Guru Arjun Dev () (15 April 1563 - 30 May 1606) was the fifth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and became Guru on 1 September1581 following in the footsteps of Guru Ram Das. He was born at Goindval. Before he died, he nominated his son Guru Har Gobind as the next Guru of the Sikhs.

The following is a summary of the main highlights of Guru Arjun's life:

• Huge number of hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib – over 2000
• Author of Sukhmani Sahib Bani – Prayer for Peace
• Compiled and installed for the first time the holy Sikh Book, which at this stage is called Adi Granth.
• Built the Harimandir Sahib
• Developed Amritsar as a Centre of Excellence.
• Founded the towns of Tarn Taran Sahib (Majha), Kartarpur (Doaba) and Sri Hargobindpur (on the banks of the Beas river)
• Enhanced the Structure of Sikh Society by introducing the Masund system
• First Sikh Guru to be martyred.

Hymn by Guru Arjun Dev from the Sukhmani Sahib (Guru Granth Sahib page 262):

• Meditate, meditate, meditate peace is obtained, Worry and anguish is expelled from the body.
• Remembering God, you’re not reborn. Remembering God, the fear of death is dispelled.
• Remembering God, death is eliminated. Remembering God, your enemies are repelled.
• Remembering God, no obstacles are met. Remembering God, night and day you’re fully awake.
• Remembering God, fear cannot touch you. Remembering God, you don’t suffer with sorrow.
• Remembrance of God, in the Company of Saints. All treasures, O Nanak, are by Lord’s Blessing. ||2||

Guru Arjan Dev Ji was the first Guru to be born in a Sikh family and was the first martyr of the Sikhs. He compiled all the former Gurus teachings into one holy book - the Adi Granth. The Adi Granth was compiled in 1604. Guru Arjan Dev Ji was martyred because the Emperor Jehangir was jealous that many people were converting to this new religion. Emperor Jehangir imprisoned Guru Arjan Dev Ji and later handed him over to Chandu Shah (an official of Jehangir) to torture Guru Arjan Dev Ji to death. Guru Arjan Dev Ji was made to sit on a scorching iron plate and had boiling sand poured over his body. Guru Arjan Dev Ji tolerated this pain and sat there chanting hymns. During this torture, he asked for some water but was refused it. In June, Gurdwaras give out cold drinks and ice creams to remember how Guru Arjan Dev Ji was tortured.

External links

• Eternal Glory of Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji
• Learn more about Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji
• Guru Arjan, the Apostle of Peace - eBook
• AllAboutSikhs.com
• Sikh-History.com
• sikhiwiki

Audio

• Audio Tribute to Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji
• Sukhmani Sahib Mp3,Real Audio, Real Audio download

Indian religious figures | Gurus | Sikh Martyrs

Goeroe Arjan | Guru Ardjan Dev | Guru Arjan Dev