Question 1

Asa Ki Var - To end the cycle of birth and rebirth

Accepted Answer

There was a king by the name of Sarang He had three sons. The eldest son’s name was Asraaj, the second son was Khan and the third was Sultan. During the early childhood of Asraaj, the King called various astrologers to advise him on how his eldest son (Asraaj) could be a great warrior and a leader. The astrologers advised that the Prince should be isolated in a ground pit for 12 years. So the King made a large ground pit, which included all the facilities for the Prince. After completing 12 years, Asraaj was released from the isolation. After meeting his father, he was asked to meet his mothers. He met his mother as well his step-mothers. While meeting his youngest step-mother, she was astonished with Asraaj’s looks and persuaded him to marry her. Asraaj being a very obedient son, declined the proposal although she threatened him that she will get him killed. The young queen persuaded the King by her tricky conspiracy to punish Asraaj. She blamed him of raping her.
 
Without investigating, the King ordered his minister to hang Asraaj out of his kingdom and bring along any part of his limb as a proof of the execution. The minister felt very sorry for Asraaj since he was innocent. In order to prove the execution, he chopped Asraaj’s hand and threw him into a shallow watered well, instead of killing him. Two days later, a group of traders who were passing by stopped at the well and found him. They quickly took him out and treated him. They took him along and sold him to a washer man (DobI) who raised him like his own son. Asraaj used to help him in washing and delivering the clothes.
One day, the King of the country where Asraaj lived died. The king had no successors to his throne and the ministers decided that the first person that opens the gates by touching them during dawn should be made the king. Coincidently, Asraaj came in the morning to deliver the washed cloths to the palace. When his chopped hand touched the door, it opened by itself.
 
Observing this miracle, he was announced to be the new king. King Asraaj ruled the country very fairly and all the people were very happy with his generosity. After a few years, drought hit many neighboring countries, which included his father’s kingdom. He distributed grains openhandedly to all the neighboring countries. When his popularity spread everywhere his father (King Sarang) urged his ministers to take him to King Asraaj, not knowing that King Asraaj is his own son. King Asraaj greeted his father with royal salutation and the true identity of King Asraaj was revealed to King Sarang.
 
King Sarang was very happy and decided to crown Asraaj as the King of his own kingdom. Knowing this, the other two brothers Khan and Sultan, rebelled against King Asraaj. They waged a war to takeover the kingdom form their elder brother. Protecting the sovereignty of his kingdom, King Asraaj fought the war very intelligently and bravely. He won the war and his bravery became an example before the world. Therefore, his poem was very popular.
The dhadhis who came to Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji’s court at Sri Akal Takhat sang the same poem, which reads as follows;
 
ਭਭਕਿਓ ਸ਼ੇਰ ਸਰਦੂਲ ਰਾਇ ਰਣ ਮਾਰੂ ਬੱਜੇ|| ਖਾਨ ਸੁਲਤਾਨ ਬਡ ਸੂਰਮੇ ਵਿਚ ਰਣ ਦੇ ਗੱਜੇ|| ਖਤ ਲਿਖੇ ਟੁੰਡੇ ਅਸਰਾਜ ਨੂੰ ਪਤਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਅੱਜੇ|| ਟਿੱਕਾ ਸਾਰੰਗ ਬਾਪ ਨੇ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਭਰ ਲੱਜੇ|| ਫਤੇ ਪਾਇ ਅਸਰਾਇ ਜੀ ਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਘਰ ਸੱਜੇ||
 
According to Sampardai mahapurkh and Giani Singhs, the Dhunnis in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji were added by Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji.

Question 2

Sukhmani Sahib – to make each breath of the day fruitful. We take 24,000 Breaths a day on average and Sukhmani Sahib is made up of 24,000 words and sound symbols"

Accepted Answer

Where: Sri Ramsar Sahib, Amritsar
 
One day Baba Buddha Ji and Bhai Gurdaas Ji came to Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s Hazuri, , and with folded hands requested very humbly ‘Satguru Ji, we are representing your Sikhs who have requested for Gurbani upon reading which one can attain salvation easily and one’s daily breaths can be fruitful.’ Guru ji accepted the request and composed Sri Sukhmani Sahib (the Jewel of Happiness) at the bank of Ramsar Sarovar. After completing Sri Sukhmani Sahib, Guru ji said, ‘whoever reads this Bani, shall not only be liberated but will also make his/her daily average breaths, which computes to 24,000, fruitful.’
Sri Sukhmani Sahib has a total of 21,624 letters plus vowels, 2,373 foot letters and 3 extra letters which all totals to 24,000 and it equals to the average human breaths.

Question 3

Dakhni Oankaar - Spiritual meanings of the alphabet

Accepted Answer

Where: Oankaar Temple, Deccan
 
Uthanka: When Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was on their Udaasi (travels) in the South of India (Deccan) they came across a Temple on the Narbada riverbank dedicated to Shiva, named ‘Oankaar’. When Guru Ji was passing this Temple there was a Brahmin sitting inside teaching young children the Sanskrit alphabet. Guru Ji said to him, “O Brahmin, you are teaching these letters but do you know the meaning behind these?” The Brahmin replied, “I don’t know the meanings of the letters, I am just teaching them to the children so they can get educated and find employment as Brahmins.” Hearing this Guru Nanak Dev Ji told the Brahmin and the whole congregation there the deep spiritual and intrinsic meanings of each of the letters.
 
