Upma of Seva

ਪੰਚ ਬਾਰ ਗੰਗ ਜਾਇ ਬਾਰ ਪੰਚ ਪ੍ਰਾਗ ਨਾਇ ਤੈਸਾ ਪੁੰਨ ਏਕ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਕਉ ਨਵਾਏ ਕਾ ।
Providing bathing facility to a Sikh and helping him bathe is an act that is equal to five visits to a place of pilgrimage to river Ganges and an equal number to Prayag.


ਸਿਖ ਕਉ ਪਿਲਾਇ ਪਾਨੀ ਭਾਉ ਕਰ ਕੁਰਖੇਤ ਅਸ੍ਵਮੇਧ ਜਗ ਫਲ ਸਿਖ ਕਉ ਜਿਵਾਏ ਕਾ ।
If a Sikh is served water with love and devotion, then it is an act equal to visiting Kurukshetra. And if a Sikh of the Guru is served meal with love and devotion one is rewarded with blessing obtainable from an Aswmedh Yag.


ਜੈਸੇ ਸਤ ਮੰਦਰ ਕੰਚਨ ਕੇ ਉਸਾਰ ਦੀਨੇ ਤੈਸਾ ਪੁੰਨ ਸਿਖ ਕਉ ਇਕ ਸਬਦ ਸਿਖਾਏ ਕਾ ।
Just as a hundred temples raised in gold are given away in charity, its reward is equal to teaching one hymn of Gurbani to a Guru's Sikh.


ਜੈਸੇ ਬੀਸ ਬਾਰ ਦਰਸਨ ਸਾਧ ਕੀਆ ਕਾਹੂ ਤੈਸਾ ਫਲ ਸਿਖ ਕਉ ਚਾਪ ਪਗ ਸੁਆਏ ਕਾ ॥੬੭੩॥
The gain of pressing the feet of a tired Guru's Sikh and putting him to sleep is equal to seeing a noble and godly person a score of times. (673)


- Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurdaas Jee, Kabit Savaeya






What a treasure Bhai Sahib's writings are!

If anyone has more Gurmat-related knowledge on the following terms, please do share for everyone's learning.

* Prayag
* Kurukshetra
* Ashwamegh yag - ?

WaaheGuru... Thanks for sharing Bhenji. Bhai Sahib is simply the best !

According to MahaKosh ਪ੍ਰਯਾਗ means: ਯੂ. ਪੀ. ਵਿੱਚ ਗੰਗਾ ਜਮੁਨਾ ਦੇ ਸੰਗਮ ਦਾ ਇੱਕ ਪ੍ਰਸਿੱਧ ਤੀਰਥ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਸਰਸ੍ਵਤੀ ਨਦੀ ਦਾ ਗੁਪਤ ਸੰਗਮ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ

A famous pilgramage in Uttar pradesh in which the famous river swarti merged in with the other two most famous rivers ganga and jamuna. This mergence is known as tribeni nadi. Hindus belive in this month of maaghh bathing in the tribeni rivers ( prayaag) is most beneficial. Guru Sahib says

ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਗੁਣ ਅੰਕੇ ਸੁਣਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬੰਕੇ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵਾ ਸਰਿ ਨਾਵਾ ॥ਗੰਗ ਜਮੁਨ ਤਹ ਬੇਣੀ ਸੰਗਮ ਸਾਤ ਸਮੁੰਦ ਸਮਾਵਾ ॥
ਪੁੰਨ ਦਾਨ ਪੂਜਾ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰ ਜੁਗਿ ਜੁਗਿ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਤਾ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਾਘਿ ਮਹਾ ਰਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿ ਅਠਸਠਿ ਤੀਰਥ ਨਾਤਾ ॥੧੫॥

Guru Sahib says doing naam abhyiaas is greater then all charity and bathing rituals.


Kurukshetra is another famous hindu pilgramage in which GUru Sahib went to as a means to teach the Hindus about the fruitlessness of rituals.
[www.sikhitothemax.com]

ਅਸ੍ਵਮੇਧ ਜਗ refers to horse sacrifice which was a prominent act during vedic times.

Dhanwaad veer Sukhdeep Singh jee, for the explanations.

Vaheguro!

The value of Bhai Gurdas Ji's vaaran are unmeasurable. This is an aspect that Daas and I'm sure many other Sikhs have neglected, if we follow all of Bhai Sahibs writings in our daily lives then I'm sure one will recieve Darshan of Akal Purakh very quickly. This is a urgent benti to bhenji, and anyone else, to please share more of Bhai Gurdas Ji's Vaaran that discuss rehit and seva we can implement in our daily lives.

Too often we ignore the little things in Sikhi that can boost our kamaiee, simple things like posting messages on Sikhi forums can have a tremendously positive effect on our jeevan. Sikhi is so expanse and there is so many ways to earn kamaiee, and sometimes simple tasks, like teaching someone keertan, gurmukhi, shaster vidiya etc... bring benefits equal to hours of naam abiyaas.


Could someone provide info on what Bhai Sahib has written about the following...
Bringing someone into Sikhi
Teaching someone Gurmukhi
Reciting Gurbani to someone
Teaching someone about Sikhi

You are totally right Gurman Singh jee, Bhai Sahib's writings are filled with valuable advice for anyone who is a true seeker, and are an indespensable tool for understanding gurbani and Guru Sahib's bachans. Basically, they lay out the blueprint of what a Gursikh should do and be like in order to make this janam saphal. It may be a good idea to make the study of Bhai Sahib's writings a part of one's daily routine.

You've made a great suggestion to use this space to share more "tips" from Bhai Sahib on what we can do to boost our kamayee. I hope others will make an effort to share anything they come across.




While this isn't directly related to the topics Gurman Singh veerjee has asked for, here are more valuable words from Kabit Savaiya:


ਕਤ ਪੁਨ ਮਾਨਸ ਜਨਮ ਕਤ ਸਾਧਸੰਗੁ ਨਿਸ ਦਿਨ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਸਮੈ ਚਲਿ ਜਾਈਐ ।
After wandering through eighty-four lakh species, we are blessed with this human birth. If we miss this opportunity, when will we get it again and when will we enjoy the company of the saintly persons? Therefore, we should attend the holy congregation day

ਕਤ ਪੁਨ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਦਰਸ ਹੁਇ ਪਰਸਪਰ ਭਾਵਨੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਭਾਇ ਸੇਵਾ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈਐ ।
When will I have face to face glimpse of the True Guru and receive His grace? Therefore I should engross my mind in the loving worship and devotion of the Lord.

ਕਤ ਪੁਨ ਰਾਗ ਨਾਦ ਬਾਦ ਸੰਗੀਤ ਰੀਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦ ਧੁਨਿ ਸੁਨਿ ਪੁਨਿ ਗਾਈਐ ।
When will I get the opportunity of listening to the divine compositions of the True Guru in the accompaniment of musical instruments and sung in the classical mode of singing? Therefore I must find all possible occasions to hear and sing the praises of th

ਕਤ ਪੁਨਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਤਾਸ ਲੇਖ ਮਸੁਵਾਣੀ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦ ਲਿਖਿ ਨਿਜ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥੫੦੦॥
When will I get a chance to write the name of the Lord on the paper-like mind with the conscious-like ink? Therefore I should write the True Guru blessed word on the paper-like heart and reach the self-realisation (through constant meditation). (500)




Vahegurooo!!

Back in the Tapoban days, Vaheguru had given me the task of singing a Vaar of Bhai Sahib. It was performed in a form of Kavishri, and led by a very dedicated and devoted Gursikh, who is also a very good Keertani Singh. The Vaar goes like this:

