Gurmat Articles

What is the difference between “Rehras” and “Sampooran Rehras”?

Historically, there was a time when all Sikhs recited the same Rehras Sahib. Over time, some Gursikhs added extra Shabads as part of their personal practice (abhyaas). If these individuals were prominent, their followers sometimes institutionalized these additions into a de facto tradition (maryada). Over time,

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How to show reverence to Gurbani while using digital devices like mobiles and laptops

ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਬਾਣੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਾਰੇ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਕਹੈ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਜਨੁ ਮਾਨੈ ਪਰਤਖਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ ॥੫॥“The Word, the Bani, is Guru, and the Guru is the Bani. Within the Bani, all the Ambrosial Nectar is contained. If His humble servant believes in

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What is Rainasbai Kirtan?

Rainasbai (ਰੈਣਿ ਸਬਾਈ; rainas baa-ee) means throughout the night. Rainasbai Kirtan (ਰੈਣਿ ਸਬਾਈ ਕੀਰਤਨ) refers to the singing of Gurbani throughout the night (dusk to dawn). Bhai Gurdaas Ji mentions that the Great Bhagats held Rainsbais. ਸੁਣਿ ਪਰਤਾਪੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਦਾ ਦੂਜਾ ਸਿਖੁ ਹੋਆ ਸੈਣੁ ਨਾਈ ||

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Who was Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra?

In the history of human rights activism in India, few stories are as tragic and revealing as that of Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra. A brave man who dared to expose the brutal reality of state-sponsored violence against Sikhs in Punjab, Khalra paid the ultimate price for

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How Gurbani describes the age of Kaljug

The way of Kaljug is very strange and is totally opposite to what Dharam preaches. In Kaljug, saints are slandered and scoundrels are worshipped; fools are considered to be wise and wise are derided as fools; poison is consumed as if it is Amrit and Amrit

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Who can truly call Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji their Guru?

After the Vasaakhi of 1978, All India Akali Conference was held at Siri Amritsar Sahib. In that meeting one of the shrewd BJP (Bhartiya Janta Party) leader started blaming the Sikhs for the 1978 Shaheedi Saka involving Bhai Fauja Singh jee Shaheed. He complained, “why did

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How Television and Modern Distractions Can Undermine a Devout Sikh’s Spiritual Growth

Chapter 54 of “Se Kinehiya” (Autobiography of Baba Harnam Singh Jee Rampur Khera wale, written by Bhai Sewa Singh Jee): ONE GETS THE FRUITS OF THE COMPANY WE KEEP Around 1970 a lady by the name of Joginder Kaur came to Baba Ji. The lady appealed

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Why Gursikhs Must Avoid Anti-Gurmat Places

This is a vital subject for discussion. Guru Sahib has blessed us with a Saroop (appearance) that cannot be hidden even among lakhs of people. A Gursikh stands out because of his hair, beard, Dastaar, and Baana. These outward signs of the Khalsa are not ones

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Saakhi of Soma Shah

Dhan Guru Ramdas Sahib jee was doing kaar-sewa of sarovar at Siri Harmandir Sahib – Siri Amritsar Sahib. A lot of sangat used to do sewa in digging the sarovar and doing other kinds of sewa. Soma Arora used to sell ghunganiyaan (a kind of snack)

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Sihari with a Bindi is a sign of plural

ਅਖੀ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਵੇਖਣਾ ਵਿਣੁ ਕੰਨਾ ਸੁਨਣਾ॥ (139)(ਅਖੀਂ-ਅਖੀਆਂ) ਗਲੀ ਭਿਸਤਿ ਨ ਜਾਈਐ ਛੁਟੈ ਸਚੁ ਕਮਾਇ॥ (141)(ਗੱਲੀਂ-ਗੱਲਾਂ ਨਾਲ) ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਸਿਫਤੀ ਕਹਣਿ ਨ ਅੰਤੁ॥ (5)(ਸਿਫਤੀਂ-ਸਿਫਤਾਂ) ਦਾਤੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸੰਦੀਆ ਕਿਆ ਚਲੇ ਤਿਸੁ ਨਾਲਿ॥ (83)(ਦਾਤੀਂ-ਦਾਤਾਂ) ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਭਗਤੀ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਇਆ॥ (108)(ਭਗਤੀਂ-ਭਗਤਾਂ ਨੇ) ਰਾਤੀ ਰੁਤੀ ਥਿਤੀ ਵਾਰ॥ (7)(ਰਾਤੀਂ-ਰਾਤਾਂ, ਰੁਤੀ-ਰੁਤਾਂ, ਥਿਤੀ-ਥਿਤਾਂ) ਸਾਧ ਸੇਵਾ

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