Raag Aasaa, Eighth House, Kaafee, Fourth Mehla:
Death is ordained from the very beginning, and yet ego makes us cry.
Meditating on the Naam, as Gurmukh, one becomes stable and steady. II1II
Blessed is the Perfect Guru, through whom the way of Death is known.
The sublime people earn the profit of the Naam, the Name of the Lord; they are absorbed in the Word of the Shabad. II1IIPauseII
The days of one's life are pre-ordained; they will come to their end, O mother.
One must depart, today or tomorrow, according to the Lord's Primal Order. II2II
Useless are the lives of those, who have forgotten the Naam.They play the game of chance in this world, and lose their mind. II3II
Those who have found the Guru are at peace, in life and in death.
O Nanak, the true ones are truly absorbed into the True Lord. II4II12II64II
Baisakhi Day, 1978
The Martyrs of Amritsar
It was out of this spirit of devotion, this sense ' of duty towards the Guru and towards the essence of the spirit of `Khalsa' that these beloved ones felt the call on Baisakhi Day, the 13th of April, 1978. It was in the city of Amritsar, and official permission had been given to the-,'Sant Nirankaris to hold a procession through Amritsar, carrying the man they call their 'guru', Gurbachan Singh around the city on a palki, waving a chouri over his head. It would not take much wisdom to imagine that in the very city of Amritsar, the holiest of holy places for Sikhs.
A renegade sect of Nirankaris being allowed to demonstrate their exaltation of a human being over and above the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, that such an action might cause some reaction among the Khalsa.
However, nothing was done on an official level to prevent the procession or the subsequent meeting which was to take place. Watching this insult, a group of Sikhs met to discuss a way of dealing with the situation. They determined to send a group of 100 peaceful protesters to do kirtan outside of the Nirankari meeting. They requested that the leadership and officials of Amritsar give them their support and assistance but this was denied. Nonetheless, the 100 protesters set out, unarmed except with their required Kirpans.
Approaching the meeting place, the police stopped the protesters, under the guise of granting them official and safe passage. During this half-hour stop, an ambush was set in motion. Trucks filled with acid-soaked bricks and acid-filled bottles pulled in behind the peacefully protesting Sikhs. Armed units of Nirankaris surrounded the area, and when the 100 protesters were allowed to pass through the police lines, they were barraged on every side, first with bricks and bottles of acid, then with shot guns, rifles and pistols, even machine gun fire and an automatic arrow shooter were used.
Bhai Fauja Singh himself was fired upon by the District Superintendent of Police, who accused him of being responsible for all of this trouble, and emptied his 32-calibre pistol into Bhai Fauja Singh's chest. These were not the only bullets he was to receive that day, but he kept standing, uttering only `Wahe Guru'. Two Sikhs attempted to carry the still breathing and chanting Bhai Fauja Singh to the hospital for treatment, but those two men were arrested by Police, and Bhai Fauja Singh's body was taken by the police and put into the `Dead Wagon'.
Again, another Sikh came upon Bhai Fauja Singh and found him breathing and still uttering Wahe Guru'. He called for someone to help, but half an hour later, Sardarni Amarjit Kaur, his wife, found Bhai Fauja Singh dead.
He was just one out of the 13 known dead on that day, and even today there are some people who are missing, who never returned from that peaceful protest in Amritsar. The Sikhs of the Punjab are outraged. The Sikhs of the world watch in horror: Right in the Punjab, right in the Sikh stronghold, with our own leadership in power, this atrocity could happen.
http://www.mrsikhnet.com/BhaiFaujaSingh/
Poem "Remeber" By Balmeet Kaur, Guru Gobind
Singh Ji Children's Foundation
Remember
Brave are the martyrs,
That fought for the Sikhs
Courageous are the Shaheeds
That stood up for what they believed
They died and gave up their lives,
They believed and trusted Guru Ji.
They didn’t give in to their country and nation;
They protected their beliefs for future generations.
Strong were those who stood up to evil;
Stood beside their Guru, through thick and think.
Remember them always, for they fought for us.
Those strong, brave, courageous Gursikhs
Did what was just.
Whether you light a candle
Or just do Ardaas,
Follow their example,
And keep them in your heart!
….Remember….
When a time of darkness falls upon a community and its people are in a deep sleep, then Akaal Purakh sends some blessed souls who may only spend a short time on the earth but light the way of their people for centuries. These blessed souls spread the rays of truth, remove the darkness and awaken the long sleeping people.
In 1978, the Sikh youth were in a deep sleep. Akaal Purakh at that time sent such a blessed soul, who, with the splashes of his blood, woke the Panth. That soul was Shaheed Jathedar Bhai Fauja Singh jee. The entire Sikh community was falling into the pit of Communism, Brahminism and faith in false human-gurus. The martyrdom of Bhai Fauja Singh and his companions started a new chapter for the Sikhs....
Here is an interview with the Brave Warrior wife of Bhai Fauja Singh Ji, and the Brave Daughter of the Khalsa, Bibi Amarjit Kaur:
Respected Bibi jeeo!
Will you tell us about the Khalsa Farm that was started by Bhai Sahib Fauja Singh ?
-Inside him (Bhai Fauja Singh) there was a blazing inferno to reinvigorate the Sikhs. He wanted every Sikh to be both religiously and politically aware. He wanted the community to take the Khalsa form and move towards Khalsa Raj.
Once, he (Bhai Fauja Singh) was in vairaag and he went from Amritsar to MachheevaaRaa, near the Satluj river and went into Bhai Hardial Singh and Darshan Singh’s fields to do solitary simran. Those Singhs respected him very much and when he wanted to return after spending quite a bit of time there, they would not let him leave. They were even willing to give him some land there. When I found out about this, I reminded him, you yourself used to tell me that across the river in Gazneepur you have some land and used to suggest making a farm there to start Sikhi camps
"...He liked my suggestion. This is how Khalsa Farm was started..."
In the Farm, all the Singhs woke up around 2am and did amrit vela. After that there was keertan, gatka practice, etc. that lasted the entire day. He (Bhai Fauja Singh) used to jap naam very loudly. When the camp concluded, all the Singhs would be sad to be separating and departing and would even begin to weep. They did not feel like leaving.
Fauja Singh used to say that this was the place of Shaheed Singhs from the smaller Ghalooghaaraa. Many other Singhs also felt the presence and patrol of Shaheed Singhs. The location was very peaceful. Because it was isolated, it was very good for simran, keertan and gurbaaNee.
He had immeasurable desire to see Sikhi grow and blossom but Vahiguru did not give enough time
While staying with Bhai Sahib, can you tell us about any unforgettable memories?
-There are so many memories. Actually, the entire time spent with him was unforgettable. I will never forget them, even now I feel his presence. He had such a personality that everyone was attracted to him. He was always surrounded by both worldly people and religious people. I too couldn’t help but be effected by him.
There was a pull towards him, but I did not even think of marriage with him. I did not tie a keskee back then, but I did do keertan. I also went to the Akhand Keertanee Jathas smaagams. But I had no desire to be married. In truth, I was quite afraid of household life. To take care of children and prepare food was no easy taks for me because I had very little desire to do those sort of things.
Once, he (Bhai Fauja Singh) saw me doing keertan at Bhai Bakhtaavar Singh (Chayharta) house and asked Bhai Bakhtaavar Singh about me. When Bhai Bakhtaavar Singhs Singhnee asked me, I said in very clear words that I dont know much about cooking or other housekeeping and I’m very afraid of raising children and because of this I have decided to not get married.
He replied that he already prepares his own food and he didn’t feel any need to have children and that all Gursikh’s children were like his own and he gave them just as much love.
After this, my mother and father saw him. A year after our engagement ardaas, we had our anand kaaraj. During this time, I began to tie a dastaar. He kept both his promises: for his entire life he made his own food.
Will you tell us about any words Bhai Fauja Singh spoke before his martyrdom about the future?
-Quite a bit before his martyrdom, he began to say that there was another battle to be fought. It was about this time that S. Gajinder Singhs poem “Gangoo dee Rooh”(Gangoos spirit) was published. He would read the lines from this poem many times:
There is Gandhi, there iss Nehru and there is Nehru’s daughter. They are all just Gangoo, what else is there here? He said they would try to bring Sikhi down with any way possible and that to stop them, every Singh would have to be shastardhaari (carry weapons). He would say to me many times, Every time you’re left behind. And then I have to take birth again for you. This time I won’t leave you behind.
Every day, at least ten times a day he would say to me, Don’t cry when you see my body, this is going to happen. Accept BhaaNaa.
In India death is not a mysterious stage of life, it is accepted as a fact of life and acknowledged as the greatest opportunity for merging with the Divine. Sardarni Amarjit Kaur stands at the side of her martyred husband, Bhai Fauja Singh.
One day, he came to get me from my school. My fellow teachers were with me and they also respected him a lot (this was April 11th). He said to my fellow teachers, Bhain jee, the divine call is coming. I’m going to leave and I’m ready.
Once we went to meet Bhai Avtaar Singh of KhuDaa(n) Kalaa(n) and he too said, Bibi, me and Bhai Fauja Singh are going to leave very soon. You should keep working At that time I didn’t understand what he meant but when it happened, only then did I understand what he was trying to say.
He used to also say, "...If the Sikh Kaum became solid in BaaNee, BaaNaa, Sevaa and Simran, Satguru jee is willing to give them Raj even today. He used to say that as soon as the Kaum becomes pure, Khalsa Raj will come.."
What was the relationship like between Bhai Sahib and Sant Giani Kartar Singh jee Bhindravale?
-There was a very loving relationship. Sant Giani Kartar Singh jee used to have a lot of love and respect for him. He would spread his hazooriya on the ground for him (Bhai Sahib) to sit on.
It was in those days that some mischievous people disrespected Sree Guru Granth Sahib jee in Gurdwara Guru Kay Mehal and he (Bhai Sahib) had arrived there along with his companions. The incensed mob threw rocks and bottles of acid at the Singhs. Their clothes burnt off but their bodies were alright. After this incident, we along with the Bhindravala Jatha took out a march through Amritsar and at this time Sant jee gave his full support.
It was also at this time that we would go to Mehta Chownk to do Akhand Keertan. Sant Giani Kartar Singh was very opposed to human Gurudoms and because of this, he (Bhai Sahib) had a lot of love for him. To stop the Narakhdari attacks, we started a common front.
And in addition, he also had a lot of love for Sant Baba Harnam Singh Rampur Khaeray vaalay. One time Sant jee came from Khaera Sahib to Sree Amritsar and his avasthaa was very vairagi. I met him in Guru Ram Das Saraa(n) and I asked him to come to our home. Sant jee had not eaten for four days.
He (Bhai Sahib) said to Baba jee, Baba jee, please give my message to Guru Gobind Singh jee Baba jee replied, Alright son, I’ll give it. What that message was, I didn’t know nor did he ask.
The next day Sant jee said, Son, I gave your message to Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib has said, So Sikh sakhaa bandhap hai bhai jo gur kay bhaanay vich aavai
At that time I didn’t understand what Guru Sahibs bhaaNaa was. When he became shaheed though, I understood everything about what bhaaNaa Sant jee was talking about.
At the time of Bhai Sahib’s martyrdom, what do you think Sant Giani Jarnail Singh jee Bhindranvales mental state was?
-I felt that because of his (Bhai Sahibs) shaheedee along with the shaheedee of his companions, Sant jee was feeling a lot of pain. The pain in his heart was visible on his face. He used to say that he was indebted to these Singhs who had spilled their blood for Shabad Guru. I will pay off this debt by spilling my own blood. The whole world will be left watching
Usually in the media and in the religious-political groups, you are presented as having been opposed to Sant jee. How much truth is there in this?
-There is no truth in this at all. I truly respected Sant Giani Jarnail Singh jee from my heart and will continue to do so. He used to have a lot of respect for me as well. I remember that when we used to meet in the Parkarma, he would say Fateh first and would say over and over, Well Bibi jee, are you well? Is there any seva, if you need anything let me know.
"...My head bows before you and because you are the wife of a Shaheed, I respect you from my heart..."
This year is the 20th anniversary of the Blue Star Operation. Will you share your experiences with the Sangat?
-During Operation Blue Star, I was here inside (Sree Darbaar Sahib). On June 4th, at amrit vela, the bombardment began. On June 5th, I was successful in reaching Darbar Sahib to matha taek. There, I met Ragi Amrik Singh who was blind. I said to him, Bhai sahib jee, keertan should not stop in Guru Ram Das jee’s home (WAHEGURU) He agreed and even though there was bombardment, he kept doing keertan. In the end, he was martyred after being hit by a bullet near the Lachi Baer. We all became used to the sounds of bullets. We came and went to Darbar Sahib in a hail of bullets. My younger sister Paramjit Kaur was also here. She did the seva of tending to injured Singhs. She gave water to the fighting Singhs and in the end she was martyred by the chhabeel (water station). One Singh came from the Babbar’s side and took me to the Saraa(n). I didn’t want to go but he forcibly took me.
One thing is for sure, everything that happened (all the planning and fortifications) can be attributed to Gen. Shabegh Singh’s mind. That amazing warrior-General did something that the whole world will remember.
"...I bow my head before the bravery and daring of Sant Jarnail Singh and his companion Singhs. They ended up being great shaheeds of the Kaum..."
What would you like to say about the Sant-vaad growing under the name of Sikhism in Punjab today?
- In truth, Sant is not the name of some type of special dress, it is the name for the nature of a Gurmukh who has lived his life according to GurbaaNee. Today there are a lot of Sant Babas in the Kaum who talk about the Guru. They attach the sangat to the Guru Ghar and they are to be congratulated. But if someone attaches others to himself, then he is dangerous. The Kaum today needs Mahapurakhs. If they are like Baba Harnam Singh Khaeray vaalay, they are welcome. But if they are frauds and hypocrites, then the Sikhs must begin to think, because it is they themselves that give bundles of money to the Sants.
Will you tell us something about Bhai Fauja Singh Trust?
-That is our home. We don’t charge any child. We enroll four types of children:
1) Those effected by the Punjab problem including the children of Kharkoos and the children of those killed by kharkoos. We don’t discriminate. No matter what side that child came from, he can be enrolled.
2) Orphan children with no mother or father.
3) Widow families and the children of women who have been widowed for whatever reason.
4) Those children from poor families who want to study and are smart.
We don’t take help from any government agency. I want that this house becomes the children’s own and orphaned children consider it their own home.
In the end, do you have any message for the Panth’s youth?
-This is a difficult question. They are themselves wise. I just have one request,
Taken from So Kaheeat Hai Soora, August 2004
Translated by Admin http://www.tapoban.org/
Bhai Fauja Singh. 'Fauja' means soldier, and he truly lived to his name. Much of his life was spent in fighting against unrighteousness and standing up for the true principles of Sikh Dharma.
Bhai Sahib longed for young Sikhs to come forward and take on a life in the Khalsa army. He would feel great pain whenever he heard of any act of contempt against Gurmat principles. His lifestyle was a throwback to our great forefathers and Sikh ancestors and his speech and conversation levelled on the theme of a warrior lifestyle. He had no regard for his own prosperity and wealth and recognised everything as the property of the Khalsa.
-Bhai Sahib Hazoraa Singh
I know he was a fierce and brave warrior of the Guru, but I remember him as a gentle and kind teacher. We were so young, and so new to Sikhi, and so ignorant. Bibi Amarjeet Kaur and Bhai Fauja Singh treated us like spiritual children, and patiently taught us and inspired us on the Guru's Path. They wrote the sweetest letters to encourage our devotion to Waheguru. He never chastized us or humiliated us for the hundreds of thousands of mistakes that we made every day - instead there was such a pure love that any mistake was gently corrected and immediately forgiven.
-Bibi Shanti Kaur Khalsa
One day there were about 12 Sikhs from our village who were sitting in conversation with Bhai Sahib. Bibi Jee was there too. He told her that they were so lucky to not have had children. He said that Guru Sahib had blessed them with these children who were already grown up. He recognised the youth as his children and showed them the utmost love and devotion.
-Bhai Sahib Hazoraa Singh
Bhai Fauja Singh was a very carefree soul. He did not care for his own self nor for luxuries, etc. which we all seem to be gathering today. Once, in a Gathka spar fight with swords, Bhai Sahib was cut on the leg by the other Singh. When some Singhs came to look at the cut, Bhai Sahib told them not to bother about it..but it was clear to everyone that the cut was a serious one. It was about 4 inches long and one inch deep. However to everyones amazement, he continued to fight as if nothing had happened. This was the everyday life of this most special Gursikh.
-Master Niranjan Singh Ji, Gurdaspur
His daily routine began by waking up at 2 a.m Amrit Vela. After having a bath he would begin Nam Simran. After Nam Simran he would do Nitnem, the Satguru`s Darshan, Kirtan, Sat Sangat and then he would be happy doing Sewa all day long. Bhai Fauja Singh's house was very close to the Siri Darbar Sahib, for many years so many Singhs and Singhnis used to visit him when going to the Darbar Sahib. The couple lived on the third floor where there were no facilities for water. Every night, before going to sleep, Bhai Fauja Singh would fill buckets of water from the water pump down below and take them upstairs for the Amrit Vela Ishnan of the Sangat staying there. The three flights of stairs were so narrow it was even difficult to walk up them without carrying anything. When we asked him to make some facilities for the water, he would laughingly reply, "Sister, if some other facilities were made available then I would not be able to do this Sewa anymore".
He was always ready to help others by himself or by giving money and his mind was always thinking of the Satguru or the Panth. Laziness, sleep and hunger were never around him.
We used to talk at home amongst ourselves that this was a soul of a Shaheed sent here for a particular reason and when that event has taken place it will go, we could not see it staying for long. Guru Ji gave his blessings and made him give Shaheedi to wake up the sleeping Khalsa Panth and bring back the Khalsa spirit and love, devotion and respect for Satguru. This Singh was always ready to obey the Guru`s orders. It was out of this spirit of devotion and sense of duty towards the Guru that Bhai Fauja Singh immediately got up from doing the Sewa of the Langar and presented himself. He completed the Sewa that Satguru had sent him to do. Bhai Fauja Singh and the other 12 Gursikhs gave their lives to break the unconsciousness of the Panth and to make it stand on its own two feet again. The Panth should uphold the respect of the Satguru at all times.
