Shaheedi of Guru Arjan Dev Jee...

This week marks the Shaheedi Diwas (Martyrdom Day) of Guru Arjan Dev Jee. Guru Jee laid down the tradition of living in dignity and dying with honour, and paved the path for the tradition of martyrdom in Sikh history.

SHORT GLIMPSE AT THE SHAHEEDI (MARTYRDOM) OF GURU ARJAN DEV JEE

THREAT TO SIKHI

During Guru Arjan Dev Jee’s time the Sikh community flourished and Amritsar was becoming a strong centre for the Sikh People. More and more people of all castes were embracing the Path of the Guru and becoming Sikhs, which included Hindus and Muslims. The Muslim priests did not like this and saw Guru Arjan Dev Jee as a threat to the propagation of Islam. As a consequence of this they made plans against Guru Sahib.

EMPEROR JAHANGEER & GROWING ENEMIES OF THE SIKHS

After the death of Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1605, his son Jahangeer sat on the throne. Unlike his liberal, tolerant and open-minded father, Jahangeer’s policies and views were to fanatical and radical in pursuit of spreading Islam. The enemies of Guru Sahib took advantage of this highly charged atmosphere.

Prithi Chand: To begin with, it was Guru Sahib's elder brother, who devoted his whole life to harm the Guru in every possible way.

Chandu Shah: He was the Brahman advisor and officer of Jahangeer. He held animosity over his daughter's non-alliance with the Guru Sahib's son, which is considered the main fuel for his vendetta.

Naqshbandi, Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi and Sheikh Fareed Bukhari, (Murtaza Khan), Governor of Panjab: Zealous Muslims who were jealous of the growing popularity of Sikhi and considered Guru Arjan Dev jee and the Sikhs a threat to the growth of Islam.

Mahesh Daas Bhatt (known as Birbal): An anti-Sikh Hindu Brahmin, who considered Guru Arjan Dev jee a threat to Brahmanism.

PLOT AGAINST GURU SAHIB

These men with jealousies in their hearts, concocted the real story of Guru Sahib sheltering the rebellious Khusro, Jahangeer's son, who had fled a battle with his father and was a fugitive, to rouse the rage of Emperor Jahangeer which added fuel to the blazing fire. Along with these circumstances Guru Sahib's increasing influence on large numbers of Hindus and Muslims to adopt Gurmat, created a stir in the minds of the Brahmin Pandits (Hindu priests) and the Qazis (Muslim priests). The compilation of Sri Aad Granth jee (the early version of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee) was considered a serious blow to the monopolies and social oppression maintained by so-called men of religion. Through all these circumstances Guru Arjan Sahib Jee fell a victim to the bigotry and inhumanity of Jahangeer.

ARREST OF GURU SAHIB

In "Tuzuk-i-Jahagiri" ("Memoirs of Jahangeer"), Jahangeer wrote:

"In Gobindwal, which is on the river Biyah (Beas), there was a Hindu named Arjun, in the garments of sainthood and sanctity, so much so that he had captured many of the simple-hearted of the Hindus, and even of the ignorant and foolish followers of Islam, by his ways and manners, and they had loudly sounded the drum of his holiness. They called him Guru, and from all sides stupid people crowded to worship and manifest complete faith in him. For three or four generations (of spiritual successors) they had kept this shop warm. Many times it occurred to me to put a stop to this vain affair or to bring him into the assembly of the people of Islam.

At last when Khusro passed along this road this insignificant fellow proposed to wait upon him. Khusro happened to halt at the place where he was, and he came out and did homage to him. He behaved to Khusro in certain special ways, and made on his forehead a finger-mark in saffron, which the Indians (Hindus) call qashqa (Tilak) and is considered propitious. When this came to my ears and I clearly understood his folly, I ordered them to produce him and handed over his houses, dwelling-places, and children to Murtaza Khan, and having confiscated his property commanded that he should be put to death."

TORTURES

Chandu, the officer of Jahangeer, was in charge of torturing Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib told them, "I bear no enemies or ill-will against any one. All happens as the Almighty wills it to happen. I am prepared to accept His Will. You may do what you like".

Day 1 of Torture: Chandu began to torture the Guru. On the first day, Guru Jee was not given anything to eat or drink. He was kept awake and not allowed to sleep at night. During the day his body was left in the full exposure of the burning heat of the sun. Guru Sahib bore all this calmly. He remained immersed in Simran and repeated from his lips, "Vaheguru, Vaheguru, Vaheguru..." and sang Shabads from Gurbani.

Day 2 of Torture: On the following day, Chandu made the Guru sit in a large copper vessel. He filled the vessel with water. He ordered his men to light a fire under the copper vessel. The water began to get hot. After a time, the water began to boil. It scaled Guru Sahib's body. But Guru Jee sat calmly and quietly. He showed no feeling of pain, nor did he cry out or even sigh. He felt no anger against those who were torturing him. He remained absorbed in the sweet remembrance of Vaheguru and repeated, "All is happening, O Vaheguru, according to Thy Will. Thy Will is ever sweet to me." The boiling water made the Guru's flesh soft and left blisters all over the body.

Day 3 of Torture: On the third day, Chandu ordered his men, "Make some sand red hot in iron pans. Seat the Guru in burning water. Then pour the red hot sand over his head and body". The water boiled Guru Sahib's flesh from below. The burning red-hot sand burned Guru Jee's head and body from above. The persons engaged in torturing him were wet with sweat. They felt most uncomfortable because of the heat. It was the hottest summer month. But Guru Sahib kept calm and quiet. Again, Guru Jee felt no pain, nor did he cry out, sigh or feel anger. He kept thinking of Vaheguru and doing Simran. Guru Jee repeated:

ਤੇਰਾ ਕੀਆ ਮੀਠਾ ਲਾਗੈ ॥

teraa kee-aa meethaa laagai.
O Vaheguru! Your actions seem so sweet to me.

ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਮਾਂਗੈ ॥੨॥੪੨॥੯੩॥

har naam padaarath naanak maaNgai. ||2||42||93||
Nanak begs for the divine treasure of the Naam- the Divine Presence through the Sacred Name & Sound. ||2||42||93||

Baba Mian Meer Jee (a Muslim Sufi Saint and friend of Guru Sahib) tried to intercede on behalf of Guru Sahib but Guru Jee forbid him to interfere in the "Will of the Almighty". Guru Sahib said, "All is happening in accordance with Vaheguru's Will. Men who stand for Truth have often to suffer. Their sufferings give strength to the cause of Truth. Go, brother. Pray for me. Pray for the success of my cause. Pray for Victory to Truth."

Day 4 of Torture: On the fourth day, Guru Jee was made to sit on an iron plate. It was heated from below. The iron plate became red hot with the heat. Guru Jee's flesh began to be roasted. Burning red-hot sand was poured on his body. Guru Sahib sat calm and quite, without a cry or sigh, feeling no physical pain. He sat with his mind fixed on Vaheguru and physically living the message of Gurbani and accepting the Will of Vaheguru sweetly.

Day 5 of Torture: On the fifth day, Guru Sahib was taken to the bank of the River Raavi bounded in shackles. Guru Sahib's physical body was covered with burns and blisters. Guru jee was pelted with rocks. One rock hit Guru jee on his forehead which led to bleeding. Two drops of blood fell to the ground. Jahangeer had given strict orders that Guru jee should be tortured to death in a such a way that his blood should not fall on the ground in the belief that a holy or great man's blood spilling on the ground leads to further martyrs being born. This tradition was called Nasar law and was upheld by Genghis Khan. To hide the bloodied body of Guru jee, the soldiers threw Guru jee's body in the River Raavi and then concocted a story that Guru jee went to bathe and never came out of the river. This fake story was used to firstly, make the martyrdom into a suicide case and ensure that people do not revolt in response to the barbaric martyrdom of Guru jee.

Summary

Guru Arjan Dev Jee sowed the seed of martyrdom which flourished after him and became the heritage of the Sikh People. Guru Sahib physically manifested and lived the Divine message of Gurbani of conquering death and suffering, remaining fearless in defending the Truth, and showing the extremes one can take in remaining steadfast in the love of Vaheguru and Guru Nanak Jee's Sikhi. Guru Arjan Dev Jee said, lived, and showed that he can accept Shaheedi (martyrdom) but he cannot accept insult. The way a leader or prophet lives becomes the character of the followers. Guru Sahib showed that a Sikh should live in dignity and die with honour, and that a Sikh should never tolerate insult or oppression.


Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Arjan Dev Jee.
Shaheedaa Nu Lakh Lakh Parnaam.

Related Audios:
Dharmik Geet: Saara Hee Lahore Kambiaa
(Manmohan Waris/ Ghar Hunt Kitni Ku Door)

Shabad: Teraa Kee-aa Meethaa Laagai
(Gurbinder Kaur/ Southall Monthly Keertan

Shaheedi Diwas: Sant Jarnail Singh Jee Bhindranwale & Other Great Gursikhs...

Today, June 6th, marks the 23rd anniversary of when military tanks stormed Sri Harmandar Sahib (the Golden Temple), Amritsar, and the Shaheedi Diwas (martyrdom day) of one of the 20th century's greatest Sikh Saint-Warriors, Mahaapurakh Giani Baba Jarnail Singh jee Bhindran Wale alongside thousands of brave Sikhs who became immortal martyrs. Shaheedaa Nu Lakh Lakh Parnaam.
 

“No prayers stir the silence under golden dome of the Golden Temple. There are no priests left to intone them. They are all dead or missing. The musical instruments which at all times drummed out the tones and rhythms of worship are quiet for the first time in centuries. There are no visitors, only soldiers. The Sikhs Holy Bible is closed, covered by a blue cloth. There is no one to read its scriptures. It is like the Vatican without a Pope. At the other end of the causeway that links the Temple to the Akhal Takhat, the second most sacred shrine in Sikhdom, the quiet is more permanent.”  
- Ross Benson of the Daily Express on June 19 1984

 

 

 Video of late Giani Sant Singh Maskeen jee on the June 1984 Sikh Holocaust

 

 

The Indian army besieging Sri Harimandir Sahib

 

For first time ever, Maryada (code of conduct) was not carried out at Sri Darbar Sahib (the Golden Temple) on 7th June, 1984 due to presence of the army and the murder of countless Raagi Singhs and Granthi Singhs. On 8th June 1984, prakaash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee was done and in the evening time only Rehraas Sahib was read followed by sukhaasan. On this day, the following Hukumnama came from Guru Sahib:

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
Ik ­oaʼnkār saṯgur parsāḏ.
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru: 
 

ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਘਰੁ ੧ ਤਿਤੁਕੇ
Soraṯẖ mehlā 5 gẖar 1 ṯiṯukė
Sorat'h, Fifth Mehl, First House, Ti-Tukas:

ਕਿਸੁ ਹਉ ਜਾਚੀ ਕਿਸ ਆਰਾਧੀ ਜਾ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੋਸੀ ॥
Kis ha­o jācẖī kis ārāḏẖī jā sabẖ ko kīṯā hosī.
Who should I ask? Who should I worship? All were created by Him.

ਜੋ ਜੋ ਦੀਸੈ ਵਡਾ ਵਡੇਰਾ ਸੋ ਸੋ ਖਾਕੂ ਰਲਸੀ ॥
Jo jo ḏīsai vadā vadėrā so so kẖākū ralsī.
Whoever appears to be the greatest of the great, shall ultimately be mixed with the dust.

ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਭਵ ਖੰਡਨੁ ਸਭਿ ਸੁਖ ਨਵ ਨਿਧਿ ਦੇਸੀ ॥੧॥
Nirbẖa­o nirankār bẖav kẖandan sabẖ sukẖ nav niḏẖ ḏėsī. ||1||
The Fearless, Formless Lord, the Destroyer of Fear bestows all comforts, and the nine treasures. ||1||

ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਾਤੀ ਰਾਜਾ ॥
Har jī­o ṯėrī ḏāṯī rājā.
O Dear Lord, Your gifts alone satisfy me.

ਮਾਣਸੁ ਬਪੁੜਾ ਕਿਆ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ਕਿਆ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਮੁਹਤਾਜਾ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Māṇas bapuṛā ki­ā sālāhī ki­ā ṯis kā muhṯājā. Rahā­o.
Why should I praise the poor helpless man? Why should I feel subservient to him? ||Pause||

Read full Hukamnama

 

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Related posts:
- Remembering the Great Martyrs of Operation Bluestar... -
- The First Martyr of the 1984 Sikh Holocaust
- Some books on 1984
- 1984 - Myth & Reality
- Independent Sources on the 1984 Sikh Holocaust
- The Third Sikh Holocaust
- Shaheedi Diwas - Remembering the Dark Holocaust

June 1984 Remembrance March & Freedom Rally - Update....

Sunday 9 June 2013
Assemble from 11am at Temple Place (near Temple tube station)
March through London (Strand, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Parliament Square) and finish with rally next to UK Parliament

Organised by the Federation of Sikh Organisations (FSO) and Gurdwaras

Contact your local Gurdwara about transport arrangements for Sangat to arrive between 11am and 12 noon (Coach drop off point (11am): Victoria Embankment near Temple tube station WC2R 2PH)

(Coach pick up point (5pm): Victoria Embankment near Westminster tube station SW1A 2JH)

For further information ring 07938 633554 or 07968 335588

Also visit: https://www.facebook.com/SikhFederationUK

For route of the Remembrance March use: http://binged.it/18eJoKx

Devotion for Guru Jee...

 

On Wednesday I went to Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick during my lunch break. An elderly Mata jee which I sometimes see at the Gurdwara came out and went to share Guru's Fateh with me. She is always happy to see me. When I see her I give a smile and ask how she is. This the least we can do for our respected elders. This makes Mata jee feel good and she asks me how I am.

Well, on Wednesday, Mata jee stopped me and we had a quick chat. I was so humbled that she said, "You are my sakha (real) puth (son). I am your maa (mother)." When I asked, "Mata jee, how are you?" She replied, "It's all Guru Sahib's blessings. Who are we? He keeps us living and moving. Dear son, my knees gave in. I could not walk or move. I prayed to Guru jee, please bless me with the ability to move so that I can have your Darshan everyday. I prayed, I don't need anything but enough strength so that I can walk to the Gurdwara and have Guru jee's darshan. Guru is great. He heard my prayers. I was bed bound, but Guru gave this old lady strength again."

Mata jee was speaking with so much drive, determination and devotion. It was heart whelming. She carried on to say, "Son, a human has no ability to do anything. I am an old lady. Guru jee gave me strength to wake up at Amrit-vela and come to the Gurdwara for 2am every day without fail. Guru Jee would make us ladies recite Sukhmani Sahib every morning. How else can someone wake up so early and come to the Gurdwara? It is Guru jee's blessings. I prayed Guru jee I know I am old but I seek nothing but your Darshan at 2am. Guru gave me strength. We moved house. We now live far from the Gurdwara but Guru jee gives this old lady strength to catch two buses to come to the Gurdwara."

It was so inspiring to see such an elderly lady with so many health problems caused by old age had the drive to wake up at Amrit-vela, have Guru jee's darshan and do seva has not been shaken. It really made me think about how we easily press the snooze button when the alarm goes off in the morning and laziness steps in to our lives.

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Sikhs pay respects to British soldier murdered in Woolwich...

Sikhs in Britain have condemned the brutal murder of a soldier by Islamic fanatics in Woolwich last week. Sikhs have served in the British armed forces for 150 years and have fought in their turbans during the First and Second World Wars. There are Sikhs serving as the Queens Guard and a guard outside Buckingham Palace. Many people's grandparents or great-grandparents fought in the First and Second World Wars. 

 

The photos below show the Sikh community paying their respects to Lee Rigby and condemning the horrific crime:

Members of Ramgarhia Gurdwara Woolwich paying tribute with flowers

A Sikh gentleman offering flowers at the scene

A Sikh father and son offer flowers along with other members of the Sikh community

 

10 Downing Street Kesri Lehar Vigil...

On Tuesday, we went to 10 Downing Street for the Kesri Lehar Vigil, which is a non-radical movement focused on abolishing the ‘Death Penalty and Human Rights Abuses’ in India. In particular highlighting the injustices faced by the Sikh community in India. The year long vigil which includes keertan by Sangat in the evening outside 10 Downing Street is to protest against how the shameless Indian government have asked for Professor Davinderpal Singh to face the death penalty based on a confessional statement. He was declared guilty of killing nine bystanders in a 1993 car bombing intended to kill Indian Congress politician Maninderjeet Singh Bitta, and sentenced to death by hanging by split decision, which has created a lot of controversy among judicial and human rights circles, considering there is no evidence or proof.

One out of three judges on the Supreme Court, M B Shah, acquitted Professor Bhullar of any wrongdoing. However, even then the President of India upheld the death penalty. Now the public prosecutor involved in convicting Professor Bhullar, senior advocate Anoop G Chaudhari, is agreeing with the dissenting verdict delivered by the judge Shah that Professor Bhulllar is innocent. See article. 

What started as a Kesri Lehar presence outside 10 Downing Street from 12 noon to 5pm on 12th April 2013 has become a constant vigil - all night and till next June until the UK Prime Minister sends the UK Foreign Secretary to India or until Prof Bhullar is executed. I was so inspired to see that our brothers have been staying outside 10 Downing Street since last month since Professor Bhullar, whose mental health has deteriorated due to torture, was moved from hospital back to Tihar Jail in preparation to be hanged.  Despite the cold nights, a small group of men have been sleeping there, serving the visiting Sangat with langar (food) and refreshments, and distributing leaflets to the public.

Dedicated volunteers who have been staying outside 10 Downing Street for over a month.

Placards facing the road and public

 

As I was helping to distribute some leaflets to the public, a came across a white Croatian lady who lives in London. She was taking some photographs of the placards and signs, so I approached her. I said, "We are holding this vigil because of the human rights abuses in India. In particular regarding Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar who is on death row in India." The lady replied, "I know Sir. I have been walking past this vigil since it started. I think it is amazing. I very inspired by the men who sleep here and have been carrying on the vigil." 

I explained, "Sikhs, like other minorities in India, are denied rights and justice. Despite being less than 2% of India's population have been the main contributors in making sacrifices for India's independence in 1947. However, instead the Panjab was denied rights of language, water, and electricity. When the Sikhs spoke out, they were labelled "separatists" and eventually our holy shrine, the Golden Temple, was attacked in 1984, in what can be described as a holocaust. Then in November 1984 there was a genocide of Sikhs following the assassination of the Prime Minister. Since 1984 till the mid 1990s there were extra-judicial killings in what is known as fake encounters where innocent Sikh youths were wiped out by the Panjab Police who brought terror to common people. The murders and killers of the Sikhs have been promoted into positions of power and made members of parliament whereas innocent people like Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar have been announced the death penalty. Sikhs have been denied justice and therefore Sikhs feel that there is no other way that having independence and freedom from India."

The lady carefully listened and showed sympathy and support for the Sikhs. She supported the idea that a country where the government, law-makers and those who upkeep the law are corrupt and unjust, there the people had a right to seek freedom and independence.  I mentioned something like Sikhs are peaceful people. The lady smiled and said, "You are definitely not peaceful people. I know that Sikhs are warriors!" I smiled and said, "We are Saint-Soldiers, defenders of faith." I showed my Kirpan and said that it represents being merciful (kirpaa) in defending others and also maintaining self-dignity (aan).

The lady looked utterly shocked. She then asked if she should take a photograph, to which I agreed. I explained Sikh women also wear a Kirpan. One Bibi showed her Kirpan. Again the lady asked to take a photograph and was shocked at the equality in the Sikh religion. She said, "Are you allowed to wear this? Isn't is dangerous that you are wearing a weapon" I replied, "Sikhs are Saint-Soldiers." She replied, "How can you be a Saint and Soldier? A soldier kills. The two cannot go hand in hand." I replied, "If you give a scalpel to a doctor, he will save a life. If you give scalpel to someone else, he can take life. If you give a weapon to a saint, he will save and protect life, whereas other people may use the weapon to commit tyranny." She became very interested at this point and said, what about a gun then? Is it okay to keep a gun. "Why not? The gun is not the problem, it is the one holding the gun - is he a spiritually minded and humanity loving person who would use the gun to protect women, children and men and keep people safe or is this person unstable and evil who would commit terror. I would not be scared if you were holding a gun, because I know you are a good person." She then said, "I agree. That is pretty cool. I never thought of Saint-Soldier before. I have learnt something knew."

I mentioned that on 9th June there is march and rally in London in memory of all those that have been murdered since 1984 and rally for the freedom of the Sikh people to have their own homeland. The lady was interested and supportive that she got out her diary and made a special note of the date and time. She shook my hand and she supports the cause of the Sikhs and thinks we are amazing people and said she will definitely come along on 9th June to show solidarity in Sikhs having their own homeland and paying tribute to the hundreds of thousands of Sikhs that have been killed by the state. 

Then another lady to whom I gave a leaflet said, "Thanks. I know about this. I walk past here everyday when going home from work. I went home and looked up on the Internet about Kesri Lehar and the whole vigil. I fully support the cause and support Sikhs. I went on the Amnesty International Twitter looking for information about the Sikh Vigil but nothing showed. Please can you guys try and get Amnesty International Twitter to cover your vigil so that more people know. Keep up the good work." She smiled and walked off. How amazing.

There are other amazing stories that the sevadaars who have been staying there for a while shared with me.

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Story of Veer Jagjit Singh...

WaheguruJiKaKhalsa WaheguruJiKiFateh 

Daas used to be the type of person who would only come to the Gurdwara on weekends; Saturdays for Punjabi school and Sundays for the Divaan. I remember I had finished Panjabi school back in June 2011 and started college in September. I used to eat meat, cut my kesh, and be engrossed in Maya all the time with little attention towards Sikhi. However, from my upbringing, I knew about the history of our Gurus and Shaheed Singhs but I forgot them over time and their value was underestimated. I was interested in seva so there was duality but yet the path was not clear as the five thieves were in control of the mind.

