Central Gurdwara Resource Centre Newsletter

Issue 14 November 1996

I must start this month by offering our condolences to the friends and family of Vijay Singh who recently committed suicide after continually being bullied. I am sure many of you can relate to the type of suffering that this young man went through, but now it is up to us to ensure that such an event does not happen again. We must encourage all young Sikhs to understand why they are Sikhs, our history is rich with heroic stories which can capture the minds of young children, to make them proud of who they are. Secondly, we must explain to our local communities who we are and in particular to schools (teachers and pupils alike). Some of you may have heard of Roop Singh - who is an educational outreach worker. His main work is doing lectures and presentations to schools and in workplaces on the Sikh religion. He can be contacted on telephone - 0113 260 2484.

This month some of you will also be celebrating Diwali, and we hope you will find our article on this topic both useful and interesting. Another article covers the topic of Creation and Gurmat and finally we end with a light-hearted story, but with a valuable lesson for us all to learn. I hope you all enjoy the newsletter and do ask that you all consider sending us an article for inclusion.

Bhupinder Singh - Editor

C O N T E N T S

The Month of Maghar

Creation and Gurmat

Diwali

Diamonds

Poets Corner

Important Dates in Sikh History - November

This months Gurpurabs

Nov 4 Gur Gadhi, Guru Har Krishan Ji

Nov 4 Joti Jot, Guru Har Rai Ji

Nov 12 Gur Gadhi Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Nov 15 Jotti Jot, Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Nov 25 Birth Anniversary Guru Nanak Dev

The Month of Maghar

15 November - 14 December 1996

from the Bani of Bara Maha

Mangar mah sohandia Har pir sang baithriah

In the month of Maghar, those who sit with their Beloved Husband Lord are beautiful

Tin ki sobha kia gani ji sahib melariah

How can their glory be measured? Their Lord and Master blends them with Himself

Tan man maulia Ram sio sang sadh sahelariah

Their bodies and minds blossom forth in the Lord; they have the companionship of the Holy Saints

Sadh jana te bahri se rehan ikelariah

Those who lack the Company of the Holy, remain all alone

Tin dukh na kabhu utrai se jam kai vas pariah

Their pain never departs, and they fall into the grip of the Messenger of Death

Jinhi ravia Prabh apna se disan nit khariah

Those who have ravished and enjoyed their God, are seen to be continually exalted and uplifted

Ratan jewehar lal Har kanth tinha jariah

They wear the Necklace of the jewels, emeralds and rubies of the Lord's Name

Nanak banchhai dhur tun Prabh sarni dar parish

Nanak seeks the dust of the feet of those who take to the Sanctuary of the Lord's Door

Mangar Prabh aradhana bauhr na janmariah

Those who worship and adore God in Maghar, do not suffer the cycle of reincarnation ever again

Contents

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji teaches - "In the beginning God was all alone and there was no one beside Him. The Great Potential hidden within Him was manifested in His creation. Even after creation, He remains detached as endless and unequaled Absolute One. He creates Nature and Himself witnesses it. He brings to an end to all the creation and He reverts to His original state of Aloneness. Air and water were created from His Absolute Self. He creates the Universe and also Man. Man's body consists of water, fire and matter, and within it exists His Light. It is God's Creative Power, which creates all. From the Absolute Lord emanated the Powers of Creativity, Sustenance and Annihilation (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). From the Absolute Lord emanated all the ages. He is the real man, who understands this knowledge, and it is as a result of union with God, all man's doubts are dispelled. The Absolute Lord created the five senses, intellect and the mind. The Lord, who created them, He Himself keeps watch over them. The person, who by His Grace associates with the congregation of Saints, brings to an end the cycle of repeated births and deaths.

"From the Absolute Lord came forth moon, sun and the firmament. His Light is spread in all the three worlds (which is creative) ......" (Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Rag Maru, Sohile, page 1037, Sri Guru Granth Sahib).

"The Immaculate Lord, Who created His Own self, is all by Himself. He Himself has created the Play of the whole creation. He Himself has created the Three Qualities of Matter and increased love for worldly things. Those, who love the Lord's Will, by His Grace, are the ones who attain salvation. Says Nanak, the True Lord is pervading amongst all and all are contained in the True Lord." (Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, Sarang Ki Var, Pauri 1, page 1337, Sri Guru Granth Sahib).

In Asa Di Var, Pauri 1, page 463 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji states: "He, the Lord, of Himself, created Himself, and gave Name to Himself. The second thing He created is Nature, wherein He resides and revels in His wonder ......"

In Siri Rag, page 19, the Guru says: "From the True Lord came the Wind, and from the Wind, came the Water. From the Water sprang the material World, and He, the Lord, pervades all. ......"

Tenth Guru Ji's says in Tav Parsad Chaupai. "I pay my respects to The Aad Purakh (God). He who is the cause of all causes. He created every thing that is present in Water, on the Ground and above the Ground (i.e.Universe).

The Guru empasises that GOD IS THE ONLY CREATOR and all was created at His Will. The Creation (Big Bang) theory of Science became popular in the 1960's while Guru Nanak explained the creation in the 1500's.

Prithvi Pal Singh

Contents

Congratulations to all on the celebration of Diwali ! Hindus have celebrated Diwali to commemorate the return of Rama and Sita to his capital city of Ayodhya after their years of exile. However, for Sikhs, Diwali has a special significance associated with one of the great deeds of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. Let us learn from Guru Ji's example and lead lives inspired towards co-operation and tolerance and to seek justice for all.

Diwali is one of three mela celebrations in the Sikh Calendar, the other two being Vaisakhi (established by Guru Angad Dev ji) and Holla Mohalla (instituted by Guru Gobind Singh Ji ). All Sikhs are requested to observe these melas in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Vaisakhi mela was strengthened by Guru Gobind Singh Ji by creating the Khalsa on this historic day. Note these days are not considered holy days as, according to Sikhism, all days are created equal.

Background

At the time of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Akbar was the Mughal Emperor of India. Being a kind hearted and religious man, he treated his subjects fairly and had the ambition to establish a secular state in which people of all religions could practice their faith freely.

In October 1605, Akbar was succeeded by his son Jahangir, who believed that all faiths other than Islam were false and that it was his duty to forcibly convert these so-called kafirs to the Muslim religion. It was according to the Islamic law imposed by Jahangir that Guru Arjan Dev Ji accepted martyrdom. Thus Jahangir began an episode in Sikh history which witnessed the creation of the Khalsa and eventually ended in the destruction of Mughal rule in India.

Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji

Following the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji became the sixth Sikh guru. Guru Ji wore the two swords of Miri and Piri to signify that sikhs should be supreme in both temporal and spiritual affairs. Thus he became known as Miri Piri da Malik.

On hearing reports that Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji was dangerous to the cause of Islam, Jahangir ordered the imprisonment of Guru Ji in the fort at Gwalior where he was detained for twelve years.

This act met with condemnation from many Muslims, who believed that Guru Ji was a man of God. One such man was Hazrat Mian Mir (who laid the foundation stone at the Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar). After hearing the advice of such holy people, Jahangir decided to set Guru Ji free.

However, Guru Ji did not accept this offer unconditionally. At the time there were also fifty-two Rajas imprisoned at Gwalior and Guru Ji requested that they too must be set free. On hearing these words, Jahangir ordered that only those Rajas who could hold onto the Guru's Garments would be released. Guru Ji, therefore, had a special cloak made with 52 long tassels. The 52 Ragas each held a tassel, and thus, all the Rajas were also freed. Guru Ji became known as Bandhi Chhorr (deliverer of prisoners).

Diwali.

On reaching Sri Darbar Sahib at Amritsar after his release, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji was greeted with a spectacular display of lights to mark his long-awaited return. This day coincided with the Hindu festival of Diwali.

Diwali celebrations continue to this day, and Sikhs the world over light candles and fireworks, and give each other sweets. They also attend Gurdwaras to listen to Gurbani and Kirtan.

Bhai Mani Singh

In later years Diwali celebrations were prohibited at the Harimandir Sahib by the Mughal authorities. At the time Bhai Mani Singh (a companion of Guru Gobind Singh Ji from his early childhood) was the head Granthi at Darbar Sahib. He decided to revive the tradition some years later and applied for permission from the authorities by undertaking to pay a tax of Rs. 5000/-. However, it was discovered that the Subha had sent a large army under the charge of Zakarya Khan to besiege and attack Amritsar. Consequently, the Sikhs were told to stay away and so insufficient offerings were made to pay the tax. Bhai Mani Singh was arrested for non-payment of tax and after attempts to convert him to Islam under torture had failed, the Granthi was killed by chopping his body into small pieces. The place, in Lahore, where he accepted martyrdom is called Shaheed Ganj.

Raghbir Singh & Navleen Kaur

Contents

Poor old Vechara Singh, he didn't have two rupees to rub together since he left home to travel the world. The sky was his roof - it leaked, he got soaked and sat under a huge tree waiting for the rain to stop. Poking at the earth with a twig he saw something glinting through the mud, the rain stopped and the sun was shining again over the Punjab, every plant and crop was bursting with energy. Vechara Singh dug faster, with both hands - and pulled out a muddy stone the size of his fist, he rubbed it clean with his torn and ragged clothes. He held it up to the sun and it glowed like a new star in the sky. It was a lovely shiny piece of glass or something but it wasn't going to fill his belly. He was hungry and shiny stones were not going to feed him.

So off he went just whistling his tune in the morning sun looking for a meal. He entered the nearby village, children were off to school with their slate boards in their hands and the farmers and sons were off to tend the crops. Vechara went into the grocer's shop and begged for some food for a poor old man who didn't even have 2 rupees to rub together. The grocer told him to go, he didn't have time for homeless beggars. Vechara Singh's belly started rumbling, 'O please sir, you remind me of my son give some food to me in the name of your father'. 'Go away old man: no money no food!' said the grocer. Vechara Singh pulled out the stone, 'Hey, what would you give me for this?' The grocer said 'that's a pretty stone, I'll give you a bunch of bananas, although my wife is going to say we need rupees not pretty stones'. Vechara Singh thought bananas are for monkeys, I should be able to get more food than that, so he said 'no thanks' and moved on to the bakers shop, "O Baker Singh what would you give a poor old man in return for this shiny stone", Baker Singh said 'I need someone to grind the mill and shiny stones aren't going to help me any, but I'll give you a sack of flower if you want?' Vechara Singh thought 'where am I going to cook it? I haven't got a kitchen or anything, he should have offered me a meal' Vechara Singh said , 'No thanks' and kept moving on. He came to a jeweller's shop and thought no chance of getting any food in there, these rich types just push us poor people around. Just then the middle aged jeweller came out, fat stomach and face as red as beetroot he started ranting and raving, 'Get away from here old man, you're putting my customers off.' The jeweller stepped forward and pushed poor old Vechara Singh and as he stumbled the shiny stone rolled out of his pocket. Jeweller Singh picked it up and it was love at first sight, his mouth drooled and rupee signs flashed in his eyes. He fell at the feet of he old man and said 'forgive me, Baba ji' I thought you were a tramp, but all my life I've longed to see a diamond I've been surrounded by golden trinkets and tiny sapphires, but now my life as been fulfilled to have seen the mother of all diamonds. Tell me Baba ji what I can give you for this - my shop, my daughter's hand in marriage, my life's savings or I'd even give myself to be your slave. Tell me Baba ji what can I give you? I cant let you go with this diamond, I will never be able to live another moment without seeing it shine in my hands. Tell me Baba ji what can I give you?'

And poor old Vechara Singh said 'knock it off mate, I'll have saag paneer and two chipaatees and you can keep the shiny stone!'

And now you know why poor old Vechara Singh was Poor and homeless - just as his mother always used to say : thick as two planks since the day he was born!

Moral of the story : Guru Amar Das jee says - 'The Guru's Words are Jewels studded with diamonds'. But we are the fools who don't recognise their true worth and leave shabads and Gurbanee lying around on the floor, we leave Gutkas uncovered and run in every direction to find happiness when all the time the real diamonds were in front of us in Guru Granth Sahib jee. Guru Granth Sahib jee is printed and sold for x amount of rupees - don't the fools know that the Guru's words are priceless diamonds and can only be given as a gift to the true jewellers : the GurSikhs? And the GurSikhs will make donations to the charitable organisation, but not even all the diamonds in the world can afford to buy even one word from the Guru Granth Sahib ji.

Harjit Singh Lakhan

Contents

Bhai Lalo

Guru Nanak had met
some shady characters
some from better set

in this story
which is to follow
I introduce to you
the good Bhai Lalo

Lalo was a carpenter
his caste was low
he made his living
by the sweat of his brow

Guru Nanak liked him
his honest ways
he stayed with him
for a few days

Lalo's poor house
attracted the crowds
but it was an eyesore
to Malik Bhago the proud

this high caste Khatri
was really angry
at Nanak's attitude
his modus operandi

Malik invited Nanak
to join at his feast
Nanak spurned the offer
to say the least

Bhago's pride was hurt
he could not swallow
being advised inferior
to the low caste Lalo

Malik Bhago insisted
that Nanak retracted
that Bhago's wealth
was fraudulently collected

Nanak asked the two
to fetch their bread
he then performed
this simple act

he simply squeezed
Lalo's chakodra bread
milk trickled out of it
nothing more was said

when Bhago's bread
was likewise squeezed
the gathering gasped
it was blood that eased

Jaswinder Singh Chadha

Contents

Nov 2 1780 Birthday- Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Nov 3 1270 Birthday- Bhagat Namdev Ji.

Nov 3 1668 Birthday- Bhai Dharam Singh.

Nov 6 1573 Ground breaking of Amritsar Sarowar.

Nov 8 1665 Guru Tegh Bahadhur Ji arrested and taken to Delhi.

Nov 10 1880 First ever Gurumukhi newspaper, started by Singh Sabha.

Nov 11 1534 Bhai Mardana passed away

Nov 11 1675 Martydom of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Ji

Nov 11 1757 Martyrdom Baba Deep Singh

Nov 12 1708 Gur Gaddi Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Nov 15 1920 Formation of the SGPC to manage Sikh Shrines.

Nov 16 1631 Baba Budha Ji passed away.

Nov 18 1966 SGPC established Gurdwara Damdama Sahib as Guru Khalsa's fifth Takhat.

Nov 20 1693 Aurangzeb issues orders to massacre Sikhs.

Nov 22 1664 Guru Tegh Bahadhur Ji turned away from visiting Sri Harmindar Sahib.

Nov 22 1848 Anglo-Sikh war was fought at Ram Nagar

Nov 24 1271 Birthday- Bhagat Nam Dev Ji.

Nov 26 1708 Banda Singh Bahadur conquered Samana Town

Nov 29 1737 Martydom of Bhai Mani Singh.

Contents

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