On this day…

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

I received a lots of messages congratulating me on the Parkash utsav of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Why congraturlate me? And what about the other Gurpurab today.

Guru Tegh Bhadur Sahib ji gave up his head on this day – why dont we congratulate each other about that. The only time in history has this happened. Guru Sahib gave up his life so that others can practice their religion.

According to some sources on this date Guru Gobind Singh ji was appointed Guru on this very day. How come there is no mention of that?

Anyway I leave you with an excerpt from an email I received by Inderpreet Veerji.

On the topic of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary I thought I would share with you the words of a great scholar, commentator, philosopher, poet, administrator (he was the first jathedar of the Akal Takhat) and, in general, thought leader of the Sikhs. This is what Bhai Gurdas ji wrote about the coming of Guru Nanak many many years ago.

Imagine, if you will, walking in an area where one cannot see anything because of mist, dust, and darkness. Then suddenly the mist and dust clears and resplendent light shines bright. Imagine, if you will, a dark night with only the occasional twinkle of stars in the sky that may seem beautiful but really don't give aid to the direction of our walking path. Then suddenly the sun rises, the skies are bright and the sparkling stars are over taken by the bright shining light of the sun - now one can see where they are walking. Imagine, if you will, a jungle with quiet and calm deer munching along in the brushes and grass and suddenly the sovereign lion comes out of the trees and roars loudly communicating its presence. The deer scatter away in fear as the king of the jungle has come to establish its empire. That was the feeling when Guru Nanak came to this earth. Wherever the great Baba went, there was established a place of learning. All the hearts he touched became active with remembrance of the Divine and all the homes he visited became active with societal and community service. The pursuit of Truth became the passion for everyone and this revolution hit everywhere. Such was the coming of Guru Nanak, the First Prophet of the Sikh Nation...

In this var Bhai Gurdas ji has established the uniqueness and the strength of the first Master of our Nation. The coming of Guru Nanak is best celebrated by understanding our place in world society. By understanding our scripture, practicing our way of life and living - not resting - on the laurels of our history.

Congratulations on the celebrations of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak - the First Prophet of the Sikhs.

Var 1, Pauri 27 - Varan Bhai Gurdas

Carhdi Kala

P.S. - Translation based on "Varan Bhai Gurdas - Text Transliteration and Translation - Dr. Jodh Singh"

Before I end this post I leave you with a shabad – Bin Tail Deeva Kyo Jale – sung by Dr Gurnam Singh ji.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Angad Singh

Gur Arjan Vitoh Kurbani

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Guru Arjan sahib saheedi was the very first saheedi in sikh history. After him, numerous including the Guru sahibs who followed gave up their lives but not their faith.

Guru Arjan Sahib has contributed to the development of Sikhism in numerous ways. Hecompleted the building of the Harimander Sahib, The Adi Granth and contributed the most number or shabads and saloks in the Guru Granth Sahib, the most famous being Sukhmani Sahib.

To Read on about Guru Arjan Sahib ji life please click here

Gur Arjan Vitoh Kurbani

At the 17th minute in this recording the legendary Bhai Dharam Singh Zakhmi ji explains what shaeed means. No offense to anyone but not every Sikh who dies can be called a shaeed. He goes on to talk about Guru sahib’s life and how he was educated who was instrumental in his upbringing etc..i leave it for you to listen to it yourself for the details.

 Some other compositions of Guru Arjan Sahib

Gun Naad Dhun Anhad Bhed

this composition is a purataan reet said to have been sung in guru sahibs durbar, this composition is sung in the dhrupad ang in chaartal of 12 beats

Mohan Neend Na Aveh Haveh

Again a puratan reet..this is a partal sung in raag bilaval. Guru Ram Das ji and Guru Arjan Sahib ji were 2 guru sahibs who gave us partaals.

With this I would like to end this post

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Angad Singh

Baddal’s at it AGAIN!

Theif Minister…oops I mean Chief Minister of punjab is upto his anti panthi activites…click here to read on..

