The Sikh Brahmin

This is a typical example how Sikhs are being befooled by so-called leaders in the name of religion and secularism. Ex-cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had contested and won a seat as Member of Parliament in the holy city of Amritsar, has recently appeared in the news donning typical Brahmanical attire including a dhoti, the sacred-thread of Hindus called Janeu and a Tilak on the forehead and performed a Havan in absolute Brahminical fashion.Sidhu, who had been a successful cricketer, has many facets as an individual and has been judging the contestants in Laughter Challenge on television where he has proved to be a character of mockery by getting laughed at by one and all. Sidhu has left no means to bring humiliation to Sikhs by getting ridiculed by everybody around at any given instance. Sidhu was shamelessly glad when he was filmed by the press while performing Havan. To add fuel in the fire, a number of Sikh leaders from BJP justified Sidhu’s act by saying that it is his personal belief and no one should bother about that. Where are such guys leading us, Khalsa ji? This is a question to consider.Let us look what Guru Sahib says about such people:Ghar Dar Chhoday Aapna Par Ghar Jhootha Jaaye. (The false one leaves his own hearth and home, and goes out to another's home.)

THE GAME OF A NAME – Ram Rahim Singh

Probably, everyone is aware of the name of fake saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the name that signifies combination of all three major religions of India. On the parallel lines of his name, this fake-saint is befooling people from all castes and creeds. This man owns property worth billions in Sirsa (Haryana). The network is famous (read, infamous) with the name of SACHA SAUDA that is now generally termed as JHOOTHA SAUDA. Let us find out why.This baba has hundreds of girls in his herm and calls them his ‘Gopis’. He can call any girl to his chamber called GUFA any time to everyone knows for what. If he doubts any of his followers’ integrity towards services rendered in his honor, he orders to eliminate him. CBI has booked him in numerous cases of murder and rape. Skeletons have come out from his dera’s cupboards through his own ex-drivers, who were once very close to him and are eye witnesses to his crimes. All these details are being published in daily newspapers of India and various channels of TV network transmit public interest stories of baba’s favorite games and interests almost everyday these days. Justice will take its toll and law would prevail. Isn’t it funny that some people in this world want to have all the cakes and like to eat them too?There is a question-What kind of history such people create in human world? You can just ponder over it and write to us your views!!!Conceived By: Parminder Singh

NO ROOM IN GOD’S OWN HOME?

The basic concept of Guru Nanak’s Philosophy of ‘Ghar Ghar andar Dharamsaal’ was to provide shelter and food to the Sangat and the travelers.The successor Gurus followed and developed the practice further for benefit of mankind without taking caste or creed into consideration.Those who were supposed to spread this philosophy and practice in modern times have made business out of it and are making mockery of this pious social-cum-religious practice.News were rife not only recently but since last few years that in homeland of Sikh shrines, the accommodation is given to those who misuse the accommodation to do unsocial activities.Money is taken but not registered and is conveniently pocketed by those who are managing the show. Rooms are booked in advance for politicians and their relatives who come and go at their convenience, have nothing to do with Darshan at Shrine. The culprits are transferred at the most after they get caught red-handed. Management is in news for all the wrong reasons.

HOW CAN LIFE BE PROLONGED BY A DAY’S FAST?

Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji right from childhood had condemned the useless rituals like janeu, rubbing ash on body, fasting, shedding clothes, reciting mantras, performing yagnas, sacrificing in the name of religion, sati custom and similar rituals which bring no gain to life. The same Jot traveled from 2nd to 10th Nanak and they also guarded the values put forth by Baba Nanak. The details on why these rituals should not be practiced can be found in Hymns of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. One of these rituals has found a large following in Sikh women in our times and that is Karva Chauth.Sikh women observing Karva Chauth indulge in such useless rituals because of three reasons – their narrow mindedness, influence of a society spoilt with futile practices and lack of knowledge. They are caught in this web as they are deprived of teachings of Gurbani and lack knowledge of what the true fasting is.On the Karva Chauth day, the women fast for the whole day and don’t partake food, or even drink a drop of water. Even unmarried girls are asked to observe fast to get a good husband. In the evening, they listen to a funny story from a lady Brahmin. They eat to break their fast only when moon is up. Many fall sick due to starvation. The purpose of this ritual is to wish prolonged life for their husbands. Even if the husband is a useless fellow and abuses his wife everyday, the wife must faithfully keep the fast. In other words this ritual pushes the women towards slavery. Why a man does not fast wishing long life for his wife?There was an instance in Jalalabad (West) in Ferozepur district of Punjab three years back where a man was climbing up the water tank on the roof of his house to search of whether the moon is visible or not. He slipped and lost his life. But as they say in Punjabi, the crazy do not have horns.In today’s scientific world where men and women have equal rights such useless rituals do not hold water. The answer to the pertinent question as to how can one save the life of another person just by keeping a day’s fast, lacks explanation.If the rituals like Karva Chauth could prolong the lives then there would be no history of husband deaths prior to their wives but the facts are otherwise. The soldiers won’t die on battle fronts if Karva Chauth is effective.Like this useless fast there can be a long and useless discussion, as those who follow rituals with blind faith cannot see logic. It is churning water to get butter.

