mehtab

The Babbars included people like Shaheed Bhai Sukhdev Singh Babbar who are known to have practiced naam simran for as long as 24 hours. There were people like Shaheed Bhai Mengha Singh Babbar who was the first shaheed of Operation Bluestar. He was a Singh who got shot in his head, and when asked how he was doing, he simply replied Chardi Kala. Also, there were Hindus as well who took Amrit and joined the Babbars, and some even attained shaheedi. One was a Brahmin family from Patiala whose 7 sons took Amrit, became Babbars and attained shaheedi. So it wouldn't be right to label an entire group as bad. But then again, every group was infiltrated by agents and thats what caused the movement to go downhill. And yea...the news article posted is blood boiling !!!! :evil:

the host server site is funny domaindlx.com :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa! Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!! Here are some pictures from Jhira Sahib sent to me by a Singh from Bangalore, India who visited the Gurdwara here. This looks like footprint of Guru Nanak Dev Jee I guess. This is the Amrit Kund at Jhira Sahib.

http://jatt.com/legends/udham.singh.asp Shaheed Udham Singh Written by Hardial Singh Bains Who was Udham Singh? A patriot from the Punjab, Udham Singh came to London in the 1930s as a fighter against foreign colonial rule in India. British rule was one of the darkest eras in the history of our people. Many crimes and atrocities were committed, but one that stood out in particular was the massacre of innocent, unarmed civilians at Jallianwalla Bagh in Amritsar in 1919. The British ruling circles, then as now the self proclaimed upholders of civilisation, refused to punish those guilty of this heinous crime, and in fact heaped public honours upon them. Accounted for by nobody, Jallianwalla Bagh remained a blot upon the dignity of the oppressed people of India. It was Udham Singh who made a pact with death and undertook to execute Michael O'Dwyer, former Governor of Punjab and one of the main perpetrators of the massacre at Jallianwalla Bagh. On 13 March 1940, he shot O'Dwyer at a public meeting in London. On 31 July, he was hanged in Pentonville prison. He made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the dignity and honour of the Indian people, irrespective of their regional or religious backgrounds, and for this he is remembered as a Shaheed or martyr, immortal in the memory of all freedom-loving peoples of South Asia. Why we are celebrating the memory of Shaheed Udham Singh? Shaheed Udham Singh represented the best traditions of the people of the South Asian sub-continent: courage and the spirit of self sacrifice in the fight against oppression, and unity in struggle irrespective of religious, communal or ethnic background. Today, when all over the sub-continent the political situation is in ferment, the age-old conflict between the exploiters and the exploited and between enlightenment and backwardness is once again reaching its climax. The struggle is also being waged for our true traditions. The rulers of Delhi and Islamabad are following in the footsteps of the British colonialists like O'Dwyer. Half a century after Shaheed Udham Singh's martyrdom, our "lords" and "masters" are continuing in Kashmir, Punjab and countless other places what O'Dwyer began in Jallianwalla Bagh. Just like O'Dwyer, they label anybody opposing their repression as a terrorist, while they themselves carry out mass terror against the people. Behind every act of defiance by the people, the rulers of India and Pakistan see a foreign hand. Yet it is they themselves who gladly sell the sovereignty of the people for a few coins thrown to them by foreign banks and multinational companies. On top of all this, the rulers of our countries are expanding their armies and making noises about starting a war in the region. Those who have inherited the mantle of British colonialism and O'Dwyer do their utmost to make the people forget about the real message of their heroes, be it the Bhaktas or the Sufis, or early patriots like Tipu Sultan, or the fighters of the First War of Indian Independence (1857), or the Ghadarites, or, indeed, martyrs like Bhagat Singh and Udham Singh. The people, on the other hand, must uphold the names and work of these patriots. In Britain the state is pressurising immigrants to abandon their traditions and to "assimilate". Although these suggestions may sound harmless to some, their real implications are revealed when well-known apologists for racism use these views to whip up chauvinism against our communities. This was done when Mr. Norman Tebbit demanded that immigrant and national minority communities forget about their countries of origin. Since last year in particular, when there was a storm of protest over Salman Rushdie's book, an unprecendented campaign has been launched by the ruling circles against the Asian communities in Britain. Everything connected with the sub-continent is portrayed as barbaric and medieval. The true progressive traditions of the people are obscured, while backward practices are promoted as the real manifestations of Asian culture. The youth in particular is singled out for this barrage. A people oblivious of their own past are like a ship without bearings - drifting aimlessly till it runs aground. The people from the South Asian region living in Britain must unite with all the working people and democratic forces here. But this does not mean that they should forget about their own history and culture. It is necessary to defy those who would have us give up our traditions by boldly proclaiming our best traditions, such as those personified by Shaheed Udham Singh. These are some of the reasons why we think it important to celebrate the anniversary