Back to Sikhi: Inspiring Transformations... (Series 9)

ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਗੁਣ ਹਰਿ ਭਾਵਦੇ ਸੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇ ਪਾਏ ||
ਜਿਨ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਭਾਣਾ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਤਿਨ ਘੁਮਿ ਘੁਮਿ ਜਾਏ ||੨||
"The Glorious Praises of the Lord are pleasing to the Lord; I have obtained them from the Guru. I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice to those who surrender to, and obey the Guru's Will."
(Ang 725)

Continuing the series of interesting and inspiring pictures of people who have gone back to Sikhi. Thank you to the Gurmukh Pyaare who have sent the photos....

 

 

If anyone else has any pictures showing how they transformed and gone back to Sikhi and wouldn't mind sharing with Sangat then please email me.

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Facts about November 1984 Anti-Sikh Genocide (Part 3)...

Facts about November 1984 Anti-Sikh Genocide (Part 2)...

Facts about November 1984 Anti-Sikh Genocide (Part 1)...

Back to Sikhi: Inspiring Transformations... (Series 8)

ਸੇ ਚਰਣ ਸੁਹਾਵੇ ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਚਲੇ
ਹਉ ਬਲਿ ਤਿਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਪਛਾਣਾ ਜੀਉ ||੨||

Those feet which walk in the Lord's Way are beautiful.
I am a sacrifice to that Congregation in which the Lord is recognized.

(Ang 103) 

 
Continuing the series of interesting and inspiring pictures of people who have gone back to Sikhi. Thank you to Bhai Harpreet Singh from Sydney (Australia) for sending some photos of Gurmukh Pyaare...
 

 

 

If anyone else has any pictures showing how they transformed and gone back to Sikhi and wouldn't mind sharing with Sangat then please email me.

 

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

The First Marriage Round...

ਸੂਹੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥
Soohee Raag, revealed through Guru Raam Daas jee:

ਹਰਿ ਪਹਿਲੜੀ ਲਾਵ ਪਰਵਿਰਤੀ ਕਰਮ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਬਲਿ ਰਾਮ ਜੀਉ ॥
O Waheguru! I am sacrifice to you! (With Your Grace) the Guru has affirmed and given his Sikh the instructions for performing the daily duties of life - chanting Naam - this is the first round of the marriage ceremony (of the soul). 

ਬਾਣੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਵੇਦੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਹੁ ਪਾਪ ਤਜਾਇਆ ਬਲਿ ਰਾਮ ਜੀਉ ॥
(For a Sikh) the Guru's Bani is Brahma's Vedas. With the blessings of this Bani, (in your heart) become firm in the Dharam (of Naam); (through remembering Naam) sins are dispelled. 

ਧਰਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵਹੁ ਸਿਮ੍ਰਿਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ॥
Continue to meditate on the Lord's Name; embrace and make firm (this) Dharam. The Naam which the Guru has instructed is for a Sikh the (teachings of) Simritis.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਆਰਾਧਹੁ ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਪਾਪ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥
Always remember (this teachings of) the Perfect Guru, and (through its blessings) all your sins shall be dispelled. 

ਸਹਜ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਹੋਆ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੀਠਾ ਲਾਇਆ ॥
To whom God's Name becomes sweet to the mind, that good fortuned person experiences spiritual poise and bliss.

ਜਨੁ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਲਾਵ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਆਰੰਭੁ ਕਾਜੁ ਰਚਾਇਆ ॥੧॥
Servant Nanak proclaims that the first round of the marriage ceremony for the Husband Lord God and soul-bride is chanting Naam. Through remembering and chanting Naam the marriage (between Waheguru and the soul-bridge) begins.....
(Ang 773-774)

Must Watch Video...

Amazing kathaa again of Bhai Paramjeet Singh Khalsa explaining how we have to hold on to the Guru's hem to be saved and what are the consequences if we don't hold of the Guru's hem and do what Guru jee says. Vaheguru!

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

India Live Broadcast...

Live Broadcasts via www.AkalMultimedia.com:

Live Broadcast of Annual Akhand Keertan Smaagam Delhi from various Gurdwara Sahibs from Thursday 18th October 2012 to Wednesday 24th October 2012. For timings of Keertan and more information visit www.akj.org

Live Broadcast of Anand Kaaraj from Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Model Town, Ludhiana on Saturday 27th October.

Timings:

• India Time - 8am to 10.30am
• UK Time - 3.30am to 6am
• Europe Time - 4.30am to 7am
• Eastern Time zone (Canada & USA) - 10.30pm (26th October to 1am (27th October) 
• Pacific Time zone (Canada & USA) - 7.30pm (26th October) to 10pm (26th October) 

www.AkalMultimedia.com

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Baba Giani Kartar Singh Jee Bhindranwale's views on Meat & Drugs...

Kathaa by Baba Giani Kartar Singh Jee Bhindranwale, clarifying Gurbani's stance on meat, alcohol, drugs, and tobacco:

  

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Faithless people arguing about Gurbani... (Part 3)

Continued...

My relative from USA was also challenged that Gurbani mentions no afterlife. The faithless person believed in "ਇਹ ਜਗ ਮਿੱਠਾ ਅਗਲਾ ਕਿੰਨ ਡਿੱਠਾ'' ("This life is for enjoyment, who has seen the next life!"). He stated that Gurbani doesn't believe in Dharam-Raaj (the righteous judge who judges us when we die), heaven(s), hell(s), reincarnation, or Sach Khand. He went further to argue that we can do whatever we like and should "enjoy" life (his reference to drink alcohol, eat meat, and enjoy the desires of the mind). Whether someone believes or doesn't believe does not bother me - however it is bothering when someone tries to justify their own views incorrectly with Gurbani (despite no quotations to back up what they are saying!). 

First of all, a Sikh believes that Gurbani is the Word of God and therefore for a Sikh Gurbani is a 'fact', the absolute truth and direct from God. Gurbani is a mirror showing us reality! 

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਣਹੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਆਪਿ ਮੁਹਹੁ ਕਢਾਏ ॥

"O GurSikhs! Know that the Bani, the Word of the True Guru, is true, absolutely true. The Creator Lord Himself causes the Guru to chant it."

(Ang 308)

In Japji Sahib we read:

ਕਚ ਪਕਾਈ ਓਥੈ ਪਾਇ || ਨਾਨਕ ਗਇਆ ਜਾਪੈ ਜਾਇ ||੩੪||

"The ripe and the unripe, the good and the bad, shall there be judged. O Nanak! Going there, this is made known. ||34||"

(Ang 7)

ਚੰਗਿਆਈਆ ਬੁਰਿਆਈਆ ਵਾਚੈ ਧਰਮੁ ਹਦੂਰਿ ॥

"Good deeds and bad deeds-the record is read out in the Presence of the Lord of Dharma."

(Ang 8)

When I started off on the journey of Sikhi as a young teenager I met various people who shared their views about Sikhi. One view which I was exposed to was that Dharam-Raaj (the Righteous Judge), Chitar-Gupt (divine scribes who note down every action and thought we take), Jamdoots (the messengers of death) etc do not exist in reality. Gurbani mentions all these concepts, but I was told that these things have been mentioned as mere references to help explain the message to the people. I was told that Dharam-Raaj is my conscience (because my conscience judges what I do) and Chitar-Gupt are my subconsciousness (because that records all my thoughts and deeds). When I started meeting Gursikhs and they mentioned Dharam-Raaj or Chitar-Gupt, I would get confused - do they really exist or is it metaphorical? 

Once, I sat down to do Keertan at home. Just before opening the Amrit-Keertan Pothi to find a Shabad, a thought came in my "Guru jee - Is Dharam-Raaj real or is it just a metaphorical concept?" I just opened the Amrit-Keertan Pothi and Guru jee answered my question with the Shabad appearing on the page...

ਧਰਮ ਰਾਇ ਹੈ, ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ, ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਸੇਵਕ ਨੇੜਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥
"Dharam-Rai, the Righteous Judge of Dharma exists; he is a creation of the Lord; he does not approach the humble servant of the Lord."
(Ang 555)

Guru jee is amazing! Why question what Gurbani says! If Gurbani says something then it means it!

As for explaining the afterlife, Guru jee says:

ਪਉੜੀ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਜੀਅ ਉਪਾਇ ਕੈ ਲਿਖਿ ਨਾਵੈ ਧਰਮੁ ਬਹਾਲਿਆ ॥
ਓਥੈ ਸਚੇ ਹੀ ਸਚਿ ਨਿਬੜੈ ਚੁਣਿ ਵਖਿ ਕਢੇ ਜਜਮਾਲਿਆ ॥
ਥਾਉ ਨ ਪਾਇਨਿ ਕੂੜਿਆਰ ਮੁਹ ਕਾਲ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਦੋਜਕਿ ਚਾਲਿਆ ॥
ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਇ ਰਤੇ ਸੇ ਜਿਣਿ ਗਏ ਹਾਰਿ ਗਏ ਸਿ ਠਗਣ ਵਾਲਿਆ ॥
ਲਿਖਿ ਨਾਵੈ ਧਰਮੁ ਬਹਾਲਿਆ ॥੨॥
"Pauree: O Nanak! Having created the souls, the Lord installed the Righteous Judge of Dharma to read and record their accounts. There, only the Truth is judged true; the sinners are picked out and separated. The false find no place there, and they go to hell with their faces blackened. Those who are imbued with Your Name win, while the cheaters lose. The Lord installed the Righteous Judge of Dharma to read and record the accounts. ||2||"
(Ang 463 - taken from Aasa Ki Vaar)

ਨਾਮੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿ ਦੋਖ ਦੁਖ ਸਹੀਐ ॥ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਭਇਆ ਚਲਣਾ ਕਿਉ ਰਹੀਐ ॥
ਨਰਕ ਕੂਪ ਮਹਿ ਗੋਤੇ ਖਾਵੈ ਜਿਉ ਜਲ ਤੇ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਮੀਨਾ ਹੇ ॥੮॥
ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਨਰਕ ਸਾਕਤੁ ਭੋਗਾਈਐ ॥ ਜੈਸਾ ਕੀਚੈ ਤੈਸੋ ਪਾਈਐ ॥
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ਕਿਰਤਿ ਬਾਧਾ ਗ੍ਰਸਿ ਦੀਨਾ ਹੇ ॥੯॥
ਖੰਡੇ ਧਾਰ ਗਲੀ ਅਤਿ ਭੀੜੀ ॥ ਲੇਖਾ ਲੀਜੈ ਤਿਲ ਜਿਉ ਪੀੜੀ ॥
ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਕਲਤ੍ਰ ਸੁਤ ਬੇਲੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਬਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਰਸ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਕੀਨਾ ਹੇ ॥੧੦॥
"Forgetting the Naam, one suffers the misery of his evil ways. When the order to depart is issued, how can they remain here? They fall into the pit of hell, and suffers like a fish out of water. ||8|| The faithless cynic has to endure 8.4 million hellish incarnations. As they act, so do they suffer. Without the True Guru, there is no liberation. Bound and gagged by their own actions, they are helpless. ||9|| This path is very narrow, like the sharp edge of a sword. When their account is read, they shall be crushed like the sesame seed in the mill. Mother, father, spouse and child - none is anyone's friend in the end. Without the Lord's Love, no one is liberated. ||10||" (Ang 1028) 

Weekly Youth Keertan in West Bromwich...

Announcement:

With the Grace of Satguru jee a weekly youth keertan will be held in West Bromwich. All are welcome to do keertan in any style! Please see details below:

Youth Keertan

Every Sunday evening, 6.30pm to 7.30pm

at Guru Har Rai Sahib Gurdwara

126-128 High Street, 

West Bromwich, 

West Midlands 

B70 6JW

For transport or more info, please contact Bhai Amandeep Singh on 07877 317 874.

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Faithless people arguing about Gurbani... (Part 2)

Continued... 

Gurbani is the the Word of God - it is the truth. As it comes from Akaal Purakh Gurbani is fact. We cannot argue that what Gurbani is saying is possibly not true. 

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਣਹੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਆਪਿ ਮੁਹਹੁ ਕਢਾਏ ||
"O GurSikhs! Know that Bani, the Word of the True Guru, is true, absolutely true. The Creator Lord Himself causes the Guru to chant it."
(Ang 308)

According to elder Gursikhs if people are challenging us about Gurbani and Sikhi, then that is an indication that we need to increase the amount of Paatth and Simran we do. Elder Gursikhs says that if we increase Baani and Simran in our lives, we create positive energy and vibrations which empower us and Manmukhs are less likely to be confrontational with that person.

My relative in USA, who has newly started on the Sikhi Path, said that he was bombarded with various questions by a group of faithless people (claiming to be 'Sikhs') for example, where is written to keep Kesh, you cannot drink alcohol, cannot eat meat etc. It is important to note that in Gurbani Guru jee does not say "you shall not steal"... "you shall not cut your hair"... as if it is like the Ten Commandments. Gurbani tells us the reality - the Truth. This is the reward of this action, and this is the punishment or consequence of this action. Gurbani gives us a clear principal to follow by which underlies the Rehat that we keep and instructed when we become Sikhs by taking Amrit from the Guru-roop Panj Pyaare in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee.

The problem is that they knew that he didn't have knowledge of Gurbani or be able quote any Gurbani as he was new to Sikhi. Keeping this in mind below are possible replies for a similar situation, along with a Gurbani based reply for reference:


Question 1: "Where is it written in Gurbani that drinking alcohol is forbidden?"

Answer: Where in Gurbani from Ang 1 to 1430 is it written that is okay for you to drink alcohol? Where did you receive permission to drink alcohol? In which Rehitnama or where in the writings of Bhai Gurdaas Jee, writings of Bhai Nand Laal (Singh) jee, or Dasam Bani has it given you permission to drink? If drinking is permissible then would you drink alcohol and go to the Gurdwara or visit Sri Harimandir Sahib? To doubt the Guru and break someone from following the Guru's Path is a great sin. One should tread and speak carefully because if we try to knowingly claim that Guru jee says something when he clearly doesn't then one will seriously repent!

ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਮਦੁ ਜੋ ਪੀਵਤੇ ਬਿਖਲੀ ਪਤਿ ਕਮਲੀ ||
ਰਾਮ ਰਸਾਇਣਿ ਜੋ ਰਤੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਚ ਅਮਲੀ ||੪||੧੨||੧੧੪||

“The false-minded people who drink the alcohol are like the husbands of prostitutes (i.e. shameless and without self-dignity) and their thinking is stupid. O Nanak! But those who are imbued with the sublime essence of the Lord are intoxicated with the Truth.”

(Ang 399)

ਕਬੀਰ ਭਾਂਗ ਮਾਛੁਲੀ ਸੁਰਾ ਪਾਨਿ ਜੋ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀ ਖਾਂਹਿ ||
ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਕੀਏ ਤੇ ਸਭੈ ਰਸਾਤਲਿ ਜਾਂਹਿ ||੨੩੩||

“O Kabeer! Those mortals who consume marijuana (drugs), fish (meat) and wine (liquor) – no matter what pilgrimages, fasts and rituals they follow, they will all go to hell. ||233||

(Ang 1377)

For more shabads click on link


Question 2: "Where is it written in Gurbani that eating meat is forbidden?"
Where in Gurbani from Ang 1 to 1430 has Guru jee told you go and eat meat? If you cannot quote one line where Guru Jee says go and eat meat or eating meat is the food of his Sikhs then how can you attack the person who doesn't eat meat? If eating meat is okay then would you get a tray of eggs and a crane of dead carcasses of goats or chickens and present them to Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee like others offer milk or vegetarian food? If your food is not acceptable in Sri Harimandir Sahib then how is it is acceptable here? For me my body is Harimandir Sahib (the Temple of God), the world is Harimandir Sahib. Eating meat is unhealthy - I get protein and goodness from Daal (lentils) and Soya. One should tread and speak carefully because if we try to knowingly claim that Guru jee says something when he doesn't then one will have to repent and suffer.

ਬਾਬਾ ਹੋਰੁ ਖਾਣਾ ਖੁਸੀ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥
ਜਿਤੁ ਖਾਧੈ ਤਨੁ ਪੀੜੀਐ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
“O Baba! The pleasures of other foods are false by eating which is unhealthy for the body and negativity enters into the mind. ||1||Pause and reflect||”
(Ang 16)

ਕਬੀਰ ਖੂਬੁ ਖਾਨਾ ਖੀਚਰੀ ਜਾ ਮਹਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਲੋਨੁ ॥
ਹੇਰਾ ਰੋਟੀ ਕਾਰਨੇ ਗਲਾ ਕਟਾਵੈ ਕਉਨੁ ॥੧੮੮॥
“O Kabeer! (Despite the Mullah justifies eating meat with the excuse of sacrificing it to God,) the dinner of beans and rice is excellent, if it is (just) flavoured with salt. I am not ready to have my own throat cut to have meat with my bread? ||188||”
(SGGS – Ang 1374)

For more shabads click on link


Question 3: "Where is it written in Gurbani that we cannot cut our hair?"

Answer: Where in Gurbani from Ang 1 to 1430 did Guru jee give you permission to cut your hair? I was born with Kesh. Unless Guru jee tells me to cut it, I won't. Where did you receive permission to cut your hair? In which Rehitnama or where in the writings of Bhai Gurdaas Jee, writings of Bhai Nand Laal (Singh) jee, or Dasam Bani has it given you permission to cut your hair? From Guru Nanak Dev jee to Guru Gobind Singh jee, the Sikh Gurus maintained their Kesh and so did their followers. I would rather look like Guru Nanak-Guru Gobind Singh jee rather than look like Gandhi or a Bollywood actor.

ਨਾਪਾਕ ਪਾਕੁ ਕਰਿ ਹਦੂਰਿ ਹਦੀਸਾ ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤਿ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਸਿਰਾ ||੧੨||

"O person of God! Purify the mind what is impure (with bad thoughts) - this is the religious tradition through which you can experience the Lord’s Presence. (Abandoning circumcision, mutilation and deforming of the body etc) preserve a complete appearance with a turban on your head - this becomes the way to maintain respect and honour. ||12||”
(Ang 1084)

 

ਸੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਸਖਾ ਬੰਧਪੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਵੈ ||
ਆਪਣੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਜੋ ਚਲੈ ਭਾਈ ਵਿਛੁੜਿ ਚੋਟਾ ਖਾਵੈ ||
"They alone are a Sikh, a friend, a relative and a sibling, who walk in the Way of the Guru's Will. One who walks according to their own will, O Companions, suffers separation from the Lord, and shall be punished."
(Ang 601)
(Note: A Sikh follows what the Guru's showed and done themselves. As the Sikhs were Kesdhari, so are his Sikhs)

ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ ਕਿਵ ਕੂੜੈ ਤੁਟੈ ਪਾਲਿ ||
ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ||੧||
How can one become truthful? And how can the veil of illusion be torn away (see we can know God)? O Nanak! Accept and live in the Hukam (Will) that is written inside of all. ||1||
(Ang 1)
(Note: When you cut your hair, your hair grows back on your face. So therefore, is the Will of God. Your nails on the other hand, they remain short if engage your hands in manual seva and manual labour. The nails snap off even if we didn't cut them. We cut our nails nowadays because most of us don't use our hands for labour intensive work however the nail we cut off is dead nail).

