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Guru Gobind Singh's Birthday
Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth Nanak (Sikh Guru). He was born at Patna Sahib on December 22, 1666. His birthday usually comes in December or January. It comes sometimes twice within a year as per Hindu Bikrami Calendar. This is based on the lunar calendar. According to the Nanakshahi Calendar, his birthday falls annually on January 5.
Guru Gobind Singh's Life:
Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 C.E.) lived in a time when it was dangerous and his father Guru Tegh Bahadur, had sacrificed his life to protect the freedom of worship by Hindus. Hindus were treated atrociously by the Muslim rulers. There was abduction of women and goods were plundered. In such a political situation, Guru Gobind Singh gained great stature. He was both Saint and soldier. He was a leader of firm spiritual principles. He had intense devotion to God and also dedication for taking care of people from oppression and injustice. This happened through the practice of Kshatradharma.
In 1699, he initiated five men from the lower castes. He blessed them with great courage and nearness to God. Khalsa, the Order of the Pure was created to fight against injustice. The Khalsa helped to turn the tide against Mughal oppression in India.
Apart from his spiritual and military leadership, Guru Gobind Singh was also an intellectual. He had many poets in his court. He was inspired to write some excellent spiritual compositions. These compositions infused a martial spirit in the people. These included the Jaap Sahib. However, he did not include them in the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. His writings have been made into a separate volume. This is called the Dasam Granth. After he passed away, He instructed his Sikhs to consider the Guru Granth Sahib as their teacher. 'Granth' means 'volume'. 'Sahib' is a word of respect and it used to tell anything which is sacred.
Guru Gobind Singh not only taught the principles of the faith, he also felt the pain of sacrifice. Guru Gobind Singh lost his whole family including his father, mother and all four sons to a religious war. This war was being waged by emperor Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb demanded that all Sikhs should be convetered to Islam. If that was not done, they they will be killed. In this fight, Guru Gobind Singh felt the pain of loss.
Guru Gobind Singh proclaimed himself the last living Guru. He established the Guru Granth Sahib. He is the eternal Guru of the Sikhs and this elevates the reverence of Granth to that of a living Guru. Guru Gobind also compiled the Dasam Granth. This is also known as the Dasven Paatshah Ka Granth which is the Holy Book of the Tenth Emperor. He also established the Sikh baptism ceremony which is the partaking of amrit or Amrit Sanskar.
Apart from that, he wrote his autobiography, the Bichitra Natak and he also built various Gurdwaras - Keshgarh Sahib and so on. He also developed Anandpur Sahib as a Sikh Centre of Excellence and also was developed Damdama Sahib as a Sikh Centre for Learning and Knowledge.