"Mittar Pyare Nu Hal Mureedan Da Kehna"

The shabad "Mittar Pyare Nu Hal Mureedan Da Kehna" was composed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in the Jungle of Machhiwara, during one of the most trying and difficult periods of his life. Historical Background The background to this deeply moving hymn is rooted in the events following the Battle of Chamkaur in December 1704. The Battle of Chamkaur: After leaving the fort of Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his small group of Sikhs were besieged by a massive Mughal army at Chamkaur Sahib. A fierce battle ensued where Guru Ji's two eldest sons, Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh, and most of his accompanying forty Sikhs (the Chali Mukte) were martyred fighting valiantly against overwhelming odds. Separation and Solitude: After the battle, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, separated from his family and followers, escaped into the dense Machhiwara forest. He was alone, exhausted, and resting under a tree near a well on a cold winter night. Martyrdom of Younger Sons: Around the same time, his two younger sons, Baorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, were captured by the Mughal forces and later brutally bricked alive in Sirhind for refusing to convert to Islam. His mother, Mata Gujri Ji, also passed away in captivity. Essence of the Shabad Despite this immense personal loss and extreme hardship, Guru Gobind Singh Ji recited this shabad, which is an expression of his unwavering love and deep spiritual connection to God (Waheguru. The shabad is a message to his "beloved friend" (God), telling Him of the "plight of His disciples". The core message is that without the divine presence, all worldly comforts are meaningless: Rich blankets are a disease. Living in a comfortable house is like living with snakes. Water pitchers feel like stakes and cups have edges like daggers. The shabad highlights that even in the most severe adversity, the Guru's faith remained constant, and he preferred the simple "bed of straw" (symbolic of hardship) if it meant a continued connection with the Divine. It is a powerful testament to the Guru's Brahm-gyan (divine knowledge) and his complete acceptance of God's will (Hukam) in all circumstances.