of Shaheed Udham Singh's martyrdom in a spirit that is in keeping with his spirit of devotion to the cause of freedom. Life and work of Udham Singh Udham Singh was born in 1899 in a village called Sunam in Punjab. His father, Sardar Tehl Singh was a small farmer. Udham Singh lost his mother at the early age of three, and his father died when he was only five years old. He was brought up by the Khalsa Orphanage in Amritsar. Udham Singh was an apprentice carpenter in Amritsar in 1919, at the time of the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre. He was present at the meeting and, according to some accounts, was engaged as a helper, carrying drinking water to the participants. The brutality of the massacre left an indelible impression on his mind. He turned to revolutionary politics and dedicated his whole life to the cause of the people. Around that time he left India and traveled to the U.S. where he linked up with the Ghadarites and began working for them. His duties included driving new arrivals from India to secure destinations and making arrangements for their stays abroad. He then received a message e from his comrade-in-arms, Bhagat Singh, who instructed him to return to India with a consignment of weapons. Udham Singh returned to India in 1927 with some firearms, but he was betrayed and arrested soon after his arrival. He was sentenced to four years in prison. This was the period of the violent campaign in the Punjab against the colonial government, led by the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association of Bhagat Singh and Chandarshehkar Azad. The campaign ended following the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru in 1931. Udham Singh was still in prison at that time. When he was released, he vowed to follow in the footsteps of his comrade and hero Bhagat Singh and avenge the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He was fond of singing the famous ghazal by Bismal: "Sarfaroshi ki tamana ab hamare dil men hai Dekhna hai zor kitna baazoo-e-qatil men hai" (Now that we are happy and willing to lay down our lives, Does the enemy have enough strength in his sword-arm?) Udham Singh managed to give the police a slip and fled abroad for a second time. He traveled widely, visiting Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany and Russia, making contact with Indian revolutionaries abroad wherever he went. Finally, in 1933, he arrived in Britain using the name Ram Mohammed Singh Azad. He established links with the then tiny Indian community in London, as well as other freedom-fighters, including Irish patriots. Udham Singh had planned to execute Michael O'Dwyer in order to restore the dignity of the Indian people which had been sullied by their slavery to British imperialism. Jallianwalla Bagh was a most sordid chapter in the colonial history of our land, and Udham Singh believed that the Indian people must have the final word before closing this chapter once and for all. He worked as a handyman and driver in O'Dwyer's hometown in Devon. In the course of this, he had many opportunities to execute O'Dwyer and escape unnoticed. He was not, however, interested in taking any action that could have been interpreted as the work of a lone assassin, devoid of its political implications. Instead, he waited patiently for seven years until an opportunity presented itself when he could make a public statement by his action. On 13 March 1940, a meeting was held in Caxton Hall in London by an association of retired and serving British colonial officials in India. The chief guest was Michael O'Dwyer, and other speakers included men from the highest echelons of British colonial power in India. At the end of the meeting Udham Singh shot O'Dwyer and five other colonial "dignitaries", killing O'Dwyer and wounding the others. Ram Mohammed Singh Azad Udham Singh gave himself up and publicly stated his motives for the attack. Under interrogation he consistently used the name of Ram Mohammed Singh Azad. Even after the police had established the true facts about him including his real name, he did not abandon the use ofthis alias. This caused some irritation to his captors who could not understand Udham Singh's reason for sticking to an alias when it had been exposed as false. What they failed to appreciate was that this brave freedom-fighter, instead of being unnerved in the face of a death penalty, was making a final gesture for the unity of the Indian people against colonial slavery. By making such a gesture, Udham Singh proclaimed to the whole world that his sacrifice was in the name of the Indian people, regardless of their religious or other differences. On 31 July 1940, Udham Singh joined the proud ranks of his comrade Shaheed Bhagat Singh and the countless others before him who did not flinch from making the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of their homeland and the rights of the people. They occupy a place of honour in the hearts of the freedom-loving peoples of the South Asian sub-continent. http://jatt.com/legends/udham.singhs.speech.asp Udham Singh's Final Speech July 31, 2000, marks the 60th Anniversary of the execution of Shaheed Udham Singh by the British government. On 4 June 1940 he was brought before Justice Atkinson in the Central Criminal Court and charged with the murder of Sir Michael O'Dwyer, the mastermind of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which claimed the lives of several hundred innocent and unarmed Indian men, women and children, whose only crime had been to attend a peaceful protest meeting. Udham Singh pleaded not guilty. The trial lasted two days, at the end of which Udham Singh was found guilty and sentenced to death. On 15 July the Court of Criminal Appeal heard and dismissed Udham Singh's appeal against the death sentence, and he was hanged at Pentonville Prison on 31 July. Prior to passing sentence, Justice Atkinson asked Udham Singh if he had anything to say, to which the latter replied in the affirmative and proceeded to read from prepared notes. Throughout he was repeatedly interrupted by the Judge, who ordered the press not to report Udham Singh's statement, which has remained buried for 56 years in the dark rooms reserved for secret government documents. At long last it has been released to the Public Records Office, file MEPO 3/1743. The IWA-GB and LALKAR proudly report this statement, which clearly brings out Udham Singh's intense hatred of British imperialism, his ardent love for India and his burning desire to see it free, and also his internationalism, his love for the international proletariat, including the British proletariat. SHORTHAND NOTES OF THE STATEMENT MADE BY UDHAM SINGH The Judge asked Udham Singh if he had anything to say as to why a sentence should not be passed upon him according to Law. Facing the Judge, he exclaimed: "I say down with British Imperialism. You say India does not have peace. We have only slavery. Generations of so called civilization has brought us everything filthy and degenerating known to the human race. All you have to do is to read your own history. If you have any human decency in you you should die with shame. The brutality and bloodthirsty way in which the so called intellectuals, who call themselves rulers of civilization in the world are of <admin-profanity filter activated> blood... JUSTICE ATKINSON: I am not going to listen to a political speech. If you have anything relevant to say about this case say it. UDHAM SINGH: I have to say this. I wanted to protest. The accused brandished the sheaf of papers from which he had been reading. THE JUDGE: Is it in English? UDHAM SINGH: You can understand what I am reading now. THE JUDGE: I will understand much more if you give it to me to read. UDHAM SINGH: I want the Jury, I want the whole lot to hear it. MR. G.B. MC CLURE (Prosecuting) reminded the Judge that under Section 6 of the Emergency Powers Act he could direct that Udham Singh's speech be not reported or that it could be heard in camera. THE JUDGE (To the accussed): You may take it that nothing will be published of what you say. You must speak to the point. Now go on. UDHAM SINGH: I am protesting. This is what I mean. I am quite innocent about that address. I never understood about that address. I am going to read this now. THE JUDGE: Well, go on. While the accused was perusing the papers, the Judge reminded him "; You are only to say why sentence should not be passed according to law". UDHAM SINGH (shouting): "I do not care about sentence of death. It means nothing at all. I do not care about dying or anything. I do not worry about it at all. I am dying for a purpose". Thumping the rail of the dock, he exclaimed: "We are suffering from the British Empire!." Udham Singh continued more quietly: "I am not afraid to die. I am proud to die, to have to free my native land and I hope that when I am gone, I hope that in my place will come thousands of my countrymen to drive you dirty dogs out, to free my country... I am standing before an English jury. I am in an English court. You people go to India and when you come back you are given a price and put in the House of Commons. We come to England and we are sentenced to death. I never meant anything; but I will take it. I do not care anything about it, but when you dirty dogs come to India there comes a time when you will be cleaned out of India. All your British Imperialism will be smashed. Machine guns on the streets of India mow down thousands of poor women and children wherever your so called flag of democracy and Christianity flies. Your conduct, your conduct - I am talking about the British government. I have nothing against the English people at all. I have more English friends living in England that I have in India. I have great sympathy with the workers of England. I am against the Imperialist government. Your people are suffering workers. Everyone are suffering through these dirty dogs; these mad beasts. India is only slavery. Killing, mutilating and destroying - British Imperialism. People do not read about it in the papers. We know what is going on in India". JUSTICE ATKINSON: I am not going to hear any more. UDHAM SINGH: You do not want to listen to any more because you are tired of my speech, eh? I have a lot to say yet. THE JUDGE: I am not going to hear any more of that statement. UDHAM SINGH: You asked me what I have to say. I am saying it. Because you people are dirty. You do not want to hear from us what you are doing in India. Thrusting his glasses back into his pocket, Udham Singh exclaimed three words in Hindustani and then shouted: "Down with British Imperialism! Down with British dirty dogs"! As he turned to leave the dock, the accused spat across the solicitors table. After Singh had left the dock the Judge turned to the press and said: "I give direction to the Press not to report any of the statements made by the accussed in the dock. You understand, members of the press?" The file on Udham Singh, can be viewed at the Udham Singh Centre, 346 Soho Road, Birmingham B21 9LQ. Photograph of Udham Singh used on his passport issued in Lahore Sir Michael Francis O'Dwyer, lieutenant Governor of the Punjab 1913-1919 Brigadier General R.E.H. Dyer who massacred Indians at the Jallianwalla Bagh Amritsar on 13th April 1919 Shaheed Udham Singh with a friend Puran Singh Bining One old photograph of Udham Singh alias Ram Mohammad Singh Azaad A standing pose of the martyr Udham Singh between two friends-Manjit Singh (left) and Captain Bachan Singh, at Sunam after his release from prison in 1933

who cares veer...i love Baba Nand Singh Jee...end of story :D :D

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH Actually I have heard/come across the same thing. I know someone who took Amrit from Nanaksar and said the panj pyaare were not wearing kirpaans even during the Amrit sanchaar. However, since I am a moorakh I shall wait for someone to explain. Lets not judge . WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH

WAHEGUROO JEE KA KHALSA WAHEGUROO JEE KEE FATEH Veerjee I may be wrong but I read some place that Bhai Bala's janamsakhis refers to some people Guruji and Bhai Bala met as very dark with curly hair, implying that Guruji may have travelled as far as Africa. Also, this may sound funny but the people on the island of Sicily near Italy say their land was visited by a saint from India centuries ago, and the description that their historical records have matches that of Guru Nanak Dev Jee. They also say that the town Nanking in China is named after Guru Nanak Dev Jee, making it clear that Guruji did travel to China as well. Just some stuff I read, not sure how much right or wrong is there in it. However, I do not judge that on my own, and leave it to Gurujee . WAHEGUROO JEE KA KHALSA WAHEGUROO JEE KEE FATEH

I'd suggest you to read Undithi Duniya by Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee (you wouldn't wanna refute his words now would you?). He talks a lot about after life, and what happens to those who die without Amrit. It doesn't directly say anything about non-Sikhs in general, just tells that those who forsake the Lord are doomed. It has real images of the after life, and Bhaisahib makes it clear that nothing in Gurbani is used as a metaphor. Heaven, hell, jamdoots, dharamraj, chitar-gupt, all these are very real and do exist. And yes, if you read it, you WILL want to take Amrit as soon as possible. WARNING : This book can be scary for some people. It will freak you out, depends upto what extent and how you take it.

true...in Sikhi its all bout quality and not just quantity, but then again, u gotta make a start somewhere, rite?

very well said...its all about confidence...and not just confidence, but Singha wala confidence

http://www.babanandsinghsahib.org/maryada/dargahiticket.htm Dargahi Ticket Divinely commissioned and appointed by His great Master to spread the gospel of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, He set out to scatter that unique flavour far and wide, the like of which has not been seen so far, and is far beyond the limits of human endeavour. He unfolded the Supreme grandeur of Sri Guru Granth Sahib splendidly and glorified the eternal Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the living Guru Nanak magnificently. Blessing of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was supreme and He advised everyone to invoke that blessing by completing one path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in a month in the following manner: Complete recitation of the whole of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in a month. Complete 50 paths of Sri Sukhmani Sahib in a month; recite 2 paths of Sri Sukhmani Sahib daily. Complete 250 paths of Jap Ji Sahib in a month; recite 10 paths of Jap Ji Sahib daily. Complete 180 Malas (Rosary Mala of 108 beads) of Mool Mantra (from Ekonkar to Nanak Hosi Bhi Such) in a month; do six malas daily. Complete 80 Malas daily of Gur Mantar 'Waheguru'; 20 Malas of Waheguru if the Nam is recited four times on each bead. Complete 160 Malas daily of Ram (Nam); 40 Malas if Ram is recited four times on each bead A Mohammedan was advised to practice and recite the name of Allah on each bead as above. Hundreds of crores of Sri Guru Granth Sahib's paths were thus distributed as the most blessed Parshad to millions of devotees in His life time and are continuing uninterrupted since then. He, thus, brought the supreme blessing of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the living Sri Guru Nanak Sahib within easy comprehension, reach and grasp of everyone, educated, uneducated, lettered, unlettered, literate, illiterate and simple village folks. Every one recited Amrit Nam and sang the glory of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib in this simple and easy way. That was the grand purpose behind His holy advent. Uniqueness and greatness of the Eternal Glory of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was unveiled in its totality. The precious treasure of Lord's Name was thrown open to all. It was so simple, easily understandable within the grasp and practice of simple village folk. He freely distributed this Dargahi ticket destined for Sach Khand. Though He physically disappeared in August 1943 from this earthly scene, He perennially flows as Eternal presence in this very Dargahi Ticket given as Prashad by Him. Lakhs of refugees from either side during the partition of 1947 experienced the miraculous power of this Dargahi ticket, Dargahi Name with the Eternal presence of the Saviour Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj, and were saved. Such was the unique power of Nam He distributed. In possession of this unique Prashad, Divine Ticket, they passed through the most dreaded naked dance of death, but not a single person blessed with this celestial ticket could be injured or harmed or died an unnatural death. All Glory to Mahan Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj. Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj thus blessed millions with unique Prashad of the Lord. Unique Prashad of redeeming Gur Mantar, Mul Mantar, Japji, Sukhmani Sahib, Ram Nam and in addition the paths of Bhagwat Gita and Holy Quran Sharif were distributed as Parshad to Hindus and Muslims in same congregations. Nam was not the privilege of a selected few. It was open to all It was distributed freely to everyone without any consideration of caste, religion and creed. By thus propagating the Gospel of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Lakhs of illiterate, simple and plain-hearted villagers were able to feel and experience the spiritual satisfaction of attaining the Grace of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Babaji had thus brought lofty ideals of personal service and worship of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and resultant spiritual attainment within the immediate reach and grasp of millions of completely illiterate folk. Only those who practice, know how wonderful and rewarding this spiritual Sadhana is!

Choose your style! 24 HOUR NAAM SIMRAN - CLICK HERE Click on any type of simran style, no waiting, loads up automatically, and get all the laha while you can!!!!!

