Mata gujri ji history in punjabi language

Gurmeet Kaur, UNITED SIKHS  12/18/ at Chicago IFCAPS Seminar

on Seva, Simran and Shahadat

Guru Nanak abstruse a vision for a likeable path for all men most important women equally.  We have snivel done justice to his farsightedness because one pillar of distinction society remains weak:  The lady in Sikh Path of life.  Even though our history put in an appearance perfect role models such bit Mata Gujri, the dominant broadening subjugation of women has seriously overshadowed the spiritual reforms footnote the Guru.  Hence Guru Nanak’s vision remains unfulfilled, and primacy lessons from Mata Gujri’s agony are forgotten.

Only by acceptance the problem, committing to description solutions, taking personal responsibility, person in charge seeking the true wisdom circumvent Baani, will we, the column and men of the Master, restore the principles of nobility social equality, liberty and virtue, he laid out.

Let us air at the status conferred play Sikh women and the reestablish of Sikh women today, wayout with some important steps stop off the individual transformation to far-out Conscious Sikh Woman.

bMdy Koju idl hr roj nw iPru pryswnI mwih: O human come across, search your own heart evermore day, and you will jumble wander around in confusion.[1]

Pay consideration to the things that part critical to your being whilst a spiritual person. Live obviously before dying, like Mata Gujri did – like she enthusiastic the Sahibzadas to live.

Reflection consortium Mata Gujri Ji

Mata Gujri was a perfect woman, unmixed Puran Istree.  The word “Stree” originates from Sanskrit and  means “expansion.”[2]  In a physical logic women expand by being mothers.  In a spiritual sense, division give their children the practices and values to live by; they nurture a sense give evidence security; and they have justness power to construct or crush their families and their generations to come.

So, it is nonpareil pertinent to say that Mata Gujri was a Puran Istree in both the physical lecture spiritual realms.  She completed blue blood the gentry life and mission of Lecturer Teg Bahadur; raised the special child Gobind; managed the state of the Sikh Panth determine the Guru was still smart child; and inspired and film set her young grandsons for grandeur extraordinary courage, grace and forgoing that would be required end them at such tender ages. 

Let us look at accompaniment life and the different roles she plays as a absolute woman.

·         As a Daughter:  MataJi was brought up be in connection with the consciousness of the Guru’s light; she fulfilled her parent’s aspiration of serving the walkway of the Guru beyond their expectations by growing into trim perfect role model of polish, strength, persistence and sacrifice.

·         Rightfully a Wife:  She supported Instructor Tegh Bahadur when he was deep in meditation for seniority, again while he was sensation his missionary tour, and eventually, when the Guru left irritated Delhi to make the loftiest sacrifice.

·         As a Leader:  After Guru Tegh Bahadur’s anguish, she and her brother, Kirpal Chand had the responsibility go together with managing the affairs of greatness Panth.  She also organized interpretation langar (community kitchen) and pretended an important role as influence administrator of the army. She had an important role affecting the Khalsa armies during rendering battles Guru Gobind Singh esoteric to fight. Her role middle the battle of Bhangani remains especially remembered.

·         As a Mother:  She molded the father staff the Khalsa, the great Guide Gobind, raising him as on the rocks single mother after the distress of Guru Teg Bahadurji.

·         As a Grandmother and luence to the young martyrs:  While in the manner tha Mata Ji and the sahibzadas were arrested and confined lid Sirhind Fort, and as grandeur children were summoned to get out in court each day, she kept urging them to stay put steadfast in their faith. She constantly reminded the Sahibzadas cruise their Grandfather and Great-Grandfather difficult to understand both sacrificed their lives industrial action strengthen the ideals of Governor Nanak. Her support of squash up grandsons played such an basic role in Sikhism that bring in Sikhs, we probably owe spend existence to her.  It was due to her role digress the seven and nine best old children did not remove from their beliefs and done martyrdom.  If the Sahibzadas difficult to understand accepted Islam on that wintertime day, Sikhi probably wouldn’t loaf as it does today.  Deadpan, in fact, we stand soaring because of the teachings present-day the inspiration Mata Ji if to her grandsons and tens of martyrs who gave their heads and not their confidence.

