Let 2022 be the year When there is harmony in relationship Betwem the communities With abundance of love & affection Between each other So that specter of hate Gets evaporated With the concoction of fellow feeling & adulation.
Let 2022 be the year When there is no fear of Coronavirus pandemic Lurking at the nooks & corners of streets With cleanliness thriving Where everyone observes covid norms of behaviour With which the dreadful virus Gets frightened For its existence and very survival.
Let 2022 be the year The progenies extent care & protection for their aged parts And not let them rot In the seclusion Bereft of care and concern For their wellness.
THERE IS LIGHT IN THE HORIZON GRAB IT
Let 2022 be the year When people cultivate warmth in the feelings for each other Overflowing with empathy And compassion aplenty So that none goes to bed with belly empty.
Let 2022 be the year When we nurture good norms of behaviour So that everyone gets justice & fair play And nobody gets played With empty words & phrases Bordering on sheer rhetoric Which satisfies none Yet generates suspision in profusion.
LET OUR PATH TO GLORY BE SMOOTH & WITHOUT PINPRICKS
Let 2022 be the year When every human being Lives in spiritual oriented way of living Where all of us lives a in principled way With positive attitude all the way Where service with no expectation is the norm In what we do or do not do in our day to day existence While transacting our duties individually Or collectively With belief on ourselves aplenty And indomitable belief on our God Almighty.
Let 2022 be the year Where we transact our Karmic deeds Without too much attachment to the fruits of our deeds With focused attention of our mind On the mission execution And not wavering here, there And everywhere With no unproductive pursuit.
LET THERE BE DAWN OF POSITIVE THINKING
Ler 2022 be the year Where everyone is given freedom to follow righteous path To pursue his/her religious belief and faith With no coersion to sidetrack from the chosen path Of seeking connectivity with Absolute Soul; Paramatma For ultimate Moksha From births and deaths.
Let 2022 be the year Where no one puts off things for tomorrow What could be done with ease today Bereft of any confusion and disorder Thus make our life orderly & simplistic.
Let 2022 be the year We let our children follow their dreams And coerce them To change their daydreaming nightmerish By thrusting our opinion on the young minds Allow them the freewill to fly the horizons They consider fit to fly In the domains of their own Choosing without coersion Rather too much handholding May impact their creative instinct Which is natural in every one.
Let 202 be the year When we shun egocentric tendencies For possessing worldly possessions Power and status Without awareness That these are transient Be conscious with deep realization That enduring imprint On our soul remains When we act righteously With simple habits and humble outlook.
Let 2022 be the year Whence we enjoy the present moment Rather than living in the days gone We’ve lived & experienced Thence future is erratic Since it is unproductive Rather unreasonable with shadow of future Lurking large while living in the present So, wisdom is to earnestly perform our Karmic deeds Without let or hindrance Whatever happens will anyhow happen.
Lord Absolute sends His own Messengers With excellence in Spiritual-Vision with proper mission Of spreading His pious Message to us humans To inculcate needed transformation And reform His creations So that unpleasant practices Which corrupt the society at large Are weeded out fast From our midst And the people adopt those principles Ordained by our Lord With huge sprinkle of enchanting-bountiful Love.
Jesus Christ was sent to us by the Lord Supreme For our well-being and effect change in the humans So that the rust created by old & useless practices Could be erased by mystifying spray of pious ideals and ideas Which the Super Soul doles out For the masses at large Some may not take these holy ideals Thinking these to be whimsical As many did, When Lord Jesus was with us In flesh and blood He had to suffer pangs Fearless at the Cross- crucification And finally resurrection To make us realize that The True Son of Lord cannot just be forgotten By anybody – however influential and powerful Those individuals be there at the helm of affairs His preaching will remain enlightening all Through Christ Consciousness.
O Lord, bestow us Thy Invaluable CHRISTMAS DAY GIFT The precious of all Thy Gifts That Thee could only grant The coveted gift of peaceful coexistence In the whole world by Thy elegance So that this world could be a better place to live A place where there is a prevalence of Eternal Love Without bias.
Born to the virgin Mary, the most revered one The venerable mother of the God Jesus of Nazareth was a religious preacher Debated with his fellow brethren The best way to follow God And establish connectivity with Him To change and make lives sublime With their thoughts and actions. Alleviated their pain and suffering The reason why He is called love Messiah The savior of the oppressed ones The depressed due to adverse circumstances. He had his own following Which created jealousies In the minds of Jewish authorities Alas! He was arrested and then crucified On the order of Pontius Pilate. After his crucification He rose from the dead – resurrected indeed into the Heaven he ascended Thus proved saver in real sense of term Thence transformed the lives of common masses Holy Messenger with his noble and eternal messages. The loveliest son of Holiest Spirits of our Lord At Bethlehem, the city of David Came a savior of humankind To spread the Message of God Men of wisdom came from places afar Mesmerized by this Shining Star To witness a holiest event Which rarely happens Angels sang songs so melodious Shepherds played with utmost reverence. Old in years the two Simeon & Anna saw their ambition fructified As they too had a glimpse of the Glorious One Brought up in rural town of Nazareth His adaptive father Joseph Taught Him the art of using Tools of a carpenter A manual labour so arduous by any reckoning Resulting in sweating By the rays of sun so searing. The revered God’s Son Worked tirelessly in the hot Sun! Thence as he cometh From the waters of Jordan A voice so stimulating, Cometh from Heaven ‘This is my beloved Son In whom I am very pleased’ Thereafter Jesus went to the backwoods Surprise of surprises of all! To allow Satan to temp Him To break the back of Satan. He fasted for days forty, And vanquished the Satan With eternal will of God in the heaven Then brimming with the Holy Sprit He lived with the commoners For three long years. John recorded Jesus as the Son of God Who raised even the dead to live again Made the blinds to see again Lames to walk again Demons not to appear again Came to the succor of heartbroken. During mighty storms, so severe With a few loaves and fish Made food sufficient for five thousands! Believe – we have to, as it really happened! Since He is sent by our dearest God As a Saviour As His Incarnate, The All Knowing The All Powerful Being. Then on a Thursday Night, He meets his followers In the city of Jerusalem On an occasion so solemn He announced It is ordained that He may die For those He loved so dearly And told them to remember his association with them And also promised to come back For their sake! He spent time in the garden of Gethsemane Prayed to the Divine Providence. No case was found against Jesus By those who tried Him for his faults so superficial Even then he was crucified on Friday He departed this life For He loved us all After when He was dead, His power was proclaimed By the happenings most unexplained. On the morn of Sunday He rose from the dead Appeared to Mary And apostles and a huge gathering, He gave the message of love Goes to prove without doubt He remains invincible in both the states.
O Lord Jesus Christ The most benevolent one Thee who is the true savior and all Knowing Being Thee know what is store for the creations around the world We offer Thee our sincere prayer on this pious occasion of Christmas Day. For the humanity which is ensnared in horror Owing to Covid-19, a pandemic so horrific Which is mutating its virulence Yesterday it was Delta+ variant Today it is Omicron With Its pattern most unpredictable one Putting the humankind in still more fear than days gone by Due to this fear the humans globally Are in constant fear of their safety.
O Lord Jesus Christ Pray rid the humanity from this dangerous virus Sure enough, our prayers, the sincere one Would be heard by Thee O Lord And deliver us all from dire condition An enigmatic reality – so uncertain So that the people of all ages May enjoy the holy Christmas season With their relatives and friends Along with giving our heartiest thanks to Santa Claus For giving us gifts, so priceless and attractive And enjoying the sparkling Christmas Trees With smiles and laughter around every nook and corner Besides the accompanying celebrations O Lord Jesus Christ, Thee being our Savior Will sure come to our succor This is our sincerest prayer to Thee our Lord.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
In essence, God sends the pious souls to spread the Divine Message on His behalf. This is necessitated in order to refine and purify the deluded souls who do not know that our life is impermanent here on this earth. One who is born has to leave the world one day. With this realization, one can live without attachment with the material world while realizing the purpose of life. This is also to foster brotherly feeling while following a life of compassion and rendering selfless service. Therefore, God be praised for bringing home His teachings to the humanity for application in daily lives and live a sublime existence. The type of existence which is for the benefit for the humanity as a whole.
THE LOVE & LIGHT SPREAD BY LORD JESUS CHRIST SHOULD GUIDE US TO LEAD OUR LIFE WITH LOVE AND DEVOTION
JESUS CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED FOR OUR WELLNESS ONLY
We remember and celebrate this pious day, without forgetting that Lord Jesus Christ was crucified for us only so that God’s creations spread the message of love amongst themselves for peace and harmony while living a purposeful life.
SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST CONSCIOUSNESS
MAY THE LOVE AND LIGHT PREVAIL FOR EVER IN US HUMANS
When we are determined to perform something for others without any selfish motive, it means we have reached to the realm of Christ Consciousness. When we perform our duties towards our family, it means we are performing our duty towards our close relatives which anyhow is our responsibility and cannot shun that in any case. But when we enhance our outreach to our neighbors and share their pains and sufferings then it means we are realizing the importance of Christ Consciousness. Subsequently, if it goes beyond neighbourhood to society and even in wider sphere then we are totally immersed in this noble cause.
Essentially, when we do think and act logically and are having the same noble idea for others then we are in that realm. This is possible if we expand our consciousness by being empathetic to all; with whom we are having relationship or do not have such relations. Both of these people should be dear to us. This expanded consciousness expands ourselves to higher horizons. Jesus Christ did not differentiate between his relatives and others. All in all He eyed everybody – differentiating nobody based on any consideration.
While we are having compassion for others, it means, we are beginning to expand our consciousness. Jesus Christ’s assertion: ‘Bless them that curse you’ stands good in this scheme of things. He even had good words for those who stood against Him. He said: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. God forgives our faults, then, why we cannot have sympathy and cultivate helping nature for our brethren? Having done that, we can expand our consciousness to sub-consciousness and super-consciousness through our positive thoughts and actions and even manifest to Divine Consciousness. This state could be achieved by knowing the importance of Christ Consciousness.
Jesus Christ was the one who had won victory against material consciousness. He exists in the hearts and minds of His followers. He said, ‘I do nothing for myself, but as my Father hath taught me.’ Christians including numberless others who have resolute belief in His preaching shun delusions and follow His ideals. His presence is felt through his teachings. Those who have self realization or are self realization know that in every speck of cosmos Christ Consciousness exists but only those who have vision can experience this. Christ Consciousness is a part of Cosmic Consciousness and it should never be lost sight of by us humans. It is all inclusive.
JESUS CHRIST’S TEACHINGS
His teachings are universal in nature and are more relevant now than ever since our world is in dire need of harmoney and prosperity to go hand in hand. There is a definitive imprint of His teachings on the psyche of people and that is why His influence remains centuries after centuries. Those sincere devotees who have attained certain level of spirituality can see the Divine Vision after their consciousness is more awakened.
His teachings are very exhaustive, if we care to follow the ones mentioned below, we can make our life more purposeful with love suffusing for our brethren:-
(a) We should never forget that God loves us immensely and we should always love our fellow beings. What is the meaning of word God – God is love?
(b) Changing ourselves by adopting righteousness approach. Developing the traits of soul consciousness through meditation.
(c) All can learn to love God through the medium of our thoughts, deeds and other mediums.
(d) We can connect with God through the medium of love.
(e) Love is an emotion, a selfless feelings for others and totally dedicate yourself, your thoughts and actions to the object of your love.
(f) All should learn to love others and subsequently direct their love to God. To develop love is very essential for spiritual upward journey.
(g)Those who are having the love of God for all can comprehend the meaning of their lives and also the true meaning of God. Life bereft of love all the knowledge has no meaning at all.
(h) We have to live according to His wishes through self-sacrificing, empathy and selfless attitude. In life.
(i) Divine Fire is the creative power of God and an individual should aspire for this Divine Spark.
(j) Jesus Christ preached the importance of having compassion for our fellow beings. He taught that kindhearted feeling should always be there even for all including our enemies.
May His teachings/messages, which are eternal indeed, should remain etched in our memory and guide us to lead our lives with a lot of love, empathy and selflessness.
Addiction is an obsession, passion, craze, compulsive trait, mania and fixation of an individual which impacts the character adversely since this sort of behaviour pattern is obsessive in nature. Addiction is, in other words; unconventional behavior and acentric behaviour pattern which impacts a person concerned psychological and physiologically. For example, when an individual is addicted to drugs or drinking or gambling or smoking or compulsive behaviour or any other behaviour pattern which once gets seeped into the system, it is difficult to get rid without sincere efforts. Then craze for more power, or overindulgence in use of abusive/or profane or toxic language, obsession for worldly possessions by adopting ulterior means etc.
HOW ADDICTION HAPPENS
The compulsive behaviour for anything happens when we practice a pattern habit most passionately till such time the person concerned is over powered by the craze of following such habit. First of all the pattern of habit starts when somebody initiates us with such a habit. For instance, when one of ourtrusted friends offers us drinks or drug without payment till such time it becomes compulsive habit. We become single-mindedly inclined to follow such a habit without realizing its consequences. Care should be talen that we have to nip the habit in the but otherwise such a habit becomes a huge burden or a huge drag for the person concerned. In other words, it becomes uncontrollable habit which is termed as addiction.
HOW BEST TO DEADDICT
The following should always be kept in mind for ridding ourselves from addiction:
We should have total control over our mind since uncontrolled mind and senses are responsible for our habit formation. Therefore, controlling our mind is a must.
When somebody initiates us with some bad habit of drinking or smoking or drug, we should first of all introspect why such person wants to spend money on us. Reason for such a thought is not far to see if we use our faculties.
POSITIVE FRAME OF MIND COULD HELP US RIDDING ANY HABIt
Even after addiction, we can get rid of the bad habit with self effort and strong determination.
We should seek medical care within the shortest timeframe. There are so many rehabilitation centre from where help could be had for ridding this bad habit. But again, sincere efforts for recovery have to start from our within.
Self belief and belief on our God can deliver us from this bad habit. This could be done by following spiritually oriented existence.
ADDICTION
Some have addiction for drugs Knowing fully well that it saps the internal energy.
Some have addiction for drinks Even knowing it is bad for their health.
Some have addiction for sex They’ll over indulge in it even at the cost of health.
Some have addiction for gambling Thus losing everything in they are possessing.
Some have addiction for shopping Even spending the hard money to satisfy this crazy habit.
Some have addiction for shoplifting They will do it even after being caught red handed.
Some have addiction for backbiting Even putting their honour at stake.
Some have addiction for acquiring authority For following it they’ll even stoop so low that we can see.
Some have addiction for taking risks Thus putting their own lives at a huge risk.
Some have addiction for taking fast foods Even if it has worst effect on their health and wellness.
Some have addiction for playing cards Thus wasting their precious time on unproductive pursuits.
Some have addiction for power For getting it, they’ll take recourse to anything under the sun.
Some have addiction for telling lies Thus putting their honour at stake in a big way.
Some have addiction for over sleeping Even at the cost of physical conditioning.
Some have addiction for procrastination Even putting off things which could be done instantly.
Some have addiction for picking holes in others pockets Without realizing, there are so many holes in their own pockets.
Some have addiction for internet Thus wasting precious time to satisfy their passion.
Some have addiction for worldly possessions Even adopting corrupt practices for fulfilling his obsession.
Some have addiction for video games Thus wasting the time for unproductive pursuits.
Some have addiction for using abusive language Overindulgence of which spoils their reputation.
LIVING IN THE PAST THUS LOSING SENSE OF PROPORTION
LIVING UNDER THE SHADOW OF BYE-GONE DAYS WILL NOT DO US ANY GOOD, IT WILL RATHER REVIVE BAD MEMORIES
Importantly, it has been observed that each one of us is having some existential problems. One may be having problem related to financial security, health related issues, relationship incompatibility, ecological issues, adjustment with the changed environment related issues, mental wellness issues, workplace blues, lack of stress busters such as lack of control over mind, communication related issues, portrayal of negative attitude, frustration due not being able to meet targets due to one reason or other. These problems remain pestering us. Solution lies in solving them and not remaining glued to these problems thus compounding our problems still further.
WE CARRY BAGGAGE OF THE PAST EVENTS
In essence, there are people who are not able to dissociate themselves with the past events. It may be about business failure, death of somebody in the family, loss of job or some other reason. It should be kept in mind that these unsavory events remain stalking us due to which we are not able to enjoy our present moment. That is dark shadows of past events remain clouding even the happy moments of the present. By remaining hooked in the past, we’re not able to concentrate on the job in hand thereby commit mistakes thus becoming an instrument for still more problems. Therefore, the best course would be to shed the past baggage which is stinking and remain focusing on the present moment. If we continue sowing the seeds of past events then the net result would be dismal. If at all we want to take some experiences of the past, we can do so for our own benefit.
EVEN DARKNESS HAS SOME HIDDEN LIGHT RAYS, WE SHOULD CLING ON TO THESE LIGHT RAYS AND LIVE OUR PRESENT MOMENT WITH JOY ABANDON
PUT A CURTAIN ON THE UNPLEASANT EVENTS OF THE PAST
While we live in the shadow of the past then we remain thinking about the events which happened in the past. Past is dead and cannot come back, therefore, best way is to forget it as a bad dream. We can bury deep these unpleasant events and not hide behind them since these are of no consequence to us presently. Though past experiences teach us some lesson, these should be learned and efforts made to proceed on.
RETRIBUTION WOULD BE COUNTER PRODUCTIVE
If somebody has done something bad to us in the past, the first thing which creeps-up in our mind is to take revenge rather than forgetting it altogether. This is a fallacy since for how long we can remain clinging to this rut and spoil our present in pointless and worthless thoughts. We’ve to understand that it is the emotion embedded in the situation which is hurting us at the present moment Holding on to the emotion means we cannot forget a past event. The day we let go our surcharged emotion, we will forget things of the past and move on. Afterwards recalling the bad experience of the past would be somewhat difficult. But when we still feel hurt, then it means we have not forgotten the part even
WITH THE DARKNESS OF NIGHT, LIGHT OF DAWN IS NOT FAR OFF
Bhagwad Gita, has elaborately prescribed three material energies as the modes (Gunas) of living.
Satvic mode (Guna): wherein we take refuge in goodness and wisdom. It is insightful and enlightening and filled with goodness.
The second is Rajvic mode (Guna): wherein we possess passion for material possessions which bind the soul with attractions of the world.
Third is Tamsic mode (Guna) when we take refuge in ignorance which binds the embodied souls with delusions, negligence, greed, laziness and sleep along with all the negativity.
These three modes of living bind the eternal Soul with the mortal body. While living under the influence of Rajasvic and Tamsic modes, it is difficult to dissociate with the past events.
Those amongst us know each of the three Gunas yet are not attached to any of these while remaining established in the self live in the present moment. Such people remain balanced in any situations and conditions, accept blame or worthiness. For them past, present and future are of immense significance since they use the experience of the past, live in the present moment and prepare for unpredictable future with zeal and enthusiasm. They are steadfast in their conviction, have self-assurance, simplicity and humility are their important facets. For such people nothing matters other than their Karma while living a spiritual oriented existence.
WE’VE TO SEEK OUR OWN HAPPINESS IN THE MIDST OF QUAGMIRES OF CONFUSION & UNCERTAINTY, WE CAN IF WE HAVE FAITH IN OURSELVES & OUR CREATOR
In conclusion, we’ve to be Karma Yogis, caring little of the past events (not repeating our bad Karmic deeds), living and enjoying what we do presently; thus in the process purifying our body, mind and soul while doing our Karmic deeds. While passing from one stage of life to other, we are fortunate to get something good but also may lose something else. Our purpose should be to move on with a balanced mindset thinking everything is transient, impermanent, passe, with no-problem mindset
Our Supreme Lord Has bestowed us the freehand In choosing from the opposites Good or not so good acts Along with the retributions Of our actions We transact With our freewill Knowing well That bad choices Have bad consequences Examples before us are aplenty If we abuse somebody We would also be abused by somebody Now or after sometime That is not known But surely that day is not far off Wishing the payback To be forgiven Not at all! Since Prakriti always keeps record tabs Of our good or not so good acts.
ABUSE
IF WE ABUSE THE NATURE IT WILL HAVE RETRIBUTION OF HIGHEST PROPORTION
Our Omnipotent and Omniscient; the Supreme Soul (Parmaatma) has bestowed in everyone of humans the power of distinction, the freedom to choose between two opposites. It is within our freewill which one to opt and which one to leave. If we choose to be abuser then we’ve to suffer the consequences of abusing the gullible. Alternatively, if we want to be rescuer or redeemer, freedom of choice remains with us.
NATURE IN ITS PUREST FORM IS GOOD BUT WHEN SPOILED BY OUR ACTS OF OMISSIONS AND COMMISSION IT WILL COME ON US HEAVILY
FREEDOM TO ABUSE LIES WITH US
It should also be borne in mind that the freedom to abuse lies with the person concerned. It is individualistic. Along with it, the consequences of these abomiable abusive actions are also known to the individual concerned. He/she cannot feign ignorance for his abusive actions. The Paramatma or Supreme Soul does not direct evil doer to commit obnoxious act. It is individual freedom with attached returning reaction attached with all our actions.
USE OF ABUSIVE LANGUAGE
We observe some people using foul language. They use abuse in every sentence they use as a matter of habit. Seemingly, convey a bad image while inacting with a group of people. This is common amongst uncouth people who do not know how best to converse appropriately. This creates bad impression for the user of such a language.
ABUSE THE NATURE AND BE PREPARED FOR ITS RETRIBUTION IN THE FORM OF FLOODS ETC.
OFFICIAL ABUSE OF POWER
It is especially so amongst politicians who misuse their power and status in order to get things done in their favour by browbeating the gullible without a second thought. It has been observed that some officials use their power to come out of a piquant situation.
ABUSE BY OUR OWN RELATIVES & FRIENDS
We must have observed some children deceiving their parents in order to get a property rightS which is not their due. Or we must have known some of the grown up offspring leaving their old parents in the oldage care homes run by NGO. This is an abuse of worst form and should be denounced by all right thinking people.
MALTREATMENT METED OUT TO OLD PEOPLE
Those offspring who do not take care of their parents when they require them the most especially in their oldage are blameworth for their acts which cannot be forgiven and forgotten.
ABUSE AS A WEAPON OF VIOLENCE
There are so many examples in which public burn public property which is made from the taxes collected from the honest tax payers. This weapon of violence is couterproductive since is amounts to cutting the very branch on which one is standing.
EVERYTHING GIVEN BY MOTHER NATURE IS GOOD BUT WHEN SPOILT, IT WILL HAVE ADVERSE IMPLICATIONS
ABUSING OUR TEACHERS & ELDERLY PEOPLE
This mistreatment could be in the form of not giving respect to the parents, teachers and other members of the society. By so doing, the doer is accumulating bad Karmic debit for which retribution will follow.
ABUSE AS AN EXPLOITATION
Some people tend to adopt unethical and immoral ways to exploit other people for getting things in their favour. This too will earn them bad Karmic debit and its consequences would be disasterous.
ABUSE OF SMALL KIDS/GULLIBLE
There are immorals amongs us who exploit the small kids or gullible thru physical abuse and violence. This is a worst sort of abuse that is committed by some of the inhumans amongs us. These cold-blooded and most monstrous acts are committed by monsters.
PURITY OF NATURE IS PANACEA TO OUR EXISTENCE
ABUSE OF NATURE
It has been found that we spoil the balance of nature by our acts of omissions and commissions such as cutting the trees, spewing poisonous gases in the environment, putting excessive chemicals onto the plants etc. This way, we spoil the balance of nature. We should remember that MOTHER NATURE never forgives us for spoiling its NATURE. It comes in the form of storms, tsumanis, earthquakes, etc. All these result in spoiling the environment in which we are living resulting in spoiling our health and wellness.
CONCLUSION
In essence, there are countless examples of abuses perpetrate by unethical and immorals amongs us who commit these acts thinking that they can escape from the clutiches of law of land as they’ve muscle power and money power to escape. But what about the retribution they will surely get from the Omnipotent and Omniscient from whom nobody however powerful can escape. Karma deeds or misdeeds get readdressed now or after sometimes, should never be fortotten.
MARTYRDOM DAY OF 9TH GURU – GURU SRI TEGH BAHADUR JI (8TH DEC. 2021)
GURU SRI TEGH BABADUR JI – ONE WHO ATTAINED MARTYRDOM TO SAFEGUARD OTHER RELIGION
When nothing deters us from supreme sacrifice For a cause we hold dear Over all other causes considered dearest to us The bravest amongst us humans Take the plunge without a second thought This supreme sacrifice may be for defence Of the Mother Land of ours Or to save the hapless humans amongst us Who are oppressed unreasonably By the oppressive powers that be.
The most revered ones Embrace death for others Rather than living for themselves After seeing oppression and highhandedness Such was the legend of martyrdom Of 9th Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Who sacrificed his own life To save the multitudes From the slaughterers of humanity.
Came the oppressed Kashmiri Pandits to the Guru Ji Leading the group was Pandit Kirpa Ram Ji Covering a distance so long from Kashmir They wanted to see the revered Guru Ji at Anandpur Sahib Very reverentially they bowed to him As they had known Guru Ji’s For his benevolence Besides well-known traits of coming to the rescue of oppressed They entreated him to save them From the tyranny of the emperor Aurangzeb Who had given them the two alternative Either convert or face certain death Heard their voices so troubled patiently He was moved by their plight Though he followed Sikh traditions But yet he followed the tradition of Sikh Gurus To come to the succor of hapless and oppressed During these conversations, so heart touching Entered his son – mere 9 years of age (Guru Gobind Singh Ji) After understanding the catch-22 condition of Pandits It was also mentioned during the discourse That only a sacrifice By a most revered one and a holy man could avert this tyrannical decree There and then came the wisdom filled intervention of Guru’s son Who could be more holier than you (His father)!
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Thus told the unfortunate Pandits Tell the tyrant Governor If he is able to covert the Guru Tegh Bahadur They will follow suit The Guru Ji noblest decision known to everyone All present Sadh Sangat were deeply moved An ordinary soul cannot take such decision Of losing his life so that others amongst us could live The Guru Ji considered all religions And thought that only good deeds persist.
Thence afterwards Bade farewell to his wisdom filled son Along with Mata Gujri And loving Sadh Sangat A holy Kirtan was recited Before proceeding to Delhi for his final journey To save others from the tyrannical decree Before he was martyred Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Dayala besides Bhai Sati Das were killed ruthlessly Guru Ji saw suffered the pangs with utter serenity Guru Ji was martyred finally On the orders from the most ruthless emperor This martyrdom would be remembered Till Sun and Moon and stars remain till eternity Our heart aches For this Guru Ji of ours Who showed that we can remain in the annals of history Till eternity.
If we imbibe the principles of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji One of the Gurus amongst Gurus Sahiban Jis For whom our head bows with utmost reverence The most well-regarded ones Who did much for humanity at large. May the humanity at large learn from the supreme sacrifice Which Guru Tegh Bahadur gave for others Like Lord Jesus Christ Who was crucified for us all So that we live with peaceful co-existence Distributing smiles and love amongst all without bias.
MARTYRDOM OF REVERED GURU SRI TEGH BAHADURJI (ON 8th DECEMBER 2021)
In essence, the one who is born here will have to die one day. Nobody is immortal / eternal when it comes to leaving this world for good. Everybody has to die one day at the time fixed for the final journey yet some amongst us, through their deeds acquire the status of martyrdom and thus immortalize themselves. Their name and fame in the annals of history is recorded for posterity for us mortals to draw lessons.
The level of supreme sacrifice becomes all the more all-encompassing in the present case since it was for protecting the religious sentiments of all other religion! I shall call it a sacrifice unknown in the annals of history – to die for upholding the belief and sanctity of other religions. This sacrifice for others’ causesmakes it amply clear that even the thinking of ‘self sacrifice’ is not a normal thinking. It is unpatrolled and unprecedented. It, I dare say, comes from our Omnipotent and Omniscient One. This thought is emancipation of consciousness / awareness to a level which catapults a personage (in this case Guru Tegh Bahadurji) to a level of highest spiritualistic ideals, highest moralistic ideals besides taking the religious homogeneity percepts to new heights – meaning all the religions are different pathways to a ULTIMATE SOURCE. This noble sacrifice is given by only ones who know the true meaning of a religion. Knowing one’s own faith is not a big deal, knowing about the common thread / common bond between different faiths makes all the difference.
To live and practice one’s own religion is done by everybody and is normal practice but there are a few exceptional ones who tend to protect other’s faiths which is unique and one of the best examples of setting new moralistic yardstick for others to emulate. Devotion to one’s own religion is not so great as the protection and to give supreme sacrifice for others’ causes is creation of new standards in understanding the meaning of any religion. Guruji’s ideals is based on the precept: : “I believe in the right of others to practice their faith peacefully”
It is pertinent to mention here about the highhandedness with which Aurangzeb ruled this country from 1658 to 1707 for 49 long years. He killed his three brothers and even imprisoned his father and came to power. During his rule he wanted to bring true Islamic governance in whole of his empire. Akbar adopted many un-islamic beliefs in his personal life and also on his empire. He visited Hindu temples and let others to follow their religious beliefs without let or hindrance. But Aurangzeb did not.
Contrarily, Aurangzeb had a strong religious convictions with, of course, a very simple lifestyle which he assiduously practiced and followed. He compiled a book of Islamic Laws. The historians tell us about his intolerance and oppression. He is said to have destroyed the religious places of other faiths; the Hindus and the Sikhs and it is an undisputed historical fact. He followed the policy of forceful conversions and those who disagreed were put to death. He even opposed veneration of Sufis.
Amongst other religions, in all his empire, he stressed implementing his dictum ‘convert or get killed’ strictly. Amongst these Kashmiri Pandits (a highly intelligent and religiously awakened community) were also the victims. The Kashmiri Pandits had a highest reverence for Sikh Gurus from Guru Nanak Dev Ji onwards. Pandit Kirpa Ram along with other community members came to Anandpur on 25 May 1675 to take Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s succor with a plea to save them from the tyranny of Aurangzeb who had given them two options; either convert to Islam or face a sure death. A decree which made the entire community helpless and thus they have sought the assistance of the Guru.
Guru Tegh Bahadur followed Sikh traditions and did not follow customs of Hindus but helping the hapless and oppressed being the mission of Sikh Gurus, the Guru was in deep thought with concern writ large on his face. Factually, the intolerance perpetrated by Aurangzeb moved the Guru immensely. During the time, revered Guru was in deep thought, his nine years old son (Guru) Gobind entered. Sensing the concern, he asked his father about the whole matter. After having known the predicament that Aurangzeb had issued a decree that all Hindus should be converted to Islam. The reason being, according to him, his religion was the only true religion.
Along with other devout like also made known by the revered Guruji that a sacrifice by a holy man could avert all this. The great son of the greatest Guru replied: who could be holier than you (his father). Having pleased with the pronouncement of his son, subsequently, the Guru unambiguously told Kashmiri Pandits: Go and tell the State Governor that you people were ready to convert Kashmiris provided he was able to convert Tegh Bahadur, The Kashmiri Pandits felt relieved by this pronouncement. The Sadh Sangat present there was really saddened by this but they knew they could do nothing when the decision was finally taken by the Guru.
The message was finally conveyed to the emperor who knew the steadfast beliefs of Guru Tegh Bahadur. These principles being: All religions are pure and only noble deeds count ultimately. The emperor ordered that the Guru ought to be brought to Delhi. Then afterwards the Guru bade his final farewell to his wisdom filled son, his wife Mata Nanaki and Sangat after recitation of holy Kirtan on 11 July, 1675.
On reaching Delhi after his visit to other places, he was asked to convert to Islam or face consequences. Guruji, without mincing any word, unequivocally replied that he loved his religion and will not forsake it. It was also told to him that if he refused to convert, his followers would be killed. In this, Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Dayala besides Bhai Sati Das were killed ruthlessly which the Holy Guru saw with utmost serenity because he thought if this was the ‘Will of God’ then be it. Thence afterwards, Guru was kept in a cage. There too Guruji was absorbed in prayers. Utmost persuasion and persecution could not do deter his resolve..
Finally, the emperor ordered that our revered Guruji be executed in Chandni Chowk. This order made the sadh sangat saddened/perturbed. On 11th November 1675 Guruji was brought to a selected place and made to sit on a specially made platform. All eyes were on Guruji. Then the orders of the emperor were complied (which I too find difficult to pen down – even now). Thus our revered Guruji attained martyrdom on this day. Such was the barbarity of the ruler. All present there were overwhelmed with this inhuman act. Not only this, even Mother Nature shed tears; a huge thunder storm followed thereafter.
Bhai Jaita picked up the severed head of the Guruji who had immortalized himself by his supreme sacrifice for a cause of protecting people of other religion! The head was cremated at Anandpur Sahib where a Gurdwara stands in the fond memory of our Guruji. The body of the Guruji was taken by Bhai Lakhi and his son immediately from the martyrdom site to their home most reverently, offered prayers to the memory of departed Guru and subsequently set the house on fire. Factually, an example is not found anywhere! Thus, Guruji’s disciples exhibited a supreme courage in saving Guruji’s head and body from being disgraced. Gurdwara Rakab Ganj stands in the memory of the most revered Guruji,
LESSONS FROM THE SUPREME SACRIFICE OF GURU TEGH BAHADURJI
The Laws of Nature are unalterable – men may come and men may go.
• Miracle has no place in religion (Guruji told the emperor when he was told to exhibit any miracle).
• All religions are pure and should be the binding force and not for division of humanity on narrow considerations,
• At the end of all, only noble deeds count everything else are behind the times.
• Freedom of worship should be allowed without any bias. Faith is an individualistic. No coercion should be there while following ones faith.
• All religions should be treated equally as all the religions are the path-ways leading to the Single SOURCE.
• No life is as precious as the principles one stand for. Guru Ji made supreme sacrifice for upholding these principles only.
Enlightenment through removal of ignorance should be our cornerstone in life.
.The maxim; love begets love should never be forgotten.
Those who live and die for others remain in our memory till eternity. They are remembered since they set a different example – a unique one.
EVEN THERE IS CHANGE INDUCED BY THE MOTHER NATURE, THEN HUMANS CANNOT CHANGE THEMSELVES
Whence change is needed inevitably It has to be embarked on effectively Otherwise change will take place certainly In fact, willy-nilly And change the very course of our journey. We humans are fortunate to be endowed With typical power so distinctive By the Absolute One To distinguish between two opposites And select the one course Suited for us Or undertake course correction Whenever there is need to do so as constraint Owing to change in circumstance Or change in time and space. Those who remain stuck In the status quo Or remain inflexible For them change does happen But not to their liking.
WHY AFRAID OF A CHANGE?
We all are aware of the changes in the seasons sometimes it is hot and other times it is cold, day changes into night and vice versa, trees shed their leaves and new ones sprout, serpent changes its outer cover and adorn the new one. Everything in Mother Nature changes periodically without any interruption then why humans with characteristics of distinction (freedom to choose between two opposites) cannot change, as fundamentally required!
CHANGE IN THINKING NEEDED IN SCARE OF MICROWN INFECTION
In not so distant past, we were scared of Delta+ variant and today we are hugely scared of MICRON for its ability for airborne transmission. And tomorrow, its name and character may change too. When this process of mutation of the virus goes on and on then what is needed is to change our own thinking. Let the virus change its tag character, with accompanying ferocity, we too will have to change by inculcating will to survive with every sort of scare surrounding us. All the humanity has suffered due to coronavirus, physically, mentally, financially etc/ then what essentially is required is to inculcate or generate immunity by changing our lifestyle, keep ourselves healthy by regular exercises or through Yogic practices, take proper diet including adopting spiritual orientation in our lives. Enjoy your duty, decouple or detach ourselves from the scares while observing all the Covid-19 pandemic precautions. In other words, if Coronavirus keeps changing its character through multiple mutations then we’ve also to change ourselves according to the need of the hour. Since in such unpredictable situation, the correlation between: ‘survival of the fittest along with ‘will to survive’ should be our two keys as symbol of hope. Staying calm and composed despite looming fears is the only option in such situations. Otherwise also, life in itself is uncertain, therefore, enjoy the uncertainty, affirmative even in gloom & doom situation!
PASSING FROM ONE STAGE OF LIFE TO OTHER IS A NATURAL OBSERVABLE FACT
IF MOTHER NATURE CHANGES WHY NOT HUMANS?
As we grow and pass from one stage of life to another one, we naturally experience change. This is a natural corollary and we cannot resist this change. It is not in our hands though what sort of life we want to live is in our hands.
CHANGE OF PLACE DUE TO JOB REQUIREMENT
Change may be from our familiar place to a place hitherto unfamiliar or seemingly out of the ordinary for us. If it is necessary, then perforce, we’ve to go and be adaptive to the change. For instance, when transfer is necessitated due to service requirements then you are constrained to accept change. Otherwise you’ll have to face the consequences for non-compliance. There is no alternative but to follow the orders – albeit change.
WE HAVE TO RESPCT NATURE THEN ONLY WE CAN GET ITS GOOD DIVIDENDS
CHAND IN MINDSET
Interestingly, people with negative mindset can shed their negativity and imbibe good habits and attitude. Those who are steeped in poverty work hard thus change their lifestyle. With belief in our own capabilities and belief on our Creator, we can do wonders. On the other hand, if we love status quo in our attitude and behavior pattern then we’re constrained to suffer ultimately. We know how Kauravas’ (In great Epic Mahabharta) suffered ultimately as they maintained stoic inflexibility towards Pandavas despite sagacious counseling by Lord Krishna.
THERE IS HIDDEN FEAR SURROUNDING THE CHANGE IN OUR MINDSET
Though through change we undergo necessary transformation in our attitude, behavior pattern, way of thinking etc. yet we resist change because we are afraid of unpredictable impact the change may bring about to our psyche.
BAGGAGE OF NEGATIVITY HAS TO BE REMOVED FOR PEACE OF MIND
If we want serenity and peace of mind, we have to empty our mind with the baggage of negativity in the form of anger, greed, bitterness, animosity, hypocrisy and deceit, jealousy etc. For change to be effective, we require our sincere efforts, perseverance, eliminate the mental blocks which resist changes in our attitude. But honest beginning could make difference though resisting change amounts to resisting practical changes is synonymous with resisting everything and anything in life.
WE SHOULD ALWAYS ACCEPT THAT NATURE CAN REMOVE HURDLES FROM OUR PATH – READ THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF NATURE
MERELY STAYING POSITIVE IS NOT THE SOLUTION, WE’VE TO BE PRACTICAL TO FACE THE CHANGE
It should also be noted that when we are encircled with uncertain situation, mere staying positive will not do us any good. We’ve to experience the uncertain situation and seek solution to come out of the quagmire we’ve created for ourselves. By so doing, we can have confidence to face and come out of any situation we are willy-nilly put in future. Mere bravado of positive attitude will not help us steer clear of our predicaments. Will to fight and come out unscathed will do a world of difference. It should always be remembered that stress, fear, rigidity etc. are our enemy number one and these reduce our life span.
ENJOY UNCERTAINTY
UNCERTAINTIES CAN BROWBEAT US BUT WILL TO SURVIVE STANDS THE TEST OF TIME
In essence, we become skeptical at every conceivable occasion. We just think that something bad will happen to us when in differing situation and condition. We suspect that something unpredictable will happen without even comprehending the exact scenario. When we come to know about the precise scene, we see something different. Meaning that we were have wrong perception. We can go with some presumption but that presumption should not always be negatively oriented since our accumulated knowledge could also come to our rescue while traversing into the strange situation or places. We should rather enjoy traverse into the strange territories with a feeling of certainty and if there is suspicion, confront it, fearing change will hardly deliver us of the problem.
NEVER HAVE DEFEATIST ATTITUDE
To alleviate the fear of change, nobody but an individual can help himself/herself. No soothsayers or any other person can help us. Such a person can only direct us to follow a particular path but we ourselves have to travel through that path. If we take charge of our thoughts and emotions then the fear of a change will evaporate in thin air.
THE ATTITUDE, BE HAPPY AND CONTENTED
Those who endeavour to face all the challenges with steel will power, here and now, and not putting anything for tomorrow, they steer clear of any obstacle. It seems incredibly mystic but it is true when we take one step at a time with self-assurance, we can easily overcome any change which may take place in future too. But it should never be forgotten that when we can solve our problem brought about by change with self-belief then why to turn the same into tension or when we can fix a problem in relaxation slowly but surely then why to put things off to make the problem more off-putting. We have to learn to get pleasure from change rather than let the change effect us physically and mentally.
HAPPINESS & PEACE OF MIND COMES WHEN YOU ENJOY NATURE & ITS BEAUTIES
We all need money for our sustenance. How much money we should have depends on our needs and the way we live. The role of money cannot be undervalued. But anyway how much money we need which provides us satiety depends on our lifestyle we are living. There are people who love to live lavishly and there are the ones who lead a simple way of living based on the dictum. Cut your coat according to your cloth. If you take more than what you can chew, it may harm you. Then there are the ones who would spend what they earn without saving for the raining days. Besides there are the ones who live beyond their means thus fall into debit trap.
LURE OF GETTING RICH INSTANTLY
There are the people who want to be rich instantly and indulge in adopting devious means such as gambling and other corrupt practices to showcase their acquired money power. Such people realize their folly when they fall into debt trap after they have lost every penny of theirs. In many cases some take money on very high rate of interest thus become bankrupt. There is a case of one enterprising engineer who wanted to become rich in one day lost lacs in one sitting, that too taken on exorbitant rate of interest. His monthly payment was not sufficient to pay back even the excessive rate of interest thus became penniless ultimately. His excessive desire to become rich instantly became the cause of breaking the entire family too. He was not able to support his family besides he was not able to pay tuition fee and sundry expenses of the family. His discomfiture compounded when his parents drove him out of their home. His wife and son are living at their parental home presently. Such is the lure of becoming rich instantly when we adopt ulterior methods of becoming prosperous without hard work. Also, we should never forget the downfall and ultimate doom of Kauravas at the hands of Pandavas due to the greed of Dharyodhana for possessions, as given in great detail in Epic Mahabharta.
LIGHT OF BLISS DAWNS FROM WITHIN US BY CARING AND SHARING
HUNTING WORLDLY POSSESSIONS BY CORRUPT PRACTICES
It has been observed that hunger for anything including worldly possessions and lures for outer attractive obsessions lead us astray and ultimately become a cause of our disgraceful downfall. It is relevant to mention the profound truth: Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. Bbible.
DISTANT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MONEY WE POSSESS AND HAPPINESS WE GET
There are people who are always after accumulation of money. Sometimes they lose their very identity and even the very purpose for which they are here on this beautiful earth while hunting in the quest for money. This shows that there is distant connection between how much money we possess and how long one can experience the joy and bliss. In other words, the pain and stress and strain one gets for accumulation of worldly possessions outgrows the happiness it can earn for us. In the early morning, while I was going on a walk, I came to know about the death of a person due to heart attack at the age of 40 years. Further I came to know that the person concerned devoted all his energies in earning money. He wanted to be crore-pati though with his hard work. Yet, in his keenness to earn more and more, he could not attend to his health related issues thus the ultimate consequence!
THERE IS JOY OF FEEDING EVEN THE BIRDS, ANIMALS & HUMANS WHO NEED OUR ASSISTANCE
HAPPINESS RESULTS WHEN WE RENDER HELP TO THE NEEDY
True happiness factors in when we bring happiness to others. Personal happiness comes when we alleviate the pain of others. Real happiness comes when we bring cheer and smile to others by caring and sharing. The real happiness is the byproduct of endless services we render without any expectation in return. This will also keep us free from ‘’I’ and ‘mine’ mindset thereby earning for us eternal joy and bliss which cannot be exchanged anything tangible.
HAPPINESS HAPPENS WHEN WE SEE THE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
MONEY MAY HELP US ACQUIRE LUXURIES OF LIFE BUT NOT PEACE AND JOY In essence, if we seek happiness in worldly possessions, it may help possession of luxurious goods for showcasing to others along with appeasing our senses but it will not bring us mental peace. In Bhagwad Gita it has been said: Happiness derived from a combination of the senses and the sense objects is always a cause of distress and should be avoided by all means
INNER THOUGHTS 
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