The Prakash Purab of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the sixth Guru of the Sikh tradition, stands as a moment of profound historical and spiritual significance. For any student of Sikh theology and history, the life of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji is not merely a continuation of the Guru Parampara but the conscious evolution of Guru Nanak Sahib’s mission in response to a changing moral and political landscape. It was under Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji that the doctrine of Sikh sovereignty, both internal and external, took visible form, heralding the age of the Sant-Sipahi, the saint-soldier.
Born in 1595 at Guru Ki Wadali near Amritsar, Guru Hargobind Sahib ascended to the spiritual throne, the Gurgaddi, in 1606, following the martyrdom of his father, Guru Arjan Dev, the first Sikh martyr. That martyrdom was not a personal tragedy; it was a political and religious inflexion point. With absolute clarity and divine foresight, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji did not retreat into mysticism or silence. Instead, he gave shape to the divine mandate of Sikh Dharma: to defend truth, uphold justice, and protect the downtrodden. Thus emerged the Miri-Piri doctrine, symbolised by the Guru wearing two swords: Piri denoting spiritual authority and Miri denoting temporal sovereignty.
In a radical yet profoundly ethical departure from the Bhakti traditions of the time, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji redefined the role of a Guru as not only a spiritual liberator but also a sovereign guide and protector. The establishment of the Akal Takht Sahib in 1606, facing the Sri Harmandir Sahib, was not a structural addition but an ideological assertion: that temporal justice must flow from spiritual purity. It was from the Akal Takht, meaning “Throne of the Timeless,” that the Guru administered justice, resolved disputes, and instilled in the Sikh community a sense of self-rule, dignity, and martial discipline.
Guru Sahib raised an army, not of conquerors, but of defenders of dharma (dharma yodh). The four major battles he fought against the Mughals at Amritsar, Sri Gobindpur, and Kartarpur were all defensive, upholding the right of a free people to live with honour. And yet, his sword was sheathed in compassion. His release of the 52 Rajput kings from the Gwalior Fort, whom he refused to abandon even when his freedom was granted, earned him the eternal title of Bandi Chhor, the liberator of prisoners. It was an act not just of bravery but of Gurmat compassion, affirming that the Guru’s concern is for all who are oppressed, regardless of their background or beliefs.
Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji’s contribution to Sikhism is neither militaristic nor reactionary; it is visionary. He saw the need for the Sikh to be both grounded in the Divine Naam and prepared to stand against injustice. He trained Sikhs in horse riding, archery, and weaponry not to instigate war but to ensure readiness against tyranny. He institutionalised the idea that spirituality and sovereignty are not mutually exclusive but complementary. This was not a politicisation of religion but the sanctification of resistance and moral leadership.
Even as he prepared the Sikh community for the challenges of Mughal hostility, Guru Sahib never abandoned the core values of seva, Simran, and sangat. He continued the practices of Langar and Pangat, reinforced egalitarian ethics, and upheld the sanctity of community life. In his teachings, one sees the full embodiment of Guru Nanak’s Udasis and Guru Arjan’s martyrdom synthesised into a practical path of living with bir ras—the divine energy of righteous valour.
His legacy was not merely inherited; it was spiritually fulfilled by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji, who would later institutionalise the Khalsa as the fruit of the seeds sown by Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. Without Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the Khalsa would have had no womb from which to be born.
As we mark the sacred occasion of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji’s Prakash Purab, we are not just remembering a historical figure; we are invoking the eternal principles of justice, discipline, dignity, and divine sovereignty. In today’s world, where moral courage is scarce and spiritual depth often compromised, the life of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji stands as an ever-radiant beacon for humanity.
May his light continue to guide the Khalsa Panth and all seekers of truth. May we internalise the spirit of Miri-Piri, living lives of remembrance and responsibility, humility and heroism.
Deg Tegh Fateh!
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
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