I was talking to my friend Jasdeep Singh and he shared this poem with me on real picture of Guru Nanak Dev. This poem is originally written in punjabi by Jaswant Singh Zafar and Jasdeep translated it in English.

Sharing both of the versions below.

ਨਾਨਕ 

ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ
ਸਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਬਹੁਤ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ ਹੈ
ਨਾਨਕ ਦੀ ਅਸ੍ਲੀ ਤਸਵੀਰ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰਨਾ
ਪੈਂਡੇ ਦੀ ਧੂੜ ਨਾਲ ਲੱਥ ਪੱਥ ਪਿੰਜਣੀਆਂ
ਤਿੜਕੀਆਂ ਅੱਡੀਆਂ
ਨ੍ਹੇਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਉਲ੍ਝੀ ਖੁਸ਼੍ਕ ਦਾਹ੍ੜੀ
ਤੇ ਚਿਹਰੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਉਭਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਡੂਂਘ ‘ਚ
ਦਗਦੀਆਂ ਮਘਦੀਆਂ ਤੇਜ਼ ਅੱਖਾਂ
ਅੱਖਾਂ ਜੋ -
ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ
ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ
ਤੇ ਹਰ ਸੰਸਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ
ਟਿੱਚ ਜਾਣਦੀਆਂ
ਬਹੁਤ ਖਤਰਨਾਕ ਸਿੱਧ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੈ
ਸਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਅਸ੍ਲੀ ਨਾਨਕ

ਸਾਨੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਸੋਭਾ ਸਿੰਘੀ ਮੂਰਤਾਂ ਵਾਲਾ
ਨਾਨਕ ਹੀ ਸੂਟ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ
ਸ਼ਾਂਤ
ਲੀਨ
ਲਕਸ਼ਮੀ ਦੇਵੀ ਵਾਂਗ ਉਠਾਇਆ ਹੱਥ
ਹੱਥ ‘ਚੋਂ ਫੁਟਦੀ ਮਿਹਰ
ਤੇ ਅੱਖਾਂ ‘ਚੋਂ ਡੁੱਲ ਡੁੱਲ ਪੈਂਦੀ ਕੋਮਲਤਾ
ਸਨ ਸਿਲ੍ਕੀ ਸ਼ਫਾਫ ਦਾਹ੍ੜੀ
ਗੋਲ ਮਟੋਲ ਗੋਰੀਆਂ ਗੁਲਾਬੀ ਗੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ
ਫੇਅਰ ਐਂਡ ਲਵ੍ਲੀ
ਸੁਰਖ ਟਿਪ੍ਸੀ ਹੋਂਠ
ਮੁਲਾਇਮ ਜੈਮਿਨੀ ਪੈਰ
ਕੂਲੇ ਬਾਰਬੀ ਹੱਥ
ਪੈਗੰਬਰੀ ਵਸਤਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਏਰੀਅਲੀ ਨਿਖਾਰ

ਸਾਡੇ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਘਰਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਕੰਧਾਂ ਤੇ
ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇ ਸੋਭਾ ਸਿੰਘੀ ਚਿੱਤਰ ਹੀ ਟਿਕ ਸਕਦੇ
ਰਾਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੱਦ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ
ਖਤਰਨਾਕ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੀ ਅਸ੍ਲੀ ਤਸਵੀਰ ਦਾ ਭਾਰ
ਸਾਡੀ ਕੋਈ ਕੰਧ ਨਹੀਂ ਝੱਲ ਸਕਦੀ
ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ ਅਸੀਂ ਮਰ ਮਰ ਕੇ ਬਣਾਏ
ਘਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਢੁਆਉਣੇ
ਮਸਾਂ ਮਸਾਂ ਰੱਬ ਤੋਂ ਲਾਏ ਨਿਆਣੇ
ਹੱਥੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਗੁਆਉਣੇ
ਅਸੀਂ ਅਸ੍ਲੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੀ ਤਸਵੀਰ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਧਰ ਸਕਦੇ
ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ

Translated Version of original poem above:

Excuse Us
Its quite hard for us
To idolize real image of Naanak 
Legs messed up with dust of the tiring path
Cramped feet
rouged up beard by ..
eyes popping from the facial bone structure
dazzling renegade eyes
eyes –
which challenge
the family
the regime
and every ritual

Real Naanak
can prove dangerous to us

Naanak imitated in the paintings of Sobha Singh
is well suited for us
peaceful
spiritual
hand shown like Goddess Lakhsmi
and the generosity withering from the hand
eyes full of delicacy
clean sun silked beard
round fair cheeks
fair and lovely
rosy tipsy lips
soft gemini feet
delicate barbie hands

The walls of our home can only hold
Naanak imitated in the paintings of Sobha Singh
Naanak who challenged the paths traveled by others
That Dangerous Naanak’s real picture
is quite bulky for our walls..

Excuse us..

the homes we created with labour of blood,
we can’t afford ruining them,
kids we got with God’s grace,
we can’t afford losing them,

we can not idolize the real image of Naanak
Excuse us

Source : Excerpts from poem ‘Naanak’ by poet/cartoonist Jaswant Singh Zafar ( ਜਸਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਜ਼ਫਰ ) ’s second poetry book ” Asin naanak de ki lagde haan “. He is an Engineer by profession .English Translation is by Jasdeep Singh

Many Indian Political leaders gave their wishes and greeted the Sikh community on occassion of 539th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Apart from messages of President of India, Smt Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal, many more political and religious leaders wished Sikh community on Gurprab and conveyed their greetings.

Message from President of India - Smt. Pratibha Patil
On the auspicious occasion of the birthday of Guru Nanak Devji, I convey my heartiest greetings to all my fellow citizens.Guru Nanak Devji’s teachings of love, brotherhood, truthfulness, sacrifice and the importance of leading a righteous life as a way to attaining spiritual progress are of eternal relevance. Let us resolve to deeply understand his noble teachings and rededicate ourselves to the cause of humanity, equality, brotherhood and harmony, She added. [ANI]

Gurpurab Greetings from Vice President of India -Mr Hamid Ansari

“I extend my greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the holy and joyous occasion of Guru Nanak’s Birthday. The divine teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism are a beacon of light to mankind guiding us on the path of peace, harmony and righteousness. His message of truth, humanism, righteousness and tolerance has universal relevance to rid mankind of violence, injustice and exploitation.

Let us derive inspiration from the holy teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji on his birth anniversary and strive towards creating a just and peaceful society”. [PIB]

Gurpurab Greetings by Prime Minister of India - Dr Manmohan Singh

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Guru Nanak’s birthday. In his message, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that Guru Nanak’s life and message of brotherhood, equality of man and universal values is an inspiration for all humanity. The Prime Minister said that by following the teachings of Guru Nanak ji, we can rise above narrow considerations and promote the idea of unity of all mankind. [PIB]

Message by Chief Minister Of Punjab - Parkash Singh Badal

“Guru Nanak Dev ji was a great spiritual ambassador who showed us the path of salvation by spreading the cult of devotion to God and message of love, compassion and spirituality amongst the mankind. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji envisioned a casteless society free of rituals in order to attain salvation thereby redeeming the suffering humanity who had lost all hopes and optimism in their lives due to the oppression of foreign invaders, injustice of contemporary rulers and custodians of religious & social traditions. Guru Ji motivated the humanity with new ideas, aims, aspirations and exhorted them to dispense with the maladies of hypocrisy, falsehood, pretensions and caste-prejudices.   “Guru ji’s teachings are still relevant today especially in the present complex and materialistic society”, said Badal.

The Chief Minister appealed the people to imbibe the spirit of service and humility as preached by the Great Guru and strive hard for carving out a peaceful, prosperous and healthy society by following the precious legacy of Guru ji and celebrate this occasion with utmost devotion and dedication rising above the parochial considerations of caste, colour, creed and religion.[PNL]

Share the news of celebrations,greetings and messages on Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji at info@amritsarovar.com .

A BBC radio presenter has been sacked for making alleged racist remarks after she told a taxi firm not to send a driver wearing a turban to pick up her daughter as it would “freak her out”.

Forty-year-old Sam Mason who joined BBC Radio Bristol in September’08 called the taxi company off-air when she was presenting the radio’s afternoon programme.

She allegedly told the cab operator “not to send an Asian driver to pick up her daughter. A guy with a turban on is going to freak her out.”

“I know this sounds really racist, but I’m not being please. An English person would be great, a female would be better,” she further added.

When her request was refused, she is alleged to have said: “You’ve managed it before.”

The taxi operator routinely records messages in case of complaints and later passed a transcript of the conversation on to The Sun, who subsequently contacted the BBC.

Mason was suspended and sacked 24 hours later. She was later informed by station officials on Saturday that she would no longer work for the BBC.

The transcript records how she ordered a taxi to take her 14-year-old from her Clifton house to her grandparents’ home.

A BBC spokesman said: “Although Sam Mason’s remarks were not made on-air, her comments were completely unacceptable and, for that reason, she has been informed that she will no longer be working for the BBC with immediate effect.”

According to The Sun, the transcript of the conversation runs as follows.

Mason: “I know this sounds really racist, but I’m not being . . . please, don’t send anyone like, you know what I mean. An English person would be great, a female would be better.”

Operator: “We would class that as being racist. We can’t penalise the Asian drivers and just send an English one.”

Mason: “You’ve managed it before.”

Operator: “Right, OK. I don’t agree with it personally.”

Mason: “It’s not your 14-year-old girl who’s, you know, is it?”

Operator: “Yes, but that’s racist to say you don’t want an Asian driver.”

Mason: “If it were me I wouldn’t care if it had two heads, but it’s my little girl we are talking about.”

Mason, is then handed to a male taxi operator and tells him that his female colleague has “a bad attitude”.

She adds: “I work at the BBC. I’m far from racist and that uneducated woman has no right to call me one.” She says

of her daughter: “I don’t want her to turn up with a guy with a turban on. It’s going to freak her out.  She’s not used to Asians.”

Share your comments and feedback on this issue in comments sections below or email us info@amritsarovar.com

Good News for all the readers of AmritSarovar Blog. Now you can view AmritSarovar Blog with all the latest news,views and reviews on Sikhism and related issues while you are on move. AmritSarovar Blog is now viewable on PDA and iPhone browsers in mobile-specific themes.

What will be the change?
No changes. It simply detects the browser agent of your phone and loads a simple theme on fly.you will be able to read all the content and posts on your mobile device.

Any bugs?
If you get any, report to us at info@amritsarovar.com

Try it and let us know how it works for you.

Enjoy AmritSarovar Blog on the go now !!

Heartiest Greetings from AmritSarovar Team on the occasion of 539th Parkash Purab [Birth day] of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

 Guru Nanak Dev Ji (15 April 1469 - 7 May 1539) is the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus of the Sikhs. He was born in the village of Talwandi, also called Rai Bhoe-ki Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib, near Lahore in present-day Pakistan. He was born, according to all ancient Sikh records, in the early morning of the third day of the light half of the month of Baisakh (April - May) in the year 1469 AD.

Guru Nanak founded & formalized the three pillars of Sikhism:

1. Naam Japna [Recite the name of Almighty]- Guru ji led the Sikhs directly to practice Simran and Naam Japna – meditation on God through reciting, chanting, singing and constant remembrance followed by deep study & comprehension of God’s Name and virtues. In real life to practice and tread on the path of Dharam (righteousness) - The inner thought of the Sikh thus stays constantly immersed in praises and appreciation of the Creator and the ONE ETERNAL GOD Waheguru.

2. Kirat Karni [Work hard]- He expected the Sikhs to live as honorable householders and practice Kirat Karni – To honestly earn by ones physical and mental effort while accepting both pains & pleasures as God’s gifts and blessings. One is to stay truthful at all times and, fear none but the Eternal Super Soul. Live a life founded on decency immersed in Dharam - life controlled by spiritual, moral & social values.

3. Vand Chakna [Sharing and Consuming Together] - The Sikhs were asked to share their wealth within the community by practicing Vand Chakna – “Share and consume together”. The community or Sadh Sangat is an important part of Sikhism. One must be part of a community that is living the flawless objective values set out by the Sikh Gurus and every Sikh has to contribute in whatever way possible to the common community pool. This spirit of Sharing and Giving is an important message from Guru Nanak.

For detailed information on life of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Click here

Send in the pictures, news, reports on celebrations of Gurpurab in your area to info@amritsarovar.com.

Sat Sri Akal, a Punjabi movie,a socio-religious family entertainment movie is releasing today to commemorate 300th anniversary of Gurgaddi Divas of Guru Granth Sahib ji.

The movie, production of Mata Tripta Ji Charitable Trust and Frankfinn Entertainment Company Pvt Ltd is a story revolving around the love, sentiments and faith towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The narrative of the movie affirms and reiterates that Almighty God always stands by the ones who are drenched in His love and have full trust in Him. Based on true happenings, the movie is a live account of a family having immense belief in Waheguru, a story splendidly told amongst heart rending gurbani/shabads sung by legends like Jagjit Singh, Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurty, Abhijit, Sadhna sargam and one sweet-romantic, another foot-tapping song by Sunidhi Chauhan.

The movie has been shot at the picturesque locations in Punjab (Mandi Gobindgarh, Rajpura and Sirhind), and Chandigarh. Considerable portion has also been shot at Sri Harmandir Sahib (Amritsar) and Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded and a sizeable portion  at Sri Bangla Sahib, Manali (HP) and Mumbai.

The movie revolves around traditional values, love, sentiments, and colossal faith towards the Almighty God. Particularly, it tends to inculcate immense belief towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the Gurbani enshrined within. The film tends to enlighten one on how Guru Granth Sahib is practical Guru in this modern world. For the first time, the “true to life” ambience of pilgrimage places like Sri Harmandar Sahib (Amritsar), Sri Hazur Sahib (Nanded) and Sri Bangla Sahib (Delhi) would be shown on 35 mm format.

It has a decent love story going through ups and downs of life, splendidly told amongst heart rendering Gurbani shabads sung by legends and foot-tapping songs. Music, a spell-binding and unique fusion of tradition and modernity, with 8 Gurbani shabads and 3 songs, all by celebrity singers, is one of the major highlights of the film. Three shabads in the soundtrack are rendered by the celebrated icon, Jagjit Singh in his soothing style. One shabad has been rendered by our beloved Ishmeet Singh (Late) as his first, last and only playback in any film. Though Ishmeet is not in this carnal world, his voice in Sat Sri Akal would continue to reverberate forever across the universe. Shabad sung by him is “Ditthe Sabhe Thaav Nahi Tudh Jehaya” .

Other renowned singers embellishing the soundtrack with their melodious voices include Alka Yagnik, Sunidhi Chauhan, Abhijeet, Sadhana Sargam, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Krishna, Ravinder, Feroz Khan and Richa Sharma. The soulful music has been composed by Ravinder Singh.The impressive star cast includes Kimi Verma, the most established actress of the contemporary Punjabi Cinema. Manpreet Singh, a turbaned Sikh guy from Bollywood plays the male lead against Kimi.Key roles have been played by the established bollywood actors like Arun Bali and Dolly Minhas, besides Avtar Gill, Manmeet Singh, Vivek Shauq, Neelu Kohli, and Nirmal Rishi. Pooja Tandon and Sonpreet are the promising newcomers making their maiden appearance in a mega film.

For more information on the film, wallpapers, music, view the promotional videos and cast details visit the official website of Sat Sri Akal - satsriakalmovie.com

Do send in your reviews and feedback on the film to info@amritsarovar.com.

View of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Nishaan Sahib

First Glimpse of Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji when you step down from stairs

Ramgharia Bunge

These are the Ramgharia Bunge and Ek Ongkar lit in between. Behind these is Guru Ramdas Langar - a free kitchen open 24 hours a day for community. 

It would be great to hear your comments and feedback on this post. Please add in comments section or mail us info@amritsarovar.com

300 saal guru de naal logo

In the backdrop of violence against north Indians in Maharashtra and bomb blasts happening in Guwhati,Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today warned that “divisive forces” were out to break the country and halt its progress.

Addressing a function here as part of Guru-ta-Gaddi tercentenary celebrations of Sikhs in Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded, he said the unity and integrity of the country needed to be protected in the wake of these attempts.

“There are divisive powers who want to break this country and halt its progress… There were forces who want people to fight with each other,” Singh said.

“We have to protect the unity and integrity of the nation,” the Prime Minister said.

Though he did not refer to any particular incident, the comment assumes significance as it comes in the backdrop of attacks against north Indians in Maharashtra which has triggered angry reactions.

Singh underlined that there was a need to think about how to move the nation ahead.

“Come lets move ahead together shoulder-to-shoulder,” he said.

Highlighting the role played by Sikhs in nation building, the Prime Minister appealed to the Khalsa Panth to do its best for the development of the country.

Amid chants of “Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal”,PM offered a golden-coloured sword, saffron jacket and a rumala sahib at the gurudwara where the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, had given the Gurta Gaddi to Sri Guru Granth Sahib in Nanded. The town is around 460 km east of Mumbai.

Besides Singh, Home minister Shivraj Patil, Tourism and Culture minister Ambika Soni and Urban Development minister S Jaipal Reddy also offered prayers at the gurudwara.Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and his Punjab counterpart Prakash Singh Badal were also present on the occasion. [PTI]

By Paulo Coelho

Sri Ramakrisna tells the story of a man who was about the cross a river, when master Bibhishana came over, wrote a name on a leaf, tied it to the man’s back, and said:

- Don’t be afraid. Your faith will help you walk on the waters. But the minute you lose faith, you will drown.

The man trusted Bibhishana, and began to walk on the waters, without any difficulty. At a certain point, he had an overwhelming desire to know what his master had written on the leaf tied to his back.

He took it and read what was written:

“Oh god Rama, help this man to cross the river.”

“Is that all?” thought the man. “And who is this god Rama, anyway?”

The moment this doubt became lodged in his mind, he was submerged and drowned in the strong current.

Courtesy - Paulo Coelho Blog