Bir-asan

Bir-asan is a traditional Sikh bodily-pose. It is regarded as a heroic posture amongst Sikhs and symbolizes martial preparedness (Tyar bar Tyar).^[1][2][3] According to the Sikh Rehat Maryada of the SGPC, the pose consists of holding the left-knee upright and keeping the right-knee on the ground.^[1][2] However, the Taksalis on the other hand practice having their left-knee down and the right-knee upright as the bir-asan pose, a reversal of the form outlined in the Sikh Rehat Maryada.^[4] According to W. H. McLeod, the body weight is kept on the right-foot, if the version of the pose has the right-knee being down and the left-knee help upwards.^[5]

According to 20th century Sikh writers, such as Kapur Singh's Pārāśarapraśna: The Baisakhi of Guru Gobind Singh, this pose is the one in-which the inaugural quintet of Panj Piare held when they underwent the Pahul ceremony from Guru Gobind Singh.^[1] As per Kapur Singh, the pose is well-suited for archery.^[1] Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh states that the pose does not have only martial or aggressive meanings but also is a sign of humility and esteem, related to having one-knee on the ground and criticizes "macho" interpretations of the pose that miss the deferential meanings of it.^[1]

Those undergoing the Amrit Sanchar baptismal ceremony should be seated in the bir-asan pose when kneeling before the Panj Piare quintet administering the amrit, with the initiate's right-hand cupped into their left-one whilst chanting the Japji.^[6][7]