A conversation with Guru Gobind Singh

[japmans]

i forgot to do my background and stuff:

i'm 17, from canada. i'm in grade 12, and i relaly do hate calculus, as i'm sure those mock "HELP ME" threads would tell you.

and, yeah!

[Gurjeet_Kaur]

“Wait! Wait guruji! When can I see you again?”, I asked frantically.

“Never and Forever. Always, but Rarely. I am always here. Once you finally realize that I’m always here, then you’ll always see me. I will always do darshan of my Sikhs. I’m always here for them!”

wicked ending

[japmans]

c'mon lakhvir ji... let's get the next topic up :wub:

alotta writers still haven't contributed!

[smartsingh24]

We had to do bios? Ah well, better late than never . Iqbal Singh, 15 from NJ, grade 10, and into anything that has a computer chip, kirtan, and tabla.

[WalkingTowardTheLight]

The past year has been interesting. I went through some big changes; while becoming a better Sikh was only a faint hope, Waheguru made me meet Gursikhs and let me see the love they have for Him. I could have never imagined to be so blessed. This yearning inside of me to find something real, something true – eternally true was always there. Everything I saw in life – the people, their lifestyles, their possessions, their attitudes disappointed me. Everything seemed so fake, and still does. However, now I have the means and the desire to become a Gursikh, if only Guruji blesses me.

In the past year, Guruji has blessed me spiritually. But at this point, I feel that I have come to a halt. I feel tired and helpless, and have been feeling that way for quite some time. I listen to keertan and it gives me so much anand; when I do paath (and when I understand it), I feel tears coming down my eyes. Even as I write this, I feel disappointed in myself. I feel that I have failed Him. Why have I not taken Amrit yet? Why do I go against His will? Why am I constantly torn between worldly matters and spiritual ones? Why do I not have full faith in Him? The passing away of the three gursikhs from Canada, who were always smiling, always in chardi kala, hit me hard. Even though I did not know them, their life has touched mine. Gursikhs always seem to be so blessed, but it makes me think: is everything predetermined, for example, if you are going to go to Sachkhand? Or can any human being, through his/her efforts gain access to it? When I read about Ranjit Singh Ji, it seemed like he was automatically protected against all evil thoughts/deeds, etc. because Waheguru w

as always with him. But is Waheguru also with me? Or am I not so blessed as him? Will I ever be? So many questions plague my mind everyday. I have no knowledge of Sikhi, not even full faith, just a hope, a belief that one day I might be a pooran Gursikh.

The days that I am really feeling low, Guruji through His Gurbani talks to me. The days that I am worried about worldly matters, Guruji’s hukamnama tells me not to worry:

paramaesur banath banaaee ||

The Transcendent Lord has arranged these arrangements

fir ddolath kathehoo naahee ||1||

I shall never waver again. ||1||

It is amazing how Waheguru’s messages come to you, through hukamnama, or something you read that day, or something someone says. And when I know that God is talking to me, I feel so unworthy. Here is God listening to everything you are saying and feeling, and there you are not listening to Him, not even recognizing what He is saying.

Guruji tells us that a Sikh is supposed to be a saint-soldier. Just doing paath is not enough. I have to learn to be a fearless soldier, a khalsa, but I don’t even know how to use a pocketknife. If I were attacked, I wouldn’t know what to do. Look at Guru Gobind Singh ji – He was perfect. A saint, a soldier, a poet, a leader, the list could go on forever for His qualities are endless. Guru Gobind Singh ji “lost” His father, sons, and wife, yet He did not give up or cry like we do; instead He wrote a letter of victory to Aurangzeb. He was not entangled by worldly falsehoods like Moh or Lobh, He went on to create warriors and create Khalsa. We are who we are because of our guru jis, including our Dashmesh Pita.

I don’t know how it would be to talk to Guru Gobind Singh ji, and I am not going to attempt to write about it for I know not a thing, and I do not want to do injustice to those who have actually had His darshan. I do not want to do ‘bedbi’ of Waheguru by limiting Him to a few words. But if I

did have His darshan some day, I don’t think I would really need to talk. His presence is all I ask for, just a glimpse – how blissful that would be. If I only knew He is really here for me, or if only I could understand Him, if only..

I know what I have to do - I have to stop being negative and pessimistic. Waheguru IS here. I just don’t see Him yet because I have not made the effort. If I want to meet Waheguru, then I have to become a part of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s Khalsa. I have to get up amritvela and beg for His darshan. He always listens and takes care of his Gursikhs. Give up your manmat, and as Guru ji said, “If you want to play the game of love, then place your head on your palm and bring it to me on my path.”

