It is said that in the old days the Singhs were not familiar with the taste of butter or salt. This was written by one of the Moghul leaders at the time. Their food was very very basic. Food was only seen as a necessity and it was Hukam that food should not be taken in great volumes nor in various forms. Once a Raja (King) came to the Guru's darbar and the Guru offered the Raja some kind of natural food (a berry or nut of some kind). The Raja took the food and began to chew it. He instantly spat it out saying that it was sour (or something like that). The Guru took the same food at ate it without a problem. The Raja asked how this was possible? The Guru explained that when Singh do not eat, they Jap Naam. This Naam Japna is connected to a beat. The most relyable beat is that of the breath since this is continuous for as long as there is life in us. But when Singhs are eating this type of Simran (known as Saas Giraas) is not possible. So then they use the beat of their jaws/teeth. Guru Sahib explained to the Raja that how can anything taste sour to the mouth or tongue which is repeating the Naam? This was what the Khalsa did in those days and still does today and explains why elaborate foods (which are all too prevelent in today's western Gurdwarai) were never eaten then.
One Singh said that most of the Seva that goes on today is not Seva of the Guru, but Seva of ourselves and the Seva of our society and friends. Examples were given of Central Heating in Gurdwarai, Carpets, decorations and flowers etc. He said that all these are present in Gurdwarai for our own benefit, since the Guru does not require these luxuries or comforts. The only thing that the Guru wants is Naam and yet this is the last thing that happens in most Gurwarai. Gurbanee also tells us that the other Seva in the Guru's darbar are only accepted by the Guru if Naam Simran is also practices by the Sevadar. Gurbanee also clearly states that the way to do the Seva of Vaheguru is to Jap his Naam, everything else is minute in comparison.
Gurfateh!
In the "good old days" Singhs never ever used to bathe in warm water. A Moghul leader once wrote that even in winter the Singhs would never look for warm water and in summer they would not seek out cold water. Infact, one of the Rehitnamai states...
ThanDai Paanee joe nhai NaaVai Vadha Tankhaee so Kahaavai||
(this is probably not word for word - especially the 2nd half)
It means the one who does not bathe in cold water is said to be Tankhahee ie punishable.
Furthermore the Singhs would (and still do in some cases) arise very early (battling with sleep) and then immediately have a cold "shower". Anyone who has tried a cold shower will know it is not easy. The strenght of the Singhs was so intense that they would not hesitate to put themselves throuygh this. Indeed, some never even questioned the purpose (as we all seem to today), but simply complied with their Master's Hukam.
Gurfathe!
I once heard this story a year or so ago:
A Gursikh brigade was busy fighting Indian troops one day, when they realised that they were completely surrounded (in a forest, i think) and that they were being shot at. They all realised that their lives were to end there and then. Instead of going crazy (as many would) these GurSikhs grouped together and did Ardaas in the middle of the battlefield. They did not ask to be spared etc., but simply that the Guru's wish should be sweetly accepted. After the Ardaas, the GurSikhs decided to relocate, and in the process of doing this they came across a storm of bullets. One Singh got shot in the leg and had to be carried by the others, but eventually they got out. Afterwards, they could not give a "logical" reason for how they were not killed. One Gurmukh commented " it was the Guru's wish".
I have this story once before, when a singh called Bhai Manohchaal Singh escaped a building which was surrounded by huge numbers of Indian soldiers. He was said to be very Gurmukh too.
Continuing from the point about the Ardaas in the middle of the battlefield. Once Guru Gobind Singh told his Singhs to sit down and begin Asa Di Vaar when being attacked by the enemy. The Singhs could not believe it. They politely protested, but Guru Sahib said that it is dawn and therefore we should do Asa Di Vaar.
Gurfateh!
When some of Guru Gobind Singh's shastars were returned to Indian (?late 1960s) they were accompanied by an Englishman who had converted to Sikhism. It turned out he was commander of a Sikh brigade in WWII that was also surrounded by German troops and facing sure defeat, or death. He wanted to surrender, but the Sikhs refused to saying it would be an insult to their Guru. They did ardaas on the battlefield. That night, in his dream, the English commander saw a Sikh rider on a horse who told him to direct his troops towards a certain direction. The next morning they did just that and escaped. He converted shortly thereafter.
Posted by Gurvinder Singh