From my Inbox...
April 7 is Guru Teg Bhadhur Sahib’s Prakash Parv. A recurring controversial theme that is often presented on this Gurupurab and on Shaheedi purab by some well-meaning individuals (mostly the emerging breed of Sikh missionaries among us and some intellectuals) is that Guru Sahib NEVER spent 26 or so years mediating in an underground secluded place (referred to in historical discourse as Bhora) because they say such practice is against Gurmat. Then there are some who continue to suggest that Guru Sahib indeed spent a lengthy time mediating in Bhora as per some historical scripts.
I personally do not care who is right – those who believe in this historical fact or those who do not believe in it. To me it is totally irrelevant.
However, what is unsettling is that I have never seen these same individuals including many intellectuals (who claim Guru Sahib never spent any time in Bhora) spoke up against the popular belief that Guru Angad Sahib (Bhai Lehna) used to be a worshipper of a Devi until he came into contact with Guru Nanak Sahib. Idol worship, as I understand, is against Gurmat but we do not talk about Guru Angad Sahib’s belief in idol worship because it all happened when he was Bhai Lehna and that was BEFORE he became a Guru.
Let us now look at Guru Teg Bhadhur sahib’s story. Guru Teg Bhadhur Sahib is believed to have meditated in a Bhora in a village called Bakala when he was Teg Bhadhur -- an ORDINARY Sikh; he was not GURU at that time. He was like Bhai Lehna, an ordinary person.
If we do not have a problem with Guru Angad Sahib’s Hindu ritualistic practices before he became Guru than why we are too concerned with Guru Teg Bhadhur Sahib’s practices and his mediation in a Bhora before he became a Guru whether it is consistent with Gurmat or not.
Many of these people come to the Gurudawara stages or go to other public forums and bring up such irrelevant issues seem to be pursuing their own agenda and to build their followings under the pretense as self-proclaimed reformers of Sikh Panth. To me they are out more to satisfy their own Haumain (ego).
April 7 is Guru Teg Bhadhur Sahib’s Prakash Parv. A recurring controversial theme that is often presented on this Gurupurab and on Shaheedi purab by some well-meaning individuals (mostly the emerging breed of Sikh missionaries among us and some intellectuals) is that Guru Sahib NEVER spent 26 or so years mediating in an underground secluded place (referred to in historical discourse as Bhora) because they say such practice is against Gurmat. Then there are some who continue to suggest that Guru Sahib indeed spent a lengthy time mediating in Bhora as per some historical scripts.
I personally do not care who is right – those who believe in this historical fact or those who do not believe in it. To me it is totally irrelevant.
However, what is unsettling is that I have never seen these same individuals including many intellectuals (who claim Guru Sahib never spent any time in Bhora) spoke up against the popular belief that Guru Angad Sahib (Bhai Lehna) used to be a worshipper of a Devi until he came into contact with Guru Nanak Sahib. Idol worship, as I understand, is against Gurmat but we do not talk about Guru Angad Sahib’s belief in idol worship because it all happened when he was Bhai Lehna and that was BEFORE he became a Guru.
Let us now look at Guru Teg Bhadhur sahib’s story. Guru Teg Bhadhur Sahib is believed to have meditated in a Bhora in a village called Bakala when he was Teg Bhadhur -- an ORDINARY Sikh; he was not GURU at that time. He was like Bhai Lehna, an ordinary person.
If we do not have a problem with Guru Angad Sahib’s Hindu ritualistic practices before he became Guru than why we are too concerned with Guru Teg Bhadhur Sahib’s practices and his mediation in a Bhora before he became a Guru whether it is consistent with Gurmat or not.
Many of these people come to the Gurudawara stages or go to other public forums and bring up such irrelevant issues seem to be pursuing their own agenda and to build their followings under the pretense as self-proclaimed reformers of Sikh Panth. To me they are out more to satisfy their own Haumain (ego).
