Siri Singh Sahib's Talk to Sadh Sangat at Gurdwara Manji Sahib, September 1995 –
"Waheguruji ka Khalsa! Waheguruji ki Fateh! Respected Jathedar of Akal Takhat, in the constitution of Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere, the Jathedar of Akal Takhat is the highest legal authority. The majority of Sikhs are Punjabi, but delegates from 22 countries have come here, so I am representing them. It is the Jathedar’s love, that he invited Sikhs from all different countries. That is why they are all here. We are part of the Panth Khalsa. We are Sikhs of the Shabad Guru. We honour the authority of Akal Takhat. Although we are not many today, tomorrow we will be countless Khalsa, universal Khalsa. You may say, 'This is an American Sikh. This is a foreign Sikh. They don’t know our language.'
"We are tolerating this because we know it is part of your saag-eating culture. LAUGHTER But they know your language. They know your Guru. They know your Panth. And they know your Guru Mantra. JAIKARA!!! They will become an important part of the Panth. In future, if the world powers do not bow down to their power, you can change my name from Harbhajan Singh Yogi. JAI KARA!!! I don’t have words for what you did yesterday. You proved to the world that we are the union of saint and soldier. We are going to tell the world that we practice Raj Yoga and we are peaceful people. We are going to counter others’ false accusations.
"All the Sikhs you invited are gong to say a few words in their language. Compassion is a very big thing in everyone Sikh’s life. I want that every Sikh should be forgiven and accepted into the Panth despite their past misdeeds. I am happy… Every human makes a mistake. Even I make a mistake… that there is a hope we will be accepted back into this Panth. Someone told me, 'You have done such a good job of spreading Sikh teachings. You should stop putting "Yogi" in your name.'
"If I now do something wrong, you can say, 'He was a Yogi. He wasn’t a Sikh.' LAUGHTER If however I am successful, you can say, 'Yogi was a good Sikh.' Thanks to Sardar Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Jathedar Akal Takhat Manjit Singh and we received a message from the Namdharis. Let us show our appreciation. JAIKARA!!! This is why I don’t come to the stage. They say I take too much time on the stage. Now I am giving the stage to the next speaker. <end talk> JAIKARA!!!
Manjeet Singh Calcutta calls for Livtar Singh Khalsa from Atlanta, Georgia.
Livtar comes to the mike and says, “Waheguruji ka Khalsa! Waheguruji ki Fateh…” Looks to SSSji.
Sitting, SSSji tells Livtar to recite Song of the Khalsa, line by line.
Livtar begins, “Many speak of courage. Speaking cannot give it. It’s in the face of death, we must live it… Many speak of courage. Speaking…”
SSSji speaks in Punjabi off-mike as he rises: “Sit down. Look, this is not working.” SSSj takes the mike (continuing in Punjabi), “This brother... Five and a half billion people live in this world. This child, with the grace of Guru, wrote Song of the Khalsa. In this song, we appreciate the importance of Anandpur Sahib and the character of Khalsa and Guru Maryada. He wrote it and he never read a word in Punjabi. When he wrote Song of the Khalsa, he didn’t know a word of Guru Maryada. So in any of our Gurdwaras, we don’t do the Bhog until we play this song. We were given 22 minutes for our group. I took already 15 minutes. It will take another 20 minutes. If Sangat will allow us, we will sing this song today. JAIKARA!!!
Speaking to the Western Khalsa: "Come, all should stand up and let us sing the Song of the Khalsa with one voice. Come on. IDAR AA! Sing it! You will sing from there! He will start, okay? Right! Let us start it…"
Many speak of courage, speaking cannot give it.
It’s in the face of death, we must live it.
When things are down and darkest, that’s when we stand tallest.
Until the last star falls, we won’t give an inch at all.
Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel, steady as stone,
We give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone.
Guru Arjun gave his life to stand for what was right.
He was burned and tortured for five long days and nights.
He could have stopped it any time just by giving in.
His strength a solid wall, he never gave an inch at all.
Sons of the Khalsa, remember those who died,
Stood their ground until their last breath so we who live now might live free lives.
A princess is not royal by her birth or blood inside,
But if her family’s home is Anandpur Sahib,
She’ll walk with such a grace and strength the world will bow in awe.
Until the last star falls, she’ll never give an inch at all.
Daughters of the Khalsa! In your strength our future lies.
Give our children fearless minds to see the world through the Guru’s eyes.
Baisakhi Day we were thousands. Only five had the courage for dying.
Then one brave man, one flashing sword turned us all to lions
And now we live his legacy, to die before we fall,
And like the five who answered his call, we can’t turn back at all.
Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel, steady as stone,
We give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone.
The tenth Guru gave even his sons to give the Khalsa life
And his words stand like mountains against the winds of time.
Khalsa will rule the world and all will be safe in its fold
But if the Khalsa falls, there won’t be a world at all.
Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel, steady as stone,
We give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone.
Many speak of courage, speaking cannot give it.
It’s in the face of death, we must live it.
When things are down and darkest, that’s when we stand tallest.
Until the last star falls, we won’t give an inch at all.
Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel, steady as stone,
We give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone.
Sons of the Khalsa, remember those who died,
Stood their ground until their last breath so we who live now might live free lives.
Daughters of the Khalsa! In your strength our future lies.
Give our children fearless minds to see the world through the Guru’s eyes.
Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel, steady as stone,
We give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone.
Mind and soul, are his alone.
JAIKARA!!!
SSSji rises. “He will speak in English and I will translate in Punjabi.”
Many speak of courage…
KA-EE BANDAY AAPNEE TAAKAT DEE-AAN GALAAN KARDAY HAN
Speaking cannot give it…
INAAN GALAAN NAAL BANDAA KUJH NAHEEN
It’s in the face of death, we must live it…
MAUT DAY SAAMNAY RAHI KAY, JEE-ON DAA NAAN HAI
When things are down and darkest…
JADON SAAREE-AA GALAAN DHAHIDEE-AAN KALAA WAL TUR JAAN
That’s when we stand tallest...
UDO ASEEN SABH TON UTAANH HO KAY TURDAY HAAN
Until the last star falls…
JINAAN CHIR AKHEERLAA SITAARAA KI-O NA DIG PAVAI
We won’t give an inch at all…
ASEEN IK INCH VEE KO-EE VEE CHHAI AAPNAY DHARAM UTAY DAYN LA-EE TI-AAR NAHEEN
Stand as the Khalsa…
KHAALSAA PANTH, KHARAY HO JAO
Strong as steel, steady as stone…
IS TARAAN TAKRAY HO JAA-O JAS TARAAN LOHAAN HUNDAY
We give our lives to God and Guru…
AAPNEE ZINDGEE GUROO ATAY RAB NOON DAY DI-O
Mind and soul…
TAYRAY OT AAPNAA MAN TAY AAPNEE AATMAA
Breath and bone…
Breath and bone. AAPNAA SVAAS TAY AAPNEE-AAN HADEE-AAN
Guru Arjun gave his life…
GUROO ARJAN NAY AAPNEE ZINDGEE DITEE
To stand for what was right…
IS KARKAY KI JO SACH SEE US UTAY KHALO JAAN
He was burned and tortured…
OH PANJ DIN JALAA-AY GA-AY TAY TANG KEETAY GA-AY
For five long days and nights…
PANJ DIN TAY PANJ RAATAAN
He could have stopped it any time…
OH KISAY VAYLAY VEE IS NOON BAND KAR SAKDAY SAN
Just by giving in…
IH KEHIN NAAL KI TUSEEN THEEK HO
His strength a solid wall…
IH KANDH DEE KANDH BAN KAY KHALO GA-AY
He never gave an inch at all…
OHNAA BILKUL IK INCH NAHEEN DITAA
Sons of the Khalsa…
KHAALSAY DAY PUTRO
Remember those who died…
UNAAN NOON CHAYTAY RAKHAY JIHRAY TUHAADAY TON PEHILAAN SHAHEED HO-AY
Stood their ground until their last breath…
UNAAN AAPNEE ZAMEER NOON BILKUL NAHEEN CHADI-AA AKHEERLAY SWAAS TAK
So we who live now might live free lives…
HUN JIHRAY ASEEN JI-ONDAY HAAN SUTANTAR HO KAY JI-OEE-AY
A princess is not royal…
OH SHEHIZAADEE, SHEHIZAADEE NAHEEN
By her birth or blood inside…
JIS DA AAPNAA KHOON SHEHIZAADEE-AA VAALAA NAHEEN JISAM SHEHIZAADEE-AA VAALAA HAI
But if her family’s home is Anandpur Sahib…
OH SHEHIZAADEE, SHEHIZAADEE HAI JIS DAA GHAR ANANDPUR SAAHIB
She’ll walk with such a grace and strength…
OH IS SHAAN NAAL TURAYGEE
The world will bow in awe…
SAAREE DUNEE-AA US NOON JHUKAYGEE
Until the last star falls…
JINAA CHIR AKHEERLAA SITAARAA NAHEEN JHUCH JAANDAA
She’ll never give an inch at all…
OH VEE IK INCH THAHAAN NAHEEN HOVAYGEE
Daughters of the Khalsa…
KHAALSAY DEE-AAN SHAHIZAADI-O
In your strength our future lies…
TUHAADEE TAAKAT DAY VICH SAADAA BHAVIKH HAI
Give our children fearless minds…
SAADAY BACHI-AAN NOON NIRBHAU BANAN DAYO
To see the world through the Guru’s eyes…
TAA KAY OHO DUNI-AA NOON GUROO DEE-AAN AKHAAN NAAL VAYKH SAKAN
Baisakhi Day we were thousands…
BAISAAKHEE VAALAY DIN ASEEN HAZAARAAN SAAN
Only five had the courage for dying…
PANJ VAALI-AAN NOON TAAKAT MILEE KO OHO AAPNAY AAP NOON SHAHEED KARAA SAKAN
One brave man, one flashing sword…
IK BARAA TAAKATVAR BANDAA TAY OH DEE TALVAAR NAY
Turned us all to lions…
SAANOON BANDI-AAN TON SHAYR BANAA DITAA
And now we live his legacy…
ASEEN HUN US DEE PRABHTAA VICH JI-ONDAY HAAN
To die before we fall…
DIGAN TON PEHILAA SAANOON MARNAA KABOOL HAIN
And like the five who answered his call…
OH PANJ JINAAN NAY US DEE AVAAZ DAY JAVAAB VICH AAPNAA JEEVAN BALEEDAAN KEETAA
We can’t turn back at all…
HUN ADEEN PICHHAY NAHEEN HAT SAKDAY
The tenth Guru gave even his sons…
DASVAY PAATSHAAH NAY AAPNAY BACHAY VEE VAAR DITAY
To give the Khalsa life…
TAA KAY KHAALSAA NOON JEEVAN MIL SAKAI
And his words stand like mountains…
ONAAN DAY SHABAD PAHAARAAN DEE-AAN KATAARAAN VAANGAAN KHALOTAY HO-AY NAY
Against the winds of time…
VAKAT DEE-AAN HAVAAVAAN NOON ROKDAY REHINGAY
Khalsa will rule the world…
KHAALSAA DUNEE-AAN TAY RAAJ KARAYGAA
JAIKARA!!!
And all will be safe in its fold…
SAARAY BANDAY US DEE HAKOOMAT THALAY KHUSH TAY BAHAAL HONGEE
But if the Khalsa falls, there won’t be a world at all.
JAY KHAALSAA DIG PI-AA TAY DUNEE-AA DUNEE-AA NAHEEN REHINEE
Waheguruji ka Khalsa! Waheguruji ki Fateh!
JAIKARA!
"Waheguruji ka Khalsa! Waheguruji ki Fateh! Respected Jathedar of Akal Takhat, in the constitution of Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere, the Jathedar of Akal Takhat is the highest legal authority. The majority of Sikhs are Punjabi, but delegates from 22 countries have come here, so I am representing them. It is the Jathedar’s love, that he invited Sikhs from all different countries. That is why they are all here. We are part of the Panth Khalsa. We are Sikhs of the Shabad Guru. We honour the authority of Akal Takhat. Although we are not many today, tomorrow we will be countless Khalsa, universal Khalsa. You may say, 'This is an American Sikh. This is a foreign Sikh. They don’t know our language.'
"We are tolerating this because we know it is part of your saag-eating culture. LAUGHTER But they know your language. They know your Guru. They know your Panth. And they know your Guru Mantra. JAIKARA!!! They will become an important part of the Panth. In future, if the world powers do not bow down to their power, you can change my name from Harbhajan Singh Yogi. JAI KARA!!! I don’t have words for what you did yesterday. You proved to the world that we are the union of saint and soldier. We are going to tell the world that we practice Raj Yoga and we are peaceful people. We are going to counter others’ false accusations.
"All the Sikhs you invited are gong to say a few words in their language. Compassion is a very big thing in everyone Sikh’s life. I want that every Sikh should be forgiven and accepted into the Panth despite their past misdeeds. I am happy… Every human makes a mistake. Even I make a mistake… that there is a hope we will be accepted back into this Panth. Someone told me, 'You have done such a good job of spreading Sikh teachings. You should stop putting "Yogi" in your name.'
"If I now do something wrong, you can say, 'He was a Yogi. He wasn’t a Sikh.' LAUGHTER If however I am successful, you can say, 'Yogi was a good Sikh.' Thanks to Sardar Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Jathedar Akal Takhat Manjit Singh and we received a message from the Namdharis. Let us show our appreciation. JAIKARA!!! This is why I don’t come to the stage. They say I take too much time on the stage. Now I am giving the stage to the next speaker. <end talk> JAIKARA!!!
Manjeet Singh Calcutta calls for Livtar Singh Khalsa from Atlanta, Georgia.
Livtar comes to the mike and says, “Waheguruji ka Khalsa! Waheguruji ki Fateh…” Looks to SSSji.
Sitting, SSSji tells Livtar to recite Song of the Khalsa, line by line.
Livtar begins, “Many speak of courage. Speaking cannot give it. It’s in the face of death, we must live it… Many speak of courage. Speaking…”
SSSji speaks in Punjabi off-mike as he rises: “Sit down. Look, this is not working.” SSSj takes the mike (continuing in Punjabi), “This brother... Five and a half billion people live in this world. This child, with the grace of Guru, wrote Song of the Khalsa. In this song, we appreciate the importance of Anandpur Sahib and the character of Khalsa and Guru Maryada. He wrote it and he never read a word in Punjabi. When he wrote Song of the Khalsa, he didn’t know a word of Guru Maryada. So in any of our Gurdwaras, we don’t do the Bhog until we play this song. We were given 22 minutes for our group. I took already 15 minutes. It will take another 20 minutes. If Sangat will allow us, we will sing this song today. JAIKARA!!!
Speaking to the Western Khalsa: "Come, all should stand up and let us sing the Song of the Khalsa with one voice. Come on. IDAR AA! Sing it! You will sing from there! He will start, okay? Right! Let us start it…"
Many speak of courage, speaking cannot give it.
It’s in the face of death, we must live it.
When things are down and darkest, that’s when we stand tallest.
Until the last star falls, we won’t give an inch at all.
Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel, steady as stone,
We give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone.
Guru Arjun gave his life to stand for what was right.
He was burned and tortured for five long days and nights.
He could have stopped it any time just by giving in.
His strength a solid wall, he never gave an inch at all.
Sons of the Khalsa, remember those who died,
Stood their ground until their last breath so we who live now might live free lives.
