First Slaps, then marriage...
We are all celebrating Siri Guru Gobind Singh jee`s Gurpurab. Couple of Saakhis have been written this year in remembrance of Siri Guru jee and here is the next little known but very interesting Saakhi of Guru Sahib jee.
Once Siri Guru jee along with Sangat was walking towards his Diwan. On the way, a Sikh was working on building a wall. He was working carelessly and without regard for the Sangat. As Sangat was passing by, some mud fell on Guru Sahib and Sangat, thereby spoiling their clothes. Siri Guru jee sensing the disregard for Sangat, on this Sikh`s part, ordered that this Sikh be given a slap.
As soon as the Sikhs walking along with Siri Guru jee heard the Hukam to slap this Sikh, they all rushed towards the Sikh and slapped him so seriously that he fainted. Siri Guru jee was very upset at the severe reaction of the accompanying Sikhs and addressing the Sangat said, ``He is our Sikh and you not only slapped him but kept hitting him even when his Dastaar fell off. You continued hitting his head and did not even give regard to his Hair. Anyone who dishonours our Sikh`s Hair is a big sinner.``
Hearing Guru Sahib, some Gursikhs replied that they had only fulfilled His Hukam of slapping this impertinent Sikh.
Siri Guru jee said that this Sikh`s offense was small but they had given disproportionate punishment to him. Guru Sahib further said that He had ordered only one Sikh to slap but they all had thrashed him heavily.
Guru Sahib sensed that the Sikhs had not fully realized their mistake. Guru Sahib said, ``you all claim to obey Guru`s Hukam to the fullest. Now we give Hukam that one of you give your daughter`s hand to this poor Sikh, for marriage.``
Hearing this Hukam from Guru Sahib, everyone was stunned and no one said anything or even moved a limb, to avoid any attention from Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib sensing their silence said, ``Bhai Sikho, Guru`s Sikh is one who obeys all Hukams and not just Hukams that suit him. It seems like you are Sikhs in name only.``
Hearing these strong words of Guru Sahib a Sikh by the name of Ajaib Singh from Kandhaar (Afghanistan), quickly spoke to his daughter and in a moment humbly said to Guru Sahib that he and his daughter were ready to obey Guru Sahib`s Hukam.
Guru Sahib was very pleased and declared ``Nihaal! Nihaal! O Sikh, you have kept the honour of Sikhi.``
Now that poor Sikh whose name was Kahn Singh said, ``O Satguru jee, I am a poor Sikh. I can`t get married.``
Before Guru Sahib could say anything, the bhujangan (daughter) came forward and said, ``As per Bachans (words) of Guru Sahib, my father has offered me for marriage to you. If you don`t get married to me, I will stay unmarried for rest of my life and serve Guru`s Sangat and will not go anywhere else.``
Siri Guru jee then addressed, Kahn Singh, ``O Kahn Singh, this Bhujangan is very virtuous. If you get married to her, obeying our Bachan, you will lead a very fruitful life. You will be blessed with 5 sons who will serve Guru`s house earnestly. There will be no shortage in your life.``
Kahn Singh obeyed Guru Sahib`s Hukam and got married to the Bhujangan. Thereafter he went to his town in Malwa and as per Guru Sahib`s boon had 5 Rehitvaan sons and had a very blessed and happy life.
Important lessons to learn from this Saakhi:
1. Hitting a Sikh is a sin.
2. Dishonouring a Sikh`s hair by hitting him on the head or pulling hair is a big sin.
3. We should obey all Hukams of Guru Sahib, and not only the ones we find profitable or easier to obey.
4. We should strive to keep Guru Sahib`s honour. When Guru Sahib asked for the hand of a daughter, and when a Sikh bowed his head before Guru Sahib, look how much Khushi Guru Sahib gave to the father and the daughter.
5. Such instances where we are blessed with a chance to do something for Panth don`t come in abundance and when we do get such chance, we should not let it go in vain.
6. The Bhujangan's faith in Guru Sahib was amazing. Such faith is required to gain the spiritual substance we want, from Guru Sahib.
Bhul Chuk dee Maafi jee.
