Freed

I got a strange request from a Polish guy at work - he has a thing for languages and he wanted me to translate this 'bumper sticker' saying into Punjabi. 'May the Best Day in Your Past Be the Worst Day in Your Future' or May the best of your past be the worst of your future I think it's quite hard to translate as I think it would have a totally different meaning in Punjabi. Any Ideas ? any suggestions greatly appreciated ! Freed.

Gurfateh ! Dear Bhai Sahib here are the verses you wanted, I have also included the lines you wanted in unicode Gurmukhi lipi so you can copy & paste them easily. Pyar Naal, Freed. * From Khalsa Sundar Gutka - Singh Sahib Jathedar Baba Santa Singh Ji , Shromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal, Panjvan Takht Chalda Vaheer, Punjab (Hindustan). CSJS. Amritsar pp 359-361 ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰਨ ਕੇ ਅਧੀਨ ਹੈ ਰਾਜ ॥ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸੋ ਜੋ ਚੜਹਿ ਤੁਰੰਗ ॥ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸੋ ਜੋ ਕਰਹਿ ਨਿੱਤ ਜੰਗ ॥ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸੋ ਜੋ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਕੋ ਧਾਰੇ ॥ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸੋ ਜੋ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਕਉ ਮਾਰੇ ॥

Gurfateh ! As you asked so nicely Bhai Sahib here is the passage you have referred to : * From 'Gurbani Paath Darpan' - Sriman Panth Rattan Vidia Maartand Sach Khand Vasi Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. - Damdami Taksal. Mehta. Third Ed. 2001. pp.71 - 72 Pyaar Naal, Gurfateh ! Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Gurfateh ! A.hem ....Coming back to the video - I don't want to nitpick (invariably when someone says that they DO want to nitpick!! ) The voice-over says Hazoor Sahib is one of the Five Takhts / Thrones. I thought the 'invention' of five takhts is seen as - I think the correct terminology is - "SGPC / Neo Sikh" corruption of traditions. In other words there are 4 takhts ( Akaal Bunga Sahib,Patna Sahib, Kesgarh Sahib & Hazoor Sahib) and The Buddha Dal is the living breathing , moving fifth takht. Am I right ? is this just an oversight by the video-maker ? Any views ? * Note : Mainstream Sikh Ardas always remembers the 5 takhts (including Damdama Sahib(Guru Ki Kanshi)) , other traditions remember 4 takhts.

Gurfateh ! I don't believe a specific 'Vaisakhi' hukumnama is available - but from those available it is clear that the Sangat was requested to come bearing arms ; Line 7 of hukumnama 25 states : 'Hathiaar bann ke darshan aa vanna' - Seek 'darshan' bearing arms In the famous Patiala hukumnama (hukumnama 12) line 3 states ; 'Tudh jamiat le ke asade hajoor aavana' - 'Come into my presence with all your 'men' (personal army)' Line 9 states ; 'Tussan assvaar le ke aavana jaroor' - a request to come with horsemen (mounted cavalry). The Patiala Hukumnama is dated CE 1696 and the request for cavalry was to help in the battle with the Hill Rajas. It is said that because of this help Guru Sahib bestowed his special blessing on the House of Patiala. It is said that it is because of this special blessing that much later during the Missal Period, the 11 missals did not attack the Phulkian states. Here are some more images - in colour ; The Hukumnama sent by Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib - a 'Hukum Khas Furman' - to the sangat of Patna at the time of the Prakash , birth of Guru Gobind Singh - expressing their Joy and hope the sangat will contine to assist and help Guru Sahib's family at this special time. This Hukumnama is Kept at Takht Patna Sahib. The 'Nisan' of Guru Gobind Singh - in a puratan Saroop of Guru Granth Sahib - Takht Patna Sahib The Nisan of Guru Gobind Singh Ji The Patiala Hukumnama Details The 'Patiala Motto' the words of Guru Sahib - "Your house is my refuge" - 'Tera Ghar Mera Asey' Gurfateh ! Freed

20. Sangat Pattan Sheikh Fareed CE 1700 21. Sangat Naoshehra CE 1700 22. Sangat Dasooha CE 1700 23. Bhai Mehar Chand CE 1702 24. Bhai Mehar Chand CE 1702 25. Sangat Piraag CE 1702 26. Bhai Bindraban CE 1702 27. Sangat Naoshehra CE 1702 28. Sangat Roope Aane CE 1702 29. Bhai Sukhia CE 1704 30. Sangat Chole CE 1706 31. The Brars & Bhai Roope CE 1706 32. Sangat Dhaual CE 1707 33. Sangat Khaara CE 1707 34. Sangat Banaras CE 1708 Gurfateh ! Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Gurfateh ! Here are The 34 Hukumnamas of Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji from Ganda Singh's 'Hukumnamey' * Taken from : Singh, Ganda. HUKUMNAME Guru Sahibaan, Mata Sahibaan, Banda Singh Ate Khalsa Ji De (Punjabi) .Patiala.Punjabi University,1999. pp 124 - 191 1. Nisan from "Bare Babey" Sri Guru Granth Sahib Patna Sahib. 2. Hukumnama sent to Bhai Mehar Chand Roope Ke 3. a note sent to Bhai Roope Ke 4. Dhaka Sangat 5. Sent to Bhai Gurdas CE 1692 6. Dhaka Sangat 7. Ramdas Ugar Sen 8. Bhai Ram Rai & Dai Laado 9. Dhaka Sangat CE 1691 10. Bhai Gurdas CE 1692 11. Bhai Sangateea CE 1694 12. Patiala Hukumnama CE 1696 13. Sangat Roope Ke CE 1696 14. Sangat Shahzaade Azeemuddin CE 1698 15. Sangat Macchiwaare CE 1699 16. Bhai Des Raj CE 1699 17. Sangat NaoShehre CE 1699 18. Sangat SaranDeo CE 1699 19. Sangat Pattan Fareed CE 1700

Gurfateh ! Dear Bhai Sahib, I think what you're looking for is Ganda Singh's book ; Singh, Ganda. HUKUMNAME Guru Sahibaan, Mata Sahibaan, Banda Singh Ate Khalsa Ji De (Punjabi) .Patiala.Punjabi University,1999.ISBN 81-7380-589-X This book contains 34 Signed Hukumnamas of Guru Gobind Singh as well as those of Guru Hargobind Sahib, Guru Har Rai Sahib,Guru Har Krishan Sahib and Guru Tegh Bahahar Sahib. Together with hukums from Baba Gurditta, Banda Singh Bahadar, Mata Sahib Devan and Mata Sundari Ji. Over 80 in total. You should be able to buy this book very easily at any bookshop in Punjab for around 150 rupees - I think you can buy it at Sikh Missionary Soc. in Southall and Sacha Sauda in Brampton Canada. It is an excellent and well researched book - with photographs of the originals and easy to read printed versions. You can see examples in this earlier post ; http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showto...rt=#entry348107 If you would like I can post all the hukumnamas of Guru Gobind Singh - however there is over 60 pages of text - which will take some time and may cause some copyright issues ( would that be OK ADMIN ?) Hope that is of some use Gurfateh , Freed

Gurfateh ! Trust you are all well - I have received some messages asking if I am still 'alive' as I haven't posted for a while - Thank you for your concern !, I am in rude health ! just been really busy at work and have a backlog of new books and pics to sort through (enjoying 'In The Masters Presence' at the moment !!). However I am not so busy that I can't bring to your attention this Wonderful set of images. Taken from 'photosbymonicamichele' flickr collection they show the ruins of a Gurdwara and Samadh in Fateh Khan (District Dera Ghazni Khan - Punjab Pakistan) http://www.flickr.com/photos/photosbymonic...57612422631501/ Taking this picture as a starting point I have figured out it must be The Gurudwara Kot Bhai Than Singh, Distt Attock that is described here; http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/gurudwaras-in...stt-attock.html This means the Gurdwara , Samaadh and frescoes must date from the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Baba Than Singh was an influential figure among 'Potohar' Sikhs , If my memory serves me well I think there is a 'Baba Than Singh Chowk' in Ludhiana City (?? ). As always any input from respected members and readers most welcome and much appreciated. I'll get to the bit you want to see now - the pictures ! - I've cherry picked a few of my favourites - I particularly like the fresco of Guru Hargobind Sahib with Bidhi Chand and the fresco of Guru Gobind Singh with the Panj Piarey - the Piarey with beautiful Dumaley, decorated with Chakars and Shasters. Bhai Mokham Singh is shown as an Akali Nihang with Farla. There are lots of pictures so DO visit the Flickr page as the pictures are amazing - if particularly upsetting because of the graffiti and disfiguring of faces - however the higher up frescoes are mostly intact. Enjoy ! http://www.flickr.com/photos/photosbymonic...57612422631501/ Enjoy these wonderful images - please post any information you have - Waheguru Bless photographers like these they are doing a sterling job !! GurFateh Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Waheguru Ji Ka Khaalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh ! In eternal honour and respect to the Chaar Sahibzadaay and Shaheeds of Chamkaur Sahib. *From Sri Gur Panth Prakash. Rattan Singh Bhangoo. Translated by Kulwant Singh.IOSS. 2006. Vol 1 page 124-5. Best Wishes to all the Cyber Sangatan at this special time - May Guru Sahib shower you all with blessings this coming New Year ! Gurfateh ! Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Dear Matheen Sahib, Gurfateh ! The quote is from Bhai Sukha Singh's 'Gurbilas Patshahi 10' written in Sambat 1854 (AD 1797) I have scanned the relevant portion, if you would like to see it 'in context' just ask and I'll post the page. Click Thumbnail for image; "Bina shastr kesang narang bhed jano. Gahe kaan tako kitey le sidhano. Ehe mor agiya suno le piare. Bina Tegh Kesang divo n didare." " Without weapons and Kesh - you are nothing but a sheep - who can be led anywhere by the ear A order has come from the master, without un-cut hair and weapons do not come before me " *From Gurbilas Patshahi 10 - Bhai Sukha Singh edited by Dr Gursharan Kaur Jaggi - Bhasha Vibhag , Punjab - 1989 - pg 364 Here it is in unicode in case you want to cut & paste it ਬਿਨਾ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਕੇਸੰ ਨਰੰ ਭੇਡ ਜਾਨੋ | ਗਹੇ ਕਾਨ ਤਾਕੋ ਕਿਤੈ ਲੈ ਸਿਧਾਨੋ |੯੮| ਇਹੈ ਮੋਰ ਆਗਿਆ ਸੁਨੋ ਲੈ ਪਿਆਰੇ | ਬਿਨਾ ਤੇਗ ਕੇਸੰ ਦਿਵੋ ਨ ਦਿਦਾਰੇ | Gurfateh ! Freed

