Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear All! Guru Nanak Dev Jee is singing. ਮੂਲ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਸਾਇਣੁ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਪੂਰਾ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੫॥ मूल मंत्रु हरि नामु रसाइणु कहु नानक पूरा पाइआ ॥५॥ "mool mantru hari naam rasaa-in kaho naanak pooraa paa-i-aa." SGGS Ang 1040-19 Mool Mantru is HARI NAM compound, by saying Naanak received completely. Have you also become a true Sikh and agree with the Guru's Experience? Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all and Shaheediyan Jee! Thanks for your post. Let us first exchange our views about The topic 'Rahaa-o'. Quote "What is your source for this comment?" This is the experience of the results after true Simran or Jap. May I ask what is more important to know first? Is this the Sat Gur or the result through Sat Gur (true technique)? Rahaa-o is the result of Sat Gur. Sat Gur is the true technique of Japu. During Japu one is engaged with the technique. One reaches the Rahaa-o stage as the result of this. This is the reason that during the activities of Japu Jee 'Rahaa-o' does not occur. 'Rahaa-o' is the state reached after Japu. This wisdom is exclusively reserved for those who are progressing at the conscious level of mind with true Simran or Japu. Quote "Why is the true wisdom reserved for a special line?" The topic is Rahaa-o, not a line. ************** Now I come to the very interesting topic Raag and its mention by the Gurus in titles of Sabads. No one understands it as an order or instruction to start singing when he reads the word Sri Raag etc. in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee or anywhere. The Gurus did not write Gurbaanee only for Raagees. What should persons do who have nothing to do with a Raag? Is Gurbaanee not for everybody? This is the reason that the mention of Raag is not an instruction to limit Gurbaanee only for Raagees, in my view. Raag is based on the nature of notes for a particular time. May I ask why Raagees sing and do a rehearsal of Sabads anytime? I feel Gurbaanee is also not limited to particular times. This is a different story that some have organized a business out of these titles, exclusive for them. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all and Shaheediyan Jee! Quote "Instruction is commonsensical, there is no musical hukum, as with the rest of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (which follows musical organisation and instructions). If Guru Maharaj wanted us to sing Japji Sahib, they would have said so, as they have with the rest of bani (in detail)." Just because they write the name of a Raag in the title of a Sabad, the Raagees derived an instruction out of it. All should strictly sing the particular Sabad in that particular Raag. I have heard a wonderful story. The Guru wrote once the word 'Ladoo'. His disciples became active and thought it was the time for snacks. They started running to arrange Ladoos for eating. The Guru consciously went on with His Ladoo. His disciples are since then busy cooking and eating Ladoos their way. Quote "Personally I don't buy the pause theory when reciting paath." Many religious shops have decorated their show cases with 'the pause theory'. It is some different matter. One buys it or not. Quote "But in kirtan maryada terms, an athai is needed when doing kirtan, the rahao indicates the line that is to used as astai (chorus)." I know that music has scales with notes, not compulsions like 'asthai'. Quote "This is not instructed, but is handed down oral tradition, which all puratan raagis and nearly all Sikh musical scholars agree with, so is not a contraversial issue." How do the Gurus call a person who does things that the Gurus never instructed? They convince some that 'Rahaa-o' is the same as a refrain in a song, i.e., the activity of repetition as in a chorus. Others say just the opposite, i.e., 'Rahaa-o' is the pause or stay while singing. ************** Quote "What is your understanding of rahao?" I feel 'Rahaa-o' is the state reached after Simran. This wisdom is exclusively reserved for those who are progressing at the conscious level of mind with true Simran. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all! Thanks for your reference and the post. The article referred has many assumptions, in my view. Let us go through some. The writer assumes that "Gurus have clearly indicated that while reading the Shabad, take a PAUSE on this line." I do not know where the Gurus have clearly suggested that. Someone may please provide a reference. Quote "Why Pause? Because the line with RAHAU has the central theme of the Shabad." In my view, this is not correct. Every Vaak, the enlightened Gurus spoke, is the complete Truth. Quote "The point to note is that the numbering of lines is meanigful: the numbering conveys a definitive message. The message here is: Wait/Pause and contemplate on the message. In this line the Guru is telling us the theme of the Shabad. The number 1 of Rahau indicates ,read this line carefully. Now read the other (non-Rahau Line) line, and correlate it to the message in Rahau. Now proceed to other (Non-Rahau) line thereby keep proceeding with all the other lines in a sequential manner." This is a strange assumption. May I ask if other Vaaks from the Gurus without Rahaa-o say 'please do not stop and contemplate on the message'? Quote "At times, if rarely, we find more than one rahau in a Shabad. All the Rahaus in that Shabad (usually 2,3 or 4) convey the same central theme: reflect on truth. Gurus thought it appropriate to explain the same central theme in different combination of words and therefore gave more than one Rahau." I am not sure if the Gurus were thinking first and then manipulating the flow of God's message. I feel it is the natural flow of God's Speech through them. Perhaps the writer is more engaged with music and its interpretation explaining sthai and asthai. ************** Quote from Shaheediyan Jee "Jap Ji Sahib does not have a musical format (Nirdaareth raag), so tells me it is not meant to be sung, hence no rahao." I always feel that Japu Jee Sahib is the first celestial song from the Guru's tradition. Has someone found an instruction from the Gurus that it is not meant to be sung? Please provide a reference. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all! These are the lines from the referred Hymn. "KHALSA MERI JAAT AR PAT." Khaalsaa is my caste & creed. Many say that Guru Gobind Singh Jee stabilized Sikh Dharama. Others say He started the Guru Panth. According to the above line He might have started a caste and Creed named Khaalsaa. ************** The enlightened Gurus realize Truth, live Truth and speak Truth. They do not behave like a worldly person who speaks with uncertainty and then asserts that he has spoken truth. All should believe him, like in the following line. "YA MAI RANCH NA MITHE-AA BHAAKH-EE." In this not a little lie is spoken. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all! Some preachers say that the line preceding 'Rahaa-o' in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is the central theme of that Sabad. One should stop there for sometime to ponder (do beechaar). Some others say that Japu Jee Sahib is the main and central theme. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is the further explanation of Japu Jee Sahib. 'Rahaa-o' occurs some thousand times in Gurbaanee. My curiosity is to know why 'Rahaa-0`does not occur in Japu Jee Sahib? Please enlighten all with your wisdom. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all and Mit Jee! Quote "what does it mean if you see guruji in your dreams, it is auspicious, but what is the actual meaning of the dream " We all know what dreams are. It is all right if one sees Guru Jee in dreams. It would be great when all dreams may be over. Guru Jee awakens one. God is with him during all activities. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all! God is pure, Khaalsaa. All else is, mixed up with Ahankaar and various impurities. Still, all is HIS Sarguna Roop. I feel great when God speaks these words "KHALSA MERO ROOP HAI KHAAS." Yet as claimed, Guru Gobind Singh Jee wrote this Hymn. One Vaak from this Hymn is "KHALSA MERI JAAT AR PAT." I am not sure if pure God (Khaalsaa) have Jaat and Paat nor Guru Gobind Singh Jee. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all and Shaheediyan Jee! Thanks for your reference. Sorry I do not know this Granth. Please let me know which Guru wrote it and when. I will be grateful. In Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Guru Gobind Singh Jee did not add His Hymns. May I ask if they were compiling a parallel Granth under His instructions? ************** By the way attributes of 'Khaalsaa' in this Hymn might be different from the properties of a person who loves to extend his name with the extension 'Khaalsaa'. I observed another very interesting point in this Hymn. This Sabad is often using words 'mayraa' and 'mayro'. While in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, the Gurus are often using words 'tayraa' and 'tayro'. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all and Shaheediyan Jee! Quote "In context of the shabad, contests/challenges makes sense, rather than imitates." I hope nobody is doing rees of (contesting with or imitating) the Gurus. Quote "Please explain your understanding of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's words 'Khalsa mera roop hai khaas'." Please provide a reference where Guru Gobind Singh Jee has said so. I will be grateful. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all and Mekhane'ch Jannat Jee! Thanks for your post. Quote "Neech in my view is equivalent to gyaan." Please ponder. Gurdev is singing "bin simran hai aatam ghaatee." Without Simran is committing suicide. "saakat neech tis kul nahee jaatee." SGGS Ang 239-7 Guru Arjan Dev Jee Saakat is neech. He has no Kul nor Jaatee. Gurdev has clearly explained who is a neech. I am not sure if Guru NAnak Dev Jee is seeking the company of such 'neech' people. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all and Shaheediyan Jee! Every day is new with evolving activities and awareness of God's Will for a true Sikh. A ritualist wears Dastaar, wakes up at two O'clock, does Isnaan and imitates Guru's suggestions again and over. ************** I have seen many. They swear to live like the Gurus, wear like the Gurus etc. Nevertheless, I find Gurdev singing something else. "jis no saahib vadaa karay so-ee vad jaanee. jis saahib bhaavai tis bakhas la-ay so saahib man bhaanee. jay ko os dee rees karay so moorh ajaanee." SGGS Ang 302-7 Guru Ram Das Jee This is another Vaak from Gurdev. "gur parsaad sadaa man vasi-aa sabh kaaj savaaranhaaraa. onaa kee rees karay so viguchai jin har parabh hai rakhvaaraa." SGGS Ang 638-3 Guru Amar Das Jee In the referred Vaaks 'rees' means imitating. Strange. Preachers are imitating the Gurus and teaching others how to imitate perfectly. Can someone refer one example from the Gurus where they suggested anyone to imitate them, please? Quote "Is Guru's jeevan (style) not Gods will?" Guru's Jeevan (style) is God's Will. May I ask when an individual realizes Jeevan as complete God's Will? Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all! Quote from DSG Jee "I dont think sikhi has become stylish or decorative , sikhi is what it was 300years + ago , its us people/humans that are changing nothing to do with sikhi." DSG Jee may be right. Sikhi is Truth. True Sikhi was three hundred years ago also the same. People/humans are changing. Sikhs are also human beings. May I ask if we should better recognize original Sikhi than the modern Sikh? Quote from Shaheediyan Jee "Dear veer Balbir Singh Ji, do you not wear a Dastaar? Yes. Quote "If so why, does it transcend within in meditation? I am used to it. Nothing from the outlook helps transcending within in meditation. Quote "I don't think seeking, acquiring and trying to understand knowledge of our Guru's "ravaaj" (if you will), is going to harm a Sikh," I feel the same if these 'ravaajs' promise us freedom to transcend those and meet God when the time comes. Quote "Alongside seeking the union of atma and parm-atma, one must also live a gri-h-shti da jeevan. This involves practicalities in all aspects of life." Should a person request God to fulfill his gri-h-shti da jeevan repeatedly, also when parm-atma comes for the union with atma? Quote "There is nothing wrong in discovering the benefits behind our Guru's thinking, by way of their jeevan, be it the understanding of kakaar, the bliss of kirtan, the knowledge of war, the peace and enlightenment at amrit-vela, the phall of seva, the responsibilty that comes with Khalsa roop etc.. all these aspects of a Sikh life have a physical presence and need in one way or another, those who learn and make use of those material needs with faith and understanding, do not differentiate, everything is spiritual to them, be it their kachera, their dhumaala, their saaj, their shastar, their shaaster, their pooja (in whatever form), their simran (in whatever form), their method of seva etc... because these tools are used in helping achieve the higher aim, be it indirectly." I am sorry to differ from this view. I did not come across one instance where the Gurus have suggested us to imitate them. I found the opposite of this in Gurbaanee. Quote "I believe the dress of living a life in their Guru's will, in whichever guise that may be." Gurus also live in God's Will recognizing it. Quote "The experience of naam can only be experienced if he has complete faith in the will of his Guru, living a lifestyle which one believes pleases his Guru makes one closer to his Guru, and thus allows possibilty for him to experience his Guru." Not only Naam, The true Guru is also recognized by receiving it. It has never worked, in my view. One chooses a Guru believing