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July26: Troops carry the body of one of the three unarmed U.N. military observers killed by Israeli airstrike in Lebanon. Complete story @ FoxNews.com


U.N. troops Wednesday carry the body of a U.N. observer killed in an airstrike in Khiyam, Lebanon. Complete Story @ CNN.com



U.N. peacekeepers from India carry the body of one of the U.N. observers who was killed in Israel's airstrike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday. Complete Story @ MSNBC.com

All the networks are repeatedly showing the footage on T.V. where peace keepers from India (including Sikhs) are assisting in the aftermath of the bombing in Southern Lebanon. Pictures courtsey FoxNews.com, CNN.com, MSNBC.com.

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Shaheed Baba Deep Singh jee Contd......

Although when Baba Deep Singh Ji was seventy-five years old, he still had the strength of a young warrior. When Baba Deep singh came to know of the demolition of Harminder Sahib he offered prayers before starting for Amritsar, "My head may fall at Harminder Sahib."

" Sir jaave ta jaave, mera Sikhi sidhak na jaave "

And then he promised "Diwali will be celebrated at Amritsar this year" . He gathered a large group of Sikhs and advanced towards Sir Harimander Sahib . By the time they reached the village of Taran Taaran, about ten miles from Amritsar, their numbers had risen to about five thousand. At this time, Baba Ji drew a line on the ground with his khanda , and asked only those who were willing to fight and die to cross the line. Baba Deep Singh Ji then recited :

" Jo to praym khaylan ka chaao, sir dhar talee galee mayree aao. " (Those who wish to play the game of love (follow Sikhism), come to me with your head in your palm.)

" It maarag pair dhareejai, sir deejai kaan na keejai. " (If you wish your feet to travel this path, don't delay in accepting to give your head.)

All of the Sikhs there crossed the line eagerly.

When news of Baba Deep Singh Ji's plans reached Jahan Khan, he immediately mobilized an army of 20,000 men and proceeded towards Taran Taaran . Baba Deep Singh Ji's army intercepted Jahan Khan's forces near the village of Goharwal , about five miles from Amritsar . At this point, there was a clash between both sides. Baba Deep Singh Ji fought with his 18- ser khanda (weighing about 32 lbs.). Each Sikh fought with such great valor and courage that the enemy was almost defeated. They continued fighting and advancing towards Amritsar.

During the clash, one of the Mugal commanders, Jamal Khan, attacked Baba Deep Singh Ji. As they fought, both men swung their weapons with great force, leaving both of their heads separated from their bodies. After seeing this scene, a young Sikh warrior called out to Baba Ji, reminding him of his vow to reach Sri Harimander Sahib. Upon hearing this, Baba Deep Singh Ji immediately stood up, *holding his head on his left palm* while holding his khanda upright in his right hand. He then continued fighting and moving towards Sri Harimander Sahib. Upon seeing the sight of Baba Deep Singh Ji, most of the men in the Mugal army fled away in terror. Baba Deep Singh Ji was able to continue fighting and reached Sri Harimander Sahib. He bowed his head at the prakarma of Sri Harimander Sahib and laid there as a martyr where he breathed his last. The Singhs celebrated the Diwali of 1757 A.D. in Harminder Sahib.

He worked out till his last moment for sake of humanity

"Janam maran dove meh naahi ,Jan parupakri aaye " .

*There are accounts where it is said that Baba jee's neck had a big slit and he held the neck with one hand and fought with the other. And as per some accounts it is said that Baba jee's head was severed from his body and he held his head on the palm of his hand and fought with other hand and he threw his head and it fell in the parikarma of Sri Harminder Sahib where there is a asthan named after Baba Deep Singh jee....

Shaheed Baba Deep Singh jee....

He is one of most honoured martyrs in Sikh history and the founder of the Shahid misl (group) and Damdami Taksal (Damdama school of learning). He was a great Scholar and fearless saint Soldier always ready to give his life for sake of humanity.

He was known as Deepaa in his childhood Born at Paahuwind, Amritsar and the only son of bhai bhagtu ji and Maataa Jeeodee ji born after 15yrs of their marriage .

Guru Gobind Singh gave a new shape to the Khalsa Panth . That year many people went to Annadpur Sahib to take amrit. Deepaa, along with his parents too joined them. There, he also with his parents took Amrit at the age of eighteen from the Panj Pyare at Anandpur Sahib in the presence of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and became (Baba) Deep Singh Ji . He was very impressed with guruji's amry. When his parents were ready to return to their village, Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked Baba Deep Singh Ji to stay with him. He humbly accepted Guru Ji's command and began serving him.Thereafter he spent his years for his training of horse riding, archery as well as other arms training including gurmukhi from Bhai Mani singh jee .He was very interested and expert in hunting.

