Dr. Dipinder Singh Ji from East London presented an interested presentation and talk on Guru Nanak Dev Ji as a person (i.e. 'Nanak') and the 'Guru' aspect of Guru Sahib. Bhai Sahib talked about how from an early age Guru Nanak Dev Ji showed wonder and amazement by being so devoted to Waheguru and yearning to become one with the Beloved. Day and night Guru Sahib would sing and be in bairaag (a state of longing) for the One Lord. Society thought Guru Ji was mad and crazy because they couldn't 'understand'.
If we can't understand someone we call them 'crazy' and 'mad'. But why? There are two types of people whom society sometimes percieves as mad or cannot 'understand' - firstly, the Gurmukhs, and secondly the mentally insane person. For the "normal" person, the Gurmukh is above his or her understanding, and, therefore, the Gurmukh is criticised by the Manmukh. On the other hand, the mentally insane person is talks under the normal person's understanding. And so they don't make any sense and are put into medical care.
In 1499 Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his companion Baba Mardana Ji did their regular routine of getting up at Amrit-vela and going to the River Bein to do ishnaan (bathe) and then focus themselves on Naam Simran. However, one day Guru Nanak Dev Ji went into the river, and never came out. People thought Guru Nanak Dev Ji had died. However, on the third day Guru Ji emerged out of the water with a gift for the world, given by the Almighty. Guru Sahib had received a Divine Revelation and given the Mool Mantr. And as a special gift to his disciples and devotees he gave them the Gur-Mantr (the Guru's Mantr), which one recieves when taking Amrit from the Guru.
Guru Sahib describes this Divine Revelation in Maajh Ki Vaar on Ang 150 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:
ਪਉੜੀ ॥
Pauree:
ਹਉ ਢਾਢੀ ਵੇਕਾਰੁ ਕਾਰੈ ਲਾਇਆ ॥ ਰਾਿਤ ਿਦਹੈ ਕੈ ਵਾਰ ਧੁਰਹੁ ਫੁਰਮਾਇਆ ॥
I was free of work, when Waheguru took me into His service and gave the (true) work of being ’Dhadi’ (minstrel). Right from the start, Waheguru gave me His Hukam (Order) to sing His Praises day and night.
ਢਾਢੀ ਸਚੈ ਮਹਿਲ ਖਸਿਮ ਬੁਲਾਇਆ ॥ ਸਚੀ ਸਿਫਿਤ ਸਾਲਾਹ ਕਪੜਾ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
Waheguru, my Lord and Master summoned me, His Dhadi (minstrel) (meaning, when he joined to Praise His Praises), to the True Mansion of His Presence. (Waheguru) The image of True Praise and Glory, gave me the Siropaao (Siropa), robe of honour.
ਸਚਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਭੋਜਨੁ ਆਇਆ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਖਾਧਾ ਰਿਜ ਿਤਿਨ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
The Amrit Naam, the True Name, which gives eternal giver of spiritual life, (given by Him) has become my food (for my soul‘s support). Those who follow the Guru's Teachings, who eat this food (of ‘Amrit Naam’) with satisfaction, obtain peace.
ਢਾਢੀ ਕਰੇ ਪਸਾਉ ਸਬਦੁ ਵਜਾਇਆ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਚੁ ਸਾਲਾਿਹ ਪੂਰਾ ਪਾਇਆ ॥27॥ ਸੁਧੁ ॥
His Dhadi, minstrel, (Guru Nanak Dev Ji), spreads His Glory, singing and vibrating the Word of His Shabad (meaning, enjoying the ecstasy of Naam) O Nanak! Praising the True Lord, one obtains the Perfect Lord. 27. Shudh.
Bhai Sahib talked about Guru Nanak Dev Ji coming into this world with a universal message. The talk led into a discussion on the meaning of the first passage in Guru Granth Sahib Ji, called the ‘Mool Mantr', and how can one improve one's life and the world by understanding and putting into practice this simple universal message.
Some Photos:
Poor Raghbir Singh Bhaji! - I was testing out the flash of my camera. I think the flash was a bit too much and Bhaji felt slightly blinded by the double flash mode on my camera. (Waheguru)
A photo Bhaji Prabhdev Singh and Singhs from Lond Met uni, beofe the talk started.
Dr. Dipinder Singh Ji - guest speaker.
It was nice to see non-Sikhs also come to the seminar. However, I admit (with my hands up! lol) this is kind of a bad photo. O well!
This photo was not taken by me! Focus is kind of poor. Shame shame to the camerman. lol. The room was a bit dark!
Yum, yum! I was starving during the talk. The Bhaji sitting next to me, his tummy was rumbling. Poor person! I couldn't wait for the food (no offense to Bhai Sahib who gave the talk). Bhenji Hardeep Kaur made some nice pasta for us all and Rav Singh's mum made some nice Pakore. So if you missed out - your loss! :)
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