Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Guru is the Vaid! He applies the Healing Ointment of Spiritual Wisdom

March 31, 2009, Tuesday 05:00 AM. IST
ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਜਿਹ ਕਰਣੀ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਸਰਮਿੰਦਾ ਇਹਾ ਕਮਾਨੀ ਰੀਤਿ ॥ ਸੰਤ ਕੀ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਸਾਕਤ ਕੀ ਪੂਜਾ ਐਸੀ ਦਿ੍ੜੀ ਬਿਪਰੀਤਿ ॥੧॥ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹ ਭੂਲੋ ਅਵਰੈ ਹੀਤ ॥ ਹਰਿਚੰਦਉਰੀ ਬਨ ਹਰ ਪਾਤ ਰੇ ਇਹੈ ਤੁਹਾਰੋ ਬੀਤ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਚੰਦਨ ਲੇਪ ਹੋਤ ਦੇਹ ਕਉ ਸੁਖੁ ਗਰਧਭ ਭਸਮ ਸੰਗੀਤਿ ॥ ਅੰਮਿ੍ਤ ਸੰਗਿ ਨਾਹਿ ਰੁਚ ਆਵਤ ਬਿਖੈ ਠਗਉਰੀ ਪੀਤਿ ॥੨॥ ਉਤਮ ਸੰਤ ਭਲੇ ਸੰਜੋਗੀ ਇਸੁ ਜੁਗ ਮਹਿ ਪਵਿਤ ਪੁਨੀਤ ॥ ਜਾਤ ਅਕਾਰਥ ਜਨਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਕਾਚ ਬਾਦਰੈ ਜੀਤ ॥੩॥ ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੇ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਦੁਖ ਭਾਗੇ ਗੁਰਿ ਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਜਨੁ ਨੇਤ੍ ਦੀਤ ॥ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਇਨ ਦੁਖ ਤੇ ਨਿਕਸਿਓ ਨਾਨਕ ਏਕ ਪਰੀਤ ॥੪॥੯॥
English Translation:
DHANAASAREE, FIFTH MEHL: You have made it your habit to practice those deeds which will bring you shame. You slander the Saints, and you worship the faithless cynics; such are the corrupt ways you have adopted. 1 Deluded by your emotional attachment to Maya, you love other things, like the enchanted city of Hari-chandauree, or the green leaves of the forest - such is your way of life. 1 Pause Its body may be anointed with sandalwood oil, but the donkey still loves to roll in the mud. He is not fond of the Ambrosial Nectar; instead, he loves the poisonous drug of corruption. 2 The Saints are noble and sublime; they are blessed with good fortune. They alone are pure and holy in this world. The jewel of this human life is passing away uselessly, lost in exchange for mere glass. 3 The sins and sorrows of uncounted incarnations run away, when the Guru applies the healing ointment of spiritual wisdom to the eyes. In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, I have escaped from these troubles; Nanak loves the One Lord. 4 9
View the full SGGS Ang (Page) - Last Updated: 2009-03-31 9:39 am (MDT)

This hukum would perfect next to my last post about Indians topping Swiss Account holders. Guru Arjan Sahib says it so beautifully that it is better to say it in Punjabi and this is my understanding of the first few lines in Punjabi "eh maarhey kamaan di reet bana laee hai jis naal sharminda hona pavay. Santaan di ninda ho rahi hai atay sakat, jihray rab nu nahin man day, una di puja ho rahi hai. Aisee galat reet chal rahi hai. Maya day moh vich sab kuch bhul gya hai. Harchandori ban nu atay haryali nu moh lagaun da rivaaj chal riha hai. (1) Rahao. Gadhay nay bhaanvey chandan da lape lagaya hovay phir vee mitti vich litda hai. Amrit da sang nahin aunda atay thagi naal preet lagayee hoi hai. (2) Sant hee utam atay bhalay hun is jug vich atay sundar atay pavittar hun. Eh janam padarthan de vich beetay ja riha hai, kucch badlaun day wich. (3) Janam janam day dukh bhaj janday hun jadon Guru gyan da unjan (surma) ankhan vich paa davay. Sadh sagat naal eh dukh bhaj gayay hun atay Nanak nu Ik naal preet ho gayi hai(4) {9}