After 8 years of serving he returned to his village to help his parents. But when he heard news of Guru Gobind Singh's family separation and Sahidi of Sahibzadas, after Guru Saahib left Anandpur Sahib . Baba Deep Singh Jee immediately left Pahuwind and began a search for the Guru Sahib. He finally met up with Guru Gobind Singh Jee at Sabu ki Talwandi ( Damdama Sahib ).Their Guru Sahib ordered him and Bhai Manee Singh to finish copying the GURU GRANTH SAHIB JEE . Baba Deep Singh Ji had been summoned to Damdama Sahib to work with Bhai Mani Singh Ji to prepare the final text of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh Ji recited the entire Granth Sahib to them while they wrote the text. On its completion, Baba Deep Singh Ji hand wrote five more copies of the holy scriptures. Four copies were sent to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Sri Takht Patna Sahib, Sri Takht Hazur Sahib, and Sri Takht Anandpur Sahib. Another copy was prepared by Baba Deep Singh Ji in Arabic script and sent to the Middle East. Between the years 1715 and 1728, they copied and distributed several copies of Guru Granth Sahib.

After the Guru sahib left for Delhi, Bhai Mani Singh jee became the head priest of Darbar Sahib , Amritsar, and Baba Deep Singh jee was given up the service of looking after Gurudwara Damdama sahib. There Baba Ji also continued to write gutkas (books of hymns) and distributed them to the Sikh community.

To be Continued.....

source : amritsarovar.com

Darbar Sahib Kar Seva 2004

Darbar Sahib Kar Seva

Darbar Sahib Kar Seva 2004

Darbar Sahib Kar Seva

The Power of "Naam" 2....

In fourteenth century, India was ruled by a king who would kill if anyone refuses to accept Islamic faith. Kabeer Ji was a true devotee of God and would recite His name eternally. Kabeer Ji would worship God and none else. Kabeer Ji considered himself neither a Muslim nor a Hindu. He says, “I do not keep fasts, nor do I observe the month of Ramadaan. I serve only the One, who will protect me in the end. The One Lord, the Lord of the World, is my God Allah. He administers justice to both Hindus and Muslims. I do not make pilgrimages to Mecca, nor do I worship at Hindu sacred shrines. I serve the One Lord, and not any other. I do not perform Hindu worship services, nor do I offer the Muslim prayers. I have taken the One Formless Lord into my heart; I humbly worship Him there. I am not a Hindu, nor am I a Muslim. My body and breath of life belong to Allah - to Raam - the God of both. Says Kabeer, this is what I say: meeting with the Guru, my Spiritual Teacher, I realize God, my Lord and Master” (Guru Granth Sahib, 1136).

As of his profession, Kabeer Ji was a tailor and “Abandoning weaving and stretching thread, Kabeer enshrined love for God. As a weaver from a lowly family, he became an ocean of excellence” (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 487). The king came to know about Kabeer Ji and told him to accept Islam but Kabeer Ji refused. He was tied up with the chains by the order of the king. The king’s men brought Kabeer near the bank of the river Ganges. There was not a single person with Kabeer but God. Kabeer Ji says, “The river Ganges is deep and profound. Tied up in chains, they took Kabeer there. My mind would not shake; why should my body be afraid? My consciousness remained immersed with God” (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1162). The king’s men threw Kabeer’s body tied up with chain’s in the river Ganges to drown. Kabeer Ji describes this situation as follow, “The waves of the Ganges broke the chains and Kabeer was seated on a deer skin. Says Kabeer, I have no friend or companion, on the water, and on the land, the Lord is my Savior” (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1162). God raised Kabeer Ji from the water to protect His devotee. The chain broke as Kabeer’s body touched the water of the Ganges and Kabeer was raised from the water and was sitting on the deer skin on the surface of the water. Watching this, the king was amazed and full of embarrassment. The King begged Kabeer Ji for an apology.

source : realsikhism.com

The One Liners...

Anger, if not restrained, is frequently more hurtful to us than the injury that may have provoked it.

Shalok Bhagat Kabeer jee Kay....

Here Bhagat Kabeer jee tell us how we all are trapped in this world full of Maya, and how fortunate are those who know how to escape from it...

Shalok Bhagat Kabeer jee Kay....