A princess is not royal by her birth or blood inside,
But if her family’s home is Anandpur Sahib,
She’ll walk with such a grace and strength the world will bow in awe.
Until the last star falls, she’ll never give an inch at all.
Daughters of the Khalsa! In your strength our future lies.
Give our children fearless minds to see the world through the Guru’s eyes.
Baisakhi Day we were thousands. Only five had the courage for dying.
Then one brave man, one flashing sword turned us all to lions
And now we live his legacy, to die before we fall,
And like the five who answered his call, we can’t turn back at all.
Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel, steady as stone,
We give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone.
The tenth Guru gave even his sons to give the Khalsa life
And his words stand like mountains against the winds of time.
Khalsa will rule the world and all will be safe in its fold
But if the Khalsa falls, there won’t be a world at all.
Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel, steady as stone,
We give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone.
Many speak of courage, speaking cannot give it.
It’s in the face of death, we must live it.
When things are down and darkest, that’s when we stand tallest.
Until the last star falls, we won’t give an inch at all.
Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel, steady as stone,
We give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone.
Sons of the Khalsa, remember those who died,
Stood their ground until their last breath so we who live now might live free lives.
Daughters of the Khalsa! In your strength our future lies.
Give our children fearless minds to see the world through the Guru’s eyes.
Stand as the Khalsa, strong as steel, steady as stone,
We give our lives to God and Guru, mind and soul, breath and bone.
Mind and soul, are his alone.
JAIKARA!!!
SSSji rises. “He will speak in English and I will translate in Punjabi.”
Many speak of courage…
KA-EE BANDAY AAPNEE TAAKAT DEE-AAN GALAAN KARDAY HAN
Speaking cannot give it…
INAAN GALAAN NAAL BANDAA KUJH NAHEEN
It’s in the face of death, we must live it…
MAUT DAY SAAMNAY RAHI KAY, JEE-ON DAA NAAN HAI
When things are down and darkest…
JADON SAAREE-AA GALAAN DHAHIDEE-AAN KALAA WAL TUR JAAN
That’s when we stand tallest...
UDO ASEEN SABH TON UTAANH HO KAY TURDAY HAAN
Until the last star falls…
JINAAN CHIR AKHEERLAA SITAARAA KI-O NA DIG PAVAI
We won’t give an inch at all…
ASEEN IK INCH VEE KO-EE VEE CHHAI AAPNAY DHARAM UTAY DAYN LA-EE TI-AAR NAHEEN
Stand as the Khalsa…
KHAALSAA PANTH, KHARAY HO JAO
Strong as steel, steady as stone…
IS TARAAN TAKRAY HO JAA-O JAS TARAAN LOHAAN HUNDAY
We give our lives to God and Guru…
AAPNEE ZINDGEE GUROO ATAY RAB NOON DAY DI-O
Mind and soul…
TAYRAY OT AAPNAA MAN TAY AAPNEE AATMAA
Breath and bone…
Breath and bone. AAPNAA SVAAS TAY AAPNEE-AAN HADEE-AAN
Guru Arjun gave his life…
GUROO ARJAN NAY AAPNEE ZINDGEE DITEE
To stand for what was right…
IS KARKAY KI JO SACH SEE US UTAY KHALO JAAN
He was burned and tortured…
OH PANJ DIN JALAA-AY GA-AY TAY TANG KEETAY GA-AY
For five long days and nights…
PANJ DIN TAY PANJ RAATAAN
He could have stopped it any time…
OH KISAY VAYLAY VEE IS NOON BAND KAR SAKDAY SAN
Just by giving in…
IH KEHIN NAAL KI TUSEEN THEEK HO
His strength a solid wall…
IH KANDH DEE KANDH BAN KAY KHALO GA-AY
He never gave an inch at all…
OHNAA BILKUL IK INCH NAHEEN DITAA
Sons of the Khalsa…
KHAALSAY DAY PUTRO
Remember those who died…
UNAAN NOON CHAYTAY RAKHAY JIHRAY TUHAADAY TON PEHILAAN SHAHEED HO-AY
Stood their ground until their last breath…
UNAAN AAPNEE ZAMEER NOON BILKUL NAHEEN CHADI-AA AKHEERLAY SWAAS TAK
So we who live now might live free lives…
HUN JIHRAY ASEEN JI-ONDAY HAAN SUTANTAR HO KAY JI-OEE-AY
A princess is not royal…
OH SHEHIZAADEE, SHEHIZAADEE NAHEEN
By her birth or blood inside…
JIS DA AAPNAA KHOON SHEHIZAADEE-AA VAALAA NAHEEN JISAM SHEHIZAADEE-AA VAALAA HAI
But if her family’s home is Anandpur Sahib…
OH SHEHIZAADEE, SHEHIZAADEE HAI JIS DAA GHAR ANANDPUR SAAHIB
She’ll walk with such a grace and strength…
OH IS SHAAN NAAL TURAYGEE
The world will bow in awe…
SAAREE DUNEE-AA US NOON JHUKAYGEE
Until the last star falls…
JINAA CHIR AKHEERLAA SITAARAA NAHEEN JHUCH JAANDAA
She’ll never give an inch at all…
OH VEE IK INCH THAHAAN NAHEEN HOVAYGEE
Daughters of the Khalsa…
KHAALSAY DEE-AAN SHAHIZAADI-O
In your strength our future lies…
TUHAADEE TAAKAT DAY VICH SAADAA BHAVIKH HAI
Give our children fearless minds…
SAADAY BACHI-AAN NOON NIRBHAU BANAN DAYO
To see the world through the Guru’s eyes…
TAA KAY OHO DUNI-AA NOON GUROO DEE-AAN AKHAAN NAAL VAYKH SAKAN
Baisakhi Day we were thousands…
BAISAAKHEE VAALAY DIN ASEEN HAZAARAAN SAAN
Only five had the courage for dying…
PANJ VAALI-AAN NOON TAAKAT MILEE KO OHO AAPNAY AAP NOON SHAHEED KARAA SAKAN
One brave man, one flashing sword…
IK BARAA TAAKATVAR BANDAA TAY OH DEE TALVAAR NAY
Turned us all to lions…
SAANOON BANDI-AAN TON SHAYR BANAA DITAA
And now we live his legacy…
ASEEN HUN US DEE PRABHTAA VICH JI-ONDAY HAAN
To die before we fall…
DIGAN TON PEHILAA SAANOON MARNAA KABOOL HAIN
And like the five who answered his call…
OH PANJ JINAAN NAY US DEE AVAAZ DAY JAVAAB VICH AAPNAA JEEVAN BALEEDAAN KEETAA
We can’t turn back at all…
HUN ADEEN PICHHAY NAHEEN HAT SAKDAY
The tenth Guru gave even his sons…
DASVAY PAATSHAAH NAY AAPNAY BACHAY VEE VAAR DITAY
To give the Khalsa life…
TAA KAY KHAALSAA NOON JEEVAN MIL SAKAI
And his words stand like mountains…
ONAAN DAY SHABAD PAHAARAAN DEE-AAN KATAARAAN VAANGAAN KHALOTAY HO-AY NAY
Against the winds of time…
VAKAT DEE-AAN HAVAAVAAN NOON ROKDAY REHINGAY
Khalsa will rule the world…
KHAALSAA DUNEE-AAN TAY RAAJ KARAYGAA
JAIKARA!!!
And all will be safe in its fold…
SAARAY BANDAY US DEE HAKOOMAT THALAY KHUSH TAY BAHAAL HONGEE
But if the Khalsa falls, there won’t be a world at all.
JAY KHAALSAA DIG PI-AA TAY DUNEE-AA DUNEE-AA NAHEEN REHINEE
Waheguruji ka Khalsa! Waheguruji ki Fateh!
JAIKARA!