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VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Who are you doing Keertan for? Keertan is a heartfelt interaction between God and you. The Sangat is supposed to be there to join you, support you and carry you and be carried by you in Keertan. Don't do it as a performance. Do it as an expression of how you feel and want to interact with the Almighty. The feel, as harsharan00 describes above, has its own ras. There are Keertanis/Raagis out there that are not Bollywood voices, but their desire, bairag and intensity of emotion in Keertan is something beyond the confines of their vocal talent and the Sangat is carried away by such Keertan by sheer emotion and bairag/Chardi Kalaa of the Keertan. Conversely, there are those with beautiful voices that have no depth in their Keertan because they are missing that personal connection with the Almighty - it is a performance, not true Keerat of the Almighty. Most important is Gur Parmeshwar - It knows well what and how you are trying to communicate. Like a child who, from the soul, reaches out to his/her Divine Father/Mother to communicate, the Almighty is all too aware of your spiritual state and truly desires your love above all talent and music mastery. On a more worldly level, it could also be a question of the tunes and octaves you are selecting to do Keertan in. Do you have a Keertan teacher? If so, and they know Raag, they may be able to guide you to what Raags and octaves you should be playing in to optimize the use of your voice and perhaps train your voice to the desired effect. Bhai Jasbir Singh and Sant Niranjan Singh Sometime in January of 1981, Veerji went to seek the darshan of Saint Scholar Sant Naranjan Singh of Patiala. Veerji had met Sant Ji on previous occasions but it was after 1981 that they became close and Veerji used to go regularly to Patiala to meet Sant Ji. Although Veerji used to sing shabad kirtan without the use of any musical instruments even before meeting Sant Ji, it was in Guru Nanak Ashram in Patiala that he received his blessing from Sant Ji to do kirtan with the use of the harmonium. During one of his meetings with Veerji, Sant Ji told Veerji that he would require him to go to Manimajare in two days to perform the kirtan seva in place of Sant Ji. Without any hesitation, Veerji immediately in all humility agreed to undertake the seva. However, upon reflection he realised that he would not be able to perform the kirtan seva and he informed Sant Ji that as he had never sung anyshabads and that as did not know how to do kirtan with the waja. He beseeched Sant Ji that he would only be able to carry out this seva with his (Sant Ji’s) blessings. Sant Ji responded that there was no human being who would be able to teach him kirtan within such a short period of time and that he should take his (Sant Ji’s) harmonium to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as it was only Guru Ji who would be able to teach him. Veerji complied and brought the harmonium to the Sachkhand Asthaan where Sri Guru Granth Sahib’s sukhasan was done at the Guru Nanak Ashram at Patiala. It was here that Guru Ji blessed Veerji with the melody, comprising of just a few notes. Veerji was estatic when he received this blessing from Guru Ji and shouted uncontrollably, “Aya Gya. Ay Gya”(“I got it, I got it”). It was melody that Veerji used successfully for man years and which totally captivated the sangat for years to come. http://www.panthrattan.com/pdf/bhaijasbirjeeveni.pdf

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Gurbani says to remember God awake, asleep, standing, sitting, etc. It is not bound to whatever state of mental status you are in. If you have found Gurbani in a coma and you are blessed enough to pursue a Sikh life in that coma, so be it. Intent, awareness and ultimately enlightenment is vital, not the state of consciousness. Real is as real as you perceive. If you die of a heart attack in a dream, then perhaps your dream was the final reality you experienced. If you die in a coma, perhaps that coma was the reality in which you last experienced what you perceive as real. If you are able to achieve enlightenment in the Matrix, then the objective would be achieved (true enlightenment, not what the computer program feeds you). Reality is experience. What you experience is your reality. For a schizophrenic, their reality may be very different from your reality, but in the end, it is a reality that they experience. It is others that invalidate that person's reality by enforcing their terms of reality (collective reality - the perception of a collective vs. the individual) onto that person with schizophrenia and then suppressing that reality to the collective perception with medication and psychotherapy that is called disease. If the schizophrenic was a lone soul in the Amazon rainforest, perhaps his/her reality would be the true reality, as there is nobody there to state otherwise (Schizophrenia is a Western disorder. More traditional views on this disease are these people have a special ability to communicate with a spirit world that others do not have the capability of. Some have stated that schizophrenics are developed into shamans and medicine