Guru Gobind Singh Ji Infuses Heroic Spirit Into His Followers

[KOOKAR]

Military spirit

After hearing of what had happened in Delhi, Guru Gobind decided to inculcate the martial spirit among his followers. Guru Tegh Bahadur had ordained his son as the next guru, before his departure to Delhi. Gobind Rai was formally installed as the Guru on November 11, 1675, at the age of nine.^[2]

Guru Gobind Singh engaged 52 poets to translate the heroic Sanskrit epics into contemporary languages. He selected the warlike theme in many of his compositions to infuse martial spirit among his followers. He also wrote several compositions preaching love, equality and the worship of one God, deprecating idolatry and superstition.

Guru Gobind Singh's increasing influence and power worried Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur (Kahlur), in whose territory Anandpur was located. Meanwhile, the Guru ordered construction of a war drum (nagara) called Ranjit Nagara to enthuse his soldiers. The use of such a war drum was limited to the chieftains, within their territory, and the Raja considered the use of Ranjit Nagara a hostile act. On his Prime Minister's advice, he arranged a meeting with the Guru in Anandpur. He was received with honor in the Guru's court, where his eyes fell at the valuable gifts presented to the Guru by the devotees. Later, Bhim Chand sent a message to the Guru, asking him to lend an elephant called Prasadi (a gift from a devotee) to him. The Guru suspected that Bhim Chand wanted to gain permanent possession of the elephant, and declined his demand. He stated that the devotee who had presented the elephant, did not want it to be given away to anybody else. The Raja was perturbed by the Guru's refusal to give away the elephant, his growing influence, and his interest in military exercises. An atmosphere of confrontation developed between the two on small issues.^[3]