Remembrance Sunday In respect, tribute, honour and remembrance of all those who gave the 'ultimate sacrifice'.................. 'Subadar, 24th Punjabis' from 'The Armies of India' Major A C Lovett and Major G F MacMunn DSO. Adam and Charles Black, London 1911 Ranjit Singh Freed

Here is an interesting 19th century watercolour from the Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh, that illustrates Bhai Sahib, Jassa Singh ji's post. Gurfateh ! Freed

This thread might be of use http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showto...=12#entry331071 Gurfateh !

Great Picture - I loved the 'Pack of Cards' throwing technique - the day after the show a mate at work said 'now I know why you wear such a heavy Kara ' - he wants one now! :D

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Fateh ! I have received a number of requests to upload the 'Weapon Masters' TV show that examined the Chakram / Chakkar weapon of the Sikhs, so as requested here is the show - unfortunately I didn't have the time to edit out the advertisements (commercials) - but hey all you N. Americans get to enjoy UK adverts (commercials) !. The Show features Nihang Dals, Nihang Nidar Singh, The Chardi Kala Jatha and students from the Miri Piri Academy - while I enjoyed the show I would of liked to have seen the Nihangs given more time to speak - the presenter didn't let Nidar Singh complete a sentence - I know the Black Country Accent is sometimes impenetrable but even so !! Anyway here it is ENJOY ! Weapon Masters - First Shown 10 Sept 2008 on Discovery Knowledge http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=55...86480&hl=en

yes, you're right - just as Bhai Kahan Singh ji has written in the last line "ਦਸਮਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਚਲਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਗ ਦੱਸਣ ਲਈ "ਅਫਜੂ" ਸ਼ਬਦ ਅਨੇਕ ਥਾਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਹੈ" 'DasmGranth vich chalda parsang dasan lai 'Afjuu' shabad anek than vartea hai' I've added the transliteration incase it wasn't clear before.

Gurfateh! ਅਫਜੂੰ - is Persian it means 'special' or 'extra' Here is the entry for it from - Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha's 'Mahan Kosh' Mahan Kosh Encyclopedia ਫ਼ਾ. __ {ਸੰਗ੍ਯਾ}. ਵ੍ਰਿੱਧੀ. ਤਰੱਕੀ। (2) ਵਿ- ਅਧਿਕ. ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ "ਅਫਜੂ ਖੁਦਾਇਆ". (ਵਾਰ ਮਾਝ ਮਃ ੧) ਦਸਮਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਚਲਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਗ ਦੱਸਣ ਲਈ "ਅਫਜੂ" ਸ਼ਬਦ ਅਨੇਕ ਥਾਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਹੈ.

