This week and weekend we will celebrate the anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Birth. There will be programs every morning 10 am-12 pm and evening 5:30 pm onwards and a new jatha will be joining us for a few days.
A small post like this cannot do justice to the life of Guru Ji, but I will share some of the highlights of his life story. I was talking to my dad about this yesterday, and he said look at how Guru Ji lost his entire family, and he could have changed it with a miracle (there are a couple of Sakhis about miracles), but he didn’t because this is acceptance of God’s will. So let us all pray, Waheguru please give me the courage to accept what is – Your Hukam.
Our 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji was the son of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Mata Gurjri Ji. He was born December 22, 1666 at Patna Sahib. His early education in Punjabi, Braj, Sanskrit and Persian was in Anandpur Sahib. Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Shaheedi occurred when Gobind Rai was only 9 years old. He had not hesitated in telling his father to make this important sacrifice stating, “None could be worthier than you, father to make a supreme sacrifice.” At such a young age, Guru Ji’s connection to God allowed him to give up his worldly relationships without question for a greater justice and purpose. Guru Ji went on to write great works such as Jaap Sahib and Chaupai Sahib which we read in our morning paath. Guru Ji was married to Mata Jito (also known as Sundari because women’s names used to change sometimes after they were married) and Mata Sahib Devan (the mother of Khalsa). The marriage to Mata Sahib Devan was a spiritual but not physical marriage. Mata Sahib Kaur's family had proposed and in those times, a refused proposal meant that you would never be married. Guru Ji then agreed to a spiritual, not physical marriage.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa in 1699, and this is celebrated on Vaisakhi every year. Thus came the image of the Sikh you see today, with the 5 symbols of faith (Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kirpan, Kacchera) and ready to give their life to defend the innocent at any time. Guru Ji writes in the Zafarnama “When all other means have failed, it is but lawful to take to the sword.” The Rajput chiefs of Silvalik hills were disturbed by the formation of the Khalsa as the Sikhs did not believe in their system of discrimination based on caste. They felt threatened and tried to force Guru Ji out of Anandpur Sahib, but were unsuccessful for five years. They got help from Emperor Aurangzeb and in 1705, he promised the Sikhs a safe exit if they left Anandpur Sahib. As discussed in previous posts about the history of the Chaar Sahibzaade, the Mughals did not fulfill their promise. Many Sikhs, including Guru Ji’s four sons, Ajit Singh Ji, Jujhar Singh Ji, Zorawar Singh Ji and Fateh Singh Ji were martyred. He lost his mother Mata Gujri Ji at the same time as well. Many manuscripts were lost while trying to cross the Sarsa river.  |
| ZAFARNAMA |
Guru Ji spent 9 months at Damdama Sahibn (Talvandi Sabo) finishing the Sri Guru Sahib Ji. It is said that the Zafarnama touched Aurangzeb and he invited Guru Ji for a meeting, however Guru Ji had already left for the south, and Aurganzeb died. Guru Ji then helped Bahadur Shah gain the throne after the death of Aurangzeb.
Following this, Nawab Wazir Khan ordered the murder of the Guru Ji to be carried out by Jamshed Kahn and Wasil Beg. One of them stabbed Guru Ji, however Guru Ji killed the attacker. With the help of the Emperor’s surgeon, he was on the path to recovery. Several days later the wound burst open and started bleeding, but was again treated. Knowing that these were his last days, Guru Ji declared the Guru Granth Sahib Ji as his successor and became one with Waheguru.
Guru Ji showed us what it means to overcome all odds and fight against injustice. Despite the martyrdom of his parents and children, and many other Sikhs, all of which he considered his family, he stayed committed to his purpose in life. He served as a brave and courageous warrior as well as a saint. Today we often do not realize the importance of both: to be a saint-soldier is to first be fully immersed in love for God, and then to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Guru Ji was a talented poet and we feel the rhythm of the words beat through our hearts when we read his Gurbani. May we remember Guru Ji’s contributions to our history as we celebrate the Prakash Divas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji!
References
Gurbaani wallpaper facebook page
http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak10.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zafarnama_(letter)
https://www.askideas.com/guru-gobind-singh-ji-vaisakhi-picture/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zafarnama_(letter)
https://www.askideas.com/guru-gobind-singh-ji-vaisakhi-picture/
No comments:
Post a Comment