Thursday, November 30, 2006

Respect for Gurbani

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

When Baba Ji was only a few years old everyone in his village noticed he was different from ordinary children. Instead of spending time talking or playing Baba Ji would immerse himself in Seva and in Naam Simran 24 hours a day.

One time as the children were playing outside some villagers saw Baba Ji carrying some planks of wood. They began to wonder what Baba Ji was doing.

Using a few tools he had borrowed from someone Baba Ji started to work on the wood he had bought while constantly keeping the name of Akaal Purakh on his lips. After a few days Baba Ji had finished his work and the villagers who were watching what Baba Ji was doing saw that he had made a Manji Sahib.

Baba Ji took this Manji Sahib into his house and placed a new cloth on it along with a new Rumalla Sahib. When he had done this he placed his gutka on the throne. Baba Ji also made a Chaur Sahib.

After preparing some sweets with the help of Mata Prem Kaur Ji, Baba Ji called out to all the children in the village to come to his house. They were curious as to what Baba Ji had been doing, so almost all the children who heard Baba Ji’s call went to his house. As they entered Baba Ji’s house he asked them to remove their shoes and wash their hands, feet and faces with water that he had brought in a jug. He then took them inside and told them to bow before their Guru. After all the children had done darshan of Guru Sahib and had spent some time reciting Gurbani, Baba Ji began to distribute the sweets his mother and him had prepared to all the children.

This is how much respect for Gurbani beloved Sikhs of Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj have.

Narrated by Bhai Harjeet Singh Ji

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

ਤਾਤੀ ਵਾਉ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

I came across the following video on Singhu veerji's blog. This shahbad sung by Bhai Harjinder Singh Ji sums up the last few posts very nicely.

Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj, the King of Kings, the Saint of Saints, and the Saviour of the World.




ਬਿਲਾਵਲੁ ਮਹਲਾ 5 ॥
bilaaval mehalaa 5
Bilaaval, Fifth Mehl:

ਤਾਤੀ ਵਾਉ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥
thaathee vaao n lagee paarabreham saranaaee
The hot wind does not even touch one who is under the Protection of the Supreme Lord God.

ਚਉਗਿਰਦ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਰਾਮ ਕਾਰ ਦੁਖੁ ਲਗੈ ਨ ਭਾਈ ॥1॥
chougiradh hamaarai raam kaar dhukh lagai n bhaaee 1
On all four sides I am surrounded by the Lord's Circle of Protection; pain does not afflict me, O Siblings of Destiny. 1

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਭੇਟਿਆ ਜਿਨਿ ਬਣਤ ਬਣਾਈ ॥
sathigur pooraa bhaettiaa jin banath banaaee
I have met the Perfect True Guru, who has done this deed.

ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਉਖਧੁ ਦੀਆ ਏਕਾ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
raam naam aoukhadhh dheeaa eaekaa liv laaee 1 rehaao
He has given me the medicine of the Lord's Name, and I enshrine love for the One Lord.1Pause

ਰਾਖਿ ਲੀਏ ਤਿਨਿ ਰਖਨਹਾਰਿ ਸਭ ਬਿਆਧਿ ਮਿਟਾਈ ॥
raakh leeeae thin rakhanehaar sabh biaadhh mittaaee
The Savior Lord has saved me, and eradicated all my sickness.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਭਈ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭਏ ਸਹਾਈ ॥2॥15॥79॥
kahu naanak kirapaa bhee prabh bheae sehaaee 21579
Says Nanak, God has showered me with His Mercy; He has become my help and support. 21579


Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Friday, November 24, 2006

Mukhon Satnam Bolda

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Teg bahaadar see kri-aa
Karee na kinahoo(n) aan

No one else had ever done such a noble deed,
as the self sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadar

Theekar for dilees sir
Prabh pur keeyaa payaan

He broke his earthly vessel on the head of Aurangzeb
and showed the path to the Abode of Waheguru.

Teg Bahaadar ke chalat
Bhayo Jagat Ko Sok

When Guru Tegh Bahadar left the body,
a great sadness welled up in the world.

Hai hai hai sabh jag bhayo
Jai jai jai sur lok

"Alas, Alas" rose the cries from the whole world,
while "Glory, Glory" cried the saintly beings.



Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Raaj n chaaho mukath n chaaho man preeth charan kamalaarae

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Bhai Dyaala Ji along with Bhai Mati Daas Ji and Bhai Sati Daas Ji were the most prominent Sikhs of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Bhai Dyaala Ji had 12 brothers and his younger brother was the famous Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh Ji. He was the second brother out of his 12 brothers after Bhai Jetha Ji. Bhai Mani Singh was the third son.
Bhai Dyaala Ji first came to the service of Sri Guru Har Rai Ji and then served Sri Guru Harkrishen Sahib Ji. During the reign of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Bhai Dyaala Ji was appointed to the envious position of “Gharbaari Diwaan”. This meant that he was given the responsibility of taking care of Guru Ji’s family and other such personal needs, while Maharaj used to go on preaching journeys. When Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj was born in Patna Sahib, Bhai Dyaala Ji was taking care of the whole family there. He had the overall responsibility of Guru Sahib’s mehal.

The spiritual life of Bhai Sahib Ji was matchless. He was a player of very high spiritual stages. He totally dedicated his life for the Chardee Kala of the Panth. Guru Sahib had declared in writing, Bhai Dyaala Ji to be “Guru daa putt” i.e. son of the Guru.

When Sri Guru Sahib was arrested in Agra, he along with his 3 Sikhs was taken to Delhi. Before martyring them, they were tortured and other means were used to derail them from Gurmat, but they stayed firm.

Bhai Dyaala Ji attained shaheedi in a unique way. A large pot was filled with water and fire was ignited underneath. Bhai Sahib was made to sit in the pateela. As the water got hot, Bhai Sahib Ji stayed calm. In the end, Bhai Sahib was boiled alive. Bhai Sahib Ji left for Sachkhand with Naam in his heart and on his lips. He stayed merged in Naam to his last breath.
Dhan Dhan Guru Tegh Bahadhur Ji Maharaj’s beloved Sikhs - Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji and Bhai Dyaala Ji spurned all the lucrative offers of wealth, power and status and sacrificed everything worldly for the pleasure of their Beloved Satguru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. They embraced martyrdom one after the other, radiating the divine glory of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj which is bestowed upon a chosen few.

These divine lovers of Satguru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Maharaj were martyred in the holy presence of their beloved King of Kings. These love-smitten Sikhs of the Guru sailed in an ocean of Bliss despite being brutally tortured to death, because for them one spark of Love and Grace from the Loving and Holy glance of their beloved Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was more precious than all the Kingdoms of both Earth and Heaven.

Raaj n chaaho mukath n chaaho man preeth charan kamalaarae
I do not seek power, and I do not seek liberation. My mind is in love with Your Lotus Feet.

There is a sakhi about Dhan Dhan Bhai Dyaala Ji which has a similar moral to the one given in the post below. I will try and write this story in the next few weeks.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

ਗੁਰੂ ਸਮੁੰਦੁ ਨਦੀ ਸਭਿ ਸਿਖੀ ਨਾਤੈ ਜਿਤੁ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Bhai Mati Das came from a Brahman family from the village Kariala in the district of Jhelum (Pakistan). He was the eldest son of Bhai Praga. His grandfather, Mahatma Gautam Das, used to be a deeply religious man of noble, saintly character. He was loved and respected by all, Hindus and Muslims alike. Bhai Praga was a strong stalwart. He had the body and the strength of a giant.

He embraced the Sikh faith during Guru Har Gobind's time. He lived the life of a true Sikh. His life was a model for others. He was a prominent saint-soldier of Guru Har Gobind's. He took a hero's part in Guru Har Gobind's battle. He had four sons: Bhai Mati Das, Sati Das, Jati Das and Sakhi Das. Bhai Mati Das was as strongly built as his father, Bhai Praga. He was a dear, devout disciple of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He actually practiced what he believed and professed. Guru Tegh Bahadur made him his diwan. He had to look after the income and expenditure of the Guru's darbar.

Along with Guru Sahib, Bhai Mati Das was also arrested, chained and imprisoned. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Ji Maharaj at that time had been put in a cage that was so small that it only allowed Guru Sahib to stand. Guru Sahib could not sit down or move about. He was kept in this cage for days on end.

When Bhai Mati Das Ji saw the plight of his beloved Guru tears of blood began to flow from his heart. Bhai Sahib humbly approached Guru Sahib and asked Maharaj to give him hukam of destroying each and every single brick in Dehli and Lahore so that the whole world would know of the power of the King of Kings. Guru Sahib listening to this request and smiled at his beloved Sikh. Maharaj then told Bhai Mati Das Ji not to worry as everything which was happening was in accordance with the sweet will of Akaal Purakh.

Bhai Mati Das Ji was full of love for Guru Sahib. Whenever he saw his King in pain he felt like a fish which had been removed from the ocean. The sight of the King of the World suffering broke Bhai Mati Das Ji’s heart and he became very upset despite Guru Sahib’s reassurances.

One day Guru Sahib told Bhai Mati Das Ji to bring some water, not from the local taps but from the river Yamuna. As Bhai Mati Das Ji made his way to the river he began to think of the different reasons as to why Guru Sahib had asked him to travel so far to bring water when there was already so much water available locally. Bhai Mati Das Ji was under the impression that Guru Sahib didn’t want him to see the pain of the world that his king was taking on himself. As a result of this many thoughts began to flash through Bhai Mati Das Ji’s mind, but as Guru Sahib had given hukam, Bhai Mati Das being a Gursikh followed Maharaj’s will to the best of his ability.
Bhai Mati Das Ji quickly made his way to the Yumana River. As soon as Bhai Sahib got there he filled a bucket with crystal clear water and placed the bucket on his head as he turned around and stated to run back to his beloved Guru.

As soon as Bhai Sahib made it back to the cage Maharaj was kept in he bowed before the King of Kings and humbly offered the water he had brought to Guru Sahib. Guru Ji touched Bhai Mati Das’s head and with a smile on his face he told Bhai Sahib to go and return this water back to the river from which he had brought it. Bhai Mati Das Ji bowed before his King once again and as he ran back to the river.

As soon as Guru Sahib had given this second hukam, Bhai Sahib’s mind became certain that Guru Ji was making him go to the river in an effort to keep him away from Maharaj. Despite this Bhai Sahib obeyed Guru Sahib’s hukam as he hurried back to the river to return the water he had taken. Upon returning to the cage Guru Sahib was kept in Bhai Mati Das bowed once again and kissed the feet of his King.

Guru Sahib then asked Bhai Mati Das Ji if he had understood what Guru Ji was trying to tell him. Bhai Mati Das Ji with tears in his eyes said that he understood why Guru Ji was giving all these hukams, ‘it’s because you don’t want me to see all the pain which you are facing.’

Guru Ji smiled and told Bhai Mati Das Ji that he was trying to teach him something else. Bhai Mati Das Ji looked at Guru Sahib and asked him to tell him what he had missed. Guru Ji smiled at Bhai Mati Das Ji and asked him, ‘Did the Yamuna River dry up after you took some water out of it? Did the Yamuna River start flooding when you returned the water you had taken?’

Bhai Mati Das Ji became confused and he asked his king how could a river dry up or begin to flood when only a little bit of water was taken and returned to it? Guru Sahib smiled and said:

ਗੁਰੂ ਸਮੁੰਦੁ ਨਦੀ ਸਭਿ ਸਿਖੀ ਨਾਤੈ ਜਿਤੁ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥

That Guru is like a samundar and his Sikhs are like the rivers which flow back into their source- the samundar. So stay like a river which doesn’t start flooding when some water is added to it, rather watch this play of Akaal Purakh himself.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Sant Sipahi

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

"Someone who could fell a tree in a single blow and at the same time memorise whole chapters of the scriptures and recite them a hundred times a day."

Baba Joginder Singh Ji describing Sri Maan Sant Gyani Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Dhan Dhan Baba Deep Singh Ji's Shaheedi Divas

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Dhan Dhan Baba Deep Singh Ji. There isn’t enough ink, or paper or pens to praises this beloved Sahibzada of Dhan Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj.

Many people come into this world and vow to die for a cause. But Baba Ji’s jeevan was such that instead of vowing to die he had vowed to live until his mission was accomplished. Rather than writing Baba Ji's jeevani in this post, I will only focus on his shaheedi and the events which led up to it.

As news filtered through Punjab of the desecration of Sachkhand Sri Darbar Sahib, Sikh hearts began to cry tears of blood. The world stood quiet as this ghastly act took place. The Earth and the Sky readied themselves for the Khalsa’s swift response as time itself had stood witness to the fact that no matter how few Sikhs were left they would always pick up their arms to fight against tyranny.

The land of Punjab stood in a state of stillness as Baba Ji sat at Sri Damdama Sahib immersed in Naam Simran. Baba Deep Singh Ji finally got up and taking the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji on his lips and carrying the Khanda of Guru Gobind Singh Ji in his hands came out of his tent.

Suddenly a stir beginning from where Baba Ji was standing, and running like a wave along the line, it brought the Khalsa to its feet. A silence fell on everyone at once, for each felt that the momentous `now' had come to stand up to those who had dared to blemish the house of God.

This decision of Baba Deep Singh Ji was flashed from village to village in the Malwa belt. The fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters of the Khalsa Panth rose up in large numbers and answered this valiant call of Baba Ji by placing their services at his disposal.

The army of Akaal Purakh adorned themselves with his colours, and picked up his weapons, and sung his praises as they began to march towards their guru and his house.

When these beloved Sikhs of Guru Sahib reached Taran Taaran Sahib they bathed in the holy Sarover. Baba Deep Singh Ji then took the Khanda of Guru Gobind Singh Ji out from its scabbard and drew a line through the earth.

Baba Ji in a loud voice addressed the Ladlee Fauj of Guru Sahib as follows, “Whoever fears for their life, whoever has any attachment, whoever does not want to walk towards their guru with their head held in the palm of their hand can turn around and go back to their homes. Whoever has love for their guru and for sikhi should step forward and cross this line, but beloved Khalsa of Guru Gobind Singh Ji once we cross this line there will be no turning back. There will be no rest and there will be no food or water or any of our loved ones. There is only death past this line. To liberate Sri Darbar Sahib every Sikh who steps over this line will have to give all their blood to this cause. We will make a river of blood which will drown these tyrants and wash them away from our land forever.”

As soon as Baba Ji had finished all the Singhs began to run across the line. Baba Ji then led the sangat in an ardas to Guru Sahib. The Singhs asked Maharaj to bless this marriage of theirs and to prepare for them as they readied themselves to return to his kingdom. During this ardas Baba Ji made a vow that no matter how much blood he would spill, no matter how many times he would be cut, no matter how many arrows pierced his body, no matter how much pain he had to endure, he would not become shaheed until SachKhand Sri Darbar Sahib was liberated and its sanctity restored.

As the ardas concluded all the Singhs bellowed Jaikaray and began to sing, “Jo to praym khaylan ka chaao, sir dhar talee galee mayree aao.” (Those who wish to play the game of love, 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.)

As Jaikarays thundered through Punjab, the world shook and the Afghan spies quickly sent reports to Jahan Khan that a blue and saffron wave of steel was pouring towards Amritsar. At once 20,000 Afghan troops were mobilised and dispatched towards Taran Taraan Sahib in an attempt to crush the brave hearts of Punjab.

