Lohri

Yesterday was ‘Lohri’, so we went to the local Gurudwara to celebrate. It was filled to capacity and it was lovely to see all the couples with newborns, plus all the newlyweds, being honored and celebrated. In addition to the ‘Divan’ (court/congregation of the Guru), with ‘Kirtan’ and ‘Shabads’ (holy hymns) and ‘Hukam’ (Guru’s lesson of the day) obtained from the Sacred Book, there also was the bonfire ceremony where we tossed (as well as ate) sesame seeds, peanuts, ‘rewaries’ & ‘gachak’ (peanut brittle) and popcorn into the fire. People sang traditional ‘boliyan’ (songs) and danced (performed ‘Bhangra’). It certainly was very joyous and I am glad that I went.

Apparently, the festival of ‘Lohri’ is always celebrated on January 13th each year (which is unique as it doesn’t follow the traditional lunar calendar). It celebrates and honors ‘Dullah Bhatti’ who was a dacoit who stole from the rich and gave tor the poor (aka the Robin Hood of Punjab), and most importantly saved young women from the invaders or cruel abductors, who used them to fill their harems or sold them as sex slaves. He then would get them married and for that reason the festival of Lohri always celebrates the newly weds and newborns. For these reasons, the most popular song sung during Lohri commemorates him and the lyrics goes as following –

Sunder Munderei. Ho!
Tera Kaun Bechara. Ho!
Dullah Bhatti Wala. Ho!
Dullah Dhi Viyahi, Ho!
Sher Shakar Pai. Ho!
Kuri de Mamme Aaye! Ho!
Unane Churi Kuti, Ho!

My friend also pointed out that this ritual also salutes the fire gods and when we toss the sesame seeds, we call out ‘Udham Aaye, Dalidar Jaye. Dalidar Di Jaad Chule Paye‘ (Energy come, laziness depart. Roots of laziness gets thrown/burnt in the fire’. This revelation was amazing as it reminded me of the fire jumping ritual that some of my Persian friends did during their festival for fire (Chaharshanbe Suri) where while jumping over the fire they said something like ‘take away my paleness (my troubles) and give me your redness’. In that part of the world, do we have common festivals? Regardless, Happy Lohri everyone!

The Raj, Wars and My Paternal Ancestors…

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Last month was special. I came across some of my ancestor’s military service documents, commendations, awards/medals, etc., for the empire days (majority of which didn’t survive partition of India and the great migration that ensued in 1947). I was most excited about two notable documents – First, being a 130 year old enlistment certificate from the reign of Queen Victoria of my great great grandfather Sawan Singh, and second, a WW1 commendation certificate of my great grandfather Indar Singh signed by Sr. Winston Churchill (the then secretary of war). This month we also celebrate the 100th Armistice Day marking the end of World War One.

It reviewing the documents, it appears that on October 5th, 1888, my great- great- grandfather Sawan Singh enlisted in the ‘34th Sikh Pioneers’, an infantry assault regiment of the British-Indian army. I remember Manji (my great grandmother) telling us that Babaji Sawan Singh had a very long and illustrious service, that he was a Subadar-Major (which is the highest rank an Indian could attain in the Imperial armies at that time), and that he was awarded a land grant of 5 Murraba (125 Acres) in the village of ‘GB Chak No. 232’ in Lyallpur district (now in Pakistan).She also talked about all the memorabilia he brought from his various deployments, especially the Chinese storage boxes (Sandooks) and Peking Silk that had to be left behind during the hasty migration of 1947. My research shows that some of his deployments would have been ‘relief of Chitral’ (1897), ‘Tirah Campaign’ (1897-1898), China ‘relief of Peking and Tientsin’ (1900-1901) following the boxer rebellion, etc.

Indar Singh, my great grandfather, also followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the 34th Sikh Pioneers. During the ‘Great War’ of 1914-18, his regiment (part fo the 3rd Lahore division) was first deployed on the Western Front and winning the battle honors of Festubert, St Julien, La Bassee, Armentieres, Givenchy, Neuve Chapelle, Ypres, France and Flanders, and then moved to the Middle East in the Mesopotamia Campaign where he fought against troops of the Ottoman Empire. Manji used to mention that he showed great bravery in the battlefield, and despite being wounded himself, carried his commander to safety. He returned home shortly thereafter as a war-casualty, and later succumbed to his injuries at home, during the month of ‘Kata’ (Punjabi month that straddles October/November), in 1918 during the deadly ‘Spanish Influenza’ outbreak. Although Manji was pregnant with my grandfather when he passed away (so he never got to see his son). Manji stated that he was tall (6’ 4” or 6’5″), good looking, and also a Subadar-Major like his father. She would also talk about her wedding (she being his second wife), going to Ambala Cantt (the base of his regiment) where he was stationed as a Jamadar-Adjutant (which she pronounced Jamadar-Jitten). She also shared of her good relations with his first wife Rattan Kaur and her stepdaughter Kamal Kaur (my father also remembers Bhauji Kamal Kaur very fondly).

