Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti 2024: Uncover The Life of Great Sikh Leader

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is one of the most auspicious Sikh festivals that is celebrated all over India with utmost joy and ardour. It marks the birth anniversary of the tenth and the last Sikh leader, Gurpurab Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The great Sikh leader was a legendary warrior, a great poet-writer, and one of the most divine philosophers in the Sikh community. He was considered the patron of scholars and had 52 poets and writers in his court. He courageously fought to establish justice and equality in the world and spread the message of peace, simplicity, and brotherhood.

He was blessed with a rich, melodious voice with which he inspired thousands of Sikhs to fight against injustice and bring peace to the nation. He was also the person behind the establishment of the “Khalsa Panth”, which is considered the most important day in the history of Sikhs. Jan 17, 2024, marks the 357th birth anniversary of the great Sikh leader Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

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Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Jayanti: Dates and Timings

The Birth and Childhood of Guru Gobind Singh ji

Guru Gobind Singh Ji was the son of the ninth Sikh Leader, Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh, and Gujri Devi. Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday date is Dec 22, 1666, according to the Georgian Calendar. He was born in Patna, Bihar, and lived there first four years of his life before his family moved to a place called Anandpur Sahib (Earlier known as Chakk Nanaki) in Punjab in 1670. He acquired his education of Chakk Nanaki, situated in the Shivalik hills of the Himalayas, where he learned how to be a fierce warrior and mastered the Sanskrit and Persian languages.

When Guru Gobind Singh Ji was only nine years old, the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb declared orders forcing the Kashmiri Pandits to leave their religion and become Muslims by adapting the Islam religion. He also declared that anyone who refuses to convert shall be killed. The nine-year-old, Guru Gobind Singh Ji convinced his father to fight for the rights of the Kashmiri Pandits and their freedom of religion. The great Leader, Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh sacrificed his life fighting against the forced conversion and saved the Hindu religion from the clutches of the Mughals.

On Nov 11, 1675, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb beheaded Guru Tegh Bahadur in front of the common people at Chandni Chowk, Delhi. After this, Guru Govind Singh Ji was declared the tenth Guru of the Sikhs on Mar 29, 1676.

The Establishment of the Khalsa Panth

In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji established the Khalsa Panth on the day of Baisakhi. The Khalsa Panth was a family of soldier saints whose duties were to fight against all injustice and to protect the innocent.

During the Baisakhi , Guru Gobind Singh came out of a tent carrying a sword in front of thousands of Sikhs gathered in Anandpur Sahib and challenged any Sikh who was ready to sacrifice his life to be a part of the Khalsa Panth. A volunteer agreed and joined the leader in the tent, a little while after which Guru Gobind Singh Ji returned with the sword covered in blood. He challenged another volunteer and repeated the actions with a total of five warriors.

Most people at the occasion grew anxious about what was happening, and just then they witnessed the five men return from the tent. The men were from then on called the Panj Pyare or the Beloved Five.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji then created a baptising method by mixing water and sugar in an iron bowl and dipping a double-edged sword in it. He then called the water Amrut (or “Holy Water”) and baptised the “Panj Pyare” as he welcomed them into the Khalsa by changing their last name to Singh which means Lion.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji was then declared the sixth member of the Khalsa and changed his name from Guru Gobind Rai to Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He proceeded to establish the importance of the 5 “K”s for the members of the Khalsa i.e. Kesh(hair), Kangha(Comp), Kada (Steel Bracelet), Kirpan (Dagger), Kuchera (A pair of shorts), and instructed them to carry these five items with them at all times. Hence, ever since everyone in the Sikh community follows the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and ensures that always they carry these five items with them.

Declaration of the Guru Granth Sahib

After the death of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb, Guru Gobind Singh Ji developed a positive relationship with Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar and helped him become the next Emperor. This relationship threatened Nawab Wajid Khan, and he had two of his men follow Guru Gobind Singh Ji in an attempt to have him killed. These two men attacked the great leader with deceit which led to his death on Oct 7, 1708. In his final days, Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared the Guru Granth Sahib as the Holy Scripture of the Sikhs and requested his disciples to bow down before the Holy book.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Sermons

• Bachan Karkai Palana: Always be true to your promises
• Kisiki ninda, chugli, ateyy irkha nai karna: One should never say bad about, snitch on, or be jealous of others.
• Kaam karan wich daridaar nahi karna: Never be lazy about work
• Gurbani kanth karni: Memorise Gurbani.
• Daswand Dena: Donate one-tenth of your earnings to charity.

Some Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s literary work

Guru Gobind Singh Ji not only guided the Sikh community through the path of life but also protested against the crimes and atrocities around the world with the help of literary work. Here is a list of some of his most prestigious works as a poet-writer.

• Jaap Sahib
• Akaal Utsatat
• Bachitra Natak
• Chandi Charitra
• Zafar Naama
• Khalsa Mahima

Wrapping Up

On this occasion, the people of the Sikh community extend greetings to one another and take the vow to follow the path of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Hope you celebrate the great leader’s 356th anniversary with enthusiasm and happiness. Wish you a very Happy Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti.

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