The Sikh Cast

The Sabad commences with a vivid image—the touch of the Guru's hand on the devotee's forehead, a profound moment when the jewel-like Nam of the All-Pervasive comes to reside in the heart. This transformative act, facilitated by the Guru's gift of Nam, is described as a remedy for the deepest pains and debts accrued over many lifetimes.  When Guru’s hand was placed on my forehead, All-P...

My being trembles; whom shall I call? Serve the Remover of sufferings, forever and ever the Giver. 1. My Sovereign is new every day, Ever and ever the Giver. 1. Reflect. Every day, serve the Sovereign, In the end, the only One who liberates. My being, listen and listen to cross over. 2. Compassionate, Your Nam carries me across. Forever, I offer myself to You. 1. Reflect. The Eternal One is everyw...

In the melodic embrace of Rag Sorath, Bhagat Ravidas ji's Sabad paints a canvas of profound devotion and love, using the simplicity and sweetness of the rag to convey the depth of spiritual connection. Sorath, a serious rag with a mood of detachment, becomes a poignant medium for expressing  bhakti-bhav , devotional love. The imagery unfolds with vivid symbolism. If the Divine were a beautiful...

All vegetation contains fire, all milk contains clarified butter. In high and low the Light abides, in every being’s heart is Master-Illusionist. 1.   O! True Congregation, in each and every heart abides ‘The One.’ Charmer-Divine permeates all beings, in water and on land. 1. Reflect.   Nanak sings the glory of Virtuous-Treasure, Eternal Guru dispelled doubts: ‘The One’ resides and permeates in al...

This Sabad by Guru Ramdas Sahib within Rag Sorath encompasses a tapestry of emotions: seriousness, love, separation, longing, and detachment. Traditionally performed, it encapsulates a spectrum of human experiences. The Sabad unravels a profound truth: when love for the All-Pervasive, the Divine permeates within, a separation from the All-Pervasive becomes inconceivable. Just as a fish is bound to...

In which lane can I find my Beautiful? O! All-Pervasive’s Truth-Exemplar, articulate the Way, and I shall follow.1.  Reflect. ‍ Heart found the Beloved’s words sweet, and the walk began to feel great. Even if hunch-backed or short is liked by the Ruler, in humility, now the beautiful meets the All-Pervasive. 1. There is One Beloved. The rest are all Beloved’s friends; Great is the one liked by the...

Suckling calf contaminated the milk, Bees spoiled the flower. Fish the water. 1. O Mother! What do I offer the Earth-Force in worship? I have no worthy flower for the Incomparable. 1. Reflect. Snakes ensnare Mailagar1 sandalwood trees, Poison and Nectar dwell together. 2. Incense, lamps and edible idol offerings are contaminated due to odor. How then are Your votaries to worship You? 3. I dedicate...

Listen as we explore the Sabad (Shabad) of Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag (raag) Asa from the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. Sabad is the bond between the Guru and the Sikh. Read the translation done by Harinder Singh and Inni Kaur: https://sikhri.org/articles/guru-hasnt-held-it-back-from-the-mind   Guest: Inni Kaur (@innikaur) Host: Manpreet Singh (@mjassal)

The path is mountainous and very treacherous,All I have is this virtue-less ox-mind. O! Charmer-Divine, this is my one plea:Protect my capital, O! Darkness-Destroyer. 1. O! People, if I meet a trader of the Charmer-Divine,then my caravan of ox-carts will be loaded. 1. Reflect. I am a trader of the Charmer-Divine,trading for intuitive wisdom. I have loaded the wealth of Charmer-Divine’s Nam,The wor...

Everything is within the home; nothing is outside, One searching outside is deluded by doubt, Through Guru’s Grace, the one who has realized the Divine within, is joyous inwardly and outwardly, O! Breath of Breath, O! Life of Life. 1.   Slowly and gently rains the immortal stream, Mind drinks, listening and reflecting on Sabad, Bliss, elation experienced day and night, Endless All-Pervasive play,...

My mind pines for Guru’s vision, It pleads like a thirsty chatrik*. Thirst unquenchable, tranquility impossible, without vision of Beloved-Guru, O! Life of Life, O! Breath of Breath. 1. I adore You, adoringly centered on Truth-Exemplar Beloved Guru’s vision, O! Life of Life, O! Breath of Breath.  1. Reflect.   Your peaceful face, O! Life of Life, O! Breath of Breath; Your lyrics emit a natural mel...

This composition by Guru Nanak Sahib is in Rag Siri, an ancient musical mode sung at dusk. Its mood is majestic, reflective, and meditative.  The reflection: The Creator is in the creation. Everything is brimming with love, operating in love. There is nothing that is without it. In the absence of love, one becomes judgemental and critical.  We are finite; our understanding is finite. Our understan...

In this podcast we talk to Harinder Singh on the greatness of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. You have never heard of the Guru in this way!  The Panjab Digital Library was selected to develop an exhibition for the 350-year celebration of Guru Gobind Singh by the government of Bihar. The exhibition entitled ‘Emperor-Prophet’:“Our focus was to present the ‘Tenth Sovereign’ in accordance with Guru Granth Sahib...

This composition by Bhagat Ravidas is in Rag Siri, an ancient musical mode sung at dusk. Its mood is majestic, reflective, and meditative. ‍‍ The reflection: When a relationship becomes one’s essence, only then does a conversation of such intimacy occur between the devotee and the Beloved. ‍ ‍We are finite; our understanding is finite. Our understanding was different yesterday and may evolve tomor...

In this podcast we discuss what was it like growing up in Japan, the current status of Sikh camps and retreats and what is happening with Sidak this year.  Inderpreet Singh is a technology professional working for a multinational technology firm as Director of Solutions. His passion is Sikhi and Sikh community related community projects. He is heavily involved with Sikh youth camps, retreats and c...

Gurdit Singh (@gurdit) is a career Foreign Service Officer at the United States Department of State. He recently served as the Assistant Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad, India.  He holds an undergraduate degree in political science and religious studies from the University of Kansas and graduate degrees in comparative religion and sociology from Harvard University...

Harinder Singh talks about Valentines Day, the concept of Love in Sikhi, Martyrdom, the Lovers of Punjab and more. Harinder Singh (@1force)Manpreet Singh (@mjassal)

Gurdit Singh (@gurdit) is a career Foreign Service Officer at the United States Department of State. He recently served as the Assistant Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad, India.  Immediately prior to that assignment, he served as Chief of Non-Immigrant Visas and American Citizen Services, on a rotating basis, at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Before join...

Today I spoke with the 1st female turbaned Sikh pilot in the world. I do not know of any before her so if I am wrong, please let me know.   Her name is Arpinder Kaur and I think all the women listening today will find her story very inspirational, I certainly did.  Host: Manpreet Singh Jassal (@mjassal) Guest: Arpinder Kaur