Although these artifacts & stories made me aware of their rich lives and legacies, it also makes me wonder how they would have been in person. Although history may not give them the proper dues, I for sure have a greater appreciation, respect and awe of their bravery, sacrifices, and courage. I salute them and honor their DNA that runs thru my veins.

Manji, Our Matriarch…

My great-grandmother Ajaib Kaur, whom we lovingly called ‘Manji’ (pronounced maa-jee), was our hero. She was not only loving and kind but also brave and respected by all. Although her life was tough, she never complained of her hardships, challenges or restrictions, which were many, including, loosing her husband early from injuries sustained during WW1; loosing everything (home, farm, livestock, family, friends, etc.), becoming displaced, ferrying a bullock-cart with her son (my grandfather Ranjit Singh) for over three months thru dangerous carnage of 1947 partition of India, and starting a new life as a refugee with nothing; becoming paralyzed on the entire left side of her body in the early 70’s rendered her house-bound and with mobility challenges, till her passing in 1991; etc.

She practically raised my father and he in return has great love, respect, devotion, adoration, and reverence for her. He has very fond childhood memories of her including how she would be worried and look for him whenever he would run late from his errand of bringing ‘pathe’ (fodder for the cattle), and how he could spot the light from her lantern in the field; how she told him stories of the Gurus – their glory and sacrifices; how she was strict regarding studies; how she made the best ‘dahi-vada’ that even his teachers would ask for (and how he had to make a special run home to bring it them on days Manji made them); how she was immense respected in the village that everyone irrespective of age called her ‘Bhua’ (father’s sister); etc. My memories of her is seeing her happiness each time we visited her, and how talked to us, gave us her wisdom, allowed us to groom her, and play with her rustic wheelchair (sometimes with her in it).

What we know of Manji is that she was born in Badhni Kalan village near Moga (where the family also settled after partition) in the Dhaliwal Clan to Nidhan Singh (date of birth and mother’s name unknown). It is said that a ‘Gwad’ named ‘Dhana Pati’ in the village was named after her father (‘Gwad’ or ‘Pati’ is part of the village where people of the same clan live). She was married to my great grandfather Inder Singh and was his second-wife and bore him a son (my grandfather Ranjit Singh). Babaji Inder Singh is believed to have succumbed to his injuries around 1934-35 during the ‘Kate Di Bimari’ (plague epidemic) in Punjab.

In closing, Manji was a woman of grit, strong values, and faith. She was steadfast, disciplined, clear-headed, committed, realistic, resilient and responsible, who believed in honest work, strengthening family bonds/connections and enduring relationships. She was a wise woman who everyone went to for advice, direction and reassurance. We, her descendants, not only thank her for her dedication, perseverance and steadiness, but also for being a strong role-model and inspiration to how to live life with resolve and tenacity despite life’s challenges and setbacks. Thank you Manji for everything and we all love you.

God, does He/She really exist? (Part 1 of 3)

Discussion this week with my father was particularly very intriguing, stimulating and thought-provoking. We talked about God consciousness. Does God really exist? Why is Sikhism there are numerous names for the Divine despite the belief in one supreme God ‘EK Omkar’ (who prevails in everything)? Has anyone seen It/Him/Her (including Prophets, Gurus, Sages or even any mortal)? etc.

In the foundational Sikh prayer, the ‘Mool’ or ‘Mul’ ‘Mantar,’ the nucleus of Sikh beliefs, he shared that our first teacher Babaji Guru Nanak, simply and poetically rendered this prayer upon realizing the Divine (and that all Sikh scriptures including ‘Guru Granth Sahib Ji,’ ‘Japji Sahib’ have the ‘Mool/Mul Mantar’ as a foundational prayer so that Sikhs can first learn, understand, live and embody the ‘Mool/Mul Mantar’ and remain in reverence of the Almighty).

Mool/ Mul Mantar – Ek Omkar, Satnam, Karta-Purakh, Nirabhau, Nirvair, Akal-Moorath, Ajooni, Saibhang, Gurparsad, Jap! Aad Such, Jugaad Such, Hai Bhee Such, Nanak Hosee Bhee Such.

(by Shivpreet Singh)

Translation– All pervading infinite spirit, Truth is Its name, Creator of everything, Fearless, Inimical to none, Immortal/Timeless, Unborn, Self-illuminated, he can obtained thru courtesy of the Guru, Meditate/ remember him! True in the beginning, True thru all the ages, True even now, Oh Nanak, It is forever True.

We further discussed that although we Sikhs believe in One Supreme God (Ek Omkar), who prevails in everything, however, there are numerous and multitude of names to call the divine (Just in Babaji Guru Gobind Singh’s Jaap Sahib there are approximately 900 names for God. We don’t how many exist in ‘Guru Granth Sahib,’ in ‘Japji Sahib,’ ‘Gutka,’ ‘Pothian,’ ‘Nitmen,’ etc.

Next – Part 2 : Has Anyone Really Seen God?

PS – A noteworthy post that I found very interesting was by Mr. Brijdeep Singh, titled ‘Mool Matra, Fountain, Spiritual, Temporal Wisdom’, available at: https://sikhsailor.wordpress.com/2010/05/16/mool-mantra-fountain-spiritual-temporal-wisdom/. This is a very wonderful and intensive spiritual, metaphysical, scientific and temporal interpretations of the Mool/Mul Mantar did with lot of love and ‘Bhakti’. Thank you Veerji Brijdeep Singh Ji.

Creator, Creation and Naad…

In all Indo-ethnic religions (Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhism, etc.), it is believed that creation and life sparked from the Pure Being’s thought/sound vibration, and that this primordial creative sound wave that emanated from this ‘big bang’ is the sound vibration of ‘AUM‘ or ‘OM‘. In sikhism, God is also called ‘Ek Omkar‘.

This divine primal sound vibration ‘Naad’ is a cosmic dance between the ‘struck’ (Ahad) and ‘unstruck’ (Anhad) sound waves. ‘Ahad Naad’ are sounds which we actually hear. They physically vibrate and travel thru matter and transmit their sound vibration thru movement of molecules structures, such as, a mallet hitting a drum, strumming of a guitar, water falling over the rocks, bees buzzing, etc. Whereas, the unstruck melody (Anhaad Naad), is sound created without a physical subject or any external strike! Everything in the universe vibrates at a different frequency, and all are connected. This vibration has no beginning or end! All matter originates and exists as a projection of a conscious and subconscious creative force, which brings the particles of an atom into vibration. From quantum physics angle as well, the base of universe is vibration, pure frequency! Light, radiation, color, sound, heat, radio and matter, all exist thru vibration (even thoughts and brain waves)! ‘Anhad naad‘ is the very sound of the cosmos and human consciousness that transcends space and time, and is constantly vibrating, creating and expanding the universe-indefinitely, endlessly.

God is ‘Anhad Naad’ or infinite voice. It is this unstruck melody, the hidden sound of existence, spirit of higher consciousness! In Japji Sahib’s opening hymn, Guru Nanak ji, calls upon God, the Creator, as ‘The Primal One, the Pure Light, without beginning, without end. Throughout all the ages, He is One and the Same (Āḏ anīl anāḏ anāhaṯ jug jug eko ves)’. There is a divine sound going on within our body which can be heard only at time of deep, dedicated and disciplined simran (meditation). Babaji Nanakji also said ‘Fortunate are those who listen to Anhad naad, all their heartfelt desires get fulfilled/attained (Anhad suno Bar Bhagyo, Sakal Manorathh poorey).’ In Anand Sahib, Guru Amar Das ji, our third Sikh guru, said ‘Those who constantly sing Your name, glories and praises, get blessed with Your Name enshrined in their mind. Whosoever’s mind the Naam abides, glorious divine melody of the Shabad vibrates for them (Sadaa sifat salaah tayree, naam man vasaava-ay. Naam jin kai man vasi-aa, vaajay sabad ghanayray).‘

Naam Simran…

As I explore, investigate and introspect my very essence, existence and understanding of my ultimate self, I decided to do ‘Naam Simran’ to allow me to tap into the god-consciousness, and open myself to receive Divine blessing, grace, guidance, wisdom and inspiration to walk up to my guru’s gate, stay true to their teachings, pray for myself, my family and others, as I undertake this deeply personal and transformative journey.

I decided to do this with Nirinjan Kaur’s rendition of the ‘Waheguru Simran’. She has such an angelic and open ‘Naad’ voice! I can vouch that immediately to listening to her rhythmic and meditative simran of ‘Wahe Guru’, I felt uplifted me, filled my soul with ecstasy, opened my heart-center, and made me sing. Like a cup of warm milk, I felt instant alignment with the Divine vibration! Thank you Nirinjan Kaur Bhenji for this simran. You are divine blessing for me to start this journey! Click here to hear Simran by Nirinjan Kaur

‘Naam Simran’ is a cornerstone of Sikh spiritual practice, and is considered higher than simply meditating and chanting! Perhaps the best explanation I found is from Late Yogiji Harbhajan Singh Khalsa of 3HO, who explained it to be a state of self-crucification, self-exaltation, and sublimity, where the fineness and refinement of the Divine ‘sound or vibration’ surrounds, envelops and embraces us all, to be understood, felt, enjoyed and acknowledged. It’s an essence that allows us to tap into own exalted self! So profound! Thank you Harbhajan Singh Yogiji.

Simran by Bhai Harjinder Singh ji