Tokyo Olympic Hockey Broze Medal

 Extremely happy today because our Indian Hockey Men's Team has won Bronze medal against the mighty Germans.

I was able to follow the match live through Aaj Tak only in the last 6 minutes while having my breakfast. And those last 6 minutes were good enough to raise ones adrenal. 

The score was Indian 5 Germans 4.

In those 6 minutes there were two penalty corners awarded to Germans out of which one when only 6 seconds were left. 

Luckily for us both were saved and finally we could win the much awaited and desired Bronze medal.

Let's hope that the Women's Team also gets the Bronze.

https://youtube.com/shorts/VE8ZWVTnrg8?feature=share

English Correct Pronunciation and Usage by SSThaper YTC Playlist

 Dear Friends, 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFXrwZQ-bEssOaPtR_1WSI4ZtTBLxlALH

The above link is of videos regarding correct Pronunciation and Usage of few English words. 

As Englsih is not our native language many a times we tend to pronounce or use certain words in a wrong  way. 

This is an attempt to enable the learner to both pronounce and use the words correctly. 

Hope you find these videos useful. 

Pl leave your comments,  subscribe and share the channel. 

With Love and Regards, 

Sukhwant Singh Thaper

Ex Student of 

Public School Sunabedha/ Jeypore

Vikram Deb College Jeypore

Ravensha College Cuttack

Trained at

CIEFL Hyderabad 

IIM Kolkata

ASCI Hyderabad

Japji Sahib Explained in English by SSThaper YTC Playlist

 Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa!

Waheguru ji Ki Fateh!

Dear Friend(s), 

Japji Sahib is the Sikh thesis, that appears at the beginning of the Guru Granth Sahib – the scripture of the Sikhs. 

It was composed by Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of Sikhism.

It begins with Mool Mantra and then follow 38 paudis (stanzas) and completed with a final Salok by Guru Nanak Dev Ji at the end of this composition.

The 38 stanzas are in different poetic meters.

Japji Sahib is the first composition of Guru Nanak Dev ji and is considered the comprehensive essence of Sikhism. 

Expansion and elaboration of Japji Sahib is the entire Guru Granth Sahib. 

It is first Bani in Nitnem.

Notable is Nanak's discourse on 'what is true worship' and what is the nature of God'.

According to Christopher Shackle, it is designed for "individual meditative recitation" and as the first item of daily devotional prayer for the devout.

It is a chant found in the morning and evening prayers in Sikh gurdwaras. 

It is also chanted in the Sikh tradition at the Khalsa initiation ceremony and during the cremation 

ceremony.

With the kind Blessings of the Almighty God I have tried to record the Bani and explained it in English as per what I could understand. I have used English so that it can attract those who don't understand Punjabi and Hindi. 

I have uploaded my recordings on my You Tube Channel Sukhwant Singh Thaper

The follow is the link of the play list

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFXrwZQ-bEssMqW2sfJ9LZaLR9uPtGaqi

 in which you can come across all videos related to Mool Manta, 38 Standzas and the final Salok. 

The 7th stanza is Titled 'Je jug chaare arzaa'

My understanding of Japji Sahib paath can't be complete by any means. 

I shall feel extremely happy and will consider my humble attempt to bear fruit if this attempt can bring even one seeker closer to Japji Sahib.

Will look forward to your comments and suggestions so that I can improve in my future similar endeavors. 

If you like the attempt please leave your comments, suggestions on the channel and subscribe and share the same. 🙏🙏

Humble Servant of the Lord!

Sukhwant Singh Thaper

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa!

Waheguru ji Ki Fateh!

Audio of Shri Bhagwad Gita by SSThaper YTC Playlist

 Dear Friends, 

Many of us are not inclined towards reading. Hence we miss out on certain good things in life. 

The following link

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFXrwZQ-bEsuAo71yocgitgIeNCI0i3Ue

will lead to to my video recordings of all the 18 Chapters of Shri Bhagwad Gita. 

Those of you who are less inclined towards reading may benefit by listening to the meanings of Shri Bhagwad Gita in English. 

The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu Scripture which literally means “The Song of God”. It comprises 700 verses by Lord Krishna and is the part of Mahabharat. 

Bhagavad Gita is the dialogue between the confused Arjuna (Pandav Prince) and his charioteer, Lord Krishna, during the war of Mahabharat. Lord Krishna stated some rational philosophical concepts that are relevant even today. Sri Krishna incarnated to free the earth from evils and sufferings. He was an Avatar of Lord Vishnu and entitled to destroy the negative powers of demons on the face of the earth. It is believed that he was born on the 8th day of Krishna Paksha in Shravana month according to Hindu calendar.

This epic scripture has the answers to all our problems. It is recommended to read the Bhagavad Gita on a regular basis for a better understanding of life and the law of Karma.

 

Please subscribe and share the link with those who you think would love to benefit from it. 🙏

Sukhwant Singh Thaper

It is the Nature of Desrie not to be satisfied

 "Maya hoi naagni jagat rahi lapttai, jo is ki seva kare tis hi ko phir khai,"

The entire world Nanak says is an illusion (Maya) which attracts the mind of a person towards it. The ones who run after the materialistic gains of the world in the end fall prey to it and lose their peace of mind and thus remain disillusioned and sad.

PIETY AND VARIETY

 

Only the pious would feel drawn towards the spiritual and draw their inspiration and sustenance from there. They would feel comfortable only in the like company and would eagerly look to be under the tutelage of a spiritual master.

The worldly, materialistic men on the other hand relish the association of people having similar interests and like to visit places where their senses can find gratification. They would be repelled by places of true piety.

Men of the first kind are like swans who relish a diet of pearls and gems found in holy lakes. Those of the second variety are comparable to crows and herons who despite their pious postures would still be comfortable on a foul diet.

As Guru Ram Das Saheb has so aptly written in Pauri 26 of Gauri Var, M.4, (p.314):

“ Kooriar kooriari jai rale, sachiar Sikh baithe satiguru paas”——

‘ The false would mix with the false,

The true disciple would sit near the True Guru.’ --- Ashok Gupta

LOVE FOR THE LORD

Guru Arjun Dev

Bilawal M.5, P.838, Steps 6-10

Guru Granth Saheb

“Prabhu tujh bina nahin hor”

O Lord, there is none other than Thou,

My love like that of chakor* for the moon

Or fish’s love for water,

The bumblebee and the lotus ever together,

Like the chakavi* longing for the sun,

For the Lord’s feet, Nanak’s compulsion.

For the young lass, her groom is her life,

Or the greedy keeping his purse closed tight.

Like milk and water mixing with such ease

Or, food valued by a hungry person to eat.

Like a mother’s love for her child,

Nanak remembers the Lord all the time. (7)

Like a moth falling on the flame, in love for the same.

Thief stealing others’ things without shame.

The elephant trapped being mad with lust.

A pleasure seeking person , suffer he must.

A gambler never free from his obsession.

Nanak remembers the Lord daily with passion.

The typical sound keeps the deer spell bound.

The chatrak*s longing for rain is profound.

The devotee, with a saint, is full of zest.

Hearing the praise of God, he feels blessed.

His Name ever chanted by the tongue.

Nanak seeking a glimpse of His as a boon. (9)

Sings His virtues, listens to His songs,

Writes the same for others to read.

Such a one earns all His boons

Also salvages his whole group.

He crosses the world’s ocean

With the Lord’s feet as ship to ferry him on.

With the holy extolling the Lord .

The Lord preserves their honour.

Nanak seeks refuge at the door of the Lord. (10)

* These are legendary birds known for their unwavering love for the moon, the sun and the rain respectively. They are symbols of constant love.

———-Translated by Ashok Gupta.

GOD ALONE CAN HELP

 

Guru Arjun Dev

Bilawal M.5, Choupada 88

P.821, Guru Granth Saheb

“Binu Hari kami na aavat hei”

None but the Lord is of help in distress.

The one with whom you are so involved

She is just a charming enchantress.

Gold,woman, splendid bed

In a moment all these will be shed.

Aroused and ensnared by sensual pleasures,

You become senseless, eating the poisonous.

You embellish your house of straws

Lighting up fire below the same.

In such a castle, stiff with pride

With bloated ego what do you gain?

The five heralds stand close to you,

Drag you round by your hair .

The blind ignoramus can not see

Intoxicated, being asleep.

The net cast wide,

Enticed by the feed scattered,

Like a bird you get ensnared.

Says Nanak, I meditate on the true Master

To get me freed from this disaster.

——-Translated by Ashok Gupta.

THE TRUE DISCIPLE

 

Guru Ram Das

Gauri Var M.4, Pauri 26

P.314, Guru Granth Saheb

“Jin ke chit kathore hain, se bahen na Satguru pas”

They whose hearts are hard

They do not stay with the Satguru for long.

There truth alone prevails

The false ones feel out of place.

They look here and there,

Search for an excuse to disappear

They go and sit with those of the same veneer.

The false can not remain for long

Among the true ones.

On this you may well ponder.

The false go and mix with the false

The true disciples like to be with the true master.

———Translated by Ashok Gupta

DECEPTION OF PERCEPTION

 

We may be deceived by what we perceive. Reality may not bear out our illusions.There is a sea of difference between wakeful state and dream state. To a great extent our life is being governed by our dreams and that may be the reason for ever increasing incidence of frustration among people and fragility of relationships. Reality and Truth belong more in the realm of the Divine than in the mundane world that is under the sway of Mammon (Maya).Maya befuddles the mind, creates its own web of snares and leads man towards irrationality and at times insanity. A closeness with the men of God, the saints, the savants is necessary for redemption from such a situation having sorry consequences.

Guru Arjun Dev gives us a graphic picture of such a world in the following verse drawn from page 50 ofGuruGranth Saheb:

“ Mitha kar ke khaia kaura upajia saad “

Ate, what was thought sweet,

it turned out to be bitter.

Brother, friend, soulmate,

All form a hollow world of pleasures,

Take no time to depart.

All being deception,

Devoid of the Name of God.

Oh me,

Engage thou in the True Guru’s service.

What you see now will soon perish.

Counsel of your own mind,

you better not cherish.

Like a dog gone crazy, running in all directions

Being greedy, caring not

What is and what is not fit to eat.

Born again and again,

Dominated by lust, anger and conceit.

The web of delusion, spread far and wide,

Contains within the tempting feed.

The birds of desire enticed, caught in the net,

Can not now take flight.

Not knowing the One by whom it all is done,

Again and again one goes only to come.

In so many ways the world is ensnared.

He alone is saved for whom the Almighty cares.

Nanak is sacrifice unto those men of God

Who in Him are absorbed, and thus absolved.

——-Translated by Ashok Gupta

KABIR—-THE LAMP LIT IN THE HEART

 

Sufism has of late become popular and saleable in so many forms.Expedience has taken over experience.Frivolous has taken the place of fervour.The word "love",once so precious in Sufi parlance is now a debased coin.It is not derived from Islamic tradition as is generally believed because in essence it is a product of mystic experience and transcends any "ism" or any belief system.Thus Nanak and Kabir may be two persons but are ONE in Essence.

Here I am presenting a verse of Kabir which needs no explanation for those who know,and for those who do not ,no explanation will do.Taken from page

655 of Guru Granth Saheb,its first line is :

"Kia parhiye kia guniye,kia Ved Puranan suniye"-----

What use are didactics or dialectics

Or even tales from scriptures

If the inner Self is not known.

Hey,the ignoramus,

Why not meditate on the Name of the Lord,

In vain are you stuck in repetitive thoughts.

To get to that intangible,inner light is needed.

That Lamp has been lit in my heart

And now that I have got,

Which for so long had been sought.

Says Kabir---now that I have known

I am at peace with myself,

But what of those who do not believe

What I now know.

What can I do if this wisdom they forego !

———-Translated by Ashok Gupta

Let us drink to our heart's content straight from the founts of Love and Sufis and beware of the duplicate stuff that may look similar in words but be farthest in spirit.

DIE AND BECOME ALIVE

 DIE AND BECOME ALIVE

Guru Nanak Saheb in the 20th Pauri Of Manjh ki Var at page 147 of Guru Granth Saheb :

“Jeevadian maru mara na pachhotaiye”

To be saved from regrets later,

Better to die while you still live.

This world is a deception,

Whom to tell, who will believe.

None loves this simple truth.

All so involved in worldly pursuits.

Time, inimical, consumes all.

It keeps all under its thrall.

Death hovers over all.

Strikes one by His command.

He Himself plants love within a being

And then dwells therein.

When the time is up, no delay is brooked,

Contents poured out when the cup is full.

This, one understands by the grace of the guru.

And finally gets absorbed in Truth.

——-Translated by Ashok Gupta

Rick Steves' Cruising the Medeterrian

 Watched Rick Steves' Cruising the Mediterrrian on You Tube this morning.

Visited Naples, Nice, Athens, Rome and many other places. 

The staggering views of these ancient cities with beautiful beaches and market places are a treat for the eyes, mind and the heart.

Rick's commentries are very informative and interesting. His personality appears to be so pleasant. 

Kalam Dvat te Nanak ji

 

Guru Nanak Dev ji travelled thousands and thousands of miles during his lifetime along with Mardana ji and Bala ji.

He spoke to the gatherings about the Might of the Lord and sang His praises. Mardana used to play his Rabab along with.

Guru Nanak never collected money or food from any place or person during his entire life.

The only thing that he was fond of collecting and keeping with him was a note pad and pen and ink.

The Treasure included in Guru Granth Sahib ji was the collection that Guru Nanak Dev ji had with him and also his compositions. Later he had handed over all his pothis to Guru Anagad Dev ji.

Guru Nanak Dev ji’s true follower should always feel blessed to always look forward to knowledge from various sources. One should possess pen paper or now a days we can say modern days devices to either pen down the thoughts/quotes/ideas/poems or record them on their devices for future reference.

Rick Steves' Andalucia

Watched Rick Steves' Andalucia The Best of Southern Spain today. 

He showed various beautiful places of Soutern part of Spain which was highly impressive. 

The intricacies of the artists who built the palaces, buildings, cathedrials made me feel that the people in the past were more imaginative and had lots of patience to do so. Along with these the resources also must been availabe to them in plenty.

One thing that was painful to watch was how the Christian rulers destroyed many of the beautufl edifices built by the Muslims and in those places built their own places of worship.

We in Indian are generally used to the histroy in which the Muslim invaders had done the damage to the religious places of Hindus and had built thier religious places/

Human nature of the rulers is same all around irrespective of the religion they belong to.

Define the Moment

 When a defining moment omes along, you can do one of the two things, define the moment, or let the moment define you. 

The prevailing Covid 19 Pandemic time across the world is one such moment which is compelling many to fall pray. Getting infected at physical level by the virus and succumbing to it is one thing. But getting infected at mental level and then succumbing to it is totally unacceptable. 

We need to keep our mental faculties strong and not allow to get disheartened and scared of this virus.

Let's remind ourselves of all the past history of various pandemics that the human beings and survived. This pandemic shall also pass. We need to spend as much time as possible in enhancing our skills and read and listen as much as it is possible.

Let's imagine of the times to come in future when we shall tell our children and grandchildren how we survived this Covid 19 Pandemic.

Let's Learn to Value People Who Help Us to Grow

 

‘Successful people are more concerned with pleasing  results.

Failures are more concerned with pleasing methods`’

This means we should be bold enough to express ourselves when we find something wrong with the task at hand even if our seniors have decided upon a scheme for it. No one is perfect,

 Our seniors are also human beings  and hence may make mistakes or overlook certain important things while taking a decision.  People who are concerned with pleasing methods may not dare to point out the mistakes or the shortcomings out of fear that this may annoy their superior.  But the ones who are concerned with the results will surely dare to do so and save greater difficulty at a later stage.

A  good leader is the one who understands the difference between the two and values the ones who point out the errors in time so that they can be looked into and rectified.

 

A fault is fostered by concealment

 

“A fault is fostered by concealment”

The word ‘fostered’ means encourage the development of something desirable; to bring up a chlld that is not ones  own by birth. ‘Concealment’ means to hide.

‘Fault’ may not be something that we would like to be associated with.  None of us can say that we are devoid of it.

We all commit faults  when we attempt to do something.

 The best way to compensate our faults  is to let  the  people  concerned with it know about it so that it can be rectified.

If we don’t reveal our faults to others there will be very less chance of growing in the right direction.

Advice to my Daughter Dr Navleen Kaur ( Ity)

 

Few things that every Dad should tell his daughter to raise a strong, independent and an empowered woman:-

Whether your little one is a "daddy's girl" or still working on her relationship with Dad, there's no denying the importance of this male figure in a little girl's life. A dad's love is typically the first male love a child receives and his influence helps set the path for the person that kid becomes. It isn't easy to raise a strong and independent daughter, but certain things a father figure says has the power to help — or hinder — this growth. Although it might feel like these are just simple phrases in passing, hearing these things from Dad can stick with a little girl for years to come and help shape her into a passionate and empowered young lady.

Your determination inspires me.

I can't imagine my life without you.

I love you.

You impress me each and every day.

I have faith in you.

You can do anything.

I'm so proud of you.

I love that you're always willing to try.

Your effort blows me away.

You've got this.

There's no shame in recognizing when you need help and asking for it.

I'm always here if you need me.

I love watching you grow.

It's important that you love yourself as much as I love you.

I hope you're never afraid to try something new.

I love you more each and every day.

Spending time with you is the best part of my day.

Do what makes you happy.

You're pretty on the inside.

Always be your biggest advocate.

Your thoughts matter.

Never be afraid to ask a question or to speak up.

Your words can be used for good or harm and it's important to know the difference.

You should always try to stand out from the crowd.

Always let your personality shine.

I'm here for you no matter what.

Give your heart only to those who deserve it.

I love hanging out with you.

It's OK to fall as long as you get back up.

Never let anyone pressure you.

Embrace the things that make you different.

I'll never stop loving you.

Your opinion matters, especially to me.

Time Management

 ‘Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study,  lost health by temperance or medicine; but lost time is gone foever.’

Somewhere in 1981 I remember I had carried Sidney Sheldon’s Bloodline with me to Valour where I had accompanied my maternal uncle Inder Singh Mamaji for his ear checkup. While going through the novel  I had come across the following beautiful lines related to Time:-

‘Time is the subtle thief of youth,

The thief that shortens all our golden hours.

For then I had never understood,

Why lovers counted their happiness

In days nights and years?

When it could be only measured

In our joys sighs and tears`.

Time and tide wait for none. Hence it is important for us to learn to manage and  our time well for attaining our goals and also to have peace of mind.

Stephen Covey  divides all our tasks into the following four categories:-

1.       Important and Urgent

These tasks come under NECESSITY

Example: Deadlines to be met; Medical emergencies; pressing problems; last minute preparations

We need to LEARN to Mangage and Do such activities

2.       Important but Not Urgent

Example: Preparation and Planning; Values; Clarifications; Empowerment; Relationship building; True recreation

We need to LEARN to STAY FOCUSED and PLAN

3.       Not Important but Urgent

These tasks come under DECEPtION

Example: Frequent interruptions; Most emails; Some calls; Meeting other people’s priorities; Urgency appearing as important

We need to LEARN to be CAUTIOUS

4.       Neither Important nor Urgent

These tasks come under WASTE

Example: Mindless TV watching; Video games; Phone calls; Chats; Gossips

We need to LEARN to AVOID/ELIMINATE

We need to introspect ourselves and see where we are spending our time and automatically our intelligence will enable us to bring about a change in ourselves and improve in our stature irrespective of the situation or age we in.

 

                

Democracy

 ‘In demorcracy the poor will have more power than the  rich because, there are more of them and the will of majority is supreme.’

‘Democracy is of the people by the people and for the people.’ (Abraham Lincoln)

It sounds all good only if the poor get educated to select the best for both themselves and for the nation.

It will be great if we can get leaders who are strong, creative, proactive, think win win, are able to understand others and most importantly don’t get carried away by false praises by people around them and are able to take criticism positively and are ready to improve

Live Within Your Means

 

Bring your desires down to your present means. Increase them only when your increased means permit.

We always were told by our parents never to bring home anything with borrowed money. There’s another beautiful and profound saying, “Per utne phelou jitni badhi aap ki chadar hai”, i.e., spread  your legs to the extent of the length of your sheet to put the idea right into our minds.

However modern day living has made it essential for us in many ways to seek loans from the banks to fulfil our dreams. In such cases too it is highly advisable to borrow the kind of amount that will not be difficult to return in the stipulated time.

Life grants nothing to us mortals without hard-work

 

It is well said that God provides food to every bird but he doesn’t keep in the their beaks. The lesson is very clear to all of us. We need to have firm faith in the  presence of God but it certainly doesn’t mean that  we leave everything to Him.

Work is the only means through which we can attain success.  Teachers and parents can show us the path but it is upto us to travel to road shown to us to reach the destination.

Teachers, parents , scriptures and Masters are the mile stones. We will certainly not reach the intended destination if we stop and start worshipping the mile stone.

We may enhance the power of our mind by creating a space in it for our desire to own a big house or a luxurious car or go on a vacation but that will not help us to get to live  in the big house or own the car or go on the vacation unless and until we do something about it. We got to persevere and learn to manoeuvre in the complexity of world affairs to ultimately do so.

 

 

Don't Delay in What You Intend to Do

 

‘A Single day is enough to make us a little larger. Each day affets all the ones that come ater it. Today is a turning point in life. The things we accomplish the people we meet,  the direction we set today, will have consequences far into the future.’

Any change that we deem fit for our self growth should be implemented without delay. The life is too short for us to postpone all that we intend to accomplish.

Go ahead and pick the book that you want to read; meet the person you have been waiting to meet; call the  person you were looking forward to speak to; make your you tube channel that you wanted to from many days or years and record your songs, dance, thoughts and post them; buy the canvas upon which you intend to paint and paint upon it; compliment the people around you about the things you like in them, for life will not give us another opportunity to do these things again.