The Sikh Cast

Sikh Cast Ep21 - "I have no worthy flower for the Incomparable" (Sabad of the week)

Suckling calf contaminated the milk, Bees spoiled the flower. Fish the water. 1.
O Mother! What do I offer the Earth-Force in worship? I have no worthy flower for the Incomparable. 1. Reflect. 
Snakes ensnare Mailagar* sandalwood trees,Poison and Nectar dwell together. 2.
Incense, lamps and edible idol offerings are contaminated due to odor.How then are Your votaries to worship You? 3.
I dedicate body and mind, offer them in worship,By Guru’s Grace the Immaculate is realized. 4.
“I don’t know how to worship or venerate You,”says Ravidas. “How will I fare?” 5.
*Sandalwood trees that are on the Mailaya mountain.
 
ਗੂਜਰੀ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਕੇ ਪਦੇ ਘਰੁ ੩
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ਦੂਧੁ ਤ ਬਛਰੈ ਥਨਹੁ ਬਿਟਾਰਿਓ ॥ਫੂਲੁ ਭਵਰਿ ਜਲੁ ਮੀਨਿ ਬਿਗਾਰਿਓ ॥੧॥ਮਾਈ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਪੂਜਾ ਕਹਾ ਲੈ ਚਰਾਵਉ ॥ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਫੂਲੁ ਅਨੂਪੁ ਨ ਪਾਵਉ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਮੈਲਾਗਰ ਬੇਰ੍ਹੇ ਹੈ ਭੁਇਅੰਗਾ ॥ਬਿਖੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਬਸਹਿ ਇਕ ਸੰਗਾ ॥੨॥ਧੂਪ ਦੀਪ ਨਈਬੇਦਹਿ ਬਾਸਾ ॥ਕੈਸੇ ਪੂਜ ਕਰਹਿ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਾਸਾ ॥੩॥ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਅਰਪਉ ਪੂਜ ਚਰਾਵਉ ॥ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਪਾਵਉ ॥੪॥ਪੂਜਾ ਅਰਚਾ ਆਹਿ ਨ ਤੋਰੀ ॥ਕਹਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਕਵਨ ਗਤਿ ਮੋਰੀ ॥੫॥੧॥
Bhagat Ravidas ji in Gujri Rag | Guru Granth Sahib 525
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.
 
Guest: Harinder Singh (@1force)
Host: Manpreet Singh (@mjassal)

Sikh Cast Ep20 - "Guru hasn’t held it back from the mind" (Sabad of the week)

Sabad is our loving immortal-stream,Guru hasn’t held it back from the mind—Not even for an instant, O! People. 1. Reflect.
Sabad colors in Creator’s Color,Envisions, touches, blossoms and delights, O! People. 1.
Nanak on Sabad:Moment’s remembrance reaches the Guru,Every breath lifts the fear,String a garland of All-Pervasive around the neck,and cherish it in the heart, O! People. 2.
 
ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ਹਮਾਰੀ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਧਾਰੀ ਗੁਰਿ ਨਿਮਖ ਨ ਮਨ ਤੇ ਟਾਰੀ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਦਰਸਨ ਪਰਸਨ ਸਰਸਨ ਹਰਸਨ ਰੰਗਿ ਰੰਗੀ ਕਰਤਾਰੀ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ਖਿਨੁ ਰਮ ਗੁਰ ਗਮ ਹਰਿ ਦਮ ਨਹ ਜਮ ਹਰਿ ਕੰਠਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਉਰਿ ਹਾਰੀ ਰੇ ॥੨॥੫॥੧੩੪॥
Guru Arjan Sahib in Asa Rag, | Guru Granth Sahib 404
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.
 
