Singapore Slingh Dasam Granth (Prologue)

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa;
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

For the past year or so, I have been reading up on Dasam Granth Sahib. So far, I have read all of it, except its biggest chapter CharitoPakhyan (as it is very difficult to find resources online that can translate it to English).

Before I go on and start my own opinions about the various chapters in Dasam Granth Sahib, I would like to refer to Dasam Granth itself, its controversies and why I started reading it.

The controversy

Dasam Granth is a collection of Bani by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji. It is written separately from Sri Gurun Granth Sahib Ji, where only one Dohra (couplet) is attributed to our Tenth Master.  It is written in different chapters. In my opinion, it is also mean to be written in smaller different Granths as each chapter is unique. Also, SGGS Ji is largely written in Raags, DGS is mainly written in Chands.

There was / is a lot of controversy about its authenticity. Some say that since Guru Gobind Singh Ji did not add his bani into the SGGS Ji, hence why should he set aside a completely different Granth for his writings?  Some question why Dasam Granth is more akin to Holy books of other religions which are story-based; as compared to SGGS Ji which is much more philosophical and its writings in its entirety are about God.

Proponents of DGS argue that since the Amrit Banis, of which Jaap Sahib, Tav Prasad Savaiye and Chaupai Sahib are Dasam Bani, are not refuted, why should Akal Ustat and CharitoPakhyan? Also we start the Ardas with the first Pauri of Chandi di Vaar, why should we not believe in Chandi di Vaar fully? In every version of the Rehraas (there are a few); we read the Savaiye (pahe gage..); why don't we then accept the chapter of the 24 Avtaars? Also,

This debate has been settled by the Akal Takhat  and I think we as Sikhs should follow suit. Lets stop this bickering and the division of our Panth. And rather than saber rattling, lets put it this way. Read Dasam Granth Sahib fully, if you disagree, do so. But do not insist on others in doing so.

Dasam Granth Sahib Ji shown beside Guru Granth Sahib Ji in an old painting.

Personal Journey

Initially, reading comments online, I was vehement against the DGS. I am one who is strictly monotheist and do not believe in the Hindu Gods and Goddess. I am a man of strict logic which was why I really liked the straight forward nature of Sikhi; Naam, Seva and standing up for what is right even when it is tough and not ask anything back in return. DGS was portrayed as something completely different; and in many ways it is.

It was my Mama G, (mother's brother); who really opened my eyes. For all DGS doubters take note of this logic. If you are correct that the DGS is not written by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, then you are smarter than a lot of people out there and fools read the DGS. But if you are wrong, you have insulted the words of our Tenth Master. Would you want to risk that?

As I read on the DGS, there are parts that are absolutely beautiful and some others that, I myself wonder why its there. One would realize reading DGS is that other than Chandiji, no other diety is perfect in Guru Ji's eyes other than ChandiJi; and even then, Guru Gobind Singh Ji notes that she also was made. She also has a Joon and is not Ajooni (as in mool mantar)

Lastly, I would like to stress that the fact that I am not a Gyani, a learned person and definitely not a Maha-Purakh. I am just a Sikh that read the DGS and wants to share what I think about it.

Bhulla Chuka Ma'af.

Tragedy around FIBA Controversy all round

It deeply saddens me that 2 Sikh players from India, including their captain, cut their hair so that they could play basketball for their country in the Asian games. I wish to speak about this in various angles.

Firstly, lets talk about FIBA. FIBA is the international Basketball authority. They banned "headgear" in all their sports without giving any good explanation. I get the reason some people think Sikhs should wear helmets in the army or on motorcycles, but to ban it on the basketball court? Really? Why? Because it makes people look different? Skin color make us look different, hairstyles make us different, our NAMES makes us different; they team that we play for is different, are we going to make all the above uniform? Is FIBA really that stupid to be scared of being different? 

Sport is a great unifying force of good. Countless people exit poverty by lighting up our television sets; and indirectly our lives; with  the talent they display in their sport. Jesse Owens and Milkha Singh smashed stereotypes along with their world records. It shows the most human of emotions, the joy of success, the agony of defeat. By playing together, you build camaraderie. No matter from which part of the world you are, you are on that court / pitch / field / gym (etc) competing with the person or people next to you. 

Also, due to stupidity, insanity or (at worst) racism, of FIBA, we should appreciate so many other institutions that are not like that. FIFA and every football association around the world, FIH, NHL and every hockey association in the world, every boxing association, every MMA association (lets Sikhs keep hair), Wrestling etc.... 

Singaporean Sikhs who practice our religion like me, should also appreciate this. I played hockey and volleyball in school. No one ever made my turban an issue. Like every Singaporean son, I served NS and Reservist, but never had issues with my turban. This stupid incident really makes me appreciate my country. 

Sikh Basketball player

Lastly, from a Sikh perspective, how sad is this? Where is the uproar? Some bits here and there, but where was the full blown action? Honey Singh saying stuff on Youtube is nothing close to sufficient. Why is Manmohan Singh quiet? Where are all the Sikhs that only seem to have loud voices in arguments and fights? Where are all the prominent Sikhs that did not demand an action? What would Israel do if circumcision banned from basketball? What would Muslims do if the name Muhammed was banned? Why were we so pathetically quiet?

At a personal level, I would have walked out of the Asian games if I was in the 2 Sikh's shoes. Qatari women showed the world how its done when they walked away. Many often say that I have an extreme point of view with regards to this, but I believe it is right. Clear lines has got to be drawn in the sand.

This is also the reason, I do not tie my beard. I am not against it on religious grounds, my problem is with its reasoning. Sikhs tie beards because other people (sometimes other Sikhs) are uncomfortable with it. They may call it untidy, out of times, ill-disciplined. My point is that if people are uncomfortable with our beards what are they going to be uncomfortable with next? Our Turbans? Our unshorn hair? Etc.. We are okay with organizations like FIBA blanketly banning our turbans, just like we are okay with organizations that never hire practicing Sikhs

I get it that some professions like surgeons or chefs; they need to tie their beard so as to not let it fall during an operation or in someone else's food. To me that is understandable, what I do not understand is why a computer programmer needs to tie his beard too. Scared beard fall into keyboard? <:)==