Game of love 397- BHAI TARU SINGH JI

BHAI TARU SINGH JI

A Muslim man came to Bhai Taru Singh and said, his daughter has been kidnapped by the commander of village Patti. Bhai Taru Singh promised him, the Singhs would bring her back. 

Bhai Taru Singh spent a lot of time meditating and practicing the teachings of Guru Ji. He was a man of his word. He fulfilled his word given to Raheem Bakhsh (Muslim man) and returned his daughter. The commander was killed in the raid. 

On hearing this Zakhrya khan (commander of village pahoola) was distraught and sent his soldiers to arrest Bhai Sahib ji. Zakhrya asked Bhai Sahib Ji to accept Islam, he would be freed and given all the riches he could imagine. Bhai Taru Singh declined. Zakhrya asked his men to cut Bhai sahibs hair, when trying, the scissors broke but Bhai sahibs hair would not be cut. Eventually Zakhraya asked a cobbler to remove the scalp from his head. 

Bhai sahib promised Zakhrya he would die from his slippers. Zakhrya got a very bad headache later and stopped passing urine. No physician could cure him, eventually it was Bhai sahibs slipper that cured him. The urine would only pass when hit on the head by his slippers. 22 days later Zakhrya passed away and Bhai Taru Singh breathed his last. 

Bhai sahib meditated through the torture for 22 days, with his mind balanced and at peace within. 

This is the respect Bhai sahib had for his hair (symbol of Guru Ji). Today we don't take 2 minutes to remove our hair. We pay barbers to cut our hair and watch them step all over it. Bhai Taru Singh preserved our faith and honour by giving his life, today we've sold it at the barbers shop. 

Vaheguroo! 

Bhai Sahib Ji showed above, Sikhs are compassionate, righteous, faithful, loving, tolerant, honourable, live by their word and most of all love and meditate on Vaheguroo's name. 

Rehitnama Bhai Desa Singh. 
"The hair, moustache and beard are created within Gods order. How can those who violate their natural form by cutting their hair ever be accepted by Vaheguroo." 

Game of love 396- AMRIT (baptism)

AMRIT (baptism) 

Before the birth of Dr. Surinder Singh; Subedar Harbachan Singh and Mata Tej Kaur had given birth to ten children but all ten died very young. 

Dr. Sahib’s mother was a very Gurmukh (blessed) soul and despite all her children dying, she remained firm in her Sikh faith. If she ever felt sadness, she would go before Sree Guru Granth Sahib Ji in total humility and express her deepest feelings and then after would accept Guru Sahib’s hukam (command) and be satisfied. Sometimes though, she would ask her husband how long this difficult time would last? Why all her children would die? Gurmukh Piaaray (Gurus beloved) Bhai Harbachan Singh would say that the children born in their home were bhagats (saints) from their last lives. They would take birth only to receive amrit and then, when they were blessed by Guru Sahib, they would leave for SachKhand (highest state of spiritual truth). For this reason, he said, she should not feel sad. 

We have to accept the blessed nectar of Guru Ji's Amrit to be liberated. Without it, we will suffer in reincarnation. 

Amrit Kirtan states, "The 1st discipline of a sikh is to accept the Guru's Amrit." 

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 395- THE LIVING GURU (Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

THE LIVING GURU (Guru Granth Sahib Ji) 

Lately, Sikhs have faced many atrocities towards their Spiritual Guru (GGSJ). Why do the Sikhs treat Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji with so much respect? Below is a shabad by Guru Arjun Dev Ji, which states the importance Guru Ji plays within the lives of Sikhs. 

"Pothhee paramaesar kaa thhaan. 

This Holy Book is the home of the Transcendent Lord God.

Saadhhasa(n)g gaavehi gun gobi(n)dh pooran breham giaan. 

Whoever sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe (Guru Granth Sahib Ji) in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, has the perfect knowledge of God.

Saadhhik sidhh sagal mun lochehi biralae laagai dhhiaan. 

The Siddhas and seekers and all the silent sages long for God (Guru Granth Sahib Ji), but those who meditate on Him are rare.

Jisehi kirapaal hoe maeraa suaamee pooran thaa kokaam. 

Only to that person, unto whom my Lord (Guru Granth Sahib Ji) and Master is merciful - all his tasks are perfectly accomplished. 

Jaa kai ridhai vasai bhai bha(n)jan this jaanai sagal jehaan ||

One whose heart is filled with the Lord (Guru Granth Sahib Ji), the Destroyer of fear, knows the whole world.