-Bibi Harsharan Kaur Ji, Jullunder
This is the day to be proud of, that at least there were men among us who would live by the very tradition of the Khlasa. There were men among us while alive who could live and who could take eleven bullets in their body and still say, “Waheguru-Waheguru-Waheguru.” They went as a true Son goes to defend the Grace of the Father.
– Siri Singh Sahib Ji
We should follow equally in the very footsteps, of these gracious people who at least knew how to die, and not how to die in the Name of the Guru and the Khalsa. So, now we can tell our children that Sikh History has not ended, it has begun, as a new page of life.
Glory filled the armies stand,
Guru’s fighters, hand in hand.
Amrit courses through their veins,
Men and women, both the same.
God is great, the chant and chant,
Spreading love through every land.
Defending truth, upholding rights,
Never losing Guru’s fight.
The Sikhs they are, forever true,
God’s Saint Soldiers, now guarding you!
Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh!!
May All the World Rejoice in the Praise and Glory of Almighty Akaal Purakh Vaheguru and celebrate the Revelation of the Khalsa Akaal Purakh Ki Fauj...
In Sikh history Mata Sahib Kaur is known as the Mother of the Khalsa. This honour was bestowed upon her by the Tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. When a Sikh receives the gift of Khande Dee Pauhul (Amrit), he/she is told that from today onward your father is Guru Gobind Singh Ji and you mother is Mata Sahib Kaur Ji.Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, whose name before taking Amrit was Mata Sahib Devan Ji, was born on the 1st November 1681 in a village called Rohtas, District Jehlum, in West Panjab, (now in Pakistan). Her mother’s name was Mata Jasdevi Ji and father’s name was Bhai Rama Ji. Her father, who was an ardent sewak (devotee) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, influenced her to the extent that she wanted to devote her whole life in the service of the Guru Sahib. From her childhood, Mata Sahib Kaur Ji was a sweet and quiet natured girl. Because of the religious atmosphere at home, she was deeply influenced by Gurbaani during her formative years. It is possible that in her childhood she might have seen Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Sri Anandpur Sahib during the visit of her family.
"...She had inherited humility, love and sacrifice to humanity and devotion to Waheguru..."
When she came of age, her father and other devotees of village Rohtas, took her to Sri Anandpur Sahib and requested Guru Gobind Singh Ji to take her as his bride. Guru Ji told the Sangat that he was already married and could not marry again. However, Mata Sahib Kaur Ji's father had pledged his daughter to Guru Sahib and no-one else would marry her now. Therefore, Guru Sahib agreed that Mata Sahib Kaur Ji could stay with the Guru's family, however, they could not marry or ever have children.
Guru Sahib instead promised Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, that you will become a great Mother to thousands. Mata Sahib Kaur Ji lived in the Guru's household and served Guru Ji and the Sangat with full shardaa (devotion).
Mata Sahib Kaur Ji accompanied Guru Sahib throughout his life, even during battles, serving him in every possible way. On Vaisakhi 1699, in the first Amrit-Sanchaar, Mata Sahib Kaur Ji participated in the sewa of the Amrit-Sanchaar by adding Pataasey (sugar wafers) to the Amrit, and was bestowed the honour of eternal motherhood of Khalsa Panth.
Mata Ji guided the Khalsa Panth through period of crisis many times and issued eight decrees in the name of Khalsa
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
You are wrong if you think I had only four sons, I have thousands of sons and daughters and in them I see the four I sacrificed. Those four sons were four virtues from Waheguru Ji, their body pots were to be smashed so that those virtues could be poured into the Khalsa.
Ajit means unconquerable, my Khalsa would rather die fighting than run like a coward.
Jujhar means warrior, my Khalsa is powerful and strong.
Zorawar means Power, as long as my Khalsa is distinct I will give them all of my power.
Fateh is victory, my Khalsa will fight for Waheguru's victory.O Mata Jee, when I see one Khalsa with these 4 qualities I see all four sons.
Guru Ji’s Divine Commission
Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji continued the Sikh Mission by stating:
"He (Guru Nanak Dev Ji) established religion in the Kali age...Nanak assumed the body of Angad...Afterwards, Nanak was called Amar Das, As one lamp is lit from another...And Amar Das became Ram Das, The Pious saw this, but not the fools, Who thought them all distinct, But some rare persons recognized that they were all one. They who understood obtained perfection, Without understanding (this), perfection cannot be obtained."
There cannot be more authenitc evidence than the one recorded in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and by Sri Guru Gobing Singh Ji. All the Gurus were inspired by the same unified thesis and mission. Emphasizing this point, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji states that without the acceptance of this view, there can be no true understanding of teh Sikh Path.
