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SIKH & FEAR do not go together. FEAR OF DEATH
IN THE CASE OF A SIKH is a contradiction in terms. Doesn't our guru, the perpetual Guru
Granth Sahib teach us in the words of kabir?
"Ab kaise Marun Man Mania Mar Mar Jaate Jin Raam Na Jania"
Exactly, even today, persons in the garb of a Sikh apparel and appearance drenched in
their lowly pursuits of material illusion cannot realise the magnificent contribution that
our Gurus and the Sikhs of yore have made towards the conquest of death. Indeed, the
months of November, December and January come to reiterate to me that the Grandfather, the
son and the Grandsons PRACTICALLY laid bare to the Sikhs the powerless poison of death,
the ineffective dose of Fear of Death, the inability of the sword to kill the saviors of
Mankind and the deathlessness of those who are willing to face death squarely.
Sometimes I wonder at the helplessness of those who look upto the worldly treasures or
who bank upon their worldly relations or who boast about the comforts that they can
provide themselves. Do they know that Guru Gobind Singh himself proclaimed in a message to
the Lord that WITHOUT HIM, he was not interested in comforts. WITHOUT HIM, he could never
be in peace. And when did he say so? In the MACHCHIWARA, where in the case of worldly
people and in terms of worldly existence, he was in terrible straits Followed by the
enemy, bereft of his companions and his sons, physically tired in the extreme and Death
knocking at his door, the Guru defied adversity, defied the fear of death, defied Death
itself. But ,have we pondered over the question. How did he do so? How can one do so, the
answers are all there in the words and deeds of our masters and the implementation of
their commands by indomitable Sikhs like Bhai Dayala, Bhai Mati Dass, Bhai Sati Dass and
countless others. Surely, we cannot lose the mettle of our forefathers so soon.
Sikhism was born with the birth of Guru Nanak (1469)and has passed through various
vicissitudes always FREE, always AT THE TOP, always fearless ALWAYS defiant against
tyranny, fear and Death and yet we seem to give way under the weight of ruthless,
unprincipled rulers who have ONE aim and who are aided by unscrupulous Sikhs who neither
know Sikhism nor live Sikhism nor indeed have respectful devotion to its authority. out of
ten Gurus, two offered themselves to Death only to conquer it, the last Guru-in-person,
Guru Gobind Singh ACTUALLY asked for and received the consent for DEATH of his disciples
on Baisakhi Day in 1699 only to ENABLE THEM to CONQUER DEATH. And here is the scenario
complete in its grandeur full in its mystique and incomparable to any other deliberate
method of KILLING death for all times to come.
Sometimes when I think of Bhai Mani Singh or Bhai Taru Singh or for any Sikh of Guru, I
marvel at their strength of character and their clinging to the life of endless struggle
MERELY for the love of Guru, because that love enabled and to render to the society at
large their best in life and death. I marvel at the courage and steadfastness and ADOLTA
of Bhai Mati Dass when fixed under the saw, he wishes his face to remain attached to
Guru's feet. Some years ago, I was fascinated by the heart-felt devotion screaming in
these lines by some unknown Sikh:
Chamkaur Ke Maidan Se Sandesh Hai Aya
Sarhind Ki Diwaron Ne Hai Mujh Ko Bulaya
Mati Dass Ke Aare Ne Muj Ko Lalkara
Bhai Dayale Ki Degh Ne Mujhko Hai Pukara
Sati Dass Ki Razai Mujhko Sabak Sikhae
Sis Jae Tau Baishak Jaye Par Sidak Na Jaye
Kab Hogi Poori Aarzoo Mujhoko Batlayo
Kab Ubala Jayoonga Mujhko Samjhao
Mere Tan Ko Aaron Ka Kab Pyar Milega
Charakharion Pe Charh Jaane Ka Kab Avsar Milega
Jisko Tou Ne Janam Dia Voh Mit Sakega
Jisko Tou Ne Pyar Kia Voh Jhuk Na Sakega.
