Guru Sakhis

[PiyaSoni]

" Dara Shikoh Cured "



Dara, the elder son of Emperor Shãhjahan( r. 1627-1658 AD.) fell ill. Inspite of the best efforts of Hakims. he could not be cured. The rare medicine needed for his ailment was nowhere available. Information reached the Royal Hakim that required medicine was available with Guru Har Râi (1630-1661 A.D.). He came personally to the Guru Sahib and requestcd for the medicine. Guru Sahib gave him the rare medicine required for the treatment and also sent a pearl which was to be ground into fine powder and taken with the medicine.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Baoli of Goindwal"



Realising that the water of the beas river was not for human consumption, Guru Amar Dass constructed a Baoli at Goindwal, covering the entire area with trees This not only provided safe drinking water to the people but also helped to create an eco-friendly environment.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Compiling (Guru) Granth Sahib"



Guru Arjan Dev and Bhai Gurdas are engaged in the compilation of Granth Sahib. After the completion of sacred task, Granth Sahib was taken to Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, with reverence and installed there.

The compiling and editing of the holy Granth Sahib, the Primal Scripture of the Sikhs, has been appropriately termed as "the crowning achievement" of Guru Arjan Dev insofar as the Granth par excellence offered under one cover an authentic composition of spiritual poetry, meditations of God-inspired individuals, the vision or the cosmic order and exhortations for a higher and virtuous life made by the Sikh Gurus and the Bhaktas.

Sources:

A volume of Guru Nanak Dev's Composition came up during his life time. This Pothi was the most significant inheritance passed on to his successors, Guru Angad Dev, who added a few writings of his own to the sacred volume during his pontificate. Guru Amardas added a substantial number of hymns composed by him to the bani of the earlier Guru's preserved in the pothis. The third Guru also collected writings of a few saint-poets which happened to be in unison with the philosophy and the spiritual and moral vision of the Sikh Guru's. The entire body of the sacred writings, thus collected was preserved in two sacred volumes, prepared by the Third Master with care and precision. These pothis, known as the Goindwal pothis, provided the basis and the material for the holy Granth Sahib when Guru Arjan Dev took up its compilation.

In his Introduction to the English translation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Prof. G.S. Talib explains that the two pothis. aforementioned, consist of 300 and 224 leaves, making a total of 1048 pages, all written in one hand except two hymns. These pothis contains fifteen ragas but the order of the ragas and of the hymns followed in the Pothis does not agree with the pattern adopted in the Adi Granth. Guru Arjan Dev Added material drawn from other sources to the Bani contained in the Pothis. The devoted Sikhs are believed to have preserved collections of the Guru-Bani. The fifth Master seems to have consulted and examined all available source-materials. Guru Arjan Dev was already in possession of his father's verses in addition to his own, large in volume and rich in appeal issuing from their felicity of expression, musical strains and profound contents.

The Granth Sahib contains the writings of the Sikh Guru's, Bhakats, & Minstrels. Originally, the hymns of first 5 Gurus formed the bulk of the enormous volume. The writings of the Bhaktas and Sufis mystics included in the holy Granth cover, broadly speaking, a vast spectrum of religious thought scanning four centuries. Bards or Bhatts, attached to the Guru also contributed to the volume. These Bhatts composed adulatory verses called Swayyas in prace of Guru Arjan Dev and other Sikh Gurus. Kal, Jalap, Bhikha, Sal, Bhal, Nal, Bal, Mathura, Gyand, Kirat & Harbans. Were the Minstrels-Contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib. Balwand & Satta who composed a var, a ballad, and Sunder wrote in the Ramkali measure an elegy called sudd are the others to find a place in the Granth.

Language:

Written in Gurmukhi characters, the predominant language of the Holy Granth is Sant Bhasha, an admixture of Hindi and Punjabi. Rich in literary tradition, vocabulary and expression, of serious thoughts in the Northern India. Its exposure to influences of Persian, Arabic and the Muslim culture made Hindi more pliable as the medium of spiritual experience.

Guru Arjan Dev and Bhai Gurdas were engaged in the compilation of Granth Sahib. After the completion of sacred task, Granth Sahib was taken to Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, with reverence and installed there.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Bhai Handal bowing to Guru Amar Das Ji"



The institution of Guru-ka-langur (free kitchen) was growing and becoming a great force during the time of Guru Amar Das Ji. Guru Ji ensured that social prejudices were renounced and equality of mankind accepted by all those who came to seek his blessings. Every devotee whether Hindu or Muslim, Brahmin or Shudra, rich or poor was asked to partake of food in the langur before he/she could see the Guru.

Once when Guru Ji came to visit the langar Bhai Handal Ji was kneading dough. He was delighted to see Guru Ji and as he prepared to bow he realised that to maintain cleanliness he needed to keep his hands off the floor. He put his hands behind his back and bowed infront of Guru Ji. Guru Amar Das ji was greatly impressed and appointed him as a preacher. He went back to his home town of Jandiala and started preaching the Guru's message.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

" Rangreta : Guru Kã Beta "



Guru Tegh Bahadur made the supreme sacrifice to protect the religious freedom of oppressed Kashmiri Pandits. Guru Tegh Bahadur's head was severed from his body by the executor at Chandani Chowk, Delhi in 1675 A.D. There was great consternation and confusion. At that time, Bhai Jaita, a devoted Sikh came forward and picked up Guru's severed head swiftly, covered it respecthilly and slipped out of the crowd. He struggled hard and managed to reach Anandpur Sahib and laid the sacred head respectfully in front of Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 A.I).). The Guru embraced Bhai Jaita and said RANGRETA - GURU KA BETA: Rangreta is the son of the Guru.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Tobacco Fields"



Once Guru Gobind Singh's horse balked at the sight of tobacco plants. At that time a man seeking peace of mind bowed before him. The Guru told him that he could not attain peace because of his tobacco cultivation. even the horse found the tobacco repulsive. the peasant then resolved to cultivate grains instead of tobacco.

WaheGuru Ji ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"All Human Beings Are Equal"



The moment child Gobind Rai was born in Patna, Pir Bhikhan Shah of Thaska offered his prayers facing East instead of towards the West contrary to his daily practice. He left for Patna immediately. On arrival at (Guru's) residence, Pir placed two bowls of milk and water before the divine child. The new-born Divine Being put his hands on both the bowls thus signifying the entire humanity springs from the same divine fountain: How can some be good and others evil.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Creation of Baoli Sahib"



Devotees bathing in Baoli Sahib

A Baoli is a staircase leading to water. The Baoli Sahib was contructed by Guru Amar Das Ji after Sikhs were prevented from fetching water from a local source. The digging started in 1556 and completed in 1559. The Baoli Sahib was completed with 84 steps.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Mutual Conflicts Result In Utter Destruction"



Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675 AD) brought about peace between Raja Chankardbawaj of Asam and Raja Ram Singh. As a result the fighting forces of both Räjãs erected a monument of peace with their weapons lying down thereby vindicating the Guru's exhortation that hatred divides arid love unites; and all disputes can be settled through mutual discussions and peacefull negotiations.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Guru Tegh Bahadur And Kashmiri Pandits"



A delegation of 500 Kashmiri Brahmins led by Pandit Kirpa Ram met Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib at Anandpur Sahib. Pandit Kirpa Ram told the harrowing tales of torture initiated by the orders of Aurangzeb (r. 1658-1707 A.D.), for convertting them to Islam. Guru Sahib was mentally occupied with the issue when the child Gobind Rai happened to be there and asked as to what was the matter. Guru Sahib told him that the sacrifice of some Great Soul is called for. "Who else than you can serve the cause'? Was child Gobind Rai's spontaneous reaction.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Guru Angad Dev Ji and Humayun"



While Guru Angad Dev Ji is absorbed in teaching children an enraged King Humayun has his hand on his sword.

When Humayun the elder son of Babur was defeated by Sher Shah he came to seek the blessing of Guru Angad Dev Ji. At the time Guru Ji were absorbed in teaching the children to read. Feeling offended for not being immediately attended to he put his hand on the hilt of his sword. Guru Ji looked up calmly and said It is unchivalrous for a king to flee from the battlefield and vent their wrath upon men of God. Hearing these words of wisdom Humayun realised his folly and begged forgiveness.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Emperor Akbar paying homeage to Guru Amar Das Ji"



The Emperor Akbar paying homeage to Guru Amar Das Ji at Goindwal.

Emperor Akbar had great reverence for the House of Guru Nanak. He honoured saints of all religions and apid his respects while touring his empire. In 1567 he visited Lahore where he met Guru Amar Das Ji. On being informed that no one could see the Guru without first partaking food in the Langar, Akbar who respected all religions welcomed the idea. the Emperor sat in a row on the floor with ordinary folk of humble origin and ate Langar. He was greatly impressed by this unique institution, where all people irrespective of caste, creed or religion could satisfy their hunger.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Gharib Dã Muh - Guru Ki Golak"



The Sikhs in order to have darshan and blessings used to visit Guru Hargobind Sahib. And, also desired to offer some gift to the Guru. Once, the leader of sangat offered honey as a gift, which the Guru Sahib declined to accept, saying, I had asked for the same on the way and you refused. This shocked the Sikh and soon after the honey had become unfit for human consumption. The Sikh begged fur enlightenment. Guru Sahib told him by pointing towards Bhai Kattu, the poor Sikh, who was hungry and was refused when requested for the honey while accompanying the sangat Guru Sahib further enlightened him, saying, "Gharib Da Muh - Guru Ki Golak.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Drought at Chheharata"



To mitigate the suffering of drought affected people, Guru Arjan Dev ordered digging up of wells. A multi-purpose well constructed at village Chheharata was so wide that six persian wheels around it could operate simultaneously. Availability of water and greening of area brought relief to the people and cattle alike.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Bhai Mihan Sãhib"



Bhai Râmdev a devoted disciple of Guru Tegh Bahãdur served water to the sangat with devotion and zeal. He also served the Great Guru whenever he went out by sprinkling his path with water to settle the dust. He thus earned the epithet of Bhãl Mihan Sahib Ji'

WaheGuru Ji ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!