The State of the Panth series is a report on Sikh matters presented by the Sikh Research Institute to the global Sikh community.

The series reports on matters affecting either a large section of the Sikh Nation or a perspective on critical issues facing the human race at large. It surveys the self-identified Sikhs on their stances.

It outlines a Sikh perspective based on Gurmat (the Guru’s Way) traditions of Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle). It outlines a recommendation for the individual Sikhs and Sikh institutions in “best practices” approach to strengthen the bonds within the community.

Download report: https://www.sikhri.org/who_is_a_sikh_report

Guest: Harinder Singh (@1force)

Host: Manpreet Singh (@mjassal)

"Hola Mahalla" was established by Guru Gobind Singh and is now celebrated annually. We talk with Harinder Singh on its significance, historical context, references in Guru Granth Sahib and what it means for Sikhs today. We know the date can be March 1st or the 14th but we don't give any importance to the dates on the podcast and mainly focus on Hola Mahalla's importance.

Host: Manpreet Singh (@mjassal)

Guest: Harinder Singh (@1force)

On the platter are placed three things,

Ruler’s Immortal Nam1 is also placed on it,

If someone eats it, if someone savors it,

This thing cannot be forsaken,

Nanak: Cross the dark-ignorant world-ocean in feet-surrender, 

1. Divine Identification

Guru Arjan Sahib Mundavani  |  Guru Granth Sahib 1429

ਮੁੰਦਾਵਣੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥

ਥਾਲ ਵਿਚਿ ਤਿੰਨਿ ਵਸਤੂ ਪਈਓ ਸਤੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਵੀਚਾਰੋ ॥

ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਾ ਪਇਓ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਸਭਸੁ ਅਧਾਰੋ ॥

ਜੇ ਕੋ ਖਾਵੈ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਭੁੰਚੈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਉਧਾਰੋ ॥

ਏਹ ਵਸਤੁ ਤਜੀ ਨਹ ਜਾਈ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਰਖੁ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰੋ ॥

ਤਮ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਚਰਨ ਲਗਿ ਤਰੀਐ ਸਭੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪਸਾਰੋ ॥੧॥

Sabad is Infinite; we are very finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow, as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad. In this trans-creation, we have chosen to keep the repeating words in the Sabad same. We aspire to learn and retain the Divine attribute as used in the original Sabad and avoid terms like God or Lord.

http://www.sikhri.org/guru_granth_sahib_1429

Guest: Inni Kaur (@innikaur)

Guest: Harinder Singh (@1force)

Host: Manpreet Singh (@mjassal)

I am the maiden-slave of my Ruler.

My life is the Beloved–

Self-centered is weak, with little and false understanding,

Ego abandoned, became bairagani, 2

None like You in the past,

Bride-lover is imbued with All-Pervasive’s Nam3.

1. Literally “The Word.” Popularly refers to the hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib.

2. Divinely-passionate: Colored with Love in intense longing.

3. Divine Identification.

Guru Nanak Sahib in Rag Sarang  |  Guru Granth Sahib 1197

ਰਾਗੁ ਸਾਰਗ ਚਉਪਦੇ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਘਰੁ ੧

ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

ਪੂਰਨ ਪਰਮ ਜੋਤਿ ਪਰਮੇਸਰ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਹਮਾਰੇ ॥

ਮਨਮੁਖ ਹੀਨ ਹੋਛੀ ਮਤਿ ਝੂਠੀ ਮਨਿ ਤਨਿ ਪੀਰ ਸਰੀਰੇ ॥

ਹਉਮੈ ਛੋਡਿ ਭਈ ਬੈਰਾਗਨਿ ਤਬ ਸਾਚੀ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਸਮਾਨੀ ॥

ਭੂਰ ਭਵਿਖ ਨਾਹੀ ਤੁਮ ਜੈਸੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਅਧਾਰਾ ॥

Sabad is Infinite; we are very finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow, as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad. In this trans-creation, we have chosen to keep the repeating words in the Sabad same. We aspire to learn and retain the Divine attribute as used in the original Sabad and avoid terms like God or Lord.

http://www.sikhri.org/guru_granth_sahib_1197

Guest: Harinder Singh (@1force)

Host: Manpreet Singh (@mjassal)

Salok Mardana 1

Ignorance-era is the carafe,

Anger is the cup,

Trash-lie’s greed is the party,

Make great-deeds the carafe,

Make virtues the bread,

O’ Nanak!

Mardana 1

Body, the carafe,

Intention, the cup,

O’ Nanak! 

Make wisdom the molasses,

O’ Nanak! 

Make the body the carafe,

Eternal-congregation, the meeting,

ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਰਦਾਨਾ ੧ ॥

ਕਲਿ ਕਲਵਾਲੀ ਕਾਮੁ ਮਦੁ ਮਨੂਆ ਪੀਵਣਹਾਰੁ ॥

ਮਰਦਾਨਾ ੧ ॥

ਕਾਇਆ ਲਾਹਣਿ ਆਪੁ ਮਦੁ ਮਜਲਸ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਧਾਤੁ ॥

Sabad is Infinite; we are very finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow, as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad. In this trans-creation, we have chosen to keep the repeating words in the Sabad same. We aspire to learn and retain the Divine attribute as used in the original Sabad and avoid terms like God or Lord.

http://www.sikhri.org/guru_granth_sahib_553

Guest: Harinder Singh (@1force)

Host: Manpreet Singh (@mjassal)

One who calls oneself a Sikh of the Guru, the Eternal Guru,

Endeavors daily at dawn:

Follows Guru’s Instructions, utters the utterance of All-Pervasive! All-Pervasive!

Then, at daybreak, sings Guru’s Teachings,

One who contemplates with every breath on my All-Pervasive! All-Pervasive!

Whosoever feels my Owner-Divine’s compassion,

Servant Nanak asks for that Sikh of the Guru’s Feet-dust2

1. Nam Identification

Guru Ramdas Sahib, Rag Gauri  |  Guru Granth Sahib 305

ਮਃ ੪

ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥

ਉਪਦੇਸਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪੁ ਜਾਪੈ ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਪਾਪ ਦੋਖ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਵੈ ॥

ਜੋ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਧਿਆਏ ਮੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ॥

ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਧੂੜਿ ਮੰਗੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਕੀ ਜੋ ਆਪਿ ਜਪੈ ਅਵਰਹ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਵੈ ॥੨॥

Sabad is Infinite; we are very finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow, as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad. In this trans-creation, we have chosen to keep the repeating words in the Sabad same. We aspire to learn and retain the Divine attribute as used in the original Sabad and avoid terms like God or Lord.

http://www.sikhri.org/guru_granth_sahib_305

Guest: Inni Kaur (@innikaur)

Host: Manpreet Singh (@mjassal)