Who was Bhagat Ravidas Ji ?

Bhagat jee was born in a so-called low-caste family of "Chamaars", whose profession was making leather and shoes. Gradually he started spending most of his time in the sangat (company) of saints and Sadhus and built himself a thatched hut wherein he received and entertained wandering holy people. Many stories became current about Bhagat jee's simplicity and holy nature.

In spite of his so-called low caste, Bhagat Ravidaas jee rose to a position of great honour through a life of simplicity and piety. He never felt ashamed of his birth (into a so-called low caste) and fearlessly faced the Panddits (Hindu scholars), who were proud of their high caste. He told them that spiritual greatness is achieved through a loving devotion to Waheguru and the attainment of Waheguru's grace.

Bhagat jee says in Gurbani:O people of the town, I am obviously a 'Chamaar', a shoe-maker.Within my mind, I contemplate the Pervading Waheguru and meditate on virtues of the world-Lord. Pause. (Ang 1293 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

He reached God-consciousness (Brahm-Gyaan) and experienced Waheguru. Through Bhagat jee Gurbani was revealed. Forty of Bhagat jee's shabads (hymns) have been incorporated in Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee by Guru Arjan Dev jee.

You are me, and I am You-what is the difference between us? We are like gold and the bracelet, or water and the waves. (Ang 93 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

Message from Teachings: Bhagat jee rejects distinctions between man and man on the basis of caste or creed, for, as he says, in the world beyond no such differentiations will be acknowledged. Bhagat Jee illustrates in Gurbani that the ultimate end of human life is to become enlightened to realize Waheguru, therefore, one should live life meditating and remembering Waheguru, giving up ritualism.Birth in a so-called "low caste" or having low social status is no hindrance in the way to spiritual development.

United they Stood

This picture was taken a few hours before Operation Bluestar. All sorts of Singhs from different jathas were there. A nihang Singh can be seen outlined in red, they put there differences aside for the defense of the panth. Everyone these days has personal views we just have to accept that and get on with panthic work together. Everyone is understanding Sikhi in their own way, everyone has their on view on what gurmat is. we defo have to make a stand when someone is totally taking the piss. But when it comes to personal maryadas , why fight about minor things, when the panth is under siege. If you think your brother is wrong pray for him, help him, instead of fighting with him.

Helping Drug addicts

Baba Jaivinder Singh (with white beard in white clothes) with inmates of the Akal Drug De-addiction Centre at Cheema, near Sunam.

The local Akal Drug De-addiction cum Rehabilitation Centre has been proving to be a boon since July, 2004, for drug addicts of not only the Malwa belt and other parts of the state, but also for drug addicts of neighbouring states like Delhi and Haryana. The de-addiction centre is being run here by the Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib (Himachal Pradesh). Indoor patients are being looked after by two doctors, six pharmacists and nursing assistants and two ward boys at the centre.

The centre started its functioning from the local Gurdwara Janam Asthan Sant Attar Singh ji, but in September, 2007, it was shifted to a newly constructed building built for it. Though the building has a capacity to accommodate 35 drug addicts as indoor patients, there are 31 drug addicts under treatment nowadays. The indoor patients are normally treated here for a period of six weeks for medical, psychiatric, nursing and psychological care.

A 16-year-old boy from Bharri Mansa village (near Dhuri) started taking smack during the last Assembly elections and became a habitual addict of the smack. He started spending Rs 500 daily on smack, which he got from family members by quarrelling with them. He said he had been purchasing smack from a nearby village. Whenever he failed to secure smack, his body felt restlessness. He said after coming to this centre, he had gained 8 kg weight during the past five weeks.

Another 35-year-old married man who came from Chottian village (near Lehragaga) to the centre, said he had been consuming excess liquor for the past 20 years, besides consuming poppy husk for some time. In June last year, he was admitted to the centre as a drug addict and he remained there for about two months. Now he was in good health, he added.

Baba Jaivinder Singh, chief manager, Akal Academy, Cheema (near Sunam), said since July, 2004, about 700 drug addicts had been treated as indoor patients by the centre, while about 1,500 drug addicts had taken treatment as out-door patients till now. He further said the centre had benefited patients, who had come here from the areas of Muktsar, Delhi, Nabha, Phagwara, Moga, Mansa, Sirsa, Barnala, Fatehabad, Patiala, Bathinda etc

Frontline comments

This is an example for all, the whole panth should follow in these footsteps.

Minimal Naam Routine of a Gursikh!

Listen Sikh of the Guru, to the code of discipline. Awake at the ambrosial hours and focus your attention on the Lord. - Rehatnama Bhai Nand Laal Jee

Fareed, if you do not awaken in the early hours before dawn, you are dead while yet alive. Although you have forgotten God, God has not forgotten you. Ang 1383 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Those who do not take their morning bath in cold water and those who eat before their Nitnem infringe the Rehat. - Rehatnama Bhai Nand Laal Jee

I seek the wealth of the Lord, to purchase the Naam; I sing and love the Glorious Praises of the Lord. I have totally renounced sleep and hunger, and through deep meditation, I am absorbed into the Absolute Lord. Ang 442 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

The cold water is to wake us up, so that we don’t feel drowsy while doing our naam jaap at Amrit vela. If you can’t have a cold bath due to circumstances, just splash your face with cold water 5 times. The food for the soul is more important then worldly food that is why we eat after jaaping naam. (It is showing respect to Gurbani)

In the evening listen to the 'Rehraas' and listen to the Keertan and discourses (Katha) of the Lord's praises. - Rehatnama Bhai Nand Laal Jee

Remember Him, meditate on Him, and sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe, day and night, evening and morning. Ang 530 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Even if you can’t go to the Gurdwara, the internet is full of radio stations and keertan mp3s.

Those who waste the evening without reading 'Rehraas' and sleep without hearing the praises of the Lord (Sohilaa) infringe the Rehat. - Rehatnama Bhai Nand Laal Jee

Night and day, they enjoy enjoyments, and they sleep in peace; they remain lovingly absorbed in the Word of the Shabad. Ang 774 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Those who do not sing the Guru's Hymn at dawn and those who eat before doing Rehraas are punishable. - Thankhaanama Bhai Nand Laal Jee

Those who do not attend the Holy congregation daily remain in debt for their great sins. - Rehatnama Bhai Nand Laal Jee

It is important to do Sangat, if due to any circumstance you cant, view the daily hukumnama from the internet, chat to your friends about Sikhi on msn.

One who meditates on the Lord obtains all pleasures and comforts; let us go each and every day, to sit in the Saints' Society. Ang 550 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

He repeats the True Name of 'Vaheguru' daily. He enshrines Vaheguru in his heart. - Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh

His Guru-mantar is Vahiguru, whose recitation erases egotism. Losing egotism and merging into the qualities of the supreme Lord, he himself becomes full of qualities. Vaar 13 Bhai Gurdas Ji

They are the Khalsa who remain attached to the True Naam. They are the Khalsa who break away their worldly bonds. - Thankhaanama Bhai Nand Laal Jee

Subduing egotism, they break all their bonds; as Gurmukh, they are adorned with the Word of the Shabad. Ang 124 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji