Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji's eldest Sahibzada, Baba Ajit Singh Ji took birth on 29th Maagh, 1743 Bikrami (1686 C.E.). Below we have translated a beautiful passage from Kavi Sant Ren Prem Singh Ji's Sri Gur Pur Parkash Granth, which goes into the details of Baba Ji's Janam Sanskaar and how Baba Ji was named. Kavi Sant Ren Prem Singh Ji was a family descendant of Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji, and wrote their Granth based on the historical manuscripts preserved in their family of their ancestor Baba Binod Singh Ji (descendant of Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji, Hazuri Sikh of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and first Jathedar of Budha Dal):
ਚੌਪਈ।।ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਗੁਰ ਦਯਾ ਸੁ ਕੀਨ । ਜਨਮ ਸਜਾਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਤਹਿ ਲੀਨ।
With the grace of Akaal Purakh, the Sahibzada (Baba Ajit Singh Ji) took birth at Amritvela.
ਮਾਤਨ ਮਨ ਆਨੰਦ ਨ ਮਏ । ਅਨਕ ਬਿਧਨ ਕੇ ਮੰਗਲ ਭਏ।।੩।।
The bliss in the mind of the Matavan (mothers i.e. Mata Nanaki Ji, Mata Gujri Ji, Mata Sundri Ji etc.) cannot be expressed, they celebrated in many ways.
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬਹੁ ਕਰਾਹੁ ਕਰਵਾਯੋ । ਕਰ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਤਬੈ ਬਰਤਾਯੋ।
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji got prepared masses of Karaah Parshad, after Ardaas this was distributed in all the Sangat.
ਰਾਮ ਕੁਇਰ ਕੋ ਅਸ ਫੁਰਮਾਯੋ । ਅੰਭ ਕਟੋਰੇ ਮਹਿੰ ਮੰਗਵਾਯੋ।।੪।।
Guru Gobind Singh instructed Bhai Raam Koer Ji (the descendant of Baba Budha Ji) to bring a Bata (iron bowl) full of freshwater.
ਸਿਰੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕੀ ਨੋਕ ਧੁਲਾਈ । ਕਛ ਮਿਸਟਾਨ ਬੀਚ ਤਬ ਪਾਈ।
Placing some sugar crystals into the water, Guru Ji placed the tip of their Sri Sahib (Kirpan) in the Bata.
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਜਪੁ ਪੌੜੀ ਪੰਚ ਉਚਾਰੀ । ਗੁੜ੍ਹਤੀ ਦੀਨ ਸਜਾਦੇ ਭਾਰੀ।।੫।।
They recited stanzas of Sri Jap Ji Sahib (while stirring), Guru Ji then blessed Sahibzada Baba Ajit Singh Ji with the Gurrhti (Amrit - with the tip of their Kirpan).
Kavi Sant Ren Prem Singh Ji now describes the naming ceremony:
ਰਾਮ ਕੁਇਰ ਗੁਰ ਆਇਸ ਪਾਇ । ਪੋਥੀ ਖੋਲ੍ਹ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਨਿਕਸਾਇ।
Guru Ji instructed Bhai Ram Koer Ji to do Parkash of a Pothi Sahib (of Sri Aadh Guru Granth Sahib Ji). At the time of Parkash, the following Hukamnama Sahib came:
ਸਲੋਕ ਮ:੫।।
ਆਤਮ ਰਸ ਜਿਹ ਜਾਨਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗ ਸਹਿਜੇ ਮਾਣ।।
One who knows the taste of the Vaheguru Ji's sublime essence intuitively enjoys Vaheguru Ji's Love.
ਨਾਨਕ ਧਨਿ ਧਨਿ ਧੰਨਿ ਜਨ ਆਏ ਤੇ ਪਰਵਾਣ।।੧।।
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji says, blessed, blessed, blessed are Vaheguru Ji's humble servants; how fortunate is their coming into the world! ||1||
-Ang 252
ਬਰਨ ਅਕਾਰ ਪਰਾਪਤ ਭਯੋ । ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁਖ ਤੇ ਤਬ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਲਯੋ।।੯।।
From this Hukamnama Sahib, the letter 'A' was received. Guru Ji proclaimed at that point:
ਜੰਗ ਨਦੌਣ ਜੀਤ ਕਰ ਆਏ । ਨਾਮ ਅਜੀਤ ਪੰਚਾਨਨ ਥਾਏ।
'We have gained victory in the battle of Nadaun, hence we will name our Sahibzada 'Ajit Singh', the unconquerable lion'
ਨਹਿੰ ਸ਼ੱਤ੍ਰੂ ਤੇ ਜੀਤਯੋ ਜਾਇ । ਲਾਜ ਬੰਸ ਕੀ ਰਖ ਦਿਖਰਾਇ।।੧੦।।
'He will not be conquered by the enemy, he will keep the honour of his lineage!'
ਸੁਨ ਸਭ ਹਰਖੇ ਆਨੰਦ ਧਾਰਾ । ਗੁੜ੍ਹਤੀ ਸੁਧਾ ਦੀਨ ਤਿਹ ਬਾਰਾ।
Hearing this everyone was elated. In this manner, Guru Ji completed the Janam Sanskar of their eldest Sahibzada.
ਪਟ ਕੇ ਪਾਟੰਬਰ ਪਹਿਰਾਇ । ਭੂਖਨ ਕਨਕ ਅਨਕ ਸਜਵਾਇ।।੧੧।।
The Sahibzada was dressed in clothes of velvet and adorned with gold jewellery.
ਸਭ ਮਹਿੰ ਭਈ ਵਧਾਈ ਵਧਾਈ । ਬਟਯੋ ਤਿਹਾਵਲ ਸਭ ਸੁਖ ਪਾਈ।
The exclamation of 'Vadhaiyee! Vadhaiyee!' could be heard everywhere. Karah Parshad was distributed, everyone was in a state of happiness.
ਅਸ ਬਿਧਿ ਸ਼ਹਿਜ਼ਾਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਯੋ । ਨਿਤ ਮੰਗਲ ਗੁਰ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਹ੍ਵੈ ਨਯੋ।।੧੨।।
In this manner the Sahibzada manifested, each day is a day of new happiness in the Guru's house.
-ਗੁਰ ਪੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ,ਅੰਗ ੧੬੧੮,ਮੰੰਦਰ ੩੫ Sri Gur Pur Parkash Granth, Kavi Sant Ren Prem Singh Ji, Page 1618
Painting information: Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and three of the Sahibzaadeh at Anandpur Sahib in 1698 C.E. In this painting Baba Ajit Singh Ji is nine years old. Baba Fateh Singh Ji is not depicted in this painting as Baba Ji would only have been two years old at the time. This painting was retrieved by Baba Hathi Singh from Guru Ke Mehal (Delhi) in 1723. This was discovered by Akali Kaur Singh Nihang who published it in Sri Guru Shabad Ratan Parkash in 1923. Image and information courtesy of SGGS Academy.