Monday, February 27, 2006
Tuhi Tuhi
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
http://www.ektaone.com/audio/Events/Year%202005/0503XX%20Sikhi%20Week%20Keertan%20Darbaar%20(Wolverhampton,%20UK)/03_-_manpreet_singh_-_tuhi_tuhi%20(pz014).mp3
Maharaj, you are so beautiful. Please bless the whole world with the ability to accept your hukam.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
The family of Sant Baba Kartar Singh Ji
Sant Ji would get new clothes for gursikhs first and then for him. One time a rich man brought new blankets and jackets to Mehta for all gursikhs. Sant Ji called a singh whom he had hardly spoken to before and said, “Your blanket is very old and you don’t have a jacket in these cold days. You do Aasa Di Vaar in the morning and you feel very cold. So here, pick one blanket and a jacket of your choice.” Gursikh was surprised at how Sant Ji knew all this so he picked one from the top of the pile. Sant Ji told him to put those away and took one blanket out from the middle of the stack and one jacket and gave them to Gursikh and said, “These are the best ones. You do seva and kirtan so you deserve to have the best ones.”
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Friday, February 24, 2006
Prakash Diwas Of Bhagat Ravidas Ji
When Bhagat Ravi Das arrived at years of discretion he began to wait on saints. He used to present them with everything he could get from his father's house. His father was displeased at this and gave him a seperate place to live. Though his father was a rich man, he gave nothing to his son.
In due time Bhagat Ravi Das was married and supported himself and his wife by making shoes, and lived very happily. Whenever he saw a holy man he supplied him gratuitously with covering for their feet.
Bhagat Ravi Das was ever immersed in his devotions a circumstance which lef to the abandonment of his trade and the deterioration of his circumstances. He soon presented all the external marks of poverty and hard life, yet his heart was glad and happy in the contemplation of Waheguru. It was during this period of distress that a holy man desired to render him assistance. Bhagat Ravi Das gave him bread to eat and lavished every attention on him.
His visitor in return presented him with a philosopher's stone, explained its qualities and told him to keep it carefully. Bhagat Ravi Das replied that he did not require it, as his property and wealth consisted in the name of Waheguru. When the visitor saw that Bhagat Ravi Das absolutely coveted nothing, he implored him to accept the philosopher's stone.
Bhagat Ravi Das told the visitor that he might leave it in the thatch of his house, by which he meant that the article was not worth acceptance. The visitor obeyed and departed. On that ocassion Bhagat Ravi Das composed the following hymn:
God's name is the great wealth of God's saints;
Day and day it increases and in no way decreases,
Nothing can steal it either by day or by night; its possessor sleeps secure in his home.
O God, what is the need of a stone for someone who possesses this wealth?
After thirteen months the visitor returned and found Bhagat Ravi Das Ji, in the same circumstances as before. He asked what had become of the philosopher's stone. Bhagat Ravi Das Ji said, 'It must be where you put it; I have been afraid to touch it.'
Upon this the visitor took it from the thatch and departed, fully satisfied that Bhagat Ravi Das desired nor required no earthly wealth.
This Shabad is by Bhagat Ravi Daas Ji in Raag Gauree on Ang 346
gourree bairaagani
ik oa(n)kaar sathigur prasaadh ||
sathajug sath thaethaa jagee dhuaapar poojaachaar ||
theena jug theena dhirrae kal kaeval naam adhhaar ||1||
paar kaisae paaeibo rae ||
mo so kooo n kehai samajhaae ||
jaa thae aavaa gavan bilaae ||1|| rehaao ||
bahu bidhh dhharam niroopeeai karathaa dheesai sabh loe ||
kavan karam thae shhootteeai jih saadhhae sabh sidhh hoe ||2||
karam akaram beechaareeai sa(n)kaa sun baedh puraan ||
sa(n)saa sadh hiradhai basai koun hirai abhimaan ||3||
baahar oudhak pakhaareeai ghatt bheethar bibidhh bikaar ||
sudhh kavan par hoeibo such ku(n)char bidhh biouhaar ||4||
rav pragaas rajanee jathhaa gath jaanath sabh sa(n)saar ||
paaras maano thaabo shhueae kanak hoth nehee baar ||5||
param paras gur bhaetteeai poorab likhath lilaatt ||
ounaman man man hee milae shhuttakath bajar kapaatt ||6||
bhagath jugath math sath karee bhram ba(n)dhhan kaatt bikaar ||
soee bas ras man milae gun niragun eaek bichaar ||7||
anik jathan nigreh keeeae ttaaree n ttarai bhram faas ||
praem bhagath nehee oopajai thaa thae ravidhaas oudhaas ||8||1||
Gauree Bairaagan:
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
In the Golden Age of Sat Yuga, was Truth; in the Silver Age of Trayta Yuga, charitable feasts; in the Brass Age of Dwaapar Yuga, there was worship.
In those three ages, people held to these three ways. But in the Iron Age of Kali Yuga, the Name of the Lord is your only Support. ||1||
How can I swim across?
No one has explained to me,
so that I might understand how I can escape reincarnation. ||1||Pause||
So many forms of religion have been described; the whole world is practicing them.
What actions will bring emancipation, and total perfection? ||2||
One may distinguish between good and evil actions, and listen to the Vedas and the Puraanas,
but doubt still persists. Skepticism continually dwells in the heart, so who can eradicate egotistical pride? ||3||
Outwardly, he washes with water, but deep within, his heart is tarnished by all sorts of vices.
