Jeff

Found this on another board: People tend to think that doing keertan in raag means that the shabad must be done only in teen-taal and include all the "aaaa eeeeee oooooo" (as it was so eloquently put in an earlier post). But every tune is indeed in one raag or another, whether the keertani even realizes it or not. I see your point about "proper" raags (I assume you mean singing in the same raag as the shabad is composed in). But it's complicated. I mean, sometimes you just want to do a shabad, regardless of what time of day it is. But if we stick to the "pakaa raag" routine, then we can only do certain shabads only at certain times of the day, or even only in the right season, as prescribed by the raag. That means we'll only get to hear Basant for a few months each year! That'd be tragic!! Moreover, Gurbani is only composed in 31 raags. This means we will never get the chance to hear the other thousands of raags that exist. The raags used most often in Jatha today, in my opinion, are Malkauns and Darbaari -- both of which are excluded from Sri Guru Granth Sahib and both of which are to be sung at late night and in a particular season (ie. Malkauns = technically a raag of Winter). I'd rather hear these raags being sung with pyaar at any random time/season, rather than hearing only one of the 31 raags and having it mechanically sung at the prescribed time. Overall, it's pretty confining for those who like to do whatever shabad they feel like doing, depending on their mood/avasthaa, and in a tune that they like and feel. I think keertani who have knowledge and training of raags and tend to avoid doing them, do so not due to others' preferences, but just because they themselves don't feel like doing raags all the time. I personally would rather have people doing keertan genuinely from the heart rather than just according to the time.

No. Japnaam Singh doesn't visit this site. Japnaam Singh is my cousin though. Anyways, doesn't change the fact that Sikhawareness is "ok". I have nothing against it, but Sikhsangat is infinitely better. That opinion isn't to cause conflict between Sikhs, since Sikhsangat belongs to all Sikhs, its just an objective observation. PS. Get some nice emoticons on this Forum please.

Summeet Kaur, If you really want to get a positive reply, why not try posting this stuff on SikhSangat.com? It has more users, more hits, a more positive atmosphere and more gurmat-based discussions.

