New Orleans (Louisiana): The book “PRAYER” is written by S. Shamsher Singh Puri. The book carries the imprint of the author’s deep study of the religious lore of the world combined with his own personal experience presented in simple language. The author did an outstanding job in discussing most of the obstacles between our Creator and us — while we pray or pretend to pray. It is ingrained in the nature of human being to pray, sometimes for the fulfillment of wishes which are too nagging, and sometimes to secure themselves against adversity or feared harm. What we really pray for, how to pray and what we may do to make our prayer a dynamic force that may stir heaven’s mercy, are the questions that the author answered in this book.
This book (167 pages) has quoted Gurbani in Punjabi and then explanation follows in English. The book, therefore, will be helpful to all the Sikhs including the young Sikhs who are brought up In the English speaking countries. The book gives specimen prayers from major world religions, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, and Christianity, The book refreshes our faith in efficacy of prayer. On page 72, the author quoted Bhagat Kabir as: “Kabir khudhya kukri karat bhajan pai bhang. Tako tukra daar kar simran karo nesang” means: O, Kabir! The dog of hunger spoils meditation and snarls, just throw a crumb to it and then pray at your ease. Most of us have fed this dog of hunger very well by coming to these wealthy countries and yet, ironically, this dog (like its thankless brother, dog of ego) has the character that more we feed it, more it barks! In this connection Guru Nanak says:” Kabhu jiara ubah charat hai, kabhu jai pyale. Lobhi jiara thir na rehat hai, chare kundan bhale” means no place (but true prayer) can end this greed!
To receive this book, please contact;
- Shamsher Singh Puri, 5235 STERLING trade CT. Lilburn, GA 30247. Tel: 770 931 8337.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 16, 1996
