Sakhi Series :- 218 ( JHOOLDE NISHAN RAHIN PANTH MAHARAJ DE !!!!! )

JHOOLDE NISHAN RAHIN PANTH MAHARAJ DE:

Once, a Nishan Sahib bearer Sikh named Bhai Alam Singh was captured by the Mughals during the second battle of Anandpur Sahib, as he advanced far forward than the Sikh positions, and continued to carry the fluttering Sikh Nishan Sahib proudly and without fear. He soon found himself surrounded by the enemy soldiers. The Mughal Commander ordered Alam Singh Ji to "throw the Nishan Sahib down ".Bhai Alam Singh Ji replied, "THIS Flag is the symbol of my personal dignity and that of my Guru and I will never let it fall".

The Mughal Commander then says "we will cut off your hands, in that case."

Bhai Alam Singh Ji without an iota of fear, replied, "In that case, I will carry the Nishan Sahib with my feet." The Mughal said, we will cut off your legs too.

Bhai Alam Singh Ji boldly defying, responded, "Then, I will hold it between my lips, with my mouth! This flag belongs to my GURU, I will never let it fall ever"

The commander retorted, 'we will blow your head off, what will you do then? 'Bhai Alam Singh Ji responded by saying "In that case "The Guru whose flag he was carrying will take care of it ! But while I breathe, I will hold it high".
In those days, the rules of war were that no flag carrier was ever killed or shot by the enemy, but the Mughal commander seeing such fierce and emboldened defiance from Bhai Alam Singh; with one swipe, cut off Bhai Alam Singh Ji's head, in clear violation of the agreed rules of engagement in battle.

But it is said that before the Nishan Sahib could fall to the ground, Guru Gobind Singh Ji's [son] Sahibzada, Baba Ajit Singh Ji appeared and took hold of the Nishan sahib and held the Nishan Sahib high with one hand, while with the other he slayed off the head of the Mughal Commander, spreading fear and chaos in the ranks of the enemy!
This is the as how the Nishan Sahib was held in great esteem by the Sikhs in those days

Brief History: 
It is said words "Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh" in Punjabi script (Victory of God) was inscribed on the Nishan Sahib of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. During Maharaja Ranjit Singh's times words "Akal Sahai" in Punjabi script were unscribed on the Nishan Sahib. During times Sikh Misals, "Nishan Walia" Misal used to provide Sikhs for carrying Nishan Sahib to all the Misals during battles. Nishan Sahib on Pole of suitable height is hoisted on all Gurdwaras.
A flag represents loyalty, unity and distinction. Nishan Sahib stands for the Sikhs in their body, mind, and action. It is an assertion of their physical, mental and spiritual independence, and of the UNITY under its protection. It announces the purity of their thought, and spiritual elevation through their belief in ONE God, faith in their Gurus as well as Guru Granth Sahib ji, and in the edicts of the Sikh faith including the discipline of Amrit. It proclaims their faith, beliefs, high morale, honest conduct, hard work, truthfulness, justice, forgiveness, equality, liberty - live and let live attitude, compassion and helpfulness to the needy etc

Watching a gently fluttering flag lifts up the mind with joy.

Fact : There are 2 Nishan Sahibs in front of Akal Takht Sahib. The Jhanda(nishan) Sahib towards Akal Takht Sahib is one foot shorter than the other (towards teh Darbar Sahib), as the one representing the spiritual or Heavenly realm is seen as the more important of the two. 

Sakhi Series :- 217 ( Bhoot pret )

Good souls and Bad souls
(Source:  http://www.rajkaregakhalsa.net/)

 

There was an Amritdhari Bibi who was constantly being told by this Devta (good) soul to take it to darshan of Sri Darbar Sahib (Amritsar). This soul was incidentally a muslim soul. Maskeen Ji says he was astonished when that illiterate Bibi started reciting Quran-e-Sharif to him. Some of his companions got scared but Maskeen Ji assured them the soul is not bad, on the contrary, it is a Farishta soul as the only souls that can go inside Darbar Sahib are the good souls, the Devtas. No Bhoot Prett can dare to enter the premises of Sri Darbar Sahib.

