Bandi Chhor Divas - Liberation of 52 Princes

Dadi: "Beta Guddu, do you know why Sikhs celebrate the festival of lights alongside Diwali, but call it by a different name?"

Guddu: "A different name? What do they call it, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Bandi Chhor Divas - the Day of Liberation! And it's all because of a very special robe with 52 tassels."

Guddu: "52 tassels? That sounds like a strange robe! Tell me the story, Dadi!"

Dadi: "Many years ago, there was a young Guru named Hargobind. He became the sixth Sikh Guru at just eleven years old, after his father, Guru Arjan Dev, was executed by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir."

Guddu: "That's so sad, Dadi. What did the young Guru do?"

Dadi: "Unlike any Guru before him, young Hargobind decided that Sikhs needed to be both spiritual AND strong. At his coronation, he wore two swords - one representing spiritual power, and one representing worldly power. He said Sikhs must be saint-soldiers."

Guddu: "Did that make the Emperor angry?"

Dadi: "Very angry indeed! The Mughal Emperor saw Guru Hargobind's growing army and influence as a threat. Under false charges, he had the Guru arrested and imprisoned in the mighty Gwalior Fort, far away in central India."

Guddu: "What was it like in the fort?"

Dadi: "Inside those prison walls, Guru Hargobind discovered he wasn't alone. There were 52 Hindu princes from different kingdoms, all imprisoned unjustly by the Mughals. The Guru spent his time teaching them, guiding them, and becoming their spiritual mentor."

Guddu: "So he helped them even though he was a prisoner himself?"

Dadi: "That's exactly right, beta. A true Guru never stops serving others, even in chains. Years passed, and two Muslims - Sain Mian Mir and Wazir Khan - convinced Emperor Jahangir that the Guru meant no harm. The Emperor finally agreed to free him."

Guddu: "That's wonderful! But what about the 52 princes?"

Dadi: "Ah, here's where the story becomes magical! When the order for release came, Guru Hargobind said something surprising. He refused to leave!"

Guddu: "He refused to be free?!"

Dadi: "Yes! He said, "I will not leave unless these 52 princes are freed along with me." The Emperor was annoyed but grudgingly agreed - with a sneaky condition."

Guddu: "What condition?"

Dadi: ""Only those who can hold onto the Guru's robe and walk through the narrow passage may leave." You see, beta, the passage out of the prison was so narrow that only a few people could walk through side by side. Jahangir thought maybe two or three princes could hold the Guru's robe and escape."

Guddu: "Oh no! What about the rest?"

Dadi: "*smiles* The Guru was cleverer than the Emperor imagined. He had his tailor make a special robe - a chola with exactly 52 long tassels attached to it!"

Guddu: "One for each prince!"

Dadi: "Exactly! When the time came, Guru Hargobind put on that special robe. Each of the 52 princes grasped one tassel - 26 on the right, 26 on the left. And slowly, carefully, like a human chain of freedom, they all walked out of the dark prison into the sunlight!"

Guddu: "*claps* They all escaped! That's amazing!"

Dadi: "The Sikhs waiting outside cheered with joy. From that day, Guru Hargobind was called "Bandi Chhor" - the Liberator of Prisoners. When he finally reached Amritsar days later, it was Diwali. The entire city lit up with candles and lamps to welcome their Guru home. The Golden Temple shone like the sun!"

Guddu: "So that's why Sikhs celebrate with lights too!"

Dadi: "Yes, beta. Every year, Sikhs remember that day when one man refused his own freedom until he could share it with others. The special robe is still preserved at a Gurdwara in Punjab!"

Guddu: "What does this story teach us, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Beta, in today's world, many people think only about themselves. "I got mine, why should I care about others?" But Guru Hargobind showed us that true freedom means nothing if we leave others in chains. Whether it's standing up for a friend being bullied, or helping someone who's struggling, we should never walk free while others suffer. The door to liberation should be wide enough for everyone."

Guddu: "I'll remember that, Dadi. I want to be like Guru Hargobind - helping everyone, not just myself!"

Dadi: "That's my good beta. Now, shall we light a diya together and remember all those who work to free others from suffering?"