There's this Hindu couple that comes to the local Gurdwara. They do soo much seva. It's unbelievable how much seva they do. You caa always find the wife doing the cleaning-the-shoes-seva. And what's so cool is that, they never show off, talk about it or anything. It's as if they do the seva; and forget about it, never to be remembered again. Now I don't know what's going on in their brains; they might be stuck in the 5 vices, and what not; but what really amazes me ias that they do the seva they do, with a
It feels as if they've got a lot more humility in the Gurdwara than most of the Sikhs put together (including me haha). It feels as if they're the carrier of the torch of Guru Nanak, more than the Sikh sangat is; which is stuck in ritualism, Akhand Paath, and what not. I'm not talking about rehit or anything; because although they might not be following the rehit, I personally think that the devotion they're serving with passes all lengths; of the devotion most rehitvan Sikhs do in this part of the world.
I don't have much to say, other than; although I'm not saying Rehit isn't important, I still think there are more important things (despite the many quotes the exist to emphasise rehit), in the spiritual life, such as; devotion, gyan etc. That being said; I'm not saying there aren't rehitvaan people who don't have above qualities; but I think more emphasis is put in the exterior, than the interior; rather than a balance of both.
Haven’t posted for long due to getting a part-time job, and due to preparations for a Sikh youth camp in
Hope to post a bit more frequently =D
Nawab Kapur Singh led the Khalsa during a period of turmoil. Nawab Kapur Singh ji was initiated into the Khalsa by Panj, which included Bhai Mani Singh Ji, along with his father and brother, Vaisakhi 1721.
During this period the mughals realised that they wouldn't be able to defeat the Sikhs, so they decided to make a treaty where the Sikhs would be allowed to live freely without having price on their head! The Sikhs where given a large estate. Sardar Kapur Singh was chosen to lead the Sikhs, and to control the land. He was given the title by Five Sikhs, at whom's feet he first placed the robe of honour he had received, before putting it on. Although reluctant, he had to accept the decision made by the community, but made one request. That "he should not be deprived of his old privilege of serving in the community kitchen (Langar)." (Some say that he used to clean the dung of the horses in the barns...and that he requested that, he should not be deprived of that seva).
He got the honour of leading a whole nation, yet all he requests is that he should be allowed to continue doing seva, which most of us are reluctant on doing!
During this period the population of Sikhs had grown, so the army was dvided into two groups; Buddha Dal (army of the old) and Taruna Dal (army of the young; jawan). Nawab ji led the Panth during a period of turmoil in Sikh history, and he was involved in creating the Khalsa Army; Dal Khalsa, and creating misls (groups of Sikhs with different functions, some would protect the Gurdwara etc), under the leadership of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia who was another great Sikh warrior of the time.
It was during this period that Hindu girls was abducted by Persian invaders (Nadir Shah), and the Dal Khalsa would pursue to their rescue. The smaller holocaust occurred during this period. 1748 he requested to be relieved of his duties due to his old age, and proposed Jassa Singh Alhuwalia to be the commander of the Dal Khalsa.
What's cool is; is the fact that he wasn't just a soldier, he reflected a Sikh; a saint-soldier; a person who wouldd, at time of peace, sit and actually do seva, and serve people, and not just lead.
Read more about Nawab Kapoor Singh;
The reason I’ve written this up, is because I myself didn’t know much about him, and thought it would be something we’d all learn something from, since I hadn’t heard about him much till quite recently =)
ਦੇਦਾ ਦੇ ਲੈਦੇ ਥਕਿ ਪਾਹਿ ॥
ਜੁਗਾ ਜੁਗੰਤਰਿ ਖਾਹੀ ਖਾਹਿ ॥
ਹੁਕਮੀ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਚਲਾਏ ਰਾਹੁ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ ॥3॥
(SGGS: 2)
Just when I had started thinking life can't get any better; I get a call.
I have no way to express myself, so I really don't see why I'm posting this. All I can say is; acknowledge what you have been given; whether from your brother, sister, mother or whoever. Just acknowledge. Just once go and say 'thank you', and show your appreciation for something; and look how happy they become.
When you're done doing this; Go and do an ardaas, and thank God for everything he's given you.
Just a few days ago, one of my eye went black for a few seconds. I was panicking. It felt as if the right eye was paralyzed (and it didn’t help that I couldn't see anything with it). That's when it struck me. I'm not appreciating what God has given me at all. Not to the extent that I've been writing on this blog. That’s when I realised that I've been given much much more than I appreciate; and now realise that I cannot and will not be able to appreciate everything he's giving me. (My eye’s okay now 
Just once; appreciate; and thank. Acknowledge.
What's funny is; I keep getting materialistic things that keep making me more and more content (sounds very weird I know). When you look at Gurbani; you see that the Bhagats had been blessed by much more than materialistic things, and look at the extent they are content too (post getting weird and weirder
appreciating....
ਜਾ ਤੂ ਮੇਰੈ ਵਲਿ ਹੈ ਤਾ ਕਿਆ ਮੁਹਛੰਦਾ ॥
ਤੁਧੁ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਮੈਨੋ ਸਉਪਿਆ ਜਾ ਤੇਰਾ ਬੰਦਾ ॥
ਲਖਮੀ ਤੋਟਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਖਾਇ ਖਰਚਿ ਰਹੰਦਾ ॥
ਲਖ ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਮੇਦਨੀ ਸਭ ਸੇਵ ਕਰੰਦਾ ॥
ਏਹ ਵੈਰੀ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਸਭਿ ਕੀਤਿਆ ਨਹ ਮੰਗਹਿ ਮੰਦਾ ॥
ਲੇਖਾ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਪੁਛਈ ਜਾ ਹਰਿ ਬਖਸੰਦਾ ॥
ਅਨੰਦੁ ਭਇਆ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਮਿਲਿ ਗੁਰ ਗੋਵਿੰਦਾ ॥
ਸਭੇ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰਿਐ ਜਾ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵੰਦਾ ॥7॥
I've been typing and erasing; so I see no point in continuing. Just acknowledge; and love.
During Rehraas a few days ago, I was (again!
Some of the stanzas were comprehensible, and some were a bit more complex. Here's what I realised;
Some of the shabads focus on:
- How we should be inspired by the thirst others have had; not being able to live without Naam/Shabad/Akal. Examples are often given (several examples are given in bani; That a Sikhs love should be like; a fish not being able to live without water; a person not being able to live without oxygen; rain birds thirst for water)
- Other focus on humility; where the highest of the highest call themselves lowest of the lowest (kire/ants/insects)
- Other remind us that this life is temporary, and can be disconnected any minute. This actually reminds me of a teacher that just passed away a few days ago. One day he was walking talking, having a good time, making everyone smile in his lectures; the next day he was no more. Felt very odd; but that shook me. The shook me completely; I've been reminded daily by the Guru that this life is temporary, and that although we're not meant to neglect worldly things, we cannot forget that ultimately, we're not going to stay here...yet has this made any difference to my lifestyle? Hardly.
- Other Shabads constantly remind us that the POINT of life IS to become one with Akaal (eternal). We waste our life doing all sorts of other things. That being said, it doesn't mean that other things shouldn't be done, or that Sikhs should become sadhus in mountains and try to become one with the eternal; it doesn't work that way; it's meant to be a balance. That's something I’ve notice I need to work on. A lot of people are probably thinking; this guy’s is being really humble; but I'm not. The point of making this post is not to seem or act humble; because my Sikhi is seriously not very developed [people who have personally met me can wiconfirm this
- Then there’s Shabads praying for the 'kirpa' of Vaheguru, and that he always bestows his hand upon our head, and keep us his sanctuary; other giving insights how much we've been blessed with; how much God has and can give, depending on efforts we make, and the decisions God makes.
The above messages are just the few things I've understood from the Bani; there is yet a lot to be decoded, by those who actually have made efforts to understand it.
Then there’s the morning prayer. My habit is a bit weird; getting up, taking a shower (being the late awakener I am), it's constantly about breaking new records on how quickly I can complete the paath. Never any focus.
Rehraas on the other hand has become a time to reflect, reason, to think, to feel, to remember, to be reminded, but that only comes at times when I really have time, and am not stressed to do thousands of other things.
Feedback and critique of above thoughts appreciated.
Before proceeding with writing about anything, I've decided to follow the footsteps of Satvinder Penji; Making a disclaimer. Just to clarify the point of the blog; this is a personal (yet very public) blog; where I share my views, thoughts, understanding, ideas (and some other junk). This is a place where I communicate with friends, and have gotten in touch with many new people. It's a place for me to also store stuff that I think is interesting, and can look back to on a later opportunity (and feel ashamed over what I wrote earlier on haha). This is definitely not a site where I act like some 'holier-than-thou' type, who thinks/acts like he knows everything. I share my views and understanding, and welcome critique and feedback. Take everything on this blog with a pinch of salt.
I hope to post something more interesting very soon.
?
, just the day before I was going to go back to India. Oh and this Bebeh bakes a lot better than average bebeh you'd see walking on the street..To all my fellow readers who have been following me regularly on my dandruff;
A sum of £2 ($4) has been invested in deploying troops to the terrorist-affected areas.
After a tight combat, and four days of skirmish and tight firing, we are happy to declare that most of the terrorists have been eliminated.
God bless V’s hair!
Troops: head and shoulders & gari da tel [coconut oil - very desi, I know]
Terrorist-affected areas: dandruff affected area (hair)
Tight combat: a daily hair shower for four days (imagine: it’s an entire project just to shower your hair once, and then to get it to dry…. ..imagine FOUR DAYS IN A ROW!!! A MISSION!)