Guest: Inni Kaur (@innikaur)
Host: Manpreet Singh (@mjassal)

Sikh Cast Ep19 - "O! People, if I meet a trader of the Charmer-Divine" (Sabad of the week)

The path is mountainous and very treacherous,All I have is this virtue-less ox-mind.O! Charmer-Divine, this is my one plea:Protect my capital, O! Darkness-Destroyer. 1.
O! People, if I meet a trader of the Charmer-Divine,then my caravan of ox-carts will be loaded. 1. Reflect.
I am a trader of the Charmer-Divine,trading for intuitive wisdom.I have loaded the wealth of Charmer-Divine’s Nam,The world has loaded the poison. 2.
Knowers of this world and beyond,write whatever pleases you.The Messenger of Death cannot punish me,for I have cast aside all entanglements. 3.
The world is like the temporary color of the safflower,The color-love of my Charmer-Divine is permanent,like the dye of the madder plant, says Ravidas, the tanner. 4.
 
ੴ ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ਗਉੜੀ ਬੈਰਾਗਣਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਜੀਉ ॥ਘਟ ਅਵਘਟ ਡੂਗਰ ਘਣਾ ਇਕੁ ਨਿਰਗੁਣੁ ਬੈਲੁ ਹਮਾਰ ॥.ਰਮਈਏ ਸਿਉ ਇਕ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਪੂੰਜੀ ਰਾਖੁ ਮੁਰਾਰਿ ॥੧॥ਕੋ ਬਨਜਾਰੋ ਰਾਮ ਕੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਟਾਂਡਾ ਲਾਦਿਆ ਜਾਇ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਹਉ ਬਨਜਾਰੋ ਰਾਮ ਕੋ ਸਹਜ ਕਰਉ ਬ੍ਯ੍ਯਾਪਾਰੁ ॥ਮੈ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਧਨੁ ਲਾਦਿਆ ਬਿਖੁ ਲਾਦੀ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥੨॥ਉਰਵਾਰ ਪਾਰ ਕੇ ਦਾਨੀਆ ਲਿਖਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਆਲ ਪਤਾਲੁ ॥ਮੋਹਿ ਜਮ ਡੰਡੁ ਨ ਲਾਗਈ ਤਜੀਲੇ ਸਰਬ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥੩॥ਜੈਸਾ ਰੰਗੁ ਕਸੁੰਭ ਕਾ ਤੈਸਾ ਇਹੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥ਮੇਰੇ ਰਮਈਏ ਰੰਗੁ ਮਜੀਠ ਕਾ ਕਹੁ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਚਮਾਰ ॥੪॥੧॥
Bhagat Ravidas ji in Gauri Bairagan Rag | Guru Granth Sahib 345
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.
Note: I confused the word “banjaro” with “banjaran.” Many apologies.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guest: Inni Kaur (@innikaur)
Host: Manpreet Singh (@mjassal)

Sikh Cast Ep18 - "Your Nam is the merchandise and the trade, indeed!" (Sabad of the week)

If I were to become a doe, dwelling in the forest, picking and eating grass and plants.If I were to meet Husband-Divine by Guru’s Grace, I would continuously adore You, O! Breath of Breath, O! Life of Life.I am a trader of the Charmer-Divine,Your Nam is the merchandise and the trade, indeed! 1. Reflect.If I were to become a koel* dwelling on a mango tree, I would reflect intuitively on Sabad.If I were to meet my Husband-Divine naturally and intuitively, I would see the vision and the form of the Infinite. 2.If I were to become a fish, dwelling in the Water-Divine, I would be in the domain of ‘The One’ who takes care of all life-forms.I would meet my Husband-Divine with open arms who dwells all around. 3.If I were to become a serpent, dwelling in the ground, I would become fear-free as Sabad dwells within.Nanak: Those whose light merges with the Light become bride-lovers forever. 4.*Cuckoo bird. In South Asian literature, the mango tree symbolizes eternal love. The relationship of a mango tree laden with blossoms and the Koel is that of a lover and the beloved.
ਗਉੜੀ ਬੈਰਾਗਣਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥ਹਰਣੀ ਹੋਵਾ ਬਨਿ ਬਸਾ ਕੰਦ ਮੂਲ ਚੁਣਿ ਖਾਉ ॥ਹਰਣੀ ਹੋਵਾ ਬਨਿ ਬਸਾ ਕੰਦ ਮੂਲ ਚੁਣਿ ਖਾਉ ॥ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਹੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਵਾਰਿ ਵਾਰਿ ਹਉ ਜਾਉ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥ਮੈ ਬਨਜਾਰਨਿ ਰਾਮ ਕੀ ॥ਤੇਰਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਰੁ ਵਾਪਾਰੁ ਜੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਕੋਕਿਲ ਹੋਵਾ ਅੰਬਿ ਬਸਾ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਬਦ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਭਾਇ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਹੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਦਰਸਨਿ ਰੂਪਿ ਅਪਾਰੁ ॥੨॥ਮਛੁਲੀ ਹੋਵਾ ਜਲਿ ਬਸਾ ਜੀਅ ਜੰਤ ਸਭਿ ਸਾਰਿ ॥ਉਰਵਾਰਿ ਪਾਰਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਹੁ ਵਸੈ ਹਉ ਮਿਲਉਗੀ ਬਾਹ ਪਸਾਰਿ ॥੩॥ਨਾਗਨਿ ਹੋਵਾ ਧਰ ਵਸਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਵਸੈ ਭਉ ਜਾਇ ॥.ਨਾਨਕ ਸਦਾ ਸੋਹਾਗਣੀ ਜਿਨ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੪॥੨॥੧੯॥
Guru Nanak Sahib, Gauri Bairagan Rag, Guru Granth Sahib, 157
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.
Manpreet Singh 
@mjassal

Sikh Cast Ep17 - "Slowly and gently rains the immortal stream" (Sabad of the week)

Everything is within the home; nothing is outside,
One searching outside is deluded by doubt,
Through Guru’s Grace, the one who has realized
the Divine within, is joyous inwardly and outwardly,
O! Breath of Breath, O! Life of Life. 1.
 
Slowly and gently rains the immortal stream,
Mind drinks, listening and reflecting on Sabad,
Bliss, elation experienced day and night,
Endless All-Pervasive play,
O! Breath of Breath, O! Life of Life. 2.
 
Lifetimes of separation, now united.
Through Sage-Guru’s Grace, dried becomes green,
Wisdom attained, Nam realized,
Became Guru-oriented, meeting occurred,
O! Breath of Breath, O! Life of Life. 3.
 
As the waves of water merge into the water,
so does light merge into the Light.
Nanak: When the curtain of doubt is lifted, wanderings cease,
O! Breath of Breath, O! Life of Life. 4.
 
Guru Arjan Sahib, Majh Rag, Guru Granth Sahib, 102

Sikh Cast Ep16 - "My mind pines for Guru’s vision" (Sabad of the week)

My mind pines for Guru’s vision,
It pleads like a thirsty chatrik*.
Thirst unquenchable, tranquility impossible,
without vision of Beloved-Guru, O! Life of Life, O! Breath of Breath. 1.
I adore You, adoringly centered on Truth-Exemplar Beloved Guru’s vision,
O! Life of Life, O! Breath of Breath.  1. Reflect.
 
Your peaceful face, O! Life of Life, O! Breath of Breath;
Your lyrics emit a natural melody.
It has been a while since I have seen the Master-Archer.
Fortunate is the homeland-heart where You dwell,
My Beloved Friend, Darkness-Destroyer, O! Life of Life, O! Breath of Breath. 2.
I adore You, adoringly centered on Beloved-Guru, Friend, Darkness-Destroyer,
O! Life of Life, O! Breath of Breath.  1. Reflect.
 
One moment without meeting You becomes like the age of ignorance.
When can I meet You, Dear, Divine-like?
My night is not passing, I cannot sleep without a glimpse of Guru’s Court,
O! Life of Life, O! Breath of Breath. 3.
I adore You, adoringly centered on Guru’s Eternal Court,
O! Life of Life, O! Breath of Breath. 1. Reflect.
 
By good fortune, Truth-Exemplar Guru united me,
I discovered the Immortal-Divine within my home-heart.
I serve never parting for a moment, even for an instant;
Servant Nanak is Your votary, O! Life of Life, O! Breath of Breath. 4.
I adore You, adoringly centered, servant Nanak Your votary,
O! Life of Life, O! Breath of Breath. 1. Reflect.
 *Pied Crested Cuckoo bird. Poets describe this bird as being unwilling to drink the water found on earth. It will only drink rain water as it drops from the skies.
Guru Arjan Sahib in Majh Rag | Guru Granth Sahib 96
 
Guest: Inni Kaur (@innikaur)
Host: Manpreet Singh (@mjassal)
 

Sikh Cast Ep15 - "My Sovereign is dyed in color-love" (Sabad of the week)

In this podcast we talk about this week's Sabad with Inni Kaur: "My Sovereign is dyed in color-love"
 
Sabad:
You are the Lover, You are the Love, You are the Enjoyer.
You are the bride, You are the Groom, You are the bed. 1.
My Sovereign is dyed in color-love, totally permeating everywhere. 1. Reflect.
You are the fisherman, You are the fish; You are the water, You are the net.
You are the weight in the net, You are the inside bait. 2.
You love in many ways; O Maiden! This is my Beloved.
Continuously enjoying bride-lovers, look at my plight too. 3.
Hear my plea, prays Nanak: You are the pool, You are the swan,
You are the lotus, You are the water-lily; You behold all in blooming-joyousness. 4.
Guru Nanak Sahib in Siri Rag | Guru Granth Sahib 23
 
Guest: Inni Kaur (@InniKaur)
Host: Manpreet Singh (@mjassal)

"Emperor-Prophet" - The Real Guru Gobind Singh Ji with Harinder Singh

In this podcast we talk to Harinder Singh on the greatness of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. You have never heard of the Guru in this way! 
The Panjab Digital Library was selected to develop an exhibition for the 350-year celebration of Guru Gobind Singh by the government of Bihar. The exhibition entitled ‘Emperor-Prophet’:“Our focus was to present the ‘Tenth Sovereign’ in accordance with Guru Granth Sahib’s vision, highlight the historical narratives based on contemporary and near contemporary sources, and make the saga relevant to today’s generations via twentieth century authors and poets,” - Harinder Singh, educator and thinker.
Guest: Harinder Singh (@1Force)
Host: Manpreet Singh (@Mjassal)

Sikh Cast Ep13 - You and I, I and You; What’s the Difference? (Sabad of the week)

When does your prayer become a conversation? In this podcast we look at the Sabad of the week with Inni Kaur. 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.
You and I, I and You; what’s the difference?
Like gold and its bracelet; like water and its wave. 1.
If we did not transgress, O Infinite!
How would Nam be the Redeemer? 1. Reflect.
You the Commander are the Knower.
Divine and votary recognize each other. 2.
I seek this wisdom—let the body remember;
Can someone teach Ravidas, ‘The One’ pervades everyone equally? 3.
Bhagat Ravidas ji in Siri Rag | Guru Granth Sahib 93
 
Host: Manpreet Jassal (@mjassal)

Sikh Cast Ep12 - Inderpreet Singh talks about growing up in Japan, current state of camps and Sidak

In this podcast we discuss what was it like growing up in Japan, the current status of Sikh camps and retreats and what is happening with Sidak this year. 
Inderpreet Singh is a technology professional working for a multinational technology firm as Director of Solutions. His passion is Sikhi and Sikh community related community projects. He is heavily involved with Sikh youth camps, retreats and conferences, where he conducts seminars, lectures and interactive workshops on Gurmat-related topics. Inderpreet has frequently spoken at Interfaith conferences and events.
Inderpreet Singh: @jomarzii
Manpreet Jassal: @mjassal