Marine Capt. Sukhbir Singh Toor, along with Jaskirat Singh, Aekash Singh and Milaap Singh Chahal, filed the lawsuit in April, with assistance from the Sikh Coalition. – Photographed by Mark Abramson for the Sikh Coalition
By Todd South | Marine Corps Times | United States |
WASHINGTON ― A lawsuit against the Marine Corps that would allow Sikh recruits to keep beards and wear turbans in boot camp, could take “years” to resolve, according to a federal judge.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said this in federal court here Tuesday as the Sikh plaintiffs, three Delayed Entry Program poolees and a currently serving Sikh Marine captain, sought immediate action by the courts to that would require the Corps allow them to wear their articles of faith, core to the Sikh religion.
“These parties here, joined in an effort that will not be resolved for years,” Leon said. “That’s the practical reality.”
The judge’s comments referred to the lengthy court process, injunction attempts and likely future appeals by both sides.
The co-defendant urge the Corps to lift restrictions on the practice of their faith while in combat or recruit training. By Todd South
Marine Capt. Sukhbir Singh Toor along with Jaskirat Singh, Aekash Singh and Milaap Singh Chahal filed the lawsuit in April, with assistance from the Sikh Coalition. The word “Singh,” means lion, in the Sikh faith is taken by men like a Christian baptismal name.
The lawsuit alleges that the Marine Corps discriminates against Sikh and other faiths by not allowing their constitutionally protected religious freedoms during recruit training and in other instances.
The three poolees are seeking a preliminary injunction. That is a legal means by which the courts can order the Corps to allow recruits to wear their articles of faith, Sikh or otherwise, immediately in recruit training. It would hold as official practice until the courts resolve the legal claims.
A comparable situation happened when service members sought in the early 2000s to halt the Pentagon’s mandatory anthrax vaccination policy. Though the legal questions were far from resolved at the time, the courts stepped in and temporarily stopped the vaccinations.
Read the full story, ‘Federal judge to decide if Sikhs can keep beards, turbans in Marine boot camp’ (Marine Corps Times, 1 July 2022), here.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
Mother of two Kiranjit Kaur ventured to South Korea recently as the reigning Mrs Universe Malaysia 2021. At the Mrs Universe 2021 finals which ended today, she bagged the Mrs Universe Sophisticated Title.
The 43-year-old product specialist at a private firm is studying a master’s degree in counselling psychology. She is single mother of two children aged 12 and 9.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
Kellvina with her uncle Kalwant Singh. Left: Kellvina in tears in a video shared by TJC
By Asia Samachar | Singapore |
The family of a Malaysian convicted of drug-related offense and scheduled for execution next week will not get another chance to see him face-to-face. Their one and only visit earlier this month would be the last.
Kalwant Singh, 32, had spent nine years in the death row after being convicted of possession of 60.15gm of diamorphine and trafficking 120.9gm of the drug. He was 23 years-old when he arrested in 2013.
“This morning, the family of Kalwant Singh, a Malaysian on death row in Singapore, was informed that his execution has been scheduled for next week, 7 July 2022,” pressure group Transformative Justice Collective (TJC) said in a tweet today.
Earlier this month, Kalwant’s sister Sonia and niece Kellvina paid him a visit, the first since early 2020 due to the Covid-19 restrictions. They were also hampered by financial and health reasons.
Kellvina had planned to pay him another visit on July 9 but it was not to be. The family’s plea to see him one last time before the execution was denied by the prison authorities.
“When they finally got to Singapore, they asked if they could be allowed an extra visit on Tuesday as visits for death row prisoners were usually on Saturday or Monday but (they) were refused,” Kellvina said, citing a video posted by TJC, reported Free Malaysia Today. TJC (@tjcsingapore) seeks to reform Singapore’s criminal justice system, starting with the the abolition of the death penalty.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
An expert at the University of Calgary says a float in a small Alberta town’s annual parade made a mockery of some of the symbols the Sikh religion hold sacred.
“We shouldn’t be naïve that this is not simply a comment about politics,” said Harjeet Singh Grewal, a professor of classics and religion at the institution.
On June 25, in a parade for the Sundre Pro Rodeo, a volunteer dressed up as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was driving a tractor pulling a manure spreader. In the spreader was another volunteer who was supposed to be NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.
The latter was wearing a turban, a fake beard and had long hair.
Those three things, Grewal says, are considered to be articles of faith that are sacred to the Sikh community.