Monday, March 30, 2009

India number 1

Well, I was shocked when I read this news of Indians topping all other countries in Swiss bank holdings. Jai Ho! Actually more appropriate would be "Murdabaad!" or "Oye! Tuhadi". People who have taken this money out of India and own it and are making poor starve and along with the poeple including banks that are getting rich off of poor people's hard earned labor are a real disgrace to Indian society and human race as a whole. They should be made to do real hard labor to see what life is all about. I wonder if they have any ethics, morals, religion at all. They can't be calling themselves Sikhs, because Guru Nanak always taught "Dharm Di Kirat Karni and Vand kay Chakna" meaning honest earning and sharing with others. They couldn't be Christians, because I think Jesus kind of preached the similar thing. I don't know the exact line since but I think it goes something like "it is easier for an elephant to go thru the eye of the needle than a rich man". They can't be thinking about going to heaven. They couldn't be Hindus because Gita also teaches Karma. Reminds me of a song "tere jivan ka hai karmo say nata" from an 80's Bollywood movie "Karmyogi". Muslims, I really don't know what Koran says about stealing someone else's hard earned money. Well, even though I don't like Advani much because of BJP's ultra Hindu stance and their support of anti-Sikh activities by RSS, politics of divide and rule by instigating hatred based on religion, caste, gender and creed etc. But I do hope Advani presses on this issue and becomes successful in getting that money back for India, use it for education, research, and helping eliviate poverty and punish these people who steal from the poor by making them do the hardest labor for at least 20 to 30 years. The last sentence about $1,456 Billion in the story is really shocking. That is billion with a "B":

"The Swiss Banking Association was reported last year as stating that Indians had a whopping US $ 1,456 billion in secret accounts, which was more than the balance held by all other nationalities taken together. According to the report, Russians held US $470 billion, UK $ 390 billion and China $ 96 billion."

Friday, March 27, 2009

One of the greatest and my favourite Indian leaders!

Here is a man about whom I would say the one of the greatest leader India has produced. He is not only a political figure head but a great scientist, a great visionary and a good hearted man without any hatred. You can almost call him the "Lincoln of India". Lincoln was a head of state and Dr. Kalam has served as a President of India instead of official Head of State being the Prime Minister.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Where have Singhs like this gone?


Here is an amazing picture of a hard working farmer in Punjab that I saw in Tribune and thought to share with people. Where have strong Singhs like this gone? This is becoming rare and rare scence as we are becoming a machine dependent society. He is carrying three bags and they must be at least 60-80lbs each.


Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Predicting Economy

I would like to share this website which was helpful to me. This guy predicted the U.S. economic collapse a long before (in 2006 when I found this site). Being an engineer, I admire people like him. His predictions are based more on engineering economics called Austrian Engineering Economics. I think he is right on the money and again "Thinks Different".

http://www.austrianenginomics.com/index.html

Monday, March 23, 2009

Goats R Us

My employer, a local transportation agency, just joined a green program which uses goats to control weeds and spring brush. I have seen these goats occasionally on the freeways as well. I think the state department also uses these for highways etc. One of the names stuck with me since it is similar to my blog. "Goats R US". Having grown up in Punjab, I thought to post this to share green ideas with fellow Punjabis to help people stay green and new business ideas. I think it is a great way to help farmers make money, help the environment and contribute to the green ideology by staying connected with nature. I thank all of the hard working farmers everywhere on this Earth who help feed millions. I know farming looks fun, but it is a back breaking work and most farmers everywhere including U.S. are debt ridden. Only the rich ones that can afford tractors, combines etc. and have political connections are making money. Anyways, check it out to helps one "Think Different!" when it comes to environment, making a living, and staying green!

http://www.goatsrus.com/goats.htm
http://www.spoke.com/info/cNSgk/GoatsRUs

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Why Slander then? A Sikh of the Guru is a Saint-Soldier and pooran Sat-Guru?

Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave every Khalsa Sikh male and female a title of Sat-Guru when He said, Khalsa mera sat-guru poora. And, yet many of us fail to recognize that infinite divinity in each one of us and act with malice, anger, and hatred towards others, slander and talk behind their back. We exploit each other for material things.

