... At the camp, the campers can “hang out” with peers; ask the questions that never got answered and be inspired by Sikhi in an environment which has not yet been offered here before. The camp is for encouraging Sikh kids to be involved in Seva, discover Gurbani and develop a desire to learn Sikhi history on their own. West Coast Sikhi Camp is a camp for the youth to come to and relax, have fun, open up.
It is a 4-day, 3-night camp where the environment is full of love for Sikhi in a relaxed environment. This year arrangement has been made for speakers to come from Canada and California to attend and inspire.THERE ARE LIMITED SPACES - SO DON'T MISS OUT.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
West Coast Sikhi Camp 2010... Coming up!
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Last Sunday we were invited to do Parchaar to celebrate the Gurpurb of Guru Nanak Dev jee in place just outside Norwich called Hevingham. There is a very small community there and so they get together to do Satsang only four times a year on certain Gurpurbs. There is about 100 Sangat members, which includes Hindus and Muslims, however on Sunday there was slightly less people because of the weather and snow.
After the keertan and veechaar, the local children came to the front and sang a Shabad without any saaj (instruments). It was very inspiring to see the local children had memorised the shabad:
ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ||
eiko naam dhiaae man mere ||
Meditate on the Name of the Lord alone, O my mind.
ਕਾਰਜੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਹੋਵੈ ਪੂਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਇ ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ||੧|| ਰਹਾਉ ||
kaaraj teraa hovai pooraa har har har gun gaae man mere ||1|| rahaao ||
Your affairs shall be perfectly resolved; sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, O my mind. ||1||Pause||
(Ang 896)
It was so uplifting to see that in such an insolated community which has no large Sikh community nearby has educated their children to memorise and recite Gurbani. Afterwards the children sang a poem called the "Mighty Khalsa", which is originally written by the American Sikhs living in Espanola, New Mexico. About 10 or so children with confidence and spirit sang the song to the Sangat. Here is a clip of the song, sung in New Mexico to give you an idea of how the children performed:
The children were really impressive. I was later told that the relatives of a local family had come from America and they had learnt the song "We are the Khalsa" from a trip to Espanola in New Mexico. During the family's short stay with their relatives in England they had taught the local children the song and the actions to go along with it. It was heart moving to see the spirit of the children.
The pyaar that the local community had for one another for Gursikhs was inspiring and moving. The dedication of some of the parents I met and how they had taught their children Gurbani with little resources, no Panjabi teachers, no Gurmat classes, and little exposure to Parchaariks. Many of the parents said they encouraged their children with Sikhi through sitting with them and listening to Sikhi programmes on Panjab Radio and watching the Sikh Channel. One child learnt Gurbani through the opportunity of singing Gurbani on one of the Gurbani shows on Panjab Radio and getting encouragement from other radio listeners.
May Guru Sahib bless the Norwich area Sangat with more Chardi Kalaa and Guru Sahib's kushee'aa.
Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Why does Waheguru Himself help his Devotees?
After saving his child he returned to the Guru. The Guru asked, “My dear friend, you were sitting here with me a minute ago and why did you jump in the river?” King explained that his son had slipped in the river and he went to save him. Then the Guru asked, “Dear friend, you have so many servants then why did you jump in the river by yourself? Why did not you send you servants to save him?” The King said, “When it comes to my son. I do not want to take any chances and would do anything it takes to protect him. I love my son very much and I do not want to lose him at any cost.”
Then Guru Ji said, “My dear friend, Waheguru loves His devotees the same way as you love your son. That is why he Himself saves His true worshipper.”
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Getting Car Wash....
I standing away from the car watching - the man put the volume on high and started cleaning the car inside and out. Whilst hearing the Keertan he kept smiling and occasionaly nodded his head to show that he was enjoying listening. When the Vaheguru simran began in the keertan the man stopped, smiled and asked in Urdu, "Sardaar Jee, what is this music?" I explained, "This is music of Rab (God)... these are songs of Allah (Allah ke Geet)." Hearing this, he smiled more and in a feeling of awe, replied, "Wow... It is very good" and carried smiling and cleaning the car whilst cleaning the car. It was very moving to see the joy and upliftment the man got from hearing keertan.
Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Remembrance Day Poetry Evening...
During the poetry reading, a discussion started on how the world has seen so much war and destruction caused by humans and whether or not humans will be able to achieve peace in the world. Near the end Daas shared the Gurmat perspective with the audience. It was explained that Gurbani states that we have to win ourselves before winning the world, and therefore one who wins peace inside of themselves will see peace outside of themselves.
ਆਈ ਪੰਥੀ ਸਗਲ ਜਮਾਤੀ ਮਨਿ ਜੀਤੈ ਜਗੁ ਜੀਤੁ ||
aaee panthee sagal jamaatee man jeetai jag jeet.
See the brotherhood of humanity as the highest sect of all; conquer your own mind, and conquer the world.
(Ang 6)
Daas shared with the audience that Gurmat states that the outside world is a projection or reflection of the world of our mind.
ਦਰਪਣ ਵਾਂਗ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰ ਆਪ ਆਪ ਨਿਹਾਲੈ ॥
"Humans are reflected (in the mirror of the world) in exactly the same way as their inner nature."
(Vaar 9, PauRee 6 - Bhai Gurdaas jee)
Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
Monday, November 08, 2010
Eggless Cakes...
Thursday, November 04, 2010
1984 Poem - Delhi's Four Darkest Days...
Author: Parminder Singh
(taken from www.Panthic.org)
November 1, 1984
The capital awoke to a foreboding calm,
A false peace foretold an exploding bomb;
Truckloads of butchers brought into town,
Electoral lists of Sikhs passed all around;
By noon, on shops a systematic attack,
Ransacked and charred charcoal black;
As Hindu families try to hide Sikh friends—
Still 72 hours to go before the carnage ends.
November 2, 1984
One of the bloodiest days in Delhi's annals,
All orchestrated through Congress channels;
As Sikhs are burned to ashes at the railway,
Officials assure the nation that all's okay;
This was the day of Block 32's living hell,
Like prisoners executed in a flaming cell;
The day the police turned a blind eye—
Too busy pointing out who next should die.
November 3, 1984
The massacre went on 'til 2 in the afternoon,
Nary a widow left who hadn't yet swooned;
The organized mobs came again and again,
Until almost no Sikhs remained to be slain;
The paramilitary was satisfied with the toll,
Enough Sikh crowns had apparently rolled;
As homeless survivors huddled in camps,
Neighbors alone shone benevolent lamps.
November 4, 1984
But the ray of light was dim and fleeting,
As soon came more grimness and bleeding;
The last round of killings for good measure
Wiped out colonies with reptilian pleasure;
Later, camps funded by private donations
Were coldly closed by the administration;
After four days of state-sponsored slaughter,
Even God's Eyes had run dry of water.
The Aftermath
For four dark days in November God cried,
While thousands of Nanak's children died;
Hunted down in Delhi's horrific roadways,
Trapped like mice within a sadistic maze;
Fumes of kerosene pierced the winter air,
As corpses lay beside burning black hair;
"When a big tree falls the earth shakes"—
Yet the Lion stands as a new dawn breaks!!
-----
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Warning about Misleading Propaganda...
Sadly the effect of the book had reached the person who was delivering the book to me. The person said "The book is quite interesting. The person seems to have done a lot of research suggesting that most things in Dasam Granth are not by Guru Gobind Singh Jee. I didn't know these things." The book is authored by someone called Daljeet Singh. I left the book and didn't read it for a few weeks, thinking that I didn't want to to waste filling my mind with useless thoughts and cynical views. I was planning to give the book back to this elderly person at the Gurdwara, who at one point has served as a Granthi Singh at a Gurdwara. Before I returned it, I decided to skim read through the book and see what the exact contents of the book were. I was shocked and disgusted that the book was not merely useless debate which is fruitless for the common sangat like myself, but it attacked the fundamentals of Sikhi!
The book claimed that Jaap Sahib came from a Hindu scripture named 'Maarkunde Puraan' and that it was not a divine prayer revealed by Guru Gobind Singh jee and instead it was suggested that it was authored by a Hindu poet. Then it was claimed in this book that Chaupai Sahib is not authored by Guru Gobind Singh jee but a Hindu poet, and to add further salt to the wounds it was stated that the first section of Ardaas that the Panth reads is not authored by Guru Gobind Singh jee and is claimed to be against Gurmat because it allegedly invokes Durga, a Hindu goddess, instead of Waheguru. Having skimmed over these pages I closed the book and didn't want to read any more nonsense. The book had a clear agenda and was a direct attack on Sikhi rather than a Gurmat orientated scholarly discussion or historical analysis of Dasam Granth.