So how can he become pure? His method of purification is like that of an elephant, covering himself with dust right after his bath! ||4||
With the rising of the sun, the night is brought to its end; the whole world knows this.
It is believed that with the touch of the Philosopher's Stone, copper is immediately transformed into gold. ||5||
When one meets the Supreme Philosopher's Stone, the Guru, if such pre-ordained destiny is written on one's forehead,
then the soul blends with the Supreme Soul, and the stubborn doors are opened wide. ||6||
Through the way of devotion, the intellect is imbued with Truth; doubts, entanglements and vices are cut away.
The mind is restrained, and one attains joy, contemplating the One Lord, who is both with and without qualities. ||7||
I have tried many methods, but by turning it away, the noose of doubt is not turned away.
Love and devotion have not welled up within me, and so Ravi Daas is sad and depressed. ||8||1||
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Vadha Tera Darbaar
http://www.ektaone.com/audio/Keertani%20-%20International/Bhai%20Niranjan%20Singh%20(Javadhi%20Kalaah,%20India)%20(pz031)/Vada%20Tera%20Darbaar/Vadha%20Tera%20Darbaar.mp3
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Sri Maan Sant Gyani Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale and his daughter
Khushwant Singh reports:
'On a later visit to Amritsar I got an inkling into the reasons of Bhindranwale's popularity. I will narrate two incidents to illustrate this. One day a young girl came to see Bhindranwale. ..... She clutched his feet and sobbed out her story of how she was maltreated by her husband's family for failing to extract more money from her parents and of her husband's unwillingness to take her side.
Bhindranwale asked her name and where she lived. "So you are a daughter of the Hindus," he said.
"Are you willing to become the daughter of a Sikh?" She nodded. Bhindranwale sent a couple of his armed guards to fetch the girl's family. An hour later a very frightened trio consisting of the girl's husband and his parents were brought to his presence.
"Is this girl a daughter of your household?", he demanded.
They admitted she was. "She tells me that you want money from her father. I am her father." He placed a tray full of currency notes before them and told them: "take whatever you want". However, the three instead craved forgiveness.'
Tapasya
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Feel the Power...
"In Putran ke sis par var diye sut chaar
Chaar mooye to kia bhaya jeevat kayee hazar"
Monday, February 20, 2006
Waking up for Amrit Vela
I recieved this in a email today.
Waking Up For Amrit Vela
By G. Udham Singh in Gurmat Sidhaant Saagar
Translated by Admin www.tapoban.org
1. That Sikh who remembers Vahiguru at Amrit Vela will achieve liberation.
2. Ishnan, nitnem and simran/abhyaas at amrit vela can transform the individual
3. Only that person can wake up for amrit vela who forsakes laziness and remembers death.
4. It is just as essential for every Gursikh to wake up in the last quarter of the night, amrit vela, as it is to do simran.
5. That person that remains asleep at amrit vela goes without the blessings and grace of Vahiguru
6. The best way of waking up for amrit vela is to eat little at night and to go to sleep on time.
7. It is at amrit vela that currents of Vahiguru's blessings are flowing but those who remain asleep at this time cannot enjoy them
8. Until the stars disappear, it is the fourth quarter of the night, amrit vela, which is considered the most conducive time to meditate and worship Vahiguru.
9. That person that longs to wake up at amrit vela will be woken up on time by some secret power.
10. After doing Sohila Sahib, and before going to sleep, doing ardaas for the ability to wake up at amrit vela is very beneficial.
11. That Gursikh who is thirsting for naam and baaNee will find that this thirst will be like the alarm which wakes him/her up.
12. Even cows, birds and roosters wake up at amrit vela. If a Sikh does not, it is his own bad karma.
13. It is a natural phenomenon that at amrit vela, even flowers blossom and spread their scent more than at any other time.
14. That person who wants to meditate on Vahiguru must make it a daily habit to wake up at amrit vela.
15. It is not enough to just wake up at amrit vela, ishnaan and simran are also essential.
16. Those individuals who spend their nights lost in vices and evil and then sleep through amrit vela are destroying their own lives.
17. The way in which our minds can be attached to simran and baaNee at amrit vela is not possible at any other time.
18. All great saints, rishis, munis, bhagats and Gursikhs all have woken up at amrit vela.
19. That person's life is fruitful and worthwhile who wakes up every day at amrit vela and remembers Vahiguru.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Sant Gyani Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale and the revival of Sikhi
When Sant Bhindranwale was staying in the Darbar Sahib complex during 1982 and 1983, four to five hundred persons were administered Amrit each Wednesday and Sunday. On April 13, 1983 over ten thousand were initiated and during the month ending on April 13, 1984, forty-five thousand Sikhs received Amrit. This revival was extremely significant and Sant Bhindranwale was emerging as the leading figure in the Sikh faith and a role-model for the youth...'
'Now we can not live in India: 'We need a separate home.'
Saturday, February 18, 2006
How to attain unity with Waheguru
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Surrendering to Waheguru's Will
What if we knew for certain that everything we're worried about today will work out fine?
What if...we had a guarantee that the problem bothering us would be worked out in the most perfect way, and at the best possible time?
Furthermore, what if we knew that three years from now we'd be grateful for that problem, and its solution?
What if...we knew that even our worst fear would work out for the best?
What if...we had a guarantee that everything that's happening, and has happened, in our life was meant to be, planned just for us, and in our best interest?
What if...we had a guarantee that the people we love are experiencing exactly what they need in order to become who they're intended to become?
Further, what if we had a guarantee that others can be responsible for themselves, and we don't have to control or take responsibility for them?
What if...we knew the future was going to be good, and we would have an abundance of resources and guidance to handle whatever comes our way?
What if...we knew everything was okay, and we didn't have to worry about a thing? What would we do then?
We'd be free to Love our beloved Waheguru
The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Man jeetay Jag Jeet
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Hau tau sahee, lakhai je koyee
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Sikhi and Valentines
Source: Gurmat Study Circle
Sri Maan Sant Gyani Baba Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale and Gurbani Vichaar
Monday, February 13, 2006
Unprinted works of prof.puran singh
BAPTISM OF THE SWORD
Through the windows-through the doors-burst like a ruthless force,
Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation,
Into the school where the scholar is studying;
Leave not the bridegroom quiet-no happiness must he have now with his bride, [1]
Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, ploughing his field or gathering his grain,
So fierce you whirr and pound you drums-so shrill you bugles blow.
I see in the poems of war by Whitman a poetic history of the Great Revolution of the spirit in the Punjab caused by Guru Gobind Singh's spiritual genius.
So did the Master declare the armed age even as Whitman did in "Eighteen Sixty-one" :
No dainty rhymes or sentimental love verses for you terrible year,
Not you as some pale poetling seated at a desk lisping cadenzas piano,
But as a strong man erect, clothed in blue [2] clothes, advancing, carrying a rifle on your shoulder,
With well-gristled body and sunburnt face and hands, with a knife in the belt at your side, [3]
As I heard you shouting loud, your sonorous voice ringing across the continent,
Your masculine voice, O year, as rising amid the great cities.
At Anandpur stood Guru Gobind Singh by the side of his drum, contemplating the liberty of his people. There is a complete change of colour and shape in the gathering of the disciples around Him. A new nation had arrived. The Sikh history shows how the Khalsa fought, but it was all a poetic action. It was waged in the songs of the Great Guru to inspirit his people. The war had commenced in the Guru's poems. His impassioned lyrics of war, "the Battle of Bhangani," in Chandi-Charitra sound in our ears still. Life rooted in the Truth was allowed by Guru Gobind Singh to take the new course of the flood and the storm. The war-like tones and that clash of the steel and that spiritual impatience to die which we find in the pages of our history have a true correspondence in Whitman's poems. Surely, no historical accounts show us the poetic genius of Guru Gobind Singhmanifested and enlarged in those wars which were waged insensately on him by the enemies of his thought and ideals. The pint-sized Hindu princess and the mighty Mughals could not endure Guru Gobind Singh being hailed as the "True King" of the people. Their attitude towards him reminds us of the causeless jealousy of the Jews towards the Son of God. Crucifixion of the Christ is seen here in our history as the crucifixion of the multitudes. In those poetic wars of Guru Gobind Singh, even the saints enlisted themselves as ordinary soldiers in love of Him. And our saints who chanted songs were the first in the world to organize a society similar in purposes to the present-day Red Cross Society. They visited the camps of friend and foe alike serving the wounded with water and victuals.
Guru Gobind Singh saw that there was no other way to breathe life into the dead masses of the Punjab, but by arming them and beating drums, and by flashing sabers in the glare of the sun. Dead ye are, rise to die, perchance to catch the spark of life in the battle-field! Earlier, Guru Har Gobind had roamed as the sun did set on the battle-field of Amritsar, wiping blood from the faces of his wounded disciples, nursing them and pouring into their soul his comfort and blessing. And now Guru Gobind Singh flashed upon the Muktsar battle-field like the divine father of his children, giving them his soul.
CHANTS OF LIBERTY
The Khalsa verily issued from the head of Guru Gobind Singh, as Minerva from Jupiter. We, the Sikhs, had our Resurrection en masse at the Master's word sung in our ears in the battle-fields. War gave us the fiery baptism of God's warm blood. We died. And that is how our Master said we should live. There is no other door to everlasting life but through death, like this, through love, and obedience like this. Very little life is in the ego of man; all is there in the shining sun of His soul. He knew all about the after-death. He led us on.
We Sikhs- the soldiers of the Master- are already on the march on the open road and we feel the war poems of Walt Whitman indistinguishably mingle with the chants of our Master. It is difficult to translate our chants, what with their rousing sounds and martial rhythms. The one below seeks to capture the poetry of arms:
Khag, Khand, bihandang khal dal khandung,
Ati run mandang barbandang,
Bhujdand akhandang teg parchandang
Jot amandangang bhan prabhang
Sukh santang karang durmat darning,
Kil bith harang, as saranang
Jai jai jag karnang srista ubarang
Mum pratiparang jai tegung
Thou art the Destroyer, the Annihilator
of the hosts of ignorance and evil,
the Embellisher of the battlefield.
Thy punishment is stern and inexorable,
They aspect refulgent, thy glory and splendour
dazzle even the sun.
Thou bring'st happiness to the holy,
Thou crush'st the wicked and scatter'st sinners,
I seek thy refuge.
Glory, O Glory to thee, O Sword,
The Primordial Promoter, Guardian
of the Universe, my Protector and Sustainer.
In the chants of our Master, the cannon boom, the arrows fly, the swords clash. And the very repetition of his chants makes us fly like flames, crying liberty, liberty, liberty.
THE TRESS-KNOT FRATERNITY
The Brotherhood of the Tress-knot was inaugurated by Guru Gobind Singh. It is the Brotherhood of Knights of Honour who live the inward life of Nam and Simrin. They are those whose presence sheds the nectar of peace all around. They desire neither crowns here nor paradise hereafter, they only yearn for His love, His mercy. They desire neither the mystic joys of Yoga, nor the sensual pleasures of Bhoga, they only long to be filled with the Nectar of His Love, their little chalice of heart brimming over with the dew of His psalms. They are full of the philosophic sorrow of life, and they cry and fly as rain-birds to catch the auspicious drop of Heaven with which to quench their thirst, and the thirst of all those who suffer. It is by the repetition of the Beloved's name that they can maintain their spiritual state, and as their thirst for it is infinite, their repetition, like the songs of birds, incessant.
As the Guru says, the modus operandi of realizing such a dynamic personality, all so impersonal like one of God, is by keeping the lamp of Nam burning forever in the shrine of one's heart. "He who has the light of life burning for twenty-four hours in the shrine of the heart is the pure Khalsa."
The symbolic representation of that light is the repetition of the Name. The breath of man is to resound with it, his pores to flow with its nectarian bliss. The eyes go themselves half-upward under the upper lids, the forehead seems to be filled with Nectar as if it were a fountain, and a thousand crystal streams flow down from this Himalaya, fertilizing not one person, but all those who come under the influence of such a one.
He is in union, by the impersonal nature of his holy unselfishness, with the soul of Nature. He is as the mountain, the river, the cloud, the flower. Wherever there is a rose, it must scent the surroundings. The Brother must fill the corner of the earth he is in with the sweetness of his soul, but also with active sympathy. He is always the Prince of Compassion.
When the Guru's Sikh is seen,
I fall down, I fall down at his feet,
Great is the idea of Brotherhood,
Indescribable is the pitch of life in which,
The brothers gather, the brothers gather.
THE SACRED SOVEREIGNTY
In the constitution of the Khalsa State, the greatest act of genius was when the Guru transferred the divine sovereignty vested in him to his chosen people, the Khalsa. The Guru speaks for the people whose personality is transmuted into divine personality of selfless being. As the chemist talks of pure elements occurring in nature, the Guru refers to pure people of the cosmic spirit, not as they are found in their blind animal instincts. In this one act lies our history and the future history of human progress.
A HISTORY HEWN
Sikh history will ever be in the uncut, uncouth, wild, burning words of poet-labourers and artisan-singers. The names of the Ten Gurus inspire us with life and love, and we sing their praise and live and die in a sweet, soft, continuous inebriation. God brought us here. He takes us away. Pain and pleasure are His gifts, dispensations of His love. Thinking of Him we pass. When called by Him, we give up our lives. We know not what is good, what is bad. What pleases our God is the best. The act of the Guru is the truly moral act. He is beautiful. he is truth and He fascinates our souls. We live remembering Him and ploughing and sweating and labouring and toiling as He told us. This is for us the only way to transcend the physical and be spiritual. Such is His will, such is His pleasure. The Guru is verily, verily our personal God. This indeed is the motif of Sikh history, poetry, life and death. And the Guru has saved us from the horrors of mere man-worship because his vision is of the infinite and his association is of the living God of invisible spiritual realms.
If you wish to know a Sikh, love him. There is a gleam under the shack of hay that Moses saw at Sinai. The Sikh bodypolitic is a heap of immense matter in which still scintillates the spirit.
"Profound, O Vachha, is this doctrine; recondite and difficult of comprehension, excellent and not to be reached by mere reasoning, subtle and intelligent only to the wise, it is a hard doctrine to learn for you who belong to another sect, another faith, another persuasion, another discipline and sit at the feet of another teacher." (Quotation from Buddha and the Gospel of Buddhism)
THE KHALSA COMMUNE
A SILENT REVOLUTION
Our Master, Guru Gobind Singh, called us to death and extinction, for he felt that it was no use living at all without the sense of liberty aglow in us. He gave such a vital and martial timbre even to our prayers that we, for the first time in the history of India, saw that the great love to which our Master was calling was not a prayer of the crushed people, but a prayer of the victorious. Guru Nanak, the first True King, had called us not to love the beautiful God-Persons of Nature and creation only, but to be so beautiful as to be loved by Him. The Bhakti feelings of our devotion to God are not of the miserable man who in his utter smallness dares to evolve systems by which to perfect himself as a lover, as a saint, as a seer, but we wait in intense activity to be loved by Him. Few understand this silent revolution of ideals. To the terrified slaves of this country, Guru Gobind Singh said, "Rise and fight and die fighting on horseback." This is an oceanic burst of the same glow of life and this too is of Him. It is more glorious to die than to live as miserable wretches. He poured into our veins that life which could not live without song and freedom. We rose as individuals and as masses shouting for liberty and victory. He gave us freedom of the soul and we cried for the freedom of our life. We cried for the freedom of our life. We died for it. Touched by his inspiration we could no more remain slaves.
Here is almost a new race created by the Guru, imbibing a tradition of fire and steel sacrifice and death. Every page of Sikh history burns with a hundred star-like names; one name is enough to thrill a whole life with the noblest of spiritual heroism. The names of Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Teg Bahadur, Guru Gobind Singh, his Four Sons and the Five Beloved Disciples, and of the Sikh martyrs and devotees of the heroes of war and peace, provide the Sikh with an inexhaustible and intense past which no other race with centuries of history behind it can match in its life-giving, death-despising, self-sacrificing powers of inspiration.
DHAN GURU NANAK DHAN GURU NANAK DHAN GURU NANAK
[1] The call went forth from the Master, and Joga Singh left his bride in the temple, service still uncompleted, on to the battlefield.
[2] The Akali armies of Guru Gobind Singh were clad in blue clothes and in shining steel, sword, chakra, arrow and bow.
