Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s Martyrdom

Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, was the youngest son of Guru Ram Das and Bibi Bhani Ji. He was bestowed the Guruship at the young age of 18. His renown and inspiration was so widely spread, that multitudes converted to Sikhism all throughout India and even in neighboring countries during his time as Guru.

Guru Arjan undertook the task of writing the sacred hymns of the Sikhs, known as the Adi Granth. He was betrayed by his eldest brother and the financial adviser to the Emperor, who were jealous of his popularity. Being ill-advised that the Adi Granth blasphemed the Hindus and the Muslims, Emperor Jahangir arrested Guru Arjan and ordered him to pay a fine. The Guru replied: “Whatever money I have is for the poor, the friendless and the stranger. As for the hymns in the Adi Granth, I cannot erase or alter an iota. I am a worshiper of Akal Purkh. There is no other Monarch.”

As a result, he was made to sit in the scorching hot sun on a red hot iron pan as burning sand was poured over his bare body. Afterwards he was placed in a cauldron of boiling water, as his body burned and blistered. This torture continued for over five long days.
During this time Guruji’s friend and devotee, Mian Mir, a Sufi saint, came to see him and cried out, “O Master, I cannot bear to see these horrors inflicted on Thee!” The Guru beamed at Mian
Mir, asking him to look towards the skies. There, Mian Mir saw the angels asking the Guru’s permission to destroy the wicked. And Mian Mir saw that it was Guru Arjan doing everything: He was seating himself on the hot plate; He was pouring the red hot sand, while never uttering a sign of complaint. The Guru said, “Tayraa kee-aa meethaa laagaii. Har naam padaarath naanak maagai (Sweet is Thy Will, my Lord. Nanak prays for the gift of Thy Holy Nam). I bear this torture to set an example to the devotees of the True Name, that they may not lose patience with God in affliction. The true test of faith is the hour of misery. The ordinary person will then be guided in the midst of suffering. Such is the Will of my God; submit to the Divine Will and stand calm against all woes.”
The Guru then asked to take a dip in the River Ravi. As the crowds watched the Guru’s entry into the river, his body sank below the waves and his soul merged with the Divine Light. Wahe Guru!
Read more about Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s life at: www.sikhiwiki.org and www.guruarjandev.com.