An Audience with Guru Nanak
Although it may now feel like a lifetime ago, last winter, we celebrated the 550th year of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Jee's coming to this earth.
The theme Shabad of 2019 was the following verse composed by Bhai Gurdas Jee. It was sung worldwide; at Nanakana Sahib, Harimandir Sahib, and every local Gurdwara in between.
“੨੭ ਃ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੂਰਯੋਦਯ
Rise of Guru Nanak
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਆ ਮਿਟੀ ਧੁੰਧੁ ਜਗਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਆ।
Satiguru Naanaku Pragatiaa Mitee Dhoundhu Jagi Chaananu Hoaa.
With the emergence of the true Guru Nanak, the mist cleared and the light scattered all around.
ਜਿਉ ਕਰਿ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਨਿਕਲਿਆ ਤਾਰੇ ਛਪਿ ਅੰਧੇਰੁ ਪਲੋਆ*।
Jiu Kari Sooraju Nikaliaa Taaray Chhipay Andhayru Paloaa.
As if at the sunrise the stars disappeared and the darkness dispelled.
ਸਿੰਘ ਬੁਕੇ ਮਿਰਗਾਵਲੀ ਭੰਨੀ ਜਾਇ ਨ ਧੀਰਿ ਧਰੋਆ।
Singhu Boukay Miragaavalee Bhannee Jaai N Dheeri Dharoaa.
With the roar of the lion in the forest, the flocks of escaping deer now cannot have endurance.
ਜਿਥੇ ਬਾਬਾ ਪੈਰ ਧਰਿ ਪੂਜਾ ਆਸਣੁ ਥਾਪਣਿ ਸੋਆ।
Jiday Baabaa Pairu Dharay Poojaa Aasanu Daapani Soaa.
Wherever Baba put his feet, a religious place was erected and established.
ਸਿਧ ਆਸਣਿ ਸਭਿ ਜਗਤ ਦੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਦਿ ਮਤੇ ਜੇ ਕੋਆ।
Sidhaasani Sabhi Jagati Day Naanak Aadi Matay Jay Koaa.
All the siddh-places now have been renamed on the name of Nanak.
ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਧਰਮਸਾਲ ਹੋਵੈ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਸਦਾ ਵਿਸੋਆ।
Ghari Ghari Andari Dharamasaal Hovai Keeratanu Sadaa Visoaa.
Every home has become a place of Dharam where singing takes place.
ਬਾਬੇ ਤਾਰੇ ਚਾਰਿ ਚਕਿ ਨਉ ਖੰਡਿ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮੀ ਸਚਾ ਢੋਆ।
Baabay Taaray Chaari Chaki Nau Khandi Pridavee Sachaa Ddhoaa.
Baba liberated all four directions and nine divisions of earth.
ਗੁਰਮਖਿ ਕਲਿ ਵਿਚ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਆ ॥੨੭॥
Guramoukhi Kali Vichi Paragatu Hoaa||27||
Gurmukh (Guru Nanak) has emerged in this kaliyug, the dark age.”
Reading this Shabad again in 2020 it feels as though the perfect and all-knowing Guru was preparing us to become the beacon of light in our very own homes. Certainly, the line ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਧਰਮਸਾਲ ਹੋਵੈ (every home has become a place of worship) rings true in the arena of the COVID-19 global pandemic we are now living through.
Whereas the celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Jee's Avtarpurb in 2019 were filled with exciting travels to Nankana Sahib, huge Nagar Keertans and week-long Smagams, a year on, celebrating in 2020 will look and feel different in many ways, but no less meaningful.
All of us have been compelled to turn our personal spaces into sacred spaces as the global pandemic of 2020 has restricted our usual access to Sangat and shared Sikhi experiences. Time spent physically distanced has given us an opportunity to reflect on our internal state of mind and spend time with the spirit inside us. We have worked hard to turn our homes into Dharmasaals and have individually been challenged to become the Keertanis, the Degh makers, the Granthis and the Laangarees as we adapt our spiritual practices to reflect our current circumstances.
With the grace of Guru Nanak, each and every one of us has risen nobly to the occasion. Sikhs across the globe have used their faith to guide themselves in the Pandemic and to used their homes to serve others, be it through broadcasting live Kirtan, cooking for and feeding the vulnerable in their local communities or organising online get-togethers to do Veechar and read Gurbani together.
Certainly for the vast majority of students studying in the year 2020, navigating the year hasn't been as easy as those that walked before them. But they have risen to the challenge with strength, fortitude, grace and a sense of Chardi Kala.
On Sunday 29th November 2020, the students of the UK have united to offer an online event to celebrate the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Jee.
An Audience with Guru Nanak
An Audience with Guru Nanak Dev Jee
Sunday 29th November 2020
16:00 - 18:00 (online)
The British Organisation of Sikh Students (BOSS) and UK Sikh students have come together to collectively celebrate the 551st Birth Anniversary of the founder of the Sikh Faith - Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Jee.
Join us as we welcome educators, inspirers, creators, musicians & performers from across the globe pay homage to the trailblazer and revolutionary spirit that inspires us and lives within us. As you enter this space, you'll be granted an audience with Guru Nanak Dev Jee Themselves. Collectively we will become that Energy.
ਮਿਲਿ ਸਤਸੰਗਤਿ ਖੋਜੁ ਦਸਾਈ ਵਿਚਿ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਵਸੈ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥
Mil Sathasangath Khoj Dhasaaee Vich Sangath Har Prabh Vasai Jeeo ||2||
Joining the Sat Sangat, I inquire about the way to access the Divine. In that Gathering, the Divine Themselves abide. ||2||
The line up for the day will be announced in due course. (Follow our social media channels for the latest information.) With the Grace of Guru Nanak, there will be some truly blessed souls joining us. Watch this space. We humbly invite you to join us for our "An Audience with Guru Nanak" on the eve of Guru Nanak Dev Jee's 551st Avtarpurb as we discuss the revolutionary spirit and inner resilience shown to us by our fearless founder.