BHAI MATI DAAS JI
by Manvir Singh Khalsa
When Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji went to sacrifice himself for the freedom
of the Hindu nation, in order to upkeep dharam, righteousness and justice,
Guru Ji also had three other Sikhs who stayed with him and were martyred
in front of Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji's own eyes.
One of these great men was called Bhai Mati Daas Ji.
The Qazi, the Muslim priest, asked Bhai Mati Daas:
"Accept Islam and you will receive all the happiness' and comforts
of the world. We will give riches, as many wives as you wish and make
you a courtier of the Mughal royal court."
Bhai Mati Daas replied: "And if I don't accept Islam then what
will I face?"
"Then you will be faced with death! You will be sawn alive",
said the Qazi.
Bhai Mati Daas said to the Qazi:
"O Qazi I have tasted all of the world's happiness' and comforts.
My family are well off, I have a wife, children and parents. I am healthy
and experienced all the world has to offer me…"
"…However I have not tasted the teeth of your beloved saw!
I would rather taste the teeth of the executioner's saw than have all
the comforts of the world."
The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb ordered the executioners to give a taste
of the saw's teeth.
The executioners placed the saw on top of Bhai Mati Daas' head and sawed
downwards up to the length of four fingers.
Blood was pouring from the head.
The hair was shining with bright red.
The face was smothered with the colour of blood.
"You have tasted the teeth of the saw. Now tell me if you wish
to accept Islam and have all the comforts and riches of the world or
face death", asks the Qazi.
Bhai Mati Das replies, "I would rather face death and take on
the teeth of the saw than be engulfed in the pain and misery which the
comforts of the world bring."
'Sir jaave ta jaave, par meri Sikhi sidq na jaave… if I have to
die, so be it, but may my Sikh faith never go." [Sikh proverb]
The Qazi, executioners and the rest of the crowds were shocked at Bhai
Mati Daas' decision.
The executioners ask, "What is your last request?"
Bhai Sahib says, "I don't have one but two requests! Firstly may
my body be facing Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji, I never wish to turn my back
to me Beloved Guru. Secondly I request you to execute me slowly. I wish
to recite 'Jap Ji Sahib'. So do not saw my tongue off until I utter:
'jinni naam dhiaayiaa, gaye masakhat ghaal; naanak te mukh ujley kehtee
chhutee naal.''
'Where the Holy people constantly vibrate on the Kirtan of the Praises
of the Lord of the Universe, O Nanak - the Righteous Judge (Recorder of
Karma) says, ""Do not approach that place, O Messenger of Death,
or else neither you nor I shall escape [from God]!""' [Ang.
256]
The executioners were moved by this. "People usually ask us to
hurry up the execution, so that they feel as little pain possible. We
have never been requested to kill somebody slowly."
The saw was put on Bhai Mati Daas' head.
"Ek Oangkaar, Sat-naam, Karta Purkh, Nir-bhau, Nir-vair, Akaal
Moorat, Ajooni, Sai-bhan, Gur-prasaad…"
Bhai Mati Daas shows no sign of distress and continues to recite Jap
Ji Sahib. Eventually the body split into two pieces.
Bhai Mati Daas never gave up Sikhi or the support of Gurbani when challenged
with death.
Bhai Mati Daas didn't merely utter Gurbani but, he lived Gurbani and
put Guru Ji's Divine words into action.
Now we are not shadowed with the choice choosing between torturous
deaths, conversion or keeping our Sikh faith.
Have we held on tight to the support of Jap Ji Sahib?
Have we held on to immortal spirit of Sikhi?
Have we held on to the Guru's gift of fearlessness and love?
'Remember those who laid their lives for our tomorrow.'
BE INSPIRED AND INSPIRE OTHERS!
May Waheguru bless you.