Akaal Purakh Di Fauj

Start communication. With the dawn of a new year I must take it upon myself to resurrect H4RPAL and breathe new life into this award winning thread. H4RPAL if you don’t wake up by the next full moon I shall have won the race. That is unless you want to go on till January 2009 where we shall reassess the situation? I shall make contact via the radio picture device within the next fortnight. End communication.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh The beginning of this shahbad is talking about the son of a poor man who heard that a king's daughter wanted to marry Vishnu. This young man then dressed up to look like the God Vishnu. The princess on seeing this youngman fell in love with him. As time went on, her father's kingdom was attacked by another king, who had an ever larger army and kingdom. When the princess saw the forces of the other king, approaching her father's kingdom she told everyone that she had Vishnu with her and that he would save all the people in her father's kingodom. The poor man's son who was dressed up as Vishnu, heard what the princess was saying. He got very worried and scared. What could he do, he wasn't the lord vishnu and possessed no power to defend himself let alone a whole kingdom. As a consquence of this, the boy fell to the ground crying and begged the Lord Vishnu to save him and everyone in the kingdom. The boy prayed with so much devotion and faith and love, that Vishnu listened to his prayers and helped the army of the girl's father defeat the much larger army of the invading king. Vishnu as a result saved all the people of the kingdom, including the boy who begged for his mercy. This Shahbad is a conversation that Bhagat Sadhna Ji is having with Waheguru about his present situation. In the first two lines of this shahbad, Bhagat Sadhna Ji is narrating the story above to Waheguru. He is asking Waheguru why he hasn't come to save him when he came and saved the poor man's son: Waheguru told Bhagat Sadhna Ji that it was written in Bhagat Ji's destiny that he would die this way. Bhagat Sadhna Ji then repeated the next two lines. In these next two lines Bhagat Ji is asking Waheguru why he did not change his destiny so he wouldn't have to suffer such a horrific death. The lion is a meant to represent Akaal Purakh and the Jackal is a representation of the King who had ordered the execution of Bhagat Sadhna Ji in this way Akaal Purakh hearing the pleas of Bhagat Sadhna Ji then told him, that after death he would be given salvation and a place in Sachkhand. Bhagat Sadhna Ji then replied in the next two lines of the Shahbad On hearing this Waheguru told his beloved Bhagat Ji to smile and be in chardee kala as he was about to merge with his maker. Bhagat Ji started to smile at this point and the executioners began to wonder if Bhagat Ji had gone mad. Bhagat Ji on seeing the executioners then loudly uttered the following two lines of the shahbad Bhagat Ji then uttered the last two lines of the shahbad just before he went back home Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

http://ikonkaar.blogspot.com/2006/03/end-of-world.html

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh The following story is dedicated to lowest of the low singhni. There was once a pigeon who was sitting on a branch of a very old tree. As he sat there contemplating life another bird who was enlightened watched the pigeon on the branch. The enlightened bird could see what normal people could not. He saw Dharam Raj and his angels of death approaching the tree in which the pigeon was sat laughing and joking amongst themselves that the next life form on their list to meet death was the pigeon. The enlightened bird who felt sad at the thought of the pigeon dying quickly flew over to the branch the pigeon was sat on and told him all of what he had seen. The pigeon began to cry and begged the enlightened bird to save him. The enlightened bird thought for a moment and then told the pigeon that there was one place on earth where Dharam Raj and his angels could not find him. The pigeon and the enlightened bird both flew of together to this hiding place. After thanking the enlightened bird for saving him the pigeon bade farewell to the bird who then began to fly back to the place they had come from. When he reached the old tree in which the pigeon was sat he still saw Dharam Raj and his angels of death laughing and joking about the pigeon. The enlightened bird who was confused decided to approach Dharam Raj and his group to ask him why they were laughing now even though the bird they wanted to take to meet death had left. Dharam Raj smiled and pulled out a piece of paper. He then told the enlightened bird that according to the will of Akaal Purakh the pigeon was destined to die in the place the enlightened bird had taken to hide him. He then thanked the enlightened bird for saving him from making the trip himself. On hearing this, the enlightened bird quickly began to fly to the hiding place. When he reached there he saw a white cat with a black spot eating the dead pigeon. There is one big moral over here and I hope that the sangat can help explain what it is. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Bump - an amazing write up by Bhai Kulbir Singh Ji on the Shaheedi of our elder brother Dhan Dhan Amar Shaheed Sahibzada Baba Ajeet Singh Ji. (It seems that today Lowest of the low singhni didn't do her job very well, and no I'm not talking about ruining threads but about her bumping them up.) Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh There are many tests that Saint Sukdev had to pass before King Janak could accept him as a disciple. After passing all of the tests which were set King Janak decided to test Saint Sukdev’s concentration. The following day King Janak came into Saint Sukdev’s room with a steel cup filled to the top with oil. He then told Saint Sukdev, “Dear brother take this cup of oil in your hands and walk around the entire city. If you manage to return to my palace without spilling a single drop of this oil I will know that you can concentrate and only then will I take you to the path of Akaal Purakh.” Saint Sukdev smiled. King Janak then continued, “You should be careful though as I am sending the general of my armies to walk behind you with his sword unsheathed. If you spill a drop of oil on the ground in a flash his sword will cut your head off. So be careful my brother.” Saint Sukdev thought for a moment and then took the cup carefully into his hands. He then began to walk towards the city where King Janak had set up many distractions such as exotic dancers, all the gold and silver in the world, rich food and other things which people usually pine for. This was all set in place to take the attention of Saint Sukdev’s mind away from the steel cup of oil he had in his hands. But Saint Sukdev who had set out on this path to find Akaal Purakh and become a disciple of King Janak remained steadfast. Moreover the thought of an unsheathed sword following him meant his focus on the oil was complete. The fear of death spurred him on. In the end Saint Sukdev made it back to the palace without spilling a drop. King Janak smiled at Saint Sukdev and said, “Tell me dear brother what did you see in my city? Did you like the sights and sounds?” Saint Sukdev looked at King Janak and said, “Saint of saints there were no sounds or sights where I went. I only saw the cup of oil and the unsheathed sword following me!” To be continued (Sorry) Some people have said that this story is a metaphor. If you think it is could you please tell the sangat what the cup of oil and the sword represent? Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Like Bhai Uttam Singh Ji I was also named by a Sant Mahapursh who visited our home and blessed us with their holy presence two days after I was born. Mahapursh took a hukamnama and wrote it on a piece of paper, which my mother keeps in her room. Under the hukamnama he wrote my name - Rajinder Singh. (Uttam Singh Ji maybe we were named by the same Mahapursh who was 'ik mik' with Waheguru?) Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh “O saint of saints, thousands of rituals were carried out in many of my births. These bondages of rituals have submerged me in the illusions of the world." After uttering these words Saint Sukdev left his home and went to live in the forests in search of someone who could attach him to the lotus feet of Akaal Purakh. After wondering like this for some time Saint Sukdev returned home and was advised by his father to go and visit King Janak to become his disciple. Before Saint Sukdev went to visit King Janak to become his disciple, he used to think, "How can a worldly person become the master of renunciation?" As we have already seen Saint Sukdev wanted to remain free from maya even before he was born. Whenever Saint Sukdev would get these thoughts he used to ask his father, Saint Vedavyaasaa about the initiation ceremony of King Janak. Saint Vedavyaasaa would say, “King Janak is the only perfect saint in this world, but he is also a King. You may think that he is a worldly person, but he is not, and he is one of the few holy men who can take you to the path of Akaal Purakh." So whenever Saint Sukdev would think about going to the palace of King Janak to become his disciple his mind would constantly ask, "How can a worldly person become a master of a renunciation?" It this question which prevented Saint Sukdev from visiting King Janak for many years. Eventually after travelling around India he realised that there was no one like King Janak who could give him what he really wanted. With his father’s blessings he decided to set out for King Janak’s palace with a few belongings. When Saint Sukdev reached the courtyard of King Janak’s palace he left his worldly belongings there and then proceeded to climb some steps which led to a room in which King Janak was mediating. When King Janak heard Saint Sukdev’s footsteps he immediately got up and came to greet Saint Sukdev. As Saint Sukdev was speaking to King Janak, the King could tell that something was troubling the Saint. The same question, “How can a worldly person become a master of a renunciation?" kept appearing in Saint Sukdev’s mind. King Janak decided to teach Saint Sukdev a lesson about renunciation. After being in the company of one another for a few hours an attendant came running into the room they were in and in a loud voice announced that the cantonment of the city was engulfed in flames. King Janak listened and thought for a moment and then calmly said, “It is the will of Akaal Purakh”. The attendant then left to see if King Janak’s forces had managed to subdue to fire. Saint Sukdev who had been listening to this then began to think, “This person is not fit to be a king! The army is meant to be the heart of a king. But this king doesn’t seem to care about the same army which protects his very way of life? He should have gone to rescue the people who got caught up in the fire. He should have done something to save them! But he does not care.” A few hours past in conversation until another attendant came running into the palace and said, “King Janak the whole city has caught on fire! Thousands are dying and the people of your city beseech you for help!” King Janak sat calmly once again said, “All this is the will of Akaal Purakh”. Saint Sukdev looked shocked and thought to himself, “He is a very rich king and has many wonderful things in his palace. It is probably for that reason why he does not care for his city or its people. This is the reason he keeps saying, “It’s the will of Akaal Purakh”. Clearly he doesn’t want to spend any of his wealth saving his people.” With this thought still in his head Saint Sukdev saw another attendant of the palace running around shouting out that the courtyard in the palace had now caught fire! At once Saint Sukdev got up and ran to save his clothes and metal cup which he had left there. King Janak caught hold of Saint Sukdev’s hand and said, “Dear brother tell me who has mastered renunciation, you or me? You had left some clothes and some other trivial things in my courtyard. As soon as you heard that they were in danger you rushed to try and save them as you feared losing them. But when God set my cantonment, my city and my palace on fire I didn’t attempt to save them as to me these things are dust. I have no attachment to them whatsoever. Taking all this into consideration tell me who is attached to the world and who is detached from it?" Saint Sukdev fell to the floor and bowed before King Janak. He then begged King Janak to accept him as a disciple. King Janak smiled and said that Saint Sukdev would have to pass a few tests before he could become one. To be continued. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh The following story is dedicated to all the posters in this - http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showtopic=32632&st=0 - topic. One day Professor Harbans Singh Ji decided to visit Sant Baba Attar Singh Ji. After Professor Harbans Singh Ji had paid his respects to Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj he went and began to speak to Sant Baba Attar Singh Ji. He looked at Sant Ji and noticed a glow radiating from Sant Ji’s entire body. He then said, “O saint of saints how can we become like you?” Sant Ji smiled and said, “All of you are like me. You all have two hands, two legs, and a face. All of us are the same dear Gursikh.” Professor Harbans Singh Ji thought for a moment and then said, “Yes Sant Ji we are all similar physically but please be merciful and tell us how to attain a spiritual status like yours which is unmatched throughout this world.” “Dear Gursikh, get up early in the morning and take a bath. Then repeat the holy words of Akaal Purakh”, Sant Ji replied. Professor Harbans Singh Ji listened to Sant Ji’s answer and then said, “But Sant Ji if after getting up early in the morning we still feel sleepy what should we do then?” Sant Ji in a loud voice said, “Sikhs of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj if you feel sleepy when your Guru calls wash your face with water once again.” Professor Harbans Singh Ji nodded his head and asked once again, “But what happens if we feel sleepy even after washing our face for the second time.” Sant Ji smiled and explained, “Recite the words of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj as loudly as you can. If they don’t keep you up then nothing will.” Professor Harbans Singh Ji then asked Sant Ji, “After doing all of this what will happen to us?” Sant Baba Attar Singh Ji said, “Instead of asking me this question why don’t you do it and find out for yourself?” If anyone wants to share their thoughts about this sakhi that would be great. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh The following video was made last year for the kids at the local Gurudwara Sahib so that they could visualise the story surrounding the shaheedi of the two beloved princes of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, Sahibzada Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Baba Fateh Singh Ji. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ELORiWzZXs Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Vaar 25 Pauri 10 Sukadev ਬਾਰਹ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ ਗਰਭਾਸਿ ਵਸਿ ਜਮਦੇ ਹੀ ਸੁਕਿ ਲਈ ਉਦਾਸੀ । baarah varhay garabhaasi vasi jamaday hee suki|aee udaasee| Having remained in his mother's womb for twelve years, Sukadev adopted detachedness right form the very time of his birth. Line 1 ਮਾਇਆ ਵਿਚਿ ਅਤੀਤ ਹੋਇ ਮਨ ਹਠ ਬੁਧਿ ਨ ਬੰਦਿ ਖਲਾਸੀ । maaiaa vichi ateet hoi man hatd budhi n bandi khalaasee| Though he went beyond maya yet because of his intellect pushed by stubbornness of mind, he could not attain liberation. Line 2 ਪਿਅ ਬਿਆਸ ਪਰਬੋਧਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਕਰਿ ਜਨਕ ਸਹਜ ਅਭਿਆਸੀ । pia biaas parabodhiaa gur kari janak sahaj abhiaasee| His father Vyas made him understand that he should adopt king Janak as his guru who is well grounded in the art of remaining in equipoise. Line 3 ਤਜਿ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਲਈ ਸਿਰ ਧਰਿ ਜੂਠਿ ਮਿਲੀ ਸਾਬਾਸੀ । taji duramati guramati|aee sir dhari jootdi milee saabaasee| Doing so, and divesting himself of the evil wisdom,he acquired he wisdom of Guru and as ordered by his guru he carried left overs on his head and thus earned pats from the guru. Line 4 ਗੁਰਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਅਵੇਸੁ ਕਰਿ ਗਰਬਿ ਨਿਵਾਰਿ ਜਗਤਿ ਗੁਰਦਾਸੀ । guraupadaysu avaysu kari garabi nivaari jagati guradaasee| When inspired by the teachings f the guru he repudiated ego, the whole world accepted him as guru and became his servant . Line 5 ਪੈਰੀ ਪੈ ਪਾ ਖਾਕ ਹੋਇ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਭਾਉ ਭਗਤਿ ਪਰਗਾਸੀ । pairee pai paa khaak hoi guramati bhaau bhagati paragaasee| By falling at the feet, by becoming dust of the feet and by the wisdom of the guru, loving devotion came up in him. Line 6 ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੁਖ ਫਲੁ ਸਹਜ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ॥੧੦॥ guramukhi sukh dhalu sahaj nivaasee ॥10॥ As a gurmukh attaining pleasure fruit he got himself lodged in equipoise. Line 7 The saint Vedavyaasaa decided to get married and raise a family. Saint Vedavyaasaa’s friend saint Jabaadli who knew saint Vedavyaasaa had a very high avasthaa requested him to marry his daughter Vaatikaa. After a few weeks saint Vedavyaasaa and Vaatikaa got married and began to live in the forest. Within two months Vaatikaa became pregnant. Nine months quickly passed by her unborn child did not take birth. The unborn child continued to grow for twelve years and still was not born. During this time at the house of saint Vedavyaasaa and Vaatikaa many religious discussions would take place. Vaatikaa herself would recite many prayers and hymns praising Akaal Purakh. In this way saint Vedavyaasaa and Vaatikaa’s child listened to all these discussions and prayers with full concentration and became enlightened in Vaatikaa’s womb. Saint Vedavyaasaa and Vaatikaa’s unborn child was now the size of a twelve year old boy and as a result Vaatikaa experienced a lot of pain constantly. Saint Vedavyaasaa who used to reassure Vaatikaa that all this was the play of Akaal Purakh got really annoyed one day and shouted at his unborn child. He said, "Who are you in the womb of my wife? Why don't you come out? Do you want to kill the pregnant lady?" Saint Vedavyaasaa’s unborn child replied, “I can become anything because I have come here after wandering through 8.4 million life forms. So how can I tell you about my identity? I only know that presently I have come in human form in the womb of your wife. I am tired of roaming in this world, full of sorrows and miseries, so I want to stay in the womb in the same form. Presently, I am mediating here and I know for certain that I will receive mukhi in this place. As long as life remains in the womb, it possesses the knowledge, detachment and the memories of its previous births. When it comes out of the womb, all of its knowledge and detachment disappears. It is for this reason why I choose to stay in the womb.” Saint Vedavyaasaa listened carefully and then said, “Please come out my dear child, the worldly illusions will have no effect on you. Free yourself from the hell like status of the womb!" The unborn child replied, “If you can get an assurance from Akaal Purakh that I will not be affected by worldly illusions I will come out.” Saint Vedavyaasaa then travelled around the country and met many saints who prayed to Akaal Purakh to prevent the worldly illusions from affecting the unborn child’s jeevan and taking him of the path of God. After obtaining such reassurances saint Vedavyaasaa returned home and told his unborn son to come out now. His son did so and immediately greeted his mother and father. He then proceeded towards the forests and was stopped by saint Vedavyaasaa who said, “Son please stay at home, so that I can carry out the necessary rituals for you." The boy replied, “O saint of saints, thousands of rituals were carried out in many of my births. These bondages of rituals have submerged me in the illusions of the world." To be continued. If anyone has any thoughts please feel free to share. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh As is Magahar, so is Benares; I see them as one and the same. ਤੋਰੇ ਭਰੋਸੇ ਮਗਹਰ ਬਸਿਓ ਮੇਰੇ ਤਨ ਕੀ ਤਪਤਿ ਬੁਝਾਈ ॥ thorae bharosae magehar basiou maerae than kee thapath bujhaaee Relying upon You, I can live even in the cursed place of Magahar; You have put out the fire of my body. ਪਹਿਲੇ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਮਗਹਰ ਪਾਇਓ ਫੁਨਿ ਕਾਸੀ ਬਸੇ ਆਈ ॥2॥ pehilae dharasan magehar paaeiou fun kaasee basae aaee 2 First, I obtained the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan in Magahar; then, I came to dwell at Benares. 2 ਜੈਸਾ ਮਗਹਰੁ ਤੈਸੀ ਕਾਸੀ ਹਮ ਏਕੈ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਨੀ ॥ jaisaa magehar thaisee kaasee ham eaekai kar jaanee As is Magahar, so is Benares; I see them as one and the same. Virdev Singh Baghel, the king of Kashi, had constructed a beautiful palace. Everybody used to praise the palace. King Virdev Singh was well aware of Bhagat Kabir ji’s spiritual glory. He had a fervent desire that Bhagat Kabir ji should visit the palace. He made persistent entreaties and finally managed to get Bhagat Kabir ji to accede to his request. When Bhagat Kabir ji was about to leave after seeing the palace, the king enquired expectantly, “Your Holiness! What did you think about the palace?” The king expected Bhagat Kabir ji to praise the palace, but on the contrary, Bhagat Kabir ji said, “There are two major flaws in this palace.” The King was shocked. He brooded, “I am the king of Kashi and there are two flaws in my palace!” The king’s ego was deeply hurt. While everyone heartily praised the palace, here was Bhagat Kabir ji saying it had two major flaws. He asked, “Your Holiness! Please tell me what the two flaws are so that I may get them rectified at the earliest.” “You cannot set them right,” Bhagat Kabir Ji said. Bhagat Kabir ji was reluctant to elaborate but when the king insisted, he finally relented and said, “The palace has been built with great effort but the first flaw is that it will not accompany the owner after his death nor will the owner be able to live in the palace forever. The second flaw is that in due course of time the palace is destined to be reduced to ruins.” It was as if the king had been slapped on his face. He felt hurt and his ego was bruised badly but Bhagat Kabir ji’s darshan, satsang and benign grace soon made him realise the truth, ‘What Bhagat Kabir ji says is absolutely true. I will not be able to live in this palace forever, nor will it accompany me at the time of death, and surely a time will come when the palace will turn into debris.’ He fell prostrate at Bhagat Kabirj i’s feet and became his devotee forever. When Bhagat Kabir ji was about to depart from this world, he declared, “The work assigned to this body has been completed. Now it is time to get rid of this outer covering for which I will go to Magahar.” When Virdev Singh was informed of this, he came running to Bhagat Kabir ji and pleaded, “Your Holiness! I had resolved that I would abandon my kingdom and serve you for five years in order to receive your spiritual grace. I had the desire to clean your cottage with my own hands, fetch water from the holy Ganges for you and knead the dough with my own hands to prepare rotis for you. I wanted to tread the path of God-realization under your benign tutelage, but I am utterly shocked to learn that you are going to Magahar for your final journey.” Bhagat Kabir ji said, “It is too late, O King of Kashi!” The water of the Ganges is flowing continuously. If you want you can take a dip in the holy waters. It is impossible to take a dip again in the same water that has already flowed past. So is the case with Saints and their satsang. When you come in the vicinity of a Saint, avail yourself of the opportunity right then and there. If you don’t, you will have to grieve over the lost opportunity. The local