Gobind Sadan
Baba Siri Chand’s birthday celebration
In spite of persistent monsoon rains, sangat from many areas came to do seva and enjoy the celebration of Baba Siri Chand ji’s 530th birthday at Gobind Sadan from 6 to 8 September, 2024.
After the beginning of 5 Akhand Paaths on Friday, 6 September, there was a delightful programme by the students of Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj Primary School in the auditorium. In addition to speeches from memory about the history of Baba Siri Chand Ji, the children from classes Nursery to 5th who had been carefully coached by their teachers confidently presented a lively array of songs, poems, cultural dances, and a puppet show. They also vied for the chance to correctly answer many questions about the life of Baba Siri Chand and also Gobind Sadan. Sri U.S. Jolly, Chairman of Guru Gobind Singh Educational Association, which sponsors the school, told the students, parents, and sangat that Baba Siri Chand was himself an educated person who learned Urdu and Farsi, as well as his mother tongue. He reminded the audience of Baba Virsa Singh’s love for children and the importance he placed on their education at home and at school. Hardip Singh told the audience that Baba Virsa Singh’s light would never die, and that both Maharaj ji and Baba Siri Chand are still very present at Gobind Sadan. Babli Kalha, Rajni Jain, Surjit Kaur Jolly, and Mary Fisher all complimented the children and teachers on the excellent performances. At the end, a group of the students sang Baba Siri Chand’s Aarta for Guru Nanak, in perfect unison.
During the night, Gobind Sadan youth worked to clean the pathways, langar, and Maharaj ji’s Green Room. Devotees from various sangats gathered in the langar to help in food preparations, while others took turns on special Akhand Paath duty around the clock, reading the holy scripture or honouring Guru Granth Sahib by waving Chaur Sahib.
On Saturday, September 7, Gurdaspur sangat sang kirtan for hours, followed by special havan at Angeetha Sahib, despite the rain. Before the havan, many had waited patiently in the rain at Jesus’ Place for prayers pertaining to their personal problems. As many as possible took shelter with Jesus under His roof after recitation of Jesus’ Prayer in English and Hindi, and chanting of the Fatiha in Arabic by Tolkyn from Kazakhstan and young Samroz from Gobind Sadan.
Akhand Paath Bhog and Ardas was held at 2 a.m. on Sunday, September 8. After breakfast, there was an excellent programme in the diwan hall of kirtan, speeches, and Maharaj ji’s video to celebrate Baba Siri Chand’s 530th birthday. Jaspinder Kaur, Jaskaran Singh, and Ramandeep Singh sang “Brahmgiani ap Nirankar,” and “Aise la, Tujh bin kaun kare?” Bhai Mandeep Singh jatha from Bulada sang “Tere age ardas humare” and “Sare jaga vich roshnayi howai.” Dr. Surjit Kaur Jolly greeted the sangat, saying that it was their very good karma that they had come to Gobind Sadan from various places for Baba Siri Chand’s birthday celebration, by Maharaj ji’s blessings. She quoted Guru Gobind Singh: “Only those who deeply love God have met God.”
Students from Guru Granth Sahib Vidya Kendra played classical rebabs and sang kirtan such as “Dihro dekh Tumahare rang” quite proficiently. Mary Fisher said, “We should try to live by our teacher’s teacher’s teachings, some of which are included in Baba Siri Chand’s matras, such as ‘Maya Mohini sagal tiyag.’ By turning inside in meditation, we find peace, happiness, light, love, and strength that far surpass anything found in Maya.” Baba Siri Chand’s emphasis on meditation was strongly recommended by Baba Virsa Singh in a video from the early 1990’s, selections from which were played for the sangat. The complete talk is posted on YouTube as “The Great Mission of Baba Siri Chand.”
Suhel, brother of late Bhagat Ji, sang Bhagat ji’s shabd “Ma Sulakhani ji nu devo ji wadhaiyan, puttar de janam diyan.” Sri Bangla Sahib Gurdwara Granthi Bhai Wazir Singh Ji told the audience that he had been musically trained in Guru Granth Sahib Vidya Kendra from the age of 12 years in 1987. He sang Kabir’s bani and the well-loved shabd “Lakh kushiyan patshaian je Satgur Nadar kare.” Children from Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj Primary School sang Aarta of Baba Siri Chand for his father, Guru Nanak.
Gyani Mehtab Singh told the story of Baba Siri Chand ji and Jehangir, who summoned Babaji to his court and sent his royal elephant to bring him. Baba Siri Chand laughed and asked how the elephant could carry him if it couldn’t even carry his blanket, whereupon the blanket became so heavy that the poor creature fell to its knees and bowed to Baba Siri Chand.
Hardip Singh spoke about Baba Virsa Singh’s programme and thanked the sangat for coming. The programme finished with rousing kirtan by Gurdaspur sangat, followed by delicious langar.