Maghi

According to Sikhnet’s calendar, this Sunday will be Jor-Mela Mukhtsar (also known as Maghi). Maghi is at the beginning of the month Magh, and is the commemoration of the Chali Mukhte (40 martyrs).  I wrote about the Chali Mukhte a while ago when I wrote an article on Mai Bhago. Let's review briefly.

During the 8 months that the Mughals laid siege on Anandpur Sahib, the Sikhs were dying due to lack of supplies. The Mughals said they would spare anyone who declared they were not a Sikh and thus 40 Sikhs, led by Mahan Singh, signed a document, telling Guru Gobind Singh Ji that they were not Sikhs anymore, and fled to their villages. Subsequently, the Sikhs left Anandpur Sahib on the false promise that the Mughals would leave them in peace, and the Sahibzaade were martyred. Guru Ji travelled in the jungles and set up camp near Khidrana, chased by a Mughal army of 16, 000. The Mughals headed there for water, not knowing the lake was dry.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji ripping up the document the Singhs had
signed, indicating they were now liberated. 

Meanwhile, as the 40 men returned to their homes, brave warrior Mai Bhago rallied their wives. They refused to talk to their husbands and kicked them out of their houses, disappointed in how they had deserted Guru Ji. Mai Bhago said that the women would go into battle if the men did not. They prepared their gear to fight against injustice. Finally the 40 men, including Mai Bhago’s own husband, were able to see their mistake and headed to Khidrana to apologize.

Upon arrival, they spread out shirts onto the bushes in order to look as if they had a larger group of Sikh forces, camping in tents. This is now the site of Gurwara Tambu Sahib. On December 29, 1705 a battle ensued. Guru Ji supported the fight from an area above. All 40 Sikhs were martyred and the Mughals retreated, assuming that Guru Ji had died in battle. Mai Bhago and Guru Ji were the only survivors. Mahan Singh lay critically wounded. Guru Ji took care of Mai Bhago, who was also wounded, and Mahan Singh. He asked Mahan Singh his last wish. Mahan Singh asked that the 40 be forgiven, and thus they are remembered as the 40 Mukhte (liberated ones) in the Ardas daily. They were cremated on the first day of Magh. 

The town of Mukhtsar (“pool of salvation”) was built in this location. Thus the 40 redeemed themselves by fighting to protect Guru Ji and we commemorate this sacrifice in a mela (festival) held at Mukhtsar every year. I think one of the things we can learn from the 40 Mukhte, that when we make mistakes, if we recognize it, we can redeem ourselves and be forgiven by Guru Ji. 

In the Baran Mah prayers we read at the beginning of each month, it says this in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, “In the month of Maagh, let your cleansing bath be the dust of the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. Meditate and listen to the Name of the Lord, and give it to everyone. In this way, the filth of lifetimes of karma shall be removed, and egotistical pride shall vanish from your mind. Sexual desire and anger shall not seduce you, and the dog of greed shall depart. Those who walk on the Path of Truth shall be praised throughout the world. Be kind to all beings-this is more meritorious than bathing at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage and the giving of charity. That person, upon whom the Lord bestows His Mercy, is a wise person. Nanak is a sacrifice to those who have merged with God. In Maagh, they alone are known as true, unto whom the Perfect Guru is Merciful.”

So may we take the advice of Guru Ji and use this (upcoming) month to surround ourselves with Saadh Sangat, to do simran and spread that gift to others, and to walk the Path of Truth! 

Sources:

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mai_Bhago

http://kaur.sikhnet.com/who-was-mai-bhago/

http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/warriors/bhago.html 

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Magh

https://www.allaboutsikhs.com/great-sikh-women/mai-bhago

https://sikhunity.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/249128_10200157311515394_1295594208_n.png?w=1200

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maghi