ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ

Wanted to post about something really cool that happened a few weeks ago...
While I was doing Paath in the morning some doubt-thoughts appeared in my mind..about the existance of God. Not that God doesn't exist..but some other issues that hunted me for several weeks regarding God's existance.

Ironically the answer to the doubts lay in the Paath I was doing...but since I couldn't understand it, there wasn't much I could do at the time.... (which means I should start reading interpretations and translations of the nitnem banis...)

Went to the Gurdwara after Nitnem and this is the Hukamnama that Guru Ji blessed me with...:

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ਘਰੁ ੨ ਚਉਪਦੇ
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ਇਹੁ ਧਨੁ ਅਖੁਟੁ ਨ ਨਿਖੁਟੈ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਪੂਰੈ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਦਿਖਾਇ ॥
ਅਪੁਨੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਉ ਸਦ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਈ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ ॥੧॥
ਸੇ ਧਨਵੰਤ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥
ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਪਰਗਾਸਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਅਵਗੁਣ ਕਾਟਿ ਗੁਣ ਰਿਦੈ ਸਮਾਇ ॥
ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥
ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਾਚੀ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
ਸੁਖ ਮਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ ॥੨॥
ਏਕੁ ਅਚਰਜੁ ਜਨ ਦੇਖਹੁ ਭਾਈ ॥
ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ ॥
ਨਾਮੁ ਅਮੋਲਕੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ॥੩॥
ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਵਸੈ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਇ ॥
ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਘਟਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਸਹਜੇ ਜਿਨਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਜਾਣਿ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੪॥੧॥
663-664
Click here for translation


Really crushed the doubt. Although the Shabads doesn't explain what I was having doubts about it was like a tap on my head from Guru Ji.. with him saying:
"My Son, trust me.. trust....by following the Shabad Guru your doubts WILL be removed"...

Simplying reading my mind...knowing the doubts existed...he gave me the path to remove these doubts... he spoke to me through the Hukamnama...Now comes the hard part: following these instructions..

I know this means very little for others... just as little as ..someone telling me about them personally seeing someone elevating while doing pagti...meant to me...

Anyway..this shabad has kept the candle lit for a few weeks..and filled my required quota of inspiration for quite a while....

Trust the Guru. Experience and talk to your Guru. He is not a book, or someone to be feared. Go forward and talk to him....

ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ...

Sorted

Everything has finally been sorted.

Went to Punjabi University in Patiala after being recommended by Prof Kartar Singh Ji. Met with a really nice person who is to teach me and the principle of the Gurmat Sangeet Department at the University, Dr Gurnam Singh.

Although he seemed quite strict and everything and it seemed like a formal interview he would use phrases that would relax you, like: "phikar na kar puttar, apa solve kar dange"

My case was a bit obscure since I'm not going to study at the University for a few years, but only a short time course...

I'm a bit nervous though..since I'm going to have to stay at the hostel (halls) at the Uni, and wonder what it's going to be like... being surrounded by a bunch of freshiesss..haha...

So everything is sorted and my lessons are going to start next Monday.... The only probelm is sorting an instrument... I really want to learn the Taus...and although the technique of using the Dilruba is the same....it's not the same......But the Taus is really expensive...

It costs about as much as the flight ticket to Punjab!
Pretty dissappointing how learning to sing raag kirtan has become a class question. I mean, we're doing quite fine and can afford one..but what about those who really want to learn..but don't have the money to sort an instrument and everything. I really don't think these instruments were meant to be so expensive....

Anyway, they've got ONE Taus in Patiala which I'll be aloud to use until I get my own (still looking for a good one...where it will take little time to construct it..)

