NASA & Gurbani

I came across this audio on DiscoverSikhi.com of vichaar by Bhai Bhagwan Singh Johal, a panthik Sikh scholar and Kathaavachik. If you can understand Panjabi then please listen to the audio below:

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In short, Bhai Bhagwan Singh's talk is the affects of Gurbani on individuals' lives. In one example, he mentions that there have been two Panjabi sisters who have worked as Astronauts at the NASA space station in America - Kalpana Chawla and Sunita William.

Kalpana Chawla was a space shuttle mission specialist. She was the first Panjabi to travel into space. Unfortunately, she was killed on 1st February 2003 with 7 crew members in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Whilst in India, Bhai Bhagwan Singh was in Uttranchal (Haryana) where he met Kalpana Chawla's father, Banarsi Lal Chawla. As you would do, Bhai Bhagwan Singh offered his condolences and shared the grief of the loss of a fellow Punjabi sister.

Kalpana's father was a Hindu, however the family have devotion (shardaa) for the House of Guru Nanak. Bhai Sahib asked Kalpana's father to share something about Kalpana's life with him. He replied that she did Nitnem (daily prayers) every morning (as well as being a vegetarian). The family were fortunate enough to have darshan (glimpse) of the late Baba Nand Singh jee in Uttaranchal. Baba jee had an affect on the family and since then they have practised Nitnem and had love for Gurbani.

"Tell more," said Bhai Bhagwan Singh. The father replied, "Kalpana also recited Japji Sahib whilst she worked, and she recited Japji Sahib in space as well." Guru Nanak Sahib Ji explains in Japji Sahib:

ਪਾਤਾਲਾ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਲਖ ਆਗਾਸਾ ਆਗਾਸ ॥

Pāṯālā pāṯāl lakẖ āgāsā āgās.
There are nether worlds beyond the nether worlds and lacs of skies over skies.

ਓੜਕ ਓੜਕ ਭਾਲਿ ਥਕੇ ਵੇਦ ਕਹਨਿ ਇਕ ਵਾਤ ॥

Oṛak oṛak bẖāl thakė vėḏ kahan ik vāṯ.
The scriptures say one thing: searching for God's limits and bounds, (without success) people have grown weary.
(Ang 5)

Not only did she read this, but she experienced this. Guru Nanak Sahib Ji was also present in space (whilst she read Japji Sahib).


Her father said that he had an opportunity to visit the NASA centre at San Jose, America (in September 2004). During his visit he was shown a volume of an English translation of Guru Granth Sahib jee kept at the NASA library. Her father was told that when scientists get tired of searching and searching the universe, when they seek inspiration and need to uplift their souls they turn to read the translations of Guru Nanak's poetry and divine-songs which magnificently describe the awe and wonder of the Universe. There is no other poetry, no other divine-song, no other Scripture, such as the Bani of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji -- Guru Granth Sahib jee.

4 years old child doing Keertan!

I came across this video of 4 year old child, Bhai Kudrat Singh jee, doing Keertan on the Internet. It from the March 2007 Akhand Keertani Jatha Samaagam in New York. It is a very inspirational and spiritually uplifting to see Guru Sahib's kirpaa (grace) on the child. Blessed are his parents who from an early age have inspired their child on the Path of the Guru and who's own Gursikhi Jeevan has undoubtedly affected the Karams and destiny of the child. Waheguru. Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teri Sikhi.

PART 1



PART 2

ਆਪਿ ਲੀਏ ਲੜਿ ਲਾਇ ਦਰਿ ਦਰਵੇਸ ਸੇ ॥
Āp lī­ė laṛ lā­ė ḏar ḏarvės sė.
Those whom the Lord attaches to the hem of His robe, are the true dervishes (saints) at His Door.

ਤਿਨ ਧੰਨੁ ਜਣੇਦੀ ਮਾਉ ਆਏ ਸਫਲੁ ਸੇ ॥੨॥
Ŧin ḏẖan jaṇėḏī mā­o ā­ė safal sė. ||2||
Blessed are the mothers who gave birth to them, and fruitful is their coming into the world. ||2||
(Ang 488)

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.

Sikh Smaritans rescue family...

Sikh Samaritans rescue NRI, family from mob
Samod Sarngan
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 04:12 IST

A South African family living in Kharghar in Navi Mumbai had a narrow escape from a mob that attacked them following a misunderstanding in a Nerul mall on Sunday night.

The family got a second life when four Sikhs jumped in to shield them from the mob. In fact, a day after the incident, the Sikhs continued to offer their support to the dishevelled NRI family.

Selvin Chetty had gone with his wife and two children, aged 11 and 14, to D-Mart in Nerul to purchase some biscuits but got caught in a communication gap with a saleswoman at the counter.

“In order to show her the particular brand of biscuit he wanted, Chetty caught hold of her hand, causing confusion among the shoppers, who beat up him,” Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Ramrao Wagh told DNA.