ਧਰਤੀਪੈਰਾਂਹੇਠਿਹੈਧਰਤੀਹੇਠਿਵਸੰਦਾਪਾਣੀ||
ਪਾਣੀਚਲੈਨੀਵਾਣਨੋਨਿਰਮਲੁਸੀਤਲੁਸੁਧੁਪਰਾਣੀ||
ਬਹੁਰੰਗੀਇਕਰੰਗੁਹੈਸਭਨਾਂਅੰਦਰਿਇਕੋਜਾਣੀ||
ਤਤਾਹੋਵੈਧੁਪਵਿਚਿਛਾਵੈਠੰਢਾਵਿਰਤੀਹਾਣੀ||
ਤਪਦਾਪਰਉਪਕਾਰਨੋਠੰਢੇਪਰਉਪਕਾਰਵਿਹਾਣੀ||
ਅਗਨਿਬੁਝਾਏਤਪਤਿਵਿਚਿਠੰਢਾਹੋਵੈਬਿਲਮੁਨਆਣੀ||
ਗੁਰੁਸਿਖੀਦੀਏਹੁਨੀਸਾਣੀ||੧੩||

Quote

Could someone provide info on what Bhai Sahib has written about the following...
Bringing someone into Sikhi
Teaching someone Gurmukhi
Reciting Gurbani to someone
Teaching someone about Sikhi

How did Sri AKal Purakh propagate SIkhi? Sri Akal Purakh propagated SIkhi through his servants Guru Nanak Sahib Ji and Bhai Mardana Ji . Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji became the roop of Akal through the utterance of Gurbani while Mardana became the player of the rabab.

ਇਕ ਬਾਬਾ ਅਕਾਲ ਰੂਪੁ ਦੂਜਾ ਰਬਾਬੀ ਮਰਦਾਨਾ।
ਦਿਤੀ ਬਾਂਗਿ ਨਿਵਾਜਿ ਕਰਿ ਸੁੰਨਿ ਸਮਾਨਿ ਹੋਆ ਜਹਾਨਾ।

Before meeting true Guru, Mardana did not even know how to hold a rabab.But through the mysterious power of Guru Sahib he started to play the rabab automatically with utmost sweetness and divinity. Likewise Pehli Paatshah told AKal Purakh he cannot speak through his own will only through Akal Purakhs grace can he speak; thus, Servant Nanak and Servant Mardana propagted the Gurus word through complete submission to AKal Purakh. If we are to propagate SIkhi we must sumbit fully to GUru Sahib and let him do all the talking and teaching we are just his mere vessels. Besides full submission, Guru Sahib propagated Gurbani with utmost fearlessness. He did not care for the consequenes of preaching and practicing Gurbani.

One day when Guru Sahib was on his Udasi in Iraq, an angry mob was apporaching Guru Sahib with stones. They were going to stone Guru Sahib to death, since he was teaching there are more then 14 worlds, and there is no limit to Allah. In Islam this teaching is regarded as hearsy. As the angry mob was apporaching, Mardana became fearful and turned to Guru Ji and said GUru Ji do something. As soon as the mob approached, Guru Sahib with a lion voice uttered the words " Guru Bar AKal! Sat Sri Akaaaal!" Guru Sahib invited death with fearlessness .

During Vasakhi, there was a spy who recorded in his diary that the khalsa namaz is "Akal, Akal ". Meaning " Guru Bar AKal! Sat Sri Akal" , This is the namaz mentioned by Bhai Gurdas Ji in the verses ਦਿਤੀ ਬਾਂਗਿ ਨਿਵਾਜਿ ਕਰਿ ਸੁੰਨਿ ਸਮਾਨਿ ਹੋਆ ਜਹਾਨਾ।. As soon as the sangat heard this Namaz they went into Samadhi. Why? It was through the power of Naam that Guru Sahibs words put not only the angry mob but the whole city into a mystical state of Samadhi. . When we propagate Sikhi we too must have the power of Naam behind our voices. Only through the power of Naam will people come into the fold of SIkhi. We cannot bring anyone into Sikhi we are just mere vessels ( servants) Guru Sahib does all the work. We should never compromise on our Gurmat principles when propagating Sikhi. Those people who are propagating Gurmat via Gurbani Kirtan should be law abiding Gursikhs. They should have full faith in Gurus message. Only then will the kirtan have a mystical effect on general sangat; thus, bringing more into the fold of Sikhi.

From Bhai Sahib's vaaran:

guramukh saevaa gur sikhaa gurasikh maa pio bhaaee mithaa||
Gurmukhs serve the Sikhs considering them their parents, brothers and friends.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖ ਹਥ ਸਕਥ ਹਨ ਸਾਧ ਸੰਗਤ ਗੁਰ ਕਾਰ ਕਮਾਵੈ॥
Worthy are the hands of the Sikh who in the holy congregation do the Guru's work.


ਪਾਣੀ ਪਖਾ ਪੀਹਣਾ ਪੈਰ ਧੋਇ ਚਰਣਾਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਪਾਵੈ॥
Who draw water, fan the sangat, grind the flour, wash the feet of Guru and drink the water therefrom;


ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਲਿਖ ਪੋਥੀਆਂ ਤਾਲ ਮ੍ਰਿਦੰਗ ਰਬਾਬ ਬਜਾਵੈ॥
Who copy the Guru's hymns and play the cymbals, the mirdang, a small drum, and the rebeck in the company of holy.


ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਡੰਡੌਤ ਕਰ ਗੁਰ ਭਾਈ ਗਲ ਮਿਲ ਗਲ ਲਾਵੈ॥
Worthy are the hands who bow and embrace a brother Sikh;


ਕਿਰਤ ਵਿਰਤ ਕਰ ਧਰਮ ਦੀ ਹਥਹੁੰ ਦੇਕੇ ਭਲਾ ਮਨਾਵੈ॥
Who eam livelihood honestly and confer favour on others.


ਪਾਰਸ ਪਰਸ ਅਪਰਸ ਹੋਇ ਪਰ ਤਨ ਪਰ ਧਨ ਹਥ ਨ ਲਾਵੈ॥
Worthy of praise are the hands of such a Sikh who by coming in touch with Guru becomes indifferent to worldly materials and lays not his eyes on another's wife or property;


ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਪੁਜਕੈ ਭਾਇ ਭਗਤਿ ਭੈ ਭਾਣਾ ਭਾਵੈ॥
Who loves another Sikh and embraces the love, devotion, and fear of God;


ਆਪ ਗਵਾਇ ਨ ਆਪ ਗਣਾਵੈ ॥੧੨॥
He effaces his ego and does not assert himself.


- Bhai Gurdaas Jee's vaaran

More from Bhai Sahib jee's vaaran - apologize that these are only the transliterations:



Regarding teaching someone about Sikhi:


gur sikh sun gurasikh sikh sadhaaeiaa||
Having listened to the teaching of Guru, the Sikh of the Guru has called other Sikhs.

gurasikhee gurasikh sikh sunaaeiaa||
The Gursikhs then preach the Gurus teachings to other Sikhs.

gur sikh sun kar bhaao ma(n)n vasaaeiaa||
The Gursikhs listened with Love and placed the teachings in their minds.

gurasikhaa gur sikh gurasikh bhaaeiaa||
Adopting the teachings of the Guru, the Sikh has recited the same to others.

gur sikh gurasikh sa(n)g mael milaaeiaa||
The Sikhs of the Guru have liked the Sikhs and thus a Sikh has met the Sikhs.

chouparr soleh saar jug jin aaeiaa ||18||
The pair of the Guru and the disciple has conquered the world-game of oblong dice.(18)



Regarding langar seva and other physical seva:


gurasikhaa gurasikh saevaa laaeiaa||
The Sikhs of the Guru inspire the Sikhs of the Guru to serve.

saadhh sa(n)gath kar saev sukh fal paaeiaa||
Serving the Holy Congregation they receive the fruit of happiness.

thaparr jhaarr vishhaae dhhoorree naaeiaa||
Sweeping and spreading the sitting mats they bathe in the dust of the Holy Congregation.

korae matt anaae neer bharaaeiaa||
They bring unused pitchers and fill them with water (to get it cold).

aan mehaa parasaadh va(n)dd khuaaeiaa ||10||
They bring sacred food (maha parshad), distribute it among others and eat.(10)





Bhai Sahib's vaaran are really inspiring, its unfortunate that most of us don't get a chance to study Bhai Sahib's writings more. It's hard to get a proper grasp on what Bhai Gurdaas Ji is saying with just english translations. If someone has a better understanding of these vaaran, perhaps they can provide their veechaars.