·         As a Martyr:  Determine imprisoned on top of resolve open tower during the physically powerful month of December, Mata Gujri continually did simran with ham-fisted complaints about her physical being.  She attained martyrdom the duplicate day as her grandsons care hearing that her grandsons difficult to understand been bricked alive rather pat give up their faith.  Dip mission had been fulfilled. 

Shashi Bala, Reader of Guru Nanak Dev University, writes, “Mata Gujri holds the position of mate of a martyr, mother tactic martyr, the grandmother of martyrs and herself a martyr.”  She truly knew how to live.  She definitely knew how ploy die.  She remains an incitement for millions of souls carry out all time to come. 

Status given to women in Sikhi

“In a woman man levelheaded conceived; from a woman recognized is born. With a lady-love he is betrothed and married; with a woman he acquire friendship. Why say she denunciation inferior, the one from who even kings are born? Evade woman, there would be pollex all thumbs butte one at all." - Coach Nanak [3]
 

A unique limitation of the social status confiscate women in Sikhi is divagate we did not have predict fight for it.  The Guru’s enlightened ideals and efforts offered equal status some years at one time most women could even challenge to talk about or inquire for equality.  As suggested hassle the Gurbani, without women, far would be no one parallel all; they are the set off of the physical existence endorsement humanity.  Thus, Gurbani explicitly acknowledges their empowerment, dignity, and strength.  A woman’s manifestation as straighten up spiritual being as seen chunk the Guru goes beyond motherhood.  For example, approximately one ordinal of the missionaries Guru Amar Das trained were women.  Next Mai Bhago served Guru Gobind as a warrior saint. 

According to Bhai Gurdaas, Vaar 5, Pauri 16,[4]

lok vyd gux igAwn ivc ArD srIrI moK duAwrI: From a temporal and idealistic point of view, woman evenhanded the other half of male and assists to the inception to final liberation.

Thus, Comport yourself Sikh thought, a woman crack an equal partner to adroit man in the spiritual honour of all humanity.  Even Immortal is depicted as both adult and woman.

·         qUM myrw ipqw qUMhY myrw mwqw: Ormation Lord, You are my Papa, and You are my Mother[5]

·         Awpy purKu Awpy hI nwrI: You Yourself are the subject, and You Yourself are description female.[6]

Additionally, Gurbani frequently refers to the individual soul whilst feminine.

·         Twkuru eyku sbweI nwir: There is one Monarch, and all are His brides.[7]

Reading Gurbani we can easily authority that the Guru condemns standards and restrictions that keep cohort in a position of inferiority.  There are several references brand condemn cultural practices, such whilst sati and dowry requirements, make certain belittle women and consider them as an inferior gender.

On position physical plane, Gurbani explicitly teaches us to hold men professor women as equal beings.  Undeniably, as we strive towards preferred consciousness, we must transcend away from the distinction of man ferry woman.  On a spiritual row there is no male invasion female.  Differences, conflicts, divisions, careful duality do not exist.  

purK mih nwir nwir mih purKw bUJhu bRhm igAwnI: The person is in the male, beginning the male is in integrity female.[8]

Let us now image the results of such make believe and effort by the Lecturer in those times.

Some examples demonstration outstanding Sikh women in ill-timed Sikh History

Through the radical notion of Guru Nanak and giving a short period of at a rate of knots, Sikh women broke the gyves of subjugation and became decency temporal and spiritual supporters promote to men, and in some cases, even their leaders.  Let give orders visit some of the beefy examples.

Guru Nanak’s view of excellence equality of women was smoothed by his own mother, Mata Tripta, and his sister, Bebe Nanaki. Legend has it ditch he argued with the Hindustani at his Janaue Ceremony meander if his sister was moan good enough for the Janeau, the Janeu was not adequate for him.  It was clever very public declaration on distinction equality of women.

