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The word "Guru" is a Sanskrit word meaning teacher, honoured person, religious person or saint. Sikhism though has a very specific definition of the word Guru. It means the descent of divine guidance to mankind provided through ten Enlightened Masters. This honour of being called a Sikh Guru applies only to the ten Gurus who founded the religion starting with Guru Nanak in 1469 and ending with Guru Gobind Singh in 1708; thereafter it refers to the Sikh Holy Scriptures the Guru Granth Sahib.
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| 10 Sikh Gurus |
Guru Nanak Dev Ji - The First Guru
Born on October 20th 1469 AD at Talwandi (Nankana Sahib) to a Hindu family near the city of Lahore (now a part of Pakistan), Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the founder of Sikhism. His father was Mehta Kaloo Ji and mother Mata Tripta Ji.
"Satgur Nanak pargatya miti dhundh jagg chanan hoa"
Guru Nanak Dev Ji selected Bhai Lehna Ji for Guruship due to his devotion and obedience on September 7th, 1539. Bhai Lehna Ji was named Guru Angad Dev Ji. Being the second Guru of the Sikhs Guru Angad Dev Ji was born at Mate Di Sarai in Punjab on March 31, 1504. His father Pheru Mal Ji was a trader. His original name was Lehna. He was married to Mata Khivi Ji. He had two sons, Datu and Dasu. Bibi Amro Ji was his daughter.
Guru Angad Dev Ji - The Second Guru
Guru Nanak Dev Ji selected Bhai Lehna Ji for Guruship due to his devotion and obedience on September 7th, 1539. Bhai Lehna Ji was named Guru Angad Dev Ji. Being the second Guru of the Sikhs Guru Angad Dev Ji was born at Mate Di Sarai in Punjab on March 31, 1504. His father Pheru Mal Ji was a trader. His original name was Lehna. He was married to Mata Khivi Ji. He had two sons, Datu and Dasu. Bibi Amro Ji was his daughter.
Guru Amar Das Ji - The Third Guru
Guru Amar Das Ji is the third Guru of the Sikhs. He was born at Basarke in Amritsar on May 5th, 1479. Gurgaddi was bestowed upon him at the age of 73 at Khadur Sahib on March 29, 1552. He was married to Bibi Ramo Ji. He had two sons Mohan and Mohri, and two daughters, Bibi Daani Ji and Bibi Bhaani Ji
He founded the town of Guru Ka Chak, which later on came to be known as Amritsar. The Guru Ji invited people of different trades to do business in the newly set up town. He started the excavation of the holy Sarovar (Lake of immortality or pool of Nectar) of Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji at a place now called Darbar Sahib Ji or Golden Temple Amritsar
Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji is the seventh Guru of the Sikhs. He was the grandson of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. He was born to father Baba Gurditta Ji and mother Nihal Kaur Ji. He was born on January 16th, 1630 at Kiratpur Sahib. He was married in 1697 B.S. (1640 A.D) He had two sons named Ram Rai and Har Krishan Ji. He was appointed to Gurgaddi on March 3rd, 1644.
Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji is the eighth Guru of the Sikhs. He became Guru Ji at the age of five. He was born on July 7th, 1656 at Kiratpur Sahib Ji to Mata Kishan Kaur Ji. He was the youngest son of Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji. His elder brother Ram Rai was ignored for Guruship. Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji received Gurgaddi on October 6th, 1661.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is the ninth Guru of the Sikhs. He was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. He was born on April 1st, 1621 at Amritsar. His mother was Bibi Nanki Ji. His birth name was Tyag Mal but keeping in view his courage and bravery, he was named Tegh Bahadur. At the time of his eternal rest, Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji bowed down saying, "Baba Bakale" ie. My successor is at Bakala.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. He was the only son of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. He was born to Mata Gujri Ji on December 22nd, 1666 at Sri Patna Sahib Ji in Bihar when his father was on a preaching mission to holy places in Assam. Birth name of Guru Ji was Gobind Rai. He was received Guruship at the age of nine after the martyrdom of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji at Delhi.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji had four sons namely;
1. Baba Ajit Singh Ji,
2. Baba Jujhar Singh Ji,
3. Baba Zorawar Singh Ji,
4. Baba Fateh Singh Ji.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji revealed the order of the Khalsa Brotherhood at Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji.Guru Ji conferred Guruship upon Guru Granth Sahib Ji in 1708 at Nanded before he demised. To illustrate his point that the Guru Granth Sahib Ji was the final Guru of the Sikhs, and as a sign of humility, Guru Gobind Singh Ji did not include his writings, over 1400 pages worth of gurbani are in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. A separate volume, called Dasam Granth, features the writings of the tenth Sikh Guru.
Guru Ram Das Ji - The Fourth Guru
Guru Ram Das Ji - The Fourth Guru
Guru Ram Das Ji -The Fourth Gur, He was born at Chuna Mandi Lahore on September 24, 1534. The original name of Guru Ram Das Ji was Bhai Jetha Ji. He was son-in-law of Guru Amar Das Ji. He was married to Bibi Bhani Ji. He had three sons namely Prithi Chand, Mahan Dev and Arjan Dev. He was nominated to Gurgaddi on August 30th, 1574 at Goindwal.He founded the town of Guru Ka Chak, which later on came to be known as Amritsar. The Guru Ji invited people of different trades to do business in the newly set up town. He started the excavation of the holy Sarovar (Lake of immortality or pool of Nectar) of Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji at a place now called Darbar Sahib Ji or Golden Temple Amritsar
Guru Arjan Dev Ji - The Fifth Guru
Guru Arjan Dev Ji is the fifth Guru of the Sikhs. He was born on April 15, 1563 at Goindwal Sahib Ji. He was the youngest son of Guru Ram Das Ji. He received Gurgaddi on August 31st, 1581. He was the first Guru to have been born a son of the Guru.
The fifth Guru started the construction of the Golden Temple. To emphasise the equality of Sikhism, a Muslim saint, named Mian Mir laid the foundation stone of the shrine. The temple featured four entrances to represent access to all communities. Guru Arjan Dev Ji compiled the Adi Granth Ji, the Sikh scripture containing the writings of all the Gurus up until that time.
He completed the Sarovar of Nectar at Amritsar and built Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji, the centre of worship and religious assembly. He compiled Sri Adi Granth Ji, later called Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and installed it at Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji in 1604. Nothing else but Shabad Kirtan is recited in the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji
Guru Arjan Dev Ji constructed the holy (Sarovar) tank at Tarn Taran and founded the city of Kartarpur near Jalandhar. The city of Sri Hargobindpur on the banks of river Beas was founded by him to celebrate the birth of his son Hargobind Sahib Ji.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji constructed the holy (Sarovar) tank at Tarn Taran and founded the city of Kartarpur near Jalandhar. The city of Sri Hargobindpur on the banks of river Beas was founded by him to celebrate the birth of his son Hargobind Sahib Ji.
Guru Har Gobind Sahib Ji - The Sixth Guru
Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji is the Sixth Guru of the Sikhs. He was the only son of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. He was born on June 19th, 1595 at Guru Ki Wadali near Amritsar. He got his training in martial arts and spirituality from Baba Budha Ji
Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji wore two swords of Miri (Temporal Power) and Piri (Spiritual Power) after martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. He never allowed the temporal aspect to overpower spiritual aspect of his life. Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji transformed the Sikh saints into saint-soldiers. He gave a fine blend to the powers of Bhakti and Shakti. He called upon the Sikhs to protect human rights and stand for human liberty, equality and fraternity.
Guru Har Rai Ji - The Seventh Guru
Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji is the seventh Guru of the Sikhs. He was the grandson of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. He was born to father Baba Gurditta Ji and mother Nihal Kaur Ji. He was born on January 16th, 1630 at Kiratpur Sahib. He was married in 1697 B.S. (1640 A.D) He had two sons named Ram Rai and Har Krishan Ji. He was appointed to Gurgaddi on March 3rd, 1644.
Guru Har Krishan Ji - The Eighth Guru
Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji is the eighth Guru of the Sikhs. He became Guru Ji at the age of five. He was born on July 7th, 1656 at Kiratpur Sahib Ji to Mata Kishan Kaur Ji. He was the youngest son of Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji. His elder brother Ram Rai was ignored for Guruship. Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji received Gurgaddi on October 6th, 1661.
Guru Teg Bahadur Ji - The Ninth Guru
Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is the ninth Guru of the Sikhs. He was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. He was born on April 1st, 1621 at Amritsar. His mother was Bibi Nanki Ji. His birth name was Tyag Mal but keeping in view his courage and bravery, he was named Tegh Bahadur. At the time of his eternal rest, Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji bowed down saying, "Baba Bakale" ie. My successor is at Bakala.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji - The Tenth Guru
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. He was the only son of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. He was born to Mata Gujri Ji on December 22nd, 1666 at Sri Patna Sahib Ji in Bihar when his father was on a preaching mission to holy places in Assam. Birth name of Guru Ji was Gobind Rai. He was received Guruship at the age of nine after the martyrdom of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji at Delhi.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji had four sons namely;
1. Baba Ajit Singh Ji,
2. Baba Jujhar Singh Ji,
3. Baba Zorawar Singh Ji,
4. Baba Fateh Singh Ji.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji revealed the order of the Khalsa Brotherhood at Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji.Guru Ji conferred Guruship upon Guru Granth Sahib Ji in 1708 at Nanded before he demised. To illustrate his point that the Guru Granth Sahib Ji was the final Guru of the Sikhs, and as a sign of humility, Guru Gobind Singh Ji did not include his writings, over 1400 pages worth of gurbani are in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. A separate volume, called Dasam Granth, features the writings of the tenth Sikh Guru.
