Guru Arjun Dev
By Dr. Dharam Singh
Published by Publication Bureau, Punjab University, Patiala.

Dr Dharam Singh has written several notable titles during his tenure at Punjab University in Patiala. He has recently been involved in revamping the Encyclopedia of Sikhism the department of which he heads. However Dr Dharam Singh still finds time to write publications which will enrich Sikh studies. He doesn’t fail in this regard with his new title, Guru Arjun Dev which is a important task in determining the importance of the 5th Guru in Sikhism.

In 2007 there has also been other publications related to Guru Arjun Dev namely by Peshaura Singh. The importance of Dharam Singh’s writings have a individual touch and he can tailor his writing towards the lay enquirer and then switch to the in-depth philosophical reasoning of the Sikh Scriptures. In Guru Arjun Dev he does exactly that, he starts off with giving the background conditions for Guru Nanak to begin his new teachings. He then moves on to the significance of the Guru Granth Sahib and the meaning of Guru in Sikhism.

In the Chapter Biographical Sketch he narrates the old chronicles which describe and give narrations on the life of the Guru. He uses many sources including the Sri Dasam Granth, Bansavalinama Das Patshahian Ka and Dabistan-I-Mazahib. The exact date of the Guru’s birth day is examined and again various sources are compared to determine this. The relationship of his rival Prithi Chand and his meeting with the Emperor Akbar is also elaborated on.

 As Guru Arjun is credited with the compilation of the Sikh Scriptures then no book would be complete without an establishment of this historical feat. This analysis again is completed by using the old Sikh chronicles to determine why the Guru compiled the bani of the previous Gurus.

The chapter Poet and Philosopher chapter gives a thorough understanding of the compositions in the Pothi Sahib as it was denoted at that time. The literary output of Guru Arjun is described vividly and quite rightly the distinction of his compositions is alluded to. These differences are highlighted in his concentration on Vars. A literary discussion of vars is undertaken looking at the Vars written by Satta and Balvand, Bhai Gurdas and Guru Gobind Singh. The Guru’s other compositions including Sukhmani Sahib and Bara Maha are described and then given their literary merit. A philosophical discussion then takes place on the phrases, concepts within the Sikh Scriptures including the importance of Ikoankar, akal, satinam moving onto the deeper significance of nam-simran.   

The martyrdom of Guru Arjun is discussed but in the context of Sikh thought and numerous examples are given from the Guru Granth Sahib and the Sri Dasam Granth where the complete Sikh is the one who lays down their head for their faith. The author makes the claim that
that Guru Arjun Dev is the first martyr not only in Sikh tradition but also the first in Indian history as well. This may seem farfetched but after a discussion of the term martyr in Hindu and Islamic thought we find that the contribution of Guru Arjun was indeed unique. This theme is further developed by the Sikh faith courting the principles of martyrdom with Guru Tegh Bahadur, the sons of Guru Gobind Singh and even Banda Bahadur. The author states that the principles of martyrdom all begin with the instructions laid out by Guru Nanak in his verses.

This martyrdom chapter ties in Sikh thought with the mission of Guru Arjun Dev and what he was trying to achieve. However the arguments could have been supplemented with the historical and changing times wherein the Sikh faith begins to become a ‘state within a state’. The author does not mention this theme nor is the arming of the panth during the Guru’s time discussed. There are further omissions including the instructions to Guru Hargobind to do away with the rosary and to sit on the seat of Guruship fully armed. This would have made the book as complete as it could be.  

The book on the whole serves it purpose of giving the readers an insight into what the role of Guru Arjun Dev was and how his tenure as Guru was significant. The book explains quite correctly how the word of the Guru was written down for the future generations and how the principles laid down by Guru Nanak should be upheld not only in thinking but in practice as well as demonstrated by the martyr Guru Arjun Dev.

Comments (0) >>

Show/Hide comments

Write comment

You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.