“Bringing up that identity also cycles back to the public sphere and discriminations that Sikhs who are practicing face every day and the immobility that they have.”
Grewal said people need to be aware of the symbolism of having a Sikh man sitting where the manure should be and being pulled by a tractor.
“The symbolism goes beyond politics when you generalize to a visible minority or religious minority in Canada through the way that it is portrayed,” he said.
“There are other ways to make comments about politics, why bring in a visible religious minority to do that?”
Grewal said it’s important for people to understand the realities practicing Sikhs are faced with.
“I, as an adult, had somebody try to physically take my turban off. So, I think you know these things happen and we should be aware.”
Lynne Hoff, the woman who created the float, contends it was political satire, adding that she was not attempting to be racist.
However, Hoff’s motives are being called into question after several social media posts that have targeted a number of groups, both political and religious.
In a post to the Sundre Facebook group, she asked for volunteers to dress as Trudeau and Singh. In it, she misspells turban and Singh’s name twice, calling him “STingh” and “stinky.”
She denies intentionally writing those things and blames it on autocorrect.
Read the full story, ‘Parade float attacked Sikh articles of faith, U of C expert says’ (CTV News, 30 June 2022), here.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
Indira Gandhi visits the Darbar Sahib after the Indian army stormed the complex in Amritsar in 1984
By Tarlochan Singh (Ex-MP) | Opinion |
The entry of the armed forces into the holy precincts of the Golden Temple, Amritsar on June 5, 1984 is perhaps the most unfortunate event of recent Indian History. The bloodshed that came in the wake of Operation Blue Star within the precincts of the holy place was unprecedented. The events that followed were even more tragic. A number of questions about the circumstances leading to these events remain unanswered. We owe it to posterity to lay bare the truth concerning these momentous events. Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Giani Zail Singh, who had close knowledge of these events, are no more. But there are many, who are around and have not shed their inhibitions to come out with the truth.
To me, it appears that nobody has researched the causes of Operation Blue Star. It is made out that Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was promoted to counter the Akalis by Giani Zail Singh soon after he stepped down as the Chief Minister of Punjab. It is believed that the Congress party wanted to use Sant Bhindranwale against the Akalis to defeat them at the polls.
There are instances of Sant Bhindranwale opposing the Akalis in the SGPC elections and Parliamentary elections. He supported R.L. Bhatia as the Congress candidate from Amritsar. Sardar Darbara Singh became the Congress Chief Minister of Punjab in March 1980 when the Congress came to power at the Centre with Giani Zail Singh as the Home Minister. Both of them are now not alive to shed light on this aspect of Congress policy. Sant Bhindranwale used to tour Punjab and address huge Sikh congregation delivering religious discourses. From the beginning, his Jatha carried arms. Like his predecessor Sant Kartar Singh, he also kept armed men around him. This is a tradition with this Jatha. Another Sikh Sect, that of the Nihangs carries arms even to this day.
Everything was normal till the murder of Lala Jagat Narain. The Punjab Police involved. Bhindranwale in this case and issued warrants against him. At that time he was staying in the Gurdwara at Mehta near Baba Bakala, Amritsar. His arrest was dramatised. The unnecessary shooting by the police killing 8 persons there has never been probed. After his arrest he was kept in police custody but was released when nothing could be established against him. It proved a mistake implicating him in the Jagat Narain murder case. Perhaps, some people close to Darbara Singh or the bureaucrats at the helm at that time might be able to explain the fiasco.
Bhindranwale visited Delhi and Bombay. Neither he nor his followers indulged in any acts of violence. But quite surprisingly the press criticised the Centre for not arresting him. The role of the press projecting Bhindranwale unduly as a criminal remains intriguing to this day. The Punjab police attack on Bhindranwale’s camp at Chando Kalan in Haryana was another act in this drama.
It is not clear why Darbara Singh arrested two close aides of Bhindrawale thus providing him with reason to start a morcha from within the Golden Temple. The Akali Party till then was keeping aloof from the activities of Bhindranwale. A meeting of Akali party was called at Anandpur Sahib to decide a course of action. Giani Zail Singh intervened and as the Home Minister asked Paramjit Singh, the then Chief Secretary of Punjab, to request Sant Harcharan Singh Longowal to come to Delhi to meet Indira Gandhi. The Chief Secretary in turn informed Darbara Singh who asked him to keep quiet. There was no response to the invitation. Giani Ji informed me and I sounded Ravi Inder Singh, ex-Speaker of the Punjab Assembly. Ultimately, Ravi Inder Singh, himself rang up the Chief Secretary to ask him about the message from Delhi as it was not passed on to Sant Ji. This shows how the Akalis were willing to sit across the table to resolve issues but Darbara Singh and his Chief Secretary stalled the talks. This resulted in the Akalis announcing their plans of a “Dharam Yudh Morcha”. Another important question that needs to be answered is: who allowed the fortification of the Golden Temple? The entire police force was aware of arms being carried to the precincts of the Golden Temple. An Army intelligence Officer was himself at Amritsar. In all fairness, the concerned officers should now reveal the truth.
No one should ignore a hard truth that Indira Gandhi never wanted a confrontation with the Sikhs. It was she who accepted Punjabi Suba demand which was always opposed by her Father Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, she made a Sikh the President of India and had two Sikh Ministers in her cabinet. She gave the Kotwali building in Chandni Chowk to Sikhs for making a Sarai. So it stands to reason that how her mind towards Sikh changed abruptly. Here is then the big unanswered question – Who were the people who pushed her to the path of confrontation with the Sikhs? History needs a proper account of this period. Who were the men and agencies involved in this process? So far only some hints have been provided in Governor Alexander’s and Mrs. Pupul Jayakar’s and Governor B.D. Pandey’s books. The nation has a right to demand an answer from these people who are sitting quiet refusing to reveal the facts. There are some other historic facts which are worth noting. There was a complete lack of communication between Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and President Giani Zail Singh. He had little knowledge of the planning of Operation Blue Star. He kept himself up-to-date only through the Radio and the Press. After Operation Blue Star, Indira Gandhi informed him of what had happened and sent Mr. Arun Singh with photographs of the damaged Akal Takht and the Golden Temple. Pity is that Arun Singh, despite being from the Kapurthala Royal Sikh family, did not know the importance of the Akal Takhat.
A day after Operation Blue Star charged with giving details of Army attack and the damage to Akal Takhat to Khushwant Singh and Prem Bhatia editor of The Tribune. Indra Gandhi personally met the President with recorded telephone talks and wanted to prosecute me. I was sent on forced leave. To my surprise after few days, I was called by Buta Singh and he told me that Indira Gandhi was anxious to undertake some immediate remedial measures for opening up the Golden Temple which had been sealed. We had a long meeting with Indra Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi at her residence where it was decided to involve Sikh High Priests to find a reasonable solution. An aircraft and a helicopter were put at our disposal. We were able to trace the Jathedars of Takhats and took them to the Golden Temple. Gen. Dayal and Gen. Brar were under instructions from the Prime Minister to provide us with full assistance and cooperation. The positive role of the acting president of the SGPC, S. Atma Singh, deserves special mention. He is perhaps one of the very few Sikh leaders who was honest, fearless and is endowed with a proper vision. He wanted to save Punjab from further oppressions and to start immediate dialogue for opening of Golden Temple. A meeting of the Five Heads Priests (Gyani Kirpal Singh Jathedar Akal Takhat, Sant Lakha Singh, Jathedar Damdama Sahib, Gyani Harcharan Singh Mahlon Jathedar Keshgarh, Gyani Sahib Singh Head Granthi Darbar Sahib and Gyani Preetam Singh, Head Granthi Akal Takhat ) was held in the damaged Darshani Deori of Golden Temple on June 17, 1984. Buta Singh and I were present to assists them in the deliberations for some time. The Supreme Sikh Council took decisions which were recorded by Giani Sahib Singh.
It was decided by them to demolish the Akal Takht and to allocate the Kar Sewa for rebuilding it to Sant Baba Harbans Singh. To normalise the situation, 14 suggestions were given in writing. Baba Kharak Singh, the most respected Sikh Sant, gave his assent to this note. Sadhu Singh Hamdard, Editor, Ajit, Rawel Singh, ex-Minister and S. Atma Singh were in agreement with these suggestions. We rushed to Delhi the same evening and were with Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi for one hour. One could read agony writ large on Indira Gandhi’s face. She was keen for creating normalcy in Punjab and wanted some face-saving settlement.
She spent the next day consulting her advisers. She had an hour-long meeting with Giani Zail Singh also. On June 19 Buta Singh asked me to accompany him to Amritsar. He told me that the Prime Minister had agreed to all the points except two-that the CRPF will not be withdrawn and the case of the Sikh army deserters will be taken up later on. She had authorised him to make formal announcement in Amritsar. I advised him not to do this himself and let the Prime Minister should do this herself or the Union Cabinet Secy. Buta Singh was so sure and enthusiastic that he went ahead to inform the people. We went to the Golden Temple and met the Head Priests and they felt relieved at the settlement specially that the Army was to move immediately out of the Parikrama. The people were to be allowed entry into the Golden Temple. The Kar Sewa to rebuild the Akal Takht was to start immediately. Curfew was to be lifted throughout Punjab and most of the arrested persons were to be released.
The most important point of the settlement was a proposal that Indira Gandhi would visit the Golden Temple and offer some sort of atonement for the army action. The date was to be decided by the Jathedars. Buta Singh made the announcement in a hurriedly called press conference at the residence of SSP. Amritsar. The Army Generals and Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, were also present. He also met Sant Baba Kharak Singh along with Dr. Gurdial Singh Dhillon. Slogans of “Sat Sri Akal” were raised by the Sangat and it was taken as a good start by the government to ease the situation.
We left Amritsar at 6 pm and reached Palam at 7 pm. K.P Singh Deo, then the Minister of State of Defence, was waiting at the airport. He took Buta Singh straight to the Prime Minister’s residence where he was admonished for making the announcement. Indira Gandhi had done a volte-face. It was announced to the nation that whatever had been promised by Buta Singh at Amritsar had been done in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the Government.
People who were responsible for this about-turn by Indira Gandhi are yet to be identified. I can say with confidence that had these decisions been implemented by the Government as per the announcement made by Buta Singh, thousands of lives would have been saved. The real tragedy started after Operation Blue Star, which gave birth to terrorism. Operation Rose wood was the name of the combing operation conducted by the Army in Punjab villages in June and July onwards. Thousands of citizens were arrested and beaten, their houses demolished, women molested and innocent tortured. And the worst was that the Golden Temple remained sealed till October 1, 1984. These factors compelled the Sikh youth to take up arms.
There can be little doubt that in the interest of peace in Punjab the June 1984 agreement with the Head Priests should have been honoured. But the important Question is who pressured Indira Gandhi to back out of the settlement reached after delicate negotiations? The nation has the right to know this. Peace in Punjab was nipped in the bud by some people around Indira Gandhi and this led to the tragedy of her assassination.
Tarlochan Singh is a former Indian MP and chairman of the National Commission for Minorities from 2003 to 2006.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
The Central Sikh Gurdwara Board, Singapore is looking for well qualified and experienced staff to fill a vacancy at its Board office. CSGB Manages two Gurdwaras (Central Sikh Temple & Silat Road Sikh Temple) and a Sikh Centre.
CSGB Manager
Job Responsibilities
The administrative responsibilities of the CSGB Manager includes the following:
Overall in charge of all the staff in the Board office and its 3 operating units
Oversee all administrative, finance, maintenance and IT functions of the Board
Interactions with sangat, CSGB units, external organisations and government agencies
Ensure compliance with Board policies in all administrative areas and review efficiency opportunities
Oversee all publicity and communication functions in CSGB
Qualifications and Experience
All aspiring candidates should be Gursikhs with the following:
A good university degree
A minimum of 8 years relevant management experience
Be fluent in both Punjabi and English
Have a reasonable understanding of Sikhism
Have demonstrated good leadership qualities, initiative and inter-personal skills when dealing with people
Be well versed with Microsoft Office
Good IT knowledge will be an advantage
Malaysian or Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident
Interested candidates are requested to send their complete biodata, copies of education and training certificates, contact references (preferably with testimonials) from at least two previous employers by email to:
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
Immortality for the human mortal being sounds like a utopian fantasy, unreal. The bottom-line reality is we are all born to die one day. It is transient world, where everything comes with an expiry date. Yet we yearn for a longer life, and if someone brings up this subject of death, rest are quick to brush it aside, with a snide remark that we don’t want it to be discussed. Even Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) in multiple places confirms our mortal reality in these words:
From these above quotes the reality of the transitory nature of our earthly existence is again reconfirmed. If death is a reality of life, then an offer of immortality by the enlightened Gurus, prophets, etc. is very alluring, and enticing. Since the time immemorial humans have desired immortality and have experimented with ways to acquire it without much success. In fact, there has been partial success as mortality rates have gone down and life spans have increased, medical interventions do save lives and also can make us look younger for a longer period. So, overall, there has been some progress, but still the constraints of biology, does not change the landscape on when the life ends. With all the arsenal at our disposal we have tried to change the landscape, and yet the reality remains unchanged. Guru Ji is positing us to transport ourselves to another world, free of worries. So, if we can follow the guidance of the enlightened then from a mortal being, we can achieve immortality. Success in these efforts can make us the citizen of the city of immortality:
Translation: You shall dwell in the city of immortality, and you could reactivate your wealth (of spiritual immortality) that you squandered away (in the wild chase for acquisition of the material wealth, and possessions). ||163||
With the abode in the city of immortality, the life will be forever as Guru Ji informs in these words:
Translation: Within the home of your own inner being, you shall obtain the Mansion of peace and joy. You shall never take birth again or die in the wheel of reincarnation. ||3||
Besides these quotes above there are quite a few additional quotes about immortality in SGGS. Here an alternative world reality is being offered to us. Guru Ji is saying our real home is not in this mortal world, but it is in the immortal realm.
So, how do we reconcile these two opposite realities? Unfortunately, this aspect of life is not shared anywhere, not even in the places of worship.
In order to embark on that path, awareness has to be awakened and sharpened. It is not something that can be acquired from the study of books or listening to discourses of the educated, scholars, or the seasoned orators. Because this knowledge is not a piece of data or information, but an inner experience. Its experience transforms life, perspectives, and outlook towards life. It is something like a statement from the doctor that ‘you have cancer’ transforms you from within. Then it is not a mere information anymore, as it becomes a deeply felt reality, with scary ramifications. These few words from the doctor are enough to change our perspective of life, priorities as the end of life now appears more imminently closer than before. The implication is that there is change to our approach to life, reset in the priorities. Grace completes the transformation.
Such a startling transformation took place in 1532, when Bhai Lehna came to meet Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Kartarpur. Bhai Lehna had just spent one evening, and the next morning with Guru Ji, but it had induced a profound transformation in him. There was not much of an academic or intellectual exchange that took place in these encounters, but its significance and repercussions were life transforming. Bhai Lehna, leading a team of devout pilgrims of goddess Durga from his own place of Khadur to Jawalamukhi, had stopped for a night’s halt near Kartarpur. Bhai Lehana took a leave from his party telling them that he was going to meet someone. But that encounter changed the course of his life. So deep was the impact of that encounter that he returned back from this meeting next day to inform his party that he was not going to lead or go on pilgrimage with them. He informed them to make their own arrangements for the pilgrimage as he has found his own destination. He spent next seven years of his life in a dedicated service of Guru Nanak. During this stay Bhai Lehna was totally transformed through their daily exchanges that Guru Ji anointed him as his spiritual successor. During the course of this stay, Bhai Lehna had experienced immortality. Guru Ji rechristened him as Angad, which means part of me; and bowed his head down to his own disciple, while anointing him as his successor. This was unheard of during those times, that the master has bowed down to his own disciple.
We have seen Guru Ji’s words and how they transform lives still our skeptic mind refuses to an offer of immortality. But if the words are inscribed in Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), then we have to believe them to be true. Let us try to understand how a mortal life can become immortal through the road map Guru Ji has provided, Guru Ji says:
“Aagaahaa koo traagh pichhaa pher na muhaddaRaa. Nanak sijh ivehaa vaar bahuR na hovee janamaRaa. 1.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 343)
Translation: Look ahead (in the future); don’t turn your face backwards (looking at your past deeds). O Nanak, be successful (in human life) this time, and you shall not be reincarnated again. ||1||
Guru ji has used a poetic expression to provide us this road map. By saying don’t look back Guru Ji not restraining from the introspection, but asking us not to repeat the things that you have done in the past. Instead, Guru Ji wants us to charge forward in the right direction to achieve immortality. So, charging forward means the remaining life should not become rut as in the past, instead there should be a change. Let us ask Guru Ji what we have been doing in the past:
Translation: Hate, conflict, lust, anger, emotional attachment, falsehood, corruption, immense greed, and deceit: So many lifetimes are wasted in these ways.
The transformation begins with the attention to these negative traits within. The change will be that the earlier negative traits should not be repeated moving forward, becoming thing of the past, with the remaining life moving in the positive direction. So, when Guru Ji is talking about look ahead at the future, Guru Ji is cautioning against misdirected or wasted efforts (by repeating the past mistakes).