Translation of Gurmatta:
Today, date 23 Jeth Nanakshahi 540 (6th June 2008), the Five Singh Sahibaan have gathered at Sri Akaal Takht Sahib and passed the following. The 300th anniversary of the Gurgaddi diwas of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is an opportunity to highlight the concept and authority of "Guru Granth-Guru Panth". The last order of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji was "Sabh Sikhan Ko Hukam Hai, Guru Maaniyo Granth" and that the Panth accept Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as his Living Light and stand strong on this. To overcome all challenges, the Sikh Panth has sought guidance from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Debates presented in relation to Sri Dasam Granth are totally needless. No one has the right to present a questionable debate on the writings from Dasam Granth which the Panth has accepted and uses for the Sikh Rehit Maryada, Nitnem and Amrit Sanchaar. The whole Panth should be reminded that Sri Dasam Granth is an inseparable part of Sikh history, but Guru Gobind Singh Ji did not give it equal status to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and for this reason no other Granth can be installed (prakaash) equal to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Joginder Singh Jathedaar
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Huddersfield Sikh Family Camp...
Morning assembly by Bhai Jagjit Singh (Wakefield). Bhai Sahib introduced the key words for the camp which were 'Seva', 'Simran', and 'Sangat'.
The under 4s group.
Children busy doing work.
The youngest group at the camp showing the colouring work they've been doing.
Spiritual zone with Bhenji Manjeet Kaur and Bhaji Manjeet Singh (Leeds).
Warrior zone with the 6 to 8 group. (The children had a lot of energy!)
Refreshments.
Children enjoying the bouncy castle in the Warrior Zone.
Bhai Jagjit Singh (Wakefield) in Open Zone, where children get the opportunity to ask any questions they have regarding Sikhi.
Children experiencing how to do Chaur Sahib di Seva for the first time.
Bhaji Gurvinder Singh (Bradford) doing vichaar with a group.
Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The Sikh Awards...
Ravjeet Singh recieved the award on behalf of United Sikhs who were chosen for best demonstrating "that it has the community at heart and has had a positive impact whilst improving the health and wellbeing of Sikhs". Ravjeet Singh dedicated the award to Bhaji Gurmit Singh of Coventry who sadly passed away after an illness last month. Bhaji Gurmit Singh had been in fore front of doing seva for the right to wear the turban campaign in Europe.
Other personalities and organisations from the Sikh community were awarded for their service of the community in their different fields or work and community work.
----
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Gursikh Food Business...
Note: Sarbloh Bibek cakes and cookies etc are also available.
Website: www.princess-cakes.co.uk
Phone: 07584 943 661
Email: info@princess-cakes.co.uk
Princess Cakes is also on Facebook.
----------------------------------------
May we all support our fellow Gursikh brothers and sisters and promote Gursikh businesses.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Upcoming Events...
RAINSBAAEE KEERTAN AND AMRIT SANCHAAR
Saturday 23rd October, 5pm bhog (followed by Rainsbaaee Keertan)
Annual Akhand Paath performed by UK born Gursikh youth. Amrit Sanchaar will be during the Rainsbaaee Keertan (kakkaars will be provided). For querries about Amrit Sanchaar, ring Bhai Tarunjeet Singh: 07877 888874.
Venue: Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Princes Street, Derby, DE23 8NT.
Keertan by local Sadh Sangat, Gurmat Sangeet Academy & Akhand Kirtani Jatha
Venue: Mata Sahib Kaur Academy, 8 Oaks Lane, Newbury Park, Ilford, Essex, IG2 7PL.
Every Friday (starting 12th November 2010), 7pm to 8pm
Interactive Sikhi class with Bhai Tarsem Singh jee for 14+ to adults.
Venue: Sri Guru Singh Sabha (upstairs hall), Cross Road, Coventry, CV6 5GR.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Meat and Alcohol at Weddings...
Episode from 'Se Kineya', biography of Baba Harnam Singh Jee (Rampur Khera):
Baba Ji had a devotee who lived near Jalandhar. He was God loving and religiously minded but was nonetheless easily misled by materialistic thoughts. That person arranged his daughter’s marriage to a rich but materialistic family. The day for the wedding was fixed. The gifts and dowry to be exchanged had been agreed. Finally, the menu for lunch was discussed. The groom’s family insisted on having liquor and meat at the wedding lunch. This devotee of Baba Ji raised some opposition to this demand but hesitated, thinking that if he were to flatly deny this demand then the groom’s family may break off the engagement. Influenced by his soon to be relatives, he agreed to serve meat and liquor at the lunch. The wedding day drew closer. The family came to deliver an invitation to Baba Ji and requested Baba Ji to attend the wedding ceremony and bless the couple.
