Guru Ji’s beloved Martyrs

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

(Continued from the last article)

As time progressed in the jail with Guru Ji and his Sikhs imprisoned, a ‘Moulana’ (Islamic priest) overheard ‘Bhai Mati Das Ji’ expressing his disgust to Guru Ji at the way the ‘Mughals’ conducted themselves as rulers. He stated how he would love to end the unjust ‘Mughal’ dynasty if he could. Guru Ji replied to him by explaining that their sacrifices would be the turning point in ending this ‘Mughal’ rule forever and remaining in ‘God’s will be the best practice. The ‘Moulana’ relayed the conversation to ‘Naurang’ who in rage ordered for the ‘Sikh’ to be summoned for expressing his views. Some sources suggest that all the ‘Sikhs’ that had accompanied Guru Ji from ‘Anandpur Sahib’, were summoned and offered bribes to betray their Guru and accept Islam. They were offered senior positions within the empire and promised their own portions of land. However, these ‘Sikhs’ all accepted death instead of joining the evil regime and betraying their Guru.

As a result, ‘Bhai Mati Das Ji’ was tied in between two slates of wood and sawn in half until his body split into two parts. In ‘Shaheed Bilas’ written by ‘Thakur Das’ (from the ‘Bhalle’ lineage in ‘Hargobindpur Sahib’), he expressed the love that radiated from Mati Das's heart:

“When the saw had cut into the head by ‘two fingers’ (of measure), Mati Das Ji called out to the ‘Khazi’ to be patient and listen: ‘My beloved (God) abides within every hair on my body. I choose the saw over the sin of leaving my faith. Even if you cut my body into millions of pieces, even then so I will not leave my faith as I have no desire for your ‘religion’. The saw is loving to me so make it sharp. If my life is to perish then let it be, as long as my faith in ‘Sikhi’ does not perish' ”.

As this execution then further commenced, ‘Mati Das Ji’ started to recite ‘Jap Ji Sahib’ and history records how this scripture could be heard from both pieces of his body even after splitting into two. This utterance continued to resonate until the entire scripture was completed. Such was the way that ‘God’ glorified this great steadfast Sikh. His last wish was to face the jail in which Guru Ji was imprisoned whilst he was martyred, so that he could face his Guru’s direction at the time of sacrifice. The spot in which he was brutally executed is marked by the fountain outside ‘Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib’ in ‘Chandni Chowk’ (old Delhi). This extraordinary martyrdom exemplified the following ‘Shabad’ perfectly:

Aasaa || I would rather be cut apart by a saw, than have you turn your back on me. Embrace me close, and listen to my plea. ||1|| I am a sacrifice to you, please, turn Your face to me Beloved (Lord). Why do You kill me by turning Your back to me? ||1||Pause|| Even if You cut my body apart, I shall not pull my limbs away from You. Even if my body falls, I shall not break my bonds of love with You. ||2|| Between You and I, there is no other. You are the husband (Lord), and I am the bride (soul). ||3|| Says Kabeer: listen oh people, now I place no reliance in you. ||4||2||35||

(Bhagat Kabeer Ji - Raag Aasaa - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 484)

This is the same ‘Mati Das Ji’ that Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji refered to as his ‘friend’ and ‘companion’ in one of his ‘Hukamname’ (edicts), making him more than just a ‘Sikh’ or ‘Deevan’ (court minister). Kavi Santokh Singh has written about this great ‘Sikh’ after Guru Ji warned his followers off, from following him to martyrdom:

“There were five on horseback who remained close (to Guru Ji). These five had held onto Guru Ji’s company stubbornly. One of these five was ‘Mati Das’ - Guru Ji’s minister. He would forever remain close to Guru Ji and was very wise. His heart was pure as he had conducted much service. As a result, he had obtained spiritual prowess and rid himself of bad intellect. He was knowledgeable and powerful in his conduct. Within his conscious was patience and virtues. Making his mind steadfast, he did not leave the company of Guru Ji and was in love for the supreme Guru’s feet.”       

(‘Kavi’ Santokh Singh – Sri Gurpartap Sooraj Parkash - 12th Raas, Chapter 31, Verse 36-38)

Bhai Dayala Ji’ was next to be viciously martyred, being boiled alive within a (lid closed) cauldron that was lit by fire beneath it. This Sikh continued to recite ‘Sukhmani Sahib’ during his torture and displayed the strength of his faith over submission to tyrants. Historically, this Sikh came from a family lineage that sacrificed so much for Guru Ji over the years. He had eleven other brothers of which ten were martyrs. His grandfather was the great ‘Bhai Ballu Ji’ who died fighting in the army of Guru Hargobind Ji during the first battle in ‘Amritsar Sahib’. In historical ‘Hukamname' ‘Dyala Ji’ had been given the responsibility of overlooking the family of Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji whilst living in ‘Patna Sahib’. There is also a letter addressed by Guru Ji that states the congregation should accept what ‘Bhai Dyala Ji’ says as the words of the Guru. This displays just how closely associated these Sikhs were with Guru Ji. They were more than just ‘Sikhs’, they fulfilled well trusted responsibilities for Guru Ji.

Lastly, ‘Bhai Sati Das Ji’ was wrapped by thick layers of wool and barbarically burned alive. This ‘Sikh’ was the brother of ‘Mati Das Ji’ and had two other brothers by the names of ‘Jati Das’ and ‘Sakhi Das’. Some sources suggest that Guru Ji was brought out of his cell to witness these Sikhs being martyred right before his eyes. This was an attempt to show two possible outcomes to Guru Ji. If these ‘Sikhs’ abandoned their faith, they would be shown doing it right before Guru Ji (to insult him). If these ‘Sikhs’ remained steadfast however, then their horrific deaths would instil fear within Guru Ji. As a result, the ‘Mughals’ were unsuccessful either way, because Guru Ji was pleased to see his ‘Sikhs’ pass their tests of extreme love with flying colours.

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

References: 1. Sant Gurbachan Singh - (Katha) 'Shaheedi Saka of Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji' Parts 1 & 2 2. Thakur Das - Shaheed Bilas 3. Kavi Santokh Singh - Gurpartap Sooraj Parkash 4. Kahan Singh (Nabha) - Mahan Kosh 5. Giani Pinderpal Singh - (Katha) Jeevan Katha Ate Shahadat Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji' 6. Bhatt Vahi 7. Alphabet.Inc - Google 8. Dr Sukhpreet S - (Lectures) 'Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji' 9. Sant Kartar Singh - (Katha) 'Shaheedi Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji' 10. Punjab Siyan - 'Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji' 11. Jatha Randhawa - Gurbani Arth Bhandar 12. The History of Kashmir (Book) 13. Bhai Vir Singh - Footnote Exegesis of 'Gurpratap Sooraj' 14. www.historicalgurdwaras.com 15. www.discoversikhism.com 16. Google Maps 17. Giani Gian Singh - Panth Parkash 18. Giani Gian Singh - Tavarikh Guru Khalsa