Bandi-Chhor Divas (Diwali)

Bandi-Chhor Divas (Diwali)

(Source: Varinderpal Singh)

The Sikhs celebrate Diwali in memory of the return of the sixth Nanak (Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji) from detention in the Gwalior Fort.
 
When Murtaja Khan, Nawab of Lahore, noticed that Guru Ji had constructed Sri Akaal Takht Sahib, 'The Throne of the Almighty', at Amritsar, and was also strengthening his army, he informed about it to the Mughal Emperor Jahangeer. He emphasized that he is making preparations to take revenge for his father's torture and martyrdom. Jahangeer at once sent Wazir Khan and Guncha Beg to Amritsar to arrest Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji..

But Wazir Khan who was a devotee of the Sikh Guru's requested the Guru to accompany them to Delhi as Emperor Jahangeer wanted to meet him. Guru Sahib accepted the invitation and reached Delhi.

On their first meeting when Jahangeer saw the Guru, he was completely won over by his youthful charm and holiness. The Emperor gave a royal welcome to the Guru. But Chandu Shah could not bear it. His daughter was still unmarried and thus the rotten sore was still bleeding (that Guru Arjan Dev Ji and the Sikh Sangat had refused the offer to marry his daughter with his son Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji). At Agra, the Emperor fell seriously ill. The physicians tried their best but they failed to care him. Then Chandu Shah conspired with the astrologers, who were asked to tell the Emperor that his sickness was due to wrong track of stars and it could, be cared only if some holy man goes to Gwallior Fort to offer prayers to the deity. He also pointed out that Guru Hargobind Ji was such a holy man and he should be asked go to Gwallior Fort. At the Emperor's request Guru Ji agreed and left for the Gawalior Fort.

In the fort Guru Ji met many princes who were detained there due to political reasons. They were leading a very deplorable life. With the help of Hari Dass (the governor of fort) Guru Ji improved their condition. Hari Daas was a Sikh of Guru Nanak and he become ardent devotee of Guru Hargobind. Once when Chandu wrote to Hari Daas to poison Guru Sahib, he at once placed that letter before Guru Ji.

When several months passed and Guru Ji was not released then Baba Buddha Ji and other devotees sikhs met the Guru. They informed him about the despicable condition of the Sikhs, who were waiting for him with great eagerness. The Guru assured them that they should not worry, he would join them soon. In the meantime Sai Mian Meer Ji met Jahangeer and asked him to release the Guru. Jahangeer, who had fully recovered ordered Wazir Khan to release Guru Sahib. But Guru Ji declined to leave the fort unless the princes confined in the fort were also released.

When Wazir Khan informed the Emperor about the desire of the Guru Ji, the Emperor was forced to agree, though he didn't want to free the prisoners. But the Emperor put down the condition that "whoever can hold on to the Guru's cloak can be released." Having compassion for others, Guru Sahib was determined to get the fifty–two Hindhu princes prisoners freed. He had a cloak made with 52 corners, for each King to hold on to and Guru Ji finally left the fort with all fifty-two princes. As the Guru liberated all the prisioners he is known as Bandi-Chhor (Liberator). Jahangeer was very much pleased with his Goodness. He ordered Wazir Khan to bring Guru Hargobind Sahib in his court at Delhi with great honour. Jahangeer had realised that he was wrong for torturing and killing His father (Guru Arjan Dev Ji), who had not committed any crime or offense. He exonerate himself by indicting the crime on Chandu Shah and other officers.

A Gurudwara known as Bandi-Chhor is built at the place where Guru Ji stayed during his detention. The Sikhs celebrate this day as Bandi Chhorr Divas i.e., "the day of release of detainees" and illuminations are made in the Gurdwaras and in homes.

What do we learn from Bandi-Chhor Diwas?

52 Hindu Kings were freed with Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib could have left the Fort alone, however, Guru Ji thought of others before himself. For him the ohers freedom and rights were more important than his own. Guru Ji never thought only of his emancipation but was concerned about everyone's emancipation (SARBAT DA BHALLA). This is the attitude and virtue which Guru Ji wanted to fill within his Sikhs. We should pray for His mercy. May WAHEGURU emancipate our soul from five dreaded vices and help us to enjoy real essence of  light within.
 