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ॥ धनासरी महला ५ ॥ Dhanāsrī mėhlā 5. Dhanaasaree, Fifth Mehl:
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਲੀਨੇ ਸੰਤ ਉਬਾਰਿ ॥ हरि हरि लीने संत उबारि ॥ Har har līne sant ubār.
The Lord saves His Saints.
ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਦਾਸ ਕੀ ਚਿਤਵੈ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਤਿਸ ਹੀ ਕਉ ਫਿਰਿ ਮਾਰਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ हरि के दास की चितवै बुरिआई तिस ही कउ फिरि मारि ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥ Har ke dās kī chitvai buri▫ā▫ī tis hī ka▫o fir mār. 1 rahā▫o.
One who wishes misfortune upon the Lord's slaves, shall be destroyed by the Lord eventually. 1Pause
ਜਨ ਕਾ ਆਪਿ ਸਹਾਈ ਹੋਆ ਨਿੰਦਕ ਭਾਗੇ ਹਾਰਿ ॥ जन का आपि सहाई होआ निंदक भागे हारि ॥ Jan kā āp sahā▫ī ho▫ā nindak bhāge hār.
He Himself is the help and support of His humble servants; He defeats the slanderers, and chases them away.
ਭ੍ਰਮਤ ਭ੍ਰਮਤ ਊਹਾਂ ਹੀ ਮੂਏ ਬਾਹੁੜਿ ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਮੰਝਾਰਿ ॥੧॥ भ्रमत भ्रमत ऊहां ही मूए बाहुड़ि ग्रिहि न मंझारि ॥१॥ Bharmat bharmat ūhāʼn hī mū▫e bāhur garihi na manjhār. 1
Wandering around aimlessly, they die out there; they never return to their homes again. 1
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਰਣਿ ਪਰਿਓ ਦੁਖ ਭੰਜਨ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵੈ ਸਦਾ ਅਪਾਰਿ ॥ नानक सरणि परिओ दुख भंजन गुन गावै सदा अपारि ॥ Nānak saran pari▫o dukh bhanjan gun gāvai sadā apār.
Nanak seeks the Sanctuary of the Destroyer of pain; he sings the Glorious Praises of the infinite Lord forever.
ਨਿੰਦਕ ਕਾ ਮੁਖੁ ਕਾਲਾ ਹੋਆ ਦੀਨ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਕੈ ਦਰਬਾਰਿ ॥੨॥੧੫॥ निंदक का मुखु काला होआ दीन दुनीआ कै दरबारि ॥२॥१५॥ Nindak kā mukh kālā ho▫ā dīn dunī▫ā kai darbār. 215
The faces of the slanderers are blackened in the courts of this world, and the world beyond. 215

Oh the rituals we Do! But how does peace comes to mind?


ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ॥ धनासरी महला ५ ॥ Ḏẖanāsrī mėhlā 5. Dhanaasaree, Fifth Mehl:
ਪੂਜਾ ਵਰਤ ਤਿਲਕ ਇਸਨਾਨਾ ਪੁੰਨ ਦਾਨ ਬਹੁ ਦੈਨ ॥ पूजा वरत तिलक इसनाना पुंन दान बहु दैन ॥ Pūjā varaṯ ṯilak isnānā punn ḏān baho ḏain. Worship, fasting, ceremonial marks on one's forehead, cleansing baths, generous donations to charities and self-mortification -
ਕਹੂੰ ਭੀਜੈ ਸੰਜਮ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਬੋਲਹਿ ਮੀਠੇ ਬੈਨ ॥੧॥ कहूं न भीजै संजम सुआमी बोलहि मीठे बैन ॥१॥ Kahū▫aʼn na bẖījai sanjam su▫āmī bolėh mīṯẖe bain. ||1|| the Lord Master is not pleased with any of these rituals, no matter how sweetly one may speak. ||1||
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜੀ ਕੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਮਨ ਚੈਨ ॥ प्रभ जी को नामु जपत मन चैन ॥ Parabẖ jī ko nām japaṯ man cẖain. Chanting the Name of God, the mind is soothed and pacified.
ਬਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰ ਖੋਜਹਿ ਸਭਿ ਤਾ ਕਉ ਬਿਖਮੁ ਜਾਈ ਲੈਨ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ बहु प्रकार खोजहि सभि ता कउ बिखमु न जाई लैन ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥ Baho parkār kẖojėh sabẖ ṯā ka▫o bikẖam na jā▫ī lain. ||1|| rahā▫o. Everyone searches for Him in different ways, but the search is so difficult, and He cannot be found. ||1||Pause||
ਜਾਪ ਤਾਪ ਭ੍ਰਮਨ ਬਸੁਧਾ ਕਰਿ ਉਰਧ ਤਾਪ ਲੈ ਗੈਨ ॥ जाप ताप भ्रमन बसुधा करि उरध ताप लै गैन ॥ Jāp ṯāp bẖarman basuḏẖā kar uraḏẖ ṯāp lai gain. Chanting, deep meditation and penance, wandering over the face of the earth, the performance of austerities with the arms stretched up to the sky -
ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਨਹ ਪਤੀਆਨੋ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਜੋਗ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਜੈਨ ॥੨॥ इह बिधि नह पतीआनो ठाकुर जोग जुगति करि जैन ॥२॥ Ih biḏẖ nah paṯī▫āno ṯẖākur jog jugaṯ kar jain. ||2|| the Lord is not pleased by any of these means, though one may follow the path of Yogis and Jains. ||2||
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰਮੋਲਕੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਤਿਨਿ ਪਾਇਓ ਜਿਸੁ ਕਿਰਪੈਨ ॥ अम्रित नामु निरमोलकु हरि जसु तिनि पाइओ जिसु किरपैन ॥ Amriṯ nām nirmolak har jas ṯin pā▫i▫o jis kirpain. The Ambrosial Naam, the Name of the Lord, and the Praises of the Lord are priceless; he alone obtains them, whom the Lord blesses with His Mercy.
ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭੇਟੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੁਖਿ ਜਨ ਰੈਨ ॥੩॥੧੩॥ साधसंगि रंगि प्रभ भेटे नानक सुखि जन रैन ॥३॥१३॥ Sāḏẖsang rang parabẖ bẖete Nānak sukẖ jan rain. ||3||13|| Joining the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, Nanak lives in the Love of God; his life-night passes in peace. ||3||13||


Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Fortunate are those whose destiny is to receive! Gur Bin Gyan Kahan Say Paaoon

Guru's Hukum for today. What I get out of this is that truly fortunate are those who obtain His nadar and are helped to stay detached from Maya and whose destiny is to receive from the creator. Now, one may ask, receive what? I think it is Naam, wisdom, gyan, and company of the sadh sangat if one is fortunate enough, which are the things that bring peace, tranquility, contentment, spiritual success in one's life. Since Creator is the ultimate giver of all, they don't have to worry about wordly things and about staying in the cycle of rebirth and death.

My problem is that mind starts wandering again in all kinds of directions after a while. From things at job, to TV shows, to family affairs, to bills, to bollywood songs, sexuality and all. I guess I am no different when it comes to being in the grip of maya. But still this is very helpful in focussing on Waheguru's name. Read and share if you like.

ਟੋਡੀ ਮਹਲਾ ॥ टोडी महला ५ ॥ Todī mėhlā 5.
Todee, Fifth Mehl:
ਗਰਬਿ ਗਹਿਲੜੋ ਮੂੜੜੋ ਹੀਓ ਰੇ ॥ गरबि गहिलड़ो मूड़ड़ो हीओ रे ॥ Garab gahilaro mūrro hī▫o re.
My foolish heart is in the grip of pride.

ਹੀਓ ਮਹਰਾਜ ਰੀ ਮਾਇਓ ॥ हीओ महराज री माइओ ॥ Hī▫o mahrāj rī mā▫i▫o.
By the Will of my Lord God, Maya,

ਡੀਹਰ ਨਿਆਈ ਮੋਹਿ ਫਾਕਿਓ ਰੇ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ डीहर निआई मोहि फाकिओ रे ॥ रहाउ ॥
Dīhar ni▫ā▫ī mohi fāki▫o re. Rahā▫o.
like a witch, has swallowed my soul. Pause

ਘਣੋ ਘਣੋ ਘਣੋ ਸਦ ਲੋੜੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਲਹਣੇ ਕੈਠੈ ਪਾਇਓ ਰੇ ॥ घणो घणो घणो सद लोड़ै बिनु लहणे कैठै पाइओ रे ॥ Ghano ghano ghano sad lorai bin lahne kaithai pā▫i▫o re.
More and more, he continually yearns for more; but unless he is destined to receive, how can he obtain it?

ਮਹਰਾਜ ਰੋ ਗਾਥੁ ਵਾਹੂ ਸਿਉ ਲੁਭੜਿਓ ਨਿਹਭਾਗੜੋ ਭਾਹਿ ਸੰਜੋਇਓ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ महराज रो गाथु वाहू सिउ लुभड़िओ निहभागड़ो भाहि संजोइओ रे ॥१॥
Mahrāj ro gāth vāhū si▫o lubh▫ri▫o nihbhāgro bhāhi sanjo▫i▫o re. 1
He is entangled in wealth, bestowed by the Lord God; the unfortunate one attaches himself to the fire of desires. 1

