Ans. When the tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh, asked from Akaal Purakh (God) the boon, “Panth chale tab jagat meh jab tum karo sahaae”, (The Panth could succeed in the world only with your blessings O Lord), he requested at the same time (to Akaal Purakh):
“DEGH TEGH JAGG MEH DOU CHALE, RAAKH AAP MOHE AVAR NA DALE”.
(Bestow upon us, O Lord, the boon that Degh and Tegh reign supreme in the world; and keep us under Your protection so that no one could harm us).
Later on Banda Singh Bahadur got the words, “Degh Tegh Fateh” inscribed on his seal after his victory in the battle at Sirhind. The complete phrase on the official seal (in Persian) were:
“DEGH TEGH FATEH NUSRAT BAIDRANG, YAFT AZ NANAK GURU GOBIND SINGH”.
Which means, the blessings of success of degh and tegh were obtained by Guru Gobind Singh from Guru Nanak.
The meaning of ‘degh’ is a large vessel with a wide mouth, or non-deficient, generous, a trait of sharing, magnanimity, forgiveness. In the first ashtpadi of Basant Raag, in Guru Granth Sahib, the word ‘degh’ has been used in a similar context:
ਘਰਿ ਘਰਿ ਲਸਕਰੁ ਪਾਵਕੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਧਰਮੁ ਕਰੇ ਸਿਕਦਾਰੀ॥
ਧਰਤੀ ਦੇਗ ਮਿਲੈ ਇਕ ਵੇਰਾ ਭਾਗੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਭਮਡਾਰੀ॥
(SGGS, P. 1190.)
Which means, God has made His earth like a huge degh and it does not tire giving all living beings. Everyone receives according to his/her destiny and God’s will.The meaning of tegh’ is to continuously keep fighting (with falsehood) and never give up the struggle. Those who are blessed with the gifts of degh and tegh, can never be defeated by anyone. The author of “Asraar Samdi” has written, “it is very difficult to defeat the Sikhs because they have degh and tegh.
Whenever Guru Gobind Singh wanted to praise any Raja (for his just rule), or a warrior (for his bravery), he would say:
“JA SUMM SUNDER SUNA NA SOORA, DEGH TEGH SACHE BHARPOORA”.
Which means, a true warrior, the like of you, has not been heard of, who is filled to brim with the concept of degh and tegh. To express someone’s power, the Guru would say:
“Degh tegh ko jaahe bharosa”,
which means, he is so powerful because he believes in the concept of degh and tegh.
According to ‘Gur Bilas Patshahi 10’, when the tenth Master initiated the five beloved ones (panj piaare), to the Amrit ceremony, in addition to explaining to them the code of conduct, he also enjoined:
“Always consider the Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib) close to you (as companion).
Always go to the Gurdwara because you will attain extreme peace on the vision (darshan) of the Granth. Always recite the Name, “Waheguru” and meditate on this name also. Sing the laudations of God and the Guru and maintain degh and tegh. You shall always be victorious.
In ‘Prachin Panth Prakash’ also it is written that the greatness of Khalsa lies in that they do not take away their hand from degh and tegh and never shirk sharing (their earnings with needy).