The Guru saw in this the danger of backsliding among the Sikhs. ‘it is possible’ thought He, ‘that the Sikhs might fall back into the great sea from which they have been taken out from.’ Hence he vowed that he would make it *impossible for the Sikhs to hide their creed in the future. He would give them such a form and appearance, some such distinguishing marks that even a single Sikh mixed up with thousands of others would be recognizable at once, most easily and unmistakably. A distinctive form and appearance would serve another purpose too. The Sikhs would have to be true and pure in order to maintain the dignity or their distinctive guise, so that none might have a chance or justification to remark. In this way the Sikhs would stand out distinct from others not only in external appearance, but also internal virtue and day –to – day life.
We shall find the same continutiy of the Sikh Mission in the Creation of the Khalsa of God
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh
Picture: Courtesy of Kaurs United Sevadars
The Beloved Five
Sri Guru Gobind Singh as well, decided to cut at the root of all such customs and practices as stood in the way of a complete unification of the nation. He wanted to create a united and strong body of community who would be pure enough to free themselves from the oppression of priests and rulers, and at the same time, be strong enough to maintain this freedom.
In 1699 A.D. Guru Ji invited all Sikhs to gather at his home for prayers and a special occasion. The Guru had set up a tent for all the Sikhs to see, many Sikhs whispered amongst themselves wondering why such a tent was set up. Once the Guru came out, His appearance was altogether different from what it had usually been. His eyes were shining like fire. His face was hardest and red. His naked sword shone in his uplifted hand. He looked like a warrior about to jump into a battle-field. In a voice as of thunder he said:
“My Dear Sikhs, my Beloved Sons, this sword of mine wants to taste the Blood of a Sikh. Is there any among you read to offer his neck for the purpose, to lay down His life at a call from Me?”
All present grew pale, on hearing such a strange demand. There was no response to this amazing, breath-taking call. The Guru repeated it. Still there was no reply. A third time he spoke in a louder, more thundering voice.
“Is there any true Sikhs of mine among you? If so let he come up and give me his head as an offering, as a proof of his faith in me.”
After some minutes, Bhai Daya Ram (Bhai Daya Singh Ji) a Khatri of Lahore stood up and said ‘O True King, my head is at your service, Cut it off from the trunk, and make it fall at your sacred feet.’
Guru Ji took Bhai Daya Ram into the tent, the sound of a sword-blow was heard, and then Guru Ji came out of his tent with a blood sword. Once Guru Ji showed the sword, the crowds realized that Guru Ji really meant what he said. They were convinced that Bhai Daya Ram was dead. Guru Ji asked again, if there were any other Sikhs willing to give up their heads. No one raised their head. After a few minutes, Bhai Dharam Das (Bhai Dharam Singh Ji), stood up, and offered his head.
The call for a Head continued three more times, however, the crowd of Sikhs grew thinner and thinner. Some Sikhs even went to the Guru Ji’s mother, Mata Gujjar Kaur Ji, and complained to her against t the Guru,
Mata Gujjar Kaur Ji sent a messenger to her Son and see what was actually happening, but Guru was in no mood to receive, heed, or listen to anyone. On the third call, Bhai Mohkham Chand (Bhai Mohkham Singh Ji) stood up and offered his head. After a short time the Guru came out again. In the same manner as before, he called for another head. Finally Bhai Sahib Chand (Bhai Sahib Singh Ji) stood up and begged the Guru to accept his head. The Guru treated him in the manner as he had treated the other three. Lastly, Bhai Himmat Rai, (Bhai Himmat Singh Ji) stood up and offered his head. At this time the crowd outside of the tent assumed that five Sikhs had been killed by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
At last, Guru Ji came out of the tent, his face was beaming with joy and statisifaction. He was followed by five Sikhs dressed exactly like him. who were they? Oh Wonder! They were the same who had given their heads to the Guru. They had been killed. Had they been brought back to life? Their faces, their dresses, and their whole appearance were all like the Guru Ji’s.
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji said,
Picture: Courtesy of Kaurs United and MrSikhnet
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, proclaimed, from that today forward, the Sikh nation shall be called the Khalsa. Charnpahul will give place to Khande Da Amrit the nectar of two –edged sword. The person desiring to become a Sikh, to become a member of the Khalsa brotherhood, will drink water that has been stirred with a Khanda or two –edged sword. This water shall be called Amrit (nectar). I shall presently let you see how Amrit is to be administered.
Those who partake of this Amrit will be changed from Jackals to LIONS, form sparrows to HAWKS. They will be called SINGHS or KAURS. All castes, all people, are equally welcome to take the Amrit. I mean to make all Sikhs give up and forget for ever their previous caste. I want to combine them all into one Brotherhood, the KHALSA.
...The Khalsa will be equally in all respects, the lowest with the highest, males with females, and children with adults...
Through this blessing of Amrit, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji poured his life into his Sikhs and invested them with his own personality. They came to be looked up as models of physical power and beauty, and stateliness of character. The whole tone of national character was immensely changed. Sweepers, barbers, water-carriers, washermen, and confectioners who had never touched a sword or shouldered a gun, who had for countless generations, lived as slaves of the so-called higher classes, were under the Guru Ji’s lead, they were reborn into brave warriors, ready to rush into the jaws of death at the bidding of their Guru, and leaders of armies before whom the Rajas and the Nawabs trembled with terror and dared not raise their heads.
Thus was born the Khalsa—a nation of Saint Soldiers reciting only Naam of One God. Friends and servants of man, and sworn foes of all tyrants, a Brotherhood in which all were to be equal in all respects, and in which all castes were united to form one nation – the KHALSA. The Khalsa was Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s type of universal man of God –
BRAVE
FEARLESS
STRONG AS A LION
SWEET HUMBLE
LOVING AS A WOMAN
HOLY AND PIOUS AS A SAINT
BROTHER OF ALL
STRIKING FEAR IN NONE
AFRAID OF NONE
Be part of the ARMY OF GOD – Take AMRIT – you will be glad you did!
What team are we on? Akaal Purakh Kee Fauj
This is our team...Defence: YOU
Who are our captains?
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji
Who is our coach?
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Who is our goalie?
Our own REHIT
Who are our opponents?
Kaam, krodh, lobh, moh, ahankaar, jhoot, nindaa, vair, virod
And their coach is Maayaa
She/He does not recognize anyone else except the One Lord God, not even the bestowal of charities, performance of merciful acts, austerities and restraint on pilgrim-stations; the perfect light of the Lord illuminates her/his heart, only then consider her/him as the Immaculate Khalsa.
The 10th Nanak -Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Surely we cannot be so naive as to assume that just because AMRIT gives you guidelines, that AMRIT does not have something to offer. If we say this, we would be the most ignorant fools on the earth. There is a reality we must embrace - that AMRIT is a wonderful gift, a wonderful change of lifestyle, and a very drastic and valuable opportunity.
Let us look at this example, which is very minor compared to being blessed with AMRIT: Somebody offers you the position of Captain on the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. You would be simply astounded. But uh oh, wait a second - what a big responsibility that is! You will have to get training, become professional, be a good role model, and be leadership material. You will have to accept accountability, big expectations from people. you will have to follow certain guidelines - you will need to wear a certain uniform and act in a certain way.
Pretty limiting? Ask the captain of Detroit Red Wings, Steve Yzerman, if he loves his job. Of course he does! Would he trade it for anything? Definitely not! Does it have restrictions? For sure! Do the advantages of the job beat the restrictions? No competition - there are tons of advantages and the disadvantages just seem like reasonable parts of the game.
What game are we playing here?
This is the game of love.
What is the first restriction?
"...Sikhism, AMRIT and Salvation: Consider if you will that Sachkhand is a foreign country. You will need a passport to get in and a visa stamp. AMRIT is that passport and the visa stamp is the Almighty's Kirpa (blessing). In which case Dharam Raaj is immigration. By taking AMRIT, you are going to your Guru and saying that: Your teachings are the best, so I promise to lead the life in the way that you have set for me, with your and Waheguroo's blessings..."
How many teachers does a person have throughout their education? I have had over 25 to earn a degree. this was just to get a degree in worldy knowledge about one field of study.
It took ten Guru Sahibs to mould a cowardly people into Sant Sipahis. The first nine Gurus armed our minds with Gurbani or God's word. Guru Gobind Singh Ji armed us physically. Why didn't the first nine Gurus take AMRIT?
"What is AMRIT? Is it a time to get a sword? AMRIT is a Sikh’s wedding to Guru Sahib. A commitment to keep the Khalsa Rehit. Guru Gobind Singh Ji says that for him Rehit is more dear than a Sikh. You can't give people without Rehit or discipline swords or weapons. One becomes a Saint Soldier or Sant Sipahi after committing to the Rehit so one is truly a Sant Sipahi and not some fanatic with a weapon..."
Guru Gobind Singh Ji did not take AMRIT to become a Sikh, Guru Sahib took AMRIT to show that the Khalsa was Guru' s Sroop or the Guru's image. Basically like the student is now the master. This is why we say Guru’s Panth Khalsa..."
It took ten Gurus to make an Army of God. It takes over 25 teachers to earn a degree in some useless major. You do the math …"
AMRIT is a physical concept to show one's commitment to the Khalsa Rehit or discipline. The real AMRIT in Sikhi one strives for is the AMRIT of Naam. This AMRIT was in all the Gurus and also the Bhagats such as Bhagat Ravidas Ji, Bhagat Naam Dev Ji, Skeih Farid Sahib, Bhagat Kabir Ji, and many more. Naam is above all. To say why didn't ourGurus take AMRIT is like saying that the Gurus lacked a spiritual Rehit..."
Be part of the ARMY OF GOD
– Take AMRIT –
You will be glad you did!
What team are we on? Akaal Purakh Kee Fauj.
This is our team...
Defence: YOU
Who are our captains?
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji.
Who is our coach?
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Who is our goalie? Our own REHIT.
Who are our opponents?
Kaam, krodh, lobh, moh, ahankaar, jhoot, nindaa, vair, virodAnd their coach is Maayaa. If we want to play we know the rules. We know the risks. But our skates are like ice, and our ice is like the sharp blades of skates. This path is sharper than a sword's edge and thinner than a hair.
This skating arena is the world. There is no overtime in this game. Our Sangat is on our team. Our Rehit Maryada are the referees.
All the devis, devtas, sur, nar, mun, jan - THEY WANT TO PLAY THE GAME - but they are our fans. They cheer us on, we can win, and the rewards are endless: theh anek roop nau nav nidh this daa anth naa jaaee paaeiaa, man jeetay jug jeet, jis no bakshay sifat salaahu naanak paatshaahee paathsaahu...
The rewards are endless. All the worldly bliss, but more importantly the true love of the Guru Ji’s feet... and the internal bliss of immortal nectar of the Guru Ji's bani. We can obtain this if we win the game. BUT there is a lot at stake. We must remain dedicated. We should not have duality. We should not lose faith in our team. And we should never waver from the high standards of our team. Or else we will lose in the end.
Article: SaadhRayn Kaur
Our True Birth Place
O Anandpur Sahib
City of Bliss
Land of the Pure
Birthplace of mind
Crade of the Khalsa, Home of Kesgarh Sahib, Our Guru Ji’s Shrine,
You were first founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur, Nanak Number Nine,
Who soon summoned Gobind Rai to his side at the tender age of nine.
His father was deep in thought so he inquired, what was on his mind?
The Guru replied that tyranny had sunk their country into dire decline.
Gobind Rai proclaimed, why my noble father, let the blood be thine,
For I would rather go fatherless than see innocent millions maligned.
Thus a helping hand he did extend as all the while his life was on the line,
But the language of love is sometimes not enough as his brave son did find.
O Anandpur Sahib, City of Bliss, Land of the Pure, birthplace of mine,
From whose sacred soil sprang forth the Khalsa on the Vasakhi of 1699
Where the five beloved ones were baptized as they all knelt in a line,
And the tenth master declared, I am likewise your discipline as your art mine.
Here the Red Cross was foreseen well over a century ahead of its time,
Only they battlefields, not aiding the wounded was considered a crime.
You see neither friend nor foe, only faces of children of the One Divine,
With walls which shine dazzling white and borders that are colour blind.
Countless Pilgrims have been blessed by thee since the Spring of 1699,
May thy message of human rights spring eternal in our hearts and minds.
And so, to where Gobind Rai was reborn Guru Gobind Singh, I humbly pine,
O Anandpur Sahib
City of Bliss
Land of the Pure
Birthplace of mine
May our souls rekindle, our paths reconnect, and our stars realign,
To renew thy sprit in all mankind.
a(n)mrith vaelaa sach naao vaddiaaee veechaar II
In the Amrit Vaylaa, the ambrosial hours before dawn, chant the True Name, and contemplate His Glorious Greatness.
Discover Sikhi is proposing an International Amritvela Week, taking place next week in celebration of Vaisakhi. Amritvela is the time in the early hours of the morning during which Gursikhs wake up and recite their daily Banis and do simran of Vaheguru.
har dhhan rathan javaehar maanak har dhhanai naal a(n)mrith vaelai vathai har bhagathee har liv laaee II
The Lord's wealth is like jewels, gems and rubies. At the appointed time in the Amrit Vaylaa, the ambrosial hours of the morning, the Lord's devotees lovingly center their attention on the Lord, and the wealth of the Lord.
What do I do for International Amritvela Week?
The first thing to do is to do ardaas asking Guru Sahib for his Kirpa. Members of Discover Sikhi - take the challenge! Make a plan to wake up at amritvela. Get together with others and organize amritvela programs at your local Gurdwara Sahib or at houses of Gursikhs and receive the blessings of Guru Sahib together
And, once an amritvela program is in place, post in this thread and let the Sangat know. Please spread the word about International Amritvela Day.
