ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ । Pehila Prakaash (First Reading) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji...

Gurbani is the Word of God. Vahiguru revealed His Word through the bodies of 6 Gurus, 6 Bhagats (devotee-saints), 11 Batt (poet-saints), and 3 Sikhs. Although there are 35 bodies through which Gurbani was revealed, the author or voice speaking in all the revelations is the one and the same. Truly, Vahiguru is the author, the one who is speaking. 

When Gurbani was revealed, each Guru or Bhagat would write down the Bani (Word) in a Pothi (small scriptural volume). Guru Nanak Dev Ji used to keep his Pothi with him on his travels. This is evidenced by Bhai Gurdaas Ji who writes about Guru Nanak Dev Ji visiting Mecca as follows:

ਪੁਛਨਿ ਫੋਲਿ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਨੋ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਵਡਾ ਕਿ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨੋਈ  ।

"They asked Baba Nanak to open and search in his book whether Hindu is great or the Muslim."
(Vaar 1, Pauree 33)

Guru Arjan Dev Ji did the task of gathering all the written revelations of the previous Gurus and Bhagats. Bhai Mohan Ji, the son of Guru Amar Das Ji, had the Pothis of the previous Gurus. After accepting the request of Guru Ji, Bhai Mohan Ji brought these Pothis to Amritsar on a Palki Sahib (palanquin) with full-respect.

 After receiving this Pothis, Guru Arjan Dev Ji dictated all the Bani and Bhai Gurdaas Ji did the task of scribing it in a single-bounded scripture. To remind humanity that the author of Bani is the One, regardless of whose body the Gurbani was revealed. For this reason Bhagat Bani is given the same respect and authority as the Bani revealed through the Gurus. This task was completed on 31st August 1604. This single-bounded scripture was called 'Aad Granth Sahib' and 'Pothi Sahib'. 'Aad' means the beginning or first. As this scripture was the first form of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, as the final form was given by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, it was called the 'Aad Granth Sahib Ji'.

On 1st September 1604, Guru Arjan Dev Ji brought Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Aad Granth Sahib Ji) to Sri Darbar Sahib to have it installed on the holy-throne. Baba Buddha Ji was chosen to carry the Holy-Volume and Guru Ji waved the royal-whisk over it to show the respect of a king. 

The Prakaash (opening) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was performed, followed by a Hukamnama (holy-reading). At this point Guru Arjan Dev Ji sat on the floor. Since this time, whenever Guru Granth Sahib Ji was installed on the throne, the Guru would always sit on a lower platform to show that Gurbani is more important than the physical body of the Guru. The same things done today to show respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji were actually practised by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji used to live with his family at Gurdwara Guru Ka Mehal in Amritsar. However, after the first Prakaash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji slept in the same place where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was kept for rest. The place were Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was kept for rest was called 'Kottha Sahib'. In this place, Guru Ji placed Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji on bed, whilst he himself slept on a sheet laid out on the floor. This was the ultimate humility of the Guru. Guru Ji showed the faithful how to respect and honour Gurbani and how never to forget how important Gurbani and the scripture containing Gurbani is.

Today in Sikh History: 30th August

In Sikh history, 30th August marks the extraordinary martyrdom of an extraordinary Singh. “Anokh” means extraordinary. On 30th August 1987 Bhai Anokh Singh Ji Babbar was martyred by the then Punjab Police. According to the written account of his martyrdom in the book “Te Deeva Jaagda Rahegaa” (written by Bhai Amardeep Singh Amar), every bone of Bhai Anokh Singh Ji’s body had been broken through torture, yet the saintly-lion kept chanting God’s Name, “Vahiguru”. Bhai Sahib awoke from consciousness to see darkness, to later realise that the barbaric torturers had ripped out both of his eyes. When he asked the prison guard what the time was, he replied “7.15pm”. Bhai Sahib said, “time for ‘Rehraas Sahib’ (name of the evening Sikh prayer)”. Bhai Sahib began reciting Bani (sacred prayer). 

On completing the Bani, he wanted to stand for Ardaas (standing prayer) but unable to as they had tortured him so badly. Whilst sitting he prayed to Vahiguru that he was blessed to have had such a peaceful and happy day passing in His Divine-Will and may the night also pass happily in His Will. Not being able to tolerate Bhai Sahib reciting “Vahiguru” over again, the torturers cut off Bhai Sahib’s tongue.

Scene from movie 'Toofan Singh' depicting Bhai Anokh Singh Ji Babbar's martyrdom

 

A true example of a saint-soldier who never gave up on his Nitnem (daily prayers) or Simran (meditation upon the Lord’s Name) even when faced with the most evilest tortures imaginable. Bhai Sahib’s shaheedi (martyrdom) shows the extremes of humankind. On one end the tortures show how low humankind can go in cold-heartedly destroying life. On the other hand Bhai Anokh Singh shows how amazing humankind can be in being selfless in happily risking and sacrificing one’s life to protect and defend others.

“Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Pyaare” (blessed is the Guru, and blessed are the Beloveds of the Guru). The spiritual life, seva (selfless service) and shaheedi (martyrdom) of Bhai Sahib will continue to inspire the lovers of humanity and God.🙏🏻.

ਰਖੜੀ ਦਾ ਤਿਉਹਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਸਿੱਖੀ ~ The festival of Rakhri and Sikhs...

"I just want Baba Ji's prize..."

Every Monday, there is a children's class at my local Gurdwara Sahib. Before the school summer-holidays began, I told the children that whoever has a shower and reads or listens to Japji Sahib before they have breakfast during the 6 week holiday period will get a prize. I explained that I will give them the small prize, and the big prize will be given by Guru Ji (i.e. Guru Sahib's blessings).

This Monday, at the end of class, one young girl, aged 7, with her mother and sister stayed behind to talk to me. The girls' mother shared that usually she struggled to wake up her 7 year old daughter to go school and she always asked for some more time to sleep. She said, "However, during these holidays, I have been shocked how I just need to say one time about waking up and she will jump out of bed and say 'Vahiguru time'." Her mother explained that she has a shower herself everyday in the holidays and has then come up to her and said, "Mum, its Vahiguru time." Her mum will sit with her and read Japji Sahib, whilst she listens, followed by an Ardaas, and then they have breakfast.

When her mum mentioned prizes. Her 7 year-old daughter said, "I don't want Bhaji to give me a prize. I just want Baba Ji's (Guru Nanak Dev Ji's) prize." Her mum asked, "What prize do you want from Baba Ji?" She said, "I want Baba Ji to give me a huggy-hug!" Her mum became emotional and was taken aback by what prize the child wanted for waking up in the morning and listening to Japji Sahib. The 7 year-old went on to say, "But mum, as Baba Ji is invisible and we can't see him... will Baba Ji able to give me a huggy-hug?" 

I looked at 7 year-old with her smile and thought of her innocent love she had for Guru Sahib and said, "I am sure, Guru Sahib will give you a very big huggy-hug, if that's what you want!"

Bibi Gur Kaur reciting a Dharmik Geet in December 2018