men/women in other cultures, under the guidance of another as them to work through the disorganized nature of the disorder and be able to wield the power they have and communicate/interact with the spirit world). But perhaps religion is a Matrix fed altered state of consciousness created by an All powerful computer to suppress independent thought and distract from the quest of overthrowing the machine? Well, that is a reality that you would have to explore and derive your own conclusions on. But on the opposite side, perhaps the media, fashion, movies. alcohol, smoking and others are a collective means of suppressing society and distracting its true awakening to the real essence of Humanity and its true destiny by a few who wish to wield power at the expense and on the collective suppression of society - the many will serve the few... Sikhism also is a firm believer in having a Guru, as even the name of a Nirgura - one without a Guru - is bad. So Sikhs do not ascribe to the viewpoint that you should simply pursue the truth without having adopted a spiritual master.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH I am not a deep study of western philosophy or a great admirer of it. I had taken Western Philosophy in college and found the thought process of Western philosophers very basic and rather boring. Much of the philosophy seemed to confuse one rather than enlighten. I personally was not impressed. Most appeared as self centered and attempts to rationalize the experience with the 5 senses and make sense of everything by using a limited human intellect that cannot see beyond its limited sensory perception and limited mental capabilities. Sikhi is a game of love. Those who have been blessed with the drive to do Naam Simran and delve into what Gurbani says (and then follow) fall deeper and deeper in love. But that is why Gurprasad is in the Mool Mantar - it requires the Almighty Grace on a Sikh to be so enamored. This is not a path of discussion or musing about whether the table exists after you cease to experience it with your senses. This is a quest for reuniting desperately with the Almighty. It is an experience. Gurbani is not a dry philosophy for debates - it drives at the very core of a human with passion and depth that one realizes, not understands. Gurbani reveals and appeals to the inner self and brings forth a drive to work towards a relationship with that Almighty, all pervading God, all the while being driven further and further mad and less attached to the ways of the world based in materialism and sensory satisfaction. I think I cannot explain this well enough - it is something Sikhs experience and don't/can't really put on paper and tell you how it is perceived in the 5 senses. As you are possibly Amritdhari longer than I am, please do give some insight to the deeper meaning of Naam and what you have discovered about it. It would be good to get more experienced Sikhs to reveal what they have discovered.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Are we confusing swas swas technique of doing Naam Simran with being given Naam? There are different stages of reciting Naam and different ways (related to stages to some extent). You can refer to Sant Baba Attar Singh's book (forgot name, its his more expanded biography) which goes through techniques. You can also refer to the ten stages of Naam Simran by Sant Baba Hari Singh of Randhawa for a 30 minute Katha on stages of Naam. Bhai Raghbir Singh's Banginama also goes over some of the evolution if Naam. Techniques can evolve as kamai progresses. Past kamai can also influence how Naam manifests itself when you are given it at the Amrit sanchar. Specific to Taksal, the maryada speaks of the Punj Pyare instructing the new initiates in Naam Simran technique by reciting Gurmantar 5 times (Mool Mantar 5 times as well). Reference is Gurmat Rehat Maryada. Katha on Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh of Taksal narrated by Sant Hari Singh also talked of how when Sant Ji's Naam Simran had not stopped from the moment he was given Naam by the Punj Pyare - awake or asleep, sitting or standing etc. Lastly, never been to Montreal...am from U.S.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH All should. It is written in the Sikh Rehat Maryada, Damdami Taksal Maryada. Giving of Naam is something that is supposed to be a part of every Amrit Sanchar. The techniques can vary per the mauj of Guru Sahib, but all should be receiving the Gurmantar/Naam in the Amrit Sanchar and given the knowledge on how to recite Naam.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH They will arrange - usually one of the sevadaars present doing seva in the Punj Pyare or Pehradaar or Granthi Singh etc. will be able to do the translation and still maintain the confidentiality needed. It is best to go in alone first and depending on the needs, arrangements can be made.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH It is up to the Sikh presenting himself/herself in front of the Punj Pyare too. Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh went twice. The first time, the Punj Pyare said no, he returned. The second time he went, they said no, he refused to leave. The Punj Pyare told him to go lie on the train tracks and await their response. He departed to the train tracks. The Punj Pyare sent a Singh and said when a train nears, see if he flees or stays. If he stays, tell him to come back here. He laid on the train tracks, a train approached and he did not budge. The Singh sent by the Punj Pyare said for Bhai Fauja Singh to get up, he refused, saying that he would only get up when the Punj Pyare themselves would tell him to get up. The Singh dragged Bhai Fauja Singh off the tracks. The Punj Pyare found him worthy to give Amrit to. So yes, the Punj Pyare can always say yes whenever they so choose. Sant Baba Attar Singh Mastuana was asked why he gave Amrit to everyone, even those who were not kesadhari, but presented themselves in front of the Punj Pyare for Amrit. He stated that it is like farming - the farmer sews the seeds, and it is by the karams of the seeds that some blossom forth and others will remain ungerminated. There is more at play in the game of Amrit than can be fully expressed here. If you have the desire, present yourself in front of the Punj Pyare and let the Divine Drama play out as intended.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH How much of Gurbani do you understand? If none or minimal, start there. Reading translations good, but Gurbani Keertan is also needed. The music will soften your mind and make the delivery of Gurbani to your mind much easier. What you describe is a real deprivation of knowing what Gurbani says. If Katha attracts you, find a good Kathakaar on the internet and start to listen - Sant Waryam Singh, Bhai Sant Singh Maskeen, Bhai Pinderpal Singh, Baba Ranjit Singh, Bhai Paramjit Singh Khalsa are good starts.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Disclaimer: I am also a Western educated person with a thorough background in the sciences. While my particular interests lie in Biology, I am a pharmacist by profession, which means chemistry was an emphasis in my education. Why did I tell you the above? Because if you think education in the Western system is somehow a means to dismiss the "backward" thoughts of religion, you are delusional and frankly must not have done a single day of Nitnem in your life. Warning: The below is about to get brutal. I think it is deserved, as you are already leaning towards cutting your kesh after being Amritdhari and you need some good old fashion yelling. Human condition is EXACTLY what Gurbani addresses. Science can make new inventions, it can made life "easier", but it has NOT resolved the affairs of the human condition. People are truly less happy now then they were before. Comforts do not equate to happiness. The world is diving further and further into a materialistic frenzy, desperately looking to satisfy their needs externally rather than internally, where self contentment is the true key to happiness. Guess what - GURBANI SAYS THIS. What you fail to realize is that one of the stages of Simran is "Gurmukh Rom Rom Har Dhaivai" - you want to cut off the very machinery that will drive Naam Simran? Naam Simran that is the very core of Sikhi and the very tool that Guru Sahib gave to you to (eventually) do Simran with, you want to eliminate. You think the Gurus arbitrarily made hair sacred for a Sikh? Do even know that hair is something that was sacred to the Jews (read the Bibile - God's command as delivered through Moses), the Hindus (read what punishment was relegated to Brahmins for the highest crimes), Christians (Jesus of Nazereth - read about the Nazerenes) and many others? They weren't all stupid or irrational. Hair is a very important tool for spiritual progress, but you want to eliminate it and maintain a spiritual "patit" jeevan (oxymoron). Basically, it sounds like you did not get into Sikhi for the right reasons or knew why you were getting into Sikhi. It is not about guilt tripping and what others did. We as a Panth have to understand that this is not a sustainable means of getting our youth involved into Sikhi. There is a spiritual reason for what the Gurus did - ALL OF IT. Your statement about setting aside religion for science to solve the human condition point to a severe deficit of understanding what Gurbani actually says. You REALLY need to read and understand Gurbani first. When you heard about those Shaheeds, did you ever wonder WHY they made all of those sacrifices? What was do precious about Sikhi to them that they were willing to die? Perhaps you should spend some time contemplating the WHY more than the actions themselves. You can be a sehajdhari and do Naam Simran? Sure, anyone can do recitation of the Gurmantar - why even have Amrit at all? When Gurbani says that the very name of a Nirgura is bad, what do you think your status will be as a patit? Naam Kamai - actual earning of Naam that will count in the end to its full potential - can ONLY be done by an Amritdhari Gursikh. Naam Simran will impart some benefits to any who recite it, but its full accounting and kamai is for the Amritdhari Gursikh. What Guru would accept your donation of 10% when you have retracted your head that you gave to the Guru? It's like saying to your parents that you are no longer their son/daughter, but will still pay rent for living there - yeah, slightly