I sing His Glories, I describe His Glories, I speak of His Glories, O my mother.
The Gurmukhs, my spiritual friends, bestow virtue. Meeting with my spiritual friends, I sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord.
The Diamond of the Guru has pierced the diamond of my mind, which is now dyed in the deep crimson color of the Name. II1II
O my Lord of the Universe, singing Your Glorious Praises, my mind is satisfied.
Within me is the thirst for the Lord's Name; may the Guru, in His Pleasure, grant it to me. II1IIPauseII
Let your minds be imbued with His Love, O blessed and fortunate ones. By His Pleasure, the Guru bestows His Gifts.
The Guru has lovingly implanted the Naam, the Name of the Lord, within me; I am a sacrifice to the True Guru
Without the True Guru, the Name of the Lord is not found, even though people may perform hundreds of thousands, even millions of rituals. II2II
Without destiny, the True Guru is not found, even though He sits within the home of our own inner being, always near and close at hand.
There is ignorance within, and the pain of doubt, like a separating screen.
Without meeting with the True Guru, no one is transformed into gold. The self-willed manmukh sinks like iron, while the boat is very close. II3II
The Boat of the True Guru is the Name of the Lord. How can we climb on board?
One who walks in harmony with the True Guru's Will comes to sit in this Boat.
Blessed, blessed are those very fortunate ones, O Nanak, who are united with the Lord through the True Guru. II4II3II67II
...Bless the Sangat by doing Keertan...
Inspirational Music
‘From the Primal One Has emanatde the Gurbani, and it has effaced all the anxiety’
With the inspirational music came the words of heaven and elevated humanity into a garden of exalted life. This music with the heavenly words came to Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji from the universe. Guru Sahib says, ‘as the word of the Lord comes to me, so do I utter, O Lalo.’
These are the universal words in the inspirational music of Bani. They are for all; for the high and low, for the saint and the sinner, for the thug and the benevolent, for the selfish and the generous, for the sinful woman and the nobles and purest woman. It gives solace to the afflicted. It comforts the soul that cries in pain. It is to be remembered in thick and thin. It cheers the sad and gives inspiration to all. It gives relief to the suffering and puts them to the tone of patience. The distressed and grieved find a ray of hope and happiness in the light of these amazing words. The agony of the depressed is lighted by the sweet and inspirational music that flows from Gurbani.
Raag Dhanaasaree, First Mehla:
Upon that cosmic plate of the sky, the sun and the moon are the lamps. The stars and their orbs are the studded pearls.
The fragrance of sandalwood in the air is the temple incense, and the wind is the fan. All the plants of the world are the altar flowers in offering to You, O Luminous Lord. II1II
What a beautiful Aartee, lamp-lit worship service this is! O Destroyer of Fear, this is Your Ceremony of Light.
The Unstruck Sound-current of the Shabad is the vibration of the temple drums. II1IIPauseII
You have thousands of eyes, and yet You have no eyes. You have thousands of forms, and yet You do not have even one.
You have thousands of Lotus Feet, and yet You do not have even one foot. You have no nose, but you have thousands of noses. This Play of Yours entrances me. II2II
Amongst all is the Light-You are that Light.
By this Illumination, that Light is radiant within all.
Through the Guru's Teachings, the Light shines forth.
That which is pleasing to Him is the lamp-lit worship service. II3II
My mind is enticed by the honey-sweet Lotus Feet of the Lord. Day and night, I thirst for them.
Bestow the Water of Your Mercy upon Nanak, the thirsty song-bird, so that he may come to dwell in Your Name. II4II3II
Such a great romance with nature is practice in this garland of words. With this beauty of words, Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji healed the suffering. With the touch of these words, he turned thugs into saints, the cannibals into altruistic human beings, the recreants into lions, and the cruel into humane beings.
Guru Sahib Ji teaches us love, sympathy, and compassion by arousing in us our own humanity and divinity. Our own humanity is soaked in mercy, kindness, and selfless service with the touch of Gurbani. Humility creeps into the life of Guru Ji’s Sikhs who surrenders himself in totality of the Guru. In the love of God, other virtues also glide into life to make it deal and consummate. Patience allures sobriety and temperance.
With patience a mother or a teacher listens to a child and develops self-confidence in him.
The wind of benevolence blows the fragrance of kindness, charity, liberty, and benignity in the garden of life and reaches it with forgiveness, righteousness, and justice. Life blooms with the colourful flowers of these holy and pious virtues with the Godly in nature. Kindness develops sympathy for others. Charity showers life with thoughtfulness and commiseration. Even the dark and gloomy corners of life bloom into happiness. It is the wonder touch of the Gurbani!
The feeling and spirit of righteousness and justice give courage even to the meek to stand for it at any cost. Discrimination and selfishness disappear from the garden of life, where these flowers of piety and sanctity bloom. Nature sows the seeds of solace and ecstasy with its invisible hand.
The saintly and holy words by means of inspirational music flow into life and create wonders in the garden of life. The prodigy astonishes life itself and waves of celestial music enliven every corner of life. The mind, the environment, the earth, the plants, the trees, the vegetation, the rocks, and sea are embraced and soaked in this heavenly music and holy words. Life becomes wondrous, startling with this inspirational music!
The Holy Sikh Scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the main spiritual authority for the Sikhs. The Sikhs hold unique high regards for their Granth (Literally “scripture”), which is treated as a living Guru (“religious master”). When Kirtan is sung, the lyrics are normally lines from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The Shabads (“Hymns”) of the Sikh Scriptures are primarily arranged in Chapters, which are names of musical Ragas (“musical theme”). Each of these Ragas is unique and all the Shabads in Guru Sahib have to be sung in that particular Raga. The title of the Shabad also has a numeric notation, which many believe gives the singers a clear idea of the Tala or musical rhythm or beat that needs to be used for that hymn.
Raag Siree Raag, First Section, First House:
If I had a palace made of pearls, inlaid with jewels, Scented with musk, saffron and sandalwood, a sheer delight to behold. Seeing this, I might go astray and forget You, and Your Name would not enter into my mind. II1II
Ragas in Kirtan
Ragas have a direct relationship to human moods and the following are the connections between Ragas and feeling:
Soohi - joy and separation
Bilaaval - happiness
Gaund - strangeness, surprise, beauty
Sri - satisfaction and balance
Maajh - loss, beautification
Gauri - seriousness
Aasa - making effort
Gujri - satisfaction, softness of heart, sadness
Devgandhari - no specific feeling but the Raag has a softness
Bihaagra - beautification
Sorath - motivation
Dhanasari - inspiration, motivation
Jaitsree - softness, satisfaction, sadness
Todi - this being a flexible Raag it is apt for communicating many feelings
Bhairaagi - sadness, (Gurus have, however, used it for the message of *Bhakti)
Tilang - this is a favourite Raag of Muslims. It denotes feeling of beautification and yearning. Raamkali - calmness
Nat Narayan - happiness
Maali Gaura - happiness
Maaru - giving up of cowardice
Tukhari - beautification
Kedara - love and beautification
Bhairav - seriousness, brings stability of mind
Basant - happiness
Sarang - sadness
Malaar - separation
Jaijawanti - viraag
Kalyaan - Bhakti Ras
Vadhans - vairaag, loss
Parbhati - Bhakti and seriousness
Kaanra - Bhakti and seriousness
In connection with Tala or musical beats/rhythms and the ‘Ghar’ in the SGGS, the following can be concluded.
GHAR 1 - DADRA TAAL (There are 1 Taalis and the Beat has 6 Maatraas)
GHAR 2 - RUPAK TAAL (There are 2 Taalis and the Beat has 7 Maatraas)
GHAR 3 - TEEN TAAL (There 3 Taalis and the Beat has 16 Maatraas)
GHAR 4 - CHAAR TAAL (There are 4 Taalis and the Beat has 12 Maatraas)
GHAR 5 - PUNJ TAAL (There are 5 Taalis and the Beat has 15 Maatraas)
GHAR 6 - KHUT TAAL (There are 6 Taalis and the Beat has 18 Maatraas)
GHAR 7 - MUT TAAL (There are 7 Taalis and the Beat has 21 Maatraas)
GHAR 8 - ASHT MANGAL TAAL (There are 8 Taalis and the Beat has 22 Maatraas)
GHAR 9 - MOHINI TAAL (There are 9 Taalis and the Beat has 23 Maatraas)
GHAR 10 - BRAHAM TAAL (There are 10 Taalis and the Beat has 28 Maatraas)
GHAR 11 - RUDRA TAAL (There are 11 Taalis and the Beat has 32 Maatraas)
GHAR 12 - VISHNU TAAL (There are 12 Taalis and the Beat has 36 Maatraas)
GHAR 13 - MUCHKUND TAAL (There are 13 Taalis and the Beat has 34 Maatraas)
GHAR 14 - MAHASHANI TAAL (There are 14 Taalis and the Beat has 42 Maatraas)
GHAR 15 - MISHR BARAN TAAL (There are 15 Taalis and the Beat has 47 Maatraas)
GHAR 16 - KUL TAAL (There are 16 Taalis and the Beat has 42 Maatraas)
GHAR 17 - CHRCHARI TAAL (There are 17 Taalis and the Beat has 40 Maatraas)
Between the Lord and His Saint, there is no difference at all. Among hundreds of thousands and millions, there is scarcely one humble being. Those whose hearts are illuminated by God, sing the Kirtan of His Praises night and day with their tongues. II3II
Immortal Gift of Holy Kirtan
Kirtan restores the forgotten and lost glory of the soul. In the ecstasy of holy Kirtan, ‘I’ ego melts and gets dissolved in the infinity of Supreme Nam. ‘I’ ego melts and gets dissolved in “Thou” and that is the most wonderful spiritual experience of this holy Kirtan...
Of inestimable significance is the composition of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Divine Poetry. Lovers of God invariably choose to express and communicate their mystic experiences in this language of love, language of spirit. Musicality adopted in the composition is also unique. It awakens deeper layers of human heart and consciousness. It encompasses what is otherwise indescribable and incommunicable. Divine wisdom is laced with sweat melodious fragrance. This divine melody tunes the soul with Rhythm Eternal.
It is all composed in mystic poetry. It was cast into 31 musical measures (Ragas). It is a natural flow of the divine ecstasy of Lovers of God. Language used being the spoken language of the people is simple and easily understandable. Music is the medium of expression of deep spirituality. It is natural outcome and flow of religion of love. It transports others also to the realm of divinity. He thus passed on an inexhaustible treasure of Celestial Music and an inexhaustible divine source of Holy Kirtan for posterity. He preaches the whole range of spirituality with his lyrical power, singing the Glory of the Lord to the accompaniment of a Tambura (a musical instrument) with the touch of His Holy Hands. His Grace flows in torrents through these hymns and fills the hearts with intense devotion, stimulates humility and stirs Amrit Nam latent in the soul.
Holy Kirtan acts as a powerful arrow piercing through the heart. This is the way the Guru injects love and purity through His powerful Bani.
Every hymn of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a monument of direct and experienced divine love. In these hymns some are transported with Bliss, some are driven into raptures of love, some are reduced to utter humility-some fall head-long in total reverence. This is the magical effect. Holy Kirtan is a sure divine prescription, in this Dark Age, for the cure of all ills of life. Holy Kirtan releases Divine Power, Influence and Potencies which envelop the soul and the whole atmosphere with tremendous impact and effect.
Divine music being the language of the spirit transcends all barriers. It is in these holy melodies of the soul that all lovers of God, Hindus and Muslims, high caste and low caste, outcaste and untouchables, sing in soul-stirring unison the Glory of the Sole God in this Holiest of the Holy Scriptures called Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
What I found is Peace
I seek Wahe-Guru
What I found is Courage
I seek Wahe-Guru
What I found is Soul
I seek Wahe-Guru
What I found is God
What I found is Love
I seek Wahe-Guru
What I found is Tears
I seek Wahe-Guru
What I found is Light
I seek Wahe-Guru
What I found is Pride
I seek Wahe-Guru
What I found is Me
Martyrdom anniversary of
Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji
During the Guruship of Guru Arjan many thousands of the native people had began to follow the teachings of Sikhism and both the Hindus and Muslims were crowding to Gobindwal, the centre of Sikh during the late 1500's. Guru Arjan Sahib Maharaj’s act of total surrender and devotion, of willing to give his head is commemorated every year. It was through his selfless courage, absolute love, and total fearlessness that he became the first martyr in Sikhi.
But how did Guru Arjan Sahib Ji become fearless, and selfless? How was he raised by his mother, to have such a consciousness? Everyone has the Light of the Divine within them. That is never the question. But to live that Light unto death - that is a matter of training and the mother is the first training ground of the soul. What values did His mothers instil in him? What discipline? What stories? How did His mothers teach him? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had a parenting book for Sikhs based on how Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s Mother raised him?
...Truly, Bibi Bhaniji must have been a Khalsa Mother, even though the Khalsa had not yet come to life...
Bibi BhaniJi has a unique place in the Sikh history. She is the noble lady who was, Daughter of a Guru (Guru Amardas),Wife of a Guru (Guru Ram Das),Mother of a Guru (Guru Arjan Dev),Grandmother of a Guru (Guru Hargobind),Great Grandmother of a Guru (Guru Tegh Bahadar)and Great, Great Grandmother of a Guru (Guru Gobind Singh).
Whether we consider her as a Daughter or Mother. She was a symbol of service. In the Sikh history, she is known as an embodiment of service. There is special status of Bibi Bhani in the life of Guru Amardas by the way she cared for her father proving that there was no difference between a son and a daughter. Both can equally serve their parents
She was married in the beginning of 1553. She served Bhai Jetha (Sri Guru Ram Das Ji) not only as a husband but also as a saint. She was so contented that she never complained about the poverty of her in-laws. She kept serving her father even after her marriage, as her in-laws were local. She continued doing her worldly duties along with the service of her father. Her husband continued serving in the common kitchen even after his marriage. They had three sons, Prithi Chand, Maha Dev, and Arjan Dev. Prithi Chand was arrogant, lazy, and dishonest, but still wanted the Guruship after his father. He wanted that his Mother should recommend him for Guruship. She advised him that the decision made by his father would be on merit and she remained neutral. When Guru Arjan Dev was selected for Guruship, Prithi Chand misbehaved with his father.
Bibi Bhani snubbed Prithi Chand and admonished him. She said to him that the decision made by his father was impartial. This has been the tradition from the time of Guru Nanak. She also said, “Your father was also selected on the basis of his service and humility.” Bibi Bhani always stood for truth.
After the death of Guru Ram Das, Bibi Bhani helped her son, Guru Arjan Dev, in every activity undertaken by him and advised him She persuaded Guru Arjan Dev to remarry after the death of his first wife. It seems Guru Arjan Dev has mentioned her blessings and advice in one of his hymns given on Ang 496 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib:
Goojaree, Fifth Mehla:
Remembering Him, all sins are erased, and ones generations are saved.
So meditate continually on the Lord, Har, Har; He has no end or limitation. II1II
O son, this is your mother's hope and prayer, that you may never forget the Lord,
Har, Har, even for an instant. May you ever vibrate upon the Lord of the Universe. II1IIPauseII
May the True Guru be kind to you, and may you love the Society of the Saints.
May the preservation of your honor by the Transcendent Lord be your clothes, and may the singing of His Praises be your food. II2II
So drink in forever the Ambrosial Nectar; may you live long, and may the meditative remembrance of the Lord give you infinite delight.
May joy and pleasure be yours; may your hopes be fulfilled, and may you never be troubled by worries. II3II
Let this mind of yours be the bumble bee, and let the Lord's feet be the lotus flower. Says servant Nanak, attach your mind to them, and blossom forth like the song-bird, upon finding the rain-drop. II4II3II4II
Mata Ganga Ji was the wife of Sri Guru Arjan Dev, and Mother of Sri Guru HarGobind ji. She had her only son that too, after a long time into her marriage. Mata Ganga Ji (Guru Ji's wife) once expressed a wish to be blessed with a son.
Guru Arjan Dev ji said to her "Ask not me but a pious Sikh like Baba Buddha Ji".
Mata Ji went to see Baba Ji taking with her many richly prepared dishes. Baba Ji was not happy, "I am but a grass cutter of the House of Guru Nanak how can I grant you what you wish?" Mata Ji returned home and told Guru ji what had happened.
Guru Ji said "Mata Ji do as I say, prepare a simple meal. Make missi roti (bread made of wheat and lentils) with your own hands and take some onions and lassi (butter milk) and walk with humility in your heart. Mata Ji did as she was asked. She humbly presented the food, Baba Ji was pleased. As he ate he blessed Mata Ji
Although Mata Ji only received the blessings to live a life of humility and humbleness, soon, she was blessed with her only son, who was named HarGobind. Sri Guru HarGobind Ji became the sixth Guru of the Sikhs.
At the birth of his Son, Guru Ji uttered the following Sabad:
"The True Guru sent me a son;
A long-lived son hath been born by destiny.
When he took his dwelling in the womb,
His mother's heart was exceedingly glad.
The destiny recorded in the beginning hath become manifest to all.
By God's order the boy hath been born in the tenth month.
(Asa Mohalla 5, Ang-396)
Master of Martyrs
As a religious centre was a need of the Sikhs, a sacred book of their own scripture was needed for the Sikhs. It was necessary to focus on the Sikhs physically and as well mentally and spiritually. With this realism of vision of Guru Arjan Dev Ji dictated the hymns of the first four Gurus and himself, including the hymns of Hindu and Muslim saints in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This compilation was completed in 1604. there ware more than 2000 hymns contributed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji himself. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is, but, One Song, One Idea, One Light. It conveys the message of love, light and life.
Thousands of Hindus and Muslims wer fascinated by the beauty of Guru Sahib Ji’s spirit, his piety, and saintliness. This stirred the bigotry of Emperor Jahangeer and he looked for an excuse to end this movement. A charge of sedition was brought up against the Guru Sahib. Guru Ji was arrested and he was brought to Lahore. Jahangeer ordered Guru Arjan Dev Ji to death by torture. He was handed to Diwan Chandu who bore a grudge against Guru Sahib Ji.
Chandu, the officer of Jahangeer, was in charge of torturing Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib told them,
"I bear NO ENEMIES or ill-will against any one. All happens as God Almighty wills it to happen. I am prepared to ACCEPT HIS WILL. You may do what you like".
Day 1 of Torture:
Guru Jee was not given anything to EAT or DRINK. He was not allowed to sleep at night. He was KEPT AWAKE. Guru Sahib bore all this calmly. He remained immersed in Simran and repeated from his lips, "WaaheGuroo, WaaheGuroo, WaaheGuroo..." and sang Shabads from Gurbaani.
Day 2 of Torture:
On the following day, Chandu made the Guru sit in a BIG COPPER VESSEL. He filled the vessel with water. He ordered his men to light a fire under the copper vessel. The water began to get hot. After a time, the water began to boil. It SCALDED the Guru Sahib's body. But Guru Jee sat calmly and quietly. He felt no pain, nor did he cry out or even sigh. He felt no anger against those who were torturing him. He remained absorbed in the sweet remembrance of Waheguru and repeated,
"All is happening, O Waheguru, according to Thy Will.
Thy Will is ever sweet to me."
The boiling water made the Guru's flesh soft and left blisters all over the body.
Day 3 of Torture:
On the third day, Chandu ordered his men, "Make some sand red hot in iron pans. Seat the Guru in BOILING WATER. Then pour the RED HOT SAND on his head and body". The water boiled Guru Sahib's flesh from below. The burning red-hot sand burned Guru Jee's head and body from above. The persons engaged in torturing him were wet with sweat. They felt most uncomfortable because of the heat. It was the hottest summer month. But Guru Sahib kept calm and quiet. Again, Guru Jee felt no pain, nor did he cry out, sigh or feel anger. He kept thinking of Waheguru and doing Simran. Guru Jee repeated:
teraa kee-aa meethaa laagai.
O Waheguru! Your actions seem so sweet to me.
har naam padaarath naanak maaNgai.
Nanak begs for the treasure of the Naam, the Name of the Lord.
Baba Mian Meer Jee (a Muslim Sufi Saint and friend of Guru Sahib) tried to intercede on behalf of Guru Sahib but Guru Jee forbid him to interfere in the "Will of the Almighty". Guru Sahib said,
"All is happening in accordance with WAHEGURU's WILL. Men who stand for Truth have often to SUFFER. Their sufferings give STRENGTH to the cause of Truth. Go, brother. Pray for me. Pray for the success of my cause. Pray for VICTORY to TRUTH."
Day 4 of Torture:
On the fourth day, Guru Jee was made to sit on an IRON PLATE. It was heated from below. The iron plate became RED HOT with the heat. Guru Jee's flesh began to be ROASTED. Burning RED-HOT SAND was poured on his body. Guru Sahib sat calm and quite, without a cry or sigh, feeling no physical pain. He sat with his mind fixed on Waheguru and physically living the message of Gurbaani and accepting the Will of Waheguru sweetly.
Day 5 of Torture:
On the fifth day, Guru Sahib was taken the RIVER RAVI bounded in shackles. Guru Sahib's physical body was covered with burns and blisters. To add to the torture Guru Jee was thrown into the river, never to come back out, attaining shaheedi (martyrdom).
Bhai Gurdas Ji writes about this martyrdom: “Profound indeed was Guru Arjan’s Martyrdom. As a fish swims into the depth of flowing water; so Guru Arjan swam deep into the Eternal Stream of Lord’s presence. As the moth flings its body into the flame sacrificing itself on it, so Guru Arjan Ji submitted his body to the torture of fire and heat and blended his should with undying Flam of God.”
When King Jahangeer summoned Guru Arjan Dev Ji, his Mother encouraged him to face the difficulties boldly. When Guru Ji was tortured and the news of his martyrdom reached the family, she maintained her composure and did not let her Daughter-in-law, Guru Arjan Dev’s wife, and 11 year-old grandson, Hargobind, lose heart.
She advised them to abide by God’s will. She encouraged her grandson to face the new situation bravely.
She left this world in 1598 at the age of 65 at Tarn Taran where she was serving the lepers. Guru Arjan Dev Ji had a well constructed in her memory at Tarn Taran. It is still known as the Well of Bibi Bhani.
We can safely call her the embodiment of service,
truth, endurance, obedience, and humility.
She will always be remembered for
the unique service rendered by her to her Father.
She has the distinction of being the
Mother of the first Sikh martyr, Guru Arjan Dev,
Great-Grandmother of the second
Sikh martyr, Guru Tegh Bahadur,
and Great-Great- Grandmother of Guru Gobind Singh,
who sacrificed himself and his four sons for the sake of justice.
Thus she belongs to a family
whose seven members were martyred.
Source: Manvir Singh's Blog
On the day Sri Guru Hargobind Singh Ji ascended the spiritual throne, he asked Baba Buddha Ji to enrobe him with a sword instead of the traditional ‘seli’ (ribbob) of renunciation that Guru Nanak Dev Ji had handed over to his successors. Sri Hargobind Singh Ji bowed to the ‘seli’, but put it aside. Thus, Baba Buddha Ji embosomed Guru Ji with a sword (KIrpan). Guru Sahib Ji asked for another sword, and wore two swords. They were emblems of spiritual and temporal authority, commonly referred to as, the Miri – Piri. They symbolized Bhakti and Shakti.
Guru Sahib Ji addressed his Sikhs and urged them bring about a change in their attitudes. He preached on strength and spirituality. He urged the Sikhs to have weapons and horses, and to practice their defensive tactics on a daily routine. Guru Sahib Ji spoke highly of physical activity in the lives of the Sikhs, through wrestling, Kabadi, Gatka, Horse-riding, and to learn various martial arts. He also wanted the Sikhs to learn how to live in the Jungles and hunt in the jungles.
“Weakness is a sin and Sikhs must get rid of it. We will make use of the sword to blunt the sword of oppression, injustice, and cruelty. We will fight for justice and not beg for it.”
– Sri Guru Hargobind Singh Ji
His writings and teachings kindled the emotions from deep slumber and made everyone aware of his basic human rights. Every Sikh should shun fear and dedicate his life to eliminate tyranny and oppression.
Wielding the sword to protect the weak and oppressed, to uphold truth and righteousness would become the way of life. This new inspiration and dedication brought about a revolutionary change in the way of Sikh life. During Guru Sahib Ji’s time, Sikhs from across the land came to him, to offer their lives for the protection of Sikhs, all they asked for in exhcnage was shelter, clothing and food.
Soon, Guru Sahib Ji had an army of dedicated saint soldiers to serve under his command. Guru Hargobind Singh Ji fought four wars and won all of them. In the forth battle, Guru Ji had to fight aginst Painde Khan, who had deserted Guru Ji and joined the Mughal army. He was a forlorn orphan brought up by Guru Ji himself. He was given education and all the necessary training in the use of all kinds of arms.
When Guru Ji came face to face with Painde Khan, he gave him the option to strike first. Painde Khan, struck three times, but failed to harm Guru Ji. Then the Master of Miri-Piri gave him a strong and dextrous blow with his sword and Painde Khan was mortally wounded. He fell down from his horse and lying bleeding on the ground. The Master came down from his horse, and took him in his arms. Guru Ji asked him to recite the Kalma as he was dying.
Painde Khan was amazed, Guru Ji had come down from his horse to help him. Painde Khan responded to his Guru Ji, “O’ Master! From your sword I have already tasted the Elixir of Immortality. The cut by your sword is my Kalma now.”
The Sixth Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Singh Ji built the Akal Takht (The Throne of Timeless) and equipped himself with two swords so that no one had to suffer repression and humiliation. He waged four battles. He exhorted the Sikhs to lead a life of independence. He was a soldier and an altruist of unparalleled standing, a far reaching darvesh (seer) who was much sought after in Kiratpur.
My sword is my companion my warrior and friend,
Not to be offensive but sworn to defend,
The infusion of steel runs through my veins,
Making me immune from sorrow and pain,
My sword is the protector of the needy and poor,
When oppression becomes a disease my sword is the cure,
My sword sings the song of selfless love,
It lives in harmony with law from above,
The flash of my Guru’s sword awakens the sleeping soul,
Without the sword I can never be whole,
The sword of the Guru is the giver of life,
Before the soul was barren now it is ripe,
I am the saint and the soldier that walks in peace,
I am the humble dust of your feet,
But don’t think my spirituality makes me weak,
The heavens will roar if my sword were to speak,
Death is my bride, fear is my friend,
My Guru’s path is the map heaven sent,
To Follow the path, surrender your whole,
The power of the Guru’s sword will give light to your soul.
Later on during the fighting, her husband ran out of ammunition and they had to surrender. All of them were told to stand in a line and were about to be shot when an army officer came by and asked that a few men were needed. The requirement was of a Granthee Singh and a Ragee Jatha in order to perform keertan at Darbaar Sahib. Bhai Harbhajan Singh Jee was picked out of the line to play tabla but the Singhs alongside him were killed. He explained that his wife, Rano, knew how he might not sacrifice himself for the Khalsa Panth and she warned him against this. Nonetheless, the Punjab police killed him two years later.This is how Bibi Ravinder Kaur Jee lived the true life of a Gursikh and finally died as a martyr doing seva of Khalsa Panth.
In God we trust, in God we must dwell.
Forget politicians and the lies they tell.
The Indian government comes straight from hell.
For a few rupees - their soul, they will sell.
Twenty three years later, and who's in Punjab?
The same criminals, the government and the mob.
The corrupt police, the corrupt 'Sikh' leadership.
holding onto their power with an ever tighter grip.
What have we learned, what will our response be?
will we react and be macho, stupid, and angry?
Will we yell and scream about an ill-defined country?
Or will we quitely gain power through the perfect bani?
They know that they cannot defeat us, that's why they attack,
they're afraid of our purity, something they totally lack.
Our purity belongs to WaheGuru, so too does victory,
by the grace of God we live in Dharma, not depravity.
We are the Khalsa, and we shall totally rule.
Don't be manipulated, don't be a fool.
We are not bound to a small piece of land,
the infinite is within us, we must understand.
Dirty politics and fanatic behaviors,
belong elsewhere, they're not our saviors.
We have all the power of the universe within,
refining ourselves is where we should begin.
Bana, Bani, Seva, and Simran
with these, we shall always win.
Let us remember WaheGuru, and we shall be set.
Let it be WaheGuru that we never forget.
Let it be WaheGuru that we never forget.
Let it be WaheGuru that we never forget.
For the Mind, Body and Soul
June 8th @ 2 pm - June10th @ 4 pm
Join in a spiritual retreat to heal the inner self. Designed for spiritual and emotional upliftment as well as fun!
Activities include: Meditation, PT, Amrit Vela, Gurbani, Kundalini Yoga, Gatka, Workshops on Ayurvedic health & well being, Fun evening activities and more!
Please Bring: Ramal or head covering, sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, yoga mat, comfortable clothing for exercise & yoga, suits for Gurudwara, runners, rain jacket, water bottle, pen and notebook.
Location: Gurdwara Sahib Guru Nanak Prakash. Aldergrove, BC
Fee: $100
To register contact: Inderjit Kaur 604-596-3868
Salindran Kaur 778-881-4318
ik.kaur@yahoo.com
This retreat is open to all women, but please note that the main language medium will be Punjabi. Please spread the word!
Thank you
