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News18
30-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Guru Arjan Dev Martyrdom Day 2025: All You Need To Know About The Fifth Sikh Guru
Last Updated: Guru Arjan Dev Martyrdom Day 2025: The fifth Sikh Guru, was martyred on May 30, 1606, by Emperor Jahangir. Guru Arjan Dev Martyrdom Day 2025: Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Guru of Sikhism. He was born on April 15, 1563, in Goindwal, which is now part of Punjab, India. He is highly regarded for his major contributions to the Sikh faith, including starting the construction of Amritsar's Harmandir Sahib, famously known as the Golden Temple. Guru Arjan took over as the Sikh Guru in 1581, succeeding his father, Guru Ram Das. Building on the foundation laid by his predecessors, he played a vital role in strengthening Sikhism. He is also regarded as the first Sikh Guru to be martyred. Among his key accomplishments was the compilation of the Adi Granth, which eventually became the Guru Granth Sahib, the core scripture of Sikhism. He gathered the writings of the first four Gurus, along with selected hymns from various saints, uniting them in the Adi Granth. Guru Arjan Dev was martyred on May 30, 1606, by the order of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. While historical records vary, the most widely accepted account describe Guru Arjan's arrest and brutal torture. He was taken to Lahore, where he endured severe torture, including being forced to sit on a heated iron plate while boiling sand was poured over him. Despite the immense pain, Guru Arjan Dev stayed serene and composed, reciting hymns from the Adi Granth throughout his ordeal. According to records, Jahangir viewed Guru Arjan Dev's influence as a threat to imperial rule. The Guru was accused of supporting rebellious activities and aiding Jahangir's eldest son Khusrau Mirza, who had challenged the emperor's authority. Guru Arjan Dev's martyrdom had a profound impact on history and deeply strengthened the determination of the Sikh community. It became a key turning point, inspiring Sikhs to resist persecution and injustice. This struggle eventually led to the Sikh faith becoming more militarised under the leadership of Guru Arjan Dev's son, Guru Hargobind Sahib. Apart from compiling the Adi Granth and starting the construction of Harmandir Sahib, here are some of the most important achievements of Guru Arjan Dev: Guru Arjan Dev devoted great effort to spreading Sikh teachings. He stressed the significance of following the Guru's teachings, maintaining devotion to God, and practicing selfless service. His work helped draw many new followers. Even today, his teachings and writings remain a vital source of guidance for Sikhs worldwide. Guru Arjan Dev promoted social equality and started the tradition of langar, a community kitchen that served free meals to everyone, regardless of caste or social status. This practice encouraged unity and equality. Guru Arjan Dev actively encouraged the growth of arts, literature, and music within the Sikh community. He composed many hymns that are part of the Guru Granth Sahib. Additionally, he inspired and supported prominent musicians and poets of his era, helping to enrich and elevate Sikh cultural and artistic heritage. First Published:
Time of India
29-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Sukhmani Sahib: Consoler of the mind
Written by: Inder Raj Ahluwalia The Fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev's life and achievements played a key role in shaping Indian history and spiritual traditions. Preaching Guru Nanak Dev's mission, Guru Arjan Dev propagated humility, devotion, and surrender to God's will. He imparted several teachings on important issues, such as acceptance of God's will, trust, kindness, tolerance, and humility. The cornerstone of his teachings was having faith in one Creator. At a physical level, one of his great tasks was the completion of the tank at Amritsar's Golden Temple. Being truly secular, he had invited a Muslim saint, Mian Mir, to lay the temple's foundation stone. With secularism being of paramount importance, his take on the subject is priceless. Through his life and teachings, the guru promoted universal brotherhood and religious tolerance. Collecting hymns of the first four Sikh gurus and adding his own verses and those of Farid, Kabir, Raidas, Jaidev, and Bhikham, his greatest work was the compilation of the holy Adi Granth. Today, the Granth Sahib is revered by millions worldwide. A priceless legacy bequeathed to us by the Guru is the Sukhmani Sahib prayer. Universally hailed as the 'consoler of the mind' and the 'jewel of peace', Sukhmani Sahib's wealth of positive powers has won the faith of millions. Devotees recite it in devotion to the Guru as an expression of gratitude and faith; it is an invocation for physical and mental well-being and health. In an environment dominated by significant turbulence and violence, the guru wrote the prayer to calm and heal, and he is omnipresent throughout its verses. He poured his very spirit, peace, into this composition. A powerful prescription for peace, calm, and bliss, prayer is undertaken by the devotee with the Guru's generosity, mentorship, and guidance. With 'Sukh', comfort, and 'Mani', mind, the prayer fulfils several goals. It refreshes the mind, soothes frayed nerves and rejuvenates the soul. It also banishes sorrow and removes anguish through sincere remembrance of God. In the third astapadi, canto, the Guru states that any study of holy texts, performance of austerities, etc, cannot compare with reading or listening to the Sacred Word. Above all, Sukhmani Sahib helps one become a better person. It enables one to reach a high spiritual state through meditation and Self-realisation. Guru Arjan Dev believed that 'men who stand for truth have to suffer, and their suffering strengthens the cause of truth'. Amidst upheaval, he found time to encourage trade and industry among the Sikhs, which created a surge in business transactions. He favoured widow remarriage, which hugely impacted contemporary life, and condemned the use of intoxicants. His opening of a leprosy centre in Tarn Taran is a noble reference point in relation to this disease. Almost everything Guru Arjan Dev did was directed at being tolerant, good, and progressive. Today's ravaged, troubled, and fractured world must realise the depth and wisdom of the Guru's philosophy and follow in his footsteps. Guru Arjan Dev created a roadmap for us, and now the onus is on us to follow it. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