MAY THE LIGHT THAT WE CELEBRATE AT DIWALI SHOW US THE WAY AND LEAD US TOGETHER ON THE PATH OF PEACE AND SOCIAL HARMONY.
 

Sheshnag covered Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's face from the sun

Sheshnag covered Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's face from the sun

( Source: Sri nanak Prakash - http://sikhscriptures2english.blogspot.com)

 

Couplet - The beautiful life story of the Lord manifest as Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is being beautifully expounded while he grows like a blossoming flower showing its glory during the rainy season. 2.

Quatrain - The beautiful soft leaved trees are showing their glory and the multi coloured plants continued to show their beauty. In this season the victorious Basant king returns with his army and the females prepare for the arrival of their partners by decorating themselves with make up longing to eradicate the strain of separation. 3.

The leaves from the forest trees fall off and the red flowers are blooming everywhere. The warriors wearing red coloured clothing are ready to go into battle. 4.

Seeing the mango's growing in the groves the king is becoming pleased so that the nightingale chirps with its beautiful voice. The mind is crying out the details of the Basant (rainy season) king. The females seeing the anger that the males have in them are kicking them out of their land. 5.

Seeing the colour of the flowers the bees collect their sustenance from them. It seemed as if there was an orchestra and singers in front of the metaphorical king Basant. 6.

The birds are singing beautifully as if they were bards singing the praise of the metaphorical king Basant. The air blows the fragrance on the females to the men to assist in ending their separation. 7.

New flowers coloured white, black, red and yellow are standing and are blooming giving great glory. Small branches are sprouting on the trees as if they are the aigrette on the crown of the King of Basant. 8.

In this way the jungle looks beautiful and is where Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji walks through daily. The residence of virtues Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the month of Vaisakh is grazing his cattle there. 9.

By seeing the new green grass Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji grazes the cattle there. When the day had come to midday and the sun was shining very bright. 10.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was tired and whilst grazing the cattel found a place to rest. Seeing such a lovely tree and its shade Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji decided to rest. 11.

A cool fragrant breeze was blowing and Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji collected some soft leaves and spread a white sheet over them. On top of this Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji the granter of mercy lay to rest. 12.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji closed his eyes and went to sleep. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is the eradicator of conscious problems and had fallen asleep at this location. When six gharis had passed through sleep the shade of the tree moved. 13.

The Sun had gone in a western direction and the sun was shining on the face of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The sharp sun rays were going on the face of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji causing sweat which shined like the water on the flowering lotus blossom. 14.

It was like the moon was the face of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji out of which drops of ambrosial nectar where dripping. It was as if Sheshnag had realised in his heart that he should shield the sun from the Guru. 15.

Sheshnag is white like the milk of a cow and adopted the form of a snake to come to the location. Seeing the blissful face of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji he prostrated with love. 16.

He then circumbulated Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji three times (this was done to give his mind body and soul to the Guru). He stood close to the face of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and spread his hood which looked like a stream from the Ganges river. 17.

In this way the white hood of Sheshnag was getting great glory as if it was like the ocean. The shadow of the hood covers the face of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and he does not move as if he was insentient. 18.

In this way some time elapsed and h gave shade to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji with great pleasure. At this time Rai Bular was returning with soldiers to Talwandi. 19.

He arrived close to the location where Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was asleep, here his fortune blossomed as well as the return of his great deeds. He was escorted by an army on beautiful horses and had great desire to return home. 20.

When he saw this snake he assumed that someone was using a sheet to cover themselves from the sun. He wondered why they had given up the shade of the tree for the shade of the sheet? 21.

He continued to think in this manner until he got closer to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji he heard the hissing of the Snake and realised it wasn't a sheet but a snake. He Saw that it was a snake with a big hood which was spread very wide. 22.

Thinking about what to do the mind of Rai Bular became encompassed with mercy. he thought 'If this child is to die the snake will eat it. If this person is to live then he is a divine manifestation and the white snake is serving them.' 23.

He sent his servant to go and inspect further, when he did this the snake slid away into a hole in the ground. Rai Bular stopped his horse and got off to see further, what amazing feat he has just witnessed. 24.

When he went close he heard the noise of the horses which woke Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The eyes of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji opened as if they were the blooming of two lotus blossoms. The eyes are like the bee which stays close to the blossom. 25.

