(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)
The youngest son of the fourth Guru Sri Guru Ramdas Ji and mother Bibi Bhani Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji was born in Samvat 1610 Bikrami. In Samvat 1622 Bikrami, (Guru) Arjan Dev Ji was married to Bibi Ram Deyee Ji. Guru Amardas Ji, the third Guru, himself tied ‘Sehra’ on (Guru) Arjan Dev Ji’s head.
In Samvat 1638 Bikrami, Guru Arjan Dev Ji was appointed the fifth Guru by his father and fourth Guru Sri Guru Ramdas Ji. In Samvat 1646, Guru Arjan Dev Ji was married mother Ganga Ji. In Samvat 1647 Bikrami, Guru Arjan Dev Ji and mother Ganga Ji become parents of their only son, (Guru) Hargobind Sahib Ji.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s elder brother Prithi Chand wanted to become the Guru by himself, but Guru Ramdas Ji established Guru Arjan Dev Ji on the holy throne. At that time, Prithi Chand remained silent, though he was not happy by heart. When Guru Arjan Dev Ji could not become father for a long period, Prithi Chand started to believe that now his own son would be the next Guru. But, then (Guru) Hargobind Sahib Ji was born in Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s house. Now, Prithi Chand lost his hopes. He started to think that (Guru) Hargobind Sahib Ji was an obstacle in getting the Gurushipe for his son. Therefore, he decided to kill (Guru) Hargobind Sahib Ji. He hobnobbed with a Brahman. It was finalised that (Guru) Hargobind Sahib Ji would be distributed poison.
However, that sinner Brahman died himself. Guru Arjan Dev Ji recited a ‘Shabd’ in this circumstance: –
Lep Na Laago Til Ka Mool.
Dusht Brahman Mooya Hoye Kai Sool.
(The poison had absolutely no harmful effect. But the wicked Brahman died in pain. ) (Sri Guru Granth Sahib JI, page 1137).
Prithi Chand did not give up. He appointed another person, named Roopa Dogra, to give poison to child (Guru) Hargobind Sahib Ji. Even this time again all went in vain, because child Hargobind Sahib Ji did not eat the ‘Choori’, in which the poison was mixed.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji compiled ‘Pothi Sahib’, which is mostly known as ‘Sri Adi Granth Sahib’, which was installed in Sri Darbar Sahib, in the city of Sri Amritsar Sahib Ji.
However, Prithi Chand could not succeed to kill (Guru) Hargobind Sahib Ji, he did not give up either. Instead, he started to oppose Guru Arjan Dev Ji openly. He got the help of Chandu Saahi, who was a minister in Mughal government. Chandu wanted his daughter to be married with (Guru) Hargobind Sahib Ji, but Guru Arjan Dev Ji refuse to do so. Now, Chandu wanted to settle his score. Many fanatics were not happy with Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s religious movement. All these factors caused a big conspiracy agianst Guru Arjan Dev Ji. In a result, Guru Arjan Dev Ji was summoned to the Lahore court.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji established his son, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, on the holy throne and went to the city of Lahore. He was arrested and was brutally tortured by orders of Chandu Saahi.
Guru Ji was tortured for seven months. In Samvat 1663 Bikrami, he left for his heavenly abode.