This weekend we will be holding an Akhand Paath to celebrate the Parkash Divas of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. Here is the history adapted from the references below. Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was born Tyag Mal on April 18, 1621 to parents Guru Hargobind Ji and Mata Nanaki. Guru Ji learned Gurmukhi, Hindi and Sanskrit from Bhai Gurdas Ji, archery and horsemanship from Baba Buddha Ji, and swordsmanship from his father. He went into battle for the first time at the age of 13 earning the name Teg Bahadur (brave wielder of sword). He married Mata Gujri Ji in 1632.
The Guruship was passed from Guru Hargobind Ji onto Guru Har Rai Ji next, then Guru Harkrishan Ji. In the meantime, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji spent much of his life absorbed in meditation. Then Guru Harkrishan Ji named his successor as “Baba Bakala,” the name of the town where Guru Ji was residing. After this, 22 individuals established themselves as the Guru. Makhan Shah was a trader travelling on a boat when there was a storm, and he prayed to God that he would give 500 Gold Mohars to Guru Harkrishan Ji if he made it safely. In the meantime however, the Guruship had been passed on. Unsure of who the real Guru was, he proceeded to give 2 gold mohars to all 22 individuals. When a child told him of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, he went and gave him 2 Gold Mohars as well. Guru Ji spoke, asking him of why he had broken his promise of giving 500 Gold Mohars when he had said the prayer on the boat. Makhan Shah immediately knew that this must be the real Guru Ji, and gave the rest of his gold, spreading the message that he had found the real Guru.
Guru Ji became our 9th Guru on April 16, 1664. He travelled extensively to places previously visited by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and bought land in Himachal Pardesh where he created the city Chakk Nanaki, later named Anandpur. After leaving his family at Patna, Guru Ji travelled to present-day Bangladesh to once again spread the Name of God. Mata Ji did not accompany him as she was pregnant. Finally after 34 years of marriage they were blessed with the birth of Gobind Rai in 1666. Mata Nanaki, grandmother of Gobind Rai, was present at the birth. This is the site of present day Patna Sahib. A courier was sent to deliver the news to Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. Guru Ji returned in 1670 and brought his family to Anandpur.
Soon Aurangzeb destroyed Hindu temples, fired Hindus from their jobs and imposed taxes, forcing the Brahmins to either convert to Islam or be executed. (If the pandits themselves converted, that meant the rest of the population would convert as well). They asked Guru Ji to protect them, and thus, it was at the age of 9 that Gobind Rai told his father that no one else would be better suited to make this sacrifice. The Guruship was passed to Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Guru Teg Bahadur Ji told Aurangzeb if he could convert Guru Ji then all the pandits would convert as well. He left for Delhi with Bhai Sati Das, Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Dyal Das. They were arrested and transported in a cage at the back of an elephant. Then came the torture and martyrdoms of Bhai Sati Das, Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Dyal Das. Guru Ji continued to meditate, and chanted “Give up your head, but forsake not those whom you have undertaken to protect. Says Tegh Bahadur, sacrifice your life, but relinquish not your faith.” Guru Ji was beheaded Nov 24, 1675 at Chandni Chauk for refusal to convert to Islam, and thus saved everyone’s religious rights. Gurdwara Sis Ganj has been created at this site. Guru Ji is therefore known as Hind Di Chadar, “The Shield of India.”
There is much to be celebrated and learned from Guru Ji’s life. He taught us patience and meditation from his years spent meditating and spreading the message of God. He taught us that the body can be tortured, but the soul is one with God and thus to build such a strong faith that it cannot be destroyed. He taught us that we must stand up for the rights of humanity. We need to incorporate these as pillars into our own lives. When the 22 others established themselves as Guru, he did not get angry or make a commotion to prove himself. The truth revealed itself by God’s will. This is definitely something that we can all learn from.
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