Sorry I have not been posting much. I haven’t had much time. The term is going by very fast. Amardeep Ji is holding a 6 month long Japji Course which I am attending I will post some summaries from his lectures and his slides (after I ask him). There are no recordings being done as he is not comfortable with that.

Have a blessed week ahead!

Guru Rakaha

Angad

Sikhweb: A Lifeline for the Faith

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

An article on Sikhs and the positive effects of the internet written by Neha Singh Gohil for The Columbia Journalist. Neha had written to me sometime ago with regards to the turban tying video.

Click to read the article

Guru Ang Sang!

Angad Singh

Mid Term Recess!

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Today is the start of mid term recess. This means half the term has whizzed pass! The second half of the term will be even busy as I will have numerous projects and tests coming up so next half will go by at a faster pace.

Fortunately for me this term break coincides with the Chinese New year so we do not have any school related work to do for at least the next 4 or 5 days!! =) That gives me enough time to put together all the necessary documents need to in order apply for internships.

Yesterday I went to the Gurudawara Sahib and I picked up a lot of old copies of the Sikh Review. I intend to read them over this coming week. I will share any interesting articles I come across. Also I bought the book on Gurbani Vyakran by Prof Sahib Singh ji.

Also at present I am reading the book “Aad Beer Baare” – About the compilation of the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by Prof Sahib Singh ji. I am more than half way through the book. I totally love the way he has written and challenged numerous sources on the lack of logical reasoning( in context of the teachings of Guru Sahib) in determining how the Guru Granth Sahib ji was compiled.

The shabad I have been listening to off late is ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਕਉਨੁ ਸਹਾਈ ਮਨ ਕਾ.This shabad is written by Bhagat Kabeer Ji. In this shabad Kabeer ji says what is the point on relying on a mortal when they will be gone tomorrow. He adds that our mind is like a bird and likes to wander around and in order to harness it one needs to be in the saad sangat. Prof Sahib Singh ji has explaied this shabad in greater detail.

ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਕਉਨੁ ਸਹਾਈ ਮਨ ਕਾ sung by Narinder Singh Banarasi

Enjoy your weekend!

Guru Rakaha

Angad

Mohan Neend Na Aveh Haveh!

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Sorry for not having updated my blog earlier, I have been quite busy in the last two weeks. The next few weeks I am going to be busy as well. We are moving house soon so there is lots of work to do.

In addition Malaysian Samelan is less than two weeks away(YAY!). If any of you are coming and do recognize me, please come up to me, I as usual am generally lost in my own world. I might bring my dilruba along to play with some of my friends during kirtan, lets see what happens.

In today’s post I intend to share with you a shabad that is close to my heart, mohn nId n AwvY hwvY hwr kjr bsqR ABrn kIny ] As this shabad has 2 rahao’s I would recommend you read the shabad in the following manner.

1st Rahao, 1st Antra, 2nd Rahao, 2nd Antra

rwgu iblwvlu mhlw 5 Gru 13 pVqwl
<> siqgur pRswid ]

mohn nId n AwvY hwvY hwr kjr bsqR ABrn kIny ]
aufInI aufInI aufInI ]
kb Gir AwvY rI ]1] rhwau ]

srin suhwgin crn sIsu Dir ]
lwlnu moih imlwvhu ]
kb Gir AwvY rI ]1]

sunhu shyrI imln bwq khau sgro AhM imtwvhu qau Gr hI lwlnu pwvhu ]
qb rs mMgl gun gwvhu ]
Awnd rUp iDAwvhu ]
nwnku duAwrY AwieE ]
qau mY lwlnu pwieE rI ]2]

mohn rUpu idKwvY ]
Ab moih nId suhwvY ]
sB myrI iqKw buJwnI ]
Ab mY shij smwnI ]
mITI iprih khwnI ]
mohnu lwlnu pwieE rI ] rhwau dUjw ]1]128]

This shabad is written by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the 5th Nanak. As indicated in the Sirlekh( title), this shabad is a partaal shabad. To read more about partaals and their structure please read : Partaals

Personally I feel when you read this shabad in the manner I have mentioned above, the meaning of the shabad comes out so beautifully that there isnt much left to explain any more.

This term went by really fast and a lot has happened on the personal and work( school) front. My courses this term were rather heavy and Master ji( my kirtan teacher) has been grilling me quite a fair bit.

In the last few days, I have been reflecting on what happened in the last few months cause at the end of it all I felt there was something missing. I could not understand what it was. However, I did realize that I haven’t been to the gurudawara on my own for some time now. I make it a point to go to gurudawara sahib in the afternoons when no one is around and I just sit with guru sahib and soak in the vibrations. I went to guru sahib and sat with him, before I was to leave, this shabad were the words guru sahib spoke to me.

Mohan Neend Na Aveh Haveh

this shabad reet has been rendered by Bhai Avtar Singh ji and his brother Bhai Gurcharan Singh ji.

Guru Ang Sang!

Angad

Guru Tegh Bhadur Sahib Ji

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

 

Today is the day when Guru Teg Bhadur Sahib gave up his life in order to fight for those who could not defend themselves.

 

However, this does not mean that the Sikhs were made to protect hindus and cause now they face no more threat there is no reason for sikhs to have their roop.

 

Prof Dharshan Singh ji has explained very welll in this lecture title Na Hum Hindu

 

I have listen to this lecture about 2 years ago and I plan to listen to it again after my exams. I am afraid I wont be able to talk much about it before that. Though I would encourage you to download and listen to this.

Have a great weekend ahead.

Guru Ang Sang

Angad

Pachtaehga Mun, Ram Simar

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Over the last 10 days or so I have been listening to a recording that was done at a kirtan durbar in the UK . Prof Surinder Singh ji (Raj Academy) and his students very beautifully rendered three shabads. I particually liked the first one. The shabad is as below:

kbIru ] mwrU ]

rwmu ismru pCuqwihgw mn ]
pwpI jIArw loBu krqu hY Awju kwil auiT jwihgw ]1] rhwau ]

wlc lwgy jnmu gvwieAw mwieAw Brm Bulwihgw ]
Dn jobn kw grbu n kIjY kwgd ijau gil jwihgw ]1]

jau jmu Awie kys gih ptkY qw idn ikCu n bswihgw ]
ismrnu Bjnu dieAw nhI kInI qau muiK cotw Kwihgw ]2]

Drm rwie jb lyKw mwgY ikAw muKu lY kY jwihgw ]
khqu kbIru sunhu ry sMqhu swDsMgiq qir jWihgw ]3]1]

This shabad in found on Ang 1106

The shabad is very simple and its easy to understand.

Basically Kabir Ji tells us that if you dont to sewa and simran and just waste yr time building materialist things you are going to go back empty handed and this life, the gift from god would go waste. He concludes by saying it is the Sadh Sangat that will help you do sewa and simran.

I am not sure if its just me but I have found a lot of Kabir Ji’s shabads very easy to understand in terms of the language. The message no doubt is profound.

Click here to download the shabads.

The other two shabads in this recording are very well rendered as well. They are Gur Ka Bachan Basay Jee Naa Lay in Raag Dhanasri and Ghol Ghumaee Lalna in Raag Thukari.

Have a blessed week ahead!
Guru Ang Sang!

Angad

Experiencing Sikhism!

Ramala for the Guru, originally uploaded by Gurumustuk Singh.

On 22’nd October was the Guru Gaddi Day of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Most of us did not even know this!!

Most of the Sikhi’s went around wishing each other Happy Diwali/ Bandi Chor and doing the Bandi Chor Sakhi with the kids.  And the Guru Gaddi Day was just a passing event.However,the scene at Espanola, New Mexio was very very different..

Read on to see what they did.

The children of the Sangat have been working on a gift for the Guru all month. First they learned the story of the orphan Jetha (Guru Ram Das’ name as a child – means “first born”) and how he sold wheat berries in the streets of Goindwal to provide for his grandmother and himself. They then took packages of wheat berries around to the offices here and sold them for $1 each, explaining their project to everyone. With the money collected material was purchased for a Ramala designed by the children. Each child decorated a square and these were put together by Guru Nam Kaur. This creative Ramala, blessed with the innocence of our children, will be presented to the Guru Sunday, Guru Gaddee Day, with each child taking part.

Uploaded by Gurumustuk Singh on 23 Oct ’06, 11.03am MYT.
spacer image

This is truly experiencing Sikhism!

Thanks to Gurumustuk Singh Ji for sharing this with us.

Guru Ang Sang!

Angad

Gurbani tells how to handle waggy tongues

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Hope all of you had a nice weekend.

I do not know about other communities but I know for sure that there are lot of waggy tongues our particular community. I am sure at some point in time of like all of us have been slandered at. I for one was confused how to react to it. Thanks to my Praji I was able to handle the situation with grace.

I am wiriting this to share with you a wonderful article on how to handle slander.

inMdau inMdau mo kau logu inMdau ]

Slander me, slander me — go ahead, people, slander me. Slander (being slandered)
is pleasing to God’s humble servant….(sggs 339)
click here to read this article

Have a blessed week

Akaal Sahee

Angad Singh

Gosh!! Whats Happening??

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

These pictures were taken at Harminder Sahib when I went there on the 17th of June.Read the gurmukhi and then the english.

Kudos to the SGPC for having good intentions by putting sign boards in English so that people like me who have issues reading Gurmukhi are not totally lost. However, I wonder how ignorant/careless they are that they do not even want to insure that the translation even makes sense grammatically.

On reading such boards I wonder how much incorrect translation has aided in the decline of Sikhism. In addition if they are as careless and ignorant what about the Gurmukhi, is that perfect?

Some common incorrect translations:

Guru Granth Sahib ji – Holy book of the Sikhs. Since when did our guru sahib become a holy book? As a result Guru Sahib is not give the status of Guru. We may bow in front of it but we dont really regard it as the guru do we? When the Hukamnama is taken most of the sangat is in a hurry to rush out. Or when we go through a though time we start going to babas and such people.

Harminder Sahib- Golden Temple

Jathedar – Head Priest Vedanti is referred to as the Head priest since when did Sikhs have priests

Gyani – A Sikh Priest a better translation would be a person who knows about the Guru Granth Sahib or a Sikhism Teacher.

If I have missed out any please feel free to add them.

The point I am making is let stick to Gurmukhi as much as we can and avoid the translations as they are only as good as the translator. Also when we need to explain lets not try to get the message across without resorting to terms like ” the bible of the sikhs”, “preist”,etc. Lets make an effort to explain the correct meaning.

I did not learn Gumukhi as a kid so today I am still grappling with reading it takes time but seriously its worth the effort.

A good place to start is to read the Hukamnams or meanings of any shabads in Darpan written by Professor Sahib Singh Ji. I have not started doing that as yet but I am going to start on it before this month comes to an end.

Guru Ang Sang

Angad

Books for you!

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Today I intend to share with you 2 books. Bandagi Nama and Sundri. I was able to find softcopies of both these books so you can print then and read if you do not have access to the hard copies.

Bandagi Nama – communion with the devine is an amazing book that talks about the various stages of our spiritual growth. The author Raghu Bir Singh Bir shares his expirences and that is why when you read the book it feels like he is talking to you. Its a must read for everyone.
Sundari – well i have posted about this book so I shall not say much here. click here to get the details

Do read through the books and feel free to share your views

Guru Ang Sang

Angad Singh

I REMEMBER….

Sadh Sangat jio
Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Kee Fateh!!

They say do not write..
They say do not speak..
They say forget about it..
If I agree — then
In my silence lies my guilt.
As long there is breath
As long as there is strength
I will write; I will speak
For I remember …….

I Remember….

The year is 1739
Hindustan is in terror
The cruelty of the Mughals
Is felt everywhere.

Nadir Shah is in Delhi
Looting the treasures.
Carting 2200 Hindu women
For his private harem.

The news spreads like wild fire
Across this great land
Helplessness and confusion
Reign supreme.

Sardar Jassa Singh
Commander of the Sikh army
Hears of this atrocity
Vows to take a stand.

The Sikhs are a minority
The Mughals have the upper hand
Despite this disparity
A midnight attack is planned.

The Mughal camp is asleep
The Sikhs wait in silence
At the stroke of midnight
They begin the attack.

Talwars are in the air
The Mughals are caught off-guard
The women are freed
And safely brought back.

In Hindu households
A sign of relief is heard
As the women rush back
To the arms of their loved ones.

There are Sikh casualties
But there are no tears;
To uphold a woman’s honor
Is the Sikh dharam.

From that day on
A pattern emerged;
The Sikhs struck at midnight
To free the captured women.

Every night, the women prayed
For the safety of the Sikhs
Mothers told their daughters
Trust only a Sikh.

Hindu mothers with love
Made their first-born sons Sikhs;
A sacred trust existed
Between a Hindu and a Sikh.

Through the centuries
This trust and love continued
Until the forces of evil
Raised their ugly head.

The year is 1984
The unthinkable happened
Our Hindu brothers
Turned on us.

Sikh women were raped
Their fathers, husbands
Sons and brothers
Butchered in-front of their eyes.

The country is in shell-shock
At the brutality of this massacre;
Yet no voice rose
To speak against this massacre.

I ask my Hindu sisters
Where were you?
Did your hearts not bleed?
At the rape of your sisters.

Twenty years have gone by
But the pain has not diminished
There are no answers
To what happened in 1984.

To my Hindu sisters
I have one request.
Tell your sons, husbands and brothers
The sacrifices of the Sikhs.

To my Sikh veer
I need not remind you
You are bound by your Guru
To protect the weak.

No Sikh hand will rise
Against any women;
Be she a Hindu or a Muslim
She has the protection of a Sikh.

My Ardaas:
Let the winds be gentle
Let there be peace on this land
Let this shattered trust
Be given a chance to grow.

But ask me not to forget
For I remember….

Inni Kaur
Innid@aol.com
©2004

Salok Mehla 9

Gur Fateh!Salok Mehal 9 is the last Salok written in the Guru Granth Sahib. It was recited by Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji.

This bani is reffered to as Viragmai bani. Virag means detachment. I have been very fortunate to have read this bani numerous times and I try to read english explaination as well.Guru Ji’s talks about how we are wasting our time and not doing bani and we dont realize that each moment we dont recite bani we are dying. He adds that only God will be with you for ever; every thing else is temperory. Guruji’s finally says that everything happens in God’s will.

Salok Melha 9 is not written in any particular raag. Thus different people sing it in different ways. I particularly like Bhai Amrik Singh Zakhmi Ji’s rendition of Salok Mehla 9. If you listen carefully you will hear the dilruba being played in the background.

Click here to download.

Click here to read Salok Melha 9 along with the explaination done by Prof. Sahib Singh

Hope you like it.

Guru Ang Sang!

Angd Singh

What are we doing??Why are we doing so??

Bandhi-Chor or an Alibi?

Every year, with arrival of Diwali I am forced to ponder over the hypocrisy that has entrenched our Sikh society. Sure, I am afraid to reason on Diwali/Bandi-Chor Diwas and its importance within the four walls of the Gurudwara, as it would amount to playing with sentiments and lead us nowhere.

So for years I have started isolating myself more and more from this occasion. Unless of course there is great Keertan going on in the Gurudwara, I make it a point not to be present in any community celebrations on this day.

Am I taking it too far?

I don’t know. But I would surely appreciate if someone can help me understand why I should not take it too far!

Here are some thoughts on Diwali/Bandhi Chor Diwas.

Till date Historians have not reached a consensus on the period of Guru Hargobind Jis’ stay in the Fort of Gwalior. Historical texts indicate this period from as short as Forty days to as long as 12 years (Dabistan-I-Mazahi by Muhsin Fani). Some periods indicated in historical texts are 1617 – 19, 1609 – 1611, etc. Muhsin Fani is obviously wrong in stating the 12 year period because most of Gurus children were born during these years.

We know that Indian Calendar system is lunar based and therefore the no. of days in the Solar based calendar does not match with Indian system. If we are not sure about Guru Hargoind Jis period of stay and his discharge from the Gwalior Prison, then how can we mathematically calculate that Bandhi Chor Gurpurab falls every year on the Hindu festival day of Diwali?

If one may object to the above point, then let’s look at it the other way around. If we are sure that he was allowed to leave the prison on Diwali day, then historians should be able to work backwards and have a better understanding of the year of his release.

But till date our historical records are vague about the period he was imprisoned and the year of his discharge.

Some justify the use of heavy lighting at Darbar Sahib on Diwali by linking it with arrival of Guru Hargobind Ji to the city of Amritsar after having been released from Gwalior prison and having sought the release of Hindu nobles (and therefore Bandhi Chor) with his release. It is said that the residents of Amritsar lighted up their houses in happiness of his arrival.

So what are we trying to celebrate on this day?

Release of Bandhis from the Fort of Gwalior or the arrival of Guru Ji at Amritsar?

If Guru Ji arrived at Amritsar on Diwali day, then wouldn’t it be but obvious that a large section of Hindu population residing in Amritsar would have as it is lighted up their houses because of the festive occasion of Diwali?

If we are celebrating the release of Bandhis from the Fort of Gwalior on that day, then one wonders how would the message of release have reached Darbar Sahib the same day over a distance of 600 Kilometers for the Sangat there to have lighted up the lamps?

While Bandhi Chor may be perceived as an important event by many Sikhs and I don’t want to take away the importance from this event, but keep an open mind and think why is it that we Sikhs light up the Darbar Sahib on Bandhi Chor Gurpurab only?

Aren’t other Gurpurabs as much important?

Isn’t Gur-Gaddi Diwas of Guru Granth Sahib important?

Wouldn’t the arrival of Guru Tegh Bahadur to the city of Amritsar warrant the same kind of happiness as at the time of arrival of Guru Hargobind Ji?

We don’t light up Darbar Sahib in the same way on other important Gurupurabs, so why is it that we do it only on Diwali?

Well let’s not cheat ourselves. The reality is that in-spite of having been Sikhs for centuries, we still don’t want to give up our past baggage of Hindu festivals.

Every Year, come Diwali, Raagis in our Gurudwaras are heard singing the Shabad “Diwali Di Raat, Divey Baliyan”. For the layman the singing of this Shabad of Bhai Gurdas, using an analogy line as the Asthai (Chorus) of the Shabad truly distorts the essence. Repeated singing of this Shabad on this occasion makes it appear that Diwali is a sanctioned festival in Sikhism. But a full reading of the Shabad conveys a totally different message.

Essence of the Shabad is that pleasures of festivities, pilgrimages, etc are momentary and only an understanding of Gurus Shabad leads to prime pleasure of the mind.

Bhai Gurdas Jis’ Vaar 19 Pauri 6

Diwali Di Raat Devey Baliyan
Tarey Jaat Sanat Ambar Bhaliyan
Phula Di Bagat Chun Chun Chaliyan
Tirath Jati Jat Nain Nihaliyan
Har Chandauri Jhat Vasaye Uchaliyan
Gurmukh Sukh Ful Daat Sabad Smaliyan

Lamps are lighted on the night of Diwali festival; stars of different variety appear in the sky; in the gardens the flowers are there which are selectively plucked; the pilgrims going to pilgrimage centers are also seen and the imaginary habitats have been seen coming into being and vanishing. All these are momentary, but the Gurmukhs with the help of Word nourish the gift of the pleasure fruit.

As most Sikhs originated from the Hindu mainstream, have we not found an Alibi (an excuse) in Bandi Chor for our inability to part with our past baggage of celebrating the Hindu festival of Diwali?

Amardeep Singh

I am not the Author of this article. However, I do know the author very well. The author does not intend to play down the importance of Bandhi Chore nor is he asking you to make a grumpy face and sit at home..He is just asking you to wonder why we celebrate in this manner.. Is this event more special than most Gurupurabs ?

Also I would like to point out the fact that Harminder Sahib and many other Gurudawaras were under the control of Hindu Mahants..from the time the Sikh Empire fell in 1849 to the early 1900’s( I am not too sure of the year) when the Sikhs won the right to take charge of their own shrines..During this time in harminder sahib around the parkikarma there were idols of hindu gods and goddesses..

Angad Singh

Malaysian Sikh writes heaviest Guru Granth Sahib.

Kuala Lumpur, Sept 14: A Malaysian Sikh has hand-written the world`s heaviest and largest copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the community.

Jaswant Singh Khosa`s 1,430-page copy of the Guru Granth Sahib figures in the Malaysian book of records as the heaviest and largest Sikh holy book written. The Guru Granth Sahib weighs 45 kg, and is 1.5m long and 0.5m wide, local daily `The Star` reported today.

The book has also been used in the `Har Ki Paudi` Temple situated in Golden Temple complex, revered by Sikhs, during a 48-hour prayer ceremony on August 30 to mark the 401st anniversary of installation of the Granth, according to highest Sikh religious authority, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

Khosa, a 68-year-old former security guard spent three years to write the manuscripts using traditional Gurumukhi calligraphy, labouring for up to 12 hours daily, it said.

“We feel very proud of Jaswant, as his effort has been recognised in Amritsar,” Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor (Sikh religious association) general secretary Awtar Singh Terry told the paper.

He said the SGPC has written to inform them of the decision of using the book during daily prayers at the temple.

Khosa said his copy was special as every word was joined, with each page starting and ending with the same word.

“It took about five hours for me to write two pages. The copy had to be 100 per cent correct as it represents our holy scriptures,” he said.

He said he had donated his book to the temple in Amritsar last December where it was kept as an exhibit.

Bureau Report

changes made by Angad Singh.

Turban Tying Video

Dear All,The Turban Tying Video is up. Please visit http://radio.sikhnet.com:8080/ramgen/SNMedia/Video/Sikhism/Tying_A_Turban.rm to watch the video.

Incase you want to go throught the Read Me file. Do let me know I will email it to you.

If you have any queries please feel free to contact me

Guru Ang Sang!
Angad Singh

Lecture on Marriage by Siri Singh Sahib.

Siri Singh Sahib, Bhai Sahib, Bhai Harbhajan Singh Khalsa, Yogi Ji

Date: July 15 1984

Topic: Marriage.

You all have to realize what a marriage is. Marriage is not an easy path. Marriage is a life. Marriage is not a ceremony,marriage is God.

Marriage has not been understood by the Western world at all. It was understood by the Eastern world but it is forgottenthere too. So at this time, the institution of marriage is in total limbo. People do not know what to do with it; people do notknow what to do without it. So what we have found out via the media is that marriage then divorce and divorce then marriage is a continuous process.

But actually if we all understand what marriage is, then perhaps we can do better. Marriage is an institution of willingness, in which two identities want to amalgamate. It’s an amalgamation of two egos to bring out a neutral new personality.What is the advantage of it and what is the disadvantage of it ? When this amalgamation happens then divine power in thepsyche starts to function. Without that, people are individuals and they will only yell and scream at each other and goodness will never come in that home. It is a granted fact.Marriage bring happiness. It’s an amalgamation of two psyches. And when these two psyches are amalgamated, neither one is an individual. There is no question of he and she. That’s it. There is no loss, there is no gain and there is no bank account.

“This is what my husband said” does not exist. “I will ask my wife” does not exist. If there is no confidence that the husband can speak on behalf of his wife and the wife can speak on behalf of her husband, they have not yet married. If this is the commitment, that the husband cannot commit on behalf on his wife and the wife cannot commit on behalf of her husband, they do not know what commitment is.

To make an alloy, you take two elements and put them together. The alloy cannot be separated. You can boil it, you canform the alloy into a liquid, you can totally burn it, but once it becomes an alloy, it will totally keep its own quality, ownquantity, own weight, own molecules, own electrons, protons and neutrons, and own combination. Whatever made brassdoesn’t matter. Brass has its own faculty, own quality, own weight and own property.

And that is what love is, that is what marriage is, that is what life is, that is what good luck is. There are no two opinions about it; when a male and a female merge together. That’s why we do it (anand karaj) before God. That’s why we do it (anand karaj) before Guru.

UNDERSTANDING SHABAD & MUSICAL FRAMEWORK OF GURU GRANTH SAHIB

27th Aug 2005 (Saturday) from 5:30 pm – 7:00pm at
7th Floor Auditorium, Sikh Centre, Silat Road Gurudwara, Singapore

Keertan is the medium used by our Gurus to convey the message of Shabad. It is the life force of Sikhism and yet remains to be one of the lesser understood subjects.

This seminar aims to cover the following areas :

ØHow Shabad message changes with incorrect usage of Keertan principles?
ØCore message of a Shabad. (Understand Hook-Line-Sinker concept of Shabad)
ØWhy numbers are associated with Shabads and their link with Keertan?
ØWhat does Guru Granth Sahib Ji command us on the subject of Keertan?
ØWhat is the relation between Shabad/Raag?
ØWhat is Keertan Maryada?
ØWhat impact will modern experimentation have on the future of Keertan?

Dear All,

Sat Nam

I attended this seminar by Mr. Amardeep Singh and it was an eye opener. I strongly suggest that everyone who can should attened this seminar. Those of us who are overseas and are unable to attened please email me at angad.s.sodhi@gmail.com and I will email the presentation to you.

Guru Ang Sang!

Angad Singh

Because Daddy is Driving…

Sat Nam!

There was once a family who were in Europe, and they needed to drive 3 days continuously, day and night, to get to Germany. So, they all got into the car — the man, his wife, and his 3 year old daughter. His little daughter has never traveled at night before. She was scared the first night in the car, with deep darkness outside.

“Where are we going, Daddy?”
“To your uncle’s house, in Germany.”
“Have you been to his house before?”
“No.”
“Then, do you know the way?” “Maybe, we can read the map.”
Short pause. “Do you know how to read the map?”
“Yes, we will get there safely.” Another pause.
“Where are we going to eat if we get hungry before arriving?”
“We can stop by restuarants if we are hungry.”
“Do you know if there are restaurants on the way?”
“Yes, there are.”
“Do you know where?”
“No, but we will be able to find some.”

The same dialogue repeated a few times within the first night, and also the second night. But on the third night, his daughter was quiet. The speaker thought that she might have fallen asleep, but when he looked into the mirror, he saw that she was awake and was just looking around calmly. He couldn’t help wondering why she was not asking the questions anymore —

“Dear, do you know where we are going?”
“Germany, Uncle’s house.”
“Do you know how we are getting there?”
“No.”
“Then why aren’t you asking anymore?”
“Because Daddy is driving.” Because Daddy is drivingBecause Daddy is driving

So I guess what Im getting at is that, YES PITHA JI IS DRIVING We may know the destination (and sometimes we may just know it like the little girl — “Germany”, without understanding where or what it really is). We do not know the way, we do not know how to read the map, we do not know if we can find restaurants along the way. But the little girl knew the most important thing — Daddy is driving — and so she is safe and secure. She knows that her Daddy will provide all that she needs.

So what if you have to walk through fire, SatGuru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee is carrying you in his arms, theres no safer place….

Guru Ang SanG!
Angad