Sant-Sadh-Bhagat-Brahmgiani-Defined

I came across a very insightful article on the Gurmat Learning Zone by Rabinder Singh Bhamra and thought it would be worth sharing. The next time I meet someone with any such title to his name, I'm certain to ponder over some of these quotes from Gurbani. The article has been minimally edited:

"Sant, Sadh , Bhagat and Brahm Giani are spiritual seekers who areSelf and God realized thru their 'bhagti' of Brahm. Their minds are spiritually awakened as they have crossed the 'bhavjal sagar' or the world ocean and reached the Nij Ghar and Sehaj Ghar. They have become 'jiwan mukat' emancipated while alive and will not have to be born again as they have no attachments or 'moh' left for the physical world.

They have conquered the five 'doots', evil spirits of Maya and have achieved the bliss within themselves by uniting with God. Their journey on this planet which started in Satjug has come to an end by their worship of God, cleansing of their mind with Naam thru Japna/ Simrnna; pure thoughts, words and deeds, thru blessings of the Guru, help of True Sants on their spiritual journey and Grace of God Who accepted them back to Its House, Sehaj Ghar. Their minds have reached the 'turiya avastha'/ chautha pad', the spiritual realm.

They are all given unique assignmens by God or by their ownn choice to select one of the four positions to serve Him or revel in the gift of Naam or dhian or gian as Sants, Sadhus, Bhagats and Brahm Gianis . These positions are very briefly discussed below on the basis of Gurbani..

SANT

Sant is assigned the location where Anhad Sabad of God goes on all the time. Sant relishes this Anahad Sabad/Bani/Dhun

"Teh geet Naad akharay sanga. Oohan Bhagat karay Har ranga." p-739

The Sants have access to the Spiritual wealth of Anhad Bani and holds the key to this.They can help the seeker to this Anhad Sabad:

"Anhad banee poonji. Santan hath rakhee koonji." p-893

Sants will brief the seekers on 'akath katha' the invisible path to reach the Supreme Being. This is their assignment.

"Kahaiy Nanak suno Santo katheo kath khanee." p-918

Thru this Anhad Bani which God Himself is uttering inside every body, will reveal this unknown path to the seeker when they hear it under guidance and help of a Sant:":Har ki katha Anahad Bani." p-439

Sants become servants of God and have easy access to His mansion. They know well their Divine Master and will guide the seeker to Him:

"Pucho ja-ay pdhaooan chalay chakar ho-ay.Rajan jaa-nay apna dar ghar thaak na hoay." p-57

The Sants are directed by God to do simran on Gurmantra above everything else and help others to do the same to bring peace to them.

"Saajan Sant karo eh kaam. Aan tiag japo Har Naam.Simar simar sukh paavo. Aap japo avray Naam japavoh." p-290

SADHU

Sadhus are blessed with doing 'kirtan' , singing praises of Naam and the True One. The Sadhus will deliver this 'kirtan' to those who accept Guru'sword as Truth:"Ram Naam kirtan rattan vath Sadhu paas rakheejay.Jo bachan Gur sat sat kar ma-naiy tis aa-gaiy kaadh dhreejaiy." p1326

Since Sehaj Dhun goes on with Naam, Sadhus stay with Sehaj Dhun.If we keep the company of Sadhus and renouncing our ego beg their help, they will help us cross the Bhavjal/ Agan Sagar by bringing us to the treasure of Naam.

"Aap shod benati karoh.Sadh sang agan sagar taro." 295

If we desire the Four Cardinal Gifts, we should go and serve Sadhus:

"Chaar pdarath je ko mangay. Sadh jana kee sewa laagay." p266

To meet our True Lord, which is the only purpose of this human birth, one is advised that the only important thing in life is to do is Japna in the company of a Sadh:

"Bhaee parapt manukh dehuria. Gobind milan kee ehi teri baria.Avar kaaj teray kitay na kaam. Mil sadh sangat bhaj kewal Naam."p-12

BHAGAT

Bhagat stays in high comfortable spiritual palaces of Sookh Mehal

"Sookh mehal jan kay ooch dwaray.Ta meh vassay bhagat piaaray." p-739

They are always imbued with peace of God's Naam:

"Sukhmani sukh amrit Prabh NaamBhagat jana kay mun bisram." p262

Bhagat's food for mind is only Hari Naam and they are always heard singing praises of God. They live in the Nij Ghar serving God and win respect at the door of His Mansion:"Bhagtan ka bhojan Hari Naam Niranjan pehnan bhagat bdaeeNij Ghar vaasa sada Har sewan Har Dar sobha paaee." p-1233

In Japuji Sahib, Guru Ji has dedicated four pauries to Bhagats .They are always in peace and happiness and listening to them many a grief andsins are dispelled:"Nanak Bhagtan sada vigas. Sunniay dookh paap ka naas." p-2.

God loves His Bhagats and they look beautiful singing his praises atHis door:"Bhagat teray mun bhanvday. Dar sohan keertan ganvday." 262

BRAHM GIANI

Brahm Giani is a seeker whose mind is fully awakened into spiritual realm and lives in Sach Ghar having gained independence from doots of Maya. He is liberated from the cycle of reincarnations:.

"Sache mehal niwaas nirantar avan jaan chukaaia." p--7

The food for his mind is Brahm Gian or the knowledge of Infinite Being. His mind is all the time absorbed in deep meditation of Supreme Lord."Brahngiani ka bhojan gian.Nanak Brahm Giani ka Brahm dhian." p-273

There is no difference in the nature of God and Brahm Giani.

"Nanak Brahm Giani aap Parmesar." 273

They are most of the time in deep meditation and serve God and do simran in that state only. Their mind is always in self control and remain pure all the time:

"Nadri Satgur seveeay nadri sewa hoay. Nadar eh mun vas aavay nadri mun nirmal ho-ay." p-558

With regards

rabinder Singh bhamra"

Sikh Chef Braves Danger to Save a Life

I picked up an amazing story about a Sikh man's courage. Check it out here. It was reported on one of my favourite blogs, Sepia Mutiny. Thanks Harminder for introducing me to this interesting Umreekan NRI blog.

This story is about connecting with ones inner courage and drawing strength from it when circumstances demand it. It is something that we as Sikhs pray for in our "anthem", "Deh Shiva Bar Mohe Ehey, Shub Karman Tey Kabhoo Na Taroh". I like the part when the perpretrator, armed with 4 knives, simply moves away from his victim when 56 year old Amarjit Singh, bloodied and unarmed, confronts him with valour and without any regard for his own safety. I hope I have it in me to do the same, when called upon.

Bhai Tarjit Singh Ji and Bhai Niranjan Singh Ji in KL soon

We will be blessed with some wonderful and inspiring Katha and Kirtan very soon. Bhai Tarjit Singh Ji (Karnal Wale) will be back for a week's discourse on Rehraas Sahib. Its the whole of next week starting Monday at Gurdwara Sahib Titiwangsa. These sessions are not to be missed. Bhai Sahib will share wonderful insights on the philosophy of the Baani whilst highlighting the correct grammar, pronunciation and diction of the Paath.

Later this month, Bhai Niranjan Singh Ji (Jawaddi -Kalan Wale) will be in KL for a short visit. He will participate in a special Kirtan Darbar in lovong memory of the late Bhai Rajinder Singh (UK Wale) to be held at Gurdwara Sahib Titiwangsa on the 27th of October, 2007. Also featuring at that samagam is all time favourite, Giani Mahinder Singh Ji Khalsa. See you there!

Dya Sings to the World

Dya Singh with PKJ at Gurdwara Sahib Kuantan

Kirtan is one of the greatest gifts given to Sikhs by our Guru Sahibaan. Osho once remarked during his discourse on Japji Sahib, that Guru Nanak attained God simply by singing his glorious praises. It is not surprising that Kirtan is usually one of the main activities during our Diwan at the Gurdwara. The first Sikh Kirtania is of course Guru Nanak himself. Guru Nanak was accompanied on his Udasis by his faithful companion Bhai Mardana, a Muslim, born in a family of minstrels and himself an accomplished musician and Rebab exponent. Thus the earliest Kirtan was performed by Guru Nanak and his Muslim companion during the Udasis all over the Indian sub-continent streching to the middle-east. Then of course we had the Bhatts who performed Kirtan at Harmander Sahib during the time of Guru Arjan. During my childhood I have witnessed, Muslim Qawwals perform Kirtan at Gurdwara Sahib Tatt Khalsa. It was quite an amazing experience. The image of this group of about 8 to 10 Qawwals sitting on stage with their fur-caps (songkoks) and belting out Gurbani Kirtan on top of their voices is etched in my memory forever. Given this historical backdrop, I have always considered kirtan to be borderless and all encompassing. Meaning that one can (and should) be enjoined in Kirtan at all times and anywhere. In my humble opinion the performance of Kirtan should not be limited to only diwans/satsang where Guru Granth Sahib Ji is present. Sikhs should be encouraged to present and share the universal message contained in the Gurbani to the whole world and at every given opportunity. And what better way to present Gurbani but in the form of Shabad Kirtan in the same way as Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana did some 500 or so years ago.

One prominent Sikh musician who is living up to this is Dya Singh of Australia who has probably broken more barriers between Sikhs and non-Sikhs worldwide than the rest of us put together. He has done this in the tradition of Kirtan, albeit in his own unique style. Many non-Sikhs, particularly in Australia, are familiar with the message of Gurbani through the music of Dya Singh. On his recent visits to Malaysia, some my friends and I have had the opportunity to perform with Dya Singh. It has always been a truly spiritual experience. I have been receiving updates from Dya Singh on his programmes over the globe, which he aptly calls "Dyaries", and would like to share an excerpt from Dya's most recent update:

" On September 1st. our group had been invited to do kirtan by the families of film director/producers Paul Berges and Gurinder Chadha, to do kirtan at the celebration of the birth of their (mixed) twins Ronak and Komini. The fixture was organised as a Jorh Mela at the Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Hounslow, near Southall, UK. Gurinder and family were told that I was banned from doing kirtan at the gurdwara - NO REASON GIVEN, except that our doing kirtan at the gurdwara would mean loss of income for their residential ragis. Another 'hidden' reason it will appear is that I am now considered to be a professional 'singer' who sings 'outside' gurdwaras or away from 'babay-dhi-hajuri'...I guess I am fated not to do kirtan at this gurdwara either... If any Sikh gurdwara does not want us to do kirtan, I am sure there are others who do appreciate our message of hope and universal truths as espoused by Baba Nanak/Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj.

SO WE ARE NOW BANNED BY DIXIE GURDWARA IN TORONTO LEADING TO REGULAR CONCERTS BY THE 'ART OF LIVING FOUNDATION' IN TORONTO; WE ARE ALSO BANNED BY SINGH SABHA IN BARKING, LONDON; THERE ARE OTHER SINGH SABHAS IN AND AROUND LONDON WHICH ARE 'NOT SURE' AND NOW WE ARE BANNED FROM SINGH SABHA HOUNSLOW. WE HAD NO RESPONSE FROM ANY GURDWARA IN CHICAGO (USA) ALLOWING US TO BE HOSTED BY Dr. NAGRA IN St.LOUIS INSTEAD, last month."

This is SHOCKING to say the least. If this is how a positive Sikh role-model is treated by the so-called leaders of the Panth, I shudder to think of what lies in the future for our Sikh youth. To put it rather crudely, if Guru Nanak himself were to appear in any of these Gurdwaras today, he may be banned on the excuse that he has reportedly sang Kirtan in Bhagdad, Mecca, Benaras, etc., and that too in the company of a Muslim musician. Is this the price one has to pay for taking Sikh music/Kirtan to the rest of the world as intended by our Guru Sahibaans? Unfortunately, the Sikh Rehat Maryada does not address this point specifically. All it says is that "Only a Sikh may perform Kirtan in a Congregation". So does one lose his Sikhi if he is "caught" singing Shabads to non-Sikhs outside the Gurdwara? Something is seriously wrong with the people in whom we entrust the running of our sacred institutions. May Guru Nanak give us the courage to correct this. Let me hear your thoughts on this.