There is a well-known Gurbani Shabad by Baba Farid Ji that is often misunderstood because it is read without considering its deeper message. The pankiti says: ਫਰੀਦਾ ਰੋਟੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਕਾਠ ਕੀ ਲਾਵਣੁ ਮੇਰੀ ਭੁਖ ॥Fareedhaa rottee maeree kaat(h) kee laavan maeree bhukh ||ਜਿਨਾ ਖਾਧੀ ਚੋਪੜੀ ਘਣੇ
Read MoreGanika literally means a prostitute or such woman who sells her body for money. There are several references in Gurbani regarding Ganika and how she obtained salvation. I will narrate a brief story of one of the Ganikas (there is a reference to two Ganikas in
Read MoreWhen we do paath of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee, we read about Ajaamal Paapi at quite a few places. Here is a brief story of his life. Hopefully, this will help us understand Baani better. Ajaamal was born to a Raaj Purohit (head priest) and
Read MoreGuru Arjan Dev Ji laying the first brick as part of the foundation ceremony for the construction of Sri Darbar Sahib in Amritsar. Whenever we think about Sri Harmandir Sahib, the values of shared belonging and equality naturally come to mind. This sacred place reflects Guru
Read MoreBhai Gurdas Ji – the great saint scholar, scribe and philosopher of Sikhi In the Sikh Panth, Bhai Gurdas Ji’s writings hold a very special place. They are often called gurbani di kunji (the key to gurbani), because they help explain difficult Shabads in clear, everyday
Read MoreWho are “we”?Philosophies such as Advaitism distill our existence until “we” no longer remain, and what is left is the mere idea of existence, void of any actual Being to experience this state. According to these philosophies, “I” and “we” are illusions; and when we achieve our goal
Read MoreWho was Chandrahans? His name has appeared in Siri Guru Granth Sahib jee at least once. Following is the pankiti where his name appears: ਸਭੁ ਹੈ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਹੈ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਬੀਜਿਆ ਖਾਵਾਰੇ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਜਨ ਚੰਦ੍ਰਹਾਂਸੁ ਦੁਖਿਆ ਧ੍ਰਿਸਟਬੁਧੀ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਘਰੁ ਲੂਕੀ ਜਾਰੇ ॥੬॥ In everything
Read MoreIntroductionAlmost every Sikh knows the lines: ਸੁ ਕਹੁ ਟਲ ਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵੀਐ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ॥ਦਰਸਨਿ ਪਰਸਿਐ ਗੁਰੂ ਕੈ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਦੁਖੁ ਜਾਇ ॥੧੦॥ However, many Sikhs are unaware that they are using ਟਲ instead of the correct word, ਕਲ. Printed Birhs today contain the word ਟਲ which is a misprint. As
Read MoreDhru was born to the first wife of Raja Uttanpad. The king had two wives, but he was most fond of the second one. Dhru had a step-brother from his stepmother, the second wife of the king. Since the king was more fond of Suruchi, the
Read MoreThere are several pankitis in Gurbani alluding towards an elephant that was saved from an octopus. Presented below is the brief story of how the elephant was saved by Vaheguru. Hopefully, this will enable us to understand many pankitis of Gurbani more clearly. Gajj means elephant.
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