BABIHA

Recognize!!!

2011-06-15T20:23:00.001+05:30

I was walking down a lonely dark road,

Singing my own tunes, finding a new abode...

On my path, I found a crown of gold,

I was astonished to see, it was beautiful as an ode...

I went further and met someone wise,

Who embedded diamonds on the crown very aptly and concise...

Without the crown, I was nothing but a rand...

Putting it on my head, I started uttering commands...

Going down the journey, which felt fatiguing,

I don't know why junking the crown seemed intriguing...

I approached a pile of mud,

sat on the grass and threw the crown with a thud...

I started applying dirt on the crown,

As if the crown's value is going to rise upon...

Putting the muddy crown, I stood up again

weather was getting hotter, with no sign of rain...

I started feeling weary and tense,

is crown getting heavier or am I losing sense?

I fell on the ground, crying for help,

I couldn't hear anyone, except my own yelp...

The wise man appeared again, watching my face frown

Took off the muddy crown from my head, as I was looking down...

The dirty crown was thrown into some water,

I saw the mud drowning away, and my false kingship in a shatter...

He gave me the crown, which was shiny again

Telling me that applying dirt will only give you heavy pain...

I realized the understanding which was due,

threw away the baggage of thoughts which lowered my own value...

We want to live a life with luxury and accessorize,

It is rather the true value within, which we need to recognize...

Cooker and Kukkad???

2011-06-03T06:10:00.008+05:30

When I was around 7-8years old, my dad told me a small story -

Once a robber snatched a purse from an elderly lady in front of two policemen (must be a brave robber). The younger policeman started running towards the robber. His older counterpart shouted - "pakdo na jaan deyo" or "ਪਕੜੋ ਨਾ ਜਾਣ ਦਓ"

Now, my dad asked me how would you put the punctuation in the sentence said by the police officer? (it was a kind of on-spot test for me)...

I - Daddy, it will be "pakdo, na jaan deyo!" or "catch him! don't let go!" (ਪਕੜੋ! ਨਾ ਜਾਣ ਦਓ!)

Dad - "Ok, good. Now put the comma after 'na', and see what it becomes?"

I - "Ohh, it totally changed the meaning, as it now says 'pakdo na, jaan deyo!' which means 'don't catch, let go'" (ਪਕੜੋ ਨਾ! ਜਾਣ ਦਓ!)

I learnt something.

This was my first experience of playing with the words and punctuation. Then while I was growing, I would hear my parents do Japji Sahib, and right at the end of the first pauree, there is a word which I loved in winters - "rajaayi" (ਰਜਾਈ)! :-)

Now, that made me thinking and I finally asked dad why he would read RAJAAYI in the paath? And then he explained, it is called "razaayi" (ਰਜ਼ਾਈ) means under the will. I was surprised to know how its meaning changed by pronouncing it the way it is to be understood. Raza (ਰਜ਼ਾ) is a persian word, but written in Gurmukhi.

On another incident I remember, one of my childhood friends (when he was a kid too) had this keertan cassette tape at his home which had the shabad "main daseho maarag santo, kyon prabhu milayeya"...

ਮੈ ਦਸਿਹੁ ਮਾਰਗੁ ਸੰਤਹੋ ਕਿਉ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਮਿਲਾਈਆ ॥

now, if we don't understand Gurbani properly, the sentence would appear as if shabad is saying "I told the path to the saints, why did you meet the Guru?" Didn't make sense!! After I read the meaning, it opened up as "Show me the Path, O Saints. How can I meet the Guru?"... the "kyon" (ਕਿਉ) actually meant 'how?' instead of 'why?'.

Another experience by the same friend - the cassette played another shabad this time... "hum kookar tere darbaar"...

ਹਮ ਕੂਕਰ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰਬਾਰਿ

poor kid thought "kookar" means "cooker" as in pressure cooker. He got confused as why would Guru ji talk about pressure cooker in his baani? He "analyzed" further. This time he came up with "kukkad" (ਕੁੱਕੜ as in chicken). He was drooling and happy, as he loves butter chicken! Later, Gurudwara Bhaisaab explained the shabad that "kookar" actually means Dog.

*applause!*

One of the common shabads we use before hukamnama is "assi khatey bahut kamavade, ant na paravaar".

ਅਸੀ ਖਤੇ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਕਮਾਵਦੇ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਰਾਵਾਰੁ ॥

Now, most of the us read it as "khaththey" which means letter (as in post - (ਖ਼ਤ)). Why would Guru Sahib tell that he has earned so many posts, and there is no end to it??!! The khaththey is derived from the word "khata" (ਖਤਾ)or mistakes. Makes sense now?

Time flew... I never gave enough importance to proper pronunciation of Gurbani or understanding real meaning behind those words...

The life was going as it was supposed to be, but then one day, I came in contact with Darpan Guru Granth Sahib by Prof Sahib Singh ji, and when I started reading it, it started becoming clear how important it is to understand the real meaning behind a word and how it should be pronounced. Guru's message started becoming clearer...

In admiration, I started singing

ਗੁਰ ਪਾਰਸ ਹਮ ਲੋਹ ਮਿਲਿ ਕੰਚਨੁ ਹੋਇਆ ਰਾਮ ॥

Obama Vs Emperor Akbar

2010-10-22T05:23:00.003+05:30

I was reading all about Obama's trip to Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, and how Sikhs all over the world were excited on that. Now, when he has cancelled his trip, we are not happy. The following thoughts came to my mind:

Mughal Emperor Akbar wanted to visit Guru Arjan Sahib. Why? Because he wanted to meet the Guru and learn something which will help him in life. He learned that even a king is not a king infront of the Guru and the sangat. The king became the part of the sangat.

Other kings, leaders have visited Guru's school in order to see what keeps the sangat so much in chardi kala, and found that the Guru's baani was helping the sangat in each and every step of life...

Do we think those Sikhs cared for Akbar's rank in the society? Ofcourse, Akbar was treated as a part of the sangat, and he received the sewa as well, but he was not treated special. Period.

As I said in the gurbani discussion couple of weeks ago,

A king is a king only when we make him sit on the throne in our mind.

A dear friend of mine, Narinder Singh, sent the vocabulary of Nihangs and they called the donkey as Thaanedar (or vice-versa), which shows they didn't care of anyone with high status in the society. Also, another friend, Baldev Singh told the same thing about the Singhs that we never approached anyone for help/mercy on us. We fought on our own.

Now, when I put the above things in front of me, and correlate Obama to Akbar, I wonder why is he visiting Darbar Sahib?

What is his reason to visit?

Is it to learn about Sikhs?

Or it is just to show that he is dealing with minorities in the world and is a better leader?

Now, if he doesn't want to visit Darbar Sahib, that is his choice (or may not), but who cares?? I don't.

If we want to show him who Sikhs are, we cannot show by showing "our" buildings and our great "history". The buildings and history were created by our great ancestors... We are what we are now.

I really don't think anything related to Sikhs can be resolved by approaching a big leader of some place and asking him to raise the issue of 1984 or any other minority issue at other place. Leaders talk to Leaders in the current society. To be able to talk to the leader, we need to "become" Leaders (Sardars), and as another friend, Gaurav Singh once said, "Khalsa will rule anyway, but for that, one needs to become Khalsa".

I think that if we, as Sikhs, want to get recognized at all (not sure why), but at all, if still we want to get recognized, we need to do those things which our Gurus taught us:

Stand against oppression of self and others
Fight for the lesser ones
Help (we did in Tsunami, Haiti etc)
Raise concerns for other affected groups, not just ours
Meet other communities which are unjustly impacted by ruling powers, and make connections
Approach the real source of the issue, and not get a proxy support of someone else
Put our dasvandh together and form groups, join other groups who are in the same cause, and merge the funds if needed
Raise money for talented sikhs who can become successful lawyers and moreover, the secretary of the state (who knows?)
Create a university
We should work hard to become a governor of the state, or any higher post where a Sikh can demonstrate his/her skills as a leader
We can then become a part of the decision-making-society and do something which we have not done till now in this "educated" society.

President Obama is always welcome to the home of any Sikhs, but if he doesn't want to visit, one cannot force him...

Discussions welcome...

Breaking our own shell...

2010-05-25T10:55:00.011+05:30

It was really hot today!

My car showed 104F when I started it around 5pm! As breeze of air circulated it, the temperature slowly lowered down to 93F... I was like, whoa! That is hot!

Came home, sat for sometime, tuned my dilruba and practiced few tunes. Harshbir, my roomie, joined me as well... :-)

Not wasting time, we thought of making a stride outside and feel the hug of nature. We roamed outside for few moments, then went to another friend's place who lives nearby.

After talking here and there for about an hour, we headed back to our building, just strolling casually...

Suddenly, Harshbir showed me something peculiar in nature, I thought it was a big rock (about 8inches in diameter), but it later turned out to be a Tortoise, standing still near an SUV.

Very interestingly, we leaped towards it, wondering it has come astray from its pond and thought of putting it back.

Suddenly, our amusement went to kind of shock, as its shell was crushed, and it was bleeding... one of its leg was broken.

It was not moving, and we were wondering what to do? I remember once I called my apartment's office to give us Animal Shelter's number which never worked, so I thought of other route!

Harshbir advised to call 311 which is a non-emergency number, and when I called them, they transferred to 911.

Here is what the conversation is:-

Operator (O): 911 - what is your emergency?

Me: There is a tortoise lying on the road, I suppose its shell is crushed by some vehicle and one of its hind leg is broken.

O: Is it moving?

Me: Yes, it can crawl

O: That's what they do.

Me: I know they crawl, but are you going to send any help?

O: Yes, I am trying but Turtle is on their low priority, so I am not sure when can they come your side.

Me: I can wait, how much time will they take?

O: NO idea, it depends, can take 1 hr as well.

Me: What am I supposed to do?

O: Just make sure it doesn't go near the road.

Me: Yeah, we have put in on the curb's grass.

O: That is good.

Me: What about it? It can die like that.

O: There is nothing much we can do as of now.

Me: There is a pond nearby, shall I drop it there?

O: Yes, that should be ok.

Me: Any animal care centre nearby, so I can take it there?

O: There is a centre called Golf Rose Animal care, they will take its care.

Me: Ok, thanks.

I asked Harshbir if he can watch the turtle, so I can get my car keys and a box to put the Turtle in it. He waited there and I ran to my apartment.

From there, I called the Animal care centre, and thankfully, they were open. I talked to them, and in hurry, I could only hear, "Please bring it to us, we will take care of it!"

I was happy and jumping with joy that now the little fellow will be back to its normal life soon, as hospital guys will take its care!

I grabbed the box, drove my car to Mr. Turtle. Harshbir helped putting it in the box.

The survival instincts of the turtle to run away from us was astonishing! It was so clear that it wanted to avoid any foreign contact for any further mishap to already broken shell...

Anyhow, we put it in the box in no time, it was already 8pm and was getting dark. I somehow thought of taking the little one's picture with my phone camera.

Drove to the hospital, and rang the emergency doorbell.

The lady came and did "Aww it is so cute, sir, we will take care of it."

Us: Will it live??

She: No sir, as I explained on the phone, we will humanely euthanize it.

Us: Oh!

She: Yea, it is sad, but it wouldn't live with this condition, so it is better to euthanize it. You did a good and nice job to bring it here. Thanks.

Us: Thanks.

Sad, both of us, walking towards the car... wondering what has happened!

At once, it was about to die, next moment we think it will survive as the hospital will take its care, but then it has to die?

Are we susceptible to such situations? May be, may be not!

If it was "my" Tortoise, I would have paid its cost with pet insurance, and hopefully it may have survived, but no one insures a free tortoise!

I had no idea if I can take insurance of a free tortoise. I could not bring it with me, as we had absolutely no idea how to take its care, and probably make it suffer even more. We just couldn't realize how much pain that little creature would be in.

Dropped it in the nurse's hands, we headed home.

I just could not think of any one to blame for his death...

Tortoise's shell looks like a stone, so any driver would have easily misjudged it for a rock.
Police have other human violations issue, so obviously they couldn't come for a tortoise.
Hospital cannot take a wild animal's care, may be it couldn't survive being the shell its part of the body, OR, there was no insurance over it.

Who died? The innocent turtle...

I just cannot understand this shell of life!

Happy Vaisakhi???

2010-04-14T00:30:00.003+05:30

It was a chilly morning of November-December 2009, and winter was starting to dive down a deep slope on the mercury...

After I parked my car, I started walking towards my work building. The windchill was at its peak and I was wondering about the birds and animals who were found nowhere, probably migrated to a warmer place...

When I was about to reach the work-entrance, I noticed that a couple of guys who were Saplings experts, were planting saplings of Lilies, Tulips and other sprouts... making a complete mess of the garden as all ground was dug up to plant the new seeds...

Not sure about the process, I thought to myself, why on earth are they planting seeds in the winter? The snow is on its way, and it ain't gonna flourish anything in future until Sun shines at its peak!

It was fall!! And those guys were planting flower saplings! I thought they were crazy, because I was not sure what they are doing. Probably, my farmer friends know why. :-)

Anyhow, then I thought, if that is a trick, that when snow melts and spring comes, the seeds in the ground will get fresher water and air!

And yes, couple weeks ago, small buds sprouted out of those saplings and last week, Lilies blossomed in those plants!

...

I kind of traced back to my land of five rivers, Punjab, where I used to loose myself in the beautiful fields of flawless flora... especially before the harvest season, the Vaisakhi, when the wind caressed the free flowing farms...

It looked like the farm is dancing to the tunes of the wind! Vismaad!

I am probably writing for the first time on this topic as I realized that we narrate the stories of Vaisakhi to our kids, but don't really recognize the meaning behind Vaisakhi!

So, why did the 10th Master, Guru Gobind Singh choose the beginning of Vaisakh as the day to create the Khalsa?

I reached Mahankosh, by Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha, and realized that he mentioned a Gurbani Tuk "Vaisakh Suhava taa lage, ja Sant Bhetae" while describing Vaisakh.

Why the month of Vaisakh - month of Vaishs - worker class's harvest season?

Who is the farmer and what will be harvested?

I realized that before Vaisakh, it was Basant. Is this a coincidence of choosing Vaisakhi as the day or there could be some reason behind this?

For Basant, Guru tells that "ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਨਾ ਬਸੰਤੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਘਰਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਕੰਤੁ ॥ ਜਿਨ ਕੇ ਕੰਤ ਦਿਸਾਪੁਰੀ ਸੇ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਫਿਰਹਿ ਜਲੰਤ"...

while, for Vaisakh, the Guru narrates "ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਵੈਸਾਖੁ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਤਾਂ ਲਗੈ ਜਾ ਸੰਤੁ ਭੇਟੈ ਹਰਿ ਸੋਇ"

What kind of offering is to be made so that the month of Vaisakh is blissful?

10th Master was testing if the month of blossom, the Basant, has produced any buds which have blossomed with the spirit of spreading fragrance of Truth?

He was testing if those blossomed ones are ready to sacrifice themselves in order to make flower bed for the ones who are walking on the path of Truth?

He was testing if the crops are ready to be harvested as the scorching heat is on its way?

He asked for a head, a head which needs to be cut-off for the sake of righteousness. No questions asked, no reasons given...

All silent... wind blowing...

One by one, the five beloved stood up to bow to the Guru. No questions asked, no reasons given...

I don't know what History says, whether they were beheaded by the Guru or not, but what strikes me, they offered themselves, no questions asked... and alter, they were called, the Punj Pyare!

We sing shabads like, "Gursikh meet, chalo Gur Chaali, Jo Gur Kahe, Soyi bhal maano, Har Har katha niraali..."

ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਮੀਤ ਚਲਹੁ ਗੁਰ ਚਾਲੀ ॥ ਜੋ ਗੁਰੁ ਕਹੈ ਸੋਈ ਭਲ ਮਾਨਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਥਾ ਨਿਰਾਲੀ ॥੧॥

Are we doing that? Are we walking on the path what Guru showed us? Are we listening to the teachings what our Guru taught us?

I see, every year, we all get together to celebrate the day which created us, unified us, yet, we have failed to fulfill Guru's desire - to see and treat everyone as equal with no discrimination...

and every hour of every day, we are doing some discrimination with one or the other...

Be it the castes, Gurudwara politics, Dasam Granth issue, Meat issue, different Jathebandis... the list is endless!

We are still not realizing that we have missed alot on nearly every field in life!!

We do not want to sit and discuss the foremost important task given by the Guru - discussion and comtemplation on Guru's teachings in sangat!
We do not want to help other communities at all!
We do not want to do what our strength used to be - cultivation, and just want to sing, dance and drink liquor!
We do not want to fight for 1984 victims!
We do not want to talk about Female foeticides!
We do not want to talk about ill-treatment of women in Sikh community!

But,

We want to discriminate each other on Castes!
We want to fight with sikhs who eat meat and sikhs who do not!
We simply want to take over our local Gurudwaras!
We want to celebrate Vaisakhi by Bhangra festivals and drinking liquor!
We want to wear T-shirts of Jujharoo Singhs, but do not want to live in their shoes!
We want to create a separate land for Sikhs, but not go to India for fighting against injustice for 1984 victims!

Where are we heading??

Asa ki Vaar and Chhants Mehla 4th

2010-02-05T02:29:00.006+05:30

So one fine day, I was listening to a collection of Guru's teachings called, Asa Ki Vaar. It portrays a very strong message on the lifestyles we humans live normally and does a strong criticism on the illusions we live in, such as rituals, birth-death, cleanliness etc.

The message really striked to me and my life, but while listening to the Vaar, I realized that before every Shalok and Pauree, the Raagis read "Chhant Mhela 4th", and I could not relate the Chhant's theme with the Vaar.

To dwell more on this, I opened Prof. Sahib Singh's translation on Guru Granth sahib, which is available online at http://www.gurugranthdarpan.com/darpan2/0462.html

To enable some basic understanding, Vaar is a kind of collection which is sung in a folktune associated with some historical figure, and overall, the message and language is quite aggressive in nature. It only contains Shaloks and Paurees. The essence of the Pauree lies at its end and it doesn't have a Rahao, though Shaloks can have Rahao.

Paurees are always supported by Shaloks normally, though some collections like Japjee Sahib, Anand Sahib have only Paurees.

Chhants are another type of poetry which is entirely different from Paurees. Chhants are normally in a collection of 2-4-6.

As per Guru Granth Sahib's structure, the Chhants appear before Vaars, which means, the section of Chhants would appear before the beginning of the Vaar, and when Vaar begins, it would only contain Shaloks and Paurees.

So, the basic question is "Why do Raagis sing Asa ki Vaar which also contains Chhants written by 4th Nanak?"

If 5th Nanak, Guru Arjan Sahib compiled Guru Granth Sahib which separated Chhant from Asa Ki Vaar, who combined it together?

If we read the theme of the Chhants recited along with the Vaar (there are actually 4 chhants each with 6 stanzas, so 4 chhants times 6 stanzas = 24 stanzas, which are an exact fit for the 24 Paurees with Asa ki Vaar???). On a closer look, the chhant portrays a different message than the Asa ki Vaar itself!

I asked many Raagis and musicians, they all say that this is the way it is written (where??) and this is the way it has been happening since Guru's times. I am not able to understand if Guru ji wanted the Sikh to read Vaar like this, why would he write the Chhants separate, around 15 pages before?

The aggression created by the Shaloks and Paurees gets diminished by the message portrayed by the Chhants (because Chhant's theme is different). Just like, if we add "My heart is pierced with Guru's Love" infront of "The liars don't find the place to rest and are expelled to Hell!"
Both lines make true sense, but their message are unrelated to each other. Oranges are oranges and Apples are apples. Both will give different taste, even though both are fruits.

So, I tried singing Asa ki Vaar just like our Guru ji wanted us to read, and I was astonished with the result and the aura that was filled around was unexplainable. Even though I did not sing in Tunde Asraaje ki Dhuni, but the message from the Vaar was oozing out with each Pauree...

.... waheguru....

few nice ones...

2009-07-01T02:43:00.000+05:30

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
34. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
35. Your children get only one childhood.
36. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
37. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
38. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
39. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
40. The best is yet to come.
41. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
42. Yield.
43. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Anand Sahib

2009-05-28T23:53:00.001+05:30

After almost 1 year, I am writing something on my blog. Hopefully, I will continue...

I was reading Anand Sahib, and the following thoughts came to mind (the structure below is not relevant to structure of 40 paurees)>>

1. Maya is nothing but a hypothetical shell - blockage from the "real world".

2. Just like an incubator, the Maya is needed for growth

3. One has to grow inside Maya in order to come out. Those who don't want to come out, die inside.

4. This whole system is for everybody, and it is impartial.

5. when it is said that it is guru's "wish" that under his hukam some people are bound to perish and some to grow, I think that is a misinterpretation of guru’s message.

6. Everybody has opportunity to grow, and everybody is born within the shell of Maya. Akal purakh is impartial - nirvaer.

7. If Maya’s heat is less, one wouldn't grow (over small things)

8. If Maya’s heat is more, one would burn himself out, or become so hard (boiled) that one cannot grow anymore, it is already dead despite grown inside.

9. One comes out from the shell of Maya only when one breaks the shell from "inside", like a chicken.

10. Breaking from outside is impossible for somebody inside.

11. The one who can break from outside is the one who is outside the shell - niranjan - free from Maya. So, only guru can break the shell from outside as he placed us in the shell in the beginning.

12. The shell cannot be broken simply by chattering/reading teachings and not implementing/cleverness/shrewdness

13. Guru is also the shell and within the shell

14. guru will help breaking the shell when one is trying and putting efforts to walk on the way of the guru, but if the efforts to break from inside is not there, one may collapse.

15. Everybody walks as per the path laid to walk; some reach, some collapse, some just ignore and die.

16. Most of us boast and talk a lot, but have no virtue. The one that is embedded within, if not seen, those talks are a waste and foolish.

17. Through guru's wisdom, one start becoming pure by dissolving inside and slowly becomes ONE with the destruction of outer shell.

18. Just by chanting some word, through senses, one cannot achieve "the one who is free from senses". The fearlessness emerges out only from inside. in other words, mind drenched in desires creates fear. The cure to fear is complete bliss, and that is obtained through guru's wisdom.

19. Appearing good, religious and nicely dressed people are not necessarily the good ones, most of them are not. They are the most dangerous ones who quote religious code of conducts; scriptures while speaking and have no idea what they are talking about. Without love and remembrance with the truth, they are just ruining the environment around.

20. The ones who are really imbued with remembrance of truth and love (very rare, but I have seen a few here in palatine, and they don’t appear "Sikh") don't have to tell anything to anybody. They still can be recognized as pure ones even in a large bunch of hypocrites (seen at large number usually).

21. singing (keertan, gaana) doesn't really mean to sing something. Being a part of a melody of the truth happening around is singing too.

22. Pauree 24 is about the state when one just chants "har har", "ram ram" or "waheguru". Also talks about the language which is not satgur, or the anti-way of guru. The people who sings, reads and discuss non-satgur language, becomes weak even though they chant "waheguru" everyday.

23. through guru's wisdom, anybody and everybody has opportunity to break the falsehood around and to acknowledge "the state of being merged already"...

24. That state of acknowledging and being part of the system, leaving aside "me-my" is merging with Waheguru, and that state is "Anand".

Forgive me for any misinterpretation of Guru's message. I just wanted to share my understanding of this baani with you guys, so that we all can discuss individual understandings and ponder over it collectively.

Amrit Vela on moon? Only once a month?

2008-07-01T00:09:00.004+05:30

Last friday 27th June 2008, we discussed 6th Pauree of Maajh ki Vaar, in which there was a mention of special techniques, auspicious Dates and times to do special tasks/ prayers etc people do to recite LORD's name. As usual, I raised a query that the usual conception of "Meditating and sitting before dawn and chanting GOD's physical(?) name" would also be called under the same technique, and doing special task at special time??

You would have got the word by now "Amrit Vela"

We were a group of 6-7, and later discussed this at Dunkin Donuts, our usual hangout place after Friday Youth Deewan, and these words came out through a friend inadvertently, and emphasized on its importance.
Now, the thing is like everybody has a different perspective of a word, and we cannot impose our opinion to others, but still we can learn better in a group.

For a different perspective, let us see that generally for everybody 10 + 10 = 20, but if somebody, say person "X" starts saying 10 + 10 = 100, we would say either "X" doesn't know math or is an idiot... But... what if "X" knows a different Math called Binary calculations, in which 10 means 2, and 100 means 4!! So, as per general Math, 2+2=4, which is true! For my personal preference, I like Binary, as it doesn't have gray areas, and only has YES (1) or NO (0)!
Guru Sahib taught us to be aware everytime, and try to see what other is saying. This could be a possibility that whatever is prevailing could be another illusion?

Ok, let us come to the topic again...

I went through Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha's mahankosh (punjabi dictionary) and Prof. Sahib Singh's writings, and they too mentions that Amrit Vela means

The time of the clock before sunrise
The time of freedom

Now, I personally like the latter, but the prevailing meaning is the prior one...

I searched for "Amrit Vela" in Guru Granth Sahib, and found only 3 shabads (please correct if I am wrong):

1. Amrit Vela, Sach Naao, Vadeyai Veechar (Pg.2) <http://www.gurugranthdarpan.com/darpan2/0002.html> Here it means the time of full blossom, the time of enlightenment

2. Amrit Velae Vatay Har Bhagti, Har Liv Laayi (Pg 734) <http://www.gurugranthdarpan.com/darpan2/0734.html> Here, in the meanings, he meant "the ealry time of spiritual life"

3. Babiha Amrit Velae boleya <http://www.gurugranthdarpan.com/darpan2/1285.html> Here Prof Sahib means the dawn, but I know that BrainFever bird or Babiha, shrieks all day and night before monsoon.

