Busy Weekend

On Saturday I was at work and one of the managers was asking me about the Dastaar (turban) and how long it takes me to tie it. I explained that the white showing underneath is a Keski (short under-turban) and that the blue coloured turban is the main turban. I explained how I comb my hair, tie a Keski and then tie a large Dastaar. He seemed surprised and said, "I thought the white bit showing was your turban you tie and that the blue turban is a HAT, which you just SLIP ON." I looked puzzled, and said, "I don't know where you picked that up. A Sikh ties his Dastaar fresh always and unties it layer by layer in the evening."

ਕੰਘਾ ਦੋਨੋ ਵਕਤ ਕਰ ਪਾਗ ਚੁਨੈ ਕਰ ਬਾਂਧਈ ॥

kanghaa dono vakat kar paag chunai kar baa(n)dhe-ee ||
Comb your hair twice a daily and re-tie your turban each time your wear it.
(Rehatnama Bhai Nand Laal Singh Jee)

He replied, "Manvir, I knew a Sikh who worked with me. He said his turban was a HAT and that he just slipped on his head when he came to work and slipped off when he went home." Waheguru! Jokingly I said, "Sounds like a part-time Sikh".

The same day, one of my work colleagues said that she knew another Sikh who worked at our work place a while back go. She said, "He was a Sikh as well. He was a Sikh like you are but he cut his hair, smoked, drank, and had a girlfriend." Waheguru, Waheguru - Rab Bhalaa Kare! She looked confused and asked, "How is it that you are a Sikh and he said he was a Sikh as well." I explained that the individual probably wants to associate himself to being a Sikh because he feels proud being linked to such a great history and heritage; however he himself is not a Sikh. He is as much as Sikh as a Muslim who eats pork and drinks alcohol and claims to be a Muslim. She then understood that Sikhs don't drink, smoke and have relationships outside marriage.

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj says:

ਰਹਿਣੀ ਰਹੈ ਸੋਈ ਸਿਖ ਮੇਰਾ ॥ ਉਹ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਮੈ ਉਸ ਕਾ ਚੇਰਾ ॥

rehiNee rehai soee sikh meraa.
ouh saahib mai us kaa cheeraa.
One who lives Rehit (the way of life) is my Sikh.
That person is my Master and I am his disciple.

ਰਹਿਤ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਨਿਹ ਸਿਖ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥ ਰਹਿਤ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਦਰ ਚੋਟਾਂ ਖਾਵੈ ॥

rehit binaa(n) neh sikh kahaavai.
rehit binaa(n) dar chottaa(n) khaavai.
Without Rehit (the way of life) one cannot be called a Sikh.
Without Rehit (the way of life) one will struggle (in life).
(Rehitnaama - Bhai Desa Singh jee)

It just shows how our actions in life affect the perceptions of others.


On Saturday evening I went to Ilford as it was Bhai Tarsem Singh jee and Bibi Sukhbir Kaur jee's Anand Kaaraj on the weekend. On Saturday night there was a Keertan Darbaar at Seven King's Gurdwara Sahib and the Anand Kaaraj was on Saturday. I used my TomTom satellite navigator to get to Seven King's. All was going well until the TomTom said, "You have arrived at your destination." I looked around and couldn't see no Nishaan Sahib, no Gurdwara building and no Sikhs. I thought, "Hai? Where have I come?" Somehow the arrival destination was a PUB. Waheguru. I turned the car around in the pub car park and tried looking for the Gurdwara Sahib.

I decided to pull over and ask a member of public for directions. A man was walking down the road so I pulled up and put the window down. Little did I know that the Gora had a cigarette with him and while he gave me instructions I was struggling to breathe. I wasn't interested in listening to him, I was more interesting in putting the window up and being able to BREATHE! With Waheguru's Kirpaa I got away and decided to go back to the Sat Nav. I switched it off and then back on and put in the Gurdwara postcode again. This time it said I was 10 miles away! Very strange! With Guru Sahib's Kirpaa I eventually got to the Gurdwara Sahib.

Bhai Sahib Ravinder Singh jee from India did Keertan on Saturday and Sunday. Bhai Sukhwinder Singh jee (Sukhi Bhaaji) beautifully read Laavaa(n) da Paath and Bhai Sahib Pritvipal Singh jee performed the Ardaas. It was inspiring to see Tyar-Bar-Tyaar Gursikhs getting married in accordance to Gur Maryada. After the Anand Kaaraj, Bhenji Sukhbir Kaur jee sang the following Shabad:

ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਬਾਬੁਲਾ ਹਰਿ ਦੇਵਹੁ ਦਾਨੁ ਮੈ ਦਾਜੋ ॥
har prabẖ mėrė babulā har ḏėvhu ḏān mai ḏājo.
O my father, give me the Name of the Lord God as my wedding gift and dowry.
(Ang 78)

May Guru Sahib bless Bhai Sahib and Bibi Jee with Chardikalaa Gursikhi Jeevan.