sadh ka sang

yes but sangat style renditions of Asa Di Vaar mostly aren't recited in raag...so therefore there's nothing in wrong in listening to those recordings whether day or night. Though I agree, if kirtan is sung in the prescribed raag then it should only be heard at the particular timeframe or "pehar" it falls under.

I think veerji was referreing to "caffeine" when he mentioned "coffin" but I could be wrong. Caffeine is a stimulant and it acts on the central nervous system to restore alertness. Those who keep strict rehat generally avoid drinking tea and coffee, as it is considered a "nasha" to them. I mean, it all depends on what you feel and how your body is. If you need to drink coffee because it keeps you alert and awake, then there really is no actual harm in drinking coffee...just keep it in moderation because drinking excessive amounts of coffee can cause ulcers. If you're fond of drinking warm beverages (like me ) then I'd suggest to try alternate drinks, like herbal tea...or warm milk (desi style, with dates!) If you're really serious about giving up coffee because you're concerned about the caffeine amount...then switch to decaf cofffee...or switch to tea as the caffeine amount is significantly lower in tea.

I guess I'll clear up what I was trying to say earlier...which kind of tags into what Keerpa just mentioned in the post above. I was saying that you can recite any bani at any time for your own personal satisfaction, given that you've already done your nitnem. If you did your Japuji Sahib paath in the morning but feel like reciting it again during the afternoon or evening, then there's nothing wrong with that...and there are no bad results which will arise as consequences. Why would Guru ji punish a Sikh for doing bani??? I don't seem to understand this. Oh plus, even though I personally enjoy sangat style versions of Asa Di Vaar...Bhai Nirmal Singh Ragi recording is amazingly beautiful.

Guru ji has inspired you to walk on the path of Sikhi...amazing, main balihaaray jaavan. Dhan Guru Dhan Guru Pyare.

Of course you can listen to Asa Di Vaar whenever you want. Theres no restriction as to when you can and cannot read or listen Gurbani. Just because Asa Di Vaar is recited in the morning doesn't mean that the only time you can listen to it is in the morning. If I feel like doing Japji Sahib ji da paath, does that mean I have to wait until the wee hours of the morning? Will I not have the same effect of Japji Sahib if I do it in the afternoon or evening. Guru Sahib's bani is a treasure waiting to be opened...regardless of the time of day or night.

The following was extracted from another forum which had a discussion on the same topic. Barinder Pal Singh <sikhawareness2003@yahoo.ca> wrote: Little bit more about the tape: In 1962, this suleman from iran came in some kid in india. He was buried ages ago in india before guroo's time. Kid was playin around and happen to piss on his "grave". Soul didnt get mukhti and so evil soul went inside that little boy. One day, baba ishar singh ji maharaj was doing his divan and boy came and start beggin for help (in that phase evil soul was in absence) .. sant ji told him to come back later. Next morning, he came again and then baba ishar singh ji talk to the evil soul. This whole conversation was recorded in the tape between muslim ghost and sikh sangat.He talks about life after death. Baba ishar singh ji maharaj freed his soul from evil jaun (not mukkhti) after asking couple's who werent havin kids. so baba ji asked the couple if they can have the soul since they werent havin kids. so they replied "satbachan" .. this is how that soul got freed and transmit into the new born fetus. Baba ji said now this is the best i can do for you. You can be mukht from this birth and dead cycles by urself. I have given you again the human life (munukhi jevan) by freein from you praiet jaun(evil spirit life cycle). This tape itself changed thousands of lives and brought people close and closer to gurbani.. The tape is in urdu. It may sound too good to be true. But there were my relatives who were there that time along with sangat in hundred's...while someone had that tape recorder that day and recorded the convo.. Also, attempt is not make you beleive in this tape (If its true or not) attempt is put something infront of the sangat where their state of life/mind can be changed.

Don't mean to be picky but I think it was Nirmaljit Singh SEKHON not Kalsi who was awarded the parmvir chakra

Well, I do agree with you that everything is destined by fate. If we're that concerned of finding a suitable spouse, we should have more faith in God in knowing that it is His bhana. As there is the saying in Panjabi "sanjog zoravar ne". But mskcan, you have to initiate the proceeding by at least acknowledging the fact that you're ready to commit to a marriage, and get the ball rolling. Its not like a singh or singhni is going to come and knock on your door and say "Gur Fateh, do you want to marry me?"

Since CDs do not constitute the saroop of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the answer to your question is no...they wouldn't have to treated and given the same reverance as we do to the formal saroop of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. However, that being said...I would recommend you keep the CDs with great respect once you obtain them (i.e. keep them in a neat, tidy place...similar to a place you would keep gutkas) I have copies of entire paath of Dhan Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj. Its in Mp3 format and comes on two discs. I am sure you'd be available to get these from your local Gurdwara as I've seen a lot of them around. Mine was given to me as a personal gift by someone. Are you in Canada, US, or UK?

Wow, I envy you...do you live in a Panjabi family? Because its rare to find Panjabi parents not nagging their kids to get married. My mom has been on my case for a while, she always says "ve viyah karva leh kaka"...and then jokingly she says in a worrysome tone "haarha, tere naal koi viyah vee karalooga? Akall ta tainu bhora nahi !" (will anyone even dare agree to marry you? You have no sense of wisdom!) But I'd carefully approach them with the topic of perhaps asking within their circle of friends if they know of any suitable match for you, that is if you opt for the traditional way. In either case, just casually bring up the topic that you're considering getting married and settling down to raise a family.

As a sign of respect for Guru Sahib and the sanctity of the Gurdwara where Guru Sahib resides, there should be no dhol dhamakka or other boisterous activites on Gurdwara premises. If the barat party insists on having a dholi accompanying them, then there is nothing wrong with that...as long as they stop their dancing and drummingo once they arrive on Gurdwara premises. A gurdwara should be a place of place of serentity where only focus is on naam and bani. Unfortunately there are one too many Gurdwaras that don't condemn such activities during weddings and allow people to dance in the Gurdwara parklot. Instead, wouldn't it be beautiful if the barat leads the procession whilst reciting simram as they arrive to the Gurdwara...

That was a good one, thanks for sharing

Family celebrates double degrees The pair said they were inspired by their father and husband A mother and daughter with strong Indian connections have both graduated with the same degree from the same English university. Amrat Bhogal, 43, and Gurpreet, 21, from the English city of Birmingham, each completed a three-year BSc optometry course at Aston University. Mrs Bhogal told the BBC that she was inspired to take the degree in part because of her Indian heritage. She said she inherited her work ethic from her parents in Punjab state. "I am proud that my family came from India, proud to be a woman and proud to be Asian," Mrs Bhogal said after receiving her degree. "Although my parents came to live in England from Punjab in 1947, they instilled in me the discipline to work hard which they themselves had learnt in India." Mrs Bhogal said that she was also inspired to take the degree by her husband, Jaswant, whose mother still lives in the state of Uttar Pradesh. She said that will now work as an optician with her husband at their shop in Birmingham while her daughter has a job with another optician nearby. Her daughter said that during the course she and her mother sat next to each other in lectures and had lunch together. "My mum and I are like sisters, rather than mother and daughter, so I didn't feel uncomfortable about us taking the same course together," Gupreet said. Mrs Bhogal said that she and Gurpreet did not plan to enrol on the same course together at the same time - "it just happened like that". She said her daughter had been a great friend to her throughout the course in the true Indian and Asian tradition of valuing family members. "We've always had a great relationship and, although I gave her the space I thought she needed, the support we gave each other throughout the three years was invaluable."

hahaha, i think this is hilarious. At least now he'll be able to walk with a straight posture, all this time he was walking all stooped and crouched because the the weight of all his mundees, gainay, nattian, and that massive khanda outweighted him. vadda apnay aap noo soorma kahaunda. na hun teri bara bor kithay gayee ?

