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Women Of Sikhi


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gr8 uprala ji. keep ur sewa up. respect u

I wanted to say the same exact thing <_<

lol plz don't make this a fun thread. avnit i want u to come here everyday and learn something from justmee ji.

this is for justme

I love u for teaching me a great lesson

and also To tell u the truth I knew all about this but maybe u knoe more than me so lets talk more often

singh-khalsa

see I'm going to learn from her :)

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gr8 uprala ji. keep ur sewa up. respect u

I wanted to say the same exact thing <_<

lol plz don't make this a fun thread. avnit i want u to come here everyday and learn something from justmee ji.

this is for justme

I love u for teaching me a great lesson

and also To tell u the truth I knew all about this but maybe u knoe more than me so lets talk more often

singh-khalsa

see I'm going to learn from her :)

good job lil sister and sorry justme bhenji she think she knows alot but acyually thatz not true. so this is a request from a brother to u to teach sikhi to my lil sister avnit and mee tooo

waheguru ji ka khalsa

waheguru ji ki fateh

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Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh Jio

whenever we are inspired or learn anything about sikhi, remember it is waheguru taking u into His warm lap and telling u these sakhis so plz me nothing but a worthless papi murakh..........

Remember ladies, whenever we feel weak or vunerable in our parchaar and thirst for sikhi, look at these women and the "sacrifies" they made so we can live comfortable, safe, secure lives...............i quote sarifcies bcos this is how my pathetic mind processes these Mahaan women yet for them, it was no sacifice but a chardi kalah way of life that was a TRUE blessing from waheguru........................these sighniah are what shaped our future and we should never forget their contribution to Sikhi and ispire to model our lives around theirs

Bhul Chuck maafi blush.gif

waheguruuuuuuuuuuuu

Keep in Chardi Kalah

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Mata Sulakhani

In the book, Mahan Kosh, Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha writes that a girl was born in the village Pakhoke, district Gurdaspur to Moolchand Chand Khatri and Mata Chando. Her father was a pious Chona Khatri merchant, who was the tax collector (patwari) of his village. The year is not given, but on the basis of her year of marriage, one can guess that it was around 1473. The writer states that she was born with "super characteristics," but neglects to elaborate what these were. It is quite obvious that he was not too concerned about this child. He does state that she was named Sulakhani. Nothing could be found about her childhood or her education, but we know as fact that girls were not formerly educated in those days. If she had any training, it would have been in cooking, sewing, embroidery and house-keeping. Unfortunately, no-one has bothered to record anything about her personal tastes, hobbies or interests.

In 1969 Sikhs celebrated the 500th birth anniversary of their founder. Much research was done at that time and some literature was produced. Professor Sahib Singh has written that: "Bhai Jai Ram was resident of Khanpur and was in the service of Nawab Daulat Khan. For his official work, he used to go to Pakhoke village. There he talked to Shri Moolchand for the marriage of his daughter, and he readily agreed to it. Guru Nanak was engaged on Visak 5, 1542, vs, and the marriage took place on Harh 24, 1544 vs. Guru Nanak was 18 years old at the time of marriage." Sulakhani must have been about 14.

Earlier writers have written many interesting stories leading up to the wedding day. It seems that Nanak refused to follow the marriage rituals dictated by the Brahmins of the day. He stated that any time would be an auspicious time for the wedding. There was no need to cast horoscopes as he was not superstitious. He consistently tried to break old traditions. Moolchand became alarmed and refused to marry his daughter to Guru Nanak. In those days, this would have been considered to be a major scandal. The news of this scandal spread quickly. Another gentleman, Shri Bhandari of the city of Batala offered his daughter for marriage with Guru Nanak. But Moolchand did not wish Guru Nanak to marry Bhandari's daughter. He thought that this could be interpreted as rejection of his daughter and, therefore, would be an insult to his family's honour. He conspired to kill Nanak instead. Moolchand arranged for the Brahmin priests to debate marriage rituals with the Guru. They made him sit near a damaged wall. It had been raining and the winds were strong. Everyone expected the wall to collapse. The story goes that Sulakhani, not wishing to break her relationship after two year engagement, sent an old woman to warn Guru Nanak of the conspiracy. Guru Nanak told the woman not to worry, the wall would not collapse for years to come. Indeed, that same wall stands today in Batala and a famous gurdwara has been built to commemorate the spot.

