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The Suraj Podcast

@surajpodcast

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Unfiltered Sikh History - Available on Spotify, SoundCloud, iTunes and Youtube

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Explore the stories of the Gurus through the Suraj Mandal, link in bio by @surajpodcast

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7 days ago

The Self, with a capital S, is one's true being, not one's body, inner desires, or personality. The Self, what one really is, resides within all equally.

The Gurmukh, one oriented toward the Guru - the dispeller of ignorance (dark) through understanding (light) - recognizes his/her true Self, beyond his/her body and sense of "I". The Guru's teachings allow for one see beyond these illusory barriers.

This line does not promote moral relativism - a free for all where anything goes ethically and morally - rather it represents an understanding that all is happening according to the flow of Divine play (khel/līlā). This enlightened vision is called the 'vision of a tiger' (sher drishṭī) - you can learn more about it by listening to Episode 67 of the Suraj Podcast (available on Spotify, YouTube, Soundcloud).

Quote: Guru Granth Sahib: 1244, Guru Ramdas by @surajpodcast

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7 months ago

This Bandi Chorr Diwas we celebrate the dignity and freedom that is innate to the natural world. This story we are highlighting, from Suraj Parkash, Chapter 45, Raas 8, explores Guru Hargobind’s revel at the beauty of flora, dignifying all living beings. With great detail Guru Hargobind admires the flowers and equally grieves their destruction by his own grandson, Har Rai. Teaching his grandson and us today, Guru Hargobind dignifies the trampled beautiful flowers, reminding us to be mindful of our mindless participation in the natural world. Similarly, as a child himself, Guru Hargobind, wrongfully imprisoned, negotiates his freedom and having leverage against Jahangir, he frees 52 feudal lords who were also wrongfully imprisoned. In light of Bandi Chorr Diwas, this story highlights our duty as caretakers and participators of any world to let freedom ring true, especially when we hold the power. For us, florists, farmers, and stewards of this Earth, this garden story is a vow to continue to move beautifully without harming Beauty in all its manifestations. The story also foreshadows Guru Har Rai’s lifelong path as an evident environmentalist, often considered the Green Guru.

Suraj Parkash, Chapter 45, Raas 8

Translation via @jvalaaa and @surajpodcast by @surajpodcast

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a year ago

Episode 11 is now online - this was recorded at the haveli of Kavi Santokh Singh - the very location where the master poet composed the Suraj Prakash. Watch the episode on our YouTube page. by @surajpodcast

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Episode 10 of season 2 is a must watch on YouTube! Recorded while sitting in the Yamuna River. taken in Gurudwara Paonta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh by @surajpodcast

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a year ago

ਦਸਮ ਕਥਾ ਪਾਉਂਟਾ ਮਹਿ, ਸੁਭ ਹੋਇ ਸੋਮਵਾਰ ।
ਵੀਹ ਪਚੀ ਮੇਈ ਵਿਖੇ, ਜਮਨਾ ਨਦੀ ਮਝਾਰ ।
The story of Guru Gobind Singh in Paonta, was recorded on Monday,
During May of 2025, while sitting in the Yamuna River.

This was a trip - recording an episode from Suraj Prakash about Guru Gobind Singh sitting alongside the banks of Yamuna river composing Krishnavatar - while sitting in that very river. Unfortunately the river does not flow as aggressively as it once did due to an electrical dam a few kms north. Paonta Sahib also displays the pens used by Guru Gobind Singh.

This will be episode 10 of SZN 2. A video (and drone) footage will be released as well. by @surajpodcast

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a year ago

Life Goal ✅
After 6 years of studying someone's writings you get a deep sense of their personality, humor, and temperament.

Recording a podcast, a translated chapter, of Santokh Singh's Suraj Prakash, in the very house he composed the text - completely surreal. It almost felt like visiting a long lost friend or an ancestor that I think about nearly every day. Life is short but I'm so fortunate and grateful for such meaningful moments.

Just Incredible. by @surajpodcast

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a year ago

Historical Exploration of the term Kaur ਕੌਰ

As heard on the @surajpodcast SZN 2 Episode 5, which covered the story of Ramrai's wife, Ram Kaur - Sikh women prior to 1699 were using the term Kaur (ਕੌਰ).

While the term Kaur or Kauri ਕੌਰਿ / ਕੁਅਰਿ was reserved for princesses - the usage in Sikh circles, which were largely composed of marginalized communities, follows from the tradition's internalizing of a royal and sovereign ethos - appropriating titles held by the exclusive elite.

Other titles used for Sikh women include Devi and Singhni. by @surajpodcast

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a year ago

In the latest episode (#5), we hear how Guru Gobind Singh's court at Paonta Sahib became a center of splendor, with Sikhs from far and wide offering exquisite weapons and horses. Meanwhile, Raj Kaur, the eldest wife of Guru Ramrai, left her home in anger, vowing never to live where his Sikhs resided. After wandering through many towns, she settled in Mani Majra— where no one recognized Ramrai —and eventually blessed a humble family there with kingship. Her legacy lives on, with her Gurdwara still standing in present-day Chandigarh (seen in the photo above). by @surajpodcast

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a year ago

In Episode 4 of the Suraj Podcast, Guru Gobind Singh joyfully travels by boat along the serene Yamuna River, captivated by its pristine beauty, before settling on its banks near Paonta. There, immersed in solitude, he composes exquisite poetry,
the Krishnavatar.

Later, the Guru and his Sikhs visit the bustling festival at Kapal Mochan, where faced with a shortage of turbans (siropas), Guru Gobind Singh ingeniously instructs his warriors to confiscate turbans from those disrespecting the sacred pilgrimage site, cleverly fulfilling their need without violence. This act earns the Guru widespread admiration, enhancing his glory and reputation among the gathered devotees.

This story is also written by Guru Gobind Singh himself in his Charitropakhyan composition. A full translation of this story, as written by Guru Gobind Singh, can be found on Manglacharan.com. by @surajpodcast

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2 years ago

Episode 3 is out! Ramrai meets with Guru Gobind Singh

In Episode 3 we hear how Guru Gobind SIngh and his warriors engage in martial training, showcasing their skills and training. When Ramrai finally meets the Guru, he expresses his humility and regret for past conflicts, acknowledging Guru Gobind Singh's authority, requesting him to safeguard the community after his passing. Despite the affectionate and respectful meeting between the two leaders, Ramrai's arrogant masands disrespect the Guru.

Image: The beautiful Yamuna river, which Guru Gobind Singh calls 'Kālindrī' (ਕਾਲਿੰਦ੍ਰੀ), literally meaning the river flowing from Kalinda Mountain, but also meaning the daughter of the Sun (Sūrya). Guru Gobind Singh in Bachittar Natak writes:

ਕਾਲਿੰਦ੍ਰੀ ਤਟਿ ਕਰੇ ਬਿਲਾਸਾ
On the banks of the Kālindrī (Yamuna river) I delighted in play. by @surajpodcast

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2 years ago

Episode 2 is live!

This episode sets off a series covering the stories of Ramrai (shown in the image) with Guru Gobind Singh. This episode describes Guru Gobind Singh’s growing power at Paonta Sahib, which sparks curiosity and anxiety among local rulers, especially Ramrai, the Guru’s cousin-nephew. Ramrai secretly proposes a meeting to avoid being seen as subordinate, leading to a discreet arrangement for the two leaders to meet on boats in the Yamuna River. As the masands convey messages between them, the tensions and political calculations underlying this intriguing family encounter set the stage for a fascinating meeting in the next episode.

Image: Portrait of Ramrai, Kapany Collection, circa 1670. by @surajpodcast

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2 years ago