| Connecting
over 25 millions NRIs worldwide |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||
 |
HISTORIC SIKH TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS This October, the Sikhs around the world are celebrating the Ordination of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Scripture, as the Eternal Living Guru of the Sikhs as commanded by the Tenth and last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh in 1708 A.D. This October also marks the three hundredth anniversary of passing of Guru Gobind Singh at Nanded, India when his Light merged with the Divine Light in 1708 A.D. GURU GRANTH SAHIB AS THE LIVING GURU Originally compiled by the Fifth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Arjan Dev and dictated to Bhai Gurdas, The Adi Granth was installed at Sri Harimander Sahib, Amritsar on August 30, 1604 A.D. The present Scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, includes the hymns of Guru Teg Bahadur, the Ninth Guru of the Sikhs, was personally prepared and dictated to Bhai Mani Singh by the Tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh at Damdama Sahib in 1706 A.D. By some counts, there are 5,894 Shabads: inspired and revealed hymns and compositions enshrined in the final compilation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Each hymn is assigned one of the 31 Ragas: meters and rhythms, patterns of music in traditional Indian musical scales and measures and are organized accordingly (except Japji Sahib in the beginning and Raagmala at the end which have no Raaga designations) beginning with Sri Raag and ending with Raag Jai Jaiwanti, across 1430 pages. Written in Gurumukhi script and exulted poetry, Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a treasury of many languages and regional dialects that include Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Prakirt, Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi Khari Boli and Dakhni. This unique and interfaith Sacred Scripture of the Sikhs honors the inspired hymns of six Sikh Gurus - Gurus: Nanak, Angad, Amar Das, Ram Das, Arjan Dev, and Teg Bahadur, and twenty Hindu (Namdev, Jaidev, Ramanand, Ravidas, Trilochan, and others) and Muslim Saints (Baba Farid, Bhagat Kabir) from various regions, castes, and spiritual traditions. A rich and colorful diversity of languages, poetic styles, musical measures, and the selected compositions forms the composite sacred body of the Sikh scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS). Every Word enshrined in the SGGS reverberates with an unmistakable message of Unity, Universality, Eternal Truths, and Oneness of the One Supreme Immaculate Reality from before the beginning of Life and Time, and His Laws and Command govern all Creation. God is Self-Created, Self-Illuminated, All-Knowing Lord who cares for all His Children as a Compassionate and Benevolent Mother and Father. Guru Granth Sahib recognizes and honors the sanctity of all faiths and spiritual traditions, advocates respect and preservation of Nature as the Crowning Handiwork of the Creator, and passionately enunciates that the purpose of life is to know God and the way to know God is through righteous living, Naam Simran, and Seva ( selfless service). The investiture of SGGS as the henceforth Guru, the Living Spiritual Teacher and Guiding Light of Sikhs, was ordained by the Tenth and last Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, just before his departure for his Heavenly Abode on October 7, 1708 A.D. at Nanded, Maharashtra, India. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is regarded as The Shabad Guru: Word of God and a Living Personification of the Ten Sikh Gurus and accorded an uncommon reverence by the Sikhs. It is the spiritual anchor of their faith, devotion, conduct, and celebrations. SGGS rests in a throne-like setting in congregation halls of every Sikh Temple and the people walk up to it in humility and deep gratitude to pay their obeisance for the Divine Light and Wisdom, and the immense pride, blessings, unique history, and spiritual heritage that SGGS represents to the faithful and pilgrims of Spirit. Today, with increased travel, internet and communication revolution, and the availability of translations of the Sikh Scriptures in many world languages, the universal message of SGGS provides another Guiding Light and a rich spiritual resource for all humanity. Sri Guru Granth Sahib revealed and advanced many revolutionary precepts; offers its own testimony of timeless spiritual wisdom that finds similar echoes in other sacred texts and revealed inspirations. SGGS offers an amazing imagery of the God’s unfathomable Creation (especially in Guru Nanak Dev’s Japji Sahib), and the indescribable Majesty, Mystery, and Attributes of Waheguru (Wonderful Lord), Akal Purakh (Immortal Being), especially in Guru Gobind Singh’s sacred writings: Jaap Sahib and Akal Ustat. ANCHOR AND CENTRAL CORE OF SIKH FAITH Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred Bible of the Sikhs, today forms the central core of Sikh faith, inspiration, reverence, rituals, and ceremonies. In Sikh Temples, SGGS is placed on an elevated platform under elaborately decorated Palkis and Chandoas (canopies) and covered with layers of brocaded silks, and is given the honor of a Royal Personage. The Sikhs regard SGGS as a Living Shabad Guru and know that the full measure of “God’s Eternal Truth is revealed to us by the Grace of the Guru: Enlightened Teacher.” The Sikh history is full of testimony of incredible sacrifices made by the followers to uphold the sanctity and preserve the honor of SGGS, major shrines, and universal ideals. For Sikhs, SGGS is the visual and spiritual embodiment of their Gurus, living testament of their faith and spirit, a Spiritual Anchor and much more. I offer my homage and reflection based on my very limited understanding of this awesome Scripture blessed to humanity: A JEWELED REPOSITORY OF SPIRITUAL WISDOM A Jeweled Sacred Repository, an Interfaith Treasure: God as an Immaculate Reality, Eternal Truth: Know that God as the Cause of all things: Seeing Life as a precious gift to know God: Seeking Harmony with Nature and Man: Recognizing sanctity of Life and Traditions: Sri Guru Granth Sahib offered images, revelations of mighty Heavens centuries before the modern science and technology made it possible for us to see those wonders: The Heavens are bursting forth with a continuous Naad: celestial music, sacred sound currents that are reverberating throughout the unfathomable Universe that stretch across countless Solar Systems, Celestial Continents, Suns and Moons, and Earths and Planets: “His Stars are strung across the great Sky; His Light radiates and illumines the limitless cosmic expanse and Realms.” All Creation moves in total obedience of His Will and Pleasure, and God takes joy in all that He has Created, Sustains, and Nurtures. Today, we know from the scientific research and visual images beamed to Earth by the Hubble Telescope that our Universe is continuing to expand, and that the Universe is an ever-changing, limitless lightyears of space teaming with millions of galaxies, each studded with billions of stars. We see, imagine, cosmic corridors with amazing wonders: dazzling light and sound shows, garlands of galaxies as if in Celestial Temples of Praise, giant stars and heavenly bodies taking birth, spinning, and transforming, and hurtling through space, at speeds, in orbits, to destinations we cannot imagine, nor fathom. Kanwal Prakash “KP” Singh GURU GOBIND SINGH: A BRILLIANT LIFE AND LEGACY According to Bachittar Natak, an autobiographical account attributed to Guru Gobind Singh (some Sikh scholars dispute its authorship), the accounts and testimony offered by other eminent scholars about the history and events surrounding the life and time of the Guru Gobind Singh, we are simply awed by life and legacy of the Tenth and Last Sikh Guru. These accounts reveal and portray that The Great Guru was a rare Spiritual Light sent by the Command of God Almighty Himself to establish Dharma, uphold justice, defend universal sacred rights, uproot evil, and end tyranny against the innocents. The Guru’s sacred mission and mandate was to awaken the spirit and unite the complex and divisive social fabric of India into a casteless and class-free Khalsa (an army of the pure of spirit). The Command for the Khalsa was to end once, and for all, the unconscionable assaults on human dignity, injustice, outrageous acts of oppression and persecution, and uplift the fallen, “Recognize all humanity as One Brotherhood,” liberate the Motherland from its centuries of slavery and subjugation under foreign invaders, and restore the God-given freedoms for all India’s masses. Fulfilling this impossible mission was no small task in the face of a very demoralized and caste-divided India ruled by a powerful and intolerant Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and overrun by his religious zealots ferociously intimidating and forcibly converting the non-Muslims into the folds of Islam, or face death. The odds of stemming this tyranny were formidable, but then Gobind Rai, the son of the Supreme Martyr and Champion of Universal Human Rights, the Ninth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Teg Bahadur and Mata Gujri, was no ordinary Messenger of God. Guru Gobind Singh, as a visionary and strong leader of men, personally and abundantly exemplified what he preached and asked of his followers. Bhai Nand Lal, some contemporaries, and other prominent scholars like Bhai Gurdas, Giani Gian Singh (Panth Parkash), Senapati, Mahakavi Bhai Santokh Singh (Gur Partap Suraj), Dr. Bhai Vir Singh (Guru Kalghidhar Chamatkar), and others offer us a glimpse of the life, legacy, attributes, personality, magnificence, and the brilliant Spiritual Light that was Guru Gobind Singh. They provide a portrait that leaves us breathless that such a person walked the earth, lived among us, taught us through his writings about God and the ways of True Khalsa, and offered us an incredible testimony of righteous daring and defiance, courage and sacrifice that has few equals in human chronicles. Nasroo Mansoor Guru Gobind Singh: Guru Gobind Singh is the support
