Dhan Dhan Baba Ajit Singh Ji

BABA AJIT SINGH

Baba Ajit Singh was the eldest of the four sons of the Guru Gobind Singh. He was born at Anandpur on January 7, 1687. From his early life he was given the sort education and training that befitted the saint-soldiers of Guru Gobind Singh. He acquired wonderful proficiency in the use of weapons of war, especially the bow and the arrow. He was also an excellent swordsman. He was strong and a brave warrior. He began to take part in the Guru's wars very early in life. He performed astonishing feats of bravery on several occasions. No danger or difficulty could ever daunt him. No danger could deter him from his path of duty. Once a Brahman came to Guru Gobind Singh's darbar. He complained that his newly-wedded wife had been taken away by force be some Pathans of Bassi, near Hoshiarpur. Baba Ajit Singh offered to help Brahman to recover his wife. With a band of young brave Sikhs, Baba Ajit Singh fell upon Bassi during the night. He arrested the Pathans responsible for the wicked deed. He recovered the Brahman's wife. He took the wicked Pathans to Anandpur the following morning. The Brahman's wife was restored to him. The wicked Pathans were punished, suitably and severely.

Years later, Anandpur was besieged by the Mughal armies from Sarhind and Lahore. They were commanded by Nawab Wazir khan and Nawab Zabardast Khan, respectively. All the hill chiefs, who were Hindus, joined them with their armies. One day, during the siege, the two commanders of the imperial army sent a messenger to the Guru. He was told to give this message to him : 'This army is not one belonging to petty hill chiefs. It is that of the great and mighty Emperor Aurangzeb. You will not be able to oppose it for long. You should show respect to the emperor, give up fighting, and embrace Islam.' Baba Ajit Singh was standing near the Guru. The messenger's words aroused his anger. He drew his sword and said, 'Shut up. If you utter another word, I shall humble your pride. I will cut off your head from your body. I will cut you to pieces for daring to speak such insolent words before the Guru.' The messenger said nothing more. He went away, humbled and burning with rage.

The siege of Anadpur caused great hardships to the Guru and his Sikhs. The besiegers were also getting tired. They sent message after message to the Guru. They said, 'Vacate the fort. Go where you like. We swear on the Quran and the cow that you will not be harmed.' The Guru was sure that the oaths were false. He was not in favor of placing any trust in them. But he was prevailed upon, chiefly be his mother, to vacate the fort. He did so during the night of December 20,1704. As soon as the besiegers realized this, they forgot their oaths and fell upon the Guru's party. Baba Ajit Singh, with a party of Sikhs, held up the enemy, while the rest were crossing the river Sarsa. When all had crossed, he and his party plunged their horses into the flooded river. They soon reached the other bank. The enemy did not have the courage to jump into the fast-flowing ice-cold water of the flooded stream. After crossing the Sarsa, Guru hurried towards Chamkaur. He had only forty Sikhs with him, beside his two elder sons. The Mughal army was coming after him. He learnt that another Mughal army lay only a few miles away ahead of him. He was thus between two large armies. He decided to meet them at Chamkaur. He reached there about sunset. He occupied a mud-house or haveli, and began to wait for the enemy.

The Mughals armies arrived during the night. They besieged the mud-house on the following day. They attacked it from all sides. They had to retreat every time after suffering heavy losses. Then they decided to force open the gate. They rushed towards it. A batch of five Sikhs went out to meet them holding their advance as long as possible. The Sikhs fought very bravely. They killed many at last they were over-powered and slain. Then another batch of five Sikhs went out to meet the enemy and check his advance. This went on for some time. The enemy suffered heavily at the hands of each batch of Sikhs. After a time, Guru Gobind Singh's eldest son, Baba Ajit Singh, asked permission to go out and oppose the enemy. He said, 'Dear father, me name is Ajit or Unconquerable. I will not be conquered. And if conquered, I will not flee or come back alive. Permit me to go, dear father.' He was less than eighteen years of age. The Guru knew what the end of his son would be. But were not they who had already fallen also his sons ? He hugged and kissed Baba Ajit Singh for the last time. He then bade him go out and seek martyrdom and life everlasting.

Baba Ajit Singh went out. He was accompanied by five Sikhs. At first they poured a rain of arrows on the enemy. He fought like a hero. Soon his stock of arrows http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifwas exhausted. He took out his lance and sprang upon the enemy. He was wounded but he fought on as bravely as ever. Baba Ajit Singh thrust his lance into the heart of a Muhammedan soldier. The soldier wore steel armour. The lance got stuck in the armour. Baba Ajit Singh tried to pull it out. It broke in two. He drew his sword and fell upon the enemy. But he was overpowered. He fell. He was martyred. His soul went to meet his grandfather at the Almighty's darbar. The Guru had been watching his son from the roof of the mud-house. He had admired and rejoiced at the skill, strength, and bravery shown by his son. He had seen him wounded. He saw him fall. He thanked God that his son had met a saint-warrior's death, that he had achieved martyrdom and eternal life.

source:

thoughts...

Fools!
Wake up from your dreams,
wake up from your fantasy,
wake up and regain consciousness.

We have been sleeping,
Sleeping in the way like no others,
Not being aware of anything,
Good or bad.

We forget,
forget who we really are,
forget what we are suppose to do,
what we are here for.

Fools!
Wake up, from your dreams,
For dreams will not take you anywhere,
remain there and we will not improve.

We were given the best,
The Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the Guru,
But do we follow His orders?
From reading to singing,
from preaching to practicing,
have we followed the orders?

So wake up!
realise what we are here for,
for our purpose in life
for the great Guru the bestow us all his kindness,

Wake up!
and don't be lazy,
control ourselves,
and light up the candles of your soul,
and pass the torch on and on.

we pray that
Those who are in the dark; light
those who are lost; the correct path
those who are unsure; assurance.

No matter what,
an apple is still an apple,
a human is still a human,
an ORDER is still an ORDER,
obey it as it is an order for us!

Links

I've been busy the past few months, and now I could finally get back and find a little bit tome for my blog.

I've updated the links section for this blog so that it would be more productive for those who needs to find information based on the things they need. Currently I'm learning Sikh Music from books, therefore, most of the current links are related to Gurmat Sangeet rather than theories about Sikhism.

Unique Attributes of Sikh Faith

There are so many unique attributes and many firsts in Sikh faith, which make us so lucky and proud to be a Sikh. Some of them are:

1. Sikh scriptures (Guru Granth Sahib), available to the world humanity, is in original form, the word of God, written, sealed and delivered by the Sikh prophets themselves and has not been changed by any body else.

2. No scriptures of any other religion in the world can make that claim.

3. Only Sikh scriptures give human race guidance on the clean and spiritual way of living.

4. Sikh prophets took out the intermediary between the human beings and God i.e. Sikhs can pray and have a direct connection with God without the assistance of any intermediaries. Other world religions are still suffering from that ill of intermediaries who have been, in the past, and are still exploiting the innocent masses for their own interests and benefits.

5. Sikh prophets preached the life without any rituals, myths or promises from any body as to how to meet God and/or how to go to heaven, thus making Sikhs to be self reliant and confident. They rejected/condemned the notion of all religious preachers, who would promise the innocent masses of (a) life of luxury with beautiful women in heaven or (b) taking people to heaven only if they believe in a particular prophet. No prophet would make such a pronouncement, but the preachers/traders of those religions made up stories of such promises and wrote them in their religious books, just to keep hold/control on the masses. The promises of preachers of providing luxurious life or meeting God in heaven, were concocted by the cunning people in such a way that that kind of life could only be available after the death. Since no body has ever seen what happens after death, such concocted stories cannot be proved, challenged or verified.

6. Sikh scriptures are written in every day-spoken language of the masses, who can read and understand the scriptures themselves, thereby taking away any chance of any body else misleading the Sikhs.

7. Sikh scriptures teach us to be spiritual in our lives by taking God’s Naam, which means that we should try to bring God’s attributes of TRUTH, HUMILITY, LOVE OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS, NOT BE FEARFUL OF ANY BODY OR BE FEARFUL TO OTHERS etc into our own lives, and make our lives peaceful and contended, which is the basic desire of all the human beings on this earth.

8. The status of women was elevated more than 500 years ago (much earlier than the present day women equality) by Sikh Gurus, even higher than men by clearly stating the unique power of women only, to produce saints. 9. Non-violence movement was started and practiced more than 400 years ago by the Sikh Gurus by peacefully martyring their lives against the brutal and tyrannical rulers of the time.

These subjects are sometimes discussed by Prof. Darshan Singh Khalsa Ji in his Kirtan/Katha through Guru Granth Sahib Academy. TV programs are being produced and broadcast about Professor Sahib’s One-hour TV program in Montgomery and Fairfax counties as per the following schedule. Two new TV Channel on the web 24/7 web-casting of new “TVPunjabi-USA” started on Vaisakhi day in April 2007, starting with a live web-cast of Vaisakhi celebrations on Saturday and Sunday at National Gurdwara, Khalsa Day Parade and Guru Nanak Foundations of America, Maryland. Every body can access the “TVPunjabi-USA” by going to web site www.passionfortruthtv.com or www.tvpunjabi-usa.com and clicking on the link (TV Channel #1 or #2) to start the stream. Special Live Kirtan, from one of the Washington area Gurdwaras is broadcast on special occassions. For information on future live web-cast, visit www.passopnfortruthtv.com or www.tvpunjabi-usa.com. Some of the programs have also been archived on the Internet at this web site, and also on youtube and googlevideo sites at http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Prof.+Darshan+Singh+Kirtan%2FKatha+&search=Search and http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Prof.+Darshan+Singh+Ji+Kirtan%2FKatha+

Man Mohan Singh Chawla
Producer, Telly Award Winner & Accolade Award winner TV Prog.
"PASSION FOR TRUTH" TV Program
"PUNJABI COMMUNITY HOUR" TV Program
Web Pages: To view archived TV Programs
www.passionfortruthtv.com
www.tvpunjabi-usa.com

Schedule of Present TV Broadcasts

TV Channel on the web: 24/7 web-casting of new “TVPunjabi-USA” One can access the “TVPunjabi-USA by going to our web site www.passionfortruthtv.com or www.tvpunjabi-usa.com and clicking on the link, TV Channel # 1 or # 2, to start the stream.

