Importance of Gurmukhi & Panjabi

In celebration of 300 years of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee, SikhNet.com held a film festival. The below video is a documentary by Raj Singh portraying the importance of the Gurmukhi script as well as the language of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee, Gurbani.




On one of the online Sikh forums someone posted a topic: "How Often Do You Speak Panjabi?" The topic is very important and made me think about how much we speak and value Panjabi.

If we look at third generation Pakistani children, they can speak fluent Urdu/Panjabi. On the other hand, most second generation young Panjabis cannot speak fluent Panjabi. This is very worrying, considering the Panjabi language and Gurmukhi script is an integral part of Sikh heritage, culture, and religion.

Some people don't speak Punjabi because they are frightened that they will make a mistake - SO WHAT? I used to make and still continue to make mistakes when speaking Panjabi (even English! lol). That's how one learns. When you say something wrong or mispronounce a word, the other person can correct you and you can learn from it! You only learn through making mistakes and not having the fear to make mistakes.

All Gursikhs should be able to speak Panjabi. If not - LEARN! Guru Sahib gave us Gurmukhi lipi (script) and the Panjabi language is the language of the Sikh Nation. If it had not been for the Guru Sahibs and Sikhs, there would be no Panjab. Panjabi is our language. A nation without its mother tongue is doomed! Look at Africans who were made into slaves. They were deprived of their mother tongue. When they would speak their native language they would be beaten. Eventually they lost all culture, history, and religion and become slaves of western culture and adopted the names of the White masters.


Guru Kirpaa karan.


Another point is that I have noticed some youngsters seem to take the mick and mock Gursikhs which speak good Panjabi or speak more Panjabi than English amongst their Sikh circle. This is really bad. I have seen this happen and its really embarrassing to watch our own people find our own mother tongue embarrassing and something to mock.


A few personal suggestions for learning or improving Panjabi skills:

1. Attend Panjabi class at a nearby Gurdwara, school, or college.

2. Attend Gurbani Santheaa class.

3. Try and listen to people speaking Panjabi (listening to Kathaa is extremely useful).

4. Try and read books or newspapers in Panjabi to pick up new words.

5. Most importantly, do Ardaas! Ask Guru jee to help you learn Panjabi and read Gurmukhi and the Great Guru will truly make the impossible possible and show the way.

Bhagat Ravidaas Jee

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

A GLIMPSE AT THE LIFE OF BHAGAT RAVIDAAS JEE

Background

Bhagat Ravidaas jee was born on Ravivaar (Sunday) into family whose members were declared untouchable by the ancient Indian caste-system philosophy. According to the ancient caste system, humans were 'in principle' high or low according to their birth and no action could alter this inferiority or superiority. Bhagat jee was born into the family of Bhai Santokh Daas jee and Bibi Kalsi Devi Jee, who were poor leather-makers ('Chamaars') by caste and occupation. He was barely five days old when Bhagat Ramanand jee visited his house and blessed the child.

ਜਿਹ ਕੁਲ ਸਾਧੁ ਬੈਸਨੌ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਬਰਨ ਅਬਰਨ ਰੰਕੁ ਨਹੀ ਈਸੁਰੁ ਬਿਮਲ ਬਾਸੁ ਜਾਨੀਐ ਜਗਿ ਸੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
"That family, into which a devotee of Waheguru is born, whether of high or low social class, whether rich or poor, shall have its pure fragrance spread all over the world. ||1||Pause||"
(Bhagat Ravidaas jee, Ang 858)

Adulthood

When Bhagat jee was old enough, he got married and his father inspired him to join the family business. But Bhagat Ravidaas jee was absorbed in devotion of Waheguru. The money he received from his father for business, he spent in the welfare of the Saints and needy. His father was extremely angry with him and threw him out of the house. Bhagat jee did not regret his actions and quietly left home and began to live in a small hut with his wife where they decided to set up a small shop of making and repairing shoes.