(I get messages from Chamkaur Sahib, where Ajit and Jujhar were martyred; the
walls of Sirhind (in which Zorawar and Fateh Singh were bricked alive) sent for me: The
saw of Mati Dass challenges me and the cauldron of Dayala beckons me. The quilt of Sati
Dass gives me a lesson - LET ME LOSE MY HEAD BUT NEVER MYFAITH. .............WHEN SHALL MY
YEARNING BE MET? WHEN SHALL I BE BOILED ALIVE, TELL ME, My Lord. when shall my body
received the caress of the saws of Mati Dass? When shall I get the opportunity to be
crushed by wheels?..........Oh my Guru the one who is born out of your love will never be
eliminated; the one who has received your love, will never bow to insolent might.)
Then I happened to meet the writer of this piece The SATSANG with him was a great
enriching experience. He literally meant what he wrote. Discussing the conquest of death
that our Guru themselves achieved and then bequeathed the legacy to us, the writer told me
that Guru Tegh Bahadur, his illustrious son,
Guru Gobind Singh and his Four sons, the SAHIBZADAS, runs in the veins of
a Sikh, he would fight tyranny with righteousness, he would selflessly serve
others without rewards and recognition, he would practice the universality
of Guru Granth Sahib in theory and in everyday life. Indeed he would live
as if he were dead and he would die as if he was ever going to live. There
is no doubt that our martyrs are MORE ALIVE today than they ever were, when
they breathed. It is because of their life and their martyrdom that we can
breathe in freely.
After all what makes a man afraid of death? His attachments? His fear of the
unknown? His unexpected adversity? His unexpected death or death of his family mem-
bers? Now, all these and indeed all his parameters of FEAR have been taken care
of by our Guru and Guru Granth Sahib today majestically directs the life of a
Sikh. If the Sikh is IN REALITY prepared to live the dictates that emanate from
Guru Granth Sahib - from the mouths of Kabir, Farid, Ravidas, Namdev besides our Gurus -
where, where indeed, is the basis of Fear, Let us look at the messages:"
PANKAJ MOH PAG NAHIN CHALE. HAM DEKHAN TEN DOOB ALE
(In The quagmire of attachment, one's feet cannot move: I have witnessed their drowning.)
where is the fear of attachment?
-Kiv Sachiara Hovie Kiv Koore Tute Paal
Hukam Rajai Chalna Nanak Likhya Naal
(How can we be living in truth and how can we break the wall of falsehood? Says Nanak: we
should abide by the l will in all circumstances).
Where then is the fear of the Unknown?
-Jau Raaj Dehn Tan Kaun Vadiai,
Bhik Mangaen Tau Kya Ghat Jai
(If you give me the kingdom. what glory does accrue to me? If you make me beg, What do I
lose?)
where is the fear of adversity, then?
-Eh Man Pyaria Toun Sada Samale
Eh Kutambh Toun Jan Dekhda Chale Nahin Tere Naale.
(Oh my beloved mind, keep safely the Lord's Name. i.e. Truth: The family that you see
around
will not go with you.)
How can one be worried about the death of oneself or one's dear ones? And the message is
clear:
Sura Sau Pehchaniya Jau Larre Din Ke Het
Purza Purza Kat Mare Kabhu Na Chhade khet.
(The Brave is the one who fights for the downtrodden ; he is cut into pieces but he never
runs away
from the battlefield of righteousness).
And, indeed, Kabir's masterpiece from Guru Granth Sahib:
Jis Marne Te Jag Dare, Mere Man Anand
Marne Hee Te Payeeye Pooran Parmanand.
(The death which frightens the whole world produces ecstasy in me, because only with death
does
one attain the Lord who is perfect Happiness.
Let me conclude this piece with a tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur in the poem of a devoted
disciple:
(in Hindi)
Mere Sache Patshah Gur Teghbahadur,
Barson Se Sara Desh Kahe Tu Hind Ki Chadar
Zulam Na Jab Dunia Ko Tha Bahut Sataya,
Khalke Khunda Ke Prem Ne Tera Dil Piglaya.
Gurunanak Ka Khoon Tab Tere Jigar Mein Khoula,
Insniyat Ka Pyar Tere Hirde Mein Bola.
Tune Apna Sis Diya Tha Dharam Ki Khatir,
Sabko Hak Hai Us Pooja Ka Jiska Voh Dukhi
Brahmin, Khauf Se Pakra Tha Aake Tera Daman.
Aap Ke Jab Taras Ne Tha Diya Dilasa,
Un Panditon Ki Musibton Ka Suna Khulasa,
Chain Se Rehne Na De Yeh Aurangzeb,
Zulum Se Musalmaan Banaye Aur Kare Phareb.
Maut Ka Dardeke Ham Ko Kare Pareshan,
Aap Garibnawaj Ho Ab Bachao Jaan.
Guhambeerta Se Dekh Raha Tha Gobind Pyara,
Apna Pita Se Poochchta Tha Haal Sara.
Satgur Bole Premse Sun Ai Mre Laal,
Aurangzab Ne Zulum Ka Hai Bichchaya Jall.
DeshKo Darkar Hai Ik Aisa Mahatma
Deke Apni Jaan Bacha Le Desh Ki Aatma
Apne Pita Ko Bola Phir Yeh Gobind Balak
Aapse Bath Kar Koi Nahin Ab Dharam Ka Palak
Muskrae Tegh Bahadur Aur Josh Mein Aaye
Kehdo Aurangzeb Se Tumko Na Sataye.
Ham Banege Musalman Gar Guru Ko Banao
Guru Hamara Rehbar Hai Pehle Usko Manao
Jis Maut Se Sara Jag Sada Rahe Ghabraya
Us Maut Ko Dawat Dekar Tu Ne Bulaya
Kat Diya Sar Maut Ka Aur Jeena Sikhaya
Apne Sikhon Mein Maut Ka Dar Mar Chukaya.
Ek Bhikhari Aaya Hai Ab Jholu Phailaye
Bhar Do Jholi Shahidi Se Voh Khaali Na Jaya.
(Oh my true king, Guru Tegh Bahadur, over the year they call you THE COVER-SHEET OF THE
COUNTRY.When zulam had terribly harassed the people. Your heart melted for the love of
people. Guru nanak's blood in you boiled into love of humanity in your heart. For the sake
of dharma, you offered your head so that the freedom of worship is not challenged. When
Kashmiri Brahmins, terrorstricken, came to you to hold your 'daman'or 'pallu' and your
graciousness gave them solace, they related their tales of woe."Aurangzeb does not
let us remain in peace and wants us to become Muslims by force and treachery. By
freighting us to death, he harasses us. Since you are the protector of the poor, save our
lives, save the brahmins".
Gobind Rai who was seriously watching the scene; then inquired from his
father about the whole matter. The Guru lovingly told his son that Aurangzab had spread
his trap of Zulum. The country now needs a great soul who can sacrifice his life to save
the soul of the country. The child Gobind told his Fatherer: "Who can be greater than
you at this moment, who can protect the Dharma?"
Guru Tegh Bahadur smiled and with full glory on his face told the
Brahmins to go and tell Aurangzeb not to worry you anymore. Tell him: "we are
prepared to become Muslim if you make Guru Tegh Bahadur Muslim; because he is our leader,
he should first be converted. "Thus , he gave an invitation to Death which terrifies
the whole world and cut its head. Thus, he taught us how to live and eradicated the fear
of death from the hearts of his Sikhs. Here is a beggar, Guru Tegh Bahadur, at your door
with the GIFT OF MARTYRDOM; LET YOUR beggar not return empty-handed!
The Sikh's life has to be the manifestation of Guru Nanak's commands:
JAU TAU PREM KHELAN KA CHAO,SIR DHAR TALI GALI MERI AAO (if you wish to play the game of
love , come with Your Head on the palm.) That's why Bhakt Ravidas makes it clear:
"kaha Bhayo Jau Tan Bhayo Chhin Chhin
Prem Jaye Tau Darpo Tero Jan"
(What does it matter if my body is cut to pieces;all I am afraid is that I do not lose the
love of my lord.)
This is the personification of a Sikh. Then where is the FEAR OF DEATH. Death comes as a
bride to the
Sikh who lives and dies for righteousness.
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