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Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji: Childhood - 14 Years
July 16, 2005
Paneet Singh (15) - Burnaby, BC, Canada
 Posted July 17, 2005
  Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji was born on July 15th, 1595 in the village of Vadaali. He was the only child of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Mata Ganga Ji. His grandparents were Guru Ram Das Ji and Bibi Bhaani Ji.

Hargobind Sahib’s Thaia (Uncle) Prithi Chand had always been jealous of Guru Angad Dev Ji. When Hargobind Sahib was born, Prithi Chand’s jealousy increased. Prithi Chand attempted to kill Hargobind Sahib twice before Hargobind Sahib had even turned the age of two. In 1597, Guru Arjan Dev Ji traveled to Amritsar, where Prithi Chand also happened to be staying. Prithi Chand once again tried to kill Hargobind Sahib. Prithi Chand hired an entertainer and sent him to entertain Hargobind Sahib. The entertainer tried to feed Hargobind Sahib some poisoned yogurt but Hargobind Sahib refused to eat it and started screaming. Guru Angad Dev Ji, hearing the screams, arrived at the scene immediately. The entertainer started to feel sever pain in his stomach. He later died due to the same cause.

The city of Lahore and its neighbouring villages were suffering from a plague of famine and an attack of the highly contagious disease called Seetila (sIqlw). The streets were filled with dead bodies. Guru Arjan Dev Ji decided to stay in Lahore to aid the infected and help the people that weren’t infected avoid catching the disease. Hargobind Sahib, who was only three years old at that time, stayed with Guru Arjan Dev Ji on his whole route. Hargobind Sahib caught the Seetila disease also. However, Waheguru protected Hargobind Sahib from getting severely affected by the disease and Hargobind Sahib eventually recovered.

At the age of six Hargobind Sahib was appointed two teachers by Guru Arjan Dev Ji. One would be Bhai Gurdas Ji, who would give him his general education; the other would be Baba Buddha Ji, who would teach him martial arts. After seeing Hargobind Sahib’s skill and interest in martial arts, he said, “Hargobind Sahib will crush the heads of Mughals as one crushes an onion with a fist.”

In the last week of May, 1606, Guru Arjan Dev Ji called the Sikhs to Harimandir Sahib. He stated that the times ahead would be very difficult for the Sikhs. He also stated that the Sikhs might have to confront the Mughals face to face or on the battlefield. At that time, Guru Arjan Dev Ji gave the responsibility of Guriaaee (Guruship) to Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. After a few days, on May 30th 1606, Mughal Emperor Jahangir was persuaded by the ever-jealous Prithi Chand and Bir Bal to torture and kill Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji. He became the first Shaheed (martyr) of the Sikh Religion. Mankind was awakened by this act of inhumanity. The younger generations felt that at this time, the only way to solve this problem would be with actions, not words.

At that time Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji wore two Gathra-Kirpans, one for Miri and one for Piri. He introduced the concept of the Sant-Sipahi (Saint-Soldier). This meant that every Sikh should be spiritual but a warrior when necessary.

Guru Ji saw that the seasonal disease Seetila had passed and the famine was gone and the construction of the Harimandir Sahib was completed. So at this time, Guru Ji sent out orders to the Sikh Sangat that they should send Shastars and horses instead of money as their Dasvandh. Guru Ji also selected 52 teachers to teach martial arts to the youth and young adults. Guru Ji had roughly 500 soldiers in training. The trainees would come to the teachers for 6 months at a time to get their training. After their training was complete they would return home and continue their daily jobs.

In the year 1609, Guru Ji realized that there was something missing. He realized that there was Sangat that went to the Gurudwara for spiritual enhancement. That Sangat would have the Harimandir Sahib as their central Gurudwara. Guru Ji also saw the need for Bir Ras and building self-esteem so he decided that he would build a second Gurudwara facing the Harimandir Sahib. It would be called the Akal Bunga, now known as the Akal Takht. It was made so, even taking a glance, one’s heart and mind would fill with the spirit of victory. At this time, Guru Ji was only 14 years old.

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