The presentation by S. Jasdeep Singh created an interesting discussion.
To my mind Sikhi is nothing but blind faith in Waheguru. However, this blind faith comes as a gift (Gurpasad/Nadr/Kirpa/Grace/Bakshish) from Guru/Waheguru only through a bhukh (hunger) for Waheguru.
“Parbrahm jin sach kar jata Nanak so jan sach samata” (Sukhmani Sahib).
To have blind faith in Waheguru (God) has nothing to do what country one lives in or the language one speaks or understands. Most of the Bhagats (with different backgrounds) were not exposed to Gurbani but they found a place among Sikh Gurus in the Guru Granth Sahib. They were, however, votary of the fundamental message of Guru Nanak Sahib:-
“Tera ek naam tare sansar, maih aiaha aas aiaha aadhaar”.
To be brief, I give hereunder a missive I posted on GL-Z on 13 April, which has bearing on the topic discussed by S. Jasdeep Singh and others.
………………….
Dear Members of the Sikh Community,
On the occasion of Vaisakhi, I like to share with you the source of strength of Guru Gobind Singh who having lost his father,sons, family members and numerous Sikhs still remained in ‘Chardi Kalla’ (Optimistic).
His spiritual and physical strength was on account of his total surrender with devotion to Waheguru. as given in the following verse of his in Dasam Granth:-
ਸਗਲ ਦੁਆਰ ਕਉ ਛਾਡਿ ਕੈ ਗਹਯੋ ਤੁਹਾਰੋ ਦੁਆਰ ॥ ਬਾਂਹਿ ਗਹੇ ਕੀ ਲਾਜ ਅਸਿ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਦਾਸ ਤੁਹਾਰ ॥੮੬੪॥ (Dasam Granth page 642-14).
Sagala Duaar Kau Chhaadi Kai Gahayo Tuhaaro Duaar ॥ Baahi Gahe Kee Laaja Asi Gobianda Daas Tuhaar ॥864॥
O Lord ! I have forsaken all other doors and have caught hold of only Thy door. O Lord ! Thou has caught hold of my arm; I, Govind, am Thy serf, kindly take (care of me and) protect my honor.
The Sikh slogan ‘Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh’ sums up his personality. He himself was a Khalsa and he attributed every victory in life to Waheguru. “Nische kar apni jeet karo” – was not his egoistic claim but out of his confidence of living under the Divine shelter of ONLY Waheguru (binse dooja).
The similar stance was propagated after experiencing by other Sikh Gurus before Guru Gobind Singh Ji:
ਦੂਜਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ਜਿਸੁ ਆਗੈ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜਾਇ ਕਹਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Dhanaasree M. 1, GGS. 660-8).
Dhoojaa Naahee Koe Jis Aagai Piaarae Jaae Kehaa ||1|| Rehaao ||
There is no other, O Beloved, to whom I can go and speak. ||1||Pause||
ਜਿਉ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਨਾਲਿ ਨ ਹਾਰੀਐ ਤੇਵੇਹਾ ਪਾਸਾ ਢਾਲੀਐ ॥ (Raag Asa M. 2, GGS. 474-8).
Jio Saahib Naal N Haareeai Thaevaehaa Paasaa Dtaaleeai ||
So throw the dice in such a way, that you shall not lose with your Lord and Master. on your side
ਆਪੁ ਛੋਡਹਿ ਤਾਂ ਸਹੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਚਾ ਏਹੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ (Salok Vaaraan and Vadheek: Guru Amar Das, GGS. 1420-18).
Aap Shhoddehi Thaan Sahu Milai Sachaa Eaehu Veechaar ||
Give up your selfishness, and then you shall meet your Husband Lord. Consider this Truth.
ਜਿਚਰੁ ਦੂਜਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਸਾ ਅੰਮਾਲੀ ਤਿਚਰੁ ਮੈ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਦੂਰੇ ॥(Raag Vadhans M. 5, GGS. 564-13).
Jichar Dhoojaa Bharam Saa Anmaalee Thichar Mai Jaaniaa Prabh Dhoorae ||
As long as I suffered from duality and doubt, O my friend, I thought God was far away.
Guru Nanak Sahib clearly guides us:-
ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਈਐ ਤਾ ਸਹੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਅਉਰੁ ਕੈਸੀ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ॥ (Raag Tilang M. 1, GGS. 722-13).
Aap Gavaaeeai Thaa Sahu Paaeeai Aour Kaisee Chathuraaee ||
Give up your selfhood, and so obtain your Husband Lord; what other clever tricks are of any use?
On “ਸਹੁ ਪਾਈਐ” – strength of an individual is replaced by Waheguru’s strength. (Taan bhu keha karrha jeo?)
Finally, “Naam sang jis ka mann maneia Nanak tineh niranjan janeia”
The presentation by S. Jasdeep Singh created an interesting discussion.
