The 10 Sikh Gurus

Everyday as I pray, I remember the 10 Sikh Gurus. But unlike now, I just did not not want to say their names, rather I wanted to think of something that they did for us as I remember them everyday, and thank them from my heart, for how they gave big contributions for the faith. So here is the list, and I think about it as I say my prayer, which helps me realize the importance of the Guru in my life and motivates me to live with the strong principles the Guru's had.

1. Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
* Founder of Sikhism, his message: Naam Japō (meditate), Kirat Karō (Work hard), Vand Chakkō (Share with less fortunate)
2. Guru Angad Dev Ji
* Formalized the present form of the Gurmukhi script
3. Guru Amardas Ji
* Langar (Free Blessed Food), abolished the Caste System, his service to the Guru at old age.
4. Guru Ramdas Ji
* Author of Laava, the hymns of the Marriage Rites, Designed the Golden Temple.
5. Guru Arjan Dev Ji
* First Sikh Guru to be martyred, Compiled the holy Sikh Book, Developed the holy city of Amritsar.
6. Guru Har Gobind Ji
* Built the Akal Takhat, Gave the concept of Miri and Piri(The temporal and the spiritual power)
7. Guru Har Rai Ji
* Excommunicated Ram Rai Ji (his Son) from the Sikh Panth, for he distorted Gurbani to please the King.
8. Guru Harkrishan Ji
* The child Guru, who did unselfish sewa, and provided cure to thousands suffering from smallpox
9. Guru Teg Bahadur Ji
* Was martyred for saving the Kashmiri Pandits, who were being persecuted by the Mughals
10. Guru Gobind Singh Ji
* The creation of the Khalsa (The current form) was the greatest work of the Guru

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم)

On my way back home today, as I was crossing the road, the cab caller on the road side, asked me "Sir, you want the cab". I said "No", he smiled and said "As-Salāmu `Alaykum"- which is the greeting in Islam, commonly used in middle east. I smiled back looking at him, I didn't even reply back, and started to think as I crossed the road, that when will the world know about Sikhs and Sikhism. That guy mistook me for an Arab, as I wear a turban like all Sikhs do.

I believe it will take some time, as I realize, that not all Sikhs know the true meaning of a Sikh. I met some Indians who were surprised to know, that I don't eat meat and drink. For them, a Sardar means lots of chicken and beer. Some confused me for Naamdhari or Radhasoami, that incident hurt me, and forced me to think hard as to how things have changed so much.

To finish off, I will add some happy moments too. When in Europe and here in US, at the shop or on the road or at the station, someone will come and wish me 'Sat Shri Akal' or 'Paaji ki haal chaal' (how are you brother'). It feels good at that time, as they could identify me for the way I look. A proud khalsa.

Only the Guru knows, when the Khalsa will rise and be seen as a Khalsa and not mistaken for anything else.

Dream 07/07/07

Well today is 07/07/07, I don’t believe in numbers, but does not that date look nice, keeping the fact that I am born on the 7th of Dec. I've my affinity towards the number 7.

Well it’s about my dream on the morning of 7th July 07. I woke up at around 7 and then deliberately went to bed, I love my bed. Soon I was in the dreamland.

At my age (20+), one starts to think/dream of getting married, it’s not only you but your parents, friends, relatives and everyone who knows you, they want to talk to you about your marriage. Marriage is such a hot discussion topic, some typical questions I have been asked around the world, “Are you married?” “Do you have children?” “Where is your wife”? I replied with the same answer “I’m single and available”. Forget that, back to dream, the girl I had chatted/talked with on a couple of occasions, is coming to see me as a potential marriage candidate (victim) in this beautiful place called Cyprus, along with her parents.

Can’t recall the whole dream, but yes, it was a Sunday and we went to the Gurudwara Sahib (Sikh temple) for the Sunday prayers. Holy cow…. a Gurudwara in Cyprus!!! I haven’t seen more than 10 Turbaned Sikhs in the last 1 year, forget about the Gurudwara. But, this Gurudwara was amazing, Kirtan being done in full flow, large sangat, a rush in all the corners, people having langar as they were out for some Picnic (tables and chairs), the waiters were the Gurudwara sevadars, serving them with delicious stuff. Think of pizzas in the Gurudwara sahib. Everything was so luxurious at the Gurudwara.

It was now I realized that girl’s father was quite modern, wearing ear rings. He used more of ‘ya ya’ and ‘yo man’ when talking. There were some of my relatives (not my parents) to assist me. We had couple of short talks, and then the girl announced “You don’t meet even 1 of those 10 requirements”. I was dumbstruck at this. I am not that bad, what went wrong? Well after some more drama, we were back.

Back at home, its chat time. The girl left me a message, “Delete (Shift + Delete) all my pics from your computer, and forget me”. I thought it must be a dream, as it all looked very unreal, girl in Cyprus, the Modern dad, the luxury Gurudwara etc.

Soon, I was awake, thanks to the sunlight coming through the window, straight at my face. Oh yes, it was a dream, the storyline was not impressive, but indeed interesting.

What a dream, the dream girl was nice but why did she reject a nice guy (guessing), her dad looked cool, and I would love to see such a luxury Gurudwara sahib :).

Its Saturday, I want to sleep again, but for my desire to be healthy again, I’ll go to the office gym and also enjoy a couple of ping-pong games.

"The best reason for having dreams is that in dreams no reasons are necessary." ~Ashleigh Brilliant
"A dream which is not interpreted is like a letter which is not read." ~The Talmud