For more shabads click on link

To be continued...

Faithless people arguing about Gurbani... (Part 1)

 
I have just come off the phone after receiving a call from a relative in USA who sounded pretty annoyed and upset because he had people arguing with him about Gurbani and ridiculing the Sikh Gurus. The worst thing is that these people claim to be "Sikhs" (but have cut hair, drink alcohol and the rest!). The Bhai Sahib has in the past 12 months or so kept his Kesh and began listening to Paath, doing Simran and listening to Gurbani Kathaa. 

When he was a clean-shave, these people who visited his house never raised a word against the Guru and Sikhi but now every time they see him they criticize Guru Nanak Dev jee, Guru Gobind Singh jee and question Gurbani. Makes you wonder why these type of people go to the Gurdwara on Sundays when they think the Guru is not great.

He said that the person said some really bad things about Guru Nanak Dev jee and Guru Gobind Singh jee which he told them that they are wrong. He said "they are my relatives. They older than me, so I don't want to be rude." Rude? Who needs relatives like this who come to your home - insult you, your beliefs, your Guru and try to make your look stupid for having faith! If someone is insulting the Guru unknowingly, then they would say sorry when they realise what they said was wrong, however; if they knowingly said what they said with intent of causing offence and attacking the Gurus and Sikhi, then I would ask them to leave the house! Who needs relatives who don't wish to respect you and on purpose wish to cause you harm and distress?

Guru jee describes the state of the faithless cynic who slanders the True Guru:

ਸਲੋਕ ਮਃ ੪ ॥ 

Salok mahalaa chauthaa.

Shalok, revealed through Guru Raam Daas jee: 

ਜੋ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਕਰੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪੂਰੇ ਕੀ ਸੁ ਅਉਖਾ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਹੋਇਆ ॥ 

Jo ninḏaa kare saṯgur poore kee so aukha jag meh hoeiaa.

One who slanders the Perfect True Guru, shall have difficulty in this world. 

ਨਰਕ ਘੋਰੁ ਦੁਖ ਖੂਹੁ ਹੈ ਓਥੈ ਪਕੜਿ ਓਹੁ ਢੋਇਆ ॥ 

Narak ghor ḏukh khoohu hai othai pakaṛ oh dhoeiaa.

They are caught and thrown into the most horrible hell, the well of pain and suffering. 

ਕੂਕ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਕੋ ਨ ਸੁਣੇ ਓਹੁ ਅਉਖਾ ਹੋਇ ਹੋਇ ਰੋਇਆ ॥ 

Kook pukaar ko na suṇe oh aukha hoe hoe roeiaa.

No one listens to their shrieks and cries; they cry out in pain and misery. 

ਓਨਿ ਹਲਤੁ ਪਲਤੁ ਸਭੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਲਾਹਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਸਭੁ ਖੋਇਆ ॥ 

On halaṯ palaṯ sabh gavaaeiaa laahaa mool sabh khoeiaa.

They totally lose this world and the next; they have lost all of his investment and profit. 

ਓਹੁ ਤੇਲੀ ਸੰਦਾ ਬਲਦੁ ਕਰਿ ਨਿਤ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਜੋਇਆ ॥ 

Oh ṯelee sanḏaa balaḏ kar niṯ bhalke uṯh parabh joeiaa.

They are like the ox at the oil-press; each morning when he rises, God places the yoke upon them. 

ਹਰਿ ਵੇਖੈ ਸੁਣੈ ਨਿਤ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤਿਦੂ ਕਿਛੁ ਗੁਝਾ ਨ ਹੋਇਆ ॥ 

Har vekhai suṇai niṯ sabh kichh ṯiḏoo kichh gujhaa na hoeiaa.

The Lord always sees and hears everything; nothing can be concealed from Him. 

ਜੈਸਾ ਬੀਜੇ ਸੋ ਲੁਣੈ ਜੇਹਾ ਪੁਰਬਿ ਕਿਨੈ ਬੋਇਆ ॥ 

Jaisā beeje so luṇai jehaa purab kinai boeiaa.

As you plant, so shall you harvest, according to what you planted in the past. 

