GURU TEG BAHADUR SIMERIA KHAR NAO NIDH AVE THAHI

Guru Tegh Bahadur

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਗ਼ ਬਹਾਦੁਰ) (Wednesday, April 18, 1621 - Wednesday, November 24, 1675) was the ninth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism, becoming Guru on Saturday, 16 April 1664 following in the footsteps of his grand-nephew, Guru Har Krishan. Before his epic challenge of Aurangzeb's policy of forced religious conversion, the Guru Sahib had nominated his son, Gobind Rai as the 10th Guru of the Sikhs

Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is the ninth Guru of the Sikhs. He was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. He was born on April 1st, 1621 at Amritsar. His mother was Bibi Nanki Ji. His birth name was Tyag Mal but keeping in view his courage and bravery, he was named Tegh Bahadur. At the time of his eternal rest, Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji bowed down saying, "Baba Bakale" ie. My successor is at Bakala.

The Mughal Emperor of India, Aurangzeb, attempted to consolidate India into one Islamic nation. In order to achieve this aim, he set out to virtually eliminate Hinduism from India. When the ninth Guru Ji heard of this from a desperate group of Hindus, he challenged the Emperor that, in order to convert all the Hindus, the Guru himself would have to embrace Islam. He offered to sacrifice everything for the cause of righteousness. As a result the Guru was imprisoned at the request of Aurangzeb in 1675, Three devout Sikhs who accompanied the Guru were arrested and martyred in front of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji at Delhi.

Bhai Mati Das Ji
Bhai Sati Das Ji
Bhai Dyala Ji

Despite being forced to watch the torture and execution of these disciples, the Guru Ji simply refused to concede to the Emperor's demand. The Emperor Aurangzeb gave Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji three options.

1) To embrace Islam,
2) To perform miracles
3) Be ready for death.

Finally, the Guru preferred the latter. His head was chopped off publicly at Chandni Chowk in Delhi on November 11th, 1675 for being a protector of fundamental human rights. Unparalleled in the history of humankind, the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was an act of sacrifice for another religious community. The Guru Ji's martyrdom served to awaken the collective conscience of the Sikh community, which was about to undergo a final transformation in the years to follow.

The headless body was taken away by Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara Ji who cremated it respectfully at his place in Delhi on November 12th, 1675. Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib Ji was erected at this location to commemorate the incidence. The Severed head of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was then presented respectfully to, Guru Gobind Singh Ji by Bhai Jaita Ji at Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji in Punjab. Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib Ji has been erected inside the town of Anandpur Sahib Ji where the severed and revered head of the Guru Ji was cremated

Some writers have stated that once you promise allegiance to anybody, sacrifice your head but do not let him down at any cost. A great example of this is Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji who sacrificed his life but did not falter from his faith. Gobind Rai Ji son of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was nominated to Gurgaddi. Guru Gobind Singh Ji was a child of 9 years when he was called upon to shoulder the responsibilities of a Guru. Bani of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was entered into Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by Guru Gobind Singh at Talwandi Sabo Ji, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Ji. Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji's bani gives the message of non-attachment.

Bakala

Following Guru Harkrishans prophecy that the next Guru would be found in Bakala, he went there, arriving in August 1664. But on reaching Bakala he found as many as 22 people posing as the next Guru. He decided to offer only two Dinars (also given as five mohars [1] ) to every one posing to be Guru Harkrishan's successor. The true Guru would himself demand the exact amount he had vowed to give. According to him it would not be possible for the false and imposters to define the exact purpose of his visit. Thereby their ignorance, lack of spiritual insight and character would be exposed.

Discovery of Guru Teg Bahadur

As expected, none of the imposters could recognise him, which still left him the problem of having to find the rightful Guru. Then he heard of the solitarian Teg Bahedur, son of Guru Hargobind. Makhan Shah was taken to see him on August 10, 1664 by a local youth. When Makhan placed the two Dinars before Tegh Bahadur, he remarked "God bless you, my man, why only two Dinars after pledging five hundred? The Guru is never in need of any thing but a Sikh is expected to keep his pledge to the Guru." Thus the issue was clinched and the real Guru was discovered by Makhan Shah.

Makhan Shah proclaimed that he would inform everyone upon discovering the True Guru. Guru Teg Bahadur was still desiring to meditate in solitude and told Makhan Shah not to tell anyone. The Guru tried to discourage him by saying his face would be blackened if he did so. (meaning dishonour will be obtained). Makhan Shah took this as a challenge instead of a curse and put ash on his face and climbed to the roof top to announce to all that he had found the Guru.