Guru Arjan — The first Sikh Martyr

Guru Arjan — The first Sikh Martyr

Guru Arjan was the youngest son of Guru Ramdas the fourth Sikh Guru. Guru Arjan succeeded Guru Ramdas in 1581 when his father died.

Arjan was the one who accomplished the Herculean task laid by Baba Nanak, the founder of the Sikh Religion. Nanak had founded the Sikh Religion on the basis of humanity, equality and oneness of God. Nanak discarded not only the caste—system observed by the followers of Sanatan (Hindus) Religion but also the division between Hindus and Muslims as enemy communities. He considered Bhai Mardana, a Muslim Rabab(a musical instrument) player as his brother and adapted many good principles of Islam; preferably the theory of one Creator who is formless, and who is never born, nor shall be die.

After the death of Nanak Sikhism was spreading at a very slow pace. Guru Arjan started the compilation of the ‘Adi Granth’ (Now called the ‘Guru Granth Sahib) in 1595. Guru Arjan was having a very clear view of the teachings of Guru Nanak and he clearly understood how they were best applicable to every state of life and to every condition of society. That is why, while compiling the ‘Adi Granth’ he arranged the versions of his predecessors and also added the compositions of some other religions reformers of the raw preceding centuries like Muslim Sufi Saint Baba Farid and some Saints who were considered untouchables in the Hindus Society. While selecting the compositions it was very sharply observed that no such composition was included in the ‘Adi Granth’ which was opposed to the philosophy of Nanak; I like the theory of Multiple Gods, or the idols, renouncing the world for attaining I salvation, or considering women as an obstacle in obtaining salvation. All such compositions were rejected though most of them were written by Brahmin scholars.

The ‘Adi Granth’ was completed by Guru Arjan, with a prayer and some exhortations of his own. He also gave his followers their fixed rule of religions and moral conduct. The ‘Adi Granth’ was completed is 1604 and its first ‘Prakash’ was done at the ‘Harnandar Sahib’ at Amritsar. While Guru Arjan was busy in compiling the ‘Adi Granth’, one Brahmin named Chandu Shah offered to marry his daughter with Hargobind the son of Guru Arjan. Chandu was a staunch observer of the Sanatan Religion and he did not approved of Hindu people going and taking food at ‘Langar’ the common eatery of the Sikhs, which offended the Caste-division among Hindus even while taking food. When Guru Arjan came to know about the mean- mentality of Chandu, he flatly refused the offer. Chandu was the finance administrator of Lahore province, having very cordial relations with the Emperor Jehanger. He straightaway complained to Emperor Jehangir that Guru Arjan had instigated Khusro, the son of Jehangir to revolt a short while ago. Khusro had revolted Against his father and later on he was captured in Punjab by the Emperor’s forces. Jehangir ordered to arrest Guru Arjan and after making proper investigation, he found Guru Arjan, innocent and ordered his release, but Chandu who was looking for a chance to avenge himself, disobeyed the Emperor and took Guru Arjan with him to Lahore.

ln Lahore, Chandu first made Guru Arjan sit on a smoldering cauldron, and then he boiled him, leaving him dead.

Gum Arian was martyred in 1606. lt was in his time, that the principles of Nanak took a firm hold on the minds of his followers. Guru Arjan has contributed to the humanity by presenting such a unique religions scripture which is having compositions of many different religions followers. Therefore it is not an exaggeratiorr to quote that the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ is not a book for the Sikhs only but for the whole mankind.