The Second Guru Angad Dev Ji - Part I

The Second Master Guru Angad Dev Ji (1504 - 1552)

Guru Nanak instructed Lehna to return to Khadur to instruct people in the ways of Sikhism. Here Lehna spent his time in prayer and serving the people. He distributed food to the poor daily. Longing to be with Guru Nanak he eventually returned to Karthapur where he became totally devoted to the service of Guru Nanak. 

After undergoing countless tests, Guru Nanak eventually appointed Guru Angad Dev Ji as his successor on July 14, 1539 as described previously. 

Upon the death of Guru Nanak, Guru Angad Dev Ji returned to Khadur where he went into seclusion and meditation for six months. 

Eventually a delegation of Sikhs led by Baba Buddha convinced the Guru that they needed him. Guru Angad Dev Ji longed for Guru Nanak, when he said to Baba Buddha;

"He whom you love, die for him. Accursed is the life without the beloved. The head should be sliced that does not bow before the Master. O Nanak! the body should be burnt that suffers not the agony of separation." (Sri Rag) "He who has been blessed by Guru Nanak is lost in the praises of the Lord. What could one teach those, Who have Divine Nanak as their Guru?" (Majh)

Guru Angad Dev Ji was the embodiment of humility as Guru Nanak had been before him. 

Yogi Daya Nath Visits Guru

The renowned yogi Daya Nath visited Guru Angad Dev Ji to try to convert him. Daya Nath believed that mental purity could only be obtained through renunciation of the world, observance of rituals, introspection, and yoga. Guru Angad Dev Ji engaged him in discussion saying that only through living a simple truthful life as Guru Nanak had lived can God be realized, by remaining pure amidst impurity. The yogi was eventually won over by the purity and innocence of Guru Angad Dev Ji and asked the Guru if there was anything that he could do for him. The humble Guru Angad Dev Ji replied that he only seeked the learned yogis blessings.

Guru Angad Dev Ji followed the daily routine that Guru Nanak had. He would wake up early at dawn to recite Guru Nanak's Japji (morning prayer) as well as sing Asa di var with his congregation, work during the daytime and then have evening prayers. Guru Angad Dev Ji also maintained langar where people of all religions and casts could gather for a free meal. Guru Angad Dev Ji also took a keen interest in physical fitness, and encouraged his devotees to be involved in sports after their morning prayers. 

To be contd ……..

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The First Master Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji - Part III

The First Master Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji (1469 - 1539)contd Part III

Hardwar a pilgrimage center

When Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji stopped at Hardwar a pilgrimage center on the Ganges river he found a large gathering of devotees. They were taking ritual baths in the holy river and offering water to the sun. When the Guru asked "Why do you throw water like that?" The pilgrims replied that they were offering it to their ancestors. Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji upon hearing this started throwing water in the opposite direction towards the west.

When the pilgrims asked him what he was doing?.

Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji replied "I am sending water to my farm which is dry". 

They asked, "How will water reach you crops so far away?".Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji replied, "If your water can reach your ancestors in the region of the sun, why can't mine reach my fields a short distance away?" The pilgrims realized their folly and fell at the Gurus feet.

Visit to Gorakhmata 

On an eastern journey Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji visited Gorakhmata where he discussed the true meaning of asceticism with some yogis:

"Asceticism doesn't lie in ascetic robes, or in walking staff, nor in the ashes. Asceticism doesn't lie in the earring, nor in the shaven head, nor blowing a conch. Asceticism lies in remaining pure amidst impurities. Asceticism doesn't lie in mere words; He is an ascetic who treats everyone alike. Asceticism doesn't lie in visiting burial places, It lies not in wandering about, nor in bathing at places of pilgrimage. Asceticism is to remain pure amidst impurities." (Suhi)

After his first long journey, Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji returned home after twelve years of propagating his message.

He then set out on a second journey traveling as far south as Sri Lanka. On his return north he founded a settlement known as Kartharpur (the Abode of God) on the western banks of the Ravi river. Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji would one day settle down here in his old age. It was also here that he met a young devotee who would later go on to serve five of the following Gurus, Baba Buddha (the revered old one).

On his third great journey Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji traveled as far north as Tibet. Wherever Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji traveled he always wore a combination of styles worn by Hindu and Muslim holy men and was always asked whether he was a Hindu or Muslim. 

Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji visited Sheikh Ibrahim the muslim successor of Baba Farid the great Sufi dervish of the twelfth century at Ajodhan. 

When asked by Ibrahim which of the two religions was the true way to attain God, Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji replied; "If there is one God, then there is only His way to attain Him, not another. One must follow that way and reject the other. Worship not him who is born only to die, but Him who is eternal and is contained in the whole universe."

