jashan

Friday, December 03, 2010

How may I live, Mother, without the Lord?
Glory to Thee, Lord of the Universe!
To praise Thee I seek;
Never without the Lord may I live.
The Bride is athirst for the Lord;
All night is she awake lying in wait for Him.
The Lord has captured my heart;
He alone knows my agony:
Without the Lord the soul is in travail and pain--
Seeking His Word and the touch of His feet.
Show Thy grace, Lord; immerse me in Thysel

Monday, November 29, 2010

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Sunday, November 28, 2010

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Who was the king during Kabir's life-time?

Once, there was discussion about God. Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked, "Brothers! Who was the king during Kabir's life-time?"

Then, some old persons said, "Humanyoo".

Someone said, "Pithora".

One said, "Sikandar".

One said, "Madan Paal was the king".

There was a big debate for a long time. Guru Ji continued to listen.

“We cannot reach them; the God's men are high. The castes, 'varnas' and kingdoms, all remain lower.”

They all became silent. The Sikhs asked, "O True King! Why did you ask? Please tell yourself".

Guru Ji said, "This is the glory of 'Naam'. Kabir was a poor weaver. Everyone knows him. And the king was the owner of large kingdoms of the world, no one knows him (now). See the glory of the 'Name'. There were thousands of Pandits, Shah, astrologers, kings, but all are unknown (now). By the grace of 'Name', Kabir is called the knowledgeable and 'Sidh' (perfect). O Sikhs! The 'Name' is great. It was 'Sikandar Shah' (who was the king during the lifetime of Kabeer). He conquered India, he bowed before Kabir Ji after seeing the miracle of Kabir. O Sikhs! He, who repeats the 'Name', is the Sikh of the Guru. Repeat the 'Name' and do the 'seva' (service) with thy hands."

The village of children

This sakhi is an adaption of one of Baba Isher Singh jee's audio tape saakhis.

Something about the village graveyard set it apart. During my travels I had seen literally hundreds of graveyards. Usually graveyards are somber and somewhat resigned under the weight of death. But this one was different: besides been well-kept - which in itself was not unusual - it was designed more like a garden of life than a cradle of death.

What set it truly apart was the cheerfulness of its structure. Its' shady trees and sunny flowers seductively invited me in. Graveyards were my favourite resting places. It seemed that as soon as one exited a womb, Maya (worldy attractions) became a human's sole companion until the gates of a graveyard. Perhaps it was the absence of Maya in such places that kept my hopes of enlightenment alive.

I had left home when I had turned twenty. Although I didn't know it then, I had set out to find a place free of illusions. I had travelled to majestic temples, sober ashrams, holy rivers, renowned sadhus and any other religious place I had been told about, yet my mind was as restless as it was when I had first started. The holy places and the holy people at these places were among the most devout followers of Maya. After more than twelve years of searching, I had given up hope and had reluctantly decided to return home and begin a worldly life. It was on my journey home that I came upon this unusual village graveyard.

Although it was only mid-morning, I gave in to the cry of my aching muscles and entered the graveyard through a small wooden door. I put down my knapsack and looked at some of the tombstones. The tombstones entries always reminded me of my transitory place on earth. But this graveyard was full of surprises. There were three entries on each stone: name of the deceased person, the year of birth and instead of the usual 'death of year' the third entry was 'years of life'. Even more peculiar was that the 'years of life' entries were usually well under twenty. Although it took me all morning, I visited each and every tombstone; and to my utter astonishment, I could not find any 'years of life' over thirty. The most common entry was between ten and twelve. And there were quite a few with zero years of life. I was a curious person by nature (otherwise I would not have been here) and I had seen my share of amazing places. But this place truly mystified me. I decided to look up this "village of children".

I walked about a mile to the village gate. I was surprised to see people of all ages in the village courtyard. The villagers were extremely friendly. They came and not unlike children, touched and greeted me, and offered me all sorts of refreshments and foods. I was quite overwhelmed by their attention and love. Almost all of the villager's manners resembled the innocent nature of children. Even their faces were quite smooth and somewhat glowed with purity.

There was a group of elders sitting around an old banyan tree. I decided to ask them about this heavenly place. I approached the men. They greeted me warmly and at an appropriate time I asked: "Respected sirs, I have seen many places and many people. But even at the most holiest of these places I could not find the life and love that pervades this place. Perhaps I am in a dream...", I trailed off. They all smiled. I hurriedly continued, "I would very much like it if you would kindly explain this rather peculiar place. I was also very intrigued by the graveyard at the entrance of the village. Is it where you bury your young ones?"

