Articles

Reflections, opinions and creative expression

Read in-depth interpretations, opinion pieces and creative writing delving into Sikh thought and world matters. Our articles feature writings from the SikhRI team and guest contributors.

Friday
,
30
July
2021

Paigham-i-Goya: An Expression of Love

Bhai Nand Lal’s thirtieth ghazal explores the futility of reaching the Beloved’s lane, emphasizing the superiority of spiritual connection over material wealth. Using the repeated verb nārisad ("to not arrive"), the ghazal highlights the unattainable...

Bhai Nand Lal’s thirtieth ghazal explores the futility of reaching the Beloved’s lane, emphasizing the superiority of spiritual connection over material wealth. Using the repeated verb nārisad ("to not arrive"), the ghazal highlights the unattainable...

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Wednesday
,
21
July
2021

Miri-Piri: The Spiritual-Political Sikh Doctrine

Miri comes from Perso-Arabic “Amir” or “Emir” and signals political power. Piri comes from the Perso-Arabic “Pir” and signals spiritual power. Miri-Piri encapsulates the Political-Spiritual doctrine in Sikhi, rooted in both the worldly and the timeless...

Miri comes from Perso-Arabic “Amir” or “Emir” and signals political power. Piri comes from the Perso-Arabic “Pir” and signals spiritual power. Miri-Piri encapsulates the Political-Spiritual doctrine in Sikhi, rooted in both the worldly and the timeless...

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Monday
,
19
July
2021

Politics of the Sword Warrior Guru

While serving as the Guru, Guru Teghbahadar Sahib visited far-off places and interacted with many individuals and communities. The Guru faced opposition not only on the external front but also on the home front.

While serving as the Guru, Guru Teghbahadar Sahib visited far-off places and interacted with many individuals and communities. The Guru faced opposition not only on the external front but also on the home front.

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Monday
,
28
June
2021

Paigham-i-Goya: An Expression of Love

Bhai Nand Lal’s twenty-fifth ghazal is an intimate love letter composed of whispered questions addressed to the Beloved. Each couplet begins with the recurring question “what would happen,” inviting speculation and yearning for reunion.

Bhai Nand Lal’s twenty-fifth ghazal is an intimate love letter composed of whispered questions addressed to the Beloved. Each couplet begins with the recurring question “what would happen,” inviting speculation and yearning for reunion.

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Monday
,
21
June
2021

Shrist ki Chadar Guru Teghbahadar: The Contemporary Indian Perspectives

With Guru Tegbahadar Sahib’s ideology and martyrdom, an entirely new set of discourse appears at the forefront of the Sikh philosophical thought that needs to be read as a turning point in the history of the Indian subcontinent altogether.

With Guru Tegbahadar Sahib’s ideology and martyrdom, an entirely new set of discourse appears at the forefront of the Sikh philosophical thought that needs to be read as a turning point in the history of the Indian subcontinent altogether.

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Friday
,
4
June
2021

Guru Teghbahadar Sahib Voices: O Mind! Transcend

Transcendence lies not in the wishful disappearance of opposition from without but in the resolution within to disregard and rise above it. How do we rise from the fragmented universe of our fears?

Transcendence lies not in the wishful disappearance of opposition from without but in the resolution within to disregard and rise above it. How do we rise from the fragmented universe of our fears?

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Friday
,
28
May
2021

O Servant of the Unattainable

Sabad is Infinite; we are finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad.

Sabad is Infinite; we are finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad.

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Wednesday
,
19
May
2021

Paigham-i-Goya: An Expression of Love

In his twelfth ghazal, Bhai Nand Lal ‘Goya’ emphasizes the journey toward the Divine, expressed through the recurring phrase “tavān raft” (“one may proceed”). This phrase invites possibility rather than prescription.

In his twelfth ghazal, Bhai Nand Lal ‘Goya’ emphasizes the journey toward the Divine, expressed through the recurring phrase “tavān raft” (“one may proceed”). This phrase invites possibility rather than prescription.

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Friday
,
14
May
2021

Reflecting on Time, One Becomes the Willing-Servant

A reflection on the play of past, present, and future, the play of creation, and the importance of Remembrance.

A reflection on the play of past, present, and future, the play of creation, and the importance of Remembrance.

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