of others and is blessed by God Almighty Himself Other colorful descriptions and accolades that define Guru Gobind
Singh: Guru Gobind Singh was also a Man of the Arts and Letters: a consummate poet, scholar, musician, and patron of the arts. Guru’s poetical compositions include Jaap Sahib, Sawaiye, Shabd Hazare, Akal Ustat, Zafarnamah, Bachittar Natak (some dispute the authorship of this autobiographical account) among other writings that form The Dasam Granth and provide a glimpse of Guru’s uncommon gifts, radiant persona, his prayers and passions, creative genius and brilliant imagination. They offer an unmistakable reflection and affirmations of a divinely-blessed Messenger carrying a formidable earthly mission at a critical time in Indian history. His life and Light belong to the Ages. GURU GOBIND SINGH (1666-1708 A.D.) There are several significant Sikh shrines and historic sites associated with the events and life of Guru Gobind Singh during his brief time at Nanded. Today, a magnificent Sikh Temple, Sachkhand Sri Huzur Sahib Abchalnagar (one of the Takhts: Spiritual Thrones of the Sikh Faith) marks the hallowed ground sanctified by the presence of Tenth Guru. This majestic Sri Hazur SahibTemple Complex and the town of Nanded will be the focal point of celebrations in October 2008. Millions of Sikh pilgrims, and people of every faith tradition, from around the world are expected to visit the majestic Temple and this historic City to participate in two landmark Tercentenary Commemorations: The Ordination of Guru Granth Sahib as the Eternal Spiritual Guru of the Sikhs and the passing of Guru Gobind Singh at Nanded on October 7, 1708 A.D. Sri Guru Granth Sahib: Guru Gobind Singh dictated the final version of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to Bhai Mani Singh at Damdama Sahib, Punjab in 1706. Upon receiving Guru’s Zaffarnamah (Epistle of Victory), in which the Guru scolded the Emperor of the treachery and deception of his generals in his name and violating their oaths on the Holy Quran, Emperor Aurangzeb invited the Guru to meet him. The Guru departed South (India) with a few trusted followers in October 1706 to meet the Emperor who was in Deccan to quell a rebellion. The Tenth Guru spent last few months of his earthly life in relative tranquility at Nanded, Maharashra, situated on the banks of River Godavari. That peace did not last very long. One evening as he was resting in his tent, an assassination attempt by hired assassins of Wazir Khan, the Ruler of Sarhind, mortally wounded him. A short time later, knowing that his end was near, he called all the Sikhs for a final sermon and blessing. Dressed in full regalia, the Guru circled and bowed before the Holy Granth and formally conferred Eternal Guruship of the Sikhs to Sri Guru Granth Sahib with the immortal words we repeat in our daily Ardas: “Aagya bhayee Akal Kee tubhe chalayo Panth, “By the Order of God Almighty, The Khalsa Panth was created, Soon thereafter, the Light of this “Baadshah (Royal King) Darvesh (Holy Man free of all worldly temptations and attachments) Guru Gobind Singh (Enlightened Teacher, God’s Light, and Lion),” having served in deep humility and obedience to God’s Command and sacrificing his all in the service of humanity, merged with the Divine Light on October 7, 1708 A.D. at Nanded, Maharashtra at the young age of 42 years. The Guru left behind a brilliant trail across humanity’s spiritual skies and sacred footprints of an unmatched living legacy for every generation to marvel at his commitment to the cause of humanity and devotion to the Will of Almighty. GURU GOBIND: A BLAZING DIVINE LIGHT A rare and Spiritual Light, a Prophet He came to Earth at the Command of Almighty, Resolutely defiant against injustice and oppression, Gobind baptized frightened souls into fearlessness, Seeking blessings from the Sarb Loh, Kharag Ket, Kanwal Prakash “KP” Singh
SIKH TERCENTENARY COMMEMORATIONS: PERSONAL REFELCTION As I thought and reflected upon the significant events associated with the life and times of Guru Gobind Singh, other Nine Gurus and their sacred heritage, my mind and spirit are overwhelmed with a sense of awe, humility, as to what those events truly represented: We know that we are the proud custodians of the rich legacy, history, and great heritage of the era of our beloved Guru. As of now, the historians and scholars do not agree on many of the intimate details of the momentous events that occurred over three hundred years ago. Their accounts, in many cases the originals are lost and in others cases inscribed many years later, cannot fully capture the true reality of happenings: intensity, passions, and challenges of those who personally witnessed and participated in those historic events. We can only imagine and wonder: I imagined the long-awaited birth of Gobind Rai on December 22,