To my mind Sikhi is nothing but blind faith in Waheguru. However, this blind faith comes as a gift (Gurpasad/Nadr/Kirpa/Grace/Bakshish) from Guru/Waheguru only through a bhukh (hunger) for Waheguru.
“Parbrahm jin sach kar jata Nanak so jan sach samata” (Sukhmani Sahib).
To have blind faith in Waheguru (God) has nothing to do what country one lives in or the language one speaks or understands. Most of the Bhagats (with different backgrounds) were not exposed to Gurbani but they found a place among Sikh Gurus in the Guru Granth Sahib. They were, however, votary of the fundamental message of Guru Nanak Sahib:-
“Tera ek naam tare sansar, maih aiaha aas aiaha aadhaar”.
To be brief, I give hereunder a missive I posted on GL-Z on 13 April, which has bearing on the topic discussed by S. Jasdeep Singh and others.
………………….
Dear Members of the Sikh Community,
On the occasion of Vaisakhi, I like to share with you the source of strength of Guru Gobind Singh who having lost his father,sons, family members and numerous Sikhs still remained in ‘Chardi Kalla’ (Optimistic).
His spiritual and physical strength was on account of his total surrender with devotion to Waheguru. as given in the following verse of his in Dasam Granth:-
ਸਗਲ ਦੁਆਰ ਕਉ ਛਾਡਿ ਕੈ ਗਹਯੋ ਤੁਹਾਰੋ ਦੁਆਰ ॥ ਬਾਂਹਿ ਗਹੇ ਕੀ ਲਾਜ ਅਸਿ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਦਾਸ ਤੁਹਾਰ ॥੮੬੪॥ (Dasam Granth page 642-14).
Sagala Duaar Kau Chhaadi Kai Gahayo Tuhaaro Duaar ॥ Baahi Gahe Kee Laaja Asi Gobianda Daas Tuhaar ॥864॥
O Lord ! I have forsaken all other doors and have caught hold of only Thy door. O Lord ! Thou has caught hold of my arm; I, Govind, am Thy serf, kindly take (care of me and) protect my honor.
The Sikh slogan ‘Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh’ sums up his personality. He himself was a Khalsa and he attributed every victory in life to Waheguru. “Nische kar apni jeet karo” – was not his egoistic claim but out of his confidence of living under the Divine shelter of ONLY Waheguru (binse dooja).
The similar stance was propagated after experiencing by other Sikh Gurus before Guru Gobind Singh Ji:
ਦੂਜਾ ਨਾਹੀ ਕੋਇ ਜਿਸੁ ਆਗੈ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜਾਇ ਕਹਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (Raag Dhanaasree M. 1, GGS. 660-8).
Dhoojaa Naahee Koe Jis Aagai Piaarae Jaae Kehaa ||1|| Rehaao ||
There is no other, O Beloved, to whom I can go and speak. ||1||Pause||
ਜਿਉ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਨਾਲਿ ਨ ਹਾਰੀਐ ਤੇਵੇਹਾ ਪਾਸਾ ਢਾਲੀਐ ॥ (Raag Asa M. 2, GGS. 474-8).
Jio Saahib Naal N Haareeai Thaevaehaa Paasaa Dtaaleeai ||
So throw the dice in such a way, that you shall not lose with your Lord and Master. on your side
ਆਪੁ ਛੋਡਹਿ ਤਾਂ ਸਹੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਚਾ ਏਹੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ (Salok Vaaraan and Vadheek: Guru Amar Das, GGS. 1420-18).
Aap Shhoddehi Thaan Sahu Milai Sachaa Eaehu Veechaar ||
Give up your selfishness, and then you shall meet your Husband Lord. Consider this Truth.
ਜਿਚਰੁ ਦੂਜਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਸਾ ਅੰਮਾਲੀ ਤਿਚਰੁ ਮੈ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਦੂਰੇ ॥(Raag Vadhans M. 5, GGS. 564-13).
Jichar Dhoojaa Bharam Saa Anmaalee Thichar Mai Jaaniaa Prabh Dhoorae ||
As long as I suffered from duality and doubt, O my friend, I thought God was far away.
Guru Nanak Sahib clearly guides us:-
ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਈਐ ਤਾ ਸਹੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਅਉਰੁ ਕੈਸੀ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ॥ (Raag Tilang M. 1, GGS. 722-13).
Aap Gavaaeeai Thaa Sahu Paaeeai Aour Kaisee Chathuraaee ||
Give up your selfhood, and so obtain your Husband Lord; what other clever tricks are of any use?
On “ਸਹੁ ਪਾਈਐ” – strength of an individual is replaced by Waheguru’s strength. (Taan bhu keha karrha jeo?)
Finally, “Naam sang jis ka mann maneia Nanak tineh niranjan janeia”
With Waheguru’s blessings.
Kirpal Singh
Wellington, New Zealand