ਸ੍ਰੀਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਹ

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Sri Dusshera Mahatam Granth - Traditional Sikh practice

There are many Sikh ceremonies that correspond to ancient Indian festivals. It is likely that the Guru's created the Sikh festival on the same days to ensure the Sikhs would not be absorbed into meaningless practices. There are the festivals of Vaisakhi, Deepmala (Diwali), and another is Navaratri and Dasshera. Dasshera Mahatam is related to Shastra Puja or the respect or devotion to weapons.

In the 1897 report on the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, they note that Dasshera was linked with the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib. Under the control of the SGPC, this practice of Dasshera was stopped. However it still takes place at Hazur Sahib and the Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa. In a dispute about the leadership of Buddha Dal the Sikh mystic Akali Baba Mitt Singh said that who ever ensured this tradition with Shastar Puja,would remain intact, should be the rightful leader, to which Baba Kaladhari agreed. 

According to Uday Singh, in the foreward to Dusshera Mahatan Granth Sahib, he states that the worship of weapons was an ancient practice of the Devas and when the Guru formalised Shakti into the tradition of Bhakti, the worship of weapons was important to the Khalsa. Due to the Khalsa being a Raj Yogi, and needing to prepare the mind and spirit for battle. According to him this was stopped in the Akal Takht Sahib by the new commitee after 1919. At Hazur Sahib, Baba Mitt Singh ji had this Granth written by Bhai Ram Singh and Sewa Singh. it was first printed in the 1940s. The path is Akhand for nine days with the bhog on the tenth with these following bani's repeated:


Jap Sahib, Akal Ustat, Bachitra Natak, Chandi Charitra Ukhati Bilas, Chandi Charitra, Chandi di Var, Gian Prabodh, Chaubis Avatar, Ram Avatar, Krishnaavatar, Nihkalanki Avatar, Paras nath, Shabad Hazare, Svaiye, Khalsa Mahima, Shastra Nam Mala, Charitropakhyan first invocation, on the last day. Jap Sahib, full Chaupai Sahib, Ramavatar, Zafarnama Sahib, Svaiye, should be read.



Karah Prashah, Shaheedi Degh should be made, throughout and a coconut should be chopped (jhatka) with Ravan gets killed in the Ramavatar.

Listen to Sant Baba Hari Singh Randavevale talking about Akali Baba Mitt Singh ji: 


Happy Dusshera!! ਦੁਸਹਿਰੇ ਦੇ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆ, on this day worship your weapons (sharpen them, offer them dhup, incense, and a ghee joti), read the Ramavatar and Chandi-bani. Like Ravan was slain by Ram, may all negativity within and without be slain, Khusia de jaikara gavey nihal ho gavey SAT SRI AKAL! DEGH TEGH FATEH!
Bhai Kesar Singh writes in 1769 AD:
ਦੁਸਹਰੇ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਪੂਜਾ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਰਨ । ਚੰਡੀਪਾਠ ਕੀਤਾ ਰਸਨਾ ਦਾ ਉਚਾਰਨ । ਧੂਪ ਦੀਪ, ਪੁਸ਼ਪ, ਬਹੁਤ ਹੋਵੈ ਸੁਗੰਧਿ । ਕੇਸਰ, ਚੰਦਨ, ਚਉਰ ਝੁਲੰਤ ।੩੯੦।

Guru Gobind Singh writes in 1698 AD:
The story of the Ramayan called Ramavatar in Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, on this particular part a cocunut is sacrificed to represent the slaying of Ravan:
ਰਾਵਨ ਰੋਸ ਭਰਿਯੋ ਰਨ ਮੋ ਗਹਿ ਬੀਸ ਹੂੰ ਬਾਹਿ ਹਥਿਯਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਹਾਰੇ ॥ ਭੂਮਿ ਅਕਾਸ ਦਿਸਾ ਬਿਦਿਸਾ ਚਕਿ ਚਾਰ ਰੁਕੇ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਤ ਨਿਹਾਰੇ ॥
रावन रोस भरियो रन मो गहि बीस हूं बाहि हथियार प्रहारे ॥ भूमि अकास दिसा बिदिसा चकि चार रुके नही जात निहारे ॥
In great fury Ravana attacked with weapons from all the twenty arms and with his blows the earth, sky and all the four directions became invisible;

ਫੋਕਨ ਤੈ ਫਲ ਤੈ ਮੱਧ ਤੈ ਅਧ ਤੈ ਬਧ ਕੈ ਰਣ ਮੰਡਲਿ ਡਾਰੇ ॥ ਛਤ੍ਰ ਧੁਜਾ ਬਰ ਬਾਜ ਰਥੀ ਰਥ ਕਾਟਿ ਸਭੈ ਰਘੁਰਾਜ ਉਤਾਰੇ ॥੬੧੯॥
फोकन तै फल तै म्ध तै अध तै बध कै रण मंडलि डारे ॥ छत्र धुजा बर बाज रथी रथ काटि सभै रघुराज उतारे ॥६१९॥
Ram threw away the enemies from the war-arena, chopping them easily like a fruit. Ram chopped and threw all the canopies, banners, horses and charioteers belonging to Ravana.619.

ਰਾਵਨ ਚਉਪ ਚਲਿਯੋ ਚਪਕੈ ਨਿਜ ਬਾਜ ਬਿਹੀਨ ਜਬੈ ਰਥ ਜਾਨਿਯੋ ॥ ਢਾਲ ਤ੍ਰਿਸੂਲ ਗਦਾ ਬਰਛੀ ਗਹਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਘੁਨੰਦਨ ਸੋ ਰਨ ਠਾਨਿਯੋ ॥
रावन चउप चलियो चपकै निज बाज बिहीन जबै रथ जानियो ॥ ढाल त्रिसूल गदा बरछी गहि स्री रघुनंदन सो रन ठानियो ॥
When Ravana saw his chariot deprived of the horses, he marched forward quickly and holding his shield, trident mace and spear in his hands he fought with Ram.

ਧਾਇ ਪਰਿਯੋ ਲਲਕਾਰਿ ਹਠੀ ਕਪਿ ਪੁੰਜਨ ਕੋ ਕਛੁ ਤ੍ਰਾਸ ਨ ਮਾਨਿਯੋ ॥ ਅੰਗਦ ਆਦਿ ਹਨਵੰਤ ਤੇ ਲੈ ਭਟ ਕੋਟਿ ਹੁਤੇ ਕਰਿ ਏਕ ਨ ਜਾਨਿਯੋ ॥੬੨੦॥
धाइ परियो ललकारि हठी कपि पुंजन को कछु त्रास न मानियो ॥ अंगद आदि हनवंत ते लै भट कोटि हुते करि एक न जानियो ॥६२०॥
The persistent Ravana, without any fear of the forces of the monkeys; moved forward fearlessly, shouting violently. There were many warriors those like Angad, Hanuman etc., but he did not fear anyone.620.

ਰਾਵਨ ਕੋ ਰਘੁਰਾਜ ਜਬੈ ਰਣ ਮੰਡਲ ਆਵਤ ਮੱਧਿ ਨਿਹਾਰਿਯੋ ॥ ਬੀਸ ਸਿਲਾ ਸਿਤ ਸਾਇਕ ਲੈ ਕਰਿ ਕੋਪੁ ਬਡੋ ਉਰ ਮੱਧ ਪ੍ਰਹਾਰਿਯੋ ॥
रावन को रघुराज जबै रण मंडल आवत म्धि निहारियो ॥ बीस सिला सित साइक लै करि कोपु बडो उर म्ध प्रहारियो ॥
When the king of Raghava clan saw Ravna coming forward, he (Ram) attacked him by discharging his twenty arrows like slabs on his chest.

ਭੇਦ ਚਲੇ ਮਰਮ ਸੱਥਲ ਕੋ ਸਰ ਸ੍ਰੋਣ ਨਦੀ ਸਰ ਬੀਚ ਪਖਾਰਿਯੋ ॥ ਆਗੇ ਹੀ ਰੇਂਗ ਚਲਿਯੋ ਹਠਿ ਕੈ ਭਟ ਧਾਮ ਕੋ ਭੂਲ ਨ ਨਾਮ ਉਚਾਰਿਯੋ ॥੬੨੧॥
भेद चले मरम स्थल को सर स्रोण नदी सर बीच पखारियो ॥ आगे ही रेंग चलियो हठि कै भट धाम को भूल न नाम उचारियो ॥६२१॥
These arrows penetrated through his vital parts and he bathed in the stream of blood. Ravana fell down and crawled forward, he forgot even the location of his house.621.

ਰੋਸ ਭਰਿਯੋ ਰਨ ਮੌ ਰਘੁਨਾਥ ਸੁ ਪਾਨ ਕੇ ਬੀਚ ਸਰਾਸਨ ਲੈ ਕੈ ॥ ਪਾਂਚ ਕੁ ਪਾਇ ਹਟਾਇ ਦਯੋ ਤਿਹ ਬੀਸਹੂੰ ਬਾਂਹਿ ਬਿਨਾ ਓਹ ਕੈ ਕੈ ॥
रोस भरियो रन मौ रघुनाथ सु पान के बीच सरासन लै कै ॥ पांच कु पाइ हटाइ दयो तिह बीसहूं बांहि बिना ओह कै कै ॥
Ram, the king of Raghava clan, in great fury, taking his bow in his hand and taking five steps backward, chopped all his twenty arms;

ਦੈ ਦਸ ਬਾਨ ਬਿਮਾਨ ਦਸੋ ਸਿਰ ਕਾਟਿ ਦਏ ਸਿਵ ਲੋਕ ਪਠੈ ਕੈ ॥ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਘੁਰਾਜ ਬਰਿਯੋ ਸੀਅ ਕੋ ਬਹੁਰੋ ਜਨੁ ਜੁੱਧ ਸੁਯੰਬਰ ਜੈ ਕੈ ॥੬੨੨॥
दै दस बान बिमान दसो सिर काटि दए सिव लोक पठै कै ॥ स्री रघुराज बरियो सीअ को बहुरो जनु जु्ध सुय्मबर जै कै ॥६२२॥
With ten arrows be chopped his ten heads for dispatching them to the abode of Shiva; after the war Ram wedded Sita again as if he had conquered her in the ceremony of Swayyamvara.622.

ਇਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਬਚਿਤ੍ਰ ਨਾਟਕੇ ਰਾਮਵਤਾਰ ਦਸ ਸਿਰ ਬਧਹ ਧਿਆਇ ਸਮਾਪਤਮ॥
इति स्री बचित्र नाटके रामवतार दस सिर बधह धिआइ समापतम॥
End of the chapter entitled `Killing of the Ten-headed (Ravana) in Ramavtar in BACHITTAR NATAK.

(full patth starts from here: http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=507)
Audio
"ਆਜ ਨੁਰਾਤਾ ਆਦਿ ਨਿਹਾਰੋ । ਪੂਜ ਕਰੋ ਸਬ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਨਿਕਾਰੋ " ॥੧੩॥
ਸੁਨ ਕਰ ਬਚਨ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਧਾਯੋ । ਪੂਜਨ ਕੀ ਸਭ ਸੌਜ ਲਿਆਯੋ ।
ਪਹਿਰ ਰਾਤ ਲੇ ਤੇ ਸਭ ਜਾਗੇ । ਪੂਜ ਕਾਲਿਕਾ ਕੀ ਮਧ ਲਾਗੇ ॥੧੪॥
ਸਭ ਜਨ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਕੇਸ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਆਵੈ । ਧੂਪ ਦੀਪ ਨੈਬੇਦ ਕਰਾਵੈ ।
ਪਾਛੈ ਅੱਛੁਤ ਪੁਸਪ ਮੰਗਾਵੈ । ਕਰ ਚਰਨਾਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਚਮਰ ਝੁਲਾਵੈ ॥੧੫॥
ਦੇਵਿ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁਖ ਗਾਵੈ । ਉਸਤਤਿ ਕਰੈ ਮੋਦ ਮਨ ਭਾਵੈ ।

ਨਵਿਨ ਨੁਰਾਤਨ ਪੂਜਨ ਧਾਰੀ । ਪੁਨਹਿ ਦਸਹਿਰਾ ਆਯੋ ਭਾਰੀ ॥੧੬॥
ਬੰਸਾਵਲੀਨਾਮਾ ਪਨਾ ੧੬੧:
ਸਭ ਸਿਲ ਖਾਨਾ ਛੋਰ ਮੰਗਾਯੋ । ਉੱਚ ਤਖਤ ਕੁਰਸੀਨ ਧਰਾਯੋ ।
ਗਿਰਦੇ ਚਮਰ ਧੂਪ ਨਰ ਕਰਹੀ । ਜੈ ਜਗ ਮਾਤ ਕਾਲਿ ਮੁਖ ਰਰਈ ॥੫॥੧੭॥
ਅੜਿਲੁ ।
ਰਾਮਾਯਨ ਕਲ ਪਾਠ ਸਭਨ ਮੁਖ ਗਾਇਯੋ ।
ਅਜਾ ਸੂਨ ਜਮ ਬਾਹਨ ਭੇਟ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਇਯੋ ।
ਦੁੰਦਭਿ ਔਰ ਨੀਸਾਨ ਸੁ ਪੂਜ ਕਰਾਯ ਕੈ ।
ਦੁਸਹਰੇ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਪੂਜਾ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਰਨ । ਚੰਡੀਪਾਠ ਕੀਤਾ ਰਸਨਾ ਦਾ ਉਚਾਰਨ ।
ਧੂਪ ਦੀਪ, ਪੁਸ਼ਪ, ਬਹੁਤ ਹੋਵੈ ਸੁਗੰਧਿ । ਕੇਸਰ, ਚੰਦਨ, ਚਉਰ ਝੁਲੰਤ ।੩੯੦।



Monday 15 October 2012


Shiromani Khalsa Panth Akali Buddha Dal Panjva Takht: http://www.sikhscholar.co.uk/2012/10/shronmani-khalsa-panth-akali-buddha-dal.html


Sahib Singh Baba Joginder Singh the acting head of the Baba Buddha Dal has been in the UK visiting the sangat. He presided over Amrit Sanchar in London over the weekend and many Sikhs became Khalsa.

The Akali Nihangs the warrior vanguard of the Sikhs have been responsible for the upkeep of Gurdwaras, and responsible for the hard fought victories of the Khalsa panth. I was lucky to have the darshan of Singh Sahib Baba Joginder Singh Ji.


Singh Sahib Baba Joginder Singh and Gurinder Singh Mann

I asked Baba Ji several questions related to the Dasam Patshah ka Granth (Sri Dasam Granth Sahib), Baba Ji was graceful in answering them. He explained the importance of Dasam Bani and how both Granths were in prakāsh in Gurdwaras before the coming of the SGPC. He also spoke on Sri Sarbloh Granth (Granth of All-steel) and how this was an extension of the Sikh scriptures. He also explained about the days when Sri Dasam Granth was at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. 

Baba ji explained how Sikh history had been distorted over the many centuries and how the British changed the way Sikhs not only perceived themselves but how they would be seen in the future. He gave rare anecdotes on how Akali Baba Hanuman Singh (Akal Takht Jathedar during the Anglo-Sikh wars) was betrayed by other Sikhs and killed by the British.

Gurinder Singh Mann, Baba Joginder Singh and Dr Kamalroop Singh 

I presented copies of my book, Sri Dasam Granth Sahib: Questions and Answers to Baba Ji. He was pleased that I had undertaken research on the Tenth Guru's bani and advised me to continue this mission.

I was absolutely awestruck and surprised with the amount of knowledge and wisdom that Baba Ji possessed. The sangat in attendance were blessed with a true mahapurkh. His final message was that many people had come to finish off the Sikhs but with the knowledge of the Sikh scriptures, they had seen through many adversities. The final days of the Khalsa would never come and in instead Baba Ji painted a picture of a utopian society of the Khalsa.

Tuesday 9 October 2012

Dhan Dhan Ram Das Gur!!!!


ਧੰਨੁ ਧੰਨੁ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਗੁਰੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਸਿਰਿਆ ਤਿਨੈ ਸਵਾਰਿਆ ॥
dhha(n)n dhha(n)n raamadhaas gur jin siriaa thinai savaariaa ||
Blessed, blessed is Guru Raam Daas; He who created You, has also exalted You.

ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਈ ਕਰਾਮਾਤਿ ਆਪਿ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰੈ ਧਾਰਿਆ ॥
pooree hoee karaamaath aap sirajanehaarai dhhaariaa ||
Perfect is Your miracle; the Creator Lord Himself has installed You on the throne.

ਸਿਖੀ ਅਤੈ ਸੰਗਤੀ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਕਰਿ ਨਮਸਕਾਰਿਆ ॥
sikhee athai sa(n)gathee paarabreham kar namasakaariaa ||
The Sikhs and all the Congregation recognize You as the Supreme Lord God, and bow down to You.

ਅਟਲੁ ਅਥਾਹੁ ਅਤੋਲੁ ਤੂ ਤੇਰਾ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਪਾਰਾਵਾਰਿਆ ॥
attal athhaahu athol thoo thaeraa a(n)th n paaraavaariaa ||
You are unchanging, unfathomable and immeasurable; You have no end or limitation.

ਜਿਨ@ੀ ਤੂੰ ਸੇਵਿਆ ਭਾਉ ਕਰਿ ਸੇ ਤੁਧੁ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਾਰਿਆ ॥
jinhee thoo(n) saeviaa bhaao kar sae thudhh paar outhaariaa ||
Those who serve You with love - You carry them across.

ਲਬੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਮੋਹੁ ਮਾਰਿ ਕਢੇ ਤੁਧੁ ਸਪਰਵਾਰਿਆ ॥
lab lobh kaam krodhh mohu maar kadtae thudhh saparavaariaa ||
Greed, envy, sexual desire, anger and emotional attachment - You have beaten them and driven them out.

ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਥਾਨੁ ਹੈ ਸਚੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਪੈਸਕਾਰਿਆ ॥
dhha(n)n s thaeraa thhaan hai sach thaeraa paisakaariaa ||
Blessed is Your place, and True is Your magnificent glory.

ਨਾਨਕੁ ਤੂ ਲਹਣਾ ਤੂਹੈ ਗੁਰੁ ਅਮਰੁ ਤੂ ਵੀਚਾਰਿਆ ॥
naanak thoo lehanaa thoohai gur amar thoo veechaariaa ||
You are Nanak, You are Angad, and You are Amar Daas; so do I recognize You.

ਗੁਰੁ ਡਿਠਾ ਤਾਂ ਮਨੁ ਸਾਧਾਰਿਆ ॥੭॥
gur ddit(h)aa thaa(n) man saadhhaariaa ||7||
When I saw the Guru, then my mind was comforted and consoled. ||7||

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਗਦਿ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਨਾ ॥ ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਅੰਗਦ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਾ ॥
स्री नानक अंगदि करि माना ॥ अमरदास अंगद पहिचाना ॥
Sri Nanak was recognized in Angad, and Angad in Amar Das.

ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਕਹਾਯੋ ॥ ਸਾਧਨ ਲਖਾ ਮੂੜ੍ਹ ਨਹਿ ਪਾਯੋ ॥੯॥
अमरदास रामदास कहायो ॥ साधन लखा मूड़्ह नहि पायो ॥९॥
Amar Das was called Ram Das, only the saints know it and the fools did not.9.

ਭਿੰਨ ਭਿੰਨ ਸਭਹੂੰ ਕਰ ਜਾਨਾ ॥ ਏਕ ਰੂਪ ਕਿਨਹੂੰ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਾ ॥
भिंन भिंन सभहूं कर जाना ॥ एक रूप किनहूं पहिचाना ॥
The people on the whole considered them as separate ones, but there were few who recognized them as one and the same.

ਜਿਨ ਜਾਨਾ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਸਿਧ ਪਾਈ ॥ ਬਿਨ ਸਮਝੇ ਸਿਧਿ ਹਾਥਿ ਨ ਆਈ ॥੧੦॥
जिन जाना तिन ही सिध पाई ॥ बिन समझे सिधि हाथि न आई ॥१०॥
Those who recognized them as One, they were successful on the spiritual plane. Without recognition there was no success.10.

ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਹਰਿ ਸੋ ਮਿਲ ਗਏ ॥ ਗੁਰਤਾ ਦੇਤ ਅਰਜਨਿਹ ਭਏ ॥
रामदास हरि सो मिल गए ॥ गुरता देत अरजनिह भए ॥
When Ramdas merged in the Lord, the Guruship was bestowed upon Arjan.

ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਭਗੌਤੀ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਕੈ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਲਈਂ ਧਿਆਇ ॥
प्रिथम भगौती सिमरि कै गुरु नानक लईं धिआइ ॥
In the beginning I remember Bhagauti, the Lord (Whose symbol is the sword and then I remember Guru Nanak.

ਫਿਰ ਅੰਗਦ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਅਮਰਦਾਸੁ ਰਾਮਦਾਸੈ ਹੋਈਂ ਸਹਾਇ ॥
फिर अंगद गुर ते अमरदासु रामदासै होईं सहाइ ॥
Then I remember Guru Arjan, Guru Amar Das and Guru Ram Das, may they be helpful to me.