IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL SIKH MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS

THE SIKH MOTHERS & THE FORTY SIKH MARTYRS

FORTY of the Faithful deserted Guru Gobind Singh - unwilling to starve with him, unwilling to stay and die at Anandpur Sahib where Guru Sahib was besieged. They sought shelter in their homes, but the doors were shut against them, and a cry leapt from the Sikh mothers and from the Sikh sisters, and wives. The brave women bade them to go back; there was no refuge for those who had turned their backs on Guru Sahib. "No Sikh mother shall own her son, nor a Sikh woman her man, who turns his back on the Guru. There is life in death with Him, it is nowhere else." And in the end, they died fighting for Guru Sahib, - the Forty Martyrs (Chaalee Mukhtai). ========================================================

THE SIKH MOTHERS

YOU KNOW NOT

While the dawn was yet young a Sikh mother emerged out of space, and was seen moving towards the Golden Temple at Amritsar. "Where are you going, mother?" said Dewan Kauramal, a minister of the Mughal ruler of Lahore. "To the Guru's Temple," said she, "today assemble there the Guru's Khalsa, the holy ones, and I have come to bathe myself and my child in the current of Naam." "But the opening of the temple to the Khalsa today is treachery," said the Dewan, "The imperial forces are here to kill everyone that enters the temple. Today there will be a general massacre of the Khalsa." "What matters it, O good man," said the Sikh mother, "if my blood be mingled with the waters of Immortality, it is no death?" "Have pity on your innocent child," said the Dewan. "I love him so I bring him with me; this death is life for us. You do not know," said she, and passed on. (Prof Puran Singh, 'The Temple Tulips') ========================================================

SIKH MOTHERS FEAR NOT

The rulers of Lahore, in olden times, cast a Sikh youth in prison. He was the only child of a Sikh widow; for no other crime save that he was a Sikh they would murder him if he offered not allegiance to their injustice and wrong-doing. The mother could do nothing, she shut herself in her room, And her soul, tranced in agony, passed in a vision to the Beyond, and stood before her Master: "Lord take the child in Thy care; he must owe allegiance to no one but Thee." "Fear not, daughter;" said Guru Gobind Singh; "here comes your son." And there she met her son arrayed in shining armor of light. (Prof Puran Singh ) ========================================================

DAUGHTERS OF THE KHALSA IN YOUR STRENGTH OUR FUTURE LIES

Learn about the Great Spirit of which Sikhs possess, which no one could ever understand. This Spiritual Strength derives from Guru Maharaj (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji). It's from Gurbani, Naam Simran, Seva and Saacha Pyar for the Guru. Give our children fearless minds to see the world through the Guru's eyes! Let our future brothers and sisters strive to become the Khalsa and continue to inspire others by becoming noble, fearless and Chardi-Kala (high-spirited) Sikhs. Let them live up to the standards of those countless Sikhs who spilled blood and laid down their heads for the Khalsa to remain DISTINCT and in EVER-EXISTENCE! ========================================================

THE FORGOTTEN HEROINES

From a distance, one could see the vultures circling their dying victims. As one got closer, the site changed to a vast field of slaughter. Men, women and children of noble appearance lay dead in the field. Amongst the bodies of these magnificent people, one could hear the cries of help and water from soldiers of the other army. Clearly, a battle was fought, but something told the observer that the day had witnessed the carnage and execution of benevolent people whether they must be men, women or children. Amidst the cries for help, there were subdued words to the tune of "Vaheguru. Vaheguru. Vaheguru." It now dawns upon the observer that it is the noble Sikhs who breathe their last in Vaheguru, whilst the soldiers of the other army lie crying for mercy and water. The observer my friends, was Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, who, as the General elect of the Khalsa, witnessed the slaughter of 21,000 Sikhs in one day by the Turkish and Moghul armies. The now captured Princesses of Guru Gobind Singh Ji had earlier witnessed their brethren cut down whilst defending the women and children. During the battle, women were busy tending to the wounded, yet others were loading the muskets and still they were reciting. "Vaheguru. Vaheguru. Vaheguru." The sound of Vaheguru resounded into the air and with intermittent cries of "Jo Bole So Nihal. Sat Sri Akaal!" The Khalsa would strike out into the encircled enemy with such valour that the Muslim contingents were struck with awe and terror. In Lahore, these captive Sikh ladies were herded into prison with no food or water. Soldiers eyed them and taunted them as to, "where was their illustrious Guru now." The brave women would still be unaffected and sing shabads of Kalgidhar Patshah Ji. The day saw further torture in order to shake their faith. The Qazi would offer Islam and freedom (as written in the Quran) but met with such contemptible laughs and refusal that the Qazi, in outrage, would order the deed to be committed. Their babies, snatched from its mothers were flung high into the air. There was a deathening moment of silence. Before the children landed on the spear of the executioner. The proud Princesses, steadfast as ever, started reciting the Kirtan Sohila (final prayer) whilst the infuriated Qazi kept offering Islam and freedom. No one knows how long or how many Sikh women underwent the inhumane torture. Made to work hard, the daughters of Mata Sahib Kaur Ji hand milled large sacks of wheat into flour everyday and still the shabads would ring into the ears of the heartless Qazi. Amongst the Sikh women it was heaven, for they were living up to the words of Guru Ji.. Jithe rakhe bikunth de thaeen (O Lord, where ever you keep me it is heaven) Man tan tera dhan bi tera (For this mind, body and wealth is yours) Tu thakur swami prabh mera (You alone are my God, saviour and benefactor) ========================================================

Many in today's society have talked of equality and freedom for all. Yet my dear brothers and sisters there is no such issue for the Guru's children. They did not think in terms of "this is not what a women should do" or the men saying that "I can't make langar, it's a woman's job." Surely all was Seva (service) to these God-loving, noble people. They just went and did the Seva rather that going on moralistic crusades and sermonising on issues. They saw God in all and hence did service of God whether it be running the Guru's kitchen or cleaning the barrels of the musket. There was respect for one another which is shamefully lacking now. Men would nowadays rather see a woman with eyes of basic desire and something to be possessed. Sisters who now cut their hair and chase fashion often forget that the same media that portrays women as models, is also responsible for the top shelf magazines of the newsagents. If we need to move forward, then we need to respect one another because we love God and God is in everyone. So I ask you, where is the issue of equality now? Isn't there equality in Martyrdom. Is a Sikh woman less of a Martyr than a man is? If we open our hearts and minds to the shabad (God's Words) then these trivial worldly issues will not allow you to get upset. A new spring of strength will arise in you, like the one in our sisters above, taking us on the righteous path to God. Instead of looking for meaning and glory in our lives, glory and meaning will follow you!

Sikh Daughters, Give our children fearless minds to see the world through the Guru's eyes! Let our future brothers and sisters strive to become the Khalsa and continue to inspire others by becoming noble, fearless and Chardi-Kala (high-spirited) Sikhs. Let them live up to the standards of those countless Sikhs who spilled blood and laid down their heads for the Khalsa to remain DISTINCT and in EVER-EXISTENCE!