Photo © [Khalsa Panth]

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Naam Ladoo – Spiritual Confection
Photo © [S Khalsa]

The world is full of flavors to tempt the tongue. Ever more varieties of foods abound. Even while some unfortunate souls struggle to procure nourishment such as victims of famines, and the survivors of natural disasters like the cyclone in Myanmar, others are glutted and over sated. From the abundant choices accessible to the prosperous, how does one select from among the tasty and nourishing fare available?

Gurbani, the Guru Granth Sahib scripture advises: "Bhojan naam niranjan saar."
"Naam, the Name of the Immaculate Lord, is the most excellent and sublime food".SGGS||227

Naam Ladoo is a spiritual confection pleasing to the palate of both body and soul.

Talk about Naam

Sikhs have joined the relief efforts for Myanmar cyclone ‘Nargis’ survivors. Estimates run as high as 100,000 dead with millions of people displaced, and in desperate need of aid.

United Sikhs is appealing for contributions and donations of non perishable food, water purification tablets, and First-aid kits, emergency supplies, toiletries, cook ware, clothing, mosquito nets, and plastic tarps.

North American organizations and individuals may ship relief items to:

1-888-243-1690

Donate Online
Find a local chapter of United Sikhs in your country

Find other Relief Agencies:
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Photo © [Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa]

Jin har hirdai naam na basio tin maat keejai har baanjaa||
The Lord's Name does not abide within their hearts - their mothers ought to have been sterile." SGGS||697

"bolhu jas jihabaa din raat ||
Resound His Praises with your tongue, day and night.

prabh apanai jan keenee daat||
God Himself has given this gift to His servants.

kareh bhagat aatam kai chaae||
Performing devotional worship with heart-felt love,

prabh apanae sio reheh samaae||
they remain absorbed in God Himself.

jo hoaa hovat so jaanai||
They know the past and the present.

prabh apnae kaa hukam pashaanai||
They recognize God's Own Command.

tis kee mehimaa koun bakhaano ||
Who can describe His Glory?

this kaa gun kehi eaek na jaano ||
I cannot describe even one of His virtuous qualities.

aatth pehar prabh baseh hajoorae||
Those who dwell in God's Presence, twenty-four hours a day

kahu naanak sae-ee jan poorae ||7||
says Nanak, they are the perfect persons. ||7||SGGS||286

Composing hymns in praise of One creator, Guru Nanak sang that a single breath taken without remembering the beloved Lord is a breath wasted. The devotee intent upon merging with the Lord scarce misses an opportunity to meet with like-minded ones in meditative contemplation.

“Pir risaaloo taa milai jaa gur kaa sabad sunee.” ||2||
“We meet with our Beloved, the Source of Joy, when we listen to the Word of the Guru's Shabad” (SGGS 17)

Photo © [Khalsa Panth]

Siri Chand, the eldest son of Guru Nanak Dev, lived his life as a celibate recluse. Siri Chand once met with Guru Raam Daas and they entered a dialogue debating the virtues of an aesthetic way of life verses the spiritual opportunities of the householder.

Siri Chand insisted that one had to stay away from society in order to advance spiritually. Guru Raam Daas maintained that for the common person, the path to spirituality lay in personal commitment, service, and humility, remaining all the while focused on the name of God.

Siri Chand taking note of the great length of the Guru's flowing beard, remarked on its attributes, comparing its length to the Guru’s wisdom, and his exalted position in life. Guru Raam Daas replied that the length of his beard mattered not so much as its purpose, and that he had let his beard grow to such a length so as to be able to wipe the dust from the feet of holy men like Siri Chand.

Guru Raam Daas wrote:
"Je ho(n)dai guroo beh tikiaa tis jan kee vaddiaaee vaddee hoee"||
"Whomever the Guru Himself has anointed with humility, exalted is the magnificence of that one". (SGGS||309)

Similarly it is the humility, in which an Amritdhari lives, rather than the rank of Khalsa, which exalts that one spiritually.

Join the discussion:
Amritsanchar baptism or initiation.

Guru Amardas decreed that whoever came to his court, whether an emperor or an untouchable, should sit at the same level side by side, and partake of the same fare before being admitted to his presence. Humbling of the ego, and preparing the soul for spiritual nourishment, when nurturing the body, is the legacy of gur ka langar, the guru’s free kitchen.

Guru Amardas wrote: "The humble being filled with keen understanding and meditative contemplation - though intermingling with others, remains distinct." (SGGS ||28||)

Photo © [Vikram Singh]

Throughout the world Vaisakhi day celebrations take place annually in April commemorating Amritsanchar, the creation and initiation of Khalsa in 1699. In many locations Sikhs gather for Nagar Kirtan and parade through the streets with Siri Guru Granth Sahib, as they sing devotional hymns. The distinctive appearance of the Khalsa often arouses the curiosity of spectators.

Who are we? We are the Khalsa, brotherhood of the pure, soul sisters, wedded brides of Waheguru, slayers of duality, anhad warriors battling the inner voices of ego, champions of the defenseless, the knights of Ik Oan Kar.

Guru Gobind Singh, tenth guru of the Sikhs and founder of the Khalsa wrote, "The Khalsa is the reflection of my form, The Khalsa is my body and soul, The Khalsa is my very life"....

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Amritsanchar - Baptism or Initiation

The builder of a house, designs a set of plans customizing it to the lot where it shall be built, laying out rooms in conjunction with each other, organizing the best use of space, while keeping in mind both form and function. Framing members have to meet stress test calculations to determine that they are strong enough to carry the load for which they are intended, and be set on a solid foundation. Shear wall connects the framework, supporting the roof.

Each of the ten gurus underwent and passed rigorous tests of service and self sacrifice before being selected. Their deeds form the foundation on which the Sikh religion is built. Their unique qualities contribute to the structure of its frame work, spanning over centuries. Their combined strengths support the canopy of truth, providing shelter to Sikhs throughout the ages. The guidance and the wisdom imparted through Siri Guru Granth Sahib outlines a plan to overcome ego, enabling the transformation of the self centered manmukh to gurmukh a selfless being in service of Guru, God, and ultimately all of creation.

"Avgan maar gunee ghar chhaaiaa poorai purakh bidhaatai||"
"Her faults and demerits are eradicated, and she roofs her home with virtue, through the Perfect Lord, the Architect of Destiny." (SGGS 765)

Guru Nanak Wrote:

"Keeta lori-ai kaam so har peh akhi-ai." "Whatever you wish to accomplish, tell it to the Lord. He will resolve your affairs; the true Guru gives His guarantee of truth. In the society of the saints, you shall taste the treasure of the ambrosial nectar. The Lord is the merciful destroyer of fear; He preserves and protects His slaves. Nanak, sings the glorious praises of the Lord, and so sees the unseen God." (SGGS 91||20||)

The words of Guru Nanak Dev have been chosen as the hymn to commence the Sikh wedding ceremony. It is not uncommon for Sikhs enter a marriage arranged by their families, without previously meeting their partner. Perhaps out of necessity, rather than choice, newlyweds go forth courageously into their new existences with no guarantees. A supplication for a successful union, the hymn offers guidance to the nuptial couple, advising that the commitment to truth is an assurance of grace and God's blessing.