Vaisakhi Drama Play

Vaisakhi is coming up soon, so I thought I would post about some memorable past experiences of celebrating Vaisakhi:


Every Saturday my brother and I, my cousins and some other local children would go to Saturday school in the morning and learn Panjabi from my Bhua jee (paternal aunt). Looking back it was fun going to classes (at the time I thought "I am missing out on Saturday morning cartoons and a nice lie in!"). I learnt so much and my bhua jee gave me and the other children a foundation not just in Panjabi language but also we learnt about Sikhi, culture and values. I started going to Panjabi classes when I was 5 or so, and finished at 12 years old when I completed my Panjabi GCSE (in 1998).

In 1996, my Bhua jee got our Panjabi class to act in a play for the Vaisakhi celebrations, which was to be held at the local Secondary School where we learnt Panjabi. We were given acting roles and a script to learn from. The play was ALL in Panjabi. In short the story line was that a man called 'Santa'. It was based on a group of farmers. A man comes to the village and makes an announcement drumming his drum. He roars, "Hear up, hear up, hear up! A message from Guru Gobind Singh jee. The Sangat has been invited to attend Vaisakhi gathering at Sri Anandpur Sahib...." Santa responds to Guru's call and attends. The drama manifests as Santa comes back to the village and meets the village locals who ask him why he is looking the way he is and why is face glowing. Santa then answers them and explains the wonders of Guru Gobind Singh jee and how he is now "Santa Singh".

Here are some photos:


I played the role of "Santa Singh". All the people participating had cut hair, however ALL of them enjoyed having a dastaar tied. I always loved wearing a Dastaar and especially dressing up as an Amritdhari (hoping that one day Guru jee will bless me to become a Gursikh).


My brother and I.

The local Lord Mayor was invited to the function. After the play he presented trophies to all the children who participated in the drama.




That's Daas (after the play).



In 1999, during the tri-centinary Vaisakhi celebrations, my family and I were discussing what the local children could do to participate in the celebrations and feel involved. My parents suggested that the Vaisakhi drama play acted in 1996 was successful and fun for the children, so why not do another play. So, I put forward the suggestion to the local children from the Panjabi class, which my dad now taught. The children seemed to like the idea.

My dad and I sat together and put together a simple Panjabi script based on the same idea as we did in 1996. The children were given one or two lines each, which they all could easily act out. A big Vaisakhi celebration programme was held at Leamington Spa. In the Royal Spa Centre there were various talks, lectures and presentations. We were given the opportunity to act the play there infront of a full audience (the hall was packed!). The children were nervous but the play was fairly short so they were okay.

Here are some photos from the Vaisakhi 1999 drama play:






A group photo of everyone who participated. (I'm standing at the back in the blue dastaar).

During gurpurbs its nice to involve children. INVOLVEMENT is the key for children to feel a PART of something. Involve children in school and they will enjoy school. Involve children in sports and games and they will take interest. Similarly, if children are involved in the Gurdwara or Sikhi related activities then they will take interest and ENJOY it.

Don't sit back but take ACTIVE PART. Don't wait for people, an uncle jee, or the Gurdwara Committee to ask you to do something for the youth, instead take INITIATIVE and allow the Guru to use you as a vehicle to do community work and share the SPIRIT of Sikhi with the young people. Share your ideas with others and everyone will contribute, and then just watch Guru jee do wonders!

bhul chuk maaf.

Training Day & Experiencing the Power of the Wind

Yesterday I went to a training course on domestic violence at St. Thomas Hospital, which I attended as part of being a Sikh volunteer for the Hospital's Spiritual Care & Chaplaincy department. It was a very interesting training, and discovered very GRIM and DEPRESSING statistics on domestic violence. Then in the training session the trainer played an audio recording of a lady who survived domestic violence (but was nearly shot-dead by her husband). It was FREAKY. The lady was given a SAFE HOUSE to live in. Next door was a derilect building. The worst thing was that the husband found out where his wife was living and he climbed through into the house through the derelict building. He came into the house through the LOFT and terrorised this poor lady. I just put my hands together and kept saying "WAHEGURU". No other word could comprehend what this woman went through. The man would HARRASS the lady and steal her clothes, house keys and food. She thought she was going mad. He then got a shotgun and forced her back home. Eventually (THANK GOD) she rang the police and the man was put into prison. Rab Rakha!

Later on the trainer mentioned an example of a Panjabi lady she came across. Apparently the man was from UK and he married from Panjab. He wanted power of his wife and wanted to control her life. When she asked if she could learn English, he would beat her. If she were seen asking English words from relatives, he would beat her. Apparently he didn't want her to pick up English so that she would remain DEPENDENT on him and he could do whatever he wanted to her and she would not have the confidence to tell anyone. Very sad! Rab Rakha.


The trainer pointed out that the main cause for Domestic violence is "POWER & CONTROL." Gurbaani time and time tells us the ill effects of HANKAAR (EGO):

ਗਰਬੰਤਿ ਨਾਰੀ ਮਦੋਨ ਮਤੰ ॥
garbant naaree madon mataN.
Those who are proud, and intoxicated with the pleasures of sex,

ਬਲਵੰਤ ਬਲਾਤ ਕਾਰਣਹ ॥
balvant balaat kaarNeh.
and asserting their power over others,

ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਨਹ ਭਜੰਤ ਤ੍ਰਿਣ ਸਮਾਨਿ ਧ੍ਰਿਗੁ ਜਨਮਨਹ ॥
charan kamal neh bhajant triN samaan Dhrig janamneh.
never contemplate the Lord Waheguru's Lotus Feet. (For this reason) their lives are as worthless as straw, and deemed as cursed.

ਹੇ ਪਪੀਲਕਾ ਗ੍ਰਸਟੇ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿਮਰਣ ਤੁਯੰ ਧਨੇ ॥
he papeelkaa grestte gobind simran tu-yaN Dhane.
You are as tiny and insignificant as an ant, but if you have the wealth of Simran, the Lord's Meditation then (despite being tiny) you shall become great.

ਨਾਨਕ ਅਨਿਕ ਬਾਰ ਨਮੋ ਨਮਹ ॥੬੩॥
naanak anik baar namo nameh. 63.
O Nanak! Bow in humble worship to Waheguru, countless times, over and over again. 63.
(Ang 1359)

Guru jee explains the above shabad that person who does Waheguru's Simran (meditation) and keeps humility is better than the person who forgets Waheguru and shows power & control over others in ego. The solution is NAAM and SUBMITTING to Waheguru's HUKAM (Will). Unfortunately Man thinks that he is God. He may not say it, but he acts like it. We say "ITS MY LIFE" (you hear many children say this). However, we don't realize its NOT OUR LIFE, its WAHEGURU'S LIFE which is a GIFT TO US. Until we don't realize this, then we do not escape this intoxication of power & control, which we egotistically exercise over others and bully them. We have to realise we are NOTHING and Waheguru is EVERYTHING, we are INSIGNIFICANT and Waheguru is GREATEST, then we can truly enjoy peace, tranquillity and harmony in the household and everyday life.


On the way back from the Hospital I went to the library because I had to return some books. I was crossing Waterloo Bridge and there was a GUSH of WIND. It was VERY WINDY. Everyone was feeling the POWER of the windy breeze. As I walking across the bridge I was doing Simran and repeating "VAAHE-GUROO... VAAHE-GUROO... VAAHE-GUROO." How amazing! God is Great! In Aasa Di Vaar it says:

ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਪਵਣੁ ਵਹੈ ਸਦਵਾਉ ॥
bhai vich pavaN vahai sadvaa-o.
In the Awe of God, the wind and breezes ever blow.
(Ang 464)

I thought to myself that people don't acknowledge God's existence and say "PROVE IT, I CAN'T SEE GOD." However, I thought, "LOOK ITS WINDY. SHOW ME the wind!" You can't see the wind, but you definitely EXPERIENCE the wind. Waheguru is not sitting in Heaven (as believed by mainstream Christianity), sitting in the Seventh Sky above Earth (as believed by mainstream Islam) or dwelling in idols (as believed by mainstream Hinduism). Waheguru is here, EVERYWHERE and in dwelling amongst His Creation.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਣੀ ॥
gurmukh Dhartee gurmukh paaNee.
The Gurmukh sees the Lord Waheguru on the earth, and the Gurmukh sees Him
in the water.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਵਣੁ ਬੈਸੰਤਰੁ ਖੇਲੈ ਵਿਡਾਣੀ ॥
gurmukh pavaN baisantar khelai viddaaNee.
The Gurmukh sees Him in wind and fire; such is the wonder of His Play.
(Ang 117)

The same wind and air which we CANNOT SEE, destroys homes, moves the waves in the river & seas, presses against people's face, and causes trees to shake. Look at the POWER and BEAUTY of Waheguru who CREATES, SUSTAINS and DWELLS within this magnificent NATURE and Universe. ਕਮਾਲ ਹੈ (Kamaal Hai)! VAAH (Wonderful) comes out of the mouth!

ਏਕੁ ਅਚਾਰੁ ਰੰਗੁ ਇਕੁ ਰੂਪੁ ॥
eik achaar, rang ik roop.
The One Lord Waheguru is in all actions, colours and forms.

ਪਉਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਅਗਨੀ ਅਸਰੂਪੁ ॥
pauN paaNee agnee asroop.
Waheguru manifests in many shapes through wind, water and fire.
(Ang 930)

It was beautiful. If you just become part of the EXPERIENCE and let your breath go with the breeze it's great! Deeply breathe in, and breathe out. You can hear the vibration of "VAAHE-GUROO... VAAHE-GUROO... VAAHE-GUROO" being whispered by the windy breeze! It reminds me of Michael Jackson's "EARTH" song, which came out in 1995 (Ps. I remember the song from my school days!). In the song video (according to what I remember) Michael Jackson is standing there with his arms up and facing the breezy wind and embracing nature.


Guru Nanak Jee captures this feeling of AWE and ECSTASY through experiencing the Creation of Waheguru in Gurbaani:

ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਪਉਣੁ ਵਿਸਮਾਦੁ ਪਾਣੀ ॥
vismaad pauN vismaad paaNee.
Wonderful is the wind, wonderful is the water.
(Ang 464)

You can see the beauty of the GUR-MANTR, the Divine Word "VAAHE-GUROO" - ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ. It is an ecstatic expression of awe and wonderment - "WONDROUS DISPELLER OF DARKNESS." With each breath in and out, a Gursikh breathes this ecstatic expression (given as a gift by the True Guru), which attunes the Gursikh’s mind and consciousness to the Wonder and Glory of God.

As I was crossing the bridge I could see the worried faces of people as their hair blew up and across. It reminded me of when I had my hair cut. I used to keep a side parting. It would be a nightmare when sitting in the car and the window was down (especially in India), because by chance if I was sitting on the wrong side, then the wind would blow in opposite direction to my side parting, MESSING UP MY HAIR-STYLE. lol. It was humorous looking at everyone's hair being blown away and then thinking "Rab Da Shukar that I wear a Dastaar!" :)

Busy Saturday

Saturday was in one word - "busy"! In the morning to afternoon it was KHALSA TALKS at King's College London. Bhaji Gurvinder Singh from Bradford gave a talk on "the World of Maya" and Bhaji Jagjit Singh from Leeds (originally from Slough) gave a talk on "Unique Sikhi". It was nice to see so many new friendly faces at the event.

Bhaji Gurvinder Singh's talk looked at what is MAYA, the features of Maya, is it bad and what is the solution. For those who have not heard of "Maya" before, it means "the illusionary world" or anything and everything which is not Waheguru. It is usually used to refer to money, worldly possessions and worldly materials. The talk highlighted that Maya IN ITSELF is NOT bad. Contrary to what many of us think. Having a good car, big house, and nice clothes are NOT bad. The bad thing is when we become CAUGHT UP or ENTANGLED in having a good car, big house or nice clothes. This obsession or CLINGINGNESS to MAYA or objects is the NEGATIVE thing. Stealing to get good clothes, or doing fraud to get a big house are examples of how our NEGATIVITY has made us drown in MAYA. The simple solution is NAAM (meditation on the Name of Waheguru). Through Naam we get CONTENTMENT and SATISFACTION.


In between the talks there was a quick SAMOSA BREAK. O deary me! I think I got caught in the trap of MAYA. I had FOUR SAMOSAY and by the end of the talk FELT LIKE A SAMOSA. Its one of those things that at the time you don't feel the build-up of grease and oil and AFTER EATING them you realize that perhaps you had one two many. Chalo Rab Rakha!

After the break, Bhaji Jagjit Singh's talk looked at the UNIQUE ASPECTS of Sikhi. From Sikhi's unique history, unique doctrine (beliefs) to unique way of life. Bhaji compared traditional religions to the religion of GURMAT and NAAM and highlighted the beauty of Guru Nanak Jee's universal religion of NAAM and GURMAT. The beliefs and values (not necessarily religious), which people hold, are usually like "we are all equal", "don't discriminate", "see beyond colour, race and gender," and "universal love" etc. THESE are the EXPLICIT values of Sikhi. Sikhi is so SIMPLE yet beautiful that it is a shame that we have not shared the spirituality and values given to us by our Gurus.



After the Khalsa Talks most of us went to the Rainsbayee Keertan (All-Night Keertan) held at Park Avenue Gurdwara, Southall. It was uplifting to have darshan of so many Gurmukhs and listen to Keertan with Naam Ras. I definitely recommend going to a Rainsbayee Keertan and seeing the power of Keertan & Sangat for yourself, if you have not been before. There are monthly Rainsbayee's up and down the country in the UK, with transport provided from various cities. For further info of programmes click here.

I got late going back to Halls of Residence. Sat Naam, Waheguru! Firstly, on the train going from Southall to Paddington, it was FILTHY! Stank of alcohol, food on the floor, beer cans on the seats. Yuck! Rab Rakha! Eventually got to the underground (caught the last tube for the night!). O deary me! As you can imagine I don't go out at night time and don't know about London's "NIGHT LIFE". However, I have experienced drunk people on the tube at night. It was so saddening to see drunken girls STAGGERING in the underground, drunken men SLEEPING on the floor, and people getting into verbal fights after getting drunk. Rab Sumat Bakshe. It just shows the CONTRAST between SATJUG (Heaven - i.e. Saadh Sangat and joining in singing Naam Baani) and KALJUG (Hell - i.e. getting drunk, losing consciousness and drifting away from True Reality).


On the tube there was one DODGEY BLOKE. Waheguru! Waheguru! Waheguru! I sat down and across the tube carriage I saw a Jamaican looking person. I didn't know whether it was a man or woman! They had short hair with a few strands of dreadlocks coming out of the top of the head, and looked like a male but also had LIPSTICK on. Chalo! I assumed it was a man who liked lipstick. He was also wearing sunglasses (AND IT WAS NIGHT-TIME) and on top of the sunglasses (on his forehead) he had HUGE SKI-GLASSES. Waheguru.


I was sitting there and trying to do simran amidst the smell of Sharaab on the tube. But this SKI-GLASSES bloke didn't let go of his mobile phone! He had it right next to his ear and Reggae or some sort of shouting-type slow music pumping out of it. It was FREAKY music. It was bit disheartening to having to listen to that type of music after hearing such sweet-Gurbaani Keertan at the Rainsbayee. Chalo, Rab Rakha. I suppose just like a Gursikh cannot live without Gurbani, that this bloke couldn't live without his Reggae music!

Eventually got home. Then I realised the clocks had moved forward! Waheguru! (So missed 1 hour worth of sleep!). I'm thankful to Waheguru for blessing Daas with the darshan of Gurmukhs and the giving the opportunity to listen to vichaar on Gurbaani and enjoy listening & singing along to Gurbaani.

The Story of Bhai Joga Singh

Joga as a young boy of maybe about 15 came to Guru Gobind Singh Maharaaj’s darbaar. He was so overcome on seeing Satguru jee and Guru Sahib asked “WHO ARE YOU?” He replied “I am JOGA” Guru Sahib asked “TOO KEHDAA JOGA? - ਤੂੰ ਕਿਹਦੇ ਜੋਗਾ?” (who’s joga are you i.e. who are you worthy of?) Joga replied “MAI TERE JOGA GURU JEE, Guru jee mai tere joga - ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਜੋਗਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ, ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਜੋਗਾ” i.e. I am yours/ I am worthy of you; Satguru ji replied, “too mere Joga, MAI TERE JOGA - ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰੇ ਜੋਗਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਜੋਗਾ”. Guru jee asked Joga to stay with Him and become part of the Khalsa thus he became known as Bhai Joga Singh.

Love grew between Guru jee and Bhai Joga Singh, and Bhai Joga Singh loved being with Guru Sahib. Several years passed and Bhai Joga Singh’s parents came to take him home, they thought he should now be married as he had come of age. They went to ask permission from Guru Sahib to take him back home and Guru jee gave the go ahead on the condition that Bhai Joga Singh was to return whenever he was asked, he would be called when he Khalsa needed him regardless of where he was and what he was doing he should come. They agreed to this and headed off back to his village.


Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh in the City of Peshawar (now in West Pakistan).

So the wedding preparations began and Bhai Joga Singh's Anand Kaaraj took place in the city of Peshawar. Bhai Joga Singh had been newly wedded and spent only a day as a married man, when a messenger from Guru Sahib arrived and presented Bhai Joga Singh with a letter requesting that he return as he was needed by the Khalsa. His family pleaded with him that he stay as he has just newly married and that how could he leave his wife so soon. However, Bhai Joga Singh was adamant that he would go back to Guru Sahib as nothing was more important than his Guru. Indeed the path of the devotees is sharper than the edge of a sword, and it is even narrower than a hair.

Bhai Joga Singh continued his journey to Anandpur as fast as he could. After passing through Lahore and Amritsar, he reached a resting spot at Hoshiarpur. On his way his ego got inflated and he thought, "WHO COULD HAVE ACTED LIKE ME? Certainly very few Sikhs would leave home after being newly wedded and carry out the Guru jee's order like me." This sense of pride brought his fall. At night he was overwhelmed by evil-passion and he started towards the house of a PROSTITUTE.


Bhai Joga Singh was wearing the Guru's uniform- full appearance with a Dastaar and the 5Ks adorned on his body. On his way to the prostitute, Bhai Joga Singh said to himself, "If some one sees me going into the house of a prostitute, it will bring DISGRACE to the Guru. Outwardly I am in Guru's attire. So NOBODY should see me entering the prostitute's house." On trying to enter he came across a GUARD standing there so he paused and backed away, he tried four times to enter the building but could not get past the guard seeing him. He realised how weak he was being and rode back to Guru jee.

On entering the divaan he payed his respects to Guru Sahib and Guru Jee looked at Bhai Joga Singh. Guru jee asked Bhai Joga to explain where he was last night. In shame Bhai Joga Singh did not answer. However, the all-knowing Guru knew of Bhai Joga Singh's temptations. Guru Sahib again asked, "Bhai Joga Singh! I have asked you a question, you are struggling to answer. Why cannot you answer me? Tell me WHERE WERE YOU LAST NIGHT?" As the incident unfolded Guru jee revealed that HE HIMSELF was the GUARD, and that He were there to stop Bhai Joga Singh from entering and sinning. Bhai Joga Singh fell at Guru jee’s charan (feet) and begged for forgiveness. Guru Sahib reminded him of what he had said before, “Guru Jee MAI TERE JOGA - ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਜੋਗਾ” (I am worthy only of You Guru ji). Guru Sahib said “because you belong to me - I belong to you Bhai Joga, I BELONG TO YOU! Mai tere joga! - ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਜੋਗਾ”

Such are the ways of the Beloved Guru. Once we put our complete faith in Him, He does not abandon us and let us waver.

Episode of 8 of India Travels (Part 5): Chucked Off Train

We had spent 4 nights at Sri Hazoor Sahib. On the fifth day we showed our tickets to the Gurdwara Accomodation sewadaars and asked them when and where is the train leaving from. The Sewadaar looked at our tickets and said "You are boarding tomorrow. A bus will be leaving outside the Gurdwara at 6am to go to the train station." Two Sewadaars checked our train tickets and both replied that we needed to board the train the next day (which was Monday).

So we got our things packed and ready the night before. We woke up and after Ishnaan and Nitnem we went to the mini-bus outside, which was leaving for the trainstation. We arrived at the train station and we went to the train platform. The seats were pre-booked, so I had to on passenger lists which were stuck up on the outside of the train to see where we were sitting. I couldn't find our Surname on the list.

My mum told me to go to the ticket office. So I went there. But they didn't speak Panjabi nor did they speak Hindi! I spoke English (however even their English was tutty futty). The man checked the list and said "Fine, fine, take seat, take seat. New list is to be stuck up. Your name will be on there." We waited for the new list and still our name is not on their, it said "M SINGH" and few other SINGH with random initials. I thought perhaps they got our initials muddled up. So we spoke to a Police Office to double-check and he said "Sit down, sit down, take your seats." He was friendly. So we thought if he thinks its okay to sit down then it must be okay.

The train leaves and in my mind I said "Good-bye" to the land of Sri Hazoor Sahib, cherishing the experience. The train left NandeR. Eventually the train was coming near Aurangabad. It had been 2 hours in the journey. A Singh family came on the train and said to us "those are our seats." We told them "sorry, these are our places. We have booked tickets." We showed our tickets and it said "LEAVING: 15th July". But the date was 14th JULY. Just as we discover we have boarded the train ONE DAY EARLY, the train conductor comes. He was a grumpy old man.

The train conductor said "Why have you boarded the train?" We said that we showed two Gurdwara Sewadaars our tickets. We showed our tickets to the man sitting in the NandeR train ticket office. And we even showed the policeman at the train station in NandeR. Everyone said that we are to leave today and that we ARRIVE on 15th July in Jalandhar. We looked like a bunch of Lemons! The conductor said to me, "You are from England and you can read a simple train ticket where it says: LEAVING 15th July". He made me look really silly infront of the whole train. He threatened to fine us 1,500 rupees each (my mum, tayee jee and I) or if we refuse to pay then he will call the police.

Sat Naam, Waheguru! So much DRAMA! He said that we HAD TO leave the train at the next station. So when Aurangabad arrived we had to leave the train (there wasn't even a platform to get off on!). We were the only passengers getting off and everyone stared at us through the windows. We had to go to the ticket office at Aurangabad trainstation and ask for a ticket to back to NandeR (Hazoor Sahib).

MORE DRAMA! The train arrives at Aurangabad to go back to NandeR. However, we were given THIRD CLASS tickets. Sat Naam. We had to sit in a OVER-CROWDED compartment with dodgey looking people. The seats were wooden planks, which were UNCOMFORTABLE and people were SMOKING and you could notice some people taking dodgey substances. Everyone was staring at me, my mum and tayee jee thinking "Why are these 3 people sitting in THIRD CLASS."

FOUR HOURS LATER we arrived back at NandeR. We got the mini-bus back to the Gurdwara Langar Sahib. When we went to ask for a room to stay, the sewadaar said, "Haven't I seen you before?" lol. I explained what happened and all the Sewadaars had a good laugh. (Suppose it was funny looking at back!)

We got on the correct train the next day and arrived back in Jalandhar the following evening.

New Posts will be Coming Soon...

