http://www.boloji.com Boloji is the world's biggest Articles Database. en-us Sat, 09 May 2026 12:49:46 -0500 Sat, 09 May 2026 12:49:46 -0500 http://www.boloji.com/feed/sikhism-rss.xml Boloji rk@boloji.net (Boloji) ideas@ekant.com (Ekant Solutions)https://www.boloji.com/articles/55079/homage-to-martyrdom-of-guru-tegh-bahadur-jiOn the occasion of the 350th anniversary of martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (November 24, 2025), let us remember the great sacrifice as well look in his own bani, about his views on death. He has summed the fate of the dead body in two short and crisp lines as undeSat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/55079/homage-to-martyrdom-of-guru-tegh-bahadur-jihttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54970/the-wandering-mindThe famous saying of philosopher Rene Descrates says, 'I think, therefore I am.', proves that the very act of thinking makes us human. But Gurbani has penned another aspect of this stark reality of the human thinking processesSat, 13 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/54970/the-wandering-mindhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54522/guru-ram-das-jis-brief-life-portraitBefore printed books became common, a written, authentic documentation of historical events of those days, including authentic record keeping were not the widely accepted traditions. Those were the times when the transfer of knowledge and information through generations was by oral traditions. So, the information can change over time and over generations. However, as regards to Guru Ram Das Ji, we are fortunate to have Guru Ji’s own, plus Bhatt’s authentic accounts in Guru Granth Sahib.Sat, 12 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/54522/guru-ram-das-jis-brief-life-portraithttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54478/commemoration-of-guru-amar-dass-life-legacyGuru Amar Das’s spiritual journey started late in his life with a quest for Guru, the spiritual Master, and it culminated in his becoming a Guru himself. A journey that started with a quest for Guru found him with Waheguru’s grace, then with Guru’s grace he experienced Waheguru -Truth. The beauty of his life’s journey was his Guru saw his spiritual development then made him his own successor Guru. It was truly a spectacular journey of dedication, obedience, service, humility, firm faith, patience, constant awareness, and surrender. As we celebrate the 450th anniversary of his merger back into the Supreme Being, let us look into his life, achievements, and contributions.Sat, 14 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/54478/commemoration-of-guru-amar-dass-life-legacyhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54276/singing-praises-of-godSinging Praises of God is the unique methodology that Guru Nanak Dev Ji shared with the world, not just as a way of personal transformation, but enabler of merger with God, plus experience of Oneness. He had not only experimented with it himself to stay attuned in divine presence, but passionately shared it to impact the lives of those he met during his lifetime. The adoption of this process was the outcome of a realization on what was easily understood and could inspire them to adopt those. It was singing raises of God.Sun, 14 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/54276/singing-praises-of-godhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/54225/my-portrait-as-painted-by-guru-jiSat, 09 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/54225/my-portrait-as-painted-by-guru-jihttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53944/inspired-by-grandparentsThe Sikh Guru’s history is full of incidents that share the deep influence of grandparents in shaping the lives of their grandkids. The earliest such recorded history is how the company of Guru Amardas shaped the first eleven years of the life and character of child Arjan Dev. He was only 18 when he was anointed as the fifth Guru, succeeding his father, fourth Guru Ram Das. Guru Arjan was a scholar at heart with poetry in his veins, and was builder par excellence, a saint who became a martyr.Sat, 02 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53944/inspired-by-grandparentshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53692/personal-ode-to-guru-amar-dasA few months back I just turned 73 and now that Guru Amar Das Ji’ Parkash Purab (DOB 5 May 1479) is approaching, it reminded me that he became Guru in 1552 when he was 73. I was surely in awe with Guru Ji’s spiritual accomplishments after he embarked on this path at age of 62. This was the time he visited Second Guru Angad Ji and decided to dedicate himself to service. Sat, 15 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53692/personal-ode-to-guru-amar-dashttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53599/inspiring-life-of-guru-gobind-singh-ji--3Sat, 04 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/53599/inspiring-life-of-guru-gobind-singh-ji--3https://www.boloji.com/articles/53584/inspiring-life-of-guru-gobind-singh-ji--2On March 29, 1699, Guru Ji held a great Vaisakhi gathering in Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur. Guru Ji had sent out invitations to all the Sikh sangat to come out there for momentous event. The estimate by the royal spies puts the number of attendees to 80,000. At the conclusion of singing of Asa-De-Var, Guru Ji stepped to the podium with an unsheathed Kirpan in his hand and asked for a head. Bhai Daya Ram stepped forward to offer his head.Sat, 04 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/53584/inspiring-life-of-guru-gobind-singh-ji--2https://www.boloji.com/articles/53572/inspiring-life-of-guru-gobind-singh-ji--1'The relationship between you and history is this: When you study history, you think you’re studying a record of events in the past. And that’s not right. What you’re studying is the circumstances that gave rise to you as a being. And unless you understand your history in every way you possibly can, then you’re an incomplete creature. You don’t know enough to move forward.' ~ Jordan PetersonSat, 28 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/53572/inspiring-life-of-guru-gobind-singh-ji--1https://www.boloji.com/articles/53373/king-turned-to-a-beggarThese are the words from Sri Guru Granth sahib (SGGS). I had always wondered that I have never seen that reality take place in real life. I knew in my heart that if the words have been said by Guru Ji and written by them, then there is no veracity of their not being the true. But then in my heart I was wondering if it happens, how the reality unfolds. The recent happening in Sri Lanka looked to me like a classic unfolding of such a scenario. The President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to flee the nation, roiled by riots because of economic meltdown from a very high inflation rates and acute fuel shortages.Sat, 03 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53373/king-turned-to-a-beggarhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53280/immortality-for-mortalsImmortality for the human mortal being sounds like a utopian fantasy, unreal. The bottom-line reality is we are all born to die one day. It is transient world, where everything comes with an expiry date. Yet we yearn for a longer life, and if someone brings up this subject of death, rest are quick to brush it aside, with a snide remark that we don’t want it to be discussed.Sat, 02 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53280/immortality-for-mortalshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53233/vismaad--the-awe-factorAwe is an emotional response to perceptually vast stimuli that transcend current frames of reference. Awe has two phases, says Daniel Stancato, a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, who studies the impact of awe on emotional health.Sun, 05 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/53233/vismaad--the-awe-factorhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53091/what-is-mayaThe four-letter word “Maya” originated from Sanskrit, and it is the most commonly used word in all of the eastern philosophies. The word maya is made from the combination of ‘ma’ meaning not and ‘ya’ meaning that. The literal meaning of the word is deceit or illusion, while it is also commonly used word for money. In the spiritual parlance, maya means unreality, distinct from the reality represented by God or Brahman. God in His eternal and absolute aspect is pure consciousness, while His creation is a mere formation within that consciousness. Everything in the creation is perishable and it exists so long as there is an Experiencer, distinct from what is being experienced. Guru Ji has defined maya as:Sat, 12 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/53091/what-is-mayahttps://www.boloji.com/articles/53060/power-of-rememberingThe power of remembering is very significant, but unfortunately little understood or researched. It helps us to make a meaning of our lives and sustains us with hopes amid hopeless situations, and meltdowns. Remembering is one of the things that make us human. Despite what is already known about the significance of power of remembering it is not emphasized enough, the result is we are unable to benefit from it.Sun, 20 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/53060/power-of-rememberinghttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52951/sweetness-of-humilityGuru Nanak Ji starts by describing the sweetness of humility with the example of its nemesis, the Simmal. It is also called Semal (botanical name: Bombax ceiba) and commonly known in English as Silk Cotton Tree. This native Indian tree bears bright red attractive flowers during the months of January to March, with fruits about the size of Ping-Pong ball. It is a fast-growing tree, that shoots up like a tall arrow and can have solid girth of 2 to 3 meters. Guru Ji says its beauty attracts the birds who come there with hopes. But its fruit is tasteless, flowers are unwholesome, and its leaves useless (no nutritional value)Fri, 24 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52951/sweetness-of-humilityhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52887/gurus-path-for-fruitful-lifeOn the occasion of Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, let us look at the fruitful and fruitless affairs as per Guru Ji’s own shabad. The Rahaao lines of the shabad convey its essential message, while the other lines are supporting statements plus clarifications to the central idea being conveyed in the Rahaao lines. Here Guru Ji is saying:Sat, 20 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52887/gurus-path-for-fruitful-lifehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52847/light-the-lamp-of-enlightenmentThe earthen lamp Deewa has become antiquated, thanks to the invention of electricity. Still one time of the year during Diwali, it makes a comeback as a gentle reminder of its earlier thriving heydays. But 550 years back it was ubiquitous, as well as a daily essential, providing illumination after darkness. The continued fast pace of technological advancement is soon going to relegate this icon of illumination to museums along with other displayed antique historical objectsSat, 30 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52847/light-the-lamp-of-enlightenmenthttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52744/a-brief-overview-of-salok-mahalla-9The concluding composition in Guru Granth Sahib comprising of 57 stanzas, is Salok Mahalla 9 by Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. It embodies the soul’s journey from Janam Akarath Keen to achieving the climax of Raam Naam ur Mai Gahio. Mon, 06 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52744/a-brief-overview-of-salok-mahalla-9https://www.boloji.com/articles/52483/sutlej-to-brahmaputraGuru Tegh Bahadur after assuming the mantle of Guruship visited Amritsar in November 1664. From there he came to Kiratpur, but did not stay there long and decided to found new township called Chak Nanaki (later renamed Anandpur) on the banks of Sutlej River in June 1665. Soon he started out on his missionary journey by stopping at Patiala.Sat, 17 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52483/sutlej-to-brahmaputrahttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52294/divine-experiencesGurus have described the relationship with God as that of a husband and a wife. Although we have experienced this relationship in our human experience, our experiences have been a mixed bag with moments of happiness and moments of sadness. Some have seen extreme joy and fulfillment in the marriage and some others have other extreme in torture, pain, violence and tragedy. Based on our own experiences, we can each paint a canvas that is a portrait of our own marital bliss. Sat, 23 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52294/divine-experienceshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52283/hands-that-laid-foundation-brick-of-sri-harmandir-sahibSri Harmandir Sahib, also known as The Golden Temple in Amritsar, has become the world famous religious center of the Sikhs. The name Golden Temple has been given to it because of its gold foil plating on the walls. But the original building was made from burnt bricks and the original name given by the founder Guru Arjan Dev Ji was Harmandir. The word Harmandir means temple of God. In Guru Ji’s vision, the temple would become repository of the Sikh faith, and hallowed symbol of resoluteness of the faith.Sat, 16 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52283/hands-that-laid-foundation-brick-of-sri-harmandir-sahibhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52252/understanding-the-law-of-consequencesWe started out by wondering; 'Why are we here?' The answer we found from Guru Ji was that we are here in this world to evolve. We have reached the pinnacle of biological evolution in form of human body, but from this form the direction of evolution changes. Now the evolution has to start on a new plane and that plane is spiritual plane. So far, we have understood from the Guru Ji that there are five Purposes of human life and working on those Purposes leads to spiritual growth. Now a question arises that the development on the spiritual plane has to take place under any framework, covenant, or governing laws? The answer is yes, and the governing law is Law of Cause and Effect or Consequences, meaning whatever we do we have to face consequences of our actions.Sat, 02 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52252/understanding-the-law-of-consequenceshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52249/becoming-creativeBecoming creative is not a purpose of life, but a process for getting closer to the Master Creator. When we carefully examine the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, we find that two statements that he used most often are:Sat, 23 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52249/becoming-creativehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52224/gurus-graceWhen one is in a state of bliss nothing ruffles that person. No matter what the external circumstances may be, the grace has done its magic and peace; poise is not disturbed even in the midst of turmoil. The words from the mouth of those who experienced grace can only describe that experience.Sat, 02 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52224/gurus-gracehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52210/husband-wife-relationshipIn the previous Chapter we reviewed many relationships a being can have with God and we concluded that the husband-wife relationship is the closest and the most intimate of all different relationships. In this relationship God is viewed as husband and being is the wife. In order to become a wife, one has to be a bride and the bridegroom has to accept and approve of the relationship. So, the first thing we need to know is what are the attributes that the bridegroom is looking for, and what are the qualities that He does not like at all. But before discussing the attributes issue it will be pertinent to ask about consequences of not becoming the brideFri, 20 May 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52210/husband-wife-relationshiphttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52186/relationships-with-godIn our lives we always imagine that God is someone over there, far, far away and detached from us. But Guru Ji tells us that he is close, in fact closest to us. Sat, 19 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52186/relationships-with-godhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52166/cultivating-faithIf the faith is to be cultivated then there must be a lack of it, otherwise Guru Ji would not have advocated it. Why is there a lack of faith? One of the reasons is that the mind is constantly in motion, jumping from one thought to another. We have a lack of self-confidence and at the same time we are skeptic as we do not have trust in others. The result is one is constantly struggling. What if this did not happen in this way?Sat, 05 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52166/cultivating-faithhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52149/purpose-realization-of-the-need-of-guruour relationship with Guru was a formal, ritualistic and a ceremonial type of relationship. Because we have been told that this is our Guru and we need to have respect and reverence for the Guru, so, we started according respect and reverence in line with that we saw others do. In simple words, we adopted the protocol as we observed it. But there was no feeling of dire needs for the Guru and neither was there any desperation about it. But after the understanding of the purpose of life, and realization that a vital role is played by the Guru our relationship transforms in its depth, bonding, and vitality and it creates a new chemistry. Fri, 20 May 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52149/purpose-realization-of-the-need-of-guruhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52131/purpose-we-come-here-for-one-objectiveNow, in this Chapter we will try to understand what is, the single most important objective or purpose of life. We know it is more than just trying to survive in life by getting education, becoming successful in life, having a family, raising children etc. Even the animals impart proper education, skills for survival to their off springs, so that they can lead normal life, and do not die of hunger. They do their best to impart their off springs with know-how for survival in their lives. But humans are higher on the evolutionary ladder so the purpose of life will also be on a higher scale. Now let us see, what Guru Ji is telling us succinctly, what the express purpose of life is. Sat, 21 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52131/purpose-we-come-here-for-one-objectivehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52129/guru-hargobind-jis-incarceration-in-gwalior-prisonGuru Hargobind Ji was incarcerated to Gwalior fort by Emperor Jahangir between the years 1617 and 1619 (2years and 3 months). Guru Ji was twenty-two years old; at the time he was imprisonment. This is the same prison where another 52 kings had been incarcerated by Emperor Jahangir. These ex-royal inmates were lurching there, either because they had sided with Prince Khurram in his revolt to succeed Jahangir, or failed to pay agreed-upon revenue or after their kingdoms had been annexed upon their defeat in a war. Tue, 10 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52129/guru-hargobind-jis-incarceration-in-gwalior-prisonhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52116/transformation-by-gurus-educationWhenever we are asked to produce proof of our identity, we produce a document with our picture on it and such an identity card is a universal proof of identity. These cards are in forms of passports, driver’s license, School, college and work ID cards. But if we look at it carefully it is an image of body with special emphasis on the face and it is not a full representation of who we are. Besides body, we are mind and then there is a third constituent, which is the soul. Fri, 13 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52116/transformation-by-gurus-educationhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52097/evolution-through-gurus-educationIn the previous part, we saw that the initial thrust of Guru’s education is geared towards streamlining the body. But how this streamlining of the body is going to be established? It is with the mind. With the mind we can listen, discern, rationalize, decide and implement a course of action. Thus, if we decide to implement a change, we can make it happen, by applying our mind to it. Now if we start looking at our mind, we will find that it has been molded by our life’s experience, our observations, instructions that we received from parents, teachers and society in general. Sat, 07 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/52097/evolution-through-gurus-educationhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52082/commencement-of-gurus-educationWe started our journey by asking this question; why are we here for? When we started considering this question, we reviewed our lives, measured its success and its failures, and realized that our material success did not fill us up. We are still feeling empty. Guru Ji told us that we are not aware of our origin or roots. The human life is for discovery of that connection and bonding with it.Fri, 20 May 2022 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52082/commencement-of-gurus-educationhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52058/why-are-we-hereMy teenage son wanted to go out and spend the night in his friend’s house, and he asked for my permission. I told him that his room needed cleaning as all his clothes were on the floor, he needs to take care of that by putting them where they belonged before thinking of venturing out. He did not like the suggestion and burst outSat, 24 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52058/why-are-we-herehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52054/suggestions-from-gurbani-for-cultivating-humilityCultivating humility requires the sacrifice of the pride, with a complete departure from self-centeredness and selfishness. In a world that encourages copious consumption, self-indulgence, and reckless acquisition of material wealth as recognition of success, acquiring humility will always be challenging. But, Guru Ji made humility an inseparable part of the Sikh way of life. So, it becomes imperative for a Sikh to cultivate humility, which is professed through the daily activities of a Sikh. Sat, 10 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52054/suggestions-from-gurbani-for-cultivating-humilityhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52035/cultivating-humilityMost of the books and treatises on the subject of humility would be incomplete without a section devoted to developing humility. However in this book, instead we will talk about cultivating humility. The rationale for this treatment is that humility is not completely absent in human beings waiting to be developed. Instead, it is already present within us along with its antithesis ego. So that seed of humility has to be cultivated, and nurtured to grow. However along with it, its antithesis of ego and pride are there too. Sat, 10 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52035/cultivating-humilityhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/52006/humility-during-the-trials-of-lifeHumility is most accurately judged during the trials of life, when one is under tremendous stress. While the mind is reeling under the stress of adverse situations or circumstances, usually something buckles inside, and humility becomes the first victim. The first thing that a person does is to start blaming others for his/her woes. The second thought that is experienced is, why me? These two thoughts are enough to drive out the humility.Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/52006/humility-during-the-trials-of-lifehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51993/prayer-for-humilityFri, 18 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51993/prayer-for-humilityhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51976/benefits-of-humilityUsually, before we adopt anything in our lives, we inquire about its benefits. So, it’s quite natural for desiring to know about the benefits of humility. In this Chapter we will explore some benefits of humility. Modern education and technological developments have encouraged the growth of a consumption driven culture, self-promotion, and self-aggrandizement, along with living a life of entitlement. In this epidemic growth of this lifestyle of privilege, the question is always centered on what is good for me? Unfortunately, no one wants to be bothered with being humble or to know the benefits of humility.Fri, 11 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51976/benefits-of-humilityhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51966/pinnacle-of-humilitypride is very self-deceiving, as we cannot see it in ourselves. However, we can always see it very clearly in others. So, in our own eyes, we perceive ourselves to be very humble. When someone reaches the pinnacle of pride, he/she gets blind sighted by it. Therefore, it becomes very difficult to judge oneself in terms of humility or pride. Additionally, there is no true measure for humility. If humility is so subjective, then its first victim is itself. Thus, this is a tough riddle which is not easy to decipher. In this Chapter, we will try to take it to the next level and define the pinnacle of humility. We can imagine the subject becoming a paradoxical conundrum. The interesting thing is that Guru Granth Sahib has provided the answer for this knotty riddle, and it has been provided succinctly for us in the words of Kabir Fri, 04 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51966/pinnacle-of-humilityhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51959/revisiting-guru-amar-dass-jyoti-jot-samannaGuru Arjan Dev Ji commissioned Baba Sundar, a great grandson of Guru Amar Das, Nanak III, who was present at Goindwal at the time of departure of Guru Amar Das Ji, to pen the eye-witness account. This writing is titled Sadd – Punjabi word for call or summon. Baba Sundar Ji recaptures it in this six stanza verse, the instructions the Guru Ji gave to members of his family and his followers, along with Guruship succession planning. These directives were given by Guru Ji at ripe age of 95 just before he passed away. Mon, 24 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51959/revisiting-guru-amar-dass-jyoti-jot-samannahttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51949/faith-leads-to-humilityThe pride purges humility, but faith leads to humility and nurtures and augments it. In fact, faith and humility are at the root same. Pride makes faith impossible, but faith leads to humility. Faith and humility are more interconnected than we know or believe. Faith is the acceptance of our place as dependents on Almighty’s grace. Guru Arjan Dev Ji has succinctly defined the faith of devotees