Looks like no one read my post on the 1st page...anyways...lemme post it again There you go...Gurbani on the importance of hair!! Therefore each pore of your being meditates on Waheguru. Taking it off would be one's own spiritual loss. I heard a similar theory in a katha by Gyani Sant Singh Jee Maskeen @ proudtobesikh.com, under Gurbani Viakhia Sahit, entitled Kakaar. Another thing...I was myself a mona and cleanshaven for ages (lol...I am not even born in a Sikh family...mine are Brahmins...haha)...it was only after I started keeping kesh and daari that I realized what I was missing out. Trust me u will feel totally different once u keep kesh/daari. It brings a new kind of enthusiasm into ur spirit. But then again, if one wants to make 25 million excuses like I used to, there is no end to it. bhul chuk maaf if anything was offensive (hope not) hope that helped waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa! Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!! Bhai Gurdas Jee's vaars have been blessed by Gurujee Himself as the key to understanding Gurbani. Here is what Bhai Gurdas Jee says : prathham rehith yehi jaan kha(n)ddae kee paahul shhakae ||asoee si(n)gh pradhhaan avar n paahul jo leae || To drink the Ambrosial Nectar of the Khanda (Amrit) is the primary instruction for the Sikh. He who abandons all other initiations is truly a great Sikh. (for some reason it says Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh on SikhiToTheMax website. I always thought it was Bhai Gurdas Jee who said so) Here is a personal request. Until a few months back I myself would severely argue against anyone who would say that Amrit was everything. And sincerely I feel thats the reason that my moment of taking Amrit is being delayed. So I would request all to please refrain from belittling the significance of Amrit (I know no one is doing it directly, but please do not even get close to doing it unintentionally). I have terribly regretted doing that and would request you all to please not go there. If you still want to, you are free to do so. Please come back in future and tell me how things went for you. bhul chuk maaf Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa! Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

Actually Sukhi its not inequality. Gurujee no doubt loves all. But remember the ones who take Amrit have surrendered themselves to Guruji. Their heads/ego, tan/man/dhan all of it. Their entire being then belongs to Guruji, so wouldn't Guruji in all His pristine glory belong to them? Guruji has said Himself Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khaas, and even called the Khalsa His own complete Satguru (Khalsa mero satgur poora). But this doesn't mean He doesn't love others. Guruji blessed many Muslims and some didn't even take Amrit ever. Probably it was some past karams I'd say? There are many stories of Guruji blessing many different people, but the ones who take Amrit, that special grace is reserved only for them. If this wasn't the case, why would Amrit be important at all? Don't get me wrong. I by no means mean that Amritdharis are in any way superior (and they shudn't feel so either). Its just that they occupy a special place (I dunno if I should say higher). Gurbani again and again talks about surrendering to the will of Guruji. And the ones who have taken Amrit have essentially done that (unless they are Sikhs only by appearance and have nothing inside). It would only be fair enough if they got the best of the gifts Guruji had, don't you think? Perhaps gift is the wrong word used. It shud have been offerings of love .

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa! Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!! sangat jee, I am going to post the chapter on Khalsa Raj, the vision as seen by Bhai Rama Singh Jee. There are 12 pages in total, and sorry I couldn't fix the huge size of each page. Please enjoy reading as this completes the summary, and once again, please DO NOT POST ANY REPLIES as this intended to be a READ ONLY thread. Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa! Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!! sangat jee, this completes this thread of the summary of Bhai Rama Singh Jee's IN SEARCH OF THE TRUE GURU. Once again, I request you all to please NOT POST any replies, and read all that has been posted. If the links don't work, try later, hopefully they should. It was immense pleasure reading this book. After I read half this book, I stopped shaving. I also request the moderators to please lock this thread, and let it remain a Sticky for good. It was my earnest desire to complete this thread before I die (you never know). I wish all readers chardi kala and may Gurujee bless you all with GurSikhi, Naam and Amritvela Nitnem. Gurughar da kookar Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa! Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh Gur Satgur Ka Jo Sikh Akhaawe So Palke Uthh HarNaam Dhyaawe ~ Guru Ram Das Jee The one who calls himself/herself a Sikh of the Guru Let him/her awake before sunrise and meditate on the name This is the beginning of getting yourself to stand upto the definition of a Sikh. Also... This Shabad is by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Jap on Pannaa 2 (Guru Nanak Dev Jee in Japji Sahib) True is the Master, True is His Name-speak it with infinite love. People beg and pray, ""Give to us, give to us"", and the Great Giver gives His Gifts. So what offering can we place before Him, by which we might see the Darbaar of His Court? What words can we speak to evoke His Love? In the Amrit Vaylaa, the ambrosial hours before dawn, chant the True Name, and contemplate His Glorious Greatness. By the karma of past actions, the robe of this physical body is obtained. By His Grace, the Gate of Liberation is found. O Nanak, know this well: the True One Himself is All. ||4|| There you go...a Sikh doesn't exist without Amritvela as thats a strong requirement to be a Sikh...someone once said "One who didn't awake at amritvela and is an amritdhari has broken his/her amrit"...now that literally doesn't "break" ur amrit...it just means that amrit needs to be taken daily!!!...and thats at amritvela!!...the above quote from Japji makes it clear as to whats the best gift we can give God...simran @ amritvela!!...so start waking up at Amritvela and doing simran/paath/nitnem or any other way u wanna meditate on God...this is just a start...as Gurujee sees your uddam you will be blessed with more...and as time progresses, u will gradually climb the stairs of Sikhi...remember Sikhi is a process...the one who says "I have achieved...I have become a Sikh"...he/she is fooling himself/herself and also you...a true Sikh never says "I have done it", rather they modestly claim to be just mere travellers travelling towards the destination...even great and uncomparable souls like Baba Nand Singh Jee never ever said "I am a Sikh", even he said "I am trying to be a Sikh" and he was an immensely uplifted spiritual soul, a rare brahmgyani!! therefore rather than wondering what defines a Sikh, start being one from inside...and the 1st start is Amritvela...start making serious efforts...read Gurbani...meditate on His Name...slowly and steadily u will make it ...soon one point will come when u'll die to take Amrit and thats when u give ur head to Guruji and are a Khalsa!! don't worry...Guruji always loves u no matter what...so have hope these are just my thoughts...forgive me for any errors waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh

WAHEGUROO JEE KA KHALSA WAHEGUROO JEE KEE FATEH Think of it this way : Even Guru Gobind Singh Jee had to kneel down and request the Panj Pyaare to give Him Amrit. Those who say Amrit is not everything, are you guys better than Gurujee? The one who is our spiritual Father, the one who sacrificed His everything for us (Sarbans Daani), the one who is unparalleled in human history, is anyone who denies the importance/requirement of Amrit greater than Him? bhul chuk maaf WAHEGUROO JEE KA KHALSA WAHEGUROO JEE KEE FATEH

taken from http://members.dancris.com/~sikh/chap05.html It doesn't however say about the very first Anand Karaj.

Muslims have 124,000 prophets which include Abraham, Moses, Jesus, are those gods? Christians believe in Jesus and loads of other saints, are they all gods? ( that shud've been ur response question! :wink: )

52 Hukams of Guru Gobind Singh : http://www.sikhawareness.com/sikhawareness...light=52+hukams 14) Anand Viah bina grahist nahi karna - Do not start married life without Anand Karaj (Sikh ceremony of marriage). ( so u gotta marry a Sikh! or marry the Sikh way? if your spouse doesnt agree, too bad ) 38 ) Sir munae noo kanaiaa nahi daeni. Uos ghar daevni jithae Akal Purukh di sikhi ha, jo karzaai naa hovae, bhalae subhaa da hovae, bibaeki atae gyanvaan hovae - Do not given a daughter's hand to a clean shaven. Give her hand in a house where God's Sikhi exists, where the household is not in debt, is of a good nature, is disciplined and knowledgable.

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh From what I have come across, the one who is non-Muslim has to convert to Islam, whether its the boy or the girl. I don't understand why a non-Muslim's religion is taken so cheaply that its him/her who has to convert always, while the Muslim is never supposed to give up his/her "true religion". Well why can't the one who is Muslim convert to Sikhism, or any other religion he/she wants to marry into? By the way, I had a Muslim room mate whose aunt married a Sardar (thats right! I said Sardar, NOT mona ). my apologies if this offends anyone Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh

Question : How does that thing stay on your head? Answer : I tie it

http://www.info-sikh.com/PageN1.html Practical Nitname Mankind is congenitally blind and for most people the vision of the divine, ever present and around them, remains forever concealed. The problem lies in the human man , that inner faculty which commonly we call our ‘heart’ but which comprises of the heart, mind and spirit. Within the man evil exercises its vicious sway, seduced by the passions it generates, most are blind to the spiritual reality that lies within and around them. Driven by their evil impulses, they behave in a manner which, in accordance with the law of karma, earns appropriate penalties. For such people the result can only be the round of death and rebirth, the endless sequence that extends suffering through all eternity. The fundamental problem is haumai , or self-centered concern for all that attracts the proud, the sensual and selfish. As long as the man is in the grip of haumai there can be no hope of escape. The endless round continues. What then is the solution ? The solution says Guru Nanak Dev Ji, is Naam, or ‘divine name’. The person who learns how to appropriate the naam will be free from the chains which bind that person to the wheel of transmigration. The term naam, as used by Guru Ji is an expression for the whole notion of Akal Purkh and all that constitutes. It is, to use another expression, sat, or ‘truth’ and one commonly encounters the combination sat-naam, or ‘true name’. Naam is the sure remedy offered by Akal Purkh, the timeless One, who created the universe and lovingly watches over it. Akal Purkh the creator, the sustainer, dwells immanent in all creation, and because that exists in an expression of the divine being then his creation represents the express manifestation of naam. Naam is the ever-present and all-pervading presence of Akal Purkh, and whoever perceives this presence gains access to the means of mystical unity with Akal Purkh. How is the divine Name to be appropriated ? Although the naam is thus revealed for all to see and accept, men and women are congenitally blind, unable to perceive the truth that lies around them and within them. Deceived by the mischievous prompting of their weak and wayward spirits, they are heal in permanent subjection to evil passions and false beliefs. Vainly they seek the elusive means of deliverance, foolishly trusting in rituals and false paths. Release can only be found by opening ones eyes to the naam and by appropriating its wonders within the mind and heart. How then is each misguided person to perceive the naam, and how is it to be appropriated ? The knowledge of the divine name can be attained because Akal Purkh is a God of grace, speaking the word of divine understanding to all who are prepared to shed their haumai and listen in humility. In order to secure liberation one must attune ones whole life to that harmony expressed as the divine Name. This one achieves by means of the regular, disciplined practice of naam-simran or ‘rememberance of the Name’. A simple version of this technique consists of repeating a word or expression that summarises the meaning of the divine Name and thus Akal Purkh, terms such as satnaam or waheguru. Kirtan is another form and thirdly, and most sophisticated, is a technique of meditation that inwardly reflects upon the meaning of the divine Name, with the initiation of bringing the whole being into harmony with the divine harmony of the Name. Sikhism places a great emphasis on Naam Simran but ask most Sikhs on the practicalities of it and you get a confused message. Most do not even acknowledge the Karmic System saying it to be of Brahamin influence, also our Gurdwaras and Institutions seem to be too preoccupied with internal politics to guide us . Simro simar simar sukh pavoh, Kalh kalase tan mahey mitavoh. What is the answer to life the universe and everything, well it is not 42 , the answer is simple but the philosophy behind it is immense. Naam is the answer. Without it one cannot break out of the circle of births and deaths that we are all locked into to achieve Mukhti (salvation). Sikhism places high emphasis on the simran of Naam. Naam tull kish awar naa hoaiy, Nanak gurmukh naam pavay jan koiay. There is nothing greater then his name, (Guru) Nanak says only very few godly people can obtain this name. This is the one catalyst for all the other good things that we do, without Naam they do not register. Each and every one of us has a Karmic account. Put simply one can regard it as a bank account with credits and debits. When we come into this world we bring with us an already fully functioning account. It is credited with our past deeds and this determines the cards we are dealt with in this life. Have you ever noticed that some people can achieve great success with relatively little effort, some people can sail through school attaining top grades and everything they touch turns to gold, metaphorically speaking. Other souls find life more difficult having to struggle for the little success in their lives. This is due to the Karma that we bring with us, it gives us a springboard to launch our lives or acts like shackles holding us back. The trick is to overcome our past Karma and to sow for the future, easier said then done! Bhai prapat mahuke dehuria, Gobind milan ke eh terri baria, Avar kaaj terai kitai na kaam, Mil sadh sangat bhaj kewal Naam. - You have obtained the human body, this is your opportunity to meet the Lord of the World All other works are of no avail to you. Join the society of godly persons and meditate on the one true Name. Naam is a difficult concept to explain. Akal Purkh has many names, Waheguru, Satkartar, Ram, Allah, Narain, Raheam, Khudaa are but a few. These act as mantras and the simran of his name has a cleansing effect on the soul. We must take little steps before we can run and remember it is by the grace of Waheguru that we step on the path in the first place. Jis no kirpa kerhe tin naam ratan paia, Gurmukh ladha manmukh gavaia Tudh ap vischoria ap milaia - He, upon who You shower Your mercy obtains the Jewel of the Name, the true devotees obtain the Name and the faithless apostates lose it. You Yourself separate and You Yourself unite. Take an activity that you repeat daily. This can be anything from walking to the bus stop, or driving to work, or even the walk from where you parked the car to your desk. Set this time for your Guru. You can either repeat the mantra of 'Waheguru' , the 'wahe-' with an inhalation of breath (or step of the left foot) and the '-guru' with the exhalation of breath (or the step of the right foot). Alternatively you can repeat the mantra of 1st Pauri (verse) of Sri Japji Sahib (majority of Sikhs should know this, if not, shame on you). Try this for a week, it is not easy as you will forget on many occasions but persevere and in a few weeks time as you get into your car or park you car , or whatever it is you do to start your mantra, you will automatically start it. Over time this will become second nature and what you will find is that it will start to creep into other parts of your life, you will find that you are reciting the 1st Pauri when you are making a cup of tea or walking along a corridor at work. This is only the start, the journey is long and arduous but please, do not be disheartened as the alternative is very bleak. Amrit Whaila (Gurus time) is very important to a Sikh. Amrit Whaila starts at the stoke of midnight, that is the start of a new day, to 6:00 am. The 'credits' go down as the hours tick by but it is quite acceptable to get up at 4.00am but one must finish with the Ardas before the stoke of 6:00. Why so early, why early at all, why not have a long lie in? 'Udum' is a special thing, one must make an effort for your Guru and you will be rewarded. Also it is very quite and peaceful free of distractions (of which there are many). One must cleanse ones outer self before one can start on the inner, so an 'ishnaan' or bath before one sits down is very important. Create yourself a little space in your bedroom, maybe in a far corner, although this can be difficult with the limited space one has these days. Make this your place of worship, keep it clean put down a white sheet, do not allow any shoes near and do not allow anyone else near. This is no ritual, all you are doing is keeping a space free of clutter and keeping it clean for your simran. Guru Ji place great importance on 'suchum'. The absolute minimum nitname of a Sikh is the 'panj banis'(prayers) - Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Amrit Swayia, Bainty Chaupai and Anand Sahib Ji. By reciting these sacred banis one is just keeping ones head above water. One should ask 'what extra am I doing to build up my karma? Upon sitting down one must address the forces within you that are in a constant state of flux over your Atma (soul). On one side we have Kaam, Krodh, Lobhe, Moh and Hunkaar (KKLMH). On the other you have Dharam, Gian, Sat, Santokh and Dhaya (DGSSD). Whenever one tries to do Naam Simran or gain access to Gurus Sangat then the five KKLMH become very active, one needs to be aware of them to counteract them. You may notice that when you sit down to do your Japji Sahib or Jaap Sahib your mind becomes very active, all manner of thoughts pass through your mind, before you know it you are on your last Pauri, or you find that suddenly your nose starts to itch or you get an itch on your forehead or tickle up your nostril, these are all ways to distract you. If one can recite the Bani from memory then the distractions are worse as you close your eyes, but try to direct your concentration between your eyes while all the time listening to what you are reciting. In your Ardaas ask for Sawa of the Sangat and to meet a Sant or Mahapursh who can help to guide you to your Guru. Having taken Amrit and joined the Khalsa our father and mother are Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, but there is still a need for guidance and this can be obtained from a Sant Mahapursh, just by doing Darshan of a Sant Mahapursh can be very beneficial to our Karmic account. ' .......Eke painda jai chall, satguru kote painda agai hoi late hai' Guru ji says that if you take one step towards me I will take Kote (many many) steps towards you. Guru ji is waiting with open arms to embrace you but you have to make the effort and take that first step.