Soon a mob, mostly Nerul residents, started raining blows on Chetty. But the assault on Chetty and his desperate attempts to flee from his attackers caught the eye of Gurinder Singh, who too was shopping with his family.

Rushing to the rescue, Singh warded off the mob and tried to fathom the reason for its fury. When he realised that Chetty was innocent and his life was in danger, Singh, his brother, and their friends formed a wall around Chetty and his wife. Like the Chettys, the Sikh families, too, live in Kharghar.

“We couldn’t stand mute witness to the injustice being done to the couple,” said Singh, a transporter. Denying the charge levelled by D-Mart staff that Chetty tried to molest the saleswoman, he said, “We were there. No such thing happened.”

According to Singh, the mob decided to teach the NRI couple a lesson “as they couldn’t converse in Hindi and the mob didn’t understand English”. “They pleaded for mercy, but the mob was unrelenting,” he said.

When Chetty ran out of the mall to save himself, the Sikhs kept pace with him. After the mall management pulled down the shutters, they threw a cordon around the couple.

“If it hadn’t been for the Sikh gentlemen, we wouldn’t have survived the mob violence,” Chetty’s wife Priscilla said tearfully a day after the incident.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1145162

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ਦੇਹਿ ਸ਼ਿਵਾ ਬਰੁ ਮੋਹਿ ਇਹੈ ਸੁਭ ਕਰਮਨ ਤੇ ਕਬਹੂੰ ਨ ਟਰੋਂ ॥
dehi shiva bar mohi eihai shub karman te kabhoo'n na taro
O Gracious Lord! Give me this boon that I never ever shirk from doing good deeds.
(Guru Gobind Singh jee)

Do you like drinking cold water?

I was forwarded this email by Bhai Mehtab Singh jee:

EFFECTS OF COLD WATER

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink a hot drink or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.

You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.

A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this message sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life. Read this & Send the link to a friend. It could save a life. So, please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends you care about.

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Waheguru. Thinking about this, if your diet is anything like mine (daal sabjee (with turkaa) and more daal sabjee (with turkaa), plus parothay now and again) then its very worrying! Amount of ghee and butter Panjabis consume is HUGE. Also traditional Langar at the Gurdwara in the West can be very heavy and oily! But unfortunately its a habit that we serve "cold water" with the food and we tend to drink the cold water whilst eating! So we are not doing our body any favours! (Imagine what the ghee looks like when it solidifies - that is what's happening in our body if we drink cold water with our roti ). I now prefer drinking luke warm water with food (but it can be hard to stick to this when at the Gurdwara or someone's house).

Coventry Cross Roads Gurdwara Camp! (Part 2)

....continued

On Sunday there was a MYSTERY TRIP!!! The trip was to the "Think Tank" in Birmingham. It might sound boring when you hear the name of the place, considering children don't want to "think" too much and like to relax and have fun (just like the adults!). However, I was pleasantly surprised. The trip turned out really good and everyone had fun!

Some photos from the trip (taken from www.SevaToTheMax.com):


Waheguru. This boy was in our group. If you met him, you would never forget him! For some reason he decided to dress like a Sunflower. Rab Raakhaa :)


Sat Naam, Waheguru. The most enjoyable part of the museum was this water area for children to play games. Some decided to splash others with the water and get them wet! Waheguroooooo.



2 young Singhs playing with the water. Bechaare, didn't even splash one another or anything. They were youngest children but acted most sensible with the water. Waheguru.


Looks hi-tech!


The 12+ years group. I was with this group. After this photo, I decided to get on to the metal frame. But as I got on, the museum staff person came over and told me off for being on there. Slightly embarrassing!


Bhai Preetam Singh jee's group.


Lunch time. As usual, in full Coventry style, the Langar was Chardi Kalaa. Buns, spring roles, samosay, even ahloo wale parothay! On top of all that there were (egg free) muffins - fruit ones, chocolate ones... you name it, it was there :)


Bhaji Harjinder Singh jee (looking slightly shocked!) and Bhai Amarjeet Singh jee (aka "Baba jee").


This was the Alien zone area.


This was the "Bubbles and Bang" show. There were plenty of bubbles but not many bangs!


Coach trip going back to the Gurdwara.


It was a really good camp! Everyone enjoyed it. If you didn't come this year, I would definitely recommend coming next year! Every Friday Cross Road's Gurdwara has a Khalsa Club from 6pm till 7pm for children up to 14 years old, and afterwards from 7.30pm till 9pm (every fortnight) there is a class for elder youngsters with Bhai Sahib Joginder Singh jee. So if you're local, try and take benefit of these classes. For more details go on www.SevaToTheMax.com. May Waheguru keep the organisers in Chardi Kalaa and bestow them with the gift of doing more seva.

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teri Sikhi!

--- HAPPY GURPURB ---
Saturday 5th January 2008 marks 342 years of the Parkaash Diwas of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj. Saariaa nu lakh lakh vadhaayee hove!

Related blog post:
- Short Glimpse at the Life of Dasam Pitaa

Coventry Cross Roads Gurdwara Camp! (Part 1)

From Wednesday 26th to Saturday 29th December 2007, the Annual Winter Sikhi Camp was held Cross Roads Gurdwara in Coventry, which was organised by S.H.A.R.E. It was the first camp I've attended in Coventry! I am so glad I went. Chardikalaa Gursikhs, sevadaars and children! Three words to sum up the camp are - pyaar, inspiration and FUN!

Around 140-160 youngsters participated during the week. Everyone was divided into age groups. The 14+ had their own talks, discussions and a special group project which they worked on during the week. The younger campers rotated around zones throughout the day - seva zone, simran zone, saint zone, soldier zone, and fun zone. Other than the chardikala Gursikhs, Sangat and opportunities of getting closer to Naam and Bani, the highlight of the camp was the LANGAR. Waheguru! Langar was so tasty and the variety of items was unbelievable - tortia (sabjee in roti wrapped around), Burgers, Jacket Patotoes, Pizza, Cakes and more cakes. Waheguru! A lot of hardwork and effort put in by the aunty jees, bhenjis and parents helping out in Langar!


Some photos from the camp (from www.SevaToTheMax.com):


5 years old, Sahib Singh, doing Ardaas. Waheguru.


Young children's class with Bhenji.


Bhai Sahib Tarsem Singh jee taking class in one of the zones.


14+ years boys group having open discussion with Bhai Nirmal Singh jee (Birmingham).



Bhai Pardip Singh jee 'Dhadi' (Leamington Spa Wale) ran classes on how to do Guru Sahib's sewa from Parkaash, Hukamnama and how to do Sukhaasan. All the children I asked said that learnt lots from this class.


Archery and paintballing.


Bouncy Castle! I think there were a few holes in the bouncy castle (probably someone's kirpaan or pagh sly made a hole), so you easily fell over! Good fun for everyone.


14+ years group


Children doing Simran. Waheguru!


Waheguru!! Langar time. In the background you can see the cartoon cut out of a singh character. There were cardboard cut outs of characters of Singhs and Singhnees around the camp. First time I have seen this much creativity by camp organisers. Looked really good!


The "Family" - cartoon characters of a Singh family :) (I think the Aunty jee from the family is missing in the photo!).



Young children doing "Shin Kin". (Looks like the children are strangling one another!!!).


I think this is called "Buckaroo". Looked bit dangerous! Didn't look nice to get thrown around by a mad bull and nearly get squashed! :)



The camp finished everyday with children doing Simran in the Diwaan.


Waheguru. At the end of each day there was cake and drinks for everyone. Resisting all the cakes and treats was a tough job!!


Part 2 to come...

Photos from Reading Sikhi Camp!

On the Saturday, the campers were divided into three groups: 5-10 years old, 11-14 years old, and 15 years old and above (parents and adults). In the morning there was group work, discussions and a talk. The younger children also watched a film. Then there was langar. It was great to see all the children sit on the floor and first do simran and then eat Langar. After lunch there were two classes. The younger children also got opportunity to learn how to tie dastaars. As usual, all the children loved to have a dastaar tied on their head and even one aunty jee asked to have one tied on her. Really Chardikalaa!

Here's a few photos:


Bhaji Harbir Singh jee (Southall) taking the youngest group and talking about the Sahibzaadey's jeevan and sacrifice.



5-10 years old group discussing and writing down ideas about Sahibzaadey and the basics of Gurmat.


5-10 years old children presenting their work to the others.




Bhaji Gurpreet Singh (Woolwich) and Bhaji Harbir Singh taking the 11-14 years old group and discussing Seva, Simran and Naam.




15 years + men's group discussing about Panj Chor and how they can affect us and the possible solutions.


Ladies group discussing about the challenges that may arise when trying to implement the basic principles of Naam Japnaa, Vand Chhaknaa and Kirat Karni in our everyday practical lives and the solutions.


15 years+ girl's group discussing how we can implement the basic principles of Gurmat in our daily lives and the benefits to the individual, the family and society.



Younger children watching the film "Sahibzaadey".


In the evening diwaan, after Rehraas the Sangat did Simran together followed by Ardaas and Hukamnama. After langar there was a Keertan Darbaar with Akhand Keertan (continuous Keertan) till 10.30pm. Dhan Guru Nanak! Amazing day and I was very fortunate of being able to have darshan (able to meet) so many inspiring souls - young and old.

On the Sunday, the camp started at 9am, after the morning breakfast of pakoray, samosay, jaleebee's and gulaab jamon. There was a talk on Gursikhi Jeevan (the life of a Gursikh) followed by Q&A. Afterwards there was a Dastaar tying session where boys, girls and their parents (including aunty jees) had Dastaars tied on them. It was very inspiring to see the courage of the sisters, in particular the parents of the campers, who took the step to try out wearing a dastaar and walking into the main diwaan with their crown. The young children and everyone radiated the Khalsa's glory and the beauty of the Guru's image.

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teri Sikhi!