Since Wednesday I have had the flu, so as a result I have been unable to post anything on the blog. However, I will be posting the final part of the Hazoor Sahib travels in the next few days. So watch this space.

On Wednesday I went to the local corner-shop to get some LEMSIP. I remember drinking it before when I had a cold. I was feeling drowsy and just wanted to have something to relieve the flu. I asked the shopkeeper "Excuse me what I have got for flu? Do you have LEMSIP?" He replied, "Yes. Which one?" He pointed at "LEMSIP" and "LEMSIP MAX".


I replied, "Ermm... what flavours are there?" The shopkeeper (who was Gujrati) stared at me and paused for a second and then slowly said, "LEMON". Just before he said that I just realised that I spoke without thinking and that obviously LEMSIP was going to be "LEMON" flavour. lol.

I went for LEMSIP MAX. However, it wasn't very appetizing. It might have been the fact that I had added sauNf (ਸੌਂਫ) and jawain (ਜਵੈਣ) to the boiling water. So the taste was a mix of lemon, sauNf (ਸੌਂਫ) and jawain (ਜਵੈਣ). I felt queasy drinking it. But chalo, I drank it!

However, the best medicine I found for flu symptoms is BENYLIN 4 FLU tablets.


Chalo, Rab Rakha.

Power of Ardaas

Article which I came across on Topoban Forum:

Naked Eyes-- by Bismaadh Kaur

Sikhi was never of any importance to me. I was still young, and always believed it was something that people did in their fifty’s to pass time. I wanted to “live life to the fullest,” and that wasn’t possible if I was living the lifestyle of a Sikh. I didn’t care to understand the concept of God, or why people had so much faith in Him. All I cared about was looking good, and having as much fun as I could before I got married (I knew my parents would marry me off to a Sikh). If I was to get into Sikhi it would be a lot later in my life.

I had just turned 22, and because I had finished my degree and was able to support myself, I thought it was time that I went my own way. I had been under the control of my parents all of my life and although I respected that they were devoted to Sikhi, I knew that it wasn’t what I wanted in my life.

I had been thinking about getting my hair trimmed for a while. I was getting sick of putting my hair up in a bun. My eyebrows took after my Pita Jee, bushy as can be, and I couldn’t wait to get those plucked.

I didn’t tell my parents since I felt I was old enough to make my own decisions. I knew it was a bit selfish of me to go behind their backs, but I didn’t think too much of it.


I went into the shop and got my hair trimmed a couple of centimeters and had my eyebrows shaped. There was a look of accomplishment when I looked at myself in the mirror for the first time. The reflection showed a new person, it was the person I always wanted to be.
“Freedom!” I remember thinking to myself.

I drove up into the garage of the house I had lived in for the last ten years of my life, and hoped that it would recognize me. As I walked into the house, I could feel my heart beating rapidly. My parents were in the kitchen so I walked in hastily, said my hello’s and headed into my room.

I didn’t stay long enough in the kitchen to see my parents’ reactions. Mata Jee had just looked up at me when I left and Pita Jee was too absorbed reading the Panjabi newspaper.

I could hear murmurs coming from the living room. And then for a couple of minutes they stopped. My heart was beating so fast.

“Simran?” I could hear my mom calling for me.

At first I didn’t want to answer.
“Hunjee Mata Jee?” I whispered back hoping she wouldn’t hear me.
“Can you come outside please?”
“Okay, I’ll be there in a minute.”

I started feeling guilty for cutting my hair but kept my composure and walked down the hall towards the living room.

My parents were sitting cross legged on the rug, holding gutkay in their hands. My mom looked up at me and handed me a gutka and then nodded her head downwards (her way of telling me to sit down).

It was the first time since I can remember that my parents called me to do paat with them. At first I wanted to get up and tell them I had work to do but then I just felt relieved that they weren’t yelling at me, so I sat down beside my mom and read along with Rehraas.

Rehraas was finally over, and by this time I was yawning and just wanted to go to bed. We all got up to do ardaas. Pita Jee did it. Although I didn’t care for Sikhi, ardaas was the one aspect of Sikhi that meant something to me so I actually listened to the ardaas.

Pita Jee came to the end of the ardaas. He did ardaas for Rehraas and then in a calm loving tone he asked, “Guru Sahib Jee, please bless our daughter with a Gursikhi life.”

Mata Jee was sobbing. I wanted to cry as well, not becaus e I felt guilty but because I was hurt. Why would they do that to me? They could have done ardaas on their own time.

I didn’t sleep that whole night. Pita Jee’s words kept running through my head no matter how high I turned up the radio.

Two months had gone by. I kept my distance from my parents and even when Mata Jee tried to talk to me I gave her one word answers. Although two months had passed, I could still hear Pita Jee’s voice from that night. His ardaas was straight from his heart and I was afraid that it would come true. I had even done ardaas to undo the ardaas he did.

That night my good friend was having a keertan at the Gurudwara. I never liked going to anyone’s programs, especially if they were at the Gurudwara, but that day I kept getting this push from inside to go.


I arrived at the Gurudwara early and after failing to find someone I knew I proceeded towards the main darbar hall. I took a glance at Guru Granth Sahib Jee to make sure I was walking in the right direction. As I looked down at the ground I felt warmth take over my body. I felt calm. The vision of Guru Granth Sahib Jee covered with royal blue ramalay was grounded in my mind. I stood still for a moment and embraced the vision in my heart. Everything around me slowly disappeared.

I took a step forward and then another, until I had reached the end. I looked up at the Guru. My mind was silenced in admiration of the beauty that was in front of me. I once again remembered Pita Jee’s ardaas and started to shed tears. Kneeling down to matha taake I could hear Pita Jee’s words so clearly, “Guru Sahib Jee please bless our daughter with a Gursikhi life.”
The moment my forehead touched the Guru’s Charan I could hear whispers in my ear. I was trying to listen to what was being said but I couldn’t make out the words. I concentrated and tried again to listen to the sounds.
“Waahe-Guroo. Waahe-Guroo. Waahe-Guroo…”

At that time I didn’t know what to think of the moment. But, with the energy I had left I got up and sat in the Sangat. Time had vanished. My eyes were tightly fastened together and my mind was still. A soft white filled the room and I could hear more voices repeating “Waahe-Guroo.” I absorbed myself in the moment.

Some time had gone by and I could see two figures appear in the distance. They were too far away for me to see if they were male or female but I could see that one was shorter than the other. I couldn’t see any details because the colours were meshed into one blur consisting of black, red and a pale brown. I tried to focus on the two figures hoping that I could piece together who they were.

The two figures had vanished and then for a split second materialized again and this time I could see them clearly.

That was the day that my Pita Jee’s ardaas had been answered. I took Amrit a week later. Every night in my ardaas I ask that everyone be blessed with a Gursikhi life.

There are still days that go by when I feel distant from Sikhi. But, when those days come, I think back to the day when Guru Sahib Jee, with my naked eyes, showed me the Piyaar in the face of Bhai Taru Singh Jee as his scalp was being cut away from his body.

Happy New Year! ਨਵੇਂ ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਵਧਾਈ!

Today on 1st Chet (Panjabi Month), 14 March, the Sikh Nation celebrates the Sikh New Year. On this day I would like to wish everyone a prosperous new year and may the year ahead help us to realise our divine potential.

You can download the Sikh Calendar for the new year on www.nanakshahi.org.


Guru jee's Hukam (instruction) to us on commencing of the month of Chet (mid March - mid April):

cyiq goivMdu ArwDIAY hovY Anµdu Gxw ] sMq jnw imil pweIAY rsnw nwmu Bxw ] ijin pwieAw pRBu Awpxw Awey iqsih gxw ] ieku iKnu iqsu ibnu jIvxw ibrQw jnmu jxw ] jil Qil mhIAil pUirAw rivAw ivic vxw ] so pRBu iciq n AwveI ikqVw duKu gxw ] ijnI rwivAw so pRBU iqMnw Bwgu mxw ] hir drsn kMau mnu locdw nwnk ipAws mnw ] cyiq imlwey so pRBU iqs kY pwie lgw ]2]
In the month of Chet (the Spring season arrives, the blossoming of flowers everywhere brings joy to the mind), meditate on Waheguru, the Lord of the Universe, (and through the blessings of doing Simran) a deep and profound spiritual joy can arise. However, meeting with the humble Saints, the gift of chanting Waheguru's Name with our tongue is obtained. Those who have found Waheguru (through the aid of Simran) are blessed in their coming into this world, (because) those who live without Him, for even an instant - their lives are rendered useless. That Lord who is totally pervading the water, the land, and all space, He is contained in the forests as well. Those who do not remember such a Lord (i.e. Waheguru) then that person's mental anguish and suffering cannot be explained. (However,) those who enshrine that (All-prevading) God in their hearts, have great good fortune. My mind yearns for the Blessed Vision of the Lord Waheguru’s Darshan. O Nanak! My mind is so thirsty to have Your Darshan! I will touch the feet of the one who unites me with Waheguru in the month of Chet. 2
(Ang 133)

Busy Weekend - On the Go!

Last weekend was the London Sikh Societies' Akhand Paath Sahib (kindly organised by Bhenji Manmeet Kaur) at Shepard's Bush Gurdwara Sahib. So the weekend was busy, busy, busy. With Guru Sahib's Kirpaa I was fortunate to meet loads of Chardikala Sangat on the three days of the Akhand Paath Sahib. Here some photos of the Akhand Paath Sahib from Simrit Kaur's blog and R S Khalsa's blog.



Some memorable things from the Akhand Paath:

* Super-fast reading of Paath by some Paathis (when I mean "super fast", I mean "super duper fast") - definately makes you think what is happening and that instead it is better to do a Sehaj/Sadharan Paath (completion of Normal, Intermittent Reading of the Guru Granth Sahib jee)

* Very nice Keertan by Students on Saturday night (Bhaji Abinash Singh, Bhaji Maninder Singh (aka Minna Bhaji), Gursharan Kaur bhenji, Accapella Jatha and more).

* Thick star-shape and maps of India style rotis & parotay.

* Tasty birthday cake (eggless of course) to commemorate 100years of UCL Sikh Society.

* Being able to read along with the Akhand Paath on Sikhi To The Max (but after ten minutes of staring at the projector screen my eyes went blurry!)

* Realizing there is no warm or luke-warm water to have ishnaan, and instead having to warm some water in a pateela to have ishnaan (reminded me of India).

* Finding out that even Singhs keep dogs as pets.

* Having oppurtunity to do Guru jee's sewa.

* Beautifully sung Aasa Di Vaar keertan on Sunday morning.

* Most of all it was great to see Students taking part in the Gurdwara and doing sewa from their heart. Again I would like to thank Bhenji Manmeet Kaur and also Bhenji Simrit Kaur for their tireless sewa. May Guru jee bless Gursikhi jeevan, Naam di daat and Charan-Kamalaa da Pyaar to all those who helped out and everyone else.


On Sunday evening I went to do the show on radio. Waheguru! It was bit of a nightmare for me because I had to do all the controls as the bhaji who usually does it was away on holiday. I accidentally played the news a minute or so early and instead of the news, a live football match came on (don't know much about football but apparently it was the Liverpool match). Deary me! Thankfully help came along and the news was played!


Then yesterday morning I went to Hounslow Singh Sabha Gurdwara to see Princes Charles. I was surprised that most of the people there had their beards tied up and gelled, wearing coat pent kameej. Shame that there weren't enough people wearing BaaNaa and Kurtaa Pyjaamaa. When Charles walked pass Ravjeet Singh and me, he smiled and said: "At least you two are dressed properly." lol. He is a funny guy and seems very down to earth.

Bhai Sahib Uptej Singh (Teji) with his students did a Gatka demonstration. It was pretty funny, bechaari Camilla jee (if you didn't know that's Prince Charle's wife) got really scared of the Kirpaanaa being swung around. By the time Bhai Sahib got to the part where he was going to cut a water-melon placed on a Singh's stomach while being blind folded, poor Camilla looked shaken up. First of all she started looking down, then started to sweat, then she tried to (unsuccessfully) push her chair back. Eventually bechaari (poor lady) covered her face. Waheguru!


Photos of Camilla and Charles watching Gatka.


Picture of Bhai Sahib Uptej Singh (Teji).

The Final Moment - "Ant Kaal" (ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ)

Recently my friend shared the story of her cousin's grandmother. She was very ill and was in semi-coma. She could not talk or communicate with anyone. However, through out her coma state she continued to repeat Gurbaani.

Bibi jee kept moving her lips and repeating Gurbaani, yet she could not communicate or speak to others. Her continuous non-stop repeating of Gurbaani led her mouth and lips to become very dry, making it hard for her to open her mouth. The nurses would continuously water her lips and mouth to prevent them to become dried up. Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Piaare.

Someone is lying on their death bed and they are in semi-coma. However, the only thought, the only consciousness and words on their mouth is Gurbaani and Simran. Waheguru! How amazing. It makes you think how one gets to this state.

My friend told me that her cousin's grandmother was a simple and pious Gurmukh (Guru-orientated person). Everyday without fail Bibi jee would go to the Gurdwara and do Sukhmani Sahib da paath. Bibi jee would always be attuned to Gurbaani and didn't indulge in useless worldly talk like gossiping or slander. Hence, when she got to her death bed she was also repeating and attuned to Gurbaani. How fortunate are such Gurmukhs who die such a death remembering their Beloved Waheguru.

Gurbani says:

ਗੂਜਰੀ ॥
goojree.
Raag Goojaree (Common theme: prayer (ਪੂਜਾ); Feelings communicated: Satisfaction/ softness of heart/ sadness).

ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਜੋ ਲਛਮੀ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥
ant kaal jo lachhmee simrai, aisee chintaa mehi je marai.
At the very last moment, one who thinks of wealth, and dies in such thoughts,

ਸਰਪ ਜੋਨਿ ਵਲਿ ਵਲਿ ਅਉਤਰੈ ॥੧॥
sarap jon val val autarai. 1
shall be reincarnated over and over again, in the form of snakes. 1

ਅਰੀ ਬਾਈ ਗੋਬਿਦ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਤਿ ਬੀਸਰੈ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
aree baa-ee gobind naam mat beesrai. rahaa-o.
O sister, do not forget the Name of Waheguru, the Lord of the Universe. Pause

ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਜੋ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥
ant kaal jo istree simrai, aisee chintaa mehi je marai.
At the very last moment, he who thinks of women, and dies in such thoughts,

ਬੇਸਵਾ ਜੋਨਿ ਵਲਿ ਵਲਿ ਅਉਤਰੈ ॥੨॥
besvaa jon val val autarai. 2
shall be reincarnated over and over again as a prostitute. 2

ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਜੋ ਲੜਿਕੇ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥
ant kaal jo laRike simrai, aisee chintaa mehi je marai.
At the very last moment, one who thinks of his children, and dies in such thoughts,

ਸੂਕਰ ਜੋਨਿ ਵਲਿ ਵਲਿ ਅਉਤਰੈ ॥੩॥
sookar jon val val autarai. 3
shall be reincarnated over and over again as a pig. 3

ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਜੋ ਮੰਦਰ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥
ant kaal jo mandar simrai, aisee chintaa mehi je marai.
At the very last moment, one who thinks of mansions, and dies in such thoughts,

ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਜੋਨਿ ਵਲਿ ਵਲਿ ਅਉਤਰੈ ॥੪॥
pret jon val val autarai. 4
shall be reincarnated over and over again as a spirit/ghost. 4

ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਨਾਰਾਇਣੁ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥
ant kaal naaraa-iN simrai, aisee chintaa mehi je marai.
At the very last moment, one who thinks of the Lord Waheguru, and dies in such thoughts,

ਬਦਤਿ ਤਿਲੋਚਨੁ ਤੇ ਨਰ ਮੁਕਤਾ ਪੀਤੰਬਰੁ ਵਾ ਕੇ ਰਿਦੈ ਬਸੈ ॥੫॥੨॥
badat tilochan te nar muktaa, peetambar vaa ke ridai basai. 52
says Trilochan, that man shall be liberated; the Lord Waheguru shall abide in his heart. 52
(Ang 526)

GurbaaNee (the Divine Word of God) tells us that one's thought-condition at the time of death determines one's next field of experience. For this reason, one's mentality or state of being at the last moment when leaving one's body, is very important.

