SHAHEEDAN DE SARTAJ

THE CROWN OF MARTYRS

GURU ARJAN DEV JI

EPITOME OF HUMILITY, APOSTLE OF PEACE

BY: MR. JAGMOHAN SHARMA

PREFACE

I was born and brought in Jalandhar City (Punjab) and during my childhood, I had fascinating experiences while visiting a Temple and a Gurdwara in our locality to pay obeisance. Besides listening to the religious prayers and the Divine hymns, I used to get enamoured by experiencing an aura of divine grace wafting the atmosphere. My childhood spiritual experiences left an indelible impression on my delicate mind and as a result of it, I became pious, religious-minded person with traits of empathy, love, fellow-feelings and compassion.
While in Central Government service(33 years) and particularly after retirement in 1998, I continued my habit of reading books on Sikhism, philosophy, spirituality and the lives & preachings of the Spiritual Masters. Among the fourteen books authored by me, some of the books such as Shirdi Sai Baba, Baba Balak Nath, Dhan Nirankar-Hail God Formless-, Adoring the Avatars of Goddess Durga, Lord Shiva: 12 Jyotirlings and Temples, and Hallowed Shrines : Char Dham, stand testimony to my firm belief in One God and whatever happens is ordained by Him. During the year 2022, at a local Gurdwara I happened to attend a function on the Martyrdom Day of the fifth Sikh Guru Arjan Dev, the Crown of Martyrs, personification of humility and an Apostle of peace. Guru Arjan Dev Ji was an embodiment of Godly devotion, selfless service and universal love. He was a treasure of celestial knowledge and spiritual excellence.
I was enamoured and thrilled to know about his intellectual brilliance and numerous marvellous accomplishments in a short life span of forty three years. The entire humanity is indebted to Guru Arjan Dev for his noble teachings and sacred hymns.
An idea cropped up in my mind to write a book on him, despite my handicap in not being a scholar or an intellectual. It is my passion to write books on holy persons, religious personages and men of God. By the grace of Almighty God and the blessings of my adorable eldest brother Prof. P.N. Sharma, Principal (retd.) a prominent writer, poet, orator and scholar, I have made a humble attempt to write a book on Guru Arjan Dev. Sadly, Prof. Sharma at the age of 100 years merged in the Divine light on 30th March 2023, I, however, uninterruptedly continue to receive his benedictions.
Unknowingly if I have made any mistake or there is any discrepancy, I tender my unqualified apology with humility. My idea is to make a presentation in a simple way, so that common persons like me can understand the teachings of Guru Sahib and make it a part and parcel of their daily routine to safely cross over the turmoil of the worldly ocean.
I offer my obeisance to Almighty God who destroys the fetters of transmigration. I humbly, with great reverence bow to the holy Sikh Gurus, who are full of celestial bliss, as God abides in their hearts.
Satguru Nanak says that the celestial trumpets blow in honour of those (devotees), who are absorbed in the worship of the feet of the True Guru. Love, Service to humanity and devotion is the essence of the Sikh tradition.

Author

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

For an ordinary mortal like me, to write a book on Guru Arjan Dev is like a dream come true, a rare achievement and for this I express my gratitude to Almighty God for the kindness and grace bestowed upon me. I also express my indebtedness to my adorable brother Prof. P.N. Sharma, Principal (retd.) for his kind blessings, a regular phenomenon for the last eight decades, during his life span of 100 years. He continues to shower his blessings even after his merger in the Divine Light on 30th March, 2023 and I express my gratitude for it.
Despite my being an octogenarian, I have a sound health and passion for writing by God’s Grace. I have no words to thank God, an ultimate epitome of virtues, for his ever flowing benedictions.
My thanks to the publisher for doing the assigned task with the expertise of a professional.

Author