Bhai Sahib Giani Pinderpal Singh jee doing Kathaa

I remember going downstairs after waking up to watch Sikh Channel this was 26th December 2011. Giani Pinderpal Singh was doing katha on the Shaheedi of the Chotte Sahibzadey and daas sat there and listened to the full katha, with tears in my eyes whilst regretting previous mistakes and telling the mind “they didn’t give up their dharam but you have”. From this point on I pledged to keep my kesh, give up meat and all other bad actions which drove me away from the true path of Sikhi. Another inspirational moment was also listening to some Katha being done by Sant Baba Baljit Singh Daddu vale on Sangat TV, this fuelled the ambition even more.

After this, daas started to do seva as much as possible and gain inspiration about Sikhi from where possible. I went back to college after the holidays and continued to study. In February (2012), daas had the opportunity to start learning keertan and gurbani santhiya which was great! I remember Giani Sadhu Singh who taught daas santhiya (how to read Gurbani) and with Guru’s kirpa daas went from 5 pauria of Japji Sahib to 7 Bania and Sukhmani Sahib. Giani Ji had darshan of Sant Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji which inspired me and he used to tell us all about how to respect Gurbani as much as possible. I was still growing my Kesh at this time and remember coming to the Gurdwara on a Wednesday for the santhiya with a Dastaar tied for the first time. I saw Giani Ji coming down the steps and he was so happy I’ve never seen him like that before. I used to practice tying a dastaar in my spare time but did not wear it fully until April/May as my kesh were very little.

The challenges were tough especially controlling the mind and directing it towards to Jap Naam, the Amritvela was on and off it wasn’t permanent. Even though I knew how to recite the Bani, the mind used to be lazy and it became an obstacle. But I was happy knowing that I had made a step towards the Guru and Guru Ji would do their kirpa. Guru Ji did a lot for daas, I cannot even express how many times my Ardaas was heard whether it was to get into university, pass the driving test or to get good grades in college it all happened with Guru Ji’s kirpa. Time passed and coming towards December 2012, I remember my good Sikh friend urging me on Facebook to be blessed Amrit at the Barsi program, I knew that I was on/off and not ready (I didn’t know the importance of Amrit as such) so I said it will happen with the Guru’s grace.

From January, quite a few Keertan programs were organised which inspired me a lot and daas carried on doing santhiya when I could. At a Keertan program in March daas had so much anand I decided the goal was to take Amrit this Vaisakhi. I thought over it a few times and looked at the Rehat Maryada of a Gursikh compared with myself. I then approached my family and asked them for permission at the time they said they will think about it (I thought it was very important to ask). I think it was a day or two later they refused and had some doubts such as university work, having time to do essays, how will you wake up at Amritvela, and so on. I felt sad but I remembered the power of Ardaas and went to see Guru Sahib and asked for the Gift of Amrit in every Ardaas. Later on that day I brought up the topic of Amrit again and the importance of it with the family, they agreed and all doubts were cleared! I was so happy with Maharaaj and I found out the next Amrit Sanchar was at Singh Sabha Gurdwara Bradford on Saturday 13th April. There were 2 other Singhs who were going to become my brothers from Huddersfield as well. This was near the end of March.

I was excited, I started doing Amritvela and Nitnem and started to look at kakkaars while listening to the Katha by Giani Thakur Singh relating to the Rehat Maryada pustak by Giani Gurbachan Singh. I counted down the days, asking for the gift of the Nectar and inspiring myself with Gurbani. The Kakkaars came 2 days before but I did not wear them as I thought I need to be practicing the full rehat properly and have fear of the Guru. I couldn’t sleep the night before and had about 2 hours of sleep, I woke at 2am without no alarms (shockingly) and had Kesi Ishnaan fully. I did Nitnem and felt excited. The Amrit Sanchaar was at 10am. I took the other 2 Singhs with me and my mum (she wanted to go as well). I have never experienced such anand and sweetness in my entire life that I had by giving the True Guru my Mind, Body, and Wealth. Such is the rass of Amrit it cannot be described. All the previous sins, mistakes were ended, thus I was reborn as Sanmukh.

WaheguruJiKaKhalsa WaheguruJiKiFateh

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Note: Thank you to Veer jee for sharing his story.

