 |
09-Dec-2011, 13:09 PM
|  | .jpg) | | | Enrolled: Oct 6th, 2006 Location: British Columbia, Canada Age: 61
Posts: 1,720
| |
Liked 2,662 Times in 1,122 Posts
| |  | | | Keeping Amrit Vela
As many of you know, my non-Sikh husband died a couple months ago. While that was a heavy blow to me, it also freed me to keep reht maryada more strictly, which is meaningful to me.
Among other things, I have been keeping Amrit Vela. He was totally opposed to my getting up before dawn to pray - or for any other reason - as it inevitably woke him up. I really couldn't blame him. One problem has disappeared, but another has arisen. Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/questions-and-answers/37719-keeping-amrit-vela.htmlReference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37719
I am not big on rules, but it seems to me that bathing before prayers is very basic.
As my physical condition has deteriorated, I am now needing help with things I used to be able to do on my own. Several times, I have nearly fallen in the shower; yesterday, I managed to catch myself on the side of the shower, but wrenched my shoulder quite badly. Because I am on blood thinners, any fall could be very serious. Even if I appear to be uninjured, I could bleed to death internally.
A caregiver comes in daily to help me. She is here for 4 hours, from 9 AM - 1 PM. Part of her job is to help me with such things and she is very willing to help me bathe. I would not ask her to come in hours before dawn, though; that is completely unreasonable.
It seems I have three choices: - Do my Nitnem with a wash-up instead of a full bathing
- Do my Nitnem after she has helped me bathe
- Risk a fall and continue as I have
I would really prefer to continue keeping the proper time, if possible. Plus doing it while she is here is difficult because the activity going on in the house is distracting.
What would the SPN Sangat suggest? Got anything to share on This Topic? Why not share your immediate thoughts/reaction with us! Login Now! or Sign Up Today! to share your views... Gurfateh! | | The following members appreciate Mai Harinder Kaur Ji for the above message. | |
09-Dec-2011, 20:10 PM
|  | .jpg) Sawa lakh se EK larraoan | | | Enrolled: Jul 4th, 2004 Location: KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA Age: 64
Posts: 7,004
| |
Liked 11,725 Times in 4,659 Posts
| |  | | | Re: Keeping Amrit Vela
Mai Ji..DONT FIT IN !! I seriously doubt OUR GURU JI would be nitpicking on such matters..the SRM strictly applies to the Median "absolutley Normal/fit energetic humans..." those above this median and below it have the "chhoat"...exemption...More importnat than these 'rules" and following them to the letter is..the SPIRIT in which we do the Nitnem, remember Him...I am sure when you "think" of Simon..you dont apply rules...so HE is much much bigger than anyone we know...there is no necessity to stand on ceremony...just LOVE HIM...unreservedly....any which way you can..lying down..standing up..in the shower, on the bus..in the garden..as my late dad ji taught me...i have no reservations as to when how and why i remember HIM...i just DO IT.  | | The following members appreciate Gyani Jarnail Singh Ji for the above message. | |
09-Dec-2011, 23:41 PM
|  | | | | Enrolled: Jun 30th, 2004 Location: Henderson, NV. Age: 59
Posts: 3,191
| |
Liked 4,658 Times in 1,927 Posts
| |  | | | Re: Keeping Amrit Vela
Mai ji.
Guru Fateh.
Allow me to add my 2 cent worth after Gyani ji's wonderful explanation. The reason of doing Nitnem is to understand Gurbani and one would assume that those who have been doing it for many many years would understand and practice Gurbani in their lives to make others' better. Otherwise, it merely becomes parroting which normally happens in many household. My own sister who is a retired Doctor parrorts Nitnem daily while picking up crumbs from the floor ( she is a clean freak), talking to others and then carries on. For me, her actions are like hoovering the whole house, a daily chore. Nothing to do with Gurbani.
So, it matters not what posture you have while doing it, it matters what we all receive from this gift as the blessed ones. Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37719Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37719
Regards
Tejwant Singh
Last edited by Tejwant Singh; 10-Dec-2011 at 00:49 AM.
| | The following members appreciate Tejwant Singh Ji for the above message. | |
10-Dec-2011, 05:50 AM
|  | everything's peachy | | | Enrolled: May 9th, 2006
Posts: 1,569
| |
Liked 2,548 Times in 1,105 Posts
| | | | | Re: Keeping Amrit Vela
The opinion of a hypocrite follows, I have never maintained this kind of rehat.
When reading Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the impression I get is that bathing in water or washing our bodies is irrelevant - bathing the mind in love, bathing the mind in humility and bathing the mind in meditation on Naam is what is reiterated over and over.
I think the most powerful shabad which speaks specifically about daily routine is on ang 305 and is by Guru Ram Das Ji. If someone could confirm the translation of the highlighted tuk that would be appreciated, as the translation says to bathe AND to cleanse in the pool of nectar - does the Gurmukhi make a distinction? ਮਃ ੪ ॥
मः ४ ॥
Mėhlā 4.
Fourth Mehl:
ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
गुर सतिगुर का जो सिखु अखाए सु भलके उठि हरि नामु धिआवै ॥
Gur saṯgur kā jo sikẖ akẖā▫e so bẖalke uṯẖ har nām ḏẖi▫āvai.
One who calls himself a Sikh of the Guru, the True Guru, shall rise in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord's Name.
ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰੇ ਭਲਕੇ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਕਰੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ॥
उदमु करे भलके परभाती इसनानु करे अम्रित सरि नावै ॥
Uḏam kare bẖalke parbẖāṯī isnān kare amriṯ sar nāvai.
Upon arising early in the morning, he is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar.
ਉਪਦੇਸਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪੁ ਜਾਪੈ ਸਭਿ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਪਾਪ ਦੋਖ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਵੈ ॥
उपदेसि गुरू हरि हरि जपु जापै सभि किलविख पाप दोख लहि जावै ॥
Upḏes gurū har har jap jāpai sabẖ kilvikẖ pāp ḏokẖ lėh jāvai.
Following the Instructions of the Guru, he is to chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. All sins, misdeeds and negativity shall be erased.
ਫਿਰਿ ਚੜੈ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਗਾਵੈ ਬਹਦਿਆ ਉਠਦਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
फिरि चड़ै दिवसु गुरबाणी गावै बहदिआ उठदिआ हरि नामु धिआवै ॥
Fir cẖaṛai ḏivas gurbāṇī gāvai bahḏi▫ā uṯẖ▫ḏi▫ā har nām ḏẖi▫āvai.
Then, at the rising of the sun, he is to sing Gurbani; whether sitting down or standing up, he is to meditate on the Lord's Name.
ਜੋ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਧਿਆਏ ਮੇਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਸੋ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ॥
जो सासि गिरासि धिआए मेरा हरि हरि सो गुरसिखु गुरू मनि भावै ॥
Jo sās girās ḏẖi▫ā▫e merā har har so gursikẖ gurū man bẖāvai.
One who meditates on my Lord, Har, Har, with every breath and every morsel of food - that GurSikh becomes pleasing to the Guru's Mind.
ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਉਪਦੇਸੁ ਸੁਣਾਵੈ ॥
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37719
जिस नो दइआलु होवै मेरा सुआमी तिसु गुरसिख गुरू उपदेसु सुणावै ॥
Jis no ḏa▫i▫āl hovai merā su▫āmī ṯis gursikẖ gurū upḏes suṇāvai.
That person, unto whom my Lord and Master is kind and compassionate - upon that GurSikh, the Guru's Teachings are bestowed.
ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਧੂੜਿ ਮੰਗੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਕੀ ਜੋ ਆਪਿ ਜਪੈ ਅਵਰਹ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਾਵੈ ॥੨॥
जनु नानकु धूड़ि मंगै तिसु गुरसिख की जो आपि जपै अवरह नामु जपावै ॥२॥
Jan Nānak ḏẖūṛ mangai ṯis gursikẖ kī jo āp japai avrah nām japāvai. ||2||
Servant Guru Nanak begs for the dust of the feet of that GurSikh, who himself chants the Naam, and inspires others to chant it. ||2||Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37719
Sakhis say our Guru Sahiban did bathe in water first thing in the morning.
The SRM says to bathe in water first thing in the morning.
But if bathing the body in water first thing in the morning was essential one would think it to be mentioned in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Instead, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji says bathing the body in water is futile for spiritual progress.
However, bathing daily is good for health and I think that is the part that needs to be remembered more than when the bathing is conducted.
Mai ji, clean what you feel necessary to clean to enable you to focus as much as possible on The Big Stuff.
Last edited by Ishna; 10-Dec-2011 at 06:01 AM.
| | The following members appreciate Ishna Ji for the above message. | |
Today, 02:39 AM
| | | | | Enrolled: May 2nd, 2013 Age: 30
Posts: 1
| | | | | | | Re: Keeping Amrit Vela
Please accecpt my well wishes, I have worked as a caregiver for years and it is my wish for you to know that I have seen alot of differnt types of adaptations that can be done with in your bathroom. That can help you to take bath your self if that is your wish. I had this done for my mom as she is no longer able to walk for more than a few steps and it has helped her to keep some of her independance. It would be a honnor if you are needing help to tell you how I set up my moms place for her. Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37719
Please forgive if I have made any offence Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37719
all the best to you,
Alisa | | The following members appreciate Alisa Ji for the above message. | |
Today, 13:45 PM
| | Sawa lakh se EK larraoan | | | Enrolled: Jul 4th, 2004 Location: KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA Age: 64
Posts: 7,004
| |
Liked 11,725 Times in 4,659 Posts
| | | | | Re: Keeping Amrit Vela
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ishna  Sorry, the highlighted tuk should have been: ਉਦਮੁ ਕਰੇ ਭਲਕੇ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਕਰੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ॥
उदमु करे भलके परभाती इसनानु करे अम्रित सरि नावै ॥
Uḏam kare bẖalke parbẖāṯī isnān kare amriṯ sar nāvai.
Upon arising early in the morning, he is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar. | The "Amrit-Sar" is NOT the "pool of nectar/fresh water /saline water/lake/hemkunt/etc etc...
Here AMRIT SAR means the Pool of GURBANI- since the Amrit is ONE and it is GURBANI. This essentially means IMMERSING ones-self in GURBANI.
How does one "bathe" then go clean in a pool of nectar ??....Lots to ponder here in the light of Gurbani and Vichaar instead of just simple word for word translation superficially.. | | The following members appreciate Gyani Jarnail Singh Ji for the above message. | |
Today, 16:04 PM
| | | | | Enrolled: Jan 22nd, 2005 Location: kuwait
Posts: 430
| |
Liked 585 Times in 207 Posts
| |  | | | Re: Keeping Amrit Vela
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gyani Jarnail Singh The "Amrit-Sar" is NOT the "pool of nectar/fresh water /saline water/lake/hemkunt/etc etc...
Here AMRIT SAR means the Pool of GURBANI- since the Amrit is ONE and it is GURBANI. This essentially means IMMERSING ones-self in GURBANI.
How does one "bathe" then go clean in a pool of nectar ??....Lots to ponder here in the light of Gurbani and Vichaar instead of just simple word for word translation superficially.. | Giani Jee
My two cents. If you look closely at the word 'ishnan', as per my understanding it means introspection and after introspection then immerse into nectar of gurbani. Gurbani is all about cleansing the mind when guru sahib says, ' ਸੂਚੇ ਏਹਿ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਹਿ ਬਹਨਿ ਜਿ ਪਿੰਡਾ ਧੋਇ ॥ ਸੂਚੇ ਸੇਈ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿਨ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਸੋਇ ॥੨॥ Those who pretend to make mechanical repetition or bath and decorate body outwardly, they don’t qualify to be one with God, they are not called pure. It is all about presence of God in your action and deeds.
best regards
sahni | | The following members appreciate japjisahib04 Ji for the above message. | |
Today, 18:08 PM
| | Sawa lakh se EK larraoan | | | Enrolled: Jul 4th, 2004 Location: KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA Age: 64
Posts: 7,004
| |
Liked 11,725 Times in 4,659 Posts
| | | | | Re: Keeping Amrit Vela
Sahni ji,
Your 2 cents is priceless Gold.
Yes ISHNAAN is of the MIND...not the BODY.
And my dad ji used to interpret this in his Katha as...
"When your are YOUNG...Parbhatee is EARLY MORNING...so in terms of our LIFE TIME..Parbhatee means at a YOUNG AGE... ..get UP Young man...introspect...LOOK WITHIN your MIND...wash it off the dirt of Vikaars..and then DIP into the Nectar of GURBANI...
Elsewhere Bhagat kabir Ji also dishes out the same advise...telling us..IF we DONT begin practsing form YOUNG..it WONT WORK when we are old..our eyes water..ears go deaf..hands shake..feet tremble..head aches..how can we DO IT ?? And then again..Guru Teg bahadur Ji warns us in Slok Mh 9..Paag dagmaggeh..neain jot te heen...our feet tremble..our eyes water..cant see clearly..and is that when we are going to start ??
SO Bhalkeh..Parbhatee..Ishnaan Amrt Sar naveh etc etc are all METAPHORS and not to tbe LITERALLY interpreted as most people are doing...Bathing//putting soap..washing with shampoo and rubbing it etc etc MUNDANE BODILY FUNCTIONS...which even the simplest HUMAN being cna do without being told..WHY would GURU JI have to TELL US THAT ?? I wonder why Guru ji didnt ask us to BRUSH OUR TEETH too ??? ANY one who is someone knows that WE MUST BRUSH OUR TEETH IN THE MORNING...BUT is it not surprising that Guru Ji directs us to "ISHNAAN/NAVEH"...and forgets about TEETH BRUSHING ?? No Guru ji didnt forget..its just NOT at all about the "EARLY MORNING CLEANSING ROUTINE"..its about the MANN/MIND... Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37719
You know..it was a 4 year old kindergarten studnet of my Gurbani/punjabi class that brought up this QUESTION...Since EVERYONE..including his parents..the kindergarten TEACHER, the School NURSE, DENTIST etc etc always INSISTED on teaching/emphasising TEETH BRUSHING on a DAILY BASIS...and when this TUK came up in the Older classes..she stood up and asked me..WHAT ABOUT TEETH BRUSHING ?? Does GURU JI also EMPHASISE IT ?? What does Gurbani say about DENTAL HYGEINE ??? absolutely NOTHING !!..why ?? SIMPLY BECAUSE the VEDAS..the PURANAS..the Yogis the brahmins etc also KEPT QUIET baout THIS...although in AYURVEDA DAATANN etc is a compulsory habit everyoen in INDIA does daily...BUT since GURBANI is about DISPELLING all those RITUALS/FALSE NOTIONS about ishnaans holy bathes, sucham soch purity of body etc...GURBANI also talsk about THAT ONLY. PERFECTLY LOGICAL...the need was to DEMOLISH the SUCHAM FALSE BELIEF..so ONLY that is mentioned...and the GURBANI/GURMATT VIEW is stressed...unfortunately SIKHS fell backwards...flat on their Vedic Backs !!! and REFUSE to GET UP....  :faujasi ngh:   | | The following member appreciates Gyani Jarnail Singh Ji for the above message. | | 
Support Us! Become a Promoter! | | Gurfateh ji, you can become a SPN Promoter by Donating as little as $10 each month. With limited resources & high operational costs, your donations make it possible for us to deliver a quality website and spread the teachings of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, to serve & uplift humanity. Every contribution counts. Donate Generously. Gurfateh! |
| Tools | Search | | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | | |   » Active Discussions | | | | | | | | | Panjabi Today 17:56 PM 12 Replies, 258 Views | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | » Books You Should Read... | | | |
YOU WERE BORN TO STAND OUT! 
