Sukhdeep Singhh
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For example, look how beautiful and spiritual the arths are:
Whose glory is being sung in all of creation?
Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied
gvrI gwvih AwswvrI ]
Gavree Gaavhi Aasaavaree
Gavree = focused intellect (Parbati), Gaavhi = to sing,
Aasaavaree = Aasaa = hope, Varee = to invite
Those people who sing the praises of God with the focused intellect
also invite hope. All of the demi gods such as the goddess Parbati sing
the praises of God's glory.
mmqw jwl qy rhY audwsw ]
pRxviq nwnk hm qw ky dwsw ]20]1]
If a person remains disassociated from the web of attachment then they
will become the form of God. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji state that they are
singing the praises of the Lord.
(Bilaaval Mahalla 1 Tithee – ang 840 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
How does one eradicate desires?
Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied
iqh pwCY isMDvI AlwpI ]
Tih Paachai Sidhvee Alaapee
Tih = desires, Paachai = away from, Sindhvee = Sindh = ocean,
Vee = like, Alaapee = praise
The saints who have pushed the desires away from themselves,
their praise and glory is difficult to comprehend similar to expounding
the praise of the huge ocean. They understand the Lord's vastness like
the ocean and sing His praises. By doing this they were able to eradicate
their thirst for desires.
iq®snw Agin pRiB Awip buJweI ]
nwnk auDry pRB srxweI ]5]1]55]
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji state that if a person comes in the shelter of the
Lord then the fire of desire and greed will be extinguished by the Lord.
This individual then crosses the worldly ocean.5.1.55.
(Dhanasree Mahalla 5 – ang 684 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
iq®snw buJY hir kY nwim ]
Through the singing of God's name the fire of desire and greed can be
extinguished.
(Dhanasree Mahalla 5 – ang 682 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
How does one eradicate distress?
Guru Arjan Dev Ji replied
isrIrwg isau pWcau QwpI ]1]
Sireeraag Sio Paanchou Thaapee
Sireeraag = Siree = the greatest, Raag = love, Paanchou = five
things that cause distress, Thaapee = prevent
Those who have complete love with God who is greater then all,
are able to prevent the five causes of distress affecting the individual's
concentration.
The five causes of distress5 are;
a) Avidiya – ignorance to the illumination of the soul.
b) Asamita – being unable to control the concentration also
known as egoism.
c) Raag – attachment.
d) Dvaikh – enmity.
e) Abhinivesh – to cling onto life and fear death.
klI kwl ky imty klysw ]
eyko nwmu mn mih prvysw ]1]
Within the age of Kaljug all of the causes of distress have been
eradicated. These will be eradicated if a person has the name of God
forever in their mind.1.
(Soohee Mahalla 5 – ang 744 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)
Raagmala : Spiritual (Intricate) Meanings
5. Also known as the Five Kalesha's.
These are just examples from the book, please purchase to read the rest
These are very strange explanations
I went to the store today
aarth- Gurmukhs always love God
I - Gurmukh
Store- Love
Today- God
Bloom why are you referring to some people as Gurmukhs who believe in Raag Mala while others like Bhai Randhir Singh Ji as Gursikh. Bhai Randhir Singh Ji was the greatest Gurbani Scholar of the 20 the century.
Singhstah- The Mahapursh in your avtar pic did not believe in Raag Mala anyody who things they did is seriously confused. Bhai Randhir Singh Ji said it has no Gurmat principles. Once someone like Bhai Randhir SIngh Ji says something he never changes his mind later because he always based his decisions on Gurmat.
Chatanga-
mUrKY nwil n luJIAY ]19]
moorakhai naal n lujheeai ||19||
Don't argue with fools. ||19||
Admin- please do not delete this post Im not making argument about Raag Mala im just addressing the claims on other people on this thread
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Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Why use someone else's name?
Anmyway, there was always a small shrine to Guru Sahib at the spot where the takhat now stands, which was maintained by a few Sikhs until Maharaj Ranjit Singh built the Gurudwara. He knew of the legend but didn't care, he had more pyar for Maharaj ji than his own family or dynasty.
There were other Gurudwaras around the Takhat that have been there since Guru Ji became jyoti-jyot e.g. Mata Sahib Devan Gurudwara etc.
Our historic Granths go into some detail about what happened immediately after 1708 - listen to Katha of Suraj Prakash to learn more.
I agree there was always a Takht at Hazoor Sahib why before Ranjit Singhs time. It has been there since Guru Sahibs time. Bhai Daya Singh Ji and I think Bhai Sahib Singh Ji mention in their rehatnamas addressed to the SInghs in PUnjab and elswhere, that if you want Darshan of Guru Sahib and reach liberation then come to Abhchal Nagar ( Hazoor Sahib). Many tru to twist these rehatnamas around and say if you come to Hazoor Sahib before you are 60 you will reach liberation. No need for Amirt, Rehat just come to Hazoor Sahib before you are 60. What a great way to scare older people to go on a pilgramage to Hazoor Sahib, lol
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Bhai Sahib since you have taken the liberty to translate these writings please do give us a brief explanation on the following questions
1. Who wrote Rag Mala?
2. Why is the numbering system so different compared to the Gurbani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji?
3. Most importantly what is the Gurmat principle behind Rag Mala? Meaning what is the Hukum of Raag Mala?
thanks in advance
sukhdeep singhji, you havent asnwered the questions i asked you over 2 weeks ago about in the topic about vajas, why are you here asking others questions when you dont feel inclined to answer any yourself?
you know the question. please oblige us with an answer. then ask any questions you may have.
i will thank you in advance.
I have provided enough answers to that post. You have never addressed any of my points . It seems like you are in the business of just debating about things . Why else would you come on this thread and ask such a naive question? If you wanted a reply you can have PM'd me. So my reply to you is
mUrKY nwil n luJIAY ]19]
moorakhai naal n lujheeai ||19||
Don't argue with fools. ||19||
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I can't vouch for the accuracy of the Sakhi, but it goes to show Sikhs have never accepted intimacy with Muslim women.
Sikhi does not accept intimate relations with anyone who is not Amritdhari.
There is a rehatnama that states not to have relations with a Muslim women. That does not mean we cant have relations only with women. Had Hindus ruled India during those times the rehatnama would have read dont have relations with Hindu women. This rehatnama was intended for those Singhs who were surviving in the jungles. In the ancient times the Mughals tried to bribe the captured Singhs with delicious food, water, and women. The Turkhs would capture the Singhs and take them to the ruler of a partciular province. That ruler then would bring women from the Harem ( palace of Sex-servants belonging to king,governor,etc) and try to seduce the Singhs in giving information. They would also offer food ( meat, fruit, bread) , and water. They knew Singhs went on for long periods of time without such these items so they were used to seduce the Singhs.
There is another rehatnama that says "do not take water from the hands of women". Obviously this does not mean do not take water from all women. We must look at the historical context when understanding this rehatnama and take into account previous and proceeding Rehatnamas. This particualr rehatnama is referring to taking beverages from those women servants of the harem. The Singhs would prefer death then taking beverages from such people because Guru Sahib says
sUl surwhI KMjr ipAwlw ibMg ksweIAW dw sihxw ]
by accepting such bribes to avoid torture is the true torture of the Soul/concscience.
So I think your statement "Sikhs have never accepted intimacy with Muslim women" is misleading. Sikhs are not to have have relations with anyone other then their Amritdhari spouse. Your statement makes it as though Muslims are lower then Hindus. In the eyes of Guru Sahib all are equal
ihMdU qurk koaU rwPjI iemwm swPI mwns kI jwq sbY eykY pihcwnbo ]
Some are Hindus and others are Muslims. someone is lliifazi (ashiah=renouncer-follower of Ali) and another an Imam-Shafi (Sunni=adherent of the Prophet) but ye recognize all human race as one.
Ranjit Singh- Anand Karaj is meant for Amritdhari Men and Women who intend to live a high spiritual life with one another and recieve liberation. A person who does not want: Mukti, to take Amrit, and have any intentions of living a high spritual life with their spouse really has no need to be part of the Anand Karaj ceremony. Because then it just becomes a ritual and doesnt serve any purpose.
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don't get emotional bro, you will only end up clouding your judgement. think with a cool head and give yourself some time. wjkk wjkf.
What type of advice is this? Wanting to take Amrit will cloud your judgement? Did the Abhilakhis in 1699 who wanted to take Amrit after seeing all injustices in India have clouded judgment? What about all the abhilakhis in the 70' and 80's who offer themselves to Guru Ji after seeing all the injustices of the world did they have clouded judgement as well? This the type of progaganda/advice that noormehlia cult propagate. They want to kill the Lions, Bahamanize the Lioness's , and confuse the cubs. Apnepart2 are you the same APnepart on Discover SIkhi who use to preach against rehat and amrit.
Rehat Pyaarey Mujh Ko Sikh Pyaarey Nahi-
- rehat is more important then a person who calls themsevles Sikh.
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jis bachan to Bhai Desa Singh Ji
Ladli- Fauj Ji rehat is the foundation of a Gursikhs faith. The stronger the foundation the stronger your faith will be in Guru Ji. The rehatnamas which support Gurmat are no different then Hukumnamas . By following each of Gurus rehat/hukum you are taking a step closer to Guru Ji and then Guru Ji takes care of the rest. But obidience and discipline to Guru Jis hukum is a must. Guru Nanak Dev Ji gave a Hukum to Bhai Lehna Ji to eat a dead corpse . Because of his obidience, Bhai Leha Ji happily submitted and won Guru Jis grace. So by obeying commands of Guru Ji we recieve all his gifts . Guru Sahib states
rihxI rhY soeI isK myrw ]Euh Twkuru mY aus kw cyrw ]
that person who stays in the code of conduct is my Sikh. He is my master and I am his servant.
Depending on a persons dedication and attitude it takes time to follow some of the harder rehats like waking up for Amrit Vela, doing nitnem etc, but overtime with Gurus Grace these rehats become more easier . If we offer our head to Guru ji there is no need to worry about people expectations or not fullfilling the code of conduct. Our head now belongs to Guru Ji and he will take care of things, even the hardest rehats become easier when we submit to Guru Jis command.
ALso there will be a Youth Sikh camp in California this month you can check out the website at http://www.wcsikhicamp.com, and there will be a Rainsubaee in Tracy on December 19th
Your Post Are amazing bro... are you from california. yes i am from bay area, San Francisco. I want to take amrit at the Gurmat Prakash Manteca which is Damdami Taksal. Tracy also is DDT, but I have gone to manteca many times and seen the Singhs there many times.
THanks for infrmation bro, When you wake up at Amrit vela what is like right correction of things you do like the order, nitnem simran etc
Yes Im from California I live in the bay but now I live in the valley.
I havent had the opportunity to go to the Manteca Gurdwara yet, but I have been to Tracy Gurdwara and it seems like a Gurdwara that follows Gurmat Maryada. Do you know Harwinder Singh from Fremont? He usually knows when Manteca Singhs have Amrit Sanchar.
When I first took Amrit I use to do Nitnem first, then I would go to the Gurdwara and do Naam Simran. But then I switched it so I could spend more time with the sangat and do naam simran and then do nitnem afterwards. But since
I live in the valley now and I have no sangat to do Naam Simran with I prefer to do Nitnem first then do Naam Simran. I prefer to do Nitnem first because Gurus Bani motivates me to do Naam Simran. According to my understanding of
Bhai Nand Lal Singh Jis rehatnamas of a "Gursikhs daily routine" upon waking we are to recite Gurmantar, then ishnaan, Panj Baniaa, then Naam Abhyiaas. But if you prefer to do Naam Abhyiaas then Nitnem that is good as well . As long as you do both you will recieve Guru Jis blessings.
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I saw a very detailed article on panthic.org about the Shaheedi of Baba Ji. Its such a wonderful articles perphaps one of the best I have read since it provides and quotes accounts from puratan text.
SARBLOHEE JATHEDAR BABA GURBAKSH SINGH JEE
TRANSLATED BY ADMINS TAPOBAN.ORG
n
Baba Gurbaksh Singh jee was a very well known and respected Singh, who had the honour of being martyred while defending Sree Darbaar Sahib.
Baba jee was of village Leel and had received amrit at Sree Amritsar Sahib, due to the inspiration of Bhai Manee Singh jee.
About Baba Jee
Baba Gurbaksh Singh was always dressed in blue baaNaa and kept a very strong rehit. He would awake at amrit vela and do ishnaan and while reciting baaNee, would tie his dumalla. Baba jee loved Sarbloh, he would offer his respect to his sarbloh shastars i.e. kirpans, chakars, toRaas (metal cable tied around dastaar), kaRas, etc and then put them on. He would finally put on a mala of sarbloh around his neck and also many sarbloh kaRas and simarnaas. Baba jee's dastaar also had many toRaas tied into it. He would also wear a sarbloh armour.
ਸਵਾ ਪਹਿਰ ਨਿਸ ਕਰੈ ਸ਼ਨਾਨ I ਬਾਣੀ ਪੜ੍ਹੇ ਖੜ ਪੱਗ ਬਧਾਨ I
ਸਰਬ ਲੋਹ ਕੀ ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰੈ I ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਕਰ ਸ਼ਸਤਰ ਫੜੈ I੩I
ਸਰਬ ਲੋਹ ਗਲ ਮਾਲਾ ਪਾਵੈ I ਕੰਗਣ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਲੋਹ ਸੁਹਾਵੈ I
ਲੋਹ ਚਕ੍ਰ ਲੋਹ ਤੋੜੇ ਧਾਰੈ I ਸਰਬ ਲੋਹ ਕੀ ਰਖਯ ਉਚਾਰੈ I੪I
Other features Panth Parkash mentions about the way Baba jee looked was that he wore a very long 1.5 yard kacherra and always kept a long stick with him.
Every amrit vela then, after dressing himself in his baaNaa, Baba jee sat in the divaan at Sree Akaal Takhat Sahib. It did not matter who came to meet him, whether a powerful Sardar or a lowly peasant, he greeted all people in the same way and with the same respect. He had absolutely no worldly aspirations or greed.
Whenever there was a battle, Baba jee would always go and confront the enemy. He would take the Nishaan Sahib himself and advance. With the beat of the nagara, Baba jee used to be in the forefront to confront the enemy.
Abdali's Oppression and the Khalsa Scatters
The Khalsa had scattered when Ahmed Shah Abdali brought his army through the Punjab. Some Singhs went to the mountains where they were looted by the mountain-people; others went and hid around the rivers where they were not only looted but also attacked by lions and other animals. Those Singhs who decided to stay in Majha and not retreat were turned over to the Afghans by traitors and informers. In Malwa, the Singhs also fared no better and had to go from house to house like beggars.
At Sree Amritsar, the Sarbat Khalsa gathered one day and after the night divaan, decided to abandon Sree Amritsar and leave together for Malwa.
Baba Jee Offers His Shaheedee
Baba Gurbaksh Singh then rose and addressed the Singhs and said, "Is there any Singh in the Panth today, who would fight with the Afghans and sacrifice his head and then go to Dargah and with his sacrifice have Karta-Purakh listen to his request and ensure the Chardi Kala of the Panth? One who could do ardaas to Karta-Purakh and bring an end to these dark days? Is there any Singh who is so determined and is such a devotee of naam and one who is so strong in rehit? Is there anyone who will give his life for the rest of the Khalsa and with his sacrifice be able to wipe out the enemy?" [it is said that when the enemy kills a bhagat of Vahiguru, the bad karma of committing such an act results in the enemy also being wiped out. Baba jee was asking if there was such a bhagat in the Panth who could give such a sacrifice].
"ਹੈ ਕੋਉ ਸਿੰਘ ਇਸ ਪੰਥ ਮਝਾਰੀ I ਲਾਇ ਸੀਸ ਕਰੈ ਦਰਗਹਿ ਪੁਕਾਰ I ਸੋ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਉਸ ਮੰਨੈ ਕਰਤਾਰ I੨੩I
ਹਠੀਆ ਤਪੀਆ ਜਪੀਆ ਜੋਇ I ਰਹਤਵਾਨ ਸਚਿਆਰ ਭੀ ਹੋਇ I
The Singhs listened to Baba Gurbaksh Singh and replied, "Baba jee, is there any Singh better for this than you? There is no one with more kamaiee. No one else has the power to abandon their body and go to Dargah like you do. No one else's request will be more acceptable to Vahiguru than yours."
Baba jee listened to these words and then bowed his head and agreed to the request.
Baba jee then called out, "I want to be Shaheed! If there is any other Gurmukh who wishes to come with me to Dargah, then let them also come. When there is a marriage, the groom goes with his Sarbaalha (best man) and with a large baraat (marriage party). I am going to marry the bride of Death. Are there Singhs who would be my Sarbaalhas?"
Hearing Baba jee's call, many Singhs rose and stood with Baba jee. They said, "We were waiting for your call. With your permission we will be your Sarbaalhas."
Seeing these Singhs stand, many more Singhs also rose and said "then we all will come with you in the baraat!"
Baba jee then adressed all the Singhs and said, "Khalsa jee! You have all agreed to join my wedding party. We will give our heads in this Dharam Yudh and in this way we will be married. We will get Shaheedee and Guru Sahib will give us all Kingships. No, even bigger rewards than kingships. That Singh who gives his head in battle will be the King of Kings. "
The Singhs Prepare for The "Wedding"
By this time, Ahmed Shah Abdali had arrived in Lahore. He was preparing to go to Delhi when he heard about the gathering of the Khalsa at Sree Amritsar. He decided that on the way to Delhi, he would stop at Sree Amritsar and slaughter all the Sikhs.
Hearing of the advance of Abdali, some of the cowards who had remained at Sree Amritsar with Baba jee ran away. Baba jee also encouraged them to leave and said "Go! Leave now, otherwise we won't let you leave later!"
Only a few Singhs remained now. The remaining Singhs were all chardee kala naam abhyaasee Gursikhs. They prepared for their death like a groom prepares for his wedding. They all had new cholas sewn. Some decided to sew blue, and others wore white and others kesree. They gathered in front of Sree Akaal Takhat Sahib and eagerly awaited the enemy.
ਬਸਤਰ ਸ਼ਸਤਰ ਪਹਿਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਭਏ ਤਬੇ ਸਵਧਾਨ I ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਬਾਣੀ ਪੜ੍ਹੀ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਪਗ ਧਰ ਧਯਾਨ I੩੭I
They would stand on their toes to see if the enemy was yet visible on the horizon. They were discussing how they would give their Shaheedees and then in Dargah would stop the Afghan attacks forever.
The day the Afghans were expected to attack, the Singhs all rose at amrit vela. They began to prepare like it was their wedding day. They sprinkled themselves with attar and rose scents, and rubbed sandal paste on their bodies. As they did this, they sang "GhoReeaa(n)" shabads from Sree Guru Granth Sahib. They then bathed in Sree Amritsar Sahib and then gathered at Sree Akaal Takhat.
Baba jee was looking very impressive in his new dress. He was wearing a blue chola over his new kacherra and was wearing a very tight dumalla, which was tied especially for battle. The dumalla had many chakars and kirpaans tied into it. The Singhs then gathered and offered obeisance to Sree Guru Granth Sahib. After reading 5 pauRees of Anand Sahib and doing ardaas
The Singhs distributed Degh and then as a group left for darshan of Sree Darbaar Sahib.
The group of Singhs was led by a Nishaan Sahib and nagaaras were beating. Baba jee asked the Singhs to sing shabads of happiness as this was their wedding day and the wedding party was now moving. Baba jee and the other Singhs also gave away all the money they had to the needy. They arrived at Sree Darbaar Sahib and did parkarma. Once inside, they showered Sree Guru Granth Sahib with flowers and then did Ardaas. Baba jee standing before Satguru Granth Sahib spoke the following words, "True Emperor, protector of the poor! Your Khalsa is going now to marry the bride of Death. We are going to battle the Dushts. Satguru jee! May our Sikhee and our kesh stay intact through our final breaths."
ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਕੇ ਹਜੂਰ ਇਮ ਖੜ ਕਰ ਕਰੀ ਅਰਦਾਸ I "ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿੱਖੀ ਸੰਗ ਨਿਭੈ ਸੀਸ ਕੇਸਨ ਕੇ ਸਾਸ I੪੮I"
The Afghans in the meantime had began to move towards Sree Amritsar. They had prepared for a massive battle and brought a large army. They were wearing armour and metal helmets. They had decided to do battle in such a way that the Singhs would be killed but they themselves would incur minimal casualties. They had brought long weapons which could kill from a distance such as large guns.
Baba jee, after offering ardaas at Sree Darbaar Sahib, returned with the Singhs to Sree Akaal Takhat Sahib to listen to keertan and await the enemy. The keertanees began to recite keertan and the Singhs would ask that certain shabads they wanted to hear be sung. The GhoReeaa(n) shabads were again recited. In this way, the entire night passed in listening to keertan. At day break, the enemy had arrived.
The Afghans Arrive & The Battle Begins
The Singhs upon seeing the Afghan army came down from Sree Akaal Takhat Sahib. They bowed to their shastars (kirpaans, kataars and talwaars) and then grabbed them. Some Singhs grabbed very big sticks and others mounted horses. The Singhs vied to go ahead of each other and kept moving forward. The Singhs argued about who had the right to attain Shaheedee first. The Nishaan Sahibs were furling and the beat of nagaaraas was echoing. The Singhs were like grooms anxious to marry a beautiful wife and seeing the time come closer, becoming more and more excited.
Some Singhs then ran forward and began the battle. The Singhs would sprint forward and began to embrace Shaheedee and complete their weddings with death. The Singhs were surrounded on all four sides and the Afghans began to close in. Baba jee called out to all the Singhs, "Singhs! Step forward and embrace martyrdom! "ਹੋ ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਪਗ ਅੱਗੈ ਧਾਰ I੫੭I"
If we step forward, our honour remains intact, if we step back, they will say we are retreating! Do not look for assistance anymore, just go forward! Now go forward and give your heads!" .
Hearing Baba jee's cry, the Singhs all charged forward, not one Singh took a step back.
ਹੋਹੁ ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਅਬ ਹੈ ਦੇਰ ਕਹੀ I੬੫I ਤੌ ਲਗ ਗਿਲਜੋ ਔਰ ਆਇ ਪੜੇ I ਲੜ ਲੜ ਮਰੈ ਜਹੀਂ ਸਿੰਘ ਅੜੇ I ਨਾਂਹਿ ਪੈਰ ਕਿਨ ਪਿੱਛੈ ਮੋਰਾ I ਸਿੰਘਨ ਪੈਰ ਸੁ ਅੱਗੈ ਤੋਰਾ I੬੬I
They fell upon the Afghans like a lion on deer. The Singhs were all eager to become Shaheed as quickly as possible. They had no hope for life.
Baba jee again called out, "Khalsa jee! Become Shaheed and cross this world-ocean! Let us go to the court of Satguru jee and ask that the Afghans never attack here again and that the Khalsa should rule! What is the delay now? Fall upon the enemy!"
Wherever the Singhs stood their ground against the Afghans, they eventually fell. Afghan reinforcements also arrived. The Singhs never looked back, some Afghans even began to run away. Seeing this, Baba jee bellowed, "Don't let them go Khalsa jee! Stand and fight this Dharam Yudh!"
The Afghans did not understand what Baba jee was saying and were surprised to the see the Singhs run after them. They then trained their guns upon the Singhs. Many Singhs standing with Baba jee fell to the rain of bullets. Baba jee then took out his heavy Tegha and ran towards the enemy. He swung his Tegha with such force that it cut through the armour of the Afghans. Baba jee would aim for the face and neck where there was less armour. The Afghans all then began to cover their faces with their shields.
The Singhs seeing the cowardice of the Afghans threw aside their own shields and challenged, "look! We've thrown aside our shields, do you have the bravery to do the same? We'll take your blows without any shield, will you take ours?"
The Singhs continued to run forward and did not show any fear of death. They did not so much as look backwards. The Afghans continued to fall back and began to wonder why such a small group was not finishing and whether these few Singhs would cause their defeat. They could not bear the brunt of the Singhs' sword blows. They fell back and began to fire bullets and arrows.
Baba Jee's Shaheedee
Baba jee's body was pierced by many bullets and arrows and his wounds could not be counted. Some cut through his skin and others broke bones. But neither did the Singhs accept defeat nor would they acknowledge any pain. Baba jee's body was pouring blood like a spring. But Baba jee kept moving forward and was demanding Shaheedee and asking Guru Jee to keep his Laaj
"ਪੈਜ ਬਿਰਦ ਕੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਰਾਖੈ I ਲਾਜ ਨ ਲਾਗੇ" ਯੌ ਸਿੰਘ ਆਖੈ I "ਹਇ ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਪੂਰੀ"I ਬਾਰ ਬਾਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਮੰਗੈ ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ I੭੭I
Baba jee was soaked in blood like he had just been playing Holi with colours. Eventually because of loss of blood, Baba jee became very weak. He could not walk anymore and became very tired. But with every ounce of strength in his being, he put one foot ahead of the other. He was careful that no one would say he retreated.
"ਮਤ ਕਤ ਆਖੈ ਜਗਤ ਕੋ ਸਿੰਘ ਮੁਯੋ ਮੁਖ ਫੇਰ ਪਿਛਾਹਿਂ I੮੦I
Baba jee called to the remaining Singhs, "Singhs! Do not shame the BaaNaa we wear! May our Shaheedees be perfect and may we fall in the battlefield!"
By this time, even more Afghan reinforcements arrived. The new Afghans surrounded the wounded Baba jee and pierced him with their long spears. Baba jee with great effort used his khanda to cut off the spears and the Afghans again fell back. Baba jee would not look back but the enemy had surrounded him and knocked him to the ground from behind with a blow from a spear. Baba jee fell to his knees. Baba jee thought in his mind, "I cannot let go of my khanda. If I let it go, the enemy may consider me helpless and not attack.
I will not be able to become Shaheed and my wish will not be fulfilled. If I do not take care of this moment, who knows if I ever get the opportunity for Shaheedee again?"
Baba Jee kept fighting even after falling on his knees and never let go of his Talvaar
ਸਿੰਘ ਸੁ ਗਿਰਯੋ ਗੋਡਨ ਕੇ ਭਾਰ I ਤਊ ਨ ਛੋਡੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਤਲਵਾਰ I ੮੧I
Baba jee then again raised his khanda and called to the Afghans, "Come! Try to take my head!" He put his head forward like an offering. Again the enemy surrounded him and fighting on his knees, Baba jee was beheaded by the enemy and in this way attained Shaheedee.
ਅਬ ਧੜ ਤੈ ਸੀਸ ਉਤਰਾਈਐ ਕੋਇ ਝਲ ਤਿੱਖੀ ਤਲਵਾਰ I ੮੨I
Baba jee's vow was completed , he offered his Sis in the same fashion as Sree Guru Tegh Bahadur Jee.
ਦਯੋ ਸੀਸ ਉਨ ਆਗੈ ਨਿਵਾਇ I ਜਿਮ ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਗੁਰ ਕੀਓ ਦਾਇ I੮੩I
Shaheed Khalsa
The enemy rejoiced at the Shaheedee of Baba Gurbaksh Singh jee and shouted out slogans in relief. The Khalsa too rejoiced at the Shaheedee of Baba jee in its own way. Shaheed Khalsa was waiting in anticipation of Baba Gurbaksh Singh Jee.
ਸ਼ਹੀਦਨ ਕੈ ਮਧ ਭਈ ਵਧਾਈ I ਹੁਤੇ ਉਡੀਕਤ ਗੁਰਬਖਸ਼ ਸਿੰਘ ਭਾਈ I
Baba Gurbaksh Singh jee was received in Grandeur and carried on royal carriage with Shaheed Khalsa wearing Blue and holding Nishan Sahibs and Nagarey.
ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਨਿਗਾਰੈ ਸ਼ਹੀਦਨ ਫੜੇ I ਨੀਲੇ ਬਾਣੇ ਪਹਿਰ ਸੁ ਖੜੇ I ੮੬I
The Aftermath
Night fell and the Afghans were in shock after seeing such a bloody battle. They set up camp near the Bhangi fort and fell into a deep sleep. The Singhs in the area though rose at night and attacked the camp. The Singhs stole horses and slaughtered the Afghans. The remaining Afghans could not sleep and at daybreak, quickly ran from the area.
The same night, some Singhs came to the scene of the battle to see what had happened. They saw the headless bodies of the Singhs and many many Afghans. The Singhs decided to make one big pyre and cremate all the bodies together. Behind Sree Akaal Takhat Sahib, a lot of wood was gathered and all the bodies were cremated together. Degh was distributed and the Singhs celebrated as though a great wedding had taken place. The whole Panth was saying Dhan Dhan
ਧੰਨ ਧੰਨ ਪੰਥ ਸਭੋ ਉਸ ਆਖੈ I ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਸਭ ਧਨ ਉਸ ਭਾਖੈਂ I
The Khalsa decided to erect a Shaheed Ganj in memory of Baba Gurbaksh Singh and the rest of the Singhs. This place was seen by many to have a very strong presence of Kala and nothing would seem to come near it.
ਐਸੀ ਕਲਾ ਉਸ ਜਗਾ ਹੋਈ I ਭੂਤ ਦਰਸ ਤਹਿਂ ਰਹੈ ਨ ਕੋਈ I
Baba jee's Shaheedee was glorious and indeed, the Afghan power did begin to fall after this point. The Panth believed that Baba Jee's benti was heard at the feet of Guru Jee, within a few years, the Sikhs began to rule Punjab and the Sikh Kingdoms were established.
ਜਬ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬਚ ਸਿੰਘ ਲਏ ਮੰਨ I ਤਬ ਹੀ ਭਯੋ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਧੰਨ I੧੦੫I
Source: Pracheen Panth Parkaash by Rattaan Singh Bhangoo
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don't get emotional bro, you will only end up clouding your judgement. think with a cool head and give yourself some time. wjkk wjkf.