Oh yes, another thing I forgot to mention is that Manikaran Sahib is exteremly beneficial for elderly people with back/knee/joint problems because theres a "garam gufaa" (warm cave) that expels natural heat. People who sit there for like an hour feel much better afterwards due to the cave's natural heat therapeutic effect.

As mentoned before, the first Panj Pyare were not ordered by Guru Sahib but instead offered there tan man and dhan to the Guru. I see no harm in having sangat select the panj, however most gurdwaras designate one or two people to be in charge of organizing amrit sanchar and abhilakees usually go to them to submit their name for next amrit sanchar. Hence, those organizers are the ones who select the Panj for the Amrit Sanchar ceremony. If the sangat decides to nominate the Panj then thats okay too, provided that the people being selected adherently stick to full rehat.

Ive been to Manikaran Sahiba and I must say it was one of the most amazing experiences. First off, the valley there is quite serene and the mighty roar of the river passing through completely invokes you. I didnt want to leave that place it was so enchanting. The unique thing about this Gurdwara is that its totally run by the sangat. There are never any professional ragi jathas who perform kirtan, its always the sangat. And I must say, there is a lot of pyar in the sangat there, and you feel this pyar. As for people doing matha tek to this mata ji, I personally haven't witnessed this so I can't comment on it. However, I personally don't agree with people doing matha tek to a person in hazoori of Guru Granth Sahib, there's no question about that. I will say this, the one thing I noticed that kind of disturbed me was seeing pictures of Hindu Gods and Godeesses (e.g., Shiva and Mata Sheranwali) hung inside the main darbar hall. These pictures were hung on pillars supporting the ceiling, askew from Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Nevertheless, I would highly encourage all of you to please visit this please next time in India, if you have the chance. Its located in Himachal Pardesh near Kullu Manali. Don't let these kind of minor things get in the way of could be a potental spirtually uplifting experience. Go there for the darshan of Guru ji, and for the darshan of the sangat.

(Why does British media always jump on every opportunity to highlight a person's ethincity/religion?) Posted online: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 04:34:35 Updated: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 04:34:35 London, July 16: A Sikh bus driver in Britain who was sacked after a passenger said she saw him defecating near a supermarket has denied the complaint at an employment tribunal saying it was motivated by racism. Pargat Singh, 63, claimed he was dismissed by Travel West Midlands without any reason. He said the complaint in October was motivated by racism. However, he admits that he went behind a wall to urinate but did not know he was being observed. The firm said his account still made him guilty of gross misconduct. Travel West Midlands' staff performance manager Jyoti Kapoor told the tribunal in Birmingham a customer had claimed the driver had committed "an act of gross indecency" near a store close to Coventry's Ricoh Arena on 3 October last year. The woman, who refused to give her first name or contact details, alleged he had climbed over a picket fence and defecated on a grass verge. The passenger said he then wiped his hands on the bars of the fence before returning to his bus. Kapoor also said the passenger claimed Singh was abusive to her. "I considered that the passenger complaint was credible," she said. "He - Singh - accepted that the passenger had challenged him about washing his hands when he returned to the vehicle," she was quoted as saying by the BBC. "Had driver Singh said the passenger was wrong or that she was lying then my approach would have been different." She said even if his employer believed his account of events he was still guilty of gross misconduct. Singh is being backed by the Unite trade union in his case. http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Sikh-driver-in-sacked-UK-for-defecating/336410/

(Why does British media always jump on every opportunity to highlight a person's ethincity/religion?) Posted online: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 04:34:35 Updated: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 04:34:35 London, July 16: A Sikh bus driver in Britain who was sacked after a passenger said she saw him defecating near a supermarket has denied the complaint at an employment tribunal saying it was motivated by racism. Pargat Singh, 63, claimed he was dismissed by Travel West Midlands without any reason. He said the complaint in October was motivated by racism. However, he admits that he went behind a wall to urinate but did not know he was being observed. The firm said his account still made him guilty of gross misconduct. Travel West Midlands' staff performance manager Jyoti Kapoor told the tribunal in Birmingham a customer had claimed the driver had committed "an act of gross indecency" near a store close to Coventry's Ricoh Arena on 3 October last year. The woman, who refused to give her first name or contact details, alleged he had climbed over a picket fence and defecated on a grass verge. The passenger said he then wiped his hands on the bars of the fence before returning to his bus. Kapoor also said the passenger claimed Singh was abusive to her. "I considered that the passenger complaint was credible," she said. "He - Singh - accepted that the passenger had challenged him about washing his hands when he returned to the vehicle," she was quoted as saying by the BBC. "Had driver Singh said the passenger was wrong or that she was lying then my approach would have been different." She said even if his employer believed his account of events he was still guilty of gross misconduct. Singh is being backed by the Unite trade union in his case. http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Sikh-driver-in-sacked-UK-for-defecating/336410/

(Why does British media always jump on every opportunity to highlight a person's ethincity/religion?) Posted online: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 04:34:35 Updated: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 04:34:35 London, July 16: A Sikh bus driver in Britain who was sacked after a passenger said she saw him defecating near a supermarket has denied the complaint at an employment tribunal saying it was motivated by racism. Pargat Singh, 63, claimed he was dismissed by Travel West Midlands without any reason. He said the complaint in October was motivated by racism. However, he admits that he went behind a wall to urinate but did not know he was being observed. The firm said his account still made him guilty of gross misconduct. Travel West Midlands' staff performance manager Jyoti Kapoor told the tribunal in Birmingham a customer had claimed the driver had committed "an act of gross indecency" near a store close to Coventry's Ricoh Arena on 3 October last year. The woman, who refused to give her first name or contact details, alleged he had climbed over a picket fence and defecated on a grass verge. The passenger said he then wiped his hands on the bars of the fence before returning to his bus. Kapoor also said the passenger claimed Singh was abusive to her. "I considered that the passenger complaint was credible," she said. "He - Singh - accepted that the passenger had challenged him about washing his hands when he returned to the vehicle," she was quoted as saying by the BBC. "Had driver Singh said the passenger was wrong or that she was lying then my approach would have been different." She said even if his employer believed his account of events he was still guilty of gross misconduct. Singh is being backed by the Unite trade union in his case. <A href="http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Sikh-driver-in-sacked-UK-for-defecating/336410/"'>http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Sikh-driver-in-sacked-UK-for-defecating/336410/" target=_blank><FONT color=#0068cf>http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Sikh-driver-in-sacked-UK-for-defecating/336410

Hey nice to see fellow hoshiarpuris here, my dadka pind is Pundori Bibi, near Harkhowal Sahib Dist. Hoshiarpur my nanka pind is Kadhala Sheikhan Da, near Tanda, Dist. Hoshiarpur

Ever heard the song, "ni main jaana rab de kol, jaana rab de kol. dil mere noo chain na aavai phirni aa daavan dol".

Dhan dhan Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, Kalgiyaan Wale, Baajan Wale, Nilay Ghoray Wale, Sarbans Dani, Dasam Patshah, Khalsa De Pita, Kalgidhar, Chittay Baajan Wale, Shah-hay-Shahanshah, Dashmesh Pita, Amrit Ke Daate, Shamsher Bahadar, Nasro Mansoor, Do Jahan De Vali, Pritam Pyare,...

Here is the actual hand written will of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, another gem in the Sikh struggle movement. This reminds me of the case of Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh who also declared that his organs be used donated to those in needy however, his wishes were never fulfilled due to the disrespctful way the police authorities carried out his funeral procession.

<H1 class=headline>Convicted Air India bomb-builder Inderjit Singh Reyat gets bail</H1><H4 class="lastupdated clearfix">Last Updated: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 | 4:30 PM ET Comments101Recommend59</H4><H5 class=byline>CBC News </H5> The B.C. Court of Appeal has ruled convicted Air India bomb-builder Inderjit Singh Reyat is to be released on bail. (Canadian Press) The B.C. Court of Appeal has granted bail to Inderjit Singh Reyat, the only person convicted in the Air India bombings. "He's been in jail a long time.… He doesn't know yet, but I'm sure that he'll be pleased when he hears," said his lawyer, Ian Donaldson, outside the Vancouver court after Wednesday's decision." Inderjit Singh Reyat served more than 20 years in jail for two manslaughter convictions for his part in building the bombs that detonated aboard Air India Flight 185 and at Narita International Airport in Tokyo in 1985. Three-hundred and thirty-one people, 329 of them aboard the Air India flight, were killed that day in the worst such attack in Canada's history. Reyat had finished serving his sentence, but he remained behind bars awaiting trial for perjury for his testimony in the trial that acquitted two other men of murder in the bombings. Reyat is accused of lying 27 times during the trial of Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri. Justice Ian Josephson labelled Reyat an "unmitigated liar under oath" in his ruling acquitting Malik and Bagri of the bombing deaths. In March, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Patrick Dohm denied Reyat bail on the perjury charges on the grounds that his detention was necessary to maintain confidence in the justice system. Reyat's lawyer asked the B.C. Court of Appeal in June to reconsider, and on Wednesday the B.C. Court overturned that earlier decision and granted Reyat bail. Bail conditions not yet released The conditions of Reyat's bail haven't been released, but they are expected to be strict, according to B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal The Attorney General said the Crown opposed the granting of bail to Inderjit Singh Reyat for several reasons. "Because of the nature of the crime that was committed, because the lawyers in the ministry felt it would be contrary to the public interest to have him released; as well, there was concern on the part of the lawyers relating to his background," Oppal told the CBC on Wednesday morning. Reyat's trial on the perjury charges is scheduled for next January. A further appeal of the decision to grant bail to the Supreme Court of Canada was unlikely, but the final decision will be up to special prosecutor Len Doust, who is handling the case for the Crown, Oppal said "You can always appeal these things, but it's not normally done," said Oppal. "There has to be some serious error in law before something like that is done. And while I haven't seen the reasons, it is rare for appeals on bail to be granted from the Court of Appeal." But Ujjal Dosanjh, the federal Liberal's public safety critic and a former B.C. attorney general, said he expects the B.C. Crown to appeal Reyat's release to the Supreme Court of Canada. Victims families still have questions Bal Gupta, the chairman of the Air India Victims Families Association, said Reyat's release was worrying. "Well I just got news about five minutes ago and … the concern is, No. 1, that he may leave the country, and the second thing is that he'll be free to consult and bond with the other conspirators of this Air India bombing," he said. Rene Saklikar, whose aunt and uncle were killed in the bombing, told CBC that Reyat's release was troubling for her. "I'm deeply uneasy, and I just have a lot of questions. I'm unclear on how this happened, and it's painful. And I want to stress that it's painful not just for the families, but for all citizens," said Saklikar. "We have to ask ourselves what is going on in our justice system," said Saklikar. "Will the Air India epic— it's a saga now — will it ever be resolved so there's justice?" Bombs originated in Vancouver It's believed the plot against Air India was hatched by militant Sikh extremists in B.C. who were allegedly retaliating against the government of India, which owns the airline, for a raid on the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine for the Sikh religion. A total of 329 passengers and crew were killed when a luggage bomb exploded on Air India Flight 182, bringing the plane down off the coast of Ireland. The unaccompanied luggage was originally placed on a connecting CP flight in Vancouver and was transferred onto Flight 182 in Toronto, along with many of the Vancouver passengers. The flight also made a stopover in Montreal before flying on to Heathrow airport in London. A separate luggage bomb exploded at Narita airport while luggage was being transferred from an Air India flight, killing two baggage handlers. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/...reyat-bail.html