Sakhi Series - 31 ( Bulleh Shah )

Those who do not forget the Lord, with each breath and morsel of food, whose minds are filled with the Mantra of the Lord's Name

they alone are blessed; O Nanak, they are the perfect Saints. ||1||

 

Once Baba Bulleh Shah was sitting on bank of river when he saw this lady selling carrots. People were coming to buy it, but when they start picking and choosing she would say  "I only sell carrots in volumes there is no pick and choose". So all these people had to buy carrots in volumes/in bulk.

 

Then there was this beautiful man, who came to her to get carrots, but this time she herself picked the best carrots for him ! Bulleh shah was quite surprised looking at the incident so after this men had left  Bulleh shah asked her how come you let only him to hand pick the carrots, in fact you picked and choose carrots for him yourself. She replied, Bulleh Shah ji, he is my husband, there is no counting/accounts between lovers.

 

This made Bullah Shah realize, what's the point of carrying a rosary. He put it away and asked himself, Bullah are you insane? Why are you doing counting with your beloved? Why count what Waheguru has given me ? How many times have I done simran or went to Gurudwara, or how much money did I gave for charity and then brag about the same etc ?

 

Make good deeds the soil, and let the Word of the Shabad be the seed; irrigate it continually with the water of Truth.

Become such a farmer, and faith will sprout. This brings knowledge of heaven and hell, you fool! ||1||

Do not think that your Husband Lord can be obtained by mere words.

You are wasting this life in the pride of wealth and the splendor of beauty. ||1||Pause||

- Guru Granth Sahib ji pg 24

 

Sakhi Series - 29 ( Mai Bhag Kaur and the 40 mukte's)

Mai Bhag Kaur: As a young girl, she had heard sakhis of Sikh Gurus' and their disciples(other sikhs). A regular hearing of the sakhis made a deep effect on her tender heart and inspired her to live a life of a Khalsa Women. She went to Anandpur Sahib along with his father in 1699 A.D., when Guru Gobind Singh Sahib ji founded the Khalsa Panth. "She took Amrit and learned the art of fighting and self defence."

When mughals and hilly chiefs had surrounded Anandpur sahib and were demanding it be evacuated. They called that any Sikh who says that "he/she is not anymore a Sikh of Guru Gobind" will be left untouched. A group of 40 Sikhs, led by Mahan Singh told Guru Gobind Singh that they are not his Sikhs anymore. Guru told them that they have to write it in a document that "they are not his Sikhs anymore" and sign it. "All forty Sikhs signed this document Bedava and left Guru Gobind Singh."

Mai Bhag Kaur was distressed to hear that some of the Sikhs of her neighborhood who had gone to Anandpur to fight for Guru Gobind Singh had deserted him under adverse conditions. Hearing her taunts, these Sikhs were ashamed at their deed. Her sharp words awakened the souls of numerous men. she inspired them to return to the Guru's fold and led them to meet the Guru and seek his pardon.

It was the consciousness of MaiBhag Kaur and the Khalsa wives of this 40 Sikhs what inspired them to return. This Sikh Women would have rather endured all the worldly hardships than to see their husbands walk away from their destinies and betray their Guru.

Knowing that Wajir Khan was advancing to attack the Guru, Mai Bhago took up positions along with this forty Sikhs and others at Mukatsar.
 

Meanwhile, Guru Gobind Singh had to evacuate the fort of Anandpur, The Sahibzada's were lost in the confusion. Two youngest one's Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, went along with their grandmother (mother of Guru Gobind Singh). While elder one's Ajit Singh and Jhujhar Singh were with their father. Then at battle of Chamkaur Guru's elder sons attained martyrdom, Guru was persuaded by the five Sikhs (Panj Pyaara's ) to evacuate Chamkaur and was traveling in Malva region, being pursued by Mughal forces of Aurungzeb. Traveling day and night in the Jungles of Malva region, imperial Mughal forces were in constant pursuit of Guru. Guru Gobind Singh had reached village of Khidrana, when Mai Bhag Kaur and the men, she was leading stopped near the dhab or pool of Khidrana where the imperial army in pursuit of Guru Gobind Singh had also reached. They challenged the pursuing host and fought furiously forcing it to retreat. All forty Sikhs attained martyrdom in this pitched battle, in which Guru himself was supporting them with a shower of arrows from a nearby high ground. Guruji found all the men except one Mahan Singh, killed when he visited the battlefield. Mai Bhag Kaur and Guru Gobind Singh ji were the sole survivors of this fiercely fought battle.

"Mai Bhag Kaur showed the bravery by lighting with valour and redeemed the honour of the faithless forty Sikhs."

Mahan Singh, who had been seriously wounded, requested Guru ji to tear the 'Bedava' on which they had written that they were no Sikhs of the Guru. The Guru took him into his lap, tore the Bedava and blessed him. Guru Gobind Singh blessed those forty dead as the Forty Liberated Ones.