Hope everyone is having a nice time....and enjoying their summer.
P.s Those looking for inspiration: www.sikhstudent.net =)

More non-productiveness

The first two weeks have been quite unproductive. Although I've met some really nice people, including Bhai Balbir Singh Raagi...and some other people.. I still haven’t started doing what I came here for. I'm going to meet a teacher tonight and see how it goes. The biggest difficulty isn't in getting a teacher, but a saaj sorted. I've been to one shop that Bhai Balbir SIngh JI recommended... He told me to call him when I'm in the shop so that he could speak to the owner himself to give specifications of how the saaj should be. Bad luck. After speaking to the instrument maker Bhai Sahib called me and told me that he was giving a really high price and told me not to buy from him. He said he would look on his next journey to Delhi if he could get a nice saaj (taus) sorted for me.... Bhai Sahib is a really sweet person... He's helping me to get stuff going...which reminds me that I should call him soon to find out what he's found out...

Went to Gurmat Sangeet Academy (run by SGPC under Prof Kartar Singh Ji)...in Anandpur Sahib...but found out that Prof Sahib had left the academy for his home ten minutes before my arrival. Got his number...spoke to him and he recommended me someone from Patiala..Punjabi University, will meet him tonight. At the academy I found out there's going to be a seminar in Khalsa Collage Amritsar on the occasion of 400 years anniversary of the founding of the Akal Thakhat...thought I'd go there.

On the buss I met a really pervert person who started touching me... (embarrassing)... One thing that I think is important to point out is that the person was a sardar. I am not implying all sardars (which includes me) are perverts... But that you sould stay wary wherever you are. I've meet quite a few sardars who have been responsible for quite a lot of damage.. directly or indirectly. This is not only in India..but also elsewhere. So just because someone seems to be 'chardikala, khula darha, vada chola, 24/7 paath karan vala'..it doesn't mean the inside is as clean. I'm not saying I'm perfect from inside.. cause I'm still being looted by the 5 theives...but all I'm saying is..that one should stay wary…because there’s been cases where so-called gyanis have turned out to be sexual predators... stay wary..

When I finally reached the Collage (I think it's a University now..) there were some scholars who spoke about the concept of miri piri, history of Akal Thakhat..followed by propaganda by Badal (one of the...if not the...corrupt-est politician in Punjab)... So that was a big time waste. Apart from that nothing major going on..except looking for girls for my two cousins.... It's so warm here...everyone’s dying.

On another note..I found a really good cooler which I think would be really popular if sold in Europe..so I've got a business idea..hahaha.

I really want to go to some camp in England this summer.....there's absolutly no inspiration in this country..except the speaches by Sukha Singh, Kirtan by a few 'gupt' individuals (can be found on ektaone.com)...which I've got on my mp3 player...

Hopefully the coming few days will be more productive and efficient...
Enough rambling and complaining for now..

Let's see what’s coming....
Hope you have a nice time wherever you are...

The month of Aasaarh seems burning hot

I failed to notice the heat. I thought "people are exaggerating about the heat in this country". Until I left the air-conditioned car. It was terrible. Sooo warm.

aasaarr thapa(n)dhaa this lagai har naahu n ji(n)naa paas
jagajeevan purakh thiaag kai maanas sa(n)dhee aas

aasaarr suha(n)dhaa this lagai jis man har charan nivaas 5

The month of Aasaarh seems burning hot, to those who are not close to their Husband Lord.
They have forsaken God the Primal Being, the Life of the World, and they have come to rely upon mere mortals.

The month of Aasaarh is pleasant, when the Feet of the Lord abide in the mind. 5


The desi month of AsaR (or HaR, as most people now call it) is here. Click here for a great katha of this Shabad.
It is really warm here in Punjab. The reason is probably that the "Feet of the Lord do not abide in the mind."

I'd first I'd like to thank for the sweet comment that have been left (",)
A little bit about my journey:

Being an owner of some Indian genes I was bound not be on time on the airport. My flight was at 11:55. I called the travel agent at 9:20, asking when I should be at the airport since the email I received didn't have this information. They recommended that we arrive two hours before the take-off (9:55). The absolute latest, one and a half hour before (10:25). We live about an hour to hour and a half from the airport. Although everything was packed, mum started doing Ardaas that Guru ji keep me in his Sharan and that I have a safe journey. Guess where my mind was...

