Sant Smagam

[RaagDarbar]

I have spent time with and have listened to veechars by Bhai Mohinder Singh. I think its the fact that Bhai Sahib has such nimratta and grace to not allow people to call him "Sant" which drew me nearer to him in the first place. I don't see how me questionning the title is classed as "Nindiya" though? I just know that GNNSJ (as does Bhai Sahib himself) doesn't prefer using the title "Sant" so I don't understand why you have wrote Sant not Bhai - it seems to me it's just because you have named the program "Sant Smagam" it would look odd with all the other "Sants". .And to those who accuse me of being "hung on titles"... why make a statement using different titles in the first place? Why even call it a "Sant" smagam?!

Yes yes, I know what you're all thinking - "SikhSangat always has these darn debates about Sant" etc and I agree, but Sant is a title, I personally feel, should be used for the right reasons, not because it looks good on a poster. I don't think its just another title. If it was just a title, then we wouldnt rever the Gurus as we do. Every title has a spiritual significance and comes with extreme power - power which some people in the past should never have been given in the first place and then later abused it. I can name you some examples of Sants who fit that bill but I wont.

I think the idea of such programmes is great and we in the UK are certainly blessed to have such divaans taking place. And all of the Gursikhs mentioned in the poster are of great stature and have done a lot for the Sikh panth and its going to be great. I just don't agree with the way it's advertised and promoted. But again, thats just my opinion. Apologies if i offended any of you.

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Vaheguru Ji Ki Fatheh!

"The True Guru is True emperor who has founded the abode of Truth in the form of the Congregation of the saints."

GurIshq ji we are sorry that you feel offended by the way you think the Smagam has been promoted, but understand that the program was organised only two days ago. We were told by Sant Jagjit Singh Ji Harkovale & Sant Joginder Singh Ji Damelivale to design a poster for the sangat and to announce the program via the radio etc. As we only had Saturday (and little time!) to design the poster, we seriously did not have time to sit there and think of promotion techniques; The Sant smagam was named by the Sants themselves and not by any 'promoters'.

In eyes of the Sangat all of the great souls listed are regarded as Sants, out of utter humility none of these Mahapursh wish to call themselves Sants, but that does not mean that we will not call them Sants, rather we will continue to do so for the rest of our lives.

We are very grateful to be part of this smagam and we feel privileged that we were given seva to carry out for the smagam, Sant Jagjit Singh ji has seen the poster and they did not have a problem with it.

In fact the organisers are the Sants themselves, so if you have any issues with the way the Sant Smagam has been promoted, go and speak to the organisers themselves.

This will be a huge smagam and we are very lucky that such Mahapursh will be attending. So this is a humble benti to the Sangat to please attend this Smagam and tell your friends & family, so we can collectively gain laha from the event.

Moreover who knows if such a smagam will take place in the near future so please make the most of this opportunity.

Shabad By Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Ram Das Ji Maharaaj on ang 95

O servants of the Lord, O Saints, O my Siblings of Destiny, let us join together!

Show me the way to my Lord God-I am so hungry for Him!

Please reward my faith, O Life of the World, O Great Giver. Obtaining the Blessed Vision of the Lord's Darshan, my mind is fulfilled. ||1||

Joining the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, I chant the Bani of the Lord's Word.

The Sermon of the Lord, Har, Har, is pleasing to my mind.

The Ambrosial Nectar of the Lord's Name, Har, Har, is so sweet to my mind. Meeting the True Guru, I drink in this Ambrosial Nectar. ||2||

By great good fortune, the Lord's Congregation is found,

while the unfortunate ones wander around in doubt, enduring painful beatings.

Without good fortune, the Sat Sangat is not found; without this Sangat, people are stained with filth and pollution. ||3||

Come and meet me, O Life of the World, my Beloved.

Please bless me with Your Mercy, and enshrine Your Name, Har, Har, within my mind.

Through the Guru's Teachings, the Sweet Name has become pleasing to my mind. Servant Nanak's mind is drenched and delighted with the Naam. ||4||4||

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Vaheguru Ji Ki Fatheh!