After a short pause, the most elderly man spoke: "Traveller, you look like a man who would benefit much from the story I will tell you. Listen carefully and it will change your life." All the men around sat attentively. All the villagers within earshot came and sat to hear the old man speak.

He began, "My grandfather was the Kazi of this village. Each morning, well before sunrise, he would call out to the people and to the heavens with his namaaz (muslim call to prayer). One such morning he was in midst of his prayer when he heard music from the outskirts of the village. He was a devout muslim and was quite horrified to hear music at such a holy hour. He immediately sent some of his followers to put an end to this paganism. But to his surprise, none of them came back. The music meanwhile continued. After a long wait he himself decided to put an end to this unholy activity. So, quite angrily, he strode towards the music. But the closer he got, the more he realized that it wasn't his anger that was responsible for his hurried strides, rather it was the exquisite beauty in the music. Finally when he got close enough to see the music makers, not only did his body lose the ability to move, his mind too stopped the madman's dance it had been doing since his birth. He literally stood rooted to a spot for the duration of the recital. The music cast a spell on him. He travelled inwards to subtle places he had read about only in the scriptures. He would often look back at that moment and dreamily acclaimed, "I drank life to the fullest during those hours".

There was a long pause during which the story teller and the story listeners let the stillness of the story enter the depths of their beings. The elderly man continued: "The music makers were the great Guru Nanak and his companion Mardana jee. I am sure you have heard of him." I meekly nodded and mumbled, "I have, but haven't had the grace of meeting any of his followers".

"That is perhaps why, my friend, you are here," the man prophetically said. "At the end of the recital, my grandfather and all the others present simply surrendered themselves to the Guru. This was largely just a symbolic act because the moment each of them had seen the Guru they had lost themselves to him. Guru Nanak graced this village for three days and three nights. My grandfather named those days the "stillness days" because he said it was during those days that he and others learnt about the One found only within the stillness of the mind. We observe those days like others observe their birthdays. Indeed those days were the birthday of the village's inner life." He chuckled, "If you are impressed with the village now, you should see the love of the villagers in those fine days."

"But, as is the nature of the human mind," the elder soberly continued, "it wasn't long after Guru Nanak's departure that the village started returning to its normal numb and dark existence. This greatly troubled my grandfather and others like him who become Guru Nanak's and Guru Nanak's only. They tried very hard, through teaching and preaching, to keep the message of the Guru alive. Finally, after all normal means failed they came up with the following village tradition: Each villager keeps a diary. It is mandatory that each night before sleep, each person make an entry in the diary. Even children and people who cannot read or write have to get this entry made. The entry is simply the amount of time during the day that was spent in simran or in seva. At the end of the person's life, the entries are accumulated and that, my dear traveller, is the 'years of life' entry you see on the tombstones."

The story teller paused to let the magnitude of what he had told me to sink into me. He continued, "It is perhaps that which allows us to be free with our love. We are reminded each and every day what real life is. The time spent in simran or seva is the only life we consider as been worthy of been called life."

I travelled and searched no more. This indeed was the illusion-less place I was seeking.

Guru Ji

There was once a bridge which spanned a large river. During most of the day the bridge sat with its length running up and down the river paralleled with the banks, allowing ships to pass thru freely on both sides of the bridge. But at certain times each day, a train would come along and the bridge would be turned sideways across the river, allowing a train to cross it.

A switchman sat in a small shack on one side of the river where he operated the controls to turn the bridge and lock it into place as the train crossed. One evening as the switchman was waiting for the last train of the day to come, he looked off into the distance thru the dimming twilight and caught sight of the trainlights. He stepped to the control and waited until the train was within a prescribed distance when he was to turn the bridge. He turned the bridge into position, but, to his horror, he found the locking control did not work. If the bridge was not securely in position it would wobble back and forth at the ends when the train came onto it, causing the train to jump the track and go crashing into the river. This would be a passenger train with many people aboard.

He left the bridge turned across the river, and hurried across the bridge to the other side of the river where there was a lever switch he could hold to operate the lock manually. He would have to hold the lever back firmly as the train crossed. He could hear the rumble of the train now, and he took hold of the lever and leaned backward to apply his weight to it, locking the bridge. He kept applying the pressure to keep the mechanism locked. Many lives depended on this man's strength.

Then, coming across the bridge from the direction of his control shack, he heard a sound that made his blood run cold. "Daddy, where are you?" His four-year-old son was crossing the bridge to look for him. His first impulse was to cry out to the child, "Run! Run!" But the train was too close; the tiny legs would never make it across the bridge in time. The man almost left his lever to run and snatch up his son and carry him to safety.

