The incomparable Week
In about a week’s time we will entering and glancing back to the darkest, but most inspiring, time in the annals of Sikh history, holding in its bosom, the heartrending events befalling In the space of just a week. Guru Gobind Singh’s four Sahibzade ascended to the ranks of martyrdom, for the cause of justice and righteousness. In the same week their beloved grandmother (dadi ji), Mata Gujar Kaur, also, shed her mortal apparel, ascending to the sanctuary of Sach Khand. Guru Ji sacrificed many of his beloved sons in the famous Saka of Chamkaur Sahib, to the cause of fairness and justice for all.
Guru Ji didn’t shed a tear, and on the insistence of his beloved Pyare Bhai Daya Singh and others left the Garrhi of Chamkaur to continue the fight against the cruel Mogul rule. The Khalsa had invoked the power Guru Ji had vested in them, whereby they could compel Guru Ji to obey their command (adesh). They pleaded Guru Ji’s mortal presence on earth was critical to conclude the task undertaken to uproot all vestiges of the Mogul dynasty. Guru Ji wrote the famous Jafarnama (the letter of Victory) to Aurangzeb, which became instrumental in his early demise and the decline in the fortunes of the Mogul Raaj.
By all means let’s wish our Christian and Jewish friends every happiness for Christmas and the Hanukkah Festival, but at the same time, let’s spend some time reflecting on the sacrifices of our Gurus, their kin and the Khalsa, by virtue of which we enjoy our today.
It will, perhaps, be unkind to expect anyone to experience the wrath of the elements of nature in the cold month of December, as suffered by Mata Gujar Kaur and her two beloved grandsons in the freezing tower of Sirhind (thanda burj), but, at the very least, we should resolve to be more reflective and contemplative for the week beginning 21st December 2020.
PS: let’s, also, give a thought to the Panjab farmers who are risking their all, defying the cold weather, to fight for their rights on the outskirts of Delhi, whilst their kith & kin are defending the borders of a country, which has taken so much, but given so little.