(Source: Katha of Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji Bhindranwale)

Question 4

Sidh Gost - Spirtual conversation of Guru Nanak Dev Ji with the Sidhs

Accepted Answer

Where: Sumer Mountain/Achal Batala/Kartarpur Sahib.
 
Uthanka: When Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji returned to Kartarpur Sahib after their 4 Udaasis, Baba Budha Ji and Bhai Lehna Ji asked Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, “Guru Sahib Ji! You have had many meetings with the Sidhs at Sumer Parbat and Achal Batala, please tell us about these!” At that time Guru Nanak Dev Ji said, “When we climbed the Sumer Parbat (mountain) there were many Sidhs sitting there, and seeing us they started to ask many questions.
Those questions which they asked, and the answers which we gave we complied into the ‘Sidh Gost’ Baani.” Hearing this both Baba Budha Ji and Bhai Lehna Ji asked Guru Ji to recite this Baani to them. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji recited the spiritual question and answer with the Sidhs to both Baba Budha Ji and Bhai Lehna Ji in Raag Raamkali.
(Source: Katha of Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji Bhindranwale)

Question 5

Baavan Akhri - The spiritual jewelry blessed to Mata Ganga Ji by Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Accepted Answer

Where: Sri Amritsar SahibWhen: Around 1590 AD (1647 Bikrami)
 
Uthanka: This Baani was firstly recited when a Pandit from Kaanshi came to Sri Amritsar Sahib to meet Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji. He requested Guru Sahib to bless him with the spiritual meanings of the 52 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet. Upon his request Guru Ji recited this Baani and elated the Pandit with Brahamgiaan.
 
The second time this Baani was recited around 1647 Bikrami when Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji created the Sri Taran Taaran Sahib Sarovar. Thousands of sangat from all around India came to have darshan. At that time Mata Ganga Ji (Mehal of Guru Sahib) asked permission from Maharaj to also do darshan and ishnan in the sarovar. On the day that Mata Ji went to Sri Taran Taaran Sahib, many other women hailing from wealthy families were also going to have darshan.
 
They were all dressed in expensive clothing and were wearing gold ornaments/ expensive jewelry. However Mata Ganga Ji was only dressed in very simple clothing and was wearing no jewelry. Seeing this the wealthy women asked Mata Ji, “Mata Ji you are respected by the whole Sikh congregation as Guru Ji’s wife, yet you wear such simple clothing?” Mata Ji didn’t say anything and after ishnan came back to Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
 
Mata Ji folded her hands and said to Guru Sahib, “Guru Ji! When I was walking to Taran Taaran Sahib the wealthy women asked me why I don’t wear any jewelry or expensive clothes.” Guru Ji said, “What type of jewelry would you like? The type that thieves can rob, or the type that will be beneficial to you in the next world?” At that time Mata Ji said, “Guru Ji! Bless me with that jewelry which will save my honor in the next world.” At that time Guru Arjan Dev Ji composed the Baani ‘Baavan Akhri’ and told Mata Ji to memorize this Baani.
Guru Ji said each Salok and Pauri in this Baani are like jewels placed on a thread. When Mata Ji asked Guru Sahib, “Guru Ji! Jewels are always placed in a box, what box will I place this Baani in?” At that time Guru Ji said, the Salok that is the beginning and at the end of this Baani are like the box, (Gurdev Mata Gurdev Pita).
 
Guru Ji said that it was imperative that the salok should be read both at the beginning and the end of the Baani. To make sure that Gursikhs don’t miss reading the saloks Guru Sahib Ji wrote ‘Ehu Salok Aadi Anth Parrna’ (read this Salok at the beginning and the end) at the end of the Baani.
 
(Source: Katha of Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji Bhindranwale)

NIHUNG SANTHIA

Nitnem Bania Uthanka

Jap Ji Sahib - The Giver Of Brahamgiaan

Jaap Sahib – To do Namaskar (Salutation) to Akal Purakh and explain the characteristics of Vaheguru

Tve Prasad Swaiyeh – To create Vairag (detachment from Maya/the world) and destroy Pakhand (false actions) and ego

Chaupai Sahib – A plea for protection of the mind and body

Anand Sahib – for the bliss of Jeevan mukti and liberation from the 8.4 Million life cycles

Rehras Sahib – To gain a space in Sachkhand

Rakhia De Shabad - Protection

Kirtan Sohila – To save us from the Jamdoots (angels of death) and protection

Panj Granthi Uthanka

Asa Ki Var - To end the cycle of birth and rebirth

Sukhmani Sahib – to make each breath of the day fruitful. We take 24,000 Breaths a day on average and Sukhmani Sahib is made up of 24,000 words and sound symbols"

Dakhni Oankaar - Spiritual meanings of the alphabet

Sidh Gost - Spirtual conversation of Guru Nanak Dev Ji with the Sidhs

Baavan Akhri - The spiritual jewelry blessed to Mata Ganga Ji by Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Nitnem Bani Uthanka Audio

Panj Granthi Uthanka Audio