1666 at Patna Sahib, I imagined the Town of Anandpur as a living witness to Sikh history, many celebrations and much anguish; its enchanting location amidst the rugged Shivalik Hills and as the playground of Gobind’s childhood and youth; the arrival of the Sis (martyred head of the Ninth Guru, Teg Bahadur) in November 1675 when Gobind Rai was only nine year old. Gobind being annointed as the Tenth Guru of Sikhs to lead them through very troubled times. I imagined Anandpur as the site of annual Hola Mohallas where the bravest and best fiercely competed, excelled in the use of weapons and were rewarded by the Guru Gobind. The amazing Kautak (sacred miracle) surrounding the Birth of Khalsa at the historic Baisakhi on March 30, 1699 A.D. I tried to imagine the scenes of incredible hardships, the deafening thunder of fierce battles during the long and tortuous siege of Anandpur by the forces of Moghul Emperor and Hill Rajas. The painful abandonment of Anandpur on December 5 - 6 (some accounts suggest a later date) 1705 A.D. that unleashed untold suffering to the Sikhs and family of the Guru. If only the walls could speak, reveal and tell us what they saw unfolding before their eyes! My mind wandered to the Mud Fortress at Chamkaur Sahib, the site of a valiant stand by around 42 Sikh braves under the Command of Guru Gobind Singh against the hordes of marauding Mughal forces. What courage and strength it must have taken for the Guru to send his few trusted braves and two young sons, Ajit Singh (age 17) and Jujhar Singh (age 14) into the raging battle against such formidable odds and witnessing with his own eyes his Sikhs giving an incredible measure of their bravery and face martyrdom. My mind does not fully grasp the gravity of the moment, nor of the agonizing days and cold nights in December 1705 A.D. This brave stand for human dignity and defiance against tyranny and injustice will inspire generations of nations until the end of time. I tried to imagine the scene in the Court of Nawab Wazir Khan, Governor of Sirhind: the trial of the two youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh, Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh (ages 6 and 8); the reported exchange between the Sahibzadas and cowardly murderers, and merciless intimidation of the young souls to embrace Islam; the final cruel verdict to brick the young lions alive and putting them to death on December 13, 1705 A.D. I could not think of anything more horrific, unconscionable, and unpardonable as a crime against humanity. My spirit is outraged each time I think that this was one of the darkest deeds in human history against innocent children. The Sahibzadas stand among the bravest of the brave, immortalized by their unparalleled courage and sacrifice. After the decisive victory in the battle against the Mughal forces near Mukatsar, Guru Gobind arriving in Sabo Ki Talwandi, present-day Damdama Sahib, on January 20, 1706 for some much needed rest and undertaking the formidable task of preparing the present Sri Guru Granth Sahib. I tried to imagine the Guru dictating the entire Granth to Bhai Mani Singh, the spirit and reverence that must have marked the noble, yet arduous task, and the jubilation that must have followed the completion of the sacred Granth. I tried to imagine Guru Gobind Singh as the Spiritual King sending the Zafarnamah (the Epistle of Victory) in Persian to Emperor Aurangzeb and reprimanding the Emperor for the treachery and cruelty of his officials in violation of their sacred oaths on the Holy Quran. I imagined the arrival of the invitation from Aurangzeb and the Guru’s decision to journey from Punjab in October 1706 to meet Emperor Aurangzeb in Deccan where the Emperor at the time was engaged in quelling a rebellion. I tried to imagine the scenes of separation from his beloved Sikhs, the pain and anguish of the events of the last several months, the places he visited and people he met along the way, and his meeting with Emperor Bahadur Shah, the eldest son of Emperor Aurangzeb, at Agra on July 23, 1707. The Guru’s onward journey South and setting up camp on the banks of River Godavari at Nanded, Maharashra at the end of August 1707. I tried to imagine the daily arrival of faithful to his Spiritual Darbar at Nanded and his discourses during this brief period of relative tranquility as he prepared Banda Singh Bahadur for his mission to Punjab to punish those guilty of some of the most heinous crimes against humanity. I imagined the assassination attempt by two Pathans deputed by the Nawab of Sirhind, Wazir Khan, as the Guru lay resting in his tent one evening after the Rehras Sahib; the mortal wounds caused by the assassin leading to his letting his faithful know that time is near for his departure from among them. I tried to visualize the scene and emotion of Guru’s last sermon, his reverentially encircling and bowing before the sacred Granth, and conferring the Eternal Guruship of the Sikhs to Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and leaving the stunned Sikhs for his Heavenly Abode on October 7, 1708 A.D. My mind got lost in the maize of history and emotions as I tried to imagine: The hours alone in Machhiwara jungle following his being ordered
by the few surviving Sikhs to leave the besieged fortress at Chamkaur
Sahib to fight another day. The settlement of Anandpur Sahib, the throngs of pilgrims from
far-flung places, the Guru training his Sikhs in war games and the
martial arts competitions, the building of forts around Anandpur
Sahib in preparation of an imminent attack by Mughal forces and
Hill Rajas alarmed by the growing influence and military strength
of the Sikhs. I tried to imagine the Guru Gobind’s thundering voice exhorting his Sikhs to come forward and offer their head to their Guru at the massive Baisakhi gathering on March 30, 1699 at Anandpur Sahib and the ceremonial highlights: Five Beloveds, Sikh Symbols, Baptism, and events that marked and followed at the time of The Creation of Khalsa. My mind travelled to the thousands of martyrs who sacrificed their life in the battles and murderous rampages during the times of the Guru and for the righteous causes since. A kaleidoscope of images flashed across the canvass of my memories of the events and episodes connected with the life of the Great Guru that I had read and heard as I was growing up. I find strength and reassurance in those faith markers in our new and often challenging environment far from those settings where they originally occurred. I am in greater awe every new day of the incredible images and timeless lessons that our faith has placed before us to serve as our guideposts. I remember that ten extraordinary Spiritual Kings nurtured our spirit by their personal testimony, gave us the sacred Granth as our Living Spiritual Guide, and call each of us to brave new daring pursuits in the service of humanity. They taught us lessons that make it possible for us to interface with cultures and traditions different than our own, find uncommon ground, and build a more peaceful world where the dignity of each is respected as a matter of living our faith. For me, an honorable tribute and commemoration of this October’s landmark anniversaries would be to enshrine the Light and lessons of the Great Guru as our proud heritage and walk in his footsteps in deep humility and gratitude. I do not have to imagine that Satguru is with us! I believe in Satguru’s promise that he will always be with us. Time and destiny have brought us to new places and now it is up to us to witness our faith by excelling in the Holla Mohallas of our times: be the best in our chosen fields, be passionate ambassadors of our faiths as we honor our shared humanity. With the science and technology available to us at this time, we must preserve and protect our priceless and fragile Sikh heritage: architectural monuments, historic sites, Bungas Havelis, corridors, markers, natural elements; religious artifacts, Hukamnamas, sacred writings, priceless artworks, weapons and related important treasures associated with the life and times of our Gurus, and others who significantly nurtured and advanced the young faith over the last five centuries. Much has already been lost in wars, careless storage and handling, and due to ignorance of its special place and value to our future. Neglect of the surviving resource is shortsighted, its destruction, very unfortunate. They are not just brick, stone, paint, a tree stump, or an object of metal. They are the reflection and music of the soul of those who created them and those who are associated with them. Our heritage is our mirror as to who we are, a window to our past and our contribution to Man’s collective cultural tapestry. It is a powerful visual link to our history and our Gurus and their timeless and enlightening spiritual legacy for all mankind. Our past is also a part of the collective heritage of our civilization. Its preservation and safekeeping is a community trust and an important responsibility going forward. There is much that today’s science can reveal that can further enhance our knowledge, appreciation, and pride of our heritage and those who made it possible. Kanwal Prakash Singh
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Guru
Granth Sahib celebrating- Sikhism completes 300 years of Gurship