Introduction
In November 2025, we celebrated the 350th anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Sikh Guru. To commemorate that event Prof. Manjit Singh, Ex-Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, along with Dr. Onkar Singh have jointly produced a unique book titled “Prabh Ke Geet” on the Bani of Guru Ji. Where they have provided word by word meaning, including meaning of the entire Shabad plus its detailed elucidation. Even the title of the book is from the line of one of the 57 Saloks in the Bani. The uniqueness of the book is that on the back of the book cover, there is a QR code for linking to YouTube. By scanning the QR code one can listen to musical rendition of the Bani in the same musical scale (Raaga) as the composition of the bani. This distinctive feature enables reader to enjoy the singing of the Bani while s/he is reading about it. Currently the book is available in Gurmukhi, Hindi and English. There are plans to make the same book available in other leading languages.
Program
The US Book Launch took place on June 13, 2026, at Sikh Center of Gulf Coast, Houston, TX. The program started with the Welcome address and brief Introduction of the book. After the introduction, Prof. Manjit Singh shared with the audience the highlights of the book and it unique features. In his address Prof. Manjit Singh shared that we have categorized the Bani of Guru Tegh Bahadur as “Vairaghmai” which is translated as detachment from the world. The result and the connotation of “Vairaghmai” is taken in the negative sense, implication being not interested in life. He explained it is in reality it is a Life Affirming Bani, which talks about how to live an engaging, fulfilling and a successful life. The life should be purposeful, satisfying and full of bliss.
In his address he shared that tradition of martyrdom started during Guru Nanak Ji’s time. Rukn Ud-Din, was a Qazi in Mecca, when Guru Nanak Ji visited there. He held a prominent position that bestowed an immense respect & considerable power. From history we know that he famously grabbed Guru Ji by the legs and tried to spin him around as Guru Ji’s feet were pointing towards Mecca. But we don’t know about the impact of their encounter on Rukn Ud-Din. Rukn Ud-Din spent the day questioning the Guru. At every turn Guru Nanak Sahib’s answers impressed him so much that finally Rukn Ud-Din could do nothing more than to bow before his new Guru. He became a Sikh. The Mullahs of Mecca were horrified that one of their own would abandon his faith, and bow down to some strange foreigner. They confiscated his property and issued the sentence against him. They buried him up to his neck in sand, and then had him stoned him to death. Thus he become the first Sikh martyr. All his relatives were also driven out of the state.
He addressed another popular myth associated with Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s life about two Saloks. In the misconception the first of the two Saloks is by Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is that it was written by him and handed over to Sikh Courier to take it to his successor guru Gobind Singh Ji, in Anandpur from Delhi. The Salok is:
ਬਲੁ ਛੁਟਕਿਓ ਬੰਧਨ ਪਰੇ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਹੋਤ ਉਪਾਇ ॥
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਅਬ ਓਟ ਹਰਿ ਗਜ ਜਿਉ ਹੋਹੁ ਸਹਾਇ ॥੫੩॥
Bal chhuTakio bandhan pare kachhoo na hott upai ||
Kahu nanak ab oT har gaj jiau hoh sahai ||53|| (SGGS, Pg. No. 1429)
Translation: Separating from the Divine Meditation, man’s spiritual strength exhausts and he gets entangled in the worldly bindings. No effort can then be made (for emancipation).
Says Nanak! Clutched in the grasp of worldly entanglements now, Divine is the only refuge now, as the octopus proved helpful for the release of the elephant. ||53||
The second Salok is purported to be the response from Guru Gobind Singh Ji to the query in the earlier Salok. He emphatically stated that it is unpragmatic to expect that in those grueling conditions of confinement he could be provided with paper and pen, and then find a courier to take it to Anandpur. He also stated that the question that is being posed in the Salok was to test the mettle of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. But Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji had installed him as his successor, only after proper verification. What was the need to another test? He was very clear that these concocted stories were just made to appeal to the emotional sentiments. The second Salok is:
ਬਲੁ ਹੋਆ ਬੰਧਨ ਛੁਟੇ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੋਤ ਉਪਾਇ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤੁਮਰੈ ਹਾਥ ਮੈ ਤੁਮ ਹੀ ਹੋਤ ਸਹਾਇ ॥੫੪॥
Bal hoaa ba(n)dhan chhuTe sabh kichh hot upai ||
Nanak sabh kichh tumarai haath mai tum hee hot sahai ||54|| (SGGS, Pg. No. 1429)
Translation: Yes, spiritual strength is restored on coming to Divine shelter and efforts became possible as the worldly shackles are shattered.
Nanak says that all this play is in Your hands. You only are helpful to save me from the worldly shackles (created by You). ||54||
When the content of the two Saloks is studied, one is talking about how the personal strength being depleted and being in a bondage – a helpless situation. Then, in the next Salok he talks about strength being restored, bonds being untied – situation of unlimited possibilities. That transformation happened because of complete trust, and faith in Almighty. These two saloks are about transformation from a helpless situation to fully equipped condition because of unwavering faith.
He also shared that this is the first time that the entire bani of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, 59 Shabads and 57 Saloks have been explained with word meanings and shabad meaning plus its elucidation in a book form. The entire project took three years to complete. He said that during the celebration of Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the Governor of Bihar had released this book at Patna Sahib.
The President of Sikh Center, Houston was requested to release this book formally. He asked Prof. Manjit Singh to join him. Then Prof. Singh asked that a representation from ladies and children should also be there. Thus this event became a unique book launch as well. The president of the Sikh Center thanked Prof. Manjit Singh and the audience for their participation. Then it was followed by a Questions and Answers session. The program concluded with refreshments.