Kabeera, janaa gyan tah Dharam hai jahaa jhooth tah paap Jahaa lobh tah kaal, jahaa khima tah aap Kabeer, where there is spiritual wisdom, there is righteousness and Dharma. Where there is falsehood, there is sin.
Where there is greed, there is death. Where there is forgiveness, there is God Himself.
--Bhagat Kabeer, GGS ji

After the battle was won, Guru Gobind Singh asked Mai Bhag Kaur to go back to her village.  "She told Guru her long cherished desire to become an active saint soldier in the army of the Guru's."

He took into his care Mai Bhag Kaur who had also suffered injury in the battle. She there after stayed on with Guru Gobind Singh as one of his bodyguard. After Guru Gobind Singh ji left his human body in 1708, she retired further south. She settled down at Jinvara, 11 km from Bidar in Karnataka where, immersed in meditation, she lived to attain a ripe old age. Her hut in Jinvara has now been converted into Gurdwara Tap Asthan Mai Bhag Kaur. At Nanded, too, a hall within the compound of Takht Sachkhand. Sri Hazur Sahib marking the site of her residence is known as Bunga Mai Bhag Kaur.

"One becomes Jivan-mukta - liberated while yet alive, by listening to the Shabad.
Living a truthful way of life, one finds true peace. ||7||"      ( GGS ji)  

Sakhi Series - 28 ( Guru Arjan dev ji & Shabad Hazare )

A cousin of Guru Ram Das Ji came to Amritsar from Lahore especially to ask Guru Sahib to attend his son's wedding. But Guru Ji being unable to attend the wedding personally for some reason said, "Perhaps I can send one of my Sons instead." Guru Ram Das Ji had three sons: Prithi Chand or Prithia, Mahadev, and Arjan Mal. Prithia was in charge of collecting donations. When the Guru asked him to attend the wedding, Prithia said, "I have to take care of the collections. And I hate going to weddings." Actually, he was afraid if he were away from the Guru for too long, he might not be appointed the Guru's successor. Guru Ji then turned to Mahadev. Mahadev lived his life in meditation and said, "I have no desire to involve myself in worldly affairs." Finally, Guru Sahib Ji asked Arjan if he would go. Arjan said, "I only desire to do what you wish." Guru Ji was very pleased. He asked Arjan to spend some time in Lahore to share the Guru's teachings with the Sikhs there. Any donations he received were to be given to the free kitchen to feed the poor. The last words he said to Arjan were, "You should stay in Lahore until I send for you"

Arjan Mal stayed in Lahore after the wedding and grew to be much loved by his relations and the Sikhs there. Still, all the time he was there, his heart was with his father/Guru, Guru Ram Das Ji. When he expressed his longing to his new friends, they suggested he write a letter asking that he be able to return. Arjan Mal wrote a beautiful shabad :

"My soul longs for the Guru like the pied-cuckoo longs for the rain of the monsoon. I am always a sacrifice unto the True Guru."

He sent this letter with one of the Sikhs who had come with him to Lahore. When the messenger reached Amritsar, Prithia saw him and suspected that he had a letter for the Guru from his brother. He said "I will take the letter to the Guru myself." When he read the letter he knew that it was so beautiful that it would move the Guru's heart in Arjan's favor. So he hid the letter in his coat and sent the Sikh back to Arjan telling him that the Guru said he should stay in Lahore until sent for. When Arjan received this message, he knew that Prithia, and not his father, had sent it. He then wrote a second letter with strict orders that it be given only to the Guru. In it, he wrote,

"I love the sight of the Guru's face and the sound of his words, and it has been long since I have seen him. I am ever a sacrifice unto the True Guru."

This time, Prithia grabbed the letter out of the messenger's hands, and grew more angry than before. Again, he hid the letter in his coat. He sent another message that Arjan was to remain in Lahore until sent for. When Arjan heard this from the messenger, he wrote a third letter, this time putting a number "3" on it. He told the messenger to be on his guard against Prithia and to give the letter to Guru Ram Das Ji himself. The messenger waited until Prithia had to go home, and then quickly reached the Guru and gave him the letter. In it, Arjan said,

"Each second away from the Guru is like an age. I cannot sleep without a sight of the Guru. I am ever a sacrifice unto him."

On this letter, the Guru saw the number "3", and knew instantly that he had not received the other two letters. The messenger related the story to him, and the Guru grew very angry. He called for Prithia and asked him three times if he knew anything about the other letters. Prithia denied it everytime. The all knowing Guru knew his thoughts, and told the messenger to go get the coat in Prithia's house. When he returned with it, the two missing letters were in the pocket.