The humans are all desirous of immortal, joyous, and blissful lives. Yet this world where we are looking for everlasting bliss is a transitory world, so attaching with anything in this world is only going to give us a temporary joy. Guru Ji wants us to get attached to Immortal alone, to enjoy the everlasting bliss. So how to change the course from the present? Becoming a hermit or a renunciate in life will not achieve it, nor that is being advocated by Guru Ji. All the enlightened Gurus, Bhagats, Saints, or those on the path of spirituality teach us the unviability of becoming detached through the disengagement process. They themselves led an active, engaged, and productive life, and they expect same from us. As every attempt on that front of disengagement will only run counter, producing more dissonance and conflict. Also, the efforts to fix the world without fixing the self’s life will only aggravate the situation, resulting in escalation of dissonance alone. The challenges in the world have existed in the past and will continue to exist in the future as well, no one has ever eliminated those challenges, nor anyone ever will do it. Let us look at the history of wars, the lessons learnt and the remedial measures implemented after earlier war have not prevented the next one. If we look back, we already had two World Wars, and today we find ourselves on the brink of a third world war. Which could turn into a nuclear war, with millions of deaths and devastation in the scale not seen before.
Guru Ji wants us to take care of our life and soul first. Guru Ji has proposed that the solution lies with our becoming one with Immortal, then we can do good for rest of mankind. Guru Ji asks us to prepare for it:
“Nikas re pankhee simar har paankh. Mil saadhoo saran gahu pooran raam ratan heeare sang raakh. 1. Rahaau.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 204)
Translation: O soul-bird! Come out (of the nest of attachment to the mortal world) and let the meditative remembrance of the Lord be your wings. (Those wings will let you fly out of nest of attachment.) Meet the Holy Saint, take to His Sanctuary, and keep the perfect jewel of the Lord enshrined in your heart. ||1||Pause||
It is through the association with those who are attached to Immortal one, can we change our course. Sometimes outwardly appearance could be deceptive. Those attached to Immortal may seem to be attached to be worldly. But inwardly they have become one with the Immortal, through their own realization. It is only when becoming one with Immortal takes place, then detachment takes place naturally, as something more precious has been experienced. Afterall Immortal is forever, and if one has merged in, fully integrated with it, nothing else remains to be achieved. Let us look at some insights from Sri Guru Granth Sahib on it that experience of oneness:
Translation: I have obtained a seat in the cave (abode for meditation for the yogis) of Celestial bliss and total calmness. (As a result, I hear) the celestial music of God, the embodiment of light. I am in ecstasy, reflecting on the Word of the Guru’s Shabad. Imbued with my Beloved Husband Lord, I am the blessed, happy soul-bride. ||3||
The literal translation of the word ‘Sahaj’ is poise/equipoise or celestial bliss, which fail to do proper justice to its import. This is a state of mind that is very steady, totally calm, free from swings of opposing thoughts, unaltered by turmoil of thoughts or the challenging circumstances, and it is uninterrupted (Ik Raas). So, we will use the word ‘Sahaj’ to describe that feeling. Those who become resident there become pleasing to God, while becoming free from the web of mortality. The cave of celestial bliss that Kabir Ji talks about is nothing other than merger with Divine Supreme Being, who is Immortal. In fact, the experience of immortality in life manifests as the calmness of mind or ‘Sahaj’. Those who attain ‘Sahaj’ have mentally moved to another world, while physically they may still be living in this world. Such persons with Sahaj lead of contentment, their life’s imprint is harmless and peaceful. Ravidas Ji has painted a complete picture of Sahaj and also expressed that feeling of comradery with the fellow citizens of that city in these words:
“Kaeh ravidas khalaas chamaaraa. Joe hum saharee su meet hamaaraa. 3.2.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 345)
Translation: Says the emncipated shoemaker Ravidas, I have obtained freedom from mortal realm and those citizens there (in Immortal world), are my friends. ||3||2||
Ravidas has expressed the comradery, alignment in thoughts and viewpoints with those who have experienced immortality share. It is legendary, as the rest of world is at loggerheads with everybody else. Such alignment we don’t experience in the mortal world. The other traits of Sahaj as shared by Ravidas in the same shabad are summarized as under:
Free from suffering and anxiety
No taxes or duties on commodities
No fear of downfall, crime or committing sin
City of lasting peace and safety
The Kingdom is eternal and ever stable
All are equal no one second or third (non-discriminatory nature)
All residents are eminent, endowed with the inner wealth and richness
Have total freedom and liberty of action
Have open and free access and connection to God
Those who achieve this while alive are not just pleasing and dear to God but with Him as well:
“Har ke sevak jo har bhaae tin(h) kee kathaa niraaree re. Aaveh na jaeh na kabahoo marate paarabraham sa(n)gaaree re. 3.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 855)
Translation: Those who are pleasing to the Lord are the servants of the Lord; their story is unique and singular. They do not come and go, and they never die; they remain with the Supreme Lord God. ||3||
They have freed themselves of vices as lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride, that affect the rest of mankind. If more mortals can become interested in immortality, then its cascading outcome will be lessening of the worldly problems. In other words, their lives will become a solution for world instead of being a problem. Guru Ji wants us to build our house, where they have built their own:
Translation: Nanak builds his house upon that site where there is no death, no birth, and no old age. ||4||6||76||
Living in the mortal world, we all face the challenges of disease, old age, and death, which is engulfing everyone. But for the bona fide citizens of that town of immortals these maladies fail to affect or cast their influence. Bhagat Ravidas named that place as the city without sorrows in these words:
ਬੇਗਮ ਪੁਰਾ ਸਹਰ ਕੋ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਦੂਖੁ ਅੰਦੋਹੁ ਨਹੀ ਤਿਹਿ ਠਾਉ ॥
“Begam pura sahar ko naau. Dhookh a(n)dhoh nahee teh Thaau.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 345)
Translation: Begam Pura, ‘the city without sorrow’, is the name of (my) town. There is no suffering or anxiety there.
When one is emotionally elevated, stress-free, then depression, suffering and anxieties will not be experienced. Instead, a feeling of peace and ecstasy will be experienced there:
Translation: When you arrive in the land of the Formless Lord, you shall find peace in the Mansion of His Presence. ||3||
The land of “Nirankaar” also is called “Sahaj”, is the realm of immortality which is altogether a different realm. It is only on moving from the mortal world and residing in that immortal world can the eternal bliss and its comforts can be experienced. There is a complete absence of stressful challenges that bog us down in the mortal world. The state of mind there can be compared to that of the royalty. This abode of immortality will never be lost or ever has to be surrendered.
In this earth alone the number of countries are multiple, that result is fights, wars, rivalries and competition among the countries and its people. But when ‘Sahaj’ is experienced then conflicts, and one upmanship will be replaced with a feeling of unity and comradery. Only those blessed with inner richness and wealth become residents there. They have complete freedom to choose where to dwell or pick a place to visit or stay. The address and description of that place by Kabir is:
“Kabir gu(n)g jamun ke a(n)tare sahaj su(n)n ke ghaaT. Tahaa kabirai maT keeaa khojat mun jan baaT ||152||” (SGGS, Pg. No. 1373)
Translation: Kabir, between the Ganges and Jamuna Rivers, on the shores of Celestial bliss and Silence,
there, Kabir has made his home. The silent sages and the humble servants of the Lord search for the way to get there. ||152||
The meaning and implication of the word Sahaj has been discussed here. The silence being mentioned is absence of desire for the acquisition of material possessions. What Kabir is claiming is that the place which all the holy people as ‘Jans’ and ‘Munis’ are desperately looking for, I have found it. I have built my house there, on the shores of the rivers Ganga and Jamuna. Kabir is not referring to bodies of water called rivers, but he is using those names to represent sahaj (shj) and sunn (suMn), the metaphors for poise and calmness. The confluence of these two virtues is the experience of immortality while alive.
Ganga -Sahaj (shj) meaning poise or stillness and
Jamuna – Sunn (suMn) meaning calmness, silenece or absence of desires
Elsewhere Kabir has expressed the result of growing these two virtues within, is that a person becomes free of desires in these words:
“Sahaj su(n)n ik biravaa upajiaa dharatee jalahar sokhiaa. Kaeh kabir hau taa kaa sevak jin ih biravaa dhekhiaa. 3.6.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 970)
Translation: In (the soil) of poise and calmness, the one tree rises up; it completely soaks up the water of desires from the ground. Says Kabir, I am the servant of those who have seen this celestial tree (within themselves). ||3||6||
So, this achievement is an extraordinary one and Kabir Ji is enjoying its bliss. He is even willing to become a servant of those who achieve this extraordinary feat. Guru Arjan has used the term cave (SGGS, Pg. No. 370) to describe that abode, also has been described as ‘Amaraa pur’ and ‘Begam pura’.
Conclusions:
1) Guru Ji says remember that death is certain in this mortal, transient world where everything comes with an expiry date and exists for a limited time only. Guru Nanak Ji gave this stark reminder to a Mullah in these words and same applies to us all:
ਮਰਣਾ ਮੁਲਾ ਮਰਣਾ ॥
“Maranaa mulaa maranaa.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 24)
Translation: Death, O Mullah-(remember) death will come (one day).
2) However, when immortality is experienced by the mortal while still alive, then one will not have any fear of death, nor will be attached to the perishable world. Rather, one starts looking forward to death excitingly as with that physical death, the soul in the body will merge in the Immortal, as Kabir ji has expressed it in these words:
“Kabir jis marane te jag ddarai mere man aana(n)dh. Marane hee te paieeaai pooran paramaana(n)dh. 22.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 24)
Translation: Kabir, the (entire) world is afraid of death (getting detached from the material world)- that death fills my mind with bliss. It is only by its death that perfect, supreme bliss (Immortality) is obtained. ||22||
3) The only way the immortality can be experienced is through the mortal life journey. That experience is also known by other terms as Nirvana, Param Padh etc. It is dying only not to be born again, but to live eternally merged with the Immortality. It is a state of profound spiritual joy, bliss, without any negative emotions or fears. Guru Ji has expressed it as:
“Jeevat marai mar maran savaarai. Gur kai sabadh saach ur dhaarai. 1. Rahaau.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 1174)
Translation: One who dies while yet alive, truly dies (to the material world), and (free of desires makes life blissful and) embellishes his death. Through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, he enshrines the (Immortal) True Lord, within his heart. ||1||Pause||
When we look back at our life lived to date, we can see the fleeting nature of life. The entire span of multiple years appears to have elapsed in a blink of eye. We do not have any knowledge what the remaining life is, which can pass in a similar fashion if no changes are made. Therefore, the journey on path of immortality should be started without a delay praying for the grace.
Acknowledgement: I would like to acknowledge the input, and personal insights offered by Bhai Jaspal Singh (USA) in preparation for this write-up. Without that, this write-up could not have happened.
Bhupinder ‘Bo’ Singh, Houston. Born in Bhamo, Myanmar, he now lives in Houston, US, where he runs a manufacturing company formed with his son. A mechanical engineer by training, he has authored a number of books, including Connecting with the Master – A collection of essays on topics related to Sikhism (2006) and In Bully’s Eyes – An Illustrated Children’s book on Bullying(2019).
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
Prabjot Singh Wirring, a prospective lawyer, is seen outside the Edmonton Law Courts in Edmonton on June 24. – Photo: Megan Albu/The Globe and Mail
By Alanna Smith | The Globe and Mail | Canada |
A prospective lawyer in Edmonton is suing the provincial government and Law Society of Alberta for requiring him to swear an oath to the Queen to practise law, arguing that the rule violates his religious freedoms as a Sikh.
Prabjot Singh Wirring said doing so would compromise his faith and identity because he has already made an absolute oath to Akal Purakh, the divine being in Sikh tradition, as an Amritdhari (initiated) Sikh. Earlier this month, he filed a legal challenge against both bodies and seeks to provide an alternative oath, or be exempt, to be admitted to the bar.
Other provinces and territories in Canada, such as British Columbia and the Yukon, allow people with religious or conscientious objections to provide a different oath to practise law. In Alberta, individuals must swear to “be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors” under provincial legislation.
Mr. Wirring said the requirement has brought to the surface feelings of anger, frustration and sadness. He said it adds to experiences of racism and exclusion felt throughout his life and alienates him from his peers.
“Even when you are included in a certain space, or you’re around a table, I still have to explain and justify my existence. I don’t get to just be, like other people in the room,” Mr. Wirring said. “When we talk about inclusion, diversity and things like that, you have to acknowledge the burden that racialized people carry already. As a part of any calculation, you have to determine, which battles do I need to fight or have the energy to fight?
Read the full article, ‘Swearing an oath to the Queen a violation of religious freedoms, prospective lawyer says in lawsuit’ (The Globe and Mail, 28 June 2022), here.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
Path da Bhog: 10 July 2022 (Sunday), from 10.00am to 12.00noon, at Gurdwara Sahib Bidor, Perak
Contact:
Sharandeep – 0127271986
Novedeep – 0195891332
Those we love don’t go away.They walk beside us everyday. Unseen, unheard but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear.
| Entry: 28 June 2022 | Source: Family
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twfffitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: asia.samachar@gmail.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
