Sikhs across the world on Thursday observed the 342nd martyrdom day of their Ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Thousands of devotees thronged the Golden Temple in Amritsar to offer their prayers and remember the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed his life while resisting the forced conversions of Kashmiri Pandits and non-Muslims to Islam. He was executed on the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1675.
Speaking about the importance of the day, Giani Puran Singh Granthi briefed about the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur and events surrounding it. Giani is a salutation in Sikhism and it is given to Sikh priests.
"For saving the Hindu religion, for safeguarding Tilak (sacred mark applied by Hindus) and Janeu (the Brahminical thread), Guru Tegh Bahadur arrived in Delhi's Chandni Chowk (for his martyrdom).
Bhai Dyala, Bhai Mati Das, and Bhai Sati Das also sacrificed their lives while opposing Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's oppression," Giani Puran Singh said. A devotee said, "Today is the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. It is being observed in Amritsar and at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj (the places where the Guru was martyred and cremated in Delhi), and at all Gurdwaras across the world."
Guru Tegh Bahadur was a merciful saviour of the weak, and that is what he preached. He taught his disciples to protect the ones who need protection, even if it comes at the cost of one's own life.
Guru Tegh Bahadur contributed many hymns to Granth Sahib including the Saloks, or couplets near the end of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Sikh scripture. Guru Tegh Bahadur travelled extensively in different parts of the country, including Dhaka and Assam, to preach the teachings of Nanak, the first Sikh guru. The places he visited and stayed in, became sites of Sikh temples (Gurudwaras).
On this significant day, let's look back on some of his quotes and the teachings derived from them:
1. "One who grieves not in misery and delights not in pleasure, who is free from fear and attachment, and for whom gold and dust are the same and who has renounced both praising and blaming (flattery and slander) and is immune to greed, worldly attachments and pride....when the all Merciful Guru blesses a disciple with His Grace, only then does the disciple attain this blessed spiritual state and blends (merges) with the Lord as water with water."
Guru Tegh Bahadur preached the conviction it takes to be indifferent to misery and happiness, to get rid of vices like flattery and allegation, and every other worldly pleasure. It is when one has mastered the art of self-control that he/she can truly be spiritual.
2. "O saints, renounce the Ego, and always flee from lust, wrath and evil company. One should consider pain and pleasure, honour and dishonour the same. One should renounce both praise and blame and even the search for salvation. This is a very difficult path and rare is a (Gurmukh) pious person who knows how to tread it."
Guru Tegh Bahadur showed the path of divinity to his disciples by teaching them to overcome greed, desire, ego and pain.
3. "One who vanquishes his ego and beholds the Lord as the Sole Doer of all things, that person has attained 'Jiwan Mukti' (is liberated while living), know this as the real truth, says Nanak."
He guided his followers towards the path of peace. Guru Tegh Bahadur taught the world to be content with their life, as everything in the world is "Nanak's doing". He spread the idea of attaining Jiwan Mukti by making peace with every life-situation.
4. "True Realisation of the actual nature of this material world, its perishable, transitory and illusory aspects best dawns on a person in suffering."
The Guru revealed the true reason behind human suffering to his followers. It is in times of despair and misery that one gets to see the ephemeral nature of worldly pleasures, and only then can one truly learn to value greater things in life.
5. "Give up your head, but forsake not those whom you have undertaken to protect. Sacrifice your life, but relinquish not your faith"
Guru Tegh Bahadur was a merciful saviour of the weak, and that is what he preached. He taught his disciples to protect the ones who need protection, even if it comes at the cost of one's own life.
6. "Why go to search forests (to find Him). He who dwells in all hearts but remains ever pure, pervades thy heart also. Just as fragrance fills the rose and reflection the mirror, the Lord pervades all without a break; search Him inside thee. The Guru hath revealed this knowledge that the Aum pervades inside and outside. Saith Nanak, without knowing thyself the scum of doubt will not be removed."
The Guru pressed on the omnipresence of the Almighty. The Lord lives within us, and one only needs to look within himself to connect with him. He preached that the symbol of universe, Aum (Om), is everywhere, inside you, outside you, inside me and outside me.