But he realized that he could not get back to the lever. Either the people on the train or his little son must die. He took a moment to make his decision. The train sped safely and swiftly on its way, and no one aboard was even aware of the tiny broken body thrown mercilessly into the river by the onrushing train. Nor were they aware of the pitiful figure of the sobbing man, still clinging tightly to the locking lever long after the train had passed.

They did not see him walking home more slowly than he had ever walked: to tell his wife how their son had brutally died.

Now if you comprehend the emotions which went thru this man's heart, you can begin to understand the feelings of our Father, Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji when He sacrificed not only his sons, not only his whole family but everything he ever had to bridge the gap between us and waheguru.

Like the people in the train....we dont even realise what a sacrifice Guru ji has made for us....?

9988710009

Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Once, a Sikh made a request before the Guru Ji, "O true King! I am grieved by the world. Eliminate the pain of birth and death. Save me from sins. I am in your protection. I am illiterate".

Guru Ji said, "Brother Sikh! You are blessed that you became detached (from the world). An fool cannot get sense without education. One should get education. An uneducated person cannot understand anything. The God meets him, whose pronunciation of 'Bani' is perfect. Brother! Do study.

Guru Ji asked the 'Granthi' to teach that Sikh with love. The 'Granthi' started to teach him. While teaching, he taught him this line of Anand Sahib prayer, "Anand bhya meree maaye, Satguroo main paaya." (The heavenly pleasure occurred, O my mother, for I have found my True Guru).

The Sikh recited this line with love and went reciting it. Sometimes, he would eat from 'langar' (the community kitchen). His faith increased reciting this line.

After six months, Guru Ji asked the Granthi, "Did he learn?"

He replied, "He did not return after learning one line."

Guru Ji called for that Sikh and asked, "You were sent to learn."

He replied with folded hands, "Guru Ji! One line is enough. When the True Guru has been found, 'Anand' is gotten. (Without getting the 'Anand') more reciting is the act of 'Bemukhs'."

Guru Ji smiled and said, "You are 'nihaal' (bliss). Your cycle of birth and death has been curtailed.

Guru Ji wants us to trust Him with our life

A man named Jack was walking along a steep cliff one day when he accidentally got too close to the edge and fell. On the way down he grabbed a branch, which temporarily stopped his fall. He looked down and to his horror saw that the canyon fell straight down for more than a thousand feet. He couldn't hang onto the branch forever, and there was no way for him to climb up the steep wall of the cliff.

So Jack began yelling for help, hoping that someone passing by would hear him and lower a rope or something. "HELP! HELP! Is anyone up there? "HELP!" He yelled for a long time, but no one heard him. He was about to give up when he heard a voice.

"Jack, Jack. Can you hear me?"

"Yes, yes! I can hear you. I'm down here!"

"I can see you, Jack. Are you all right?"

"Yes, but who are you, and where are you?

"I am the Lord, Jack. I'm everywhere."

"The Lord? You mean, GOD?"

"That's Me."

"God, please help me! I promise if, you'll get me down from here, I'll stop sinning. I'll be a really good person. I'll serve You for the rest of my life."

"Easy on the promises, Jack. Let's get you off from there, then we can talk."

"Now, here's what I want you to do. Listen carefully."

"I'll do anything, Lord. Just tell me what to do."

"Okay. Let go of the branch."

"What?"

"I said, let go of the branch." Just trust Me. Let go."

There was a long silence.

Finally Jack yelled, "HELP! HELP! IS ANYONE ELSE UP THERE?"

Have you ever felt like Jack? We say that we want to know the will of Guru Ji, but when we find out what it is, we can't handle it. Sounds too scary, too difficult. We decide to look elsewhere. When Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj stands infront of us with his sword in his hand, and says, "Let go of the things that stand between you and Me, and trust Me with your life, give me your head" it sounds pretty scary. But when we let go, we find his hands are the safest place to be in.

Sardarni Sharnagat Kaur

The sakhi of this great Sikh woman starts from the very day of her marriage. She was born in a Hindu family in the Pathan country on the west of the Punjab. The area was under the Sikh Raj and ruled by General Hari Singh Nalwa.

After a happy marriage, she was going along with her groom and the marriage party to the village of her in-laws. On their way, dacoits ambushed them. Waving their arms, the dacoits ordered all the people to surrender their cash and valuables. The helpless party gave everything to the robbers to save their lives. The dacoits, however, also demanded the newly married bride and took her with them.

The poor groom went straight to General Nalwa, the governor of the Pathan province. While the general sitting in his court was listening to the complaint of the groom, he observed two persons behaving suspiciously near the door. He suspected them to be friends of the dacoits. After the man had completed the story of the marriage party being waylaid by the dacoits and the loss of his wife, the general ordered aloud to be heard by those suspects, "Put this man in prison. He did not care to protect a helpless woman, who was his own wife."

The two suspects were actually the associates of the dacoits and had come there to know the reactions of the general. Both were pleased to hear the orders. Having been relieved of the fear of any policemen going out in search of the dacoits to catch them, they could not conceal their happiness. The vigilant eyes of the general observed the smiles on the faces of the suspects when they heard his decision. This assured the general of their complicity in looting the marriage party and carrying away the bride. The general secretly ordered ten Sikh horsemen to take the husband of the abducted woman with them and follow the suspects.

Having been satisfied that the general was angry with the cowardly behavior of the groom, the associates of the dacoits assumed that the whole episode was over and forgotten. Therefore, they decided to go to the dacoits immediately and tell them the good news of the decision of the general. When they reached the house where the dacoits held the bride, they told them about the reactions of the general. They were talking joyfully when the horsemen surrounded the dacoits and ordered them to put their hands up. The dacoits wondered about the smart move of the general.

When the bride was brought before Sardar Nalwa he asked her, "What is your name?" She replied, "I am nobody. I would have been dead had you not saved my life. Now I am under your 'sharan' (protection). The word 'sharan' voluntarily coming out of the mouth of a helpless, scared woman gave her the popular name Sharanagat Kaur.

When everything including the robbed ornaments was restored to them, the general asked the bride and groom to go home. Both begged the Sardar to admit them to the Khalsa Panth. They wanted to enjoy the honor of living as Sikhs and dying as Sikhs. On their very firm resolve to become members of the Khalsa Panth, they were given Amrit and allowed to stay there.

Once Hari Singh Nalwa was visiting Jamrod Fort. He fell seriously ill there. The area was surrounded with the Pathan population unfriendly towards him. Knowing that the general was sick and not physically in condition to engage himself in battle, they all rebelled against his rule. To send the message that he was hale and hearty, the general went up to the upper story of the fort from where he could be seen by all the people outside the fort. Seeing him moving about on the fort, the rebels retreated quickly. However, one of them aimed his gun at him and shot him. Unfortunately, the general was hit and died of the bullet wound.

The situation in the fort became very tense and everyone was depressed finding their general dead, and with no one there to replace him. Bibi Sharanagat Kaur kept her composure, thought for some time and said, "This is not the time to feel worried or to get scared. Let us face this critical moment with courage and confidence. I have a plan to save the situation. You drop me behind the fort by a long rope. I, disguised as a Pathan woman, will reach Peshawar as soon as possible and inform the army there''.

She had to travel through a hilly route that covered twenty miles, swarming with Pathan rebels. There were wild animals in the forest through which she had to walk at night, and she could easily become their prey. It was a very risky journey. It looked impossible for a woman to reach Peshawar alive under those conditions and give the sad news to the army and request their help.

The brave, daring young woman did reach there by walking and running through dense forest the whole night. Without losing any time, she asked the best horsemen to get ready quickly and ride their horses. Sikh soldiers under the guidance of Bibi Sharanagat Kaur traveled as fast as they could to reach Lahore. They covered their long arduous journey quickly and reported the episode to Maharaja Ranjeet Singh.

After hearing of the death of a great general who raised the honor of the Khalsa army to the skies, he felt very sad. Assessing the situation to be critical, he himself left for Peshawar. Knowing that the Maharaja had personally come to punish the rebels, the Pathans immediately surrendered without fighting and promised to remain friendly thereafter.

The Khalsa Raj of Punjab, founded with the statesmanship of a woman, Sardarni Sada Kaur, was thus saved from being dismembered, by the bravery of another woman, Bibi Sharanagat Kaur. She was honored by the Khalsa Panth with the title of "Brave daughter of the Punjab."

Sikh women can successfully face all kinds of critical and risky situations, like any good general and statesman.

How great are the mothers and daughters of the Khalsa Panth

A rich Muslim horse dealer named alayar, a native of Delhi, who had returned from Arabia though Kabul with five hundred horses, arrived at the Bias. He had intended to proceed to his native city, where he hoped to find a good market, but was unable continue his journey as the river was flooded, and the boatmen did not think their boats where sufficiently strong to withstand the current. The following morning he saw Bhai Paro, on his way to the Guru as usual, plunge his horse into the foaming river and reach the opposite shore in safety. The horse dealer met him on his return and complimented him on the feat he had performed.

Bhai Paro said that there was nothing wonderful about his crossing a swollen river. The true Guru, to wholm he daily went to do homage, caused thousands of souls to swim across the still more dangerous ocean of the world. Alayar was anxious to behold so great a being, so he arranged with Paro on the next occasion to sit behind him on his horse, and thus cross the river and visit the Guru with him.

Alayar was delighted on seeing the Guru, hearing his words, and witnessing the devotion of his Sikhs. Filled with enthusiasm and humility he mentally desired th Guru’s leavings. The Guru divined his wish and offered him the dish from which he had eaten. The Guru’s attention was then attracted to his name, and he said, ‘It is difficult to become the friend (yar) of God (allah) but I will make God your master and you, his servant’.

Thus, Alayar was made a priest and freed from all doubts, evil passions, and inclinations. He henceforth drew no distinction between Hindus and Muslims, and continued as he had begun, a model of humility and divine fervour. Guru Ji in due time sent him to a place called Devantal, where the saints resided. His trade in horses was undertaken by his son. Alayar’s family ultimately settled down in Dalla where lived Bhai Paro and Bhai Lalo and other devoted servants of the Guru. Muslims of every rank accepted and reverenced Alayar under the name of Ala Shah as a pious priest.

DHAN DHAN SATGURU SRI GURU AMAR DAS JI MAHARAJ, THE KING OF KINGS AND THE SAINT OF SAINTS

Satguru is amazing, he can turn a sinner into a saint just like that...

Bhai Jagga Singh and Guru Gobind Singh Ji

One Jagga Singh performed most assiduous service for Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj and was consequently much envied by his fellow servants. Some said that several men and women had done similar service and gone away ungrateful, and Jagga Singh was not superior to any of his predecessors.

Others said that he being a new servant was no doubt diligent, but his zeal would soon evaporate. All knowing Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji knew what was being said about his beloved Jagga Singh so he sent for a vessel of water, a stone and some sweets.

He put the stone and sweets into the water. After a short time he ordered them to be taken out. The stone came out as whole, however, the sweets had all dissolved. Guru Ji read his servants a moral lesson from what they had seen.

He said, that those who served him well and heartily, blended with him as the sweets had done with the water; while those who served him for show and appearance, had hearts like the stone which never dissolved.

Guru Ji then ordered that no one should in the future molest or speak evil of his faithful sevant Bhai Jagga Singh.

DHAN DHAN SATGURU SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH JI MAHARAJ

Bibi Sharan Kaur Jee

Bibi Sharan Kaur had a dream in the middle of the night. Her Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Jee had come to her with instructions. She was to go immediately to Chamkaur Sahib to do Antam Sanskaar of all the Gurmukhs that had died in the battlefield earlier in the day.

Telling her children of her mission, she left in the middle of the night towards Chamkaur Sahib. The battlefield was heavily guarded by Mughal forces; they knew that the Guru’s Sikhs would always come to do Sanskaar of their Shaheeds. Despite this heavy security, Bibi Sharan Kaur slipped through the Mughal forces.

She began to collect the bodies of the brave Shaheeds one by one. She could differentiate the Sikh soldiers from the hundreds of Mughal dead by the splendour of Sikh Bana and Dumalla-dastaars. She created a funeral pyre close by. There were thirty-two Sikh bodies in total, including those of Sahibzadas Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh.

As she was collecting the bodies, she felt a tinge of disappointment. This was not because of the Sikhs or Sahibzadas that had become Shaheed. She was happy for them because she knew that they had given their life for the Guru. But she knew that her husband, Bhai Preetam Singh, was also with the Guru at the time. However, her misery soon became joy as she found his body … her own Jeevan-Saathi had given his life for the cause of the Sikhi.

Once all 32 bodies had been collected, Bibi Sharan Kaur lit the funeral pyre. The Mughal forces, seeing the fire, were amazed as to how a Sikh could slip through. Embarrassed because of their own failures, they threatened the dignity of the lady to take revenge. Bibi Sharan Kaur was now completely encircled by the Mughal forces. Bibi Jee said that they would never be able to do this to a daughter of Guru Gobind Singh Jee. She would rather join the Shaheeds in the funeral pyre. The Mughals taunted her, saying that she could make as many claims as she wanted, because she would not have the guts to do so. They then moved towards her.

Bibi Jee showed the bravery of a Sikh woman, and without fear, she walked into the funeral pyre. For her, dignity of Khalsa was more important than her life. She showed no attachment to her two small children. Like her husband, she laid her life for her Guru as well.

Dhan Guru Kiyan Singhniaan

Bhai Kalyana

Bhai Kalyana was one of the few Sikhs who were assigned by Guru Arjan Dev Ji the great responsibility of going out to various places, educating people about Gurmat, and making collections for building Harimandar Sahib at Amritsar.

Bhai Sahib was sent to the hill areas of the Mandi state in the north of Punjab. Whenever he went there, he would associate some local people with him, discuss with them the principles of the Sikh faith and sing Gurbani kirtan to them. People looked forward to his visits because they loved to sit with him and listen to Gurbani recitations from him.

Once it was Janam-Ashtmi day, when Bhai Sahib was preaching Gurmat in the town of Mandi. The local ruler announced with the beat of a drum the significance of this Hindu religious day and ordered all people to keep fast on that day. In addition, people were required to worship Thakur, a special type of stone, on that day. This was a technique adopted by the Brahmans to collect money from the innocent people of the city.

Bhai Kalyana did not bother about it. He cooked his food as usual and shared it with local people. The matter was brought to the notice of the ruler, Hari Sain. He ordered Bhai Kalyana to appear before him and explain his position for disobeying the instructions of the ruler. In response, Bhai Sahib recited Gurbani quotations which meant that to please God, we should love and respect people instead of worshipping stones. Further, fasting has no religious value.

Hari Sain could give no arguments to challenge the statements of Bhai Ji, however, he observed, "I agree with you in principle, but you must be punished for disobeying my orders." Bhai Kalyana replied, "You have disrespected the wishes of God, who provides food for everyone to eat. Against this, you are instructing people not to eat food. Therefore, you are guilty of a bigger wrong by disobeying the mighty Lord who is the ruler of the whole world."

Hari Sain, who was suffering under the yolk of Brahmans and was practicing meaningless rituals, was awakened. He decided to become a Sikh. He accompanied Bhai Kalyana Ji to Amritsar and got the blessings of Guru Arjan Dev.

Wherever we go, we must practice the Sikh faith and educate people about the greatness of the principles of the Sikh faith.

Bhai Hakikat Singh

The people of Punjab, both Hindus and Muslims, rose against the terrorist rule of the Nawab (Governor) of Sirhind. The Nawab was killed in 1710, i.e., just half a decade after he murdered the two innocent sons of Guru Gobind Singh. This brought a rule of peace and justice in the area of Punjab, east of Amritsar.

To again take over the control of Punjab from Banda, a strong army was sent from Delhi. The army generals feared to fight a battle with Banda, hence they tricked him with the pretension of having a dialogue with him for peace. They unarmed him and arrested him. His 700 men were also made prisoners along with a teenage boy, Hakikat Singh. All of them were taken to Delhi and asked to surrender to the Emperor. They refused bluntly. The government ordered the murder of everyone. About 100 Sikhs were murdered every day near Chandni Chauk, Delhi.

The mother of Hakikat Singh, whose only support and hope of life was her son, submitted a petition to the government to save the life of the boy. She narrated that her son was not a Sikh but was there in the Sikh camp when he was arrested. The Emperor ordered the release of the boy if the boy himself denied being a Sikh. The mother dashed with the release orders to the place where the Sikhs were being murdered. Her son was still waiting for his turn to be killed. Presenting the Farman - the order of the emperor - to the Kazi (Judge) supervising the murdering of the Sikhs, she requested the release of her son.

The Kazi called Hakikat Singh and asked him if he was a Sikh. The boy replied that he certainly was a Sikh. His mother intervened and told the Kazi that the boy was her son and she knew that he was not a Sikh. The boy emphasized that he was a committed Sikh. The son and the mother started arguing with each other. Khafi Khan, a Muslim historian, an eye witness who recorded these horrifying killings, was very surprised to hear those arguments.

The mother again asserted that her son was not a Sikh. However, the boy raising his voice retorted immediately that his mother was telling a lie in order to save his life. His father was dead, and he was the only support for her. Being a Sikh, he wanted to be murdered without further delay so that he may not be left behind by his Sikh associates already murdered. Before another word could be said by his mother, the boy was standing with his head bent before the butcher. The sword in the hand of the butcher lowered and Hakikat Singh attained his martyrdom.

Such blood curdling events of Sikh history made Sikhs stronger and even more fearless of the oppression let loose against them. Even today Sikhs don't hesitate to die for justice and human rights.

Even under a threat to their life, Sikhs do not tell a lie. They love to live as Sikhs or, they would prefer to die.

Bhai Bidhi Chand

Bhai Bidhi Chand was born to Bhai Wasan, who lived at village Sur Singh. His mother belonged to Sarhali, a famous village in Amritsar District. During his early days, Bhai Bidhi Chand got into the wrong company and became a dacoit. Bhai Adli, a Sikh since the days of Guru Ram Das, met him. Influenced by his good behavior, Bhai Bidhi Chand accompanied him to visit Amritsar. When he went before Guru Arjan Dev, he confessed openly that he was a dacoit by profession. The Guru advised him to earn his living honestly. His mind was changed then and there.

After the murder of Guru Arjan Dev, his son Guru Har Gobind put on two swords, representing miri and piri. This was a signal to the government that Sikhs would protect their human rights of worship if need be with the sword. Guru Har Gobind invited young men to come to Amritsar and learn the arts of self-defense and the use of arms. Bhai Bidhi Chand decided to volunteer his services to the Guru to teach the arts of war to the disciples.

Guru Har Gobind was arrested by the emperor of Delhi and imprisoned in the fort of Gwalior. Bhai Bidhi Chand went from village to village, informing people of the sacrifices made by the Gurus for the human rights of the weak. He, along with his dhadi jatha, would sing vars which brought chardi kala to the minds of the people. Later, when the Guru was released from the fort, Bhai Bidhi Chand became his bodyguard. He was appointed as the leader of one of the five divisions of the volunteer forces of the Guru.

Bhai Bidhi Chand went to Lahore and met Meharban, the son of Prithi Chand, the elder brother of Guru Arjan Dev. He had started undesirable activities to undermine the image of the Guru and spread anti-Sikh rumors. When Bhai Sahib told him to give up his evil activities, Meharban was impressed by his advice. Afterwards, he did not dare to do anything against the Guru openly.

The rising image and strength of the Sikhs under the leadership of Guru Har Gobind was not to the liking of the governor of Lahore. He found an excuse to attack the Guru in May of 1629 with an army of 7,000 soldiers. Bhai Bidhi Chand played a significant role in fighting the army and defeating the government forces. He hit one of the commanders with his arrow and killed him. Mukhlis Khan, the other commander, was killed by the Guru himself.

A second battle was forced on the Guru when he was visiting Sri Hargobindpur. Bhai Sahib attacked one of the commanders with such force that he was routed and chased back to Lahore. This battle also ended in a victory for the Guru.

There is another famous incident related to the life of Bhai Bidhi Chand. Two highly valued thoroughbred horses of great quality were bought by the sangat of Kabul for the Guru. However, on the way to Amritsar, they were forcibly taken by the men of the governor when they were passing through Lahore. Bhai Bidhi Chand brought them back by a unique technique.

He dressed himself as a grass keeper and took a bundle of grass to the gate of the fort where the horses were kept under guard. He sold the grass to the caretaker at a very low price to make him his customer. In a couple of days they became friends and Bhai Bidhi Chand was given the job of bringing grass and feeding the horses. Bhai Bidhi Chand did this duty very devotedly and impressed all of the employees and the guards in the fort. Bhai Bidhi Chand made a plan to jump with a horse into the Ravi River which ran alongside the fort. At night, once in a while, he would throw a large boulder over the wall of the fort into the river. When the guards wanted to know the cause of the sound, he would say that there was a big animal in the river.

One day when he received his pay, he offered a big feast to the guards in the fort. When the guards were sound asleep at night, Bhai Bidhi Chand untied a horse, got on his back and jumped with it into the river. The guards came to know about it only when they got up in the morning. By that time, Bhai Bidhi Chand had already taken the horse to the Guru.

For bringing the second horse, Bhai Bidhi Chand went to Lahore again. He stayed with Bhai Bohru who told him that Sondhay Khan, the custodian of the horses was very worried about the loss of the horses. He was consulting astrologers to help him find the missing horse. Bhai Bidhi Chand dressed himself as an astrologer and got hold of other necessary gadgets used by astrologers. He went to the fort and sat in front of the gate.

He hinted to the caretaker of the horses to come to him because he could tell him who had taken the horses. Bhai Bidhi Chand immediately told the caretaker that the man who brought grass for the horses was the thief. This convinced the caretaker of the powers of the astrologer and he took him to Mr. Khan.

When he met Khan, Bhai Bidhi Chand explained to him the way in which the horse was stolen. Khan knew that everything Bhai Sahib was saying was correct. When he wanted to know the location of the stolen horse, Bhai Sahib said that he could tell that only at midnight by putting himself in the position from where the thief stole the horse. Khan came at midnight with his guards to find out about the horse. Bhai Sahib said that all of the guards should be inside doors and be sleeping on their beds as they were during the time of the theft. He told Mr. Khan that the thief had locked all of the guards and that he would do the same.

Addressing Mr. Khan, Bhai Sahib spoke, "Now I will tell you how and where the thief took the horse." He untied the horse, got on his back and said, "The thief got on the horse like this, jumped into the river and took the horse to Guru Har Gobind. I will also take this horse to the Guru to whom they belong." Before Khan could inform the guards, Bhai Sahib along with the horse had crossed the river. He then rode straight to the Guru.

Bhai Bidhi Chand was given another assignment to preach Gurmat to the people in Ayodhya. Sunder Shah, a Sikh and resident of that town, had requested Guru Har Gobind to send a preacher to that city. Guru Ji deputed Bhai Sahib for this important assignment.

Bidhi Chand was not only a brave and tactful soldier, but also a great devoted Sikh. While moving about and working, he always recited Gurbani. He prayed before undertaking any assignment. When he reached Ayodhya, he found that there were no Gurbani books for the people to read. When he was free from discussions, he started making copies of Gurbani hymns for the devotee Sikhs. Bhai Sahib did a lot of sewa there. He died in 1695.

Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji visit to Kamroop

hay kaaman narak bisraaman baho jonee bharmaavneh. chit harnan tarai lok gam-yan jap tap seel bidaarneh. alap sukh avit chanchal ooch neech samaavneh. tav bhai bimunchit saadh sangam ot naanak naaraa-ineh. ||46|| O sexual desire, you lead the mortals to hell; you make them wander in reincarnation through countless species. You cheat the consciousness, and pervade the three worlds. You destroy meditation, penance and virtue. But you give only shallow pleasure, while you make the mortals weak and unsteady; you pervade the high and the low. Your fear is dispelled in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, O Nanak, through the Protection and Support of WaheGuru. ||46|| Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 1358 ------------------------ Journeying through Bengal and Bihar Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji arrived in Kamroop, the land of falsehood and seduction. Guru Sahib camped outside of the city with Bhai Mardana Ji. The city of Kamroop was a part of Assam. The ruler of the city was a very beautiful queen named Noor Shah; in reality Noor Shah was the name of a magician from whom the queen had learnt the art of evil magic. Noor Shah would seduce people with her beauty and then enslave them. She would then put them through inhumane tortures. One day Mardana Ji had to pass through the city to get something to eat, Guru Ji said, "Do go, but you should be aware that Kamroop is plagued with seduction and its inhabitants are lost in the falsehood of sexual desire." Mardana Ji handed over his Rabab to Guru Ji and entered the city; Guru Sahib waited under a tree outside of the city. On his way Mardana Ji met some beautiful women (who were slaves of Noor Shah) and fell victim to their machination, Under mesmeric influence Mardana Ji did all what they commanded him to do. When he reached at the door of Noor Shah's house, beautiful damsels who were standing at the door called him inside. The queen Noor Shah was very much pleased to see him. She asked her damsels to serve him with nice food, Mardana relished the rich food. Then she enchanted him with her charming beauty and sweet words; soon Mardana Ji became unconcious. Mardana Ji was thus imprisoned by Noor Shah and could not return to the Guru. Guru Ji knew what had happened to Mardana so he went to free him from his captors. He entered the house of Noor Shah and asked her about Mardana Ji. When the queen and here damsels saw the Guru, they tried to seduce Him with their beauty. They tried again and again but nothing availed. Then Guru Sahib seated Himself on the ground. Noor Shah at once ordered her damsels to dance and sing in the most attractive fashion. The Guru took the Rabab, which Mardana had left with Him while going to the city. Guru Ji tuned the Rabab and began to sing: In words we are good, but in acts bad. We are impure-minded and evil-hearted, yet we wear the robes of innocence. We envy those who stand and serve at WaheGuru's Door. They who love their Husband Lord (WaheGuru) enjoy the pleasure of WaheGuru's embraces, They remain powerless, even while they have power; and remain humble. O Nanak, our lives shall be profitable if we meet such women. (Sri Rag ki Var Mohalla 1,2-7) Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 85 Guru Sahib told Noor Shah and her damsels that through the falsehood of kam (sexual desire- one of the five thieves) they had lost WaheGuru Ji in their hearts. Guru Ji then said that those people are truly beautiful who are attatched to the Naam (WaheGuru Ji); without Naam there is no beauty. Guru Sahib said that they were committing sins and WaheGuru would punish them for their misdeeds. He also advised her that by befooling people she could not win the True Lord. "They alone find WaheGuru who learn to efface themselves. The kings and their palaces are false. Gold, silver and wearer of these ornaments are also false. All desire to make their faces and bodies very attractive by wearing fine and costly clothes. But these bodies and fine clothes are also false and are fleeting. Only the Naam shall stay with you forever." When Bhai Mardana Ji heard the voice of his Master, the spell vanished and he woke up and coming outside bowed before the Guru. Noor Shah was astonished to see Mardana all the better. Noor Shah and her companions fell at the feet of the Guru and asked for forgiveness and blessing to obtain salvation. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji told them to meditate on Naam (WaheGuru Ji) conscientiously to cleanse their souls. Noor Shah became a Sikh of the Guru; she freed her slaves and distributed her property to the poor. She became a preacher of Sikhi.