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Summary of Question:	'Sri' Term
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Monday, 12/16/2002 4:08 PM MST

Wjjk Wjjf. i just wanted to ask that why does harbajan singh yogi have the term 'Sri' infront of his name? i was told that only the guru's can have 'sri' infront of their name. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji told us that their will be no living guru after him and we should only bow to Sri Guru Granth Sahib. then why is this happpaning?

(REPLY) Sat Nam. IN 1971, at the Akal Takhat, Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji was given the title of Siri Singh Sahib by the priests there. This title and responsibility was given him because of his successful efforts to spread the Gurus Word and teachings in the western world. It is a ministerial title. According to the laws of the United States, many of us who are legally ministers of Sikh Dharma use titles such as "Singh Sahib" or "Sardarni Sahiba" or "Mukhia Singh Sahib" or "Mukhia Sardarni Sahiba" But there is only one Siri Singh Sahib, and he is the chief religious and administrative authority for the Sikh Dharma which, because of his efforts has been recognized legally and officially by the United States Government as an organized religion. Previously, it had no legal status in this country. As the Siri singh sahib has explained it, the "higher" the title, the more serviceful one must be. It's like an inverted pyramid, with the Siri Singh Sahib on the bottom, supporting, inspiring and helping all those who form the "hierarchy" with the MSS's standing on his shoulders, the SS's above and everyone else on top. His service to the Khalsa Panth is unequalled in recent history. Thousands of western born people have taken Amrit, having been brought to the feet of the Guru because of the Siri Singh Sahib's example of devotion to the Guru, and his wisdom in teaching the value and meaning of living as Khalsa. I hope this answers your question. Blessings, SP