Here Bhagat Kabeer jee tell us how we can put an end to all the dismay in our life...

The One liners....

Drive carefully! Remember, it's not only a car that can be recalled by it's maker.

Hollow Rituals 3.....

Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana reached the holy place of Kurukshetra where the war of Mahabharat had been fought. That was the day of solar eclipse, so people had come in large numbers from far and near for a holy dip. On every side people were waiting for the eclipse to start. Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana chose an open place and sat there. No sooner had the eclipse begun than groups of beggars started asking for alms. The rich started to give charity to make amends for their sins. People started bathing in the river. This fallacy is in vogue that if anybody bathes and gives alms at the time of the eclipse, all his sins are washed away in the same way as dust is washed from the body with water. Those desirous of washing away their sins were heaping money on the hands of Brahmins even though they had not given a single papa to the poor before.

Guru Nanak was sitting and watching this show when Jagat Rai, the prince of Hansi state, placed a deer before him and requested, "Holy man, I have nothing for charity at this auspicious time except this deer which I hunted on my way. Please accept this." At Guru Nanak's bidding, Bhai Mardana lit a fire and placed the deer on it to cook.

When Brahmins saw the smoke, they came running to Guru Nanak and said, "No one can light a fire at this auspicious time. It is a great sin to light a flre. Nothing can be cooked. Only charity can be given at this time." Nanu Brahmin said, "What have you placed in this pan to cook ?" Bhai Mardana said, 'This is the meat of a deer." Nanu was still more angry on hearing it.

Guru Nanak told those who were raising a hue and cry, "It is not a sin to cook something to satisfy hungry stomach. It is a sin to rob innocent people by telling lies. Tell me how the sins of a sinner can be washed away by giving charity to sinners like you who do not know what meat is. Listen, all bodies consist of flesh. Flesh eats flesh. Flesh marries flesh and brings her home. All the relatives are flesh. When you realise the word of the Lord, you gain the knowledge of what meat is. These foolish vegetarians do not understand that vegetables are also meat. Woman is also flesh. Those who decry meat, make love to it at night. Children are also flesh which take shape out of the flesh of their parents. Grain, cotton etcetera are all flesh. If you give up eating and wearing all these then you have given up meat. Those from whom you accept charity, according to your reckoning, will go to hell for eating meat while you will go to hell for accepting charity from them."

Hearing these words from Guru Nanak, all those who were raising a hue and cry became silent. Guru Nanak further told them, "No god is under threat. Eclipse are caused by the movements of the planets. Nobody's sins are washed away by bathing in this water and giving charity to these Brahmins. Only remembering and keeping God in mind can wash away sins."

source : sikh-history.com

The Power of Naam.....

Once, there was discussion about God. Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj asked, "Brothers! Who was the king during Bhagat Kabir's life-time?"

Then, some old persons said, "Humanyoo".

Someone said, "Pithora".

One said, "Sikandar".

One said, "Madan Paal was the king".

There was a big debate for a long time. Guru Ji continued to listen.
“We cannot reach them; the God's men are high. The castes, 'varnas' and kingdoms, all remain lower.”

They all became silent. The Sikhs asked, "O True King! Why did you ask? Please tell yourself".

Guru Ji said, "This is the glory of 'Naam'. Kabir was a poor weaver. Everyone knows him. And the king was the owner of large kingdoms of the world, no one knows him (now). See the glory of the 'Name'. There were thousands of Pandits, Shah, astrologers, kings, but all are unknown (now). By the grace of 'Name', Kabir is called the knowledgeable and 'Sidh' (perfect). O Sikhs! The 'Name' is great. It was 'Sikandar Shah' (who was the king during the lifetime of Kabeer). He conquered India, he bowed before Kabir Ji after seeing the miracle of Kabir. O Sikhs! He, who repeats the 'Name', is the Sikh of the Guru. Repeat the 'Name' and do the 'seva' (service) with thy hands."

source : sausakhi

Shalok Bhagat Kabeer jee kay....

Here Bhagat Kabeer jee talks about falling in true love....

Shalok Bhagat Kabeer jee kay....

Here Bhagat Kabeer jee is talking about real treasure hunt.....

The One Liners....

Don't marry for money - you can borrow it cheaper.

Hollow Rituals 2.....

