Women Supremacy

Women Supremacy Sikhism Perspective

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Women Supremacy Basic Needs

Man needs woman even before he is born.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Women Supremacy Prof. Puran Singh writes: “Next to bread, the essential man is centered in his divine love for woman. His sexless passion also has woman as its terra firma. All his glorious hopes and aspirations are bees humming round this flower– woman. The Home of Love revolves round her, as a dream beauty. In a great and cultured world, the honour for woman must needs be infinite.” “Woman shall be the second best God or the God of the

intellectuals on earth. She shall be absolutely free.”

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Women Supremacy Woman is the most beautiful creation of God.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Women Supremacy Sikhism accords highest status to women. Guru Nanak Dev ji said: so ikau mMdw AwKIAY ijqu jMmih rwjwn ] So why call her bad? From her, kings are born.

Guru Amar Das ji condemned the cruel custom of sati, female

infanticide and advocated widow remarriage. In 1550’s , Guru Amar Das ji appointed 52 women missionaries out of a total of 146 missionaries. By the time of Tenth Master, many women were serving in the Khalsa Army. Guru Gobind Singh ji gave her a special identity i.e. the name Kaur, meaning Princess. During late 1700s women were playing a key role in Misls and even heading the Misl.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Great Women from Sikh History

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Sikhism

The Tree of Sikhi created by Waheguru himself and decorated by Guru Nanak Dev ji.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

However this was not a normal tree.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

It required 239 years of physical presence of Guru on this earth.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

It was nurtured by the winds of ‘Gurbani’, ‘Sewa’ and ‘Simran’.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

It required the blood of martyrs as water and their limbs as a fertilizer.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

The sweet fruit that this tree of Sikhi bears would never had been possible without the contribution of the Great Sikh Women.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Sikh Women

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Bebe Nanki Ji DOB – (1464-1518 ) Family – elder sister of Guru Nanak and the daughter of Kalian Chand (Bab Kalu) and Mata Tripta. Brief History – •She was the First Sikh •She was the First person to recognize the spiritual eminence of Guru Nanak. •She loved to be in the Company of saints. •She was kind hearted and gave money to poor and hungry.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Mata Khivi Ji DOB – (1506 - 1582) Family –Daughter of Karan Devi and Bhai Devi Chand Khatri in a small town called Sanghar.Khivi was married to Lahina, the second Guru of the Sikhs. Brief History – •Responsible for establishment of present day LANGAR system. •Sewa and Hospitality were her main virtues. •A life devoted to Five Gurus.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

BIBI AMRO JI DOB –

She was born in 1532 at village Khadur near Amritsar

Family –. daughter of Guru Angad Dev, the second Master and Mata Khivi Brief History – •She was the noble woman who showed Guru Amar Das ji, the path of Sikhism. •She was great preacher of Sihkism. •Ideal daughter in-law who spent her time in meditation,household affairs and services of her in-laws.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Bibi Bhani Ji DOB – 19 January 1535 (21 Magh 1591 Bk) Family – was born to Mata Mansa Devi. at Basarke Gillan, a village near Amritsar Brief History – • Daughter of a Guru (Guru Amardas), • Wife of a Guru (Guru RamDas), • Mother of a Guru (Guru Arjan Dev), • Grandmother of a Guru (Guru Hargobind), • Great Grandmother of a Guru (Guru Tegh Bahadar) • and Great, Great Grandmother of a Guru (Guru Gobind Singh) Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Mata Gujari Ji DOB – 1624 -1705 Family – was the wife of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadar; the mother of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Brief History – • As a Daughter •As a Wife •As a Leader •As a Mother •As a Grandmother •As a Martyr Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

MOTHER OF KHALSA – MATA SAHIB KAUR JI DOB – 1681 - 1747 Family – Mata Jasdevi Ji and father’s name was Bhai Rama Ji Brief History – •Mother of Khalsa. •She participated in the sewa of Amrit Sanchar by adding Pataasey(Sugar Wafers) to the Amrit. •Eternal Mother of Khalsa Panth. •She was idol of hmility,love,sacrifice and humanity. Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Bibi Basant Kaur Ji Family – Basant Kaur ji was wife Bhai Mani Singh ji. Mata jee belonged to one of the most loyal Sikh family. Mata jee’s and Bhai Sahib Mani Singh jee’s family had 63 shaheeds in total. Brief History – •She accompanied Guru Gobind Singh ji after he decieded to leave Anandpur Sahib. •She was captured by Mughal soldier Samund Khan. •She displayed courage and faith in Guru ji at that time. •She was kind hearted and God fearing. Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Mai Bhago Ji Family – Born at her ancestral village of Jhabal in presentday Amritsar district of the Punjab, she was married to Nidhan Singh Varaich of Patti. Brief History – •

The Forty Liberated Ones.

•

After war she accompanied Guru Gobind Singh ji.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Bibi Harsarn Kaur Ji Brief History – •Guru Gobind Singh Ji's two elder sons together with many other Sikhs,were martyred while fighting the foes at the battle of Chamkaur Sahib. •She did the last ritual ceremony of the elder two sons of Guru Gobind Singh ji and other Sikhs. •She herself was thrown into that pyre by the Mughal soldiers.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Maharani Jind Kaur Family – She was the younger daughter of Sardar Manna Singh Aulakh of village Charh (District Sialkot). She became a widow (only two and a half years after marriage) at the young age of 22 (27th June 1839 AD) when her husband Maharaja Ranjit Singh died. Brief History – •First female freedom fighter in the struggle to drive out the British from India. •She was known for her intelligence and intrepid spirit. •She hatched a plot to murder the British Resident Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Sikh Women

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Thank you

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Status of Women Sikhism Perspective

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

In India Caste system Economic oppression Denial of right to property and inheritance False sense of impurity attached to menstruation

and child birth Deprivation of education led to the

deterioration of women's position in society.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

In India Women were referred to as a 'seducer',

'unclean', and a 'temptress‘ and were mainly considered distractions from man's spiritual path.

 She was denied the right to preach or to

participate in other religious rites

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Social Practices Practice of SATI Conservative treatment Dowry Widow remarriage restricted Fasts for husband, children and brothers

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Sati "They cannot be called satis, who burn themselves with their dead husbands. They can only be called satis, if they bear the shock of separation. They may also be known as satis, who live with character and contentment and always show veneration to their husbands by remembering them."

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Dowry "Any other dowry, which the perverse place for show, that is false pride and worthless gilding. O' my Father! give me the Name of Lord God as a gift and dowry." (Guru Ram Das, Sri Rag, pg. 79) Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Veil Stay, stay, O daughter-in-law - do not cover your face with a veil. In the end, this shall not bring you even half a shell. ||1||Pause|| The one before you used to veil her face; do not follow in her footsteps. ||1|| The only merit in veiling your face is that for a few days, people will say, ""What a noble bride has come"". ||2|| Your veil shall be true only if you skip, dance and sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord. ||3|| Says Kabeer, the soul-bride shall win, only if she passes her life singing the Lord's Praises. Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Transition How Guru

Gobind Singh transformed the feeble woman into Lion Princess

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Sundri

Sundri

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Importance of Kaur KAUR surname given to

all sikh girls Kaur means PRINCESS Irrespective of her

father’s or husband surname

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Status of woman acc to Sikhism From the woman is our birth, in the woman's womb are we shaped;

To the woman we are engaged, to the woman we are wedded; The woman is our friend and from woman is the family; Through the woman are the bonds of the world; Why call woman evil who gives birth to the kings? From the woman is the woman, without woman there is none. (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 473)

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Equality of women in married life Married life is celebrated to restore to woman her due

place and status as an equal partner in life. "They are not said to be husband and wife, who

merely sit together. Rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one soul in two bodies". (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 788).

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Equality of married Sikh couple

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Women I M PURE IMPURE ?????

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Woman is symbol of Purity If pollution attaches to birth, then pollution is everywhere (for birth is universal). Cow-dung (used for purifying the kitchen floor ) and firewood breed maggots; Not one grain of corn is without life; Water itself is a living substance, imparting life to all vegetation. How can we then believe in pollution, when pollution inheres within staples? Says Nanak, pollution is not washed away by purificatory rituals; Pollution is removed by true knowledge alone.

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 472).

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Women from History  Bibi Amro was

made in charge of one of the 22 Manjis (teaching seat)  Mata Khivi helped in establishing Langar

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Ladies doing complete Sewa

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Women help in preparing Amrit

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Sikh women in state affair Rani Sada Kaur

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Sikh women in state affair Sikh women part of Panj Pyare

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Epitome of Courage Mughal imperial forces had warned Sikhs against going to Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. One mother got up at Amrit Vela and left for the holy temple with her child. On the way she met a minister, who

Do you know what she her. warned replied?

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Gatka

Gatka

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Women in Military

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Women in Military World War II

Participation of Kaurs

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Independence Guru says Sikh women have the independence But it doesn’t mean they should not know their

responsibilities

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Thank You

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh ji

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

MATA GUJRI Perfection

Symbol of

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Who was Mata Gujri? • Wife of Ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji • Mother of Tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji • Grandmother of Four Sahibzadas (Ajit Singh, Zorawar Singh, Jujhar Singh and Fateh Singh) • Real Name

: Gujjar Kaur

• Year of Birth

: 1624

• Place of Birth : Kartarpur, Punjab • Father’s Name : Bhai Lal Chand Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

The Real Introduction  A Perfect woman, a “Puran Istree “  Fully supported and contributed in the mission of Guru Teg Bahadur  Raised the extraordinary child, Gobind Singh  Managed the affairs of the Sikh Panth while the Guru was still a child  Inspired and prepared her young grandsons for the ultimate Sacrifice  First Sikh Martyr Lady

“Wife of a Martyr, Mother of a Martyr, the Grandmother of Martyrs and herself a Martyr”

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Contributions with Life History As a Daughter

Mata ji was brought up with the consciousness of the Guru’s light; she fulfilled her parent’s aspiration of serving the path of the Guru beyond their expectations by growing into a perfect role model of grace, strength, persistence and sacrifice. Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Contributions with Life History As a Wife  Got Married to Guru Tegh Bahadur on 4th Feb

1633 in Kartarpur.  Supported Guru Tegh Bahadur when he was

deep in meditation for years, again while he was on his missionary tour, and finally, when the Guru left for Delhi to make the supreme sacrifice.  Faced the hard time of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s

shaheedi with fortitude.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Contributions with Life History  As a Mother and a Leader  At Patna, Mata Gujari gave birth to a son on 22 December 1666.  The child was named Gobind Rai, the illustrious Guru Gobind Singh of

later day.  Endowed the best qualities of the Sikh faith In young Govind.  Moulded the father of the Khalsa, the great Guru Gobind Singh, raising

him as a single mother after the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur ji.  In July 1677, arranged the marriage of young Gobind to mata Jito Ji  Managed the responsibility of the panth with the brother Kripal Singh  Organized Langars and played an important role as an administrative

of the Army

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Contributions with Life History  As aGrandmother  Brought up the Sahizades after Mata Sundri’s death in 1700.  When Mataji and younger Sahabzades were arrested and confined in

Sirhind Fort, she guided children to remain steadfast in their faith.  Constantly reminded Sahibzadas about their Grandfather and Great-

Grandfather’s sacrifice.  Filled in the courage to not to give up and budge from their beliefs in little

children.  It was due to her teachings that the seven and nine year old children did

not leave their faith and attained martyrdom.

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Martyrdom  Imprisoned on top of the tower with no warm clothes in month of

December.  In such torturous state also, kept singing Guru ki Bani  On December 27, 1704, she breathed her last meditating after

hearing the news of the Martyrdom her Grandsons. Thus, attaining martyrdom on the same day as her grandsons.  Kept the tradition of sikhism and gave her body singing Gurbani  These days, there stands a Gurudwara, Fatehgarh Sahib.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

MATA GUJRI

Symbol of Perfection

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Women and Sikh Rehat Maryada

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

kIqw pswau eyko kvwau ] You created the vast expanse of the Universe with One Word!

hukmu swij hukmY ivic rKY hukmY AMdir vyKY ] By the Hukam of His Command, He formed the Universe, and in His Hukam, He keeps it. By His Hukam, He keeps it under His Gaze.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

swcu Drmu nhI BwvY fITw ] He does not like to see Truth and righteousness.  

JUT Doh isau ricE mITw ] He is attached to falsehood and deception; they seem sweet to him.  

dwiq ipAwrI ivsirAw dwqwrw ] He loves gifts, but he forgets the Giver.

jwxY nwhI mrxu ivcwrw ]2] The wretched creature does not even think of death. ||2||

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

What is Rehat Maryada?

Code of conduct which defines the rules for

leading life as per God’s consent.

Actions performed abiding by religious norms

whose influence is always there on your mind.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Definition of Sikh Any human being who faithfully believes in:  One Immortal Being  Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to

Guru Gobind Singh  The Guru Granth Sahib  The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus  The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh. Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Meditating on Naam He/She should recite the following scriptural compositions every day:  The Japji, the Jaapu and the Ten Sawayyas (Quartets) – beginning “Sarawag sudh” - in the morning.

 Sodar Rehras to be recited in the evening.  The Sohila - to be recited at night before going to bed

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Joining the Congregation No person, no matter which country, religion or cast

he/she belongs to, is debarred from entering the gurdwara for darshan (seeing the holy shrine).

No Sikh should sit bare-headed in the presence of the

Guru Granth Sahib or in the congregation. For Sikh women, joining the congregation uncomfortably draped and with veils drawn over their faces is contrary to gurmat (Guru’s way).

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

True Veil: A must for everyone

rhu rhu rI bhurIAw GUMGtu ijin kwFY ] Stay, stay, O daughter-in-law - do not cover your face with a veil.  

AMq kI bwr lhYgI n AwFY ]1] rhwau ] In the end, this shall not bring you even half a shell. ||1||Pause|| GUMGt kwFy kI iehY bfweI ] The only merit in veiling your face is  

idn ds pWc bhU Bly AweI ]2] that for a few days, people will say, ""What a noble bride has come"". ||2||  

GUMGtu qyro qau pir swcY ] Your veil shall be true only if  

hir gun gwie kUdih Aru nwcY ]3] you skip, dance and sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord. ||3||

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Every Sikh man, woman, boy or girl, should learn Gurmukhi to be able to read the Guru Granth Sahib.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Making Offerings, Consecration and Distribution The person who doles out the Karhah Prashad among the congregation should do so without any discrimination on the basis of personal regard or spite. He should dole out the Karhah Prashad equally to the Sikhs, the non-Sikhs or a person of high or low caste. While doling out the Karhah Prashad, no discrimination should be made on considerations of caste or ancestry or being regarded, by some, as untouchable, of persons within the congregation.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Living in Consonance with Guru’s Tenets A Sikh should not kill his daughter, nor should he

maintain any relationship with a killer of daughter. He who regards another man’s daughter as his own daughter, regards another man’s wife as his mother, has coition with his own wife alone, he alone is a truly disciplined Sikh of the Guru. pr bytI ko bytI jwnY[ pr iesqRI ko mwq bKwnY[ Consider other’s daughter as your own, consider other’s ife as your mother. eykw nwrI jqI hoie pr nwrI DI BYx vKwxY] Having one women as wife he (the Sikh) is a celibate and considers any other's wife his

.

daughter or a sister

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Purity The superstition as to the pollution of food and water in consequence of birth must not be subscribed “The birth and death are by His ordinance; coming and going is by His will. All food and water are, in principle, clean, for these life-sustaining substances are provided by Him.” jy kir sUqku mMnIAY sB qY sUqku hoie ] If one accepts the concept of impurity, then there is impurity everywhere.  

gohy AqY lkVI AMdir kIVw hoie ] In cow-dung and wood there are worms.

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Amrit Sanchar  Any man or woman of any country, religion or cast

who embraces Sikhism and solemnly undertakes to abide by its principles is entitled to Amrit sanchar  At the place where Amrit sanchar is to be

administered, the holy Guru Granth Sahib should be installed and ceremonially opened. Also present should be six committed baptized Sikhs, one of whom should sit in attendance of the Guru Granth Sahib and the other five should be there to administer the ambrosial baptism. These six may even include Sikh women.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Anand Karaj  A Sikh man and woman should

enter wedlock without giving thought to the prospective spouse’s caste and descent.  The marriage party should be as small a number of people as the girl’s people desire.  Consulting horoscopes for determining which day or date is auspicious or otherwise for fixing the day of the marriage is a sacrilege. Any day that the parties find suitable by mutual consultation should be fixed.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Anand Karaj No Sikh should accept a match for his/her son or

daughter for monetary consideration. The girl’s and boy’s people should keep accepting each other’s hospitality, because the Guru has joined them in relationship of equality.

 If a woman’s husband has

died, she may, if she so wishes, finding a match suitable for her, remarry. For a Sikh man whose wife has died, similar ordinance obtains. Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Mata Bhag Kaur Power of Inspiration

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Anandpur 1705 AD

• Year 1705, Fort of Anandpur. • Guru Gobind Singh jee and his sikhs are inside the fort • Huge Armies of Aurangzeb and hill chiefs have surrounded the fort.

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• Hill Chiefs make an offer to Guruji • They promise to allow free passage to Guruji and his sikhs if they abandon the fort.

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•Guruji knew that hill chiefs will go back on their word •Unfortunately the sikh soldiers could not see through their intentions

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

The Sikhs are subjected to multiple adversities: 1.Huge enemy forces to fight with. 2.Food and ammunition running out. 3.Sikhs dead tired from the protracted battle, longing to see their families.

Confronted by such adversities, Sikhs plead to Guruji to accept the enemy’s proposal and abandon the fort.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

• Guruji refused • Even then Sikhs plead to Guruji everyday. . • Guruji told them to submit BEDAWA if they really desired to leave.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

• Sikhs were dumbfounded. • On the one hand were Guruji, on the other hand were their families. • Eventually the desire to meet their families won over them and they became ready to write the BEDAWA.

• 40

sikhs under the leadership of Maha Singh wrote the

BEDAWA

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• On meeting their families, Sikhs face severe criticism for abandoning Guruji. • Mata Bhag Kaur also stays in the same village where these 40 sikhs stayed. • Her grandfather Bhai Langaha, had served under Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Hargobind jee

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

• Since childhood Mai Bhago was deeply attached to Sikhi. • Events/atrocities like martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, injustice done to the Sikhs and their harassment by the Mughal army, martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur had left a great impact on her. • She wanted to commit herself to stop injustice and violence against the Sikhs. • Bravery and courage ran in her blood. • She was well built and possessed soldier like features. • After accepting Amrit, she came to be known as Bhag Kaur Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

• As a child, she longed to stay at Anandpur, learn the martial arts and become a soldier in Guruji’s sikh army, but her family did not approve of this. • Back home, she started learning the art of warfare and horse riding from her father. • Soon she became a staunch saint soldier. • Meanwhile, she was married to Bhai Nidhan Singh of village Patti near Amritsar.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

•She came to know that some Sikhs of her area had deserted Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib and renounced his Guruship in writing. •She inspired many women to dress as soldiers and fight for Guruji. •She exhorted the ladies not to entertain the 40 sikhs who deserted Guruji to the extent of not allowing them to enter their houses. •She provoked and inspired the 40 sikhs to win over their cowardice, to be ready to die for Guruji. Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

• It was due to her encouragement that the 40 sikhs realized their guilt. • They took oath  to die fighting and not to retreat from the battlefield. • The 40 Sikhs, accompanied by Mata Bhag Kaur, marched Truth Is High, Higher is Truthful Living, p62, and Sri Guru Granth Sahib toStillhelp Guruji

• On their way, they came to know that the Guru was camping at the lake of Khidrana, near Mukatsar. • Mughal forces were proceeding towards Guruji • Mai Bhago and the party decided to intercept the Mughal army proceeding towards the Guru

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

• They knew that the Mughal army was huge and they were only forty.

• Still they fought, aware of the fact that they would never win but they had to prove a point. Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Mai Bhag Kaur herself fought in the front lines. Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

• The mercenary soldiers could not face the devoted Sikhs. • The Guru from the mound near the lake supported the Sikhs with showers of arrows. • The Mughal army generals took to their heels and retreated to save their lives.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

• Guru jee came down from the mound and found that every member of Bhag Kaur’s party was either dead or ounded. • Mai Bhag Kaur was lying badly injured. • She was treated and soon she recovered fully.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

• Bhai Maha Singh was dying when Guru Ji reached him. • Guru Ji put some water in Bhai Mahan Singh’s mouth and said to him, “I am proud of you all. What is your last wish? • Mahan Singh requested the Guru to forgive all the deserters. Guru jee tore the Bedawa

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

• The 40 Muktas(Liberated ones) are remembered daily in the Sikh prayers • A great fair is held every year in January in memory of the Guru’s arrival there and redemption of the disunited.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

• The Guru acknowledged Mai Bhago for her bravery and courage. • Mai Bhago wished to stay with Guruji and serve him. • Her wish was granted and she stayed with the Guru as a member of his bodyguards.

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

• She accompanied the Guruji to Damdama Sahib, Agra, and Nanded. • After Guruji left for heavenly abode , she left Nanded and settled in Bidar. She stayed their till she left this world. • There is a Gurdwara built in her memory near the main Gurdwara Sachkhand at Nanded. Her spear is still preserved at the Gurdwara along with the arms of Guru Gobind Singh. • The place where she used to meditate in Bidar is also built into a gurudwara.(about 10km from Nanak Jheera Saheb Gurudwara in Bidar).

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

• She was a symbol of: • Inspiration • Bravery and courage. • Selfless devotion and sacrifice to Guruji. • Determination

• Her example inspired many brave Sikh ladies to face death with honor.

Mai Bhago’s guns

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Thank you

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Panel Discussion Gender Equality or Self Realization?

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Gender Equality or Self Realization

What is the real issue? Gender Equality or Self Realization

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Thank you

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Power of Faith Meer Manu's Jail

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Oxford Dictionary Faith = firm belief without logic Faith = you do an activity expecting a result, but result not guaranteed. “He will Save me! ”

“I’m gonna be a millionaire!”

“Im in Safe hands!” Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Power of Faith Meer Manu's Jail

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

THE MARTYRDOM OF BANDA BAHADUR Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Bhai Taru Singh gave his scalp but not his FAITH Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

The heads of Sikhs brought before the Sultan for a payment of 5 rupees. Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Sikhs being tortured before being beheaded Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Sikhs, while undergoing all these cruelties kept their morale and spirits high. To express there feelings, there is a folk saying of that period: "We are like plants and Mannu a sickle, all know. The more he cuts us, the more we grow."

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Sikh Women being made to grind tons of wheat in jails Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Children massacred in front of them Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Women made to wear the garlands made of their childrens' dismembered body parts Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

jy suKu dyih q quJih ArwDI duiK BI quJY iDAweI ]2]

If You will bless me with happiness, then I will worship and adore You. Even in pain, I will meditate on You. ||2|| jy BuK dyih q ieq hI rwjw duK ivic sUK mnweI ]3]

Even if You give me hunger, I will still feel satisfied; I am joyful, even in the midst of sorrow. ||3|| - Guru Ramdaas Ji Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

aulwhno mY kwhU n dIE ] I don't blame anyone else.

mn mIT quhwro kIE ]1] rhwau ] Whatever You do is sweet to my mind. ||1||Pause||

AwigAw mwin jwin suKu pwieAw suin suin nwmu quhwro jIE ] Understanding and obeying Your Order, I have found peace; hearing, listening to Your Name, I live.

eIhW aUhw hir qum hI qum hI iehu gur qy mMqRü idRVIE ] 1] Here and hereafter, O Lord, You, only You. The Guru has implanted this Mantra within me. ||1|| - Guru Arjan Dev Ji Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

The martyrdom and unparalleled sacrifices of the great Sikh women and their children are remembered by Sikhs in their prayer : "Let us remember the women who suffered in the jail of Mannu, remained hungry, worked heavy stone mills, watched their children being pierced by the spears and got their body pieces around their necks ... keeping their sacrifices in mind let all of Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Gurudwara Shaheed Ganj Singh Singhnian, Lahore Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Thank you

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Female Foeticide and Sikhism

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Female Foeticide

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Month

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Month

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Month

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Month

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Month

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Month

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Month

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Month

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Month

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Month 1 Cradled in your cozy womb, Step by step, my life blooms

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Month 2 You nurture me and protect me too Together we shall explore the world new

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Month 3 I can feel your emotions and your touch I already care for you very much Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Month Month 4 4 Bound by a heartbeat, we are so I am now complete from head to Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Month 5 Month You have learnt that I am a girl today Why has your mood turned gloomy and grey? Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Gurbani’s Perspective  We are born of woman, we are conceived in the womb of woman, we are engaged and married to woman. We make friendship with woman and the lineage continued because of woman. When one woman dies, we take another one, we are bound with the world through woman. Why should we talk ill of her, who gives birth to kings? The woman is born from woman; there is none without her. Only the One True Lord is without woman" (Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Var Asa, Ang 473) Women and men, all the men and women, all came from the One Primal Lord God Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Why Female Foeticide ??  Sons only can carry the family name forward (?)

Second Issue

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

 Men are more capable (?)

Beti

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

 Sons – Old age insurance (?)

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Thank you

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib

References  The Role and Status of Women in Sikhism, Dr. M.K. Gill  http://www.sikhwomen.com/  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Sikhism  http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Sikh_Women  http://www.projectnaad.com/  http://www.see-q.net/features/sikhwoman.html  http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/great-sikh-women/great-sikh-women.html  http://www.sikhs.org/women.htm  http://www.sikhnarimanch.com/content.asp?id=98124555&cat=10&parentid=0  http://www.sikhspirit.com/khalsa/news51.htm  http://www.searchsikhism.com/women.html  http://www.realsikhism.com/faq/women.html  http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/history-of-sikhism/2938-mai-bhago-noble-brave-sikh-women.html  http://www.advancedcentrepunjabi.org/eos/WOMEN%20IN%20SIKHISM.html  http://www.mrsikhnet.com/index.php/2006/11/27/women-in-sikhism-gender-inequality/  http://wapedia.mobi/en/Women_in_Sikhism  http://www.worldsikhcouncil.org/press/2003/ConfrenceWomenRights.html  http://www.sikhs.org/women_h.htm

Truth Is High, Higher Still is Truthful Living, p62, Sri Guru Granth Sahib