June 16 marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru who completed the construction of the Golden Temple, the preeminent spiritual site of Sikhism, and began to compile the Sikh scriptures. He died on this day in 1606.
Born in 1563, Guru Arjun was the son of Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru who initiated the building of the Golden Temple (also known as Harimandir Sahib) in Amritsar, Punjab, India. Guru Arjun saw the project to completion. The temple (see photo) is a place of healing and inspiration, where kirtan (sacred music) is played throughout the day for Sikhs and for visitors from any and all religions. The water surrounding it has been a source of many miraculous healings in the years since the temple was built.
Guru Arjun also compiled the first version of what was to become the Sikh scriptures. He brought together the poems, prayers, sermons and kirtan of the first four Gurus (Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das and Guru Ram Das) as well as his own. This book, initially called the Adi Granth, was later codified and added to by the Tenth Guru, who declared that the Siri Guru Granth Sahib was the true Guru for all Sikhs. It also contains writings of Hindu and Moslem holy men called bhagats.
At the time of Guru Arjun, India was ruled by a Moghul emperor, Jahangir, who, as the result of a military/political battle declared a tax/tribute from anyone who had assisted his enemies. Guru Arjun had offered hospitality to one of the plotters consisting of no more than shelter and food in the way of support. He refused to pay the tax saying it was his spiritual belief that all who came seeking hospitality were to be cared for no matter what their prior actions were. The Guru was arrested and jailed refusing to have any part in the emperor’s scheme.
Wreaking “revenge,” the emperor had Guru Arjun tortured for five days. The Guru refused to give in, saying that he would be a poor example to his followers if he acceded to the emperor’s ruthless injustices. On the fifth day when hot sand had been poured over his body as he sat meditatively on an iron plate stoked by fire, he made a request that he be allowed to bathe. This was granted. The combination of a severely wounded body, and the cold river water shocked the Guru and he collapsed, losing consciousness. He was swept away in the current and his body was never recovered.
His son, Guru Hargobind, was the first Sikh Guru to raise and train a standing army to protect Sikhs as well as all those who could not defend themselves. These first vestiges of a military presence were the beginning of the Sikh’s reputation of fierce warriors and protectors of the innocent.
Thanks to Karta Purkh S Khalsa for this contribution. He is the GKCIC Faith Director of Sikh Dharma. He has been a member of the Sikh path, or Panth, for more than 35 years. He came to the teachings of Guru Nanak as the result of his practice of Kundalini Yoga and meditation. The logic and precision of his yogic practices, discovered after a number years of searching for a “spiritual path” blended perfectly with the beliefs of Sikhism and his own personal beliefs developed over the years.
Reference: The Sikh Religion: Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors by Max Arthur Macauliffe, Vol. 6