On his fourth great journey in life Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji dressed in the blue garb of a Muslim pilgrim traveled to the west and visited Mecca, Medina and Baghdad. Arriving at Mecca, Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji fell asleep with his feet pointing towards the holy Kabba. When the watchman on his night rounds noticed this he kicked the Guru, saying, "How dare you turn your feet towards the house of God". At this Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji woke up and said, "Good man, I am weary after a long journey. Kindly turn my feet in the direction where God is not." When pilgrims and the holy men of the shrine gathered to hear Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji and question him, he sang in Persian;

"I beseech you, O Lord! pray grant me a hearing. You are the truthful, the great, the merciful, and the faultless Creator. I know for certain, this world must perish, And death must come, I know this and nothing else. Neither wife, nor son, nor father, nor brothers shall be able to help. I must go in the end, none can undo what is my fate. I have spend days and nights in vanity, contemplating evil. Never have I thought of good; this is what I am. I am ill-starred, miserly, careless, short-sighted, and rude. But says Nanak, I am yours, the dust of the feet of your servants." (Tilang)

While in Baghdad contradicting the Muslim priests views that their were only seven upper and as many lower regions Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji shouted out his own prayer saying,

"There are worlds and more worlds below them and there are a hundred thousand skies over them. No one has been able to find the limits and boundaries of God. If there be any account of God, than alone the mortal can write the same; but Gods account does not finish and the mortal himself dies while still writing. Nanak says that one should call Him great, and God Himself knows His ownself." (Japji)

In 1916 a tablet with the following inscription was uncovered in Baghdad, "In memory of the Guru, the holy Baba Nanak, King of holy men, this monument has been raised anew with the help of the seven saints." The date on the tablet 927 Hijri corresponds to A.D. 1520-1521.

On his return journey home he stopped at Saidpur in western Punjab during the invasion of the first Mughal Emperor Babar. On seeing the extent of the massacre by the invaders, Mardana asked Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji why so many innocent people were put to death along with those few who were guilty. Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji told Mardana to wait under a banyan tree and after a while he would return to answer his question. While sitting under the tree Mardana was suddenly bitten by an ant. In anger Mardana killed as many ants as he could with his feet. Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji said to him, "You know now Mardana, why do the innocents suffer along with the guilty?"

Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji and Mardana were both taken prisoner by the Mughal's. While in jail Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji sang a divine hymn about the senseless slaughter of the innocents by the Mughal invaders. Upon hearing it the jailer reported it to his king. Babar sent for the Guru and upon hearing him realized that Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji was a great religious figure. He asked for the Gurus forgiveness and set him free offering him a pouch of hashish. Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji refused saying the he was already intoxicated with the love and name of God.

After having spent a lifetime of traveling abroad and setting up missions, an aged Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji returned home to Punjab. He settled down at Kartharpur with his wife and sons. Pilgrims came from far and near to hear the hymns and preaching of the Master. Here his followers would gather in the mornings and afternoons for religious services. He believed in a castless society without any distinctions based on birthright, religion or sex. He institutionalized the common kitchen called langar in Sikhism. Here all can sit together and share a common meal, whether they were kings or beggars.

While working the fields one day in 1532 Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji was approached by a new devotee who said, "I am Lehna," Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji looked at him and replied, "So you have arrived Lehna- the creditor. I have been waiting for you all these days. I must pay your debt." ("Lehna" in Punjabi means debt or creditor.)

Lehna was a great devotee of the Hindu God Durga. One day having hearing about Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji and his teachings, he decided to visit and see the Guru for himself. Once Lehna met Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji he left his previous beliefs and became an ardent disciple of the Guru. Lehna's devotion to Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji was absolute, when he was not working on the farm, he would devote his spare time to the contemplation of God. Over time he became Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji's most ardent disciple. Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji put his followers to many tests to see who was the most faithful. 

Once while accompanied by Lehna and his two sons Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji came across what looked like a corpse covered with a sheet. "Who would eat it?" asked Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji unexpectedly. His sons refused, thinking that their father was not in his senses. Lehna though agreed and as he removed the cover he found that it was a tray of sacred food. Lehna first offered it to Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji and his sons and then partook of the leftovers himself. Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji on seeing this replied;

"Lehna, you were blessed with the sacred food because you could share it with others. If the people use the wealth bestowed on them by God for themselves alone or for treasuring it, it is like a corpse. But if they decide to share it with others, it becomes sacred food. You have known the secret. You are my image." (Janamsakhi)

Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji then blessed Lehna with his ang (hand) and gave him a new name, Angad, saying "you are a part of my body". Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji placed five coins and a coconut in front of Guru Angad and then bowed before him. He then had Bhai Budhha anoint Angad with a saffron mark on his forehead. When Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji gathered his followers together for prayers he invited Angad to occupy the seat of the Guru. Thus Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji was ordained as the successor to Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji.

End Of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib

Feeling his end was near, the Hindus said we will cremate you, the Muslims said we will bury you. Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji said; "You place flowers on either side, Hindus on my right, Muslims on my left. Those whose flowers remain fresh tomorrow will have their way." He then asked them to prey and lay down covering himself with a sheet. Thus on September 22, 1539 in the early hours of the morning Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji merged with the eternal light of the Creator.

 When the followers lifted the sheet they found nothing except the flowers which were all fresh. The Hindus took theirs and cremated them, while the Muslims took their flowers and buried them.

Thus having spread the words of reform throughout his lifetime, Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji successfully challenged and questioned the existing religious tenants and laid the foundations of Sikhism.

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The First Master Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji Part - II

The First Master Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji (1469 - 1539) contd……

Early one morning accompanied by Mardana, Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji Dev Sahib Ji  went to the river Bain for his bath. After plunging into the river, Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji did not surface and it was reported that he must have drowned. The villagers searched everywhere, but their was no trace of him. Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji was in holy communion with God. The Lord God revealed himself to Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji and enlightened him. 

In praise of the Lord, Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji uttered:

"There is but One God, His name is Truth, He is the Creator, He fears none, he is without hate, He never dies, He is beyond the cycle of births and death, He is self illuminated, He is realized by the kindness of the True Guru. He was True in the beginning, He was True when the ages commenced and has ever been True, He is also True now." (Japji)

These words are enshrined at the beginning of the Sikh Holy Scriptures, the Guru Granth Sahib. 

Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji did not believe in a Trinity of Gods, or the belief that God can be born into human form.

After three days Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji appeared at the same spot from where he had disappeared. He was no longer the same person he had been, there was a divine light in his eyes and his face was resplendent. He remained in a trance and said nothing. He gave up his job and distributed all of his belongings to the poor. When he finally broke his silence he uttered;

"There is no Hindu, no Muslim". 

Daulat Khan asked what he meant when he said to Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji, "Perhaps the Hindus were no longer Hindus but the Muslims remain devout to their faith." Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji replied,

"Let God's grace be the mosque, and devotion the prayer mat. Let the Quran be the good conduct. Let modesty be compassion, good manners fasting, you should be a Muslim the like of this. Let good deeds be your Kaaba and truth be your mentor. Your Kalma be your creed and prayer, God would then vindicate your honour." (Majh)

Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji was thirty years old at this time in 1499. The next stage of his life began with extensive travels to spread the message of God. Accompanied by his Muslim rabab player Mardana for company, Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji undertook long journeys to convey his message to the people in the form of musical hymns. Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji choose this medium to propagate his message because it was easily understood by the population of the time. Wherever he traveled he used the local language to convey his message to the people. He traveled throughout the Indian Subcontinent and further east, west, and north to spread his mission. Wherever he went he set up local cells called manjis, where his followers could gather to recite hymns and meditate.

Once when Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji came to the small town of Saidpur in West Punjab he choose to stay there with Lalo, a low caste carpenter. At the same time the local chief of the town Malik Bhago, who was quite wealthy and a very proud man was holding a feast to which all holy men were invited. When Malik Bhago found out that Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji would not attend his feast but instead partook of the simple fare of his host Lalo, he was quite angry and had the Guru brought to him for questioning. When asked why he didn't join in the feast, the Guru sent for the meal served by Malik Bhago and also some of the simple meal served by Lalo. Holding these in separate hands he squeezed them, blood appeared out of the rich food of Malik Bhago, while milk oozed out of Lalos simple fare. Malik Bhago was put to shame and realized that his riches had been amassed by exploiting the poor, while what Lalo offered was the milk of hard earned honest work.

Two Friends

Another time while camped out at a town during the rainy season, several devotees would come to the Guru on a regular basis. One of them while on the way to see the Guru, came across a prostitute and was allured by her. Thereafter he would leave home on the pretext of going to see the Guru, but instead visited the prostitute. A few days later his friend who daily came to pay homage to the Guru was pricked by a thorn, while his neighbor, who visited the prostitute, found a gold coin in the street. The incident bewildered the Guru's devotee who came every day religiously. He mentioned it in the morning prayer meeting where Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji heard it and was amused.

He told the Sikh;

"Your friend was destined to come across a treasure but due to his evil ways, it has been reduced to a single coin. While on the account of your past karma you were to have been impaled with a stake, but having reformed yourself, you have been let off with the mere prick of a thorn." (Janamsakhi)

When the Guru visited Kurukshetra:

When the Guru visited Kurukshetra in Haryana, a big fair was being held at the holy tank to celebrate the solar eclipse. There were a large number of pilgrims all over the country. On his arrival at the fair, Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji had Mardana cook them a meat dish of a deer presented to them by one of his followers. Upon finding that meat was being cooked on the holy premises, a large angry crowd gathered in anger to attack the Guru for what they thought amounted to sacrilege (Bhai Mani Singh, Gyan Ratnavali, pg. 123). Upon hearing the angry crowd Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji responded;

"Only fools argue whether to eat meat or not. They don't understand truth nor do they meditate on it. Who can define what is meat and what is plant? Who knows where the sin lies, being a vegetarian or a non- vegetarian?" (Malhar).  

to be contd ……..

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Sikh Worship and Feeling

Sikh worship

• Sikhs worship God and only God. Unlike members of many other religions they worship God in his true abstract form, and don't use images or statues to help them.
• Sikh worship can be public or private.
• Private worship
• Sikhs can pray at any time and any place.
• Sikh aims to get up early, bathe, and then start the day by meditating on God.

The Sikh code of conduct lays down a stern discipline for the start of the day:

A Sikh should wake up in the ambrosial hours (three hours before the dawn), take a bath and, concentrating his/her thoughts on One Immortal Being, repeat the name Waheguru (Wondrous Destroyer of darkness).

--Reht Maryada (Sikh code of conduct), chapter 3

• There are set prayers that a Sikh should recite in the morning and evening, and before going to sleep.
• Prayer - spending time with God
• Although the Sikh God is beyond description Sikhs feel able to pray to God as a person and a friend who cares for them.
• Sikhs regard prayer as a way of spending time in company with God.
• For prayer to be really effective a person tries to empty themselves of everything of this world so that they can perceive God.

Guru Arjan wrote of the importance of prayer.

The praising of His Name is the highest of all practices. 

It has uplifted many a human soul.

It slakes the desire of restless mind. 

It imparts an all-seeing vision.