Baba Ji asked them where they had arranged their daughter’s marriage. He told Baba Ji about the family where his daughter was to be married and let slip that meat and liquor would be served because the groom’s family insisted upon it. Baba Ji listened patiently to the devotee’s admission and sighed deeply. He said, “O my good man, to stifle your own conscience under the influence of your relatives, showing your back to the Guru’s principles and doing that which is immoral reflects badly upon you. In doing so, what do we hope to gain in attracting the Guru’s displeasure. Our wise ancestors considered marrying our daughters off as a great and pious act of charity. On one hand, you are to perform a pious act and on the other many innocent animals are to be slaughtered for the transient pleasure of our taste buds. Says Bhagat Kabir Ji:
ਕਬੀਰ ਜੋਰੁ ਕੀਆ ਸੋ ਜੁਲਮੁ ਹੈ ਲੇਇ ਜਬਾਬੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥ ਦਫਤਰਿ ਲੇਖਾ ਨੀਕਸੈ ਮਾਰ ਮੁਹੈ ਮੁਹਿ ਖਾਇ ॥੨੦੦॥
Kabir to use force is tyrannical And the Lord shall call you to account. When thy account is produced from the Lord’s office, you will suffer, your face and mouth shall be beaten. ||200||
(Salok Bhagat Kabir, ang 1375)
After the wedding, your daughter will go to her new house but who will shoulder the sin of slaughtering so many animals? Remember, you will have to carry this burden of sin and repay the debt in this and the next life. If your daughter is destined to be married into that household then she will marry into that family without any doubt. By offering meat and liquor is not going to cement her relations with that family anymore strongly than they are already destined. Neither will her marriage to that family deteriorate if you do not offer meat and drink. If you, as a baptised Sikh, falter in your vows like this, then what hope is there for the rest of the people? A gursikh should not abandon one’s vows or principles. He who abandons his principles is pushed around in this world and pushed out of God’s abode in the hereafter. If, as a gursikh, you behave in such a way, with what face can you or I tell others to abstain from liquor or meat. Only the one who practices moral principles can preach to others. He, who does not practice what he preaches and is thus a hypocrite, is not accepted in the Guru’s house. There is still time to rethink your decision and change your mind. Remember the Guru’s words”:
ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ ਮਨਿ ਹੋਰੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਹੋਰੁ ਸਿ ਕਾਂਢੇ ਕਚਿਆ ॥੧॥
They who have one thing in their heart but do another thing, are accounted as false
(Aasa Bhagat Farid Ji, ang 488)
The devotee listened despondently and with a sense of shame but still asked Baba Ji to attend the wedding. Baba Ji replied that a wedding where so many animals were to be killed for pleasure of the palate and where the Guru’s principles were abandoned in favour of public approval would be difficult to attend.
That devotee sat a while and then left for his abode. The wedding party arrived on the appointed day. On one side, the wedding was being conducted in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and on the other, a short distance away; lambs were awaiting their death in order to provide pleasure for the guest’s palates.
This surreal programme, of joy mixed with sorrow, finished at noon. The guests drank and ate, returning to their homes in a drunken stupor. Next the bride’s relatives had their turn to finish off the remaining alcohol and meat. With drunken people falling all over the place, it was amusing, in that no one needed a bed for the night to sleep in.
Anyhow, the girl went to her in laws and a few days later the Sardar Ji was on his way into Jalandhar riding his scooter when he had an accident and broke his hip. Writhing in pain Sardar Ji was transported by car to a local hospital. The doctors there could not treat him and advised that he be taken to a bigger hospital with an experienced surgeon.
He required major surgery, which involved replacing his hip with a steel prosthetic implant. The family members asked the doctor’s to relieve his pain until he could be taken to another hospital. The doctors attached a weight to Sardar Ji’s foot and laid him to rest. Five or six days were spent crying with excruciating pain. Only he knew how painful the fracture was but any visitors who came heard his blood curdling cries of pain. Contrary to the advice of the doctors the family brought Sardar Ji home and asked a local quack to fix his fractured hip instead of taking him to the specialist hospital. For three months, he was unable to move and being bedridden had to relieve himself whilst on the bed. He was utterly dependent on others to help him. By the fourth month, he was well enough to sit on the bed. Whoever visited him during these days would be told by Sardar Ji that he had been punished for killing those speechless animals. “To appease my daughter’s in-laws I ordered the killing of these animals and in return, I have been punished and must endure this extreme suffering and pain.” In the early days of his recovery, he had sent word to Baba Ji to come and visit him. He sent a message apologising to Baba Ji for not listening to his advice. As is the gentle, forgiving nature of Saints, Baba Ji decided to visit Sardar Ji. Baba Ji sat me beside him in the car. As soon as we arrived, the devotee started crying inconsolably, repenting his mistake and begged forgiveness. He confessed, “I abandoned my Guru’s principles under the influence of my new found relatives. Please forgive me Baba Ji." Baba Ji replied, “Sardar Ji you are mistaken to ask for my forgiveness, it is the Almighty who forgives. Pray for his forgiveness and repent your mistake in front of him alone. I only petitioned you take a particular action which you ignored. Are those people now sharing your pain for whose sake you earned and took upon such a sin? They made merry, ate and drank, then vanished off to their homes. You however must carry the burden of sin. They only came to enquire about your health once or twice. The pain you suffered is but a partial payment for your sin, there is more yet to repay because Gurbani says…
ਅਹਿ ਕਰੁ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਅਹਿ ਕਰੁ ਪਾਏ ਕੋਈ ਨ ਪਕੜੀਐ ਕਿਸੈ ਥਾਇ ॥੩॥
In this age as we act, so are the rewards we receive; no one can take the place of another. ||3||
(Aasa Mohalla 5th Guru, ang 406)
Whatever deeds you have performed or are carried out at your command, you alone will have to answer for them. No one else can repay your debt or suffer for your sins. The Lord is beneficent and forgiving. In front of his grace, these sins are washed away like straw in a flood of water. Bhai Vir Singh Ji has mentioned a beautiful anecdote in his poem “Necklace of waves” that time, which has elapsed, cannot be recalled. The present time cannot be utilised by repenting our sinful deeds in remorse. Try to ask our friend the Almighty Waheguru to forgive our trespass. In the future, try to avoid making mistakes by acting upon the Guru’s’ advice.”
For nearly a year Sardar Ji was left bedridden and even today, he limps on one leg when walking. To this day Sardar Ji guides people by giving them the benefit of learning from his experience, telling them of his traumatic experience.
We must forever be vigilant in our lives because situations can arise when we stifle our moral intellect, ignoring the guidance of Gurbani and doing something sinful. In so doing, we suffer agony in this life, pain in the hereafter and endure separation from our Lord Waheguru. Great Guru Ji has alerted us to stay vigilant from deeds that are immoral…
ਐਸਾ ਕੰਮੁ ਮੂਲੇ ਨ ਕੀਚੈ ਜਿਤੁ ਅੰਤਿ ਪਛੋਤਾਈਐ ॥
Do not commit such a deed For which you may have to repent in the end.
(Raamkalee Anand 3rd Guru, ang 918)
So, Guru Amar Das Ji tells us not to commit any act that one will repent later because…
ਮੰਦਾ ਚੰਗਾ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਕੀਤਾ ਪਾਵਣਾ ॥ ਹੁਕਮ ਕੀਏ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵਦੇ ਰਾਹਿ ਭੀੜੈ ਅਗੈ ਜਾਵਣਾ ॥
We will reap whatever we sow in this world and the next. Man himself obtains the fruit of bad and good deeds One may issue one’s heart desired commands here But he shall proceed by the narrow road hereafter.
(Aasaa di Vaar 1st Guru, ang 470)
And
ਫਲੁ ਤੇਵੇਹੋ ਪਾਈਐ ਜੇਵੇਹੀ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਈਐ ॥
As are the deeds, we do So is the fruit that we obtain.
(Aasaa di Vaar 1st Guru, ang 468)
ਫਰੀਦਾ ਲੋੜੈ ਦਾਖ ਬਿਜਉਰੀਆਂ ਕਿਕਰਿ ਬੀਜੈ ਜਟੁ ॥ ਹੰਢੈ ਉਂਨ ਕਤਾਇਦਾ ਪੈਧਾ ਲੋੜੈ ਪਟੁ ॥੨੩॥
(Just as the farmer sows a seed in his field, he can expect to harvest whatever he has sown. It is a fallacy that man sows one type of fruit and expects to harvest something else:) Farid the farmer plants a thorny tree And desires the grapes of Bijour He goes about spinning wool But he wishes to wear silk
(Salok Bhagat Farid Ji, ang 1379)
Bhagat Farid Ji gives us a beautiful example. As a farmer wishes to harvest the finest grapes but in fact plants the seed for an acacia tree, it can never come to pass that the farmer will harvest grapes in fact he will get bitter pods and thorns from the acacia tree. Similarly, one cannot expect to get silk by weaving with wool. So, one’s actions will determine what we earn. Guru Nanak Dev Ji tells us clearly that…
ਜੇਹਾ ਬੀਜੈ ਸੋ ਲੁਣੈ ਮਥੈ ਜੋ ਲਿਖਿਆਸੁ ॥
As you sow, so shall you reap.
(Baarah maha 5th Guru, ang 134)
Before taking any action, any thought or any word spoken, we should verify that it agrees with the righteous path laid by our Guru’s. If it fits with the path illuminated by Gurbani then it is worthwhile proceeding with the action:
Leading a life according to the edicts of Gurbani is blissful…
ਸੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਸਖਾ ਬੰਧਪੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈ ਜਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿਚਿ ਆਵੈ ॥ ਆਪਣੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਜੋ ਚਲੈ ਭਾਈ ਵਿਛੁੜਿ ਚੋਟਾ ਖਾਵੈ ॥
He alone is the true disciple, friend Kinsman and brother, who walks in Guru’s will He who walks according to his own will O brother is separated from the Lord and bears blows.
(Sorath 3rd Guru, ang 601)
Friday, October 08, 2010
A Story about the Former President of Pakistan...
Story written by Baba Gurbaksh Singh (Nanakasar in Nakodar):
Bhai Meharban singh has been one of the famous personalities of Singapore. During 1970’s I used to live in Singapore, where I heard a tale from Bhai Sahib. He told me that once upon a time he went to visit the Gurdwara Sahibs in Pakistan. General Ayub Khan was the president of Pakistan at that time. He said that Ayub Khan invited him to have the evening meal at his home. As Bhai Sahib walked into the drawing room he was amazed and shocked at what he saw. On the wall front of him, he could see a painting of the Mool Mantar (the opening verse of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee) in Urdu and Panjabi.
The began talking. Being keen to know why the Mool Mantar was hanged up in a frame, Bhai Sahib asked Ayub Khan, "General if you allow me, I want to ask you about the Mool Mantar." He kept the silent for a minute and then spoke, "This is the composition by great Sri Guru Nanak Dev jee! It’s because of this Kalaam (Holy Word) that I have managed to become the President of the country. This Mool Mantar is responsible for my success."
Bhai Sahib was told the following story:
"I used to study at a place name Aibtabaad. I used to get the beatings from teacher (Maulvi) everyday as I was the weakest student of my class. One day I became determined that I will not go to school. Halfway to school there was a Gurdwara Sahib. I would go inside the Gurdwara Sahib to hide away. The Baba jee (main sevadaar) of the Gurdwara Sahib knew me very well. He asked me "O Yubeyaa! Isn’t it your school time? What are you doing here?” I replied, "I don't want to go to school because the teacher scolds and beats me everyday. I can’t bear it any more. I don't want to go to school.” He took me under his lap and said me, "Yubeyaa! I assure you, you will never ever get the beating from your teacher any more, but in return you will have to follow my instructions." He told me that whenever I go to school I should just keep reciting this holy Mool mantar. I followed his instructions. I went to the school reciting the Mool Mantar. It was the first day in my school when I was spared from the beatings and scoldings of the teacher. I followed it everyday. Whenever I used to go to school I used to recite this holy Kalaam (Word of God) and after that I was never beaten by any teacher in the school.
Then exams arrived, so I went to the same Baba jee at the Gurdwara Sahib and said, "Baba jee, I want to get good marks in the exam, tell me what should I do?” The Baba jee replied, "Never leave the Holy Word of Guru Nanak (referring to the Mool Mantar) you will reach any position you wish.” It’s because of this Kalaam (Holy Word) of Guru Nanak Sahib that I have reached the position of president today."
In the year 2000 I had a chance to go to Pakistan. I was travelling through the market in Lahore when suddenly this tale of Ayub khan struck my mind. I went into a book store and asked for the autobiography of Ayub khan. I was given a book named 'FRIENDS, NOT MASTERS'. I just wanted to confirm this tale, and after flicking through few pages of the book I found confirmation of this story. Principal Satbir Singh has also written about this tale in one of his books.
Gurbaksh Singh
(Nanaksar Nakodar)
---------------------------------
Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee.
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Money Raised for Unique Home...
Last week, my father visited Unique Home and gave Bibi Parkaash jee (the main sevadaar) the monetary support from the UK Sikh Sangat.
May the Pyaaree Sangat continue to support the good cause.
Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
A Muslim who teaches Keertan...
Special harmony
In strife-torn Kashmir Valley a young Muslim woman is mesmerising Sikhs with her mellifluous rendering of Kirtan.. |
Making melody: Tasleem Langoo sings and teaches the Kirtan at her hometown, Srinagar.
Haroon Mirani
On a lazy afternoon in the summer of 2000, at a gurudwara in Srinagar, devotees were listening to Kirtan when a young woman took centre stage. Initially nobody gave a second look, but the sweet voice soon cast a spell over the gathering. Everyone listened in rapt attention, and soon they joined in the singing.
After the Kirtan ended, the people were curious to know more about the young singer and were surprised to discover that the 16-year-old was a Muslim. Blessings and applause followed, and Tasleema Langoo became a mini-celebrity amongst the small Sikh community in Kashmir.
