Dhan Guru Nanak

Bhai Sahib I'm not exactly sure if that is a genuine request or if that is an attempt at being patronising. Because if it is the latter I can more than certainly quote you many Shabads where Guru Ji has written about arrogance (or perhaps you could look them up yourself). But anyway since you requested here is a simple translation of the Pauri from Dr Sant Singh Khalsa: Let self-control be the furnace, and patience the goldsmith. Let understanding be the anvil, and spiritual wisdom the tools. With the Fear of God as the bellows, fan the flames of tapa, the body's inner heat. In the crucible of love, melt the Nectar of the Name, and mint the True Coin of the Shabad, the Word of God. Such is the karma of those upon whom He has cast His Glance of Grace. O Nanak, the Merciful Lord, by His Grace, uplifts and exalts them. ||38|| If someone does not think that Gurbani places an emphasis on having a clear and strong mind, or in doing good deeds, then I humbly request them to listen to Gurbani a little more carefully. And perhaps you would like to translate the following Shabad written by Guru Nanak Dev Sahib for us all (Ang 728): Raag Soohi Mehla 1 Chaupde Ghar 1 Bhanda Dhoe Bais Dhoop Devho Tao Doodhai Ko Javho. Doodh Karam Fun Surat Samaen Hoe Niras Jamavho. Japho Ta Eko Naama. Avar Nirafal Kama. Rahao. Eh Man Iti Hath Karho Fun Netro Need Na Avai. Rasna Naam Japho Tab Mathiai In Bidh Amrit Pavho. Man Sampat Jit Sat Sar Naavan Paavan Pati Tripat Kare. Pooja Praan Sevak Je Seve Inh Bidh Sahib Ravat Rahai. Kehde Kaheh Kahe Keh Javeh Tum Sar Avar Na Koi. Bhagat Heen Nanak Jan Jampai Hao Salahi Sacha Soi. WJKK WJKF

Sikh Rehat Maryada was written after Guru Gobind Singh Ji passed away. I think most likely the issue of preferring to use the right hand is more to do with tradition/culture as opposed to any specific spiritual reasons.

Eggs are not the same thing as meat. That is the whole point of the discussion. If they are not fertilised please explain to me how they "ARE the animal in the early stage of development"? Unfertilised eggs do not have an embryo. There is no way they can form an animal. You say that "it is part of a category of food that we cannot consume. simple as that." but provide no justification to back this up. This is exactly the reason why I started this thread so people more knowledgeable than me could point me to the evidence where it says we are forbidden from eating eggs (either in the form of specific Shabads or the Rehat Maryada). The issue is also entirely separate from alcohol. There is absolutely no question that alcohol is not permitted in Sikhism. Besides the many bad effects on general health it also affects your mind and when you are intoxicated you cannot keep your mind on God. The same thing with other drugs. Just because something has been considered a norm for sometime does not mean that we cannot try to find out the reasons behind it or be inquisitive. The definition of a Sikh is a learner. Guru Ji did not want us just to be blind followers who never ask any questions and there are several examples of Guru Ji going against certain traditional practices of their times to prove this point. For example, Guru Nanak Dev Ji visiting Haridwar and offering water in the opposite direction to all the Hindu pilgrims. Another example is Guru Gobind Singh Ji on his way to Deccan when he bowed to the grave of a Muslim saint, in violation of his own instructions to The Khalsa. However, the Sikhs protested and Guru Ji agreed to be judged and fined by the Panj Pyare. Later he disclosed that he did all this to test his Sikhs to see whether they cared more for their principles. Now I am not trying to compare myself to the actions of Guru Ji (which would be one of the stupidest things one can do) but my understanding from these Sakhis are that Guru Ji encouraged Sikhs to not only be humble but also to think for themselves if something does not seem right. That is why I was humbly requesting that if someone can actually point me to anywhere where it says that eggs are not to be consumed by Sikhs I will be very grateful. Like I said already I am not here to convince people to eat eggs and neither do I eat eggs myself. I am here to learn. Sorry for the long reply and I apologise if anything came out the wrong way. WJKK WJKF

There are so many shabads in Gurbani that place importance to this aspect that it would be too long a list to write down here. One which most people would come across daily is the last Pauri of Jap Ji Sahib: Jat Pahara Dhiraj Suniaar. Ahran Mat Ved Hathiaar. Bhao Khala Agan Tap Tao. Bhanda Bhao Amrit Tet Dhaal. Ghareeai Shabad Sachi Taksal. Jin Kau Nadar Karam Tin Kaal. Nanak Nadri Nadar Nihal. Here Guru Ji is explaining the essence of how to attain salvation. Nowhere is there a reference to the right hand but the importance is placed (like in numerous Shabads in Gurbani) on having a clear and strong mind. If you would like more specific Shabads I would advise even just reciting Sukhmani Sahib carefully and you will find many more examples.

Also just as general advice if ever you are feeling down and hopeless besides Ardas try to also sit down and listen to/recite Sukhmani Sahib. Speaking from personal experience it will do wonders to lift your mood.