As the Afghan army reached the village of Goharwal, they saw the blue and saffron uniforms of the Khalsa appearing amongst the trees. As they watched the approach of this wave the numbers began to increase, and the field of blue and saffron grew larger and larger until it seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see, and from the tops of the hills down to the edges of the stream gathered the Ladlee Fauj of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Nishaan Sahibs were furling and the beat of nagaaraas was echoing throughout the skies.

Upon seeing the Afghan army the Singhs vied to go ahead of each other to drink the nectar of martyrdom. The Singhs charged forward and met the Afghan Forces in a fierce battle 5 miles away from Amritsar. They fell upon the Afghans like a lion on a deer, despite the fact that they were hopelessly outnumbered. The Khalsa fought with such potency that the Afghans slain lay in rows precisely as they had stood in their ranks a few moments before. Victory seemed at hand for the Khalsa but just then Afghan reinforcements arrived in their thousands.

The Afghan Army seeing reinforcements arrive began to launch several attacks on the bravest battalion of the Khalsa Army headed by Baba Deep Singh Ji, but these warrior lions of Guru Gobind Singh did not lose faith. Raising his Khanda Baba Deep Singh Ji’s thundering voice gave power to the battle cry Jaikara - "JO BOLE SO NIHAL", Every single Singh roared the response "SAT SRI AKAAL" . The Khalsa’s spirits rose, new life was injected into them with each jaekara. They faced the Afghans with rejuvenated spirits, just seeing the fire in the army of Akaal Purakh eyes was enough to send the Afghans running in all directions.

United, like the waves in the ocean, by their deep blue battle-dress and turbans, they fought against all the odds and faced the rain of enemy bullets, stones, and arrows. Hacking their way through treacherous terrain, they hammered their way towards Amritsar.

Baba Deep Singh Ji’s body at this time had been pierced with hundreds of arrows and bullets but still he was marching forward at a relentless speed. His once blue chola was now completely red and soaked in his blood. It is said that Baba Deep Singh Ji’s movements as he single handily cut through the Afghan ranks reflected the Taandav dance of Shiva.

Seeing his men falling to the floor one of the commanders of the Afghan army, Jamal Khan attacked Baba Deep Singh Ji with his sword. As Jamal Khan’s sword stuck, so did Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Khanda and in that split second both their heads were severed from their bodies. As Baba Ji’s head fell towards the Earth, a Singh shouted out, ‘Baba Ji you had vowed to drink the nectar of martyrdom only when Sri Darbar Sahib is liberated, there are still thousands of enemy soldiers.’

Before Baba Ji’s head touched the floor his body knelt down and with his left hand he caught his head and held it in the palm of his hand. With his right hand he began to swing the Khanda of Guru Gobind Singh Ji with such force that those soldiers around him began to be chopped to pieces.

No longer could you see the body or the radiant face of this saint soldier, all that was visible in the battle field was a giant ball of steel which was leading the Khalsas push towards the house of Guru Ram Das Ji. Upon seeing this river of blood destroying anything which stood in its way, most of the soldiers in the Afghan army began to repent and fled away in terror. Those that remained on the battle field were decimated as the Khalsa storm approached Amritsar.

When the battle was over Baba Deep Singh Ji and the few Singhs who were left stepped on the parkarma around Sachkhand Sri Darbar Sahib. Baba Ji did a final ardas to Maharaj before he placed his head at the feet of Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj.

The Singhs who were with Baba Ji had all suffered mortal wounds but through the power of ardas and amrit they were able to fight on. After ensuring that the Kesri Nishan Sahib was hoisted above Sri Darbar Sahib these Singhs waited for Dhan Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji to come so that he could take them back home. Bhai Mahit Singh and Baba Naudh Singh are two other Singhs who also fought in this battle without heads.

Today every second Baba Deep Singh Ji draws that same line through the world. Will you cross it and live to the standards of the Khalsa or will you continue to sit in silence as this beautiful path of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is set on fire by those enemies of humanity?

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Saturday, November 11, 2006

The Daughter of a Shaheed

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

My dad was a proud Singh
One dark unfortunate night there was a knock on our door
It was a mob of angry people
They all attacked my daddy with sharp weapons
They set him on fire in front of my eyes
My dad is gone, he is a Shaheed
But not to worry, Guru Gobind Singh Ji is my father
Don’t feel sorry for me, I am the daughter of a Shaheed

My mum was a proud Singhni, she taught me Sikhi
In broad daylight, she was abducted by the police
The same police that was created to protect us, took away my mummy
That was the last time saw her, no one knows where she is
Will she ever come back?
By not to worry, Mata sahib Kaur Ji is my mother
Don’t feel sorry for me, I am the daughter of a Shaheed

My elder brother was a proud Singh
He was also kidnapped by the police, for being a Sikh
But my brother came back
In form of a Shaheed
His body was dumped in a ditch
His beautiful Dastaar and Bana were full of blood
I wiped blood from his face with my chuni
No one knows what they did to him
But not to worry, Singhs in the Khalsa Panth are my brothers
Don’t feel sorry for me, I am the daughter of a Shaheed

Those are my childhood memories, I have grown up now
I am a proud Sikh, just like my mum, dad and brother
I live in this place where they look after children of Shaheeds
I have been to school but cannot study further because it costs too much
I am at a marriageable age but which respectable Amritdhari family will have me?
Will I ever have a family of my own where I can live happily ever after?
But not to worry, the Guru Khalsa Panth is my family
Don’t feel sorry for me, I am the daughter of a Shaheed
By Anonymous

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Friday, November 03, 2006

ਕਲਿ ਤਾਰਣ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਯਾ

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

ਸੁਣੀ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਦਾਤਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗ ਮਾਹਿੰ ਪਠਾਯਾ॥
sunee pukaar dhaathaar prabh gur naanak jag maahi(n) pat(h)aayaa
The benefactor Lord listened to the cries (of humanity) and sent Guru Nanak to this world.

ਚਰਨ ਧੋਇ ਰਹਿਰਾਸ ਕਰ ਚਰਨਾਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਪੀਲਾਯਾ॥
charan dhhoe rehiraas kar charanaamrith skhiaa(n) peelaayaa
He washed His feet, eulogised God and got his Disciples drink the ambrosia of his feet.

ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪੂਰਨ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਅੰਦਰ ਇਕ ਦਿਖਾਯਾ॥
paarabreham pooran breham kalijug a(n)dhar eik dhikhaayaa
He preached in this darkage (kaliyug) that, saragun (Brahm) and nirgun (Parbrahm) are the same and identical.

ਚਾਰੈ ਪੈਰ ਧਰੰਮ ਦੇ ਚਾਰ ਵਰਨ ਇਕ ਵਰਨ ਕਰਾਯਾ॥
chaarai pair dhhara(n)m dhae chaar varan eik varan karaayaa
Dharma was now established on its four feet and all the four castes (through fraternal feeling) were converted into one caste (of humanity).

ਰਾਣਾ ਰੰਕ ਬਰਾਬਰੀ ਪੈਰੀਂ ਪਵਣਾ ਜਗ ਵਰਤਾਯਾ॥
raanaa ra(n)k baraabaree pairee(n) pavanaa jag varathaayaa
Equating the poor with the prince, he spread the etiquette of humbly touching the feet.

ਉਲਟਾ ਖੇਲ ਪਿਰੰਮ ਦਾ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਉਪਰ ਸੀਸ ਨਿਵਾਯਾ॥
oulattaa khael pira(n)m dhaa pairaa(n) oupar sees nivaayaa
Inverse is the game of the beloved; he got the egotist high heads bowed to feet.

ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਬਾਬੇ ਤਾਰਿਆ ਸੱਤਨਾਮ ਪੜ੍ਹ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਸੁਣਾਯਾ॥
kalijug baabae thaariaa saathanaam parrh ma(n)thr sunaayaa
Baba Nanak rescued this dark age (kaliyug) and recited ‘satinam’ mantr for one and all.