Today, Tasleema is an accomplished teacher and singer of Kirtan in the Valley, and the only Muslim to do so. Members of the Sikh community are full of praise for the young woman, saying she “takes us nearer to our own religion”.
With the current civil unrest, curfews and shutdowns restricting people's movement in the Valley, Tasleema's classes have also taken a break. But she is hopeful that once normalcy returns, so will her classes. “The students, many of whom are outside the Valley, are regularly in touch with me on phone and waiting for the next classes,” she says.
Tasleema belongs to a family of musicians. Her great grandfather used to sing for Maharaja Pratap Singh, while her grandfather, Ghulam Qadir Langoo, was a court singer for Maharaja Hari Singh, the last monarch of Kashmir. Her father, Abdul Majeed Langoo, teaches music at a women's college.
Her interest in Shabad Kirtan took root when, as a six-year-old, she watched her father's Sikh students learning to play the tabla and harmonium for Shabad Kirtans.
“Our family is closely associated with music and I get to hear all types of music but, curiously, Shabad Kirtan would always excite me the most,” says Tasleema. “I started helping the students with their instruments and they, in turn, wrote s habads in the Urdu script for me.” When she began singing the shabads in her father's class, her mesmerising voice captivated not just the other students but also their parents, who began dropping in to listen to her melodious renditions. Tasleema began teaching the music when she was just 14. As she could not read the Granth Sahib in Punjabi, her father bought her a copy of the Sikh holy text in Urdu from Amritsar. Her father also helps her in the composition of new Shabads.
It was on the insistence of her students and their parents that Tasleema first sang at a gurudwara. Her fame soon spread and she was invited to sing at more gurudwaras both within and outside the State. “I got invitations almost every week. I sang at Chatti Padshahi Srinagar, the biggest in Kashmir,” she says with pride. “People also invited me for Baisakhi and other festivals.”
But her high point was when she was asked to perform at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in 2007. Her sweet voice brought tears to the eyes of many. An old woman hugged her and kissed her hands, saying, “You are the voice of Sikh women and an honour to the Sikh community.” The woman then removed her gold earrings and gifted them to the stunned singer.
“That was so moving. It is one of the biggest compliments I have received so far,” says Tasleema. “But she didn't know that the girl she was praising was not a Sikh but a Muslim from Kashmir,” she chuckles.
After her recitation at the Golden Temple, the Sikh religious leader Harbans Singh visited her house to thank her. When he heard of her work over the years he complimented her, saying, “You are doing a big favour to our community.”
The girl who left studies after high school has till date trained more than 200 Sikh boys and girls in Shabad Kirtan. Residing in Srinagar's congested Shaheed Gunj area, and that too close to a mosque, she has carried on her work in an atmosphere of complete harmony, facing no opposition whatsoever from members of her family or community.
“After hearing the shabad recitation, the Imam Sahib (priest) of our mosque once came to my class, blessed me and told me that I was doing a wonderful job,” recalls Tasleema.
Tasleema has never felt any conflict between her religion and her passion. “The basics of all religions are the same as they lead to one Supreme God,” she says and recites her favourite shabad — Kareema raheema Allah tu gani.
“I start my day with Nimaz (morning prayers) and recitation from the Quran,” she says. “After that I open Granth Sahib, memorise a new Shabad and compose it for my students with the help of my father.”
She hopes that sometime in the future she can open an institution where Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus and people from any religion can come together to learn singing.
Taken from: The Hindu Business Line
Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Man Walking in the Dark....
Last Wednesday evening, at about 8.30pm, I was just leaving a local Gursikh family's house (the only one where I live) and about to get in the car to leave, when I saw a man in the dark walking in my direction. The man looked like was drunk because he was walking side to side and looked really disorientated. I was going to sit in my car and go home but something inside me told me that I should perhaps wait and see if the guy needs any help. So I stood next to the car and waited for a few minutes for the man to come nearer.
In my mind I did Ardaas that if the guy needs help may I help him. When the guy passed I realised it was an elderly man. I was surprised to see such an elderly man drunk and staggering home. He didn't look too good, so I said, "Are you okay?" The guy replied, "I am lost. Can you please help me." The man explained that he wanted to go towards the town centre. I told him, "You're walking in the wrong direction." He replied, "It's so dark that I have been confused and lost my way and just keep walking." I tried to explain the directions but he seemed bit confused, perhaps because he was feeling 'tipsy'. Although the man looked as if he had a drink, I thought this man needs a lift to wherever he wants to go because he it's too late and his family must be wondering where there granddad or father is.
