by SS Siri Krishna Kaur Khalsa, Medway, MA
Winter 2009

I had a particularly hard time trying to decide if my story was worthy enough for the publication…but I suppose that that’s not my job. My job is to tell my story and then let the editors decide if it is worth publishing or not. And if it inspires even one person, it is so worth it. So here goes.

My personal story started many years ago when I lived in Virginia. I was a 40-day birth sevadar for a lovely Sikh family in Herndon back in 1989, and during the time that I was there, it was the husband’s birthday. Those were the days when money was not plentiful in any way.

I wondered aloud what I could contribute as a gift that wouldn’t be too small or unappreciated. The husband suggested that I do 40 days of the 25th Pauri in Japji Sahib for him and his family for prosperity in lieu of a birthday present. And so I did. What a giant blessing that turned out to be for them I am certain, but also for me!

I had seen his wife doing her daily walks at Khalsa Women’s Training Camp, always reciting many of the shabds or pauris as she did her rounds each morning. I always admired her because of that, and I decided that this would be my jumping-off point to begin this practice as well.

And so I began my recitations. After the 40 days ended, I decided to continue reciting and to dedicate them to my own family. I started out with my Xeroxed copy in my hand that I read as I walked. I slowly began to memorize each line, and what began as a gift for someone else has now become an integral part of my day and life.

My days are different from when I first started the recitations. I have two children of my own now, one in college and the other two years away from higher learning. I do three pauris or shabds these days: Dhan Dhan Ram Das Gur for miracles, Poota Mata Ki Asis to bless my children, and my oldest favorite, the 25th Pauri of Japji Sahib, for our family’s prosperity.

I do these recitations as I walk our small dog around our cul-de-sac. I always feel that saying these prayers helps to bless not only my own family but all who live in this neighborhood. It’s a quiet contribution that no one is aware of. In addition, when people pass me on the street, I silently bless them.

Oh, by the way…that family back in Herndon is Sunder Singh and Kaur and I owe them much gratitude and admiration.

About the Author

SS Siri Krishna Kaur Khalsa is an ordained Sikh Dharma Minister. She teaches Kundalini Yoga classes to women and children throughout the Metrowest Boston area. She also serves on the Town of Medway Council on Aging board. She is active in the Millis ashram, serving on the langar missal and Gurdwara seva missal and attending sadhana and Gurdwara regularly. A longtime student of the Siri Singh Sahib (Yogi Bhajan), she first moved into an ashram in 1975 in Eugene, Oregon. She was was part of the Los Angeles ashram community from 1980-87, and was intricately involved with the Herndon, Virginia Sikh community for eight years. She is married to SS Dr. Sat Bir Singh Khalsa and has two grown children.