Vahegurooo...
This weekend has been great. Last night we had the monthly Youth Keertan Darbaar in London which was just amazing. Yesterday was packed out and a jatha of gursikhs came down esspecially from the midlands.
Keertan was fantastic with youth from all over London and from Midlands to it was an fantastic experience. With regards to audios give us a bit of time we will upload them as soon as possible we also have videos but they may take longer depending on sevadaars and time they can dedicate to it.
This morning went to Assa Ki Vaar program at a friends house which was fantastic too.
So all round this weekend has been great. :)
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Saturday, February 24, 2007
London Keertan Darbaar
Youth Keertan Darbaar
Saturday 17th March
6pm till late
Gurdwara Nanak Darbar
136 High Road
New Southgate
London, N11 1PJ
Keertani include, Bhai Abinash Singh, Bhai Hari Singh, Bhai Manvir Singh, Bibi Ishpreet Kaur, Bibi Prabjeet Kaur, Bibi Harmohan Kaur, and more.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
20th Century Jeevans - 'Heera' Harbachan Singh Jee
S. Man Singh, Head clerk in No.36 Cavalary, was staying at Ambala Cantt. He was a devoted Gursikh and often used to pray with moistened eyes for spiritual orientation of his youngest son, Harbachan Singh. He would thank the Lord for all that was bestowed on him, as the worldly position, wealth and all the comforts. Harbachan Singh was his most beloved child, yet devoid of all spirituality while the rest of the family would pray daily both morning and evening. He would ridicule the family devotion and the Sikh Faith. He was sent to Khalsa College Amritsar with a view to expose him to religious environment, that would possibly evoke his interest in the Faith. However inspite of his being educated there, he remained more of an atheist. S. Man Singh pleaded his helplessness towards reforming the boy to God and sought Divine intervention through his prayers to make Harbachan Singh God-oriented.
He would make such prayers tearfully and finally these were answered. One day our humble Kirtani Jatha came to Ambala Cantt. , attracted by the love of yearnings of our dear ones, Babu Mal Singh and Bhai Piara Singh. We were singing the Divine melody in great moods, when this young man passed near by. As he heard the Divine Words of the music, he sat down right on the spot in the dust of the road as a shot down bird falls. The more he heard, the more was the piercing effect and his restlessness. He even lost his bodily consciousness. Meanwhile, the great Divine hunter, benevolent Vir, Babu Mal Singh, sensing the appropriate occasion, got him lifted in the same sitting posture and brought him to the assembly. This tearful, new aspirant o f God Love, was further subjected to the sally of Divine Kirtan. He just remained statue-like. The one who used to make so much fun of the Faith, was now under such a spell-bound state! At the end of Akhand Kirtan, full recitation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Akhand Pathh, started. It was like the continuous pouring of Blissful Rain day and night for 48 hours, that imbued the spirit of the soul aspirant for Baptism. The mystic reciters further hightened the yearnings of Bhai Harbachan Singh for God Love. At 4:30 A.M. once again the kirtan started just as the Pathh recitation ended and yet he sat motionless with closed eyes. Knowing this is an eligible soul and with Divine Prompting, the Baptising ceremony was planned. Bhai Harbachan Singh was given a full bath and dressed up in the Khalsa garb. He presented himself before the Chosen Five and begged to be Baptised, with folded hands. Feeling the Divine Presence, he was enchanted with anticipation of the new happening. As he received the first drops to drink and sprinkled in his eyes, his entire being got flushed with Divine Light and what followed was akin to:
At the very sight all consciousness was lost,
There was no awareness nor comprehension,
Neither any memory nor contemplation,
Without any sense of knowledge, rendered motionless,
It was beyond endurnace and all self-ego was gone,
Lost in Divine Love, devoid of separate existence,
This is wonder of the wonder beyond measure.
Kabit, Bhai Gurdaas Jee
It was three days and three nights, that Bhai Harbachan Singh remained in deep meditation. Just as the Kirtan was non-stop, so also was the meditation. The place was full with the holy congregation and the newly Baptised Khalsa was seated at the rear, behind everybody, imbued in Nam. Whereas his family had earlier been worried about his lack of religions interest, they were now worried for restoring him to a normal state. Only his deeply religious father, a Gursikh S. Man Singh Ji remained unperturbed. He was, in fact, in a thankful mood to see his son in advanced state of spiritualism. The Kirtan was in full swing, when suddenly from his sitting posture, the young love-bird flew over the heads of the assembly straight to lie prostrate in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. His head touched ground, while his body swayed in the air like a winged fish jumping to fly in mid-air. This was a rare and wonderous scene, which held surprise for all. The Kirtan was at the peak and this scene also held on. Once again on Divine Prompting, the Kirtaniyas started to sing the Lavan, the hymns for a sikh marriage. This was a marriage between a realized soul with the Divine Lord. The captivating Kirtan on that occasion was never heard before or since. All the spiritual beings experienced strange blissfulness. Just as the Divine couple made love, the holy congregation and the Kirtaniyas were also lost in Rapture. Soon after Kirtan of Lavan , the song of Divine worship, Arati was sung. With this a sense of deep Bliss prevailed. As the words, ?Gopal Tera Aarta? (O, Lord, Thy servant seeks Thy Shelter), the belly swaying in mid air came down to earth and the newly wed remained motionless in prostrate meditation.
