Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib jee Maharaaj...

Congratulations to all the Sikh Community around the globe on the eve of the Parkash Divas of the Seventh Patshah Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib. Prakash Divas falls on the 31st of this month.

Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji were born in Kiratpur to Mata Nihal Kaur Ji and Baba Gurditta Ji (the eldest son of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji). From a very young age Gur Sahib exhibited sensitivity to all living things and endeared himself to his grandfather Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji.

Kiratpur was Guru Har Rai Sahib ji's permanent seat. The institution of langar, community eating, continued to flourish. Guru Har Rai Sahib ji chose himself the simplest fare, which was earned by the labor of his own hands. In the morning, Guru Sahib sat in the sangat and explained the Sikh doctrine. Guru Sahib always boosted the military spirit of the Sikhs, but Gur Sahib never himself indulged in any direct political and armed controversy with the contemporary Mughal Empire.

It is a well known incident that Guru Sahib's son Baba Ram Rai, when asked to interpret the logic behind the Gurbani, distorted the sacred Baani and misinterpreted the message of Sikhi in the Mughal court, fearing the wrath of Mughal emperor. Guru Sahib refused to acknowledge his son after this as the inheritor of Gurgaddi and instead blessed Sri Guru Har Krishan Sahib ji with the Guruship. Guru Har Rai Sahib ji always instructed his Sikhs strictly against any alteration of original verse in Guru Granth Sahib and the basic conventions set up by Guru Nanak Sahib ji.

Guru Sahib held the flag of Sikhi high in some very malevolent times, when ruthless emperor had ascended to the throne of Delhi the corrupt Masands, Dhir Mals and Minas were trying to preclude the advancement of Sikh religion. But never, even in the face of utter chaos, Guru Sahib stumbled. Gur Sahib shunned his own son, so that the true message of Sikhi may be protected and preserved.

Let us today celebrate Parkash Divas of this savior of the truth and torchbearer of Sikhi. Let us take a pledge today that we will put our faith only in the teaching of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Gurbani of Guru Sahibaan and would not ever try to distract our soul from the true path laid before us by Guru Sahibaan.

May Akal Purkh Waheguru lead us all to the eternal light.

source:sikhpoint

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.....

While moving towards South at Jai pur, a Mahant Jait Ram came to pay his respect to the Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj. Guru Sahib asked him to suggest for some good and holy persons. Mahant Jait Ram suggested some names and advised not to go to Madho Daas Bairagi, as he was very egoistic and insulted one and all. Instead, the Guru decided to face Madho Daas first of all rather than anybody else.

In September 1708 Guru Gobind Singh along with few sikhs reached at the Ashram of Madho Daas Bairagi, At that time he was not in his dera . The Guru took his seat and the sikhs spread all over the Dera to arrange and cook food. Followers of Madho Daas ran and informed him of all about the happenings. Madho Daas used all his occult powers to insult, harass and let-down the Guru but failed in all his efforts. Full of rage, he came running to the Dera and shouted at the Guru " Who are you, and how come you have entered my Ashram? The Guru very calmly replied " You have all the power, you should know."

He said that he knew nothing about him. The Guru asked him to be calm and think it over. After some time, he said" Is it that you are Guru Gobind Singh?" The Guru replied : "Yes I am, now tell me, who are you?" His hands were folded and he said to the Guru" I am your Banda (slave)." Banda also means a good human being. The Guru said" If you are my Banda, then work as a Banda ( a good human being). He assured Guru Sahib to do as per his advice.

With these words Madho Daas was at the feet of Guru sahib. The Guru stayed in his Dera for a few days. He was given Amrit ( baptized the Sikh way) and named Gur Bakhash Singh but remained famous with the name of Banda Singh Bahadur. It was not less than a miracle and was the magnetic like personality of Guru Gobind Singh at his 42 years of age that a 38 year old Rajput, at a place far away from his native, now a mystic, celibate, vegetarian, having occult powers, master of a big Ashram but very haughty and proud was turned into a devoted and disciplined soldier and made an army general by the Guru, who fell on the cruel rulers of Punjab like a storm and cloud burst.

source:santsepahi.com

King and his four wives.....

