The Power of Amrit

When Bhai Jaita Ji (who became Bhai Jeevan Singh after taking Khande-ki-Pahul) came from Delhi bringing Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji's severed head to the tenth Guru, Gurujee asked, "Oh Bhai Jaita, tell how many people gathered at Chandi Chownk, to see my father be beheaded?"

Bhai Jaita Ji replied, "There were hundreds and thousands."

Guru Ji then asked, "How many Sikhs of Guru Nanak were standing in the crowds?"

Bhai Jaita Ji with tears in his eyes replied, "O Guru Ji, I couldn't recognise who was a Sikh or who was not a Sikh, there were thousands of people but I couldn't see any Sikhs distinct from the crowd."

The Tenth Guru, replied, "Don't worry! I will soon give the Sikhs, such a beautiful distinct image that my Sikhs will be recognised in crowds of thousands and throughout the world."

Amrit derives from two words, 'Am' and 'Mrit'.
'Am' means water. 'Mrit' is making a dead person alive.
Amrit', the water or nectar, which makes a dead person alive.

When Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave the Sikhs the Amrit of the Khanda Bata, he made the spiritually dead people alive, he instilled a new lease of spirit, which transformed sparrows into hawks, foxes into lion, and made the Sikhs fearless of death. Sikhs became part of the Khalsa army and resisted against injustice and sacrificed their lives in battles against opression and tranny.

In 1739, Nadir Shah came from Afghanistan to invade, plunder and loot the land of India.

As the army entered through Panjab, the Sikhs would attack the armies at night time.
The Sikhs would raid their looted wealth and riches.
The Sikhs would free the innocent Hindu sisters and mothers and return them to their respective homes.

Nadir Shah asked Zakriya Khan (hostile person towards sikhs), the Governor of Panjab, about the Sikhs. "Who are these people who dare to attack my soldiers and plunder me?", he asked.

Zakriya Khan replied, 'These are the followers of a man called, 'Guru Nanak'. Their homes are their saddles and they visit their holy shrine in the middle of the night only to disappear before the first light of day.'

Nadir Shah asked, "What gives them the strength to dare to challenge me and my large armies?"

Zakriya Khan replied, "Their Guru has given them Amrit, 'the nectar of immortality'. Drinking this they become fearless of death."

Nadir Shah with curiosity said, "How do you know this?"

Zakhriya Khan replied, "Those people who used to walk pass me, with their head down and would say "Salam"… Those same people after taking Amrit, still walk passed me, but now they don't hold their head down, nor do they say "Salam". Instead they walk past, looking into my eyes. You are one King, but they are all Kings."

Such is the power of Amrit!

If an old man takes Amrit he becomes fearless of death, like Baba Deep Singh Ji who at the age of 75 died fighting with his head on his hand.

If a young child takes Amrit, he becomes fearless of death, like Sahibzada Baba Zorawar Singh, who at the age of 8, didn't lower his turban to Wazir Khan and instead was bricked alive with his younger brother aged 5, Sahibzada Baba Fateh Singh Ji.

If a woman takes Amrit, she becomes fearless of death, like Mata Bhag Kaur Ji who led 40 Sikhs into victory in battle against an army of thousands.

Would you stay Nir-gura (without a Guru) till you die?

Or would you like to take the spiritual life-giving gift of Khande-ki-pahul, Amrit of the double-edged sword, and become the Sikh of the Guru, declaring allegiance for solely Sri Granth Sahib Ji and the Guru Khalsa Panth?

Have you felt the 'Power'?

How to meet waheguru

One day gursikhs called Bhai Bhagvaan Daas, Bhai Bodla Malik, Pirthee Mal, Dalloo Bhagat, Shyaam Daas and Sunder came to the darbar of Guru Hargobind Sahib. They did matha tek to Guru Sahib and pleaded before Guru Sahib to show them the way to swim across this terrible ocean i.e. unity with Vaheguru.

It is written in the Sikh history that Guru Sahib gave them the following lessons to attain unity with Vaheguru:

1) Make a dharamshaala (Gurdwara) in your town.
2) Get up at amritvela and assemble at the Dharamshaala.
3) Do Naam abhyaas during amritvela.
4) After Naam abhyaas recite Gurbani.
5) Then spend some time to discuss and interpret the meanings of Gurbani.
6) Perform ardaas at the end of the diwaan.
7) During the day earn your living through honest means.
8) Never subscribe to dishonesty and fraud.
9) During the evening time assemble at the Dharamshaala.
10) Recite Rehraas Sahib and do kirtan.
11) After ardaas return to your homes and sleep after doing Sohila.
12) Help out poor people who need help.
13) Celebrate Gurpurabs.
14) Keep your mind humble and kill your ego.

The Sikhs who had done benti obeyed the hukams of Guru Sahib and this is how they swam across this terrible ocean of life and death.

The Power of Gurbani

All of Gurbani is a magic potion sent directly from God to us mortals through the light of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Gurbani touches the soul and purifies our whole being taking us from the darkness to the light. Each shabad touches our soul and emotions in different ways. That is why most of Gurbani is in Raags to emphasise on the feelings created by the shabad. Gurbani is a healer of the soul and is the only medication that will get us out of darkness.

The real purpose of Gurbani is to get you in union with God but each bani has a set focus and mood:

Jap Ji Sahib: All wisdom of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is in this Bani, it helps strengthen our soul. (Just like a person doing training with weights gets stronger, the more Jap Ji Sahibs you do the stronger your soul will become)

Shabad Hazaare: When you feel lonely or separated from God, recite this bani to give you peace.

Jaap Sahib: This bani increases our vitality, courage, power, strength and self-esteem.

Tav Prasad Swaiya: When you feel unsatisfied, read this bani to reverse the mood and feel content.

Chaopaee Sahib: When you feel you are in danger, or you feel weak against the dark energies of life, read this bani to receive protection.

Anand Sahib: This bani is a soothing healer bringing bliss and happiness to your soul.

Rehiras Sahib: This is to be recited in the evenings to add energy to our being.

Kirtan Sohila: This Bani removes the fear of death, it also eliminates negativity around our being.

Sukhmani Sahib: This bani brings peace and comfort to our mind. Listening to Sukhmani Sahib once a day can change our destiny from misery to prosperity.

I have just narrated Some compositions that Guru Ji has written for inspiration and support for us mere mortals… buts it’s up to us to read them and experience the benefits for ourselves!

Shaheed Bhai Ajit Singh Ji

Bhai Sahib was born in a small village in district Jalandhar. From childhood he was a very keen and focussed person. He grew up to be a very handsome, tall young man. He joined Indian Air Force in the fifties. There he met Bhai Tejinder Singh who was a well known Singh of Akhand Kirtani Jatha. Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee had not left this world yet and was physically alive. Bhai Tejinder Singh jee gave Bhai Ajit Singh jee some books to read on Sikhi.

TAKING AMRIT

After reading these books, Bhai Ajit Singh jee totally changed and expressed his desire to become a Sikh of Guru Nanak Dev jee. He wanted to meet Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee. He met Bhai Sahib and in the mid 1950s he took amrit at an amrit sinchaar organized by the Akhand Kirtani Jatha. After taking amrit, he used to get up at 1:30 am and his nitnem ended at around 7am. All day long too he kept reciting baani or Naam.

UNCOMPROMISING ON GURMAT

He never compromised on the principles of Gurmat. One of the most striking fact is that he did his military service in Air Force without tying his beard. It is totally unheard of but Bhai Sahib kept his rehit. In those days there was a Muslim senior officer whose name was HT Latif. Latif gave Muslims a special permission to maintained trimmed beard. Bhai Ajit Singh jee took a copy of the order of Latif that a religious Muslim is allowed to keep short beard. This letter greatly helped him in his service in Air Force.

Once there was a medal ceremony where Bhai Sahib showed up in his flowing beard. The Hindu officer who was distributing the medals, took a note of Bhai Sahib’s beard and asked him to tie it. Bhai Sahib refused and explained to him that it is his religion to maintain flowing beard. The officer took offense and threatened to take action if he did not obey orders. At this Bhai Sahib showed him a copy of the order of Latif, where he had allowed religious Muslims to maintained beards. Bhai Sahib said that he too was a “Maulwi” of Sikhs and wanted to keep a flowing beard. As much as the officer did not like this but he had no choice but to let him off because Latif was a much senior officer at that time. Guru Sahib kept Bhai Sahib’s honour.

Once a senior officer started smoking in the presence of Bhai Ajit Singh jee. Bhai Sahib requested him to stop smoking. He got offended as he did not expect a junior officer to tell him what to do. Bhai Sahib again requested him but the officer did not care and spoke rudely at him. He went as far as breathing smoke towards Bhai Sahib. This was too much for Bhai Sahib to sustain. He held his hand and forcefully stopped him from smoking.

The senior officer immediately ordered that Bhai Sahib be arrested. He was arrested and put in jail. Preparations for court martial were started. Some senior Sikh officers found out about this event. They explained to the other officers that this case could take a political turn if Bhai Sahib was prosecuted. Finally Bhai Sahib was released and he joined his service again. He did not apologize for his act and was willing to sacrifice for this act.

Bhai Sahib was very close to Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh jee. Bhai Sahib used to stay at his house all the time and vice-versa. Bhai Sahib had great spirit for the chardi kala of Khalsa.

POST 1984 LIFE

After the rise of the militant movement of the Sikhs, Bhai Sahib’s house became a main stay for the militant Singhs. They used to stay at his house all the time. Being a Khalsa, he could not refuse anyone from staying in his house. He served them with his mind body and spirit. Famous Singhs who used to stay with him were Shaheed Harjinder Singh Jinda, Shaheed Manbir Singh Chaheru, Shaheed Balbir Singh, Bhai Mahal Singh, Shaheed Labh Singh and many others.

Everyone knew that the consequences of letting the militants stay at your house meant total destruction. Despite knowing this, Bhai Sahib never cared for the consequences. He did not care that his 3 sons and a daughter too could be victimized for this. He was worried about a higher cause. He wanted to serve the Khalsa of Guru Gobind Singh jee and he was willing to sacrifice himself for this.

On July 1986 arrived when Bhai Sahib was arrested by CBI for helping the militants. He was taken to the infamous Tihar Jail of Delhi. He was severely tortured there. He stayed there for 9 months and in these nine months all efforts were made to make him incapable of doing any more sewa of Panth. They could not kill him as he was an officer in the Air Force but they made him into a living dead i.e. turned him into a harmless person for them. He used to narrate how he was made to witness tortures of other gursikhs. These gursikhs were tortured in front of him and then killed in fake encounters. One famous Singh who was killed this way was Roshan Lal Bairagi a Sikh who had converted from the Hindu faith.

Bhai Sahib was given electric shocks that greatly effected him. Electric shocks were given to his head and even to his private parts. He was severely tortured. They also used to give him injections and after those injections, he felt that his hands and feet used to start shaking. By the time he came out of jail, he had developed some fatal disease as a result of this torture. Because of this shaking of his hands and feet, he fell down a flight of stairs one day and fell into a coma. He stayed in this coma for about 6 years untill June 5, 2003. He breathed his last on that day.

What is a sehaj Pahtt

A sehaj pahtt is reading Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in order from start to finish in a pace that suits you. For example you can read two Angs in a day and then the next day read 10 Angs etc. Ideally a Sikh is meant to complete a Sehaj path of whole of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji once a month. But if that is not possible even few Angs a day is will take your soul to next levels. Once you have completed a sehaj pahtt, it is to be started again; in this way throughout your whole life you will be doing darshan of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. There are no excuses we all have access to Guru Ji through the net and if you don’t know Gurmukhi read the English translations.

http://www.sikhnet.com/sggs/translation/

Sword of the Sikhs

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru of the Sikhs, was born with the spiritual wisdom. This sword was used to destroy false rituals and beliefs which would never lead to union with waheguru. With this sword he denounced religious thugs and condemned ruthless kings and ministers as they were never condemned before.

You hold in your hands the sword of the Guru's spiritual wisdom; with this destroyer of death, kill the Messenger of Death. Ang 235 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Guru Angad Dev Ji, the second Guru of the Sikhs was given the sword of Spritaul wisdom, just like a candle lights another candle.

Nanak placed the umbrella of sovereignty on the head of Angad. He also graced the heart of Angad with the Mighty sword (Khaddag) of divine wisdom. Ang 966 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs used martial metaphors in his shabads, he used these to arm his disciples with the sword of spirit. Without which no battle can be fought.

In His Mercy, God has blessed me with the sword of spiritual wisdom; I have attacked and killed the demons (Dark energies within us). Ang 1072 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji the 6^th Guru , at the age of 11 put on two swords. One representing spiritual sovereignty (piri) and the other representing political sovereignty (miri). He showed the Sikhs to fight for both religious and political freedoms, religion without political freedom and dignity was abject slavery, and politics without religion was organised barbarism.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10^th Guru, stated that the sword was the symbol of Wahegurus power, Justice and saving grace through which he protects the virtuous and punished the wicked.

Sword that smiteth in a flash

That scatters the armies of the wicked

In the great battlefield

Thou are the symbol of the brave

Thine arm is irresistible thy brightness shine forth

The blaze of thou splendour dazzling like the sun

Sword, thou are the protector of the saints

Thou are the scourge of the wicked

Scatterer of the sinners, I take refuge in thee.

Victory to thee, sword: the savoir and sustainer

Victory to thee, Sword, supreme sword.

Bachitter Natak, Dasam Granth.

Protection Sakhi

This Sakhi if from Ang 1194 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:

Prahlaad was sent to school.
He took many of his friends along with him.
He asked his teacher, ""Why do you teach me about worldly affairs?
Write the Name of the Dear Lord on my tablet.""||1||

O Baba, I will not forsake the Name of the Lord.
I will not bother with any other lessons. ||1||Pause||
Sanda and Marka went to the king to complain.
He sent for Prahlaad to come at once.
He said to him, ""Stop uttering the Lord's Name.
I shall release you at once, if you obey my words.""||2||

Prahlaad answered, ""Why do you annoy me, over and over again?
God created the water, land, hills and mountains.
I shall not forsake the One Lord; if I did, I would be going against my Guru.
You might as well throw me into the fire and kill me.""||3||

The king became angry and drew his weapon.
"Show me your protector now!"
So God emerged out of the pillar, and assumed a mighty form.
He killed Harnaakhash, tearing him apart with his nails. ||4||

The Supreme Lord God, the Divinity of the divine,
for the sake of His devotee, assumed the form of the man-lion.
Says Kabeer, no one can know the Lord's limits.
He saves His devotees like Prahlaad over and over again. ||5||4||

The 5ks

The following five K's are the mark of Sikhi. These five can never be parted from the body. Kara, Kirpan, Kashera, Kangha, recognize these as four of them. The fifth is Kesh, without which the other four are useless. There are also four H's which must be avoided. Understand this without any doubt, no lies have been told. Hukka, taking tobacco (including any other type of intoxicants). Hajamat, removing of hair. Halalo, eating meat. Haram, adultery (sexual relationships outside of marriage). These are the four H's. Dyeing of beards (including any other body hair), and the wearing of mehndi (including other types of make up) are strictly forbidden. - Dasam Granth-Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji

KESH: Uncut hair is regarded as a symbol of saintliness as one accepts and lives in harmony with the lords will. Removing of the hair is seen as acting against the lords will. Shaving and cutting of the hair is a major taboo, as one will live in disharmony with the lords will. Sikhs believe hair have particular functions and were given to us by the lord for a purpose.

KANGHA: a special wooden comb. This is necessary to maintain the hair in a neat and tidy form. A Sikh must comb their hair twice a day and cover them with a dastar (turban). The dastar protects the hair and is an essential part of the Sikh uniform.

KARA: an iron bracelet, which is worn on the predominant arm of the Sikh. It reminds the Sikh of the vows taken by them, it is a constant reminder that they aren’t to take part in any activity that will bring shame and disgrace on them (for example stealing).

Kacchera: A special type of shorts to be worn at all times. It reminds the Sikh of the need of self-restraint over corrupt desires. Apart from its moral aspect it is ideal as practical martial underwear.

KIRPAN: the sword is worn solely for protection of righteousness, humanity and justice. It is a sign of readiness to confront injustices, it symbolizes dignity and self-reliance. One is capable to defend themselves, and the innocent-weak person from oppressors. It is the minimal protection that a khalsa soldier must carry at all times.

Frontline comments:

Don't know why people argue about kesh or keski being a kakkar, ideally they both go together. The dastar was given to all Sikhs by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Guru Ji even told us in his Bani without Kesh all the others become useless!

White Boy Victim of a racist attack

Katha by damdami taksal about Sant Ji

Listen to katha by Giani Thakur Singh Ji called Sant Da Jeevan. Giani Ji discusses the last moments before Sant Ji went onto the battlefield with around 40 Singhz.

http://www.gurmatveechar.org/audio/katha/0...t.Da.Jeevan.mp3

At 20:06 Giani Ji starts talking about Sant Jarnail Singh Ji.

What Is Amrit Ceremony ?

Amrit ceremony is the Sikh ceremony of initiation or baptism. This practice has been in existence since the times of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469 - 1539). During that time-period, this ceremony was known as Charan Amrit or Charan Phul or the Pag Pahul, the words Charan and Pag both signifying the feet of the teacher. During that time-period, the neophytes poured water over Guru's feet to be initiated into the fold. A reference to initiation by Charan Amrit occurs in Bhai Gurdas Ji’s, Varan, born 12 years after the passing of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The water was poured on Guru's feet and then the devotees would drink it and seek blessings of the Guru. The Guru would guide the Sikhs about the Sikh teachings and instruct them to adopt Sikhi as a way of life .

Khande di Pahul (Amrit ceremony) was initiated in the times of Guru Gobind Rai Ji when Khalsa was inaugurated at Sri Anandpur Sahib on the day of Baisakhi in 1699. Guru Gobind Rai Ji asked a gathering of Sikhs, who was prepared to die for God? At first, the people hesitated, and then one man by the name of Daya Ram stepped forward, who was taken on to the stage and beheaded. After some time, Guru Gobind Rai Ji came forward, with blood dripping from his Kirpan. He asked the same question again, this time a man called Dharam Das came forward. Guru Ji did the same with this man as he did with the 1st. Guru Ji did this another 3 times, each time someone out the sangat came forward, respectively they were: Himmat Rai, Mohkam Chand and Sahib Chand.

Guru Ji then mixed the heads of these men and put them back on different bodies, dressed them all like himself and with the Kirpa of Akhal Purkh, these men were brought back to life. Guru Ji presented them on the stage as the sangat watched in amazement; these five men came to be known as Panj Pyare or the Beloved Five. These five were initiated into the Khalsa by receiving Amrit that Guru Ji himself had made from water, sugar puffs (added by mata sahib kaur), a iron Bata (bowl) and iron Khanda (double edged sword that represents death) and most importantly the 5 Bani’s (Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tavprasad Saviyas, Chopai Sahib and Anand Sahib (40 verses). These five now became Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mukham Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh.

PLEASE NOTE, THERE WILL BE NO ONE LIKE GURU GOBIND SINGH JI AGAIN ON THIS EARTH. WE SHOULD BE PRIVILEGED AND HONORED TO TAKE THAT SAME AMRIT THAT OUR GURU GAVE US AND TOOK HIMSELF.

Khande Di Pahul not only embodies the primary objects of Sikh faith and the promises connected therewith, but also is itself a promise to lead a pure and pious life to unite with Almighty Lord. It is about inward cleansing of the conscience and seeking unity with Supreme Lord through His Grace.

Code of conduct after taking Amrit:

1) Keep uncut hair on all your body.

2) Not to take intoxicants i.e tobacco or alcohol.

3) Not to eat meat, eggs or fish or anything that comes from them i.e. animal gelatin.

4) Not to give into the 5 thieves: Kaam, Karodh, Lobh, Moh, Hankaar (Lust, Anger, Greed, Attachment and Ego).

5) Recite the morning Nitnem (Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tavprasad Saviyas, Chopai Sahib, Anand Sahib and Ardas) after a full body wash in the early hours of the day.

6) Recite the evening Nitnem (Rehras Sahib and Ardas) after washing the hands, face and feet in the later part of the day (around 6pm).

7) Recite Kirtan Sohila before going to sleep.

8) Perform Seva (any form) and Simran (meditation) in the day when you have free time.

On the day of the Amrit Sanchar, you will need:

1) Your washed hair tied up in a juraa (bun on top of head) with a Kanga in them.

2) A Turban to cover your hair.

3) A Kirpan strapped across your body.

4) A Iron Kara (bangle) on your wrist.

5) A Kashera (special underware)

6) A Bana (optional)

US goverment go on Jail frenzy!

Last week, the Center for Constitutional Rights went to court to fight the Bush administration's post-9/11 racial profiling and round-ups of hundreds of immigrant Muslim, Arab, and South Asian men in the New York area.

In actions reminiscent of the internment of thousands of Japanese Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor, in the months after 9/11 our government rounded up and detained hundreds of Muslim, Arab, and South Asian immigrants to determine whether they had any ties to terrorism.

Held on the pretext of minor immigration violations, these men were kept in super-maximum security confinement and abused for months as their deportation was delayed so that the FBI could investigate them.

Often the men were picked up on evidence no more specific than a phone call to the authorities in which someone said, "My neighbor is an Arab and keeps strange hours."

The men weren't detained because there was evidence connecting them to terrorism they were swept up and detained because of their race, religion, and ethnicity. Because they were Arab and Muslim men of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent, they were presumed guilty of terrorism until proven innocent.

In 2002, we filed Turkmen v. Ashcroft, a class action suit on behalf of the men held in New York and New Jersey, against the United States and 31 government officials and employees, including then-Attorney General John Ashcroft, FBI Director Robert Mueller, and former INS Commissioner James Ziglar.

A lower court judge ruled in our favor on many of the charges, including keeping the high-level officials on the hook for what happened, so last Thursday's arguments were a cross appeal by both sides.

More than five years after the case was filed, and long after all the men have been deported to their home countries; CCR continues to demand accountability for the racial profiling and indiscriminate detentions that followed in the wake of 9/11.

We await a ruling from the panel of judges and hope that it will bring our clients one step closer to justice.

Sincerely,

Vincent Warren

CCR Executive Director

Sikhs stopped from peaceful protest!

If Sikhs aren’t allowed to have a peaceful protest to show concern against a villain who has targeted Sikhism, what other options are left to tackle problems. Then when Sikhs pick up the gun in desperation, they label us terrorists! (India is meant to be the world’s largest democracy)

The Singhs are arrested for peacefully protesting, most of the police are sellout so called Sikhs! Instead of making a stand for the Honour of the Panth, they give in to the rupees! The Singhs even had parkash of Guru ji! Dont know why they did this dough? Maybe they wanted to show people there intentions were totally peaceful?

Brave women arrested and give speech on their release (near end of video)

Attackers kill woman with lathis

Sangrur, February 17

A 45-year-old woman Amarjit Kaur, wife of Sher Singh, resident of Ealwal village, near here, was killed last night when some persons allegedly attacked her house.

Sangrur SSP Arun Pal Singh said today that as per the complaint, lodged by the deceased’s son, some persons attacked their house and hit his mother on the head with lathis due to which she died. He further said their family and the alleged assailants were interested in the purchase of a plot of land. The land was, however, bought by the deceased’s family. This annoyed the other party and they allegedly attacked the house of the deceased, he added.

The SSP said the police had registered a case against Jagdev Singh, Amrik Singh, Ajmer Singh and Gurmail Singh under Sections 302 and 452, IPC.

The Truth