Singhs at Crossroads

WaheguruJeeKaaKhalsa WaheguruJeeKeeFateh!!

Dear Sangat Jee,

From all the members of the ‘Tothemax’ Team we wish all the Sikh Sangat a Very Happy Vasakhi. One of the team received a email with a article regarding Vasakhi, we have posted a part of the long article below. It reminds us of what this day has become in some people’s eyes and what it SHOULD really mean.

‘By proclaiming such a sea-change within the Sikh people on this auspicious day, Guru Gobind Singh Ji promoted a highly visible Sikh identity of uncut hair and other articles of the Khalsa. By assigning a specific code of conduct (Rehat Maryada), he formalized the Khalsa Panth once for all and transformed it into the ‘Fauj of Akal Purukh’ or the ‘Army of God’. In fact, it is only the followers of this unique faith who can trace their existence to a formalized spiritual order with an assigned external discipline having its roots in one specific event on one particular day. No other religious festival could ever boast of such a singular association. That is why, the Vaisakhi has also been known as the ‘Saajna Divas’ or the ‘Day of Creation’ of the Khalsa. He wanted to make sure that his people, the Khalsa, even if they wished, could not hide themselves in the crowd especially at a time when their presence to protect the weaklings became imperative.

But Alas! Look at us, the ‘Modern Sikhs’!

With the passage of time, we have been gradually losing sight of that fundamental spirit and significance of this important day. We simply keep on flouting the very basic guidelines established by its founder. The Sikh community as a whole, whether in India or abroad, is turning Vaisakhi into an event of hollow festivities without due attention to what it truly stands for. The celebrations are getting more and more elaborate, both on the religious and social fronts, yet the true perspectives and spirit behind such activities is continuously eroding in our minds. Certainly, in saying so I do not intend to imply that one should not celebrate this festive occasion in great jovial spirit that it is worthy of. On the contrary, I would categorically state that this being the ‘Day of Creation of Khalsa’, the celebrations should encompass all the happiness and excitement that it can muster. But unfortunately what is missing in all these celebrations is the lack of motivation to understand and then act on the message that was imparted to the Sikhs on this particular day.

We find more and more of us looking like others. Instead of supporting our Turbans, the Crowns, we are subtly emphasizing crew-cuts for our children. The distinct uniqueness of the Sikhs is being continuously adulterated by us, the so-called ‘Modern Sikhs’ who seem not to care much about the true meaning or message of Vaisakhi. So much so, that this concept of ‘Modern Sikh’ even shows up at the time of Anand Kaarj, the most sacred Sikh marriage ceremony. In order to look like what a Sikh should be looking like, our Sikh children have started temporarily supporting a turban with partially cropped up and clipped beard just for the time of this ceremony. The metamorphosed appearance even disorients the closest of the invited friends not to talk about somewhat less than close acquaintances. Come evening wedding reception, the Turban, the Crown of the Sikh, is thrown away like an unneeded piece of clothing, never to be seen again. The newly-wed groom appears at the show in his usual day to day appearance, totally groomed with a shaven beard and without an iota of hair. ‘Can such temporary deception at time or Anand Kaaraj ever confuse the ‘Guru Eternal’ whom we pay the utmost respect and around whom we circle-ambulate while taking vows to stay true to the future life partner?’ If not, then one has to wonder as to the need of playing such games and with whom?

Didn’t our Guru emphasize upon us to maintain a unique identity with full uncut hair, beard and turban once for all? What could be clearer than his statement "Jub Lug Khalsa rahe niaraa, Tub lug tej deeo Mai Saara. Jub Aeh Gahai bipran kee reet, Mein naa karron inkee parteet." meaning thereby "That so long as my Khalsa stays uniquely distinct, I will provide it with all the strength. And when it starts imitating others, I will not care for it any more".

Vaisakhi should be considered a day of reflection for all of us, the believers of the Sikh faith. It should be the day when all who call themselves ‘the Sikhs of Guru’ start making some grass-root resolutions to change the status-quo rather than going with the flow. It should be the day when vows to uphold those golden principles of Sikh faith are renewed. It should be the time when those of us who have shunned ‘the Sikh identity’ to realign once again our philosophy with the original spirit of this day. It should be the day when Turban is given back the ‘Glory of a Crown’ it once commanded. It should be the day when Sikhs intoxicate themselves with Guru’s Amrit rather than with the booze. It should be the day when they reintroduce the concept of Sikh-Rehat in their lives rather than running away from it in hordes. And then only, this festival of Vaisakhi will have some meaning for us, the Sikhs!’

Dr. Jaswant Singh Sachdev, MD
Phoenix, Arizona

WaheguruJeeKaaKhalsa WaheguruJeeKeeFateh!

WaheguruJeeKaaKhalsa, WaheguruJeeKeeFateh!!

Today is the 400 years Shaheedi Diwas (Martyrdom Day) of Satguru Sri Guru Arjan Dev Jee, the Fifth Nanak.

May we remember the Great Accomplishments and Sacrifice of Guru Jee. May they inspire us to be better Sikhs. Below is a small selection of Guru Jee's achievements, we are unworthy to fully comprehend all that Guru Jee Achieved.

• Huge number of Hymns in Sri Guru Granth Sahib - over 2000
• Author of Sukhmani Sahib Bani - Prayer for Peace
• Compiled and installed for the first time the Sri Adi Granth, which at this stage is the name given to Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
• Completed the construction of the Golden Temple.
• Developed Amritsar as a Centre of Excellence.
• Enhanced the Structure of Sikh Society by introducing the Masund system
• First Sikh Guru to be martyred.

Below is included a Picture of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Handwriting (Mool Mantaar) for Sangat Jee's darshan.

WaheguruJeeKaaKhalsa WaheguruJeeKeeFateh!!

WaheguruJeeKaaKhalsa WaheguruJeeKeeFateh!!

Dear Sangat Jee,

As most of the sevadaars for the website were busy over the Vasaakhi Weekend we apologise for not updating the site.

However today all photos from the first part of the AKJ UK Annual Smagam which was held at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Cross Roads, Coventry have been uploaded, please check the Gallery Page. The 'Vasaakhi 06 at Crossroads' album is a sub album under the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Album, hope that's not too complicated

We also are in the proces of uploading up all the Keertan recorded over the last few days, we hope to complete by today. Please try to attend the Smagam in Derby, details of programs are below. The Keertan has been amazing so far.

Sevadaars will try in the next week to put up the exclusive 1978 Vasaakhi article and more Monthly Keertan, we apologise for the delay

Bhul Chuk Marf Karna.

WaheguruJeeKaaKhalsa WaheguruJeeKeefateh!!

WaheguruJeekaaKhalsa WaheguruJeeKeeFateh!!

Khalsa Panth Noo Vasaakhi diyaan Vadhaaiyaan!!

The below text is a summary from a muslim spy who recorded what actually happened on the momentous day when Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee created the Khalsa - Akal Purakh Dee Fauj!! He later took Amrit on the same day and became a Sikh of the Guru after what he witnessed.

Abu-ul-Trafi was a enemy spy and spyied on Guru Gobind Singh for a year and a half. And recorded the following in his diary/journal

"On the day Guru Gobind Singh Ji prepared Amrit in Anandpur, the attendance in the Diwan was about 35 to 40 thousands. The Mughals had four thrones (seats of Imperial Power), Delhi, Agra, Lahore and Kalanur, but the grandeur of Guru Ji's throne was in a class by itself. The grandeur of this throne was out of this world.

Guru Ji came to the Diwan and, unsheathing his sword, spoke in his thundering voice that he needed a head. No questions or hesitation at all, Bhai Dya Ram came forward to Guru Ji. Guru Ji right in front of all, cut off his head from the body in one stroke. Every body present was stunned. Then Guru Ji again thundered and demanded one more head. Right on Guru's call, Dharam Chand got up, came to Guru Ji, bowed his head and said here is my offering of my head. Guru Ji, again, in one stroke cut off Dharam Chand's head from his body.

Now there was a big commotion in the Diwan. But Guru Ji in his thundering voice went on demanding heads, one after the other. Himmat Rai, Mohkam Chand and Sahib Ram got up and offered their heads. Guru Ji cut off the heads of these three also.

Many from the congregation went to Guru Ji's mother, and narrated the whole happenings in the Diwan to Mata Ji.

Guru Ji cleaned up the blood from the five bodies and heads, and even washed the floor, Then the Guru of these infidels, stitched one head with other body, one by one. This process took about three hours. Then he covered these dead bodies with white sheets.

The Guru of the infidels then took a cauldron made of stone and put an iron wok without handles on top of it. Poured water into the wok and started preparing the "Amrit" (Aab-e-hyat - Elixir of life). The infidel Guru kept churning the water with his sword and kept on reciting his Kalma (Gurbani). This process went on for 1.5 to 2 hours. During this time, a lady from Guru's house came and put something in that water. Now the Amrit "Elixir" was ready.

From the corpses, he took the covering sheets off. First he sat on the head side of Dya Ram, and poured AMRIT "Elixir" in his mouth, then poured some on his head and sprinkled some on his body, and then he asked the dead body to say "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh." As if on his Guru's Command, Dya Ram got up and repeated in his bold voice,"Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh."

It appeared that in the entire congregation every body was so stunned and as if stopped breathing. There was pin-drop silence. All those present were mesmerised with their Guru's miracle. In the same manner, one after the other, Guru made the other four alive too.

Then, he took all five of them inside a tent. After a while Guru Ji along with the five came out. The Five were now wearing new attire. Those five risen from the dead were standing in a line. Then Guru came in front of them and took the "Bir Asan" (Posture of the brave - kneeling on one knee) and asked for the Amrit "Elixir." At this point, these five asked, what are you offering to get this Amrit "Elixir." Then Guru said that I would sacrifice my parents and my sons for your sake. Then these five gave Amrit "Elixir" to Guru Ji, and his name was changed to "Gobind Singh." The word "Singh" was attached with other five's too - Dya Singh, Dharam Singh, Himmat Singh, Mohkam Singh and Sahib Singh.

Abu-el-Trafi writes that I was very remorseful and cried like a baby. After that, thousands took the AMRIT "Elixir". Even, I was attracted by a magnetic force and with utmost regret fell on Guru's feet. I requested Guru to give me Amrit (Aaab-e-hyat) too. Guru Ji already knew about my role as a spy and a traitor, put his hand on my back, gave me Amrit and changed my name to Ajmer Singh. Just with this act, my sins of numerous lives got washed away. I participated in many wars.

On that day, I sent my last report to Emperor Aurang Zeb. In this report I wrote my eyewitness account in details. I also warned Aurang Zeb in the strongest possible words not to dare challenge the incarnation of God, and desist from cruel policies and that if he did not listen to and act on my advise, then God forbid, he would lose all - his throne and family.

Gyani Dalip Singh "Komal" of Dhaunola informed that this book is lying in the archives of Aligarh University."

*Sevadaars Notes

• Many historians in the past asserted that Guru Jee had killed Goats insted of sacraficing the Panj Pyare. Sikh Children have grown up listening and believing in that assertion. We beg to disagree strongly with those historians. The above story describes the event as Guru Jee beheading the Panj Pyare in front of the assembled crowd. If in front of the crowd or in the tent we believe that Guru Jee did sacrifice the Panj Pyare who offered their heads on Guru Jee's command. The Sacrifice of Goats is truly a false story, why would Guru Jee who asked for a head then kill a goat. Would not the Panj Pyare who stood up in the full knowledge that his Lord has asked him to die think that this is a trick to con the masses when he see's Guru Jee behead the Goat. The Panj Pyare had full faith in the Guru Jee's greatness, it seems to be lacking in the authors who write Sikh History.

• This may lead to some Sikhs or non-Sikhs saying that Guru Jee performed a miracle. This is a false notion aswell. A person with supernatural powers can perform miracles by bending the rules of nature, Guru Jee was not a normal human being, the laws of Nature obeyed him, He only created the Khalsa as ordained by Waheguru Jee himself. To show the power of Amrit something extraordinary had to happen that day. This is why it has been written that upto 80,000 Gursikhs became Khalsa that day.

On Friday at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Crossroads, Coventry  - There will be Asa Di Var Keertan from 5.30am - 8.30am and a Keertan darbar in the evening from 6pm-10pm. These 2 programs are part of the AKJ Annual Smagam.

Bhul Chuk Marf Karna!! 

WaheguruJeeKaaKhalsa WaheguruJeeKeeFateh!!