[Summary of the presentation made by Sundar S. Saluja, Professor Emeritus, Univ. of North Dakota, on the auspicious occassion of the celebration of the Parkash Ustav of Guru Nanak at the San Jose State University, California on Saturday, November 20, 1999]

I am a first generation Sikh and was exposed to Srimad Bhagwad Gita,Mahabharata and Ramayana during my childhood mainly because my mother wanted me to read these to her.

My exposure to Gurbani started at Khalsa High School followed by 2 yrs. at khalsa College Amritsar but it was limited to doing Paath and listening to Kirtan because very little emphasis was placed on understanding and living one's life as per the Hukkum as indicated in the very 1st. paurri: "Kiv sachiaara hoeeyae kiv koorraey tutaey paal; Hukkum rajaaee chalna Nanak likhaya naal."

The need of Gurbani/Gur Sabad Veechaar [Gur seva Gur Sabad Veechaar; Sabhsaey ooper Gur Sabad Veechaar] was brought home with the blessed sangat of late Dr. Kartar Singh ji, which was arranged providentially when, after having achieved several firsts in the material world, I felt a spiritual vacuum and prayed sincerely for guidance. But it still remained to a sincere prayer off and on, particularly when I was in serious trouble and needed help.

The real understanding came when I was in the Intensive Care Unit in Oct.'85 in N. Dakota. I understood after, what doctors called a miracle, what Gurmat Living could give: "nanak Satgur bhatiyae poori hovaey jugat; hasandaya' khedandiya'n painadaya'n vichaey hovaey mukat"

I am trying to be a Sikh ever since. "So sikh sakha bandhap hae bhai jo Gur kay bhaanney vich aavaey"

During this illness I read scriptures, presented by friends from other religions also, who visited and prayed with me. I was able to appreciate for the first time the meaning of "Gurbani iss jugg me Chanan...SGGS Page-67" and what Rev. MaCaullif, after years of struggling research, was telling the members of the Royal Society of London and thru them the Western World, over 100 yrs. ago. (#1).

I was presented in 1986, Dr. Gopal Singh's translation of SGGS, in which I read the views of prominent non-Sikhs, starting with Dr. Radhakrishnan, then VP and later President of India, Pearl S. Buck, a Noble Laureate and others.

One has to research other scriptures to find the goal of human life and the method to achieve the same; you can find this in the 1st. 5 paurrees of Japuji written on the first page of SGGS.

About a year ago I attended a lecture on "Science of God" at Global community Foundation in Palo Alto and a follow up meeting where one of the directors said, "The world needs a new Story/Scripture because the old ones have failed; they talk of the origin of creation which has been proved wrong by Science; they create animosities because they encourage conversions.

I showed, with the help of the Gurbani CD ROM, a little from SGGS to indicate that there is a scripture which does not have these drawbacks and meets the universal challenges. It advises every one to live truthfully without the need of changing their religion. The participants asked me for a hard copy of the translation of Japuji. One participant asked me a real difficult question:

"If Sikhs have such a wonderful scripture why do they fight even in Sikh Temples where they go to pray!"

It is this question which started me thinking on today's presentation; I am convinced that unless Sikhs live the Sikh way of Life , they are doing a great disservice to their Guru They are neither benefiting from this guiding light themselves nor are they letting this light reach others.

We bow to the Guru but do not take His advice as seriously as that of a medical doctor or even of a travel agent; many times we do not do what He advises us to do and do what he advises us not to do and thus are guilty as per-Salaam jbaab dovey karey mudho'n ghutha jaaeay: A few examples are given below:

Parbraham nikat kar pekh;
Kacha dhunn sanchey moorakh gavaar
>>Chaldaya'n naaal na chalaey so kio sanjeeyae
Sacha dhunn Gurmati paaey
Ninda bhalee kisay ki naahi
humm nahi changey bura nahee koey; prunvat Nanak taarey soey.
Neecha andar neech jaat neechee hu'n att neech
>>aesaa kumm moolaey na keechaey jit unt pachhotaaeeyae
>>munn to dhokha ta'n lahayae ja'n sift karee ardaas
>>Kaam karodh lobh jhooth ninda in tay aap chhudavoh

I want to conclude with a prayer "May God bless us all to understand His Hukum (Gurbani) and the strength to live our daily life accordingly." Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.