2. Guru Granth Sahib
Over half a million words make up this scripture on display at this Gurdwara in Fairfax, Virginia. Over the next 48 hours, a team will read every single word unbroken--an akhand path, or unbroken reading--in order to complete its reading journey without missing a beat and complete this unbroken reading of sacred texts.
Sikhs consider their scripture a living guru and ultimate center of faith, showing it respect by bowing deeply before it and using a white fly whisk to fan its pages in reverent fashion - in order to keep dust and insects from covering its pages.
3. Guru Hargobind
Guru Hargobind was the sixth Sikh Guru and is known for separating religion and politics - unlike Akbar who used religion to oppress his subjects through oppression of religion.
Prioritising his education, he received spiritual instruction from Bhai Gurdas ji and Baba Buddha ji, while learning horseback riding, weaponry and warfare from great warriors such as Bhai Paraga ji and Bhai Nawal ji.
Er constructed Sri Akal Takht near Harmandir Sahib where he would often sit to guide and settle disputes amongst members of his Sangat. Furthermore, he was known to wear two swords referred to as Miri and Piri on his body.
4. Guru Harkrishan
Guru Harkrishan was an embodiment of Mool Mantar teachings of equality. He led a life free from hatred or fear while serving all people regardless of socioeconomic status.
Aurangzeb wanted to meet Guru Ji and asked Raja Jai Singh to bring him back to Delhi for this meeting, with which Guru Ji agreed.
As they journeyed towards Delhi, Lal Chand challenged his Guru's knowledge of scripture. To address his challenge, the Guru asked Lal Chand to find someone to represent them - after searching all over town he found Chhajjoo Ram, a deaf-mute water carrier with no voice who agreed.
5. Guru Amar Das
Guru Angad was impressed by Amar Das's hard work and service and appointed him his successor. He directed Amar Das to live in Goindwal township by day while traveling 14 miles each night to visit Guru Angad.
At one point during his stay in Goindwal, Amar Das was drawn to hearing hymns of Guru Nanak Dev Ji being sung by Bibi Amro, his nephew's wife. Attracted by these beautiful words sung from Guru Nanak Dev Ji's hymnbook, Amar Das inquired as to who wrote them and she informed him that Guru Nanak himself composed them.
6. Guru Hargobind Singh
After his father, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, died, Guru Hargobind Sahib gave Sikhism a fresh approach with his concept of Miri Piri that combined spiritual and temporal authority.
Guru Ji founded Akal Takht at Goindwal Sahib and Jahangir provided resources and food to feed 52 kings, but Guru ji decided instead to feed the kings himself.
He introduced arming and weapon training for Sikhs, instilling them with warrior mentality. He composed many heroic ballads while encouraging Gatka practice. Furthermore, he promoted Kirtan during Diwan meetings.
7. Guru Hargobind Singh Ji
Guru Hargobind founded the Khalsa, a community of warrior saints dedicated to challenging oppressive rulers and restoring justice and equality among humans. He became known as Sarbans Dani (one who gives everything), Mard Agamra (man without equal), and Bar Do Alam Shah (emperor of all emperors).
He promoted Gatka and singing of heroic ballads as an effective means of uplift and inspiration, martial arts training, the wearing of turbans and weapon adornment by Sikhs (he carried two swords known as Miri and Piri ).
8. Guru Hargobind Ji
Guru Hargobind Ji was born on Jeth Vadi 1, 1652 B or 6 June 1595 AD in Guru Ki Vadali of Amritsar Sahib and quickly rose to become the sixth Guru of Sikhism after witnessing the execution of his father Guru Arjan Dev.
He introduced militarization into Sikhism by donning a turban with two swords he called Miri and Piri; known as Sache Patshah, or the True King. When an innocent grasscutter mistakenly gave him a coin, Jahangir was immensely impressed and became his disciple.
9. Guru Hargobind Ji
Guru Hargobind Ji was the sixth Sikh Guru. He fought valiantly against Mughal Emperor Jahangir and Shah Jahan to defend their Sangat community and protect it.
He defied the emperor by raising Akal Takht's throne to 12 feet in order to demonstrate that spiritual issues were more significant than political ones.
Use this story to demonstrate that Guru Ji was very resourceful and inventive, finding ways to meet an unreasonable demand from an emperor - while still enabling all his people to leave together from the fort - a valuable lesson we all can learn from.
10. Guru Hargobind Ji
Guru Hargobind Ji introduced militarization of Sikhism as a defensive strategy. Wearing two swords to symbolize miri and piri (temporal power and spiritual authority), he raised the Akal Takht in front of Harmandir Sahib to defy Mughal Emperor Jahanghir's three-foot throne to illustrate that spiritual duty trumped political authority.
Mata Ganga Ji approached Baba Buddha Ji with her request: she wanted a son who could crush the heads of those she believed to be bad people. In response, He picked up an onion and crushed it by hand.
