Sikh Guru - Guru Hargobind Singh Ji
Among the all ten Sikh Gurus, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji are said to be master of Miri [Worldly strength] and Piri [Spiritual powers] though the life of Guru Sahib Ji was dominated by spiritual powers and the worldly strength was at secondary and subsidiary status. Guru Hargobind Singh were born on 19th June 1595 as the only son of fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Dev Ji at village Wadali near Amritsar. From early childhood Baba Buddha was taking care of religious education of Guru Hargobind.
In the history of Sikhism Guru Hargobind sahib are pioneer for many things. Guru Sahib have turned Sikhs into saint-soldiers and trained them in martial arts. This was day of 25th May 1606 just two days before the martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev, when Guru Hargobind Sahib were invested with Guruship. It is said that once Guru Sahib Ji asked Baba Buddha ji for sword and Baba Buddha who hand not handled this weapon previously has kept the sword on the wrong side, noticing this Guru Sahib said now onwards I will wear two swords one given by Baba Buddha ji [Spiritual powers] "Piri" and one of mine "Miri" [secular powers]. In the year 1606 Guru Hargobind Sahib ji started construction of yet another temple at Amritsar, facing Harmandir [Golden Temple], which is being known as "Akal Takhat" and in one among the five Takhats of Sikhism.
Mugal King Jahangir heard about the wisdom of Guru Hargobind and Chandu Shah, who had jealousy with Guru Sahib was whispering with King about the threat from the powers being gained by Guru Sahib Ji so king decided to meet with Guru Sahib in person and asked them to come Delhi. Sikhs become worried as they were looking at this invitation as the life threat for Guru Sahib, but Guru Hargobind Ji gave the charge of Harmandir Sahib to Baba Buddha Ji [secular duties] and Bhai Gurdas [spiritual instructions] and set out for journey to Delhi with about three hundred horses and selective group of Sikhs.
On meeting with Guru sahib emperor Jahangir become much impressed with Guru Sahib as to reply his question which religion is more beneficial for mankind Islam or Hinduism? Guru Sahib quoted saying of Kabir which means: "God first created light, All men are born out of it. The whole world came out of a single spark; Who is good and who is bad? The Creator is in the creation, and the creation in the Creator, He is everywhere. The clay is the same, the potter fashions various models. There is nothing wrong with the clay or the potter. God the true resides in all, Whatever happens is His doing. He who surrenders to Him gets to know Him. He is His slave. God is invisible, He cannot be seen. The Guru has granted me this sweet gift. Says Kabir, my doubts are dispelled. I have seen the Pure with my own eyes." Afterward when Guru Sahib saved life of King from a deadly tiger while they were on hunt, King become almost a devotee of Guru Sahib.
While being at Agra king fall ill and here conspiracy of Chandu Shah become successful so Guru sahib were kept as prisoner at Gwalior Fort. After returning back to health King realise the mistake and on advice of Wazir Khan ordered for released of Guru Sahib but Guru Hargobind Ji refused to come out unless the 52 prices, the political prisoners were not released. Finally King Jahangir ordered for this and Guru Sahib left the Gwalior fort, on this day Sikh people decorated their houses with lights to express their happiness and celebrated day as Deepavali.
In the year 1626 Guru Hargobind Sahib ji laid down the foundation for the city of Kiratpur. On the tour to Kashmir Guru Sahib ji meet with Swami Ramdas Samarth, great saint of Maharashtra and spiritual master of Maratha King Shivaji, at Srinagar. Swami asked Guru Ji about the wearing a sword and being the successor of Guru Nanak, Guru sahib replied Guru Nanak Dev ji never refuse to recoginse world, he had only refuse to allow "Maya" [illusion and ego] to take control of world. Guru Hargobind have five sons namely Gurditta [born in 1613], Suraj Mal [1617], Ani Rai [1618], Atul Rai [1620] and Tegh Bagadur [1622] who become ninth Sikh Guru.
After the battle with Mugal King Shah Jhan in 1634 Guru sahib left Amritsar and started living at Kiratpur. Among the sons of Guru Sahib, Gurditta, who was adopted by Baba Srichand son of Guru Nanak, died at age of 24 years, Suraj Mal and Ani Rai were more interested in the physical world while Tegh Bahadur was preferring meditation in lonely status.
Guru Sahib started teaching Har Rai son of Gurditta for transferring their powers and blessed him with Guruship at tender age of fourteen year before leaving for heavenly abode on 3rd March 1644.