insulting. You are breaking the covenant between you and the Guru and the only Darshan you will have is of Jamdoots, who will not be kind. But if I tell you more about that, you will blame me for guilt tripping you or scaring you back towards Sikhi. Look, let me put it this way. By whatever means, you have entered into Sikhi. It does not sound like you have good Sangat at all. You owe it to yourself to get some good Sangat of learned Gursikhs and start to read and understand Gurbani. Ask your questions to them and they will respond. But truth be told, when one does Sangat of Gursikhs, questions disappear themselves. One does not get answers - one stops asking because the questions lose their importance. When you read Gurbani, UNDERSTAND its meanings. Try to feel its meanings. For a Sikh, mere reading is not enough - understanding and finally FOLLOWING Gurbani's teachings is key. You need to discover what Gurbani actually says, how it relates to the human condition and the solutions it offers. I doubt you are getting any Anand from (or doing) any Naam Simran 0 if you were, the peace and tranquility it delivers would be enough to never question your being an Amritdhari Sikh. How long have you been ignoring Nitnem, Rehat and other things? You can probably graph your own looseness in Rehat and Gursikhi with the rise of doubts and your current state. What will be will be. Cut hair or not, it will not make a difference to Sikhi. Vaheguru created the Khalsa and Vaheguru will always have victory. This is about you. You need to sort it out, do a bit more delving into what Sikhi actually is before you make whatever decision you are about to make. You have, frankly, failed to make any positive progress alone or with whatever Sangat you have been associating. You really need some Gursikh sangat to address your spiritual needs and get any understanding of Gurbani that has escaped you for 10 years. This is for your own betterment, nobody else. Sikhi is not about doing favors for anyone - it is for you to awaken your true nature and essence and going beyond the materialistic presentation of the world.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH If I attend medical school, go to all the classes, attend every lecture, take and pass every exam, BUT never filled out the application, paid the fee or became registered with the medical school, can I graduate from medical school? NO Application has to be completed (you go to the Amrit Sanchar and present yourself in front of the Deans/Principles - the Punj Pyare), pay the fee (give your head to the Guru) and THEN you can attend the school (Khalsa Panth/Sikhi).

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH One should be alone with the Punj Pyare during the peshi/sudhai. There is a code of anonymity related to anyone getting sudhai/peshi.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Per my memory, so errors may be possible. Akeeba was an illiterate Jewish shepherd who decided in his adult life to study his religious texts. Doing so, he became a pious soul. Eventually, he was captured by the Romans and sentenced to death by torture. As the torture began, Akeeba began to recite his religious scriptures. The Romans laughed and said what is the point of reciting scriptures if this torture and execution has been the result. Akeeba responded that he had been reciting scriptures all of his life FOR this moment. When we read the Shabad: ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਨਾਰਾਇਣੁ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥ Anth Kaal Naaraaein Simarai Aisee Chinthaa Mehi Jae Marai || At the very last moment, one who thinks of the Lord, and dies in such thoughts, ਬਦਤਿ ਤਿਲੋਚਨੁ ਤੇ ਨਰ ਮੁਕਤਾ ਪੀਤੰਬਰੁ ਵਾ ਕੇ ਰਿਦੈ ਬਸੈ ॥੫॥੨॥ Badhath Thilochan Thae Nar Mukathaa Peethanbar Vaa Kae Ridhai Basai ||5||2|| Says Trilochan, that man shall be liberated; the Lord shall abide in his heart. ||5||2|| (526) How does this state of mine become to remember the Almighty at the end? When death approaches, so many thoughts and feelings can rush to a being - family, pain, fear, etc. It is only through continuous recitation of Gurbani, which emphasizes Naam Simran unendingly, that one's mind can be clear of all other things upon the last moment and stay solely focused on Naam Simran. Gurbani is clear - ang after ang, verse after verse, Naam Simran is the ultimate. Some have made the other mistake of saying, "Well, why not do Naam Simran only. Forget all of the other stuff". Gurbani and Naam are interlinked and of the same - one encourages the other. Without one, the Sikh is not doing complete Bhagti. If Gurbani continuously says to do Naam Simran and you don't, you are not listening to th Guru. Conversely, when doing Naam Simran, the mind will eventually doubt the fruit of this effort - Gurbani is there to sustain it, guide it and explain to the mind that purpose of Simran and other things he/she should be doing alongside to maintain Simran. It is not a ritual - it is your spiritual breathing. Much as you cannot stop breathing and continue to exist physically, without Nitnem, you are cutting off the knowledge on how to breathe spiritually. The Gurbani in Nitnem (and Gurbani in general) are the muscles by which you "breathe Naam".

