Guru Gobind Singh

The Proponent of Chardi Kalaa - the Ascending Optimism

 Guru Gobind Singh (Julian Calendar: 22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708), was the 10th Sikh Guru, a spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher. His teachings have inspired the Sikhs and others for generations.

Guru Gobind Singh

"If we consider the work which (Guru) Gobind (Singh) accomplished, both in reforming his religion and instituting a new code of law for his followers, his personal bravery under all circumstances; his persevering endurance amidst difficulties, which would have disheartened others and overwhelmed them in inextricable distress, and lastly his final victory over his powerful enemies by the very men who had previously forsaken him, we need not be surprised that the Sikhs venerate his memory. He was undoubtedly a great man." (W, L. McGregor)

The Sikhs use the ancient Indian lunar calendar and according to it, the birth day of the Tenth Master is on the 22nd day of Poh - the lunar month. This is why his 350th birthday is being celebrated on January 5th, 2017. As we start in the new year, lets remember the achievements and sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh ji:

Ninth Guru in the East

Gobind Rai, who would later be named as Guru Gobind Singh, was born to the ninth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Teg Bahadur and Mata Gujri at Patna Sahib or Takht Sri Patna Sahib (now in Patna). The 9th Guru Teg Bahadur was accompanying Mirza Ram Singh of Jaipur on a Mughal military expedition to subdue the rebellious king of Assam. Ram Singh met the Assam forces, under Lachit Borphukan at the Battle of Saraighat on the Brahmaputra river which forced Ram Singh to retreat to the Western boundary at Manas river. This is where Guru Teg Bahadur convinced the warring kings to stop further blood shed and reach a compromise. An historic shrine, Damdama Sahib was built by the grateful Assamese King at Dhubri in Assam was built in memory of the visit of the Guru. It was during his stay in Dhubri, that the ninth Guru received the news that a son was born to him at Patna.

Guru Tegh Bahadur, Mirza Raja Ram Singh, and Ahom King Chakradhwaj Singha

Birth of Divine Light

Bhikan Shah was a well known Muslim Sufi in East Punjab. That day he did something he had never done before. Instead of offering his morning prayer towards Mecca, he prayed towards the direction of East! When questioned by the faithful, he said, “If you could see who has taken birth there..... you would bow in this direction too.” 

Bhikan Shah at Patna

Bhikan Shah decided to go to the town of Patna in Bihar to see this divine presence. He waited outside for permission to see the baby. When he met with the baby, the old man and the infant seemed to recognize each other. Bhikan Shah placed the two pots in front of Gobind Rai, With his playful spirit, he reached out both hands and put one on each pot. Bhikan Shah explained, “One of the pots represented the Muslim faith, the other represented the Hindu faith. I was asking him which he would favor. Naturally he chose both. Which means he favors all people and all religions. This divine blessed soul will be the protector of all humanity.”

SCHOLAR AND WARRIOR

As a child, Guru Gobind Singh learned many languages including Sanskrit, Urdu, Hindi, Braj, Gurmukhi and Persian. 

Guru Gobind Singh

 He composed his writings in these languages in the sacred collection of 'Dasam Granth':

1. Chaupai Sahib - Hindi (Braj and Maithilee)
2. Jafarnamah - Persian (Pharsi)
3. Jaap Sahib - Sanskrit, Hindi, and Pharsi
4. Shabad: Mitr Pyare Noo - Punjabi
5. Akaaal Ustat - Sanskrit
6. Tav Prasad Sawwaiye - Hindi

Supporter of the Poor and Downtrodden

Guru Gobind singh selected five 'panj pyaras' from across India for creating the 'Khalsa' panth. Three among these Five Beloved were from the low castes or Dalits. The poor and the downtrodden were always in the back of his mind during all the battles he fought. "Manas ki jaat ek hi pehchanbo - Recognize all Humankind as One" was his mantra for life.

Guru Gobind Singh and his Five Beloveds

Punjabi University, Patiala, vice-chancellor Jaspal Singh quoted the 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, telling the kings who had refused to join his battle against the Mughals because his army consisted of 'Shudras' (people from low castes). 

"Tum bhi praja thae ho, Shudra jinhe batate ho. Din bandhu tabhe sadheo, dinan raj bhogeho. (You will be ruled by those whom you call Shudras today. I will be remembered as Din bandhu only when power is transferred to them),"

Living His Life in Charhdi Kalaa

Charhdi Kala is a concept in Sikhism coined by Guru Gobind Singh that refers to a mental state of optimism and spiritual joy. Sikhs are ideally expected to be in this positive state of mind as a sign of their contentment with the will of God, even during the times of adversity. The Tenth Master lived by this principle against the most severe conditions imposed by the Islamist Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and his deputies. 

Guru Gobind Singh and His Family at Sirsa River

However, for these principles, Guruji had to pay a heavy price. While his two younger sons were bricked up alive for not embracing Islam, the other two were martyred in battlefield. His father and the Ninth guru sacrificed his life for supporting the Hindu Pundits of  Kashmir for liberty to practice their religion,  and his mother Mata Gujri breathed her last in captivity at Thanda Burj, Sirhind. Therefore, he is referred as 'Sarbans Dani', the Sacrificer of his family.

Guruji was a divine spiritual light who accepted the challenge of radical Islamists and oppressive regime. He took up 'shastra' (arms) when the time demanded. "When people were suffering under the Mughal rulers, Guruji vowed to instill confidence and a fighting spirit in them and valiantly won all the battles he fought in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.", said Jaspal Singh, Vice Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala.

Guru Gobind Singh

However, it should be clear that his crusade was not against Islam or Muslims but against the tyrannical Mughal empire. His followers included many Muslims like Peer Bhikan Shah. The common Muslim never supported those rulers because they never practiced the principles of equality and love on which the Islamic polity is based.

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Gobind_Singh
2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/gobindsingh.shtml
3. http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charhdi_Kala
5. http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurdwara_Sri_Guru_Tegh_Bahadur_Sahib_(Dhubri)
6. http://www.sikhfoundation.org/sikh-arts-heritage/jewel-in-the-east-by-rupinder-kaur/
7.  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/guru-gobind-singh-always-fought-for-the-poor/articleshow/54488429.cms