(Ang 309)

He said they keep asking him loads of questions about Gurbani and Sikhi knowingly that he has little Gurbani knowledge (as he cannot read Gurbani or Punjabi) and cannot argue back. It is a psychological war where someone tries to bully someone by having the upper hand on them!

To be continued...

Gurbani Katha...

Katha by Bhai Paramjeet Singh Khalsa (Anandpur Sahib wale). Please watch:

 

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

JK Rowling and Sikhi...

Taken from: http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_how-sikhism-fits-into-jk-rowling-s-new-book_1746281

How Sikhism fits into
JK Rowling's new book

Published: Friday, Sep 28, 2012, 9:03 IST

JK Rowling

Celebrated author JK Rowling, whose latest book has a Sikh family at the heart of a fictional village in south-west England called Pagford, says she did a "vast amount of research" on Sikhism – and it shows in the book titled The Casual Vacancy.

Answering questions from journalists and others at a book-reading event at the Southbank Centre here last night, Rowling, 47, said that when she was in her mid-twenties she knew a Sikh woman who sparked her interest in Sikhism.

It remained with her all along, so the only non-white family in the book "had to be Sikhs", she said.

Rowling said she was particularly struck by the egalitarian principles of the religion, and wove in a Sikh family as one of the central features of the book published by Little, Brown Book Group (RPT Little, Brown Book Group).

"I wanted the Sikh family at the heart of Pagford, and I wanted them to be second generation Britons. So they are insiders and outsiders simultaneously. In the book, it is Sikhism that provides religious morality, not the Church of England, which is represented by an empty church," Rowling said.

Early Indian-origin readers of the book released yesterday morning said they were impressed by the way the Sikh family and Sikhism had been treated in the book.

The book devotes considerable attention to Guru Nanak, Guru Granth Sahib, khalsa, and the "night-time prayer, kirtan sohila."

London-based media consultant Mimmy Jain, who grew up in Punjab, told PTI: "I was happily surprised to find that JK Rowling had done her research pretty well. There are no Hindu-Muslim or North-South name mismatches of the kind that make me shudder in the work of most Western authors who want to add a bit of curry to their books."

She added: "I liked her treatment of Sukhwinder, the only one in a high achieving family who is stuck because she is dyslexic. Of course, it's the parts about the kids -- all of them -- that really stand out in the book."

The book has received mixed early reviews, while the jury is out whether Rowling has succeeded in switching from the literary genre of children books to a novel explicitly marketed as one for adults.

She said she welcomed legitimate criticism, but it all "depends on who is writing the reviews."

The book contains several expletives that Rowling read out at the second reading at the packed Southbank event.

She described the book as a tragic comedy. 

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Vaheguru

"ਇਹ ਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਇਹ ਤੰਬਾਕੂ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ ..." । "It's okay, it's not tobacco..."

Once I went to the town market and came across a market stall with two Sardaars standing there. I was so happy as seeing a Sardaar is not a usual sight where I live. As I looked closer I realised that they were selling tobacco! Actually most of their stock was tobacco related products and there were big signs on the side of the stall saying "TOBACCO PRODUCTS SOLD HERE." 

Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee states:

ਪਾਨ ਸੁਪਾਰੀ ਖਾਤੀਆ ਮੁਖਿ ਬੀੜੀਆ ਲਾਈਆ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਚੇਤਿਓ ਜਮਿ ਪਕੜਿ ਚਲਾਈਆ ॥੧੩॥
"Those people who eat and chew "Paan" (nicotine betel nuts), and smoke tobacco (meaning that they those who in indulge in intoxicants),  and, do not contemplate or do Simran of Vaheguru - (the cycle of) Death will seize them and take them away (to become entangled in the cycle of reincarnation)."
(Ang 726)

Guru Gobind Singh jee states:

ਸੁਣ ਗੁਰਸਿੱਖ ਕੀ ਰਹਿਤ ਕੋ ਤਜੇ ਤਮਾਕੂ ਸੰਗ ||

ਮਰਣੀ ਮਰੈ ਤੌ ਅਤਿ ਭਲਾ ਜਗਤ ਜੂਠ ਨਹਿ ਅੰਗ ||

(ਭਾਈ ਨੰਦ ਲਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ)

"Listen to the Rehit of a Gursikh who comes in contact with tobacco - it is better to die than to touch the world pollutant drug (tobacco)."

(Rehitnama Bhai Nand Laal Singh jee)

Kavi Santokh Singh (1787-1853), the infamous Sikh poet and historian, writes in Sooraj Parkash Granth:

ਤਨਕ ਤਮਾਕੂ ਸੇਵੀਏ ਦੇਵ ਪਿੱਤ੍ਰ ਤਜਿ ਜਾਇ ॥

ਪਾਨੀ ਤਾਂ ਕੇ ਹਾਥ ਕਾ ਮਦਰਾ ਸਮ ਅਘ ਦਾਇ ॥ 22॥

ਮਦਰਾ ਦਹਿਤਾ ਸਪਤਿ ਕੁਲ ਭੰਗੁ ਦਹੈ ਤਨ ਏਕ ॥

ਸ਼ਤ ਕੁਲ ਦਹਿਤਾ ਜਗਤ ਜੂਠ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਦਹੈ ਅਨੇਕ ॥ 23॥

"Those that consume even a minuscule amount of tobacco are disowned in the afterlife by their ancestors and drinking water from such a person is similar to drinking alcohol. By drinking alcohol seven generations are exterminated and by consuming Bhang/marijuana the body is destroyed. The person who consumes tobacco exterminates one hundred generations and many generations go to hell because of gossiping."

I shared Guru's Fateh and then said, "Sorry, as a Sikh of the Guru I am compelled to ask why you are selling tobacco? As Sikhs it looks very shameful to earn such a living." The elder Sardar replied, "Bhai Sahib, it's not tobacco. We know not to sell such things - we are Amritdharis". Waheguru! Shock horror! It felt like a scene from 'Only Fools and Horses' (an old comedy programme). I replied, "Bhai Sahib, it is clear you are selling tobacco because firstly you have a huge sign up on the side and secondly nearly all the stock is labelled with big lettering "Smoking kills you...." - so why would they label it with smoking signs when it is not tobacco?" 

I was taken aback with the confidence and lack of sharam the 'Amritdhari' market stall owner spoke with. He replied, "Veer jee. We are from an Amritdhari family. All my family are Amritdhari. We know not to sell tobacco. Instead we sell tobacco related products. These products don't contain tobacco. It is up to the individual what they do with it." Sat Naam, Vaheguru! It's like me selling needles on the street in a drug prone neighbourhood and claiming I am not contributing to drug taking. 

Gurbani says:

ਕਬੀਰ ਦੀਨੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਦੁਨੀ ਸਿਉ ਦੁਨੀ ਨ ਚਾਲੀ ਸਾਥਿ ॥
ਪਾਇ ਕੁਹਾੜਾ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਗਾਫਲਿ ਅਪੁਨੈ ਹਾਥਿ ॥੧੩॥
O Kabeer! a human loses his 'faith' for the sake of the world, but the world shall not go along with him in the end. (In this way) the idiot strikes their own foot with the axe by their own hand (meaning they are doing their own harm). ||13||
(Ang 1365)

I decided to walk away from the stall and not continue the discussion with the Sardaar. It is very sad that the impressionable public who are non-Sikhs that walk by the stall will associate tobacco to Saabat Soorat Dastaar wale Singhs. Guru Gobind Singh jee's horse had more wisdom than us. Once when Guru jee was travelling, the horse stopped. When the Sangat asked why, Guru jee replied that the field ahead was a tobacco field and the horse does not wish to touch tobacco. Vaheguru!

Inspiring story from France Smaagam (Part 2)

After posting the original post about the 7 year old girl who took Amrit with her father in the France Akhand Kirtani Smaagam last month, Veer Jaskarn Singh jee from Holland emailed me with some stories to relating to the same child. Please read below:

Bibi Anmoljeet Kaur Khalsa jee

I just saw your post on you blog about the France Smaagam. With Guru Jee´s Kirpaa I attended the same Smaagam as well and I met the same little girl from Germany, Frankfurt. Her name is Anmoljeet Kaur Khalsa. I had two pictures with her so I thought I´ll share it with you so you can see her for yourself. 

...So we (the Holland sangat) were about to leave from Holland for a 5 hour drive to Paris. There were nine of us. I knew everyone on board except for the man from Germany and his daughter. So waiting outside for the cars I thought I would get to know them. I walked towards Bhai Sahib and said Fateh to him. We started talking and at a certain point he told me that he was going so he can take Amrit at the Amrit Sanchaar. I thought wow your blessed! I said, "Your going to take amrit? That's very good!" Then his 7 year old daughter came to me and I said, "Sat Sri Akaal", and she replied "Waheguru Jee Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Jee Kee Fateh" with some real love. I felt a little embarrassed because I didn´t start with Fateh.

When I was talking to her it didn't feel like we just met for the first time. It felt like we had known each others for years. It was really strange - I don´t often feel this way. So then I started talking to her and she suddenly says "I am going to take Amrit." In my mind I was thinking "she can´t be serious....she´s just seven years!" She kept telling me she is going to take Amrit, so I started getting doubts whether she is serious. So I asked her father just to be sure "Is she really going to take amrit as well?" He replied "Yes, she is!" 

