Rawel Singh

Rawel Singh I am a Sikh writer currently based in the United States. My interests include the exegesis of the Guru Granth Sahib, along with the comparative study of the Qur'an, Hebrew Bible, New Testament and Hindu texts. This blog is intended to engage in a dialogue with wider audience mostly on theological issues.

Congregation

"Sādh Saṅgat" in the Sikh parlance refers to the congregational body of committed human beings who aspire toward the attainment of self-realization while alive through the dual-act of active engagement with the Divine Word (gur śabad) and loving adherence to the long-established traditions (rahat maryādā) of the Panth.

Protector of Human Rights   Every human being deserves dignity. It is the birth right of every one. Accordingly, on December 10, 1948 CE the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration has 30 articles the first six being:   All human beings are born free and equal in […]

  Significance of Nitnem Baanis   Sikh religion is a way of life guided by the twin principles of Simran and Seva i.e. Remembrance of the Creator and Service of humanity. The two are linked in that we are to remember Divine virtues and commands and service is covered in the latter.   Nit-Nem is […]

Status of Man and woman The status of woman in relation to that of man in religious context is always a current issue. Adherents of all faiths present a picture that shows that the woman enjoys the same status as man in their respective faiths. This article discusses the subject in the context of the […]

The Sikh Religion Sikh religion is the youngest and therefore the religion for the modern age. It believes in the One Creator God, who is unborn and unique. God is the ‘Spirit’ behind harmonious functioning of the universe. This harmonious functioning is possible by conformance to cosmic laws or laws of nature. Human beings are […]

Interpersonal Relations Human beings are social animals and need to interact with one another with amity. They remain restless if they make some friends and some enemies or engage in groupism. When one considers some as friends and some as foes, then the mind remains restless. M: 5, p 278. Jab dhaarai ko-oo bairi meet. It […]

Gurbani Integrates with Nature The Sikh religion is a way of life. It believes in no dogmas, superstitions, gods/goddesses, angels etc. It takes a practical way of life and says human beings should recognize that they exist as part of the Creator’s plan and each one has a role to play. Japji Paurri 34 says. […]

The Sikh Perspective on War and Peace.   The Sikh perspective regarding avoiding war and maintaining peace may be divided into three parts.   Deterrent for the attacker/not being vulnerable. Avoiding power blocks. Not starting a conflict.   Deterrent. An attacker always chooses a vulnerable target where he senses success. This has happened to India […]

Anhad Sabad Anhad Sabad means incessant word/music playing within. It is also expressed as Anhat Sabad, meaning sound without striking, music produced without a musical instrument. It is the highest spiritual state where the mind instinctively recognises the Divine word within. This happens when all other ideas are driven out with the guru’s guidance. It […]

The Bible denigrates both God and Jesus   A sincere learner is put off by reading the Bible. The Bible has two parts. The Old Testament which is common to all Semitic faiths namely the Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is the same as the Hebrew Bible of the Jews. God, the all-powerful all-pervasive Supreme […]

Meaningful revision of Sikh History Needed   Most of our scholars who have delved into Sikh history be it on Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the guru period and beyond  have obtained Phd under guidance of those who apparently were not equipped. I have been particularly concerned to see how stories have misrepresented Sikhi. The basic reasons […]

Understanding Japji Sahib This book by Brigadier Rawel Singh (retired), a New York based author gives an in-depth understanding of Japji Sahib, the first composition in Sri Guru Guru Granth Sahib the scripture of Sikh faith. The composition, originally in Punjabi language has been translated with copious elucidation from this composition and rest of the […]

Piri Miri Piri Miri is fundamental to Sikh faith. Establishment of Akal Takhat, throne/authority of the Timeless, by the sixth guru was physical manifestation of the concept that started with the first guru and continued through his successor gurus. Guru Nanak called the cruel rulers and their officials raajey sheeh mukadam kutey. P 1288 – […]

SGGS pp 259-260, Gaurri Baavan Akhri M: 5, Paurris 42 – 47. ਸਲੋਕ ॥ ਮਤਿ ਪੂਰੀ ਪਰਧਾਨ ਤੇ ਗੁਰ ਪੂਰੇ ਮਨ ਮੰਤ ॥ ਜਿਹ ਜਾਨਿਓ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪੁਨਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਤੇ ਭਗਵੰਤ ॥੧॥ Salok. Maṯ pūrī parḏẖān ṯe gur pūre man manṯ. Jih jāni▫o parabẖ āpunā Nānak ṯe bẖagvanṯ. ||1|| Slok. Those who have (mant = mantra) teachings of (gur poorey) the perfect guru […]

SGGS pp 130-133, Maajh M: 5: Asttpadees 1-5 (completed).   ਮਾਝ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਘਰੁ ੧ ॥   ਅੰਤਰਿ ਅਲਖੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਲਖਿਆ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਰਤਨੁ ਲੈ ਗੁਝਾ ਰਖਿਆ ॥ ਅਗਮੁ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਸਭ ਤੇ ਊਚਾ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਲਖਾਵਣਿਆ॥੧॥ Mājẖ mėhlā 5 gẖar 1. Anṯar alakẖ na jā▫ī lakẖi▫ā.   Nām raṯan lai gujẖā rakẖi▫ā.   Agam agocẖar sabẖ ṯe ūcẖā gur kai sabaḏ lakẖāvaṇi▫ā. ||1||   The Almighty is present (antar-i) […]

SGGS pp 128-130, Maajh M; 3 and 4; Asttpadees 31-34   ਮਾਝ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ॥ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਪੜਹਿ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਕਹਾਵਹਿ ॥ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਮਹਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਾਵਹਿ ॥ ਬਿਖਿਆ ਮਾਤੇ ਕਿਛੁ ਸੂਝੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਜੂਨੀ ਆਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥ Mājẖ mėhlā 3. Manmukẖ paṛėh pandiṯ kahāvėh.   Ḏūjai bẖā▫e mahā ḏukẖ pāvahi.   Bikẖi▫ā māṯe kicẖẖ sūjẖai nāhī fir fir jūnī āvaṇi▫ā. ||1||    Composition of the third Guru in Raga Maajh. (Manmukh) […]

SGGS pp 125-127, Asttpadees 27-29   ਮਾਝ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ॥ ਏਕਾ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸਰੀਰਾ ॥ ਸਬਦਿ ਦਿਖਾਏ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਫਰਕੁ ਕੀਤੋਨੁ ਘਟ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਆਪੇ ਬਣਤ ਬਣਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥ Mājẖ mėhlā 3.  Ėkā joṯ joṯ hai sarīrā.   Sabaḏ ḏikẖā▫e saṯgur pūrā.  Āpe farak kīṯon gẖat anṯar āpe baṇaṯ baṇāvaṇi▫ā. ||1||   Composition of the third Guru in Raga Maajh. There is (eyka) only One (jot-i = light) Spirit and this (jot-i) […]

SGGS pp 122-125, Majh M: 3, Astpadis 23-26   ਮਾਝ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ॥ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਗਤ ਸੋਹਹਿ ਸਾਚੈ ਦਰਬਾਰੇ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਸਵਾਰੇ ॥ ਸਦਾ ਅਨੰਦਿ ਰਹਹਿ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਾਤੀ ਗੁਣ ਕਹਿ ਗੁਣੀ ਸਮਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥ Mājẖ mėhlā 3 Ŧere bẖagaṯ sohėh sācẖai ḏarbāre   Gur kai sabaḏ nām savāre   Saḏā anand rahėh ḏin rāṯī guṇ kahi guṇī samāvaṇi▫ā ||1||   Composition of the third Guru in Raga Maajh. O […]

SGGS pp 120-122, Maajh M: 3, Asttpadees 19-22   ਮਾਝ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ॥ ਵਰਨ ਰੂਪ ਵਰਤਹਿ ਸਭ ਤੇਰੇ ॥ ਮਰਿ ਮਰਿ ਜੰਮਹਿ ਫੇਰ ਪਵਹਿ ਘਣੇਰੇ॥ ਤੂੰ ਏਕੋ ਨਿਹਚਲੁ ਅਗਮ ਅਪਾਰਾ ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਬੂਝ ਬੁਝਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥ Mājẖ mėhlā 3. varan rūp varṯėh sabẖ ṯere.   Mar mar jamėh fer pavėh gẖaṇere.   Ŧūʼn eko nihcẖal agam apārā gurmaṯī būjẖ bujẖāvaṇi▫ā. ||1||   Composition of the third Guru in Raga Maajh. O Creator, (sabh) all (roop) life forms of the creatures and their […]

SGGS pp 117-120, Maajh M: 3, Asttpadees 15-18   ਮਾਝ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਾਚੀ ਸਿਖ ਸੁਣਾਈ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਚੇਤਹੁ ਅੰਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਸਖਾਈ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਅਗਮੁ ਅਗੋਚਰੁ ਅਨਾਥੁ ਅਜੋਨੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਭਾਇ ਪਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥ Mājẖ mėhlā 3.Saṯgur sācẖī sikẖ suṇā▫ī.   Har cẖeṯahu anṯ ho▫e sakẖā▫ī.   Har agam agocẖar anāth ajonī saṯgur kai bẖā▫e pāvṇi▫ā. ||1||   Composition of the third Guru in Raga Maajh. (Satgur) the […]

SGGS pp 115-117, Majh M: 3, Astpadis 11-14. ਮਾਝ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ॥  ਆਪੁ ਵੰਞਾਏ ਤਾ ਸਭ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਏ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਸਚੀ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਏ ॥ ਸਚੁ ਵਣੰਜਹਿ ਸਚੁ ਸੰਘਰਹਿ ਸਚੁ ਵਾਪਾਰੁ ਕਰਾਵਣਿਆ ॥੧॥ Mājẖ mėhlā 3. Āp vañā▫e ṯā sabẖ kicẖẖ pā▫e   Gur sabḏī sacẖī liv lā▫e   Sacẖ vaṇaʼnjahi sacẖ sangẖrahi sacẖ vāpār karāvaṇi▫ā ||1|| Composition of the third Guru in Raga Maajh. When one (vanjnaaey = lose) gives up (aap-u = self) own ideas (ta) then s/he (paaey) achieves (sabh kichh-u) everything, i.e. becomes aware of what […]


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