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.

Gay and Sikhi

Why in the world am I writing about gay issues again? I am wondering so myself. I am not gay. I do not hate gays. I do not have many gay friends; nor am I thinking about this 24 /7.

But there were a lot of people that were furious regarding Sikh Knowledge, a rapper from Canada, kissing a Muslim man in Canada. They were protesting laws against gay sex in India call  Section 377. There were some morons making stupid threats. There were others that felt that he embarrassed his Pagh (Turban), and he should cut his hair as a result of it.

I felt that I should clarify the my interpretation of Sikh Religion's position on this issue on twitter and whilst doing so, I got a tweet back from Sikh Knowledge saying that I was not having enough sex. Kind of weird, then I tried to clarify it further and felt that it took too many tweets, hence I decided to try to put what I have on my mind in this blog.

Yes, I am not an authority on Sikhi, but there is only ever 1 true authority on Sikhi and that is the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, there is not one word, not one word, that criticizes a person for being gay. Do not believe me, find it here. None.

From word one to the 2nd last Ang of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, it is all about God and nothing else. (The last Paath in Guru Ji is Raag Mahalla, about the music mode of the banis). It is pure and its message is all loving. God is for all. If Guru Ji does not discriminate, why then the rest of us?

But in the Sikh Panth, marriage, is between a man and a woman. Some use quotes in Guru Ji which talks about how lady-soul want to entice her Husband-God. In my opinion, I think that is of spiritual nature and how all of us should be wanting to reach god and be hungry for His Name.

However, I would go to the 52 last orders of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in which, rule number 14 states that all marriage must be done via Anand Karaj. Anand Karaj states that marriage is strictly between a man and a woman. Yes, as mentioned earlier, the bani was written to be Spiritual in nature. But it is Guru Gobind Singh Ji that gave the order that made it that human beings, not just our souls, are to partake in the marriage. So therefore in a Sikh point of view, marriage is between a man and a woman.

Furthermore, there is no sex outside marriage in Sikhi, be it with a man or a woman. This also implies that gay sex is not allowed. What I state is the fact, but I hope that I did not insult anyone.

Lastly, I think it is ridiculous asking a gay Sikh to cut hair? Do we tell a person that drinks or smoke to cut their hair? Do we tell a person that eats meat to cut their hair? So why should we tell a person who is gay to do so? So why are we having double standards when it comes to this?

Rab Rakha.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcNg4b5A5MA -- Anand Kaaraj.