Guru Sakhis

[PiyaSoni]

"The Cobra Provides the Shade"

Once the young Guru Nanak Ji had taken his cattle for grazing in the fields. As he lay resting, the sunrays fell on his face, after some time. A cobra crawled out of its hiding place and spread its hood to provide shade over young Nanak’s divine face. The local official of the village, Rae Bular, noticed this miracle as he was passing that way. He had sent for Nanak’s father, Mehta Kalu, and told him, 'Kalu! Don’t curse your son. He is a Great Being. My village survives because of his Grace. Kalu! Both of us are blessed as he is born in our village.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru JI Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Ethics Of a Shop-Keeper"

Guru Nanak had joined as a Modi (storekeeper) of Daulat Khan Lodi at Sultanpur. Everyone hailed Nanak, as he was fair in his dealings. He used to say that an honest shop- keeper alone can have a- balanced personality. Only his-words carry weight. What one requires is integrity and one can achieve it being true to one's vocation.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Bebe Nanaki - The First Sikh"

A sister's love for her brother is a perennial theme of Punjabi folklore. Janam Sakhis tell us of several stories depicting Bebe Nanaki (b. 1464 CE) love for her brother Nanak. Bebe Nanaki was the first to recognize Nanak, one blessed by God. She is seen here with her husband Jai Ram, as Mardana the ministerial, receives the rebeck on which he accompanied Guru Nanak, singing his divinely inspired songs. This was before Guru Nanak set out on his preaching odyssey' accompanied by Bhai Mardana.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Belittling the Caste-System"



Guru Nanak Dev disparagingly condemned caste-prejudices. To do away with this social malady he set an example. He visited Bhai Lalo an 'out-caste', and both had their meals together, giving a shocking surprise to the village-folk. Moreover, Mardana, the life-long companion of Guru Sahib was minstrel, coming from 'low-caste'.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Bhai Mardana"



Bhai Mardana (1459-1534 CE) accompanied Guru Nanak Dev by playing on rebeck, when the latter used to Sing the Glory of God.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Eradication of Poverty"



Guru, Nanak preached that poverty can be eradicated by self-help and initiative alone. Once he went to a village and was distressed to see the dirty slums. He set fire to that basti and helped in building a new and clean village in its place. Service (Sewa).

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Spreading the Message Through Booklets"



Guru Angad Dev (1504-1552 CE) gave a new form to the Gurmukhi alphabet. Guru Amar Das (1479-1574 CE) had the holy psalms written and sent these for wide distribution among his devotees. His grandson, Sansar Ram, son of Baba Mohan (b.1536 CE), wrote small booklets of these psalms, under Guru Sahib's guidance, for free distribution.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Service - Seva"



According to Sikh tradition service (Seva) is regarded as supreme worship. Amar Das Sahib served his master Guru Angad Dev for twelve years wading through rain and storm. When the weaver's wife observed sarcastically 'Amru, the homeless'. Guru Angad Dev blessed the devotee instead with the tide, 'A shelter for the homeless'

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Behold All Human Race As One"



Guru Amar Das conferred equal status on men and women and disapproved of gender discrimination. He forbade the practice of Sati -burning of wife at the pyre of husband - as it was considered an insult to human dignity.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Robe of Honor" 



Baba Amar Das served Sri Guru Angad Dev with utmost devotion and dedication. Besides fetching water from the river Beas for Master's bath every day, he would serve in the Langar. Every year the Guru acknowledged his services by conferring upon him robe of honor which the Great Guru wrapped around his head. Baba Amar Das was decorated with the Siropi seven times. Seva is one of the main tenets of Sikhism, exemplified through the lives of Gurus.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Supporting The Supportless"



The first duty Guru Angad Dev performed after his morning devotions and listening to Kirtan - singing the Glory, of God - in the congregation, was to tend the sick and succour the needy. His healing touch and loving Compassion relieved many of their pains and distresses.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Mata Khivi"



Despite the fact that Mata Khivi (d. 1582 CE) was wife of Guru Angad Dev, she rendered service in utmost humility. She used to supervise the Langar and serve food with her own hands, which was always available to everyone.

Mata Ji toiled lovingly in Guru - ka - langar and served Guru Angad Dev Ji's disciples with utmost humility and joy.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Khivi: A Pious Lady"



Mata Khivi was noble soul and reveled in serving her Master and his Sikhs. She toiled lovingly in the Guru-Ka-Langar, and served the Guru's disciple with utmost courtesy and joy. The Guru-Ka-Langar in her hands was a source of unlimited bounty and the harbinger of a new social consciousness.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Women Parishes"



In one of the verses of As-di-Var it is said 'Why demean them who give birth to Kings among men?' p. 474 Guru Amar Das, the third Guru, appointed women to conduct Sikh missionary and parish work. Districts under the charge of men were known as Manjian, from manji or string-bed. Those in the charge of women were known as Pirhian, form pihi or low-sitting-stools on which they sat to minister to the disciples. Their selection for this important task indicated the faith of the Guru in the capacity of women for organizational work.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Blessing"



Prema Chaudhri, who had become a leper, once, fell at the feet of Guru Amar Ms. Guru Sahib blessed him, gave him a bath with his own hands, restored him to good health and called him, 'My son Murari.' He got him married to Matho and made them an ideal couple.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!