What type of advice is this? Wanting to take Amrit will cloud your judgement? Did the Abhilakhis in 1699 who wanted to take Amrit after seeing all injustices in India have clouded judgment? What about all the abhilakhis in the 70' and 80's who offer themselves to Guru Ji after seeing all the injustices of the world did they have clouded judgement as well? This the type of progaganda/advice that noormehlia cult propagate. They want to kill the Lions, Bahamanize the Lioness's , and confuse the cubs. Apnepart2 are you the same APnepart on Discover SIkhi who use to preach against rehat and amrit.
Rehat Pyaarey Mujh Ko Sikh Pyaarey Nahi-
- rehat is more important then a person who calls themsevles Sikh.
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jis bachan to Bhai Desa Singh Ji
Ladli- Fauj Ji rehat is the foundation of a Gursikhs faith. The stronger the foundation the stronger your faith will be in Guru Ji. The rehatnamas which support Gurmat are no different then Hukumnamas . By following each of Gurus rehat/hukum you are taking a step closer to Guru Ji and then Guru Ji takes care of the rest. But obidience and discipline to Guru Jis hukum is a must. Guru Nanak Dev Ji gave a Hukum to Bhai Lehna Ji to eat a dead corpse . Because of his obidience, Bhai Leha Ji happily submitted and won Guru Jis grace. So by obeying commands of Guru Ji we recieve all his gifts . Guru Sahib states
rihxI rhY soeI isK myrw ]Euh Twkuru mY aus kw cyrw ]
that person who stays in the code of conduct is my Sikh. He is my master and I am his servant.
Depending on a persons dedication and attitude it takes time to follow some of the harder rehats like waking up for Amrit Vela, doing nitnem etc, but overtime with Gurus Grace these rehats become more easier . If we offer our head to Guru ji there is no need to worry about people expectations or not fullfilling the code of conduct. Our head now belongs to Guru Ji and he will take care of things, even the hardest rehats become easier when we submit to Guru Jis command.
ALso there will be a Youth Sikh camp in California this month you can check out the website at http://www.wcsikhicamp.com, and there will be a Rainsubaee in Tracy on December 19th
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Also In My Opinion,
A Lot of People Might have Lost This Puratan Rehit! I Hope Not! But Kesh that comes out naturally During Kanga, Safaii, should be kept aside and done Agan Bheth (Burned in Fire) or Jal Parvah (Put in Endless Flowing Water Source That Flows into the Unknown). I believe There is Lots of Pyaar in This Puratan Dharmic Rehit of Khalsa. I believe This is a Hukam in Khalsa Rehit of Guru Sahib. Pyar for Kesh, Even Pooran Kesh, is a Foundation of Sikh Dharma Rehni!!
Chardi Kala!!
And Of Course! Pyaar for Dasam Patshah Bani!!!!!
I have always thought Agan Bheth was the method of disposing kes that comes out naturally but I have never heard of Jal Parvah. Is this written in a Puratan Rehatnama can you provide the source?
thanks
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After seeing the events of the December 5th Ludhiana Khaand, I cant shy away from taking amrit. The event has sadden me and inspired to become a Amritdhari. I already have a juda but have to take amrit. I want to stand up and fight for the Panth.
I Don't know all the things I have to do in order though like do we have to was our hair everyday ?
I Need help THank You.
Thats great news! I was reading another post you wrote and it seems that you are from the Bay Area. There are many Singhs in the Bay Area who can answer all your questions. If you want I can PM you their information. ALso there is Amrit Vela 7 daYS A week at Fremont GUrdwara from 1 - 4am. DOing Naam Simran with Sangat is a great way to make you strong in your Sikhi before you take Amrit.
Because Kes is a blessed gift from WaaheGuru Ji its always best to show it utmost respect. Meaning we should wash, comb it twice, and cover it with a dastar daily. By doing so we will get Guru Jis happiness/approval.
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Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh.
I'm a big hypocrite guys, I can't STAND the people in my locality because I see through them. They wear the baana and "talk" the talk, but I can see them for who they really are, my own haumai inside me then starts to tell me "yes, I'm better than them, I don't pretend". But the truth is I am hollow like them. I am in no position to judge anyone else.
Like I said in my first post, I KNOW what i'm supposed to do, but I find I can't do it. I need to be in the guru's sharan yet every time I try to take a step closer to the guru I find my self pushed away.
I don't even want to live any more, I feel the more time I spend here, the more of a sinner I will become. There's no easy way out though, being trapped in moh maiya, I can't even choose to end my own life.
My soul is crying out to me though - I can feel it, yet I continue to let it suffer. What kind of sick paapi am I? I don't know what to do guys, It's in my NATURE to question... how do I change that?
Writing this out, knowing someone else will read this and think of me gives me the greatest hope... maybe that will lead me to peace. The guru doesn't ignore a gursikh's ardaas, so I request you humbly, please please please please think of me if you can when you do ardaas today, akaalpurakh himself will shed light on me. I'm so sorry, that I am so selfish but I have no other option.
Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh.
Im not that much into spirituality, but I am trying and still learning. So I will try to share with you from my own experiences
I think you are overly too concerned about what others are doing. You should really focus on your own atma. Without understanding your own atma you will continue to be in doubt.
jn nwnk ibnu Awpw cInY imtY n BRm kI kweI ]2]1]
jan naanak bin aapaa cheenai mittai n bhram kee kaaee ||2||1||
O servant Nanak, without knowing one's own self, the moss of doubt is not removed. ||2||1||
Originally we originated from GOds light but our soujourn to this world has made up completely forgetful. We (I) have become so uncultured we dont even know true ourselves.
mn qUM joiq srUpu hY Awpxw mUlu pCwxu ]
man thoo
joth saroop hai aapanaa mool pashhaan ||O my mind, you are the embodiment of the Divine Light - recognize your own origin.
We have made this temporary place our home and have become complete foreigners to our true home. We have become so foreign to this original source that we have begun to live like animals. Thus our mind has become so blunt that it has been darkened from its original light. Without understanding ourselves this foreign mentality will continue to prevail. We will keep coming to this foreign land untill we reach our true home thus our death will be a true death. Bhagat Kabir states
kbIrw mrqw mrqw jgu muAw mir iB n jwnY koie ]
kabeeraa marathaa marathaa jag muaa mar bh n jaanai koe ||
Kabeer, the world is dying - dying to death, but no one knows how to truly die.
AYsI mrnI jo mrY bhuir n mrnw hoie ]1]
aisee maranee jo marai bahur n maranaa hoe ||1||
Whoever dies, let him die such a death, that he does not have to die again. ||1||
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Doosrae mataa dae pustak, vidyaa parhni. Pur bhrosaa drirh Gurbani, Akal Purakh tae karnaa -
Study the books and knowledge of other faiths. But keep trust in Gurbani and Akal Purukh. [Hukam of Guru Gobind Singh Ji]
Where did you get that source from. I have been looking for the original Hukumnamas of GUru Sahib online but I cant find them anywhere.
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does studying other religions make u a bad sikh?
In 52 Hukumnamas given by Sri Guru Gobind SIngh JI Guru Ji advises to study other faiths so its not wrong.
I think there are some advantages of studying other faiths which includes the following:
1) Learning about other faiths gives you the understanding of different religions; so when people like the RSS, NIrankaris, Radhsoami, Jehovah Witnesses, Evangelicals, Fanatical <Edited> Muslims try to confuse you and claim their faith is the true path you can use their own religious text to refute their claims.
2)Learning about other faiths gives you the understanding of different religions which is a great way to converse and have good, friendly, and positive relations with people belonging to different spiritual paths. Surely this is a good thing because Guru Ji has always taught us tolerance and acceptance of other people. We live in a multicultural society so its good to learn about other peoples belief systems.
I think its ok to learn about others as long as one doesnt do the following:
1) try to relate different religious text to Gurmat. Gurmat is distinct we cant compare half-baked philosophies to the complete truth contained in Gurmat. True many faiths have things in common and we should celebrate and respect these similarities. But when interpreting or understanding Gurbani, we should never relate Hindu, Abrahamic ,etc concepts to Gurmat. For example Gurmat does not agree with the after life/mukhti disciple master-relationship concepts of HIndus and Muslims ; thus, we should not be making efforts to make such connections between SIkhi or any other faith.
2) Learning about other faiths , but neglecting the study of your own faith is a major transgression. In fact one is considered a Tankhayia if one does so. For example, if one starts learning about Islam or Christian sometime during the day, but did not wake up for Amirt Vela, do their Nitnem, and Naam Simran then one is considered a Tankhayia. If one makes an attempt to study the life story of Jesus but does not make efforts to learn life story of GUru Sahiban then they are considered Tankhayia.Sikih is about being firm and unshakable in Sikhi so its important to have strong beliefs in Sikhi before beginning the pursuit of studying other faiths.
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Forgive me for this but it is a quick post to make the sangat aware of a book DTF have published for me
A small book on the basic and intricate meanings of the Sri Raagmala has been released in the UK and is now available from DTF book store in Birmingham for £2.99.
Just thought i would let the sangat know in case anyone is interested
Bhai Sahib since you have taken the liberty to translate these writings please do give us a brief explanation on the following questions
1. Who wrote Rag Mala?
2. Why is the numbering system so different compared to the Gurbani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji?
3. Most importantly what is the Gurmat principle behind Rag Mala? Meaning what is the Hukum of Raag Mala?
thanks in advance
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you can get a book 52 Hukumnamas by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
also many rehatnamas are the bachans of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
You can get a Professor Pyaara Singh Padams rehatnama book which contains
many puratan rehatnamas which come directly from Guru Sahib.
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This is a question I have had difficulty in getting a straight answer too. Some people say the 10th Guru ate meat, so it is ok.
Do you know what is the case?
... and if we can eat meat, can we eat beef?
there is no such think as unorthodox sikh or orthodox Sikh. There is only Gursikh- those that have taken AMrit from thje hands of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj.
Even if the Panj Pyaarey do not mention this topic it doesnt mean its ok to consume eat. i never heard of Panj Pyaarey encouraging to eat meat. Its common sense not to
eat it so it doesnt need to be discussed.
The whole idea for a religious person to eat meat derives from HIndu Ritualism, and Paganism which the Abrahamic faiths dervived from. Sikhi is a distinct path which strictly forbids eating meat according to Gurbani. Anybody who eats meat is not a Sikh, they do not understand what it means to be committed strictly to Guru Ji. They follow other traditions and their own thinking instead of staying grounded strictly within Gurmat.