Depending on a person's mind-set at the time of death, two things can happen:
(1) Either the old mentality (memories) will supply the energy for A NEW MATERIAL BODY at an appropriate time and place,
(2) Or it will link back to its ORIGINAL SOURCE (the Supreme Soul (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ), Waheguru).

Guru Arjan Dev jee says on ang 242 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee:

ਜਿਤੁ ਲਾਗੋ ਮਨੁ ਬਾਸਨਾ ਅੰਤਿ ਸਾਈ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਨੀ ॥੬॥
jit laago man baasnaa ant saa-ee pargattaanee. 6
That desire, to which the mind is attached, at the last moment, becomes manifest. 6

Bhagat Kabeer jee says on ang 327 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee:

ਪਿੰਡਿ ਮੂਐ ਜੀਉ ਕਿਹ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਤਾ ॥
pind moo-ai jee-o kih ghar jaataa.
When the body dies, where does the soul go?

ਸਬਦਿ ਅਤੀਤਿ ਅਨਾਹਦਿ ਰਾਤਾ ॥
shabad ateet anaahad raataa.
It is absorbed into the untouched, unstruck melody of the Word of the Shabad.

So does this mean that it doesn't matter whether I do Simran, Sewa or read and reflect on Gurbaani in my life because I can just say "Waheguru" when I am about to die, then sorted! I will become ONE with Waheguru? How can an alien thought enter the mind at such a time as death? Only those thoughts will enter which you in your sub-consciousness. So, if one has not attuned to themselves to Naam and Gurbaani while alive, it is very UNLIKELY that they will be attuned to Naam & Gurbaani when about to die.

Whatever we think at the time of death depends on WHAT WE PRACTICED THROUGHOUT OUR LIFE. In other words, whatever we practice in our entire life will determine our consciousness at the time of death. For example, if one cultivated "God-Consciousness" throughout their life, they will obviously die in such Pure Consciousness, resulting in liberation (ਮੁਕਤੀ) here and hereafter.

On the other hand, if one has cultivated the mental state of a fruitive worker or sense-enjoyment throughout their life, they will naturally die in material-consciousness (body-consciousness). Such conditioned consciousness results in supplying energy for a new body to work out the consequences of stored thinking and actions. For this reason we are told by Guru jee to a householder life BALANCED with spirituality, avoiding being OBSESSED with work, family, desires etc, through which one's consciousness and mind is IMPRISONED and entangled in over attachment.

Even though Gurmukhs (Guru-orientated persons) and Manmukhs (self-willed persons) both die, BUT the Gurmukh dies in UNCONDITIONED CONSCIOUSNESS and goes back to Waheguru, on the other hand the Manmukh dies in MATERIAL CONSCIOUSNESS and falls down again into the evolutionary cycle of reincarnation. Accordingly, just as the air carries fragrance of a flower or incense, so a person's mental state at the time of death will carry his bundle of memories to the next dwelling.

ਪੁੰਨੀ ਪਾਪੀ ਆਖਣੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥
punnee paapee aakhaN naahi.
Virtue and vice do not come by mere words;

ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਣਾ ਲਿਖਿ ਲੈ ਜਾਹੁ ॥
kar kar karNaa likh lai jaahu.
actions repeated, over and over again, are engraved on the soul.

ਆਪੇ ਬੀਜਿ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਖਾਹੁ ॥
aape beej aape hee khaahu.
You shall harvest what you plant.

ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੀ ਆਵਹੁ ਜਾਹੁ ॥੨੦॥
naanak hukmee aavhu jaahu. 20
O Nanak! By the Hukam of God's Command, we come and go in reincarnation. 20
(Ang 4)

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Archive: Episodes from India Travels

Passages from my diary of my trip to India June-August 2003:

"Meeting the Atheist" - Airline Journey

• Episode 1 (Part 1)
• Episode 1 (Part 2)
• Episode 1 (Part 3)

"Guru Ka Langar?" - Attending Akhand Paath Bhog

• Episode 2

"Amrit is Only with Grace of the Guru" - Travelling to Amritsar

• Episode 3

"Amrit Peeaa Satgur Deeaa" - Recieving the Gift of Amrit

• Episode 4
  

"Celebrating Gurpurb" - Jalandhar Gurdwara

• Episode 5
  

"Funeral Akhand Paath Da Bhog" - Manmat Practices

• Episode 6
  

"As if Guru Jee will do anything..." - Granthi Singh shares a True Story

• Episode 7
  

"Trip to Hazoor Sahib" - Visiting Sri Hazoor Sahib & the Local Gurdwaras

• Episode 8 (Part 1)
• Episode 8 (Part 2)
• Episode 8 (Part 3)
• Episode 8 (Part 4)
• Episode 8 (Final Part)
  

"Stay at Sri Damdama Sahib" - Incidents and events from Sri Damdama Sahib

• Episode 9 (Part 1) - Arriving at Sri Damdama Sahib
• Episode 9 (Part 2) - Choking on an Ahloo Tikki
• Episode 9 (Part 3) - "Khalsa Sweet Centre"
• Episode 9 (Part 4) - Getting Ready To Leave
• Episode 9 (Part 5) - Bus Journey
  

Episode of 8 of India Travels (Part 4): Money, Money, Money

The only DODGEY thing that I experienced during the visit of seeing all the various local Gurdwara Sahibs was at one particular - Gurdwara Sahib (which I won’t bother to mention!). Sat Naam, Waheguru! We did Matha Tekh and did Parkarmaa (circumbulation) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee. As I did Parkarma, the Gurdwara Sewadaar (who is meant to give a short talk about the history of the Gurdwara) asked me "Where are you from?" I said, "England". Then our entire group sat down to listen to the Sewadaar explain the history of the Gurdwara.

The Bhai Sahib explained the history of the Gurdwara very quickly and then he requested for donations to help with Kaar Sewa (the building and renovation of the Gurdwara Sahibs). (We found out AFTERWARDS that all donations placed in the basket in front of the Sewadaar goes to the Sewadaar. All donations placed in the Golak (money box in front of Guru jee) goes towards Sewa of the Gurdwara.)

The Sangat gave money to the Sewadaar and placed it in the basket placed on the table in front of him. I placed some money as well. Then we all got up to leave. As I got up, the Sewadaar called me over. "Come here... Also bring your mother." My mum and I went over to see the Sewadaar (who was still standing in the Darbar Sahib). Everyone else had walked outside to see the Sarowar (pool of water).

The Sewadaar said, "You have come from abroad, Guru jee has had Kirpaa (Grace) on you and blessed you with luxury houses and jobs, yet you have not given anything back." My mum and I were confused. What is he on about!

The Sewadaar took my mum and me on a guilt trip, saying that people in India are poor and implied that we are greedy or something. Rab Bhalla Kare. Chalo, so I put another 100 rupees in front of the Sewadaar (thinking that it was going to the Gurdwara!). The man said "Is this all? Waheguru has blessed you with so much and you only give this?"

The man started to sound AGGRESSIVE. Respecting him as a Gursikh (because he wore a white pagh and white chola) I thought "O dear me". My mum and I felt uncomfortable and PRESSURED with guilt tactics. I ended up emptying my wallet into the basket in front of the man. There were about 500 rupees, which we had brought to do Matha Tekh at the various Gurdwara Sahibs.