I was amazed. Why would a 7 year old child want to take Amrit right away? So I asked her two simple questions to see how much she actually understands Amrit. I asked "why do you want to take Amrit?" and "why do you want it so fast, as you are so young?" She replied, "I want to take Amrit because Guru Gobind Singh Jee took Amrit himself." Then she answered my second question with, "If I die right now, what face will I show Guru Jee If I haven’t taken Amrit?" A 7 year old remembering death! Waheguru! Her answers were incredible! It felt like talking to a 7 year old Giani Jee. She had great karam - that’s for sure. 

The only Gurmukhi she knew at that time was the word "Waheguru" and "Dhan Guru Nanak". Then she turned the question on me and said, "Tusee vee Amrit shaklo?" ("You also take Amrit") I was like "O gosh! I just came for the Keertan smaagam" But when she asked me it really hit me hard. She communicates so innocently and so directly. I remember when we were leaving Paris we were all saying goodbye and she was holding the hand of a clean-shaven brother of ours who had joined us from Holland to attend the Paris Keertan Smaagam. Then she asks the Veer Jee in a really laughing, smiling and loving, "why do you cut your hair?... From now on your not going to cut your hair, okay. keep a beard - it’s nice." May Guru Jee Bless bhaji with kesh. 

One last small story is this... Straight after she got the siropa, someone from the Sangat touched her feet. She came up to me and seemed upset. She said, "It didn´t feel good when I got a Siropa. Some Singh just touched my feet. Why did he do that for?" Then I explained to her that it's just really special when a 7 year old like you takes Amrit. Then she said "Do you know the man was pretty old. He was a 'Buddha'" We laughed. She was really fun to hang out with. It felt so cool to meet someone like her. She is really blessed by Guru Jee and is like a "Praani rooh" (old soul)....

Veer Jaskarn Singh jee and Bhenji Anmoljeet Kaur Khalsa jee

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Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Inspiring Story from France Smaagam....

Bhai Joginder Singh jee Leicester emailed me a few weeks ago about his visit to France to attend the annual Akhand Keertan Smaagam there. Bhai Sahib has written up an inspirational account that took place during the Smaagam:

Panj Pyaare at end of Amrit Sanchaar in Paris, 25th Aug. 2012

I was in France last weekend. On Saturday 25th August an Amrit Sanchaar took place, in which a father and his 7 year old daughter from Germany appeared seeking Amrit. The following is what the girl told one Gursikh... 

The child's father married a German lady and she was born. The mother said she did not want the child and wanted to kill the child. The Panjabi father stopped her killing the child. Following this the German lady abandoned both her husband and baby.

The father brought up the child on his own. When she was four years old, she said to her father she wanted a present for New Year's day. However, the father replied, "all the shops are closed today. I can’t buy you a present today." She replied, "NO my present is in your pocket!" He said, "but I only have money in my wallet and nothing else." She replied back, "NO you have something else in your pocket!" He didn’t understand what she was talking about. She told her father, "you have a packet of cigarettes in your pocket. Please throw them outside in the bin (trash) - that would be my present." The father was astonished by this and because of his love for his daughter he did what she wanted. 

Later on her father would take her to the Gurdwara Sahib and she started saying to her father, that lot of the Sikhs wear kirpans so why doesn’t he. Slowly the father adopted Sikhi rehat. Before the Amrit Sanchaar the 7 year old was saying please quickly tie a dastaar on my head and give me all the kakaars, I want to meet Baba jee! She was full of ecstatic joy. 

Despite not having a (worldly) mother since birth, the child sweetly said that all the Sikh bibia (ladies) are her mothers and all Sikh children are her brothers and sisters. Vaheguru! She said after taking Amrit Baba jee will remain with her for the rest of life and she will never be alone in the house when her father is not there because Baba jee will be with her. 

When I told her story to the Sangat they were all in bairaag. The sevadaars gave the father and the blessed Singhni siropas (robe of honours) and I asked all the Sangat to do Ardaas for both the father and child that their Sikhi remains in chardi kalaa for ever. May Guru jee bless us all with Pyaar and Sikhi sidk (faith).

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Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Bhai Saadhu Singh Jee...

During my Canada trip I was fortunate enough to have darshan of Bhai Saadhu Singh jee who is fondly known as 'Bapu jee'. Bhai Sahib lives in Fresno in California, USA. I have seen Bhai Sahib's photograph and heard lots about him. The first time I met him was in India in April. I was walking near Sri Harimandir Sahib during the evening and met Bhai Sahib and his Singhni. I shared GurFateh. Even though Bhai Sahib didn't know me, he took time out to share Fateh and ask how I am and where I am from. I felt very blessed that a blessed Gursikh like Bhai Sahib showed so much pyaar.

I met Bhai Sahib again last month at Khalsa Camp BC. Bhai Sahib is so humble. He said, "I am younger than everyone. Everyone is older than me." Vaheguru! Please see video below of the Gurmat Q & A session in which Bhai Sahib's shares Gurmat Vichaar:

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!