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. 3shall 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. 4shall 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. 6That 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. 20O Nanak! By the Hukam of God's Command, we come and go in reincarnation. 20(Ang 4)

Click here to read more about this topic.

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...)

Episode 8 of India Travels: Trip to Hazoor Sahib

On day 14 of the trip, 9th July 2003, my mum, taayee jee (aunt) and I went to Hazoor Sahib, which is where Sri Guru Gobind Singh jee left his physical body leaving Guruship solely in the hands of the Guru Granth & Guru Panth. Sri Hazoor Sahib (which is in Abachal Nagar, NandeR, Maharashtra) is one of the Five Takhats (thrones of authority) in the Sikh nation.

We boarded the 'Sachkhand Express' train from Jalandhar, which went directly to Hazoor Sahib in 27 hours (2 days), stopping on various stations on the way. The journey was "eventful"! We should have got FIRST CLASS seats but out of ignorance we got SECOND CLASS. Dear me! The seats were okay at first but after four or five hours, my backside was NUMB (despite the seats being soft). Sat Naam!


The food! Waheguru, Waheguru. We had brought Daal Sabjee and Roti from home (Rab Da Shukar). There was a waiter on the train who kept on coming to us and saying "CHINESE NOODLES". He was hillarious. Every 15 minutes he would come and ask "CHINESE NOODLES". I notice Indians are obsessed with NOODLES. I prefer to stick with good old Roti and Daal Sabjee. It was beautiful to see Gursikhs giving out Guru-Ka-Langar at Delhi and Gwalior train station. Click here to to read a nice article about how a non-Sikh came across these Gurdwara sewadaars distributing Langar on the trains.


At night time we lied down on the seats and went to sleep. At Amrit-vela we woke up and washed our faces and did Nitnem on the train. As we started Nitnem a police officer standing near by lighted up a cigarret and started to smoke. I didn't know where the smoke was coming from. Next thing I know, a Hindu man sitting near us gets up and goes up to the police officer and says, "Please stop smoking. You are standing near Sikhs. They are praying." The police officer immediately distinguished his cigarret and said "sorry" to us. It was very nice to see the Hindu gentleman be so courteous and respectful. Waheguru!


There were a lot of "DODGEY" people walking around on the train, from beggars to men dressed up as women clapping their hands up and down the train! Waheguru! Rab Rakha!


To be continued...

When I Was at College

Article which I came across on Panthic Weekly:
---------


When I was at college, I was just one of the guys. I drank, smoked, did drugs, played with the girls and I used to love it! I was trying to get the best looking girls and thinking I was the man. I would shave my head every Sunday with a razor and kept my goatee trim for Monday! I would also show off my tattoos to the girls and thought I was Tupac’s brother!

One day, when I was bunking off my lessons as usual at college, one of my mates had kept his Kes (hair) and wore a Dastar (turban). I went up to him, and said “Bruv, what are you doing? You ain’t gonna get the girls like that. Why have you kept your hair and beard?” You see I never had a clue about Sikhi. He said to me “Do you know your Guru?” I just looked at him with a blank face! He then asked me “Do you know your 10 Gurus in order” You know what I said? I shamefully said, “I know the first one! What’s his name again?”

My friend then said to me “Just find out about your Gurus and you will see.” That thought had kept going through my head, I didn’t know why, but it kept ringing in my ears, “Find out about your Gurus and you will see!” So I thought, why not? I know more about Islam and Christianity than my own faith. I went home and picked up a book about the 10 Gurus and couldn’t stop from reading it. I felt so at peace with Guru jee’s teachings I felt like crying with joy.

What I found in Guru jee’s teachings I could find nowhere else, in no other religion. Guru jee was pulling me closer and closer. Guru jee had taught his Sikhs to meditate on God’s Name “Waheguru”, so I thought “Why not and try it?". I went to a Simran (meditation) program, where people of my age engaged in reciting Waheguru’s name and I felt so at peace that I joined in and was touched with love. I could feel Guru jee’s pyaar (love). No other buzz I had felt was as good as this neither alcohol, drugs, nothing else! Nothing had beaten this buzz of, Waheguru’s name.


After that I just wanted to get closer to Guru jee, Guru Granth Sahib jee. I took that step and it was the best thing I had ever done. I wanted to know more and more. I was so in love. I read the inspiring stories of the Singhs and Singhnees. I read about the equality between man and woman in Sikhi. Believe! It’s just beautiful!


We just need to take that step towards Guru jee. My step was my friend who kept his Kes and reading simple stories of the Gurus. I took that one step and Guru jee took a thousand steps towards me, with open arms, that I might feel the love of Guru jee.

All I have to say to my brothers and sisters is just take one step towards your Guru; whether it be a book, a simran CD, or just reciting Waheguru with pure love, and you will see! You will see Guru jee taking a thousand steps towards you! Just take ten minutes of your busy schedule to learn about Sikhi. You are the future. You are the future Sikhs. We have to know about our roots. If we stop learning and caring about Sikhi then where will we be in twenty years time?
Guru jee loves you. He is our father.

Lets show our father appreciation, do Seva, do Simran, help your brothers and sisters, join in the Sikh society at college or uni, bring your mates along to Sikhi Week events and talks, and help at the Gurdwara.

If I have made any mistakes, please forgive me and I offer my humble apologies.

Waheguru jee Ka KhalsaWaheguru jee Kee Fateh

A Gursikh of the Panth

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Waheguru!

Dhan Bhagat Ravidaas jee!

Today is the Prakaash Diwas (birth day) of Bhagat Ravidaas jee. Lakh Lakh Vadhaayee to everyone on this day. Below is a short article on Bhagat Ravidaas jee:

Bhagat Ravidaas jee mahaaraaj, poet and Divine mystic, was born on 24th February 1378CE to Bhai Maan Daas jee and Mata Dhurbinia jee. They lived near the city of Varanasi. Bhagat jee was born in a so-called low-caste family of "Chamaars", whose profession was making leather and shoes. Gradually he started spending most of his time in the sangat (company) of saints and Sadhus and built himself a thatched hut wherein he received and entertained wandering holy people. Many stories became current about Bhagat jee's simplicity and holy nature.

According to general belief, he was a follower of Bhagat Swami Ramanand jee sahib. In spite of his so-called low caste, Bhagat Ravidaas jee rose to a position of great honour through a life of simplicity and piety. He never felt ashamed of his birth (into a so-called low caste) and fearlessly faced the Panddits (Hindu scholars), who were proud of their high caste. He told them that spiritual greatness is achieved through a loving devotion to Waheguru and the attainment of Waheguru's grace. Bhagat jee says in Gurbani:

ਨਾਗਰ ਜਨਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਬਿਖਿਆਤ ਚੰਮਾਰੰ ॥
naagar janaaN meree jaat bikhi-aat chamaaraN.
O people of the town, I am obviously a 'Chamaar', a shoe-maker.

ਰਿਦੈ ਰਾਮ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਗੁਨ ਸਾਰੰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ridai raam gobind gun saaraN. 1. rahaa-o.
Within my mind, I contemplate the Pervading Waheguru and meditate on virtues of the world-Lord. Pause.
(Ang 1293)

In the course of his spiritual quest, he reached a stage when he discarded images and idols and turned to the worship of the One Supreme Being, Waheguru. He reached God-consciousness (Brahm-Gyaan) and experienced Waheguru. Through Bhagat jee Gurbani was revealed. Forty of Bhagat jee's shabads (hymns) have been incorporated in Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee by Guru Arjan Dev jee.

Bhagat Ravidaas jee travelled fairly widely and visited Rajastan, Gujrat, Andhdra Pradesh, Maharashtra besides a number of places in the northern India such as Prayab, Mathura, Brindavan Hardwar, Gurgaon and Multan. At most of these places, there are monuments honouring his memory. In his lifetime, he had thousands of followers, including members of high castes, among them being the Rajput princess called 'Mirabai'.

Bhagat Ravidaas jee acknowledged that Waheguru all-powerful and is all-pervading. According to Bhagat jee, the human soul is only a particle of the Divine; the difference between the two is like the difference between Gold and the ornament, the water and the wave:

ਤੋਹੀ ਮੋਹੀ ਮੋਹੀ ਤੋਹੀ ਅੰਤਰੁ ਕੈਸਾ ॥
tohee mohee, mohee tohee, antar kaisaa.
You are me, and I am You-what is the difference between us?

ਕਨਕ ਕਟਿਕ ਜਲ ਤਰੰਗ ਜੈਸਾ ॥੧॥
kanak katik, jal tarang jaisaa. 1.
We are like gold and the bracelet, or water and the waves. 1.
(Ang 93)

Message from Teachings:
Bhagat jee rejects distinctions between man and man on the basis of caste or creed, for, as he says, in the world beyond no such differentiations will be acknowledged. Bhagat Jee illustrates in Gurbani that the ultimate end of human life is to become enlightend to realise Waheguru, therefore, one should live life meditating and remembering Waheguru, giving up blind ritualism and blind faith.

Birth in a so-called "low caste" or having low social status is no hindrance in the way to spiritual development. The only condition required in having the experiencing Waheguru is freedom from duality (i.e. giving up the distinction of "I" and "You", and instead realising that "I" is an illusion and that really it is all Waheguru).

ਹਜੂਰੀਆ - The Significance of the Hazooria

I came across this article on Bhaji Daljeet Singh's blog. It is very informative and helps explain the significance of the Hazooria (white material put around the neck). Daas wear's a Hazooria, especially when going to the Gurdwara, however a lot of times people have asked me "Why are you wearing that?"Sometimes people say "Erm... isn't that for Gyani's?" Also when doing sewa in the Gurdwara for example reading Gurbani or doing Chaur Sahib di sewa one has to wear a Hazooria, but some people don't know why we do this. The article below helps to explain the significance of the Hazooria:


Article from Bhaji Daljeet Singh's blog:

Hazooria; hazoor: Being ready; being in presence.

There have been many mahapurkh (spiritual elevated persons) who have worn a hazooria, most of us don't know the real significance of the hazooria, and why we should wear it.

5 Kakaars are the bare minimum and are not the full extent of Khalsa uniform. A hazooria is part of Khalsa uniform. It can be white or blue and past the waist in length. In Mehta Chownk (a Sikh education centre renowned for teaching how to read and understand Gurbani), all singhs have to have a hazooria to enter mahaaraaj's hazoori (Guru jee's presence).

It is part of the tradition of panj kapare (five garments), comprising dastaar (turban), hazooria, long chola (dress), kamar-kasaa (material tied around the waist like a belt) and kachheraa (under-garment). Reference to this has been made by Bhai Gurdaas Jee as well.

A hazooria is a sign of humility and that's why when doing ardaas it's grasped. It is a constant reminder of surrendering your mind to your Guru, along with your punj kakaar. A Hazooria is very practicle. It helps you keep succhamta (cleanliness) when during seva or reading bani. If you want to keep your hands clean when scratching face or picking up something, you can use your hazooria.

Hazooria is usually worn by servants as they serve their master. For Sikhs, it similarly symbolizes servitude to the One and Only One True Master - Akaal Purakh and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

While the kamar-kassaa (material tied around waist like a belt) symbolizes the readiness of a Sikh to do some active seva, or jump into battle the Hazooria is mark of a Sikh's readiness to serve Guruji.


http://mrkhalsa.blogspot.com/2006/02/significance-of-hajooria-hazooria.html