Bhai Sahib Ji,
I really liked you post, just reinforces how Guru Sahib is always with his Sikhs. I really liked the line below. Especially, when you compare your situation to traasadi (disaster), very funny
.
"ਆਪ ਹੀ ਸੋਚੌ ਕਿ ਆਪ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਜਰਾ ਜ਼ੋਰ ਦੀ ਭੁੱਖ ਲੱਗੀ ਹੋਵੇ ਤੇ ਨਾਲ ਦਾ ਬੈਠਾ ਆਦਮੀ ਕਾਜੂ ਬਦਾਮ ਛਕ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਕਿੰਨੀ
ਤਰਾਸਦੀ ਵਾਲੀ ਦਸ਼ਾ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ। ਮਨ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਝਾਇਆ ਫਿਕਰ ਨਾ ਕਰ ਛੇਤੀ ਹੀ ਆਪਾਂ ਵੀ ਇਹ ਛਕਾਂਗੇ।"
More than this, what also encouraged Daas to reply to this post is that you used Gurmukhi to express your vichaar. It is so very important. Daas has observed that you tend to use Gurmukhi in many of your posts, which is very refreshing and heartening to see. Although, daas is guily of not using the same for replying to this post, my apologies.
This brings to mind a story or say a moment that inspired Bhai Vir Singh Ji to start using Gurmukhi in his likhit (writings) for literature works. Turns out, Bhai Sahib in his formative years used to write in Urdu. The Urdu influence was more due to the works of his Grandfather, who himself was a poet or an author (not sure) of various literary works in Urdu. Besides, Urdu was much more popular language among the masses in comparison to Gurmukhi. Hence, more recognition for your work done in Urdu as compared to Gurmukhi, which was on a decline. So, Bhai Sahib naturally followed his grandfather.
One day, Bhai Sahib met another great poet/scholar/writer of his time, Rabindarnath Tagore. He liked Bhai Sahib's work and asked him a simple question.
Rabindarnath Tagore: Why don't you write in your mother tongue, i.e. Gurmukhi?
Bhai Sahib: Not many read it and via Urdu I can reach larger set of masses.
Rabindarnath Tagore: Yes many may not be reading it, but there is not many who even attempt to write in it. If no one writes, how will the masses read? Remember one thing, if you do not respect your mother, no one else will. You may get recognition for your works in Urdu but what about your own language? If you dont write in it, no one else will. 50-100 years down the line your mother tongue will be history. There will be nothing to tie your grand children or generations henceforth to your culture, your language, your religious values.
It is said that this incident moved Bhai Sahib so much, that he decided not to write in any language other than Gurmukhi. Imagine, how badly would have we missed Bhai Sahib's great compositions and work on Sikhi itihaas had this incident not taken place.
Whenever, I read poems in Gurmukhi on this website, it signals me at least our future is safe. We still have young people who can write their expressions in poetic form in Gurmukhi.
Guru Sahib saaryaan te kirpa karan te panth nu chardi kala vich rakhan.
Bhul chuk di khima
waheguru ji ka khalsa
wheguru ji ki fateh
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਬਚਨਕਮਾਵਣੇਸਚਾਏਹੁਵੀਚਾਰੁ॥
I was unable to write some words in Punjabi, using Google transliteration lab. So, I will discard that site for this purpose.)