A Mother’s sacrifice for Sikhi
In the early 18th century...
Atrocities against the Sikhs was at its peak, and was maximised by the Governor of Lahore Mir Mannu. However, the more and more challenges the Sikhs were facing, the stronger the Khalsa was becoming. It gave them the inner strength and passion to stick together and fight against injustice. Despite Mannu's extreme torture and rule of terror, nothing could hinder the Sikhs.
Mir Mannu sent his army to go from house to house searching for Sikhs. Many of the Sikhs took shelter in jungles, but other Sikhs with families couldn’t just abandon everything and move away. They were captured by the army and all were being sent to Lahore. Most of the prisoners were Sikh women and children. Many of these women were old and frail, and were killed along the way because they couldn’t walk such a long distance. All Sikh women and their children were put in a Lahore jail. For labour they were given chakki (traditional mill stones used to grind corn into flour). They were given no food or water and they were separated from their children, who were also given no food or water. This was done, in order for those sikh women to give in and disown Sikhi.
Everyday, these women would get taunted. People would constantly come upto them and say “Where is your Khalsa now? They cannot rescue you now because all of them have been killed by the Mughal army. So it’s best for you to accept Islam and live a better life.” But, these women never gave up, they didn’t leave their Sikhi. They kept reciting ‘Vaheguroo, Vaheguroo, Vaheguroo.’
The Mughals then started killing the innocent children by throwing them up in the air and landing them on sharp spears. Some children were cut into pieces and garlands were made out of their pieces. The garlands of those innocent souls were put around the necks of those poor mothers. But still these women didn’t waver and stayed strong to their faith.
One of the women was very beautiful and the Qazi (A judge in the Muslim community) wanted to marry her. He came everyday to try and convince her to accept him. But she didn’t, so he had the army men torture her two year old son. They cut him into pieces. This Singhni kept calm and kept saying, “I can give my life but I’ll never give up my Sikhi.” She was then beaten with whips and lost consciousness. In the morning, she lay there by a wall and did her Nitnem and in her ardaas, it has been accounted that she said, “Guru Sahib, within your bhaanaa, my night has passed peacefully. I am thankful to you for taking your possession (her son) back into your sanctuary. May I continue to walk your path and stay within your will. Guru Saab, my breath may leave my body, but I will never give up my Sikhi. Vaheguroo!
Hearing this some of the guards were shocked and wondering what Sikhs were made up of. Some of the guards left their jobs by saying, “These Sikhs are the people of God. We cannot torture these innocent souls. Even their women and children are so strong and brave. They will rule Punjab one day.” The extremists were enraged by this and tortured her again. Heavy weight was put on her body and her bones were crushed. They hit her with sticks. After so much torture, she became Shaheed (martyred) but she never gave up her faith. She just kept chanting ‘Vaheguroo.’ When Singhs heard the news of the tortures, they attacked Lahore and freed all the prisoners and punished the sinners.
Mir Mannu also died. He left for hunting one day. While he was hunting, his horse was scared and ran very fast and jumped so high that Mir Mannu couldn’t control it. He fell off and his feet got entangled in the stirrup. The horse was dragging Mir Mannu. He was badly injured and died in the forest.
These women were so brave; They sacrificed their children for their utmost pyaar (love) for Sikhi. Amazing! That is how much respect the puraatan Singhs and Singhnia had for Guru Sahib and Sikhi. They could sacrifice their all for the panth but they would never waver off the path of the Guru. Respect to those Gursikhs who gave up their lives for Sikhi to be alive today, otherwise we wouldn’t be here today.
But what have we learnt from this? What have we given to the panth? Infact, we can’t even give five minutes of our time to sit down and do simran (remember God in meditation), which is a shame or even thank Guru Sahib for the things he’s blessed us with. Guru Sahib doesn’t ask too much from us. All he asks from us is to live a truthful living and keep our conscience in God’s feet.
We’re all going to return home one day; no one is immortal. This world is false, none of your possessions will go with you after you die. Not even your children. Is it possible for you to even forget your Mother or your Father? Think about it… it’s not! So why do we forget that the one that created us is our Mother and our Father. We can never forget this! The time spent in contemplation on Akaal Purkh (God) and your actions are all that are going to count when you leave this world. Otherwise, it’s like being dead whilst alive. The Kamaee you do during your lifetime is what makes up the numbers of your life. We don’t want a big fat zero against our account.
Let’s make the most of our time. Don’t just take our word for it. Look into your own history. Look into how beautiful Sikhi really is. Let’s read and try understanding Gurbani. Take small steps. Finally, to all the mothers, you are your child’s first Guru (teacher). If you implant the right values, that’s the only way the panth will continue to flourish. Teach them about their history, the shaheediyan of the Chaar Sahibzaade (4 sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji). Guide them towards connecting with their roots. You are the ones that lay the first foundation for that child.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Says,
“So kyo mandha aakeeai, jith jamai raajaan
So why call her bad? From her, kings are born.
Bhando hi bhand oopjai bhando baaj no koe”
From woman, woman is born; without her, there would be no one at all.
Vaheguroo!
