
A traditional portrait of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
'Guru Gobind Singh' (, Born in
Patna,
Bihar,
India, on
22 December,
1666 as ''Gobind Rai'' –
7 October,
1708,
Nanded,
Maharashtra,
India) was the tenth and last of
the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and became Guru on
November 11,
1675 following in the footsteps of his father, the ninth Sikh Guru,
Guru Teg Bahadur. He was Guru between 1675 and 1708.
Guru Gobind Singh (also sometimes transliterated as 'Govind'), played a monumental part in the development of the Sikh faith. His 5 K's and taking up arms against the Mughals created a warrior brotherhood that was visibly different and helped evolve Sikhism from an embryonic lifestyle into a disciplined and determined religion. The First Guru was
Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of
Sikhism.
Guru Gobind Singh exemplified the teachings of Sikh principles during his lifetime. He not only taught the principles of the faith, but also felt the pain of sacrifice in upholding those beliefs. Guru Gobind Singh lost his father, mother and all four sons to a religious war being waged by emperor
Aurangzeb, the last of the six grand
Mughals. Aurangzeb demanded that all the Sikhs embrace Islam. The Sikhs have led a rebellion against the Mughal empire since the first Guru. It was in this fight for spiritual survival (or as Guru Sahib himself called it, ''Dharamyudh'', the war for righteousness). In the words of the famous Muslim poet of the era, Sayyad Bulleh Shah: "I do not speak of here or there, I only speak the truth; Had there not been a Gobind Singh, all would be under circumcised", in reference to his fight against the oppression and tyranny of the rulers.
He gave everything for humanity including his family and disciples and still said that whatever god is doing is sweet to me.
Guru Gobind's father, Guru Teg Bahadur, was beheaded in
Delhi (where the
Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib stands today) on the orders of Aurangzeb and Guru Gobind Singh's two elder sons,
Sahibzada Ajit Singh and
Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, received martyrdom fighting Mughal troops at
Chamkaur Sahib. His mother
Mata Gujri and the younger two sons were cheated by
Gangu, a household servant, and given away to the Mughals. Wazir Khan decreed
Mata Gujri to be tortured to death, and both the boys,
Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and
Sahibzada Fateh Singh, 7 and 9 years old respectively, were
buried alive in a brick-wall. They had refused to be converted to
Islam.
Guru Gobind Singh also finalized many elements of Sikhism. He proclaimed himself the last living Guru and established the
Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru of the Sikhs. This elevates the reverence of
Granth to that of a living Guru. However, it was only spiritual authority that was bestowed upon the Guru Granth. Guru Gobind also compiled the
Dasam Granth sometimes known as the ''Dasven Paatshah Ka Granth'' (The Holy Book of the Tenth Emperor). He also established the
Sikh baptism ceremony, the partaking of
amrit or
Amrit Sanskar. He was a great warrior, leader and poet, a rare combination.
Chronology of events
The following is a summary of the main highlights of Guru Gobind Singh's life:
★ Compilation of the 1428 page
Dasam Granth Sahib.
★ Author of various important
Banis which Sikhs recite daily:
Jaap Sahib,
Chaupai, etc.
★ Wrote his autobiography, the
Bichitra Natak
★ Built various
Gurdwaras -
Keshgarh Sahib etc.
★ Developed
Anandpur Sahib as a Sikh Centre of Excellence.
★ Developed
Damdama Sahib as a Sikh Centre for Learning and Knowledge.
★ Enhanced the structure of Sikh society by introducing various administration systems.
★ Extreme personal sacrifice for society: Father martyred for protection of
Kashmiri Pandits, all four sons sacrificed to Mughal Forces.
★ Sent
Zafarnama to
Aurangzeb.
i repreasent punjab i go it on on back
The rules and guidelines of the Khalsa (5 K's)
Guru Govind Singh, after administering Amrit to the 'Five Beloved Ones', ordained them to do the following:
'I.' They must all wear the following articles. The name of each article begins with 'K'. These are known as the
5 Kakke (the letter in the
Gurmukhi alphabet corresponding to 'k'):
★ 'Kesh' - Unshorn hair. This represents the natural appearance of sainthood. This is the first token of the Sikh faith. The Guru called the Khalsa the ''Sant-Sipahi'' (Saint-Soldiers)
★ 'Kangha' - A comb to keep the hair clean and tidy.
★ 'Kachha' - A pair of kneelength shorts.
★ 'Kadaa' - An iron bracelet on the wrist.
★ 'Kirpan' - A sword symbolizing dignity and strength.
'II.' They must observe the following guidelines. These are known as the ''Rahatnamas'' (Codes of Conduct):
★ Do not eat or 'go near' halaal meat (Kutta ni kahna)
★ Defend the weak or infirm from tyranny and oppression.
★ Not to remove hair from any part of the body (hair was declared sacred by the Guru).
★ Not to use Tobacco or other intoxicants (e.g., alcohol).
"Sarbat sangat Kabul Guru rakhe ga Tusa ute asaadee bahut khusi hai Tusi Khande da Amrit Panja to lena Kes rakhne...ih asadee mohur hair; Kachh, Kirpan da visah nahee karna SARB LOH da kara hath rakhna Dono vakat kesa dee palna karna Sarbat sangat abhakhia da kutha Khave naheen, Tamakoo na vartana Bhadni tatha kanya-maran-vale so mel na rakhe Meene, Massandei, Ramraiye ki sangat na baiso Gurbani parhni...Waheguru, Waheguru japna Guru kee rahat rakhnee Sarbat sangat oopar meri khushi hai.
Patshahi Dasvi Jeth 26, Samat 1756
(To the entire sangat at Kabul. The Guru will protect the Sangat, I am pleased with you all. You should take baptism by the sword, from the Five Beloveds. Keep your hair uncut for this is a seal of the Guru, Accept the use of shorts and a sword. Always wear IRON KARA on your wrist, Keep your hair clean and comb it twice a day. Do not eat Halal (Kosher) meat, Do not use tobacco in any form, Have no connection with those who kill their daughters Or permit the cutting of their children's hair. Do not associate with Meenas, Massands and Ram-raiyas (anti-Sikh cults) Recite the Guru's hymns Meditate on "The Name of our Wonderful Lord", Follow the Sikh code of discipline I give the entire sangat my blessing)
Signature of 10th Guru Jeth 26, 1756 Bikrami (23rd May 1699 A.D)
★ Not to commit adultery- 'Par nari ki sej, bhul supnehun na jayo' (Never enjoy, even in dream, the bed of a woman other than that of your own wife or husband)
(A supplementary ordinance was issued that anyone who did not observe any of the above four directives must be re-baptized, pay a fine, and promise not to offend any more, or she/he must be excommunicated from the Khalsa.)
'III.' They must rise at dawn, bathe, meditate on Gurmantar-'
Waheguru',
Mool Mantar- the preamble of Japji, and recite the five banis- Japji, Jap Sahib and Swayas in the morning; Reh Raas in the evening; and Kirtan Sohela at bed time at night.
'IV.' They must not worship cemeteries, or cremation grounds, and must believe only in One Immortal God. The Guru further spelled out that they should practice arms, and never show their backs to the foe in the battlefield. They should always be ready to help the poor and protect those who seek their protection. They were to consider their previous castes erased, and deem themselves all brothers of one family.
The works of Guru Gobind Singh
'The Dasam Granth'
The collection of writings attributed to Guru Gobind Singh is known as the
Dasam Granth. It consists of the following eighteen works:
★
Jaap Sahib
★
Akal Ustat
★
Bichitra Natak (an autobiography)
★ Chandi Charitra I
★ Chandi Charitra II
★
Chandi di Var or Var Sri Bhagauti Ji (includes
Ardas)
★ Gyan Prabodh
★ Chaubis Avtar
★ Mehdi Mir Budh
★ Brahma Avtar
★ Rudra Avtar
★
Shabad Hazaray
★ Sri Mukh Baak Savaiye
★ Khalse di Mehima
★ Shastra Naam Mala
★ Pakhyaan Charitra
★
Zafarnama
★ The Hikayats
(From Khushwant Singh's 'A History of the Sikhs - Volume 1')
'Popular hymns/compositions by Guru Gobind Singh'
★
Deh Shiva Var Mohe
★ Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khas
★ Haal Muridaan Da Kahna
★ Chandi (Durga) Ki vaar
Guru Gobind Singh's Ascension
After
Aurangzeb's death, his successor
Bahadur Shah I tried to reduce the conflict as the
Deccan wars had extended the Mughal armies. He tried to negotiate with the disaffected parties, including the
Marathas and the Sikhs.
Guru Gobind Singh went to
Nanded in Maharashtra for discussions with Bahadur Shah. It was there during a hunting expedition that the Guru while stringing his bow, opened a wound, inflicted by two muslim Pathan merceneries who had been allegedly sent to the Deccan by Wazir Khan, the Nawab of Sirhind to assassinate the Guru. The Guru killed both Pathan on the spot with his sword but the incident had caused an injury on the Guru. Later, the Guru while stringing his bow caused the injury to open. The Guru realised his ascension into heaven was approaching. The Guru made the final preparations giving his instructions to his Sikhs and chose the
Guru Granth Sahib as his successor and the eternal Guru of Sikhism. He order all Sikhs forever more to obey the Guru Granth Sahib as their Guru. The Guru made his Sikh ascension into heaven on
7 October 1708,
Nanded Maharashtra,
India.
Chronology of the Main Events in Guru ji Life
| # | Date | Event |
|---|
| 1 | December 22nd, 1666 | Birth at Patna Sahib (Bihar) |
| 2 | May, 1673 | Arrival at Anandpur Sahib |
| 3 | July, 1677 | Marriage with Mata Jeeto Ji |
| 4 | 1682 | Repulsing the attack of Rajput Raja Bhim Chand on Anandpur |
| 5 | May, 1685 | Maklaavaa of Mata Jeeto Ji (who adopted the name 'Sundari') |
| 6 | July, 1685 | Guru Ji leaves Anandpur for Paonta Sahib |
| 7 | November, 1686 | Birth of S. Ajit Singh Ji |
| 8 | October, 1687 | Battle of Bhangani |
| 9 | November 1688 | Return to Anandpur Sahib |
| 10 | 1689 | Battle of Naudan |
| 11 | March,1690 | Birth of S. Jujhar Singh Ji |
| 12 | 1694 | Khanzada attacks Anandpur |
| 13 | 1695 | Battle with Hussain Khan |
| 14 | 1697 | Birth of S. Zorawar Singh Ji |
| 15 | 1699 | Birth of S. Fateh Singh Ji |
| 16 | Vaisakhi, 1699 | Creation of the Khalsa |
| 17 | September 1699 | Skirmishes with Rajput Raja Bhim Chand |
| 18 | December 1700 | Attacked by the combined forces of the Rajput hill chieftains |
| 19 | January 1701 | Leave Anandpur for Nirmoh |
| 20 | January 1702 | Battle of Nirmoh |
| 21 | March 1702 | Goes to Basoli April |
| 22 | June 1702 | Occupation of Kalmot |
| 23 | August 1702 | Return to Anandpur |
| 24 | February 1703 | Repulsing the attacks of the Rajput hill-chieftains |
| 25 | June 1704 | Repulsing the combined attack of Rajput hill-chiefs and Mughals |
| 26 | December 1704 | Evacuation of Anandpur |
| 27 | December 1704 | Battle of Chamkaur and martyrdom of S. Ajit Singh Ji and S. Jujhar Singh Ji |
| 28 | December 1704 | Martyrdom of S. Zorawar Singh Ji and S. Fateh Singh Ji |
| 29 | May, 1705 | Battle of Khidrana |
| 30 | June 1705 | Battle of Muktsar |
| 31 | July 1705 | Reach Sabo-ki-talwandi (Damdama Sahib) |
| 32 | November 1705 | Start from Damdama Sahib to meet emperor Aurangzeb |
| 33 | March 1707 | Death of Aurangzeb |
| 34 | March 1707 | Guru Ji receives news of death of Aurangzeb |
| 35 | July 23rd, 1707 | Guru Ji meets Bahadhur Shah at Agra |
| 36 | November 1707 | Moves towards Deccan |
| 37 | September 1708 | Reach Nanded |
| 38 | October 7th, 1708 | (Guru Ji passed on/ascension) |
External links
★
Biography with pictures on sikh-history.com
★
The Saint - Soldier (Guru Gobind Singh) - eBook
★
Complete website on Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
★
Learn more about Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
★
Video - Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
★
AllAboutSikhs.com
★
The adjoining place to famous paonta sahib where guru ji killed man eating tiger
Audio
★
Listen to Complete Guru Granth Sahib (66 hours)
★
Listen Shabad, Gurbani, Keertan - Live 24 x 7
★
Sukhmani Sahib Mp3,Real Audio, Real Audio download
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