The top 7 emotional Sakhis from early Sikh history

The top 7 emotional Sakhis from early Sikh history


Our history is filled with incredible stories of bravery, commitment, love and devotion. However, there are a few stories that stand out from the rest that are a must read for any seekers of Sikhi. If you have kids, these stories should be told repeatedly to build Gursikh qualities. When doing Parchaar with those who are new to the path or on the brink of taking Amrit, these stories are a must read and will help them take that final
step.


7) 40 Mukthay get forgiven

After being lead back to fight by the fearless Mai Bhaago, the 40 Mukthay all get Shaheed in battle. The last moment between Guru Sahib and Bhai Maha Singh is very emotional, as he requests Guru Sahib to take them back into his sanctuary, and dispose of the paper which they had written they were no longer Guru Sahib Sikhs.

Lesson: In an instant Guru Sahib can do Kirpa. No matter how many bad actions we do, Guru Sahib is willing to forgive. In an instant, the 40 Mukthay went from Vemukh to Mukht!


6) Mussan & Samman

This is a truly inspiring store that shows us the deidication Gurmukhs had for Guru Sahib. When Musan tells his father to cut off his dead to save the honor of the Gurughar, it brings down a stream of emotions. But the peak of this Saakhi is when Samman is serving langar, Musan comes back in perfect shape with the blessings of Guru Sahib.

Lesson: Dedication, perseverance and love for Guru Sahib will get you unmatchable blessings. Guru Sahib is willing to do anything for us, if we offer our head to Him.


5) The test of Guru Raam Daas Ji’s Sahibzaday

Another very emotional story. This story reaches its peak when Guru Arjun Devi Ji writes a letter to His father explaining how much He misses Him. It’s very difficult to hold in your tears when reading this. The fact that these letters were actually Gurbani and we are able to read everyday makes it more incredible.

Lesson: We may not understand all of Guru Sahibs Hukams and many times they may seem very challenging. However it is certain that; if you follow Guru Sahib Ji’s hukam, you will be rewarded!


4) Guru Arjun Dev Ji does seva of Sangat

This is a very emotional Sakhi, which peaks when Baba Budha Ji gets a glimpse of Guru Sahib cleaning the Shoes of the Sangat and breaks down crying. What a wonderful scene it must have been! How much Love does Guru Sahib have for his Gursikhs! Who can showcase humility more than the embodiment of humility Himself, Sri Guru Arjun Dev ji!?

Lesson: If we love Guru Sahib, then Guru Sahib returns the favour. If Guru Sahib was willing to clean the shoes of Sangat, then what isn’t he willing to do for us? All we have to do is take the first step.

3) Shaheedi of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji and Gursikhs

From the very beginning of this story, when a young Gobind Rai offers his father for sacrifice it causes a flurry of emotions. Its peak is when 3 Gursikhs accompanying Guru Sahib all get Shaheed. When Bhai Mati Daas Ji is offered one last wish, he doesn’t ask for any worldly item but that his head may face Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji after he is sawn in half.

Lesson: If your life must go, so be it. Never let your Sikhi falter even for an instant.

2) Shaheedi of Guru Arjun Dev Ji

What to say about this heartbreaking event? Guru Sahib endured torture for so many days and to end it all of with such breath-taking words “Tera Kiia Miitha Lagay” (your will seems sweet to me.”

Lesson: Accept Akal Purakh’s hukam and don’t give up your Sikhi no matter what trials and tribulations you go through. If you have to give your life, so be it.

We are not this body so we should not feel the pain that is inflicted to it. Those absorbed in Naam do not feel an iota of pain.

1) Chotay Sahizaday Shaheedi

What is to say about this Sakhi? It’s a sacrifice that is unheard of and will never ever be replicated. A story of valor, love and commitment that will make your hairs standup and cause a tsunami of tears to roll down your cheeks. There has not been a time where I read this story in its entirety and haven’t teared up. The only problem with this story? It is too difficult to narrate without breaking down into tears.

Lesson: Never give up your Sikhi at any cost. We too as Gursikhs can claim Guru Gobind Singh Ji as our father. Thus, the same courage that Guru Sahib blessed His children with, we too can have that same Kirpa(blessing) if we follow Guru Sahibs Hukam.

There is no age requirement for Sikhi, if we encourage our kids to do Bhagtee and keep faith in Guru Sahib than they too can achieve the same level of spirituality at a very young age. These are traits we must implement into our children from birth.

Gurman Singh

Amazing post!

Indeed as far as emotional event is concerned, nothing matches the martyrdom of younger Sahibzade of Siri Guru Gobind Singh jee. Their sacrifice for Sikhi is of paramount importance in Sikhi because of their age and family background. The Sikhs just love the Sahibzaade and this has been the case from the beginning. Their Shaheedi was the single biggest factor in mobilizing the Sikhs led by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and establishing the first Sikh raj in history. The invincible Mughal army was plundered in Punjab. Sirhind where their martyrdom occurred was ransacked by the Sikhs many times.

To read more about the Shaheedi of Sahibzaade, click the following link:

[www.gurmatbibek.com]


The Shaheedi of older Sahibzaade - Baba Ajit Singh jee and Baba Jujhar Singh jee is not mentioned above and I personally would place their martyrdom right after the younger Sahibzaade. To us Sikhs, Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh jee are what Hussan and Hussain are to Shia Muslims, and even more. Chamkaur to us is what Karbala is to Shia Muslims, and much more. The whole episode of Chamkaur Sahib, the great Sahibzaade displaying their superb valour and martial skills while their Guru Pita jee - Siri Guru Gobind Singh jee Maharaj watching from the roof of Chamkaur haveli is unfathomable to the Sikh mind. How did Guru Sahib sustain the martyrdom of his beloved Sahibzaade absorbed in Naam, is the zenith of Sikhi. Ones who have young sons hitting youth alone can understand the supreme sacrifice of Guru Sahib jee at Chamkaur Sahib.

The killing of sons of Ali and grandsons of Mohammad, Hassan and Hussain at Karbala was the result of their enemies surrounding them but there was no other choice for them. They had no way to escape but in case of Chamkaur battle, Siri Guru Gobind Singh jee had complete control over whether to get His Sahibzaade martyred or not. He could have saved them, just like he saved Bhai Daya Singh jee and Bhai Dharam Singh jee the Punj Pyare and the world would still have admired Him just as much as they adore Him now. Guru Sahib's Sahibzaade were still teenagers and there was no pressing need to get them martyred but He Himself sent Baba Ajit Singh jee to fight the enemy and to get martyred. The younger Sahibzaada Baba Jujhar Singh on beholding the sacrifice of his elder brother, himself volunteered to get martyred and their Father - Siri Guru Gobind Singh jee did not try to dissuade him from getting martyred but Himself readied him to go and fight the enemy. Absolutely amazing!

From Chamkaur Haveli, Guru Sahib jee watched the cream of Sikhi getting martyred. His most beloved Sikhs got Shaheed in this place, right in front of His eyes. Guru Sahib jee saved Bhai Daya Singh jee and Bhai Dharam Singh jee but got his Sahibzaade Shaheed. This tells volumes about Guru Sahib jee. Who in the history has done this? Who will ever do this in the future? No one!

From Chamkaur Sahib, Guru jee left alone and lay on ground with torn clothes. It's hard to imagine that time. As Sikhs, we can't understand about why this seeming ordeal occurred. Guru Sahib alone knows why all this happened but one thing is for sure, that this whole episode of martyrdom of the Sahibzaade created unparallel history for Sikhs.

Kulbir Singh

Yes i missed that Saakhi, but i was planning to include this in a future write up on the most influential battles in Sikh history. This Sakhi although very emotional also evokes Bir-Rass and encourages one to take up training with Shaster's.

I agree about Vaday Sahibzade being on the list. It's hard to rank these issues but the Shaheedi of Baba Jujhar Singh is absolutely mindblowing. He was the Sahibzada that could have most easily escaped his Shaheedi if he had wanted to. The younger Sahibzade couldn't have escaped their Shaheedi in the sense that they would have never given up their Sikhi. Baba Ajit Singh was a relatively seasoned warrior so it made sense for him to go out and lead Singhs into battle. Baba Jujhar Singh was about 13 years old. He was basically a child but was so determined to go into battle and fight grown men who were seasoned soldiers. No one wanted him to go but he went anyway. The scene in the original Chaar Sahibzaade movie where Bhai Daya Singh pleads with Guru Sahib and Baba Jujhar Singh to not go into battle and then followed by Guru Sahib adorning Baba Jujhar Singh with shastars is the most emotional scene for me.

You could change 1 to chaar sahibzaadey shaheedi.Also, when mataji asks about her 4 sons and Gurujis reply is so emotional and amazing.He truly saw us as his sons and daughters, theres no other father like him.

Vaheguru Jio

I have not heard about the sakhi of Mussan & Samman. I would like to know about this sakhi.Please share compelete Saakhi if possible .

Bhul Chuk Muaf Krna Ji

Parvinder Singh

Very emotional post by Bhai Gurman Singh.

When I think of the most emotional Sakhian from early Sikh history I think the Sakhi of Bhai Manjh must be included in the list. The way that Guru jee tested Bhai Sahib and way Bhai Sahib passed all of the tests is so very inspiring. When Guru jee asks Bhai Manjh which Daat he wants Bhai Sahib asked for Guru jee to not test any other Sikh the same way Bhai Sahib was tested.

Really we are so fortunate that Bhai Manjh jee asked Guru jee to be lenient with us otherwise we would never be able to please Guru jee.

Preetam Singh

Amazing post Bhai Gurman Singh Ji, please follow up with more top 10s. Here are some ideas: Sikh warriors, conquests, Shaheedis, or even mistakes.

There is a much more emotional write up of this story but i found this for starters.......this story misses out the part where father and son worked extra hours for the zameendaar to get money for rations for the langar. The zameendaar refused to pay, so both father and son decided to take what was rightly theirs.... during the time of G. Arjan Dev Ji, the Guru stopped in a village. The sangat had gathered and was asked who wants to volunteer to make the langar. Moosan & Samman out of their love for the Guru got up, even though financially it was not within their means.

With the clock ticking for the next day, Moosan & Samman decided upon to loot the house of a nearby Showkar (well off individual) at night. They entered through the roof and having got all the food they needed, on the way out they realised that they had forgotten the salt. Samman the son went back to get the salt but the house keeper woke up and grabbed Samman by the legs as he was trying to get out. Moosan the father tried to pull his son out but to no avail. In the mean time dawn began to break and the son said to the father if we are recognised, it will mean beztee for the Guru. People will say the Guru's deciples are a bunch of thieves. With dawn breaking the matter was getting urgent and the son said to father, chop my head off and take it with you before dawn breaks. Which is what the father did.

After this, it is said that house keeper on seeing that he had a head-less body, suddenly became worried that people may accuse him of being a koonee and sought help to be rid of the body. It is not clear how, but the father appears to have gone back and retrieved the body from the house keeper perhaps through claims to help him be rid of it.

The father Moosan brought the body back and put it to bed with only the head part showing. As the langar was made and being served the next day, the Guru enquired where is Samman. Moosan replied that he is not well and is sleeping. Later again the Guru asked and on the third occassion the Guru uttered the words Samman wake up and help serve langar as the Sangat is arriving. Samman walked out of the room, body and head complete. Father and son looked at each other, said nothing, turned and walked over to the Guru and matha teked.

Hanji Bhai sahib, people get excited about their prophet resurrecting, our guruji was resurrecting others!