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Gurbani Word Of The Day : suniaar

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ਸੁਨਿਆਰੁ (suniaar)
Meaning: noun: Goldsmith.

Quote:
ਜਤੁ ਪਾਹਾਰਾ  ਧੀਰਜੁ ਸੁਨਿਆਰੁ॥
jat paahaaraa  dheeraj suniaar.
Let pure conduct be the furnace, and patience the goldsmith. – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 08

Message: The last pauri of Jap Ji Sahib mentions a spiritual mint. A mint is the place where the coins of a country are manufactured. With the help of a furnace, anvil, hammer, fire, bellows and the crucible, the goldsmith crafts coins from a metal, which become approved after they are stamped with the royal seal on them. Using this analogy, the method of moulding the human mind in the spiritual mint is described here. The required tools for this spiritual moulding are as follows:

Tools used in the worldly mint Tools used in the spiritual mint
Furnace  Pure conduct
Goldsmith Patience
Anvil Intellect
Hammer  Guru’s wisdom
Bellows Divine awareness
Fire Hard work
Crucible Love
Required chemicals, borax etc. God’s Name
Metal Mind

A goldsmith has a furnace kept to a controlled temperature, the bellows operated with great skill to feed the fire, the anvil on which the metal is laid and hammered into shape, and the crucible to hold the metal for melting in the furnace and to pour it into the mould for the final casting. Likewise, Guru Nanak says, on one’s journey to union with the Divine, we need the corresponding tools. These are pure conduct, control over the senses of lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride; patience and tolerance; intellect to absorb knowledge; diligence and hard work; and love and devotion. Thus, with these tools, the mind is made pure and exquisitely beautiful, just as a metal in the skillful hands of the goldsmith is minted into genuine coins.  

Keen to Explore Further:
Stanza 38 can be looked at as the message of Jap Ji Sahib in a nutshell. Using the goldsmith and his workshop as an analogy for the human mind, it describes the qualities needed to attain spiritual union with the Divine.

This central teaching has been amplified and explained by succeeding Gurus in no uncertain terms. It is only from this existential fulcrum that a truly fulfilling, purpose-driven life is possible.

The fact is that we too often tend to lose sight of this central message and get side-tracked, which serves only to exacerbate the underlying problem.

While we justifiably pride ourselves in worldly knowledge acquired through education and skills, the knowledge being talked about here is the knowledge of the self, without which all else is to no avail. Instead, Guru Nanak points to the cultivation of inner virtues.

In this stanza, Guru Nanak lays out the process. Once again, he points to the cultivation of inner qualities. This is, indeed, the process of becoming a truly cultured and integrated personality, a necessary condition for a successful life.

What is the process? What should we carry in our toolbox?

First, is the cultivation of pure conduct (jat), by restraint or a reining in of the senses. Put another way, this implies shifting the focus of one’s faculties in the proper direction. Guru Amar Das has very beautifully illustrated the right orientation for our senses in Anand Sahib: for instance, eyesight must be accompanied by the insight of seeing the same spark in all sentient beings; hearing must learn to filter out unnecessary noise and listen to Truth; the tongue must avoid gluttony and so on.

Patience (dheeraj) is a necessary pre-requisite to the restraint of the senses and acts as a check to impulsive and addictive tendencies, and teaching us how to defer immediate gratification.

Patience and restraint must be accompanied by discernment (mat) and knowledge (ved). In Gurbani’s idiom, the mind must develop this sense of discernment and/or discrimination (bibek) for what hukam has in store for us. This is made possible by conditioning the mind with the teachings of Gurbani.

The inner fire (tap) is ignited by the bellows of divine awe and awareness (bhau). The point to be noted here is that tap is generally associated with the fire of austerities; in Sikhi, the austerities are primarily two: walking in accordance with hukam and service as a social concern.

Finally, one has to nourish love and devotion with an intensity that burns up internal impurities, thereby purifying the mind and paving the way to receive divine beneficence. It is through this beneficence that one embarks on this endeavour in the first place, and achieves union with the Divine.   

An authentic Sikh life can thus be likened to a lifelong alchemic process of apprenticeship to Gurbani where psychological lead (manmukh) is cast in the mold of love to become spiritual gold (gurmukh).

A gurmukh walks in accordance with hukam and serves society selflessly.

Notes: An anvil is a block with a hard surface on which another object is struck. A bellows is a device for delivering pressurized air in a controlled quantity to a controlled location. A crucible is a container which is used for metal, glass, and pigment production.

Etymology: From Sanskrit suvarṇakaar (goldsmith) → Pali suvarṇṇakaar → Prakrit suvaṇṇaar/suṇṇaar → Shina (Dardic) suniaar. Comparable to modern Punjabi suniaaraa.


Gurbani Word Of The Day: mahat

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ਮਹਤੁ (mahat)
Meaning: adjective: Important, great.

Quote:
ਪਵਣੁ ਗੁਰੂ  ਪਾਣੀ ਪਿਤਾ   ਮਾਤਾ ਧਰਤਿ ਮਹਤੁ॥
pavaṇ guroo   paaṇee pitaa   maataa dharat mahat.
(For living beings) air is vital like guru, water is essential like father, and the earth is important like mother. – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 08

Message: The couplet at the end of Jap Ji, begins with this interesting verse and says that, just as in life one has a mother, father, teacher and care givers, nature has provided earth as the mother, water as the father, air as the guru, and the two parts of 24-hour cycle – day and night – like two caregivers.

Water is essential like a father (sperm) to give life; the earth is important like a mother (gestation and feeding) to provide nourishment, and air (life-force) is vital as a guru to infuse life in us. Day provides the opportunity to earn a living whilst the night lulls us to rest as a caregiver. The world is thus like a theatre, where we all are actors playing our roles.

Each one sows the seeds of one’s actions and reaps the fruits accordingly. We are evaluated based on our deeds, good or bad. According to these deeds, some get closer to the Divine and others stray away and keep on wandering, like being sent for remedial training until one gets it right.

Those who work hard and seek spiritual advancement, living righteously, contemplating with love and dedication, and leading life in accordance with divine will, achieve spiritual stability and inner peace. Through their good actions and endeavours, they inspire countless more.

Etymology: From Sanskrit mahattv, noun (greatness) → Pali mahatt → Sihali mahat and Punjabi mahatt.

Remembering Chaman Lal: A 90 Years Old Activist Who Died Awaiting Justice

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Chaman Lal was a victim of human rights violations in Punjab.

His story goes back to 1993 when his elder son Gulshan (20) was arrested and killed in a false encounter by Punjab police on July 22 of the same year.   At that time, Chaman Lal was 70 and lived as a vegetable seller in Tarn Taran area.  Gulshan’s murder was one of the thousands extrajudicial murders carried out by the Punjab police under former Director General of Police (DGP) KP Gill during the 1990s.

Due to his efforts, an investigation of the case was carried out by the CBI.  Four years later after the murder of Gulshan, on February 28, 1997, the investigations resulted in indictments on murder charges for former DSP Dilbagh Singh, SHO Gurbachan Singh, ASI Davinder Singh, Balbir Singh and Arjan Singh. In the trial, the accused were found guilty of murder and were sentenced to life imprisonment. However, they succeeded in receiving bail after 2 years and are free now. Chaman Lal fought a long legal battle to bring the murderers of his son to justice but he could not succeed in his efforts despite struggling for over two decades.

Despite living in extremely poor conditions, Chaman Lal did not give up his stance.  Along with fighting a lengthy and costly legal battle, Chaman Lal remained an active human rights activist.  After his son’s death in 1993, Chaman Lal started attending seminars and protests for human rights.  He advocated equal rights for all beings in Punjab.  His last wish was to depose before the Court about enforced disappearance of his son but the Indian Court never recorded his testimony. 

The case pertaining to enforced disappearance of Gulshan Kumar was probed by CBI and chargesheets against accused cops were filed in the trial.  The trial of the case couldn’t begin for more than a decade. Recently, the stay order in this case was lifted in April 2016 by the Supreme Court and hearing on the case was scheduled to July 2.  Unfortunately, Chaman Lal passed away a day before the hearing.

Chaman Lal was a living testament to the crimes committed by the Punjab police in the 1990s.

Chaman Lal with his younger son Parveen Kumar.
Chaman Lal with his younger son Parveen Kumar

Chaman Lal’s last wish was for justiceto see his son’s murderers in prison.  During the course of the past two decades, the Punjab police tried every possible way to halt Chaman Lal’s quest for justice.  Along with giving threats to Chaman Lal and his family members, the police at one time also tried to negotiate with him by offering a bribe of Rs. 7.5 million.  This offer was rejected by Chaman Lal.  Despite being poor, he refused to sell his conscience.

“My last wish is to see the murderers of my son behind bars,” he told Sikh24 in an interview on March 17, 2016.

Chaman Lal told Sikh24 in a low voice that if he passes away during the trial of this case, his younger son Parveen Kumar, Senior Advocate Rajwinder Singh Bains, Advocate Jagdeep Singh Randhawa, and Harmandeep Singh Sarhali would look after the case.

Chaman Lal reiterated how the Punjab police abducted his son Gulshan on June 22, 1993.  Late at night, DSP Dilbagh Singh and SHO Gurbachan Singh entered his home forcefully.  All males were beaten mercilessly by the police as they asked them to confess a theft.  Later, hearing screams from the house, other villagers rushed to provide assistance.  At this point, the police took away Chaman Lal and his sons to the police station.

“They tried to take my daughter along to the police station as well, but the villagers intervened.  We faced much torture at the police station which I cannot even describe,” he said.

The torture left Gulshan unable to walk.  After three days, while others were released, the police kept Gulshan in custody.  Police later asked for a bribe of Rs. 200,000 in return of his son, however, being a poor vegetable seller, Chaman Lal could not afford to pay this sum.  Just within days, Gulshan’s physical condition deteriorated and he could not sit or even swallow food.  He was later declared a militant and executed on July 22, 1993 in a fake encounter.

The case of Gulshan’s death was not an isolated incident.  Thousands of such murders were carried out in cold blood by the Punjab police to invoke animosity between Sikh and Hindu communities.  While Sikh youth were eliminated in large numbers, a large number of Hindu families were also affected as their family members were killed to put blame on Sikh organizations.  Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights advocate, had document 25,000 such extra-judicial murders in Punjab.  He was also abducted and later killed in a false police encounter in 1995.

Gurbani Word Of The Day: Karam Khaňḍ

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ਕਰਮ ਖੰਡ (karam khaňḍ)
Meaning: noun: The realm of divine beneficence.

Quote:
ਕਰਮ ਖੰਡ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਜੋਰੁ॥ ਤਿਥੈ ਹੋਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ਹੋਰੁ॥
karam khaňḍ kee baṇee jor. tithai hor na ko-ee hor.
Nanak: (The union with the Divine) is attained through divine beneficence, (all other claims) are false and boastings of a liar (idle talk). – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 07

Message: Karam khand, the fourth stage of spiritual development, is the realm of divine beneficence or nadar. Nadar occupies a central position in Guru Nanak’s teachings and here, in our spiritual journey, it is a marker that is close to the ultimate omega point, sach khand.

