We

H E SI KH REL I G ION

I T S G U R U S , SAC R E D W R I T I NGS

A ND A U T H O R S

M A! A R T H U R M AC A U L I FFE

g wz
i rmw m m

3 z uaa ;

mi m m
,

w f
n.
s .

T he e
gg fsu p e rst i t io n h a t h b u rst ;
o th e

mind is il l umin e d :
T h e G u ru ha th cu t th e f
e t t e rs o f
ft h e f
eet

a nd fre e d th e c a pt iv e
.

G U RU A R J AN

IN S I! V O L U M ES

VOL . V

OXF O R D

AT T H E C LA R E N D O N P R E S S
 HE N RY F R OW D E , M A. .

E R T O T H E U N I V E RS I T Y O F O ! F O R D
P U BL I S H

L OND ON E D I N BU R G H NE W Y OR K
, ,

T O RO N T O A ND M E L B O U R N E
 C O NT E NT S O F V O L . V

LI F E OF GURU GO BIND SING H T HE T E NT H G URU

,

GURU GO BIND SI NG H AGAI N S T I DO L ATR Y

A P RIN CESS S DI SC U SS ION WIT H A B RA H MAN

E ! TRA CT S F ROM B H AI NAND LAL S WRITING S

ZAF AR NAM A ( T HE GURU S E P I S T L E T O AU RANGZE B)

zo r

I NTE RV I E W WIT H BANDA

BANDA S CAR EE R I N T HE P AN J A B AND D E AT H

COM P O S ITION S OF GURU GO BIND SING H

E ! TRA CT S F ROM AK A L U S TAT
E ! TRA CT S F ROM VI C H I T AR NATAK
I NTRODU CTION T O T HE H INDU IN CARNATION S 306
T HIRT Y T H R EE S AW AI YA S (Q UATRAI N S )
-

B AZ AR E S HABD
C H A U P AI

ARDA S (S U P P L I CATION )
R AG S OR MU S I C A L M E A S UR ES T HE GURU S H Y MN S 333

, OF
GU RU G O BI N D SI N GH
 LIFE OF G U RU G O BI N D S I NG H ,

T H E T E NT H A N D L A S T G U R U 1

C HAP T ER I
AN account o ft h e e arl y y e ars O f Guru Gob i nd
R a i has al r e ady b e e n gi v e n i n t h e l i f e ofGu ru T e g
Bahadur Gu ru Gob i nd R a i aft e r h i s fath e r s
.
,

de ath cont i nu e d wi th e v e n mor e dil i g e nc e than

,

b e fo re to p re pare h i ms e l f for h i s g re at m i ssi on .

H e p rocu re d a suppl y O f sha rp po i nt e d arrows from -

Laho re and pract i s e d arch e ry wi th g re at i ndustry

, .

T h e Guru s pr i nc i pal compan i ons and bodyguard at

1
T he thoriti e s f min
o r th e li f e of G u ru G ob i n d S ing h are th e
u l D ram a com pose d b y th e G uru hi m
a au

V c/zzf a r Nd /a k o r W onde rf se l f;
' '

z , ,

t he G r B zl d s b y Bhai S ukha S ing h ; and the S r aj P a r k i s/z by

a , c ,

Bhai S antokh S ingh

T h e Vz b zta r N ta k i s a m e tri ca l co m
.

po siti on d i i de d into fourte e n

e ad m
c v

ch a pt e rs a nd wri tte n i n a rchai c H i n d i with a l a rg ixture of

S ansk ri t i n th e G uru m
,

ukh i characte r T h e date i s p rob ab l y a bo ut .

A . D . 1 69 2 .

Bhai S ukha S ingh th e author ofth e Gur Bzl i s was bo rn i n ,

'

c ,

1 7 66 i n An an dp ur whe re G u ru G ob i n d S ing h l ong h ad h is

H e b e ca m
A D . .
,

re s i de nc e e a p up il of
. Bhai s Bhagwan S i ngh and Thak u r
S ingh and was s ubse q ue ntl y a gyani or e xpounde r ofth e Granth
S ahi b at K e sgarh W he re th e te nth Guru rst adm ini ste re d h is b apti sm
,

Bhai S ukha S ingh co m

.
,

p l e te d t he Gur Bzl s i n A D 1 7 9 7 and d i e d i n '

A D 1 8 38 H i s wo rk i s al so i n O ld H i nd i i n t h e G urum
. .
,

. . . u kh i ch aracte r .

T h e a utho r h as al so consu lte d with ad vantage Bhai Gy an S i ng hs

P a id /z P a r k d rb

-
T h Ere I s a b ook c a e d th e S a u S a kl zz wh ch p rof es ll
to b e a i '

c onve rsat on b e t we e n S ah b i a nd G u rb ak h sh gb n t h i
i mi
r o e .

say I ng s a nd dO i ngS Ofth e te nth G u ru I t 13 he d n U gh e st at on l i

b y t h e K u k asf i m
.

o owe rs Ofthe ate Bha Ra S ir , h OfBha n , n

ll l i i i
i li m
.

t h e L udh ana d str ct ofth e P anj ab

i i i
a nd s re e d o n b y the as th e

main authority for the i r he re sy S antokh S ingh som e ti mes g i es

muni cati ons to S hi b S ingh as th e basi s
v

Bh i G u b ak h sh S ingh s c om
.

ro mt h e t i m
a r a

O fh is h i sto y Oft h e G urus f e o fG uru An g ad b u t h e

mak e s no m
r ,

e nti on o fth e S S d kf The e a pp e ars noth ing t o

'

au zz . r

e sta b li sh i ts a the nti c it u

y .

S I KH . V
2 THE S I KH RELI GI ON
th i s t i m e w e re h i s aunt V i ro s v e

sons Sango
Shah J i t M al Gopal Chand Ganga Ram M a h ri
, , , ,

Chand ; h i s uncl e Suraj M a l s two g randsons Gul ab

R a i and Sham Das ; K rip a l h i s mat e rnal unc l e ; ,

Bha i Daya Ram t h e fri e nd ofh i s youth ; and Bha i

,

N and Chand an up ri ght and favou ri t e masand

m
.
,

T h e d e sc e ndants Oft h e Gu rus t h e a sa nd s and , ,

t h e sons and g r andsons O f thos e who had s e rv e d

Gu ru Gob i nd Ra i s fath e r and g randfath e r gath e r e d

round h i s standar d H e al so e nt e rtai n e d a numb e r

.

ofs i ng e r s who sang t h e Gu rus hymns and a numb e r

, ,

O f bar ds wh o compos e d and sang i n succ e ssi on qua

t r ai ns i n p r ai s e oft h e Gu rus S O gr e at was t h e .

e nthus i asm that t h e wom e n of t h e c i ty us e d to

cl i mb t h e top stori e s O f th e i r hous e s and chant t h e
Gu ru s p r ai s e s i n e xt e mpore v e r s e s

.

A man call e d Bh i k h i a re s i di ng i n Lahor e w e nt to

v i si t t h e Gu ru Bh i k h i a s e e i ng h i handsom e and
.
,
m
w e l l p roport i on e d thought h e wou l d b e a su i tabl e
-
,

match for h i s daught e r J i to Th e Guru s moth e r was .

pl e as e d at Bh i k h i a s p roposal and ask e d h e r broth e r

K ri p a l to adv i s e t h e Gu r u t o acc e pt i t Th e Gu ru .

d i d S O and th e r e w e re g re at r e j oi c i ngs at Anandpur

,

on t h e occasi on O f t h e b e t rothal G r e at too w e re .

t h e r e j o i c i ngs i n Bh i k h i a s dom e st i c c ircl e wh e n h e

r e tu rn e d hom e wi th t h e good n e ws Th e twe nty .

th i r d O f H ar Sambat 1 7 34 (,
A D was x e d . .

f or t h e ma rri ag e and Bh ik h i a r e turn e d to Anandpur

,

to i nform t h e Gu r u O f t h e gl ad day and i nvi t e

m
,

hi to p roc e e d wi th h i s marri ag e proc e ssi on to

Lahore Th e Guru cont r ary to t h e custom on such
.
,

occas i ons re fus e d to go t o Laho re and sai d h e

, ,

woul d mak e a Lahore n e ar Anandpu r f or t h e occa

s i on H e s e nt wri tt e n o r d e rs i n e v e ry d i r e ct i on f
. or

ass i stanc e and h i s wi sh e s w e r e amp l y g r at i e d

, .

T h e S i khs throng e d f rom t h e Panj ab cap i tal on t h e

occasi on and w i th th e m cam e Bh i k h i a and h i s
,

famil y Shopk e e p e rs and m e rchants op e n e d S hops

.

and wa re hous e s and abod e i n Anandpur unt il t h e

,
 LI FE OF GU RU GOB IN D S IN GH 3
comp l e t i on O f t h e nupt i al c e re mon i e s Aft e r t h e .

marri ag e Bh i k h i a re mai n e d som e t i m e wi th t h e Gu ru

a n d p e r fo r m e d al l poss i b l e s e rv i c e for h i m .

T h e Gu ru accor di ng to t h e custom O f h i s p re d e
,

c e ssors us e d to ri s e i n t h e e nd O f t h e n i ght and

,

p e rfo rm h i s d e vot i ons H e par t i cul arl y d e l i ght e d

.

to l i st e n to t h e Asa k i W ar Aft e r dayb re ak h e gav e

.

h i s S i khs di v i n e i nst ruct i on and th e n p r act i s e d

mart i al e x e rc i s e s In t h e aft e rnoon h e re c e i v e d h i s
.

S i khs w e nt shoot i ng or rac e d ho r s e s ; and e nde d t h e

, ,

e v e n i ng by p e rfo r m i ng t h e di v i n e s e rvi c e oft h e

R a h i ras
!
.

Onc e i n t h e hot s e ason wh e n bath i ng wi th h i s

cousi ns and oth e r youths O f t h e sam e a ge i n t h e
S a t l u j t h e Gu ru di v i de d t h e par ty i nto t wo oppos i ng
,

fact i ons to p l ay a gam e ofsp l ash wat e r T h e Gu ru -

.

b e i ng e ndow e d wi th sup e r i or st re ngth r e duc e d h i s

cousi n Gul ab R a i to such st r ai ts that h e wi th dith
cul ty e m e rg e d fr om t h e wat e r I n h i s conf u si on h e .

b e gan to put on t h e Gu ru s tu rban b e l i e v i ng i t was

m
,

h i s own Bhai Sango ra n t o re st r ai n h i

. f
or i t ,

woul d b e a sac ril e g e for any one to put on t h e Gu ru s
tu rban .Gu l ab R ai accor di ngl y l ai d i t down i n
const e rnat i on T h e Gu ru saw t h e occu rr e nc e and
.

b e gg e d Gu l ab R a i to b i nd t h e tu rban on h i s h e ad
m
,

and i t woul d som e day obtai n h i honour Wh e n .

i n aft e r days t h e Gu ru had to l e av e Anandpu r f or

t h e D akhan Gul ab R a i O bta i n e d poss e ss i on O f t h e

,

c i ty and e stabl i sh e d h i ms e l f as S i kh pr i e st th e r e ,

thus ful l l i ng t h e Gu ru s p roph e cy

.

T h e Gu ru d e l i ght e d to w e ar un i fo r m and arms ,

and p r act i s e and i nduc e oth e r s to p ract i s e a rch e ry

, ,

and musk e t shoot i ng H i s handsom e e xt e ri o r wa s

m
-
.

much adm i re d both by e n and wom e n .

One day as h e wa s s e at e d i n darba r som e ne w

conv e rts to t h e S i kh fai th cam e to do h i homag e m .

Among th e m was a S i kh wh o had a daught e r cal l e d

,

Sunda ri of marri ag e ab l e a ge H e p ropos e d to t h e

, .

Guru to we d h e r and mak e h e r t h e s l av e O f h i s f e e t .

B 2
4 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
Th e Gu ru d i d not d e si re t h e a l l i anc e but i t wa s
m
,

p re ss e d on h i by h i s moth e r and n ot l ong aft e r ,

war ds t h e Guru s nupt i al s w e re so l e mn i z e d

1
.

W e hav e al re ady s e e n that Raj a Ram o fAsam

i mp l o re d Gu ru T e gB ahadu r s i n t e rc e ss i on f

or a son

m
,

and a p ri nc e ca l l e d Rat a n R a i was du l y born to h i .

Raj a Ram di e d wh e n h i s son was onl y s e v e n y e a rs

Ol d . Wh e n Ratan R a i attai n e d t h e a ge oftwe l v e ,

h e f e l t an i nc l i nat i on to se e t h e son O f t h e Gu ru by
whos e m e di at i on h e had b e e n born H e accor di ngl y .
,

wi th h i s moth e r and s e v e ral ofh i s m i n i st e rs pro

m
,

c e e d e d to Anandpur H e took w i th h i
. as an
Of fe ri ng v e hors e s w i th gol de n trapp i ngs a v e ry ,

smal l but sagac i ous e l e phant a w e apon ou t O f wh i ch

v e so r ts ofarms coul d b e mad e rst a p i sto l
,

th e n by pr e ssi ng a sp ri ng a sword th e n a l anc e th e n

, ,

a dagg e r and nal l y a c l ub a thron e from wh i ch

, ,

by p re ssi ng a S pri ng pupp e ts e m e rg e d and pl ay e d

,

c h a u p a r a d r i nk i ng cup O f gr e at val u e
, and s e v e ral ,

cost l y and b e aut i fu l j e w e l s and rai m e nt .

T h e Raj a wa s r e c e i v e d i n gr e at stat e H e Of fe r e d
m
.

h i s p re s e nts p r ay e d t h e Gu ru to g r ant h i
,
t h e S i kh
fai th and s i nc e ri ty S O that h i s l ov e m i ght b e e v e r
,

c e nt re d i n t h e Guru s f e e t T h e Gu ru grant e d a l l

.

h i s d e s i re s T h e Raj a e xh i b i t e d t h e e xc e ll e nc e and
.

advantag e s ofal l h i s p re s e nts H e showe d how v e .

w e apons coul d b e made ou t O f one h e unl oos e n e d ,

t h e pupp e ts f r om t h e thron e and se t th e m p l ay i ng

c h a u p ar H e caus e d t h e e l e phant t o wi p e t h e Gu ru s

m
.

sho e s and pl ac e th e m i n o r d e r for h i T h e Gu ru .

at t h e Raj a s sugg e st i on di scharg e d an arr ow T h e

.

e l e phant w e nt and f e tch e d i t T h e an i mal h e l d

.

a j ug O f wat e r from wh i ch t h e Gu ru s fe e t w e re

wash e d and th e n wi p e d th e m wi th a tow e l At t h e

s us that S un da i a wo d whi h m
,

o m
.

1
A l e a ne d S i kh inf
r r r ,
e ans t h e r c

be auti f ul f e q u e ntl y a pp li e d to t h e he o i n e s O fI n d i an h i sto

r w n
T h e sam
, r y as a r ,

e p ithe t O fJ ito and not a se cond wi f e of t he G u u e l e a ne d

r . r

S i kh th inks that J ito wh wa s ge ne all y known as S unda i did not

te th e d e m
, o r r ,

d i i n Anan dp u b u t li e d i n D h l i a f
e r, v r i se ofGu u Gob i nd
r r

S ingh .
 LIFE OF GURU GOBI N D S IN GH 5

word O f command h e took a Ohau ri a n d wav e d i t

ov e r t h e Gu ru At n i ght h e took two l i ght e d to rch e s
.

i n h i s t runk and sho w ,

e d t h e Guru and t h e Raj a

th e i r hom e war d ways I n d u e t i m e t h e Raj a bade

fare we l l to t h e Gu ru and on h i s d e par tu re r e qu e st e d

m
,

hi n e v e r to l e t t h e e l e phant ou t Ofh i s poss e ssi on

m
.

S e v e ral e n w e nt t o t h e Guru f or e n l i stm e nt and ,

h i s a rmy r ap i dl y i nc re as e d H e now se t about t h e .

const ruct i on O f a b i gd rum wi thout wh i ch h e d e e m e d ,

h i s e qu i pm e nt wou l d b e i ncomp l e t e T h e wo rk was

m
.

e nt r ust e d t o N and Chand Wh e n th e a sa nd s found

.

th at i t was n e arl y re ady th e y sai d that wh e n Bh i m

Chand t h e k i ng Oft h e country h e ar d i t h e wou l d
, , ,

b e w r oth and nOt suffe r t h e Guru and h i s S i khs to

,

ab i de in t h e l ocal i ty 1
Af rai d how e v e r to mak e a
.
, ,

re p re s e ntat i on to t h e Gu r u h i ms e l f th e y w e nt t o h i s ,

moth e r Guj ari and e xp re ss e d th e i r s e nt i m e nts : Th e

Gu ru s e xp e ndi t u re on works Ofchari ty and ph i l an

t h ropy i s al re ady g re at and now h e i s i ncr e as i ng h i s ,

a rmy and bu il di ng a l arg e drum Wh e n t h e h il l ch i e fs .

h e ar i t b e at e n th e y wi l l r e gar d i t as a symbol of
,

conqu e st and e ngag e i n batt l e wi th t h e S i khs H e i s .

dail y addi ng to t h e numb e r ofh i s sol di e rs Be p l e as e d

m
.
,

O l ady to r e st rai n h i
, Th i s sp e e ch conv i nc e d t h e
.

Gu ru s moth e r S h e s e nt for h e r broth e r K rip al and
m
.
,

b e gg e d h i to di ssuade h e r son from comp l e t i ng t h e

drum K ri p al sai d h e cou l d not tak e i t on h i ms e l f

to mak e any such re p re s e ntat i on to t h e Gu ru S h e .

must do so h e r s e l f S h e acco r di ngl y spok e to h e r

m
.

so n n e xt mo rn i ng i n t h e t e rms us e d by t h e a sa n d s
to h e r S h e adde d Our bus i n e ss i s wi th re l i g i on
.
, ,

f or wh i ch hum i l i ty i s re qu i re d Ev e n i fthou com .

l h i i l i

t t d um b at t not n pub c T h Gu u
m
p e e e r e , e r .

re p l i e d , Moth e r de ar how l ong shal l I re a I n I n,

conc e al m e nt I am not go i ng to tak e forc i b l e

poss e ss i on of t h e h i ll r ajas t e rri to ri e s I f th e y a re
.

j e al ous f or noth i ng and al l ow th e i r h e arts to rank l e

, ,

1 I
n f o rm e r ti mes a aj a m i ght not b e at a d rumwithin anothe r
ga d ru m was a sym
r

r aja S te rri to ry f o r b e ati n

, bo l O fsove re i gnty .
6 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
I cannot h e l p i t Th i s i s t h e Gu ru s castl e wh e re e n
.

m
S hal l O btai n th e i r d e s e rts .

On th i s t h e Gu ru ros e and w e nt to i nqu i r e i ft h e

drum we re r e ady If not i t s compl e t i on must b e
m
.
,

e xp e d i t e d Th e . asa n d s th e n mad e a d i r e ct re p re

se nt a t i on G re at K i ng rst consi de r t h e r e sou rc e s

,

O f t h e e n e my Th e y a re k i ngs and poss e ss armi e s

.
,

w e al th and mun i t i ons ofwar I t i s th e re fo re not

,
.

adv i sab l e t o cont e nd wi th th e m What a numb e r .

oftroub l e s b e f e l l thy g r andfath e r i n h i s m i l i ta ry

car e e r ! Wh e r e for e thou h ast n e e d ofp e ac e Our .

Gu ru s busi n e ss i s wi th t h e S i kh i sm O f h i s country

wa r i s t h e r ol e ofk i ngs

.

T h e Gu ru r e p l i e d How shal l I conc e al mys e l f ,

from thos e h i l l m e n I hav e r e c e i v e d t h e i mmo rtal

God s ord e r t o di scl os e mys e l f and you t e l l e to

, m
r e mai n i n conc e al m e nt I must O b e y God s ord e r .

not you rs I hav e pr e par e d t h e dr um b e caus e my

.

ar my wou l d hav e no p re st i g e wi thout i t Ev e n i f .

Bh i m Chand Raj a ofKah l ur and t h e oth e r h il l

, ,

raj as g row ang ry a re we wh o S i t h e r e wom e n , W e

too shal l m e e t swo r d wi th sword I f th e y k e e p t h e .

p e ac e so shal l we
, W e S hal l soon se e what t h e .

h il l m e n i nt e nd Wh e n we go hunt i ng we shal l
. .
,

tak e t h e drum wi th us and b e at i t al oud on ,

arri v i ng at t h e bas e O f t h e mountai n .

Th e Gu ru c e l e brat e d wi th pray e rs and t h e di st ri

b u t i on O f sacr e d food t h e compl e t i on Oft h e b i g
dr um wh i ch h e cal l e d Ranj i t or v i ctor i ous on t h e
m
, ,

battl e e l d-
Wh e n i t was b e at e n t h e
. e n and ,

wom e n of t h e c i ty w e nt fo rth to b e hol d i t and

m
,

th e re was gr e at r e j oi c i ng Th e Guru and h i s e n .

,

i n fu l l panop l y w e nt hunt i ng t h e sam e day

,
Wh e n .

t h e par ty a rri v e d n e ar B il aspu r t h e cap i tal of ,

K ah l u r t h e Guru s d rumm e r b e at t h e drum wi th

,

much e n e rgy and ost e ntat i on I t sound e d l i k e .

thund e r to t h e h il l m e n wh o at onc e app re h e nde d ,

that som e pot e ntat e had com e to tak e poss e ss i on of

th e i r country Raj a Bh i m Chand consul t e d h i s
.
 LI FE OF GURU GOB IN D S IN GH 7

pri m e m i n i st e r wh o sai d I t i s Gu ru Gob i nd R a i , ,

t h e t e nth Gu ru i n succ e ss i on t o Gu ru N anak wh o ,

hath a rri v e d H i s fath e r pu rchas e d som e l and at

.
1

t h e bas e oft h e Tung mounta i n and bu il t a vi l l ag e

m
,

th e r e on Thousands ofworsh i pp e rs com e t o h i

.

from g re at di stanc e s I t i s onl y r e c e nt l y that th e

m m
.

Raj a of Asam cam e to vi si t h i and p re s e nt e d h i

l arg e O ffe ri ngs H e hath const ruct e d a dr um and
.

com e shoot i ng h e re My adv i c e i s to k e e p on good

m
.

t e rms wi th h i I n t h e rst p l ac e h e i s wo rthy of

m
.
,

wo rsh i p s e condl y h e a i nt a i ne t h a l arg e a rmy and

, ,

i s gr e at l y f e are d Th i r dl y h e i s v e ry brav e and

m
.
, ,

such e n are som e t i m e s us e ful as al l i e s .

On h e ar i ng th i s Raj a Bh i m Chand d e t e rm i n e d to
go t o m e e t t h e Gu ru and di spatch e d h i s p ri m e
,

m i n i st e r to arr ang e for t h e i nt e rv i e w T h e m i n i st e r .

i nfo rm e d t h e Gu ru that h i s mast e r wh o wa s t h e

m
,

h e ad O f a l l t h e h il l ch i e fs d e si re d t o m e e t h i ,
and ,

i t wou l d b e w e l l f or t h e Guru to b e on good t e rms

wi th h i m . Bhai K rip a l t h e Guru s uncl e at a nod

,

,

from t h e Gu ru r e pl i e d Th i s i s t h e Gu ru s castl e
m
.
,

As any one t re a t e t h h i S O S hal l h e b e t r e at e d

,
If .

any one com e h e re wi th good i nt e nt i ons h e Shal l b e ,

we l l r e c e i v e d ; but i fh e com e as an e n e my h e shal l

m
,

b e t re at e d accor di ngl y F or e n to b e on good

m
.

t e rms wi th one anoth e r i s v e ry e xp e di e nt and co

m e ndab l e Wh e re fore go and b ri ng you r Raj a W e
m
. .

Shal l re c e i v e h i wi th g re a t r e sp e ct Th e m i n i st e r

m
.

tak i ng wi th h i a rob e Ofhonou r t h e Gu ru s g i ft

r e tu rn e d to h i s mast e r and re comm e nde d h i ,

to m
p roc e e d i mm e di at e l y to t h e i nt e rv i e w T h e Raj a .

a cco r di ngl y w e nt wi th h i s court i e rs and e sco r t to

An a ndpur .

Raj a Bh i m Chand wa s re c e i v e d i n da rbar wi th

gre at honou r by t h e Gu ru wh o i nv i t e d h i t o t e l l m
m
,

hi t h e whol e c i r cumstanc e s of t h e h il l ch i e fs
m
.

Bh i m Chand gav e h i t h e d e si re d i nfo rmat i on and

m
,

th e n p ra ye d t h e Gu ru to l e t h i se e t h e p re s e nts
1
Thi s i s m e Of
e nti on e d i n t h e L i f G u u T e gB ahadur r .
8 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
from t h e k i ng O f Asam Th e Gu ru at that i nt e rv i e w
m
.

showe d h i a l l t h e pr e s e nts e xc e pt t h e e l e phant

,
.

N e xt mo rn i ng t h e Guru had a costl y t e nt e r e ct e d

m
wh i ch had b e e n s e nt h i from Kabul by an e nt h u si
a st i c S i kh nam e d Dun i Chand and pr e pare d to ,

r e c e i v e Bh i m Chand i n i t at t h e s e cond i nt e rv i e w .

W i th t h e Guru w e re h i s r e l at i ons co u rt ie rs a nd , ,

p ri nc ipal wr e stl e rs and warr i ors Wh e n Bh i m .

Chand sa w t h e Kabul i t e nt h e wa s aston i sh e d a t

i t s magn i c e nc e In r e pl y to h i s i nqu iry h e wa s
.

tol d that i t had cost t wo and a hal f l akhs ofrup e e s ,

and that i t was t h e O f fe ri ng ofa p i ous S i kh Duri ng .

th i s conv e rsat i on t h e e l e phant b e aut i ful l y d e co rat e d

m
, ,

wa s l e d fo rward Bh i m Chand e xpr e ss e d h i s u

.

bounde d adm i rat i on Ofal l that h e h ad s e e n a nd

h e ar d On h i s hom e ward j ou rn e y h i s m i nd bu rn e d
.

wi th e nvy oft h e Gu ru s stat e and w e al th and h e

,

consi de r e d how h e coul d tak e poss e ssi on of a l l h i s

val uab l e s On r e e ct i on howe v e r h e cam e t o t h e
. . ,

concl usi on that h e woul d b e sat i s e d wi th t h e

e l e phant ,
and h e d e t e rmi n e d t o h av e t h e an i mal
wh e th e r by forc e or stratag e m .

On h i s arri val i n h i s cap i tal h e unfol de d h i s d e si gn

to h i s cou r t i e rs and ask e d th e m t o sugg e st how
,

poss e ssi on oft h e e l e phant cou l d b e Obtai n e d Aft e r .

som e d i scussi on i t was ag re e d that a m e ssag e shoul d

b e s e nt to t h e Gu ru to t h e e f fe ct that an e mbassy
was comi ng from S ri nagar i n t h e p re s e nt B ri t i sh
Garhwal d i st ri ct wi th t h e O bj e ct O f b e troth i ng t h e
,

daught e r of i t s Raj a Fatah Shah t o Bh i m Ch a nd s

, ,

son and Bh i m Chand d e si r e d to borrow t h e e l e phant

so as to mak e a di spl ay Ofw e al th to h i s gu e sts I t .

wa s acco r di ngl y d e ci de d that t h e Gu ru shou l d b e

r e qu e st e d to l e nd t h e e l e phant f or t h e pu rpos e .

Wh e n t h e Guru re c e i v e d th i s m e ssag e h e kn e w that

i t wa s s i mp l y a t ri ck to O btai n p e rman e nt poss e ss i on
O f t h e an i mal H e thought t o h i ms e l f If I re fus e
m
.
,

t h e e l e phant i t m e a ns wa r and i fI s e nd h i
, ,
it
al so m e ans wa r as I must r e so rt t o forc e f
, or h i s
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND S IN GH 9

H e acco r di ngl y re pl i e d to Bh i m Ch a nd s

c ov e ry
m
re .

m e ssag e Th e r a j a wh o pr e s e nt e d wi th t h e
m
,
e

e l e phant r e qu e st e d e not to l e t t h e an i mal g o ou t

O f my poss e ss i on ; a nd i t i s a p ri nc i pl e O f t h e Gu ru s

hous e to compl y wi th such re qu e sts I hav e anoth e r

m
.

e l e phant a n d S hou l d Raj a Bh i m Chand r e qu i re h i

m
,

h e may tak e h i Th e m e ss e ng e r s e e i ng that th e r e

.

was no chanc e of O btai n i ng t h e de si re d e l e phant

h a st e n e d to re turn to B il aspur .

Th e Gu ru s m e ssag e was de l i v e re d wi th t h e addi

t i on that h e d i d not s e e m afrai d Ofany O f t h e h il l

ch i e fs Raj a Bh i m Chand much i nc e ns e d con
m
.
, ,

su l t e d h i s p ri m e m i n i st e r wh o advi s e d h i not to ,

p rovok e a quarr e l wi th t h e Gu ru Bh i m Chand .

a ng ril y r e to rt e d and charg e d h i s m i n i st e r wi th a ge

,

and cowardi c e T h e Gu ru had shown cont e mpt f

m
. or

hi ,
and was h e t o cal ml y e ndu re i t ? Upon th i s
t h e m i n i st e r adv i s e d h i s mast e r t o b e com e a S i kh ,

re c e i v e i n i t i at i on f rom t h e Gu ru and al l wou l d b e ,

we l l . Bh i m Chand re pl i e d I am a n i dol at e r ,
.

I d a il y p e rfo rm t h e tarpan and re p e at t h e san d h i a

1 2
,

and t h e gayat ri How can I forsak e my re l i gi on.

,

and b e com e a S i kh of t h e Gu ru In t h e rst p l ac e ,

I cannot as a H i ndu b e on good t e rms wi th a man

wh o hath di scar de d ou r ho l y fai th S e condl y non e .
,

o ft h e h il l r aj as hath b e com e a S i kh and th e y

m
,

wou l d al l l augh at e w e re I to chang e my r e l i g i on .

Th e y woul d sa y that I di d i t w i th t h e m e rc e n a ry
O bj e ct O f O btai n ing t h e e l e phant In t h e th i rd
m
.

p l ac e no e n O f h i gh cast e hav e j o i n e d t h e Gu ru
,
.

H i s fol l ow e rs are carri e rs ba rb e rs sh e rm e n wash e r

m
, , ,

e n sw e e p e rs and s i m il a r nond e sc ri pt p e rsons

, ,
I am .

a g re at k i ng O f di st i ngu i sh e d Raj put anc e sto rs H ow .

c a n I b e com e t h e Gu r u s fo l l ow e r and st a nd b e fo re

hi m wi th c l asp e d hands i n suppl icat i on If h e g i v e

1
A il c e re m
da y ony o ft he H i nd us i n whi ch wate r i s p e se nte d to
th mne s O f
,
r

de c e ase d an ce sto s
P aye s e ad b y p i ous H ind us a t m
e a r .

2
o ning and e e n i ng twili ght
So me ti me s si m
r r r r v .

il a r p ray e s a re O f
fe e d a t noon r r .
I O T HE SI K H RELI GI ON
mnot t h
e phant by p e ac e abl e m e ans I wi l l tak e
e e le ,

t h e an i mal by fo rc e T h e Gu ru i s al r e ady o n bad

m
.

t e rms wi th t h e Emp e ror and i fh e fal l out wi th e

, ,

al so h e cannot ab i d e h e re H e i s st il l a m e re boy
m
.
,

arms a re ne w to h i s h ands Wh e n I S how h i what .

I can do h e wi l l know wh o I am and re nounc e h is

,

p ri d e .

Say ing th i s Bh i m Chand orde r e d h i s ch i e f pol ic e

of c e r t o go to t h e Gu ru and try to O btai n t h e ,

e l e phant by soft and p e rsuas i v e wo rds If th e s e .

fail e d t h e Gu ru wa s to b e th re at e n e d wi th t h e
,

str e ngth of Bh i m Ch a nd s army T h e pol i c e O f

c e r .

w e nt on h i s m i ssi on and addr e ss e d t h e Guru as

di re ct e d Th e Gu ru cal ml y re p l i e d Thou gi v e st
m
.
,

one advi c e t o e to l e nd t h e e l e ph a nt and anoth e r

m
,

to Bh i m Chand not to r e stor e h i Upon th i s t h e .

pol i c e O f c e r kn e w that t h e Guru coul d di v i n e t h e

s e c re ts Ofoth e rs and b e gg e d h i s fo rg iv e n e ss Th e .

Gu ru th e n sai d Te l l t h e r aj a that i fh e hav e fai th

,

i n t h e Gu ru and i f h i s i nt e nt i ons b e hon e st t h e Gu ru

m
,

c a n g r ant h i what h e d e si re th but i fh e p ract i s e

fraud and de c e i t t h e Gu ru can p rot e ct h i s own
,

i nt e re sts Th e Guru know e th t h e s e c re ts O f m e n s
m
.

h e arts and thou canst not d e c e i v e h i

,
Wh e n .

thou tal k e st of t h e st re ngth O f t h e r aj a s army ,

know that th e re i s noth ing want i ng on t h e Gu ru s

S i d e e i th e r Th e Gu ru i s al re ady p re pare d f
. or b a ttl e .

T h e S i khs a re not wom e n and th e y hav e had l ong

,

p racti c e i n marti a l e x e rc i s e s T h e po l i c e O f

c e r
.

d e part e d and de l i v e re d th i s m e ssag e to Bh i m Chan d ,

wh o de c i d e d that h e wou l d w a i t t il l t h e t i m e h a d
actual l y arri v e d f or h i s son s m a rri ag e

and th e n h e ,

woul d re p e at h i s r e qu e st f or t h e e l e phant and add ,

to i t an appl icat i on for t h e magn i c e nt Kabu l i t e nt

al so .
 LI FE OF GURU GOB IND S IN GH 11

C HAP T ER I I
Th e Gu ru cont i nu e d to hunt and p racti s e arms
m
.

Compan i e s OfS i khs us e d cont i nual l y to vi si t h i

and mak e h i Of m
fe ri ngs Thos e who cam e for
.

m il i tary s e rvi c e w e re re c e i v e d wi thout r e s e rvat i on ,

and taught t h e p rofe ss i on O f arms In th i s wa y .

t h e Gu ru soon co ll e ct e d a cons i de r ab l e a rmy Th e

m
.

a sa n d s cont i nu e d th e i r oppos i t i on and agai n w e nt

to compl ai n to t h e Gu ru s moth e r Th e y re p re
.

s e nt e d to h e r T h e Gu ru i s v e ry young and hath

, ,

no wo rl dl y e xp e ri e nc e H e hath st i rre d up stri fe

.

b e tw e e n h i ms e l f and t h e h il l Raj a H e hath no

m
.

al l y f
,
or t h e Emp e ror b e are th h i no l ov e H e .

hath tak e n t h e unp re c e de nt e d cours e Ofr e fusi ng on

t wo occas i ons Bh i m Chaud s r e qu e st for t h e l oan of

th e e l e phant Th e s e h il l ch i e fs a re not afrai d to ght

.

an d d i e . Wh e re fo re advi s e thy son that i t i s not

,

pol i t i c to cont e nd wi th th e m If war b e gi n how .

,

shal l S i khs com e wi th th e i r offe ri ngs And wh e r e

shal l we p rocu re suppl i e s f or our pub l i c k i tch e n
Wh e n t h e Gu ru s moth e r r e monst r at e d wi th h i

m
as thus advi s e d h e r e p l i e d Moth e r d e ar I hav e b e e n
, , ,

s e nt by t h e i mmortal God H e wh o wo rsh i pp e th

m
.

Hi shal l b e happy but h e wh o a c t e t h di shon e st l y

and wo rsh i pp e th ston e s shal l r e c e i v e w e l l m e ri t e d -

r e t ri but i on Th i s i s my commi ssi on from God If

. .

t o day I g i v e Raj a Bh i m Chand t h e e l e phant I shal l

m
-
,

hav e t o pay h i tr i but e t o morrow H e e ssay e t h

m
-
.

to t e rri fy e but I on l y f e ar t h e i mmortal God and

,

know non e b e s i de .

N and Chand th e n j o i n e d i n t h e conf e re nc e Lady ,

hath a l i on e v e r f e are d j ackal s Hath any one e v e r

s e e n t h e l i ght O f t h e re y i n b right sunsh i n e ?
What avail e th a drop O f wat e r i n compari son wi th
t h e oc e an Th e Guru i s a t i g e r brav e and sp l e ndi d
as t h e su n Shal l h e f e ar Bh i m Chand P Wh e n t h e
.

fool i sh h il l m e n who a re l i k e mosqu i to e s cont e nd

1 2 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
wi th Gu ru th e y shal l b e com e acquai nt e d wi th
th e
m
,

ou r st re ngth and su f fe r t h e ort i c a t i on of a l at e

re p e ntanc e Bhai K rip al th e n i nt e rpos e d

. S i st e r .

d e ar Nand Chand u n d e rst a n d e th t h e Gu ru s p l e a

su re Th e Gu ru e nd e d t h e di scuss i on by say i ng
m
.
,

Moth e r d e ar h e e d not t h e e vil advi c e O f t h e a sa n d s

,
.

Th e y hav e b e com e cowar ds fro m su rre pt i t i ousl y

e at i ng t h e O ffe ri ngs oft h e S i khs .

T h e Gu ru know i ng N and Chand t o b e b r av e and

m
,

sk il ful i n wa r made h i h i s nanc e m i n i st e r Mor e

, .

ov e r N and Ch a nd s fath e r had don e s e rv i c e f

,

or Gu r u

T e gBahadur and t h e fam i l y was known to b e l oyal

,

to t h e Gu rus Pay was d u e t o t h e t roops and tact

.
,

and sk il fu l manag e m e nt O f th e m w e re n e c e ssary .

K ri p a l accordi ngl y h i gh l y app rov e d O f t h e Gu ru s

r e so l v e and acc e pt e d N and Chand as t h e Guru s
,

n a nc e m i n i st e r N and Chand was i nv e st e d wi th

.

a rob e O f honou r and appo i nt e d to h i s h i gh pos i t i on

,

wi th a l l d u e fo rmal i t i e s .

T h e Gu ru and h i s t r oops cont i nu e d t o p ract i s e

arch e ry and de vot e th e ms e l v e s to t h e chas e Wh e n .

t h e oth e r h il l r aj as h e ar d ofth i s and Oft h e Gu ru s

di f fe re nc e wi th Bh i m Chand th e y b e gan to fan t h e ,

am e O f e nmi ty th i nk i ng that th e y woul d b e mo re

,

s e cu re th e ms e l v e s i ft h e Gu ru and Bh i m Chand
e xhaust e d th e i r st re ngth on cont e sts wi th e ach
oth e r K rip al t h e Raj a ofKang ra s e nt Raj a Bh i m
m
.
, ,

Chand a m e ssag e F e ar not I a wi th y ou Th e , , .

Gu ru i s r ai si ng an army Thou ought e st c onse

m
.

qu e ntl y to b e on thy guar d agai nst h i Th e re .

cannot b e two k i ngs i n one stat e Wh e r e fore i t i s

m
.

prop e r f or th e e t o e xp e l h i w i th a l l e xp e di t i on .

Bh i m Chand re pl i e d that p e ac e wa s t h e b e st th i ng
i fi t cou l d b e mai ntai n e d ; oth e rwi s e h e wou l d
w e l com e h i s fri e nd s ass i stanc e and e xp e l t h e Gu ru
.

Raj a K ri p al th e n wi th e xqu i s i t e t re ach e ry s e nt

t h e fol l owi ng m e ssag e to t h e Gu ru : Gre at k i ng ,

for tunat e a re we that thou hast com e t o dwe l l i n

th i s l and I hav e h e ar d that thou hast som e di s
.
 LI FE OF GURU GOB IND S IN GH I 3
ag re e m e nt wi th Bh i m Chand That fool knowe th
m
.

no t thy gr e atn e ss Ass e rt thys e l f and b ring h i t o

.

re ason by t h e sword I w il l b e th i n e al l y D i re ct l y
m
. .

th i n e o rd e r re ach e th e I S hal l b e found fu l l y ,

p re pa re d To th i s t h e Gu ru m e re l y re p li e d Th i s
m
.
,

i s Gu ru N anak s hous e wh e re e n shal l b e t re at e d

as th e y d e s e rv e Raj a K rip a l s e nvoy took not e O f

.

t h e Gu ru s i nt e ll i g e nc e d e t e rmi nat i on and mat e r i al

, ,

str e ngth and on re tu rn i ng t o h i s mast e r i nfo rm e d

m
,

hi that t h e Gu ru wou l d c e rtai n l y not y i e l d to Bh i m

Chand wi thout a st ruggl e .

Th e tim e f

or t h e marr i ag e O f F atah Shah s daught e r

to Bh i m Ch a nd s son was now app roach i ng so

Bh i m Chand d e c i de d to ask t h e Gu ru agai n to l e nd

hi m t h e e l e phant and oth e r art i cl e s ofdi spl ay f or
t h e occasi on H e accordi ngl y s e nt h i s broth e r i n l aw
.
- -
,

K e sari Chand Raj a of J aswal and a Brahman wi th

, , ,

orde r s to b ri ng what h e d e si re d by al l possi bl e m e ans .

Th e y r e qu e st e d t h e Gu ru to l e nd Bh i m Chand t h e
th ron e t h e e l e phant t h e K ab u li t e nt and t h e v e
, , ,

fol d w e apon T h e fam il y p ri e st p r om i s e d that

.

t h e l oan shou l d b e re turn e d wi th a pr e s e nt O f _

rup e e s On th i s t h e Gu ru sai d Am I a shop

.
,

k e e p e r that I shoul d tak e h i re for what I l e nd ?
K e sari Chand r e monst rat e d O Gu ru thou l i v e st , ,

by O ffe ri ngs Thou art not a l andown e r thou hast

.
,

no k i ngdom no e ffrom wh i ch thou may e st de ri v e

,

i ncom e and O f
,
fe ri ngs O f th i s d e sc ri pt i on hav e doubt
l e ss O ft e n b e e n made th e e Th e Guru on h e a ri ng

.

th i s de c l i n e d furth e r parl e y and ab rupt l y d i sm i ss e d

t h e e nvoys
m
.

Th e a sa n d s aga i n comp l a i n e d t o t h e Guru s
moth e r : T h e Gu ru s act i on i s i mpol i t i c Bh i m
.

Ch a nd s ar my wi l l com e and p l und e r Anandpu r

.

T h e Gu ru i s st il l a boy and hath n e v e r s e e n r e al

warfare though h e e v e r b ab b l e t h ofi t At one t i m e
h e sa i th
,

W e w il l d e st r oy t h e opp re ss i v e Tu rks
.

Agai n h e sa i th
,
I wi l l g i v e t h e whol e country
,
.

from Laho re to P e sh awa r as a k i ngdom t o my

I 4 T HE SI KH RELI GI ON
S i khs . Advi s e thy son t o c e as e utt e ri ng such
i rri tat i ng l anguag e H i s moth e r du l y r e mon

m
.

st ra t e d wi th h i My son wh y a rt thou st i rri ng ,

up st ri fe S e nd thy m i n i st e r N and Chand and thy

uncl e K rip al to mak e p e ac e oth e rwi s e an army of ,

h il l m e n wi l l attack us i mm e di at e l y Wh i th e r sh al l .

we go i fwe a re ob l i g e d t o de par t h e nc e Thy

fath e r purchas e d th i s l and and cam e h e re to l i v e i n
,

r e t i re m e nt and p e ac e .

T h e Guru r e p l i e d Th e h il l m e n hav e now com e

t o b e g wi th t h e hum il i ty Ofgoats but wh e n th e y ,

hav e r e c e i v e d what th e y hav e ask e d f or th e y wi l l ,

assum e t h e brav e ry oft i g e rs On th i s account wh y .

shoul d we not tak e m e asur e s f or our own saf e ty ?

Moth e r d e ar i fwe now b e tray f e ar ofth e m th e y
, ,

wil l soon b e r e ady to d e vour us Th e y wil l on l y .

r e sp e ct us wh e n we S how th e m t h e sword If thou .

S how a st i ck to a bark i ng dog h e wi l l f e ar to con ,

t i nu e h i s bark i ng . W e cannot r e mai n subj e ct to

such p e opl e I f th e y p l ay t h e part O f agg re sso rs
mm
.
,

I wi l l Show th e m what t h e Guru can do Th e i

m
or .

t al God hath s e nt e i nto t h e wo rl d to up r oot e v il

and p r ot e ct from tyranny t h e w e ak and opp re ss e d .

On h e ar i ng th i s t h e Gu ru s moth e r re t i re d i n sorr ow

to h e r apar tm e nt and t h e Guru proc e e de d to don

,

h i s ar ms and coat O f mai l .

Wh e n Raj a Bh i m Ch and s e nvoys r e turn e d to

th e i r mast e r th e y r e p e at e d t h e Guru s m e ssag e wi th

,

marg i nal addi t i ons Of th e i r own Bh i m Chand .

b e cam e v e ry ang ry and addr e ss e d t h e Gu ru t h e

fol l owi ng l e tt e r If thou d e si re t o dw e l l i n Anand
p u r ,
s e nd t h e e l e phant qu i ck l y I f thou ag r e e n o t t.o

th i s I wi l l tak e an ar my p l unde r and assail thy

, ,

di sc i pl e s of both s e x e s e xp e l th e m from t h e count ry

, ,

and i mp ri son th e e To sav e thys e l f howe v e r from

.
, ,

a l l th e s e pai nfu l cons e qu e nc e s thou may e st i mm e ,

d i a t e l y d e pa rt fr om my stat e T h e Guru on p e rusi ng

.

th i s l e tt e r smil e d and sai d to h i s fr i e nds I acc e pt

m
,

He

t h e a l t e rnat i ve O f war wh i ch h e O ffe r e th e .
 LI FE OF GURU GOB IN D S IN GH 1 5

s e nt Bh i m Chand a r e pl y to th i s e ffe ct and o r de re d ,

N and Chand to mak e i mm e di at e p re par at i on f or

d e f e nc e .

Wh e n Bh i m Chand r e c e i v e d t h e Guru s l e tt e r h e

cal l e d h i s broth e r h i l l ch i e fs to a counc i l of

war and i nform e d th e m O f h i s n e got i at i ons wi th
,

t h e Guru .H e wa s h i ms e l f h e sai d f ,
or op e n h ost i l i
,

t i e s Raj a K rip al how e v e r couns e l l e d de l ib e rat i on

.
, ,
.

H e u rg e d Thou hast now mad e al l pr e parat i ons

,

for thy son s marri ag e and i t i s not t i m e f

,
or war .

Shoul d any r e l at i on ofth i n e b e k ill e d thy r e j oi c i ngs ,

wi ll b e chang e d unto mourn i ng I t i s not w e l l to .

di e at a t i m e of f e st i vi ty or s i ng songs ofjoy at ,

a fun e ral Th e oth e r h il l ch i e fs wh o w e re summon e d

.

to t h e counc il and al so Bh i m Ch and s pr i m e mi n i st e r

we re p re c i s e l y O f t h e sam e op i n i on T h e cont e m .

pl at e d wa r wa s cons e qu e ntl y adj ourn e d Raj a .

K ri p al th e n sugg e st e d that wh e n t h e br i d e groom s

party w e nt t o S ri nagar th e y S hou l d i nduc e Raj a,

Fat a h Shah to al l y h i ms e l f wi th th e m and tak e up

a rms agai nst t h e Gu ru .

M e ant i m e t h e Gu ru h i ms e l f wa s mak i ng al l p re
p a ra t i o ns to m e e t h i s oppon e nts H e caus e d i
. t to b e
publ i cl y known that h e woul d b e g rat e fu l to a l l wh o
m
brought h i arms and horse s and h i s app e al , et m
wi th a r e ady r e spons e .

Raj a M e dani Parkash of N ahan at th i s t i m e s e nt

an e nvoy to t h e Guru wi th an i nv i tat i on to pay h i m
a v i si t H e wa s sur e t h e Gu ru woul d b e p l e as e d
.

t o se e t h e Dun or val l e y pa r e xce l l e nce

,
1
wh i ch ,

e nj oy e d a coo l c li mat e and a f fo r de d abundant spor t .

Ram R a i t h e Guru s re l at i on dw e l t th e r e and found

,

, ,

i t a p l e asant and agr e e ab l e r e s i d e nc e Th e Raj a of .

N ahan had h e ard that Raj a Bh i m Chand wa s at

e nm i ty wi th t h e Guru but Raj a Bh i m Chand kn e w
,

not t h e Guru s gr e atn e ss and woul d aft e rwar ds
r e p e nt T h e Raj a ofN ahan al so d e si re d t h e Gu ru s

m
.

ass istanc e wh i ch woul d b e us e ful to h i i n t i m e O f

T h e D n li e s b e twe e n the H i m
,

al ay as a nd t h e S i wali k rang
1
e .
1 6 THE SI K H RELI GION
n e e d and accor di ngl y warml y i nv i t e d h i to mak e
,
m
a l e ngth e n e d soj ou rn i n h i s count ry T h e Gu ru .

r e qu e st e d t h e e nvoy to wa i t a f e w days f or an answ e r

m
.

Th e a sa n d s w e r e v e ry p l e as e d t o h e a r oft h e
Raj a OfNah a n s i nv i tat i on and thought i ft h e Gu ru

,

acc e pt e d i t th e r e woul d b e an e nd O f t h e quarre l

m
,

b e twe e n h i and Bh i m Chand Th e y i nduc e d t h e

m
.

Guru s moth e r t o p e rsuad e h i to v i si t t h e Raj a

.

S h e tol d t h e Guru that aft e r som e t i m e sp e nt i n

N ahan h e m i ght r e tu rn to Anandpu r aft e r wh i ch ,

sh e hop e d th e r e wou l d b e p e ac e T h e Gu ru acc e pt e d

.

h e r adv i c e and p r om i s e d to star t f or N ahan on t h e

mo rrow By way ofpr e caut i on h e de c i de d to tak e

m
.

t h e whol e Of h i s trai n e d a rmy w i th h i and ord e re d ,

N and Chand to mak e al l n e c e ssary arrang e m e nts for

t h e mar ch .

On t h e morr ow t h e Guru caus e d h i s drum to b e

b e at e n as a si gnal for d e partur e H e se t out a c c o . m
p a n i e d by h i s m i n i st e r Nand Chand h i s r e l at i ons , ,

and v e hund re d Udasi S i khs F or t h e de f e nc e of .

Anandpur h e l e ft Sur aj Mal s t wo g randsons Gul ab

R a i and Sham Das wi th a su i tab l e guar d

,
Th e .

Guru s rst march was to K i ratpu r wh e re h e v i si t e d

t h e shr i n e ofh i s g r andfath e r Gu ru H ar Gob i nd ,

.

Aft e r a f e w days

fu r th e r j ou rn e y h e e ncamp e d at
t h e foot of t h e N ahan mounta i n .

Th e Raj a du l y w e nt to g re e t and w e l com e h i s

di st i ngu i sh e d gu e st H e took h i m
to h i s pal ac e
m
.
,

b e gg e d h i to e nj oy h i ms e l f wi th t h e chas e and ,

m e anwh il e d e si gn and sup e r i nt e nd t h e bu il di ng of

a fo rt f or t h e p r ot e ct i on O f t h e stat e On one oft h e .

Raj a s and t h e Gu ru s hunt i ng e xcu rsi ons t h e subj e ct
was agai n moot e d T h e Raj a e xp l ai n e d that Raj a
.

Fatah Shah O f S ri nagar t h e cap i tal O f Garhwal had

m
, ,

O ft e n quarr e l l e d wi th h i ov e r t h e ground on wh i ch
th e y w e r e th e n stand i ng H e woul d th e re fore b e
.

v e ry pl e as e d wh e n a fo rt re ss wa s const ruct e d on t h e
spot f or prot e ct i on aga i nst a l l e n e m i e s .

T h e Guru e r e ct e d a t e nt and i n company w i th

 LI FE OF GU RU GO BIN D S IN GH 1 7

th e Raj a h e l d a da rbar I t wa s unan i mousl y ag re e d

.

that a for t wa s n e c e ssary f or t h e p r ot e ct i on Oft h e

country T h e Raj a acco r di ngl y re qu e st e d t h e Gu ru

.

to al l ow h i s a rmy to ass i st i n i t s const ruct i on and ,

h e wou l d s e nd h i s own wo rkm e n and l abou re r s f or

i t s sp e e dy comp l e t i on .

T h e Gu ru caus e d sac re d food to b e p re par e d ,

and p r ay i ng to t h e C re ato r di st ribut e d i t H e th e n .

l ai d t h e foundat i on ston e O f t h e fo rt Such was t h e .

z e al and e n e rgy O f t h e wo rkm e n that i t wa s compl e t e d

i n tw e l v e days T h e Gu ru gav e i t t h e nam e O f
.

Paunta H e abod e th e re and cont i nu e d t o i nc re as e

.
,

h i s army and e n l i st a l l Muhammadans as w e l l as

H i ndus wh o p re s e nt e d th e ms e l v e s f or s e rv i c e Al l .

re c ru i ts as w e l l as di sc i p l i n e d sol di e rs r e nd e re d
wi l l i ng ai d i n t h e const ruct i on Oft h e bu il d i ng .

C H AP T ER I I I
R a i O fD e h r a Dun h e ar d o ft h e Gu ru s v i s i t

Ram
a nd o f t h e const ruct i on of Paunta wh i ch wa s on l y
about th i rty m il e s di stant from h i s re s i de nc e He
m
.

app re h e nde d th at t h e Gu ru had com e to pun i sh h i

f or h i s pr e v i ous m i sd e e ds and h e commun i cat e d h i s
m m
,

susp i c i ons to h i s asa n d s Gu rdas wh o had a c c o

.
,

n i d Ram R i to D ib l i wh n s nt th by Gu u
m
p a e a e e e r e r

H a r R a i a n d who had r e ma i n e d wi th h i
, e v e r s i nc e ,

u rg e d that Gu ru Gob i nd R a i wa s not so v i nd i ct i v e

and b a s e as to tak e re v e ng e . I f how e v e r h e m a n i
, ,

f e st e d any s i gns of agg re ss i on Gu r d a s s b r oth e r Ta ra

,

,

who was a warri o r and sk il fu l arch e r wou l d b e ab l e

m
,

t o oppos e h i a n d p r ot e ct t h e c i ty of D e h r a Dun

m
.

Ra R a i r e p l i e d that no one cou l d cont e nd wi th t h e

Gu ru i n arch e ry . Ev e n Bh i m Chand h i d h i ms e l f i n
h i s c a st l e th r ough f e ar of t h e Gu ru s a rr ows Shou l d

.

t h e Gu ru d e c i d e to t a k e act i on a ga i nst th e m wh i th e r ,

shou l d th e y go f or r e fug e ? Gu rdas re j o i n e d that

,

i fRam R a i e d b e for e th e re wa s e v e n a s e mb l anc e

1 8 THE S I KH RELI GI ON
O f an attack th e re wou l d b e s e v e ral tal e s c ircu l at e d
,

to h i s di scr e di t T h e Guru subs e qu e ntl y h e ari ng O f

.

h i s anx i e ty and wi sh i ng to r e mov e i t s e nt N and

m
,

Chand a n d Daya Ram to r e assu re h i Ram R a i

.

on r e c e i v i ng t h e Gu ru s m e ssag e wa s de l i ght e d

,

i nv e st e d t h e e nvoys w i th dr e ss e s O f honou r and ,

d e c i d e d to re mai n on fri e ndl y t e rms wi th t h e mart i al

son O f Guru T e gB ahadu r .

Budhu Shah a Sai yi d wh o l iv e d i n Sadhau ra

, , ,

we nt wi th h i s di sc i pl e s to pay a v i s i t to t h e Gu ru
and mak e h i O f m fe ri ngs Budhu Sh a h r e p re s e nt e d
.

h i ms e l f as a g re at si nn e r sai d that h e shoul d c e r

,

t a i nl y hav e t o r e nd e r an account of h i s t ra nsg re ss i on

h e re aft e r and wh y shou l d h e not b e par don e d n ow
,

by t h e Gu ru s m e di at i on T h e Gu ru r e p l i e d

Thou ,

sh a l t not hav e to re nd e r an account h e re aft e r Gu ru .

N anak hath procu re d thy pardon Bu dh u Shah
.

re m a i n e d f or som e t i m e w i th t h e Guru wh o con

m m
,

c e i v e d a g r e at affe ct i on f or h i and vouchsaf e d h i

r e l i g i ous i nst ruct i on su i tab l e to h i s c i rcumstanc e s .

Raj a Fatah Shah O f S ri nagar i n consu l tat i on wi th

h i s m i n i st e r s arr i v e d at t h e concl us i on that i t wou l d
b e pol i t i c to b e o n good t e rms wi th t h e Gu ru and
m
,

accordi ngl y d e c i de d to v i si t h i S i nc e h e had a p

p roac h e d so n e a r h i s t e r ri to r y Wh
. e n t h e Gu r u was
appri s e d Ofh i s i nt e nt i on h e pr e pare d a magn i c e nt
,

e nt e rtai nm e nt f or h i s r e c e pt i on R i ch carp e ts w e r e
.

sp re ad and m i nst re l s e ngag e d to cont ribut e to t h e

Raj a s amus e m e nt and e nhanc e h i s e nj oym e nt O f
t h e f e ast Du ri ng t h e Raj a s v i s i t t h e Gu ru s e nt h i s

m
.

uncl e K rip a l to h i to sugg e st that i t wou l d b e w e l l

if h e and t h e Raj a O f N ahan al so w e re on good t e rms .

T h e Raj a at onc e re p l i e d that h e wou l d act i n al l

such matt e r s as t h e Guru de s ire d T h e Guru th e n .

s e nt f or t h e Raj a O f N ahan . H e cam e and p rom i s e d

to fo rg e t h i s fo rm e r e nm i ty to t h e Raj a O f S ri naga r .

T h e Gu ru b rought t h e two Raj as tog e th e r i n op e n

cou rt c a us e d th e m to e mbrac e and p romi s e e t e rnal
,

fr ie ndsh i p .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIN D S IN GH 1 9

B e fo re t h e ass e mb l y was di sso l v e d a h i l l man

a rri v e d wi th t i di ngs ofa e rc e t i g e r wh i ch was
d e stroyi ng catt l e i n t h e n e i ghbourhood T h e es . m
s e ng e r pr e ss e d t h e Guru to fre e t h e country f rom t h e
p e st T h e Gu ru on t h e morrow took t h e t wo Raj a s
.
,

tog e th e r wi th Nand Chand and oth e rs to wh e re t h e ,

t i g e r was re po rt e d t o hav e h i s l ai r Th e Guru ask e d

.

t h e h il l man wh o had brought t h e i nt e l l i g e nc e to l e ad

t h e way H e gu i d e d t h e Guru and h i s party i nto
.

a v e ry d e ns e for e st . Th e t i g e r wh i ch had b e e n
,

r e st i ng ,
awok e on h e ar ing t h e t ramp O f t h e hunts
m e n s fe e t and sa t on h i s haunch e s l ook i ng at h i s

pu rsu e rs wi th tranqu il cu ri os i ty .

T h e Gu ru fo rbad e a bu l l e t or a rrow to b e d i s
charg e d and cal l e d on any one wh o d e e m e d h i ms e l f
,

b rav e to e ngag e t h e t i g e r wi th swo r d and sh i e l d .

NO one c a m e fo rwa r d i n r e spons e to t h e chal l e ng e .

Raj a Fatah Shah addr e ss e d t h e Gu ru G re at k i ng ,

th i s t i g e r i s v e ry st rong and hath b e e n f or a l ong

t i m e i n th i s fo re st H e hath d e st r oy e d s e v e r al e n
. m
and catt l e I f any one had b e e n ab l e to cop e wi th
m
.

hi woul d h e st il l b e al i v e But as h e i s strong

m
,

and thou t oo art m i ghty wh y not e ngag e h i thy

,

se l f Who but th e e h ath p r ow e ss to cont e nd wi th

sword and sh i e l d H e ari ng th i s t h e Gu ru al i ght e d
from h i s horse and dr e w h i ms e l f tog e th e r f or t h e

attack Th e Raj a O f N ahan i nt e rpos e d :

. 0 tru e
Gu ru wh y conf ront such a t i g e r W e wi l l shoot
m
,

hi w i th ou r match l ocks T h e Gu ru r e p l i e d
.

Se e ,

h ow I wi l l d e al w i th th i s t i g e r I shal l h av e no
m
.

di f cul ty i n k il l i ng h i .Say i ng th i s h e took swo r d

and sh i e l d advanc e d and chal l e ng e d t h e t i g e r T h e

, , .

t ig e r r os e wi th a roar and sp r ang a t t h e Gu ru T h e

m m
.

Gu ru re c e i v e d h i on h i s sh i e l d and st ri k i ng h i
o n t h e ank wi th h i s swo r d cut h i i n twa i n m
Th e .

Raj a s and t h e hunt i ng party w e re natu ral l y aston

-

i sh e d a n d d e l i ght e d at t h e Gu ru s st re ngth and

b ra v e ry and t h e re su l t oft h e e ncount e r .

T h e Gu ru took t h e oppo rtun i ty to i nst ruct h i s

C 2
20 THE S I KH RELI GI ON
f ri e nds t ig e r hath di e d l i k e a h e ro and Ob
Th e
t a i n e d de l i v e r anc e I t i s cowar ds wh o suffe r t rans
.

m i grat i on T h e b rav e e nj oy c e l e st i al happ i n e ss I f

. .

a man d i e i n batt l e i t shoul d b e wi th h i s fac e t o t h e

,

f oe .

N e xt mo rn i ng t h e t wo Raj as l e av i ng t h e ,

Gu ru i n Paunta d e part e d t o th e i r s e v e ral cap i tal s

, .

On Budhu Shah s re tu rn to h i s hom e i n Sadh

,

au ra v e hundre d Pathans i n uni form p re s e nt e d

th e ms e l v e s b e fore h i on e mo r n i ngm Th e y stat e d .

that th e y had b e e n sol di e rs of t h e Emp e ro r Au rang

z e b but f
,
or som e t ri v i a l O f fe nc e had b e e n di sband e d .

NO one woul d now re c e i v e th e m th r ough f e ar of t h e

Emp e ro r I t occu rre d to Budhu Shah th a t t h e Gu ru
.
,

wh o had no f e ar of anybody wou l d b e l i k e l y t o ,

acc e pt th e i r s e rv i c e s i n h i s army H e accordi ngl y .

took th e m to t h e Gu ru wh o was d e l i ght e d to e nl i st

th e m Th e Gu ru x e d a sal ary O f v e rup e e s p e r
day for e ach O
.

i c e r and one r up e e a day f or e ach

t roop e r T h e Of c e rs nam e s w e re H a i y a t Khan

m
.
,

Kal e Khan Nl ja b a t Khan and Bh i kan Khan

, , en ,

O f whom we shal l h e ar much h e re aft e r .

An e nvoy about th i s t i m e arri v e d from Ram R ai .

Wh e n h e wa s al l owe d to app roach t h e Gu ru on t h e

mo rni ng aft e r h i s arri val h e sa w t h e Gu ru s t r oops ,

som e f e nc i ng som e p ract i si ng arch e ry and oth e rs

, ,

p e rformi ng m i sc e l l an e ous m il i tary e x e rc i s e s Th e .

e nvoy to l d t h e Gu ru that Ram R a i d e s i r e d to m e e t

hi m ,but cou l d not go to Paunta and d i d not d e si re ,

t h e Gu ru t o com e t o D e hra Dun Th e y coul d m e e t .

at som e i nt e rm e di at e spot Ram R a i had th e n .

a l arg e fol l owi ng and d i d not de si re that h i s di sc i pl e s

,

shou l d th i nk h e w e nt a s an i nf e ri o r to t h e Gu ru but ,

at t h e sam e t i m e h e n e v e r hop e d that t h e Gu ru wou l d

p roc e e d to v i si t h i m
H e nc e h i s unusual r e qu e st
m
. .

T h e Gu ru cons e nt e d to m e e t h i on t h e marg i n O f
t h e J a mna on Sunday t h e s e cond day o f ,
t h e fol l ow
i ng month T h e i nt e rv i e w acco r di ngl y took p l ac e
m
. .

Wh e n Ram Rai s comp a n i ons saw h i

touch t h e

Gu ru s f e e t th e y sai d S e e Ram R a i do e s O b e i sanc e
, , ,
 LI FE OF GURU GOB IND S IN GH 21

to h i s ri val a n d th e y made many re ma rks d e roga

,

to ry to t h e r ank arrogat e d to h i ms e l f by th e i r
sp i ri tual gu i de .

Th e Gu ru and Ram R a i conv e rs e d on va ri ous

matt e rs part i cu l arl y on t h e Guru s r e l at i ons wi th
,

Raj a Bh i m Chand At t h e e nd oft h e col l oquy Ram

.

R a i sai d I am fo rtunat e to hav e O btai n e d a s i ght

,

O fth e e ; I hav e now but a b ri e f t i m e to l i v e My

m
.

asa n d s are v e ry proud Wh e n I am gon e p rot e ct .

,

my fam i l y and prop e rty Thou art t h e sun O f ou r .

r ac e
,
and hast for many re asons assum e d b i rth .

T h e hol y Guru N anak made t h e nam e of t h e one

Go d t h e sol e r aft to f e rry mortal s ov e r t h e wo rl d s

oc e an and by m e ans ofi t e n hav e O btai n e d de l i v e r

, m
anc e But wh e n i n t i m e t h e wi nd ofe v il passi ons
.

b l e w t h e r aft str i k ing on t h e rock Ofp ri d e was

,

found e r e d and many sou l s w e r e l ost My fath e r

, .

Gu ru H ar R a i u s e d to say that som e one wou l d b e

bo rn from our fami l y wh o woul d r e stor e and r e t
t h e v e ss e l for t h e saf e conv e yanc e ofsou l s Acco r d .

i ng l y thou hast com e i nto t h e wo rl d for th i s sp e c i al

purpos e .

Wh e n t h e Guru aft e r h e ari ng th i s l ook e d round

m
,

h e saw a l l Ram Rai s e n stand i ng wi th th e i r backs

towar ds h i m
and th e i r mast e r Th e Guru th e n .

obs e rv e d Ram Ra i s S i khs wh o tu rn th e i r backs

,

on us a re fool s Th e y a re not p l e as e d w i th t h e si ght

.

e v e n Ofth e i r o wn gu ru so h e wi l l not r e nd e r th e m ,

assi stanc e h e re aft e r .

T h e Gu ru by h i s occu l t pow e r kn e w Gu rd a s s
boast that h i s broth e r Tara wou l d b e a match for
him and p r ot e ct Ram R a i S c i ty agai nst any a ggre s

s i on h e m i ght m e di tat e Th e Gu ru acco r di ngl y sai d .

to Gurdas Te l l thy broth e r to d i scharg e an arrow

,

i n my pr e s e nc e Thou sai dst that thy b roth e r coul d

.

S hoot l i k e t h e Gu ru and that no Gu ru cou l d b e S O ,

powe rful as h e
Gu rdas on thus b e i ng tak e n t o
.

task b e gg e d t h e Guru s pa rdon and was dul y f

,

or ,

g iv e n T h e Gu ru th e n re tu rn e d to Paunta Wh e r e h e
.
22 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
abod e f

o r a t i m e compos i ng po e t ry i n I t s p l e asant

e nv i r onm e nt and sal ub ri ous cl i mat e .

T h e author of t h e S u ra j P a rk a sh g i v e s t h e m e thod
o ft h e Guru s compos i t i on H e us e d to ri s e e a rl y

.
,

bath e wal k al ong t h e b a nk of t h e ri v e r J amna

,

su f c i e nt l y f ar to O btai n comp l e t e p ri vacy and e n su r e

h i ms e l f agai nst i nt e r rupt i on H e wou l d th e n S i t

.

down and compos e po e t ry f

,
or th r e e hou rs H e rst .
i

t ransl a t e d from Sansk ri t t h e h i sto ry O f K ri shan

avatar 1
. T h e t r ansl at i on i s g e n e r al l y i n quat r ai ns
ado rn e d w i th s i m il e s and m e taphor s T h e Gu ru .

d e l i ght e d to d e sc rib e t h e spo rts O f K ri shan t h e

m
:
,

m
c i rcu l ar danc e s p e rform e d by h i and t h e m il k
a i ds ,
and h i s sp e c i al d e vot i on to R a dh i k a h i s
qu e e n I t was fu rth e r to t h e sou th on t h e marg i n
.
,

O f t h e sam e ri v e r that Kr i shan di spor t e d h i ms e l f a nd

m
,

p e rform e d t h os e g re at f e ats wh i ch hav e s e cu re d h i

d e ic a t i on among t h e H i ndus T h e Gu ru i n h i s .

Ras Mandal or d e scri pt i on O f t h e c ircu l ar danc e

ofK ri shan mad e an ac r ost i c ou t O f t h e th i r ty v e -

l e tt e r s O f t h e Gurumukh i al phab e t Th e l e tt e r s do .

not b e g i n but e nd t h e v e rs e s At i nt e rval s i n h i s .

l i t e r a ry l abou r h e us e d to watch t h e ri v e r r ol l i ng
ov e r i t s sh i ngl y b e d and admi re i t s spark l i ng foam
,

m
and b l u e wav e l e ts .

So e t i m e aft e r t h e Guru s vi si t Ram R a i f e l l

i nt o a t r anc e and i n that stat e was c re mat e d by

m
,

th e asa n d s i n d e anc e Oft h e p ray e r s and e n

t re at i e s Ofh i s w i f e Panj ab K aur T h e a sa n d s . m
th e n p roc e e d e d to tak e poss e ss i on Ofh i s p r op e rty and
Of th e Of fe ri ngs i nt e n de d f or h i and e ach b e gan m
to p rocl ai m h i ms e l f gu ru Panj ab K au r th r ough .
,

t h e ag e ncy O f Gu r das wh o had re ma i n e d fa i thfu l to

m
,

h e r s e nt a l e tt e r to Gu ru Gob i nd R a i to i nfo rm h i
,

O f t h e c i rcumstanc e s and to p r ay f or h i s adv i c e and

m
,

assi stanc e S h e th e n i nv i t e d a l l t h e a sa n d s to

m
.

1
S i j P a /t i Ru t I I Cha pte r 4 Som e l e rne d S i khs a e of

m
z ra r r a r
, , .

O p i n i on that I t h e t a nS l ation was re al l d b f h G s

b ards nam
t
e d S amwhose n a m
'

I
y a e y o ne O e u ru

y , e fre q ue ntl y oc c u s i n i t r .
 LI FE OF GURU GOB IN D S IN GH 2 3
a f e ast on a c e rtai n day wh i ch sh e had x e d on f or

t h e appo i ntm e nt O f a succ e sso r to h e r husband and ,

p romi s e d to t h e d e s e rv i ng dr e ss e s ofhonour on t h e
occasi on
m
.

Wh e n t h e a sa n d s a rri v e d th e y e ach pr e s e nt e d
a cl ai m to sp iri tual authori ty One man wou l d say .

I want to b e appo i nt e d gu ru O f a c e rtai n count ry .

Anoth e r woul d say I want to b e appoi nt e d gu ru

m
,

O f anoth e r count ry Wh e n al l t h e
. a sa n d s had

arri v e d Panj ab Kau r s e nt to i nform t h e Gu ru T h e

,
.

Gu ru at onc e ord e re d h i s troops to pr e pare f or an

e xp e di t i on On t h e mo rrow h e p r oc e e de d wi th
m
.

th e m to D e h r a l e av i ng su f c i e nt e n to guard
m
,

Paunta W h e n t h e
. a sa n d s saw t h e Guru th e i r ,

fac e s gr e w pal e and th e y ask e d one anoth e r wh y h e

had com e T h e Guru and Ram R ai th e y sai d w e re
.
, ,

i n oppos i t i on to e ach oth e r but p e rhaps t h e Guru

,

had com e to condol e wi th t h e wi dow on h e r husband s
m
d e ath I n any cas e t h e a sa nd s mad e c e r tai n that
.

t h e Gu ru wou l d on l y stay f or a day or two as Panj ab

m
,

K au r woul d b e unab l e to p r ov i de supp l i e s for h i

and h i s army f or any l e ngth O f t i m e .

N e xt day Panj ab Kau r r e qu e st e d t h e Gu ru to

m
pun i sh t h e a sa n ds Som e O f th e m susp e ct e d what
.

wa s i n sto re for th e m but fat e was too pow e rfu l to

,

a l l ow Of th e i r abscondi ng Th e Guru r e cal l e d to

.

m e mo ry a l l th e i r c ri m e s and m i sd e m e anou rs Th e y .

us e d to go to t h e h ous e s of S i khs t o tak e i ntox i cants ,

and fre qu e nt t h e soc i e ty of cou rt e sans Th e y us e d .

to boast that t h e Gu ru was ofth e ir own mak i ng

m
,

and i fth e y di d not s e rv e h i no one wou l d e v e n

m
, ,

l ook at h i Th e y p r act i s e d O ppr e ssi on i n e v e ry

.

fo rm ; th e y e mb e zz l e d O ffe ri ngs made to t h e Gu ru

and comm i tt e d many oth e r e no rmi t i e s Th e Gu ru .

acco r di ngl y m e t e d ou t condi gn pun i shm e nt to t h e

gu il ty among th e m and r e wa r de d thos e wh o had
,

re m a i n e d fa i thfu l to Panj ab Kaur H e th e n r e tu rn e d

.

to Paunta .
24 T HE SI K H RE L I GI ON

C H AP T E R I V
Th e Guru se t about e xt e ndi ng Paunta and b e aut i
f i
y g n i t w i th ga r d e ns and p l e asu r e g r ounds O n e .

day as h e was s i tt i ng i n h i s gar de n h e r e c e i v e d an ,

i nv i tat i on 1
f rom Raj a Fatah Shah ofS ri nagar t o
h i s daught e r s marri ag e wi th t h e son ofRaj a Bhi m

Chand O f B il aspu r T h e Guru d e cl i n e d t h e i nvi ta

.

t i on on t h e gr ound that Bh i m Chand was at e nm i ty

m
wi th h i and a di stu rbanc e m i ght r e sul t w e re t h e two
to m e e t T h e Gu ru how e v e r p romi s e d to s e nd h i s
m
.
, ,

nanc e m i n i st e r w i th som e t roops to re p re s e nt h i .

H e acco r di ngl y gav e o r de r s to D i wan N and Chand

to hol d h i ms e l f i n r e adi n e ss and at t h e sam e t i m e t o
p r ov i d e a n e ck l ac e O f t h e val u e O f one l akh and
a quar t e r O f rup e e s as a marri ag e pr e s e nt for Raj a

Fatah Shah s daught e r .

N and Chand on h i s d e par tu re sai d to t h e Gu ru ,

I go i n O b e di e nc e to th i n e o r d e r but i fRaj a Bh i m
m
,

Chand for c e a quarr e l on e i t may b e di f cul t f

m
,
or

e to r e tu r n T h e Gu ru re p l i e d
. AS t h e i mmo r tal ,

G o d wi l l tak e th e e th i th e r S O w i l l H e r e sto re th e e
m
,

to e. H av e no anx i e ty on that account N and .

Chand se t ou t acco r di ng to o r de r wi th v e hundre d

hors e f or S ri naga r T h e Raj a s e nt O f c e rs som e
m m
.

di stanc e t o r e c e i v e h i and O ffe re d h i

,
su i tabl e
quar t e r s w i th i n t h e c i ty N and Chand u rg e d di p l o
.

mati c r e asons for not acc e pt i ng t h e accommodat i on

p rovi de d but h i s re al O bj e ct wa s to e ncamp outsi d e
,

t h e c i ty so th at h e and h i s t r oops m i ght b e f re e to

,

e scap e i f t re ach e rousl y attack e d Accordi ngl y a spot .

o n t h e r oad to Paunta was at h i s r e qu e st ass i gn e d

hi m for h i s camp .

Raj a Bh i m Chand Raj a K e sari Chand Raj a Gopal

, , ,

Raj a H ari Chand and t h e Raj as OfK ang r a M andi

, , ,

and Suk e t proc e e d e d i n g re at stat e t o S ri nagar On

, .

1
In f o rm e r ti me s an i nvi tat i on to a m ri a e was m
g d b s n d i n g
m
a e y e ar

a p e ce O f re d st in d so s w ts
i
gr a n e e e .
 LI FE OF GU RU GOBIN D S IN GH 25

th e i r way th e y hal t e d on t h e marg i n oft h e J amna not

far from Paunta Th e r e Raj a Bh i m Chand h e ar d
.

that t h e Gu ru wi th h i s fo rc e s was e ncamp e d at t h e

f e rry ofRaj ghat four m il e s di stant and had mad e ,

pr e parat i ons to obstruct h i s progr e ss Bh i m Chand .

accor di ngl y consi d e r e d wh at was t o b e don e und e r

t h e c i rcumstanc e s H e kn e w t h e Guru to b e v e ry
m
.

b r av e and h e al so kn e w t h e e nm i ty h e bor e h i
, If .

Raj a Bh i m Chand w e nt st r ai ght on h e woul d hav e ,

t o cont e nd wi th t h e Gu ru s troops and i fh e w e nt

by a c i rcu i tous rout e to anoth e r f e r ry h e cou l d not ,

arri v e i n t i m e for t h e w e ddi ng .

In th i s di f cul ty Raj a Bh i m Chand consu l t e d h i s

b r oth e r ra jas and r e cal l e d to th e i r m e mory a l l t h e
,

c i rcumstanc e s conn e ct e d wi th h i s n e got i at i ons wi th

t h e Guru . H e had de f e rr e d mak i ng wa r on account
ofh i s son s app r oach i ng marr i ag e

but t h e v e ry ,

c ircumstanc e that h e h ad appr e h e nd e d now occurr e d ,

for t h e Guru was on t h e way t o obstruct h i s prog re ss

and h i nd e r h i s cross i ng t h e J amna at Raj gh at .

V ari ous couns e l s we r e gi v e n wh i ch w e re al l r e j e ct e d

,
.

At l ast Bh i m Ch and de c i de d to s e nd h i s p ri m e
mi n i st e r t o t h e Gu ru to r e p re s e nt that h i s son s

marri ag e was about t o b e c e l e b r at e d and i t wa s no ,

ti me f or a c l ash O f arms wh i ch wou l d tu r n joy

i nto so rrow T h e pr i m e m i n i st e r r e c e i v e d i nst ru c
.

t i ons t o p re s e nt a l l th i s i n t h e form of a r e sp e ctful

r e qu e st to t h e Gu r u I f i t fail e d h e was th e n t o
m
.
,

i nform h i O f t h e nam e s O f t h e ra jas wh o w e re wi th

t h e ma rr i ag e p r oc e ss i on I t was thus hop e d that
.
,

e ve n if t h e Gu ru r e j e ct e d t h e r e sp e ctfu l r e qu e st h e ,

woul d h e si tat e to attack so many powe rfu l ch i e fs .

Wh e n t h e h il l raj as e nvoy re ach e d t h e Guru h e

sai d 0 tru e Gu ru Raj a Bh i m Chand wi th t h e h i l l

, ,

j
ra as hath com e w i th h i s son s mar ri ag e proc e ss i on

,

and t h e y l r e q u e st thy p e rm i ssi on to pass Th e y

m
.

o r de re d e to e nt re at th e e wi th cl asp e d hands t o
consi d e r th i s as t h e marr i ag e O f th i n e own son .

T h e Gu ru r e pl i e d O e nvoy th e re i s no r e l i anc e t o
, ,
26 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
be p l ac e d on th e s e fal s e h il l ra ja s Wh il e utt e ri ng .

sw e e t wo r ds th e y h arbou r e nm i ty i n th e i r h e arts
m
.
,

Th e re fore t e l l th e m from e that th e y may com e

th i s way i fth e y a re b r av e but i fth e y a re cowards , ,

th e y may tak e anoth e r r out e i n wh i ch cas e I wi l l ,

not mol e st th e m Raj a Bh i m Chand th re a t e n e d t o

m
.

com e and attack e at Anandpu r I wi l l myse l f

m
.

p roc e e d th i th e r wh e n I hav e vanqu i sh e d h i .

Wh e n t h e Guru s d e t e rm i nat i on wa s commun i

c a t e d to Raj a Bh i m Chand and t h e oth e r h il l ch i e fs ,

th e re e nsu e d a l ong di scussi on as t o t h e b e st cou rs e

ofact i on I t W a s at l ast d e c i d e d that t h e b ri d e
.

g oom shou l d b s nt w i th a f w h i gh o fc i a l s to
m
r e e e
r e qu e st t h e Gu ru to al l ow h i saf e conduct f or t h e

purpos e O f h i s marri ag e and that t h e re st O f t h e ,

marri ag e p roc e ssi on shoul d go to S ri nagar by a c i r

c u i t ou s r out e Bh i m Chand vow e d that aft e r t h e
.

c e l e b r at i on oft h e marri ag e h e woul d tak e r e v e ng e

on t h e Gu ru f or h i s conduct and b ri ng Raj a Fatah

m
,

Shah to di sl odg e h i from h i s posi t i on .

Wh e n Raj a Bh i m Chau d s son wi th h i s e sco r t

r e ach e d t h e Gu ru h e sai d 0 t ru e Gu ru thy nam e

, , ,

i s ch e ri sh e r ofthos e wh o s e e k thy p rot e ct i on and ,

I do so now Had my fath e r thought that thou w e r t

m m
.

l i k e l y to mo l e st e h e wou l d n e v e r hav e s e nt
,
e

h i th e r As I am h i s son so I am now th i n e I am
.
,
.

al tog e th e r at thy m e rcy Th e Gu ru compassi onat e d

m
.

t h e youth and at onc e al l ow e d h i

,
to p roc e e d to
S ri nagar f or t h e d u e p e rfo r manc e Ofh i s marri ag e

ri t e s
.

Wh e n t h e b ri d e g room and h i s smal l party i n

fo rm e d Raj a Fatah Shah O f wh at had occu rre d h e ,

f e l t so re g ri e v e d at t h e i mp e di m e nt p l a c e d by t h e
Gu ru i n t h e way O f h i s daught e r s marri ag e B e fo re

.

t h e h i l l ch i e fs had y e t a rri v e d D i wan N a nd Chand ,

de s i re d to O f fe r t h e Gu ru s w e ddi ng p re s e nt and
,

th e n tak e h i s e arl y de partu re Raj a Fat a h S hah

m
.

re p l i e d You may O f

,
fe r e t h e Gu ru s p re s e nt wh e n
a l l t h e r aj as a re ass e mb l e d

.
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIN D S IN GH 27

Wh e n Raj a Bh i m Chand a n d t h e oth e r h il l ch i e fs

a rri v e d N a nd Chand wa s anx i ous to p re s e nt t h e
,

Gu ru s w e ddi ng g i ft and l e av e S ri nagar as e arl y as

possi b l e T h e h e r al d i n att e ndanc e proc l a i m e d

.

Gu ru Gob i nd R a i wh o i s s e at e d on Gu ru N anak s ,

th ron e hath p re s e nt e d j e w e l l e ry to t h e val u e of

,

a l akh and a quart e r of rup e e s as dowry t o Fatah

Shah s daught e r Raj a Bh i m Chand on h e ari ng
.

th i s b e cam e e n rag e d and sai d Wi tn e ss al l y e

m
,

p e op l e My k u r l
i s f ri e n dl y to t h e Gu ru an d
m
.
,

tak e th a marri ag e p re s e nt f rom h i though h e i s ,

an e n e my ofm i n e I must th e r e fo re re fus e to acc e pt .

Fatah Shah s daught e r f

or my son T h e Raj a O f .

Kang ra sai d to t h e sp e ak e r I t i s not w e l l to act i n ,

hast e S e nd thy m i n i st e r to Raj a Fatah Shah and

m
.
,

ask h i i fh e w il l tak e t h e i n i t i at i v e i n a wa r wi th
t h e Gu ru I f so h e i s one ofus and we wi l l concl ude
m
.
, ,

t h e al l i anc e wi th h i
,
If how e v e r h e r e fus e to .
, ,

attack t h e Gu ru th e n we wi l l n ot acc e pt h i s daught e r

,
.

On th i s Raj a K e sari Chand and Raj a Bh i m Chaud s

m i n i st e r w e nt to Raj a Fatah Shah tol d h i al l t h e ,

m
c i rcumstanc e s and sai d that i fh e di d not go to war
,

wi th t h e Gu ru h e shou l d b e consi d e re d an e n e my
,

not onl y o fRaj a Bh i m Chand but of a l l t h e h i l l ,

ch i e fs Raj a Fatah Shah wa s much p e rpl e x e d on

.

r e c e i vi ng th i s m e ssag e and saw that t roub l e awai t e d

m
,

hi on e v e ry si de H e re p l i e d I t i s a gr e at si n to
m
.
,

ght w i th a man wh o obv i ousl y a ni f

e st e t h h is
f ri e ndsh i p T h e Gu ru i s my g re at e st f ri e nd How
m
. .

shal l I e ngag e i n a con i ct wi th h i wi thout re ason ?

Raj a Bh i m Chand i s at e nm i ty wi th t h e Gu ru wi th
ou t any j ust caus e I fone an mak e a r e qu e st and
. m
anoth e r cannot comp l y wh at g round of e nm i ty i s
m
,

th a t Com e w i th e and I wi l l mak e p e ac e b e tw e e n

.
,

t h e Gu ru and Raj a Bh i m Chand .

Wh e n Raj a Bh i m Chand wa s i nfo rm e d O f th i s h e

caus e d t h e drum ofd e partu re to b e b e at e n Wh e n .

Son s f athe r l n l aw The e i s no o ne word i n Eng li sh f o r th i s

'

1 '
- -
. r

r l ati onsh i p
e .
28 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
h i s ho r s e s w e re saddl e d a n d a l l p re par at i on mad e h e
s e nt h i s m i n i st e r wi th an u l t i matum to Fatah Shah ,

Raj a Bh i m Chand now b re aks Of fh i s son s marri ag e

wi th thy daught e r On th i s account thou shal t

.

suffe r much O bl oquy T h e Gu ru i s h e r e to d ay and.

gon e to mo rrow Thou hast no k i nsh i p t o b re ak

m
-
.

wi th h i so wh y b re ak wi th th i n e a f
,
a nc e d r e l a ;

t i ons Fatah Shah was w e ak l y ov e rcom e by th i s

r e pr e s e ntat i on and p romi s e d to act as Raj a Bh i m
,

Chand d e si re d Raj a Bh i m Chand wh o was al r e ady

.
,

on ho r s e back al i ght e d on h e ari ng Fatah Shah s

m
,

chang e ofd e t e rmi nat i on and w e nt t o h i Fatah .

Shah th e n re n e we d h i s prom i s e to act acco r di ng to

Bh i m Ch a nd s wi sh e s and j oi n h i i n mak i ng war

m
on t h e Guru .

M e anwh il e N and Chand manag e d to s e cu re h i s

p rop e r ty i ncl udi ng t h e Gu ru s unacc e pt e d w e ddi ng
,

p re s e nt and pr e pare d f
,
or h i s hom e war d j ou rn e y .

On h e ari ng th i s Raj a Bh i m Chand s e nt v e hundre d

m
ho rs e to i nt e rc e pt h i and s e i z e what e v e r h e had
i n h i s poss e ss i on Raj a Bh i m Chand prom i s e d t h e
.

l e ade r o ft h e d e tachm e nt to s e nd mo re t roops to h i s

assi stanc e as soon as poss i bl e Wh e n N and Ch a n d s .

troops found th e i r way O bst ruct e d th e y b e gan t o ,

r e e ct that th e y w e r e f e w wh il e t h e h i l l m e n w e r e
,

many and th e y m e di tat e d i ght or coal i t i on wi th t h e

,

e n e my . On th i s a b r av e S i kh spok e ou t What a re ,

you sol di e rs m e di tat i ng ? On your de partu re f or

S ri nagar t h e tru e Guru promi s e d that as t h e i mmor tal

God wou l d conduct y ou to your de st i nat i on so wou l d ,

H e r e stor e y ou to you r hom e s i n saf e ty Put fai th .

i n t h e Guru s words Thi s shor t sp e e ch i nsp ire d

.

t h e S i khs wi th cou r ag e and shout i ng Sat S ri Akal

,

Sat S Aka !
r i l Tru e i s t h e i mmo rtal God t ru e i s ,

t h e i mmo r tal God p re par e d f or t h e con i ct .

Nand Chand al so addr e ss e d ch e e ri ng words to h i s

m en H e assur e d th e m that t h e a rmy i n front of
m
.

th e m was w e ak and h i s e n m i ght f e arl e ssl y advanc e

,
.

Th e y ob e y e d and wh e n wi th i n gunshot di scharg e d

,
 LI F E OF GURU GOB IN D S IN GH 29

a voll e y at th e h i l l m e n wh i ch th re w th e i r ranks i nto

di so rde r N and Chand th e n shout e d to t h e h il l
.

t roops Why wast e your l i v e s i n vai n

,

Th e ar my
wh i ch wa s to re i nfo rc e you hath not arri v e d F l y ! .

On h e ari ng th i s t h e h i l l m e n di sp e rse d I n e v e ry di re c
t i on Th e i r r e i nfo rc i ng a rmy wh i ch wa s app roach
.
,

i ng h e ar d t h e sound of t h e S i khs musk e ts and

f e are d to advanc e More ov e r Raj a Bh i m Chaud s

m
.
,

t roops wou l d n e v e r ght unl e ss command e d by h i

se l f
. Th e re sul t was that N and Chand and h i s
t roops saf e l y re tu rn e d to Paunta and o f fe re d th e i r ,

O b e i sanc e and congr atu l at i ons t o t h e Gu ru N and

m
.

Chand gav e h i an account ofwhat had occu rr e d

s i nc e h i s d e p a rtu re f or S ri nagar and advi s e d h i ,
m
to hol d h i ms e l f i n r e adi n e ss for t h e h ill raj as wi th
,

Fatah Shah wou l d c e rtai n l y r e p e at th e i r agg re ss i on .

Upon th i s t h e Gu ru o r d e re d ammun i t i on to b e
s e rv e d ou t to h i s army I t now b e cam e a qu e s .

t i on wh e th e r t h e Gu ru woul d wai t f or t h e e n e my
n e ar Paunta or advanc e to i nt e rc e pt th e i r progre ss
, .

T h e Gu ru s uncl e sai d th at t h e e n e my wou l d com e

by Bhangan i b e tw e e n t h e J amna and t h e G i ri and 1

,

i t wou l d b e b e st t o s e l e ct Bhangan i wh i ch wa s si x ,

m il e s di stant f or t h e e l d O f batt l e
, T h e Gu ru .

app rov e d ofth i s p l a n ofop e rat i ons .

Du ri ng N and Ch a nd s stay i n S ri nagar a m e rchant

arri v e d th e re wi th one hundr e d ho rs e s wh i ch h e had

pu rchas e d i n Kashm i r f or t h e Gu ru N and Chand
had a d i
.

i c u l t y i n s a v i ng th e m from Bh i m Ch a n d s

r apac i ty a n d succ e e d e d i n tak i ng th e m to Paunta

, .

H e now i nfo rm e d t h e Gu ru that t h e ho r s e s w e re

p re s e nt and at h i s di sposal Th e g i ft wa s a v e ry .

oppo rtun e one and t h e Gu ru e xp re ss e d h i s h i gh e st

,

s a t i sfact i on wi th t h e m e rchant H e di stri but e d t h e .

ho rs e s among s e l e ct e d S i khs Th e re was noth i ng .

n o w h e a r d but wa rl i k e p re pa r at i ons and conv e r sa

t i ons Th e S i khs wh o i n t h e wo r ds oft h e S i kh
.
,

ch r on i c l e r watch e d f , or t h e e n e my as a t i g e r for h i s
1
Not f a f o mthe c ity ofR ajp ura on th e M ans u i (M ussoo i ) road
r r r re .
30 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
p re y e nj oy e d in ant i c ipat i on t h e app roach ing batt l e
, ,

and vaunt e d that th e y woul d e xp e l al l t h e h i l l raj as

and tak e poss e ssi on of th e i r t e rri tori e s .

Raj a Bh i m Chand re p roach e d h i s t roops f or fa i l i ng

to arre st t h e de partu re of N and Ch a n d s d e tachm e nt

and ask e d th e m i fth e y had occup i e d th e i r t i m e i n

f e ast i ng on hon e y or do i ng th e i r duty H e sai d .
,

how e v e r that h e woul d fo rg e t t h e past i f th e y

,

p rom i s e d am e ndm e nt i n t h e futu re H e th e n s e nt .

wo r d to Fatah Shah to g o and do batt l e wi th t h e

Gu ru accor di ng to h i s p rom i s e Fatah Shah i n

m
.
,

o r de r to pl e as e h i s e rv e d ou t ammun i t i on and b e at
,

t h e d rum O f wa r H i s sol di e r s buckl e d on th e i r

.

swo r ds and sl ung th e i r guns ov e r th e i r shoul de rs

, .

Fatah Sh a h p rop i t i at e d t h e godd e ss ofh i s stat e and ,

putt i ng h i ms e l f at t h e h e ad ofh i s troops advanc e d

to t h e combat .

As al re ady stat e d t h e Gu ru s army e xc e pt t h e v e ,

hund re d Pathans re c e nt l y tak e n i nto h i s s e rvi c e on

t h e re comm e ndat i on OfBudhu Shah e xu l t e d i n t h e ,

prosp e ct O f battl e T h e Pathans took counc il wi th .

one anoth e r and Bh i kan Khan on e of

,
th e i r o f c e rs , ,

sai d Th e Gu ru s mai n d e p e nde nc e i s on us T h e

,

.

r e st O f h i s a rmy i s a m i sc e l l an e ous r abb l e who hav e

n e v e r s e e n war and wil l ru n away wh e n th e y h e a r
,

t h e rst shot re d Th e n t h e b runt oft h e batt l e

.

wil l fal l on us and we shal l b e r e spons i b l e for

,

d e f e at Why was t e ou r l i v e s i n vai n

. L e t us go
to t h e Gu ru and ask p e rmi ssi on to r e tu rn to ou r

hom e s .

Kal e Khan anoth e r of t h e Pathan O f

,
c e rs stout l y ,

re s i st e d t h e p r oposal You a re unt ru e t o you r sal t .

Are you not asham e d t o th i nk of runn i ng aw a y wh e n

you r e mpl oy e r i s i nvol v e d i n s e ri ous warfare NO
body wi l l t rust you in t h e futu re ; and wh e n you
di e y ou S hal l b e cond e mn e d to t h e abod e ofso rr ow
,

of wh i ch ou r hol y p roph e t t e l l s You a re a di sg rac e .

to t h e P a th a n r ac e Bh i kan Khan re j oi n e d O K a l e
.

,

Khan r e mai n thou l oyal to t h e Gu ru If any of us

,
.
 LI FE OF GURU GOB IND S IN GH 3
1

hav e bus i n e ss at hom e wh y shou l d h e not go th e re ,

Why shou l d h e d i e an unt i m e l y d e ath Stay thou

wi th t h e Gu ru a nd e arn such advanc e m e nt as h e
may conf e r on th e e On h e aring th i s Kal e Khan
.

d e tach e d h i ms e l f from t h e Pathans and adh e re d to ,

h i s a l l e g i anc e to t h e Gu ru .

N ij abat Khan and H a iy a t Khan si d e d wi th t h e

maj ori ty und e r Bh i kan Khan and p roc e e de d to t h e ,

Gu ru to a sk on b e hal f O f th e ms e l v e s and th e i r
fol l owe rs l e av e to d e par t to th e i r hom e s One man
m
.

had a ch il d bo rn to h i anoth e r was to b e b e t roth e d , ,

a th i r d was to b e marri e d t h e moth e r ofa fou rth ,

was d e ad & c & c and a l l wou l d su f

,
.
,
.
,
fe r i rre vocab l e
di sg rac e w e re th e y not to re tu rn to th e i r hom e s at
onc e . Th e y accor di ngl y re qu e st e d t h e Gu ru t o
s e tt l e th e i r accounts and pay t h e bal anc e ofth e i r
s a l a ri e s d u e to th e m T h e Gu ru re pl i e d Th i s i s .
,

not a t i m e to ask f or l e av e Th e e n e my i s upon us

m
.
,

and y e t y ou d e s i r e to fo rsak e If any one o f

m
e .

you wi sh to marry l e t h i rst ma rry batt l e and , ,

th e n p roc e e d t o h i s hom e and c e l e b rat e marri ag e

wi th h i s b e troth e d In that cas e I wil l l arg e l y
.

r e war d you .

T h e Pathans agai n re pr e s e nt e d I t i s i ncumb e nt

on us to go to ou r hom e s i n cas e O f b irths de aths , ,

and marri ag e s Oth e rwi s e we cou l d n e v e r S how ou r

.

fac e s a g a i n to ou r re l at i ons W e must th e r e fo re .

d e par t T O th i s t h e Gu ru re p l i e d Be l oyal to you r

.

,

sov e re i gn l e av e de ath and l i f e i n t h e hands ofGod .

D e s e rt not you r posts abandon not you r duty and , ,

you shal l b e happy i n th i s wo rl d and t h e n e xt I f .

you d i e i n batt l e you S hal l O btai n g l o ry to wh i ch

,

no t e v e n mona rchs can asp i re Sham e not you r si re s .

and you r rac e H e wh o fo rsak e th h i s mast e r i n batt l e

.

S hal l b e di shonou re d h e re and cond e mn e d h e re aft e r

m
.

T h e vu l tu re s knowi ng h i
,
to b e di sl oyal wi l l not ,

touch but spu rn h i s e sh H e sh a l l not go to h e av e n .

h e re a ft e r nor obtai n gl o ry h e re abundant di sg rac e

,

shal l l i ght upon h i s h e ad Be assu re d ofth i s that .

32 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
human b i rth Shal l b e p rotab l e t o h i wh o l os e th m
h i s l i f e w i th h i s f a c e to t h e f oe For al l t h e dr ops .

of bl ood that fal l from h i s body so many y e ars shal l ,

h e e nj oy t h e company of h i s God 1
.

T h e Gu ru O f fe re d doubl e pay wh i ch t h e Pathans ,

r e fus e d th e n t ri pl e th e n quadrupl e Al l t h e Guru s

,
.

ov e rtu re s w e r e re j e ct e d T h e Pathans r e pl i e d ,

Mon e y I s a th i ng to b e di st ri but e d among re l at i ons ;

but i fr e l at i ons fal l ou t ofwhat u se i s mon e y ,

K ri p al th e n add re ss e d th e m 0 foo l s you a re

, ,

a f ra i d to ght and are onl y i nv e nt i ng e xcus e s

, .

Hav i ng e at e n t h e Gu ru s sal t y ou are untru e to i t

,

and are re e ct i ng di shonou r on t h e Pathan rac e .

A cu rs e on you r pay and on yours e l v e s ! K ri p al

th e n quot e d t h e t e xts from Bhai Gu r D as s Wars

agai nst i ng rat i tud e

m
.

F i ndi ng al l re monst r anc e us e l e ss K rip al re c o ,

m e nde d t h e Guru to di smi ss t h e wre tch e s fr om h i s

s e rv i c e T h e Gu ru agai n addre ss e d t h e mut i nous
m
.

en : You app e ar l i k e t i g e r s but you hav e on l y ,

t h e sp i ri t ofj ackal s

Th e Pathans cast down th e i r
.

e y e s a n d sa i d i n r e p l y O gr e at k i ng sa y what thou , ,

p l e as e st W e wi l l s e rv e th e e no l ong e r W e are not

. .

thy p ri son e r s Why t a u nt e st thou us

. T h e Guru
re pl i e d L e av e my p re s e nc e t h e i mmortal God wi l l
m
,

assi st e Wh e n t h e Pathans hav i ng re c e i v e d th e i r

.

,

sal ary from t h e Gu ru w e nt to th e i r t e nts t o mak e ,

p re parat i ons f or th e i r d e par tu r e Ka l e Khan agai n ,

advi s e d th e m t o s e rv e t h e Gu ru f or one y e a r mor e

m
.

At t h e e nd ofthat t i m e th e y shou l d b e w e al thy e n .

Bh i kan Khan r e p l i e d Th e Gu ru i s e vi d e nt l y afrai d,

oft h e e n e my If we want mon e y l e t us go and

.
,

ght on t h e s i d e O f t h e h i ll m e n and O bta i n th e i r

p e rmi ssi on to pl unde r t h e Gu ru Th e h il l m e n hav e .

not t h e sam e i nformat i on re gar di ng h i s t re asu re as

we h a v e . Acco r di ngl y we shal l b e at t h e r e a r du ri n g
,

t h e b a tt l e and at t h e front du ri ng t h e p l und e r W e .

a S ingh s G r B l d Chapte vi and S 7 r j P /bi k Ru t I I

1 S u kh

a z s, r ,
z a ar rs , ,

Chapte r 20 .
 L I FE OF GURU GOB IND SIN GH 33
W il l th e n go stra i ght t o ou r hom e s tak i ng w i th us
a l l we can s e i z e

.

Th i s ad v i c e ofBh i kan Khan was appl aud e d by

t h e Pathans Th e y accordi ngl y s e nt v e ofth e i r
m
.

e n to n e got i at e wi th Raj a Fatah Shah and t e ll

m m
,

hi t h e y woul d a l l s e rv e h i wi thout pay i fth e y

we re al l ow e d to p l unde r t h e Gu ru Mo re o v e r th e ir
m
.
,

l e av i ng t h e Gu ru wou l d ru i n h i as th e y w e r e t h e
m
onl y ght ing e n h e had I n fact on th e i r d e partur e
.
,

th e re wou l d b e non e to ght on h i s S i d e and F atah ,

Shah wou l d ga i n a b l oodl e ss vi ctory Fatah S hah .

was h i gh l y p l e as e d and at onc e gav e t h e Pathans

,

wri tt e n p e rm i ssi on to app rop ri at e t h e Gu ru s p ro

p e rty Wh e n t h e docum e nt wa s shown to t h e body

.

of t h e Pathans th e y se t about saddl i ng th e i r ho r s e s

,

to j o i n Fatah Shah s standard K al e Khan aga i n

.

r e monst r at e d and th r e at e n e d t h e mut i n e e rs but i n ,

vai n Som e fu rth e r ov e rtu re s oft h e Gu ru w e r e al so

.

T h e upshot was that t h e Gu ru s sol di e rs

re j e ct e d .
,

wh o w e re on l y wa i t i ng f or h i s ord e r e xp e l l e d t h e ,

mut i nous Pathans f rom h i s camp K al e Khan

m
.

r e ma i n e d w i th t h e troop ofone h und re d e n of

whom h e h a d b e e n o rig i nal l y i n command .

T h e Gu ru l ost no t i m e i n i nfo r m i ng Budhu Shah

of t h e m i sconduct oft h e mut i nous Pathan sol di e rs
whom h e had i nt roduc e d and re comm e nd e d t o h i m .

Budhu Shah f e l t th e i r b e hav i our a p e rsonal di s

g rac e to h i ms e l f H e sought to re mov e i t and al so
.
,

ga i n sp i ri tual advantag e by assi st i ng t h e Guru H e .

accordi ngl y p l ac e d h i ms e l f h i s broth e r h i s fou r

, ,

sons and s e v e n hun dr e d di sc i pl e s at t h e Guru s

,

di sposal .

C HAP T ER V
Wh e n t h e Pathans j o i n e d Raj a Fatah Shah h e ,

ask e d th e m what t h e Gu ru Whos e pay th e y had b e e n

,

re c e i v i ng and whos e sal t th e y had b e e n e at i ng must ,

th i nk ofth e m aft e r th e i r d e s e rt i on Bh i kan Khan .

S l KH . V D
34 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
re p l i e d G re at k i ng t h e Gu ru i s g re at l y afra i d O f
, ,

th e e H e on l y d e cl a re d wa r on th e e t h rough re l i a nc e
.

o n us H e of fe re d us sh i e l ds ful l O f rup e e s but we

m
.
,

r e fus e d a n d c a m e to th e e H e hath on l y e i ght en .

wh o know h ow to ght Th e s e a re h i s v e cousi ns .

,

h i s uncl e K ri p al D i wan N a nd Ch a nd and Bhai

m
, ,

D aya Ram Th e oth e r s wh o a re wi th h i a re t h e

.

d re gs Oft h e popu l ac e and know n ot e v e n h ow t o ,

h a ndl e a swo r d W e Pathans shal l b e t oo many f . or

th e m so i t w il l not b e n e c e ssary f
,
or thy t r oops to

e n gag e at a l l Th e Gu ru hath t re asu re e xc e e di ng that

.

of On th i s Fat a h Shah re m a rk e d that

an e mp e ror
m
.

P r ov i de nc e wa s k i nd to h i i n h avi n g al re ady g r ant e d

hi m v i cto ry H e re p e at e d h i s p romi s e to t h e Pathans
.

that th e y m i ght go and p l und e r t h e Gu ru and i fh e , ,

h i mse l f possi bl y coul d h e wou l d g e n e rousl y re w ar d ,

th e m out of h i s own r e sou rc e s a l so .

Th e Gu ru s scouts wh o had b e e n s e nt to Bhangan i

, ,

r e po rt e d that t h e e n e my w e re march i ng t o t h e
a ttack H e must th e re fo re p r oc e e d at onc e to i nt e r
.

c e pt th e m oth e rwi s e th e y woul d e nt e r Paunta on

,

t h e mo rr ow Th e Gu ru s e nt ord e r s to a body O f
.

U d a si s to put on th e i r tu rbans tak e th e i r a rms , ,

and p re pare f or d e f e nc e T h e U d a si s t oo d i d not wi sh .

to l os e th e i r l i v e s Th e y sai d that th e re w e re oth e r

.

count ri e s wh e re th e y m i ght b e gf or th e i r l i v i ng a n d ,

th a t t h e Gu ru s k i tch e n fr om wh i ch th e y us e d to

e a t was not t h e on l y on e i n t h e wo rl d wh i ch r e ma i n e d
,

t o th e m I t was not f
. or t h e pu rpos e of ght i ng
th e y h a d l e ft th e i r hom e s and b e com e p il g ri ms .

Th e y acco r di ngl y re sol v e d to abscond du ri ng t h e

n i ght one by one so that th e i r d e partu re m i ght b e ,

unobs e rv e d .

N e xt mo rn i ng t h e Gu ru was i nfo rm e d that t h e

U d a si s had a l l e d e xc e pt th e i r mahant K ri p a l wh o ,

re m a i n e d i n a stat e O f a bst r act i on Th e Gu ru .

smil e d and sai d Th e r oot at a ny r at e i s l e ft and , ,

s i nc e th e re i s t h e r oot t h e t re e shal l b e ar b l ossom

and fru i t I f t h e mahant had gon e t h e U d a si s
.
,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIN D S INGH 35
wou l d hav e b e e n tota l l y e xt i rpat e d and e x c o u ,
mm
ni c a t e d f r om S i kh i sm T h e Gu ru th e n o r d e re d t h e

and thus add re ss e d h i m:

.

m a hant to b e s e nt f or

O mahant wh i th e r hav e thy U d a si s

,

ed H e a rk e n
m
,

to e Thy di sc i p l e s e a t ou r sac re d food but wh e n

.
,

th e y se e a g re e n e l d e l s e wh e re th e y go to g raz e ,

o n i t l i k e catt l e Th e y h a v e a l l absconde d i n t h e
.

p re s e nt hour ofn e e d T h e mah a nt cal m l y re p l i e d

.

Al l di sc i p l e s of t h e Gu rus a r e mad e by th e e and ,

thou thys e l f canst par don th e m .

Wh il e t h e Gu ru wa s conv e rsi ng w i th t h e mahant

two S i khs a rri v e d to re po r t that t h e a rmy oft h e
h il l m e n had arri v e d n e a r Bhang a n i Th e Gu ru g a v e .

o r de rs to h i s v e cous i ns to t a k e t roops and stop t h e

e nt r anc e o f t h e e n e my i nto t h e town Th e n mak i ng .

a l l a rr ang e m e nts f or t h e d e f e nc e o fPaunta du ri ng

h i s a bs e nc e h e s e nt f, or h i s a r ms and a r mou r and

Of fe re d t h e fol l owi ng p r ay e r to t h e A l m i ghty

Et e rn a l God Tho u a rt ou r sh i e l d
, ,

Th e d ag g e r kn i f
e ,t h e s w o r d w e , w i e l d .

To u s p r ot e c to r th e re i s gi v e n
Th e t i m e l e ss d e a th l e ss Lo rd of h e av e n
To u s Al l st e e l s u nv a nq u i sh e d m
, ,

-

i ght
To u s Al l t i m -
e s re s i st l e ss i g

ht
Bu t c h i e y Tho u P rot e c to r b ra v e , ,

Al l st e e l wil t Th i n e own s e rv a nts s a v e

-
,
1
.

Th e n wh il e r e p e at i ng h i s o r d e r s h e buck l e d on h i s
swo rd sl ung h i s qu i v e r ov e r h i s Shou l de r took h i s
, ,

b ow i n h i s hand mount e d h i s st e e d and shout i ng

, ,

Sat S ri Akal i n h i s l oud e st vo i c e p roc e e d e d to

confront h i s e n e m i e s I t i s re co r d e d that t h e hoofs

.

of t h e Gu ru s ho rs e i n th e i r q u i ck mov e m e nt r a i s e d

c l ouds ofdust wh i ch obscu re d t h e sun a nd that t h e

m
,

ch e e rs ofh i s e n re s e mbl e d thund e r i n t h e sto rmy

and ra i ny month ofS a w a n .

Wh e n t h e Gu r u a rriv e d at Bhangan i Bha i D a y a ,

1
Thi s i f l y t nsl te d fom e si on o fth e st line s ft h e
ound i n M l col ms S k / b f! b S i t /
s re e ra a r a v r r o

AM I U / / f

s a a a ( o e rs .

D 2
36 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
Ra mpoi nt d pos i t i ons of t h e arm i e s arr ay e d
ou t th e
ag i nst h i m
e

a B e hol d th e re i s Fatah Shah s a rmy

.

and to t h e ri ght O fi t are t h e fa i th l e ss Pathans wh o

h a v e d e s e rt e d us B e h i nd th e m a l l st a nds Fat a h
.

Shah h i ms e l f I n t h e van i s s e e n Hari Ch a nd t h e

.
,

Raj a ofH a nd u r a b r av e and accomp l i sh e d arch e r

,
.

M e anwh i l e a cont i ng e nt wa s s e e n to a pp roach ,

d i sch arg i ng re a rms and comm i tt i ng g re at havoc

among t h e h il l m e n D i wan N and Chand wa s puzz l e d
.

a n d a pp l i e d to t h e Gu r u f or i nfo rmat i on A sol di e r .

a rri v e d i n b r e ath l e ss hast e and s a i d that Budhu

,

Shah had a rri v e d to wi p e ou t t h e Gu ru s taunts f

m
or

h a v i ng i nt r oduc e d t h e Pathans to h i Th e Gu ru .

wa s of cou r s e ov e rj oy e d to r e c e i v e Budhu Shah wi th

h i s re i nfo rc e m e nt a n d at onc e gav e t h e o r d e r to
,

ch a rg e Sango Shah one oft h e Gu ru s cousi ns

.
,

wh o d i sch a rg e d bu l l e t s l i k e ha il and comm i tt e d

f e a rful d e st ruct i on a mong t h e e n e my i s sp e c i al l y ,

m e nt i on e d on th i s occasi on f or h i s consp i cuous

gal l ant ry .

Raj a Fat a h Shah soon l e a rnt that t h e Pathans

m
had m i sl e d h i as to t h e charact e r and st re ngth of
t h e Gu r u s a r my

Raj a H a ri Chand th e n sugg e st e d
.

that t h e P a thans und e r Bh i kan Khan b e i ng i n t h e ,

Gu ru s s e c re t and aw a re ofh i s p l an ofop e r at i ons

shoul d b e s e nt to t h e fr ont Th i s wa s acco r di ngl y .

don e Th e y ch a rg e d t h e Gu ru s a rmy a n d us e d th e i r

.

musk e ts wi th g re at e f fe ct Th e Gu ru s e nt N a nd Ch a nd
m
.

a n d D aya R a w i th th e i r t r oops to ch e ck th e ir
ons e t N and Chand and D a y a Ram a dvanc e d wi t h
.

t h e r ap i di ty of a rrows shot fr om t h e Gu ru s bow

m
st ri ng Th e y and th e i r e n di scharg e d m i ssil e s l i k e
.

wi ng e d s e rp e nts a gai nst t h e e n e my Th e Pathans .

t oo fought w e l l t h e batt l e was hot l y cont e st e d and

m
, , ,

m a ny b r av e e n w e re unt i m e l y sl ai n on both s i d e s .

T h e st r ugg l e wa s cont i nu e d by both a rm i e s w i th t h e

e a g e r n e ss Ofw r e st l e r s st ri v i ng f or v i cto r y S a ngo .

Shah cont i nu e d h i s b rav e care e r and k i l l e d many of

t h e e n e my H e wa s w e l l support e d by h i s b r oth e r
.
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIN D SIN GH 37
M a h ri Ch a nd wh o show e re d bu l l e ts wi th d e a dl y
,

p r e c i s i on on t h e P a th a ns but was a t l a st su rr ound e d

,

as h i s mi ssil e s w e re e xhaust e d Sango s e e i ng h i s .

b roth e r s p e ri l ous posi t i on put h i s hors e a t ful l sp e e d

to re scu e h i m
a n d so d e ft l y app l i e d h i s arr ows that
, ,

t h e Pathans soon su rr e nd e r e d th e i r e xp e ct e d p r e y
a nd
ed .

Budhu Shah h i s re l at i ons and h i s d i sc i p l e s fought

, , ,

wi th g re at b r av e ry and d e vot i on and succ e e d e d ,

i n s l a yi ng numb e r s of t h e e n e my Th e g r ound
m
.

re s e mb l e d a re d ca rp e t H i s en shout e d l i k e
.

thund e r a nd dr ov e t h e e n e my b e fo re th e m as a
,

hu rri can e dr i v e s chaf f Raj a Gopal ofGu l e r no w

.

arri v e d wi th h i s t r oops to re i nfo rc e Fatah Shah .

H e cal l e d ou t t o t h e fug i t i v e s Why ru n away 9

,

I hav e com e to you r assi stanc e On th i s t h e h il l m e n

.

took cou ra g e and re n e w e d t h e combat Th e y .

di re ct e d th e i r a ttack p ri nc i pal l y agai nst Budhu

Shah s t roops S e e i ng t h i s Budhu Shah s sons
.
,

fought wi th t h e g re at e st b rav e ry f e l l e d t h e e n e my ,

as a woodcutt e r f e l l s for e st t re e s and warde d O f f ,

a l l r e tu r n st r ok e s so that th e y p il e d up corps e s on
,

co rps e s Raj a Gopal s e e i ng t h e d e st ruct i on ofh i s

m
.
,

a l l i e s addr e ss e d h i s
, en My b re th re n now i s t h e
, ,

tim e f or act i on Mai ntai n t h e honou r oft h e h i l l

.

r a jas T h e r e su l t of th i s b ri e f e xho r tat i on was th a t

.

t h e e n e my su rr ound e d Budhu Shah s son I n th i s

.

c ri t i cal pos i t i on h e fought w i th g re at d e sp e r at i on .

H i s b rav e ry att ract e d t h e att e nt i on O f t h e Gu ru

h i ms e l f wh o s e nt h i s unc l e K ri p a l w i th t roops to
r e scu e h i m K ri p a l s
.

m
e n show e r e d a rr ows a n d

bu l l e ts on t h e e n e my and succ e e d e d i n e xt ri cat i ng

,

t h e youth H e and K ri p a l th e n j o i n e d i n a t e rri c

.

charg e on t h e h il l m e n Raj a Gopal s e e i ng th i s d i s

.

cha rg e d a n a rrow at Budhu Shah s son wh i ch st ruck

him on t h e ch e st and b rought h i to t h e g round

,
m .

Th i s l e d to a c l os e e ngag e m e nt of t h e combatants
on both s i d e s for t h e poss e ss i on of t h e body Ev e ry .

fo r m of w e apon wa s p l i e d and t h e carn a g e b e cam e

38 T HE SI K H RELI GI ON
t e rri c S uch was t h e g a l l ant ry ofK ri p al and t h e
.

S p i ri t h e i nfus e d i nto h i s fo l l ow e rs that t h e e n e my

l e av i ng t h e co rps e o fBudhu Shah s son to b e

ed,

bo rn e away f rom t h e e l d by h i s fath e r s di sc i pl e s

for honou r ab l e i nt e r m e nt .

Raj a Gopal on s e e i ng t h e confusi on p roduc e d i n

,

h i s ranks by t h e b r av e K ri p a l d i r e ct e d h i s ho rs e at
m
,

ful l sp e e d agai nst h i As GOp al advanc e d h e d i s

m
.

charg e d a n a rr ow at h i wh i ch l odg e d i n h i s ho rs e s
,

saddl e On th i s K ri p al shout e d O Gopal thou

m
.
, ,

hast had t h e rst shot I t i s f or e to shoot now . .

On h e ari ng th i s Gopal tu rn e d h i s hors e round .

K rip al at onc e d i scharg e d an a rr ow wh i ch p e n e t r a t e d ,

h i s ho r s e s t e mp l e and t h e an i m a l f e l l h e av il y on

t h e g r ound Gop a l unho r s e d ra n away w i th t h e

m
.
, ,

r a p i d i ty of a th i e f wh o nds day d a wn i ng on h i i n
t h e e x e r c i s e of h i s cal l i ng and took r e fug e at t h e re a r ,

of h i s troops H e th e re p rov i d e d h i ms e l f w i th anoth e r

.

st e e d wh i ch h e mount e d f or t h e batt l e .

Th e Raj as of Chand e l and H a n d u r now app e are d

on t h e sc e n e and d e s i re d to com e to c l os e quar t e rs
,

wi th t h e Gu ru h i ms e l f Th e y and th e i r t roops w e re .
,

how e v e r k e pt at bay by t h e b r av e ry oft h e Gu ru s

,

v e cous i ns support e d by t h e fai thfu l S i khs

,
.

Raj a Fatah Shah now cal l e d out t o Bh i k a n Khan

and h i s Pathans and ask e d th e m wh y th e y w e re ,

conc e al i ng th e ms e l v e s and sav i ng th e i r sk i ns l i k e

dastar ds Bh i kan Khan had re p re s e nt e d that t h e
.

Gu ru s army was wo rth l e ss so Fatah Shah now
m
,

c a l l e d on h i to put that wo rth l e ss army t o ight

m
.

H e and h i s e n m i ght th e n r e tu r n to th e i r hom e s

w i th such p l unde r as th e y cou l d obtai n f rom th e i r

v i cto ry Bh i kan Khan thus rous e d fr om h i s
.
,

l e thargy j o i n e d i n t h e ght
, H a i y a t Khan t oo .

advanc e d and k il l e d s e v e ral of t h e Gu ru s t r oop e rs .

K ri p a l t h e mahant o ft h e U d a si s now advanc e d on

, ,

ho rs e back and ask e d t h e Gu ru s p e rm i ss i on to e ngag e

,

H a i y a t Kh a n Th e Gu r u re p l i e d O hol y s a i nt
m
.
, ,

thou canst k il l h i wi th thy wo r ds P ray that I may .

 LI FE O F GU R U GO BI ND SI NGH
be v i cto ri ous K ri p a l

t h e Gu ru s unc l e
. ov e r ,

h e ari ng th i s conv e rs a t i on and s e e i ng that t h e ,

mahant wa s l l e d wi th m a rt i a l e nthusi asm p ray e d

m
,

t h e Gu ru to l e t h i e ngag e H a i y a t Khan Th e Gu r u .

i nqu i re d wi th What w e apon t h e mahant wa s go i ng

to cont e nd wi th h i s adv e rsary Th e mahant re pl i e d .
,

Wi th th i s c l ub T h e Gu r u sm i l e d and sa i d .

Go ,

and e ngag e th i n e e n e my I t wa s a sp e ctacl e to se e .

.

t h e mahant wi th h i s matt e d ha i r twi st e d round h i s

h e a d h i s body onl y c l oth e d wi th a th i n pl ast e r of
,

a sh e s and h i s b e l l y p roj e ct i ng far i n front of h i s

,

saddl e proc e e di ng t o e ngag e a p ract i s e d warri or

,

a rm e d wi th t h e l at e st w e apons ofd e st ruct i on .

Wh e n t h e mahant app roach e d and chal l e ng e d

H a i y a t Khan t h e l att e r saw that h e had no warl i k e
m
,

w e apon and cons e qu e ntl y r e t re at e d from h i scorn ,

i ng to attack a d e f e nc e l e ss man T h e on l ook e rs .

w e r e amus e d and sai d H ow can that faq i r cont e nd ,

wi th a Pathan ? Th e mahant how e v e r cont i nu e d

, ,

to chal l e ng e H a i y a t Khan As wh e n a snak e i s .

e scap i ng i nto i t s ho l e i t w il l com e fo r th i f i t s tail b e

t rodde n on and attack t h e aggre sso r so H ai y a t ,

Khan wh o had b e e n r e t i ri ng b e fo re t h e mahant now

m
, ,

a dvanc e d ag a i nst h i goade d by h i s taunts H e .

ai m e d a b l ow ofh i s swo r d at t h e mahant wh i ch t h e ,

l att e r re c e i v e d on h i s c l ub wh e n 10

H a i y a t Khan s ,

sword f e l l t o p i e c e s T h e mahant th e n addr e ss e d

m
.

hi Now hol d thy g round and d e f e nd thys e l f

m
,

Th e mahant r os e on h i s st i rrups and

f rom e .
,

wi e l di ng h i s cl ub wi th both hands st ruck H a i y a t

Khan wi th such forc e on t h e h e ad that h i s sku l l
b rok e and h i s b rai ns i ssu e d fo rth and stai n e d t h e
,

b a ttl e e l d -1
.

1
T h Gu u hi m se l fgi e s the f oll o wing de s i pti on ofth i s singl e
co m b t and o fth e ghting wh i ch im me di ate l y foll owe d
e r v cr

te d h is m ac e a nd s m
a .

M ahant K ip l agi ng li f r a ,
r ote th e e ce Haiyat
,
r

Kh n on t h e he d u pon wh i ch h is b rains i ssue d b u bb li ng f o th a s

b tte fo m
a a ,
r

u t h e a the n e sse l wh i ch K i shan b ok e N and Ch nd ge d a ra

i n d re ad fl i e l aun hingh is S p e the n wi l di ngh is sc i m

r r e r v r r .

u r , c ita W he n a r, e r .

t h e k e e n we apon b ok e h e d e w f o th h is d gge r f
r o th e hono u O f
,
th e
r r a r r
4 0 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
Th e mahant cont i nu e d t o di sp l ay h i s sk il l and
br av e ry to t h e Path a ns but was at l ast su rround e d ,

by th e m and p l ac e d i n a v e ry hazar dous posi t i on .

Wh e n J i t M al one oft h e Gu ru s cousi ns saw th i s

,

, ,

h e r ai n e d such a show e r ofa rrows on t h e Pathans ,

that th e y re t re at e d and l e ft t h e mahant unmol e st e d .

H e th e n mad e h i s wa y to t h e Gu ru and re c e i v e d h i s ,

a pp r ob a t i on .

Ram S i ngh a m e ch an i c from Banaras had made

, ,

a cannon f or t h e Gu r u from wh i ch bal l s w e re d i s

charg e d wi th g re at e f fe ct du ri ng th i s batt l e P e op l e .

o n s e e i ng t h e i mp r e ss i on mad e on t h e e n e my con

c l ude d that t h e Gu ru was de st i n e d t o b e v i cto ri ous .

Bh i kan Khan and N ij abat Khan taunt e d th e i r

m e n wi th b e i ng unab l e to cop e w i th a r abb l e o f
vil l ag e r s wh o d i d not e v e n know how to handl e
a ma rt i al w e apon T h e re su l t was that t h e Pathans .

mad e anoth e r d e sp e r at e e f fo r t to b ri ght e n th e i r

gl oomy prosp e cts and f or a t i m e caus e d t h e Gu r u s
,

army to wav e r One S a h i b Chand a captai n of

.
,

a t roop ask e d t h e Gu ru s p e rmi ssi on t o oppos e t h e

m
,

ons e t of t h e e n e my Th e Gu ru o r de re d h i to act
m
.

on h i s o wn r e spons i b il i ty Sah i b Chand and h i s e n .

so d e ft l y and r ap i dl y p l i e d th e i r a rr ows that t h e

Pathans found i t n e c e ssary to tak e S h e l t e r b e h i nd

tr e e s Bh i kan Khan s e e i ng th i s add re ss e d h i s e n
.
, ,
m
H ow now j ackal s y ou are attach i ng a st i gma t o
, ,

t h e Pathan r ac e T h e h il l m e n a re l augh i ng at y ou
.
,

and sayi ng that a faq i r hav i ng k il l e d H a i y a t Khan , ,

hath put al l t h e Pathans to i ght Say i ng th i s .

,

Sodh i a ce Th n m m t n l n l K i a l d n d i n h i g
T he b a e m a n s body e ce ive d m
r e r u c s a v r e

any a o ws y t h e e m
.
y a e a c e p a a e ,
r ,
.

pti e d th e sadd l e
many a T u k i sh ch ie f S ahi b Ch nd as a t ue K shat i st o e in th e
r v r rr ,
e

of r . a ,
r r ,
r v

b attl e s f

u ry a nd sl e w b l oo dthi st
y l e o e s sh i n i ng g lir hts O f K
. h u
I a an r s

M any e xce ll e nt w ri o s we e sl in and those wh o su ive d d with th i r

.
,

li e s S ango Shah l o d ofbattl e gl o i o usl y ac q itte d hi m

ar r r a ,
rv e e

se l fa nd

t am
v .
,
r ,
r u ,

p l e d unde f oot b l oodthi sty P athans R aj a G opZl sho te d as h e -

stood i n th e b attl e e l d li k e a ti ge r in th m
r r r . i u
-
i dst o fd e r T h e b a e
e e t rm
, e e . r v

Ha ri Chand p l ante d h is f ly o n th e e l d and i n h is f u y di s r

charg e d sha p a o ws wh i ch we nt through and th rough h is ad e sa i e s

r rr v r r .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 4 1

Bh i kan Khan se t an e xamp l e ofb ra v e ry to h i s

so l di e r s a n d di scharg e d show e r s o fa rr ows a t t h e
,

Gu ru s t roops .

Sah i b Chand on t h e Gu ru s s i d e cont i nu e d to

,

ght wi th g re at de t e rm i n a t i on and caus e d g re at ,

havoc among t h e e n e my S e e i ng th i s H ari Chand .

, ,

t h e Raj a ofH a n d u r b e cam e e n r ag e d and st r ov e

m
,

wi th e qual val our agai nst h i H i s arch e ry wa s so .

un e rri ng that t h e Gu ru s a rmy agai n wav e re d

.

S a h i b Chand th e n occup i e d h i ms e l f i n war di ng of f

H ari Ch a n d s arrows and i nsp i ri t i ng h i s e n Th e y

m .

w e re not how e v e r t o b e e ncou rag e d but w e re on

, , ,

t h e po i nt of r e t re a t wh e n t h e Gu ru h e a r d a g re at
tumu l t n e ar h i m
H e at onc e o r d e re d N and Chand
.

and D aya Ram to stay t h e attack oft h e e n e my .

Th e s e brav e h e r o e s di scharg e d such show e r s O f

a rr ows as e f fe ct u a l l y ch e ck e d t h e onwa r d prog re ss
of t h e Pathans N a nd Chand tak i ng h i s S wo r d i n h i s
.
,

hand and putti ng h i s ho rs e to fu l l sp e e d r od e i nto ,

t h e th i ck o f h i s e n e m i e s and chopp e d o f fth e i r h e ads

,

l i k e pumpk i ns s e v e re d fr om th e i r sta l ks I n h is .

l e ft hand h e h e l d a l anc e w i th wh i ch as occ a s i on

s e rv e d h e i mp a l e d h i s antagon i sts Th e Pathans .
,

how e v e r re t re at e d not but wi th th e i r re l i g i ous

, ,

batt l e c ry-
Ya Al i ! Ya Al i
,
rm l y h e l d th e i r
g round and f e l l upon N a nd Chand H e by h i s .

b r av e ry a n d S k il l i n arms s e nt e v e ry one wh o
a pp r oach e d h i m t o t h e n e xt wo rl d by t h e wa y of t h e
swo r d A Pathan ra n h i s ho rs e fo rwa r d and r e c e i v e d
.

N and Ch a nd s swo r d on h i s musk e t Th e swo r d

.

f e l l to p i e c e s and th e n N and Chand dre w fo rth h i s

two e dg e d dagg e r D aya Ram w e nt to h i s assi st
-
.

a nc e a t that c ri t i cal mom e nt and a hand to hand ,

e ngag e m e nt w i th t h e Mos l e ms e nsu e d i n wh i ch th e y ,

w e re wo rst e d a n d put to i ght R a j a H ari Chand .

st il l h e l d h i s g round and wa s ch a l l e ng e d by D aya

Ram Ha ri Chand avoi d e d not t h e con i ct but
.
,

cont i nu e d to d i scharg e a rr ows an d bu l l e ts and

i n i ct g re at damag e on t h e Gu ru s a rmy H i s ho rs e

.
4 2 THE SI K H RELI GION
wa s v e ry swi ft a n d t ra ct a b l e and h e cou l d tu rn h i m
,

r ap i d l y r ound so a s t o s a v e h i ms e l f f r om a host i l e

a ttack wh il e a t t h e sam e t i m e h e coul d di scharg e

,

fatal m i ssi l e s at h i s oppon e nts Sai yi d Budhu Shah .

was found to hav e l ost du ri ng t h e l ast charg e a s e cond

son i n t h e b a tt l e .

Th e re cam e a conf e ct i on e r nam e d L a l Ch a nd t o , _

t h e spot on wh i ch t h e Gu ru stood di r e ct i ng t h e
batt l e H e sai d I f e e l g re at l y t e mpt e d to j o i n i n
.
,

t h e f r ay but I hav e n e v e r l e a rn e d h o w to hand l e

,

wa rl i ke w e apons Th e Gu ru re p l i e d If thou de si re
.

,

to ght tak e a n d mount a hors e Th e conf e ct i on e r

m
.
,

d i d so Th e n t h e Gu ru gav e h i a swo r d and Sh i e l d

. .

H e i nqu i re d h ow th e y w e re t o b e h e l d Th e Gu ru
m
.

tol d h i t o tak e t h e swo r d i n h i s ri ght hand and t h e

sh i e l d i n h i s l e ft Th e Gu ru s sol di e r s l augh e d at
.

t h e conf e ct i on e r s i gno r anc e and sai d W e l l don e !

ou r Gu ru and gr e at K i ng wants t o k il l hawks W i th

sparr ows .

Th e conf e ct i on e r ra n h i s ho r s e i nto t h e Pathan

a rmy . Bh i kan Khan on s e e i ng h i sai d to h i s m
fri e nd M i r Khan S e e h e re com e s an A ro ra
, ,
1
He .

h a th b e e n a l l day w e i gh i ng ou r and sal t and now

m
,

t h e Gu ru h a t h g i v e n h i a swo r d and sh i e l d Tak e

m
.
_

h i s a r ms and h i s ho r s e and th e n s l ay h i

Upon
m
.
,

th i s M i r Khan pounc e d on h i l i k e a hawk on a

S parr ow Wh e n M i r Khan d re w h i s swo r d t h e
.

conf e ct i on e r war d e d i t of fwi th h i s sh i e l d Th e n .

m e di tat i ng on t h e Gu ru h e ai m e d a r e tu rn b l ow at
M i r Khan wh i ch s e par at e d h i s h e ad f r om h i s body .

T h e h il l m e n taunt e d t h e Pathans w i th not b e i ng ab l e

to cont e nd wi th p e tty huckst e r s and ask e d th e m i f ,

th e y w e re not asham e d ofth e i r cowardi c e P ro .

v ok e d by th e s e taunts N i j abat Kh a n and Bh i kan

m
,

Khan u rg e d th e i r e n t o mak e a g e n e ra l cha rg e and

not d i e l i k e j ackal s Raj a Hari Chand j o i n e d th e m
.

i n th e i r ons l aught T h e Gu ru s b r av e S i khs how

.
,

e v e r r m l y h e l d th e i r g r ound
,
I n t h e act i on that
.

1
A tri be o fK h at is r .
 LI FE OF GURU GOB IND SINGH 43

e nsu e d J i t M a l a n d H a ri Chand e ng a g e d i n s i ng l e
combat J i t M a l d i scha rg e d a n a rr ow at H ari Chand
.
,

but t h e l att e r by an a d ro i t mov e m e nt of h i s ho rs e

e scap e d i t J i t M a l b e cam
. e ang r y at hav i ng m i ss e d h i s

mark and d i scharg e d a noth e r a rrow at h i s oppon e nt

,
.

Ha ri Chand fo l l ow e d h i s e xamp l e T h e a rr ows l odg e d .

i n th e i r ho rs e s fo re h e ads and both ho r s e s f e l l Th e

.

combatants thus unho rs e d cont i nu e d t o ght unt i l

th e y w e re both wound e d Aft e r a sho r t b re ath i ng .

t i m e both agai n put forwa r d th e i r st re ngth wh e n

, ,

th e ir swo r ds S i mu l tan e ous l y took e f fe ct H ari Chand .

f e l l fai nt ing t o t h e e ar th and J i t M a l dropp e d down ,

d e ad wi th h i s fac e t o t h e f H i s com r ad e s b l e st
m
oe .

t h e fath e r wh o had b e gott e n h i and t h e moth e r

wh o had bo rn e h i m .

Wh e n t h e h il l m e n found that th e ir b ra v e st wa rri or

had fal l e n i nto a swoon th e y a ss e mb l e d to cons i d e r ,

what S hou l d b e don e On s e e i ng t h e e n e my huddl e d

.

tog e th e r t h e Gu ru o r d e re d Ram S i ngh to di re ct h i s

,

cannon towar ds th e m Ram S i ngh ob e y e d wi th t h e .

,

re su l t that s e v e ra l of t h e e n e my w e r e k il l e d On .

th i s t h e R a j a s of Badhwal and J aswal b e cam e

e n r ag e d and act i v e l y j o i n e d i n t h e b a tt l e Fatah .

Shah how e v e r saw th a t t h e day wa s l ost and took

, ,

to i ght Th e Raj a o fChand e l was aston i sh e d at

.

t h e conduct ofFatah Shah and cont i nu e d to do ,

val i ant batt l e on b e h a l f oft h e h il l ch i e fs .

At t h e t i m e wh e n ji t M a l and Hari Chand w e re

e ngag e d i n s i ng l e combat

Sango Shah t h e Gu ru s , ,

cous i n and N ij abat Khan t h e Pathan l e ad e r w e re

, , ,

s i m il arl y e mp l oy e d and both f e l l by mutual s l augh

,

te r T h e Gu ru on s e e i ng t h e cou rag e and fat e o f

m
.
,

t h e h e r o wh o had p e r fo rm e d f or h i such gal l ant

d e e ds chang e d h i s n a m e from Sango to Shah S a n
,

g ram Lo r d of batt l e T h e Gu ru e n r ag e d at h i s
.
,

l oss mount e d h i s cha rg e r and r od e i nto t h e th i ck

,

of t h e combat H e so p l i e d h i s a rrows that sounds

.

o fwoe a r os e on a l l s i d e s f rom t h e P a than r anks .

T h e Gu ru on s e e ing t h e re n e gad e Bh i kan Khan

, ,
44 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
di scharg e d a n a rrow a t h i m
I t m i ss e d h i mbut .

k i l l e d h i s ho rs e upon wh i ch h e took t o i ght N and

Ch a nd a n d D aya R a mnow sa w a n oppo rtun i ty i n
.
,

t h e d e mo ra l i z e d stat e oft h e P a th a ns t o m a k e a nal

d e sp e r at e charg e and comp l e t e th e ir d i sc o t u re m .

T h e re su l t was g re at S l aught e r O f t h e t r e ach e r ous

Muhamm a d a ns Wh e n t h e h il l m e n sa w t h e t ot a l
.

d e fe at oft h e P a tha ns th e y t oo b e gan to ru n a way

,

from t h e e l d ofbatt l e .

Raj a Hari Chand who swoon e d on b e i ng ,

wound e d by J i t M a l had by th i s t i m e re cov e re d

, ,

and app e a re d on t h e sc e n e wi th t h e h e roi c re sol ut i on

to s e cu re v i cto ry f or h i s s i d e H e addre ss e d h i s .

t roops : H il l m e n onc e so b r av e wh y d i e l i k e

, ,

cowar ds ? I h a v e com e t o you r assi stanc e Tak e .

cou r ag e . Say i ng th i s t h e Raj a stay e d t h e e e i ng
hosts M e anwh il e show e r s O f arrows cont i nu e d to
.

sp e e d from t h e Gu ru s army Raj a Hari Chand

m
.

shot many b r av e e n w i th h i s o wn a rr ows Th e

m
.

Gu ru on s e e i ng th i s confront e d h i and aft e r ,

wa rds thus d e sc rib e d t h e combat that e nsu e d :

H ari Ch a nd i n h i s rage d re w f o rth h is a rro ws He

st ru c k m
.
, ,

y st e e d w i th o n e a n d th e n d i s c h a r e d a noth e r a t
g
me b ut God pre s e rve d me and i t onl y gra ze d my e ar in
i ts i ght H is th ird a rrow p e n e t ra t e d t h e b u ck l e ofm
,

y
wa i st b e l t a nd re a ch e d m u t wo u nd e d m
.

-
y bod y b e not
It i s onl y God wh o p rot e c t e d m e kno w i n g m
.
,

e H i s s e rv a nt

t h e a r ro w m
.
,

Wh e n I f e l t t h e to u c h of y a n e r wa s k i nd l e d
g
I took u p m
.
,

y b o w n d b e g a n to d i s c h a rg e a rro ws i n
U pon th i s m
a

a b u nd a n ce
y a dv e rs a r i e s b eg an to ee

I took a imand k il l e d t h e y o un gch i e fH a ri Ch a nd Wh e n

. .

h e p e ri sh e d m m r e ne m
, ,

h r o s t r p l d th e i i e s u nd e r f oot
y e e a e .

T h e c h i e fofKo ro r i wa s s e i z e d b y d e a th U pon th i s t h e
h il l m
,

en e d i n c onst e rn a t i on a n d I th ro u gh t h e f
,
a vo u r

o ft h e e t e rn a l God i n d t h v i c to r H v i n g th s h l d
g y a u e

t h e b a tt l e e l d we ra i s e d a l o u d t h e son g of t ri u m
a , e e .

- ph
I sho we re d we al th on m
.
,

w a rri o r s a n d th e y a l l re j o i c e d
y .

Raj a Fatah Shah sa w th e re wa s on l y saf e ty in

 LI FE OF GURU GOBI ND SINGH 45

ight and h a st e n e d t o re t i re t o h i s c a p i tal P ra i s e s

,
.

of t h e Gu ru s v a l ou r and sk i l l i n wa rfare w e re sung

th roughout t h e count ry .

C HAP T ER V I
Aft e r t h e b a tt l e t h e Gu ru w e nt to wh e re l a y t h e
bodi e s of Sango Shah J i t M al and h i s oth e r b r av e , ,

fal l e n S i khs H e o r d e re d t h e sl ai n on both si de s to

.

b e di spos e d of Th e bod i e s oft h e S i khs w e re c re

.

mat e d Oft h e H i ndus th rown i nto t h e adj ac e nt ri v e r

m
, ,

and oft h e M u sa l a ns bu ri e d w i th a l l sol e mn i ty .

Ba rds a ss e mb l e d and ch a nt e d th e i r p rai s e s Sai y i d .

Bu dhu Shah p re s e nt e d h i ms e l f and h i s two su rv i v i ng

sons to t h e Gu ru T h e Gu ru sai d I hail th e e a s
.
,

a t ru e p ri e st O f God Thy human l i fe i s p rotab l e .

un t o th e e D e e m not that thy sons ar e d e a d N ay

. .
,

th e y shal l l i v e f or e v e r Onl y thos e d i e wh o d e sp i s e

.

God s nam e and tu rn cowar ds on t h e e l d ofbatt l e

.

Budhu Shah r e pl i e d Tru e k i ng I mou rn no t f ,

or ,

my sons wh o are sl ai n b e caus e i n t h e rst pl ac e , , ,

th e y hav e gon e to e nj oy s e ats i n paradi s e and , ,

s e condl y b e caus e th e y h av e l ost th e i r l i v e s i n d e f e nc e

,

o fth e e Such a boon i s not obtai n e d e v e n by t h e

.

g re at e st aust e ri ti e s .

Th e Gu ru cons i d e r e d how h e shou l d re qu i t e Budhu

Shah f o r h i s sup re m e d e vot i on t o h i s caus e He .

d e c i de d that as wo rl dl y poss e ss i ons w e re e e t i ng

, ,

t h e g i ft of God s n a m e was t h e h i gh e st r e wa r d o f

al l and so that i n e st i mab l e boon h e dul y conf e rre d

m m
,

on h i But h e m a de h i oth e r g i fts a l so T h e

. .

Gu ru at t h e t i m e wa s comb ing h i s l ong hai r and ,

a s e rvant stood by hol di ng h i s tu rban Wh e n t h e .

Gu ru h a d p e rfo rm e d h i s to i l e t h e l ai d h i s comb Wi th ,

l oos e h a i r i n i t upon t h e tu rban and p r e s e nt e d th e m

to Budhu Shah t o p re s e rv e i n re m e mb ra nc e ofh i m
m
.

H e al so g a v e h i a sm a l l kn i f e wh i ch S i khs usual l y
c a rry a nd n a l l y a su of v e thousand rup e e s t o
, m
d i st ri but e among h i s di sc i p l e s T h e Gu ru s tu rban

.
,
4 6 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
h i s comb ha i r and kn i f e a re
, ,
p re s e rv e d a s re l i cs
i n t h e S i kh stat e ofN a bh a Th e y w e re a cqu ire d.

f rom Budhu Shah s d e sc e ndants by Raj a Bharpu r
S i ngh .

T h e Gu ru r e m e mb e re d h i s cous i ns Sango Shah and

J i t M a l ,
and p r oc l a i m e d th e m b r av e a n d pu i ssant

warri o rs who had tak e n th e i r s e ats i n h e av e n H e .

bade th e ir b roth e r s n o t mou rn f or th e m Th e .

b roth e rs re p l i e d F or whom shou l d we mou rn ? Sango

,

Sh a h and J i t M a l hav e fought a n d O btai n e d t h e

d i gn i ty of sal vat i on W a r m e a ns e i th e r to k i l l or
.

b e k il l e d and th e re i s no n e e d to mou rn t h e c on
,

s e qu e nc e s Th e Gu ru re war de d a l l thos e wh o h a d

m
.

r i sk e d th e i r l i v e s f or h i and cont ri but e d to h i s

s i gnal and d e c i s i v e v i cto ry .

Wh e n t h e Gu ru s fam e e xt end e d aft e r h i s re c e nt

succ e ss and p r ow e ss i n a rms h e wa s v i si t e d by m a ny ,

a ccomp l i sh e d p e rsons Po e ts si ng e rs a nd musi c i ans

m
.
, ,

ock e d to h i s cou rt and a l l wh o v i si t e d h i h e ,

e nd e avou re d t o su i tab l y r e w a r d N ow that t h e war .

was ov e r t h e S i kh sol di e rs fo rm e d vari ous p roj e cts

,

to occupy th e ir t i m e f or t h e futu re Th e y wou l d

m
.

go and s e i z e R a j a Fatah Shah and mak e h i bow ,

a t t h e Gu ru s f e e t And th e y wou l d conqu e r and

.

obtai n t h e fre e dom oft h e count ry b e twe e n P a unta

and Anandpu r so as to re ov e t h e obstacl e s i nt e r
,

pos e d i n march i ng h i th e r and th i th e r Th i s l ast

m .

e nt e r p ri s e as b e i ng t h e o ne that affe ct e d th e m most

,

c l os e l y th e y sp e c i al l y urg e d on t h e Gu ru s con
,

S i d e r at i on .

T h e Gu ru re monst r at e d and re st ra i n e d th e m He .

bade th e m b i de th e i r oppo rtun i ty Th e i r e mp ir e .

shou l d y e t e xt e nd f a r and w i d e H e kn e w howe v e r .

, ,

that h i s t roops wou l d not si t down i dl e ush e d as ,

th e y w e re w i th th e i r re c e nt v i cto ry Acco r di ngl y .

h e g a v e th e m a n o r de r to r e tu r n to An a ndpu r a n ,

o r de r wi th wh i ch th e y w e re de l ight e d Th e y a l l se t .

fo rth a cco r dingl y tak i ng th e ir wounde d and th e i r

,

baggag e .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 47

Th e Gu ru m a rch e d by wa y ofSadh a u ra and Lah a r

H ncamp e d at t h e l a tt e r p l ac e and was th e re

m
p u r
. e e ,

e t by t h e e nvoy o f t h e Raj a of N a han wh o de s i re d

m
,

t o com e t o m e e t h i T h e Gu r u s e nt h i s a rmy to
.

An a ndpu r a n d re mai n e d h i ms e l f w i th on l y a f
,
ew

fol l ow e rs to m e e t t h e R a j a T h e Gu ru wa s fai n to
.

di v e r t h i ms e l f wi th t h e ch a s e aft e r h i s re c e nt warf a re
fo r d e d h i mi n th a t
,

a n d amp l e O ppo r tun i t i e s w e r e a f

par t o ft h e count ry Du ri ng h i s stay i n Laha rpu r

Budhu Shah oft e n v i si t e d h i ma nd h e l d re l i g i ous c on
.
,

m
,

v e rsa t i ons wi th h i Though t h e Raj a of N ahan

.

v e ry much d e s i re d to e nt e r tai n t h e Gu ru y e t h e ,

a pp re h e nd e d t h e w ra th o ft h e oth e r h il l ch i e fs i f
h e w e r e known t o b e st il l o n am i cab l e t e r ms w i th
t h e h i gh p ri e st oft h e S i khs wh o had i n i ct e d on
,

th e m such a Si gn a l de f e at T h e R a j a us e d t o s e nd
.

a m e ss e ng e r dai l y to say that h e was com i ng ; but

som e how h e wa s a cc i d e nt a l l y p re v e nt e d H e wou l d .
,

how e v e r com e on t h e mo rrow Th e Raj a ca rri e d on

,
.

th i s m e thod ofp roc r ast i n a t i on from day to day .

At l ast h e ask e d t h e adv i c e ofh i s m i n i st e rs wh e th e r

m
,

i t was p r op e r f or h i to m e e t t h e Gu ru or n ot
m
.

Th e y adv i s e d h i that i t wa s no t s e e i ng that t h e ,

Gu ru was at e nm i ty wi th a l l t h e h il l ch i e fs W e re .

h e now to m e e t t h e Gu r u t h e ch i e fs wou l d r e s e nt i t
m
,

a n d p robab l y mak e wa r on h i On th i s t h e Raj a

.

s e nt a m e ss e ng e r to sa y h e wa s v e ry busy and cou l d

n ot g o h i ms e l f to m e e t t h e Gu ru but h e wou l d s e nd

m
,

h i s ch i e f m i n i st e r t o d o h i t h e honou r s oft h e
stat e T h e Gu ru d i d no t conc e al h i s knowl e dg e of
m
.

t h e Raj a s mot i v e s and s e nt h i

,
a m e ssag e that h e
wou l d now cont i nu e h i s j ou rn e y t o An a ndpu r and ,

t h e Raj a n e e d no t g i v e h i ms e l f any fu rth e r conc e rn

on t h e subj e ct O f a n i nt e rv i e w .

Th e Gu ru stay e d a l tog e th e r th i rt e e n days a t Laha r

p u r
. Th e p ri nc i p a l i nh a b i tants w e r e R a ng h a rs ,

th i e v e s by i nst i nct a nd p rofe ssi on wh o sto l e t wo of ,

h is c a me l s Wh e n t h e R a ngh a rs re fus e d t o g i v e up
.

t h e booty t h e Gu ru s e nt f
, o r a faq i r wh o l i v e d n e a r ,
4 8 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
m
and to l d h i to go unde r pr e t e nc e of b e gg i ng to , ,

t h e hous e O f a c e rta i n R a ng h a r and se e wh e th e r t h e ,

c a m e l s w e re th e re T h e faq i r w e nt sa w t h e cam e l s
.
, ,

and dul y r e po rt e d h i s d i scov e ry T h e Gu ru s e nt f

m
or .

t h e R a ng h a r i n poss e ss i on and to l d h i t o act as an ,

hon e st man and g iv e up t h e cam e l s oth e rwi s e h e

m
, ,

woul d oust h i f rom hous e and hom e On th i s t h e .

R a ng h a r part e d w i th t h e stol e n p rop e rty T h e GII ru

cal l e d t h e R a ngh a rs v il l a g e count e rf e i t and t h e

faq i r s v il l ag e g e nu i n e and sai d t h e f a q i r s v il l ag e

shou l d e v e r gai n and t h e R a ngh ars e v e r l os e T h e .

p roph e cy oft h e Gu ru has b e e n ful l l e d A t e mpl e .

cal l e d Toka wa s subs e qu e nt l y const ruct e d i n Lahar

r i n honou r o f

t h Gu ru s v i si t

m
p u e .

As t h e Gu r u p roc e e de d to Anan d pu r h e was e t by

t h e Ran i O f Ra i pu r wh o wai t e d f
1
or h i on h i s r out e m
m
.
,

Aft e r mak i ng h e r O b e i sanc e sh e ask e d h i to tak e re st

at h e r cap i tal T h e Gu ru gl adl y acc e pt e d h e r i nv i ta
m
.

t i on S h e show e d h i t h e g re at e st hosp i tal i ty and

m
.

s e nt h e r son to h i wi th an o f fe ri ng of a bag ofrup e e s .

At a subs e qu e nt i nt e rv i e w sh e e nt re at e d t h e Gu ru to
p ra y that h e r son s l i n e m i ght p e rm a n e ntl y e ndu re

.

Th e Gu ru sai d that h e r son ought to al l ow h i s hai r

to g row and p e rf e ct h i ms e l f i n t h e p r act i c e ofar ms .

T h e R a n i r e p l i e d that t h e Tu r ks w e re i n pow e r and ,

sh e wa s afr ai d t o al l ow h e r son to d re ss d i f fe re nt l y
f r om th e m T h e Gu ru e xhor t e d h e r n o t to b e afr ai d
. .

T h e ru l e oft h e Tu rks shou l d on l y l ast f or a b ri e f

p e ri od Wh e n my s e ct g row e th mo re num e rous and
.

obt a i n e th poss e ssi on oft h e e mp i re oft h e Tu rks i t ,

sh a l l th e n a dopt l ong hai r as a di st inct i on And .

wh e n t h e l i n e oft h e Tu rks i s e xt i rpat e d th i n e shal l ,

1
R ai p u i s i n th e su b coll e c to ate o fN a ai nga h i n t h e p e se nt
d i t i ct o fA m
-
r r r r r

bal a i n th e P anj ab T o R ai p u a attache d abo t re

twe nty th e e ill age s y i e l di ng a y e l y i n o m

s r . r u
- r v , e o fR s T he ar c .

p e s nt p rop i to i s Rao B a l d S ingh Hind u Rai t H i g and

r e r e r e v ,
a

I . s r

fthe wa a S kh I n th e f o t o fR ai p i a G d wa a o n th spot
wh e Gob i n d R ai d i ne d a s th e R am
a r s i . r ur s ur r e

er s g e st The i l so a u . re s a

G u d wa a o utsi d th e f
r r ort on th spot whe e h is te nt was pitche d
e e r .

T h e G ranth S ah i b i k e pt i n both G u d wa s s r ra .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 49

r e mai n i n undi m i n i sh e d di gn i ty It shal l th e n un i t e .

wi th t h e Khal sa and O btai n a l l happ i n e ss .

Upon th i s t h e Gu ru took h i s swor d a nd S h i e l d and

p re s e nt e d th e m to t h e Ran i s son H e sai d Tak e
.
,

th e m and t re at th e m wi th re sp e ct so that wh e n t h e ,

t i m e oft roub l e ari s e th thy wi sh e s may b e fu l l l e d

, ,

and thy l i f e a n d p rop e r ty pr e s e rv e d Th e Ran i was .

d e l i ght e d wi th t h e Gu ru s p re s e nts and wo r ds and

m
,

thus addr e ss e d h i : G re at k i ng g re at a re thy

m
,

g i fts Who can d e p ri v e us of th e m

. I t i s thy u
sw e rv i ng duty t o hol d thys e l f bound by t h e bonds of
l ov e f or t h e human rac e and thou a rt mo re ov e r
, , ,

m e rc i fu l and compassi onat e T h e Ran i s e e i ng that

.

t h e Gu ru had mad e t h e g i ft w i th h i s own sac re d hands ,

was l l e d wi th de l i ght and tak ing t h e sword and

,

sh i e l d put th e m re sp e ctfu l l y on h e r h e ad and th e n

touch e d h e r son s h e ad wi th th e m S h e bound a .

cov e rl e t on a couch and p l ac e d t h e w e apons r e v e r e nt l y

on i t. Aft e r th i s t h e Gu ru cont i nu e d h i s j ourn e y t o
Anandpu r .

On t h e way t h e Gu ru hal t e d at K i ratpu r wh e r e ,

Gu l ab R a i and Sham D as t h e g randsons of Gu ru

m
,

H a r Gob i nd cam e to v i s i t h i
,
H e th e re v i s i t e d .

t h e sh ri n e s of h i s anc e sto r s Wh e n i t b e cam e known

.

that t h e Gu ru wa s re turn i ng t o Anandpur t h e

m
,

i nhab i tants ofthat c i ty cam e forth to r e c e i v e h i ,

and th e re w e re unusual r e j o i c i ngs on h i s saf e and

gl o ri ous re tu rn .

No t l ong aft e rwa rds comp l ai nts b e gan to b e made

agai nst t h e Gu ru s t roops to Raj a Bh i m Chand

m m
.

Wh e n e v e r t h e Gu ru s e n di d not accompany h i

to t h e chas e th e y us e d to go hunt i ng i n d e tach e d

,

g roups by th e ms e l v e s T h e Gu ru at that t i m e se t
.

about t h e construct i on ofa fo rt and made a st rong ,

and l ofty battl e m e nt around i t .

Raj a Bh i m Ch a nd was g re at l y i rri tat e d by t h e

num e rous compl ai nts h e cont i nual l y re c e i v e d agai nst
t h e S i khs H e took couns e l w i th h i s mi n i st e r What

.
,

S hal l we d o W e a re not strong e nough to cont e nd

S I KH
. V E
5 0 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
wi th t h e Gu ru but h ow l ong a re we to e ndu re th i s
,

Th e m i n i st e r r e pl i e d

annoyanc e O Raj a I se e , ,

no sol ut i on oft h e di f cul ty e xc e pt r e conc il i at i on

wi th t h e Gu ru Al l t h e oth e r p ri nc i pal stat e o f
.

c e rs
who w e re consul t e d gav e si mil ar re p l i e s Bh i m .

Chand th e n d e c i de d that h e woul d s e nd an e nvoy

t o asc e r ta i n i f t h e Gu ru had any i nt e nt i on of maki ng
an ab i di ng p e ac e w i th h i m .

T h e e nvoy wh o was s e l e ct e d f rom t h e most

,

pol i sh e d o f c i al s O f t h e stat e du l y de l i v e re d h i s ,

mast e r s m e ssag e p rayi ng f

or p e ac e and fo rg e tfu l n e ss

o ft h e past Th e Gu ru r e pl i e d
. I hav e not fal l e n ,

ou t w i th Raj a Bh i m Chand but h e hath fal l e n ou t

m
,

w i th e S e e what d e c e i t h e e x e rc i s e d i n h is e f
. fo rts
to obtai n my e l e phant Wh e n h i s marr i ag e p roc e s .

s i on w e nt to S ri nagar h e e nde avou re d to k il l my ,

m i n i st e r and h i s t roops I t was onl y by God s .

sp e c i al favour th e y e scap e d Ev e n th e n thy Raj a .

l e ft noth i ng undon e agai nst us f or h e i nc i t e d Fatah ,

Shah who had b e e n my f ri e nd t o mak e wa r on us .

H e r e agai n God p rot e ct e d us and we obtai n e d t h e

v i cto ry O e nvoy ou r army hath tak e n poss e ssi on
.
,

o fno fo r t or v i l l ag e of you rs My t r oop e rs a re .

g ri e vousl y i n want ofg rass f or th e i r ho r s e s and ,

goats e sh for th e ms e l v e s

Th e s e can onl y b e .

O btai n e d from you r v il l ag e s I f we do not obtai n .

th e m on paym e nt we must starv e but we do not ,

de si re to acc e pt anyth i ng e l s e f rom you .

Th e e nvoy sm il e d and sai d Consi de r Raj a Bh i m ,

Ch a nd s count ry as th i n e own H e i s v e ry anx i ous

m
.

to m e e t th e e and i fthou p e rm i t e I w il l conduct

m
,

hi T h e Gu ru re p l i e d

h e re In Gu ru N anak s
m
.
,

hous e e n m e e t th e i r d e s e rts If any one wi th l owl y .

m i nd e nt e r th e r e i n h e shal l b e happy but i fany ,

one l i ft i ng h i s h e a d t oo h i gh e nt e r i t h i s l i f e sh a l l
,

, ,

pay t h e fo rf e i t Th e n p l ai nl y t e l l thy Raj a that i f

m
.

h e e nt e rta i n f ri e ndl y i nt e nt h e may com e to e ,

and h e shal l b e re c e i v e d wi th d u e consi de r at i on .

T h e Raj a was v e ry p l e as e d on r e c e i v i ng th i s m e ssag e ,

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 5 1

and at onc e mad e e l abo rat e p re parat i ons f or h i s

v i si t to t h e Gu ru .

Wh e n Bh i m Chand wa s i ntroduc e d i nto t h e Guru s

p re s e nc e h e sai d 0 tru e Guru thy nam e i s ch e ri sh e r

, ,

O f thos e wh o s e e k thy prot e ct i on I p r ay th e e t o .

pardon and fo rg e t any foo l i sh wo r ds I m i ght hav e

utt e re d or any fool i sh acts I m i ght hav e don e Th e .

Gu ru re pl i e d O Raj a I hav e not b e e n th i n e a ggre s

, ,

sor . T h e agg re ss i on hath b e e n a l l on thy s i d e If .

thou act fai rl y towards t h e Gu ru h e wil l act fairl y ,

towar ds th e e Bh i m Chand p rom i s e d to act f

.

or t h e
futu re acco r di ng to t h e Gu ru s wi sh e s Upon th i s

m
.

t h e Gu ru gav e h i a magn i c e nt r ob e ofhonou r

m
,

and di sm i ss e d h i h i gh l y de l i ght e d w i th t h e i nt e r
VIe w

m
.

Th e Guru s wi f e Sundari now p re s e nt e d h i wi th

a son nam e d Aj i t S i ngh on t h e fou rth day of t h e

b ri ght hal f of Magh Sambat 1 7 43( A D , . .

C HAP T ER V I I
Du ring t h e abs e nc e O f t h e Emp e ror Aurangz e b i n
t h e south o fInd i a wh i th e r h e had gon e to mak e
,

wa r on Tana Shah K i ng ofGol k a nd a th e re aros e

,
1
,

g re at adm i n i st r at i v e i rre gu l ari t i e s At that t i m e .

M i an Khan wa s V i c e roy ofJ ammu H e s e nt h i s

commande r i n ch i e f A l i f Khan to l e vy t ri but e on

- -
, ,

K ri p al Raj a O f Kang ra K e sa ri Chand Raj a o f

, , ,

J aswal P ri t h i Chand Raj a ofD a d h wa l Sukh D e v

, , , ,

R a j a of J a srot and oth e rs A l i f Khan rst addr e ss e d

m
.
,

h i ms e l f to Raj a K ri p a l E i th e r pay su i tabl e

m
,e

t ri but e or cont e nd wi th e i n a rms K ri p a l mad e

m m
.

hi c e rtai n p re s e nts and th e n tol d h i that Raj a

,

Bh i m Chand of B il aspu r wa s t h e g re at e st of a l l t h e
al l ie d h i l l ch i e fs W e re h e rst to pay t ri but e a l l t h e
.
,

re st wou l d fo l l ow h i s e xamp l e and th e n th e re wou l d

,

1
G ol k a nd a was the n th e c ap ital o fth e state o fHa i d arab ad i n th e
Da kh an .
5 2 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
be no n e c e ss i ty f or w a r f a r e I f how e v e r Bh i m
.
, ,

Chand w e re to re fus e a n d e l e ct t h e al t e rnat i v e of

wa r K ri p al woul d st il l suppo r t Al i f Khan
,
Raj a .

Dayal t h e ch i e f ofBijh a rwa l p robab l y p e rsuad e d by

, ,

Raj a K ri p a l al so p rom i s e d to m e e t A l i f Khan s

,

d e mands .

A l i f Khan adopt e d Raj a K rip al s sugg e st i on and

p roc e e de d towar ds B il aspu r Raj a Bh i m Ch a nd s ,

cap i tal . Hal t i ng at N ad a un h e s e nt an e nvoy t o

Bh i m Chand wi th t h e sam e d e mand as h e had
p re v i ousl y made K ri p al Bh i m Chand re pl i e d th a t
.

h e wou l d r ath e r d e f e nd h i ms e l f than pay t ri but e .

H av i ng di spatch e d th i s m e ssag e h e cal l e d h i s p ri n

c ip al O f c i al s to a counc il ofwa r H i s p ri m e m i n i st e r
m
.

thus advi s e d h i I f thou d e s i re v i cto ry i t shal l b e ,

assu re d on condi t i on that thou obtai n t h e Gu ru s
ass i stanc e Th i s advi c e pl e as e d Bh i m Chand an d
.

,

h e accordi ngl y s e nt t h e p ri m e m i n i st e r to t h e Gu r u
to re qu e st h i s act i v e suppo r t .

l T h e Gu ru pond e re d on t h e p r oposal and acc e pt e d

it f or t h e fol l ow i ng re asons Th e fri e ndsh i p b e tw e e n

h i ms e l f and R a j a Bh i m Cha n d wa s dul y rat i e d
m
,

and i t wou l d b e a sham e to h i i fby h i s re fusal to ,

r e nd e r ass i stanc e h i s f ri e nd w e r e d e f e at e d
,
S e condl y .
,

Bh i m Ch a nd s p ri m e m i n i st e r had put h i ms e l f und e r

t h e Gu ru s prot e ct i on as a suppl i ant and t h e Gu ru

,

f e l t that h e cou l d not r e fus e h i s pray e r He .

a ccordi ngl y s e nt Raj a Bh i m Chand t h e fol l owi ng

m e ssag e I shal l b e wi th th e e e arl y on t h e mo rrow
, .

Pay no t ri but e to t h e Tu rks I f thou pay i t to day .

-
,

th e re wi l l b e anoth e r d e mand on th e e t o mo rr ow -
.

But i fthou ght and caus e t h e Tu rks to re t re at ,

th e n shal l no one mol e st th e e .

Raj a Bh i m Ch a nd on r e c e i vi ng th i s p rom i s e made

c e rtai n of h i s v i ctory Raj a K e sari Chand Raj a
.
,

P ri t h i Chand and Raj a Sukh D e v took th e i r fo r c e s

,

to j oi n h i s and a l l p roc e e d e d to N a d a un to g i v e
,

batt l e to Al i f Khan Raj a K ri p al and Raj a D a y al s

, ,

t roops Th e s e w e re e ncamp e d on an e m i n e nc e and

.
,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 53

had th e re fo re sup e ri o ri ty of posi t i on Bh i m Chand .

i n e ffe ctu a l l y e ssay e d to t a k e th e m by su rp ri s e but ,

t h e a rrows and b ul l e ts wh i ch h i s t roops d i scha rg e d

onl y st ruck rocks and t re e s and i n i ct e d no l oss on ,

t h e e n e my Bh i m Chand much di sh e art e n e d i n

.
, ,
~

v ok e d wi th a l l f e rvou r Hanuman t h e monk e y god

, ,
-

who had assi st e d Ram Chanda r i n h i s e xp e di ti on

agai nst C e yl on and cal l e d on h i s al l i e s to j o i n h i m
m
,

i n anoth e r cha rg e Th i s wa s e t by Raj a K rip a l

m
.

and Raj a D a y a l s fo rc e s wh o sl e w al l t h e e n that

succ e e d e d i n scal i ng t h e e m i n e nc e Bh i m Chand .

had now al most l ost a l l hop e wh e n t h e m i n i st e r

re m i nd e d h i m
that t h e Gu ru s t roops had not y e t

T h e Gu ru re c e i v i ng Bh i m Ch a n d s

e nt e r e d t h e e l d .

summons mount e d h i s st e e d and at onc e p roc e e d e d

, ,

to h i s ass i stanc e .

Bh i m Chand aft e r g re e t i ng t h e Gu ru re qu e st e d
m
, ,

hi , wh o was s e n i o r as w e l l b y v i rtu e o f h i s sp i ri tual

r ank as by t h e b r av e ry of h i s t roops to sto r m t h e ,

e n e mie s posi t i on Th e Gu r u and h i s t roops di s
.

cha rg e d fatal a rr ows rush e d t h e stockade s and , ,

c re at e d d i smay i n t h e r anks Oft h e e n e my A l i f .

K h an Raj a K ri p a l and Raj a Dayal now thought

, ,

i t t i m e to l e av e th e i r fastn e ss e s and com e fo rth to

confront Bh i m Chand and t h e Gu ru Th e i r mai n .

attack wa s di re ct e d aga i nst Bh i m Chand whom th e y

c a us e d to re t re at P ri t h i Chand e nd e avou re d to
.

r e st ra i n Bh i m Ch a n d s r e t re at i ng fo rc e s and s i ng l e

hand e d w i th d rawn swo r d se t h i ms e l f to oppos e

, ,

Al i f Khan and D a y a l s ons e t S O comp l e t e l y d i d h e

.

succ e e d that A l i f Khan and h i s al l i e s t roops tu rn e d

to ee. Raj a D ayal was e n rag e d at s e e i ng h i s t roops

r e t re at i ng and b e g a n t o p l y h i s a rr ows wi th such
,

fatal e f fe ct on h i s oppon e nts t hat Bh i m Ch a nd s

t roops agai n wav e re d Upon th i s Bh i m Chand

'

agai n addre ss e d h i ms e l f to t h e Gu ru O Gu ru , ,

s e e st thou not that th i s b rav e man i s d e stroy i ng

o u r a r my If I am d e fe at e d thou shal t hav e t h e ,

O dium th e re of
Th e Gu ru at onc e tu rn e d h is st e e d
.
54 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
round and chal l e ng e d Raj a Dayal I f thou m e an to ,

st rik e th e n de al t h e rst b l ow Say not h e re aft e r

,
.

t hat t h e Gu ru hath st ruck th e e unawar e s Th i s .

e n r ag e d Dayal wh o at onc e mad e a d e sp e r at e e ffo r t

,

t o k i l l t h e Gu ru T h e Gu ru s e e i ng th i s took st e ady
m
.
, ,

ai wi th h i s musk e t and l odg e d a bul l e t i n D a y a l s

b re ast Dayal f e l l l i k e a t re e b l own down by t h e

.

wi nd .

Wh e n Raj a K ri p al saw h i s brav e al l y fal l e n h e

m
,

kn e w that h i s caus e was l ost H e how e v e r put h i .

, ,

s e l f i n t h e van and mad e a d e sp e r at e e f fo rt to re t ri e v e

t h e di sast e r T h e Gu ru now i n ful l mar t i al t e mp e r
.
, ,

i nc e ssant l y di scha rg e d a rr ows wh i ch took d e a dl y

ef fe ct on t h e e n e my T h e su rvi vo rs agai n . e d to
th e ir fastn e ss e s Upon th i s Al i f Khan and K ri p al
.

h e l d a counc il ofwa r Th e y both acc e pt e d t h e f a ct .

that th e y had b e e n d e f e at e d owi ng to t h e assi stanc e

g iv e n Bh i m Chand by t h e Guru and th e y r e sol v e d t o ,

e scap e at n i ght In th i s th e y succ e e d e d Wh e n t h e

. .

al l i e d a rmy n e xt mo rn i ng found t h e g round u n

occup i e d th e y w e re p rofus e i n th e i r p rai s e s a n d
,

acknowl e dg e m e nts t o t h e Gu ru Th e Gu ru i n o r de r .

to tak e re st and e nj oy re t i re m e nt a nd cont e mp l at i on

r e ma i n e d f or e i ght days aft e r t h e batt l e on t h e
pl e asant and p i ctu re squ e banks o f t h e ri v e r
B i as .

R a j a K rip al p ropos e d a re conc il i at i on wi th Raj a

Bh i m Chand wh i ch aft e r som e n e got i at i ons wa s
, , ,

dul y e f fe ct e d Th e Gu ru on h e ari ng th i s wa s g re at l y
.

pl e as e d H e de c i de d on a sp e e dy r e tu rn to An a nd
.

p u ,
r and caus e d h i s d rum to b e b e at e n as t h e S i gn al

f or h i s d e pa r tu re H i s pa rty arr i v e d at Al su n on
.

th e ir way Th e i nhab i tants h av i ng h e a rd ofRaj a

.
,

Bh i m Ch a n d s s e cre t il l w il l to t h e Guru re fus e d to

-
,

s e l l h i s troops suppl i e s On th i s t h e G u ru ow ing t o .

,

t h e n e c e ss i ty oft rav e l wa s comp e l l e d to o r d e r that ,

suppl i e s b e forc i b l y tak e n aft e r paym e nt at cu rre nt

r at e s . Wh e n t h e Gu ru app roach e d Anandpu r h e
caus e d h i s drum to b e b e at e n T h e i nhab i tants on .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 55

h e ari ng t h e onc e fam il i ar sound j oyousl y cam e fo rth

t o re c e i v e h i m
m
.

T h e Gu ru s w i f e J i to pr e s e nt e d h i
, ,
w i th a son
o n t h e s e v e nth day of t h e month o fCh e t Sambat ,

1 7 47 . T h e boy wa s cal l e d Z ora war S i ngh or t h e ,

pow e rful l i on to comm e mo rat e t h e batt l e ofNadaun

,
1
.

Wh e n i t b e cam e known that t h e S i khs had tak e n

suppl i e s forc i bl y at Al su n som e of t h e h il l ch i e fs f e are d
,

that t h e Gu ru wou l d som e day s e i z e th e i r t e rri tori e s

a l so Oth e rs w e re of a cont rary op i n i on a n d re mai n e d
m
.
,

st e adfast i n th e i r fri e ndsh i p f or h i Som e oft h e .

i nhab i tants of Anandpur wh o wav e re d i n th e i r

l oyal ty l e ft t h e c i ty l e st th e y m i ght su f
,
fe r i n any
attack mad e on i t by t h e Gu ru s e n e m i e s In th i s
.

mov e m e nt how e v e r th e y w e re f
, , a r f r om succ e ssfu l .

B ra nd e d wi th i nfamy th e y cou l d obtai n no pl ac e of

r e st e l s e wh e re and w e r e gl ad to re tu rn and su e for
,

t h e Gu ru s pardon .

One D i l aw a r Khan wh o had attai n e d pow e r i n ,

t h e Panj ab du ri ng t h e i nsu rre ct i ons wh i ch a r os e

wh il e Au rangz e b wa s e mp l oy e d i n t h e Dakhan
m
,

b e ca e j e al ous of t h e Gu ru s fam e and succ e ss and

m
,

s e nt h i s son w i th a fo rc e ofone thousand e n to

e xact t ri but e f r om h i m
I f h e re fus e d th e n Anandpu r
.
,

wa s to b e sack e d Wh e n th i s wa s accomp l i sh e d
.
,

D i l a wa r s son was to tak e t ri but e i n a s i m il ar mann e r

from a l l t h e h il l ra jas T h e son hast e n e d to ob e y t h e

.

pat e rnal command Wh e n h e re ach e d t h e bank o f

.

t h e S a t l u j one o ft h e Gu ru s scouts hast e n e d to g i v e

i nfo rmat i on oft h e a pp r oach ofa host il e forc e Th e .

Gu ru wa s rous e d f rom h i s sl e e p a t n i ght to re c e i v e

th i s i nt e l l i g e nc e and mak e hasty p re pa rat i ons f or
de f e nc e .

Th e Gu ru i mm e d i at e l y o r d e re d t h e d rum to b e
b e a t e n as t h e s i gn a l f or h i s t r oops to tak e a r ms

m
.

H is e n fe l l i nto l i n e al most i mm e d i at e l y a n d
march e d to t h e S a t l u j On th e i r a rri val th e y sta rt l e d
.

1 W
h f oll ow th e a nd t h G B ld Othe r s
'

m
e e re e ur z s .

s y i t wa s h S i n h wh w bo n S b t
a
J j a u
g
r o a s r i n t h e a a y e a 1 7 47 r .
5 6 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
th e n e my by p e al s ofart il l e ry and thus gav e an
e ,

e xagg e r at e d i d e a of th e i r numb e rs D il awar Khan s

m
.

son s e e i ng that h i s
,
e n w e re su f fe ring f rom t h e col d
and unab l e to hol d th e i r w e apons y i e l de d to t h e ,

r e p re s e nt a t i ons ofh i s O f c e rs to b e at a re t re at On .

th e ir re tu rn march th e y pl und e re d t h e town of

B a rwa Aft e r that th e y march e d to Bhal an wh e re
.
,

th e y hal t e d f or two days and l i v e d on t h e p l und e r

oft h e v il l ag e Th e y th e nc e re turn e d t o D il awar

.

Khan Th e son th r ough sham e du rst not re pl y to

m
.

h i s fath e r wh e n h e c e nsu re d h i for h i s coward i c e

and t h e fail u re ofh i s e xp e di t i on .

D i l awar Khan had a sl av e cal l e d Husai n wh o

m
,

boast e d that i fh i s mast e r gav e h i a n army h e

woul d pl unde r t h e Gu ru s c i ty Anandpu r e x a ct

, ,

t ri but e f rom Raj a Bh i m Chand and re tu rn hom e ,

e i th e r wi th t ri but e or t h e h e ads of t h e r e cusant h il l

ch i e fs To e f fe ct th e s e vari ous O bj e cts D il awar

m m
.
,

Khan gav e h i command oft wo thousand e n ,

wi th whom h e p rompt l y march e d t o Anandpu r .

Th e Gu ru k e pt h i s t r oops i n r e adi n e ss to oppos e

t h e Muhammadans M e anwh il e t h e l att e r w e re
.

pl und e ri ng t h e towns and vil l a g e s th rough wh i ch

th e y march e d Th e y al so attack e d and w e re v i c t ori
.

ou s ov e r t h e Raj a O f D a d h wa l S e e i ng th i s and al so
.

t h e st re ngth ofH u sa i n s a rmy t h e fai th l e ss R a j a

Bh i m Chand b rok e h i s t re aty wi th t h e Gu ru and ,

th re w i n h i s l ot wi th h i s e n e m i e s Bh i m Chand .
,

fol l owi ng t h e e xamp l e ofRaj a K rip al ofKang ra ,

pai d t ribut e to Husai n and i n company wi th oth e r

m
,

t r ai to rous ch i e fs proc e e de d wi th h i to sack and

d e st roy Anandpu r On h e a ri ng th i s t h e Gu ru s
.

moth e r D i wan Nand Chand t h e Gu ru s th re e su r

m
, ,

v i v i ng cous i ns and t h e a sa nd s a l l wai t e d on t h e

, ,

Gu ru H i s moth e r sai d T h e b rav e Husai n w i th

.
,

a l arg e army wi l l soon b e upon u s and thou hast ,

n ot y e t p re pa re d f or batt l e My son d e put e som e

m
.
,

masand to go and mak e p e ac e wi th h i T h e Gu ru .

r e pl i e d Moth e r d e ar b e not i n hast e

, ,
I am on l y .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 57

do i ng th e wo rk wh i ch t h e i mmo rtal God ass i gn e d

m Th e sam e i mmo rtal God wi l l not al l ow h i m
m m
e
whom thou c ou nse l l e st e to f e ar t o app roach e .

H e shal l p e ri sh b e fo re h e re ach e th Anandpur .

Wh e n Husai n was on h i s way to Anandpu r Raj a ,

Gop al ofGu l e r s e nt an e nvoy to say that h e de s i re d to

me e t h i m Husai n re pl i e d that h e wou l d b e gl ad to
m
.

se e Gopa l i fh e gav e h i a subsi dy as R a j a Bh i m

Chand and K rip a l had don e Raj a Gopal w e nt w i th
m
.

Raj a Ram S i ngh to m e e t h i Gopal took som e

m
.

mon e y wi th h i and w e nt and sa t i n counc il wi th

,

Bh i m Chand and t h e oth e r h il l ch i e fs wh o w e re

i n H u sa i n s camp

Husai n wa s not p l e as e d wi th
m
.

Gop al s cont ri but i on and tol d h i

to go hom e and
,

b ri ng as much agai n Gopal se t ou t f or t h e pu rpos e

. .

On h i s hom e wa r d way h e chang e d h i s m i nd and ,

d e c i de d that i t wou l d b e mo re p rot a b l e t o ght

wi th Husai n than g i v e h i mo re mo ne y H e acco r d m
m
.

i ng l y s e nt a m e ss e ng e r to i nfo rm h i o fh i s d e t e r

m i nat i on Wh e n Husai n re c e i v e d th i s m e ssag e h e

.
,

chang e d h i s O bj e ct i v e f rom Anandpu r to Gu l e r to

do batt l e wi th Gopal H e vow e d that h e wou l d rst .

d e st roy Gop al s c i ty and th e n march on Anandpu r

.

In pu rsuanc e ofh i s vow Husai n p roc e e d e d to Gu l e r

and i nv e st e d i t T h e c i t i z e ns w e re soon re duc e d to
.

g re a t st rai ts and t h e army ask e d p e rm i ss i on t o fo rc e

,

th e i r wa y ou t and cont e nd wi th t h e Muhammadans

i n t h e op e n e l d Raj a Gopal re p l i e d H av e pat i e nc e ;

.
,

I w il l at onc e s e nd an e nvoy to mak e p e ac e w i th

Husai n H u sa i n s t e rms w e re t h e paym e nt oft e n

.

thousand rup e e s oth e rwi s e h e wou l d put Gopal and

,

h i s t r oops to d e ath and d e st roy th e i r fo r tr e ss Gopal .

,

unab l e to acc e pt t h e t e rms s e nt an e nvoy to t h e

m
,

Gu ru to p ra y h i to n e got i at e t h e d e si re d p e ac e wi th
Husai n T h e Gu ru accord ingl y s e nt h i s ag e nt San
.

gat i a wi th a n e sco rt of s e v e n t roop e rs and o r de rs to

concl ud e such a p e ac e b e tw e e n t h e combatants as
woul d b e a dvantag e ous t o Gopal .

S a ng a t i a rst took couns e l w i th Bh im Chand and

5 8 THE S I K H RELI GION
K rip a l Bh i m Chand sai d O S i kh we h av e b e e n
.
, ,

w a i t i ng f or th e e W e adv i s e th e e to s e nd f
. or Raj a

Gopal at onc e and e ffe ct a re conc il i at i on b e tw e e n

m
,

hi and Husai n I n pu rsuanc e o fth i s O bj e ct

.

S a nga t i a who kn e w that Bh i m Chand and K ri p a l

,

we r e on H u sa in s s i de took an o a th fr om th e m

that i fh e cou l d succ e e d i n b ri ng i ng Gopal to th e m

f or t h e pu rpos e of arrang ing p e ac e th e y wo ul d
m
,

n ot mo l e st h i S a ng a t i a th e n w e nt to Gopa l and
.

stat e d al l t h e c i rcumstanc e s H e p rom i s e d Gopal

m
.

that t h e Gu ru wou l d conduct h i to Bh i m Chand

and K rip a l who w e re wi th Husai n and agai n tak e
m
,

hi back i n saf e ty t o h i s fo rt S a nga t i a add e d that .

i fHusai n d i d not ag re e to p e ac e but acc e pt e d t h e ,

fat e Ofbatt l e Gopal shoul d by t h e Guru s favour b e

,

v i ctori ous .

Wh e n Gopal re ach e d t h e al l i e d ch i e fs Bh i m Chand

m
,

tol d h i that i fh e pai d t h e t ri but e d e mande d a l l

woul d b e w e l l Gopal st il l re fus e d to pay t h e mon e y
.
,

and sai d Husai n m i ght do as h e pl e as e d Upon th i s

m
.
,

K ri p a l p l ott e d w i th Bh i m Chand to a rr e st h i
m
and mak e h i ov e r to Husai n Gopal who h e a r d .
,

th e i r i nt e nt i on cont ri v e d t o e l ude th e m and havi ng

, ,

r e t ire d t o t h e p rot e ct i on O f h i s ar my s e nt a m e ssag e

ofd e anc e to h i s e n e m i e s .

On one Si de w e re rang e d Husai n Raj a Bh i m ,

Chand ofB il aspu r and Raj a K ri p al of Kang ra On ,

.

t h e oth e r w e re Raj a Gopal ofGu l e r and Raj a Ram

S i ngh a pow e rful ch i e f wh o was i n al l i anc e wi th h i
,
m .

T h e ght b e gan w i th i nd e sc ri bab l e v e h e m e nc e Th e .

Gu ru s e nvoy S anga t i a and h i s s e v e n S i khs w e re

s l ai n
. Husai n hav i ng fought wi th gr e at b rav e ry
p e ri sh e d on t h e batt l e e l d Raj a K ri p a l ofKangr a
mm
-
.

wa s Sl ai n H i mmat and K i
. at two ofH u sa i n s ,

Of c e rs w e r e al so sl ai n On s e e i ng th i s Bh i m

.
, ,

Chand e d wi th h i s army Gopal th e n w e nt w i th

m
.

l a rg e O ffe ri ngs to t h e Gu ru and thank e d h i f or h i s

suppo r t and h i s p ray e rs f or t h e v i cto ry

m
.

Som e a sa nd s e scap e d to t h e n e i ghbou ri ng h il l s

 L IFE OF GURU GOB I ND S IN GH 59

and p rocl ai m e d th e ms e l v e s gu rus I n th i s th e y had .

a twofo l d O bj e ct T h e Emp e ro r Au r angz e b s e nt

m
.

h i s son M u a zz i aft e rwar ds known as Bahadu r

,

Shah i nto t h e Panj ab to col l e ct t ri but e and t h e

m
, ,

asa n d s f e a re d that th e y S hou l d hav e to pa r t w i th

th e i r w e al th both t o t h e Emp e ro r and t h e Gu ru I t .

do e s not app e ar that t h e Emp e ro r s son re mai n e d
l ong i n t h e Panj ab or comm i tt e d any d e p re dat i ons
th e re . H e wa s succ e e d e d by G e n e ra l M i rza Be g ,

wh o p e re mpto ri l y d e mande d t ri but e f rom t h e h i l l

m
,

ch i e fs Th e y re p re s e nt e d that t h e a sa nd s wh o had
.

s e tt l e d i n th e i r t e rri to ri e s w e re i n poss e ssi on ofgr e at

,

w e al th ofwh i ch th e y had pl und e re d t h e Gu ru and

h i s S i khs and wh i ch th e y m i ght b e cal l e d upon to d i s
,

go rg e . M i rza Be gp roc e e d e d aga i nst th e m st ri pp e d ,

th e m ofa l l th e y poss e ss e d and subj e ct e d th e m t o e x

m
,

u i i t e to r tu re s Any that e scap e d f rom h i w e re

q s .

a ft e rwards pun i sh e d by fou r oth e r e qual l y re l e nt

l e ss o f c e rs wh o succ e e d e d h i m .

A th i rd son J u jh a r S i ngh wa s now bo rn t o t h e

, ,

Gu ru on Sunday t h e rst day oft h e s e cond hal f oft h e

,

month ofMagh S ambat 1 7 5 3 A D 1 6 9 7 Th i s was

, ,
. . .

h i s wi f e J i t o s s e cond son

,

Among thos e who w e nt to t h e Gu ru to c ongra t u

l at e h i mon t h e b i rth of h i s son w e re many ba r ds ,

Sanyasi s U d a si s and Ba i ra gi s wh o had oft e n l i s

, , ,

t e n e d to t h e Gu ru s conv e rsat i on At that t i m e too .

cam e a h a rd cal l e d Kuwar son ofa f a mous po e t ,

c a l l e d K e sho D as of Bu nd h e l k h a n d Au rangz e b had .

t ri e d to conv e r t Kuwar fo rc i bl y to I sl am upon

wh i ch h e
,
.

ed f or p r ot e ct i on to t h e Gu ru H e p re .

s e nt e d a v e ry humb l e m e t ri cal p e t i t i on wh i ch t h e
m
,

Gu ru wa s pl e as e d to acc e pt Th e Gu ru took h i .

i nto h i s s e rv i c e on a l i b e ral sal a ry a nd i n a s i m il a r

m
,

way w e l com e d a l l bar ds wh o cam e t o h i f or

e mp l oym e nt .

T h e p ract i c e ofa rms was n e v e r l ost s i ght o fat t h e

Gu ru s cou rt Ev e n h i s e l d e st son Aj i t S i ngh though
.
, ,

now onl y t e n y e ars ofa ge was du l y i nst ruct e d i n t h e

,
60 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
u se o fo ffe ns i v e and d e f e nsi v e w e apons T h e Gu ru .

us e d to tak e Z ora wa r S i ngh i n h i s l a p wh il e h e

watch e d Aj i t S i ngh f e nc i ng J u jh a r S i ngh too us e d
.

to b e b rought by h i s nu rs e to wi tn e ss t h e p e rfo rmanc e

and i mb ib e from i nfancy a l ov e f or ma r t i al e x e r

c i s e s T h e Gu ru us e d O ft e n to i nform h i s ch il dre n
.

o fwhat t h e count r y h a d su f fe re d fr om t h e Tu rks ,

so i t b e hov e d th e m to l e a rn how to p rot e ct th e m

s e l v e s and th e i r S i khs .

J i to i n d u e t i m e gav e b i rth to a th i rd son Fatah ,

S i ngh wh o wa s bo rn on W e dn e sday t h e e l e v e nth

, ,

day ofPhagan Sambat 1 7 5 5 A D 1 6 99 Th i s was

, ,
. . .

t h e Gu ru s fourth son i n a l l

.

C HAP T ER V I I I
O ne day t h e S i khs ask e d a pandi t wh o us e d t o
r e ad e p i c po e ms to t h e Gu ru Are t h e d e e ds a t t ri
,

but e d to Bh i m Arjan and oth e rs re al or e xagg e r at e d ?

, , ,

T h e pandi t thus add re ss e d actu a t e d by gr e e d d e

, , ,

c i de d to m i sl e ad h i s qu e st i on e rs and re p l i e d Bh i m , , ,

Arjan and t h e r e st w e re re al l y as pow e rful as th e y

,

a re d e sc ri b e d to hav e b e e n Th i s was t h e re sul t O f

.

th e i r sac ri c e s and bu rnt O f fe rings i n honour of

Du rga wh i ch made h e r v i si bl e to th e m Th e S i khs .

th e n p ra y e d t h e pandi t to S how th e m h ow th e y
cou l d b e hol d t h e godd e ss and vanqu i sh th e i r ,

e n e mie s . Th e pandi t on h e a ri ng th i s i nwardl y

, ,

r e j o i c e d that t h e S i khs had at l a st fal l e n i nto h i s

pow e r and what h e d e e m e d mo re i mpo rtant that

, , ,

h e had found an oppo rtun i ty of mak i ng a comp e

f e nc e f or h i ms e l f H e re pl i e d
. A l though no god ,

or godd e ss b e com e th v i s i b l e i n th i s K a l a g e y e t such ,

a man i f e stat i on may b e possibl e by a d u e e x p e n d i

tu re of mon e y a nd by t h e p e rfo rmanc e ofc e rtai n
acts ofd e vot i on W e re t h e godde ss Du rga t o a pp e a r
.
,

sh e wou l d fu l l a l l you r d e s i r e s But a g re at f e ast .

must rst b e c e l e b r at e d and a t ri al made as to wh o

,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 61

a re th e most ho l y B rahmans so th a t th e y may ,

p e rfo rm sac ri c e and bu rnt o f fe ri ngs w i th t h e obj e ct

o fe nsu ri ng t h e a pp e a r anc e o ft h e godd e ss

Th e .

S i khs i nfo rm e d t h e Gu ru ofth i s conv e rsat i on H e .

sai d to t h e pandi t You r stat e m e nt that t h e godd e ss

,

b e com e th not man i f e st i n t h e K a l a ge i s no t suppo rt e d

by p roof I f sh e app e are d i n t h e past a g e s wh y
.
,

shou l d sh e not al so i n th i s And i fsh e app e ar not

i n th i s a g e th e n i t i s unl i k e l y that sh e app e are d i n
,

any fo rm e r a ge At t h e sam e t i m e I re qu ire not

.
,

h e r b l e ss i ngs or cu rs e s I am son Oft h e I mmo rtal

m
.
,

who i s t h e K i ng ofgods and e n wh o c ont rol l e t h ,

m il l i ons ofwo rl ds wh o i s omn i pot e nt wh o ch e ri sh e th

m
, ,

e ; and I h av e no n e e d t o ador e gods or godd e ss e s .

T h e pand i t agai n re p re s e nt e d that i ft h e S i khs

made Du rga man i f e st th e y shou l d b e succ e ssfu l i n,

a l l th e i r batt l e s as Du rga h e r s e l f had b e e n i n a l l h e r

cont e sts w i th t h e d e mons wh o had a d e war on

2
m
t h e b e n i gn d e i t i e s T h e Gu ru b e i ng thus i mpo r
.

tun e d d e t e rm i n e d to d e monst r at e t h e hypoc ri sy of

,

t h e B ra hmans H e i nv i t e d th e m a l l t o a g re at f e ast
. .

Ev e ry form ofv i ands i nc l udi ng m e at wa s p rovi de d

, ,

f or t h e gu e sts Wh e n th e y w e re ass e mb l e d h e made

m
.
,

i t known that h e wou l d g i v e v e gol d u h a rs to

e ach B r ahman wh o a t e m e at wh i l e to e ach of thos e ,

wh o a t e food cook e d wi th c l ari e d butt e r h e woul d

g i v e v e rup e e s T o e a t m e a t i s re al l y forb i dd e n to
.

a ll B r ahmans ; y e t s e v e r al ofth e m d i d so i nduc e d ,

by t h e p rom i s e d re war d Acco rdi ng to one account .

fou rt e e n and acco r ding t o anoth e r tw e nty one

,
-

B rahmans re fus e d th e m e at offe re d th e m Th e .

Gu ru w e nt to t h e B rahmans wh o had e at e n i t ,

and re buk e d th e m sayi ng You are s e tt i ng a bad

, ,

e xamp l e to your p e op l e You a re not Brahmans

m
.

but ghou l s I t i s to d e c e i v e e n you w e ar t h e t i l aks

.

on yo u r fo r e h e ads and p re t e nd re h i gh pr i e sts

y o u a

1
Bhai Gyan S i ngh s P a l / P a rke r/ Chapte r 2 5

u z z, .

2
The se are re l ate d i n th e M ark ande ya P u an ofth e H i ndus r . T he
wo rk h as re ce ntl y b e e n transl ate d b y M r F E P argite r . . . .
62 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
o fre l ig i on but i n re a l i ty you a re m e re l y Chandal s
, ,

t h e l ow e st c l a ss o fp a ri ahs T h e Gu ru how e v e r

.
, ,

gav e th e m t h e p romi s e d re ward .

On that occasi on t h e Gu r u quot e d t h e fol l owi ng

wo r ds O f K ab ir
K a b ir wh e re th e re is d i vi n e kno wl e dge th e re is v i rt u e ;
,

a nd wh e re th e re i s f a l s e hood th e re i s s i n

Wh e re th e re i s c ov e to u sn e ss th e re i s d e a th wh e re th e re
is f o rgi v e n e ss th e re i s God H i m se l f .

Th e Guru al so quot e d t h e fol l ow i ng sl ok ofGu ru

Amar D as
As f a r a s poss i b l e re l y not on t h e c ove to u s

At t h e l a st momnt e th e y wil l pl ant th e e wh e re nobody

wi l l l e nd th e e a h a nd .

Th e B rahmans wh o abstai n e d from m e at p re ss e d

t h e pandi t s sugg e st i on on t h e Gu ru

If thou by ,

wo rsh i p and aust e ri t i e s can b e hol d Du rga wh o i s t h e ,

l i v i ng bu rn i ng l i ght o fth i s a ge S h e w i l l grant th e e ,

any boon thou maye st d e s i re T h e Gu r u i nqu i r e d

.

Can y ou re nde r Du rga man i fe st What y ou p ropos e

i s not accordi ng t o my re l i g i on

T h e B r ahmans .

re p l i e d that th e r e was a B r ahman cal l e d K e sho at

Banar as wh o had pow e r to re nd e r t h e godde ss

man i f e st but h e wou l d d e mand l arg e r e mun e r at i on
, .

T h e Gu ru agai n ask e d h ow a man l l e d wi th gr e e d ,

such as th e y re p re s e nt e d K e sho t o b e coul d poss e ss ,

such sp i ri tual pow e r as to caus e Durga to app e ar .

T h e B r ahmans unab l e to answ e r th i s qu e st i on took

, ,

th e i r d e partu re .

Th e Gu ru ut i l i z e d t h e ass e mb l ag e at t h e H i ndu
f e st i val oft h e Hol i t o o rgan i z e on t h e fol l owi ng day
a m i m i c warfa r e wh i ch h e cal l e d mahal l a f
,
1
or t h e ,

e x e rc i s e of h i s t r oops T h e O bj e ct oft h e Gu ru has

.

i n re c e nt t i m e s b e e n obta i n e d by t h e camps of e x e rc i s e
y e arl y e stab l i sh e d by t h e I ndi an Gov e rnm e nt 2
.

1
A p l ace f
or l l l o c onte st
m at P m
ze a r .

2
S a da K ahn S inghf
r r s G l d ka r p 1 3
ur u 4 z , . .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SIN GH 63

K e sho who was e xc e e di ngl y avari c i ous h e a r d that

, ,

t h e Gu ru wa s v e ry op e n hand e d and accordi ng l y

m
-
,

w e nt to h i H e sai d h e was on h i s wa y to b e hol d

m
.

t h e godd e ss o fJ a wal a u k h i but had hal t e d to se e

,

t h e Gu r u whos e g re atn e ss wa s un i v e rsal l y re cog

ni z e d . H e to l d t h e Gu ru that h e had powe r to re nd e r
t h e godd e ss man i f e st but t h e c e re mon i e s and burnt
,

of fe ri ngs wh i ch wou l d hav e to b e p e rfo rm e d as

a p r e l i m i na ry wou l d b e v e ry e xp e ns i v e K e sho was .

suppo rt e d by t h e oth e r B r ahmans wh o aga i n p re ss e d,

t h e Gu ru to hav e t h e n e c e ssa ry c e re mon i e s and

bu rnt offe rings p e rfo rm e d T h e Gu ru i n orde r to
.

d e monst rat e K e sh o s i ns i nc e ri ty outwar dl y acc e pt e d

h is of

fe r T h e B rahman on asc e rta i n i ng t h e Gu ru s
.

w e al th wa s h i gh l y pl e as e d and prom i s e d al l ass i stanc e .

H e made out a l i st o fmat e ri a l s f or a b orn or bu r nt

of fe r i ng wh i ch wou l d cost a l arg e su

,
ofmon e y m .

Th e Gu ru p rov i de d what was r e qu i re d and ask e d ,

wh e re t h e ho rn wa s to b e p e rfo rm e d T h e B r ah
.

man re p l i e d that i t must b e p e rfo rm e d i n a l on e l y

spot T h e Gu ru po i nt e d t o t h e b e aut i fu l h il l of
.

N ai na D e v i as a p l ac e wh e re a l l c e re mon i e s cou l d
b e p e rfo r m e d p ri vat e l y and wi thout i nt e rrupt i on .

T h e B rahman was much p l e as e d p r ai s e d t h e Gu ru s
,

j udg e m e nt and l ib e ral i ty and sai d that t h e god

,

de ss wou l d c e rtai nl y app e ar at t h e pl ac e i n di cat e d .

T h e Gu r u th e n o r de re d t h e ground to b e c l e a re d ,

aft e r wh i ch t h e B r ahman p roc e e d e d t o p e rfo rm t h e

c e re mon ie s n e c e ssa ry f or t h e godde ss s man i f e sta

t i on .

One day t h e Gu ru w e nt ou t shoot i ng and k il l e d

s e v e ral fo re st b i r ds On h i s r e tu rn K e sho tol d h i
. m
t h e godd e ss wou l d n e v e r app e a r t o any one wh o took
l i fe
. Th e Gu ru r e p l i e d that an i ma l s w e re cont i nual l y
s a c ri c e d to t h e B rahman s godd e ss at J awal a

mukh i H e th e n o rde re d h i s s e rvant to l e t go t h e

.

b irds Wh e n t h e st ri ngs wi th wh i ch th e y had b e e n

.

fast e n e d to t h e Gu ru s saddl e w e r e undon e i t i s

sa i d t h e b i rds
,

, e w away K e sho wa s aston i sh e d and

.
64 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
xp re ss e d h i ms e l f happy at h av i ng b e e n b rought i n
m
e
contact wi th such a ho l y a n as t h e Gu ru
m
.

T h e Gu ru h a d many st r ang e p re s e nts mad e h i .

One day a g a r d e n e r p re s e nt e d h i ms e l f H e had .

com e a l l t h e way from Patna wi th a young mango

t re e as an o f fe ri ng Th e gar de n e r narr at e d how h e
.

had p l a nt e d a gar de n and vow e d i n t h e hop e O f

,

succ e ss t o g i v e t h e rst t re e i t p roduc e d to t h e Gu ru .

H e now b rought t h e t re e and a sk e d t h e Gu ru wh e re

,

h e wou l d hav e i t p l ant e d T h e Gu ru sa i d h e wou l d

.

shoot an arrow and wh e re i t f e l l t h e t re e m i ght b e

,

pl ant e d T h e Gu ru s a rrow f e l l f
.

ar d i stant and ,

th e re t h e young t re e wa s du l y pl ant e d .

Aft e r n i n e months wo rsh i p and i nvocat i on oft h e

godde ss t h e pandi t tol d t h e Gu ru that sh e wou l d soon
app e ar Th e re wou l d b e many i ndi cat i ons of such
.

a re su l t .A di sast rous e arthquak e woul d occu r ,

th e re woul d b e unusual l i ghtn i ngs and s e v e ral oth e r ,

fo rm i dab l e po rt e nts wou l d app e ar i n t h e h e av e ns .

T h e Gu ru p re ss e d t h e B rahman to x a dat e for t h e

godd e ss s app e aranc e Th e B rahman x e d t h e rst
.

day of t h e Na u ra t a r a f e st i val i n honou r ofDu rga
h e l d i n t h e month ofAssu and Ch e t f or t h e ph e no

m e non T h e rst day ofCh e t pass e d and sh e d id

.
,

not app e ar T h e B rahman th e n sai d sh e wou l d

.

app e a r on t h e fth oft h e Na u ra t ar Th e fth day .

pass e d and sh e di d not app e ar Th e B rahman th e n

, .

sai d that som e hol y p e rson must b e O f fe re d as

a sac ri c e to h e r and S h e woul d aft e rwards u
,
m
doubt e dl y di scl os e h e rs e l f Th e Gu ru re pl i e d Who
.
,

so wo rthy t o b e O f fe r e d as a sac ri c e as thou Thou

say e st th e re a re non e so hol y as B rahmans Th e .

pandi t on h e ari ng th i s b e gan to susp e ct that t h e

Gu ru m e ant to sac ri c e h i to t h e godde ss and m , ,

i fth i s occu rre d what a sad re comp e ns e i t wou l d b e

,

f or a l l h i s l abou r s ! H e th e n sai d I f thou g i v e

m
,

e p e rm i ss i on ,
I wil l go and f e tch a human sac ri
ce No t h e sac ri c e i s h e re
. T h e Gu ru re p l i e d ,
.

On th i s t h e pandi t s cou rag e ooz e d forth from t h e

 LI FE OF GURU GOB IN D SINGH 65

part i t i ons ofh i s brai n H e i mm e di at e l y l e ft t h e .

Gu ru s p re s e nc e on t h e pr e t e xt of p e rfo rm i ng an
off i c e of natur e and n e v e r paus e d i n h i s i ght unt il
,

h e had a rr i v e d at a saf e re t re at .

Aft e r K e sho had thus absconde d t h e Gu ru o rde re d ,

that t h e mat e ri al s wh i ch had b e e n col l e ct e d for t h e

c e re mony S hou l d b e th rown i nto t h e h o p i t Upon m
-
.

th i s a gr e at am e shot up towards t h e h e av e ns Wh e n .

th i s was s e e n from afar a l l t h e sp e ctato rs f e l t c e rtai n

,

that t h e Guru h i ms e l f had caus e d Durga to app e ar .

T h e Gu ru d re w h i s swo r d and se t ou t f or Anandpur .

Wh e n t h e p e opl e ask e d i ft h e godd e ss had app e ar e d

to h i m h e r ai s e d h i s sword al oft i nasmuch as to
, ,

say that by God s assi stanc e h i s swo r d wou l d p e r

fo rm t h e d e e ds wh i ch t h e Brahmans attr ibut e d to

Du rga Th e p e opl e th e n e rron e ousl y b e l i e v e d that
m
.

t h e godde ss had g i v e n h i t h e sword 1

.

T h e B ai sakh i f e st i val was now approach i ng Th e .

Guru gav e a gr e at f e ast to wh i ch h e i nv i t e d a l l

who w e re ass e mbl e d i n Anandpu r but omi tt e d t h e
m
,

B rahman K e sho H e howe v e r s e nt for h i wh e n

.
, ,

a ll t h e gu e sts had partak e n o ft h e f e ast K e sho .

angril y r e fus e d t h e i nvi tat i on and sai d h e wou l d ,

no t e a t t h e l e av i ngs ofa l ow cast e rabb l e D i wan

-
.

Nand Chand on b e hal f of t h e Guru r e cal l e d

, ,

to K e sh o s m e mo ry t h e fact that h e had l i k e a

coward d e s e rt e d h i m
F i n e s e rvi c e thou di dst
m
.

p e rfo rm f or h i and th i n e ang e r and d i sappo i nt

,

m e nt are t h e re sul t K e sho on fu r th e r re e ct i on w e nt

to t h e Gu ru but at t h e sam e t i m e re fus e d to e a t t h e
,

r e mai ns oft h e f e ast Th e Gu ru compos e d t h e f . ol

l owi ng o n th i s occasi on
Wh a t e v e r God wrot e i n t h y d e st i n y tho u h a st obt a i n e d ;
0 B ra h m a n b a n i sh t h y re g re t

It is not m ape d m m m
,

y f
a u l t t h a t i t e s c y e o r
y ; th i nk not
ofa n g er .

I sh a l l s e nd th e e cl oth e s and b e dd i n gto d ay ; b e tho ro u gh l y

a ss u re d of th i s .

1
Gyan S ing h s P a nt/ P r /task Chapte r 2 5

z a ,
.

S I KH
. V F
66 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
K e sh o re pl i e
d Al l K h a t ri s a re md
a e b y th eB ra h m a ns

m Look on
my S i khs
.

Th e Ga e h e re wi th a g l a n c e of
f
av o u r .
1

H e re t h e Guru b e gan to l aud h i s S i khs and acknow

l e dg e t h e pow e rfu l ass i stanc e h e had re c e i v e d f rom

My vi cto ri e s i n b attl e h av e b e e n th ro ugh th e i r f a v oiir ;

th ro u gh th e ir f av o u r I h a v e a l re a d y m a de g if ts ;
Th ro u gh th e ir f a vo u r a l l m t r o u b l e s h a v e b e e n re m o v ed ;
y
th ro u gh th e i r f a vo u r a g ai n m y ho u s e i s re p l e n i sh e d
Th rou gh th e ir f a vo u r I h a v e a c q u i re d kno wl e d g e ; th ro u gh
th e i r k i ndn e ss al l m e n e m i e s h av e b e e n k il l e d ;

a vo u r I a m
y
Th ro u gh th e i r f e x a l t e d ; oth e rwi s e th e re a re

mil l i ons ofo rd in ary me n l ik e m y s e l f 2

.

To s e rv e th e mp l e a s e th m y h e a rt ; no oth e r s e rv i c e i s

d e ar to m so u l
ts on th e mi s we l l to m
y .

To b e stow gif ak e g if ts to oth e rs

i s not p rot a b l e f or my S i khs
To b e sto w u pon th e mwil l b e ar f
.

ru i t i n t h e n e xt wo rl d

a nd wi l l b ri n ghono u r e v e n i n th i s to b e sto w on oth e rs is

al to g e th e r u s e l e ss

Al l t h e we a l th ofm m
.

y ho u s e wi th y s o u l a nd bod y i s for

th e m .

Th e B rah m an b e c a m e a ngry a nd h i s h e ar t b e ga n to f
r
y
a nd b u rn l i k e d ry gra ss

H e we pt a t t h e c u sto mwh ic h h a d b e e n e st ab l i sh e d f
.

or

th e fu t u re .

Som e wri t e rs a re ofop i n i on that t h e Gu ru du ri ng ,

t h e t i m e t h e ch ron i cl e r s stat e h e was occup i e d i n wor

sh i pp i ng Du rg a was i n re al i ty t ransl at i ng Sansk ri t
,

works i n t h e s e cl usi on and t ranqu il l i ty oft h e moun

tai n gl ade s Th e s e e v e nts occu rre d i n Sambat 1 7 5 5
.
,

1
Th i s was sai d i on i cally T h e Guru did not re qui re K e sh o s
r .

a ss i stan ce f o h i s S i khs
That i s i fth e S i khs h ad not assi ste d m
r .

e I sho u l d be now i n th e
2

sam ht as m
,

e p li g illi ons o fothe rs .

 LI FE O F GURU GOBIND S IN GH 67

A . D . and i t was on t h e fourt e e nth day ofJ un e

ofthat y e a r t h e Guru accordi ng to h i s own stat e

m ent compl e t e d h i s t r ansl at i on oft h e Ram Avatar

from Sansk ri t i nto H i ndi H e adds that i t was .

compl e t e d at t h e bas e of t h e l ofty N ai na D e v i on

t h e marg i n oft h e S a t l u j wat e rs .

C HAP T ER I X
W hav e now arr iv e d at a v e r y cr i t i cal stag e of
e

o u r b i og raphy of t h e Gu ru and i t i s n e c e ssary t o ,

se t forth wi th c l e arn e ss and c e rtai nty wh at t h e

Gu ru r e al l y thought ofi do l atry or t h e wo rsh i p of
i nan i mat e obj e cts .

On th i s subj e ct t h e b e st e v i d e nc e obtai nab l e i s t h e

Gu ru s own acknowl e dg e d composi t i ons

I n th e .

A k a l U sta t h e wr i t e s as fo l l ows
So m e wo r sh i pp i n gston e s p u t th e m on th e ir h e a ds so m e

am ro m
,

su sp e nd l i n g sf th e i r n e cks ;
So m e se e God in t h e so u th so m e b ow th e i r h e a ds to t h e ,

we st ; 2

So m e f ool s wo rsh ip i do l s oth e rs b u sy th e m s e l ve s wi th

,

wo rsh i pp i n gt h e d e a d
a l s e c e re m
.

T h e whol e wo rl d e nt a n g l e d in f on ie s h a th not
f o u nd God s s e cre t
.

Agai n i n t h e sam e composi t i on t h e Gu ru a d d re ssI ng

an i dol at e r wrot e as fol l ows
0 g re a t b e a st tho u re cogniz e st not H i mwhos e gl o ry
,

l l e t h t h e th re e wo rl ds
Inst e a d oft h e S u p re m
.

e God tho u worsh ip p e st th i n g s th e

t o u c h ofwh i c h sh a ll ca u s e th e e to l os e h e a v e n
By way ofdo in ggood ac ts tho u c o m mitt e st sin a t wh ich
.

e ve n t h e g re a t e st s ins a re a b a sh e d

1
Sa jP k d / Ru t I I I Cha pte r 9
t m m m
2

m
ra ar s z, ,
.

2 D kb n
r/ H
'
d p k b
'

A l /d l k i K b i T h

i n D wa ak a) ofthe M uh am
a a oe z arz a sa , r ace z z u c a, a .

Go d of th e Hi nd u s dwe ll s i n th e so uth (
m
r ,

adans i n the w e st ( M akk a) .

68 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
e e t of
F al l a t t h e f t h e S u p re me B e in g O f
ool H e i s not ,

i n a ston e .

I n t h e V i ch i t ar Na t a k a re found t h e fol l owi ng

among oth e r si mil ar v e rse s
I mnot wo sh ipp fton
a a r er o s e s
mI s t is d wi th y
,

N or a a e an i gi o u s garb
re l .

In t h e th i r ty th re e -
S a wai y as t h e Guru
e xpr e sse s
h i ms e l f as fol l ows
So m e fa st e n a n i do l rm l y to th e i r b re a sts so m e say th a t ,

Sh i v i s God
Som e say th a t God i s i n th e t e m p l e of th e H i ndu s oth e rs
b e l i e v e th a t H e i s in t h e m osqu e o/ th e M u sa l m cm s

So m e say th a t R a m i s God so m e say K ri sh a n so me in

th e ir h e a rts acc e pt t h e i n carn at i ons as God

Bu t I h a v e f o rgott e n al l v ai n re l igi on a nd kno w in m y
h e a rt th a t t h e Cre a to r i s t h e on l y God .

W h y wo rsh i p ston e God i s not in a ston e

m
a

wo rsh i p ofwho m
.

Wo rsh ip H i as God b y t h e al l t h y S i ns
h
s al l bes d
ro m
e ra e

And b y t a k i n gwhos e nam

,

e tho u sh al t b e f re e d f al l

th y m e nt al a nd bod il y e nt a n g lem e nts

M ak e t h e m
.

e d i t a t i on o f God e v e r t h y ru l e of a c t i on no
a dva nt ag e c an b e Obt a i n e d b y t h e p ra c t i c e of fa l s e re l i gi on .

Agai n th eGu ru wri t e s as fol l ows i n h i s c e l e brat e d

l e tt e r to th e Emp e ror Aurangz e b
I am t h e d e st ro y e r oft h e t u rb u l e nt h il l m
en

S i n ce th e y a re i dol a t e rs and I a ma b re ak e r ofi dol s

,

In furth e r e vi de nc e oft h e Guru s s e nt i m e nts on

t h e subj e ct O f i dol at ry we hav e a compos i t i on

, ,

e i th e r w ri tt e n or sanct i on e d by h i ms e l f wh i ch i s ,

found i n h i s col l e ct e d wo rks on wh i ch to bas e ou r ,

concl usi on .

Th e re was a k in g c al l e d S u mat S ai n marri e d to a l a d

y
cal l e d S am a rm at i Th e y h a d f
. o u r sons a nd an on l y .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND S INGH 69

d a u ght e r c al l e d R ank h am b h K al a T h e c h il d re n we re p u t
u nd e r t h e t u i t i on O fa B rah m
.

an One d ay t h e p ri n c e ss
we nt e arl ie r th a n u s u al to t h e B rah m
.

a n s ho u s e a nd f o u nd

h im wo rsh i pp in ga nd p rost ra t i n gh i m se l f be f o re a sal agra m

a nd a l i n gam
1
Sh e sm i l e d on s e e i n gh e r t u to r th u s e n gage d
a nd a sk e d h i m
.
,

t h e re a son of h i s e xt ra o rd i n a ry c ond u c t .

T h e Bra h m an

Th i s sal agra mO l a dy i s a god who mgre a t k in gs a dore

, ,
.

Wh a t dost tho u wh o a rt igno ra nt kno w a bo u t i t ? Tho u

de e me st th i s sal a gra mwh i ch i s god to b e a ston e .

T h e P ri nce ss
0 g t f
oo
re a l tho u r e c
, o gn i z e st not H i m whos e l
g y o r l l e t h
t h e th re e wo rl ds Tho u worsh i p p e st th i s ston e a t whos e
to u c h m Tho u c o m mitt e st s i n
.

an s f u t u re bl i ss i s f

o rf e it e d

.

to a tt a n th i n e own Obj e c t s u ch sin a s oth e r s i ns wo u l d b e

i
ag h a st a t O b e a st f
. al l at t h e f , e e t of th e g re a t God He
i s not a ston e H e l i v e th in t h e wa t e r i n t h e d ry l a nd i n
s a nd i n a l l m
.
, ,

a l l th i n g on a rchs H e i s in t h e su n i n t h e
moon in t h e sk y Wh e re ve r thou l ook e st tho u may e st
, .
,

on H i m H e i s i n re i n wi nd a nd b e
, .
,

x t h y g aze .
, ,

n e a th t h e e arth In wh a t pl a ce i s H e not ? H e i s con

t a i ne d i n e v e ry th i n g W e re a l l t h e c ont i n e nt s to b e c o m
.

. e

p ap e r a nd t h e s e v e n s e a s ink ; we re a l l t h e ve ge t a bl e s to b e
c u t do wn a nd e m pl oy e d a s p e ns ; we re S ara swa t i t h e godd e ss ,

o fe l oq u e n c e to d ic t a t e and all b e i n gs to wri t e f

, or s i xt y

ag e s th e y c o u l d not i n a n
y w a y d e s c ri b e G o d Y e t 0 f oo l
tho u su p p ose st H i mto b e a ston e 0 m
.
, , ,

a n tho u nd e st no t
.
,

God s s e cre t Tho u d e ce iv e st t h e wo rl d i n e v e ry way a nd

.
,

l l e st t h y c o ff e rs wi th we a l th a s t h e re wa rd oft h y d e ce p

t i on Tho u art th y se l fc al l e d b y th e wo rl d a cl e v e r a nd
.

wi s e p a nd i t b u t tho u worsh ip p e st a ston e and th e re f o re

tho u a pp e are st to m
,

e to h a v e a bd i c a t e d t h y re a son Wh il e .

1
T helingamsacre d to Sh i i s th e sy m bo l ofp ro cre ati on I t was
wo sh i pp e d i n anc i e nt t i m e s i n Ro m
v .

e as i t i s no w i n I nd a T he
a utho r sa w a li n am m m
r I .

g i th t p l f V n s i n P nd w
om
n e e e o e u o p e a a s II,

inf e d b y h is I tali an g u ide that i t wa s a stone o n wh i ch b a rre n

wo m
r

e n us e d to s i t i n th e hop e of of f
sp ri ng .
7 9 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
u tt e ri n g Sh i v Sh i v wi th t h y m
,
o u th t h y h e art i s l l e d ,

wi th gre e d Tho u p ract i se st e x ce ss i v e h y po cri sy b e f o re t h e

wo rl d a nd art not a sh am ro mdoo r to doo r
.

e d to b e g f

Tho u re m
.
,

a i n e st f or n e a rl y t wo ho u rs hol d i n g t h y nos e as

i ftho u we rt p ra c t i s i n g J og Tho u st a nd e st on one l e g .

i nvok i n gSh i v I fany one p a ss b y and g

. i v e th e e one p ai s a ,

tho u p i ck e st i t u p wi th t h y t e e th and f o rge tt e st t h y gods

Tho u gi v e st i nst ru c t i on to oth e rs b u t m
, .

e d i t a t e st not on God

th y s e l f Tho u e ve r p re a ch e st to p e opl e to d e sp i s e m
,

on e y
or th a t v e ry m
. .

Ye t f on e y tho u b e gge st at t h e doo rs ofh igh

a nd l ow a nd a rt not a sh a m e d to d e b a s e th y s e l f be f o re e ve n
th e m
,

e a n e st of t h y f e l l o w cre a t u re s Tho u s ay e st th a t .

tho u art hol y b u t tho u a rt ve ry u nhol y Tho u cal l e s t

, .

th y s e l fc ont e nt e d b u t tho u art v e ry d i s c ont e nt e d and onl y

Tho u m
, ,

l e av e st one doo r to go a nd b e g a t a noth e r a k e st .

a c l ay i do l ofSh i v a nd h a v i n g wo rsh i ppe d i t t h rowe st i t

Wh e n tho u re t u rne st ho m
,

i nto t h e ri v e r . e tho u s e tt e st u p

a noth e r i n i t s p l a ce Tho u f a l l e st a t i t s f
. e e t a nd ru b b e st ,

thy f ore h e a d on t h e gro u nd f or a n ho u r Th i nk wh a t i t

h ath to giv e th e e Thou worsh ipp e st t h e s y m
.

. bol ofp ro
c re a t i on a nd f , al l e st b e fo re i t b e l i e vi n gi t to b e Sh iv Tho u .

c a l l e st a ston e God b u t i t wi l l not a v a i l th e e

, S in ce t h e .

ston e b e l on ge th to t h e l owe st o rde r ofc re a t i on say W h a t ,

sh al l i t giv e th e e e v e n i fp rop i t i a t e d and pl e a s e d wi th th e e

Ev e n i fi t a t a ny t i m e m a k e th e e l i k e i ts e l f tho u sh a l t b e

no b e tt e r th a n a ston e Gre a t s i m
,

p l e ton b e a ssu re d th a t
.
, ,

wh e n t h y l if e h a th d e p a rt e d i t wi ll b e too l a t e f,
or th e e to

kno w a n y th i n g ofGod Tho u h a st p a sse d t h y ch il dhood

wi tho u t p ra y er b u t e v e n i n t h y m
.

a nhood tho u h a st not

re p e a t e d G od s n a m
,

e Tho u h a st i nd u ce d oth e rs to gi v e
.

ch ar i t y b u t n e v e r l i f
, t e d t h y h a nd to a ss i st a noth e r Tho u .

h a st b e nt t h y h e a d to ston e s b u t n e v e r to God 0 f ool

l e d i n t h y do m
.
, ,

e nt a n g e st i c a f fa i rs t h y l i f e tho u h a st p a ss e d
,

i n p ro cra st i n a t i on H avi n g re a d one or t wo F u ra ns O

B ra h m
.
,

an tho u a rt s wol l e n wi th c on ce i t Tho u h a st not

m
.
,

re a d t h e P u ra n th ro u h wh i c h a l l t h e s i ns of th i s l i f
g e a y
b e e ra s e d It i s f or t h e s ak e ofSh o w tho u p ra c t ise st
p e n a n ce D ay a nd n ight t h y m
.

i nd i s a bso rb e d i n l u c re
Fool s a cce pt t h y st a t e m
. .

e nts b u t not I , W h y p ra c t ise st .

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND S INGH 7 1

tho u so m u c h h y po c ri s
y ? F o r wh a t obj e c t a d ore st tho u

a ston e ? Tho u h a st f o rf e it e d th y h a pp in e ss h e re a nd
h e re a ft e r Tho u gi v e st f al s e i nst ru c t i on a nd l
g y d l pt
e st a l l p a y m e nt wh i c h tho u cl a i m
. a a c c e

e st I t i s e no u gh th a t
tho u h a st gi v e n e v il i nst ru ct i on to m
.

b roth e rs ; i nst ru c t
y
not m e .

T h e Bra h m
an

H e ar m e O p ri n c e ss tho u h a st not c onsi d e re d Sh iv s

m
, ,

g r e a tn e ss. Ev e r wo r sh i p t h e
g ods B r a h a Vi shn u a nd , ,

Sh i v Thou kno we st not th e ir gre a tn e ss a nd th a t i s wh y

.
,

tho u t al k e st in th a t way Kno w th a t th e y a re t h e o l d e st

ods and do thou re c ogn i z e th e mas t h e l o rds of
.

of al l t h e g

I a m0 p ri n ce ss a f a st i n gB ra h m
,

t h e wo rl d a n a nd l ov e

m m
.
, , ,

a l l both h i h a nd l ow I o n i t i nst t i on to l l a nd
g c u c a e ru c

re a t m
. a

i nd u c e e ve n g i s e rs to p rac t i s e ch ari t y .

T h e P ri nce ss

Tho u c om municat e st sp e ll s in o rde r to m a k e d i s ci p l e s

Tho u th e n t ak e st m ro m th e min wh a t e ve r
.

on e y a s o f f e ri n gsf
way tho u c a nst b u t tho u t e ach e st th e m not t h e t ru th and
marre st th e i r h app i n e ss in th i s wo rl d and t h e n e xt H e ar
, ,

O B ra h m
.
,

an tho u p l u nd e re st in wh a t e ve r wa y tho u ca nst

thos e to who mtho u gi v e st th i n e i n i t i a to ry sp e l l T h e
,

ro m
.

f ool s re ce i ve no d iv i n e kno wl e d ge f th e e b u t a re e e ce d

Tho u t e l l e st th e mth a t thy S p e l l sh al l b e

,

f or th e i r p a i ns

e o u s to th e m a nd t h a t S h i v wi ll g ra nt th e ma
.

a dv a nt a g
'

boon Wh e n t h e Sp e l l s t u rn ou t u nsu cce ssf ul tho u p re

t e nd e st th a t th e y h a v e o m i tt e d so m e n e c e ss a ry ce re m
.
,

on y ,

a nd th a t i s wh y th e y h a v e not b e e n s u cce ss f ul Thou n e xt

t e l l e st th e mt o give a l m s to B ra h m o rmt h e
.

a ns a nd p e rf

sp e l l b y wh i ch th e y m i ght be hol d t h e god Tho u t a k e st

ro m th e mwh e n th e y o ught to t a k e i t f ro m
.

a ne f th e e f
mi sl e ad i n gth e mand in re t u rn for th e i r m
or

on e y tho u giv e st
th e mt h e s a m Tho u l e a d e st th e ma st ray
,

e sp e l l ov e r a g a in

a nd a t l a st th ou t e l l e st th e m
.

a l l a l on g t h e l i n e th a t th e y
h ave o m i tt e d c e rt a i n wo rds or th a t so m
,

e th i n gi nt e rru pt e d

t h e c e re m
,

on ie s to a cc o unt f o r t h e non a pp e a ra n c e oft h e

-

g o d a n d h i s fa il u re to gr a nt t h e d e s i re d b l e ss i n g On .
7 9 T HE SI KH RELI GI ON
th i s tho u c ou nse l l e st th e mto a ga i n gi v e th e e al m s O
B ra h m
.

a n th a t i s t h e so rt of S p e l l tho u t e a c h e st thos e whos e

ho u s e s tho u d e signe st t o p l u nd e r And wh e n t h y v i c t im

,

s
b e com
.

e poo r tho u go e st to sp y ou t oth e rs We re th i n e

,
.

i n c a nt a t i ons a nd sp e l l s e ff
i c ac i o u s tho u wo u l dst sit a s a
mon arch at ho me and not go a bou t b e gging
,

B ra h m

Th e a n l l e d wi th a n ge r a nd h e a p i n g c u rs e s ou
~

t h e p ri n c e ss s a i d ,H ow c a nst tho u kno w m

, i ne af fa i rs ?

Tho u t al ke st as i ftho u h a dst t a k e n bh a n g .

T h e P ri nce ss
H e a r O B ra h m a n i t i s tho u wh o knowe st not wh a t tho u

Tho u a d dre sse st m e i n a n i nso l e nt m

, ,

sa y e st . a nn e r My .

s e ns e s are not stol e n a way b y bh a n g Wh i th e r h a v e thi n e .

own s e ns e s g on e wi tho u t i t ? Thou cal l e st th y s e l fwi s e i n th a t

tho u n e v e r t a k e st bh a n g e v e n b y m i st a k e b u t wh e n tho u ,

g o e st a b e gg gi n tho u i n s u l t e s t a s i f u nd e r t h e i n u e n ce o f
bh a n g h i mwhos e hou se tho u v i s i t e st W h y b e g f ro m
, ,

or t h e m
, .

doo r t o doo r f on e y tho u p re t e nd e st t o d e sp i s e ?

Tho u go e st to ra j a s a nd t a k e st m o rs e l s f rom th e m Tho u .

say e st tho u h a st a b a ndon e d a l l wo rl d l y th i n g s and p re a ch e st

t o e v e ry body to do t h e s a m e W h y st re t ch e st tho u f
. orth
t h y h a nd to g ra sp wh a t tho u
p re t e n d e s t to re no u n c e To
one m an tho u p re ach e st to re no u n c e we al th to a noth e r tho u

s ay e st th a t h e i s u nde r t h e i n u e n c e ofm
,

al ign a nt st ars a nd
ro m
,

th e re f o re h e o u ght to p ay th e e f or d e l i v e ra n c e th e re f

ro m
.

It i s i n t h e hop e ofc h e a t in g p e op l e tho u wa nd e re st f

door to door Tho u re cit e st t h e Ve d s t h e S h a st ars and
t h e S im ri t i s so th a t a do u b l e p ai s a m ro m
.
, ,

ay f al l to th e e f

so m Thou p rai se st h i mwh o gi v e st th e e a ny th i n g

,

e one

a nd re vi l e st h i m
.

wh o re f u s e th In th i s way tho u h op e st to
obt a i n al m ro m
.

s f al l p e op l e Bu t tho u r e e c t e st not th a t

p ra i s e and bl am
.

e a re e v e ry o ne s l ot wh i l e a l i v e b u t a f fe ct

,

not t h e d e a d Tho u c anst not c on f e r s al v a t i on on thos e

wh o gi v e th e e a l m
.

s nor c a n st tho u k il l t h e son or f a th e r

ofh i mwh o m
,

g i v th th non I on l pt h i a s a

B ra h m
e e e acce
e y
a n wh o d e e m
.

e th t h e g ive rs a nd t h e re f u s e rs p ra i s e
a nd bl a m e a s t h e sa m 0 B ra h m an t h e m who m m
,

e . an f ,
ro
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 73

tho u e x t ort e st m on e y or who mtho u pl e a s e s t wi th t h y

o to h e l l i n t h y c o m
,

v a ri e d a t t e ri e s sh a l l a t l a st g p a ny
B ra h m
.
,

a ns ,
tho u gh th e y sa y th e y h av e a b a ndon e d t h e
wo rl d a re l ove rs ofwe al th a nd i n q u e st ofi t go to d i e
e i th e r i n B a n a ra s or K u m So m
, ,

au n e th r o u g h gre e d f or

mon e y twi st the ir ma tt e d h air rou nd th e ir h e a ds Oth e rs

.

m
.

p u t on a w ood e n n e c k l a ce a n d g o f o rth sh a e l e ss l y to t h e

f o re st Oth e rs aga i n t a k i n g t we e z e rs pl u c k ou t al l t h e
h a i r ofth e i r h e a ds T h e B ra h m
.
, ,

. a ns p rac t i s e h y po cr i sy i n

o rd e r to pl u nd e r t h e wo rl d and th e y th u s l os e th e i r h a pp i
t e r Th e y m am
,

n e ss both h e re a nd h e re af a k e a cl a y l i n g
.

a nd wo rsh i p i t b u t i t h a th no po we r f or g ood or e v i l W h y
do m am
.
,

e n wh o kno w th a t t h e l i n g h a th no l ight i n i t l ight

a l am
,

p be f o re i t And wh y do v e ry f ool i sh a nd obst in a t e

p e rsons th ink in gi t God f a l l do wn b e f o re i t Tho u ght l e ss
one th i nk of God a nd q u i ckl y c a st away t h y m i nd s

or a l on g t i m
,

i nd e c i s i on . Th e y wh o h a v e st u d ie d f e in
B a n ara s go at l a st to d ie i n Bh u t a n H a vi n g a c q u i re d
l e a rn i n g tho u l e av e st t h y ho m
.

a li ttl e e a nd wa nd e re st

f ro m c o u nt ry to c o u nt r Th y f a th e r a n d m oth e r tho u
y
t so m
.

h a st l e f e wh e re ; t h y wi f e thy son and t h y son s wif

, ,
e

c a nnot nd th e e No one h a th p a ss e d b e y ond t h e go al of

.

c ov e to u sn e ss i t h a th b e gu i l e d al l p e op l e
Tho u sh av e st t h e h e a ds ofso m e on oth e r s tho u i m
.

, p o se s t
n e s and on oth e rs a ga in tho u p u tt e st woode n n e ckl a ce s
, .

To one tho u t e a ch e st spok e n to a noth e r wri tt e n a nd t o

o rm
, ,

a th i rd oth e r f s ofi n ca nt a t i ons y e t tho u conf e rre st no

m
,

a b i d i n g sp i ri t u al kno wl e d e
g So e tho u S h o w e s t h o w t o
u e on l e arn e d s u bj e c ts b u t to a l l tho u s e tt e st a n e x a m
.

a rg , pl e
of c ov e to u sn e ss i n th i n e e f f o rts to obt ai n we al th to t h e b e st
ofth in e a b il i t y . Thou S h owe st no m e rcy an d n e v e r p ro

p i t i a t e st G o d 0 foo l b u t w or sh i pp e st c l a y I t i s on th i s
tho u art doo m
, , .

a c c o u nt ed to wa nde r b e gging Th i nk
tho u ght l e ss one on H imwh o m a de m
.
,

e n c ons ci o u s ; wh y
de e m e st tho u H i m
,

u n c ons c i o u s W h y c al l a ston e God

W h y s e l l e st tho u t h y p re ci o u s so ul u nd e r i t s val u e Tho u
kno we st noth in g gre a t s im pl e ton and y e t thou c al l e st
th y s e l fa su p e ri o r p a nd i t D i e st tho u not ofsh am
, ,

. e 0 g re a t ,

bo a st e r In t h y p ri d e tho u f orf e i t e st th i n e hono u r Tho u .

 74 T HE SI K H RELI GION
c al l e st thy s e l fa p roph e t a nd p re t e nd e st to kno w t h e f u t u re ,

b u t y e t tho u kno we st not e v e n t h e p a st Tho u th i nk e st

th y s e l fve ry h a ndso m a nd cl a i m
.

e a nd a b l e e st to b e con ,

t i ne nt a nd ph y s i c al l y st ron g Tho u s ay e st th a t Sh i v i s
.

ce rt a i n l y i n t h e ston e b u t 0 gre a t f ool thou kno we st

noth i n g 0 cl e ve r m
, , ,

. a n c ons i d e r i n wh a t p art of
, t h e ston e
P a rb a t i s l o rd i s S ay wh a t sp i ri t u al p e rf e c t i on tho u a tt a i n

m
.

e st b y bo wi n g t h y h e a d to cl a ? H w ho t h w o rl d
y e e

c a nnot p l e a s e wi l l not b e p l e a s e d b
y t h y O f fe r i n g s o f ri ce .

Tho u b u rne st i n ce ns e b l owe st sh e l l s a nd ra ine st a showe r

, ,

of owe rs Thou growe st we a ry i n th i n e e nd e avo u rs b u t

.
,

nd e st n ot God in a ston e To thos e wh o a cce pt not th i n e

.

i n c a nt a t i ons and sp e l l s tho u re ci t e st son gs and v e rs e s In

ro mm
.

b ro a d d ay l i ght thou st e al e st we al th f e n s ho u s e s

.

Th ie ve s p i c kpock e ts and robb e rs s e e in gt h y cl e v e rn e ss a re

a sh a m
, ,

e d ofth e i r i g nora n ce Tho u p a y e st no h e e d to t h e

magist ra t e or t h e j u dge Thou l ive st b y ch e a t ing t h y
.

d i s c i pl e s
R i c h p e opl e are l i k e o we rs cl e v e r m
.

e n l i k e th e e are t h e

bum bl e b e e s wh i ch u n m u l ofth e i r ho m
,

-
i nd f e s c ont i n u e t o

b u zz ov e r th e m Eve ry one i s a t l a st i n D e a th s powe r

, ,

m
.
,

a nd
y e t e n h a v e d e p a r t e d w i tho u t r e s i n
g g i n t h e c r a v i n g
f or we a l th Th e re are no bo u nds to th i s d e s i re It i s t h e
. .

on l y th i n gi n th i s wo rl d th a t su rv iv e t h
You sh ave t h e h e a ds ofso m
.

u s nd oth e rs to p l a ce s

p i l grim
e y o e

e s a nd a t t h e s a m e t im
,

of ag , e ask f or a l l th e y poss e ss .

Thos e tho u s e e st we a l th y thou e nt angl e st i n t h e n a rrow

doo r a nd l e v i e st a t a x a t so m
1
u ch p e r h e a d on th e m

Tho u th e n l e tt e st th e mp a ss It i s th i rst f or m
.

on e y not
l ov e ofGod th a t a c t u a t e t h B ra h m
.

a ns .

1
I n G aya, K a mk h
othe r p l ace s o fH indu p il gri m
s a, a nd ag e the re

i s an a pe rtu re i n a wa ll through whi ch p il gi m

a

s are b i dde n t o p ass

W h e n t he p il g i mi s a ri ch
r

with th e obj e ct o fse c uring de li v e rance

man h e i s by some se cre t me chanismcaught i n th e ap e rture and
. r

tol d that he cannot p ass on account ofhis m any s i ns a nd e no rm

,

iti e s
o rmce rtain p e nanc e s and m
.

H e i s the n obli ge d to v ow to p e rf ak e

ce rta i n p re se nts to t h e B ahm ans H e i s onl y a ll owe d to p ass throug h

th e a p e rture wh e n th e p ro m i se d m
r

one y h as b e e n p ai d do wn Th g
.

. a

L il a p 3
,
.
4 .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 75

T h e Bra h m
an

H e ar O m y d a ug ht e r tho u u nd e rst and e st not Tho u

th i nk e st th a t h e whomwe cal l Sh i v i s a ston e Al l p e opl e

.
, ,

b ow th e i r h e a ds to B ra h m
.

a ns a nd a ppl y to th e i r f o re h e a ds
,

t h e wa t e r i n wh i c h th e y h a v e wa sh e d th e i r f
eet Th e who l e
wo rl d wo rsh i pp e th th e mW h i l e tho u O f
.

ool i sh gi rl Sl a n
d e re st th e m Th i s sal ag ra mi s t h e p ri m
, , ,

al a nd a n c i e nt

B rah ma nd i s p ri z e d e v e n b y m
.

on a rchs .

T h e P ri nce ss

H e ar O f ool i sh B rah m a n tho u kno we st noth i n g Tho u

P ri m
.
, ,

re c og ni ze st a ston e as th e al L i ght oft h e wo rl d

Tho u th i nk e st i t hol d e th t h e S u p re m
.

e B e ing Tho u h ast

t a k e n l e a v e ofthy s e ns e s D e c e i v e m
.

e not b u t t a k e wh a t

tho u d e s i re st to t a k e T e l l m
.
,

e not th a t a ston e i s God

ool s so tho u pl u nd e re st th e mto t h y h e art s

. .

Wh i l e t e ll in gf

Tho u s e nd e st m ri m
,

c ont e nt e n to rive rs of p il g ag to
m
e

d ro wn th e mi n s u p e rst i t i on Tho u m
.

a k e st u nn u b e re d
o rts to st ri p th e mofth e i r we al th a nd not al l o w th e mto
.

ef f
t a k e a p a i s a ho m e Tho u p re t e nd e st to nd a n u m be r
o fi n a u sp i c i o u s c i rc u m st a n ce s c onn e c t e d wi th a ri ch m
.

an

so th a t h e m
,

ay g i v e th e e f e a sts to b ri b e th e e to i nt e rce d e

f or h i m Wh e n tho u kno we st th a t a m a n h a th sp e nt a l l h i s

we al th tho u n e v e r l ook e st a t h i m B ra h m
.

a ns hove r ov e r

mon e y l ike ra v e ns a nd qu arre l l ike k i t e s ov e r a sh or

, .

do gs ov e r a bon e In p u bl i c thou e x p ou nd e st t h e Ve d s
b u t i n t h y h e art i s wo rsh i p o fm
.
,

on e y Tho u nd e st not
God t h y m
.

, on e y soon d e p a rt e th a nd vai n i s a l l thy s e rv i ce , .

Tho u p a ra d e st t h y l e a rn i n g b u t kno we st not h ow to u n i t e

me n wi th God Tho u cal l e st thy s e l fwi s e a nd me a fool
,

. .

Wh a t i ftho u O i d i ot e a t not bh an g e ve n st i l l tho u a rt

or h i m
, , ,

not in t h y s e ns e s Ev e ry body c a n se e th i s f se l f
B ra v e m
. .

e n t a k i n g bh a n g g ht a nd d raw e l e ph a nt s t e e th

m m
,

a nd
gra sp i n
g t h e s c i i t a r a n d l a n ce fe a rl e ss l y s i t e th e i r

e ne m ie s S ay 0 t y ra nt wh a t c o u l d st tho u do e ve n we rt
.
, ,

tho u to t ak e bh a ng Tho u wo u l dst e v e n th e n i fe n gage d

in c o m
.
,

b a t fall on t h y f
, a ce l ik e a c o rps e th ro u g h f rig ht .
7 6 THE S I KH RELI GI ON
H e ar O B ra h m
, an g i v e i nst ru ct i on to f
,
oo l s s av e m e f ro m ,

t h y l i e s a nd p re a c h t h y f al s e hood to oth e rs W h y p a ss e st
or m
, .

thou l e a th e r f e t al l ic c o i n Tho u sh al t go to t e rri bl e

h e l l and b e bo rn a ga i n a s a p a r i a h H u ngu p b y t h e h e e l s
, .

tho u sh al t b e to rt u re d i n t h e hou s e ofD e a th Wh e n tho u .

a nd a l l t h
y re l a t i ons a r e s u f fe r i n g w h a t a ns w e r w i l t tho u

ma ke ? S ay wh a t books wi l t thou th e n re a d and wi l t

,

tho u th e n wo rsh i p t h e l i n ga m? W i l t tho u nd Sh i v a nd

,

K ri sh a n th e re W h e re God wi l l s e nd th e e bou nd ? Wh e re
tho u h a s t no son m oth e r f a th e r or b roth e r wi l l R a m
c om
, , , ,

e to th i n e a ss i st a n ce Ev e r b ow t h y h e a d to t h e gre a t
God who m th e f o u rt e e n wo rl ds f e a r who m a l l re c o g n i ze a s
o rmor o u t l i n e
,

t h e C re a to r and D e st ro y e r wh o h a th no f
whos e d we l l i n g a pp e ara n ce a nd n a m
, ,

e a re u nkno wn By
wh a t n am H im
, , .

e sh a l l I sp e a k of s i n ce H e c a nnot b e spok e n
of ? H e h a th no f a th e r moth e r or b roth e r no son or
m
, , ,

g r a ndson U n l i k R Ch nd K i sh n H h th no
mal e or fe mal e nu rs e H e n e e de th no army to giv e H im
. e a a a r o r r a e a

d i gn i t y Wh a t H e s a i th i s t ru e and wh a t H e d e s i re th H e
do e th Som
.
,

. e H e re g e n e ra t e t h a n d oth e rs H e c onsig
, ne t h
to p e rd i t i on H e b u il d e th f a sh i on e th cre a t e th a nd a g ai n

d e st roy e th It i s t h e gre a t God I re c ogn i z e a s m

.
, , ,

G u r u

I a mH is d i s ci pl e and H e i s m
y
m m
. .

p i st I g i l d
b y H i m 0 B ra h m
y r e a a r . a e

an I wo rsh i p t h e gre a t God A ston e

i s not to m m
.
, .

y i nd I c a l l a ston e a ston e On th i s a c c o u nt
p e opl e a re d ispl e a s e d wi th m
. .

I c al l wh a t i s f al s e f al s e

a m
e .

a tt e r wh i c h i s d i s a re e a b l e to a l l I t l l h t th d
g e t e ru a n
m
.
,

p y
a n o re g a r d to a n y o n As f r th O B h n a rt

tho u not a sh am
e o . e e ra a , ,

e d of t h y c ond u c t F i x t h y tho u g hts e ve n

f or a b ri e f p e ri od on God .

T h e Bra h m an

God wil l ons i d e r h ima s i nn e r wh o s a i th th a t th i s ston e

c

i s oth e r th a n God and wi l l c a st i nto h e l l a ny one wh o

It i s t h e p rim
,

u s e th p r o f
a n e l an g u ag e re ga r d i n gi t a l a nd .

a n ci e nt God .

T h e P ri nce ss
I onl y wo rsh i p t h e one gre a t God I re gard not Sh iv
Nor do I wo rsh i p e i th e r B ra h m
. .

a or V i shn u I f
e ar not .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SIN GH 77

y o u r gods Kno w th a t w ho e v e r i n v o k e t h th e m i s a l r e a d y
d e a d b u t d e a th wil l not a pp ro ach h i mwh o m
.

e d i t a t e t h on

H e wh o m
,

t h e D e a th l e ss One e d i t a t e t h on t h e D e a th l e ss

One a nd e v e n on c e i nv ok e t h H i s n a m
.

e sh a l l obt a i n we a l th

m
,

a nd p e rf e c t i on i n e v e r c t H e w h e d i t a t e t h on t h e

mort al God sh al l n e ve r su ffe r b u t e nj oy gre at h app i n e ss

a o
y
im
.

Wh e n d e a th t ort u re th th e e O B rah m
,

i n t h e wo rl d . an , ,

wh a t book wi l t tho u th e n re a d W i l l i t b e th e Bh agav a t 1

or t h e Gi t a ? Wi l t tho u hol d on to R a mor cl u t ch a t

K ri sh a n f or p r ot e c t i on ? Th e gods who mtho u d e e m e st

s u p re m e h a v e a l l b e e n d e st ro y e d b y D e a th s m ace Non e :

not e v e n B ah m may e s cap e i t T h e

.

r a V i shn u or Ind ar

m
.
, ,

g ods w e re bo rn a s t h e d e ons w e re a n d both a re s u bj e c t

to t ra ns m
,

i gra t i on Th e H i nd u s a nd t h e T u rks a re t h e
s am a nd d e a th i s pot e nt o ve r th e m So m e t im
.

e al l e s th e

de m ons k il l e d t h e gods and so m e t im ods t h e d e m

, .

e s th e g ons
T h e B e i n gwh o d e st ro y e d both gods a nd d e m
.
,

ons i s H e wh o
c h e ri sh e th m e a nd who m I h ave t ake n as m y G u ru I b ow

to H i mwhos e sov e re i gnt y i s re c og n i z e d in t h e f

.
,

o u rt e e n
wo rl ds wh o d e st roy e d Ind a r Vi shn u t h e su n t h e m
, ,
oon 2
, , ,

K u v e r V a ru n and S h e sh nag
, , .

m T h e Bra h an

Sh i v m ov th l l t h s i ns fh imwh wo sh i pp th th i s
re e a e o o r e

ston H wh f o s k th th i s g d d wo sh i pp th noth an r e a er

on y to B h mn
e e o r a e o

sh l l fl l i nto h l l H wh gi v th m
.

a a e . e o e e a ra a

sh l l obt i n t n f
a ol d i t h n xt wo l d H wh gi v th to
a e n r e o e

oth th n B h mn sh l l d i v no dv nt g th fo m
e e .

er a a ra a a er e a a a e e re r .

T h e P oe t
U pon th i s t h e p ri n ce ss took t h e l i n ga mi n her h and
st ru ck t h e B ra h m a nd s m
,

a n wi th i t a sh e d a l l h is t e e th
S h e th e n took a wa y a l l t h e B ra h m
.
,

a n s p r op e rt y

.

T h e P ri nce ss
S ay now, B rah m 0 a n wh i th e r h a th g on e t h y Sh iv He
who mtho u h ast e v e r s e rv e d h a th b rok e n t h y t e e th
,

Th e .

1
O ne o f th e e i ghte e n P urans .

f
T h e S i khs b e li e v e i n t h e d i fe re nt c re ati ons and de structi ons o fth e
1

world .
7 8 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
i d ol wh i ch tho u h a st sp e nt t h y l if
e i n i nvok i n , h a th
g at l a st
e nt e re d t h y o u th m .

T h e P oe t
Al l t h e p rop e rt y t h e P ri n ce ss took f ro m t h e B ra h m an sh e

m
d i st ri b u t e d a on g oth e r B ra h mans and th e n s a i d to her
a nt a g on i st N e v e r i nd , tho u
,
m sh al t re c e ive t e n fol d i n th e
n e xt wo rl d .
1

T h e P ri nce ss
Tho u say e st to oth e rs B e stow y our we al th or sp e nd
it tho u wh o a rt so m i s e rl y th a t tho u p u tt e st not t u rm
,

e ri c

i nto t h e d al tho u e a t e st Tho u a rt v e ry d e ce i t f

. u l a nd g oe st
a bo u t f or t h e p u rpos e of d e ce i t Thou p u bl i cl y p l u nd e re st
p e opl e i n t h e m
.

a rk e t p l a ce Thou S p e nd e st not a k au ri
-
.

a nd a rt e v e r b e g i
g g n C a l l i n gg i rl s t h d u ght s tho
th e m Th y m
.
y a e r u

de ou re st oth e r wa s gre e d t h y f a th e r

me ann e ss Wh il e
.
,

av a ri ce , a nd tho u a rt t h e i n c a rn a t i on of .

p ra c t i s i n g gre e d tho u bo a st e st Oft h y p rod i ga l i ty so th a t

p e opl e m a y th i nk th e e a m
,

on arch Tho u a rt u tt e rl y wo rth .

l e ss I fa ny on e kn e w t h e i n c a nt a t i ons tho u p re t e nd e st to
ro mdoo r to doo r
.

kno w h e wou l d not h a v e to b e g f By .

re p e a t i n ge v e n on c e s u c h a n i n c a nt a t i on as tho u bo a st e st of

tho u m i ght e st l l t h y ho u s e wi th we al th R a mand K rish a n

,

who mtho u sp e a k e st a nd thos e who m

.

of tho u worsh ip p e st
a s Sh i v a nd B ra h m
,

a we re a l l d e st ro y e d b y D e a th In d u e
t im i v e th e mb i rth H OW m any R am
, .

e God wi l l a g ain g

H ow m a n y B ra h m
.

Ch and a rs a nd K ri sh ans a s Sh i vs a nd

Vi shn u s T e s a nd m
, ,

h u n oon wh a t a re th e s e poo r wre t ch e s

S im pl y wa t e r c a rri e rs a t God s doo r Th e y we re c re a t e d i n
-

d u e t im e a nd D e a th sh al l d e st r o y th e m
.

al l T h e Vi shn u wh o
a nd b e c a m
.

was c u rs e d b y J a l a nd h a r s wif e a ston e tho u

2
e

Art tho u not a sh a m

,

c a l l e st a g re a t god . e d of th y s e l f
1
T he p ri nce ss i s he re castingup th e B rahm an s words to h i m

oll o ws zJ al andhar was de stroy i ng th e gods

.

2 T he l e ge nd i s as f
a nd none c o u l d wi thstan d h ima s h e h ad a v i rtu o u s wi f I t wa s
p ropose d to V i shnu to te m pt h e r and h e accord ingly si m
e .

u l ate d
,

J al andhar and app roache d h e r R e cogni zingV i shnu b y a p arti cul ar

mark on h is side the re sult ofa k i c k gi ve n h imby Bhrigu a R i khi
.

ram

sh e c urs e d h i mand h e b e c a m
, , ,

e t h e sal ag stone V i shnu i n tu rn

.
,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SIN GH 79

Th e Bra h m an

I wil l go to th e R a j a th y f
a th e r a nd h a v e th e e i mp ison
r e d .

T h e P ri nce ss
I t e l l h ima d if
wil l fe re nt sto ry a nd h a v e both th y h a nds ,

of
f Th e n S h al l I b e re all y t h e k in gs d au ght e r
cu t . .

T h e Bra h m an

I wil l p ro mi s e to do wh a t tho u t e l l e st m p ov id
e r e d tho u
d is mi ss t h y wra th .

T h e P rince ss
Wo rsh ip not ston e s f
al l ,
at th e e e t of
f th e gre a t God .

Th e P oe t
Th e n t h e B rah m an f e e t of
e l l a t th e f th e gre a t God , a nd

th re w h i s i dol s i nto t h e ri v e r .

Bhai N and L al wh o wa s a famous S i kh ofGuru

,
1

Gob i nd R a i and wrot e s e v e ral works i n t h e P e rsi an

m
,

l anguag e on t h e S i kh re l i g i on thus d e l i v e re d h i ,

s e l f i n h i s j ot Bi k a s : Thousands of B r ahmas
p rai s e Gu ru N anak f or h i s gl ory e xc e e d e th that of
,

th e m al l .Thousands of Sh i vs and I nd ars pl ac e

th e ms e l v e s at h i s f e e t f or h i s thron e i s mor e e xal t e d
,

than th e i rs Thousands ofVi shnus many Rams

.
,

and K ri sh a ns thousands of Du rgas and Gorak h s

,

sac ri c e th e ms e l v e s at h i s f e e t Bhai N and L a l .

fu r th e r on wr i t e s that as Gu ru N anak so we r e a l l t h e ,

Gu rus h i s succ e sso rs i ncl udi ng Guru Gob i nd R a i, .

I t i s th e re fo re i nf e rre d that so f ar from Guru Gob i nd,

R a i wo rsh i pp i ng or do i ng homag e to t h e godd e ss

Du rga sh e wa s an i nsi gn i cant e nt i ty wh o di d
m
,

homag e t o h i .

c u rse d h e r a nd sh e be cam th e tu l si p l ant a nd gre w wh e re t h e

ram
, e ,

sal ag fe ll .

1
An acco unt ofBha N and Lal will subse q ue ntl y b e gi ve n
I .
80 THE SI K H RELI GI ON

C HAP T ER X
What i s ca l l e d t h e G ranth of t h e t e nth Gu ru i s
onl y part i al l y h i s composi t i on T h e g re at e r port i on .

of i t was wr i tt e n by bar ds i n h i s e mp l oy T h e two .

wo rks e nt i tl e d Chand i Ch a ri t ar and t h e Bh aga u t i k i

W a r foun d i n i t are ab ri dg e d t r ansl at i ons by di f
fe r e nt hands
1
of t h e Du rga Sapt Shat i or s e v e n ,

hundr e d sl ok s on t h e subj e ct of Durga an e p i sode i n ,

th e M ark a n d e y a Pu r an on t h e cont e sts of t h e

godd e ss Du rga wi th t h e d e mons wh o had made war
on t h e gods .

C HAND I CH ARI T AR I 2

T h e po e t i n t h e Gu ru s e mp l oy wh o t ransl at e d

th i s stat e s that h e di d i t f
,
or amus e m e nt but adds ,

Th e man wh o h e ar e th or re ade th th i s f or any obj e ct

S hal l assu re dl y obtai n i t Th i s l i n e i s an abst r act

.

of t h e e l e v e nth and tw e l fth sl ok s of t h e n i n e ty s e cond -

canto oft h e o ri g i nal T h e t r ansl ator th e n darkl y

.

r e f e rs t o a sp e c i al obj e ct of h i s own I hav e trans .

l at e d t h e book cal l e d t h e Durga S a pt Shat i t h e e qual ,

of wh i ch th e re i s non e 0 Chandi grant t h e obj e ct

.
,

wi th wh i ch t h e po e t has t ransl at e d Th e t ransl ator s .

obj e ct how e v e r i s not stat e d Wh e th e r h e i mb i b e d

, ,
.

som e of t h e p ri nci pl e s ofS i kh i sm or not from t h e

Gu ru cannot b e asc e rtai n e d but i t i s cl e ar that h e
,

wa s l arg e l y t i nctu re d wi th H i ndu i sm .

C HAND I CH AR I T AR I I
At t h e e nd of th i s t ransl at i on i s found t h e coupl e t
T h e s ai nts wh o c ont i n u al l y m e d i t a t e on th e e O Ch a nd i , ,

Sh al l a t l a st Obt a i n s al v a t i on and nd God as th e ir re wa rd .

1 An
o ne ve e n m o d
re ate l y a c q u ai nte d with H i n d i c an te ll f rom
y
th e i nte rna l e i d e n ce ofsty l e th at the se t rans l ati ons hav e b e e n done
v

by di f f e re nt p e rsons

am
.

2
E u op e an e ade rs no t f
r r ili ar with Indi an words and not ia ,

t e re st e d i n th e H i nd i t ansl ati on s o fth e D S S ( vi

D
'

g p t h t
r the i r obj e ct m e re m
z

M ah atam
e a

ay o m
r ur a a

i t h a i nde r o f th i s ch a pte r
y )
a o ,
t .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND S INGH 81

Th i s i s not i n t h e o ri gi nal Sansk ri t but t h e g e n e ral ,

s e ns e may b e i nfe rre d by a b e l i e v e r i n Chandi from

h e r own s e l f g l ori c a t i on i n t h e n i n e ty s e cond canto
- -
.

T h e rst Chan di Ch a ri t a r b e g i ns as fol l ows : E h

0a m k a r S ri W a hg nrn i i k i f a ta h A th C h a ndi C k a ri ta r

.
,

nk t bi l a s Now t h e tal e ( b il as ) oft h e de e ds ofChandi

wil l b e tol d ( uk t ) T h e s e cond Chandi Ch ari t a r
.

b e g i ns i n t h e sam e way but wi thout t h e wo r ds nk t

bi l a s Th e Bh a g a u t i k i War b e g i ns as fol l ows

m
.

E h oa k a r S ri W a hg nrn i i k i f a ta h S ri Bh a ga u ti yi

sa h a i W a r S ri Bh ag a u ti i i k i P a i sh a h i da s Th e r e

m
i s one God V i cto ry to t h e hol y W ah gu ru ! W e
.

i pl or e t h e favou r of t h e hol y Bh a g au t i (Sword ) Th e

pae an of t h e hol y Bh a gau t i oft h e t e nth Guru .

I t thus app e ars that t h e Bh a ga u t i k i War wa s wr i tt e n

by t h e t e nth Guru h i ms e l f .

T h e H i ndus mai ntai n that i n t h e t e nth Guru s

w ri t i ngs t h e word Bh a gau t i m e ans Du rga In t h e .

two Chandi Ch ari t ars t h e wo r d Bh a ga u t i do e s not

occur at al l and e v e n i n t h e Bh agau t i k i War i t i s

,

onl y found thr e e t i m e s onc e i n t h e t i t l e oft h e

composi t i on a s e cond t i m e i n t h e rst l i n e and
, ,

a th i rd t i m e e l s e wh e r e I n t h e l att e r i nstanc e L a i
.
,

Bh ag a u ti D nrg sh a h i t i s cl e ar that t h e word

,

Bh a ga u t i m e ans a swo r d T h e godd e ss Du rga took

up t h e swo r d Th i s i s al so att e st e d by Gur D as
.

.

I n t h e s i xth paur i ofh i s tw e nty f t h War h e r e f e r s

-

to t h e mann e r i n wh i ch t h e s i gn i cat i on ofwo r ds i s

oft e n al t e r e d and wr i t e s Na bh a ga nti l oh gh ara y a
Man hath fash i on e d what i s cal l e d t h e sword
,
m
bh
( g )a a n t i from i r on .

I n furth e r proof that Bh a ga u t i do e s not m e an

Du rga i n t h e S i kh scr i ptur e s t h e fol l owi ng l i n e
i n t h e Ad Granth i s c i t e d Bh a g a u ti ndra m m
m m
an
oh i y a ay a t h e trans l at i on of wh i ch i s M e n
,

w e a r God s marks wh il e th e i r m i nds are fasc i nat e d

wi th mammon .

T h e fol l owi ng are th e rst two p au ri s of t h e War

S ri Bh a g a u t i ji k i

.

S IKH . V
82 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
'

H a vi n g rst re m em b e re d t h e S wo rd m e d i t a t e on Gu ru ,

N an ak
Th e n on Gu ru An ga d Am a r D a s a nd R a m D as ; m
,

ay

th e y a ss i st m
, ,

Re m em b e r Arjan H ar Gob i nd and t h e hol y H a ri R ai

M e d i t a t e on t h e hol y H ari K ri sh an a s ight ofwho md is
, ,
,

l l d l l so rr o ws

b e r T e gB a h a d u r and t h e n i n e t re a s u re s sh al l co m
p e e a

Re m em
.

h a st e n in gto y o u r hom es .

Ye h ol y Gu ru s e v e ry wh e re a ss i st u s
,

God h avi n g rst f

a sh i on e d th e S wo rd c re a et d th e who l e
wo rl d
t d B ra h m Vi shn u a nd Sh iv a nd m a d e th e m
.

He c re a e a

t h e spo rt ofH i s o m
, , ,

n i pot e n c e
He m a d e t h e s e a s a nd m o u nt ai ns oft h e e arth and su p
port e d t h e rm am
,

e nt wi tho u t p i l l ars

He m a de t h e d e m ons a nd t h e d e m igods and e x ci t e d

d i ss e ns i on a m on gth e m
,

H a v i n g cre a t e d D u rga O God Tho u d i dst d e st roy t h e

de m
, ,

ons 1

Fro mTh e e a l on e R a mre ce ive d h i s powe r a nd sl e w

.

R awa n wi th h i s a rrows
Fro mTh e e a l on e K ri sh a n re c e i v e d h i s powe r s e i z e d K a ns
.

b y t h e h a i r and d a sh e d h i m
,

on t h e gro u nd
V e ry gre a t m ods m or m
.
,

u n i s a nd g o rt i e d th e ir bod i e s f any

ag es

Bu t non e ofth e m o u nd Th y l im
,

f it .

T h e l ast l i n e o ft h e War i s Bh a ga u t i k i
He wh o sa n gth i s wa s not bo rn a ga i n th a t i s , ,
he obt a i n e d
d e l ive ra n ce .

Th s n e g v e s t e m e an ng of t e twe nty s e cond

i l i i h i h -

sl ok oft h e n i n e ty s e cond canto of

-
th e M ark a n d e y a
Pu ran
Th e trai n ofthought by wh i ch t h e Gu ru made
1
Thi s li ne shows that th e Guru be li e ve d D u ga to be a c re at i on r

ofG od a nd no t a n i nde p e n de nt d i vi n i ty c o e q u al or co po we rf
ul

hum
-

with H im
-

a nd wo rthy of an wo rsh i p .
 LI FE OF GURU GOB IND SINGH 83

God and swo r d

th e one was as fol l ows : In th e
S h a st a r N am Mal a i s r e ad
I rst m an e n e m
e nt i on t h e wo rd sh a t ru ( y ) and th e n t h e
wo r d d a man ( s u bd u e r)
Kno w th a t t h e wo rds c o m pou nd e d m
.

e a n t h e Lo rd of th
wo rl d b e a ss u re d ofth i s .

Th e
m e an i ng i s God sub du e s n e m i e s so do e s
e ,

th e sword th e r e for e t h e sword i s God and God i s

,

th e sword .

At that t i m e i t was t h e custom to r e c i t e on t h e

e v e ofbatt l e t h e pra i s e s and war l i k e d e e ds oft h e
brav e so that t h e h e arts e v e n ofcowards m i ght b e
,

i nsp ir e d wi th e ag e rn e ss for t h e fray On that .

account t h e t e nth Guru mai ntai n e d f t y t wo bards

m
-

to transl at e t h e M ah ab h ara t t h e R a ay an and , ,

t h e gal l ant ach i e v e m e nts ofRam Kr i shan Chandi , , ,

and oth e rs I t do e s not fol l ow from th i s that t h e

.

Guru worsh i pp e d thos e whos e acts w e r e t hus c e l e

b ra t e d ; th i s wa s onl y don e f or t h e purpos e of
i nc i t i ng to brav e ry di sp e l l i ng cowardi c e and l l i ng
, ,

t h e h e arts of h i s troops wi th val our t o d e f e nd th e i r

fai th Th i s t h e Guru h i ms e l f d e cl ar e s i n h i s t ransl a
.

t i on oft h e t e nth canto oft h e Bh a ga wa t i n wh i ch ,

are r e count e d t h e ch i val rous e xp l o i ts ofKr i shan .

H e says ,
I hav e r e nde r e d i n t h e vul gar di al e ct t h e
t e nth chapt e r oft h e Bh a ga wa t wi th no oth e r obj e ct
than to i nsp i r e ardour f or r e l i gi ous wa r far e .

S e condl y t h e Guru h i ms e l f sp e c i al l y transl at e d

,

t h e p r ai s e s of Chandi so that th e y m i ght b e chant e d

f or wa rl i k e pu rpos e s and that e v e n cowards on
,

h e ari ng h e r sto ry m i ght obtai n cou rag e and t h e

h e arts oft h e b rav e b e at wi th fourfol d e nthusi asm .

Such b e i ng t h e ach i e v e m e nts ofa woman what ,

ought not a b rav e man to accomp l i sh T h e Gu ru

mai ntai n e d that i fa man b e cam e a coward and
tu rn e d away from t h e batt l e e l d h e woul d not o nl y
-
,

b e com e asham e d of h i ms e l f but al so forf e i t h i s

,

a dvantag e s h e r e and h e re aft e r .

G 2
84 THE SI KH RELI GION
I n t h e th i r d pl ac e t h e Gu ru d e si re d that h i s S i khs
, ,

on b e com i ng acquai nt e d wi th t h e H i ndu sac re d

wri t i ngs m i ght b e ab l e to form th e i r own e st i mat e
,

of th e m and th e i r i nf e ri o ri ty t o t h e composi t i ons of

t h e Gu rus Among t h e f
. t y t wo ba r ds e mpl oy e d by
-

t h e Gu ru th e re must hav e b e e n s e v e ral wh o had

suffe re d for th e i r r e l i gi on unde r t h e p e rs e cut i ons of
Au rangz e b and f or th e i r op i n i ons t h e Gu ru can n ot
b e h e l d r e spons i b l e 1
.

C HAP T ER XI
T h e Guru di r e ct e d al l t h e m
asa n d s to app e a r wi th

th e i r S i kh const i tu e nts b e for e h i at Anandpu r at m

t h e B a i sakh i f e st i val h e l d about t h e m i ddl e of
,

t h e month ofApr il Th e y col l e ct e d l arg e sums of

.

mon e y as a pr e parat i on for th e ir j ourn e y Hal f th e y .

k e pt for th e i r own u se and hal f th e y p l ac e d b e fo re

,

t h e Guru Th e Guru th e n addr e ss e d th e m O

m
.
,

broth e r a san d s y ou hav e b e e n t h e s e rvants oft h e

,

Gu ru s hous e si nc e t h e t i m e of Guru Ram Das

.

You us e d fo rm e rl y to coll e ct l a rg e sums ofmon e y .

Why hav e you b rought so li ttl e th i s y e ar f or t h e

support oft h e fai th Th e m

a sa nd s r e p l i e d

0 t ru e ,

Guru t h e ri ch S i khs a re al l d e ad and we must tak e

, ,

what we can obtai n from t h e su rvi vors

T h e Guru .

r e j o i n e d Say not that my S i khs a re poor I am

,
.

goi ng to mak e th e m al l k i ngs I f y ou d e si r e your .

we l far e di sgorg e t h e O ffe ri ngs y ou hav e r e c e i v e d

m
,

from th e m T h e a sand s b e cam e ang ry and b e gan

.

to say among th e ms e l v e s Th e Guru 1 s ofou r own

,

mak i ng D i d we not contr i but e t h e mon e y n e c e ssary

m
.

for h i s mai nt e nanc e no one woul d call h i a Gu ru

m
.
,

Th e a san d s l e ft t h e Gu ru s cou r t and w e nt to

compl ai n to Bhai Ch e tu t h e e l de st m e mb e r ofth e i r

,

body wh o h ad survi v e d si nc e t h e days ofGu ru Ram

D as Th e y r e p re s e nt e d to h i
. that no Guru had m
pr e vi ousl y found faul t with th e m but now Guru ,

1
Bhai D it S ingh s D urga

P r a hoah

.
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 85

Gob i nd R ai had th re at e n e d th e m wi th s e ri ous c onse

q u e n c e s. Ch e tu p r om i s e d to sp e ak to t h e Guru o n
th e i r b e hal f but at t h e sam e t i m e re m i nd e d th e m
m
,

that h e was a t t h e youthful a ge wh e n e n utt e r

prai s e and b l am e wi thout d u e di sc ri mi nat i on .

Ch e tu k e pt h i s prom i s e and spok e to t h e Guru on

m
b e hal f oft h e a sa nd s Tru e k i ng t h e a sa n ds a re
, ,
m
a l l thy s e rvants I b e g th e e to tr e at th e m wi th
.

re sp e ct so that t h e S i khs may fo l l ow thy e xamp l e

, .

Th e n e xt t i m e th e y com e th e y wi l l bri ng a l a rg e r
amount ofmon e y for t h e supp l y of thy pub l i c
T h e Gu ru r e p li e d Ask th e i r b roth e r

k i tch e n
m
.
,

S i khs h e r e what l anguag e t h e asa n d s hav e b e e n

m
usi ng re gardi n g e Th e y hav e stol e n t h e Gu ru s
.

mon e y and d e posi t e d i t i n th e i r own hom e s Th e y .

a re v e ry p r oud Th e y adm i t not t h e Guru s powe r

.

.

Th e y hav e cal l e d my S i khs poo r wh e re as I am da il y ,

advanc i ng th e m and b e stowi ng on th e m t h e sov e

r e i nt y oft h e count ry
g And na l l y t h a sa n d s m
m
. e , ,

a re t e l l i ng e fal s e hoods

Ch e tu b e gg e d t h e Guru
.

to par don th e m T h e Gu ru th e n sai d that Ch e tu

.

had count e nanc e d th e m i n e mb e zzl i ng t h e offe ri ngs ,

and that h e t oo d e s e rv e d pun i shm e nt l i k e h i s f e l l ows

'

At th i s Ch e tu b e gan to storm and pr e t e nd i nnoc e nc e .

Th e Gu ru wa s now thorough l y sat i s e d that t h e

m a sa n d s had a rri v e d at a pass wh e r e th e y d i d -not

b e l i e v e i n any Gu ru and that th e i r i nsol e nc e must

,

b e ch e ck e d H e th e re fo re d e c i d e d that as t h e human
.
,

Gu rush i p must e nd wi th h i ms e l f so must h i s S i khs

m
,

b e f re e d f rom t h e ty ranny of t h e a sa n d s .

Ch e tu we nt to t h e Guru s moth e r and thr e at e n e d

m
,

that i ft h e Gu ru di so wn e d t h e a sa n d s t h e S i khs ,

wou l d go i n a body to Dh i r M a l and t h e Gu ru ,

wou l d b e l e ft wi thout any m e ans of suppo rt .

Wh e n t h e Guru h e ar d th i s h e sa i d Be not anx i ous

m
, , ,

0 moth e r my publ i c k i tch e n b e l ong e th t o t h e i

,

mo rtal God and H e wil l suppl y i t wi th p rovi si ons

,
.

I t h a pp e n e d that at that t i m e a man arri v e d at

Anandpur from Ch e t u s di st ri ct H e had g i v e n

.
86 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
Ch e tu a se t ofbrac e l e ts mad e ofrh i noc e ros h i de
as a pr e s e nt f or t h e Gu ru s moth e r

Wh e n Ch e tu .

was qu e st i on e d h e sai d h e had dul y g i v e n h e r t h e

,

b rac e l e ts but i t was sat i sfacto ril y p rov e d that h e

,

had not and that h e had b e e n pr e vail e d on by h i s

,

wi fe to b e stow th e m on h e r Ch e tu was dul y pun .

i sh e d for h i s di shon e sty .

T h e Gu ru cont i nu e d to r e c e i v e man compl a i n ts

agai nst t h e ma sa n d s .
y
One ofth e m i n part i cul ar
b il l e t e d h i ms e l f on a poo r S i kh and cl ai m e d swe e ts,

i nst e ad oft h e c rush e d pul s e and unl e av e n e d b re ad

wh i ch form e d t h e stapl e food of h i s host Th e .

masand took t h e b re ad th re w i t i nto h i s host s fac e

,

,

and dash e d t h e c rush e d pul s e on t h e ground H e .

th e n b e gan to abus e t h e S i kh and wou l d not c e as e ,

unt il t h e poo r man had sol d h i s wi f e s p e tt i coat t o

p rov i de h i m
wi th sw e e ts Wh e n t h e Gu ru wa s
.

i nfo rm e d ofth i s h e se t about pun i sh i ng t h e masand .

H e orde re d that h e nc e fo rth t h e S i khs shoul d th e m

s e l v e s pr e s e nt th e i r o f fe r i ngs and that t h e e mpl oy
m
,

m e nt oft h e a sa n d s for t h e pu rpos e S hou l d c e as e .

One day a company ofm i m e s w e nt t o p e rform

b e for e t h e Guru H e ord e r e d th e m t o i m i tat e t h e
m
.

asa n d s One of th e m accor di ngl y dr e ss e d as

m
.

a masand two as a a sand s s e rvants and a fourth
m m
, ,

as a a sa h d s cou rt e san r i di ng b e h i nd h i on ho rs e

b a ck as h e w e nt to col l e ct O f fe ri ngs for t h e Gu ru .

T h e m i m e s portray e d to l i f e t h e v il l a n i e s and opp re s

m
s i on p ract i s e d by t h e asa nd s Th e Guru upon th i s .

nal l y re sol v e d to fre e h i s S i khs from th e i r tyranny

m
.

H e o r de r e d that a l l t h e a sa n d s shou l d b e a rr ai gn e d

f or th e i r m i sd e m e anours H e l i st e n e d i n e v e ry cas e
.

t o th e i r d e f e nc e s and e xpl anat i ons pun i sh e d thos e ,

whom h e found gu il ty and pardon e d thos e wh o,

succ e e de d i n e stabl i sh i ng th e i r i nnoc e nc e Among .

t h e l att e r was a masand cal l e d Ph e ru ofwhom

m e nt i on has b e e n mad e i n t h e l i f e of Gu ru H ar R a i
,

Ph e ru l i v e d i n t h e count ry th e n cal l e d N akka ,

b e twe e n t h e r i v e rs Rav i and B i as T h e Guru o r de re d .

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 87

that h e S houl d b e brought b e fo re h i Th e Guru m .

r e m e mb e re d an e xp re ssi on us e d by Gu ru H a r R a i
t o Ph e ru ,
My pu rs e i s at thy di sposal Sp e nd what .

thou p l e as e st from i t Guru Gob i nd R a i adde d

.

T h e pu rs e i s th i n e and i t s di sposal i s al so th i n e
,
.

Ph e ru re pl i e d Gre at k i ng th i n e i s t h e pu rs e and
, ,

th i n e al so i t s di sposal wh e th e r I am bad or good

I am th i n e T h e Gu ru knowi ng h i

t o b e wi thout m
m
.

gu il e acqu i tt e d h i and wi th h i s own hands i nv e st e d

m m
,

hi wi th a rob e ofhonou r Som e oth e r a sa n d s .

too w e re acqui tt e d as t h e r e su l t ofP h e ru s p l e ad ings

on th e i r b e hal f .

Onc e a company ofU d asi s b rought t h e Gu ru

a copy oft h e G ranth Sah i b wr i tt e n wi th g re at ,

e l e ganc e ,
for h i s att e stat i on a n d s ignatu re At th at .

t i m e no Granth was acc e pt e d a s co rre ct un l e ss

count e rsi gn e d by t h e Gu ru But p e t i t i on e rs had
m
.

rst to a pp roach h i s i n i st e r D i wan N and Chand

m
, ,

a nd subm i t t h e wo rk t o h i for approval Th e .

l att e r obs e rv i ng t h e b e aut i fu l p e nmansh i p of t h e

vol um e fo rm e d t h e di shon e st i nt e nt i on ofapp ro
H i

p r i a t i n gi t . e to l d t h e U d a si s to com e n a month s
t i m e and h e woul d m e anwh i l e nd som e m e ans
,

of obta i n i ng t h e Gu ru s S i gnatur e

Wh e n th e y .

re tu rn e d aft e r t h e e xp i r at i on of that p e ri od h e tol d ,

th e m h e had not y e t had an oppo rtun i ty ofsp e ak i ng

to t h e Guru on t h e subj e ct and sugg e st e d th e i r ,

wai t i ng for anoth e r t e n days By si m il ar su b t e r .

f ug e s h e k e pt t h e U d a si s go i ng backwa r ds and f or

w a r ds i n susp e ns e f or si x months At t h e e nd of .

that t i m e h e ask e d th e m to tak e t h e p ri c e of

t h e G r anth Sah i b f rom h i m
and p re pare anoth e r ,

f or t h e Guru s approval

Th e U d a si s re fus e d
.
,

wh e re upon h e had th e m fo rc ibl y e xp e l l e d from

Anandpu r .

One day wh e n t h e Gu ru w e nt hunt i ng t h e U d a si s

m
, ,

found an oppo rtun i ty ofcompl ai n i ng to h i of

N and Chaud s conduct T h e Gu ru at onc e orde r e d

.

that th e i r Granth shou l d b e re stor e d t o th e m N and

. .
88 THE SI KH RE LI GI ON
Chand s e nt a m e ssag e to t h e Guru that h e was re ady
t o r e turn t h e book but at t h e sam e t i m e tol d t h e ,

U d asi s to l e av e t h e p l ac e at onc e i fth e y val u e d

th e i r saf e ty I f th e y made any furth e r compl ai nt
.

t o t h e Guru th e y shou l d b e i mp ri son e d and put to

,

d e ath T h e U d a si s we r e howe v e r not so e asil y

.
, ,

d e t e rr e d Th e y b i d e d th e i r t i m e to app roach
.

th e Guru on anoth e r occas i on Th e y com .

pl ai n e d that N and Chand had di sob e y e d h i s

orde r forc i bl y e xp e l l e d th e m from t h e c i ty and
, ,

thr e at e n e d th e m wi th d e ath i n t h e e v e nt ofth e i r

r e tu rn and mak i ng a fu rth e r compl ai nt agai nst h i m
.

T h e Gur u s e nt a s e v e r e m e ssag e to Nand Chand ,

Evi l days hav e com e for th e e As I t re at e d t h e

m
.

asa n d s so shal l I tr e at th e e If thou d e si r e th i n e .

o wn w e l far e r e stor e th e i r G r anth S ah i b to t h e

,

U d a si s

Wh e n t h e Guru s m e ssag e was commun i
.

c a t e d to N and Chand h e sai d Go away ; I wi l l , ,

not r e turn t h e Granth Sah i b S e e my fri e nds how

m
.
, ,

t h e Guru s e e k e th to fri ght e n e W e r e I to shak e .

t h e dust of ft h e sk i rt ofmy coat I coul d mak e many

m
,

Gurus l i k e h i T h e S i khs re p l i e d V e ry w e l l ;

.
,

l e t t h e Guru com e t o th e e and thou shal t se e He ,

.

wi l l draw no di st i nct i on b e tw e e n th e e and thy

b roth e r a san d s m .

N and Chand sh ri nk i ng from t h e cons e qu e nc e s of

h i s t e m e ri ty
,

e d wi th t h e G r anth Sah i b to K artar

pur Wh e n t h e Gu ru h e ard that h e had

,

e d th r ough
m
.

f e ar ofd e ath h e r e pl i e d D e ath wil l re ach h i

, ,

th e re too Wh e n N and Chand r e ach e d K artarpur
.
,

h e s e nt a m e ssag e to Dh i r M a l Hundr e ds ofthou ,

sands OfS i khs adh e re to thy caus e ; th e y wi l l al l

worsh i p th e e and mak e th e e t h e Gu ru oft h e wo rl d
m
.
,

I t i s i n my powe r t o day to r ai s e th e e to that e i -

n e nc e . N and Chand was howe v e r s e ri ousl y d i s

, ,

t rust e d a t Ka rta rpur I t wa s susp e ct e d that h e had .

com e from t h e Gu r u to p racti s e som e t re ach e ry

e i th e r to k il l Dh i r M a l or tak e poss e ss i on of t h e town
m
.

Dh ir M al consul t e d h i s asand s as to what wa s b e st

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 89

to be don e Th e y advi s e d that N and Chand shoul d

.

b e put to d e ath acco r di ng to t h e fol l owi ng st r ata

g m As h cam t pay a v i s i t a musk t eer

m
e . e e o e ,

shou l d b e h i dde n wi th i n t h e hous e to re at h i .

Th i s was ag re e d on Wh e n Nand Chand e nt e r e d

.

Dh i r Mal s ant e room h e r e c e i v e d a bu l l e t i n t h e

,

th i gh . As h e stagg e r e d t h e doors w e r e cl os e d to
,

p re v e nt h i s e scap e and h e th e n re c e i v e d s e v e ral

'

fatal bu l l e ts from t h e roof wh i ch had b e e n op e n e d

f or t h e purpos e .

One day t h e Guru sa w two ho rs e m e n pass h i s

pl ac e and th e n mak e a di v e rsi on towards t h e S a t l u j .

Th e y w e re Gu rdas and h i s broth e r Tara gr e at grand

m
-
,

sons ofBhai Bah il o a nd asa n d s ofRam R a i wh o ,

had com e to s e e k t h e Guru s p rot e ct i on but whos e

cou rag e fail e d th e m at t h e l ast mom e nt T h e Gu ru

m
.

caus e d th e m to b e brought b e for e h i In r e pl y .

to h i s m e ss e ng e r s qu e st i ons th e y had sai d that th e y

we r e Bai ra rs Wh e n th e y app e ar e d b e for e t h e Guru

.
,

h e d e t e ct e d th e i r di sgu i s e and ask e d wh y th e y had

fal s e l y re pr e s e nt e d th e ms e l v e s as Bai rars Th e y tol d .

th e ir h i sto ry T h e Gu ru on h i s v i si t on a form e r
.

occasi on to D e hra b e l i e vi ng th e m t o b e t rustworthy

, ,

all ow e d th e m to r e mai n th e re wi th Panj ab K aur ,

Ram Rai s wi dow f

or h e r prot e ct i on T h e oth e r
m
.
,

a sa n d s had po i son e d Panj ab K a u r s m i nd aga i nst

th e m and th e y now
, e d to t h e Guru for prot e ct i on .

On a rri v i ng at Anandpur th e y had h e ard of t h e

Gu ru s t re atm e nt ofoth e r

a sa n d s m
and through
m
,

f e ar tu rn e d asi d e t o avoi d h i Th e Gu ru comp l i

m
.

e nt e d th e m as t h e d e sc e ndants of Bha i Bah i l o on

th e i r nal l y conf e ssi ng t h e truth to h i and e n m ,

m
t i one d t h e re sp e ct i n wh i ch Bha i Bah il o had b e e n
h e l d by t h e p re c e di ng Gu rus Aft e r th e i r r e p e ntanc e
.

t h e Gu ru e nt e rta i n e d th e m f or som e y e ar s and th e n ,

al l ow e d th e m to d e par t to th e ir hom e s .

T h e Gu ru al ways h e l d t h e b e l i e f that i t wou l d b e

p rop e r and advantag e ous to h i s S i khs to we ar l ong
hai r and oth e rwi s e not al t e r man s God gi v e n body
-
,
9 0 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
and h e oft e n broach e d t h e subj e ct to th e m On one .

occasi on th e y re pl i e d that i fth e y wo re l ong hai r , ,

th e y wou l d b e subj e ct e d to t h e bant e r and annoyanc e

of both H i ndus and Muhammadans T h e Gu ru th e n .

sugg e st e d that th e y shoul d we ar arms and b e at ,

a l l t i m e s r e ady to d e f e nd th e ms e l v e s Th i s adv i c e .

was adopt e d .

I n anc i e nt t i m e s t h e Gur u sa i d i t was t h e un iv e rsa l

custom to w e ar on e s natu r al hai r and h e i nstanc e d

m
,

t h e cas e s o fR a Chandar K ri shan Ch ri st and M u , ,

hammad Why shou l d hai r g row I fGod had m e ant

.

i t to b e cut Of f A ch il d s hai r grow e th i n t h e

T h e Gu ru th e r e for e ho p e d that h i s fo l l ow e r s
1
womb .

wou l d n e v e r b e gu i l ty of t h e si n of shavi ng or cutt i ng

of fth e i r hai r and thos e wh o ob e y e d h i s i nj unct i ons
,

h e p rom i s e d to cons i d e r t ru e m e mb e r s o fh i s fa i th .

I t i s r e co r de d that at th i s t i m e t h e S i khs l i v e d i n
g re at soc i al l ov e and harmony Th e y re gard e d .

th e ms e l v e s as broth e rs Th e y us e d to f e e d one .

anoth e r shampoo one anoth e r wh e n t i re d bath e

, ,

o ne anoth e r wash one anoth e r s cl oth e s and one

m
, ,

S i kh al ways e t anoth e r wi th a smil e on h i s fac e

and l ov e i n h i s h e art .

A company ofS i khs cam e to vi si t t h e Guru and

made t h e fol l owi ng r e pr e s e ntat i on W e hav e found
i t v e ry di f cu l t to approach th e e on account oft h e
v i ol e nc e oft h e Muhammadans Som e ofou r c o . m
pany hav e b e e n k i l l e d by th e m on t h e way Oth e rs .

h av e b e e n wound e d and hav e r e turn e d to th e i r ,

S e ve ra l te xts f ro m Hi ndu writings are c ite d on th e i m portance

1

d sanct ity ofhai r Thu s i n t h e Institute s of M an Eve n

an b e i n wrath l e t h im
an

S ho u l d a m
. u

ne ve r se i ze anothe r b y the ha ir
W he n a B rahm an c o m mits an o ffe nce for whi ch the m em
.
,

b e rs ofothe r
c aste s a re li a b l e t o d e ath l e t hi s ha i r b e shave d of fa s su f c i e nt p un i sh
m
,

e nt I n t h e M a h a hh ar a t i t i s state d that wh e n Arj an was acco rd ing

k illingAswat th am or m
.
,

t o th e l a ws of warf a re on th e po int o f a f urde ri ng

t h e ch il d re n ofth e P and av s h e a pp e ase d h i s wrath b y m

,

e re l y cutt i ng

fAswatth am e ate d R u k m
,

Of a s h ai r And wh e n K ri shan d e f

i n wh o
h ad re se nte d th e a b du ct i on ofh i s s i ste r Ru k m i ni b e m
.
,

e re l y c ut of fh is
hai ra p uni shm e nt d e e m
,

e d wo rs e than de ath itse l f .

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 9 1

hom e s To whom can we l ook for ass i stanc e but to

.

th e e Th e Guru on h e ari ng th i s r e mai n e d S i l e nt and ,

r e e ct e d that t h e tyranny of t h e Tu rks had c e rtai n l y

b e com e i ntol e rabl e and that al l r e l i gi on was b e i ng
,

ban i sh e d from t h e l and .

T h e Gu ru i nv i t e d a l l h i s S i khs to att e nd t h e gr e at
B ai sakh i fai r at Anandpur wi thout sh av i ng or cutt i ng
th e i r hai r On ndi ng th e m ass e mbl e d h e o rde r e d
.
,

that carp e ts shoul d b e sp re ad on a r ai s e d mound

wh i ch h e i n di c a t e d and that an adj ac e nt spot shoul d
,

b e sc re e n e d off wi th qanats or t e nt wal l s Wh e n .

th i s was don e t h e Gu ru o r de re d a conde nt i al S i kh

,

to go at mi dn i ght t i e v e goats i n t h e e ncl osu re

, ,

and l e t no one know what h e had don e T h e goats .

w e re dul y t i e d and s e parat e or de rs w e re g i v e n t o

,

t h e Gu r u s ord e rl i e s not t o go wi th i n t h e t e nt wal l s

.

N e xt morni ng t h e Gu ru ros e a watch b e for e day ,

p e rfo rm e d h i s d e vot i ons and put on h i s arms and ,

un i form H e th e n procl ai m e d that th e re Shoul d b e

.

a gr e at op e n a i r gath e ri ng
-
Wh e n al l w e r e s e at e d .

h e dr e w h i s swo r d and ask e d i fth e r e was any one

,

of h i s b e l ov e d S i khs re ady t o l a y down h i s l i f e f

m
or

hi . N o re pl y was g i v e n Al l gr e w pal e on h e ari ng .

such a proposal T h e Gu ru ask e d a s e cond t i m e

.
,

but wi th t h e sam e r e sul t A th i rd t i m e h e spok e .

i n a l oud e r vo i c e I f th e r e b e any tru e S i kh ofm i n e

m m
, ,

le t hi g i v e e h i s h e ad as an o f fe ri ng and proof of
h i s fai th D aya Ram a S i kh ofLaho re ros e and
.

, ,

s a i d 0 t ru e k i ng my h e ad i s at thy s e rvi c e Th e

m m
.
, ,

Gu ru took h i s ar le d hi wi th i n t h e e ncl osu re

m
, ,

and gav e h i a s e at H e th e n cut of . fa goat s

h e ad wi th one strok e oft h e sword w e nt forth and

,

show e d t h e dr i pp i ng w e apon t o t h e mu l t i tude T h e .

Gu ru agai n ask e d I s th e r e any oth e r t ru e S i kh

m
,

wh o wi ll b e stow h i s h e ad on e T h e c r owd f e l t
now qu i t e conv i nc e d that t h e Gu ru was i n e arn e st ,

and that h e had k il l e d D aya Ram so no one re p l i e d ,

.

At t h e th i r d t i m e ofask i ng Dharm D as ofD ih l i

answ e re d 0 gr e at k i ng tak e my h e ad
, Th e Gu ru
,
.

,
9 2 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
assum ing an angry m i e n took Dharm Das wi th i n
m
,

t h e e ncl osu re s e at e d h i ,
n e ar D aya Ram a nd ,

k il l e d anoth e r goat Th e Guru th e n l ook i ng v e ry .

e rc e cam e fo rth and sai d I s th e r e any oth e r S i kh

m
,

wh o wil l o f fe r e h i s h e ad I am i n g re at ne e d of

S i khs h e ads .

On th i s som e r e m a rk e d that t h e Guru had l ost h i s

r e ason oth e r s w e nt to t h e Guru s moth e r t o com
,

p l ai n and sai d that h e had unde rgon e a compl e t e

,

chang e and was no l ong e r r e sponsi b l e for h i s act i ons

, .

Th e y i nstanc e d h i s sac ri c i ng t wo S i khs wi th ap

n t l no obj ct H i moth r was adv i s d to
m
e s
p a r e y e . e
d e pos e h i and conf e r t h e Gu rush i p on h i s e l de st
son . S h e s e nt a m e ss e ng e r f or h i but h e wa s too m ,

i nt e nt on h i s own purpos e at t h e t i m e to r e c e i v e
m e ss e ng e r s ofany d e sc ri pt i on H e cal l e d out f
m
or .

a th i rd S i kh re ady to offe r h i h i s l i f e wh e r e upon

m
,

M u h ak a Chand of D warak a o f fe re d h i ms e l f as
a sac ri c e Upon th i s t h e Gu ru h and e d h i i nto
. m
t h e e ncl osur e and k i l l e d a th i rd goat H e th e n .

cam e forth showi ng h i s dr i pp i ng swo r d as b e fore .

Wh e n t h e Guru cal l e d ou t f or a fou r th S i kh for

sac ri c e t h e S i khs b e gan to th i nk that h e wa s go i ng

,

t o k il l th e m al l S om e ran away and many hung

.

down th e i r h e ads Sah i b Cha nd a r e si de nt ofB i dar

.
, ,

cl asp e d h i s hands i n an att i tude ofsuppl i cat i on and ,

sai d h e pl ac e d h i s h e ad at t h e Guru s di sposal Th e

m
.

Gu ru took h i b e h i nd t h e t e nt wal l s and k il l e d

a fou r th goat Wh e n h e cam e forth as b e fore
.
,

h e ask e d f or a fth S i kh wh o wa s p re par e d to l a y

down h i s l i f e f or h i m
On th i s th e re was a g e n e ral

i ght oft h e r e mai n i ng S i khs and onl y thos e wh o ,

w e r e v e ry staunch i n th e i r fai th v e ntu re d t o stay .

H i mmat ofJ a gga nna t h answ e re d t h e Gu ru s l ast

cal l and sai d h e m i ght tak e h i s l i f e al so Th e Gu ru

m
.
,

th e n took h i i ns i d e t h e e ncl osur e and k il l e d t h e

r e mai n i ng goat .

Th e Gu ru wa s now r e ady t o sac ri c e h i s own l i f e

for t h e v e S i khs wh o showe d such d e vot i on to h i m
.
 LI FE OF GURU GOB IND SIN GH 93

He cl ad th e m i n spl e ndi d r ai m e nt so that th e y ,

shon e l i k e t h e su n and thus addr e ss e d th e m

,
My
br e th re n you are i n my fo rm and I am i n you r s
,
.

H e wh o th i nk e th th e r e i s any di f fe re nc e b e tw e e n us
e rr e th e xc e e di ng l y Th e n s e at i ng t h e v e S i khs
n e ar h i m h e proc l a i m e d to t h e who l e ass e mb l y
, ,

I n t h e t i m e o fGuru N anak th e r e wa s found one ,

d e vout S i kh nam e l y Guru Angad

, , I n my t i m e .

th e re are found v e S i khs total l y de vot e d t o t h e

Guru . Th e s e shall l ay an e w t h e foundat i on of
S i kh i sm and t h e tru e r e l i g i on shal l b e com e curr e nt
,

and famous th rough t h e worl d T h e p e opl e b e cam e .

aston i sh e d at t h e Gur u s e xp e di e nt and f e l l at t h e

f e e t of t h e v e d e vot e d S i khs sayi ng Hail to t h e , ,

S i kh r e l i g i on ! You br e thr e n h av e e st ab h sh e d i t
, ,

on a p e rman e nt bas i s Had we offe r e d ou r h e ads

.

l i k e you we too shoul d b e b l e st

.
,

T h e Guru agai n addr e ss e d h i s S i khs S i nc e t h e

t i m e ofBaba N anak c h a ra np ah ul hath b e e n cus
m
t o ary . M e n drank t h e wat e r i n wh i ch t h e Gurus
had wash e d th e i r f e e t a custom wh i ch l e d to gr e at
m
,

h u ih t y ; but t h e Khal sa can now onl y b e ma i n

t a i ne d as a nat i on by brav e ry and sk il l i n arms .

Th e r e for e I now i nst i tut e t h e custom ofbapt i sm by

wat e r st i rr e d w i th a dagg e r and chang e my fol l owe r s
,

from S i khs to S i nghs or l i ons Th e y wh o acc e pt t h e

.

n e ctar oft h e p ah ul shal l b e chang e d b e fo re your

v e ry e y e s from j ackal s i nto l i ons and shal l obt ai n ,

e mp ir e i n th i s worl d and b l i ss h e r e aft e r

.

Accor di ng t o t h e P e r si an h i stor i an Ghu l am Muhai

u l D i n t h e n e wswr i t e r of t h e p e ri od s e nt t h e Emp e r or
,

a copy of t h e Guru s addr e ss to h i s S i khs on that
occasi on I t i s dat e d t h e rst ofBai sakh Sambat
.
,

1 7 56 ( AD . and I s as fol l ows : L e t al l e mbrac e

.

one c r e e d and ob l i t e rat e di ffe r e nc e s of r e li g i on L e t .

t h e four H i ndu cast e s wh o hav e di f fe re nt rul e s for

th e ir gu i danc e abandon th e m al l adopt t h e one ,

fo rm ofadorat i on and b e com e broth e rs L e t no

,
.

o ne de e m h ims e l f sup e r i or to anoth e r L e t none .

94 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
pay h e e d to t h e Gang e s and oth e r pl ac e s ofp il ,

gri mag e wh i ch a re spok e n ofwi th r e v e r e nc e i n t h e

S h a st a rs or ador e i ncarnat i ons such as Ram K ri shan
, , ,

B rahma and Du rga but b e l i e v e i n Gu ru N anak and

m
, ,

t h e oth e r S i kh Gurus Le t e n of t h e fou r cast e s

.

r e c e i v e my bapt i sm e a t ou t ofone d i sh
, and f e e l ,

no di sgust or cont e mpt for one anoth e r .

Th e n e wswr i t e r wh e n forwardi ng th i s procl amat i on

,

to h i s mast e r submi tt e d h is own re po rt

, Wh e n t h e
Guru had thus addr e ss e d t h e crowd s e v e ral B ra h ,

mans and K h a t ri s stood up and sai d that th e y ,

acc e pt e d t h e r e l i g i on ofGuru N anak and oft h e oth e r

Gurus . Oth e rs on t h e contrary sai d that th e y
, ,

woul d n e v e r acc e pt any r e l i g i on wh i ch wa s oppos e d

to t h e t e ach i ng oft h e V e d s and t h e S h a st ars and ,

that th e y woul d not r e nounc e at t h e b i ddi ng ofa b oy

t h e anc i e nt fai th wh i ch had d e sc e nde d to th e m f rom
th e i r anc e stors Thus though s e v e ral r e fus e d t o
.
,

a cc e pt t h e Guru s r e l i g i on about tw e nty thousand
m m
,

e n stood up and prom i s e d to ob e y h i as th e y had ,

t h e ful l e st fai th i n h i s di vi n e m i ss i on

.

T h e Guru caus e d h i s v e fai thfu l S i khs to stand

up H e put pu re wat e r i nto an i ron v e ss e l and
.

st i rr e d i t wi th a khanda or t wo e dg e d swo r d H e -

th e n r e p e at e d ov e r i t t h e sacr e d v e rs e s wh i ch h e had
appoi nt e d f or t h e c e r e mony nam e l y t h e J a p ji t h e , , ,

J pj i i i
1
a ,
Guru Amar D as s Anand and c e r ta n Sawa ,

yas or quatrai ns of h i s own composi t i on .

T h e Guru i n orde r to show h i s S i khs t h e pot e ncy

of t h e bapt i smal n e ctar wh i ch h e had pr e pare d put
som e ofi t asi d e f or b i r ds t o dr i nk Upon th i s two .

sparrows cam e and l l e d th e i r b e aks w i th i t Th e n .

y ing away th e y b e gan t o ght t h e ch ron i cl e r ,

stat e s l i k e two rajas st ruggl i ng f

, or sup re macy and ,

di e d by mutual sl aught e r T h e i nf e re nc e was that .

a l l an i mal s wh i ch drank t h e Gu ru s bapt i smal wat e r

sh O u l d b e com e pow e rfu l and wa rl i k e .

1
T h e Japjt i s Gu u N anak s th e Jai th e te nth G u ru s own

c om
r ,

positi on .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 95

Bhai Ram Kau r a d e sc e ndant ofBha i Budha , ,

we nt and tol d t h e Gu ru s wi fe Mata J i to th at h e wa s

, ,

i naugu r at i ng a ne w fo r m of bapt i sm H e al so gav e .

h e r an account o ft h e i nc i d e nt oft h e sparr ows .

Mata J i to tak i ng som e Indi an swe e tm e ats cal l e d

,

p a t a s h a w e nt,
o u t o f cu ri os i ty to t h e Guru H e .

sai d sh e had Com e at an opportun e mom e nt and ,

ask e d h e r to throw t h e sw e e ts i nto t h e hol y wat e r .

H e had b e gun h e sai d t o b e g e t t h e Khal sa as h i s

, ,
1

sons and wi thout a woman no son coul d b e p r oduc e d

,
.

Now that t h e swe e ts w e r e pour e d i nto t h e n e ctar

t h e S i khs wou l d b e at p e ac e wi th one anoth e r ,

oth e r wi se th e y woul d b e at cont i nual var i anc e .

Th e v e S i khs fu l l y dre ss e d and accout re d stood

, ,

up b e fo re t h e Guru H e tol d th e m to r e p e at .

W ah g u ru and t h e pr e ambl e oft h e J ap ji H e th e n

.

gav e th e m v e pal m ful s oft h e am ri t to dr i nk H e

__ _
2
.

sp ri nkl e d i t v e t iIne s on th e i r hai r and th e i r e y e s , ,

and caus e d th e m al l to re p e at W ah gu ru ji k a

Khal sa W ah gu ru ji k i F atah
,
On th i s h e gav e .

th e m al l t h e app e l l at i on ofS i nghs or li ons H e th e n .

e xpl a i n e d t o th e m what th e y m i ght and what th e y

mi ght not d o Th e y must al ways w e ar t h e fol l owi ng

.

art i cl e s whos e nam e s b e gi n wi th a K nam e l y k e s , , ,

l ong hai r k a ng h a a comb k ri pa n a swo r d ;

, ,

k a ch h sho rt draw e rs ; k a ra a st e e l b r ac e l e t Th e y
, , .

w e re e nj o i n e d to pract i s e arms and not Show th e i r ,

backs to t h e f oe i n batt l e

Th e y w e re e v e r to h e l p
.

t h e poo r and p rot e ct thos e wh o sought th e i r p rot e c

t i on Th e y must not l ook wi th l ust on anoth e r s
.

wi fe or commi t fo rn i cat i on but adh e re to th e i r ,

w e dde d spous e s Th e y w e re to consi d e r th e i r

.

p re v i ous cast e s e ras e d and d e e m th e ms e l v e s a l l ,

b roth e rs ofone f a m il y S i khs w e re f re e l y t o i nt e r

.

marry among one anoth e r but must hav e no soc i al ,

Thi s wo d c o m es fro m th e Arab i c t e a/ p ure and was app li e d

1 '

h to t h e S i khs wh o a cce pte d th e b apti smofth e

r 1s ,

b y Gu u Gob ind S ing

r

swo rd wh i ch wi l l p e se ntl y b e de sc ri be d
N e ctar T h e conse c rate d wate r u se d n th e bapti smo fS i khs S
, r .

2
. I I

so c all e d .
 9 6 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
matr i mon i al re l at i ons wi th smok e rs wi th p e rsons
or ,

wh o k il l e d th e i r daught e r s wi th t h e d e sc e ndants or ,

fol l ow e rs ofP ri th i Chand Dh i r M al Ram R a i or

m
, , ,

asa nd s wh o had fal l e n away f r om t h e t e n e ts and

,

p ri nc ip l e s ofGu ru N anak Th e y must not worsh i p .

i do l s c e m e t e r i e s or cr e mat i on grounds
, , Th e y must
-
.

onl y b e l i e v e i n t h e i mmortal God Th e y must ri s e .

at dawn bath e r e ad t h e pr e sc ri b e d hymns of th e

, ,

Gurus m e di tat e on t h e Cr e ator abstai n from t h e

, ,

e sh o f an an i ma l whos e th r oat had b e e n j agg e d

wi th a kn i fe i n t h e Muhammadan fash i on and b e ,

to th e i r mast e rs 1
.

W h e n t h e Gu ru had thus adm i n i st e r e d bapt i sm to

h i s v e tr i e d S i khs h e stood up b e for e th e m w i th
,

cl asp e d hands and b e gg e d th e m to admi n i st e r bap

m
,

t is to h i ms e l f i n pr e c i s e l y t h e sam e way as h e had

admi n i st e r e d i t to th e m Th e y we r e aston i sh e d at
.

a p 1 0 p osal and r e pr e s e nt e d th e i r own u n

,

worth i n e ss and t h e g re atn e ss oft h e Guru whom ,

th e y de e m e d God s v i car upon e arth Th e y ask e d .

why h e made such a r e qu e st and wh y h e stood ,

i n a su p p h a nt postur e b e for e th e m H e r e pl i e d .
,

I am t h e son of t h e i mmortal God I t i s by H i s .

orde r I hav e b e e n born and hav e e stabl i sh e d th i s

form ofbapt i sm Th e y wh o acc e pt i t shal l h e nc e
.

forth b e known as t h e Khal sa T h e Khal sa i s t h e .

Guru and t h e Guru i s t h e Khal sa Th e r e i s no

m
.

di f fe r e nc e b e twe e n you and e As Gu ru N anak .

s e at e d Guru Angad on t h e thron e so hav e I made ,

a l so a Guru Wh r for adm i n i st r t h bap

y
m m
o u e. e e e e

t i s al n e ctar to e wi thout any h e s i tat i on

Accord .

i ng l y t h e v e S i khs bapt i z e d t h e Guru wi th t h e

sam e c e r e mon i e s and i nj unct i ons h e h i ms e l f had
e mp l oy e d . H e thus i nv e st e d h i s Ise c t wi th t h e
di gni ty ofGurudom T h e Gu ru cal l e d th e v e S i khs
m
.

W h o had b apt i z e d h i h i s Panch P i yar e or v e ,

11 In t h e p re se nt d a an i nj uncti on i s adde d at th e t i m f b pt i s m
to b e l oy a l to t h e B riti sh Go ve rnm e nt whi ch th e ne ophyte s so l e m
:
y e o a
I
nly
rom
'

I ,

j p i se .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 97

b e l ov e d and h i ms e l f Gob i nd S i ngh i nst e ad ofGob i nd

, ,

R a i t h e nam e by wh i ch h e had b e e n pr e v i ousl y

,

known .

Upon th i s many oth e rs pr e par e d to r e c e i v e bap

t is m . T h e rst v e to do so aft e r t h e b e l ov e d of t h e
Guru w e re Ram S i ngh D e va S i ngh Tah il S ingh , , ,

Ishar S i ngh a nd Fatah S i ngh Th e s e we r e nam e d

,
.

t h e Panch M u hl e or t h e v e wh o had obtai n e d ,

de l i v e ranc e Aft e r th e m many thousands w e r e

.

bapt i z e d A suppl e m e ntary ordi nanc e was now

.

i ssu e d that i fany one cut h i s hai r smok e d tobacco , ,

assoc i at e d wi th a Muhammadan woman or a t e t h e ,

e sh ofan an i mal whos e throat had b e e n j agg e d

wi th a kn i f e h e must b e re bapt i z e d pay a ne and
,
-
, ,

p rom i s e not to o f fe nd any mor e oth e rwi s e h e must

b e h e l d to from t h e Khal sa .

T h e p l ac e wh e re t h e Guru adm i n i st e r e d h i s rst

bapt i sm i s now known as K e sgarh .

T h e S i kh ch ron i cl e r Bhai Santokh S i ngh has , ,

compos e d t h e fol l owi ng on th i s m e morab l e e v e nt

God s Kh al s a wh i ch a ros e i s v e ry ho l y

Wh e n i t s f
ol l o we rs
me e t the y say W ah guru ji k i fa t ah
.

T h e Kh al s a h a th abo l i sh e d re g a rd f or p i rs sp iri t u a l

a nd m
,

ru l e rs i ra cl e wo rk e rs ofoth e r s e c ts wh e th e r H i nd u
-

or M u s al m
, ,

an .

Th e wo rl d on s e e i n g a th i rd re l ig i on was a ston i sh e d ;
e ne m i e s a pp re h e nd e d th a t i t wo ul d d e p ri v e th e mofsov e
re i t
g y
n
to mf
.

T h e Gu ru i n a u gu ra t e d a ne w c u s
or th e e st a b l ish
mnte ft h e f
a i tho th e ef
fac e me nt o fsin a nd th e r e p e t i t i on

m
, ,

ofGod s n a e

.

C H AP T ER XI I
W e now com e to fu rth e r O bj e ct i ons mad e by t h e
H i ndus to t h e Khal sa Th e y sai d I t i s i mposs ib l e .
,

t o obs e rv e t h e ru l e s of t h e Khal sa How can t h e .

fou r c a st e s di n e tog e th e r W e re we to acc e pt t h e

Gu ru s wo rds th e r e woul d b e no trac e of cast e l e ft
,

S I KH . v
H
9 8 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
in t h e wo rl d Th e
Gu ru hath confounde d t h e fou r
.

cast e s H e hath st irre d wat e r wi th a dagg e r and

m
.

cal l e d i t n e ctar N o matt e r wh o com e th to h i

m
.
,

h e a ssoc i a t e t h wi th h i wi thout di st i nct i on ofcast e

and wi thout r e gar d f or t h e duty p r e sc ri b e d for h i s

stag e ofl i f e H e hath r e nounc e d t h e V e d s and t h e

.

popul ar b e l i e fs and onl y b e l i e v e th i n Asi dh u j of

,
1
,

whom we hav e n e v e r b e fo re h e ar d and wh o i s net

m
,

known e v e n to pandi ts T h e l e ar n e d e n among

.

t h e H i ndus p re ach ofRam K ri shan and t h e oth e r , ,

i ncarnat i ons r e co r d e d i n t h e P u ra ns and adh e r e t o ,

t h e anc i e nt r e l i g i ons B re th re n th i s Khal sa i s

.
,

a ne w fangl e d i nst i tut i on f

-
or wh i ch we hav e no
scri ptu r al autho ri ty I t i s t h e Gu ru wh o hath
.

i nt roduc e d th i s absu r di ty and i nfo rm e d t h e wo rl d ,

that th e re i s onl y one cast e H e hath b rok e n t h e .

sacr i c i al thr e ad ofBrahmans and K h a t ri s and by ,

caus i ng th e m to e a t tog e th e r hath b rought di sc re di t

on anc i e nt customs sanct i on e d and hal l ow e d by

r e l i g i on H e hath o r d e re d us not t o g i v e ou r d a u g
. h
t e r s i n marri ag e to any one wh o cutt e th h i s hair .

So sm i tt e n i s h e wi th a f fe ct i on f or h i s Khal sa that

m
,

h e hat h r e j e ct e d not on l y t h e H i ndu but t h e M u h a

madan re l i g i on H e hath proh i b i t e d tobacco p il
.
,

g ri mag e s and p e ri odi cal obl at i ons t o t h e man e s of

,
2
anc e sto rs .

Th e Guru wrot e to h i s S i khs wh e re v e r th e y r e s i d e d

t o com e and acc e pt bapt i sm and b e com e m e mb e r s ,

of t h e Khal sa H e warn e d thos e wh o f a il e d to do

.

so that th e y shou l d aft e rwa r ds r e g re t i t Wh e n th e y

m
.

e t w i th a f i ct i on th e y wou l d b e gl ad to s e e k t h e
,

p rot e ct i on o ft h e Khal sa but th i s cou l d onl y b e ,

O btai n e d by th e ir acc e ptanc e ofbapt i sm and by

th e i r r e p e ntanc e and subm i ssi on T h e hol y Khal sa .

wou l d th e n r e mov e th e i r e ntangl e m e nts and acc e pt

th e m as b roth e r s i n t h e fai th .

1
A na m e of G od H e wh o h ath . th e sword on h is b nna er -
an

e p ithe t i nv e nte d b y th e t e nth G u u r .

2
Gu r B l a s Cha pte r 1 2
' '

z , .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SIN GH 99

On th i s gr e at occasi on t h e h il l ch i e fs i ncl udi ng ,

Raj a Aj m e r Chand t h e succ e sso r oft h e l at e Bh i m ,

Chand w e nt to vi s i t t h e Guru Aj m e r Chand sai d

,
.
,

I t i s thou wh o hast i nst i tut e d t h e Khal sa r e l i g i on .

By thy pow e r and g re atn e ss all t h e Tu rks shal l b e

de st roy e d . Th e Gu ru re pl i e d

I f thou b e bapt i z e d ,

and b e com e a S i kh thy g l o ry shal l i nc re as e t e nfol d

,
.

Aj m e r Chand i nqu ire d what t h e marks oft h e Gu ru s

S i khs w e r e that i s how th e y cou l d b e r e cogn i z e d

, ,
.

T h e Gu ru r e pl i e d My S i khs shal l b e i n th e ir natu ral

,

fo rm that i s wi thout t h e l oss ofth e i r ha i r or fo re sk i n

, , ,

i n oppos i t i on to ordi nanc e s oft h e H i ndus and t h e

Muhammadans I n r e pl y to Aj m e r Ch a nd s fu rth e r

m
.

i nqu iri e s t h e Guru i nfo rm e d h i

, of t h e acts all ow e d
and di sal l ow e d h i s S i khs Aj m e r Chand r e pl i e d .
,

G re at k ing we must worsh i p o ur i dol s and shav e

,

on t h e occas i ons ofd e aths i n ou r hous e s Th i s i s .

T h e Gu ru r e pl i e d

o rda in e d by ou r r e l i g i on If .
,

hai r we re not pl e as i ng to God wh y shoul d h e hav e ,

caus e d i t to g row I n g i vi ng t h e bapt i smal n e ctar

I chang e y ou f rom j ackal s to t i g e rs My S i nghs sh al l .

d e st roy al l opp re ssi v e Pathans and Mughal s and .

rul e i n t h e wo rl d Aj m e r Chand sai d .

That i s ,

i mposs i b l e Each Tu rk can e a t a Whol e goat How

. .

can we wh o onl y e a t ri c e cop e w i th such strong

m
,

Th e Gu ru r e p l i e d My S i nghs too are

en ? ,

p e rmi tt e d to e a t e sh and one ofth e m shal l b e abl e ,

to hol d h i s g round agai nst one hundr e d thousand

Tu rks I wi l l k il l hawks wi th sparrows O Raj a
m
. .
,

hav e no anx i e ty I Shal l mak e e n of a l l fou r cast e s

.

my S i nghs (l i ons ) and d e st roy t h e Mughal s If .

thou t oo e mb rac e my fa i th and b e com e a S i ngh ,

thy r e al m shal l ab i d e .

Th e Gu ru s t e ach i ng had t h e magi ca l e ffe ct o f

changi ng a pa ri ah or outcast th rough an i nt e r i n m

ab l e l i n e o fh e re di ty i nto a b rav e and staunch so l di e r ,

as t h e h i sto ry oft h e S i kh M azhab i re g i m e nts con

c l u si v e l y p rov e s Th i s m e tamo rphos i s has b e e n
.

accomp l ish e d i n d e anc e oft h e h i de bound p re ju -

H 2
1 00 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
d ic e s and cons e rvat i sm of t h e ol d H i ndu re l ig i ous
syst e ms P ri o r t o t h e t i me oft h e S i kh Gu rus no
.

g e n e ra l e v e r conc e i v e d t h e i de a ofra i s ing an a rmy

m
from e n wh o w e re b e l i e v e d t o b e uncl e an and p ol
l ut e d f rom th e i r b i rth ; but t h e watchwo r d and
wa r c r o ft h e S i khs W ah gu ru ji k a Kh al sa W ah

-

y ,

gu ru ji k i fatah a n d t h e st i mu l at i ng pr e c e pts of

t h e t e nth Guru ,
al t e re d what h a d hi th e rto b e e n
d e e m e d t h e d re gs o fhuman i ty i nto wa rri ors whos e
p row e ss an d l oyal ty n e ve r fail e d th e ir l e ade rs .

T h e Gu ru cont i nu e d to addre ss t h e a ss e mb l e d
r aj a s : H ow has you r re l i g i ous pol i t i cal and , ,

soc i al status d e t e r i o rat e d ! Y ou hav e abandon e d

t h e worsh i p of t h e t ru e God and addr e ss e d you r
d e vot i ons to gods godd e ss e s ri v e rs t re e s & c
, , , , .

Th rough i gnoranc e y ou know not h oW to gov e rn

your t e r ri tor i e s ; th rough i ndol e nc e and v i c e you
di sr e gard t h e i nt e re sts of you r subj e cts You .

p l ac e ov e r th e m o f c i al s wh o not onl y hat e you ,

but a re b e si de s you r mo rtal e n e m i e s In your .

quarre l s r e gar di ng cast e and l i n e ag e y ou hav e not

adh e r e d t o t h e anc i e nt di vi si ons ofH i ndu i sm i nto
fou r s e ct i ons but you h av e made hund re ds of sub
,

s e ct i ons and subo r di nat e m i nor cast e s You d e sp i s e .

and l oath e one anoth e r th rough your narrow p re ju

di c e s and y ou act cont rary to t h e wi sh e s oft h e
,

g re at Al m i ghty Fath e r Your mo ral s hav e b e com e

.

so p e rv e rt e d that th r ough f e ar and wi th a d e s i re

t o pl e as e you r Musal man rul e rs y ou g i v e th e m

,

you r daught e rs to gr at i fy th e ir l ust S e l f re sp e ct .

-

hath found no pl ac e i n your thoughts and y ou hav e ,

fo rgott e n t h e h i sto ry ofyou r si re s I am i nt e ns e l y

.

conc e rn e d f or you r fal l e n stat e Are y ou not asham e d

m
.

to cal l you rs e l v e s Raj puts wh e n t h e M u sa l a ns s e i z e

you r wi v e s and daught e rs b e fo re you r v e ry e y e s .

You r t e mpl e s hav e b e e n d e mol i sh e d and mosqu e s

bu il t on th e ir s i t e s and many ofyou r fai th hav e
b e e n forc ibl y conv e rt e d to Isl am If you st il l poss e ss
.

a t rac e ofb rav e ry and oft h e anc i e nt sp i ri t of you r

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND S IN GH 1 01

rac e th e n l i st e n to my advi c e e mb rac e t h e Khal sa

, ,

r e l ig ion and g i r d up you r l o i ns to e l e vat e t h e fal l e n

,

condi t i on ofyou r count ry Upon th i s t h e raj as .

took th e i r d e partu re wi thout acc e pt i ng t h e Gu ru s

p roposal to subst i tut e h i s Khal sa for e x i st i ng Indi an

r e l i g i ous syst e ms .

A S i kh cal l e d U de S i ngh app e are d b e for e t h e Gu ru

wi thout any offe r i ng H e sa i d h e had one but was
.
,

unab l e to l i ft i t H e had k il l e d a t i g e r but wa s not

.
,

strong e nough to b ri ng i t s body to t h e Gu ru T h e .

Guru s e nt f or t h e t i g e r sk i nn e d i t and cl oth e d

, ,

a pott e r s donk e y wi th t h e sk i n T h e donk e y thus

.

array e d b e i ng l e t l oos e fright e n e d al l an i mal s and

r e j oi c e d i n h i s unmo l e st e d fr e e dom S e v e ral com
m
.

pl ai nts and re qu e sts to k il l h i w e re made to t h e

Guru One day t h e Gu ru and som e S i khs w e nt to
m
.

shoot h i On h e ar i ng t h e no i s e made by t h e Gu ru s
party t h e donk e y
.

e d for prot e ct i on to h i s ol d

mast e r Th e pott e r s e e i ng t h e ani mal s b e hav i ou r

.
,

and mov e m e nts thos e of a donk e y and not of a t i g e r

m m
,

and mo re ov e r h e ar i ng h i bray app r oach e d h i

m
, ,

took off t h e t i g e r s sk i n gav e h i a sound drubb i ng

m
, ,

and e mpl oy e d h i as b e for e to carry bu r de ns Th e .

S i khs on h e ari ng th i s ask e d t h e Guru what h e m e ant

by such a stratag e m T h e Guru r e p l i e d As l ong .
,

as you w e re bound by cast e and l i n e ag e you w e re

l i k e donk e ys and subj e ct to l ow p e rsons I hav e .

now fre e d y ou from th e s e e ntangl e m e nts and g i v e n

you a l l wo rl dl y b l e ss i ngs I h av e cl oth e d you i n
m
.

t h e ga rb of t i g e rs and mad e you sup e ri or t o a l l

,
en .

Enj oy happ i n e ss i n th i s wo rl d and t h e Gu ru wil l ,

tak e care of you i n t h e n e xt and g rant you t h e ,

gl o ri ous di gn i ty of sal vat i on Wh e n t h e donk e y .

wo re a t i g e r s sk i n h e was fo rm i dab l e but wh e n h e

f e l l i nto t h e pott e r s pow e r h e was b e at e n and a l oad

put on h i s back I n t h e sam e way as l ong as y ou

.
,

p re s e rv e you r t i g e r s e xt e ri o r your e n e m i e s shal l

,

f e ar y ou and y ou shal l b e v i cto ri ous but i fyou pa rt

, ,

w i th i t and re tu rn to cast e O bs e rvanc e s y ou shal l

, ,
1 02 THE S I K H RELI GION
re v e r t to you r asi n i n e condi t i on and b e com e subj e ct
to st rang e rs . Mor e ov e r I hav e made you r e al l y
,

t i g e r s and not m e re l y g i v e n you th e i r garb and i t

, ,

is f or you not to r e sum e you r cast e hab i l i m e nts As .

I hav e r ai s e d you from a l owl y to a l ofty posi t i on by

i mpart i ng to you sp iri tual knowl e dg e so i fyou ,

re v e r t t o e v i l ways and H i ndu sup e r st i t i ons f r om

wh i ch I h av e de l i v e re d you your l ast condi t i on shal l

,

b e wo rs e than you r rst f ,

or th e n th e re w i l l b e no
hop e of your am e ndm e nt

m
.

Som e S i khs we nt to t h e Gu ru and tol d h i that

t h e R a ng h ars and Guj ars oft h e v i l l ag e of Nuh had
b e e n p l unde ri ng th e i r p rop e rty but that thos e who
,

we re arm e d had succ e ssfu l l y d e f e nde d th e ms e l v e s .

Th e Gu ru took th i s as a t e xt to p re ach to h i s p e op l e
t h e advantag e of w e ari ng arms Th e y who p r act i s e d
.

th e i r u se shou l d d e v e l op th e i r mart i al i nst i ncts ,

e nhanc e th e i r p re st i g e ,
and de f e nd th e ir prop e rty ,

wh il e thos e who r e mai n e d i n t h e sl ough of anc i e nt

apathy shou l d l os e al l th e y poss e ss e d But i n
m m
.

addi t i on t o arms e n shou l d al so com e to h i to

b e bapt i z e d and shou l d f or t h e pu rpos e app e ar
m
,

b e for e h i wi th th e i r hai r uncut wi th drawe rs , ,

dagg e rs and compl e t e armou r and r e tai n al l th e s e

, ,

obj e cts ofd e f e nc e as l ong as th e y had l i f e .

A man nam e d N and L al now v i si t e d t h e Gu ru .

H e was son of a V ai sh na v Khatr i and di sc i p l e of

a Bai rag i . At t h e a ge oftwe l v e y e ars t h e Bai rag i
d e si re d t o put on h i s n e ck a woode n n e ck l ac e one of ,

t h e outwa r d symbol s of h i s s e ct N and L al r e fuse d

.
,

and ask e d to b e i nv e st e d wi th t h e n e ckl ac e ofGod s

nam e wh i ch h e m i ght re p e at to obtai n futur e

m
,

happ i n e ss Th e B ai rag i di sm i ss e d h i
. and su b se
,

qu e ntl y e xpl ai n e d h i s act i on to N and Lal s fath e r

.

H e had not t h e part i cul ar n e ckl ac e wh i ch N and L al

had ask e d f or and so h e se t h i
,
m
fre e t o s e l e ct anoth e r
sp iri tual gu i d e .

N and L al was an accomp l i sh e d P e rs i an schol ar .

Th e r e i s a tradi t i on pr e s e rv e d among h i s d e sc e ndants ,

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 10 3
that wh e n t h e K i ng of P e rsi a s e nt a di spatch to
Au rangz e b h i s ch i e f cou rt i e r s we r e i nv i t e d to draft
,

a re p l y Nand Lal s draft wa s d e e m e d t h e most

.

su i tabl e and i t was acco r di ngl y s e l e ct e d f

, or d i spatch
to T u h ra n Au r angz e b s e nt f
. or N and L al and aft e r ,

an i nt e rvi e w r e mark e d to h i s court i e r s that i t wa s

a p i ty such a l e arn e d man shoul d r e ma i n a H i ndu .

N and L al on b e i ng app ri s e d oft h e e mp e ror s de si re

m
to conv e rt h i to I sl am and e v e r th i nk i ng oft h e
d e c i de d to m
,

sp iri tual gu i de su i tab l e for h i e e f r om ,

cou r t and tak e r e fug e wi th t h e Guru H e commun i

m
.

c a t e d h i s i nt e nt i on to a fri e nd of h i s a h i gh M u h a ,

madan o f c i al Th e y re sol v e d to go tog e th e r t o

.

Anandpur and p l ac e th e ms e l v e s unde r t h e Gu ru s

sp i ri tual gu i danc e N and L al pr e s e nt e d t h e Gu ru

m
.

a P e rsi an wo rk cal l e d Ba ndagi Na a i n p r ai s e of

Go d a t i t l e wh i ch t h e Gu ru chang e d t o Z i nda g i
m
,

Na a or B e stow e r ofe t e rnal l i f e T h e fo l l owi ng

.
,

ar e e xt r acts from t h e wo r k

Both wo rl ds ,
h e re a nd h e re af
te r , a re l l e d wi th God

s
l ight
Th e su n a nd moon a re m ly e re s e rvants wh o hol d H is
torch e s .
1

If
,
my fi nd tho u a sso c i a t e wi th
r e , th e hol y ,

Tho u sh al t obt a i n a b i d i n gwe a l th .

Ev il isth a t so ci e t y f ro m wh i ch e v il re su l t e t h ,

And wh i c h wil l a t l a st b ri n gso rro w i n i ts t ra i n .

AS f
ar as my
a be , re min a s e rva nts a nd c l a i mnot to b e

M a st e r : 2

A s e rv a nt o u ght n ot to s e arch f
or au ght b ut s e rv i c e .

H e n ce m y d e a
, r fr i e nd tho u o ug ht e st to
,
d i st i n gu i sh
b e t we e n thy s e l fand God Ev e n i ftho u art u n i t e d wi th
.

1
Th i s was a dd re sse d to those wh o he l d th e sun and m oon to b e
g s a nd obj e cts o fwo rsh i p
o d
Som e V d anti sts wi th the i r p anth e i st i c i de as c l a i mto b e G o d
.

Him
e

se l f
.
19 4 THE S I KH RELI GION
Hi m tt!

u er

not one wo rd wh i ch doth not e xpre ss t h y su b

m s ai d I a mGod th e y p u t
,

je ct i on to H i Wh e n M a ns u r
.
, ,

h i s h e a d on t h e gi bb e t .

Th i s h e art ofth i n e 0 ma n i s God s t e m

,
pl e ,

Wh at sh al l I say ? Th i s i s God s o rd in a n ce
.

S in ce tho u kno we st th a t God a b i d e th i n e v e ry h e art ,

I t i s t h y d u t y to t re a t e v e ry one wi th re sp e c t .

Tho u gh t h y Lord s i tt e th a nd conv e rse th wi th th e e ,

Ye t th ro ugh t h y st u p i d i t y tho u ru nn e st i n e ve ry
d ire ct i on to nd H i m1
.

Th e Omn ipot e nt is mnifst a e e d b y H is omn i pot e n c e .

S we e tn e ss t ri ck l e r th fo mt h e wo rds ft h e hol y
o

Th e wa t e r ofl if e d ri pp e t h f
ro m e ve ry h a i r ofth e ir bod i e s .

Th e s ai nt s are t h e s a me wi tho u t a nd wi th i n

Both wo rl ds are s u bj e ct to th e ir ord e rs .

Th e y wh o s e arch f
or God a re e ve r ci v il .

Co u rt e sy p oint e t h ou t t h e way tha t l e a de th to God .

Th e d i s c o u rt e o u s a re b e y ond God s k i ndn e ss 2

.

In t h e fo l l owi ng e xtract from Nand L al s D i wan

Goya a c l e ar d i st i nct i on i s drawn b e twe e n God and

,

man :
Al tho u gh t h e wave and t h e o ce a n both consi st ofwa t e r
e m I a mo ne
,

y e t th e re i s a gre a t d i f
fe re n c e b e t we e n th .

wave ofTh e e wh o a rt a n e ndl e s s se a Tho u art a s d i st i n c t

ro m me as h e ave n is fro me arth
.

f ,

1
That i s thou goe st on i dol atrous p il gri m
,
ages
2
Afte r the de ath ofAurangze b Bhai N and L al f ound a p atron i n
h is son th e E m p e ro r B ahadu r Shah unde r whomh e f o und l e i sure to
,

write h is works on t h e S i kh re li gi on .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 05

C HAP T ER XI I I
About th i s t i m e t h e Gu ru th i nk i ng that h i s ,

k i tch e n wa s not w e l l s e rv e d pai d a v i s i t t o i t i n

,

di sgu i s e and ask e d f

,
or som e th i ng to e a t He .

r e c e i v e d vari ous re fusal s from t h e cooks One of .

th e m sai d that p r ay e r must rst b e o f fe re d Anoth e r .

,

W e must rst g i v e t h e Gu ru h i s di nn e r

Wh e n .

t h e Gu ru had re c e i v e d s e v e r al s i m il ar e xcus e s and

noth i ng to e a t though h e urg e d that h e was hungry
, ,

h e w e nt to Nand L a l to b e gh i s di nn e r N and L al at .

onc e b rought forth ou r v e g e tabl e s sal t and cl ari

, , ,

e d butt e r and hand e d th e m to t h e suppos e d

,

m e ndi cant wh o took th e m and d e part e d N e xt

,
.

day t h e Guru i n op e n court to l d h ow h e had

pai d a v i si t i n di sgu i s e to h i s k i tch e n and how h e ,

had b e e n t re at e d T h e cooks w e r e v e ry much

.

asham e d and c rav e d fo rg i v e n e ss H e th e n gav e

.

orde rs that e v e ry wand e ri ng S i kh wh o cam e to h i s

door shou l d at onc e r e c e i v e food wh e th e r ra w or ,

cook e d wi thout e xcus e or d e l ay T h e Gu ru con

,
.

t i nu e d : Th e re i s noth i ng e qual to t h e b e stowal

of food . B l e st i s t h e man wh o g i v e th to t h e
r e al l y hung ry L e t no one x a t i m e f
. or t h e

e x e r c i s e of th i s v i rtu e I t i s not n e c e ssa ry t o cons i d e r

.

wh e th e r i t i s n i ght or day e v e n i ng or mo rn i ng
, ,

wh e th e r t h e moon i s dark or fu l l or i fth e re i s ,

a part i cul ar ann i v e rsary Nor i s i t n e c e ss ary to

.

cons i d e r What t h e soc i al pos i t i on oft h e app l i cant

may b e Avo i d al l d e l ay i n such a matt e r Chari ty
. .

i s ofa l l g i fts t h e g re at e st for i t sav e th h te

.
,

T h e Gu r u had an oppo r tun i ty o fmak i ng fu rth e r

m
t ri al oft h e a sa nd s Som e S i khs of Patna Mang e r
m
.
, ,

and oth e r parts ofB e ngal cam e t o se e h i Th e s e .

w e re accompan i e d by Cha i a and Mai a sons of ,

Bul ak i t h e masand ofDhaka

, One of t h e S i khs
.

p re s e nt e d a p i e c e o fDhaka musl i n t o t h e Guru as

an o f fe ri ng H i s cou rt i e r s b e gan to adm i re i t and
.
,

sa i d th e y had n e v e r b e fore s e e n such a b e aut i fu l

1 06 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
fab ri c On i nqu i ry i t wa s di scov e r e d that t h e sam e
.

S i kh had p re v i ousl y m a de a s i mil ar p re s e nt th rough

th e m a sa n d s to t h e Gu r u s moth e r but i t had n e v e r

re ach e d h e r Chai a and Mai a we re scou rg e d as

.

a pun i shm e nt .

Th e Gu r u h e ard that t h e R a ng h ars and Guj a r s of

a town cal l e d Ba jru r b e yond t h e S a t l u j had p l u n
, ,

d e re d som e S i khs T h e Gu ru took occasi on du ri ng

.

one of h i s hunt i ng e xcu rsi ons t o p roc e e d th i th e r

wi th a smal l forc e T h e town wa s i nv e st e d and
.

e x e mp l a r y pun i shm e nt m e t e d ou t t o i t s i nhab i tants ,

so that no one m i ght aft e rwar ds b e t e mpt e d t o a nnoy

t h e Guru s fol l ow e rs .

A sto ry i s tol d wh i ch i l l ust r at e s t h e S i kh v i e w

of sacr e d musi c A S i kh compl ai n e d that t h e
.

musi c i ans on one occasi on b e gan to chant b e fo re

h e had qu i t e n i sh e d r e c i t i ng t h e S u k h a ni Th e m .

Guru sai d that re ci t i ng t h e Gu rus hymns bo re t h e

sam e comparison to chant i ng th e m to musi cal a c c o m

p a nmi e n t s as coa r s e pu l s e t o sw e e t sac r e d food T h e .

gyan i s supp l y anoth e r compari son and sa y that ,

r e c i tat i on i s to chant i ng wi th mus i c as w e l l wat e r ,

wh i ch onl y b e n e ts t h e own e r of a f e w e l ds to ,

rai n wat e r wh i ch sh e ds b l e ssi ngs on a l l .

Th e re i s an an e cdot e tol d ofa S i kh who i n t h e

Guru s pr e s e nc e m i spronounc e d a wo r d i n t h e
G r anth Sah i b and so gav e a wrong m e an i ng to t h e
m
,

l i n e i n wh i ch i t occu rre d T h e Gu ru took t h e

. is
tak e as a t e xt to p re ach t h e advantag e s ofcorr e ct
r e adi ng of t h e S i kh sac r e d hymns O S i khs l i st e n
.
,

to what I hav e to t e l l you on th i s subj e ct R e ad .

t h e Gu rus hymns co rre ct l y

Th e r e i s t h e g re a t e st
.

advantag e i n such re adi ng f or i t wi l l e nsu re b l i ss

,

h e re and h e r e aft e r I f a hymn b e wr i tt e n i ncorre ct l y

.
,

corre ct i t and th e n re ad i t as one may m e nd a n d u se a

,

hous e hol d art i cl e wh i ch hath b e e n b rok e n T h e man .

wh o thus corr e ct e th not t h e Gurus hymns hath no

l ov e f

or th e m .

I t wi l l b e re m e mb e r e d that Guru T e g B ahadur ,

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND S INGH 19 7

wh e n i n p ri son i n D ih l i proph e si e d t h e adv e nt of

,

t h e Engl i sh . One day t h e conv e rsat i on b e tw e e n

Gu ru Gob i nd S i ngh and h i s di sc i pl e s tu rn e d on th i s
subj e ct H i s di sc i p l e s ask e d h i what t h e condi t i on
. m
oft h e S i khs wou l d b e wh e n t h e Engl i sh ar ri v e d .

T h e Gu ru re p l i e d T h e Eng l i sh shal l com e wi th

a gr e at army T h e S i khs t oo shal l b e v e ry pow e rfu l

.
,

and th e i r army shal l e ngag e that of t h e Engl i sh .

Som e t i m e s vi cto ry shal l i ncl i n e to my S i khs som e ,

t i m e s to t h e Engl i sh As l ong as t h e re l i g i on of th e
.

S i khs re mai n e th di st i nct so l ong shal l t h e gl o ry of ,

thos e wh o p rof e ss i t i ncr e as e But wh e n t h e S i khs .

b e com e e ntangl e d i n t h e l ov e ofmammon th i nk of ,

noth i ng but th e i r own ch i l dr e n th e i r wi v e s and , ,

th e i r hom e s ; wh e n thos e wh o admi n i st e r j ust i c e

opp re ss t h e poo r and tak e b rib e s ; wh e n thos e wh o
si t on ca rp e ts s e l l th e i r daught e rs and s i st e r s wh e n
S i khs abandon t h e Gu rus hymns and i n l i e u ofth e m

fol l ow t h e S h a st ars and adopt t h e re l i g i on oft h e

B rahmans ; wh e n S i kh raj as fo rsak e th e i r Gu rus
and fal l und e r t h e i nu e nc e oft h e p ri e sts ofoth e r
re l i g i ons ; wh e n th e y sc rup l e not t o conso rt wi th
cou rt e sans and al l ow th e i r stat e s to b e gov e rn e d by
,

e v i l i nu e nc e s th e n shal l t h e Engl i sh ru l e and th e i r

,

gl o ry i ncr e as e 1
.

T h e S i khs ask e d t h e Gu ru what shou l d b e com e of

t h e gr e at e mp i r e o ft h e Tu rks Th e Gu ru re p l i e d .
,

Au rangz e b r e l yi ng on Makkan o racl e s i s de st roying

t h e H i ndu r e l i g i on and i n h i s i nsan e care e r wi l l stop
,

at noth i ng sho rt ofa m iracl e H e i s e v e n p re pari ng

m
.

to cont e nd wi th e H e r e sp e ct e th not t h e re l i g i on o f
.

t h e Gu rus but we shal l ga i n t h e v i cto ry and t h e

, ,

gl o ry of t h e Tu rks shal l fade away Such ofth e m .

as su rvi v e shal l b e com e common l abou re r s and su f fe r

i ndi gn i t i e s from th e i r mast e rs At t h e e nd oft h e .

Sambat y e ar 1 8 0 0 ( A D 1 7 43 ) t h e
. S i khs sha
. l l tak e

poss e ss i on of many count ri e s Thr e e y e ars aft e r .

that S i khs shall sp ri ng ou t of e v e ry bush and th e re ,

1
S h j P k a h R u t I I I Ch pte r 37
ra ar s , ,
a .
1 08 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
shal l subs e qu e nt l y b e t e rribl e warfare b e twe e n t h e
S i khs and t h e Muh a mm a dans .

A pow e rful monarch shal l com e from K andhar 1

and de stroy count l e ss S i khs Th e ir h e ads shal l b e

.

p il e d i n h e aps H e shal l cont i nu e h i s p rog re ss of

.

de st ruct i on to Mathu ra i n H i ndustan and al arm

m
,

many l ands Non e shal l b e ab l e t o wi thstand h i

. .

As p roph e si e d by Gu ru A rj an h e shal l raz e t h e ,

t e mp l e ofAm ri tsar to t h e ground but t h e S i khs ,

S hal l p l unde r h i s camp on h i s r e t re at from I ndi a .

In t h e Sambat y e ar 1 9 00 ( A D t h e Tu rks
. .

wh o surv i v e shal l l os e th e i r e mp i re A Ch ri st i an .

a rmy shal l com e from Cal cutta T h e S i khs wh o a re .

at var i anc e wi th one anoth e r wil l j oi n th e m Th e re

m
.

shal l b e gr e at d e st ruct i on ofl i fe and e n and ,

wom e n shal l b e e xp e l l e d from th e i r hom e s T h e .

S i khs wh o abandon th e i r arms and j oi n t h e Brah

mans agai nst t h e Engl i sh S hal l hav e g re at suffe ri ngs
,
.

T h e r e al S i khs shal l ho l d th e i r ground and surv i v e

.

A S i kh cal l e d K ahn S i ngh was onc e pl ast e ri ng

a wal l and l e t a drop ofmud fal l on t h e Guru T h e .

Guru o r de r e d that h e shou l d r e c e i v e one s l ight st rok e

as pun i shm e nt Th e S i khs e xc e e de d th e i r orde rs and
.
,

s e v e r al ofth e m b e at t h e man s e v e r e l y T h e Guru .

on di scov e r i ng th i s wi sh e d to mak e r e pa r at i on and ,

t h e r e parat i on wa s to p rov i d e t h e suffe re r wi th

a wi f e T h e Guru ask e d h i s S i khs i fany ofth e m
.

wou l d g i v e h i s daught e r i n marr i ag e to t h e pl ast e r e r .

Al l r e mai n e d s il e nt . T h e Gu ru sa i d You found i t ,

e asy to ob e y my ord e r t o st ri k e th i s man Why not .

ob e y my pr e s e nt orde r I nd you are S i khs onl y

f or your o wn advantag e .

I t happ e n e d that at that t i m e a S i kh cal l e d Ajab

S i ngh from Kandha r was p re s e nt wi th h i s v i rg i n
daught e r i n darbar H e sa i d . 0 t ru e k i ng my
, ,

daught e r i s at thy di sposal Th e Gu ru comp l i

m m
.

e nt e d h i and sai d O S i kh thou hast to day

-
, ,

1
Th i s re f
e rs to a n i nv as i on o fAh mad Shah i n A D 7 6 wh n
h e b l e w u p t h e H ar M andar or G o l d e n T e mp l e a t Amitsar
e . . 1 2

,
r .
,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 19 9
prov e d that thou a rt a t ru e m e mb e r oft h e Khal sa .

T h e pl ast e r e r r e pr e s e nt e d that h e wou l d not marry

on account oft h e e ndl e ss t roubl e s att e ndi ng w e dde d
l ife Th e g i rl on h e ari ng th i s sai d to h i By t h e m
m
.
,

Gu ru s o r de r I am al re ady th i n e I f thou acc e pt e

.

not I wi l l not we d anoth e r but re mai n h e re to do

, ,

s e rvi c e at t h e Gu ru s f e e t
Th e Gu ru th e n i nt e r .

pos e d and u rg e d t h e pl ast e r e r to we d t h e gi rl H e .

acco r di ngl y di d so by S i kh mar ri ag e ri t e s known as

Anand Th e Gu ru p rom i s e d that h e shou l d h a v e
.

v e di st i ngu i sh e d sons as t h e re su l t of h i s marri ag e ,

a p roph e cy wh i ch wa s dul y fu l l l e d .

T h e Gu ru now b e cam e fre qu e nt l y s i l e nt a matt e r

m
,

wh i ch caus e d h i s moth e r g re at anx i e ty S e e ing h i

m
.

one day al on e sh e app r oach e d h i

,
and aft e r t h e ,

usual b l e ssi ng sai d B l e st am I that such a son

,

hath b e e n born from my womb ; but I am now

anxi ous re garding th e e P e opl e say that thou a rt .

compl e t e l y al t e r e d Expl ai n wh y thy sp i ri ts a re

.

de p re ss e d and thou a rt no l ong e r ch e e rful as b e fo re

,
.

T h e Gu ru re p l i e d Moth e r d e ar I wi l l t e l l th e e my
, ,

s e cr e t I hav e b e e n cons i de ri ng h ow I may conf e r

.

e mp i re on t h e Khal sa

.

T h e Gu ru pr e sc ri b e d conv i vi al ru l e s as a p re
l i m i nary to h i s g re at e nt e rp ri s e Wh e re v e r h e had .

a k i tch e n i t Shou l d b e cons i d e re d God s own and

,

t h e S i khs S hou l d e a t th e r e from Shou l d any ofth e m .

O bj e ct on t h e g round ofcast e pr e j u di c e h e shou l d ,

b e d e e m e d b e yond t h e pal e ofS i kh i sm B e fo re t h e .

di st ribut i on of sac re d food a p ray e r shoul d rst b e

utt e re d Aft e r m e al s t h e rst stanza oft h e fth
m
.

Ash t a p a di of t h e S u k h a ni shoul d b e r e c i t e d as a
thanksg iv i ng Wh e n a man had sat i s e d h i ms e l f
.

at t h e Gu ru s k i tch e n h e shou l d tak e no food a way

m
,

wi th h i Wh e n a S i kh i nvi t e d anoth e r to d i n e
m
.

wi th h i h e shou l d acc e pt h i s hosp i tal i ty a n d no t

,

nd fau l t w i th h i s v i ands Wh e n e v e r a S i kh wa s .

hung ry h e shou l d b e f
, e d and t re at e d w i th r e sp e ct .

Aft e r th i s t h e Gu ru pr e scr ib e d som e g e n e ral ru l e s

1 10 THE S I KH RELI GI ON
f
or th e gu i danc e ofh i s S i khs At t h e b e g i nn i ng of .

e v e ry wo r k or e nt e rp ri s e th e y shou l d r e c i t e su i tab l e

p ray e rs Th e y shoul d al ways assi st o ne anoth e r

.
,

th e y shou l d p ract i s e ri di ng and t h e e x e rc i s e ofarms .

If t h e S i khs re m e mb e re d t h e Gu ru s i nst ruct i on h e ,

p romi s e d to mak e a l l t h e i nhab i tants of Indi a su b

j e c t to th e m H e wh o cast a cov e tous e e on h i s
.
y
n e i ghbou r s p rop e r ty shoul d go to h e l l H e wh o

.

assi st e d a S i kh to comp l e t e any wo rthy or nobl e

unde rtak i ng or study shoul d obtai n sp i ri tual re ward , .

B e i ng qu e st i on e d on t h e subj e ct of marri ag e
r e l at i ons t h e Gu ru utt e re d t h e fol l owi ng :
,
Wh e n
I re c e i v e d und e rstandi ng my fath e r Gu ru T e g
m
,

Bahadu r gav e e th i s i nst ruct i on O son as l ong , ,

as th e re i s l i f e i n thy body mak e th i s thy sac re d ,

duty e v e r to l ov e th i n e own wi f e mor e and mo re .

App roach not anoth e r woman s couch e i th e r by
m i stak e or e v e n i n a dre am Know that t h e l ov e
m
.

of anoth e r s wi f e i s as a sharp dagg e r B e l i e v e e

.
,

d e ath e nt e re th t h e body by mak i ng l ov e to anoth e r s

wi f e .Th e y wh o th i nk i t gr e at cl e v e rn e ss to e nj oy

anoth e r s wi f e shal l i n t h e e n d di e t h e de ath of

dogs .

Onc e wh e n th e r e was scarc i ty i n t h e l and t h e

Gu ru s moth e r wi thout consul t i ng h i

,o r de re d that m ,

food shoul d b e cook e d onl y onc e a day and e v e n ,

th e n b e spari ngl y di st ribut e d Upon th i s t h e S i khs .

compl a i n e d to t h e Gu ru H e sai d Som e e vi l .

,

p e rsons h av e i nduc e d my moth e r to i ssu e o r de rs

cont rary to my wi sh e s but 0 Khal sa t h e Gu ru s , , ,

k i tch e n shal l b e e v e r op e n Th e Tu rks shal l ay .

thos e wh o hav e g i v e n e vil advi c e t o my moth e r .

Th e Gu ru s moth e r on h e ari ng th i s b e cam e much

di st re ss e d and wi th t e ars i n h e r e y e s i mpl o re d h e r

,

son s par don T h e Gu ru pardon e d h e r but adde d
. .
, ,

If thou cl os e t h e Gu ru s k i tch e n my cu rs e shal l

avail but i fthou k e e p i t e v e r op e n my cu rs e shal l

, ,

b e re t r act e d F rom that day fo rth twofol d nay

.

, ,

fourfol d suppl i e s pou re d i nto t h e Gu ru s k i tch e n

.
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 1 1

C H AP T ER XI V
A handsom e young gol dsmi th one day p re s e nt e d
h i ms e l f b e fo re t h e Gu ru and b e gan to fan h i He m .

sai d that h i s fath e r had tak e n t h e ch a ra npa hu l i n

vogu e at t h e t i m e oft h e p re c e di ng Gu rus and h e ,

h i ms e l f had re c e i v e d bapt i sm acco r di ng to t h e n e w

ri t e T h e youth s moth e r accompan i e d h i

and m
m
.
,

t h e Gu ru i nv i t e d th e m both t o stay wi th h i Th e .

Guru to mak e t ri al oft h e gol dsm i th s sk il l gav e

m m
, ,

hi t e n gol d u h a rs to conv e r t i nto o rnam e nts .

Wh e n t h e wo rk was subs e qu e ntl y subm i tt e d f or t h e

Guru s i nsp e ct i on h e wa s pl e as e d and o r d e re d h i s

t re asu re r to k e e p t h e young art i san suppl i e d wi th

gol d and sto re a l l t h e o rnam e nts h e mad e from i t
,

i n h i s t re asu ry T h e Gu ru ask e d t h e gol dsm i th i f

.

h e had any fau l ts H e r e pl i e d

. 0 g re at k i ng I am
, ,

t h e sl av e of thy f e e t I on l y s e e k t h e soc i e ty of t h e
,

sai nts Upon th i s t h e Gu ru re pl i e d H e wh o hath

.

,

r e at tal e nts must e v e r poss e ss som e fau l t What

g .

i s th i n e T h e man poss e ssi ng tal e nt wh o hath no

faul t must b e I n God s own i mag e
T h e young man
.

how e v e r woul d not adm i t any i mp e rf e ct i on

,
.

Aft e r th i s h e was al l ow e d to tak e as much

gol d as h e p l e as e d to work upon I t wa s n e v e r
m
.

w e i gh e d to h i and h e wa s n e v e r ask e d how

,

much h e had tak e n One d a y t h e Gu ru tol d h i s

.

t re asu re r to w e i gh f or t h e futu re wi thout t h e gol d

m
,

sm i th s knowl e dg e all t h e gol d di sp e ns e d to h i

m
.
,

Upon th i s t h e t re asur e r w e i gh e d h i ou t tw e nty

tol as of gol d Wh e n t h e gol dsm i th p re s e nt e d t h e
.

o rnam e nts made th e r e from th e y w e re found to ,

w e i gh onl y s e v e nt e e n tol as Upon th i s t h e Gu ru

.

o r de re d a l l t h e o rnam e nts t h e youth had made s i nc e

h i s a rri val to b e p r oduc e d and w e i gh e d Th e t re asu re r .

found th e m to b e f a r S ho r t o ft h e amount o fgo l d

tak e n from t h e t re asu ry On th i s t h e Gu ru re mon

m
.

st ra t e d wi th t h e young go l dsm i th Thou i p l ie d st

.
1 12 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
that thou hadst no faul t What g re at e r fau l t can th e r e
.

b e than to m i sapp r opr i at e what i s e nt rust e d th e e ?

D i dst thou not re c e i v e thy wag e s from t h e Guru S

hous e and was that not su f fi c i e nt r e mun e rat i on for

m
,

th e e Thou a rt as e v il as t h e asa n d s whom I h av e

b e e n pun i sh i ng I am p l e as e d wi th thos e wh o
.
,

though th e y may w e ar coars e garbs e a t what th e y ,

l awfu l l y e arn I t i s sai d that on th i s c e nsu re t h e

.

youth re fo rm e d h i s ways .

Th e Gu ru b e i n g ask e d by a d e vout S i kh what h e

shoul d do to cross ov e r t h e wo rl d s oc e an that i s

, ,

to b e sav e d and obtai n d e l i v e r anc e from r e b i rth ,

gav e t h e fol l owi ng re c ip e My b roth e r re p e at t h e

.
,

n a m e W ah gu ru Eat what thou hast di l i g e nt l y

.

e arn e d As Baba N anak hath sai d H e who

.
,

b e st owe t h a l i tt l e ou t of h i s e arn i ngs re cog ni z e t h t h e

ri ght wa y B e ar no one e nm i ty Know that God
. .

i s wi th th e e at a l l t i m e s and re m e mb e r d e ath R e cog .

n i z e t h e wo rl d as un re al and God al on e as re al

m
.
,

A S i kh w e nt to t h e Gu ru and tol d h i that h e

had abandon e d t h e wo rl d as i t contai n e d onl y ,

t roub l e and anx i e ty H e adde d that h e had com e

.

i n qu e st ofr e st and re qu e st e d t h e Guru to po i nt

m m
,

out t h e wa y to h i T h e Gu ru cong r atu l at e d h i

.

o n hav i ng d i v e r t e d h i s att e nt i on from t h e wi ck e dn e ss

m
of e n and i nqu i r e d i fh e coul d re ad Th e S i kh
, .

re pl i e d i n t h e n e gat i v e T h e Gu ru th e n sa i d
. I t is ,

n e c e ssary that thou shoul dst r e ad l i tt l e or much so

as to acqu i r e und e rstandi ng and i mp rov e thy m i nd .

Thou sh a l t thus l e arn t h e di f fe r e nc e b e twe e n good

an d e v il and what thou ought e st and what thou
,

ought e st not to do Th e re a re b e s i d e s many oth e r

.

advantag e s i n r e adi ng Thou may e st th e re by obtai n

.

e v e ryth i ng b e g i nn i ng w i th t h e knowl e dg e ofGod

m
.

T h e h e a rt ofh i wh o i s un i nst ruct e d r e mai n e th i n

b l i nd i gno ranc e H e wh o r e ade th Gurumukh i i s t h e
.

b e st and obtai n e th good unde rstandi ng Th e re i s .

g re at m e ri t i n re adi ng t h e J ap ji and t h e oth e r hymns

ofmorn i ng and e v e n i ng d i v i n e s e rv i c e for th e y ,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 1 3
e ras e t h e s i ns of many b i rths H e wh o oral l y or .

m e ntal l y x e th h i s att e nt i on on t h e N am e wh o ,

wo rk e th wi th h i s hands wh o gl a dd e ne t h t h e h e arts
,

ofho l y S i khs who e v e r p e rform e th nob l e d e e ds

m
, ,

and p re s e rv e th h i s m i nd humb l e i s v e ry d e ar to e
m m
, ,

and i t b e hov e s e to m i n i st e r unto h i .

T h e S i kh e xp re ss e d h i s e a rn e st de s i re to l e arn i f he ,

cou l d onl y nd a tutor Th e Guru appo i nt e d h i s

m
.

own G r anth i or re ade r to i nstruct h i

, ,
Wh e n t h e .

S i kh r e ad as f a r as t h e l i n e i n t h e Anand J yo ,

,

my moth e r that I hav e found t h e t ru e Gu ru ! h e

,

brought h i s tu i t i on to an e nd and n e v e r aft e rwar ds ,

pursu e d h i s stu di e s T h e Guru aft e r som e months

.
, ,

a sk e d h i s G r anth i how t h e pup i l was progr e ss i ng

m
.

Th e G ranth i r e p l i e d that h e had not s e e n h i s i nc e

h e had r e ad that part i cu l ar l i n e of t h e Anand Upon
m m
.

th i s t h e Guru s e nt for h i and ask e d h i Why h e ,

had c e as e d to att e nd h i s tuto r H e re pl i e d that h e .

had re ad e nough and had attai n e d happ i n e ss on

,

m e e t i ng t h e Gu ru T h e Gu ru sm il e d and sai d
.
,

Ev e n wi th th i s l i tt l e l e arn i ng thou hast obtai n e d

a knowl e dg e of God and shal t e v e ntual l y nd ,

de l iv e ranc e

m
.

T h e Gu ru onc e ask e d h i s S i khs t o t e l l h i wh o

was e mp e ror ofIndi a i n Kab ir s t i m e One S i kh
.

sai d Humayun ; a s e cond Al e xande r t h e G re at ; ,

a th ird M a d a np al
,
In sho r t non e ofth e m cou l d
.

t e l l t h e e mp e ror s nam e T h e Guru mad e th i s a t e xt

.

from wh i ch to pr e ach t h e advantag e s ofknowl e dg e ,

as we l l as hol i n e ss and t h e good r e put e obtai n e d

,

from th e m i n both worl ds Ev e ry one e v e n down ,

to i gno rant wom e n know e th t h e nam e ofKab i r

, ,

though h e wa s on l y a w e av e r That i s b e caus e h e .

r e p e at e d God s nam e and p r act i s e d t ru e d e vot i on

.

S i k a ndar Lodi was th e n e mp e ro r ; but non e of y ou

e v e n know e th h i s nam e and th e re i s no trac e of
m
,

hi l e ft i n t h e wo rl d wh il e Kab ir s fam e i s b l azon e d

i n e v e ry country and h i s m e mo ry i s uni v e rsal l y

honour e d . Wh e re fo re m e mb e rs of t h e Khal sa
, ,
1 1 4 THE S I K H RELI GION
re m e mb e r t h e tru e N am e s e rv e t h e sai nts b e
, ,

humb l e l ay you r l ov e and d e vot i on at t h e f e e t of

,

t h e i mmo rtal God and y ou too shal l b e honour e d

h e r e and h e r e aft e r .

As t h e Guru s powe r dail y i ncr e as e d t h e h il l

,

ch i e fs thought i t e xp e di e nt to s e nd a re si d e nt to h i s
court wh o woul d i nform th e m ofh i s ov e e nt sa nd m m
p roc e e di ngs A man cal l e d P a ra ana nd was accord
. m
i ng l y s e l e ct e d for that d e l i cat e m i ss i on Wh e n h e
m
.

cam e to t h e Guru h e tol d h i that h i s obj e ct was

t o b e i n a posi t i on to b e hol d h i m
cont i nual l y and ,

thus gai n sp ir i tual advantag e s H e adde d that h e .

d e si r e d to s e nd t h e raj as occasi onal l y accounts of

t h e Guru s good h e al th and w e l far e and t o pr e s e r v e

,

t h e am i cab l e r e l at i ons wh i ch al r e ady subs i st e d .

Som e S i khs ask e d t h e Guru how k ara h pa rsa d

or sacr e d food shou l d b e pr e par e d H e r e pl i e d : .

Wash and cl e an t h e cook i ng p l ac e th e n procur e -

,

e qual port i ons of r e n e d sugar ne ou r and , ,

cl ar i e d butt e r Bo il t h e sugar i n wat e r and r e nd e r

.

i t l i qu i d Put t h e cl ari e d butt e r and our i nto

.

anoth e r v e ss e l and boil th e m unt il th e y assum e

m
,

a r e ddi sh col our Th e n i x t h e l i qu e e d sugar wi th

.

t h e c l ar i e d butt e r and ou r and bo il a l l tog e th e r

,
.

Wh e n th i s i s don e a Granth i must r e p e at c e rta i n

pre scr i b e d pray e rs T h e m i xtu re th e n b e com e s
.

sacr e d food (k ara h pa rsa d ) and i s t for u se 1
.

Th e cook must b e a S i kh who has bath e d i n t h e

morni ng and wh o can r e p e at at l e ast t h e J a pji from
m e mory .

A S i kh marr i e d coupl e cam e to t h e Guru i n o r d e r

t o comp l ai n agai nst th e i r son Th e y sai d th e y w e r e
.

sat i s e d wi th t h e w e al th God had g i v e n th e m ;

th e i r onl y troubl e aros e from th e i r son s contumacy

m
.

H e was e v e r i n att e ndanc e on r e l i g i ous en and ,

pai d no r e gard to what h e a t e or what h e wor e I f .

T h e H indus
1
ood use th e sam
in th e p re p arati on ofthe i r sac e d f r e

ingre d i e nts, b ut a dd c o co nu t as a t onne he n h e f or t h e god d ss

or th e m onk e y god Hanum
-
c e
D urga, and an i se se e d as a re li sh f -
an .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 1 5

th e subj e ct o fma rri ag e so natu ral to a young man

m
, ,

w e re m e nt i on e d t o h i h e wa s re ady to di e as i f
,

po i son e d Wh e n p re ss e d on t h e subj e ct h e sa i d
.
,

th a t t h e Guru had fo rb i dd e n h i s marri ag e Wh e n

m
.

th e y re p re s e nt e d to h i that t h e Gu ru h i ms e l f wa s
a marri e d man t h e youth wou l d onl y say H e can
, ,

do what h e pl e as e th h i ms e l f H e hath fo rb i dd e n
m
.

T h e Gu ru s e nt f or t h e youth and ask e d wh e n

m
e .

h e had fo rb i dd e n h i H e r e pl i e d. O Gu ru i n t h e , ,

Anand wh i ch thou wrot e st as Guru Amar D as f or

t h e i nst ruct i on of t h e S i khs th e r e i s t h e fol l owi ng ,

passag e
O d e ar m an do tho u e v e r re m em b e r t h e T ru e One
am
.
,

Th i s f il y wh i c h tho u s e e st sh al l not d e p art wi th th e e

I t sh al l not d e p a rt wi th th e e wh y x t h y tho u ghts
on i t
N e ve r do wh a t tho u sh al t h a v e to re p e nt ofa t l a st .

L i st e n tho u to t h e i nst ru c t i on oft h e t ru e Gu ru i t i s tha t ,

whi ch sh al l go wi th th e e
S ai th N a n a k O d e a r m a n e v e r re m em
.

, b e r t h e Tru e One
, .

Th i s i nst ruct i on sai d t h e youth i s i mpr i nt e d

,

T h e Guru wa s so p l e as e d on h e ar i ng

on my m i nd
m
.

th i s that h e e mb r ac e d h i and sai d to h i s pare nts , ,

M e n are cont i nual l y warn e d but non e tak e th h e e d , .

B l e st i s h e wh o hath forsak e n mammon I t i s h i s .

good fortun e that h e hath awak e n e d to cont e mpt

of t h e wo rl d Th i s son ofyou rs shal l sav e both you r
.

famil i e s and you shall h av e anoth e r son b e s i d e s to

,

gl adde n your h e arts Th e Gu ru de ta i n e d t h e youth

.

,

and di sm i ss e d h i s par e nts H e wa s p l e as e d that t h e .

spontan e ous l ov e ofGod had sp rung up i n t h e young

man s h e art and h e i nstruct e d h i i n t h e dut i e s

, m
both of a husband and a h e rmi t Aft e r a compar i son .

of both h e e mb rac e d dom e st i c l i fe

,
.

Onc e i n t h e sul t ry w e ath e r as t h e Guru was ,

p e rsp i ri ng h i s s e rvants took h i s b e d from t h e g round

,

oor to t h e t op ofh i s hous e F rom th e re h e h e ar d .

an al t e rcat i on b e tw e e n two S i khs r e gard ing a de bt

I 2
1 1 6 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
ofs e v e n rup e e s Mal a S i ngh had l e nt th i s S u mto
.

L ah a u ra S i ngh but t h e l att e r woul d not re tu rn i t

,
.

Wh e n at t h e sugg e st i on of Mal a S i ngh s Wi f e

,

,

L a h a u ra S i ngh was fu rth e r dunn e d h e compos e d th i s ,

coupl e t
O S i kh e at t h e we al th ofa S i kh wi tho u t a nx ie t y
Tho u h a st c o m e to a nno y me a t wh i ch I a m
,

v e ry a n gry
and add e d :
A S i kh sh al l re c e i ve wh a t e v e r i s wri tt e n i n h i s d e st i n y .

Mal a S i ngh r e pl i e d Thou e b e zzl e st my mon e y m

m
, ,

and th e n l e c t u re st e ; thou fo rg e tt e st what hath

b e e n sai d
Th e y whos e a cts a re d e ce i t f
ul sh al l b e p u n i sh e d i n God s

c o u rt

D e a th sh al l s m i t e th e m th e y sh al l g re a t l y we e p a nd
:

re g re t wh e n th e nt r hel l
y e e .

L a h a u ra S i ngh capp e d th i s wi th anoth e r

N 0 one Sh al l a sk f
or a n acc o u nt as l on ga s God p a rdon e th .
1

T h e Guru ov e rh e ar i ng th i s i nt e rchang e ofv e rs e s

c ri e d ou t Th e y wh o l i v e and sp e nd mon e y by d e
,

c e i v i ngoth e r s shal l b e bound i n God s cou r t

Pond e r .

on al l you r acts so as to pr e s e rv e you r hon e sty Th e

.

Guru th e n quot e d f or t h e di sputants t h e l i n e s of

B ab a N anak agai nst di shon e sty .

Aft e r h e ar i ng t h e Guru , L ah au ra S i ngh b e gan to

sp e ak c i vil l y to Mal a S i ngh and promi s e d to g i v e
m
,

hi h i s mon e y on t h e mo rr ow L ah a u ra S i ngh k e pt .

h i s p rom i s e and th e n w e nt to t h e Guru to so l i c i t

,

h i s pardon T h e Gu ru upon th i s r e p e at e d for t h e

m
.

rst t i m e h i s M u k t na a or m e ans of sal vat i on .

T h e fol l owi ng a re i t s p ri nc i pal i nj unct i ons O S i khs ,

bo rrow not but i fy ou are comp e l l e d to bo rrow

, , ,

fa i thful l y re store t h e d e bt Sp e ak not fal s e l y and .

assoc i at e not wi th t h e unt ruthful Assoc i at i ng wi th .

1
G uru Arj an ,
M aru k i W ar I I .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 1 7

m
hol y e n p ract i s e truth l ov e truth and cl asp i t t o
, , ,

you r h e arts L i v e by hon e st l abou r and d e c e i v e no

.

on e. L e t not a S i kh b e cov e tous R e p e at t h e J a p ji .

and t h e J ap ji b e for e e at i ng Look not on a nak e d .

woman L e t not you r thoughts tu rn towards that

.

se x . Cohab i t not wi th anoth e r s wi fe De e m

.

anoth e r s p rop e r ty as l th K e e p your bodi e s cl e an

. .

Hav e de al i ngs wi th e v e ry one but consi d e r you r ,

s e l v e s di st i nct Your fai th and dail y dut i e s a re

.

di ffe re nt from th e irs B ath e e v e ry mo rn i ng b e fo re .

re past If you r bodi e s e ndu re not co l d wat e r th e n

.
,

h e at i t Ev e r abstai n from tobacco R e m e mb e r t h e

. .

o ne i mmo rtal God R e p e at t h e R ah i ra s i n t h e

.

e v e n i ng and t h e S oh il a at b e dt i m e R e ce ive th e .

bapt i sm and t e ach i ng of t h e Guru and act accor di ng ,

to t h e G r anth Sah i b Cl i ng to t h e boat in wh i ch .

thou hast e mbark e d Wande r not i n s e arch of .

anoth e r r e l i g i on R e p e at t h e Gu rus hymns cl ay and

.

n i ght . Marry onl y i nto t h e hous e ofa S i kh P re .

s e rv e thy Wi f e and thy ch il dr e n from e vil company .

Cov e t not mon e y offe r e d f or r e l i g i ous pu rpos e s .

Hab i tual l y att e nd a S i kh t e mpl e and e a t a l i tt l e

sacr e d food th e r e from H e wh o di st ri but e th sacr e d .

food shoul d do so i n e qual quant i t i e s wh e th e r t h e ,

r e c i p i e nts b e h i gh or l ow ol d or young Eat not ,

.

food offe r e d to gods or godde ss e s D e sp i s e not

m
.

any S i kh and n e v e r addr e ss h i wi thout t h e a p

,

p e l l at i on S ingh E at re gar dl e ss ofcast e wi th a l l

.

S i khs wh o hav e b e e n bapt i z e d and d e e m th e m you r ,

b re th re n Abandon at onc e t h e company ofBrah

m
.

mans and Mu ll as wh o ch e at e n ou t of th e i r
w e al th ofri tual i sts wh o l e ad S i khs ast ray and of
, ,

thos e wh o g iv e wom e n i n mar ri ag e w i th conc e al e d

physi cal d e f e cts and thus d e c e i v e t h e hop e s of
,

offsp ri ng .

L e t no t a S i kh hav e i nt e rcours e wi th a st rang e

woman unl e ss mar ri e d t o h e r accordi ng to t h e S i kh
ri t e s Le t h i m
cont ribut e a t e nth par t of h i s
m
.

e arn i ngs for r e l i g i ous purpos e s Le t h i b ow down .

1 1 8 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
at th e concl usi on ofp ray e r Wh e n a S i kh di e th .
,

l e t s a cr e d food b e p r e par e d Aft e r h i s cr e mat i on

.

l e t t h e S oh il a b e r e ad and pray e r offe r e d f or h i s

sou l and f or t h e consol at i on of h i s r e l at i ons Th e n .

sacr e d food may b e di st ri but e d L e t not t h e .

fam il y oft h e d e c e as e d i ndul g e i n much mou rni ng ,

or b e v i e s ofwom e n j o i n i n l am e ntat i on On s uch .

occasi ons l e t t h e Gu rus hymns b e re ad and sung ,

and l e t a l l l i st e n to th e m .

Worsh i p not an i dol and dri nk not t h e wat e r i n

,

wh i ch i t hath b e e n bath e d Th e rul e s ofcast e and.

of t h e stag e s of H i ndu l i f e are e rr on e ous L e t .

my S i khs tak e care not to pract i s e th e m 0 S i khs

m
.
,

l i st e n to e and adopt not t h e c e re mon i e s oft h e

H i ndus f or t h e suppos e d advantag e s oft h e man e s

of anc e stors
m
.

My fac e i s tu rn e d towar ds h i wh o cal l e th ou t

to a S i kh W a h gu ru ji k i Fatah my ri ght shoul d e r
m
towar ds h i wh o re tu rn e th t h e sal utat i on wi th l ov e
m
,

my l e ft shoul de r towar ds h i who r e turn e th i t as

a matt e r of custom, and my back towar ds h i wh o m
r e tu r n e th i t not at a l l
1
To h i wh o ab i de th by
. m
th e s e rul e s I Wi l l g rant a posi t i on t o wh i ch no one
hath y e t b e e n ab l e to attai n and wh i ch was b e yond ,

t h e conc e pt i on of Shankar Acharya 2

D a t t a t re , ,
3
Ramanuj Gorak h and Muhammad
, ,
.

AS wh e n r ai n fal l e th on t h e e arth t h e e l ds
, ,

y i e l d e xc e l l e nt and p l e asant fru i t so h e wh o l i st e ne t h

,

to t h e Guru and a t t e nd e t h to al l th e s e i nj unct i ons

shal l assu re dl y r e c e i v e t h e re war d th e re of Who e v e r .

acc e pt e th t h e Gu ru s wo r ds and th e s e rul e s wh i ch

h e h a th g i v e n sh a l l hav e h i s s i ns par don e d h e shal l

,

b e sav e d f r om t r ansm i g r at i on th rough t h e e i ghty

fou r l akhs ofan i mal s and aft e r d e ath shal l e nt e r
,

1
M an i S ingh s Gy an R a ta nawa l zl
'

2
T h e gre at e xpo und e r o ft h e V e d ant or p anthe i sti c ph il osophy
a nd oppon e nt o f t h e B uddh i sts H e li v e d i n th e e i ghth ce ntury
An a ccount ofthi s sa i nt will b e gi v e n i n th e nal vol um
. .

e of
3
thi s
wo rk .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 1 9

th eGu ru s abode I f any v e ry worl dl y man d e vot e d
m
.

to pl e asu re t e l l you to t h e contrary l i st e n not to h i , ,

but e v e r fol l ow t h e Gu ru s i nst ruct i on

.

C HAP T E R X V
A S i kh w e nt to t h e Gu ru to comp l a i n that h i s wi f e
,

hav i ng b e e n e nchant e d by a Muhammadan d e s i r e d

to e mbrac e Isl am H e pray e d t h e Guru t o p e rform
.

i ncantat i ons wh e r e by h i s wi f e m i ght adh e r e to h e r

fai th and conj ugal dut i e s T h e Gu ru r e p l i e d
.
,

Charms i ncantat i ons and sp e l l s are us e l e ss Th e

, , .

Gurus hymns al on e are of any avail No jin fa i ry

1
.
, ,

or d e mon S hal l approach h e r wh o da il y r e c i t e t h or

h e ar e th t h e J a p ji I t i s t h e duty of a l l S i khs to g i v e
.

th e i r wi v e s re l i g i ous i nstruct i on Thy wi f e on .

r e c e i v i ng i t shal l r e turn to h e r r e l i g i on and al l e gi anc e

t o th e e .

One day t h e mus i c i ans w e r e s i ng i ng t h e story of

Gop i Chand i n pr e s e nc e oft h e Guru Th e story .

b e i ng affe ct i ng t h e audi e nc e w e r e mov e d to t e ars

,
.

One man sa i d that t h e mus i c i ans ought to b e n e d

b e caus e th e y had i n t h e Guru s pr e s e nc e sung t h e

e p i c ofGop i Chand i nst e ad oft h e hymns oft h e

Gu rus and i t was wr i tt e n i n t h e Anand that a l l

,

compos i t i ons e xc e pt t h e Gurus w e r e i nadm i ssi bl e

.

T h e Guru r e pl i e d Onl y thos e composi t i ons a re

m
,

fo rb i dd e n wh i ch l e ad e n astray from God Wh e n

m
.

si mp l e e n s i ng v e rs e s wh i ch l e ad to a r e conc il i at i on
wi th H i m i t i s not thy duty to spurn th e m
,
It .

cannot harm th e e to l i st e n to a sto ry wh i ch contai n e th

a mo ral .

Th e Guru thought i t p rud e nt t o b e e v e r pr e par e d

for wa r and h e cont i nu e d to e n l i st a l l wh o o f
,
f e re d
th e ms e l v e s f or s e r v i c e H e prov i d e d th e m wi th
.

ho rs e s and a rms and O ft e n re p re s e nt e d t o th e m that

,

t h e pow e r o ft h e Tu rks had now g rown b e yond a l l

e nduranc e .

e n i us ofArab i an tal e s
1
T he g .
1 20 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
One day as th e Gu ru was on a hunt i ng e xcu rsi on
in th e Dun Bal i a Chand and Al i m Chand two h il l
m
, ,

ch i e fs s e e i ng h i wi th onl y a smal l r e t i nu e re sol v e d

m
, ,

to su rp ri s e and captur e h i A ght e nsu e d but .

,

t h e S i khs w e r e too f e w i n numb e r to cop e w i th th e i r

assail ants and w e r e ob l i g e d to r e t re at A S i kh .

t roop e r cam e upon t h e Gu ru wh o had l ost h i s wa y

m m
,

in th e el ee and thus addr e ss e d h i

,
: As a fore st
hath no b e auty wi thout a t i g e r so a S i kh army ,

h ath no o rnam e nt Wi thout i t s Guru If thou assi st .

us not i n ou r p re s e nt dif cul ty i t wi l l b e a matt e r ,

ofe t e r nal r e proach to th e e T h e Gu ru th e n d i s

.

charg e d v e arrows a t t h e e n e my wh i ch took fatal

ef fe ct Upon th i s t h e S i khs though f
. e w i n numb e r
, ,

w e re e ncou rag e d to re tu rn t o t h e combat B l ood .

was sp il l e d on both s i d e s l i k e re d powd e r at t h e

H i ndu f e st i val oft h e Hol i B al i a Chand on s e e i ng
m
.
,

t h e d e struct i on ofh i s en r ush e d fo rwar d but , ,

found h i ms e l f oppos e d by U d e S i ngh one of t h e ,

brav e st sol di e rs oft h e Gu ru s army Al i m Chand

.

al so advanc e d t o suppo rt t h e h i l l army but was con ,

f ront e d by Al i m S i ngh Both si de s fought d e sp e

m
.

ra t e l y ,
and e n f e ll l i k e t re e s cut down by t h e
woodman s a x e Al i m Chand ai m e d a b l ow ofh i s

.

swo r d at Al i m S i ngh wh o r e c e i v e d i t on h i s sh i e l d
, ,

and th e n wi th h i s re turn b l ow struck of fA l i m

Chaud s r i ght a r

m
Al i m Chand howe v e r cont ri v e d
.
, ,

to e scap e l e av i ng B al i a i n sol e command oft h e h il l

,

t roops B al i a Chand d id not l ong e nj oy that honou r

.
,

as h e was soon shot d e ad by U d e S i ngh Th e h il l

troops ndi ng that one ofth e i r ch i e fs had
.

e d wi th

m
,

t h e l oss of h i s a r and that t h e oth e r was d e ad

, ,

took to i ght l e avi ng t h e honou rs of vi cto ry t o t h e

,

Gu ru and h i s S i khs Aft e r t h e battl e t h e Guru.

,

undi sm a y e d cont i nu e d h i s hunt i ng e xcu rsi on

,
.

Aft e r th i s d e f e at t h e h il l ch i e fs thought i t h i gh l y
,

dang e rous t o al l ow t h e S i khs to i nc re as e i n pow e r

and numb e r Th e y r e mark e d that t h e S i khs w e re
.

t o day i n thousands but i n a S ho rt t i m e th e y

-
,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBI ND SINGH 1 21

wou l d b e i n m il l i ons th e re fo re i mm e di at e m e asur e s

,

ought to b e tak e n f or th e i r r e pr e ss i on An Indi an .

gt re e wh e n smal l can b e e as il y d e stroy e d but

-
, ,

i fal l ow e d to g row i t b e com e s a for e st and cannot

,

b e e radi cat e d T h e h il l ch i e fs th e r e for e thought

.

i t d e s i rabl e to comp l ai n to t h e D i h l i gov e rnm e nt

agai nst t h e S i khs T h e Emp e ror Aurangz e b was
.

st il l e ngag e d i n warfare i n t h e south of Indi a .

I n h i s abs e nc e t h e Subadar or vi c e roy of D ih l i

h e ar d th e i r r e p re s e ntat i ons T h e h il l ch i e fs h av i ng
.
,

trac e d t h e Gu ru s h i sto ry from t h e t i m e h e had

l e ft Patna and s e tt l e d wi th a humb l e fol l owi ng

i n Anandpu r thus cont i nu e d :
,
Knowi ng that h e
was a succ e sso r oft h e ho l y Gu ru N anak we mad e no ,

obj e ct i on to h i s r e si d e nc e among us Wh e n h e
m
.

obt a i n e d pow e r and we e ssay e d t o r e st ra i n h i he ,

w e nt to N ahan and th e re fo rm e d an al l i anc e wi th

i t s r aj a
. H e th e n cam e i nto co l l i s i on w i th Raj a
Fatah Shah ofS ri nagar wh i ch u l t i mat e l y l e d to t h e
,

batt l e of Bhangan i wh e r e th e r e wa s g re at d e st ru c
,

t i on ofhuman l i f e Aft e r h i s re turn to Anandpur

.
,

t h e Gu ru e stab l i sh e d a n e w s e ct d i st i nct from t h e

H i ndus and Muhammadans to wh i ch h e hath g i v e n ,

t h e nam e of Khal sa H e hath un i t e d t h e four cast e s

.

i nto one and mad e many fol l ow e rs H e i nv i t e d us

m
.
,

to j oi n h i and p romi s e d i fwe cons e nt e d that

, , ,

we shoul d O btai n e mp i re i n th i s wo rl d and sal vat i on

i n t h e n e xt H e sugg e st e d t o us that i fwe ros e i n
.

re b e l l i on agai nst t h e Emp e ro r h e woul d assi st us ,

wi th a l l h i s fo rc e s b e caus e t h e Emp e ror had k il l e d

,

h i s fath e r and h e d e s i r e d t o av e ng e h i s d e ath

,
As .

we d i d not th i nk i t p rop e r to oppos e t h e Emp e ro r ,

t h e Gu r u i s di sp l e as e d wi th us and now g i v e th us
m
,

e v e ry fo r m of annoyanc e W e cannot re st r ai n h i
.
,

and hav e accor di ngl y com e t o c rav e t h e p rot e ct i on

of th i s j ust gov e rnm e nt agai nst h i I f t h e gov e rn m
.

m e nt consi de r us i t s subj e cts we p ray for i t s ass i st ,

anc e t o e xp e l t h e Gu ru from Anandpu r Shou l d

m
.

you d e l a y to pun i sh and re st rain h i h i s n e xt ,

1 22 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
e xp e di t i on wil l b e agai nst t h e cap i tal of your e mp ire .

Th i s r e p re s e ntat i on was du l y subm i tt e d by t h e

Subadar to t h e Emp e ro r .

A Q az i cal l e d Sal ar D i n cam e to v i s i t t h e Gu ru

m
1
,

r e m i nde d h i oft h e S i kh and Muhammadan b e l i e f

i n d e st i ny and upb r ai d e d h i
, wi th havi ng r e v e rs e d m
t h e j udg e m e nt of h e av e n Th e y on whos e fo re .

h e ads unfavourabl e de st i ny was wri t t e n h e sai d ,

,

hav e b e e n b l e ss e d and hav e re c e i v e d from th e e al l

bount i e s and good g i fts i n r e tu rn for th e i r s e rv i c e s
and th e ir de l i ty .

Th e Guru re p l i e d D e st i ny i s ,

as t h e r e v e rs e d l e tt e rs on a s e al I b l e ss thos e wh o .

bow t o th e Gu ru Th e l e tt e rs ofth e i r d e st i ny th e n
.

pr e s e nt th e ir o r di nary app e aranc e Th i s S hows that .

t h e S i khs n e e d not i mp l i c i t l y b e l i e v e i n t h e c on
trol l i ng pow e r oi d e st i ny .

In Octob e r wh e n t h e col d s e ason was approach i ng

, ,

h i s troops r e pr e s e nt e d to t h e Guru that th e y re

qu i re d warm cl oth i ng H e r e qu e st e d th e m to b e
m
.

pat i e nt A S i kh h e sai d wa s b ri ng i ng h i a bag

.
, ,

ofmon e y to r e l i e v e al l t h e i r n e c e ss i t i e s A r i ch
'

m e rchant wh o had b e e n or ig i nal l y a fol l ow e r of

,

Sakh i Sarwar soon arri v e d wi th an offe ri ng oftwo

,

thousand rup e e s and r e l at e d h i s sto ry : Wh il e I wa s

m
,

a fol l ow e r ofSakh i Sarwar I i nv e st e d a l arg e su ,

ofmon e y i n m e rchandi s e but fail e d to di spos e of ,

i t to advantag e notwi thstandi ng a l arg e offe r i ng of

,

sw e e ts to my pat r on sai nt That and oth e r m e rcan .

t il e v e ntu re s oi m i n e havi ng fail e d I se t about ndi ng ,

a r e l i g i ous gu i de wh o poss e ss e d i nu e nc e wi th t h e
supr e m e pow e rs I th e n h e ard that t h e t e nth Gu ru
.

occup i e d t h e s e at oft h e hol y Guru N anak and ,

I vowe d that i n t h e e v e nt o fcomm e rc i al succ e ss

I woul d g i v e h i m
a t i th e ofmy p rots I hav e .

accordi ngl y b rought th i s bag ofrup e e s and I prom i s e

mm
,

that I wi l l no l ong e r b e a fol l ow e r ofany M u h a a

dan but a S i kh oft h e Gu ru T h e Gu ru du l y bap

m
.
,

t i ze d h i and acc e pt e d h i s offe ri ng Th e Gu ru was .

1
G u E l a Chapte r 4

r r s, 1 .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SIN GH 1 2 3
thus e nab l e d t o p rov i d e war m cl oth i ng f or h i s troops

m
,

a n d th e i r d e vot i on t o h i and th e i r b e l i e f i n h i s
p roph e t i c and di v i n e pow e r i nc re as e d i n cons e qu e nc e .

One day wh e n t h e Gu ru f e l t th i rsty h e ask e d a S i kh

m
,

to f e tch h i wat e r B e fo re t h e S i kh had t i m e to do

.

so ,
a young boy wh o had com e to se e t h e Guru
, ,

vol unt e e r e d t o p e rfo rm t h e s e rv i c e Th e Guru .

not i c i ng that t h e boy s hands w e re soft and cl e an
m
,

ask e d h i i fh e had any occupat i on H e r e pl i e d i n .

t h e n e gat i v e . That was t h e rst t i m e h e h ad e v e r

offe r e d to f e tch wat e r for any one Wh e n h e b rought .

i t t h e Guru re fus e d to d ri nk say i ng i t was i mpu re ,

.

T h e boy r e monstrat e d and i ns i st e d on i t s ur i ty

m p .

T h e Gu ru re p l i e d ,
H e ar e O S i khs i t i s an i mpor

, ,

tant ar t i cl e oft h e Guru s fai th that p e rfo rm ing

s e rv i c e f or sa i nts c on t ri b u t e t h to man s sal vat i on

.

Th e hands a r e pu ri e d by s e rv i ng th e m Th e f e e t .

a re pu ri e d b y go i ng to b e ho l d t h e Gu ru Wi thout
m
.

s e rvi ng hol y e n man s body i s as uncl e an as t h e

1

l i mbs ofa co rps e f rom wh i ch a l l shr i nk and wh i ch

a l l f e ar to touch

.

T h e Guru quot e d t h e fo l l o wi ng f rom Gur Das s

Wars
C u rs e s on t h e h e ad wh i ch bowe th not to t h e Gu ru and
wh i ch to u ch e th not t h e Gu ru s f eet

C u rs e s on t h e e y e s wh i ch i nst e a d ofb e hol d in gt h e Gu ru

l ook a t a noth e r s wi f

e

C u rs e s on t h e e a rs wh i ch h e a r not a nd p ay no a tt e nt i on to
t h e Gu ru s i nst ru c t i on

C u rs e s on t h e ton gu e wh i ch re p e a t e th oth e r sp e l l th a n t h e
wo rd oft h e Gu ru
C u rs e s on th e h a nds a nd f e e t wh i c h s e rve not t h e Gu ru

al l oth e r wo rk i s f ru i t l e ss .

H is d i s c ip l e s are d e ar t o t h e P ri e st h a pp i n e s s i s obt a i n e d
b y s e e k in gt h e sh e l t e r oft h e Gu ru 2
.

Aft e r th i s t h e boy pl ac e d h i ms e l f und e r t h e Guru s

i nstruct i on and l e arn e d to know God .

1
T h e yo uth h ad not p e vi o usl y se rve d any one
r .

2
wa ! ! VI ! o
r ,
I .
1 24 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
In t i m e t h e o r de rs oft h e sup re m e gov e rnm e nt
du e
w e re re c e i v e d on t h e r e p re s e ntat i on of t h e h il l ra jas

e nvoy t o t h e v i c e r oy ofD i h l i An army woul d b e .

s e nt to ass i st th e m agai nst t h e Gu ru i fth e y pai d i t s ,

e xp e ns e s but not oth e r wi s e

,
Th e y acco rdi ngl y s e nt .

t h e n e c e ssa ry funds and fu r th e r re p re s e nt e d that

,

th e y had no hop e e xc e pt i n t h e Emp e ror s assi stanc e

.

Th e v i c e roy s e nt f or G e n e r al s D i n Be
g and Pa i nda
Khan both commandi ng di v i si ons of v e thousand
1

m
,

e n and o r d e r e d th e m to tak e th e i r t r oops to r e s i st

,

t h e Gu ru s e nc roachm e nts on t h e r i ghts oft h e h i l l

ch i e fs Wh e n t h e i mp e ri al t roops arri v e d at Ropar

.
,

th e y w e re j oi n e d by t h e h il l ch i e fs at t h e h e ad of
th e i r conti ng e nts Th e y d e c i de d to e xp e l t h e Gu ru
.

i fh e o f fe re d re si stanc e but i fh e und e rtook to b e , ,

a l oyal subj e ct f or t h e futu re th e y w e re p re pare d

m
,

t o al l ow h i to ab i de i n Anandpur .

A S i kh h e ari ng oft h e fo rc e p roc e e di ng agai nst

,

t h e Gu ru hast e n e d f rom K i r atpu r to Anandpu r t o

m m
,

g i v e h i i nfo rmat i on T h e Gu ru s e n w e re soon .

unde r arms H e appoi nt e d t h e v e whom h e had

.

rst bapt i z e d as g e n e ral s ofh i s army T h e S i kh

, .

chron i cl e r stat e s that wh e n t h e e ngag e m e nt b e gan , ,

t h e Turks w e r e r oast e d by t h e cont i nuous and

d e adl y re of t h e S i khs T h e Guru w e nt i nto t h e .

m i dst ofh i s t roops and gav e th e m e v e ry fo rm of

e ncourag e m e nt Th e y n e v e r re t re at e d but st a unch l y
.
,

confront e d t h e e n e my .

G e n e ral Pai nda Khan s e e i ng t h e de t e rmi n e d

m
,

re s i stanc e of t h e S i khs shout e d to h i s e n that th e y

,

we r e e ngag e d i n r e l i g i ous warfare and cal l e d on ,

th e m t o ght to t h e d e ath ag a i nst t h e i n d e l s Upon .

th i s h i s troops di scharg e d cl ouds of arrows wh i ch ,

obscu re d t h e sky Pai nda Khan h i ms e l f fo rm e d

.

t h e d e s i gn o fe ngag i ng i n s i ngl e combat wi th t h e

Guru and thus d e c i di ng t h e battl e T h e Gu ru on
,
.
,

h e ari ng h i s chal l e ng e advanc e d on ho rs e b a ck a n d

,

sai d , O Pathan I am Gu ru Gob i nd S i ngh t h e

, ,

1
Thi s i s not th e P i nda Khan wh o was k ill e d by th e s ixth Gu ru
a .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SI NGH 1 25

e n e my ofthy l i fe On h e ari ng th i s Pa i nda Khan s

.

e y e s b e cam e b l oodshot and h e vow e d to ght t o

,

t h e d e ath aga i nst t h e p ri e st of t h e S i khs H e i nv i t e d .

t h e Gu ru t o st ri k e t h e rst b l ow so that h e m i ght ,

not aft e rwar ds hav e caus e f o r r e g re t T h e Gu ru .

r e fus e d t h e rol e of aggre ssor and sai d h e had vow e d

n e v e r to st ri k e e xc e pt i n s e l f de f e nc e -
.

Pa i nda Khan wh i rl e d h i s ho rs e r ound and round

to nd an oppo rtun i ty ofattack i ng t h e Gu ru and
br e ak i ng h i s guar d At l ast both warri ors and th e i r
.

ho rs e sstood st il l and both s i de s b e gan to sp e cu l at e

,

on th e i r chanc e s o f v i cto ry Pai nda Khan di s .

charg e d a n arrow wh i ch wh i zz e d past t h e Gu ru s

T h e Gu ru i ron i cal l y compl i m e nt e d h i on h i s m

m
e ar.

arch e ry and i nv i t e d h i t o shoot agai n so that h e

,

mi ght hav e no caus e f or r e mors e Pai nda Khan .

di scharg e d anoth e r arrow wh i ch al so m i ss e d i t s

mark Upon th i s h e wa s on t h e po i nt ofre t re at i ng
.

through sham e and v e xat i on wh e n t h e Guru a d

m
,

dr e ss e d h i : O j ackal wai t a l i ttl e , Wh i th e r .

go e st thou I t i s now my tu rn .

T h e whol e of Pa i nda Khan s body e xc e pt h i s e ars

was e ncas e d i n a rmour T h e Gu ru knowi ng th i s

.

di scharg e d an arr ow at h i s e ar wi th such un e rr i ng

ai m that h e f e l l off h i s ho rs e p ron e on t h e ground ,

and ros e no mor e Th i s howe v e r d i d not e n d t h e

.
, ,

batt l e D i n Be g now assum e d so l e command

.
,

and u rg e d on h i s t r oops Madd e n e d by Pai nda

.

Khan s de ath th e y fought wi th g re at de sp e rat i on

,

but w e re unabl e to mak e any i mpr e ssi on on t h e sol i d

r anks of t h e S i khs On t h e contrary t h e S i kh fo rc e s
.

caus e d g re at d e st ruct i on among th e m Aj m e r Chand .

,

s e e i ng th i s pr e par e d for i ght T h e oth e r h il l ch i e fs

,
.

fol l ow e d h i s e x a mp l e By th i s t i m e D i n Be g wa s
.

s e v e re l y wounde d and b e gan to a sk h i ms e l f wh y

,

h e S hou l d t ry to k e e p t h e e l d any l ong e r s i nc e a l l ,

thos e whom h e had com e to assi st had i ngl o ri ousl y

ed . H e accor di ngl y b e at a re tr e at and was pu rsu e d ,

by t h e S i khs as f a r as Ropa r .
1 26 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
Th e Gu ru s e nt an o fc e r t o r e cal l h i s t r oops a s h e
di d not th i nk i t b e cam e S i khs to tak e t h e t roubl e
to pu rsu e cowar dl y and fug i t i v e e n e mi e s T h e S i khs .

r e tu rn e d wi th ho rs e s arms and a vast quant i ty of

, ,

oth e r booty tak e n from t h e Muhammadans T h e .

S i kh ch ron i cl e r stat e s that t h e e n e m i e s h e ads

r e ma i n e d on t h e e l d l i k e so many pumpk i ns and ,

that k i t e s r av e ns and j ackal s hov e re d round th e m

, ,

i mpat i e nt f or a f e ast .

T h e Guru cont i nu e d to k e e p h i s troops i n re adi n e ss

f or d e f e nc e wh e n e v e r attack e d H e s e nt f or ar

m
.

ou re rs to mak e mu sk e ts swords and a rrows and , , ,

l l e d h i s magaz i n e wi th gunpowde r and l e ad H e .

i ssu e d a procl amat i on that a l l S i khs wh o cam e t o

se e h im shou l d b ri ng o f fe nsi v e and d e f e nsi v e w e apons
as o f fe ri ngs Numb e rs h e ar i ng of h i s b rav e ry and
.
,

p i e ty ock e d t o h i s standard
,
H e bapt i z e d all
.

com e rs and thus i nfus e d i nto th e m t h e sp i r i t of t h e

Khal sa .

T h e h i l l ch i e fs agai n took al a rm and sai d to th e m

s e l v e s that t h e Guru wh o h ad de f e at e d Pai nda K han
and D i n Be g though commandi ng an army oft e n
m
,

thousand e n wou l d b e s oon e mbol de n e d to oust

,

th e m a l tog e th e r from th e i r t e rr i tori e s Th e y must

m m
.

th e r e fore e i th e r k il l h i or e xp e l h i from Anandpu r ,

and wi th th i s obj e ct th e y agai n thought i t n e c e ssary

to s e e k t h e assi stanc e oft h e D ih l i gov e rnm e nt Raj a .

Aj m e r Chand wa s d e put e d as e nvoy and i t wa s

m
,

r e so l v e d to prov i d e h i wi th cost l y pr e s e nts for t h e

Emp e ror .

Raj a Bhup Chand now Raj a ofH a ndu r brav e r

, .
,

than h i s f e l l ows oppos e d t h e di spatch ofan e nvoy

,
.

H e sai d that noth i ng coul d b e ga i n e d by agai n

s e e k i ng t h e assi stanc e oft h e Emp e ror Th e y ought .

to b e ab l e to d e f e nd th e ms e l v e s If a l l t h e h i l l .

ch i e fs conc e rn e d we re t o cont ri but e re asonab l e

cont i ng e nts th e y coul d must e r a l arg e army wh i ch
,

wou l d b e mor e than su f c i e nt to ann ih i l at e t h e Guru

and h i s S i khs H e how e v e r propos e d as t h e most
.
, ,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBI ND SINGH 1 27

s i mp l e and f e as i bl e m e asu re to i nv e st t h e Gu ru s ,

cap i tal Anandpu r and starv e i t s occupants i nto

, ,

submi ssi on Shou l d any h i l l ch i e f not j o i n i n th i s

.

e nt e rpr i s e t h e oth e r s w e re to ho l d no i nt e rcou r s e

m m
,

wi th h i but t re at h i as an e n e my Th e R a ngh a rs
,
.

and Guj ars wh o w e re th e i r subj e cts and w e re at

,

anc i e nt e nm i ty wi th t h e S i khs wou l d now b e val uabl e ,

al l i e s agai nst t h e Gu ru Th e Raj a o fH a nd u r con .

cl ude d h i s addr e ss O Aj m e r Chand a re e d i s , ,

a frail suppo rt but a handfu l of re e ds bound tog e th e r

,

i s not e as i l y b rok e n If we al l j oi n tog e th e r t h e .

,

S i khs wi l l b e powe rl e ss to o f fe r us re si stanc e .

Raj a Aj m e r Chand was gai n e d ov e r by t h e p roposal ,

and both h e and Raj a Bhup Chand s e nt e nvoys to

a l l t h e h i l l ch i e fs Upon th i s t h e Raj as ofJ ammu
.
,

Nu rpu r M andi Bhutan Ku l l u K i ont h a l Gu l e r

, , , , , ,

Chamba Sri nagar D a dh wal and oth e rs cam e wi th

m
, , ,

th e i r cont i ng e nts Wh e n th e y et i n counc i l

.
,

Raj a Aj m e r Chand thus addr e ss e d th e m : H e ar

m e O r aj as t h e S i khs a r e not m e r e l y my e n e m i e s
, ,
.

Th e y a re t h e common e n e mi e s of al l No one i s .

ab l e to Wi thstand th e m Th e y cannot e v e n b e .

b ri b e d by mon e y i nto subm i ss i on W e know not .

what th e i r Guru s d e si gns may b e H e bapt i z e th

.

S i khs and th e y b e g e t S i khs as wi ck e d as th e ms e l v e s

, .

W e know not what t h e Gu ru wh i sp e re t h i nto th e i r

e ars that n i ght and day th e y th i nk of noth i ng but
m
,

harryi ng and Sl ayi ng G i v e e your couns e l as to .

what y ou d e e m b e st t o b e don e .

T h e raj as w e r e unan i mous i n prom i si ng that th e y

woul d ag re e to any p roposal made by Raj a Aj m e r
Chand I f t h e Guru th e y sai d w e r e put to d e ath
mm
.
, ,

th e y m i ght al l r e i gn i n p e ac e Acco rdi ngl y a u ni .

t i on was s e rv e d ou t to t h e al l i e d army ov e r n i ght ,

and b e for e daybr e ak a l l w e re on th e i r march to

Anandpu r On arr i v i ng n e ar t h e c i ty t h e r a jas d re w
.

up t h e fol l owi ng l e tt e r and di spatch e d i t to t h e

Guru T h e l and ofAnandpu r i s ou rs W e al l ow e d .

thy fath e r to dwe l l on i t and h e e v e r pa i d us r e nt , ,

1 28 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
but thou p a y e st us not a S i ngl e kau ri N ay thou .
,

hast ori g i nat e d a ne w re l i g i on and l ai d ou r count ry ,

wast e W e hav e e ndur e d th i s up to t h e p re s e nt

.
,

but can now e ndur e i t no l ong e r Wh e re fore we hav e .

com e to b l ockade thy town and d e stroy th e e and thy

S i khs Th i s i s t h e t i m e for th e e to pay arr e ars of r e nt
.

f or t h e occupat i on of our l and W e cal l on th e e to .

do so and unde rtak e to pay i t r e gul arl y e v e ry y e ar

,

f or t h e futu re I f thou a rt not di spos e d to acc e pt

.

th e s e t e rms th e n pr e pare for thy d e partu re from

,

Anandpu r or tak e t h e cons e qu e nc e s .

To th i s t h e Guru s e nt r e pl y O Aj m e r Chand thou

m
, ,

and th i n e al l i e d rajas de si r e t o tak e mon e y from e

but my fath e r pu rchas e d and pai d f or t h e l and and

now t h e onl y fu rth e r paym e nt you d e s e rv e i s wi th

t h e sword If y ou can de pr i v e
. e of Anandpur m ,

y ou sha l l hav e i t w i th bu l l e ts add e d th e r e to S e e k .

my prot e ct i on and y ou shall b e happy i n both

,

worl ds S e e k t h e prot e ct i on of t h e Khal sa t oo and

.
,

abandon pr i de Part not wi th your s e ns e s and

.

com e to t e rms wi th us Th i s i s t h e Guru s hous e
m
.
,

i n wh i ch e n shal l b e tr e at e d as th e y d e s e rv e It
m
.

i s l i k e a m i rror As e n mak e th e ms e l v e s so th e y
.

app e ar i n i t If y ou p roc e e d to host il i t i e s wi th t h e

.

S i khs th e y wil l not al l ow y ou to dr i nk e v e n a drop

,

of wat e r N ow i s t h e t i m e for a s e tt l e m e nt I shal l

. .

act as a m e di ator b e tw e e n t h e Khal sa and you .

You may th e n rul e your stat e s wi thout a p p re h e n

S I on .

C HAP T E R X V I
I t wa s now abundantl y cl e ar to t h e raj as that t h e
Guru woul d n e i th e r mak e p e ac e nor su rre nd e r N e xt .

mo rn i ng th e y b e at t h e drums ofwa r and as th e y , ,

had ant i c i pat e d l arg e numb e rs ofR a ngh ars and

,

Guj ars unde r one J a ga t u l l ah ock e d to th e i r stan

dar d T h e al l i e d a rm ie s th e n proc e e de d wi th bann e r s
.

y i ng to Anandpur In t h e van rode K e sari Chand .

,
 L I F E OF GURU GOBIND S INGH 1 29

th e haughty ch i e f of J aswa n b e ar i ng h i ms e l f i t was , ,

sai d l i k e a m i ghty e l e phant T h e Guru p re pare d

m
.
,

f or d e f e nc e and b ri e y addr e ss e d h i s e n O
Khal sa I am e v e r you r compan i on and succou re r
,
.

I f you di e ght i ng you shal l e nj oy a l l t h e happ i n e ss ,

r e s e rv e d for mar tyr s and i fyou su rvi v e and gai n ,

t h e v i cto ry e mp ire shal l b e you r s

, Th e S i khs w e re .

furth e r e ncou rag e d by t h e arri va l of v e hun d r e d

m e n of t h e Manj ha und e r Dun i Chand grandson of ,

Bhai Sal o a di st i ngu i sh e d S i kh who l i v e d i n t h e t i m e

,

of t h e fou rth and fth Gu rus R e i nfo rc e m e nts from .

oth e r quart e rs al so ar ri v e d at th i s conj unctur e .

Th e nam e s of t h e w e apons s e rv e d out by t h e Guru

to t h e S i khs are g i v e n wi th m i nut e d e tail bows and
arrows te gh e (cut l ass e s ) k a tars (smal l dagg e rs )
m
, , ,

ja d h a rs (t w o e dg e d d i r ks ) saro h i s
(-
e x i b l e swords ) , ,

sa ng s ( p i k e s ) l anc e s bi ch hu a s (dagg e rs l i t e ral l y

m
, , ,

sco rp i ons ) ja bu a s (dagg e rs ) sc i m i tars se l a s (sp e ars )

, , , ,

p i stol s and musk e ts

,
. I

W i th i n Anandpur w e r e two forts one cal l e d Fata

m
,

garh t h e oth e r Lohgarh T h e Guru orde r e d h i s e n

,
.

not to advanc e b e yond t h e c i ty but r e mai n as much ,

as possi bl e on t h e d e f e ns i v e Sh e r S i ngh and Nahar

m
.

S i ngh e ach command ing v e hund re d e n w e r e

, ,

tol d of fto guar d Lohgarh T h e d e f e nc e ofF a t aga rh .

was e ntrust e d to U d e S i ngh wh o re c e i v e d from Dun i ,

Chand command of t h e re i nfo rc e m e nts of t h e Manj ha .

M e anwh il e t h e al l i e d arm i e s advanc e d and f e l l on

Anandpur l i k e a i ght ofl ocusts .

Aj i t S i ngh t h e Guru s e l de st son now grown up

m
, ,

to manhood we nt t o h i s fath e r to O f , fe r h i m i l i ta ry
s e rv i c e H e was how e v e r t oo shy to sp e ak i n h i s
.
, ,

fath e r s pr e s e nc e and r e qu e st e d U d e S ingh to sp e ak

m
,

f or h i T h e Guru r e p l i e d that i t was t h e duty of

.

a l l tru e S i khs to ght f or th e i r re l i g i on th e i r count ry , ,

and a good caus e and h e was gl ad to se e h i s so n ,

adopt i ng th e ir h e re di tary p rof e ss i on T h e Gu ru

m
, .

conf e r re d on h i t h e command ofa company of

one hund re d and adv i s e d h i ,
as h e wa s st il l i n~ m ,

S I KH . v K
1 3
9 THE SI K H RELI GION
e xp e ri e nc e d i n warfare to re mai n b e h i nd cov e r and
,

awai t e v e nts .

Raj a Aj m e r Chand re m i ndi ng h i s f e l l ow ch i e fs th a t

,

th i s was re al l y t h e most i mpo rtant e ng a g e m e nt w i th

t h e Gu ru adv a nc e d wi th h i s troops
, T h e h il l ch i e fs
.

op e n e d re wi th l arg e guns on t h e Gu ru s fort re ss e s .

Raj a K e s a ri Chand ofJ a swa n wi th h i s t roops attack e d

U d e S i ngh s outposts A rrows and bu l l e ts di scharg e d

.

f rom both si de s f e l l l i k e r ai n i n t h e Indi an months of

Sawan and Bhadon 1
T h e R a ng
. h ars and Guj ars ,

who app e ar to h av e fought wi th much de t e rm i n a t i on ,

w e re now re duc e d to hal f th e i r numb e rs and show e d ,

a d i spos i t i on to r e t re at Raj a Aj m e r Chand we nt

.

t o J ag a t u l l ah th e i r l e ade r and re monst rat e d wi th

m m
, ,

hi . H e cal l e d on h i to av e ng e t h e sack and

de struct i on by t h e S i khs oft h e R a ngh ars towns

of Nuh and Bajru r J a ga t u l l ah succ e e de d i n ral l y

m
.

i ngh i s e n and th e y aga i n b e gan t o ght wi th g re a t

,

val our U d e S i ngh on s e e i ng th i s b r ought forth t h e

.

Gu ru s son and wi th a st rong forc e l e d an attack on

t h e e n e my Aj i t S i ngh di spl ay e d gre at h e ro i sm and

.

addre ss a n d t h e S i khs fol l owi ng h i s e xampl e chopp e d

,

of ft h e h e a ds oft h e e n e my as i fth e y w e re wat e r ,

m e l ons Th e Gu ru su rv e y e d t h e batt l e fr om an
.

e m i n e nc e and cont i nu e d t o d i r e ct h i s a rr ows w i th

fatal pr e c i si on agai nst t h e al l i e d hosts .

S e v e ral b rav e S i khs mad e a d e t e rm i n e d stand

agai nst t h e e n e my and forc e d th e m to re t re at On .

s e e i ng th i s t h e al l i e d ch i e fs h e l d a bri e f counc il of
wa r wh e re i n i t was d e c i de d to d i spatch K e sari
,

Chand to attack t h e ri ght ank and J a ga t u ll ah

t h e l e ft a nk o ft h e Gu ru s pos i t i on wh il e Aj m e r

Chand h i ms e l f and h i s t roops made a front attack

on Anandpu r J a ga t u l l ah was soon shot i n t h e
.

Ch e st by a bu l l e t di sch arg e d f rom Sah i b S i ngh s

musk e t a nd fe l l l i fe l e ss to t h e e arth Man S i ngh

,
.
,

o ft h e b rav e st oft h e Gu ru s S i khs ar riv e d

one ,

1 Th s e t h e p ri nc i p a l m onths ofth e Ind i an a iny se ason fo m

m
e e ar r r

th e e a l y p art o f ul h a rl p rt o fS pt b
r
j y to t e e y a e e e r .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 3
1

b e aring t h e Gu ru s standard and p l ant e d i t on th e

,

S pot a s a n i nd i cat i on to t h e e n e my that t h e S i khs

wou l d not re t re at a s ingl e pac e or al l ow th e m to ,

re mov e J a g a t u l l a h s body

m
.

Raj a Gh u a n d Chand now ch i e f ofKang ra cam e , ,

and sought to up root t h e Gu ru s standa rd and h inde r

t h e S i khs from tak i ng poss e ss i on oft h e body of t h e

fal l e n ch i e f o ft h e R a ngh ars Upon th i s t h e al l ie d .

a rm ie s ral l i e d and th e n e nsu e d t e rri c s l aught e r

m
.
,

Gh u a nd Chand a n d h i s t roops p l i e d th e i r a rrows

i nc e ssant l y but f a i l e d to caus e t h e S i khs to r e tr e a t
, .

T h e l att e r d e fe nd e d th e ms e l v e s unt il n i ghtf a l l and

re ta i n e d poss e ss i on of J a ga t u l l ah s body The

.

oppos ing a rm i e s th e n re t i re d to th e i r re sp e ct iv e
quart e rs f or re st T h e Gu ru comp l i m e nt e d h i s son
.

and Sah ib S i ngh t h e sl ay e r of J a ga t ul l ah on th e i r

, ,

succ e ssfu l val ou r I t i s stat e d that t h e l e av e s oft h e

.

S a l t re e w e re e mp l oy e d ov e rn i ght to h e al t h e i nj u ri e s
1

of t h e wound e d .

T h e h i l l ch i e fs w e re i n g re at d i smay at t h e r e su l t
oft h e batt l e ,and h e l d a counc il ofwar du ri ng t h e
n ight Raj a Aj m e r Chand app re h e nd e d from t h e
.

re s i stanc e o f fe re d by t h e S i khs to t h e re moval o f

l

J g a a t u l a h s body that i t wou

,
l d b e us e l e ss to
p rol ong t h e cont e st If th e y had t h e s a m e i l l f
. or -

tun e on t h e mo rrow th e re wou l d b e l i tt l e l e ft of

m
,

t h e h i l l a rm i e s Th e R a j a o fKang ra p rofe ss e d h i
.

s e l f re ady to acqu ie sc e i n Raj a Aj m e r Chaud s

de c is ion T h e Raj a ofMand i t oo wa s f

. or p e ac e ,

and advi s e d su ing f or t h e Gu r u s pa r don s e e i ng that

,

h e occup i e d Gu r u Nanak s sp i ri tual th ron e a nd th e re

m
,

wou l d b e no i ndi gn i ty i n app e al ing to h i as su p

p l i ants T h e Raj a of H a nd u r how e v e r d i d no t
.
, ,

cons i de r that any r e ason f or e f fe ct ing a re conc il i a

t i on Raj a K e sa ri Chand of J a swan affe ct e d t o
.

d e sp i s e t h e Gu ru s pow e r and p rom i s e d to ght

wi th mo re d e t e rm inat ion on t h e mo rrow and e xp e l

hi m from Anandpu r .

1
T he S h r o ea r ob / N atu al o rde r D i pte rocarp ace ae
us a . r , .

K 2
1 3
2 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
N e xt mo rn ing wh e n t h e h il l ar i e s proc e e d e d t o
,

re i nv e st Ana n dpur t h e S i khs offe re d val i ant r e s i st

-
m
,

anc e T h e al l ie d t roops cont e nt e d th e ms e l v e s wi th

.

conc e ntrat ing th e ir attack on one part i cul ar pa rt of

t h e c i ty T h e ght i ng cont i nu e d wi th va ryi ng f
. or
tun e unt il t h e aft e rnoon wh e n Aj i t S i ngh p re pare d ,

t o re n e w t h e cont e st and re qu e st e d h i s fath e r to

,

obs e rv e how h e compo rt e d h i ms e l f i n i t T h e Guru

m m
.

couns e l l e d caut i on and fo rbad e h i to e xpos e h i

,

s e l f unn e c e ssari l y At t h e sam e t i m e h e s e nt thou

m
.

sands ofS i khs to suppo rt h i i n what h e de cl a re d

wa s a W a r f or t h e d e f e nc e o fth e i r r e l i g i on Th e .

al l ie d arm i e s rush e d agai nst th e m wi th t h e vi ol e nc e

o fa to rre nt i ssu i ng from t h e H i mal ayas i n t h e
h e ight oft h e rai ny s e ason .

W h i th e rso e v e r Aj i t S i ngh d i scharg e d h i s arrows ,

th e y w e re m e ss e nge rs ofde ath Wh e n h i s h o rs e

m
.

wa s k il l e d unde r h i h e fought on foot and i n i ct e d ,

g re at d e st ructi on on h i s oppon e nts H e commun i .

c a t e d h i s ma r t i al e nthus i asm t o h i s S i kh wa rri o rs ,

wi th t h e re su l t that t h e h il l arm i e s b e g a n to re t re at .

Raj a K e sari Chand s e e ing th i s ad dr e ss e d th e m

, , .

s e v e re re p roach e s wh e re at th e y ral l i e d and agai n

,

b e gan to p l y th e i r we apons At t h e sam e t i m e t h e .

e n e my now c l e a rl y sa w that th e y cou l d not ov e r

pow e r t h e b rav e S i khs but must t rust to t i m e and ,

t h e starv i ng of t h e garri son f or t h e succ e ss ofth e i r

e nt e rp ri s e .

Th e s i e g e l a st e d f or a b o u t t wo months w i th t h e ,

usual i nc i d e nts app e rtai n i ng to that mode ofwa r

fare T h e S i khs a t one t i m e de t e rm in e d to r e mov e
.

t h e e nt re nchm e nts oft h e e n e my and put th e m a l l ,

to t h e swo rd wi th out f i ri ng a shot Th e y accord .

i ng l y mad e a ni ght sort i e i n wh i ch s e v e ra l oft h e

h il l l e a d e rs w e re sl ai n .

As t h e h il l ch i e fs unsucc e ssful l y prol ong e d t h e

bl ockad e Raj a K e sari Chand p re pare d to i ntox i cat e
m
,

an e l e phant a nd di re ct h i agai nst t h e c i ty K e sari .

Chand compare d t h e d e fe nc e s oft h e c i ty t o p a p e r

,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 53

and s a n d wh i ch wou l d fa l l to t h e g round a t t h e

,
.

touch oft h e e l e phant s t runk Th e Raj a ofMa nd i

.

agai n ra i s e d h is vo i c e in fa v o u r ofp e ac e a nd su b
m issi on t o sup e ri or fo rc e K e sa ri Chand how e v e r
.
, ,

swo re that i fh e di d no t tak e t h e fo rt by e v e n ing ,

h e was no t ru e son of h i s pa re nts Al l t h e futu re .

pun ishm e nts attach ing to g re at c ri m e s aga inst t h e .

H i ndu re l igi on shou l d b e h is i fh e fail e d i n h i s

.

e nt e rp ri s e .H e re p re s e nt e d that i n po i nt ofnumb e rs
t h e S i k h s w e r e not e v e n as sal t i n t h e po rri dg e of
.

t h e h il l m e n .

Wh e n t h e Guru h e a rd ofK e sari Chaud s boasts

h e sai d that Dun i Chand wh o had b rought t h e

re i nfo rc e m e nt of Manj ha t roops was h i s e l e phant , ,

i n compa ri son wi th whom K e sa ri Chaud s e l e phant

wa s as an ant Dun i Chand how e v e r had no s uch

.
, ,

conde nc e i n h i s own st re ngth and prow e ss and ,

couns e ll e d p e ac e wi th t h e h il l ch i e fs H e com .

p l a i n e d that t h e Gu ru was v i o l e nt and quarre l som e ,

not m il d and pat i e nt l i k e h is fath e r H e th e re fo re .

advi s e d t h e S i khs to y from such a l e ad e r Non e .

o f t h e Guru s i mm e

d i at e fo l l ow e rs wou l d l i st e n to
such advi c e but Dun i Chand succ e e de d i n p e r
m
,

su a di n h t oops h had brought w i th h i to

g t e r e

p rom i s e to d e s e rt to Dh i r M al i n Ka rtarpu r an d
m
adopt h i as th e i r gu ru Th e p l an of e scap e p ro.

pos e d was to de sc e nd by scal ing l add e rs Wh e n -

.

Dun i Chand wa s i n t h e act of d e sc e nding h is scal ing ,

l add e r gav e way and h e f e l l h e av i l y to t h e g round

,

and br ok e h i s l e g Th i s i nt e rfe r e d wi th h i s de s i gn
.

of go ing to Ka rtarpu r to p l ac e h i ms e l f and h is

t roops und e r Dh i r Mal s o rd e rs and h e cons e qu e nt l y

thought i t adv i sabl e to r e turn to h is own hom e i n

Am ri tsa r .

T h e n e xt mo rn ing t h e Gu ru aft e r h i s d e vot i on s

obs e rv e d that no so l di e r of Dun i Ch a nd s cont i ng e nt

was p re s e nt In re p l y to h i s i nqu iri e s h i s S i kh s

m
.
,

to l d h i of t h e ight of Dun i Chand and h i s fo l l owe r s

du ring t h e n ight T h e Gu ru ca l m l y re mark e d H e
.
,
1 34 THE SI KH RE L I GION
who hath ru n away th rough f e ar ofd e ath sh al l nd
d e ath awai t i ng h i at hom em T h e conduct of

.

Dun i Chand notwi thstanding h i s e f

,
fo rts t o con
c e al i t b e c a m e known i n Am ri tsar Al l t h e S i khs
,
.

o fthat c i ty w e re thus e nab l e d to avo i d i nt e rcours e

wi th h i m
and h e b e cam e an obj e ct ofsoc i al as w e l l
,

as re l ig i ous d e t e stat i on One n i ght as h e ros e from .

h i s b e d h e wa s b i tt e n by a cob ra and d i e d al most ,

i mm e d i at e l y H i s g randsons w i th h i s l e adi ng so l d ie rs
m
.

afte rwards w e nt to t h e Gu ru to p ray h i to e f fac e

t h e st i gma attach e d to t h e fam il y a p r ay e r wh i ch

t h e Gu ru grac i ous l y g rant e d .

As p ropos e d by Raj a K e sari Chand an e l e phant ,

wa s i ntox i cat e d and p re pa re d f or t h e attack on

Anandpu r Al l h i s body e xc e pt t h e t ip ofh i s trunk
.

was e ncas e d i n st e e l A st rong sp e ar p roj e ct e d from

.

h i s fo re h e ad f or t h e pu rpos e of assaul t Thus .

array e d and p re pare d f or o f fe nc e and d e fe nc e h e ,

was di re ct e d towards t h e gat e of t h e fo rt Aft e r

m
.

hi cam e t h e h il l raj as wi th th e i r arm i e s Th e y .

w e re ov e rj oy e d as th e y j o i n e d i n t h e unwont e d p ro
c e ss i on and made c e rtain that on that v e ry e v e n i ng
,

t h e fo r t wou l d fal l i nto th e i r poss e ssi on T h e Gu ru .

ask e d Vi ch i t ar S ingh one ofh i s brav e st and most ,

pow e rful sol di e rs to b e com e h i s e l e ph a nt and h e

m
, ,

ch e e rfull y cons e nt e d T h e Gu ru gav e h i a t rusty

.

l anc e and sai d that as Vi ch i t ar S i ngh wa s pr e pa re d

t o re s i st t h e mad e l e phant so som e S i kh shou l d ,

n ow go to cut of fK e sari Chaud s h e ad U d e S ingh

.

O ffe re d h i s s e rvi c e s f or t h e pu rpos e and re c e i v e d t h e ,

Gu ru s b l e ssi ng and a swo r d On th i s h e dash e d

.

i nto K e sari Chau d s ranks l i k e a t i g e r i nto a h e rd

of de e r .

K e sari Ch a nd s e l e phant was sp e c i al l y dire ct e d
agai nst t h e fo rt ofLohgarh On h i s way h e k il l e d .

som e S i khs and so al arm e d t h e s e nt ri e s at t h e gat e

that th e y d e s e rt e d th e ir posts and
, ,

e d Wi th i n t h e

c i ty f or p rot e ct i on V i ch i t ar S ingh found m e ans of

.
,

op e n i ng t h e gat e s and w e nt fo rth t o m e e t t h e fu ri ous

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 35
an i m a l . He
ai s e d h i s l ance and drov e i t th rough
r

t h e e l e phant s h e ad armou r On th i s t h e an i mal

1
.

tu rn e d round on t h e h il l so l d ie rs and k il l e d s e v e ral ,

o fth e m wi th t h e offe ns i v e w e apons attach e d to h i s

t runk Som e h e t rod unde r foot and oth e rs h e

.

i mpal e d on h i s tusks so that h e b e cam e a pow e rfu l

,

al l y oft h e S i khs T h e h il l m e n made gr e at e f

. fo rts
t o stop h i s care e r but i n vai n ,
.

M e anwh i l e U d e S ingh cont i nu e d to a dvanc e

a ga i nst K e sari Chand chal l e ng e d h i cal l e d h i
,
m ,
m
a g re at j ackal and ask e d wh y h e wa s e e ing from
,

h i s fat e U d e S i ngh vow e d that h e wou l d tak e

m
.

v e ng e anc e on h i f or a l l t h e S i khs s l a i n K e sari .

Chand i nfu ri at e d at h i s taunts d i scharg e d an arrow

, ,

wh i ch l odg e d in U d e S i ngh s saddl e c l oth U d e

-
.

S ingh on th i s dash e d fo rward swo rd i n hand and ,

wi th one b l ow cut off K e sari Ch and s h e ad Th e n

.

poi si ng t h e h e ad on h i s sp e ar h e rode i nto t h e for t ,

to e xh i b i t i t as a tangi bl e p roof ofh i s v i cto ry .

Upon th i s th e S i khs r al l i e d and cut Of fal l t h e foot

m
,

so l di e rs of t h e h il l army w i th i n r e ach M u h ak a .

S ingh one oft h e Gu ru s v e b e l ov e d sho re of ft h e

m
, ,

a d e l e phant s t runk w i th on e b l ow ofh i s swo rd

.

T h e an i mal th e n hast e n e d to t h e S a t l u j to b ri ng h i s
pains and h i s unsucc e ssfu l ca re e r to an e nd by s e l f
d e st ruct i on .

What re main e d al iv e of t h e h il l a rmy now took

t o i ght pu rsu e d by t h e b r av e st of t h e S i kh wa rri o rs
wh o s l e w th e m i n numb e rs In th i s re t re at t h e .

Raj a ofH a n d u r was s e v e re l y wound e d by t h e b r av e

Sah i b S i ngh wh o thus add e d anoth e r t o h i s l ong
,

catal ogu e oft ri umphs .

On t h e mo rrow t h e h il l a rmy ral l i e d owing to t h e

1
In f m im i i m
o r e r t e s n Ind a e n we re tra ne d t o c onte nd and grapp e i l
i
e v e n w tho ut we a pons w th e e ph ants i l
I n th e M a h d i /1 5 ! su ch m
m
.

a c o nte st i s d e s c r be d i
T h e wa rr o r Bhi a
. i
s re p re se nte d a s i
c ro u ch ng un de r t h e bo dy o fBh ag
i ad att a s e e ph ant a nd c aus n gth e l i

an i ml il t app cat on ofh is po we r

a t o wh r ro un d a nd ro und b y t h e de f li i
f m
ul a r s .
1 36 T H E S I K H R E L I GI ON

e n cou rag e m e nt gi v e n i t b y Gh u and Chand t h e m ,

Raj a ofKang ra H e di sdai n e d to re t re at and cal l e d

.
,

on Aj m e r Chand to w i tn e ss h i s p row e ss H e sai d .

that de ath and l i fe w e re t h e o rdinary con com i tants

o f wa rfa re and b rav e l y mai ntai n e d that n e i th e r
'

shoul d b e tak e n i nto consi d e rat i on Aj m e r Chand

. .
.

sai d Thou a rt t h e p i l ot to tak e us ac ross t h e se a

,

o fmou rn i ng W e d e p e nd on th e e to k il l t h e Gu ru
.

a n d t h u s put an e nd t o th e s e protract e d and u n

'

sat i sfacto ry op e rat i ons Th e Raj a ofMan d i for

.

t h e thi r d t i m e couns e l l e d p e ac e M e ant i m e t h e .

hom e s of t h e h il l ra jas r e sounde d wi th fe mal e l am e n

t a t i on f sl ai n K e sari Ch and s
or th e i r husbands .

r an i s p l uck e d ou t th e i r hai r f or t h e l oss ofth e i r

b rave spous e and h e ap e d re p roach e s on Aj m e r

,

Chand as r e sponsi bl e f or a l l th i s sangu i nary and

unavail i ng wa rfar e
m
.

On t h e fol l owi ng day Gh u and Chand di re ct e d

th e e f fo rts ofh i s troops agai nst t h e c i ty but t h e ,

S i khs b e h i nd th e i r e mbrasur e s and d e fe nc e s w e r e

ful l y p re pare d t o wi thstand th e m Th e hors e Ghu .

mand Chand rod e wa s k il l e d by a bu l l e t from t h e

musk e t ofA l i m S i ngh Th e re was a sharp el ee m
m
.

round Gh u a n d Chand wh e n h e f e l l but h i s party ,

succ e e de d i n k e e p ing t h e S i khs at bay and re scu ing

th e i r ch i e f T h e battl e l ast e d wi th vary ing succ e ss
m
.

unt il e v e n i ng wh e n Gh u a nd Chand as h e was

, ,

p roc e e di ng to h i s t e nt to tak e r e st aft e r t h e day s
e x e r t i ons wa s mortal l y wound e d by a chanc e bu l l e t
,
.

Al l t h e h il l ch i e fs now b e cam e d i sh e art e n e d and

d e mo ral iz e d Raj a Aj m e r Chand was t h e l ast to
.

r e ma i n , but h e t oo l e ft Anandpu r and march e d ,

hom e I n t h e d ead o f n i ght

m
.

IA
j e r Chand notw i thstand, i ng t h e d i sastrous
d e fe at oft h e al l ie d arm i e s d e t e rm in e d t o al l ow no ,

r e pos e to t h e Gu ru As e arl y a s possi bl e h e di spatch e d

.

an e nvoy t o Waz i r Khan t h e Emp e ro r s v i c e roy i n

1
,

S arh ind to comp l ai n that t h e Guru wou l d not su f

, fe r
Thi s i s ofcourse not th e ol d f
, ri e nd o f
,
th e Gu ru .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SI NGH 1 37
Hi s Maj e sty s uno f fe nding subj e cts t o ab i d e i n p e ac e

.

H e p r ay e d t h e v i c e roy to ass i st t h e h i l l ch i e fs i n
de st royi ng t h e Gu ru s pow e r and e xp e l l i ng h i from

m
Anandpu r Anoth e r e nvoy wa s d i spatch e d to t h e
.

vi c e roy ofD ih l i to mak e a si m i l a r comp l ai nt T h e .

t wo v i c e roys th e n mad e a j o i nt re p re s e ntat i on to

t h e Emp e ro r aga i nst t h e Gu ru It happ e n e d that .

at that t im e som e wande ri ng m i m e s vi s i t e d t h e

Emp e ro r s camp H e o rd e re d th e m t o i m i tat e t h e

.

S i khs and th e y acc o rdingl y d i d so Though t h e i r

, .

p e rfo rmanc e was obv i ousl y a trav e sty t h e Emp e ror ,

coul d v e ry c l e arl y gath e r from i t t h e l ov e t h e S i khs

bore one anoth e r i n popu l ar e st i mat i on ; and h e con
c l ude d that th e y h a d b e com e a fo rm i dab l e pow e r ,

wh i ch i t wou l d b e e xp e die nt to c rush T h e .

vi c e roy ofD ib l i had e nough t o do to p rot e ct t h e

cap i tal du ri ng t h e Emp e ro r s abs e nc e i n t h e di stant

Dakhan so o r de rs we re i ssu e d to t h e v i c e roy of

,

S a rh i n d to p roc e e d at onc e w i th h i s army to e xp e l

t h e Guru f rom Anandpu r .

C HAP T E R X V I I
Aft e r t h e Gu ru s v i cto ry ov e r t h e h il l ch ie fs h i s

di sci p l e s rap i dl y i nc re as e d and thousands ofre c ru i ts

,

w e re add e d to h i s a rmy To e nhanc e h i s styl e and

.

di gn i ty h e orde r e d that h i s body gua rd shou l d f or -

t h e futu re b e p rov i d e d w i th a rrows t i pp e d w i th go l d

t o t h e va l u e ofs i xt e e n rup e e s e ach .

Bhai Ram Kau r cam e to v i si t t h e Gu ru Th e

,
.

Gu ru s moth e r i t i s sai d had b e e n e xp e ct ing som e
m
, ,

ho l y man and wa s anx i ousl y awai t i ng h i ; T h e

Gu ru e xp re ss e d t h e p l e asu re h e fe l t to re c e i v e t h e
re p re s e ntat i v e o f a fam il y wh ich e v e r s i nc e t h e days
ofBaba Nanak had b e e n t ru e and fa i thfu l to t h e

Gu ru and t h e S i kh caus e T h e Gu ru bapt i z e d h i m

m
.

and nam e d h i Gu rb a k h sh S ingh Th i s man i s .

pri nc ipall y r e markab l e for hav ing i t i s sai d di ctat e d , ,

1 38 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
to a sc ri b e cal l e d Sah i b S i ngh t h e wo rk e nt i t l e d S a u
S a kh i som e account of
, wh i ch has al r e ady b e e n gi v e n .

One J og a S i ngh cam e from P e shawar to v i si t t h e

Gu ru and re mai n e d wi th h i unt i l t h e t i m e f
,
m or h i s

marri ag e to a b e aut i ful gi rl wh e n h e de part e d to ,

h i s own count ry Th e Gu ru unwi l l i ng t o l os e h i s

.

compan i onsh i p and w i sh i ng at t h e sam e t i m e to

,

m a k e t ri al of h i s d e vot i on s e nt a l e tt e r to b e d e l i v e re d
h i mi n t h e m i dst o ft h e ma rri ag e c e re mony
,

It .

contai n e d an o rd e r that wh e th e r J oga S i ngh wa s

standi ng or si tt i ng sl e e p i ng or wak i ng h e shou l d
, ,

o n r e c e i v i ng i t at onc e re tu rn to t h e Gu ru Th e .

m e ss e ng e r p re s e nt e d t h e l e tt e r wh e n on l y t wo oft h e
marri ag e c i rcumambul ati ons had b e e n compl e t e d .

J oga S i ngh at onc e stopp e d t h e marri ag e c e r e mony ,

and fo rthwi th p roc e e de d to t h e Gu ru On t h e way

m
.

h e p l um e d h i ms e l f on h i s ob e di e nc e and thus co
m
,

i tt e d t h e si n o fp ri de In fu rth e r fo rg e tfu l n e ss
.

of t h e Gu ru s t e ach i ng h e on arri vi ng at Hosh i a rpur
,

thought h e woul d v i si t a cou rt e san to drown i n h e r

company h i s re g re t f or t h e i nt e rrupt i on of h i s
marri ag e Wh e n e v e r h e p re s e nt e d h i ms e l f t o t h e
m
.

woman a s e rvant wa s found at h e r doo r to w a rn h i

,

away Havi ng wai t e d unt i l t h e e arl y mo rn i ng h e

m
.
,

at l ast b e thought h i that h e wa s vi ol at i ng t h e

commands oft h e Gu ru and h e cons e qu e nt l y de t e r
,

m i n e d t o p roc e e d on h i s j ou rn e y T h e Gu ru smi l e d
m
.

on s e e i ng h i Wh e n J oga S i ngh tol d t h e S i khs

.

t h e i nc i d e nts ofh i s j ou rn e y th e y kn e w that h e had

,

b e e n sav e d from sin by t h e m i racul ous i nt e rposi t i on

of t h e Gu ru .

T h e Gu ru about th i s t i m e h e a r d that a l arg e

i mp e ri al a rmy wa s on i t s way t o attack Anandpur
and assi st t h e h il l ch i e fs so h e d e e m e d i t e xp e die nt
,

to advanc e to m e e t th e m on op e n g round H e
m
.

acco rdi ngl y w e nt to Nir oh a v il l ag e ov e r a m i l e ,

d i stant f rom K i ratpu r .

Raj a Aj m e r Chand and t h e Raj a ofKang ra sai d

that now was th e i r t i m e to s e i z e t h e Guru H e .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 39
m
had no fo rt to p rot e ct h i and no fu r th e r m e ans of
wi thstand ing th e m a nd i t was not n e c e ssary to
,

awai t t h e a rri val of t h e i mp e ri al army Both s i d e s .

w e re p re pare d f or batt l e. Th e Gu ru and h i s t roops

took up a post on an e m i n e nc e and t h e h i l l ch i e fs
,

al so took up what s e e m e d to th e m advantag e ous

posi t i ons A e rc e combat e nsu e d i n wh i ch t h e
.

S i khs w e r e u l t i mat e l y v i ctori ous

One aft e rnoon as t h e Gu ru sat i n cou rt t h e h i l l
ch i e fs e ngag e d a Muhammadan gunn e r t o k i l l h i m
f or ad e quat e r e mun e r at i on .Aj m e r Chand und e r
took i n t h e e v e nt oft h e assass i n s succ e ss t o g i v e

m
,

hi Rs 5 000 and t h e p ropri e tary ri ghts ofa v il l ag e

. .

T h e oth e r ra jas t oo p rom i s e d p ropo rt i onat e re wards .

T h e Muhammadan assu re d th e m that a l l p re pa ra

t i ons f or h is d e s i gn wou l d b e re ady by t h e mo rr ow .

N e xt day a s t h e Gu ru sat i n t h e sam e pl ac e h e

, ,

was warn e d by a S i kh oft h e p l ot agai nst h i s l i fe ,

and adv i s e d to tak e p re caut i ons T h e Gu ru re pl i e d

.
,

H ow l ong am I to re mai n i n conc e al m e nt What

so e v e r t h e C re ato r hath d e c i de d shal l tak e p l ac e .

Duri ng th i s conv e rsat i on a cannon bal l f rom t h e

e n e my s camp took away t h e s e rvant wh o wa s
fann i ng h i m
. T h e Gu ru took up h i s bow and a rrow
and shot t h e gunn e r wh i l e i n t h e act ofr e l oad ing
m
.

W ith a s e cond a rrow t h e Gu ru k il l e d t h e M uh a

madan gunn e r s b roth e r wh o a l so wa s s e rvi ng t h e

gun On s e e ing th e s e t wo sk il l e d art il l e rym e n sl ai n

.
,

t h e h il l m e n took to i ght . T h e Muhammadans w e r e

bu ri e d on t h e spot cal l e d S iy a h Ti bb i or bl ack h i l l ,

a nd a vot i v e t e mp l e wa s e re ct e d by t h e S i khs to

comm e mo rat e t h e Gu ru s e scap e .

T h e a rmy ofWaz ir Khan t h e v i c e roy o fS a rh i nd

, ,

i n d u e t i m e p roc e e d e d agai nst t h e Gu ru T h e Gu ru

.

now found h ims e l f i n a v e ry dang e rous posi t i on

b e tw e e n t h e h il l ch ie fs on t h e one h an d a n d t h e ,

i mp e ri al a rmy on t h e oth e r . H e re sol v e d how e v e r, ,

t o d e f e nd h i ms e l f Wh e re h e wa s and h i s S i khs
m
,

re so l v e d to stand fa i thfu l l y and va l i ant l

y by h i .
1 4 0 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
Th e y di scha rg e d a rrows wi th f a tal e f fe ct on t h e
i mp e r i al t roops as th e y adv a nc e d so that co rps e ,

r o l l e d ov e r co rps e Waz i r Khan gav e an o rde r t o

.

h i s t roops to m a k e a sudd e n rush and s e i z e t h e

Gu ru Th e Gu ru was abl y and succ e ssfu l l y p ro
.

t e c t e d by h i s fa i thfu l son Aj i t S i ngh and h i s oth e r

b rave wa rri o rs Th e y stay e d t h e advanc e of t h e
.

i mp e ri al t roop s a n d cut th e m down i n rows as i f

,
.

th e y had l ai n down to Sl e e p in th e i r b e ds T h e .

carnag e cont i nu e d unt il n i ght re nde re d i t no l ong e r !

poss ib l e for t h e adve rsari e s to se e one anoth e r .

Aft e r a counc i l ofwa r h e l d du ri ng t h e n i ght t h e

c rafty h il l ch i e fs re p re s e nt e d to Waz i r Khan that
t h e caus e ofe nm i ty b e tw e e n t h e Gu ru and th e m
s e l ve s was that h e had t ri e d to fo rc ib l y conv e rt
th e m to h i s re l ig i on The y al so stat e d that t h e
.

Gu ru had o f fe re d to j o i n th e m i n mak i ng war on

e mp i re h e p ro
,

m
t h e Emp e ro r whom h e p ropos e d to k i l l a n d whos e
i s e d to t ransf e r to th e m
th e i r fal se hoods th e y fu rth e r i nfo rm e d Waz ir Khan
,
Cont inu ing .
,

that th e y had spu rn e d a l l t h e Gu ru s o f fe rs on account

of th e ir l oyal ty to t h e Emp e ro r .

N e xt day t h e i mp e ri al army and t h e cont ing e nts

of t h e h il l ch i e fs mad e such a fu ri ous assau l t on t h e

Gu ru s forc e s that h e fe l t ob l ig e d t o g i ve way F or
m
.

hi to r e tu rn to Ana nd I r wou l d hav e b e e n i n

j udi c i ous unde r t h e c i rcumstanc e s and woul d onl y
o

l e ad to i t s d e st ruct i on so h e de c i d e d on r e t iri ng to
m
,

Basal i whos e raj a had fre qu e nt l y i nv i t e d h i to h i s

cap i tal Th e n march e d I n t h e v an U d e S ingh A l i m

m
.
,

S ingh D a ya S i ngh and M u h a k a S ingh i n command

m
, ,

o ftwo thou sand en Th e y w e re accompan i e d b y

.

t h e Gu ru s son Aj i t S i ngh

Sah i b S i ngh march e d
.

n e xt wi th one thousan d oft h e b rav e st oft h e S i khs .

Th e Gu ru h i ms e l f took command of t h e re ar guard .

T h e Gu ru s d e partu re was t h e s i gnal f

or an attack

m
.

b y t h e i mp e ri al a rmy and a g e n e ra l e l ee e nsue d

m
i n wh i ch dust obscu re d t h e sky C ri e s of K i l l

m
.

hi S e iz e h i !
. A l l ow not t h e Gu ru to
 LI FE OF GURU GOBI ND S INGH 1 4 1

e scap e ! re sound e d Waz i r Khan b i t h is thumb

.
,

and sai d h e had n e v e r b e fo re wi tn e ss e d such d e s

p e rat e ght ing Though t h e S i khs w e re e scap i ng
.
,

th e y w e re d e st roy ing h i s a rmy H e u rg e d t h e h i l l

m
.

ch i e fs to suppo rt h i but th e y we re unab l e t o re nde r

,

e ffe ctua l h e l p Unt i l t h e Gu ru s a rmy re ach e d t h e
.

S a t l u j th e re was stubbo rn ght i ng i n wh i ch t h e ,

b rav e Sah i b S ingh was s l ai n T h e Gu ru th e n to l d

m m
.

h is e n to mak e a r stand wh il e h i s son Aj i t ,

S i ngh c ross e d ov e r wi th t h e baggag e T h e Gu ru .

w i th h i s t roops th e n c ross e d ov e r tak i ng wi th th e m

Sah i b S i ngh s body T h e h i l l ch i e fs w e re ov e rj oy e d

.

a t b e i ng as th e y though t de l iv e re d from t h e Gu ru
,
-
.

Th e y mad e pr e s e nts ofe l e phants to Waz i r Khan

and d e part e d to th e ir ho e s m .

T h e Gu ru hav i ng succ e e d e d i n cross i ng t h e ri v e r

p roc e e d e d to Basal i and took up h i s re si d e nc e wi th
m
,

i t s hosp i tab l e raj a W a z ir Khan d i d not avail h i

.

s e l f ofh i s oppo rtun i ty to pu rsu e t h e Gu ru but ,

re turn e d t o h i s v i c e roya l ty of S a rh i n d Aft e r re st i ng .

h i ms e l f and h i s troops i n B as a l i t h e Gu ru amus e d ,

h i ms e l f wi th t h e chas e as ofyor e H e occas i onal l y .

c ross e d ov e r to t h e l e ft bank ofth e S a t l u j and mad e

d e sul to ry attacks on Aj m e r Chaud s army

One day du ri ng t h e chas e t h e Gu ru was e t by m

an e nvoy of t h e Raj a of Bh ab a u r T h e r aj a .

fo l l ow e d cl os e b e h i nd and pr e ss e d t h e Gu ru to pay
,

a v i si t to h i s cap i tal T h e Gu ru to t h e re gre t of

.
,

t h e Raj a of Basal i acc e pt e d t h e i nv i tat i on Th e

m
.
,

Raj a of Bh ab a u r had such fai th i n h i an d was

so favou rab l y i mp re ss e d wi th t h e g e ne ra l r e put e of

t h e e xc e l l enc e of h i s r e l i g i on that h e wash e d h i s
m
,

f e e t and p e rfo rm e d f or h i a l l t h e dut i e s of hospi

m m
,

t ah ty . Th e r aj a pr e ss e d h i to re mai n wi th h i
f or som e t i m e a re qu e st w i th wh i ch t h e Gu ru com
,

pl ie d .

A comp a ny of S i khs wh o had sought to ma ke

of fe rings t o t h e Gu ru re p re s e nt e d to h i that t h e m
m
.

R a ng h ars and Guj ars O fK a l ot had v i o l e nt l y s e i z e d

1 4 2 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
what th e y had i nt e nde d f or h i m
Th e y c ri e d f
. or
j ust i c e i n t h e nam e oft h e Gu ru but t h e R a ngh a rs
,

and Guj a rs h e e de d not th e i r adj u rat i ons T h e Gu ru .

found i t n e c e ssary to pun i sh th e s e tu rbu l e nt t rib e s

wh o had n e v e r al l ow e d h i m
p e ac e H i s t roops di s
.

arm e d th e m an d captur e d and de st roye d th e i r fo rt .

T h e S i khs hav i ng now e nj oy e d su f f

i c i e nt re st b e gan
to fe e l t i m e drag s l owl y Th e i r t rust e d l e ade r s
.

D aya S i ngh and U d e S i ngh re pre s e nt e d to t h e Gu ru

that i t was a di sg rac e to hav e e vacuat e d Anandpu r .

T h e Gu ru was not l ong i n de t e rm i n i ng to re tu rn

a n d ord e re d t h e d rum to b e b e at e n f or t h e ma rch .

Th e h i l l ch i e fs a pp e ar to hav e b e e n unp re pare d f or

h i s re tu rn and o f fe re d no re s i stanc e Th e i nh ab i .

t a nts oft h e c i ty w e re d e l ight e d on s e e ing t h e Gu ru

agai n among th e m Buil dings w e re re pai re d and
.

d e co rat e d and o f
,
fe ri ngs of e v e ry d e sc ri pt i on w e re
mad e t o t h e gre at sp i r i tual and t e mpo ral l e ad e r .

I t was one magn i c e nt sc e n e of re j o i c i ng .

Raj a Aj m e r Ch a nd t h e Gu ru s most p e rs i st e nt
m
,

e n e my ,
ndi ng h i a ga i n rml y e stab l i sh e d i n
Anandpu r thought i t e xp e d ie nt to su e f
,
or p e ac e .

D aya S i ngh re comm e nde d t h e Gu ru to re tu rn a

f avou rab l e a nsw e r to Aj m e r Chau d s p ray e r Th e
.

Gu ru accor di ng l y wrot e to say h e wa s wil l i ng to

com e to t e rms w i th Aj m e r Chand but woul d pun i sh
m
,

hi i fh e w e re agai n gu il ty oft re a ch e ry Aj m e r .

Chand was gl ad to have a p rom is e of p e ac e f or a

t i m e e v e n w i th t h e th re at h e l d ou t t o h i ; and

m
h e s e nt h i s fam il y p ri e st wi th p re s e nts and con
g ratu l at i ons to t h e Gu ru Th e oth e r h il l ch i e fs on
.

h e ari ng o fAj m e r Ch a nd s re conc il i at i on wi th t h e

Gu ru fo l l ow e d h i s e xamp l e and s e nt h i t a ng ib l e
,
m
i ndi cat i ons ofth e i r good wil l and fri e ndl y i nt e nt i ons
-
.
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 43

C H AP T ER X V I I I
In conve rsat ion re ga rding t h e fabu l ous b i rd
m
a

cal l e d a na l i n H i ndi and h u a i n P e rs i an po e t ry ,

som e one re mark e d that arrows wi ng e d wi th t h e

b ird s fe ath e rs wou l d re ach a p rodi g ious di stanc e

.

T h e Gu ru re ma rk e d that as i t was t h e p e cu l i ari ty ,

of t h e b i rd s fe ath e rs t o carry arrows to i t s hom e

i n t h e sk y so t h e re p e t i t ion of one oft h e Gu rus

,

hymns wou l d tak e t h e sou l to h e av e n He c on .

t inn e d t h e Gu ru wh o sp e ak e th t ruth wh o s e rv e th
, ,

t h e cong re gat i on of sai nts and who hath conde nc e ,

i n t h e Gu rus hymns i s my S i kh and shal l f or e v e r

,

ab i de i n b l i ss .

S e v e ral S i khs f rom t h e no r th of t h e Panj ab cam e

to vi s i t t h e Gu ru and p re s e nt th e i r o f fe ri ngs A .

S i kh re si di ng i n Rohtas i n t h e p re s e nt d i st ri ct o f
J ih l am thought that t h e most su i tab l e o f
1
fe ri ng h e
cou l d mak e t h e Gu ru was h i s d a ught e r S a h i b D e v i
m
.

H e acco r di ngl y took h e r to h i i n a pal k i Th e .

Gu ru i n re spons e to th i s o f
,
fe r sai d h e had re l i u ,

i h d fam i l y l i f T g i l s fath on h a ri ng

q u s e e h e r . e r e
th i s b e c a m e much d i sappo i nt e d and di st re ss e d .

H e po i nt e d ou t that h e had l ong s i nc e d e d i cat e d

h e r to t h e Gu ru that i n cons e qu e nc e e v e ry one
,

c a l l e d h e r moth e r and now no one wou l d we d h e r

,

a ft e r h e r re j e ct i on On t h e oth e r h a nd i f sh e
.
,

re ma i n e d s i ng l e g re at S i n wou l d i n t h e e st i mat i on
,

of p i ous p e rsons a tt a ch to h e r pare nts H e acco r d .

i ng l y p re ss e d t h e Gu ru to re cons i d e r h i s d e c i s i on
m
.

T h e Gu ru th e n to l d h i to ask h e r i fS h e wou l d
cons e nt to s e rv e h i m
S h e re p l i e d i n t h e a f
. rmat iv e .

T h e Gu ru upon th i s bapt i z e d h e r gav e h e r t h e ,

n a m e Sah i b Kau r and consi gn e d h e r to h i s moth e r s

,

apartm e nts Th e re sh e m a d e a vow th a t sh e wou l d

.

1
Bh S ukha S ingh mk e s thi s e e nt o c c u whe n th e G u u wa s o n
aI a v r r

h is w y to t h So uth ofIn d i a I n that a se th e f athe o fth e g il

m i ght ha e co m ro m
a e . c r r

v e f R ohtas i n B iha r
.
1 44 THE SIKH RELI GI ON
not touch food unt il sh e had s e e n t h e Guru T h e .

Gu ru coul d not al l ow h e r to d i e ofhung e r and ,

acco rdi ngl y vi s i t e d h e r One day as S h e wa s sham

m
.

oo i ng h i h ask e d h e r if h had any qu st to

p e ,
s e re e
mak e S h e re p l i e d that as h e r two c o w i v e s had
.
,
-

sons so sh e al so de si re d a son to cal l h e r own T h e

, .

Gu ru re pl ie d I wil l g i v e th e e a son wh o wil l ab i de

,

f or e v e r I wil l put t h e whol e Khal sa i nto thy

. t

Th e l ady on h e ari ng th i s wa s much p l e as e d

l ap .
,

and p rost rat e d h e rs e l f b e fo re h e r mast e r I t i s st il l .

not an uncommon th i ng f or a S i kh to say wh e n ,

ask e d re garding h i s pare ntag e that h i s fath e r i s ,

Gu ru Gob i nd S i ngh and h is moth e r Sah i b Kau r , .

Such a S i kh wou l d al so say that h e was born i n

Patna and re si de d i n Anandpur Ind e e d S i khs a re
,
.
,

e nj o i n e d t o g i v e th e s e answ e rs at t h e t i m e ofbap

t ism .

One J agga S ingh p e rfo rm e d most ass i duous se r

vi c e f or t h e Gu ru and was cons e qu e nt l y much
,

e nv i e d by h i s f e l l ow s e rvants S om e sai d that

m
.

s e v e ral e n had don e s i m il ar s e rvi c e and gon e away

ungrat e ful and J agga S i ngh was not sup e ri o r to
,

any ofh i s p re de c e sso rs Oth e rs agai n sai d that h e .

b e i ng a ne w s e r v ant was no doubt dil i g e nt but h i s ,

z e al wou l d soon e vapo rat e T h e Gu ru ove rh e aring .

th e s e re m a rks s e nt f or a v e ss e l ofwat e r a ston e , ,

and som e sw e e ts H e put t h e ston e and sw e e ts

.

i nto t h e wat e r Aft e r a sho r t t i m e h e o rde re d

. .

th e m to b e tak e n out T h e ston e of cou rs e cam e out.

who l e but t h e sw e e ts had a l l di ssol v e d T h e Gu ru

,
.

re a d h i s s e rv a nts a mo ral l e sson from what th e y

had s e e n H e sai d that th os e wh o s e rve d h i w e l l m

m
.

and h e art il y b l e nd e d wi th h i as t h e sw e e ts had don e

m
,

wi th t h e wat e r ; wh il e thos e wh o s e rv e d h i for

show and app e aranc e had h e arts l i k e t h e ston e ,

wh i ch n e v e r di ssol v e d H e th e n ord e r e d that no .

o n e shou l d f or t h e futu re mo l e st or sp e ak e v i l of

h i s fai thfu l s e rvant J agga S i ngh .

Raj a Aj m e r Chand though outwar dl y profe ssing , .

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 45

p e ac e d e t e rm in e d to agai n e xp e l t h e Gu ru from
,

Anandpu r H e acco r di ngl y s e nt a B rahman as an

.

amb a ssado r but re al l y as a sp y on t h e Gu ru s p ro
,

c e e di ng s T h e B rahman on b e i ng i nt roduc e d to t h e
.

Gu ru us e d v e ry m il d and p l aus ib l e l anguag e T h e .

Gu ru how e v e r soon di scov e re d that h e was a v e ry

, ,

dang e rous p e rson i n no way to b e trust e d soft to

, ,

t h e touch l i k e a snak e but l l e d wi th conc e al e d

,

po i son T h e man dul y se t hi ms e l f to t h e task of

.

fe rre t ing ou t t h e Gu ru s s e c re ts T h e Gu ru w e l l

.

unde rstood h i s de si gns but at t h e sam e t i m e mai n

m
,

f ai n e d a s e mb l anc e offri e ndsh i p towards h i Th e .

B rahman wrot e to h i s mast e r to d e scrib e t h e e xc e l

l e nt and cond e nt i al re l at i ons that subs i st e d b e tw e e n
him and t h e Gu ru and at t h e sam e t i m e sugg e st e d
,

that som e d e xt e rous p e rsons S hou l d b e s e nt to st e al t h e

Gu ru s ho rs e s T h e B rahman al so k e pt h i s e y e on t h e

.

Gu ru s tr e asu ry wi th t h e obj e ct ofasc e rtai ni ng how

much i t contai n e d and h ow i t s cont e nts cou l d b e

,

abst ract e d In d u e t i m e Raj a Aj me r Chand d i s

.

patch e d som e oft h e most e xp e rt th i e v e s h e cou l d ,

nd i n h i s stat e and th e y succ e e d e d i n de privi ng

,

t h e Guru oftwo ofh i s favour i t e charg e rs .

T h e B rahman sugg e st e d to t h e Guru to go to t h e

approach ing fair of R awal sa r n e ar Mandi Th e .

oth e r ch i e fs woul d att e nd and i t woul d b e a good ,

oppo rtun i ty of c e m e nt ing fri e ndl y r e l at i ons wi th

th e m At t h e sam e t i m e h e to l d t h e Gu ru s S i khs
.
,

as an i nduc e m e nt that i fth e y w e nt th e re th e y shoul d

Th e Gu ru s moth e r h i s w i v e s

ston e s swi m
m
se e .
, ,

and h i s sons al l p re ss e d h i to v i si t t h e fair H e .

yi e l de d to t h e wi sh oft h e maj o ri ty and ord e re d ,

a l l p re pa rat i ons to b e mad e f or h i s d e partu re .

T h e B rahman i nform e d a l l t h e h il l ch i e fs of t h e
Guru s i nt e nt i on to app e ar at t h e fai r and sugg e st e d

that th e y shou l d b e p re s e nt al so T h e Gu ru pre pare d .

a magn i c e nt re c e pt i on f or th e m and th e y w e r e all ,

charm e d w ith h is e ngag ing mann e rs T h e r aj as

m
.

e nt re at e d h i to forg e t and fo rg i v e th e i r form e r

1 4 6 f TH E S I KH RELI GI ON

of fe nc e s Th e y w e re a ssure d i n r e pl y that t h e Guru

.

wo u l d t re at th e m as th e y de s e rve d at h i s hands .

Th e Guru r e c e i v e d t h e wi v e s of t h e r aj as i n
a s e parat e t e nt H e gav e th e m i nstruct i on sui tab l e
.

to t h e ir status and posi ti on and th e y w e r e e ntranc e d

m
,

wi th t h e i nt e rvi e w T h e Gu ru not i c ing th e ir ad i ra

.

t i on to l d t h e e l d e st among th e m that i t wa s t i m e
for th e i r d e par tu re T h e ran i s w e re i t i s sai d l ot h
.
, ,

to mov e but t h e e l de st l ady convi nc e d th e m oft h e

,
.

p rop ri e ty oft e rmi nat i ng t h e ir vi si t One of th e m

m
.
,

P a d ani daught e r oft h e Raj a ofChamba wi th

, ,

h e r fath e r s p e rm i ss i on s e nt t h e Gu ru a l e tt e r i n

t h e form ofa ri ddl e What i s that wh i ch i s com

p l e t e What i s i t s th re e fourths What i s d u ah t y
-

W hat i s d e partu re ? W h at a re t h e two hous e s f or

human b e i ngs ? Th e y a t e som e and took t h e r e st
t o s l e e p wi th th e m 0 Guru ri ddl e . e th i s Th e ,
m .

Gu ru re p l i e d :

A god

s body i s c om pl e t e amn s ath
is onl y re e - qu art e rs
t h e re o f
m d wo mn
.

P e opl e ru n a f
te r we al th ; en an e a re b ut du st .

P e op l e wa nd e r i n both wo rl ds a f
te r ea t ingand sp e nd i n g
th e i r we al th i n th i s .

Wh e n t h e wo rl d i s d e st ro y e d e ve ry o ne go e th to sl e e p ;
thi s i s t h e a ns we r to t h y ri ddl e 0 ch il d ,
.

Th e pri nc e ss wa s much p l e as e d on r e c e i vi ng th i s
answ e r and wi th h e r fath e r s p e rmi ssi on w e nt agai n

to vi si t t h e Guru Wh e n sh e mad e h e r O b e i sanc e

m
.

b e for e h i h e patt e d h e r on t h e shou l de r wi th h i s

bow S h e sai d I am thy wo rsh ipp e r ; wh y hast
m
.
,

thou not patt e d e wi th thy hand ? T h e Gu ru
re p li e d h e n e v e r touch e d any woman e xc e pt h i s own
wi ve s wi th h i s hand .

As t h e Gu ru was re tu rn ing hom e from t h e fai r

m
,

h e wa s e t by t h e Raj a o fMan di wh o b e sought

hi m to pay a vi si t to h i s cap i tal Th e G uru re adi l y
acc e pt e d t h e inv i tat i on Duri ng h is stay t h e Gu ru .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIN D SI NGH 1 47

p rom is e d th e r aj a that Man di shou l d f

or e v e r re mai n
i n h i s h ne .

Whi l e t h e Guru wa s occup i e d wi th t h e h ill ch i e fs ,

th e B rahmans w e re count e ract ing h i s re h gi ou s

e ffo rts . S i khs wh o b e fo re th e ir conv e rsi on had
b e e n B rahmans and K h a t ri s now cam e i n fe w e r
numb e rs to v i s i t h i m
Th e y d i d not wi sh that th e ir
.

sac ric i al th re ads shou l d b e th rown away among

t h e bush e s or that th e y shou l d hav e to pa r t wi th
,

th e i r l o i n c l oth e s
- 1
I t was i n vai n t h e Gu ru to l d
.

th e m that S i khs S houl d sp ri ng from e v e ry bush on

wh i ch th e i r sacri c i al th re ads had b e e n th rown
m
.

H e sai d that th e y wh o had no fai th i n h i m i ght

or m i ght not com e as th e y chos e Th e pal t ry .

fe ll ows who wo re th re ads t h e Gu ru thought of

m
no u se to h i . H i s S i khs shou l d b e com e v e ry
powe rfu l i fth e y fre e d th e ms e l v e s fro B rahman i ca l
j udi c s
,

and i nu nc s and adopt d h S i kh

m
p r e e e e e t e ,

ri tual wh e n th e re w e r e b i rths marr i ag e s or d e aths , ,

i n th e i r fam i l i e s .

T h e Gu ru upon th i s pr e par e d a g e n e r al f e ast both

'

f or S i khs and Brahmans but t h e l att e r re fus e d to

m
,

att e nd and r e p roach e d h i wi th havi ng tak e n away

,

t h e di st i ngu i sh i ng ma rks of t h e H i ndus Wh e n t h e .

S i khs w e re f e ast i ng h e sai d that as t h e B r ahmans

had fo rsak e n h i m
so h e wou l d fo rsak e th e m
,
and ,

b re ak of fal l re l at i ons wi th th e m To som e of h i s .

own p e op l e wh o man i fe st e d symptoms of di ssa t i s

fact i on h e sai d that ii th e y re mai n e d on good t e rms
,

wi th t h e Khal sa th e y shou l d al ways b e happy ;

,

oth e rwi s e so rrow shou l d b e th e ir po rt i on H e had

m
.

gi v e n e v e ryth ing to t h e Khal sa sp iri tu a l and t e

po ral pow e r e n te rp ri s e gl o ry s e l f de vot i on S k i l l i n
,
-
, , ,

ar ms and by th e s e shou l d th e y acqu ire e mp ire

,
.

Hi s sp e e ch was h e ar d by h i s rst wi fe and wh e n ,

h e w e nt to h i s pri vat e apa rtm e nts sh e i nqu ir e d

what h e had l e ft h i s fam il y H e r e p l ie d that h e .

1
F or th e a hotz or nse cu re y f i
aste ne d o l l i n cl oth wo n by th e H indus
'

- r

th e i
G u ru s ub st tute d the short d ra we rs c a ll e d h / h at 1 .

L 2
1 4 8 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
had g iv e n t o h e r ch il dr e n t h e stabl e e mp ire of
h e av e n .

H i s S i khs w e re one day di scuss i ng i do l atry T h e .

Gu ru wh e n ask e d to g i v e h i s op in i on sai d Al l

,

worsh i p i s val u e l e ss w i thout l ov e T h e wo rsh ip of .

i mag e s i s un re al t h e wo rsh i p ofGod al on e I s r e al

.

. .

Noth i ng can b e obtai n e d by i mag e wo rsh i p Th e y

.

wh o p l ac e i mag e s b e for e th e m and wo rsh i p th e m

a re foo l s L e t my S i khs e v e r m e d i tat e on t h e I
. m
mo rtal God and wo rsh i p non e b e si d e s L e t th e m .

e v e r p ract i s e a rms that th e y may b e e nab l e d to

,

d e fe nd th e ms e l ve s agai nst th e ir e n e mi e s .

On anoth e r occas i on t h e Gu ru gav e t h e fol l owing

r e p l y to qu e st i ons put h i by h i s S i khs m
H e wh o e v e r th i nk e th oft h e f u t u re i s a cce pt e d as t h e

Gu ru s d i s cipl e

m
.

Fa i n e is b a d , a nd b a d i s col d ; b ad i s t h e l ov e ofa
o t san ;
c ur e

Ba d a re de b t a nd f
al s e hood u tt e r t h e t ru th , my fi nds
r e .

Th e Gu ru fu rth e r advi s e d h i s S i khs not to e mp l oy

an e n e my as a docto r not to l i st e n to ast rol og e rs , ,

to avoi d gre e d and to consi de r w e al th un re al as

,

a dre am Wi nd ing up h i s di scou rs e h e sai d L e t

.
,

my S i khs e sch e w e vi l adopt what i s good and hav e

m
, ,

cond e nc e i n e

m
.

Bi sh a b h a r ofUj j ai n had onc e fal l e n und e r t h e

i nu e nc e oft h e Guru s t e a ch ng and mad e h i

an
'

m
O ffe ring ofone hundre d rup e e s H e now s e nt h i s .

son a V a i sh na v cal l e d H a r Gopal

, wi th an o f fe r ing ,

o f v e t i m e s that amount T h e son on s e e i ng t h e

.

Gu ru e a t m e at b e cam e d i sgust e d T h e Gu ru sai d .

i n h i s p re s e nc e t h at a l l re l i sh e s w e re pl e as i ng to t h e
,

m ind A S i kh re pl ie d that a re l i sh was onl y p l e asing

to t h e tongu e Oth e rs al so gav e th e ir O p i n i ons and
.
,

wh e n i t cam e to H ar Gop a l s tu rn h e sai d that t h e

r e al r e l i sh wa s fa i th I n S i kh i sm T h e Guru knowi ng .

that h e wa s not utt e ri ng h is r e al s e nt i m e nts sai d , ,

Thou e njoy e st no such r e l ish f or thou hast no ,

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 49

fai th in th e S i kh re l igi on
Wh e n t h e Gu ru add re ss e d
m m
.

hi fu rth e r re p roach e s h e f e l l at h i s f e e t and i

,

re d h i s pa rdon H a i d h i s fath e r s p re s e nt

p l o e th e.n l
of v e hundr e d rup e e s b e fo re t h e Gu ru T h e Gu ru
m
.

i n r e tu rn gav e h i a st e e l b rac e l e t to w e a r and

1
,

prom i s e d that t h e l ov e of God shou l d ab i d e i n h is

fam il y .

Har Gopal not at al l sat i s e d or convi nc e d by

,

t h e Gu ru s t e ach i ng or e xamp l e took h i s d e par tu re

m
.
,

On h i s way hom e h e stopp e d at Ch a k a u r wh e re

he m e t an e arn e st S i kh nam e d Dhyan S i ngh He
m
.

conde d to h i how h e had wast e d v e hundre d

rup e e s i n mak i ng a p re s e nt to a Gu ru wh o a t e m e at

m
.

Dhyan S ingh sai d h e wou l d re sto re h i t h e mon e y

m
,

i fh e i n re turn gav e h i t h e st e e l b rac e l e t and t h e

l ov e of Go d b e stow e d on h i by t h e Gu ru H a r m .

Gopal was d e l ight e d on re c e i ving such an o f fe r and ,

took t h e mon e y in e xchang e for what h e b e l ie v e d

to b e t h e wo rth l e ss g i fts oft h e Gu ru H e t rad e d .

wi th t h e mon e y and mad e a l arg e p rot Wh e n h e

m
.

r e ach e d hom e h e tol d h i s fath e r Bi sh a b h ar al l t h e

e v e nts o ft h e j ou rn e y Bi sh a b h ar was much di s
. m
t re ss e d at h i s want offai th i n t h e G u ru and re mon
m
,

st ra f e d w i th h i Har Gopal cont i nu e d h i s p e cun i ary

.

sp e cul at i ons and i n t h e e nd l ost a l l h i s mon e y

,
.

H e was th e n sat i s e d that th i s was t h e re su l t of

h i s want of fa i th i n t h e Gu ru and h e pray e d h i s
m
,

fath e r to tak e h i agai n to t h e sp i ri tu a l and t e mpo ra l

h e ad oft h e S i khs T h e fath e r was pl e as e d to do so
.
,

and se t out w i th h i s w i fe and a l l h i s fam i l y On .

t h e way t h e pa rty ca l l e d o n Dhyan S i ngh at Cham

m
kau r and induc e d h i to accompany th e m on th e i r
j ou rn e y
m
.

B ish a b h a r on r e ach ing t h e Gu ru b e gg e d forg i v e

n e ss for h i s unwo rthy son T h e Guru bapt i z e d .

1
im
I n the t e o fth e G u ru m
e n wh o c o u d a f f l
o rd th e e x pe nse , wo re
g old d s il
v e r o rn a ntsm T h G d s d w n h ii f
o o w s ll
m
n t
m
a e e . u ru e re o e a s e r

fro i
th e p ra ct ce , a nd co u nse e d the ll
to de p e nd o n ste e both f l
m
or

orn a e nts and de f i

e ns ve we a pons .
1 5 9 THE S I K H RE L I GI ON
th e m al l and thus add ss e d
,
re Har Gopal Tho u

ought e st t o hav e had conde nc e i n my words H e

m
.

wh o b e l ie v e th that t h e t e n Gurus a re a l l t h e sa e
i s a S i kh of m i n e Look on t h e hymns of t h e
.

G ranth as t h e e mbodi m e nt oft h e tru e Guru Put .

fai th i n t h e Gu ru and b e com i ng a S i kh p e rfo rm

,

thy wo rl dl y dut i e s Wi th humbl e words i nduct .

oth e rs i n to t h e f ai th and g i v e thy daught e r 1 0

m
-
,

a S i kh L et h i wh o i s a Si kh acco r di ng to
m
.

t h e ol d r i t e s marry h i s daught e r to h i
, W h o is
a S i kh acco rding t o t h e ne w ri t e s If a S i kh cannot .

n d a husband acco r di ng t o t h e ne w ri t e s f or h i s
daught e r th e n l e t h i g i v e h e r to h i wh o i s a
,
m m
S i kh accordi ng to t h e ol d ri t e s but wil l ing to r e c e i v e ,

S i kh bapt i sm L e t a S i kh re c e i v e i nstruct i on from

.

anoth e r S i kh and not consi d e r wh e th e r h e i s of

m
,

h ig h or l ow d e g re e
. Look on h i as a good S i kh.

W h o th i nk e th not ofcast e or l i n e ag e L e t a S i kh
m
.

b e hon e st i n h i s d e al i ngs and p ray for h i wh o

m
,

af ford e t h h i mai nt e nanc e Who e v e r ofth e r ank .

ofS i kh comm i tt e th tr e ach e ry S hal l nd no p l ac e of

r e st .

Lov e t h e N am e ; r e p e at i t i n th ine i nn e rmost

h e art t e ach t h e Nam e In t h e Nam e i s happ i n e ss .

t h e N am e i s a g e n e rous compan i on H e wh o l i v e th .

for h i s re l i g i on who e at e th onl y to suppo rt h i s

,

body wh o wal k e th i n t h e Guru s wa y and wh o i s

,

,
-

not e namou re d of t h e wo rl d i smy fri e nd As wh e n ,

.

a trav e l l e r go e th to a fo re ig n l and and i s e v e r hop i ng

f or t h e e n d of h i s j ou rn e y so sh ou l d man hop e f or ,

h i s sou l s nal re pos e by do i ng good wo rks and

r e ma i n i ng e st r ang e d from t h e worl d L i st e n to e . m ,

my fri e nd and b e e v e r re ady t o l e av e th i s l i fe Thou

,
.

and I shal l de part Th i s i s not a ne w o rdinan ce

. .

Aft e r th i s t h e fath e r and son p roc e e d e d r e j o i c i ng

t o th e i r hom e In t h e cou rs e ofa sho rt t i m e th e i r
.

w e al th i nc re as e d and H a r Gopal re cov e re d a ll that

,

h e had l ost Dhyan S i ngh to l d t h e Gu ru that as

.
,

h e wa s p l ough ing i n h i s e l d on t h e day aft e r h e

 L I F E O F GURU GOBIND S INGH 1 5 1

had r e c e iv e d th e brac e l e t and God s l ove from H a r

Gopal h i s pl ough e xpos e d a bu ri e d tr e asur e of gre at

m m
,

val u e Th e Gu ru cong ratu l at e d h i and cal l e d h i

.

a d e vout S i kh wh o wou l d al ways posse ss God s l ov e

and favour .

One day Mata J i to t h e Guru s wi fe app e are d
m
, ,

b e for e h i and sai d Thou b e st owe st on thy S i khs

,

d e l iv e ranc e un ion wi th God and wo rl dl y b l e ss ings

m
.
, ,

Le t e al so b e a pa rtak e r ofthy g i fts Th e Gu ru

.

tol d h e r t o cont i nual l y re p e at W ah gu ru wi th x e d

att e nt i on and sh e shou l d obtai n what h e r h e art
,

d e s i re d Aft e r som e t i m e S h e acqu i r e d by h e r

.

d e vot i on a knowl e dg e oft h e futur e and w e nt t o ,

t h e Guru i n gr e at tri bu l at i on S h e sai d M e rc i fu l l y

.
,

sav e thy ch il dre n f or I fo re s e e thou art go i ng to

,

mak e th e m martyrs t o thy caus e Th e Gu ru .

r e pl ie d Is i t to r e v e rs e God s d e c re e thou d i dst

m
,

r e c e i v e i nstruct i on from e I i nt e nde d that thou

shou l dst abandon wo rl dl y l ov e but i t hath i n cre as e d ,

a l l t h e mo re I hav e al r e ady grant e d thy sons h i gh

.

rank in God s court Wh e re f

or e ant i c i pat e not th e i r
.

f at e.

J i to und e rs t anding th at t h e Gu ru d i d not
,

i nt e nd to sav e t h e l i v e s of h i s ch i l dr e n sai d sh e was ,

g o i ng t o abandon h e r body for s h e cou l d not b e ar

to b e ho l d th e i r d e ath T h e Guru re pl i e d . I t is ,

W e l l ; thou may e st go ; thy ch i l dr e n shal l fo l l ow

th e e . D e ath i s t h e l aw ofa l l bodi e s Som e may .

p e ri sh four days b e for e and som e four days aft e r ;

but al l must soon e r or l at e r pay t h e d e bt th e y owe .

Upon th i s i t i s sai d J i to p e rman e nt l y susp e nd e d

, ,

h e r br e ath and h e r sou l took i ght to h e av e n

,
.

One day t h e conv e rsat i on turn e d on an e xpr e ss i on

us e d by Guru Har R ai that t h e v e ss e l wh i ch ,

Baba N anak had construct e d f or t h e sal vat i on O f

t h e wo rl d had al most found e re d Gu ru Gob i n d .

S i ngh vow e d that h e woul d re pai r i t f or t h e d e l i v e r

anc e of h i s S i khs On that occas i on h e gav e

.

t h e fo l l owi ng i nstruct i on to h i s ass e mb l e d S i khs

I hav e e stabl i sh e d t h e K hal sa for th e advanc e m e nt
 THE SI K H RELI GION
!

1 5 2

of tru e r e l ig i on L e t not y S i khs l i v e on r e l ig i ou s m !

m
.

offe ri ngs H e wh o bound by gre e d O b e ye th e no t

.

i n th i s shal l b e bo rn agai n as a hog R e l i gi ous

,
.

of fe ri ngs hav e t h e sam e di ssol vi ng e f fe ct on m e n s

H e th e n quot e d t h e f

m i nds as bo rax on gol d . ol
l owi ng l i n e s from Gu r Das
As i t i s t h e cu sto mofH i ndu s to a bst a i n f ro m t h e e sh o f
kin e
As s wi n e a nd i nt e re st a re so l e m o rb i dde n t h e Mu h am
,

nl y f
md a a ns,

ul f
As i t i s s in f or a f a th e r i n l a w to d ri nk e v e n wa t e r i n- -

h is son i n l a w s ho u s e

- -
,

As e v e n a s we e p e r tho u gh h u n gry wil l not e a t h are s

sh e ,
1

As a y g a i ne t h no a dv a nt a g e b u t d i e th i n t h e cl a sp o f
hon e y ,

So i s gre e d f or s a cre d o f fe ri n gs wh i ch a re l i ke po ison

c o a t e d wi th s u g
2
ar .

Le t thos e wh o are bapt i z e d accordi ng to my ri t e s

b e ar arms and l i v e accordi ng t o th e i r m e ans L e t .

th e m r e mai n t ru e to th e i r sov e re i gn i n t h e battl e

e l d and not tu rn th e i r backs to t h e f
,
oe Le t .

th e m fac e and r e p e l th e i r e n e m i e s and th e y shal l ,

obtai n both gl o ry i n th i s wo rl d an d t h e h e ro e s

h e av e n i n t h e n e xt H e wh o e e t h from t h e b att l e
.

e l d shal l b e di shonour e d i n th i s worl d and wh e n ,

h e di e th shal l b e pun i sh e d f or h i s coward i c e and ,

nowh e re shal l h e obtai n a stat e ofhapp in e ss L e t .

t h e m e mb e rs of t h e Khal sa assoc i at e w i th one

anoth e r and l ov e one anoth e r i rre sp e ct i v e oft ri b e
L e t th e m h e ark e n to t h e Guru s i nst ru c

or cast e .

t i on and l e t th e ir m i nds b e thorough l y i mbu e d

,

wi th i t .

1
T he S h h M uh am madans will not e at hare I n th e Q uran bl ood
Ia .

is f o rb i dd e n a s f
ood and i t i s b e li e ve d b y Shi ahs that b l ood doe s not
ro m h are s
,

se p arate by any p roce ss f e sh L al Be g th e s we e p e rs

Pi r was a Shi ah M uh am m
.
,

a dan so th e y a dopt h i s p re j ud i ce i n th i s

m
, ,

atte r .

2
W ar ! ! ! V 1 ,
2.
 LIFE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 53

It i s sai d t h a t a s th e Gu ru wa s one d ay hunt ing

'

, ,

h e cam e on a e l d of tobacco H e re i n e d i n h i s .

hors e and g av e e xp re ss i on to h i s h a t re d of t h e p l a nt .

H e mai ntai n e d that i t bu rn e d t h e ch e st i nduc e d ne r ,

v ou sn e ss pa l p i tat i on b ronch i t i s and oth e r di s e as e s

, , , ,

and nal l y caus e d d e a th H e th e re fo re couns e l l e d .

h i s S i khs to abstai n from t h e de st ruct i v e drug and ,

thus conc l ude d h i s di scou rs e Wi n e i s bad bhang ,

d e st roy e t h one g e n e ra t i on but tobacco d e st roy e th

'

a l l g e n e rat i ons

.

T h e custom of s a l e and bart e r ofho rs e s and oth e r

an i m a l s at re l ig i ous fai rs p re vail e d e v e n i n t h e t i m e
o ft h e Gu ru H e we nt to a fai r h e l d i n K u rk h e t a r
.

on t h e occas i on ofa sol ar e c l i ps e i n o r d e r t o purchas e

ho rs e s to re p l a c e thos e wh i ch had b e e n sto l e n or
k il l e d i n t h e p re v i ous warfare Among oth e r a d
m
.

ire rs Madan Nath a sup e ri or o fJ og i s wai t e d o n

m
, ,

hi . On s e e i ng th e Gu ru h e re mark e d that h e had

t h e e xt e rnal app e aranc e ofa l i on but that h e wa s ,

i nw ar dl y a sai nt Th e Gu ru e xp l ai n e d that h i s
.

e xt e rna l app e aranc e had b e e n assum e d w i th t h e

obj e ct ofi nsp iri ng t e rro r i nto t h e Tu rks wh o had ,

i n i ct e d gre at m i s e ry and har dsh i p o n h i s count ry .

C HAP T E R XI X
T wo Muhammadan g e n e ra l s Sai yad Be g a nd A l i f ,
1

Kh a n w e re on th e ir wa y from Laho re to D ib l i
m
.
,

Th e y w e re e a ch i n command of v e thousand e n .

Raj a Aj m e r Chand havi ng h e ard ofth e m thought

h e wou l d t ry to s e cu re th e i r ass i stanc e to attack
t h e Gu ru . Th e g e n e ral s on re c e i vi ng a prom i s e of
one thousand rup e e s a day p rom i s e d Aj m e r Chand

th e i r assi stanc e Sai yad Be g how e v e r on su b se

.
, ,

qu e nt l y h e ari ng favou rabl e accounts of t h e Gu ru

1
T h e wo d S ij id f
i s di fe e nt fom gad (li m) whi h
lite r ll y m om s th e t p a rt oft h e na m
r a r r sa
'
s , c

e ans a h unte r a nd f e of

e ne ra l a bove m
a ,
r rs

t he g e nti on e d .
1 54 THE S I K H RE L I GI ON
and h is S i khs chang e d h i s d e t e rm inat i on and wi th
,

dre w from t h e Muhammadan a rmy T h e battl e .

wh i ch e nsu e d b e gan wi th g re at fu ry b e tw e e n t h e

Gu ru s and Al i f Khan s troops At a c ri t i cal

.

mom e nt Sai yad Be gapproach e d t h e S i khs and sai d ,

that as th e y b e l ie v e d i n t h e Gu ru so d i d h e and , ,

h e wou l d th e r e fo re ght on th e i r s i d e Al i f Khan .

