Series No. 3: Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji’s Sacred Resolve to Protect the Hindu Dharma
(Safar-e-Patshahi Nauvin – The Martyrdom Route Journey)
Sangat Ji, Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
After reading the historical narrative of Part 2 of the Shaheedi Marg Yatra series, one doubt must surely have dissolved completely— that the person we have addressed for centuries as “Pandit Kirpa Ram” was, in truth, not a pandit, but a Gursikh—Bhai Kirpa Ram.
From the Bhat Vahis and various historical texts, the following facts become abundantly clear:
“Bhai Kirpa Ram, son of Adu Ram, grandson of Narain Das, great-grandson of Brahm Das; lineage of Nanak Das; Datt gotra, Munjhal Brahmin; resident of Matan, Kashmir.
In Samvat 1732, on the auspicious day of Jeth Sudi Ekadashi, he, along with the Khodam Brahmins, reached Chak Nanaki of pargana Kahlur, and presented himself before Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth sovereign.
The Guru blessed them with assurance and uttered the divine words—
‘Tusañ di rakhia Baba Nanak karega’ — Baba Nanak Himself shall protect you.”
(Bhat Multani Sindhi)
From this history we also learn that this same Kirpa Ram Ji was born in the pious home of Bhai Adu Ram Ji and Bibi Saraswati Ji.
It was this very Gursikh who, in the years to come, became the spiritual instructor of the Tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji.
From Chak Nanaki to Chamkaur Garhi, he earned eternal glory through his devotion, service, discipline and valour— and finally attained martyrdom on the battlefield, inscribing his name forever on the golden pages of history.
When the Sixteen-Member Delegation Presented Itself Before the Guru…
A delegation of sixteen Kashmiri Brahmins, led by Bhai Kirpa Ram, arrived before Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.
Their plea was heart-rending:
“O True King!
Save our drowning faith.
Break our shackles—redeem us.”
The atrocities of the Mughal rule had cast pitch-dark shadows over the Hindu faith.
Temple lamps were being extinguished, sacred shrines were disappearing, and the future of thousands of women and children was slipping into the depths of despair.
With profound compassion, Guru Paatshah asked:
“Gurmukhs, if there is among you any saint, any holy man, any devotee of Naam
who is willing to lay down his life—then your Dharma can yet be saved.”
With folded hands the delegation replied:
“O Paatshah Ji, we have come representing the entire land of Bharat.
Today there is none upon this soil ready to offer his head for the sake of Dharma.
Only You can bestow mercy upon us…”
The Divine Sensitivity of Young Gobind Rai
At that historic moment, seated beside Guru Sahib, was his young son Gobind Rai (the future Guru Gobind Singh).
He was only nine years old, yet his heart was filled with a depth of intuition far beyond his age.
With innocence in his voice, yet profound gravity in his words, he asked:
“Father, can the Hindu Dharma be saved by the sacrifice of a single head?”
“Can one head keep the temple lamps burning?”
“Can one head save hundreds of thousands of children from becoming orphans?”
“Can it protect the sacred traditions of the Hindus?”
Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji replied—
“Yes, my son.”
Immediately, young Gobind Rai stood up with folded hands.
In his voice and in his expression gleamed a divine flame— the radiant light of Soda-e-Dharam, the supreme bargain of righteousness.
He spoke:
“Father, I have never asked anything from you.
When I first beheld you at the age of five— I asked for nothing.
When I reached Anandpur at the age of seven— I asked for nothing.
But today, I wish to make a sacred bargain.
In history, Guru Nanak Patshah Ji once made a bargain— of twenty Bahloli dinars.
Its interest has not been exhausted even to this day…
If the Hindu Dharma can be saved by a single head, if mothers can be spared from becoming widows,
if the tears of orphaned children can be wiped away— then I am willing to become an orphan.
This head will not be offered by anyone else— this sacred head shall be offered by my father,
the blessed Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.”
At that moment the universe stood witness— a son was offering his father for the protection of Dharma. From that very moment began the boundless journey of martyrdom that transformed the history of humanity.
Background Hymn
(A soft, trembling melody—evoking sacrifice, compassion, and the spirit of martyrdom, as if rising from an unseen, celestial realm…)
Among the pages of history lies a moment that still sends shivers through the hearts of millions— the immortal declaration of the nine-year-old Gobind Rai Ji, who kept the flame of Hindu Dharma from being extinguished.
This divine call of Gobind Rai Ji is remembered thus:
“I speak not of now,
I speak not of then,
I speak of that sacred moment—
Had Guru Gobind Singh not been born,
Circumcision would have been the fate of all.”
Indeed, had the Tenth Master not descended upon this earth, had the radiant light of the Kalgidhar not shone, this vast land, this ancient Dharma, this civilization— would not be what we have inherited today.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib’s Assurance to the Kashmiri Pandits
Hearing the anguished plea of the Kashmiri Pandits, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji spoke those historic words that shook the very foundations of the Mughal Empire:
**“Go and tell Iftiyar Khan, tell Sher Afghan, tell their Governor— Why do you pluck the leaves of the branches? Strike once at the root of the tree!
If Guru Tegh Bahadur accepts Islam, the entire Hindustan will abandon its own faith.”**
In the annals of history, no one had ever uttered such fearless, Dharma-imbued defiance against tyranny as Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji did.
That was the moment when the Kashmiri Pandits returned from Anandpur Sahib fully reassured.
They now knew—
For the protection of Dharma, Akal Purakh had already sent forth the Light of Martyrdom
from His own divine household.
Guru Sahib Remained Firm on His Word
Whatever Guru Sahib said—He lived by it. The very next day, He resolved to offer His sacred head
for the protection of Dharma.
Historical records tell us that on 25 May 1675, the Kashmiri Pandits had come seeking His protection.
This is the very place where Gurdwara Damdama Sahib now stands— the site where, on 8 July 1675, young Gobind Rai Ji was anointed upon the Guru Gaddi.
In this sacred ceremony, Bhai Ram Kunwar Ji, from the lineage of Baba Buddha Ji,
performed the tilak of Gurta-Gaddi upon Guru Sahib.
Exactly 47 days later, on 11 July 1675 CE, the blessed Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji departed from Anandpur Sahib towards Delhi, setting out upon the path of martyrdom. At that time, he was 54 years old.
The Final Meeting with the Family Before the Martyrdom Journey
Before departing on 11 July 1675, Guru Sahib met His family. This scene stands among the most poignant, most exalted, and most sacred moments in the history of humanity.
The Last Dialogue with Mata Nanaki Ji
Guru Sahib looked toward His revered mother— blessed Mata Nanaki Ji—and said:
“Mother, I am going to offer my head. Is there any final command?”
In Mata Nanaki Ji’s eyes descended the austerity of a thousand ages. She said only this:
“My son, I have never seen you laugh openly. I wish to behold your face smiling.”
Guru Sahib replied:
“Mother Ji, when you have my final Darshan, you will see my face smiling.”
It was a smile that carried the ecstasy of Dharma— a smile that radiated timeless divine consciousness.
The Words of Mata Gujri Ji
Mata Gujri (Gujjar Kaur) Ji, with folded hands, bowed head, and eyes filled with immense contentment and unparalleled courage, spoke:
“Sāīṅyāṅ, as You have remained steadfast, may I too remain steadfast.
Grant me the strength to walk upon the path of martyrdom as well.
Know this truth—this earth has rarely seen a mother like Mata Gujri.”
And indeed, her words became reality. Mata Gujri Ji too, in the days ahead, drank the chalice of martyrdom. Such mothers are exceedingly rare in history.
The Final Embrace of Father and Son
At last, nine-year-old Gobind Rai Ji embraced his father. This was a moment when even the sky wept
and the earth trembled. For this was not an ordinary embrace between a father and a son—This was a moment where a father made his son an orphan to protect Dharma, and a son offered his father
for the salvation of humanity.
History bears witness— the father who leaves his only son alone in order to save thousands of children from becoming orphans cannot be an ordinary human being.
In this final embrace, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj was already transforming into the most divine radiance of the future.
Background Hymn
(A wondrous blend of compassion and valour— as though history itself were speaking, its waves of pain and heroism slowly descending into the listener’s heart…)
In that divine moment, when the heartfelt dialogue between the protector-father and the warrior-son was underway, Guru Sahib Ji gave His young child His final words:
“Son, always walk on the path of Dharma.
Those whose lives are offered for the sake of righteousness—
they alone become the eternal lamps of this universe.”
With folded hands, young Gobind Rai Ji bowed humbly, yet inwardly firm as thunderbolt, and said:
“Father, bless me. Keep Your hand forever upon my head. I too shall remain in Chardi Kala throughout my life and tread the very path on which You depart today.”
These were not mere words— they were the echo of immortality melted into the flow of time.
Guru Sahib’s Departure on 11 July 1675 CE
On 11 July 1675 CE, from Gurdwara Thara Sahib, Chak Nanaki, the blessed Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji offered His final salutation to His family and set out towards Delhi
upon the path of martyrdom.
Along with Him were five eminent and immortal Sikh companions:
- Bhai Mati Das Ji
- Bhai Sati Das Ji
- Bhai Dyalā Ji
- Bhai Uday Ji
- Bhai Gurditta Ji
These five names are not mere entries in a list— they are divine pillars embedded deep in the foundation of humanity.
The Final Line at Kiratpur Sahib
Approximately 9 kilometers from Chak Nanaki, Guru Sahib reached Kiratpur Sahib—
that sacred land from where many divine streams of Sikh history originate.
There, Guru Sahib drew a straight line upon the ground and firmly instructed:
“From this point onward, neither anyone from the Sangat nor anyone from my family shall follow me.”
Background Music
(Deep, introspective, heart-piercing melody— gently carrying the listener into the depths of history.)
Beyond that line, Guru Sahib’s path led only towards martyrdom, and behind Him remained
the tear-soaked, sanctified earth of the Sangat.
Four Months — A Solitary Journey of 124 Days
A total of 124 days, nearly four months, this journey stands as a path of unparalleled martyrdom, courage, and supreme patience.Step by step, alone, Guru Sahib advanced— every step taken for the protection of humanity.
We shall walk this sacred path once again. Just as Guru Sahib walked, the Khoj-Vichar team will bring before you each historical location— its divine memories descending gently into your heart.
Sangat Ji, stay connected— this martyrdom route is the greatest pilgrimage
of sacrifice in human history.
The Return of the Sacred Head After Martyrdom
After the martyrdom, the blessed head of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was brought back to Sri Anandpur Sahib by a holy route— a chapter equally sacred in history.
We shall narrate that journey as well— step by step, sight by sight, moment by moment.
Sangat Ji—remain with us. Yours sincerely, Your valiant historian,
Dr. Bhagwan Singh ‘Khoji’
Background Music
(A slow, reverent melody— revealing the glory of history, the purity of martyrdom, and the divine radiance of Guru Sahib.)