Diwali

[Guest di]

Hi, diwali is coming soon i wanted to know y silhs celebrayed it. I always thought because of 6gurus relase from gwalior fort. But reading up i found 3guru said sikhs should gather at and celebrate vaisakhi and diwali. Vaisakhi for the harvest , new year but y diwali so important.

[Guest gupt]

ਦੀਵਾਲੀ ਦੀ ਰਾਤਿ ਦੀਵੇ ਬਾਲੀਅਨਿ॥

Diwali Di Raat Deeve Baaliyan

The tuk written above is very popular in our Panth and is always read in Gurdwara Sahibs on the day of Diwali. We go to Gurdwaras and light candles/lamps and with this shabad playing in the background, we feel great! Wow! It’s Diwali and our Guru is saying Diwali ki raat Deeve baaliyan… and that’s what we are doing... lighting candles on the night of Diwali and Celebrating Diwali!

Let’s see what is the real message of this shabad by Bhai Gurdas Ji from “Vaars of Bhai Gurdas Ji”. Please read the entire shabad (below)

The main message or the central idea of the shabad is in the last line –

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੁਖ ਫਲ ਦਾਤਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਮ੍ਹਾਲੀਅਨਿ ॥6॥

guramukh sukh fal dhaath sabadh samaaleean |6|

All these are momentary, but the Gurmukhs with help of word (Shabad) nourish the gift of pleasure.(6)

By giving examples, Bhai Gurdas Ji is trying to explain that as a Gursikh we are not supposed to connect to things that are ephimeral (last for a short period). Rather, we should focus on the everlasting message of the Shabad Guru and concentrate on Naam.

However when Raagi Singh Jis repeat the first line of the shabad over and over again, all we understand is that on this day we are supposed/expected to burn candles.

Now, after having read the shabad and understanding it’s meaning, let’s be pro-active and request Raagi Singh Ji in our local Gurdwara Sahib that next time he reads this shabad please stress on the last tuk rather than the first so that we can understand the proper meaning of the shabad and try to do what Gursikhs are expecetd to.

Let’s enlighten our hearts with love for our Guru, such that the light emitted will never fade out with time and the knowledge of the Shabad Guru will stay with us always. That in the true sense will be a festival to rejoice.

ਸਬਦਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜਗਾਇ ਦੀਪਕੁ, ਨਾਨਕਾ ਭਉ ਭੰਜਨੋ ॥3॥

sabadh joth jagaae dheepaku, naanakaa bho bhanjano |3|

Light the lamp of the Shabad, O Nanak, and burn away your fear. ||3||

Vaaran - Bhai Gurdaas Ji – Panna 19

ਦੀਵਾਲੀ ਦੀ ਰਾਤਿ ਦੀਵੇ ਬਾਲੀਅਨਿ॥

dheevaalee dhee raath dheevae baaleeani|

Lamps are lighted in the night of divali festival.

ਤਾਰੇ ਜਾਤਿ ਸਨਾਤਿ ਅੰਬਰਿ ਭਾਲੀਅਨਿ॥

thaarae jaath sanaath anbar bhaaleeani|

Stars of different variety appear in the sky.

ਤਾਰੇ ਜਾਤਿ ਸਨਾਤਿ ਅੰਬਰਿ ਭਾਲੀਅਨਿ॥

fulaa dhee baagaath chun chun chaaleeani|

In the gardens the flowers are there which are selectively plucked.

ਤੀਰਥਿ ਜਾਤੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਨੈਣ ਨਿਹਾਲੀਅਨਿ॥

theerath jaathee jaath nain nihaaleeani|

The pilgrims going to pilgrimage centres are also seen.

ਹਰਿ ਚੰਦਉਰੀ ਝਾਤਿ ਵਸਾਇ ਉਚਾਲੀਅਨਿ॥

har chandhouree jhaath vasaae ouchaaleeani|

The imaginary habitats have been seen coming into being and vanishing.

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੁਖ ਫਲ ਦਾਤਿ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਮ੍ਹਾਲੀਅਨਿ ॥6॥

guramukh sukh fal dhaath sabadh samaaleean |6|

All these are momentary, but the Gurmukhs with the help of the Word nourish the gift of the pleasure fruit.(6)

[TejiKaur]

[Guest --gupt--]

Divali has no significance frm the view point of Sikh philosophy, Gurbanee, Gurmat & Sikh practice.

But some Sikhs celebrate it within the spirit of good citizenship.

There is nothing in Gurmat that prohibits a Sikh frm sharing in the joys of his neighbours & countrymen.

But attempts to provide Sikh philosophical & historical basis to Divali (& any other non-Sikh celebrations)& an attempt to bring these functions to gurdwaras are grossly misguided.

[Guest pheno]

we dont celebrate diwali

we celebrate bandi chor

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/sikhs-mark-bandi-chor-diwas-on-diwali-festival-2_100109543.html