Guru Gobind Singh Ji: A Divine Messenger of Strength, Wisdom, and Compassion
Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the great messenger of God, set a solid example for future generations to adopt the divine qualities of the Almighty, connect their inner selves with God, and never surrender to slavery. In this video, three powerful Sakhis have been shared:
"The Reply to Aurangzeb’s Hukamnama"
When the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb sent a Hukamnama (royal decree) across all the kingdoms of India, it commanded that no one should dress like royals, ride horses, wear kalgis (royal plumes), or style themselves in a royal manner. He ordered his army that anyone found violating this command should be challenged and punished, even called to battle against the Mughal Empire.
Aurangzeb was concerned after hearing rumors in his court that the Rajputs were growing beards, wearing kalgis, and riding horses in a way that portrayed royal pride. The emperor believed they were asserting dominance, so to crush their pride, he issued this Hukamnama—an attempt to weaken their spirits and turn them into loyal subjects of the empire.
When a Mughal soldier arrived at Guru Gobind Singh Ji's place with the Hukamnama, Guru Ji asked,
"Who has sent such an order?"
The soldier presented the decree sent by Aurangzeb to all the rulers of India.
Upon hearing the contents of the Hukamnama, Guru Ji tore it apart and returned it to the messenger, saying:
“I obey only the Almighty God, the one supreme power. We are not here to be enslaved by anyone. We choose what we need to do in our lives. No one can impose slavery upon humanity by force.”
In response to the emperor's command, Guru Gobind Singh Ji sent a powerful Zafarnama (also known as Binnati Nama), rejecting the forced impositions of the Mughals. Guru Ji later established his own sovereign Khalsa Kingdom and stood against the Mughals, proving that God’s messengers and humanity are not meant to be enslaved.
In the Zafarnama, Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared:
“Whatever you try to suppress in our community, we will embrace it even more. You cannot stop God’s people from living their truth.”
"The Final Letter to Aurangzeb"
After many battles and sacrifices—including the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in Chandni Chowk, the four Sahibzade, Mata Gujri Ji, and Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s entire family—the Guru sent another Zafarnama to Aurangzeb, exposing his deeds and secret acts only known to the emperor himself.
This Zafarnama was sent to Ahmednagar, where Aurangzeb was residing. Upon reading it, Aurangzeb was never the same. He fell into deep depression. He began unlocking hidden rooms in his palace, rechecking the secret belongings known only to him, overwhelmed by fear. He lost sleep and his mental peace, slipping into a state of madness.
Key points from the Zafarnama:
Guru Ji began by praising Aurangzeb’s apparent virtues:
“Aurangzeb tu allal subha uthata hai , yeh teri khubi hai ,
-Tu talabat bhi suntan hai kurnan di –Do waqt,
-Tu shahi khajanya vicho roti nai khanada, tu apne roti aap kamaunda, -tu topiya bechda hai ,aur kurna sharer joh likhta hai voh bechta hai , tu uski kamai ki roti khata hai ,
-Tu tasfi ferda hai-Alaa Hoo-alla hoo,
-Tu zakat v dehnda hai zuma ratri nu,
-Tu roze vi rakhda hai –Ramzan vale din bukha v katdah hai
-Panjh vaqt da namzi v hai tu-itna tu rabh da banda hi ,
Inniya khubia deh naal, v par tu shaitan hai tu rabh dah banda nai to khuda da banada nai tu shaitan da shaitan hee hai .
But Guru Ji continued:
“Despite all these qualities, you are not truly God’s servant—you are a devil's devil.”
Aurangzeb died in a state of mental torment and spiritual defeat.
"Insaf kare zameer mein, aazmana hee nahi hai,
Khedo Guru Gobind ka, sahni hee nahi hai.”
—Written by Allah Yaar Khan
(There is no one as noble and divine as Guru Gobind Singh Ji.)
"Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Mercy on Bahadur Shah (Son of Aurangzeb)"
After Aurangzeb’s death, a battle for succession began among the Mughal heirs. Aurangzeb’s son, Bahadur Shah, sought Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s help—requesting military and strategic support to gain power over other claimants.
Despite the immense cruelty inflicted upon Guru Ji’s family by the Mughals, Guru Ji still gave Bahadur Shah shelter and help, demonstrating that if someone seeks forgiveness or help with humility, Guru never says no.
In Nandehrd, Guru Ji provided him with his support and army.
During a gathering, Bahadur Shah asked Guru Gobind Singh Ji a spiritual question:
“Who is closer to God—Hindus or Muslims?”
Before answering, Guru Ji called one of his soldiers and gave him a gold coin, asking him to go to the market and buy something with it. The soldier returned empty-handed, saying:
“This coin was not accepted anywhere, Guru Ji. Eh sikka khota hai (This coin is counterfeit).”
Guru Ji called Bahadur Shah and said,
“This is your stamped coin. Look why it’s not accepted.”
Bahadur Shah examined the coin but couldn’t find the fault. He called his cashier, who rubbed the coin on a stone and replied:
“Though it looks fine from outside, it is not pure gold inside. Yeh sikka khota hai.”
Guru Ji said,
“Bahadur Shah, your coin is useless despite its appearance and stamp.”
Bahadur Shah agreed, saying if the inner material is not pure, the coin will not be accepted.
Then Guru Ji replied to his original question:
“You yourself answered your question. The one who is pure inside and outside is closer to God—not Hindus or Muslims. The one who is Khalsa’ is closest to God.”
The word Khalsa means “pure”—someone who embodies divine qualities, is pure in thoughts and actions, and lives righteously. Guru Ji clarified that closeness to God is not defined by religion, but by:
A Khalsa lives a worldly life with full responsibilities, yet holds the soul of a saint. He fights for justice, yet knows how to be humble.
This Sakhi once again reflects Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s divine wisdom and merciful nature. Even after all the pain caused by the Mughals, he upheld compassion, truth, and justice with unwavering commitment.