Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Respected Mother and Father

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

To my knowledge this is the only letter that Sant Baba Nand Singh Ji wrote. (It was dictated to Sant Baba Kartaar Singh Ji who transcribed it)
“Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Respected Mother and Father,

I am quite well here with the blessings of Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj. I hope all of you are in the best of health. My dear mother, you kept me in your womb for nine months and then gave birth to me. Many times in the severe winter season of December and January I slept comfortably while you had to sleep on the wet side of the bed. You suffered many discomforts and troubles due to me while bringing me up. You had a desire that I would earn a lot of money for you when I grow up. I failed to fulfil your desire and I did not earn any money for you even though you brought me up facing so many problems. You sent me to such a wonderful place, which is denied even to those who have done a lot of meditation and prayers. How can I repay you for this kindness? As you sent me to a place like that and on account of the blessings of Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj no one will even ask you for the accounts of your deeds. All of you will go straight to the laps of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj where you will rest for eternity.

Nand Singh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh”

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Baba Ji's Bachan

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

With the 3rd barsi of Sant Gyani Baba Thakur Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale coming up next month the enviable questions about Baba Ji’s eternal bachan begin to pop up everywhere from Gurudwaras to Internet forums. I have constantly stated that I have no qualms about people doubting or even insulting Baba Ji’s bachan as that sin belongs to them alone. Usually I don’t bother posting anything relating to Baba Ji’s bachan however a brother of mine has requested a small post about it.

Many Sikhs have probably heard the name of Sant Baba Bir Singh Ji Naurangabad. Baba Ji was a soldier in the Khalsa army under the leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji.

One time in the town of Panj Tara a group of Pathans had insulted some Sikhs and had begun a rebellion. To subdue this insurgency a battalion of the Khalsa army was dispatched. Baba Bir Singh Ji was included in this battalion.

Baba Ji fought with such courage and valour that he was at the head of the army leading the charge. In the heat of the battle Baba Ji became separated from his brothers in arms. The Pathans seeing the great soldier of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj alone decided to surround him and kill him. As Baba Ji was fighting off their constant assaults his sword broke in two. The Singhs who saw what had happened lost all hope for his survival as they were too far to reach him.

As the Pathans began to move in for the kill Baba Ji prayed to Akaal Purakh to save him. As Baba Ji uttered this prayer he vanished into thin air and reappeared behind the Khalsa army to lead the charge once again.

Beloved Khalsa of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj it has happened before and according to the will of Akaal Purakh it will happen again.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

The Late Examination

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

In 1943 a Sikh of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj whose name I have now forgotten was studying for his end of year university exams. This Sikh used to mediate on the name of Waheguru in the early hours of the morning after completing his nitnem.

One day when he was fully immersed in this mediation he completely forgot about the time and finished his prayers much later that day at 7:00am. After regaining consciousness he realised that his examination, which he had spent months preparing for, was due to start at 7.30am. This Sikh lived about 40 minutes away from his university and had still not got ready. In addition to this before beginning the day this Sikh would go to Sri Nanaksar Sahib Ji to seek the blessings of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj and have a glimpse of Sant Baba Nand Singh Ji. Even though he was very late there was no way he would miss going to Sri Nanaksar Sahib Ji that day.

Although in his heart he was really broken about missing his examination when Sant Baba Nand Singh Ji asked him how he was he simply smiled and said that he was in chardeekala. Baba Ji knew that this Sikh was late for his examination and he said, ‘Something is definitely wrong, you don’t seem happy today’. Even though the Sikh denied this time and time again Baba Ji still would insist something was wrong. Finally the Sikh told Baba Ji what had happened.

Baba Ji then said, ‘An ardas done with full faith, devotion and love is one of the strongest weapons a Sikh possesses.’ He then took the Sikh in front of Guru Sahib and humbly begged Guru Ji to help his beloved Sikh in his hour of need. Once the ardas was completed Baba Ji said to the Sikh, ‘That Guru of the world knows what resides in everyone’s heart. He himself will protect you and carry you in his most caring hands. Keep your faith in him my dear son.’ The Sikh left Sri Nanaksar Sahib Ji and proceeded to his examination hall with renewed hope and faith.

When the Sikh arrived at the examination hall he saw all the students still standing outside. When he asked some of his friends what had happened they told him that the examination bell was out of order. When this Sikh looked up at the bell he saw those most caring hands of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj holding the bell, which stopped it from ringing. A few minutes later the bell began to work and the students went into the examination hall. Needless to say the Sikh passed his exam with flying colours.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Baba Attar Singh at Hazoor Sahib

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Baba Attar Singh at Hazoor Sahib
taken from "Life Story of Sant Attar Singh Ji" by Harbans Singh Doabia

Baba Attar Singh was in the army and posted at Kohat in the Artillery Regiment, where he remained for one year.

He remained a bachelor and refused to be married. He had a very great yearning to go to Hazur Sahib. So he left the regiment and started on foot for Hazur Sahib. From his childhood he had no attachment with worldly affairs and he remained thinking of Gurbani, naam, Gurus and Akal Purakh.

He started on foot from Kohat, throughout meditating on Naam. His mind became ever fixed upon the shabad. He continued travelling on foot, day and night, in this way. Sometimes he would take some rest and would prepare his food after taking flour etc. from some Gurdwaras in the way. His mind continued to yearn to reach the sacred Gurdwara of Hazur Sahib and to rub the sacred dust of that place on his body. He would utter Wah while lifting his left food and Guru while lifting his right foot.

In due course, Sant ji reached Abchal Nagar (Hazur Sahib). He at once entered the Gurdwara after necessary ablutions and bowed before the Satguru in most respectful way and obeyed the mandate. H had already surrendered his body, mind and riches and all that he possessed to the True Guru.

Stayed at Nagina Ghat for one year and seven months

Baba jee now began to stay at the Nagina Ghat near the River Godavari. After a few days he began to tie a small turban of khaddar on his head and put off all other clothes except the kacherra. He would keep a small towel with him.

Continuous Meditation

He now began constant meditation ie. worship of God and Naam. If some food was given, he would take it, otherwise he remained contented by sipping the water of river Godavari. He had given strict orders that only one parshada with some cooked pulses, placed on it, should be brought for him. This was complied with by his attendant. IN this way, he stayed at Nagina Ghat for about one year and sevn months. During his stay at Nagina Ghat, he would spend nights in a small stone build hut where he would remain engaged in meditation. He would repeat the moo mantar accompanied by some more shabads. These countless recitations were unique in themselves. He wouldn’t talk with anyone during this period. He was most humble and would fall at the feet of any Sikh who came to meet him,. Even is someone uttered harsh words, he would remain silent. He would sweep the main Gurdwara Sahib (Darbar Sahib) with a broom and would bring water for its washing.

True Stories

One day Sant ji started walking on the bank of the Godavari. AT a distance of nearly three miles he began meditation for nearly ten days without food. Bhai Nanu Singh, the head pujari of Darbar Sahib saw a vision one night and heard a voice say “Our dear Sikh is standing in meditation in the river for the last eight days without any food. Serve him food.”

Next morning, Bhai Nanu Singh cooked food and walked ont eh bank for about two miles but finding no one, returned back. One the same night he again heard a voice “You have not served food to our beloved Sikh.” He replied, “Sir, I tried to contact him but could not find him anywhere.” The voice answered, “Walk for three miles and then you will find him”.

On the following morning, he again took food and went for three miles on the bank of the river. Now he say Sant ji standing in the knee deep water. When Sant ji opened his yes, he saw Bhai Nanu Singh and asked, “How have you come here?”

Bhai Nanu Singh explained his dream and offered food to Sant Ji. He refused to eat anything. Bhai Nanu Singh then said, “ I shall not be able to sleep. Kindly accept my humble offer” Then Sant ji warned Bhai Nanu Singh not to tell anyone of this episode and took some food.

Cobra Came to Pay respects

Once when Sant ji was in deep meditation at Gautam Ghat, the attendeant who brought food for him noticed a big cobra sitting near Sant ji with its hood fully spread. The attendant was horrified at first but when he neared Sant Ji, the cobra left the place. Sant ji opened his eyes and said, “This beloved being came to give it’s darshan to me”

Jumping in the River

Sant ji in due course visted and paid homage at all the Gurdwaras near Hazur Sahib. He visted these on foot. NO nearly two years had passed in meditation at Hazur Sahib. He was extremely anxious to see the sight of the tenth Satguru but had not succeeded. One day, he decided to jump in the deep water of river Godavari so that his physical body should be sacrificed before the Satguru. He jupmed in but some mysterious power took him alive on the bank and said, “You are my Sikh. Be alert. You have to give Khande da Amrit to many persons in Punjab and other places. You have to spread the message of peace in the entire world with the help of Sat Naam.” He also heard, “If you want to have my sight come at Nagina Ghat at midnight.” Sant ji anxiously awaited for that time.

When he reached Nagina Ghat at the time, he saw the Tenth Satguru sitting on a throne surrounded by the punj pyaaray, chaar sahibzade and many others. Sant ji prostrated and paid all respects. As to what happened subsequently is not told to anyone by Sant ji.

A few days after this, Sant ji Maharaj decided to return to Punjab. He offered respectful prayers for safe return. Bhai Nanu Singh offered, as a respectful gift, some clothes to Sant Ji but he refused to take these.

by Bhai Balpreet Singh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh