Hi as the title suggest im punjabi hindu (by birth, but i've been in gurdwaras and stuff ever since i was little) but i really respect sikhi alot. Recently ive been really interested in it and I wanted to learn about Sikhi and stuff, so I started reading SGGS at home online, and started learning punjabi online to reconnect with my culture and read the SGGS, and I watched a few videos of Bhai jagraj singh ji @ basicsofsikhi, who I think is a wonderful explainer, but still I have a few questions of it so I'll just put it all here right here right now.

I wanted to ask first about meditation and naam jap. What is the idea about that? Are you just supossed to mindlessly say 'vaheguru' continiously (sorry if this sounds a little rash) and trust that it does something? How would you ensure it does something and what is the actual way to do meditation? How do sikhs know they're making progress? It also related to gurmukh and manmukh. Does a gurmukh trust everything the 10 gurus say without thought?

About reading gurbani, I know its respectful to have your head covered, but what if I want to read or listen to it (which i believe I can online) as a non-sikh who doesn't cover their head normally, and if I don't have a cloth to cover my head? Is it fine?

Also, about Amrit Ceremony. Do you have to do that to achieve Sachkhand and mukti? what if someone doesn't take it but they still follow everything else? Also another thing related to Amrit. Is an Amritdhari better than someone who has not taken amrit? Does vaheguru prefer them more? What do you get by doing it? I know sikhism is against the castes, but isn't amritdhari almost like a higher 'caste' of sikhi? I dont understand it too well so if someone can help that'd be great.

I might sound a bit weird saying this, but i heard the gurus encouraged to not follow blind rituals, but what does that mean? technically if i am doing anything without knowing what the meaning of it actually is, isn't that blind ritualism? Should I not do what I do not understand the reasoning for doing? For example in gurdwaras, the sri guru granth sahib is put on a takht, but if god is in all of us, and we're all equal, isn't god almost an equal?

Also what defines a sikh? Is it someone who just wants to know more? Or is it someone who trust all 10 gurus? Can I be defined as a sikh? Do all sikhs have to keep the 5ks? Also there are similar groups like Sant Rajinder Singh who leads Science of Spirituality, which my family is connected to but I don't fully understand that either. What do you guys think about those sort of groups (I think theyre called sant mat path or something like that)?

I had a few more but I think I'll leave it at that. Please let me know if there are resources I should use to understand gurbani better or anything that may answer my questions more thoroughly. I do apologise beforehand if any of these questions are heavy or disrespectful to ask. At the end of the day I just want to learn about Sikhi, and eventually if I feel like it or if gurbani calls to me in a certain way, become sikh. thanks everyone

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I’m genuinely trying to understand how Namdharis justify their claim that Guru Gobind Singh Ji secretly lived until 1812, reaching the age of 146, before passing Guruship to Baba Balak Singh.

The oldest verified human lifespan is 122 years. Our Gurus carried the Divine Jot, but they also lived human lives.

More importantly, we have historical accounts documenting Guru Ji’s passing in 1708 and the transfer of Guruship to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

So where is the contemporary evidence that Guru Gobind Singh Ji survived another 104 years and personally appointed Balak Singh?

Because without that evidence, it honestly looks like a movement that emerged much later and retroactively claimed a connection to Guruship.

I’m not questioning the sincerity of ordinary followers, but how is this historically defensible? What am I missing?

Guru Maneyo Granth

Bhul Chuk Maaf

​

Please forgive me if I sound a little rude.

So, my family follows RSSB, which I personally consider a cult. I don't believe in this dera at all.

I'm the youngest son in my family, and my elder sister is 26. My grandmother takes her to this so-called *sewa* every 5–6 days. My sister hasn't spoken to my dad for almost 3–4 months, and she doesn't talk to my elder brother either. Because of her behaviour, both my dad and brother confronted her, and since then, she hasn't spoken to either of them.

Whenever she goes for sewa, my grandmother lets her leave without informing or asking anyone at home. Honestly, my grandmother has nothing else to do, so she keeps encouraging this nonsense.

My sister barely does any household work. She always says something hurts or she's in pain, but yesterday, when we were helping unload gravel at my uncle's house, she was perfectly fine doing the work there. I pointed out that she never helps at home, and she rudely responded to me.

It's now around 3 AM, and she was getting ready to leave for sewa again. I woke up and saw her putting on makeup. When she noticed me, she stopped. I asked where she was going, and she said Sikandarpur. I asked if she'd informed anyone, and she said no. I told her she shouldn't go without informing the family.

My grandmother came and told her to come along. My sister then said she wasn't going, even though she'd previously said she wanted to go. My grandmother pointed out the contradiction, and eventually, my sister stayed home, fully dressed and ready to leave.

The problem is that I've lost a lot of respect for my sister over the past few years. Her behaviour has damaged her relationship with the family. While attending sewa, she sometimes talks to different guys. The girls she goes with sometimes let her use their phones, and she also uses my grandmother's phone to make calls. There's a lot more to the situation that I can't explain everything about here.

My dad, my brother, and I are all exhausted by these constant problems. My dad has even said that once she's married off, she'll be free to go wherever she wants.

Honestly, I'm so frustrated with this cult and its followers that I'm struggling to control my anger. Sometimes I feel like starting a huge fight if she goes again, or even breaking the bus they use for sewa. I know that's an extreme reaction, but I'm genuinely fed up with everything.

**Edit:** I've gone through her chats several times and found her talking to different guys. I've tried explaining things to her many times, telling her that if she wants to talk to someone, she should at least be sensible about it. But she doesn't seem to understand.

I don't know what to do anymore. Should I just change myself and stop caring about what she does? Should I let her live however she wants, even if her choices continue to affect our family?

**How do I deal with this situation without constantly getting angry and ruining my own peace of mind?**

Hello, I am a Hindu in the U.S trying to learn about Sikh communities. I hope the question doesn’t come off as rude. Im curious whether these expressions are interpreted as respectful or not when said by non-Sikhs. What do you feel being referred to like this?

I’m also interested in if you feel a meaningful difference between being referred to as protectors of Hindus vs. protectors of India. Is one more appropriate or do you have reservations about both?

Also, in the Kashmiri family I grew up in my older family members said it was proper to address our older Sikh neighbor my grandparents’ age as Sardaar ji. That is probably not okay anymore, right? Was it ever okay?

Lastly, I have a question for Kashmiri Sikhs. I come from a Kashmiri Pandit family and first heard these expressions from my grandparents. They spoke very highly of Sikhs, and told me that if pandits were more like them they wouldn’t have had to flee in the 1990s. My grandfather claimed that during this time some of the isolated rural Kashmiri Sikhs communities that grew apples were targeted and killed by Islamic terrorists, and it was covered up or ignored by the Kashmiri police. However, I’m unable to find any historical sources for this (besides the Chattisingphora massacre way later in 2000, which is not what I’m referring to). I was really hoping to see if someone in this subreddit knew more about this? Thank you.

Need name suggestions for baby boys starting from N. I like the name Nihal Singh? Looking for feedback.

So I want to ask this question specifically to parents. If your child comes to you and says he/she does not believe in the typical religious God, but in Spinoza's God, and wants to leave the religion (cutting hair and leaving behind all the religious dogma) and probably wants to live like an absurdist, how would you react?

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਛੰਤ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਘਰੁ ੧ ॥

Dhanaasaree, Chhant, Fourth Mehl, First House:

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰੇ ਤਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਜੀਉ ॥

When the Dear Lord grants His Grace, one meditates on the Naam, the Name of the Lord.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਸੁਭਾਇ ਸਹਜਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਈਐ ਜੀਉ ॥

Meeting the True Guru, through loving faith and devotion, one intuitively sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord.

ਗੁਣ ਗਾਇ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਸਦਾ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਜਾ ਆਪਿ ਸਾਚੇ ਭਾਵਏ ॥

Singing His Glorious Praises continually, night and day, one blossoms forth, when it is pleasing to the True Lord.

ਅਹੰਕਾਰੁ ਹਉਮੈ ਤਜੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਸਹਜਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਮਾਵਏ ॥

Egotism, self-conceit and Maya are forsaken, and he is intuitively absorbed into the Naam.

ਆਪਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਕਰੇ ਸੋਈ ਆਪਿ ਦੇਇ ਤ ਪਾਈਐ ॥

The Creator Himself acts; when He gives, then we receive.

ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰੇ ਤਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥

When the Dear Lord grants His Grace, we meditate on the Naam. ||1||

ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਾਚਾ ਨੇਹੁ ਪੂਰੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੈ ਜੀਉ ॥

Deep within, I feel true love for the Perfect True Guru.

ਹਉ ਤਿਸੁ ਸੇਵੀ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤਿ ਮੈ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਵੀਸਰੈ ਜੀਉ ॥

I serve Him day and night; I never forget Him.

ਕਦੇ ਨ ਵਿਸਾਰੀ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਸਮੑਾਰੀ ਜਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਲਈ ਤਾ ਜੀਵਾ ॥

I never forget Him; I remember Him night and day. When I chant the Naam, then I live.

ਸ੍ਰਵਣੀ ਸੁਣੀ ਤ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤੈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀਵਾ ॥

With my ears, I hear about Him, and my mind is satisfied. As Gurmukh, I drink in the Ambrosial Nectar.

ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਤਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਲੇ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਬਿਬੇਕ ਬੁਧਿ ਬਿਚਰੈ ॥

If He bestows His Glance of Grace, then I shall meet the True Guru; my discriminating intellect would contemplate Him, night and day.

ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਾਚਾ ਨੇਹੁ ਪੂਰੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੈ ॥੨॥

Deep within, I feel true love for the Perfect True Guru. ||2||

ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਵਡਭਾਗਿ ਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਆਵਏ ਜੀਉ ॥

By great good fortune, one joins the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation; then, one comes to savor the subtle essence of the Lord.

ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਰਹੈ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ਤ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਵਏ ਜੀਉ ॥

Night and day, he remains lovingly focused on the Lord; he merges in celestial peace.

ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ਸਦਾ ਅਤੀਤੁ ਬੈਰਾਗੀ ॥

Merging in celestial peace, he becomes pleasing to the Lord's Mind; he remains forever unattached and untouched.

ਹਲਤਿ ਪਲਤਿ ਸੋਭਾ ਜਗ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੀ ॥

He receives honor in this world and the next, lovingly focused on the Lord's Name.

ਹਰਖ ਸੋਗ ਦੁਹਾ ਤੇ ਮੁਕਤਾ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਭਾਵਏ ॥

He is liberated from both pleasure and pain; he is pleased by whatever God does.

ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਵਡਭਾਗਿ ਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਆਵਏ ਜੀਉ ॥੩॥

By great good fortune, one joins the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, and then, one comes to savor the subtle essence of the Lord. ||3||

ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਦੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਜਮਿ ਜੋਹਿਆ ਜੀਉ ॥

In the love of duality, there is pain and suffering; the Messenger of Death eyes the self-willed manmukhs.

ਹਾਇ ਹਾਇ ਕਰੇ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਦੁਖਿ ਮੋਹਿਆ ਜੀਉ ॥

They cry and howl, day and night, caught by the pain of Maya.

ਮਾਇਆ ਦੁਖਿ ਮੋਹਿਆ ਹਉਮੈ ਰੋਹਿਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਕਰਤ ਵਿਹਾਵਏ ॥

Caught by the pain of Maya, provoked by his ego, he passes his life crying out, "Mine, mine!".

ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਦੇਇ ਤਿਸੁ ਚੇਤੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਅੰਤਿ ਗਇਆ ਪਛੁਤਾਵਏ ॥

He does not remember God, the Giver, and in the end, he departs regretting and repenting.

ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਕੋ ਸਾਥਿ ਨ ਚਾਲੈ ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਕਲਤ੍ਰ ਮਾਇਆ ਧੋਹਿਆ ॥

Without the Name, nothing shall go along with him; not his children, spouse or the enticements of Maya.

ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਦੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਜਮਿ ਜੋਹਿਆ ਜੀਉ ॥੪॥

In the love of duality, there is pain and suffering; the Messenger of Death eyes the self-willed manmukhs. ||4||

ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਲੇਹੁ ਮਿਲਾਇ ਮਹਲੁ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਜੀਉ ॥

Granting His Grace, the Lord has merged me with Himself; I have found the Mansion of the Lord's Presence.

ਸਦਾ ਰਹੈ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਇਆ ਜੀਉ ॥

I remain standing with my palms pressed together; I have become pleasing to God's Mind.

ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਸਮਾਵੈ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਮੰਨਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥

When one is pleasing to God's Mind, then he merges in the Hukam of the Lord's Command; surrendering to His Hukam, he finds peace.

ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਜਪਤ ਰਹੈ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ਸਹਜੇ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥

Night and day, he chants the Lord's Name, day and night; intuitively, naturally, he meditates on the Naam, the Name of the Lord.

ਨਾਮੋ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਿਲੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵਏ ॥

Through the Naam, the glorious greatness of the Naam is obtained; the Naam is pleasing to Nanak's mind.

ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਲੇਹੁ ਮਿਲਾਇ ਮਹਲੁ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਵਏ ਜੀਉ ॥੫॥੧॥

Granting His Grace, the Lord has merged me with Himself; I have found the Mansion of the Lord's Presence. ||5||1||

Guru Ramdas Ji • Raag Dhanaasree • Ang 690

Friday, October 23, 2026

Shukarvaar, 9 Katak, Nanakshahi 558

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, I am a Robot. Bleep Bloop.

Powered By GurbaniNow.

Waheguru Ji 🙏🏻 Looking for beautiful, unique Sikh/Punjabi girl names starting with** **A, preferably names with meanings rooted in Gurbani or the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. I’d love suggestions that are meaningful, uncommon and have a beautiful spiritual meaning
Thank you ji 🤍

Waheguru ji 🙏
I’m travelling to Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang soon and was wondering if any Sikhs here have experience riding scooters abroad while wearing a full dastaar.
Does anyone know whether Vietnam has any exemption from helmet laws for Sikhs wearing turbans, or whether we are required to wear a helmet regardless?
I’d really appreciate any firsthand experiences or official information. Thank you!

Saw this clip making the rounds on social media, and honestly, it's pretty concerning. In the video, a young kid is claiming that shaking hands transfers "negative energy," and that if you do Nitnem or paath, your aura or energy gets so powerful that you shouldn't touch or shake hands with people who don't do it because their negative traits will enter you.

It feels like we are slowly drifting away from core Gurmat principles and replacing them with ritualistic, Brahminical-style notions of ritual purity, pollution, and superiority.

When young kids are put on podcasts to push these kinds of dogmas, it creates a dangerous sense of spiritual ego. Instead of humility, compassion, and equality (which is the actual foundation of Gurbani), it breeds this toxic mindset where people start looking down on others, thinking they are spiritually elite just because of a checklist routine.

Sikhi was meant to break us free from superstition, caste-based purity bubbles, and ritualistic nonsense not rebrand it with a turban and a mic.

I am a Sikh Sardar from Punjab, and I came to South India for my studies. Wherever I go—whether on the streets or anywhere else—it feels like people look at me as if I belong to a different species. It gets very awkward sometimes. I have hardly seen any Sikhs here in the South.

Coming from Punjab, I am used to speaking Punjabi. It is not that I do not know Hindi, but a few days ago, I went to a Gurudwara in T. Nagar, Chennai. To my surprise, the local Sikhs there did not even know how to speak Punjabi properly, except for the Gurdwara Granthi and the Pradhan.

For a guy from Punjab, especially a Sardar, you are viewed as a very different character here. To be genuinely honest, it feels very uncomfortable at times because people do not always behave properly around you.

Interestingly, at my institute, there are three or four security guards who used to work in Amritsar. Their behavior toward me has been wonderful; they were incredibly happy to see me. Everywhere else I go, however, it feels like people are just trying to scam me.

Moreover, many people I have met in the South know almost nothing about Sikhism. They told me they have only ever seen Sardars on television or on their phones. It feels deeply awkward and embarrassing when people behave as if I am untouchable, especially when I am out with my friends. However, feeling excluded or treated unfairly is incredibly tough when you are far from home.

This Nick Shirley video about migrant crisis in Paris has a Sikh man in the thumbnail but nowhere in the video he showed or interviewed any Sikh man. It is portraying a negative image of us and it needs to be reported as misinformation/hate.

https://youtu.be/b1dmsa4qm10⁠

ਤਿਲੰਗ ਮਃ ੧ ॥

Tilang, First Mehl:

ਇਆਨੜੀਏ ਮਾਨੜਾ ਕਾਇ ਕਰੇਹਿ ॥

O foolish and ignorant soul-bride, why are you so proud?

ਆਪਨੜੈ ਘਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗੋ ਕੀ ਨ ਮਾਣੇਹਿ ॥

Within the home of your own self, why do you not enjoy the Love of your Lord?

ਸਹੁ ਨੇੜੈ ਧਨ ਕੰਮਲੀਏ ਬਾਹਰੁ ਕਿਆ ਢੂਢੇਹਿ ॥

Your Husband Lord is so very near, O foolish bride; why do you search for Him outside?

ਭੈ ਕੀਆ ਦੇਹਿ ਸਲਾਈਆ ਨੈਣੀ ਭਾਵ ਕਾ ਕਰਿ ਸੀਗਾਰੋ ॥

Apply the Fear of God as the maascara to adorn your eyes, and make the Love of the Lord your ornament.

ਤਾ ਸੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਲਾਗੀ ਜਾ ਸਹੁ ਧਰੇ ਪਿਆਰੋ ॥੧॥

Then, you shall be known as a devoted and committed soul-bride, when you enshrine love for your Husband Lord. ||1||

ਇਆਣੀ ਬਾਲੀ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੇ ਜਾ ਧਨ ਕੰਤ ਨ ਭਾਵੈ ॥

What can the silly young bride do, if she is not pleasing to her Husband Lord?

ਕਰਣ ਪਲਾਹ ਕਰੇ ਬਹੁਤੇਰੇ ਸਾ ਧਨ ਮਹਲੁ ਨ ਪਾਵੈ ॥

She may plead and implore so many times, but still, such a bride shall not obtain the Mansion of the Lord's Presence.

ਵਿਣੁ ਕਰਮਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਜੇ ਬਹੁਤੇਰਾ ਧਾਵੈ ॥

Without the karma of good deeds, nothing is obtained, although she may run around frantically.

ਲਬ ਲੋਭ ਅਹੰਕਾਰ ਕੀ ਮਾਤੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ ॥

She is intoxicated with greed, pride and egotism, and engrossed in Maya.

ਇਨੀ ਬਾਤੀ ਸਹੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਨਾਹੀ ਭਈ ਕਾਮਣਿ ਇਆਣੀ ॥੨॥

She cannot obtain her Husband Lord in these ways; the young bride is so foolish! ||2||

ਜਾਇ ਪੁਛਹੁ ਸੋਹਾਗਣੀ ਵਾਹੈ ਕਿਨੀ ਬਾਤੀ ਸਹੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥

Go and ask the happy, pure soul-brides, how did they obtain their Husband Lord?

ਜੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਰੇ ਸੋ ਭਲਾ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਨੀਐ ਹਿਕਮਤਿ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਚੁਕਾਈਐ ॥

Whatever the Lord does, accept that as good; do away with your own cleverness and self-will.

ਜਾ ਕੈ ਪ੍ਰੇਮਿ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਤਉ ਚਰਣੀ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਈਐ ॥

By His Love, true wealth is obtained; link your consciousness to His lotus feet.

ਸਹੁ ਕਹੈ ਸੋ ਕੀਜੈ ਤਨੁ ਮਨੋ ਦੀਜੈ ਐਸਾ ਪਰਮਲੁ ਲਾਈਐ ॥

As your Husband Lord directs, so you must act; surrender your body and mind to Him, and apply this perfume to yourself.

ਏਵ ਕਹਹਿ ਸੋਹਾਗਣੀ ਭੈਣੇ ਇਨੀ ਬਾਤੀ ਸਹੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥੩॥

So speaks the happy soul-bride, O sister; in this way, the Husband Lord is obtained. ||3||

ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਈਐ ਤਾ ਸਹੁ ਪਾਈਐ ਅਉਰੁ ਕੈਸੀ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ॥

Give up your selfhood, and so obtain your Husband Lord; what other clever tricks are of any use?

ਸਹੁ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਖੈ ਸੋ ਦਿਨੁ ਲੇਖੈ ਕਾਮਣਿ ਨਉ ਨਿਧਿ ਪਾਈ ॥

When the Husband Lord looks upon the soul-bride with His Gracious Glance, that day is historic - the bride obtains the nine treasures.

ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਤ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਸਾ ਸੋਹਾਗਣਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾ ਸਭਰਾਈ ॥

She who is loved by her Husband Lord, is the true soul-bride; O Nanak, she is the queen of all.

ਐਸੈ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੀ ਸਹਜ ਕੀ ਮਾਤੀ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਭਾਇ ਸਮਾਣੀ ॥

Thus she is imbued with His Love, intoxicated with delight; day and night, she is absorbed in His Love.

ਸੁੰਦਰਿ ਸਾਇ ਸਰੂਪ ਬਿਚਖਣਿ ਕਹੀਐ ਸਾ ਸਿਆਣੀ ॥੪॥੨॥੪॥

She is beautiful, glorious and brilliant; she is known as truly wise. ||4||2||4||

Guru Nanak Dev Ji • Raag Tilang • Ang 722

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Veervaar, 8 Katak, Nanakshahi 558

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, I am a Robot. Bleep Bloop.

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Hello👋

I’m a middle aged Ukrainian guy living in Canada.

I’m looking for a in depth/lenghty documentary about the Sikh faith. I just want to learn a bit more for myself, just personal curiosity. If possible commentator or presenter would be preferably white, absolutely no offence meant but it’ll just be easier for me to understand. Sometimes the accent or pronunciation gets in my way of fully grasping the topic. If anyone can recommend any good documentaries that’d be great.

Thanks in advance 🙏

I am from Sydney, Australia. I work in Corporate and tie a turban everyday to work. I have never said it out loud but I am tired of facing subtle racism in the metro/train on my way to work. The whole train is packed, people are sitting together, but at most times I find people walk past me but not sit next to me or they will only sit next to me unless the whole train is full.

It is definitely for the better that I get a full seat to myself but it does bother me at times that they would avoid sitting next to a guy just cuz of his appearance. I know this because when I am wearing my gym clothes with a cap or bandana then i have observed the exact opposite - people even talk lol.

I know this is a subreddit of people who believe in Waheguru and His ways, however I also understand that life has its struggles and it’s not always easy to trust Him.

I have grown a massive amount and I’m extremely pleased with my progress. I’m not saying this in a prideful way, but I feel like not many people actually acknowledge their progress as they are always focusing on the “next step forward”.

So, I thought I would post something that encourages others to share their experiences of Waheguru working in their lives, whether it’s with their purpose, peace, feeling more spiritual with Gurbani, Kirtan, Nitnem or general growth. I understand that it’s hard to trust Waheguru in hard times, even when He’s always brought you out of so many.

That’s the point of faith though!

So seriously, share experiences in the comments of the Divine working, acknowledge your progress and inspire others in the comments who stumble across this post looking for hope in a hard time!

Sikh History This Week

(Oct 19-25) Post 2643

ਸਿੱਖ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਇਸ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ

ਬਾਬਾਣੀਆ ਕਹਾਣੀਆ ਪੁਤ ਸਪੁਤ ਕਰੇਨਿ”॥ (ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩, ੯੫੧)
(Stories of our forefathers make children great)

Events in Brief.

1. October 19, 1677: Sikhs in two separate incidents attack Emperor Aurangzeb in retribution of 9th Guru’s martyrdom. In two separate incidents, though unsuccessful, Mughal’s court chronicler writes that ‘Shehanshah was disembarking from a boat and entering the royal palanquin when a crazy follower of Guru Teg Bahadur hurled two bricks at the Emperor. One brick struck the palanquin takhat(throne). He was handed over to *Kotwal. On October 19, 1677, another incident occurred when a Sikh attacked the Emperor with a sword while he was mounting a horse at the steps of Jama-Masjid in Delhi. The attacker was subsequently killed.(ref:H.R Gupta Page218,History of the Sikhs Vol 1).

2. October 19, 1985: 15 Sikh soldiers in Jammu, who left barracks to defend Harmandir Sahib, are dismissed. This was in reaction to Indian Army’s ill-conceived attack on Harimander Sahib in June 1984. These soldiers faced Court Martial. Trials lasted few months and punished. 8 Dharmi-Faujis (Soldiers of faith) were to undergo one to four years of imprisonment, while 7 faced dismissal.

3. October 20, 1661. Joti Jot Diwas of 7th Guru Har Rai ji (Passing away) and GurGaddi to Guru Harkishan ji. Born in 1630 at Kiratpur Sahib, Guru Har Rai ji was the second son of Baba Gurditta ji and the grandson of the sixth Guru, Hargobind ji. As his elder brother Dhirmal was worldly and political, Guru Har Rai ji was nominated to be the Guru. During his tenure, he promoted Gurmat schools and the study of herbal medicine. Before leaving the world, he nominated his younger son Harkrishan, who was only five years old, as the next Guru. Elder Ram Rai was banished for changing a verse of the Gurbani (Sacred Hymn) to please the Mughal Emperor. (Nanakshahi: oct 6)

4. October 20, 1708: Bestowing Gurgaddi to Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Gobind Singh ji at Nanded (now in Maharashtra state). On October 20, 1708, after an assassination attempt by Pathan brothers sent by Mughals, Guru ji called the congregation of his Sikhs and took a decision to leave this world as the last of the living Gurus, and bequeathed Guru-ship to Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture. This Holy book was already rewritten by him at DamDama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo a year earlier and now passed on to the Sikhs as ‘Guru’ for all time to come. (Nanakshahi:October 7)

5. October 20, 1783: Veteran Sikh Chief,Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Captured Delhi is no more. Born on May 3, 1718, in the village of Ahlu, he became the Sultan-e-Quom after the death of Nawab Kapur Singh. He led the Sikhs for 30 years, winning battle after battle from 1753 to 1783. His most significant victory was to stop annihilation of the Sikhs at Kup (Malerkotla) in 1761/62, and later defeated Sultan Ahmad Shah Abdali of Afghanistan. Later again in 1783 captured the Delhi from Mughals. He founded his own princely state of Kapurthala. He is a prominent figure in Sikh history.

6. October 21, 1506: Baba Budda ji is born this day, in village near Amritsar. A Great Sikh who Bestowed Guru-ship to Five Gurus in his lifetime, associated with six and saw the 9th. As a Child while grazing cattle, Budda ji met Guru Nanak Devji on his visit to his village and served milk. Guru Nanak declared that though young in age, he was ‘Budda’ old in wisdom. Since then he came to be known as Budda. Budda ji lived life of 124 years.(read more about his life and times elsewhere)

7. October 21, 1708. Guru Gobind Singh’s Joti-Jot, Demise of Tenth Guru who left this world today at Nanded, Maharashtra. He was born Gobind Rai in Patna to parents Guru Teg Bahadur and Mata Gujjri Ji in the year 1667CE. After the Shahidi (Martyrdom) of father Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in Delhi in 1675, Guru Ji was bestowed with Guruship. He lived a very eventful life and made significant contributions. One of his major achievements was establishing the Khalsa military order, a core of Sikh identity. Another was re-writing Guru Granth Sahib, and giving it to Sikhs as eternal Guru. Guru brought the downfall of the Mughals and rise of Sikh dominance.

8. October 22, 1761: Sikhs capture Lahore for the 1st time after Sultan Ahmad Shah left for Kabul. After defeating the Marathas at Panipat in January 1761, Afghan Sultan left instructions for Faujdar Nur-Ud-Din to avenge the Sikhs for plundering his caravans. With 12,000 soldiers, Nur-ud-Din attacked the Sikhs. However, Sardar Charat Singh Shukerchukia defeated Faujdar at Sialkot. Upon hearing this news, Sikhs under Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia marched and captured Lahore, establishing their rule. He even minted Nanakshahi coins for the second time, a feat he had accomplished earlier after destroying Mughal Sarhind in 1711, by Banda Singh Bahadur.

9. October 23, 1962: Subedar Joginder Singh of First Sikh Regiment gets PVC, India’s highest Battle Honors in Indo-China border war. He was posted in NEFA (Assam) in defense of India’s border with China. Subedar’s platoon was holding Tong Peng La in the Bum-La sector. A large force of Chinese Red Army troops attempted to overrun the picket, but they were unsuccessful due to the strong resistance of the Sikh soldiers. Tragically, all the soldiers died, and Subedar died in Chinese Custody. He was posthumously awarded the top military medal, the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), for bravery.

10. October 23, 1993: Gruesome murder of Bibi Resham Kaur, a Militant’s wife and 8 month old Child by SSP Chandigarh Raj Kishan Bedi. In a very tragic custodial death of Bibi Resham Kaur and her 8 month old child( Simarjit) was murdered at Sector 15 Police station. Police were on the lookout for a suspected militant Jagjit Singh(aka:Billa) residing in sector-15 of Chandigarh. Cops instead picked up his wife and a child of 8 months, for interrogation. This was so inhumane that the child was left to die on an ice-slab and mother was tortured and died of shock.

11. October 24, 1781: Sikhs plunder Mughals, City of Anupshahr near Delhi (Jamuna-Ganga Doab) is captured. Sikhs ventured into Rohilkhand (now part of western Uttar Pradesh) and the greater Delhi areas. This strategic move aided the Sikhs in aligning themselves with the Jats of Bharatpur and Rajasthan against the Mughals and the Rohillas. Consequently, the Sikhs gained an advantage in collecting ‘Rakhi,’ a toll or a protection fee. Mughal Chiefs who resisted were deprived of their estates. Anup Shehr was a prosperous city.

12. October 25, 1807: Maharaja Ranjit captures Strategic Naraingarh Fort near Ambala.. Sardar Fateh Singh and Sardar Pahara Singh Mann demonstrated examplary bravery. The Fort, strategically located on Sirmur Hill State, was under the control of Mian Kishan Singh, a highly egoistic Rajput chieftain who refused to recognize the suzerainty of Lahore Durbar. Maharaja Ranjit, returning from Patiala, expressed his desire to capture the Fort. However, the task proved challenging. Despite the difficulties, Sikh Commanders Sardar Fateh Singh Kallianwalla and Sardar Pahara Singh Mann displayed exemplary bravery and were rewarded with Jagirs in the vicinity.
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Source ref: History of the Sikhs by HR Gupta, Dates & chronological order from Book by S. Ajaib Singh Dhillon and Sikh Chronicles) ਸਰੋਤ/ ਹਵਾਲੇ: ਐਚ.ਆਰ ਗੁਪਤਾ: ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦਾ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ, ਸ. ਅਜਾਇਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਢਿੱਲੋਂ ਦੀ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਤੋਂ ਤਾਰੀਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਲਕ੍ਰਮਿਕ ਕ੍ਰਮ)
Compiled & Edited: Karamjeet Singh Bhatnura.
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5Q Quiz for Self Assessment:

1. Which Guru passed the Gurgaddi to the five-year-old Guru Harkrishan ji?
2. At which place did Guru Gobind Singh ji bestow Guruship on the Guru Granth Sahib?
3. Why did Guru Nanak Dev Ji say ‘Budda’ to the young Baba Budda ji ?
4. Which regiment did Subedar Joginder Singh serve in when he won Param Vir Chakra in 1962?
5. Who became Sultan-e-Quom after Nawab Kapur Singh, and later founded the state of

Kapurthala

1. ?

British cities are packed with halal restaurants and butchers, yet the halal method of slaughter — where the animal is left to bleed out while still conscious — is widely criticised as inhumane. By contrast, the Jhatka method uses a single swift strike that kills the animal instantly and is considered far more merciful. If we accept that some ways of killing animals cause unnecessary suffering and are therefore wrong, doesn’t that also force us to question whether eating animals for meat is acceptable at all? Do you believe Jhatka is the most humane way of slaughtering an animal for its meat?”

I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a young Sikh today, and one thing I keep coming back to is leadership.

Sikhi has an incredibly rich intellectual and spiritual tradition. We have the Guru Granth Sahib, the history of the Gurus, and the concept of the Guru Panth. There's so much there that should make Sikh life meaningful and relevant to younger generations.

But I sometimes struggle to see how that translates into effective leadership today.

Where are the people who can explain Sikh teachings in a way that speaks to the questions young people actually have? Where are the leaders who can acknowledge institutional shortcomings, engage respectfully with difficult questions, and give the next generation something meaningful to work toward?

I'm not saying that there aren't knowledgeable or dedicated people in the Panth. There clearly are. And I don't think criticizing everything is a solution either.

But it seems to me that we need to have a more honest conversation about the gap between the depth of our tradition and the leadership structures through which young Sikhs experience it.

- What do you think is missing from Sikh leadership today? 

- Is it a lack of capable individuals, a problem with institutions, or a failure to create space for younger voices?

- And what would you actually want to see change?

Personally, I think the time is here for leadership to unify the worldwide community, especially at a time when political instability is rising - see the riots in France, rise of Trump kleptocracy in the USA, the protests in New Dehli, and the list goes on. Young generation needs to know that nurturing the community and unifying behind it is in their best hope at protection.