The Beloved Five
Sri Guru Gobind Singh as well, decided to cut at the root of all such customs and practices as stood in the way of a complete unification of the nation. He wanted to create a united and strong body of community who would be pure enough to free themselves from the oppression of priests and rulers, and at the same time, be strong enough to maintain this freedom.
In 1699 A.D. Guru Ji invited all Sikhs to gather at his home for prayers and a special occasion. The Guru had set up a tent for all the Sikhs to see, many Sikhs whispered amongst themselves wondering why such a tent was set up. Once the Guru came out, His appearance was altogether different from what it had usually been. His eyes were shining like fire. His face was hardest and red. His naked sword shone in his uplifted hand. He looked like a warrior about to jump into a battle-field. In a voice as of thunder he said:
“My Dear Sikhs, my Beloved Sons, this sword of mine wants to taste the Blood of a Sikh. Is there any among you read to offer his neck for the purpose, to lay down His life at a call from Me?”
All present grew pale, on hearing such a strange demand. There was no response to this amazing, breath-taking call. The Guru repeated it. Still there was no reply. A third time he spoke in a louder, more thundering voice.
“Is there any true Sikhs of mine among you? If so let he come up and give me his head as an offering, as a proof of his faith in me.”
After some minutes, Bhai Daya Ram (Bhai Daya Singh Ji) a Khatri of Lahore stood up and said ‘O True King, my head is at your service, Cut it off from the trunk, and make it fall at your sacred feet.’
Guru Ji took Bhai Daya Ram into the tent, the sound of a sword-blow was heard, and then Guru Ji came out of his tent with a blood sword. Once Guru Ji showed the sword, the crowds realized that Guru Ji really meant what he said. They were convinced that Bhai Daya Ram was dead. Guru Ji asked again, if there were any other Sikhs willing to give up their heads. No one raised their head. After a few minutes, Bhai Dharam Das (Bhai Dharam Singh Ji), stood up, and offered his head.
The call for a Head continued three more times, however, the crowd of Sikhs grew thinner and thinner. Some Sikhs even went to the Guru Ji’s mother, Mata Gujjar Kaur Ji, and complained to her against t the Guru,
Mata Gujjar Kaur Ji sent a messenger to her Son and see what was actually happening, but Guru was in no mood to receive, heed, or listen to anyone. On the third call, Bhai Mohkham Chand (Bhai Mohkham Singh Ji) stood up and offered his head. After a short time the Guru came out again. In the same manner as before, he called for another head. Finally Bhai Sahib Chand (Bhai Sahib Singh Ji) stood up and begged the Guru to accept his head. The Guru treated him in the manner as he had treated the other three. Lastly, Bhai Himmat Rai, (Bhai Himmat Singh Ji) stood up and offered his head. At this time the crowd outside of the tent assumed that five Sikhs had been killed by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
At last, Guru Ji came out of the tent, his face was beaming with joy and statisifaction. He was followed by five Sikhs dressed exactly like him. who were they? Oh Wonder! They were the same who had given their heads to the Guru. They had been killed. Had they been brought back to life? Their faces, their dresses, and their whole appearance were all like the Guru Ji’s.
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji said,
Picture: Courtesy of Kaurs United and MrSikhnet