The man was still NOT SATISFIED. Waheguru! He stared at my mum's big bag she had with her and said, “Mata Jee show appreciation and make donations. Thank Guru Nanak that you live abroad." The bloke didn't realise my mum's "BIG BAG" was full of tissues, wet wipes, and a small towel (to wipe the face). lol. He thought my mum was carrying a "BIG BAG" of MONEY!

He said, "DO an AKHAND PAATH here!" I was shocked that he gave us a PRICE LIST of Akhand Paaths. He asked for 5,000 rupees to do an Akhand Paath. I said, "I am not doing an Akhand Paath. What is the point of paying you to read Paath on my behalf, when I will not be here to listen to the paath, nor will I able to contemplate on it? Instead I can read Gurbani myself!" He replied, "Don't worry I will POST you the Hukamnama". This is totally contrary to Gurmat. A Sikh should read, listen, and contemplate on Gurbaani THEMSELVES and not rely on others to read, listen and understand and expect to reap the reward! Its like someone is feeling hungry and instead I eat a big meal on their behalf thinking that it will satisfy the other man's hungry stomach!

I got fed up and saddened. I said, "Baba jee, don't take any offence but I have emptied my wallet now! I have no more money left to give you! Also, now I have no money left to do Matha Tekh at the other Gurdwaras." He now got ANGRY! He shouted, "TAKE IT, TAKE IT, TAKE IT ALL... Go on; take all the money from the basket." Waheguru, Waheguru. I was shocked! This was the first time I have seen greedy thugs dressed-up posing as Gursikhs in white chola and round white pagh. Deary me!

My mum and I told the Bhai Sahib, "Once a person has placed money in the Golak, how can they take it back. We don't want to take any money back. We are just saying that we have no more money to give you." (However, we were so gullible and ignorant that we didn't know that the money we gave actually goes to the "TOUR GUIDE" of the Gurdwara and not to the Gurdwara itself!). When we shared out story with our relatives. The surprising thing is that when they visited the same Gurdwara a year later they had the SAME EXPERIENCE. But instead they gave the man a piece of their mind and told him that he should be ashamed that he is asking for donations for the Gurdwara but allowing people mistakenly place the money in the basket in front of him instead of the Guru's Golak.

Chalo (O well!). I can say that was the ONLY dreadful experience I had in a Gurdwara. So it was a ONE OFF. It definitely made me realise that we should all respect Sewadaars and especially Gursikhs. However, at the same time be alert and aware of fraudsters and thugs dressed in BaaNaa (religious dress) posing as Gursikhs (like so-called self-proclaimed fake "Sants" and fake "Babas"), who are out there to rob people of their money. Rab Bhalla Kare.

Bhagat Kabeer jee mentions in his shabad on ang 476 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee that even during his life time in Banaaras (a city in India which considered a religious centre for Hindus), fraudsters manipulated common people by dressing up as men of religion and then took people for a ride.

ਆਸਾ ॥
aasaa.
Aasaa:

ਗਜ ਸਾਢੇ ਤੈ ਤੈ ਧੋਤੀਆ ਤਿਹਰੇ ਪਾਇਨਿ ਤਗ ॥
gaj saadhe tai tai Dhotee-aa tihre paa-in tag.
They wear loin cloths, three and a half yards long, and triple-wound sacred threads (i.e. dressed as "men of religion").

ਗਲੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਜਪਮਾਲੀਆ ਲੋਟੇ ਹਥਿ ਨਿਬਗ ॥
galee jinHaa japmaalee-aa lotte hath nibag.
They have rosaries around their necks, and they carry glittering jugs in their hands.

ਓਇ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਹਿ ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ ॥੧॥
ou-e har ke sant na aakhee-ahi baanaaras ke thag. 1
They are not called 'Saints' of the Lord - (in reality) they are thugs of Banaaras. 1

Instead, Bhagat Kabeer jee highlights that we should only take the support of Satguru, the True Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee, and be attached only to Waheguru.

ਜਿਤੁ ਕੋ ਲਾਇਆ ਤਿਤ ਹੀ ਲਾਗਾ ਤੈਸੇ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵੈ ॥
jit ko laa-i-aa tit hee laagaa, taise karam kamaavai.
(What control does the person have?) One is attached to that, to which Waheguru has attached them to, and act accordingly.

ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਜਿਸੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਭੇਟੈ ਪੁਨਰਪਿ ਜਨਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥੪॥੨॥
kaho kabeer jis satgur bhettai, punrap janam na aavai. 42
O Kabeer! The truth is that one who meets the True Guru is not reincarnated again. 42

Bhul chuk maaf if daas has written anything wrong or offensive.


To be continued...

Travelling to Gravesend for Anand Kaaraj

Today I attended someone's wedding at Gravesend Gurdwara. Ravjeet Singh and I went from London Bridge to Gravesend. We got to London Bridge station about 9.40am and quickly bought our tickets because the train was leaving at 9.55am.

I looked at the board and it said "Platform 4" to Dartford and from there we had to get a bus to Gravesend (because Gravesend train station was closed). Chalo, so we went towards the train platforms. At the barriers I asked one of the ticket officers "Excuse me. Could you please tell me where platform 4 is?" He replied, "Yes. Where are you going." "Gravesend" I replied. Sat Naam. The bloke didn't bother to tell me where PLATFORM 4 is! Instead he goes, "Let me check what the quickest route is". I told him that I don't need to know the route; I have checked it on the Internet. I just wanted to know where PLATFORM 4 is. Waheguru!

The bloke started to look at his files and said "Erm... no direct trains to Gravesend... so let’s see you will have to take..." Rab Bhalla Kare! I KNEW THIS. I just wanted to know which direction PLATFORM 4 is. I said, "Leave it, its okay." He replied, "I can't tell you the platform without making sure it’s the right train for you." Just as I leave he says, "Yes, you have to get platform 4!" O deary me! How frustrating (because I already knew that)! I found out where platform 4 is by myself! lol.


We got off at Dartford train-station and got on the bus. Waheguru! The bus was pretty old looking. It felt like being on a bus in INDIA! It was a BUMPY ride because the bus was old. As we got near Gravesend train-station the bus driver stopped at the traffic lights and opened the doors. So everyone thought 'okay we can get out'. One lady gets out and then he closes the door and carries on driving. Then he reopens the door while in traffic, and closes it again. Either the door had technical difficulties or the driver couldn't make up his mind where to open and close the doors!

Most people had stood up as the driver was opening the door, and the train-station was near approaching. We stood near the front of the bus. The bus driver accelerated and suddenly pressed the brakes. As he did this I lost my balance and fell sideward’s on top of a lady sitting near the window. Sat Naam. She wasn't impressed at all. I grabbed hold of the seat handle, trying to make sure my body-weight doesn't collapse on the lady. But I was struggling. Next thing Ravjeet Singh is tugging on to my Hazooriaa making sure I get up and save the lady from being squashed! I just about got up and the lady was ANNOYED. She looked ANGRY. I said "Sorry" a few times. She said "Its Okay" but on her face I could see that she was upset with me. Waheguru!

Then suddenly an old lady behind me says "You should be ashamed of yourself." I looked back and saw an elderly Gori lady. I said, "Excuse me? Who me?" I hadn't done anything wrong. If she thought losing balance and nearly falling over someone was shameful then God help her. She said, "No, not you. Your friend." Waheguru! Ravjeet Singh looked around and looked confused at what the lady was going on about. I didn't know whether to laugh or not! It was hilarious but at same time the old lady was getting annoyed and loudly speaking to us.

The lady said to Ravjeet Singh, "I saw you push the lady. I saw you! You should be ashamed of yourself." "Who me?" said Ravjeet. "Yes, you! You pushed the lady. I bet you wouldn't have done that if it was one of your own lot. You wouldn't push your own sisters but its okay to push others." Sat Naam. Either this lady was old and confused, or she had some issues!