 

When Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji realised that Rai Balar was on horseback close to him. He was closely followed by his army. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji got up and bowed his head to Rai Bular due to him being his elder. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is the being who destroys the sins in the age of Kaljug. 26.

Rai Bular who was the carer of the village got off his horseback and hugged Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. With great love he embraced Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and kissed his forehead. 27.

In his mind was great love for Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and realised that he was some divine manifestation. After this day he kept firm faith in this conviction and never wavered. 28.

He understood that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was God and with his mind bowed to the feet of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He became so imbued with love in that moment that he was unable to speak. He realised that the Guru was the divine liberator. 29.

Rai Bular got on his horse and left but found all his hair was standing on end. He went back to his house very pleased and sat down. In his mind he is deliberating that this child (Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji) will be able to cut the cycle of transmigration for everyone. 30.

Distance

Distance

Source : http://sikhithoughts.blogspot.com/

A saint asked his disciples, 'Why do we shout in anger? Why do people shout at each other when they are upset?'

Disciples thought for a while. One of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout for that.' 'But, why to shout when the other person is just next to you?' asked the saint. 'Isn't it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you shout at a person when you're angry?' Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the saint.

Finally he explained, 'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other through that great distance.' Then the saint asked, 'What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, why? Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small...' The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all.

That is how close two people are when they love each other.'

So when you argue don't let your hearts get distanced... don't say words that distance each other more, else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.

Guru Gobind Singh ji and Naina Devi Yagna ?

Guru Gobind Singh ji and Naina Devi Yagna ?

After the battle of Bhangani where Guru Ji defeated the forces of the hill rajas under the command of Raja Bhim Chand, Guru ji returned to Anandpur Sahib. Due to the threat of the hill chieftains martial preparations began in earnest - recruitment and training of Sikh solders, building of forts, collection of arms and materials.

Some devious brahmins thought of blackmailing Guru Ji by suggesting that he should go for worship of the goddess Durga in order to invoke her blessings for future battles. After hearing them patiently, Guru Ji told them that he relied for his protection only on Akal Purkh, the Great Time spirit and Primeval Energy which he also called 'Maha Kal', 'Pritham Bhagauti' and 'Kalka-Chandika' in his writings, but very much in line with Guru Nanak Dev ji's method of exposing myths, rituals and hypocrisy, the Guru allowed the Pandits to conduct a ceremony on the near by hill top of Naina Devi and said if they could produce that Primeval Energy in any other visible form, then he would consider their request. Guru Ji offered to provide them with the necessary materials and also pay them the money, for which they were actually making the proposal. Their leader, Kashav Das, promised that he would reveal the goddess by reciting the 'Chandi mantra' one lakh times. It is recorded that Pandit Kashev Das experimented with the sacrificial fire for many days/weeks on top of the Naina Devi hill near Anandpur Sahib. Guru Ji would occasionally climb the hill to watch what was going on.

One day Guru Ji went to see the Pandit and asked him why the goddess had not appeared. Pandit Kashav replied that the time was fast approaching but what was needed was a celebatarian of high caste to be offered as a sacrifice. Guru Ji was amused by this request and promptly told the Pandit that since he had observed celibacy during this period there would be no better person then him for the sacrifice. Sensing danger he had unwittingly invited, he made his escape in the early hours of the morning. Guru Ji anticipated the result of Kashev Das' experiment, he thought it futile to be associated with it any longer and dumped the remaining material into the fire and hastened down the hill with a glistening sword in hand and resplendent glory on his face. When in the early hours of the morning the people saw the flames going up in the sky some thought that the goddess had appeared. At this point Guru ji came forward drawing his sword which flashed in the light of the roaring flames and declared: 'This is the real Durga, the destroyer of evil! This is the true Goddess of power today which will raise the suffering humanity from its degrading condition.' He also called it by another name BHAGAUTI.

Guru Ji associated himself with the ceremony only for the sake of exposing the brahminical faith is such ceremonies and confirming the conviction of the Sikhs to worship the one Timeless Lord .

Max Arthur Macauliffe - The Sikh Religion in 6 volumes

Max Arthur Macauliffe - The Sikh Religion in 6 volumes

This probably the most comprehensive set on Sikhism compiled in the early 20th century. The author was
mesmerized by a Sikh celebration. The man began to do a lot of research and found out that there was not much information on the Sikh religion. In cooperation with the Great Sikh Scholar Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha and through rigorous labor they produced this book set on Sikhism. The mans British superioirs criticized him for turning a Sikh. In his servants memoirs it is recorded that about 30 minutes before he passed away he was reciting the Japji Sahib. This man dedicated his life to this. The book set has gone into public domain and is available. It is an insult to this mans life if we do not learn from this monumental work. THis work CONTAINS EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING you can imagine on Sikhi.!!!!!!!!

Note: These pdf files range from 25-50mgs and to save them right click and save target as.

Enjoy!!!!!!

Volume One
http://www.archive.org/download/thesikhreligion01macauoft/thesikhreligion01macauoft.pdf

Volume Two
http://www.archive.org/download/thesikhreligioni02macauoft/thesikhreligioni02macauoft.pdf

Volume Three
http://www.archive.org/download/thesikhreligio203macauoft/thesikhreligio203macauoft.pdf

Volume Four
http://www.archive.org/download/thesikhreligioni03macauoft/thesikhreligioni03macauoft.pdf

Volume Five
http://www.archive.org/download/thesikhreligioni05macauoft/thesikhreligioni05macauoft.pdf


Volume Six
http://www.archive.org/download/thesikhreligioni06macauoft/thesikhreligioni06macauoft.pdf

Baba terian tu he jane !

Baba terian tu he jane !

Bhai Mardana ji was amongst first Sikhs of Guru Nanak . He travelled far and wide with Baba ji and on Babaji's order would start playing his Rabab . He played and Baba ji prayed .
 
In the deep forests , on the high mountains , crossing  deserts , crossing pleatues , Baba ji walked and like his shadow Mardana ji walked , quietly following the footsteps of Baba ji . Dhur ki bani came to pious ' rasna ' of Baba ji, who sang in melodious voice of undescribable depth ,sweet , deep , intense resonating with the tone  tunkar of Rabab . They walked while Baba ji delivered message of Sachkhand to mankind . Many a times Mardana ji would ask many questions which were later compiled and formed the core of Sikh thesis .
 
Mardana ji who inspite of, being 9 years older in age than Satguru ji  called Satguru , Baba ji whom he considered older than him , for Spiritual wisdom of Satguru ji  and  said ,  " Baba ji we travel far and wide and whereever we go you ask people to do Simran  , listen , learn hear / do keertan and you tell Simran is the most important thing in life but Baba ji , people seem to forget what you teach and do not obey, and do not do keertan or simran except very few Why is it so ?".
 
Guru Baba ji replied , " Aho Mardania , you are right but look around you , there are people who are land owners , who deal with buisness of land . Ask them anything about owning houses , buying land for farming , selling it , in a minute you will get an answer like how much is this land worth of , that land worth of , when is it a good time to buy a home or homes and when is it time to sell they will tell you in very short time .
That then becomes the main focus of their minds  and every moment they live into it  .
 
Then there are people who make profits out of selling and buying groceries , Ask them a question and quickly one will get an answer whether profit can be made out of buisness of oil or flour or pulses or sugar .
That then becomes the main focus of their minds  and every moment they live into it  .

This is the way creator Waheguru ji created his creation .Every human being is involved in weaving his thoughts and mind controls them . These are the laws of nature , rules of cosmos , the way human behaviour comes forth in life

But land buisness dealers know nothing of pulses, oils or grocery buisness and groceries donot sell property in their shelves .
 
Similarly out of thousands few have realized folly and uselessness of wealth , diamonds , gold , houses ,  luxurious lifestyles   and they  realize that goal of life is beyond wealth and material and that only  one breath seprates them and everything they have from death , They then become ateet , udasi , bairagi (detached ) and run to come and listen to dhur ki bani and earn the profit of life .So Gurbani becomes the main focus of their mind.These human beings are called Gurmukhs and my keertan is meant for them and they are very few . My work is to find them and give this precious jewel of Nam Keertan .
 
Once they realize that this was their goal ,they then donot live a moment without Nam Keertan  .
 
Others know nothing about it.

Mardana ji said , " Baba terian tu he jane "