Bandi Chhor Divas is the day we celebrate the return of the Guru. When Guru Hargobind was imprisoned in Gwalior fort, the Sikhs longed to have his sight. The Sikhs felt lost without the Guru. How would they get inspiration and guide their minds on the right path? How long would they go until the Guru was finally released? How could they live without his presence? When Guru ji finally returned to the Akal Takht, and Harmandar Sahib, a celebration began that has continued every year since.
In today’s age, we have a similar situation. We know that there is a Guru. It's difficult to make sense out of this crazy life. We want to have the Guru’s guidance and teachings. We long to see the Guru and to be with the true sangat.
Khalsa Lakhvir-Singh lives in Kenya where access to Sikh knowledge can be a real challenge. Due to this lack, generations before him were powerless to prevent multitudes of Sikh youth from going astray. He also fell victim when he was misled and almost converted into Christianity. There was no one around him to guide him back to Sikhi. It was as if his internal Guru was imprisoned somewhere and he had forgotten what it was like to be in such divine presence. He felt he was at a “spiritual cross-roads”. During these challenging years in hopes of finding solace and a way back to Sikhi, his inner turmoil and tug at his soul led him online. Then he bumped into Sikhnet.com,
“I questioned myself. I was in spiritual darkness. I almost lost my faith altogether. That’s how tragic my spiritual journey has been. I used to be clean-shaven, having cut my kes from 1998 - 2001. So I turned to Gurbani. I turned to Sikh Rehat Maryada. I turned to my unadulterated Sikh history. These three pillars are what guided me. The information for these three pillars... I got from SikhNet.”
We don’t always realize it, but the internet plays a huge role in people’s lives today,
“I had my soul’s fill and found a place of belonging where treasures of Sikhi were sparkling right before my very eyes. Feasting on Gurbani and Gurmat Discussions and other encouraging features of the website, I found myself being led back to Sikhi.”
Because of your generous support of SikhNet, he found sangat. That made all the difference in his life. This is where you come into his picture. Without you who knows what would have happened in Lakhvir’s internal battle? Because of your prayers and financial donations he did meet his Guru,
“...and SikhNet helped me keep in touch with Sikhi. The Internet was my only source of whatever information I ever needed as everything else around me was subject to question. The internet helped me to empower myself and SikhNet played an important role in helping myself return to Sikhi. I think it was a virtual Gurdwara for me. It gave me all the inspiration I ever wanted that I never got from anywhere else." -Khalsa Lakhvir-Singh
His internal Guru was freed and he joined the sangat of his heart once again.
Guru Hargobind got the loving name of “Bandi Chhor," "He who frees the captured." This story is not only from history. It is the story of thousands of Sikhs around the world today.
Your donation to SikhNet helps Sikhs like Khalsa Lakhvir-Singh free themselves from their isolation.
Khalsa Lakhvir-Singh is now Amritdhari and wears a kirpan, turban and open beard and connect to Gurmat and Gurbani. He found his true identity.
He says:
“May the Guru always be with you. Because someone as far away as Kenya has benefited from this.”
The truth is Khalsa Lakhvir-Singh, and many others, OWE THEIR GRATITUDE TO YOU. It is because of your support that he was able to find the resources that illuminated his own Sikh heart.
Not only do we celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas this week, but we recognize the meaning behind this memorable event as well. Too many are isolated in their own prison of loneliness. It is the Guru who frees the captured and rejoices in the sangat.
Great is Guru Hargobind, the liberator of the captured.
Share your prayers. Donate your resources. Participate in the cyber-sangat in a meaningful way.
On behalf of the SikhNet Team, HAPPY BANDI CHHOR DIVAS
Click here to see Lakhvir tell his story in person.