Guru Nanak tells us that in this realm “live warriors and heroes of mighty power”. Spiritual power reigns supreme here, and this is the abode of elevated souls or spiritual warriors, those brave ones who have conquered their minds and freed themselves of worldly temptations. Soaked with the spirit of divine love and hewed to divine glory, the beauty of these warriors cannot be described. Being spiritually united with the Divine, death and deceit do not touch them and they rejoice in being in the presence of the Creator.

The imagery in this pauri is saturated with the vocabulary of valour and might, indicating to us that these qualities are an essential element on the path to ultimate Reality. The power is not physical but spiritual, needed to overcome our base nature which is afflicted with the lower passions.

In this pauri, Guru Nanak laudsthose who have conquered their self and become spiritually so powerful that worldly evils cannot affect them anymore.  

ਨਾ ਓਹਿ ਮਰਹਿ ਨ ਠਾਗੇ ਜਾਹਿ॥ ਜਿਨ ਕੈ ਰਾਮੁ ਵਸ ਮਨ ਮਾਹਿ॥
They, who enshrine the Divine in their minds, neither die nor are they deceived. -Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 08

Etymology: Blend of karam, from Arabic karam (generosity, beneficence) + khaňḍ(realm, zone).

Notes: The word karam here is used in its Persian sense (divine beneficence), and not in the Sanskritic sense (deed, action), which comes from Sanskrit karman (act, effort) and is related to the English word, karma.

The Beauty Of Jap Ji Sahib

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The Beauty of Jap Ji Sahib
A Poetic Rendition Part 8

Pauree 25 
Grace abounds, beyond all recording,
The Great Giver gifts without requiring.
Countless warriors beg at Your door,
Many more beyond counting.
Many live in utter depredation,
Others receive but remain thankless.
Many fools wallow in gluttony,
Others are afflicted with sorrow and hunger.
These too are Your gifts, Great Giver!
Bondage and freedom flow from Your dispensation,
Of this, nothing else can be said.
The oaf who tries,
Can only come to grief.
You alone know Your dispensation
Few grasp this intuition
Those You give the gift of praise and adoration,
Nanak, are Kings among Kings.

Pauree 26
Priceless their virtues, prized their trade,
Priceless the traders priceless the warehouse,
Peerless the dealers who make the exchange,
Precious that love, blessed are those immersed.
Immutable the Law, enlightened the Court,
Balanced the scales, precise the weights.
Beyond fathom Your gifts, signs of Your presence pervade,
Magnanimous Your mercy, charitable Your dispensation.
Invaluable Your excellence, beyond description,
Countless have tried, exhausted into silence
The Vedas and the Purans seek to narrate
The learned discourse and explicate,
Brahma and Indra strive to speak,
Krishna and the gopis in their manner speak,
Shiva attempts to decipher, the Siddhas attempt to peek,
Innumerable Buddhas strive endlessly,
Demons and angels alike,
The devout, the virtuous and the wise,
Endless are those who try,
Unlimited have come and passed,
If their numbers were to be surpassed
Beyond reckoning You would remain.
You are as You please,
Known only to Yourself
If one were to explain Your span,
Surely would be marked as a fool amongst fools.

Pauree 27
Where is the portal, where the dwelling,
From whence You watch over Your creation?
There, endless sounds, instruments and players abound, 
A divine symphony, melodious sounds.
Air, water and fire all sing your song; 
Dharam Raj, the angel of death, sings at Your door, 
Chit and Gupat, the recording angels, sing in tow. 
Shiv, Brahma and their consorts sing in Your praise,
Indra seated on his throne with attendants in tow sing of You.
Ascetics in long meditation, sages in deep contemplation
Celibates in self-denial, the content in self surrender, 
Dauntless warriors – all sing to Your praise. 
Pundits absorbed in scripture, reciting the Vedas through the ages 
Women of bewitching beauty, in the worlds below and above,
All sing to Your praise 
Jewels and gems of Your creation, the sixty eight places of pilgrimage, 
Mighty heroes in battle, the four sources of creation, 
Worlds above and below, created and sustained by You, 
All sing to Your praise 
Steeped in divine love, the bhagats sing odes to You 
And countless more that Nanak cannot recall. 
You are Eternal, True Master, forever True the Name 
You always were, always will be – You, who fashioned all creation 
With diverse colors, forms, species and Maya too. 
You behold Your works, 
As it pleases You, so runs Your writ – none can order You around! 
You are the King of Kings, Nanak walks in Your Will. 

Gurbani Word Of The Day: Poot

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Gurbani Word Of The Day: Poot
ਪੂਤੁ (poot)

Meaning: noun: Son.

Quote:
ਜੰਮਿਆ ਪੂਤੁ ਭਗਤੁ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਕਾ॥ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਆ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਧੁਰ ਕਾ॥ 
jaňmiaa poot bhagat goviňd kaa. pragtiaa sabh mahi likhiaa dhur kaa.
A son devoted to the Divine is born. As ordained from the Beginning, it has been revealed to everyone. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 396

Message: According to most of the Sikh scholars, Guru Arjan Sahib composed a hymn on the occasion of the birth of his son Hargobind at Vadali (now known as Guru Ki Vadali), a village 7 km west of Amritsar. The quote above is taken from this hymn.

