Legendary saga of a saint, soldier, scholar & creator of Khalsa Panth

The tenth Guru of the Sikh tradition, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who was a great Saint, Soldier, and Scholar, was born (Prakash) on Paush Shukla Saptami, Saturday, Samvat 1723 Vikrami (22 December 1666 AD according to the modern calendar) at the time of one and a half prahar remaining night i.e. at the auspicious time of the arrival of the new morning after the dark night had passed. Much before the birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, from the tenth century to 1526, about sixty major invasions had already taken place on India, out of which three invasions were of Subuktagin, seventeen of Muhammad Ghori, twenty-five of Mongols and five of Mughals, the last of which was of Babar in 1526. During the time of the first Guru of the Sikh tradition Guru Nanak terrible massacres, atrocities and conversions were in full swing. Nanak also expressed this pain of the people in his vaani, “khuraasaan khasamaana kiya hindustaan daraayaa, aape daus na daye karta jamakar mugal chadhaiya. aitee maar paee kuralaane tai kee darad na aaia” i.e “The invaders coming from Khurasan have created such a fear and atrocities among the people of the country and O God, are you not able to feel the pain of the people?” The government’s atrocities and torture continued even on the fifth Guru of the Sikh tradition, Arjun Dev Ji and the sixth Guru Hargobind Ji. During the reign of Aurangzeb, this cruelty reached its peak. The entire country was made an Islamic state under the state policy. Jharokha Darshan was considered as a form of worship of a person and was banned. Restrictions were imposed on Navroz, music and dance. The majority community began to be discriminated against in government services. The majority community was prohibited from riding elephants, horses, palanquins and keeping weapons. In 1661, Mansoor-eSani Sufi Mohammad Sarmad was murdered for believing in Sufi principles. Overall, a very scary and suffocating atmosphere was created in the country. Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s father, Hind Ki Chadar Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji had been martyred for opposing conversion to protect the Tilak and Janeu.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji was only 9 years old at that time. When Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who was living in Anandpur, heard the news of his father’s sacrifice in 1675, he felt that the followers of Sikhism have undoubtedly set a new record of following the gentle qualities of humanity such as humility, love, non-violence by sacrificing their lives, but now the time has come when, like the timely blow of a hammer by a skilled craftsman, the society urgently needs a new turn to protect these qualities of humanity. Keeping weapons, riding horses and following a disciplined religious routine had already become a part of Sikh life. Now to organize them and to infuse new life into them, Guru Gobind Singh Ji started studying, creating and writing the literature of heroism alongwith the sayings of Adi Granth Sahib. As a great creator of literature, all his available works are collected in the name of “Dasham Granth”. In these, on one hand Guru Gobind Singh Ji has used heroic verses like Tomar, Narach, Chappay, Bhujang Prayat etc., on the other hand he provides us a beautiful example of his command over Sanskrit, Brajbhasha, Persian and Punjabi Gurumukhi language and inspired his disciples to learn all languages. Most of his speech and literature is in heroic sentiment, reading or listening to which awakens the feeling of bravery, brilliance and vigour. He wrote innumerable literature like Zafarnaama, Japusahib, Akal Ustat, Bachitra Natak, Athchoubis Avtaar, Shastranaam Mala, Govind Geeta, Akal Purakh Vach, Raktbeej yukt Kathan, Surya Chandra Avtaar Kathan etc. and rewrote and reinterpreted Indian philosophy, thinking, religion and spirituality in a unique and wonderful way.Guru Gobind Singh Ji was a great organizer with a farsighted, imaginative and magnetic personality. Guru Gobind Singh Ji had a clear understanding of the problems facing Indian society and a firm plan to resolve them, aiming to end the oppression of the wicked. He made it clear that he was divinely inspired, born to establish religion, suppress evil, and protect the saints. In his autobiography “Bichitra Natak,” he writes, “This is the work I have been born for. All saints should understand this in their minds. To propagate the religion, save the saints, forget all the evil ones, and uplift them.”

On “Baisakhi” in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave Amrit to Daya Ram, Dharamdas, Mohkam Chand, Sahib Chand, and Himmat Rai, transforming them into Daya Singh, Dharam Singh, Mohkam Singh, Sahib Singh, and Himmat Singh, respectively. This act founded the Khalsa sect, emphasizing collective strength and victory in the name of Lord Waheguru. “Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal” became the slogan of the day, uniting the people across caste divisions and creating a dignified force. Guru Gobind Singh Ji uplifted the downtrodden, supported orphans, and instilled self-respect in those who had been oppressed. His warriors fought tyranny and forced conversion, creating new history in India. His battle was not against any religion but against sectarianism, fanaticism, and injustice. Guru Ji believed in divinity in all of humanity, as expressed in his words, “Hindu Turk Koun Rafji Imam Safi, Manas ki jaat sabhe eko pahachanbo.”

Even after the martyrdom of his father, Sahibzadas, and Mata Gujri, he boldly wrote in “Zafarnama” to Aurangzeb: “Chun kar aj humhe hilate dar gujast, halal ast burdan ba shamshir dast.” Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s legacy transcends regional and sectarian divides, contributing to India’s unity. The revered Guru Granth Sahib includes hymns of great saints like Namdev Ji, Ravidas Ji, and others, uniting various traditions. The Sikh community continues to uphold his values in nation-building.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Jasbir Singh, The writer is former Chairman Rajasthan Minorities Commission & National Working President Forum for Awareness of National Security