in a lifestyle and the Guru may introduce him one day to God. Thanks for the wonderful reference from Gurdev "Hukam raja-i chalnaa NAnak likhiaa naal." May I ask if Guru NAnak Dev Jee is asking us to move according to God's Will or the style of the Guru? Quote "What I believe you are trying to discuss here is empty ritual, which does and has always existed. This does not mean all ritual is empty. It would be easier to just speak of the difference between ritual done with love and purpose and that done with pretense or ignorence (naam simran every amritvela, kirtan, seva, NITNEM etc to apply to both the aforementioned)." Ritual is ritual, stereotyped behavior. One may do it in love or for a purpose. Those, who have received true Naam Simran, know that it is always new (neet navaa) just as Sahib mayraa. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all! I came across different translations of the Guru's Vaak "neechaa andar neech jaat neechee hoo at neech. naanak tin kai sang saath vadi-aa si-o ki-aa rees." SGGS Ang 15-8 These translations are expressing similar thoughts. For example: 1. Nanak seeks the company of the lowest of the low class, the very lowest of the low . . . 2. Nanak seeks the company of those who are of low castle among the lowly, nay rather the lowest of the low . . . I wish to know if some try to become 'neech' with a hope to meet Guru NAnak Dev Jee one day. Please express your views. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all and Shaheediyan Jee! Quote "Guru Sahiban revealed Sat, to mankind, to "us". With all due respect, your address to the some of the forum as manmukh or "ASikh", hardly compares." I do not understand. Why should a Manmukh or Asikh feel uneasy when made aware to get true Simran to become a true Sikh? Quote "I would have thought it (simran) could only be understood once recieved..." That is right. The mind convinces a Manmukh. His mind makes him understand before he has experienced it. ************** Let us come to the topic. Somebody gave me a book in Punjabi. It suggests the length, colour, and the stitching of Kachhera a true Sikh should wear. I wish to ask people who transcend within in meditation. What dress goes with them? Some experienced wanderers may say something about it. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all and Shaheediyan Jee! Quote "Sikhi is receiving true Naam, doing Simran of it that helps recognizing God's Hukam in all the activities. Do you feel the above has become stylish and decorative? If so, how?" This Simran, in my observation, is almost lost among Sikhs. Everything else is becoming stylish and decorative that a Sikh is busy with these days. That may be Babaji's Rumaalaas, Men's Dumaalaas or women's Dushaalaas, for example. Quote "There is no need to invent new words like Asikh if what you mean is Manmukh. It is not polite to address an audience (or part of) as Manmukh (be it dressed up). It is for us to understand Gurbani and with his kirpa, identify ourself as Manmukh, that is the 1st step to positive action." Identifying oneself as Manmukh is the great first step. Receiving true Naam from the Guru's Mukh is greatest to become true Gurmukh. The Gurus never suggested us to stay at Manmukhta. The Gurus mention a lot about Manmukhs. They remain polite, in my view. Quote "Simran can be of many things, Naam simran is above all." I hope some have not only understood it. They want to receive it truly. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all! Quote from Rupz Jee "What is the true technique for simran?" One can get Simran from the Satguru or true Saints. All efforts to talk it are futile. Quote from Drawof Jee "Too much emphasis is being put on extensions of theories which give people something tangible to hold onto in life....ie. techniques of naam simran." All the Gurus have talked about Naam Simran. Its experience is tangible because we live at the level of senses. Naam Simran then leads on beyond it. Quote from Shaheediyan Jee "What is Sikhi?" Sikhi is receiving true Naam, doing Simran of it that helps recognizing God's Hukam in all the activities. Quote "What is the Gur (technique) of true Simran?" Come to know it, Partakh from the Guru. Quote "Who invented the word ASikh, and who differentiates between a Sikh and an ASikh? Where is the reference to this in Gurbani?" There is no need to invent a new word for Manmukh. This was a natural flow. The world is full of Manmukhs or Asikhs. True Sikhs are rare. Quote "Can a Sikh not be someone who is searching for Simran, and building up his kamai in order to to recieve Gur-kirpa?" Search for Simran is great. Receiving Simran is above all. Building up of Kamai (Punya Karmas) can bring one to heavenly Bhogs, not Mukti. ************** Many preachers and Baabaas try to convince that their way is more stylish, decorative and better. I feel Sikhi is like the flame. The Satguru lights it on. One cannot count all the attributes of a flame. Ignorant keeps busy with its style? Love. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all! A true Sikh is one who receives the Gur (technique) of true Simran. He goes on then living his day and rest of the life doing it. This is what Gurbaanee confirms repeatedly. Do not waste time but request for the date. iQiq pwvhu goibd Bjhu sMqh kI isK lyhu ]][/font:3839789693] "thit paavhu gobid bhajahu santeh kee sikh layho." SGGS Ang 257-7 Get the date. Remember Gobind. Receive teaching of the Saint. ************** Many people go to a Gurudwara. Still, rarely someone gets the true Simran. gur kI isK ko ivrlw lyvY ][/font:3839789693] "gur kee sikh ko virlaa layvai." SGGS Ang 509-13 Teachings of technique, some rare gets it. -------------- A friend of mine is producing hair fixers. He says smiling. A good Sikh is one who uses his brand of the hair fixer. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all and Rupz Jee! Quote "Did you ever look at the old pictures of old rich Sikhs? They dressed like royalty with the expensive Indian suits." I feel no true Sikh is poor. He always wears the royal dress of Naam. The Sikh is one who has learned true Simran from the true Guru and living doing it. Asikh is one who still has to learn it. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all! Sikhs and Asikhs! Modern Sikhs are participating in fashion shows and beauty competitions. Some people feel that Sikhi has become stylish and decorative. Please express your views. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all and Mekhane'ch Jannat Jee! Thanks for your post and views. An inner journey takes place at the cost of attachment with the outer world. Quote "a solution to the empty nature of man cannot be garnered from the outside." Have I understood it correctly? People do not need a Guru or any guidance as both are outside. Quote "You say that Sikhs are trained to becoming RAgees, this could be because people have too many possessions and attachments and live over complicated lives which makes it difficult to take a step on the path of bairaag." I feel bairaag is the result of the first experience of Truth that one receives with God's grace through the Guru. One feels like singing when activities begin, originating from that silence. This is Keertan. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all! Sabad Guroo is very important for a Sikh. Can somebody please explain what is the Sabad Guroo? I will be grateful. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all and Chatanga Jee! Thanks for your post. Quote "I didnt know that ragees are not pleasing to Akal." Please listen what Gurdev is singing about a RAgee. "vaad parhai raagee jag bheejai. tarai gun bikhi-aa janam mareejai." SGGS Ang 905-7, Raamkalee, Guru Nanak Dev Jee RAgee reads vaad (spoken by someone). A world is pleased. In the faculty of three Gunas he gets birth and dies. Quote "However a ragi is one who is able to produce raags on an instrument" A RAgee's occupation is just like any other worldly engagement. Quote "hopefully I say in the measure of raags that are used in the Guru Granth Sahib" This wisdom is surely not for RAgees without the true Gur (Technique) of Simran. Quote "Raag iskirtan terms can also mean mood." I am not sure if the Gurus, who became neutral recognizing ONE Truth in all, are singing in different moods like a RAgee. Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all! The reverent Gurus asked mind to become BairAgee (without rAg). They also confirmed that a rAgee does not, please God. Surprise. They are training Sikhs to become rAgees these days. Please explain it. Why? Balbir Singh

Pray Truth for all and say Satsriakal! Dear all and N30 Singh Jee! Quote "I know its little but i think guru's wisdom (bhramgyan da rang) has been potrayed as lal(red) in gurbani methaphors." Please provide a reference. Quote "Lal is known as pyaar da rang/wedded rang." Have I understood it correctly? Are Wisdom and Pyaar both of red color? Quote "On a same token, adhyatmaically speaking, red is known as symbolic color for sahugan souls , jiv atma(souls) who are wedded with paratma(supreme soul)." May I ask why some Sikhs plead to reject red color for Sikhs? Do they not like to become Suhaagan? My hearty thanks are to all for great Satsangs. I may not be available on Forums for some time in next weeks. Balbir Singh