Dandruff is finally getting off, after showering my hair (and drying it) four days in a row. It's been an entire mission, but it was really annoying; and now its almost gone
Oh and I've got my final Biochem exam on Monday; then I'm freeeeeeee; and hopefully have time to work on my driving !
I'm still working on some of the posts I've earlier written I'm going to write about; but probably won't post much until Monday.
) that I've got everything.) Always wanted a healthy fit body: got one! (Finally after loosing a lot of flabs in India!) Always wanted to learn to do Kirtan in Raag: although not much, I can do a little! I've got great friends; and a wonderful family! A mindblowing mum, and a great sister !!:
After a few weeks of not going to Gurdwara (due to a part-time job on weekends) I went to Gurdwara today. So much politics. Even in the singing. I decided to make a post about it on the blog. I am a firm believer (as those who know me personally will know) that positive energy should be spread rather than too much negative; I decided not to write about that.
Instead I'm going to write about something else that happened today. Today our youth organisation had the first meeting of the year. The organisation initially started December 2004, when two Penjis and one Paaji, Navleen Kaur, Sharonjeet Kaur and Manvir Singh came to 
), the names of the Gurus in chronological order, and a lot of other historical figures [which I'm not saying are not important things to learn], by older people who did not manage to get the kids interested into Sikhi. The first camp was a great
success! The youngsters were united and, everyone wanted to get together and do stuff together. This is when Swedish Organisation of Sikh Students was founded.
The following year 2005, went quite well. A few charity related activities (collecting money for Red Cross in relation to the Tsunami and the
The year to come, 2006 was a total disaster. No activities, no-one interested in putting down their time into doing stuff. Everything went wrong. No-one bothered to do anything; everyone was busy with their life etc etc.
Then came 2007. We had an annual meeting in the beginning of the year, in order to analyse what was positive in 2006, what went wrong, and what we planned for 2007. Then it struck us: 2006 was a failure. There was nothing positive to write about it. We decided that we would hold more activities in 2007. One activity a month (in 2005 we had so many, that people got tired, and less and less people turned up every time); last Saturday in the month. That was today. We did Gatka today; one of the guys knew his gatka; so he taught the other guys. We had some warm up time in the beginning where we played some ball games (killer ball, spook ball etc)..Followed by the gatka.
The day went quite well. Although I've got an exam on Monday, and had to work till late, I decided to go, since I had made a commitment in the meeting that I would become a part of the committee, since I noticed that a lot of things needed to be changed. Overall it went quite well; most people had fun. We decided that a Camp would be held this year too; so hopefully that should work out. Like Jasbir veerji, Singapore, writes in his blog; "If its to be - its up to me." This veer, almost single-handedly organized a Sikh kids camp in Singapore; which was great! I've made a post about the Bahadur Bachey camp earlier on, which you can take a look at=)
I think in order for things to work out, you need to prioritize stuff. So even your studies and work need to be put behind at times, if you've chosen the role of beign part of the committee. That's something I've noticed some people don't do; even though they themselves choose to become a part of it. I think you need to have visions, goals; and the commitment.
Anyway; hope things work out well this year, and I'll keep the blog updated on what happens with the society.
Oh and photos of some of the things we've previously done can be seen here.
P.s I'm currently working on a post on 'My inspirations'.
It's going to be about a leader who inspires me =)
Now I need to study for Monday's exam!
Happy Valentines Day to all couples! Hope everyone had an amazing day full of surprises and wishes.
Love between to parners is an absolutly wonderful thing.
Today I, however, gave a bouquet to my wonderful mum. This is what she did with it:
I don't like analysing too much, but one of encartas dicitionary's definitions of romance, is:
"Love affair: a love affair, especially a brief and intense one."
A Shabad I found which, I think, renders romance towards the relation between the human being and God: Shabad from Raag Majh.
Kacheras!
Come in all shapes and sizes. To the left you can see a Singaporean Singh showing his kachera in a stand-up comedy, in the Malaysian Samelan. This Singh's Kachera-collection is unbelievable! Zebra stripped, rainbow colours - you name it: got them all!
Another handy piece of advice is: getting pockets installed on your kachera, just in case there’s something you need to store there! Could be anything, like toilet paper if you’re in a country like
More advice on the Kakkars to follow.
I still remember I'm goign to write a post on Maya, was just on a little light mood today.
Also check this out: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fWjzb37tkCQ
I'm back home!
We stayed at Jasbir Singh's house, who made sure our Singapore trip was enjoyable, and full of activity. The five of us (Jasbir, Kiwi, Harkiran, My sis and me) went to the part, did nitnem and had a little picknick there. While doing Nitnem it started raining, so by the time we were done we all had wet and cold bums. All five wet bums decide to go to Ash's place. We stay at his place and contemplate on what to do. We decide to go to a restaurant and eat Singaporean noodles with some of the Singaporean youngsters joining us.
store to buy a tuner for my taus.
