Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708) created the Khalsa — Sikhism's community of the brave — and gave the Guru Granth Sahib scripture its final form.
Guru Gobind Singh's father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was executed for standing up for the freedom of another faith. The young Gobind Rai carried on — a poet, a horseman, and a leader who believed faith must be strong enough to protect the weak.
On Vaisakhi of 1699 at Anandpur Sahib, he called a great crowd and asked for five volunteers ready to give everything for what is right. One by one, five stepped forward — and from those five he created the Khalsa, the community of the pure and the brave. Every member took the name Singh (lion) or Kaur (princess).
Before he passed away, he made a remarkable decision: the line of human gurus would end, and the holy scripture itself — the Guru Granth Sahib — would be the eternal Guru. He had lost his four sons to tyranny, yet his faith never bent; his courage is remembered every Vaisakhi.
A great crowd gathered for Vaisakhi in 1699. Guru Gobind Singh called for great courage and trust. Five Sikhs stepped forward, one by one. He initiated them as the first five members of the Khalsa. Then he humbly received initiation from those same five.
⭐ Lesson: A true leader is brave and humble.
During battles at Anandpur, Guru Gobind Singh stood bravely with his Sikhs. Bhai Kanhaiya carried water to hurt people on both sides. Some Sikhs wondered why he helped everyone. The Guru praised his kindness. He also gave him medicine to care for people's wounds.
⭐ Lesson: Even during a quarrel, we can care for everyone.
What it means: Wonderful God, you fill us with wonder. This Sikh name for God helps us remember the One with love.
Every Sikh who takes Amrit adds Singh ('lion') or Kaur ('princess') to their name — a gift of courage that began with Guru Gobind Singh's five volunteers in 1699.