PACHMI PARKASH - Global Sikh Studies

ealizing his error he asked for forgiveness. I told him to return home and not to come
here again but on returning home he died and he was reborn as this fish. Now still
remembering his meeting with me from his previous birth he had returned for
forgiveness, which I have done and now he is free from these cycles of birth."
Dhan Baba Karam Singh Ji Maharaj.
Gurus teaching
From the village of Shive a devotee called Bhai Ram Das Bhagat had come into Baba
Ji’s presence and humbly made a request, asking, “Maharaj Ji! It is my daughters
wedding and on your say should it be done to old Hindu Sanathan tradition or
according to Gurus Nanak Ji’s teachings?
Baba Ji replied saying, “Do it the way you see fit.” Baba Ji would never interfere with
people interested in traditions and customs as they always though that one should not
be forced into the Guru’s teachings but instead one should be made to understand
lovingly. But persistently Bhai Ram Das asked again, saying that Baba Ji should
enlighten him by telling them which was the best way. So Baba Ji asked him on how
in a Hindu Sanathan tradition wedding was carried out? Bhai Ram Das explained the
Brahmin tradition, saying that on the auspicious occasion the grooms wedding party
goes to the bride’s house and an introduction Milnee is done amongst relatives. Then
at night the Brahmin priest reads their wedding scriptures and burns a fire, around
which the couple walks. Now Baba Ji asked him that when they follow this tradition
and they read the scriptures do you understand it? Referring to what they read and try
to teach you.
He told Baba Ji that he understood nothing at all just that it is read in Sanskrit.
Then Baba Ji asked him, “Then what do they do according to the Gurus way?”
Ram Das replied, “Maharaj Ji! The groom’s family singing the Gurus hymns come to
the brides house and after a pray an introduction meeting is done and food is served.
Then in the evening food again is served and everyone rests for the night. Then early
the next morning at Amritvela in the presence of Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Maharaj the morning prayers are sung after a small prayer of a blessing is completed
in which groom and bride are given advice in their way of life according to their
religions ways. Then whilst reading the wedding scriptures the couple walk around
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj four times, after which the Gurus hymns are sung
and the prayer of Anand Sahib is read followed by a small prayer to complete the
ceremony with sweet meal then everyone is congratulated.”
Baba Ji asked him do you understand this or not? He replied saying he understood
everything.
Baba Ji then informed him saying, “Now you don’t have to ask me, just do the way
you understand.”
Listening to Baba Ji’s advice he went home and did just that and completed the whole
ceremony according to the Gurus teachings.
Baba Ji wanted him to understand himself, what was suitable and most sensible to
follow as if he learnt and understood it himself he would progress further quickly.
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