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| On the right a hukamnama (edict) from the hands of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. This Hukumnama sent by Banda Singh to Bhai Dharam Singh and Param Singh of Village Bhai Rupa.
It contains the Mohar or seal - conceived by Banda Bahadur widely used in later Sikh Coinage. " Degh Teg Fateh Nusrat-i-bedrang, Yaft az Nanak Guru Gobind Singh " - The cauldron to feed, the sword to defend , and the resultant victory have been achieved with the spontaneous help received from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh '. ( translation from Sikh Coinage -Surinder Singh - Manohar - 2004).
This Hukumnama also makes mention of the 'Panj Hathiaar' - the Five Weapons. Source: http://www.info-sikh.com/PageRImages1.html |
We can seize upon this moment of tragedy or let it squander into another historical statistics. Our problem is NOT that we wear turbans or have unshorn hair, but that NOT ENOUGH of us follow the Guru's edict. Let us pause here for a moment and think about what I just said. Identity would not be an issue then, will it? We will be all over the map and well identified for who we are.
Life offers us many choices and it is up to us individuals and collectively as a community to choose. Now is our time to act. Not in the heat of the moment, not with sound bites or slogans in this age of twenty four hour news cycles, but by our bold and right choices. The time for much contemplation for our community might be over. Six more lives were sacrificed now just as hundreds of thousands have in the past. As we pray for all the brave departed souls, our hearts go out to their families.
In the late fifties, some fifty plus years back, my father was completing his doctorate at Sorbonne in Paris. He was hurled upon with bread pieces and loud screams asking him to remove his turban when he entered a dining hall. Half a century later Sikhs are still facing that challenge in France. Waiting longer is no longer an option for the panth.
Although, I am a very private person, I made the choice to share a part of my experience with you, which some of you might find it helpful in deciphering your own choices. It is not meant to preach or judge anyone and I do not want to sound self-righteous either. ("humavgunbhare, ek gun naahi…."). I share this for partly selfish reasons; it reaffirms my faith and keeps me in 'ChardiKalah'.
Having lived in the U.S. since 1971, I have yet to take a 'government handout' ("satgurusikhkeekareyprtihpal, sevak….."). I full well understand the challenges we all face. At some point for a brief period I too 'fell from gurus grace', therefore have experienced mostly everything some of you do and perhaps more therefore have much appreciation for how you feel. In physics we learn that matter takes the path of least resistance.We humans are no different. I learnt that life is not a series of 'short cuts' or conveniences. I learnt that you have to be disciplined first.
I am by no means an expert in Sikhism or qualified to discuss Theology. However, when I read and re-read the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and then certain parts of the DasamGranth, it struck a chord with me. I realized that I was not a Sikh without 'Rehat'. ("rehatbinahdarchotahkhave….."). That, of all the human body parts, Khalsa was the 'most important' part of my being. ("khalsameromukhhaianga…."). Up until then, I considered my heart as the 'mukhang' knowing well that without it, I am lifeless.
It also dawned on me that every day I bow my head in front of my Guru and have the good fortune of doing so within the confines of my home. I began questioning myself, what that 'matthatek' meant if anything. Was I just going thru the motions? I realized how hypocritical and disingenuous I was standing in front of my Guru with folded hands; that if I do not follow the Guru's edict, then why I bow my head in reverence several times a day. ("salaamjavabdoveykarey…….") It bothered me a great deal that I had moved away from my Guru. ("jay ko guru taybaymukhhovey, bin satguru…..").
I concluded that I had to 'man up' and face the challenges squarely and make my choices based on the facts I had gathered. Words of dasam Guru kept reverberating in my ears ("rehatpyareemujhko, sikh….."). I also realized that my clock on this planet was ticking away and when it came to a halt I will be accountable for all my actions. ("chitragupt jab lekhamaangey…..").
Effort (uddham) and reward (bakshish) go hand in hand. I quickly learnt that to obtain His bakshish, I had to do uddham. I sought out Guru's forgiveness. ("haupaapi tum bakshanhaar……"). He graced me with amrit. ('paayaamrit guru kirpakeenysaccha…….")
This writing is meant to inspire the reader and not judge or tell you what you should or should not do; for me it became the only choice.("charansharan guru ekpaindajayechalsatgurukotepaindaagey hoi letehai……") May the Guru be your guide and inspiration as you make your choices in life.