This emphasizes how important it is to wake up early in the last part of the night. It says that those who don’t wake up during this time are living a disgraceful life, almost like being lifeless. Anyone who doesn’t try to wake up around one and a quarter watches before dawn or during the last quarter of the night (“ਚਉਥੈ ਪਹਰਿ ਸਬਾਹ ਕੈ“) and doesn’t feel the motivation to rise at Amrit Vela with effort cannot be considered a true Sikh. Such a person does not follow the Guru’s teachings or guidance properly.

A true Sikh is one who follows this command given in the form of Guru’s words. This means, with genuine devotion and reverence, they make the effort and gather the strength to wake up about one and a quarter watches before dawn daily. They rise with awareness and enjoy the bliss of Amrit Vela, the sacred early hours of the last part of the night.

If our devout Sikh brothers themselves fail to make the effort to rise daily with awareness about one and a quarter watches before dawn, following the Satguru’s command, and instead criticize the disciplined lifestyle of those who do follow this command, labeling such righteous Sikhs with terms like “ritualistic” or “narrow-minded,” then this is a grave and disgraceful mistake on their part.

Their unwillingness to follow a principle they cannot adhere to makes them reject it altogether. To hide their own weakness and justify it, they project their shortcomings onto those who practice these principles. Such individuals wrongly accuse the devoted, wise, and disciplined practitioners of being overly ritualistic or strict. This behavior reflects not wisdom but a deeply misguided and ignorant mindset.

The truth is that these misguided individuals find it difficult to uphold the high standards of disciplined living prescribed by Gurmat. Adopting the daily practice of rising at Amrit Vela is not an ordinary or easy task. However, the question here is not about ease or difficulty. Following the principles of GurSikhi is the responsibility of every Sikh, regardless of whether a principle is challenging or simple.

Whether it requires intense effort or is relatively easy to follow, every Sikh who wishes to call themselves a Sikh must adhere to every principle and command. Walking on the Guru’s path is the fundamental duty of a Sikh.