Touch My Heart a lovely poem by Prof. Puran Singh

Professor Puran Singh was one of the most admired personalities of the 20^th century. He was an inspiring poet, an acclaimed writer and a well known scientist as well. Apart from these, he was also an eloquent orator of his time. The vivaciousness of his writings conveys that he was really a Spiritual Master of Pen. His works are filled with the pure nectars of joy which are capable of pouring freshness into the mind and heart and elevating the spirits of the reader. That’s why, he is also known as the Sixth River of Punjab. He wrote in Punjabi, Hindi, English and Urdu as well.

Below is his reviving English poem from his book The Sisters of Spinning Wheels followed by its Punjabi Translation in Punjab Jeounda Guru De Naan Te by Kirpal Singh Kasel and Satinder Singh Nanda. 

Touch My Heart!

TOUCH me! Touch my heart with Thy Lotus Feet! That I may dream, in world-distress and dust, Thou art by me!

Throw me not on myself!

I forget Thy sky is above me; I forget it is Thy air I breathe, Thy waters I drink, Thy stars I see, Thy gardens I walk, Thy fruits I eat, Thy singing rivers I hear as they roll, Thy men I love! I forget that Thou art!

Lord! Throw me not on myself; at every step I forget Thee. Too much for me is this world-madness!

Keep swooping down on my heart from Thy Heaven-flights!

Ah! I may know from moment to moment Thou art everywhere and Thou art my Life and Joy and Pride and Strength, and motion of all moving things.

Pray, give me signs from Heaven that I may look and wonder and say, Hail, my Lord!

Let down the Love-strings that they may pull me up with Thy Wheel of Change.

Lift me slowly, lift me up! Let me melt in Thy Glory that makes Earth and Heaven but one.

 Touch me! Touch my eyes with Thy Lotus Feet and cool my heart, my burning eyes and frame; and let me rest at peace in Thy Tree-shadows.

I need deep sleep to give me peace from the scorching sun of the world.

Ah! Let me dream, and see naught but Thee in all and everything.

(The Sisters of the Spinning Wheel)

(Prof. Puran Singh Kav Rachnavli, page 367) 

pRBU jI myry ihrdy ƒ Cuh bKSo !

pRB jI !

myry ihrdy ƒ

Awpxy crn-kMvlW dI

Cuh bKSo !

qW jo ies dunIAW dy duKW, kStW

qy G`ty DUV dy AMdr

mYN quhwfI sUrq vyKW !

qy ieMJ krW pRqIq

ijvyN hovo qusIN myry AMg-sMg !

pRB jI !

mYƒ Awpxy auqy nw Cfo !

mYN hW sdw ieh Bul jWdw

ik myry aupr hY AwkwS quswfw;

mYN ieh vI hW Bul jWdw

ik ijhVI pvn Awsry mYN hW jIauNdw

auh vI quhwfI bKSI hoeI dwq hY,

quhwfw hI jl hW mYN pINdw,

quhwfy qwry inq mYN vyKW,

quhwfy hI bwgW dy AMdr

mYN hW sYr kryNdw,

quhwfy hI &lW ƒ KWdw,

ieh jo vihMdIAW ndIAW dw hY mDur sMgIq

ieh sB quhwfI hI hY vsq Amolk,

quhwfy bMidAW iesqrI purSW ƒ

mYN krW ipAwr,

pr ieh sB kuJ mwx ky vI

mYN ieh Bu`l jWdw

ik ies sB ip`Cy

quhwfI iek mhW hsqI

hY hy krqwr !

pRB jI !

mYƒ ieMJ Awpxy Awp auqy nw C`fo;

hr kdm ‘qy mYN Bul jWdw hW quhwƒ [

ieh dunIAW dw pwglpn

mYƒ inq Awpxy ivc gRsy !

hy pRBU jI !

qusIN AwpxIAW ggn aufwrIAW auqoN

myry ihrdy-ql auqy vI Aw brwjo

aus pMCI hwr

jo Jptw mwr hyT ƒ AwauNdw !

qW jo hr iCx mYƒ

ieMJ hovy pRqIqI

ik qusIN sB QWvW ‘qy ho ivAwpk,

qusIN ho myrw jIvn,

myrI KuSI qy KyVw,

myrw mwx qy qwx

qy sB GuMmdIAW vsqW AMdr

hY quhwfw hI pihrw !

pRB jI !

myrI hY Ardws !

mYƒ ggnW vwlw bKSo auh ‘nISwn’,

ijs ƒ lK pyK ky

myry AMdr jwgy auh ivsmwd

qy mYN sdw aucwrW :

“vwhu ! vwhu ! dI Anhd Dun !”

Awpxy pirvrqn dy cl rhy c`kr qoN

myry ihrdy ƒ

AwpxI pRym-forI nwl bMno

qW jo mYN aupr auTW auqWh ƒ sihjy sihjy [

pRB jI !

sihjy sihjy

mYƒ Awpxy vl ƒ aupr iK`co !

qW jo quhwfy nUrI jmwl dI mhW-Swn ivc

mYN ho jwvW AByd

qy ies rh`s ƒ jwxW

ik ieh DrqI-AwkwS hn

ieko sUq ivc b`Jy [

pRB jI !

myry qpdy nYxW qWeIN

Awpxy crn-kMvlW dI Cuh nwl

kr idau SWq

qy myry qpdy qn-mn qy ihrdy AMdr

TMF vrqwau !

qW jo quhwfy mhW ibRC dI mhW-Swn ivc

mYN kr skW ibsrwm !

dunIAW dy ies qpdy sUrj dI grmI

nw sky mYƒ swV

qy mYƒ Amn-SWqI vwlI Awvy im`TI gUVHI nINd [

pRB jI !

“duie duie locn pyKw

hau hir ibnu Aauru n dyKw ]” ( sRI gurU gRMQ swihb jI AMg 655)

(pMjwb jIauNdw gurU dy nW ‘qy, pMnw 55)

 

Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh Ji - An Excellent Master Of Pen

Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh Ji was one of the great Diamond Figures in the 20th century. He was among the greatest spiritual personalities of his time. He was a poet, a scholar, a historian and a great activist. His excellent writings, filled with spiritual love and finely polished with an exceptional writing style, formed an integral part of not only Sikh Literature or Punjabi Literature but also of Spiritual Literature. His writings not only enlighten the reader about Truth but also give him some taste like some ‘Divine Nectar’.

An interesting event from his life depicting his exceptional brilliancy is as follows:

Once upon a time, Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh Ji went to Lahore. In Lahore, there were many poets, writers and scholars of Urdu and Hindi languages, at that time. Since, Bhai Sahib was very famous, they were very eager to meet him. So, finally they came up with a meeting with him.

In the meeting, after a warm welcome, a discussion began over literary work in various languages. After sometime, someone put forward an English quotation “Where there is a will, there is a way” and asked everyone to translate it in their respective languages. And thus, we will find out who could do the best and most accurate translation and in which language.  

After everyone has finished, they began showing up their translations.

An Urdu Scholar had translated, “Jahaan musammam iraada ho, wahaan kaamyaabi hoti hai.”

                                                  ਜਹਾਂ ਮੁਸੰਮਮ ਇਰਾਦਾ ਹੋ, ਵਹਾਂ ਕਾਮਯਾਬੀ ਹੋਤੀ ਹੈ|    
      جہاں مسمم ارادہ ہو،, وہاں کامیابی ہوتی ہے                                                                                          

Another Urdu scholar translated, “Musammam iraada kaamyaabi ka raasta dikhaata hai.”

                                                  ਮੁਸੰਮਮ ਇਰਾਦਾ ਕਾਮਯਾਬੀ ਕਾ ਰਾਸਤਾ ਦਿਖਾਤਾ ਹੈ|

                                                                                       مسمم ارادہ کامیابی کا راستہ دکھاتا ہے                             

A Hindi scholar translated, “Drirh vishwaas safalta ka maarg hai.”

                                         ਦ੍ਰਿੜ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਸਫਲਤਾ ਕਾ ਮਾਰਗ ਹੈ| 
                          दृढ़ विश्वास सफलता का मार्ग है| 
              

Finally, when Bhai Sahib Ji’s turn came, he said, “Jithe Chaah, Othe Raah.”

                    ਜਿੱਥੇ ਚਾਹ, ਓਥੇ ਰਾਹ|

After listening this, you can fairly guess what happened. Everyone started praising and complimenting Bhai Sahib Ji and agreed that he has done the best translation. 

 

Sant Teja Singh Ji and Henry Ford

Sant Teja Singh Ji Mastuanewale was one of the great shining stars of the 20th century. Perhaps he was the First Messenger of Sikhism for the western world. He was not only a mere ‘saint’ but also struggled for the rights of Indian communities in Canada, before the beginning of Gadar Movement. He was truly an inspiring torch-bearer for the Truth-Finders. Here, we will read only a small excerpt from his life when he met Henry Ford, a great industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company, and gave him the divine message of Guru Nanak.    

When Sant Ji went to meet Henry Ford, he asked an appointment for five minutes from his secretary.  He replied that you can get five minutes appointment after three months. The reason was simply the busy schedule of Mr. Ford. Sant Ji said that I am also returning to India and I don’t have that much time. Then secretary answered, “Mr. Ford will go outside in his car after having his food, I will request him and you may go with him and have your word with him on the way.” Sant Ji agreed.

When Henry Ford got seated in his car, his secretary told him about Sant Ji. He was highly pleased after meeting Sant Ji and respectfully made him seated in his car. Sant Ji asked Mr. Ford,”How much are your daily savings?” Mr. Ford replied, “Savings are countless.” Then, Sant Ji asked,” How much money has you saved in the banks?” Mr. Ford replied the same, “In the banks, we have numberless money.” Now, Sant Ji asked, “How much more you want to earn?” He replied, “I am running day and night for this money.”

Then Sant Ji told him that this money should be spent for you and for the welfare of poor people. Otherwise, thieves will definitely try to spend this money.

Finally, Sant Ji asked,” Do you have peace?” Mr. Ford replied, “No, I am always stressed, you seem to be some enlightened person, bless me with peace, I will be grateful to you.” Sant Ji gave him his Simarna and asked him to stop the car and went on his way. 

One-Inch Saroop of Guru Granth Sahib Ji

This post depicts the faith and love of our ancestors who fought in the World Wars. In these photographs you see the ‘one-inch’ Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This Saroop is at Gurudwara Mai Than Sahib Ji, Agra, U.P., India. Now, what is the history behind this Saroop.

During the First World War, when the Britishers asked Sikh Regiments to be deployed in Europe. The Sikh Regiments agreed only on the condition that they will be allowed to carry the Saroop of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The Britishers knew that without this these regiments are not going to leave. So, they got total 13 ‘one-inch’ Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji printed. The size of these Saroops was kept so small so that their regiments do not face any difficulty in carrying them. These Saroops were printed by a German press.

Later, all these Saroops were distributed among 13 Skh Regiments. Each Saroop was kept in a small box. The Sukhaasan as well as Prakaash was done in this same box. The positioning and arrangement of lens inside the box was done in such a way that when the box was opened, the lens used to come over the Maharaaj’s Saroop and you could open and turn over the Angs of Guru Granth Sahib Ji below the lens. Thus, after taking the Hukamnama, the Sikh Regiments used to fight in the battlefields.

In these pictures, that box and lens are not available. Only that Saroop is available, showing the love and faith of the Sikh Regiments in those days.

Faith for 'Faith'- a True and Inspiring Story

I came across this story and would like to share it with you. The story is about a dog who born on Christmas eve in 2002 with only two legs. So, he was unable to walk. His mother even left him and so did his first owner. But his present master Jude String Fellow wanted to take care of him. She determined to teach and train this dog. She named him ‘Faith’.In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfboard to let him feel the movement. Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and reward him up for standing up and jumping around. Even the other dog at home encouraged him to walk. Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learnt to balance on his hind legs and to jump to move forward. After training in snow, he can now walk like a human being.

Now, he has also appeared on various newspapers and TV shows. A book "With a Little Faith" is also being published now.

So this story gives us the message that whatever the thing it is, whatever aim we have, if we have compete unquestioning faith then, we have already achieved it. This message is truly a torch-bearer for us.

ਜੋ ਮਾਗਹਿ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਤੇ ਸੋਈ ਸੋਈ ਦੇਵੈ ||

ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸੁ ਮੁਖ ਤੇ ਜੋ ਬੋਲੈ ਈਹਾ ਊਹਾ ਸਚੁ ਹੋਵੈ ||੨||੧੪||੪੫||

Whatever I ask for from my Lord and Master, he gives that to me. Whatever the Lord's slave Nanak utters with his mouth proves to be true, here and hereafter. ||2||14||45||

My humble request to the reader is please circulate this story.

Words of Nectar

This Shabad is written by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Dhanaasari Raag in Ang 681 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It is clear that whatever we ask from our Beloved Lord we will get it. So, have faith in Lord and you will definitely get it.

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ||

ਚਤੁਰ ਦਿਸਾ ਕੀਨੋ ਬਲੁ ਅਪਨਾ ਸਿਰ ਊਪਰਿ ਕਰੁ ਧਾਰਿਓ ||

ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਟਾਖ੍ਯ ਅਵਲੋਕਨੁ ਕੀਨੋ ਦਾਸ ਕਾ ਦੂਖੁ ਬਿਦਾਰਿਓ ||੧||

ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਰਾਖੇ ਗੁਰ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ||

ਕੰਠਿ ਲਾਇ ਅਵਗੁਣ ਸਭਿ ਮੇਟੇ ਦਇਆਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਬਖਸੰਦ || ਰਹਾਉ ||

ਜੋ ਮਾਗਹਿ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਤੇ ਸੋਈ ਸੋਈ ਦੇਵੈ ||

ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸੁ ਮੁਖ ਤੇ ਜੋ ਬੋਲੈ ਈਹਾ ਊਹਾ ਸਚੁ ਹੋਵੈ ||੨||੧੪||੪੫||

(ਅੰਗ ੬੮੧, ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ)

Dhanaasaree, Fifth Mehl:

He has extended His Power in all four directions, and placed His hand upon my head. Gazing upon me with his Eye of Mercy, He has dispelled the pains of His slave. ||1|| The Guru, the Lord of the Universe, has saved the Lord's humble servant. Hugging me close in His embrace, the merciful, forgiving Lord has erased all my sins. ||Pause|| Whatever I ask for from my Lord and Master, he gives that to me. Whatever the Lord's slave Nanak utters with his mouth, proves to be true, here and hereafter. ||2||14||45||

(Ang 681, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

A sketch of life of Bhai Sahib Bhai Sant Singh Ji

Bhai Sahib Bhai Sant Singh Ji was the Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Shaib, Amritsar during the times of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. He was also the fifth Jathedar of Damdami Taksal. He was a great Kathavachak, a renowned scholar, a famous teacher and one of the noted personalities of that time.

His father’s name was Bhai Sahib Bhai Surat Singh Ji and his elder brother was Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurdass Singh Ji. He was blessed with three sons- Bhai Deva Singh, Bhai Gurmukh Singh and Bhai Sadhu Singh. His father and his elder brother were also once the Jathedars of Damdami Taksal. His father Bhai Sahib Bhai Surat Singh Ji was the third Jathedar and his elder brother Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurdass Singh Ji was fourth Jathedar of Damdami Taksal. So, he was from a spiritually and a scholarly rich background.

Bhai Sahib studied Sri Guru Granth Sahib Paath, Santhia, Katha and meanings from his father and his elder brother. He studied numerous Sanskrit Granths from Pandit Nihal Singh Ji.

In 1790, the Khalsa Panth asked Bhai Sahib to do Katha of Hukamanama from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. Bhai Sahib obeyed this duty faithfully and honestly in his entire life. Throughout his life he never missed a day. Even once when one of his grandsons died, he did not miss to do daily Katha and Seva of Sri Darbar Sahib.

One day Maharaja Ranjeet Singh sent his two servants to Bhai Sahib to call him to do Katha at Rambagh. At that time, Bhai Sahib was doing Katha at Sri Darbar Sahib. He asked the two servants to sit in Sangat and kept on doing Katha. Later two more servants came for the same. Bhai Sahib made them too in the Sangat and kept on doing Katha. Then Maharaja Ranjeet Singh came. After getti ng about Bhai Sahib’s honesty and sincerity for Guru, he was highly pleased and impressed.

In the battle of Jhang, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh was seriously injured and fell into a deep dig. Bhai Sahib picked him up and carried him over his back and saved his life. Maharaja Ranjeet Singh remembered Bhai Sahib throughout his life for this. As the honour of Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib, he used to wipe the feet of Bhai Sahib with his beard.

The golden coating over Sri Darbar Sahib was done under his supervision. He also inspired Bhai Desa Singh Ji to coat golden over the Nishan Sahib of Gurudwara Baba Atal Rai Ji.

Bhai Sahib was a great scholar. He also did literary work. He wrote Teeka (meaning book of a Scripture) of Tulsi Ramayan (ਤੁਲਸੀ ਰਮਾਇਣ). He also did translation of Tulsi Dass Ram Charitra Maanas (ਤੁਲਸੀ ਦਾਸ ਰਾਮ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਮਾਨਸ). He also wrote a poem Sri Ram Aswamedh Sehaskrit Bhakha (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਾਮ ਅਸਵਮੇਧ ਸਹਸਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਭਾਖਾ).

He was great teacher as well and he taught a lot of students. Out of which the noted ones were:

• Bhai Santokh Singh Ji, writer of Suraj Prakash Granth. He was a renowned scholar of his time and did a great seva for Panth by writing Suraj Prakash Granth. He can be called as ‘Father of Sikh History’. He studied from Bhai Sahib for 15 years.
• Kavi Megh Singh Ji, writer of Bhai Sahib Chandraka in which history and important information about Damdami Taksal and Saints of those days has been accounted.
• Shaizada Nau Nihal Singh, grandson of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. He was a great personality but was betrayed and murdered by Dogras.
• Sant Daya Singh Ji, also perhaps studied from Bhai Sahib. He became Jathedar of Damdami Taksal after Bhai Sahib.

Bhai Sahib had also done a lot of Naam Kamai. One day a Singh named Gomerkhan Singh came with a dead body of his son and asked Bhai Sahib to make him alive. Bhai Sahib said,” If you want then, I can give my life to him and he will be alive. But who have been invincible in this world. Keep patience. After 10 months, you will be blessed by a new son”. The same thing happened.

Bhai Sahib used to pick up the bird droppings over the Prakarma of Sri Darbar Sahib with his own hands. This has been accounted by Sant Baba Sham Singh Ji Amritsar wale (1803-1926) in Har Bhagat Prem Prakash (ਹਰਿ ਭਗਤ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼) who did Kirtan Seva at Sri Darbar Sahib for about 80 years and saw Bhai Sahib doing this great seva with his own eyes. Bhai Sahib also used to pick up the Kesh from Prakarma and Sanskar them.

Bhai Sahib left for abode of Lord in 1832. After him, his son Bhai Gurmukh Singh became Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib and Sant Daya Singh Ji became the Jathedar of Damdamit Taksal. Bhai Sahib Bhai Sant Singh Ji is truly a role model for today’s Granthis and Paatthis.