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Tomorrow, September 23rd, is the starting day of Shraad. Shraad is an ancient Indian festival in which food is prepared to serve ones ancestors. This festival ends on the 7th of October.

Press the play button below to hear Giani Baba Inderjit Singh Ji briefly narrating the story of Guru Nanak Dev Ji giving 'Updesh' [teaching] to his father, Baba Kalu Ji, about Shraad and the importance. The 'sakhi' is narrated in the historical book [granth], Sri Nanak Prakash Granth.

This is practise is now common to be labelled as "Hindu" and "anti-Gurmat", but Baba Ji explains in his katha what Shraad for the Khalsa means, which is to serve langar to both our ancestors and to the needy. The Bhai Chaupa Singh Rehatnama and Rehat Ki Rehatnama attributed to Bhai Nand Lal both support the ceremony of Shraad along with the B40 Janamsakhi.





Below is a photograph of a fresco from Gurdrawa Baba Atal, which is in the complex of Sri Harimandar Sahib Amritsar. The Fresco depicts Guru Nanak Dev Ji giving the teaching to his father Baba Kalu Ji in relation to Shraad. It shows how Guru Nanak Dev Ji places his hand upon his father and shows his father 'Baikunt', where Baba Kalu Ji's parents reside.

Below is a passage from Sri Sarbloh Granth Sahib Ji where Guru Gobind Singh Ji gives updesh [teaching] to the Khalsa. This follows the Mangla Charan [preamble] and is just before the main story of Sarbloh Granth.





Page: 81 Chapter 1, Vol. I, Sarbloh Granth

Notes:

ਪੂਜਾ, ਤਿਲਕ, ਹੋਮ, ਗਾਯਤ੍ਰੀ, ਸੰਧ੍ਯਾ, ਤਰਪਨ ਧਾਰੋ ॥

Tilak has traditionally been seen a sign [nishan] of someone who does worship [bhagati] of Parmesvhar. At Takht Sri Hazur Sahib they still apply Tilaks to pilgrams. Traditionally when the Gurgaddi was passed to another Guru a Tilak was adorned as part of the ceremony. Furthermore, annoiting weapons [shastars] with blood is also seen as a form of Tilak, a practise which can be seen at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib and within the Nihung Singh groups.

Hom here refers to Havans. Havan is a traditional practise where a fire is lighted and various materials are poured into the fire. For the Khalsa, Giani Baba Inderjit Singh Ji explained that making langar is a form of hom, as it uses fire and provides for the poor. Furthermore, traditionally the Khalsa would lite Havans when reading Dasam Guru Granth Sahib Ji or when preparing for war. It was seen to appease Vahiguru's Shakti, Chandi. Baba Deep Singh Ji before fighting the Mughals performed a Havan as recorded in Naveen Panth Prakash [written in the 1800s], it says:

ਸੁਨਿ ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਬਹੁ ਗੁਰੁਦ੍ਵਾਰੈਂ ।ਚੰਡੀ ਚਢੀ ਤਾਂਹਿ ਅਤਿ ਭਾਰੈਂ ।੯।
When hearing about the disrespect at the Gurdrawa [Harimandar], The spirit of Chandi arose within him [Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed]

ਸੁਨਿ ਸਿੰਘ ਪਾਠ ਅਖੰਡ ਕਰਾਯੋ । ਹਮਨ ਕਰਯੋ ਕੰਗਨਾ ਬੰਧਵਾਯੋ ।
Baba Ji organized an Akhand Paat and completed a Havan [before heading towards the battle] and tied a wedding bracelet around his wrist [a preparation for martyrdom as death is seen as a merging with their beloved Lord]

Gaayatri here refers to a type of mantras being recited. For the Khalsa the Gayatri mantra that has been told is:

ਗੁਬਿੰਦੇ ॥ ਮੁਕੰਦੇ ॥ ਉਦਾਰੇ ॥ ਅਪਾਰੇ ॥੯੪॥
ਹਰੀਅੰ ॥ ਕਰੀਅੰ ॥ ਨ੍ਰਿਨਾਮੇ ॥ ਅਕਾਮੇ ॥੯੫॥

Recognizing the Cow as sacred is also a traditional practice which has now been forgotten. Within the Nihang Singh camps one will never find them eating beef, even though other meat is eaten and served in the langar [communal kitchen].

Vadhiyana to all for the Pelha Prakash of Adi Granth Sahib in the Harimandar Sahib.

After Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji installed the Adi Granth in Harimandar Sahib the Guru gave updesh [teaching] to the Sangat [congregation] about the Granth.

Kavi Santhok Singh Ji writes in his Gurpratap Suraj Prakash Granth that Guru Arjan Dev Ji said:

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ਗ੍ਰਿੰਥ ਜਹਾਜ ਸੁ ਭੌਜਲ ਕੋ ਤਰ ਜਾਤਿ ਸੁਖੇਨ ਜਿਨੀ ਚਿਤ ਲਾਯੋ ।੪।
The Granth is a vehicle [which gives liberation] whosoever implants [the teachings] in their mind they are easily taken across [the terrible ocean].

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸੁਰ ਕੇਰ ਸਰੀਰ ਜੁਊ ਸਭਿ ਥਾਨ ਸਮੈ ਸਭਿ ਨਾ ਦਰਸੈ ਹੈਂ ।
The body of the Guru is sometimes not available for Darshan, as time and space permit.

ਗ੍ਰਿੰਥ ਰਿਦਾ ਗੁਰ ਕੋ ਇਹ ਜਾਨਹੁ ਉੱਤਮ ਹੈ ਸਭਿ ਕਾਲ ਰਹੈ ਹੈ ।
However, recognize the Granth as the heart of the Guru, it is highest because it will be viewable in all times and places.

ਮੇਰੇ ਸਰੂਪ ਤੇ ਯਾਂਤੇ ਹੈ ਦੀਰਘ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜਾਨਿ ਅਦਾਇਬ ਕੈ ਹੈ ।
For this reason recognize the Granth Sahib as the Greater Master, and respect it as such.

ਪੂਜਹੁ ਚੰਦਨ ਕੇਸਰ ਕੋ ਘਸਿ ਧੂਪ ਧੁਖਾਇ ਕੈ ਫੂਲ ਚਢੈ ਹੈ ॥੫॥
Worship the Granth with ground sandalwood and saffron, by lighting incense, and putting flowers [on the Granth].

- Gurpratap Suraj Prakash Granth, Raas 3, Adaaie [Chapter] 50