Guru Gobind Singhji

By Giani Sucha Singh

FATHER ;Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji , MOTHER: Gujri Ji, DATE OF BIRTH: 12/22/1666

PLACE OF Patna Sahib BIRTH WIFE Mata Sundari Ji CHILDREN Ajit Singh, Jujhar

Singh, Jorawar Singh & Fateh Singh AGE, YEAR & TIME AT GUR GADHI11/11/1675,

33 Year REGIMES Aurangjeb, Bahadur Shah CONTRIBUTION OF BANIES Jap Sahib,

Akal Ustat, Chopai, War Shri Bhagoti, Vachitar Natak, Chobis Avtar Chandi,

Charitar, Shastar Nam Mala (Dasam Granth) AGE42 JYOTI-JOT DAY10/07/1708

JYOTI JOT PLACE Nanded

It may not be out of the way to say here that throughout the annals of human

history, there was no other individual who could be of more inspiring

personality than Guru Gobind Singh. At its climax the tenth Nanak infused

the spirit of both the saintlihood and the undauntedness in the minds and

hearts of his followers to fight oppression in order to restore justice,

righteousness (Dharma) and to uplift the down-trodden people in this world.

It is said that after the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the tenth Master

declared that he would create such a Panth (nation) which would not be cowed

down by tyrant rulers but it would rather challenge the oppressor in every

walk of life to restore justice, equality and peace for mankind. He further

resolved that he would feel worthy to be called Gobind Singh only when any

single member of his Khalsa Panth would successfully and undauntedly

challenge the army of one hundred and twenty-five thousand opponents in the

field. This point was rightfully proven at Chamkaur Sahib when Sahibzada

Ajit Singh (Guru's about 18 years old eldest son) challenged the Mughal

forces and their allies, the hilly Rajas.

"The Divine Guru hath sent me for religion's sake on this account, I have

come into the world; Extend the faith everywhere Seize and destroy the evil and

sinful. Understand this,ye holymen, in your minds I assumed birth for the

purpose of spreading the faith, saving the saints and extirpating all tyrants."

(Guru Gobind Singh- Chaupai, Bachitar Natak)

Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom symbolized in itself the resistance to the

tyranny of Muslim rule in favor of a new society. When evil is holding its

head high, should a holy man knuckle under it or take up arms to combat and

destroy it? The young Guru, Gobind Rai, decided in favor of the latter

course i.e. to combat evil and uphold righteousness. He thus enjoined upon

his followers to make use of the sword if all other means failed to

liquidate the wicked and his wickedness. In order to achieve this mission,

he issued 'Hukamnamas' (circular letters of authority) to his followers to

present to him arms of different designs. The Guru's orders were obeyed with

great zeal and devotion. He himself wore uniform and bore arms and induced

others to practise archery and musket- shooting. He encouraged various

muscle-developing and strenuous sports as part of the program of physical

culture. Many followers with martial instincts whose forefathers had served

the Guru's father and his grandfather, flocked to him. His principal

companions at that time were his aunt Bibi Viro's (Guru Har Gobind's

daughter) five sons, Sango Shah, Jit Mal, Gopal Chand, Ganga Ram, Mohri

Chand; his uncle Suraj Mal's two sons- Gulab Rai and Sham Das; his maternal

uncle Kirpal Chand; Bhai Daya Ram, the friend from his youth; and Bhai Nand

Chand, a favorite masand.

The Guru instructed his followers to lead a well-meaning and disciplined

life. He according to the customs of his redecessors, used to rise early in

the morning and perform his devotions. He was particularly delighted to

listen to Asa di Var. After day-break, he gave divine instructions to his

Sikhs and then practised martial exercises. In the afternoon, he received

his followers, went shooting or raced horses; and ended the evening by

performing the divine service of 'Rehras'.

The Guru's handsome exte rior was much admired both by men and women. A

person called Bhikhia from Lahore came to visit him. Seeing the handsome

young Guru, Bhai Bhikhia offered the alliance of his daughter Jito to him.

The proposal was accepted and there were great rejoicing at Anandpur on the

occasion of the betrothal ceremony. The twenty-third of Har, Sambat 1734

(1677 A.D.) was fixed for the marriage. The Guru sent orders in all

directions for this occasion and the Sikhs thronged from various places

including Lahore. A place was set up near Anandpur, which was called Guru ki

Lahore where the marriage ceremony took place.

Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708)

The tenth Guru of the Sikh faith, Gobind Singh was born in 1666 at Patna, in

Bihar. His father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, the Ninth Guru, was then travelling

across Bengal and Assam. Returning to Patna in 1670, he directed his family

to return to the Punjab. On the site of the house at Patna in which Gobind

Rai was born and where he spent his early childhood now stands a sacred

shrine, Takht Sri Harimandar Sahib, one of the five most honored seats of

religious authority. Gobind Rai was escorted to Anandpur on the foothills of

the Sivaliks where he reached in March 1672 and where his early education

included reading and writing of Punjabi, Braj, Sanskrit and Persian. He was

barely nine years of age when a sudden turn came in his life as well as in

the life of tile community he was destined to lead. Early in 1675, a group

Kashmiri Brahmans, drivels to desperation by the religious fanaticism of the

Mughals General, Iftikar Khan, visited Anandpur to seek Guru Tegh Bahadur's

intercession. As the Guru sat thinking what to do, young Gobind Rai,

arriving there in company with his playmates, asked what was the matter. The

father explained the problem and said that only a truly pious soul can

control the situation who might have to sacrifice his very life. "None could

be worthier than yourself to make such a sacrifice," remarked Gobind Rai in

his innocent manner. Guru Tegh Bahadur soon afterwards proceeded to New

Delhi, and courted death on 11 November 1675.

Guru Gobind Singh was installed Guru on 24 November 1676. In the midst of

his engagement with the concerns of the community, he gave attention to the

mastery of physical skills and literary accomplishment. He had grown into a

comely youth spare. He had a natural genius for poetic composition and his

early years were devoted to this pursuit.

In 1698, Guru Gobind Singh issued directions to Sikh sangats or communities

in different parts not to acknowledge masands, the local ministers, against

whom he had heard complaints. Sikhs, he instructed, should come to Anandpur

straight without any intermediaries and bring their offerings personally.

The Guru thus established direct relationship with his Sikhs and addressed

them as his Khalsa, Persian term used for crown-lands as distinguished from

feudal chiefs. The institution of the Khalsa was given concrete form on 14

April 1699 when Sikhs had gathered at Anandpur in large numbers for the

annual festival of Baisakhi. Guru Gobind Singh appeared before the assembly

dramatically on that day with a naked sword in hand and, asked, "Is there

present a true Sikh who would offer his head to the Guru as a sacrifice?"

The words numbed the audience who looked on in awed silence. The Guru

repeated the call. Then Bhai Daya Ram, a Khatri of Lahore, arose and humbly

walked behind the Guru to a tent near by. The Guru returned back and asked

for another head. At this Dharam Das, a Jat from Hastinapur, came forward

and was taken inside the enclosure. Guru Gobind Singh made three more calls.

Muhkam Chand, a washerman from Dvarka, Himmat, a water-carrier from

Jagannath puri, and Sahib Chand, a barber from Bidar (Karnataka) responded

one after another and advanced to offer their heads. Guru Gobind Singh gave

them Amrit, Khande Di Pahul. All the five were led back from the tent

dressed alike in saffron-coloured raiment topped over with neatly tied

turbans similarly dyed, with swords dangling by their sides. Guru Gobind

Singh called them Panj Piare, the five devoted spirits beloved of the Guru.

Guru vanished their old castes and surnamed them Singh, meaning lion. All

the women were given surname Kaur. Guru Gobind Singh took Amrit from Punj

Piare and showed that a disciple can be a Master too. Further injunctions

were laid down for the Sikhs. They must never cut or trim their hair and

beards, nor indulge into any kind of intoxicants). A Sikh must not have

sexual relationship outside the marital bond, nor eat the flesh of an animal

killed in the Muslim way (or in any sacrificial ceremony). These conditions

save us from the today's drug related problems, AIDS etc. Eating not the

Halal meat reminds us of dignity and self esteem.

These developments alarmed the caste ridden Rajput chiefs of the Sivalik

hills. They rallied under the leadership of the Raja of Bilaspur, in whose

territory lay Anandpur, to forcibly evict Guru Gobind Singh from his hilly

citadel. Their repeated expeditions however proved abortive. They at last

petitioned Emperor Aurangzeb for help. Guru Ji had to fight four wars with

Mughals and Hill Rajas. Guru Gobind Singh lost His two younger sons, Zorawar

Singh and Fateh Singh , and his mother, Mata Gujari Sirhind. Two older ones

died in the battle field of Chamkaur. Two pathans Jamshed Khan and Wasil Beg

the Guru secretly and overtook him at Nanded, where one of them stabbed the

Guru in the left side below the heart as he lay one evening in his chamber

resting after the Rahrasi prayer. Before he could deal another blow, Guru

Gobind Singh struck him down with his kataar, while his fleeing companion

fell under the swords of Sikhs who had rushed in on hearing the noise.

October 21 was the day when Guru Gobind Singh gave Guruship to Shri Guru

Granth Sahib and departed from this mortal world. It is, now, our duty to

carry and fulfill the mission of Guru by following his instructions.