[3] Every Sikh even now has to carry a knife in the belt at his side- it is called a Kirpan.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Attributes To Gain Vidiya Started by Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj
source: The society of Saints
The attributes to Gaining Vidiya as Started by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj formed a few rules for the person who wanted to gain knowledge at Guru Ki Kashi, Damdama Sahib. If a student followed these rules then he or she could obtain success in learning vidiya. Those rules were
:a) One should be an Amrit Dhari and shouldn't consider anyone as a Guru except for Guru Granth Sahib. He should wear the kirpan and the gatra and stay within in the limit's of the 5k's in order to be saved from the 5 evils. He should follow the rule of reciting Nitnem each day. He should do the path of panj granthi and apart from the entire nitnem, should also know Panj Granthi orally;
b) One should practice Mool Muntra, Gur Mantra & Amrit Naam in solitude;
c) One should be polite and not quarrelsome. They should be affectionate to everybody;
d) One should respect and regard the entire sangat as the embodiment of the Guru's image. He should not be partial to anyone;
e) One should always consider himself involved in the activities of the Khalsa Panth (Khalsa Community). He should not go against the panth or criticize it and should have strong belief in it. One should remain armed like a brave person ready to offer his head in the cause of the panth if situation arises, and should not be coward;
f) One should be able to recite path of Siri Guru granth Sahib without mispronunciation and should follow whatever is told within it;
g) One should consider Siri Guru Granth Sahib from "ikonkar" to '18 Dasbees' (it's a path within SGGS where bhog is done. Some say Raagmalla is not part of SGGS but it is.) As one;
h) One should read the meanings of Bhai Gurdas Ji's and Bhai Nand Lal Ji's banis and one should read the entire dasam bir;
i) One should have read the books of other religions and have knowledge about them;
j.) One should believe in the One God and have strong faith in him.
k) One should not hate or criticize any other religion by thinking that God is in all. One should be against any cruelty to anyone;
l) One should have whole gian of mind, should recite kirtan and do service of the Sadh Sangat.
m) One should not exhibit his own talents and achievements and should not criticize other weak points. One should not give pain to living beings and should not be cunning;
n) One should be Gursevi and should not keep company of wrong men. One should put Gursikhi above everything else and keep Gurmat the top priority above any gian, and thus recite Naam. The giver of Mukti- naam, should strengthen it, One should remain content during good and bad times.
o) One should meditate on naam with determination. The determination for naam comes when taking Amrit from the five beloveds.
p) One should not consume alcohol or any type of drugs. One should be vegetarian and not eat meat, eggs, fish, etc;
q.) One should not backbite; be jealous or involved in making separate groups;
r) One should restrain himself/herself from being led by the give evils of lust, snger, attachment, pride and greed;
s) One should sleep less, talk less, and should be painted in the color of Naam. One should have strong belief in Amrit Naam;
t) One should be strong in religious beliefs and should study with heart. One should not have unreasonable arguments and doubts of religious belief, or criticize them unnecessarily. One should be smart and a quick learner, and should not be lazy;
v) One should get up in the mornings, bathe and learn from the sangat and their elders;
w) One should give knowledge away without asking for anything in return. That person should not limit themselves to a country or community. They should preach about Sikh religion through teachings of Gurmat, and what they have gained should be passed onto the sangat with affection;
x) One should respect others more than their regard for themselves. One should not cheat or tell lies, and in every suitation should stick to Sikhi. They should believe in God all their heart should believe all the Guru’s is listening;
y) One should recite naam himself and explain to others to do the same to attain freedom from life.The above rules are for those Gurmukh students who wish to learn meanings through reading bani, and thus gain awareness of God.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Gurmat Wisdom from Sant Baba Attar Singh Ji
Gurmat wisdom from Sant Baba Attar Singh Ji
1. Nitnem (Daily religious observance)
One should always do 'Nitnem'. It is the treasure, asset, wealth and property of a sikh.
"Amrit Vailey Uth Kae jaae Ander Dariaao Nahuande Sahaj Samadh Agaadh Vich Ek Mun Hoae Gur Jap Japande,Mathe Tikke Lal Lae Sadh Sangat Chal Jaae Behande,Sabad Surat Liv Leen Hoae Satgur Bani Gaae Sunande,Bhaae Bhagat Bhai Varetmaan Gur Sewa Gurpurb KarandeSanjhe Sodar Gavana Mun Male MilandeRaat Kirat Sohila Kar Aarti Parshad VandandeGurmukh Sukh Fal Piram Chakhande." (Bhai Gurdas Ji)
It is the sacred obligation of every baptised Sikh to daily recite at least the following five banies (Holy Hymns) of Nitnem :Early Morning : Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Sudha Swaiyae, Chaupei, Anand Sahib followed by Ardas (offering prayer)Evening : Rehraas SahibNight : Kirtan Sohila
"Gursikh Rahat Sunho Hae Meet Parbhate Uth Kar Hit CheetWaheguru Gurmantra Su Jaap Kar Ishnan Parae Jap JaapSandhiya Samae Sunae Rehraas Kirtan Katha Sunnae Har YaasIn Meh Nem Ju ek Karaae So Sikh Amarpuri Meh Jaae" (Bhai Nandlal Ji)
Sant Ji Maharaj Also preached that one should recite Nitnem before coming to the morning Dewan (holy congregation) otherwise he fails to do it afterwards.
2. Meditation on the Divine Name is the Prime righteousness of all human beings.
"Jinee Aaesa Har Naam Na Cheteo Se Kahe Jag Aayae Ram Raje" (450)
"Sodhat Sodhat Sodh Beechara Bin Har Bhajan Nahi Chhutkara" (260)
3. Wondrous power of meditation.
All the time continuous meditation on the Divine Name with full devotion and concentration, creates a wondrous power that is keeping billions of Suns, Moons, spheres and the entire creations of the Universe moving.
"Naam Japat Kot Soor Ujjaraa Binsae Bhram Andheraa" (700)
Sant Ji Maharaj uttered these words when an engineer was showing him a power plant where electricity was being generated by fast rotation of the dynemo.
4. Method of Nam - Simran (Meditation)
Feel the presence of the Almighty within, with full faith and devotion, recite the Divine Name with the tongue in the beginning - the lips and the tongue continue gently moving up and down and slowly go on uttering 'Waheguru', 'Waheguru' at a stretch with love and attention; then by and by continue uttering 'Waheguru', 'Waheguru', gently with the tip of the tongue touching the palate and the lips remaining almost still; in the third stage with breathing - 'Wahe' should go along with the breath while inhaling and 'Guru' should emerge alongwith the breath while exhaling.
"Bahar Bhitter Eko Janaho Eh Gur giam Batai" (684)
By reciting the Divine Name in this way and after continuous intense meditation, the fourth stage is bestowed upon the searcher in which the Divine word and the devoted mind become one and merge.
"Kabir Too Too Karta To Hoohaa Mujh Meh Raha Na Hoohn.Jab Aappa Par Ka Mit Gayaa Jat Dekhau tat Too" (1375)
But the essential requirement of all these steps of Nam-Simran is that one should do it realizing the presence of Akal Purakh within and every where.
"Gur Kee Murat Mun Meh Dhiaan.Gur Kae Shabad Mantar Mun Maan.Gur Kae Charan Ridae Lae Dharon.Gur Parbrehm Sada Namaskaro" (864)
5. The occult powers (ridh-sidh) are of no avail.
The realization of God consciousness, 'Atam-Pad' is a far higher stage.
"Ridh sidh Sabh Moh hae Naam Naa Vasse Mun Aayee" (593)
"Achar Chare Tan Sidh Hoi Sidhi Te Budh Paee.Prem Ke Ser Laage Tan Bhiter Taan Bhrum Kateyaa Jaayee" (607)
6. Spiritual Humility is not possible without selfless service.
"Sewa Karat Hoi Nihkami Tis Ko Hot Prapat Swami" (286)
"Kar Kirpa Jiskae Hirdae Gareebe Bassave.Nanak Eehaan Mukat Aagae Sukh Paave" (278)
"Gur Sewa Te Sukh Oopjae Phir Dukh Na Lage Aaaye.Jaman Marna Mit Gayaa Kaale Ka Kichh Naa Basai" (651)
7. Rising above the trinity of Tamo, Rajo and Sato is considered as achieving the stage of God consciousness or opening of Trikuti.
Realizing the God within is the opening of Dasam Dwaar.
"Trikuti Chhutae Daswa Dar Khule Tan Mun Khiwaa Bhai" (1123)
"The Chand Na Suraj Pawan Na Pani. Sakhi Jaagi Gurmukh Jaani." (974)
"Dinas Na Raen Baed Nahi Shastra Tahaa Basse Nirankara" (484)
"Begampur Saher Ko Naun. Dookh Andoh Nahin The Thau" (345)
"Gurmukh Anter Sehaj Hai Mun Charyaa Daswai AkaasTithai Oongh Na Bhuk Hai Har Amrit Naam Sukh VaasNanak Dukh Sukh Viaapat Nahi Jithe Atam Ram Pargaas" (1414)
8. Sabad Guru Surat Dhun Chela (943).
Sant Ji Maharaj clarified that our guru is 'Shabad' only. Never was body guru nor it will be in future. It is not appropriate to worship 'body'.
"Bani Guru Guru Hai Bani Vich Bani Amrit Saare' (982)
"Wah Wah Bani Nirankaar Hai Tis Jewad Avar Na Koi.Wah Wah Agam Athah Hai Wah Wah Sacha Soi" (515)
9. All Jantras, Mantras and Tantras fade away with the supremacy of Gurbani (The Divine Hymns).
"Dhur Kee Bani Aayee. Tin Sagli Chint Mittai" (628)
"Sunat Japat Har Naam Jass Tan Kee Door Ballai.Mahan Mantra Nanak Kathe Har Ke Gun Gaaee" (814)
"Kajar Koth Meh Bhaee Na Kaaree Nirmal Baran Banio Ree.Maha Mantra Gur Hirdai Basio Acharaj Naam Sunio Ree" (384)
"Ram Nam Jo Jan Japae Andin Sad Jaagai.Tant Mant Nah Johee Tit Chhakh Na Lagai" (817)
10. 'Panth' means Gurmat Way of Life.
Masses does not mean Panth. Those who follow the messages of Dashmesh Pita are Panth.