As a true devotee, Guru Arjan believed that the birth of his son was ordained and a child devoted to the Divine was born. Guru Arjan did not become a father until many years into his marriage. His older brother hoped that he would not have any offspring as he wanted his son to take over the guru-ship from the Guru. The Guru had hoped for a child but his strong spiritual belief left the decision in the hands of the Divine.

From the hymn, one sees that his utter gratefulness to both Guru Nanak and the Divine for the gift of a son, cannot be contained, and he expresses his happiness openly. His wishes were granted and his lineage could now continue. This would not have been possible without divine consent. He writes about divine will, manifested in this birth. There were both bliss and anxiety from the time of conception, and more before the birth, as the son was born in the tenth month.

From the Guru’s example, we understand the need to be steadfast in our faith first, believing the Almighty, will do what is best for us. We can seek what we wish for. While our faith may be tested, always be mindful of the presence of the divine beneficence and grace. Be grateful when blessed with what we desire.

Etymology: From Sanskrit putr (son) → Pali/Prakrit putt (son) → Gurbani put/poot.

 

Gurbani Word Of The Day : Har Govid

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Gurbani Word Of The Day : Har Govid

ਹਰਿ ਗੋਵਿਦੁ (har govid)
Meaning: noun: Hargovind, name of the son of the fifth Guru.

Quote:
ਮੇਰਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਰਖਵਾਲਾ ਹੋਆ॥ ਧਾਰਿ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਹਾਥ ਦੇ ਰਾਖਿਆ   ਹਰਿ ਗੋਵਿਦੁ ਨਵਾ ਨਿਰੋਆ॥
meraa satgur rakhvaalaa hoaa.
dhaar kripaa prabh haath de raakhiaa   har govid navaa niroaa.
The true Guru has been my saviour and protector. Showering His mercy, the Divine has extended His hand and saved Hargobind, who is now safe and secure. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 620

Message: The quote above is taken from a hymn written to express the fifth Guru’s happiness and gratitude on the recovery of his son, Hargobind, from the life-threatening ailment of smallpox.

Hargobind was a gift from the Divine. He could easily have been taken away. Guru Arjan is fully aware of this and gives thanks to both the Guru and the Divine in this verse for showing mercy on him and helping to save his son who is now well. He does so in humility and with gratitude. In the company of the wise and devout (sadh sangat), he is further blessed with peace of mind. The Guru’s true wisdom has been his saviour and protector.

The Guru’s word never fails. When we have complete faith in the Guru’s teachings, the Divine helps us by extending His protection over us and also our loved ones. Hargobind faced many threats but was saved. The Divine not only protects but gives us strength to face our troubles and puts us on the right path to find solutions.

Click here to listen to full hymn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0A-EjX7das

Etymology: Combination of hari and govind, both mean God, Godly.

Gurbani Word Og The Day : seet-laa

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Gurbani Word Og The Day : seet-laa

ਸੀਤਲਾ (seet-laa)
Meaning: noun: Smallpox.

Quote:
ਸੀਤਲਾ ਤੇ ਰਖਿਆ ਬਿਹਾਰੀ॥ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰੀ॥
seetlaa te rakhiaa bihaaree. paarbraham prabh kirpaa dhaaree.
The Giver of joy, the Supreme Lord, has bestowed His grace and saved (the child Hargobind) from smallpox. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 200

Message: In several parts of North India, smallpox is usually identified with an ancient folk deity Sheetala. The onset of smallpox is considered to be the manifestation of the goddess. The disease is seen to be her play and hence has to be given due reverence. The patient is fed cooling foods, and prayers and offerings are made to the goddess.

Sikh scholars believe that Guru Arjan uttered these verses on the occasion of the recovery of his son Hargobind, from smallpox and having warded off the danger of going blind due to the disease.

He expresses that it is the Divine who is the giver of joy and no other, and it is His grace that saved the child. As Hargobind was regarded as a gift from the Divine, there was no doubt who the Guru would have turned to at this trying time.

Following the example of the Guru, we need to always have faith in the Divine and His grace. When faced with adversities or ill health, we should turn to Him and not to anyone less. Our devotion is truly tested at these times. The temptation is always there to look for more than one solution, and to turn to established rituals.

Click here to listen to full hymn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUHk1AEUWxw

Etymology: From Sanskrit sheetalaa (literally, one who cools, the goddess of smallpox).


Op/Ed: Turning “Terrorist” News Caption Into A Positive Story

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Last Wednesday, I was vacationing in Chicago with my family when we were filmed for a local television segment on ABC 7 News while at the Taste of Chicago.

When the segment aired later that evening, the closed caption that appeared with the story read “terrorist” instead of “tourist.” Although I didn’t see the story, thousands across Chicago did. Some of them even shared the clip on social media. I couldn’t bear the thought of telling my young children what happened because I didn’t want to ruin our vacation.

People were confused, upset and disturbed. That’s when the Sikh Coalition intervened. Within minutes, the Sikh Coalition was in high-level discussions with the directors at ABC 7 News, figuring out why this horrible mistake happened and how it could be fixed. The next day, ABC 7 News and the caption transcription firm apologized for their mistake, and vowed to work with the Sikh Coalition to air a positive story about the Sikh American community in Chicago in the coming weeks.

To understand how this mistake happened, read the apologies from ABC News and the transcription service

This immediate and remarkable result wasn’t accidental. The Sikh Coalition knew exactly who to contact at ABC 7 News because they had previously worked with the station and built a reputation of credibility and respect. The network knew that if they didn’t fix the problem, they would be held accountable.

My family and I are very grateful for this valuable work and the work that organizations like the Sikh Coalition do every day to positively educate Americans about the Sikh faith, community and culture. They analyzed the problem, fixed it and turned it into an opportunity for positive exposure about the Sikh community. They do this work not just in Chicago, but across the country.

Please consider making a donation to the Sikh Coalition today, so they can continue to do amazing and impactful work on behalf of all of us: http://www.sikhdonate.org.

Now when I tell my children what happened, I can share how proud we are to be Sikh and to have an organization like the Sikh Coalition fighting for our rights. I look forward to showing my children the upcoming ABC 7 news story about the Sikh community.

Gurbani Word Of The Day : lep

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Gurbani Word Of The Day : lep

ਲੇਪੁ (lep)
Meaning: noun: Harm, ill-effect.

Quote:
ਲੇਪੁ ਨ ਲਾਗੋ ਤਿਲ ਕਾ ਮੂਲਿ॥ ਦੁਸਟੁ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣੁ ਮੂਆ ਹੋਇ ਕੈ ਸੂਲ॥
lep na laago til kaa mool. dust braahma mooaa hoi kai sool.
(The poison) had absolutely no harmful effect (on the child). But the wicked Brahmin died due to stomach pain. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 1137

Message: The quote above refers to an attempt to poison Hargobind when he was a child. Prithi Chand, Guru Arjan’s older brother, had feelings of animosity towards him. This was because their father had passed the guru-ship to Guru Arjan who was younger and not Prithi Chand who was older. Prithi Chand then hoped that Guru Arjan will not have any children, thus allowing the guru-ship to pass to his son.

He was disappointed again when Hargobind was born. Prithi Chand then tried many times to kill the child but was unsuccessful. The poison incident was one such attempt. In this incident, he bribed Brahmin Duni Chand who used to babysit Hargobind. He was to administer poison to the child by mixing cyanide in his yoghurt. But the child refused to eat. When the Brahmin tried to force feed him, he started crying. Hearing the cry, Guru ji came in and tried feeding him but he still refused. Guru ji then fed the yoghurt to a dog nearby and it died. He fed it to another dog and he too died. After this confirmation, Guru ji asked the babysitter to tell the truth and he narrated the conspiracy. Ashamed of his misdeed, the Brahmin babysitter died of severe pains in his stomach on reaching home.

In the hymn from which this quote is taken, the Guru expresses thanks to the Divine for saving his son from being poisoned. The Divine has saved the devotee and the sinner has died. Like a father and mother, the Divine is our protector. He listens to our prayers and understands our devotion to Him. If we have faith and remember Him at all times devotedly, then we are protected. No matter who works against us, they will ultimately fail and suffer the consequences of their actions.

Click here to listen to full hymn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q54ILKwJRzo

Etymology: From Sanskrit lepya (to be smeared, plaster) → Prakrit leppa (wall) → Sindhi lepu (salve applied to the body), Lahndi lep (plaster, ointment) and Punjabi lep (plaster).

The Unwritten War Diary Of A Sikh Gallipoli Veteran

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Havildar Waryam Singh was a Signaller in the 14th Sikhs, the battalion that fought alongside the Anzacs in the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, The British War Medal and The Allied Victory Medal for his efforts in assisting the British Commonwealth in seeking victory during World War 1. He also received Indian Distinguished Service Medal, Indian General Service Medal and General Service Medal. 

Havildar Waryam Singh (left), with his military mates during WW1 (B S Banwait)

It is often said that those who are busy making history, seldom write it. And that holds absolutely true for Indian / Punjabi / Sikh troops who participated in WW1 and 2, because of which their personal experiences and stories have remained largely forgotten in the annals of history. Prof Peter Stanley’s recent book “Die in Battle, Do no Despair, Indians on Gallipoli” has documented some of the stories about these brave Indian troops, and for the first time revealed the story of Havildar Waryam Singh, as narrated by Sydney based Balbir Singh Banwait. 

73 year old Balbir Singh Banwait is the son of Havildar Waryam Singh, and has been living in Sydney for many years. He clearly recalls his father recounting many tales and anecdotes from the First World War, and as a special presentation to SBS Punjabi listeners, we present this oral history, a century after the Gallipoli campaign. Whilst there maybe some historical inaccuracies in this anecdotal account, but the historical value of this first-hand account cannot be underestimated.

Gurbani Word Of The Day : sul-hee

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Gurbani Word Of The Day : sul-hee

ਸੁਲਹੀ (sul-hee)
Meaning: noun: Sulhi Khan, an official of Mughal emperor Jahangir.

Quote:
ਸੁਲਹੀ ਤੇ ਨਾਰਾਇਣ ਰਾਖੁ॥ ਸੁਲਹੀ ਕਾ ਹਾਥੁ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਪਹੁਚੈ   ਸੁਲਹੀ ਹੋਇ ਮੂਆ ਨਾਪਾਕੁ॥
sulhee te naaraai raakh.
sulhee kaa haath kahee na pahuchai   sulhee hoi mooaa naapaak.
The Lord saved me from Sulhi Khan. Sulhi did not succeed in his plot and died an unholy death. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 825

Message: The quote above relates to another incident involving Sulhi Khan, an Afghan official of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Prithi Chand conspired with him to bring about the downfall of Guru Arjan, but instead Sulhi Khan was killed in the incident.

We are reminded time and again, that unshakable devotion to the Almighty will always be protective. Guru ji here is grateful that he has been saved from the clutches of his opponents. Divine intervention foiled the conspiracy. Human frailty in the form of our egoism holds us back from the degree of devotion that our Gurus had. When there is doubt, how can we expect complete protection?

Notes: The term naapaak (unholy, disgraceful) refers to how Sulhi Khan died. Sulhi Khan along with his horse fell into a fiery brick kiln and turned into ash. Islam forbids the burning of the body and for a Muslim to die in a fire is equivalent to dying an unholy, disgraceful death. Sulhi Khan’s life ended in this shameful manner.

Click here to listen to full hymn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAHb9jOb1s

Summary of the Week:
Incidents involving Guru Arjan Sahib and his son Hargobind have been the focus of this week’s words and verses.  In one sense, they lived a life like any one of us.

Guru ji had wished for a child. He faced animosity from members of his own family, through no fault of his own. He had to deal with threats on his son’s life and on his own.

What is the obvious difference? The obvious difference, is his steadfast devotion to the Almighty, to an unshakeable belief in the role of the Almighty as a father, a mother, and hence, a protector under all circumstances.

Faith is reacting positively to a negative situation. – Robert H. Schuller, Televangelist, 1926-2015

Op/Ed: Randhir Singh’s Obituary

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Randhir Singh, one of the great Sikh intellectuals of India, gave captivating lectures which drew many generations of students towards Marxism (Courtesy: The Guardian)
Randhir Singh, one of the great Sikh intellectuals of India, gave captivating lectures which drew many generations of students towards Marxism (Courtesy: The Guardian)

My friend Randhir Singh, who has died aged 94, was a Marxist intellectual and spent many years as professor of political science at Delhi University in India, where he was a respected teacher and author.

Born in Patiala in northern pre-partition India, he was the son of Gursaran, a physician and surgeon, and Dalip (nee Kaur), a housewife who died when he was seven. Growing up in Lahore, Randhir was influenced in his childhood by the ideals of the Punjabi socialist Bhagat Singh, who was hanged by the British authorities in 1931 while Randhir was still at primary school.

Later, when Randhir was pursuing studies in Lahore at Sikh National College and later the University of the Punjab, he became involved in leftwing student movements, spending a short time in jail for his activities and eventually working on the editorial staff of the Communist party’s Punjabi weekly Jang-i-Azadi newspaper. Around this time he also wrote a biography of Baba Gurmukh Singh, a key figure in the Ghadar movement of returned Indian migrants fighting against the British.

Later on, in 1950, Randhir published a book of his poems written in Punjabi, Rahan Di Dhoor, and then attracted critical acclaim in the world of political science with his book Reason, Revolution and Political Theory (1967), a Marxist critique of the work of the conservative philosopher and political theorist Michael Oakeshott.

In his magnum opus, Crisis of Socialism (2006), Randhir displayed a remarkable understanding of the emerging vision of eco-socialism in a 1,100-page critique of both capitalism and old Soviet-style socialism. Spending most of his working life at Delhi University, he was one of the greatest Sikh intellectuals in India.

Many generations of students from diverse backgrounds were first drawn to Marxism by his captivating lectures, including myself.

He is survived by his wife, Mohinder Kaur, by two daughters, Shimareet and Priyaleen, and by two grandsons, Nishant and Anant.

Gurbani Word Of The Day : buk

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Sikh Warrior

ਬੁਕਿ (buk – sounds like book)
Meaning: verb: Roar (of a lion).

Quote:
ਅੰਧਾ ਕਿਸ ਨੋ ਬੁਕਿ ਸੁਣਾਵੈ॥ ਖਸਮੈ ਮੂਲਿ ਨ ਭਾਵੈ॥
aňdhaa kis no buk sunaavai. khasmai mool na bhaavai.
Whom does the blind (ignorant) beast want to impress by roaring? This is not pleasing at all to the Almighty. – Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 1286

Message: The quote focusses on the roar of the lion which is seen as a symbol of ignorance and arrogance. The ignorant lion is proud of its might when it is young and strong, and its roar serves to impress other animals who can hear it. But when it becomes old and weak, the roar serves no purpose.

In the light of this analogy, human arrogance may seem to serve its purpose for a while but it proves to be ineffective in the long run. Humans boast and brag about their accomplishments but little do they realize that these are temporary. They sever relationships to accumulate wealth and other worldly possessions. Too much of this when we are young only brings pain later on in life as fractured relationships cannot be mended. But few can resist this temptation when young.

If this attitude and behaviour is not pleasing to the Divine, should we not rethink how we are living our lives? Should we not be more humble?

Etymology: From Sanskrit bukkati (barks) → Prakrit bukkai (barks, bellows).

Gurbani Word Of The Day: garl

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One of the most beautiful places in all the world has to be The Golden Temple in Amritsar, India. It's the most important temple of the Sikh religion, and an incredible place of peace and beauty. Sikh pilgrims come from all over the world to meditate here and are welcomed by open arms and incredible kindness. The site has a free dormitory (even for western visitors) and the cafeteria serves 20,000 free meals a day.  Originally a lake known for it's beauty, that many, even the Buddha, came to meditate at. The temple in the middle of the lake was completed in 1604. It has unfortunately been the site of many battles involving the Sikhs, but remains a place of peace.  As you walk around the lake, barefooted and listening to the peaceful music and nonstop reading of the Sikh holy verses, you're greeted warmly by pilgrims and local Sikhs, all happy to see foreigners enjoying their place of peace.

ਗਰਲ (garl – sounds like girl)
Meaning: noun: Poison.

Quote:
ਗਰਲ ਨਾਸੁ ਤਨਿ ਨਠਯੋ   ਅਮਿਉ ਅੰਤਰਗਤਿ ਪੀਓ॥
garl naas tan naṭhio   amiu aňtargat peeo.
When (Bhai Lahina) sipped the essence of the immortal Name of the Divine, the deadly poison of Maya was removed from his body. – Bhatt Kalya, Guru Granth Sahib, 1392

Message: Through this verse, the Bard Kalya describes how Bhai Lahina obtained access to the divine essence which led him to be the successor of Guru Nanak. Bhai Lahina nurtured love and devotion for the teachings of Guru Nanak. By absorbing their essence, the destructible poison of vices left his body; his mind immersed in divine consciousness. He attained inner stability and the virtues of love, kindness and compassion, and helped others to overcome their vicious temptations and reach for enlightenment.

In our mind too lies the destructive poison of vices. The quote for the day reminds us that, faith, a single minded belief in the Guru’s teachings, can eliminate from the mind the poison and related sorrow of attachment to vices. As an awareness of the wisdom of Gurbani sets in, the mind and body are purged of the poison. This understanding gives us comfort and removes our fears. We are more at peace, when we understand this wisdom and practice it in our daily lives.

Etymology: From Sanskrit/Pali/Prakrit garal (poison, snake poison).


Gurbani Word Of The Day: koḍ

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Harsangat Raj Kaur racing in the 2013 Hola Mohalla in the Punjab. Courtesy: Jaspreet Singh

ਕੋਡ (koḍ – sounds like code) 
Meaning: noun: Festivity.

Quote:
ਤਿਤੁ ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਸੋਹਿਲੜੇ ਕੋਡ ਅਨੰਦਾ॥ ਮਨਿ ਤਨਿ ਰਵਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਪਰਮਾਨੰਦਾ॥ 
tit grih sohilaṛe koḍ anaňdaa.  man tan rav rahiaa prabh parmaa-naňdaa.
The bliss, akin to hearing hymns of joy and spiritual festivities, is experienced in the heart of one, in whose mind and body, the Master of supreme bliss is infused. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 544

Message: There is sheer bliss in the heart of the person, in whose mind and body the Divine remains infused. One feels as if millions of songs of joy and bliss are being sung in the mind. What brings us to this blissful state?

It is the awareness that there is no separation between us and the Divine. In this blissful state we are one with the Divine. We are able to connect and relate with divine wisdom and love that heal the pain and wounds we carry.  We renounce pride and excessive attachment. We learn to live a life of truth, unburdened by worldly desires. We attain strength to be our true selves and to love and serve others.

In our mind there is a certain peace, a capacity for understanding, to be compassionate, to be kind, never demanding yet always ready to give. We adopt virtues that recognize divine presence in others.

Throughout the day, when the mind is caught in the inevitable rat race of life, we are able to stop and tap into the wisdom of Gurbani. This gives us emotional resources needed to stay strong in the face of life’s challenges.

Imagine one whole day of festivity and how carefree and light and unburdened one feels. Now imagine a life lived in that state of mind. A relationship with the Divine promises us that. Are we up for the challenge?

ਵਧੁ ਸੁਖ ਰੈਨੜੀਏ   ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੁ ਲਗਾ॥ ਘਟੁ ਦੁਖ ਨੀਦੜੀਏ   ਪਰਸਉ ਸਦਾ ਪਗਾ॥
O peaceful night! Grow longer because I have come to enshrine love for my Beloved. O painful sleep! Grow shorter, so that I may constantly grasp His feet. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 544

Etymology: Of uncertain origin, perhaps from Sanskrit kautuk (curiosity, festivity) → Prakrit koyua (wonder, curiosity, festivity) → Sindhi koḍi (wonder, festivity).

 

Gurbani Word Of The Day: naṭ

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Exhibition of "Jalou" inside Sri Darbar Sahib

ਨਟੁ (naṭ – sounds like nut)
Meaning: noun: Dancer, acrobat, actor.

Quote:
ਬਾਤੀ ਸੂਕੀ  ਤੇਲੁ ਨਿਖੂਟਾ॥ ਮੰਦਲੁ ਨ ਬਾਜੈ  ਨਟੁ ਪੈ ਸੂਤਾ॥
baatee sookee  tel nikhootaa. maňdal na baajai  na pai sootaa.
The wick has dried up and the oil is exhausted. The drum does not sound and the actor has gone to sleep. – Bhagat Kabeer, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 478

Message: The above lines suggest that a certain scene in a play has come to an end.  How is this related to our lives?

The oil and the wick of the lamp represent our worldly desires constantly being fed and kept alight. The actor is the mind that dances to the tune of these desires. While we are part of this play, we allow our passions free reign. The noise of the drumbeat is constantly in our minds. And there is no peace.

If we are looking for a place of peace and serenity – a higher spiritual plane – we must let excessive material and worldly desires and passions die out from our mind. We must put an end to the current play we are in. We must be ready to move on to a higher level.

Bhagat Kabeer, using this metaphor, shows us the way to do this. Let the oil and the wick dry out, let the music come to a stop. The mind – the actor – no longer dancing to the tune of the music and no longer troubled by the beat of the drum, will go to sleep (and be at peace). When the mind awakens, it will see the Divine pervading everywhere. This is because there is no more smoke from the fire of excessive worldly desires to cloud its vision.

The onus therefore lies in us. Do we continue playing out the same scene day in and day out, or do we put the unsettling play to sleep and awaken to a fresh new dawn!

Etymology: From Sanskrit nartak (dancer) → Prakrit ṇaṭṭ (dancer) → Sindhi naṭu (juggler) and Lahndi naṭṭ (acrobat).

Its modified form in Gurbani, naṭuaa can be compared to Nepali/Awadhi naṭuwaa, and Maithili/Hindi naṭuaa (dancing boy, buffoon).

Not sure whether it really has any connection with the English Slang: nut, (devotee or zealot).

Gurbani Word Of The Day: phan

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One of the most beautiful places in all the world has to be The Golden Temple in Amritsar, India. It's the most important temple of the Sikh religion, and an incredible place of peace and beauty. Sikh pilgrims come from all over the world to meditate here and are welcomed by open arms and incredible kindness. The site has a free dormitory (even for western visitors) and the cafeteria serves 20,000 free meals a day.  Originally a lake known for it's beauty, that many, even the Buddha, came to meditate at. The temple in the middle of the lake was completed in 1604. It has unfortunately been the site of many battles involving the Sikhs, but remains a place of peace.  As you walk around the lake, barefooted and listening to the peaceful music and nonstop reading of the Sikh holy verses, you're greeted warmly by pilgrims and local Sikhs, all happy to see foreigners enjoying their place of peace.

ਫਨ (phan – sounds like fun)
Meaning: noun: Deception, illusion.

Quote:
ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਕਉਨੁ ਸਹਾਈ ਮਨ ਕਾ॥ ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਭਾਈ ਸੁਤ ਬਨਿਤਾ   ਹਿਤੁ ਲਾਗੋ ਸਭ ਫਨ ਕਾ॥
har bin kaun sahaaee man kaa.
maat pitaa bhaaee sut banitaa   hit laago sabh phan kaa.
Who else other than the Divine can be the help and support of the mind? Love and attachment to mother, father, brother, son, and spouse, is all illusionary. – Bhagat Kabeer, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 1253

Message: Time and again we are reminded of the temporary nature of our life. How permanent can our human relationships then be? If human existence is so transient who do we turn to for support?

There is only one true support for the wavering mind and that is the Divine, of which each of us is a living spark.

Can we see the Divine as having a personality – of truth, of beauty, of benevolence, of giving? Earthly parents do their best at the human level. The Divine as a parent serves as an unlimited source of goodness making Him the perfect parent.

The Divine as a supreme teacher serves to provide nourishment to the mind. As a closest friend, He is a truly impartial guide in moments of happiness or difficulty.

How do we make ourselves worthy of such a relationship with Him? We need to check our own behaviour. In humility see our shortcomings and failures. Recognize where there has to be change. At all times be conscious of the strength that comes from a humble, devoted relationship with the Divine.

Etymology: From Arabic/Persian phan (deception, illusion).

Gurbani Word Of The Day : sakhaa

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Sikh Friends

ਸਖਾ (sakhaa)
Meaning: noun: Friend, companion..

Quote:
ਸੋ ਸਾਜਨੁ ਸੋ ਸਖਾ ਮੀਤੁ   ਜੋ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਮਤਿ ਦੇਇ॥
so saajan so sakhaa meet   jo har kee mat dei.
One who imparts divine wisdom is the loving friend and companion. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 298

Message: A loving friend and companion is one who opens our minds to divine wisdom. We realize then, that we have an avenue to a wealth that can never be exhausted. Through understanding this wisdom, we can make it a part of our life, if we so choose.

This friend, the Gurbani, not only imparts the teachings of the Divine but makes us aware of His divine presence in us at all times. With this knowledge, we renounce our conceit and egoism. As the wisdom gradually unfolds, the virtues of the Divine emerge from within to enable us to deal with life’s challenges.

Friendship is a cadence of divine melody melting through the heart. – Charles Arundell St John-Mildmay, 1820 -1904

Etymology: From Sanskrit sakhaa (friend) → Pali sakhaa (friend).

Gurbani Word Of The Day : meet

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Gurbani Word Of The Day : meet

ਮੀਤੁ (meet)
Meaning: noun: Friend, beloved.

Quote:

ਹੈ ਕੋਊ ਐਸੋ ਹਮਰਾ ਮੀਤੁ॥ ਸਗਲ ਸਮਗ੍ਰੀ ਜੀਉ ਹੀਉ ਦੇਉ   ਅਰਪਉ ਅਪਨੋ ਚੀਤੁ॥

hai ko-oo aiso hamraa meet. sagal samagree jeeu heeu deu arpau apno cheet.

Is there any such friend of mine (who can connect me with the Divine)? I would give him or her all my property, heart, and soul, and offer my mind. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 674

Message: All of us, at some point of time in life, find ourselves entangled in dilemmas that we wish someone would help us get out of. We wish someone could bring us peace and free our troubled and entangled minds. In the above quote, Guru Arjan Sahib is stimulating us to look for such a friend, a friend for whom he is willing to give up all that he has.

Is there such a friend who can guide and inspire us towards attaining a calm state of mind? Gurbani, the wisdom it contains, is the friend we need as a guide on this journey of life. Let it help us through our ups and downs, providing insights to deal with the problems of everyday life.

Association with like-minded Guru-oriented friends makes the journey easier. And if we could love the Divine, as a child loves his mother, life would be a breeze!

ਸਾਜਨੁ ਮੀਤੁ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਸੋਈ॥ ਏਕੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਏ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਖੋਈ॥
One who implants the One Lord within me, and eradicates my evil-mindedness is my true friend, companion, and beloved. – Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 1085

Click here to listen to full hymn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeQYLHzp298

Etymology: Modification of Sanskrit mitr (friend; the sun god – Rig Veda); comparable to English Mithra/Mithras (the sun god, the friend of man, in the ancient Persian religion).

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