Discover Dasamdvar, the tenth gate in Sikhism and mysticism, leading to enlightenment through the channeling of energy beyond physical boundaries.
DHADI, one who sings vars or ballads to the accompaniment of a musical instrument called dhad, a drumlet held in the palm of one hand and played with the fingers of the other. A concomitant of dhad is the sarangi, a stringed instrument. Dhadis, patronized by chiefs and princes, eulogized the deeds of valour of the members of the families they served or of popular folk heroes. In the Dasam Granth (Charitra 405), their origin is traced back to the mythological combat between Mahakal and Suasvirya, the first ancestor of the dhadis being born of the sweat of the former.
DHILVAN, village 25 km from Barnala (30° 23`N, 75° 34`E), is sacred to Guru Tegh Bahadur, who, according to local tradition, stayed here for several months in the course of one of his journeys across the Malva country. Large numbers of people in the area were converted to his teaching. Gurdwara Patshahi Nauvin, commemorating his visit, is on the southeastern outskirts of the village. The building comprises Tap Asthan, seat of meditation, marking the site where Guru Tegh Bahadur used to sit in contemplation, a divan hall and the Guru ka Langar.
DIPA, BHAI, was a devoted Sikh of Guru Arjan\'s time (Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 22). He zealously served in the Guru ka Larigar. He cooked food and served it to visiting Sikhs. He took the last turn and ate what was left over. He washed with warm water the feet of those who came from afar and kneaded their limbs to relieve them of fatigue. On cold winter nights he went round adjusting the quilts and coverlets of sleeping visitors. Upon his lips were always the Guru`s hymns.
DURGA, PANDIT, or Durgo Bhambi, a Sarsvat Brahman of Bhambi clan living in the village of Mihra or Mahera (location obscure), predicted great name and fame for (Guru) Amar Das when the latter even had not yet met Guru Ahgad. According to Sarup Das Bhalla, Mahima Prakash, Amar Das, at the time of one of his pilgrimages to Haridvar, halted at Mihra for rest in a house maintained by Durga Pandit for travellers. As he lay asleep, Durga, who was an astrologer as well as a palmist, observed in one of his feet a lotus mark which is believed to be the sign of sovereignty or exceptional spiritual eminence.
DINRAIN, lit. (din + rain) day and night, is the title (dinraini) of a single 4stanza hymn by Guru Arjan Dev in the Majh measure (GG, 13637). The composition evidently follows the prosodic vogue of inscribing verses to kalkrama (process of time) embracing forms such as baramaha (twelve months of the year), thitf (lunardates) and var (days of the week). Otherwise, the contents of this hymn are in harmony with the tenor of the entire text, i.e. praise of, surrender to, and love of God, the Ultimate Reality. Writing in the first person and in conversational style mixed with soliloquy.
FIVE EVILS or pancadokh or panj vikar as they are referred to in Sikh Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, are, according to Sikhism, the five major weaknesses of the human personality at variance with its spiritual essence. The common evils far exceed in number, but a group of five of them came to be identified because of the obstruction they are believed to cause in man\'s pursuit of the moral and spiritual path. The group of five evils comprises kama, krodha, lobha, moha, and ahankara (kama, karodh, lobh, moha and ahankar, in Punjabi); translated into English these words mean lust, wrath, greed, attachment and egoity, respectively. The word \'evil\' here may be understood to represent the connotation of Punjabi pap (sin), dokh (defect), or kilbikh (defilement).
Discover the history of the Gangu Shahis, a Sikh order founded by Gangu Shah in Punjab. Learn about their unique practices and historical impact.
Ghukkevali, a village 21 km north of Amritsar (31°38'N, 74°52'E) and connected by a link road to the Amritsar-Ajnala-Dera Baba Nanak road, has two historical Shri Guru Granth Sahib Gurdwaras that hold significant religious importance.
GODARIA, BHAI, a saintly person with usually carried a godan or padded wrapping around his person (from which he derived his name), was always repeating God`s name and was ever ready to do any act of selfless service. According to Mdlvd Desk Ralan di Sdkhi Pothi, a legend grew that whatever he casually uttered came to pass. After serving Bhai Gaura, son of the celebrated Bhai Bhagatu for some time, Godaria became a wandering sddhu, a godan and a gandhdid, a spear like digging tool, his only possessions, and his favourite pastime being the planting of shady trees. He met Guru Gobind Singh at Bhuchcho, now in Bathinda district, in 1706 and became a disciple. He presented himself again at Talvandi Sabo in October 1706 when the Guru was preparing to leave for the South.