In 1487, the marriage finally did take place, and it did ignore the Brahmin rituals. Guru Nanak and his bride took four rounds instead of the prescribed seven around the sacred fire. It is said that he also spoke a few words at the ceremony. Unfortunately, these words were not duly recorded and nothing has been written regarding Sulakhani's thoughts or sentiments on the subject. That the event had a profound effect on her can certain]y be taken for granted. At any rate, the marriage party and celebrations were a grand and impressive event attended by the rich and influential people of that lime. Early writers have indicated that it was a most grand affair as befitted the daughter of the town's tax collector.

Nanak lived with Sulakhani at Nankana Sahib for fourteen years. Once again, he broke the conventions of the time, by living apart from both his family and hers. His sister Nanaki would try to neutralise any criticism by explaining to one and all, that her brother needed his own space, and a lot of it, because of all the people who were constantly drawn to him, to listen to his teaching. During those fourteen years, Sulakhani gave birth to two sons, Shri Chand and Lakhmi Das. Nanak took great interest in his family and gave them his love and attention. He demonstrated by his actions, his personal commitment to his teachings; that salvation is reached best through a married family life. His teaching of the equality of women must have also been demonstrated by the way he treated his wife, Sulakhani's self-esteem and happiness grew each day. She, in turn, supported his mission, participating in hymn-singing (kirtan), and working endlessly to feed the crowds that came to listen to her husband.

One day, when Guru was approximately 30 years old, the day of destiny came. Nanak sat in meditation at the bank of the Vanyi river, when he heard God's call to give his life for world up-lift by guiding men on the right path to Him."' Nanak resolved to obey the cal1 immediately. After three days in prayer, he emerged saying "There is no Hindu, no Moslem." Then he returned to the place of employment, resigning his post. He gave away all he had to the poor and prepared to set out on loot to bring his teachings to the world at large. Many authors have described this incident. Mata Sulakhani is reported to have complained of his absence to her sister-in-law. Most writers make this appear as a negative incident, with the wife whining and being unreasonable. However, one must ask, was it indeed unreasonable ? Any woman would worry if her husband suddenly disappeared for three days. What the incident demonstrates is that Sulakhani had enough self-esteem and courage that she was not afraid to speak to her sister-in-law. In the customs of those days, that was not easily done. Sulakhani took the initiative to tell Guru Nanak's family as well as her own, that he was missing. How they all must have rejoiced when he reappeared three days later.

Throughout this period, though he lived a relatively quiet life, Nanak continued to question Brahmin rituals and to rebel against them. He became quite well-known. His sister Bebe Nanaki and Rai Bhullar, the Choudhry of the area, proclaimed him "Messenger of God." His following grew. It is about this time that he met Mardana, a minstrel from Talwandi, who soon became his friend and confidante. They spent many evenings together, composing and singing sweet hymns to God. One Bhai Bhagirathi also came from Mailasi, near Multan, and stayed with him for a while, as a sort of disciple. Nanak's teaching life was beginning. At this point, Nanaki gave him a rabab, or rebeck, a musical instrument with which he accompanied himself in singing hymns of praise of the one true God. A rahab was a stringed instrument, which was of Arabian origin, and was very popular in Northern India at the time. It had four to six strings made of goat gut, with corresponding steel strings underneath which provided resonance. It looked somewhat similar to our modern mandolin. With time, it fell into disuse in India, though it remains popular in Arabic music. In providing her brother with a rahab, and later his companion Mardana with another, Nanaki helped Guru Nanak establish a musical tradition in the Sikh religion from the very start.