SERVING THE GURU?

It is good to have faith but we all know that it is not good to have blind faith. We also know that the rituals are a useless exercise. That is why Sikh Gurus brought a sea change in religious beliefs. Guru Nanak started his sermons with word IK ONKAR defining ONE GOD (WAHEGURU) for all mankind of the world. Guru Nanak created altogether a new philosophy condemning the rituals and worship of stones/statues. He and the Gurus who followed him directed followers to understand SHABAD GURU. The understanding only comes if a devoted Sikh reads and understands Gurbani and applies the teachings of Gurbani to change/ transform himself/herself to become a better person adopting the ways advised in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.But it is sad state of affairs that some Sikhs are so ignorant that they follow Brahminical rituals and start worshiping Guru Granth instead of reading and understanding the teachings. It is good to show respect and keep Guru Granth in clean and pious environment Instead they put Guru Granth during summers under fans/Acs and during winters, wrap the Granth in warm Rumallas and put heaters as if the Shabad Guru in fact feels cold and heat. Especially when such a practice is adopted in Gurdwaras the devotees try to enact the same way and such a practice spreads turning in to Brahminical rituals. The emphasis/preference is to worship following rituals, not to read and understand Gurbani.On the other hand we all pray every day in Gurdwaras “Jo prabh ko milbo chahe khoj shabad mein leh” Now what is this ‘khoj’ in shabad? It simply implies that every Sikh must read Gurbani, understand and apply to get rid of five vices to become a true Sikh. One cannot become a true Sikh simply by following blind faith or carrying out such useless rituals. How can we call these rituals a true religion which takes us away from teachings of the Gurus who sacrificed for the values they left with their Sikhs as Hymns in Guru Granth?Any Sikh who calls himself a Sikh is not a Sikh if he/she does not read Gurbani, does not understand and apply its teachings in life to change for the better. Numerous Hymns can be quoted from Guru Granth to support these thoughts!!!

CONFLICTS OF THE RELIGIOUS WORLD

It is good to be religious and remember GOD. People around this world have created their own Gods as per their perception and requirement and emphasize that their religion is the only one which must be followed. We all know that the pious feelings of brotherhood for humans in the world can only bring Peace and Harmony.
We also see around in the world that certain followers of various faiths and religions, nurse staunch ideas and go beyond the perspectives and try to impose their own religious feelings on others to force them to feel and follow the practices of their owned faith, which do not translate the true teachings of their real faith. No religion teaches to force others to follow or accept the teaching of their own.

World religions propagate that brotherhood and harmony are necessary for peace. But on the other hand these religions had been responsible to start the wars in this world.In fact religions germinate controversies and the outcome is catastrophic.Thus they belittle their respective religions.

We can not reduce the size of a line without touching it but we can certainly do that by drawing a bigger line in parallel to that thus making it smaller. It is important to study the religious teachings and then spread a message for benefit of humanity with love and affection without attaching any conditions to such messages and without expecting any outcomes or results as any effort with honesty and sincerity will certainly bring better results.

Sikhism is the youngest out of the major five religions of our world. Guru Nanak pointed out the useless rituals whether they were followed by Hindusor Muslims in that era. He spread the universal messages for brotherhood that there is only one GOD for all the humans. Guru Nanak spread this message of peace and harmony by traveling far off places in the world in those times when transport means were not developed yet.

The message, this satire is trying to convey is humble effort to draw the attention of readers to this truth that no one can become better religious person simply by posing as such. Rather one has to prove through one’s efforts, actions and good deeds.

WITHOUT SATSANG ONE COLLECTS FILTH ONLY

Without good fortune, the Satsang (guild of the Ttrue and the Wise ones,
Holy Company, Association of Truth etc.) is not came upon; without this
Sangat, people are stained with the filth (of Bikaars or negative
propensities of the mind, sins etc. (sggs 95).

Satsang is the first step in spiritual life. Thus, as indicated in the SGGS (Sri Guru Granth Sahib), we just collect "filth" when we are not with Satsang. It's the "filth" of Maya, the "filth" of ignorance, the "filth" of Haume (false ego-sense), inner garbage or pollution — expansion of Bikaars (negative propensities of the mind) such as lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride or arrogance, jealously, stubborn mindedness and their numerous variations.

O servants of the Lord, O Saints, O my brothers, let us join together! Show me the way to my Lord. I am so hungry for (His Darshan). Please fulfill my faith, O Life of the World, O Great Giver. Obtaining the the Lord's Darshan, my mind is fulfilled. ||1|| Joining the Satsangat, I chant the Bani of the Lord's (Praise etc.). The Sermon of the Lord's Name is pleasing to my mind. The Amrit (Ambrosial Nectar) of the Lord's Name is so sweet to my mind. Meeting the Satguru, I drink in this Amrit (of this Name). ||2|| By great good fortune, the Lord's Sangat (that shows the way the Lord) is obtained, while the unfortunate ones wander around in doubt, enduring painful beatings (of Bikaars). Without good fortune, the Satsang (guild of the Ttrue and the Wise ones, Holy Company, Association of Truth etc.) is not came upon; without this Sangat, people are stained with the filth (of Bikaars or negative propensities of the mind, sins etc.||3|| Come and meet me, O Life of the World, my Beloved. Please bless me with Your Mercy, and enshrine Your Name within my mind. Says Nanak, through the Guru's Teachings, the Sweet Name becomes pleasing to the mind, and the mind becomes drenched and delighted with the Naam. ||4||4|| (sggs 95).

