Not many know that tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh ji was a Durga Devotee; he himself penned the story of Mother’s conquest of demons in poetry to invoke courage n valor among disciples as they fought against Mughals to protect their Sanatan Dharma.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
‘Chandi Di Var’ literally means ‘Ballad of Chandi’.Also known as ‘Var Shri Bhagauti ji Di’ or ‘Var Durga Ki’; it confirms the fact that Guru Gobind Singh worshipped Devi Ma Bhagvati Durga, in the tradition of Sanatani Hindu fighters of all eras.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
Shri Ram invoked blessings of Devi Durga before he fought against Ravan. Rajput kings of all times have been known to pray to Ma Bhagvati before setting out for any battle. Being a Hindu Shri Gobind Singh Ji followed it too.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
Before Dasham Guru, 9 Gurus had mostly been spiritual. Main focus had been to rid Hindu Dharma of the evils that had crept into its fold. They worked to unite them, to dissolve the factions created in name of Vaishnava n Shaiva, Dvaita n Advaita etc.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
They preached devotion to One God, Parbrahm Parmeshvar, the Nirguna Nirakar. They had established themselves as the new age reformist leaders of the Hindu society, and their authority was respected across India by other Sanatani Gurus.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
They had a firm hold on Hindu masses and countered the spread of Islam brought in by the invading Mughals. There were some conversions, thru threat of financial hardship & excessive taxing of non-muslims and some by direct militant threat.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
Ascent of Aurangzeb to Delhi-throne, changed the scene drastically. He was determined to extend his kingdom n spread Islam. He decided, economic sanctions alone were not enough. He dictated his military to accompany Maulvis on their missions.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
The modus operandi was to issue the threat of physical torture and beheading to the leaders of local communities, unless they agreed to convert. Once the leader agreed, the entire community would follow in his wake without a rebellion.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
When hounded in this militant manner, Kashmiri Pandits sought the guidance of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Guruji thought of setting a grand example for the masses all over the country by offering his own life at the altar of Dharma. He proceeded to Delhi.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
In Delhi’s Chandni Chowk, where Gurudwara Shishganj Sahib stands today, Guru Teg Bahadur gave up his life on the altar of Sanatan Dharma. Along with him, his major associates also chose torturous deaths over converting to Islam.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
It was an unexpected surprise for Mughals. Reigning Guru of Hindus had performed supreme sacrifice by nonchalantly giving his life for preserving Dharma. He became known as ‘Hind Ki Chadar’ or ‘Protector of Hindus’. A clear indication he was Hindu!
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
It filled Hindus everywhere with unprecedented courage. Maulvis withdrew for the time being. But Gobind Rai, Guru's Teg's son, the next Guru, that it was only temporary, that they would return soon, He had to prepare now for that future assault.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
Spirituality alone wasn’t enough to protect the Hindus of India. They needed an army; but who could they turn to? There was not a single Hindu king left in North, as Rajputs had been wiped out after Maharana Pratap. Marathas were on decline too.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
Practically no one was left to fight militarily for Hindus. Either that vacuum was filled by a new martial order, or it would simply spell end of Hinduism.Dasham Guru rose to the challenge n decided to raise an army out of his common-man followers.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
He prayed intensely for a fortnight to invoke blessings of Ma Bhagvati, during which he composed Chandi Di Var. Then at Baisakhi Mela in Anandpur Sahib, (seat of Guru at the time) he talked to a crowd of thousands about the crisis they was facing.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
Hindu commoners had traditionally left task of battle to warrior class. But now they must take up arms n fight for survival. Guruji asked for volunteers who would selflessly lay down their lives for protecting the Khalis Dharma (ever-pure Sanatan).
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
The initial five who came forward were proclaimed the ‘Panj Pyare’ (dearest five). These five were the new generals of his army. Thousands more followed and an army was put together in no time. Guruji himself undertook the task of training them.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
‘Chidiyan nal main baj ldawan, giddran nu main sher bnavan, swa lakh se ek ldawan, tbe Gobind Singh nam dhravan’; I train sparrows to fight hawks, I transform jackals into lions, I train one to fight millions, I am Gobind Singh; said the poet Guru.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
With this transition from a spiritual Guru to a military leader, he became Gobind Singh; and gave his army-men the same last name. He did not in any way start a new religion, he only motivated common, non-militant Hindu to become Singhs (lions). .
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
“Sakal Jagat me Khalsa Panth Gaaje, Jage Dharam Hindu, Turk dhundh bhaaje’ - ‘May the pure rule the earth, may the sleeping Hindu Dharma awaken and dispel the fog of Islam brought in by the turks (Mughals)’ was the saffron battle cry of the Guru,
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
He gave them 5 symbols of austerity/hygiene and a clear identity against Mughals. Kada, the iron bangle a symbol of iron will; Kesh, uncut hair tied in a knot on head, a clear differentiator from the Muslims, who kept their heads clean shaven.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
Kangha, a wooden comb, essential to maintain clean long hair; Kirpan, a long or short sword, a ready weapon on the person of every Singh; n Kachha, the undergarment, to be worn always under their flowing long robes, ensuring personal modesty.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
He gave them their war Mantra, Chandi Di Var, to read standing up with swords drawn, invoking Mother to bless them with divine courage to go fight like none before; to establish flow of adrenaline powerful enough to perform herculean heroics.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
And undoubtedly Guruji was able to achieve what he proclaimed. History overflows with stories of Sikh warriors who fought/won impossible battles; one against many on sheer power of will; unrelenting under horrendous inhuman torture; never giving up!
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
‘Jo lade deen ke het soora soi, Purja purja kat gire, kabhun na chhande khet soora soi!’ sang the Guru, ‘Who fights for the helpless, he alone is brave; even when all body parts are cut away, who leaves not the battlefield, he alone is brave”.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
He sang to motivate his disciples to rise above self and work and fight and win for upholding Sanatan Hindu Dharma. ‘Dehi shiva bar mohe ehe shubh karman se kab hun na trun, na drun ari saun jb jaye ldun, nishchai kri apni jeey krun’. He asked Devi.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
Which translate to ‘O Ma Shiva (Devi Durga) bless me so I never shrink from doing good deeds, nor be afraid to fight in combat; determined always to win.’ Guruji’s words were magical; one line of his poetry had the capability to make a dead man fight.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
Banda Bahadur, Bhai Deep Singh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Hari Singh Nalua are his famous disciples, who fought Mughals with unprecedented courage. His own four sons, his mother Mata Gujri, the Guru himself, all sacrificed their lives for Sanatan Dharma.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
For 3 centuries, Sikhs stayed an integral part of Hindu society. From each Hindu family, eldest son went for martial duty; ‘pahla beta guru ka!’. Then came British n their ‘Divide n Rule’ policy; officially documenting Sikhism as a separate religion.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
Propaganda was pushed on all fronts; even films and songs. ‘Hindu Muslim Sikh Isai; sabko mera salaam!” seemingly a beautiful song, but squarely making Sikhs as alien from Hindus as Muslims or Christians. Many more subtle suggestions! Masterstroke!
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
Today very few Sikhs remain who adhere to the true narrative of Gurus, most would rather trust porkies than Hindus. What a blatant shame, that they deny their own Gurus’ mission’; believing instead propaganda pushed by British/INCongress/Porkistan.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
High time they opened their eyes and returned to the fold of Sanatan Dharma. Because as one, we will be strong/safe; as many we shall fall to their constant push of conversion; as is evident from the present day situation of Punjab.
#ChandiDiVar
#SanataniSikhs
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.