Master of Martyrs
As a religious centre was a need of the Sikhs, a sacred book of their own scripture was needed for the Sikhs. It was necessary to focus on the Sikhs physically and as well mentally and spiritually. With this realism of vision of Guru Arjan Dev Ji dictated the hymns of the first four Gurus and himself, including the hymns of Hindu and Muslim saints in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This compilation was completed in 1604. there ware more than 2000 hymns contributed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji himself. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is, but, One Song, One Idea, One Light. It conveys the message of love, light and life.
Thousands of Hindus and Muslims wer fascinated by the beauty of Guru Sahib Ji’s spirit, his piety, and saintliness. This stirred the bigotry of Emperor Jahangeer and he looked for an excuse to end this movement. A charge of sedition was brought up against the Guru Sahib. Guru Ji was arrested and he was brought to Lahore. Jahangeer ordered Guru Arjan Dev Ji to death by torture. He was handed to Diwan Chandu who bore a grudge against Guru Sahib Ji.
Chandu, the officer of Jahangeer, was in charge of torturing Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib told them,
"I bear NO ENEMIES or ill-will against any one. All happens as God Almighty wills it to happen. I am prepared to ACCEPT HIS WILL. You may do what you like".
Day 1 of Torture:
Guru Jee was not given anything to EAT or DRINK. He was not allowed to sleep at night. He was KEPT AWAKE. Guru Sahib bore all this calmly. He remained immersed in Simran and repeated from his lips, "WaaheGuroo, WaaheGuroo, WaaheGuroo..." and sang Shabads from Gurbaani.
Day 2 of Torture:
On the following day, Chandu made the Guru sit in a BIG COPPER VESSEL. He filled the vessel with water. He ordered his men to light a fire under the copper vessel. The water began to get hot. After a time, the water began to boil. It SCALDED the Guru Sahib's body. But Guru Jee sat calmly and quietly. He felt no pain, nor did he cry out or even sigh. He felt no anger against those who were torturing him. He remained absorbed in the sweet remembrance of Waheguru and repeated,
"All is happening, O Waheguru, according to Thy Will.
Thy Will is ever sweet to me."
The boiling water made the Guru's flesh soft and left blisters all over the body.
Day 3 of Torture:
On the third day, Chandu ordered his men, "Make some sand red hot in iron pans. Seat the Guru in BOILING WATER. Then pour the RED HOT SAND on his head and body". The water boiled Guru Sahib's flesh from below. The burning red-hot sand burned Guru Jee's head and body from above. The persons engaged in torturing him were wet with sweat. They felt most uncomfortable because of the heat. It was the hottest summer month. But Guru Sahib kept calm and quiet. Again, Guru Jee felt no pain, nor did he cry out, sigh or feel anger. He kept thinking of Waheguru and doing Simran. Guru Jee repeated:
teraa kee-aa meethaa laagai.
O Waheguru! Your actions seem so sweet to me.
har naam padaarath naanak maaNgai.
Nanak begs for the treasure of the Naam, the Name of the Lord.
Baba Mian Meer Jee (a Muslim Sufi Saint and friend of Guru Sahib) tried to intercede on behalf of Guru Sahib but Guru Jee forbid him to interfere in the "Will of the Almighty". Guru Sahib said,
"All is happening in accordance with WAHEGURU's WILL. Men who stand for Truth have often to SUFFER. Their sufferings give STRENGTH to the cause of Truth. Go, brother. Pray for me. Pray for the success of my cause. Pray for VICTORY to TRUTH."
Day 4 of Torture:
On the fourth day, Guru Jee was made to sit on an IRON PLATE. It was heated from below. The iron plate became RED HOT with the heat. Guru Jee's flesh began to be ROASTED. Burning RED-HOT SAND was poured on his body. Guru Sahib sat calm and quite, without a cry or sigh, feeling no physical pain. He sat with his mind fixed on Waheguru and physically living the message of Gurbaani and accepting the Will of Waheguru sweetly.
Day 5 of Torture:
On the fifth day, Guru Sahib was taken the RIVER RAVI bounded in shackles. Guru Sahib's physical body was covered with burns and blisters. To add to the torture Guru Jee was thrown into the river, never to come back out, attaining shaheedi (martyrdom).
Bhai Gurdas Ji writes about this martyrdom: “Profound indeed was Guru Arjan’s Martyrdom. As a fish swims into the depth of flowing water; so Guru Arjan swam deep into the Eternal Stream of Lord’s presence. As the moth flings its body into the flame sacrificing itself on it, so Guru Arjan Ji submitted his body to the torture of fire and heat and blended his should with undying Flam of God.”
When King Jahangeer summoned Guru Arjan Dev Ji, his Mother encouraged him to face the difficulties boldly. When Guru Ji was tortured and the news of his martyrdom reached the family, she maintained her composure and did not let her Daughter-in-law, Guru Arjan Dev’s wife, and 11 year-old grandson, Hargobind, lose heart.
She advised them to abide by God’s will. She encouraged her grandson to face the new situation bravely.
She left this world in 1598 at the age of 65 at Tarn Taran where she was serving the lepers. Guru Arjan Dev Ji had a well constructed in her memory at Tarn Taran. It is still known as the Well of Bibi Bhani.
We can safely call her the embodiment of service,
truth, endurance, obedience, and humility.
She will always be remembered for
the unique service rendered by her to her Father.
She has the distinction of being the
Mother of the first Sikh martyr, Guru Arjan Dev,
Great-Grandmother of the second
Sikh martyr, Guru Tegh Bahadur,
and Great-Great- Grandmother of Guru Gobind Singh,
who sacrificed himself and his four sons for the sake of justice.
Thus she belongs to a family
whose seven members were martyred.
Source: Manvir Singh's Blog
