Mata Gujri Ji was
born in 1624 to parents Bhai parents Bhai Lal Chand Subulikka and Bishan Kaur.
She was the wife of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. She moved first to Amritsar, then Kartarpur and then Bakala. She spent this time doing sewa, meditating on God and performing household duties. When Teg Bahadur became Guru, they travelled to Amritsar to
establish Chak Nanaki (present day Anadpur Sahib) with Mata Nanaki, and then
travelled to Patna. Since Mata Ji was pregnant, she and Mata Nanaki stayed at
Patna while Guru Ji continued his travels to spread the word of God. Mata Ji
gave birth to Gobind Rai in 1666 while Guru Ji was away on his travels. Guru Ji
returned in 1670, and left for Delhi, requesting Mata Gujri Ji, Mata Nanaki and
Gobind Rai to meet him in Lakhanur. Together they continued on to present-day
Anandpur.
In 1675, Guru Ji
left for Delhi (see post on Shaheedi of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji). Knowing he would be marytyred, Mata Ji stood strong. As a
widow, she raised the young Guru Gobind Singh Ji to be a courageous leader,
while she managed the affairs of Anandpur with her brother. As Guru Ji grew up,
she also inspired the army during the battles. She helped to raise her four
grandchildren, the Chaar Sahibzade. In December 1705 Mata Ji and Zorawar Singh
and Fateh Singh were separated from their family, then betrayed by Gangu and confined
at Thanda Burj. Mata Ji played an immense role in providing support to the
Sahibzade at such a difficult time. She too joined the Eternal Light when the
Sahibzade were marytyred.
There are not
enough words to describe the role that Mata Ji has played in our history. She
is a source of inspiration and a role model to all of us. In even the most
devastating of situations she was a pillar of support and she stood strong,
brave, courageous.
References
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