Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji

On the 16 June of every year since 1606, the Sikhs have commemorated the martyrdom of their first martyr, the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Sikh history until then had been peaceful and non-violent. All the Sikh Gurus had been known to teach the message of love, compassion, worship of one God, commitment to peace and harmony for all the peoples of the world and to walk through the path as directed by the Gurus. All the people weather Hindus and Muslims had began to follow the teachings of Sikhism as given by Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Many people followed him and thus moved to Govindwal, the centre of Sikhs during the late 1500's.

At that time, Mughal were ruling over the state. After the death of Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1605, his son Jahangir ruled over India. Jahangir was a Muslim, and wanted to spread his religion in the country. Obsessed with the view of spreading Islam, he forced poeple to change their religion. Though Guru Arjan Dev Ji was spreading sikhism, and with the increased concern in the people towards the religion and its growing popularity among the Hindus and Muslims, Jahangir felt very jealous and took steps against the Guru. As Jahangir was jealous about Guru's propagation of Sikhism, he marked many baseless allegations against Guru Sahib. One was, helping Khusrau, who was Jahangir's son. He was even jealous of his son as he was the preferred choice of Akbar to be the next ruler of India rather than Jahangir, as according to Akbar, Jahangir was unfit to rule. But in the 'war of succession' Jahangir had won and Khusrau and managed to hold on to Punjab alone. Diwan Chandu Shahgo went to Jahangir and filled his ears with poison against Guru Ji as his proposal was refused by Guru Arun Dev ji. Jahangir gave the orders of Guruji's martydom. Guru Arun Dev ji was staying in Govindwal, on the river Biyah (Beas). Guruji used to dress very simple, in the holy garments, was simple-hearted and captured the heart of the Hindus and other ignorant and foolish followers of Islam, by his ways and manners.


Khusrau, Jahangir's son when passed Govindwal, he came to know about Guru Arjan Dev ji. He reached his place and received the blessings of Guru Arjan Dev ji. As Jahangir was already jealous of the gurus fame, when he came to know of his popularity he commanded that Guruji should be put to death. It is said that, Guru was arrested in the late May 1606, and was brought to Lahore where he was subject to severe torture. Guruji was made to sit on a burning hot plate and hot sand was poured over his head and body. A Muslim Sufi Saint, Mian Mir who was Guruji's friend and was aware of his divine qualities, tried to intercede on behalf of Guru Sahib but Guru ji disallow him to interfere in the "Will of the Almighty". Thus, Guruji's body was burnt. And after was put in the cold water of Ravi. Thus Guru Sahib embraced martyrdom on Jeth Sudi 4th (1st Harh) Samvat 1663, (May 16, 1606).

The martyrdom (Kurbani) of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji changed the entire character of Sikhism.

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Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Life History

Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth sikh guru was the son of Guru Ram Das ji and grandson of Guru Amar Das ji, was born on April 15, 1563 A.D. at Goindwal, a small town on the bank of the river Beas in Amritsar. Guru Arjan Dev spent 11 years of his life under the grace of his grandfather at Goindwal. Guru Arjan was married to Ganga, daughter of Krishen Chand, a resident of Meo village near Phillaur in Jalandhar district. The marriage took place in 1589 when he was about 26 years old.

He completed the construction of Amritsar and founded Taran Taran and Kartarpur. He constructed a Baoli at Lahore. His most important waork was that, he collected all the hymns of the first four Gurus in 1604, and compiled them in the form of a holy book named Adi Granth. Guru Arjan dev ji organised a group of representatives to taught and spread the teachings of the Gurus and also asked people to contribute one-tenth of their income, also known as 'Dasvand' for the name of God, to support the buildings of Gurdwaras, to contribute for Langars or to help the needy. The Langars organized in the gurudwaras were to remove the caste system as all the people irrespective of the castes and creed were allowed to join.

The aim of Guru Arjan Dev ji's life was to spread the message and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji. He laid the formation Amritsar for the purpose so that people could connect to sikh religion. It was a centre which would bond the people of all th religions. Thus gradually the city became very popular and a great place of pilgrimage of the Sikh people. As the time passed, the teaching of Nanak took a firm hold on the minds of his followers.

Guru Arjan dev ji also composed many hymns of his own, which he included in the Adi Granth. He appointed Baba Budha Ji as the chief priest of the Golden Temple, as he was the companion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and an associate of each of the subsequent Gurus. He placed the Adi Granth on the Gaddi (throne) reserved for him. Thus, became a Guru on September 1581 following in the footsteps of Guru Ram Das Ji.

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Accession of Guruship and Formation Of Amritsar

Thus, serving the people for many years, Guru Amar das Ji transferred the 'Divine Light' to Guru Ram Das Ji. Bhai Jetha Ji owned guruship on August 1574, following in the footsteps of his father in law.

Guru Ram Das continued Kirtan, langar and sewa. During his Guruship period, Guru Ram Das always emphasized the value of sewa, which should be the primary duty of every Sikh and his family. Besides every Sikh should be engaged in honest labour during which the name of God should always be on ones lips.

Before he was appointed as Fourth Guru, Guru Amardas ji sent him to a magical place in the vicinity of the villages of Sultanwind, Tung, Gumtala and Gilwali. Guru Amardas ji wanted him to create another Sikh center apart from Goindwal. Guru Ramdas liked the palce very much and visited it every Sagrand (The first day of the Punjabi month), and Amavasaya (the dark moonless night of the month). Later villagers of Sultanwind presented some land to Guru out of regard for the Guru. After having the land Guru Amardas ji told him to digg a tank (now called Santokhsar at Baba Atal). He also found the town of Ramdaspur, later known as Amritsar. Just then Guru Amardas ji were nearing his end and thus Amritsar project had to be put on hold for some time. Guru Ramdas ji decided to start it again in 1577.

Guru Amardas ji had again told him to digg another tank about 1 km down from the old one. This is the current Sarovar of the Golden Temple. He dug a tank which became the main place of pilgrimage. Phrase came to be associated with the tank dug at Amritsar says 'Ramdas Sarovar Nahate, ab uttre paap kamate' which says, "I bath in the tank of Ramdas and all my sins were washed away".

He composed 679 hymns in varying musical measures, which were incorporated into Adi Granth by his son and successor, Guru Arjan Dev. Thus, the momentous career of the Guru came to its end on September 1, 1581. Thus after him, his youngest son, Arjan Dev Ji beacame the fifth Guru Of the sikhs and promoted and took care of Sikh religion.

Contributions:

The main contributions by Guru Ram Das Ji were:

* He organized the structure of Sikh society.
* He was the author of Laava, the hymns for the Marriage Rites
* His main contribution was, he designed the Harmandir Sahib
* Also, planned and created the town of Ramdaspur, later called Amritsar

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Devotion, Love and Service Towards Religion

Bhai Jetha ji was an ideal of love, devotion, service and resignation. For him Guru Amar Das was not only his father-in-law but he treated him as his ideal Guru. He surrendered his life in his sewa. He along with his wife used to work in the Guru's kitchen, cook food, serve meals from the kitchen and then wash the dishes.
The more he served the Guru the more his love for him and for the mankind increased.

Later on, while the construction of the Baoli (a well with stairs) was undertaken, Ram Das ji worked day and night. He carried baskets of earth on his head like everybody else. Once when his relatives were returning from a pilgrimage to the river Ganga, they stopped for sometime at Goindwal on their way to Lahore. They saw Bhai Jetha ji working like a common labourer, they got angry and asked him not to displease their family working like this. Bhai Jetha jI replied, "In your estimation the Guru is my father-in-law but for me, he is God".

They were very much annoyed on having the answer and went to the Guru complaining about what they had made of his son-in-law. Guruji replied, I have caused the umbrella of true sovereignty to wave over him. If he had not been born in your family, you would all have been damned. It is he, who saved the whole of your tribe."

