Mystic Mantra: Guru Tegh Bahadur — ‘Hind di Chadar’

There was a fiery storm and a boat carrying expensive goods was shaking like a feather. Makkhan Shah, a wealthy trader and a devout Sikh, fearing a huge loss, prayed and vowed that if he reached the port safely, he would make an offering of 500 gold mohars to the Guru. When his prayer was answered, he travelled to Bakala to meet the Guru. The next Guru was not yet discovered and the eighth Guru had only given an indication that “Baba Bakale” (Guru is at Bakala) before he breathed his last.

When Makkhan Shah reached Bakala, to his astonishment, he found 22 different sadhus claiming to be the next Guru. In order to discover the true Guru, Makkhan Shah visited all the sadhus one by one and made an offering of two gold mohars, hoping that it would be noticed by the real guru. When he had lost hope, he was informed of one holy man who was confined to his room and absorbed in meditation. Makkhan Shah went there, bowed and placed two gold mohars. Guru Tegh Bahadur blessed him but also reminded him of his promise of 500 mohars. Makkhan Shah’s happiness knew no bounds. He was so delighted that he ran upstairs and shouted from the roof, “Guru ladho re, guru ladho re” (I have found the guru, I have found the guru).

Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, was born at Amritsar in 1621 in the month of April. As per the great Sikh tradition of Sant-Sipahi (saint-soldier), he was given the training of archery and horsemanship by Bhai Buddha and Bhai Gurdas guided him in the religious knowledge. Guru Tegh Bahadur was a person of soft, contemplative and compassionate nature who regarded “forgiveness” as a way of liberation and the greatest pilgrimage. The Guru proclaims, “Forgiveness is the austerity most meritorious; forgiveness is the best of charities. Forgiveness is equivalent to all the pilgrimages and ablutions. In forgiveness lies liberation... Forgiveness you must learn”.

Guru Tegh Bahadur’s love for music and poetry finds expression in bani. He has contributed 59 shabads and 57 slokas. The shabads, written in simple Braj language, are distributed in 15 ragas. His bani urges the human beings to discover the true meaning of life, that is, attainment of union with the Supreme Being. “Wake up, O mind, wake up! Why do you sleep negligently? The body that was born with you will not accompany you when you shall depart... At the time of death the whole thing will pass off  like a dream, so sing the praises of Him”.

But how to realise the true path? Guru Tegh Bahadur says Naam-simran is the only remedy. “Mother, I have obtained the wealth of the God’s Name. My mind is rid of running hither and thither. It has found its rest. Illusion and desire of possession have departed from my body — the pure knowledge of God has dawned. Greed and delusion do not touch me now... I have obtained the jewel of the Name”.

A great warrior, a great poet, a prophet, Guru Tegh Bahadur was an unusual martyr who had sacrificed his life to defend the tilak and janaeu of the Kashmiri Pandits. Through his martyrdom he asserted the right of choice of religious symbols and beliefs. His act was a mark of protest against the fundamental forces bent upon creating a uniform faith. His  martyrdom was to secure individual freedom. No wonder, Guru Tegh Bahadur is known as “Hind di Chadar”.