ਕਲਿ ਤਾਰਣ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਯਾ ॥23॥
kal thaaran gur naanak aayaa aa
Guru Nanak came to redeem the kaliyug.


May Guru Sahib do kirpa on us so that we may fulfil the reason of our visit to this world. May Guru Sahib do kirpa on us like he did on Sajjan Thug. This saakhi is just amazing. Guru Sahib changed Sajjan Thug with one shabad. Before retiring to his room Guru Sahib sang this shabad - "SAJJAN SEYEE, NAAL MAIN, CHALDIYAAN NAAL CHALLAN!"

Sajjan Thug was planning to kill Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj and take away his wealth. As he was making these evil plans, he heard the mesmerizing sound of kirtan of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Good karma from his previous lives had awakened, and he felt that each hair on his body was standing. This Sajjan Thug who had never even thought of becoming a bhagat, was getting absorbed in the shabad of Guru Sahib. He was wondering if this was shabad or pure nectar flowing in the form of sound.

The shabad pretty much summarized the whole life of Sajjan Thug. Tears started flowing from the eyes of Sajjan Thug. He felt his sins flowing out in the form of tears. He saw all the bad deeds he had done in the past and how many he had killed. As the tears flowed from his eyes, he felt his body getting lighter and lighter as if tears were releasing the burden of sins he had in his body. Never before had he felt like this.

The last pankiti of the shabad - "NANAK, NAAM SAMAAL TU, BADHAA CHHUTEH JITT". Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj in the end clearly asked him to take up Naam if he wants to release himself from the chains of maya. He felt himself getting drawn towards the source of the shabad i.e. Guru Sahib. As he approached Guru Sahib with his half-closed eyes, he saw the face of Guru Sahib and Bhai Mardaana Ji glowing with the Majithaa Rang of Naam.

He fell to the feet of Guru Sahib, and begged for Naam. Guru Sahib had done kirpa on him and in one shabad washed all his sins. This is all that it takes. Just one glance of Guru Sahib and we will be washed of our sins. Sajjan Thug became a great Sikh and is credited to have opened the first Dharamshaal (Gurudwara) of Guru Sahib.

The lord of billions of worlds - Guru Nanak Sahib (Kot Brahmand ko thaakur) did kirpa on billions of Sajjan Thugs of all worlds. Let us do ardaas today in the charan of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj to deliver us from the illusion of his maya and give us amrit naam the only substance capable of making us alive.

Let us recall that leper who was kicked out of his village because he had the deadly disease leprosy. He was moved out and even his wife, mother, children and friends deserted him. He had been the centre of attention of these relations and now they had all abandoned him. Why won't they? No one wanted to catch leprosy as anyone who comes near a leper catches this terrible disease. They used to throw roti once a day outside his small hut and leave. Some days they forgot to give him roti altogether.

This leper was very heart-broken and was totally feeling dejected. Then he had a wonderful dream. His good karma from previous lives had awakened. He saw the most beautiful person who had an amazing glow on his face with another beautiful person with a similar glow on his face. He heard a voice that this person is Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the king of this world and the next and is the only person capable of cutting his misery.

The next morning he felt a new energy in his body. He started calling out Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He started remembering him day and night. How could Guru Sahib hold back to the pleas of a person calling him from heart? He himself came to the door of that leper one rainy day. He came to that door where no one dared to come for fear of catching leprosy. Guru Nanak Sahib instructed Bhai Mardana Ji to bring the leper outside in the rain.

Bhai Mardana a great Sikh did not question Guru Sahib for asking him to touch a leper. He readily went inside and brought the trembling leper outside. With one graceful glance, Guru Sahib cured him of his disease. He fell at the feet of Guru Sahib and asked for Naam medicine. Guru Sahib lifted the blessed ex-leper and gave him amrit-naam. That day in one moment, the fortunate leper, was cured of all his mental, bodily and spiritual diseases. He became one with the Guru.

So great is our Guru. May Guru Sahib do kirpa on us too and give us his amrit naam.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh