Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

 Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

(source: http://dedicatedkaurs.blogspot.com)
To Read more on Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Click on the following Links:

 

Early Childhood:

 

"He will be a great man and our village Talwandi will become famous in the world."

The Day –Dreamer
The Questioning Years
The Sacred Thread

Youth Years:

"Guru Nanak Dev Ji put all his ideas about God into poetry, so that people could memorize them. Then he, Bala and Mardana sang them together. Soon all over the Punjab, people were singing Nanak's hymns about the One God, who is greater than anyone else, who is good and loves his creatures."

Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gets Married
The Boy who Traded Money for a Blessing
All Men are Brothers
The Man who was Re-born

The Journey of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji:

"Nor did his love for the people lessen with the years. He was never too tired to listen to their problems and was always ready to offer words of comfort and advice. The circle of peole who respect him and followed his guidance increased daily…"

Guru Nanak Dev ji on the "Holy" Ganga
Life by Good Deeds
Gold cannot be Taken to Heaven
A King Pays Homage to Guru Nanak Dev Ji
The Rich Man and the Poor Carpenter

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Teachings:

"There is always room for holiness and goodness," Guru Nanak Dev Ji answers. "Just as one jasmine petal can perfume a whole bowlful of milk so can one man re-fill the world with the fragrance of faith in God and in good deeds!"

There is Only one God
Sajjan the Robber
God is Everywhere
God Made all Men Equal
Guru Nanak Dev Ji chooses a Successor
There is Never Enough of Goodness

 

Sakhi Series :- 144 ( BLESSING OF SANGAT )

BLESSING OF SANGAT

Once the State Governor (subedar) carne to see the Guru with the question "O Guru,
when you are pleased with a Sikh, what do you give him?"
"When I am pleased with a Sikh, I send to his house one who is dear to me", replied the Guru.

"Guruji, if you are very pleased with a Sikh, then what do you give him'!,'
"When I am more pleased with a Sikh, I send to his house, two of my dear ones."
"And if, Guruji, you are still more pleased, what would you give him?"
"In that case I would send three of my dear ones to his house."
The subedar continued to repeat his question, until the Guru had raised the number of
dear ones to ten.

"When you send ten dear ones to a Sikh, what does the Sikh gain out of it?"
"The more the dear ones that visit a Sikh, the more is the praise and discussion of the Lord. In the company of saints, spiritual discussion automatically takes place. Whatever the Sikh hears will stay in his mind, and ultimately liberate him from the cycle of birth and death. At the same time his livelihood will flourish, and his family will also follow his example in serving the saintly persons, to become pure like him. Such are the benefits of a saint's visit." The reply pleased the subedur.

saadhhoo dhhoor karo nith majan sabh kilabikh paap gavaaein ||
I take my daily cleansing bath in the dust of the feet of the Holy, and I am rid of all my sins.

Delight Your Children!

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. New Sikh Audio Story CDs & Book Storytelling is a long standing Sikh tradition and a child's imagination contains the most wonderful graphics of all! Now SikhNet is making available our very first set of kid-friendly products. We understand that most kids are not particularly interested in "educational" content and that they need to be engaged interactively and creatively by inspiring pride and joy in Sikh identity and instilling Sikh values without being "teachy" or "preachy." So we have created two forms of Children's Stories for you and your children to share: Four audio CD's of recorded stories most of which are brought to life with wonderful voice acting, music and sound effects and a companion storybook with illustrations which can be colored in by children. These exciting and fun stories make perfect gifts for the children in your life. They are filled with tales of seva, simran, bani, bana, love, courage, history and the joy of giving and sharing. All proceeds from the sales of SikhNet Stories for Children products will be used to expand our special services for children at SikhNet.com I invite you to come take a look at our new SikhNet products for Children.