Daas,
Kulbir Singh
Main source: Gurpratap Sooraj Prakash by Mahakavi Bhai Santokh Singh jee Choodamani.
Once Siri Guru jee along with Sangat was walking towards his Diwan. On the way, a Sikh was working on building a wall. He was working carelessly and without regard for the Sangat. As Sangat was passing by, some mud fell on Guru Sahib and Sangat, thereby spoiling their clothes. Siri Guru jee sensing the disregard for Sangat, on this Sikh`s part, ordered that this Sikh be given a slap.
As soon as the Sikhs walking along with Siri Guru jee heard the Hukam to slap this Sikh, they all rushed towards the Sikh and slapped him so seriously that he fainted. Siri Guru jee was very upset at the severe reaction of the accompanying Sikhs and addressing the Sangat said, ``He is our Sikh and you not only slapped him but kept hitting him even when his Dastaar fell off. You continued hitting his head and did not even give regard to his Hair. Anyone who dishonours our Sikh`s Hair is a big sinner.``
Hearing Guru Sahib, some Gursikhs replied that they had only fulfilled His Hukam of slapping this impertinent Sikh.
Siri Guru jee said that this Sikh`s offense was small but they had given disproportionate punishment to him. Guru Sahib further said that He had ordered only one Sikh to slap but they all had thrashed him heavily.
Guru Sahib sensed that the Sikhs had not fully realized their mistake. Guru Sahib said, ``you all claim to obey Guru`s Hukam to the fullest. Now we give Hukam that one of you give your daughter`s hand to this poor Sikh, for marriage.``
Hearing this Hukam from Guru Sahib, everyone was stunned and no one said anything or even moved a limb, to avoid any attention from Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib sensing their silence said, ``Bhai Sikho, Guru`s Sikh is one who obeys all Hukams and not just Hukams that suit him. It seems like you are Sikhs in name only.``
Hearing these strong words of Guru Sahib a Sikh by the name of Ajaib Singh from Kandhaar (Afghanistan), quickly spoke to his daughter and in a moment humbly said to Guru Sahib that he and his daughter were ready to obey Guru Sahib`s Hukam.
Guru Sahib was very pleased and declared ``Nihaal! Nihaal! O Sikh, you have kept the honour of Sikhi.``
Now that poor Sikh whose name was Kahn Singh said, ``O Satguru jee, I am a poor Sikh. I can`t get married.``
Before Guru Sahib could say anything, the bhujangan (daughter) came forward and said, ``As per Bachans (words) of Guru Sahib, my father has offered me for marriage to you. If you don`t get married to me, I will stay unmarried for rest of my life and serve Guru`s Sangat and will not go anywhere else.``
Siri Guru jee then addressed, Kahn Singh, ``O Kahn Singh, this Bhujangan is very virtuous. If you get married to her, obeying our Bachan, you will lead a very fruitful life. You will be blessed with 5 sons who will serve Guru`s house earnestly. There will be no shortage in your life.``
Kahn Singh obeyed Guru Sahib`s Hukam and got married to the Bhujangan. Thereafter he went to his town in Malwa and as per Guru Sahib`s boon had 5 Rehitvaan sons and had a very blessed and happy life.
Important lessons to learn from this Saakhi:
1. Hitting a Sikh is a sin.
2. Dishonouring a Sikh`s hair by hitting him on the head or pulling hair is a big sin.
3. We should obey all Hukams of Guru Sahib, and not only the ones we find profitable or easier to obey.
4. We should strive to keep Guru Sahib`s honour. When Guru Sahib asked for the hand of a daughter, and when a Sikh bowed his head before Guru Sahib, look how much Khushi Guru Sahib gave to the father and the daughter.
5. Such instances where we are blessed with a chance to do something for Panth don`t come in abundance and when we do get such chance, we should not let it go in vain.
6. The Bhujangan's faith in Guru Sahib was amazing. Such faith is required to gain the spiritual substance we want, from Guru Sahib.
Bhul Chuk dee Maafi jee.
Daas,
Kulbir Singh
Main source: Gurpratap Sooraj Prakash by Mahakavi Bhai Santokh Singh jee Choodamani.