After a speedy journey we arrived at the airport at 10:30 (too late). The lines were really long at the check in desk. Guru Ji had taken care of everything...

Journey was really good..met a few apney also going to Punjab..really nice people.....
Although I had booked my ticket for the Indo-Canadian bus service for Delhi to Punjab I ended up in a Tata Sumo (typical Indian van) with 4 stinking men who were sweating themselves off. Not funny at all. After a long journey, I'm finally in Punjab. Then Guru Arjan Dev JI's shaheedi divas came, one day after I arrived. Really wanted to go to the Nagar Kirtan the day after. Woke up really late due to tiredness and laziness, so ended up doing nothing at home.... I’m a bit sad I didn’t get a double visa for Pakistan..I could have gone for the nagar kirtan to Lahore (Place of Guru Ji’s Shaheedi)

So: Journey hasn't been the best. Haven’t been able to do much useful yet. Still waiting mum to come (coming in a few days)....and then we're going to met the person who is to teach me....she didn't want me to go by my own... ..So haven’t been able to do anything constructive the last few days.

Also: Punjabi people are very very superstitious... One of my on relatives (from far) claims to be a palm-reader. It is unbelievable how vague they are! The person read four people's hands in front of me..and everything she said to them seemed to refer to me to (she spoke about their personality and past..and barely mentioned future).... Very vague.. Unbelievable enough they all believed her. She’s really afraid of being home alone… because she fears some stranger will come in…yet she claims to be able to see people’s future…. Anyway.

But not everything is going wrong.... I hope to meet some interesting people soon...so everything isn't going out of planning. Mum will be coming here soon (cause she wanted to get me ‘established’ and all, so she will be leaving after a while) and then I will be doing constructive stuff…

Hope everything is great at home… in Europe (“,)

ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ - Some thoughts

I do realise that many of my posts are pretty long and boring. I will try to cut them down. This post will also be quite long..but in future..I shall try to make the posts shorter.

While attending a Sikhi Week lecture about Why Are We Here? A few thoughts arose. The main Shabad that was brought up was:

ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨੁਖ ਦੇਹੁਰੀਆ ॥
ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥
ਅਵਰਿ ਕਾਜ ਤੇਰੈ ਕਿਤੈ ਨ ਕਾਮ ॥
ਮਿਲੁ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਭਜੁ ਕੇਵਲ ਨਾਮ ॥1॥
ASSG 12

This human body has been given to you.
This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe.
Nothing else will work.
Join the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; vibrate and meditate on the Jewel of the Naam. ||1||


Gurbani says that we've been blessed with this chance to make a difference. To change ourself. To change the world. Yet do we do this? The speaker stopped talking and arranged two small discussion groups about what our goal is in life. Out of 10-15 people sitting around in our group, only 1-2 said that their goal in life was to meet Vaheguru (I was not one of those..).


Although we might all say that ideally, we should make more effort on the spiritual path... it is something we should really ask ourself: How much of an effort are we making?
Are we taking that little step that will make Guru Ji come so much closer?


Bhai Gurdas Ji writes:
ਚਰਨ ਸਰਨਿ ਗੁਰ ਏਕ ਪੈਡਾ ਜਾਇ ਚਲ
ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਕੋਟਿ ਪੈਡਾ ਆਗੇ ਹੋਇ ਲੇਤ ਹੈ ॥

charan saran gur eaek paiddaa jaae chala
sath gur kott paiddaa aagae hoe laeth hai ||

By taking one single step towards the Guru
The True Guru will take many (I believe kot means Thousands? or millions?) of steps towards you to recieve you.

Yet do we take that step? Do we acknowledge that: Vaheguru, you are with me? I'm not sure I should be posting about this..since I personally do not. Although I might say that, in theory, the goal of my life is to meet parmatma, my practicle life doesn't show this. I do not remember Vaheguru. I do not treat my everyone with respect... It's so interesting how we read this shabad everyday...(sometimes) understand it...but fail to realise it.

