GURU ARJAN DEV JI--A GREAT GURU and CROWN of MARTYRS
On 15th April, 1563 AD (7th Vaisakh, 94 Nanakshahi), a pious and noble soul Arjan Dev took birth in the home of Guru Ram Das Ji and Bibi Bhani Ji, in village Goindwal, Distt Amritsar, Punjab. During childhood his maternal grandfather Guru Amar Das JI prophesied him as “Dohita, Bani Ka Boitha” i.e. He will orate Gurbani, which will act as a ship to take the humanity across worldly ocean. He learnt many languages i.e. Punjabi, Braj Bhasha, Sanskrit, Persian and regional languages of India. He was a great Saint, thinker, scholar, and a statesman. He was fearless, possessed tender heart with a resolute will.
One day, Guru Ram Das Ji asked His elder son Prithi Chand to go to Lahore to attend the marriage of the son of His cousin brother Sahari Mal, but Prithvi Chand avoided it on the pretext that he has many responsibilities of 'Langar' etc. at Amritsar and moreover he will not be able to bear the heat enroute. He wanted to avoid going away from Amritsar as he controlled offerings made to The Guru and secondly the time for transfer of Guruship was nearing. Then The Guru asked His second son Mahadev to go and he also replied that he does not want to get involved in such matters, as he has spiritual inclinations and wanted to remain aloof from worldly affairs. Guru Ram Das Ji then asked His youngest son Arjan Dev to go for the purpose. He replied that:- “dear father, i only want your blessings, You are sending me for occasion of joy. Even if you send me for some task that would endanger my life, i would obey your order with pleasure”. Guru Ram ji told him to stay at Lahore till a written message to come back is sent to him, and preach Gurbani to the sikhs and serve ‘Langar’ to the poor and the needy.
As Guru Ram Das Ji did not call him back for a long time, he sent two letters to his father through a messenger but his elder brother Prithi Chand did not give it to his father as he was jealous of his proximity to The Guru and himself told the messenger to convey to Arjan Dev that his father has asked him to stay at Lahore till He calls him back. Then Arjan Dev wrote a third letter, particularly recording digit three on it to let his father know that it is his third letter and directed the messenger to give it to his father only. The messenger this time ensured this and delivered the letter to Guru Ram Das Ji personally. The letter read as under :-
IK GHARHI NA MILTE TA KALYUG HOTA II
HUNH KAD MILIYE PRIYA TUDH BHAGWANTA II
MOHIE REIN NA VIAVAI NEEND NA AAVAI BIN DEKHE GUR DARBAARE JEEOU II 3 II
HAU GHOLI JEEOU GHOLI GHUMAEE TIS SACHE GUR DARBAARE JEEOU II1II RAHAOU II-SGGS---96
After reading this letter, The Guru enquired about first two letters from the messenger and he explained the whole story to The Guru. On hearing the reply,The Guru got annoyed and enquired about first two letters from Prithvi Chand, but he denied having any knowledge. Guru Ram Das Ji then told him that the letters were in the pocket of his coat at home. He then sent a person directing him to bring the coat of Prithi chand from his house, which was hanging on the peg on the wall. Both the letters were recovered from the pocket of his coat. Guru Ram Das Ji then told the 'sangat' that it was a test for honesty of Prithvi Chand. Then Guru Ram Das Ji directed Baba Budha Ji to bring Guru Arjan Dev Ji from Lahore. When Guru Arjan Dev Ji came back and met his father, Guru Ram Das Ji told him that he had written three couplets in his letters and now he should orate the fourth couplet to complete the ' SHABAD'. Then instantaneously Guru Arjan Dev Ji orated the following couplet :-
BHAGH HOA GUR SANT MILAYA II
PRABHU ABINASEE GHARI MEIH PAAYA II
SEV KARI PALU CHASA NA VICHHURHA JAN NANAK DAAS TUMARE JEEOU II 4 II
HAU GHOLEE JEEOU GHOLI GHUMAEE JAN NANAK DAAS TUMARE JEEOU II RAHAOU II1II4II--SGGS--97