ਨਾਗਰ ਜਨਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਬਿਖਿਆਤ ਚੰਮਾਰੰ ॥
ਰਿਦੈ ਰਾਮ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਗੁਨ ਸਾਰੰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
"O humble townspeople! I am obviously just a Chamaar, shoemaker, (which you people consider low), but in my heart I cherish the Glories of Waheguru (and for this reason I am no longer low). ||1||Pause||"
(Bhagat Ravidaas jee, Ang 1293)

Meeting the True Guru
Bhagat Ravidas jee, like other Bhagats whose Bani is contained in Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee, was a contemporary of Guru Nanak Dev jee. We know this as Mira Bai who lived during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar was a disciple of Bhagat Ravidaas jee. Janamsaakhis and 'Tvareek Guru Khalsa' (p. 80) mention that the Bhagats met Guru Nanak Dev Jee. According to the Meharvaan Janamsaakhi, the Bhagats met Guru Nanak Dev jee at Ayodhya. From reading Gurbani, the Bhagats clearly state that they found the True Guru and that received Amrit & Naam from the Satguru, who can only be Satguru Nanak. Therefore, Bhagat Ravidaas jee became a disciple of Guru Nanak Dev jee. A Gurdwara Sahib is constructed in Ayodha in memory of the historic meeting between Guru jee and the Bhagats.

ਪਰਮ ਪਰਸ ਗੁਰੁ ਭੇਟੀਐ ਪੂਰਬ ਲਿਖਤ ਲਿਲਾਟ ॥
ਉਨਮਨ ਮਨ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਮਿਲੇ ਛੁਟਕਤ ਬਜਰ ਕਪਾਟ ॥੬॥
"When one's pre-ordained destiny awakens and one meets the True Guru, who is the Supreme Philosopher's Stone, then the inner-soul meets with the Supreme Soul, and the stubborn doors of the mind are opened wide. ||6||"
(Bhagat Ravidaas jee, Ang 346)

The Revealing of 'Dhur Kee Baanee'
With True Guru's Grace, Bhagat jee reached God-consciousness (Brahm-Gyaan) and experienced Waheguru's Divine Light. He was blessed with the gift of revealing Gurbani sent by Waheguru for the benefit of humanity. Forty Shabads were revealed through Bhagat jee that were later incorporated in Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee by Guru Arjan Dev jee. One may think why wasn't Bhagat Ravidaas jee called 'Guru' if he revealed Gurbani? The late Giani Sant Singh Maskeen gave the following analogy to explain the difference between Guru and Bhagat. There is one child who opens his eyes and realizes he is sitting in his mother's lap, and other has to crawl to his mother and then sits in her lap. Then Ten Sikh Gurus had Brahm-Gyaan from the very beginning. They opened their eyes and they were already sitting in the lap of Waheguru. On the other hand, the Bhagats were those who in some point of their life, after spiritual work and effort, experienced the Divine Light and sat in the lap of Waheguru Once they reached this level, Waheguru revealed the Shabad Guru to humanity through these chosen Bhagats. As a consequence there is no difference between the Shabad (Gurbaani) revealed through the Sikh Gurus and the Bhagats. Both are 'Gurbani'.

ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਉਪਾਏ ਵੇਖੈ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਭੀਨੇ ਹਰਿ ਜਲੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਨਾ ॥੩॥
"The Lord who created the whole creation and watches over all is hidden in each and every heart; He reveals Himself in the humble saints who fall at the feet of the Guru. Those saints chant the Name of the Lord and are drenched with the Lord's Love. Their minds are drenched with the Ambrosial Water of the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||3||"
(Guru Nanak Dev jee, Ang 1171)

The Queen of Chitaur

The queen of Chitaur, Maharani Jhally, had heard of Bhagat Ravidaas jee's greatness. On pilgrimage to Banaaras she visited Bhagat Ravidaas jee and heard Gurbani being sung. Hearing the Divine Praises of Waheguru she became a follower of Bhagat jee. However, the king got enraged on hearing that that his wife had made a low-caste cobbler her Guru. The queen tried to convince her husband of Bhagat jee's greatness which made his mind confused whether or not Bhagat jee was a great saint or not. In order to test Bhagat jee, the king invited him to Chitaur and requested to participate in a religious feast. The Brahmin priests refused to eat alongside a low-caste. Hearing this Bhagat jee moved away. But miraculously, the Brahmins started seeing every person distributing food look like Bhagat jee. They complained to the king. The king understood the mystery and meaning of the incident and became a follower of Bhagat jee.

ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਕੁਟ ਬਾਂਢਲਾ ਢੋਰ ਢੋਵੰਤਾ ਨਿਤਹਿ ਬਾਨਾਰਸੀ ਆਸ ਪਾਸਾ ॥
ਅਬ ਬਿਪ੍ਰ ਪਰਧਾਨ ਤਿਹਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਡੰਡਉਤਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਸਰਣਾਇ ਰਵਿਦਾਸੁ ਦਾਸਾ ॥੩॥੧॥
"It is my occupation to prepare and cut leather; each day, I carry the carcasses out of the city. But (O Waheguru!) Your slave who was born in that social-class has come into the sanctuary of Your Naam (Divine-Name), and now the important Brahmins of the city bow down before me. ||3||1||"
(Bhagat Ravidaas jee, Ang 1293)

Undying Faith in Naam

It is said that once a wealthy man felt sorry at Bhagat Ravidaas jee living in poverty and so offered Bhagat jee with the gift of a 'paaras' (the philosopher's stone that turns cheaper metal into Gold). The man assured Bhagat jee that he could get any amount of wealth by making use of it. Bhagat jee asked him to place it in a corner. A few month later, when the same man came to see Bhagat Ravidaas jee, he found the Bhagat jee still living in poverty. He asked Bhagat jee why he had not used the philosopher's stone. Bhagat jee replied, "God's Name alone is the paaras."

ਕਹੁ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਸਭੈ ਨਹੀ ਸਮਝਸਿ ਭੂਲਿ ਪਰੇ ਜੈਸੇ ਬਉਰੇ ॥
ਮੋਹਿ ਅਧਾਰੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਾਰਾਇਨ ਜੀਵਨ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਧਨ ਮੋਰੇ ॥੩॥੧॥
"O Ravidaas! Say- (those who have been plundered by desires) all run around deluded like madmen and do not understand (that the true support of Life is Waheguru's Name); I have the Lord's Name as my only Support; He is my life, my breath of life, my wealth. ||3||1||"
(Bhagat Ravidaas jee, Ang 974)

Bhagat jee lived to a ripe old age of 151 years, and died in 1529 at Chittor, in Rajasthan. An umbrella-like tomb in his memory still stands there. It was Bhagat Ravidaas jee' firm faith in Waheguru that he was able to ultimately achieve oneness and union with the Creator.

ਜੈਸਾ ਰੰਗੁ ਕਸੁੰਭ ਕਾ ਤੈਸਾ ਇਹੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥
ਮੇਰੇ ਰਮਈਏ ਰੰਗੁ ਮਜੀਠ ਕਾ ਕਹੁ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਚਮਾਰ ॥੪॥੧॥
"O Ravidaas, the tanner! Say- (As I deal with the Lord's Name, I know that) the love of this world is like the pale, temporary color of the safflower. However, the color of my Lord's Love is permanent, like the dye of the madder plant. ||4||1||"
(Bhagat Ravidaas jee, Ang 346)

Looking for a New Car

I thought it has a been a while since I shared a funny story, so here is a recent story...

Two weeks ago the old car got sold because there were loads of things going wrong with the car. So my dad and I have been looking for a new car for me to use, otherwise I am not able go anywhere! :(

Last week we looked on the Auto Trader website for cars. There was one car that looked nice and had a fairly reasonable price. I rang the number that was given on the website. I said, "Hello. I've seen your car for sale on Auto Trader. Is the car still for sale?" The man replied, "Hello, hello... hello" (a bit like elderly Panjabi people do when they can't hear someone on the phone - I have been accused of doing this also, but I deny doing this!). I realised the man was a foreigner from his accent. I repeated, "Hi. I've seen your car for sale on Auto Trader. Is the car still for sale?" The man, "No, no, no, no, no, no.... Yes!" I was confused whether it was a 'No' or a 'Yes. Waheguru.

I was trying to speak to the man but he got really frustrated because he couldn't understand a word I was saying and I couldn't understand a word that he was saying. Because I couldn't understand a word he was saying, the man decided to speak louder and louder. It was like he was shouting down the phone (but I still couldn't understand him). In frustration I passed the phone to my dad because I thought he might be able to communicate with the man. The man had a Middle Eastern foreign accent.

