Gurgaddi Diwas of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee

ਏਕੋ ਸਬਦੁ ਏਕੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਵਰਤੈ ਸਭ ਏਕਸੁ ਤੇ ਉਤਪਤਿ ਚਲੈ ॥
Ėko sabaḏ ėko parabẖ varṯai sabẖ ėkas ṯė uṯpaṯ cẖalai.
The One Shabad, the Word of the One God, is prevailing everywhere. All the creation came from the One Lord.
(Ang 1334)

October 20th marks the Gurgaddi diwas of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee, when the Tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh jee Maharaaj rested Guru-ship in the eternal Guru of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee. Saariaa nu Gurpurb di Vaadhaayee Hove!

A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PASSING OF GURUSHIP
TO SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JEE

Kartarpur Bir

During Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee's Guru-ship, Baba Deep Singh along with 24 other Singhs went to Dheer Mal (the grandson of the Sixth Guru) to ask him to return the Kartarpur Bir (the original Aad Granth Sahib jee that Guru Arjan Sahib jee compiled) that he had forcibly taken during the time of Guru Hargobind Sahib jee. Dheer Mal refused and replied, "If your Guru is the same 'Roop' (form) as the first and fifth Guru Sahibs, then why doesn't he fashion Gurbaani from memory?"

Damdami Bir

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee stayed Talwandi Sabo (known as Sri Damdama Sahib today) for 9 months and 9 days in 1706 and dictated the entire Aad Granth Sahib jee with the addition of the Ninth Nanak, Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib jee's revealed Bani (sacred hymns), whilst Bhai Mani Singh jee undertook the task of scribing under Guru Sahib's supervision. Undoubtedly, Guru Sahib got rid of certain unauthorised writings which had crept into some pirated copies and gave the Granth (Scripture) it's final form. As this Bir (Volume) was compiled by Guru Sahib at Sri Damdama Sahib, in Southern Panjab, this final form of the Granth Sahib jee became known as the 'Damdami Bir'.

Resting Guru-ship in the Guru Granth-Guru Panth
This Bir was then taken to Sri Hazoor Sahib, NandeR, in 1708 by Guru Gobind Singh jee. In an old text called 'Nanak Chandr Udai Mahaa-kavyan' (ਨਾਨਕ ਚੰਦ੍ਰ ਉਦੈ ਮਹਾਕਵਯੰ) written by Pandit Raaj Sharma, it says that Sikhs asked Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj before he physically left his body, "Who is Guru now? To whom should we bow? Whom should we have Darshan of and of whom should we contemplate?" Guru Gobind Singh Jee Mahaaraaj replied that "the Granth is the Guru. Do it's Darshan. Bow your head before it and do contemplation of it to illuminate the path."

'Gurū Kīān Sākhīān' describes Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee conferring Guru-ship to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee:

“Guru Jee asked Daya Singh, “Bhai Sikha, go and fetch Sri Granth Jee, we have to endow Guruship.” On getting the command, Bhai Daya Singh brought Sri Granth Jee and auspiciously opened and displayed it. One Sikh prepared the parshaad and placed it on a stool nearby. After the supplication, Satguru Jee prepared to pass on Guruship. Guru Sahib took five paise, the coins and a coconut in his hand. Sat on the bedstead and asked Daya Singh, “Place them in front of Sri Granth Jee” and expounded:
“With the directive of the Almighty, initiated is the Panth,
All the Sikhs are decreed to acknowledge Granth as Guru,
Believing in Khalsa, epitomises the Guru as corporeal.
Sikhs desirous to achieve me, (may) search in them.”
(p. 220-221)

Guru Sahib's instruction was:

ਆਤਮਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਵਿਚ
ਸਰੀਰ ਪੰਤ ਵਿਚ
ਪਰਚਾ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦਾ
ਦੀਦਾਰ ਖਾਲਸੇ ਦਾ
ਓਟ ਅਕਾਲ ਕੀ

"The Spirit is in the Guru Granth,
The body in the (Khalsa) Panth,
Understand the Shabad,
Seek the glorious sight of the Khalsa,
Take support from the Immortal (God)."

Happy Gurpurb to everyone.

Small Accident with Frying Pan!

On Sunday I came back home from an Anand Kaaraj and felt peckish. So I decided to get the frying pan out and make something to eat. I put some Ghio (Ghee) in the pan and put the heat up on the pan. I didn't realise that the pan was burning hot by now! As I put the food in the pan the Ghee spurt out and went on my hand. Waheguru! It felt as if I had stung my hand and that's it. I put my hand under water. But in a few minute my hand felt like it was BURNING and the skin went white. Waheguru!

Now I wasn't feeling too hungry and nor could I really eat my food since my hand was feel painful. It reminded me of my university days in London. I was living at Halls of Residence and I decided to warm up some vegetables in a plastic container in the microwave. I should have left it for 2 minutes to cool down before touching but I quickly got it out the microwave and suddenly the container slipped out of my hand. All the boiling hot vegetables landed straight on my hand. I kept my hand under cold water for a few minutes but as soon as I got it out of water my hand was throbbing with pain. So I had to get a jug of water and keep my hand in there. That time, the whole palm of my hand was burnt! My room mates told me to go to the doctor (which was a 15 minute walk away).

The embarrassing thing was that because my hand was so painful when I took it out of the water, I had to carry the jug of water with my hand in it whilst I walked to the university campus doctor. I looked like a right wally, and yes people were staring at me wandering why on earth I was walking on Waterloo bridge with my hand in a jug of water! (I was trying to be discrete but I don't think it worked! lol). The doctor found it funny that I walked into her surgery room with a jug of water. But she was sympathetic and gave some pain killers. My hand looked RED and looked as if someone had burnt it with a hot iron!

Back to Sunday's story. So it turned out that the burn was on my fingers. My dad gave me some frozen peas in a tub to my hand in. The ice cold peas gave so much comfort. I didn't feel any pain while my hand was in the frozen peas (but yes I looked like a wally!). In the evening the family all did Rehraas. Whilst Rehraas I had to wave my hand about to give it some air to cool it down because it was still stinging with pain. But as soon as we stood for Ardaas the pain went. It was quite astonishing. Maharaaj's Kirpaa!

During that day, I thought to myself that I have just got a minor burn to my fingers and feeling pain and discomfort, but what about Guru Arjan Sahib jee and the beloved GurSikhs who sat in deghs (cauldrons) of hot boiling water, who were burnt on hot iron plates and wrapped in cotton wool and sit alight, and who were fried alive in boiling hot oil. I had just felt a slight fraction of the physical pain that those tortures would have felt.

In Gurbani we read:

ਦੁਖੁ ਦਾਰੂ ਸੁਖੁ ਰੋਗੁ ਭਇਆ ਜਾ ਸੁਖੁ ਤਾਮਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥

Ḏukẖ ḏārū sukẖ rog bẖa­i­ā jā sukẖ ṯām na ho­ī.
Suffering is the medicine, and pleasure the disease, because where there is pleasure, there is no desire for God.

ਤੂੰ ਕਰਤਾ ਕਰਣਾ ਮੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਾ ਹਉ ਕਰੀ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੧॥

Ŧūʼn karṯā karṇā mai nāhī jā ha­o karī na ho­ī. ||1||
You are the Creator Lord; I can do nothing. Even if I try, nothing happens. ||1||
(Ang 469)

It is amazing how "Dukh" (pain) reminds us of Guru Sahib and Waheguru. Because of getting slightly burnt my mind turned to think of Guru Sahib and the Great GurSikh Shaheeds.


Master of Martyrs, Guru Arjan Sahib jee, who was boiled, made to sit on hot iron plates, and hot sand was poured over his body.


Bhai Dayala jee who was boiled alive in a cauldron of boiling water.


Bhai Gurdev Singh who was pierced with red hot iron rods and was made to sit in a boiling hot tub to be boiled alive.

ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਕਾਟਿ ਕਾਟਿ ਸਭੁ ਅਰਪੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਅਗਨੀ ਆਪੁ ਜਲਾਈ ॥੪॥

Ŧan man kāt kāt sabẖ arpī vicẖ agnī āp jalā­ī. ||4||
(O Waheguru! For the sake of Your love and Darshan, if need be) I would cut my mind and body apart into pieces, and offer them all; I would (even) burn myself in fire. ||4||
(Ang 757)

Just as the cold peas or the jug of cold water had given me comfort and the stopped the pain (even though physically the burn was still throbbing), similarly Guru Sahib and the great Shaheed GurSikhs were immune to the pain inflicted on them by the tortures they faced because they had the comfort of Naam and GurBani. Waheguru! It such an amazing thought.

ਮਹਾ ਕਸਟ ਕਾਟੈ ਖਿਨ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਰਸਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਚਿਤਾਰੇ ॥

Mahā kashtt kāttai kẖin bẖīṯar rasnā nām cẖiṯārė.
The one who repeats Waheguru's Name with his tongue, the Lord removes their most terrible pains in an instant.

ਸੀਤਲ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਸੂਖ ਹਰਿ ਸਰਣੀ ਜਲਤੀ ਅਗਨਿ ਨਿਵਾਰੇ ॥੧॥

Sīṯal shāʼnṯ sūkẖ har sarṇī jalṯī agan nivārė. ||1||
In the Lord's Sanctuary there is soothing coolness, peace and tranquility, and the burning fire (of desires and corruption) is extinguished. ||1||
(Ang 210)

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Guru Ke Pyaare!

Sikh School in Paris

It's that time of year that everyone has started school, college or university.

Whilst in the UK we can wear a Dastaar to school, in France there is still a ban on the Dastaar. Some 10,000 French Sikh Sangat live in France. Six Sikh boys have been expelled from French schools since the controversial law banning religious symbols was passed in 2004. Several Sikh boys have dropped out of mainstream education in protest.

With Guru Sahib's Kirpaa, on Saturday 15th September the first Sikh school in the whole of Europe was opened in Bobigny, in the suburbs of Paris, in the wake of the tough laws banning the wearing of religious symbols and keeping the head covered in state schools. The complex in which the Sikh was opened was bought by Bhai Gurdial Singh who spearheaded the idea of an independent Sikh school where children could come wearing full Sikh Bana (attire) and pass successfully through education with opportunities of further education. The school offers primary, secondary and university level education.

The school inauguration was attend by the former Panthic Jathedaar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Bhai Sahib Ranjit Singh, and other Sikh leaders from across UK and Europe as well as French politicians and media.


The school is part of the 'Shere Panjab' complex which includes the school, a business school for higher education and a building workshop that offers employment.


Giani jee from Singh Sabha Gurdwara Bobigny doing Keertan in the school building.


Jathedaar Ranjit Singh jee speaking in the Diwaan.

Bhai Gurdial Singh and Mayor of Bobigny inaugrating the school.

The Sikh school will start with fewer than 15 pupils but it is hoped that a Sikh college will open later in the year to allow older boys to take business qualifications. Although the school has celebrated its inauguration, it is awaiting to start classes because it is still waiting for a final approval from the local education authority.

May Guru Sahib bless the youngsters of France and other places where the law doesn't permit them to wear a Dastaar in schools or keep their head covered yet they keep in Chardi Kalaa. May Waheguru do kirpaa. I know some of the Amritdhari Naujawan are facing very tough problems at school and university. It's a test of faith. Guru Sahib Ang Sang Sahaaee Hovan.

Duisburg Camp, Germany (Final Part)

Continued...

On Sunday 30th September a special Diwaan was held for the completion of the camp. Former Panthic Jathedaar of Sri Akaal Takht Sahib, Bhai Sahib Ranjit Singh jee, attended the Diwaan. He arrived from France with the French Sangat on the Saturday night and attended the Rainsbai Keertan as well. Jathedaar Bhai Ranjit Singh jee is known for his seva of delivering justice to the Nakli Nirankari Guru who insulted the Sikh Gurus and murdered 13 innocent GurSikh protestors on Vaisakhi 1978. You can read more about the history here.



The Sangat on Sunday.

First there was Sukhmani Sahib Paath followed by Chaa da Langar. Afterwards the Diwaan started again with children performing Keertan. After Keertan, the 11-14 years old group and 15-18 years old group sang Dharmik Geet that they had rehearsed and practiced during the camp. This was followed by the Jathedaar Sahib receiving a Siropa and then the children receiving awards.


Bhenji Sunny Kaur and Bhenji Sarbjeet Kaur singing a Shabad.


Bhenji Prabhjot Kaur singing a Shabad.


The elder group of girls sang a Dharmik Geet about Shaheedi and Kurbani (martyrdom and sacrifice) through praising the Shaheeds of Sikh History like Bhai Mani Singh jee and Bhai Taru Singh jee.


The 11-14 years old group sang a Dharmik Geet about being proud to be Sikh and how the Khalsa is the most unique and beautiful in the whole world.



Sangat.


Baba Nirmal Singh jee (President of the Gurdwara Sahib) delivering a talk.


Jathedaar Bhai Ranjit Singh jee.


The trophies for the campers.


Campers.


Bhenji Ravinder Kaur receiving her certificate and trophy.


Waheguru. This is Sooraj Singh! He is a special child. The first day I saw him, Bhajee Ranjit Singh jee told me that in a previous camp Sooraj wanted to keep his Kesh and announced he would not cut his Kesh. However, in this camp he still had short hair. During the Q&A session Bhajee Ranjeet Singh jee asked who wants to take Amrit, if so stand up. Sooraj stood up. Bhajee asked "... if you want to take Amrit, why did you cut your hair?" He was very sad and quietly said, "I wanted to keep my Kesh. My hair got long. But my dad got scissors and cut my Kesh." Waheguru. His mother was there and they said they done this out of ignorance because they thought Sooraj would face problems at school. Just to add, Sooraj's family background is not Sikh. With Guru's Kirpaa, his mother agreed that they would support Sooraj now in becoming a Sikh.

Waheguru. In the camp we discussed that before taking Amrit and making such a big step one should at least from now start to live like an Amritdhari, keep Rehit, wake up Amrit-Vela, do Nitnam and Naam Abhiyaas daily, and wear 5 Ks. It was emphasised that Amrit is not cheap and nor is it a game that you take Amrit and then decide to give up Rehit and that turning one's back to the Guru intentionally committing a Bajjar Kurehit will result in one's face being blackened here and hereafter and suffering the pain of leaving the Guru's blessings. Hearing this Sooraj said, "Bhajee please please can you get me Sarbloh (iron) Kara?" Then everday till the camp ended he said, "Please give me a Kachhera to wear. I want to take Amrit. Can you give Amrit tommorrow morning. Please. Do you have a Kachhera and a Dastaar that I can keep? Please. Please wake me up at Amrit-Vela so that I can keep Amrit-Vela and then take Amrit." His CONSTANT persistance for a Kachhera, Kara, a Dastaar and for the gift of Amrit made anyone who heard it feel in Bairaag and moved! Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Guru Ke Piyaare. His smiling face is unforgetable.

Sukhwinder Singh bhajee taught him how to tie a Dumalla and showed him how to make a fake jooraa. lol. (underneath his rumaal, Bhajee placed another rumall rolled up into ball). He was over the moon that it looked like he had a Jooraa and he was happy to get a Khandaa to put on his dumallaa.

Unfortunately there weren't any spare Kachhera (obviously I wasn't going to give my worn Kachheray!!). He agreed that when he next has holidays and going to India, he will get Kachheray sown. Waheguru. Just to add, Sooraj was only 10 years old. Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Guru Ke Piayaare!


Keertan towards the end of the Diwaan.


Atwal Uncle jee (part of the Gurdwara Parbandhaks), Jathedaar jee and Baba Nirmal Singh (President of the Gurdwara Sahib)


Very inspirational camp. Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teri Sikh!

Duisburg Gurmat Camp, Germany (Part 2)

Continued...

This was the timetable for the camp which was posted up on the wall in the Langar Hall. It was quite funny that some people mistakenly thought it was a "Jantree" (calendar with Gurpurb and Sangrand dates) and went closer to have a look.


8 to 10 years old class on Mudhlee Vidiyaa (basic knowledge of Gurmat).


Elder group's photo on a trip outside.


Shastars used for Gatka


Bhajee Ranjit Singh jee and Veer Damandeep Singh doing a demonstration.


Amritpal Singh and Lakhpreet Singh doing Gatka.


Bhai Maha Singh jee leading Gatka class.



Bhajee Ranjeet Singh jee taught children about the different Raags and how to find different music to a Shabad within a Raag. There was a lot of terminology and theory! It's always refreshing to see the European children's love for Keertan and learning Gurmat Sangeet.


Gurbaani Santhiyaa class for 11 to 14 years old, led by Bhajee Sukhwinder Singh


Q & A class.


On the last day of the camp there was a dastaar tying competition for all the girls and boys. The girls tied better dastaars than the boys! It was was impressive to see the different styles of Dastaars and the pride taken in tying it.

On Saturday 29th September there was a Rainsbai Keertan in the evening. First there was a Gatka demonstration performed by the campers followed by Rehraas Sahib and then the Rainsbai Keertan. The majority of the Keertan was done by the youngsters. The Keertan was done in Chardi Kalaa and sung beautifully. Also Bhai Jasvir Singh Khalsa (Paris), Bhai Sukhwinder Singh (UK) and others performed Keertan.


Pinky Bhenji doing Keertan.


Bhenji Kiranpreet Kaur & Bhenji Komalpreet Kaur doing Keertan.


Young Bhenji doing Keertan. She is only 6 years old!


The young Bhenji looking in Chardi Kalaa!


Group photo with Bhajee Barinder Singh from Cologne (left) and Bhajee Karamveer Singh from Paris (right)


Sangat.


Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee.


Bhai Jasveer Singh Khalsa (Paris) doign Keertan.


Sangat.


Bhajee Sukhwinder Singh (UK) doing Keertan.

(More photos of the Rainsbai Kirtan on Flickr)

To be continued...