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.

Pauris 1 and 2 of Japji describe the need to obey Hukam, the Divine commands which manifest as the laws of nature. Hukam can be obeyed if we know what it is. It is not easy for an ordinary mortal to know this and he (or she) has to seek the guidance of the guru. […]

SGGS pp 1-2, Japji Paurris 1-5 Japu, which means remembering or reciting again and again, is the name of the first composition in Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), the Sikh holy book which has the status of the eternal living guru; its contents are also called Gurbani, the guru’s word.   Japu reverently called Japji […]

  A Sikh has a brand but he does not have to advertise it. Wherever he goes people turn their eyes to look at his unique appearance, the way people do when the leader arrives. Yes, a leader, that is what ‘Sardar’, the title every Sikh has, means. What is more, people call him Sardarji, […]

  ਜਉ ਤਉ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਖੇਲਣ ਕਾ ਚਾਉ ॥ ਸਿਰੁ ਧਰਿ ਤਲੀ ਗਲੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਆਉ ॥ ਇਤੁ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪੈਰੁ ਧਰੀਜੈ ॥ ਸਿਰੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਕਾਣਿ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ॥੨੦॥੧੧੪੧੨     If you like to play the game of love, Be prepared to sacrifice your self; Those who step on this path do not hesitate to give their […]

SGGS pp 3-3, Japji Paurris 12-15 Believing – Mannai There are five aids to spiritual advancement – Living by Hukam or Divine will, Remembering God’s virtues, listening. believing and emulating. It means accepting what one learns and putting it into practice. It also means complying with Hukam or Divine commands as also the guru’s teachings. […]

SGGS pp 2-3, Japji Paurris 8-11   Preface to Paurris 8-11.    Paurris 8 to 11 are on the subject of listening. They all end with the following statement, which is their underlying message:   ਨਾਨਕ ਭਗਤਾ ਸਦਾ ਵਿਗਾਸੁ ॥ ਸੁਣਿਐ ਦੂਖ ਪਾਪ ਕਾ ਨਾਸੁ ॥ Nānak bẖagṯā saḏā vigās.  Suṇi▫ai ḏūkẖ pāp kā nās. […]

ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸੋਇ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਸਰਬ ਰਹਿਆ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ਸਚਾ ਸਚੁ ਸੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (ਆਸਾ ਮ: ੫, ਪੰ: ੩੯੮). My God is One who belongs to all; God is eternal and all pervasive. Pause. (M: 5, p 398). The above verse from the Sikh scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib emphasizes the […]

  Gurbani provides fascinating details of the planning as well as well as the process of creation. Every thing started from nothingness. The first step was to have someone do all this and thus the came the Creator from no where.   The Creator CreatesItself There was a period when nothing existed, and then – […]

Fear is a sign of insecurity felt in the face of any impending or perceived adverse situation. Fear may be of physical, emotional or financial insecurity or for retribution for having done some thing improper or illegal. Fear may be of other people including the law, elders and bosses or it may be of God. […]

  Jap Ji Sahib is the first composition in Sri Guru Granth Sahib and comprises of 38 Pauris or stanzas. It may roughly be divided in two parts, exactly in the middle i.e. at the end of the 19th Pauri. The first part gives updesh (instruction) on various aspects of a practical spiritual life. It […]

The fifth Guru Arjun Sahib set an example with a life of true dedication. He was the first martyr in Sikh history and set the trend of fearlessness. A few thoughts on life and work of Guru Sahib.    ਮਨ ਬਚ ਕ੍ਰਮ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਅਪਨਾ ਧਿਆਈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥੪॥ ੫ ੨੦੦ Mann bach kram prabhu apna dhiaaee; […]

Jaapu reverently called Jaap Sahib, a composition of the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh has 199 verses. It is the second Baani after Japu or Jap Ji Sahib in the morning Nitnem, the daily practice of remembering the Formless Creator, Nirakaar. This Baani addresses or talks about Akal Purakh, the timeless and deathless Master throughout. […]

Mool Mantar meaning the Root Mantra is considered the essence of whole of Sri Guru Granth Sahib whose contents are also called Gurbani, the Guru’s word. Its text is: ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ੧ ੧ It does not form part of any one Baani (composition) […]

Security is at present a major concern globally. The phenomena of countries attacking others for territory, wealth or to establish regional or global hegemony have always been there. A new angle has been given to this in the last few decades by way of terrorist organizations challenging communities and countries to advance their agendas, in […]

Taking Stock In management practice it is important to define any project or activity that is to be undertaken. Once it gets under way it is necessary to periodically evaluate the project or work in progress to ensure it is on the right track. There is also a system of periodic appraisal of the persons […]

  Love is an elixir for life. Company of the beloved is revitalizing. Conversely separation of beloveds therefore results in their spirits withering. Guru Nanak watching a withering water Lilly that once looked attractive asks it, and gets a reply: ਪਬਰ ਤੂੰ ਹਰੀਆਵਲਾ ਕਵਲਾ ਕੰਚਨ ਵੰਨਿ ॥ ਕੈ ਦੋਖੜੈ ਸੜਿਓਹਿ ਕਾਲੀ ਹੋਈਆ ਦੇਹੁਰੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਮੈ […]

Jap Ji Sahib is the first composition in the Sikh Holy Scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS). Its contents are referred to as Gurbani the Guru’s word. One of the themes that runs throughout is Nadar meaning Divine grace. Jap Ji Sahib is a composion of 38 Pauris (stanzas) and a Slok (epilogue). Guru Nanak […]

Cosmology is the study of creation and structure of the universe and the place of man/woman in it. Guru Nanak’s Jap Ji Sahib, the opening composition in Sri Guru Granth Sahib provides considerable information on this. As one progresses in its study a feeling of being part of the whole universe is experienced. It starts […]

The question of who controls human actions is often discussed in the context of religious teachings as well as otherwise. One view is that every man (or woman) decides the course of action, some times after seeking counsel. According to the other view that God controls the actions of all. He is omnipresent and omniscient; […]

Bandhan or bondage is a state in which one feels bound down and wishes to be freed. There are many types of bondages some forced and the others self-inflicted. The examples of forced type are slavery, abductions and bonded labor. These may result because of carelessness in ensuring security or by circumstances. The second type […]


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