Guru is a word derived from Sanskrit language that means a teacher or a guide. Gurus were the custodians of utmost faith and respect in the society. They themselves lived a life of high morals values and helped others to lead a good life built on the strong pillars of virtues and hence reach the goal of liberation. The Sikh Gurus were the torch-bearers of the right or true way of living for the humanity. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism was born in year 1469. He was succeeded by nine other Gurus till 1708 after which finally Guru Gobind Singh Ji passed the Guru ship to the holy scripture – Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan to parents Kalyan Das Bedi and Mata Tripta Ji. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a staunch believer of equality and was against the distinctions created amongst the communities of people on the basis of religion. He preached the message of oneness though the alchemy of poetry and music. His values of oneness and fundamental brotherhood and sisterhood form the base tenets of the Sikh religion. He had a vivid knowledge of the divine and nature.
The second Sikh Guru, Guru Angad Dev Ji was born in Sarai Matta, India. Guru Angad Dev Ji met Guru Nanak Dev Ji in his early adulthood and became his devoted disciple. He spent many years serving Guru Nanak Dev Ji and imbibing his teachings. Guru Angad Dev Ji is was credited with creating the Gurmukhi script, with a total of thirty-five letters. Guru Angad Dev Ji played a key role in institutionalizing the Guru system within Sikhism, where the Sikh community would follow the teachings of the Guru in a direct lineage. This helped to strengthen and unify the Sikh community. Guru Ji preached against the caste system and other social inequalities and emphasized the importance of living an honest and truthful life.
Guru Amar Das Sahib Ji was the third of the ten Sikh Gurus and was born in the village of Basarke in present-day Amritsar, India. He established the tradition of Langar, or community kitchen, where people of all castes and backgrounds could come together and share a meal as equals. This practice helped to break down social barriers and promote the idea of equality and fraternity amongst people. Guru Amar Das Ji recognized the importance of women's rights and made significant efforts to improve their status in the society. He abolished the practice of Sati and encouraged women's participation in religious ceremonies, appointing women to leadership positions within the Sikh community. The hymns composed by Guru Amar Das JI and later included in Guru Granth Sahib emphasized the importance of devotion, service, and humility.
Guru Ram Das Ji was the fourth Sikh Guru. He was born in Lahore (present-day Pakistan) and was named Jetha. They became a disciple of Guru Amar Das Ji, the third Sikh Guru, at a young age and served him with great devotion. Guru Ram Das Ji is well known for creating the city of Amritsar, also referred as the "Pool of Nectar," which ultimately formed the capital of the Sikh belief system and housed the Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple. Guru Ji worked tirelessly to create sacred space where people of all castes and religions could come together in harmony and worship the divine. Guru Ji emphasized the importance of living a simple and ethical life, and his teachings continue to inspire millions of Sikhs around the world. Guru Ram Das Ji also emphasized the importance of Seva, or selfless service, as a means of achieving spiritual enlightenment. He taught that true happiness and fulfillment comes from serving others and putting their needs before one's own. Guru Ram Das Ji is also known for his divine poetry and hymns, which are included in the Sikh holy scripture the Guru Granth Sahib ji.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji was the fifth of the ten Sikh Gurus. He was born in Amritsar and was named Arjan Mal. He became the Sikh Guru at the young age of 18. He compiled the holy Sikh scriptures ,the Guru Granth Sahib. He also built Sri Harmandir sahib. Guru Arjan Dev Ji was a poet and musician who composed many hymns and verses that are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. Sri Sukhamni sahib is one of his most important composition. A treasure of wisdom, Sukhmani sahib, Jewel of peace has a soothing effect on the mind of the reader and listener. Guru Arjan Dev Ji is called Shaheeda de Sartaaj (The crown of martyrs) as he sacrificed his life to uphold the importance of faith, yet surrendering to the will of the god.
Guru Har Gobind Ji - the sixth Guru in the history of Sikhism. He was the son of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru of Sikhism. Guru Har Gobind Ji is known for his military leadership, as well as his efforts to promote the importance of physical fitness and martial arts among Sikhs. Guru Har Gobind Ji is also known for building the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority. He believed in the importance of both spiritual and temporal power, and he wore two swords to symbolize his dual role as both a spiritual and political leader. Under his leadership, the Sikhs began to organize themselves into a powerful military force. He trained his followers in the art of warfare, and they fought many battles against the Mughal Empire.
Guru Har Rai Ji was the seventh Guru of Sikhs. He was the grandson of Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Guru of Sikhs. Guru Har Rai Ji is known for his compassion and love for nature, and is often referred to as the "Guru of Nature". Guru Har Rai Ji also had a great love for animals and plants. He maintained a beautiful garden at Kiratpur Sahib, which had a wide variety of plants and flowers. Guru Har Rai Ji was a peace-loving Guru who encouraged his followers to live a simple and humble life. He established a hospital at Kiratpur Sahib, which provided free ayurvedic medical care to people of all faiths. Guru Har Rai Ji is also known for his efforts to promote peace and harmony among different religious communities.
Guru Har Krishan Ji was the eighth Guru of Sikhs. He was the youngest Guru in the history of Sikhs. Guru Har Krishan Ji is known for his spiritual wisdom and his compassion for the sick and suffering. During his short tenure as Guru, Guru Har Krishan Ji travelled to Delhi, where a smallpox epidemic was raging. He spent his time in the city helping the sick and dying, and he comforted those who were suffering and he became known as the "healer Guru". Guru Har Krishan ji left his body at the young age of eight. Guru Har Krishan Ji was also known for his spiritual wisdom and his ability to understand complex religious concepts. Despite his young age, he was able to explain the meaning of difficult scriptures to his followers and to answer their spiritual questions. Guru Har Krishan Ji's teachings continue to inspire Sikhs around the world today, and his message of love, compassion, and service remains an important part of Sikh philosophy.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Guru of Sikhs, . He was a spiritual leader who is known for his selflessness, and his sacrifice for humanity. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji became Guru at a time when the Mughal Empire was aggressively trying to convert Hindus to Islam. He was a strong advocate for religious freedom, and he stood up against the forced conversion of Hindus. When the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb ordered Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji to convert to Islam or face death, he refused and was subsequently martyred in Delhi. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is remembered as a martyr for the cause of religious freedom. His sacrifice inspired many Hindus to stand up against the Mughal Empire and to fight for their rights. He also stressed the importance of maintaining one's own religious identity while respecting the beliefs of others.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji was the tenth Guru of Sikhs. He was a spiritual leader, a warrior, and a philosopher who is known for his courage, his devotion to Sikhism, and his contributions to Sikh literature. Guru Gobind Singh Ji became Guru at the young age of nine years old, following the martydom of his father by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Guru Gobind Singh Ji faced many challenges during his lifetime, including battles with the Mughal Empire and the Hill Rajas. He established the Khalsa, a community of initiated Sikhs, to fight against oppression and tyranny. He emphasized the importance of spiritual and moral values, and he encouraged his followers to stand up against injustice and to fight for what is right. In 1699, he initiated the first five members of the Khalsa, who became known as the Panj Pyare. He asked them to embody the qualities of courage, selflessness, and devotion to Sikhism. He also gave them the five articles of faith, which include uncut hair, wooden comb, a Iron Kara, a dagger, and a special undergarment. The Khalsa became a powerful force in Sikh history, and it played a significant role in shaping Sikhism.
Guru Granth Sahib, also known as Adi Granth, is the eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is considered the heart of the Sikh faith, and contains the teachings and writings of the Sikh Gurus as well as selected works of saints and poets from various religions and cultures of South Asia. The compilation of Guru Granth Sahib began in 1604 under the direction of the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Guru Granth Sahib is written in Gurmukhi script and contains 1,430 Angs. It is divided into 60 ragas, which are musical modes that evoke different emotions and moods. The text is organized by these ragas and is meant to be sung and recited, rather than simply read. The hymns in the scripture cover a wide range of topics, including the nature of God, the path to enlightenment, morality, ethics, and social justice. In Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib is considered the living embodiment of the Sikh Gurus and is treated with great reverence and respect.
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