Thursday, January 17, 2008

Inspirational Bibi jee



Last Sunday I was at Southall for a family programme a the Gurdwara. I met an elderly relative from Leicester. She is very old, about 85 years old. Every time I see her, my heart feels as if I have Mata Gujar Kaur jee's darshan. Very strange feeling.

Every time we meet she always gives a big hug. Regardless of who the person is or their age, she will give everyone a big warm hug. At the age of 85 years old, she walks with a walking stick but her face glows! Her pale face looks red with happiness and pyaar for Guru Sahib.

At the Gurdwara she said to me, "My children tell me not to make roti, daal sabjee and do housework. But I tell them, what else should I do? Waheguru has given me hands and feet and I still have life within me. They think I am old but Guru Sahib has still given me strength. " Whilst talking she was holding my hand with one hand and holding her walking stick in the other. Waheguru. Her presence is radiates such peace and serenity.

She smiled and said, "My children say that you brought up us and cared for us, now it is our turn. But I told them, it is not me who looked after you and cared for you - it is the Great Guru and the Giver All who looks after us all... what strength do I have to care for you - it is the Grace and love of the Guru. Thank Him - Waheguru - not me." Waheguru. I was taken aback by her humility and love for the Guru.
ਨਿਰਭਉ ਸਦਾ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਹੈ ਸਭਨਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਸਾਰ ॥
Nirbẖa­o saḏā ḏa­i­āl hai sabẖnā karḏā sār.
The Fearless Lord is forever Merciful; He takes care of all.

ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੁਝੀਐ ਪਾਈਐ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥੫॥੩॥੩੬॥
Nānak gurmukẖ bujẖī­ai pā­ī­ai mokẖ ḏu­ār. ||5||3||36||
O Nanak, the Gurmukh understands, and finds the Door of Liberation. ||5||3||36||
(Ang 27)

Mata jee talked about her diet and about people eating meat. She said, "Son, I only eat twice a day. Morning and evening. One 'parshaadaa' (roti) with one 'daal' (lentils) - that's it. It keeps me going. I look at these women nowadays and they have red faces. I ask them, "Child! Do you eat meat?" They say "Yes." They have red looking faces because they eat meat and gulp down chicken legs..." Waheguru.
ਗੈਬਾਨ ਹੈਵਾਨ ਹਰਾਮ ਕੁਸਤਨੀ ਮੁਰਦਾਰ ਬਖੋਰਾਇ ॥
Gaibān haivān harām kusṯanī murḏār bakẖorā­ė.
Like a goblin and a beast, the world kills the forbidden and eat dead carcasses of animals.
(Ang 723)

"...People ask, "Mata jee how is your face red." I saw with Guru's Grace my face is red with Naam and Bani and your face is red by eating dead animals. Guru is Great. Satguru, the True Guru looks after us. May we never forget him or leave him. The more we do, the little it is. Waheguru."
ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਨਿ ਆਪਣਾ ਹਉ ਸਦ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਤਾਸੁ ॥
Saṯgur sėvan āpṇā ha­o saḏ balihārī ṯās.
I am forever a sacrifice to those who serve their True Guru.

ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਨ ਮੁਖ ਉਜਲੇ ਜਿਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ॥੩੧॥
Nānak ṯin mukẖ ujlė jin anṯar nām pargās. ||31||
O Nanak, radiant and bright are the faces of those whose inner beings are illuminated with the Light of the Naam. ||31||
(Ang 1413)

Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Pyaare. It is amazing how Guru Sahib causes us to meet such wonderful people with great lives. Despite her old age and looking frail, she wakes up Amrit-vela every day and has a cold bath before doing Naam Simran and reading Gurbani. Her family said that they try to persuade her to not to have a cold bath or struggle to get up in the morning, but she doesn't listen to anyone and continues to quietly and with a smile carry on with her Bhagti. She memorised Gurbani as a child and always urges to do extra Banis for Nitnem. Waheguru. May Guru Sahib bless us all with such grace, faith, and love to remember Waheguru, keep Rehat (code of discipline), read Bani and Jap Naam. Guru Raakhaa.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Waheguru!!

That was amazing it bought a tear to my eye. I just love Sikhi, Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dhan Dhan Teri Sikhi.

Bole So Nihal Sat Siri Akal!!!!

p.s. Stay in Chardi Kala.

Prabhu Singh said...

Thanks for sharing this story, it is nice.
WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa, WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!