Life of a Sikh - Life of a Disciple

Guru Nanak arrived in the world during a time of conflict between Hindu and Muslims, and He promoted a religion of equality among all religions. Guru Nanak abolished caste and gender inequalities, labels, and worldly distinctions. Guru Nanak says that God is within everyone - we will all Merge into His Light after our karmic accounts have been settled. His Light is manifest in the 10 Gurus. Dhan Guru Nanak. Great is Guru Nanak! The principal beliefs of Sikhism are faith and justice, in Waheguru—represented by the phrase ik ōaṅkār, meaning one God. Sikhi advocates the pursuit of salvation through personal meditation on the name and message of God. The followers of Sikhi are ordained to follow the teachings of the ten Sikh gurus, or enlightened leaders, as well as the holy scripture entitled the Gurū Granth Sāhib Ji, which, along with the writings of six of the ten Sikh Gurus, includes selected works of many devotees from diverse socio-economic and religious backgrounds. The text was decreed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth guru, as the final guru of the Sikh religion. Sikhi's traditions and teachings are associated with the history, society and culture of Punjab. Adherents of Sikhi are known as Sikhs (students or disciples) and number over 26 million across the world.

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Sant Sunder Singh Ji Bhindranwale Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale Sant Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale ♥ 

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father ♥ 

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The addicts hang around addicts and abstainers with the abstainers. The gamblers mix up with gamblers and scoundrels with scoundrels. The Love abounds among the thieves and the cheats get together, decieve the country. Jesters meet jesters enthusiastically, and so do the backbiters. Swimmers meet similar persons and by meeting, there swimmers go and get across. The afflicted meet the afflicted ones and share their sufferings. Likewise, the Sikhs of the Guru feel pleasure in the Holy Congregation.(4) amalee rachan amaleeaa sofee sofee mael kara(n)dhae|| jooaaree jooaareeaa vaekaramee vaekaram racha(n)dhae|| choraa choraa pireharree t(h)ag t(h)ag mil dhaes t(h)aga(n)dhae|| masakariaa mil masakarae chugalaa chugal oumaahi mila(n)dhae|| manathaaroo manathaarooaa thaaroo thaaroo thaar thara(n)dhae|| dhukhiaarae dhukhiaariaaa(n) mil mil apanae dhukh ruva(n)dhae|| saadhhasa(n)gath gurasikh vasa(n)dhae ||4||

Bhai Gurdaas Ji

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Mortals are known by their actions; this is the way it has to be. They should show goodness, and not be deformed by their actions; this is how they are called beautiful. Whatever they desire, they shall receive; O Nanak, they become the very image of God. ||2|

Guru Angad Dev Ji

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Hair & Guru Gobind Singh

Assuredly, without the hair-idea of Guru Gobind Singh, there would have been no Sikh song and life today, except that the Guru Granth would possibly have been another Purana of the Hindus. Taking away the Sikh’s hair is to put him off from his intensely reactive inspiration which has been so far a source of strength to the Hindu also. The long hair makes him distinctive; it does not alienate him. The spirit itself would have died without this unkempt exterior. The disappearance of the Sikh as such means the loss of a great national asset of power and inspiration for the Hindu himself. If the disciples of Guru Gobind Singh wish to become great as a political race, great as Walt Whitman says America seemed to be, then they may what they will, but they cease to be His disciples. So the tresses of the Sikhs have preserved in them the Sikh history which everybody else in the Punjab has already forgotten. They are always a source of inspiration to a Sikh. They are an aspect of his deep, soundless gratitude to a Guru who staked his life; nay, his very religion to revive a dead people. Don’t you know these tresses are the wandering waves of the Sea of Illusion? Guru Gobind Singh gathered the waves of the Ocean of Consciousness as the mother gathers the hair of the child. What is man but an Ocean of Consciousness. 