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

 

Bhai Jagjit Singh on the real story behind Sadda Haq

Fantastic talk by Bhai Jagjit Singh on the the real story behind the movie Sadda Haq. He is also part of SOPW, which is is an organisation for prisoner welfare. For more information visit their website: http://www.prisonerwelfare.com/

Bhai Mohinder Singh Kala Sangha leaves this earthly abode...

Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee (Kala Sanghia)

 

 

 

Article taken from www.Sikh24.com

 

Eminent Panthik Gursikh Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji Kala Sangha Passes Away 

By: Sikh24 Editors 

NAWANSHAHER, Punjab (May 15, 2013)–Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji an eminent Panthik personality passed away at a hospital in Nawasehar around 8 AM yesterday. Being strongly committed to Gursikhi rehit maryada, Bhai Mohinder Singh had refused to undergo brain surgery as it would include removal of his kesh. Sikh24 has learned that he had developed some kind of tumour in the brain. 

Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji Kala Sangha Bhai Sahib’s antim sanskar (funeral) was performed today at 4 PM at his native village. The funeral was organised shortly after his passing, but Sikh Sangat from different parts of Punjab arrived in Kala Sangha for his antim-darshan. 

Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji was a true example of a Sikh. He had done sangat of many Gursikhs, including Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Ji, Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh Ji and many other Gursikhs of the Sikh Human Rights movement. 

He kept strict Gursikhi rehit and was a strong adherent of naam simran and Gurbani. He did Gursikhi parchaar and also organized many amrit sanchaars and samagams throughout Punjab. 

Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji was tortured severely after Operation Blue Star. His name was often included by Police in cases related to Singhs after 1984. He was recently again arrested in February 2009 from his home. Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji strongly opposed self-styled deras against the superiority of Guru Granth Sahib Ji

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Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Back to Sikhi: Inspiring Transformations... (Series 17)

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 photos of people who have reverted back or found the True Guru's Path. Many people who are looking for strength and confidence to follow the Guru's Path find these transformation pictures and stories of people's experiences of Sikhi very inspiring and motivating. If anyone else would like to share their story of how they came in or came back into Sikhi and share photos with the Sangat then please email me. (Email address is displayed in side bar).

 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)

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Shaheed Bhai Gurpal Singh Babbar...

Today is the Shaheedi divas (martyrdom day) of Shaheed Bhai Gurpal Singh Babbar.

Author: Balpreet Singh 

Taken from: www.Tapoban.org

Introduction During the mid 80’s, the movement for a free state for the Khalsa was in its early stages. Scores of Singhs were shot and killed with each passing day. Thousands of bright young men and women came forward to take up arms and fight the Brahmanical oppressors, who were bent on decimating Sikhi forever. The events of 1978 and 1984 had a deep impact on the psyche of every Sikh, this ignited a passion for Sikhi and transformed them into saint-warriors. One such youth was Bhai Gurpal Singh Jee from Bhuccho Mandi, district Bathinda.


Youth
Bhai Sahib was born in 1968 at Bhuccho Mandi, Bathinda. Bhai Sahib came from very educated, rich, and prosperous family. Both of Bhai Sahib’s parents were teachers and taught at nearby high schools. Bhai Sahib was an amritdhari from childhood and was very devout. He would go to the Gurdwara daily and listen to nitnem there and only then eat anything. By the time he was in his teens he had many many bannian kanth (memorized) and was a very good akhand paathi from larivaar saroop. 

Bhai Sahib get naam drir and took amrit of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Jee from the Akhand Kirtani Jatha at the Ludhiana Smaagam. From that day he kept Sarbloah Rahit of the Khalsa. When he came home that night, on his shoulder he was carrying a boori, a hemp sack filled with sarbloh batte and other vessels. He immediately took all the china and glassware and threw them in the garbage. Bhai Sahib told his parents, “We will cook and eat in sarbloh from now on. This is the guru’s rehit.” Before going underground Bhai Sahib was always tayaar-bar-tayyar and wore the Khalsa bana, with a damala and chola. Bhai Sahib was very strong and had a good physical build.

Bhai Sahib as Engineer
Bhai Sahib was a very intelligent person who was a natural at architecture and engineering. Bhai Sahib was under 15 when he designed and oversaw the building of their beautiful new house. The house was designed in such a way that it stayed cool in the summer and warm in the winter. He himself built a chvara, second storey room with four walls exposed. On the top parts of all the outside walls of the chvara he wrote Gurbani shabads in concrete. He did the same on every other wall of the house. He had so much love for bani that he could not live without it. He wanted all that Gurbani in the house to keep reminding him to always read Gurbani.

