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Makhan Shah Labana, was a merchant who used to bring valuable merchandise by sea and sell it wholesale in parts of Gujarat and Punjab in India. During one of these sea journey's, his ship was caught up in a furious storm while he was sailing, fully loaded with trade goods northwards, up the coast of India towards the Gulf of Khambhat. The ship was terribly damaged during the storm, with the force of lightning splitting the mainsail, the sails hanging in shreds, the ship taking on water and when it seemed like he would lose the ship, Makhan decided his time had come to remember his Guru and ask for his help. Completely powerless, he knelt down, and said his Ardas (prayer) to God and Guru Nanak for safety. "Baba jee", he prayed desperately, "Please save my ship and my men... I pledge the 500 gold mohars tied to the belt at my waist, which without your help will soon be at the bottom of the sea. Please accept this as my humble offering." He then recited the following Shabad of Guru Arjan Dev: "ਅਪੁਨੇ ਸੇਵਕ ਕੀ ਆਪੇ ਰਾਖੈ ਆਪੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਵੈ ॥ ...He Himself preserves His servants; He causes them to chant His Name. Wherever the business and affairs of His servants are, there the Lord hurries to be. (1)" Miraculously the wind started to die down, and the wild sea became calm. .....More |
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Section for Young Sikhs:In December 2004, while I was studying in London, I visited the Gurdwara Sahib in Southall and Giani jee was doing Katha (discourse on Gurbani). Giani jee's words stuck in my mind. He explained how Gurbani says, "Waheguru resides WITHIN ALL and that Waheguru FORGIVES and CLEANS the sins or filth of a sinner." He went on to explain how at the end of Ardas we all say together, "naanak naam chardee kalaa, tere bhaane sarbat da bhalaa". Yes, we say, ‘SARBAT DA BHALAA’. We ask for the blessing of ‘ALL’. Guru Gobind Singh Sahib did NOT say, "I ask for the good of all EXCEPT for AURANGZEB who cowardly murdered my two young sons." No. When we do Ardas we do not say, "Sarbat Da Bhalaa, but NOT that person who swore at me last week… I don’t want his bhalaa (good)." A beautiful analogy was given to illustrate that there is good within all. We say Waheguru is within all, but from personal experience seeing Waheguru in everybody is difficult at times. .....MoreImportant Links: Learning Gurmukhi/Punjabi | |||||||
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Every year on 23rd July, the Sikhs celebrate the birthday of their eighth Guru, Guru Har Krishan - also fondly called "Bal Guru" ("Child Guru") as Guru ji attained Guruship at a young age of just over 5 years old. Each year during late July, huge celebrations are held at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi, India to commemorate this auspicious day. It was at this location in Delhi where Guru ji stayed at Raja Jai Singh's bungalow during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Guru Har Krishan was born on July 7, 1656 at Kiratpur Sahib, Punjab, India and was the second son of Guru Har Rai and Mata Krishan Kaur Ji. When the Guru came to Delhi, he stayed at the bungalow of Raja Jai Singh. There was a severe smallpox epidemic and many thousands of people were dying. By Guru's blessing, the pool at Bangla Sahib, which is built at the site of Raja Jai Singh's bungalow provided cure for thousands of suffering people. Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is thus blessed by the healing powers of this eighth Sikh Guru. The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh wrote in his famous "Vaar Sri Bhagauti Ji Ki" – "Remember Sri Harkrishan, whose vision dispels all pains". This shrine is not only visited by thousands of Sikhs but also people of other faiths. .....More The Guru's Message...Practice the virtues of Sat, Santokh, Daya, Nimrata and Pyare:- Maharaj guides the Sikh thus: "Truth, contentment, compassion, Dharmic faith and purity - I have received these from the Teachings of the Saints. Says Nanak, one who realizes this in his mind, achieves total understanding." (page 822) "Purity, contentment, compassion, faith and truthfulness - I have ushered these into the home of my self. (1) All the loads of birth and death have been removed. Joining the Saints' Society, my mind has become pure; the Perfect Guru has saved me in an instant." (page 379) Eliminate the five evils within:- The Guru guides us to control and eliminate these five evils: Kam, Krodh, Lobh, Moh and Ahankar thus "Renounce sexual desire, anger, falsehood and slander; forsake Maya and eliminate egotistical pride. Renounce sexual desire and promiscuity, and give up emotional attachment. Only then shall you obtain the Immaculate Lord amidst the darkness of the world." page(141) "Sexual desire, anger, greed and emotional attachment - may these be gone, and egotism as well. Nanak seeks the Sanctuary of God; please bless me with Your Grace, O Divine Guru. (1)" page(269) Baba Gurditta (1613-1638), was the eldest son of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind. He was born on 15 November 1613 to Mata Damodari at Daroli Bhai, District Firozpur in Punjab, India. He was also an elder brother of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru and the father of Guru Har Rai and Dhir Mall. He was married to Mata Nihal Kaur. He had his training in religious lore and in the martial arts under the supervision of his father. A beautiful Gurdwara stands at this site called Gurdwara Daroli Bhai, Dist. Firozpur. This Gurdwara marks the birthplace of Baba Gurditta, who was a great saint. The family of Guru Hargobind's wife Mata Damodari still live here and are custodians of some rare personal belongings of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind as well as a handwritten copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib bearing the personal seal of Guru Gobind Singh. Similarly there is also an another Gurudwara at Anandpur Sahib of Baba Gurdita on a small hill nearby. He was married on 17 April 1621 to Ananti alias Natti, daughter of Bhai Rama of Batala, an ancient town in Gurdaspur district. According to "Gurbilds Chhevm Pdtshdhi", relations from Darauli, Mandiali, Goindval and Khadur Sahib accompanied the marriage party. .....More |
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