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Shahidi - Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee


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source: www.tapoban.org

Sadh Sangat jeeo,

Shahidi dinn of Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee is coming up soon - November 24, 2003. Along with Siri Guru jee, Shahidi of Brahmgiyani Sikhs - Bhai Mati Daas jee, Bhai Sati Daas jee and Bhai Dyaala jee is coming up on the same day.

Let us connect with our history and write on Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee and on the great Sikhs who endured very brutal tortures before getting shaheed. Bhai Mati Daas jee was cut in half, Bhai Sati daas jee was burned alive in cotton and Bhai Dyaala jee was boiled alive. Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee got shaheed but did not yield to the demands of Mughal empire.

Let us remember our beloved Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee, Bhai Mati Daas jee, Bhai Sati Daas jee and Bhai Dyaala jee. Please post saakhiyaan (stories) concerning them for the next two weeks. We can walk on their footsteps only if we know what their foot steps were. Let us connect with our glorious history.

Daas,

Kulbir Singh

Siri Guru Hargobind Sahib jee chose his grandson, son of Baba Gurdita jee, - Siri Guru Har Rai jee – to sit on the throne of Guruship after him. Siri Guru Har Rai jee was 14 years old at that time but was a pooran Brahmgiyaani at that time. Siri Guru Har Rai jee’s older brother Dhir Mal and Siri Guru Hargobind Sahib jee’s younger son Baba Sooraj Mal tried to lay claim on guruship but Siri Guru Hargobind Sahib jee rejected them saying that Gur-gaddi is chosen by Vaheguru himself.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib who was uncle of Guru Har Rai jee, did matha-tek at the charan of Guru Har Rai jee. Not once he laid claim to Guruship. Such a thought too did not occur to him. Siri Guru Hargobind jee Maharaaj asked Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur jee to go and stay at Bakala (now known as Baba Bakala). Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur jee bowed his head in acceptance and moved to Baba Bakala along with his extremely cultured and gurmukh wife – Mata Gujree jee.

At Baba Bakala, Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur jee did massive bhagtee. He remained absorbed in Naam for 26 years and 9 months. This is what is written in history. Some modern historians have estimated his stay at Baba Bakala to be 22 years. Nevertheless, Siri Guru jee did a lot of bhagtee there. Mata Gujree jee who was the embodiment of sewa, very patiently and earnestly served her Gurmukh husband.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee who was the uncle of Guru Har Rai jee, always stayed submitted to Guru Har Rai Sahib jee. When Guru Har Rai jee went to Govindwal Sahib, he also visited on his way. Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee at Baba Bakala. It is not recorded in history but it is apparent that Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee used to visit Siri Guru Har Rai jee and then Siri Guru Har Kishen Sahib. How could Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib have not visited the current Guru jee? It is unthinkable. Some of our history have recorded wrong events that don’t glorify our tradition too much. We have to filter out such events when reading old historical books.

When Siri Guru Harkishen Sahib jee was about to joyty jot samaa (leaving for Sach Khand), he proclaimed that Siri Guru Tegh Bahaudur Sahib jee would be the next Guru. Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib was grandfather of Siri Guru Harkishen Sahib jee. For this reason, Guru Harkishen Sahib jee said, “Baba Bakaley” i.e. the next Guru would be Baba (Grandfather - Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib) who lives in Bakala. At that time, there was no other Sodhi living at Baba Bakala and Guru Sahib gave a very clear direction on who the next Guru would be.

It is said that, when Siri Guru Harkishen Sahib jee did this bachan and left for Sach Khand, great parkash (light) appeared on the forehead of Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee. Mata Gurjree, when she saw Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib’s forehead the next day, she immediately knew that the jot of Guruship had entered Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee. She did not need to be told. She knew already.

When the imposters heard of this bachan of Siri Guru Har Kishen jee, they flocked to Baba Bakala and started acting as Gurus. Dhir Mal too arrived at Baba Bakala. But Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur jee stayed totally oblivious of these developments. When sun rises, it does not need to tell anyone of it's rise. People know automatically. Same way Siri Guru jee did not advertise to anyone about his Guruship. The sangat in due time was to find out.

How the sangat discovered Siri Guru jee - To be continued……….

Daas,

Kulbir Singh

Siri Guru jee daa Pargat Hona

Makhan Shah Lubhana was a very devoted Sikh and at the same time was a very successful businesman. He was into import and export business. Once he was on a business trip and his ship was loaded with stuff from India. While the ship was travelling, it got stuck in a very heavy storm. The situation of the ship was very bad. Not only that Makhan Shah’s investment was in danger, even his life was in danger.

Makhan Shah knew that only one force could save him now. He knew that Guru Nanak Dev jee Maharaaj alone could get him through this problem. Guru Nanak Sahib who is an expert in getting people across this world ocean was surely capable of saving this little ship. It is written in our history books that Bhai Makhan Shah jee did one paath of Siri Jap jee Sahib with full concentration and then did an ardaas in the lotus feet of Guru Siri Harkishen Sahib jee Maharaaj. While doing ardaas, Bhai Makhan Shah committed 500 gold mohars (coins) to the charan of Siri Guru jee. Soon after his ardaas, storm stopped and his ship was saved. Makhan Shah profited greatly from this shipment and started his journey back to his home.

In the meantime, at Baba Bakala, the imposters who were posing as Gurus, confused the sangat greatly. Mata Gujree jee and Mata Nanakee jee asked Guru Sahib to come out in the open but Siri Guru jee stayed merged in Naam. So is Satguru who is ocean of Naam. Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee was a pooran Brahmgiyani even before he became a Guru but now after having the jyot of Guruship in him, he had become incomprehensibly great. Guru does not need anyone. It is sangat that needs Guru. So Siri Guru jee, keeping alive the tradition of Guru Nanak Sahib’s house, kept a low profile.

In total there were 22 fake Gurus at Baba Bakala and Dhir Mal was the leading fake Guru. His agents were spread out on the outskirts of the town to lure the incoming sangat. That must have been a terrible time for sangat. Sangat was confused and did not know where their real Guru was. When Makhan Shah arrived at Delhi, he found out that Siri Guru Harkishen Sahib jee had gone to Sackh Khand and that he had indicated that the next Guru was at Baba Bakala. Makhan Shah arrived at Baba Bakala and was shocked to see pure Kalyug at Baba Bakala.

The masands or agents of Dhir Mal got hold of Makhan Shah on the outskirts of the town and started telling him false stories of Dhir Mal and portrayed him to be the real Guru. Makhan Shah was greatly confused and did not know what to do. As he arrived in the town, he noticed that several fake Gurus were laying claim on the Guru-gaddi of Siri Guru Nanak Dev jee.

Makhan Shah first went to Dhir Mal and did matha tek of 2 mohars. He thought in his mind that the real Guru would ask him to do matha tek of full 500 mohars. Keeping this faith in mind he did matha tek to everyone of the 22 Gurus there. None of them demanded for more money. Makhan Shah got greatly depressed at this and got great bairaag. His eyes were shedding tears for Satguru jee. He asked people of the town if anyone else was left. They told him of Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee but also said that he kept a low profile.

Makhan Shah arrived at the Bhora Sahib (place where Guru jee resided and did bhagtee). Siri Guru jee was absorbed in bhagtee. As Makhan Shah entered the bhoraa where Siri Guru jee was sitting, totally merged in Naam, he felt Guru Sahib’s great presence. His aatma, his heart was crying out to say that he had finally found the real Guru. But Makhan Shah’s intelligence, and the skeptic part of his mind wanted more proof.

He came in front of Siri Guru jee and did matha tek of 2 mohars. Siri Guru jee opened his eyes. Makhan Shah felt as if 1000 suns had risen at dawn. He could not bear the piercing eyes of Siri Guru jee. Siri Guru jee, who is all-knowing knew that Makhan Shah had done ardaas that the real Guru would ask him for the remaining money. Siri Guru jee smilingly asked Makhan Shah in an extremely nectarous voice:

GUR GHAR KEE JO HAI UPAAIYAN||

SO DEEJEH, KEH RAAKHO AAIYAN||

(Why are you keeping the promised amount to yourself)

AR, DASAUNDH GUR KO HAI JETA||

ARPAN DARB KARHO ABB TETAA||

(And also present the total daswandh that you owe to Guru ghar)

Basically Siri Guru jee told him that he should present the promised amount of 500 mohars.

At this point, Makhan Shah was in a shock state. He had done ardaas that the real Guru would ask him for the full amount but he had not imagined how it would feel if this ardaas really materialized. As Makhan Shah was standing there, totally awed, Siri Guru jee removed his kambal (loyee, shawl) and showed him his right shoulder that was bruised. Siri Guru jee told him that to fulfil his ardaas, he had incurred this wound.

SUNN SIKH, DUBDI NAAYO TUM, HUM KANDHE DEEN LAGAAI ||

KANDHE MOHE, GHAASE LAGEE, KIYON POOJA RAKHO DURAAI ||

( O Sikh listen, while saving your drowning ship, I incurred this wound. Now you too keep your promise)

Hearing this, Makhan Shah got unlimited bairaag. He just fell at the feet of Siri Guru jee and washed his feet with his tears. Siri Guru jee lifted him and embraced him. Makhan Shah’s joy knew no bound. He went on the top floor of the building and cried out “Guru Laadho Rey, Guru Laadho rey” meaning “ I have found the Guru, I have found the Guru”.

Then he told everyone his personal story and how Siri Guru jee had saved his life. All sangataan, who were thirsty for Siri Guru jee, flocked at Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee. Makhan Shah was a known gursikh of his time and he was very powerful too. He had about 500 sangat with him and together with other sangat, confusion over who the real Guru was cleared by them.

If Makhan Shah can invoke the power of Siri Guru jee, we can too. All we need is the faith that Makhan Shah had. Guru Sahib is always there to help. It is we who are weak and don’t know how to get kirpa of Guru Sahib.

Daas,

Kulbir Singh

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Siri Anandpur Sahib

Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee realized that due to many reasons, including the changing political face of Punjab, it would be prudent to move out from Siri Kiratpur Sahib and construct a new centre of Sikhi. Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee knew that Sikhs needed a place that is well-secure and a little away from the crowds.

During these days, the king of Bilaaspur – Deep Chand died. Deep Chand was the son of Tara Chand, who was rescued by Siri Guru Hargobind Sahib jee from Gwalior. Siri Guru Hargobind Sahib jee had refused to come out of Gwalior jail, until all innocent kings were released. Jahangir bowed to Siri Guru jee’s demand and agreed to release anyone who could hold on to Siri Guru jee’s chola. Siri Guru jee got a new chola sewn which had 52 kaliyaan and all the 52 kings were able to come out of the jail holding on to Siri Guru jee’s chola.

The queen of Bilaaspur and wife of deceased Deep Chand, requested Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee to come for the last rites of the king. Siri Guru jee accepted the humble request of the queen and arrived at Bilaaspur. Few days after the last rites, Siri Guru jee expressed his desire to purchase a piece of land in Bilaaspur. The queen was a Sikh of Siri Guru jee and with folded hands and tears in her eyes, thanked Siri Guru jee for being so merciful to Bilaaspur and expressed her desire to donate the whole of village of Makhopur (present day Siri Anandpur Sahib).

Siri Guru jee, sensing the dangers of the future, insisted on buying the land, instead of accepting it in donation. Siri Guru jee knew that in the future, there would be friction with the future rulers and for this reason wanted to buy the land. Siri Guru jee was not wrong in his judgement because the son of the queen and Deep Chand – Ajmer Chand did give trouble to the Singhs during the reign of Kalgiyaan waalay pita jee - Siri Gobind Singh jee Maharaaj.

Siri Guru jee paid the market price for the village of Makhoval and named it Chakk Nanaki. Baba Buddha jee’s grandson Baba Gurditaa jee laid the foundation stone of this city. So how did it get the name Siri Anandpur Sahib? This was the work of Chojee Preetam Siri Guru Gobind Singh jee Mahaaraaj. When Siri Guru Gobind Singh jee Maharaj first arrived at Chakk Nanaki, from Patna Sahib, he read 6 pauris of Siri Anand Sahib before entering this town. Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee was very pleased at his son’s shardhaa (faith, devotion) and decided to name the town – Anandpur after baani of Siri Anand Sahib. In papers it was still known as Chakk Nanaki and in the 1883-84 Gazzette of Hoshiarpur, it was still under the name of Chakk Nanaki.

Siri Guru jee called the expert construction workers and engineers of that time and started with the construction of the great city of Anandpur Sahib. This was to be that city where Khalsa was to reside forever and ever. Within a very short span of time, a very beautiful town got constructed, surrounded by beautiful mountains. It became a great centre of business at that time. Siri Guru jee constructed solid roads, and solid buildings in this great city.

It is the greatness of Siri Guru jee that within a very short time, he constructed a whole city. Normal people cannot even construct a decent home in their life time and here was Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee who constructed a whole city in months.

Khalsa - Vaasee Anandpur Sahib.

Dhan Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee.

Daas,

Kulbir Singh

When Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee became our ninth Guru, Siri Guru Har Rai jee’s brother Dhir Mal, continued to pose as Guru. The sangat in Punjab was convinced that Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee was the ninth Guru, but sangat far from Punjab still was not sure.

For Diwali, Dhir Mal sent invitations to all sangats in India and along with invitation he included a very heavy siropa, made out of expensive zaree material. It seemed very heavy and big. One such package reached sangat of Kabul, Afghanistan. On the other hand Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee too sent out hukamnamas to sangat in Kabul to come for Diwali time. Guru Sahib sent a simple cotton siropa for the sangat.

When the sangat in Kabul received two invitations and two siropas, they did not know which one was true. The leader of sangat there was a great Sikh – Bhai Genda jee. This Bhai Genda jee is the same Bhai Genda jee, who had held Siri Guru Har Rai jee, by placing his charan in his heart. Siri Guru Har Rai jee was not able to move, when Bhai Genda jee had done that.

Anyway, Bhai Genda jee suggested that both siropas should be weighed to determine which Guru is the true Guru. The siropa that is heavier would determine the true Guru. Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee’s siropa clearly was the lighter one as it was a simple dastar where as the siropa from Dhir Mal was a heavy one with a lot of other stuff like gota in it.

They performed an emotional ardaas in the lotus feet of Siri Guru Nanak Dev jee and requested for guidance. They disclosed their way of determining the true Guru and after the ardaas, when they measured the siropas, Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee’s siropa came out much heavier than Dhir Mal’s siropa. The sangat accepted this as a divine signal from Vaheguru and accepted Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee as their ninth Guru.

This incident is written in Bansavali as follows:

GUR TEGH BAHADUR DEE NEEVEE||

DHIR MAL DI CHAR ATAARI||

(On the scale, Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee’s side hit the ground i.e. went down as it was heavy, while Dhir Mal’s side of the scale got lifted up.)

Daas,

Kulbir Singh

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