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2 reads
1st read
November 26, 2009
A Night With Shining Obama
The American East India Company
By FARZANA VERSEY
Minutiae have rarely been of such importance. Or symbolic. A white tent might have been more appropriate for an Arab head of state, but it works just as well for a fairytale. There was special vegetarian food to tickle the guest’s palate. Most important of all is that the First Lady wore a gown designed by an Indian American, never mind that it seemed more appropriate to walk the red carpet at Cannes.
Was India truly the flavour of recent times? The media, not only at home but in the United States, did give the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the state dinner a lot of mileage. There are Indians in the Obama administration, there are Indians who do business in America. There have been nine state dinners hosted for the Indian heads of state thus far. These are at the simplest level courtesy visits.
In the 90s, Indians who participated in beauty pageants began to win. We thought it was because of what they were and what they said in their trained elocution contest manner. This was the American East India Company at work marketing its cosmetic brands to the large middle-class population. Once they had consolidated their hegemony, the Indian beauty was junked. She continues to appear on the fringes as arm candy for a slumdog or the dusky woman as exotic breed as well as in exile trauma and triumph stories that feed literary vultures.
With the arrival of the 21st century and Indian consolidation and recognition in areas of intellectual endeavour, the West had to use other terms of trade. America, for all its worldly-wise attitude, is not as canny as the British were over a century ago. The Englishman knew us so well that he could as coloniser make us fight his enemy on the prompting of none other than the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It was quite easy, for Indians have always been ruled, by others and their own. We relish the pomp and pageantry of durbars; we like to see those superior to us in terms of wealth and power to prosper. Our problems are always with those like us.
The US is the outsider with little history of its own let alone historical colonising. It has been mimicking the British model by co-opting certain segments of society. Market politics have changed and you need to pit one against the other and then settle for a deal that is so completely abstract that no one knows what the trade was about.
Manmohan Singh went on his soft mission with the hard truth. Obama had told the Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing that the US wanted China to play an important monitoring role in the region. A joint statement consolidated to “support the improvement and growth of relations between India and Pakistan”.
China has been at war with India and continues to lurk near the border; China is on special terms with Pakistan and Pakistan is also lurking at our border and inside. America is inside Pakistan and Afghanistan, and its interest in China is one of staying away from a potential enemy.
It would have been clear to anyone that the US was telling India something. And it was telling China and Pakistan and Afghanistan something. China is the most powerful in this group; the other two countries have no options. Where does that leave India?
With the fly in the asparagus soup, a fly called a “rising and responsible global power”. Both terms are loaded. A rising power has a long way to go and responsibility means following certain rules and doing what is expected.
China may keep mum at the moment, but the US has thrown a ball of wool for the cat to toy with. It is pertinent to note that following this Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, chief of the Hurriyat Conference, said that China should become a part of negotiations on the Kashmir issue. China has no stake in Kashmir, so it will lie low. America knows that. This is to make the Indians edgy and the Pakistanis feel complacent for a while about their real allies – the Chinese and the Americans.
Singh did not raise any tough questions. All he managed was some tripe about maintaining peace and tranquillity until the pending resolution is dealt with. He even said, “I have received these assurances from Chinese leadership from the highest level”. This is like someone at a gossip session throwing names without really namedropping and not how a statesman would talk.
He repeated his naïve act when he mentioned that “there is but a certain amount of assertiveness on the Chinese part. I don’t fully understand the reasons for it”. What does he not understand about such assertiveness? The political machinations? Or the psychological dimensions? Does he comprehend the reasons for the US assertiveness in Iraq? Or the drone attacks on Pakistan and Afghanistan?
Some reports have talked about him being disturbed about the comparison with Chinese economic growth. This is a fact and was recently evident at a trade fair in India where the Chinese left within a few days because their goods were sold out. But the Indian PM had other ideas about “values” when he said, “I think the respect for fundamental human rights, the respect for the rule of law, respect for multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious rights, I think those have values. So, even the Indian perforce with regard to the GDP might not be as good as the Chinese, certainly I would not like to choose the Chinese path.”
This is most surprising. He heads a country that is a democracy and yet its record on human rights is being questioned, its courts take 17 years to table a report on major riots when the evidence stared them in the face right from the beginning, its multiculturalism is partly a case of being a vast nation with too many ethnicities, regions and languages. No one would suggest that India should go the China way because it cannot be a monolith even if it wanted to.
One might imagine that he was being brave. It came across as quite the opposite. This was the Indian on a levitating moral ground, one more exotic idea that America can chew on.
President Obama used the opportunity to bring Pakistan into the picture. “There were probably times when we were just focused on the (Pakistani) military...instead of (engaging its) civil society.”
This is smart. In September last year Obama, as senator, told Fox News that Pakistan was misusing its aid in “preparing for a war against India”. The tune has changed. The Pakistani army is not important enough in times of the Taliban. The elected government will play along. The US, as always, will seek puppet regimes and India will have to deal with them. The power by default lies with America.
Are we keeling over before the US because of the huge outsourcing potential? Young people despite faking American accents are abused in call centres; they are not considered ‘talent’ – they are cheap labour. They have become the equivalent of the White Man’s burden.
When George Bush visited India as President, there was a front page picture in a newspaper of the cone of a rocket being wheeled on a bicycle to its first launch site in Kerala, in the year 1966. There was a small editorial note alongside. Its post-script addressed Bush: “This isn’t a WMD. It’s a symbol of an upwardly mobile India”. This, after talking about the symbolism of how a technological marvel was being taken on the road in a bicycle and we have come a long way.
It was to convey that we are harmless; we just want to better our lives. Such sniveling reveals a feeling of being indebted to the West. The culture we take pride in is precisely the one that they find ‘interesting’. What are we then catering to? What powers do we have in the international arena, the Security Council, the United Nations?
Due to the sneaky fears we are saddled with, we are spending most of our budget on defence and not on education, literacy, health. Is this upward mobility?
What did Manmohan Singh’s visit achieve except for the benevolent catch-phrase from Barack Obama that US-India ties would be the defining partnership of the 21st century?
And Angelina Jolie adopts one more baby.
Farzana Versey is a Mumbai-based columnist and author of A Journey Interrupted: Being Indian in Pakistan, Harper Collins, India. She can be reached at kaaghaz.kalam@gmail.com
2nd read
December 1, 2009
The Casualties of Toxic Warfare
Global Connections and the Arc of War
By SUSAN GALLEYMORE
Alameda, California was once home to one of the largest Naval Air Stations in the world with 271 separate and distinct trades to manufacture and repair every part of any aircraft. Vast quantities of chemicals went into this work including solvents, aviation fuel, and radium-based paints for cockpit dials. Leaks and spills were as common as they are in any operation of this magnitude. Rags, brushes, and cleaning supplies were regularly replaced, the worn-out burned in pits located at the northern tip of the naval base. Enough chemicals were mishandled or leaked out of containers and sewer pipes that the former base is, today, a Superfund site.
As I inch my way through the mountain of documents the Navy amasses as it cleans up the relatively manageable contamination in my home town, I encounter a theme that echoes in my other research into our military, the military mindset, and the effects of militarism: a tendency to under-report, minimize, even deny, “occupational” hazards. It crops up in military documentation, out of the mouths of military spokespeople, and is supported by the the national defense – and homeland security – industries that support and benefit from it.
There are more than 40,000 toxic sites in the U.S. and its territories... approximately 1,000 of which are on the National Priority List, and for which Federal cleanup funding is forthcoming. Certainly the financial costs of cleanup are considerable. But what of the moral and ethical cost? Just as each tax-paying American is implicated in the wars our country wages, so too are we implicated in the human and environmental damage.
Is the damage the U.S. military has caused here and abroad worth the material benefit the U.S. derives?
The more things change...
Vietnam. This year, as they did last year, and for several years before that, delegates from Vietnam came to the U.S. to plead their case and to raise awareness about their countrymen who continue to suffer the consequences of dioxin-laden Agent Orange sprayed by the U.S. Air Force.
During the conflict in Vietnam, the U.S. military denied food and protection to those deemed to be “the enemy” and contracted with over 30 U.S. chemical firms to supply chemicals to defoliate Vietnam's forests. The most lethal chemical, Agent Orange, was contaminated with trace amounts of TCDD dioxin – the most toxic chemical known to science – which disabled and sickened soldiers, civilians and several generations of offspring on two continents.
Medical evidence indicates that cancers such as soft tissue non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, type II diabetes, and spina bifida and other birth defects in children are attributable to this exposure.
Vietnam's victims of Agent Orange, 2007. Photo: Merle Ratner, Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign
Surviving American veterans of Vietnam finally achieved limited compensation from the U.S. Government for some illnesses they suffer due to the poisons. The Vietnamese have received nothing. The U.S. Supreme Court has consistently refused to review the dismissal of the lawsuit of more than three million Vietnamese against 37 companies that manufactured this chemical weapon.
Attorney for the Vietnamese plaintiffs, Jonathan C. Moore, states,“It is unfortunate that U.S. courts have chosen, contrary to U.S. and international law, to deny justice to millions of Vietnamese who suffer from the spraying of dioxin-laden Agent Orange which has left several generations of victims severely sick and disabled.”
These ailments and deformities are significant, sobering, and heartbreaking...made worse because affected families are physically unable to work and generate an income. Moreover, the chemicals continue to affect Vietnam's natural environment and destroy its mangrove forests, soil, and crops.
Dr. James R. Clary, a senior scientist at the Chemical Weapons Branch (the Air Force Armament Development Lab based in Florida at that time), wrote:
When we initiated the herbicide program in the 1960s, we were aware of the potential for damage due to dioxin contamination in the herbicide. We were even aware that the military formulation had a higher dioxin concentration than the civilian version due to the lower cost and speed of manufacture. However, because the material was to be used on the enemy, none of us were overly concerned. We never considered a scenario in which our own personnel would become contaminated with the herbicide. And, if we had [considered this scenario], we would have expected our own government to give assistance to veterans so contaminated.
This scientist's naive candor is refreshing. If he was working in today's military, he'd probably lose his job.
...the more they stay the same?
Iraq. Balad Airbase, 68 kilometers north of Baghdad and east of Fallujah, is one of the largest bases housing about 25,000 U.S. military personnel and several thousand contractors.
In June 2008 it had three clean-burning incinerators handling about 120 tons of waste each day. Additionally, the burn pit consumes 147 tons of waste per day: styrofoam, unexploded ordnance, petroleum products, plastics, rubber, dining facility trash, paint and solvents, and medical waste that – according to those performing the burns – includes amputated limbs.
This concoction is set alight with jet fuel, a substance that releases chemicals known to increase the risk of leukemia. Just burning plastic water bottles creates elevated levels of highly toxic dioxins, which can contaminate food chains by landing on plants that are consumed by animals and accumulate in fatty tissue.
A plume of black, tacky smoke hangs over the region when waste is burned. Air Force Lt. Col. Darrin Curtis, former bioenvironmental flight commander for Joint Base Balad, wrote in a memo dated Dec. 20, 2006:
“In my professional opinion, there is an acute health hazard for individuals. It is amazing that the burn pit has been able to operate without restrictions over the past few years. There is also the possibility for chronic health hazards associated with the smoke.”
In June 2009 three military servicemen from Charleston filed a class-action lawsuit against Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR). The lawsuit alleges that KBR burned hazardous waste in Iraq and Afghanistan that included human corpses, biohazardous medical supplies, styrofoam, tires, lithium batteries, asbestos insulation, paint, and items containing pesticides and latrine waste.
A mother in Baghdad's Al Mansour Hospital's pediatric oncology ward. Her child suffers from a cancer rarely seen in children. Photo: Susan Galleymore, 2004.
Since then dozens of U.S. military personnel have filed 34 lawsuits against KBR for allegedly incinerating toxic waste and releasing it into the atmosphere in Iraq and Afghanistan. A KBR spokeswoman responded via email that the “general assertion that KBR knowingly harmed troops is unfounded.” KBR, she says, did not operate most of Balad's burn pit, and that the others are operated at the direction of the military.
According to the June 12, 2009 Post and Courier article, “Burn pit caused injuries, suit says: Disposal of toxic wastes improper, servicemen claim,” there is also an Iraqi-run recycling center on the Balad base. Iraqis sort through recyclables tossed into the burn pit — such as the roughly 90,000 aluminum cans produced daily by the base — and resell them on the local market.
Are emissions from these burn pits and material from the recycling center simply adding to the toxic cocktail already flooding Iraq?
Fallujah's hospitals are experiencing a wave of newborns with chronic deformities and early life cancers. Dr Bassam Allah, the head of the Fallujah's children's ward, urges international experts to take soil samples across the region, and for scientists to mount an investigation into the causes of so many ailments. “Such abnormalities,” he says are “acquired” by mothers before or during pregnancy.
The UK Guardian reports that Fallujah's doctors, “are dealing with up to 15 times as many chronic deformities that may be linked to toxic materials left over from the fighting....from two [hospital] admissions a fortnight a year ago to two a day now.” Most deformities are in the head and spinal cord.... and “there is also a very marked increase in the number of cases of [children] less than two years [old] with brain tumours.”
Pediatrician Samira Abdul Ghani's kept detailed records over a three-week period and revealed 37 babies born with anomalies, many of them neural tube defects that result in brain matter found in the spine and dysfunctional lower limbs.
Abnormal clusters of infant tumors have also been cited in Basra and Najaf - areas that have in the past also been intense battle zones where modern munitions have been heavily used.
Baghdad's hospitals sees young children with rare cancers too. I visited Al Mansour's pediatric oncology ward in January 2004. Mothers nursed children with leukemias, neuroblastomas, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and other cancers rarely seen in young children. Iraqi parents were selling their cars, houses, and other possessions to pay for chemotherapy whose medicines the U.S. refused to supply because, it was claimed, they were potential ingredients in the manufacture of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Doctors in Fallujah repeat what I heard from doctors in Baghdad: they are reluctant to draw direct links with war zone chemical pollutants. “We simply don't have the answers yet....We need funds to conduct scientifically accurate studies.”
Baghdad's babies were not, of course, victims of the May and November 2004 battles in Falluja. Are they victims of the economic sanctions of the 1990s? Or victims of pollutants from U.S.'s ongoing bombing raids over the no-fly-zones during the same period? Or victims of airborne pollutants from burning oil during Gulf War I ? U.S. troops continue to suffer Gulf War Syndrome so why would the region's children be immune? Iraqis have better luck receiving compensation for their enormous health disasters than the Vietnamese have had? Or will their plight be similar to that of the Vietnamese and unacknowledged in the furor over American troop exposure? What about Kuwait? And Bosnia? And Gaza? And Afghanistan?
For more than eight years the U.S. Government has maintained the fallacy that bombarding Afghanistan is necessary, that that is a “righteous” war against terrorism. The lawsuit against KBR includes burn pits in Afghanistan and it is a matter of time before the world is aware of the affects on troops and civilians there. It is likely that the wave of deformities in Afghan newborns will go undetected for a longer period than they took to crest in Iraq since many Afghan babies are born at home and in remote regions. A new study by the U.S.-based independent charity Save the Children says 60 out of every 1,000 Afghan babies die; this is already one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world.
When I began researching the military mindset I held that large institutions are inherently chaotic, that administrating millions of acres of military real estate around the world and the personnel occupying it – and their supply chains – results in inevitable errors, and that those responsible for public coffers would, occasionally, makes egregious mistakes that they'd want to hide. But, we the people, can no longer sustain this mindset and culture. We, the people, have reached the cul de sac of our “westward expansion.” We have nowhere else to go. We must turn around and face...ourselves.... We must begin the real work of recognizing our complex mutual humanity and interdependence...and cop to our innate glory...and vainglory, intoxication with self, denial, egotism, and our less-than-perfect traits that cross political boundaries. As we recognize the incontrovertible evidence in the arc of degradation that is war we must accept our responsibility for it...and ensure we no longer contaminate our world or its people.
Susan Galleymore is author of Long Time Passing: Mothers Speak about War and Terror, host of Stanford University's Raising Sand Radio, and a former “military mom” and GI Rights Counselor. Contact her at media@mothersspeakaboutwarandterror.org.
It turned out the dinner was a great way to get publicity for Sikhis. A couple uninvited crashed the presidential dinner and their photo with Obama was shown frequently across the globe. Lucky for us Manmohan SIngh was in the background of the pic. Hopefully this will educate the wider public about the differences between SIkhs and Arabs.
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Great Gurmukhi Jeevan Of Baba Khazaan Singh Jee (father of sant sunder singh jee)
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
For quite sometime I wanted to write the Gurmukhi jeevan of Baba Khazaan Singh,
the father of Sant Sunder Singh Bhindranwalay (11th Jathedhar of Guru Ji's Damdami Taksal).
Sant Sunder Singh jee Bhindranwaalay was a great Gursikh who led an exemplary life,
did massive parchaar of Sikhi, inspired countless to take amrit and taught Gurbani
and Gurbani meanings to countless students, in his short life of 42 years or so. While many have
heard about the Gurmukhi life of Sant Sunder Singh jee, few are aware of how great his father was.
This is a feeble attempt by this insect to write something on the great life of Baba Khazaan Singh jee.
This is based on Dr Sher Singh's book on Sant Sunder Singh, Sant Gurbachan Singh's coverage of
Sant Sunder Singh's life and oral narrations from Gursikhs from time to time.
Baba Khazaan Singh was the middle son of Baba Makhan Singh the grandfather of Sant Sunder Singh jee.
Here are some highlights of Baba jee's jeevan:
1) Baba jee was a simple farmer who worked hard
to earn bread for his family. He was from village Bhinder Kalan in Ferozepur district of Punjab.
2) Baba jee was extremely honest. He never let even a grain not belonging to him, come to his home.
While working in his fields, he used to constantly do Naam Simran and Gurbani paath.
3) He got married to a very Gurmukhi bibi Mata Taab Kaur jee. She was not educated but due to her husband's satsangat, she developed keen interest and love for Gurbani.
4) Baba jee had great urge to have darshan of Guru Sahib. In year 1887, a year before the birth of Sant Sunder Singh jee, at the time of Avtaar Purab of Siri Guru Nanak Dev jee, Baba jee decided to go all out for darshan of Guru Sahib. He committed to doing strict amritvela and doing one Siri Sukhmani Sahib standing on one leg, 3 hours and 45 minutes before sunrise. Just few days had passed while engaging in day night paath like this that Baba jee was hit with extreme Bairaag.He gave up all interest in world and started doing bhajan day and night. At the behest of some gursikhs, who asked
him to come in Sehaj Avastha, he started taking care of his worldly duties again.
5) Before the birth of Sant Sunder Singh, Baba jee did 36 lakh (3.6 million) jaap of Mool Mantr.
6) Later in his life he did 125,000 jaap of Siri Jap jee Sahib.
7) Later in his years he did 101 Paaths of Siri Guru Granth Sahib jee in the span of 3 years.
This means about 3 Sehaj paaths a month. Along with this he did 36 lakh paaths of Mool Mantr, all within 3 years. This means massive paath a day, for three years.
8) He used to do at least 100 angs worth of baani a day.
9) He used to do 3300 jaap of Mool Mantra a day.
10) He had about 100 angs of baani fully memorized.
11) He used to wear only Khaddar.
12) He was a very strict amritdhaari.
13) He never let a day pass without going to Gurdwara Sahib.
14) He used to eat only once a day at 10am.
15) Before eating food, he used to look for someone to share with.
Reading the life of Baba jee, I was surprised. So much kamaayee and no one knows his name.
I have no doubt that even today there are many gupt gursikhs out there about whom we know nothing.
Hearing about kamaayee of Baba jee I feel like putting my nose in a chapnee and dying.
May Guru Sahib do kirpa on us and may we lead our life like Baba jee and other great gursikhs.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Ikonkaar.blogspot.com
What a great jeevan!
I think the above has been written by Bhai Kublir SIngh Ji but it seems like someone else is trying to take credit for the hard work and time it must of took to translate different texts to provide the Jeevan of Baba Sunder Singh Ji.
Here is the original source
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When i go to kirtans i cant concentrate my mind just goes like a crazy monkey :wacko: endlessly pointlessly thinking and when my mind is finally clear i fall asleep!
