ram_simar

Dear Sangat ji, Gurfateh! Let us pray for our brothers being held hostage by the sick "freedom fighters". They already executed the Pakistanis, even though they were Muslims. I thought that it was very nice thinking to do the following. ------------------------------------------------------------ " Renowned cardiac surgeon Dr K M Cherian on Friday appealed to militants in Iraq to release unharmed the three Indian hostages in a reciprocal gesture for a local hospital which saved 20 Iraqi children suffering from congenital heart disease. "I have e-mailed letters to the family members of 20 Iraqi children, whom my hospital treated free of cost for various complex heart ailments, to also appeal to the militants to release the Indian hostages", he told reporters here. The Indian government had sanctioned Rs 5 lakh for the post-operative care of the 20 Iraqi children, he said. Cherian said his hospital "Heart Foundation" had even offered hospitality for the family members of the 20 Iraqi children treated at the hospital. "I think it would be appropriate to highlight our recent humanitarian gesture that we have extended to Iraq by operating free of cost the 20 Iraqi kids with most complex congenital heart diseases and thereby saving all of them". " ---------------------------------------------------------------- In Himachal and Punjab their families have arranged for a Akhandpath in their local Gurudwaras. May Waheguru bless them and protect them!!

Dear Sangat ji, Gurfateh! It is interesting indeed. Is "Padam rekha" an palmistry element, because if it is, its definitely against Sikhi to either believe in it or hanker after it. This is the first time I am hearing about this. Googling on "padam rekha" reveals that one Baba Sawan singh of SantMat had it. By the way, what is the position of modern day sikhi with regards to palmistry, astrology etc.? Some body more informed please share with us! ram_simar

Sangat ji, Gurfateh! Deep Singh and Mehtab Singh ji, Thanks for pointing to the thread. Jahan ji, I am not confusing ethnicity, caste and race. The main objective of my post was to point to the continued emergence of 'caste' under different guises. Syeds are called a'caste' as they are very strict about marrying with in their group or caste or whatever nomenclature you apply to it. I have many Pakistani friends and believe me jatt, Khatri, suffixes, prefixes etc. are a VERY serious business to them despite the fact that it runs totally contrary to the spirit of Islam. You said "In their traditional view, these were the divisions of mankind according to past kama." (sic) The above statement is true but there are many other theories about this varna theory in vogue. In its undiluted form it is said to have been conferred by the Guru(teacher) based on an individual's disposition. The morphing of socio-castes, occupational castes etc. is just an example of the supple nature of this 'caste evil' that has plagued many a religions. Now to a more important issue of seemingly 'un-caste' christian society. Leaving the black-white issue for a while, how about the Mormons, the Shakers, the Quakers etc. they never marry outside of their sect! (or rarely).. Anyways, racism is another version of castism! the fundamental social dynamics behind both remain pretty much the same, dont they? We can look at the Huzuri raagis or SGPC or any major Sikh board or Gurudwara committee, can you tell me any "Mazhabi/Chamar" scholar/personality? This just shows that we need to seriously take this issue up and bring som e social rejuvenation to today's Sikhi. Waheguru ji da Khalsa Waheguru ji di Fateh.. Bhul chuk nu maaf karnaa sangat ji..

Dear Sangat ji, Sat Sri Akal! I have a question which I have been pondering over for a long time. Caste has been shunned by Sikhism, Islam, Christianity etc. but still manages to creep through the system. Why? The caste system in Sikhi is a social evil no doubt but prevelant nonetheless. Just look at some matrimonial section in any Punjabi newspaper and you will find all kinds of "Jatt Sikh munda" or "Khatri kudi" stuff. The muslims are very much into it even though their religion is STRICTLY against it. In Pakistan for example Syed caste is highly respected (considered as the family of Prophet Mohammed).. There are many incidents when robbers attack and loot a bus in a remote village, they wont even touch the Syeds. (An eery resemblance to the Brahmins in Hinduism). Pakistan Punjab has its own share of Jatts, Khatris etc.. A tacit caste system between Arabs and non-Arab (Africsn muslims etc.) has existed for centuries. Christianity, with its hundreds of sects very much practices the caste system but its castes are based on the color of the individuals. Tilll only 50 years ago, many churches in USA had segregation as far as blacks and whites are concerned, let alone marrying or eating together. Even today, balck and white marriages are rare and limited to more cosmopolitan cities (not in rural south or midwest).. The question is WHY? Can a high ranking and prominent Sikh become a leading example by marrying his son or daughter to a so called "Mazhabi/chamar" Sikh. Just a few of these kind of gestures will go a long way in removing caste system from its roots. Otherwise it will just be rhetoric after rhetoric and the problem stays.. Waheguru ji da Khalsa Waheguru ji di Fateh.. Bhul chuk nu maaf karnaa sangat ji..

Dear Kandola, Sat Sri Akal.. Please take a look at the following link at the list of raags and times to sing it in. http://www.itcsra.org/sra_others_samay_index.html It explains the arohi/avrohi(ascent/descent) , "pakad"(lit. handle) and a short sample of the rag that you pick. Rags have been alotted particular times based on the omission or structure of the notes. Rags have different "russ"(mood etc.) therefore suitable for certain times eg. there are some meditative rags especially suitable for "sandhi-prakash" (dawn or dusk) etc. This link also gives rags with correct times and information. http://www.gurmatsangeetproject.com/Articl...angeet%20V4.doc I hope that the above information is useful. Koi galiti hove tae maaf karnaa jee.. Gurfateh!

Waheguru ji ka khalsa Waheguru ji ki fateh :TH:

Sorry SmartySingh24.. I did not mean to teach or anything, just shared what I thought you would find interesting.. If you did not like it I apologize. Anyways, have a good one! Sat Sri Akal.

SmartSingh24, Thanks for welcoming me. That is all the "proper" introduction I have. Not big into intorductions. But will post in the intro thread.. The reason that I say the fire stuff is because of a few precedents in history. There have been kings who have vowed to keep hair uncut and untied untill they complete some mission etc. One popular example is from Mahabharat where Draupdi vows to keep her hair untrimmed and untied until she washes it with the blood of Duryodhana who tried to disrespect her in an open court. Had tons of chabeel yesterday :-) still reeling. Sat Sri Akal

Waheguru ji ka khalsa Waheguru ji ki fateh Dear sangat jee, This is my first time posting here. Koi galti hove tae maaf karnaa. I am actually a Punjabi Hindu with great respect for the Gurus. My parents and relatives regularly visit Gurudwaras. Infact, at home we have pictures of Guru Nanak jee and Guru Gobind Singh jee along with other gods. I was surfing through the topics on this forum and had a few questions. I'll ask only one for starters. Is the "Kanga" meant only for cleanliness purpose or is it because GGSJ wanted the sikhs to remember their uncut "kesh" and hence their mission. I mean that combing every day would be like stoking the fire, so that the spirit (fire) of fight against injustice does not die down. Can you please calrify. I like the passionate and lively sangat here.. Keep up the good work! Sat Sri Akal