Sakhi Series :- 192 ( ‘Waheguru’ Name is the Giver of the Four Boons )

Bhai Seehan and Bhai Gajan
(Source : The Gospel of Sikh Gurus)

Bhai Seehan and Bhai Gajan were first cousins. They came to meet Guru Nanak Dev ji, and asked for his blessings to be liberated from the cycle of births and deaths. They also wanted to be blessed in this life itself with the four boons i.e.
1. Dharma, fulfilment of all worldly responsibilities.
2. Artha, the worldly wealth.
3. Kama, fulfilment of worldly desires and
4. Moksha, liberation from the cycle of birth and death,

Guru Nanak Dev told them that the Lord's or the Supreme Being's Name was 'Waheguru'. If they meditated and repeated this Name, they would be gifted with all the four boons. Hearing this they were curious to know about the meaning of the name 'Waheguru'.

Guru Nanak Dev explained that 'Wahe' is the expression of exclamation on seeing something wonderful and beyond human understanding. The Supreme Being created the universe, humans, the animals, vegetation etc, but we are not able to see or visualize the Creator himself. This is the wonder. 'Gu' means the darkness or ignorance i.e. not to be able to see or visualize the Creator is the ignorance. 'Ru' is the light, which expels darkness. Thus, it is the Supreme Being who removes our darkness of ignorance and helps us
to comprehend the Lord or the Creator of the universe. Hence, He is known as 'Waheguru'.

The duo then asked, how would mere recitations of the name 'Waheguru' bestow upon them the four boons? Guru Nanak Dev explained thus:
1. When we go to meet the assembly of saints or 'sadhu sangat', every step is equal to the fruits of 100
'Ashvamedha Yagnas' (horse sacrifice in olden times). This is 'Dharma' or the fulfilment of spiritual and worldly responsibilities.
2. The worldly people work tirelessly and run after worldly possessions. But it comes automatically to
the devotees of the Lord. This meets the need of 'Artha' or wealth.
3. The desires of the devotees are fulfilled by the Lord Himself when His name is meditated upon. This is
the accomplishment of 'kama' or desires.
4. When the name 'Waheguru' is understood and it's meaning finally seeps into the body, mind and intellect, one is blessed with 'Brahma Gyan' or the Divine Knowledge. This will grant one 'mukti' or liberation.

Hearing these words of wisdom, both Bhai Seehan and Bhai Gajan would wake up early in the morning, bathe, recite the 'Gurbani' i.e. Guru Nanak Dev's compositions and then go to work. All day long they would  meditate on 'Wahe' while inhaling and on 'Guru' while exhaling. Thus, they were continuously reciting the name 'Waheguru' all the time. They would also offer food to the disciples of the Guru ji out of their earnings. The other devotees were also aware of the generosity of the duo. It so happened, Bhai Seehan's daughter's marriage was fixed and the groom and his people were to arrive the next day. Delicious food was cooked for the marriage feast. In the evening before the marriage, a large number of Guru Nanak Dev's devotees on their way to meet Guru ji stopped at Bhai Seehan's house. They were tired and hungry. Bhai Seehan humbly offered them the food prepared for the marriage. This worried his wife very much. Bhai Seehan was however unperturbed and said that since the food was served to Guru ji's disciples, Guru ji himself would save his honour.

The marriage party duly arrived the next morning. The lady of the house was extremely worried, but Bhai Seehan was unshakeable in his faith. He offered his prayers and unlocked the door to the room where the food was kept. Lo and behold! it was full of food fit for the king. The guests enjoyed the feast for full five days. The groom and his people, overwhelmed with Bhai Seehan's hospitality, happily left with the bride. This shows how undoubting faith in 'Waheguru' fulfills all our desires and needs.

 

 

Are you interested in filmmaking?

Are you interested in filmmaking?

1) Sikh Coalition : Accepting Entries For The 2012 Diversity Video Competition. Chk : http://www.sikhcoalition.org/our-programs/education/diversity-video-competition

2) SikhNet Youth Online Film Festival : http://www.sikhnet.com/filmfestival/

 

 

Sikhism books - punjabi & english

Excellent sikh history resources including steeks/teekas of various puratan granths and books in English/Punjabi

 

check this out : http://www.gurmatveechar.com/literature

 

Sakhi Series :- 191 ( Simplicity )

Love & Waheguru

( Source : http://www.akj.org )

There was once a simple shepherd who lived a really simple life and he had really simple needs. He would look after his sheep everyday, they were his only family and he would really enjoy looking after them...

One night as he sat down to eat under the roof of the starlit sky, an overwhelming feeling of love came over him. He looked up and he saw the night sky lit up with thousands of brilliant stars and he thought, "VAAH, you are wonderful!! You created the heavenly stars and you also created a fool like me!"

He felt so proud to part of the same creation as the beautiful stars. With love filled eyes he said "Tonight, I do not want to eat alone. I want you to eat with me! If you are hungry like me then I would rather feed you. If your clothes are tattered like mine then I would rather mend them than mine. If you smell the way I do then I would rather bathe you - I have no need to keep these things for myself - if I give them to you then it means I also have them!!" The simple man then said "give me a sign that you are here with me and only then shall I begin to eat."

A Faqir was walking past at the same time as this simple man was saying his plea to God. Upon hearing what the simple man was saying the Faqir become infuriated. He went over to the simple man and said "How dare you say these things about God!! God doesn't have tattered clothes, He is never hungry and He does not smell!!" Upon saying these things to the simple man he slapped him as hard as he could and walked off saying "You should be ashamed of yourself!!"

The simple man was still in a state of bliss and said "If you choose to slap me then that is also a divine blessing!! I Love You." The shepherd accepted this as his sign that God was with him and began to eat.

When the Faqir got home he sat down to do his prayers, a voice came and said "Faqir, what have I done to upset you?" The Faqir realised that it was God's voice said "Father, nothing you do could ever upset me!"

"Then why did you slap me?" said the voice. "Slap you? Father I could never slap you!!" said the Faqir.

"I was enjoying the love that the shepherd was giving me, so I sat in his soul, then you came along and slapped him and therefore slapped me," said the voice. "But father, he was saying disrespectful things to you, I had to stop him" said the Faqir. "The insult is in the intention my son, those words that he was saying were like a love song to me because I could feel his heart, while you listened to his words and not his heart!" said the voice.

The Faqir realised what a mistake he had made and asked God for forgiveness...

Who are we to say where God is not... only He knows where He is. We must think before we act...

Sakhi Series : 190 ( Baba Nand Singh Jees 1st Darshan Of Satguru jee )

Baba Nand Singh Jees 1st Darshan Of Satguru jee

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

The first time that Baba Nand singh did darshan of satguru nanak from Sri guru granth sahib jee, Baba Jawand singh jee ( rajajansee wale) were also present with Baba jee. They both made a promise that until Satguru Nanak Dev Jee Does not give darshan by becoming pargat from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee and eat the parshaada they had prepared for them, they would not eat anything. This event took place at the Saraghari Gurdwara Sahib. In this manner , for 6 long days they did not eat anything, but prepared parshaada for satguru everyday by doing continuous ardaas at the lotus charan of satguru jee. In such situation , they were on the verge of death , but both mahapursh did not give up , remembering Bhagat Ravidaas Jee's Bachan ' Ehu Janam Tumaare Lekhe.' Finally Parkash came from Satguru granth sahib and Sri guru nanak dev jee Gave their darshan to both mahapursh. Baba jee offered satguru jee their parshaada and guru sahib ate their food with much happiness and blessed both mahapursh. 1st guru sahib said to Baba jawand singh jee, ask for anything you want. Baba jawand singh ji replied 'whenever i do keertan, please bless me with your partakh darshan satguru jee!' Guru sahib Said ok, you will definatley get my darshan , but even those who even listen to your keertan , even they will get darshan. After Baba Jawand Singh jee had asked, it was Baba Nand Singh Jee's turn.

Guru sahib asked them, what do you want?
Very humbly, Baba ji replied, " Sache Paatshah ! i don't even know how to ask from you " ( Daas nu mangna nahee aunda!")
Guru Sahib Jee said; Bhai Nand Singh, you must ask for something.
Baba jee said - Just do one thing, make me yours! I dont need anything else.'
These were the bachans of Baba ji proving their absolute Piar, Prem, Bhaavna for Guru sahib.

When Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji walked up to Baba Nand Singh Ji and hugged them and said,
'' You said you didn't know how to ask for something, but you have just asked for everything''

'Je tu mera hoe, taa sabh jag tera hoe'
If you are mine, then the whole world will be yours...

Dhan Dhan Satguru Nanak Dev jee

Dhan Baba Nand singh jee Dhan Baba Jawand singh Jee

gur peeraa(n) kee chaakaree mehaa(n) kararree sukh saar

=> To work for the Guru, or a spiritual teacher, is terribly difficult, but it brings the most excellent peace.