I am not sure entirely what you mean by this but sure there are certain things embedded in tradition, but Guru Ji has always placed first importance to having a clear consciousness and doing good deeds.

Also some good points regarding the production of milk. Unlike India overseas milk production involves such practices as keeping the calves away from the mothers and feeding them artificial milk, slaughtering all male calves for meat production and killing the cows at a later date when they stop producing milk. So really there is probably more cruelty which goes into milk production compared to free range eggs. And that is the reason that vegans choose to not eat any animal products. So it makes you wonder whether Indian vegetarians drinking milk while not eating eggs is more of a cultural influence as opposed to a religious one. Because in India we know we take care of cows but that is not necessarily the same overseas.

Thank you to everyone who has replied. It has been very good reading all the responses. I agree that when an egg is first released by the hen from it's ovaries there is potential for life/fertilisation. However, when you know that the egg is going to be unfertilised does that not make a difference? Even in human females there is a potential for life when they release an egg each month from the ovaries. However most of the time it remains unfertilised and is expelled along with the period. But because it is not fertilised we do not consider it as loss of life/killing an embryo. However, sort of touching on the point you made, I had a discussion yesterday with a friend who made a good point that eggs are probably not eaten in India by vegetarians because for the large part there is no guarantee whether they are going to be unfertilised or fertilised. This is because the cockerels are not kept separate from the hens in traditional Indian farms. But then that begs the question whether we are not allowed to eat all eggs or just fertilised eggs specifically? In terms of the animal proteins, as luckysingh99 mentioned (along with other good points in his previous posts), even cow milk contains animal proteins and a small quantity of blood cells. Your first part is definitely correct. As written by Bhagat Kabir Ji: Jao Sabh Mey Ayk Khudae Kehat Hao Tao Keo Murgi Maarai. You say that the one Lord is in all, so why do you kill chickens? However, like I said previously I am not discussing whether or not it is ok to eat meat (which I am personally against). Rather I was more interested in finding out about the consumption of eggs if they are not fertilised = no potential for life. Yolk is not the same thing as a dead embryo. Only if the egg becomes fertilised would a chicken have been born. The yolk is only there to provide nutrition to the embryo if the egg had become fertilised. The hen still lays the egg each month regardless. Anyway thank you again to everyone for their replies. It has been very informative and given me lots to think about. It would be great if others shared their opinion on this as well. WJKK WJKF

Surprisingly accurate.

Why are you feeling so down? With Guru Ji's Kirpa you seem to be on the right track. Doing path, access to sangat, good education and you are only 21. With kirpa there is still a lot of life ahead to do more Path, sewa and learnGurbani. You have not ruined your life and if you continue along the right track and remain humble everything will work out. Remember it is not necessarily the amount of time that you have been a Sikh or been following Gurbani that is the main factor (although the more you do the better) but how much love and faith you put into following the words of Guru Ji and putting them into practice in real life. Sach Kahon Sun Leho Sabhai Jin Prem Kio Tin Hi Prabh Paio. Always have faith, do ardas and things will work out. Some verses from Sukhmani Sahib (Astpadi 11): Parabh bhaavai maanukh gat paavai. Parabh bhaavai taa paathar taraavai. Parabh bhaavai bin saas tay raakhai. Parabh bhaavai taa har gun bhaakhai. Parabh bhaavai taa patit uDhaarai. Aap karai aapan beechaarai. Duhaa siri-aa kaa aap su-aamee. Khaylai bigsai antarjaamee. Jo bhaavai so kaar karaavai. Naanak daristee avar na aavai. ||2|| Repeating God's name even Ajaamal and Ganika were liberated within minutes. It is all God's will.

Yes this is what our family does as well. Collect the hair in an empty tissue box and when full take out to our backyard and do sanskar while doing Mool Mantar.

If it is some personal problem, along with doing Path and Ardas, I would recommend for you to try and talk through it with some close friend or family you can trust. However as the user above me said the only true friend you will ever have in this life or the next is God and Guru Ji (who are one and the same). God will never let you down and will always be there to listen to you and guide you. People often forget that Sri Guru Granth Sahib is our current real Guru who you can talk to and who will always listen to you. Bani Guru Guru Hai Bani Vich Bani Amrit Sare. And the best part is you can be 100% assured that the guidance you will receive will be 100% correct. There is absolutely no need to go after so called Sants (whether real or not) which a lot of desperate people in India fall prey to. Because no matter how high level the 'Sant' you follow might be he will never be 100%. So why go looking advice from someone else when you have got Pooran Satguru sitting right in front of you waiting for you? If you have any doubts or you need guidance for anything the best thing to do is sit down, do some path (whether it be Chaupai Sahib, Jap Ji Sahib or Mool Mantar), go before Guru Ji and do ardas. And if you want to specifically speak with Guru Ji with a clear mind take the Hukamnama and you will find that if done with full faith (and that you are going to follow the orders) the Hukamnama will always guide you in the right direction. You should take it as if Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji himself just gave you that Hukam because that is precisely what it is. Not random like we often fool ourselves into believing. That is my humble advice to you. If you have any other specific concerns or question please feel free to ask the members here. Take care.

Dear Balbir Singh Ji, No there is no specific shabad in Gurbani that I have come across which means exactly that but rather it was just my opinion which I have gained from reading Gurbani over the years. There are a lot of shabads which highlight the importance of actually doing good in life rather than being obsessed with trivial things as above. Some specific shabads which did come in my mind include the one below from Sukhmani Sahib (5th Astpadi): mithi-aa sarvan par nindaa suneh. mithi-aa hasat par darab ka-o hireh. mithi-aa naytar paykhat par tari-a roopaad. mithi-aa rasnaa bhojan an savaad. mithi-aa charan par bikaar ka-o Dhaaveh. mithi-aa man par lobh lubhaaveh. mithi-aa tan nahee par-upkaaraa. mithi-aa baas layt bikaaraa. bin boojhay mithi-aa sabh bha-ay. safal dayh naanak har har naam la-ay. ||5|| Guru Ji talks here about how the real false hands are those which steal wealth from others and the real false feet are the ones which run to do bad things to others. In the last verse Guru Ji says without understanding everything is false and fruitful only is the body which repeat's God's name. Sorry I do not know how to post with Gurmukhi font here.

You can use any hand you want. These are exactly the kind of behams which our Gurus taught us not to be caught up in. What is much more important than what your preferred hand is whether or not you use those hands to do good in life. And don't worry about going to the Mandar. Sikhism is tolerant of all religions. As long as you have faith in Waheguru and don't go to the mandar to do pooja or pray to idols you are more than fine to go. After all everyone is welcome to the Gurduara regardless whether they are Sikh or not.

Welcome mate and thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. They are greatly appreciated! Sikhism as a religion is fantastic and is one of the most liberal, tolerant and forward thinking religions. In fact some of the views which our Gurus taught in the 15th Century (i.e. equality for all regardless of creed, gender, race, caste etc) have only recently been widely accepted in liberal countries such as the US and Australia (last few decades). It is a religion which focuses a lot on the practical side of things. Some of the main principles are Naam Japna (repeating God's name), Vand Chakna (sharing with others) and Kirat Karna (earning an honest living). Being a good and tolerant person in everyday life is very important and not just sitting at home praying while at the same time thinking you are better than everyone else. But at the same time I also think that Christianty on the whole and especially looking at the life of Jesus Christ and the message he spread is also very tolerant. The same I think can be said of Islam. Despite the Muslim rulers during the time of our Gurus caused a lot of death and destruction to Sikhs our Holy Scriptures and our current Guru - Guru Granth Sahib- contain verses from Muslim saints of the time. I believe that pretty much all religions promote peace and tolerance but it is just some of the extremists (which can exist in any religion) which use religion as an excuse to promote intolerance for their own selfish reasons. A good analogy I like to use is that just as there can be different means or paths to reach a certain destination (i.e. car, bus, bike, train) there are also different religions which are there to guide to you to the one same God. Anyway I hope you like your time here and if you have any questions feel free to ask. Cheers!

These are all trivial things in my opinion. The only thing which has to be right is your thoughts and your conscience.

WJKK WJKF I believe this is my first post on this forum so please go easy. Just a bit of background before I go into my question. I am a 26 year old Sikh- born in India but moved overseas when I was young and just finished university in Australia. I used to eat eggs and meat but stopped before taking Amrit a few years back. I have not eaten any more meat or eggs since then and neither do I have any cravings to do so (just in case people try to say that is my motivation for starting this thread). Now this question is a result of having some discussions with some of my Australian friends who asked me why it is that I as a Sikh have chosen to refrain from eating eggs along with meat? Now the meat part for me is easy. Even though from what I know of the Rehat Maryada it is only specifically forbidden for Sikhs to eat Halal meat, from a personal point of view I am against eating meat because it is taking the life away from an animal. However in terms of eggs I had trouble explaining the reason. Almost all commercially sold eggs (esp overseas) are unfertilised. They are the normal by products of a hen's reproductive cycle. There is no actual loss of life (i.e. the hen) and there is no potential loss of life (i.e. there is no embryo as the egg is not fertilised). Also in free range eggs there is usually little other harm done to the hen. So why do most Sikhs who do not eat meat also don't eat eggs? Sikhs are not vegans. We eat animal products (eg. cheese, milk, honey) as long as it does not cause any loss of life. So technically how is it any different from drinking milk? From my limited knowledge I do not believe it states in Gurbani or the Rehat Maryada that Sikhs should not eat eggs. But if someone can point me in the right direction that would be very much appreciated (especially specific shabads). Once again this is an honest question and I would appreciate all responses as this has been nagging me for a while. And if you could please answer specifically in terms of eggs and not meat (which I already explained my view) that would be fantastic as a similar thread a few years back got side tracked because everyone just started talking about meat. Thank you to all who reply. WJKK WJKF.