Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti
Why is Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti celebrated? Whom has Guru Gobind Singh Ji called Panch Pyare? What is his Panch Kakar?
Writer: - Kuldeep Singh
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti
Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth and last Guru of the Sikhs. To protect his religion and eliminate injustice, atrocities, and sins, he fought with the Mughals 14 times and won all the wars. He sacrificed his entire family in these wars. That is why they are also called ‘Sarbansdani’. Guru Gobind Singh Ji was a great warrior, thinker, devotee, and spiritual leader. He established the Khalsa Panth which is considered the most important day in the history of the Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh was the patron of scholars and poets and writers were always present in his court, hence he has also been called a saint-soldier. He believed that the path of religion is the path of truth and truth always triumphs.
Early life of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Guru Gobind Singh was born on the seventh day of Shukla Paksha of Paush month on 22 December 1666 in Patna to Guru Tegh Bahadur and Mata Gujri. Where Gurdwara Takht Sri Patna Sahib is now located. At the time of his birth, his father Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh had gone on a tour of Assam for preaching religion and for the welfare of humanity. His childhood name was Govind Rai. After 4 years, when Tegh Bahadur returned from his Assam tour, he saw his son. In the year 1672, Guru ji along with his family came and started living in Anantapur Sahib in Punjab. The place whose name was earlier Chakka Nanaki. Coming here, Gobind Rai learned horse riding and weapon handling and also acquired knowledge of Persian and Sanskrit.
Sacrifice of Tegh Bahadur Ji to protect religion:
In 1675 AD, a group of Kashmiri Acharyas came to meet Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He complained to Guruji about Aurangzeb forcefully converting him to Islam. And requested him to do something in this matter. Then Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh said that for this a great man would be required who would sacrifice himself for his religion without converting. At that time Guru Gobind Singh was 9 years old. He told his father Guru Teg Bahadur that father, who could be a greater promoter of religion than you? If your sacrifice to protects their religion, then you must protect their religion by sacrificing yourself. Teg Bahadur ji was very happy to hear such words from his son. Then Guru Teg Bahadur told the Kashmiri Acharyas to inform Aurangzeb that if our religious gurus of Anandpur accept Islam, then we will also convert our religion. This news was sent by the Acharyas to Aurangzeb, Aurangzeb called Guru Tegh Bahadur to Delhi and imprisoned him. Offered him to convert to Islam. Due to the request of Kashmiri Acharyas and to save them from forceful conversion, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji did not accept Islam, due to which Aurangzeb publicly beheaded him in Chandni Chowk, Delhi on 11 November 1675.
Guru Gobind Singh being the tenth Guru
After the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur Singh, the 9th Guru of the Sikhs, in 1675 AD, the mental condition of all the Sikhs was deeply hurt. To re-organize the Sikhs, Govind Singh was declared the tenth Guru of the Sikhs on 29 March 1676, on the day of Vaisakhi. As soon as he ascended the throne at the age of 10, he had to face many difficulties. The biggest calamity was Aurangzeb's fanaticism. He wanted to convert everyone into Muslims by forcibly accepting Islam. Despite so many difficulties, there were some good things which proved to be very helpful for Guru Gobind Ji. The best thing was that from Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, everyone worked in unison due to which their fans, those who believed in them and those who celebrated them also got tied in the bond of unity and the second thing was that many Jats of Malwa and Manjha joined Sikhism. They were fighters by nature and lovers of freedom.
Construction of Ponta Sahib Fort
Gobind Singh ji included his followers in his army and prepared them for war against the Mughals. Guruji's preparations for war spread far and wide. He ordered that horses and weapons be presented to all the soldiers. Seeing such preparations, the kings of the hilly areas became jealous of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and were afraid that he might create an independent state in their kingdom. Guru Gobind Singh Ji built a magnificent fort at a beautiful place on the banks of river Yamuna, away from the sight of the Mughals and hill kings, which was named Ponta Sahib.
Works of Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh took the help of literature to infuse new enthusiasm among the Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh composed high quality literature with the help of 52 poets and scholars. Some of the major compositions of which are - Jaap Sahib, Akal Stuti, Bachittar Natak, Chandi Di War, Zafarnama etc.
What is the meaning of Khalsa?
The word Khalsa is derived from the word Khalis which is an Arabic word. Khalsa means one who is completely pure in mind and speech and who sacrifices everything for the society. The first religion of the people associated with the Khalsa sect is to sacrifice their entire life for the protection of their country and human welfare and to always be ready to protect the poor, needy and helpless people.
Story of Panch Pyaro
Guru Gobind Singh urged the Sikhs to gather at Anandpur Sahib on the day of Vaisakhi to establish the Khalsa Panth. Reaching there, Guru Gobind Singh addressed the Sikhs. Then, he took out his sword and asked for a volunteer to come forward who could sacrifice his head. All the Sikhs were surprised to hear his words but a volunteer among those Sikhs came forward and Guru Gobind Singh took him to a tent. After a while, Guru Gobind Singh came out alone, but his sword was stained with blood. Then in the same sequence, four more volunteers came forward one by one and took them to the Guru Gobind Singh tent. At last, Guru Gobind Singh came out of the tent with all the five volunteers, those five volunteers were called Panch Pyare by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Panch Kakar
Guru Gobind Singh has given five principles in the Khalsa Panth named Panch Kakar - Kesh, Kada, Kachcha, Kirpan and Kangha. These Panch Kakars are important for every Sikh and it is necessary for the Sikhs to wear them.
Introduction to Guru Gobind Ji's family events
Guru Gobind Singh ji had three wives. Mata Jeeto, Mata Sundari, Mata Sahib Devan.
On 21 June 1677, at the age of 10, his first marriage took place with Mata Jeeto in Basantgarh. Mother Jito had three sons whose names were – Jujhar Singh, Jurawar Singh, Fateh Singh. On April 4, 1684, at the age of 17, Guru ji was married to Mata Sundari. Mother Sundari had a son whose name was Ajit Singh.
On 15 April 1700, at the age of 33, his third marriage took place with Mata Sahib Devan. Mata Sahib Devan did not have children.
There were many fierce battles between Guru Gobind and Aurangzeb against Aurangzeb's forced religious conversion. Only Guru Gobind Singh was victorious in every war.
On 26 December 1704, Sahib Jade Jorawat Singh and Fateh Singh were imprisoned alive in the wall by the Nawab of Sirhind for not accepting Islam. Mata Gujri was martyred by throwing her from the wall of the fort.
The last war took place at a place called Chamkod in Punjab. Wazir Khan was jealous after seeing Guru ji's independent kingdom. Then he sent Pathans named Jamshed Khan and Wasil Beg to kill Guru Gobind Singh Ji and they went and hid in Guru Ji's army. When Guruji went to his bedroom to rest, Pathan stabbed him. The soldiers caught both the Pathans and killed them. Guru ji was treated but the wound was very deep. That's why Guru ji also became martyrs.
We get to learn a lot from the life of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He sacrificed his entire life for the welfare of society, religion and people. Not only this, he sacrificed his life as well as that of his family for the welfare of society and people. Made sacrifice. Guru Gobind Singh ji fought many struggles for the upliftment of the society. It is a matter of great fortune for all of us that such a sacrificial and religious man is born on our holy land, on the soil where such great persons are born. The soil there becomes blessed.
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About this Article
Guru Gobind Singh Ji's sacrifices and teachings shaped Sikhism. Learn about his life, Panch Pyare, Panch Kakar, and his fight for truth and justice.
