Saint, scholar, soldier all rolled into one, Guru Gobind Singh was responsible for the evolution of the Khalsa Panth.

He was barely nine years old when the dismembered head of his father Guru Teg Bahadur was brought to him at Anandpur Saheb. This became the turning point in little Gobind Rai's life and paved the way for the concretisation of the Sikh tradition. The child held back his tears, embraced the faithful Jaita who had risked his life to bring the sacred trust in tact, and declared that henceforth all untouchables would be the Guru's own children.

(See also: Guru Gobind Singh, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The individual's moral fibre had to be strengthened through basic convictions. With this farsightedness, the tenth and last Guru, Gobind Singh, set about honing the faith's dynamics through innovation and personal example. His rigorous self-discipline and inner fortitude were exemplified by his equanimity and poise in the face of tragedies few encounter in their lifetime.

He was nine when he received the head of his father Guru Tegh Bahadur, beheaded in Delhi on the orders of the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. His father had chosen martyrdom to demonstrate to Aurangzeb - and the people of India - that a man convinced of his moral purpose and inalienable right to practise his own religion, is unafraid to die.

(See also: Guru Gobind Singh, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Guru Gobind Singh (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ) (Patna, Bihar, India, December 22, 1666 – October 7, 1708, Nanded, Maharashtra,India) was the tenth and last of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and became Guru on November 11, 1675 following in the footsteps of his father Guru Teg Bahadur. Before he died, he nominated the Guru Granth Sahib as the next perpetual Guru of the Si ...

Including:

• Guru Gobind Singh - Audio

Read more here: » Guru Gobind Singh: Encyclopedia - Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Gobind Singh was no ordinary mortal. The signs were there right from his birth. In 1666, on the Guru's birth, a pious Muslim fakir, Sayyad Bhikhan Shah, declared: "God has sent a new light on this earth".

He then decided to test the newborn 'prince'. Producing two jars of sweets obtained from a Hindu and a Muslim vendor, Bhikhan Shah tried to learn the child's preference from the jar he touched. The baby, however, clutched both jars and smiled, whereupon the fakir acknowledged him to be a master of both communities.

(See also: Gobind Singh, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The traditional festivals of the Indian diaspora all reflect the ancient concept of the Utsav Mela, which encouraged everyone to congregate, meet and mix amid festivity and pageantry. In fact, the word mela (fair) is derived from the word mil , meaning 'to meet'.

Baisakhi epitomises the mela notion of convergence for it brings together people of all castes and communities on the first day of Vaisakha, the beginning of the traditional Indian New Year. Basically a harvest festival, Baisakhi marks the ripening of the Rabi harvest, especially in the Punjab. It is called the Naba Barsha celebrations in Bengal, Rongali Bihu in Assam, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and Pooram (Vishu) in Kerala.

(See also: Baisakhi, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

This article refers to the recipient of the Victoria Cross. For the Sikh religious leader see Guru Gobind Singh Gobind Singh was an Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Gobind Singh - Details. He was 29 years old, and a Lance-Dafadar in the 28th Light Cavalry, Indian Army, attd. 2nd Lancers during the First World War when the following deed took place for whi ...

Including:

• Gobind Singh - Details
• Gobind Singh - Further information
• Gobind Singh - The medal

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The Guru occupies a strategic relevance in the Sikh society, as the guidance of the Guru towards the attainment of Moksha -release - is absolutely essential. He is only a shade lighter rather than the supremacy of the Almighty. Here is a brief description of the ten gurus of Sikhism.

Read more here: » Sikhism: The Ten Gurus of Sikhism

Gurgadi Diwas is observed on October 20, when on this day in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh canonised the sacred Aad Granth pothi that Sikhs worship as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

He said: " As ordained by the Lord Eternal/ A new way of life is evolved./ All the Sikhs are asked/ To accept the Holy Granth as the Guru./ Guru Granth should be accepted/ As the living Guru./ Those who wish to meet God/ Will find Him in the Word."

(See also: Gurgadi Diwas, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The Dasam Granth (Punjabi: ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ) is a holy book of Sikhism composed by 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Sikh Guru, significantly shaped the Sikh Panth and helped instil in the oppressed people of Punjab the discipline and spirit to fight against the tyranny of their Mughal rulers. There has been considerable controversy surrounding some of the writings attributed to him, with the suggestion being made that they fail to fit into some ...

Read more here: » Dasam Granth: Encyclopedia - Dasam Granth

A striking feature of the Adi Granth - popularly called the Guru Granth Sahib - is its distinctly lilting literary flavour, eloquently described as the "musicalisation of thought".

Even as one pays homage to Guru Granth Sahib, on the 400th anniversary of its being established as the Holy Book and as the eternal Guru of the Sikh faith, one is struck by the rich literary underpinnings of this compilation and the systematic manner in which each part has been set to music.

(See also: Adi Granth, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Banda Singh Bahadur was a Sikh military commander and a follower of Guru Gobind Singh. He was executed on June 9, 1716 in Delhi. He was born in 1670 AD at Rajouri in Jammu State of Rajput parents and was named Lachhman Dev, Later called Madho Das, converted to Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh to fight fanatic Muslim Mughal rulers. Other related archives1716, Guru Gobind Singh, Jammu, June 9, Mughal, Muslim, Rajput, Sikh, fanatic

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After having won the Mahabharata war, King Yuddhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, performed the Ashvamedha Yagna in which he gave away his riches to the deserving.

Just then a half-golden mongoose sneaked in and began rolling all over the ground. It then looked at its fur and seemed disappointed. The mongoose said sadly, "Ah! This is no sacrifice."

(See also: Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

In Sikhism Vaṇḍ Chakkō (Punjabi: ਵੰਡ ਛੱਕੋ) is a technique and method which means share it as you consume it. This could be wealth, food. etc. Gurus: Guru Nanak Dev | Guru Angad Dev | Guru Amar Das | Guru Ram Das | Guru Arjan Dev | Guru Har Gobind | Guru Har Rai | Guru Har Krishan | Guru Teg Bahadur | Guru Gobind Singh | Guru Granth Sahib | Sikh Bhagats Philosophy:

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Dasvand (Punjabi: ਦਸਵੰਦ) means to donate ten percent of ones harvest to the Gurdwara. This was done during the time of Guru Gobind Singh and some Sikhs still do it up to this day. ...

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Zafarnama (Punjabi: ਜ਼ਫ਼ਰਨਾਮਾ, Persian: ظفرنامہ) means the Notification of Victory and is the name given to the letter sent by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh in 1705 to the Mughal Emperor of India, Aurangzeb. The letter is written in Persian verse. In this letter, Guru Gobind reminds Aurangzeb how he and his henchmen had broken their oaths sworn upon the Koran. He also states that in spite of his several sufferings, ...

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Sikhism was established by ten Gurus, teachers or masters, over the period 1469 to 1708. These teachers, believed to be sent from God for the troubled people of the land, were enlightened souls whose main purpose in life was the spiritual and moral well-being of the masses, or the equivalent of Prophets & Messiahs of the other major respective monotheist religions. Each master added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous, resulting to the creation of the religion of Sikhism. Guru Nanak was the first Guru and Guru Gobind Singh the final Guru in human form. When Guru Gobind Singh left this world, he made th ...

Including:

• The Sikh Gurus - The Ten Gurus of Sikhism

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The Five Ks are five items Sikhs wear at all times either out of respect for the tenth teacher, Guru Gobind Singh, or out of a sense of religious devotion. The Five Ks are not merely symbols. Guru Gobind Singh Ji ordered his followers to wear the Five Ks so that they could actively use them to make a difference to their own and to others' spirituality. However, Sikhism recognises the concept of a multi-level approach to achieving one's target as a disciple of the faith as well. For example, “Sahajdhari” (slow adopters) are those w ...

Including:

• Five Ks - Kesh uncut hair
• Five Ks - Kangha comb
• Five Ks - Karra circular bracelet
• Five Ks - Kachera shorts
• Five Ks - Kirpan small sword

Read more here: » Five Ks: Encyclopedia - Five Ks

The Khanda is one of the most important symbols of Sikhism. Its importance is emphasised by the fact that many Sikh flags, including the Nishan Sahib have the Khanda on them. It is a collection of four weapons commonly used by Sikhs at the time of Guru Gobind Singh, as explained below: In the centre, the double edged sword, or Khanda, from which the symbol derives its name. The Khanda represents knowledge of divinity, the creative power of God and the belief in One God. Surrounding the Khanda is a circular quoit, ...

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1675 - Events. January 5 - The Battle of Turckeim June 18 - Battle of Fehrbellin August 10 - King Charles II of England places the foundation stone of the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London - construction begins November 11 - Guru Gobind Singh becomes the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs. Cassini discovers Saturn's Cassini Division King Philip's War between the settlers in New England and the indigenous tribes led by Metacomet begins. Including:

• 1675 - Events
• 1675 - Births
• 1675 - Deaths

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1699 - Events. January 26 - Treaty of Karlowitz signed March 30 - the tenth Sikh Master, Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa. May 1 - Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville founds the first European settlement in the Mississippi River Valley William Dampier explores the northwest coast of Australia. 1699 - Births. March 23 - John Bartram, American botanist (d. 1777) March 25 - Johann Adolf Hasse, German composer (d. 1783) Ma ...

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• 1699 - Events
• 1699 - Births
• 1699 - Deaths

Read more here: » 1699: Encyclopedia - 1699