Fri, 28 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51949/faith-leads-to-humilityhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51931/folly-of-prideWhat is pride? Pride is having an unrealistically high opinion of oneself. It manifests itself as ego. An interesting aspect of human nature is that, we all are often plagued by the arrogant hubris. Pride and arrogance manifest not only amongst the rich, powerful and highly successful people such as celebrities and leaders, but also among the ordinary people. Pride, even though being the ugliest manifestation, does not find a placement as an ailment in the medical world. As there are no symptoms in the medical world so there is no cure for it.Fri, 21 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51931/folly-of-pridehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51897/gurus-practice-of-humility--part-iiIn Chapter IV we explored how the legacy of humility was passed on from the first Guru Nanak Dev Ji to the fifth Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Now in this Chapter, we will explore some examples of extreme humility displayed by the succeeding five Gurus, from the sixth Guru Har Gobind Ji to the tenth Guru Gobind Singh Ji.Fri, 14 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51897/gurus-practice-of-humility--part-iihttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51879/gurus-practice-of-humility--part-iSo, when the time came for Guru Nanak Dev Ji to choose his successor, humility became an important criterion for selection. Guru Ji put his disciple Bhai Lehna through numerous tests before declaring him as his successor and giving him the name of Guru Angad. Bhai Lehna had devoted eight years of his life in the service of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Every word from Guru Ji was taken at face value by Bhai Lehna Ji and every request was complied with, without any delay. Let us start from the beginning of the association between Bhai Lehna and Guru Nanak Dev Ji, we will discover that humility was the super bonding glue between them.Sat, 01 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51879/gurus-practice-of-humility--part-ihttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51847/epitome-of-humility-guru-nanak-dev-jiThe Janamsakhis [Biographical Accounts] narrate an interesting incident from the early life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. According to the legend, one morning in Sultanpur in year 1497 A. D., Guru Nanak Dev Ji went to river Bein to bathe as per his daily practice. He disappeared in the water for three days and nights without a trace. Speculations about his disappearance became the talk of the town. Guru Ji’s sister, Babae Nanaki Ji with her husband Bhai Jairam Ji, rushed to the river banks only to find Guru Ji’s clothes. There was no trace of him. Sat, 25 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51847/epitome-of-humility-guru-nanak-dev-jihttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51838/bhai-taru-singh-in-memoriamThere is a beautiful poem in Bengali by Nobel laurate Poet Rabindranath Tagore on Bhai Taru Singh’s heroism, courage and supreme sacrifice. In earlier times, these tales of greatness formed the part of our national heritage in India. But, today, hardly anybody seems to be aware of them. Can we imagine that few generations back all the Bengalis had read the poem Tagore wrote, yet today even the Sikhs don’t know about Bhai Taru Singh, despite the fact that he gets mentioned in our daily congregational Ardas (prayer). The degree of suffering that he underwent is mind-boggling.Sat, 11 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51838/bhai-taru-singh-in-memoriamhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51826/relevance-of-humilityThe relevance of Humility to one lays in the fact that it transforms that persons of animalistic tendencies to a person of angelic tendencies. It is the quality of humility that allows a person, to be open to ideas and be receptive to opinions to change the self. On the other hand pride fills the person with arrogance, hubris; and does not let one imbibe humility. The net result is like stumbling in darkness, and being clueless in life.Sun, 05 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51826/relevance-of-humilityhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51815/humility-definedDifferent scriptures and philosophical literatures have defined humility in different ways. Still all agree that humility does augment the spiritual journey. So, how does a person conclude, as to what is the most appropriate and relevant definition? For a believer in Guru Nanak Dev Ji [1469 – 1539 CE] the first Guru of the Sikh religion, there cannot be a better definition than the one provided by him.Sat, 04 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51815/humility-definedhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51598/the-alphabet-lessonThe bani of “Patti Likhi” is the first lesson imparted by Guru Nanak Dev Ji using the Alphabet letters to convey their spiritual significance. As per the Puratan Janam Sakhi, when Guru Nanak Dev Ji was 7, his father Mehta Kalu Ji took him to Pandha named Gopal for getting education. Pandha wrote the 35 letters of the Alphabet on a Wooden Tablet (called Patti in Punjabi) to master.Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/51598/the-alphabet-lessonhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/51522/guru-hargobind-sahib-ji--tumultuous-life-lasting-legacyThe story associated with the birth of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji is known to most Sikhs. He was born with blessings of Baba Budha Ji. Mata Ganga Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s wife had prepared food with her own hands and carried it on her head to Baba Budha Ji on foot to Wadali. Baba Budha Ji delightfully accepted the food and blessed her saying; 'A son will be born to you who will crush enemies like I am crushing this onion with my palm.'Sat, 07 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/51522/guru-hargobind-sahib-ji--tumultuous-life-lasting-legacyhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/50878/memorial-to-martyrdom-of-guru-arjan-dev-jiStrange is the connection of the city of Lahore, to martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, as it also happens to birth place of his biological father, and predecessor Guru Ram Das. It can be said that Guru Arjan Dev Ji provided a live demonstration to the words of Guru Ram Das JiSun, 02 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/50878/memorial-to-martyrdom-of-guru-arjan-dev-jihttps://www.boloji.com/articles/49644/five-banis-for-immortalitySun, 09 Apr 2017 11:41:18 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/49644/five-banis-for-immortalityhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/16413/We as Sikhs are filled with excitement and enthusiasm during this time of the year, as it is the Parkash Ustav (Birth Anniversary) of our founder Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The holy Guru Granth Sahib is not just the repository of the sayings of the Sikh Gurus but also of saints and Bhagats of other faiths. Even the compilation of this Guru Granth Sahib was done by Gurus themselves with their own hands.Wed, 05 Nov 2014 18:33:28 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/16413/https://www.boloji.com/articles/15436/the-endless-expressionsSun, 02 Feb 2014 11:40:20 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/15436/the-endless-expressionshttps://www.boloji.com/articles/15371/charisma-of-the-infiniteIn this Pauri Guru Nanak says that there are millions of nether worlds and infinities of sky. And the Vedas declare that everyone who went out in search, to calculate and determine the boundaries or frontiers of the Cosmos, in the end only exhausted themselves. The holy books mention eighteen thousand spheres, but what is the key element that binds them all together as Universe? We perceive it but do not see it; it remains mysterious and immeasurable. Thu, 25 Sep 2014 19:49:51 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/15371/charisma-of-the-infinitehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/15077/washing-with-the-color-of-his-nameOur body is external and houses our mind. Thus mind is internal. The body gathers dust and is washed by bathing with water. Similarly, when the clothes get soiled, they are washed by using soap. The mind is seldom tranquil or in peace. It is always active, restless and is either busy influencing or getting influenced. Thus the mind too collects layers and layers of dust through 'evil' associations of Kama (lust), Krodha (Anger), Lobha (Greed), Moha (attachment, selfishness) and Ahamkara (pride). Gradually the mind becomes polluted. No matter how many times we may bathe during the day, the mind does not get cleaned. Then, how does one clean the contaminated and corrupted mind? How does one get purged and purified? Sat, 01 Feb 2014 17:16:52 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/15077/washing-with-the-color-of-his-namehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/15051/countless-paths-which-one-to-chooseSat, 01 Feb 2014 17:13:38 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/15051/countless-paths-which-one-to-choosehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/15020/the-prominent-five-and-the-forceWe relate to life through our five senses, and attention is concealed within each of these five senses. When a specific sense points outwards, the attention too moves outward with that sense thereby making us oblivious of the other senses. Our knowing is through the attention and not through the senses. Logically then if attention is withdrawn from all the five senses, that what remains is the one. That one, Guru Nanak says is Dhyana or attention - the master of the five senses.Sat, 01 Feb 2014 17:16:35 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/15020/the-prominent-five-and-the-forcehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/15003/contemplating-alone-can-know-the-selfSat, 01 Feb 2014 17:13:21 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/15003/contemplating-alone-can-know-the-selfhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/14998/suniye--the-art-of-listeningGuru Nanak in this Pauri reveals the art of listening and the benefit one can obtain by it. Guru Nanak says that by listening, one can become a Siddha (person with occult powers), a Pir (saint), Sur (devta or a celestial being) and Nath (Lord like a king). Next he says that the Earth, the Sky also operate by listening (i.e. by following the Divine Order) and that the entire existence functions on this basis. By listening even death (Kaal) cannot touch. By listening one is always in a state of bliss, thereby all miseries and sins are destroyed. Sat, 06 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/14998/suniye--the-art-of-listeninghttps://www.boloji.com/articles/14997/longevity-and-gods-graceGuru Nanak in this stanza explains the importance of obtaining God�s grace. Without His grace everything is futile and meaningless. The verse is very clear. Simply stated, it implies whether having lived a long life, become well-known globally, do we have the sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Sat, 21 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/14997/longevity-and-gods-gracehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/13206/gift-beyond-that-beggedSo far I have read Sikh history, Taru Singh was taken a prisoner by the Mughols on the charge of treason for helping the fugitive Sikhs in the jungles in various ways and eventually had to face death sentence in the cruelest way, with his head forcefully shaven, for refusing to take to Islam. Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:08:28 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/13206/gift-beyond-that-beggedhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/13205/bandi-bir-the-captive-heroThis poem is based on the anthology of the British historian Todd. The facts narrated by Todd have not been distorted in this poem. However, this is one of the poems where Tagore upholds that the seeming defeat of the Sikhs was a victory in the test of history. It was the victory of their spirituality over the brutal force they had to encounter. That is why Sikh ideal survives as a dynamic force, one of the noble heritages that will propel the Indian nation forward. Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:00:40 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/13205/bandi-bir-the-captive-herohttps://www.boloji.com/articles/13204/guru-gobind-singhTue, 16 Oct 2012 15:09:28 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/13204/guru-gobind-singhhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/11608/tribute-to-guru-nanak-dev-jiToday is Guru Nanak ji's birthday. He stood for peace and harmony. Sikhism is one of the most modern and liberal religions of the world. It is Nank ji's 542nd birthday.Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:04:59 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/11608/tribute-to-guru-nanak-dev-jihttps://www.boloji.com/articles/10210/guru-nanak-jayantiGuru Nanak ji's birthday. Guru ji stood for the mankind.Sun, 21 Nov 2010 14:04:37 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/10210/guru-nanak-jayantihttps://www.boloji.com/articles/10132/golden-temple-amritsarSri Harmandir Sahib, also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple, (on account of its scenic beauty and golden coating for English speaking world), is named after Hari (God) the temple of God. The Sikhs all over the world, daily wish to pay visit to Sri Amritsar and to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib in their Ardas (prayer).Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:48:45 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/10132/golden-temple-amritsarhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/7639/the-guru-solves-the-riddleThrough this Pauri an excellent relationship between the Supreme and the individual is being established. Guru Nanak addresses Him as 'Sacha Sahib' - true or Supreme Master; thereby making the devotee a subservient who always seeks and the Lord continues to give. The entire verse seems to focus on the code of conduct required to be followed to appreciate and respect this relationship. Sat, 06 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/7639/the-guru-solves-the-riddlehttps://www.boloji.com/articles/6713/the-divine-orderSat, 01 Feb 2014 17:15:39 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/6713/the-divine-orderhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/6697/sikhism-hinduism-philosophical-relationship-2Tue, 09 Aug 2011 22:03:32 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/6697/sikhism-hinduism-philosophical-relationship-2https://www.boloji.com/articles/649/saadh-sang-shabad-gurwaniSun, 15 Feb 2015 23:27:52 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/649/saadh-sang-shabad-gurwanihttps://www.boloji.com/articles/648/bhandi-shabad-gurwaniSun, 15 Feb 2015 23:30:15 -0600https://www.boloji.com/articles/648/bhandi-shabad-gurwanihttps://www.boloji.com/articles/647/sikhism-hinduism-philosophical-relationship-1Tue, 09 Aug 2011 21:59:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/647/sikhism-hinduism-philosophical-relationship-1https://www.boloji.com/articles/646/mulmantra-the-epitome-of-japji-sahibThe prologue or the Mulmantra of the Japji Sahib, is the foundation of the Sikh Philosophy that affirms the existence of One God, pervading the Cosmos and yet staying independent of it. Rest of the Japuji seems to be an exposition of the Mulmantra, while the rest of Shri Guru Granth Sahib an exposition of the Japji itself. Mon, 17 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/646/mulmantra-the-epitome-of-japji-sahibhttps://www.boloji.com/articles/640/Japji Sahib, is the first book of the holy Shri Guru Granth Sahib, containing only 41 verses. It is said to have been compiled by Guru Angad, when he was still known as Bhai Laihna. In obedience with his master's orders, Guru Angad selected appropriate verses and gave Japji Sahib its present form during the last decade of Guru Nanak's life .Fri, 14 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0500https://www.boloji.com/articles/640/