The Word had already been revealed (the hymns of Guru Nanak through Guru Arjan) the alphabetical form (Gurmubhi Script) to keep the Word in its precise shape was established (by Guru Angad) the Word was consolidated to celestial volume (by Guru Arjan Dev) and the centers to spread the Word were in full operation (established by Guru Amar Das and Guru Ram Das) The temporal protection of the Word was preordained Guru Hargobind the Sixth Guru of the Sikh Religion was destined for that task Guru Hargobind only son of Guns Agan Dev was born on Haar21 of Smt 1552 (June 15 1595 some graphical accounts suggest it as the year 1890 A.D which seems more plausible considering the maturity of historical events) His Singh itself was the consequence of a valorous prophecy His mother Mata Ganga had been longing for an offspring for a long time She was advised by Guru Arjan Dev 10 seek the blessings of Baba Buddha; he was the most revered contemporary of previous four Sikh Gurus. Mata Ganga cooked meal with her own hands and walked the distance of a few miles to seek his blessings. He took a whole raw onion from the food basket and hit the same with his fist. The core of the onion sprung out and it flung away with force. Baba Buddha predicted that the Gurughars would be honored with as on who would best cad fast powerful warrior and the savior of the right countess.
Envisioning the prerequisite need of temporal protection Guru Arjan entrusted Baba Buddha with the task of educating young Hargobind in the physical defense and the art of warfare along with the attainment of spiritual values. At the manyrdom of Guru Anan when Baba Buddha in keeping with the tradition assigned Guru Ship on Gumi Hargobind he accorded him with two swords of Miri and Pin to attribute temporal and spiritual leadership. Guru Hargobind no doubt carried on his celestial duties in keeping with the conventions established by his predecessors but in worldly operations he introduced significant changes. He issued edicts to the people to bring along with the commodities for the Langar (Common Kitchen) Military arte fact and horses to the Gurughars as their offerings.
In Stead of simple saintly apparel he adorned partially attire. He established Akal Takht (Bunga) outside the main entrance to the Harimandir to address the people to guide them in their secular affairs (he did not want to interfere with the celestial activities being conducted inside the Harimandir). He would spend afternoons there to witness his devotees reveling in physical fitness and wrestling bouts and some afternoons he would go out hunting and on war exercises. The people started calling him Sacha Pod shah the True King. The news of all that was very disturbing for the Mughal Rulers: When Emperor Jahangir visited Lahore in 1605-1608 A.D. he was once again instigated by people like Sheikh Ahmed Khan Sitandi and Chandu Shah (who were instrumental in the manyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev). The Emperor summoned Guru Hargobind to Delhi. With the trumped up charges of non-payment of the fine imposed on his father be interned the Guru in the Fort at Gwaliar. The period of his investment is very much disputed; it varies between 40 days to 12 years but authentic accounts establish it as about five years. Jahangir’s wife Queen Noor Jahan had met the Guru and was very much impressed with his splendid but pious personality She was an ardent devotee of saint Mian Mir of Lahore (an advocate of Guru Anjan Dev’s godliness) Although he was very much influenced by them both. On their insistence Guru Hargobind was not only released he became a very close friend of Jahangir. As a consequence of this Jahangir handed over Chandu Shah to the Sikhs for an apocopate punishment for his misdeeds. The friendship lasted Ul the death of the Emperor
Guru Hargobind in spite of in the possession of a very efficient army devoted his full attention to the Nourish of religious fervor. Till then religious propagation was confined mostly to the precinct is of the province of Punjab.
Gur Hargobind turned his attention to the hills and far off provinces of Bihar and Bengal. He cared out his mission peacefully till the time Shah Jahan took over the Mughal Emperorship in 1628 the new Emperor became the victim of the bigotry of Muslim clergy and the fundamentalists in his administration. He indulged in the Conversion of a number of Hindu Temples into Mosques and also demolished the Sikh Gurdwara Banoli Sahib the birth place of Guru Ram Das at Lahore. He did not stop at that and inflicted a few wars on Guru Hargobind during 1634 and 1635 the death toll in the wars and seeing his beloved ones dying during the fights affected the Guru immensely. In spite of his overwhelming victories Guru Hargobind decided to settle at Kiratpur at the foot of Shivalik Hills to concentrate on his missionary work. Next 10 years he led the life of a simple fakir and gave up even the use of pillow. Most of the Hill Rulers adopted Sikh religion although this influence was waned as they diverted to the worship of goddesses and idols soon after the demise of Guru Hargobind in 1644. During his life time Guru Hargobind had to bear a few family bereavements His wife and three of his sons left for their heavenly abodes one alter the other.
Of the two sons Who survived him Suraj Mal was fond of worldly pleasures and Tegh Bahadur had retired into solitude His eldest grandson Dhir Mal had already turned a traitor (and fill today his lineage is outcast from the Sikh folds) His younger grandson Har Rai who was born posthumously according to some records was reared for the Guru ship Har Raj was consecrated as the Guru as soon as Guru Hargobind divined the approach of the time for his ecclesiastic journey. Guru Hargobind possessed an impressive physical appearance. His full health made him an adept horse-rider. He was a proficient archer and skillful wielder of sword. He had no religious mall ice in his heart all the communities Hindus and Muslim had liberal representation {n his army particularly the Pathans He did not believe in mysticism and strongly disapproved his sons when they tried to work.
He was in favor of common virtues in everyday life Guru Hargobind inaugurated a policies that was to lead the most down-trodden people slowly but assuredly to political and military advancement created are evolution in the life of the Sikhs. Along with the recitation of hymns they were taught practical lesson of such was the devotion he had evoked among his Mohsin Fant who attended his funeral writes when his body was placed on pyre cot fire to it and the flames rose high up.
Feet and expired After him a Jats some threw himself into large crowd (including Rajya Ram Partap Singh of Jaisalmer) intended to jump but they were prevented by Guru Har Rai..
To sacrifice one’s life and to carry off some body’s heart these two are God-given.
Pritpal S. Bindra Mississauga Ont.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 24, 1994
