Subscribe Feed (RSS)The martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur is a very important day in the religious calendar of the Sikhs. The occasion is commemorated on November 24 by Sikhs all around the world.
Scores of devotees take out nagar kirtans(religious processions) and Gurbani Kirtan is also sung to pay homage to the Guru. Sermons and lectures are also organized. Chairperson of the department of Guru Nanak studies, Panjab University, Jaspal Kaur said, “The translation of guru’s name ‘Tegh Bahadur’ is ‘master of the sword.’ ” The guru sahib always said, “be bold and fearless with others but not God.” Amarjit Singh, senior professor, department of Sikh studies, Kurukshetra University said, “Born on April 1, 1621, in Amritsar, the guru was the youngest of five sons of the sixth guru Guru Har Gobind.”
Guru Tegh Bahadur’s earlier name was Tiyag Mal. He took active part in wars against rulers along with his father Guru. Seeing his valour, his father named him ‘Brave of the Sword’ – Tegh Bahadur. “Guru Har Gobind institutionalized the concept of – Miri (political sword) and Piri (spiritual sword). He used to wear two swords which represented these two concepts.
One day when the guru lifted young Tegh Bahadur, he grabbed the sword that represented Piri,” he added. During his adult life, the guru came up with a triple formula – Naam, Dan and Isnaan.
While Naam means to meditate (Waheguru), Daan is sharing one’s earnings and Isnaan (bath) before the morning prayers. He said those who followed these principles would free themselves from all worldly desires. On the advice of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur went into seclusion and meditated for about 26 years at Bakaala village till year 1665 AD, following which he was offered Guruship. Later, guru sahib traveled up to Bengal and Assam. On the way, he stayed at Patna. It was at Patna that his son ‘Gobind Rai’ was born. The historian says once the guru sahib also played mediator between two rival kings in Assam and avoided bloodshed.
After about 5 years, he came back to Punjab and founded the city of SriAnandpur Sahib. Amarjit said, “Aurangzeb was the most cruel and dreaded king. He ruled India for over 50 years. He had imprisoned his sister, father (Shah Jahan), murdered all his brothers to become the king. To elevate his position in the eyes of his people, he posed to be a good Muslim.” “To please his community, he started converting Hindus to Muslims by force. Those who refused conversion were beheaded,” the scholar said.
Though Aurangzeb forcefully stated converting Hindus to Muslim religion in all states of India, including Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat etc. He also started the systematic and vigorous conversion of high caste Brahmins of Kashmir.
In 1674 AD, Kashmiri Brahmins requested Guru Tegh Bahadur to save them from Aurangzeb’s ruthlessness. It was then that the epitome of sacrifice (Sri Guru Bahadur) stepped upto the need of the hour and decided that he would sacrifice himself to stop this cruel practice and Hindu Faith (which had supposedly so many Hindu rulers within India but all were so weak that they could not save their drowning Hindu religion).
Guru Tegh chose his son as the next guru of the Sikhs and offered himself for the supreme sacrifice.
Amarjit said, “In 1675 AD, Guru Tegh Bagadur was arrested in Agra along with three of his sikh faith followers (Bhai Mati Dass Ji, Bhai Sati Dass Ji and Bhai Dyala Ji) and were brought back to Delhi. He was asked to convert to Muslim religion. He was later asked to prove that he was a godly person and show miracles.”
To this, the guru replied, “It is an individual’s right to choose the religion he wants to follow. Showing miracles is against the will of god and laws of nature. I don’t fear death and am prepared to die.”
The guru was imprisoned in an iron cage. Three of his followers were killed in front of his eyes.
“His first follower, Bhai Mati Dass Ji was cut longitudinally into two pieces with a saw by fixing him in wooden planks, second Bhai Dyala Ji was boiled in water and the third Bhai Sati Dass Ji was burnt in cotton wool. With their face towards the Guru, the three Sikhs sacrificed themselves without any remorse. Yet the guru’s stand was firm,” the historian said. Following this, the Guru was beheaded in 1675 AD, the very place where Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib now stands in Delhi.
Guru Gobind Singh Jiin his banisumaarizesthe supreme sacrifice:
“Tilak Janju Raakha Prabh Taak, Kino Bado Kalu Mai Saaka” (Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib’s sacrifice is an epitome and exemplery which saved the tilak and janehu (two sacred elements of hindu faith) and all hindu faith in India)
So this Gurpurab should be equally celebrated by Hindus also, in reverence and respect of Sri GuruTegh Bahadur Ji.
Tags: guru tegh bahadur
Recent Wallpapers and Posts at sikhiwallpapers.com
