Kanwal Singh
“Sach Kahun Sun Leho Sabhe, Jin Prem Kiyo Tin Hii Prabh Paayo”
I speak truth, all should turn their ears towards it: He, who is absorbed in true love, he would realize the Lord”
—Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
No words can define or contemplate the persona of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, who was a mystic and a king at the same time. Since centuries, the world history and scholars have tried to understand and deliberate upon the herculean and super human like character of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He was a prophet, a warrior, a divine poet and a scholar par excellence. He was well versed in many languages-Urdu, Persian, Braj, Gurmukh, Sanskrit. He was a defender of faith and a martyr for the cause of suffering and persecuted humanity. Guru Gobind Singh Ji is referred to as “Sarbans Dani” as he sacrificed his entire lineage (father, mother, four young sons) while fighting against oppressions. He himself stated the purpose of coming to this world.
Prakash Purab
“The Supreme Lord has sent me for the protection of Righteousness: ‘You should propagate righteousness everywhere; seize and destroy the sinful and the wicked’. I have taken birth for this purpose, let the Holy men understand this in their minds. I have come for spreading Divine Religion and for protection of saints, And for annihilating all the tyrants”.
—Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Guru Sahib was born in 1666 at Patna Sahib, Bihar. His exemplary life is full of sacrifices. When Guru Sahib was 9 years old, a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits visited his father, Guru Tegh Bahadhur, at Anandpur Sahib, seeking protection from religious persecution. Guru Gobind Singh at such a young age innocently asked his father to sacrifice his life to save the religious rights of other community. Stoically he sent off his father knowing he would not return. A few days later, Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib was beheaded in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. Bhai Jiwan Singh (Jaita), brought the decaptivated ‘Sees'(Head) of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Ji at Anandpur Sahib. Few years in future, Guru Sahib even sacrificed his four sons while fighting the oppression. This immense sacrifice can only be explained in the world, in the words of Allah Yaar Khan Jogi:
“Pehle Pita Kataya, Ab Betai Kataonga, Nanak Da Bagh, Khoon-E-Jigar Se Khilaonga”
“First I sacrificed my father and now I offer my sons. Sikhi, Nanaks garden will blossom with their blood”.
It was this day when Guru Sahib made a resolve to stand up and fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice. The path was tough and so was the resolve. Henceforth, in 1699, the day of Baisakhi, Guru Sahib institutionalised the Khalsa Panth on the ideal principles of Equality, Sovereignty, Purity and Martiality. Guru Sahib, installed ‘The Khalsa’ as “Saint-Soldiers” with the mission of Degh Tegh Fateh I.e Freedom and Food for all (Victory to charity and arms). He promoted equality by giving men and women equal rights regardless of caste, creed. Guru Sahib even included women folk into Shastar vidya. He made them strong, self reliant and a force to reckon with. Mata Bhag Kour, a fierce warrior fought many battles along Guru Sahib. He added the suffix ‘Singh’ I.e lion to the names of men and ‘Kour’ I.e princess to the names of women. No matter from which class or caste you belong to, the suffix Singh and Kour ended all differences and thus infused royalty, bravery and glory in every Khalsa warrior. This day all people of all castes stood up and were equal to Kings. Guru Gobind Singh Ji turned ‘Sparrow into Eagles’. In his lifespan, Guru Sahib fought twenty wars and none of them was for land, riches or against any religion but were fought for protecting the oppressed.
He recognised ‘The Entire Human Race To Be One’- ‘Manas Ki Jaat Sabhe Eke Pehchan Bo’. During frequent sallies and battles between Sikhs and enemy, at Anandpur Sahib, Bhai Kanhaiya Ji out of compassion and without any discrimination used to offer water to both friends and foe. He offered water to every wounded soldier. His act stirred up stern criticism by fellow warriors and thus they complained to Guru Sahib. On realising the True compassion of Bhai Kanhaiya Ji, Guru Sahib not only ordered to carry on with the service but also gave a medical balm and said- From now on give medical treatment to all the wounded soldiers. Guru Sahibs compassion had no limits. His arrows had gold tips so that the injured could afford medical treatment and those died in battle could pay for the last rites. Guru Gobind Singh Ji proclaimed that God has no color. He is without any shape or form.
Bhai Nand Lal Goya Ji, one of the 52 poets and a revered disciple in Guru Gobind Singh Jis court, has written many poems in love and veneration of Guru Sahib-
“Haq Haq Agah Gur Gobind Singh, Shah-E-Shahenshah Gur Gobind Singh, Badshah Darwesh Gur Gobind Singh”
“Guru Gobind Singh knows the way of God, He is a mystic and a king at the same time”
There is no other example of such unparallel heroism and immense sacrifice, where a father prepared his own sons to go on a battlefield. Death was certain and so was glory. Sahibzaada Ajit Singh and Jujhar singh, sacrificed their lives in the Battle of Chamkaur, where Guru sahib along with two elder sons and forty Singh’s fought with the Mughal army of over ten Lakh. It is is considered to be one of the greatest last stands.
Look at the greatness and wisdom of Guru Gobind Singh Ji that even in adversity and difficult circumstances (where he lost his sons, family is separated), his love for true lord was supreme. After being separated from his family, Guru Sahib reached Machivaara Jungle. While in deep thought and prime-modal state, Guru Sahib recited the following verse in conveyance of his true love for almighty-
“Mitar Pyare Nu Haal Mureedan Daa Saihnaa”
“Convey to the dear friend the condition of his disciples.”
“Tudh Bin Rog Rajaaena Daa Odhan, Naag Nivaasan De Raihnaa”
“Without thee, the taking over of quilt is like disease and living in the house is like living with servants”.
A scholar once said- Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave up everything for humanity, except one, ‘His Tears’.
After three centuries we still fail to realise the true message and teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Khalsa way to power or glory is through service, not through ‘Raj’. Our generation needs to arm themselves with knowledge and true teachings of Guru Sahib.We need to prepare (Physically and Mentally) ourself for any adversity in life. As Bhai Jagraj Singh Ji said- the problem with the current panth, is that we have forgotten we are Guru Gobind Singh Jis own fingers, hands and toes. We need to take the responsibility. Lets not leave the aspect of Sikhism or service to humanity to our ancestors or great grandfathers. Make it something as we also live.
Let’s shed our differences and realise true glory in being equals.
” Deora masit soi, pooja namaz ohi
Temple and mosque are the same, pooja and namaz are the same. So, on 2nd January, 2020, When the world will be celebrating the Prakash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Let’s realise his true teachings.
(The author is a Sikh Scholar)
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