Sikh - A Saint Soldier

Sikh Gurus introduced Sikhs as a Saint Soldier. This in turn teaches us the purpose of life. Sikhs should lead their life playing the roles of both the Saints and Soldiers. Here, soldier doesn't really mean that you have to fight in wars, battles or fight with other humans. The Sikh soldiers were, basically, assigned the task to protect humanity and fought for the exploited humans.

The concept of Soldier in a broader prospective could be thought of as a person who fights this battle of life which has been bestowed upon him by the Almighty. It means that a person should be successful in his worldly affairs. He should be a leader wherever he goes. For that, we got a unique identity, which we maintain by keeping our Kesh (hair) and wearing a turban. Sikhs should stand out in the crowd and be a winner in this battle of life.

A Sikh should also be a Saint. He should remember God with every brath of his life. He should always lead a life which should be full of honesty and integrity. He should never harm any other human. A person doesn't becomes a Saint by self-declaration but is considered one by good moral practices, which are expected by every human being.

Thus, a true Gursikh is the one who is 'A Saint Soldier'. He should have both saintly qualities and should be able to defend himself in this battle of life. Now, how can you defend yourself in this battle of life? Surely, by doing good deeds and remembering the name of the Creator Lord, who Himself blesses us the gift of His Name.

The concept of Saint-Soldier was first started by Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji who wore two swords of Miri - n - Piri. Miri is the worldly sword (sword worn by a king, commander etc) and Piri signifies spirituality. The existence of both swords together signifies the importance of the dual roles of a human being in this invaluable gift of life.

Another example which signifies the concept of a Saint-Soldier is the coexistence of both Sri Akal-Takhat Sahib and Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) together in the same complex. Harmandir Sahib is the centre of Sikh spirituality, while Akal Takhat Sahib is the temporal throne of the Sikhs. A point worth noting, here, is that when you look at Sri Harmandir Sahib from Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, you can clearly view Harmandir Sahib. While, if you try to view the Akal Takhat from Golden Temple, you won't be able to view it. This signifies that the search for spiritual grace should always lead. When you are trying to remember God you should forget all worldly aspects, but when you are fulfilling your temporal needs always keep the True Lord's Name in your mind. Never ever forget the Name of the One Lord from your mind.

Further, Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave us the title of a Singh. Singh, which literary means a Lion, signifies the the lion as the King of the jungle. It emphasizes that a Singh is born as a King and should be a leader in whatever he does. A Singh should be a role-model for this human race and should always protect the dignity of his fellow humans.

A Sikh should consider God as the supreme commander of this world and always accept His will as the Supreme. Lets pray to Lord that he always helps us to be on the right path and blesses us to always remember His Name.

P.S.: Most thoughts depicted in this article are my own interpretation of the message given by the Gurus. As it is said, to err is human, my interpretation may be a bit incorrect. Your suggestions and criticisms are most welcome.
Please do correct me if I'm wrong. I would appreciate if someone could validate (invalidate too, if they are wrong) these thoughts by referring to Gurbani.

Meditate on the Lord

GAUREE, FIFTH MEHL:

Those who have You on their side, O All-powerful Lord — no black stain can stick to them. || 1 ||

O Lord of wealth, those who place their hopes in You — nothing of the world can touch them at all. || 1 || Pause ||

Those whose hearts are filled with their Lord and Master — no anxiety can affect them. || 2 ||

Those, unto whom You give Your consolation, God — pain does not even approach them. || 3 ||

Says Nanak, I have found that Guru, who has shown me the Perfect, Supreme Lord God. || 4 || 41 || 110 ||

SGGS - pg 188


So, meditate on the Lord 24x7 and you will find your self away from all troubles and anxiety.

Power of Meditating on the Lord's Name

bYrwVI mhlw 4 ] (720-6)
bairaarhee mehlaa 4.
Bairaaree, Fourth Mehl:

jip mn hir inrMjnu inrMkwrw ] (720-7, bYrwVI, mÚ 4)
jap man har niranjan nirankaaraa.
Meditate, O mind, on the immaculate, formless Lord.

sdw sdw hir iDAweIAY suKdwqw jw kw AMqu n pwrwvwrw ]1] rhwau ] (720-7, bYrwVI, mÚ 4)
sadaa sadaa har Dhi-aa-ee-ai sukh-daata jaa kaa ant na paaraavaaraa. ||1|| rahaa-o.
Forever and ever, meditate on the Lord, the Giver of peace; He has no end or limitation. ||1||Pause||

Agin kuMt mih aurD ilv lwgw hir rwKY audr mMJwrw ] (720-8, bYrwVI, mÚ 4)
agan kunt meh uraDh liv laagaa har raakhai udar manjhaaraa.
In the fiery pit of the womb, when you were hanging upside-down, the Lord absorbed You in His Love, and preserved You.

so AYsw hir syvhu myry mn hir AMiq Cfwvxhwrw ]1] (720-8, bYrwVI, mÚ 4)
so aisaa har sayvhu mayray man har ant chhadaavanhaaraa. ||1||
So serve such a Lord, O my mind; the Lord shall deliver you in the end. ||1||

jw kY ihrdY bisAw myrw hir hir iqsu jn kau krhu nmskwrw ] (720-9, bYrwVI, mÚ 4)
jaa kai hirdai basi-aa mayraa har har tis jan ka-o karahu namaskaaraa.
Bow down in reverence to that humble being, within whose heart the Lord, Har, Har, abides.

hir ikrpw qy pweIAY hir jpu nwnk nwmu ADwrw ]2]5] (720-10, bYrwVI, mÚ 4)
har kirpaa tay paa-ee-ai har jap naanak naam aDhaaraa. ||2||5||
By the Lord's Kind Mercy, O Nanak, one obtains the Lord's meditation, and the support of the Naam. ||2||5||

bYrwVI mhlw 4 ] (720-10)
bairaarhee mehlaa 4.
Bairaaree, Fourth Mehl:

jip mn hir hir nwmu inq iDAwie ] (720-11, bYrwVI, mÚ 4)
jap man har har naam nit Dhi-aa-ay.
O my mind, chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har; meditate on it continually.

jo ieCih soeI Plu pwvih iPir dUKu n lwgY Awie ]1] rhwau ] (720-11, bYrwVI, mÚ 4)
jo ichheh so-ee fal paavahi fir dookh na laagai aa-ay. ||1|| rahaa-o.
You shall obtain the fruits of your heart's desires, and pain shall never touch you again. ||1||Pause||

so jpu so qpu sw bRq pUjw ijqu hir isau pRIiq lgwie ] (720-12, bYrwVI, mÚ 4)
so jap so tap saa barat poojaa jit har si-o pareet lagaa-ay.
That is chanting, that is deep meditation and austerity, that is fasting and worship, which inspires love for the Lord.

ibnu hir pRIiq hor pRIiq sB JUTI iek iKn mih ibsir sB jwie ]1] (720-12, bYrwVI, mÚ 4)
bin har pareet hor pareet sabh jhoothee ik khin meh bisar sabh jaa-ay. ||1||
Without the Lord's Love, every other love is false; in an instant, it is all forgotten. ||1||

qU byAMqu srb kl pUrw ikCu kImiq khI n jwie ] (720-13, bYrwVI, mÚ 4)
too bay-ant sarab kal pooraa kichh keemat kahee na jaa-ay.
You are infinite, the Master of all power; Your value cannot be described at all.

nwnk srix qum@wrI hir jIau BwvY iqvY Cfwie ]2]6] (720-14, bYrwVI, mÚ 4)
naanak saran tum^Haaree har jee-o bhaavai tivai chhadaa-ay. ||2||6||
Nanak has come to Your Sanctuary, O Dear Lord; as it pleases You, save him. ||2||6||

rwgu bYrwVI mhlw 5 Gru 1 (720-15)
raag bairaarhee mehlaa 5 ghar 1
Raag Bairaaree, Fifth Mehl, First House:

<> siqgur pRswid ] (720-15)
ik-o^Nkaar satgur parsaad.
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

sMq jnw imil hir jsu gwieE ] (720-16, bYrwVI, mÚ 5)
sant janaa mil har jas gaa-i-o.
Meeting with the humble Saints, sing the Praises of the Lord.

koit jnm ky dUK gvwieE ]1] rhwau ] (720-16, bYrwVI, mÚ 5)
kot janam kay dookh gavaa-i-o. ||1|| rahaa-o.
The pains of millions of incarnations shall be eradicated. ||1||Pause||

jo cwhq soeI min pwieE ] (720-16, bYrwVI, mÚ 5)
jo chaahat so-ee man paa-i-o.
Whatever your mind desires, that you shall obtain.

kir ikrpw hir nwmu idvwieE ]1] (720-17, bYrwVI, mÚ 5)
kar kirpaa har naam divaa-i-o. ||1||
By His Kind Mercy, the Lord blesses us with His Name. ||1||

srb sUK hir nwim vfweI ] (720-17, bYrwVI, mÚ 5)
sarab sookh har naam vadaa-ee.
All happiness and greatness are in the Lord's Name.

gur pRswid nwnk miq pweI ]2]1]7] (720-17, bYrwVI, mÚ 5)
gur parsaad naanak mat paa-ee. ||2||1||7||
By Guru's Grace, Nanak has gained this understanding. ||2||1||7||