Martyrdom Day Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Sahib: Time to revisit Five Sikh Core Virtues propagated by him ~ Lalit Kishore

Martyrdom Day Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Sahib: Time to revisit Five Sikh Core Virtues propagated by him

Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Sahib - the fifth Guru of the Sikhs and the first martyr of Sikh faith - is remembered each year by commemorating his exemplary and incomparable martyrdom on his Punya Tithi, which fell on May 30 in 2025. He had also compiled the first official edition of the Sikh scripture called the Adi Granth.

Guru Ji Sahib was arrested by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir and was asked to convert himself to Islam. On refusal. he was tortured inhumanly and executed in 1606 CE. He is regarded as first martyr among the Sikh Gurus.

He was the true embodiment of Sikh virtues of humility, compassion, Godly devotion, selfless service and universal love to core. He stressed the need for cultivating Five Virtues among the followers to live a life with contemplative meditation (Naam Simran) and selfless service with deep humanity (Sewa).

The five Sikh Virtues are: Sat (truth); Santokh (Contentment); Daya (Compassion); Nimrata (Humility); and Pyaar (Love). It is believed that while living in the world, a follower by mastering and living these virtues can reunite with Ek Omkar – Formless Eternal God.

I have tried to put the Five Sikh Virtues in haiku pattern poetry as I have understood them

SAT HAIKU

Enshrine Truth in heart

Live a righteous, honest life

Of justice, fair play

~*~

SANTOSH HAIKU

Be core contended –

Free self from anger, greed, spite

For peace of psyche

~*~

DAYA HAIKU

Be empathetic

Be kind and compassionate

Forgive erring ones

~*~

NIMRATA HAIKU

Be polite, humble

Be benevolent, humane

Be God-conscious

~*~

PYAAR HAIKU

Live with love of God –

That abides in all of us.

Serve all selflessly!