When Shaheed Bhai Amrik Singh Jee was studying at Khalsa College Amritsar, his father Sant Kartar Singh Jee Bhindranwale wrote him a letter in poetic form. This poem contains many lofty principles of Gurmat and words of wisdom that are relevant even today. The poem is excellent, and the flow of the poem is great. Sant Gurbachan Singh himself was a great poet, and it seems that Sant Kartar Singh also learned poetry while studying under him.
Some of the salient points of Gurmat and wisdom in this letter are as follows:
Do Ishnaan in the morning, do Paath and Darshan of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Jee.
Before sleeping at night, ponder upon your deeds and actions done during the day. Regret your bad actions and resolve to be careful in the future. Do good Karams (actions) and avoid sinful actions.
Do not refuse the orders of your parents and serve them like Sarvan (a historical character who was very dedicated to serving his parents. He was killed accidentally by Raja Dashrath, the father of Raam Chander).
Respect your elders.
Love Sant-Bhagats and bow before them with folded hands.
Adopt virtues like patience, morality, contentedness, peace, mercy, and helping others, because with the help of these virtues, you can swim across this world ocean.
Avoid deceiving others, stealing, inappropriate friendship with girls (yaari), and gambling. They give you a bad reputation.
Deception, mockery, lying, slandering, pride, and stealing are evil (so avoid them).
Mocking and unnecessary joking or teasing should be avoided. Look, Dropadi had teased her Devar (brother-in-law – Duryodhan) and see how she suffered in the royal court (when she was almost stripped of her clothes). Sambha had teased Rishi Durbasha and caused the elimination of his whole Yaadav clan.
If you get angry, still maintain peace of mind because anger is a treasure of quarrel. If someone says a harsh word to you, respond back in humility.
Talk sweetly, and in this way get Asees (boons) from everyone.
Don’t keep the company of a stupid or deceitful person and always avoid sinful Karma.
Don’t back off after giving Bachan (your word) and keep your mind and dealings clean.
Don’t fight with anyone at all, and even love a bad person.
The more wealth you get, the more you should strive to be a better person; don’t let pride enter you with increased wealth. He (Vaheguru) who gives also takes it away; everything is in His hands.
Why create enmity and opposition when it is a fact that the stay in this world is temporary?
You came empty-handed into this world and will leave empty-handed. So never become a miser (penny pincher), because cursed is the life of a wretched miser.
I am thankful to such people who help the poor and the needy.
Serve the Sadh-Sangat (holy congregation) with food, water, and in as many other ways as possible.
One who shares the God-given gifts with others remains happy and comfortable. By doing charity and helping others, collect the wealth that will help you in the next world. Good and pious actions will be your friends in the next world.
Don’t slander or backbite against anyone. Whoever follows this teaching will get the divine protection of Kartar Vaheguru, and one who slanders the Bhagats will drown in this world ocean.
Whatever you get as per your destiny, stay happy with that.
Don’t look at women with a coveted or lustful eye, and read Siri Asa Kee Vaar (it seems that Sant Jee is implying that reading Siri Asa Kee Vaar helps against lust). Keep your glance pure and consider someone else’s woman as your mother.
Spend your life without making proud claims because this world is temporary.
Eat less, sleep less, speak sweetly, and be honest.
Don’t eat food while walking or moving around; eat food slowly with patience.
Talk only as much as you know and don’t talk uselessly.
Say only what is correct and think before talking.
Don’t interrupt others when they are talking and don’t hurt anyone’s feelings.
Don’t laugh at your own talk and don’t repeat the same thing again and again. One who does not consider the above points related to speech is the king of fools, i.e., a great fool.
Don’t tell someone else’s secret to others. It is very bad to reveal someone’s secret.
Don’t praise yourself and always respect others.
Hesitate a bit when raising unnecessary questions and share the sorrows of suffering people.
Don’t imitate others; rather, do your own thing, i.e., be yourself.
Ignore the shortcomings of others and look for your own shortcomings.
Always be fearful of sinning and remember that Vaheguru is witnessing all your actions. He knows even your most secret actions, and He knows everything about the whole world.
As much as possible, do good to others and never even think of harming others.
Whatever happens, stay happy; don’t spend your life worrying.
Such merchants who keep their dealings clean never see loss.
Keep your mind in remembrance of Parmatma Vaheguru even while you do all your worldly tasks.
Never forget Vaheguru Naam, which is the creator of everything.
The body of the 5 elements will die one day, but the Atma is indestructible.
Consider everyone as your own form, and for this reason, think good for everyone.
I have said many Bachans of Guru to you; at least adopt some of them. Whoever heeds these Bachans will get a glimpse (Darshan) of Vaheguru.
The above is a humble, loose translation of the words of wisdom written by Sant Kartar Singh Jee Bhindranwale. Please forgive any mistakes. We should try to adopt these Bachans in our life so that we may get the Khushi of Guru Sahib.