The embodiment of sacrifice and compassion, the protector of India, the Ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, was born on April 1, 1621, in Amritsar, at the home of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, to Mata Nanaki Ji. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was the youngest son of the Sixth Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. After Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji passed away and until he received the Guruship, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji remained absorbed in devotion for nearly 20 years. For the first time in Sikh history, Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji, from Delhi, bestowed the Guruship upon Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who was meditating in Baba Bakala. Before this, each Guru would appoint their successor personally before passing away. However, the Eighth Guru, while serving smallpox patients in Delhi, contracted the disease himself and before passing away in 1664, indicated Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji by saying — “Baba Bakala.” After hearing this, many impostors, including Dhir Mal (son of Baba Gurditta Ji), set up camps in Bakala. Around 22 claimants declared themselves as Guru and began misleading devotees and collecting offerings. Despite this, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji remained calm and continued his devotion in solitude. The devotees visited these so-called Gurus but did not find the spiritual peace they sought. Time passed in confusion. In March 1665, a व्यापਾਰੀ (merchant) named Makhan Shah Lubana, a devotee of the Guru, arrived in Bakala to offer 500 gold coins as per his vow. Seeing many claimants, he prayed that the true Guru would ask for the rightful offering. He went to each claimant, offering 2 coins, but none asked for the full amount. Finally, he reached Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and offered 2 coins. Guru Ji opened his eyes and said, “O Sikh! It is best to give the Guru’s offering in full. Out of 500, only two coins?” Hearing this, Makhan Shah was overjoyed and shouted from the rooftop — “Guru Ladho Re, Guru Ladho Re!” (I have found the true Guru!). The devotees gathered, and Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was formally installed as Guru. He then began preaching Sikhism and guiding people. Through his teachings, many embraced Sikhism. Later, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji made the supreme sacrifice in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, to protect the religious freedom of Kashmiri Pandits and uphold dharma.
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