Source : http://www.passionfortruthtv.com/UniqueAttributesofSikhFaith.html

Blind Faith VS Intelligent Faith

This an interesting article that I found recently...

Almost all of the 6.5 Billions of people in the present day earth believe in God. But the irony is that most of them have a blind faith instead of an Intelligent Faith in God. God gave every human being, brain capable of deciphering intelligently the mysteries of the Universe. It is shame that most of the people on this planet earth do not use their God given brain to think of God. Instead they find an easy way out of instant gratification by listening to the traders of religions and then believing in whatever they say blindly. That means that most of us have just Blind Faith and not an Intelligent Faith in God. If we had used our brain a little bit and test every word of the those traders of any religion against the basic accepted characteristics of God Himself, we would have found the falsehood of the belief system of these Religious traders, who propagate their own created beliefs which would benefit them only, monetarily, or otherwise. So to perpetuate their hold on the common masses they keep on creating false and different belief systems and preach them as gospels in the name of the religion. That is why you will find in the world today that in any established religion of Christianity, Muslim, Hindu and other faiths, there are so many denominations. However we all agree that:

1. There is only One God, i.e. there is no separate God of Christians, Muslims, and Hindus etc. That means that God Himself has no established religion as exits today in the world.
2. God is Truth, i.e. He has been true since eternity in the past, He is true in the present and He will remain true till eternity in future.
3. God is creator of the world and only under His/Her direction, any and every thing happens in this world.
4. God is not afraid of any body, nor He creates fear in any body.
5. He is ever living, i.e. He never dies.
6. He does not go through the process of birth and death.
7. He is present throughout the universe.
8. Human being can have an access to Him only with His grace and blessings.

If any preacher or the trader of any religion preaches any thing and if it does not pass the test of the characteristics of God Himself as stated above, it falls into the category of Blind Faith, because it can never muster the test of Intelligence discussion or it can not be seen, tested in any body’s life time. A few examples commonly accepted practices and belief system falling into the Blind Faith category are:

1. Only Jesus was the Son of God. As a matter of fact all the human beings in this world are sons/daughters of God.

2. Jesus is coming back again in this world. This myth has been created/perpetuated by the traders of religion, so that the poor ignorant masses will adore, respect and fill the pockets of these traders of religion.

3. Jews are the chosen people that mean that Jews are superior to other human beings. Again this myth is perpetuated by the traders of Jewish religion.

4. Human beings can reach God only through Jesus Christ, Mohammad, or any other prophet of any religion. Any human being can reach God without the help of any other religious leader, preacher etc. Every prophet, of all the world religions, preached the presence and existence of ONE GOD and told us how to reach God by acquiring and practicing the characterists of God in our own lives. But the traders of the religions interpreted the sayings of the prophets in their own way so that it could benefit those traders and people just have the blind faith in God through those traders only. In that process the traders of all the established religions of the world are dividing the human race instead of uniting them as was originally preached of all the prophets themselves.

5. What Guru Nanak uttered was Divine Revelation. He did not claim divinity, but said, “As the Lord sends His Word, so I deliver it. “ It is this spiritual Baba Nanak – the real Baba Nanak we love and adorn. We yearn for his glimpse. He is ever with us, but visible only to a hungry eye – an eye that like beggar’s bowl waits to be filled by his grace.” Guru Nanak message of ONE GOD and Universal Brotherhood, as enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib (The Sikh scriptures, the only religious scriptures in the world, was written, sealed and delivered to the humanity in their own life) is the only hope for the humanity to unite instead of divide and its survival in the present dangerous world.

6. The most important aspect of the concept of unity of humanity lies with the idea of ONE GOD and the innate divinity in man. According to Sikh doctrine God is the creator of all things and all men, hence all men are equal. Thus nationality, race, gender or color should not lead to estrangement but to better knowledge of one another based on the principle of equality and brotherhood.

7. Unfortunately today, Sikhism, like any other world established religion, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Jewish, is a faith twisted and confused by the actions of the traders of Sikh religion. Sadly in Sikhism, “Sant Maharajs” (the so called gurus) devoid of any real religious beliefs, are abounding like frogs in monsoon. The pious Granthis who are supposed to be ideal Sikhs, no longer set profound examples of moral conduct. The semi-literate and arrogant jathedars, the power hungry management elite make tall claims but lack substance. They barter people’s interest for self-aggrandizement. What guidance can be expected from them? One laments, the moral imperatives of the faith have been infringed impairing Sikhism. Like a prairie fire, these elements have disfigured beauty of Sikhism, which indicates failure of our religious bodies.

8. The universal message of Sikhism which beamed from Darbar Sahib of Kartarpur, a mere 400 years ago and which could have given guidance to the confused masses of the other religions and could enlighten the world, today lies buried under the dark clouds of ego and self-glorification. The fiber of Sikhism is tarnished. Traditionally, the moral and psychological strength of the Sikhs depend on the strength of stability of their sanctuary. The need is therefore to restore the pristine purity and the glory of Gurdwara so that the message of Guru Nanak may be restored and spread in its past brilliance. This demands replacement of vanity with whole-hearted selfless service to humanity. The worldly possessions do not keep company with man – Baba maya sath no hoi, in main jag mohia viral bujai koi.

9. For our salvation, let us honor Guru Nanak through deed than in thought or memory. It would be the best tribute that we can pay to the Saint. To act otherwise would put hamper in our spiritual progress and enlightenment and deprive the world humanity from this precious gift of Guru Nanak’s message of ONE GOD and Universal brotherhood..

Man Mohan Singh Chawla
Producer, World-wide 24/7 two TV Channels on the internet
Telly Award Winner & Accolade Award winner TV Prog.
"PASSION FOR TRUTH" TV Program
"PUNJABI COMMUNITY HOUR" TV Program
Web Pages: To view archived TV Programs
www.passionfortruthtv.com
www.tvpunjabi-usa.com


source: www.passionfortruthtv.com

An Answered Ardass

Time was running out, only 5-6 days before Guru Harkrishan's Avtar Dihara, and the Kuching Sangat were celebrating it. As usual, I am always involved in Asa Ki War as well as Keertan Sewa... As most of my friends know that I love Gurmat Sangeet so much, I was really hoping to sing a few shabad in Gurmat Sangeet in this occasion, but what am I going to sing??? I've been thinking for at least 2 weeks before the Gurpurab... Finally, I decided to sing Pritam Bhagauti Simariya-ay Guru Nanak Le-ay dhiayi-ay... How did this tune and shabad came to me is quite a coincidence...

Every schooling days, I'll be using a public bus to school. Since my house it quite far from school, I'll be sitting in the bus for at least 1 hour per trip or 2 hours per day... When I'm in the bus, I'll sing slowly and lightly and recite the shabads that I can remember, and there's not light Keertan available... All the shabad that I recite will be sung in Gurmat Sangeet... When its just 5-6 days before the Gurpurab, I was out of idea of what I should sing... I did an ardass, asking, Oh Beloved lord, how and what should I sing on that day? When I was in the bus(while going back home), this tune just came out out of nowhere, it sounds like a Raag, in Gurmat Sangeet style, but what Raag would it be??

Without thinking much, I started practicing it on my harmonium, I did not even had the time to record what I was singing and ask around whether anyone knows what Raag it is until the whole program was over, 6 days of school in a week is certainly quite burdening for me... however, I managed to pull through it... So I sang that Shabad in Gurdwara on the Gurpurab...

What happened next was really mind-blowing... Why?? After the Gurpurab, I found some time and recorded a short version of what I sang and pose it in facebook, I asked around whether anyone could identify what Raag was that??? I was kinda shock when I was told that it sounds like Raag Kanada or Kanra...

And this shabad was from Chandi di War, or some may say that its from Ardass that we do everyday... well, till the next time..... Jamming time!!!!!!!!

A weird but meaningful dream

Quite a while ago, I made a dream, it was a very weird one because I took a few days time to think what was my dream telling me. I was trying to relate my dream with the real world, and see what can I get out of it......

It was weird enough that I went to jail, well, didn't actually know the cause of me going jail, at the next moment, I was at the supermarket which was in the jail. Believe it or not that I have a TV set in my jail. But no matter what happened there, I was still a convict. Its something like you are captured but you are freed at the same time. Waheguru. What does this supposed to mean anyway???

After a few days of thinking, I finally got an answer. I relate this dream with life (in my views and understanding about life).

WHAT DOES IT MEANS BY BEING TRAPPED IN THE JAIL???

For ages and ages my soul is being trapped in this world full of challenges and trying to find a way back home to the infinite one Lord that I know of. Now the jail here means the world that all of us are in today. Not knowing how or the reason behind why we are here in the world. That was how I was brought to this prison. This prison of life has many temptations(which could be the reason why to TV set was there in the first place), which most of us could not resist. Waheguru.

Then in the next moment, I was in the supermarket in the jail itself. How could a supermarket be in the jail, those two really don't meet in real life. Now when I looked in this point of view, it all actually make sense. In the last paragraph, I talked about temptations, now I am in the supermarket full of temptations. I've got too many things to choose of, too many things that I wanted to have. In the real world, we are all actually living in a jail, we can't actually go back home anytime we want.

Living out of the court of the Almighty Lord is like being in a prison to me. Life is also a journey to find the key to open the lock of this prison. Living a spiritual life does not mean that we must be poor or what, its about how you spend your life with what you are doing. We all know that in the worldly prison, prisoners can go out of jail earlier if they behave good in prison. So as life, the only way for our souls to get out from the world is by remembering the Lord. Why???

This is because everything you do in this world is like you are buying ingredients to make dinner. You'll need to cook everything you've bought. Doing good deeds and so on only means that you've bought the right ingredients for dinner. But what really makes the dinner special is how you cook and prepare those ingredient to make a good meal for dinner. Sometimes, it is no use if you prepared so many ingredients to cook when you don't know how to cook. By meditating on the Lord God, you are actually cooking all those things you've bought. Which will eventually end up as the best dinner.

Dreams carries very different meaning each time they appear. I'll always try to relate it with my present life.

Why a Turban is on my head

The turban or "pagri" often shortened to "pag" or "dastar" are different words in various dialect for the same article. All these words refer to the garment worn by both men and women to cover their heads. It is a headdress consisting of a long scarf-like single piece of cloth wound round the head or sometimes an inner "hat" or patka. Traditionally in India, the turban was only worn by men of high status in society; men of low status or of lower castes were not allowed or could not afford to wear a turban.

