Taking Loan to serve Sangat

One day Bhai Paira and Bhai Durga came to the Hazoor (presence) of Siri Guru Arjun Dev jee and attended Satsangat (true Congregation) for few days. Their hearts were purified doing Sangat and one day, becoming an embodiment of humility, they requested Guru Sahib, “we have come to your refuge, O Sache Patshah (True King), grant us the boon of salvation. We have heard that countless Sikhs have served you and reached the highest spiritual point. Which ever way we may swim across this terrible ocean, bless us with that way.”

Siri Guru jee, who always resides in the house of compassion and mercy, after blessing them with Gurmat Naam, gave them Nirmal Updesh (divine teaching) as follows:

“Because of good Karma of your past lives, you have been blessed with many blessings in this life. Your body is healthy, your wife is of noble character, your sons are obedient and your house is full of wealth, buffaloes and cows (for milk). Now recite the True Naam with devotion, go to Sat Sangat regularly, and serve the Gurmukhs who come to your house, with devotion and humility.”

After a pause Siri Guru jee continued with his Nirmal Updesh, “Serve the Gursikhs who come to your house humbly and with love; serve them four kinds of foods (Svaad, Sangidh, Madhur, Rasvara); speak to them sweet words; if they are feeling hot and are perspiring, fan them with devotion; and if they are feeling cold, gift them blankets. First serve them and then eat the food remaining after serving them and when you eat your food, thank Vaheguru from the bottom of your heart. Give out any excess money in charity. This way, your life will become pure and you will attain salvation.”

Bhai Paira and Bhai Durga engraved Guru Sahib Hukams in stone and started following the Hukams earnestly. They did Naam Abhyaas at Amritvela, attended Satsangat, served Gusikhs earnestly and gave excess money in charity. They gave much more than the required Daswandh (10% of the income). It so occurred as per Will of Vaheguru that their income came down and their charity work stayed same as before. Sooner than later they were under heavy debt.

One day a lot of Sangat arrived at their house. Their financial situation was a bit down and they did not have the required funds to serve the Sangat. Bhai Paira tried to get more loan from the local creditor but his application was not approved. He came home and got hold of his wife’s old gold ornaments and mortgaged them. This way he served the Sangat as much as he could.

In few days this money was exhausted but Sangat was still around. He was greatly vexed by this situation. He wished to serve the Sangat but his hands were now restrained. He went out in his fields and as he was thinking what to do, he started digging the soil with his stick. As he was digging, he felt something hard and was surprised to see a vessel. He took out the vessel and found it full of gold coins. He considered this to be Guru Sahib’s gift and used it to pay down his loans as well as serve the Sangat.

He started doing Gurbani Paath with even more devotion and after a few days arrived at the Hazoor of Siri Guru Arjun Dev jee. There he narrated his story to Sangat. Siri Guru jee was very pleased and said great Bachans as follows:

ਸੁਨਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨੇ ਧਨ ਬਿਰਤਾਂਤ।
ਬਚਨ ਕਹਯੋ "ਜੋ ਬੰਡਤਿ ਖਾਤ"।46।
(After hear the story involving wealth, Siri Guru jee did Bachan that one who eats by sharing)

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਤਿਸ ਥੁੜਨਿ ਨਾ ਦੇਤ।
ਸਰਬ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਹੋਤਿ ਨਿਕੇਤ।
(Vaheguru never allows his wealth to be reduced and gives him all Padaraths (things he needs))

ਸਤਿਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈ।
ਅੰਤ ਸਮੈ ਗੁਰ ਭਏ ਸਹਾਈ। 47।
(This way by remembering the True Naam, he attained Salvation. In the last moments, Guru jee helped him.)

From this Saakhi many valuable Gurmat Lessons can be learned:

1) Along with chanting the True Naam, a Sikhs should have respect and love for Gursikhs and Sangat.

2) One should serve the Sangat with love and humility.

3) Speak sweet words to Sangat (and of course to all).

4) The Gursikh who shares his wealth and food, Vaheguru never allows shortage of wealth and food to him.

5) We see that Bhai Paira jee even went as far as taking loans to serve the Sangat and today we even feel pain when giving out just Daswandh. Some people are heard saying that they do give Daswand but not full Daswandh. This is not righteous. It is our duty to give out at least 10% of our income to Khalsa Panth as Daswandh.

Bhul Chuk dee Maafi jee.

Daas,
Kulbir Singh

The Saakhi is based on Gurpratap Sooraj Prakash and Sikha di Bhagatmala.

On the subject of Dasvandh are there worthy 'Panthic' causes where we should give Dasvandh? I have built up x amount recently but am a firm believer of giving where it is required most and not to organisations with deep pockets, or that might use funds inappropriately .

Ideally I would like to give to the victims of '84 crimes and to help Singh's still wasting away in Prisons on false charges.

Unjaan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> to help Singh's still wasting away in
> Prisons on false charges.


Sikh organisation for prisoner welfare works to help these Singhs below is some information:



Who are we?

The Sikh Organisation for Prisoner Welfare (SOPW) is a registered charity which was founded in 2008. It is run by volunteers and supported by people from all walks of life who are passionate about prisoner welfare, specifically in South Asia. SOPW is operated by UK based professionals with extensive management and governance experience.

Why?

Being Sikhs, we have a moral duty to help those in need, in particular prisoners of conscience. Our historic connection with South Asia, its increasing importance on the world scene and the fact that a quarter of humanity lives there makes it even more important that those suffering hardship in jail for their religious and political views are given hope by relieving some of their hardship.

What is our objective?

The relief of need, hardship, poverty and sickness among prisoners and detainees in any part of the world, whilst acting within the tenets and doctrines of Sikhism.

How we are doing this?

* Meeting basic material, spiritual and psychological needs
* Providing legal support/case management, where certain criteria are met
* Raising awareness amongst the wider public of this issue


How you can help?

Giving a donation of just £20 a month will allow us to provide enough support for one prisoner's basic human needs for one month in South Asia. Please print off and sign the standing order form, Click here for the standing order form.
Web site design

www.prisonerwelfare.com email: info@prisonerwelfare.com Registered Charity No. 1125370

Great Sakhi Veer Ji

Im glad you started this topic. When I came home today I was planning to make a thread asking which are some of the good Sikh organizations to donate too. In the past, we used to give vand to the Gurdwara Sahib, but we no longer feel this is the best place is they waste money and dont do much parchar or good for the panth with the money. Then we use to give to different Sikh organizations via the internet but we never knew if these funds were being properly spent . Im not into politics and politicians I dont like supporting politicians and there ambitions. I only hope to follow Dasmi Paatshaas words( Bhai Daya Singh Jis rehatnamey) and give to those who keep rehat.

Are there any organizations that do good for the panth or humanity that follow rehat.

Sometimes we feel like just giving to homeless organizations because Guru Sahib says the poor persons mouth is my Golak, but at the same time there is much joy in giving for the upliftment of the panth.

Any Suggestions?

Before trying to figure where exactly we all should give our Daswandh, we need to understand the purpose of Daswandh. Siri Guru Sahib jee started the practice of Daswandh for the cause of Gurmat. The cause of Gurmat is Naam. In the light of this fact, any action that furthers the cause of Gurmat (i.e. Naam) is a worthy cause for giving Daswandh.

The following comes to mind at this time:

• Gurdwara Sahibaan are the pillars for spreading Gurmat. At Gurdwara Sahibaan people come and listen to Kirtan, Katha and chant Naam. It is true that funds are misused at Gurdwara Sahibaan now-a-days, but still Daswandh can be given at Gurdwara Sahibaan. Some people say that Gurdwaras don't do this and they don't do that. It is true that our Gurdwara Sahibaan can do much more but to do Kirtan Diwan in the morning and evening is not a small thing. It is a work good enough to deserve Daswandh.

• Gurmat books inspire people to come towards Vaheguru. Some books e.g. Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee’s books have inspired many to walk on the path of Gurmat. So giving Daswand towards this cause is justified.

• Many organizations are running Sikh centered schools to impart Gurmat to the new generation. Giving Daswandh to such organizations is justified.

• Many courageous Gursikhs sacrificed their lives for the Chardi Kala of Khalsa Panth. To give Daswandh to carry out their duties towards their families is a worthy cause for giving Daswandh. When given Daswandh to their families, it should be ensured that the families also stay in Sikhi. What’s the point of giving Daswandh to individuals who are going to use it on anti-Sikhi activities.

• Helping out Gursikhs who are stuck in jails for working towards Chardi Kala of Panth is justified.

In any case, the idea is to further the cause of Naam. One way or the other, the Daswandh must help or work towards spreading Naam amongst people. If Daswandh money does not help in getting people to japp Naam and keep Gurmat, then such Daswandh is wasted.

Bhul Chuk dee maafi jee.

Daas,
Kulbir Singh

Thanks for the much appreciated advice Bhai Sahib, but we still would not feel comfortable donating to my local Gurdwara Sahib.

At this Gurdwara their are tables and chairs in the langar. People keep their heads uncovered and put their shoes on in the langar hall. The person giving out deg drinks liquor. At the Punjabi School they teach eating meat is ok. If we were to give them money they would only spend it on the a bigger Darbar Sahib they are planning on building for the purpose of having more weddings ( Anand Karaj) . This Gurdwara does not place much on Gurmat Naam. Most of the committee members of monay. Guru Sahib says do not give to those people who cut their hair, drink, eat meat, and have premarital relations.

As far as Im concerned this place is not a Gurdwara. So I was wondering is there any internet sites we can donate to who are doing things to propagate Naam.