The great sacrifice given by our beloved fifth Guru Patshah Sahib Shri Guru Arjan Dev ji Maharaj, the fifth Nanak is unparalleled in the history of mankind. While we cry in pain when we are burnt a little Guru Sahib was made to sit on a hot iron pan in the month of June and brutally tortured to death as he refused to waver from his faith.
Guru Arjan Dev ji was a great scholar, a saint and a great musician. In his life time of short span he accomplished the major tasks of compilation of Adi Granth and construction of Shri Harmandir Sahib. Guru Arjan Dev ji not only compiled the authentic compositions of the preceding Gurus and other hindu and muslim saints but he is himself the major contributor to the Guru Granth Sahib through two thousand verses which now comprise one third of Shri Guru Granth Sahib.
His spiritual activities were deemed as a threat to the Muslim rulers. Guru Arjan Dev ji sacrificed himself for the cause of truth and answered Mian Mir’s question practically about the Shabad.
Tan Man Kat Kat Sab Arpi Vich Agni Aap Jalaiee
"(For the sake of Thy love) I would have my mind and body cut into pieces and then burned in a fire." (Ang 757)
Sai Mian Mir asked Guru ji how it can be possible that someone is in intense pain and still smiling. He put it into practical form if for preaching and practicing the basic principles of humanity advocated by Guru Nanak Dev ji one has to sacrifice himself , it is worth it.
Guru ji was tortured in the hot month of June for 6 days but he kept on chanting the name of Almighty and remained in eternal peace. His spirit remained absorbed in meditating God’s name. He accepted it as Waheguru’s sweet will.
tera kiya mitha lage
har naam padarath nanak mange
"Thy Will is sweet to me. Nanak begs for the treasure of Your Name." (Ang 394)
He followed the path showed by Guru Nanak Dev ji.
Kiv sachiara hoiye kiv koore tute paal
Hukam rajai chalna nanak likhya naal
"How does one break through the wall of untruth? By accepting the flow of God's command." (Ang 1)
He did what he preached. He has always taught his Sikhs to remember God in pleasure and pain and regard all pleasures and pain, all joys and sorrows as His sweet gifts. By bearing all the tortures he showed to his disciples that what he taught can be put into practice too. He also showed that the true test of faith is the hour of adversity. He showed that a God conscious person should have an unwavering faith and should have the ability to bear any poignant experience for the sake of his faith.
Guru Arjan Dev ji was tortured to death but he has an eternal life and he is alive in his compositions and in the hearts of his beloved Sikhs. His death made him immortal. He will always be a great source of inspiration to all of us in our tough times. He will always inspire us to follow the path of righteousness and stand firm for our belief even if the conditions become unfavorable and we even have to sacrifice our life like Him. He is an epitome of sacrifice and his sacrifice will keep on guiding us throughout our lives.
