Page 11 - PSLgurmatbook62020

them. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sat quietly when Gobind Rai Ji asked
what was troubling him. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji replied, “Grave are

the burdens the earth carries. She will be relieved if a truly worthy

person sacrifices his head.”

“Who else can be worthier than you Father?” said innocent Gobind
Rai. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji smiled.

On July 8, 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji conferred Guruship on nine

year old Gobind Rai. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji departed from Chakk

Nanaki on July 11, 1675. He was arrested on July 12 and sent to
Sirhind. For three months Guru Ji was imprisoned there and given

the harshest treatment. He was chained and caged in an iron cage
and brought to Delhi on November 4, 1675. He was forced to accept

Islam. He refused. He was asked to show a miracle. He refused.

On November 11, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was beheaded in Delhi.

Thousands witnessed the martyrdom of a saint, but none dared to
pick up the severed head and body of the Guru for the fear of the

Mughals.

Some say that there was a dark storm. Everyone scattered. Lakhi

Shah picked up Guru’s body, put it in his oxcart and took it to his
small house. Since he could not have cremated the body, he set his

own house on fire and cremated Guru Ji’s body.

Another Sikh, Bhai Jaitha picked up Guru Ji’s head, hid it in his

shawl and secretly carried it to Anandpur Sahib where Guru Gobind
Singh Ji cremated it on November 16, 1675.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s sacrifice is unparalleled in the history of

the world religions. None other has ever sacrificed himself to

protect the religious freedom of others. He was proclaimed:
Tegh Bahadur, Dharam Di Chaader!

Sikh History and Gurmat Sikhia Book 6 2020 Edition Page 9