26-10-2011, issue

Tel: 905-670-1522, Fax: 416-661-7273 Vol.8 , No. 1101 Wednesday, October 26, 2011 9 kattak, Nanaksahi Calendar 543

The Sixth Guru Hargobind, was

freed from imprisonment in the

famous fort of Gwalior by Em-

peror Jahangir in October, 1619.

The reason for the young Guru’s

imprisonment was no more than

religious bigotry. According to

Sikh tradition, the Guru agreed

to be freed only if 52 Hindu Ra-

jahs imprisoned with him were

freed. Jahangir relented grudg-

ingly and ordained, "Let those

rajahs be freed who can hold on

to the Guru’s coat tails and walk

out of prison". However, the

Guru was not to be outmanoeu-

vred in this way. He asked for a

special coat to be made with 52

coat tails - same number as the

rajahs in prison with him! And

so the rajahs were freed and the

Guru became known popularly

as the "Bandi Chhor" (Deliverer

from prison). He arrived at Am-

ritsar on the Divali day and the

Hari Mandir (now known as the

Golden Temple) was lit with

hundreds of lamps i.e. he was re-

ceived in the same way as the

Lord Rama and the day came to

be known as the "Bandi Chhor

Divas" (the day of freedom).

Thenceforth, the Sikh

struggle for freedom, which in-

tensified in the 18th Century,

came to be centred around this

day. Another important Sikh

event associated with Diwali is

the martyrdom in 1734 of the

elderly Sikh scholar and strate-

gist Bhai Mani Singh, the

Granthi (priest) of Harmandar

Sahib (Golden Temple). He had

refused to pay a special tax on a

religious meeting of the Khalsa

on the Divali day. This and other

Sikh martyrdoms gave further

momentum to the Khalsa strug-

gle for freedom and eventually

success in establishing the

Khalsa rule north of Delhi.

Significance of Bandi Chhor Diwas

Linda Jeffrey Swearing Ceremony

Photo PD Staff

Courageous Journalism02 October 26, 2011

October 26, 2011 03 Courageous Journalism

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada is hinting that

it will need to keep interest rates super low for an

extended period to stimulate an economy being

battered by a sharp global downturn and rising

risks. As expected, the central bank left its target

overnight rate at one per cent for the ninth deci-

sion date in a row on Tuesday.

But, in an pessimistic new forecast of fu-

ture expectations, it gave every indication that

Canadians can bank on lending conditions staying

"stimulative" well into the future.

For Canada, the bank slashed its forecast

for growth this year and next year by 0.7 percent-

age points to 2.1 and 1.9 respectively.

The United States, China and emerging

countries will also grow slower than previously

thought, while Europe will fall into a "brief" re-

cession, the bank added. That's the most likely

scenario, but it could be worse, the bank adds.

"The bank's base-case scenario assumes

that the euro-area crisis will be contained, al-

though this assumption is clearly subject to down-

side risks," the bank said.

That was more likely Tuesday with news

out of Europe that the long-anticipated rescue of

its banking sector is far from settled and specula-

tion that the government of Silvio Berlusconi of

Italy could fall in squabbling factions over emer-

gency restraint measures.

The Canadian dollar dropped immediately

after the central bank's statement was released at

9 a.m. ET and kept going down as markets re-

acted to the pessimistic tone of the message. The

dollar, which had briefly breached parity, was

down 1.17 cents at 98.52 US in midday trading.

Bank of Montreal economist Michael

Gregory said the central bank's dropping of a

long-standing caution about interest rates eventu-

ally needing to rise constituted a strong message

to markets. "The mere fact of going from this

slight, vague hint of eventually tightening down

the road to, 'Hey guys, we are doing absolutely

nothing for a long time,' you necessarily then at

the margin raise the risk that in the interim rates

could actually fall," he said. Scotiabank and TD

Bank economists don't see a rate cut in the offing,

but said they believe the central bank is preparing

to stay on the sidelines well into 2013.

For investors, the message not to expect

"meaningful changes in interests rates" for several

years and that cash is king, said Denis Senecal of

State Street Global Advisors in Montreal.

He added that the risk is for even lower

interest rates and possibly a bout of deflation.

While the rate decision was no surprise,

the tone of the bank's unusually long accompany-

ing statement was darker than some had expected,

even though economists had been calling on bank

governor Mark Carney to sharply revise the sum-

mer's sunnier economic forecast.