When the "Nihangs" took Control of Sree Akaal Takhat in 1920 By Bhai NaraiN Singh MA in Soora October 1988 Translated by Admin www.tapoban.org This story is about some "Nihangs" who supported anti-Sikh elements. There were and are many Gursikh Nihangs in the Panth like Baba Mitt Singh jee and Akali Kaur Singh jee, but many in the costume of Nihangs have in the past and continue today to attack the Panth and serve anti-Panthic interests. Bhai Sahib Randheer Singh jee and a big Jatha of Singhs and Singhnees, led by Bibi Joginder Kaur also drove out corrupt Nihangs/Nangs from Gurdwara Chamkaur Sahib. This story begins after the Panth had taken control over Sree Akaal Takhat Sahib and the corrupt "pujaris" had run away. These pujaris refused to accept the Karah Parshaad of "low castes" and when a Jatha of Singhs came to offer Karah Parshaad with a former "low caste" a hukumnama was taken from Sree Guru Granth Saahib jee and the hukumnama clearly said that even the lowest were transformed by the Guru and Sikhi had no place for caste. The Pujaris then ran away from the Takhat and abandoned their posts. This historic day was October 12, 1920. The story begins here: ******** The Pujaris of Sree Akaal Takhat Sahib brought the "Nihangs" who were staying at Burj Baba Phoola Singh jee 5 goats, 5 sacks of sugar, almonds, flour and other supplies. They collected the Nihangs together and with folded hands said "Nihang Singh jee! Sree Akaal Takhat belongs to the Nihangs, you are its caretaker. Look! The Mallechh (impure) Khalsa, those Singh Sabbhias, have taken it over. You prepare yourselves, and we'll give the control of the Takhat to you. At that time, the Nihangs had taken Sukha (cannibis drink) and were fully intoxicated. The Pujari's proposal was immediately accepted. Jathedar Sahib Singh jee Nihang ordered, "We'll slaughter the goats in the morning, now we should get ready to take over Sree Akaal Takhat". At 12pm, a group of 50 Nihangs arrived at Sree Akaal Takhat Sahib and sat down there. Jathedar Kartar Singh jee Jhabbar was in Bazaar Mai Sevaa(n) and was told that the Nihangs had now taken control of the Takhat. Jathedar Jhabbar was preparing to leave for Panja Sahib but had to change his plans. He went and stood under the balcony in front of Sree Akaal Takhat Saahib. A Nihang saw him and called out "Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar! You're a Jathedar (so I'll talk to you). My name is Gopal Singh Giani. I'm the secretary for the Nihang Jatha. We've thrown you out of here (the Takhat) and taken control." Jhabbar replied, "Sree Nihang Singh jee! You shouldn’t' challenge other Singhs like this. You stay put and I'll be back soon." A Jatha of Akalis was coming at that time near the Bunga of Maanaavalay. Bhai Teja Singh Bhuchhar was accompanying it as well. Jhabbar stopped this Jatha and told them what had happened and explained that they should wait before taking action as ther were a lot of Nihangs and another Jatha of Akalis was coming. Soon, the Dhoori vala Malvai Jatha under Gajjan Singh also arrived. Jathedar Jhabbar stopped the Jatha by Laichi Ber and explained that the Nihangs were also Singhs and brothers so they shouldn't be attacked. First they should be talked too and have the situation explained. Jathedar Jhabbar went before the Takhat and called out, "Nihang Singh jee! The management of the Takhat is now in the hands of the Panth. Please leave." The Nihangs however were intoxicated with Sukha and ignored these words. Jathedar Jhabbar tried to make them understand but they would not listen. They instead began to speak insulting words in return. Jathedar Jhabbar then stepped back and motioned towards his Jatha. At this, the Khalsa, like lions arrived at the Takhat. They grabbed the Nihangs and threw them down. In the Malvai Jatha, there was an 18 year old daughter of a Subedar, Bibi Bhajan Kaur who was badly beating the Nihangs and was throwing them down. The Bibi grabbed one Nihang and was dragging him by the leg but Jathedar Jhabbar released him. The Bibi, who had a staff in her hands, then went and struck at Jathdar Sahib Singh and attacked him. Finally, two Singhs had to hold this Bibi back and prevent her from attacking even more. Many Nihangs ran away and the rest were surrounded. Hearing all the commotion, a lot of Singhs from the city also arrived. One Singh suggested that the Nihangs be handed over to the police. Another Singh brought a piece of paper and said to Jathedar Sahib Singh, "write on this paper that you've made a mistake and the Panth should forgive you. Then put your thumbprint on it and we'll let you go." Jathedar Sahib Singh put his thumbprint on the paper and the Nihangs were forgiven. Later it was found out that Giani Gopal Singh, the one who had challenged the Singhs had run away from a back door. The Singhs from the city brought some carts and the Nihangs were put on them and taken back to ChhaoNee Burj Baba Phoola Singh. (Taken from the book "Kartar Singh Jhabbar")

I have a genuine question about Sarbloh Granth. I've read that Sarbloh Granth isn't authentic or written by Guru Gobind Singh jee. What is the history of this Granth? I personally feel that shabads like "Khalsao mero roop hai khaas" seem like baaNee, but scholars feel otherwise. the Encyclopaedia of Sikhism says: I looked at www.sarbloh.info and couldn't find much information on it. What do the Nihangs say is the origin of Sarbloh Granth and why wasn't it incorporated into Dasam Granth? I believe the old sarbloh.com site said that this granth was found in Hazoor Saahib by Dasam Pita and was written by him in an earlier jug. Is this true? If it is BaaNee, then I think the Buddha Dal has made a mistake by selling it on the open market. It was the only granth not sold in stores, and it should have stayed that way. But I hope some Nihangs who are knowledgeable about this topic will enlighten us and comment on the above doubts I found in the Encyclopaedia.