Monday, November 14, 2005

Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji

Yesterday was Baba Deep Singh Ji's Shaheedi Diwas. In honour of Baba Deep Singh Ji's Shaheedi Diwas (martyrdom day) and also the other Singhs who became Shaheed (martyrs) while fighting alongside Baba Deep Singh Ji in protecting the sanctity of Sri Harmandar Sahib, I have written an article on Baba Ji's Jeewan (life):
A GLIMPSE AT THE LIFE OF SHAHEED BABA DEEP SINGH JEE
Childhood and meeting Guru Sahib Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji was born on January 20, 1682, in the village of Pahu-vind, district Amritsar. His father's name was Bhai Bhagtu Ji. At the age of twelve, Baba Deep Singh Ji went with his parents to Anandpur Sahib to meet Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh guru. They stayed at Anandpur Sahib for several days, doing sewa (service) with the Sangat. When his parents were ready to return to their village, Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked Baba Deep Singh Ji to stay with him. He humbly accepted Guru Ji's command and began serving him. Training & knowledge From Bhai Mani Singh Ji Baba Ji began learning reading and writing Gurmukhi and santhiyaa (exegesis) of Gurbaani. As well as gurmukhi he learnt several other languages. Guru Gobind Singh Ji also taught him horseback riding, hunting and Shastar-vidiyaa (weaponry). At the age of eighteen, on the Vaisakhi of 1700, he received the blessing of Khande-di-pahul, amrit, from the Guru-roop Panj Piaare. As an Amritdhari Sikh, Baba Deep Singh Ji took an oath to serve in Akaal Purakh's Fauj (the Almighty’s army), and that following the way of the Khalsa one is to always help the weak and needy, and to fight for truth and justice. Baba Deep Singh Ji soon became one of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's most beloved Sikhs. During this time countless spiritually elevated souls were residing in Anandpur, doing Sangat with them and with the Guru's blessings, the Sangat recognised the young Deep Singh Ji as a "Baba" (wise person) and gave him this title. Return back home Baba Deep Singh Ji stayed in Guru Gobind Singh Ji's service for about eight years. At Guru Ji's request, he returned to his village to help his parents. Guru Gobind Singh Ji met Baba Deep Singh Ji at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo in 1705. Here, he learned that two of the Guru' sons, Baba Ajit Singh Ji and Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, had become Shaheed (martyred) in the battle of Chamkaur Sahib. Guru Ji also told him that his two younger sons, Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, were cold-heartedly bricked alive and attained Shaheedi (martyrdom) at Sirhind under the orders of the governor Wazir Khan.
Sent Message to meet Guru Sahib at Damdama Sahib
In 1706, Guru Gobind Singh Ji placed Baba Deep Singh Ji in charge at Damdama Sahib, while Bhai Mani Singh Ji was made Head Granthi of Sri Harmander Sahib in Amritsar. After Guru Sahib left for Delhi, he took up the duty of preparing copies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and carried on the sewa blessed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji of managing this Sikh Centre. ‘Taksal’ means a minting factory. Sri Damdama Sahib, had become a factory where Sikhs would come to mint and prepare their shastars (weapons), as well as mint their minds and enshrine Gurbaani within their hearts through learning the correct pronunciation and grammar of reading Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. As a result this centre of education and weaponry was known as “Damdami Taksal”. Baba Deep Singh Ji spent many years at Sri Damdama Sahib preaching Sikh values and teachings and doing sewa of the Sangat. He was always ready to serve those in need and to fight for justice.
The Khalsa delivers justice to the Tyrants In 1709, Baba Ji joined Baba Banda Singh Ji Bahadar in punishing the tyrants of Sadhaura and Sirhind. Baba Ji fought so bravely without care for his life, that Baba Banda Singh Ji Bahadur entrusted Baba Ji with the title "Jinda Shaheed" (living martyr). Since that moment Baba Ji was called "Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji". It is noteworthy that Baba Ji wasn't called "Shaheed" after he died, but during his own lifetime. In 1733 Nawab Kapoor Singh Ji, the commander of the Khalsa forces, appointed Baba Ji as the leader of one of the jathas (groups) of Dal Khalsa (a united and collective body of groups of Khalsa divided and dispersed across Panjab). On Vaisakhi day of 1748, when Dal Khalsa was reorganised into twelve misls, he was entrusted with the leadership of Shaheedaa(n) di Misl. News of sacrilege at Amritsar In April 1757, Ahmed Shah Abdali, after his fourth invasion, was returning to Kabul from Delhi with precious booty and young men and women as captives. Singhs made a plan to retrieve the valuables and set the prisoners free. The jatha (squad) of Baba Deep Singh Ji was deployed near Kurkhetar (also called Kurukshetra). His squad freed large number of prisoners and lightened the burden of valuables of Abdali considerably. While departing from Lahore, Abdali appointed his son Taimur Shah, the Governor of Lahore and told him, "Try to finish the Sikhs". In Accordance with his orders, Taimur Shah started demolishing Gurdwaré and filling the sarovars (pool tanks) with debris and alcohol. When Baba Deep Singh Ji came to know of this beadbi (violation of sanctity) and demolition of Sri Harmandar Sahib, he narrated it to the Sangat (congregation) of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, and said, "Diwali will be celebrated at Amritsar this year." Five hundred Singhs came forward to go with him. Baba Deep Singh Ji offered an Ardaas (pray) before starting for Amritsar, "May my head fall at Sri Harmandar Sahib."
Baba jee leaves for Amritsar Although Baba Deep Singh Ji was seventy-five years old, he still had the strength of a young warrior. He gathered a large group of Sikhs and advanced towards Sir Harmandar Sahib. By the time they reached the Taran Taaran, about ten miles from Amritsar, the number of Singhs had risen to about five thousand. At this time, Baba Ji drew a line on the ground with his Khanda (double-edged sword), and asked only those who were willing to fight and die to cross the line. Those willing to die for the Guru and give up their attachment for their homes and families crossed the line eagerly. Baba Deep Singh Ji then recited the shabad:
ਜਉ ਤਉ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਖੇਲਣ ਕਾ ਚਾਉ ॥ ਸਿਰੁ ਧਰਿ ਤਲੀ ਗਲੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਆਉ ॥ ਇਤੁ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪੈਰੁ ਧਰੀਜੈ ॥ ਸਿਰੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਕਾਣਿ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ॥20॥
“Those who wish to play the game of love (follow the Guru‘s path), come to me with your head in your palm. If you wish your feet to travel this path, don't delay in accepting to give your head. 20” (Ang 1412, SGGS)
Clash with the Mughals At the news of the approach of Singhs, the Governor of Lahore sent one of his generals with an army of twenty thousand to face them. His army took up position six miles north of Amritsar and waited for the Singhs there. Both the armies clashed near Gohalwarh on the 11th November, 1757. Fighting bravely, the Singhs pushed the army back and reached village Chabba where Attal Khan came forward and fierce battle ensued during which Attal Khan inflicted a blow on Baba Deep Singh Ji severing his head from his body. Baba Deep Singh, more than seventy-five years of age at that time, started to lose his footing under the impact of the blow, when a Sikh reminded him, "Baba ji, you had resolved (Ardaasa soddhyaa see) to reach the Parkarma of Sri Darbar Sahib." On hearing this, an inhuman energy suddenly took over, and Baba ji placed his head on the palm of one hand and with the other hand moved his 14kg Khanda (double-edged sword) with such ferocity and strength that enemy soldiers started running away in panic. Thus, Baba Deep Singh made his way to the Parkarma of Sri Harmandar Sahib where, due to the severe injury, attained martyrdom.
Baba jee lays to rest at Harmandir Sahib The Singhs celebrated the Diwali of 1757 in Sri Harmandar Sahib. The place where his head had fallen is marked by a stone and the Sikhs go past this place on their way to pay obeisance in Sri Darbar Sahib. It reminds them that the way to Sri Darbar Sahib is paved with the sacrifices of people like Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji. Summary Baba Deep Singh Ji's shaheedi incited the Sikhs to continue to fight against oppression for many years. Even today, his life serves as an example for all Sikhs on how to live and die with dignity, and never stand or tolerate the beadbi (violation of sanctity) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or the Guru Ghar (Gurdwara). This is a message, which we can all learn from and aspire to follow, and ensure that Gurdwaré and individuals upkeep the respect and dignity of Gurmat and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, something which has been highlighted by Panthic Weekly in recent months with the reports of various Gurdwaré using Gurdwara property to allow parties, which cater for alcohol, and Granthi Singhs taking Guru Ji’s Saroops to Hotel, Clubs and Banqueting Halls. Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Piaare. Dhan Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji.
ਧੰਨ ਉਹ ਧਰਤੀ ਧੰਨ ਉਹ ਬਾਪੂ, ਧੰਨ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਮਾਈ ।
ਢੰਗ ਜਿਉਣ ਦਾ ਜਿਸਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ, ਦੱਸ ਗਿਆ ਸਦੀਆ ਸਾਈਂ ।
“Blessed is that land, blessed is that father, blessed is the great mother. Who’s son has shown the way to live, for centuries to come.”

“Bhai Manvir Singh”, “Bhai Manvir Singh”, “Bhai Manvir Singh”. “Bhai Manvir Singh UK”, “Bhai Manvir Singh UK”, “Bhai Manvir Singh UK”. “Manvir Singh Khalsa”, “Manvir Singh Khalsa”, “Manvir Singh Khalsa”. “Manvir Singh”, “Manvir Singh”, “Manvir Singh”.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

You have a great blog & you seem to be a very inspirational person.

Stay in Chardi Kala Singh.

Tejpal
www.1234PENS.com

Anonymous said...

You really do have an amazing blog. You show great respects to warriors in our real history. I was thinking about something. If we give 10 names, of real warriors, do you think any army could dare defeat them?
1) Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji Maharaj 2) Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj 3)Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji 4)Shaheed Baba Banda Singh Bhadhur Ji 5)Shaheed Baba Jujhar Singh Ji 6) Shaheed Baba Ajit Singh Ji 7) Sardar Hari Singh Nawla 8) Shaheed Jassa Singh Ahluwalia Ji 9) Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji 10) I dont remeber his name, but he was the Bhram Giani that fought a mad ELEPHANT 1 on 1, and killed him infront of everyone. You can see the respect I have for the Shaheedi Singhs and Kaurs that gave their physical lives for our glourious religion. They really our still alive today, They are still alive today, I can give you names of people who got real Darshan of these Shaheedis, also Guru Jis Darshan (highest spirtual state of any GurSikh). I just wanted to point out, that not all the emporers were cruel of the mughal dynasty, Aurzengab was the worst, but he was also the strongest general in his time, more feared the Babbur the lion (Kublai Khans nephew), and Aurzengab apologized to our king founder of Khalsa: Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. after the greatest battle in human history 40 sikhs vs 1 million soldiers. BUt great post my friend. Babbur the lion was the one who defated the delhi sultans (defeated the second great khan). Babbur was really feared by everyone, until Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj, our true and all mighty king saw him and i believe he called him a tryant, and said he was doing badd things because of his massacres of hinduus, and you know what these emporer did in return? He apoligezed to Guru Ji and asked for his forgiveness, he bowed like how we sikhs bow at the Gurdwara Sahib. I think our history is amazing, all the teachings of our Gurus are beyond words, Gurbani and Paat are the greatest gifts they gave us, through them anything can be healed. I have heard stories of lions kneeling their heads when a GurSikh walks by, I have also heard stories of a GurSikh who was run over by a jeep on his FOREHEAD, but he survived for 15 years, its unbelievable the power our glourious God all mighty gives his Sikhs. I know that Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj said he loves his sikhs more then his own life, wow how amazing would it be if you knew that the greatest warrior in history loved you more then his own life. Anyways amazingggggg post my friend, Sat Sri Akal.

Unknown said...

True Warriors againt oppression.
Being from Lahore, Paistan, i can really appreciate the history behind Sikhs, against Muslims at that time who were following the wahabbi sect of Islam. Teachers of Guru Granth Saahib were Muslim Sufi Saints...There have been many times where God has taken the side of Sikhs, because of there right path of Haqq againt oppression..

Syed Shah Bhagdadi

Anonymous said...

Gr8 men such as baba deep singh ji hv walked upon this world, we r proud of him,his devotion, his valour, n we all should draw inspiration from him.

Anonymous said...

Please forgive me if this may seem like a silly question but why does guru jee want our head?, it says in the shabad given in this blog?
thank you

Anonymous said...

Meaning of this shabad is that one who wants to merge with god shouldn't fear death.one should always be ready to sacrifice his/her life for establishing righteneous

Unknown said...

dhan dhan shri baba Deep singh ji shaheed

Unknown said...

Well explained