Birth Anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh

Syllabus: GS1/History 

In News

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Guru Gobind Singh Ji on the auspicious occasion of his birth anniversary.

Guru Gobind Singh

• He was Born on December 22, 1666, in Patna Sahib, Bihar.
• He was a renowned warrior, poet, philosopher, and the last of the ten Sikh Gurus.
• He succeeded his father, Guru Teg Bahadur, the 9th Guru, who was executed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb for standing up against religious persecution.

Contributions 

• Guru Gobind Singh is perhaps best known for founding the Khalsa in 1699, a warrior community devoted to protecting the faith and upholding justice.
  • The Khalsa’s five guiding principles, symbolized by the “Five K’s” (Kangha, Kesh, Kara, Kirpan, and Kachhera), remain central to Sikh identity today. 
• He also introduced a strict code of discipline for the Khalsa, including the prohibition of chewing tobacco, eating halal meat, and engaging in adultery or fornication.
• He established the Panj Pyare to symbolize purity, courage, and dedication.

Literary works 

• Guru Gobind Singh has contributed many beautiful hymns and prayers to the holy scripture of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib.
  • These hymns, known as Shabad, are recited and sung during Sangats, or gatherings, with fellow believers.
• He declared the Holy Scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib as the permanent Guru of Sikhs. 

• He added the writings of Guru Teg Bahadur into the ‘Adi Granth’. 
• His works possess a sublime poetic beauty; they were later compiled into the ‘dasm granth’.

Values and Leadership

• He displayed courage, compassion, and commitment to justice from childhood.
• He believed strong character is essential to withstand adversity.
• He was an exceptional strategist, administrator, and leader of the masses.
• He believed in protecting human rights, even through armed resistance when peaceful means failed.

Military Prowess

• He supported oppressed communities like Kashmiri Pandits against Mughal oppression.
• He Fought numerous battles, e.g., Anandpur Sahib, Bhangani, Chamkaur Sahib.
• He gained support across society and inspired even enemies to respect him.

Legacy and Influence

• Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s life and teachings continue to inspire unity, service to humanity, national integrity and the principle of “Nation First.”
• He was Praised by Swami Vivekananda for courage, self-sacrifice, and heroism.
  • He Unified Hindus and Muslims under common principles of justice.

Source :DD News