Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Guru of the Sikhs. From an early age he was trained in horse riding and martial arts of swordsmanship. Bhai Gurudas and Baba Buddha imparted religious training to him. He is accredited with composing various hymns which also include ‘Saloks’ or couplets at the end of ‘Guru Granth Sahib’. As a Guru he toured across the country teaching and preaching religious freedom. His works, thoughts and writings were included in ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ and cover a variety of subjects including human attachments, nature of God, deliverance, mind, body, service, death, dignity and sorrow. Here is a compilation of quotes and sayings by Guru Tegh Bahadur which have been excerpted from his writings, books, teachings, preaching, thoughts, works and life. Following is a corpus of quotes and thoughts by Guru Tegh Bahadur which are quoted widely.
Give up your head, but forsake not those whom you have undertaken to protect. Sacrifice your life, but relinquish not your faith.
Guru Tegh Bahadur
O mother, I have been blessed with the wealth of God’s Name. My Mind is free from wandering and is established in peace. Avarice and worldly love dare not touch me and pure divine knowledge fills me. Greed and desire cannot affect me. I am totally immersed in Lord’s devotion.
True Realisation of the actual nature of this material world, its perishable, transitory and illusory aspects best dawns on a person in suffering.
Guru Tegh Bahadur
One who vanquishes his ego and beholds the Lord as the Sole Doer of all things, that person has attained ‘Jiwan Mukti’ (is liberated while living), know this as the real truth, says Nanak.
For whom praise and dispraise are the same, and on whom greed and attachment have no effect. Consider him only enlightened whom pain and pleasure do not entrap. Consider such a person saved.
Guru Tegh Bahadur
If the hands, feet, or body are covered with dust, they are cleansed by washing them with water. if clothes are made unclean, by use of soap they are washed of impurity. If the buddhi (intellect) is defined by sin, love of the Name will purify it.
Why go to search forests (to find Him). He who dwells in all hearts but remains ever pure, pervades thy heart also. Just as fragrance fills the rose and reflection the mirror, the Lord pervades all without a break; search Him inside thee. The Guru hath revealed this knowledge that the Aum pervades inside and outside. Saith Nanak, without knowing thyself the scum of doubt will not be removed.
O saints, renounce the Ego, and always flee from lust, wrath and evil company. One should consider pain and pleasure, honour and dishonour the same. One should renounce both praise and blame and even the search for salvation. This is a very difficult path and rare is a (Gurmukh) pious person who knows how to tread it.
, know this as the real truth, says Nanak. ){kind=small}
