Info
In the main body text, there are numbered links to relevant endnotes and references. Below is a list of these, which you may want to consider for further reading, notes and extra Vichaars that didn’t make it into the main body.
Questions, disagreements or feedback? Let us know!
Email: contact@azadism.co.uk
Instagram: Bunga Azaadi (@bunga_azaadi)
Notes & References
1
It should be made clear here, how I am using the term “spiritual” throughout this manifesto. A “spiritual” effort is understood to mean any effort that makes one closer to achieving or realising oneness/God.
2
Often, a Shabad is more completely understood through experiencing it in the way it was intended - musically. Especially with Raag, this helps reveal the emotions and feelings the Guru is aiming to represent through their words:
Link: Kabeer Tu Tu Karta Tu Hooaa - by Dhrupadhamar - BoS 5 Year Anniversary - YouTube
Raw:
Bhai Kirit Singh and Bhai Jadeep Singh expand on the history of this particular style of singing on their website available here:
Link: dhrupadhamar – Dhrupad | Dhamar | Shabad Kirtan
Raw: http://www.dhrupadhamar.com/
Another rendition of this Shabad presented here by the Naamdhari Panth, who have done a great Seva in keeping Raag Kirtan traditions alive to sing our Guru’s Bani:
Link: Kabir Tu Tu Karta Tu Hua | Shabad Kirtan | Raag Des | Jhap Taal | Sri Bhaini Sahib - YouTube
Raw:
3
This isn’t to say that this is the only way the Guru teaches the Sikhs, refer to the translation of Bhai Mani Singh’s ‘Sikhan di bhagat mala’ for the 3 levels of competency and how the Guru caters for all by designing Shabads relevant to each level (See introduction).
4
From Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Salok Mahalla 9
Link: 4K - Jo Sukh Ko Chaahai Sada - Bhai Manbir Singh (Australia) - Sri Nankana Sahib - YouTube
Raw:
5
Manglacharan.com has been an invaluable resource in uncovering some of the more overlooked aspects of Gurbani and Ithiaas. As well as Gobind Gita and Sikhan Di Bhagat Mala referenced in the introduction, Bhagauti Astotar is another prime example of this as explained in the heading to the translation provided below:
Link: Bhagauti Astotar Translation (manglacharan.com)
Raw: https://www.manglacharan.com/post/bhagauti-astotar-translation
6
In order to avoid this Manifesto turning into a Gutka, I have decided not to include more Shabads for this point in the body text. However, here are some of the examples mentioned from SikhiToTheMax.org:
Link: Shabad - SikhiToTheMax
Raw: https://www.sikhitothemax.org/shabad?id=1648&q=you%20are%20was&type=3&source=G&highlight=20025
Link: Shabad - SikhiToTheMax
Raw: https://www.sikhitothemax.org/shabad?id=3972&q=by%20the%20hai&type=3&source=G&highlight=47308
7
Professor Lou Fenech is a prominent modern day scholar on the study of Sikh history including the Zafarnama and Maharaj’s Darbars. The following is an interview conducted by the UK Punjab Heritage Association, where Lou reveals the nature of the Guru’s courts in more detail:
Link: Prof Lou Fenech on The Court of the Tenth Guru - YouTube
Raw:
As well as this, he has devoted a book on this topic, “The Darbar of the Sikh Gurus: The Court of God in the World of Men”
Another notable modern-day scholar in these matters is Satnam Singh from Denmark, whose research has been extremely valuable in opening the doors to what our Guru’s Darbars were like in terms of what was studied and the arts and poetry that flourished during that time.
Link: ਸatnam Singh ستنام (@satnam_sdk) • Instagram photos and videos
Raw: https://www.instagram.com/satnam_sdk/
8
Link: Levels of Understanding - by Bhai Mani Singh Shahid (manglacharan.com)
Raw: https://www.manglacharan.com/post/levels-of-understanding-by-bhai-mani-singh-shahid
The above Sakhi from Sikhan Di Bhagat Mala is perhaps one of the most crucial pieces of information we have in understanding how the Guru designed Bani.
9
In economics, these third party effects are known as “Externalities”. You can get both positive and negative externalities. The one in this example is a negative, however, cases of positive externalities include beekeepers benefiting from a nearby orchid and vice versa. These don’t tend to be an issue for the most part.
10
Link: Systems Thinking and the Cobra Effect - Our World (unu.edu)
Raw: https://ourworld.unu.edu/en/systems-thinking-and-the-cobra-effect
About
This is an audio version of the Azadist Manifesto.
Initially released in late 2022, these recordings have been remastered to improve audio quality and to promote the work to Bunga Azaadi’s newer audience. It has been AI-enhanced using Adobe Podcast for clearer and better audio quality, as well as edited to remove a lot of the “Umms” and filler words. The speed of narration has also been slowed slightly to help aid with clarity as well.
Additionally, these recordings are based on a set of “Azadism Webinars” originally conducted to read through the Manifesto live and answer any questions in those sessions. Therefore, there may be some slight differences between sections in sound due to different mic conditions when recording and also because of glitches in the AI.
If you would like to read along and see the additional notes/references, then the whole manifesto is also available for free at www.azadism.co.uk. A paperback version is also available to order via the website.
Blurb
Azadism introduces a framework to promote the flourishing and prosperity of existing and/or hypothetical States. The Azadist Manifesto outlines the political-economic philosophy of Azadism as a Sikhi-based alternative to authoritarianism and central-planning.
Combining both Sikh principles and Economic theory, the Azadist Manifesto aims to bring these concepts to the attention of the Guru Khalsa Panth and the wider Sangat so that we may form appropriate strategies to establish Khalsa Raaj. This is an attempt at outlining a detailed vision of what Azaadi looks like when applied in reality and its eventual full implication.
For more, visit www.azadism.co.uk
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