| |
While the entire
society on the earth was enveloped in jealousy, hatred, cruelty,
sins, crime, the God mercifully desired to send Guru Nanak to
earth to spread the name of one God in order to establish peace,
harmony, eradicate hatred, remove superstitions and to bestow
solace to the burning society.
With the grace of almighty Guru
Nanak was born in Punjab province in 1469 AD. From his
childhood, both by precept and example, he began to evince a
highly refined and sublime spirit and started his mission to
liberate the people from the priestly serfdom and superstitious
bondage.
Nanak with a view to bring the
people in the world to same level without any distinctions
travelled in India, Asia, Middle East, Far East and some distant
islands, wherever he went, he addressed the people in their
language by virtue.
He was ever calm and cool,
never lost his temper or resorted to harshness in response to
cruel or unjust treatment. His preaching's were mostly confined
to instilling in to the minds of the people, a spirit of
meekness, humility, righteousness and surrender to the will of
God.
The performance of such a long
journey, when means of conveyance were so rare and difficult,
especially in foreign countries professing different and
antagonistic faith is nothing but wonderful. He travelled for
sowing the seed of truth, prepared the people for a grand
religious revolution to establish faith in one God. To remove
the curse of untouchability, Guru Nanak, on his world wide tour,
took with him two disciples a Hindu named Bala and another a
Muslim named Mardana, both of low castes and treated them as
brothers.
In 1504 AD on one of his four
travels, Guru Nanak with his companions arrived at Rajmahal,
Gaya, Baijnath, Bhangalpur, Sahibgang. The Raja Namdeo of
Rajmahal requested Guruji to stay with him for some time and
offered a garden called "Guru-Ka-Bag" (i.e. Guru's Garden).
On resuming his tour, guru ji
travelled through Murshidabd, Krishnagarh, Shahzadpur, Sirajgunj,
Devipur, Dacca and Dhanpur, at Dhanpur his companion Mardana
felt hungry and went to the village in search but was enchanted
and felt victim of witchcraft enacted by notorious women of that
village, Guru could visualize with his divine power and
dispelled the enchantment. On the other hand, the women in their
turn were entangled in difficulty and their evil craft could not
disentangle. Then they all in a body fell on the feet of Guruji
and prayed for pardon. Sri S.K. Bhuyan thus writes in his
"Background of Assamese Culture" when so late as 1500 AD. Guru
Nanak, the first Guru and the founder of valiant Sikh nation,
while reaching Dhanpur, on his world wide tour, near Dacca, has
a bitter anguish of finding his brave companion Mardana, a
Punjabi Musician accompanying him on his tour, converted into
lamb before his eyes, by a women of this country, who could as
reconvert the young man to his natural anatomical shape
according to her personal and private needs of worldly desire.
The Guru dispelled the enchantment and baffled all attempts of
renew it…" The Guru addressed those women on the following hymn
which is enshrined in Guru Granth Sahibji.
"In speech we are vitreous but in deeds we are vicious. In heart
impure and black but outwardly we profess to be innocent. We
enemy those sisters who serves their husband standing at the
side of his bed for whole night," "They love their husband and
enjoy pleasure in their company. You buy earth impregnated with
salt and pepper only, but ask for mask into bargain."
In 1505 AD on his world wide
tours, Guru Nanak the founder of Sikhism, came to Assam via
Dhanpur near Dacca and stayed with Shrimanta Shankardeva, the
greatest Vaishnavite reformer of Assam at the present site of
Guruduwara, Dhubri Sahib, under Goalpara District (Assamese
culture by S.K.Bhuyan.). Both discussed ways and means of saving
the people from the clutches of Saktism and Tantrism, for
including religious reforms, praying one God, eradication of the
curses of black magic and black arts.
They also discussed how to
save people from the curses of untouchability, hatred and to
bring harmony, generating feeling of equality. Besides the place
was rendered holy with the touch of feet of Guru Nanak (Max
Arthar Macauliff. Page356). He then visited Rangamati, Jagigopa,
Goalpara and stayed for some time at Kamakhya to deliver the
message of one to the High priest which is still preserved there
by the successors.
He thereafter visited Hajo,
where he named a hillock as Bala Hill (Bala was companions of
Guru) Mani-Kar-Nashwar Hills, stayed at Matsyadwaja. The River
Savrat flow from Kamalake on the bank of which Guru Nanak built
a temple naming the lake as Mardana Kund (Mardana was companion
of Guru Nanak)
During the course of his
journey, he also visited Sadya where Sri Krishna had married
Rukmani. Brahmakund, where saint Parshuram had taken bath and
regained saint hood , after fulfilling his vow to kill
Kshatriyas with his axe. From this place he further traveled to
Tibet, China, Japan, Java, Smatra, Philippines, Burma and
re-entered India via Bishanpore in Imphal.
After the demise of 8th Guru
Harkishanji, Guru Teg Bahadur Sahibji was installed as 9th Guru
at Baba BAkala village in Amritsar District on 16th April 1664
AD. He stayed for some time at Bakala by imparting instructions
relating to Guru Nanak mission.
He then visited Harmandir
Sahib at Amritsar and had a holy dip in the sacred Sarover
constructed by Sri Guru Ram Dassji. After leaving Amritsar he
halted at several place and communicated spiritual discourses
generating devotions to one God.
On crossing river Beas he
reached village Hazara near Kartarpur where the devotees
constructed Gurudwara in commemoration of his visit. The Guru
proceeded further in stages and reached Kiratpur, where he did
not like to stay for not offending his rival group present
there.
Thus rested on some land six
mile away, which he subsequently purchased from Raja Kahlur and
founded city Annandpur in 1665 AD. In order to spread the names
of the true God, Guru Teg Bahadurji started his missionary tour
in December 1665 AD from Anandpur and first halt was at Molowat
in Patiala state and blessed the people with God's name.
As the water of the area was
not good to drink, Guru asked to repeat the name of God over the
wall nearby draw water there from and the water was found to be
pure and sweet. His Guru continued his journey, visited many
places of which prominent are Kurukshetra, Agra, Prayag, Banaras
(where shoe & coat of Guruji are still preserved). At Gaya Guru
exposed the hypocrisy and deceit of the Brahmins, exhorted them
to meditate on God and thoughts his Sikhs to remain ever free
from their toils.
The Guru continued his
missionary journey arrived at Patna. Hearing the fame of Gurujee,
people of all walks of life rushed to him for Darshana, made
offerings and constructed a magnificent mansion, presently
converted into Harimandir. While morning prayers was being
enchanted as per daily routine, an envoy from Raja Ram Singh,
son of Mirja Singh of Ambar (Jaipur) arrived and later made
offerings to Gurujee.
The envoy narrated the object
"The Emperor Aurangzeb" has ordered my master to invade Kamrup
(Assam) kindly extend your protections as the areas are full of
Jadu-Mantar. Black magic which plays disastrous role for human
beings. My master will soon arrive in person to offer homage at
your lotus feet and to solicit your mercy. The Guru then advice
to continuously meditate on "God's name" and god will so good. I
am already on missionary tour and will reach Assam in stages via
Malda, Dacca etc.
On hearing that his rayed has
been accepted Raja Ram Singh, Commander of Emperor Aurangzeb's
army felt inspired that at the mercy of Sri Teg Bahdur his
victory is sure and stared preparing to march ahead on
expedition to Assam, The Guru then stationed his mother and wife
at Patna entrusting them to his brother in-law Kirpal Chand and
set out this missionary journey to eastern region.
Wherever he went he was
received with great honor and the people to whom he enjoined
devotion to one God and communicated religious instructions. He
thought Mangher, Bhagalpur, Rajmahal, Malda, reaches Dacca in
stages.
Massand named Bulaki Das
resided at Dacca, whose mother had taken a vow that if the Guru
ever visited the place, she would request him to sit on the
couch which was made for Guru, dressed him with the cloths which
she had spun herself and serve him a dainty meal prepared by her
own hands. The Guru knowing her devotion and desire of heart
went without any other guidance, straight to her residence and
called to her from outside on hearing the Guru she ran forth
full of joy and placed her head on the feet of Guru.
There are three historical Gurudawaras Known As:
- Guru Nanak's Temple at
Sujatpur in which there is a well and it bears Gurumukhi
inscriptions proving its antiquity.
- Sakher Mandir near Rayer
Bazar when Guru came to know that water of this place was
not good for people to drink he asked the people to repeat
the name of god and draw water. It was surprising that to
all the water of the well become potable and started
changing its colour.
- Sangat Tola Gurdwara
where Guru Teg Bahadur Ji stayed while at Dacca and blessed
Raja Ram Singh during expedition to Assam, assured all
protection against evil effects of black magic and jadu
mantar etc.
Raja Ram Singh therefore proceeded to Rangamati area, the
Mughal's outpost and camped his army there. On hearing the
arrival of Guruji the inhabitant of Dacca rushed to honor
him and received his spiritual instructions and
benedictions. The Guru seeing their enthusiasm said that
Dacca is the store house of faith on Guru Nanak Mission.
The Guru then set out for Assam and after crossing the River
Brahmaputra reached Dam Dama Sahib (visiting place of Guru
Nanak) on the banks of the river Brahmaputra, which was
named as Dhubri by him.
When Raja Chakradhar of Kamrup heard of Raja Ram Singh's
arrival to attack him he vowed to destroy him and his army
and ordered all the women who were famous for their magical
skill and one such woman was Netai Dhuban by name.
On the other side Sri Guru Teg Bahadurji alerted Raja Ram
Singh to shift his army, camped alongside river bank to
higher place, as a created flood is likely to effect at
night. Thus the flood created at night with the power of
black art had washed away those who did not shift to higher
places and those who had shifted were saved.
By seeing the poser of black magic the soldiers in the camp
of Raja Ram Singh were extremely demoralized but the Guru
assured them that nothing would happen to them. They should
concentrate on almighty and repeat the name of God. When the
magical attempt could not harm in the presence of Guru Teg
Bahadur, she (Netai) became furious and hurled a big stone
(several meters long) at Guruji but due to the spiritual
powers of Guruji, the stone fell aside with such an impact
that more than half of it was penetrated into the ground.
Failing in her attempt she uprooted a "Pipal Tree" and
riding on it, made another attack on Guru. The "Pipal Tree"
stopped in the air before it reached him. When Netai felt
powerless grew weary of her efforts, she was convinced about
the divine power of Guru Teg Bahadur and begged to be
pardoned she fell on her knees, openly accepted her defeat
and prayed that her name should remain and people should
remember her name. The Guru told her that this place will
become big town and will be known as Dhubri on your name
provided you do not indulged in such black art in future.
One night Kamrup Raja's mother saw in a vision the Goodness
Devi saying, "Guru Nanak has taken birth in the Kaliyuga, on
his religious Gaddi Sri Guru Teg Bahadur is reincarnated, he
is here with Raja Ram Singh who has become his discipline.
Nowadays the Guru is Sovereign and no one his strong enough
to oppose him go and bow down to his lotus feet, your rule
shall be everlasting."
Thus the Kamrup Raja approached Guruji and made humble
prayer not to allow him to fall in to the power of Mughal
Empire. The Guru advised him not to worry anymore and
assured that God will take care of him. On this Raja was
delighted and request the Guru to set his foot on his city
with Raja Ram Singh. Thus with the influence of Guru,
peaceful negotiations were reached and both the Rajas became
friends, "Gurubhai" and exchanged turbuns for lifelong
amity.
From both side offerings were made to Guruji due to the
peaceful negotiation, bloodshed was avoided. On the advise
of Guruji, soldiers of both the Rajas built the mound of
earth and cover the root of the Piple Tree which was hanging
in the air. Each soldier brought five shieldful of earth
from Ranga Mati Hill. The Guru then got constructed a shrine
at the top of the mound which could be seen from great
distance, in the name of Guru Nanak.
Some of follower of Guru remained behind in Dhubri, to look
after the temple (Holy Shrine) and their decedents are ever
found in Goalpara and other place of Assam. Sri Guru Teg
Bahadur spent some more days at Dhubri Saheb Gurdwara. The
devotees on hearing of his fame started pouring in crowds
after covering long distances for his darshan and obtain his
blessings.
He was given great honor throughout the country and his
reputation having reached Raja Ram Singh (Ram Manikya) of
Tripura and Jaintia of Assam who had no offspring and
earnestly desired a son, he with his two wives came and made
obeisance to the Guru and while making his request he felt
abashed. The Guru knowing the state of his mind encouraged
him to speak and then the Raja requested for the boon of an
heir to his throne. In reply the Guru took off his signet
ring, stamped on Raja's thighs and said that the impression
of my seal shall be on the forehead of your son and name him
as Ratan Rao, by this you should know that Guru Nanak has
mercifully granted the off springs and therefore make him a
Sikh.
The Raja also had the Charan Pahal and became a Sikh. After
the death of Raja Ram Manikya, his son Ratan Rao ascended
the throne of Tripura as Ratana Manikya and came to
Anandpore Saheb to pay his respect to Guru Gobind Singh the
son of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur, with Price less presents.
The Emperor Aurungzeb had brutally resorted to the process
of converting the Hindus into Islam. The high caste Hindus
approached Guru Teg Bahdur at Anandpur and told the sad
story as too how the Hindus were being converted, not
withstanding to the six months respite granted to them.
"We have come to seek your protections in whatever way
deemed most expedient," they said The tale of woe and
suffering narrated by pundits, plunged the Guru in deep
thought. It was clear that the Aurangzeb had almost lost his
soul and started the path of sheer brutality. The death and
sufferings of countless ordinary persons was not producing
any effect on the hardened conscience of Aurangzeb and
subordinate rulers.
Then Guru Teg Bahadur said that a holiest, purest person and
most revered by the people has to lay down his life in an
attempt to rouse the sleeping soul of the Emperor. Such a
sacrifice would also generate courage in the mind of
oppressed and would learn to live with the honour or die
rather than accepting conversions.
Balak Gobind Singh who was of 9 years age heard the
conversation and replied "why to search a holy and purest
person, who can be holier and pure than you?" So, Guru Teg
Bahadur resolved to go to Delhi and thus sacrificed himself
for the sake of Hindu religion in 1675 AD. This way the
further conversions were plugged as the mind and soul of the
Emperor Aurangzeb was shaken. His own conscience started
humiliating for this heinous act of killing of a man of God.
|
|