May 24, 2009 3HO's Kundalini Research Institute sends out a message for women from Yogi Bhajan's Library of Teachings every morning with great guidance to start your day. Today's went to my heart of understanding: Why wake up so early? Why do the Morning Blessing and bed yoga? Why cold showers? Why tie a turban? Wahe Nitnem Paath? Why intensive Sat Kriyas and the Aquarian sadhana? Why breathe the Guru and chant continuous mantras?
It does not mean we are fanatic. Fanatics are people who do not listen. I am just a woman, double you oh man, wow(!)man; Infinity, the primal power.
Here is Yogi Bhajan's quote, a great affirmation and an inspiration for women to follow his teachings--excellent ways to face daily drudgery and obstacles on the spiritual path that challenge our grace:
I Am A Woman [http://www.kriteachings.org/iamawoman/iamawoman.htm]
Three things: wise, radiant and sober. Early in the morning when a woman rises, she should know and see that she is sober, she is wise and she is radiant. The whole day she should experience that. At night she should make an account of it and tally the balance. You have to train yourself each day into the mystery of your unknown, Adi Shakti, your symbol. It means you are Infinity; you are the primal power.
(c) The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan, July 5, 1978
I Am A Woman: Quotation of the Day is brought to you by The Yogi Bhajan Library of Teachings-Keeping the Legacy Alive! To find out more, or to donate online, please go to: http://kriteachings.org/YBLibrary.htm
After my morning practice, I let the livestock out of their secure overnight shelters, piled Guru's sheets into my car and set off for the temple to set up Guru's Ramalas. This time two women joined me to help get everything just right, for today is the wedding of Harimader Jot and Vanessa, a woman who epitomizes wisdom, radiance and intrepid sobriety!
We used beautiful creamy white Ramalas with golden trim usually reserved only for celebrations of our Gurus. Others had already draped the ceiling with flowing pink fabric and strung garlands of colorful flowers around the lion's head and giant Adi Shakti Symbol that grace Guru ji's stage. As a final touch we placed three swords with matching hilts on the lower Ramalas, adding grace without obscuring the Ramala's beauty.
When I returned to Gurdwara dressed in full Bana, I saw that the wedding party had replaced those swords with a display of Guru's fear-inspiring Shastras, including ancient battle axes, a heavy Kunda, spears and thick wrist protectors that are effective weapons in themselves. The marrying couple took their vows with these Shastras directly before them, a call to boldly face their shared destiny as beloved warrior saints of Guru Gobind Singh.
Now for a guided tour of a true Sikh wedding ceremony and celebration!
Bibijji and Shanti Kaur officiated the wedding. The couple was invited to sit before the Guru on a sheet-covered carpet. Family members stood around them for an Ardas and a Hukam was
taken to give direction to their union, which was a Hukam
from Guru Ram Das on how God is our only support. A family elder came up to tenderly place one end of the wedding shawl in Vanessa's hands, drape the shawl over Harimander Jot Singh's right shoulder and place the other end of the shawl in his hands, signifying that Vanessa is to follow her husband's lead in a graceful mode of devotion, and the couple's individual strengths and virtues were described, how they may best serve each other and ways to keep their wedding vows in the forefront of their hearts and minds throughout life.
<> siqgur pRswid ] (735-1)
ik-oaNkaar satgur parsaad.
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
qyry kvn kvn gux kih kih gwvw qU swihb guxI inDwnw ] (735-2) tayray kavan kavan gun kahi kahi gaavaa too saahib gunee niDhaanaa.
Which, which of Your Glorious Virtues should I sing and recount, Lord? You are my Lord and Master, the treasure of excellence.
qumrI mihmw brin n swkau qUM Twkur aUc Bgvwnw ]1] (735-2) tumree mahimaa baran na saaka-o tooNthaakur ooch bhagvaanaa. ||1||
I cannot express Your Glorious Praises. You are my Lord and Master, lofty and benevolent. ||1||
mY hir hir nwmu Dr soeI ] (735-3)
mai har har naam Dhar so-ee.
The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, is my only support.
ijau BwvY iqau rwKu myry swihb mY quJ ibnu Avru n koeI ]1] rhwau ] (735-3)
ji-o bhaavai ti-o raakh mayray saahib mai tujh bin avar na ko-ee. ||1|| rahaa-o.
If it pleases You, please save me, O my Lord and Master; without You, I have no other at all. ||1||Pause||
mY qwxu dIbwxu qUhY myry suAwmI mY quDu AwgY Ardwis ] (735-4)
mai taandeebaantoohai mayray su-aamee mai tuDh aagai ardaas.
You alone are my strength, and my Court, O my Lord and Master; unto You alone I pray.
mY horu Qwau nwhI ijsu pih krau bynµqI myrw duKu suKu quJ hI pwis ]2] (735-4)
mai hor thaa-o naahee jis peh kara-o baynantee mayraa dukh sukhtujh hee paas. ||2||
There is no other place where I can offer my prayers; I can tell my pains and pleasures only to You. ||2||
ivcy DrqI ivcy pwxI ivic kwst Agin DrIjY ] (735-5)
vichay Dhartee vichay paanee vich kaasat agan Dhareejai.
Water is locked up in the earth, and fire is locked up in wood.
bkrI isMGu iekqY Qwie rwKy mn hir jip BRmu Bau dUir kIjY ]3] (735-6)
bakree singh iktai thaa-ay raakhay man har jap bharam bha-o door keejai. ||3||
The sheep and the lions are kept in one place; O mortal, meditate on the Lord, and your doubts and fears shall be removed. ||3||
hir kI vifAweI dyKhu sMqhu hir inmwixAw mwxu dyvwey ] (735-6)
har kee vadi-aa-ee daykhhu santahu har nimaani-aa maandayvaa-ay.
So behold the glorious greatness of the Lord, O Saints; the Lord blesses the dishonored with honor.
ijau DrqI crx qly qy aUpir AwvY iqau nwnk swD jnw jgqu Awix sBu pYrI pwey ]4]1]12] (735-7)
ji-o Dhartee charantalay tay oopar aavai ti-o naanak saaDh janaa jagat aan sabh pairee paa-ay. ||4||1||12||
As dust rises from underfoot, O Nanak, so does the Lord make all people fall at the feet of the Holy. ||4||1||12||
Close friends and relatives of the couple were invited to stand along the edge of the stage to bless the couple as they made their rounds, blessing their commitment to live in their highest consciousness.
The Wedding Song of the Lavan's four rounds began with the Granthi, Sada Sat Simran Singh of Cherdi Kala Jatha, reading the first round from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib in Gurmukhi. Shanti Kaur put it into straightforward English, after which the round was played by Amarjit Kaur's Kirtan Jatha. During the shabad version the couple stood and slowly walked around the Guru, shawl in hand, faces radiant with happiness and love.
During the second round the gold lion head on the center of the giant Adi Shakti symbol was jostled from its perch and tumbled to the stage floor! Folks standing to bless the couple quickly cleared the lion head from behind the Guru and a sevadar carried it away. I turned to the woman sitting beside me and explained that for the lion to fall in Gurdwara during the wedding was very significant--the couple would need to meditate on the Lavan's second round to understand what Guru is saying to them by this powerful, divine action, which was no accident.
The third round was marked by embarrassed faces of friends standing on stage, one of whom unintentionally caused the lion to fall.
A handful of flower petals was placed in everyone's hand for the fourth round, whereupon we stood and approached the stage area as closely as possible to throw our petals like angel blessings upon the couple as they walked around the Guru for the last time. It was a joyous moment! Our eyes sparkled with Guru's love and gratitude to God for this blessed day.
Bibiji congratulated the couple and as a minister of Sikh Dharma recognized by the State of New Mexico, joyfully pronounced them husband and wife.
The announcement was followed by the heartfelt command to speak of great happiness, "Bolo So Nihal" and the Sangat's powerful chorased reply, "Sat Siri Akal!"--"Truth great and undying," which rang out four times in the Gurdwara, vibrating our souls!
Harimander Jot Singh and Vanessa exchanged rings, sweetly fed eachother fruit and rose to gracefully walk among us and serve everyone fruit from their bowl of pineapple, grapes, strawberries and cherries. Blessings to chew on!
Gurdwara continued with Kirtan by the Cherdi Kala Jatha, including the groom playing tablas with great grandeur and finesse. Only Jagat Guru Singh, their beloved third member and brother was not with them. Not feeling well, Jagat Guru Singh missed this great day, yet his beautiful soul is surely immersed in Gurus joy for their divine union.