http://www.sikhs.org/art10.htm Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Mission by Janmeet Singh Pyare Sadh Sangat Ji, Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!! I would like to share the following: I have previously misinterpreted Guru Nanak Dev Ji's way of dealing with the existing religions of the world as sympathetic. I saw in our great Guru Ji nothing more than a reformer, who carried a message of peace for everybody. I have began to realize, however, that Guru Nanak Dev Ji, was the greatest teacher of the world who brought forward true knowledge and made no compromises in his principles. During my limited study and understanding of the shabads of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, I felt that the Guru Ji found existing religions to be seething masses of moral putrefaction. He detected among their elements rituals and superstition, and he struck at the root of these problems by demanding truth in faith and spirit in worship. Guru Ji cleared away everything that inhibited the relationship between God and human. Guru Ji held out no promises in this world or even in the next world. Guru Ji taught that the idea of life, the measure of salvation, is not happiness or peace of mind. To serve God and be able to love Him is in itself better than happiness, though it may be with wounded feet, bleeding brows, and laden with sorrow. Guru Nanak Dev Ji separated Vedantic philosophy from religion, and declared it to be a mere gymnastics of the mind. Guru Ji showed me that religion is less a matter of intellect and more a matter of spirit. The practice of Yoga may do very well for emptying the mind of desires, but it only gives a negative result. I feel I remain as much removed from the love of God in this stupid nothingness as when I am troubled by various desires. Guru Nanak Dev Ji substituted music, the singing of God's praises (SHABAD KIRTAN), for Yoga as a means of linking the soul of humans with God. Guru Nanak Dev Ji also helped greatly improve existing spiritual rules of conduct. There are two sorts of duties: (1) what we ought to do and (2) what we ought NOT to do. World religions had very early recognized the latter. "Thou shall NOT kill and Thou shall NOT do this or that.....this was all that was understood by the word Dharma or duty. But by concentrating all my attention on one side of the matter, I forgot that the other side existed at all. This emphasis on the negative side of virtue led to the adoption of asceticism in the east as the highest ideal of life, which ultimately means the negation of all manly duty. Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached a higher truth. To him LOVE was ACTIVE SERVICE, and his disciples soon profited from this teaching. I have not seen a higher record of service in history than that shown by the Sikhs, who were taught to annihilate the thought of self and utilize all their energy in the SERVICE of GOD and HUMANITY. To me, no one LOVED God and humanity more than Guru Nanak Dev Ji. By the Guru's grace, may we all be blessed to carry Guru Nanak Dev Ji's mission into the future. Akhar vada bhul chuk maf karni Ji. Janmeet Singh