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Giani Harban Singh Ji: http://sikhbookclub.com/ - search by author under Giani Harbans Singh. 14 volumes I thinnk.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH http://www.akj.org/skins/one/books.php?ch=1&bookid=2 A good overview of what Amrit is and what it does. Despite the website being of a Jathebandi, it is applicable across all Sikhs. A good bit of advice is to practice prior to taking the step. Practice being an Amritdhari Sikh - wake up at Amritvela, do Paath of Nitnem Banian, wear Kakkars and embody what is required to be an Amritdhari Sikh. It will give you the practical exposure to what you will be doing after Amrit, present you with the challenges and some of the benefits of being a Gursikh. Don't take setbacks with depression - strive harder to achieve your goals and when you feel ready, go to the Punj Pyare and they will decide if you are ready. If you are desparate for Amrit and feel that you absolutely cannot wait another minute/hour/day, you should present yourself in front of the Punj Pyare and they will decide your fate and advise you if you are not ready or bestow Amrit to you if you are. Remember that their word is Law - you are bound to it until death.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Yes, it is one of the ridhi-sidhis that follow Gursikhs around as they progress in their spirituality - Vaak Sidhi. This is not a Sikhi-exclusive - Hindus, yogis knew of this as well. It is described as a result of pursuing the path of truth - one becomes the embodiment of truth, so much so that the universe becomes bound to the words of that individual and whatever he/she says, the cosmos will bend to his/her word to make it true. It is not a goal or a desired outcome - only the merging with the Almighty is the true goal. However, this, and many other such powers are at the beckoning of Gursikhs, and Vaak Sidhi occurs naturally to Gursikhs who have progressed.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Again I ask, in all of these beadbi incidents, where the fluffing hail are the Granthi Singhs? Seriously, what are they paid for and why is beadbi being done when their entire job is to be preventing beadbi and administering to sangati programs? Sangat members I can say are ignorant and don't know any better - Granthi Singhs paid to do their duties - not so much.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH I REALLY wanted to not do any more wall of text responses, but then there are some that you just cannot help... Disclaimer: The below is going to look very mean and angry from my responses. In a way it is. But understand that it is directed at the content of the article and the article itself is encouraging feedback and comments. The content is strong as the allegations are strong, given the movie's overwhelming positive reception. The comments are NOT addressed at the writer of this article, but the content itself, in that I do not harbor ill-will or animosity towards her. We are allowed to have our difference of opinion and I find this to be an appropriate vehicle to provide the counterpoint/rebuttal. Lastly, I am not being financially compensated by any movie production studio and am providing my views with the only bias that I like Sikhi movies. Yes, there are typos and misspellings here, I did not have time to (nor do I usually) edit my writing for such. Glad the positives were recognized, though at times, it sounded strained, as if all of this was done to set up for the negatives. A) Support the movie financially, morally and in any means possible to encourage more of their kind. B) The Kathavachaks have been repeating the same Katha from Sooraj Parkash for hundreds of years - should we tell them to stop C) The first step to learning is to watch/read over and over. By this action alone, the content seeps into a person's mind and then inner contemplation begins and finally, implementation. We read Gurbani over and over everyday, listen to the same Katha over and over and do seva over and over for a reason. If "rinse and repeat: is inspiring people to be practicing Sikhs, explaining our history and awakening the deep asleep Sikh youth towards their hearitage, why is this an issue? Everything is effort - perhaps someone needs to spearhead that? Don't expect the Akaal Takht Sahib to do everything for you, the Sikhs - Sikhs and the relevant organizations must do this. Nothing is stopping Vismaad from petitioning likewise. https://www.facebook.com/#!/video.php?v=665201160259629 - most of this critique can be rebutted through this movie. Of note, Mr. Baweja was interviewed and explicitly stated that he had the script reviewed by the SGPC and stamped so nobody could come back and say it was inaccurate. the beef over content should be with the SGPC. We'll make more money. If the Sikhs can take a wasteland that was Indian Punjab and make it into the most productive agricultural area in the region, then the well off Sikhs of today can certainly make more money. What money have we spent on the movie? I don't recall anyone forcing anyone to see the movie or demanding investments while the movie was being made. Sad reality - many Sikhs watch nonsensical, anti-Gurmat movies all the time. I don't see anyone raising hue and cry over that state of the Panth. What about the bhangra/gidda/kabaddi and all the other things that invite manmat, kurehits? Has Singhstation campaigned as hard against those social illnesses? The question