350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Tegh Bahadur Ji: Upholding dharma, resisting injustice

“Dharam Het Saka Jin Kiya. Sis Diya Par Sirar Na Diya”
(For the sake of Dharma, he sacrificed himself. He laid down his head but not his creed)

The 350th anniversary of the epic martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur to challenge injustice by an arrogant and repressive regime is being commemorated around the world with great reverence. The thoughts of the Guru are an ocean of knowledge, philosophy and spirituality that a normal human being cannot assimilate in totality. However, this is the right time to reflect upon the life and teachings of the great Guru, imbibe the spirit of his message and try to follow the path shown by him with utmost humility.

Dedication to Parents and to Faith: The first lesson that can be drawn from the Guru’s life pertains to his dedication towards his parents and to his faith. Despite being spiritually inclined, he learnt military skills as desired by his Guru (teacher) and father, Guru Hargobind. He fought in his Guru’s army with such valour that his name was changed from Tyag Mal to Tegh Bahadur. Later, when his Guru, decided to pass the Gur Gaddi (seat of the Guru) to his grandson, he did not utter even one word of dissent and went to reside in Bakala as ordered. Any person in the modern world who can show even a fraction of such obedience, faith and perseverance would lead the most enlightened life.

Spiritual Detachment and Mental Resilience: The second big lesson of spiritual detachment and mental resilience comes from the time when he was named by Guru Har Krishan as successor to the Gur Gaddi. Guru Har Krishan had said the words “Baba Bakala.” Many Babas, including members of the Guru Parivar (family), set up camp in Bakala to stake claim on the Gur Gaddi. All through this turmoil, Guru Tegh Bahadur remained detached and immersed in meditation. He was revealed as Guru by the trader Makhan Shah Labana, on the basis of a test and then compelled by the Sikhs to take his divine place. His Bani (holy word) in the Guru Granth Sahib teaches detachment from ego, wealth, and transient pleasures. He says, “Saadho Man Kaa Maan Tiaagao; Kaam Krodh Sangat Durjann Kee, Taa Te Ahinis Bhaagao.” (O Sants, renounce the ego and always flee from lust, anger, and evil company). Messiah of Peace and Goodwill: Guru Tegh Bahadur rooted for peace and stayed away from conflict when he could. This is aptly exemplified from his reaction on being denied entry into the sacred Sri Harmandir Sahib by the Minas sect then led by Harji, the grandson of Baba Prithi Chand. Despite insistence of his Sikhs to force an entry, he chose to remain calm and paid obeisance at a place away from the Gurdwara but within the precincts that later got to be known as Thara Sahib (Pillar of patience).

Indifference to Misery and Happiness: When the time came to make the supreme sacrifice, Guru Tegh Bahadur showed no fear and remained true to his duty. His teachings guide mankind towards indifference to both misery and happiness. His Bani prepares the seeker to walk through life with dignity and compassion. He writes in his Bani, “Jo Nar Dukh Mein Dukh Nehee Maanai, Sukh Sanaehu Ar Bhai Nehee Jaa Kai, Kanchan Maattee Maanai” (That man, who in the midst of pain, does not feel pain, who is not affected by pleasure, affection or fear, and who looks alike upon gold and dust). The Guru further attempted to guide humanity towards the realisation that the world is illusionary, transitory and perishable in nature and such a truth dawns upon a person only through meditation. These are important lessons for the modern age.

Compassion and Care for Humanity: The Guru toured extensively and especially attempted to cover the routes followed by Guru Nanak during his Udasis. He went from Punjab to modern day Patna, Assam and Bangladesh, stopping at many places enroute. During these tours, he spread the message of Guru Nanak and also exhibited great compassion and care for humanity. It is recorded that wherever he went, he tried to understand the pain of the people and helped ameliorate it. He distributed Langar (free community kitchen) for the needy in accordance with Sikh tradition, built Dharamshalas and resting places, provided relief to drought prone areas by creating sources of water, made Pathshalas (schools) for the poor and the needy and even gave direct aid to impoverished people by paying off their debts and treating the sick. The world survives on empathy, not dominance is the lesson that the modern world needs to learn from his social practices.

Lessons Derived from the Guru’s Martyrdom: His martyrdom teaches many lessons like the need to defend human rights and freedom of conscience, exhibiting moral courage against oppression and speaking the truth. He adopted a leadership model based on personal example and self-sacrifice. His followers were eager to die with him since he had taught them in his Bani, “Bhai Kahu Ko Det Naahi, Naa Bhai Manat Aan; Kaho Nanak Sun Re Mana, Gyaani Taahe Bikhaan.” (A person who causes fear to no one and who fears no one is spiritually wise).

His Bani is included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. These works are in the form of 116 Shabads and Shloks composed in 15 Ragas. One of the most significant compositions of Guru Tegh Bahadur is Shlok Mohalla 9. It constitutes the Samapati Path (culminating verses) of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. It gives a spiritual and worldly perspective on how a life should be lived, what values to be nurtured and what to expect from the same.

The Guru, through his compositions and especially the holy Shlok Mohalla 9, enjoined upon mankind to seek oneness with the Almighty and strive to attain a state where there is no grief in bad times and no pleasure in good times; a state where a person becomes free from fear and attachment with complete immunity from greed and pride. The Guru enjoined upon all Sikhs to forsake ego in their quest to attain Mukti (emancipation from the cycle of life and death). The Guru further attempted to guide humanity towards the realisation that the world is illusionary, transitory and perishable in nature and such a truth dawns upon a person only through meditation.

Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom teaches many lessons like the need to defend human rights and freedom of conscience, exhibiting moral courage against oppression and speaking the truth. He adopted a leadership model based on personal example and self-sacrifice.

The Guru was firm in his belief that a person should remain ready to give up his head, but not forsake justice or those whom he or she has undertaken to protect. He considered the sacrifice of a life as insignificant against the need to maintain faith. When one considers the aforementioned Bani of the Guru and the message contained therein one realises that he had a premonition of what was in store for him and how his destiny would be intertwined with the sacrifice and duty that remained in his thoughts at all times.

Guru Tegh Bahadur gave his life defending freedom of religious worship. The Guru was firm in his belief that a person should remain ready to give up his head, but not forsake justice or those whom he or she has undertaken to protect. Today, the world needs to emulate his thoughts and ideas to resist all sorts of tyranny that is unleashed by evil forces.