Guru Arjun - Martyr, Architect and Poet

Guru Arjun fifth guru of the Sikhs, had to have loved both reading and writing poetry. He compiled the Guru Granth a collection of spiritual poems including not only his own, but poetry written by the previous Sikh gurus, as well as that of Hindu and Muslim saints, pirs, bhagats, bards, and minstrels.

Arjun Dev designed and had built Darbar Harmandir Sahib, the golden temple in Amritsar completing a project begun by his father, Raam Das, fourth guru.

When his popularity attracted attention of the Moghul rulers, Arjun Dev ultimately achieved martyrdom. The horrific manner of the torture inflicted on him, as he sat on a red hot iron plate for five days, with hot burning sand being poured over his blistering body, is in direct contrast with the exquisite beauty of Guru Arjun Dev’s poetry:

"Bhinee rainarreeai chaamkan taarae||
The dew wetted night's sky is studded by twinkling starlight.

Jaageh sant janaa mere raam piaarae||
Yet awake, the saints are my Lord's beloved own

Raam piaarae sadaa jaageh naam simreh andino||
The Lord's beloveds ever awake, call his name in raptured remembrance day and night, night and day.

Charan kamal dhiaan hirde prabh biar naahee ik khino||
His feet, lotus-like, envelop the attention of hearts who forget God not for one sway.

Taj maan moh bikaar man kaa kalmalaa dukh jaarae||
Renouncing their minds attachment to corruption, burns away the pain of the wicked.

Binvant naanak sadaa jaageh har daas sant piarae
Prays Nanak, ever wakeful are God’s servants, the saint’s beloved." SGGS||459