ਸੁਣਿ ਮਨ ਸੀਖ ਸਾਧੂ ਜਨ ਸਗਲੋ ਥਾਰੇ ਸਗਲੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਛਤ ਮਿਟਿਓ ਰੇ ॥ सुणि मन सीख साधू जन सगलो थारे सगले प्राछत मिटिओ रे ॥
Sun man sīkh sādhū jan saglo thāre sagle parāchat miti▫o re.
Listen, O mind, to the Teachings of the Holy Saints, and all your sins shall be totally washed away.
ਜਾ ਕੋ ਲਹਣੋ ਮਹਰਾਜ ਰੀ ਗਾਠੜੀਓ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਗਰਭਾਸਿ ਪਉੜਿਓ ਰੇ ॥੨॥੨॥੧੯॥ जा को लहणो महराज री गाठड़ीओ जन नानक गरभासि न पउड़िओ रे ॥२॥२॥१९॥
Jā ko lahno mahrāj rī gāthrī▫o jan Nānak garbhās na pa▫ori▫o re. 2219
One who is destined to receive from the Lord, O servant Nanak, shall not be cast into the womb of reincarnation again. 2219

http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=Page&Param=715

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Self discipline for what? And, how do I get it?

Self discipline for what? And, how do I get it?

Before one starts talking about self discipline, you have to look at the opposite of self-discipline. What is like living without a discipline? Why would anyone want to get up early every morning to do meditation or nitnem paath or other things? It is so tempting to stay in bed? What happens if one misses it one day or two days or month or a year and so on? Given the same logic, why does one have to get up to go to work everyday? This “have to” instead of “want to” is a problem. Some things in life one does want to do but one doesn’t always get to do so she or he “has to” do things. But if one finds the answer to has to then these things almost become “want to”. What does it mean? It means you kind of learn to love things that you have to do instead of want to do. Since I am thinking as I am writing so I am not sure where I am going with this. But so many thoughts come and go about what is it that one does out of “duty” and what is it that one does out of “love” or is it out of “fear” or all or none? I go to work to make money so family can live, so am I doing this out of love for my family or out of duty towards the family or both or out of fear that we won’t be able to survive or may be none of these? Or am I just doing this without even thinking about it because that is what one does and has historically done as a tradition? Did Mother Teresa or Bhagat Pooran Singh and many others like them who do seva and service to humanity do it out of love for people or love or fear of God or they thought of it as their duty and responsibility towards humanity or a good karma? Now some do things happily and others moan, groan and get angry about doing the same things. What clicks? A typical farmer in Punjab gets up early morning without a clock, goes to tend his fields and his wife even wakes up earlier than him to milk the buffaloes and make him breakfast before he goes out. What makes them get going and what keeps them going? Is it the love for God, love for work, love for family, understanding their responsibility and duty or just the habit of doing it since it has been done for centuries? Could it be the lessons learned from past failures if they don’t do it then they can’t really survive? What about people that get up in the morning, cook, clean, and do all kinds of seva or simran at Gurdwaras or at homes? Many inventors, scientists, saints, yogis, sidhs, bhagats, peers, many soldiers, many engineers, nurses, doctors, sevadaars, farmers, cooks, janitors and others in general; it seems like people that are generally happy, peaceful and spiritually successfull in life all have some sort of discipline that wakes them up in the morning, keeps them going, and not for just one day, but over their entire lives. I could be wrong, but I think it is a combination of love, duty, fear, and faith be it Sikh, Christian, Hindu, Jew, Buddhist, Muslim or others. It seems so easy to say or write, yet personally, I haven’t mastered it myself. I still struggle to get up on many mornings to do simran, to work, to focus to meditate and other things. But one thing for sure, Gurbani or just closing eyes in mediation even for a minute, is like a magnet that always takes me back after a few days of missing it, helps keep things in focus, understand my roles and responsibilities and sort of stay disciplined. Without that relating, it is a feeling of emptiness, laziness, nothingness inside. If not in the early morning, then during walking, driving, eating, working, and subconsciously doing all other things. I guess that is what Sikhs mean when they say “In God We Dwell”. And, may be that is what is gives self-discipline, love, duty, fear to do things in life, even though how zombie or robotic like they may seem. Thank God for all this, because this is coming from a man who always hated getting up in the mornings, hated people for just who they were, thought that a drink was needed to have fun, be happy, be macho and feel more depressed, emotional, angry and all other feelings inside. Realization has come that I just hated myself and blamed others for everything. Now the peace of mind only comes thru Guru’s words and I am thankful. The days of waking up fresh, showered in early mornings are the best days. There seems to be so many in same condition of anger, hatred and depressed states just living their zombie lives everyday, yet I stop short of telling them, hey “may be Gurbani can help you!” Why? I don’t know. I am not a preacher, granthi, giani or anything. Hey, may be they will get defensive, mad and think who is this guy telling me how to live my life. I guess it is best to leave it up to higher things. Who knows may be they will stumble upon Guru’s words one day, and realization and peace will come to them. Who knows, may be it is karmic, may be it is destiny, may be it is fate.