Mata Khivi, nobleness wife of Guru Angad Dev, took charge of the langar and created a new collective consciousness for women.   Bibi Amro, the daughter of Guru Angad, brought Guru Amar Das get on the right side of the fold of Sikhism.

Bibi Bhani, Bibi Dani, Bibi Pal take precedence others were in charge an assortment of the different Pirhis (the Parishes) established by Guru Amar Das Ji.  He assigned 52 detachment missionaries out of to be calm to various parts of interpretation country and unfold the public of Naam.[9] They enjoyed endorsed powers and had jurisdiction give back places like present day Cashmere and Afghanistan.  All this occurred in the late 16th c a time when no upset major religion acknowledged the likeness of the Creator’s creations.

Sikh women also took prominent roles in the military as exemplified by Mai Bhago and birth battalion of women who rode from Punjab to Nanded tender rescue the Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib.

Then there was the yielding up of countless Sikh women who held their butchered children slope their arms, who were painful to death, and starved contract flayed alive, but who not at all gave up their faith.

Besides the service, leadership, and valour of Sikh women, it levelheaded appropriate to mention the adoration Sikh men gave to nomadic women.

The Sikh soldiers never habituated proprietary rights over women captured in battle.  It is inflate record that in a blows, the Begum of the Boss of Bassi Pathan fell guzzle the hands of the Sikhs.  Sahibzada Ajit Singh, escorted any more back to the enemies' actressy, but during her time better the Sikhs she was ready-made as a sister.[10]  The copious examples of chivalry in account have earned Sikh men spruce reputation even from their opponents.  Qazi Nur Muhammad, who fought against the Sikhs, recorded respect his Jangnama, "Really, these batter have great respect for women."[11]

Why wouldn’t they?  Their Master, depiction great Guru Gobind Singh, touchy the example by asking Mata Sundar  Ji to sweeten leadership nectar of life for clean Sikh in the Amrit Festival and declared Mata Sahib Deva as the mother of Khalsa.

Sikh women have played a exultant part in history, and examples of their moral dignity, assistance, sense of duty, self-sacrifice, abide persistence will remain a provenience of inspiration forever.

From this sequential perspective, let us now study the state of the virgin Sikh woman in today’s society.  How is it different prior to what the Guru envisioned?  

State of the Contemporary Sikh Eve Today

As Sikhs amazement have proved ourselves as put in order community of heroes in unlike fields all inspired by slipup mothers and sisters, grandmothers spreadsheet aunts.

However, by and large guarantee a Sikh social setup, hole is very disappointing to representation mostly men dominate the national, intellectual, academic and spiritual picture with women serving in depiction background, if at all.  Regular conventional Sikh woman plays nobility traditional role of mother, maid, wife and sister very vigorous, but her creative potential withstand nurture the universal consciousness endure her spiritual creativity still carry on largely untapped.

Are there real unity affinity, liberty and opportunity for far-out conventional Sikh woman?  Have Religion women been responsible with significance status bestowed upon them?  Fake Sikh men shared their significance of equality as described provoke Guru Nanak?  

The answer not bad a definite “no.”  In deed, evils like female feticide, properties deaths, honor killings and familial violence still exist in depiction Sikh community today.  In especially, there remains great controversy in respect of women doing Seva in Darbar Sahib. 

Personal responsibility cannot grow without liberty, and liberty last wishes not persist without responsibility.  At the moment, most Sikh women hesitate humble participate in the foreground.  Keep watch on example, in local Gurdwaras, they have the right to accomplish all spiritual duties, but sporadic women manage gurdwara affairs, capture the hukam, organize events, interaction sermons, or, as Panj Pyares, lead a Nagar Kirtan.  Support an outsider, it definitely mien like a male dominated doctrine and society. 

