ਜ਼ਫ਼ਰਨਾਮਾ; Zafarnama; ज़फ़रनामा; ظفرنامہ- - Letter of Victory.

The Zafarnāma /zəfərnɑːmɑː/ (Punjabi: ਜ਼ਫ਼ਰਨਾਮਾ, Persian: ظفرنامہ‎, Hindi: ज़फ़रनामा, lit. Epistle of Victory) as a victory letter sent by Guru Gobind Singh in 1705 to the Mughal Emperor of India, Aurangzeb after the Battle of Chamkaur. The letter is written in Persian verse.

About Letter

Guru Gobind Singh sent Bhai Daya Singh to Ahmednagar to give it to Aurangzeb. However it is said that a copy of the Zafarnama, written in the hand of Guru Ji, was found with the Mahant of Patna Sahib in 1890 and one Babu Jagan Nath made a copy; this copy was somehow misplaced by him. 

Since Babu Jagan Nath was himself a scholar in Persian language, he could reproduce it from his memory and got it printed in Nagri Parcharni Patrika in Benaras. He is also believed to have sent a copy to Sardar Umrao Singh Shergill in Amritsar who is said to have given it to Khalsa college and which in turn reproduced in Makhz-e-Twarikh Sikhan. In Punjab newspapers, it first appeared in the Khalsa Samachar of 16 July 1942. Then in 1944, Kapur Singh ICS published it in Urdu Ajit of Lahore under the heading "Fatehnama". It is quite possible that in the process of translations and publications of the Zafarnama at different stages, some verses were not reproduced correctly and what we have today is not the original Zafarnama of Guru Ji in its entirety. The abrupt end of the Zafarnama also indicates that it is not complete and that some verses have been left out

In Brief

In this letter, Guru Gobind Singh reminds Aurangzeb how he and his henchmen had broken their oaths sworn upon the Qur'an. He also states that in spite of his several sufferings, he had won a moral victory over the Emperor who had broken all his vows. Despite sending a huge army to capture or kill the Guru, the Mughal forces did not succeed in their mission.

111 Verses

In the 111 verses of this notice, Guru Gobind Singh rebukes Aurangzeb for his weaknesses as a human being and for excesses as a leader. Guru Ji also confirms his confidence and his unflinching faith in the Almighty even after suffering extreme personal loss of his Father, Mother, and all four of his sons to Aurangzeb's tyranny. Guru ji invited Aurangzeb to meet him in Kangar village near Bathinda (Punjab) and said no need to worry as Brar tribe will not harm him (Aurangzeb) as they are under his command. On the way, there will be no danger to your life, For, the whole tribe of Brars accepts my command.

Of the 111 verses, the maximum numbers of 34 verses are to praise God; 

32 deal with Aurangzeb’s invitation for the Guru to meet him and the Guru's refusal to meet the Emperor – instead the Guru asks Aurangzeb to visit him; 

24 verses detail the events in the Battle of Chamkaur, which took place on 22 December 1704; 

15 verses reprove Aurangzeb for breaking promise given by him and by his agents to the Guru; 

In verses 78 and 79, Guru Gobind Singh had also warned Aurangzeb about the resolve of the Khalsa not to rest till his evil empire is destroyed; 

6 verses praise Aurangzeb.

Written From

Guru Gobind Singh wrote this letter from village Dina in Malwa region of the Punjab. Guru Gobind Singh spent few days at Dina and then moved to Dod, Kotkapura, Dhilwan Kalan, Jaitu, Muktsar, Lakhi Jangal, and Damdama Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh's last fight with Mughal Army happened at Khidrane Di Dhaab now called Sri Muktsar Sahib.

One of the most quoted verses from the Zafarnama is the following couplet:

Chu kar az hama heelt e dar guzshat,

Halal ast burdan ba shamsheer dast.

"All modes of redressing the wrong having failed,

raising of sword is pious and just."

Hankaar - EGO

When I Am In My Ego,

Then You (LORD) Are not With Me,

Now That You (LORD) Are With Me,

There Is No Egotism Within Me.

                                         --- Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Moh - ATTACHMENT

You Cannot Escape to Heaven or to Nether Regions,

If You are Entangled in Emotional Attachment and Web of Maya.

                                                              --- Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Lobh - Greed

Within is the Terrible Darkness Of Greed,

And So They Come

And Go In Reincarnation Over and Over Again.

                                       -- Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Krodh - Anger

Do Not Be Angry with Anyone Else,

Look Within your Own Self Instead,

Be Humble In This World,

O Nanak

And By His Grace You Shall Be Carried Across.

                                       -- Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Kaam - Lust

For a Moment of Sexual Pleasure, you shall suffer in pain For Millions of days.

For an instant you may Savor Pleasure,

But Afterwards you shall regret it, Again and Again.

                                                             -- Guru Granth Sahib Ji

What is Hukumnama ??

A Hukamnama is not just a random Shabad. It is a conversation with Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.

A Girl

A 17 year old girl who addicted to cocaine came forward and asked, "Can Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj forgive my past sins, and put me on the path in the future?". 

We took a Hukamnama Sahib, and the Guru said:

“Pichle avgun baksh le prabh aage marag pave II2II

Trip to America

On another tour when Bhai Sukha Singh was in America someone came up to him and asked, "Can Guru Granth Sahib ji talk?

He said, "Let's go to Guru Granth Sahib". 

The man said, "I want to hear Guru Granth Sahib ji say that they can speak. It if doesn't come up in the Hukumnama then think about what I'm saying". 

Bhai Sukha Singh thought, "Ok my job is done, Guru ji it is up to you to take care of this from here". 

The man wasn't a bad person, he just misunderstood what the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is. He thought it is a book with some spiritual understandings. No, Guru Granth Sahib Ji IS spirituality. It is not a prophet. It is the message. It is the voice. 

So they did an ardas and received a Hukam. When one line came up the man put his head down. Not with shame but with sharda (belief), with satkar (respect). 

The line was:

“har naavai naal galaa har naavai naal masalath har naam hamaaree karadhaa nith saaraa ||

This line is saying: You can speak to me. You can ask my advice. It is the Name of God that looks after me.

So when we take a Hukamnama Sahib, it's that it's not just a random Shabad that may or may not be applicable. It is a direct message to you.

Kirtan Sohila - Protecting You.

Kirtan Sohila

This #Bani is done before #sleep at #night.

When you are #endangered by any

#Species of direct or #indirect #source, and

when you want to #protect yourself with

the surrounding of the entire #magnetic

field of the #earth, #recite #KirtanSohila.

Rehras Sahib - Adding Energy!

Rehras Sahib

This #bani is #recited after one has 

#worked and is tired. It adds #energy

(raa-hu) to #one's #being, to one's

total #concept.

Chaupai Sahib - Feeling of Reliability on Lord.

Chaupai Sahib

This #Bani Gives one the #feeling of

#reliability and #dependability on the #Lord.

If one has #negative feelings and a lack 

of #confidence in the #future, one should 

#recite this Bani to get an #instant #boost.

Anand Sahib - Endless Bliss!

Anand Sahib

Guru Amar Das Ji Gave us the song of 

bliss, which is #Anand Sahib, to qualify the 

mind and to understand the depth.

Whoever recited the forty pauris of 

Anand Sahib will have endless #bliss,

because the #Guru is limitless.

Shabad Hazare - Highest Love Letter.

Shabad Hazare

This is the highest #love #letter by a disciple,

written by #Guru Arjan Dev Ji to 

Guru Ram Dass Ji.

Bani - Tavprasad Swaiye

Tavprasad Swaiye

This #Baani was spoken by

GURU GOBIND SINGH JI.

When you are not getting any #satisfaction

out of #life,

This is the #Bani to recite.

Japji Sahib - Radiance of One's Soul.

This Bani Controls One's "Ji," One's Soul. 

When Your Ji, your Being, is endangered,

When the Radiance of your Soul is Weak, 

recite Japji Sahib.

#Being #Endangered #Aura #soul #Japji 

BRIEF LIFE SKETCH OF BHAI MANI SINGH JI

Bhai Mani Singh was an 18th century Sikh scholar and martyr. He was a childhood companion of Guru Gobind Singh and took the vows of Sikhism when the Guru inaugurated the Khalsa in March 1699. Soon after that, the Guru sent him to Amritsar to take charge of the Harimandar, which had been without a custodian since 1696. He took control and steered the course of Sikh destiny at a critical stage in Sikh history.

Bhai Mani Singh's Family

Bhai Mani Singh's family had great warriors notably his cousin brother Sardar Bhagwant Singh Bangeshwar was a rajput ruler of Aurangzeb time . Bhai Mani Singh was from a distinguished family of Sikh warriors. His brother, Bhai Dayala who attained martyrdom at Dehli with Guru Tegh Bahadur. Eleven brothers of Bhai Mani Singh and 7 out of 10 children attained martyrdom.

Bhai Mani Singh spent a considerable part of his life in service at Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. He was one of the 12 sons of Mai Das. 

His grandfather was Rao Ballu was a reputable warrior, who was a general in Guru Hargobind's army who took part in all the battles fought by Guru Hargobind Sahib against the Mughal attackers and killed Murtaza Khan ( governor of Lahore ) who ordered Guru Arjun Devji's death & torture. 

"Bhai Mani Singh, his grandfather, eleven brothers and seven of his ten sons died in battles fought on behalf of the Guru".

Bhai Mani Singh acted as scribe when Guru Gobind Singh Ji dictated Sri Guru Granth Sahib. In his capacity as a Granthi of Darbar Sahib at the Golden Temple, Bhai Singh is also stated to have composed the Ardas (Supplication) in its current format; he also started the tradition of mentioning deeds of various GurSikhs with the supplication.

For not being able to pay Rs 5000/- to Celebrate Bandhi Chhorr Diwas at Harmandir Sahib & Refusing to give up his Beliefs he was ordered death by dismemberment by the Governor of Lahore, Jakaria Khan. 

When the executioner started to begin with his wrists, Bhai Mani Singh sincerely reminded the executioner of the sentence, reminding the executioner of his punishment and to start at the joints in his hands.

A scholar, a devoted Sikh, and a leader, Bhai Mani Singh laid down his life to uphold the dignity of the Sikh religion as well as nation. The nature of his martyrdom in which he was dismembered joint by joint (bandh bandh katwaaie)has become a part of the daily Sikh Ardas (prayer).

Bhai Mani Singh was executed at Nakhaas Chowk, Lahore in December 1738 ca. The Nakhaas Chowk has since been known as Shaheed Ganj – the place of martyrdom.

MILLIONS SALUTATIONS TO HIS MARTYRDOM, WE ALL BOW IN REVERENCE TO HIS MARTYRDOM.

Gurfateh! Sat Sri Akal!

#BhaiManiSingh #GuruGobindSingh #Sikhism

Great Sikh Martyrs - Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji & Jujhar Singh ji, Part -IV

SAHIBZADA JUJHAR SINGH JI'S SACRIFICE 

Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, the second son of Guru Gobind Singh had been keenly observing from the fort Chamkor the heroic fight put up by his elder brother, Sahibzada Ajit Singh against overwhelming number and better equipped enemy soldiers. The brave fight put up by his elder brother filled Sahibzada Jujhar Singh with happiness and courage.

No sooner did Sahibzada Ajit Singh fell martyr, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh requested his dear father Guru Gobind Singh to grant him permission to accompany the next batch of Sikhs to repeat the heroic acts of his elder brother. He assured his father that he will not let him down and that he would attack the enemy soldiers and drive them away as a shepherd drives his flock of sheep.

The Guru Father was filled with immense pleasure

The Guru Father was filled with immense pleasure at the determination of his 16 years old second son. He armed his son with weapons and allowed him to go out with next batch of five Sikhs.

Once outside the Fort

Once outside the fortess, the young Jujhar Singh fearlessly attacked the enemy soldiers like a lion, while accompanying Sikhs formed a protective ring around him. Guru Gobind Singh was watching his brave son’s deeds of valour and appreciated his courage and swordsmanship from top of the fortess. Even the enemy soldiers could not help appreciating the ferocity and smartness of the young boy. They had never seen such bravery performed by anyone at such a young age against mighty enemy forces. 

Sahibzada Jujhar Singh using arrows spear and finally his sword felled numerous enemy soldiers. Headless bodies of enemy soldiers were piling up around him. The accompanying Sikhs were likewise putting to death many more enemy soldiers while keeping a protective ring around Sahibzada Jujhar Singh.

After a long drawn battle, the enemy soldiers attacked the young Jujhar Singh from all sides in large numbers, breaking the protective ring around him.

Under the appreciative gaze of his father and the accompanying Sikhs, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh put up a brave fight but was ultimately fatally injured and fell martyr on the ground encircled by heaps of dead bodies of the enemy forces.

The way both the elder sons of Guru Gobind Singh achieved martyrdom upholding the principles for which their father had been actively mobilising his disciples, the Guru was able to show to all the Sikhs and enemy the he did not value his own sons more than his Sikhs and that he would not hesitate even to sacrifice his own sons for the Sikh cause.

On seeing his second son falling martyr like his first-son, Guru ji thanked God for enabling his sons to live up to his expectations. There is no parallel in the world when a father had thanked God, instead of weeping, on the death of his sons in front of his eyes.

The heroic deeds of these two elder sons of Guru Gobind Singh will keep inspiring the young Sikh generations to rise to the occasions when ever called upon to fight for justice and rights against injustice and cruelty for all times to come.

Thus, Guru Gobind Singh, sacrificed his dear and brave sons, only to prove that when it comes to making sacrifices for Sikh cause, he would not hesitate to offer his own sons to show to the world that the Sikh ideals alone, and not his own sons, were more dear to him.

Great Sikh Martyrs - Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji & Jujhar Singh ji, Part -III

SAHIBZADA AJIT SINGH’S MARTYRDOM :

When groups of Sikhs started going out of Garhi (fortess) and fought bravely in afflicting heavy casualties before laying down their precious lives, Sahibzada Ajit Singh sought permission of his father to also allow him to go out to fight side by side the brave Sikhs.

Guru Gobind Singh was immensely pleased at this and embraced his son. He himself armed his son and sent him out with the next group of five Sikhs whom he considered no less dear than his own sons, to prove Guru’s saying that he would be worthy of being Gobind Singh when he would make a Sikh so brave and fearless that he would fight with one lakh and quarter enemies alone.

Coming out of the Fort

Coming out of the fortess Ajit Singh, the brave son of the Tenth Master, attacked the enemy soldiers like a lion leaping on a flock of sheep to be cut to pieces. Many enemy soldiers were both astonished and terrified on seeing the fighting calibre and methods of attack of this young boy. The accompanying Sikhs prevented enemy soldiers from other sides from encircling the brave Ajit Singh. After the brave son of the Master exhausted his arrows, he attacked to enemy with his spear. However, the blade of spear which had penetrated into the chest of one of the adversaries piercing his steel dress, broke inside the body of the enemy solider, when Sahibzada Ajit Singh pulled his spear back. Taking advantage of this delay caused by stuck up spear of Baba Ajit Singh, the enemy soliders were successful in injuring his horse, which fell dead. The Sahibzada swiftly dismounted the horse and pulling out his sword from its sheath, engaged the enemy soldiers. While he was cutting the adversaries to pieces by lightening attacks with his sword, an enemy soldier successfully attacked the brave son of Guru Gobind Singh with a sharp spear. This spear pierced deeply into the body of Baba Ajit Singh.

The brave son of Guru Gobind Singh was fatally injured and his youthful body fell on ground. He attained martyrdom under the watchful and appreciative eyes of his great father. Scores of enemy soldiers bodies were lying in heaps around the fallen body of brave Ajit Singh.

Guru Gobind Singh was watching the brave acts of his son in the battle field from the fort. He had been keeping the enemy at bay by his arrows thus providing his son a chance for prolonged fight with the enemy soldiers.

The Guru was immensely pleased at the courage shown by his son and the tactics employed by him for inflicting heavy casualties on the adversaries.

Guru Gobind Singh thanked God for helping, Ajit Singh to live up to his father’s expectations. The Guru thus proved that for the cause he was fighting, he would not hesitate to offer his own sons for sacrifice, while demanding supreme sacrifice from his Sikhs. The Sikhs were as dear to him as his own sons.

Thus fell the brave son of the Great Guru providing inspiration to the Sikhs for generation to come. The Sikh community will keep remembering this young martyr son of the tenth master for all times to come.

to be continued...

Great Sikh Martyrs - Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji & Jujhar Singh ji, Part -II

Son's of Guru Gobind Singh

The eldest of the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh, Sahibzada Ajit Singh was born at Paunta sahib on 7th january 1687 A.D. Sahibzada Jujhar Singh the second son of the tenth Guru, was born in March 1689 A.D. at Anandpur Punjab. The two were aged 18 yrs and 16 yrs respectively when they achieved martyrdom at Chamkaur Sahib. Because of their heroic deeds at such a young age, Sikhs reverdly call them “Baba”, expressive of their highest regard and respect for these brave sons of the Guru. They underwent training in physical fitness,riding,and use of weapons apart from getting formal and religious (Gurmat) education from competent Sikhs and their father right from their childhood.

Sahibzada Ajit Singh performed deeds of great courage during various battles that took place around Anandpur Sahib between the forces of Hindu Kings & Muslim rulers on one side & Guru’s forces on the other side.

Leadership of Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Under the ablest guidance and leadership of Guru Gobind Singh, the Sikhs started hunting Tigers and other wild animals in the jungles around Anandpur Sahib by learning the use of all sorts of weapons including the latest weapons. 

Casteless society, i.e., Sikhism raised hopes of equality for all and freedom from tyrant rulers of the time. Ever increasing numbers of Hindus and even Muslims adopting Sikhism, alarmed both Hindu kings of Hill States adjoining Anandpur Sahib, and the Muslim rulers who thought that if Sikhism is allowed to grow at this rate they would not be able to control the oppressed for very long, the Hindu Hill State Kings through persistent complaints alarmed Emperor Aurangzeb about the growing strength and influence of Guru Gobind Singh which according to them could one day endanger the rulers of both Hindu and Muslim communities.

Thus the Muslims rulers in Delhi, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir joined hands with the Hindu rulers of Hill States around Anandpur Sahib, to destroy the growing influence of Guru Gobind Singh forever. Their combined fighting forces marched towards Anandpur Sahib and encircled it completely. They cut off supplies to the besieged Sikh community in the Anandpur Sahib Fort.

The Sikhs besieged in Anandpur Fort had to undergo extreme hardship due to non-availability of rations, water and medicines. On the other hand , seven months of unsuccessful military venture had also demoralized the leaders and soldiers of tyrant rulers. As a result they started to find a face-saving device to please Emperor Aurangzeb.

They swore on Geeta and Koran assuring Sri Guru Gobind Singh that in case he vacated Anandpur Fort along with his Sikhs, they would not attack him and his soldiers. After this evacuation, they would also go away and be in a position to show their faces to the Emperor Aurangzeb. Guru Gobind Singh Ji decided to evacuate Anandpur Sahib on the advice of Sikhs although he had no confidence on the promised made by the adversaries and told them about his views.

Promises Broken

Guru Ji, accompanied by Sikhs and his family members evacuated Anandpur Sahib in December 1704 A.D. They had hardly reached the bank of rivulet Sirsa, when the enemy forces attacked them from behind without caring a bit about the promises made by them earlier in the name of their Holy Books.

Sahibzada Ajit Singh and part of Sikh forces kept the attacking enemy at bay by engaging them in a fierce battel till Guru Gobind Singh accompanied by others crossed the rivulet, which was in spate due to heavy rains upstream. Later Ajit Singh and the remaining Sikhs too crossed the rivulet sirsa & joined Guru Gobind Singh later. The enemy forces were deeply impressed by the fighting & leadership qualities shown by the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh. The flooded rivlet took a heavy toll of Sikh lives.

By evening of the follwing day, Guru Gobind Singh accompanied by his only two elder sons and forty surviving Sikhs arrived at village Chamkaur, thoroughly exhausted. They quickly got themselves settled in fortess-like house of chaudhary Budhi Chand and decided to face the approaching enemy forces there.

During the night, enemy forces encircled this fortress in large numbers. Their numbers swelled to lacs by day break. When the enemy attacked the fortress in the morning, Guru Gobind Singh, and his disciples kept the enemy at bay with the help of deadly arrows inflicting heavy casualties. When the stock of arrows started dwindling and the enemy forces starting coming close to the fortress, it was decided by Guru Gobind Singh to send Sikhs outside the fortress in batches of five to engage the enemy soldiers in hand to hand fight. Imagine 5 Sikhs, daring to take on lakhs enemy soldiers! This amply proved to the world how fearless the Sikhs of the Guru were and had love not for their lives, but the orders of their master. 

To be contd……

Great Sikh Martyrs - Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji & Jujhar Singh ji, Part -I

Martyrdom in Sikhism is a fundamental concept and represents an important institution of the faith. 

"In the Sikh form the institution is a complete departure from the Indian tradition, and for that matter radically distinguishes the whole-life character of Sikhism from the earlier dichotomous of pacific Indian religious traditions". 

It is significant that the concept was emphatically laid down by Guru Nanak, and the history of the Guru period as well as the subsequent history of the Sikhs is an open expression, in thought and deed, of this basic doctrine.

In Sikhism, Guru Nanak in the very beginning of his famous hymn 'Japu Ji', while rejecting the paths of ascetic one point meditation or withdrawal, emphatically prescribes carrying out or living according to the Will of God as the goal of man. 

"How to become the auto-ed of truth and how to demolish the wall of falsehood?" 

he asks, and then proceeds to answer, 

"Through following His Will." 

He then defines the will to be the 'Ocean of Virtues' or Altruistic. The Gurus' perception of this Will is that it is Loving or Love. It is in this context that Guru Nanak proclaims that life is a 'game of love', and gives a call to humanity to follow this path. 

He says: 

"Shouldst thou seek to engage in the game of Love, 

step into my street with thy head placed on thy palm: 

While stepping on to this street, 

grudgingly sacrifice your head"

                                                           ---(G.G.S., p. 1412)

Repeated emphasis is laid on this goal of following the Will of God, Who is directing the universe.

The four sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji are known as SAHIBZADAS

1. SAHIBZADA AJIT SINGH JI 
2. SAHIBZADA JUJHAR SINGH JI 
3. SAHIBZADA ZORAWAR SINGH JI 
4. SAHIBZADA FATEH SINGH JI

to be continued...

#CharSahibzade #Sikhism #Guru