The Guru’sThe Guru’s

GurpurbsGurpurbs Gurpurbs are days connected with the lives of the Gurus. Gurpurbs are days connected with the lives of the Gurus.

The most important ones are: The most important ones are: Birthday of Guru Nanak - November. Birthday of Guru Nanak - November. Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh - 5th January. Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh - 5th January. Martyrdom of Guru Arjun - 16th June. In addition to Nagar Martyrdom of Guru Arjun - 16th June. In addition to Nagar

keertan (street procession) and Akhand paath (continuous keertan (street procession) and Akhand paath (continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib), Guru Arjun's martyrdom is reading of Guru Granth Sahib), Guru Arjun's martyrdom is commemorated by Sikhs having stalls offering free drinks commemorated by Sikhs having stalls offering free drinks to passers-by. This recalls the original events when Guru to passers-by. This recalls the original events when Guru Hargobind offered the Sikhs sweet drinks to calm down Hargobind offered the Sikhs sweet drinks to calm down after the execution of Guru Arjun, the first Sikh martyr. after the execution of Guru Arjun, the first Sikh martyr.

Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur - 24th November.Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur - 24th November.

GuruGuru The word "Guru" is a Sanskrit word meaning teacher, The word "Guru" is a Sanskrit word meaning teacher,

honoured person, religious person or saint. Sikhism though honoured person, religious person or saint. Sikhism though has a very specific definition of the word Guru. It means has a very specific definition of the word Guru. It means the descent of divine guidance to mankind provided the descent of divine guidance to mankind provided through ten Enlightened Masters. This honour of being through ten Enlightened Masters. This honour of being called a Sikh Guru applies only to the ten Gurus who called a Sikh Guru applies only to the ten Gurus who founded the religion starting with Guru Nanak in 1469 and founded the religion starting with Guru Nanak in 1469 and ending with Guru Gobind Singh in 1708; thereafter it refers ending with Guru Gobind Singh in 1708; thereafter it refers to the Sikh Holy Scriptures the Guru Granth Sahib. The to the Sikh Holy Scriptures the Guru Granth Sahib. The divine spirit was passed from one Guru to the next as "The divine spirit was passed from one Guru to the next as "The light of a lamp which lights another does not abate. light of a lamp which lights another does not abate. Similarly a spiritual leader and his disciple become equal, Similarly a spiritual leader and his disciple become equal, Nanak says the truth." Nanak says the truth."

Pictures of the GurusPictures of the Gurus

Sikhism rejects any form of idol worship Sikhism rejects any form of idol worship including worship of pictures of the Gurus. including worship of pictures of the Gurus. Although some of the Gurus did pose for Although some of the Gurus did pose for paintings, unfortunately none of these paintings, unfortunately none of these historical paintings have survived. Artists historical paintings have survived. Artists renditions are for inspirational purposes only renditions are for inspirational purposes only and should not be regarded as objects of and should not be regarded as objects of worship themselves. worship themselves.

Guru NanakGuru Nanak 1.1. Guru Nanak Guru Nanak is important to is important to

Sikhs because he: Sikhs because he: was the founder of Sikhism, was the founder of Sikhism,

setting out its basic ideas in setting out its basic ideas in hymns. hymns.

travelled 30,000 miles in four travelled 30,000 miles in four journeys to spread God's journeys to spread God's message (see artist’s image). message (see artist’s image).

set up a model community at set up a model community at Kartarpur. Kartarpur.

appointed a successor to appointed a successor to continue his work.continue his work.

. .

Guru Angad Dev (1504-1552) Guru Angad Dev (1504-1552) Guru AngadGuru Angad is important to Sikhs is important to Sikhs

because he: because he: was appointed as the second Guru was appointed as the second Guru

by Guru Nanak, thus establishing by Guru Nanak, thus establishing the House of the Guru. the House of the Guru.

his name was changed from Lehna his name was changed from Lehna to Angad meaning 'my limb' to Angad meaning 'my limb' showing that he was now the same showing that he was now the same as the Guru. as the Guru.

developed the langar. His wife, developed the langar. His wife, Mata Khivi, is one of the few people Mata Khivi, is one of the few people mentioned in the Guru Granth mentioned in the Guru Granth Sahib. She is mentioned because of Sahib. She is mentioned because of her kheer (rice pudding) which was her kheer (rice pudding) which was used to feed the hungry. used to feed the hungry.

Guru Amar Das (1479-1574) Guru Amar Das (1479-1574) Guru Amar DasGuru Amar Das became Guru became Guru

at 73 and is important to Sikhs at 73 and is important to Sikhs because he: because he:

made many social reforms to made many social reforms to improve the status of women. improve the status of women.

asked people to eat together in asked people to eat together in the langar before coming to the langar before coming to listen to his teachings. This was listen to his teachings. This was to deal with some 'holy' people to deal with some 'holy' people who refused to eat with 'other' who refused to eat with 'other' people but wanted to listen to people but wanted to listen to his teachings. He even insisted his teachings. He even insisted on this rule when visited by the on this rule when visited by the Mughal Emperor, at that time Mughal Emperor, at that time perhaps the most magnificent perhaps the most magnificent ruler in the world.ruler in the world.

The Fourth MasterThe Fourth MasterGuru Ram Das (1534-1581)Guru Ram Das (1534-1581)

Guru Ram DasGuru Ram Das was born at was born at Lahore.His father was Bhai Hardas Lahore.His father was Bhai Hardas ji and mother Bibi Daya Kaur.ji and mother Bibi Daya Kaur.Guru was the Jetha (means eldest) Guru was the Jetha (means eldest) in the family and his parents died in the family and his parents died when he was very small. He moved when he was very small. He moved to Basarke in Punjabi, to his to Basarke in Punjabi, to his grandparent's house.grandparent's house. The son-in-law of Guru Amar Das The son-in-law of Guru Amar Das and he founded the city Amritsar, and he founded the city Amritsar, built the Golden Temple. He spreed built the Golden Temple. He spreed Sikhism in North India.Sikhism in North India.

Guru Ram DasGuru Ram Das is important to is important to Sikhs because he: Sikhs because he:

established the city of Amritsar.established the city of Amritsar.

The Fifth MasterThe Fifth MasterGuru Arjan Dev (1563-1606)Guru Arjan Dev (1563-1606)

Guru ArjunGuru Arjun is important to is important to Sikhs because he: Sikhs because he:

built the Harmandar Sahib built the Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple) of Amritsar (Golden Temple) of Amritsar

collected the writings of the collected the writings of the previous Gurus and thirty-six previous Gurus and thirty-six other holy people into what other holy people into what western scholars call the Adi western scholars call the Adi Granth (the first copy of the Granth (the first copy of the Guru Granth Sahib) in 1604. Guru Granth Sahib) in 1604.

became the first Sikh martyr became the first Sikh martyr when executed on the orders of when executed on the orders of the Mughal Emperor.the Mughal Emperor.

Guru Hargobind (1595-1644) Guru Hargobind (1595-1644) Guru HargobindGuru Hargobind is important to Sikhs because is important to Sikhs because

he: he: designed the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag). designed the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag). wore two swords showing meeri-peeri (worldly wore two swords showing meeri-peeri (worldly

power as well as spiritual power). power as well as spiritual power). created the Akal Takht opposite the Harmandar created the Akal Takht opposite the Harmandar

Sahib in Amritsar. The political centre of the Sikhs Sahib in Amritsar. The political centre of the Sikhs sat opposite the religious centre showing the sat opposite the religious centre showing the balance between worldly and spiritual power balance between worldly and spiritual power (meeri-peeri). (meeri-peeri).

ordered Sikhs to ride horses and carry swords. ordered Sikhs to ride horses and carry swords. This is illegal for dhimmis (non-Muslims in a This is illegal for dhimmis (non-Muslims in a Muslim country). Muslim country).

freed fifty-two innocent princes who were in prison freed fifty-two innocent princes who were in prison with him. They held on to tassles attached to his with him. They held on to tassles attached to his cloak. The event is celebrated by Sikhs at Diwali. cloak. The event is celebrated by Sikhs at Diwali.

created places of prayer for Muslim followers of created places of prayer for Muslim followers of his. One of them called Guru-ka-Masjid still his. One of them called Guru-ka-Masjid still survives today in India.survives today in India.

The Seventh MasterThe Seventh MasterGuru Har Rai (1630-1661)Guru Har Rai (1630-1661)

Guru Har RaiGuru Har Rai was the grandson of was the grandson of Guru Hargobind. He was born on 16th Guru Hargobind. He was born on 16th Januay 1630, at Kiratpur district Januay 1630, at Kiratpur district Punjab. His mother was Bibi Nihal Punjab. His mother was Bibi Nihal Kaur and father Siri Gurditta ji.He Kaur and father Siri Gurditta ji.He made Sikhism strong and popular, like made Sikhism strong and popular, like Guru Hargobind. The Guru kept up the Guru Hargobind. The Guru kept up the tradition of Sikhism. He appointed his tradition of Sikhism. He appointed his son son Har KrishanHar Krishan as his successor in as his successor in 1661.1661.

Guru Har RaiGuru Har Rai is important to Sikhs is important to Sikhs because he: because he:

collected rare plants and used them to collected rare plants and used them to make medicines. When no one else make medicines. When no one else could help him, he gave medicines to could help him, he gave medicines to Prince Daro, the son of Emperor Shah Prince Daro, the son of Emperor Shah Jehan (the maker of the Taj Mahal).Jehan (the maker of the Taj Mahal).

The Eighth MasterThe Eighth MasterGuru Harkrishan (1656-1664)Guru Harkrishan (1656-1664)

Guru HarkrishanGuru Harkrishan become a Guru at the become a Guru at the age of five and the son of Guru Har Rai Ji. age of five and the son of Guru Har Rai Ji. His mother was Bibi Kishan Kaur. He lived His mother was Bibi Kishan Kaur. He lived a short life of eight years. At this age he a short life of eight years. At this age he showed great miracles and helped poor showed great miracles and helped poor people.He was the youngest son of people.He was the youngest son of Guru Guru Har Rai.Har Rai. Guru Harkrishan had the ability in Guru Harkrishan had the ability in explaining passages from the Holy book explaining passages from the Holy book (Sri-Guru Granth Sahib). He reminded (Sri-Guru Granth Sahib). He reminded disciples there was one God alone and disciples there was one God alone and asked to discard passions. Learn the truth asked to discard passions. Learn the truth way of life and also be charity, able love way of life and also be charity, able love everyone. He died of cholera, when he everyone. He died of cholera, when he started his mission of going to the afflicted started his mission of going to the afflicted colonies and nursed the suffering people colonies and nursed the suffering people with his own hands.with his own hands.Guru's messages is truthfulness and Guru's messages is truthfulness and care for others.care for others.

Guru Har Krishan is important to Sikhs Guru Har Krishan is important to Sikhs because he: because he:

died serving victims of smallpox at the died serving victims of smallpox at the age of 8.age of 8.

The Ninth MasterThe Ninth MasterGuru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675)Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675)

Guru Tegh BahadurGuru Tegh Bahadur is is important to Sikhs because he: important to Sikhs because he:

led the first massive non-violent led the first massive non-violent protest movement against the protest movement against the Mughal Emperor's policy of Mughal Emperor's policy of forcing Hindus to become forcing Hindus to become Muslims. Muslims.

became the second Guru to be became the second Guru to be killed by Mughal Emperors, killed by Mughal Emperors, which some people argue led to which some people argue led to the formation of the Khalsa. the formation of the Khalsa.

died to protect the freedom of a died to protect the freedom of a religion whose teachings he religion whose teachings he disgreed with, and to protect disgreed with, and to protect each individual's right to worship each individual's right to worship God as they chooseGod as they choose

The Tenth MasterThe Tenth MasterGuru Gobind Singh (1666-1708)Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708)

Guru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind Singh is important to Sikhs because he: is important to Sikhs because he: created the Khalsa on the Vaisakhi of 1699. created the Khalsa on the Vaisakhi of 1699. became the first to receive amrit (initiation) from the became the first to receive amrit (initiation) from the

Khalsa and changed his name from Guru Gobind Rai to Khalsa and changed his name from Guru Gobind Rai to Guru Gobind Singh. Guru Gobind Singh.

finalised the Guru Granth Sahib by adding Guru Tegh finalised the Guru Granth Sahib by adding Guru Tegh Bahadur's writings to it. Bahadur's writings to it.

acknowledged Guru Granth Sahib as the Living Guru for acknowledged Guru Granth Sahib as the Living Guru for Sikhs in 1708. Sikhs in 1708.

taught the Sikhs the quality of chardi kala (rising spirits) taught the Sikhs the quality of chardi kala (rising spirits) as he remained faithful to God in spite of having his as he remained faithful to God in spite of having his father, mother and four sons killed by the Mughals. father, mother and four sons killed by the Mughals.

showed the importance of compassion as he rewarded showed the importance of compassion as he rewarded Bhai Kannayya, a Sikh who was giving water to Mughal Bhai Kannayya, a Sikh who was giving water to Mughal soldiers, during the Sikh-Mughal wars. He asked him to soldiers, during the Sikh-Mughal wars. He asked him to provide the injured soldiers with medical care as well as provide the injured soldiers with medical care as well as water.water.

Sri-Guru Granth Sahib- Holy BookSri-Guru Granth Sahib- Holy Book The The Guru Granth SahibGuru Granth Sahib is important to Sikhs is important to Sikhs

because: because: it is the scripture (holy book) of the Sikhs. it is the scripture (holy book) of the Sikhs. the original copy still exists, checked and the original copy still exists, checked and

signed by the Guru. Today, it is always signed by the Guru. Today, it is always printed with 1430 pages. printed with 1430 pages.

it contains the teachings of the Gurus and 36 it contains the teachings of the Gurus and 36 Hindu and Muslim holy people whose Hindu and Muslim holy people whose teachings agreed with their own. teachings agreed with their own.

it is treated as the Living Guru by Sikhs.it is treated as the Living Guru by Sikhs.

The holy book is kept inside all Gurdwaras The holy book is kept inside all Gurdwaras and the centre piece is the Takht, means a and the centre piece is the Takht, means a throne. The book is placed on raised platform throne. The book is placed on raised platform with a decorated canopy above it. Every with a decorated canopy above it. Every morning the book is taken out from the morning the book is taken out from the special rest room and carried on th e head to and carried on th e head to the centre of the room and is put on the the centre of the room and is put on the throne.throne.The devotees bow to the holy book, when The devotees bow to the holy book, when they enter the Gurdwara. they enter the Gurdwara.