Do you know about Bhumi? The rich landlord from Dhaka, India? Well, if you don’t know of him, hit the play button. This is a sakhi you’re not going to want to miss. There’s a reason why Bhumi was so rich.
Listen as Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur explore Miri-Piri from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle). Event moderated by Manvinder Kaur.
Introducing Paigham-i-Goya: Expression of Love, new translations of a selection of ghazals from Bhai Nand Lal “Goya.” Today’s podcast begins with a recitation of Bhai Nand Lal’s ghazal in Persian, followed by a new English transcreation, the result of a unique collaboration between Dr. Fatima Fayyaz and Dr. Nadhra Khan of Lahore University of Management Sciences, Damanpreet Singh, writer, and graduate student, and Inni Kaur of SikhRI, followed by a discussion between Daman and Inni about the beauty of the ghazal and the transcreation process. Follow Damanpreet and Inni as they discuss their learnings and challenges while engaging with the words of Bhai Nand Lal. The unique and symbolic meanings that these ghazals reveal are a treat for those who yearn to get a glimpse into the court of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. Author: Bhai Nand Lal “Goya” Collection: Divan-i-Goya Transcreators: Fatima Fayyaz, Inni Kaur, Nadhra Khan, and Damanpreet Singh Persian Narrator: Gholamhossein Sajadi English Narrator: Ryan Gillis Persian کسی به حالِ غریبان بی نوا نرسد از آنکه هیچ بدان کوی دلربا نرسد هزار خلد برین را به نیم جو نخرند! رسیده ایم به جایی که بادشاه نرسد طبیبِ عشق چنین گفته است می گویند به حالِ درد غریبان به جز خدا نرسد برای روشنی چشمِ دل اگر خواهی! به خاکِ درگه او هیچ توتیا نرسد به یادِ دوست توان عمر را بسر بردن که در برابرِ آن هیچ کیمیا نرسد تمامِ دولتِ گیتی فدای خاکِ درش که تا فداش نگردد کسی به جا نرسد فدای خاکِ درش می شود از آن گویا که هر که خاک نگردد به مدعا نرسد English Translation No one looks after the state of the helpless wanderers, As no one ever reaches the Beloved’s lane. A thousand heavens are not worth half a grain of barley, As where we are is far beyond the reach of monarchs. The one who is called the physician of love is known to have said, That no one but God can heal the pain of these wanderers. If you want to light up the heart’s eye, The finest kohl is no match to the dust of His threshold. It’s worth spending one’s life remembering the Beloved, As there is no alchemy equivalent to that. All the world’s wealth can be given up for the dust of His door, As unless one surrenders to Him, no one reaches anywhere. Goya surrenders to the dust of His door, As the destination cannot be reached unless one turns into dust.
Follow Surender Pal Singh as he speaks about how, 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. The Guru navigated through scheming and aggressions, many times violent, with grace and wisdom. This presentation explores the Guru’s interactions with people and communities and the underlying principles that governed the Guru’s politics of alliances.
The next sakhi takes us to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Around the year 1525, Guru ji and Bhai Mardana arrived in Mecca. Guru ji’s interaction with the qazi (a Muslim scholar) was very shaky at first because the qazi thought Guru ji was disrespectful.
Vahiguru exists in everyone – even in those who don’t embody what Guru ji stood for. Surprisingly, mean people also have Vahiguru in them; they just have forgotten that. All they need is a special reminder from a place of love that Vahiguru is in them.
Follow Damanpreet and Inni as they discuss their learnings and challenges while engaging with the words of Bhai Nand Lal.
Fathers sometimes underestimate their role. Loving, actively involved fathers contribute to their children’s well-being and development, strengthening their self‑esteem. What's different about being a Sikh father? Being born and raised in Sikh (predominantly Panjabi or Desi cultural backgrounds) may cause fathers to relook at their own childhood experiences and seek guidance. What worked well for their fathers 20 or 30 years ago may not work with the kinds of challenges fathers face today. Our panelists shared their thoughts on whether they are inspired or perhaps intimidated by the strong father figures in our history and much more!
Join Dr. Ishmeet Kaur as she discusses Guru Teghbahadar’s ideology and martyrdom, and how an entirely new set of discourse appears on the forefront of Sikh philosophical thought that needs to be read as a turning point in Indian history altogether.