to ask is if we can spend 10-20 dollars or whatever denomination to inspire others with Sikhi, is it worth it? I could spend thousands of dollars and speak at Gurdwaras and still have less effect than that 10-20 dollar equivalent ticket. Sounds like this movie is doing more per dollar than all of our parchariks combined. I don't even see anyone giving the movie creators and associated staff expensive cars of doing matha tek to them! We are not starving of money and this spending will only encourage more movies like this and force other studios to step up their game. Same happened with Sadda Haq - great movie that encouraged others to be produced. The critics were very shortsighted in their barrage of complaints against the movie, its creators and the inaccuracies. The viewing audience voted with their money and now there is a vested monetary incentive to produce Sikhi related movies and songs as it sells. Call it whatever you will, this IS a form of parchar. It's not flowing out anywhere. Maybe it will flow out of the barber shops and liquor thekas back towards Sikhi. That seems to be a point not being considered here. If hundreds or thousands are inspired towards the Sikhi path away from drugs, alcohol and patit-ness, this movie is causing a net gain to Sikhi. Sorry, the economics being presented is off. Outside of the Vismaad productions and Proud to be Sikh (which I still can't find anywhere to see), I have never heard of the other movies. Sorry, PR and media sells and the makers of Char Sahibzadae did it right - big in its PR, good in quality and ground-breaking in its 3D. The world will teach anyone that if you make a great thing, but are unable to tell anyone about it, it's effects will be minimal, if at all (current state of Sikhi, come to think of it). They made it, they put it in so many locations that the audience was able to see it and they are reaping the rewards for being able to do so. Please don't blame the Char Sahibzadae for doing something that the other movie production studios were unable to do. I say this being an active volunteer for Vismaad (at least in the past releases) in the local area with other Gursikhs who had to work their butts to get it to show in one (only one) theater for one weekend - and that took a month of effort. I know Bhai Sukhvinder Singh personally and he is a great Gursikh. I hope this success of the Char Sahibzadae inspires him and Vismaad studios to go for better, bigger and 3D. It is not a competition - we have so few movies related to Sikhi that whenever one comes out, the Gursikhs (at least here) run to see it. No money is being taken away from anyone. The only thing this movie threatens to do is that the next time an animated film comes out, it WILL be compared to Char Sahibzadae, so all production studios should take note of this. What studies? Are they double blind, multi-national, adequately powered, randomized? This is not a drug being brought to the market, it's a MOVIE. Finally, the difference is that it is about choice - the audience is CHOOSING to see this movie based on others' feedback and continue to compound the favorable reviews because is really is a good movie. Are their shortcomings? Yes. I can tell you that I am one of the stone hearted individuals who did not shed a tear in that movie - the reason was Mata Gujri's portrayal and I will be the first to admit that her portrayal was inaccurate and a few others (history says that the Vadde Sahibzadae killed hundreds in the battlefield, not a handful, and a couple of other minor issues. I was emotional during Vismaad's Sahibzadae production, but that is because the history is such). But the Vismaad that you are portraying as superior also has inaccuracies. I highly doubt that Gursikhs were jailed with Kirpans and bana as shown in the beginning of Bhai Subeg Singh Bhai Shabaz Singh and in the Sahibzadae movie. Such license has to be taken to get an audience to relate the characters and the settings to what they know. Nobody would know that a Nishan Sahib originally had a Kataar, Tegh and Dhaal on it, but that would be the historically accurate thing to portray. These artistic licenses have to be taken to get the viewer involved and relate to the story being told. In Sahibzadae, Mata Gujri is seen as angry at Gangu and calling him an akritghan before she is escorted to the Mughals, whereas other accounts see Mata Ji as always content and never uttering such language. The Char Sahibzadae clearly provided that disclaimer in the beginning of the movie that there was use of artistic license to appeal to the audience. if historical accuracy is desired, please read books. In fact, movies such as these are likely to inspire at least a few handful of viewers to read for more detail - all the better. I pay the same for both movie tickets. The makers of Char Sahibzadae did not come to my door and ask for money. Vismaad does actively campaign for funding of their priojects. Would I give them both money? YES. What is the problem exactly if they used loads of THEIR OWN money to make this movie and we are buying tickets and seeing the movie? What cost is being referred to here? So it is wholly better that movies not be made like this and our youth spoil their minds with filth like Minions, Lord of the Rings, Spongebob and others? The argument doesn't hold water. Let me explain this simply. The creators of Char Sahibzadae made a movie, put it out in the media on a large scale, the audience loved it, voted with their