ਫਰੀਦਾ ਬੁਰੇ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਕਰਿ ਗੁਸਾ ਮਨਿ ਨ ਹਢਾਇ ॥

fareedaa bure daa bhalaa kar, gusaa man na hadhaa-e.
Fareed, answer evil with goodness; do not fill your mind with anger.

ਦੇਹੀ ਰੋਗੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਪਲੈ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਇ ॥੭੮॥

dehee rog na lage-ee, palai sabh kichh paa-e. 78
Your body shall not suffer from any disease, and you shall obtain everything. 78
(Ang 1381-82)

We looked blank, thinking "Who’s pushed who!" Waheguru Bhalla Kare! No-one got pushed and the lady in front was getting her baby's buggy out and so why would he want to push her. Instead we actually waited for the lady. Chalo, I suppose it added to the Drama Baajee of the day.


Then we were told to go LEFT from the train station and there would be a taxi stand. We planned to ask one of the Panjabi taxi drivers for directions to the Gurdwara. But there was NO taxi to be seen or taxi stand. We carried on walking and bumped into a Panjabi looking aunty. We stopped her and asked, "Aunty jee, can you help us to find the Gurdwara." I was shocked at her saying "What Adharmeeaa da Gurdwara or which one?" Adharmee literally means 'one without faith' but in India it is also used for "low-caste people".

ਸਾਧੂ ਕੀ ਜਉ ਲੇਹਿ ਓਟ ॥
saaDhoo kee jau lehi ott.
(O consciousness!) If you seek the Support of the Guru,

ਤੇਰੇ ਮਿਟਹਿ ਪਾਪ ਸਭ ਕੋਟਿ ਕੋਟਿ ॥
tere mitteh paap sabh kott kott.
millions upon millions of your sins shall be totally erased.

ਕਹਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਜੋ ਜਪੈ ਨਾਮੁ ॥
kehi ravidaas jo japai naam.
Says Ravidaas, one who chants Naam, the Name of Waheguru,

ਤਿਸੁ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਜਨਮੁ ਨ ਜੋਨਿ ਕਾਮੁ ॥੪॥੧॥
tis jaat na janam na jon kaam. 41
is not concerned with caste, (low) social class, birth and rebirth. 41
(Ang 1196)

It later on found out that the lady was referring to the "Ravidaas" Gurdwara in Gravesend. Its such a shame that caste-communities have made their "own" Gurdwaras" and labelled the Guru's House with their own names for example, "Ravidaas Gurdwara", "Ramgarhia Gurdwara", "Bhatra Gurdwara"...etc. Have we LOST THE PLOT? What about "GURU's" Gurdwara? Gurbani says that those who do Naam Simran and are linked to Naam are not concerned with caste, birth or these UNIMPORTANT labels. Perhaps this just shows that our Gurdwaras are NOT run by Gursikhs but Manmukhs who are NOT practising or living Sikhi yet become the representatives of Guru Nanak's House. Rab Bhalla Kare!


Chalo, the Aunty jee didn't have a clue anyway where the Gurdwara was because she said she had recently come from India. lol. Waheguru! So we walked on. Sat Naam! At last we find "Randhawa Newsagents". So I am about to walk in and a Singh uncle jee walks out (white trimmed beard and wearing a pagh). "Praise the Lord! Success!" I thought to myself. I asked uncle jee for directions. He had car keys in his hands. I thought he would look at us (wearing Kurta and Bana) and give us a lift to the Gurdwara considering he said it is not too far. But instead he said, "Walk down, go right, then 3rd left." Then he walked off.

We kept walking and found NO Sikh or Panjabi looking person to ask whether we are walking in the right direction. Eventually I faced the traffic coming up the road and spotted a Singh in a car. I waved at it and the Uncle jee stopped his car to the side. Waheguru had answered our Ardaas. The uncle jee was from London who had come for the wedding. He was also looking for the Gurdwara. He offered us a lift. So we sat down. Ravjeet Singh made a phone call to find out about directions and 'hey presto' the Gurdwara was just round the corner.


Eventful journey! :)

Episode 8 of India Travels (Part 3): Visitng Local Gurdwaras

Continued...

On day 16, Friday 11th July 2003, we visited the local Gurdwaras surrounding Sri Hazoor Sahib and the nearby areas. Baba Nidhaan Singh Gurdwara arranged the bus sewa. The Baba jee driving the mini-bus was CHARDIKALA! Sat Naam, Waheguru! He had a glow and smile of a Gursikh! The mini-bus was full. There were about 20 of us.

Throughout the WHOLE journey, Baba jee ensured everyone did Simran. "SAT NAAM, WAAHEGUROO.... SAT NAAM, WAAHEGUROO..." was sung all the time while on the bus. Though old, Baba jee continued Simran non-stop.

Some aunty jee's started to talk and Baba jee stopped Simran. He got everyone's attention and said "PAY ATTENTION Guru Pyaari'o! Look outside the window. You can see buffalo's, dogs, and cattle...." We all peered out of the window. Baba jee said, "Look carefully! You have been cow in your past life. You have been a dog in your past life. You have been trees and plants in your past life. Now you have been blessed with a human body. MAKE THE MOST OF IT..." There was pin drop silence in the mini-bus. "Don't waste your precious life. This is an opportunity to MEET Waheguru."



Waheguru! Soon as Baba jee said that everyone smiled in reverence to Akaal Purakh (Almighty God), everyone chanted "SAT NAAM, WAAHEGUROO" with love and sweetness. It was a beautiful journey with an amazing driver! Baba jee would stop Simran after every 10 or 15 minutes and give 2 minute talk on the importance of Simran and Gurbani. The journey was the best ever! Going to all the Gurdwaras and coming on the way back was SAFLAA (fruitful) with Simran, Sangat and Gurbani Vichaar.

We visited Gurdwaras Rattan Garh, Nanaksar, Nanak Puri, Mata Sahib Deva, Hira Ghat, Shikaar Ghat, Sangat Sahib and few others. Very nice Gurdwaras and a lot of pyaar (love) and shardaa (devotion) demonstrated by the local Sangat and sewadaars.

To be continued...

Episode 8 of India Travels (Part 2): Arriving at Sri Hazoor Sahib

Continued...

On Day 15th, we arrived at NandeR at 4.30pm. We caught the Gurdwara arranged bus to Baba Nidhan Singh Gurdwara Sahib. Arriving we booked a room and dropped our bags and luggage there. Waheguru! The room was spacious. Unfortunately we got an old room and the toilet was broken and not looking in a good shape. Sat Naam. Chalo, instead we used the public shower and public toilet, which was down the corridor. The sewadaars at Gurdwara Baba Nidhaan Singh were very helpful and had a lot of sewa-bhaav (sweet serving nature).

After settling in, we walked to Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib to do Matha Tekh. I must say, Sri Hazoor Sahib had a very UNIQUE feel. Though many practices at Sri Hazoor Sahib are not in accordance to the Panthic Sikh Rehat Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct) and there are many non-Sikh influences, but the atmosphere, vibrations and atmosphere there was a very AWE-INSPIRING.

We sat and listened to Sodar Rehraas Sahib. The Rehraas Sahib was beautifully read. Slow, steady and peaceful. Then during Ardaas, Singhs played the conch and blowed horns etc and the Nagara (war-drums) was drummed - it really felt like being in Guru Gobind Singh jee's Darbaar.
On the way back from the Darbaar Sahib we went to a juice bar and enjoyed some freshly squeezed juice (very tasty!). For some reason people in India love to put SALT in juice! Waheguru! I preferred to drink plain fresh juice. It's really refreshing to drink.


When we got back to Baba Nidhan Singh Gurdwara we ate Langar.


To be continued...

(Next part: Visiting the local Gurdwaras and chucked off the train by the conductor...)