-I really don't know if this essay makes sense or not, and I couldn't write about His darshan due to aforementioned reasons, so maaf karna sadhsangat ji.

People who have actually had His darshan should share their experiences.

Bhul chuk maaf.

[Singhstah]

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

Wikid essay

BTW. I didnt know we had to do bios either, My name is Uttam, I'm 12 years old and I'm in year 8 :nihungsmile:

[Guest mehtab]

name : the one and only Rochak (who else could be such a sucker)

age : 24 today, 25 if i survive another 3 months or so

profession : still rotting in university studying something called engineering

[lakhvir]

In the company of father and son: A conversation with Guru Gobind Singh

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He's almost like a myth, a legend. Such a great man, who followed the legacies of 9 past Nanaks and a Nanak himself, it is so difficult for this small mind to grasp the greatness of Guru Gobind Singh. He's a personality, who has 9 others and yet another one of his very own - in the visage of the tenth and last human Guru of the Sikhs. How does one even define such a man, let alone imagine him in flesh and blood, right before our very eyes? Spiritually, we all endeavour to connect to him, and through him, travel back all the way to Nanak. I have always believed, and still strongly do, that if we have not understood Guru Nanak, how can we understand Guru Gobind Singh?

As Sikhs, we are all like him, and the Guru has always wanted that. Many have not understood that the teachings of Guru Nanak and of Guru Gobind Singh bear little difference. The pen of Nanak was the sword of Gobind. I have no doubt about that.

My only physical contact with the Guru on a daily basis is the big handsome portrait of Guruji in my room, right above my bed. I always look up at his portrait when I get up in the morning, whenever leaving home and on entering my room. The only natural expressions that resound from the heart through the lips is 'Dhan Guru Nanak! Dhan Dhan Sahib Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj! Dhan Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru!'

When I look at the beautifully crafted and soulfully portrayed visage of the Guru, my soul assures me that my Guru must have been li

ke that. His works and life calculate to the image before my eyes. Looking deeper within the colours on his person, they come alive, as soon as I see my own reflection on the glass that is held in its frame. When I see myself in the mirror, the Guru's portrait is reflected in it. Every single time I stand before the mirror, I see my Guru. The very form I have as a Sikh is a testimony of his Khalsa and his form. As I tie my turban, I feel as through my Guru is dressing me. When I brush my flowing beard, I feel as though it is my Guru's energy rushing through the kesh. Each day, he reminds me, through my very own appearance, of my heritage, history and my great Gurus and their loving GurSikhs.

We take Sikhi for granted and are so liberal minded, filled with so much manmat, that we lose sight of the Guru. We fail him miserably, and yet he fought with all his might and spirit in defence of the Sikhi we are living today. He never failed us, and it brings me to tears to witness the very people who he fought for treat him like as though he did nothing significant. So much apathy! Even those who are GurSikh, and yet are not perfect in their lifestyles and Sikhi are guilty of tearing apart the Guru's sacrifices.

'Help me, O Guruji, not to be like those who claim to be your Sikhs but are only there in name, and not in deed. Protect me from their maladies. Bless me with your spirit and energy to the point that I feel there is no difference between yourself and your Sikh.' I pray through my soul to him . . . He knows me inside-out and he knows when I'm making up emotions and when I'm deep down sincere. He listens to the sincere ones, and I can tell you, he works them out in your benefit, and to the benefit of the Panth.

To have the darshan of Guruji is, for many of us, an unimaginable blessing. 'Are we worthy?' we ask ourselves. But the Guru says, 'Try and make yourself worthy, I'm all ready waiting to show myself to you.' So never underestimate your p

otential to connect to the Guru, he's right before us, but we do not see him, because we hardly ever rise above our material senses. I believe that to see him, try through the eyes of the soul which has, who knows, seen him in a past life. Hear him, through the soul, which may have been in his sangat in his times. And feel him, through your very soul, which must have been a Sikh standing by his side in the battlefield.

Today, if I imagine a material witness of the Guru, in flesh and blood, my soul says it is possible. There will be those who will doubt, but who didn't doubt even the Guru during his times? I listen to the voice within, it could never be wrong, especially if it is guided by the teachings of our Gurus. With the Grace of the Guru, I have realised that the Guru is not far, but for those who feel he is far, then he certainly is, based on our deeds. And what else do I need for spiritual comfort when I have my Gurus in the form of my Living Guru - Dhan Dhan Sahib Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj? I have the form of the Sikh, and of a Khalsa in a few months time, and the spirit of the Guru in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. My Guru is right before me, every living second of my life. But there does come a moment when the soul, which has been separated from him for so many ages, to seek just a glance of the source of it's existence, and to have a heart-to-heart talk, like between a father and son. I close my eyes, and my soul travels in search of his darshan . . . and there he is . . . seated in the depths of my soul . . . and we meet . . .

'Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, Lakhvir Singh! It's so nice to see you today, it's so rare of you to pass by these days!' Guru Gobind Singh Ji greets me as I descend into the soul's centre.

Embarrassed, I hang my head, in bowed reverence and greet Fateh to Guruji. 'Come, come, sit by me. I was meditating on Akaal Purakh, won't you join me?' he asked, like a loving father. 'See,' he cont

inued, 'deep within you, I meditate with you. Isn't that a deep connection with Waheguru? And it is true with every GurSikh. When they meditate, recite Gurbani or sing Kirtan, they do it from the deepest end of their souls because that is where I am, to help them connect to the Divine, our Husband Lord.'

Sitting by his right hand side, I shut my eyes and tried to experience the presence of my Guru, within whom resides the spirit enjoined in one, of Guru Nanak and his successor Gurus. There was so much peace that all I could feel was I was not even there, I felt merged in the Divine. When I opened my eyes to take a peek at what my Guru was doing, I saw him looking at me with a loving glance. I felt a little shy and asked, 'Guruji, why do you look at me so?'

'Chir bhayo darshan dekhe . . .', he replied with a radiant smile. 'Yes, GurSikha, how I've longed to see you, too! When I see you, I see myself and when I see myself, I see my Husband Lord. How I savour such a moment, to see you deep within your self and merging into the Light! Please do continue contemplating, let me enjoy the moment of seeing you . . .'

As I shut my eyes again, I wondered what Guruji felt of the state of the world, especially of his Sikhs. 'I am not worried about the world right now, I'm with you,' replied Guruji. I was dumbstruck. I hadn't even said anything, and the Guru had heard my very thought. Opening my eyes again, I looked at Guruji. 'You are my Khalsa,' he said, 'you will do my Will in this life. There is nothing wrong with the world when there is nothing wrong with you, my dear soul.'

'When you submit your soul to my Will, you have verily placed your head on your palm and walked my Path. I know then, that my soldier, my Sipahi, is getting ready for me to bring a change to the world that is still on fire,' Guruji spoke from his depths. 'You have nothing to worry because you have found the Path I left behind for my

Sikhs to follow. Sadly, many have questioned the Path and have trusted their own intellect, rather than the Path I lovingly created for their safe passage to their Husband Lord. They have questioned me, forgotten the sacrifices and chosen to be higher than the Guru. I have no issue with them. They are lost in their self. Poor mortals, they hardly realise what injustice they do unto their soul, it will be lost for so many ages, looking for another opportunity to get a human body that will help them to reach Waheguru. Why have they still not realised that their body is like a boat to help them cross over the terrifying world ocean? Instead, they are digging holes in it, surely, they are going to drown aren't they?'

'But you will show them the way back. I have in you the Khalsa I had in mind. You are on that Path. I may be gone physically, but through the roop I have also granted you, they will remember me. So don't ever hide your identity, for you know that your Guru would never hide from the world. They will dislike you and call you names, but don't loose heart. Even my Baba Nanak faced the same challenges. Just be like your Nanak, smile and move on with Waheguru in your soul, for He will ferry you across, if they others don't want to. Once you are on the sure path of Sikhi, don't falter, please, for my sake!'

'You know what you mean to me? Khalsa meri jaan ki jaan! You are my very life! You are my strength and my solace and through Sikhi, you will save your soul. You will be over with this life that is just temporary, just a life-night. When day breaks, you will be with me, holding your hand and leading you to your soul's quest of reunion with your Husband Lord. So keep holding the helm of the robe of Gurbani, for that is where the answers are to all your questions which you initially came over to ask me.'

Then there was silence. I looked upon my Guru's visage, so radiant and full of love. And he looked back at me with eyes, full to

the brim with love. How could anyone ever do anything to hurt such a loving father by losing ourselves in manmat and vice? Aisaey Gur Ko bal bal jaayiye! 'Come, let's take a little walk,' Guruji suddenly said, 'I could do with a little physical exercise!'

We walked through an endless landscape of brilliant light. Guruji didn't say anything, he left me gazing around. I could see, all around me, my very life's countless episodes. There were those episodes that brought a smile to me when I saw the times I spent in prayer and sangat and good deeds. Guruji put his arm around my shoulder and said, 'I'm proud of you, my son, those were the times I was always walking with you. But look! Look on the other side, there are the episodes of your life that bring tears to my eyes, you forgot me. I lost you in those times. Look, just look at those deeds that brought shame upon your Husband Lord, upon me! Is that what a GurSikh is supposed to be doing?' I stopped in my tracks and looked. There I saw, all the moments I lost in sleep, missing my Amritvela and engrossed in worldly affairs. Remembering now, how I had wronged my Guru, tears welled up in my eyes. But before they could roll over my cheeks, my Guru soothed them out with his loving hands. 'Let's move on, Singhji, those episodes have been written off for you, let's move on. Forget them.'

