We view Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib as the personification of the qualities of Godliness, Valour, Courage and Supreme sacrifice rolled into one. Guru Teg Bahadur offering his head for the religious freedom of his fellow countrymen changed the history of India. The ruthless conversion of Kashmiri Pandits was put to an end by his Supreme self-sacrifice. Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi stands as a testimony to his Supreme Shahadat.
In the role of firmly establishing the basic human right of Hindus to practice their religion, Guru Teg Bahadur is largely viewed as a Saint who meditated for 20 long years before attaining Guruship as the 9th Light of Guru Nanak.
This article focuses, rather differently, on the lesser-known facets of Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib’s persona, especially as a Messenger of Peace for all Mankind. The article concludes with his Qualities of Unparalleled Statesmanship nurtured by his illustrious father, Guru Hargobind Sahib who had successfully obtained the peaceful release of 52 Hindu kings imprisoned in Gwalior fort by the Mughal regime.
Teg Mal was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib. He was humble since childhood and performed Seva by washing the Langar pots. He also wore the attire of a prince and trained as a skilled horseman while also attaining proficiency in bow and arrow sport. Thus he was eventually transformed from Teg Mal to Teg Bahadur under the watchful eyes of his Guru Father.
Before continuing further on the personality of Guru Teg Bahadur, it would be befitting to briefly recall, in reverence, at least some of his hymns from the Granth Sahib. These soulful verses are a Gateway to a completely noble way of life.
The beginning lines of his famous salokas read by Hindus and Sikhs alike, suggest that having so far wasted the life span in useless pursuits (JANAM AKARATH KEEN), at least now engage in Hari Bhajan in the manner like the relationship of Fish with Water (JEH BIDH JAL KO MEEN). The collection of couplets in this chapter goes on to state that when your companions and associates have deserted you, in tragic times the Lord is your only support (TEK EK RAGHUNATH)
Another verse says, KAHE RE BAN KHOJAN JAYEE?….. This verse convincingly states that God dwells deep within your own heart. He uses the metaphor—PUSHP MAHE JAISE BAS BASAT HAI….to explain this concept.
Teg Bahadur attained Guruship after 20 long years of meditation not as a renunciate, but as a GRASTHI or a householder.
He became the 9th Guru after Guru Harkrishan passed away as the 8th Guru at the tender age of about 9. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi reminds us of the purported healing properties of this place, then blessed by the young Guru to eradicate the rapid spread of smallpox sweeping the city of Delhi at that time.
On attaining Guruship, Teg Bahadur established the present city of Anandpur Sahib naming it as Chak Nanaki- Nanaki being the revered mother of Guru Teg Bahadur. He then travelled to the regions east of Panjab towards UP and Bihar. To connect with the places visited by Guru Nanak and spread his Teachings in distant lands, Guru Teg Bahadur also visited Bengal, Assam and the North East including present-day Bangladesh.
When Guru Sahib was on his missionary tours in Dhaka, he received the news of the birth of Gobind Rai.
Guru Teg Bahadur returned to Patna to meet his family- a newborn son and the Child’s grandmother respectfully addressed as Mata Gujri by Sikhs. Later he resumed his Eastern Tours to spread the message of ONE-NESS and Peace.
The AHOM rulers of Assam were then under constant threat from the Mughal army who were joined by the forces of compromised non-Mughal rulers.
Guru Tegh Bahadur negotiated a peaceful settlement between the tribals, Ahoms and the warring forces of the Mughal regime. It is for this reason that Guru Tegh Bahadur is remembered as a brilliant Statesman and Messanger of Peace.
The present TURBULENT WORLD needs the Guru’s message of Peace more than ever before.
The year 2021 was celebrated as the 4th birth centenary year of Guru Teg Bahadur worldwide. No wonder that for his lifelong service as a Saviour of DHARAMA, the people of India fondly remember Guru Teg Bahadur as HIND DI CHADAR!