There's nothing wrong with getting degrees and good job, as a matter of fact..it's a really good thing to do so... but should that not be something secondary? Doesn't Gurbani say you should live a practicle life..yet at the same time be pious? Isn't a Sikh to be beutiful like a lotus in a dirty pond?

Again, I don't know whether I should've posted this..since I do not do this myself..it's just some observations I made from the talk I listened to...

What is the point of your life?


Bhull Chukk Maaf

P.s I might not post for a while now. Hasdey roh, Vasdey roh (",)
The morning Hukam Guru Ji blessed me with.

My inspirations #2 - Through innocent love, the Lord is met.

ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
ਭੋਲੇ ਭਾਇ ਮਿਲੇ ਰਘੁਰਾਇਆ ॥4॥6॥

kahu kabeer bhagath kar paaeiaa ||
bholae bhaae milae raghuraaeiaa ||4||6||

Through innocent love, the Lord is met. ||4||6||
Says Kabeer, He is obtained only by devotional worship.
324

Continuing the series posts on people who inspire me.

My second post on people that inspire me is about:

Bhagat Puran Singh Ji. Or, as some would call him: ‘the bearded Mother Teresa'


Wow. What a personality. What devotion for mankind. Synonymous to compassion.
So much love. Truly a ‘Puran’ (complete) being.

Bhagat Puran Singh Ji, was the founder of the Pingalwara. The literal meaning of Pingalwara is, house of the disabled.

Born as ‘Ramji Das’, he later on became a Sikh. The story of how and why he became a Sikh is also so uplifting. There is a book by Patwant Singh about Bhagat Puran Singh Ji called, Garland around my Neck by Patwant Singh which can be ordered from both from singhbrothers.com and dtfbooks.com. The book has a lot of pictures and is simply amazing!

Bhagat Puran Singh Ji’s life was all about helping the needy, the destitute, the disabled.

Khushwant Singh writes that he was a

tall, shabbily dressed man, who may be found tramping with his wooden sandals or riding a rickshaw, along with an invalid.

Those words create is such a beautiful picture. There’s many photographs of Bhagat Ji trampling around on his rickshaw, helping someone who is in need. He wouldn’t ask anyone else: “Oye! Tu eh kar, Oye! To oh kar”. He did it all himself. He was such a great person, that he wouldn’t make any distinction based on creed, caste, race etc… he recognized the jyot of parmatma in everyone…

The Pingalwara created by him still stands in Amritsar (with more branches). When visiting Amritsar, make sure you visit the Pingalwara and check out the amazing seva that is being done there, and if possible, try to contribute to this wonderful task taken up.

Bhagat Ji was awarded by a Padam Pooshan (an award from the Indian Government), which he later on returned after the Attack on Sri Darbar Sahib.

Bhagat Puran Singh Ji renders true love for humanity, and shows how a Sikh should serve humanity shattering all superficies labels.

For many years, Bhagat Puran Singh ji physically carried Piara (an incontinent and mentally disadvantaged person) on his back while he carried out the great sewa for the sick and handicapped. In paying tribute to this, the book mentioned earlier has been named "Garland Around My Neck".

I still havn't worked our how to post pictures properly so, you will have to check the links:

Bhagat Puran Singh and Piara 1

Bhagat Puran Singh and Piara 2

More info and pictures of Bhagat Ji can be found here

Here is my favourite. I use this as my wallpaper:

Just look at the peace. The calmness. The sehaj.

Read more about Bhagat Puran Singh Ji:

Here

and here

Dhan Guru Dhan Guru Pyaarey.

P.s Leaving for Punjab soon check the wicked Hukam Guru Ji blessed with tonight:
Click here for Hukam
Just that I havn't really been "Contemplating my Lord and Master, my True Guru".
Seems like a happy Hukam (",)

Bhull Chukk Maaf