More, by Shaikh Fareed ji "http://www.gurugranthdarpan.com/darpan2/1383.html"Fareeda, pichhal raat na jaageyoh, jeevadro muyeoh"
Could this mean the dawn of the life, instead of usual day's dawn??

Since, I am trying to look at every angle and then finding the Truth, so that it cannot be shaken from any angle, let us go in Science now...

Usual meaning of Amrit Vela is dependent on Sun, and earth's rotation around sun, so that wherever sun-rises, the usual day-timers can do their tasks. This theory doesn't satisfy Night-time workers, say 8pm-6am workers. A truck driver cannot stop his truck on highway to do NAAM SIMRAN for 45mins at 2:45am, because 4am the sun will rise??This theory also doesn't satisfy the Astronauts! They would be looking at sun all the time for few days!!

The moon's rotation is such that it doesn't look like rotating at all, as we always see same side of moon towards earth. This is because the speed of moon's orbit and revolution is same! Now, when the astronauts (or future earthlings) settle down on moon, which time would they follow? Earth's or Moon's?? If they follow Moon's, the amrit vela will come once a Lunar month.
What will you do??

This theory is breaking up at Science, social living, spiritual love etc...

TRUTH never breaks...

I never say that I know what is Amrit Vela, but I am definitely convinced that prevailing meaning of Amrit Vela is not what it means!!

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!

Guru value just in Granth or in Laptop too?

2008-03-27T01:55:00.004+05:30

I was reading a forum and there, an innocent learner, I will call her X, had put a query:

"dear sangat ji IS THIS POSSIBLE FOR SIKH TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER RELIGION?
specially for baptized person because when we take amrit and become baptized
then our 5 parents means 5 pyarey says you will have to bow your head in
front of guru granth sahib whatever problems come in front of you like we read
in shri sukhmani sahib ji AAP ADOL NA KABH HU DOLAI [ HE IS STEADY
AND NEVER WAVERS]but sometimes we are in a dillemma that what to do or not means
if we follow other religion that means we are not sikh because sikh should
always believe in MOOL MANTAR we cant do other puja like stuff but our guru
nanak dev ji was also hindu can anyone tell me who was guru nanak dev ji's guru?
guru nanak dev ji worshipped to whom? if he was also hindu then why sikh cant do
puja and mantar like shivji , kali "

Such an innocent query, as what to do when we don't feel confident enough about our worship... :)

X asked who was Guru Nanak ji's Guru. Well, if we go back, it says that 1st Guru was born in a Hindu Family, rather a Khatri Family who had a very good standard of living, but had lower status than Brahmans. He also used to think and question his elders as why this status issue is there when everybody seem equal? Nobody could give proper answer! He questioned with Pandits and Maulavis (Muslim Teachers). They all said, it is written in the books, such as Vedas, Simritees, Quran etc.
But, as a child genius, Guru ji was never satisfied with these answers as those were all theoretical answers, and none had actually experienced GOD and HIS system!
After further experiences, he realized that all the system in this Universe is under some spell, some system, some mechanism... If we imagine ants and their colony, just think when we just put a bucket of water over them, they all die, their colony gets damaged and nothing remains! Now, imagine this scene with Tsunami! :)
The magnitude gets larger or smaller for us, but for the Architect who created this system, Karta Purakh, it is same!
Regarding Guru of Guru Nanak Sahib, Shabad or Gyan or Knowledge of Truth is the actual Teacher or Guru, the knowledge which cleanses the thoughts... The disciple or sikh or chela is our intellect or conscience! That is why we call Guru Granth Sahib as Guru, as after reading and understanding, the thoughts gets cleared and we actually see the filth of our mind!
Guru Sahib rejected the Idol worship, as it was kind of disgrace to the magnonimity of Akal Purakh!
Unknowingly, we all are still doing the same. Instead of finding Shabad Guru inside Guru Granth Sahib, we all are worshipping Guru Granth Sahib as a body, while it is the composition of the Shabad which is the actual Guru, as it shows that we are in darkness and the light is somewhere else. When we don't see light, we cannot walk towards the light, that means, when we couldn't recognize the Guru, we cannot become Gurmukh, or have face towards Guru, or ultimately the face of the Guru!
At times, we forget that SGGS in a PDF version has same Guru value as the one binded in paper. We take utmost care and respect of Guru Granth Sahib ji, cover with expensive rumalas, chaur etc, but the same Guru resides in our Laptops and we don't care if we are touching the Laptop with unwashed hands!
The point here is not to start washing hands before using Laptop just because it has SGGS's version in it, but to understand the concept of Shabad Guru or the Guru who is without any form or without any limitations of mediums!
The problem is, we need a short-cut, everywhere, anywhere! So we think that worshipping the Guru (GRANTH) will make us realize the TRUTH, while when we realize the Truth, we would not worship, we would sacrifice ourselves to the GURU automatically...

"Guru Poora Melaave mera Preetam, Hau Vaar Vaar aapne Guru kau Jaasa"

Jagjinder Singh

Sikhs and Meat

2008-03-07T06:20:00.002+05:30

Those who would read this, please read this as without any bias towards anything. This is not to tell or force anybody to eat what and what not.

Gurbani rejects suppression, be of any kind!

I am a Vegetarian, by choice.

I have never eaten meat etc, so I don't know its taste and hence no craving as well. What I eat is purely my choice and others should not have any objection or amusing feeling about one's taste. I don't like onion in Daal, but like it raw on Chhole Bhatoore. It is a question of personal choice.

Those who eat meat, endorse from Gurbani, say that there is nothing wrong in eating meat. I agree with those who say that for survival, one can eat whatever the body needs, but if this is just to negate those who say that meat-eating is bad, and then they ask others to eat meat, I would not tolerate them!

Some say, "Show me where it is written in SGGS that one should not eat meat?", can anybody tell them that SGGS also doesn't say about keeping the Hair.

SGGS is GURU, not a to-do and don't-do book!

Those who tell people different stories that Gurus ate meat etc etc, are also too much engaged in discussing the topic. If they are justifying themselves, then they are not correct. But if they say that Gurbani doesn't care, then I would support them!

The most amusing ones are those who eat mutton and chicken but doesn't eat beef, as they believe that the cow is a holy animal! I just laugh! If you are killing an animal, why are you differentiating whether it is a holy or not?

Why a Cow is holy? Because it gives milk? So does Goat, and a camel, and nearly every mammal!!

But...

I have found that those who do not eat meat, tend to think that they are better than those who eat meat, and claim to have it endorsed by Gurbani. They give numerous examples from Kabir ji, but just take one line and doesn't take the MORAL from the SALOK or Sabad.

And those who say that eating meat is bad, but drinking milk is okay, I laugh! Milk contains far more living cells than an egg, and milk is a direct skin protein that comes from the udder, while egg has its layer on, and not a direct protein to be consumed. It has to be broken and then only it can be consumed.

We are eating eggs all the time! Be it hen's, duck's, fly's, mosquitos', or just plain dead larvae in rice!!

Guru Nanak Sahib says, the one who is fighting about the meat is a fool as he is too much indulged in shunning away those who just consider it a food! Guru ji says, the fool does not have any knowledge and he just cannot differentiate what is meat and what is not!!

Guru says, that the main source of living is water, and through water, every kind of living beings are born, hence one should not drink water as well???

It is the water which has so many micro organisms and the first form of life was blue-green algae, a bacteria.

From blue-green algae, and decaying vegetation, amoeba formed, and it still forms! Slowly life formed in water, and it was a long time later that life came on earth when fish developed foot and had lungs instead of gills!

The evolution occured, and it is still occuring! The AKAL PURAKH is always happening, always changing and still constant!!

In the end, I found out that those who eat meat and are very nice human beings, are a lot better than those who don't eat meat but always ready to quarrel!

What is the conclusion?

We have to identify the SIN, the Paap... and the wisdom that comes from Guru's intellect will cleanse the thoughts!!

My first Ski

2008-02-21T10:34:00.007+05:30

Man!! This was awesome experience!! It was so much fun! Ofcourse, falling a zillion times!!

Here is one of my and my friends' ski stunts!! LOL!!

The woman in your life...

2008-01-30T00:41:00.000+05:30

I got this from a Forum, I hope the Author doesn't sue me for using this wonderful theme linked with our life!

The woman in your life ............ very well
expressed.......

Tomorrow you may get a working woman,
but you
should marry with these facts as
well.

Here is a girl, who is as much educated as you
are:
Who
is earning almost as much as you do;

One, who has dreams and
aspirations just as
you have because she is as human as you
are;

One, who has never entered the kitchen in her life just like
you or your Sister haven't, as she was busy in studies and competing in a system
that gives no special concession to girls for their culinary
achievements

One, who has lived and loved her parents &
brothers and sisters, almost as much as you do for 20-25 years of her
life;

One, who has bravely agreed to leave behind all that, her
home, people who love her, to adopt your home, your family, your ways and even
you family name;

One, who is somehow expected to be a master-chef
from day ±±1, while you sleep oblivious to her predicament in her new
circumstances, environment and that kitchen

One, who is expected to
make the tea, first thing in the morning and cook food at the end of the day,
even if she is tired as you are, may be more, and yet never ever expected to
complain; to be a servant, a cook, a mother, a wife, even if she doesn't want
to' and is learning just like you are as to what you want from her, and is
clumsy and sloppy at times and knows that you won't like it if she is too
demanding, or if she learns faster than you;

One, who has her own
set of friends, and that includes boys and even men at her workplace too, those,
who she knows from school days and yet is willing to put all that on the
back-burners to avoid your irrational jealousy, unnecessary competition and your
inherent insecurities;

One, who can be late from work once in a
while,
When deadlines, just like yours, are to be met;

One, who
is doing her level best and wants to make this most important relationship in
her entire life a grand success, if you just help her some and trust
her;

One, who just wants one thing from you, as you are the only
one she knows in your entire house-your unstained support, your sensitivities
and most importantly- your understanding, or love, if you may call
it.

But not many guys understand this
...............

Please appreciate "HER"

http://www.thelivingtreasure.com/forum/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1058

Cries of an unborn dead daughter...

2008-01-25T08:10:00.000+05:30

Haaye Madhaaniyaan...
Haaye O Mere Daddeya Rabba
Dheeyaan Jammnne toh pehlaa marjaaniyaan haaye...

Haaye O Mere Daddeya Rabba
Dheeyaan Jammnne toh pehlaa marjaaniyaan haaye...

O my cruel Lord, the daughters are dying before even taking birth...

Haaye Chhaliyaaaaan...
Rabba Kaisi Joon Chandri
Jag vekhne toh pehlaa hi Murh Challiyaan haaye...

O Lord, what a specie you have made, that the daughters are returning to the world where they came from, before even seeing this world...

Haaye Loyi...
Baapu tera Dhan Jigraa
Assi mariyaan, Na Akhh teri royi haaye...

O father, we praise you heart that we are dying, and your eyes are not even dropping a single tear...

Haaye Feeta...
Bablaa vay mukh moreya
Tu Vee Ammiye taras nahio keetaa...
Haaye...

O father, you turned away your face from me, and mother, you also didn't care for me???

Haaye Vehraa...
Puttaan tera Ghar Vandna
Dheeyaan vandna Baapu ve dukh tera haaye...

O motherland,
The sons will divide the homes over you, and daughters will share the stress of your life, father!

Haaye Jorhi...
Ammiye, Na maar laadli
Kaun Gaaooga Veere di dass Ghodi, haaye...

Ammiye, Na maar laadli
Kaun Gaaooga Veere di dass Ghodi, haaye...
O mother, please don't kill your beloved daughter, who will sing the marital song for my brother?

Welcome to the sad reality>>>
http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1912/19120420.htm

Mukhvak on my Birthday 27th Dec 2007

2007-12-27T21:11:00.001+05:30

Mukhvak on my Birthday 27th Dec 2007
Originally uploaded by jagjindersingh

Hmmmm... feels good when you know that this is the day when you were born, and when nearly all of your friends care to wish you and sing a song for you!

However, this birthday is definitely special as a lot of changes have occurred in my life since my last birthday...

I was just thinking of reading the Mukhvak and then storing it online so that I would be able to read it later as well...

As I read the Mukhvak, and the translation, another kind of sensation went through the body when I read "Guru carries you across this tension-stricken world to a tension-free world and that happens within an instant!"...

Let us discuss and see what Guru ji is trying to tell us...

This "Shabad" has been composed in Raag Dhanasari, which signifies Inspiration and Motivation. The composition is done by 5th Mehl, Guru Arjan Sahib and located at Page 684 in Guru Granth Sahib. The Rhythm used is in the beat of House 12, i.e. the Shabad if sung needs to be played in Vishnu Taal and it contains 12 Taalis and has 36 Maatras. A highly professional Tabla player would understand this concept.

Here, Guru Sahib is mentioning about the current state, i.e. when our mind has left its own logical thinking to cure up the things around, and listens to the teachings of the Truth which is present all over, it does not take another instant to get freed from the shackles of the tensions in the world. All the happiness and sorrows seems vanishing and another state of pivot is obtained!

It seems that the majority of the people are engaged in doing special deeds or rituals OR a lot are engrossed in visiting shrines/dipping in the pool of water, thinking it as a washer of sins... but who can tell them that the same water which is underground, or in the house tank is created by the Lord Himself. It will clean the place wherever it can be if it is let flown. But even the same water can stink when stagnant! The property is to clean, but it itself stinks when not running on its own.

The water can clean the surface of the body, but the inner self is only cleansed with the Truth. The same cleansing or purifying Nectar, when goes inside and suppose spat outside becomes filthy, how can something tangible give solace?

That is why, Guru says, only the slaves of Lord find HIM in their hearts.

All the shackles of false deeds have been broken and a new life has begun after seeing the Truth! Nanak wishes to remember and love the Lord in every breath who has done so much blessing on him...

Nikkiaan Jindaan Vadda Saka - Martyrdom of Sahibzadas

2007-12-27T07:41:00.000+05:30

This is a very old poem written in Sikh history, sung by Bhai Harjinder Singh ji (SriNagar Wale), who happens to be my favorite Keertaniya.

Just remembering the Vadda Saka by the Chhote Sahibzadey!!!

Vaataan lamiyaan te Rastaa pahaarh da
Turay jaande Guraan de Laal ji
Sarsa Nadi te Vichhora Pae gaya
Uss vele da sun lo haal ji...

Raat haneri, bijli lishke
raah junglaa de pae gaye ne...
resham naalo sohal sareer nu
dukhre sehne pae gaye ne
chhoti umar de dono baal ji
Mata Gujri ohna de naal ji
Sarsa Nadi te Vichhora Pae gaya
Uss vele da sun lo haal ji...

Kehr di sardi, haddiyaan cheere
baal nyaane, kambde ne...
ungli phad k ma Gujri di
raah pathra de langhde ne
kado Ajeet te Jujhar veere aounge
Mata Gujri nu puchhde sawal ji
Sarsa Nadi te Vichhora Pae gaya
Uss vele da sun lo haal ji...

umar nyani, do bacheya di
ik maa budhri saath kare
bedoshe ihna nirdosha da
kaun hai jo insaaf kare
kaisi honi ne khedi chal ji
Gangu paapi ohna ne naal ji
Sarsa Nadi te Vichhora Pae gaya
Uss vele da sun lo haal ji...

Vaataan lamiyaan te Rastaa pahaarh da...

Brahman's Langar

2007-12-21T22:42:00.000+05:30

Let us go back to that time when Brahman is discriminating with Shudar or untouchable. This is a new age Brahman story, so new gadgets are also being used...

******
The scene goes, a shudar wanted to enter into Temple and wishes to prepare food for the Lord Vishnu in the Temple, though he had no problem in letting Brahman do the pooja and offer that food prepared by Shudar to Lord Vishnu...
But the bitter fact was, nobody other than Brahman were allowed to enter Kitchen or touch the Utensils in which Pooja food is to be made, because Pooja food has to be pure as it is to be offered to Lord Vishnu... if by chance the Shudar enters the Lord Vishnu's Temple Kitchen, the Brahman becomes furious and tells the Shudar to leave the Kitchen as he is not Brahman. He then has to recite Gayatri Mantar or just chant "OM-OM" to cleanse the environment again. Inside there is a happy feeling that they are not Shudar and they are Lord Vishnu-walas! Who wants to be treated like that, and why don't they (Shudars) do our sewa and get Brahman birth in next life so that they can be allowed inside Kitchen? The person who was Shudar is not happy obviously as he has been denied to do the Sewa of Pooja food because he is not doing and living the life that Brahmans are living, i.e. baptization and using Lord Vishnu's devotion as a full-time job through which Brahman can obtain his monetary salary as well. He then hesitantly ask the Brahman as what Sewa they are allowed to do, as they just wanted to do Sewa!! The Brahman then informs him about the basic rules of Sewa and where one can enter and where one cannot. So they are being told that if you are non-Brahman, you can sweep the Lord Vishnu Temple's premises and floor, do the Vaccum, wash the Utensils used after Pooja food preparation, the Big Deghs in which Daal/Sabji is made, though the special utensil in which special Prashad is prepared is to be washed only by Brahman, so please don't wash it.
Moreover, the Shudar is also "entitled" to clean the Restrooms, Wash-basins, Bathrooms of Pandits/Pujaris (who are obviously Brahmans), floors outside, doors, windows, fix lights, fix anything else...Out of non-Brahman community, some know to do Raag Keertan, but they are denied to perform Keertan, as they are non-Brahman. It is just to teach a lesson to non-Brahman that how bad is to be felt if you are non-Lord Vishnuwala!!! Bravo, what a solution!!!
******

I was reading some Sikhi forums recently and there were articles about the Sewa, and that too specifically for sewa of Langar. It interested me and I kept on reading it, and to my expectations I found the usual discrimination between Amritdharis and Non-Amritdharis.

A very famous Jatha and other Deras/cults have special "Rehat" and a stringent tougher "rehat" vaale Sikhs, who only eat in specially cooked food, i.e. prepared only by Singhs/Kaurs who are "Baptised" or "Amritdhari" and treat other food as Malechh or impure.

Okay, let us now replace few words in the above story to the below one...

******
Nobody other than Bibekis/Amritdharis (fake) are allowed to enter Guru's Kitchen or touch the Utensils in which Langar is to be made, because Langar has to be pure as it is to be offered to Guru Sahib... if by chance the non-Amritdhari enters the sarab-sanjhee Kitchen of True Guru, the Bibekis become furious inside, but "politely" asks the non-Amritdhari to leave the Kitchen as he is not Baptised. He/she then has to recite Japji Sahib/Shabad Hazare/Dukh-Bhanjani/Sukhmani etc or just chant "Waheguru" to cleanse the environment again. Inside there is a happy feeling that they are not non-Amritdhari and they are Guruwalas! Who wants to be treated like that, and why don't they (non-Amritdharis) get baptised so that they can be allowed inside Kitchen? The Singh/Kaur who was non-Amritdhari is not happy obviously as they have been denied the Sewa of Langar because they are not living the life that Bibekis (fake) are living, [i.e. first baptization and then using Guru Granth Sahib's Hymn singing/recitation as a full-time job through which the (fake) Bibekis Keertaniyas/Kathakaars can obtain their monetary salary as well (which is humongous after frequent trips to different Gurudwaras in different countries!!) ...] The shudars, oops... non-amritdharis then ask the Brahmans, oops... (fake)Bibekis as what Sewa they are "allowed" (:by whom?) to do, as they just want to do Sewa!! The (fake) Bibekis/Amritdharis then inform about the basic rules of Sewa and where one can enter and where one cannot. So they are being told that if you are non-Bibekis/Amritdharis, you can sweep the Gurudwara premises and floor, do the Vaccum, wash the Utensils used after Langar preparation, the Big Deghs in which Daal/Sabji is made, though the Degh in which Karaah Prashad is prepared is to be washed only by (fake) Bibekis/Amritdharis, so please don't wash it.
Moreover, they can also wish to clean the Restrooms, Wash-basins, Bathrooms of Granthis/Keertanis who are obviously (fake) Bibekis/Amritdharis, floors outside, doors, windows, fix lights, fix anything else...Out of non-Bibekis/Amritdharis, some know to do Raag Keertan, but they are denied to perform Keertan, as they are non-Bibekis/Amritdharis. It is just to teach a lesson to non-Bibekis/Amritdharis that how bad is to be felt if you are non-Guruwala!!! Bravo, what a solution!!! Reverse Psychology or what?
******

Why their food or say Langar to be prepared only by Amridhari Sikhs? And the tougher sewa to be given to non-Amritdharis?

Ridiculous!

Guru Sahib never created any differences, rather they created the Niyara Panth - Khalsa, without discrimination, and hatred!

Not allowing non-Amritdharis, only deepens the thorn inside them and they tend to feel that Amritdharis feel themselves Superior just the way Pandits or Brahmans used to feel about themselves over others! They feel low and left-outs, because they don't know what is right? Whether the Niyara Panth is right or the so-called Amritdhari "Suchaa"pan is right? Daily we read "Soche Soch na hovayi", no use I think...

This is one of the prime reason that the people taking Khande ki Pahul are becoming so less, and more people are getting into cutting of hair and drugs, all thanks goes to misinterpreted Rehat and Rehatwalas!

If you see, the sewa of cleaning shoes, toilets, bathrooms should be given to Amritdharis only! No other should be allowed except Amritdharis to do sewa of Bathrooms/Restrooms!! Now imagine the scene? Can you imagine all the Bhaijees and Granthijees cleaning the bathrooms and toilets and not sipping hot-milk brought by the Sangat (out of which most would be "non-Amritdharis")! Why the langar ingredients brought by Non-Amritdharis are accepted to be put in Langar, and the same person is not allowed to do his contribution in making the Langar as well??? Height of Hypocrisy!!!

Well, what I wanted to say was, if the Langar Hall is being cleaned by Non-Amritdharis, the dishes in which Amritdharis would eat Langar would be cleaned by Non-Amritdharis and the lavatories used later by Amritdharis would be cleaned by non-Amritdharis, who actually is the Nimaana Gursikh and who is an Egoistic Brahman???

Think yourself!!!!
Alaavanti eh bharam jo hai, mujh oopar sab Kopela
Sood Sood kar maar uthayeo, kaha karo Baap Beethla????1

Ras Soyena Ras Roopa Kaaman, Ras Parmal ki Vaas...

2007-12-20T07:05:00.000+05:30

I always knew that circumstances change your personality and characteristics, but I just experienced it as well...

I think a hidden talent has come up within me, a chef!

I just realized how delicious things I make! Hehe! I made Aloo-curry last week, it was yummy, my roomie took it twice! Then I made Toor-daal and Sabzi along with boiled rice, awesome!

Now today, I experimented with Chhole (not exactly Punjabi Chhole), to my (no more) utter surprise, when I tasted them, Voila, my tongue was just dancing with happiness and my chef part was proud and satisfied!

You are invited... anytime!!

Changed the BLOG NAME to BABIHA!!!!

2007-12-18T09:49:00.000+05:30

Just edited my blog's name from EpitomicKhalsa to Babiha, one of my favorite words from Guru Granth Sahib...

The change of blog's name was not a sudden thought, rather it was a slower understanding of my own self, whether the word Epitome of Creator suits me? My inner self knew it did not...

Well, I always wanted to write something about this amazing creature, Babiha or the Brain-fever Bird, as they call in Bird Dictionary. It is also called a Hawk-cuckoo bird, due to its looks similar to that of a Shikra Hawk...

However, the traits of both birds are not similar... the Babiha is known for its shrieking calls starting from Spring till the rainfall... The calls frequency keeps on increasing as the day for the monsoon approaches... the calls during the final stages are so filled in cries, that one may feel that the bird is dying if it does not get the sprinkles of rain!

No wonder, why this amazingb bird has been referred so many times in Guru Granth Sahib, so that one can imagine the pain of love with being away from God that Guru describes in the stanzas, is just as the Babiha is without the rain-water!

The Babiha is crying day and night when its thirst grows, and is in deep hope that the rain-water will quench its thirst! The similar scenario is being drawn for a lover of Truth, who is crying to get the glimpse of the Eternal Truth, the GOD...

ਸਲੋਕ ਮ 3 ॥
ਬਾਬੀਹੈ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥
ਮੇਘੁ ਵਰਸੈ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਿ ਗੂੜੀ ਛਹਬਰ ਲਾਇ ॥
ਬਾਬੀਹੇ ਕੂਕ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਰਹਿ ਗਈ ਸੁਖੁ ਵਸਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਸੋ ਸਾਲਾਹੀਐ ਜਿ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਸਭਨਾਂ ਜੀਆ ਰਿਜਕੁ ਸਮਾਇ ॥1॥

On way to Fremont Blvd

2007-12-01T03:47:00.000+05:30

The bus service here in Fremont is not bad! They have a half an hour service in your area, and to your desired destination mostly. The initial experiences included running for the bus, checking the pockets for the coins and dollar bills, which normally became a routine...

Normally, the bus drivers are pretty decent, and greet very well. But the most amazing experience that I got today was when I boarded the bus # 212 at 9:20am, and was putting the coins for my ticket, the Bus Driver folded her hands and said,

"SatSreeAkaal ji"!!

I was more than amused and just could not be happier. Definitely, I reciprocated with the same tone and gesture, which made both of us smile in a better human way...

Anyhow, just wanted to share this experience after the recent hate crime against Gurvir Singh from Seattle, Washington...

MAYA being an Incubator?

2007-11-03T04:12:00.000+05:30

Jaisi Agan Uddar meh, Taisi Bahar Maya||
Maya Agan Sabh eko jehi, Karte Khel Rachayeya||

As we all have been stuffed with the thoughts that Maya is an illusion, but still we run around this illusion all the life, why is it so?

I was looking for literal meanings of Maya which are many, such as mother, deception, illusion, money etc. Of all this, I could relate all of them with what Guru Sahib have mentioned in the 29^th Pauree in Raag Ramkali, Baani Anand.

First of all, what is Maya?

I heard a Scholar speaking that everything that we see is Maya! Absolutely! Even those naked Sadhus who think that they have abandoned everything materialistic, are again in Maya or illusion that they have abandoned everything?

Whilst, they are carrying their material body which itself again is Maya. Moreover, the thoughts that we carry while doing things, all goes towards materialistic inventories!

Now, let us try to understand what Guru Sahib is trying to teach us…

Just imagine an embryo inside a mother’s womb. We can imagine a human baby formation, because that is our own specie, and it will be easy to understand!! We all know that a particular temperature is required for the body to form and take shape normally. When the baby is delivered pre-maturely, the baby is kept in an incubator, so that it is provided with necessary heat, and it can grow properly as a normal baby. The mother’s body heat acts as incubator and gives necessary life-forming warmth to the developing baby. If the heat is less or more, the baby’s body can get deformed and it can born as an abnormal baby.

Okay, now let us imagine that after sometime, the baby’s body is formed and it has to come out of its mother’s womb! Just imagine if the baby doesn’t come out at the proper time? What will happen even if the incubating temperature was perfect to deliver a healthy baby, but the baby could not come out?

It will die.

I think this is what Guru Sahib are trying to tell us that, the heat inside mother’s womb and the Maya, both are similar to each others nature. Maya is as necessary as mother’s womb’s warmth.

Now, what happens when a child is born? Everybody in the family is very happy about the newcomer in the family.

When the baby was inside mother’s womb, it didn’t have any connection with the outer world other than what its mother is telling, and it is all dependent upon its mother. But as soon as it gets born and starts growing old, that dependency loses out and child thinks that he is self-dependent and doesn’t need anybody’s help. This is where and when the rules of Maya come into picture.

Maya itself is not a bad thing! How can it be a bad thing when it is all created by the GOD himself?

Now, according to the rules of Maya, the child comes in contact with other beings in nature. The only attachment with the mother duals out with other relations!

The child doesn’t realizes that his mother is still the one who carried him out in all her difficult times, and yet she cares for him, no matter what and how much rude he becomes to her! The child doesn’t even realize that he is abandoning his mother for the dual love?

According to the rules of Maya, the ONE Love is distributed amongst many others.

But, how can the child realize that he has abandoned his mother for another love? I think here is where Guru or Teacher or Knowledge of Truth comes into picture…

Somehow, the child gets experiences in life (acknowledgment of the Truth) that he was nothing and he is nothing if his mother didn’t take care of his, and all other love was just nowhere near to the love of a mother-child.

This he realizes that understanding the rules of Maya could only be done while being in the rules of Maya itself.

Continued…

Satsimran Kaur's visit

2007-07-23T15:34:00.001+05:30

Sat Simran Kaur and IT Sikhs
Originally uploaded by jagjindersingh

SatSimran Kaur, a Certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, who was an associate with Yogi Bhajan, hails from Los Angeles, CA. She is an avid photographer, a writer, ofcourse a Yogi and a nice person... We invited her to our place asking about some help over yogic techniques to beat the stressful life these days.

We performed some Yoga at the terrace, and it was a wonderful experience, with straining yourself in the areas where you never thought you would do some exercise, and in that straining time, the cool breeze of air was just what we needed, and it was overflowing all the time while we were at the Terrace!

The advantage I got is, I was able to sit with straight back without any slouchiness in the Gurudwara for more than 2 hours!!

In the pic, from left to right>> Harjot Singh, Amarjeet Singh, me (Jagjinder Singh), Satsimran Kaur, Bhavneet Singh, Raj Singh, Prabhjot Singh, VijenderJeet Singh and Sandeep Singh Kohli.

Ancient Yogis = present day's Amritdharis??

2007-07-20T16:24:00.000+05:30

V S

ਮੁੰਦਾ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਸਰਮੁ ਪਤੁ ਝੋਲੀ ਧਿਆਨ ਕੀ ਕਰਹਿ ਬਿਭੂਤਿ ॥
Make contentment your ear-rings, hard-work your begging bowl, and consciousness of the Lord as the ashes you apply to your body.

ਖਿੰਥਾ ਕਾਲੁ ਕੁਆਰੀ ਕਾਇਆ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਡੰਡਾ ਪਰਤੀਤਿ ॥

Let the remembrance of death be the mat on which you sit and do your meditation, let the avoidance of bad deeds be the your way of virginity in the world, and let faith in the Lord be your walking stick, so that you can break the wall of lies inside with it!

ਆਈ ਪੰਥੀ ਸਗਲ ਜਮਾਤੀ ਮਨਿ ਜੀਤੈ ਜਗੁ ਜੀਤੁ ॥

See the brotherhood of all mankind as the highest order of Yogis; conquer your own mind, and conquer the world.

ਆਦੇਸੁ ਤਿਸੈ ਆਦੇਸੁ ॥

I bow to Him, I humbly bow.

ਅਨੀਲੁ ਅਨਾਦਿ ਅਨਾਹਤਿ ਜੁਗੁ ਜੁਗੁ ਏਕੋ ਵੇਸੁ ॥28॥

The Primal One, the Pure - without any stain, without beginning, without end. Throughout all the ages, He is One and the Same. 28

When I read this Pauree from Japji Sahib, my mind starts wandering to the time when Guru Nanak Sahib met the Yogis at that time. The time when Yogis were trying to do everything what their ancestors used to do. Yogis were doing all kinds of activities, like, praanayam, neti, etc and wore specific kinds of clothes, so that they can be recognised as the Yogis just by a glance.

Yogis had their foremost high-class as well, called Aayi Panth. The Yogis who were in this group, were supposed to be the best Yogis. These yogis were known to be the ones who could live longer than other Yogis, and perform such tasks which normal Yogis would not do. These Yogis, used to carry a bag in which they put their clothes, a deer-skin mat and other necessary things, had a bowl for the food which they asked (begged) from the people, had a stick with them always. Their important appearance also included wearing special ear-rings, which also distinguished them from various Yogi sects. Reading the above translations, we can well imagine and understand, what Guru Nanak sahib were asking Yogis to do actually!

Can we try to use the same Pauree in modern age? Forget Yogis, let us take our own self. Aren't we so proud of our appearance and distinctiveness from the world? No doubt, we should be proud of what we are, but what is to be distinctive about? This is the basic form of a human, others are distinct who don't keep the basic form! If a Lion out of 100 Lions, cuts his mane, he will look distinct, if 99 Lions cuts their manes, then the one who has not cut his mane will look distinct, but actually he is just a normal Lion. He will look distinct, but actually others are out-of-form! Should he be proud of being a normal Lion?

Ok, let us come to the track again.

We get ready, tie dumaala or Turban, open the beard, wear a Baana, or Kurta Pajama, wear a 12-inch Kirpan outside and then we feel that we are better looking, or feel superior to others who are not doing this! We even condemn others who are not doing this, mentioning Rehat! Some places (deras, Gurudwaras etc) have a rule to wear only White clothes or Blue clothes only, and some of those don't marry as a compulsory manner of conduct!

In our mind, we feel superior from the other mankinds that we are better than those, because we have a Guru? Or we don't abuse our Kes? Or we keep Rehat? Aren't we getting into AAYI panth as Yogis? Where is the love for all mankind which Guru Sahib were mentioning? Some of us Amritdharis are so much involved in these acts, that we don’t even like to sit/interact with a non-Amritdhari? If we feel closeness to Guru, then we should tell others who don’t feel the same, and inspire them to meditate on Waheguru’s name.

Why eating jootha from a non-Sikh or say non-Amritdhari is considered bad? Where is the equality? I agree personal preference for hygienic reasons, but eating jootha only with Amrit-dharis? Isn't this against Gurmat? Where is the "Sagal sang humko ban aayi"?

Where is the humility in us? Why are we watching this world with closed eyes? Aren’t we saying that Sikhism, rather Amritdharis are the best, and others are Patits?

Aren’t we disobeying the teachings of Guru Nanak Sahib?

Personally, I don’t feel that Sikhism is a religion at all; I think it is a philosophy and it is so basic that every form in nature is Sikh.

Nirankar is the Eternal Guru and everything obeying HIM is the SIKH.

siyaanapa

2007-07-16T17:22:00.000+05:30

siyaanapa

I tend to act better when I think I know something better than the one with whom I am talking. This has been happening since I have known this world. I know that Gurbani says "sehas siyaanpa lakh hohe, ta ik na chale naal", still, I think I ignore it even reciting the same line everyday! What kind of a hyppocrite I am!Recently, there has been a discussion on Guru Granth Sahib's baani understanding, and I have been trying to prove that I am right. This is because, some Singh Veers have said that even if somebody do not understand Gurbani, it is ok, and I have been saying, Gurbani understanding is very important.I think everybody is showing their siyaanap in one way or another,
but Guru Sahib has said

"gur kay charan mann meh dhiyaye, Shhod sagal siyaanapa, saach ssabad liv laye"

Emotions in the Raags

2007-07-05T16:54:00.002+05:30

I always wanted to know the meaning behind creating Baani in Raags, and wanted
to find out the emotions hidden behind each Raag. However, today I was surfing
net, and found the following. I have edited the following, hence it is a
combination of my effort and from net. Hope, this will help those who seek
emotions attached with each Raag.

1. Jup: In seven parts, Jup describes the greatness of the Supreme Lord. Its very recitation or mere listening is bound to evoke deep devotion in the heart of the listener.

2. So Dar The Word is Beauty. The Word is Power. In the crucible of Name, melts the nectar of the Name. No one really knows His true greatness

3. So Purakh Naam is the breath of life. Those who have not sought the sanctuary of the true Guru and the Sangat are cursed. Those who serve God find peace.

4. Sohila Gurmukh is the living expression of Guru's Words. The teacher of teachers is one who appears in many forms. Meeting the Guru your affairs are resolved. Purchase only that for which you have come into this world.

5. Siree Raag - satisfaction and balance
The splendor of maya is deceptive. In that place where the lowly are cared for, there His blessings rain down. Tell your troubles to the One who is the source of all comfort. The world is a drama staged in a dream. The body is pure in which the True Name abides. As we plant, so we harvest and eat.

6. Raag Maajh - loss, beautification
He alone is a companion who shows me the way to Lord. The word of your bani is inside as well as outside. Meditating on the Naam, I have found great peace. God has produced everything in great abundance. Serving the True Guru is the greatest greatness...

7. Raag Gauree - seriousness
Without the Fear of God, no one crosses over the world-ocean. The body is dust; the wind speaks through it. One who takes pride in himself shall never be right. The Lord's slaves attain the highest status of life. The Name makes a man pure and fearless. (This very long chapter contains the well known Sukhmani, the peace of mind.)

8. Raag Aasaa - making effort
This is also a very long chapter with 142 parts. Included in this are the compositions of Kabir, Dhanna, Daiv Shaik Fareed, Sant Ravidas, etc.

9. Raag Goojaree - satisfaction, softness of heart, sadness
I would make Your Name the sandalwood, and my mind the stone to rub it on. His lamps are the sun and the moon. Cursed is that life, in which the Lord's Love is not obtained. When God instills His fear, a balanced detachment springs up in the mind. The most fortunate ones serve their Guru; there is no difference between the Divine Guru and the Lord.

10. Raag Devgandhari - no specific feeling but the Raag has a softness Without the Name of the Lord, the beautiful are just like the noseless ones. O my mind, act as it pleases God. O mother, without the Guru, spiritual wisdom is not obtained. Whenever something comes to mind, it is You. In this world, I have seen love to be false. Whether they are spouses or friends, all are concerned only with their own happiness.

11. Raag Bihaagra - beautification
All are travelers, who have gathered under the world-tree, and are bound by their many bonds. In this world, the best occupation is to sing the Praises of the Naam. Rituals and religions are all just entanglements; bad and good are bound up with them. The ignorant fools pick up stones and worship them. But when those stones themselves sink, who will carry you across?

12. Raag Wadahans - vairaag, loss
When the mind is filthy, everything is filthy; by washing the body, the mind is not cleaned. This mind is not controlled by any other discipline, except the Sanctuary of the True Guru. Emotional attachment to Maya is darkness; without the Guru, there is no wisdom. Dwell forever and ever upon the Lord God, and you shall find the gate of salvation.

13. Raag Sorat'h - motivation
Make your ever-decreasing life your shop, and make the Lord's Name your merchandise. The benefit of bathing at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage is obtained by the Blessed Vision of the Guru's Darshan. O mind, serve the True Guru, and obtain peace. As long as this person believes in love and hate, it is difficult for him to meet the Lord

14. Raag Dhanaasaree - inspiration, motivation
The body is the paper, and the mind is the inscription written upon it. The ignorant fool does not read what is written on his forehead. He alone is a Yogi, who understands the Way. He alone is a Qazi, who turns away from the world, and who, by Guru's Grace, remains dead while yet alive. He alone is a Brahmin, who contemplates God. The Lord saves His Saints.

15. Raag Jaitsree - softness, satisfaction, sadness
As Gurmukh, purchase the merchandise of the Naam. Whatever I wish for, I receive; my hopes and desires are fulfilled, meditating on God. I have enshrined that love which drenches my soul. Nothing seems sweet to His devotees, except the Lord. When God becomes merciful, Maya does not cling.

16. Raag Todee - this being a flexible Raag it is apt for communicating many feelings
Forgetting God one is ruined forever. The sublime essence of Lord is found in the Saadh sangat. The Name of the Lord is the medicine. One who has found God keeps quiet about it...

17. Raag Bairaaree - sadness, (Gurus have, however, used it for the message of *Bhakti)
God is supreme and is incomprehensible even to Gods. Meditate upon God constantly for salvation. Whatever your mind desires, that you will obtain.

18. Raag Tilang - denotes feeling of beautification and yearning.
The world is transitory, Lord's devotees are like sandalwood, the body is dyed in greed, true peace comes with His name,

19. Raag Soohee - joy and separation
Build the raft of meditation and self-discipline, to carry you across the river. That vessel alone is pure, which is pleasing to Him. One who looks upon all with a single eye, and knows them to be one and the same - he alone is known as a Yogi. That stone, which he calls his god, that stone pulls him down and drowns him.

20. Raag Bilaaval - happiness
I serve the Lord of the Universe; I have no other work to do. How rare is that person, who looks upon life and death alike. He alone serves the Guru, O Beloved, unto whom the Lord becomes merciful. They are said to be very fortunate, O Beloved, who who dwell in the Society of the Saints.

21. Raag Gaund - strangeness, surprise, beauty
Through the Naam, my affairs are resolved. My mind is accustomed to the Naam. Through the Naam, I have become fearless. Let your mind accept the Word of the Guru's Shabad, and His Mantra. Twenty-four hours a day, sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord. This is the purpose of human life.

22. Raag Raamkalee - calmness
Please rid me of the desire to live, O my Lord and Master. In the midst of hope, remain untouched by hope; then, O Nanak, you shall meet the One Lord. The Langar - the Kitchen of the Guru's Shabad has been opened, and its supplies never run short. Whatever His Master gave, He spent; He distributed it all to be eaten.

23. Raag Nat Naaraayan - happiness
Very fortunate are those who meditate on the Lord's Name; they alone are the Lord's devotees. Whoever chants His Name is liberated; whoever listens to it is saved, as is anyone who seeks His Sanctuary. The treasure of the Naam, the Name of the Lord, is everything for me.

24. Raag Maale Gaaura - happiness
The Panch Shabad, the five primal sounds, vibrate and resound in the Court of the Lord. The Naam, the Name of the Lord, is the Purifier of sinners; the unfortunate wretches do not like this. One may give donations in charity at Prayaag, and cut the body in two at Benares,but without the Lord's Name, no one attains liberation, even though one may give away huge amounts of gold.

25. Raag Maaroo - giving up of cowardice
All must abandon their worldly homes; no one remains here forever.Forgetting the Lord, your own virtues shall rot away. The night is a net, and the day is a net; there are as many traps as there are moments. The food of spiritual wisdom is the supremely sweet essence. He alone is a Qazi, who practices the Truth. He alone is a Haji, a pilgrim to Mecca, who purifies his heart. He alone is a Mullah, who banishes evil.

26. Raag Tukhaari - beautification
The Word of the Shabad is the lamp which illuminates the three worlds; it slaughters the five demons. I am a stone in the Boat of the Guru. Please carry me across the terrifying ocean of poison. Without the Fear of God, His Love is not obtained. Without the Fear of God, no one is carried across to the other side.

27. Raag Kaydaaraa - love and beautification
That person, upon whom my Lord and Master showers His Mercy - the Lord attunes that one to Himself. Let my mind become the dust of all; may I abandon my egotistical intellect. One who eats and drinks countless delicacies is no more than a donkey, a beast of burden. In the Fear of God, is the Love of God. You live in a house of sand, but you still puff up your body - you ignorant fool!

28. Raag Bhairao - seriousness, brings stability of mind
The Guru is Divine; the Guru is Inscrutable and Mysterious. Serving the Guru, the three worlds are known and understood. Without the True Word of the Shabad, you shall never be released, and your life shall be totally useless. The Yogis, the householders, the Pandits, the religious scholars, and the beggars in religious robes - they are all asleep in egotism. In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, glorious greatness is obtained through the Lord's Name.

29. Raag Basant - happiness
Karma is the tree, the Lord's Name the branches, Dharmic faith the flowers, and spiritual wisdom the fruit. If the mind is not pure, what use is it to hold the breath at the Tenth Gate? If someone's soul is polluted within, what is the use of his traveling to sacred shrines of pilgrimage all over the world? This mind is released, only when it meets with the True Guru.

30. Raag Saarang - sadness
O my mind, chant the Name of the Lord, and study His Excellence. That poison which you believe to be your own - you must abandon it and leave it behind. What a load you have to carry on your head! Only the Word of the Holy Saint is eternal. Without the Name, everyone is poor. Hearing the Name, all supernatural spiritual powers are obtained, and wealth follows along.Water is the father of the world; in the end, water destroys it all.

31. Raag Malaar - separation
Pain is the poison. The Lord's Name is the antidote. One who sings the Glorious Praises of the True Lord, merges in the True Lord. The Shabad is the Guru's Gift. It shall bring you lasting peace deep within; it shall always stand by you. O Pandit, O religious scholar, reflect on this in your mind. Why do you read so many other things, and carry such a heavy load? Those who follow the Guru's Teachings are the true spiritual warriors.

32. Raag Kaanraa - Bhakti and seriousness
Meeting with the humble Saints, filth is washed away. My mind is the dust of the feet of the Saints. Whoever remembers his Guru, shall not suffer sorrow, even in dreams. Devotion is the natural quality of God's devotees. Blessed is that love, which is attuned to the Lord's Feet. He alone is liberated, O Nanak, whose True Guru is Good. The Sat Sangat, the True Congregation of the True Guru, is the school of the soul, where the Glorious Virtues of the Lord are studied.

33. Raag Kalyaan - Bhakti Ras
When you serve the Lord, Death cannot even see you. It comes and falls at the feet of those who know the Lord. Those whom my Lord and Master protects - a balanced wisdom comes to their ears. That mortal being is supreme among all people, who is perfumed by the fragrance of the Lord's Name

34. Raag Prabhaatee - Bhakti and seriousness
Whoever the Lord blesses with forgiveness - his affairs are perfectly resolved. Your Name is the only cure; nothing else works, O Infinite Creator Lord. That body in which the Naam does not well up - that body becomes miserable. There is no sacred shrine equal to the Guru. The Guru encompasses the ocean of contentment. Both the singer and the listener are liberated, when, as Gurmukh, they drink in the Lord's Name, even for an instant.

35. Raag Jaijaavantee - vairaag
You must understand that this wealth is just a dream. Why are you so proud? The empires of the earth are like walls of sand. Night and day, you listen to the Puraanas, but you do not understand them, you ignorant fool! Death has arrived; now where will you run?

36. Shalok Sehskritee, First Mehl & Fifth Mehl - If you know God and the nature of karma,you know that all these rituals and beliefs are useless. Says Nanak, meditate on the Lord with faith. Without the True Guru, no one finds the Way. The Righteous Judge of Dharma is relentless; he counts each and every breath. The mortal is beautiful and speaks sweet words, but in the farm of his heart, he harbors cruel vengeance. He pretends to bow in worship, but he is false. Beware of him, O friendly Saints

37. Fifth Mehl, Gaat'haa - Even if the mortal could reduce himself to the size of an atom, and shoot through the ethers, worlds and realms in the blink of an eye, O Nanak, without the Holy Saint, he shall not be saved. That palace is beautiful, in which the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises are sung. One's bad reputation is erased by a true son, who meditates in his heart on the Guru's Mantra

38. Phunhay, Fifth Mehl - The Lord is found in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. I have seen all places, but none can compare to You. The eyes which do not see the Holy - those eyes are miserable.The ears which do not hear the Sound-current of the Naad - those ears might just as well be plugged. The tongue which does not chant the Naam ought to be cut out, bit by bit.

39. Chaubolas, Fifth Mehl - How long can the physicians go on, suggesting various therapies? You fool, remember the One Lord; only He shall be of use to you in the end.

40. Shaloks Of Devotee Kabeer Jee. - Kabeer, earrings made of gold and studded with jewels, look like burnt twigs, if the Name is not in the mind. Kabeer, rare is such a person, who remains dead while yet alive.Singing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, he is fearless. Kabeer, she came to me in various forms and disguises.My Guru saved me, and now she bows humbly to me. Kabeer, those who only preach to others - sand falls into their mouths.

41. Shaloks Of Shaykh Fareed Jee - Kabeer, the Brahmin may be the guru of the world, but he is not the Guru of the devotees.He rots and dies in the perplexities of the four Vedas. Fareed, do not turn around and strike those who strike you with their fists. Kiss their feet, and return to your own home. If you desire your Beloved, then do not break anyone's heart.

42. Swaiyas From The Mouth Of The Great Fifth Mehl. - Chant and vibrate the Name of the Lord, O Nanak, through the Teachings of the Saints. Meditate on the Lord with love in your soul. Lust, anger, egotism, jealousy and desire are eliminated by chanting the Name of the Lord. Those who serve Guru Amar Daas - their pains and poverty are taken away, far away. Glass is transformed into gold, listening to the Word of the Guru's Shabad.

43. Shaloks In Addition To The Vaars. - One who understands himself, meets with the Lord, and never dies again. If you wish to put out the fire, then look for water; without the Guru, the ocean of water is not found. Without the Shabad, everyone is dead. True love and affection are obtained from the Perfect Guru.

44. Shalok, Ninth Mehl - If you do not sing the Praises of the Lord, your life is rendered useless. Like a dream and a show, so is this world, you must know. None of this is true, O Nanak, without God.

45. Mundaavanee, Fifth Mehl - I had looked upon the world as my own, but no one belongs to anyone else.

Da Star in dastar - Dr. Lonnie Smith

2007-06-26T17:08:00.000+05:30

Da Star in dastar

Excerpt from:

http://www.sepiamutiny.com/sepia/archives/002209.html

My favorite example of an unexpected turban is the one on the head of jazz keyboardist Dr. Lonnie Smith, who bears more than a passing resemblance to my father (even my dad has remarked upon this).

Who is Lonnie Smith?
Dr. Lonnie Smith is internationally known as one of the premier jazz keyboardists in the history of the idiom. A dominant talent and pace-setting proponent of the Hammond B3 Organ and widely recognized and gifted pianist, Lonnie has been at the forefront of the jazz scene since 1969 when he was named Top Organist by Downbeat Magazine. Most recently, Dr. Smith has been awarded the Organ Keyboardist of the Year award in 2003, 2004 and 2005 by the Jazz Journalist Association.
Interestingly, when asked about the turban, he makes reference to Sikhism. He also keeps his hair long and in a top-knot, like Sikh men do. You can see it in the photo quite clearly. It is unclear to me whether he is a convert to Sikhism, however. There’s only one interview I can find where Sikhism is mentioned, and the writer doesn’t pass along any information of use. He certaintly looks like a Sikh, and that’s a very Sikh style of turban, but nobody (not even a friend who is in 3HO) seems to know.

His affinity for R&B melded with his own personal style, and he quickly became a local legend. He moved to New York City, where he met George Benson, the guitarist for Jack McDuff's band. Benson and Smith connected on a personal level, and the two formed the George Benson Quartet featuring Lonnie Smith in 1966. After two albums (It's Uptown and Cookbook), Smith recorded his first solo album (Finger Lickin' Good) in 1967, with George Benson on guitar, Ronnie Cuber on bass, Melvin Sparks and Marion Booker on drums. This combination remained stable for the next five years. In 1967, Smith met Lou Donaldson, who put him in contact with Blue Note Records. Donaldson asked the quartet to record an album for Blue Note, Alligator Boogaloo. Blue Note was so impressed by the album that they signed Smith for the next four albums, all of which are now considered classics of soul jazz. This highly influential period produced Think (with Melvin Sparks, Marion Booker, Lee Morgan and David Newman) and Turning Point (with Lee Morgan, Benny Maupin, Melvin Sparks and Idris Muhammed). The latter is largely regarded as his most seminal studio album.

There’s actually quite a tradition of (mainly black) musicians in the 1950s and 1960s wearing turbans. The bottom photo on the left is of a group that even called itself the Turbans:
The Turbans were a Philadelphia based R&B vocal group that had chart success in the mid-50…. the Turbans are credited with performing the first hit record to include the phrase ‘doo-wop’.

Visit the following link:

http://funky16corners.tripod.com/turbans1.htm

Shaheedi on 25th June - Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji

2007-06-26T15:52:00.000+05:30

Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji

Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji, the great disciple of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, rose up in arms against tyranny in the footsteps of his master to defend and safeguard humanity. He had set an example of supreme sacrifice by under going an untold misery and torture at the hands of the Mugal rulers.

Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji was born in Rajouri. He settled on the banks of the Godavri, near Nanded. It was here that Guru Gobind Singh Sahib met him. Banda ‘Bairagi’, as he came to be known, was greatly impressed by the 10th Guru and took “Khande Di Pahul” from him. He was ordered by Guru Sahib to go back to Punjab and help the people of the state to fight against atrocities.

Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji came to Punjab like a storm, sent message of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib to various places to Khalsa, raised an army of the selfless Sikhs under numbers of commanders of Sikhs. Banda Singh Bahadar Ji established his capital at Mukhlisgarh, a place on the border of Nahan in Himachal and Jagadhri in Haryana. In reverence to the hukamnama of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, many disciples of the Guru Sahib came under his command to fight against the Mughal rule in Punjab. Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji attacked Samana and put Sayyed Jalaludin, the executioner of Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib, to death. His brothers Sashal Beg and Bashal Beg were the executioners of the younger Sahibzadeys, who also lived at Samana. Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji also attacked Sadhaura and punished the Mughal chief Usmaan Khan and his accomplices responsible for the death of Pir Budhu Shah and his family.

Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji, after capturing Banur, marched towards Sirhind and defeated Subedar Wazir Khan in Chapar Chiri, near the present-day town of Landran. It was on May, 1710, that Wazir Khan was killed in a fierce battle. Thereafter, he captured Sirhind and avenged the death of the innocent Sahibzadeys.
Bhai Mani Singh was requested to take up services of Darbar Sahib (Harmandar Sahib), Amritsar and he thankfully accepted. Thus it was first time, in the history of India that after a slavery of more than 700 years, a Sikh Raj was established at Sarhind in the heartland of the Mugal Empire in 1710 AD by Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji. He also abolished the system of “Zamindari” and gave land to the actual tillers. He proclaimed equality of all people as citizens of a state and declared that power emanated from and justly belonged to the people and not to a hereditary privileged class. Thus, he became the Messiah of the downtrodden and small farmers.

When in need King Bahadar Shah, had fallen at the feet of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, and now in Dec 1710, ordered that Sikhs, wherever seen, be killed. In June 1711, Bahadar Shah sent his army to kill Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji in the field of Behraam pur, but got defeated. Within two years Banda Singh Ji conquered almost east of Punjab including Jamna Nagar, Saharanpur, Patiala, Ambala and other nearby areas. He moved to wards Himachal and conquered Bilaspur. Again in 1713 he defeated the Mugal Army in the field of Sadhaura.

He was enemy of the cruel rulers, chieftains and landlords who treated general public as slaves. He started currency (coins) in the names of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. Thus it was a first successful war of freedom. The fear and terror of the dreaded Gaznzvi, Temur and Baabar and their descendants was eliminated by the Khalsa. Though the rule of Banda Singh Ji was only for 8 years it paved the way to stand up against the terror of rulers.

Martyrdom of Banda Singh Bahadar Ji.

After the death of Bahadar Shah in 1712, Farakhsieyer became the next king of India. At the behest of Farakhsieyer, in Dec 1715 Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji , along with a few hundred Sikhs, was encircled in the fort of Gurdaas Nangal. After about 8 months the fort was attacked and Banda Singh and his men were arrested. Thousands of Sikhs were killed and their dead heads were loaded in number of carts. About 700 Sikhs were arrested on the way. They were brought to Delhi in the form of a big horrifying procession leading with Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji in a cage over an elephant, prisoners in chains and carts with dead heads. It was a clear message that the Sikhs had no right to live. In March 1716, daily 100 Sikhs were executed for 7 days at Khooni Darwaza, Delhi. Not even a young boy of 15 years, even at the yearning requests of his mother left Sikhism but embraced Death. They were lured to temptations but the brave Sikhs rejected all offers and embraced martyrdom without apology or remorse. After 3 months, in June 1716 AD Banda Singh Bahadar Ji and his few men were executed.
The Mughals were mad for knowing about the secrets of Sikh wars from Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji and his few men. Before execution of Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji his young son was killed with a dagger. Vibrating heart of the dead child was forced into the mouth of brave Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji and he resisted. After this his eye balls were notched out, hands, feet, and knee were chopped off. As if not enough with long hot tongs his flesh was pulled and was thus ultimately put to death. He neither apologised nor did he show agony in the face of untold misery. The events were recorded not only by Muslim historians like Khafi Khan, Mohammed Harisi and Mohammed Kasim Lahori but also by East India Company officials John Sarman, Edward Stephenson and Hugh Barker, who sent reports to Governor Robert Hadges at Fort William at Calcutta. This was to set an example to create terror in the minds of the general public by the rulers.
Rabindra Nath Tagore gave a befitting tribute to Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Ji in his poem entitled “Bandi Bir” in Bengali. As a tribute to the victory of Sirhind on his martyrdom. The poem eulogises him as great warrior and true disciple of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. This poem became the anthem for the revolutionaries of Bengal, especially during the freedom struggle of India. But it is an irony of fate that until today the great warrior did not get due recognition in Punjab itself. Today we hardly celebrate the first-ever victory of the Sikhs at Sirhind to commemorate his death anniversary.

8 hours of Sleep??? - Part 3

2007-06-22T13:17:00.000+05:30

Suddenly, I had some experience of getting company of some fellows who were trying to understand Gurbani in a practical way. Real students of Sikhism, I must say, they helped me realize that Sikhism is nothing but about being a student, who needs constant learning from the Guru. Upon their company, surprisingly, nobody asked me to do anything. I think they mistook me as a Gursikh! Well, I started “studying” Gurbaani instead of just reading it everyday. The guilt of skipping the Paath was eroding away as I was studying the Gurbaani. Another guilt was building up inside over wasting my time in life so much!

I had got some translations in PDFs and some MP3s related to Gurbaani, and started working on them. I had plenty of time after I returned from work. Soon, I started on Japji Sahib, and slowly reached the same Pauree, where it is written –

“Amrit(h) vela, Sacch Naao, Vadeyaayee Veechaar”

I was so used to that word; I was not going to miss its real meaning! I was enthusiastic to read its meaning, hoping to correspond my deciphered meaning!

To my surprise, all translations referred that time as really quite early in the morning, which made my heart sink! My scientific and technical mind, which needed everything logical in order to understand, was unable to understand the single concept of waking up in early hours. How can Gurus who said we need to remember the Lord’s name every moment, are giving special consideration to an early hour of morning?

I was surprised, and felt that either all are wrong or I am really not understanding or not trying to understand the concept of waking early? The truth was, I was not trying to understand!

Somehow, one day I woke up early, everything was so good, I had got time to freshen up properly, eat breakfast and do Paath also! This made me feel good! Then I tried to think and searched the PDF for Amritvela. There are numerous Shabads which are being said in importance of early hours of morning.

I again felt bad, as why didn’t I understand, and why did I just follow my so-called technical brain, whilst it was always written there?

Enthusiastically, next day, I woke up 1 hour early, felt well. Got advice from a dear friend, as not to reduce my sleep instantly, rather make it slow descent. “

I tried this for some days, but to my self-disappointment, I just could not wake myself up even 1 hr early.

I feel shattered and helpless over my lack of ability for waking up early…. I just could not wake up early….

8 hours of Sleep??? - Part 2

2007-06-22T13:12:00.000+05:30

Slowly time passed by, I started reading Gurbaani. I don’t know whether my parents did right or wrong, they never forced me to read Gurbaani. Never! While I was in school, they asked me to do the path, and if it was my will, I did, otherwise I just recited Mool-mantar 5 times, and I was done and considered myself a Sikh of Guru, afterall I was studying and students has tough life! Everybody knows that! :-)

Slowly after all sometime, I learned Japji Sahib and didn’t need a Gutka. I was so proud of myself, as my dad asked me to at least learn the Japji Sahib after my degree, and I was proud that I have done it within few months of my joining the college! Ha! Now I think what my dad used to think of me!! :-)

Well, in college, some “Kutter” guys, or extremists as some say, used to ask me why don’t I wake up early? Slowly they too faced defeat! :-)

I recited “Amrit Vela Sach Naao, Vadeyaaee Veechar” everyday in Japji Sahib. We all do, right? I even tried to translate in my language, and I really deciphered Amrit Vela as A-mrit (Antonym of Death) Vela (time). So I thought Guru Sahib is referring some time when we don’t feel death and that is the time to remember the Lord!! I may be correct in literary meanings, but I myself did not satisfy my mind!

I thought I have become a Gyani, and started writing posts on Online Forums. Once we get a little knowledge, we start singing Philosophy! Please pardon me, I forgot to mention that I am talking about this time, when I had become Engineer, and got a job! I still used to crib over waking early! I was already 23-24! I had starting earning for myself, seldom send money to home. Parents were good as ever, always said, “It is your money, and spend it on you!” - I cry sometime over this! Those parents, who raised me, sent me to good school and Engineering College, knowing the condition of house is not so good financially, still I never felt any financial hindrances in my studies!

Well, I was doing okay at my work, woke up usually after 8hrs of sleep, and hurried in the morning to get ready, tie Turban, do 5 baanis (in 45 mins!) – I was proud of myself having so much speed in doing Baani! And running for the Office bus. Everything was so good; I was doing a job in a good company, earning money, could recite Baani in less time, as I was remembering most part, had friends, what else do you need? Ofcourse, I missed away from being home, but still…

At last, I was the chosen one from the team to be sent to USA on a project which was for some 1 to 2years! I was delighted to go to the land of opportunities and “opportunists”! Well, anyway, I reached USA on Sunday evening, and had to join on Monday morning! The bus for office used to start at 7:35am and that meant, not 1 min early, not 1 min late! I woke up at 7:10am – jet-lag may be, couldn’t just hear the alarm in my cell-phone, forgot I had set the alarm in Indian time, and it would ring only when it is 6am in India! :-) Happens!

First day at Onsite! What will client say when I go late? First thoughts in my mind! I hurriedly got up, had shower, and didn’t even fix (:-)) my beard properly, tied Turban and flew out! Who has time to do Baani today??? Reaching office was primary concern! I was feeling guilty inside of not doing Baani on first day in USA, yet I said Guru knows it!

We will be good, if we realize that it is our mistake, and stop giving excuses…

Well, the initial days were very tough, could get only 5-6hrs of sleep every day! I used to crib a lot over my sleep, but to myself! Couldn’t think how can complete my 8hrs of sleep! Then I decided to sleep right after I come from work and then wake up after 2hrs. I tried that, slowly I realized that my sleep is going well over 8hrs if consolidated! But I said “continuous” 8hrs of sleep is must! I was not even a Student, nor a child, still I had excuse that my work demanded most of mental pressure, and I needed sleep!

I was 27 already. No improvement over effort in sleeping less, in fact no effort at all. I had made one friend in USA, who used to wake up early, everyday, at 4am! I was shocked! Even in USA? He asked me to do Amrit-vela Simran at his home every Saturday and Sunday, I opted for Saturday only. However I did have the same conclusion in my mind for Amrit Vela, the time where you awaken from Death! Which death I was thinking, even I didn’t know!

Still, I joined him, we were soon accompanied by couple more Singhs, and this went on for 3-4 months. After some time, I started feeling bored and cumbersome of the process, rather felt tired every Friday night. Soon, the Amrit-Vela Simran was called off! I was glad that my friend’s family was coming from India to join him, and he then could not continue with Amrit-Vela Simran on Saturdays. Devil me!

Days went by; I was still having my 7-8hrs of sleep, never thought of waking up early. Saturdays are for sleeping!

More time was gone, I never could realize the meaning and importance of Amrit Vela, as why each and every individual who appeared Gursikh, stressed on Amrit Vela so much? My concrete-rigid mind never seemed to accept what they were offering!

continued...

8 hours of Sleep??? - Part 1

2007-06-21T14:59:00.000+05:30

I have been feeling un-easy and not finding rest in my mind for quite some days. Just don’t know how to start.

“Since my childhood, my dad had been asking me to wake up early, but I never listened to him, finding comfort in my mother's lap as a secure place from his teachings. I never found the concept of waking early in morning, waking up only when mom continuously asked to wake up and get ready for school.

My school started at 7:20am, and my school-bus timing was 6:40am! I don't know how I managed to do that, but I only used to get-up at 6am, and then tried hard to catch the bus, sometimes running in the streets, where our neighbor’s dog used to bark hysterically! I just wished, this school timings should be changed to 10am something! So that I can complete (?) my sleep at least!

Time passed by, while in school, it happened to be a nice moment, when my sisters decided to get Amrit, and asked me the same. I replied in affirmation. The day was very good in my life; I thought my life would be changed. And it did actually! But I continued to sleep in the nice hours of morning. Parents never questioned my sleep, feeling the child gets tired from school and his studies, and he should get some rest. Everyday, I felt uneasy to wake up at 6am.

On Saturdays and Sundays, I used to sleep till 8am, and then do whatever. However, I used to see that my cousins used to sleep till 10am or even 11am! And their dad or mom never questioned them, rather they themselves used to sleep till 8:30am! I used to crib, as why don’t my dad let me sleep till that late, and why does he wakes up at 5am while his brother is snoring till 8am! J

Slowly, slowly, I increased my sleep, i.e. from 8am to 8:30am and the day was not far, when I was sleeping till 10am! Alas! I had done it! Matched my cousins in sleeping! I heard my dad asking mom about why I am sleeping till 10am. But I never winked open!

Time passed by, Dad used to say, you should wake early on Saturdays and Sundays, because it is Holiday, and I said, it is the only time when I get time to sleep late! So true, isn’t it? Dad said, you can sleep after lunch, you can take some rest. I used to counter comment, “I don’t sleep in afternoon!” What would he say more, when a son is countering?

I got admission in Engineering college, and here nobody was there to watch my sleep, rather I myself had to get up early otherwise I could miss the lecture (who cared seriously, but still!). It was so tiring, starting at 9am and going till 4pm! Now, I was turning to a different attitude! I started keeping myself awake late nights chatting with friends by going to their rooms, or they coming to my room, all laughing, chatting, nothing else! Suddenly everybody used to realize that it is 2am already and we need to sleep, and wake in the morning to get the “Aloo de paronthe” which was only available between 7am and 8:30am??? How would it be possible?? Only 6hrs of sleep? Impossible!

I used to skip that precious Breakfast of our college mess, so that I can complete my sleep! I still couldn’t think why the breakfast timing was so early? Then I said, it is logically correct, as college started at 8:30 or 9am, and mess started at 7am. So timing wise it was ok. Nobody to blame! Why would I blame myself? It was the friends who were talking and I had to complete my at least 8hrs of sleep, as I was a student! I skipped the breakfast at mess and used to eat some sandwiches at Gyani’s Canteen.

Time passed by, I was 18 already, still couldn’t wake up early. Whenever I used to visit my home for vacation, I slept till 10am, and dad had stopped asking me to get-up early, may be I was not young enough to keep on telling things, and other reason, I was at home, not away! Parents are just like God… they let you do things, and then love you even when we don’t agree with them!

In college, I had the time to get company of some Gursikhs, who used to wake at 4am and do sewa of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. I was wonder-struck with their effort, yet never volunteered to do the sewa even once! I was afraid of my inability to wake early.

Dad’s often said words used to come to my mind, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy-wealthy and wise!” but I never seemed to think upon that. Who wants to waste sleep? It is one of the best things in the world, isn’t it?

Well, those friends, they did the sewa, and I just used to go before going to college, i.e. around 8:50am. Matha-tek and get out! This was me, an Amritdhari!

continued...

What is Name?

2007-06-20T17:55:00.000+05:30

As we get started, we always know what is the Mool-mantar given to us by Guru Nanak. Some people debate on the Mool-mantar itself, some say it is till Gurprasad, and some say it is till "Hausi Bhi Sach". Well, as we know, every Baani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS - I will use the abbreviation SGGS to save time, extremists, please pardon me) starts with a name of the Raag and before that, there is a Mool-mantar which is till Gurprasad, grammatically it is correct to have Gurprasad as the end of Mool-mantar and the beginning of the new Baani is "Jap".

Well, let us come to the word "Satnaam". I tried to understand the meaning of "Ik Onkar" earlier, now I will try to think over the meaning of Satnaam, as given by Guru Nanak...

As we say Satbachan, when we are over-exaggerating our emotions, so that the other person who is saying, should be convinced that what he is saying, appears true to us... What is Guru Nanak trying to tell us in the word Satnaam? Whose name? After all, Naam means name, isn't it? As we know already, the mool-mantar is about the One GOD, so Satnaam is only related to Him...

What is Naam, I have always been confused over this word when referred in Gurbaani... Naam just appears as Name in literary meaning. But I am sure, Guru Nanak always has a special message in every literal he wrote. Sometime, I just feel that we can simply distinguish each other by just saying the name. Just imagine, playing dumb-charades, how difficult it becomes, when we just have to show the signs and symbols for the word that we want to convey? And once, somebody gets click, he says that word, and then anybody who knows that name, can just think exactly what the participant was acting about! Even, when some people are walking with their back towards us, and when we want to call one, and if know his/her name, we simply just call him/her by the name, and get response (if he/she is not deaf! heh!) This means Name has definite status in the world, every thing in this word has name, even if we cannot feel or touch, as I mentioned ealier, the EM Waves, they too have name! We earthlings, cannot think somebody without a name, if we find an animal, that animal would belong to a class of animals, which would have a name! So name is an integral part of us... Guru Nanak knew that we just cannot think somebody without a name, hence he called the One as Satnaam.. or somebody whose name is Truth... What is truth? We can get a lot of posts which says Death is Truth, yes, literally it is, but then Birth is also truth, without birth, there could not be any death!! This is true that one who has taken birth, has to die, this is eternal truth, but is this God's name? Then Guru Nanak must have written as Maut-Naam. But no, he wanted to convey some other message! He wanted to convey that there is somebody present always, whose name is same always, because He never dies...

I know I will come to the literary meanings of what we have already read, but where is our own effort of understanding the meaning? Guru Nanak wanted each and everybody to think of One and think over it again and again...

I can ask the readers, to put some broad light on my doubt....

Old man's and young lad's doubt - What is ONE???

2007-06-20T13:24:00.000+05:30

I am going to start this blog inspired from Guru Nanak's definition for the Master of Universe - Ik Onkaar.. Actually I thought of starting other topics, but could not feel any other better than this topic... after all, this is one of the best shop in town these days! "Religious" people will kill me on my this comment... still truth prevails...

Ik Onkaar...

One may also start this as defining, just the way we are learning this word, way from our childhood, or rather more early, like, from our mother's womb to present day's laptop version of the Guru, we may always break the words related with the words "Ik Onkaar". English lacks the flexibility that Gurmukhi has, even if I try to write "1 Onkaar", we will read 1 as "one". You just did it! Still it is ok, but let us continue and don't get deviated "right now" itself!

What is One? We just read and think, "Yes, Guru Sahib says, the Lord whom we should recite all day and night, is just One lord and nobody more or less". But my mind simply could not imagine that. Actually our mind has this limitation, it tries to imagine things, and tries to relate the words with the scenes or pictures one has seen in his/her life. Not only humans, animals also has the same tendency, animals dream the way we dream, infact Staley - my Labrador moves his legs while sleeping, as if running after a live running Paneer Tikka, in his dream, ofcourse... :-)

So, how can we treat the Lord as One, if we just don't try to imagine Him as somebody huge and powerful, who is alone in the Universe, yes, sometime when I think "Ik Onkaar", I try to imagine Universe and space outside earth, ofcourse, this is due to the massive size of space outside earth, by virtue of which, we can "imagine" Lord's power and His One-ness!

But still, no... nothing seems to tell me, how can I see the Lord as one? See, I have written 3 paras till now, still I have not been able to start realizing One-ness of God?

Or? I am fooling myself? Has Guru Nanak sent some other message to me, that I am unable to decipher?

Does that One means One-ness by being together? Just the way when a boy given a thin stick of bamboo was able to break it, but when several thin sticks of bamboo were placed together and was given to be broken by Mr. Olympia, even he was not able to break that One stick which was made from several sticks? These child-hood stories sometimes do wonders... Why have we been hearing that God is everywhere?

I think I am getting a little hint to what Guru Nanak is referring. Ofcourse this is much more tough than the Da Vinci code, which is supposedly written in the same era! But, Guru Nanak was born before Da Vinci... What an era of the Genius ones!

Ok, not getting into Da Vinci code anymore, let us move onto what we were discussing.. "Ik Onkaar"

So, as per the above discussion of my brain elements inside, I have concluded that Guru ji is referring the One as One-ness of the Force...

Now, comes the controversial part, the word Force. Ofcourse, any 8th class student can tell what is Force, he will promptly say, it is a multiple of Mass and the acceleration! Voila! Perfect answer!! But how can this be suited with the above word "Ik"?? Ofcourse, it can!! Force can be experienced as a push or pull, a lift etc, also mathematically as rate of change of momentum of the body.. Math-haters, kindly apologize, but I am a Math-lover, hence would like to co-relate the above as a theory... there is another "form" of force, it is called Electro-magnetic waves, this force cannot be seen, not even felt by humans! This is the same wave force, through which we see Television, and receive cell-phone calls! It is every-where! All universe, has Electro-magnetic waves, we just cannot feel it, neither touch it, nor taste it, nothing! There has to be a special receptor for detecting the waves, but waves are always around us... We can also go in Electron and Proton theory, but let us leave that for time-sake... so as we concluded, the electro-magnetic waves are always surrounding us, we just don't feel them, and we need a receptor to catch the waves, but it has happened with most of us, that cell-phones stop working while in Elevator, or when under-ground, this means the wave that what we try to catch is not present... but at the same time, a guy seated next to under-ground parking can hear Football match commentary? How? The waves are there, but not the ones that we want, right?

I don't know where I am going, but I think I am realizing something... One-ness comes by virtue of force, this is the moral and there are EM waves present around us that we cannot feel. I am not going to calculate God's force or existence, as it has been made clear by Guru Nanak himself that only fools try to measure God, so I am just trying to understand what Guru Nanak said...
"Ik Onkaar" ---- Ik means one-ness to me till now.. don't know how Gurbani changes my mind further, but I am flexible for further changes... be flexible, that is the key...

Let us come to second word "Onkaar". This as per all the books I have studied, attended the lectures, discussions amongst friends, have realized that this word refers something related to the Hindu word - Om... I am not inviting any arguments, hence I apologize for any inadvertent comments that may hurt the feelings of others...

What is Om? I think it is a mono-syllable word that was invented by Yogis in ancient India. According to them, this syllable produces a sound which may sound very soothing, lulla-bying effect, may put you in trance (I dont know what is that, though) if you keep on repeating the name. The force related to repeating one name can never enter my mind, but still there are alot who say until we keep on digging for a well at a point, you cannot get water out, still I am not convinced. There might be some state of mind which can be hallucinating and one can see pictures and people just because of our imagination, exactly, the Gandhi in Lagay Raho Munnabhai! I read one story, in Tibbet, they used to do a lot of experiments on spirituality. One experiment was to say "Mooh Mooh" continuosly, for 3 days the monk has to chant Mooh Mooh Mooh... he is not allowed to say anything else, nor talk to anybody, and he is sitted in a white hall, just chanting Mooh Mooh.. He is allowed to do natural activities including eating, drinking etc, but he should come back as soon as possible, and start chanting same word!! It is said that, for first day, it is quite difficult, as physical pressures like leg-aches, blood-clogging etc are there if they just sit continuously, next day is also quite difficult. Early part of second day is okay, as soon as it descends to 3rd day, the monk starts shouting hysterically, shouting to his throat, fully shouting, shaking all over, then comes the 3rd day, the shouting increases manyfold, you may feel that the monk could die, but monk just continues Mooh Mooh Mooh Mooh... after some more time, the monk immediately quietens! Then he remains quiet for not sure how long, and he attains a state called "maun" or the one who doesn't speak..

Now coming to the force with the word "Om". As said, it was invented in ancient India, and slowly as civilization expanded, and humans tend to evolute, they eventually started seeing every force in nature relating to a divine power. They made each force, like rain, sun, water, moon, everything they could see, they made a Divine Man/Woman from that force of nature that they saw. They made Sun God, Water God, Moon God, Lightening Goddess etc... After further studies, they thought since everybody is taking birth, living and dying, there must be a God related to all these 3 tasks of a person's life! Hence birth was given a Divine God called Brahma, Living was given a Divine God called Vishnu and Death was taken by Shiva. Some scientists (Yogis), I call Yogis as scientists, they were the gems of ancient India, but yet failed to realise True Meaning of Life. They treated human body as a combination of 3 forces or Trinity - The genital organs as Brahma, the stomach as Vishnu and the brain as Shiva, eventually further they found some nerves in the body which when stimulated, gave cosmic powers and energy, which they thought as reaching God's doors, referring as Dasam Dwar.

Coming down to 3 forces or Trinity, breaking old man's doubt of treating all these forces of nature as different Gods holding powers, Guru Nanak declared that all the forces in the nature, which we can feel, we can see, we can hear, whatever we can imagine, are tied to a single force, after realizing this, the different forces doesn't seem separate, rather they appear as One single force, having Total control all over!

"Ik Onkaar"

I think Guru Nanak's message is getting a little clear now. But there is still a doubt, we are kind of clear of "Ik" and "On", but what is "kaar"?
If we now, take the above examples, we can see that all the above forces which are nothing but One-force, is doing something forever, like taking birth, living, creating, dying etc, which means it is just continuously doing something every moment, this leaves nothing but the word - Eternal, or forever! As we don't know since when the Universe (current one) started, and when it will end, we just don't know, and treat this evolution as eternal, we can say this is forever...

Moral

Just the same, as I have read always - There is just one force that is holding every element in this Universe with itself, and this has been happening forever and will be forever. A scientific definition of the Undefined has been given by Guru Nanak, just perfectly!