Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Increasing Dodgy Trends in modern Day “Amritdharis”
Introduction
A lot of young people seem to be taking Amirt, but they do not seem to have the traits of an Amritdhari.
In this essay I will look at why this is happening?
After the Shaheedi of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Created the Khalsa Army. He describes in Dasam Granth that he was instructed by God to create this Army as Gods army. The Khalsa was to uphold righteousness and justice amongst humanity by any means. Guru Ji wanted so much determination from the soldiers of this army that even death would not put them off the path of truth. He therefore asked his Sikhs for 5 heads, five men came forward amongst thousands and answered the Gurus call. They became Singhs and are known as the 5 Beloved of the Guru. Once the 5 were baptized by Guru Ji, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked them to bless him with Amrit. Daya Singh said to Guru Ji we have given our heads to receive this nectar, what do you offer?
Guru Ji said if the need be I will offer my whole family for the sacrifice for the sake the Khalsa!
The gist is that to join the Khalsa one must be ready to face struggle, oppression and hardships. The soldier of the khalsa must be willing to sacrifice there all for the betterment of humanity. (These days people aren’t willing to even put ten pound petrol in a car and go to a protest against injustice, but claim “we have gave our head to the Guru”)
When we take Amrit we make promises to Guru Ji and claim that we will live our life according to Gurmat (the teachings of Gurbani). But when the same Gurbani is being disrespected and then you just turn a blind eye! Have you really given your head?
If you desire to play this game of love with Me,
then step onto My Path with your head in hand.
When you place your feet on this Path,
give Me your head, and do not pay any attention to public opinion. Ang 1410 SGGSJ
Role of the Khalsa
A soldier of the Khalsa pays homage and alliance to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikh of the Guru never bows their head before any mortal being. The Sikh meditates on Waheguru (the Immortal Supreme Soul). The Sikh has a daily routine of Nitnem and Simran. The Sikh sees Gods light in all and does not believe in rituals, superstitions and the worship of none other then Akal Purakh.
These days Sikhs Indulge in many rituals such as rakhri and lorhi (which are festivals that discriminate against the female sex)
Loads of Sikhs are superstitious for example tie black threads on their arm for protection. Don’t wash their hair on Thursdays because it is supposed to be bad luck.
A Sikh will parrot read Gurbani (they read bani paying no attention or not absorbing the message of the Guru). Ikonkaar means one light of all, but Sikhs are still racist. For Example they will Look pissed off when a black man comes to the Gurdwara to eat Guru Ka Langar. Loads of Sikhs live hypocritical lives which go against Gurbani because they are ignorant or have not took time out to learn the message of the Guru.(They just Keep Parrot reading all their lives)
People that are meant to be amritdhari encourage and start anti gurmat activities in Gurdwara sahibs. (they also openly Slander Guru Ji and a lot of the real Sikh way of life)
So called Sikhs abuse and Disrespect Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, By taking Maharaj to Pubs or opening up anti Gurmat Halls with Guru ji’s Money)
This happens because people take Amrit just for the outside look, i.e. to join a committee, or to look good in the community. Sometimes kids are pressured into it by the family or peer pressure. One must only take Amrit if they understand the Gurus message and are willing to live that lifestyle. The person must have a thirst in their heart for Amrit. In this way we will avoid having Amritdharis that live hypocritical lives (because the person will be taking Amrit for more genuine reasons).
The role of the Khalsa is to be a saint soldier, not one of them. They both go hand in hand.
The Khalsa is god’s voluntary army and has never tolerated injustices.
When all means fail in addressing a wrong it is just and pious to raise the sword. – Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
The State of cowardice
Guru Gobind Singh Ji clearly stated that there is no room for cowards within the Khalsa fauj, during the first ever Amrit ceremony he said to his Sikhs “Do not even come before me without Kesh and Weapons”
However these days Sikhs have no love for shaster, if they see a Singh with a pistol Standing at a Gurdwara to protect the sangat they will get annoyed. But when they go heathrow and see the British police with their big guns they dont feel annoyed!
Guru Ji gave us the Amrit of the Khanda (double edged sword) and showed its strength when a bird (sparrow) took a zip of it and fought a hawk and eagle off.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji says that his Khalsa was created to protect the saints and root out tyranny from the world.
“I will make one Singh stand against 125,000 oppressors, only then will I be fit to be called Guru Gobind Singh”
We all use the name Singh (lion) but if a sleeping lion is kicked it will get up and bite, but as Singhs we get bullied and mugged everyday! Are we really lions?
Even the SP back in the days who used to mainly drink (pub Boys) held it strong (although there was some real Amritdharis in the SP). Yet we Drink the Immortal nectar of the double edged sword and get treated like sheep!
A lot of the Singhs are unwilling to do physical training and are fat and out of shape, but yet they joined an army! Even worldly armies have a basic fitness test to see whether they will accept the person as a soldier! We have brought shame and disgrace to our forefathers who held the honour of the Khalsa so high. We have made the Khalsa into a mere joke. Loads of Singhs are timid and feel that it is alright for Sikhs to be gay! (This is how low and impure the mentality of the so called Sikhs has gone). If a real Singhs speaks up and says the truth, ever one says he is a trouble maker and extremist to defame him. Because they know to face the truth and overcome our plight we will have to go through hardship “just call him an extremist and hope he gets locked up”
Sant Jarnail Singh ji brought back the real Spirit of the Khalsa, but this was short lived due to the oppression if the Indian Government.
Panthicness
Even in our history we have had misals that operated in different regions and ways! The aim of these misals was to safeguard Sikh principals and defend the Panth. Even dough they may have had different view they had so much unity for common Panthic causes. These days the jathas want to kill each other and all our youth do is slander and defame each other for the wrong reasons. The sense of self preservation and protection of Sikh identity and principals is at an all time low. A lot of ego and disunity is spread over the Panth therefore making it easier for the enemies of the Panth to cause chaos amongst us.
Sikh women in the khalsa have exactly the same role as the men; they have fought back in the days and supported Panthic causes. But most women these days are too busy doing their nails (even if they are Amritdhari) and looking for a date. The modesty and self respect of the traditional women is rarely present amongst this generation. The dress sense is so bad (immodest) and we all seen the flirting at kirtan programmes.
Real Singhs got cut up into little bits, but held it strong. These days Singhs get a paper cut and complain to god, Oh My God what have I done wrong?
Let us all pray to Guru Ji to Bless us all with a jeevan which is worthy of Gurus Amrit and a place in the Khalsa Fauj!
By Harpreet kaur 17
London
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Passive smoking
Once, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj was riding his blue horse and going towards Anandgarh, when suddenly out of nowhere Guru Ji’s horse stopped running. The Guru tried to persuade the horse to carry on but the horse wouldn’t go any further. The Guru tried in many ways to make the horse move but the horse remained stationary. On finding out why the horse had suddenly stopped and didn’t move it was discovered that the field which was to be crossed by the horse was where tobacco was sown.
Turn away, O my mind, turn away. Turn away from the faithless cynic. False is the love of the false one; break the ties, O my mind, and your ties shall be broken. Break your ties with the faithless cynic. One who enters a house filled with soot is blackened. Run far away from such people! One who meets the Guru escapes from the bondage of the three dispositions. I beg this blessing of You, O Merciful Lord, ocean of mercy - please, don't bring me face to face with the faithless cynics. Make servant Nanak the slave of your slave; let his head roll in the dust under the feet of the Holy. Ang 535 SGGSJ
- In this day and age we will come across smoke on the streets, always try and avoid it much as possible but it is some what impossible to totally avid on the streets.
- Mothers act like they care for their child and may even dress them up with the most expensive garments. But if they smoke infront of their child and cause their children to inhale passive smoke do they really care?
- Women that are pregnant and smoke are destroying their child’s health even before it is born. (Not a good head start in life is it?)
- Sikhs have Khanda Images in or on their cars and have a fag at the same time. (what a besti this is)
Piss Take Image
Punjabi Roots Issue
Bollywood Shit on shelves
Gurbani Tapes in a box on the floor
It is unfortunate to show you these sad pictures which show how music shops across the
Is this treating Gurbani in High regards?
If you see this in any store, please object to the beadbi:
- tell the person
- phone them
- write a letter
- help move them
This particular case is in a
Tel 0121 558 1767
possible solutions is to put an empty box under them so that they are not on floor level.
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Glimpse at the life of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
| Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh religion, was born in 1469 A.D. in the village of Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi (now called Nankana Sahib, named after the Guru), in the Sheikhupura district, 65 km. west of Lahore (in Pakistan). Guru Nanak Sahib's birthday according to the tradition is celebrated on Kartik Puranmashi i.e. full moon day of the month Kartik. His father, Mehta Kalyan Das, more popularly known as Mehta Kalu, was an official in the town's local revenue administration. His mother was Mata Tripta Ji, a simple, pious and extremely religious woman. He also had an elder sister called Bebe Nanki, who always cherished her younger brother. |  |
 | The life and activities of Guru Nanak were remarkable from early childhood. His father was keen that his son should adopt a respectable and lucrative profession. At the age of 12, his father wanted him to be a trader and thus gave him 20 rupees and asked him to use the given money to strike some good and profitable bargain. Instead of doing so, Guru Ji, bought food with the money he had, and distributed everything among the sadhus, who had not eaten anything for days. When his father asked him what happened to the money? He replied that he had done a "True business" by feeding the hungry holy men. His father was angry that his son had wasted the money, but his elder sister, Nanki, stood by her dear brother and strongly defended his actions. |
| Such noble actions of the young Nanak and his refusal to hoard worldly wealth indicated that he was no ordinary man, but one who was destined to be the Guru, the spiritual teacher of mankind. Today, at the place where Guru Nanak Dev Ji had fed the poor, stands a Gurdwara names, Sacha Sauda. | |
| At the age of seven, He learnt Hindi and Sanskrit. He surprised his teachers with the sublimity of his extra-ordinary knowledge about divine things. At the age of 13, He learned Persian and Sanskrit and at the age of 16, He was the most learned man in the region. |  |
| Guru Nanak was married in 1487 to Sri Sulakhani Ji, daughter of Mul Chand. Guru Ji was blessed with two sons, Baba Sri Chand Ji born in 1491 and Baba Lakhami Das Ji born in 1496. | |
 | In November 1504, Guru Nanak's elder sister Nanaki ji took him to Sultanpurlodhi where her husband Jai Ram ji got him the Job of storekeeper in the Modikhana of the local Nawab, Daulat Khan Lodhi. It is there that he came into contact with Mardana, a low caste (Mirasi) Muslim minstrel who was ten years senior in age. | |
| At the age of 38, in August 1507, Guru Nanak Sahib heard God's call to dedicate himself to the service |  | |
| of humanity after bathing in "Vain Nadi" (a small river) near Sultanpur Lodhi. The very first sentence which he uttered then was, "There is no Hindu, no Musalman". He now undertook long travels to preach his unique and divine doctrine (Sikhism). After visiting different places in Punjab, he decided to proceed on four long tours covering different religious places in India and abroad. These tours are called Char Udasis of Guru Nanak Sahib. | ||
| During the four journeys, Guru Nanak Sahib visited different religious places preaching Sikhism. He went to Kurukshetra, Haridwar, Joshi Math, Ratha Sahib, Gorakh Matta (Nanak Matta), Audhya, Prayag, Varanasi, Gaya, Patna, Dhubri and Gauhati in Assam, Dacca, Puri, Cuttock, Rameshwaram, Ceylon, Bidar, Baroach, Somnath, Dwarka, Janagarh, Ujjain, Ajmer, Mathura, Pakpattan, Talwandi, Lahore, Sultanpur, Bilaspur, Rawalsar, Jawalaji, Spiti Valley, Tibet, Ladakh, Kargil, Amarnath, Srinagar and Baramula. | ||
| Guru Nanak Sahib also paid visit to Muslim holy places. In this regard he went to Mecca, Medina, Baghdad via Multan, Peshawar Sakhar, Son Miani, Hinglaj etc. Some accounts say that Guru Sahib reached Mecca by sea-route. Guru Sahib also visited Syria, Turkey and Tehran (the present capital of Iran). From Tehran Guru Sahib set out on the caravan route and covered Kabul, Kandhar and Jalalabad. The real aim of the tour was awakening the people to realize the truth about God and to introduce Sikhism. He established a network of preaching centres of Sikhism which were called "Manjis". He appointed able and committed followers as its head (preacher of Sikhism). The basic principles of Sikhism were willfully conceived by the people from all walks of life. The seeds of Sikhism were sown all over India and abroad in well-planned manner. | ||
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| Apart from conveying his message and rendering help to the weak, he preached, both by precept and practice, against caste distinctions ritualism, idol worship and the pseudo-religious beliefs that had no spiritual content. He chose to mix with all. He dined and lived with men of the lowest castes and classes. Considering the then prevailing cultural practices and traditions, this was something socially and religiously unheard of in those days of rigid Hindu caste system sanctioned by the scriptures and the religiously approved notions of untouchables and pollution. It is a matter of great significance that at the very beginning of his mission, the Guru's first companion was a low caste Muslim, called Mardana. The offerings he received during his tours were distributed among the poor. Any surplus collected was given to his hosts to maintain a common kitchen, where all could sit and eat together without any distinction of caste and status. This institution of common kitchen or langar became a major instrument of helping the poor, and a nucleus for religious gatherings of his society and of establishing the basic equality of all castes, classes and sexes. | |
 | Despite the hazards of travel in those times, Guru Ji performed four long tours all over the country to visit religious places and preach. He explained and exposed through his preaching the incongruities and fruitlessness of ritualistic and ascetic practices. Guru Ji was against all outward show of religion and all superstitions. |
| In the year 1520, Babar attacked India. His troops slaughtered thousands of innocent civilians of all walks of life. Women and children were made captives and all their property looted at Amiabad. Guru Nanak Sahib challenged this act of barbarity in strong words. He was arrested and released, shortly after making Babar realizing his blunder. All the prisoners were also released. | |
| He spent 25 years preaching from place to place. Many of his hymns were composed during this period. They represent answers to the major religious and social problems of the day and cogent responses to the situations and incidents that he came across. Some of the hymns convey dialogues with Yogis in the Punjab and elsewhere. He denounced their methods of living and their religious views. During these tours he studied other religious systems like Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Islam. At the same time, he preached the doctrines of his new religion and mission at the places and centres he visited. Since his mystic system almost completely reversed the trends, principles and practices of the then prevailing religions, he criticized and rejected virtually all the old beliefs, rituals and harmful practices existing in the country. This explains the necessity of his long and arduous tours and the variety and profusion of his hymns on all the religious, social, political and theological issues, practices and institutions of his period. | |
 | Guru Nanak Sahib settled down at Kartarpur city (now in Pakistan) which was founded by him in 1522 and spent the rest of his life there (1522-1539). There was daily Kirtan and the institution of Langar (free kitchen) was introduced. Knowing that the end was drawing near, Guru Nanak Sahib, after testing his two sons and some followers, installed Bhai Lehna ji (Guru Angad Sahib) as the Second Nanak in 1539, and after a few days passed into Sachkhand in September, 1539. |
This ended the worldly journey of this God-gifted Master (Guru). He rejected the path of renunciation Tyaga or Yoga, the authority of the Vedas and the Hindu caste system. Guru Nanak Sahib emphasized the leading of householder's life (Grista), unattached to gross materialism. The services of mankind Sewa, Kirtan, Satsang and faith in 'One' Omnipotent God are the basic concepts of Sikhism established by Guru Nanak Sahib. Thus he laid the foundations of Sikhism. He preached new idea of God as Supreme, Universal, All-powerful and truthful. God is Formless (Nirankar), the Sole, the Creator, the self-existent, the Incomprehensible and the Ever-lasting and the creator of all things (Karta Purakh). God is infinite, All knowing, True, All-giver, Nirvair, and Omnipotent. He is Satnam, the Eternal and Absolute Truth. | |
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| As a social reformer Guru Nanak Sahib upheld the cause of women, downtrodden and the poor. He attacked the citadel of caste system of Hindus and theocracy of Muslim rulers. He was a born poet. He wrote 947 hymns comprising Japji Sahib, Asa-Di-Var, Bara-Mah, Sidh-Gosht, Onkar (Dakhani) and these were included in Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Arjan Sahib. | |
| He was also a perfect musician. He, with the company of Bhai Mardana, composed such tunes in various Indian classical Ragas that charmed and thawed wild creatures like Babar, subdued saging kings, raved bigots and tyrants, made thugs and robbers' saint. He was a reformer as well as a revolutionary. God had endowed him with a contemplative mind and pious disposition. Guru Arjan Sahib called him "the image of God, nay, God Himself". |  |
| "EK ONKAR" - There is one and only God Almighty, the Creator. All men are equal before him whether they are Hindus or Muslims. Only good and noble actions count, not showing piety or visits to holy places, if these are not performed with sincere devotion. This was Guru Nanak's message to the world. | |