Although the keeping of unshorn hair was mandated by Guru Gobind Singh as one of the Five K's or five articles of faith, it has long been closely associated with Sikhism since the very beginning of Sikhi in 1469. Sikhism is the only religion in the world in which wearing a turban is mandatory for all adult males. Vast majority of people who wear turbans in the Western countries are Sikhs. The Sikh pagdi (ਪਗੜੀ) is also called dastaar (ਦਸਤਾਰ), which is a more respectful word in Punjabi for the turban.

Sikhs are famous for their many and distinctive turbans. Traditionally, the turban represents respectability, and has long been an item once reserved for nobility only. During the Mughal domination of India, only the Muslims were allowed to wear a turban. All non-muslims were strictly barred from wearing a pagri.

Guru Gobind Singh, in defiance of this infringement by the Mughals asked all of his Sikhs to wear the turban. This was to be worn in recognition of the high moral standards that he had charted for his Khalsa followers. He wanted his Khalsa to be different and to be determined "to stand out from the rest of the world" and to follow the unique path that had been set out by the Sikh Gurus. Thus, a turbaned Sikh has always stood out from the crowd, as the Guru intended; for he wanted his 'Saint-Soldiers' to not only be easily recognizable, but easily found as well.

More appropriately known in the Panjab as a dastaar, the Sikh turban is an article of faith which was made mandatory by the founder of the Khalsa. All baptised male Sikhs are required to wear a Dastaar. Though not required to wear a turban many Sikh Kaurs (women) also choose to wear a turban. For the Khalsa, the turban is not to be regarded as merely an item of cultural paraphernalia.
Importance of the turban in Sikhism

When a Sikh man or woman dons a turban, the turban ceases to be just a band of cloth; for it becomes one and the same with the Sikh's head. The turban, as well as the four other articles of faith worn by Sikhs, has an immense spiritual and temporal significance. While the symbolism associated with wearing a turban are many — sovereignty, dedication, self-respect, courage and piety, but!, the main reason that Sikhs wear a turban is to show--their love, obedience and respect for the founder of the Khalsa Guru Gobind Singh.

"The turban is our Guru's gift to us. It is how we crown ourselves as the Singhs and Kaurs who sit on the throne of commitment to our own higher consciousness. For men and women alike, this projective identity conveys royalty, grace, and uniqueness. It is a signal to others that we live in the image of Infinity and are dedicated to serving all. The turban doesn't represent anything except complete commitment. When you choose to stand out by tying your turban, you stand fearlessly as one single person standing out from six billion people. It is a most outstanding act." quoted from Sikhnet.

Sikh men commonly wear a peaked turban that serves partly to cover their long hair, which is never cut out of respect for God's creation. Devout Sikhs also do not cut their beards.
Water painting of a Sikh Woman with a Turban and chuunee. Picture by RM Singh, Tribune
Water painting of a Sikh Woman with a Turban and chuunee. Picture by RM Singh, Tribune
Historical Background

Turban is and has been an inseparable part of a Sikh's life. Since about 1500 and the time of Guru Nanak Dev *1, the founder of Sikhism, Sikhs have been wearing the turban.

Guru Gobind Singh says,

"Kangha dono vakt kar, paag chune kar bandhai."

Translation: "Comb your hair twice a day and tie your turban carefully, turn by turn."

Several ancient Sikh documents refer to the order of Guru Gobind Singh about wearing the five Ks. Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu is one of the most famous ancient Sikh historians. He is the author of "Sri Gur Panth Parkash" which he wrote almost two centuries ago. He writes,

"Doi vele utth bandhyo dastare, pahar aatth rakhyo shastar sambhare | . . . Kesan ki kijo pritpal, nah(i) ustran se katyo vaal |"

Translation: "Tie your turban twice a day and carefully wear weapons 24 hours a day....

Take good care of your hair. Do not cut your hair."

("Sri Gur Granth Parkash" by Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu, page 78)

The Sikh Gurus sought to end all caste distinctions and vehemently opposed stratification of society by any means. They diligently worked to create an egalitarian society dedicated to justice and equality. The turban is certainly a gift of love from the founders of the Sikh religion and is symbolic of sovereignty that is of Divine concession.

According to Sirdar Kapur Singh, a Sikh theologian and statesman, "When asked by Captain Murray, the British Charge-de-affairs at Ludhiana in about 1830, for the captain's gallant mind was then wholly preoccupied with the Doctrine of Legitimacy, recently evolved or rediscovered by European statesmen at the Congress at Vienna, as to from what source the Sikhs derived their claim to earthly sovereignty, for the rights of treaty or lawful succession they had none; Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu [a Sikh historian], replied promptly, 'The Sikhs' right to earthly sovereignty is based on the Will of God as authenticated by the Guru, and therefore, other inferior sanctions are unnecessary.'" (Parasaraprasna, by Kapur Singh, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 1989, p. 130-131.)

“Having met the Guru, I have put on a tall plumed Turban”. (GGS – Page 74) “Charming are our unshorn Hair, with a Turban on head”. (GGS – Page 659)

“Let living in His presence, with mind rid of impurities be your discipline. Keep the God-given body intact and with a Turban donned on your head”. (GGS–Page 1084)

(*1 Refer to Dr. Trilochan Singh's "Biography of Guru Nanak Dev.")
Holiness and Spirituality
Sikh man with a Turban in the British Police. Picture by RM Singh, Tribune
Sikh man with a Turban in the British Police. Picture by RM Singh, Tribune

Turban is a symbol of spirituality and holiness in Sikhism. When Guru Amar Das left for heavenly abode, his elder son Pirthi Chand wore a special turban which is usually born by an elder son when his father passes away. At that time Guru Arjan Dev was honored with the turban of Guruship.

Marne di pag Pirthiye badhi. Guriyaee pag Arjan Ladhi.

("Partakh Hari," Jiwni Guru Arjan Dev Ji, by Principal Satbir Singh)

Guru Angad Dev ji honored Guru Amar Das ji with a turban (Siropa) when he was made the Guru. Similarly, the Turban (Dastaar) has remained the key aspect in a Sikh's honour. Those who have selflessly served the community are honoured with Turbans.

"Tthande khuhu naike pag visar(i) aya sir(i) nangai
Ghar vich ranna(n) kamlia(n) dhussi liti dekh(i) kudhange "

(Vara(n) Bhai Gurdas, Var 32, pauri 19)

"A person, after taking a bath at the well during winter time, forgot his turban at the well and came home bareheaded.
When the women saw him at home without a turban, they thought someone had died and they started to cry."

There are many Punjabi idioms and proverbs that describe how important a turban is in one's life.


Pag Vatauni (Exchange of Turban)

People in Punjab have been and still do exchange turbans with closest friends. Once they exchange turbans they become friends for life and forge a permanent relationship. They take a solemn pledge to share their joys and sorrows under all circumstances. Exchanging turbans is a glue that can bind two individuals or familes together for generations.


Turban as a Symbol of Responsibility

People who have lived in India would know the turban tying ceremony known as Rasam Pagri (Turban Tying Ceremony). This ceremony takes place once a man passes away and his oldest son takes over the family responsibilities by tying his turban in front of a large gathering. It signifies that now he has shouldered the responsibility of his father and he is the head of the family.


Turban and Sikh Military Life
Turban of Sikh Soldier in the Indian President's personal guard. Picture by RM Singh, Tribune
Turban of Sikh Soldier in the Indian President's personal guard. Picture by RM Singh, Tribune


The Turban is a symbol of honor and self-respect. The Sikh Army fought their last major battle against the British in 1845. All the Sikh soldiers and generals were wearing turbans at that time. Shah Muhammad, a great Punjabi poet and historian, who witnessed that war, writes:

"Pishe baitth sardara(n) Gurmatta kita, Koi akal da karo ilaj yaro. Sherh burshia(n) di sade pesh ayee, Pag dahrhia(n) di rakho laaj yaro."

"The Sikh chiefs took a unanimous and firm religious decision (Gurmatta), that they should have sense enough to judge the tenor of Maharani Jinda(n) Kaur and the crafty Britishers. They said that they were facing a very shrewed enemy and it was high time for them to save their honor because they were wearing turbans and beards." (both symbols of self-respect).


Sikh soldiers refused to wear helmets during World War I and World War II. They fought instead with turbans on their heads. A Sikh (Khalsa) is supposed to be fearless. Wearing a helmet is admitting fear of death. Many Sikhs received the Victoria Cross, often postumusly awarded, which is the most prestigeous gallantry award of the British army.


Many Sikhs refused to remove their turban even in jails. Bhai Randhir Singh, a widely respected Sikh preacher, scholar and a freedom fighter had to undergo a fast to win his right to wear his turban while in prison.
High Moral Values

Sikh history is full of facts that men and women of other faiths such as Hindus and Muslims felt safe when there was a Sikh around them. They felt secure from invaders and other people when Khalsa was around. The woman or the oppressed would feel safe and sound under the protection of "khalsa". It was a common saying in Punjab:

"Aye nihang, booha khol de nishang"

"The Nihangs (Sikhs) are at the door. Dear woman! go ahead open the door without any fear whatsoever."

In the ancient times, the Sikh men had to fight tough battles with the rulers. They moved from village to village at night. Sometimes they had to hide. Women folks had a very high degree of trust in the Nihangs, Sikhs who can be clearly identified by their turban and beard. Women knew that the Nihang Sikhs were of high moral character and never mistreated or molested women. So they fed them and helped them in whatever way they could.
Symbol of Zeal and Courage
Maharaja Dalip Singh Picture from Sikh-Info.com
Maharaja Dalip Singh Picture from Sikh-Info.com

There are many references in the Sikh history that describe how Guru Gobind Singh personally tied beautiful dumalas (turbans) on the heads of both his elder sons Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh and how he personally gave them arms, decorated them like bridegrooms, and sent them to the battlefield at Chamkaur Sahib where they both received martyrdom. When the Sikhs go to an agitation (morcha), they usually wear a safforn color turban which is a symbol of sacrifice and martyrdom. When Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwalle courted his arrest, he wore a safforn color turban. Beauty:

"khoob teri pagri, meethae tere bolo"

In the ancient Egyptian civilization turban was an ornamental head dress. They called it pjr from which is perhaps derived the word "pugree" commonly used in India and other Asian countries.
Kingly Turban

Sign of Sardari.

It was meant for only kings. Miniorities were not allowed to wear turban and kirpan. "och dumalra" Most Respectful

Bare head is not considered appropriate as per gurbani: "ud ud ravaa jhaate paaye, vekhe log hasae ghar jaaye"

Identity:

It provides Sikhs a unique identity. You will see only sikhs wearing turban in western countries.

If a Sikhs likes to become one with his/her Guru, he/she must look like a Guru (wear a turban). Guru Gobind Singh has said, "Khalsa mero roop hai khaas. Khalse me hau karo niwas."

Translation: Khalsa (Sikh) is a true picture of mine. I live in a Khalsa. According to the historical accounts, Guru Gobind Singh tied almost 18 inches high dumala (turban) just before he left for heavenly abode.
Article by Piara Singh Sambhi
Poster issued by US Department Of Justice to explain Sikh head coverings
Poster issued by US Department Of Justice to explain Sikh head coverings

TURBAN derived from the ancient Persian word dulband through the Turkish tarbush, is a long scarf wrapped around the head. It is a common head-dress for men in Middle Eastern and South-Asian countries. As a form of head-dress, it is of semitic origin and was an essential part of the Israeli High Priest’s uniform in Moses’ day, 1300 BC, as stated in the Old Testament (Exodus, 28: 4). In India, it is to be seen as worn by men depicted in the Ajanta caves (200 BC) and on the Sanchi Gateway (150 BC). Traditionally, wearing of turban was a sign of holiness, and frequently, its size, material and style indicated the position and rank of the wearer.


The Sanskrit word pak, from which the Punjabi pagg, or turban, is obviously derived, stands for maturity and greyness of hair. Punjabi idiom and usage also testify to the importance of turban as a symbol of respectability. For example, pagg di laj rakkhna, literally to maintain the honour of the turban, means to behave in a socially proper manner; pagg lahuna, literally to knock off the turban, means to insult; and pag vatauna, literally to exchange turbans, signifies the transformation of friendship into brotherhood vowing fraternal love and loyalty. Until recent times wearing of a head-dress, turban or cap, usually of the former, by all men from boyhood onwards was almost universal in the Punjab. Even now customs persist preserving the importance of turban in Punjabi society and culture. A bridegroom, irrespective of the religious tradition he belongs to, would as a rule wear a turban on his wedding day. A turban is ceremonially presented to and worn by the son at the end of the obsequies in honour of a deceased parent. Turban is the coveted prize during wrestling matches.


While other communities in the Punjab have gradually discarded the wearing of turban generally under the influence of western culture, for the Sikhs it has a religious significance. In fact, along with untrimmed hair, turban has become a distinguishing feature of the Sikh male the world over. The Gurus wore turbans, and their disciples naturally followed them. Guru Arjan (1563-1606) describing a true man of God had mentioned turban being a part of an ideal appearance (GG, 1084). By the time of the Sixth Master, Guru Hargobind (1595-1644), turban wearing Sikhs began to think themselves equals of the be turbaned ruling class, the Mughals. When in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) manifested the Khalsa; he included the kesh or hair, and kangha or comb, among the five K’s or mandatory symbols of the faith to be worn by all Sikhs.


Turban, being essential to keep the hair neatly tied up, thus became an obligatory item of dress for the Sikh male. The women continued to keep their hair combed downwards and covered with a flowing scarf, although some of them particularly those joining the fighting Nihang order, also donned turbans like the males. The use of a cap or tarbush below the turban is not permitted the Sikhs. Instead, a shorter and lighter piece of cloth is normally used as an under-turban. The shape or style and colour of the turban allow for individual taste.


However, particular styles and colours have come to be adopted by followers of certain sects. The Nihangs, for instance, carry blue or yellow turbans spun around their heads in a conical shape, whereas the Namdharis invariably wear white in a flat, coif-like style. The newly-emerged community of American Sikhs has also taken to white headgear for men as well as for women. The Nirmalas wear ochre and members of the political party, the Akali Dal, generally deep blue or black. A style becoming popular with the youth is the turban wrapped a bit bulkily, but sprucely, to a sharp, high frontal point, imparting to it a regal look. This came from the court of the Sikh Maharaja of Patiala. Another distinctive mode is marked by the Sikh army soldier’s turban with its neatly arranged emphatic folds. Geography demarcates turban styles too, more among the common people.


For Sikhs, the use of turban excludes the wearing of a cap. In India, Sikh riders of motorcycles are exempt from wearing crash helmets. Similarly, a Sikh soldier would not wear a steel helmet even under shelling or firing. However, in some foreign countries the compulsion of wearing a turban, like the wearing of long, untrimmed hair, has sometimes led to the Sikhs being placed in a position of conflict with employers or even governments whose rules or laws require the wearing of a cap or helmet.


The turban being religiously obligatory for the Sikhs, a more tolerant view has begun to be taken recently. For example, the Motor Cycle Crash Helmets (Religious Exemption) Act passed in British Parliament in 1976 exempts “any follower of the Sikh religion while he is wearing a turban” from having to wear a crash helmet. Similarly, the highest court of the country in the United Kingdom, the House of Lords, has ruled that Sikh drivers and conductors of public vehicles are not to be compelled to wear caps. Similarly in Canada in 1986 Sikhs in Metro Toronto Police were permitted to wear turbans while on duty, and since 1990 turbaned Sikhs may join The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).


(source from www.sikhiwiki.org)

The Importance of hair

I am not sure how many times I've been ask the same question - why are you keeping your hair??? - Well, I've found this article in sikhiwiki, those of you who wants to know more bout it, please read and understand it.

The Sikhs were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanchar in 1699 to wear long uncut hair called Kesh at all times. This was one of five articles of faith, collectively called Kakars that form the external visible symbols to clearly and outwardly display ones commitment and dedication to the order (Hukam) of the tenth master and made one a member of the Khalsa. The Khalsa is the "Saint-Soldier" of Guru Gobind Singh who stated the following:
"He does not recognize anyone else except One Lord, not even the bestowal of charities, performance of merciful acts, austerities and restraint on pilgrim-stations; the perfect light of the Lord illuminates his heart, then consider him as the immaculate Khalsa." (Guru Gobind Singh in the Dasam Granth page 1350)

The Kesh is an article of faith that allows the Sikh to be clearly and quickly identified by his or her unshorn long hair, Kesh. The kanga another article of faith is usually tucked behind the "Rishi Knot" and tied under the turban. The uncut long head hair and the beard in the case of men forms the main kakar for the Sikhs.

KESADHARI, a term defining a Sikh as one who carries on his head the full growth of his kes (hair) which he never trims or cuts for any reason. Anyone, Sikh or non-Sikh, may keep the hair unshorn, but for the Sikh kes, unshorn hair, is an article of faith and an inviolable vow. The Sikh Rahit Maryada published by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, statutory body for the control and management of Sikh shrines and by extension for laying down rules about Sikh beliefs and practices, issued in 1945, after long and minute deliberations among Sikh scholars and theologians, defines a Sikh thus:
Every Sikh who has been admitted to the rites of [[]]amrit, i.e. who has been initiated as a Sikh, must allow his hair to grow to its full length. This also applies to those born of Sikh families but [who] have not yet received the rites of amrit of the tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh.


Water painting of a Sikh Women with her long hair tucked under her Dastar (Turban)
All codes and manuals defining Sikh conduct are unanimous in saying that uncut hair is obligatory for every Sikh. One of them, Bhai Chaupa Singh's, records, "The Guru's Sikh must protect the hair, comb it morning and evening and wash it with the curd. And he must not touch it with unclean hands."

Bhai Nand Lal quotes Guru Gobind Singh:
My Sikh shall not use the razor. For him the use of razor or shaving the chin shall be as sinful as incest. . . For the Khalsa such a symbol is prescribed so that a Sikh cannot remain undistinguishable from among a hundred thousand Hindus or Muslims; because how can he hide himself with hair and turban on his head and with a flowing beard?
Bhai Desa Singh, in his Rahitnama imparts a theological edge to his statement:
God created the whole universe and then he fashioned the human body. He gave men beard, moustaches and hair on the head. He who submits to His Will stead- fastly adheres to them. They who deny His Will how will they find God in this world?
Trimming or shaving is forbidden the Sikhs and constitutes for them the direst apostasy. The truest wish of a true Sikh is to be able "to preserve the hair on his head to his last breath." This was the earnest prayer arising out of Sikh hearts in the days of cruel persecution in the eighteenth century when to be a Sikh meant to be under the penalty of death. The example is cited from those dark days of Bhai Taru Singh, the martyr, who disdainfully spurned all tempting offers of the Mughal persecutor if only he would convert to Islam: "How do I fear for my life? Why must I become a Musalman? Don't Musalmans die? Why should I abandon my faith? May my faith endure until my last hair until my last breath," said Taru Singh.

The Nawab tried to tempt him with offers of lands and wealth. When he found Taru Singh inflexible, he decided to have his scalp scraped from his head. The barbers came with sharp lancets and slowly ripped Bhai Taru Singh's skull. He rejoiced that the hair of his head was still intact.
The importance of kes (Sikhs' unshorn hair) has been repeatedly demonstrated to them during their history. The hair has been their guarantee for self-preservation. Even more importantly, the prescription has a meaning for them far transcending the mundane frame of history.
A term which has had parallel usage in the Sikh system is Sahajdhari. A sahajdhari is not a full Sikh, but one on his way to becoming one. He is in the Guru's path, but has not yet adopted the full regalia of the faith. He fully subscribes to the philosophy of the Gurus; he does not own and believe in any other Guru or deity. His worship is the Sikh worship; only he has not yet adopted the full style of a Singh. Since he subscribed to no other form of worship or belief than the one prescribed for Sikhs, a concession was extended to him to call himself a Sikh - a sahajdhari Sikh or a gradualist who would gradually tread the path and eventually become a full-grown Khalsa. One venerable instance from among the contemporaries of Guru Gobind Singh, who introduced the order of the Khalsa, was Bhai Nand Lal, who composed beautiful poetry in honour of Guru Gobind Singh and who had the privilege even of laying down a code for the Sikhs.
The more recent Gurdwara enactment, passed by Indian Parliament in 1977, at the instance of Sikhs providing for the control and management of the Sikh places of worship in the territory of Delhi, apart from the Punjab, further tightened the definition of a Sikh and made it more explicit laying down "untrimmed hair" as an essential condition for him to be treated as a Sikh under the Act.
Above article on KESADHARI by Piara Singh Sambhi in Concepts in Sikhism

Human Hair: Scientific Status
(- A Biological Necessity By Dr. Birendra Kaur )
Hair is a characteristic feature of mammals, commonly known as "Hairy quadrupeds" - a group of animals that mark the climax of evolution. Mammals are also the dominant animals in the world today, due partly to their ability to regulate body temperature in the face of variations in environmental temperature. This requires regulation of heat production and heat loss by the body. Hair plays an important role in regulating heat loss from the body. Impulses from the brain (hypothalamus) causes the hair to stand on ends, thereby enclosing an insulating layer of air just outside the skin. This layer reduces the loss of heat by radiation.
Man marks the climax of evolution even among mammals, and has the most complex and highly developed brain, and the longest hair on his head. This feature cannot be without a reason. It cannot be a matter of mere chance or a mistake by nature, because if the tails has been lost the hair too could have been lost. On the contrary, human head-hair has increased manifold as compared to other mammals.

