Speaking the Truth: Booze and Smoking...

ਬੋਲੀਐ ਸਚੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਝੂਠੁ ਨ ਬੋਲੀਐ || 

boleeai sach dharam jhooth na boleeai. 

"Speak the Truth, in righteousness, and do not speak falsehood." 

(Ang 488)

 

Listen to full Divaan here.  


Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

New painting of Sant Jee installed at Smethwick Gurdwara...

Yesterday on the way to work I visited Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick and was pleasantly surprised to see a lovely painting of Baba Jarnail Singh jee Bhindranwale in the foyer near the Langar hall. Giani jee told me that the painting was especially commissioned by the Gurdwara Sahib management to mark the 30 years anniversary of the June 1984 holocaust. A gora painted the picture, and has done a great job. It would be great to see more Gurdwaras to get artwork showing Shaheeds and Sikh history made by artists. Hopefully people passing by the Langar, young and old, will be reminded of the great sacrifices our Shaheeds have made for us and how their Shaheedi woke the Panth and inspired a new generation of Sikhs to live in the footsteps of the Great Gurus.

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

ਸਾਕਾ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਨਨਕਾਣਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ । Sri Nankana Sahib Massacre

20th February marks the day of the Sri Nankana Sahib Massacre, in which 150 Singhs became Shaheed when peacefully protesting and trying to take control of the shrine. Many Singhs and Singhnian have given their lives for our Gurdwaras. May we always remember their sacrifices and in their memory always be conscious and ready to serve our Gurdwaras. Shaheedaa Nu Lakh Lakh Parnaam.

A GLIMPSE AT SAKA NANKANA SAHIB

Management of Gurdwaras

After 1708, whilst the Khalsa were trying to survive holocausts and genocidal campaigns by escaping to the jungles and deserts, Udaasi Saadhs (holy men), who were sympathizers of the Sikhs, took charge of the management of the Sikh Gurdwaras and shrines. In the late 18th century, the Khalsa gained political strength and made memorials at historical shrines linked to the Gurus. These caretakers of the Gurdwaras, who were non-Sikhs, were known as Mahants (caretakers). Then soon came the Raaj of Raja Ranjit Singh. Although the Khalsa had returned to the cities and villages, the majority of Gurdwaras remained under the control of the Mahants. During Raja Ranjit Singh's Raaj, the Mahants were given property rights and estates (Jageers). As a consequence, the non-Sikh Mahants become more powerful and began to treat and accept the Gurdwaras as their personal property and later came to not only distort Sikh practices and traditions of the Gurdwaras but also commit acts of sacrilege and disrespect. In 1849, the British come into power and employed their own Sarbrahs (managers) at major Sikh shrines like Tarn Taran and Amritsar. The British knew that if Sikhs came to control their Gurdwaras they would be able to control the large amounts of money that the Gurdwara land generated and from donations. Furthermore, the Gurdwaras would allow Sikhs to empower the masses with knowledge and spirit which could cause a revolution and threaten the rulers.

The Misdeeds of Sri Nankana Sahib's Mahant

Mahant Narain Daas was in control of Sri Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev jee. He was linked with the British authorities. The two Mahants before him died of sexually transmitted diseases due to their immoral lifestyle they practiced whilst managing the shrine. The British warned Mahant Narain Daas that he should behave and not end up like his previous predecessors. In 1917-18, Sri Nankana Sahib had 18,750 acres (750 marabbe) of land which generated 1 Lakh rupees revenue, (approximately £1,000), which back in those days was worth lots more. The donations of the Gurdwara Sahib was extra income. In 1917, the Mahant arranged for prostitutes to dance in front of the Gurdwara Sahib. In 1918, a retired Sindhi ACC Officer visited the Gurdwara with his 13-year-old daughter. The young girl was raped by the Mahant's men. Then in 1918 during Puranmaashi (full moon), 6 women from Lyallpur (village Jaranwal) were raped in the Gurdwara by the thugs of the Mahant.

