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| Issue 41 February 1999
CONTENTS © Sikh Spirit 1999 Sikh Spirit The opinions expressed are not those of the editors or of the publishers
Sikh soldiers marching
with Guru Granth Sahib, for a religious service in the desert during the Mesopotamia
campaign From the book: Warrior Saints: |
As we are approaching Vaisakhi, It is encouraging
to see so many new initiatives taking off. Several books are being published, such as
Warrior Saints and Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms, many events are being planned and there are
several competitions in progress. Our own competition is nearing its closing date as I
write, the response has been very encouraging, with many correct entries. There are also
some other competitions being held such as:
The important thing to remember among all these celebrations is to think carefully about what we are celebrating, our aim should be to educate ourselves and those around us, both Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike. The story of Vaisakhi will be recounted many times, but we need to reflect on the meaning behind the story. The shabad this month (page 2) is often recited at Vaiskahi – "step onto My Path with your head on your palm". This shabad is attributed to Mahla 1 (Guru Nanak Dev Ji), and is not, as often mistakenly stated, by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This shabad explains the concept of Love and Guru Ji tells us that we must sacrifice our Ego in order to play this "game of Love". Pure Love is a when a person thinks only about the other person. To express pure Love for the Guru, we must give up all thoughts about ourselves and all attachments to the material world. This is the same test that Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave to the Sikhs on the day of Vaisakhi 1699. Those five men that got up and offered themselves to the Guru, were not just brave in the physical sense. They were devoted to the Guru and trusted Guru Ji completely, so much so that they answered his test. So often these days we hear the word "Love" used so loosely, but it is such a strong concept, how many people today who say that they are in "Love" really mean it? Love is a state of total devotion that is so lacking in our lives today. This shabad has some powerful explanations: do not pay attention to public opinion; no one can tell the future; Truth is essential to our spiritual journey and that we are sent to this world to achieve a purpose. The translation of the shabad is quite self-explanatory and I hope you will gain as much as I have from studying it.
Bhupinder Singh "I was in my parents Gurdwara over the holidays and I don't think I understood even 10 percent of what was said. This is due to my inadequate understanding of Punjabi," a youth remarked recently. This is definitely a "problem" especially with the Sikh youth in the Western countries. The inadequate knowledge of Punjabi stems probably from the fact that parents don't put an effort to speak Punjabi at home... especially when their kids are young. Many among both the parents and the children, say that because they spend better part of the day around the English speaking people, they don't get a chance to speak Punjabi. Lately I have come across programmes in Gurdwaras being conducted in English! Is the use of English in Gurdwaras the trend of the future in the West? Should the use of English in Gurdwaras be encouraged to attract the youth, or opposed as a dilution of the Sikh culture and practices. A controversy is continuing on the topic among the Sikhs here. Here are some points and counter-points: I am sure that many young Punjabis, especially those born and raised in the US/Canada/UK would benefit from more English being used in the Gurdwaras. The coming generations in the West are certainly not going to be as conversant in the Punjabi language as the community is today, and so English will become increasingly useful in the future as well. However, there is an inherent problem with using English in Gurdwaras in the sense that a lot of stuff just doesn't translate adequately or in English could sound really "strange". Also it would have to be a dual language delivery as we have a large number of those who do not understand English at all. On the other hand many young Punjabis would benefit from learning the Punjabi language. We speak enough of English in the work place; places like the Gurdwaras and our homes are the only places where we can really be in touch with our very own language. The use of English even in Gurdwaras paves the way for the extinction of Punjabi! The community should make an effort to teach Punjabi to the young and not try to preach the sermons in English! English is necessary in order that the ceremonies can be comprehended fully by a majority. Most of those attending can comprehend everything said in English, and only a few, mainly older folks, can comprehend the Punjabi well. The crucial point is that the elders are already knowledgeable about the religion, and the ceremonies in English won't hurt them, whereas, the young folks are the ones who need to be informed about religion and the best way to do so is to inform them in the language they comprehend best - not the language that the elders feel more comfortable with. English will have to be accepted if the religious tradition is to continue strong. However, some young people must be adept at Punjabi in order to be able to be the torch-bearers in the future and serve the community. Also every Sikh should have some knowledge of Punjabi so as to comprehend Gurbani and Sikh History well. Conscious effort is needed to learn Punjabi, but it is not hard with so many Punjabi-speaking people around. I feel the youngsters will do well to make hay while the sunshines. Gurbani can be appreciated fully only if one can comprehend it without a translation. In one of his books, Essays in Sikhism, first published in 1944, Teja Singh, the late principal of Khalsa College, Amritsar, addressed this problem in the following way: "As long as Sikhism had to deal with people whose language was akin to Punjabi or Hindi, it had all possibilities of advance. But as soon as it came in contact with people who could not be approached in the original language of the Sikh Scriptures, the attempt failed, because those responsible for the missionary work were not yet certain whether they could use translations in place of the original." This is the problem. Can Malayalam, or for that matter any other language, serve the purpose of the Guru's Word? If Sikhism is to go to America or England, which language is to be used by the new converts, English or Panjabi? They will have to recite prayers individually, and approach God in their own tongue. How can their prayer be realistic if offer it the original Panjabi?" How this scenario plays out only time will tell. There are good arguments from either side. I personally feel that increasing use of English in Gurdwaras of the West is inevitable. I would rather put more emphasis on keeping the youth engaged in Punjabi culture by bringing them to the Gurdwara, not forgetting to celebrate the Sikh festivals, visiting Punjab, and speaking Punjabi at home as much as possible. If I may end on a personal note: After having been in America since 1963 it pleases me so much to hear, both in America and on visits to India: "You still speak such good Punjabi!" Amir Tuteja The Ultimate Stage According to Sikhism A body is dead without life and life itself is dead without NAAM. Naam is the Elixir of life without which life would be meaningless and an accumulative waste. Forgetting Naam (God's Name) torments the soul. There is no spiritual awakening, no peace of mind, no joy and no bliss without Naam. Realisation of Naam is the essential condition for a true and fruitful life. The road that leads to God is the most difficult and complex. Guru Nanak has made this road simple and as clear as crystal by showing us a technical approach. The Guru explains that since the human life is attained after passing through numerous lives, so it has gathered along the way impurities of every life it has passed through. Human mind has become black smeared with impurities. As long as the human mind remains impure, it will not merge with the One Who is Absolute Pure. As the mind becomes pure, our soul merges with the Supreme Soul. How? "Praise and Prayer of Almighty remove the impurity of mind. And the Ambrosial Naam then fills the mind." Guru Nanak Dev Ji That is the stage a true devotee yearns for. By prayer and praise one's mind comes in touch with Naam and becomes illuminated. An enlightened mind emerges and a person is reborn in the spirit of the Guru and he begins to make spiritual progress slowly. Naam is registered by the consciousness and penetrates into human soul and mind. This glorious transformation or metamorphosis helps transcend human soul to a state of Absolute Bliss. It is a change in a person which occurs within the self from one form to another. The aspect of realisation of God changes within and lifts the devotee from Personal to the Impersonal. All boundaries, limitations and barriers are broken and the individual soul starts merging with the Supreme Soul, as water blends with water, the light (the light of our life) blends with the Divine Light: "His soul and body dyed with the Name of One God Shall ever abide with the Supreme Soul As water blends with water, So light is blended with Light. Transmigration is ended and rest obtained Nanak is ever a sacrifice to Lord God"
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