Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti 2021: Guru Gobind Singh, the last of the ten living Sikh Gurus, was born on December 22nd 1666 in Patna, Bihar, India. Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is celebrated across India with great fervour and enthusiasm as it holds special significance for the Sikhs and is considered one of their most auspicious festivals.
Unlike many of the other gurus, there is no argument over the date of the birthday of Gobind Singh, but nonetheless, as the original western calendar date was set using the Julian calendar in 1666, there can be some confusion on the date it is celebrated.
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, is celebrated as per the lunar calendar every year. He was one of the ten preachers of the Sikh religion.
His teachings have inspired the Sikh community and others for generations. The Sikh community celebrates this day offering prayers at gurudwaras and remembering Guruji’s words of wisdom.
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti: Some lesser known facts about the tenth Sikh Guru
- Gobind Rai, later named as Guru Gobind Singh, was born to the ninth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Teg Bahadur and Mata Gujri at Patna Sahib or Takht Sri Patna Sahib (now in Patna).
- He was only nine when he became the Tenth Sikh Guru. He ascended after his father Guru Teg Bahadur accepted martyrdom in the hands of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb to protect the Kashmiri Hindus.
- As a child, Guru Gobindh Singh learned many languages including Sanskrit, Urdu, Hindi, Braj, Gurmukhi and Persian.
- Guru Gobindji’s hometown was the city of Anandpur Sahib in the present Rupnagar disrict in Punjab. Due to a scuffle with Bhim Chand, he left the town and proceeded to Nahan, a place in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, following an invitation of Mat Prakash, the king of Sirmur.
- At the gathering of 1699, Guru Gobind SIngh founded the Khalsa Vani – “Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh”. He named all his followers with the title Singh, meaning lion. He also founded the principles of Khalsa or the Five ‘K’s.
The five ‘K’s are the five principles of life that are to be followed by a Khalsa. These include Kesh or hair, which means to leave the hair uncut to show acceptance to the form God intended humans to be; Kangha or wooden comb, as a symbol of cleanliness; Kara or iron bracelet, as a mark to remind a Khalsa of self-restraint; Kacchera or knee-length shorts, to be worn by a Khalsa for being always ready to go into battle on horseback; and Kirpan, a sword to defend oneself and the poor, the weak and the oppressed from all religions, castes and creeds.
Famed as a warrior, poet, and philosopher, his contributions to Sikhism were many including the tradition of covering one’s hair with a turban.
On his birthday, let us all remember him by recalling some of the inspiring quotations by him:
- He alone is a man who keeps his word: Not that he has one thing in the heart, and another on the tongue.
- Those who call me God, will fall into the deep pit of hell. Regard me as one of his slaves and have no doubt whatever about it. I am a servant of the Supreme Being; and have come to behold the wonderful drama of life.
- The ignorant person is totally blind he does not appreciate the value of the jewel.
- The greatest comforts and lasting peace are obtained, when one eradicates selfishness from within.
- If you are strong, torture not the weak, And thus lay not the axe to thy empire.
- Karta (The Creator) and Karim (The beneficent) are the names of the same God. Razak (The provider) and Rahim (The merciful) are also the names given to Him. Let no man in his error wrangle over differences in names. Worship the One God who is the Lord of all. Know that his form is one and He is the One light diffused in all.
- In the City of Death, there is pitch darkness and huge clouds of dust, neither sister nor brother is there. This body is frail, old age is overtaking it.
- Egotism is such a terrible disease, he dies, to be reincarnated he continues coming and going.
- I tell the truth; listen everyone. Only those who have Loved, will realise the Lord.
- It is nearly impossible to be here now when you think there is somewhere else to be.