                   - - Guru Arjan

Public worship

• Although Sikhs can worship on their own, they see congregational worship as having its own special merits.
• Sikhs believe that God is visible in the Sikh congregation or Sangat, and that God is pleased by the act of serving the Sangat.
• Congregational Sikh worship takes place in a Gurdwara.
• Sikh public worship can be led by any Sikh, male or female, who is competent to do so.

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Introduction to Sikhism - II

History and Practices

The founder of the Sikh religion was Guru Nanak who was born in 1469. He preached a message of love and understanding and criticized the blind rituals of the Hindus and Muslims. Guru Nanak passed on his enlightened leadership of this new religion to nine successive Gurus. The final living Guru, Guru Gobind Singh died in 1708.

During his lifetime Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa order (meaning 'The Pure'), soldier-saints. The Khalsa uphold the highest Sikh virtues of commitment, dedication and a social conscious. The Khalsa are men and women who have undergone the Sikh baptism ceremony and who strictly follow the Sikh Code of Conduct and Conventions and wear the prescribed physical articles of the faith. One of the more noticeable being the uncut hair (required to be covered with a turban for men) and the Kirpan (ceremonial sword).

Before his death in 1708 Guru Gobind Singh declared that the Sikhs no longer needed a living and appointed his spiritual successor as Sri Guru Granth Sahib, his physical successor as the Khalsa.

Guru Gobind Singh felt that all the wisdom needed by Sikhs for spiritual guidance in their daily lives could be found in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Eternal Guru of the Sikhs. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is unique in the world of religious scriptures because not only is it accorded the status of being the spiritual head of the Sikh religion, but besides the poetry of the Gurus, it also contains the writings of saints of other faiths whose thoughts were consistent with those of the Sikh Gurus.

Priests and Sikhism

Sikhism does not have priests, which were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh. The Guru felt that they had become corrupt and full of ego. Sikhs only have custodians of the Guru Granth Sahib (granthi), and any Sikh is free to read the Guru Granth Sahib in the Gurdwara (a Sikh temple) or in their home. All people of all religions are welcome to the Gurdwara. 

A free community kitchen can be found at every Gurdwara which serves meals to all people of all faiths. Guru Nanak first started this institution which outline the basic Sikh principles of service, humility and equality.

Significant historical religious center for the Sikhs is Harmiandir Sahib (The Golden Temple)

The most significant historical religious center for the Sikhs is Harmiandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) at Amritsar in the state of Punjab in northern India. It is the inspirational and historical center of Sikhism but is not a mandatory place of pilgrimage or worship. All places where Sri Guru Granth Sahib are installed are considered equally holy for Sikhs.

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Guru Nanak Dev Sahab Ji Part -I

The First Master Guru Nanak (1469 - 1539)

Birth Details: Nanak,15 April 1469,Rāi Bhoi Kī Talvaṇḍī, (Present day Nankana Sahib, Punjab,Pakistan)
Died: 22 September 1539 (aged 70) Kartarpur, Mughal Empire
Resting place: Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Kartarpur, Pakistan
Occupation: Founder of Sikhism
Years active:1499–1539
Successor: Guru Angad
Parent(s): Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta

"Me, the bard out of work, the Lord has applied to His service. In the very beginning He gave me the order to sing His praises night and day. The Master summoned the minstrel to His True Court. He clothed me with the robe of His true honour and eulogy. Since then the True Name had become my ambrosial food. They, who under the Guru's instruction, eat this food to their satisfaction, obtain peace. By singing the Guru's hymns, I, the minstrel spread the Lord's glory. Nanak, by praising the True Name I have obtained the perfect Lord." (Guru Nanak, Pauri, pg. 150)

The founder of the Sikh religion, Guru Nanak was born on April 15, 1469 in the Western Punjab village of Talwandi. He was born to a simple Hindu family. His father Mehta Kalian Das was an accountant in the employment of the local Muslim authorities. From an early age Guru Nanak made friends with both Hindu and Muslim children and was very inquisitive about the meaning of life. At the age of six he was sent to the village school teacher for schooling in reading and writing in Hindi and mathematics. He was then schooled in the study of Muslim literature and learned Persian and Arabic. He was an unusually gifted child who learned quickly and often question his teachers. At age 13 it was time for Guru Nanak to be invested with the sacred thread according to the traditional Hindu custom. At the ceremony which was attended by family and friends and to the disappointment of his family Guru Nanak refused to accept the sacred cotton thread from the Hindu priest. 

He sang the following poem:

"Let mercy be the cotton, contentment the thread, Continence the knot and truth the twist. O priest! If you have such a thread, Do give it to me. It'll not wear out, nor get soiled, nor burnt, nor lost. Says Nanak, blessed are those who go about wearing such a thread" (Rag Asa)

As a young man herding the family cattle, Guru Nanak would spend long hours absorbed in meditation and in religious discussions with Muslim and Hindu holy men who lived in the forests surrounding the village. Thinking that if bound in marriage Guru Nanak might start taking interest in household affairs a suitable match was found for him. At age 16 he was married to Sulakhani daughter of a pious merchant. Guru Nanak did not object as he felt that married life did not conflict with spiritual pursuits. Guru Nanak was happily married, he loved his wife and eventually had two sons Sri Chand in 1494 and Lakshmi Chand three years later. Now that he had a family of his own Guru Nanak was persuaded by his parents to take a job as an accountant in charge of the stores of the Muslim governor of Sultanpur Daulat Khan Lodi. Guru Nanak agreed and was joined by his family and an old Muslim childhood friend Mardana, a musician by profession. Guru Nanak would work during the days, but early in the mornings and late at nights, he would meditate and sing hymns accompanied by Mardana on the rabab ( a string instrument). These sessions attracted a lot of attention and many people started joining the two.