The Sikh Sangat's response

In October 1920, the Sikhs asked the Mahant to mend his corrupt ways. The Mahant refused to give the Gurdwara to the newly formed Shrimoni Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), a Sikh run committee for the management of Sikh shrines and Gurdwaras.  A Sanatan Sikh Group was formed by the anti-Sikh Mahants with the support of the British authorities, who planned a conference in Lahore for 20th February 1921. The Sikhs thought this was the perfect time to take over Sri Nankana Sahib. Whilst the Mahant attends the Lahore conference, the Sikh leaders (Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar, Bhai Lachhman Singh Dharowal, Bhai Mehtab Singh, and Bhai Lehna Singh, etc) planned to peacefully go to Sri Nankana Sahib and take over. However, the Mahant got hold of the news before he even reached Lahore. The British Commissioner of Lahore, Mr. King, helped the Mahant to prepare to kill the Sikhs who planned to come to Sri Nankana Sahib on 20th February. The Mahant was supplied with arms and ammunition. He collected the guns from Lahore, reinforced the Gurdwara gate, and made holes in the walls for firing bullets. He brought and stored 14 tins of flammable paraffin.

Shaheedi Jathas

Sikhs gathered in small groups ready to die and embrace martyrdom for freeing Sri Nankana Sahib from the clutches of the evil Mahant. These groups were Shaheedi Jathas. 150 Singhs got together to go as part of the Shaheedi Jatha. It was decided that all women and children who came to join should go back. Bhai Lachhman Singh's wife was made to turn back and Bibi Inder Kaur was given 18 rupees and told to use the money for arranging the Akhand Paaths for the funerals of Singhs who become Shaheed (martyred). One member of the Sangat was Bhai Kehar Singh who was accompanied by his 9-year-old son, Darbara Singh. From the age of 7, young Darbara Singh would ask his mother whether he can become a Shaheed after his mother told him stories of amazing sacrifices of our Gurus, their brave children, and the Singhs and Singhnian throughout history. His mother would say, "Shaheedi is expensive. You have to earn to get Shaheedi." The innocent child took this to heart and would collect money, hoping one day he would get enough to become shaheed. When the women and children were asked to leave the Jatha, the young Darbara Singh refused to leave and grabbed hold of his father's leg. Seeing his determination, the elders decided to allow him to come. 

The Massacre

On 19th February, the Singhs find out that the Mahant had cancelled his trip to the conference and was coming back to Sri Nankana Sahib, had gathered thugs and gangsters, and received help from the British. Evidence of the British's involvement in providing arms and ammunition to the Mahant to kill the Sikhs is found in a letter written on 18th December 1920 by the Commissioner of Lahore, Mr. King, to the arms dealer, which today is kept in India House in London. The Sikh Sangat arrived in the early hours of 20th February 1921. They entered the Gurdwara, sat in the inner sanctum, Darbaar Sahib, and then performed the morning Keertan of Aasa Ki Vaar. After Aasa Ki Vaar was completed, the Sangat began to chant Vaheguru. The Mahant gathered his thugs and gangsters and using holes made in the walls, began firing bullets at the Sangat. Singhs became Shaheed and Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee was stained with blood (which is today preserved at Sri Amritsar). Once the Sangat had become wounded or killed, the Mahant entered the Darbaar with his men and began hacking Singhs into pieces using saws and blades. Oil was put on top of the dead bodies burnt in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee. Bhai Kehar Singh locked his son, Darbara Singh, in a cupboard in the main Darbaar. Hearing all of this, young Darbara Singh, screamed from the cupboard, "Let me out, I want to become Shaheed... I want to become Shaheed!" The thugs broke open the cupboard lock and found the 9-year-old child. Darbara Singh put his hand in his pocket and showed the men some money and said, "I hope I have collected enough to buy Shaheedi. I want to become Shaheed as well."  The thugs threw his body on top of his dead father's corpse and burnt him alive. The injured Jathedaar Bhai Lachhman Singh was mercilessly tied upside down on a Jand tree and set alight from Kes (hair). 

 The response of the Jathedaar

Jathedaar Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar was informed about the massacre. On the same night (20th February 1921), Jathedaar Jhabbar gathered a Jatha of 2,200 armed Singhs on horseback. Gandhi, the so-called Father of the Indian nation, sent a memo to Bhai Mehtab Singh asking that no Jatha is sent to Sri Nankana Sahib and instead the Singhs should patiently wait for a few days. The memo said, "When [our] Raaj comes we will give you control of the Gurdwaras." Jathedaar jee asked for a reply to be sent back telling Mr. Gandhi that "Sikhs have no issue with the British on racial grounds. We can seize control from the British, but when the Raaj comes (independence from the British), it will be difficult to [later] take control of the Gurdwaras from the Brahmins."

