Main Page
Welcome to SikhiWiki,a free Sikh Encyclopedia that anyone can edit.
|
| Sunday May 19, 2024 |
 Bhai Kuram Singh, a Labana by caste, was a resident of village Lambian. He was a Sikh during the times of Guru Arjun and Guru Har Rai. Bhai Kuram came to Amritsar to respect and have a glimpse of Guru Arjan. During his visit, mangoes were in season. Many visitors were coming to attend the darbar of the now famous Sikh Guru, the great Guru Arjan. The place was heaving with devotees. Many followers were presenting their gifts and offerings to the Guru. Followers from Kabul had brought with them large sumptuous ripe mangoes. In those days Kabul was famous for its mangoes. Bhai Kuram Singh felt sorry that he had come from the land of mangoes but had not brought with him any mangoes while many others from his region were carrying large loads of these delicious fruits. When the darbar concluded that night, the ripe mangoes were distributed as Parshad (blessed food). After receiving their parshad, the followers retired to their deras (sleeping quarters) for the night. Bhai Kuram Singh did not eat the mango given to him as parshad. Next day he got up in the morning, took bath and took the mango received as parshad and offered the same back in darbar that morning. The great Guru Arjan called Bhai Kuram and said "This mango was given to you as parshad but you have offered the same here". Bhai Kuram Singh very humbly bowed before the Guru and requested "Your Highness, I have come from the land of mangoes but had not brought any for offering to you, so I retained this for offering to you today." Guru Ji ordered him to eat the fruit and promised him that his offerings will be accepted by the Guru one day. .....More |
Picture Feature: See Picture Gallery at www.amritsar.com
| ||||||
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 | |||||||
|
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 The Guru's Message...Recognise the Will of the Lord:- Maharaj guides us thus: "By the Hukam of His Command, He unites those who recognize the Word of the Shabad.(1) By the Fear of the True Guru, doubt and fear are dispelled. Imbued with His Fear, we are absorbed in the Love of the True One." and also "Meeting the Guru, all wisdom and understanding are obtained. The mind becomes pure, when the True Lord dwells within. When one dwells in Truth, all actions become true. The ultimate action is to contemplate the Word of the Shabad.(3)" (page 157)Through Love you will find God:- The Guru guides us thus: "In the Fear of God, is the Love of God. Only those few who understand His Love obtain the sublime essence of the Lord, O Siblings of Destiny. As many hearts as there are - in all of them, is His Ambrosial Nectar; as He pleases, He causes them to drink it in.(2) There are nine gates to the one city of the body; restrain your mind from escaping through them. When the knot of the three qualities is untied, then the Tenth Gate opens up, and the mind is intoxicated, O Siblings of Destiny.(3)" (page 1123) 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 |
.jpg)
Template:2024/05 Template:2024
| Popular Articles on Sikhi Wiki |
|
Mool Mantar | Japji | Sikhism | Dasam Granth | Kirtan | Beliefs | Bani | Gurus | SGGS | Bhai Manjh | Vegetarianism | Bhagat Sain | Bhagat Dhanna | Today | Blogs |