Khin pal bisar nehee maerae karathae eihu naanak maa(n)gai dhaan ||2||90||113||

May I never forget You God (Guru Granth Sahib Ji), even for an instant, O my Creator Lord; Nanak begs for this blessing."

This Shabad makes it clear in how important GGSJ is to the Sikhs. We treat Guru Ji as our living Guru, our spiritual guide, which unites us to Vaheguroo (God). No Sikh in the world, whether baptised (Amritdhaaree) or not can tolerate any form of disrespect towards GGSJ. 

GGSJ is the embodiment of our Ten Masters/Gurus, (Dhasa Gurooaa Ki Dhayhee athe Joth) as mentioned in the ardaas (Sikh prayer). GGSJ is the light and soul of our Ten Gurus. GGSJ has the teachings to purify man kind, through spirituality and meditation. GGSJ purifies the mind and character of every single human being on the planet, if understood, lived and practiced. GGSJ is the complete way of living. 

Our fifth Guru (Guru Arjun Dev Ji), slept on the floor, whilst GGSJ throned upon a manja (bed). Guru Ji understood the value of the ocean of spiritual wisdom (GGSJ). Sikhs have sacrificed their lives in the honour to protect our living Guru. The more we spiritually and physically serve our Guru, the more blessings we receive from Guru Ji. 

NO SIKH CAN TOLERATE GGSJ EVEN BEING SLIGHTLY DISTESPECTED! We live and die by the teachings of our Guru! 

Please read all of this perfect shabad below by Guru Arjun Dev Ji, which explains the importance our Guru plays within our lives. 

"Sa(n)th janahu mil bhaaeeho sachaa naam samaal ||

Meet with the humble Saints, O Siblings of Destiny, and contemplate the True Name.

Thosaa ba(n)dhhahu jeea kaa aithhai outhhai naal ||

For the journey of the soul, gather those supplies which will go with you here and hereafter.

Gur poorae thae paaeeai apanee nadhar nihaal ||

These are obtained from the Perfect Guru, when God bestows His Glance of Grace.

Karam paraapath this hovai jis no haae dhaeiaal ||1||

Those unto whom He is Merciful, receive His Grace. ||1||

Maerae man gur jaevadd avar n koe ||

O my mind, there is no other as great as the Guru.

Dhoojaa thhaao n ko sujhai gur maelae sach soe ||1|| rehaao ||

I cannot imagine any other place. The Guru leads me to meet the True Lord. ||1||Pause||

Sagal padhaarathh this milae jin gur ddit(h)aa jaae ||

Those who go to see the Guru obtain all treasures.

Gur charanee jin man lagaa sae vaddabhaagee maae ||

Those whose minds are attached to the Guru's Feet are very fortunate, O my mother.

Gur dhaathaa samarathh gur gur sabh mehi rehiaa samaae ||

The Guru is the Giver, the Guru is All-powerful. The Guru is All-pervading, contained amongst all.

Gur paramaesar paarabreham gur ddubadhaa leae tharaae ||2||

The Guru is the Transcendent Lord, the Supreme Lord God. The Guru lifts up and saves those who are drowning. ||2||

Kith mukh gur saalaaheeai karan kaaran samarathh ||

How shall I praise the Guru, the All-powerful Cause of causes?

Sae mathhae nihachal rehae jin gur dhhaariaa hathh ||

Those, upon whose foreheads the Guru has placed His Hand, remain steady and stable.

Gur a(n)mrith naam peeaaliaa janam maran kaa pathh ||

The Guru has led me to drink in the Ambrosial Nectar of the Naam, the Name of the Lord; He has released me from the cycle of birth and death.

Gur paramaesar saeviaa bhai bha(n)jan dhukh lathh 

I serve the Guru, the Transcendent Lord, the Dispeller of fear; my suffering has been taken away. 

Sathigur gehir gabheer hai sukh saagar aghakha(n)dd 

The True Guru is the Deep and Profound Ocean of Peace, the Destroyer of sin.

Jin gur saeviaa aapanaa jamadhooth n laagai dda(n)dd ||

For those who serve their Guru, there is no punishment at the hands of the Messenger of Death.

Gur naal thul n lagee khoj ddit(h)aa brehama

There is none to compare with the Guru; I have searched and looked throughout the entire universe.

Naam nidhhaan sathigur dheeaa sukh naanak man mehi ma(n)dd 

The True Guru has bestowed the Treasure of the Naam, the Name of the Lord. O Nanak, the mind is filled with peace."

No Sikh can tolerate the beadbi (disrespect) of our Poora (perfect) Guru! 