At home alone i close my eyes and i can concentrate on Gurbani in a matter of seconds,
I think i need to increase my individual abyiaas becuz its at a minimal,
Like when i read rehras to my parents i feel that i have to read fast or sumthing so i rush and i cant peacfully read which is my own weakness,
I cant concentrate in sangat :6 , waheguru
mehar karo sumat bakhso~!
benti:please share your experiences
I too have had this problem in the past. Im speaking from my own experiences so please do not get offended by my blunt words.
You get a greater sense of concentration when you are alone because generally when a person is in solitude they concentrate better. For example if a person goes out in the woods or in a cave they get much more awareness then trying to do Naam abhyiaas in a bus of ordinary people. So does this mean that awareness is not possible in the midst of Sadh Sangat? Heck No! Sadh Sangat is where ones manmat animalistic thinking gets elevated to higher Godly thinking ( Gurmat)
Sadh Sangat is the true cave of solitude where one gets a supreme heightened sense of concentration/awareness.
GUru Sahib states
kIrqnu inrmolk hIrw ]
keerathan niramolak heeraa ||
The Kirtan of the Lord's Praise is a priceless diamond.
Awnµd guxI ghIrw ]
aana(n)dh gunee geheeraa ||
It is the ocean of bliss and virtue.
Anhd bwxI pUMjI ]
anehadh baanee poo(n)jee ||
In the Word of the Guru's Bani is the wealth of the unstruck sound current.
sMqn hiQ rwKI kUMjI ]2]
sa(n)than hathh raakhee koo(n)jee ||2||
The Saints hold the key to it in their hands. ||2||
suMn smwiD guPw qh Awsnu ]
su(n)n samaadhh gufaa theh aasan ||
They sit there, in the cave of deep Samaadhi;
kyvl bRhm pUrn qh bwsnu ]
kaeval breham pooran theh baasan ||the unique, perfect Lord God dwells there.
So sangat is the place in which the Saintly company reside and one gets easy passage to the true wealth. Most likely your problem is that you dont regard the Sadh Sangat with high reverence thus the monkey( maya) does not leave you alone. When a person serves and respects the Sadh Sangat then maya becomes fearful of such people and runs away. Thus it is important to have respect around the sangat you are doing Naam Abhyiaas with even your parents should be regarded with reverence when you are doing Paat Seva, because anybody who takes time out of there schedule to listen to Guru Ji with attention should be treated with respect.
Generally the monkey wont touch you if you serve the sangat with respect. If your reverence for the sangat is not high then upon entering the Gurdwara you should do seva of the sangat . For example, you can go to the langar hall and do seva. If you do the seva with devotion then the monkey will not harm you during kirtan. Even a simple things like offering a SIngh a glass of water will aid you greatly during Naam Abhyiaas. Even if you dont do physical seva of the sangat you should always think of yourself lower then the sangat. Do not regard Sadh Sangat as normal people. When we regard sadh sangat as normal people then our mind starts to wonder. Regard them as the image of the Guru.
gurU srUp Kwlsw heIey ] ijn kI tihl prmsuK lhIey ]22]
guroo saroop khaalasaa heeeae || jin kee ttehil paramasukh leheeeae ||22||
The Khalsa is the image of the Guru. Serving them, eternal peace is obtained.
Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh
So with reverence sit in solitude within Guru Jis lap and the concentration will increase through constant practice. Remember sangat are not normal people their company is our true cave of solitude. Throughout Gurbani, GUru Ji ask for the dust of the sangats feet so when we offer our heard to Guru Ji whenever we matha tekh we should think of ourselves as lower then everyone thus our attendance in the darbar sahib will be accepted without the nuisance of the monkey. When the Sadh Sangat from Kabul came to seek Guru Jis Darshan and hear Guru Jis bani ; Guru Sahib showed us through example that we should give respect to Sadh Sangat upon seeking his Darshan.
So please do not have the mentality that I need to avoid sangat and increase my own awareness individually. I had this mentality in the past and the monkey really did a number on me. Trust me I wouldnt want you to go through this experience.
swDsMgiq gur guPY bih shij smwiD AgwiD invwsI]
saadhhasa(n)gath gur gufai behi sehaj samaadhh agaadhh nivaasee||
Sitting in the cave in the form of Holy Congregation, they reside in unfathomable equipoise.
haumY rog Arog hoie kir sMjogu ivjog KlwsI]
houmai rog arog hoe kar sa(n)jog vijog khalaasee||
Getting cured of the ailment of ego, they are liberated from the bonds of comings and goings (birth and death).
swDsMgiq durmiq swbwsI ]15]
saadhhasa(n)gath dhuramath saabaasee ||15||
Holy Congregation is applauded because of the wisdom of the Guru that resides in it.(15)
I see it one to many times when SInghs have differences amongst each other over politics, personal conflicts, jatha affiliation etc, thus the monkey never seems to leave them. I know of some SInghs who wont even go to Rainsuabaees because they regard it as " AKJ " affiliated. We should always recongize those Gursikhs who seek Guru Jis blessing as the sadh sangat regardless whatever "group" they belong to.
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Gurfateh jee
sadh sangat jee
i have been amrit darri for two years - and i feel like i havnt grown at all.
i cant read gurmukhi, i just listen to my paath on my mp3.
i dont know ANY of my nitnem off by heart.
i dont do any extra paath whatsoever.
i eat out.
i dont wake up till 12/1 in the afternoon oclock everyday.
im such a mess.
can anyone help me cus i really need to fix up - cus it just make me feel crappy all the time.
gurfateh jeeo
In regards to learning Gurmukhi its always best to learn from a person, BUt if this is not a possible there are many sites on the net which teach the basic pronunciation of Gurmukhi alphabet. Learn from these sites. You can also listen to
paat on a mp3 player and follow along with a Gutka this will help you recognize and pronounce certain words in Gurmukhi. Then you should start reading yourself
Im not in any position to give advice about having a strong Gurmat routine because I myself am lacking in many ways but I have learned that its never to late to change your daily routine. If you are waking up at 12 pm then there is a chance you are going to sleep late. If you are not waking up in the morning the reason is because you are lacking motivation. Once we make har keerat our daily routine then things will change naturally. Gurbani has this very mystical effect. The more you make it a part of your life the more Gurbani wants you. So try to make GurBani a big part of your life. If you wake up late then dont let this defeat you. Do as much paat upon waking especially in the evening do as much as possible ,and enjoy it. Then do Ardas and ask to wake for AMrit Vela ,etc, and if you do so with a sincerity and faith then you will wake up. Depending on the person it takes time to build faith, Bani is the greatest aid in strengthening ones faith. Learn the meanings of Gurbani this will also encourage to want to do more and more paat,and do as much Naam Simran when you are available.
Try not to judge your Sikhi with other Gursikhs. Be inspired by Gursikhs but dont lose faith if you not at the same level. We all have to start somewhere even if it means pushing yourself to wake up for AMrit Vela and doing Naam Simran for 15 minutes. this effort will be accepted in GUru Jis dargah and eventually that 15 minutes will double
Again if you are struggling with Amrit Vela, Panj Bania I suggest you go all out in the evening time and do as much Paat as possible. Avoid watching TV and other things that are going to ruin your concentration. At the same time you should push yourself to wake up for Amrit vela even if its only 5 minutes. If you make the effort of taking one step towards Guru Ji , Guru Ji will handle the rest and put you on the right track.
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When I see a Gursikh who feels the pain of the Panth
When I see a Gursikh who inspires others to recite as much naam bani as they can
When I see a Gursikh who encourages others to grow their kesh and keep rehit
When I see a Gursikh who motivates others to take Amrit
When I see a Gursikh who speaks the truth and is not scared of anyone but Vaheguru
I see the smiling face of Sant Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale shining from that Gursikh's face.
Yes, I also have SEEN Sant Ji!
nice reply
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Hi everyone.
This is the first time that I am actually posting on a Sikh Forum. I am a white and female. I have studied the basics of Sikhism and Id like to know more about the faith and especially its followers. and get to know more of your faith and
For me out of all the people in the world, Punjabi people are the most lively and joyful. Well I dont know where to start maybe you can give me a little intro of yourself and what you most like about your faith and your culture.
I think that way I'll get the best topics to discuss and get to know your faith and YOU!!!
I think the first important thing you can learn about the SIkh religion is that it is seperate from Punjabi Culture. SOme people try to dilute SIkhi by mixing it with Punjabi Culture. But Sikhi is a distinct path which solely based on spirituality.
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Does anybody have Keertan Notations for the following Shabads
Mittar Pyaarey Noon
Nasro Mansoor Guru Gobind SIngh!
Waaho Waaho Gobind Singh Aapey Guru Chela
I would be extremely grateful if somebody can provide the notations.
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The parnali of Gurmat sangeet rests on 3 principals - shabad, saaj and raag. people, sukhdeep, singhstah, think about anything our gurus did or any bakhshish they gave us. was there any point in Guru Nanaks life where he did something useless? This Guru Nanak gave us a Rabab. Why? He could have used any instrument in vogue at the time. Please stop posting turds on here you two, about saaj and raag not being important. They are very important. So important that Guru Ji classified Aad Guru to raags. Why? Guru Ji could have just written them in any order.
See if this will help you.
In our local gurdwara, there are 2 sections in the langar hall. One where sangat sits on the floor in pangat and partakes of langar. The other where sangat sit on tables and chairs. However is the langar that the sangat is eating different? No. But which traditon did our Guru start? Sitting on the floor as a sign of humility, as slaves in our masters house, or on tables and chairs as a sign of sovereignty?
They are eating it differently but eating the same food that our Guru has provided. If you ask people who sit on chairs they say there is nothing wrong with it. But is it the tradition of our Guru? No. Eating langar is not just about eating food. There is a spirituality and reasoning behind it.
This is the same with kirtan. Just becos it is hard work doing it the way Guru taught us, it doesn't mean that we can cut corners and post drivel on websites to make ourselves look clever like you two are doing, and make Guru out to look like he gave us a teaching that became worthless in 300 or so years. Guru's teachings are eternal.
