Guru Arjan Dev Ji (15 April 1563 – 30 May 1606), the fifth Guru of the Sikhs, was born at Goindwal Sahib to Guru Ram Das Ji, the fourth Sikh Guru, and Mata Bhani Ji. He was the youngest of their three sons and displayed deep spiritual wisdom, humility, and devotion from an early age. On 1 September 1581, Guru Arjan Dev Ji succeeded his father as the fifth Guru of the Sikhs.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji made immense contributions to Sikhism and played a pivotal role in strengthening its spiritual and institutional foundations. He completed the construction of Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) at Amritsar and established it as a central place of worship open to people of all faiths, castes, and backgrounds. Under his leadership, Amritsar grew into an important religious and cultural center.
One of Guru Arjan Dev Ji's greatest achievements was the compilation of the Adi Granth in 1604, which later became the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal Guru of the Sikhs. The Adi Granth included the sacred hymns of the first five Sikh Gurus as well as the devotional compositions of Hindu and Muslim saints and bhagats. Guru Arjan Dev Ji himself contributed 2,218 hymns, covering themes such as devotion to God, humility, truthful living, inner peace, and universal brotherhood.
Among his literary masterpieces, Sukhmani Sahib holds a special place. Revered as the "Psalm of Peace," it offers spiritual guidance and emphasizes meditation on God's Name, compassion, contentment, and moral living. His other compositions include numerous Shabads, Saloks, Kafis, Chhants, Pauris, and the celebrated Barah Maha.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji's growing influence and popularity aroused the suspicion of Mughal authorities. During the reign of Emperor Jahangir, false accusations were brought against him. Refusing to compromise his principles or alter the sacred teachings of Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev Ji endured severe torture with remarkable courage and serenity. In 1606, he attained martyrdom at Lahore, becoming the first Sikh Guru to be martyred for faith and religious freedom.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji's life and teachings continue to inspire millions around the world. His message of devotion, equality, tolerance, and selfless service remains a guiding light for humanity. His Bani, preserved in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, is cherished by Sikhs and spiritual seekers alike for its profound wisdom and enduring relevance.. Poetry of Guru Arjan Dev Ji in ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ,
اُردُو/شاہ مکھی and
हिन्दी.
ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜਨ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ (੧੫ ਅਪ੍ਰੈਲ,੧੫੬੩-੩੦ ਮਈ ੧੬੦੬), ਚੌਥੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮ ਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਅਤੇ ਮਾਤਾ ਭਾਨੀ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ
ਛੋਟੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਸਨ । ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਜਨਮ ਵੈਸਾਖ ਵਦੀ ਸੱਤ, (੧੯ ਵੈਸਾਖ) ਸੰਮਤ ੧੬੨੦ ਨੂੰ ਗੋਇੰਦਵਾਲ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਵਿਖੇ ਹੋਇਆ ।
ਉਹ ੧ ਸਿਤੰਬਰ ੧੫੮੧ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਪੰਜਵੇਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਬਣੇ । ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡਾ ਕੰਮ ਆਦਿ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ (ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ) ਦੀ
ਸੰਪਾਦਨਾ ਸੀ । ਇਸ ਵਿਚ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਪੰਜ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰੂਆਂ, ਹਿੰਦੂ ਅਤੇ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ਭਗਤਾਂ, ਸੰਤਾਂ ਅਤੇ
ਫ਼ਕੀਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਸ਼ਾਮਿਲ ਹੈ । ਮੁਗ਼ਲ ਬਾਦਸ਼ਾਹ ਜਹਾਂਗੀਰ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬੇਬੁਨਿਆਦ ਇਲਜ਼ਾਮ ਲਾਕੇ ਅਕਹਿ ਤੇ
ਅਸਹਿ ਕਸ਼ਟ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ ।