At once, the Guru sent Bhai Buddha to Lahore with a carriage to bring ArjanMal home as soon as possible. When Arjan was finally united with his father, he placed his head on Guru Sahib Ji's chest against his long beard. He remained that way for many moments, while the Guru held him gently in his arms. The Guru then said that as he had written three stanzas, he should write a fourth to finish the poem. Arjan wrote the last verse saying,

"It is my good fortune to have met the True Guru, and I have found the Immortal God in my own home. My greatest desire is to never be separated from him again, not even for an instant. I am ever a sacrifice to the True Guru."

Upon hearing this, the Guru was very pleased. He said, "The Guruship is passed on because of merit. As only the one who is most humble can claim it, I grant it to you." Guru Ji then sent for a coconut and five paisey and placed them before Arjan. He descended from his throne and seated Arjan upon it in front of the whole sangat. Bhai Buddha pressed the tilak on Arjan's forehead as a symbol that the light of Guru Ram Das Ji had now passed to Arjan, who then became Guru Arjun Dev Ji the fifth Guru of the Sikhs.

SHABAD HAZARE
The Bani (Scripture) of Fifth Guru Arjan Dev, in the Raag (Musical measure) called Maajh, Chau-Padas (Four lines per Hymn), First House of Raag.

My mind longs for the Blessed Vision of the Guru's Darshan.

It is anxious like the rain-bird
(Weaver-bird, Papiha: Papeehaa, Beehaa, or Bambeehaa It keeps eager to have a drop of rain at a special auspicious moment).
I am thirsty and have no peace without meeting the revered Saint (my Guru). 1
I am a sacrifice (Love-lost, eager) for meeting the Saint (Guru). 1Pause

Your face (Meeting you) is so impressive, and your speech is peace and joy giving.
It is so long since this rainbird has had even a glimpse of water.
Blessed is that land where You dwell, O my Friend and Intimate Divine Guru . 2

I am a sacrifice - an appreciation, to my friend and companion lord (Guru)1 Pause

When I could not see you even for a short while, it was a dark-age, a hard time, for me.
When shall I meet you now, beloved Lord !
My night does not pass, and sleep comes not, without being in the presence of the Guru: Prophet. 3

I am a sacrifice, sacrifice I am, to this true court of the revered Guru. 1Pause

It is my good destiny, that I have met the Saint Guru.
I have found the Immortal Lord within the home of my own self.
I will serve You forever, and shall never be separated from You even for an instant. Servant Nanak is Your slave, O beloved Master. 4

I am, a sacrifice - an appreciation I am, Nanak is yours and in your service. Pause18

Full version of Shabad Hazare: http://www.gurbanifiles.org/translations/Nitnem%20by%20Dr.%20Kulwant%20Singh,%20with%20Punjabi%20&%20Eng%20transla%20&%20PT.pdf(pg 221 onwards)

Audio Links :
1) Shabad : http://harjas.waheguroo.com/kirtan/media/2004/july17/040717-deep_kaur-HARJAS_dot_COM_Surrey_BC_Canada_Sangat.mp3

2) http://gurmatveechar.org/audio/Gurbani_Ucharan/Bhai_Jarnail_Singh_%28Damdami_Taksal_wale%29/Sundar_Gutka/06-Bhai.Jarnail.Singh--Shabad.Hazare.mp3

Sakhi Series - 27 ( Guru Angad Dev Ji and the Tapa)

Guru Angad Sahib Ji lived at Khadur Sahib in the Punjab, India. There lived a yogi named Shiv Nath in the same village. Yogis were saints who did not marry. They had a great hold on the people. Shiv Nath was very proud. He became jealous of the Guru's fame. So he started making plans to get rid of the Guru by fair means or foul. He was on the look out for a chance to make the Guru feel small.

Once, it did not rain for a long time. There was a danger of drought. So the people were worried. They went to the yogi and asked him to do something about it. The yogi replied in anger, 'How can you expect rain, you fools, when you look upon a married man as your Guru? Turn him out of the village and you will surely get rain."

The people were carried away by the yogi's words. They went to the Guru and said, "O Guru, the crops are dying for want of rain. If you will kindly leave this village, the yogi can save us by bringing rain for us."

"Dear friends," replied the Guru, "Rain and sunshine are natural. They are in the hands of God. Still, I don't mind leaving the village if it is in your interest." The next day, the Guru left the village. The people went to the yogi once more to ask for rain. The yogi could do nothing against the law of nature. It did not rain. The people waited for some days but then became very angry and realised their fault. They dragged the yogi out of his hut into their fields. It so happened that it rained in every field into which they dragged the yogi. So everyone was keen to drag the yogi into his own field first. They dragged him this way and that till he was sorry and accepted that he lied about the Guru.

The villagers were very sorry to have turned the Guru out of the village. They realised their mistake. They went to him and begged his pardon. They brought Guruji back with great respect. The Guru told the people to have faith in the Will of God. He then started a common kitchen in that village, with the help of his followers. This was known as the 'Guru Ka Langar' ("the Guru's Kitchen"). Anyone could come at any time and have a free dinner in the Langar. Men, women and children of all castes, religions, colours and races sat and ate together. Many people cheerfully offered free service in the Langar and joined the sangat regularly.

"Why call him blind, who is blind by the Will of God? Nanak, it is he who will not understand God's Will, who should be called blind." (Guru Angad Sahib ji)

"What pleases Him, Nanak, is good. They who must abide by His Will, have no power of their own" (Guru Angad Sahib ji)

"When He gives His order, Men must follow, Men must act according to God's Will; Nanak, Men come when they are sent by God, And die when they are called by Him." (Guru Angad Sahib ji)

Sakhi Series - 26 ( Guru Tegh Bahadur ji's - upholding the principle of freedom of conscience)

Guru Tegh Bahadur ji's Sacrifice
"Do not frighten anyone nor be afraid of anybody"

This event happened long before the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) guaranteed every one right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. It was also much before the establishment of Western democracies. The Guru carried the conviction more than three hundred years ago, when religious intolerance and persecution were common all over the world that every individual must have the freedom to worship the faith of his or her choice.

Guru Tegh Bahadur lived at a time when even personal laws were oppressive and the right to worship as per one's choice was denied, culminating in an atmosphere of fear and severe backlash. Guru Tegh Bahadur became the spiritual head of the Sikhs just at the time when the Mughal Emperor of India , Aurangzeb, was imposing Islam on the people.
He had no tolerance for other religions and proceeded on a brutal campaign of repression. Aurangzeb closed down Hindu schools, demolished temples or turned them into mosques, charged non-Muslims heavy taxes and Emperor persecuted those who would not conform to Islamic law. He forbade Hindus from celebrating their festivals, ordered that only Muslims could be landlords of crown lands, dismissed all Hindu clerks and ordered governors to put a stop to the teachings and practicing of idolatrous forms of
worship.
Denied the freedom to follow their faith, the Hindus of Kashmir approached Guru Tegh Bahadur for help and guidance. The Hindu Brahmin Pandits of Kashmir were among the most highly learned and orthodox of the Hindu leadership. Aurangzeb felt if they could be converted, the rest of the country would easily follow. Given this ultimatum, a large delegation of 500 Kashmiri Pandits met the Guru and explained their dire predicament and requested him to intercede on their behalf.
When an anguished Guru Tegh Bahadur sought a way to help the suffering multitude, his son Guru Gobind Singh, as a nine-year-old, spoke words of encouragement, which energized him to pursue the path of wisdom. He told the Pandits to inform Aurangzeb that the Brahmins would gladly accept and embrace Islam if Guru Tegh Bahadur can be convinced to do so and made preparations to go to Delhi and sacrifice his life.

As soon as Aurangzeb heard the news he ordered the immediate arrest of the Guru. He ordered Guru Tegh Bahadur to be forced to convert to Islam through torture or be killed. Guru Tegh Bahadur refused to embrace Islam, saying

"For me, there is only one religion - of God - and whosoever belongs to it, be he a Hindu or a Muslim, him I own and he owns me. I neither convert others by force, nor submit to force, to change my faith."

Guru Tegh Bahadur was subjected to many cruelties; he was kept in an iron cage and starved for many days. The Guru faced a further test to his righteousness when three of his followers were tortured in his presence. Yet he remained steadfast and bore these cruelties without flinching or showing any anger or distress. He preferred the torture of the flesh to sacrificing the ideals of virtue. Finally on November 11, 1675 Guru Tegh
Bahadur was publicly beheaded as he prayed. The bodies of those so executed were usually quartered and exposed to public view, but Tegh Bahadur's followers managed to steal the body under cover of darkness, cremate it in Delhi , and bring the severed head to Tegh Bahadur's son Gobind Rai, 250 miles away in Anandpur. The last rites were performed in Anandpur Sahib by Guru Gobind Singh ji.

The site of Guru Tegh Bahadur jis execution was later turned into an important Gurudwara (Sikh House of Worship) Sisganj in Delhi, India . Millions of people of all social and religious backgrounds pay homage to the Guru at this shrine. He is honoured as a man who gave his life for religious freedom for all peoples, not just Sikhs. The shrine holds the symbolism of war against injustice, a determination to stand up to atrocity, though it may mean sacrifice of the self.
He taught the ethos of self-sacrifice for the common good of mankind and this is enshrined in his spiritual legacy. Never in history has the religious leader of one religion sacrificed his life to save the freedom of another religion .

"One untouched by avarice, attachment, egotism and pursuit of evil passions,
And one risen above joy and sorrow â€" know such a one to be God's own image."
Thus sang Guru Tegh Bahadur. Guru sacrificed his life for upholding the principle of freedom of conscience.