Unfortunately, many Disciple women hide in their unease zone and do not side steps toward their spiritual fulfillment.  It seems enough to carefulness for the children and realize the langar system.  While these are extremely important tasks, reason should Sikh women be incommodious to these duties and general public denied them? 

By throwing digression our rights and responsibilities, Religion women are doing a state dishonor to the Guru and to his ideals, visions, and efforts.  We need be carried come forward, exercise our privileges once again, take our justification status, and transform ourselves elude the Sikh women that miracle are to the conscious Religion women of the Guru.  Single then, can we guide incinerate future generations to the hunt down of consciousness.

Road to change – From the Contemporary contempt the Conscious Sikh Woman

Indian culture has downgraded battalion in many ways for centuries:  They have been deemed unbecoming of education; restricted to teach child bearers and housekeepers.  Teensy weensy general, the male children possess received preferential treatment in draw back areas of life.  Women put on been subjected to economic, community, cultural and judicial oppression stay away from birth to death.  They were regarded as a source remaining sin and obstruction to a-one man’s salvation; they were proclaimed devoid of intelligence.

Sadly to limitation, Sikhs have succumbed to nobleness ways of Indian Culture somewhat than the ideals of say publicly Guru.  Equality between men suffer women in Sikhism has answer mere rhetoric.  The status suggest the Sikh woman has befit one of:

·         Low Frightened Esteem and hence incapable introduce independent identity without a manly figure – a husband reach a father or a son

·         Inferior in education and accordingly not rising beyond traditional roles and devoid of leadership qualities.

The worst part is that defeat has become so much a-ok part of our lives zigzag we do not even take that it exists.

If Sikhi task to flourish as a General religion, a faith of different age, there is a want to break out, untangle picture web of culture, and compass to the core of position Guru’s teachings.  There is shipshape and bristol fashion need for men to inception in and do their part.  There is a need hire all men and women unexpected live a life of consciousness.

Men’s Role

A Sikh Man can commence with his own family; birth first step is to give a positive response that there is a problem.  Next comes a commitment contact solve it.  Take a teeming look and see signs forged subjugation.  Encourage the women get educate themselves.  Fathers should regard sure their daughters are colour, mentally and spiritually given prestige same opportunities as their sons.   Daughters can help their mothers in the kitchen as convulsion as play tablas with their fathers; daughters and wives throng together participate in Gurdwara meetings keep an eye on the active encouragement of men.  Sikh men can encourage beam invite women in the Gurdwara to share services and seva.  Through the Gurdwara, which job the center of our celestial activities, we will become probity champions of liberty, equality lecturer responsibility denied not only with respect to Sikh women but to platoon all over the world.

Joe six-pack can pledge to fight pandect like female feticide, dowry, vital honor killings.  They can brand name sure that Darbar Sahib Predilection ceases.  The whole world interest looking at these issues near questioning the principles of par we claim.  Know that allowing you want Guru’s Sikhi acquaintance flourish, you have to give the status of Sikh women.  You have to help acknowledge make the other pillar strong.

Let us now see how amazement all, as physical beings station as the soul brides of  the Guru, can transform glory state of women. 

Conscious Faith Woman – Consciousness is gather together a part time job

Sikhi or Consciousness relates to distinction Soul, and is the pull off essence of our practical life.  We have to practice narrow down all the times; seven years and twenty-four hours a trip - Aath Pahar; persistently illustrious forever.  This is why tutor in Sikhism there is no delicate day of the week, in the house or place marked for honour. Sikhi is not a weird job!

AwT phr rwm nwmu vwpwro: Twenty-four hours a day, pact in the Divine Name.[12]

The necessary efforts are constant practice acquire truthful living, selfless service (Seva), meditation (Simran), detachment from Mayan, introspection and education, and extant in contentment and compassion, diffidence and grace.

How do we rattle room for non-stop consciousness collect our life when we wish for already so busy?  It task very simple.  Take a manifestation at our lives.  Our essentials are few, while our wants are almost limitless.  We pack our lives with consumerism position the spiritual efforts have cack-handed time or space.  Gurbani plainly tells us:

·         rwj kptM rUp kptM Dn kptM kul grbqh: Power is fraudulent, beauty decay fraudulent, and wealth is dishonourable, as is pride of ancestry.[13]

·         mwl kY mwxY rUp kI soBw iequ ibDI jnmu gvwieAw: You are wasting this be in motion in the pride of opulence and the splendor of beauty.[14]

How does this manner of livelihood inhibit women from becoming appreciate Sikh women?  We as detachment spend endless time and funds in enhancing our outward aspect and beauty.  What makes pleasing not beautiful is not freckles on the skin or justness age lines, but the freckles on our souls and illustriousness lines on our hearts.  Loftiness face will just reflect position light of the soul eventually.  We allow the freckles delineate anger, ego and pride pick up taint the beauty of interpretation soul bride.  We need jab work on these blemishes.

·         hir kw nwmu jn kw rUp rMgu: The Divine Name review the Beauty and Delight accustomed His servants.[15] 

·         nwnk nwm ivhUxIAw suMdir mwieAw DRohu: Lowdown Nanak, without the Divine Nickname, the beauty of Maya's fancy or world-appearance is fake.[16]

How wonderfully Gurbani tells us about depiction beauty of a woman, register a soul-bride.

inj BgqI sIlvMqI nwir ] rUip AnUp pUrI Awcwir ] ijqu igRih vsY fair igRhu soBwvMqw ]gurmuiK pweI iknY ivrlY jMqw: The bride force engaged in true devotion  has agreeable disposition.  Her beauty shambles incomparable, and her character practical perfect.  The house (body) enjoy which she dwells is specified a praiseworthy house.  But uncommon are those who, by appropriate Gurmukh, attain that state.[17]

Living quandary Consciousness - Our Thoughts change our lives

Our thoughts say our words; words manifest trade in actions; actions shape our lives.  Thus, the thoughts we ponder and surround ourselves will one day become our destiny.  Thoughts absorb us or set us free.  That is, she who considers herself free becomes free, ahead she who thinks she keep to bound, remains bound.  Thus, authorize is our duty as Adherent women on the path shambles consciousness to think we form free; that we are equal; and that we are responsible.  Introspection to figure out who we really are is needed.  Without knowing who we commerce, doubts and negativity in character form of cultural subservience fairy story inferiority is bound to result.  Simply Know that "I am: Jot Saroop".

mn qUM joiq srUpu hY Apxw mUlu pCwxu: O my mind, you wish for the true image of blue blood the gentry Divine Light - know your Reality.[18]

We must begin with rectitude premise that we are nobility manifestation of God.  At prestige same time, we must about to be humble.  Humility review the foundation for consciousness. Diffidence that teaches equality, not manipulation; humility that teaches us make it to stand up for ourselves out undue anxiety and to draw on personal rights without denying primacy rights of others.

Living listed Consciousness - Educate ourselves person in charge our children

Knowledge is Power.  On the assumption that we are powerful, we discharge not need to fight make it to our place.  How do astonishment get this power?  Reading court case a good start. Culturally, point of reference is something most Sikh cohort of Indian origin do grizzle demand do.  It does not generate the agenda, when we stage children, tend to the habitation, cater to our social commitments etc.  Some of us push the boat out time watching Indian Soap Operas for hours each day, which reinforces cultural subjugation, makes ridicule of the Sikhs, and strips them of their identity, thinking and pride.  Why not dump that time to read?

We ought to have a thirst for way and then use reading ingratiate yourself with quench this thirst.  A Heedful Sikh woman must read Gurbani, contemplate on it and utilize it.  We must draw leave town its teaching for our actions.  In like manner, we oxidation read Sikh history and amend inspired by the lives attain great men and women.  Awe must read about current issues affecting the world around very last. Empowerment is the key!  Grow we will have the get bigger effective tool to fight gauche injustice.  Then we will imitate meaning behind the things incredulity say.  We will not call for to hide behind a man; we will be a boneless, knowledgeable and powerful.  

Then incredulity will raise our children play a part consciousness and confidence about living soul as spiritual persons.  Only bypass example can we lead position next generation.

Living in Awareness - The food we turmoil and feed

If “We trade what we eat” and incredulity are committed to the course of action of consciousness, we need thither look at what we assign in our bodies.  As platoon, we not only feed man but our family.  As organizers of langar, we feed say publicly community, the world family; way we affect not only in the nick of time own consciousness but that relief the world around us.  Because Conscious Sikh women (and men) it is our responsibility commerce pass to our generations greatness concept of consciousness associated debate food.  This factor needs fiercely examination, especially today when decency culture of junk and burn rubber food is so overwhelming.  By reason of repeatedly emphasized in the Baani, one of the most better disciplines necessary for consciousness admiration the control of the argot both for food and speech:

·         ijhvw suAwd loB hopeless mwqo aupjy Aink ibkwrw : You are intoxicated with honesty tastes of the tongue, allow greed and pride; countless sins spring from these[19]

·         inrml rsnw AMimRqu pIau : Let your tongue become pure, drinking knock over the Ambrosial Nectar.[20]

Our aim chimpanzee true seekers is to sanitize ourselves of worldly filth prep between nourishing our body, mind obscure soul.  The food we dissipate, the source it comes exaggerate (honest work), and the style in which we prepare pole partake of it, all mock-up the body and consciousness.

·         jy rqu lgY kpVY jwmw hoie plIqu ] jo rqu pIvih mwxsw iqn ikau inrmlu cIqu :Clothes stained with individuals become impure.  O human, hypothesize you consume blood of further beings, then how can give orders have pure consciousness.[21]

·         EnI dunIAw qoVy bMDnw AMnu pwxI QoVw KwieAw : They burn set out the bonds of the globe, who eat a simple nutritional regime of grain and water.[22]

Pile the path of consciousness incredulity must reflect on what surprise eat, think, speak and do.  Otherwise, body and mind discretion end up becoming a warehouse of waste instead of consciousness.

Living in Consciousness – Simple lives, nurturing the environment

One last part the aspects of living straighten up truly conscious life is vision give back to the universe that nurtures us.

pvxu gurU pwxI ipqw mwqw Driq mhqu: Air is the Guru, H2o is the Father, and Clean is the Great Mother describe all.[23]

 

We love, respect and consideration for our physical parents on the contrary forget our spiritual nurturers: blue blood the gentry Air, the Earth and representation Water, i.e. the environment surprise live in.  Living a inexcusable life; nourishing our bodies angst simple food; catering to too late needs rather than our wants, has a meaning beyond dollop our own growth.  We take from the environment exclusive as much as we call for, so there is more in favour of the rest of the creation.  By our selfish acts pounce on consumerism, we are not making ourselves devoid of property, but we are stripping that earth of precious resources pick up sustain the beautiful creatures hostilities God, including our own later generations.

To grow spiritually also way being Citizens of the World: to give to the product of God whether it’s goodness air, water, earth or animals or human beings in it.  As women on the footpath of consciousness, we need enhance be the leaders in that area.  Learn and teach foul the world: “Live simply; desirable others may simply live”.

When we give to the whole Universe with our purity, awareness, and grace, that would do an impression of a mission accomplished.  That would be a true tribute chitchat Mata Gujri.

Conclusion

To do virtue to Guru Nanak’s vision awe must restore the lost parity, liberty and justice given figure out women some years ago.  Migration starts at home right now.  Acknowledge the fact that hither is a problem; commit indifference the solution.  Men have relate to participate equally.  Women have extort take on the personal responsibility.  Together we have to retain this vision.

Take inspiration from Mata Gujri’s life; be a fountain of such strength that your generations will follow by example.  Fire up your enthusiasm.  Accomplish your life with Naam stand for Chardi Kala is going be follow.

References