This dense and long growth of hair on the head shows that the body is trying to increase the surface area for some particular function. Such a trend to increase the surface area is seen in every system of the body, e.g. the highly coiled intestines with finger-like villi on their inner surfaces for absorption of digested food; alveoli in the lungs for exchange of O2 and CO2; glomerular capillaries in the form of bunch and coiled tubules in the kidneys where urine formation takes place. The circulatory and nervous systems show extensive branching to reach every nook and corner of the body. Even the surface of the human brain has maximum fissures (folds) corresponding to its increased abilities. The results that will be produced by decreasing the surface area of these points is easy for all to imagine!

FUNCTIONS OF HAIR
Hair performs a variety of functions. Some are listed below:
Form an insulating coat on the body. Trap a layer of still air just outside the skin, and thereby reduce loss of heat by radiation. Absorb harmful radiations from the sun. Keep out coarse dust particles, as in eyelashes, hair in the nasal chambers and ear canals. Eyebrows prevent water or perspiration from falling into eyes, due to their particular direction. Axillary and pubic hair lessen friction between limbs and body, and between limbs during locomotion. Axillary hair provide large surface area for evaporation of sweat. Beautify the body (otherwise why people do not shave off their hair from the head completely; bald men are desperate and would pay any price to get back hair on their heads). Beard and moustaches are for differentiation of sex. Mostly males are decorated in nature, e.g. lion, peacock and other birds, deer, etc. Protect from sun and rain. Prevent water from entering into skin. Impart colour to body. Vibrissae are sensory hair, tactile in nature and useful in dark burrows. Defend the body in danger, by standing on their ends, thereby making the body look bigger. Help to disguise by blending with the colour of the surroundings, to escape the watchful eyes of natural enemies.

IS HAIR LIFELESS?
Hair is erroneously considered lifeless because of lack of any visible connection with the brain. But, the drain is not controlling/communicating with our body through nerves alone. Hormones, which are chemical mediators also regulate various body functions. The immune system of the body fights infection with the help of coordinated action of cells, which have no visible connection with each other, or with the brain. So, presence or absence of nerves alone cannot determine the connection of a particular part of the body with the brain. If the hair was really dead to the brain, how then does it come to know that it has been cut, and respond by growing it again to the specific length? Once the specific length has been attained, further lengthening ceases. Thus, undoubtedly the brain is well aware of the condition of the hair, cut or uncut, even upto its tip! This is a sure sign of life. Also, the hair, like any other living organ of the body, responds to ageing, in their length, thickness of growth and greying. The condition of the health of a person is also reflected in the hair, its lustre, shine, etc.

Lack of sensation in hair, is no indication of its being dead, for, even the brain shows no such sensation. There is also a phylum (Porifera), the animals of which do not possess a nervous system at all. A blow to any part of their body produces no response whatsoever. Do we call these animals dead? Most plants do not show any sensation either.
Further, a part of that we call "dead" may be without sensation but definitely not without function. Rather, its function is as important as any living part of the body, if not more.

For example:
What would be the fate of an egg without the shell? What would be the condition of the body's living cells without the covering of the dead cells, i.e. upper layers of skin? How can teeth perform their function without enamel? What life would a bird lead without feathers? How would many freshwater animals overcome unfavourable conditions and not become extinct without cysts? How would plants disperse and reproduce without formation of seeds? Actually, different parts of the body or different cells cannot be categorised as useful/not useful. Each is only specially modified to perform different function for the benefit of the same individual. What the cells of a kidney can do, the cells of pancreas cannot. That does not mean that the former are more important than the latter, or vice versa.

HAIR VS. NAILS
It is often argued that hair and nails are similar, and a question frequently asked: "If we should not cut our hair, then why do we cut our nails?" But even a superficial study of the two shows them to be extremely different from each other. Whereas the hair grows from a tubular pit, the hair follicle, formed by sinking in of the most actively dividing layer of the skin, i.e., stratum germinativum, into the lower dermis, the nails are only modifications of the upper dead layers of the skin, i.e. stratum corneum. Further, the base of every follicle bulges out forming an inverted cup, which receives blood capillaries for nourishment and nerve fibres that make the hair sensitive to contact. An oil gland, known as sebaceous gland, opens into every hair follicle, the secretion of which lubricates the hair. A muscle is also attach ed to the base of every hair for bringing about movement. Pigments are added to the shaft of the hair as it grows. None of these features is associated with nails.
Structurally also hair is extremely strong, and resists breaking due to its elasticity and flexibility. Hair is as strong as steel, if we compare the two of the same diameter. Nails, on the other hand, are very brittle and rigid, breaking off easily. Hair number in thousands, thereby increasing the surface area, as if to meet a specific requirement. Nails number only twenty.

The difference between the two do not end with the structural features. Even the body's response towards the two is totally different. Our body, throughout life, tries to maintain a particular length of hair, and if cut anywhere along the length, responds by growing them again to the specific length. It clearly indicates the link of the body with the hair all along its length.

The body shows no such response to the nails, which grow from birth to death at the same rate, irrespective of whether cut or not. As has been mentioned earlier, even the shafts of hair, like any other living organ of the body, respond to ageing (in their length, density of growth, greying, etc.) and condition of health is reflected in the person?s hair (in their lustre, shine, etc.), whereas from the dead part of the nail, one can infer no such thing.
Practically also, hair do not interfere in any daily activity, whereas it is impossible to function at all with long nails. And even if not cut, nails generally fall off of their own easily; rather it takes great effort to maintain them, even upto a short length. In contrast to the long list of the functions of hair, only one function can be attributed to nails - that is, protection of the tips of digits.

CONCLUSION
To sum up, if there is anything on the head that can be compared with nails, it is dandruff!
It is also argued that hair have been lost from the body in man, because the body is kept covered. If that be the case, then the axillary and the pubic hair should have been the first to go. Also, the hair on the face, neck and hands should have remained.
Nature knows best what to discard or retain. Whatever is retained is not without purpose. If we are unable to explain something, it does not mean it has no significance. We must look for an explanation, rather than deny the role or existence of something we do not see.
There are sound frequencies we do not hear; light waves, that make everything visible, we do not see; odours that we do not smell; there are animals that do not see as many colours as we do; some things we can neither see nor deny, such as emotions, the bond between mother and child, force of gravity, etc. So, if there are things we do not see, or hear, or smell, it does not imply their absence. Just as an ant cannot apprehend the size and shape of an elephant, life and its processes are beyond human apprehension in the present state of knowledge. Our vast Solar system, which is beyond reach even today, is just a speck in the universe! Even our smallness is beyond our apprehension!
Hair is a gift from God, not a burden. Guru Gobind Singh, in his infinite wisdom, commanded us to respect it and to refrain from tampering with it. This is the visible token of his affection for us, as well as our faith in him. If we have faith in our Guru who was in communion with God, how can we do anything but follow his advice?
As Prof. Puran Singh says: "Let us sing in gratitude 'The Song of the Sikh'":
"Ah! Well, let my hair grow long; .... I cannot forget the knot He tied on my head; It is sacred, it is his mark of remembrance. The Master has bathed me in the light of suns not yet seen; There is eternity bound in this tender fragile knot. I touch the sky when I touch my hair, and a thousand stars twinkle through the night."

(the above articles is taken from http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Kesh)

Sikhs With A Mission - My mission

Months ago, I went for a camp organized by Sikhs With A Mission, which took place in Sri Desmesh School. It was a mind blowing experience as I learnt so many new concepts about Sikhism. The way the questions were thrown to us, we were needed to think fast and give a suitable answer. Its something great. However, thats the past, now what lies ahead of me is the future. What missions do I have in this Island of Borneo?

I want to bring a change in the Sikh community of Kuching. I was inspired by Manvir Singh Khalsa the first time I read about this guy. By the way, he is from U.K.. He is one of the most blessed souls within the sikh community I'll say, because he made a sacrifice(for some), and took amrit and be one of the small population of amritdhari in that region. He conducted many camps for to spread the message of God. In some of his post, he went to schools to let children know what is Sikhism. This humble soul was a crop, however, he did not feel comfortable cutting his hair as he remembered the Sakhi of Bhai Taru Singh Ji.

It was the time of wars where Aurengzeb was the emperor. He wanted to convert everyone in Punjab to be Muslim. However, the Sikhs stand strong to stop him from doing so. The Khalsas were tortured and slaughtered everyday. Blood was spilt everywhere, grown men crying in pain, bodies covered the whole land as a bed sheet coving a bed. Thousands, if not millions of bodies scattered the land. In this brutal war, Bhai Taru Singh Ji was captured. The Mughel soldiers tried to cut Bhai Taru's hair, however they fell to do so. It was said that Bhai Taru's hair was as hard as steel. Even with scissors and swords, they can't cut even a single strain of his hair. In the end, they took off his whole scalp.

Remembering this Sakhi, Manvir Singh made a decision to stop cutting his hair and keep it. He was around 15 when he start thinking of keeping his hair. There were no children keeping their hair at that time in U.K..

Being one of the handful amritdhari in Kuching, I want to really need to start my mission here. I have a few plans to inspire the children in Kuching to learn more about Sikhism and and live as a Sikh in a Sikhi seroop. However, I haven't voice out my ideas yet, and I am planning to do so as soon as possible. I want to run a series of competition among the children and adults here in this community. Since Vaisakhi is just 4 months away, I hope that this competitions will be conducted as a Vaisakhi event. I hope that they can make this competition as an annual event here in Kuching. By doing this, I am sure that more and more children and adults will be able to learn more about their faith.

