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| Family tree of Guru Teg Bahadur jee |
Baba Attal Rai jee was the son of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind jee and the elder brother of the Ninth Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur jee. Mata Nanaki Ji gave birth to Baba Attal Rai jee in 1619. He was 3 years older than (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee. He was called 'Baba' (meaning ‘Father’ or ‘Wise man’) because he carried a wise head over his young shoulders. Baba Attal Rai jee was always absorbed in the devotional worship of the Almighty, and was the embodiment of calmness and love.
At the age of 9 years old Baba Attal Rai jee passed away. At the time (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee was around 7 years old. Guru Hargobind Sahib jee conducted the funeral of his own son and remained in the gratitude of the Almighty. The Sangat (congregation) would come to mourn, but instead Guru jee kept on blessing all with the gift of remaining content with the Will of the Lord.
Seeing Guru Hargobind Sahib jee's calm and composed behaviour, his brother-in-law (ਸਾਂਢੂ), Bhai Saaee Daas jee asked Guru jee, "O True King! Why is it that sorrow does not affect you?" Guru jee responded, "Saaee Daas, mark a line on the ground." Bhai Saaee Daas marked marked a line on the soil. Guru Jee said, "Saaee Daas! Rub it out now." So, he rubbed it out. Guru Hargobind Sahib jee then asked, "Saaee Daas, did you enjoy marking the line out?" Saaee Daas replied, "O True King, what enjoyment? You gave me an order, and I drew the line." Guru jee then said, "Were you saddened in removing the line?" Saaee Daas replied, "O True King! It was order, so I removed the line. There's nothing to be upset about." Bringing clarity, Guru Hargobind Sahib jee explained, "This is the way Saaee Daas! The world is a drama-play. In accordance to the Almighty's Order the lines of the body are drawn in the creation, and in his Order they removed. Remaining obedient to the Almighty, there is no sadness nor enjoyment. Attal Rai was like a line in this world. So there should be anxiety over being formed or destroyed."
Having his 9 year old brother unexpectedly leaving this world and witnessing his father's response to this incident left a mark on the child mind of (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee. The unwavering strong-mind of his Guru-father, made him more steadfast and strong within. (Later on, history was to unfold that when Guru Teg Bahadur jee’s son was only 9 years old, Guru Teg Bahadur jee would be volunteering to sacrifice himself for the human right of all people to be able to practice their faith without fear of persecution.)
Source: Principal Satbir Singh's book, 'Et Jin Karee: Jeevani Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Jee' (pages 29-17)
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