Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

Sikh Quote by Guru Tegh Bhadur Ji Quotes Sikhs

Guru Tech Bahadur sahib jiGuru Tegh Bahadur Ji (1666-1708 C.E.) was the ninth guru of Sikhs. A poet, a thinker, and a warrior, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji carried forward the light of sanctity and divinity of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the subsequent Sikh Gurus.

His spiritual writings, detailing varied themes such as, the nature of God, human attachments, body, mind, sorrow, dignity, service, death, and deliverance, are registered in the form of 116 poetic hymns in the sacred scripture, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. 

In May 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was approached by Hindu Pandits from the Kashmir region, seeking the Guru’s intercession against the forced conversions of Hindus to Islam by the Mughal rulers of India.

For supporting the Hindu Pandits by resisting these forced conversions, he asked them to tell Aurangzeb if he could convert Guru ji to Islam, the pandits would also convert to Islam.

Listening to this, the emperor tortured Guru ji to death to convert him to Islam, but Guru ji strongly kept refusing and thus emerged to be the savior of Hindu religion, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was publicly executed via beheading at the imperial capital of Delhi on the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb.

Today, Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib stand at the sites of beheading and cremation of Guru Ji’s body. Along with Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, three other Sikhs, Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dyal Das, were also executed.


 

Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day

Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day is also observed as Shaheedi Diwas or Divas every year. On this day, Guru Tegh Bahadur was publicly executed on the orders of Aurangzeb because he had opposed religious persecution. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji wasn’t specifically protecting the rights of the Sikhs.  Instead he was protecting the rights of the Hindus of Kashmir. These people were the Hindu Pandits, also known as scholars, who were being forced to convert to the religion of Islam. On the day of May 25, 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji made one of the biggest decisions, that he would sacrifice his life to make sure these people had their rights to stay with their religion.

Also on this day, with our beloved Guru Ji, Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Dayala Ji, and Bhai Sati Das Ji, were all martyred for refusing to forcibly convert to Islam.

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As we remember Guru Ji’s sacrifice, let’s make an effort to reflect on his words, bring them into our daily lives. Share these enlightening quotes with others.

The following are some of his quotes from Bani written by Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Salok Mehla Nauva Quote 1

If you do not sing the Praises of the Lord, your life is rendered useless.

Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord; immerse your mind in Him, like the fish in the water. ||1||

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji – Salok Mahalla 9 verse 1

Give up your head, but forsake not those whom you have undertaken to protect.

Sacrifice your life, but relinquish not your faith.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji

“True Realization of the actual nature of this material world, its perishable, transitory and illusory aspects best dawns on a person in suffering.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji

For whom praise and dispraise are the same, and on whom greed and attachment have no effect.

Consider him only enlightened whom pain and pleasure do not entrap. Consider such a person saved.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji

One who vanquishes his ego and beholds the Lord as the Sole Doer of all things,

that person has attained ‘Jivan Mukti’ (is liberated while living), know this as the real truth, says Nanak.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

O mother, I have been blessed with the wealth of God’s Name.

My Mind is free from wandering and is established in peace.

Avarice and worldly love dare not touch me and pure divine knowledge fills me.

Greed and desire cannot affect me. I am totally immersed in Lord’s devotion.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

He has given you your body and wealth, but you are not in love with Him.

Says Nanak, you are insane! Why do you now shake and tremble so helplessly? ||7||

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji – Salok Mahalla 9 verse 7
Guru Tegh Bahadur Salok Mehla Nauva Quote 1

Whatever has been created shall be destroyed; everyone shall perish, today or tomorrow.

O Nanak, sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, and give up all other entanglements. ((52))

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji – Salok Mahalla 9 verse 52

 

“Why go to search forests (to find Him). He who dwells in all hearts but remains ever pure, pervades thy heart also.

Just as fragrance fills the rose and reflection the mirror, the Lord pervades all without a break; search Him inside thee.

The Guru hath revealed this knowledge that the Aum pervades inside and outside. Said Nanak, without knowing thyself the scum of doubt will not be removed.”  

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Thy life is passing in vain Day and night thou dost listen to religious books yet thou dost not understand the truth, ignorant man.

Death is approaching and thou hast nowhere to flee from it. Thy, body, which thou regards as permanent shall return to dust; why dost thou not remember God, O thou who are without shame and ignorant?

Nanak, the servant of God tells thee to give up pride in thy heart and devote thyself to God and thus live thy life in this world.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“By singing His praises thy impurity will be removed and the poison of egoism spread all over will be destroyed.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Consider the man, who meditates on God, day and night as His image. Between God and His servant there is no dissimilarity – recognize this to be true.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“The person who has given up his egoism by recognizing God as the creator, shall get deliverance; be sure of this truth, O my mind.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“If the hands, feet, or body are covered with dust, they are cleansed by washing them with water. if clothes are made unclean, by use of soap they are washed of impurity. If the buddhi (intellect) is defined by sin, love of the Name will purify it.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“The Name (Naam) remained, the Saints remained, and God remained. Said Nanak, in this world some rare one recited the mantra of the Guru.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Thou wasn’t born a man, but didst not remember God even for an instant. Thou hast become a slave to gratification of lust and hast got thy feet shackled.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“O man, what shall be thy lot? To the Name of God didst thou not lend thy ear in this world, and remained totally engrossed in sensual pleasures and didst not turn away thy mind from these.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Meditation on His name and His glory in the ambrosial hours of the morning. Our actions procure us this vesture (body), but the door of liberation is opened through His grace.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“O Man, hold firmly to this truth in thy mind; The whole world is like a dream and like a dream will soon be no more. A man may elaborately build a wall of sand, but it will not last even for a short while.

Similarly, transient are pleasures of Maya (illusions) why art thou entangled in them, O ignorant man.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Worship, O worship God, thy life is fast passing. What shall I tell thee again and again? Thou understand not, thou ignorant man: Thy body shall melt like a hailstone before long.

Give up all doubts and meditate on the Name of God. In the end this alone will accompany thee.

Give up like poison the sensual pleasures and enshrine the praise of Hari in thy heart. Nanak, the servant of God, reminds thee – Thy opportunity is slipping.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Remember Rama, remember Him. It will stand thee in good stead. Forsake following the illusion and take shelter with Consider the pleasures of the world transitory; this whole paraphernalia is short-lived.

Wealth of which thou art so proud will pass like a dream; The empire of the whole world is a wall of sand. The servant of God, Nanak says, the body will perish. Moment by moment passed yesterday, Today is also passing similarly.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Yoga does not consist in the patched coat nor in the staff and rubbing ashes on the body.

Nor does yoga consist in earrings nor in close-cropping the hair. It does not consist in sounding the horn.

The way to yoga is found when we remain in tune with the Impeccable amidst worldly temptations. Mere talk cannot turn a man into a yogi.

He who considers all men equal is alone to be called a yogi.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“O mortal, remember Him night and day. Every moment thy life is passing away like water from cracked pitcher.

Why dost thou not sing the praises of Hari, thou ignorant fool: Thou hast forgotten death, entangled in false covetousness.

Even now if you chant the praises of Hari, nothing is lost. Saith Nanak, by devotion to Hari thou shalt attain the state of fearlessness.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Wake up, O mind, wake up: why dost thou sleep negligently? The body that was born with thee will not accompany thee when thou shalt depart.

Mother, father, progeny and other relations, to whom thou remain attached, Will consign thy body to flames when life departs from it.

Know that thy affairs with the world last only as long as thou art alive. At thy death the whole thing will pass off like a dream; so sing the praises of Hari.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Who in pain is not affected by it, Who has no attachment to pleasure and is fearless, and who thinks of gold as a clod of earth.

Neither does he indulge in praise nor slandering at others. And has no greed, delusion of pride in him.

He remains aloof from happiness and sorrow and cares not for honor or dishonor. He gives up all hope and desire, and has no desire. Him lust and wrath do not touch.

In the heart of such a man does Brahmin abide. A man who the Master favors follows this way of life and he is absorbed in the Lord, just as water merges into water.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Do not think that the yogi knows the right way in whose mind you see avarice, attachment to wealth and worldly possessions.

Recognize him only as a yogi who engages neither in praise nor in obloquy of others and to whom gold and iron are alike, and who has risen above pleasure and sorrow.

Such a man, who has stabilized his restless mind that was running in all the ten directions, is to be regarded as emancipated, saith Nanak.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Good men: discard pride of mind. Flee day and night lust, wrath and the company of evil men.

He who regards pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor as alike. And rises above joy and sorrow – Such a one knows the Truth. He renounces praise and obloquy and seeks to achieve the state that is inexpressible.

Nanak, this way is hard – Only the rare God-oriented man knows it.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Now that I have obtained the jewel of the Name, All desire has been removed from my mind: It is now absorbed in bliss.

He alone sings the praises of Hari, on whom the ocean of Grace showers His compassion.

Said Nanak, such wealth is found rarely by some through the Guru’s Word.” 

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Mother, I have obtained the wealth of the God’s Name.

My mind is rid of running hither and thither – It has found its rest. Illusion and desire of possession have departed from my body – the pure knowledge of God has dawned.

Greed and delusion do not touch me now. I have grasped firmly devotion to God. The doubt about birth and death is no more.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“He who does not devote himself to God, has wasted his life bear this in mind.

He who has not his mind under control will not get any reward from pilgrimages and fasts, this truth I proclaim. Just as a stone placed in water is not pierced by it. Regard the man who has no devotion in Him to be hard-hearted in the same way.

In this Kali-age liberation is obtained through the Name, the Guru has revealed this secret. Said Nanak, that man is great who sings the praises of the Lord.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Without the Name of Hari man is subject to sorrows; Without devotion doubt is not removed – the Guru has revealed this secret. Bathing at sacred places and fasts are of no avail, if one does not take refuge in God. Yoga and sacrifices will bring no reward to him who neglects to praise Him.

Forsaking pride and attachment to worldly pleasures, one should sing the praises of God. Says Nanak, the mortal who acts thus will be a jiwan mukta i.e. is saved whilst alive.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“For whom praise and dispraise are the same, and on whom greed and attachment have no effect.

Consider him only enlightened whom pain and pleasure do not entrap. Consider such a person saved.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Good men, rest comes only when a man seeks and finds the asylum of Hari. The study of Vedas and Puranas should result in the remembrance of God’s Name.

The person whom greed, delusion, wealth, sense of possession and indulgence in sensual pleasures do not attract and for whom pleasure and pain are alike, is the image of God.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Give up pride and attachment to mammon, and devote your heart to the worship of God. Saith Nanak, this is the way to salvation – through the teachings of the Guru find it.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“Sing the praises of God, good men; You have got the priceless human birth: why waste it? Take refuge with God who purifies sinners and the support of the holy. Why forget Him, by whose remembrance the Elephant got rid of his fear.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“O saints, renounce the Ego, and always flee from lust, wrath and evil company. One should consider pain and pleasure, honor and dishonor the same.

One should renounce both praise and blame and even the search for salvation.

This is a very difficult path and rare is a (Gurmukh) pious person who knows how to tread it.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

“One who grieves not in misery and delights not in pleasure, who is free from fear and attachment, and for whom gold and dust are the same and who has renounced both praising and blaming (flattery and slander)

and is immune to greed, worldly attachments and pride, when the all Merciful Guru blesses a disciple with His Grace, only then does the disciple attain this blessed spiritual state and blends (merges) with the Lord as water with water.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

Ik Oankaar Sathigur Prasaadh ||

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

ਸਲੋਕ ਮਹਲਾ ੯ ॥

Salok Mehalaa 9 ||

Shalok, Ninth Mehla

 

ਗੁਨ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਗਾਇਓ ਨਹੀ ਜਨਮੁ ਅਕਾਰਥ ਕੀਨੁ ॥

Gun Gobindh Gaaeiou Nehee Janam Akaarathh Keen ||

If you do not sing the Praises of the Lord, your life is rendered useless.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਭਜੁ ਮਨਾ ਜਿਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਜਲ ਕਉ ਮੀਨੁ ॥੧॥

Kahu Naanak Har Bhaj Manaa Jih Bidhh Jal Ko Meen ||1||

Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord; immerse your mind in Him, like the fish in the water. ||1||

 

ਬਿਖਿਅਨ ਸਿਉ ਕਾਹੇ ਰਚਿਓ ਨਿਮਖ ਨ ਹੋਹਿ ਉਦਾਸੁ ॥

Bikhian Sio Kaahae Rachiou Nimakh N Hohi Oudhaas ||

Why are you engrossed in sin and corruption? You are not detached, even for a moment!

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਜੁ ਹਰਿ ਮਨਾ ਪਰੈ ਨ ਜਮ ਕੀ ਫਾਸ ॥੨॥

Kahu Naanak Bhaj Har Manaa Parai N Jam Kee Faas ||2||

Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord, and you shall not be caught in the noose of death. ||2||

 

ਤਰਨਾਪੋ ਇਉ ਹੀ ਗਇਓ ਲੀਓ ਜਰਾ ਤਨੁ ਜੀਤਿ ॥

Tharanaapo Eio Hee Gaeiou Leeou Jaraa Than Jeeth ||

Your youth has passed away like this, and old age has overtaken your body.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਜੁ ਹਰਿ ਮਨਾ ਅਉਧ ਜਾਤੁ ਹੈ ਬੀਤਿ ॥੩॥

Kahu Naanak Bhaj Har Manaa Aoudhh Jaath Hai Beeth ||3||

Says Nanak, meditate, vibrate upon the Lord; your life is fleeting away! ||3||

 

