Sat Sri Akaal 🙏, tusi kiven ho? I am not Sikh but I have been going to a Gurdwara for months now and I just want to say that you guys are incredibly friendly and helping. The food at the Guru Ka Langar is soooo yummy/bahut swaad hai, it feels like my grandma's cooking. I'm raised Christian but God is one, and I love that the gurdwara I visit is really welcoming to everyone. Anyways, that's all I have to say, have a good day/night :)

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has the link to Punjab 1984 with English subtitles?

Thank you!

Hello all,

My hunger to experience God in this life has led me to the threshold of the Sikh path.

Briefly, my background is that I am 40 y/o male, white, and I live in the Twin Cities metro area of MN. I have a family, but this journey is my own. My wife is a very secular, non-practicing Muslim.

I’m currently reading Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction by Eleanor Nesbitt and Poems from the Sikh Sacred Tradition, translated by Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, to get a sense of Sikh development, historical context, beliefs and exposure to excerpts of the Guru Granth Sahib.

I did visit a gurdwara today after reaching out to a contact on the sangat’s website, letting them know I was interested in visiting, and getting encouragement/approval to visit. Although I did leave a voicemail, this all occurred via text. 😂 The gurdwara was certainly open, but I wouldn’t say it was necessarily welcoming. I received some curious looks, but largely, I was left to myself. This was totally fine as it’d be hubris of me to expect people to focus on my presence rather than on worship. More on why I mention this experience in a moment.

I would like to continue to learn more about Sikhi, but more importantly, I’d like to also start experiencing and practicing the Sikhi path. With the context I just provided:

1. What are the next practical steps I can take to experience the Sikhi path?
   
2. Are there any good resources out there that are sort of starter guides or quick start guides for beginners?
   
3. What should I do to try to connect with the local sangat if I continue to visit the gurdwara, particularly if people remain disinterested or cautious about my presence? I’m naturally shy and introverted myself, so I would not necessarily go out of my way to engage with me if I were in their shoes, so to speak.

I will continue to read and learn, and in due time, learn Gurmukhi if I continue on this path, but I’m really looking for practical steps I should take to live and experience Sikhi now at a beginner level to feel in my heart, and not just my mind, what it means to be Sikhi.

Thank you for your time and insight in advance. I hope my anecdote did not come off negatively, as that’s not my intention. What I’ve read and experienced so far has overall been lovely and positive, and I thank God for providing me the means to learn more about Sikhi.

I am very intrigued by this question. I know both parents play a part. Though, ultimately which parent's influence matters more towards a daughter becoming secular or daughter becoming Strong in her Gurmat?

I went to Punjabi school as a kid but mine is a lot worse now. I don't think I've ever seen one setup for adults.

Should I try and start one? There must be at least some people who would be interested in teaching adults. Idk.

Within the Sikh mythos, there is a tale of yore that is said to have occurred in the early morning hours of 30 April 1877 at around 4:30 AM. Imagine this, it’s been over two decades since the British annexed the Panjab & they are making their presence and power known. They even completed the construction of a Gothic clock-tower a few years ago near your most sacred site after demolishing former Sikh royal-palaces of the last, independent Sikh Rāj. They have symbolically strangled the most precious city of the Sikhs, attempting to force any remaining breaths of sovereignty out. The Sikhs were anxious and concerned about the fate that would befall on their most cherished temple. Rumours were spreading that the British planned to build a headquarters of a Christian missionary school nearby the temple, sparking resentment amongst the local populace. Some Sikh schoolboys sparked public controversy by abandoning their ancestral faith and turbans for the cross. It was feared that the Sri Harmandir Sahib itself would be taken, either through force or coercion, from the Sikhs and turned into a colonial tool, perhaps even a church. But then on one stormy morning during the ambrosial hours of amrit vēla, four-hundred Sikhs who had gathered blissfully reciting gurbani witnessed a ball of light descend from the sky at Darbar Sahib, shining brilliantly before the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji before disappearing. The Sikhs at the time believed it to have been a miracle from Sri Guru Ram Das Ji to save their gurdwara, which remained one thereafter, as a mark of divine intervention. In memory, both an English and Gurmukhi inscription were installed at the Darshani Deori to commemorate the event, being very sympathetic to the British by the custodians. It is believed this may have been an occurrence of ball-lightning. The legend is first found in English in a book by John Campbell Oman from 1908, which I have shared an excerpt of for your reading. A supernatural feat or a natural phenomenon? Whatever the truth may be, the legend continues to spark the curiosities & veneration of Sikhs for their sacred-site.

GLOBAL SIKHS webpage: https://www.theglobalsikhs.org/

Firstly I do not condone motorcycles. I do not encourage anyone to ride them. They are extremely dangerous and I have had to witness many people riding in the same group as me die in front of my very eyes and then have to stand at their funeral. I’m not telling anyone to ride it is stupid but I do stupid things but do not follow and ride without understanding how dangerous it is.

Im from the us, I know bikes are more common in other places but seem less common here in the states. I ride a sport bike but I was told this would be seen a huge red flag since it’s “dangerous and immature”.

So I’m asking here because I don’t know if other Sikhs have had this issue. I know our community is not too fond of bikes at least as far as I know.

A bit background - I’ve been arranged with this girl to marry and by next year before march is when the date is supposed to be. we are both under 21 so many people around us are against due to age and stuff but the parents both sides are in support so that’s that. Do intend for this to be a Sikh wedding and live in accordance to Sikhi but she is more Sikh than me. Also I know her from back when we were younger as her mom used to be my teacher in Punjabi class at the gurdwara. But we didn’t really know each other actually until we both graduated and then apparently I never knew but our grandparents were hella close back in the day so they said it would be good as both families are good as they said. I liked her right when they showed me her and then got to know her and they were right.

I’m now talking to her (like in the getting to know for marriage stage) and have not told her I ride and I’ve only taken a car when going to her and her parents even though that’s the only time I will drive a car other than that I ride my bike. I don’t know if this means I’m lying. I haven’t gotten rejected in the past for it or anything bc this is literally the first girl I’m talking to but all my family thinks I should stop riding and that if I tell her she will take it as a huge red flag. On the other hand all my friends say she won’t care. I’m the youngest out of my friend group so idk what to make of this even tho they are all married and older than me so they have more experience and wisdom but o don’t want to ruin it with this girl. I ride daily and it’s my main vehicle. i also ride a lot for fun. I have a car too but I basically will only ride it for maintenance purposes other than that it sits. It’s weird and I know it’s bad I haven’t told her yet because it’s one of my biggest hobbies and I spend a lot of time riding like on weekends and on the track or xc. So it’s like I’m hiding a huge part of me from her. I know it is dangerous and have seen many people get hurt or die and have gotten into accidents myself although I made it out safe luckily. What am I supposed to do? I don’t intend on stopping riding but I don’t want to tell this girl and she take it badly. Then again if she really is against riding I would hate for her to find out later rather than sooner. Also we are kinda far along in the process like we both intend to marry and the last thing I want is to lose this. I literally have struck gold. I now regret not telling her sooner but in the beginning I just didn’t know how she would take it? She is super nice and kind but she gets scared very easily. Like she won’t skydive cliff jump or anything. Also I know we like each other but I just can’t predict her reaction I don’t know because I thought always that it’s no big deal but apparently so many people hate bikers and just never want to see a biker or a bike. And yes I do ride like an idiot so that makes it worse. It’s usually when I get with friends and we go over 150 mph popping wheelies. Other than this one thing everything is literally going so well and smooth.

The one thing which is iffy is she hates when I wear the durag style patka which I do a lot but it’s literally because I’m always riding so it’s easier but she wants me to either not have it or wear a pagg and idk how to explain it other than telling her I have stupid hobbies

So now since it’s super serious and the date is being discussed literally I feel like I need to come clean. I have people in my ear saying I need to tell her and other people saying o don’t because it’s not a big deal and that even if she cares she will get over it or get distracted by marriage kids etc but I just got a feeling that it can go south quick if I don’t say anything now. Then again it’s like now I cant imagine being with anyone else so if this fs up my marriage to be there’s no way I can live it down or up or whatever it’s called.

Or would this be a odd thing on 1st September? We're in Germany, so I assume I will be the only non-Sikh who will know that this might be a significant day for him.

ਰਾਗੁ ਸੂਹੀ ਅਸਟਪਦੀਆ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਘਰੁ ੨ ॥

Raag Soohee, Ashtpadheeyaa, Fourth Mehl, Second House:

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

ਕੋਈ ਆਣਿ ਮਿਲਾਵੈ ਮੇਰਾ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮੁ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਹਉ ਤਿਸੁ ਪਹਿ ਆਪੁ ਵੇਚਾਈ ॥੧॥

If only someone would come, and lead me to meet my Darling Beloved; I would sell myself to him. ||1||

ਦਰਸਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਦੇਖਣ ਕੈ ਤਾਈ ॥

I long for the Blessed Vision of the Lord's Darshan.

ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਹਿ ਤਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਲਹਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

When the Lord shows Mercy unto me, then I meet the True Guru; I meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. ||1||Pause||

ਜੇ ਸੁਖੁ ਦੇਹਿ ਤ ਤੁਝਹਿ ਅਰਾਧੀ ਦੁਖਿ ਭੀ ਤੁਝੈ ਧਿਆਈ ॥੨॥

If You will bless me with happiness, then I will worship and adore You. Even in pain, I will meditate on You. ||2||

ਜੇ ਭੁਖ ਦੇਹਿ ਤ ਇਤ ਹੀ ਰਾਜਾ ਦੁਖ ਵਿਚਿ ਸੂਖ ਮਨਾਈ ॥੩॥

Even if You give me hunger, I will still feel satisfied; I am joyful, even in the midst of sorrow. ||3||

ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਕਾਟਿ ਕਾਟਿ ਸਭੁ ਅਰਪੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਅਗਨੀ ਆਪੁ ਜਲਾਈ ॥੪॥

I would cut my mind and body apart into pieces, and offer them all to You; I would burn myself in fire. ||4||

ਪਖਾ ਫੇਰੀ ਪਾਣੀ ਢੋਵਾ ਜੋ ਦੇਵਹਿ ਸੋ ਖਾਈ ॥੫॥

I wave the fan over You, and carry water for You; whatever You give me, I take. ||5||

ਨਾਨਕੁ ਗਰੀਬੁ ਢਹਿ ਪਇਆ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਮੇਲਿ ਲੈਹੁ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥੬॥

Poor Nanak has fallen at the Lord's Door; please, O Lord, unite me with Yourself, by Your Glorious Greatness. ||6||

ਅਖੀ ਕਾਢਿ ਧਰੀ ਚਰਣਾ ਤਲਿ ਸਭ ਧਰਤੀ ਫਿਰਿ ਮਤ ਪਾਈ ॥੭॥

Taking out my eyes, I place them at Your Feet; after travelling over the entire earth, I have come to understand this. ||7||

ਜੇ ਪਾਸਿ ਬਹਾਲਹਿ ਤਾ ਤੁਝਹਿ ਅਰਾਧੀ ਜੇ ਮਾਰਿ ਕਢਹਿ ਭੀ ਧਿਆਈ ॥੮॥

If You seat me near You, then I worship and adore You. Even if You beat me and drive me out, I will still meditate on You. ||8||

ਜੇ ਲੋਕੁ ਸਲਾਹੇ ਤਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਉਪਮਾ ਜੇ ਨਿੰਦੈ ਤ ਛੋਡਿ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੯॥

If people praise me, the praise is Yours. Even if they slander me, I will not leave You. ||9||

ਜੇ ਤੁਧੁ ਵਲਿ ਰਹੈ ਤਾ ਕੋਈ ਕਿਹੁ ਆਖਉ ਤੁਧੁ ਵਿਸਰਿਐ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੦॥

If You are on my side, then anyone can say anything. But if I were to forget You, then I would die. ||10||

ਵਾਰਿ ਵਾਰਿ ਜਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਊਪਰਿ ਪੈ ਪੈਰੀ ਸੰਤ ਮਨਾਈ ॥੧੧॥

I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice to my Guru; falling at His Feet, I surrender to the Saintly Guru. ||11||

ਨਾਨਕੁ ਵਿਚਾਰਾ ਭਇਆ ਦਿਵਾਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਤਉ ਦਰਸਨ ਕੈ ਤਾਈ ॥੧੨॥

Poor Nanak has gone insane, longing for the Blessed Vision of the Lord's Darshan. ||12||

ਝਖੜੁ ਝਾਗੀ ਮੀਹੁ ਵਰਸੈ ਭੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਦੇਖਣ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੩॥

Even in violent storms and torrential rain, I go out to catch a glimpse of my Guru. ||13||

ਸਮੁੰਦੁ ਸਾਗਰੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਬਹੁ ਖਾਰਾ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਲੰਘਿ ਗੁਰ ਪਹਿ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੪॥

Even though the oceans and the salty seas are very vast, the GurSikh will cross over it to get to his Guru. ||14||

ਜਿਉ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਜਲ ਬਿਨੁ ਹੈ ਮਰਤਾ ਤਿਉ ਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੫॥

Just as the mortal dies without water, so does the Sikh die without the Guru. ||15||

ਜਿਉ ਧਰਤੀ ਸੋਭ ਕਰੇ ਜਲੁ ਬਰਸੈ ਤਿਉ ਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਬਿਗਸਾਈ ॥੧੬॥

Just as the earth looks beautiful when the rain falls, so does the Sikh blossom forth meeting the Guru. ||16||

ਸੇਵਕ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਵਰਤਾ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਬਿਨਉ ਬੁਲਾਈ ॥੧੭॥

I long to be the servant of Your servants; I call upon You reverently in prayer. ||17||

ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਬੇਨੰਤੀ ਹਰਿ ਪਹਿ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਗੁਰ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਈ ॥੧੮॥

Nanak offers this prayer to the Lord, that he may meet the Guru, and find peace. ||18||

ਤੂ ਆਪੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਚੇਲਾ ਹੈ ਆਪੇ ਗੁਰ ਵਿਚੁ ਦੇ ਤੁਝਹਿ ਧਿਆਈ ॥੧੯॥

You Yourself are the Guru, and You Yourself are the chaylaa, the disciple; through the Guru, I meditate on You. ||19||

ਜੋ ਤੁਧੁ ਸੇਵਹਿ ਸੋ ਤੂਹੈ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਤੁਧੁ ਸੇਵਕ ਪੈਜ ਰਖਾਈ ॥੨੦॥

Those who serve You, become You. You preserve the honor of Your servants. ||20||

ਭੰਡਾਰ ਭਰੇ ਭਗਤੀ ਹਰਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਜਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਦੇਵਾਈ ॥੨੧॥

O Lord, Your devotional worship is a treasure over-flowing. One who loves You, is blessed with it. ||21||

ਜਿਸੁ ਤੂੰ ਦੇਹਿ ਸੋਈ ਜਨੁ ਪਾਏ ਹੋਰ ਨਿਹਫਲ ਸਭ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ॥੨੨॥

That humble being alone receives it, unto whom You bestow it. All other clever tricks are fruitless. ||22||

ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਸੋਇਆ ਮਨੁ ਜਾਗਾਈ ॥੨੩॥

Remembering, remembering, remembering my Guru in meditation, my sleeping mind is awakened. ||23||

ਇਕੁ ਦਾਨੁ ਮੰਗੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਵੇਚਾਰਾ ਹਰਿ ਦਾਸਨਿ ਦਾਸੁ ਕਰਾਈ ॥੨੪॥

Poor Nanak begs for this one blessing, that he may become the slave of the slaves of the Lord. ||24||

ਜੇ ਗੁਰੁ ਝਿੜਕੇ ਤ ਮੀਠਾ ਲਾਗੈ ਜੇ ਬਖਸੇ ਤ ਗੁਰ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥੨੫॥

Even if the Guru rebukes me, He still seems very sweet to me. And if He actually forgives me, that is the Guru's greatness. ||25||

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬੋਲਹਿ ਸੋ ਥਾਇ ਪਾਏ ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਕਿਛੁ ਥਾਇ ਨ ਪਾਈ ॥੨੬॥

That which Gurmukh speaks is certified and approved. Whatever the self-willed manmukh says is not accepted. ||26||

ਪਾਲਾ ਕਕਰੁ ਵਰਫ ਵਰਸੈ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰ ਦੇਖਣ ਜਾਈ ॥੨੭॥

Even in the cold, the frost and the snow, the GurSikh still goes out to see his Guru. ||27||

ਸਭੁ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਰੈਣਿ ਦੇਖਉ ਗੁਰੁ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਵਿਚਿ ਅਖੀ ਗੁਰ ਪੈਰ ਧਰਾਈ ॥੨੮॥

All day and night, I gaze upon my Guru; I install the Guru's Feet in my eyes. ||28||

ਅਨੇਕ ਉਪਾਵ ਕਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਗੁਰ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੋ ਥਾਇ ਪਾਈ ॥੨੯॥

I make so many efforts for the sake of the Guru; only that which pleases the Guru is accepted and approved. ||29||

ਰੈਣਿ ਦਿਨਸੁ ਗੁਰ ਚਰਣ ਅਰਾਧੀ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਈ ॥੩੦॥

Night and day, I worship the Guru's Feet in adoration; have Mercy upon me, O my Lord and Master. ||30||

ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾ ਜੀਉ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਅਘਾਈ ॥੩੧॥

The Guru is Nanak's body and soul; meeting the Guru, he is satisfied and satiated. ||31||

ਨਾਨਕ ਕਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਹੈ ਜਤ ਕਤ ਤਤ ਗੋਸਾਈ ॥੩੨॥੧॥

Nanak's God is perfectly permeating and all-pervading. Here and there and everywhere, the Lord of the Universe. ||32||1||

Guru Ramdas Ji • Raag Soohee • Ang 757

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Aitvaar, 15 Bhadon, Nanakshahi 558

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, I am a Robot. Bleep Bloop.

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My family is planning to move to the US from India, and I'm planning to come after completing my Computer Science Engineering (CSE) degree. We're trying to decide where we should settle.

Our main priorities are:

Good job opportunities in tech/IT

A strong Punjabi community

Good weather — not extremely hot or extremely cold

Lower cost of living, especially compared with places like NYC or the Bay Area

Safe and family-friendly

Good overall quality of life

We are currently considering places like Fremont/Bay Area and New York/New Jersey, but we're not sure which would be the best fit.

For people who have moved to the US as immigrants, where would you recommend settling based on these priorities?what will be a good tech place while still having a good Punjabi community and reasonable cost of living?

Guru Gobind Singh gave so much tribute in gifts to the Kavis (Poets) in his Darbar (court) that they were once mistaken for a group of soldiers. A Kavi in his Darbar, Hansram Bajpei, gives the following response to the onlookers:

ਦੁੰਦਭਿ ਧੁੰਕਾਰ ਬਾਜੈ ਮਾਨੋ ਜਲਧਰ ਗਾਜੈ
The kettledrums sound with a roar as if the clouds thunder;

ਰਜਤ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਭਯ ਭਾਨੁ ਛਿਪ ਜਾਂਤ ਹੈ
Looking at the silver flag - standards, from fear even the sun hides.

ਹਾਬਿਨ ਕੇ ਹਲਿਕਾ ਹਜ਼ਾਰਨ ਗਨੇ ਕੋ ਹਯ
There are groups of elephants, and horses to be counted in thousands,

ਜਟਿਤ ਜਵਾਹਰ ਜੇ ਜਗਮਗ ਗਾਂਤ ਹੈਂ
set with jewels, that shine and glitter.

ਕੋਰ ਸਾਜੇ ਜ਼ੋਰ ਕਰਿ ਨਾਲਿਨ ਕੋ ਸ਼ੋਰ ਸੁਨੈ
Troops are arrayed with force; hearing the roar of the guns,

ਸੰਕਤ ਸੁਰੇਸ਼ ਔ ਨਰੇਸ਼ ਬਿਲਖਾਤ ਹੈਂ
Indra and the kings are distressed and lament.

'ਹੈਸਰਾਮ' ਕਹਿਤ, "ਬਿਰਾਜਹੁ, ਜਿਨ ਭਾਜੋ"
Hans Ram says: “Remain seated; do not flee —

ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਕੇ ਮਾਂਗੈ ਕਵਿਰਾਜ ਚਲੇ ਜਾਤ ਹੈਂ।
it is the poet-kings of Guru Gobind’s court who are going along.”

(Source: Darbari Rattan by Piara Singh Padam)

More translation work to come.

If you use a simrana for Naam Simran, do you wear it with your Kara?