Recently, the Prime Minister of India commemorated the martyrdom day of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, the ninth Sikh guru. He has an esteemed reputation among Sikhs as a ‘Protector of Humanity.’
The Life and Achievements of Guru Teg Bahadur
Guru Teg Bahadur, born in 1621, lived between the years of 1621 and 1675. He was known not only for his spiritual guidance but also for his abilities as a warrior, thinker, and poet. This multifaceted persona led him to contribute vastly to Sikh spiritual text, specifically with 116 poetic hymns that are present in ‘Guru Granth Sahib.’
His active life included traveling extensively throughout the Indian subcontinent, founding preaching centers and towns such as Chak-Nanki in Punjab. Unfortunately, his life ended abruptly upon execution on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1675 in Delhi.
Understanding Sikhism
The term ‘Sikh’ translates to ‘disciple’ in Punjabi. Sikhs are considered disciples of God who adhere to the teachings of their Ten Sikh Gurus. Key principles include belief in one God (Ek Onkar) and constant remembrance of God in daily life, a practice referred to as simran.
Sikhism, or Gurmat (Punjabi: “the Way of the Guru”), is a faith system established by Guru Nanak (1469–1539) and subsequently led by a succession of nine other Gurus. Influenced by the Bhakti movement and Vaishnava Hinduism, Sikhism strongly condemns blind rituals and advocates for equality across different races, religions, or sex.
The Significance of the Khalsa
The Khalsa represents men and women who have undergone the Sikh baptism ceremony and strictly adhere to the Sikh Code of Conduct and Conventions. They are easily identifiable by their physical articles of faith, the 5K’s: Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (a wooden comb), Kara (an iron bracelet), Kachera (cotton underpants), and Kirpan (an iron dagger).
Sikh Literature and The Ten Gurus of Sikh Religion
The Guru Granth Sahib, also known as Adi Granth, is revered by Sikhs to be the abode of the eternal Guru. The line of ten Gurus starts from Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh religion. Each Guru introduced significant religious and cultural practices such as Guru ka Langar, the Anand Karaj Marriage, Guru-Mukhi script, and the Khalsa warrior community, among others.
The last human Guru was Guru Gobind Singh, who transferred the Guruship to the Guru Granth Sahib, marking it as the ultimate spiritual guide for Sikhs.
It is important to note that each Sikh Guru played a role not only in establishing the basics of Sikhism but also in shaping the history and society around them. Their contributions led to drastic changes in social norms, enabling the establishment of a faith system that upholds virtues of commitment, dedication, and a strong social conscience.
Last Modified: February 14, 2024