Letter No. 9 (Vaisakhi message to the
Youthful Khalsa)
ੴ
7th April 2012
Most Respected Khalsa Jeo,
Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa,
VaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh
First of all I pray before Almighty God; may the
Khalsa Panth forever remain steadfast and in high spirit.
I address the young heirs of the Khalsa Nation that reside in
the homeland and abroad. Over the last few days your efforts with saffron
flags in hand highlighted to the world that we, the Khalsa Nation, have a
struggle upon our hands. The swaying saffron flags have injected a new
lease of life amongst the apparent despair that had recently gripped us.
Children of the Nation! Today I wish to make one special
appeal to you, you must take time and identify who do you belong to and then
return back to your home (proudly bearing the natural handsome form – Sikh
appearance). I understand you - and know that you have not gone too far.
You have no doubt, been disappointed and saddened by the characteristics of
current leaders, and therefore felt left to stand guard outside in the
cold. Your struggle over the last few days is testimony to this, as you
donned your saffron turbans and with saffron flags in hand.
Children of the Nation! Our home is unique and extraordinary
- there is none other like it in the world. Guru Nanak Dev Ji laid the
foundation stone with his own hands, and then Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru
Amardas Ji and Guru Ramdas Ji worked untiringly to raise the walls of this
magnificent house themselves. Next, Guru Arjan Dev Ji set the structural
steel in place by offering His sacrifice when made to sit on a hot iron
plate. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was beheaded at Chandani Chowk in Delhi and the
walls of our house are plastered with that hallowed blood. Then Guru Gobind
Singh Ji offered His own flesh and blood His four Princes, sacrificing all
to maintain righteousness, so the saffron flags mounted on every corner of
this house are indicative of these virtues. Next, Baba Deep Singh Ji, Baba
Bandha Singh Bahadhur, Mai Bhago and many hundreds of thousands of Sikhs who
gave their lives in battle, stand shoulder to shoulder to make up the
perimeter wall of our house. Proud, honourable and principled Sikhs who
were: cut limb-by-limb, tied to spinning cutting wheels, sawn alive and
those mothers that endured first the pains of seeing their babies chopped,
and then forcefully made to wear the small body parts threaded into garlands
around their necks, these brave souls prepared and now adorn the magnificent
garden of our house. The everlasting fragrance from this garden, constantly
reminds the world of their presence.
Now you siblings of the Khalsa - reflect and let me know!
Would anyone wish to stray from a house such as this? Please take heed of
my plea and return to your rightful home. When you are home – be mindful to
be sure of one thing – there is only one; God, Guru Granth Sahib Ji
and Akal Takhat Sahib apart from whom your head should bow before no other.
Be very careful of bogus holy men (pseudo sadhs, sants
etc.) hell bent on generating wealth and indulging in conspiracies to
deceive us, our lives should forever be devoted to the principles of:
contemplating upon God, engaging in honest labour and sharing all God given
resources fairly.
Children of the Nation! Be proud and accept to live in the
image of a Sikh, then venture into the world taking up whatever field of
work you choose, set high standards making the world appreciate our
nobility, so they feel inclined to salute us. Rise early (Amrit-vela),
contemplate upon God, set up if necessary (in every locality) and join
sports clubs, exercise the body to keep fit, keep to a healthy diet,
consider drugs and any intoxicants as your worst enemy do not let them near
you, discard them. Develop a positive atmosphere within your area where
people feel pleasantly surprised and left wanting to be an integral part of
such a society. Promote our own traditional dishes such as “saag, makki di
roti and lassi” which are a tastier and healthier option rather than
“burgers and chips”. First, we must feel proud of our Sikh identity, only
then can we expect respect from others.
Children of the Nation! My only prayer before The Almighty
is that you become the pride of this honourable and magnificent home. When
I ask you to return home with Sikh identity intact (uncut hair – image of a
Sikh), my mind is immediately drawn to those already seated and waiting
inside our home. Those members that sit inside my home, I make this plea,
please do not utilise the name of this illustrious house and it’s invaluable
resources simply to generate funds to sustain personal daily living expenses
and neither abuse it as a business for trading and bargaining, kindly leave
it free from all this and instead maintain it only as a centre of national
pride and help add to its glory.
Come! Let’s all join and make a pledge to return to our
beloved home during the auspicious day of Vaisakhi, and set foot on the path
prescribed by our Guru. I send the Khalsa Panth the warmest and heartiest
greetings, millions of times over for Vaisakhi. I forever remain indebted
to the love shown towards me by the young Khalsa in the homeland and
countries abroad. God is our keeper!
