Guru Arjan Dev ji
Guru
Arjan (15
April 1563 – 30 May 1606) was
the first martyr of Sikh faith and the fifth of the ten Sikh Gurus,
who compiled writings to create the eleventh, the living Guru, Guru Granth
Sahib. He was born in Goindval, Punjab the youngest son of Guru Ram Das and Mata Bhani,
the daughter of Guru Amar Das.
Spouse: Mata Ganga ji
Books: Sacred
Sukhmani: Gurmukhi & Roman Scripts with English Translation and Gist of the
Divine Sermons, more
Died: May 30, 1606, Lahore,
Pakistan
Guru
Arjan lived as the Guru of Sikhism for a quarter of a century. He
completed the construction of Amritsar and founded other cities, such as Taran Taran and Kartarpur.
The greatest contribution Guru Arjan made to the Sikh faith was to compile all
of the past Gurus' writings, along with selected writings of other saints from
different backgrounds which he considered consistent with the teachings of
Sikhism into one book, now the holy scripture: the Guru Granth Sahib. It is,
perhaps, the only script which still exists in the form first published (a
hand-written manuscript) by the Guru.
Guru
Arjan organised the Masand system, a group of representatives who taught and
spread the teachings of the Gurus and also received the Dasbend, a voluntary offering of a Sikh's income (in
money, goods or service) that Sikhs paid to support the building of Gurdwara Sahib, Langar (shared communal kitchens) originally
intended to share with sense of love, respect and equality, still an important
element today in any Gurdwara. While Langar began with earlier Gurus of
Sikhism, Guru Arjan is credited for laying the foundation of the systematic
institution of Langar as a religious duty, and one that has continued ever
since.
Growth of Sikhism
A vast number of the
Punjabi tribes such as Khatri, Jatt, Rajput, Tarkhan, Chamar, Arora, Kamboja,
Saini, etc converted to Sikhism, mainly from Hinduism and
a few also from Islam. Due to the purity of the Guru's message and his
enormous popularity, even Muslim pir's also became followers of Guru Arjan Dev
Ji, and even Hindu saints, yogis, sidhas became Sikhs and adherents of the
Guru; for the first time the new Sikh religion, had became the prominent
popular religion of medieval Punjab.
During his period
Guru Sahib had founded many villages, towns and cities and constructed numerous
wells in the Punjab region. Sikhism was fast becoming a popular and majority
religion in Majha, Doaba, Malva, Nakka, regions of Punjab. Peace and prosperity
was once gain returning to this region. Although the masses living in Punjab
were happy with this development, the Mughal leaders in Delhi were perturbed.
The popularity and
wrong rumours create hatred
This increase in
popularity of Guru Arjan caused jealousy and grave concern among the strict and
fundamentalist Muslims at the Mughal court in Delhi, who started being hostile
towards the house of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. This great doubt, concern and wrong
suspicion about the Guru in the minds of the Mughal leader was being flamed by
the enemies of the house of Nanak.
This was further
heightened by the malicious manipulations of Chandu Shah,
an influential Hindu banker and revenue official at the Emperor's Darbar
(Court) at Lahore. He had once been advised to arrange a marriage of his
daughter with Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s only son, Hargobind, but because of his
contempt for the Guru, he laughed at such a suggestion using harsh words that
eventually were repeated to the Guru.
The Mughal court
leaders spread wrong rumour about the Guru to the Mughal leadership; so much so
that Emperor Jahangir was totally confused about who the Guru was and what his
message was for this world. Read what Emperor Jahangir had written in his diary
the "Tuzuk-i-Jahagiri" ( "Memoirs of Jahangir") about the
Guru and realise how confused he was:
"In Govindwal,
which is on the river Biyah (Beas), there was a Hindu named Arjun, in the
garments of sainthood and sanctity, so much so that he had captured many of the
simple-hearted of the Hindus, and even of the ignorant and foolish followers of
Islam, by his ways and manners, and they had loudly sounded the drum of his
holiness. They called him Guru, and from all sides stupid people crowded to
worship and manifest complete faith in him. For three or four generations (of
spiritual successors) they had kept this shop warm. Many times it occurred to
me to put a stop to this vain affair or to bring him into the assembly of the
people of Islam."
Guru Arjan arrested
Immediately after the
death of Akbar, the Muslim clergy captured the thought of Prince Saleem and
helped him to regain the throne as Emperor Jahangir.
He was assisted with the understanding on the agreement that he would reinstate
the Shariyat (Orthodox Muslim Law) in the country when he became Emperor.
Akbar’s grandson, Khusro
was a pious man who was as liberal as his grandfather. Akbar had designated him
next in line to head the kingdom. But the domination of Muslim clergy made it
necessary that he had to run for his life. While passing through Punjab he
visitedGuru Arjan Dev Ji at Tarn Taran and sought his blessings.
Negative forces act
against the Guru
Later when Chandu saw
the wisdom of the match his family priest had suggested and had an offer of the
union sent to Guru ji, the Guru aware of his attitude and contempt rejected the
marriage.
Sheikh Ahmad Sarhindi
was very much revered by Muslims. He presented himself to be Islam's Prophet of
the second millennium; the first millennium belonging to Prophet Muhammad.
He asserted that his
status was higher than the Sikh Gurus. This was emphatically rejected by Guru
Arjan Dev Ji. Sheikh Ahmad had great influence on Jehangir. Citing the Guru’s
blessings bestowed upon Prince Khusro he instigated the Emperor against Guru
Arjan Dev Ji. Jehangir wrote in his biography:
"A Hindu named
Arjan lived at Goindwal...simple minded Hindus and ignorant and foolish Muslims
have been persuaded to adopt his ways... this business has been flourishing for
three generations. For a long time it had been in my mind to put a stop to this
affair or to bring him into the fold of Islam...”
False accusations
launched against the Guru
Khusro was later
‘captured and blinded in punishment’. Thereafter ‘Jehangir summoned Guru Arjan
Dev Ji to Lahore’. With preconceived ideas, Jehangir showed dissatisfaction
with the Guru’s explanation of Khusro’s shelter. He labelled the Guru as a
party to rebellion and ‘wanted to punish him with death’.
But on the
recommendation of Pir Mian Mir he commuted his sentence to a fine of two lakh
rupees’ plus ‘an order to erase a few verses’ from the Granth Sahib. Guru Arjan
Dev Ji refused to accept. The Sikhs of Lahore wanted to pay off the fine but
the Guru flatly refused any attempt to pay an unjust fine.
The Guru accepts
Hukam of the Lord
The Guru was
imprisoned and excessively tortured. His body was exposed in the scorching heat
of May-June sun. He was made to sit on the red-hot sand, and boiling hot water
was poured on his naked body.
Pir Mian Mir
approached him and offered to intercede on his behalf. Some say that he even
offered to demolish the whole city of Lahore with his ecclesiastic power in
punishment, but the Guru refused his help holding that all that was happening
was by God's will, “thine doings seem sweet unto me, Nanak craves for the
wealth of God’s name.” (Rag Asa M.5 P.394).
MARTYRDOM
OF GURU ARJAN DEV JI
Guru
Arjan was arrested under the orders of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir and asked to convert to Islam. He refused, was tortured and executed
in 1606 CE. Historical records
and the Sikh tradition are unclear whether Guru Arjan was executed by drowning
or died during torture. His
martyrdom is considered a watershed event in the history of Sikhism.
On 16 June 1606,
the Mughal Emperor Jahangir ordered that Guru Arjan the fifth Sikh Guru be tortured and sentenced to death
after he refused preach his message of God as started by Guru Nanak.
He was made to sit on a burning hot sheet while boiling hot sand was poured
over his body. After enduring five days of unrelenting torture Guru Arjan was
taken for a bath in the river. As thousands watched he entered the river never
to be seen again
Accordingly, on the 16 of June of every year since 1606,
the Sikhs commemorate the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru and the first
Sikh Martyr. Before the arrest, torture, and martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, the Sikhs had nothing to do with weapons or
violence, as all the Sikh Gurus had taught the message of compassion,
love, dedication, hard work, worship of one God, and the commitment to peace
and harmony for all the peoples of the world.
According to some
historical sources, it is said that Guru Arjan Dev Ji's 6 days of torture took
place at Diwan Chandu Shah's residence.
Day 1 of Torture
Guru Arjan Dev was
not given anything to eat or drink. He was not allowed to sleep at night and
was kept awake. He bore all this calmly. He remained immersed in Simran and
repeated from his lips, "Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru..." and sang Shabads from
the Gurbani.
Day 2 of Torture
On the following day,
Chandu Shah made the Guru sit in a large copper cauldron. He had his men fill
the vessel with water and ordered a fire to be lit underneath it. The water
began to get hot and after some time, the water began to boil. It scalded the Guru's
body, but Guru Arjan Dev sat calmly and quietly. He felt no pain, nor did he
cry out or even sigh. He felt no anger against those who were torturing him. He
remained absorbed in the sweet remembrance of Waheguru and repeated,
"All is
happening, O Waheguru, according to Thy Will. Thy Will is ever sweet to
me."
The boiling water
made the Guru's flesh soft and his body blistered for the length of the
torture.
Day 3 of Torture
On the third day,
Chandu Shah ordered, "Make some sand red hot in iron pans. Seat the Guru
in boiling water. Then pour the red hot sand on his head and body." The
water boiled the Guru's flesh from below while the burning red hot sand burned
the Guru's head and body from above. The persons engaged in torturing him were
wet with sweat. They felt very uncomfortable because of the heat. It was the
hottest summer month. But Guru Arjan Dev kept calm and quiet. Again, the Guru
felt no pain, nor did he cry out, sigh, or feel anger. He kept thinking of Waheguru and
doing Simran.
Guru Ji repeated:
Teraa kee-aa meethaa
laagai.
O Waheguru! Your
actions seem so sweet to me.
Har naam padaarath
naanak maaNgai.
Nanak begs for the
treasure of the Naam, the Name of the Lord.
His friend and
devotee, Mian Mir, a Muslim saint, rushed to see him. When Mian Mir saw
the ghastly scene, he cried out and said, "O Master! I cannot bear to see
these horrors inflicted on thee. If you permit me, I would demolish this tyrant
rule" (Mian Mir is said to have possessed supernatural powers at that
time). The Guru smiled and asked Mian Mir to look towards the skies. It is said
that Mian Mir saw Angels begging the Guru's permission to destroy the wicked
and the proud.
Guru Sahib said,
"All is happening in accordance with the will of Waheguru. Men who stand
for Truth have to suffer often. Their sufferings give strength to the cause of
Truth. Go, brother. Pray for me. Pray for the success of my cause. Pray for
victory to truth."
Mian Mir asked,
"Why are you enduring suffering at the hands of these vile sinners when I
possess superpowers?"
The Guru replied,
"I bear all this torture to set an example to the Teachers of the True
Name, that they may not lose patience or rail against God in affliction. The
true test of faith is in the hour of misery. Without examples to guide them,
ordinary people's minds would tremble in the midst of suffering." Upon
hearing this, Mian Mir departed, commending the Guru's fortitude and singing his
praises.
Day 4 of Torture
On the fourth day,
the Guru was made to sit on a plate of iron that was heated from below until it
became red hot. Then, scalding hot sand was poured over his body. Guru Arjan
Dev sat calm and quite, without a cry or sigh, feeling no pain. He sat with his
mind fixed on Waheguru, living the message of Gurbani as he accepted the Will
of Waheguru sweetly.
Day 5 of Torture
On the fifth day,
Chandu Shah thought to suffocate him in a fresh cowhide, in which he was to be
sewn up. Instead the Guru asked for a bath in the Ravi River which flowed along
the walls of the city of Lahore. Chandu reveled at the thought that the Guru's
body, full of blisters, would undergo greater pain when dipped in cold water
and so he permitted him to bathe in the river. The soldiers were sent to escort
the Guru and his disciples saw him leaving. He looked at them, and still
forbade any action. He said, "Such is the Will of my God, submit to the
Divine Will, move not, stand calm against all woes."
Crowds watched the
Guru standing in the river and having a dip. Light blended with Light and the
body was nowehere to be found. His disciples cried, "Hail to the Master!
Thou art Wonderful - Martyr, the greatest. Thou art the Greatest!"
Guru Arjan Dev Ji
sowed the seed of martyrdom, which became the heritage of the Sikhs.
