Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Question: Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji & Khalsa Raaj

SIKHI QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question: What is the concept of ‘Khalsa Raaj’ and will it come into play? 
Answer: It is important to understand who and what Khalsa is. ‘Khalsa’ refers to those that belong solely to God and free from worldly influences and corruption. As Sikhs we become ‘Khalsa’ when we follow God’s standards of living and live godly lives through taking Amrit (initiation), refraining from corrupt thoughts and actions, behaving saintly, doing selfless service of humanity, defending others rights, and protecting the poor. However, most importantly the Khalsa meditates and seeks to become spiritually wealthy through connecting with God and seeing God’s presence in the creation and in all people. 

Guru Nanak Sahib Ji’s prophesy of ‘Khalsa Raaj’ is recorded in the manuscript called ‘Janam Sakhi’, and Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s prophesy of ‘Khalsa Raaj’ is recorded in his commandments written by the Sikhs of his time. Khalsa Raaj will see the turn of darkness to enlightenment and spiritual advancement in society, where spiritual people will be guiding society and ensure everyone enjoys equality, safety, protection, staying free of fear, and live a healthy and holy life. 

When this will come is for God to know, all we need to know is that we need to prepare for the prophesized 'Khalsa Raaj' to come. From a personal level, we can begin ‘Khalsa Raaj’ within our own lives, which will help us earn the Almighty's Grace. Let’s aim to become ‘Khalsa’, free ourselves from addictions and bad influences, become more spiritual, and take on the virtues and good qualities in our daily lives - which brings a feeling of peace, safety, protection, and holiness to others.  This reality, will one day become reality in Punjab and borders beyond.


Question: Did Guru Gobind Singh Ji give divine-powers to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji to revenge the shaheedi (martyrdom) of the Sahibzade (sons of the Guru)? 
Answer: Firstly, Guru Sahib has taught us that ‘revenge’ is negative. God is without hatred and enemy, and so are the Sikhs. So Guru Gobind Singh Ji never sent Baba Banda Singh Ji to Punjab to get revenge for the martyrdom of his innocent young children. 

History tells us that Guru Sahib sent Baba Banda Singh Ji to bring ‘Khalsa Raaj’, which meant to free people from oppression, to free them from taxes, to free them from slavery, bring religious freedom for people of all faiths, and ensure all communities have human rights. As well as to stop and punish the evil-doers who were committing atrocities on innocent people at that time. 

Baba Banda Singh Ji was a normal human being. He did not use magical powers to bring justice to the people and free them. He used his hard work, effort and inner strength to do the right thing from God - through prayer and meditation. The power that he received from the Guru was the power of having faith and trust in what the Guru had asked him to do, and faith and trust that if he follows the Guru’s Path, the Guru will guide him and give him inner-strength. We all have the opportunity to get this power from the Guru if we choose.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Question: Why don't Sikhs cut their hair? Isn't keeping hair unhygienic?

SIKHI QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question: Why don’t Sikhs cut their hair? 
Answer: The main reason is that God instructed us to not cut our hair. That alone is good enough reason for a Sikh to not cut their hair. God’s instruction to keep hair uncut is written in Gurbani (scripture):
ਨਾਪਾਕ ਪਾਕੁ ਕਰਿ ਹਦੂਰਿ ਹਦੀਸਾ ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤਿ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਸਿਰਾ ॥੧੨॥ 
naapaak paak kar hadoor hadeesaa, saabat soorat dastaar siraa. ||12||
Purifying your unclean mind and living in the presence of God is the (true) religious teaching. Keep your bodily appearance complete with unshorn hair and wear a turban on your head. (12)
(SGGS – Ang 1084) 

A follower of Guru Nanak accepts and lives to the standards of God, rather than worldly standards based on fashion and what individual humans think is good and bad. As not cutting our hair is a commandment from God, our uncut hair represents a Sikh’s commitment and submission to God. Therefore, the hair is considered sacred and treated as an extension of our soul and a part of our being.


Question: If you don’t shave pubic hairs and armpits, then isn’t that unhygienic? 
Answer: Keeping physical hygiene is very important along with keeping one’s mind and heart clean. If hair is that unclean, why don’t we shave it off our heads? Pubic hair was put there by God to protect one’s genitalia from friction and infection. 

According to Dr Luisa Dillner (2016) it is more hygienic not to shave it. A 2007 study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine suggests that armpit hair means that your skin will likely be healthier, as you won’t be at risk of irritation, rashes, folliculitis (the inflammation of hair follicles) and even infection from dirty razors. 

To stay hygienic, a Sikh is expected to have a full-body wash (bath/shower) every day. Daily washing of hair, whether it is on your head, armpits, or down below is part of Sikh discipline and ensuring one remains hygienic and physically clean. Not having a shower daily is more concerning for hygiene!

ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਪਾਸ ਜੋ ਵੀ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਦੀ ਕਦਰ ਕਰੋ । Appreciate the things you have!


After the 93-year-old in Italy got better in the hospital, he was told to pay for the ventilator for one day, and the old man cried. The doctor advised him not to cry over the bill. What the old man said made all the doctors cry.

Grandpa said, "I don't cry because of the money I have to pay. I can pay for all the money. I cry because I have been breathing God's air for 93 years, but I never pay for it. It takes €5,000 to use a ventilator in a hospital for one day. Do you know how much I owe God? I didn't thank God for that before. " 

The truth of the news can't be verified, but grandpa's words are worth our reflection. When we breathe the air freely without pain or illness, no one takes the air seriously. Only when we enter the hospital can we know that even breathing oxygen with a ventilator costs money! 

Appreciate the time when we can breathe freely!

 

MESSAGE FROM GURBANI:


ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
raam-kalee, mahallaa panjvaa.
Raamkalee, Fifth Nanak: 
ਇਸੁ ਪਾਨੀ ਤੇ ਜਿਨਿ ਤੂ ਘਰਿਆ ॥ ਮਾਟੀ ਕਾ ਲੇ ਦੇਹੁਰਾ ਕਰਿਆ ॥
ਉਕਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਲੈ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਪਰੀਖਿਆ ॥ ਮਾਤ ਗਰਭ ਮਹਿ ਜਿਨਿ ਤੂ ਰਾਖਿਆ ॥੧॥
es paanee te jin too ghari-aa. maatee kaa ley dehuraa kari-aa.
u-kat jyot lai surat pareekhiaa. maat garabh mehi jin too raakhiaa. ||1|| 
God created you out of the sperm of your father. From clay, He fashioned your body. He blessed you with the light of reason and clear consciousness. In your mother's womb, He protected you (so why forget Him). (1)

ਰਾਖਨਹਾਰੁ ਸਮ੍ਹਾਰਿ ਜਨਾ ॥ ਸਗਲੇ ਛੋਡਿ ਬੀਚਾਰ ਮਨਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
raakhaan-haar sam(h)aar janaa. 
sag-le chhod beechaar manaa. ||1|| rahaa-o.|| 
Always remember your Protector Lord. O mind! Give up all other thoughts that make you forget God. ||1||Pause and think||

ਜਿਨਿ ਦੀਏ ਤੁਧੁ ਬਾਪ ਮਹਤਾਰੀ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਦੀਏ ਭ੍ਰਾਤ ਪੁਤ ਹਾਰੀ ॥
ਜਿਨਿ ਦੀਏ ਤੁਧੁ ਬਨਿਤਾ ਅਰੁ ਮੀਤਾ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਉ ਰਖਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਚੀਤਾ ॥੨॥
jin dee-e tudh baap meh-taaree. jin dee-e bhraat put haaree.
jin dee-e tudh banitaa ar meetaa. tis thaakur ko rakh lehu cheetaa. ||2||
He gave you your mother and father; he gave your charming children and siblings; he gave you your spouse and friends; enshrine that Lord-Master who gave you all of this in your consciousness. (2)

ਜਿਨਿ ਦੀਆ ਤੁਧੁ ਪਵਨੁ ਅਮੋਲਾ ॥ ਜਿਨਿ ਦੀਆ ਤੁਧੁ ਨੀਰੁ ਨਿਰਮੋਲਾ ॥
ਜਿਨਿ ਦੀਆ ਤੁਧੁ ਪਾਵਕੁ ਬਲਨਾ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕੀ ਰਹੁ ਮਨ ਸਰਨਾ ॥੩॥
jin dee-aa tudh avan a-mola. jin dee-aa tudh neer nir-mola.
jin dee-aa tudh paavak balnaa. tis thaakur kee rahu man sarnaa. ||3||
He gave you the invaluable air you breathe; He gave you the priceless water; He gave you burning fire; O mind! Let your mind remain in the Sanctuary of that Lord-Master. (3)

