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Guru Gobind Singh (, Born in Patna , Bihar , India , on 22 December , 1666 as ''Gobind Rai'' – 7 October , 1708 , Nanded , Maharashtra , India ) was the tenth and last of The Ten Gurus Of Sikhism and became Guru on November 11 , 1675 following in the footsteps of his father, the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur . He was Guru between 1675 and 1708.

Guru Gobind Singh (also sometimes transliterated as 'Govind'), played a monumental part in the development of the Sikh faith. His 5 K's and taking up arms against the Mughals created a warrior brotherhood that was visibly different and helped evolve Sikhism from an embryonic lifestyle into a disciplined and determined religion. The First Guru was Guru Nanak Dev , the founder of Sikhism .

Guru Gobind Singh exemplified the teachings of Sikh principles during his lifetime. He not only taught the principles of the faith, but also felt the pain of sacrifice in upholding those beliefs. Guru Gobind Singh lost his father, mother and all four sons to a religious war being waged by emperor Aurangzeb , the last of the six grand Mughals . Aurangzeb demanded that all the Sikhs embrace Islam. The Sikhs have led a rebellion against the Mughal empire since the first Guru. It was in this fight for spiritual survival (or as Guru Sahib himself called it, ''Dharamyudh'', the war for righteousness). In the words of the famous Muslim poet of the era, Sayyad Bulleh Shah: "I do not speak of here or there, I only speak the truth; Had there not been a Gobind Singh, all would be under circumcised", in reference to his fight against the oppression and tyranny of the rulers.

He gave everything for humanity including his family and disciples and still said that whatever god is doing is sweet to me.
Guru Gobind's father, Guru Teg Bahadur, was beheaded in Delhi (where the Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib stands today) on the orders of Aurangzeb and Guru Gobind Singh's two elder sons, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh , received martyrdom fighting Mughal troops at Chamkaur Sahib . His mother Mata Gujri and the younger two sons were cheated by Gangu , a household servant, and given away to the Mughals. Wazir Khan decreed Mata Gujri to be tortured to death, and both the boys, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh , 7 and 9 years old respectively, were Buried Alive in a brick-wall. They had refused to be converted to Islam .

Guru Gobind Singh also finalized many elements of Sikhism. He proclaimed himself the last living Guru and established the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru of the Sikhs. This elevates the reverence of Granth to that of a living Guru. However, it was only spiritual authority that was bestowed upon the Guru Granth. Guru Gobind also compiled the Dasam Granth sometimes known as the ''Dasven Paatshah Ka Granth'' (The Holy Book of the Tenth Emperor). He also established the Sikh Baptism Ceremony , the partaking of Amrit or Amrit Sanskar . He was a great warrior, leader and poet, a rare combination.


CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS


The following is a summary of the main highlights of Guru Gobind Singh's life:

  • Compilation of the 1428 page Dasam Granth Sahib .

  • Author of various important , Chaupai , etc.

  • Wrote his autobiography, the Bichitra Natak

  • Built various Gurdwara s - Keshgarh Sahib etc.

  • Developed Anandpur Sahib as a Sikh Centre of Excellence.

  • Developed Damdama Sahib as a Sikh Centre for Learning and Knowledge.

  • Enhanced the structure of Sikh society by introducing various administration systems.

  • Extreme personal sacrifice for society: Father martyred for protection of Kashmiri Pandits , all four sons sacrificed to Mughal Forces.

  • Sent Zafarnama to Aurangzeb .

  • i repreasent punjab i go it on on back



THE RULES AND GUIDELINES OF THE KHALSA (5 K'S)


Guru Govind Singh, after administering Amrit to the 'Five Beloved Ones', ordained them to do the following:

I. They must all wear the following articles. The name of each article begins with 'K'. These are known as the 5 Kakke (the letter in the Gurmukhi alphabet corresponding to 'k'):

  • Kesh - Unshorn hair. This represents the natural appearance of sainthood. This is the first token of the Sikh faith. The Guru called the Khalsa the ''Sant-Sipahi'' (Saint-Soldiers)

  • Kangha - A comb to keep the hair clean and tidy.

  • Kachha - A pair of kneelength shorts.

  • Kadaa - An iron bracelet on the wrist.

  • Kirpan - A sword symbolizing dignity and strength.


II. They must observe the following guidelines. These are known as the ''Rahatnamas'' (Codes of Conduct):

  • Do not eat or 'go near' halaal meat (Kutta ni kahna)

  • Defend the weak or infirm from tyranny and oppression.

  • Not to remove hair from any part of the body (hair was declared sacred by the Guru).

  • Not to use Tobacco or other intoxicants (e.g., alcohol).


"Sarbat sangat Kabul Guru rakhe ga Tusa ute asaadee bahut khusi hai Tusi Khande da Amrit Panja to lena Kes rakhne...ih asadee mohur hair; Kachh, Kirpan da visah nahee karna SARB LOH da kara hath rakhna Dono vakat kesa dee palna karna Sarbat sangat abhakhia da kutha Khave naheen, Tamakoo na vartana Bhadni tatha kanya-maran-vale so mel na rakhe Meene, Massandei, Ramraiye ki sangat na baiso Gurbani parhni...Waheguru, Waheguru japna Guru kee rahat rakhnee Sarbat sangat oopar meri khushi hai.

Patshahi Dasvi Jeth 26, Samat 1756

(To the entire sangat at Kabul. The Guru will protect the Sangat, I am pleased with you all. You should take baptism by the sword, from the Five Beloveds. Keep your hair uncut for this is a seal of the Guru, Accept the use of shorts and a sword. Always wear IRON KARA on your wrist, Keep your hair clean and comb it twice a day. Do not eat Halal (Kosher) meat, Do not use tobacco in any form, Have no connection with those who kill their daughters Or permit the cutting of their children's hair. Do not associate with Meenas, Massands and Ram-raiyas (anti-Sikh cults) Recite the Guru's hymns Meditate on "The Name of our Wonderful Lord", Follow the Sikh code of discipline I give the entire sangat my blessing)

Signature of 10th Guru Jeth 26, 1756 Bikrami (23rd May 1699 A.D)

  • Not to commit adultery- 'Par nari ki sej, bhul supnehun na jayo' (Never enjoy, even in dream, the bed of a woman other than that of your own wife or husband)


(A supplementary ordinance was issued that anyone who did not observe any of the above four directives must be re-baptized, pay a fine, and promise not to offend any more, or she/he must be excommunicated from the Khalsa.)

III. They must rise at dawn, bathe, meditate on Gurmantar-' Waheguru ', Mool Mantar - the preamble of Japji, and recite the five banis- Japji, Jap Sahib and Swayas in the morning; Reh Raas in the evening; and Kirtan Sohela at bed time at night.

IV. They must not worship cemeteries, or cremation grounds, and must believe only in One Immortal God. The Guru further spelled out that they should practice arms, and never show their backs to the foe in the battlefield. They should always be ready to help the poor and protect those who seek their protection. They were to consider their previous castes erased, and deem themselves all brothers of one family.


The works of Guru Gobind Singh


The Dasam Granth

The collection of writings attributed to Guru Gobind Singh is known as the Dasam Granth . It consists of the following eighteen works:

  • Jaap Sahib

  • Akal Ustat

  • Bichitra Natak (an autobiography)

  • Chandi Charitra I

  • Chandi Charitra II

  • Chandi Di Var or Var Sri Bhagauti Ji (includes Ardas )

  • Gyan Prabodh

  • Chaubis Avtar

  • Mehdi Mir Budh

  • Brahma Avtar

  • Rudra Avtar

  • Shabad Hazaray

  • Sri Mukh Baak Savaiye

  • Khalse di Mehima

  • Shastra Naam Mala

  • Pakhyaan Charitra

  • Zafarnama

  • The Hikayats

  • (From Khushwant Singh's 'A History of the Sikhs - Volume 1')


Popular hymns/compositions by Guru Gobind Singh

  • Deh Shiva Var Mohe

  • Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khas

  • Haal Muridaan Da Kahna

  • Chandi (Durga) Ki vaar



GURU GOBIND SINGH'S ASCENSION


After Aurangzeb 's death, his successor Bahadur Shah I tried to reduce the conflict as the Deccan wars had extended the Mughal armies. He tried to negotiate with the disaffected parties, including the Maratha s and the Sikhs.

Guru Gobind Singh went to Nanded in Maharashtra for discussions with Bahadur Shah. It was there during a hunting expedition that the Guru while stringing his bow, opened a wound, inflicted by two muslim Pathan merceneries who had been allegedly sent to the Deccan by Wazir Khan, the Nawab of Sirhind to assassinate the Guru. The Guru killed both Pathan on the spot with his sword but the incident had caused an injury on the Guru. Later, the Guru while stringing his bow caused the injury to open. The Guru realised his ascension into heaven was approaching. The Guru made the final preparations giving his instructions to his Sikhs and chose the Guru Granth Sahib as his successor and the eternal Guru of Sikhism. He order all Sikhs forever more to obey the Guru Granth Sahib as their Guru. The Guru made his Sikh ascension into heaven on 7 October 1708 , Nanded Maharashtra , India .


CHRONOLOGY OF THE MAIN EVENTS IN GURU JI LIFE



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