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On the path of Begumpura
Rajinder Singh
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Rajinder Singh of Shiromani Khalsa
Panchayat presents insights into a new book, which is a
compilation of articles in English and Punjabi on various facets
of Guru Granth Sahib. Entitled, Sach Ki Bani-Universal Message
for Peace, it has been edited by Swaranjeet Singh, Harvinder
Kaur Singh and Kulwant Singh Hundal and has been published by
Institute for Conflict and Peace Studies |
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 The
Gurta Gaddi Tercentenary celebrations have stopped. The search for
eternal peace, tranquility and soul-satisfaction continues. You are
invited to participate in this ongoing journey, the path of which
has been laid down by the Bani of the Gurus. To take you into the
deeper realms of Gurbani, through practical experience and academic
excellence, the editors of this new volume dedicated to the
Tercentenary celebrations, Sach Ki Bani –Universal Message for
Peace, have brought forth a unique rare fare in two
languages –English and Punjabi.
Authors
Swaranjeet Singh, Harvind Kaur Singh and Kulwant Singh Hundal, under
the aegis of the Institute for Conflict and Peace Studies have
compiled a compendium of especially written articles by scholars and
Sikh practitioners far and wide, for they believe that “the current
dissonance between those who claim to be experts in Sikhism and
those who are immersed in the praxis must be confronted. This gulf
is ever expanding; however, a true bridge between the two is
necessary in order to more fully realize the essence of what Sikhism
is and means to a wide spectrum of believer and non-believers.”
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While many efforts at interpretation and understanding exist and
assist in creating awareness, the true essence and meaning for
each individual remains tied to their own efforts at deciphering
and realizing the truth within the sacred words. |
Like all Sikhs
the editors are convinced that the truth contained in the writings
as composed in Guru Granth Sahib are eternal. However, they have
significantly pointed out that, “while many efforts at
interpretation and understanding exist and assist in creating
awareness, the true essence and meaning for each individual remains
tied to their own efforts at deciphering and realizing the truth
within the sacred words.”
Acknowledging
that there can be no studies without use and understanding of the
Gurmukhi language, this is a bilingual volume combining the best of
both the worlds, for as SS Ek Ong Kaur Khalsa says in her piece on
Dharam Khand, the English language is perhaps inadequate to express
the rich language and content of Gurbani while detailing human
consciousness.
 This unique
volume starts with the extraordinary enunciation of the Japji by
Sirdar Kapur Singh. It contains the amazingly mystical and magical
journey into the cosmos through Gurbani, exploring the relationship
between religious studies and natural sciences by Nikky-Guninder
Kaur Singh.
New York
University professor IJ Singh while dwelling on anthropology and the
mystique of the Sikh scripture, clearly recalls the Guru’s words
“that it is not the sight and idolization of the Guru Granth that is
liberating, but engagement with the word therein.” Gurtej Singh
explains the pluralism of the Guru’s word, Swaranjeet Singh, the
executive director of the Institute for Conflict and Peace Studies
goes through the role of Sikh women in religious texts and Sikh
history and seeks full implementation of equality to women in Sikh
society.
Manjyot Kaur
revels in the ecstasy of the company of Guru Granth Sahib, Jaginder
Singh Ramdev details the contribution of Bhagats, Swaraj Singh and
Ranbir Singh Sandhu extol the universality of the message of the
Gurus, ace chronicler Raghbir Singh Bains emphasizes the need of
Gurbani for democratic functioning and universal peace, while
Kulwant Singh Hundal explores the shades of Maya and Gurbachan Singh
Bachan traces the physical ecology from the pre-universe era to the
creation of the present universe and this article should serve as an
inspiration for scientists looking at the relationship between this
aspect of science and the Sikh religion.
As always, the
Panjabi section is laced with inspirational articles. In their
respective articles, veteran Sikh writesr Jaswant Singh Neki,
Kulwant Singh Hundal and Niranjan Singh Dhesi take the reader on a
spiritual journey on the path to Begumpura. The articles on Raagas
by Dr. Gurnam Singh, the contemporariness of Guru Granth Sahib by
Devinder Singh and the importance of Guru Granth Sahib in today’s
ultra-modern age by Bhupinder Singh Khehra are a ready reckoner
about the basic tenets of the Sikh faith and are of immense value to
the lay reader. Swaranjeet Singh, Kulwant Singh Hundal and Darshan
Singh have explored the social ramifications of Gurbani in their
articles.
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A
common thread of peace, compassion and proximity to God and
godliness runs through all the articles. |
Perhaps the best
way to commemorate the Tercentenary celebrations is to spread the
Guru’s word, their teachings, philosophy and way of life to as many
people as possible so that mankind can benefit can be inspired to
the creation of Halemi Raaj and to seek and establish an
equalitarian order on the lines of Begumpura as enshrined in Guru
Granth Sahib.
Undoubtedly,
readers in Panjab, the Diaspora and elsewhere would immensely
benefit from this work of the Institute for Conflict and Peace
Studies, whose sole and primary motive is to provide a forum of free
exchange of thought processes incorporating Gurbani whose reach is
universal. This book will provide a stepping stone to social
scientists and activists concerned about creating a new world order
and also to those who would like to embark on a spiritual journey.
A common thread
of peace, compassion and proximity to God and godliness runs through
all the articles in this path-breaking 300 page reasonably priced
volume.
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Dr.
Swaranjeet Singh
is Founder and Executive Director of the institute for Conflict
and Peace Studies (IFCAPS). A doctorate in language and
literatuer from Panjab University, Chandigarh, he was a one time
editor of Sikh Studies Quarterly. He has authored many articles
including a book, Buttparasth Nahi Akalprasth, in
Punjabi about the designs of the right wing Rashtriya
Swayamsewak Sangh. He is also the author of Roshan Zameer,
Sach Sunaisi and Sikh Chetana ate Bhagat Singh.
Harvind Kaur
Singh
is Director of Communications of the Institute for Conflict and
Peace Studies (IFCAPS). She began her career in television as an
undergraduate at the University of Missouri-Columbia where she
completed her degree in journalism and Philosophy.
She is
currently working on a series of programs designed to highlight
the achievements of Panjabi’s across the globe. The first
installment of the series titled Sikh Portraits: Glorious Past
Brilliant Future will focus on the life and achievements of
US
congressman Dalip Singh Saund.
A glimpse of
her other project titled, India Democratic Miracle or Mirage?
can be seen at
www.democraticindia.org.
Kulwant
Singh Hundal
is Executive Secretary of the Institute for Conflict and Peace
Studies. A former lecturer in English, he has been the former
President and Religious Secretary of Sikh Religious Society,
Palatine and former Executive Member of American Gurdwara
Parbandhak Committee and the World Sikh Council. |
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4
February 2009
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