My mission in Kuching is to bring up the community here to a higher level of understanding. When there are competitions, certainly there are prizes. This is what actually bothering me, because I don't know what sort of gifts should I give them. How to attract their attention to join this competition? How should I conduct these competitions? Where can I conduct these competitions? I am still having so many question marks with me. I hope that everyone who reads this post will pray for me to be able to conduct these competition, certainly, I will not take part in any of the competitions that I want to organize.

The competitions that I have in mind is Gurbani Antaksheri Competition(which I hope that it can be divided into 3 categories, namely: Children below 12 years old, Teenager between 13 to 18 years old, and adult), Kirtan Competition(who can sing the best wins), Gurbani Reading Competition(this I hope that it is devided into 2 groups, however, i can't really see any potential candidates yet. Who knows??), Quizes to test the knowledge of Sikhism among the sangat(there will be different level of difficulities as the age group varies).

When I think of such competitions, I feel that I really want to join in as a participent, however, if I join in, then there will be a 90% chance that I'll win the contest. Let see what will happen in the next few months. I hope that those of you who are reading this post will pray for the success of this competition(pray that this competition could be held for the first time in Kuching).

For now, this is my mission.

Panj Bania

Two days ago, I downloaded a track from Mr Sikhnet. It was sang by Chardi Kala Jatha (CKJ) during the summer solstice 2008. Upon hearing this track, I felt the power of this shabad which was written by Siri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Jaap Sahib. It was the last 2 lines of Jaap Sahib.

chatr cheker varti chatr cheker boghetay, suyengbhev subhang serbeda serb jugetay,
dukaleng pernasi deyaleng serupay, seda ang senggay abhenggeng bebutay.

Its tune is just facinating, as it is easy to follow. I've done meditation while listening to this simran, and believe me, its not the same. The power in Jaap Sahib is just a miracle. I do not have the vocabulary to express my myself on this state of meditation.

Once I heard a katha from Gurdwara Sis Gunj Sahib(at least around 90% of the katha I don't understand; my punjabi sucks that's why), I came to know that the meaning of doing the Panj Bania in the morning. Hopefully I didn't miss understand what the Giani said. I recalled he said tht Japji Sahib is a bhagti, Jaap Sahib is a shakti, Thav Persad Sewaiye is Persad, Benti Choupi is benti, and Anand Sahib is anand.

For now, I still do not understand this fully, however I noticed that Anand Sahib is placed at the last. In my opinion(don't know whether this is right or not), Anand Sahib is placed the last in the sequence because Anand Sahib will bring us to the state of Anand(bliss). However, I am not sure. Since I am going for semelan this year, I'll try to get answers there.

Time Flies

It has been a long time since I post any articles here.
Here I am again. But this year, I am sitting for my SPM examinations. To me the SPM examinations marks the ending of the second chapter of my life. moments ago, I felt like I was just in standard 1, but without realizing it, it has been 11 long years. Today, I finally finished my SPM examination. I love to go to school, I've been in school for the past 15 years, mind that I started schooling when I was only 2. From here on, I will need to be a better person, SPM marks the end of normal schooling years for me. Now, I do not know whether I am going to sit for Form 6 or enter Universities or take 'A' Level courses. However, I will make my final decision when I get my SPM result next March. Hopefully I can get very good results so that its easier for me to ask for scholarships.

Without forgetting all the teachers that had taught me for the past 15 years(I can't remember all of them), I really want to say thanks to them. Those penals of educators were the one that had help me to become who I am today, certainly my perants are also involved. My chemistry teacher, Miss Rohaya Yusoff once told me 'a teacher is just a catalyst, students are reactants and the result that is obtained is the product'. A catalyst - used to increase the rate of reaction of the reactant to get the product. Students are the one who will determine their own future as well as their results in their examinations.

When I look back what I've done for the past 17 years, I still feel that I am still not good enough. I never get no.1 before although that is my dream. Now I am 17. What's next? What course will I take after this 6 months holidays? I am still asking myself all this questions, I just want to be sure that I will take the course that I will never regret. To me, chemistry is the best. I want to make that as my primary subject to study. However, when I took a look at the courses for chemistry, I found out that chemistry is broken down to organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry and so on. I really wish that I can learn all of them, but as time creeps past us, I don't think I can master everything about chemistry in this lifetime.

Time tip toes by our side,
and now 17 years has past,
without a sound,
a sight,
but still, its moving,
slowly,
without turning back.

Satnam

Satnam, the truth, the loving name,
causes everything to start,
everything to stay......

That is how it goes in the hyms, Satnam. Its more then just the true name, I basically don't have the words to describe the deepest meaning of this word. But hey, it changed my life from Sikh to an amritdhari Khalsa. In my understanding, Satnam means god. The god that we worship, and also the god which is in all of us. Let me tell you guys how this affected me in my life.

It all began in the year 2005, when I was 14 years old. Already commiting a lot of sins, I felt that somehow I need to change myself. Thats when I got the blessing and become an amritdhari. Believe it or not, that numarous numology and zodiac chart has said that I an a person who is fond of women. Well, that may be true, but I want to prove that there is an exception for me. I want to be different so that I will not get into entanglement in this illusive world. Just this word pop up of my mind, Satnam.

Before all this, I already knew how to do meditation, but I don't practice it unless I am somehow forced to do so. I can't even speak punjabi which should be the main language that the SGGS is written in, and even after 14 years of listenning to rehrass, I can't even read it fluently with a gutka. I knew that I really need to change thing around or else, I will be as what they said that I will be.

I thank the naam because of his acceptance. But now the true challenge comes. I attended the anual semalan 2005, and took my amrit there. I felt guilty when they touched my feet after the amrit sanchar ceremony, I was totally out of my mind of what they are doing, since then, I told myself this "I must change things and get thing right or else I am just a fool, I will let them down if I don't perform well".

Therefore, I made a wish, a very strong wish that has changed my life ever since. Its just 2 simple things that made me what I am today. Certainly, I didn't wish that I will be good in punjabi, haha, but what I wished for is to be able to sing hyms and play tabla. Since in Kuching here, I don't have a teacher to teach me all these stuff, I wished that god Himself will teach me. This was really not practical but WOW, in these few years, I am able to mimic shabads sang by raagis and also some of their playing style. I even created tunes to sing those hyms. And when I am really into it, even when I am singing, I don't feel that I am the one who is singing, but it felt really good.

This true name comes from a true heart, and the true heart comes from true love. Even the person without any feelings have love in his heart. From here, he/she will care of their love ones. Do you think a murderer don't have love? Do you think the rudolf hitler don't have love? Well, If you think so then you are wrong. Because everybody loves something, no matter it is a person, or somthing else like power. My love ties down to one single word Satnam. Its enough. It will be able to help me whenever I need his help. Although I can't see him with my naked eye(thats why sometimes I consider myself as a blind person), but I can see how His creation shows me the way.

Love is something you cant buy or sell, but it comes from the bottom of your heart. The love of Satnam is so great that whatever you want will be fulfilled. I want to take this oppertunity to say this: I love you Satnam!!!!!

It has been a long time since I've blog. Looks like the my next post will not be as soon as i think that it would be. I hope that next month I can find time to post more articles here. By the way, drop by to this website www.sikhswithamission.wordpress.com

If you are a sikh, then you will have a mission. I will want to share more of my thought on this topic in my next post. Hopefully I can find time to do so.

till the next time

Satnam

Helping others, helping yourself

It is always a benefit to help others. No matter what it is. No matter what the cost is. During the earthquake in Sichuan, China, plenty of people sacrificed their life for others to live on. Its very brave of them to do such a thing.

Poverty is also a big problem in the world today. Human being died because of poverty. They may not have money to buy food, to treat illness............ I really wished that something can be done to help these people.

Recently when I was browsing the internet, I found a website which helps us to fight hunger. It is a very good site for all users. This is how the website works.

The web will give you a question, all the questions can improve your English, this is because the they will test your vocab. The question gets harder if you are at the higher level. Then, to tie all this together, each question you answered correctly, you will donate 20 grains of rice. There are sponsors for this. Just enjoy testing your own vocabulary as you help to donate rice to the poor.

But don't be over excited, because the word that they give are sometimes very challenging, so don't forget to bring your dictionary along. It may help(usually). Spread this website to as many people you know. This will help to rise fund for those people.

To find out more please check out the website yourself. Here is the link.
www.freerice.com

The Future Of Planet Earth

This is something that I've gut from sikhnet. I think that this is very interesting. Its from Yogiji.

Let's read about the future of planet earth

The future of planet earth

---

I think we taught the half of this class which I am going to teach you today in Hamburg. And now they have to wait for me, when I go back. They can't believe.

There are two things in your human life which you have to recognize, which you don't know. One is called by a very common word. Word is called 'grief.' Every disease in the body is divided by two... there are two things in your body. That's all that is. I mean to say it. How rich you are, it doesn't matter. How beautiful you are, doesn't matter. How religious you are, doesn't matter. How ugly you are, how pervert you are, even that doesn't matter. Your total behavior is your satisfaction and your emotions and your feelings. It has nothing to do with your life. Your life is dependent on two strengths or on two things: One is how angry you are. Second is how aggrieved you are. If you are angry, you will have all blood diseases; cancer, etc., etc. And if you are aggrieved, you will have diabetes, phobias and fears and moods and depression, whatever you call it. So if you take a packet of celery and carrots with you, and when your sugar is down, you take the carrot and when your sugar is up, you take the
celery. Celery has natural insulin. And carrot has natural Vitamin A and sugar. I mean to say, that's the only thing humanity has to learn to live.

Because this is a time of great stress. We all have lost one thing. We have all lost the ability to talk to our soul. We have no friendship with our soul. We have friendship with our emotions. It's very amazing. It is so amazing that in Moscow I learned one thing: Whatever opinions we Americans have about Russians is totally false. They are the most contained, patient, sober and honorable people. They are so peaceful. They can take it so much that I think that what their condition is today, if there is that same very condition in America, we'd all get into the ocean and jump and die. We wouldn't take it. There is no comparison.