The bank's policy team took the advice to

heart. Not only is growth braking dramatically in

the industrialized world, even China and other

emerging countries can be expected to lower their

sights in the near future. And of course, Europe

will most likely now experience a recession, it

said. "The global economy has slowed markedly

as several downside risks... have been realized,"

the bank said. "The combination of ongoing

deleveraging by banks and households, increased

fiscal austerity and declining business and con-

sumer confidence is expected to restrain growth

across the advanced economies. The bank now

expects the euro area ... will experience a

brief recession."

Bank of Canada leaves interest rate at 1 per cent

04 October 26, 2011 Courageous Journalism


Guru Hargobind Ji was released in

1619 AD from the Gwalior fort and

He also helped other 52 rajas to be

freed from the life imprisonment.

The celebrations were held when he

arrived at Amritsar.

Question is that why do we

celebrate the day many hundred

years after ?

Do we understand ?

Probably NOT. An attempt

has been made to answer the above

questions as follows :

Purpose of the Celebrations

is to remember Guru Ji and pray for

one's own release from the impris-

onment like 52 rajas. One might

think that he/she is not in prison and

is free to do whatever ...

One might be wrong here.

Most people are constantly being

forced into the PRISON of pride, rat

race, show off, peer pressure and

one may go to the extent of turning

morals against what Gurus have laid

down (smoking, using intoxicants,

adultery, removing hair and so on

.....). Most of us are prisoners of the

culture & society.

Objective of the celebration

is to pray for our liberation from the

worldly bonds and act upon Guru's

path of truthfulness to avail human

life time (i.e. to be one with Wahe-

guru / Lord). Rather than lighting a

deeva of clay, oil & wick, one

should light the mind with the di-

vine knowledge contained in Gur-

bani.

Therefore, lighting a deeva

in true sense is acquiring Divine

knowledge & virtues (being kind,

humble, meek, tolerant, selfless,

sweet spoken .....) that leads one to

become one with Waheguru / God.

Gurbani advises us which

deeva to light and where in the fol-

lowing shabad ;

Aasaa Mahalaa 1, Deevaa

meraa ek naam dukh vich paayeyaa

t'ail un chaanan oh sokheyaa

chookaa jum seon mail

which means that God's

Name (divine devotion) is my lamp

(to be lighted in the mind); I have

put the oil of suffering (ego, jeal-

ousy, anger, lust, greed) into it. Its

flame has dried up this oil, and I

have escaped meeting with the Mes-

senger of Death i.e. attained union

with Waheguru. (Guru Granth Sahib

Ji, Page 358)

May our prayers be listened

and Waheguru grant us freedom,

like the 52 rajas, from the worldly

bonds (ego, lust, anger, greed, jeal-

ousy, hatred and peer pressure etc.).

Awip mukqu mukqu krY sMswru ]

nwnk iqsu jn kau sdw nmskwru.

meaning that He (Guru) who

Himself is liberated, liberates the

universe (i.e. "Bandi Chhorh").

Guru Nanak says, I bow (to the

Guru) in reverence forever (Guru

Granth Sahib Ji, Page 295).

Dhan Dhan (Great) Sri Guru

Hargobind Ji

Bandi Chhorh Diwas (Di-

wali) of 1737

Bhai Mani Singh transcribed

the final version of Guru Granth

Sahib upon dictation from Guru

Gobind Singh Ji in 1704 at

Damdamma Sahib. After heavenly

abode of Guru Sahib in 1708, he

took charge of Harmandir Sahib's

management. In 1737, invitations

were sent to the Sikhs all over India

to join Bandi Chhorh Diwas cele-

brations at Harmandir Sahib. A tax

of 5000 rupees (some authors have

mentioned 10,000 rupees) had to be

paid to the Mogul governor of Pun-

jab, Zakariya Khan. Bhai Mani

Singh Ji later discovered the secret

plan of Zakariya Khan to kill the

Sikhs during the gathering. Bhai

Mani Singh Ji immediately sent

message to all the Sikhs not to turn

up for celebrations. Zakariya Khan

was not happy about the situation

and he ordered Bhai Mani Singh's

assassination at Lahore by ruthlessly

cutting him limb-by-limb to death.

Ever since, the great sacrifice & de-

votion of Bhai Mani Singh Ji is re-

membered on the Bandi Chhorh

Diwas (Diwali) celebration.

Guru Amar Das (3rd Guru )

institutionalized this as one of the

special days when all Sikhs would

gather to receive the Gurus bless-

ings at Goindwal. In 1577 the foun-

dation stone of The Golden Temple

was laid on Diwali by Muslim Saint

Mian Mir.

Diwali festival took place

during the life of the sixth Sikh

Guru Hargobind Sahib. The Muslim

Emperor Jahengir, imprisoned the

Guru and 52 Kings.The Emperor

ruled India at this time. The Asian

Indians begged the Emperor to re-

lease the Guru and the Emperor

agreed but the Gurus said also re-

lease the kings. Guru ji had a gown

made with 52 string pieces for the

Hindu prisoners to hold.