When Guru Nanak attained the age of nine, the day was fixed for him to wear the sacred thread prescribed by Manu, the originator of Hindu rituals and the caste system. After worship and recitation, Pandit Hardial started to put the sacred thread around Guru Nanak's neck. Guru Nanak stopped him and asked, "Dear Pandit, what is the use of putting this thread around my neck ? What authority is attained by wearing it ? What special deeds of faith one can perform by wearing it in addition to those which are already performed without it ?"

Pandit Hardial replied, "O Nanak, one gets spiritual birth by wearing it. you get the liberty to go to the kitchen upon wearing it. you get the freedom to participate in the religious rituals of the world. Brahmins and Kshatris are impure without wearing it and cannot take part in religious rituals and ceremonies. They do not have the right to perform the Saradh—feast of serving food every year to Brahmins so that it may reach the dead ancestors. Without this their ancestors face the pangs of hunger and thirst in the next world."

Guru Nanak further asked, "If one gets spiritual birth by wearing it, the thread should be put around the soul. What is the use of wearing it if the wearer continues to tell lies, back-bite and do other lowly deeds after wearing it like the Brahmin administering it. The sacred thread should be such that its wearing may make the wearer compassionate, contented, celibate and truthful in his dealings. Dear Pandit, if you have a thread of this type, I am ready to wear it. This type of thread will not be broken, nor soiled or burnt when the body is cremated. That True Thread will always remain with the soul even when the body is burnt."

Pandit Hardial,in a bid to make Guru Nanak understand, said further, "O Nanak, we are not starting this sacred thread ritual for the first time today. This ritual has been performed for a long time. Nobody has refused it before you." In order to expose Brahmins' greed to eat and get offerings behind the facade of this ritual, Guru Nanak recited: "A thread of cotton is spun and the Brahmin twists it, a goat is slaughteredand eaten and everyone is asked to wear the thread".(Raag Asa. p. 4 71)

Pandit Hardial came to understand this hymn and was convinced that Guru Nanak would not wear that cotton thread around his neck. He also saw that if the common people grasped the meanings of what Guru Nanak had said, they would stop wearing the thread. He would be deprived of the goat and other offerings for performing this ritual from them also. On account of this fear he put the thread in his bag and returned home.

Source : sikhhistory.com

Happy Independence Day to the neighbours (Americans)

Happy Independence Day (July 4th) to the neighbours (Americans)

Happy CANADA Day to all fellow Canadians....

Canada Day marks the creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. Before that, what we know as Canada was a whole lot of little Canadas.

Native Americans lived in Canada long before Europeans came. The resulting culture clash was, at times, bloody. The result was the colonization by settlers and soldiers from France and Great Britain.

During the colonial wars of the 17th and 18th centuries, Canada was a battleground as well. The last great struggle between France and Britain in the New World was the Seven Years War, what Americans call the French and Indian War. With the help of their American colonists, the British won this war (in 1763) and demanded Canada as a prize. French occupation of Canada was, effectively, at an end.

Fighting between Americans and British took place in Canada in both the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) and the War of 1812 (1812-1814). The results of each of these wars included further boundaries between America and Canada.

And while America was involved in its Civil War (1861-1865), Canada was involved in a struggle of its own: to come to grips with the idea of forming one, large country.

Canada in the early 19th Century was a jumbled mix of peoples and territories. Specifically, the British lived in Canada West and the French listed in Canada East. To add to the confusion, Canada West was also called Upper Canada and Canada East was also called Lower Canada, even though Lower Canada was at times farther north than Upper Canada.

Anyway, in 1841, the United Province of Canada came about, formed from the two former Canadas, East and West.

On July 1, 1867, after years of debate, the Dominion of Canada was formed. The provinces were Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. This was a big step. For the first time, a central government (in Ottawa) had a place in governing all of the provinces. But this Canada wasn't the Canada we know today.

One piece of the puzzle fell into place when the Dominion bought the Northwest Territories in 1869. The next year, Manitoba came on board. British Columbia joined the Confederation (as it was being called) in 1871. Prince Edward Island joined in 1873.

Two more parts of the Canada we know today, Alberta and Saskatchewan, joined the Dominion in 1905. And in 1949, Newfoundland became the 10th province. The borders stayed the same for 50 years, until 1999, when Nunavut became the 11th province. On October 27, 1982, July 1st which was known as "Dominion Day" became "Canada Day".

So what does Canada Day really celebrate? The beginning of a united country. From its earliest settlements by Native Americans, through French and English settlements and wars, Canada was a divided land. Some territories had banded together before 1867, but the Dominion Act was the first large step toward total unity, from sea to sea. Canada is today a very large country, with a very large population and a very large economy.