Its a shame how you insult your Guru's pyaar and effort. And sukhdeepppp, the namdharis may not believe in Aad Granth as Guru but they beleive in Guru Nanak as their Guru. They has preserved the Rabab of Guru ji, for all their faults whereas you have just insulted Guru's Rabab by questioning the necessity of it. Why couldnt you have been born in nirankari radha swami family or something?
Why are you referring it to as Gurus Rabab. The Rabab existed before Guru Jis time. You are trying to give the Rabab some kind of sacred status by associating it as Gurus Rabab. Guru gave us method to experience GuruShabad and this is what all spiritual seekers want to experience. IF you want to ritualize your experience by being infatuated by the wordly sounds of the physical senses instead of the spiritual sounds within which is the true hard work then thats your choice. A person can do kirtan with any instrument they want. Lets not forget Kirtan is about Keerat its not about music or sounding nice. The ears need to be focused on the True GurShabad. The instruments are just there as a tool to stir more emotions for Kirtan.
In regard to Langar Maryada. This is about Dharmic Principle. Which is all are equal , we all sit in humility,and enjoy Guru Ka Langar. What Dharmic Principle does classical kirtan have? Im not saying Classical Kirtan is a bad thing. It is a good thing if it gets you closer to the True Gurshabad, but its not mandatory for you to have a spiritual experience. The only thing mandatory in kirtan is sincere devotion.
The origianl poster posted a very good and sincere post about learning Kirtan. Kirtan is part of a Gursikhs rehat which should be either listenend to or sung everyday. Its the food of our soul and its the Highest in this age of Kaljug. By enjoying/eating the ras from Kirtan all our wordly pleasures are destroyed and then we get anand. For the original poster I would suggest you to hang around with people who truly enjoy Kirtan, and ask someone to teach you how to play the vaja,Rabab, or any instrument which you like.
guir suB idRsit sB aUpir krI ]
gur subh dhrisatt sabh oopar karee ||
The Guru has bestowed His Glance of Grace upon all,
ijs kY ihrdY mMqRü dy hrI ]
jis kai hiradhai ma(n)thra dhae haree ||
within whose hearts the Lord has implanted His Mantra.
AKMf kIrqnu iqin Bojnu cUrw ]
akha(n)dd keerathan thin bhojan chooraa ||
The unbroken Kirtan of the Lord's Praises is their food and nourishment.
khu nwnk ijsu siqguru pUrw ]8]2]
kahu naanak jis sathigur pooraa ||8||2||
Says Nanak, they have the Perfect True Guru. ||8||2||
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hmm ok, lets do kirtan to bagpipes
))))KIrtan is primarily about praising our beloved SatGuru Ji. All of the Kirtan should be centered on the True GurShabd. The playing of the instruments is only the mechanical aspect of Kirtan. Again Kirtan is about doing Keerat ( praise ) of our True Satguru Ji. But then again I dont think these NaamDharis at Raj Academy will teach you to do satkar on the True Guru, if anything they are going to give you doubts about the Gurshabad and try to make kirtan a whole ritualistic exercise.
THe point of kirtan is to get so intune of the True SatgUru Ji that we stop the instruments and vibrate on the Anahat Shabad carelessly- Sat Sat SaTGuru Ji. As Gurmat Yogis tHe instrument is our cave while the GurShabad is the point of focus.
If you have learned a classical instrument that is great. You should learn more and more and teach others. But I dont think its so wise to undermine kirtan by assuming that certain instruments need to be played. Kirtan is God and God is not dependent on any worldly instruments.
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Gurmat Ramza
in GURBANI | SAKHIAN | HISTORY
Posted
The other day I saw some great post on Tapoban.org on Bhai Sahibs book Gurmat Ramza. Bhai Kulbir Singh Ji has translated part of the book.
Bhai Randhri Singh Ji which was such a great Gurbani Scholar. He never relied on Hindu thought , nor did he rely on Non- AMrit Dhari Nirmaleys to undersand the teachings of our Great Guru. Bhai Sahib always intepreted Gurbani stictly on Gurmat Naam. His translation do such a great justice to promote an awakening for Naam with the Jagasoo. In his writings he would always explain the mysteries of words written in Gurbani. For example at times Veechar often means Naam Abhyiaas. Bhai Sahibs translations are so profound and so in tuned to Gurmat that his translations provoke the reader to search deeper and deeper in the mystical ocean of Gurbani.
Here are the writings translated by Bhai Randhir Singh Ji
1) Aatmik Rass and Mental Rass (Mystical or Spiritual pleasure Vs Mental pleasure)
Only after tasting Aatmik Rass, Vismaad (wonderous) rass can be tasted. In Atmik Rass alone, Vismaad Rass can be tasted or known right inside this body. Below this Aatmik Rass are the Mental Rass that can be tasted through the mann but these mental rass are all frivolous because they don’t have any trace of Vismaad rass in them.
2) Spiritual life is not a subject of mental intelligence:
Often people try to measure and explain the Aatmik jeevan (Gurmat Spiritual life) through intelligence but in order to understand the deep and profound spiritual secrets how can intellectualism suffice. All these attempts to understand spiritualism through intellectualism are just futile. Even the topmost philosophers and scholars of philosophy and intellectualism cannot fathom the truth of Gurmat spirituality and divinity. It is not appropriate to try to understand Gurmat spiritualism through worldly intelligence and using measures of intellectualism.
3) Worldly Morality / Ethics and Divine or True Wisdom
Worldly goodness, ethics and morality have a worldly status or level. Many friends unwittingly consider worldly wisdom as true wisdom but they don’t know that real wisdom or the true wisdom is realized only in “Sehaj Avastha” and this true wisdom is unique from the reasoning of philosophers. Sehaj Avastha has been explained in the following Pankiti:
ਕਰਮੀਸਹਜੁਨਊਪਜੈਵਿਣਸਹਜੈਸਹਸਾਨਜਾਇ॥………….
ਕਹੈਨਾਨਕਗੁਰਪਰਸਾਦੀਸਹਜੁਉਪਜੈਇਹੁਸਹਸਾਇਵਜਾਇ॥
4) Naam Simran and Earning Sach
Naam simran and earning Sach are not two different things but same. Actually, Naam simran is earning Sach (sach laaha) as this Gurvaak says:
ਸਚਿਸਿਮਰਿਐਹੋਵੈਪਰਗਾਸੁ……..॥
Which means that through Naam Simran alone Parkash (enlightenment) happens; therefore doing Naam simran is earning Sach.
5) Elimination of Haume
As per Gurmat, Haume is destroyed only through Naam. In support of this principle there are many Gurvaaks. The medicine that can destroy Haume is only Naam. Only through Naam Haume is destroyed and through Naam only Liv (smadhi) occurs.
***************End of Translation*************
The above is a meager attempt to translate some of Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee’s writings. It is impossible to translate Bhai Sahib’s writings in English and I don’t claim the above to be an accurate translation. Please refer to the original text in case of a doubt.
Below is a humble attempt to translate next 5 Ramza written by Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee. Bhai Sahib wrote in total 31 Gurmat Ramza. In the coming days we will attempt to translate the rest of the Ramza. Bhai Sahib has expressed some very profound spiritual thoughts in these Ramza. They are highly beneficial to the seekers of Vaheguru. Reading these Ramza, inspire one to Japp Naam with added vigour.
------------------Translation Begins-----------------------
6) The form of Real Knowledge (Tatt Gyaan): The form of real knowledge appears or manifests in the Hirda (a place, short distance above Naabhi), then it illuminates the inside, as per this Gurvaak:
ਜਾ ਕੈ ਰਿਦੈ ਬਿਸ੍ਵਾਸੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਆਇਆ ॥
ਤਤੁ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਤਿਸੁ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਇਆ ॥
7) Self Realization: After getting concentration in Naam, self realization occurs, as per this Gurvaak:
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਸੰਤਹੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ॥੮॥
8) Greatest Hukam (order) – Sifat Salaah (Praising Vaheguru): Guru Sahib’s greatest Hukam is Sifat-Salaah i.e. Naam Simran. Per Gurvaak:
ਏਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਹੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਬੁਝਾਇ ਜੀਉ ॥੫॥
Therefore obeying the Hukam actually means to chant Naam, or to earn the profit of Gurmantr or Gur-Shabad.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਆਪਣਾ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਸਬਦਿ ਕਸਵਟੀ ਲਾਇ ॥
Meaning, through the touchstone of Paaras roop Gur-shabad (Naam), Gurmukhs bring their mind under control; this is what is meant by destruction of Haume (ego). By taking refuge of Satguru and by being at the doorstep of Guru and then through Gurmat Naam alone does the mind get purified; as is mentioned in the following Gurvaak:
ਮਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਸਰਣਿ ਆਵੈ ਤਾ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
Otherwise the Nigura (Guru less) person does not even have Naam, then how can he purify his mind, as is mentioned in the Gurvaak:
ਮਨਮੁਖ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਥਕੇ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਸਕੀ ਧੋਇ ॥੧॥
9) Reading Gurmat books is a mean of controlling the mind:
One of the means of controlling the mind is reading Gurmat books. For this reason reading Gurmat related books don’t go in vain. Reading non-Sikhi are definitely a waste because by reading them one cannot derive any spiritual taste nor they provide any mean to control the mind:
ਪੜਣਾ ਗੁੜਣਾ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਕੀ ਕਾਰ ਹੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਵਿਕਾਰੁ ॥
ਹਉਮੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਸਭਿ ਪੜਿ ਥਕੇ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥
ਸੋ ਪੜਿਆ ਸੋ ਪੰਡਿਤੁ ਬੀਨਾ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਕਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
10) By chanting Naam, vices are eliminated:
By earning Gurshabad i.e. by chanting Naam, vices get eliminated because Naam is a medicine:
ਨਾਮ ਅਉਖਧੁ ਜਿਹ ਰਿਦੈ ਹਿਤਾਵੈ ॥ ਤਾਹਿ ਰੋਗੁ ਸੁਪਨੈ ਨਹੀ ਆਵੈ ॥
ਭਰੀਐ ਮਤਿ ਪਾਪਾ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਧੋਪੈ ਨਾਵੈ ਕੈ ਰੰਗਿ ॥
This does not make sense that first your vices should get eliminated and then you can attain Naam.
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More to follow soon.
Kulbir Singh