But, seemingly, it sounds paradoxical that without "good fortune" one cannot come across the Satsang, and, as a consequent of this, one ends up collecting nothing but inner "filth" in life, and his mind remains stained with Bikaars! Furthermpre, Baabaa Nanak in the following verse indicates that it's only the good deeds (Karma) of the past that bestows Naam (the Lord's Name) upon one.

Without good fortune, the Satsangat is not obtained. By one's (good) Karma, the Lord's Name is received (sggs 1171).

By reading these verses one may get a sense of pessimism and entertain the idea that if he is not fortunate or if it's not in his destiny to obtain Satsang, then it's not his problem. He may then consider to play the "wait and see" game and continue living the usual life. This is not what the Gurbani is advocating here. It's simply making us aware of the web of Karma that one's past Karma can cause spiritual enlightenment or spiritual fall, signifying the gripping effects of one's deeds. In fact this alone should be enough to give us incentive to mend our Manmukh ways (the lifestyle of "filth")! To put it otherwise, adherence to the spiritual life (Gurmukh Lifestyle) for every individual is not optional, and that failure to do so attracts a penalty. These verses also remind us that we cannot continue on the path of Manmukhtaa, and that we can correct at least the future!

Make only those efforts by which mental "filth" — lust, anger, greed, bondage, pride, jealousy, stubborn mindedness, etc. — may not attach to you (sggs 199).

Engrossed in this transitory drama, (Manmukhs) are of no avail in either this world or the next (sggs 29).

Embellish both this world and the next (sggs 293).

In other words, in him whose identity with the divine is not present, the false ego-sense (Haume) in one's achievements stands out, thereby binding him to the consequences of Kaarmic actions. With regard to the Satsangat, Baabaa Nanak in a verse of Sri Raag specifies a strict criteria for it, in which he defines as to what the real Satsangat is. Although congregational worship is important, but as indiacted in the following verse, not every congregation can necessarily be called Satsangat.

How is the Satsangat to be known? There, (only) God's One Name is chanted. The One Name is the Hukam (Will of God); O Nanak, the True Guru has given me this understanding (sggs 71).

The Gurmukhs are the Holy, pleasing to God; in His mercy, He blends them with Himself (sggs 881).

If I meet the Gurmukh, my spiritual Friend, he will show me God, the Treasure of Excellence (sggs 40).

Renounce lust, anger, greed and attachment (i.e. all evil passions); give up your games of deception. Snap the noose of egotism, and let yourself be at home in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy (sggs 1403).

Nanak gives this advice: O dear mind, in the Saadh-Sangat, burn away your doubts (sggs 79).

Without the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, no one swims across (sggs 373).

Ego is never eradicated without the Saadhoo's Satsangat (sggs 1098).

Sat means the Supreme Truth or God, and Sang means association or to associate with That Truth. Clearly, not every and any Sang or Sangat is qualified to be called Satsangat. The SGGS urges us to focus consciousness on the Satguru (Guru's Word or His Teaching) and become the Gurmukh (Self-realized, Jeevanmukta, the one who abode in the Truth). Because, as the SGGS puts it "the Lord is not realized any other way." Such Satsangat will sweep our minds clean of the inner "filth".

O Nanak, by becoming the Gurmukh, you will be saved (from the crooked ways of Bikaars: negative propensities of the mind) and (this is how you will abide) with God i.e., God Consciousness (sggs1410).

Those who become the Gurmukhs, they are emancipated by the Lord (Madhusoodan = who killed the demon named Madhu). The Lord Krishna Muraare (the name Krishna literally means All-attractive or All-beautiful, and Muraare = who destroyed the demon named Muraare) becomes the Gurmukh's Companion (Friend etc.). By becoming the Gurmukh, find the Merciful Lord (Daamodar = fountain of mercy). He (the Lord) is not realized any other way ||2|| (sggs 98).

The people of all the four Varnas sit together in the company of the Gurmukhs (Vaars Bhai Gurdaas, 3).

O friend, (tell me) if you make friends with the Manmukhs, how can you expect Sukha? Make friends with the Gurmukhs, and focus your consciousness on the True Guru (sggs 1421).

As Gurmukhs, who meditate on the Naam, the Name of the Lord, age after age, they are the Family of the Satguru (sggs 79).

By serve the Satguru, the filth of ego departs (sggs 852).

Meeting with the Satguru, (one) meditates on the God's Amrit-Name and his mind becomes immaculately pure (sggs 383).