Prithi Chand (eldest) was jealous of Guru Arjan Dev Ji because their father (Guru Ram Das Ji) did not pass the Guruship to either him or his younger brother Bhai Maha Dev Ji but to the youngest of the 3. Even though Prithi Chand tries to convey his negativity to the baadhshah: Jahangir, Wazir Khan pointed out that Guru Sahib only received the Guruship because all three brothers were analysed and who was best fit for the responsibility was chosen upon which Jahangir concluded that the decision has been made clearly and so you have no right to complain now after Guru Ram Das Ji. Prithi Chand (who later died upon eating rice and falling ill, being not able to find a doctor, suffered to death) felt, the only way he could receive some revenge was through fixing Guru Sahib in to some fake trap of lies or somehow have them captured in prison and tortured (to martyrdom). Guru Sahib then rejected the marriage proposal of Chandhu upon the request of their Sikh from Delhi who was Chandu’s guardsman.
Chandu (full of anger and jealousy who used to have money given to him even from his lowest workers for any sort of request to be made; yet being Jahangir’s president) said to his middle man (Prohath), their son (Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji) is tall and handsome but you have not done good, this roof’s brick (high placed), you have attached to the gutter (low place) and plus, the Sikhs that come to the house of Guru Nanak Dev Ji they are poor and only donate little money and who knows, what if the numbers decrease tomorrow, who will feed my daughter?
When the sangat found out about these remarks they were not pleased at all and the marriage ceremonies were just about to go ahead, the visitors had arrived, everything was set up as would be for a wedding when a message was brought from Delhi via a Sikh which was the request from the entire congregation to Guru Sahib to advise them that this marriage should not go any further. One imbued soul from the congregation stood and shouted out that they knew of the message which shocked the entire congregation and brought everything to a massive stand still. After reading the letter, Guru Sahib announced that the wedding will not go ahead. Proath who had brought so much gifts, silver, gold, food, money and clothes (sent with ego from Chandu) was gobsmacked. Guru Sahib pointed out at the insult made to their Sikhs and stated: “If even one dwells in a broken-down shack, in tattered clothes, with no social status, no honour and no respect; he wanders in the wilderness, with no friend or lover, without wealth, beauty, relatives or relations. Even so, he is the king of the whole world, if his mind is imbued with the Lord's Name”. Chandu had no clue of the amount of saint in this congregation. Prohath (knowing of their missed opportunity) was told to go back, Guru Sahib said; Guru Nanak Dev Ji is the king of the worlds. Guru Sahib announced to the sangat that they wanted another ONE marriage proposal from a humble being, upon hearing, 3 shot up at the same time, even though Guru Sahib insisted that they had asked for one, 3 marriages id not maryada. All three all started trying to persuade and all the sangat’s voice became one who were also insisting on the go ahead of all 3. After much silence, Guru Sahib stated that it is the will of god, all three proposals are accepted. (The displays the importance and high status of sangat).
One the other hand, Chandu became full of fire and jealousy and started his evil tactics to gain revenge on the embarrassment caused to him. He first sent the likes of ‘Slabhi’ with about 50 people to capture Guru Sahib but on the way, Slabhi’s guard swore at him and demanded their overdue wages first, upon Slabhi reacting with swears, the guard (who was a Pattaan) stabbed Slabhi in the stomach with his spike who died. Then came ‘Suli’ who fell in a pit and died. Khusro (Jahangir’s son) was eliminated out of their house that had made their direct route to Guru Sahib who offered food and shelter (their usual compassion). Upon Khusro’s request of financial help, Guru Sahib gave them 5,000 rupees to them. Upon seeing this, a secret spy told Chandu of this who suddenly excited (seeing this as an opportunity) and rushed to Jahangir the next morning. Chandu started the back biting of Guru Sahib their and told Jahangir that that son (who was against Jahangir) that you kicked out was given support by Guru Arjan Dev Ji even though you insisted that he should receive no help from anyone. Chandu stated that punishment should be to retain previously owned land, now used by Guru Sahib (84 villages) and give Guru Sahib a fine of 2,000,000 rupees. Upon agreeing, Jahangir ordered for a written confirmation of this to which Chandu ‘master planned’ that they should call Guru Sahib for religious discussions (chandu had mixed up trouble on purpose). Chandu’s guards were sent with the letter to Guru Sahib who upon seeing the beautiful form of Guru sahib dropped in humbleness and told Guru Sahib of Chandu’s evil tactics and mixing up of trouble (because they believed Guru Sahib to be the form of god). This whole situation had blown up too sangat on a wide scale across villiages. Guru Sahib then stated that the time had come for them to give up their body and pass the Guruship, but better than that, they wanted to use their body as a tool to win this battle over Chandu’s evil nature. Upon calling Guru Hargobind Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji stated that their time of Guruship was near and that this state of humbleness should be revived to a new warrior form and ordered for the arming o weapons, production of warriors and preparation to destroy these enemies who were starting to take things way over the top. Baba Budda Ji was called, and the Gurship was given there and then in secret form, (all Guruship passing had taken place in Baba Budda Ji’s presence from first form: P-1 on). The sangat only came to discover this at a later stage.
Upon reaching Lahore, Guru Sahib has met Jahangir who had claimed that Islam was not fairly treated in Guru Granth Sahib Ji and was written in a negative light, to which Guru Sahib replied: “Some call Him, 'Raam, Raam', and some call Him, 'Khudaa-i'., Some serve Him as 'Gusain', others as 'Allaah'” which provided consolation to Jahangir who was pleased.
Chandu, with his evil ways again, stated that he should be allowed to take Guru Sahib to his mansion, where he would serve guru Sahib and treat them with respect alongside asking for the money as “it would not be right for a king (Jahangir) to ask for money”. When Guru Sahib went with Chandu, Chandu was actually only trying to persuade Guru Sahib to accept the marriage proposal and wipe clear Chandu’s embarrassment. Guru Sahib forever consistently rejected the offer. Upon more anger, Chandu pleaded for permission to meet together after four days to collect the area’s tax (which was used as an excuse just to buy some time from Jahangir to keep some space. That time being used by Chandu to try and get an answer from Guru Sahib through whichever means possible). Chandu instructed and threatened all other servants (with death, suspension and bribery) to keep Jahangir busy and assure his mind remained forgetful of the whole case with Guru Sahib. Chandu settled for evil attempt of sheer torture to gain the marriage proposal (purely to save their reputation from embarrassment of the world).
Guru Sahib then went through a 5 day torture period within this medieval time: Guru Ji was not given anything to eat, drink or allowed sleep (a water of glass, food or s night’s sleep was priced £1,000,000 each by Chandu to which Guru Sahib said, we want nothing from your house, we have the ability to become imbued in god’s love for ages: Jugs). Guru Sahibs 5 Sikhs were kept imprisoned so they had no contact with their Guru whatsoever. The news flared across the villages that Guru Ji had not returned from Lahore and the GurSikhs started searching for Guru Sahib in homes, Dharamsaals and locations around.
Day 3 brought the Tortures: a boiling hot caldron of water fired with wood underneath was prepared, The Sikhs watched on in anguish, who had the power to uplift the entire Earth with words, but Guru Sahib refused the Sikhs plea and stated the importance of accepting the will (pana) of god, in which Guru Sahib expressed their want to uproot these enemies once and for all, thus this needing to place. Bhai Prana Ji (who could not bear this) pled for permissions to collide Delhi and Lahore like toys, but Guru Sahib wanted the game to be watched carefully and stressed the importance of having a Shakti and not showing a shakthi: being a shakthi in itself (only to be used with god’s permission). Guru Sahib stepped inside themselves upon which the water devta refused to boil (and went cool) and the fire devta refused to burn (and went out) but which Guru Sahib rejected their decision and instructed them to do their job. This boiling caldron then scalded their body and left severe blisters even though Guru Sahib felt no pain.
Chandu’s daughter in law was from a Sikh family and was stressed at the whole happening and seen them living as cursed. She could not help but take some food and sweet drink (lassi) for Guru Sahib (day 4) after bribing the guardsman with her gold ornament (genna). Guru Sahib rejected this cursed food and stated how their revenge in their 6th form will uproot the enemy, but her love was accepted instead by Guru Ji.
The next day (day 5), Chandu decided to use boiled sand to sting the blisters that had swelled up (who was being angered in jealousy of the Sikhs love for their Guru). The 5 Sikhs were then beat with sticks (who kept their power hidden upon Guru Ji’s instruction). After heating the sand in this baking heat of June, (Guru Sahib remained immersed in Braham Giaan and one with god peacefully, inside knowing all this was happening with their own will really) Guru Ji then sat on the boiled fire like sand as if they were sitting on their throne in Amritsar. Bhai Langaha & Bhai Prana Ji (who could not resist watching the pain and ready to leave their body); upon seeing this pled for permissions to become martyred by lying on the sand upon who Guru Ji should rather sit. The Sikhs were then beat again for this by the guards. Guru Sahib kept reminding all of their revenge in the 6th form the watching of this whole play of Guru Ji. The Sand was then poured over Guru Sahib (in their immovable spiritual state) which blistered their entire body. This torture lasted for 6 hours and later on in that dark night, from Inder Devta to the 33,000,000 devthe had filled the sky shouting “Dhan, Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Ji” and bowed after Guru Ji rejected any help. The brahm Gianis in and around the area had become worried knowing of this. Gupt powers such as firstly: Gorakh Naath and leader had visited Guru Ji and used their power to faint the guards on duty. The Sidhs all bowed in amazement of such immeasurable mental strength. Peer Meea Meer also appeared and bowed (to who they seen as the form of Allah) who also asked, like all other who had come to destroy the enemy Chandu. Guru Sahib again refused all pleas and any interference in their play.
