Hi, CS ji (May I call you CS?)
I understand well the confusion with all those Punjabi words. Although I grew up semi-fluent in Punjabi - I could actually read Gurmukhi before I could read English - in April 2006, I had a major stroke and lost my Punjabi. All of it. I didn't know the word "Sikh" or even my own name! I guess that part of brain was destroyed because it has never come back. I retained only one word, "Waheguru," but starting there and with the help of the Internet and a few friends, I have managed to relearn a great deal. It can be done, if you are determined to do it. Don't be afraid to ask.
Chardi kala literally means something like "high spirits" in Punjabi. It is a sort of attitude of eternal optimism that is an integral part of the Sikh way of life. My Dad described it thus: "When your enemy has his boot in your face, his knife at your throat and his gun cocked at your temple, you laugh at him. "Ha! You can kill me, but you can't defeat me." That's chardi kala. That's what it means to be a Sikh." Chardi kala is the distinctly Sikh virtue. There's a really good article on it
here. Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/zoroastrianism/29408-sikhism-and-zoroastrianism-a-dialog.html
I personally find such things as prophecies annoying. This probably comes from a lifetime of fighting off Christian proselytisers, including my mother's family. I love talking about Sikhi because I love it and it is the central part of my life. I do not, however, believe everyone should believe as I do or live as I live. Anyway, Guru calls those he wants, that's not for me to do.
Under Indian law, Sikhs are Hindus. Need I say more? We were completely betrayed by Nehru and MK Gandhi at the time of independence and the constitution of India was written, declaring us to be Hindus. We have never accepted this, but it is the law. With that kind of attitude, you can imagine the great protection given us in that country. In 1984, Indira Gandhi sent the army to destroy our holiest place, the Golden Temple and she was killed by her Sikh bodyguards. After her death, thousands of Sikhs were murdered in a government-sponsored pogrom. You'll learn a lot about that as you hang out here.
I seem to be writing to you late at night. I'm tired and need to go.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29408
Thank you for your blessings.
Chardi kala!
