This Guru Sahib declared There is no Hindu

This Guru Sahib declared "There is no Hindu, nor any Mussalman. " This Guru broke religious boundaries and promoted the love of humanity He also blessed Sikhs with the following three principles: 1. Naam Japna 2. Kirat Karnai 3. Vand Chakna Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj This Guru travelled all of the world with his two companions to spread the message of love, equality of all humans and equality of women.

This Guru learnt the Sikh way of life, he memorised Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s words and took part in Kirtan, he served the sadh sangat(holy congregation) with great humility and sincerity. During the day he worked on Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s farm and inthe evening served langar in the free-kitchen. This Guru introduced ‘Niskham Seva’. The institution of Langar was maintained and developed. This Guru started schools and also developed the Gurmukhi language in order to make education available to the downtrodden and the underprivileged of the society at that time. Guru Ji was also very keen on physical fitness, he ordered his followers, to take part in sports and community games after the morning prayers. Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji Maharaj

Guru Ji (at the age of 62) had such deep and intense passion that he would find pleasure in doing every type of seva for his Master. For 13 years, early in the morning in pitch darkness he would fetch a pitcher of fresh river water for Guru Angad Dev Ji Maharj’s bath, he would wash Guru Ji’s clothes and serve Guru Sahib Ji langar. After putting him Guru Ji to rest, he returned to Goindwal, walking backwards in his supreme reverence for his spiritual master. Sri Guru Amar Das Ji Maharaj This Guru further developed Langar (Free Kitchen) into an institution for service of the community and for channelling the charities of the Sikhs.

This Guru emphasised seva and charity, he was a self-made man, who came to Guru Angad Dev Ji as a helpless orphan, but due to his devotion and humility was elevated to the position of Guru. His life is a beacon to the Sikhs that anyone of them can gain spiritual stature by discipline and selfless service. Sri Guru Ram Das Ji Maharaj Guru Ji composed the Lavan (Wedding Song) and initiated a new type of simple and dignified marriage known as Anand Karaj (Ceremony of Bliss).

During his childhood, he helped his father with the excavation of the Amrit-Sarovar (Pool of nectar) at Ramdaspur. He also began construction of a central temple Sri Harimandar Sahib Ji (known as the Golden Temple), he persuaded Sikhs to set up their businesses in this new town which came to be called Amritsar. Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj Kurbani means sacrifice, Guru Ji had already sacrificed his all to service of the Sikh people. However, Guru Ji was taken to Lahore where he was tortured by pouring burning sand boiling water over his body while sitting on a hot iron plate. Guru Ji’s body partly blistered and partly burnt was thrown into the river Ravi, in this way Guru Ji sacrificed his life to uphold the Sovereignty of the Sikh Scriptures and to resist injustice. For this reason Guru Ji is also known as the King of Martyrs.

The first phase of Guru Ji’s life was devoted to building the morale of the Sikh community, Guru Ji’s mission was to make the Sikh community self-reliant and brave for the critical times ahead. In addition to participation in congregational prayer and acceptance of God’s will, Guru Ji also emphasised proficiency in martial arts. Guru Ji wore the two swords Miri and Piri representing Secular Sovereignty and Spiritual Authority and maintained a fully trained army. Guru Ji also had the Sri Akaal Takht (Throne of the Timeless Lord) built. Sri Guru Hargobind Ji Maharaj He released 52 Princes and Rajas holding onto a special robe came out of prison, this is why Guru Ji is called “Bandi Chhor” (Liberator of the bounded).

Guru Sahib would go to the jungle and bring back sick animals to help nurse them to better health. Guru Ji was a great humanitarian and during his time established a free hospital at Kiratpur, where he kept popular and rare plants for use in herbal medicines. There, he maintained a zoo and many beautiful gardens. He saw the manifestation of God in all nature. Sri Guru Har Rai Ji Maharaj

At the time, a severe epidemic of cholera and smallpox was ravaging Delhi. The young Guru began to tend to the sufferers irrespective of their cast and creed. Guru Ji dipped his toe into the water a Bangla Sahib and blessed the water which was used to treat the sick people. He served the sick with food and medicine. During Guru Ji’s short reign, Guru Ji inspired the spirit of help and assistance in his followers and declared that the followers of Guru Nanak Dev Ji must always be ready to help others irrespective of the recipient’s colour, caste, creed and religion. Guru Ji proved through his missionary work that spiritual attainment and divine wisdom does not depend on age and that it was a gift from God that could be bestowed on anyone. Sri Guru Har Krishen Ji Maharaj

He built the city that his son would enlarge and rename Anandpur Sahib. He sacrificed his own life, facing down Emperor Aurangzeb on behalf of the Kashmiri Hindus, ending Aurangzeb's threat to either convert to Islam or be executed. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Maharaj Guru Ji symbolised the triumph of good over evil, Guru Ji’s martyrdom unique in the history of mankind, inspired many Sikhs to lay down their lives for noble causes and moral values.

Guru Ji was conscious of his mission and decided to find ‘committed followers’ who would stand by him no matter what. Thus in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib, Guru Ji carried out God’s command to create the “Order Of The Khalsa”. Five devoted Sikhs offered total loyalty including readiness to die for Guru Ji, they were initiated by a new ceremony “Amrit” (the Nectar of Immortality) or “Khand-di-Pahul”. Guru Ji launched the Khalsa onto a spiritual crusade to fight voluntarily against all types of tyranny and injustice. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj Guru Ji’s says “All human beings are the reflection of one and the same Lord. Recognise ye the whole human race as one. " We must serve the WHOLE of HUMANITY.

During the battles between the Sikhs and the enemy around Anandpur, Bhai Sahib was often seen carrying a mashak, serving water to anyone who was thirsty, quenching the thirst of the dying and wounded soldiers. Bhai Kanhaiya Ji He did this sewa (selfless service) with love and affection without any discrimination, giving water to both friends and foe. His acts of compassion stirred up stern criticism amongst his fellow Sikhs, who complained to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, pointing out that Bhai Sahib was even serving the fallen Hindu and Mughal attackers. They were especially annoyed because the city had been surrounded, stopping the supply of food and water, and here was Bhai Sahib sharing what little water they had. They had tried to stop him many a time, but he would not pay them any heed.

In Sikh history, she is known as an embodiment of service. A popular story mentioned in old chronicles describes how devotedly Bibi Ji served her father. One morning, it is said, as Guru Amar Das Ji Maharaj was absorbed in meditation, Bibi Ji noticed that one of the legs of the low wooden seat on which the Guru sat was about to give way. She at once put forward her hand to support the stool. Bibi Bhani As the Guru ended his devotions, he discovered how her hand was bleeding from the injury she had sustained in supporting the broken leg of the seat.

She took upon herself the onerous task of managing every detail of the langar. She has been described as good natured, efficient, beautiful and all round perfect. She has the distinction of being the only one of the Guru's wives to he mentioned by name in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj. Mata Keevi Ji There she is described as a "good person", "an affectionate mother" and as "one who provides shelter and protection to others. "