Sakhi Series :- 220 (Guru Nanak Dev ji in Mecca)

Guru Nanak Dev ji in Mecca

 

Bhai Gurdas ji Vaar : Baba at Mecca Pauris: 32-34

Baba phiri Makkey gia neel bastatr Dharey banwari.

Aasa hathh Kitab Kachh kuja bang mussala dhari.

Ja Baba suta raat nounn vali maharabey paiye pasari.

Jivan maari latt di kehara suta kuffar kuffari.

Tangon Pakkaur ghasitia phiria Makka kalla dikhari.

Hoey hairan kareni Juhari.

 

Puchhan Pholi kitab nounn Hindu vada ke Musalmanoi.

Baba Aakhey hajian subh amlan bajhau dono roi.

Hindu Musalmaan dui dargah andari lahani na dhoi.

Karani bakhili aapi vichi Ram Rahim Kuthai Khaloi.

Rahey Saitani dunia goi.

 

In these pauris Bhai Gurdas ji describes the visit of Baba Nanak (Guru Nanak Sahib Ji) to Mecca(during Guruji's 4th udasi/journey to the west). Donning blue clothes, holding a stick in one hand, book under the arm pit and carrying his prayer mat and a lota (jug) Baba reaches Mecca and relates the well known anecdote about Guru Nanak Dev ji keeping his feet towards the Mehrab at night.

 

When the Mullah named Jiwan saw this act of sacrilege, he was infuriated and kicked him, saying that who is this Kafir keeping his feet towards the house of God and holding (Guru)Nanak Dev ji's legs pulls them to change their direction and sees the "Mecca moving in the same direction".

Hearing that a strange man had crept into their company, people gathered round him and asked to open and search in his book(pothi) and tell them as to who is better, Hindu or Muslim. Guru ji replied, "Without good deeds, both will come to grief. Only by being a Hindu or a Muslim one can not get accepted in the court of the Lord."   As the colour of safflower is impermanent and is washed away in water, likewise the colours of religiosity are also temporary. (Followers of both the religions) In their expositions, denounce Ram and Rahim. The whole of the world is following the ways of Satan.

 

Then they asked, "Of what religion art thou?"  Guru ji answered, "I am a mere man, made up of five elements, a play thing in the hands of God."

PS: Some might ask - Why did Guruji visit Mecca ? 

Guess, for the same reason Guru Jee visited Hardwara (Hiduism HQ), Mount Kelash (Siddha's), Lhasa (Buddhist HQ), Rome etc

People were lost in hatred and segregation on the lines of caste, creed and religion. The reason was to bring about change; people had become misguided so Guru Jee went to get people to follow the True path.

If someone wants to bring about change in UK, they must go to where policies in UK are made eg Parliament and hold discussions/dialogues/debates. In the same way, for Guru Jee to bring change amongst Muslims, Hindu's, Buddhists of that time. He had to visit the centre of all these religions and have dialogue/debates/discussions with their leaders. Guru Jee went to Mecca, Median, Hardwar, Lhasa, Rome (etc) with the sole purpose of teaching the True path:

-That God is everywhere and in everyone. 

-To treat ALL humans with respect and equals 

-To teach tolerance and respect. 

"I do not make pilgrimages to Mecca, nor do I worship at Hindu sacred shrines. I serve the One Lord, and not any other. I do not keep fasts, nor do I observe the month of Ramadaan. I serve only the One, who will protect me in the end." (Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 1136).

Sakhi Series :- 219 (Baba Narain Singh Nabha)

Baba Narain Singh Nabha

(Source : Katha Bhai Pinderpal Singh ji - Gursikhi ki hai-1)

 

Baba Narain Singh ji(father of Kahn Singh Nabha) was a saintly person who had whole of Guru Granth Sahib jee memorized and regularly recited the Guru Granth Sahib four times a month.

Thrice in his life he recited the Guru Granth Sahib in one sitting (Ati/Atee Akhand Path). An Atee Akhand Paathee is such Khalsa who can do the whole of Siri Akhand Paath Sahib in one sitting without stopping. This is completed usually in 9 Pehars (ਪਹਰ) or 27 hours

Once Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha sat with him to listen to the Akhand Path recitation and on completion of the path was so happy that he offered Bhai Narain singh Nabha a Jagir (estate). On listening to the offer Bhai Narain Singh ji said - is that it ?

Maharaja Hira singh thought - maybe Narain Singh wants more and said - ask anything bhai sahib ji ....

On listening to which Narain Singh ji said - this is the reason i do not do path at rich peoples home - they try to put a price tag ..... He then humbly requested "If you really want to give me something then PLEASE do ardas for me that Guru Sahib blesses me with his sewa and that he remains a humble servant of Guru Granth Sahib ji till the end"

 

As a mark of respect, Maharaja Hira Singh, on that occasion became one of Baba Narain Singh's palanquin bearers.

"Standing Lto R : Baba Budh Singh and Bhai Gopal Singh Sitting L to R : Bhai Mihan Singh (younger brother of Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha) with Child Bhagwant Singh Hari ji, Baba Narain Singh (Father of Bhai Kahan Singh), Baba Uttam Singh, Bhai Bishan Singh (Younger Brother of Bhai Kahan Singh)"

 

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

JHOOLDE NISHAN RAHIN PANTH MAHARAJ DE:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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