ਬਿਰਧਿ ਭਇਓ ਸੂਝੈ ਨਹੀ ਕਾਲੁ ਪਹੂਚਿਓ ਆਨਿ ॥

Biradhh Bhaeiou Soojhai Nehee Kaal Pehoochiou Aan ||

You have become old, and you do not understand that death is overtaking you.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਰ ਬਾਵਰੇ ਕਿਉ ਨ ਭਜੈ ਭਗਵਾਨੁ ॥੪॥

Kahu Naanak Nar Baavarae Kio N Bhajai Bhagavaan ||4||

Says Nanak, you are insane! Why do you not remember and meditate on God? ||4||

 

ਧਨੁ ਦਾਰਾ ਸੰਪਤਿ ਸਗਲ ਜਿਨਿ ਅਪੁਨੀ ਕਰਿ ਮਾਨਿ ॥

Dhhan Dhaaraa Sanpath Sagal Jin Apunee Kar Maan ||

Your wealth, spouse, and all the possessions which you claim as your own

 

ਇਨ ਮੈ ਕਛੁ ਸੰਗੀ ਨਹੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਚੀ ਜਾਨਿ ॥੫॥

Ein Mai Kashh Sangee Nehee Naanak Saachee Jaan ||5||

– none of these shall go along with you in the end. O Nanak, know this as true. ||5||

 

ਪਤਿਤ ਉਧਾਰਨ ਭੈ ਹਰਨ ਹਰਿ ਅਨਾਥ ਕੇ ਨਾਥ ॥

Pathith Oudhhaaran Bhai Haran Har Anaathh Kae Naathh ||

He is the Saving Grace of sinners, the Destroyer of fear, the Master of the masterless.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਹ ਜਾਨੀਐ ਸਦਾ ਬਸਤੁ ਤੁਮ ਸਾਥਿ ॥੬॥

Kahu Naanak Thih Jaaneeai Sadhaa Basath Thum Saathh ||6||

Says Nanak, realize and know Him, who is always with you. ||6||

 

ਤਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਜਿਹ ਤੋ ਕਉ ਦੀਓ ਤਾਂ ਸਿਉ ਨੇਹੁ ਨ ਕੀਨ ॥

Than Dhhan Jih Tho Ko Dheeou Thaan Sio Naehu N Keen ||

He has given you your body and wealth, but you are not in love with Him.

 

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਰ ਬਾਵਰੇ ਅਬ ਕਿਉ ਡੋਲਤ ਦੀਨ ॥੭॥

Kahu Naanak Nar Baavarae Ab Kio Ddolath Dheen ||7||

Says Nanak, you are insane! Why do you now shake and tremble so helplessly? ||7||

 

ਤਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਸੰਪੈ ਸੁਖ ਦੀਓ ਅਰੁ ਜਿਹ ਨੀਕੇ ਧਾਮ ॥

Than Dhhan Sanpai Sukh Dheeou Ar Jih Neekae Dhhaam ||

He has given you your body, wealth, property, peace and beautiful mansions.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੁਨੁ ਰੇ ਮਨਾ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਕਾਹਿ ਨ ਰਾਮੁ ॥੮॥

Kahu Naanak Sun Rae Manaa Simarath Kaahi N Raam ||8||

Says Nanak, listen, mind: why don’t you remember the Lord in meditation? ||8||

 

ਸਭ ਸੁਖ ਦਾਤਾ ਰਾਮੁ ਹੈ ਦੂਸਰ ਨਾਹਿਨ ਕੋਇ ॥

Sabh Sukh Dhaathaa Raam Hai Dhoosar Naahin Koe ||

The Lord is the Giver of all peace and comfort. There is no other at all.

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੁਨਿ ਰੇ ਮਨਾ ਤਿਹ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਗਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥੯॥

Kahu Naanak Sun Rae Manaa Thih Simarath Gath Hoe ||9||

Says Nanak, listen, mind: meditating in remembrance on Him, salvation is attained. ||9||

 

ਜਿਹ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਗਤਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਤਿਹ ਭਜੁ ਰੇ ਤੈ ਮੀਤ ॥

Jih Simarath Gath Paaeeai Thih Bhaj Rae Thai Meeth ||

Remembering Him in meditation, salvation is attained; vibrate and meditate on Him, O my friend.

 

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੁਨੁ ਰੇ ਮਨਾ ਅਉਧ ਘਟਤ ਹੈ ਨੀਤ ॥੧੦॥

Kahu Naanak Sun Rae Manaa Aoudhh Ghattath Hai Neeth ||10||

Says Nanak, listen, mind: your life is passing away! ||10||

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