VijaySandhu

For several months now I have been watching clips of Richard Dawkins on you tube. There is no doubting the mans intellect when it comes to science. Im sure you would all agree that just like Dawkins, smashing superstition was also one of Guru Nanak ji's talents. With this in mind I feel that Dawkins the modern guardian of Logic would impress Guru Nanak had they have ever met. The root of Dawkins Atheism and the main hurdle in my own progress is in my view the unwillingness to dedicate time to Naam Simran. Gurbani makes it clear that thee really is no other way. There are countless references to this in Gurbani , specifically regarding mans confidence in his own cleverness when trying to prove the existance of god eg. Japji Sahib.

Does anyone have any thoughts or comments on this , I would be interested to read. Sorry if I offend anyone .

Thank you

Sandhu

Wives? forgive my ignorance but i was taught that Dasam patsha had only one wife.

With respect

Dalsingh:

The line Guru Guru Japo can be found in most of the rehitnamas of Guru Gobind Singh as well as his beloved Wives

This is an interesting topic. I remember reading an extant hukam-nama where Sikhs were instructed 'Guru Guru jap' or something similar.

Dalsingh Ji

Can you elaborate? I would love to hear more

It is because Waheguru is a Mantar to meditate on whereas Hari, Ram, Gopal, Gobind etc which are the most common names of God in Gurbani are the Kirtmam names - names regering to his attributes. I think using the word Waheguru for God is a recent phenomenon and in the past Sikhs used Ram and Hari when refering to God, while Waheguru was used to meditate on.

Think of it like hindus. They use Ram and Gobind for God yet they meditate on Om. If they did as the Sikhs soon every Hindu would say Om is the God in hinduism, Om created the world, may Om bless you etc etc.

Amardeep thank you for your prompt reply.

I wonder if Guru Nanak ji himself used this mantar and whether this was one of the areas discussed during his debates with sadhus and Yogis.

Anyway thanks

The word Waheguru is not very prominent in our Sri Guru Granth Sahib, I find this strange especially because this is my main focal point during simran.

Will anyone kindly educate me?

A very thought provoking poem. Thank you

Invictus

by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.