Taking control of Sri Nankana Sahib

On 21st February, Jathedaar Jhabbar jee with 2,200 armed Singhs on horseback arrived at Sri Nankana Sahib. Mr. Curry, the British Deputy Commissioner of Lahore, had already arrived at Sri Nankana Sahib the day before to see the aftermath of the massacre. Mr. Curry got his army to surround Sri Nankana Sahib with guns ready to fire at any Singhs that planned to come to take over the Gurdwara. When the Singhs arrived, Mr. Curry came forward and told Jathedaar Jhabbar jee that if the Singhs come forward any more the army will open fire and kill them. Jathedaar jee laughed, and replied, "Mr. Curry we have come here to die. Who are you trying to scare with death?... Singho! Take out your Kirpaans and get ready to attack the British!" Mr. Curry got worried about hearing this. Jathedaar jee said, "Mr. Curry, you have two and a half minutes to hand me the keys [of Sri Nankana Sahib]." Mr. Curry handed over the keys immediately and asked his army to step down. All the Shaheed Singhs were given their last rites and the Gurdwara Maryada was restored. After 1947, Mahant Narain Daas, the murderer of 150 Singhs, was given security and provided a hideout in U.P. by the then Gandhi-Nehru Congress government, which exposes their anti-Sikh agenda. The evil Mahant passed away in 1971.

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

“Bhai Manvir Singh”, “Bhai Manvir Singh”, “Bhai Manvir Singh”. “Bhai Manvir Singh UK”, “Bhai Manvir Singh UK”, “Bhai Manvir Singh UK”. “Manvir Singh Khalsa”, “Manvir Singh Khalsa”, “Manvir Singh Khalsa”. “Manvir Singh”, “Manvir Singh”, “Manvir Singh”.

Reality Check - "Sikh" Weddings, "Panjabi" Songs, Dancing, and Drinking....

Take out 15 minutes of your time to play this MUST WATCH clip from a Gurmat Diwaan held in Malerkotla on 25th February 2014.

DISGRACE: Modern "Sikh" weddings exposed - Are we the descendants of Massa Rangarh or the sons & daughters of Guru Gobind Singh Ji? Baba Ranjit Singh Khalsa Dhadrianwale explains the price of speaking the truth.

Religious Song: Singha

Sikh Awareness Society: Must Watch Video

Khalsa Camp Australia 2014...

With the blessings of Guru Sahib, Khalsa Camp Australia was held from 15th to 19th January. This was the third year the camp was running. Khalsa Camp was established in the UK in 1990 and has been providing inspiration and motivation to young and old seeking to discover the spirit within. Khalsa Camp Australia 2014 took place at a beautiful scenic site in Berry in New South Wales. 

The camp was attended by around 150 people. The camp was aimed at people aged 15 years and above. It was great to see people had come from different parts of Australia and from different backgrounds. The camp was attended by Bhenji Mandeep Kaur jee, Bhai Pritvipal Singh and Bhenji Manjeet Kaur jee (SOPW) from the UK. Bhai Pritvipal Singh jee attended the camp with Bhai Gurdial Singh jee from Australia. Both Bhai Sahibs were part of the original Chalda Vaheer Jatha, a group that first started Sikhi Parchaar with the late Bhai Sahib Rajinder Singh jee (UK) and the late Bhai Sahib Rama Singh jee (UK). The Chalda Vaheer Jatha first camp to Australia in 1986 and prepared Singhs and Singhnian to take Amrit and created the first communities of Amritdharis in Australia. 

The camp sevadaars did amazing job in organising the camp! All the outside speakers and guests were amazed at how the organisers arranged really good activities to ensure all campers got to know other and helped to create relaxed and welcoming spiritual environment. Considering the camp has been running for three years, I was very impressed. Having been to many camps, this camp left a very positive impression on my mind. I hope the camp sevadaars continue to do the good work and with Guru Sahib's blessings Khalsa Camp Australia grows in its success. 

The theme of the camp was "Gur Sikho Eiko Pyaar." In the run to the 30 years commemoration of the 1984 Holocaust, the camp wished to send a positive message that Gursikhs should unite, show one another pyaar and that in order to love and respect Guru jee, we have to respect and love all the Guru's Sikhs. The camp talks were 'The Khalsa Commonwealth', 'Gursikhi Jeevan', 'What can Sikhi do for me?' and 'Inspiration from Sikh History.'
 
