Friday, February 16, 2007

Moti Ram Mehra - The man who understood Dharm and Karm

Here is an old news story I enjoyed reading. So I saved it and would like to share.

Moti Ram Mehra’s sacrifice recalled
Our Correspondent
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 28
After the Shaheedi Jor Mela held in the memory of younger Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, the martyrdom of Baba Moti Ram Mehra also important. Lakhs of devotees belonging to the Mehra community thronged Gurdwara Moti Ram Mehra here to pay obeisance to the great martyr. Baba Moti Ram Mehra was a servant in the kitchen of the Nawab of Sirhind. He used to serve food to Hindu prisoners. Mata Gujjar Kaur, along with her two grand children, who were in the custody of Nawab of Sirhind, refused to accept the food of the Nawab’s kitchen. Baba Moti Ram Mehra was a great follower of the Sikh Gurus. He used to serve Sikhs on their way to Anandpur Sahib and back to their homes. The Sikhs used to rest at his mud house where the mother of Baba Moti Ram Mehra and his wife used to prepare food for these pilgrims.
When Mata Gujjar Kaur refused to accept the food, Baba Moti Ram Mehra could not tolerate the Sahibzadas going without food. He came home and told his family members that he would serve milk and fresh water to the Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri. His mother and wife persuaded him not to take such a step. They told him that the Nawab had made an announcement in the town that anyone who tried to serve food to the sons of the Tenth Guru, he along with his family would be put to death in a kohlu (oil squeezer). This information could not change the mind of Baba Mehra.
As he was determined to his mission, his wife gave him her silver jewellery and some coins and urged him to “bribe the gatemen of the burj to keep the act secret.” The Baba praised his wife for participation in the great cause. Baba Moti Ram served milk and water to the Sahibzadas and Mata Gujjar Kaur for three nights.
On December 27, the Sahibzadas were martyred and Mata Gujjar Kaur also breathed her last. He also arranged sandal wood for their cremation. Someone told the Nawab that his servant had served those prisoners with milk and water. The Nawab ordered the arrest of Baba Moti Ram Mehra and his mother, wife and a little son. He did not conceal his act and boldly told the Nawab that it was his pious duty to serve the imprisoned children and their grandmother. Hence Baba Moti Ram Mehra, along with his family, was sentenced to death. His followers deserve his martyrdom every year at the memorial at the end of December.
Taken from Tribune:
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051229/punjab1.htm#3

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Good past time reading!

I was given this book during Christmas by my sister-in-law in Nevada. It has a lot of good and interesting stuff and stories. With all of the inspiration stuff and books around these days, one wonders where does it all end and are people more lost than ever before. Anyways, it is worth the money just to learn interesting facts, history etc. to expand your horizons.

The title is Uncle-Johns-Bathroom-Reader "Tales to Inspire". The first story I read was "good karma" on page 104 and thought was really interesting.

http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Johns-Inspire-Bathroom-Reader/dp/1592236049

Amrit Vela/Sadhna Tracker Day???

Last whole week has been terrible. The flu really took a toll. Haven't been able to do complete Sadhna at all since day 5 and hope to continue very soon. Day 6, just did Japji Sahib and first five pauris of Anand Sahib, but no yoga or Jap Sahib. The other days, not even nitnem. Only thing consistent has been showers. Took warm showers one or two days, but missed my cold showers because it didn't bring the same feeling. The last year or so, majority of the showers have been cold even though I don't think it has to be cold for sadhna. Kind of getting used to them now and are becoming second nature. The constant cough, headache, achyness and always a feeling of no energy hasn't gone away. Slept during lunch break at work yesterday, went home and slept from 5PM to 8PM. Went to sleep again at around 9PM and slept till 6AM. Feels like there is no energy left in the body. I mean, just ran out of breadth yesterday, just taking steps to second floor of the building where I work. The month of December was spent with the same kind of flu as well. This had been the worst flu season since last 8-10 years. Anyways, I hope all this will go away soon and things will get back to normal soon. I don't think 40 days would be hard at least yoga, meditation and Japji. And, may even become a second nature soon. I like what Guruka Singh Ji said in his fanaticism lecture that after a while it just becomes a second nature and you don't have to think about it anymore than you brush your teeth etc. Still don't understand why Sadhana would be the only way to give two and half hours to God and sometimes I feel like I am putting more emphasis on myself than others. Why wouldn't two and half hours serving someone or seva of some form be enough for God's work? But it is a good thing for bringing discipline in one's life which I sure lacked before. And, Sikhi and discpline always go hand in hand anyways. How can one be a saint-soldier if there is no discipline in life?

Anyways, enough rambling for today. Not much to post. Lately been thinking about deleting this blog and stop blogging completely. I think it has served its purpose whatever it was. It sure has been a great tool to meet people from all walks of lives and learn from their experiences.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Amrit Vela Waking Up/Sadhna Tracker - Day 5

Satnam!
So far so good! Body still aching and feverish. Went to work yesterday despite no sleep. Hope and pray to get back to normal.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Amrit Vela Waking Up/Sadhna Tracker - Day 3 & 4

Well, missed it all on 3rd day except a late shower around noon. All I can say is that Waheguru was helping those other Gursikhs wake up than me. Laid in bed sick pretty much all day and body felt like a train had just gone over it.

This is day 4 and guess what I never slept all night last night or should I say that I was awoke before even Gurumustuk Saheb. Now, That is really messed up. Anyways, shower felt great and not feeling that tired or sick. time to go!

Sunday, February 4, 2007

Amrit Vela Waking Up/Sadhna Tracker - Day 2

Well, I was too fearful to sign up for Gurumustuk Singh's Sadhna pledge. A day after I realized I should have signed up for anyways. It should not be a guilt or fearul thing, otherwise it defeats the purpose. It is just a way to train the body, of course with Guru's grace, to wake up during Amrit Vela.

Well, before I ramble further, This is my day 2, 3:15AM and haven't had a problem yet. I guess I will have to wait till weekdays to see how it goes. I am a day behind the other Gursikhs that signed up for the pledge and probably years behind the ones that have been doing it everyday. But it is a new start and let see where it takes me. Thursday night,daughter Simran , and son, Camran started feeling sick and Friday Kiran as well came down with flu. All three had been in bed. Took Camran to the doctor and his results for pnemonia and bronchitus came negative, but they are still running high fevers, shivers and have sore throats, coughing. Yesterday, wife and I got the same thing. I am wearing 4 layers after my shower right now, just to prevent from shivering. Body didn't want to take shower, but felt the need. THought of all those Gursikhs that sacrificed so much for the Guru, and I can't even take a cold shower. (ha ha)! Anyways, feel so achy that don't want to do sadhna, but that pledge to myself is a pledge. Enough ramblings for today, and it is time to go!

Saturday, February 3, 2007

Today's Hukumnama

ਆਸਾ ॥
आसा ॥
aasaa.
Aasaa:


ਮਨੁ ਮੇਰੋ ਗਜੁ ਜਿਹਬਾ ਮੇਰੀ ਕਾਤੀ ॥
मनु मेरो गजु जिहबा मेरी काती ॥
man mayro gaj jihbaa mayree kaatee.
My mind is the yardstick, and my tongue is the scissors.


ਮਪਿ ਮਪਿ ਕਾਟਉ ਜਮ ਕੀ ਫਾਸੀ ॥੧॥
मपि मपि काटउ जम की फासी ॥१॥
map map kaata-o jam kee faasee. ||1||
I measure it out and cut off the noose of death. ||1||


ਕਹਾ ਕਰਉ ਜਾਤੀ ਕਹ ਕਰਉ ਪਾਤੀ ॥
कहा करउ जाती कह करउ पाती ॥
kahaa kara-o jaatee kah kara-o paatee.
What do I have to do with social status? What do I have to with ancestry?


ਰਾਮ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਉ ਦਿਨ ਰਾਤੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
राम को नामु जपउ दिन राती ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥
raam ko naam japa-o din raatee. ||1|| rahaa-o.
I meditate on the Name of the Lord, day and night. ||1||Pause||


ਰਾਂਗਨਿ ਰਾਂਗਉ ਸੀਵਨਿ ਸੀਵਉ ॥
रांगनि रांगउ सीवनि सीवउ ॥
raaNgan raaNga-o seevan seeva-o.
I dye myself in the color of the Lord, and sew what has to be sewn.


ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਘਰੀਅ ਨ ਜੀਵਉ ॥੨॥
राम नाम बिनु घरीअ न जीवउ ॥२॥
raam naam bin gharee-a na jeeva-o. ||2||
Without the Lord's Name, I cannot live, even for a moment. ||2||


ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰਉ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵਉ ॥
भगति करउ हरि के गुन गावउ ॥
bhagat kara-o har kay gun gaava-o.
I perform devotional worship, and sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord.


ਆਠ ਪਹਰ ਅਪਨਾ ਖਸਮੁ ਧਿਆਵਉ ॥੩॥
आठ पहर अपना खसमु धिआवउ ॥३॥
aath pahar apnaa khasam Dhi-aava-o. ||3||
Twenty-four hours a day, I meditate on my Lord and Master. ||3||


ਸੁਇਨੇ ਕੀ ਸੂਈ ਰੁਪੇ ਕਾ ਧਾਗਾ ॥
सुइने की सूई रुपे का धागा ॥
su-inay kee soo-ee rupay kaa Dhaagaa.
My needle is gold, and my thread is silver.


ਨਾਮੇ ਕਾ ਚਿਤੁ ਹਰਿ ਸਉ ਲਾਗਾ ॥੪॥੩॥
नामे का चितु हरि सउ लागा ॥४॥३॥
naamay kaa chit har sa-o laagaa. ||4||3||
Naam Dayv's mind is attached to the Lord. ||4||3||