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Dasam Pita Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji - The Lord of the White Falcon

Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, was born to Mata Gujri at Patna in 1666AD when his father Guru Teg Bahadur was touring Bengal. Guru Gobind Singh lived at Patna until he was five when he was taken to Anandpur. He was nine when Guru Tegh Bahadur was martyred in Delhi. At that young age he inherited the responsibility of guiding the Sikh faith and fulfilling the teachings of Guru Nanak. In the midst of his engagements with the concerns of the community, he gave full attention to the mastery of physical skills and literary accomplishment.

The moment child Gobind Rai was born in Patna, Pir Bhikan Shah of Thaska offered his prayers facing East instead of towards West, contrary to his daily practice. He left for Patna immediately. On arrival at the Guru residence, Pir placed two bowl of milk and water before the divine child. The child Guru Gobind put his hands on both the bowls, thus signifying: "The entire humanity is from the same divine fountain: How can some be good and others evil?

He had grown into a comely youth, spare, lithe of limp and energetic. As a result of assiduous training and practice, the Guru gained unique facility in the use of arms. He showed similar prowess at learning. Besides Punjabi, he gained proficiency in Sanskrit, Braj and Persian. He had a natural genius for poetic composition. He patronized poets, thinkers and scholars. In 1677 AD at the age of eleven, Guru Gobind Singh was married to Mata Jito from whom he had three sons : Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh, and Fateh Singh. The Guru had two other consorts: Mata Sundri who joined in matrimony in 1684 AD and Mata Sahib Devan who was married in 1700 AD. The former was the mother of Sahibzada Ajit Singh.

The wooden sandals of Guru Gobind Singh Ji at his birth place Patna Sahib

The Guru was an example of a perfect saint--soldier. He had been cherishing the idea that an effective armory should be developed. He had been able to build a small but well-trained army. At the age of thirty-three years on the Baisakhi Day of 1699 AD, he established the new order of the Khalsa and gave Sikhism the present form.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji, at Fatehgarh Sahib asking for a head. Here he beheaded the Five Piaras and with the 'Amrit', he again gave them life - "A new Life - A new Spirit" infused into the dead concious of the Hindu Dharma.

The event, however, generated animosity in the hill chieftains who contacted the Mughal forces to curb the Khalsa. The Guru had to fight many battles at Anandpur, Charnkaur and Muktsar. His two elder sons: Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh died fighting at Chamkaur. The younger ones: Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh were captured by the ruler of Sirhind and were bricked alive. The Guru sacrificed his entire family and underwent untold hardships for righteousness.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji shooting his deadly arrows at the battle of Chamkaur - where 40 Sikhs faced the mighty army of 100000 Mughal warriors. At the insistance of the Sikhs Guru Ji escaped from this impossible fortification - which in history is compared to a miracle.

After the death of Aurangzeb in February 1707 AD his successor Bahadur Shah made peace with the Guru. The Guru also accompanied him on his expedition to Deccan. It was during this travel that the Guru discovered Banda Bahadur.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji in the Durbar of Emperor Bahadur Shah-who cordially received the Guru.

Guru Gobind Singh's work is best understood as the fulfillment of Guru Nanak's revelation. The Sikh organization had taken on the semblance of a State during his days. The Guru was a prolific writer. His writings are compiled in the form of the Dasam Granth.

Guru Ji had 52 poets in his Durbar, and regularly the Guru held poetical symposiums and listened to his poets, and rewarded them generously.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji - a connosieur of music and a prolific singer, wanted even handicapped to overcome their disabilities. He even taught several of blind disciples the art of music and made them expert at instruments, such as Tabla, Rabab, Saranda and Taus. The Guru bestowed his blessings on handicapped without discrimination.

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