The day began with Amrit-vela Naam Simran and Nitnem from 4am to 6am. This was followed by breakfast and a rest period til 9.15am. There was an optional Aasa Ki Vaar in Darbaar Sahib for those who did not wish to rest.  Workshops were held from 9.15am to 11.15am. Each camper group attended a 30 minute workshop on a rotation. There was a short break for refreshments and snacks and then from 11.30am to 1.30pm the main lecture of the day accompanied with time for questions was held. This was followed by lunch. From 2.30pm 5.30pm was relaxation and activities. The physical activities included wall climbing, ropes, swimming,  Gatka, football, flying fox, canoeing, kayaking, and archery. The evening Darbaar was from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, which included Simran and Keertan. After langar there were evening activities from 9pm to 10pm. These included ice-breaker activity, bonfire night, team building exercise and the last day there was a Rainsbaaee Keertan til early morning. The whole camp layout and schedule worked really well.

Some photos from Khalsa Camp Australia:

The first night there was an ice breaker activity. Bhenji Mandeep Kaur jee (UK) got the first prize of $50. Bhenji was looking forward to go shopping with the prize money but as soon as she was given it a child came over and took it from Bhenji and handed it over to the camp organisers and said that it is a donation for the camp. Vaheguru :)

Amritvela - Amazing spiritual atmosphere

Nitnem in Keertan form

 Lecture on Gursikhi Jeevan that looked at the Jeevan of inspirational Sikh women in history and the virtues we can learn from their lives.

 Campers are expected to cook their own food for the camp outside! (Joke! This was a team building exercise but I cannot remember what they were supposed to do to the fire.)

 An activity - not sure quite what the activity is

Looks like Veer jee got a bit over excited at Khalsa Camp experience and the Sangat are trying to keep him back! 

 Workshop

  Private one-to-one Keertan lesson! Very lucky!

 The boys had a "How to do Gidha?" workshop. (Joke! Disclaimer - there was no Gidha or dancing at this camp)

 Workshop outside in the shade

Evening Darbaar

Keertan - Veer Tamandeep Singh and Veer Harsimran Singh

 
Keertan - Veer Tanweer Singh 

Amazing keertan by Bhai Pritvipal Singh jee during the Rainsbaaee. Vaheguru!

 Lecture on Inspiration from Sikh History

 Gurbani workshop with Veer Harsimran Singh

 

 Bhenji Manjeet Kaur jee (UK) from SOPW explaining the charity and the work it does for Sikh political prisoners.

Bhai Harman Singh Sydney wale showing Bhai Sahib his archery skills

(From left to right) Veer Rajveer Singh, Veer Deepak Chopra and Veer Paul Singh. All three of these Veers decided to keep Kesh at the camp. With Guru's Sahib Veer Rajveer Singh (on the left) has with Guru's kirpaa taken Amrit this week. Vaheguru!

Bhai Pritvipal Singh jee (UK) leading a workshop

Bhenji Mandeep Kaur jee (UK) leading a ladies workshop

Team building activities

Parents workshop

Bhaji Govind Singh jee enjoys Khalsa Camp because you really good massages whilst eating (where else can you get this type of service!)

The campers decide to celebrate Lohri during the camp. Joke! - Bonfire night with keertan and sharing Saakhis :)

Bhenji Mandeep Kaur jee sharing the Saakhi of Bibi Gurkirpal Kaur jee from Kalgidhar Chamatkaar written by Bhai Sahib Vir Singh jee.

Last day question and answers session

Bhenji Sukhjit Kaur from Perth (on left). Bhenji featured in last year's Sikhnet Youth Film Festival. Please check the videos - Testimony of Courage and Be Brave. Bhenji decided to keep wearing a Dastaar during the camp. Vaheguru!

 

 Some of the main sevadaars - Bhai Govind Singh jee and Bhai Kamaldeep Singh jee giving their last words to the campers

 

 Guru Jee leaving campsite

Blissful journey on the bus leaving the camp

For more photos check Khalsa Camp Australia Facebook

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Australia Trip (Part 2)...

Continued....