Gurfateh ! Rs 40,000 ????? If that was the case I would buy a few hundred ! - Jot Singh is a Master Craftsman of the Old School - with prices to match - That particular Kirpan is studded with gems The price in Rupees would be around 5 million (around £65,000 pounds sterling) Yes - 5 million rupees ( is that written as half a crore or 5 lacs or 50 lakhs I can never remember !) I think the Kirpan donated to Anandpur Sahib by the American Sikhs in 1999, made by Jot Singh, was said to be around 1 crore Rupees (Rs 10 million - 150,00 pounds sterling) Even the small gatra kirpans start at around Rs 200,000- if you want a matching Miaan even more You'll need very deep pockets to buy from him ! If you're looking to spend less try this site - though still not cheap at around the Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 mark (£ 65 to £320 pounds sterling) - But at least We're not looking at "mortgaging the house" type prices !! http://www.khalsakirpan.net/index.html Spaminder Singh Bhai Sahib you wrote "no problem with getting the items through Royal Mail in UK" - you have to be careful now as the laws have changed - small knives are OK but as I have found to my cost, most large curved blades are being confiscated by Customs - because of the 'Samurai sword' legislation. It is nearly impossible to get a large kirpan into England. Freed

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh ! I Love this shabad, it speaks of the Joy felt by the Khalsa, residing in the Lakhi Jungle, when they heard Guru Sahib , Sri Dashmesh Pita , had come to visit them in the Lakhi Jungle. It tells of their uncontrolled joy and love and yearning for a Darshan of Guru Sahib. The Jungle no longer exists but a Gurdwara - Gurdwara Lakhisar, Mehma Sarja, Goniana, District Bathinda marks the event. Here is the Beautiful Shabad with Punjabi translation (The Version of Sri Dasam Granth Sahib I have is the 8 Volume Steek by Giani Narain Singh Ji and this shabad is on page 693 volume 5, part of the Asfotak Kabit just before 'Sikhi rehat'.) *from Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji - Steek , Giani Narain Singh Ji, page 693, volume 5-- CSJS Nov 2002 edition Here is an English Translation : In the Lakhee Jungle, the Khalsa heard of the coming of the Guru, and they longed to gain a sight of him. Just as hearing the call of the herdsman, the water buffalo leave their water and feeding. In their joy, they all ran, each trying to pass the others to see their Beloved. Their anxieties were dispelled when they met their Herdsman, the Guru. And so in deep gratitude, they gave thanks. and another by Shanti Kaur Khalsa from Sikhnet In the Lakkhee Jungle, the Khalsa heard of His coming and they longed to see Him. Just like when the water buffalo hear the call of the herdsman, they leave their food and water to rush to him. In their joy and excitement they ran to see their Beloved, each trying to pass the other to get there first. Their pain was gone when they met the Guru, their herdsman, and they gave thanks! WAHEGURU ! So beautiful !! GurFateh ! Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Dearest Bhai Sahib / Bhen Ji Gurfateh ! This Mukhvaak is found in the appendix of Sri Dasm Granth Sahib (Standard SGPC version) on the very last panna - it is part of the "Asfotak Kabitt". In the version of Sri Dasm Granth Sahib I have (Pandit Narain Singh 'Steek') this 'Mukhvaak' can be found on page 693 Volume 5. Here is a scan of Mukhvaak Patshai 10 with Punjabi translation *from Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji - Steek , Giani Narain Singh Ji, page 693, volume 5-- CSJS Nov 2002 edition I hope that was of some help. Gurfateh , Ranjit Singh Freed

Is it this one ?

Here is a small update - 2 contrasting images of Gurmukhi. The Chillianwala memorial - raised by the British to commemorate the Battle of Chillianwala, Second Sikh War, 13th January 1849. . Note how both armies are described as 'Soorbeer' on the monument and the hope that God ensures their memory lives on. Battle of Chillianwala 12,000 British and Bengalis with 66 guns against 35,000 Sikhs with 65 guns. Gough’s Army of the Punjab withdrew to its camp at Chilllianwalah, while the Sikhs fell back no further than the hills around Rasul. The battle was not won by either side, although it is said that the Sikh missed an opportunity to defeat the British outright. (http://www.britishbattles.com/second-sikh-war/chillianwallah.htm) And in total contrast ...... here is an ATM in South Riverdale Canada - I doubt ATMs in Punjab have instructions in Gurmukhi Lipi ! Enjoy Freed

Take lots of pictures - especially of the flowers - Brahm Kamal etc. and remember to post them here ! Enjoy your time in the Lap of Guru Sahib in the glorious Himalayas - Have a Safe and Safal Yatra Bhai Sahib !! Take Care & Gurfateh ! Freed