ਦੇਖਨ ਆਯੋ ਜਗਤ ਤਮਾਸਾ ।
Lecturer at
@ucberkeley
, Creator of Suraj Podcast, Author of 54 Punjabi Proverbs, and PhD candidate at
@ubc
. To support see the link below
Suraj Podcast X - Launch Trailer
Get ready for the life stories of Guru Gobind Singh Ji from the Suraj Prakash (1843), which will be covered in over 400 episodes.
When Guru Gobind Singh established his egalitarian community of the Khalsa it was met with stark resistance by the social elites of the Shivalik Hills. They worried their caste privilege would melt away if they joined the Khalsa, to which the Guru responded with the quote below
Guru Gobind Singh's Handwriting
One of the many interesting parts of Bhai Mani Singh's compilation of Gurbani (1713) includes 8 handwritten pages by the Guru
This is the beginning of Krishnavatar, the bottom right reads, "I am reciting the Dasam Skandh sitting in Anandpur "
Guru Gobind Singh on Krishna's Eyes
ਅਥ ਨੇਤ੍ਰ ਸੋਭਾ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਜੀ ਕੇ ਕਬਿਤ ॥
अथ नेत्र सोभा श्री क्रिसन जी के कबित्त ॥
Now begins the poem on the splendor of Sri Krishna's eyes:
ਸੋਹਤ ਸੁਧ ਸੁਧਾਰੇ ਸੇ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਜੋਬਨ ਜੋਤਿ ਸੁ ਢਾਰ ਢਰੇ ਹੈ ॥
सोहत सुध सुधारे से सुंदर जोबन जोति सु सु ढार ढरे है
On this day 322 years ago, July 23rd 1698, sitting by the River Satluj, on the foothills of the Nainadevi mountain, Guru Gobind Singh completed his version of the Ramayana, the Ramavatar. Half of this nearly 900 verse section consists of blood-stirring battle descriptions
Blessed and Bay Bound - thank you to UC Berkeley for hiring me as a Lecturer for the Institute for South Asia Studies - looking forward to leading their Punjabi Studies and supporting their effort to build a Sikh Studies program!
As heard on the last episode, the physical training for Guru Hargobind's warriors included weighted clubs [mughlian], which was a staple in the exercise regimes of wrestlers and warriors of old.
Giani Sant Singh's Ramcharitmanas Commentary
In the early 1820s, the head Granthi of Sri Harimandar Sahib, Amritsar, composed a commentary on the 17th century Ramcharitmanas [Lake of the Deeds of Rama] by Tulsidas, which was hailed to be "in a class by itself".
Cannabis at Harmandir Sahib (Amritsar)
This painting of Harmandir Sahib by William Carpenter was done in 1854, take a close look at the bottom right of the painting, it matches with textual evidence from that time describing how this sacrament was distributed to congregations
Sita's Beautiful Eyes by Guru Gobind Singh
At the age of 32, Guru Gobind Singh completed his version of the Ramayana, which is read across the globe by Sikhs yearly for Dusshera festivities. In it, the Guru vividly describes the allure of Sita's eyes in the language of Braj
1/8
A Sikh Soldier of the Azad Hind Fauj at a function in Berlin (1944). This military unit fought under the Japanese army in World War 2 led by Mohan Singh.
Happy to announce I'll be teaching 'The Making of Modern Sikhism' at University of British Columbia for Fall 2023 (HIST 384)
This course will explore the social and cultural forces that helped shape the Sikh tradition from the 18th century to the present time.
To do this we
Part of my endeavour to translate and unearth precolonial texts into English is to combat this type of 'scholarship', which consciously takes advantage of readers who are not able to read historical sources in Braj and/or Persian.
This thread will shed light on their lies
Guru Teg Bahadur's execution by Aurangzeb & his coming to the aid of Kashmiri Pandits are events found in later Sikh hagiographies, done around 150 years after the fact, & hence can be regarded as part of the mythology-making around the Gurus of the Sikhs.
Guru Gobind Singh's Praise of Ramayana
As Diwali approaches it's worth noting that Guru Gobind Singh loved and praised the poetic genius of the Sanskrit epic, the Valmiki Ramayana, writing on page 613 of the Dasam Granth that "All other poets are mutes in front of Valmiki"
Durga's Beauty by Guru Gobind Singh [thread]
Structured in a Kavit metre in the language of Braj, Guru Gobind Singh in his 'Chandi-charitar' [The Feats of Chandi], details the Goddess's beautiful features.
Dasam Granth: 82
Happy Navratri!
Guru Gobind Singh bestowed the tradition of celebrating this festival to Sikhs, connecting to a longstanding tradition of worshipping weapons most notably amongst Rajputs
This is mentioned in his beautiful Chandi Chritar composition:
For those who want to learn more about Guru Gobind Singh's handwriting check out this amazing book which has many notes explaining the unique style along with rare images of the handwritten notes and scripture of the Guru
Cannabis at Amritsar
The Indian Hemp Drugs Commission of 1893 mentions how cannabis was a staple at the Golden Temple - a tradition phased out in Punjab during the colonial period due to changing mindsets.
Takht Hazur Sahib is the only remaining Takht serving cannabis.
Visiting Hardawar in 2011, I took these photos of frescos at Guru Amar Das Ji's asthaan on the banks of the Ganges.
Shiva & Parbati making bhang, Devi Mata Durga, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and Krishna Radha
I think
@puneet_sahani
is disingenuous so I won't engage him directly, but for everyone else this is incorrect.
The Benti Chaupai is the concluding section of the last chritar which is clearly addressed to the masculine Mahakal (Great Death), (see verse 366) which is not
@jvalaaa
Not correct. Tara Singh Narotam has clearly (and correctly) written MahaKalka - one word. Not Mahakal Ka - two words. So reference is to Devi Kali not Mahadev Shiva.
Further clarification of how Devi recipient of eulogy in Benti here & below in Ram Avtar.
What a delightful and graceful recitation of a passage from Sarbloh Granth, a text attributed to Guru Gobind Singh. This passage praises the Divine using imagery and characteristics of the Devi's various forms and paradoxically as the Unblemished Eternal Non-Dual Consciousness
From Guru Gobind Singh's own pen, a story of love
ਰਘੁਬਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਸੀਅ ਨਾ ਜੀਐ ਸੀਅ ਬਿਨ ਜੀਐ ਨ ਰਾਮ ॥
रघुबर बिनु सीअ ना जीऐ सीअ बिन जीऐ न राम
Rāma couldn't live without Sītā
& Sītā couldn't live without Rāma
Image: Bhai Mani Singh Shahid's manuscript, 1713
This mentality should be abhorred by everyone in the Sikh community. It is egotistical, arrogant and lazy.
If you actually care about spreading info then produce something that will command their attention, don't just sit on your high horse from info you inherited by fortune.
Three Types of Miracles [thread]
When Guru Gobind Singh arrived in Agra, he was aggressively questioned by a strict Muslim Sayyid if he possessed any abilities to perform miracles - to which the Guru playfully described 3 types of miracles...
Guru Tegh Bahadur (left), Guru Gobind Singh (middle), Mata Gujari (far right)
National Museum Delhi, Sodhi Bhan Singh manuscript of Dasam Granth, 1839-1843. Illustrated by Miha Singh of Kashmir.
Today on the birthday of Mata Sahib Devan, the wife of Guru Gobind Singh, I'm tracing her signature in a hukamnama dated September 10th 1726. Her wavy Onkaar is just incredible 🌊
On this day, 324 years ago, sitting along the banks the Satleg River, Guru Gobind Singh completed his largest composition, the Chritaropakhyan, a collection of 405 short stories, framed as a discussion between a minister and his king about the precarious nature of relationships
Interesting that the poet extraordinaire Guru Gobind Singh, having penned over 17,000 verses across multiple languages writes:
ਯਾ ਕਲ ਮੈਂ ਸਭ ਕਾਲ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ ਕੇ ਭਾਰੀ ਭੁਜਾਨ ਕੋ ਭਾਰੀ ਭਰੋਸੋ ॥
In this age of Kaliyuga, my full faith heavily rests in the strong arms of Death - the Kirpan.
Someone asked me why do you not wear Kirpan. I say my 5th K is my pen. Not to say that I believe in non-violence but I believe that one can choose between pen and a sword depending on the context. Both are equally leathal to fight against oppression.
Recently watched Dastaan-e Miri Piri, an animated film on Guru Hargobind. By not depicting the Guru, by whiting him out, they erase any connection that the viewer could obtain from viewing his emotions, demeanor and actions. The storytelling as a result suffers incredibly
This is from the Fifth Season of Suraj Prakash - here the kathavachik quickly skips past portions regarding the Khalsa eating boar meat.
In contrast the Suraj Podcast X will cover the text in its entirety, fully uncensored and raw so everyone can have access and enjoy it!
The Origin of the Jalebi [thread]
This proverb was a favourite of many from 54 Punjabi Proverbs, but did you know the Jalebi comes into the Indian subcontinent from the Middle East and is recorded in text as far back as the 10th century?
The names of the four princes of Guru Gobind Singh - two names drawn from Sanskrit and two from Perso-Arabic. A beautiful testament to the linguistic flexibility of the Guru and their broad vision which cut across religious and cultural lines.
History of Chess
Did you know some scholars believe chess has origins in India? Precolonial sources detail Sikh Gurus like Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh playing chess. Bhai Gurdas in the early 1600s also wrote about an Indo-Persian version called Shatranj
(see thread)
Ramayana by Guru Gobind Singh
Hear how Guru Gobind Singh interlaces poetic Persian into his Brajbhasha description of Rama and Sita returning to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.
View in 4K high quality!
On this day (Aug 3rd), 332 years ago, sitting along the banks of the Yamuna river in the city of Paonta, Guru Gobind Singh completed his Krishnavatar composition - his version of the 10th Canto of the Bhagavad Purana - in it a range from devotional poetry to vicious war scenes
Talk about not getting a break.
Budha Dal's Jathedar Hanuman Singh was killed from the cannons of Maharaj of Patiala in 1846.
The next in line Prahalada Singh commanded Budha Dal to exit Punjab, traveling south they reached Hazur Sahib where the head Granthi Ala Singh
Guru Nanak & Hanuman
In Santokh Singh's Nanak Prakash (1823), it mentions how Guru Nanak, Mardana and Bala met with Hanuman in Sri Lanka, while taking the form of Raam (Guru Nanak), Sita (Mardana), and Lakshman (Bala).
Hanuman stands up before Guru Nanak who then says:
"Oh
ਜਹਾਂ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਬੈਠਾ ਪਾਵੈ । ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤੇ ਬੁਲਾਵੇ ।
Where the Khalsa is seated,
call out 'Vahiguruji Ka Khalsa, Vahiguruji Ki Fateh'
ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਸਹਤ ਜੋ ਦਰਸਨ ਕਰ ਹੈ । ਤੇ ਪੁਨ ਭਵ ਸਾਗਰ ਨਹਿ ਪਰ ਹੈ ।
Anyone who looks upon the Khalsa with love,
They then won't fall into ocean of existence
Handwritten Ik Onkaar by Guru Gobind Singh and Mata Sahib Devan
Taken from a Nishan written by Guru Gobind Singh and a Hukamnama by Mata Sahib Devan
Sneak preview screenshots from an upcoming video where we explore traditional understandings of Ik Onkaar
The Hanuman Natak, a Braj Bhasha text was written in 1623 by Hirday Ram Bhalla (a relative of the famous Bhai Behlo Bhalla, a Sikh of Guru Arjan). According to the Chaupa Singh Rehatnama, a Sikh brought this as a gift for Guru Gobind Singh (pg 101, Rehatnamay by P. S. Padam)
ਪੰਥ ਅੱਗੇ ਪੁਕਾਰ - A Call out to the Panth
A wild Punjabi poem written and published in the infamous Gadar Di Goonj [Roar of Rebellion] from San Francisco in 1914 calls on Singhs to uproot the British colonial power to liberate Mother India.
[thread]
Meaning of Singh - Lion or Tiger? [thread]
Etymologically the word Singh ਸਿੰਘ comes from the Sanskrit Sinha सिंह, meaning Lion, and its usage was widespread amongst Rajput warriors, who combined this title to their name, drawing inspiration from the Asiatic Lion. However...
16 Types of Seva
Bhai Vir Singh writes of sixteen forms of seva [service/devotion] one performs for Guru Granth Sahib in a footnote in his Suraj Prakash publication.
The list includes lighting lamps, offering flowers, igniting incense, etc, see the list in the next thread:
Illustrated Manuscripts
3 years after the Great Massacre ਵੱਡਾ ਘੱਲੂਘਾਰਾ 1762, this manuscript of Dasam Granth by the Patna Missal of Sikhs was completed. During the massacre many manuscripts were lost. Its remarkable such an extravagant manuscript was made soon after
A 19th century depiction of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The Suraj Prakash (1843) describes Guru Tegh Bahadur vividly as a warrior who hunted, ate meat, traveled alongside Amber Raja, Ram Singh, on a military campaign but also as a poet who emphasized detachment and devotion.
Dastar - The Victory Giver
Dastar دستار meaning Turban came into Punjabi from Persian - Dast [hand/power/victory] and ār [bringer/possessor]. The turban in Perso-Arabic context served many purposes, one being a symbol of strength and martial accomplishment
Guru Gobind Singh's Young Routine
According to Bansavalinama (1769), the Guru's main teacher was Harijas, the nephew of Satidas and Matidas, a Brahmin who had studied Gurmukhi, Persian, and the Shastras.
Guru Gobind Singh, at the age of six, learned Gurmukhi from him in six
ਚੰਦ੍ਰਮੁਖੀ ਬਨਿਤਾ ਬਹੁਤੈ ਘਰਿ ਮਾਲ ਭਰੇ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਤ ਸੰਭਾਰੇ ॥
One may have many beautiful wives with faces radiant like the moon
and so much wealth that they unable to care for it.
ਨਾਮ ਬਿਹੀਨ ਅਧੀਨ ਭਏ ਜਮ ਅੰਤਿ ਕੋ ਨਾਗੇ ਹੀ ਪਾਇ ਸਿਧਾਰੇ ॥੪੯੧॥
But without the Name they all become subservient to
1. "There are no Sikh sources that are even within a century of the event."
Untrue - Guru Tegh Bahadur's story is mentioned in these very important Sikh historical texts:
- Dasam Granth [late 1600s]
- Gurbilas P6 [1720]
- Gurbilas Patshahi Dasvi [1751]
- Bansavalinama [1769]
Ph.insheD - six years in the making, excited to make this into a book 📚 extraordinary amount of gratitude to my advisors and friends who helped me along the way.
ਪੀ ਇਚਡੀ ਡਿਫੈਂਸ ਭਈ, ਕਲ ਸਿਰ ਭਾਰ ਉਠਾਇ
ਗੁਰ ਗਨ ਸਕਲ ਮਨੈ ਨਮੌ, ਸੁਕਰ ਭਰੇ ਮਨ ਮਾਇ
Vir Singh notes how the new Akalis (Singh Sabha) went too far when reforming practices, without the permission of the community, stopped traditional practices like celebrating Holi. Interesting to see how it has made a comeback now with Sikhs celebrating the festival worldwide.
A Tenacious Optimism:
A foundational state of mind for Sikhs, this optimism is nurtured daily, as a longstanding practice evidenced in early historical texts mention the morning routine to consist of the singing of the 'Ballad of Hope' [Asa Ki Vaar].
Filled with immense gratitude from all the great convos at the Shastar Expo in Surrey - thanks to everyone who had such kind words about the Suraj Podcast, always give me fuel to keep going 🙏🏾
Writing out more notes of Guru Gobind Singh's Jaap - an absolutely exquisite blending of Arabic, Farsi, Prakrit, Sanskrit into Braj metres all in praise of the Divine - a multilayered poetic picture of the Ineffable
Would you be interested in the compilation of all my notes?
ਬਿਨੁ ਬਾਦ ਬਿਰੋਧਹਿ ਕੋਈ ਨਾਹੀ ॥
No one is without conflict and dispute
ਮੈ ਦੇਖਾਲਿਹੁ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ॥
Show someone like this to me and I'll salute them
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Granth Sahib: 1024
Image:
ਸਾਵਲ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਰੂਪ ਬਣਾਵਹਿ ਬੇਣੁ ਸੁਨਤ ਸਭ ਮੋਹੈਗਾ ॥੯॥
सावल सुँदर रूप बणावहि बेणु सुनत सभ मोहैगा ॥९॥
You made the form of the dark beautiful one;
listening to your flute everyone was mesmerized
- Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Adi Guru Granth: 1082
Folio: Krishnavatar manuscript
So happy to have worked on the Women of Sikhi Calendar
In an effort to decolonialize Sikh history, I helped the organizers & artists dig out stories from precolonial texts related to Sikh women to aid them in their artwork
Have you got your copy?
According Giani Sant Singh, Hanuman appeared to him in a dream and ordered him to write the commentary, he replied saying he was not capable. Hanuman insisted him to recite the Manas 108 times, and from this the knowledge and bhav [feeling] of the text would appear to him.
Stunning photo of Budha Dal under the leadership of Baba Chet Singh, flanked by Baba Santa Singh (Budha Dal), Baba Kharak Singh (Budha Dal), Baba Sohan Singh (Bidhi Chand dal), Baba Bishan Singh (Tarna dal)
Guru Gobind Singh's short hand includes some amazing (Sanskrit-esque) letter stacking - this is from a Hukamnama dated July 24 1698 to the Sikh congregation in Prince Azim-ul-Din's (1664-1712) armed forces, who was the grandson of Aurganzeb.
ਨਾ ਹਉ ਨਾ ਮੈ ਨਾ ਹਉ ਹੋਵਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥੧॥
Nanak: contemplating the Shabad [has understood],
'I was nothing - I am nothing - I will never exist'
Guru Granth Sahib: 139
This is why the name of the text is called Bhav Prakash [The Splendor of Feeling]. He begins his commentary in praise of Ganesha, Saraswati and then the Ten Sikh Gurus.
Giani Sant Singh was in his 50s when he finished this commentary and would pass away at the age of 64.
The 'Larivar', or the sequential writing manner of Gurmukhi, was the original way in which Gurbani was written. To read correctly it requires both an intermediate knowledge level of vocab and grammar being utilized in Gurbani, but also at least some knowledge of poetic metres
ਜਿਤੁ ਦਰਿ ਲਖ ਮਹੰਮਦਾ ਲਖ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੇ ਬਿਸਨ ਮਹੇਸ
At the Divine's door, countless Mohammads, Brahmas, Vishnus, and Shivas reside
- Guru Nanak
This passage, while not in the modern printed Guru Granth Sahib, is found in many handwritten manuscripts.
ਐਸੇ ਗੁਣ ਹਰਿ ਖਾਲਸਹਿ ਬਖਸ਼ੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਗਯਾਨੀ ਰਾਜਜੋਗੇਸ੍ਵਰ ॥
Hari bestowed these qualities to the Khalsa:
To be a devotee
Imbued with wisdom
The kings of kings &
The ascetic of ascetics
ਆਪ ਵਿਚਿ ਪਿਆਰੁ ਕਰਣਾ, ਸੰਗਤਿ ਹਥੀਆਰ ਬੰਨਕੇ ਦਰਸਨ ਆਵਣਾ
Spread love amongst yourselves, and strap weapons on when arriving for Darshan
- Guru Gobind Singh, in a Hukamnama dated Feburary 6 1702 to the congregation Prayaga [Allahabad]
Practicing the calligraphic style of Gurmukhi in Anandpur, called Anandpuri Lipi - Guru Gobind Singh wrote in this manner evidenced by his folios across various early Dasam Granth manuscripts
Golden Decorated Arrows
Upcoming on the Suraj Podcast for Episode 200, we hear in detail how Guru Hargobind decimates Mughal forces via archery fire. The text describes the Guru's arrows as decorated with a beautiful gold notch/nock (ਬਾਗਰ/ਫੋਕ) at the end of each arrow.
Guru Hargobind duels Mughalis Khan
In Episode 203 we heard how the Battle of Amritsar finished with a duel between Guru Hargobind and the main Mughal general, Mugalis Khan. For more videos follow Suraj Podcast on Instagram and YouTube