populace were surprised to note that Bhagat Kabir ji wanted to leave his body at Magahar. People would come to Kashi during their last days and here Bhagat Kabir ji was leaving Kashi for Magahar. People in general believe that if one breathes ones last in Kashi, one will attain salvation whereas dying in Magahar would only lead one to hell. Bhagat Kabir ji disregarded such popular superstitions in order to enlighten the people about the Supreme glory of the Lord’s grace and decided to discard his body at Magahar. When they came to know of this announcement, many Mullahs and pandits, accosted Bhagat Kabir ji and said, “All through your life you have been critical of us.” ‘If by worshipping a stone I could attain the Lord, I will rather worship a mountain. Better is the grinding stone that is useful in grinding grains to eat.' ‘Joining stones with mortar; They raise a high mosque, climbing to the top then, the Mullah shouts his prayer, but tell me O Mullah, Is the Lord deaf?’ Throughout your life, you have refuted our views. Lest the consequent sins should take you to hell, we suggest that you better spend your last days in Kashi that may ensure your emancipation after death. Bhagat Kabir ji said, “No! Not at all! It is not that I shall attain salvation if I leave my body in Kashi and will be sent to hell if I breathe my last at Magahar. All places in this world belong to the Lord. Devotion to the Lord is of utmost import. Then how does it matter where a person breathes his last? A person, with a cruel and unyielding mind having no devotion towards God, cannot escape hell even if he dies in Kashi. Then how can one, who is devoted to God, be born as a donkey, just because he died in Magahar? Not only will he himself be emancipated, but he will also enable his relatives, friends and followers to attain salvation. ਜੈਸਾ ਮਗਹਰੁ ਤੈਸੀ ਕਾਸੀ ਹਮ ਏਕੈ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਨੀ ॥ jaisaa magehar thaisee kaasee ham eaekai kar jaanee As is Magahar, so is Benares; I see them as one and the same. In those days, it was believed that Magahar was afflicted with two curses: one was that anyone dying in Magahar would be reborn as a donkey and the second was that Magahar would always be in scarcity of water. To shatter these false beliefs Bhagat ji went to Magahar. It is said that once Bhagat Kabir ji set his foot in Magahar, the local river, Aami, that used to flow only during the rainy season started flowing throughout the year. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Once when Baba Bulleh Shah was sitting on the bank of a river he saw a lady selling carrots. People who were hungry would come to her stall and begin to pick what they regarded as the best looking carrots. The lady seeing this would tell her prospective customers that she only sold carrots in bulk and not individually. All the customers that Baba Bulleh Shah observed that day had to buy a box of carrots containing some good ones, some bad ones and some rotten ones. After a while a man came to her stall and asked her for some carrots. To Baba Bulleh Shah’s amazement this time the lady herself began to pick out the best carrots to give to the man. When this man had left Baba Bulleh Shah decided to approach the lady to find out why she had such double standards. The lady on being questioned by Baba Bulleh Shah said, ‘That man is my husband and as such no accounts are kept between us’. When Baba Bulleh Shah heard what the lady said he began to think to himself, what is the point of carrying a rosary? He threw it away and from that day all counting stopped between Baba Bulleh Shah and Akaal Purakh. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Is there anyone over here who would be interested in helping me design a series of posters for a variety of different events to be hosted in 2008? If anyone is interested could you please PM me so I can provide you with further details etc. Hopefully this won’t make a difference but the events and the society organising them have nothing to do with Sikhi. Thanks Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh My dear mother told me this story yesterday on the phone. (It was originally told to the sangat by Gyani Rajinder Singh Ji) Once a mother of the Khalsa Panth went with her daughter in law to visit a Brahmgyani who was staying at the holy feet of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj. This Mahapursh had spent many years not only in this life but also in those before mediating on the name of Akaal Purakh with other saints such as Sant Baba Sundar Singh Ji Bhindranwale and Sant Baba Nand Singh Ji. After the mother and her daughter in law had bowed before Dhan Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj the Mahapursh greeted them with Guru Sahib’s Fateh and asked about their well-being. The mother looked very upset and said to the Mahapursh, ‘Dear Sikh of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj we have come here to ask you to do an ardaas for us’ The Mahapursh smiled and said that of course he would do an ardaas for them. As he turned to face his beloved Guru with folded hands the mother stopped him and said, ‘Please can you ask Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj to bless my daughter in law with a son’. Hearing these words were like an arrow, which shot right through the heart of this Sikh of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj. He began to cry and fell to the floor. With tears in his eyes he looked up at the mother and said, ‘Dear mother of the Khalsa Panth the things which you are asking for are even given to dogs. That Guru of the world will give everyone those things but very few will be blessed with the priceless gift of Naam Simran and Seva. Why don’t you ask the King of Kings to bless your daughter in law with that immortal gift?’ The mother hearing the Mahapursh’s words and seeing his tears begged him for forgiveness and beseeched him to ask Guru Ji to bless her family with that immortal gift. The Mahapursh who knew that this mother’s heart was sincere in her request then got up and walked towards his Guru with the mother and her daughter in law. From that day onwards the mother, her daughter in law and her son would all do their nitnem and other banis everyday. Nine months later their family was blessed by Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj with a son who grew up to be a soldier in the fauj of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. Morals Please? Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh After a while Bhai Chand Daas woke up. He then tried to open his eyes but could not. As Bhai Chand Daas pulled himself of the floor he shouted for help but no one was there to hear his calls. He slowly moved his hands towards his eyes where he felt two iron rods, which had been hammered into his eye sockets. At first he began to cry but then he remembered that he had prayed to Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. With newfound courage he took Akaal Purakh’s name on his lips and began to pull out the first spike from his right eye. As he did this blood began to flow from his eyes across his face and down towards his chest. When he had finished pulling out the first spike he threw it on the floor and began to remove the second one. After sometime Bhai Chand Daas managed to take out the second spike, which had been hammered in at an angle. As soon as the second spike hit the floor a flash of light appeared and immediately Bhai Chand Daas’s eyesight was restored. Such is the house of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj. Knowing that this was the work of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj Bhai Chand Daas began to run down the hill. As soon as he reached the bottom he met some people. They were all shocked to see him as a few hours before they had seen him being dragged up the hill to be punished. They enquired about his well-being but all he cared about was going to Sachkhand Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji. As a consequence of this he fell on his knees and began to beg them to give him a horse or any other mode of transport so that he could make his way to see his King. A Sikh who saw the tears of love flowing from Bhai Chand Daas’s eyes offered him one of his horses and gave him some food for the journey. As Bhai Chand Daas made his way to Sachkhand Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji he met a few Sikhs at the outskirts of Sachkhand who were crying. Bhai Chand Daas got of his horse and asked the Sikhs why they were crying. They told him that a few days ago the feet of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj had begun to bleed and many bandages had to be wrapped around Guru Ji’s legs to stop the bleeding. Bhai Chand Daas hearing this news felt really sad and quickly made his way to his beloved Guru’s room. When he entered Guru Sahib’s room he saw Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj resting on his bed. Bhai Chand Daas bowed before Guru Sahib and in that moment forgot completely why he had come to see his Guru. As he was raising his head he looked at Guru Ji’s legs and began to cry. Bhai Chand Daas then asked Guru Ji, ‘Dear father what has happened your legs? Why are they covered in bandages?’ Guru Sahib smiled at his beloved Sikh and said, ‘Didn’t you ask these feet to protect you?’ Bhai Chand Daas who now began to sob cried out, ‘Oh Guru of the world if I had known that your feet would endure this pain then I would have never asked them to protect me.’ Guru Sahib smiled once again and said, ‘Beloved it is my duty to protect all my children’. With tears still rolling from his eyes Bhai Chand Daas kissed both the lotus feet of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. As he did this the bandages, which were on Guru Ji’s feet, disappeared. Such is the house of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj. There are many morals here beloved sons and daughters of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. Please share what you think they are. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh In addition to fighting the Mughal army the Khalsa of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj also had to fight many wars against the Hindu Hill Rajas who were hell bent on trying to destroy this beautiful flower, which is sikhi. In an effort to infiltrate the ranks of the Sikh armies the hill rajas dispatched a spy named Bhai Chand Daas to Sachkhand Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji. Bhai Chand Daas was told to get as close as he could to Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj and to report back to the Hill Rajas whatever Maharaj did every month. As soon as Bhai Chand Daas laid eyes on Guru Sahib his heart swelled with love. After sending a few reports to the Hill Rajas which always contained praises of Guru Sahib he was called back to their courts to explain what he had written in further detail. How could their own spy give such glowing praises about their ‘enemy’? When Bhai Chand Daas presented himself in front of the Hill Rajas they became very angry just by looking at him. Bhai Chand Daas began to describe his entire journey to Sachkhand Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji and his meetings with Guru Sahib and the other Sikhs in detail. He then went on to talk about the grandeur of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s court of which the like no other exists in any world and the magnetic personality of Guru Sahib which attracts people like a moth to a flame. Bhai Chand Daas ended his speech by telling the Hill Rajas to stop plotting and scheming against the King of Kings and to come with him to Sachkhand Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji where they could all be blessed with the priceless gift of simran and seva. Hearing this suggestion enraged the Hill Rajas who began to insult Bhai Chand Daas and Sachkhand Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji. Bhai Chand Daas told the Hill Rajas to be quiet, as he no longer wanted to go to heaven as his eyes had already seen heaven on earth in the form of Sachkhand Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji. He offered his resignation and stated that he planned to go and live near the feet of Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj at Sachkhand Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji for the rest of his life. After hearing Bhai Chand Daas utter these words the Hill Rajas decided to punish him. Bhai Chand Daas was dragged up a hill by the Hill Rajas guards. As he was being taken up many spectators had come to see what was happening. When the guards reached the top of the hill two of them held Bhai Chand Daas down on the floor while another guard began to heat up two iron rods, which had sharpened ends. Bhai Chand Daas who was aware of everything which was happening began to cry out for help. The guards began to laugh and taunt him saying, ‘Surely your Guru should be able to protect you, why are you so afraid?’ Bhai Chand Daas then said a prayer begging the lotus feet of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj to protect him. As Bhai Chand Daas said this prayer the first spike was placed above his right eye at which point Bhai Chand Daas lost consciousness. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh The Late Examination In 1943 a Sikh of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj whose name I have now forgotten was studying for his end of year university exams. This Sikh used to mediate on the name of Waheguru in the early hours of the morning after completing his nitnem. One day when he was fully immersed in this mediation he completely forgot about the time and finished his prayers much later that day at 7:00am. After regaining consciousness he realised that his examination, which he had spent months preparing for, was due to start at 7.30am. This Sikh lived about 40 minutes away from his university and had still not got ready. In addition to this before beginning the day this Sikh would go to Sri Nanaksar Sahib Ji to seek the blessings of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj and have a glimpse of Sant Baba Nand Singh Ji. Even though he was very late there was no way he would miss going to Sri Nanaksar Sahib Ji that day. Although in his heart he was really broken about missing his examination when Sant Baba Nand Singh Ji asked him how he was he simply smiled and said that he was in chardeekala. Baba Ji knew that this Sikh was late for his examination and he said, ‘Something is definitely wrong, you don’t seem happy today’. Even though the Sikh denied this time and time again Baba Ji still would insist something was wrong. Finally the Sikh told Baba Ji what had happened. Baba Ji then said, ‘An ardas done with full faith, devotion and love is one of the strongest weapons a Sikh possesses.’ He then took the Sikh in front of Guru Sahib and humbly begged Guru Ji to help his beloved Sikh in his hour of need. Once the ardas was completed Baba Ji said to the Sikh, ‘That Guru of the world knows what resides in everyone’s heart. He himself will protect you and carry you in his most caring hands. Keep your faith in him my dear son.’ The Sikh left Sri Nanaksar Sahib Ji and proceeded to his examination hall with renewed hope and faith. When the Sikh arrived at the examination hall he saw all the students still standing outside. When he asked some of his friends what had happened they told him that the examination bell was out of order. When this Sikh looked up at the bell he saw those most caring hands of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj holding the bell, which stopped it from ringing. A few minutes later the bell began to work and the students went into the examination hall. Needless to say the Sikh passed his exam with flying colours. Beloved Sikhs of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj there are humongous morals here and I really hope that Guru Sahib blesses us with the eyes to see them. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh One day after the morning congregation was over a man brought a large bear into the darbar of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. The man wanted to give a performance with his bear before Guru Sahib and the sangat and as a consequence asked for permission. On being permitted to do so he began to wrestle with his bear. After a while he used his stick to make the bear do all sorts of tricks. At the time a Sikh called Bhai Kirtia Ji was doing chaur seva over Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. As the bear did it’s tricks Bhai Kirtia Ji would begin to laugh out loudly. Towards the end of the performance Guru Sahib turned to Bhai Kirtia and asked him, “Bhai Kirtia do you not recognise the bear?” Bhai Kirtia looked confused and said, “Guru Ji it is a bear I have never seen” Guru Sahib smiled and said, “Bhai Kirita it is your father Bhai Gurdas”. Upon hearing this Bhai Kirita was really surprised and upset. He folded his hands together and humbly said to Guru Sahib, “O Guru of the world, my father always did seva in your holy darbar. He would get up early in the morning and recite his prayers. He also served the ninth King, Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Tegh Bahahdur Ji Maharaj. Having done such dedicated seva how can this be the reward given to him? If this is his fate what fate awaits someone like me? Please be kind and tell me why my father ended up in this unfortunate position after serving the house of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj with such love and devotion.” Guru Ji said, “It is correct that your father had served Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Ji Maharaj devotedly. But on one occasion, while he was distributing karah prasad, a passing Gursikh came into darbar sahib to bow before the king of kings, with a cartload of goods on the move. After paying his respects to Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Ji Maharaj and the sangat the Gursikh begged for some