Nanak's disregard for Brahmin rituals must have caused havoc in his private life. All his piety did not impress his parents who did not understand what they considered to be his rebelliousness. His father-in-law would have preferred a more conventional mate for his daughter. While everyone around them lived in a joint family arrangement, Nanak, his wife and children lived separate from all. Every time he refused to observe Brahmin ritual, every time he scorned an accepted custom or tradition, it would have been Sulakhani who would have had to face the scorn of her neighbours and family. Still, he was consistent in denouncing any injustice, any custom based on caste, any tradition that discriminated against any one at all. On the other hand, Sulakhani had the benefit of listening to his preaching and his discussions with many strangers. She did not travel with him, as their children were very young when he went way. Travelling was most difficult in those days. But she did most certainly benefit by listening to the many people who constantly came to her house, seeking to hear the Guru speak. It was an education that should be envied by many.

At the age of 32, after making arrangements for the well-being of his family, Nanak left for his religious tours of preaching the doctrines of his mission. His boys were five and six years old at the time.'2 Before leaving, he made sure that his growing congregation of disciples would also be cared for. It was important that they not disband and lose faith in his absence. He left his wife with the task of being their spiritual and moral support until such time as he was able to return. Thus, it can be deduced that Sulakhani, a woman, was the first preacher and guardian of the new faith. She was assigned the task of making sure that the congregation (Panth) stays on the path given them by their founder.

Bebe Nanaki took Shri Chand, the oldest boy and adopted him as her own son. This type of arrangement was a quite common and accepted custom at that time. By this time, Sulakhani would have understood why her husband had to leave. With Baba Budha at her side, she looked after the needs of the small congregation. The tradition of hymn-singing continued, and with it the need to feed all who came (langar). Guru Nanak had taught the need to work with his own hands. Mata Sulakhani kept that teaching alive in the community. She did all the household chores herself. Nothing was beneath her. She looked after her son, did the kitchen chores and looked after the animals. Though she undoubtedly was lonely, she waited patiently. When Bebc Nanaki and Jai Ram died suddenly only threc days of each other, she took back her eldest son and continued with her daily chores of looking after the fledgling group of devotees and contributed fully to the mission of her husband.

In his first journey, Guru Nanak reached Dhubri in Kamrup (Assam) via Bengal. Nur Shah was the queen. At first she tried to tempt him in every way possible. But soon, Nur Shah was deeply moved hy the soul-stirring message of Nanak, and stood before him with joined palms, besceching him to forgive her past and to accept her as his disciple. This the Guru did, training her to become his main preacher in Assam. Thus, Nur Shah was trained by Guru Nanak himself and became the second known female preacher of Sikhism. Here again we see Guru Nanak's commitment to the equality of women. It was he, right from the very beginning, who first trained women to take their equal share of responsibility of this new religion.

In January of 15l6, after eight years of constant travel, Nanak returned from his first journey. At the age of 46, he settled on The present sitc of Kartarpur and took up farming. He consoled his ageing parents by bringing them to live with him quietly for nearly two years. Though they were upset by his continued disregard for caste rules and social order, they could not help hut be impressed by the fact that he had thousands of men and women of every class, seeking to hear him speak. He was their Guru. Late in 1517, Nanak and Mardana once more set out and resumed their journey.

Eventually, Nanak returned from his travels and established the new city of Kartarpur. He farmed to earn his livelihood and dressed himself as an ordinary householder of the day. His followers multiplied and people came to listen to him from great distances. He regularly preached to the crowds, teaching all to live in this world, in the present tense, which is, in fact, the only reality, and to work with their own hands, while at the same time to remember God in their thoughts, praying for nothing more than His grace. His strong personal attraction came from a message of love, a playful sense of humour and his persuasive words which were always simple. straightforward and easy for all to understand.

When his time had come in 1539, he chose to leave responsibility of his mission with a devout disciple, Bhai Lahina. Historians have recorded that the Guru's wife objected strongly to his choice. Their eldest son, Shri Chand had a reputation of saintliness, and was respected and liked by all. Like many others, Sulakhani had expected that he would be the rightful heir. She went to the Guru with her two sons and asked what would become of her and them, if Lahina was to be named the second Guru. Nanak replied simply that she should put her trust in God. Was Sulakhani impertinent or did she show ignorance by asking this question? I think not. On the contrary, at a time when women were completely subjugated by men, none would dare tn question their husband's decisions. Here we see proof positive that Guru Nanak did indeed have high regard for his family. He must have been very respectful to his wife, so much so, that she had the freedom to ask what she felt was important. Her self-esteem allowed her to find the courage to seek answers when she had a question. In his answer, Guru Nanak was not rebuking her or putting her down. He had made a decision. Lahina was better suited to be the next Guru. It was a very simple statement, the rest was up to God. Early writers have recorded that after Guru Nanak's death, Sulakhani spent the rest of her life in Kartarpur, contributing as always to the establishment of Sikh values and traditions. As wife of the first Guru, her role was an important one and she filled it well.

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Bibi Bhagbhari Ji

Bibi Bhagbhari ji was a disciple of Guru Amar Das ji. She was also one of the first

Sikh preachers. Little could be found on the early life of Bhagbhari, sometimes also

known as Bibi Bhago. She was very young when she became a disciple of Guru Amar

Das. After learning all that she could, the Guru gave her the manji of Kashmir. That

meant that she was appointed by Guru Amardas ji to preach Sikhism in the area of

Kashmir valley, around Srinagar.

She went out as a missionary, worked hard with considerable success, but never

returned to Punjab. She made her home in Srinagar. When she got older and was

unable to carry out her duties, her son Sewa Das continued the work of the Guru,

preaching and teaching Sikhism to all who would listen.

Bibi Bhagbhari dreamt of seeing her Guru one last time. She made a beautiful robe

and prayed to be able to see him wear it. By this time, it was Guru Hargobind ji was

on the Gaddi of Nanak as the sixth Guru of the Sikhs. The Guru on hearing of her

devotion procceded to Kashmir to meet her. He put on her robe and she blessed her

lucky stars that she had been so honoured. The Guru stayed for some time preaching

to the Sikhs in the area. While the Guru was in Srinagar, Bhagbhari who was quite

elderly at this time, died a happy woman. An important shrine dedicated to this visit

of the Guru still stands in Srinagar today.

Article taken from these book.

"Champion of Women" by Alice Basarke.

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Bibi Rajni Ji

sangat jio may have heard this sakhi under the duykh bhanjani bheri title

In the era of Guru Ram Das, one cannot leave out Rajni, youngest daughter of Rai

Duni Chand, revenue collector (kardar) of Patti. (The story has all the myth, magic

and miracles of a genuine Sakhi, but is nevertheless a charming story). Rajni was a

Sikh, a disciple of the Guru. One day she was sitting with her sisters admiring some

new clothing they all had received from their father. The girls were ecstatic and

exclaiming how good their father was to them. Rajni observed that all gifts are

ultimately from God. Their father was merely an instrument of His greatness.

Unfortunately for her, he overheard her comment and became very angry.

It was not the First time that she incurred his wrath because of her extreme piety. The

infuriated father, believing her to be an ungrateful wretch, married her to a leper with

a taunt that he would see how her God would help her lead a normal life. The leper

was severely disfigured and a foul smell came from his body. The poor girl had

accepted her fate ungrudgingly and worked hard to maintain herself and her crippled

husband. She kept repeating the name of God, and was certain that he was testing her

with this turn of events. She was forced to beg for a living. Still she bathed and fed

her leper husband, never losing faith. One day, she reached the site of a pool on her

way to a neighbouring village. Placing the basket containing her husband by the side

of the pool, she had gone otf on an errand, most probably to look for food. In the

meantime, her crippled husband had seen a black crow dip into the water of the pool

and come out white. Amazed at this miracle, the man crawled up to the edge of the

pool and managed a dip. He found himself completely cured. When his wife returned,

she was amazed to find her husband in good health. He was handsome and whole. At

first, she was alarmed and suspected that he might be a different person. He had,

however, kept one finger with leprosy marks un-dipped. He showed her the diseased

finger as proof of his identity. The couple thanked God, and went to the Guru to seek

his blessings.

The pool was the future site of the Golden Temple. The medicinal properties of the

water were said to have come trom Basil (Tulsi), which grew in abundance on its

banks. Guru Amar Das used to pick the herb there to make poultices for an infected

toe that plagued Guru Angad. The legendary importance of the site highlights the

medicinal properties of the waters of the pool, Rajni's leper husband was cured in.

Sakhi relates that if you keep faith in God then one day all rewards are paid. Bibi

Rajni had always kept the faith in Guru and God, being happy with whatever she had

and thus was rewarded at the end.

Article taken from these book.

"Champion of Women" by Alice Basarke.

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Bibi Viro

Bibi Viro ji was daughter of Guru Hargobind ( 1595-1644) and Mata Oamodan, was

born at Amritsar on llJuly 1615. She was married to Bhai Sadhu, son of Bhai Dharma,

a Khosla Khatri of the village of Malla. She was deeply religious and as well as a

warrior in the mould of her Brother like Tyag Mall (Guru Tegh Bahadur).

The nuptials were performed on 94 May 1699 at Jhabal, 15 km southwest of Amritsar.

She was the mother of five sons, Sango Shah, Jit Mall, Gulab Chand, Mahri Chand

and Galiga Ram. She raised them very well and with deep Sikh values. All the five

sons took part in a battle fought on 18 September 1688, between Guru Gobind Singh

and Raja Fateh Shah of Srinagar ( Garhval) at Bhangani, 11 km from Paonta, in the

present Sirmur district of Himachal Pradesh, Sango Shah and Jit Mall dying in action.

Article taken from these book.

Encyclopedia of Sikhism edited by Harbans Singh ji.

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Bibi Sachan Sach ji

When any one wanted an audience with Guru Amar das, they had to comply with

some simple instructions. First, they had to eat from the Guru's kitchen with all his

other guests regardless of status or gender. Women were asked to remove their veils.

The Raja of Haripur was no exception. He came with his entourage of wives, and all

were asked to have a meal first. The youngest wife was very shy and refused to

remove her veil. The Guru asked her what the problem was. In those days, women

never ate with men and were certainly not used to he spoken to by men. The poor girl

was totally confused and embarrassed. She ran out to hide herself. The Raja wanting

to please the Guru, feigned disgust with her behaviour and abandoned her altogether.

Thus, when he returned home, she was left behind, alone and frightened. This was

500 years ago, when women were not able to work and support themselves

independently. This poor girl was far away from family and friends. She hid in the

forest, and people said she went totally insane.

The Guru had many disciples and they all did their chores together and listened to the

Guru's teaching. There was one such man who came from a place near Shaikhupura

which is now in Pakistan. He left his home and joined the Guru's camp at Goindwal.

He took upon himself the responsibility of bringing firewood daily for the kitchen.

One day, while he was in the forest, he had a terrible clash with an insane woman. She

was filthy, her clothes were torn, and her hair was matted. He startled her when he

accidently tripped over her. She reacted by screaming and biting and clawing. He

managed to subdue her with kind words and a strong arm. Covering her with his

shawl, he brought her to the Guru. After taking a bath and eating well in the kitchen,

the lady was invited to join the congregation and listen to the prayers and the

teachings.

A great peace entered her soul and she was able to slowly regain her strength and selfesteem.

She was once thc Rani of Haripur, but no one knew her real name. As she

grew stronger and joined the others in chores as well as prayers, she was often heard

muttering "sachan sach" meaning "truth is truth". This soon became her nickname. As

time passed, she became totally cured, and showed hatclliger1cc and goo(l

iudgclllellt. The Guru was immpressed with her commitment and devotion. She

eventually married the gentleman who had rescued her against her will from the

forest. Mata Sachan Sach was made a masand and sent with her hushand to his home

in west-Punjab to preach the word of God.

Article taken from these book."Champion of Women" by Alice Basarke.

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