There is a department store as big as six blocks long, a royal thing, it's not something... and there are only about fourteen things in it and only four shelves. There is a six block line but nobody will break the line. And it is snowing. It is minus forty degree centigrade. Who can take it? And they do not know if they can afford to buy it or not. They do not know if any will be left for them or not. But still they are there. Strange people.

Absolutely they have no smile and no grief. They will take you as granted, will never trust you until you gain their trust. It is amazing what I learned in 7 days. It was totally different world.

And Russians are fifteen Republics out of which one republic is Russia itself which is the majority of the white people. Rest are all Cossacks and Tatars and Azerbaijan's -- you name it. But one very common thing runs in them, they are very peaceful.

There was a situation where they had to take a cup of coffee. Let's take it that way, all right? And there were twenty people waiting in line and I stood on the railing and I said, "My God. There are only three cups available, and there are twenty people. Let us see whether three get it and others leave." No, not a single person left.

I don't think anybody in good sense of his power can ever conquer Russia. Never. It is so cold. Yeah, I am truthful. It is so cold that nobody other than Russians can ever live there. I think Napoleon lost it. He was genuinely right. And Germany which has all the supply lines... I mean, Napoleon they say lost because he didn't have the supply lines and that's why he couldn't win. But at least Germans have all the supply lines. Well, just look at it. I was wearing a woolen robe and then a Pashmina shawl. Pashmina shawl means you can boil an egg in it, it is such a hot cloth. Very beautiful Indian Pashmina shawl. Over that I wore this which I am wearing right now. And then over all that I wore a fur coat, and still it was cold. And when it snows Moscow people are very happy. They dance because it is warm. It is an amazing place.

And I tell you about Russia. The roads are as wide as one block. A 747 can land absolutely on the road without any trouble. I thought they were runways. I never knew that they are roads. But I think that our conference was very beautiful. We were seven hundred people. Three hundred religious people, three hundred legislators. Our senators were there. Other ministers came. And two hundred were these scientists. And what the scientists told I can tell you in one line. That is: whether we are or we are not, if we do not stop what we are doing, we'll blow up the earth on us within twenty-five years, give and take five years. That was their final, total opinion. Religious people were very good, very jealous of each other, pulling each other's legs. They were very nice. I loved them. It was amazing.

Normally, you know, you go to such conferences and TV is after you. And there, everybody was after me. I never knew why. But they wanted to be seen somewhere. And the legislator people were saying: "We did our best. I don't think people understand us." Something like that. But scientists were very honest, straight and blunt. According to them, we have damaged earth so irreparably now that if we just go little further, there shall be nothing left. And they were true to the true calculation. Their explanation was right. Their experiments were good, and they were grateful to the legislators that they paid for it, and they could say it.

But one good news I have is that there shall be no Third World War. Third World War will be possible in small countries like little possible where people will like to fight each other just like you call it, 'tribal wars.'

Primal war like Second World War and Third World War will never happen because they have found out through their studies, a war cannot be fought for more than seven minutes. And within those seven minutes, everything you fire will fire back at you after thirty-eight seconds. If you send all the missles and all the warheads and everything up, whatever you send in the first thirty-eight minutes will go to the target. Rest will come back to you.

So basically, you must have heard that we have 300 billion dollars worth of extra stuff rotting. And they didn't tell you that you have 900 billion dollars worth of warheads which do not work. They didn't tell you that. We Americans pay one fourth of our earnings in taxes. And out of that three quarters is wasted. But we are alive. We are happy. It is a great country, good democracy. But don't get angry. Today we have to get rid of anger, not to make you angry.

Today we are burning our back cord, they call it. Alley. In our brain, in our neurons, we have a back alley. It is called 'fire back alley.' Normally everything we do in our life, it fires back on us. Do you know that? And it is a continuous system. I was very surprised to see every German very grim. Normally they are very accurate people. They are very precise and the work they do is so sophisticatedly detailed, but they are very unhappy.

This time my experience was different because I was there not to just teach a course and then run. I was there for two weeks and I found out there is a back alley problem. Whoever you are, as much happy you are, that much unhappy you are creatively. It is called alley restore. You restore that unhappiness and that passion of that to be reserved. Body has a very great system. Body has a system, and exactly the same, mind has a system too to reserve things in the reverse of it.

Everything in the world is in a balance. There are as many corrupt people, and there are that many honest people. And every corrupt man has equal honesty about it and every honest person has equal corruption about it. Entire universe is in total balance. As much as people are in ecstasy, that much people are in perversion. It can't be this way and that way. So hating somebody that somebody is wrong, and loving somebody that somebody is right is your just mental disillusion. Everybody's doing what they are doing. You can never say, "That man is great." But that man is great because you like him to be great. Or, you like him because what he is doing is great. Maybe somebody else will say, "That man is rotten." So you can never say that.

Isn't sometime now that we are teaching 'Higher Yoga' rather than 'Hatha Yoga' -- how to make a posture. So today we are working on the very inner self of us and that is our extension self in our back yard. You know, there is a back yard... little green pasture and few flowers and little storehouse in every house you see. Now every person has a personality. Personality is called 'A' and equally with that personality you have a back yard. Everybody has a living room and then on the top, what they call the place where they put things that they don't bother about? Attic. So we are going to get into attic today. Like it? But I want to warn you. If you don't want to participate, don't. Or if you do want to participate, be honest. Because I do not want to open the attic with you... with my understanding... because I love and I trust. That's my weakness. I don't want to open up the can of worms and not complete it if in the middle you say, "Well, it's too hard for me." All right? If I can work after coming all this time, after hours and hours of travel, I think you will also participate right. Correct?

Now: "Why I am angry?" That is one question you should ask yourself. You are angry because things somebody didn't do right. You are angry because you didn't do things right. You are angry because circumstances were not right. You are angry because you expect too much. And you are angry because you have a false, exaggerated imagination of your personality projection. That's the scientific reason for anger. Why you should not be angry? Because being angry damages your own health. Why you SHOULD be angry? Because without anger you do not feel satisfied. You become angry to feel satisfied that you have snubbed somebody, you have abused somebody, you are neurotic to somebody or you yelled and screamed to let the steam out, whatever.

But there is a problem whether you are angry or not angry, for all achievements of happiness, in the alley you reserve yourself, and that is anger. They call it very subtle, but it is very sure. For that treatment, people have gone through a lot of changes and there are a lot of excuses for it, but actually that is a part of the thing. Like... there is a problem today in the world. No one knows what to do with nuclear waste. And exactly in our life, nobody knows what to do with mental waste. And this part is what we are tackling. All right?


(Meditation with two oranges begins....)


(End of meditation....)

Oh yeah, this is our new meditation on healing. (Talking about the new healing tape by Nirinjan Kaur.) It has a very powerful affirmation and a prayer. You are very good, Guru Prem you are doing good. Nirinjan, thank you.

Anybody has seen the article, or read and has reserved? There is a huge study that these electric watches, you know, these battery watches, are bad for heart? Whatever they are, quartzes, right? Quartz is a movement, but the question is that current. Anybody? Oh, I saw it, but I was on airline. I was flying.

(Student: Was that in the "New Yorker?")

Yeah, it is a study by....

(Student: There was a long article in the New Yorker. I think I have it.)

Okay. It is funny if it is true.

Do you know that they have found out also that some people have mood problem? How many of us here have mood problem? Mood problem? It's a problem. It's not a disease. Call it a problem. We will tell you the remedy, but first let me have a show of hands of how many of you, honestly, I mean, don't try to cheat. Okay, this is how the mood problems can be solved: You can make beautiful celery sticks and carrot sticks and put it in your bag and go. When your sugar is high, take celery and sugar will come down normally and you will have no problem with it. And they have found out that if sugar is more than 110, you start having an aggressive mood. Yeah. And if your sugar is below 60, you will have a depressive mood.

So 60 to 120, they call is the limit. And sugar does change it. Don't misunderstand that you are diabetic if it will go high and all that. But it does change. It takes pancreas time to secrete insulin and then react and all that stuff. But they say that if you seem a little aggressive or itchy or irritated, then take celery and that will calm down. It has a natural insulin in it. And if you feel very depressed and negative, and the world is over there and I am here, then you start chewing a few carrot sticks. And they have experimented. Those people now swear by a million bibles that it does work.

And those people who do not sleep at night, if they take lettuce juice or make a lettuce soup which has a natural opium in it, you'll sleep tight. So these are certain very natural things.

And in case of situation... if you feel, what do you call it? You are very depressed? Miserable? Oh yes, yes. No, no, no, no! Just watch this. Take one tablespoon of fresh ground black pepper and take a cup of yogurt and take four kiwis, you know, that green thing inside? Yeah. Take it out of the skin and either put it in a blender or mess it up or otherwise. And just eat it. You'll be surprised. They have timed it. It takes seven minutes to get out of deep depression.

You know that kind of thing where you think your body is outside and you are inside like a lead? Have you seen that kind of a depression? Otherwise it takes two moons to get out of it. It means two months once you get into that mood. One moon, it means full moon. One full moon to another full moon to another full moon. It means full moons. When they say in the book, "Two Moons," it means "Two months." Once you get in that kind of situation, it takes two months to start thinking right. But one tablespoon of black pepper, freshly ground.... I don't know why they wrote that, but that's exactly what true is. And this kiwi... You know that fruit? It's a green fruit. Inside green. Four of them. And a cup of yogurt. And mix it up and eat it.

You know this flu is going on these days. It's very horrible. It's fatal to many people. If you want to write down the formula, please write it down: One tablespoon of black pepper. One teaspoon of cayenne. Three tablespoons of turmeric. One ounce by weight of basil. One ounce by weight. Dry or wet, whatever you want. I didn't read that. You understand? And then you take fresh pressed olive oil. The sign of that is it says that when you put olive oil in the pot, if it is fresh pressed it will make a foam. If it doesn't make foam, you have bought the wrong olive oil. Don't use that. Reasonable? I mean to say don't take... olive oil is very strong. And you make a kind of a... what do you call it? Masala? Masala means you sauté it and it is very tasty. And you can put on vegetables. It is very tasty. You can put on rice, or you on a piece of bread. But this flu will leave you. It should not take three days to get rid of this stuff.

