Poetry
Guru Tegh Bahadar
A Poem by MICHELE GIBSON
A Guru does no dazzling slight of hand
Is not the merchant of God's power
Does not step in to tip the balance of the good
Nor judge another and decide if they should suffer or recover
Does not ration vital energy
From a single radiant finger tip
Nor challenge elements unaccustomed to supporting weight
Does not bellow out the words of God
Nor win battles by invoking fate
A Guru heals for certain
But the journey, the intention and the energy
Are the Guru's, magnified by his gentle disposition
Enlightened by his care and composition
The best embodiment of truth and light
Endowed by tangible messianic possibility
With insight shared like langar to the hungry
A path worn not by metaphysical illusion
A cure not meant to strike a witness dumb
No special accounting of the victims sins
Or embedding grace where there was none
A Guru heals a human folly
A Guru fills a human flaw
A Guru heightens human glory
With the infinite power of humanity
Simply giving everything to set another mortal free
January 23, 2011
Conversation about this article
1: I.J. Singh (N. Bellmore, New York, U.S.A.), January 23, 2011, 5:38 PM.
We oft remember the gentle nature of Guru Tegh Bahadar and his sacrificing spirit. His martyrdom for a cause greater than the self never fails to move us but we forget that he was a warrior too. He became Tegh Bahadar by earning his mettle in war. (He could wield a sword like few men of the times.) Truly a man of war and peace. Michele, you do him justice. Excellent.
2: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), January 23, 2011, 9:07 PM.
Guru Nanak said: "I shall not wear the janeu made of thread." Guru Teg Bahadar sacrificed himself saying: "I shall not allow anyone to forcibly take off that janeu of thread from any Hindu." Never in the annals of mankind has there been another religious prophet or leader who sacrificed his life to save the freedom of another religion. Michele, you are the Guru's bard. What better blessings could anyone else bestow on you?
3: Devinder Pal Singh (Delhi, India), January 24, 2011, 4:27 AM.
Michele, in simple and poetic words you have been presenting insights into Sikh Religious History. It would be good if some circulations can project your writings to the larger homogeneous society, and enable them to understand the Sikh philosophy in a better manner, not only in the Western world but in India too. This would be well beyond the community service already for which the Sikhs have made their presence known.
4: Savera Kaur (Kanpur, India), January 24, 2011, 2:23 PM.
Michele, you have painted a three-dimensional picture of the Guru and brought him alive in my mind's eye. I can see him as I read your poem, and feel his strength, compassion, humanity. Thank you for this exquisite gift!
5: Gursharn Singh Nagi (Delhi, India), January 24, 2011, 11:31 PM.
Truth flew from your mouth ... pure exult!
6: J.S. Kang (U.S.A.), January 27, 2011, 9:01 AM.
Very beautifully described - thanks!
7: Simarjit Kaur (London, United Kingdom), April 26, 2011, 4:47 PM.
This is really breathtakingly beautiful.