Sakhi Series :- 143 ( Destiny Achieved Through Prayer )

DESTINY ACHIEVED THROUGH PRAYER

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

One summer when the Guru was travelling, he reached a garden where he camped for the day. It so happened that the king's pir (spiritual advisor), was also camping at the same place. Thus the Pir had a chance to meet Guru Baba. The pir called on the Guru, who seated him with due courtesy by his side. There was a town nearby where a number of Sikhs of the Guru lived. When they heard of the Guru's arrival at the garden, they all flocked to see the Guru with offerings of clothes, arms and money, besides food. The offerings were formally dedicated to the Guru and prayed for blessings, success in temporal pursuits, protection from evil, and the boon of Naam.

The Pir watched the proceedings for the whole day, and then put this question the Guru, "In our scriptures it is said that whatever is destined, is bound to happen. Something else can happen, only if what has been done previously is wrong. Since what has been done, cannot be wrong, there is no scope for anything else happening. So, when the Sikhs pray before you for success in their endeavours, what do they pray for, since nothing else can happen except what is destined?" After hearing the pir's question the Guru took out his seal. He applied ink to the seal and stamped it on a piece of paper.

"Pir ji, this is the answer to your question," replied the Guru. "Kindly explain this to me," said the pir. "The letters on the seal were already there. These have not been written now. But the writer knew that when the seal bows its head to touch the paper, the reverse letters will become straight and get stamped on it. Similarly, the Creator has made this provision in one's destiny, so that when one appear before the Guru / Sangat in humility and performs service / sewa, his adverse destiny is corrected. All his problems are solved. This reversal is as per destiny, and not otherwise. Thus, whatever has been said in your scriptures is correct. Nothing less and nothing more." At this answer the pir was very happy.

Sakhi Series :- 142 ( The Guru Teaches Etiquette )

THE GURU TEACHES ETIQUETTE
(Source : http://trilochankaur.blogspot.com)

Once a diwan of the emperor came to meet Guru Har Gobind Sahib Ji. He was a Turk, arrogant because of his position. The Guru was absorbed in some thing, and so did not take notice of him. This indifference enraged the diwan. The idea crossed his mind that he should strike the Guru with his sword and sever his head from the body. The Guru who was all knowing, saw what was going on in the diwan's mind.

The emperor had commissioned him for a particular expedition, in which he had been defeated and forced to flee. As he thought of using the sword, the Guru looked towards him, and said, "You did not strike when you should have done it. But at a saint's place, where you are supposed to pay obeisance, you want to use your sword. Whence did you buy this advice? Go and return it to whoever sold it to you. This is useless." At this the diwan fell at the Guru's feet and said, "0 Guru, I made a grievous error. Forgive me for the ignoble thought. You are in reality, the "Sache Pathshah" (True Emperor). Nothing is hidden from you. You are rightly known as the True emperor. There is no exaggeration in this. I crave your forgiveness."

Guru ji remarked, "Listen, diwan, when you goto a saint, regard him as the image of the Creator. Do not take him to be a mere human being. If you approach him with wicked thoughts, your sword will clash with his far more powerful one, which will strike you dead, while your sword is in your hand. Such are the powers of the saints. They are not powerless. I forgive you. But do not forget the etiquette to be observed in the presence of masters. The more you respect them, the better it will be for you. The rest is up to you."

Waheguru ....

Sakhi Series :- 141 ( S Subeg Singh Ji )

S. Subeg Singh ji

http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/sikh-history/sikh-martyrs-s.-subheg-singh-shahbaz-singh.html 

S. Subeg Singh, a resident of village JAMBAR near Lahore, was a Scholar of Persian language and man of high moral character. During the reign of Zakaria Khan, S. Subeg Singh was a government contractor. 

Earlier to this, he had been a police officer (kotwal) in charge of police force of Lahore. During his tenure as police offices he ensured peace and security to the people. Because of his conduct and human approach, residents of Lahore and Governor Zakaria Khan held him in high esteem. In view of this, he had faced no problem in spite of Zakaria Khan's intensive drive to completely finish the Sikh community. The Sikhs had vowed to free the country from the yoke of cruel rulers, and stop the invaders from North West once and for all. With God's name on their lips and Guru's grace, they were happily riding horses and living in jungles, river beds, ravines and desert, always lying in wait to strike and punish ruthless and cruel rulers. Who can finish such selfless warriors? Zakaria Khan miserably failed to achieve his objective of finishing the Sikh community, and was thus looking for a way out of this impasse. He wanted to enter into an agreement with the Sikh leadership to maintain peace in Punjab. He had got permission from Emperor of Delhi on this account.

Through the good offices of S. Subeg Singh and using him as an inter-mediatory, Zakaria Khan offered the Sikhs:

1.      Rs. One Lakh of revenue from Kanganpur, Jhapal and Dayalpur areas.
2. 'A royal dress and title of Nawab to the Jathedar, as a mark of respect.
In return, Zakaria Khan wanted Sikhs to cease hostilities against the government.

2.      
S. Subeg Singh approached the Sikhs with this offer. The Sikhs were not ready to accept this offer.but in order to give Peace a chance, the KHalsa accepted it. But when no Sikh leader came forward to accept govt.'s offer, the Khasla nominated S Kapur Singh ji for the purpose. The robe of honour and the title of Nawab was thus bestowed on S. Kapur Singh, who was engaged in the act of operating the manual fan to provide some respite from the heat to the assembly of Sikhs present at that time. Thus S. Kapur Singh became Nawab KapurSingh. This showed how in Sikhism the humble worker was respected and rewarded for selfless service to the community.

Nawab Zakaria Khan expressed his happiness and gratitude to S. Subeg Singh on his return from this successful mission S, Subeg Singh had extended his helping hand to Zakaria Khan on some other occasions as well when Zakaria Khan had behaved well and in a reasonable manner.

The truce between the Sikhs and Zakaria Khan's government did not last long. However, the Sikhs utilised the truce period to improve upon their firepower and striking ability. Zakaria Khan started his old game of exterminating the Sikh community and the Sikhs once again moved to the places of their hideouts in jungles, ravines, deserts and riverbeds.

S. Shahbaz Singh, the brilliant son of S. Subeg Singh, was studying persian language from a Muslim Kazi at a school. At the age of eighteen, he turned out to be very healthy and handsome youngman. His teacher was immensely impressed by the intelligence and conduct of this student. To serve his own self-interest, the Kazi planned to convert the boy into Islam and then make him his son in law by marrying him to his daughter. To achieve his objective, the Kazi started lecturing on the qualities and supremacy of Islam over other religions and tried to prepare Shahbaz Singh for conversion of religion. However, Shahbaz Singh was well informed about the virtues of his own Sikh religion, its philosophy and its practical approach as demonstrated by great Gurus.

Apart from his knowledge of his own religion, he was educated about Islam and Hinduism by his parents. He was proud of being a Sikh boy. When the Kazi persisted in his approach to fulfil his ambition, Shahbaz Singh started reacting actively by having a dialogue with the Qazi on the topic. Shahbaz Singh kept his parents informed about all that was happening between him and the Kazi, his teacher at school.

After failing to persuade Shahbaz Singh to get converted to Islam, the Kazi started using threats to achieve his objective. He told Shahbaz Singh that if he did not agree to conversion to Islam he would lodge a serious complaint against him with the Governor and get him executed.

When even threats proved futile, the Kazi registered a false complaint with the Governor Zakaria Khan charging Shahbaz Singh of insulting Prophet Mohammed by pointing out various deficiencies in the teaching of Islam and contained in the sacred book of Islam.

The Kazi also took the help of notorious anti Sikh Muslim magistrate of Lahore, to fulfil his nefarious designs. Together, they prepared and submitted a long list of baseless charges against S. Subeg Singh and his son ShahbazSingh to the Governor, Zakaria Khan.

The ungrateful Zakaria Khan, forgetting the co-operation extended by S. Subeg Singh at difficult junctures ordered the arrest of both Shahbaz Singh and Subeg Singh. They were kept in separate jail cells. There was no chance of Sikhs getting justice by the judiciary of the time.

Shahbaz Singh was conveyed the false news that his father had been executed and that he could save his youthful life by adopting Islam as his religion. Both father and the son, remained stead fast in sticking to their faith in spite of mischievous propaganda launched by government officials. They prepared themselves for the inevitable, by reciting hymns from Guru Granth Sahib, recalling the brave deeds of Gurus and devout Sikhs who had laid down their lives for upholding the cause of oppressed and defending their faith in the past. They prayed to the Almighty to give them strength to uphold their faith and principles dear to them.

Suddenly at that juncture Khan Bahadur Zakaria Khan died before he could execute the two stead-fast Sikhs, Shahbaz Singh and Subeg Singh. Zakaria Khan's son Yahia Khan, became the Governor of Lahore and proved to be more aggressive towards Sikhs. S. Subeg Singh and Shahbaz Singh were produced before Yahia Khan, who too offered them the choice between conversion to Islam or death by torture.

Both father and the son remained stead fast in their faith and preferred death to conversion as Muslims. The Kazi was asked to specify the punishment. He promptly specified death on wheels for the two brave Sikhs. Yahia Khan gave his approval without a moments thought to these brutal means of execution for the two Sikhs.
Both Bhai Subeg Singh and Shahbaz Singh were tied on separate set of wheels opposite each other. The wheels were operated and the steel blades started ripping the flesh of the two brave Sikhs of Guru Gobind Singh. Blood started flowing all over their bodies and wheels.

The wheels were halted for a while and the Kazi again told the two Sikhs that their lives could still be spared if they changed their minds but he got a stunning negative reply from the two brave Sikhs. The wheels were set rolling again.

Bhai Subeg Singh and Shahbaz Singh kept reciting Gurbani and laid down their lives in front of cruel rulers and wet eyes of some in the crowd of people who were watching the proceedings with dismay and disbelief.

The news of execution of these two peace loving Sikhs spread like wild fire throughout the city of Lahore and in the neighbouring jungles and sanctuaries of brave Sikhs. Bands of Sikh warriors came out of adjoining jungles and pounced upon the city of Lahore. They attacked the cruel ruling officials and after putting them to death disappeared again into the jungles. They thus took revenge of execution of Bhai Subeg Singh, Shahbaz Singh from the government officials.

Thus warriors Sikhs also proved that they would not allow the cruel rulers to have their way and that they would soon end the cruel rule and would take over the control of Punjab from rulers.

=> http://tuhitu.blogspot.com/

Sakhi Series : 140 ( repeat : mith bolarraa jee har sajan suaamee moraa )

mith bolarraa jee har sajan suaamee moraa

Your mouth has not stopped slandering and gossiping about others. Your service is useless and fruitless. ||1|| (Guru granth Sahib ji – pg 1253)

 

Once Guru Gobind Singh was out camping and a man brought a bear and wanted to show the play, everybody got very excited to see what the bear could do. The man did so many acts with the bear that it pleased the Guru and the sangat.

 

Immediately after the show, Guruji asked the Sikhs to prepare karah prashad and did ardas. After which Guruji said to his chauria(the bear's caretaker), "Bhai, please give prashad to the bear also". But surprisingly after eating the Parshad the bear died on the spot. The bear's caretaker now started crying. Guruji then asked the 'Kazanchi' (the man who was in charge of the cash) to give him some money with which he can survive and start doing Kirt again.  

 

The Sikhs were puzzeled and requested Guruji to explain the episode.

Guru said, "The Bear was a great Gursikh and sewadar. Once when he was serving prashad in the congregation when another sikh who was bringing the wood to the city, and to the langar, thought he can just go in the congregation and pay obeisance to the Guru, get the prashad and run. So he left his bullock cart working(un-attended), and ran over to the Gurdwara and asked the sewadar to please give him prashad first. On this the sewadar (bear) asked him to "Sit down and wait his turn"

 

But the Sikh just clamped on him. The sewadar got irritated and said, "Why are you clamping on me like a bear?" "Don't you understand, you sit down and I'll give it to you !!" Meanwhile a little prashad fell down and the Sikh quitely picked it up and left.

 

It was because the sewadar had caused distress and used foul language for a sikh (sangat) that he himself became a bear. And since he was a Sikh and had done sewa in Guru ghar he was redeemed now by giving prashad and doing Ardas.

 

imT bolVw jI hir sjxu suAwmI morw ]

m i t(h) bo larraa j ee har sajan suaa mee m o raa ||

My Dear Lord and Master, my Friend, speaks so sweetly.

 

hau sMmil QkI jI Ehu kdy n bolY kaurw ]

ho sa(n)mal thhak ee jee ouh u kadh ae n bo l ai ko u raa ||

I have grown weary of testing Him, but still, He never speaks harshly to me.

 

kauVw boil n jwnY pUrn BgvwnY Aaugxu ko n icqwry ]

ko u rraa b o l n j aanai p ooran bhagav aa nai ao u gan k o n chi th aar ae ||

He does not know any bitter words; the Perfect Lord God does not even consider my faults and demerits.

 

piqq pwvnu hir ibrdu sdwey ieku iqlu nhI BMnY Gwly ]

path i th paavan har b i radh sadh aaeae e ik th i l nehee bha(n)nai gh aalae ||

It is the Lord's natural way to purify sinners; He does not overlook even an iota of service.  

(Guru granth Sahib ji – pg 784)

 

 

==>  more sakhis  :   www.tuhitu.blogspot.com

 

True Saint, Fearless Soldier: Bhai Taru Singh

True Saint, Fearless Soldier: Bhai Taru Singh

For those of you who enjoyed Vismaad Productions' work with Sahibzadey, Rise of the Khalsa and Sundri, there is now a new animated movie to look forward to this fall.  Bhai Taru Singh: True Saint. Fearless Soldier, is the latest production and will be premiering around the world over the next few months.  The film's website provides a description of the film,

The story of Bhai Taru Singh is one of a true saint soldier who lived during an extremely difficult period for the Sikhs. The mughal rulers of the time were brutal towards all citizens, and especially the Sikhs. Bhai Taru Singh Ji bravely stood up to the regime which earned him the respect of all Hindus and Muslims from the surrounding villages. [link]

Sakhi Series :- 139 ( Baba Moti Ram Mehra )

Baba Moti Ram Mehra

After getting separated from Guru Gobind Singh ji and other family members while crossing river Sirsa, Mata Gujri and the younger Sahibzada’s (sons of Guru Gobind Singh ji) were finally captured (due to treachery of Chandu) by the Mughals and were imprisoned in the Cold burj (tower) in Sirhind.

Baba Moti Ram Mehra, a servant in the kitchen of the Faujdar(title awarded by Mughal/Muslim rulers in South Asia to garrison commanders). used to serve food to the prisoners but was a great follower of Sikh Gurus. He used to serve the Sikhs on their way to Anandpur Sahib and back to their homes. The Sikhs took rest at his mud house, where the mother of Baba Moti Ram Mehra and Bibi Bholi Ji, wife of Mehra Ji, prepared food for these Sikhs. When Jagat Mata Gujri Ji refused to accept the food of the Mughals, Baba Moti Ram Mehra could not bear the Sahibzadas sleeping hungry. He came home and told his family that he would serve milk and fresh water to these great 'prisoners'. His mother and wife were first scared and tried to persuade him not to take such a step. Bibi Bholi, his wife, told him that the Wazir Khan had made an announcement in the town that whoever tried to help and serve any type of food to the sons of the tenth Guru, he along with his family would be crushed alive in a Kohlu, (the oil squeezer). This information could not change the resolve of Baba ji. His mother told him that there were so many followers of the Guru in the town; they could have dared to serve the Sahibzadas.

Baba Moti Ram Mehra humbly, but with determination, told his mother that those followers feared the ruler. "Aren't you scared, my son?" asked the mother. Baba Mehra ji humbly replied, "Dear mother our Guru is fighting against injustice of the Mughals. I will serve the great mother and the Sahibzadas(sons of Guru Gobind Singh ji). I don't fear the punishment of the Faujdar. The history will not forgive us if we do not serve the great prisoners." Sensing his determination, his wife gave him her silver jewellery and some coins and requested him," Please bribe the gate man of the Burj(tower where the Mataji and Sahibzadas were imprisoned) and request him to keep this act a secret." Baba ji praised his wife for participation in the great cause.

Baba Moti Ram served milk and water continously to the Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri Ji for three nights. On 27th December 1704, the Sahibzadas were martyred/bricked alive. 
Mata Gujri ji also breathed her last. 

Raja Todar Mall of Sirhind performed the cremation. He told Baba Mehra ji to arrange a cart of Chandan wood, which he brought from the forests of Atta Ali.

After some time, Pumma, the brother of Gangu, told the Faujdar that his servant (Cook) had served the prisoners with milk and water. Baba Moti Ram Mehra, his mother, wife and a little son were arrested. He did not conceal his act and boldly told the Faujdar that, it was his 'Dharma' to serve the young children and the aged mother of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. So, Baba Moti Ram Mehra along with his family were sentenced to death by being squeezed in a Kohlu (oil press). His sacrifice was first sermonized by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur ji.

Waheguru ! Waheguru ! 

Sakhi Series :- 138 ( village of children )

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

 

Sakhi Series :- 137 ( Baba jawala singh harkowahal’s updesh about dyhaan )

Baba jawala singh harkowahal's updesh about dyhaan to janak singh ji. 

Balee ji became amritdhari and was renamed Janak singh. He would do his seva diligently and recite gurbani and do simran. Unlike others, he didn't talk needlessly about gurmat, electing to keep in guruji's bhaana instead. One day he overheard Baba Jawala singh say "one's mind can't be controlled or stabilized without focusing on the guru". (Meaning one should focus on their guru when meditating).

From that day on, Janak singh started focusing on Baba Jawala singh as his gurdev. Once as he was doing this, he fell to the ground, and Baba Jawala singh came running out of his kutya and brought Janak Singh back to consciousness. As he brought him to consciousness he said "don't ever, for any reason, focus on my body".

Janak singh replied back humbly, "I overheard you discussing that one can't stabilize their mind unless they take their guru's body/form into their concentration, and that is why I started doing this".

At that point, Baba jawala singh harkowahal gathered all the other sevaks and singhs together and gave the following updesh:

"by focusing on dhyan, and going down that route alone, one will not achieve moksh (Salvation). There are 4 types that you will get to though. They are

1)salok muktee: the form (vyagtheegat) you focus on, you can get to their realm. Ie. Shivji-shivlok, brahmaji-brahmlok

2)smeep muktee: that form that you focus on, you can get close to it, but never fully become part of it

3)saroop muktee: you will become like the form that you worship, but you won't be the form.

By following these routes you are not at a stable state (atal avastha), because a time will come that no form of maya whether it be asthool (tangible, body, gun) or sooksham (astral, spiritual) will remain. All will devour. That is why Guru Gobind Singh ji's singh doesn't want any of these muktee's. These muktee's will not allow one to dissolve into akal purakh.

The following question was then asked: How does one get to that point where we become one with god?

Baba jawala singh ji answered:

Hey pyaray gurmukho, the shabad, which is the emanation and form of guruji's heart, that shabad is brahm. Get absorbed in that shabad and you will find that you no longer exist and that is the way that you will get muktee. Guruji has used the following lines in gurbani to explain this……

1)sabad gur peera, gaher gambeera, bin shabadai jag baugaanang.

2)Satgur bachan, bachan hai satgur paadhur mukat janavago

3)Etc etc (more bani was said to reinforce the point)

It is for this reason that gurmat is focusing on god through shabad ( gurmat hai shabad brahm dee upaashna) because shabad has 3 forms according to wise mahapurakhs:

1)asthool: when your eyes gaze on a granth and you read those letters out loud

2)misrat: when one's birti (focus/attention) becomes attuned to the shabad, the shabad is both suksham and asthool because the mind is made of the (tatta da sato ansh)….the sat (virtue/true/purest) form of the qualities.

3)Sukham= sookham (astral/spiritual)

When the shabad abhyaas (meditation on the shabad) surpasses the consciousness(surat) of the mind, and gets absorbed in the paar baani (the celestial emanations of the primal sound)..(this is also called, naabhi di baani (sounds of the naval chakra). That baani has the ability to take the jeev's surti (the consciousness of the being) to the pinnacle point of brahm (the point from which creation was started).

For this reason, you should all focus on the shabad.

Sakhi Series :- 136 (Guru Nanak Dev ji and fake saadhu)

Guru Nanak Dev ji and fake saadhu

Guru Nanak Dev Ji once came upon a holy man sitting with eyes closed, surrounded by many people.  A pot sat in front of him containing money people had donated.

Guru Ji inquired as to what was going on and was told that the saadhu was a divine sage who could see the whole world and tell the future.

This was quite powerful stuff, and people were offering money to be blessed by this holy saint.

Guru Ji smiled His sly smile, went to the front, picked up the pot of money and put it behind the holy man.  Then He waited.

A few moments later the holy man opened his eyes and a look of devastation came upon him.  His pot of money was missing.  Immediately, he started asking those standing around him, Guru Ji was right there, where his pot of money went.

Guru Ji wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily.  He asked the holy man to use his powers to find the pot of money.  This the man could not do.  He was a fake!

Guru Ji then told him that the money was behind him.  Guru Ji lovingly taught the man to be truthful, to be detached from material world and this would lead him to eternal bliss. 

To those surrounding the man in hopes of blessings, Guru Ji said to practice true faith themselves and not be fooled by the holy look.  It is the practice of Truth that is the ultimate of all human beings.

Totally exposed, the man was ashamed.  He begged for Guru Ji's forgiveness.  He spent the rest of his years truthfully sharing the message of Guru Nanak.

=> More sakhis : http://tuhitu.blogspot.com/

Sakhi Series :- 135 ( Ajaamal paapi )

AJAAMAL PAAPI JAG JAANAE, NIMAK MAAHE NISTAARA||
(The great sinner Ajaamal, whom was notorious in the whole world, was delivered by Vaheguru in one instance)

AJAAMAL, GAJJ, GANIKA, PATIT KARAM KEENAY||
TAYOO UTTAR PAAR PARAE, RAAM NAAM LEENAY||
(Ajaamal, the elephant and Ganika did many bad Karma but by taking Naam, they swam across this ocean of world)

AJAAMAL KO ANT KAAL MEH, NARAYAN SUDH AAYEE||
JA GATT KO JOGISUR BAANCHAE, SO GAT CHHIN MEH PAYEE||
(Ajaamal realised the Naam the greatness of Naam in his last moments. He received such honour in few moments that great Yogis attained in many years of penance)

When we do paath of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee, we read about Ajaamal Paapi at quite a few places. Here is a brief story of his life. Hopefully this will help us understand baani better. 

Ajaamal was born to a Raaj Purohit and a high caste within already high caste of Hindus i.e. Brahmins. Raaj Purohit means the main pujaari of a kingdom. A Raaj Purohit is like the head priest of a kingdom and the kings refer to their raaj purohits for any questions on religion. 

Ajaamal was brought up in a very religious atmosphere and was provided with Sanskrit education from early age. By the time he reached the age of maturity, he became well-versed in all 4 Vedas, 18 Puraanas and other important religious books of those times. His father was a man of high probity and integrity. He used to admonish him against doing paap karams (sins). He further told him to never go in the southern part of the city because that part of the city was full of scoundrels and prostitutes. Innocent Ajaamal who had not been exposed to any evil in his life felt his curiosity getting aroused at the mention of the Southern part of the city but he continued abstain from going that route. 

He got married to a beautiful and good-hearted woman. They had a couple of children and led an uneventful life till his father died. He was then appointed to the post of Raaj Purohit. His life continued in normal fashion until that fateful day when he had to go to the southern part of the city. It was probably his destiny to go to that part of the city. 

He was on horseback and as he approached the inner city, he came off his horse and parked it by the tree. He started walking on foot and reached that part of the city where there are brothels and pubs. He had never been exposed to such scenes. There were women standing outside the brothels luring customers in. He was taken aback at such open display of Kaam. 

Then one woman, who knew all the wiles of seduction, looked at Ajaamal with such a look that Ajaamal got stuck right there. His feet won't move any further. Then she without speaking, just with a hand gesture, asked him to follow her. She was a young and promiscuous woman in her early twenties. He resisted but could not resist for too long. Finally he gave in to the temptation and started walking behind her.

That day changed his life forever. He became a regular visitor to this Ganika (prostitute, bad woman). Soon others found out about his double life. His wife pleaded with him to stop seeing the prostitute but he would not listen. Everyone was wondering why he could not leave this prostitute and what wrong did he see in his beautiful, homely and good-natured wife. 

When the king found out, he was quite upset at Ajaamal but wanted to give him a second chance out of his respect for Ajaamal's father. He tried to persuade Ajaamal but soon found out that Ajaamal was not going to stop seeing the new woman. Ajaamal was spending his money very recklessly and in order to protect his legitimate children and wife, the king decided to banish him from his kingdom. He confiscated all his property and gave it to his wife and children. Thereafter he banished Ajaamal and the prostitute from his kingdom. 

Great calamities befell on both Ajaamal and the prostitute. They moved out of the kingdom and starting leading a very destitute life. Ajaamal was left with no money, and now had to work very hard to earn his living. He used to cut wood from jungle all day and sell it in the city. He started gambling, drinking and doing other bad things. He and his mistress used to fight endlessly.

The poverty took its toll on Ajaamal and he became old before his age. He got infected with many diseases and suffered a lot. He and his mistress had several children together. Ajaamal had to work very hard to feed his new family. When Ajaamal hit old-age, his body became very weak but he had to work to feed his family. He sometimes used to regret his decision but it was too late to go back now. He knew that no one would accept him back. 

Anyway, later in his life he had a son and the day his son was born, some saadhu jan (holy men) came to his house to seek refuge from bad weather. Ajaamal out of his past good Karma, did sewa of those Sadhoos. The Saadhoos had ridhi-sidhi and sensed that Ajaamal had led a very terrible life and that in the next world he would suffer badly in the hands of Jammdoots. 

Before leaving they had mercy on Ajaamal. They noticed that Ajaamal was totally entangled in the attachment of his family and because of his bad Karma, he could not do any bhagti. They knew that if he did not do bhagtee i.e. Naam jaap, he would suffer in the hands of Jammdoots. They finally came up with an idea. They told him to name his latest born son "Narayan". Obeying what the saadhoo said, Ajaamal named his son - Narayan. We should remember that Narayan is one of the qualitative names of God. 

Ajaamal became very fond of his son and lovingly called him "Naraayan Naraayan" all day. By this time, his diseases overpowered him and he lay at deathbed. As he lay in his bed, waiting for death, he still had moh for his youngest son and kept calling him lovingly "Naraayan, Naraayan". Saying "Naraayan" seemed very good to him and said more and more of "Naraayan". He felt good saying "Narayan Narayan" and repeating the name of Narayan he went into a trance and remembered the one akaal purakh ….

Jammdoots could not get close to him for he was then meditating on one lord. In the end jammdoots could not reach him and he was saved.