Guru Arjun’s Martyrdom – Trendsetter for Fearlessness.

Whenever someone talks of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjun’s martyrdom it is mostly talked of in terms of Tera keeaa meetthaa laagai – O Almighty Your will is sweet for me, i.e. I happily accept it. But this line means that the Sikh or for that matter any one who has faith in the Almighty accepts Divine will happily. The thought of having to sit on on a hot plate with heated sand poured over the head and being put in a boiling cauldron is frightening. But these were not forced on him. In fact he almost asked for the torture – the only way the Mughals seemed to know, to deal with those of other faiths who did not toe their line. It also applied to those who seemed to be threat for Islam, as was the case with the fifth Guru. Jahangir is on record saying in Tozik-e Jahangiri that he found propagation of the Sikh faith by the Guru not only attracting HIndus but also the Muslims. This despite the fact that respected Muslim personalities like Saain Miaan Mir kept company with the Guru. Anger can truly make people blind

Guru Arjun is called Shaheedaan de sirtaaj, the crown wearer or king of the martyrs. His martyrdom set the trend for martyrdoms not only by the ninth Guru or the sons of the tenth Guru but also of countless Sikhs. All this was by choice and could have been avoided if they had compromised with the values sought to be inculcated by the gurus and Gurbani. Fearless-ness is of two types. One is not being afraid under threat or impending danger. The other is being righteous, doing the right things and thus have no apprehensions for any retribution

In the case of the fifth Guru the faith he had in the Almighty was demonstrated by remaining calm in the face of serious provocations mostly by or at the behest of his elder brother Baba Prithi Chand. He remained cool even when it was known that Sulahi Khan was ready to attack the Guru. This event is recorded in Gurbani thus.

Prathme mataa ji patri chalaavau;
Duti-e mataa due manukh pahuchaavau.
Trtiti-e mataa kichh karau upaaiaa.
Mai sabh kichh chhodd-i prabh tidhai dhiaaia. M: 5, p 371.

The first proposal was to send a letter.
The second was to send two people – to dissuade the attacker.
The third was to make arrangements – protection.
Leaving everything else I invoked You O Master.

He was vindicated and the attacker perished on the way.

How is that the Guru did  not feel the pain of all the physical torture?

He answers this thus:

Prathme mittia tan ka dookh.; man sagal kau hoaa sookh.
Kar kirpa gur deeno nau; bal bali tis satgur kau jaau. M: 5, p 395.

The first thing that happens when one lives by Naam – divine virtues and commands, is that physical pain is not felt. and the mind feels completely at peace.
The guru is kind to impart awareness of Naam. I adore the true guru..

In the New Testament it is mentioned that when Jesus was on the cross he felt helpless and prayed ”O God why have you forsaken me”? But when people tried to sympathise with Guru Arjun for his suffering, he disp:ayed high spirits saying

Dukh naahi sabh sukh hi hai re ekai eki netai.
Buraa nahi sabh bhalaa hi hai re haar nahi sanh j-etai. M: 5, p 1302.

There is no pain; it is all comfort and peace because my eyes see only the One Master
There is none evil; all are good; I am winning not losing.

Such is the Charrdi kalaa or high spirits that the Khalsa inherited and diplayed.

We Sikhs are rightly castigated for not having made the world know of the spirit and examples of sacrifice by the sikh Gurus and their followers. People say One Jesus died according to the New Testament and his followers made this a major plank of their faith, but the Sikhs have not done so despite innumerable sacrifices in the spirit of –

Soora so pahchaaniai jo larai deen ke het.
Purja purja kat mari kab-hu na chhaaddai khet. Kabir, p 1105

One should call a warrior such a person who fights for the sake of the poor/hapless.
S/he may be cut into pieces but never leaves the field.

Let us do it

The Sikhs have not adverised but have truly followed the example set byGuru Arjun, the fifth Guru.