Rab hee raakhaa! I couldn't stop myself from giggling because my dad was speaking loud as well and he was speaking really really slow (I mean mega slow!) in order for the man to understand. We eventually got to the point that they both agreed that he was selling his car (that would be a good start!). Then he agreed for us to come over and have a look (which would be ideal! hehe). The funnier part was the man giving his address over the phone. All I could hear was "Toaster", "Toaster Road". So my dad repeated, "So you live on Toaster Road?" He said, "No, no, no, no.... Toaster Road." Hai Rabbaa.

Then my dad asked the man can you please spell your road name. Waheguru. The man said, "Ermmm.... " Then he started saying random letters and when my dad repeated what he heard him saying he would say, "No, no, no, no, no..." and say another letter or even repeat what my dad heard the first time. His English was really poor and he could barely communicate (I don't know how he planned to sell his car!). Eventually he had decided to give his postcode (after realising no one could understand one another over the phone).

Chalo, we now had his postcode. I searched on the Internet for his postcode and a road name comes up but the road name sounds nothing like what the man was saying on the phone (i.e. "Toaster"). So we took the chance and put the postcode in the SatNav and headed our way to this other town. When we got there it was clearly the wrong address, because it was slap bang in the middle of the town centre and there was a small church and some houses that looked like old people's homes. So we rang the man again. I passed the phone to my dad because I couldn't handle the man! Waheguru.

My dad told him that we are on so and so road but it looks like the wrong address. Then he said, "No, no, no... wrong road." The man started saying another road name. Now, even my dad was getting frustrated with the man because he couldn't make out what road he was saying. When my dad asked him to spell the road name, he said, "Wait one minute, I call my friend." He passed the phone to his friend whose English was just as bad! But with Waheguru's Kirpaa the man was eventually able to spell the road name (very slowly!). So he gave the number 45 Bilston Road. We drive there and say "Please stand outside so we can see where your house is." No one was there. It was a main road and looked like the wrong number. So we ring him again, and now he decides to say he lives at number 155. Sat Naam, Waheguru. I was thinking how many houses does this bloke have on this road!

We then got to number 45 Bilston Road, and saw a man waving at us outside a Polish grocery store. Was it a random man waving at us? lol. We waited and then he got inside his car (which he had advertised) and without telling us he just drove off. Thankfully we asssumed that he wished us to follow him. So we drove behind him. He then parked up a few streets ahead.

The road name was "Dunster Close". I don't know how on earth the man got from "Dunster" to "Toaster". On top of that I was thinking "Why did he say Bilston Road when he doesn't actually live there!" Waheguru. Anyway, after all that hassle we didn't buy the car. The tyres were wrecked! There were loads (I mean loads) of scratches and chips (Rab Jaane what the man has been doing with the car) and it looked filthy! I thought "Hai Bhai! At least clean the car (even slightly) before trying to sell it to someone."

The man ended up being Polish (and not Middle Eastern!). He was a friendly and nice person, and was much more easier to understand than on the phone (when he was shouting!).

Chalo, it was a bit of adventure! We couldn't stop laughing on the way back home! :)

Useful Gurbani Audios

I have come across some great Gurbani audio files which are worth sharing with the Sangat.

Nitnem & other Baani Audios
Beatuifully recited Paatth by Gurmukh Pyaare.

Nitnem - Raagi Baldev Singh (GNNSJ)
Nitnem - Raagi Baldev Singh (GNNSJ) and Sangat
Nitnem - Unknown Gurmukh
Nitnem - Dr. Pritam Singh "Anjaan"
Nitnem - Bhai Sahib Jeevan Singh


Sukhmani Sahib - Raagi Baldev Singh (GNNSJ)
Sukhmani Sahib (Keertan) - Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa
Sukhmani Sahib - Prof. Satnam Singh Sethi
Sukhmani Sahib - Bhai Raghbir Singh



Sehaj Paatth Audio

For anyone who is doing a Sehaj Paatth it is a very good tool to have, particularly when reading difficult Baanis. You can listen to the audio and try reading along.

Santheaa Paatth - Giani Harbhajan Singh
Sehaj Paatth - Bhai Balbir Singh "Sidki"

ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਬਦਿ ਸੁਣਾਏ ਸਚਿ ਰਾਤੇ ਰੰਗਿ ਰੰਗਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੪॥
anḏin baṇī shabaḏ suṇāe sacẖ rāṯe rang rangāvṇiā. ||4||
So, night and day, listen to the Word of the Guru's Bani, the Guru's Shabad, and let yourself be coloured by this love. ||4||
(Ang 114)

Hamburg Smaagam Photos

With Satguru's kirpaa last week a three-day Smaagam was held at Singh Sabha Gurdwara Hamburg, Germany, to celebrate Guru Gobind Singh jee Maharaaj's Gurpurb Diwas. The Smaagam was organised by Veer Ramendeep Singh whose birthday it was during the Smaagam! Sangat from Germany, UK, Denmark, Sweden, France and Holland attended the Smaagam and Rainsbai Keertan.

I took a Ryanair flight from Stanstead to Hamburg. I realised that it is better to go on a normal airline because by the time you pay all the hidden charges, luggage cost, payment charge etc, and add up the cost and hassle of getting to Stanstead (which is in the middle of nowhere!) you realise you can pay a little extra and save hassle. Chalo. Arrived there safe and well. The flight back was aweful! A 4 hour delay! Waiting around in a half empty airport which looked like a giant tent! Left Hamburg at 7am and got back home for just over 6pm!

Despite the long journey back home the Smaagam was really nice. It was oranganised by the youth and the majority of the Keertan was done by youth from across Europe. It was inspiring to see all the European Sangat and youth get together and support such programmes. May Guru jee continue to bless the Sikh Sangat with pyaar, eiktaa, and Gursikhi.

Some photos below from Smaagam:

Saturday morning - Aasa Ki Vaar & Simran





Saturday Evening - Akaal Ustat & Rehraas Sahib Paatth





Saturday Night -Rainsbaaee Keertan








Sunday Morning - Keertan Darbaar








Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee

Bedford Youth Kirtan Darbaar

BEDFORD YOUTH KEERTAN DARBAAR

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh |

With Guru's Kirpaa, a youth akhand keertan darbaar has been arranged in Bedford for the first time in order to encourage more youngsters to build a link with gurbani and keertan. There will be Keertanees from up and down the country.

It will be held on:

Saturday 24th January 2009
6pm till late

at:

Guru Nanak Gurdwara
84 Ford End Road
Queens Park
Bedford
MK40 4JX

For further information call: 07939 513092

Transport from Midlands has been arranged from Coventry, for further information contact Bhai Tarunjeet Singh : 07877888874


A humble request to sangat in London and other areas, due to limited transport could I please request people bring their own vehicles and bring as much sangat as possible.

Please feel free to pass this message to friends and family.

Money raised from the program will go to 'Unique Home' orphanage for abandoned girls in Model Town, Jalandhar, Punjab.

Please help support our sisters.

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh |

--------------------

Derby Gurmat Camp Photos

On Sunday 11th January, Daas attended a one day camp, organised by Singh Sabha Gurdwara Derby and the local Sangat to commemorate the Guru Gobind Singh jee's Gurpurb. Speakers were invited from outside to deliver talks regarding the life of Guru Gobind Singh jee to various age groups. Bhai Joginder Singh jee from Leicester inspired the over 15 group with his inspiring and motivational talk on Guru ji’s life. Dr Daljit Singh Virk amd Bhai Kulwinder Singh also took classes. Other various local Singhs and Singhnian did great sevaa of keeping all the youngsters, especially the younger ones busy with lots of colouring, fun games and stories etc.

After the talks, all the groups went to the local Museum (within the Gurdwara Sahib complex). The newly opened Sikh Museum has lots of old relics from the time of Raja Ranjeet Singh and lots of old Sikh memorabilia. All the campers enjoyed learning about 18th and 19th century Sikh history.

To keep the young children busy they had a trampoline and bouncy castle. Sevadaars found it hard getting the children off, even after 1 hour of playing :)

A Gatka display was presented by Bhai Baljit Singh ji from Birmingham. After this all the campers enjoyed the new animated movie “Sundri”.

Finally prizes were given to all the campers.

Overall everyone really enjoyed the one day camp. May Waheguru continue blessing the local Sangat with more opportunities of doing sewa of the sangat and organising more camps. I look forward to the next one!

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhi!



Note: Please ignore the date and time on the photos! I am 100% sure that it wasn't the date and time written on the photos! Must be a camera error.