 

Maskeen Ji requested that Bibi to recite the namaz of Zohr to him. Surprisingly, the rooh replied, "I have no interest in Zohr, I only like to recite the namaz of Fajr (the namaz of Amrit Vela for muslims) and that is what I recite the whole day". Maskeen Ji says I heard a lot of Quran from that bibi but only when that farishta is in that Bibi, otherwise she cannot recite a single line. Maskeen Ji then asked, "So why have you come for darshan of Sri Darbar Sahib then?" The rooh(soul) replied, "For this is only dar (door), the only place where I feel at peace with myself". Maskeen Ji asked the reason for its wandering despite it being such a namazi and connected to Allah, he replied, "I am forced to, because I have yet to find appropriate to-bemother  in muslims through whom my birth can take place".

 

This proves that the Bani that we read does not go to waste, it goes along with us when we leave our physical body. Just as an animal has the body but not any mann, the rooh has mann  (and in it all its contents), but no body.

 

So, that muslim farishta (angel) said to Maskeen Ji that the reason he has come to him is because  he has studied Quran and that he feels like coming to him again and again to listen to path.

 

Maskeen ji said to him that he can most certainly come everyday. One day it came to Maskeen Ji holding two bottles of perfumes in both hands and said, "I realised I came to you empty handed, so please accept these bottles of perfume as a gift from my side". Maskeen Ji asked that faristha whether other roohs like him come to Sri Darbar Sahib, and it replied "Oh yes, thousands like me everyday as there is anand, rass at Sri Darbar Sahib."

 

Therefore, there are millions of people in this world and so are millions of good and bad souls. The bad souls, the Bhoots, cannot come to Gurdwaras and holy places as their sanskars and way of living do not match with those at holy places. Their rass is at gambling houses, pubs, and brothels and that is where they feel at 'home'.

 

But places like Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Hazoor Sahib, Sri Sis Ganj Sahib are always packed with good souls, the Devtas. These souls will not go anywhere else till the time they take new birth somewhere.

 

Waheguru .

Sakhi Series :- 216 ( The Crocodile and the priest )

The Crocodile and the priest.

(Source : http://www.sikhnet.com/stories )

 

7:36 minutes

Download audio file (12.37 MB)

Once there was a crocodile.Every morning this crocodile would act very funny. He did something that crocodiles don't normally do. He would get up before the sun rose. He faithfully practiced his sadhana. Do you know what sadhana is?

Sadhana is your spiritual practice. It means when you do something every day to remember god. What do you do every day to remember God?

Well this crocodile was very wise and he knew that before the sun rises is the best time to meditate on God. So very, very early every morning he would take a long swim to fully exercise his body and then, with all his heart, chant and pray to god. He started each and every day with sadhana. After sadhana he would eat a healthy meal that gave him energy for the whole day. One morning a famous priest came by.

The priest saw the crocodile doing his sadhana and asked the crocodile, "Oh Crocodile..... What are you doing?!? You are an animal but you chant and pray every day. Why? What is the point?!?"
The Crocodile replied "Yes I am an animal..... but.... I wish to feel God That is why I practice sadhana every day."
"Well it won't work" replied the priest
"Why not?" Asked the Crocodile.
The priest answered "You can't feel God. You are only a crocodile. You have to wait to be reborn in a human body!"
The Crocodile boldly replied "Wow.... I think you are a fool. You look like a priest, but you don't even know the most basic things. The same God which created you, also created me!"

The priest was surprised to hear how wise the crocodile was.

The Crocodile continued "If I meditate and remember God every day, I have great chance at experiencing God but if you do not do any sadhana then you have no chance at all! In fact, in your next life YOU will become a crocodile!"

The Priest answered "Me? A crocodile?  Where did you get such a silly idea?" Suddenly, poof!, the priest turned into a crocodile right on the spot!! Now there were 2 crocodiles sitting side by side.

The Crocodile asked the priest "So.... Now how do you feel?"

The priest was confused

The Priest answered "How did you know that I would turn into a crocodile?"
It turns out that the crocodile truly was wise.
The Crocodile answered  "It is because I am a crocodile who lives in a sacred way. While you look like a priest but you behave like a crocodile."

See, the priest thought he was better than the crocodile, but we are all created by the same God. Whatever you are, never think that you are better than others, just live your life the very best you can. That's why Guru Nanak said:

Truth is high, but higher is living the truth

Sadhana and daily meditation help us to live the truth. Just breathing deeply can be your sadhana. Try it right now. Inhale deeply and remember that everyone is a child of the same God.

Inhale....hold your breath.

Even the bully at school, or people who are mean to you, they are also created equally by God.

Exhale.

Keep breathing deeply and remember: WE ARE ALL ONE.

Sakhi Series :- 215 ( nindho nindho mo ko log nindho )

nindho nindho mo ko log nindho

(Source : http://www.sikhawareness.com/ )

The grandfather of Ram Chandra in Ramayana, was Raja Aj.

Aj, like his father Ragh used to donate everytime at amrit vela to the sadhus saints.

One day, Raja Aj after finishing donating, and running out of food for sadhus, was approached by a sadhu, who asked for donation.

Raja Aj said in a hurry, I am done donating, come tommorrow.

The Sadhu, said he has to spend the night here, please give something today.

Aj : "I dont have to pay off your loan, Go away"
Sadhu: "I will not go away without receiving something"

This Sahdu was a real mahapurush, and a saint.

Aj was standing in a horse barn, and all there was lidh/horse dung all around.

Aj : I have lidh/horse dung. I can give you that
Sadhu : If you want to give lidh, then go ahead, give it.

Aj put a pile of lidh in the wrap of his cloth.

Sadhu said, "God bless you, may this charity of yours, increase by leaps and bounds"

==
Later on, after some years, Raja Aj, went for hunting, and he came across a hut outside which he saw a huge pile of Horse dung with a very old sadhu sitting beside it. On coming close he realised that it was the same sadhu who he had donated horse dung.

Aj shocked seeing all this, asked the sadhu about it.

Sadhu said, this is the boon of your donation, God has truly blessed you with hills of horse dung, what you donate you get back in return. Now this will have to be eaten by you.  Aj taken aback fell at sadhu's feet and asked if there was anything he could do to get rid of/not eating the lidh/horse dung.

Sadhu said, there is only one way - NINDA .....
Nindak's can decrease your load (sins), those who do your ninda, will be 'eating' this horse dung.

Next day, Raja Aj, went into the house of a prostitute, and said "my daughter, I need your help, please walk with me through the town today."
The Raja appeared in his town "drunk"...with this prostitute ..swaggering through the bazaars.. as soon as the people saw this..tongues began to wag....and the MOUNTAIN of horse dung began to subside..The people didnt knew the TRUTH..so they were spreading FALSEHOOD...NINDA...

Seeing Raja Aj, with the prostitute walking together, the people of the town said all types of things, slandering him, having a queen wife at home, and this shameful person is walking with a prostitute.

Due to ninda, in a matter of days..the mountain disappeared as those nindaks were to eat it. But even then a small amount of it was left.

Raja Aj, asked the Sadhu, why hasnt that small amount of horse lidh (dung) gone?

Sadhu said, "It is the same amount you donated, this amount you will have to eat it. What you give you are destined to get back also"

so the raja took it home..dried it..and began to eat it bit by bit as a "spice" sprinkled on his food daily !!! and grieve over his mistake of donating lidh to the saint.

ni(n)dho ni(n)dho mo ko log ni(n)dho || ni(n)dhaa jan ko kharee piaaree ||
Slander me, slander me - go ahead, people, and slander me. Slander is pleasing to the Lord's humble servant.

ni(n)dhaa baap ni(n)dhaa mehathaaree ||1|| rehaao ||
Slander is my father, slander is my mother. ||1||Pause||
 
ni(n)dhaa hoe th baiku(n)t(h) jaaeeai ||  naam padhaarathh manehi basaaeeai ||
If I am slandered, I go to heaven; the wealth of the Naam, the Name of the Lord, abides within my mind.
 
ridhai sudhh jo ni(n)dhaa hoe || hamarae kaparae ni(n)dhak dhhoe ||1||
If my heart is pure, and I am slandered, then the slanderer washes my clothes. ||1||
 
ni(n)dhaa karai s hamaraa meeth || ni(n)dhak maahi hamaaraa cheeth ||  
One who slanders me is my friend; the slanderer is in my thoughts.
 
ni(n)dhak so jo ni(n)dhaa horai || hamaraa jeevan ni(n)dhak lorai ||2||
The slanderer is the one who prevents me from being slandered. The slanderer wishes me long life. ||2||
 
ni(n)dhaa hamaree praem piaar || ni(n)dhaa hamaraa karai oudhhaar ||
I have love and affection for the slanderer. Slander is my salvation.

jan kabeer ko ni(n)dhaa saar || ni(n)dhak ddoobaa ham outharae paar ||3||20||71||
Slander is the best thing for servant Kabeer. The slanderer is drowned, while I am carried across. ||3||20||71||

- Bhagat Kabeer ji, Guru Granth Sahib ji

Sakhi Series :- 214 (Sant Gurbachan Singh's visit to Shaheed Sarovar)

Sant Gurbachan Singh's visit to Shaheed Sarovar

This Sakhi is taken from the life of Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale who were the 12th Jathedar of Damdami Taksal in an unbroken linage of Brahmgiani Jathedars of Taksal starting from a joint leadership of Bhai Mani Singh Shaheed and  Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed.  Interestingly, both of the latter mentioned shaheed mahapurkhs gave darshan to Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh ji at Shaheed Sarovar. Mahapurkh Sant Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji had a life of intense simran and seva. This was accompanied by their bhagti accumulated in a past life in which they had been close to Guru Sahib themselves and also the blessing and guidance of their spiritual mentor, himself a complete saint and leader of taksal: Sant Giani Sundar Singh Ji.

This katha begins at Chamkaur Sahib where mahapurkh had come in a state of  spiritual bairag (longing). This is the same land where two of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj's own Sahibzaade Baba Ajit Singh Ji and Baba Jujhar Singh became shaheed (martyred), where three of the 5 beloved Panj Pyare: Bhai Sahib Singh Ji, Bhai Himmat Singh Ji and Bhai Mokham Singh Ji became shaheed along with 40 other Singhs. At this historical site there is an old  Baoli Sahib or an open well west of the Akali Bunga. Mahapurkh chose this place for their meditation, seeing it as a very quiet tranquil place with little disturbance from people. It was perfect for them, as they had no intention of openly showing their meditation to the world, for them it was important that they kept their spiritual status hidden from the world as Gurbani informs: 
"hon najeek khudhaae dhai bhaeth n kisai dhaen ||116||" 
They are close to the Lord, but they do not reveal their secret to anyone. ||116||.
This is quiet contrary to the elaborate asthans built nowadays. Mahapurkh on the contrary had no intention of drawing any attention to themselves but instead went to the extent of doing their abhias (meditative practise) at night between the hours of 8pm and 4am, continuously without interval. The interesting nature of this bhagati was that it was done inside the cold water for the whole eight hours.

Their avastha became such they felt like leaving this filth-ridden kalyugi world. They set off nearly 50 km north on foot towards the mountainous region near Kiratpur Sahib. In their mind they became firm that they have no further desire to communicate with the world, they would just do their bhajan and bandagi until their final swaas (breath) and leave this temporary body in the serenity of the mountains. After setting off, doing jaap (meditation) with every step they arrived in the mountainous region. Upon some exploration Mahapurkh got lost and ended up climbing a mountain when finally they came to the opening of a cave. Mahapurkh had a natural intuitive feeling that it would lead to somewhere so they entered the cave. When they set their feet in the cave and walked forward they saw there was darkness surrounding them, both forwards and towards the enetrance they had come through. During the narration of this Sakhi Sant Gurbachan Singh ji told that at one point it became so endlessly dark that they considered going back but then thought again. They remembered Guru Granth Sahib Jis Bani: "aagaahaa koo thraagh pishhaa faer n muhaddarraa ||"
(Look ahead; don't turn your face backwards.) and thought it their duty as a gursikh to continue.

They continued, reading gurbani continuously when finally they saw some light that showed the end of the cave. When they reached the exit of the cave they looked and it was completely bright and infront of them was a very beautiful sarovar (pool). Its beauty was both unheard and unseen off anywhere in the world before. Mahapurkh were astounded and became increasingly intrigued about where they had arrived. Around the pool were magnificently tall trees and on closer inspection they saw Shastars hung on the trees. Then when they proceeded further they saw people, human beings. These humans were not normal though, in size they were like giants in tales and their bodies reflected light. Mahpurkh thought to themselves  'maybe the end of your life is such' looking at the size of these intimidating people. Mahapurkh thought they were remote tribal people residing here but there was something very different about them from normal human beings. Still, with the teachings of Gurbani enshrined in them Mahapurkh did not turn back but rather they proceeded forward reciting gurbani. One of these people walked past mahapurkh and they caught a glimpse of their attire. Mahapurkh were very surprised that these people were wearing a kashera and a dastar, things began to make sense: the shastars on the tree and now their attire. It was at this point that it hit Sant ji that these must be Singhs of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. But the question was, what exactly were they doing here?

Suddenly one of them shouted "Gurbachan Singh Ji". Mahapurkh were surprised that they knew their name but they didn't even know what sort of people they were. Sant Jee were amazed that they knew his name, yet they had never met.  Then suddenly the tallest one out of them, assumedly their Jathedar Sahib said to those giant people "we'll converse with Giani Ji after get something to eat for them". At which one of them took a long spear and threw it towards the pool, when he pulled it out their came 3 unknown vegetables which looked a bit like yam or jimikand. They cooked these on hot coal and whilst they were being cooked the Jathedar Sahib of these people asked mahapurkh "why are you amazed Giani ji, are you surprised we called you by your name".  The jathedar sahib ji continued "Giani ji, actually, we are surprised that you didn't recognize your own people". Mahapurkh said they didn't recognize them.

One of the giant people stood up and said "Giani ji first I will introduce myself, I am Banda Singh Bahadur." Baba Banda Singh Bahadur then pointed at another person "This is the mukhi of your Taksal Baba Deep Singh Ji".  "Look there, that is Bhai Mani Singh ji and over there is Bhai Taru Singh Ji". Mahapurkh began pinching themselves to check if they were having a dream listening to the names of these shaheed singhs.  Mahapurkh joined their hands together and said " Singho, Guru Pyareo Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh". Your words are true but I'd like to ask that all that you named have become shaheed but here you are all talking to me? First please be kind enough to tell me what is going on with me am I asleep or awake am I conscious or unconscious am I in a deep meditative state. Where am I?"

The Singhs spoke " Mahpurkho you are awake, what you are seeing is true. It is no illusion". By now the vegetable product was ready and they served mahapurkh and the other Singhs. Baba ji said that this was like nothing they had ever tasted, it had the smell like Karah Parshad and tasty as Amrit. After eating they requested the Singhs to clearly tell them what was going on.

As Mahapurkh were narrating this Giani Mohan Singh ji was sitting on the side of their bed, away from the direct vision of mahapurkh quickly jotting down all the whole sakhi. Pandit Prem Singh was sat infront of them, he tells us the face of mahapurkh became reddened with bliss as they told the sakhi to them.

Sant Gurbachan Singh ji inquired whether they were talking about Shaheed Singhs and that they should openly tell them what's happening with them. The Singh spoke once again "Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji, you are such a high scholar you narrate katha to so many. Please could you recite katha for us too please."  Mahapurkh said "I don't know about katha or anything at the moment please could you just explain what is happening with me, is this Sachkhand, the earth, where?."

The Singh Sahib ji said " Very well, Giani JI when a Singh who has done kamai (practice) of Gurbani during their life or become Shaheed goes to Sachkhand they stop at the door where two Singhs ask them at the gate of Sachkand if they have any further desire to do Seva or they wish to go to Sachkhand. At this point if one says no, then they are escorted to Sachkhand but if they have a further desire then they come to us. This place is only second to Sachkhand."

Mahapurkh asked them: "Singho today you have given me darshan, will their come a time when you come to the earth and openly reveal yourself."

The Singhs said "Yes. Yes, we will. Look there are our Shastar and look there are our Nagarhe (Battle Drums). Mahpursho the dohra you recite, keep reciting it. "Raj Karega Khalsa" The Khalsa shall not rule through any other earthly way, it is us that will create the Khalsa Raj. We are preparing. You came through this cave Giani Ji, and we will come out this way. Akal Purkh has done boundless kirpa on you Giani ji, you have entered this cave once you never again in your life will get this opportunity. You can go back and find this cave but you will never be able too. Mahapursho we will beat the drums before we leave here, that time we will create the Khalsa Raj - The Halemi Raj where no one will suffer"

Mahapurkh then said their Gurfateh to the Shaheed Singhs and left 'Shaheed Sarovar'. When narrating this sakhi from their own life Mahapurkh, they became teary and said "I have wondered in the mountains many a time. I have never found that place again". Mahapurkh looked around, they saw Giani Baba Mohan Singh ji writing. Mahapurkh asked them "Giani ji  have you written everything? Pass me your notebook". Mahapurkh took the notebook and ripped it and said "Singho I forgot the rule of Gurbani "hon najeek khudhaae dhai bhaeth n kisai dhaen ||116||" (They are close to the Lord, but they do not reveal their secret to anyone. ||116||) and in your prem (love) I have told you this sakhi, I have ripped this because I do not want it published. It is my secret."

Sikh Sakhis :- 213 ( Bhai Bagga Singh & The Horse Thief )

Bhai Bagga Singh & The Horse Thief

(Source: http://gursikhijivan.blogspot.com)

 

Bhai Bagga Singh was riding on his horse one day when he say that on the road was a man walking very slowly, holding his back with both his hands. The man called out to Bhai Bagga Singh, "Brother! I'm very sick and cannot walk. If you would let me ride the horse for a couple of miles, I will be able to go home to my village and you can drop me off there. May God bless you if you help me!"

Bhai Bagga Singh felt compassion for the man and got off his horse. He helped the sick man onto the saddle and took the reins in his hands and began to walk along side the horse, leading it forward on the road.

The man who had asked for the ride sat on the horse for some time, lightly grasping the reins as well. As time passed, sometimes he began to occasionally tightly grasp them and then let them go again. After some distance, the rider sharply pulled the reins out of Bhai jee's hands, turned the horse around and began to speed away. Bhai Bagga Singh called behind him, "Brother! Please listen to what I have to say, even it is from at a distance! If you want to take the horse, it is your decision, but listen to what I have to say!"

The thief was quite surprised but curious. He stopped the horse at quite a distance and said, "Speak!"

Bhai jee began, "Don't ever tell anyone that you stole this horse by feigning sickness and getting a ride from me and then pulling the reins away from my hand."

The thief asked in bewilderment, "Why??" The Sikh replied, "If you do this, you will be harming countless truly ill people who will need help during a journey. If they ask for assistance, people will think they are thieves like you who will take away their horse like that thief once took away Bagga Singh's (my) horse. You will die one day yet there will always be people who become ill and people who can help them but the story of your actions today will forever create distrust between them."

Bagga Singh then said no more and slowly began to walk away. The thief rode off in the opposite direction.

Bagga Singh reached home, bathed, recited Rehraas Sahib, ate and then fell asleep. Early the next morning, Bagga Singh came out into his courtyard out of habit to give hay to his horse. The horse too would recognize Bagga Singh's foot steps and would neigh to greet him. Today as usual he heard the neigh of his horse and memory returned to him that his horse had been stolen yesterday and so where was this neighing coming from? As these thoughts went through his mind, he heard the neighing once again.

Bagga Singh walked forward in amazement and saw that his horse was tied to the gate of his home. He patted the horse on the back and looked out and saw that yesterday's thief was standing outside, looking down in embarrassment.

Bagga Singh asked: "Well my sick friend, are you feeling better today?" The thief replied, "Bagga Singh, I was truly sick yesterday but you are the doctor who has brought me back to my senses. Take your horse back brother. Now there will be no story of treachery and no harm will come to anyone who becomes ill on a journey. In the future I too will try to become like Bagga Singh and have mercy on those in need. Give me your blessings."