Escaping Prison

(Continued from the last article).

The pure belongs to the ‘Wonderous Enlightener. The victory belongs to the ‘Wonderous Enlightener’.

Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji's Sikhs were brutally martyred but the brutal executions were not isolated cases. The following are a few facts that will outline what sort of a person ‘Aurangzeb’ was.  He had his sister ‘Roshan Aara’ poisoned, leading her to a slow painful death. He murdered his brother ‘Dara Shikoh’ to eliminate any competition posed to his throne. He imprisoned his own daughter ‘Jebal Nusan’ just because she was a creative poet and any form of expressive arts such as poetry or ‘Raag’ (music) was banned in the ‘Mughal’ rule. He also imprisoned his father (the former ‘Mughal’ emperor) ‘Shah Jahan’ so that he could keep full control over his forcefully acquired rule. History records how he would starve his father of any water or food and would tease him by suggesting that his father had paper to eat and ink to drink, seen as his father seemed to write letters while in confinement. ‘Sufi’ leaders such as Sarmad (a ‘Fakeer’) were executed as well as leaders from the ‘Shia’ Islamic sect. This was because Aurangzeb strictly followed the ‘Sunni’ sect of Islam to the word. He even once sunk a boat full of ‘Sadhus’ (spiritual practitioners) and drowned them to their death. Hence, his extreme views would leave no room for any secular consideration of other ways of life. This quick sketch says enough about him for us to understand why the ‘Khalsa’ have historically referred to him as ‘Nauranga’ (the hideous, on the throne).

According to ‘Gurpartap Sooraj Parkash’, after hearing about such ruthless executions of Mati Das Ji, Sati Das Ji and Dayala Ji, the remaining Sikhs that had accompanied Guru Ji from ‘Anandpur Sahib’ managed to escape prison at night. Before leaving, they expressed to Guru Ji how horrid this emperor was and feared what their fate would probably be. Udha 'Ji', Sahib Chand 'Ji’ (both from ‘Hassanpur/ Kabulpur’) and Jaita 'Ji’ were their names. Guru Ji gave them the choice to leave if they wished and this is what they chose to do. However, where these Sikhs avoided martyrdom, they were still brave enough to take further responsibilities. For example, ‘Sahib Chand’ was instructed by Guru Ji to relay the message back to his family in Anandpur Sahib that Guru Ji will not be returning home and they should stay strong within themselves, knowing that his sacrifice will bring the end of the tyrant rule of the Mughals’. Noteworthy here is ‘Sikhs’ such as ‘Gurditta Ji’ (who even though had his hands cuffed and shackles around his ankles) still continued to serve Guru Ji as best as he could in prison. He was separated from Guru Ji during the nights but would be present in the mornings in Guru Ji's service.

After the Mughals discovered that three ‘Sikhs’ had managed to escape prison, they confined Guru Ji in a ‘Pinjra’ (cage) where he could neither stand straight or sit down comfortably. This was because the cage had poisoned spikes fitted within it and forced the occupier into an awkward body posture. The cage was locked with chains all around it and prison guards would remain next to the cage, watching Guru Ji at all times. One ‘Daroga’ (supervision guard) would even sleep next to Guru Ji’s cage at night to keep constant supervision. However, as time progressed one of these guards (whose name is recorded as ‘Abdullah’ some sources) realised how great Guru Ji was through his divine teachings and life guidance. He was so inspired by Guru Ji, that he even offered to release Guru Ji and accompany Guru Ji back to wherever he wanted to go. However, Guru Ji declined this offer, knowing that martyrdom was his only destination. This guard played a crucial role in allowing the communication between Guru Ji and his family, allowing ‘Sikhs’ to visit Guru Ji with messages. Guru Ji stated that the fact that he was willing to lose his job and potentially his life for Guru Ji’s sake, was more than enough and he needed not to think anymore.

Sri Gobind Singh Ji, his mother Mata Gujri Ji and his grandmother Mata Nanaki Ji had agreed to send ‘Sahib Chand’ back to Delhi so any further communication from Guru Ji could be brought back again. This was the same ‘Sahib Chand’ that had earlier managed to escape prison and reach ‘Anandpur Sahib’ safely. *‘Sahib Chand’ eventually met Guru Ji again due to ‘Abdullah’ being on duty. With the paper and ink brought by Sahib Chand, Guru Ji wrote the revelation of ‘Salok Mahala Nava’ whilst imprisoned in the cage and sent it back to his family. It was through this communication that Guru Ji chose his son Sri Gobind Singh Ji to be his predecessor as the next Guru. In this case, ‘Sahib Chand’ travelled back and forth to relay the messages of Guru Ji and his family to each other.

*It was this same ‘Sahib Chand’ that later became a great martyr in battle, whilst defending the fort of ‘Nirmohgarh Sahib’.

Interestingly, ‘Mata Gujri Ji’ had a scary dream the night before her son Sri Gobind Singh Ji was chosen as the next ‘Guru’. This dream awoke her and kept her awake all night in a worry. She not only saw Guru Ji choosing his son as the predecessor, but also saw her husband Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji being beheaded by an executioner (to uphold his promise). History records this beautifully as tears streamed from Mata Gujri Ji’s eyes:

“With a meek mind, the supreme ‘Gujri’ uttered, ‘I have a thirst to see you. However you know possible to fulfil this, make this happen oh lord. My conscious forever lives within you.27.”   

(‘Kavi’ Santokh Singh, Gurpartap Sooraj Parkash, 12th Raas, Chapter 63, Verse 27).

To be continued...

The pure belongs to the ‘Wonderous Enlightener. The victory belongs to the ‘Wonderous Enlightener’.

References:

1. Guru Granth Sahib Ji

2. Sant Gurbachan Singh - (Katha) 'Shaheedi Saka of Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji' (Parts 1 & 2) 3.Thakur Das - Shaheed Bilas

4. Kavi Santokh Singh - Gurpartap Sooraj Parkash

5. Kahan Singh (Nabha) - Mahan Kosh

6. Giani Pinderpal Singh - (Katha) 'Jeevan Katha Ate Shahadat Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji'

7. Bhatt Vahi

8. Alphabet.Inc - Google

9. Dr Sukhpreet S - (Lectures) 'Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji'

10. Sant Kartar Singh - (Katha) 'Shaheedi Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji'

11. Punjab Siyan - (Videos) on 'Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji'

12. Jatha Randhawa - Gurbani Arth Bhandar

13. The History of Kashmir (Book)

14. Bhai Vir Singh - Footnote Exegesis of 'Gurpratap Sooraj'

15. www.historicalgurdwaras.com 

16. www.discoversikhism.com 

17. Google Maps

18. Giani Sher Singh - Katha Sooraj Parkash Chapter 67, 12th Raas

19. Many lectures, discussions and articles of Lakhi Shah Vanjara (found on YouTube and online)

20. Sant Gurbachan Singh - (Katha) '12th Raas, Chapters 38 -68' of Gurpartap Sooraj Parkash 21. Giani Gian Singh - Panth Parkash

22. Giani Gian Singh - Tavarikh Guru Khalsa