Birth / Creation of Khalsa / The Beloved Five
On the Baisakhi day of the year 1699 A.D. Guru Gobind Singh held a big gathering at Anandpur.
It was held at the place where now stands the gurudwara name Keshgarh Sahib. After the morning service, he stood up, drew his sword and said aloud, 'Is there anyone here ready to lay down his life at my call? The sword of mine is crying for the blood of a dear Sikh of mine
At this call, the whole assembly was filled with terror and amazement. The Guru went on repeating his demand for the head of a dear Sikh. At the third call Bhai Daya Ram got up and offered his head. The Guru pulled him into a nearby tent. The sound of a blow, as of sword cutting off a man's head, was heard from inside the tent. A stream of blood flowed out of the tent. The Guru came out. He waved his sword dripping with blood. He called for another Sikh's head. At this Bhai Dharam Das stood up and offered his head to the Guru. He was taken into the tent. Again the sound of a sword-blow and a body falling to the ground were heard from inside the tent. A fresh stream of blood was seen to come out. In the same three other Sikhs stood up, one after the another and offered their head to the Guru. They were Bhai Mohkam Chand, Bhai Himmat Rai and Bhai Sahib Chand.
Then dressing the five in handsome new clothes, the Guru brought them before the assembly. He then baptized them with his Amrit-Sweetened water stirred with a two-edged sword called Khanda. He called them his Beloved five. He made their names end in 'Singh'. They became Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh.
Then the Guru desired his Beloved Five to prepare Amrit (nector) in the same way as he had done. They obeyed. When it was ready, he stood up before the them with folded hands and said 'Now, my Dear Ones, baptize me as I have baptized you. Make me a Singh as I have made you Singhs. Don't feel puzzled. Don't hesitate. My dear ones are my Guru. I am your disciple. They batized him as he had said and he thanked them by saying 'Now my name is not Gobind Rai,But Gobind Singh'.
The Guru also gave his new Khalsa a unique identity. He also offered five emblems of purity and courage. These symbols are worn by both men and women ane are popularly known today as Five Ks: Kesh, unshorn hair; Kangha, the wooden comb; Karra, (made of steel or iron) Kirpan, the sword; and Kachera, the underwear.
Having offered their heads to the Gure in response to his amazing call, they became martyrs. From that day they were living martyrs. They became his body and soul. They remained with him to the end of their earthly lives.
Their names have become immortal. They will be remembered as long as the Sikh community lasts.They are remembered daily, morning and evening in every place where a Sikhs lives. Every time a Sikh recites the Sikh prayer he repeat their names. Every time Karah Parshad is distributed in a Sikh congregation, their share is taken out before distribution among the persons present there.
The Five Beloved Ones
Bhai Daya Singh
Bhai Daya Singh was son of Sri Sudha, a Khatri of Lahore. His mother name was Srimati Diali. He was born in 1669 A.D. so he was aged about thirty on the day he qualified to be the first one of the beloved five. He was appointed the leader of the Beloved Five.He accompanied the Guru to the end of his life. He took a heroic part in the Guru's war. In December 1704 the Guru was prevailed upon by the Beloved Five to leave Chamkaur Sahib. Bhai Daya Singh was assigned the duty of accompaying the Guru. It was Bhai Daya Singh who took the Guru's letter called the Zafarnama to Aurangzeb. The Emperor was then in the Deccan. On reading the letter the Emperor got irritated and angry. Bhai ji said,'O Emperor, just think of the cruel, inhuman wrongs that you and your men have done to the Guru. Inspite of all that, he has taken the courage to write to you and to give you sound advice. He occupies the throne of Baba Nanak before whom your ancestor Emperor Babar bowed and prayed for blessings and you too seek his blessings. If you go to him he will forget all the wrongs you have done to him.
Bhai ji words softened the Emperor.The Emperor said that the Guru's letter and your words have opened my eyes but I am sick and perphaps on my death bed. I cannot go to him. go back to him and request him to see me. He has promised to do so in this letter.
On reaching he delivered the Emperor message to the Guru. The Guru agreed to see the aling monarch.Bhai Daya Singh accompanied the Guru to Nader in the Deccan. He continued to serve him with utmost affection and devotion. He died there in 1708 A.D.