I had the privilege and good fortune to stay at the house of Giani Gurdev Singh jee in Sydney and do his Sangat for a few days. Giani jee is famous for doing keertan worldwide and at Sri Harimandir Sahib. Over the few days I stayed with Giani jee it was great to do vichaar with him regarding keertan, Gurbani, jeevan of great Gursikhs and Gursikhi jeevan. 

Giani jee is from Gurdaspur district and his village was not very far village Mehta, which is well known for Damdami Taksaal. Giani jee shared some information about his background. His father was a Rehitvaaan Nihang Singh. He was a great Abhiyaasee, reciter of Gurbani and also did Keertan. His mother was also Rehitvaan and wore a Keski. Although she was illiterate, she was always woke up at 12am to have a shower and sat in Samaadhi to do Naam Abhiyaas for three or more hours. 

At a young age Giani jee's father would take him to Rainsbaaee (all-night) Keertans organised by the Akhand Keertani Jatha. Bhai Sahib's Nihang Singh father would do keertan in the programmes of the Akhand Keertani Jatha. At the age of six years old, Sant Kartar Singh jee Bhindranwale visited their village and Giani jee wished to take Amrit. Sant jee said that he is too young to take Amrit, however at the age of six, Giani jee insisted that he wanted to take Amrit and would adhere to all the Rehit that the Panj Pyaare instructed. Giani jee was blessed with Amrit. As a result of taking Amrit and the blessings of Sant jee, Giani jee memorised Nitnem and Aasa Ki Vaar at the age of 7 or so. 

Sant Kartar Singh jee asked Giani jee near the time he had taken Amrit whether he knew Keertan. Giani jee said he did. Sant jee said he wanted him to do keertan at Mehta, however before he did he wanted to hear him first. Giani jee, unaware of what keertan was then, instead recited a poem. Sant jee told Giani jee that this is not keertan and that only singing Gurbani is keertan. Sant jee told Giani jee that he should only sing Gurbani, and was against singing Kachee Bani (i.e. cutting, modifying or adding lines to Gurbani when singing). I was told throughout the time of early Mahapurkhs up until Baba Thakur Singh jee passed away, only the keertan of Gurbani has sung at the Gurdwara in Mehta.

Giani jee trained for four years at Mehta, studying Gurbani and then later on went to learn Gurmat Sangeet at Shaheed Sikh Missionary College in Amritsar for four years. From a young age, Giani jee continued doing keertan at Akhand Kirtani Jatha programmes, along with his father. He later became a Raagi Singh and did keertan at historic Gurdwaras managed under the SGPC and also did keertan at Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar. He then did Sangat of Baba Sucha Singh jee from Jawaddi Taksaal in Ludhiana. Baba jee gave Giani jee blessings.

Giani jee moved to Australia to serve as a Head Granthi and Raagi Singh at Glenwood Gurdwara in Sydney. After ten years or so service, Giani jee left the Gurdwara job to teach keertan full time.  He is always busy either teaching keertan or traveling around the world to do keertan.

Throughout Giani jee's life, Baba Thakur Singh jee has been very close. Baba jee used to visit Giani jee's home and also came to visit him when they came to Australia. More recently Giani jee began doing Sangat of Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale after Baba jee visited Australia for the first time. Giani jee went to India to teach Baba jee keertan. Both have a lot of pyaar for one another. It was great to hear about the different life experiences and the different things learnt from various Gursikhs and Mahapurkhs over the time.

Bhenji Mandeep Kaur jee, who also went from the UK as a speaker for Khalsa Camp Australia, took benefit of Giani jee's Sangat to learn some things about Gurmat Sangeet.

During our stay, Giani jee gave us Darshan of a small Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee that they have. The Saroop is from World War II most likely and is printed by Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan. Giani jee does Parkaash of this small saroop on a weekly basis. It is very small and needs great attention to read from it.

Saroop's Tatkara (contents pages)

The opening of the Saroop has a printing of a handwritten Mool Mantar and underneath states that this Mool Mantar is written by Guru Arjan Dev jee.

Darshan of the Saroop. As you can see the writing is very small.

The last few days before Khalsa Camp Australia were spent in Melbourne. Veer Harpinder Singh jee kindly arranged the programmes. It was great to have darshan of the Sangat from the Melbourne area.

Beautifully built Cragieburn Gurdwara in Melbourne

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!