ਛਤੀਹ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਜਿਨਿ ਭੋਜਨ ਦੀਏ ॥ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਥਾਨ ਠਹਰਾਵਨ ਕਉ ਕੀਏ ॥ 
ਬਸੁਧਾ ਦੀਓ ਬਰਤਨਿ ਬਲਨਾ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕੇ ਚਿਤਿ ਰਖੁ ਚਰਨਾ ॥੪॥
chhateeh amrit jin bhojan dee-e. antar thhaan ttheh-raavan ko kee-e.
basudhaa dee-o bartan balnaa. tis thaakur ke chit rakh charnaa. ||4||
He gave you varieties of tasty foods; He gave you a stomach and other organs to digest this food; He gave you the earth, and other things to use; enshrine in your consciousness the feet (Holy Word) of that Lord-Master. (4)

ਪੇਖਨ ਕਉ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ਸੁਨਨ ਕਉ ਕਰਨਾ ॥ ਹਸਤ ਕਮਾਵਨ ਬਾਸਨ ਰਸਨਾ ॥
ਚਰਨ ਚਲਨ ਕਉ ਸਿਰੁ ਕੀਨੋ ਮੇਰਾ ॥ ਮਨ ਤਿਸੁ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕੇ ਪੂਜਹੁ ਪੈਰਾ ॥੫॥
pekhan ko netar ko karnaa. hasath kamaavan baasan rasnaa.
charan chalan ko sir keeno meraa. man tis thaakur ke poojahu pairaa. ||5||
 He gave you eyes to see, and ears to hear; He gave you hands to work with, and a nose and a tongue; He gave you feet to walk upon, and made your head as the crowning glory of the body; O mind, worship the Feet of that Lord-Master (i.e. remaining humble meditate and chant the Lord’s Name). (5)

ਅਪਵਿਤ੍ਰ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਤੂ ਕਰਿਆ ॥ ਸਗਲ ਜੋਨਿ ਮਹਿ ਤੂ ਸਿਰਿ ਧਰਿਆ ॥
ਅਬ ਤੂ ਸੀਝੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਨਹੀ ਸੀਝੈ ॥ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਸਵਰੈ ਮਨ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਧਿਆਈਜੈ ॥੬॥
a-pavitar pavitar jin too kari-aa. sagal jon mehi too sir dhari-aa.
ab too seejh bhaavai nehee seejhai. kaaraj sav-rai man prabh dhiaaee-jai. ||6||
 He transformed you from impure to pure; He made you (as a human) the head of all creatures. Now, it is up to you whether you wish to fulfill your destiny and make your life worthwhile and fulfilled or not. (But remember) You’re the task of making your life fulfilled and worthwhile shall only be completed by meditating on God. (6)

ਈਹਾ ਊਹਾ ਏਕੈ ਓਹੀ ॥ ਜਤ ਕਤ ਦੇਖੀਐ ਤਤ ਤਤ ਤੋਹੀ ॥
ਤਿਸੁ ਸੇਵਤ ਮਨਿ ਆਲਸੁ ਕਰੈ ॥ ਜਿਸੁ ਵਿਸਰਿਐ ਇਕ ਨਿਮਖ ਨ ਸਰੈ ॥੭॥
ee-haa oo-haa ey-kai o-hee. jat kat dekhee-ai tat tat tohee.
tis sevak man aalas karai. jis visri-ai ek nimak na sarai. ||7||
 In this world and the next world, only the One God’s power works. Wherever you look, God is there with you. But it is the mind’s foolishness that it becomes lazy and reluctant to serve God; forgetting Him, one cannot pass a moment of inner peace. (7)


ਹਮ ਅਪਰਾਧੀ ਨਿਰਗੁਨੀਆਰੇ ॥ ਨਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਸੇਵਾ ਨਾ ਕਰਮਾਰੇ ॥
ਗੁਰੁ ਬੋਹਿਥੁ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਮਿਲਿਆ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਸੰਗਿ ਪਾਥਰ ਤਰਿਆ ॥੮॥੨॥
ham ap-raadhee nirgunee-aare. naa kichh sevaa naa kar-maare.
gur bohithh vadd-bhaagee mili-aa. naanak daas sang paathhar tari-aa. ||8||2|| 
We are sinners and have no virtues (goodness) because we have performed selfless service or done any good deeds, but with great good fortune we find the Guru who is like a boat! Like a stone being saved from drowning, attaching ourselves to the Boat of the Guru, the sinner is saved. (8.2.)

 (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji – Ang 913)