Ps. A video promotion has been made and will soon be available via the Sikh Channel and the internet.

Also audio recordings and photographs of the Smagam will be available for the sangat via

www.g5sikhmedia.co.uk

[RaagDarbar]

Baba Maharaj Singh ji Shaheed (1731-1856)

Baba Maharaj Singh ji's childhood name was Nihal Singh. He was blessed soul who had holy darshan of Mahapurakhs like Baba Mani Singh ji, Baba Deep Singh ji and Baba Gurbaksh Singh ji in childhood. He later on joined Jatha of Baba Sahib singh ji bedi and was instrumental in creation of Khalsa Raaj with Babaji. Baba Sahib singh ji was real mind behind a unified Khalsa Raaj. After Babaji left for sachkhand in 1834, SInghs of Jatha moved to Naurangabad, a village in Amritsar and Baba Bir Singh ji became the Jathedar. This place of Baba Bir SIngh ji became a centre of SIkh unrest against Dogra takeover of Khalsa Raaj. Dogras attacked this place in 1844 and Baba Bir SIngh ji attained Shaheedi.

Baba Maharaj SIngh ji was elected next Jathedar and he continued to lead Sikhs in battles against British and dogras. He was a Mukt-Aatma who believed in Freedom of SIkh panth and supremacy of Khalsa Raaj. When Britsh took over Lahore Darbar in 1846, he revolted and didnt accept Firangi raaj. He incited Raja Sher SIngh to revolt against British empire, which led to second anglo-sikh war. Babaji, at the age of 118 years, fought like lions in battlefields of Gujrat and Chillainwala, which are considered to be the most humiliating defeats of British in South Asia, in which thousands of British soldiers died. Even viceroy and generals of British army were removed after these battles. But Raja Sher Singh showed weakness and surrendered to British later. Baba Maharaj SIngh ji refused to surrender and carried on the revolt. He was feared by British for his spiritual powers and was known as 'karnivala' by them. He was arrested by British one Amritvela, when Babaji was in Samadhi with his 25 Gursikh soldiers. He was kept in Jail for some time, but as he was a 'Dangerous Guru', He was shifted to Singapore where he was kept in solitary confinement for 6 years and wasnt allowed to meet anyone, except his hazooriya, Bhai Kharak Singh ji. Babaji suffered from many physical diseases, but Cruel british empire refused to free him or even let him take a walk. at last, on 5th august 1856, the great Sant-sipahi-freedom fighter Baba Maharaj Singh ji left his body and the Mukt Aatma went to the land of his beloved.

such was the spirit of Gursikhs of 18th and 19th century, that even at age of 118 years they fought for freedom and Independent Khalsa Raaj, and went through every possible torture, even of separation from Motherland at age of 125 years. Lakh lakh Parnaam to Baba Maharaj SIngh ji.

(Babaji's spiritual lineage continues with Rarewali Samparda, in which came holy Baba isher Singh ji Maharaj.)

Baba Maharaj Singh ji..The free soul who had seen the lives and battles of Singhs of 18th century was the one of leaders of Khalsa army in battle of chillianwala. Babaji was riding a white horse and this 118 year old 'Buddha Sher' of Panth waving his sword in his hand was exhorting Khalsa army with words

''When i was young,I heard Baba Deep Singh ... See Moresay in battlefield to his Akali Fauj,'The Day Sikhs learnt to live in Slavery,Sikhi is doomed.The day Sikhs became afraid of getting cut to pieces for Guru,Sikhi is

doomed.Its better to chop the enemy or get cut to pieces rather than living a life of dishonor and slavery'.And I saw Khalsa fight without head.I need that Khalsa back.Today's the day to cut or get cut for Guru, for SIkhi. Its better to die a Shaheed than live as a slave''.

And world knows what happened at Chillianwala that day.5th august was the day this hole soul left this planet, but very few of us know abt the greatness and courage of Mahapurakhs like Babaji. lets rememeber them, revere them, make them our idols, only than will we achieve freedom.

