Monday, November 2, 2009

{SamsoNgroup} Guru Nanak Jayanti...


The Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikh faith, is November 2, 2009.

http://www.youtring.com/images/wallpapers/4d22d2009d6d49d50dAM566_Guru_Nanak.JPG


Guru Nanak was a reformer. He attacked the corruptions in society. He strongly protested against formalism and ritualism. He carried the message of peace and of love for everybody. He was very liberal in his views. He did not observe the rules of caste. He tried his level best to remove the superstitions of the people. He preached purity, justice, goodness and the love of God. He endeavored to remove the moral putrefaction that was prevalent amongst the people and to infuse real spirit in the worship of God and true faith in religion and God. He introduced the singing of God's praise, along with music, as a means of linking the soul of man with God.

Nanak has given a beautiful summary of his teachings in one of his hymns as follows:—

Love the saints of every faith:
Put away thy pride.
Remember the essence of religion
Is meekness and sympathy,
Not fine clothes,
Not the Yogi's garb and ashes,
Not the blowing of the horns,
Not the shaven head,
Not long prayers,
Not recitations and torturings,
Not the ascetic way,
But a life of goodness and purity,
Amid the world's temptations.


"Vahe Guru" is the Guru Mantra for the followers of Guru Nanak. The other important Mantra for repetition is: "Ek Omkar Satnam Karta Purkh Nirbhav Nirvair, Akalmurat Ajuni Savai Bhang Gur Parsad—God is but one, His Name is true, He is the Creator, He pervades the whole universe, He is without fear, He is without enmity, He is immortal, He is birthless, He is self-born and self-existent, He is the remover of the darkness (of ignorance) and He is merciful". The Lord is eternal. He has no beginning and no end.


The Granth Sahib

Guru Nanak invented the Gurumukhi characters by simplifying the Sanskrit characters. The holy Granth of the Sikhs is in Gurumukhi. It is worshipped by the Sikhs and the Sindhis. Every Gurudwara has a Granth Sahib. The holy Granth, popularly known as Adi Granth, contains the hymns of the first five Gurus. They were all collected, arranged and formed into one volume called Guru Granth Sahib by the fifth Guru. It contains a few selections from the hymns of Kabir and other contemporary Vaishnavite saints. Later on, the hymns of the ninth Guru were incorporated in the holy Granth by the tenth Guru. The compositions of Guru Nanak are very extensive.

The Granth Sahib begins with the following: "There is but one God whose name is true—the Creator". It contains a code of high morals. Purity of life, obedience to Guru, mercy, charity, temperance, justice, straightforwardness, truthfulness, sacrifice, service, love and abstinence from animal food are among the virtues on which great emphasis is laid; while lust, anger, pride, hatred, egoism, greed, selfishness, cruelty, backbiting and falsehood are vehemently condemned.



Gurdwaras: Place of God

The word 'Gurdwara' means Guru's home. It is the Sikh place of worship. Gurdwaras, or Sikh Temples, were built at important Sikh historical places in memory of events that had occurred there. It is not easy to name each and everyone. However, like all religions, Sikhism has some Gurdwaras that have more historical significance than others. Harmandir Sahib is the most famous and world known Gurdwara. 

  


http://www.discoverasia.com.au/images/editor_images/china/AmritsarGoldenTemple.jpg

The Harimandir, now called the Golden Temple, is a living symbol of spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs. The tank and the temple have been a source of inspiration to the Sikh community ever since their foundation. It is evident from the Sikh chronicles that the Sikh Gurus had evolved traditions of founding new Sikh centres which were popularised among their followers as places of pilgrimage The foundation of Sri Harimandir Sahib is the most significant achievement of the Sikh Gurus as a centre of inspiration and action for the Sikhs. Soon after its foundation the temple became an unparalleled establishment as a place of pilgrimage. 



http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/dhanoa/newss.jpg
Nankana Sahib is a holy place where the founder of Sikh religion, the dispeller of darkness, the most enlightened global Guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji was born early in the morning to Mata Tripta Ji and Mehta Kalu Ji on 15th April, 1469 (Baisakh sudi 3, Samwat 1526). 
Bhai Gurdas in his Var (Var 1/27) has equated this event with the sun that lights up the earth after a dark night :
      Jeeu Kar suraj nikaleya, taare chhipe andher paloa. (Var 1/27) 
According to Puratan Janam Sakhi, the trees starting dripping juice, many a pauper became rich, the diseased were blessed with health. The earth heaved a sigh of relief. 
       According to Janam Sakhis, when Daulta Dai, the maid nurse was offered money, she refused it on the plea that she had already been rewarded by the very glimpse of the holy baby. Guru Nanak gave his first message that he belong to God and would exert the people to worship His Name. Bhai Nand lal ji has well said that Guru Nanak was asked by the Almighty to turn the face of humanity towards Him. 
       The township of Nankana Sahib was earlier known as Raipur and later on as Rai-Bhoi-di-Talwandi but after the birth of Guru Nanak, it began to be known as Nankian Sahib/Nankana Sahib. It is situated at a distance 48 miles on the west from Lahore. 
Guru Nanak dev ji passed his whole childhood and young age in Nankana Sahib.


066jnanak-darbar-north-london

Sikh Temple Nanak Darbar – North London
136 High Road
New Southgate, London N11 1PJ

066fnanak-darbar-north-london

The Gurdwara has tried to respect the building that they bought
Obviously the dome on top of the tower is new, but it still is very recognisably a church building. Inside there is wonderful wood panneling of which I try to show you the main features.  

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Looking to the back of the divan hall

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The Guru on the Palki Sahib



Copying or downloading or reproduction of this image is prohibited - © Rekha Inc.

Vermont Gurdwara
Los Angeles, CA 90027



El Sobrante Gurdwara Shaib


About twenty five miles north of San Francisco, El Sobrante Gurdwara Shaib is located at the hilltop of the El Sobrante Valley hills. It is serving the Sikh community in the Bay Area and given the name Sikh Center of San Francisco Bay Area. Gurdwara came into existence in late 1970s. Previously local Sikhs usually carried out the religious ceremonies in their homes; however, as more and more Sikhs immigrated to the Bay Area, Sikh community decided that a Sikh Temple was necessary to serve local Sikhs in terms of carrying out general ceremonies such as weddings and Akhand Path ceremonies, etc.
Situated at the hilltop, its architecture and uniqueness attracts many people to come and see the site. At the northeast wing of Second floor, a huge deck offers a breath taking view of the El Sobrante valley and San Pablo Bay.



Guru Nanak's last days

Nanak settled down at Khartarpur towards the close of his life. His whole family lived there together for the first time. Houses for the dwelling of Nanak's family and a Dharmashala were also built.  Every day the 'Japji' and 'Sohila'—the morning and the evening prayers composed by Guru Nanak—were recited in his presence. Guru Nanak died in the year 1538 A.D. at the age of sixty-nine.




http://www.sikhiwiki.org/images/4/41/Guru_Nanak-1024X768.jpg











"Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will come true."

http://www.google.com/profiles/samson13.

Face it... Fight it

SAMSON :-)



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Kanjibhai  when he is taken ill and decides that he needs to see a doctor.

In the doctor's waiting room, he tries to find out a bit about the doctor. He asks the man sitting next to him if the doctor is a specialist.

The man replies that the doctor specializes in 'everything'.

Kanjibhai  thinks about this and looks nervous. He asks the man if the doctor's fees are expensive.

The man says: "Well, he is and he isn't. You see, he charges you Ten Thousand Rupees  for your first visit."

Kanjibhai  looks even more worried now and exclaims in amazement,
"Ten Thousand Rupees ?"

The man replies,  "Yes, but all your visits after that for the rest of your life are free!"

Kanjibhai  thinks about this, and then gets called by the nurse to go in to see the doctor.



On entering the doctor's office Kanjibhai  says casually,

"Hello doctor, here I am again!"






"Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will come true."

http://www.google.com/profiles/samson13.

Face it... Fight it

SAMSON :-)



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An elderly man in Louisiana had owned a large farm for several
years..He had a large pond in the back. It was properly shaped for
swimming, so he fixed it up nice with picnic tables, horseshoe courts,
and some apple, and peach trees.

One evening the old farmer decided to go down to the pond, as he
hadn't been there for a while, and look it over. He grabbed a
five-gallon bucket to bring back some fruit. As he neared the pond, he
heard voices shouting and laughing with glee. As he came closer, he
saw it was a bunch of young women skinny-dipping in his pond. He made
the women aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end.

One of the women shouted to him, 'we're not coming out until you leave!'

The old man frowned, 'I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim
naked or make you get out of the pond naked.' Holding the bucket up he
said, 'I'm here to feed the alligator.'

Some old men can still think fast...







"Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will come true."

http://www.google.com/profiles/samson13.

Face it... Fight it

SAMSON :-)



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"Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will come true."

http://www.google.com/profiles/samson13.

Face it... Fight it

SAMSON :-)



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Book Review:


A true story that few ever believed would come to light, Growing Up bin Laden uncovers startling revelations and hidden secrets carefully guarded by the most wanted man in our lifetime, Osama bin Laden.  These secrets are revealed by the only people who could know such private details, his wife and son. 

Najwa bin Laden, who married her cousin Osama bin Laden at the age of 15, is his first wife and the mother to eleven children, seven of Osama's sons and four of his daughters.  Omar bin Laden is the fourth son of Osama bin Laden.  Together, they narrate spine-tingling details about the drama, tensions, and everyday activities of the man they knew as a husband and father. No writer or journalist, even the most respected, has ever gained access to close members of Osama bin Laden's family, until now.  But after Omar and his mother approached bestselling author Jean Sasson, a trusted collaboration slowly formed. 

This uniquely human document is the result.

Growing Up bin Laden tells the story of a young girl who married her gentle and kindly first-cousin, enjoying a happy early marriage with the groom of her choice.  But world events thrust her husband into a frenzy of militant activities, altering his once pleasing behavior in the process.  Thus Najwa's life, and the lives of her innocent children, became a maze of escaping from one country to another.  Osama's fourth-born son, Omar, describes his early years, the son who wanted nothing but his father's love, but Omar's quest for his father's attention won him nothing but his father's cruelties. 

Together, their powerful story as mother and son give us an extraordinary view of a man hated by so many, yet both loved and feared by his family, including:

• Osama's disapproval of modern conveniences, including electricity and medicine
• His plan to toughen up his sons by taking them into the desert without food or water
• Transporting his wives and children to the rough terrain of Sudan, where he claimed to be preparing them for attacks from western powers, commanding them to dig holes, and to sleep in those holes, allowing nothing more than sand and twigs for cover
• Omar's horror at the rape and murder of a boy his own age, by members of a jihadist group living among them in the Sudan.
• What happened in the bin Laden home in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the morning of September 11, 2001, and Omar's surprise phone call with his mother, who escaped from Afghanistan only two days before the shattering events that killed so many innocent people

Through their frank accounts, Omar and Najwa dispel the many myths about Osama bin Laden that are currently circulating, including:

Myth:  Osama ordered Najwa to be sent to him in Saudi Arabia, to make her his bride against her objections.
Fact:  Osama and Najwa knew each other from Najwa's birth.  Their relationship was one of family friendship that developed into love.  In fact, Najwa married Osama over her mother's protests.

Myth:  Neither Osama nor Najwa has ever traveled to the United States.
Fact:    Osama traveled with Najwa and their two oldest sons to Indiana in 1979. Osama left Najwa in Indiana while he traveled to LA to meet with jihadist Abdullah Azzam.

Myth:  Osama bin Laden has been seriously ill with kidney disease for many years, creating a need to transport a dialysis machine with him wherever he goes.
Fact:  Osama bin Laden's health was good, suffering only from kidney stones and recurrences of malaria he contracted when fighting in Afghanistan against the Soviets.

Myth:  Mullah Mohammed Omar, the head of the Taliban, welcomed Osama to Afghanistan in 1996, after Sudanese officials expelled him.
Fact:  Mullah Omar did not invite Osama.  In fact, Osama was wary of the actions Mullah Omar might take once he discovered Osama was operating on Afghan territory.  The two men did not even meet for several years after Osama arrived, and their relationship was never easy.  Mullah Omar actually insulted Osama, and wanted him to leave Afghanistan after the 1998 al-Qaeda bombings of the American African Embassies.

Since September 11, 2001, journalists have struggled to uncover carefully guarded information about Osama's private life, and his wives and children.  All have failed.  But Growing Up bin Laden reveals the names and background of all Osama's wives, and the names and ages of his children.

With unprecedented access and insight, Jean Sasson, author of the bestselling Princess:  A True Story Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia, takes us inside the secret world of Osama bin Laden. 











A Bin Laden Family Album:

Photos from the book Growing Up Bin Laden, authored by Osama's wife Najwa, his son Omar and Jean Sasson

http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/bin_laden_family/bin_laden_family_01.jpg
Mohammed bin Laden
The grand patriarch of the bin Laden family, a billionaire industrialist and father of Osama, appears in a 1964 painting.


http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/bin_laden_family/bin_laden_family_02.jpg
Osama bin Laden
The future wanted man posed for this portrait in 1973 at age 16, a year before he married his cousin Najwa.


http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/bin_laden_family/bin_laden_family_03.jpg
Omar bin Laden
The author appears at age 6, the year the family moved to Medina and Omar started school. Omar is the son most opposed to his father's violence. He has married a British woman and wants to begin a peace movement.


http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/bin_laden_family/bin_laden_family_04.jpg
Omar in 1994
Omar performs for the camera during the time his family lived in Khartoum, Sudan.


http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/bin_laden_family/bin_laden_family_05.jpg
Bin Laden in Afghanistan, 1984
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 to prop up its Marxist government, Osama bin Laden joined the Islamist resistance movement.


http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/bin_laden_family/bin_laden_family_06.jpg
Abdullah bin Laden
As the eldest son of Osama bin Laden and his first wife Najwa, Abdullah holds the most honored position of all his siblings. He is seen here working on his father's backhoe in Sudan in 1993. He runs a small business and shuns publicity.


http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/bin_laden_family/bin_laden_family_07.jpg
Sa'ad, Osman and Mohammed bin Laden
The third child of Osama and Najwa, Sa'ad was rumored to be jailed in Iran, although no one, including his mother, knows his whereabouts. Osman married the daughter of a high-ranking member of al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya, a terrorist group dedicated to the overthrow of the Egyptian state. Mohammed is said to have the necessary traits — and parental approval — to be Osama's successor.


http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/bin_laden_family/bin_laden_family_08.jpg
Fatima, Sa'ad, Omar, Mohammed, Osman and Abdul Rahman
Osama arranged for his first daughter, Fatima, to be married to a Saudi fighter at age 12. Her husband died in the American attacks on Afghanistan two years later. Abdul Rahman found it difficult to regain Saudi nationality after it was revoked and now lives quietly in Syria.


http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/bin_laden_family/bin_laden_family_09.jpg
Omar in 2007
Omar appears with his beloved horse in Saudi Arabia.


http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/bin_laden_family/bin_laden_family_10.jpg
The Next Generation
Omar holds his son Ahmed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2005.




"Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will come true."


Face it... Fight it

SAMSON :-)



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Crowds in Wall Street

Crowds gather on Wall Street in New York following news of the stockmarket crash, 29 October 1929.

Photo by MPI/Getty Images






"Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will come true."

http://www.google.com/profiles/samson13.

Face it... Fight it

SAMSON :-)



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Link to Oddee -


15 of the World's Largest Objects







"Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will come true."

http://www.google.com/profiles/samson13.

Face it... Fight it

SAMSON :-)



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quote of the day
spacer


"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create."

—Albert Einstein
(1875-1955), theoretical physicist, philosopher




"Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will come true."

http://www.google.com/profiles/samson13.

Face it... Fight it

SAMSON :-)



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