Vahiguru ji ka Khalsa, Vahiguru ji ki Fatih!

A sacred hush envelops the month of Poh (mid-December to mid-January), a time steeped in shahadat—martyrdom. The air feels heavy as if the universe has paused its ceaseless rhythm, inviting us into a profound reflection and connection.

This pause is no ordinary stillness. It is the cosmic call to witness—a beckoning to immerse ourselves in the poignant symphony of loss, courage, and timeless remembrance. Poh holds the essence of separation, where bonds are tested and threads unravel. It is a month painted with sorrow and betrayal, yet seeds of valor take root beneath the shadow. Imagine it: a vast, infinite canvas where every stroke is a memory, and every hue evokes a different emotion.

The echoes of history reverberate. We feel the ache of the Tenth Sovereign's family torn apart, their story etched into the very fabric of existence. The Sirsa River flows as a silent witness, its ink-black waters metaphorically representing our collective loss—precious manuscripts swallowed by its depths.

Chamkaur and Khidrana rise as sacred battlegrounds in the theater of remembrance, where courage lit up the darkest skies. Picture the Vade Sahibzade standing unflinching amidst the chaos, their spirit a lighthouse in a storm of betrayal. And in that betrayal, Gangu the cook becomes an enduring reminder of human frailty. Mata Gujri’s parting words to the Chote Sahibzade resound like a heartbeat through time: “Remember who you are.”

And then, from the depths of sacrifice, emerges the Dat—the Gift. This cascade of virtues is a treasure bestowed by our martyrs: resilience that springs forth like a phoenix from the ashes, perseverance that carries us through the storms of history, and justice that becomes our moral compass. Gratitude, blooming in the harshest winters, transforms loss into abundance.

Martyrdom itself becomes the ultimate Gift—a timeless testament to love and truth. Woven into these gifts is the supreme Gift of Gifts: Nam—Identification with the Eternal, the IkOankar, the 1Force that binds us to the divine tapestry of existence. This unbroken connection, timeless and luminous, becomes the light that guides our path.

As we walk through this sacred month, let us pause in its stillness, hear the whispers of history, and let our hearts be stirred. May the brushstrokes of remembrance and inspiration color our journey with the hues of courage and love.

Let us honor.
Let us remember.
Let us rise.

May the Wisdom-Guru be with us!