[LeicesterSikhs.com]

A humble bentee to all UK sangat to take lahaa of this rare opportunity. This is a very good uprala by the sevadaars at Guru Har Rai Gurdwara.

Keep up the good work!

Vaheguroo

[RaagDarbar]

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Vaheguru Ji Ki Fatheh!

Advert of the Smagam is available for the sangat to view on the Sikh Channel and on youtube http://www.youtube.c...h?v=C-u1HX19it4.

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Vaheguru Ji Ki Fatheh!

any transport from london? may go.

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Vaheguru Ji Ki Fatheh!

I am not too sure if there is any transport organised from south, maybe the sangat could ask their local gurughars to organise transport?

[AKSANTALI]

VJKK VJKF

Just to let you know sikh tv will recording this event with the possible idea of it being streamed live over the internet, also their will be pizza pasta and chips served alongside Guru ka langar, and finally kirtan on the day will be in raag as prescribed by Guru Granth Sahib ji.

Benti to bring sangat, who have little knowledge of sikhi and are far from sikhi, as sangat of the guru, saints and sangat will surely have some effect

VJKK VJKF

[kkaur123]

Sounds like a great event.

[RaagDarbar]

Baba Bir Singh Jee of Naurangabad

Baba Bir Singh jee (1768-1844) was a Sikh saint, holy man and great warrior who practiced Gurmat in its purity. Being disgusted at the events that followed the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikhs talked of making Baba Bir Singh jee their ruler King or Prime Minister. After Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death the anti-Panthic Dogra clan took control of the Sikh Kingdom and led an attack on Baba Bir Singh jee's dera (camp) which led to Baba jee's heroic shaheedi (martyrdom) which will be remembered throughout Sikh history.

A GLIMPSE AT THE LIFE OF

BABA BIR SINGH JEE OF NAURANGABAD

Background

Baba Bir Singh jee was born in July 1768 at the village of Gaggobua in Amritsar district. After his father, Bhai Seva Singh jee, became martyred in a military campaign in Multan, he joined the Sikh army. He took part in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's campaigns for the capture of Kashmir and Peshawar. After several years of active service, he secured his dismissal and began preaching Gurmat. He set up his dera (camp) in the village of Naurangabad in Amritsar district, near Tarn Taran, which became very popular. It is said that about 4,500 visitors were fed langar every day. As a result of Baba jee's influence on the people, he had a volunteer army of 1,200 musket men and 3,000 horse men. Baba jee supported Maharaja Ranjit Singh's rule and after the death of the Maharaja in 1839, he was deeply saddened to see the courtiers fight amongst themselves fuelled by jealousy, envy and anti-Sikh interests.

Sikhs turn to Baba Jee

During this critical period, Sikh soldiers and ordinary Sangat began to turn to Baba jee for guidance. On 2nd May 1844, Atar Singh Sandhanvalia, who had been in residence in British India for some time, crossed the Sutlej river into the Sikh territory and joined Baba Bir Singh jee who was then camping near Harike Pattan. The two surviving sons of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Prince Kashmira Singh and Prince Pashaura Singh, and many Sikh Sardaars (chiefs), including Jawahar Singh Nalva, son of the famous Sikh general Hari Singh Nalwa, and Diwan Baisaakha Singh, had already taken refuge at Baba jee's dera. Baba jee's camp had become the centre of the Sikh revolt against the Dogra dominance over the Panjab.

Dogra Rulers Order Attack

Hira Singh Dogra, the then ruler of the Sikh kingdom based in Lahore, sent a strong force comprising 20,000 men and 50 guns to attack Baba jee's dera and capture the two surviving sons of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, fearing that he will lose rule to the Sikhs. At first the Sikh army of Lahore refused to attack the camp of a holy saint, however with the lies that Attar Singh joining Baba Bir Singh was a sign that they supported the British and planned to attack the Sikh kingdom influenced the Sikh army to follow the orders of the attack. The Sikh army besieged the camp on 7th May 1844.