The Guru and the Hindu

kings were also freed at Diwali,

Sikhs were very happy when their

leader was released. Guru Hargob-

ind Sahib went to the Golden Tem-

ple Amritsar in the Punjab. Sikh

Diwali is recalled throughout India

and in many countries; each year to

remember Guru ji's release. At Di-

wali we worship the religious free-

dom for Sikhs and this is why

Diwali is called the Light Festival.

As Guru's Mother was full of happi-

ness that her son was released she

ordered food and sweets and gave

them to everyone. The worshippers

float multi-coloured light candles on

the water at the Golden Temple. The

gurdwara, hold a grand fireworks

display.

How to Celebrate Bandi Chhorh Diwas / Diwali

Courageous Journalism October 26, 2011 07


Diwali Di Raat Diwey Ballian...

Diwali And Sikhism ?ON DIWALI DAY Programmes at the Gurdwara I have often heard Raagis

singing this shabad from Bhai gurdass Ji di Vaar -

Diwali kee raat deeweh ballian.. Tareh jaat snaat amber

bhalian...Phullan dee bagatt cun chun chalian.. Teerath jati Jaat naein ni-

halian... Har chaundharee jhaat vasai uchaleon..GURMUKH sukh faldaat

SHABAD samalian..

The Raagis mistakenly just TAKE the FIRST LINE as a sort of

Rahao....and sing it repeatedly as if this is an INJUNCTION TO CELE-

BRATE DIWALI by lighting Lamps... This is a MAJOR MISREPRESEN-

TATION of the TRUE MEANINGS..

Bhai Gurdass Ji is saying: JUST like on Diwali Night people light

lamps,..BUT the LIGHT of these Lamps has NO LONG LIFE ( short pe-

riod),..the light is a short term DIKHAWA only,...The NIGHT SKY is full

of Big and small stars....BUT ONLY till DAWN of Day... FLOWERS

Bloom....but only until they are plucked by the gardners...they never keep

joined to the plant for long...Pilgrims are seen going to the

TEERATHS...BUT they DONT stay there...only short visits... The CAS-

TLES formed by Clouds in the SKY are Visisble...but they dont have any

substance or solid form... THROUGH the SHABAD of the GURBANI

the GURMUKHS realise the "shortlived" time of this WORLD..and thus

learns the value of this HUMAN BIRTH and its resultant union with

Timeless WAHEGURU.

When we take the SHABAD in its ENTIREITY... we can see that

the meaning of the First Line about Diwali is NOT AT ALL about lighting

Diwas and Lamps to "celebrate diwali"...IT is just an ALANGKAAR -

metaphor to show us how SHORTLIVED such lamps and their

lighting is.

DIWALI is a Religious Festival of the Working Classes (Vaish).

That is WHY the Lachmee devi - devi of WEALTH is worshipped on this

day. The Mannu Laws that DIVIDED the people of India into

CASTES..also gave the four castes their own special Festivals.. THe

BRAHMIN has VASAKHI ( the best food laden festival as expected for

himself)... The Khatree was given DUSHERRAH..the VAISH ( Working

class) has diwali, and the SHUDARS were given the Dusty colour throw-

ing free for all Holi.

Sikhs have pulled and shoved diwali into a "SIKH FESTIVAL"

by claiming it is in honour of Bandi chhor Diwas of Guru Hargobind. I

find it hard to beleive Sikhs would FORGET the torture and horrible mar-

tyrdom of GURU ARJUN just a short while ago and start clebrating with

deepmala and fireworks the return from exile of Guru Hargobind ji. There

is no record of any deepmala and fireworks in a continuous period after

Guru Hargobind Ji... the other FOUR GURUS NEVER even Visited

Amrtisar.

Bhai mani Singh was martyred by cutting limb from limb for fail-

ing to call a meeting of sikhs on Diwali... hardly a reason for Sikhs to

"celebrate" with fireworks and deepmala (Cont.. to page 12)


It is ahistorical fact and true that vasakhi and Diwali time were the time TWO

Major Congregations of SIKHS were held yearly...BUT these two congre-

gations were certinly NOT HELD to have FIREWORKS and DEEPMALA.

These two WASTEFUL economically destructive ( how much Guru Di Golak

is wasted on fireworks and deeps etc cause so many fires etc) customs have

absolutley NOTHING to do with Gurmatt/Sikhi/our Principles or

Maryada...BUT are a COPYCAT of the Hindu population's

fireworks/lamps/agni devta pooja/lachmi pooja etc

Sikhs beleive in Gamm/Khushi come from Waheguru and are His

Bhaana... so if we are not sad over the shahedee of Guru arjun Ji, Guru Teg

bahadur Ji, Bhai mani Singh Ji.... then we are also not happy over the release

of Guru hargobind Ji. GURBANI teaches us to treat both Happiness and sad-

ness equally.

IF we SIKHS take Diwali/Vasakhi to be great time to CONGRE-

GATE and spread GURMATT/do Gurbani Vichaar....its FINE....BUT when

this is a time to burn money on lamps/fireworks/give and take

mathiayee/giftsd/drink alcohol/gambling etc THEN this is anti gurmatt. I am

afraid we have lapsed into the latter.

Diwali And Sikhism ?

Today’s the `Festival of Lights’ all o’er;

A joyful day for minds and hearts and souls;

And people throng the Temples to offer,

Prayers, resolving to take better roles.

And most of them are richly clad and clean,

And eat such dainty foods and sweets with mirth;

Whilst noisy crackers burst, their lights are seen,

It seems to be a happy day on Earth!

But are there not hearts woe-filled, very sad?

Denied of laughter, smiles for days;

Today’s the triumph of Good over bad;

But what about the wastage in much ways?

True joy is when you see someone else smile!

True charity gives joy in Heav’nly style.

-Dr John Celes

Deep Jalao, Khushi Manao

Aayi Diwali Aayi!

Raat Amaavas ki to kya,

Ghar-ghar hua ujaala

Saje kangure deepshikha se,

Jyon pehne ho mala

Man mutav mat rakhna bhai,

Aayi Diwali Aayi!

Jhilmiljhilmil bijli ki

Rang birangi ladiyan

Nanhe munne hathon main veh

Dil fareb phuljhariyan

Diwali hai parv milan ka,

Bharat milihin nij bhai

Chaurahe, mandir, galiyon main

Lage hue hain mele

Nazar pade jis or dikhe,

Bhare khushi se chehre

Diwali Deep Jalao, Khushi ManaoSeason of LightsDunes of vapors from crackers rise,

Engulf, as odorous airs resound

Effusing joys to all abound

Pearls of gleams in these autumn nights

Adorn our lives else trite

With sparklers that motley skies

As soaring spirits of powder wander

Let us thank the heavenly might,

In this festive season of lights.


The Third Sikh Teacher, Guru Amar Das institutionalized this as one of the special days when all Sikhs would gather to

receive the Gurus blessings at Goindwal. In 1577 the foundation stone of The Golden Temple was laid on Diwali. The

Diwali festival took place during the life of the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind Sahib. The Muslim Emperor Jahengir, im-

prisoned the Guru and 52 Kings.The Emperor ruled India at this time. The Asian Indians begged the Emperor to release

the Guru and the Emperor agreed but the Gurus said also release the kings. Guru ji had a gown made with 52 string

pieces for the Hindus to hold. The Guru and the Hindu kings were also freed at Diwali, Sikhs were very happy when

their leader was released. Guru Hargobind Sahib went to the Golden Temple Amritsar in the Punjab. Sikh Diwali is re-

called throughout India and in many countries; each year to remember Guru ji's release. At Diwali we worship the religious

freedom for Sikhs and this is why Diwali is called the Light Festival. As Guru's Mother was full of happiness that her

son was released she ordered food and sweets and gave them to everyone. The worshippers float multi-coloured light

candles on the water at the Golden Temple. The gurdwara, hold a grand fireworks display.

Why is Diwali Important to Sikhs ?

BHAI MANI SINGH Bhai Mani Singh was a great Sikh scholar and martyr who was the

scribe of the final version of the Guru Granth Sahib under the guidance

of Guru Gobind Singh. In 1737 Bhai Mani Singh took permission from

the muslim governor of Lahore for the Sikhs to celebrate Diwali at the

Golden Temple on the payment of Rs. 5,000 as tax, a practice which

had been banned. Not enough people attended Diwali that year because

they were afraid of the muslim authorities and as a result not enough

money was collected. The muslim authorities arrested Bhai Mani Singh

and publicly executed him in Lahore. This great Martyr showed his

courage as he recited Sukhmani Sahib while he was cut LIMB BY

LIMB, JOINT BY JOINT and remained in high spirits through the tor-

ture.wahegurooo waheguroo wahegurooo waheguruooo..

Courageous Journalism18 October 26, 2011

Courageous Journalism October 26, 2011 23

26-10-2011, issue

Documents

Transcript of 26-10-2011, issue