Mark Cagnon

The name literally means pool of nectar, referring to the sacred pool that he began to excavate, which would later become the site of the holy temple that many Sikhs will go and meet at today. And He also composed the Lavan, which is a set of four hymns still used in Sikh marriage ceremonies today. So under his guidance, Amritsar becomes the spiritual and cultural heart of the Sikh community.

The name literally means pool of nectar, referring to the sacred pool that he began to excavate, which would later become the site of the holy temple that many Sikhs will go and meet at today. And He also composed the Lavan, which is a set of four hymns still used in Sikh marriage ceremonies today. So under his guidance, Amritsar becomes the spiritual and cultural heart of the Sikh community.

He also introduces a system where Sikhs are kind of encouraged to contribute their wealth in some capacity towards the community and to religious causes, roughly a tenth of their earnings, which is similar because Christianity has a very similar amount of money. The tithe that we use in Christianity is about a tenth is what most people would recommend.

He also introduces a system where Sikhs are kind of encouraged to contribute their wealth in some capacity towards the community and to religious causes, roughly a tenth of their earnings, which is similar because Christianity has a very similar amount of money. The tithe that we use in Christianity is about a tenth is what most people would recommend.

And as a result of this, this really helped the Sikh institution and the charitable efforts of the way of life grow. And kind of helped it grow.

And as a result of this, this really helped the Sikh institution and the charitable efforts of the way of life grow. And kind of helped it grow.

There's also a story that's not in the text, but it's told in some of the oral traditions, not all, but this is what some people say is that Guru Ram Dass, as he was growing in fame for his humility and spiritual insight, Mughal royalty began hearing about him.

There's also a story that's not in the text, but it's told in some of the oral traditions, not all, but this is what some people say is that Guru Ram Dass, as he was growing in fame for his humility and spiritual insight, Mughal royalty began hearing about him.

So the Mughal emperor, likely Akbar or someone within his close court, sent a royal robe as a gift to Guru Ram Dass, this luxurious garment that was meant for the kings. So instead of wearing it, though, Guru Ram Dass basically does something that no one saw coming.

So the Mughal emperor, likely Akbar or someone within his close court, sent a royal robe as a gift to Guru Ram Dass, this luxurious garment that was meant for the kings. So instead of wearing it, though, Guru Ram Dass basically does something that no one saw coming.

Again, if you're getting a gift from the emperor, you're going to wear it, you're going to hang it up, you're going to treat it with severe reverence. But instead, he cuts up the robe and uses the fabric to make clothes for a poor man. I mean, that's pretty profound. You can imagine, right? And naturally, people were shocked. They were like, why would you disrespect the royalty?

Again, if you're getting a gift from the emperor, you're going to wear it, you're going to hang it up, you're going to treat it with severe reverence. But instead, he cuts up the robe and uses the fabric to make clothes for a poor man. I mean, that's pretty profound. You can imagine, right? And naturally, people were shocked. They were like, why would you disrespect the royalty?

Like, this guy sends you a gift and you're just going to cut it up and give it away? But this one action said everything about him. It wasn't a rejection of the great honor. It was... I guess you could say like a higher honor, which was serving other people, specifically the disenfranchised and the poor at all times. And then you have Guru Arjun.

Like, this guy sends you a gift and you're just going to cut it up and give it away? But this one action said everything about him. It wasn't a rejection of the great honor. It was... I guess you could say like a higher honor, which was serving other people, specifically the disenfranchised and the poor at all times. And then you have Guru Arjun.

And, you know, building on the work of the predecessors, this is the fifth guru who brings major developments to Sikhism, both politically but also spiritually. And he oversees the construction of the Harmandir Sahib and also emphasizes the Sikh openness to all faiths. And he even invites the Muslim Sufi saint Mian Mir to lay the foundation stone. Guru Arjan also compiled the Adi Granth.

And, you know, building on the work of the predecessors, this is the fifth guru who brings major developments to Sikhism, both politically but also spiritually. And he oversees the construction of the Harmandir Sahib and also emphasizes the Sikh openness to all faiths. And he even invites the Muslim Sufi saint Mian Mir to lay the foundation stone. Guru Arjan also compiled the Adi Granth.

This is the official version of the Sikh scripture that's accepted by many Sikhs. And it's not only the hymns of the Sikh gurus, but also the writings from Hindus and Muslim saints whose teachings aligned with the Sikh values of devotion and humility. But as Sikhism grows, so does the political tension. So this Mughal emperor, Jahanjir, saw Guru Arjan's influence as a threat.

This is the official version of the Sikh scripture that's accepted by many Sikhs. And it's not only the hymns of the Sikh gurus, but also the writings from Hindus and Muslim saints whose teachings aligned with the Sikh values of devotion and humility. But as Sikhism grows, so does the political tension. So this Mughal emperor, Jahanjir, saw Guru Arjan's influence as a threat.

As you can imagine, you have the political power in a place and the religious power, especially if it's growing, you can see that as a threat because as an emperor, all people need to show reverence, potentially even worship me. But now if there's this other guy who has all this influence and able to tell people what to do, what to believe, who they should support, that's a problem.

As you can imagine, you have the political power in a place and the religious power, especially if it's growing, you can see that as a threat because as an emperor, all people need to show reverence, potentially even worship me. But now if there's this other guy who has all this influence and able to tell people what to do, what to believe, who they should support, that's a problem.