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 394- CHARACTER

CHARACTER

There was an elderly sikh man, at the train station, waiting to catch his train. The man fell in to deep meditation, whilst waiting for his train. The train had just arrived and the queue was very long. Most people boarded the train but nobody could get past the singh, as he was engrossed in the ras (taste) of Naam meditation. 

A police officer had seen the line was not going any further and the Singh was holding it up. He went to the singh and told him to move on. The singh did not hear his request. The police officer then slapped him across the face, which threw the singh completely from his state. The Sikh man humbly apologised and boarded the train. This was witnessed by a Hindu person. 

The next day, the same Hindu person was going for a walk and all of a sudden, he heard some screaming. He turned around and saw nine men chasing one women. He then saw the same old Sikh man run past him with a latthee (stick). The Hindu man followed the Singh and witnessed him beating the nine gunday (bad people) with his latthee). They were all left on the floor, asking for forgiveness from the old Singh. 

The old Singh took the top layer of his dastaar (turban) off and covered the girl. The Hindu man then approached the Singh and said, "You got slapped by one police officer yesterday and apologised, as though you were scared." 
The singh replied, "Sikhs are never scared. We have already died and given our head to our Guru. I was wrong in that situation. I was holding up a queue, as I fell deep in to meditation. It was my fault."

The Hindu person touched the Singh's feet and embraced him with a hug and said, "If you are like this, what must your Guru be like?" The Hindu person adopted the path of Sikhi, after witnessing this humble, compassionate and righteous act. 

All power comes through faith and meditation! 

Guru Arjun Dev Ji says, "He alone is called a warrior, who is attached to Vaheguroo's love in this age. Through the Perfect, True Guru, he conquers his own soul and then everything comes under his control."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 393- LIFE!

LIFE! 

Bhagat Kabir Ji once went to a village, where he met a young friend. Bhagat Ji said with love, "Naam Japla!" (meditate on Vaheguroo's name). The young boy said, "I'm only young, these are my days to enjoy myself."

Bhagat ji came back to the village 25 years later, saw the same boy and said, "Naam Japla!" This time the man quietly uttered, "My kids are young! I want to see them grow old and support them, I'm too busy with life."

Bhagat ji came back to the village many years later, sees the same man and says, "Hun ta Naam Japla" (come on, mediate now). The man, who is still not bothered responds, "What is the point now, I can't see with my eyes, I'm deaf from the ears, my body is shaking. I can't physically do it."

Bhagat Ji comes back to the village two years later and sees a bull In the village. He approaches the bull and says, "Hun Japla" (what about meditating now). The bull lowers his head and a tear drops from his eyes. The bull was the same man reincarnated. 

We spend all our lives making excuses, running away from faith and spirituality (our only true support in life). We'll never know, when we will breathe our last breath. 

Sikhi is ecstasy, love and bliss. Please don't waste any more years of your life. 

Guru Ji wants young energetic Sikhs, who are focussed and have immense energy to spread the treasure of Guru Ji's wisdom. 

Become that sikh! 

Bhagat Kabir ji says in the same shabad, "When the summons come from Vaheguroo (God), the mortal departs leaving behind his wealth and mansions."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 392- SUTHRA SHAH 5

SUTHRA SHAH 5

Suthra Shah was singing Guru Ji's hyms one day, as he was walking towards the Gurdwara Sahib Ji (Gurus House) to meet Guru Ji. The Sikhs were sick of Suthra, as he was always getting them in to trouble and exposing their hypocrisies. They all got together and made a plan. "When Suthra comes to meet Guru Ji, we'll ask him for darshnee bhetaa, which he will not have, as he is very poor." This was their way of getting him back. Darshnee bheta is a gift of money or something special one brings with them to meet the ocean of spiritual wisdom (Guru ji). 

They asked Suthra! He started crying and said in a sad voice, "I was left on a hay stack and Guru ji took me in. I am nothing without Guru Ji! Guru Ji is my all." They apologised and said, "Sorry you can't go in." Suthra begged them with his head on their feet but they wouldn't let him in. 

Suthra walked away and came back an hour later with a full sack of some sort on his head. "What is this?" asked the sikhs. 
"This is sugar for Guru Jis Langar" (a place for all to eat as equals when coming together in the Gurdwara). They had no choice and let him in. 

Suthra put the sack down in front of Guru Ji and started doing parkarma (circling) and matha tek (prostrating) around it. 

The Sikhs raised their voices in anger, "There he goes again being stupid. He should be prostrating to you Guru ji but he's prostrating to a sack of sugar. Tell him Guru ji." 
"What are you doing Suthra?" asked Guru Ji. "Guru Ji, this sack has blessed me with your divine vision (Darshan), that's why I'm prostrating to it. I confess! I lied also, I can not afford sugar so I filled the sack with sand to get past your Sikhs. Please forgive me Guru ji." Guru Ji grabbed Suthra with love and took him to their chest and said, "All my Sikhs should have the love and thirst for their Guru, just as Suthra does." 

Suthra was very dear to Guru Ji. Guru ji loved him like a spoilt innocent child. 

Children are very innocent! We have to purify our mind through meditation and become an innocent child (eeyaanaa) of Guru ji. 

Bhagat Naamdev Ji says, "He is in love with Vaheguroo, like the young child, who loves his mother."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 391- SUTHRA SHAH 4

SUTHRA SHAH 4

One day, a sikh was reading Rehras Sahib Ji da paath (evening prayer) in Darbaar Sahib (Gurus sanctuary). Every time he completed a line, Suthra would shout, "Thinoo kee" (what's it got to do with you). The sikh reciting the paath was getting very annoyed at what he was experiencing. 

He went to see Guru Ji and made a complaint about Suthra. Guru ji asked for Suthra and an explanation from him. Suthra said, "Guru ji, your wisdom is so uplifting and beautiful, there is so much to take away from your teachings but this sikh had no focus on your baani (Gods word) at all. His concentration was elsewhere. He was always thinking about what others were doing, hence me asking,thinoo kee. This was the reason Guru Ji." Guru Ji smiled and told the sikh to stay focussed whilst reading the teachings and to live and build the character of a true spiritual Sikh. 

Suthra was a very blessed soul and always right in his judgement. He didn't like any form of ritualistic practice. All his teachings were through humour. He was probably the most hilarious sikh of Guru Ji's times. 

Are we focussed when reading prayers and meditating or are we just going through the motions like the Sikh from Suthras story? We don't want to be labelled in the category below, as Guru Amardas Ji has done. 

Meditation will bring focus, love, concentration and balance to the mind. It will reduce thought for us to be more focussed with prayers and life in general. 

Guru Amardas Ji says, "The blind and ignorant perform all sorts of ritualistic actions, they are in love with duality."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 390- SUTHRA SHAH 3

SUTHRA SHAH 3

One day, Guru Ji was doing katha (giving spiritual wisdom) in Darbar. Suthra Shah was sat crossed legged at the front of Guru Ji's Darbar (sanctuary). All of a sudden, Suthra stood up and turned his back towards Guru Ji. At this point, the Sikhs had enough of Suthra and thought he had gone too far now. They started shouting at him saying, "Have you gone mad? you have turned your back towards the most spiritual master in the universe." 

Suthra said, "I was listening to baani (the teachings), you were not! Guru Ji's words were very harsh and powerful. I was getting many slaps on my face, which I could not handle so I wanted to take the rest on my back. It was getting too painful to bare." At hearing this, the Sikhs went very quiet and sat down. 

Guru Ji's words are very powerful. We are getting slapped by Guru ji all the time but the mind has become so lazy and impure, that we force ourselves to ignore the teachings that are going to liberate our soul. 

Guru Amardas Ji says, "They do not serve the True Guru and in the end, they regret and repent over and over again. They are cast in to the womb to be reincarnated and rot over and over again."

Find faith in Guru Ji! We don't want the above to be us! 

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 389- SUTHRA SHAH 2

SUTHRA SHAH 2

Guru sahib Ji was blessing the sangat (congregation) with a divan (teachings). Bhai Suthra was serving Guru Ji by chaur Sahib (ceremonial whisk). 

A sadhu (Hindu saint) was sitting in the sangat. The sadhu had black dust applied to his body and face. This is a ritualistic sign for very spiritual people of some faiths. 

Suthra caught his eye and bagan to pull silly faces at him by sticking his large teeth out. When the sadhu saw this, he got very angry and ran towards Suthra and started hitting him with a brush he carried. Suthra quickly grabbed Guru Jis feet. At this point, the sadhu stopped. 

The sadhu said, "Guru Ji, your Sikhs are not spiritual and are very rude." He explained exactly what happened. Guru ji responded by addressing Suthra, "Suthra is this true?" Suthra replied, "Hanji, he has black dust rubbed on his face and body. He is tricking the world of his saintliness yet the pulling of my face actioned him to anger. He is not even spiritual, never mind being a devout saint."