Now let me repeat the formula. The black pepper is one tablespoon (freshly ground, not pre-ground). They are very cautious about it. And this cayenne... one teaspoon. This turmeric... three tablespoons. And just remember, it is called 'heaping full.' Not flat. They call it 'heap full.' And this basil, one ounce by weight. And the olive oil has to be used, fresh pressed. They call it cold pressed, fresh pressed. (How much?) To your choice. It was not written. I'm not going to make it up -- this many, that many. And, there's a cold-pressed olive oil but they use caustic soda with it, and it's very injurious to health. So be careful. And if the olive oil doesn't make a lot of foam, it means it is hot pressed or it is chemically pressed. Yeah? (Can you use yogurt with this?) This masala you can use with yogurt, that is very wonderful. You can put on vegetables. You use it any way you want. But it will really shape you up in seventy-two hours. It is very healthy, too.

There are some people who say their cough is not gone from last six months. You hear them, "hung! hung! hung!" all the time. And we had a situation where that was existing. Within three days it is all over with. So please understand.

And I do not know what you call it. They call it "Siberian Flu." It happens in northern Russia very often and the casualty is 100% sure. I mean to say, the relatives just understand that this Russian is going to be not voting for the Communist party any more. And that they know. But here in this country, it is a very painful process and you can't breathe and you cough all the time. Every medicine has been used for it, and the result is a big zero. And people take penicillin after penicillin, after penicillin. They take shots after shots. It attacked this time lower Germany, Bavaria, and it took a lot of casualties.

Yeah? (Question: Olive oil that is cold pressed?) Olive oil that is hot pressed or they put some, chemically pressed. That...they have come out with a study that olive oil reduces sugar. It is good for diabetes. New England Medical Journal made a very vast study of olive oil. And they came out with that it reduces diabetes. It reduces bad cholesterol. It reduces everything and they think it is one of the best things in the world altogether. But if you understand calories, one ounce has about seven hundred or something of calories. If you count calories, you just study the book.

Normally for living healthy, you should take 1200 calories a day. And if you heavily exercise, then you can have up to 2000 calories and normally there is a very system set which I'll give to you. I'm perfecting it on myself first. I'm not going to give you so long I am not on it myself. You can burn 600 calories in your bed. Yeah, yeah. You don't have to remove the quilt. That's sure. I have come to that refinement now. There are exercises... one exercise is very simple, but you sweat. I mean, you have to change your sheets every day, that's true. But....you can do it if you want to.

All right, tomorrow morning when you get up, just get on your left side. Left side. And put your feet into the bed. And put your shoulder into bed. And move your pelvic area and baby boys and baby girls, just see in ten minutes what happens to you. Just swing that central part. You can't believe it what undertow you go through inside the body. And it is very easy too. Cross the legs and fix it on one side and put the shoulder... but it will be preferred if you do it on the right side, shoulders down, and left side up. If you do it left side down, it will put sometime pressure on the heart area and that's not very technically right until you are very tuned with it. That's one exercise you can do.

Second, you can sit down in a baby pose and go flat on your belly and then sit crunch back to baby pose. Quilt on. And in 5 to 7 minutes, you will not be surprised if you are sweating to yourself.

And the other situation is you can do bundle roll kriya on your bed. But be careful. Only you can take one turn left and one turn right. You can't go on and on.

All right, there is another situation for your... what you call? When you sleep at night, your foot is this. Do you see this? Your foot is like this? Stretch it all the way like this and stay there for a minute. Just one minute. You'll be shocked with the best results you can get. In the morning... if you know "Touch of Health" book or not... just in the morning, just at your heart center, do this. That will neutralize your health to start with. And for your eyes, please do not open your eyes like that! Just put your hands on your face, massage it, and then open your eyes in the hands and then open. First light is very shocking to the optical nerve. And when you brush your teeth, go back in the mouth, and empty these two monkey glands and see what you'll draw out. Keep it as souvenir for yourself. It's natural to have mucous in the throat to clean the air but it's dangerous to take that into the stomach early in the morning with a cup of coffee or tea. Then the whole body has to work to get it out, and it
never comes out. It is one of the ugliest things which has caused a lot of problems to mankind.

What else? If you are clinically sick in the sense of medically sick... if you take a hot bath all the time and hot shower, and you are afraid of cold water, normally you will get sick one way or the other. You will get common cold and all that stuff, very often. But if you do not like... let us say you have made a New Year's resolution that "I am never going to take a cold shower," it means your capillaries will show up and your body will look just like a spider man. Ultimately you will have those diseases. Because the capillaries... there is no medicine which can clean the capillaries except surgery or some other process, but if you take cold showers... naturally the body temperature outside, when it becomes cold inside, blood rushes out and it does it. However if you have decided totally, "I'm not going to do it!" -- then at least wash your hands up to wrists, your elbows, your neck and your face. And then the other thing is, take a towel dipped in cold, cold cold water, and sponge your body with this towel.

Some people are just afraid. There's one person I know, she's so scared of this cold shower, you can tell her two hundred things she will do, but this one she cannot do. But with a sponge she is successful. And I do not know whether you know how to take a bath or not, but these two hands must go into the armpits and massage them when you take any shower. Doesn't matter, hot or cold. If you do not massage your armpits, which you don't like to do -- you put little soap on, then you get out. I definitely know. It is just like this. Uh, hee, hee, and that's it. No, no! Put these both sides and massage it at the same time. (SSS demonstrates by crossing his arms in front of the chest and massaging armpits with opposite hands) Just this area. Your day will be different. I'm not kidding.

Listen to me. I didn't sit in the sun and just become gray. I have studied a lot. Do you know what I'm saying? At the same time, if you put your both hands in your armpits and massage it (which is against your taste) your day will be different, your energy will be different. Because you do not understand what an armpit is. Armpit is a pit where the total all three nervous systems are controlled. It is very important. If you have a chance you take a shower or you sit in the tub and take a shower. Take a small towel, wash cloth or whatever, and rub this area as much you can. Stimulate it. This is one area which nobody stimulates. Even the masseuse.

Well, once I thought, "Let me go to the western massage." So I went to this Beverly Hills thing and the guy put oil on my back, "One, two, three," and then he said, "Turn," and then on belly, "One two, three," and then he said, "Out." I looked at him and I thought, "What right he has got to charge $90.00?" But that's what it is. They put kind of oil which disappears in couple of minutes. But normally body massage means the every part of the body should be pressed to relax and relaxed to press so that circulation may take place and nervous system may be strengthened. That is the idea of massage. Idea of massage is not you feel good because somebody's touching you. If somebody just touches you and you feel good, don't pay for it! Go lean against the wall and rub your side. I mean, that's touching, too. If touching is the way. Massage is a very systematic, harmonious system through which the body is very elevated. It's a physical elevation.
What else you can do? Yeah, you can stand under the shower, put your hand somewhere to secure yourself, definitely, and then you massage your own feet with one left foot, the right foot, back, front, every corner of it. Every inner organ... all the meridian points are right there. Whole universe of yours is there. Back, forth, this, that. And you have to massage yourself. And you will reach a stage where you don't like that. You don't feel that you should massage anymore. That means you are done.

What else is good for you? You have a basic problem. When you get sick you start taking Vitamin C, right? And you gobble it. You think it is a pancake. You just take it so much, you know? They say taking too much Vitamin C is as bad as not taking any Vitamin C. And they say the best Vitamin C is kiwi. Yeah. That little green stuff. It's pretty costly. But it has... I do not remember the figure, does anybody remember the figure? It has certain very excellent numbers.

Those who feel they are not right, and they don't want to treat themselves and they do not know how to take care of the liver... this California should be very lucky because you've got the artichoke. And do you know in Germany now all these things are medicines? And they openly say: "This is for this. This is for this. And this is for this." And you just go and buy it, come on home and take it.

Most distasteful thing was... what? Those berries? Juniper berries! That's for kidneys... they describe it. But there is a new system, now: "Heal Through Food." And they are very good at it. They are very pioneering in it. And they are out to get you. So maybe in America, a hundred years from now, we'll start doing the same thing. It is a very funny thing to go to a doctor who is a naturopath (they call it 'the healer') and look at their medical prescription thing... how many drugs they have got and how patent they are. It is amazing. I mean to say, our allopathic, regular doctor here doesn't have that range of medicine. They have such a vast range of medicine, it is unbelievable. And they are all well-done, dated, stocked, packed and whole thing.

Hallopathy is very important there. But you will be surprised in Germany that you will go to an M.D. and he writes a Chinese formula. Chinese tea. Can you believe this? An M.D. writes a Chinese formula of tea. You go to the pharmacy and you give the thing, and they give you the tea. They make it every day and they know people who come and take it, some of them. Medicine is very well advanced in West Germany. I do not know what East Germany will get to. But I think they will adopt the same thing.

Natural healing is very important in Europe. And do you know in Russia, they totally believe in natural healing? They have a very advanced situation in that. And they do... I admire those people with that cold... I mean, just... I think Napoleon should have been wise up enough to send somebody in advance. If five soldiers would have survived, then he should have attacked. It is not that that much cold is in Alaska even. That much cold is everywhere in the world. Don't bother about that. But it's such a biting cold, nobody can explain why it is so. It is extremely biting cold.

All the cars which you think are junk cars, you will see them running in Moscow, left and right. It is amazing that I asked the driver, I said, "When was this car made?" He said: "In the 18th Century." And he was very proud of it. They manufacture... one thing about Russia is very good, the mechanics. There's not a one part in the world they cannot re-manufacture exactly and can keep the car running. This car which that driver was driving was actually 18th century because it looked very funny. So I thought, "Let me go in it." And I asked him -- he spoke very little English, I asked him: "Is this very old?" He said: "Older than me and you." Because that was really an American car which we must have made in somewhere near 18th Century. And finding that kind of car running in the streets of Moscow was a great experience because I wanted to go really to the next hotel very fast because there was a meeting and the car won't go that fast. It went to a speed of 45 miles maximum, so I understood it is really old.
(Comment from student: Like your jeep.) Yeah, my jeep doesn't run... because that is my joy that I don't have to rush to anything. Now, are you all right now? You can go home? All right.

May the Long Time Sunshine Upon You....

God bless the entire mankind to preserve their mental peace, the peace of the planet. Thy given gift, the Mother earth, may all have respect and reverence for all what they are doing. Give them the consciousness, prosperity and grace to deal with their own environments in a graceful way as they want to deal with their own self and personality. Sat Nam.

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END OF TRANSCRIPT
2/7/90
YOGI BHAJAN
Transcript by Tej Kaur Khalsa, Los Angeles, CA

Above Article Copyright © Yogi Bhajan 2002. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.