All got stunned with premonition. To dispel all fears and anxiety, the chosen Five brought Bhai Harbachan Singh to his consciousness. With loving care, he was taken to the adjoining room for rest. General access was restricted and the family got reassured of his well-being. Resting for the night, he was still enjoying his simran. He took his morning bath along with others, meditated and recited daily prayers. Asa-Di-Var Kirtan started, with Bhai Harbachan Singh in attendance. Moved by the Kirtan, he laid prostrate while doing loud Simran. Alongwith the Kirtan, he kept his Simran in tune. In this Divine Rapture, all sense of time was lost. On distribution of Karah Prasad, Vir Harbachan Singh?s hunger for Divine Love was satiated with the Prasad. Meanwhile the touring party, ?The divine friends arrived at home? took leave to continue their sojourn. All departed, leaving behind the Love Lorn, Bhai Harbachan Singh all alone. Following this, whenever their was an occasion for a Samagam, this Divinely prompted, Bhai Harbachan Singh, would also come. His spirituality remained at the same peak. He never showed off his high state and remained a humble householder and a true renouncer.
Bahi Harbachan Singh was highly compassionate and large hearted. Very few equal him as unknown benefactor. He would think nothing of sacrificing his all for a good cause. Whenever it was thought of selecting him among the Chosen Five during baptising ceremonies, he would remain humble in offering his services. He was never stuborn and also abided by the general decisions. He never yearned for any position. He was Divinely blessed and enjoyed Divine favor. This continued for many years.
Once, during the first World War, Bhai Harbachan Singh was stationed in a military camp on the banks of a river in France. At amrit vela, Bhai Sahib was immersed in naam abhyaas when the river began to flood. The army began to flee and in moments, they emptied the camp and went far away. Bhai Saahib stayed stationary in deep smaadhee. The water began to go over him as well. When roll call was taken for the unit, Bhai Saahib was listed as missing due to "having drowned". But after two or four days, when the water receded from the camp, the soldiers who came to survey the damage found Bhai Saahib covered in deep mud. They picked him up and after cleaning him, Bhai Sahib's smaadhee finally opened. Bhai Sahib Randheer Singh jee used to say that the English forces won the war because naam abhyaasees like this were in the ranks of their army.
taken from Chapter 14 of the book 'Rangle Sajjan' by Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh jee
thanks to Bhai Atma Singh ji for email.
He would make such prayers tearfully and finally these were answered. One day our humble Kirtani Jatha came to Ambala Cantt. , attracted by the love of yearnings of our dear ones, Babu Mal Singh and Bhai Piara Singh. We were singing the Divine melody in great moods, when this young man passed near by. As he heard the Divine Words of the music, he sat down right on the spot in the dust of the road as a shot down bird falls. The more he heard, the more was the piercing effect and his restlessness. He even lost his bodily consciousness. Meanwhile, the great Divine hunter, benevolent Vir, Babu Mal Singh, sensing the appropriate occasion, got him lifted in the same sitting posture and brought him to the assembly. This tearful, new aspirant o f God Love, was further subjected to the sally of Divine Kirtan. He just remained statue-like. The one who used to make so much fun of the Faith, was now under such a spell-bound state! At the end of Akhand Kirtan, full recitation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Akhand Pathh, started. It was like the continuous pouring of Blissful Rain day and night for 48 hours, that imbued the spirit of the soul aspirant for Baptism. The mystic reciters further hightened the yearnings of Bhai Harbachan Singh for God Love. At 4:30 A.M. once again the kirtan started just as the Pathh recitation ended and yet he sat motionless with closed eyes. Knowing this is an eligible soul and with Divine Prompting, the Baptising ceremony was planned. Bhai Harbachan Singh was given a full bath and dressed up in the Khalsa garb. He presented himself before the Chosen Five and begged to be Baptised, with folded hands. Feeling the Divine Presence, he was enchanted with anticipation of the new happening. As he received the first drops to drink and sprinkled in his eyes, his entire being got flushed with Divine Light and what followed was akin to:
At the very sight all consciousness was lost,
There was no awareness nor comprehension,
Neither any memory nor contemplation,
Without any sense of knowledge, rendered motionless,
It was beyond endurnace and all self-ego was gone,
Lost in Divine Love, devoid of separate existence,
This is wonder of the wonder beyond measure.
Kabit, Bhai Gurdaas Jee
It was three days and three nights, that Bhai Harbachan Singh remained in deep meditation. Just as the Kirtan was non-stop, so also was the meditation. The place was full with the holy congregation and the newly Baptised Khalsa was seated at the rear, behind everybody, imbued in Nam. Whereas his family had earlier been worried about his lack of religions interest, they were now worried for restoring him to a normal state. Only his deeply religious father, a Gursikh S. Man Singh Ji remained unperturbed. He was, in fact, in a thankful mood to see his son in advanced state of spiritualism. The Kirtan was in full swing, when suddenly from his sitting posture, the young love-bird flew over the heads of the assembly straight to lie prostrate in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. His head touched ground, while his body swayed in the air like a winged fish jumping to fly in mid-air. This was a rare and wonderous scene, which held surprise for all. The Kirtan was at the peak and this scene also held on. Once again on Divine Prompting, the Kirtaniyas started to sing the Lavan, the hymns for a sikh marriage. This was a marriage between a realized soul with the Divine Lord. The captivating Kirtan on that occasion was never heard before or since. All the spiritual beings experienced strange blissfulness. Just as the Divine couple made love, the holy congregation and the Kirtaniyas were also lost in Rapture. Soon after Kirtan of Lavan , the song of Divine worship, Arati was sung. With this a sense of deep Bliss prevailed. As the words, ?Gopal Tera Aarta? (O, Lord, Thy servant seeks Thy Shelter), the belly swaying in mid air came down to earth and the newly wed remained motionless in prostrate meditation.
All got stunned with premonition. To dispel all fears and anxiety, the chosen Five brought Bhai Harbachan Singh to his consciousness. With loving care, he was taken to the adjoining room for rest. General access was restricted and the family got reassured of his well-being. Resting for the night, he was still enjoying his simran. He took his morning bath along with others, meditated and recited daily prayers. Asa-Di-Var Kirtan started, with Bhai Harbachan Singh in attendance. Moved by the Kirtan, he laid prostrate while doing loud Simran. Alongwith the Kirtan, he kept his Simran in tune. In this Divine Rapture, all sense of time was lost. On distribution of Karah Prasad, Vir Harbachan Singh?s hunger for Divine Love was satiated with the Prasad. Meanwhile the touring party, ?The divine friends arrived at home? took leave to continue their sojourn. All departed, leaving behind the Love Lorn, Bhai Harbachan Singh all alone. Following this, whenever their was an occasion for a Samagam, this Divinely prompted, Bhai Harbachan Singh, would also come. His spirituality remained at the same peak. He never showed off his high state and remained a humble householder and a true renouncer.
Bahi Harbachan Singh was highly compassionate and large hearted. Very few equal him as unknown benefactor. He would think nothing of sacrificing his all for a good cause. Whenever it was thought of selecting him among the Chosen Five during baptising ceremonies, he would remain humble in offering his services. He was never stuborn and also abided by the general decisions. He never yearned for any position. He was Divinely blessed and enjoyed Divine favor. This continued for many years.
Once, during the first World War, Bhai Harbachan Singh was stationed in a military camp on the banks of a river in France. At amrit vela, Bhai Sahib was immersed in naam abhyaas when the river began to flood. The army began to flee and in moments, they emptied the camp and went far away. Bhai Saahib stayed stationary in deep smaadhee. The water began to go over him as well. When roll call was taken for the unit, Bhai Saahib was listed as missing due to "having drowned". But after two or four days, when the water receded from the camp, the soldiers who came to survey the damage found Bhai Saahib covered in deep mud. They picked him up and after cleaning him, Bhai Sahib's smaadhee finally opened. Bhai Sahib Randheer Singh jee used to say that the English forces won the war because naam abhyaasees like this were in the ranks of their army.
taken from Chapter 14 of the book 'Rangle Sajjan' by Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh jee
thanks to Bhai Atma Singh ji for email.
Dr Preetam Singh Jee
Dr. Preetam Singh jee AnjaaN, Jalandhar valay
In Soora, July 1999
Translated by Admin www.tapoban.org
Dr. Preetam Singh jee was born in the home of Bhai Jasvant Singh jee and Mata Jasbeer Kaur jee on April 24, 1961. Dr. Sahib's father was a leading Singh in the Jalandhar AKJ and Mata jee was also a leading keertanee. So, according to past karma Dr. Sahib was born in a religious atmosphere and from his childhood remained coloured in naam. He would go to smaagams with his mother and father and would pass through the sangat and come to the front and sit beside the keertanee Singhs and be lost. From amongst his two brothers and six sisters, Dr. Sahib was the best in his schooling and studied homeopathic medicine. Along side his difficult medical studies, he also studied Gurmat with full dedication and received training from his parents and other Gursikhs.
Dr. Sahib had a lot of baaNee memorised and besides his nitnem of 5 baaNees, he would recite many others as well. His consciousness was so attuned to shabad that when he'd sing GurbaaNee Keertan, he would be so attached to the meanings of the baaNee that he would be lost in vairaag and divine colours and leave the listeners immersed as well.
Dr. Sahib's heart was always tormented by the rise of bad practices in the Sikh Panth and with his writings, he would speak out against them. He would also encourage his companions to resist these wrong practices as well.
Writing about unnecessary and thoughtless "PramaaN" or examples in keertan Dr. Sahib wrote (sarcastically), "We Jatha Singhs, what need do we have to study GurbaaNee? We've studied from the Divine Court of course and are leaders. The rest of the world is stuck in "churaasee" or reincarnation. Using unsuitable examples (PramaaN) and attaching unsuitable lines from baaNee to our keertan and doing dhunee of Gurmantar at inappropriate places has become our identity." Then Dr. Sahib prays, "Oh God, keep us away from such an identity, and give us such a rebirth that we only consider ourselves capable of judging ourselves and finding our own mistakes. Let us reflect on GurbaaNee Paath, Keertan, GurbaaNee veechaar and Guru-History with such humility but sharp intellect that our identity becomes that of only Naam-loving Ranglay Sajjan."
Dr. Sahib made the lines "Prithmai man parbodheh apnaa paachhai avr reejhaavai" or " First, he instructs his own mind, and then, he leads others" apply to his life completely. He would encourage his companions to look at themselves first and shape their lives according to GurbaaNee. His heart was a spring of faith for GurbaaNee. As a sign of this faith, he wrote a pothee of the 5 baaNees with his own hands and give it to his wife as an amazing gift.
Dr. Sahib was always ready to help the needy. He wouldn't care for his own life when helping others. Once when going to Delhi, someone's house was on fire. In that house a young child was trapped. Dr. Sahib fearlessly went through the flames to pick up the child and bring him out. He became the subject of the child's parents and others blessings.
Bhai Preetam Singh jee AnjaaN wanted to live every part of his life according to GurbaaNee. He didn't just desire this, he always tried to bring it into practice as well. He called himself the most lowly and addressing his wife, he wrote: "I'm bitter, dirty and shameless and all other things, but I've always been afraid to do wrong. Perhaps this fear will one day bring some big change within me and I'll become a good person and then become a good life partner for you. When loving words and baaNee become our life, then the desire to meet in [Barahmaha's] Vaisakh and Jayth's desire to unite will become our fortune. Then I don't know why our luck is so bad. Let's work together and according to Guru Sahib's description of both these months let's have the pangs of love and bring Gursikhi jeevan into this love. Both of our births falling in the month of Vaisakh are no small or insignificant thing. Nor is it just usual. It's important for both of us to understand the meaning of this."
Dr. Sahib would read Bhai Sahib Bhai Randheer Singh jee's books with great interest and seeing the example of a great Sikh in these books would try to bring his example into his own life and encourage others to do the same. Being influenced by these books, Dr. Sahib warned about the weakness coming into the practice of Tat Gurmat: "Today, we need a Tat Khalsa which Guru Gobind Singh prepared by giving amrit. We shouldn't try to just administer amrit and increase the number of amritdhaarees, but today we need religious and Naamee Singhs who live practical Gursikhi Jeevans. Bhai Sahib Bhai Randheer Singh jee writes in Ranglay Sajjan about amrit sinchaars in those times. What kind of Punj pyaaray and what kind of abhilakhees there were and what kind of lifestyle they should have. Only those Punj Pyaaray who are coloured in GurbaaNee in mind and body can choose worthy candidates who know the value of Amrit. But today in the Sikh Panth and our Akhand Keertanee Jatha, there are changes being made according to individual mindsets, which are bringing a downfall in the Khalsa Panth. Bringing our own changes into the rehit maryada has resulted in apostasy and prevalent drug use in the Sikh youth."
In this way Dr. Sahib always desired the chardee kalaa of the Khalsa Panth and attempted to guard the Tat-Gurmat lifestyle. If we try to write about other examples in his life for this goal, we could write an entire book.
Like puraatan Gursikhs, by being coloured in naam, Dr. Sahib knew that his final days were approaching but didn’t' tell anyone about it. Sometimes though, his words gave hints about this. In a Smaagam at Bastee Sheikh at Jalandhar, he unconsciously said, "I'm going to be wounded in my head. There's little time and so much to do."
Knowing about his final days, Bhai Sahib did not let any weakness or change enter his life. He desired to obey the divine orders only. Some time before, Dr. Sahib's mother had a dream of his dying in a car accident. Instead of saying something else to confuse his mother, he said "Thank Guru Sahib. Maybe Guru Sahib is giving you a signal and preparing you to accept his will."
Finally that time arrived on June 27, 1998. The Sangat of Ludhiana had called him to do keertan at a RaN Sabaaee, and even though he didn't feel like going due to both bodily and mental fatigue, he accepted the orders of the Sangat and left for Ludhiana. Seeing his arrival, the Sangat of Ludhiana was very happy and for 1.25 hours he sang the shabad "Man mayray sachay naam vitho(n) bal jaao" and he kept doing svaas svaas Khanda of Naam.
After this, he played joRee (tabla) for some time and enjoyed the bliss of keertan. According to divine will, Dr. Sahib rose at amrit vela 3AM from sangat and taking the blessings of sangat and doing naam hugs with other Singhs, he left with his wife and children. 5KM from Filaur on the road to Goraaiyaa(n), Dr. Sahib's jeep was in an accident and just like his mother's dream, he was injured in his head and left for his place at the Guru's feet. At his final moments, his mind and voice were both repeating Gurmantar which was heard by a guard who stood nearby who then told the Singhs who came to get the body.
Dr. Preetam Singh jee was an amazing NirbaaN Keertanee but was also a very sweet Akhand Paathee. When he read BaaNee, it was like arrows piercing the listeners' hearts. He was a total bundle of good qualities. Whoever did his Sangat, could not help but make an eternal place for him in their hearts.
In Soora, July 1999
Translated by Admin www.tapoban.org
Dr. Preetam Singh jee was born in the home of Bhai Jasvant Singh jee and Mata Jasbeer Kaur jee on April 24, 1961. Dr. Sahib's father was a leading Singh in the Jalandhar AKJ and Mata jee was also a leading keertanee. So, according to past karma Dr. Sahib was born in a religious atmosphere and from his childhood remained coloured in naam. He would go to smaagams with his mother and father and would pass through the sangat and come to the front and sit beside the keertanee Singhs and be lost. From amongst his two brothers and six sisters, Dr. Sahib was the best in his schooling and studied homeopathic medicine. Along side his difficult medical studies, he also studied Gurmat with full dedication and received training from his parents and other Gursikhs.
Dr. Sahib had a lot of baaNee memorised and besides his nitnem of 5 baaNees, he would recite many others as well. His consciousness was so attuned to shabad that when he'd sing GurbaaNee Keertan, he would be so attached to the meanings of the baaNee that he would be lost in vairaag and divine colours and leave the listeners immersed as well.
Dr. Sahib's heart was always tormented by the rise of bad practices in the Sikh Panth and with his writings, he would speak out against them. He would also encourage his companions to resist these wrong practices as well.
Writing about unnecessary and thoughtless "PramaaN" or examples in keertan Dr. Sahib wrote (sarcastically), "We Jatha Singhs, what need do we have to study GurbaaNee? We've studied from the Divine Court of course and are leaders. The rest of the world is stuck in "churaasee" or reincarnation. Using unsuitable examples (PramaaN) and attaching unsuitable lines from baaNee to our keertan and doing dhunee of Gurmantar at inappropriate places has become our identity." Then Dr. Sahib prays, "Oh God, keep us away from such an identity, and give us such a rebirth that we only consider ourselves capable of judging ourselves and finding our own mistakes. Let us reflect on GurbaaNee Paath, Keertan, GurbaaNee veechaar and Guru-History with such humility but sharp intellect that our identity becomes that of only Naam-loving Ranglay Sajjan."
Dr. Sahib made the lines "Prithmai man parbodheh apnaa paachhai avr reejhaavai" or " First, he instructs his own mind, and then, he leads others" apply to his life completely. He would encourage his companions to look at themselves first and shape their lives according to GurbaaNee. His heart was a spring of faith for GurbaaNee. As a sign of this faith, he wrote a pothee of the 5 baaNees with his own hands and give it to his wife as an amazing gift.
Dr. Sahib was always ready to help the needy. He wouldn't care for his own life when helping others. Once when going to Delhi, someone's house was on fire. In that house a young child was trapped. Dr. Sahib fearlessly went through the flames to pick up the child and bring him out. He became the subject of the child's parents and others blessings.
Bhai Preetam Singh jee AnjaaN wanted to live every part of his life according to GurbaaNee. He didn't just desire this, he always tried to bring it into practice as well. He called himself the most lowly and addressing his wife, he wrote: "I'm bitter, dirty and shameless and all other things, but I've always been afraid to do wrong. Perhaps this fear will one day bring some big change within me and I'll become a good person and then become a good life partner for you. When loving words and baaNee become our life, then the desire to meet in [Barahmaha's] Vaisakh and Jayth's desire to unite will become our fortune. Then I don't know why our luck is so bad. Let's work together and according to Guru Sahib's description of both these months let's have the pangs of love and bring Gursikhi jeevan into this love. Both of our births falling in the month of Vaisakh are no small or insignificant thing. Nor is it just usual. It's important for both of us to understand the meaning of this."
Dr. Sahib would read Bhai Sahib Bhai Randheer Singh jee's books with great interest and seeing the example of a great Sikh in these books would try to bring his example into his own life and encourage others to do the same. Being influenced by these books, Dr. Sahib warned about the weakness coming into the practice of Tat Gurmat: "Today, we need a Tat Khalsa which Guru Gobind Singh prepared by giving amrit. We shouldn't try to just administer amrit and increase the number of amritdhaarees, but today we need religious and Naamee Singhs who live practical Gursikhi Jeevans. Bhai Sahib Bhai Randheer Singh jee writes in Ranglay Sajjan about amrit sinchaars in those times. What kind of Punj pyaaray and what kind of abhilakhees there were and what kind of lifestyle they should have. Only those Punj Pyaaray who are coloured in GurbaaNee in mind and body can choose worthy candidates who know the value of Amrit. But today in the Sikh Panth and our Akhand Keertanee Jatha, there are changes being made according to individual mindsets, which are bringing a downfall in the Khalsa Panth. Bringing our own changes into the rehit maryada has resulted in apostasy and prevalent drug use in the Sikh youth."
In this way Dr. Sahib always desired the chardee kalaa of the Khalsa Panth and attempted to guard the Tat-Gurmat lifestyle. If we try to write about other examples in his life for this goal, we could write an entire book.
Like puraatan Gursikhs, by being coloured in naam, Dr. Sahib knew that his final days were approaching but didn’t' tell anyone about it. Sometimes though, his words gave hints about this. In a Smaagam at Bastee Sheikh at Jalandhar, he unconsciously said, "I'm going to be wounded in my head. There's little time and so much to do."
Knowing about his final days, Bhai Sahib did not let any weakness or change enter his life. He desired to obey the divine orders only. Some time before, Dr. Sahib's mother had a dream of his dying in a car accident. Instead of saying something else to confuse his mother, he said "Thank Guru Sahib. Maybe Guru Sahib is giving you a signal and preparing you to accept his will."
Finally that time arrived on June 27, 1998. The Sangat of Ludhiana had called him to do keertan at a RaN Sabaaee, and even though he didn't feel like going due to both bodily and mental fatigue, he accepted the orders of the Sangat and left for Ludhiana. Seeing his arrival, the Sangat of Ludhiana was very happy and for 1.25 hours he sang the shabad "Man mayray sachay naam vitho(n) bal jaao" and he kept doing svaas svaas Khanda of Naam.
After this, he played joRee (tabla) for some time and enjoyed the bliss of keertan. According to divine will, Dr. Sahib rose at amrit vela 3AM from sangat and taking the blessings of sangat and doing naam hugs with other Singhs, he left with his wife and children. 5KM from Filaur on the road to Goraaiyaa(n), Dr. Sahib's jeep was in an accident and just like his mother's dream, he was injured in his head and left for his place at the Guru's feet. At his final moments, his mind and voice were both repeating Gurmantar which was heard by a guard who stood nearby who then told the Singhs who came to get the body.
Dr. Preetam Singh jee was an amazing NirbaaN Keertanee but was also a very sweet Akhand Paathee. When he read BaaNee, it was like arrows piercing the listeners' hearts. He was a total bundle of good qualities. Whoever did his Sangat, could not help but make an eternal place for him in their hearts.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Dastaar, Mandatory for all?
Dastaar (turban) keski is often something that comes up when we think about Sikhi. Dastaar is part of the Sikh identity; it is partly what makes a Sikh stand out in a crowd.
Unfortunately over the years dastaar has been vanishing amongst Sikhs not only as some “sikhs” cut there kesh but also the fact Sikh women are told that it is not necessary for women to wear it, but mandatory for men.
if you look back in history you will find keski rehit was mandatory for both men and women. Rehit of Dastaar was removed by one single person and not panth. Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib amrit sanchars use to prescribe dastaar rehit to both men and women unfortunately one jathedar got rid of it ALONE.
The rehit of keski was maintained even at the Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib for both men and women till 1930 when the then Jathedar, Gurmukh Singh Mussafir removed this condition.
I believe till this day Panj Pyarie at Sri Akaal Takhat sahib tell Singh’s they must not leave the house without a “chotee Dastaar,” keski.
Ironically we then go on to talk about equality between the genders but to back up our point that keski is not mandatory for women we often point at paintings of Guroo Sahibaan and historic Sikh women yet again forgetting these paintings are not reliable sources of evidence often artist impressions centuries after that scene was actually played out.
Before someone kicks of about issues between Kakkar, I don’t see this as a big issue and will expand on my school of thought on my next blog entry some time this coming week.
Here is a great article I read years back on Veer Manjot Singh’s blog, www.mkhalsa.com.
 | |||
| Seeker Kaur says: Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Singh Jee 1 says: Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Kee Fateh
Singh Jee 2 says: Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh
Singh Jee 1 says: veer jee, can you help us find why keski is a kakar?
Singh Jee 2 says: hanji?
Singh Jee 1 says: keski, whats its defintion as a kakkar
Singh Jee 2 says: first of all
Singh Jee 2 says: lets start with history
Singh Jee 2 says: do you know about the singh sabha movement bhenji?
Seeker Kaur says: nahi ji
Singh Jee 2 says: ok well
Singh Jee 2 says: around the 1800s
Singh Jee 2 says: sikhi was down the drain, brahminism reigned supreme, they even had a statue of ganesh at harmandir sahib
Singh Jee 2 says: it was that bad, people would worship mahants, etc
Singh Jee 2 says: a lot of that brahminism is still around (caste system, sants)
Singh Jee 2 says: and some other rituals we tend to do that we cant weed out quite yet
Singh Jee 2 says: but anyway, around the late 1800s, hundreds of gursikhs got fed up with it
Singh Jee 2 says: they said we arent hindus, we are sikhs
Singh Jee 2 says: we gotta get this outta our religion right
Singh Jee 2 says: and so they started the singh sabha movement, to remove hinduism from sikhi
Singh Jee 2 says: (thats why theres so many gurudwaras called singh sabha still around)
Singh Jee 2 says: they created gurudwaras, retook akal takhat
Singh Jee 2 says: they rewrote the maryada to the original using historical documents and because most of these were the most educated sikhs on the planet
Singh Jee 2 says: so they fixed it
Singh Jee 2 says: well something thats always been there is dastar right, everyone has to wear dastar
Singh Jee 1 says: its what makes a sikh a sikh
Singh Jee 2 says: anyway singh sabha died down around 1930s and gave way to the SGPC
Singh Jee 2 says: in the 1940s, a jathedar came about in akal takhat
Singh Jee 2 says: Gurmukh Singh Musafir
Singh Jee 1 says: yup
Singh Jee 1 says: thats it
Seeker Kaur says: hunji
Singh Jee 2 says: and he noticed that well not many women were taking amrit
Singh Jee 2 says: because they wanted to have new hairstyles and what not
Singh Jee 2 says: and dress in saris like their hindu counterparts in india
Singh Jee 2 says: right
Singh Jee 2 says: so he said something like fine in the next 4 days
Singh Jee 2 says: anyone who comes
Singh Jee 2 says: he said anyone who comes in the next 4 days doesnt have to wear keski
Singh Jee 2 says: now this kind of made all the singhs that just fixed sikhi mad right
Singh Jee 2 says: but they couldnt do anything because he was the jathedar
Singh Jee 2 says: and they respected that, they were too humble
Singh Jee 2 says: because these were some chardi kala singhs right
Singh Jee 2 says: and so anyway this gurmukh singh guy has control
Singh Jee 2 says: and so for those 4 days thousands of women went to akal takhat to take amrit without dastar
Singh Jee 2 says: and then more demand for it started
Singh Jee 2 says: and he said every other week, then every other day
Singh Jee 2 says: then the other takhts started doing it and eventually, keski just got phased out
Singh Jee 2 says: now, bhai randhir singh was around during this time and he said no.. gurmukh singh is wrong
Singh Jee 2 says: and thats why akj still requires keski
Singh Jee 2 says: because bhai randhir singh jee didnt allow his jatha to change with this manmat
Singh Jee 2 says: i dont agree with groups, but here akj is right
Singh Jee 2 says: this man changed sikhi
Singh Jee 2 says: over the course of time it became accepted
Singh Jee 2 says: and people said then whats the 5th kakkar?
Singh Jee 2 says: and eventually it became kes out of ignorance and people deciding to forget history
Singh Jee 2 says: but if you talk to anyone in their 70s or 80s they will tell u what i just said
Singh Jee 2 says: i learned it from bibi harsharan kaur jee and others
Singh Jee 1 says: What about a list of reasons, or points?
Singh Jee 2 says: ok, so list of reasons
Singh Jee 2 says: Theres a book they handed out at a samagam
Singh Jee 2 says: bhenji are u still with us?
Seeker Kaur says: hunji
Singh Jee 2 says: before i start on that do u have any questions? about the history etc?
Seeker Kaur says: nahi ji
Seeker Kaur says: not at the moment
Singh Jee 2 says: ok
Singh Jee 2 says: now on to the word kakkar what does this mean?
Singh Jee 2 says: linguists seem to say it comes from the punjabi verb karna, which means to do or make
Singh Jee 2 says: now if you notice all the other kakkars are made, right?
Singh Jee 2 says: but we dont make our hair, god does
Singh Jee 2 says: but we do make keski, thus keski is a kakkar
Singh Jee 2 says: in bani it says saabat soorat dastar siraa, this means that the human body must always have a dastar on it
Singh Jee 2 says: also, some people right from birth dont have any hair because of disease
Singh Jee 2 says: how can they be amritdhari then?
Singh Jee 2 says: u cant take amrit with only 4 kakkars
Singh Jee 2 says: then amrit would be imperfect and not for everyone
Singh Jee 1 says: Seeker kaur! make sure you're reading everything hes saying
Singh Jee 2 says: and what if they lose their hair to a disease?
Seeker Kaur says: i am!
Singh Jee 2 says: then they are no longer amritdhari
Singh Jee 2 says: also, why are only guys required to wear keski?
Singh Jee 2 says: if you saw me at gurudwara with a braid
Singh Jee 2 says: would u consider me a singh?
Singh Jee 1 says: never!!
Singh Jee 1 says: imagine if all men stopped wearing their dastaars, sikhi wouldnt be carried on and it would go down the tubes
Seeker Kaur says: waheguru
Singh Jee 1 says: no one to carry on the tradition
Singh Jee 2 says: so why is this split? if in sikhism men and women are equal?
Singh Jee 1 says: sooner or later
Singh Jee 1 says: other things would become lost too
Singh Jee 1 says: the dastaar is the backbone of keeping sikhi alive and pure
Singh Jee 2 says: in all the old rehitnamas
Singh Jee 2 says: by Bhai Daya Singh Jee and others
Singh Jee 1 says: Bhai chaupa singh, Bhai nandlal singh
Singh Jee 2 says: and even historical accounts by goray and muslims
Singh Jee 1 says: british generals
Singh Jee 1 says: etc.
Singh Jee 2 says: they say people took amrit with dastar, always, even women
Singh Jee 2 says: which astonished many outside observers, so they made a point of writing it
Singh Jee 2 says: and all the old rehitnamas have requirements for each kakkar
Singh Jee 2 says: (Ex. kanga must be wooden, kirpan must have a sheath)
Singh Jee 2 says: why isnt there a similar requirement for kes?
Singh Jee 2 says: why is it that kes is considered a kurait?
Singh Jee 2 says: its held higher in sikhi than any of the kakkars
Singh Jee 2 says: if u cut ur hair then u have to pesh
Singh Jee 2 says: why not pesh for any of the other kakars?
Singh Jee 2 says: if u drop ur kanga u just say waheguroo and do ardas, u dont go pesh
Singh Jee 1 says: okay Seeker kaur bhenji
Singh Jee 1 says: are you convinced yet?
Singh Jee 2 says: yes, because i have a lot more information
Singh Jee 1 says: i think Singh Jee 2 is more then willing to do more seva and go on and on
Singh Jee 2 says: yes...
Seeker Kaur says: waheguru
Singh Jee 2 says: so what do u think?
Singh Jee 2 says: still need more information?
Seeker Kaur says: nahi bhaji, i think its good
Singh Jee 1 says: if you read everything, theres no way you wouldnt have been convinced
Singh Jee 1 says: so Seeker kaur, start wearing a keski!
Seeker Kaur says: oh bhaji, i am convinced
Seeker Kaur says: waheguru
Singh Jee 2 says: ok bhenji, keep learning about gursikhi! For more information you can also check out this link: http://www.tapoban.org/keski.htm
Singh Jee 2 says: Waheguroo jee ka khalsa! Waheguroo jee kee fateh!!
Seeker Kaur says: waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh
Singh Jee 1 says: Vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji kee fateh
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Thursday, February 01, 2007
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