Guru Nanak had worked to create a casteless society, a ‘society in which no one was considered high or low simply on account of having been born in this or that caste. His successors had worked on the same lines. Hosts of lowcaste people were: taken into the fold of Sikhism, made members of the Brotherhood of Man founded by the Guru. The result was that Jats who were considered Sudras enjoyed the greatest privilege along with the Khatris, and the Brahmins were no longer held in esteem.
But much was still left to be done before a really casteless society could be fully and securely established. Guru Gobind Singh decided to cut at the root of all such customs and practices as stood in the way of a complete unification of the nation. He wanted to create a united and strong body of men who would be pure enough to free themselves from the Oppressions of priests and rulers, and, at the same time be strong to maintain this freedom.
Guru Nanak as well as all his successor Gurus used to let their hair and beards grow their natural length. On their heads they wore turbans and not caps. Most Sikhs followed their Guru’s example. They had long hair and flowing beards. They wore turbans on their heads. But quite a considerable minority. continued to shave even after embracing Sikhism.
Guru Gobind Singh, as said already wanted to give the Sikhs a distinct appearance, a distinct uniform, so that a Sikh mixed even with a thousand non-Sikhs should be easily and immediately recognizable.
Thinking thus, the Guru sent out orders that all Sikhs should let their hair and beards grow their natural length, that they should wear turbans and not caps.
In the beginning of the year 1699 A_D., the Guru sent out special invitations to all Sikhs. They were desired to attend a special gathering which was to be held on the occasion of that year’s Baisakhi. There was a good response. As the Baisakhi day approached companies of Sikhs began to Anandpur.
The Guru ordered that carpets be spread on a raised piece on the open space near Sri Kesgarh. A beautiful tent was also set up nearby.
On the day just before the Baisakhiday which fell on March 30, 1699, a big open air meeting was held at the above said place. As soon as the morning prayers were over, the Guru went into the tent. He remained there for some time. The assembled Sikhs wondered what their Guru was doing inside the tent. He came out at last. His appearance was altogether different from what it had usually been. His eyes were shining like fire. His face was hard set and red. His naked sword shone in his uplifted hand. He looked like a warrior about to jump into a battlefield. In a voice as of thunder he said, “My dear Sikhs, my beloved sons, this sword of mine wants to taste the blood of a Sikh. Is there any among you ready to offer his neck for the purpose, to lay down his life at a call from me?”
All present grew pale on hearing such a strange demand. ‘There was no response to this amazing, breathtaking call. The Guru repeated it. Still there was no reply. A third time he spoke in a louder more thundering voice, “Is there any true Sikh of mine among you? Ifso, let he come up and give me his head as an offering as a proof of his faith in me.” After some minutes, Bhai Daya Ram, a Khatri of Lahore stood up and said, “O true King, my head is at your service. Cut it off from the trunk, make it fall at your sacred feet.
The Gum took him by the arm. He dragged him into the tent. The assembled Sikhs soon heard from inside the tent the sound ‘of a sword blow. They then heard the sound of a body falling ‘on the ground. They saw a stream of blood coming out of the tent. It meant that the Guru had beheaded Bhai Daya Ram.
After a while the Guru came out of the tent. His face was redder than before. His eyes were red as blood. The sword in his uplifted hand was dripping with fresh blood. In a loud thundering voice he called out, “Is there any Sikh ready to give me his head?” The Sikhs gathered there felt convinced that the Gurn really meant what he said. They were convinced that Bhai Daya Ram had been killed. There was dead silence. The Guru called again, there was no response. He called for the third ‘time.
On the third call, Bhai Dharam Das, a jat Sikh of Delhi stood up and said, “O true king take my head . Death with your sword will give me new life, happy and everlasting.
The Guru caught him by the arm. He dragged him forcefully into the tent. The same two sounds of a sword blow and that of a body falling on the ground were heard. As before, a stream of fresh drawn blood came out from the tent. The Sikhs gathered there were convinced that Bhai Dharam Das, too, had been killed. They were filled with terror. Many of them fled for their lives.
After a short time, the Guru came out again, he looked fiercer than before. His face and eyes were redder. Waving his sword above his head he called out, “Is there any other Sikh ready to offer me his head? I am in great need of the heads of my dear Sikhs. Be quick.
More and more Sikhs slipped away. The gathering grew thinner and thinner. Every face was pale. All lips were dry. All heads were lowered. All eyes were downcast. Some went to the Guru’s mother, Mata Gujri. They complained to her against the Guru, “He seems to have gone mad,” said they. He is killing his Sikhs. Remove him from guru ship. Make a grandson of yours take his place as the Guru. Thereupon she sent a messenger to him in order to call him into her presence. But he was in no mood to receive, heed or: listen to anyone. He repeated the call for another head. On the third such call Bhai Mohkam Chand, a washer man of Dwarka stood up and offered his head. The Guru treated him in the: same manner in which he had treated the other two. A stream of blood was seen coming out from the tent. So another Sikh has been killed, thought the Sikhs gathered outside the tent. 2 After a short time the Guru came out again. In the same manner as before he called for another head. Again there was no response, Some more Sikhs ran away. Others sat with lower heads and fast beating hearts. The Guru repeated the call. On the third call, Bhai Sahib Chand, a barbar of Bidar stood up and begged the Guru to accept his head.
The Guru treated him in the manner as he had treated the other three. So the fourth Sikh has been killed, thought the Sikhs gathered there.
After a while the Guru again came out of the tent. He was, as before, waving his sword covered with fresh blood. He again called for another head. At this a large number of the Sikhs ran away. For a while there was no response to the Guru’s call. It was repeated twice. Then Bhai Himmat Rai a water carrier of Jagannath stood up and offered his head. The Guru treated him in the same way in which he had treated the other four. So the fifth Sikh has been killed, thought the Sikhs gathered outside the tent,
This time the Guru stayed a bit longer inside the tent. At last he came out. He was dressed in bright saffron colored garments. His sword was sheathed and hung by his side. His face was beaming with joy and satisfaction. He was followed by five Sikhs dressed exactly like him. Who were they? Oh wonder! They were the same who had given their heads to the Gum. They had been killed. Had they been brought back to life? Their faces their dress and their whole appearance were all like the Gurus.
The Guru seated them near himself, Then he rose and said aloud, “When Baba Nanak tested his Sikhs, one Sikh, Baba Laihna stood the test successfully. Now I, on the other hand have found five Sikhs totally devoted to the Guru. ] am immensely pleased. It is a matter of joy for all of us. The Sikh faith will grow and flourish well and ever. These five are my Panj Piare, my beloved five. They are in my form, lam in theirs. ‘They are one with me. I am in them. They are in me.
This article has been excerpted from a book “Story Of Guru Gobind Singh published by the Hemkunt Press, New Delhi.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 14, 1989