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Guru Ram Das Ji

Guru Ram Das ji, the forth Guru Of the sikhs was born on 9 October 1534, in Lahore, into a Sodhi Khatri family residing in Mohalla Chuna Mandi. His father's name was Hari Das and mother's name was Anup Devi. Before being called
Guru Ram Das, his name given to him by his parents was 'Jetha', 'first born'.
His wife Bibi Bhani, was the the younger daughter of Guru Amar Das Ji, the third guru of the Sikhs. Bhai Jetha ji had three sons, named Prithi Chand, Mahadev and Arjan Dev.

Bhai Jetha was too much fascinated by his nanake, the home of his grandparents, that he use to visit the village Basarke, where his grandparents reside.

How Guruji's Wedding Took Place

A very interesting story narrated by almost all writers says,

One day the Guru Amar Das Ji's wife, seeing Bibi Bhani said they ought to find a husband for her, as Bhani has grown up. She saw a boy outside her door hawking some articles of food. On seeing him, they called the youth and enquired from his about his family. Guru Amardas felt so much impressed with him that he decided to marry his second daughter bibi Bhani, to him. After that he sent him with marriage presents to his father Har Das in Lahore and had the betrothal (engagement) ceremony performed.

Bibi Bhani served Bhai Jetha ji not merely as her husband but also as a saint.
They gave birthy to three sons. After sometime, Bhai Jetha ji went along with his family to Goindwal, Amritsar. Today Goindwal had been founded several years back in the time of Guru AngaBhai Jetha ji had three sons, named Prithi Chand, Mahadev and Arjan Devd Dev, and soon after its foundation Amar Das with the whole of his family had shifted his residence here from his native place Basarke. After that whenever Jetha and Bhani felt like meeting them, they naturally had to come to Goindwal.

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Teachings of Sri Guru Amardas Ji

The life history of Guru Amardas ji gives every human being an example of an ideal life. His selfless sewa of Guru Angad Dev ji and the entire Sangat for a period of more than eleven years, shows an ideal living. According to him, sewa was a medium to bind with the GOD.

Steps Taken To Serve Humanity:

* He established new centres for conveying to the people the message of Guru Nanak.
* Also allowed widow remarriage
* Against Caste systems he started Guru Ka Langar
* He undertook the construction of a baoli, a well with a perennial source of spring water
* Resign yourself to the will of God and do not find fault with the doings of the Creator
* Guru Amar Das ji gave women equality with men. He preached against the custom of purdah.

According to him,

"Sati is not she who burns herself upon her husbands pyre
Sati is she for whom the pang of separation is itself like Death.
Sati is she who lives Contented
Who cherishes her husband every moment
Who rises every morning remembering him.

The Guru holds the key to the spiritual treasure. Guru Amardas ji says in his connection:

"In the True Guru's hand is the key. None else can open the door. By perfect good luck, the Guru is met"

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Daughters Wedding and Contributions

Bhani's Marriage

Bibi Ramoji was the wife of Guru Amar Das Ji. She was very keen to get her youngest daughter married, as she had reached the age of puberty. Guru Amardas ji asked her about his choice of boy, she desired for her simple girl. She pointed to Bhai Jetha who was standing at some distance indicating that someone like him would be suitable for Bibi Bhani. Who was later to become Guru Ramdas Ji. Their wedding took place at Goindwal early in 1553.

Contribution

Guru Amardas composed his hymns in 17 Ragas. He wrote 171 Chaupadas, 91 other Padas including Ashtapadas, Chhants, 430 Salokas, 85 Pauris and 97 Pauris of special compositions like Kafi, Patti, AThhaniva, Satvara, Anand and Sohilay. The aim of devotional words is not giving delight to the mind or the satisfaction of the reader's aesthetic taste, but the revelation of higher values and a glimpse of the ultimate destiny of man.

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