Sopw Press Release On Guru Nanak Dev Ji’S Birthday- With The Emergenece Of The True Guru Nanak, The Mist Cleared And The Light Scattered All Around.

[SOPW]

Guru Nanak Dev Ji- Preaching to Emperor Babar

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa ||

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh ||

On this auspicious day in 1469 Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji appeared like a shining star to lift the mist of ignorance and show all to live in harmony, serve the Lord’s creation selflessly and to abandon hypocrisy.

“Satguru Nanak Pargateya Mitti Dhund Jag Chanann Hoeyaa”

“With the emergence of the True Guru Nanak, the mist cleared and the light scattered all around”

The Sikh Organisation for Prisoner Welfare (SOPW) wishes everyone a very happy Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurupurab / Prakash Divas.

At this auspicious time of year, millions of Sikhs and Hindus distribute sweets, go to the local Gurudwara, pray and spend time with their families sharing stories of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his life. Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught the whole of humanity to love all and to provide shelter to the meek . What isn’t often reflected upon is that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was also the first Sikh to be ever imprisoned!

In Guru Sahib’s Janam Sakhis (story of Guru Nanak) it is mentioned that they themselves were imprisoned during Emperor Babar’s invasion of Saidpur (now Eminabad, Pakistan). It was during the rape, looting and wanton destruction of property that Guru Nanak Dev Ji said to the face of Babar the following Shabad (hymn):

“Raje Seeh Mukadham Kuthae ||

Jae Jagaen Baithae Suthae ||

Chaakar Nehdhaa Paen Ghao ||

Rath Pith Kuthiho Chatt Jaaho ||

Jithai Jeean Hosee Saar ||

Nakaen Vadtanae Laeithabar ||2||”

“The Kings are tigers, and their officials are dogs;

They go out and awaken the sleeping people to harass them;

The public servants inflict wounds with their nails;

The dogs lick up the blood that is spilled;

But there, in the Court of the Lord, all beings will be judged.

Those who have violated the people’s trust will be disgraced; their noses will be cut off. ||2||”

The Jail were Guru Nanak Dev Ji was kept by Emperor Babar

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was shortly thereafter released with his fellow prisoners and Emperor Babar realised his folly. SOPW takes inspiration from Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his spirited advocacy of human rights at a very dark period in time.

SOPW as a charity also comes across cases where very much Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s method and message is often carried with the very same results: imprisonment. A case that we wish to raise awareness of is related to Pal Singh – a French national imprisoned in India.

Pal Singh championed Sikh Human Rights in Europe and North America, and had in recent years committed himself fully to tackling social issues such as drug and alcohol abuse in Punjab. He, in very much similar fashion to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, went village-to-village preaching a humanitarian, spiritual and socially uplifting message.

SOPW extends its sincerest wishes for justice, humanity, love and compassion to be extended to those across the globe who are being held without trial and fair treatment. We urge governments and their agencies to enhance their standing with their citizens and the international community.

As Guru Nanak Dev Ji wrote:

“Laahaa Sach Niaao Man Vasaaeeai ||”

“The profit is earned by enshrining Truth and justice in the mind.”

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa ||

Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh ||

The Sikh Organisation for Prisoner Welfare (SOPW)

Email: Info@prisonerwelfare.com

Website: www.prisonerwelfare.com

Registered Charity No. 1125370

To support our work: http://www.justgiving.com/sopw