History of Guru Teg Bahadur Jee - Part 5: Accepting Death

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)

History of Guru Teg Bahadur Jee - Part 4: Practice what you preach

From (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee's childhood, it is evident that whatever advice they gave to others, they happily followed themselves as well. Once, the mother of one of (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee's playmates came to see him. The mother said to (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee, "Please tell your friend that he should not eat too much Gurr (jaggery sweet)."  (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee replied, "Mother, please bring your son to me next week."

So, the week after the mother brought her son to see (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee. (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee simply said, "Friend, it's not good to eat too much Gurr (jaggery sweet)." The mother couldn't understand why he couldn't have said this last week, and so she asked (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee for the reason of waiting for a week to say what he did. (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee replied, "Mother, last week I myself ate too much Gurr (jaggery sweet)." 

ਪ੍ਰਥਮੇ ਮਨੁ ਪਰਬੋਧੈ ਅਪਨਾ ਪਾਛੈ ਅਵਰ ਰੀਝਾਵੈ ॥
(The devotee of the Lord) first, instructs their own mind, and then, they lead and motivate others.
(Aasa M:5, Ang 381)

This was one example of how the Ninth Guru through his own practical life taught lessons of wisdom.

Source: Principal Satbir Singh's book, 'Et Jin Karee: Jeevani Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Jee' (page 17)

History of Guru Teg Bahadur Jee - Part 3: Compassionate & Helping Nature

Guru Teg Bahadur jee was not interested in showing off and worldly distactions. In ‘Mehma Prakash’ it is written that Guru Teg Bahadur jee possessed great knowledge. He had humility in his heart, and acted with royalty (dignity and grace). He was the ocean of patience and had a giving nature.

ਅਤਿ ਨਿਮ ਭੂਤ, ਬੀਰ ਗਤ ਦਿਆਲ । ਰਾਜ ਬੇਖ, ਵੈਰਾਗ ਬਿਸਾਲ ।
ਹਿਰਦੇ ਧੁਨ, ਸਭ ਜਗ ਬਿਉਹਾਰ । ਸਹਜ ਸਮਾਧ, ਏਕ ਲਿਵ ਤਾਰ ।

When his father, Guru Hargobind Sahib jee, would come, he would keep his eyes lowered. He would stay close to the Guru and always ready to offer himself to do any Seva (selfless service). Guru jee would also make (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee sit near him, and gave him lots of love and affection.

As soon as they saw or knew someone was suffering or in need, they would immediately fulfill their needs. Once they took all the expensive items from his home and took them to give to someone less well off who was in need. He was only yet four years old, when Baba Gurditta jee, his eldest brother, got married. On the day of the wedding, Guru Teg Bahadur jee was prepared for the wedding. He was given a new dress to wear and given some bangles and other valuables. The wedding procession was getting ready to to set off for Batala when a crying child came to the sight of (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee. When (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee ran across to the child and asked him, “Why are you crying?” The child replied, “You are wearing beautiful clothes, and I have no clothes in home for me to wear.” (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee took off all of his dress, along with the bangles and valuables he had, and gave them all to the child. The wedding procession is ready to set off, when (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee returns home without his clothes.

Mata Nanak jee was taken aback to see (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee without his dress, to which (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee replied, “Dear mother, I will get new clothes right now, but no one was going to fulfill need of that poor child.” When Mata Nanak jee informed Guru Hargobind Sahib jee of what (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee had done. Guru jee became very happy and told Mata Nanak jee, “If today my beloved son has given his Libaas (clothes) to someone without clothes, then I have faith that tomorrow he will give up his breaths for someone else’s Libaas (clothes) and Vishvaas (faith).”

(Guru) Teg Bahadur jee was the embodiment of detachment to worldliness. He was unaffected by the heat or cold, sunlight or shad, and pain or suffering. The Guru Teg Bahadur jee from a childhood was an embodiment of the following Gurbani verses:

ਜੋ ਨਰੁ ਦੁਖ ਮਹਿ ਦੁਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਨੈ ॥
ਸੁਖ ਸਨੇਹੁ ਅਰੁ ਭੈ ਨਹੀ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਕੰਚਨ ਮਾਟੀ ਮਾਨੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
That man, who in the midst of pain, does not feel pain, who is not affected by pleasure, affection or fear, and who looks alike upon gold and dust (has God residing within them). ||1||Pause||
(Sorath M:9, Ang 633)

 

Source: Principal Satbir Singh's book, 'Et Jin Karee: Jeevani Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Jee' (page 15), and Dr Sukhpreet Singh Udhoke, 'Katha Jivan Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji' (YouTube: 22/06/2017)

History of Guru Teg Bahadur Jee - Part 2: Education & Studies

Guru Hargobind Sahib jee arranged for the education and training of the child (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee. The saint-scholar Bhai Gurdas jee was instructed to give training of reading, writing and language. In addition to this, Guru Teg Bahadur was sent to the village of Ramdas to receive training from Baba Buddha jee. Baba Buddha jee was blessed to have the company of all the first six Gurus. Baba Buddha jee was given the duty of training (Guru) Teg Bahadar jee on 'Kirat Kamaayee' (earning one’s own living) and other virtues.

Moving to the village of Baba Bakala, Guru Teg Bahadur jee did not give up on ‘Kirat Kamaayee’ (earning an honest livelihood). Guru Teg Bahadur jee would do farming and earn his own living, and eat off the earnings he had earnt, rather than depend on the donations of the Sangat (congregation). Guru jee would explain to others that when Guru Nanak Dev jee was living in Kartarpur Sahib he would earn his own living (by tilling the land), and that he would divide his earnings into three. One part was shared with the needy, the second part was put into the Langar (Guru’s communal kitchen), and the third part was used for the general necessities of his family.

Bhai Jetha jee, a blessed Sikh of Guru Hargobind jee, was given the duty of teaching the art of weaponry. Bhai Jetha jee was that brave Sikh who went to Agra to confront Jahangir outside his palace when Guru Hargobind Sahib jee was detained in the Fort of Gwalior. Seeing Bhai Jetha jee, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir had become scared. In addition to all this training, (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee would engage himself in deep study.

Source: Principal Satbir Singh's book, 'Et Jin Karee: Jeevani Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Jee' (page 13)

History of Guru Teg Bahadur Jee - Part 1: Birth of a Holy Child

Mata Nanaki jee gave birth to Guru Tegh Bahadur jee on 1^st April 1621. Guru Tegh Bahadur jee was the fifth and the youngest son of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind jee. When Guru Teg Bahadur jee was born, Guru Hargobind Sahib jee was at Sri Darbar Sahib (Amritsar) listening to singing of the sacred morning prayer of ‘Aasa Kee Vaar’. After the prayer session was completed, Guru Hargobind Sahib, accompanied by the rest of the Sangat (congregation) arrived at the Guru’s House and lowered his head before the newborn child. In ‘Gur Bilaas Patshahi 6’ it is written that Bhai Bidhi Chand jee seeing this scene, asked Guru Ji what the reason was for lowering his head in reverence to the newborn child?

 “ਤਬ ਗੁਰ ਸਿਸ ਕੋ ਬਦਨ ਕੀਨੀ ਅਤਿ ਹਿਤ ਲਾਇ।
ਬਿਧੀਆ ਕਹਿ ਕਸ ਬੰਦਨ ਕੀ ਕਹੋ ਮੋਹਿ ਸਮਝਾਇ ।੧੦੩੧। (ਅਧਿਆਇ ਨੌਵਾਂ)

The Sixth Guru replied: "ਦੀਨ ਰਛ ਸੰਕਟ ਹਰੈ" (“He is the Protector of the weak, and Destroyer of troubles”). According to Sikh historian Principal Satbir Singh, at that time the holy child was named ‘Teg Bahadur’ (Brave Sword-wielder) and an Ardaas (prayer-supplication) was made before Guru Nanak Sahib Ji to bless the child with the strength to stand up, the power to challenge evil, and the resilience to battle on till the last breath. Then Guru Hargobind Sahib jee said, "ਇਹ ਨਿਰਭੈ ਜਰ ਤੁਰਕ ਉਖੇਰੀ" (“This fearless child will uproot the cruel tyrannical Mughals.”). Hearing these words, the Sangat (congregation) began to say that such a child has born who will protect Dharma (righteousness)

Guru Hargobind jee's other children were Baba Gurditta jee, Bibi Viro jee, Baba Suraj Mal jee, Baba Ani Rai jee and Baba Attal Rai jee. According to ‘Gur Prataap Suraj Granth’, once, Mata Nanaki jee asked Guru Hargobind jee: “ You don’t show the same deep reverence and respect to (Baba) Gurditta (jee), the eldest son, who takes care of all the responsibilities. (Baba) Suraj Mal (jee) is also wise, but you ask less about him. You also don’t show as much affection to (Baba) Anni Rai (jee) as you show (Guru) Teg Bahadur (jee).” Guru jee responded, "ਅਜਰ ਜਰਨ ਉਰ ਧੀਰ ਧੁਰੰਧਰ" (“This child will bear the unbearable, be the embodiment of patience, and sacrifice himself (for others).“). After this Guru jee said, "ਇਸ ਕੋ ਪੁਤਰ ਹੋਇ ਬਲਵੰਡ। ਤੇਜ ਪ੍ਰਚੰਡ ਤਰੰਡ ਖਲਵੰਡ।" (“He will have a son who will be strong and courageous, and with the strength of his sword he will get rid of tyranny.”).

On the day of the birth of Guru Teg Bahadur jee, his father, Guru Hargobind Sahib jee, distributed many gifts. The poor and needy were generously provided with food and clothes. Happiness filled the air, as the Sangat (congregation) celebrated the birth of the new holy child.


Source: Principal Satbir Singh's book, 'Et Jin Karee: Jeevani Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Jee' (page 9)