Day 6th started with continuous thoughts in Chandu’s head of such strength of Guru Ji and thought of heating up iron. A huge iron pan was red- heated and Guru Ji was asked to stand on, which Guru Ji did in their state. Even other sinners were shocked at how much of a sinner can be, as they watched Chandu take things too far. The Sikhs: Bhai Jetha Ji, Prana Ji, Langaha Ji, Pehra Ji, Bidhi Chandh Ji, watched in anguish wanting to go close but are refused. Such is the cool state of Guru Ji, the pan went cold and the fire went out. Once again, the fire was reminded of not changing their state. Guru Ji was now burnt all over and their feet were being burnt. Guru Ji stood in their motionless cool state for 3 hours. Chandu had realised that Guru Ji would leave their body, but not leave their righteousness. Chandu then ordered his servant for the bringing of Cow skin loudly to try and scare Guru Ji and threatened to wrap it around Guru Ji and sow it closed to be left in the sun outside.
The 7th morning again brought Chandu’s daughter in law to see Guru Ji (by bribing the guards again) who humbly expressed their pain and desire to live no longer. The morning after heard many worried Sikhs gathering together with drenched desires of a glimpse of their Guru’s blessed form. Chandu threatened Guru Ji repeatedly with the cow skin and of capturing Guru Ji’s family. Guru Ji requested that they alongside their 5 Sikhs should be given time to bathe in the river ‘Ravi’ (before Chandu made a way extreme mistake in their sick twisted mind). Chandu excited in hearing Guru Ji’s request as they thought the water would cause more pain for Guru Ji who was accompanied by the Guards (instructed to keep a close look on Guru Ji). Guru Ji wrapped their severely burnt, blistered, injured body with a white cover and slowly (uneasily: physically could be seen) made it to the river with support of their Sikh. Just as a mountain, Guru Ji unmovable in their spirit bathed in the cold water. Bhai Langaha Ji slowly washed Guru Ji’s feet and after a full wash, Guru Ji cover again in a white sheet and sat down, slowly reciting Jap Ji Sahib. The Sikhs also joined Guru Ji after bathing and surrounded together in a circle. Guru Sahib stated how they would go to parlok and how Chandu would have to pay for such a huge sin and how in their 6th form, weapons will be picked up, the Akaal Thakht will be formed and revenge will be taken. Even though the Guruship was already given, it would be announced in open congregation and all Sikhs were to assure they kept their Kirpan (Kirpa Karni, Aan:Ijath Rakhni). Thus love drenched Kirtan had started, all the Devthe, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiv Ji, Indar, 33,000,000, Kinr, Jach, Sidh, Patt lok, all the banaspathi had gathered to pay their respects: “Jeh, Jeh, Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Ji”. All the powerful Peers, the secret powers, Gorakh Naath alongside their followers, all amazed with such strength of Guru Ji. Guru Ji covered their face with their white sheet and left their body (their bibaan went up) upon which, drums started to roll, handfuls of flowers were being thrown (aarthi had started) and the sky coloured red. (The daughter in law also left their body). All the powers accompanied Guru Ji up to wherever they could reach until (Brahama, went until their puri, Vishnu until theirs and so on, god is the highest of all). The Sikhs had started crying out in anguish around Guru Ji’s body, and Bhai Jetta Ji requested for Vadhans Ki Vaar to be sang. Chandu arrived ad thought Guru Ji was sleeping to which Bhai Bidhi Chand responded in stating Guru Ji has gone to parlok an you papi will be destroyed even if you do thousands of attempts to avoid it, you will have to be dealt with. After the news spread to Lahore, all Sikhs rushed over towards where Guru Ji was in uncountable amounts of crowds. An amazing divaan was arranged in which those great fortuned Sikhs were blessed with seva. All had starting slating Chandu and many were praising Guru Sahib, many were reciting ‘Jap Ji Sahib’ and many were reciting ‘Vaheguru, Vaheguru’. Guru Ji’s body was washed again, dressed in fresh clothes and arranged on top of a sandalwood pyre , which the Sanskaar took place and was later Jal Parvah after. The Sikhs were in such sadness, eating no food, like a day without the sunrise or an army without its leader.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji planted the seed of unequalled martyrdom which largely flourished after them and has become the heritage of the Sikhs stretching all the way to the present day.