"Charan Chalo Marg Gobind.Mittae Paap Japiai Har Bind" (281)
"Poora Satguru Janiai Poore Poora That Banaya.Poore Poora Sadhsang Poore Poora Mantra Dhrirayaa.Poore Poora Param Ras Poora Gurmukh Panth Challayaa.Gurmukh Panth Suhelraa Manmukh Bareh Vaat Phirande.Gurmukh Paar Langhidaa Manmukh Bhawjal Vich Doobande." ( Bhai gurdas ji )
"Santa Sangat Paayeea Jit Jamke Panth Na Jaeeyai" (132)
"Gur Satgur Daatte Panth Battaiya Har Milyaa Aaye Prabh Meri.Andin Anand Bhaiya Vadbhagi Sabh Aas Puji Jan Keri" (170)
"Mere Heeare Preet Ramrai Ki Gur Marag Panth Bataiya" (172)
11. One should not make an appeal for money is Sangat in the holy presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
If everybody contributes his 'Daswandh' (One tenth of one's income) there will be no shortage of funds and all the programmes will run smoothy.
"Ghal Khai Kich Hathon Deh Nanak Rah Pacchane Sayee" (1245)
12. In holy congregation, Ardas (prayer) need to be performed briefly and the requests too be short.
"Vin Boliaa Sabh Kich Janda Kis Aagee Keechai Ardas NanakGhat Ghat Eko Vartada Sabad Kare Pargaas" (1420)
Sant Ji Maharaj also used to advise that it is not appropriate to stand with a naked sword in hands before Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji while offering prayer (Ardas). It is befitting to make a request with folded hands before the Master.
13. One should always use one's tongue for meditation and praising the bounties of the Almighty.
It should not be used for evil speaking, back-biting, uttering hateful words, or bestowing good fortunes and curses.
"Rasna Japti Toohee Toohee" (1215)
"Rasna Japae Na Nam Til Til Kar Katiai" (1363)
"Rasna Gun Gopal Nidh Gayan.Shant Sehaj Rehus Mun Upjio Saglae Dookh Palayan" (174)
14. The highest degree of meditation is to bear adusive, harsh or rough language of any one without any reaction.
"Ustat Ninda Dou Tiagae. Khojae Pad Nirbana" (219)
"Nindo Nindo Moko Log Nindo. Ninda Jan Ko Khari Piyari" (339)
"Ridae Sudh Jao Ninda Hoe. Hamre Kaprae Nindak Doe" (339)
"Ninda Kare so Humra Meet. Nindak Mahe Hamara Cheet" (339)
"Loken Kee Chaturae Upmaa Te Baesantar Jaar.Koee Bhala Kahao Bhavae Boora Kahao Hum Tan Deeo Hai Daar." (528)
15. Those are the religious deeds which lead to the achievement of the God consciousness (Atam Pad).
"Sarab Dharam Meh Shresht Dharam.Har Ko Naam Jap Nirmal Karam" (266)
16. Feelings of brotherhood and fraternity are achieved only by listening to the holy hymns in congregation (Sangat).
"Beesar Gai Sabh Taat Parai Jab Te Sadh Sangat Mohe Paayee.(Pause) Na Ko Bairee Nahe Bigaana Sagal Sang Hum Ko Ban Aaee.Jo Prabh Keeno So Bhal Manieo Eh Sumat Sadhu Te Paaee.Sab Meh Rav Rehaa Prabh Ekae Pekh Pekh Nanak Bigsaaee" (1299)
"Sabh Ko Aaesae Teree Bettha Ghat Ghat Anter Too Hai Vootha.Sebhe Sanjhiwal Sadain Too Keesae Na Dishe Bahara Jio." (97)
"Gursikha Eko Piar Gur Mitaa Pootan Bhaieean Gur Satguru Bolho Sabh Gur Aakh Guru Jeevaeea" (648)
17. One who craves to make a speech, should not and one who does not like, should deliver a speech; when requested.
"Aaver Updesai Aap Na Karae Aavat Javat Janmae Mare" (269)
"Pareea Jeti Aarjaa Pareh Jete Sas Nanak Lakhae Ek Gal Hor Haumai Zakhna Zakh" (467)
"Kaetae Kaheh Vakan Keh Keh Jawna Ved Kaheh Vakhiaan Ant Na Pawna Pareea Nahi Bhed Bujhia Pawna" (148)
One who want to make a speech, his lecture would be based on his egoism or cleverness but one who does not have such a craving, he would be guided in his lecture by the Almighty and words uttered by him would flow smoothly from his inner soul.
"Re Jan Mun Madho Sio Laeeya Chaturae Na Chaturbhuj Paieya" (324)
"Keh Kabir Bhagat Kar Paiya Bholae Bhai Milae Raghraiya" (324)
18. Peace will prevail in this universe when all the human beings will get up early in the morning, take bath, medidate on The Divine Name recite holy hymns, and sing praises.
"Gur Satgur Ka Jo Sikh Akhae Su Bhaalke Uth Har Naam Dhiawae.Udam Kare Bhalke Parbhati Ishnaan Kare Amrit Sar Nahvae.Updes Guru Har Har Jap Jape Sabh Kilbikh Paap Dokh Leh Javae.Phir Cherae Diwas Gurbani Gavae Behndia Uthdia Har Naam Dhiavae.Jo Sas Giraas Dhiae Mera Har Har So Gursikh guru Mun Bhaivae.Jisno Dyal Hovae Mera Swami Tis Gursikh Guru Updes Sunnave.Jan Nanak Dhoor Mangae Tis Gursikh Kee Jo Aaap Jape Aurah Naam Japavae" (305)
19. Unless one gets away with the attachment of body and ego, the veil of ignorance is not dispelled and he would not be able to achieve the sphere of God consciousness.
"Sadho Eh Tan Mithia Jano.Ya Bhitar Jo Ram Basat Hai Sacho Tahe Pachano" (1186)
20. Concentration on Akal Purakh and a stage of oneness with Him cannot be achieved unless one shuns attachment with the worldy materialistic things.
"Drisatmaan Hai Sagal Mithena. Ek Mangao Daan Gobind Sant Rena" (1083)
"Jo Deesai So Sagal Binasae Jio Badar Kee Chaaee.Jan Nanak Jag Janeo Mithia Rehio Ram Sarnaee" (1204)
"Eh Jag Dhoae Ka Pahar Tai Sacha Maniea Kih Beechaar" (1187)
"Re Nar Eh Sachi Jie Dhaar Sagal Japat Hai Jaisae Supna Binsat Lagat Na Bar" (633)
21. Living to the Will of the God and obeying His command is real Gursikhi.
Whatever He does is right. There is peace in His Will.
"So Sikh Sakha Bandhap Hai Bhaee Je Gur Ke Bhanee Vich Aavae" (601)
"Hukam Maneia Hovae Parwan Tan Khasmae Ka Mehal Piaesee" (471)
"Hukam Razaee Chalna Nanak Likhia Naal" (1)
"Jo Hoaa Hovat So Jaanae. Prabh Apne Ka Hukam Pachaanae" (286)
"Mane Satgur Hukam Hukam Manaiya Bhana Manae Hukam Gur Phurmaya" (Bhai Gurdas Ji)
"Ek Mun Ek Aradhna Baber Jande Varaj Rahaave.Hukmee Banda Hoi Kai Khasmae Da Bhana Tis Bhowae." (Bhai Gurdas Ji)
22. One should never indulge in rough or harsh talk while sitting in Sangat in the holy presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
"Gaafal Gian Vihoonia Gur Bin gian Na Bhal Jio.Khichotaan Veegochiae Bure Bhala Duae Naal Jio.Bin Shabdae Bhae Ratia Sabh Johi Jamkaal Jio" (751)
"Bahoota Bolan Zakhan Hoi. Vin Bole Jainae Sabh Soe" (661)
23. One should come in time to attend the holy congregation.
Sant Ji Maharaj always emphasized on this and advised, "Late comers hurt the feelings of those who sit attuned with Him. Let it be raining torrentially or there is a storm, one must be punctual and stick to the given timings."
"Zakhar Zhangi Meeh Varsae Bhee Gur Dekhan Jaee Samund SagarHovae Bhoo Khara Gursikh Langh Gur 8 Peh Jaee." (757)
24. Peace will prevail and the country will have no problems when you will have a common kitchen.
"Sabhee Sanjhiwaal Sadain Too Keesae N Dishae Bahra Jio" (97)
By Harcharan Singh
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Sant Gyani Baba Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa at a nagar kirtan
Sant Kartar Singh Ji started many Nagar Kirtans after he became jathedar of Taksal.
At one nagar kirtan, sangat stopped in one village to rest a little. Few men standing at some distance were talking among themselves and were trying to recognize who Sant Ji was.
Sant Ji never dressed any different than jatha singhs so they couldn’t really figure out. Sant Ji came running to them and said “Khalsa Ji, this body’s name is Kartar Singh.” And then Sant Ji went back to his vehicle. They were really surprised at this but true gursikhs know everything.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Monday, February 06, 2006
Sant Gyani Baba Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa and the Akhand Pathi
During Sant Kartar Singh Ji’s time it was very common for dhahddis, parcharaks and kirtanis to be non-Amritdharis. Sant Ji always preached that if Sikh preachers don’t follow rehat then how can we expect other people to follow it. Not only that many Akhand Paathis would have someone from sangat do their duty and then they would leave. At many such occasions Akhand Paath was not properly done. Unfortunately this bad habit came to jatha though all members of the jatha were amritdharis.
The jatha went to Nabha Sahib, and Akhand Paath was going on. One singh was given the duty of “pehraydaar” to wake up the gursikhs for rauls because alarm clocks were not available everywhere. One gursikh’s raul was at 12am. Soon after he called the pehraydaar and gave him the signal to sit on Japji Sahib raul. Then he went to his room and fell asleep. Both Akhand Paathi and JapJi Sahib paathi sat for six hours.
Then singhs for 6am raul woke up and sat for their raul. When Sant Ji found out about this, he called the patthis who did not wake up. They blamed it on pehraydaar for not waking them up. Pehraydaar came and told everything. He said that he could not wake up anyone because the paathi of 12am raul left and never came back. Sant Ji punished that paathi and sent him home. Then he warned other singhs to never do it again and read bani to enjoy not because they have to.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Sant Gyani Baba Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa and the glasses of smundar
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Sant Gyani Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale and his sweater
Sant Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji Khalsa and jall paani
Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji was once invited by someone to have “jall paani”. So Sant Ji went with jatha of few gursikhs. The family was very religious so they did seva with pure heart. Sant Ji said the jatha will have smundar (milk) and then they will leave. So they put milk on the gas and after few minutes one girl put salt in the milk instead of sugar. No one knew about it. They served the milk to everyone. Sant Ji and all the singhs drank the milk, one singh did ardaas. No one complained, no singh was upset. The jatha left.
After a couple of minutes, one of the family members tasted the milk and could not even get one sip down his throat. All the family members ran after Sant Ji, caught up and asked for forgiveness. Sant Ji asked “why are you asking for forgiveness?” The eldest man said, “Sant Ji, one girl mistakenly put the salt in the milk. Please forgive us.” Sant Ji said, “I did not taste any salt. The milk was very sweet.” The man said, “how can that be? There was too much salt in it.” Sant Ji replied, “Your seva made it sweet. Jatha came to your house because of your love not milk.” Then the jatha left.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh