Jyoti Jyot of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj

October 21st was the Jyoti Jot Divas of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj and it coinsided with Diwali. I a'm posting a little late the episode (sakhi) where Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj were attacked while asleep and the wound lead to the cause of his Joyti Jyot.

The Guru started from Damdama travelling southwards on his missionary tour preaching and converting people to the fold of the Khalsa. Rumours reached the Guru that as soon as the Emperor found time he would march against the Guru and finish his power once and for all. Seeing the gravity off the situation and being sure of the Emperor's complicity with Wazir Khan (a minister in the Bhadur Shah’s court who bricked alive 2 of the Guru Gobind Singh’s sons) , the Guru appointed Banda Singh as the Commander of the Khalsa. Banda Singh was instructed always to adhere to Truth and always to abide by the counsel of the Five Sikhs. Thus equipped, Banda Singh marched towards the Punjab along with Binod Singh, Kahn Singh (descendants of Guru Angad) and Baz Singh (a descendant of Guru Amar Das) who commanded their own sections of the army.

The Guru was planning to go back to the Punjab himself after some time. One day the Guru was having a nap after the evening prayers when a Pathan named Jamshaid Khan entered his room stealthily. He thrust a dagger into the Master's side and tried to escape. The Master woke up at once and with one stroke of his sword cut him in two. The Guru's wound was immediately attended to and he encouraged his Sikhs saying, "Have no fear. The Immortal God has protected me and I will be well again." Although the Guru was in bed for many days, he kept his usual cheerfulness. However, it was clear to the Guru that the call of the Father in Heaven had come. One day, after the evening prayers he addressed his Sikhs:

"My dear beloved Khalsa, Guru Arjan has said, 'Everything we behold must perish.' It is the God alone who is eternal. All other things, however, holy and exalted, must depart from this world. Of what account is Man? Know that what is everlasting is the light of God in your hearts. So always remember God and never give way to mourning over the death of beloved ones. I have entrusted you to the care of the immortal God. Read the Granth or listen to it and your minds shall receive consolation. Remain under the Lord's protection and trust no other. Wherever five Sikhs, who abide by the Guru's instructions, assemble, there shall I be also. It was instructed by my Father to set up the Khalsa and now this is my final order, that the Khalsa should consider the Holy Word of the Granth as their Guru from now on. Let all who want to seek the Lord, meditate on the divine Name in the Guru Granth Sahib, wherein lies the spirit of all the ten Gurus."

Saying this, the Guru went to his bed and retired for the night leaving the Khalsa worried and sad. About an hour after midnight he arose and recited the Japji (the Sikh Morning Prayer). He then called His Sikhs around him and bade them his last farewell.

"Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa. Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh."
"The Khalsa is of God, May it be victorious in his Will."

Deep was the grief of the Khalsa when the news of the Guru's death reached the Punjab. The Master returned to his eternal home, having served the nation for 42 years. Though not physically visible, every Sikh feels his presence in his heart, and a Muslim saint has very aptly said:

"Neither am I prejudiced nor biased, I say the truth. If Guru Gobind Singh had not come on the Indian scene all would be circumcised."

source : various web-sites