amardeep

The Akal Thakht jathedar has made a proclamation yesterday that it’s the religious duty of Sikhs to protect Kashmiri girls from rape and violence all over India. 

Fantastic, thanks for sharing !

Thank you very much for sharing these on the forum. 

Thank you very much for sharing these on the forum. 

Avatarvaad is not based on some competition on who is the greatest. Each avatar comes with a specific purpose and mission according to the context they manifest in. Krishna was pooran according to the context he manifested in and the Sri Satguru was pooran according to the context they manifested in. I find this "my Guru is greater than your Guru" business a bit too childish.

There is a problem in your methodology. You select five criteria and then proceed to show how the Guru was superior in each. But what if you chose some other criteria where the Guru "was not superior"? What happens then? Being selective wont get you anywhere.

AWESOME SINGH.THANKS

In general I think we need to widen our understanding of the term “rajniti”. I think it’s wider than “politics” and “governance” as it is usually understood. Kavi Sainapat uses the word in his Chanakya niti translation (Bahu shaastra avilok kai sundar bachan nikaar, Raajniti sanbuuh ko barnan karo bithaar). Yet his book doesn’t deal with politics the way we would classify a book on politics today. It is more about psychology, ethics, schrewdness, being aware, being sceptical etc. You don’t learn governance through it, but rather how to be a sovereign individual.  And I think this is the understanding of rajniti at the time of Maharaj and it is in this light we should see the Charitro Pakhyan - a book on sovereignty rather than a book on politics/governance only.  Politics is just one ang of Rajniti which is a much wider term than what you have in the English language. Just some thoughts after going through the Chanakya in recent months. I have bought 3-4 different punjabi translations of it that I will go through in the next few months to better understand the context of this kind of writings- which the Charitro Pakhyan is most likely a part of.

There is a British source from the late 1800s that says the Charitro Pakhyan teaches how to be a just ruler. Here you have a direct link between CP and rulership (rather than it being erotic tales)
I'll try and post the quote when I've got acces to my notes.

A fantastic book.  A collectors item 

Yes I did a few weeks ago 

Yes I did a few weeks ago 

A fantastic book.  A collectors item 

I dont think it's 325 years old. A beautiful saroop, but sad to see they've taped it together :( vandalism

What do you think of the different steeks. Aren’t they often more like punjabi translations rather than commentaries and analysis 

I find most steeks to be mere translations. The faridkot is also translaton for the most part. 

Yes it’s him

Gurfateh
Most Gurdware today have turned into cultural centers for Punjabi diaspora community. It means that there is less focus on spirituality and spiritual progress and more on bringing the punjabis together at a central place. If you go to a white Hare Krishna temple you will notice that they have a different athmosphere. Kids are not allowed at certain times and you have to whisper in order to not disturb the people who are meditating, doing their prayers etc.
However, It is always good to visit the Gurdwara and have Darshan of Guru Granth Sahib and the darbaar, so I would recommend you to go at "odd" hours instead where you know there aren't many people around. And leave the sunday programs aside..

beautiful post, thanks for sharing

Good find Chatanga. A new book has been published on the history of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus, maybe it contains some info also. I’ve recieved my copy and will post if there is any interesting info from Afghan sources on their rule over Afghan sikhs in Pashto areas and  Punjab. 
 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Afghan-Hindus-Sikhs-Inderjeet-Singh/dp/9385854380

Has any serious study been made of this Granth - year of Origin, authorship etc. 

A prominent metaphor for Dharma in Indian religions is that of an ocean (saaar roop). Dharma makes you cross the ocean of existence. So in this regard - I have lost my dharma after seeing you

I dont think there is an anthreev arth of the Charitro Pakhyan. The whole granth is katha of kaam, krodh, lobh, moh, hankaar with a great focus on kaam. Im very sceptic when people interpret it allegorically as soul vs. body, higher intellect versus carnal emotions etc etc.... seems quite appologetic.

Well spotted! Cheers Singh

It looks more like a punjabi translation of Dasam Granth than a commentary no?