Exploring the Poetry of the Tenth Master

by Solstice Gathering Facilitator SS Satwant Singh Khalsa, Herndon VA 

Though small in number, the Ministers’ Gathering at Winter Solstice 2016 was mighty in Spirit. This year’s theme was “Creativity through the Radiant Body.”

For most of us, Guru Gobind Singh represents the Soldier-Saint and we aspire to fully develop those dual qualities. Perhaps lesser appreciated is Guru Gobind Singh’s love of poetry and his role as a patron of the arts.

We began with a Meditation to Develop the Radiant Body utilizing the Ajai Alai mantra from Jaap Sahib.

Poets in the Guru’s Court

Persian poet Bhai Nand Lal served as the Poet Laureate of Guru Gobind Singh’s court.

We then learned about Guru Gobind Singh’s support for poets and writers during his time in Anandpur and Paonta. He created environments where poets could flourish and produce works that continue to inspire us. At its height there were 52 court poets in the Guru’s darbar.

We read poetry from Bhai Nand Lal, who is considered by many to be the Poet Laureate of Guru Gobind Singh’s court, and discussed what it meant to each of us. Then we read a few poems from Furmaan Khalsa and discussed the impact of the Siri Singh Sahib’s words upon us.

Finally, having meditated on strengthening our Radiant Bodies, and having experienced the uplifting poetry of the poets of Guru Gobind Singh’s day and Siri Singh Sahib’s words, we got out pen and paper and worked to create our own poetry.

Each of the participants shared their poems with the group. We were fortunate to experience firsthand the devotion that went into each of these remarkable poems. Examples of those efforts are included here.

A Master of Art and Culture

We spent some time discussing the importance of being a Minister, including what it means to each of us and how being Ministers impacts our lives. A number of Ministers felt that it was another level of commitment, another reminder for us, and another thing to strive for as we walk on this path.

We closed the gathering with an energetic version of the Har Har Har Har Gobinday meditation. All of us left with a deeper appreciation of the mastery of Guru Gobind Singh and his enduring impact on art and culture. Hope to see you at the Ministers’ Gathering at Summer Solstice 2017!

Handout from Winter Solstice Ministers’ Gathering (PDF)

Poems by Solstice Ministers’ Gathering Participants