instead, they turn their faces away—thinking such Rehat in this day and age is too difficult.

False Humility and Division Among Bibekis

Even among those who do keep Sarbloh Bibek, disunity has taken root. Minor disagreements on Maryada or Rehat cause Bibekis to stop eating from one another—defeating the very unity that Sarbloh was meant to preserve. Haumai in our minds just does not allow us to be humble. Lack of humility and Mith Bolnaa (sweet words) is the reason for division in the Panth today. Humility and mutual love are absent, replaced by Haumai. 

If Bibeki Singhs cannot eat from one another due to petty divisions, the Panth remains weak. In order to have unity one must have Roti-Beti di Saanjh, meaning they should be eating from each other. For this reason, it's vital that all Bibeki Gursikhs agree to a minimum common platform, or a minimum Rehat to all follow, only then can Sarbloh Bibek fulfill its purpose of uniting the Khalsa and making it unshakable.

Conclusion

Sarbloh Bibek is not an optional discipline for a select few. It is a Hukam of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee, given to every Khalsa during the Amrit Sanchaar—whether explicitly stated or not.

Rehat is not a burden—it is a protection. It preserves Naam, keeps us spiritually alert, and separates us from the faithless world. When the Khalsa is distinct, Guru Sahib’s hand remains above us. When we conform to worldly lifestyles, that support disappears.

If we want to become real Gursikhs—those who are blessed with Naam, love, humility, and spiritual power—we must return to full Rehat. That includes Sarbloh Bibek.

“Without fully knowing the Rehat of a Gursikh, another Gursikh should not accept food from their hands. Further, one should not eat food made by them, nor should one share a Bata with them—this is forbidden for a Sachiyaar Sikh, and doing so (keeping this Rehat) is a very high Bibeki Karam. During the Amrit Sanchaar when all drink from the same Bata, it teaches us that we can only eat from those who keep the same Rehat as us.”

— Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee - Gurmat Bibek, Page 215

Final Appeal

The Panth is humbly requested to:

• Reevaluate the importance of Sarbloh Bibek

• Restore Maryada in the Khalsa Panth

• Build unity among Bibeki Gursikhs

• Not eat from food prepared by non-Gursikhs

• Chant Naam with the support of full Rehat

*The following are extracts about Sarbloh Bibek from the book Khalsa Vidhaan written by Bhai Kaur Singh Jee. These are translated and put up on the old Tapoban.org forum by a Gursikh. This is the original translated and un-edited article that was posted.

Link to the Original Article

When Gianee Gurbachan Singh Jee Khaalsaa was head of Taksaal there were less weaknesses. Candidates for Amrit were instructed to keep Sarbloh Bibek, Bibiaa were instructed to wear Dastaar. Giaanee Jee was Sarblohee himself and his family all wore the turban, including women. He especially had great love and affection for Bhai Sahib Randheer Singh. Believe it or not, both of their Rehats were almost exactly matching. After the passing away of the two Singhs, weaknesses crept into both Jathebandeeaa, however, Dastaar is still prescribed to be mandatory in the Akhand Keertanee Jathaa.

The head of the Naamdhaaree sect, Baba Raam Singh kept full Rehat, which included Sarbloh Bibek, Shastar and BaaNaa he was a complete Khalsaa. Their Rehat did not stay, but the group is still around. Nowadays they are far from Gurmat ideals and have started their own line of Gurus, this is why they are rejected by mainstream Sikhs. It is evident that ritual has become their love rather than religion. Such as, the Neel Dhaarees who wear Blue Kamar Kassai (belt around waist). Even the women do not shy away from wearing the Kamar Kassai. They are followers of a Sant and do not hesitate to wear the Kamar Kassa, but yet they hesitate to accept the Rehat as laid down by Guru Gobind Singh Jee. None of them have adopted the five articles of faith (Panj Kakkar, including Dastaar), nor have they taken up Sarbloh Bibek.

ਕੁਝ ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ ਅਸੂਲ

• Without the Rehat of Sarbloh Bibek, one cannot heed to the Shromanee Panthic Maryada of Amritdhari dee Saa(n)j Amritdhari naal (with this the Panth becomes ਨਿਆਰਾਪਨ and distinct).

• One that is not BibekDhari, he is not Amritdhari. He may have had Amrit, but he has not taken heed to it. (Us Ne Amrit Chakkia par Amrit Dharn nahee keetaa). In other words, he has taken amrit but has not accepted or adopted amrit from heart.

• Only he is an Amritdhari who keeps Bibek and complete Rehat.

• Bibek or Sarbloh Bibek, they are both the same Rehat, you cannot make two Rehats out of one, thus without Sarbloh you cannot have Bibek.

This is the truth. Without Sarbloh Bibek we will not be distinct, only distinctness will give the Khalsa the appearance of a nation.

In the Akhand Keertanee Jatha, Sarbloh was mandatory to begin with, but now this Rehat has been stopped because in this day and age, the majority of people do not deem it necessary to have Sarbloh, but in the rest of the Panth Sarbloh is not even heard of. There are just a few Sarbloh Bibekis left within the Nihang Singhs; you will only get a handful that adheres to this Rehat. Even within the Nihang Singhs, there are them who do Sukha (Marijuana) and Jhatka (ritual slaughter of meat), and therefore their Gurbani and Naam all go to waste.

Here are some photos of Gurmukhs following Maryada of Sarbloh Bibek Rehat: