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Messages - Sardar_Ji

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2501
Shayari / Re: shut up.
« on: October 23, 2010, 02:54:32 PM »
Leh hun banda guess vi ni lah sakda tu kehdi gall karda. Sarya nu SSA balaunda rehnda.


 :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

2502
Jokes Majaak / Re: dil ਆਪਣੇ ਆਸ਼ਕ ਨੂੰ
« on: October 23, 2010, 02:44:01 PM »
 :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: BIL KUL SAHI GALH AA  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

2503
Religion, Faith, Spirituality / Re: Hukamnama
« on: October 23, 2010, 12:09:10 PM »
October 23, 2010, Saturday 05:30 AM. IST


ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਵਿਚਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਖਲੋਆ ॥ ਵਾਲੁ ਨ ਵਿੰਗਾ ਹੋਆ ॥ ਮਜਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਅਾਂਦਾ ਰਾਸੇ ॥ ਜਪਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਨਾਸੇ ॥੧॥ ਸੰਤਹੁ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਸਰੋਵਰੁ ਨੀਕਾ ॥ ਜੋ ਨਾਵੈ ਸੋ ਕੁਲੁ ਤਰਾਵੈ ਉਧਾਰੁ ਹੋਆ ਹੈ ਜੀ ਕਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਜੈ ਜੈ ਕਾਰੁ ਜਗੁ ਗਾਵੈ ॥ ਮਨ ਚਿੰਦਿਅੜੇ ਫਲ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ ਸਹੀ ਸਲਾਮਤਿ ਨਾਇ ਆਏੇ ॥ ਅਪਣਾ ਪ੍ਭੂ ਧਿਆਏੇ ॥੨॥ ਸੰਤ ਸਰੋਵਰ ਨਾਵੈ ॥ ਸੋ ਜਨੁ ਪਰਮ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ ਮਰੈ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈ ॥੩॥ਇਹੁ ਬ੍ਹਮ ਬਿਚਾਰੁ ਸੁ ਜਾਨੈ ॥ ਜਿਸੁ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਹੋਇ ਭਗਵਾਨੈ ॥ ਬਾਬਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਭ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥ ਸਭ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਗਣਤ ਮਿਟਾਈ ॥੪॥੭॥੫੭॥



English Translation:
SORAT’H, FIFTH MEHL: The Creator Lord Himself stood between us, and not a hair upon my head was touched. The Guru made my cleansing bath successful; meditating on the Lord, Har, Har, my sins were erased. || 1 || O Saints, the purifying pool of Ram Das is sublime. Whoever bathes in it, his family and ancestry are saved, and his soul is saved as well. || 1 || Pause || The world sings cheers of victory, and the fruits of his mind’s desires are obtained. Whoever comes and bathes here, and meditates on his God, is safe and sound. || 2 || One who bathes in the healing pool of the Saints, that humble being obtains the supreme status. He does not die, or come and go in reincarnation; he meditates on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. || 3 || He alone knows this about God, whom God blesses with His kindness. Baba Nanak seeks the Sanctuary of God; all his worries and anxieties are dispelled. || 4 || 7 || 57 ||



2504
Religion, Faith, Spirituality / Re: Bhai Tara Singh Vaan part 1
« on: October 23, 2010, 11:52:15 AM »
Thanks Gurpinder Raje.. Nice sharing.. Mein v ajj pehli vaar padhiya es Sikh history bare.. Dhanwaad :)

welcome ji... mein v ajj pheli vaar ayi pardaya c ji...... part 2 read kita k part 1 kar k sarai samj lagg gae...  :happy:

2506
Religion, Faith, Spirituality / Re: You still have hope
« on: October 22, 2010, 07:54:03 PM »
Um oh wow ok. Lolz.

huh haa theek aa pher  :happy:

2507
Religion, Faith, Spirituality / Re: You still have hope
« on: October 22, 2010, 07:49:13 PM »

2508
Religion, Faith, Spirituality / Bhai Tara Singh Vaan part 1
« on: October 22, 2010, 06:55:23 PM »
vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh

There has been a post about this gem of the panth before (here), it was bumped up back in October. This (taken from here) is a more detailed account which I'd really recommend everyone read.
Quote

'Please take time to read the jeevan of one of the greatest warrior and gursikh ever to be born in Sikh Panth. Bhai Tara Singh Vaan is not as well known as he should be but the memorial in his memory still stands today at Vaan Pind in Siri Amritsar. Please read this most magnificent story of Bhai Tara Singh jee Vaan. We are lucky that a great deal about his shaheedi is written in Pracheen Panth Parkaash, a 18th century book by Rattan Singh Bhangoo'


BACKGROUND

Baba Banda Singh jee Bahadur got shaheed on June 08, 1716. After his shaheedi, despondency prevailed in Sikhs in general. The chardi kala singhs always stay in chardi kala but generally the Sikhs were very concerned about what was going on what the future held for them. A whole generation of Sikhs had gotten wiped out with and after Baba Banda Singh jee�s shaheedi.

At that time (around 1726) still some Sikhs used to stay in villages and did kheti (farming). One of such chardi kala singh was Bhai Tara Singh jee Vaan. He lived in a village called Vaan in district Amritsar (then Lahore) of Punjab. Bhai Tara Singh jee was very chardi kala waaley Singh. His shaheedi is one of the greatest of all times in Sikhs. Brave and strong singh like him has never come again in this world. Fortunately history records the details of his shahidi and we today can get some idea of what he and the singhs with were like.

BHAI TARA SINGH VAAN � HIS PERSONALITY

Bhai Tara Singh jee Vaan was a fully rehitvaan, tyaar bar tyaar Singh. It is written in history that he used to wear only blue clothes and his body used to be full of shasters (weapons). He had great love for Gurbani and was found doing paath all the time. He had full faith in Guru Sahib and his concentration remained at the lotus feet of Guru Sahib. His bhagti had reached such level that anything he uttered came out true. His bachan never went waste because there was massive bhagtee of Naam and Gurbani behind him. Out of all warriors of that time, he was said to be the top one. He had no fear of death and was always prepared to die in the battlefield.

Bhai Tara Singh built his bunga (house) like a fort and he always had 10-12 tyaar bar tyaar singhs with him. All singhs knew about Bhai Sahib jee and they used to stay at Bhai Tara Singh jee�s bunga while travelling. Singhs used to do farming together and any earnings they made used to go towards langar for singhs. Singhs living with Bhai Sahib used to do Gurbani paath all day long and when they were not doing paath together, they were doing shastar-abhyaas (martial arts practice). Some singhs out of the singhs staying with Bhai Sahib used to help him out with farming. Singhs used to come and leave but at any given time Bhai Sahib always had 10-12 singhs with him.

START OF THE PROBLEM

Not far from Bhai Tara Singh jee�s village Vaan, there is a village named Nashaura Pannu. In those days, the chauadhary of this village was a very egoistic and bully kind of person called Sahib Rai. He used push around other villagers and everyone was scared of him because he had friends with the Lahore government of Mughals. In that village two singhs lived with their families and they did farming there.

Chauadhary Sahib Rai hated the singhs living in his village and never let go an opportunity to humiliate them. The chauadhary used to let his horses graze in the crops of the singhs. The singhs did no want to start a fight with him as they feared their families� safety but they were getting increasingly weary of his treatment of singhs.

One day, the singhs saw the horses grazing in their fields and they could not take it anymore. They decided to talk to the Chauadhary about it. They went over to the chaudhary and told them about his horses grazing their fields. Listening to this, the chaudhary got very mad. He was a patient of haume rog (ego) and as thus he got more anger than normal. He threatened the singhs with dire consequences if they stopped his horses from grazing in their fields.

The chaudhary then said to the singhs something that no one should dare say to a singh. He threatened them saying that he would cut their hair using urine, if they tried to touch his horses. Hearing this the singhs felt like volcano erupting from within. Their eyes turned red and they felt their biceps trembling with Bir Rass. They somehow managed to contain their emotions and came back without saying anything further to the Chaudhary.

SINGHS TAKE AWAY CHAUDHARY�S HORSE

The first thing the singhs did when they arrived home was packing up. They packed up and sent their wives along with their kids to their in-laws i.e. wife�s parent�s house. Then the singhs called upon Baghel Singh and Amar Singh for help. These two singhs were known warriors of their time. They discussed the problem and decided to get even with the chaudhary. They took away one of the horse of the Chaudhary that was grazing in their fields and travelled all night to arrive at Hari Ke Pattan (where Ravi Beas rivers meet). At Hari ke Pattan, Lakhmir Singh was waiting for them Bhai Baghel Singh and Bhai Amar Singh gave him the horse who sold the horse in Malwa region (across from Hari ke Pattan).

The money that Lakhmir Singh earned as a result of selling the horse, was matha-tekked at the Bunga of Bhai Tara Singh Vaan. On the other hand when the chaudhary discovered that his horse was missing, he called in the khojee (detective) to track the lost horse. The khojee pointed finger at the singhs living in Chaudhary�s village. When the singhs heard that they had been indicted in the theft of the horse, they left their village and came to live with Bhai Tara Singh Vaan the great singh who had no fear of death.

SAHIB RAI ARRIVES AT BHAI TARA SINGH�S BUNGA

Following the singhs, Sahib Rai along with his private security guards, arrived at the bunga of Bhai Tara Singh jee Vaan. He came with full ego and angrily demanded Bhai Tara Singh jee to hand over his �thieves� to him. Bhai Tara Singh who was a fearless warrior, told him that the real thief was Sahib Rai himself as he used to let his horses graze in the singhs� fields, thereby stealing their crops.

Hearing such answer, the stupid chaudhary, started using foul language with Bhai Tara Singh. Now Bhai Tara Singh did not tolerate too much of his rubbish and slapped him on his face. Then the other singhs beat up the security guards who tried to help the chaudhary.

Bhai Tara Singh told Sahib Rai clearly that he was going to sacrifice his body fighting the Turks (Muslim rulers) and that he did not care about his life. Saying this he slapped the Chaudhary right, left and centre. The Chaudhary along with his security guards ran away from there crying. He felt few of his teeth missing and nose broken.

THE CHAUDHARY ARRIVES AT PATTI RULER

The chaudhary having humiliated like this in public arrived crying at the ruler of Patti, a small town near Siri Amritsar Sahib. There he told the administrator of Patti everything that had occurred with him. He told the ruler that while the Mughals were sleeping and lost in luxuries of life, Bhai Tara Singh Vaan was about to take over Lahore. He told many false thing about the singhs and prompted the ruler to send his army to capture Bhai Tara Singh jee and other singhs.

The ruler asked the chaudhary, how many singhs were there at Bunga of Bhai Sahib. The chaudhary replied saying that the bunga did not have more than 20 singhs and that some have swords while others have spears. The ruler took the matter lightly but still sent 25 soldiers from cavalry (soldiers on horseback) and 80 from infantry (soldiers on foot). The order to the soldiers was to reach Bhai Tara Singh jee�s bunga during night time and to go slowly without making noise so that singhs do not escape. They wanted to capture the singhs alive and send them to Lahore for punishment.

SOLDIERS ARRIVE AT VILLAGE VAAN TO CAPTURE SINGHS

The government soldiers, about 100 in total, reached the outskirts of village Vaan just at amritvela. At that time Bhai Baghel Singh, one of the singhs present at Bhai Tara Singh jee�s bunga, was doing Gurbani paath. After ardaas, he went out to get some wood for preparation of degh. He had a sword and an axe in his hand.

As he walked little distance from the bunga, he noticed a group of the imperial army. He wanted to go back and let the singhs know of the arrival of the army. At the same time he thought that if he went back, singhs were going to ask him why he came back without encountering the army. He feared that the singhs might think that he got scared. Thinking this, he moved forward and assured himself that once he starts fight with the army, the singhs would find out from the noise of battle.

He moved forward and challenged the imperial army. As he moved forward, Sahib Rai the chaudhary recognized Baghel Singh and cried out to Hakim Khan the leader of the army, telling him that this singh � Baghel Singh was a big trouble-maker among the singhs and that he should not be allowed to escape. He said that this Singh � Baghel Singh was the thief who stole his horse and that if he gets killed, the singhs� strength will be reduced by half.

Hearing this Hakim Khan quickly moved forward with his soldiers and Baghel Singh too jumped forward eagerly to fight off the army. It was quite dark as it was still amritvela. They tried to shoot him down with gun and arrows but he very quickly just entered the group of soldiers. In darkness, they could not find him, while he was right within them. He injured several and killed the nephew of Hakim Khan, before he was shot in the leg.

Singhs in the bunga heard the gun shots and they too came out with weapons. They fought so valiantly that within few moments there were several dead and injured. Hakim Khan lost his vigour to fight after his nephew died and he pulled back and fled from there. The singhs won the first battle of Pind Vaan.

SINGHS CHALK OUT STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE

After Hakim Khan left, some singhs came to Bhai Tara Singh jee Vaan and asked him to leave this place and not to enter direct confrontation with the imperial forces of Lahore Darbar. They said that they had made the point by beating up Chaudhary Sahib Rai and then beating the Patti force of 100 soldiers. They suggested that it would be prudent to leave this bunga and go somewhere else for some time and return later when the things cool down.

Singh jee (as Bhai Tara Singh was addressed by singhs of that time) responded by telling them that he had no fear of death and had no attachment to this worldly body of his. He said that he had attachment with only one thing and that was Gurbaani/Naam. He said that he had received hukam to get shaheedi from Satguru himself (Jim kar Satgur daiyo hai bhaakh � Panth Parkaash). He further said that a true Singh never fears death. He said that he was going to get shaheed right there in the bunga and was not going to flee anywhere.

After responding to those singhs, Singh jee (Bhai Tara Singh jee) addressed all the singhs present there and gave them choice to leave or stay. He said that ones who stay were going to get shaheed for sure. He said that ones who don�t leave right away would not be allowed to leave later. Hearing this about half of the singhs left but the other half who stayed were fully determined to get shaheed with their beloved jathedaar.

Then Singh jee sent messages to other singhs throughout Punjab to inform them of his stand to get shaheed at his bunga and asked them if they wanted to join him in confronting the Turks (Muslims). Hearing this the top notch singhs from around Punjab came and joined their dear jathedar Bhai Tara Singh jee Vaan:

Vasaava Singh and Kuyer Singh joined from Brahmanshaahi village.

Samund Singh and Jhaad Singh joined Singh jee from Multan.

Soora Singh who did wood work, decided to join Singh jee and get shaheed.

Lakhmir Singh said his last fateh to his family and joined Singh jee.

Ali Singh of Sandhu village and Gurbaksh Singh Bhalla joined Singh jee.

Bheem Singh and Badal Singh or Ratoki village joined Singh jee to get shaheed.

Megh Singh of Madra pind and Haata Singh of Chungo village joined Singh jee to get shaheed.

Bulaaka Singh of Sanghan and Jodh Singh of Narovaal joined Singh jee to get shaheed.

Bhogad Singh and Rasaal Singh of Peshawar joined Singh jee to get shaheed. They two decided that their time to join Guru Sahib for shaheedi had come now.

Amar Singh the great warrior was already with Singh jee. This way in total 22 Singhs got together at the Bunga of Singh jee.

vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh


2509
Religion, Faith, Spirituality / Bhai Tara Singh Vaan part 2
« on: October 22, 2010, 06:46:46 PM »
vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh



SINGHS WAIT FOR THE IMPERIAL ARMY

They solidified the bunga and constructed defenses around the bunga. After getting all set, they just sat there together and did massive paath and bhagtee. They used to do paath all day long and since they knew that their time was near, they had no other thoughts coming to them. All they cared about was paath, paath and more paath. One or two singhs out of them did up the langar work and the rest just stayed immersed in paath.

They had already chalked out the strategies to combat the Turks and they had assembled any weapons they could find. Many days passed before the army moved in and all that time singhs accumulated massive Naam and Gurbani treasure for themselves.

SITUATION AT LAHORE DARBAR

The Patti army went straight to Lahore and narrated to the Nawab all that had occurred with them. They told the Lahore ruler how Hakim Khan�s nephew got killed by Baghel Singh and how others got injured and killed.

Hearing this the ruler of Lahore got furious. He said that he had thought that he had got all rebelling singhs killed, then where did this (Bhai) Tara Singh come from. He said that he had got tired of killing the singhs who just would not finish. More he killed them, more strong they were getting.

According to Panth Parkash, the Kaazi replied by saying that with every drop of blood that falls on the ground, one singh was born as a result of it. He said that it would be best to kill them in some other way. He said that it would be best to capture them alive and imprison them instead of killing them.

Hearing this remark from the Kaazi, one of the soldiers who knew how hard it was to capture singhs alive, said that it would be most suitable if the Kaazi himself took the lead and captured some singhs. He said that this Kaazi had no idea what kind of fighters the singhs were. If he had any idea, he would not have talked about capturing them alive.

Hearing this from the soldier, the Kaazi (Islamic law-maker), got very embarrassed and totally got quiet. He knew that he could not face any singh in the battlefield. His head went downwards in shame.

After this the Nawab of Lahore, challenged all to volunteer to capture Bhai Tara Singh jee Vaan. He challenged asking them if there was any warrior who would be willing to capture or kill Bhai Tara Singh jee Vaan. When no one volunteered to come forward, the Nawab chose Moman Khan to take lead and capture or kill Bhai Tara Singh jee Vaan.

MOMAN KHAN MARCHES TOWARDS SINGH JEE

Moman Khan had the best of the Lahori soldiers � 2200 in total, all cavalry. He himself was seated on an elephant. He moved out of Lahore and camped just outside Lahore to chalk out strategy to fight Bhai Tara Singh jee Vaan.

Some residents of Lahore who sympathized with the Singhs heard that Moman Khan was about to leave Lahore to capture Singh jee. They decided to send a messenger to Singh jee to evacuate the Bunga and come back later, once the things cooled down. These messengers reached the Singh jee and pleaded with him to evacuate his bunga and leave.

When Singh jee heard this, his face became red with Bir Rass. He said that he could not wait to combat the Turks. He said that he was having hard time waiting for the Turks to arrive. He said that he was not going anywhere and would attain shaheedi right at his bunga. He declared that Satguru jee had shown him clearly that his time to attain shaheedi had come.

Hearing such fearless response from Singh jee, the messengers came back little depressed thinking about the shaheedi of their beloved singh � Bhai Tara Singh jee Vaan. The singhs with Singh jee got in even more chardi kala when they heard Bhai Tara Singh jee in such high spirits.

MOMAN KHAN REACHES SINGH JEE�S BUNGA

Moman Khan decided to attack the singhs at midnight, hoping to catch them while sleeping. As the army reached the outskirts of Pind Vaan, they met a Jatt of Uppal caste, who was a big enemy of the singhs. He assured the imperial army of leading them to Singh jee.

Moman Khan was leading the army but he did not want to fight the Singhs. He called two of his confidants and asked them to go and tell Singh jee that it would be best if they avoided any clash and that the imperial army would return back, if they did not find him there. The two confidants arrived at the Bunga and pleaded with Singh jee to leave the Bunga and that the army would return back immediately. They asked him why he wanted to lose his life for nothing.

Singh jee whose face was shining because of his massive bhagtee, responded to them by saying that maybe what they were saying was right but that he had made up his mind for shaheedi and that he was not willing to leave his bunga out of fear of anyone. He said that now the eyes of whole panth were on him and that if he backed off, he would not be able to show his face to the singhs again. Saying this he sent them back with full respect.

HUMAN BODY GETS PURIFIED WITH WOUNDS FROM WEAPONS

A Singh too reached Bhai Tara Singh jee and pleaded with him to leave. He said that he was only concerned about one thing. He said that he did not care dying or living but he had one wish in his mind. He said that Bhai Tara Singh jee had done too much sewa of Singhs living with him and that it was now singhs� turn to do sewa of Bhai Tara Singh jee. He said that many singhs wanted to do sewa of Bhai Tara Singh jee and this way get their body purified.

Singh jee whose face was so bright that day that it was hard to even look at it, did a very precious bachan (saying). He declared that the bodies of Singhs and warriors get pure and sacred when they are cut by the weapons in the battlefield. In Panth Parkash, it is quoted as follows:

TAU SINGH JEE, UNN KAHEE SUNAAYE||
DEH PAVITTER HOYE, SHASTER LAGAAYE||

He further said that when the weapons cut the body of a singh in the battlefield, the sins of the singhs are washed away as a result of this.

SINGHS BEAT THE NAGAARA TO DECLARE WAR

After hearing Bhai Tara Singh jee, all singhs said a huge jaikaara and beat Nagaara along with that. Their jaikaara was so loud that it reached the Turks who were quite away from there. Many of the Turks felt their senses failing them after hearing the jaikaara of the singhs. Many wanted to leave as they did not want to lose their lives fighting off the Singhs. Conscience of many soldiers was pricking them for killing innocent Singhs for no reason.

On the othe side, Singh jee ordered the Singhs to leave the bunga and stand in the battlefield, ready to face the Turks. From both sides the warriors got ready to fight to death.

HAND TO HAND COMBAT BEGINS

First of all, Bhai Bulaaka Singh moved forward to stop the advancing army. He fought very valiantly and killed many. Finally he was killed by a arrow that hit his chest.

The singhs now stood behind their first defense line and as the Turks moved forward, the Singhs pushed them back. It was still midnight and it was hard to see clearly and this went in the favour of the singhs. Then the Turks decided to move forward using their cavalry. They moved forward with full force and destroyed the first defense of the singhs but the singhs still fought them back and came to the second defense. Many Turks died in this first attack. All singhs except for Bulaaka Singh were still alive.

The imperial army was extremely hesitant to move forward and do hand to hand combat. They started shooting from far and some singhs got shaheed this way.

A WARRIOR CHALLENGES SINGH JEE

Moman Khan was getting increasingly impatient at the foot-dragging of his army. A very brave officer under Moman Khan sensed Moman Khan�s impatience and moved his horse forward. He loudly challenged Singh jee to come out and fight him alone. He moved his horse forward fearlessly. Singh jee asked his singhs not to attack him and loudly asked him to come forward and that he would meet him soon.

As he was moving forward, he saw Singh jee. He took out his bow and shot an arrow aiming Singh jee�s Dumaala. Singh jee was too fast for the warrior. He came forward like a lightening and caught hold of the horse�s reins. He noticed that the officers� body could not be seen as it was covered with armour all over. The only thing that was without cover was the small part of his face. Singh jee hit his mouth area with his sword and managed to give it a deep cut there. The officer fled back.

�TARA SINGH IS GIVING OUT FREE PAANS�

When Moman Khan saw his officer�s mouth red with blood, he jokingly said, �Are you eating paan.�. Paan is a leaf that non-Sikhs eat. It makes one�s mouth red and one spits out the red residue of Paan. It is a very popular candy for non-Sikhs. When others heard this remark they all started laughing.

The officer felt insulted and shot back at Moman Khan saying, �yes I am eating Paan. Tara Singh is giving out free paans and if you want one, you too should move forward to get it. Why are you talking standing so far from the battlefield?� He said it in such a hilarious way that the whole imperial army started laughing. This dialogue became so famous in Punjab that to date it is remembered by all Punjabis, particularly the people of Majha zone (around Amritsar, Lahore).

SINGHS BATTLE THE TURK ON ELEPHANT

Another one of the officers who too had an elephant, thought of moving forward and killing the Singhs by crushing them under the elephant. He and another warrior got on the elephant and moved the elephant forward very fast.

When the singhs saw the elephant coming towards them, they got excited over getting an opportunity to fight off an elephant. The Turks on the elephant were shooting arrows at the Singhs. Bhima Singh moved forward like a lion moving to hunt. Bhima Singh was so strong that he caught hold of the elephant by his ear and made him sit right there. Then with his sword he killed the driver (mahaavat) of the elephant. The driver too hit back Bhima Singh before dying and Bhima Singh got unconscious with the blow. The Singhs pulled him back to the Bunga.

The elephant got up again and moved towards the Singhs. Now Singh jee said to Bhai Lakhmir Singh, �Do you not remember those days when we both used to herd cows and buffalo�s together? You used to jump across lining up two buffalo�s. How big is this elephant anyways? Why don�t you jump up on the elephant and kill the Turks sitting on it�.

Bhai Lakhmir Singh responded, �This exactly what I was thinking Singh jee. If you look at me with an eye of grace, I will do just what you have said�.

Saying this Bhai Lakhmir Singh jee jumped on the elephant and killed the two turks sitting on it. The elephant got scared and ran back towards to imperial army. When Moman Khand saw the elephant without the turks, he knew what had happened.

MOMAN KHAN CALLS IN POORBIYE (RESIDENTS OF BIHAR, UP)

Moman Khan decided to test his Poorbiye soldiers who were known for their valour. Their name were Mansha Ram and Daiya Ram and their titles were �ikk Hazaari� (officer to whom one thousand soldiers report). They both moved forward along with a group of selected soldiers to fight off the Singhs. Three Singhs came out to combat them. These three singhs killed both Mansha Ram and Daiya Ram and the army that came with them fled after that.

SHAHEEDI OF BHAI TARA SINGH JEE AND OTHER SINGHS

After the fall of Mansha Ram and Daiya Ram, the soldiers of the imperial army got depressed and did not want to fight. Moman Khan could not have gone back empty handed. By now, sun had risen and there was more light now.

The Turks now could see the singhs more clearly and they decided not to move forward but shoot the singhs from far. Most of the 22 singhs by now had gone shaheed. The remaining Singhs decided to attack the imperial army voluntarily.

When Bhai Tara Singh jee entered the imperial army, there was a storm in there. He killed countless before he was shot from far. He still would not fall and kept fighting and slicing the soldiers. It was felt as if he was accompanied by thousands of more hands. He sent several to Dharam Rai and finally attained shaheedi there.

THE AFTERMATH

The shaheedi of Bhai Tara Singh jee rejuvenated the dejected Sikhs after the shaheedi of Baba Banda Singh jee and many came into the fold of Khalsa and regrouped again to fight off the foreign rule in Punjab. Bhai Tara Singh jee will always be remembered by Khalsa and a memorial in village Vaan has been errected in his sweet memory.

END OF SAAKHI

The story of Bhai Tara Singh jee Vaan is most inspiring to the Sikhs. Bhai Sahib was greatest of all and I don�t have the capability to describe even the dust of his feet. What can I write about him? I know that I have not been able to do justice to his story, but I have tried nevertheless. Sangat Baksh lave.

Daas,
Kulbir Singh

vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh

2510
Religion, Faith, Spirituality / Bhai Tara – Sikh Of Guru Nanak
« on: October 22, 2010, 06:43:55 PM »
WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH

Bhai Tara – Sikh of Guru Nanak

Bhai Tara was a great but little-known Sikh of Guru Nanak Dev jee. He lived in a small town called Shahdara which is close to Lahore. He was one of the first Sikhs of Guru Nanak Dev jee. In the sangat of Bhai Laalo of Aimnabaad (Saidpur) and Guru Nanak Dev jee, he had become a pooran Sikh. He was a Sikh of high spiritual state. He led a selfless life and became an accomplished Sikh.

When Babur attacked India, he plundered towns and looted everyone in sight. When Lahore fell to Babur, he ordered that the city be looted and burnt. Detailed accounts of his atrocities are written in Babur-baani of Guru Nanak Dev jee.

People fled Lahore and when Bhai Tara found out about the burning of Lahore, he decided to extinguish the fire at Lahore. He was full of enthusiasm as he had found a chance of doing sewa. He came running to his mother and asked her if he could do sewa. His mother told him that since his father was not alive, he was the only support for her and his sister. She asked him who would take care of his mother and his unmarried sister. Bhai Tara replied by saying that Guru Nanak alone is the support for all. He would provide support if he died in Lahore. His mother reluctantly told him that if his sister let him go, then he can go to Lahore to extinguish fire.

Bhai Tara jee came running to his sister and told her everything. She asked him why he had to take up the impossible task of extinguishing fire in Lahore. Bhai Tara jee told his sister that he was the Sikh of such Guru i.e. Guru Nanak Dev jee, who has come to this world with the sole aim of extinguishing the fire burning in the hearts of the world. The fire of lust, anger, attachment, greediness and ego was burning the whole humankind. The least that he (Bhai Tara jee) could do is try to extinguish the physical fire in Lahore. She had heard about the greatness of Guru Nanak Dev jee from her brother. She was in a good state of mind at that time and after thinking about Guru Nanak Dev jee, she gave her brother permission to do sewa of extinguishing fire in Lahore.

Bhai Tara jee arrived at Lahore amidst a total chaos. The whole city was burning and there were corpses lying all over the place. He saw so much fire and for a moment thought how he was going to extinguish it. Then he heard the soldiers announce that anyone who tried to extinguish fire would be thrown in fire and burned alive. Bhai Tara jee, who had a divine glow on his face, ignored the order of the soldiers and filled his bucket with water and threw it on the fire. He rescued several people trapped in a house.

The soldiers saw Bhai Tara jee do this but sensing the divine glow on his face, could not do anything to physically harm him. They asked him to stop throwing water on the fire as it was the order of Babur the great conqueror. Bhai Tara jee ignoring them threw another bucket in the fire and started rescuing more people who were trapped in another house. At this the soldiers arrested him as they could not gather courage to throw him in fire. They decided to take him to Babur.

Babur was half drunk at that time and was also intoxicated in the intoxication of victory. He was in a very great egoistic state of mind. When told that this man was arrested for trying to extinguishing fire, he looked at Bhai Tara jee and angrily asked him if he had no fear of Babur. Bhai Tara jee defiantly replied that he only feared the almighty Vaheguru and had no fear for anyone else. He further told Babur that he is going to extinguish fire at any cost. His Guru is here to extinguish the fire burning in the people’s hearts and the least he can do is extinguish the physical fire burning in Lahore.

Babur got very angry hearing Bhai Tara jee’s reply. He ordered the soldiers to throw him in the fire at the same place where he tried to extinguish fire. Bhai Tara jee closed his eyes and focussed his concentration on the lotus feet of Guru Nanak Dev jee. The lotus feet of Guru Nanak are not the physical feet but the real jyot-vigaasi charan of Guru Nanak Dev jee that Bhai Tara jee had established in his heart. He concentrated on the Naam and thus invoked the abundant force of Vaheguru. That Vaheguru, who is the rescuer of his bhagats, could not bear the sight of his bhagat being burnt alive. Vaheguru who has always kept the honour of his bhagats, kept the honour of Bhai Tara jee too.

Just as the soldier were taking Bhai Tara jee to burn him, the skies filled with clouds and within minutes, heavy rainfall started. Everything got wet and the fire all over Lahore was extinguished. The soldiers were now thinking what to do with Bhai Tara jee, that just then another soldier came from Babur and asked them to bring Bhai Tara jee back to Babur. Babur had just seen the wonder of Vaheguru and wanted to ensure that his soldiers don’t execute his order of killing Bhai Tara jee.

Babur asked Bhai Tara jee if he was a Sikh of Guru Nanak Dev jee. Babur had met Guru Nanak Dev jee in Aimnabaad and since then held Guru Nanak in very high regard. Bhai Tara jee responded positively and at this Babur sought his forgiveness for harassing him. He regretted that he did not realize at first that Bhai Tara jee was a Sikh of Guru Nanak Dev jee.

Bhai Tara jee was released and he came back home after saving Lahore from burning. Guru Nanak is great and so are his Sikhs.

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH

2511
Religion, Faith, Spirituality / Tests Of Faith: Bhai Giaan Singh Jee
« on: October 22, 2010, 06:42:54 PM »
Rangalay Sajjan: Bhai Giaan Singh Jee
By Pr. Gurmukh Singh in Say Piaaray Mael
Translated by Admin www.tapoban.org

Introduction

Bhai Giaan Singh jee was a naam-loving Gursikh and a very big lover of keertan. He was born in village Joieeaa(n) in Sargodha (now Pakistan). He was born in 1885. The area he was born in was on the banks of the Jehlum. He was the middle child of four boys and one girl. The children were quite young when his mother passed away.

Bhai Giaan Singh received bhagtee almost like an inheritance from his father Bhai Amar Singh. Bhai Giaan Singh used to take everything as God's will and remained satisfied in it. It was his nature not to slander anyone or speak badly about anyone nor have enmity. At the same time, he was also not close with any worldly friends. He would spend his time in satsangat with the other Gursikhs. If someone came to him and started to gossip he would simply say, "Everything is in his will. Whatever he does, he does it for our own good."

Once Bhai Sahib's son became ill with typhoid and his fever was over 105 degrees. The doctors said that the child could only survive if his kesh were cut. Bhai Giaan Singh answered that this could not be done. He said, "this is God's gift and he can take it back when he wishes. But will we be able to get the Guru's blessings by making him a patit?" It turned out that the child recovered by himself. Sachay Paatshah tests our faith and this was such an occasion. Many other tests came in his life and he passed them with steadfast courage.

Tests of Faith

Bhai Giaan Singh was an A-Class Guard on the NorthWestern Railway. He was posted on the Frontier Mail train. This train used to run from Peshawar to Bombay. Bhai Sahib stayed at Rawalpindi at this time. One day, a jealous co-worker betrayed him very badly. He gave a bribe to a railway worker and had him detach the last compartment from the rest of the train. The Guard waved his flag and the train set off. At the next station, Bhai Sahib was informed that one compartment had been left behind. For a normal, worldly person, such an incident would have been very worrisome but Bhai Sahib remained calm in the divine-will. This was a very serious incident and he could have been fired from his job, but he did not waver. He was suspended pending an inquiry but did not feel sad and said, "We'll work for the true "sarkaar" (Vahiguru) now" and spent his days in naam simran and keertan. When the inquiry was completed, the guilty parties were punished and Bhai Sahib was exonerated completely and even given a promotion. "Pooraa niaao(n) karai kartaar. Apunay daas ko raakhanhaar.1.Rahaao" (199).

Another time Bhai Sahib was in a difficult situation was when the topmost officer of the NorthWestern Railway came to Rawalpindi Station. When the train stopped at the station, Bhai Sahib was lost in simran. He exchanged some important papers with the Stationmaster and returned to his personal compartment for rest. When the whistle blew to move the train, he waved the flag and was again lost in simran. The British officer of the NorthWestern Railway was standing in the veranda watching Bhai Sahib and when Bhai Sahib walked by him, he did not salute. The Officer took this as an insult and asked his assistant to note down Bhai Sahib's name and information so that he could be reprimanded when they returned to headquarters.

When they returned to headquarters, the assistant gave Bhai Sahib's information to the Officer along with his personal file. The next day, the file was returned without any reprimand written on it. The file was sent a second time and it again returned unchanged. The third time, he personally brought the file to the Officer and reminded him that Giaan Singh did not salute and was to be reprimanded. The Officer laughed and said, "Whenever I try to write something on his file, I get dizzy and feel afraid. For God's sake, just close that file and find out who this person is."

The assistant collected full information about Bhai Sahib from Rawalpindi station and told his British Officer about him. The Officer was very surprised to hear about everything and was thankful that he had not done anything against him. "Jeh jeh kaaj kirat saevak kee, tahaa(n) tahaa(n) outh dhaavai.1. Saevak ko nikTee hoi dikhaavai. Jo jo kahai thakur peh saevak tatkaal hoi aavai.2.rahaao." (403).

Personal Life

Bhai Atma Singh of Patiala and Dr. Harbans Singh tell us that Bhia Giaan Singh jee was a very big lover of naam and baaNee. His head would sway in ecstasy and his lips would always be moving with "Guru Guru". Those who heard him doing nitnem can attest that he would recite it very slowly and in bairaag, taking a full two hours to do so. When he would take a Vaak from Guru Maharaj, his eyes would be teary and he would read each line many many times like he was personally conversing with Guru Sahib.

A Gursikh is of course ordered to give dasvandh, but Bhai Giaan Singh was so genours that he would give half his income to the Guru's cause. Bhai Sahib loved listening to keertan and whenever a Singh or Singhnee did keertan, he would become very excited. Sometimes while listening to keertan, he would even become late for his train. Someone would remind him about the train and only then would he get ready and go to the station. Whenever this happened though, the train itself was late and so he was never in any trouble.

Meeting Bhai Sahib Randheer Singh jee

How could such a person like Bhai Giaan Singh not meet Bhai Sahib Randheer Singh then? Whenever the Jatha would have a smaagam at Rawalpindi at the home of Dr. Pargat Singh and Bibi Indar Kaur, Bhai Giaan Singh would certainly come and enjoy the keertan. He retired from his job in 1940 and after that he moved to Sree Amritsar Sahib. When Bhai Sahib Randheer Singh jee would come to Sree Amritsar Sahib and do smaagams, Bhai Giaan Singh would always attend.

Once it was at Gurdwara LohgaR Sahib that the Jatha was having a keertan. Bhai Sahib was doing keertan and Bhai Giaan Singh arrived in the divvan, matha tekked and then went to the back of the hall. Who knows when Bhai Sahib saw him, but while doing keertan, he sent a Singh to Bhai Giaan Singh and asked him to come sit at the front. At the conclusion of keertan, Bhai Sahib met Bhai Giaan Singh and said, "Piarayo, when you come, come sit in front of us. Seeing you brings us into chaRdee kalaa." A divinely inspired soul can always recognise another.

Keertan Today vs. Keertan Before

There is something that all of Bhai Sahib's companions know that is that at Jatha Smaagams, the front lines were always filled with Gursikhs. Many would be gathered around Bhai Sahib and lost in divine colours. It was a sight to be seen. They would be facing Guru Sahib and singing to them, "Too(n) Satguru choho jugee, aap aapay parmayshar" (1406).

Today, we are happy to do keertan in a big crowd but don't feel excited to do so in a small gathering. Those Sachkhandee Souls were singing keertan for Satguru jee. In those days, the way Singhs and Singhnees did keertan was totally different. Whoever sat and did keertan or listened, it was as if they were sitting before Satguru jee and addressing him face to face. Now we don’t do keertan for Satguru jee, we address the Sangat instead and give parmaaNs (examples) to explain to them. This custom was started by Bh. Mohinder Singh SDO in 1958-59 and has continued until today.

There are many examples from Bhai Giaan Singh jee's life that should Guru Sahib was always with him. After retiring, he made a Gurdwara Sahib in his native village. He also brought many people to the path of Gursikhi. On May 22, 1951 the divine call came and he left for the Guru's feet. Bhai Sahib's son lives in Ranjit Nagar Amritsar.


2512

Bhai Mansha Singh jee was one of the best kirtaniya in Siri Harmandir Sahib jee during the time of Raja Ranjit Singh. At that time Giani Sant Singh jee was the Head Granthi of Siri Harmandir Sahib and at the same time he was the top administrator of Siri Amritsar Sahib.

Once Raja Ranjit Singh jee came to Siri Amritsar Sahib and after darshan of Siri Darbar Sahib, he went to see Giani Sant Singh jee. As they were talking casually, Raja Ranjit Singh asked Giani jee if everything was okay at Siri Amritsar Sahib.

At this Giani jee thought of Bhai Mansha Singh jee who was very poor financially. Bhai Sahib jee was a singh of high spiritual state and stayed intoxicated in Naam and Gurbani. He did not care about making money. He did not accept salary for his services at Siri Harmandir Sahib. He used to accept a very minimal amount for food and clothing. Overall, worldly way, he was considered a poor person.

Giani jee spoke to Raja jee about how Bhai Mansha Singh was a very good kirtaniya and how he was very poor. Raja Ranjit Singh felt sorry for him and immediately ordered 100,000 mohars (Gold coins) from his treasurer and asked him to arrange that as soon as possible. Raja jee said that he wanted to payoff the debt of Bhai Mansha Singh.

The next day, Raja jee ordered one of his officers to request Bhai Mansha Singh jee to come and see him. Raja jee also asked his minister to take along a paalki to bring Bhai Mansha Singh and that he be treated with full respect and dignity.

Bhai Mansha Singh had just arrived back from Siri Harmandir Sahib when Raja jee’s officer met him at his home. The officer very humbly requested Bhai Sahib to accompany him to see Raja Ranjit Singh and have his lunch there.

Bhai Mansha Singh humbly replied, “I would have come but now I have already arranged for lunch at home. Please convey my thanks to Maharaja jee for inviting me”.

“It would have been good if you had come Bhai Sahib jee, “ the officer requested again.

“It would be good too, if I don’t go. Please let Maharaja know that Mansha Singh eats food only at home”. The reality was that Bhai Sahib jee was a sarblohi bibeki Singh and did not eat from ones who did not have full rehit.

The officer came back empty handed. Maharaja was waiting and was taken aback when he heard Bhai Sahib’s answer. He did not expect Bhai Sahib to refuse to see him. After all, who would think of refusing to see a king.

He started thinking what to do next. He found out that he had made a mistake by not going to see him personally, instead of having him to see him. He immediately ordered an elephant to ride there. By then someone told Bhai Sahib too that Raja Ranjit Singh was coming to see him and offer him 100,000 Mohars.

Bhai Sahib went in his house and locked his door. Maharaja arrived at Bhai Sahib’s house and saw the door locked. He asked his officer to open the door but Bhai Sahib did not open it.

“Bhai Mansha jee, please open the door. Maharaja jee has come to see you”.

“Why has he come to see me”, Bhai Sahib replied from inside.

“First please open the door, then I will let you know why I have come”, requested Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who by now had arrived at the door himself.

“I don’t want to meet the shareek of Guru Parmeshar”, replied Bhai Mansha Singh.

Maharaja said, “What have I done that makes you think that I am acting as a shareek of Guru Parmeshar”?

“Why have you brought one lakh mohars for me”.

“I have brought them for you Bhai Sahib jee”, said Maharaja defensively.

“But did I ask for the mohars?”

“No”

“Then why did you bring them?”

“I have brought them as a bheta (offering) for kirtan you sing. You are kirtaniya of Guru ghar”.

“Offering for kirtan should be taken to Siri Harmandir Sahib. Please take it there”.

“But Bhai Sahib jee, at least let me have your darshan”, pleaded Maharaja.

“No! You have come to me thinking I am poor. I had been informed by someone before your arrival. You tell me, doesn’t Guru Sahib know about my financial situation? Does he not have the power to take away my poverty? You consider yourself equal to him?”

“I have come here, probably inspired by that Guru that you believe in. And what can we say about our Guru Sahib. He takes care about everyone”, said Raja Ranjit Singh.

“If you believe that Guru Sahib takes care of everyone, then why are you trying to take that role? Is this not acting like a shareek of Guru Sahib?”

“Then how will you let me have your darshan”, pleaded Raja Ranjit Singh.

“For the reason you came here, I will not see you. Just think. Does not Guru know about my situation? If he is there to worry about me, why should I accept anything from you?

In the end, Maharaja had to come back empty-handed and could not donate mohars to Bhai Mansha Singh. On his way back he gave all the one lakh mohars to Giani Sant Singh and asked him to offer these at Siri Harmandir Sahib. He said that he had not brought these mohars to take back to his house.

Eventually, Bhai Mansha Singh and Raja Ranjit Singh did meet but at Harmandir Sahib where Bhai Sahib used to do kirtan. All life, Bhai Sahib led a very contented life and spent all his life in sewa and simran. He was a great gursikh.

If we look at the jeevans of raagis today, our heads go down in shame. What has become of our preachers? It is acceptable to accept money from Gurdwara Sahib if the preacher does not have any other source of income but to come in the field of preaching to make money is totally wrong. The primary aim of preachers today is to make money and not preaching. This is why our raagis, sants, katha-vaachaks have lost respect in the eyes of Sikh sangat. Something should be done about it.

by: Kulbir Singh


2513
For quite sometime I wanted to write the Gurmukhi jeevan of Baba Khazaan Singh, the father of Sant Sunder Singh Bhindranwalay (11th Jathedhar of Guru Ji's Damdami Taksal). Sant Sunder Singh jee Bhindranwaalay was a great Gursikh who led an exemplary life, did massive parchaar of Sikhi, inspired countless to take amrit and taught Gurbani and Gurbani meanings to countless students, in his short life of 42 years or so. While many have heard about the Gurmukhi life of Sant Sunder Singh jee, few are aware of how great his father was. This is a feeble attempt by this insect to write something on the great life of Baba Khazaan Singh jee. This is based on Dr Sher Singh's book on Sant Sunder Singh, Sant Gurbachan Singh's coverage of Sant Sunder Singh's life and oral narrations from Gursikhs from time to time.

Baba Khazaan Singh was the middle son of Baba Makhan Singh the grandfather of Sant Sunder Singh jee. Here are some highlights of Baba jee's jeevan:

1) Baba jee was a simple farmer who worked hard to earn bread for his family. He was from village Bhinder Kalan in Ferozepur district of Punjab.

2) Baba jee was extremely honest. He never let even a grain not belonging to him, come to his home. While working in his fields, he used to constantly do Naam Simran and Gurbani paath.

3) He got married to a very Gurmukhi bibi Mata Taab Kaur jee. She was not educated but due to her husband's satsangat, she developed keen interest and love for Gurbani.

4) Baba jee had great urge to have darshan of Guru Sahib. In year 1887, a year before the birth of Sant Sunder Singh jee, at the time of Avtaar Purab of Siri Guru Nanak Dev jee, Baba jee decided to go all out for darshan of Guru Sahib. He committed to doing strict amritvela and doing one Siri Sukhmani Sahib standing on one leg, 3 hours and 45 minutes before sunrise. Just few days had passed while engaging in day night paath like this that Baba jee was hit with extreme Bairaag. He gave up all interest in world and started doing bhajan day and night. At the behest of some gursikhs, who asked him to come in Sehaj Avastha, he started taking care of his worldly duties again.

5) Before the birth of Sant Sunder Singh, Baba jee did 36 lakh (3.6 million) jaap of Mool Mantr.

6) Later in his life he did 125,000 jaap of Siri Jap jee Sahib.

7) Later in his years he did 101 Paaths of Siri Guru Granth Sahib jee in the span of 3 years. This means about 3 Sehaj paaths a month. Along with this he did 36 lakh paaths of Mool Mantr, all within 3 years. This means massive paath a day, for three years.

8) He used to do at least 100 angs worth of baani a day.

9) He used to do 3300 jaap of Mool Mantra a day.

10) He had about 100 angs of baani fully memorized.

11) He used to wear only Khaddar.

12) He was a very strict amritdhaari.

13) He never let a day pass without going to Gurdwara Sahib.

14) He used to eat only once a day at 10am.

15) Before eating food, he used to look for someone to share with.

Reading the life of Baba jee, I was surprised. So much kamaayee and no one knows his name. I have no doubt that even today there are many gupt gursikhs out there about whom we know nothing. Hearing about kamaayee of Baba jee I feel like putting my nose in a chapnee and dying.

May Guru Sahib do kirpa on us and may we lead our life like Baba jee and other great gursikhs.

By Bhai Kulbir Singh Ji

2514
Religion, Faith, Spirituality / Sooya Paraavat Ganika Taree
« on: October 22, 2010, 06:38:33 PM »

Vaheguru jee kaa Khalsa Vaheguru jee kee fateh !

Ganika literally means a prostitute or such woman who sells her body for money. There are several references in gurbani regarding ganika and how she obtained salvation.

I will narrate a brief story of one of the Ganikas (there is reference to two ganikas in gurbani).

There was once a ganika who lived in the outskirts of a city. All her life she did only bad karma and never even in her dreams did bhajan (simran, meditation) of Mere Raam jeeo. If someone ever asked her to do good deeds, she made fun of that person. She indulged in dirty worldly pleasures all day and actually did this profession not necessarily out of any problem or helplessness (majboori) but out of enjoyment.

Then as she grew older, she noticed people took less interest in her. She was in such profession that flourished only in the time of youth. She lost customers and as thus she started feeling dejected and also developed a lot of diseases. She was very worried about her future and did not know what to do.

One day it was raining very heavily when a Sadhu (a holy person), unaware that her house was a bad place came in to seek refuge. Actually some good karma from her previous life had blossomed and the reward of that karma she got was the arrival of a Sadhoo (holy person) at her doorstep. She had never done sewa of holy people or good karma in her life. She out of her previous lifes good karma, did lot of sewa of that sadhoo. By this time Sadhoo also realized who she was. They chose to ignore her background.

Sadhoo Jan briefly spoke of the real purpose of ones life in this world and told her about the next world. He also told her about hell and Jammdoots, the messengers of death who punish sinners in the next world. She had heard all this many times but that particular days was such an auspicious day that every word that the holy man spoke, got carved on her heart.

Before leaving, the Sadhu told her that he was very pleased with her sewa and asked her to wish for something. At this she fell at his feet and said as follows, "O Sadhu jan, I have never done anything good in my life. I have experienced all pleasures of life and have now found out that all pleasures feel good when you enjoy them but in the aftermath, they result in greater sorrow. O pious one, if you are really merciful on me at this time, then kindly grant me such boon that I may be saved from jamdoots and not lose honour in the next world".

Sadhoo jan thought that this woman had committed so many sins (paap) that she was not a suitable candidate for naam and that even if she is given Naam to japp, she will not be able to concentrate on it. He thought of a very good idea to get her to recite naam. He gave her his parrot and asked her to teach the parrot how to say Raam and that this will ensure her salvation in the next world. Saying this the sadhoo left.

The Ganika (forgot what her real name was) brought her full faith on the bachan of the Sadhoo and she now Ganika started on the mission to teach this parrot how to say Raam. Fortunately, this parrot was a real dumb parrot. It took a lot of effort on Ganika's part to teach him how to say Raam. Some of you may not be aware that parrot is a gifted bird because it can talk like humans. But off course they don't know the meanings of what they say.

Ganika spent her days and nights teaching the parrot, how to say Raam. She would say Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam in front of the parrot and parrot would make effort to say it out but it took him long time, since it was a really dumb parrot.

Saying Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam had a mesmerizing effect on her. She could not stop saying Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam. She just went on and on saying Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam. The more she said Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam, the better she felt.

Her mann (mind) started getting purified and as her mind got purified she realized what Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam can do. Now she remembered that people who told her all her life to do good karma were right. She cried and cried and said Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam.

Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam is what she did all day after that. Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam is what she got absorbed in. Her rom rom was full of shuker for that Sadhoo jan who had come to her home.

Even after the parrot had learned how to say Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam, she could not stop saying Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam Raam. Both the parrot and the Ganika kept saying Raam Raam Raam Raam all day.

In the end she became a great bhagat. Her name has been mentioned in Gurbani several times. Here is one pankiti to prove that:

Sooaa paRaavat, Ganika tari ||
Sooa means parrot, paRaavat means by teaching, Ganika means that lady we are talking about above. By teaching the parrot, the Ganika swam across this ocean of life and death.

We must not forget that the Ganika was reciting Kirtam Naam and not the True Naam that Siri Guru Nanak Dev jee introduced to this world. If kirtam naam can have such effect, imagine what Naam Gurmantr would do.

Daas,
Kulbir Singh


2515
Religion, Faith, Spirituality / The Amar Katha Of Bhagat Dhru Jee
« on: October 22, 2010, 06:36:51 PM »
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

By Bhai Kulbir Singh Ji

The Amar Katha of Bhagat Dhru jee

Dhru was born to the first wife of Raja Uttanpad. The king had two wives but he was most fond of the second one. Dhru had a step-brother from his step mother the second wife of the king. Since the king was more fond of Suruchi the second wife, Dhru and his mother Suniti stayed in one corner of the palace, seldom going to the main chambers of the palace.

When Dhru Bhagat was about 5 years old, he wandered off to the chamber of his father. There he saw his step brother sitting in the lap of his father. He longed for the love of his father and his father too loved him but he was hesitant in expressing his love in front of his second wife. Since she was not around at that time, Dhru Bhagat rushed forward to sit in his father’s lap. His father dandled and played with him. Right then, the villain, the second queen of the king walked in and was horrified to see the king playing with her step son – Dhru Bhagat. She was furious. She got hold of Bhagat jee by his arm and threw him on the ground. The impotent king, who was blinded by lust for his second wife, reluctantly kept quiet. The queen made a very heart-piercing statement:

“If you want to sit in your father’s lap, you must take birth from my womb”.

Dhru jee was greatly hurt. He started crying. He slowly walked out of the cabin towards his mother. The king helplessly watched his son’s plight. Dhru Bhagat came to his own quarters. As soon as he saw his mother, he dashed towards her and cried. His cry was so moving that his mother too started crying. Even a person with stone heart would have melted. She asked him what happened but he would not speak. After much cajoling and coaxing, Bhagat Dhru jee tearfully asked her:

“tu Sawaani hain ke Sarita” (O Mother, tell me that truth. Are you a queen or a maidservant)

Suniti (his mother) was taken aback. She asked him what had happened. He replied:

“I went to play with Pita jee but chhoti ma (step mom) told me that I could sit in my father’s lap only if I took birth from her womb. O Ma, am I not a son of Pita jee? Why did he keep quiet? Why are you never with Pita jee? Why do you live alone? Why doesn't Pita jee ever come to our chamber?”

All these questions perturbed and vexed Suniti. She did not know what to say. She started crying. Seeing her cry, Dhru Bhagat jee forgot about his pain and started calming her. Suniti finally said the truth very painfully:

“Sawaanit haan janam dee, Naam na bhagti Karam drideeta” (I am a maidservant in this life because I did not do Naam roopi Karam).

Bhagat Dhru jee was very surprised to hear this answer. He did not know anything about Bhagti. His mother explained to him that without Bhagti and without good karma, no one can be at places of power and happiness. She said that she must have lacked these karma in her previous life and now she is forced to live the life of a maidservant despite being a queen.

Dhru Bhagat was moved and at the same time he was greatly motivated. He knew the answer by now but still asked his mother:
“Kis uddam tey Raj Milai, Shatru tey sabh hovan meeta” (With what effort will I get Raj and how can I turn enemies into friends).

Suniti was a great woman. She gave the right lesson to her son and transformed him into a great Bhagat. Today, we need mothers like her who teach their children paath, simran and sewa instead of cheering their children when they dance at Filmy songs. She said, “Parmeshar Aradheeai, jidoo hoeeai Patit Puneeta” (Worship Parmeshar through whom sinners become pure).

This was enough for Dhru. He did not want to wait a minute now. He was greatly motivated to do Bhagti. He wanted to restore his mother to the spot she deserved and he wanted to bring back honour to himself. He had found a way and nothing was going to stop him now. Five year old Dhru walked out of his palace towards the forest. He did not know how to do bhagti but he had faith that Vaheguru will show him the way. Such faith is vital for a seeker of Vaheguru but no one can get this faith on their own. Vaheguru alone is the bestower of such faith to his chosen Bhagats.

So there he was, a five year old Dhru, amidst a dense jungle that was full of fierce animals like reptiles, snakes, lions etc. Sensing Dhru jee’s determination, he was blessed by Updesh or Naam by Narad Muni, who in turn was divinely inspired by Vaheguru himself. He was given Kirtam Naam since Satnaam had not appeared at that time. Satnaam appeared in Kalyug through Siri Guru Nanak Dev jee Maharaaj. Kirtam Naam too is powerful, just not as powerful as Satnaam.

Anyway, having received Naam from Narad Muni, Dhru started japping Naam with extreme determination and concentration. He was so absorbed in Naam that he became totally oblivious of wild animals wandering around. He didn’t even care for eating. He sat for hours in a stretch. He had only one aim – to please Vaheguru and get what he desired.

Within couple of days of his leaving the palace, his father felt really bad for how his son had been treated. He could not forget the gait of his son as he left after being hit and scolded by Surichi the step mom to Dhru Bhagat.

When the king found out that his son Dhru had left the palace to do bhagti he was deeply moved. He sent his officers to bring his son back. They reached Dhru and found him absorbed in Naam. They tried to bring him back but he refused. He did not want to come back. In the end, the king promised to give Dhru half of his kingdom immediately upon his return. Bhagat Dhru was very happy to hear this. He realized that with only one day of Naam Abhyaas he was getting half of his father’s kingdom, what would happen if he continued to japp Naam. He refused to go and told the officers not to bother him again.

The officers left and Bhagat Dhru changed his place of dwelling. He went deep in the jungle to practice austerities. He would eat only leaves and wild fruits whenever he felt hungry. Nearby there was a pond from where he drank water.

He went on for some time and nothing significant happened. Bhagat jee was fully determined to attain the darshan of Vaheguru. He stopped eating food and started relying only on water. He thought this would please Vaheguru. He became very weak. Then he gave up water too and started relying on air only. Even then he did not get darshan. Finally he gave up breathing also. He had done so only for few moments that the Earth and the sky shook. People in the world could not breathe. Calamities befell on the world. The balance in the world was shaken.

Finally, Dhru got darshan of Vaheguru, the form he knew and longed for – the Chatubhuji Darshan. It’s only after Siri Guru Nanak Dev jee that people found out about Nirgun Darshan. All his wishes were granted. He was given the Raj of the whole world. He ruled for numerous years. Everybody bowed before him. His honour was restored. Everyone had to bow before bhagti.

Daas,
Kulbir Singh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh


2516
Gup Shup / Re: happy birthday gurpinder mand
« on: October 22, 2010, 06:23:18 PM »
main sab to pehla happy birthday kita c te mainu party ni diti koi ni cake v ikala kha gia  :huhh: :huhh:

sorri ji... kade pher jado thodae mulakaat howi odo party dae dava ga ji... ada kida party dava mai... pata ni manu.

2517
Shayari / shut up.
« on: October 22, 2010, 04:55:18 PM »
Jado oh online hundi c
asi sarya nu shad odae kol tur jande aa.

galha galha vicho galh kadh k onu push dae.
jo nai v c changa lagda o v ous nu das dae.

pj vich betha chat karda Mand odae kol bhaj janda c.
Manu ki pata c ohne SHUT UP kara k anj shad jana c.

khayaar rab rakhe onu kushi o jithae v vassae.
mand ana kah onu roj sat sri akal khenda c.

 :sad:

2518
Shayari / Na mae raya na o rahi.
« on: October 22, 2010, 04:49:46 PM »
Oh ON hoyi jado yahoo tae.
par gaya akhan ch nasha barda.

Kade haar galh odi changi lagdi c
hun haar galh chub di aae.

Dukh dil nu v ponchaya
nale ohnu nu v.
o chal na saki dukha nu shad k tur gae aa.

na hun o sade yahoo ch aa tae na asi ohde ch.
bas Lagda va k galh athae ada aayi muk gae aye.
 :sad:

2519
Shayari / Re: Sab Thai Charche Tere Mere - Romantic Shayari
« on: October 22, 2010, 04:43:52 PM »
great ji

2520
Shayari / Re: Dard Avlle Shayari
« on: October 22, 2010, 04:42:12 PM »
very good aa bai

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