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God Looks At Your Innocent Heart

Story from Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Holy Scripture of the Sikhs and of humanity) baamhan poojai dhaevathae dhha(n)naa goo charaavan aavai|| A Brahman Hindu would worship Gods (in the form of stone idols) where Dhanna (an ordinary man) used to graze his cow. dhha(n)nai ddit(h)aa chalith eaehu pooshhai baamhan aakh sunaavai|| On seeing the Brahman’s worship, innocent Dhanna asked the Brahman what he was doing. t(h)aakur dhee saevaa karai jo eishhai soee fal paavai|| “Service to the Thakur (God) gives the desired fruit,” replied the Brahman. dhha(n)naa karadhaa jodharree mai bh dhaeh eik jae thudhh bhaavai|| Dhanna requested, “O Brahman, could you kindly give me one idol stone too?” pathhar eik lapaett kar dhae dhha(n)nai no gail shhuddaavai|| The Brahman rolled an ordinary stone, gave it to Dhanna and thus got rid of him. t(h)aakur no nhaavaal kai shhaahi rottee lai bhog charrhaavai|| Dhanna thought the stone was God - so he bathed the stone and offered him bread and buttermilk. hathh jorr minath karai pairee pai pai bahuth manaavai|| With folded hands and falling at the feet of the stone he begged for his service to be accepted. ho bee muhu n jut(h)aalasaa(n) thoo rut(h)aa mai kihu n sukhaavai|| Dhanna said, “I will also not eat because how can I be happy if You are annoyed, Oh Lord, please eat this food I’ve put in front of You.”

gosaaee parathakh hoe rottee khaahi shhaahi muhi laavai|| (Seeing his true and loving Devotion) God was forced to appear and eat his bread and buttermilk.  bholaa bhaao gobi(n)dh milaavai ||13|| In fact, innocence like that of Dhanna, the ordinary man, makes the sight of the Lord available.(in comparison to the ritualistic Brahman who was praying out of ego)

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Realization of Offering Water to Ancestors at Haridwar

Haridwar is one of the Hindu pilgrimages situated on the bank of river Ganges. As the sun comes out in the morning, people start throwing water with their hands towards the sun from the river. 

When Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited Haridwar, he asked the people as to what they were doing. A priest replied, “We are offering water to our dead ancestors in the region of Sun to quench their thirst.”  Upon this, the Guru started throwing water towards the west. The Hindu pilgrims were astonished and asked Guru Nanak about what he was doing. The Guru replied, “I am watering my fields in Punjab.” The priest asked, “How can your water reach such a distance?” The Guru retorted, “How far your ancestors are from here?” One of them replied, “In the other world.”  Guru Nanak Dev Ji stated, “If this water cannot reach my fields which are about four hundred miles away from here, how can your water reach your ancestors who are not even on this earth?” The crowd stood in dumb realization. Some of the listeners came to understand the point made by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. They realized that the water that they were throwing simply returned to the river and it is a fake belief that it could reach their ancestors.  Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached against superstitions, false rituals, worship of demi-gods and goddesses. He stressed that only One God, the Formless, is to be glorified. In this way, he showed the path of truth and enlightenment. There is a Gurdwara called Nanakwara in Haridwar on the bank of the river Ganges where Guru Nanak Dev Ji stayed on his visit to Haridwar.

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Why does God Himself help His Devotees?

Once a king in India went to Guru Nanak Dev Ji and asked, “O Guru! As you told us that God Himself supports His true worshiper, but God has so many apostles, why does He support His devotees Himself? Why does not He send His apostles to help the devotees?” As he said this, his own son who was playing at the bank of a nearby river slipped in the river. The king did not waited for a second and jumped in the river right after his son to save his child. 

After saving his child he returned to the Guru. The Guru asked, “My dear friend, you were sitting here with me a minute ago and why did you jump in the river?” King explained that his son had slipped in the river and he went to save him. Then the Guru asked, “Dear friend, you have so many servants then why did you jumped in the river by yourself? Why did not you send you servants to save him?” The King said, “When it come to my son. I do not want to take any chances and would do anything it takes to protect him. I love my son very much and I do not want to lose him at any cost.”  Then Guru Ji said, “My dear friend, God loves His devotees the same way as you love your son. That is why he Himself saves His true worshipper.”

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Keeping Your Honour High

Once, the Turks (Muslims) caught a Sikh and took him away with them. They circumcised ('sunnat') him, made him read 'Kalma' (a Muslim prayer). They did what their 'sharaah' (Muslim religious rules) says. They removed his hair, but, his mind was not moved. He started to recite 'Guru Guru Guru'.

They made him eat halal food and then freed him. At the time of 'Rahraas' (the Sikh evening-prayer), the Sikh bowed his head in the holy presence of Guru Ji and said, "O King! I am a Sikh. I fell unconscious in battle. The Turks (Muslims) took me away with them and did what their 'Sharaah' say. Now, what should I do? Protect my 'Dharma' of 'Sikhism'. Otherwise, I will burn myself on a pyre".

"How did they do their 'Sharaah?", Guru Ji asked.

The Sikh said, "they did my 'sunnat' (circumcised), compelled me to eat the food and cut my hair".

Guru Ji said, "Did you enjoy the company of Muslim woman?"

Sikh said, "No, I was saved by you".

Guru Ji said, "Distribute the 'Karhaah Prashaad' to the Sikhs. You are a pure Sikh. Guru has saved you".

The Hazoori Sikhs asked, "O King! How can one be a Muslim?"

Guru Ji said, "Muslims do the 'Sharaah' by force. No one becomes a Muslim by doing so. O Sikhs! When one commits adultery, (his/her) mind mixes up, only then one becomes sinful. The mind is the reason. Forcefully, the belief cannot be destroyed. My Sikh, who enjoys the sexual relations with another's woman, is not my Sikh. If someone repents after having sexual relations with other's woman, he can be forgiven; but he, who has sexual relation with a woman from another religion (rapes or molests her), will never be forgiven".

The Sikhs said, "The Muslims forcibly copulate with Hindu women. If Sikhs get revenge, is this not good?"

Guru Ji said, "Sikh-brothers! We have to take this Panth (Sikhism) to the high position, not to a lower position. We have not to imitate the wicked.”

(It was common practice in those days for the invaders to molest Hindu and Sikh women, but Guru Sahib Ji forbid any retaliation in this area, so much so that Guru Sahib Ji ordered his Sikhs never to even touch another woman, this way their honour was insured)

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The Guru and the Mesmerized Sikh

Once, a Sikh made a request before the Guru Ji, "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?" He 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."

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An example of humility: when a rival once kicked Guru Amar Das Ji, the Guru’s response was: “I’m old. My bones are hard. You may have been hurt!” 

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IMG_2396 by Gurumustuk Singh on Flickr.

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IMG_2480 by Gurumustuk Singh on Flickr.

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paghpride

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I’ve got immense respect for him. So proud!!!

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This Shabad is by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Bhairao on Pannaa 1141 

bhairo mehalaa 5 || Bhairao, Fifth Mehla:  cheeth aavai thaa(n) mehaa ana(n)dh || When He comes to mind, then I am in supreme bliss. cheeth aavai thaa(n) sabh dhukh bha(n)j || When He comes to mind, then all my pains are shattered. cheeth aavai thaa(n) saradhhaa pooree || When He comes to mind, my hopes are fulfilled. cheeth aavai thaa(n) kabehi n jhooree ||1|| When He comes to mind, I never feel sadness. ||1|| a(n)thar raam raae pragattae aae || Deep within my being, my Sovereign Lord King has revealed Himself to me. gur poorai dheeou ra(n)g laae ||1|| rehaao || The Perfect Guru has inspired me to love Him. ||1||Pause|| cheeth aavai thaa(n) sarab ko raajaa || When He comes to mind, I am the king of all. cheeth aavai thaa(n) poorae kaajaa || When He comes to mind, all my affairs are completed. cheeth aavai thaa(n) ra(n)g gulaal || When He comes to mind, I am dyed in the deep crimson of His Love. cheeth aavai thaa(n) sadhaa nihaal ||2|| When He comes to mind, I am ecstatic forever. ||2|| cheeth aavai thaa(n) sadh dhhanava(n)thaa || When He comes to mind, I am wealthy forever. cheeth aavai thaa(n) sadh nibhara(n)thaa || When He comes to mind, I am free of doubt forever. cheeth aavai thaa(n) sabh ra(n)g maanae || When He comes to mind, then I enjoy all pleasures. cheeth aavai thaa(n) chookee kaanae ||3|| When He comes to mind, I am rid of fear. ||3|| cheeth aavai thaa(n) sehaj ghar paaeiaa || When He comes to mind, I find the home of peace and poise. cheeth aavai thaa(n) su(n)n samaaeiaa || When He comes to mind, I am absorbed in the Primal Void of God. cheeth aavai sadh keerathan karathaa || When He comes to mind, I continually sing the Kirtan of His Praises. man maaniaa naanak bhagava(n)thaa ||4||8||21|| Nanak’s mind is pleased and satisfied with the Lord God. ||4||8||21||