Sri Harmandir Sahib..

Sri Guru Arjan Sahib got Sri Harmandir Sahib built in the midst
of the sarovar (tank) at the lowest level. Unlike other temples
where the devotees have to climb up to offer their obeisance, 
here the devotees have to step down to offer their homage.


 This unique temple of God has been built at the lowest level
 because it represents the humility of Guru Nanak.
 Humility Incarnate Guru Arjan selected the lowest level
 because this was to be the eternal seat of the Prophet of Humility,
 Sri Guru Nanak Sahib (manifest Sri Guru Granth Sahib).


Garibi Gada Hamari, 
Khana Sagal Rein Chhari..
Is Aage Ko Na Tikai Vekari!!
 Sri Guru Granth Sahib (628)


“Humility is my mace; becoming the dust of everybody’s feet is my sword. 
No evil doer can dare withstand these weapons”.

For a sikh, the Guru is the soul of his own soul.


Dasan Das Rein Dasan Ki, Jan Ki Tehal Kamawon,
Sarab Sookh Badyai Nanak Jiwon Mukhon Blawo !!
                                                         Sri Guru Granth Sahib (529)


“I have become dust of the feet of the slaves of His slaves and I serve His servants. 
Thus, I have achieved true joy and honour, I live by uttering His Holy Name”  

In this Great Temple, the four doors in all the four directions were thrown 
open to all the religions, to rich and poor, to high and low, and to the 
out-castes. All were welcome in this House of God. The poor, the low, 
the meak, the oppressed and the humble felt the presence of God face to face.
All religions have produced true lovers of God. A muslim mystic,
a true lover of God, Hazrat Mian Mir, who had become a legend in his
very life-time, was invited to lay the foundation stone of this
Universal Temple of God, further signifying that this Temple of God 
belonged to all. On Dharma, religion, Sri Guru Arjan Sahib clarifies :


Sarb Dharam Mehn Sreisht Dharam..
Har Ko Nam Jap Nirmal Karam
                                            Sri Guru Granth Sahib (266)


The best of all Religions is the yearning for the Divine and purity of deeds.  

Turban - Gift of the Guru

The turban of a Sikh is a gift given on Baisakhi Day of 1699 by the Tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh. After giving Amrit to the Five Beloved Ones, he gave us bana, the distinctive dress that includes the turban. It is helpful to understand the historical context of his action.

During Guru Gobind Singh’s time, the turban, or “dastar,” as it is called in Persian, carried a totally different connotation from that of a hat in Europe. The turban represented respectability and was a sign of nobility. At that time, a Mughal aristocrat or a Hindu Rajput could be distinguished by his turban. The Hindu Rajputs were the only Hindus allowed to wear ornate turbans, carry weapons and have their mustache and beard. Also at this time, only the Rajputs could have Singh (“lion”) or Kaur (“princess”) as their second name. Even the Gurus did not have Singh as part of their name, until the Tenth Guru. 

The downtrodden followers of the Sikh faith did not have the means to display aristocratic attire, nor were they allowed to, even if they had the means. (Doing so was usually equivalent to a death sentence.) It was in this context that Guru Gobind Singh decided to turn the tables on the ruling aristocracy by commanding every Sikh to carry a sword, take up the name Singh or Kaur, and have kesh (hair) and turban displayed boldly, without any fear. This effectively made his followers see themselves on a par with the Mughal rulers. 

When we are in the presence of the Guru, Guru is giving us the gift of his energy. That energy is sacred and when we retain it, Guru's energy lives in us and that gives us the living experience of Guru. To help retain that energy we cover our heads with a turban.

Guru Tegh Bahadur - Hind di chadar

Guru Teg Bahadu si Kriya Kari Na Kinhoo Aan. (Guru Tegh Bahadur did what no one could ever done sacrificing his own head for existence of others religion ) Bah Jinahn di pakariye.. Sar dije bah na chhoriye.. Tegh Bahadur bolya.. Dhar payae dharma na chhoriye.. [Give up your head, but forsake not those whom you have undertaken to protect. Says Tegh Bahadur,  sacrifice your life, but relinquish not your faith]