In today world, scarred by religious fanaticism and intolerance Guru Tegh Bahadur is truly a hero to be revered and emulated.

Mystic Saint Kabir in one of his verses says, "The true hero is one who in defence of the helpless may be hacked limb to limb, but flees not the field," and there can be no greater testimonial to the Guru's unflinching courage which earned him the praise as "one who covered dharma (religion) and protected it."

Sakhi Series - 25 ( Anand bhya meree maaye, Satguroo main paaya)

Sikh and Gurbani:

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 so cannot even recite or understand Gurbani.

Guru Ji said, "Brother Sikh! You are blessed that you became detached (from the world). To gain wisdom, knowledge is very important. One should get education. An uneducated person cannot understand anything.

Guru Ji asked another learned Sikh to teach that Sikh with love. The Learned Sikh 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 on reciting it. His faith increased reciting this line. After six months, Guru Ji asked the learned Sikh, "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 was enough. When the True Guru has been found, 'Anand' is gotten. " what else I could possibly ask for ?

Guru Ji smiled and said, "You are 'nihaal' (bliss). Your cycle of birth and death has been curtailed."
He has gained wisdom with this one pankti of gurbani.

har har naam m aerai pr aan vasaae ae sabh sa(n)saa dh ookh gavaae iaa adhisatt ag ochar gur bachan dhh iaaeiaa pav ithr param padh paae iaa

He has enshrined the Name of the Lord, Har, Har within my breath of lfe, and all my doubts and sorrows have departed. I have meditated on the invisible and unapproachable Lord, through the Guru's Word, and I have obtained the pure, supreme status.

anehadh dhhun v aajehi n ith vaaj ae gaaee sath igur b aanee n aanak dhaath kar ee prabh dhaath ai joth ee joth sam aanee 1

The unstruck melody resounds, and the instruments ever vibrate, singing the Bani of the True Guru. O Nanak, God the Great Giver has given me a gift; He has blended my light into the Light. 1

-- GGS ji pg 442

Sakhi Series - 24 ( Malik Bhago and Bhai Lalo )

Malik Bhago and Bhai Lalo

"Taking the rights of others pollutes the mind.
Always be honest, ever be kind."

Once Guru Nanak Dev stayed with Bhai Lalo ( a devotee) when he began his preaching missions. Bhai Lalo was a carpenter who earned his living honestly by working hard all day. The local village official was a corrupt person. He was known as Malik Bhago. One day he invited every resident of the village to a feast, so he could make a good image with the people. Guru Nanak Dev declined to go to the feast. Special messengers were sent to bring him. Bhago offered delicious food to the Guru and in response to his offer, waited for good words from him but Guru Nanak Dev, rather than blessing Malik Bhago declined to accept any food from him. Bhago was surprised to hear a refusal for the delicious food and he immediately asked the reason for the refusal.

The Guru told him that the food that Malik Bhago considered to be tasty and sweet was, in fact, made from blood of the poor. Malik Bhago had been extracting money from the people, instead of living on his honest earnings. Bhago was very much embarrassed by the bold and frank comments of the Guru. Everyone else appreciated the truth spoken fearlessly by Guru Nanak Dev. Bhago could not deny the allegations. Good sense prevailed and Malik Bhago confessed his guilt. He requested to be pardoned for his past deeds and promised to live a true and honest life in the future.

Guru Nanak Dev told the gathering there that only honestly earned food, such as that of Bhai Lalo, tastes good and sweet like milk. All dishonest earnings are like the blood of the innocent. If drops of blood fall on a cloth, it becomes dirty. How can the mind of a person who lives on the blood of the helpless people remain pious and clean?

Such was the effect of Guru Nanak's piety and personality that people did visualize blood in Malik Bhago's delicious dinner and milk in Bhai Lalo's frugal meal.

Taking away the rights of others is like drawing their blood ; it pollutes the mind. Honest earnings are like sweet milk; they make the mind pious.

hir ruKI rotI Kwie smwly ] hir AMqir bwhir ndir inhwly ]

har r ukhee r ott ee khaae sam aal ae har a(n)thar baa har nadhar nih aalae

One who meditates as he eats dry bread, sees the Blessed Lord inwardly and outwardly.

Kwie Kwie kry bdPYlI jwxu ivsU kI vwVI jIau ]2]

kh aae khaa e karae badhaf ailee j aan v isoo k ee v aarree j eeo 2

Know this well, that one who eats and eats while practicing evil, is like a field of poisonous plants. 2

- Guru Granth Sahib ji - pg 105

Sakhi Series - 23 ( The Power Of Five )

The Power Of Five
True story as narrated by a Sikh(about his experience during riots ) in FROM THE HEART
'suva luc se ek laroa
thabay gobind singh naam kahao '

"It was during the anti-Sikh riots. I was at that time living in Gurudwara Nanaksar in Haryana. There were 7 other sewadars in the Gurudwara. Trouble started brewing early in the morning. We noticed about 50 young men gathering outside a few hundred metres away from the Gurudwara sahib. We didn't really pay too much attention to them.

By noon, the group had turned into a rowdy crowd of about 300. We became quite concerned at that point. Our telephone wires had been cut, so there really was not much we could do. But we were still in chardi kala.

At about 3 pm, a truck driven by a Singh was driving by the crowd when the crowd attacked it. The Singh gave up the truck and ran to the Gurudwara. Some gundas overtook him and injured him but he, being a strong man, managed to escape. Still, he was quite bloody when he came in. That increased our number to 9. The number outside had increased to about 500 by evening. They were very loud and obnoxious by now. We tried to ignore them and began our evening diwan at 6 pm. But as the darkness approached, the crowd became more and more bold. In fact, soon they started stoning the Gurudwara. We stopped the evening programme and placed all the Guru Granth Sahib jees in the safest place possible.

At 7.30 pm it was very dark and the rabble became so bold that they put fire to the Gurdrawa's gate. It hit us then how serious the situation was. We soon would be killed!
Our jathedar gathered us and said, "Khalsa jee, the Khalsa has faced worse situations then this. The Khalsa has gone through two holocausts but the Khalsa lives and will live in freedom forever! Khalsa jee, the Khalsa has never given up and will never give up. The enemy stands outside. There are 500 hundred, we are 9 but remember Guru Gobind Singh jee has made each of us equivalent to sava-lakh (125,000)! Khalsa jee, get prepared to fight!"

He said this with so much josh and bir ras that our body hair stood on their ends. Even though I had been seriously ill for the past 3 months, I too was ready to fight. The jathedar then told us that we must make two groups. The first group of five will go out first and fight the enemy. The rest (4) can go later. Everybody agreed. Jathedar Sahib then chose 4 other pyaras. I was not chosen, most probably due to my illness.

The five were ready. Then the jathedar sahib did Ardas to Guru Gobind Singh jee. The five then took out their kirpans and with BOLE SO NEHAAL! SAT SRI AKAL! BOLE SO NEHAAL! SAT SRI AKAL! filling the air, came out to face the enemy. You will not believe what happened then. Seeing 5 Khalsa in the uniform of Guru Gobind Singh jee, the rabble of 500 ran away It was as if 5 lions were chasing 500 hyenas away!

One of the Singhs managed to cut off a running man's ear. The Khalsa's victory was sweet."
waheguru waheguru waheguru waheguru...

Just as an epilogue, some police officers had the gall to come a few days later to investigate the ear injury!!!! But this was so ridiculous and the Singhs were in such high spirits that the police had to leave without even a bribe.

gagan dham aam aa b aaj iou par iou n ees aan ai gh aao

The battle-drum beats in the sky of the mind; aim is taken, and the wound is inflicted.

kh aeth j m aa(n)dd iou s ooram aa ab j oojhan k o dh aao 1

The spiritual warriors enter the field of battle; now is the time to fight! 1

- Bhagat kabir ji GGS - pg 1105

Sakhi Series - 22 ( Dhan Guru Nanak Sahib ji, Gursikh and the Goldmine. )

Dhan Guru Nanak Sahib ji, Gursikh and the Goldmine

Dhan sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Mardana ji were on their travels, when they came across a humble servant of the lord who had nothing but a little mud hut to live in. Guru Sahib and Bhai Mardhana Ji decided to grace the humble Gursikh with their presence, agreeing to reside at the hut for the night. This Gursikh was most pleased, he had little to eat in the house, but prepared what he did have for Guru Ji - Bhai Mardhana Ji felt a little sad, knowing this humble servant had very little - and eating out of it.

Guru Sahib knew this and told Bhai Mardhana not to worry, we must live in the will of Waheguru. The Gursikhs humbleness and love was his everything.

Once they had finished their langar, Guru Sahib looked deep in thought, before asking Bhai Mardhana ji to break the little mud plates they had been eating on. Bhai Mardhana Ji looked confused, but led a sat-bachni lifestyle and agreed to what Guru Sahib was saying. The Gursikh agreed saying "I'm your humble slave, whatever you wish, you should do". So Bhai Mardhana Ji proceeded to break the few belongings the Gursikh had.

The following day, Guru Sahib arose and advised the Gursikh that they would need to continue with their travels. The Gursikhs could not bear the thought of his Guru leaving his home and asked Guru Ji if he could walk some distance with them, and at least spend a little more time in their presence. Guru Ji agreed, and the humble Gursikh followed them on their journey for a very short while.

Before they left their home, Guru ji, again after some deep thought asked Bhai Mardhana Ji to destroy the little mud hut of the Gursikh, at this point, Bhai Mardhana ji was puzzled and asked Guruji why he should destroy what little this humble slave had. The Gursikh turned to Bhai Mardhana Ji with pleading eyes and said "Please, do as my Guru say's - whatever hukam they give you, just adhere to it. Nothing here is mine, it is all Guru Ji's" - his pleading came to use and Bhai Mardhana grudgingly proceeded to destroy the mud hut.

Guru Ji, Bhai Mardhana Ji and the Gursikh then continued their journey. As night began to fall Guruji advised Gursikh that he should now be getting back to what little was left of his hut. Guru Ji gave him hukam to do so and blessed the Gursikh for his seva over the course of the night.

As the Gursikh returned to the place where his home used to be, he saw what he considered the blessing of Maharaj Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. as he circled what used to be his home, he noticed a little two feet tall wall still remained - thinking that Bhai Mardhana ji did not complete the task thoroughly he began breaking down the last of the wall ..

As he broke down bit after bit, he noticed the ground beneath becoming weaker and separating, beneath those two foot walls lay a gold mine .. this humble servant, amazing Gursikh had been living on a goldmine without knowing about it. Guru Ji's blessings came in such a disguise, that far from destroying everything this humble being had, they in fact gave him more than he ever imagined having ..

This is the beauty of our Guru Ji's blessings - we are all living on Gold mines without actually knowing it. if we, and me especially, lived the life whereby we adhered to every one of our Guru Ji's hukams, then we too would be rewarded with a gold mine each ..

Humbleness, Seva, and pyaar can lead us to the most amazing riches in the world - our Guru Ji's blessings...

"Visar nahee datar apana naam deho Gun gava din raat nanak chao eho"
=> Forget me not O Giver, give me your name
Singing your virtues day and night is Nanak's desire

Sakhi Series -21 ( Guru Ramdas ji and the Yogi’s )

Guru Ramdas ji and the Yogi's

After Guru Ramdas had taken the gurgaddi he still continued doing lot of physical sewa. Once Baba Sri chand , son of Guru Nanak ji decided to meet Guru Ramdas ji. As soon as the word traveled to Ramdas ji, Guru Ramdas sent his followers to meet Sri Chand ji at the edge of the city and himself left his sewa to meet him. When Baba Sri Chand saw guru Ramdas he was shocked because with his yogic eyes he saw his father Guru Nanak in Guru Ramdas ji. He proclamed you are the image of my father .. you have the light of my father, but your beard is much longer than my father! why is your beard so long ?? Guru Ramdas ji answered - my beard is so long so that I can wipe the feet of the saints like u and he actually bent over to rub over Sri Chand's feet. This surprised Sri Chand ji who jumped back and said even after so many years of 'tap' I have'nt been able to achieve this grace and humility. I have never seen such humility beofre. you are the king. you sit on the throne. you are the king of the yoga. They both enjoyed the meeting after that.

"With the rising of the sun, the Gurmukh speaks of the Lord. All through the night, he dwells upon the Sermon of the Lord. My God has infused this longing within me; I seek my Lord God. 1

My mind is the dust of the feet of the Holy. The Guru has implanted the Sweet Name of the Lord, Har, Har, within me. I dust the Guru's Feet with my hair. 1Pause

- GGS ji pg:1355

Soon the word spread that Sri Chand ji declared Ramdas ji as the yoga king.. the yogi's stated to question what yoga does he knows and what is the throne he sits on ???.. so when they came to Guru Ramdas ji, ramdas ji told them to chant gods name instead of ausetrities and stop violence against their body, and instead of going to caves and leaving everything, live in your "grisht ashram" (homes) and bring moderation to your eating, sleeping and to your sensuality ..don't deny yourself as a human but bring moderation to it and infuse yourself with moral courage ( sahaj yoga) and by these things they will gain union with god.. the way of yoga the celebs have adopted had actually seperated them from god for when they came close/in presence of a woman their equilibrum was disturbed bcos they were still humans.. Guru Ramdas told them to keep their equilibrium day and night by meditation and chanting gods name. and focusing on gods feet.

You may pluck the strings with your hand, O Yogi, but your playing of the harp is in vain.

Under Guru's Instruction, chant the Glorious Praises of the Lord, O Yogi, and this mind of yours shall be imbued with the Lord's Love. 1

O Yogi, give your intellect the Teachings of the Lord.

The Lord, the One Lord, is pervading throughout all the ages; I humbly bow down to Him. 1Pause

You sing in so many Ragas and harmonies, and you talk so much, but this mind of yours is only playing a game

You work the well and irrigate the fields, but the oxen have already left to graze in the jungle. 2

In the field of the body, plant the Lord's Name, and the Lord will sprout there, like a lush green field.

O mortal, hook up your unstable mind like an ox, and irrigate your fields with the Lord's Name, through the Guru's Teachings. 3

The Yogis, the wandering Jangams, and all the world is Yours, O Lord. According to the wisdom which You give them, so do they follow their ways.

O Lord God of servant Nanak, O Inner-knower, Searcher of hearts, please link my mind to You. 4961

- GGS ji pg:368

He further explained.. yoga is acceptance of both polarities ..good and bad .. when there is no good no bad .. ( kaun bhale ko mande) ?? when u accept all of it as god then you merge with god in ecstacy. and this is true yoga.

Sakhi Series -20 ( GURU NANAK in JAGANATH PURI - Aarti)

GURU NANAK in JAGANATH PURI

The temple of Jagan Nath, was one of the four most revered temples of the Hindus. It is said that Jagan Nath's idol was sculptured by the architect of the gods and it was installed at the temple by Lord Brahma himself. It was the anniversary of installation of the idol when Guru Nanak reached the temple. The Guru visited the temple not to adore their Lord but to educate the people that the worship of God was superior to the worship of the deity.

It was the evening time and the priests brought a salver full of many lighted lamps, flowers, incense and pearls and then all stood to offer the salver to their enshrined idol-god. The ceremony was called 'Aarti', a song of dedication. The high-priest invited the Guru to join in the god's worship. The Guru declined to join their service which enraged the priests. On being asked the reason the Guru explained that a wonderful serenade was being sung by nature before the invisible altar of God. The sun and the moon were the lamps, placed in the salver of the firmament and the fragrance wafted from the Malayan mountains was serving as incense. The Guru, therefore, instead of accepting the invitation of the high-priest to adore the idol, raised his eyes to the heaven and uttered the following Sabad of Arti:

ggn mY Qwlu riv cMdu dIpk bny qwirkw mMfl jnk moqI ]

gagan m ai thhaa l rav cha(n)dh dh eepak ban ae thaa r ik aa ma(n)ddal janak mo th ee

Upon that cosmic plate of the sky, the sun and the moon are the lamps. The stars and their orbs are the studded pearls.

DUpu mlAwnlo pvxu cvro kry sgl bnrwie PUlµq joqI ]1]

dhh oo p malaaa nal o pavan chavar o karae sagal banar aae f oo la(n)th jo th ee 1

The fragrance of sandalwood in the air is the temple incense, and the wind is the fan. All the plants of the world are the altar flowers in offering to You, O Luminous Lord. 1

kYsI AwrqI hoie ] Bv KMfnw qyrI AwrqI ]

k ai see aarath ee ho e bhav kha(n)ddan aa th ae ree aarath ee

What a beautiful lamp-lit worship service this is! O Destroyer of Fear, this Ceremony of Lights is Yours.

Anhqw sbd vwjMq ByrI ]1] rhwau ]

anehath aa sabadh v aa ja(n)th bh aer ee 1 reh aa o

The Unstruck Sound-current of the Shabad is the vibration of the temple drums. 1Pause

shs qv nYn nn nYn hih qoih kau shs mUriq nnw eyk quohI ]

sehas thav n ai n nan nai n hehi th ohi ko sehas moorath nan aa eae k thuoh ee

You have thousands of eyes, and yet You have no eyes. You have thousands of forms, and yet You do not have even one.

shs pd ibml nn eyk pd gMD ibnu shs qv gMD iev clq mohI ]2]

sehas padh b i mal nan eae k padh ga(n)dhh b in sehas thav ga(n)dhh e i v chalath m oh ee 2

You have thousands of Lotus Feet, and yet You do not have even one foot. You have no nose, but you have thousands of noses. This Play of Yours entrances me. 2

sB mih joiq joiq hY soie ]

sabh meh i j oth j oth h ai s oe

Amongst all is the Light-You are that Light.

iqs dY cwnix sB mih cwnxu hoie ]

th i s dhai ch aanan sabh meh i chaa nan h oe

By this Illumination, that Light is radiant within all.

gur swKI joiq prgtu hoie ]

g u r s aakh ee j o th paragatt h oe

Through the Guru's Teachings, the Light shines forth.

jo iqsu BwvY su AwrqI hoie ]3]

j o th is bh aav ai s aarath ee h o e 3

Whatever is pleasing to Him, that itself is a lamp-lit worship service. 3

hir crx kvl mkrMd loiBq mno Anidnuo moih AwhI ipAwsw ]

har charan kaval makara(n)dh l obhi th mano anadh inuo moh i aa hee p iaasaa

My mind is enticed by the honey-sweet Lotus Feet of the Lord. Day and night, I thirst for them.

ik®pw jlu dyih nwnk swirMg kau hoie jw qy qyrY nwie vwsw ]4]3]

k i rapaa jal dh aeh i naa nak s aar i (n)g ko ho e j aa th ae thae r ai n aa e vaa s aa 43

Bestow the Water of Your Mercy upon Nanak, the thirsty song-bird, so that he may come to dwell in Your Name. 43