In the home of Khalsa I grow old and by following in the footsteps of Mata Gujar Kaur Ji (Mata Gujri Ji) I become the best grandmother in the world. Grandmothers around the world are famous for spoiling their grandchildren. Being a Grandmother is not all about spoiling the children. Mata Gujar Kaur Ji was with the two youngest sahibzada’s when they received martyrdom, which was only possible because Mata Ji was their strength. Mata Ji did not spoil them, she strengthened them. That was only possible because Mata Ji told them stories about Sikhism, stayed with the kids and encouraged them to do the right thing.
Every child remembers the nightly fairy tales told by their grandmothers and the little lessons the stories taught. Mata Gujar Kaur Ji told her grandchildren stories too, the once that taught great lessons. The only difference was the ones Mata Ji told were true and the kids could relate to them. Stories that a child can relate too are the ones that most inspire to follow through to the dot on the message of the story. In Mata Gujar Kaur Ji’s time it was the stories of Gurus and the Singhs of the time. In our time today its stories of the Gurus, the Singhs of that time, and the stories about 1984 and how Singhs followed the teachings of Guru Ji’s to survive 1984. Our children need to know what happened in our history and how we always stand up for what is right. Be like Mata Gujar Kaur Ji and tell your grandkids the real stories of Khalsa Panth, the Sikhs, and not the made up fairy tales.
Mata Ji told the children all the right stories and taught them all the right morals but she did not leave it at that. Mata Ji stayed with the children and made sure they lived life according to Sikh principal. Mata Ji taught them Sikh principals in her stories and then monitored their understanding and helped them use what they learned in everyday life. Today it seems not only do our Grandmothers not tell stories about the glorious past of Sikhi but is also unable to get involved in daily life of the children. There is such a big generation gap between the kids and the grandmothers that they just can’t connect. The gap can only be closed if the grandmothers tell the stories from the beginning creating a special bond with the child that will last a life time. A child that hears stories about Sikhi is going to be able to relate better, then a child that grew up on video games. Grandmothers need to become like Mata Gujar Kaur Ji and become more than just a babysitter. The children need to be watched more than just when the parents our busy, we need to stay an active part of their lives.
When we are active in the life of the children, we can stand by their side when danger strikes. Mata Gujar Kaur Ji was always by the side of the younger Sahibzadas and that is why she was able to stay with them when they were separated from rest of the family. She helped them prepare for martyrdom, instead of accepting Islam. Not once carried away in love did she tell them to give up their Sikhi and save their lives. Mata Ji became their strength, not their weakness. As grandmothers today, we are barely involved in our grandchildren’s life and never around when it comes time to make important decisions. Many of us have become weak; we would rather see our grandchild happy, then be a good Sikh. Like Mata Gujar Kaur Ji, we need to get our priorities straight and encourage our grandchildren to make the best decisions based on Sikhi.
Following in the footsteps of Mata Gujar Kaur Ji we can show the world, grandmothers are more than just babysitters. We can only do that by being actively involved in the life of our grandchildren by telling them true Sikh stories, staying active in their lives and encouraging them to make decisions best for Sikhi. If we can become more like Mata Ji, we can successful be whatever other roles (great grandmother, great great grandmother and etc) Waheguru Ji allows for us to take on. Let us all become like Mata Gujar Kaur Ji.
Sanmukh's Blog 