When he made the chvara he noticed that he could not meditate with as much concentration as he wanted. He thought that he could focus more on bani if all the outside noise was eliminated. So he came up with a plan to make a basement under the master bedroom. At that time and even now basements virtually did not exist. It was not a practical building practice then. But Bhai Sahib devised a plan to make a bhora right underneath the existing room on the ground floor. He secretly put this plan into motion, only his parents knew about this. When he was done, this basement was totally self-sufficient and included a vent for air circulation.  

Joining the Movement
Bhai Sahib excelled in education and skipped a couple of grades. He decided to enroll in an Engineering Program at Punjab University at Ludhiana. He was one of the most intelligent students that the University had ever seen. It was there that he met Singhs that were working against the tyrant regime. He quickly picked up knowledge about weapons and began to take active part in the movement for freedom. The Singhs at the university did regular sat sang at the university dorms.

Bhai Gurpal Singh jee soon took part in big operations such as the rescuing of Bhai Anokh Singh Jee from the Ludhiana Court houses. He worked together with all organizations of Singhs. Bhai Sahib took action with Bhai Jarnail Singh Halwara and Bhai Manmohan Singh jee. Bhai Sahib was always in chardi kala and had a tremendous nitnaem. No matter what duty brought, he always did two Sukhmani Sahib paths before eating his evening meal. Singhs that saw him talk about the red-Gurmukhi glow that was present on his face.

Soon he became the brain of the operations conducted in the Malwa region. In early 1987 Bhai Sahib came to see his parents and told them, “My time is near, do not cry after I am gone, get Singhs to do an akhand paath for me.” Before teaching a lesson to many evil police officers Bhai Sahib’s time to get Shaheedee had finally come.

Shaheedee
One hot spring three companions were asleep in Haripur, Sangroor, when someone tipped off the police and CRPF. Bhai Jarnail Singh Halwara and Bhai Gurpal Singh Jee were inside the building, and another Singh was sleeping outside. The two Singhs heard a scuffle outside and immediately knew what was happening, they locked the doors and took machine guns with them and made their way out the back door. There they were met with heavy resistance by the CRPF. The two Singhs fought like true Khalsa warriors and killed dozens of CRPF and policemen. Both Singhs suffered multiple bullet wounds and attained Shaheedee. Observers say that both Singhs’ heads did not touch the ground, such was the love that Guru Sahib had for these two chardi kala Singhs. Bhai Gurpal Singh jee was only 19 years of age at the time of Shaheedee!!! The day was May 10, 1987.

After their Shaheedee countless Singhs gathered at Bhai Gurpal Singh’s house and did an akhand paath and akhand kirtan, which was done in great chardikala. The village of Halwara made a new gurdwara in honor of Shaheed Bhai Jarnail Singh Jee Halwara. The ones that knew these Singhs will never forget the jeevan they led. The ones that never knew them, now know what they missed.

Taken from Tapoban.org

ਆਏ ਸੰਤ ਪਰਾਹੁਣੇ...

Last Sunday, Gursikh came over to grace our family with their presence. It was so nice to have Bhai Jarnail Singh jee (Leamington Spa) come over and share vichaar on Naam and Jeevan. Afterwards everyone did Keertan. Vaheguru.

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Sikhs in India protest against Injustice...

Today hundreds of Sikhs in Delhi staged a protest near Parliament House blocking traffic for about an hour against the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms case and demanding capital punishment for the mass killer of the Sikhs. 

Holding placards and shouting slogans against Congress, the protesters, including women, squatted at Vijay Chowk which is just a few metres away from Parliament House where a large number of police personnel were deployed. The Sikh Sangat, blocked traffic for about an hour after which they were mercilessly beaten and taken into custody by police who took them to a nearby police station. 

Different parts of India are witnessing protests since last Tuesday after a court acquitted Sajjan Kumar in an anti-Sikh pogroms case. Meanwhile, the indefinite fast of Bibi Nirpreet Kaur, one of the '84 anti-Sikh violence victims, entered the fourth day today. Bibi Nirpreet Kaur is protesting against the acquittal of Sajjan Kumar. Bibi jee who lost her father in the anti-Sikh genocide, had on Sunday shot off a letter to the Prime Minister asking him to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the genocide. She has also demanded that CBI should file an appeal in the Delhi High Court against Sajjan Kumar in the case in which he was recently acquitted by a trial court.

Photos below showing how the victims of genocide are treated when they are denied justice: