Guru Gobind Singh

The word "Guru" is a Sanskrit word meaning teacher, religious person or saint. Guru Gobind Singh was born on December 22, 1666 in Patna, Bihar, India. He became Guru on November 11, 1675 at the age of nine. He had a natural genius for poetic composition and his early years were assiduously given to this pursuit. He also studied Persian and Sanskrit and engaged 52 poets to translate the Hindu epics. The Guru also wrote several compositions including Jaap Sahib, Akal Ustat, Sawayas and Sri Bhagauti Ji Ki, popularly called Chandi di Var. There was no other individual who could be of more inspiring personality than Guru Gobind Singh, he infused the spirit of both the saintlihood and the undauntedness in the minds and hearts of his followers to fight oppression in order to restore justice, righteousness (Dharma) and to uplift the down-trodden people in this world. The sword was never meant as a symbol of aggression, and it was never to be used for self-aggrandizement. It was the emblem of manliness and self-respect and was to be used only in self-defence, as a last resort. Sword is the symbol of the creative processes of that mysterious Creator-Complex of nature. For Guru Gobind Singh said in a Persian couplet in his Zafarnamah:

''All modes of redressing a wrong having failed, Raising of Sword is Pious and Just''

Guru gobind singh created Khalsa on Baisakhi Day March 30 1699, with Guru Gobind Singh baptizing 5 Sikhs and then in turn asking the five Khalsa's to baptize him. Following this the Guru personally baptized thousands of men and women into the Khalsa order. The Khalsa baptism ceremony is undertaken as part of ones own personal spiritual evolution when the initiate is ready to fully live up to the high expectations of Guru Gobind Singh. All Sikhs are expected to be Khalsa or be working towards that objective, just as God and Guru are one, likewise the Guru and the Sikh are one. When the Sikh, following the discipline enunciated by the Guru, becomes pure, he attains attunement with the Guru. This is the reason, that the Guru is within the Khalsa and the Khalsa is within the Guru. The Guru belongs to God, therefore the Khalsa belongs to God. The victory of the Khalsa is the victory of the Guru and God, therefore it is said “Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh.”

The Khalsa baptism ceremony involves drinking of Amrit (sugar water stirred with a dagger) in the presence of 5 Khalsa Sikhs as well as the Guru Granth Sahib. The initiate is instructed in the following;

(a) You shall never remove any hair from any part of thy body.

(b) You shall not use tobacco, alcohol or any other intoxicants.

(c) You shall not eat the meat of an animal slaughtered the Muslim way.

(d) You shall not commit adultery. The initiate is required to wear the physical symbols of a Khalsa at all times as well as follow the Khalsa Code of Conduct.

(e) You will not believe in castes, untouchability, magic, omens, amulets, astrology, appeasement rituals, ceremonial hair cutting, fasts, frontal masks, sacred thread, graves and traditional death rites.

(f) The Khalsa will remain distinct by wearing the Five K's but shall not injure the feelings of others professing different religions.

(g) The Khalsa will pray to God before starting any work. This will be over and above his usual prayers.

(h) Every male should add "Singh" after his name and every female Khalsa should add "Kaur" after her name

Guru Gobind Singh had created Amrit (holy nector) for the precise purpose of creating the Khalsa brotherhood. A few drops of amrit had fallen from the iron cauldron, which were readily consumed by a few sparrows. The sparrows turned onto the baaz(Falcon) and repeatedly assaulted them to such an extent that they had to take flight, followed vigorously by the sparrows. This incident showed the Sikhs that the amrit created by the Tenth Guru had immense power, after drinking a few drops a small sparrow not only had the courage to take on a bird of prey but to harassed it until it took flight and fled. Guru Gobind Singh Ji said:

“I will create my Khalsa of such courage and vigour that he will take on armies of the enemy, he will stand up for the poor and the downtrodden – Sava Lakh say ek ladaho (One will confront a lakh and a quarter of the enemy)”.

Bhai Nand Lal in praise of Guru Gobind Singh

**Guru Gobind Singh is the helper of others. **

**Guru Gobind Singh has the help of God. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is the treasurer of God. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is bestower of merciful gifts.**

**Guru Gobind Singh knows God well. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is the emperor of emperors.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is the king of both worlds.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is the warrior who gives life to enemies.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is the giver of great gifts.**

**Guru Gobind Singh tells the secrets of God.**

**Guru Gobind Singh puts a veil over everyone's sins.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is a cloud of mercy.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is accepted out of the accepted.**

**Guru Gobind Singh has reached God. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is a river of divine knowledge. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is a sea of God's gifts.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is beloved of God.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is a lover of God. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is an expert with the sword. **

**Guru Gobind Singh knows the secrets of every heart. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is the master of the crown. **

**Guru Gobind Singh has God's shade over Him. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is the treasurer of all God's treasures. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is the cure for all pain. Guru Gobind Singh is the master of the world.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is unequalled in both worlds.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is praised by God Himself.**

**Guru Gobind Singh has many great virtues.**

**Guru Gobind Singh has very important people falling at His feet.**

**Guru Gobind Singh gives instruction to even demi-god.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is praised by accepted ones.**

**Guru Gobind Singh knows what is in everyone's heart.**

**Guru Gobind Singh 's feet are kissed by the heavens.**

**Guru Gobind Singh's drum sounds in both worlds.**

**Guru Gobind Singh has the three loks(worlds) under Him.**

**Guru Gobind Singh has the stamp of his command all over the world Sudas is the servant of Guru Gobind Singh. **

**Guru Gobind Singh slows down the zealous energy of enemies.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is holy and free from enmity.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is a mirror who shows the true God.**

**Guru Gobind Singh understands the true God.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is a king and a saint as-well. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is kind, merciful and wise.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is the giver who gives great gifts.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is the giver of givers. Guru Gobind Singh is the merciful of merciful.**

**Guru Gobind Singh kindly gives gifts to those who give.**

**Guru Gobind Singh gives to beneficent people.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is forever sound and steady, Guru Gobind Singh is beautiful and blessed.** **Guru Gobind Singh is blessed by God.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is a wonder of the timeless being's light. Those who've listened to the name of Guru Gobind Singh have seen God with the grace of Guru Gobind Singh.**
**Guru Gobind Singh is a picture of virtues. **

**Guru Gobind Singh has become one with supernatural powers.**

**Those who've sung the praises of Guru Gobind Singh have been kindly blessed by Guru Gobind Singh. **

**Those who have had a sight of Guru Gobind Singh have become intoxicated in the passage of Guru Gobind Singh. **

**Those who have kissed the dust of Guru Gobind Singh's feet Have been kindly blessed by Guru Gobind Singh. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is the doer of all. Guru Gobind Singh is the helper of the weak, everyone does homage to Guru Gobind Singh.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is the embodiment of all kindness.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is the chief all leaders. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is the highest of the high, Great demi-gods are servants of Guru Gobind Singh, they sing the praises of Guru Gobind Singh. Eminent goddesses are under the order of Guru Gobind Singh, they are the servants of Guru Gobind Singh. Nature has the utmost respect for Guru Gobind Singh. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is the servant of God the nine cosmos (khand) are the dust of Guru Gobind Singh 's feet "they are the wise servants of Guru Gobind Singh. The highest throne is beneath Guru Gobind Singh. **

**Guru Gobind Singh has God's court within His reach.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is excellent in all virtues.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is the permanent leader.**

**Guru Gobind Singh gives light to the world, all bodies and souls have blossomed from Guru Gobind Singh.**

**Guru Gobind Singh's advancement is improving two-fold every day".**

**Guru Gobind Singh is the beauty of all king's thrones.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is the helper in both worlds. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is the sight of every. **

**Guru Gobind Singh has the whole creation in his command. **

**Guru Gobind Singh's praise is the highest of all, both worlds are the army of Guru Gobind Singh.**

**Everyone is in the protection of Guru Gobind Singh. **
**Guru Gobind Singh is the giver of givers.**

**Guru Gobind Singh achieves victory everywhere. **

**Guru Gobind Singh is of excellent conduct.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is the soul in every body.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is very loving and affectionate.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is the light in every eye.**

**Guru Gobind Singh is the giver of daily food to everyone.**

**Guru Gobind Singh showers the grace of God, even the stars are the beggars of Guru Gobind Singh, they are the servants of Guru Gobind Singh's darbar.

**The five elements praise Guru Gobind Singh. The seven spiritual guides are a sacrifice unto Guru Gobind Singh. **

**Guru Gobind Singh has His hand on both worlds.**

**Guru Gobind Singh owns everything high and low. **
***Nand Lal is the slave-dog of Guru Gobind Singh. Nand Lal is aiming for the name of Guru Gobind Singh. I am lower than the dogs of Guru Gobind Singh . I peck the small pieces in the dishes of Guru Gobind Singh. I am a beggar of Guru Gobind Singh. For the holy dust of the feet of Guru Gobind Singh may my life be a sacrifice unto Guru Gobind Singh and may my head stay at the feet of Guru Gobind Singh.***

****Guru Gobind Singh passed Guruship to Sri Guru Granth Sahib and said:******

"'Under orders of the Immortal Being, the Panth was created. All the Sikhs are enjoined to accept the Granth as their Guru. Consider the Guru Granth as embodiment of the Gurus. Those who want to meet God, can find Him in its hymns. The Khalsa shall rule, and its opponents will be no more, Those separated will unite and all the devotees shall be saved."

Guru Gobind Singh ascended to the heavens on October 7th 1708.

God has no marks, no colour,no caste, and no ancestors, No form, no complexion, no outline, no costume and is indescribable. He is fearless, luminous and measureless in might. He is the king of kings, the Lord of the prophets. He is the sovereign of the universe, gods, men and demons. The woods and dales sing the indescribable. O Lord, none can tell Thy names. The wise count your blessings to coin your names." (Jaap Sahib)