The Cold Weather of December

I am sure everyone in the UK has experienced the bitter winter cold weather last week. It has been FREEZING! For the past few days I have been wearing five layers of clothing go to work as I work near the entrance of the store and therefore constantly exposed to the cold wind resulting from the door opening every time customers leave. One work colleague said to me, "Manvir you look like an ESKIMO". Waheguru.

I went outside and felt the cold on my face and hands and then a thought entered my mind - it reminded me of Dasam Pitaa jee (the Tenth Father) and his beloved four children, mother and his blessed Sikhs who faced unthinkable conditions in this cold month. Mata Gujar Kaur jee and the two younger Sahibzaadey (princes) were kept as prisoners in the Tanddaa Burj (Cold Tower), which was a raised tower that had no walls to protect them from the chilly winds, they had no extra clothes to keep them warm and no blankets to protect them from freezing, yet they kept warm and in Chardi Kalaa (high spirits) through Naam, Gurbaani and reflecting on the inspiration and spirit of the Guru Sahibs.

ਜਾ ਕਉ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗੁ ਲਾਗੋ ਇਸੁ ਜੁਗ ਮਹਿ ਸੋ ਕਹੀਅਤ ਹੈ ਸੂਰਾ ॥
jaa ka-o har rang laago is jug meh so kahee-at hai sooraa.
That person alone is called a warrior, who is attached to Vaheguru's Love in this age.

ਆਤਮ ਜਿਣੈ ਸਗਲ ਵਸਿ ਤਾ ਕੈ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ॥੧॥
aatam jinai sagal vas taa kai jaa kaa satgur pooraa. ||1||
Through the Perfect True Guru, they conquer their own soul, and then everything comes under their control. ||1||
(Ang 679)

Sahibzaada Baba Ajeet Singh jee (17) - martyred in the battle of Chamkaur Sahib


Sahibzaada Baba Jujhaar Singh jee (15) - martyred in the battle of Chamkaur Sahib


Mata Gujar Kaur Jee - martryed in the Tandaa Burj (Cold Tower) at Sirhind.


Sahibzaada Baba Fateh Singh jee (7), and Sahibzaada Baba Zorawar Singh jee (5) - martyred by being bricked alive at Sirhind.