After hearing this couplet, Guru Ram Das Ji was very pleased and took Arjan Dev in His arms and said:- “We give Guruship to you”. Then Guru Ram Das Ji got down from His throne and made Guru Arjan Dev Ji to sit on His throne and Himself bowed before Guru Arjan Dev Ji and thus transmigrated the light into Him. Prithi Chand got very annoyed and spoke unparliamentary language to Guru Ram Das Ji and declared that he will remove Guru Arjan Dev Ji from the throne of Guruship and himself sit on the throne of Guruship, to which even the King will agree as per law. As he continued his misbehaviour and refused to accept Guru Arjan Dev Ji as The Guru, Guru Ram Das Ji declared him 'Meenha'(scoundrel) and directed the Sikhs that they should not have any relation with him. After this, Guru Ram Das Ji went to Goindwal, along with Guru Arjan Dev Ji. After two days, He did His prayers early in the morning and after telling Sikhs to follow Guru Arjan Dev Ji, left this world on 1st September, 1581 AD (3rd, bhadon,112 Nanakshahi). He was so kind hearted that when Prithvi chand approached the local heads of Amritsar for help, on their request Guru Arjan Dev Ji gave him and his second brother Mahadev some revenue and rental property for their living.
Fifth Nanak I.e. Guru Arjan Dev ji, then set to start the construction of 'sarovars' and Ramdaspur city as desired by Guru Amar Das Ji. After completing Santokhsar ‘sarovar’ in 1588 AD, He started the work of brick lining of Parikarma and stairs of the ‘sarovar’( holy tank) of Harmandir sahib, as the excavation was already completed by Guru Ram Das Ji. Guru Arjan Dev Ji then started the construction of Harmandir Sahib and got the foundation of Harmandir Sahib laid in the centre of the ‘sarovar’ in Amritsar on 28 Dec,1588 AD from a Muslim saint Mian Mir. Prior to this, the temples and mosques were built on a raised plinth. But Guru Arjan Dev Ji built Harmandir Sahib on lower plinth than surrounding area, symbolizing that God could be attained by being low in submission and humility. Moreover the temples and mosques are closed on three sides and have one door, but the doors of Harmandir Sahib are open on all four sides, signifying that It is open to all humanity, irrespective of caste, creed, colour, rich or poor. There are no idols, pictures for worship in Harmandir Sahib, but only the glory of The God is done by singing hymns from GURBANI round the clock.
He started preaching of Sikhism in Majha area and for this purpose, He founded the town of Tarn Taran in Distt Amritsar in 1590 AD, to counter the Sakhi Sarwar's Muslim preaching centre located at a distance of 12 km, who were converting Hindus to Islam. He also developed a ‘sarowar’( tank ) and town named Kartarpur in Distt Jalandhar in Doaba in 1594 AD, which became centres of trade. He also constructed a well in Village Wadali near Amritsar, which worked with six Persian wheels to meet scarcity of water in the area and it later came to be called chheharta.
He started the practice of doing ‘Kirtan’ I.e. singing of hymens by the SANGAT themselves in the congregation, after the bards, Satta and Balwand were illusioned that the importance of The Guru is because their singing hymns in congregation and refused do ‘Kirtan’.
He also encouraged Sikhs to take trade adventures of horses to Kabul, Turkestan and Central and west Asia. He encouraged them to do trading in timber, iron and do work of masons and carpenters, in addition to agriculture and grocers.
The Guru represented the problem of high prices of grains to the emperor and got the tax reduced by one-sixth, When the King Emperor visited Guru Arjan Dev Ji at Goindwal on November 24, 1598 AD, after He learnt of popularity of The Guru among the people and that they called Him ‘Sacha Paatshah’. But The Guru asked him to partake ‘Langar’ sitting with the common people on the ground in ‘Pangat’ before meeting Him to ensure abolition of caste system and difference of rich and poor.
He further strengthened the institution of Masands and started the practice of setting aside “Dasvandh” I.e. one tenth of Income among the sikhs for the preaching of Sikhism and welfare of the society and helping the poor and the needy.
He gave the biggest gift of the compilation of ADI GRANTH( SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB), containing ‘BAANI’ of four Gurus, to which He added His own 'Baani’ and that of 15 saints of different faiths, 17 bards (bhatts) and 4 gursikhs of different castes and called it “POTHI” and installed it in Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar on 16 August, 1604 AD (1, bhadon, 135 Nanakshahi ) and appointed Baba Budha ji as first Granthi (custodian ). His aim was that the ‘BAANI’ to be added should give peace and contentment to the individual who follows it and spread message of truth, love, tolerance, peaceful existence, diversity and equality in the world.
He gave “POTHI”, the status of the home of The GOD, as the ‘Gurbani’ in the SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB (SGGS) connects one with The God and whoever sings the glory of God in Saadh SANGAT, the company of the holy, gets knowledge of God.THE GURU emphatically says that He does not know what to speak and that He is chanting all that God commands. The Guru Says that :-
Poṭɦee paramesar kaa ṭɦaanu ||
i.e. The Holy Book is the home of the Transcendent Lord God.
Saaḍɦasaṇgi gaavahi guñ gobiṇḍ pooran braham giȧanu ||1|| rahaaū ||-----SGGS---1226
Saaḍɦasaṇgi gaavahi guñ gobiṇḍ pooran braham giȧanu ||1|| rahaaū ||-----SGGS---1226
i.e. Whoever sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, has the perfect knowledge of God. ||1||Pause||
Hou aapahu bol n jaanadhaa mai kehiaa sabh hukamaao jeeo || ----SGGS---763
i.e. By Myself, I do not even know how to speak; I speak all that the Lord commands.
Sathigur kee banee sat sat kar jaanahu gursikhu har karataa aap muhahu kadhaaeae ||--SGGS –- 308
i.e. O Gursikhs, know that the ‘bani,’, the Word of the True Guru, is true, absolutely True. The Creator Lord Himself causes the Guru to chant it.
i.e. By Myself, I do not even know how to speak; I speak all that the Lord commands.
Sathigur kee banee sat sat kar jaanahu gursikhu har karataa aap muhahu kadhaaeae ||--SGGS –- 308
i.e. O Gursikhs, know that the ‘bani,’, the Word of the True Guru, is true, absolutely True. The Creator Lord Himself causes the Guru to chant it.
Thus Guru Arjan Dev Ji gave the priceless gift of SGGS to the Sikhs and the humanity, as it gives a universal message of Truth to the humanity, irrespective of caste, creed, rich, poor etc. He arranged it in such a way that no interpolations could be made in it and its purity is maintained. In the entire religious history of man, no other prophet felt it essential to authenticate his message so as to secure its purity and exclude the possibility of any interpolations and misinterpretations.
When Guru Arjan Dev Ji brought SGGS from Gurudwara Ramsar to Harmandir Sahib, He brought it in a very respectable way in a procession and SGGS was carried by Baba Budha Ji on his head and Guru Arjan Dev Ji Himself was doing “Chaur”(flyer) over it, throughout the journey. At night, He asked the Sikhs to keep SGGS on His bed in His room and He himself slept under that bed.
The compilation of SGGS, construction of ‘Sarovars’(holy tanks) at Taran Taran, Kartarpur and Harmandir Sahib in the centre of ‘sarovar’ in Amritsar, where the people could take a dip without any restriction of religion, caste, creed etc.
As ‘GURBANI’ was sung around the clock in Harmandir Sahib and as per blessings of The Guru, the desires of the people paying obeisance at Harmandir Sahib and taking dip in the sarovar with faith were fulfilled and it came to be called Amrit-Sar ( the pool of Ambrosial nectar) and Consequently Ramdaspur city was popularly known as AMRITSAR. The Hindus and Muslims being attracted by Guru’s message of brotherhood, started converting to Sikhism.The fanatic Quazis and Brahmins complained to Emperor Akbar, when he was at Batala during a visit to Punjab in 1605 AD, that a book is being compiled by Guru Arjan Dev Ji which contains passages blasphemous to Islam and Hinduism. King Akbar called for bringing SGGS in his presence and Guru Arjan Dev Ji sent it in custody of Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Buddha Ji. King Akbar got The SGGS read at random and was satisfied to hear the praises of God. He made an offering of 51 gold coins to SGGS and a robe of honour for The Guru and to both custodians of SGGS.
But Sakhi Sarvar sect head, Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi did not digest this action of King Akbar and he hatched a conspiracy of even getting King Akbar killed and getting appointed his drunkard and foolish son Salim, as his successor, for the purpose of getting Guru Arjan Dev Ji eliminated. He managed slow poisoning of King Akbar, due to which he died shortly on October 17,1605 AD. As planned, his son Salem was declared his successor, who named himself Jahangir. Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi Instigated Jahangir against The Guru that He is converting Muslims to Sikhism. Consequently, Jahangir declared that the conversions of Muslims to Sikhism will not be tolerated and further said and recorded in his diary that :- “For a long time I wanted to close this shop of falsehood (the Sikh preaching centre), which is running for three four generations, because not only Hindus but also unwary Muslims were becoming disciples of The Sikh Gurus. I therefore ordered that either The Sikh Guru be converted to ISLAM or be killed”. He therefore summoned The Guru to Lahore.
The Guru had realized that His end was near as the King Jahangir did not like his spreading of Sikhism,which teaches humanitarian values and standing against atrocities of rulers. Moreover he was also aware of instigation being done by his enemies. Therefore, before leaving for Lahore, The Guru consoled His wife Ganga and asked her not to veil or mourn after He leaves this world. He appointed His son, Hargobind, as His successor and asked him to be armed and keep an army of Sikhs.
After this, The Guru went to Lahore along with five sikhs but the Sikhs were separated from Him and were put in confinement. As tutored by Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi, who wanted to kill Guru Arjan Dev Ji as he was jealous of spread of Sikhism, Jahangir asked The Guru to do the following three things :-
- Add some couplets in SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB in praise of ISLAM.
- Give tax from the offerings He receives from the people.
- To accept Islam.
The Guru refused to do any of the these three things, replying that :-
- He can not add anything in SGGS in praise of ISLAM, as it only contains the glory of God, method to attain God, praises of those who attained God and condition of those who failed to attain God.
- He can not pay any tax as it is people’s money and can only be used for welfare of the poor and the needy.
- He will prefer being killed than being coerced into accepting ISLAM.
But Jahangir, being influenced by Guru’s enemies, asked The Guru to pay a fine of two lakh rupees and efface certain verses in SGGS. But The Guru refused to oblige, telling them that the money belongs to the people and is for welfare of the poor and the needy. Moreover the men with bad deeds are fined and not the saints. As regards the erasing of hymens in SGGS, He replied that :- He can not erase or alter an iota, as what the God commanded Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Ram Das and He Himself, has been recorded in SGGS and there is nothing against Islam or any other religion. He further said that their aim is to preach TRUTH and destroy falsehood for welfare of humanity, and if while doing this duty He has to die, it will be His good luck. The Sikhs of Lahore showed willingness to raise subscriptions to pay the fine, but The Guru issued strict instructions not to pay any fine telling them that whosoever pays any fine, will not be His Sikh. On hearing Guru's reply, Jahangir ordered that:- “He be killed, His property and family be handed over to Murtaza Khan”. Another enemy of The Guru, Chandu Shah also played a role of putting oil on the fire in this episode, who had become inimical to The Guru after refusal of his proposal of wedding of his daughter with His son Hargobind by The Guru, as the Sikh Sangat of Delhi did not like his hippocratic behaviour.
THE HOLY MARTYRDOM:-
Guru Arjan Dev Ji was handed over to Subedar of Lahore Murtaza Khan for executing the punishment as he was also inimical to The Guru and was party to the conspiracy of killing of King Akbar by slow poisoning for the purpose of appointing his drunkard and foolish son Salim, as his successor. He was imprisoned in Lahore fort and was not given anything to eat and not allowed to sleep on the first day.Second day He was chained to a post in the open sun from morning to evening and tortured by making Him sit on special sand, which burns like a furnace. On third day He was made to sit in boiling water. On fourth day He was again made to sit in boiling water and hot sand was poured over His head and naked body. Then on fifth day He was asked to sit on hot plate under which fire was burning and boiling water was poured over His head. Thus He was tortured for five days, but The Guru remained unmoved, undeterred and told them that:- 'O, foolish people, everything is in the will of God and your tortures give me peace '. Here The Guru sermonized a 'SHABAD', the couplet of which is as below:-
Pɦooto ȧadaa bɦaram kaa manahi bɦaïõ paragaasu ||
i.e. The egg of doubt has burst; my mind has been enlightened.
Kaatee beree pagah ṭe guri keenee baṇḍi kɦalaasu ||1||--SGGS--1002
i.e. The Guru has shattered the shackles on my feet, and has set me free. ||1||
During this period, an old friend of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Sufi Saint Mian Mir came to meet Him. He found Guru Arjan calm and serene, having completely resigned himself to the will of God. At the sight of The Guru, he shed tears. He cursed the govt for atrocities on an innocent man of God. He said that he would pray for the destruction of the cruel govt. But The Guru calmed him and told him that it was the will of The God and no man should try to obstruct the will of The God. The Guru told him that:- "I bear all these tortures to set an example for the Sikhs so that they may not lose patience or vail against God in affliction, but face it bravely. The true test of faith is in the hour of pain, without examples to guide them, ordinary people's minds would tremble in the midst of suffering”. He further told him that this is the practical reply to the couplet below, the meaning of which he had asked Him to explain, when he last met Him in Amritsar. The GURU says that :-
Ṭanu manu kaati kaati sabɦu ȧrapee vicɦi ȧganee ȧapu jalaaëe ||4||--SGGS--757
i.e. I would cut my mind and body apart into pieces, and offer them all to You; I would burn myself in fire. ||4||
After hearing these words, Muslim Saint Mian Mir went away, singing the praises and admiring the will power of The Guru. After five days of torture, as Guru's body was completely damaged beyond recovery, they were afraid of any backlash. But The Guru asked for taking bath in river Ravi before he dies, they accepted His request as His body was badly blistered they thought when dipped in water will be more painful. As such He was taken into the river with a strong escort, but when The Guru took a dip in the water, He was not seen again and The light merged with The light. Thus Guru Arjan Dev Ji attained THE HOLY MARTYRDOM on 30th May, 1606 AD ( 7th jeth, 137 Nanakshahi).
Despite extreme torture, Guru Arjan Dev Ji remained calm, unruffled and unperturbed. There is no parallel to His MARTYRDOM in this world, bearing extreme torture with equanimity as per WILL OF The GOD, for spreading TRUTH, righteousness, fighting for freedom and equality for the humanity.
Guru Arjan Dev ji had realized earlier that violent intervention in His mission would not subside as Sikhism, despite its emphasis on peace and tolerance, was perceived by the Muslim rulers, Quazis and Brahmins as a threat to their religions. Therefore, to ensure that Sikhism could withstand such onslaughts, He trained His son, Hargobind in martial arts and instructed him to be armed and a keep a strong army.
Thus the Holy Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji brought a revolutionary change and proved a watershed in Sikhism as it changed the entire character of this reformatory religious movement. His successor, GURU HARGOBIND SAHIB Ji wore two swords symbolizing 'Miri' (Power) and 'Piri' (Saintliness) and maintained an army, as per directions of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. He had to fight four battles with Mughal rulers and won all the four battles, despite having only about 2500 Sikh warriors in first three battles and about 5000 sikh warriors in the last battle, against a large Mughal army.