money and found it to be a wonderful movie. Question: Who right now in our community is able to do such a project? Do you (any of the readers) know anyone (please don't say Vismaad - I am more than aware of their budgetary constraints and Bhai Sukhvinder Singh would be more than willing to admit this). There is NOBODY. Stop pretending that there is, because there isn't. Those who are (SGPC) will NEVER do this for the Sikhs. This is reality. I am sorry it is this way, but it is. I didn't know there was a flood of them of equivalent quality. Please provide a list of these hundreds of movies. Personally, the pool of movies is so shallow, I could probably marathon-watch them all in a week. It's not like we have a Sikh Movie Archive, and if we did, we could probably house them all in one filing cabinet. Maya Di Barhi Phikar Payi???!! Guru Sahib will send us more, don't worry. Spend it on Sikhi affairs and the Sikhs will never be poor. We are one of the richest communities in the world in a per person basis. I don't need a study to exhibit this - it is apparent from the flashy suits, cars and cell phones. Long term? What long term? Worry about the next 5-10 years and how many youth will be patits and others addicted to drugs, alcohol, gangs, relationships and other manmat. Our religion is bleeding Sikhs to manmat and non-Sikhi activities. I say spend like fools on whatever will stop this flood and get them back towards Sikhi. Again, it is a CHOICE. It is not mandated by the Akaal Takht Sahib to see this movie. I will readily accept that there are shortcomings in this movie and that should be the subject of any criticism and CONSTRUCTIVE feedback. But it is ground-breaking, of a quality that I would not be embarrassed to recommend to Americans, Canadians, etc. (basically Westerners) who are not Sikh to demonstrate a chapter in our history. TL;DR: Stop bashing a good movie. The counterpoints don't make sense

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Interesting...it is not a direct read of the teeka, if you will, but rather a Punjabified katha style of the teeka.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH I don't think that is a coincidence, but rather quite purposeful.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Per the request of my father (yes, he reads this forum), I am also posting the another detriment of the caste divisions that seems to not be addressed as prominently. When we look at the programs by anti-Sikh forces such as Jhootha Sauda and KaalMailas (Noormehilas), did you ever wonder where all of that population is coming from? How deras, with no real ideology or standing, are attracting thousands of followers? How Radha Soamis and the Rampals of the world have any devotees? Yep, caste has something to do what that too. As in the above video, when the "low caste" Sikhs are not able to enter, participate or be a part of the general Sikh community and are shunned, they will turn to other places for spiritual or (more likely) community support. They end up at these deras and are then used against Sikhs, even though they are from Sikh backgrounds. These shunned Sikhs are also what make a bedrock of the Christian converts that are in the Punjab today. So next time someone has to get on a pedestal and start to get all gaa-gaa over their caste affiliations - remember that such parchar not only divides the Sikh community, but also fans an exodus of Sikhs to deras and anti-Sikh groups. We are turning our own against us.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH So...future RSS leader or Prime Minister of India? With a resume like that, he surely will be in a high seat in the Indian government after an easy sentence at a luxury VIP prison room and parole granted after like 3 months.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH What the...???? Sent them an e-mail (an e-mail address was located under the Palki Sahib link) as follows. There is a phone number present there as well. VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH This e-mail is in reference to this website link: http://www.sikhlink.com/guru-granth-sahib-free.htm Your e-mail address was located here - http://www.sikhlink.com/palki-sahib.htm, so I am assuming this e-mail address is associated with the Sikhlink.com website. Gurmukho, I would advise that this service being provided to ship Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji be terminated immediately. There is no respect in shipping Guru Sahib's saroop through the mail system, and unless the seva being offered is that Punj Pyare are escorting Guru Sahib to their final destination and making sure that the place is suitable for parkash/sukhasan and to a house of devotees of Gurbani, there will be beadbi from the time of mailing to who knows when. Please understand that I was brought to this site from an online forum - word will only spread of this and there will outrage against this site and its admins/sevadaars. For the mutual interest of the Sikh Panth and yours, again, please shut down this offering immediately or clarify that the seva is being done in person by the Punj Pyare personally escorting Guru Sahib's saroop per established Maryada.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Glad this was highlighted. Let's do this. Everyone post a statement in support of this initiative and let's see how big this thread will get. It will continue to bump the thread to the top and keep at least our thoughts with Bhai Gurbaksh Singh.

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Ok, let me try to reply to this and bring up a point. Perhaps the productive nature of this posting would be to focus on highlighting caste and its detriment. It seems that you are from the UK. It is blaringly obvious for anyone living in the UK that many Gurdwaras are made on the basis of caste, correct? Why is that? Because the concept of caste continues to be propagated. People will highlight how many Sikhs are from Jatt historical background and feel so much pride in their "Jattness" that they will not let other "types of Sikhs" aka. castes be a part of that Gurdwara. The Ramgharias will highlight the history of Jassa Singh Ramgharia and how he was so cool, that they just had to make Ramgharia named Gurdwaras, and of course, not let other "types of Sikhs" be a part of the committees (this is in their Gurdwara CONSTITUTION!!!). From these two genius caste-mongers was born the Ravidas Gurdwaras, which went as far as to alter the Nishan Sahib and remove the Khanda, proclaim Bhagat Ravidaas as "Guru Ravidaas" and now spawned a new religious group that has removed parkash of Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and replaced it with another granth, effectively making them not Sikhs. Because having this pride in your own division translates to the old men and women in the Gurdwara asking what caste you are and making associations strictly because of them. Because then, instead of being called simply a Gurdwara, it is called a "Jattan Da Gurdwara" or "Sainian Da Gurdwara" or "Chammaran Da Gurdrwara". Seriously, wake up. Let's talk reality of the so called castes. When the invasions began of India, the foreigners would line up all of the Indians, tell them to open their mouths and spit in them. Where were your proud castes then? When your great great great great grandmothers were sold for pennies in the open market and made as slaves for the whims and pleasures of the foreign invaders, where were your proud castist forefathers? SIKHI is the reason that you have any position in the world, not Bhatra, Jatt, Ramgharia, Harijan, etc. Don't fool yourself into these divisions and understand that they perpetuate splinters in the Sikh faith and cause tensions. The unintended and real consequences that you don't see is the divisions that these lead to, divisions that result in physical fights, breaking from Sikhi and other things that have no use for Sikhi. Think I am chatting nonsense? Go watch this video and realize that these labels actually result in: This goes for all castes - when they come outside, they see caste as "their own" and huddle together in their own divisions rather than live as part of the Sikh Panth. They fight each other, refusing to see each other as brothers and sisters, but rather as someone else. It goes as extreme as having "Bishkarma Gurdwara" type creations, an oxymoron and an insult to Sikhi. Summary: Caste divisions and highlighting these "communities" are one of the MAJOR forces DESTROYING Sikhi. WAKE UP!

VAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA, VAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Bhenji, if you dye your hair, you will be considered a patit and have to present yourself in front of the Punj Pyare, be assigned a punishment, and be re-administered Amrit. Also, consider this: if you hide your grey hair now, your husband and his family will eventually find out the truth. This may not like the deception. You could cover your head with a chunni or Dastaar (It is Guru Sahib's Hukam - see 52 Hukams from Nander Sahib) and nobody should be able to say anything. How to explain: Well, say that Guru Sahib and Sikhi says not to, so you are prohibited from doing so. You don't have to convince anyone but yourself, and your strength and resolve is what people will see and understand. If you are unsure and on the fence, people will see that and continue to bother you. You have to convince only yourself and the rest of the world is of no consequence.