Shaheedi Purab of younger Sahibzade is fast approaching. The martyrdom of Baba Zoravar Singh jee and Baba Fateh Singh jee is matchless in history. A normal child of less than 10 years old, cannot have such audacity that they possessed, but Sahibzade were not ordinary beings. They were Brahmgyanis who like their father and father’s uncles (Baba Atal jee and Baba Gurdita jee) had reached the highest spiritual states at very early age. The role of Mata Gujri jee in upbringing such superb Gurmukhs as the Sahibzade, cannot be praised enough.
Mata jee has the rare distinction of being a Mehal (wife) of a Shaheed Guru, mother of a Shaheed Guru, grandmother of 4 Shaheed grandsons, and Aunt of many Shaheed nephews (sons of Bibi Veero jee, daughter of Siri Guru Hargobind Sahib jee and sister-in-law of Mata Gujri jee).
Mata jee was born in to Bhai Lal Chand and Mata Bishan Kaur, at Kartarpur village in Jalandhar. She was married to Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib at an early age. She served her husband, who was an embodiment of Bhagti, very humbly and earnestly. The couple was physically too, very handsome and as such people would say that this marriage had been divinely made. When Siri Guru Har Rai jee became the Guru, Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib jee stayed at Baba Bakala and stayed absorbed in Naam, day and night. Occasionally, he took breaks to do Gurmat Parchaar under the guidance of Siri Guru Har Rai Sahib jee. All this time, Mata Gujri jee did massive Bhagti and service of her husband.
When Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib became the Guru, he stayed very busy in doing Parchaar. Mata jee stayed satisfied and never became an obstacle in her Guru Husband’s way, rather she helped as much as she could. When she saw the severed head of her husband, she bowed and did Ardaas that may she too stay firm in Sikhi like her Husband. There was no wailing and crying. She stayed strong and fully supported her son Siri Guru Gobind Singh jee's efforts to make the Quom martial.
When she and her grandchildren, the divine Sahibzade, were arrested by the Mughals, she taught them important lessons of martyrdom. She asked them to stay firm in their faith like their grandfather (Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib) and prefer martyrdom over life without faith. History stands witness to the great event that took place in Sirhind. The innocent Sahibzade of Siri Guru Gobind Singh jee accepted martyrdom but stayed firm in their Sikhi faith. This was a result of efforts of Mata Gujri jee.
Some historians have written that when Mata jee heard about the martyrdom of her grandchildren, she jumped from the tower and gave her life. This is absolutely a fabrication of truth. Mata jee was a pooran Brahmgyani and could have never committed suicide. She was in Samadhi and as per will of Vaheguru jee, left her body for Sachkhand, once her mission of safeguarding the honour of Guru Ghar was done. What a great spiritual life Mata jee had. Her life is a lesson for all of us as to always keep Sikhi first and our own personal worldly benefits second.
Daas,
Kulbir Singh
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਬਚਨਕਮਾਵਣੇਸਚਾਏਹੁਵੀਚਾਰੁ॥