'What?' I asked myself in deep surprise, silently within, 'All those misdeeds? Written off? Just like that? How can that be? After having wronged my Husband Lord and my Gurus, how can the Guru just write them off without a second thought? He didn't even let me repent or feel the guilt . . .'

'To what good will that do, Lakhvir Singh?' Guruji asked. I knew by now that my thoughts were audible to my Guru, and I was no longer surprised at his knowing my inner thoughts. 'Once you realise what you did was wrong, forget those episodes of your lost moments of life and move

on. Don't look back. Aaagay samajh chalo Nandlala, paachay jo beeti so beeti. Concentrate on what you have your life for. Don't waste your time on regret and self pity! Hurry, there's no time, Lakhvir!'

Having walked for a while and enjoying many moments of silence and savouring the moments of walking together, Guruji desired some rest. 'Come Lakhvir Singh, let's sit awhile . . .' he said. I took a deep breath and made myself comfortable as we chose a spot to sit.

'You know, Lakhvir Singh, I enjoyed your company. We will no longer be separated when you have worked your life in preparing for your marriage to your Husband Lord. You will find me there when your call comes. I will also reveal to you Guru Nanak, who awaits your company. My son, all the souls are loved by Waheguru, don't you ever doubt that. But some souls become selfish and fickle-minded. They think that life is unfair to them. They think Waheguru does not even exist. Out of love, He sends them back to the world to start over again. If He really disliked any soul, He would have ended its existence the moment it strayed. But He wants every soul to return to its True Home. You see, man has been created as the most intelligent of all life forms, so he sometimes thinks that he doesn't need anyone to tell him what to think or do. Waheguru Himself granted him that freedom to think like that, but he needs to correct his thinking. More often than not, he just does not think. Poor mortal!'

'I want you to live your life on example - an inspiring one, not a tragic one. Those who look at you, will have the capacity to pick some energy from you and become GurSikh, just like you, so don't ever stop that energy from flowing. Nanak Naam Chardikala! And when my GurSikhs gather in prayer and meditation and seva, it is Satyug for you, right here on earth, a taste of it for your senses, for the moments awaiting you beyond this life.'

'All right my son, you have to leav

e now and I have to attend to a task. Just remember, whenever you wish to be with me, just look deep inside your soul. Need I convince you on that!' Guruji said, with a twinkle in his eye. Not wishing to let go of Him, and I just felt that thought, he again looked at me, and then took me in his warm embrace. His spirit told me that he is never away from me, as long as I remained dedicated to his Khalsa. I felt all questions and worries evaporate in his embrace. 'Now I'm ready for anything!' I told myself while still in the arms of Guruji. I felt my spirit speak to me, 'Yes, Lakhvir Singh, my Khalsa is always ready for anything!' Guruji did not speak anything, but it felt as thought my spirit communicated with his, and there was no doubt that we had both become one spirit.

I opened my eyes and I felt like I had just been born - with new life and vigour, at the same time feeling as though I had lived my life and been satisfied, and was ready to begin another day all over again! Glancing up at Guruji's portrait, I looked at his visage and his person as the colours of the impressionist came to life again. All that I had thought of my Guru was true, that the Khalsa, truly, is his very form. Khalsa mero roop hai Khaas. And that he lived in me, indeed - Khalsa meh hau karu niwas.

As I pen these last lines of an inner journey's great moments with the personality that has blown me away with his ways, I close my eyes once again and imagine him what he would be saying now.

'I have a question for you to ask the world, Lakhvir Singh, would you be of service to ask it for me?' requested Guru Gobind Singh Ji. 'Please ask those Sikhs who still doubt the ways of the Khalsa, what is it that we have not done for them? Please tell them, to protect their Sikhi today, we gave our all. We were there for them centuries ago, and now when we need them to protect our honour, why do they hesitate? It took the Khalsa to protect their Sikhi, now will their Sikhi

not protect the Khalsa before the enemy strikes them from the back in the dead of night? Just ask them, and leave the rest to destiny.'

By Lakhvir Singh

Graphic and Web Designer, Nairobi, Kenya.

[Gurjeet_Kaur]

that has left me speechless...

[WalkingTowardTheLight]

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!

Lakhvir veerji, it seems like all my questions have been answered in your essay. How great is Waheguru and his ways.

Wahegurur ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!