After hearing this, the sadhu grabbed Guru Jis feet and said, Dhan Guru, dhan thuhade Sikh (blessed is the Guru and blessed are his Sikhs). From that day onwards, the sadhu adopted sikhi. 

Today we wear Guru sahib Ji's kakaar (5-Ks), bana (attire), Guru Jis dastaar (turban), are we sure we are not living life like the sadhu above? Are we only pure and holy on the outside or are we pure and saintly on the inside too. 

Purity of the mind, only comes through living the Gurus teachings by mediating with every breath and adopting their virtues to build a saintly/soldierly character. Any act adopted without Naam is a ritual. 

Guru Arjun Dev Ji says, "the religious rites, rituals and hypocrisies which are seen are plundered  by the messenger of death, the ultimate tax collector."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 388- SUTHRA SHAH

SUTHRA SHAH

Suthra Shah was a great devotee of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji. He lived on to serve our most amazing tenth Guru (Gobind Singh ji). Bhai Sahib ji had a great humour. All his teachings came through his humour. Guru Sahibaans had immense love for him. 

Suthra was found on a pile of hay, after being abandoned by his family. He was abandoned, because he had a black mark on his forehead and his teeth were very big. Most people looked at this as bad luck in those days. Guru Sahib took him in. Guru Ji's Sikhs always complained that Suthra was very mischievous. Guru sahib ji changed his name from khuthra (dirty and ugly) to Suthra (pure within). 

One day, a complaint was made to Guru Ji by their Sikhs, that Suthra is swearing at them. Guru ji said, "Call Suthra right away." Is this true Suthre?" 
"No Guru Ji, they are lying said Suthra." 
The singhs replied, "Suthra has even started lying now."

Suthra asked, when and what he said. The Sikhs named each and every exact moment. Suthra said, "Oh yes I remember, it's true. Guru Ji these are my Sikhs not yours. Ask them what shabad (teachings) you recited at rehras prayer yesterday." No answer from the Sikhs. The Sikhs embarrassingly replied, "Suthra is wrong for saying we are not your Sikhs Guru Ji." 
"They remember my bad shabads (words) and not your beautiful teachings of wisdom. what does that make them Guru Ji?" Laughingly responded Suthra. Guru Ji embraced Suthra tight to his chest. 

This is our state today! We remember all the false teachings, gossip and slander of the world, yet have no clue about what our Guru is saying to us or teaching us how to live. We will struggle through life without Guru ji. 

Guru Nanak Dev Ji says, "That carefree Vaheguroo can not be appraised; his real value is only known through the wisdom of the Gurus teachings."

Vaheguroo! 

Game of love 387- WIND

WIND

The wind is blowing 
through every home.
Some windows are broken
whilst others 
Remain closed.

The manmukhs (mind followers) look outwards 
at the homes of others. 
Surveying the damage
their foundations feel stronger.

But only a fool
looks at others.
Opening their windows
they invite the wind.

The Gurmukh locks  
the latches tight,
sitting within 
so far from the wind.

The wind is blowing 
through every home.
Some windows are broken
whilst others 
remain closed.

Look within yourself, don't look outside, you will suffer. Live by practicing Guru Ji's teachings and you will remain untouched. 

Guru Arjun Dev Ji says, "The hot winds do not even touch those who are protected by their Guru."

Vaheguroo!

Game of love 386- SOUL

SOUL

"The body shall turn to dust, and the soul shall fly away."

Guru Nanak Dev Ji 1469-1539

The soul never dies. The body is finite, the soul is connected to the infinite. As such, do not fear physical death, as it merely indicates a new chapter in your soul's journey.

Every being has a soul/spirit but only the humans can liberate their soul. Guru ji calls us all his soul brides, whether we are male or female. God/Guru doesn't look at gender. We are all seen as souls on a journey. 

Guru ji guides us to meditate with every breath so we can remember Vaheguroo (God) in our final breaths and be liberated. Guru ji says, we are extremely engrossed and entangled to the materialistic world and we are always thinking and worrying about the past and future. We have failed to slow down and live in the present (now). Our inner voice (mind) is always leading us a stray and running wild at all times.

Bhagat Trilochan Ji says, if we remember our wealth, women, children, property etc  in our last breaths, we will be reincarnated as a serpant, prostitute, pig and ghost.

We have been given this life form to liberate our soul. Let's nurture our soul with the correct nourishment. Meditation, Gurus teachings and always doing good deeds is food for the soul. If our soul receives its correct food, its coming and going in this world will come to end. 

Listen to your Guru, not your mind and save your soul!

Vaheguroo!