Excerpt of an email received… Many may have read this before…

Once upon a time there was a King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to thefinest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confident and was always kind,considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharpknife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Nowthat I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" Hisheart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2ndwife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave." Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives:

Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish inmaking it look good, it will leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others.

Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

And our 1st wife is our Soul, often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go.Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.

Thought for the day:

Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

Ardas for Bhai Tejinderpal Singh jee's Chardi Kala.....

Recently Bhai Tejenderpal Singh jee (Dulla Veerjee) had an accident while driving in poor visibility and driving conditions due to winter snowy weather. Veerjee had to be airlifted to a hospital where he was reported to be in stable condition (induced coma). However as per Hukam of Sri Akalpurakh ji, Veerjee's wife Bhenjee Bibi Jasbir Kaur jee passed away in this accident.

Click for more details.......

Turban, a savior....

I was just randomly reading Testimonies online when I came across this one......

My turban has saved me so many times that I cannot even begin to explain. Like most, I am also filled with greed and lust. I even thought about looting or robbery in order to accumulate wealth. But everytime I think about it I think about my turban. A thought comes in my mind that how will my Guru feel if I do such a thing. I am a Sikh and a Sikh must walk on the path of humility and respect and live happily in whatever God has given me. If I have not had a turban on my head, I probably would have become a thief, a rogue, and probably a murderer. My turban saves me.

My turban saves me from bad company. Due to my turban the ill minded people do not approach me and neither do I go to the bars. When I was in high school, I saw a person who was talking to high school kids about taking drugs. He would approach the kids and show then a small packet containing the drug and would ask them to try it. But he did not talk to me, he did not come near me, he saw my turban and kept his distance. I sometimes think how would my life be if I have not had a turban on my head. It would be very easy to talk to be in contact with druggies and robbers. Having such a company I probably would have become a drunkard and a drug addict.

The symbol Guru ji gave me actually saves me. Now I know the importance of turban and its purpose. It is not just an identity of a Sikh but also keeps a Sikh away from bad thing and bad company.

By Jagjit Singh

(source:realsikhism.com)

Kinka Ek Jis Jeea Basaave, Taa Ki Mahima Gani Na Aave...

Best wishes to all on the occassion of Parkash Utsav of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj. I once listen to a CD by Late Bhai Jasbir Singh jee Khanawale where he was stressing on importance of Amrit. He said one line that resonates in my mind every now and then...He said, "We say that we respect Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj, but we don't want to listen to what he said (Amrit Shakna)". He further said, "This is very wierd. We say that we respect our father, but we don't like our father telling us what to do".

I do not have word to praise Guru Sahib, but I have a Sakhi that I want to share with others. This is one of the lesser known Sakhis....

Once, a Sikh made a request before Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj, "O true King! I am grieved by the world. Eliminate the pain of birth and death. Save me from sins. I am in your protection. I am illiterate".

Guru Ji said, "Brother Sikh! You are blessed that you became detached (from the world). An fool cannot get sense without education. One should get education. An uneducated person cannot understand anything. The God meets him, whose pronunciation of 'Bani' is perfect. Brother! Do study.

Guru Ji asked the 'Granthi' to teach that Sikh with love. The 'Granthi' started to teach him. While teaching, he taught him this line of Anand Sahib prayer, "Anand bhya meree maaye, Satguroo main paaya." (The heavenly pleasure occurred, O my mother, for I have found my True Guru).

The Sikh recited this line with love and went reciting it. Sometimes, he would eat from 'langar' (the community kitchen). His faith increased reciting this line.

After six months, Guru Ji asked the Granthi, "Did he learn?" Granthi Singh replied, "He did not return after learning one line."

Guru Ji called for that Sikh and asked, "You were sent to learn."

He replied with folded hands, "Guru Ji! One line is enough. When the True Guru has been found, 'Anand' is gotten. (Without getting the 'Anand') more reciting is the act of 'Bemukhs'."

Guru Ji smiled and said, "You are 'nihaal' (bliss). Your cycle of birth and death has been curtailed."

source:sikh-info.com