prasad but your father refused to give him any. Instead, he reprimanded that Gursikh for making the request again and again and for advancing towards him like a bear. That Gursikh picked up a small piece of prasad which had fallen on the floor and uttered, ‘Waheguru’, and went away asking Akaal Purakh why some Sikhs of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj had forgotten the true spirit of Sikhi. According to this Gursikh those fake Sikhs were the real bears. A few days after this incident your father died and on account of the words uttered by that Gursikh was born again as the bear who sits in front of us today.” On hearing these words of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj the entire congregation felt pity for Bhai Gurdas Ji and collectively they begged Guru Ji to somehow redeem Bhai Gurdas Ji from that sort of life. Guru Sahib smiled at his Sikhs and turned towards the owner of the bear and asked him what price he was willing to sell the bear? The owner of the bear agreed to part with the animal for 200 rupees. Guru Sahib took 200 rupees from his own pocket and paid the owner of the bear. After this the bear sat at the feet of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. Guru Sahib then got some karah prasad prepared which was distributed to all the sangat. Guru Sahib fed the bear a bit of prasad. A few seconds after Guru Ji had done this the bear went to sleep for the last time and Bhai Gurdas Ji’s soul was liberated by that King of this world and the next. There are many morals to learn from this sakhi. Would someone be so kind as to explain what these are? Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Is there anyone over here who knows how to design logos? A friend of mine needs one made and I was hoping that someone from sikhsangat could help. It’s a fairly simple one so if you’re interested and you’ve got a bit of free time please message me and I’ll send you further details of what needs doing etc. Thanks. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Thanks to all of those who posted what they thought the morals were in the last sakhi. Unfortunately a few users seem to have taken away the wrong message. The sakhi was never meant to make anyone insult the humble offerings of Sikhs of Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj. To many one pound may seem like nothing but if it is offered with full faith and love then there is no doubt in my mind that it is worth more than all the riches in the world. How on earth can we ever tell what resides in another person’s heart? Who knows if such a Sikh was being ‘REAL CONJUCE’ or not? It’s not our place to judge. Please don’t take this the wrong way. I usually don’t bother with such things but this time I felt it was important to say. Perhaps the following sakhi will explain what I’m trying to say in a better way. One time Bahadhur Shah the emperor of Dehli came and met Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj near the Godaavari river. Bahadhur Shah had brought with him one of the most beautiful diamonds he had have seen which he wished to give to Guru Sahib. As Bahadhur Shah was making his way to the river many thoughts about how pleased Guru Sahib would be with the gift passed through his mind. Guru Sahib knew what was passing through the emperor’s mind and decided to teach him a lesson. When Bahadhur Shah met Guru Sahib he told Guru Ji in a loud voice that he had brought a gift for him. Guru Sahib smiled and enquired as to what it was. Bahadhur Shah quickly asked one of his attendants to bring the gift which was covered in a cloth. The attendant took the cloth of and held the diamond in the air before placing it in the hands of Guru Sahib. All the attendants who were present with the emperor began to praise the beauty of the diamond as soon as they caught a glimpse of it. Guru Sahib looked at the diamond for a while and then threw it into the River Godaavari. A look of shock appeared on the face of Bahadhur Shah. He then turned towards Guru Sahib and asked, ‘Do you not know the value of that diamond? Why have you thrown it into the river?’ Guru Sahib smiled at Bahadhur Shah and told him to go and look in the river. Bahadhur Shah walked to the bank of the river and to his amazement saw billions of diamonds and riches which were far grander than the diamond he had offered. Bahadhur Shah then turned and faced the King of Kings and bowed before him. Morals? Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Sant Baba Nand Singh Ji was a puran Brahmgyani who led such a life that till today it inspires people onto the path of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj. Baba Ji used to tell the sangat many stories. One of my favourite ones is given below: There was once a saint who had mediated on the name of Akaal Purakh for one hundred years. This saint used to eat very little and would hardly talk. Most of his time was spent mediating and reciting from different religious scriptures. After one hundred years Akaal Purakh appeared before the saint and asked him, ‘What do you want?’ ‘I want justice for my prayers. I have mediated for one hundred years while sat on this stone’, replied the saint. Akaal Purakh then said, ‘The stone has had to bear your weight for one hundred years, now you should bear the weight of the stone for the next hundred years’. After Akaal Purakh said this the stone was placed on the saint’s head. The saint then began to beg Akaal Purakh sincerely for forgiveness. ‘You are my everything, I don’t want justice all I want is your mercy’. As soon as these words were uttered the stone disappeared. I know it’s a really short story but I think it has a huge moral, which we can all learn from. Could someone please post what they think the moral is/and what they learnt from the sakhi? Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

A nation which doesn't remember those who died for it, doesn't deserve to live. Thank you for posting the story of the great saint soldier Dhan Dhan Bhai Tara Singh Ji Vaan.