Thursday, June 23, 2011

Does Guru ever die?



I wanted to share something that I came across when I was marking my Year 8 student's assessment work. We watched "The Life of Guru Nanak" video animation and then based on that there was an assessment where students had to describe the different saaakhis (stories) and the teachings and message that one can learn from it. One student, a non-Sikh who didn't know much about Sikhi previously, wrote something very moving when describing the last scene of the video when Guru Nanak Dev jee leaves his earthly body and giving her explanation of it. She wrote:
"...People thought Guru Nanak had died. But they were silly to think this. How can the Guru die? If God does not die, then Guru cannot die because Guru Nanak had the sparkle of God in his eyes. Guru Nanak is part of God, so Guru can never die. I think that the Guru just fades away and comes back but he never goes. Guru didn't die. He faded away and came back as the next Guru..."

Reading this 12 year old's work put a smile on a face. I think she understood Sikhi more than some of us that are born in Sikh families. There were some really good work from some of the other students as well.

ਆਪਿ ਨਰਾਇਣੁ ਕਲਾ ਧਾਰਿ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਪਰਵਰਿਯਉ ॥
aap naraaiṇ kalaa ḏẖaar jag mėhi parvariyo.
The Lord Himself wielded His Power and entered the world.

ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰਿ ਆਕਾਰੁ ਜੋਤਿ ਜਗ ਮੰਡਲਿ ਕਰਿਯਉ ॥
nirankaar aakaar joṯ jag mandal kariyo.
The Formless Lord took form (as Guru Nanak Dev Jee), and with His Light He illuminated the realms of the world.
(Ang 1385)




Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

wjkk wjkf,
im sorry i want to ask someone else i didnt know where i could ask this. Its about khalsa camp. My mom and nanny want to come along too ( we live outside uk) but the obstacle for them is that majority lectures are in english. Is the camp recommended for them? If they wont come along, me and my sisters wont be able to come to the khalsa camp. I hope u guys will try to speak more punjabi.

Manvir Singh (UK) said...

Vaheguru Jee.

There will be talks and workshops in Punjabi.

Bhai Surjit Singh Jee's talk and workshops are in Punjabi, Giani Kulwinder Singh does Hukamnama Vichaar and workshops in Punjabi, Bhai Raghbir Singh Jee & Bhai Jarnail Singh Jee will be doing workshops in Punjabi also. So there will be something for both English and Punjabi speaking campers :)

Anonymous said...

thank you very much for your reply. Were looking forward to this camp!

Amrik Singh said...

Fatheh Veer Ji, I am a new comer into Sikhi, only started growing my hair...

I was reading a few Sikh blogs online and came across yours and one by kamalroop singh, I think.

I'm going to a retreat soon that him and Davinder Panesar are apparently sharing...

I've heard some interesting views on these individuals... would you possibly know anything as you seem to be a well versed individual..

Manvir Singh (UK) said...

Vaheguru Ji. I can only recommend camps I have attended and am attending which I found to be inspirational for campers which are Boss Sikhi Camp and Khalsa Camp.

Vaheguru