So the man said "Thank you" and got in the car. He must have been around 75 years old or something? He said to me, "Thank you, you taxi drivers are very helpful." I said, "I'm not a taxi driver, just helping out!" (Vaheguru). He sounded surprised and then he said, "I know you lot - you always say "no problem" when giving lifts.... You're Pakistani aren't you... (with a smile) I know." Vaheguru
I told the man that I'm a Sikh. He hadn't heard anything about the Sikhs. I explained people who don't cut their hair and wear turbans are Sikhs and that our religion started in Northern India. He said that he hadn't seen any Sikhs in the town where we live. I explained the contribution of Sikhs to this country and how my grandfather and many other Sikhs fought for the freedom of this country during the World Wars. He was really interested. He kept thanking me for giving him a lift to town where the taxis are. I replied, "God's in all, and to do service of God is to serve people."
Near the end of the journey I asked if the man had any food to eat because he told me that actually live in a nearby village and didn't live in the local area. He told me that he had come to the town to meet someone and it got really late. He had bought some fish and chips because he feeling hungry and was eating them whilst sitting on a wall when he some how slipped and fell down. He had hurt his leg and that's why he was limping and couldn't walk properly. I realised the guy was not drunk or even had anything to drink but was hurt!! But he said he would be okay and didn't need a doctor or anything.
Leaving the car, the man said "Thank you. I will remember your people now. I am glad we were able to meet."
It is strange how Guru Sahib makes us meet people through different circumstances.
Dhan Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Bir Khalsa Gatka Group...
Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Story about answering evil with goodness...
Once Bhai Jeevan Singh jee was invited to do Keertan in a far off town where there was not much Sangat or Gurmat influence. Arriving there Bhai Sahib asked for the saaj (instruments) to be lifted from the stage and placed on the floor facing Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee so that the whole Sangat could collectively do Keertan facing Guru Sahib.
There was an elderly Sardar who had retired from the Indian Army. He lacked knowledge of Gurmat Maryada (Guru's tradition) and was also hot headed. One night, after a few days of Bhai Jeevan Singh jee doing keertan on the floor facing Guru Sahib, the elderly Sardar shouted abuse at Bhai Sahib and said that he is "Paapee" (Sinner) and misleading the Sangat by moving the Vaaje on the floor and who is he to change things around by not doing keertan on the stage. The man was very rude and insulting to Bhai Sahib (over such a trivial issue!).
Bhai Sahib calmly listened to his abuse and folded his hands in humility and just smiled sweetly. Bhai Sahib did not show any anger back and asked others from refraining to do so either. Late that night Gursikhs came to where Bhai Jeevan Singh jee was staying and said that they couldn't keep the good news and had to share it with Bhai Sahib. Bhai Sahib asked, "What is the news?" The Gursikhs said, "Look at Guru Jee's kirpaa (grace), that the 'Nindak' (slanderer) who slandered you has been shown a lesson. Bhai Sahib jee that Nindak became paralysed today and is now in hospital." The Gursikhs were overjoyed that the man who had been so offensive to Bhai Jeevan Singh jee was now suffering his punishment.
Rather than looking happy, Bhai Jeevan Singh jee looked concern and told the Gursikhs, "We must immediately go the hospital and find out how the man is doing." Arriving at the hospital Bhai Jeevan Singh jee recited Sukhmani Sahib da Paatth and did Ardaas for the well-being of the man. When the elderly man woke up and saw Bhai Sahib he felt remorse for his actions and asked forgiveness.
ਫਰੀਦਾ ਬੁਰੇ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਕਰਿ ਗੁਸਾ ਮਨਿ ਨ ਹਢਾਇ ||
fareeda burre da bhallaa kar gussaa man na handdaae. |
Fareed, answer evil with goodness; do not fill your mind with anger.
ਦੇਹੀ ਰੋਗੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਪਲੈ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਇ ||੭੮||
dehi rog na lage-ee palle sabh kichh paae. ||78||
Your body shall not suffer from any disease, and you shall obtain everything. ||78||
(Ang 1381)
It just shows the character of true Gurmukh. May Guru jee bless us all to fall the True Guru's Path and seek inspiration from such blessed souls.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
2 year child playing Tablaa...
ਤਿਨ ਧੰਨੁ ਜਣੇਦੀ ਮਾਉ ਆਏ ਸਫਲੁ ਸੇ ||੨||
tin dhan janedee maao aae safal se. ||2||
Blessed are the mothers who gave birth to them, and fruitful is their coming into the world. ||2||
(Ang 488)
Another video of the Pyaaraa Singh doing Keertan Sevaa:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIhrR72CQqg