Today, we remember the fifth Guru of Sikh traditions, Guru Arjan Dev ji, and try to learn from his exemplary life and teachings. Bharat has a great history and legacy of Sanatan Dharma—where all religions and paths leading to God are considered equal and personal. In this environment, every time there has been a rise in the evils of society, or elements that spread hatred amongst mankind, great leaders and Gurus such as Guru Arjan Dev ji have raised their arms. People have followed these greats on the path that might seem aggressive at first but is for the eventual good and peace to be restored. These greats or Gurus are often likened with the Divine, in Bhartiya culture.
Since time immemorial, our rich motherland has witnessed the birth of sages, learned men, and super beings. Great sage Parshuram and Bhagwan Ram were born here. We to date remember them as Avatars of Bhagwan Vishnu and worship them for all that they brought to humanity, in terms of values and teachings. They were followed by Mahatama Buddha, and Mahavir Swami –both founders of Buddhism and Jainism in India. They are to date followed for the path of Ahimsa, discipline, and compassion laid down by them. If we go a little ahead in time, then we also were fortunate to see the birth of the great strategist Chanakya, a just king, Chandragupt Maurya, and people’s favourite Ashoka the great. Though greatly admired, they weren’t considered avatars of God. All these greats worked towards the upliftment and transformation of society, but they weren’t considered divine.
In the 14th Century, Guru Nanak Devji founded Sikhism, as an offshoot of Hindu Dharma. He decided to travel through India, to spread the message of love and honesty. He was then imprisoned by the ruling Mughal king, Babar, for his innovative thinking and challenging the existing corruption in society. Despite this crackdown by the despot, Guru Nanak Dev ji, Guru Angad Dev ji, Guru Amardas ji, Guru Ramdas ji, and Guru Arjan Dev ji continued to spread the teachings of Sikhism, love, and service. Guru Arjan Dev ji also showed the path of courage and aggression towards the terrorist elements of society. In fact, the tenth Guru of Sikh traditions, Guru Gobind Singh showed never to back down in the face of adversity and oppression.
To date, all the ten gurus of Sikh traditions are considered and worshipped as avatars of the Divine.
Guru Arjan Dev ji was born in Goindval, in Punjab, as the youngest son of Bhai Jetha, who later became Guru Ram Das, and Mata Bhani, the daughter of Guru Amar Das. He completed the construction of Darbar Sahib at Amritsar, after the fourth Sikh Guru, founded the town. Guru Arjan compiled the hymns of previous Gurus and of other saints into Adi Granth, the first edition of the Sikh scripture, and installed it in the Harimandir Sahib.
Guru Arjan spent the first 11 years of his life in Goindwal and the next seven years with his father in Ramdaspur. Per Sikh tradition, he had stayed for two years in Lahore during his youth after being sent by his father to attend the wedding of his first cousin Sahari Mal’s son as well as to establish a Sikh congregation. He was appointed as the Sikh Guru in 1581 after the death of his father. Guru Ram Das was a Khatri of the Sodhi sub-caste. With Guru Arjan’s succession, the Guruship remained in the Sodhi family of Guru Ram Das.
There was a Sikh named Bhai Krishan Chand who lived at village Mao (in Doaba). Bhai Krishan Chand always served with affection and dedication. Once he came to pay homage to Guru along with his family. Bhai Krishan Chand’s younger daughter Bibi Ganga was also with them. Bibi Ganga had a loving, decorous, virtuous and sensible nature.
As a result, Bhai Krishan Chand was made a marriage proposal for his daughter. Bhai Krishan Chand at once accepted the offer as a blessing.
Guru Ram Das chose Arjan, the youngest, to succeed him as the fifth Sikh Guru. Mahadev, the middle brother chose the life of an ascetic. His choice of Arjan as successor, as throughout most of the history of Sikh Guru successions led to disputes and internal divisions among the Sikhs.
The succession dispute regarding Guru Arjan created a schism that yielded different narratives for the two factions. In the orthodox Sikh tradition, Prithi Chand is remembered as vehemently opposing Guru Arjan, creating a factional sect of the Sikh community.
The Basics of the new religion had been defined by Baba Nanak and the groundwork was carried out by three of his successors. Guru Arjan Dev Ji set upon a mission of putting it on a solid footing. As ordained by his predecessors, Guru Nanak through Guru Ram Das Ji, he took the task of the completion of the place where his father had constructed a clay tank of Nectar. The doors on all four sides of the building signified its acceptance of all the four castes and every Religion. Contrary to the requests of the congregation, the floor of the Harmandar Saheb was kept lower than the surrounding area; as the water flows downward so would the seekers of God’s blessings.
The preparation of the Holy Book is the most valuable achievement of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. With three things in his mind, he initiated the compilation of the Holy Book, the present Guru Granth Sahib. Unfortunately, the hymns and teachings of the first four Gurus were being added to and even distorted by impostors. Seeing such things, Guru Arjan wanted to preserve these original treasures. Not only fixing the path of the efforts of his predecessors but also bestowing, on the Panth, an ever-lasting guiding light that was to serve as both a physical and spiritual phenomenon.
During his period Guru Arjan Dev ji also founded many villages, towns and cities and constructed numerous wells in the Punjab region. Sikhism was fast becoming a popular and majority religion in Majha, Doaba, Malva, Nakka, regions of Punjab. Peace and prosperity were once gain returning to this region. Although the masses living in Punjab were happy with this development, the Mughal leaders in Delhi were perturbed.
The Mughal court leaders spread rumours about the Guru to the Mughal leadership; so much so that Emperor Jahangir was totally confused about who the Guru was and what his message was for this world. According to Jahangir’s autobiography Tuzk-e-Jahangiri (Jahangirnama) which discussed Guru Arjan’s support for his rebellious son Khusrau Mirza, too many people were becoming persuaded by Guru Arjan’s teachings and if Guru Arjan did not become a Muslim, the Sikh Panth had to be extinguished.
In 1606 CE, the Guru was imprisoned in Lahore Fort, whereby some accounts he was tortured. Sikh accounts state that Jahangir demanded a fine of 200,000 rupees and demanded that Guru Arjan erases some of the hymns in the text that he found offensive. The Guru refused to remove the lines and pay the fine, which state the Sikh accounts, led to his execution.
After five days of torture by Chandu Shah, on the sixth day, the Guru asked for a bath in the Ravi river. Chandu revelled at the thought that the Guru’s body, full of blisters, would undergo greater pain when dipped in cold water and so he permitted him to bathe in the river. The soldiers were sent to escort the Guru and his disciples saw him leaving. He looked at them, and still forbade any action. He said, “Such is the Will of my God, submit to the Divine Will, move not, stand calm against all woes.”
Crowds watched the Guru standing in the river and having a dip. Lightly blended with Light and the body was nowhere to be found. To date, his martyrdom is remembered.
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