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Winning Entry - Hindi
श्रीगुरु तेग बहादुर जी एवं उनसे प्राप्त सीखें
Saurabh Kumar (CS20B038)
Winning Entry - Hindi
Legacy and martyrdom of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
तेग बहादुर जी ने अपने युग के शासन वर्ग की नशंस एवं मानवता विरोधी नीतियों को कुचलने के लिए बलिदान दिया। कोई ब्रह्मज्ञानी साधक ही इस स्थिति को पा सकता है। मानवता के शिखर पर वही मनुष्य पहुंच सकता है जिसने ‘पर में निज’ को पा लिया हो।
विश्व इतिहास में धर्म एवं मानवीय मूल्यों, आदर्शों एवं सिद्धांत की रक्षा के लिए प्राणों की आहुति देने वालों में गुरु तेग बहादुर साहब का स्थान अद्वितीय है। आततायी शासक की धर्मविरोधी और वैचारिक स्वतंत्रता का दमन करने वाली नीतियों के विरुद्ध गुरु तेग बहादुर जी का बलिदान एक अभूतपूर्व ऐतिहासिक घटना थी। यह उनके निर्भय आचरण, धार्मिक अडिगता और नैतिक उदारता का उच्चतम उदाहरण था। वे शहादत देने वाले एक क्रांतिकारी युग-पुरुष थे।
धर्म के सत्य ज्ञान के प्रचार-प्रसार कार्य के लिए उन्होंने कई स्थानों का भ्रमण किया। आनंदपुर से कीरतपुर, रोपड़, सैफाबाद के लोगों को संयम तथा सहज मार्ग का पाठ पढ़ाते हुए वे खिआला (खदल) पहुंचे। यहां से गुरु तेगबहादुर धर्म के सत्य मार्ग पर चलने का उपदेश देते हुए दमदमा साहब से होते हुए कुरुक्षेत्र पहुंचे। कुरुक्षेत्र से यमुना किनारे होते हुए कड़ामानकपुर पहुंचे और यहां साधु भाई मलूकदास का उद्धार किया। उसके बाद प्रयाग, बनारस, पटना, असम आदि क्षेत्रों में वे गए। वहां लोगों के आध्यात्मिक, सामाजिक, आर्थिक व उन्नयन के लिए कई रचनात्मक कार्य किए। आध्यात्मिक स्तर पर धर्म का सच्चा ज्ञान बांटा और कई जनकल्याणकारी आदर्श स्थापित किए। शांति, क्षमा, सहनशीलता के गुणों वाले गुरु तेग बहादुर जी ने लोगों को प्रेम, एकता, भाईचारे का संदेश दिया।
गुरु तेगबहादुर सिंह में ईश्वरीय निष्ठा के साथ समता, करुणा, प्रेम, सहानुभूति, त्याग और बलिदान जैसे मानवीय गुण विद्यमान थे। शस्त्र और शास्त्र, संघर्ष और वैराग्य, लौकिक और अलौकिक, रणनीति और आचार-नीति, राजनीति और कूटनीति, संग्रह और त्याग आदि का ऐसा संयोग मध्ययुगीन साहित्य व इतिहास में बिरला ही है। किसी ने गुरुजी का अहित करने की कोशिश भी की तो उन्होंने अपनी सहनशीलता,मधुरता, सौम्यता से उसे परास्त कर दिया। उनके जीवन का प्रथम दर्शन यही था कि ‘धर्म का मार्ग सत्य और विजय का मार्ग है।’
Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day : सिखों के नौवें गुरु, गुरु तेग बहादुर ने अपने समुदाय के लोगों के लिए अपना जीवन बलिदान कर दिया. गुरु तेग बहादुर को अक्सर हिंद की चादर कहा जाता है, जिसका अर्थ है भारत का ढाल. उन्हें सबसे निस्वार्थ शहीद माना जाता है और उनकी शहादत को हर साल 24 नवंबर को गुरु तेग बहादुर शहीदी दिवस (Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day) के रूप में मनाया जाता है.
वर्ष 1675 में दिल्ली के चांदनी चौक पर मुगल बादशाह औरंगजेब द्वारा गुरु तेग बहादुर की हत्या की गई थी. कैलिफोर्निया विश्वविद्यालय के नोएल किंग के शब्दों में, “गुरु तेग बहादुर की शहादत दुनिया में मानव अधिकारों के लिए पहली शहादत थी.” औरंगज़ेब भारत को एक इस्लामिक राष्ट्र में परिवर्तित करना चाहता था, इसलिए हिंदुओं को इस्लाम में परिवर्तित करने के लिए मजबूर किया गया. पंडित कृपा राम के नेतृत्व में 500 कश्मीरी पंडितों का एक प्रतिनिधिमंडल आनंदपुर साहिब में गुरु तेग बहादुर से मदद लेने गया. औरंगजेब के अत्याचारों के बारे में जानने के बाद गुरु तेग बहादुर के पुत्र गोबिंद राय ने कहा, कि भारत के लोगों की समस्याओं को हल करने के लिए उनके पिता से ज्यादा सक्षम कोई नहीं है. गुरु तेग बहादुर को एहसास हुआ कि उनका बेटा अब गुरु की गद्दी लेने के लिए तैयार है और इसलिए, एक दूसरा विचार दिए बिना, उन्होंने पंडितों से औरंगज़ेब को यह बताने के लिए कहा, कि अगर वह गुरुजी को इस्लाम में परिवर्तित करने में सक्षम है, तो हर कोई इस नियम का पालन करेगा.
गुरु तेग बहादुर को तब क्रूर शासक के सामने गिरफ्तार कर लिया गया और इस्लाम स्वीकार करने से मना करने पर, गुरुजी और उनके अनुयायियों को पांच दिनों तक शारीरिक यातनाएं दी गईं. उसे प्रस्तुत करने के लिए, गुरुजी के अनुयायियों को उनके सामने जिंदा जला दिया गया.अंत में, गुरु तेग बहादुर ने मुगल बादशाह औरंगजेब की तमाम कोशिशों के बावजूद इस्लाम धर्म नहीं अपनाया और तमाम जुल्मों का पूरी दृढ़ता से सामना किया. गुरू तेग बहादुर के धैर्य और संयम से आग बबूला हुए औरंगजेब ने चांदनी चौक पर उनका शीश काटने का हुक्म जारी कर दिया और वह 24 नवंबर 1675 का दिन था, जब गुरू तेग बहादुर ने धर्म की रक्षा के लिए अपना बलिदान दिया.
गुरुजी के अनुयायियों में से एक ने अपने पुत्र गोबिंद राय (जिन्हें बाद में गुरु गोबिंद सिंह के नाम से जाना जाता है) के पास गए, जहाँ अनुष्ठान किए गए और दूसरे ने उनके घर पर उनके साथ उनके पार्थिव शरीर को ले गए और प्रार्थनाएँ कीं, उनके स्वयं के घर को जला दिया. औरंगजेब को उनके गायब शरीर का रहस्य कभी भी पता नहीं चल सका.
Saurav Gwalia (CS19B035)
Winning Entry - English
What can we learn from Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s life to improve our lifestyle today?
The central aspect that makes us stand apart from all other life forms known to date is that we are social beings. 1,30,000 years ago, we humans chose to prosper together as a society. We love to socialize; we love to be part of a group. And here comes the critical question? Is everyone in the group the same? Should we expect them to be the same? Of course not. This is something we have realized and accepted. But there are many levels of acceptance. It would not be wrong to say that every person out there refuses to accept something or the other.
But one thing we must accept and follow is respecting another individual. To respect someone’s choice is one of the best things we can do. And so, to ensure this happens, we started writing a set of rules and framed a book called the constitution. Each country might have its own version, but the basic ideology behind having one remains the same. To ensure no one is exploited. We called these rules rights. Rights are those things that cannot be taken away from any individual. But are we really upholding this in today’s world? We see so many oppressed people, forced to be inside their cage, ridiculed for following what they think is right; who are shamed for being themselves.
In this context, we should remember Guru Tej Bahadhur, one of the greatest humanitarians the world has ever seen. In the words of Noel King, his martyrdom was the first-ever martyrdom for human rights.
Guru Tej Bahadhur, the ninth guru of the Sikhs, was a well-trained swordsman. Despite being an able fighter, he always chose the peaceful path. The path which had the most minor conflicts. He is well known for his selfless service to the people. He is the one who started langars- a kitchen for the poor and the hungry.
During that time, India was under the tyrannical rule of Aurungzeb, who wanted to convert India into an Islamic nation. India has always been a diverse country. The Kashmiri pandits were one of the most learned scholars of that time, and the tyrant believed if he could force them to forgo their religion, the rest of the country would soon follow. He gave them an ultimatum, either accept Islam or be executed. Horrified by the sightings in Kasmir, a delegation of 500 pandits travelled from there to seek help from Guru Tej Bahadhur, who was already well known for helping establish peace between many kingdoms with conflicting interests.
Promising he would do all he could to help, Guru Tej Bahadhur travelled to Delhi to dissuade Aurungzeb from his religious impositions. He was also given a similar ultimatum. But Guru Tej Bahadhur did not falter his faith. He sacrificed his life to protect religious rights, human values, ideals and principles. Unparalleled in the history of humans, this act of sacrifice was for another religious community. Guru Tej Bahadhur’ s sacrifice acted as a catalyst to awaken the collective conscience of the people. This inspired them to be fearless in the pursuit of justice.
What is that we can learn from this? Not just learn but inculcate in our day-to-day lives. We must respect the religious freedom of each and every individuals. As rightfully mentioned in our constitution, we must always remember that every individual has the right to profess and practise the religion of their choice. Despite belonging to a different community, Guru Tej Bahadhur stood up for his brothers from Kashmir. Isn’t this what we call universal brotherhood today?
This great individual stood against what was not right. Even death couldn’t change his beliefs. He followed what he preached till the very end. ‘One should be willing to follow a faith rather than be coerced into it.’ This sends across a very important message. Today, it is essential that we remember this. Never change yourself for anything.
Sneha M S (ME20B052)
Winning Entry - English
Lessons to be learned from the teachings of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
It is the story of a great saint-martyr who sacrificed his life to uphold the values of righteousness, truth, and religious freedom, supporting Guru Nanak’s egalitarian ideology of securing human rights and Freedom of Religion. Guru Tegh Bahadur was born on 1st April 1621 in Amritsar, Punjab, and executed under on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the year 1675. He is versatile. He is a prophet, a poet, a martyr, a philosopher.
His Teachings and their relevance
His teachings can influence the people in all three times past, present and future. Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, contributed his work of 57 Salokas and 59 other compositions (Shabads), written in 15 Raagas (measures). His hymns, which constitute nearly a quarter of all his writings, are included at last in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, deal with the pathos of the human predicament. They include direct addressing of issues that arise due to the human mind and art of self-control, qualities of a wise person, etc. In his compositions, he made a significant contribution in articulating the theology of the mind.
Transformation of mind
In Basant, he emphasizes that the fickleness of the mind is the primary cause of unhappiness and failure in achieving one’s prescribed life goals. The state of mind is crucial for human development. It is the source of joy & misery, attachment & detachment. He states that our mind can’t be restrained, and remain wavering until fickle desires are indulged in it. So, humans can restrain and channelize their mental energies by diverting one’s mind from the animalistic tendency to the internal awakening to attain spiritual enlightenment which is the soul’s innate nature. Then only one can attain peace and bliss. He assures that with the continual longing for the Divine Grace (of Ek Onkar) and by being compassionate and content, one can channelize their mind finally. He instills the mind to embrace true contemplation since, except for the love for God, the whole world is false.
Animalistic tendencies include instability of mind, discontent, greed, fear, selfishness, deceit, fanaticism, prejudice, and indifference to spiritual advancements, etc., are the causes of innumerable troubles, conflicts, and miseries. He indicates the reality of hankering of mind as, like the deer’s delusion (mirage), this world is unreal (false), and yet, beholding it, one’s mind chases after it with evil passions and acts as an obstacle to the path of spiritual enlightenment.Truly learned person qualities
He describes the qualities of a spiritually wise person as : A person, who regards pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor alike, raises above joy and sorrow, remain affected by worldly pleasures, affection or fear, and looks gold and dust alike; not swayed by slander or praise, free from greed, attachment, pride, and anger; renounces all hopes and sensual desires, God resides in him, and is considered a truly wise person. That is, a wise person is one who has a steady mind and remains undisturbed in all situations. This state of mind is called a Quiescent state.
Hope to People
Guru Tegh Bahadur rendered hope to the people through his words who are enslaved and in tough times during his time, by stating that whenever we have no strength, lost hope, and feel humanity is insane, then free yourselves by recalling that Lord is the one and only supporter and companion(just like in Gajendra Moksh), is omnipresent; and hence trust the creator, quoting the Sikh philosophy: not to be afraid of anyone and frighten no-one. While performing worldly duties, one must not neglect his spiritual life. The detachment preached in Guru’s words has to be understood as the pre-condition to a fearless disposition to do one’s duty in life. He shows the futility and falsehood of life-negating ideologies.
Social Ethics
In fact, Guru’s Vani doesn’t preach Vairagya(renunciation), instead, he encourages to utilize the opportunity of this human birth, for God-centred activism (follow dharma, do service and remember God always)which leads to salvation, through detachment from the world, as a phase of life. It doesn’t mean to renounce one’s possessions but just develop detachment. His verses taught the egalitarian values of indiscrimination, serving the community, sharing, participation as preconditions for human salvation, along with empathy, sympathy, and religious ceremony. He believed that all religions are pure and only noble deeds count ultimately. His ideology was based on a recognized sense of social commitment. Living amid society, and facing all its challenges bravely, with spiritual development was a hallmark of the mode of thinking of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Fearlessness
The things we fear most are completely out of one’s control. Fear of the future and past, fear of not being loved, fear of pain, fear of sorrow, fear of the outcome, etc., all finally leads to the basic fear of death, which is certain. In fact, he introduces the concept of the mar-jeevda i.e., one who first accepts death as reality can lead a fearless life later on, which is possible with detachment with material world and attachment to the Lord.
Purpose of Life
He advises that a human being must demolish the barriers of the self-centered ego which is the main obstacle in the path of reaching God. Contemplation of God is not a traditional display externally but an unalloyed internal intimate act of communion, imbibing humility and internal cleansing virtues. In Jaijawanthi, he emphasized that worldly pleasures and possessions are ephemeral and hence urges mankind to devote themselves to God’s name and thus attain the goal of life.
Unique features of great personalities
Great beings show the right path by guiding us in different ways, by practically implementing them in their own lives in spite of adversities. So sacrificing one’s own life for the sake of others is the first thing everyone needs to be imbibed from Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Conclusion
Guru Tegh Bahadur proclaims to master the art of self-control; overcome greed, desires, ego, pain, and pleasure and be in a quiescent state of mind in all conditions to attain transcendental divinity and bliss. To contemplate on Lord’s eternal name for salvation by realizing that the material world is transitory, and enhance love for him to tame the fickle mind and succeed spiritually. In his hymns, he emphasized self-discipline and self-reflection and the basis of all social life must be Dharma (morality). The ability to control /lower one’s passions and to establish contact with God lies within oneself.
Kammara Kavyasree (ME18B012)
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