Love for a fellow Sikh

Baba jee instructed the Sikhs to cook langar. Daal, Parshaadey, Kheer, and Degh were prepared as if they were cooking for thousands of people. Baba jee instructed that food should be placed in all the rooms of the fortress and that a full Baataa (bowl) of Degh should be in Guru Sahib's presence ready for the arrival of the guests. Baba jee got the Sikhs to sing Gurbani. When the attack began on the fort, the Sikhs in the fort asked Baba jee for permission to fire back. Baba jee replied, "No! They are our brothers, not enemies. They are in the image (roop) of the Guru" The Sikhs inside the fort said, "But they are attacking us." "They don't realise that we are their brothers. However, we know they are. We cannot disrespect the Guru's roop. This knowledge makes all the difference." The difference was death. Those who value the Guru's ideal of brotherhood, prefer death.

ਸਿੰਘ ਸਿੰਘ ਪਰ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਨ ਕਰੇ ॥ ਜਾਨ ਗੁਰੂ ਖਾਲਸੇ ਤੇ ਡਰੇ ॥੪੩॥

singh singh par shastar na kare. jaan guru khalse te dare ||43||

"A Sikh should never attack another Sikh. He should recognise others as the Guru Khalsa and should remain fearful of them (i.e. respect them)."

(Rehitnama: Bhai Desa Singh)

The bloody massacre

Baba jee sat in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee and absorbed himself in Bhagti (meditation). The Lahore Darbaar's forces were shocked that there was no retaliation from the Sikhs inside the fort. They stormed inside the fort without a fight and slaughtered the Sikh Sangat and Baba Bir Singh jee's men. Baba Jee's right knee was shattered by a tank shell and his body was pierced with countless bullets and thousands of Sikhs were killed. Maharaja Ranjit Singh's two surving sons died in the onslaught and in the panic, hundreds of Baba Jee's followers were drowned in the river while trying to cross it.

Aftermath

General Court's battalion, which had played a leading part in the action, was boycotted when it reached the headquarters and was always referred to as Guru-maar (killer of the Guru or holy man). The attacking troops never forgave Hira Singh Dogra for forcing them into an action which led to the death of a holy saint, despite his attempts to promise to build a memorial where Baba Bir Singh jee had been cremated and provide money for its maintenance. He had to pay for this onslaught on Naurangabad with his own life. The killing of Baba Bir Singh jee and a subsequent attempt by Hira Singh Dogra's favourite, Pandit Jalla, to poison Maharani Jind Kaur aroused strong feelings amongst the Sikh army. Fearing his death, Hira Singh Dogra abandoned Lahore, leaving with 4,000 of his trusted troops and several cartloads of gold, silver and jewels removed from the treasury, but a Sikh force led by Jawahar Singh and Sham Singh Attari-vala overtook him on the way, killing him along with his adviser, Pandit Jalla, on 21st December 1844.

Summary

In describing a worthy and blessed Sikh, Bhai Gurdaas jee writes in the last two lines:

ਗੁਰ ਸਿਖ ਗੁਰ ਸਿਖ ਪੂਜ ਕੈ ਭਾਇ ਭਗਿਤ ਭੈ ਭਾਣਾ ਭਾਵੈ ॥

gur sikh gur sikh pooj kai bhaae bhagat bhai bhaanaa bhaavai.

(Worthy is that Sikh) who loves another Sikh and embraces the love, devotion, and fear of Waheguru.

ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਇ ਨ ਆਪੁ ਗਣਾਵੈ ॥12॥

aap gavaae na aap ganaavai. ||12||

That person loses their ego and does not assert themselves.

(Vaar 6: Pauri 12)

Taken From Manvir Singh's blog

[RaagDarbar]

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Vaheguru Ji Ki Fatheh!

Only ONE DAY left!

[AKSANTALI]

biggest event of the year one day to go please attend

[AKSANTALI]

GURBAR AKAAAAAL TODAY IS THE DAY OF THE SANT SMAGAM PLEASE ATTEND WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS