³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Jasvir Singh

Good morning. This weekend sees Sikhs as well as Hindus and Jains celebrating Diwali, or the festival of lights which marks the victory of light over darkness. For Sikhs, the festival coincides with the return of the 6th Guru or leader of the faith, Guru Hargobind, to the holy city of Amritsar following his false imprisonment by the Mughal emperor Jahangir exactly 400 years ago. Known as the ‘Day of liberation from imprisonment’ or Bandi Chhor Divas, the festival reminds Sikhs of the need to stay true to our beliefs and to protect the freedoms of others including political prisoners, particularly as the Guru himself refused to be set free until he had secured the release of 52 political prisoners being held alongside him. During his imprisonment, the Guru passed on major responsibilities for the management of Sikh preaching to Bhai Gurdas, one of his most trusted disciples. In one of his verses, Bhai Gurdas talks of how existence is temporary and fleeting, including the celebrations for Diwali, whilst the word of the Almighty is eternal:

Lamps are lit on the night of Diwali;
Stars of different varieties sparkle and appear in the sky;
In gardens there are flowers which are carefully chosen and plucked;
Pilgrims can be seen going to places of pilgrimage.
The imaginary habitats have been seen coming into existence and then vanishing, going to a higher place.
All these are momentary, but those who follow the Guru with the help of the shabad, the word, nourish the gift of the fruit of happiness.

Wishing everyone a very happy Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas.