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Sikh Gurus
The term guru comes from the Sanskrit guru, meaning teacher, guide or mentor. The traditions and philosophy of Sikhism were established by ten specific gurus from 1507 to 1708. Each guru added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous, resulting in the creation of the Sikh religion. Guru Nanak Dev was the first guru and appointed a disciple as successor. Guru Gobind Singh was the final guru in human form. Before his death, Guru Gobind Singh decreed that the Guru Granth Sahib would be the final and perpetual guru of the Sikhs. The Sikhs fully believe that the divine spirit of Nanak was passed from one guru to the next, just as the light of one lamp, which lights another and does not diminsh, and is also mentioned in their holy book.
Guru Amar Das's successor and son-in-law Ram Das founded the city of Amritsar, which is home of the Harimandir Sahib and regarded widely as the holiest city for all Sikhs. When Guru Ram Das's youngest son Guru Arjan Dev succeeded him, the line of male gurus from the Sodhi Khatri family was established: all succeeding gurus were direct descendants of this line. Guru Arjan Dev was responsible for compiling the Sikh scriptures. Guru Arjan Dev was captured by Mughal authorities who were suspicious and hostile to
the religious order he was developing. His persecution and death inspired his successors to promote a military and political organisation of Sikh communities to defend themselves against the attacks of Mughal forces.
The Sikh gurus established a mechanism which allowed the Sikh religion to react as a community to changing circumstances. The sixth guru, Guru Har Gobind Sahib, was responsible for the creation of the Akal Takht (throne of the timeless one) which serves as the supreme decision-making centre of Sikhdom and sits opposite the Harimandir Sahib. The Sarbat khalsa (a representative portion of the Khalsa Panth) historically gathers at the Akal Takht on special festivals such as Vaisakhi or Diwali and when there is a need to discuss matters that affect the entire Sikh nation. A gurmata (literally, guru's intention) is an order passed by the Sarbat khalsa in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. A gurmata may only be passed on a subject that affects the fundamental principles of Sikh religion; it is binding upon all Sikhs. The term hukamnama (literally, edict or royal order) is often used interchangeably with the term gurmata. However, a hukamnama formally refers to a hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib which is given as an order to Sikhs.
The term guru comes from the Sanskrit guru, meaning teacher, guide or mentor. The traditions and philosophy of Sikhism were established by ten specific gurus from 1507 to 1708. Each guru added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous, resulting in the creation of the Sikh religion. Guru Nanak Dev was the first guru and appointed a disciple as successor. Guru Gobind Singh was the final guru in human form. Before his death, Guru Gobind Singh decreed that the Guru Granth Sahib would be the final and perpetual guru of the Sikhs. The Sikhs fully believe that the divine spirit of Nanak was passed from one guru to the next, just as the light of one lamp, which lights another and does not diminsh, and is also mentioned in their holy book.
#Guru NameDate of BirthGurushipDate of AscensionAge1Nanak Dev15 April 146920 August 150722 September 1539692Angad Dev31 March 15047 September 153929 March 1552483Amar Das5 May 147926 March 15521 September 1574954Ram Das24 September 15341 September 15741 September 1581465Arjan Dev 15 April 1563 1 September 1581 30 May 1606 436Har Gobind 19 June 1595 25 May 1606 28 February 1644 487Har Rai 16 January 1630 3 March 1644 6 October 1661 318Har Krishan 7 July 1656 6 October 1661 30 March 1664 79Tegh Bahadur 1 April 1621 20 March 1665 11 November 1675 5410Gobind Singh 22 December 1666 11 November 1675 7 October 1708 41Guru Granth Sahib -7 October 1708 to (Never ending) --
After Guru Nanak Dev's passing, the most important phase in the development of Sikhism came with the third successor, Guru Amar Das. Guru Nanak Dev's teachings emphasised the pursuit of salvation; Guru Amar Das began building a cohesive community of followers with initiatives such as sanctioning distinctive ceremonies for birth, marriage and death. Guru Amar Das also established the manji (comparable to a diocese) system of clerical supervision.Guru Amar Das's successor and son-in-law Ram Das founded the city of Amritsar, which is home of the Harimandir Sahib and regarded widely as the holiest city for all Sikhs. When Guru Ram Das's youngest son Guru Arjan Dev succeeded him, the line of male gurus from the Sodhi Khatri family was established: all succeeding gurus were direct descendants of this line. Guru Arjan Dev was responsible for compiling the Sikh scriptures. Guru Arjan Dev was captured by Mughal authorities who were suspicious and hostile to
The Sikh gurus established a mechanism which allowed the Sikh religion to react as a community to changing circumstances. The sixth guru, Guru Har Gobind Sahib, was responsible for the creation of the Akal Takht (throne of the timeless one) which serves as the supreme decision-making centre of Sikhdom and sits opposite the Harimandir Sahib. The Sarbat khalsa (a representative portion of the Khalsa Panth) historically gathers at the Akal Takht on special festivals such as Vaisakhi or Diwali and when there is a need to discuss matters that affect the entire Sikh nation. A gurmata (literally, guru's intention) is an order passed by the Sarbat khalsa in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. A gurmata may only be passed on a subject that affects the fundamental principles of Sikh religion; it is binding upon all Sikhs. The term hukamnama (literally, edict or royal order) is often used interchangeably with the term gurmata. However, a hukamnama formally refers to a hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib which is given as an order to Sikhs.