To be contd…..

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Chet Govind Aradhye.

Chet is a first month as per the Nanakshahi calendar, Calender which governs the activities in Sikhism. This month coincides with March - April of the Western/Georgian/Julian Calendar and is 31 days long. The month starts on March 14 and ends on April 13. On April 14 starts the second month of the Sikh year called Vaisakh. During Chet, Season in Punjab (the land of the Sikh Gurus) is of spring and the climate is moderate with good sunshine during the day. The winter cold have truly been un-lifted. Many tourists from western countries visit north India during Chet to join in the festivities of the New year.

From SGGS Page 133

ਚੇਤਿ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਅਰਾਧੀਝ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਨੰਦ ਘਣਾ॥ 

ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਮਿਲਿ ਪਾਈ ਝਰਸਨਾ ਨਾਮ ਭਣਾ॥ 

ਜਿਨਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਪਰਭ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਝਤਿ ਸਹਿ ਗਣਾ॥ 

ਇਕ ਖਿਨ ਤਿਸ ਬਿਨ ਜੀਵਣਾ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਨਮ ਜਣਾ॥ 

ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਪੂਰਿਆ ਰਵਿਆ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਣਾ॥ 

ਸੋਪ ਰਭ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਕਿਤੜਾ ਦਖ ਗਣਾ॥ 

ਜਿਨੀ ਰਾਵਿਆ ਸੋ ਪਰਭੂ ਤਿੰਨਾ ਭਾਗ ਮਣਾ॥ 

ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨ ਕੰਉਮਨ ਲੋਚਦਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਪਿਆਸ ਮਨਾ॥ 

ਚੇਤਿ ਮਿਲਾ ਝ ਸੋਪ ਰਭੂ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਪਾਇ ਲਗਾ ॥2॥ (SGGS page 133) 

Meaning

In the month of Chayt, by meditating on the Lord of the Universe, a deep and profound joy arises. 

Meeting with the humble Saints, the Lord is found, as we chant His Name with our tongues. 

Those who have found God-blessed is their coming into this world.

Those who live without Him, for even an instant-their lives are rendered useless.

The Lord is totally pervading the water, the land, and all space. He is contained in the forests as well.

Those who do not remember God-how much pain must they suffer!

Those who dwell upon their God have great good fortune.

My mind yearns for the Blessed Vision of the Lord's Darshan. O Nanak, my mind is so thirsty!

I touch the feet of one who unites me with God in the month of Chayt. ||2||

(SGGS page 133)

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Introduction to Sikhism

Introduction to Sikhism

A way of life and philosophy well ahead of its time when it was founded over 500 years ago. The Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide. 

Sikhism preaches:

• A message of devotion
• Remembrance of God at all times 
• Truthful living 
• Equality of mankind 
• Social justice 
• Denounces superstitions and blind rituals. 

Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Who and What is a Sikh?

The word 'Sikh' in the Punjabi language means 'disciple', Sikhs are the disciples of God who follow the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. The wisdom of these teachings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib are practical and universal in their appeal to all mankind.

"I observe neither Hindu fasting nor the ritual of the Muslim Ramadan month; Him I serve who at the last shall save. The Lord of universe of the Hindus, Gosain and Allah to me are one; From Hindus and Muslims have I broken free. I perform neither Kaaba pilgrimage nor at bathing spots worship; One sole Lord I serve, and no other. I perform neither the Hindu worship nor the Muslim prayer; To the Sole Formless Lord in my heart I bow. We neither are Hindus nor Muslims; Our body and life belong to the One Supreme Being who alone is both Ram and Allah for us." (Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Granth Sahib, Raga Bhairon pg. 1136)

Rehat Maryada, Sikh Code of Conduct

Any human being who faithfully believes in:

1. One Immortal Being
2. Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh
3. The Guru Granth Sahib
4. The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus
5. The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru
6. Who does not owe allegiance to any other religion is a Sikh. 

Will be continued...

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Mool Mantra for Everyone.

The Guru Granth Sahib begins with the Mul Mantar and it occurs more than one hundred times throughout the text where it is placed at the beginning of the particular Shabad. Bhai Mani Singh explains that the reason for placing the Mul Mantar at the beginning of a Shabad is that a Gursikh (Guru's Sikh) should remember that everything else will eventually be annihilated and only the Satnam (All-pervading Supreme Reality) will remain. It can be considered as the moral or the sole truth of the universe.

Meaning

There is one God.

He is the supreme truth.

He, The creator,

Is without fear and without hate.

He,The omnipresent,

Pervades the universe.

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Story of 12 ' O Clock

Many use the 12 o'clock joke to make fun of the Sikhs without quite knowing what it's about. In turn, the Sikh victims get infuriated without quite knowing why. The origins of the joke, now lost in the mists of time, were in dead earnest. If the Sikhs knew the real story, they would be proud to be alluded to as the `12 o'clock people', and the others would regard them with respect.

To understand the joke, we have to go back to the time of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of Sikhs. During 17th Century, when India was ruled by Mughals (Muslim Extremists), Hindus were humiliated and deprived of any right to conduct their religious practices. Mughals treated the Hindu women as their own property and were forcing all Hindus to accept Islam and even used to kill the people if they refused to accept.

During that time, our ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji came forward, in response to a by request some Kashmir Pandits (Hindu Priests) to fight against all these cruel activities. Guru Ji told the Mughal emperor that if he could succeed in converting him to Islam, all the Hindus would accept the same. But, if he failed to do so, he should stop all of his oppression. The Mughal emperor happily agreed to the challenge and invited Guru Ji to Delhi. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was tortured for five days, he was made to sit on hot iron plates, and hot oil was poured on his body. He was boiled in hot water and subjected to many more tortures in the hope that he would cave in and accept Islam. Guru Ji however did not even scream once, he was a true devotee of God and had been meditating on God for decades. After extreme tortures when Aurangzeb failed to convert Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji to Islam, he beheaded the Guru in Chandni Chowk, Delhi.

Thus Guru Ji sacrificed his life for the protection of Hindu religion.  This is the reason he is still remembered as "Hind Ki Chaddar", Shield of India.

Seeing this incident the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji made a resolution that he would convert his followers to such human beings who would not be able the devotees of God but in order to protect their religion and the right of worship for others they would be warriors as well.

In 1739 Nadir Shah, King of Persia, crossed the frontier and swept down towards New Delhi, India. He was the first invader who was here only to plunder and kill, with no intention of staying. His troops reached Delhi, where they killed 150,000 people, both Hindus and Sikhs. He looted India and was carrying lot of Indian treasures and nearly 2200 Hindu women along with him. The news spread like fire and was heard by Sardar Jassa Singh who was the Commander of the Sikh army at that time. Sikhs were very few in numbers while the army of Mughals was in hundreds of thousands. Sardar Jassa Singh decided to attack Nadir Shah's army at midnight.

He did so and rescued all the Hindu women and they were safely sent back to their homes. It didn't happen only once but thereafter whenever any army from Afghanistan or Iran attacked and looted an Indian city and were trying to carry the treasures and women in order to sell them in Arab markets, the Sikh army although fewer in numbers but brave hearted attacked them at midnight, 12 O'clock, and rescued the women along with the treasure.

Whenever there was a similar incident, people started to contact the Sikh army for their help and Sikhs used to attack the raiders at midnight, 12 O'clock. Sikhs did so because they were fewer in number and could use the darkness to their advantage. It continued and became a known fact that at midnight, nearly at 12 O'clock, it is very difficult to fight against Sikhs as the Sikhs mastered the art of fighting at night.

Thus the 12 o'clock joke was born. Initially, instead of being grateful for their heroism, many say that the Sikhs are in their senses only at night. It was apparently futile to expect help from them at other times.

The sikhs were naturally annoyed. They were trying to help the Hindus and were getting ridiculed in return. When some people crack this joke, they are oblivious to the fact that if Sikhs had not intervened, Indian people would have to keep facing the oppression my Muslim extremists and Indian women would have been dishonored and taken into exile. The Sikhs should be proud of the 12 o'clock incident, because of them, the dignity of India was restored after Nadir Shah's invasion; one of the most terrible act of war ever to be perpetrated in India.

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Hola Mahalla (ਹੋਲਾ ਮਹੱਲਾ)

Hola Mahalla is a Sikh festival which begins on the first day of the lunar month of Chett most often falls in March, and sometimes coincides with the Sikh New Year. The event lasts for a week, and consists of camping out and enjoying various displays of fighting prowess and bravery, followed by kirtan, music, and poetry.

Origin of word - Hola Mahalla
Bhai Kahan Singh, who compiled the Mahan Kosh (the first Sikh encyclopedia) at the turn of the 20th century, explained, "Hola is derived from the word halla (a military charge) and the term mohalla stands for an organized procession or an army column. The words 'Hola Mohalla' would thus stand for 'the charge of an army.'"

History

The event was originated by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. The Guru was in the midst of fighting both Aurangzeb of the Mughal Empire and the Hill Rajputs, and had recently established the Khalsa Panth. On February 22, 1701, Guru Gobind Singh started a new tradition by overseeing a day of mock battles and poetry contests at Lohgarh Fort. The tradition has since spread from the town of Anandpur Sahib to nearby Kiratpur Sahib and the foothills of the Shivaliks, and to other Gurdwaras around the world


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Roaring Personality - Hari Singh Nalwa

"Baaghmaar" Hari Singh Nalwa. "Nalwa" (one with claws, like that of a tiger).

Title Of "Nalwa" was given to him by Maharaja Ranjit Singh after he, "had killed a tiger single-handed on horseback, with the sacrifice, however, of his horse."

In 1804, at the age of fourteen, his mother sent him to the court of Ranjit Singh to resolve a property dispute. Ranjit Singh decided the arbitration in his favour because of his background and aptitude. Ranjit Singh gave him a position at the court as a personal attendant.

During a hunt in 1804, a lion attacked him and also killed his horse. His fellow hunters attempted to protect him but he refused their offers and killed the lion by himself with a shield and dagger, thus earning the cognomen Baagh Maar (Lion-killer).He was commissioned as Sardar, commanding 800 horses and footmen, in that year.20 Major Battles Were Fought by Hari Singh Nalwa.

Only Sikhs have emerged victorious in Afghanistan.

In the two and a half centuries that Afghanistan has existed as a nation, three super powers — the US, Russia and Britain have attempted to subdue the Afghans with little or absolutely no success. The Sikhs won the only real victories against them. Hari Singh Nalwa's success has remained unmatched.Hari Singh Nalwa effectively reversed the entire course of history of Afghan Sikh relations. Afghans, who had been invading, looting and plundering the territory saw for the first time a reversal when Hari Singh established the Sikh kingdom in their domain. He effectively stopped the invasions forever.

Last Time
While the Maharaja was busy with preparations for the marriage of his son, Nau Nihal Singh, Hari Singh Nalwa was guarding the North-West Frontier. He had a handful of forces with him when the entire Afghan army attacked them at Jamrud.

Nalwa was fatally wounded in the battle but his death was kept a secret till the arrival of reinforcements. The fear of his presence kept the Afghan army at bay for almost ten days.
As a distinguished warrior, Nalwa commanded the respect of even his enemies, the Pathans. Ballads were composed in celebration of his bravery.

Architect in Nalwa
Nalwa also had a highly developed aesthetic sense. He built gardens in Srinagar and Amritsar. A town, Haripur (near Hazara, now in Pakistan), was planned and built by him. The various temples, gurdwaras and mosques he built bear testimony to his secular outlook.

He had four sons and he did not try to promote any of them at the court of Lahore. When he died, very little money was found in his toshakhana. It is said he gave most of his wealth in charity.

Ballads on his life
Hari Singh Nalwa's life became a popular theme for martial ballads. His earliest biographers were poets, including Qadir Bakhsh urf Kadaryar, Misr Hari Chand urf Qadaryaar and Ram Dayal, all in the 19th century.

In the 20th century, the song Mere Desh ki Dharti from the 1967 Bollywood film Upkaar eulogises him. Amar Chitra Katha first published the biography of Hari Singh Nalwa in 1978

Ballad speaks …
ਕਾਫ਼ — ਕੋਈ ਜਹਾਨ ਤੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਨਾ, ਹਰੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੇਹਾ ਵੱਡੀ ਓਟ ਵਾਲਾ।
ਪਹਿਲਾ ਹਥ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਦਸਿਆਸੂ, ਕਿਲਾ ਫ਼ਤਿਹ ਕੀਤਾ ਸਿਆਲਕੋਟ ਵਾਲਾ।
ਦੂਜਾ ਹਥ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਦਸਿਆ ਸੂ, ਕਿਲਾ ਮਾਰ ਮੋਇਆ ਜਮਰੌਦ ਵਾਲਾ।
ਕਾਦਰਯਾਰ ਜਹਾਨ ਤੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹਿਣਾ, ਲਸ਼ਕਰ ਮਿਲ ਗਿਆ ਜੇ ਮੁਲਕੁਲ ਮੌਤ ਵਾਲਾ।।੨੨।।

(Qadir Bakhsh urf Kadaryar 19th cent.: 139)

Kaaf — There is no one in the world who matches Hari Singh’s monumental stature. His career commenced with the conquest of the fort of Sialkot, and he died defending the fort of Jamrud. No one, however, lives on in this world when death beckons, said Qadaryaar.

Ballad speaks:
Kabit
ਦਸਵੇਂ ਬਰਸ ਵਿਚ ਪਾਹੁਲ ਲੀਤੀ ਖੰਡੇ ਵਾਲੀ, ਛਕਿਆ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ ਹੋਂਵਦੀ ਲੁਕਾਈ ਸੀ।
ਯਾਰਵੇਂ ਬਰਸ ਸਵਾਰੀ ਖ਼ੂਬ ਕਰਨ ਲਗਾ, ਸ਼ੇਰ ਵਾਂਗੂੰ ਗੱਜੇ ਵਿਚ ਕੁਵੱਤ ਇਲਾਹੀ ਸੀ।
ਬਾਰਵੇਂ ਬਰਸ ਰੀਤ ਫੜੀ ਸਰਦਾਰਾਂ ਵਾਲੀ, ਤੇਰਵੇਂ ਬਰਸ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਭ ਚਿਤ ਆਈ ਸੀ।
ਚੌਦਵੇਂ ਬਰਸ ਚਿਤ ਕਰੇ ਖੰਡਾ ਫੇਰਣੇ ਨੂੰ, ਸੀਤਾਰਾਮਾ ਰੱਤੀ ਜੋ ਨਸੀਬਾਂ ਵਾਲੀ ਛਾਈ ਸੀ।੩।।
                                                                                                              (Sitarama in Amar Singh, 1903)

In his tenth year, he was initiated into the fold of the Khalsa (Pahul) which was a source of joy for all.
In his eleventh year, he displayed expert horsemanship, could roar like a lion, and was blessed with immense God-gifted strength.
By the age of twelve, he displayed leadership qualities. By the age of thirteen, he could recite the Gurbani (Sikh Scriptures) from memory.
At fourteen, said Sita Rama, he aspired to become an expert swordsman and destiny fully favoured him.
                                                                                                                 
On conclusion of Khande-da-Pahul, the ceremony of initiation, ten-year-old Hari came into the fold of the Khalsa of Guru Gobind Singh at which time his surname became 'Singh'. Amarnath writes that in 1804 Hari was given the title of 'Sardar', or Chief, and was placed to command 800 men comprising both sowars (cavalry) and piyade (infantry). Hari Singh became 'Nalwa' after the Sardar "had killed a tiger single-handed on horseback, with the sacrifice, however, of his horse" .

Its difficult to stop writing about Hari Singh Nalwa. Will Come up with more inspiring stories from his life.

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Sikhs in World War II - Proud to Be A SIkh.

“Pakistan can never defeat India”, the Italian remarked.

That morning in May 1999, on an official trip to Italy, as I had switched on the BBC World News, I had heard the announcement that Indian Air Force had started an offensive on the Kargil peaks and there were fears of a full-fledged war with Pakistan. What had till now been known as a minor incursion by infiltrators was now threatening to engulf the two nations into a suicidal war. My friend Mukul and I had begun our usual tour of the Carrara stone fair; visiting booths of major companies, seeking trade and technology for Indian stone industry. 

I vividly remember that stall. A company called FMeccanica, and the company owner sitting stylishly having a chat with his clients. These Italians sure are one stylish lot. Brown shoes and a red golf cap. I still have’nt got over my bias for brown shoes acquired during those yearly trips to Italy.

As we got on with our promotional lecture the conversation veered off to the Kargil news.

“Pakistan can never defeat India”, he suddenly remarked.

“Oh yes”, we said, “Of Course, we have a bigger army”, we said proudly.

“Oh No!, you got it wrong”, said the Italian

“Is that so? How?”

“You know about Sikhs?”, he asked.

“Of course”, I said, “I am a Sikh”

“Oh, are you?”, he remarked with a surprise, as he suddenly got up from his seat, took off his red cap, “Salute’”, he said in his strong Italian accent; even as he asked me as to why I was not wearing the Sikh turban. I grinned sheepishly in response.

“Hats off, my Sikh friend; you don’t know why Pakistan can never defeat India? It cannot defeat India as long as the Sikhs fight for India.”

We were surprised by his reaction. And we asked him as to how he knew about Sikhs and tried to find out the story behind his view.

And then he started speaking animatedly. “My Grandpapa was in Mussolini’s army in World War-II. And he used to tell me a story. He told me that they were winning the war as they moved into Eastern Africa. They won many battles against the British. And then the British brought a regiment of fierce looking warriors. Men that looked like ferocious animals when in battle, the Sikhs. Their war-cry was so frightening that the Italian army used to shiver when it sounded. They attacked with their artillery; when they finished their artillery fire they attacked with their guns; when they finished their bullets they fought with bayonets; and when their bayonets were snatched they fought with knives; and then even as they were bleeding they fought with bare hands.”

I could see the Italian getting more and more excited as he recited the story. He was moving his hands around in the air and acting the part. “My Grandpa used to say that it was the Sikhs that turned the war around. They routed their enemy wherever they went.

“Finally, my Grandpa was captured by the Sikh regiment”, he said. “He was a Prisoner of War, with limited canteen. Even water was scarce. The Sikhs, the ferocious Sikhs that behaved like hungry lions on the field were like benevolent guardians in the camps. They slept hungry themselves but gave their food to the prisoners. They gave them so much respect and love that my Grandpapa used to say that he had never seen men like the Sikhs. So gallant in war and so gracious in victory.”

“As I grew up, my grandpapa inspired me with stories of Sikhs and asked me to meet some Sikhs if I wanted to be a man. So I went to meet Sikhs in India. I roamed in the Punjab, went to the temples and met many.”

“But, I wanted to see the Sikh Army in Action. So I went to your parade, that big parade in New Delhi, where all regiments of the Indian army march in glory. The parade was magnificient, the Indian army marching proudly, regiment after regiment.” he remarked as he took a book in his hand and moved it smoothly across the table in one straight line he said “this is how smoothly each regiment moved, like one unit”Sikh regiment contingent at Republic Day parade

“And then in the distance, I saw the Sikhs”, he said, as he started moving the book across the table. “Boom” he shouted as I saw the book go up an inch, “Boom”, as it went down, even as it moved across in one straight line and he did the entire stretch of the table. “This is how the Sikhs marched, boom, boom, moving like a storm across the road, so disciplined moving like one unit, yet looking so gallant and brave. I have seen the Germans marching, I have seen the march-past of the Russians, but I have never seen an army marching the way the Sikhs do.” He continued for a few more minutes with anecdotes of his grandpa’s and his interaction with Sikhs, as he hammered in the fact that Sikhs were the best fighting force in the world.

“So, my friend, you see. Pakistan can never defeat India, as long as the Sikhs fight for India.”

Postscript:

This incident has stayed with me for over years now, and I recount it today not in bravado as a fellow Sikh, but as something that needed to be told as an indicator of the impact Sikhs have on people, both in their bravery and in their graciousness; and as a reminder to us Indians.

Sikhs make up 10% of all ranks in the Indian Army, though Sikhs form only 2% of the Indian population.

After 1984, there was an experiment by Gen Vaidya to do away exclusivity, with a company each of Dogras, Garhwalis and South Indians in the Sikh Regiment. The exclusivity was however later restored.

We read an article from the ‘Telegraph’ of UK that the Britishers were planning to create a ‘Sikh Regiment’ in the British Army.

Perhaps the Britishers know something we Indians seem to be forgetting.

Source: Kulveer Singh (wordpress)

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