Teens & Shaheeds: What Unites Us?

TW: References to Death and Gore

Gurmukhi words are glossed as follows:

Gurmukhi Word (Transliteration - Translation)

The word ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ (Shaheedi - Martyrdom) is likely familiar to you. As Sikh teens, we have grown up surrounded by the wonderous stories of Baba Deep Singh, who fought valiantly with his head in the palm of his hand; Bhai Taru Singh, who gave up his scalp over sacrificing his ਕੇਸ਼ (Kes - Uncut Hair) and the fearless mothers who were forced to watch their children die under the barbarity of Mir Mannu. But how often do we ask why? Why did these Gursikhs give up their lives? What did they stand to gain? Most significantly: What do you, a Sikh teenager in the 21st century, have in common with them? The answers to these go deeper than you might think. Despite the gap of centuries, culture and perhaps language, you and the Shaheeds of Sikh history share a connection unlike any other. This is the connection I aim to explore with you today.

What is ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ?

The word “ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ” in Punjabi translates to “martyrdom” in English. The word “martyrdom” refers to the death of a martyr, someone who gives up their life for what they believe in. Throughout Sikh history, countless examples of Shaheedi have been documented and passed down generations through oral tradition. The idea of sacrificing one’s life rather than giving up personal beliefs is a core concept in ਸਿੱਖੀ (Sikhi - The Sikh Faith) and has been since its earthly conception with the arrival of Satguru Nanak Sahib. That being said, the first physical Shaheed was Satguru Arjan Sahib, who was subjected to horrendous torture after refusing to convert to Islam. The Shaheedi of Satguru Arjan Sahib catalysed the Sikh tradition of martyrdom, which would continue until the modern age. Since then, Sikhs have suffered many situations in which Shaheedi was accepted over forsaking Guru Sahib. For example, the events of 1984 led to countless Sikhs giving Shaheedi for the sake of the ਪੰਥ (Panth - Sikh Community), an incredible sacrifice made in order for us to exist today.

Is ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ Always Physical?

The idea of Shaheedi in Sikhi is not always temporal. Satguru Nanak Sahib reminds us of another type of Shaheedi we can give, on Ank 1412 of Satguru Granth Sahib:

ਜਉ ਤਉ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਖੇਲਣ ਕਾ ਚਾਉ ॥

Jo Tho Praem Khaelan Kaa Chaao ||

If you desire to play this game of love with Me,

ਸਿਰੁ ਧਰਿ ਤਲੀ ਗਲੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਆਉ ॥

Sir Dhhar Thalee Galee Maeree Aao ||

Then step onto My Path with your head in hand.

Guru Sahib makes it clear to us that, in order to follow their path, we must be prepared to sacrifice everything we know, so that we gain a clear focus on the path of the Guru. Guru Sahib tells us to walk with “head in hand”, spiritually martyring our old self so that we may give everything up for Guru Sahib, freeing ourselves from the bonds of the world and ultimately joining with ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ (Akaal Purakh - Timeless God).

ਇਤੁ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪੈਰੁ ਧਰੀਜੈ ॥

Eith Maarag Pair Dhhareejai ||

When you place your feet on this Path,

ਸਿਰੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਕਾਣਿ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ॥੨੦॥

Sir Dheejai Kaan N Keejai ||20||

Give Me your head, and do not pay any attention to public opinion. ||20||

Guru Sahib tells us to ignore the opinion of those around us. The judgement we receive from others as a result of following Guru Sahib is insignificant, since the end goal is above everything in the physical world. The choice to truly follow the Guru Sahib’s path is a sacrifice in itself, so it can be considered a Shaheedi of the mind, given as a part of following Guru Sahib. Sikhs who had given Shaheedi in the Guru’s cause were already Shaheed in their minds, so a physical death was nothing more than a release from the bonds of the world for them. As a result, the reason they gave Shaheedi was out of love for Guru Sahib.

How does this relate to me?

The Sikh way of life embraces death, whereas the majority of Western philosophy has correlated death with fear and darkness. For a Sikh, death is a release, but before truly seeing it as such, we must give up our ties to this world willingly, as Satguru Nanak Sahib taught us. As Sikh teens in the modern day, this philosophy can too remove our fear of death. By sacrificing everything in front of Guru Sahib, following the ਰਹਿਤ (Rehat - Discipline) we have been given and implementing the teachings of Guru Sahib in our everyday lives, we can become Shaheeds of the mind. Guru Sahib has provided us with the only tool we need, ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ (Gurbani - The Words of the Guru), so that we can attain this Shaheedi and escape the vices of this world, on the path of ਗੁਰਮਤਿ (Gurmat - The Way of the Guru).

In conclusion, I implore you to look into the lives of the Shaheeds that preceded us, follow their example by reading Gurbani and understand why Guru Sahib wants us to follow their path. The Shaheedi of the mind is the goal of a Sikh, so we must strive to achieve it. Try waking up in the morning and before anything else, read ਜਪੁਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ (Japji Sahib - First Daily Prayer). Using a translation if needed, understand the ਹੁਕਮ (Hukam - Divine Order) that Satguru Nanak Sahib is revealing to us. Reflect for five minutes upon the Gurbani you have read, feel the power that it has given you. Lastly, try to implement the message of this Gurbani in your day, whether you choose to help friends or family, do ਸਿਮਰਨ (Simran - Meditation) for a few minutes, or do an ਅਰਦਾਸ (Ardaas - Humble Request). By understanding and implementing Guru Sahib’s message, you will start to realise your purpose. Your mind will become Shaheed and you will transcend the world around you, just as the Shaheeds of the past did. The connection you share with them is immense, so take advantage of it! It all starts by opening a ਗੁਟਕਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ (Gutka Sahib - Sacred Text) and reading Gurbani!

About the Author

Isher Singh

Isher Singh (14) is a student from London, UK. He is a Tabla player of 10 years, as well as an avid musician and writer. He enjoys writing about Sikhi and studying Sikh music and has participated in many creative projects over the years. He is excited to work with SikhTeens!