,

o n s e e i n g that Sai yad Be g had j o i n e d t h e S i khs ,

concl ud e d that h e had no chanc e ofvi cto ry and ,

r e t i r e d from t h e cont e st H e was hotl y pu rsu e d by

.

t h e S i khs and Sai yad Be g On t h e re turn o ft h e

.

l att e r from t h e pursu i t h e al i ght e d from h i s ho rs e

,

and w e nt to o f fe r h i s O b e i sanc e to t h e Gu ru Havi ng .

b rok e n wi th t h e Emp e ro r Whos e s e rvant h e had

b e e n h e th re w i n h i s l ot W I th t h e S i khs gav e th e
, ,
m
a l l h i s w e al th to ass i st th e m i n th e ir st ru g g l e s w i t h
t h e Muhammadans and re mai n e d wi th t h e Guru
,

as a trusty and pow e rful al l y .

A B rahman app e ar e d one day i n t h e Gu ru s court

,

and wi th a l oud vo i c e i nvok e d h i s ass i stanc e agai nst

som e Pathans wh o had fo rc ib l y abduct e d h i s bri de
at Bassi n e ar Hosh i arpur T h e Gu ru dire ct e d h i s
.

son Aj i t S i ngh to go wi th one hundre d ho rs e fal l ,

sudde n l y on t h e Pathans at n ight and r e sto re t h e ,

Brahman h i s bri de Th e e xp e di t i on was ca re ful l y

.

p l ann e d and cou rag e ousl y e x e cut e d In t h e e arl y .

mo rn ing Aj i t S i ngh p roduc e d b e fo re t h e Gu ru t h e

B rahman s b ri de and t h e offe ndi ng Pathans T h e

.

l att e r r e c e i v e d condi gn pun i shm e nt .

Raj a Aj m e r Chand agai n summon e d h i s al l ie s

wi th t h e obj e ct of chast i si ng t h e Guru Th e re
m
.

cam e to h i Raj a Bhup Chand Raj a Waz i r S ingh , ,

and Raj a D e v Saran Raj a Aj m e r Chand mad e

.

a sp e e ch i n wh i ch h e warn e d h i s b roth e r ch i e fs
o ft h e fat e i n stor e for th e m f r om t h e Gu ru and
m
,

advi s e d th e m to j o i n h i i n anoth e r e xp e di t i on to
c rush h i m . Th e y al l e xpr e ss e d th e ms e l ve s i n favou r
o fi mm e d i at e m e asu re s ,
and addr e ss e d t h e Gu ru a
j o i nt l e tt e r to t h e e f fe ct that th e y had l i v e d p e ac e
 L I FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 55

ab l y f
or som e t i m e but found h e W oul d not c e as e ,

h is agg re ssi on and th e y w e r e th e r e fo re ob l ig e d to

m
,

d e cl are war agai nst h i Th e Gu ru b ri e y re pl i e d .

My S i khs hav e onl y com e i nto col l i si on wi th thos e

who wanton l y annoy e d th e m T h e Khal sa a re .

e ve r awai t ing batt l e To ght and di e i s t h e .

duty of th e brav e Com e and se e t h e pow e r of t h e

.

K hal sa .

Th e h il l ch i e fs on r e c e i vi ng th i s r e p l y took th e
e l d wi thout d e l ay I t i s sai d that th e y ma rch e d
m
.

agai nst Anandpu r wi th t e n tho usand e n Sai yad .

Be g had not b e e n ab l e to i nduc e h i s l arg e fo rc e

to re mai n wi th h i m
so t h e Guru s avail ab l e fo rc e

m
,

at th i s t i m e di d not e xc e e d e i ght hundre d en .

In t h e fo rm e r batt l e s ofAnandpu r t h e S i khs app e ar

to hav e r e mai n e d b e h i nd th e i r battl e m e nts and
e mb rasu re s On th i s oc casi on di f fe r e nt tact i cs w e re
m
.

adopt e d Th e y . e t t h e e n e my i n t h e op e n e l d
outsi de Anandpu r T h e S i khs fought w i th th e i r.

usual courag e and d e t e rm inat i on Raj a Aj m e r .

Chand on wi tn e ss i ng th e i r p row e ss and t h e carnag e

,

th e y caus e d re t i re d from t h e batt l e i n d e spai r

,
.

Th e oth e r h i l l ch i e fs cont i nu e d t h e ght but put ,

th e ms e l v e s i n t h e re a r ofth e i r t roops Ahm S ingh .

and U d e S i ngh di sp l ay e d th e i r usual val ou r on

b e hal f oft h e Gu ru Th e y wi sh e d to charg e t h e h il l
.

hosts but t h e Gu ru re strai n e d th e m and o rde re d

, ,

th e m to u se th e ir musk e ts and arrows from wh e re

th e y stood Th e y ob e y e d t h e Gu ru and p l ie d th e ir
.
,

O ffe ns i v e w e apons wi th s i gnal succ e ss T h e h il l troops .

on s e e i ng th e i r own van st ri ck e n down re t re at e d .

Th e Gu ru surv e y e d t h e batt l e from a di stanc e .

H e was d e l i ght e d as h e saw t h e e n e my e e i ng i n

e v e ry d i re ct i on T h e S i khs now ush e d w i th v i cto ry
.

fo rgot h i s orde rs and pu rsu e d t h e re t re at ing h i l l

troops T h e Gu ru was d i spl e as e d at t h e t e m e ri ty
m
.

o fh i s en and mount i ng h i s ho rs e rode back to

,

Anandpur Th e S i kh forc e on nding t h e Guru

.
,

had l e ft th e m l ost h e art r e t re at e d and w e re i n

, , ,
1 5 6 THE S I K H RELI GION
tu rn pursu e d by t h e e n e my On th e i r re tu rn to .
'

Anandpur th e y t ri e d to obtai n t h e Gu ru s fo rgi v e

n e ss but h e re fus e d to sp e ak to th e m At l ast

, .
,

yi e l di ng to t h e e nt re at i e s ofN au rang S i ngh one of ,

h i s fo re most warri o rs h e re so l v e d to re c e i ve and

,

pardon th e m H e sai d t h e Gu ru wa s t h e Khal sa

.

and t h e Khal sa t h e Gu ru and t h e Ol d fri e ndl y and ,

af fe cti onat e re l at i ons we r e re n e w e d H e th e n . .

o rd e re d h i s t roops to r e tu rn to t h e e l d and oppos e

t h e e n e my H e took up h i s own bow and e ffe ct e d
.

t h e usual d e struct i on i n t h e host i l e ranks Th i s .

was t h e s i gnal f or t h e S i khs to s e cond h i s e f fo rts

an d fal l on t h e h il l army l i k e ti g e rs on de e r Th e n .

e nsu e d f e a rfu l ca rnag e upon wh i ch t h e h il l troops

,

a g a i n took to i ght Th e i r l e ade rs t ri e d to r e st rai n

.

th e m but in vai n T h e battl e was at an e nd and

,
.
,

both si de s d e part e d to th e i r hom e s .

Raj a Aj m e r Chand how e v e r wa s not sat i s e d

, , .

H e p rop ose d t o h i s b roth e r ch i e fs that th e y shou l d

agai n mak e wa r on t h e Gu ru th i s t i m e wi th t h e ,

assi stanc e of th e i mp e ri al t roops Th e y acco r di ngl y

m
.

s e nt an e nvoy to Au rangz e b and p ray e d h i to ,

p rot e ct th e m a gai nst Gu ru Gob i nd S i ngh Th e y .

re p re s e nt e d that th e y w e re anc i e nt subj e cts of H i s

Maj e sty and woul d g i v e h i l a rg e tr ibut e as t h e

,
m
p ri c e ofh i s assi stanc e and p rot e ct i on .

M e ant i m e th e re w e re g re at re j o i c ings i n t h e
Gu ru s camp and t h e wounde d we r e care fu l l y

att e nde d t o Bi r S i ngh Madan S ingh a R a j put

.
, ,

ch i e f and Sham S i ngh v i si t e d t h e Gu ru Sham

m
.
,

S i ngh po i nt e d ou t to h i that t h e Muhammadans

and H i ndus w e re v e ry num e rous and how coul d t h e ,

S i khs wh o w e r e so f e w cont e nd ag a i nst th e m much ,

l e ss hop e to obtai n e mp i re ? T h e Gu ru r e p l i e d ,

What Go d wil l e th shal l tak e pl ac e Wh e n t h e .

army of t h e Tu rks com e th my S i khs shal l st ri k e ,

st e e l on st e e l Th e Khal sa sh a l l th e n awak e and

.
,

know t h e pl ay ofbatt l e Am i d t h e c l ash ofarms

.

t h e Khal sa shal l b e partn e rs i n pr e s e nt an d futur e

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 57

bl i ss t ranqu il l i ty m e di tat i on vi rtu e and di vi n e

, , , ,

knowl e dg e Th e n shal l t h e Engl i sh com e and j o i n e d

.
,

by t h e Khal sa rul e as w e l l i n t h e East as i n t h e

W e st T h e hol y Baba N anak shal l b e stow a l l
.

w e al th on th e m T h e Engl i sh shal l poss e ss g re at .

pow e r and by fo rc e of arms tak e poss e ssi on ofmany

,

p ri nc i pal i t i e s Th e comb i n e d arm i e s of th e Engl i sh

.

and S i khs shal l b e v e ry pow e rfu l as l ong as th e y

ru l e w i th un i t e d counc il s T h e e mp ire of t h e .

E ng h sh shal l vast l y i ncr e as e and th e y S hal l i n e v e ry ,

wa y attai n p rosp e ri ty Wh e re v e r th e y tak e th e i r

.

a rm i e s th e y shal l conqu e r and b e stow th ron e s on ,

thos e wh o assi st th e m Th e n i n e v e ry hous e shal l .

b e w e al th i n e v e ry hous e happ i n e ss i n e v e ry hous e

, ,

re j o i c i ng i n e v e ry hous e r e l i g i on i n e v e ry hous e
, ,

l e arn i ng and i n e v e ry hous e a woman

,
1
Th e .

Engl i sh shal l rul e for a l ong t i m e 2

At t h e con .

e l us i on of t h e Guru s apocal yps e t h e S i khs r e sp e ct

full y bowe d .

Th e Guru was ask e d to d e sc ri b e t h e stat e oft h e

bapt i z e d S i khs wh e re upon h e gav e Al i m S i ngh as
,

an e xampl e H e wa s t h e Gu ru sai d ori g i nal l y ,

a B rahman but on adopt i ng t h e r e l i gi on ofarms

,

h e now sh i n e th l i k e Inda r H e e v e r wo rsh i pp e th .

t h e Sword H e n e v e r acc e pt e th g i fts or i nv i tat i ons

.

to f e asts I took away h is sacri ci al th re ad b e caus e

.

i fh e re tai n e d i t h e wou l d st i l l b e a Brahman and

, ,

subj e ct to Brahman i c al sup e rst i t i ons .

T h e Gu ru cont inu e d to i nst ruct h i s S i khs He

wh o w e are th l ong hai r w i thout re c e i vi ng bapt i sm i s
a hypoc ri t i cal and fool i sh S i kh I wil l not S how
m
.

mys e l f to h i I t i s b e st to adopt one re l ig i on and

.

not di st ract on e s m i nd wi th oth e rs Th e y wh o cal l

.

th e ms e l v e s my S i khs and stray to oth e r cr e e ds are

1
U n de r M uham madan rul e th e M uhamm ad ans u s e d O f te n to d e
p ri e th e H i ndus ofthe i r wi ve s and d aughte s I n m any c as e s to o

o r the m
v r .
, ,

t h e su bj e cts we re t oo poor t o p u ch ase wi e s f se l v e s T h e

Guru pos i b ly a l o m e ant th at h is S i khs sho u l d e m b ace d om
r v .

e sti c

li v e s and ce se to de m e an the m se lve s b y re li gi ous m

s s r

,
a e n di c ancy .

2
S ar ; P a k h R ut V Chapte r 36
a r as , ,
.
1 5 8 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
s i nn e rs L e t no S i kh assoc i at e w i th much l e ss offe r
.
,

p re s e nts to thos e wh o wo rsh i p Sarwar Gu gga and 1

m
, , ,

s i m il ar p i rs or w i th t h e m i sgu i de d
, e n wh o by
o rde r ofth e i r wi v e s vi s i t mal e and fe mal e Brahmans
to hav e th e i r fo rtun e s tol d H e wh o g iv e th al ms .

to B rahmans wh o sl ande re th t h e Guru and h i s

,

S i khs shal l l ay up for h i ms e l f su f

,
fe ri ng Put away .

from among you t h e hypoc ri t i cal Brahman who ,

though h e re c e i v e my bapt i sm r e mov e th h i s h ai r ,

i n t h e fash i on of t h e H i ndus .

L e t not any S i kh of m i n e worsh i p H i ndu or

Muh ammadan c e m e t e r i e s an d p l ac e s ofcr e mat i on
or g i v e al ms to one wh o w e a re th a r e l i g i ous ga rb

f or ost e ntat i on I hav e forswo rn such a p e rson i f

m
.
,

any th e re b e and l e t h i wh o stup i dl y wo rsh ipp e th

m
,

fal s e gods fo rsw e ar e H e wh o f e e de th t h e t rav e l l e r

.
,

wh o g i ve th al ms on t h e occas i on oft h e Gurus ann i

v e rsa ri e s and wh o hath fai th i n t h e Gu ru shal l

,

h e re aft e r go to t h e Gurus abode L e t not my

.

S i khs l ook at B rahmans wh o re si de at p l ac e s of

p i l g ri mag e or at thos e wh o don r e l ig i ous garbs and
,

st rut fopp i sh l y L e t my S i khs ab i d e apart and b e

.
,

e v e r fu l l ofthoughts of God .

H e wh o g i v e th h i s daught e r i n marri ag e to a
S i kh and tak e th no mon e y f or h e r i s a S i kh ofm i n e , ,

and shal l aft e r h i s d e ath r e ach m in e abode L e t

m
.

S i kh e n and wom e n si t tog e th e r and hol d di vi n e

di scours e L e t th e m worsh i p God th e ms e l v e s and
.
,

t e ach th e i r ch il dr e n to do so My S i khs may re c e i v e .

a vol untary o f fe ri ng for re adi ng t h e Granth or for ,

copyi ng i t but must not de mand re mun e rat i on

,
.

L e t t h e S i kh p ri e st wh o re c e i v e th an O f fe ri ng of
mon e y fe e d t h e poor b e fo re h e fe e de th h i ms e l f L e t .

not my S i khs b e cov e tous Th e y Who di sob e y th i s .

ord e r shal l r e c e i v e pun i shm e nt from God I l ov e .

is nam e of a s a i nt wh o i s su ppo se d t o h a e b e c om
e
1
G ugga th e v

a se rp e nt and vani she d b e ne ath th e e arth In th e P anj ab h e i s

.

wo rsh i pp e d by H indus ofth e l owe r c l as se s on th e n inth d ay o f

Bhadon .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBI ND SINGH 1 59

n ei th e r re l i gi ous garbs nor cast e s M e n s obs e rvanc e
m
.

oft h e S i kh t e n e ts i s d e a r to e but st il l d e are r i s ,

th e i r obs e rvanc e wi th s i nc e ri ty L e t my S i kh l ov e .

not t h e wo rl d but pass h i s t i m e a s i fh e w e re to

m
,

di e to d ay or to morrow Le t h i b e e v e r t ru e to
m
-
.

h i s sov e re i gn Le t h i ch e ri sh h i s n e i ghbou r and

m
.
,

s e e k aft e r ri ght e ousn e ss L e t h i e at and worsh i p

m
.

at xe d t i m e s L e t h i Shak e of fsl oth and s ing

m
.

t h e Gurus hymns

H e ar e O S i khs p ract i s e not
m
.
, ,

s e l shn e ss . Assi st e n wh e th e r ofh i gh or l ow

de g re e but cont ract not fri e ndsh i p wi th t h e e v il
,
.

Fal s e i s h e who mak e th prom i s e s wi thout i nt e nt i on

of ful l m e nt
m
.

Le t h i wh o cal l e th h i ms e l f a tru e S i kh of m i n e ,

acc e pt bapt i sm and do good acts so shal l h i s pr e v i ous ,

s i ns all d e part on h i s s e e k i ng t h e Guru s prot e ct i on

m
.

Le t h i r e nounc e t h e s e rv i c e ofd e mons and sp ri t e s ,

and not wo rsh i p ston e s or fal s e gods T h e hypo .

c ri t e s wh o stop th e i r nos e s und e r p re t e nc e ofm e di ta

t i on and count th e i r b e ads are v e ry i mpur e Why .

do t h e fool s i nto whos e h e arts God s l ov e e nt e r e th

not wande r to p l ac e s of p il gri mag e

,

On anoth e r occasi on h i s S i khs r e qu e st e d th e

Guru to g i v e th e m furth e r i nst ruct i on that wou l d
ai d th e m i n th e i r t e mpo ral a f fai rs and e nsu re
th e i r d e l i v e ranc e from transm i grat i on At that .

mom e nt t h e Gu ru was e ngag e d i n oth e r affai rs and ,

h e d e l e gat e d D aya S i ngh to d e l i v e r t h e n e c e ssa ry

i nst ruct i on D aya S i ngh thus spok e Act as fo l l ows

.
,

and y ou shal l b e happy Cl oth e and fe e d t h e S i khs

as far as you r m e ans al l ow shampoo th e m and , ,

bath e th e m wash th e i r c l oth e s fan th e m wh e n th e y

, ,

p e rsp i re wi p e th e ir sho e s wash th e i r fe e t scour t h e

, , ,

di sh e s from wh i ch th e y hav e e at e n draw th e m coo l ,

wat e r from t h e w e l l and cook th e ir food wi th t h e

,

utmost att e nt i on and cl e an l i n e ss L e t th e m p e rfo rm .

n i ght and day th e s e and oth e r s i m il ar o f c e s for

t h e S i khs comm i t to m e mory t h e Gurus hymns

, ,

and re p e at t h e Tru e Nam e .

1 60 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
On s e e i ng any p e rson i nvol v e d i n t roub l e tak e
compassi on on h i m
and re mov e h i s su f fe ri ngs to t h e
m
,

b e st ofyou r ab il i ty T h e e x e rc i s e ofm e rcy and co

. .

passi on i s v e ry m e ri to ri ous H e wh o p ra c t i se th th e s e .

vi rtu e s b e com e th t h e g re at e st oft h e g re at and t h e

m
,

p ri mal sup re m e B e i ng wil l b e m e rc i ful unto h i .

Sp e ak t h e t ruth Th i s b ri ng e th g re at comfo rt . .

R e nounc e fal s e hood wh i ch b ring e th gre at m i s e ry i n

i t s t r ai n On s e e i ng anoth e r s h app i n e ss b e not

e nvi ous th e re of wh y attach si n to yours e l v e s f or

no su f c i e nt re ason In t h e rst pl ac e you r j e al ousy ,

wi l l caus e y ou annoyanc e and you shal l gai n noth i ng

.

th e re from ; and i n t h e s e cond p l ac e God wil l b e

, ,

ang ry wi th y ou and say I t i s I wh o gav e and , ,

y e t th i s man i s burn i ng w i th e nvy Th e r e a re .

al so oth e r e vi l s att e ndant on th i s passi on .

Abandon cov e tousn e ss p ract i s e cont e ntm e nt , ,

cov e t not anoth e r s wi fe anoth e r s w e al th or

anoth e r s ch il dre n I f you do you shall assur e dl y

.
,

su f fe r My fri e nds p racti s e not opp re ssi on on thos e

.
,

whom you know to b e w e ak e r than you rs e l v e s Be .

not p roud oft h e poss e ssi on ofl e arn i ng b e auty , ,

g re at i nt e l l e ct untol d w e al th or S i mil ar e e t i ng
, ,

advantag e s Abov e al l de e m t h e bount i ful Cr e ator

.

One al on e .

I f h e wh o do e th good acts p r act i s e p ri de th e y ,

shal l b e as fut il e as t h e bath i ng ofan e l e phant .

Indul g e not i n p rai s e ofyours e l ve s or di sp rai s e of

oth e rs I f y ou do i t wil l b e a gr e at si n I f e v e r
.
,
.

you mak e a g i ft boast not ofi t but r ath e r st ri v e

, ,

to conc e al i t Sp e ak c ivil l y and sat i sfy e v e rybody

. .

U se not harsh l anguag e and annoy no one Obtai n .

w e al th by hon e st m e ans and shar e your m e al s wi th

st rang e rs .

We ar not d irty cl oth e s so shal l your bod i e s b e ,

e v e r cl e an Associ at e not wi th th i e v e s adu l t e r e rs

.
, ,

h i ghway robb e rs gambl e rs i ng rat e s t h ags d e c e i v e rs

m
, , , , ,

or e n ofbad l i v e l ihood R e m e mb e r t h e s i nn e r i s
.

wo rs e than t h e si n f or h e i s t h e caus e th e re of
,
.
 LI F E O F GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 61

Wh e n y ou se e an e vil man avo i d h i at onc e l i k e ,

m
re d hot-
i ron wh i ch cannot b e h e l d i n t h e hand .

Assoc i at e wi th t h e good for i n such assoc i at i on v i c e ,

i s put to sham e Li st e n to t h e h i sto ry of t h e l i v e s of

.

t h e Gurus Aft e rwards wh e re th e r e i s di scours e of

.

God l i st e n to i t wi th r apt att e nt i on

,
.

Bath e i n ho l y Amri tsar B e hol d God s t e mp l e .

wh e re t h e Gurus words are e v e r re p e at e d S i t

.

down th e re i n re sp e ctfull y and al l ow you r m i nds ,

to th i nk of noth i ng but God Ev e r l ook wi th .

d e voti on on wh e r e H i s l i ght i s r e spl e nd e nt

wh e th e r you go th e r e on t h e occasi on oft h e Gu rus
ann i v e rsari e s or vi si t t h e pl ac e e ve ry si x months
, ,

or onc e a y e ar i f you l i v e at a di stanc e If h e wh o

m
.

d e e e t h h i ms e l f a S i kh b e hol d not Am ri tsar wh y ,

di d h e tak e b i rth i n t h e worl d ? U np rot a b l e was

h i s adv e nt and h e shal l aft e rwards re gr e t h i s n e gl i
,

g e nc e .

Th e Guru k e pt f t y t wo bards p e rman e nt l y i n

m
-

h i s e mp l oy and oth e rs occas i onall y vi s i t e d h i .

Th e y wrot e on al l t h e n i n e subj e cts wh i ch i n t h e

op i n i on of O ri e ntal s are su i tab l e th e m e s for po e t ry 1

but t h e composi t i on ofe u l ogi e s on t h e Guru occ u

p i e d most ofth e ir att e nt i on T h e Guru onc e had .

t h e cu ri os i ty to w e i gh th e i r composi t i ons Th e y .

amount e d to about two and a hal f hundre dw e i ght .

T h e Guru i ncl ud e d th e m i n a comp il at i on wh i ch

h e cal l e d Vi dy a dh a r H e so v al u e d t h e book that
h e e v e r k e pt i t by h i e v e n wh e n h e w e nt i nto m
.

battl e but i t was l ost i n one ofh i s e ngag e m e nts .

Som e of t h e bards composi t i ons are p re s e rv e d i n

th e S u ra j P a rk a sh wh e r e th e y may b e p e rus e d by
,

t h e cu ri ous

1
i
T he n ne s u bj e cts are l ove mi th p ity nge r h e ro i smte rro r
m
, r , ,
a , , ,

h ate , wonde r, a nd c onte nt e nt .

S I KH . V
1 62 THE S I K H RELI GI ON

C H AP T E R XX
Owi ng to t h e re p e at e d re p re s e ntat i ons oft h e h i l l
ch i e fs t h e Emp e ro r s e nt a l arg e army und e r Sai yad
,

Khan to re duc e t h e Gu ru to submi ssi on Th e Gu ru .

r e c e i v e d i nt e l l i g e nc e that t h e i mp e ri al army had

arri v e d i n Than e sar and woul d soon re ach Anandpu r
,
.

On h e ari ng th i s h e must e re d h i s troops and found ,

th e y w e r e on l y v e hundre d st rong Th e re st of .

h i s army had di sp e rs e d t o th e i r hom e s Noth i ng .

now re mai n e d f or t h e Gu ru but to mak e t h e b e st

d e fe nc e h e cou l d wi th h i s p re s e nt fo rc e In a f ew .

days Sai yad Khan s t roops app e are d i n s i ght si ng ing

a war hymn to sti mu l at e th e i r sp i ri ts .

Mai mun Khan a fai thfu l Musal man wh o had

,

attach e d h i ms e l f to t h e Gu ru sai d that h e was

m
,

i nd e bt e d to h i for many favou rs and ask e d p e r

m
,

m i ssi on to S how h i s prow e ss T h e Gu ru gav e h i

m
.

a bow and tol d h i h e wou l d do w e l l to k i l l e ve n

,

h i s own co re l i g i on i sts on account ofth e i r m i sd e e ds

-
.

Th e brav e and fai thfu l Sai yad Be g al so c a m e

fo rward t o cont i nu e h i s s e rvi c e s to t h e Gu ru
m
,

Both M u sal a ns w e nt l i k e t i g e rs i nto t h e battl e ,

and w e re fol l ow e d by t h e S i khs T h e l a tt e r

.

r e p re s e nt e d to t h e Gu ru that i t was fut i l e to con

t e nd wi th such a l arg e army as had now app e are d .

T h e Gu ru i n re pl y e ncou rag e d th e m and th e y ,

advanc e d bo l dl y agai nst t h e e n e my T h e e arl y part .

of t h e batt l e was s i gnal i z e d by a e rc e s i ngl e hande d -

combat b e tw e e n a h il l ch i e f a nd Sai yad Be g Aft e r .

th e y had re p e at e dl y m i ss e d e a ch oth e r Sai y a d Be g ,

at l a st st ruck of ft h e h i l l ch ie f s h e ad On s e e i ng th i s

.

D i n Be goft h e i mp e ri al army rush e d at Sai yad Be g ,

f or whom h e ch e ri sh e d a doub l e hat re d as t h e s l ay e r

of t h e h i l l ch i e f and as a d e s e rt e r from h i s sov e re i gn

m
, ,

and mo rtal l y wounde d h i .Sai yad Be g di e d

p rai si ng t h e Gu ru Th e n e nsu e d a g e n e ral e ngag e
.

m e nt ofboth arm i e s T h e S i khs p e rform e d p ro

.
 LI FE O F GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 63

digie s fv a l ou r and t h e M u sal m

o ,
a ns a re Sa i d to
have fal l e n t o t h e e a rth l i k e m i nare ts toppl i ng from
th e i r h e ights Mai mun Khan charg e d on ho rs e back
.

i n e v e ry d i re ct i on an d comm i tt e d g re at havoc among

t h e i mp e ri a l t roops .

An un e xp e ct e d c i rcumstanc e now occu rre d Sai yad .

Khan t h e g e n e ral of t h e i mp e ri al t roops had l ong

, ,

b e e n a s e c re t fri e nd oft h e Gu ru and wh e n h e h e ar d

that an e xp e di t i on was t o b e s e nt agai nst h i mcon
,

t ri v e d to b e put i n command ofi t so that h e m i ght ,

at l ast b e abl e to b e ho l d t h e g re at p ri e st of t h e
S i khs and do h i msi gnal s e rvi c e T h e Gu ru kn e w
,
.

what was pass i ng i n Sai yad Khan s m i nd and

advanc e d ost e ns i b l y to chal l e ng e h i m saying

,

If
thou attack m
, ,

e not I wi l l no t attack th e e Sai yad

.
,

Khan on obtai n i ng t h e wi sh ofh i s h e art to b e ho l d

t h e Gu ru sai d that h e wa s t h e Gu ru s s e rvant and

sl av e and that h e wou l d n e v e r ght agai nst h i m

,

.
,

T h e Gu ru re p l i e d I am a poo r man I t i s on l y
ri ch m
, .

e n wh o hav e s l av e s T o conqu e r i n wa r i s
.

e v e r h e l d honou rab l e

.

S ai yad Khan di smount e d and f e l l at t h e Gu ru s

fe e t T h e Guru confe rre d on h i mt h e t ru e N am e

.

and t h e sup re m e re ward ofsal vat i on Sai yad Khan .

,

how e v e r di d not acti v e l y assi st t h e S i khs but tu rn e d

, ,

as i d e from t h e battl e as h e was unab l e to re st rai n

h i s t roops or di v e rt th e i r e n e rg i e s to t h e Gu ru s

ass i stanc e Th e y made a e rc e ons l aught on t h e

.

Gu ru s sol di e rs wh o b e gan to re ti re ov e rpow e re d

, ,

as th e y w e re by a mu l t i tudi nous host But at .

a c ri t i cal mom e nt t h e S i kh wa r c ry wa s rai s e d -

,

upon wh i ch t h e S i khs ral l i e d and p re s e nt e d a bol d

front to t h e e n e my Aft e r Saiyad Khan s de fe ct i on
.

from t h e i mp e ri al caus e Ramzan Khan took com ,

mand and fought w i th g re at b rav e ry agai nst t h e

S i khs T h e Gu ru s e e ing th i s l e t y an a rrow at h i m
.

wh i ch ki l l e d h i s ho rs e .

T h e Guru on c l os e l y obs e rvi ng t h e combat sa w

that th e re wa s no chanc e ofr e tri e vi ng h i s pos i t i on ,

M 2
1 64 THE S I KH RE L I GI ON
h e de c i de d to e vacuat e Anandpu r Th e M u h a m
m
so .

a d a ns th e n captu re d t h e c i ty and pl unde r e d t h e

Guru s p rop e rty On obtai n i ng th i s booty th e y

.

proc e e de d i n t h e di re ct i on ofS arh ind Som e S i khs .

no t y e t sat i s e d w i th warfa re ask e d t h e Guru s p e r

m i ssi on to pu rsu e th e m T h e Gu ru r e p l i e d that as

m
.

h i s S i khs w e r e subs e rvi e nt to h i so was h e sub ,

s e rv i e nt to God H e re p e at e d on t h e oc c a si onJ h e
.

th i rd sl ok oft h e Asa k i War By th i s h e m e ant .

that i t was God s wi l l that h e shoul d b e de f e at e d

,

and as al l cr e at i on fe are d God so d i d h e h i ms e l f at ,

a l l time s .

T h e S i khs f e e l i ng th e i r d e fe at agai n pr e ss e d th e i r ,

re qu e st Th e Guru at l ast yi e l d e d and al l ow e d

.
,

th e m to pu rsu e th e i r e n e m i e s Th e l att e r w e re u n .

pr e par e d for attack and fe l l i nto gre at confusi on on

m
,

ndi ng th e ms e l v e s pu rsu e d by t h e v e ry e n Whom

th e y al re ady thought th e y had vanqu i sh e d T h e .

Tu rks wh o tu rn e d to oppos e t h e S i khs w e re kil l e d ,

and on l y thos e wh o took to i ght e scap e d t h e v e n

g e a n c e o f t h e Guru s p u r su i ng a r my
In ad d i t i on .

t o k il l i ng and di sp e rs i ng t h e Muhammadans t h e ,

S i khs de p ri v e d th e m of a l l t h e booty th e y had

captu re d at Anandpu r T h e r e mnant oft h e M u h a . m
madan army nal l y made th e i r way t o S arh i nd .

On th i s t h e Guru r e tu rn e d and took poss e ssi on of

Anandpu r .

T h e Emp e ror cal l e d on h i s fugi t i v e t roops t o

account f or th e i r cowardi c e Th e y pl e ade d that .

th e y had b e e n wayl ai d by t h e S i khs and tak e n at

an unfai r advantag e Th i s e xcus e s e e ms to hav e .

b e e n acc e pt e d f or t h e,
Emp e ro r th e n tu rn e d t h e
conve rsat i on i n anoth e r di re cti on and ask e d what ,

so r t ofp e rson t h e Guru wa s and what fo rc e s h e ,

poss e ss e d A Muhammadan sol di e r gav e h i gh l y

.

col ou re d accounts oft h e Gu ru s b e auty sanct i ty

, ,

and p row e ss H e was h e s ai d a young handsom e

.
, ,

man a l i vi ng sai nt t h e fath e r of h i s p e opl e and i n

m
, , ,

wa r e qual to one hundre d thousand en .

 LI F E OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 65

T h e Emp e ro r wa s much di sp l e as e d on h e a ri ng
th i s pan e gyri c oft h e Gu ru and o rde re d that t h e
,

pan e gy ri st shoul d b e e xcommun i cat e d T h e Cou rt .

qaz i advi s e d that t h e Guru shoul d b e b rought t o

t h e Emp e ro r s p re s e nc e by som e stratag e m Accord
m
.

i ng l y t h e Emp e ro r s e nt h i t h e fo l l owi ng m e ssag e .

Th e re i s on l y one Emp e ro r Thy re li gi on and m i n e

m
.

a re t h e sam e . Com e to se e e by a l l m e ans oth e r ,

wi s e I shall b e ang ry and go t o th e e If thou com e

m
.
,

thou shal t b e t re at e d as ho l y e n are t re at e d by

monarchs I hav e obtai n e d th i s sov e r e i gnty from
.

God Be we l l advi s e d and thwar t not my wi sh e s

.
, .

T o th i s t h e Gu ru re p l i e d My broth e r t h e Sov e
m
, ,

re i gn wh o hath mad e th e e e mp e ro r hath s e nt e

i nto t h e wo rl d t o do j ust i c e H e hath comm i ss i on e d

.

th e e al so t o do j ust i c e but thou hast fo rgott e n H i s

,

mandat e and p rac t i se st hypoc ri sy Wh e re for e how

.

can I b e on good t e rms wi th th e e who p u rsu e st t h e

H i ndus wi th bl i nd hat re d ? Thou re cogni z e st not
that t h e p e op l e b e l ong to God and not to t h e e mp e ro r
and y e t thou s e e k e st to d e st roy th e i r re l i gi on .

Wh e n di spatch i ng t hi s re p l y to t h e e mp e ro r t h e
Gu ru confe rre d a rob e ofhonou r on h i s e nvoy .

T h e S i khs of t h e Mal wa and Manj ha d i st ri cts

now th rong e d t o t h e Gu ru i n g re at numb e rs and ,

b e gan to study t h e sc i e nc e ofwa r unde r h i s tut e l ag e .

Raj a Aj m e r Ch a nd was di st re ss e d on s e e ing t h e

powe r and gl o ry of t h e S i khs dail y i nc re as e and
m
,

p re vail e d on t h e oth e r h il l ch ie fs to j o i n h i in
anoth e r m i ss i on to t h e Emp e ro r to mak e fu rth e r
compl ai nts agai nst t h e Gu ru Th e Emp e ro r was at
.

that t i m e i n t h e south ofIndi a and th i th e r t h e

,

raj a p roc e e d e d i n p e rson to l a y t h e p e t i t i on o ft h e

m
al l i e d ch i e fs b e fo re h i I t d e sc ri b e d t h e f
. ou n d a

t ion ofAnandpu r by Gu ru T e g Bahadu r whom t h e ,

Emp e ro r had e x e cut e d a n d t h e mart i al and t roub l e

,

som e p rocl i vi t i e s ofh i s son t h e p re s e nt Gu ru Gob i nd

S ingh . I t th e n p roc e e de d t o gi v e t h e raj as own

ve rsi on ofth e Gu ru s p roc e e dings and h ow h e had

,
1 66 THE SIKH RE L I GION
ask e d th e m to e mb rac e h i s ne w re l i gi on and j o i n
th e m i n wag i ng war ag a i nst t h e Emp e ro r .

Au rangz e b f e ari ng that t h e Gu ru woul d b e com e

t o o pow e rful and al so di sp l e as e d at t h e stat e of
,

un re st that p re vai l e d i n t h e Panj ab o rde re d al l ,

avail ab l e t roops und e r t h e vi c e roys ofD ib l i S a rh i nd , ,

a n d Laho re to b e di spatch e d agai nst t h e Gu ru .

T h e h il l ch i e fs wh o comp l ai n e d shou l d al so ass i st i n

re p re ss i ng t h e common e n e my At t h e conchi si oh.

o ft h e c a mpai gn t h e Gu ru wa s to b e captu re d and

b rought b efo re t h e Emp e ro r I t wou l d app e ar from .

an i nt e rv i e w wh i ch Raj a Aj m e r Chand subs e qu e ntl y

had w i th t h e D ih l i vi c e roy that t h e l att e r i n v i e w
, ,

o ft h e saf e ty of t h e cap i tal oft h e e mp i r e wa s not ,

at t h e t i m e i n a posi t i on to di spatch any t roops

agai nst t h e S i khs .

T h e Gu ru wa s i nform e d by a fai thfu l S i kh oft h e

r e sul t of Raj a Aj m e r Chaud s m i ssi on to t h e Emp e ror

.

H e har angu e d h i s troops on t h e duty o fre l i gi ous

warfare agai nst t h e Muhammadans and on th i s ,

subj e ct h e had much to say From t h e t i m e of .

t h e p e rs e cut i on of Gu r u A rj an up to t h e p re s e nt
t h e e mp e ro rs had b e e n op e n or cov e r t fo e s oft h e
Gurus and th e i r S i khs T h e Gu ru af . rm e d that
d e ath on t h e batt l e e l d was e qual to t h e fru i t of
-

many y e ars d e vot i on and e nsu re d honour and gl o ry
,

i n t h e n e xt wo rl d .

Th e t i m e f or t h e D i wal i fai r was now approach i ng .

S i khs cam e i n l arg e numb e rs to m a k e o f fe ri ngs .

T h e Gu ru i ssu e d o r d e rs to abs e nt S i khs to com e

w i th th e ir a rms and assi st h i m
T h e Gu ru s o r d e rs
.

w e re g e n e ral l y ob e y e d and warl i k e p re par at i ons

,

b e gan at Anandpu r .

T h e h i l l ch i e fs wh o a rr ay e d th e ms e l v e s agai nst
th e Gu ru w e re Aj m e r Chand o fB il aspu r Gh u a n d ,
m
Ch a nd of Kangra Bir S i ngh ofJ aspal a n d t h e Raj as
, ,

of Ku l l u K i onth al Mandi J ammu Nu rpu r Ch a mba

, , , , , ,

Gul e r S ri nagar Bijh arwa l Darau l i and D a d h wa l

, , , ,
.

Th e y w e re j o i n e d by t h e R a ngh ars and t h e Guj ars ,

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 67

and a l l fo rm e d a l arg e and fo rm i dabl e host T h e .

i mp e ri al a rmy how e v e r amount e d to doub l e th e i r

, ,

numb e r Waz i r Khan wh o had b e e n put i n sup re m e

.
,

command by t h e Emp e ro r must e re d h i s t roops at ,

S a rh i nd f or pa rad e and i nsp e ct i on .

Som e fai thfu l S i khs e v e r k e pt t h e Guru i nfo rm e d

of t h e mov e m e nts of h is e n e mie s H e r e ad i n darba r
.

t h e l ast l e tt e r ofi nfo rmat i o n h e had re c e i v e d and ,

vow e d to d e stroy h i s e n e m i e s and put an e nd t o

t h e sov e re i gnty oft h e Mughal s T h e S i khs w e re .

d e l ight e d at t h e p rosp e ct ofbatt l e and c ongra t u ,

l a t e d th e ms e l v e s on th e i r good fo rtun e i n b e i ng
al l ow e d to d i e f or th e i r Gu ru and th e i r fai th S e v e ral .

of th e m put on sa f fron co l our e d cl oth e s i n tok e n of

-

re j o i c i ng a n d sai d
,
W e hav e on l y four days to l i v e
,

i n th i s wo rl d W h y shou l d we not e nd e avou r to

.

obtai n t h e e xal t e d dign i ty of martyrdom wh i ch w il l

e nsu re sa l vat i on

Ev e ry vari e ty ofwarl i k e w e apon was s e rv e d ou t

t o t h e Gu ru s fo l l ow e rs and no one was l e ft un a rm e d

.
,

T h e Gu ru took t h e p re caut i on ofl ayi ng i n supp l i e s

f or t h e mai nt e nanc e oft h e garri son i n t h e e v e nt of

a s i e g e H e addre ss e d h is t roops
. Cons i de r t h e ,

h il l ch ie fs as w e l l as t h e Muhammadans y ou r
e ne mie s Fi ght b rave l y and th e y shal l a l l
.
, ee
T h e Guru th e n re p e at e d t h e fo ll owi ng

away .

quatrai n of h i s own compos i t i on

e i n th i s wo rl d wh o re p e a t e th God s n a m
B l e st i s h is l if
e

wi th h is m o u th a nd m e d i t a t e t h wa r i n h i s h e a rt

ma n
.

T h e body i s e e t i n g a nd sh a l l not a b i d e f or e v e r ;

em b ark i ngi n t h e sh i p off am e sh a l l cross t h e o c e a n oft h e

wo rl d .

M ak e th i s body a ho u s e ofre s ign a t i on l ight th in e u nd e r

st a ndi n ga s a l a m p
T a k e t h e b roo mofd ivi n e kno wl e dge i nto t hy h and a nd
swe e p a wa y t h e l th oft i m
,

id it y .

Th ech ron i c l e r j udi c iousl y r e marks that t h e Khal sa

ought to b e cong ratu l at e d b e caus e though f e w in ,
1 68 THE S I KH RE L I GI ON
numb e r th e y had conde nc e i n th e ms e l v e s to ght
,

for th e i r re l i g i on and d e l ight e d by ant i c ipat i on i n

,

t h e app roach i ng con i ct .

C HAP T E R XXI

Waz ir Khan s troops advanc e d from S arh i nd l i k e
a su rgi ng se a D rums sounde d and bann e rs
. e w at

t h e h e ad ofe v e ry re gi m e nt In si m i l ar form i dab l e

.

arr ay cam e t h e t roops ofZ abardast Khan t h e vi c e ,

r oy o f Laho re T h e two vi c e roys j o i n e d th e i r fo rc e s

m
.

at Ropar Th e r e th e y w e re
. e t by t h e troops of

t h e al l i e d H i ndu r aj as and a l l p roc e e d e d agai nst

,

t h e Gu ru to Anandpur .

T h e Gu ru on s e e i ng t h e e n e my approach i n a body
o r de r e d h i s art il l e rym e n to l i ght th e i r fus e s and
di scharg e th e ir cannon i nto t h e host il e army wh e re
th i ck e st Wh e n re was op e n e d t h e e n e my m a de
.
,

a charg e to s e i z e t h e art i l l e ry but we re qu i ck l y ,

re st r a i n e d by t h e fatal accu racy wi th wh i ch t h e

m
Gu ru s e n s e rv e d th e ir guns M e anwh il e t h e S i kh .

caval ry advanc e d and di scharg e d th e i r musk e ts at

cl os e quart e rs Th e y w e re w e l l suppo rt e d by t h e
.

i nfant ry wh o mann e d t h e e mb r asu re s T h e al l i e d .

army had no prot e cti on and cons e qu e ntl y fe l l i n ,

h e aps b e fore t h e c i ty .

T h e batt l e cont i nu e d wi th t e rr i c v i ol e nc e Th e .

sun was obscur e d by t h e smok e from t h e Gu ru s

garri son guns H e ro e s w e r e a l l stai n e d wi th b l ood

.
,

and c ri e s of St ri k e st ri k e ! ,
K i l l k il l ! e v e ry ,

wh e re re sounde d Ri d e rs l ost cont rol ov e r th e ir

ho rs e s wh i ch
.

,
e d i n e v e ry di re ct i on and t h e batt l e ,

e l d p re s e nt e d a t rul y ghastl y sp e ctacl e .

T h e Gu ru s e nt for h i s two b rav e g e n e ral s U d e S i ngh ,

and D aya S i ngh e ncou rag e d th e m and gav e th e m

, ,

re n e w e d o r d e r s T h e two ch i e fs cou rag e ous l y a d

.

v a nce d wi th th e i r troops and cut down t h e e n e my

as re a p e rs a co rn e l d Dust e w i nto t h e
. e ye s
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND S INGH 1 69

of th e i r oppon e nts and r e nde re d th e m powe rl e ss f

, or
act i on Th e y had no pow e r to wi thstand t h e fo rc e s
.

now r ang e d on t h e Gu ru s s i de and cons e qu e ntl y

fe ll i n l arg e numb e rs .

T h e two vi c e roys w e re aston i sh e d at t h e u n

wont e d de st ruct i on ofth e i r arm i e s Th e y r al l i e d
m
.

th e ir e n but agai n t h e sam e e vi l fat e att e nde d

,

th e m At l ast i t was re sol v e d to sto rm t h e fo rt re ss

. .

T h e Muhammadan t roops w e re to l d that t h e Gu ru

was onl y a f a q i r that h e had no powe r to offe r l ong
,

re s i stanc e and must soon capi tul at e T h e carnag e

,
.

b e gan an e w M a ny brav e Muhammadans w e re d is

.

p a tch e d to we d t h e soul de l i ght ing nymphs of -

paradi s e T h e cont e st cont i nu e d w i th t h e g re at e st

.

obsti nacy a n d ho rs e and foot f

,
or t h e spac e of thr e e

hou rs we re m i ngl e d i n i ndi sc ri m i nat e sl aught e r .

Th e Muhammadans hazarde d di f fe r e nt op i n i ons as

to t h e caus e oft h e succ e ss ofth e i r e n e m i e s Som e .

sai d that t h e Gu ru was a m iracl e wo rk e r and that -

,

sup e rnatu ral fo rc e s fought on h i s si de Oth e rs .

mai ntai n e d that t h e Gu ru s succ e ss was owi ng

m
to t h e fact that h i s e n w e r e p rot e ct e d b e h i nd
th e i r ramparts Wh il e such conv e rsat i on was b e i ng
.

h e l d t h e vi c e roys ask e d t h e h il l ch i e fs t o show th e m

,

how th e y w e re to obtai n v i cto ry If t h e sam e i l l .

succ e ss att e nde d th e m to t h e e nd t h e S i khs woul d ,

n e ve r al l ow th e m to e scap e .

T h e h ill ch i e fs sugg e st e d that th e y shou l d th e n

c e as e ght ing and n e xt day b ring cannon to batt e r
,

do wn t h e fo rt I t i s t ru e t h e h ill ch i e fs sai d
.
,

t h e Gu ru s a rmy i s a l ow rabb l e but v e ry b rav e

.
,

On a must e r b e ing tak e n i t wa s found that n i n e

,

hundr e d oft h e Muhammadan t roops l ay de ad on t h e

e l d of battl e aft e r t h e rst day s e ngag e m e nt .

N e xt day t h e Gu ru mount e d h i s charg e r and put ,

h i ms e l f at t h e h e ad ofh i s t roops Th e v i c e roys .

obs e rv e d a warri o r mount e d on a sab l e st e e d wi th

a gol d e mb ro i de re d saddl e H e ca rrie d a bow.

paint e d g re e n and h i s c re st se t wi th j e we l s gl i tt e re d
,
1 7 9 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
on h i s tu rban Th e y i nqu i r e d of Raj a Aj m e r Chand
.

who i t was and h e answe re d that i t wa s t h e Gu ru

m
, .

Ev e ry e f fo r t was now made to de st roy h i but t h e ,

rst re of t h e e n e my was ai m e d t oo h igh and took

no e f fe ct T h e Muhammadan gunn e rs w e re th e n
.

o r de re d to re l ow and p rom i s e d l arg e re war ds i f

,

th e y k il l e d t h e Gu ru Th e y w e re e qual l y unsucc e ss
.

fu l wh e n th e y re d l ow Th e al l i e d a rm i e s nd
.

i ng
th e ir guns us e l e ss re sol v e d to charg e t h e Gu ru an d
h i s S i khs T h e Gu r u s e e i ng th i s b e gan to di scharg e
.

h i s a rrows wi th ma rv e l l ous e f fe ct T h e fe arful .

carnag e of t h e p re c e di ng day was agai n re n e w e d

m m
.

Ho rs e s fe l l on ho rs e s a n d e n on e n T h e H i ndus .

and t h e Muh a mmadans e nt e re d on mutual re cri m i n a

t i ons e ach s e ct bl a m i ng t h e oth e r f
,
or i t s i l l succ e ss
-
.

Upon th i s th e y comb i n e d and made a fu rth e r e f fo rt

to conqu e r but w e re so v i gorousl y and succ e ssfu l l y
,

r e pu l s e d that th e y w e re obl i g e d to susp e nd h osti l i

,

tie s f or that day al so .

T h e v i c e roys and t h e h il l ch i e fs took couns e l at

n ight and re sol v e d on t h e mo rrow to e ncompass t h e
c i ty and cut O f
,
fa l l e xt e rnal suppl i e s so that t h e ,

Gu ru and h i s t roops m i ght b e starv e d i nto sub

m i ss i on Wh il e th e y w e re thus di scussi ng th e y
.
,

appr e h e nde d a n i ght attack from t h e S i khs and ,

acco r dingl y k e pt vi g il .

N e xt mo rn i ng a watch b e fo re day t h e Gu ru and

h i s S i khs w e re found at th e i r d e vot i ons W he n .

di v i n e s e rvi c e wa s n i sh e d t h e Gu ru o rde re d h i s
m
,

e n to re mai n b e h i nd th e i r e mb r asu re s a n d ba rri

c a d e s and not b e t e mpt e d to advanc e or com e t o

,

c l os e quart e rs wi th t h e e n e my M e anti m e t h e .

Muh a mmadans and H i ndus cont e nt e d th e ms e l ve s

wi th watch i ng t h e c i ty gat e s and h i nd e ring al l i ngre ss
o r e gr e ss At t h e sam e t i m e th e y re mai n e d at a
.

safe di stanc e from t h e m i ssil e s oft h e S i khs .

T h e al l i e d fo rc e s mad e anoth e r assau l t on Anand

Th y sp i d t h Gu u at a d i stanc a n d agai n
p u r . e e e e r e

o rde re d th e ir artil l e rym e n to di re ct th e i r cannon

 L I FE OF GURU GOBI ND SI NGH 1 7 1

towa rds h i m
T h e S i khs w e re much di sconc e rt e d
.

by t h e e n e my s re and re qu e st e d t h e Gu ru to

,

tak e up a l e ss e xpos e d posi t i on T h e Gu ru re pl i e d .

that h e wo re t h e armou r oft h e i mmortal God and

m
,

cons e qu e ntl y no w e apon cou l d harm h i Go d wa s .

h i s p rot e cto r and had st re tch e d fo rth H i s hand to

m
sav e h i from al l assaul ts ofh i s e n e m i e s .

Wh il e t h e Gu ru wa s thus sp e ak i ng cannon bal l s ,

from t h e e n e my hu rtl e d i n t h e a i r Th e y w e re agai n .

ai m e d h igh and m i ss e d t h e S i khs Wh e n t h e .

a rt il l e rym e n w e re o rde re d t o l owe r t h e muzzl e s of

th e i r guns th e ir re fe l l sho rt oft h e S i khs and
, ,

st ruck t h e bas e of t h e e m i n e nc e on wh i ch t h e c i ty
stood Th e al l i e d arm i e s di scharg e d th e ir cannon
.

hun d r e ds of t i m e s but wh e th e r th e y re d h i gh or
, ,

l ow th e i r m i ss il e s fa il e d to hav e t h e d e s i r e d e f
,
fe ct .

Thus t h e day pass e d unt il n i ght t e rm i nat e d t h e

con i ct .

On t h e mo rrow sk i rm i sh e s w e re re n e w e d on both
s i d e s and t h e S i khs i n i ct e d s e v e re chast i s e m e nt on
,

t h e e n e my T h e Gu ru cal l e d h i s son Aj i t S i ngh

m
.
,

and to l d h i to ho l d that part oft h e c i ty cal l e d

K e sgarh and not v e ntu re fo rth H e gav e h i . m
fu rth e r o rde rs to k il l any one wh o app roach e d t o ,

re mai n on t h e al e r t at n i ght and to k e e p h is guns

,

l oade d Th e Gu ru di re ct e d N ahar S i ngh and Sh e r

.

S ingh to ho l d t h e fo rt cal l e d Lohgarh F or th i s

m
.

pu rpos e v e hun dr e d e n w e re p l ac e d at th e i r di s
posal Al i m S i ngh wi th anoth e r d e tachm e nt of v e
m
.

hundr e d en was o rd e re d to ho l d t h e fo rt of
Aga p u rm 1
U d e S i ngh al so re c e i v e d command of
m
.

v e hun dr e d e n to d e f e nd anoth e r part o f t h e

c i ty Daya S ingh was o rde re d to guar d t h e no rth e rn
.

rampa rts .

T h e Muhammadans and t h e h i l l ch i e fs had now

compl e t e l y i nv e st e d t h e c i ty and t h e Gu ru s suppl ie s
,

we re fai l ing Th e e n e my not i c e d that t h e S i khs on

.

1
Th i s was a f o rti cati on withi n Anandp u r and not th e to wn so ,

c all e d wh i ch i s at a d i stan ce .
1 7 2 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
guard w e nt twi c e a day from th e i r e mbrasu re s to
p ray and do homag e to th e ir Gu ru T h e Gu ru i n .

tu rn k e pt an e y e on t h e p roc e e dings oft h e al l i e d

a rm i e s . One day h e saw t h e g e n e ral s p l ay
i ng Indi an d raughts Raj a Aj m e r Chand and
.

oth e rs w e re watch i ng t h e gam e T h e Guru tak i ng .

up h i s bow di scharg e d an arrow i nto th e i r m i dst ,

but wi thout st ri k i ng any one Th e y e xami n e d t h e .

arrow and kn e w by i t s go l de n po i nt that i t had

b e e n di scharg e d by t h e Guru Th e y admi tt e d that .

onl y a m i racl e coul d hav e s e nt i t such a di stanc e .

T h e Gu r u kn e w by h i s occu l t pow e r what th e y w e re

sayi ng an d wrot e th e m t h e fol l owi ng l e tt e r
,
O .

Vi c e roy that was not a m i r acl e

,
M i r acl e i s a nam e .

f or t h e wrath of God I wa s m e re l y p ract i si ng

m
.

arch e ry Th e brav e
. e n wh o hav e obtai n e d sk i l l

i n i t conc e al not th e i r accomp l i shm e nts

,
Ev e ry .

th i ng i s i n God s hands wh e th e r H e de si re th to

,

mak e what i s di f cu l t e asy or What i s e asy di f cul t

.
,

Th e Guru attach e d th i s l e tt e r to an arrow and th e n ,

di scharg e d i t I t l odg e d i n a b r anch ofa t re e und e r

.

wh i ch t h e al l i e d g e n e ral s w e re s e at e d On p e rusi n g .

t h e Gu ru s l e tt e r th e y w e re aston i sh e d that h e cou l d

m
hav e di vi n e d What th e y w e re sayi ng ; and i t i s
sai d that th e y ad i tt e d h i s sup e rnatu ral pow e r and
p ray e d to h e av e n to p re s e rv e th e m from h i s too
un e rri ng shafts an d h i s unsu rpass e d knowl e dg e of
,

warfare .

On one occasi on i t was obs e rv e d th a t t h e e n e my

had com e v e ry cl os e to t h e c i ty and f a r away f rom

th e i r d e fe nc e s Sh e r S i ngh acco r di ngl y sugg e st e d

.

t o Nahar S i ngh that i t wou l d b e e xp e di e nt t o mak e

a n i ght attack and thus tak e th e m unaw a re s wh e n
,

th e y shoul d of n e c e ss i ty b e com e an e asy p re y .

If t h e S i khs wai t e d unt il mo rn i ng t h e e n e my ,

wou l d b e f ar away and i t woul d b e i mpossibl e to

,

re ach th e m T h e n i ght was dar k and favou re d t h e

.

e nt e rp ri s e N ahar S i ngh d i d not at rst app rove of

.

t h e sugg e st i on but subs e qu e nt l y a l t e r e d h i s m i nd

,
.
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 73

Th e S i kh t roops w e re awak e n e d at d e ad of n i ght ,

and a rms s e rv e d out to th e m Hav i ng p e r fo rm e d .

th e i r ab l ut i ons th e y sal l i e d fo rth two hou rs b e fo re

,

dayb re ak Sh e r S i ngh command e d th e m to mak e

.

but one charg e and th e n re tu rn Th e y d i d gr e at .

havoc among t h e Muhammadans k ill i ng th e m i n ,

numb e rs and succ e e de d i n re turn i ng to Anandpu r

,

by dayb re ak Th e e n e my on b e ing arous e d cou l d

.

not se e wh e nc e d e st ruct i on had ov e rtak e n th e m ,

and b e gan to turn th e i r arms agai nst one anoth e r .

F a th e r attack e d son and son attack e d fath e r and

, ,

wi th mutual r e p roach e s th e re re sul t e d i nt e rn e ci n e

sl aught e r .

T h e Muhammadan g e n e r al s w e re gr e at l y di s
t re ss e d on l e arn i ng what had occurre d Th e y b l am e d .

Aj m e r Chand f or t h e d i sast e r and ask e d h ow h e ,

coul d agai n S how h i s fac e to t h e Emp e ro r H e had .

tol d t h e Emp e ro r that t h e S i khs w e re v e ry f ew

m
,

and now wh e nc e had so many e n sprung fo rth on

a sudd e n ? T h e Muhammadan g e n e ral s thr e at e n e d
to l e av e Aj m e r Chand and h i s p e opl e to t h e m e rcy
oft h e S i khs but Aj m e r Chand and Bhup Chand
,

of fe re d th e m l arg e pr e s e nts and thus pr e vail e d on ,

th e m to re n e w t h e coni ct
, .

N e xt day t h e al l i e d fo rc e s advanc e d to tak e t h e

c i tade l by sto rm Th e S i khs on s e e i ng th i s put
.

th e ir t wo gr e at guns cal l e d Baghan (t i gr e ss ) and

B ij ai ghosh (sound of v i cto ry ) i n posi t i on Th e
m
-
.

guns w e re th e n charg e d t h e fus e s l ight e d and ai

, ,

tak e n at t h e e n e my wh e re most th i ck l y mass e d

tog e th e r T h e t e nts and standards oft h e M uh a m
m
.

a d ans w e re rst b l own away Th e ir two g e n e ral s

.

on s e e i ng th i s re t re at e d As t h e guns comm i tt e d
.

furth e r de st ruct i on both t h e Muhammadan and t h e

,

h il l armi e s took to ight That e v e n i n gt h e Gu ru

.

of fe re d t h a nk sgi y i ng b e at t h e dr um ofv i cto ry and

, ,

put h i s cannon i nto a p l ac e ofsh e l t e r .

T h e Gu ru was i nfo rm e d that a man cal l e d K a na i y a

us e d wi th absol ut e i mpart i al i ty to draw wat e r both
1 74 T HE SI K H RELI GI ON
f or h i s S i khs and t h e e n e my Th e Gu ru ask e d h i. m
i fi t wa s so and h e re pl i e d i n
,
t h e af rmat i v e H e .

quot e d t h e Gu ru s own i nst ruct i on that one shou l d

l ook on a l l m
e n w i th an e qual T h e Gu ru
m
e ye .

mus e d on h i s re p l y and di sm i ss e d h i ,
wi th t h e
comp l i m e nt that h e was a hol y man H i s fol l ow e rs .
,

cal l e d S e wap ant h i s fo rm an o rthodox and honou r

,

ab l e sub s e ct of S i khs W h o l i v e by hon e st l abou r

-

and acc e pt no al ms or o f fe ri ngs of any d e scrip

t i on T h e S e wap a nt h i s are al so cal l e d Ad ansh ah is
.

from Ad a nsh ah a ri ch bank e r wh o d e vot e d h i s

,

we a l th and h i s l e i su re to t h e p ropagat ion of th e i r

doct ri n e s .

Wh e n p rovi si ons w e re runn i ng sho rt t h e S i khs ,

made s e ve ral n i ght so rt i e s and took suppl i e s from

t h e e n e my s camp

On such occas i ons th e y w ere
.

oft e n attack e d but th e y g e n e rall y cont ri v e d to

,

r e tu rn wi th scant l oss Wh e n any one ofth e i r .

party was cut down th e y took h i s body and carr i e d

,

i t i nto Anandpu r In one ofth e s e so rt i e s a S i kh

m
.

fai nt e d T h e Muhammadans s e i z e d h i cut of fh i s

m
.
,

hair made h i e a t th e i r food and re p e at th e i r c re e d

m
, ,

and nal l y c ircumc i s e d h i Th e y th e n st rang e to

m
.
,

say al l ow e d h i t o e scap e probabl y b e caus e th e y

, ,

thought th e y had accompl i sh e d a su f c i e nt l y p i ous

wo rk i n forc i bl y conv e rt i ng h i m
H e i nfo rm e d t h e
m
.

Gu ru ofwhat h a d happ e n e d t o h i and p ray e d to ,

b e r e c e i v e d agai n i nto t h e S i kh fo l d T h e Gu ru .

i nqu i r e d i fh e had cohab i t e d w i th a Muh a mmadan

woman H e re pl i e d i n t h e n e gat i v e T h e Gu ru th e n
m
. .

o rde re d h i to p re pare sac re d food and di st ri but e i t

among t h e S i khs and h i s re conv e rs i on shou l d b e
,

comp l e t e T h e Gu ru e xp l ai n e d that a S i kh wh o
.

was fo rc i b l y conv e rt e d to Is l am was st il l a S i kh ,

but that a S i kh who b e cam e a Muhammadan from

mot i v e s ofs e nsual i ty S houl d fo rfe it h i s h a pp i n e ss
,

h e r e and h e re aft e r .

S e v e ral of t h e i nhab i tants now d e s e rt e d Anandpu r

on account oft h e d i i c ul t y ofmai ntai n i ng th e m
 LI FE O F GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 75

se l v e s P rov i s i ons b e cam e e xc e ss i v e l y d e a r a pound

.
,

of ou r s e l l ing f or a rup e e T h e Gu ru s t roops

.

howe v e r re mai n e d t o e ndu re hung e r and e v e ry fo rm

,

of hardsh ip Th e y had al re ady d e c i d e d to sac ri c e

m m
.

th e i r l i v e s f
or h i and th e y cou l d not l e av e h i
,

i n th i s e xt re m i ty Compl ai nts w e re mad e to h i s

.

moth e r by som e oft h e mal cont e nts but sh e on l y

m
,

v e ntu re d to sp e ak to h i wh e n h e r own p ri vat e

s e rvants re b e l l e d agai nst th e ir fat e S h e s a i d Thy .
,

S i khs wh o w e re for e most i n t h e ght a re now dyi ng

O f hung e r and t h e e n e my are at thy gat e s Each
,
.

ofthy so l di e rs hath now but a quart e r ofa pound

o fco rn da i l y How can e n ght on such a p i t

. m
tanc e ? Th e i r pat i e nc e i s e xhaust e d T h e Gu ru

mm
.

re p l i e d ,
Havi ng obtai n e d t h e o rd e r oft h e i

or

t a l God my obj e ct i s t o i ncr e as e and not di m i n i sh

,

t h e numb e rs of my r e l i g i on I t i s by e ndu ri ng
.

hung e r and h ardsh i ps my S i khs b e com e st rong and

b rav e .

One day th e re wa s an a l a rm that t h e h il l m e n

w e re advanci ng i n forc e T h e Gu ru hav i ng caus e d
.

h i s g re a t d rum to b e sound e d p roc e e de d to t h e spot

,

wh i th e r t h e assau l t was di re ct e d Bu l l e ts and .

arrows pou re d from both s i d e s and t h e S i khs b e i ng ,

now re duc e d i n numb e rs had to re t re at T h e Tu rks .

and h i l l m e n i n i ct e d g re at damag e on th e m as th e y
d i d so and took f rom th e m a l arg e quant i ty of
,

booty T h e S i khs st ruggl e d but th e i r e f

.
,
fo rts w e re
i n e ffe ctual agai nst ov e rpow e ri ng numb e rs U de
m
.

S ingh and oth e rs w e nt to t h e Gu ru and tol d h i ,

that t h e S i khs w e re d e fe at e d and th e i r p rop e rty

p l und e re d At th i s c ri t i cal mom e nt a l l h i s t roops
.

p ray e d to t h e Gu ru f or p rot e ct i on T h e Gu ru sai d .

th e y ought to f e e l no p l e asu re i n t h e poss e ssi on of

we al th wh i ch wa s not p e rman e nt and no so rrow ,

at i t s d e partur e .

Unti l now t h e b e l e a gu re d garri son had b e e n su p p h e d

wi th wat e r from a h il l st re am Th i s wa s di scov e re d .

by Raj a Aj m e r Chand and h e cut of ,

ft h e suppl y .
1 7 6 THE SI K H RE L I GI ON
Wh e n t h e Gu ru was i nfo rm e d ofth i s h e sai d t h e
m
,

S a t l u j woul d f
or t h e futu re supp l y h i wi th wat e r ,

and t h e e n e my shoul d gai n no advantag e from t h e

str e am th e y had d iv e rt e d Th e Guru p romi s e d that
.

wat e r shoul d com e I n t i m e and t h e nam e oft h e ,

str e am shoul d b e t h e H i mai t i Nal a or st re am of ,

assi stanc e .

C HAP T E R XXI I
As t h e si e g e wa s p rot ract e d t h e hardsh i ps oft h e
t roops and oft h e oth e r i nmat e s of Anandpu r pai n
ful l y i ncr e as e d Rat i ons w e re now r e duc e d to l e ss
.

than a quart e r ofa pound of co rn dail y and som e ,

t i m e s non e a t al l w e re s e rv e d out T h e S i khs .

occasi onall y mad e for agi ng e xp e di ti ons at n i ght and ,

fought hard for smal l booty Wh e n th i s was e x .

h a u st e d th e y g round t h e bark oftr e e s and conv e r t e d

,

i t i nto b re ad Th e y al so l i v e d on l e ave s and what

.

e v e r fru i t and ow e rs th e y cou l d co ll e ct I t is .

r e l at e d that notwi thstandi ng th e i r t e rri bl e suffe ri ngs

, ,

th e y n e ve r l ost h e art or r e l ax e d i n t h e de fe nc e of
th e i r c i ty .

T h e e n e my h e ard o ft h e S i khs fo rays and a p

po i nt e d s e v e ral scouts to watch th e i r op e rat i ons .

One n i ght as t h e S i khs sal l i e d fo rth th e y w e re

, ,

O bs e rv e d and i nfo rmat i on p rompt l y g i v e n to t h e

al l i e d army No act i on how e ve r was tak e n unt i l
.
, ,

t h e S i khs on th e i r r e turn app roach e d t h e c i ty

m
.

Th e y we re th e n attack e d by both H i ndus and M u h a

m a d a ns i n gr e at numb e rs T h e S i khs th re w down
.

th e i r bundl e s and de t e rm i n e d not to di e l i k e j ackal s .

As l ong as th e r e i s bre ath i n ou r bodi e s th e y ,

sai d l e t us wi e l d ou r swo rds and pl ac e ou rs e l ve s

,

b e yond t h e fe ar oftransm i grati on Al though th e y .

we re fai nt wi th hung e r y e t e ach of th e m k il l e d t wo or

,

th re e of t h e e n e my Fi nal l y ov e rpow e r e d by sup e ri or

.

numb e rs and unabl e to re c e i v e ass i stanc e from

,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBI ND S INGH 1 77

wi th i n th e c i ty , th e y al l p e ri sh e d ght ing to th e
l a st
.

T h e ra j as now fo rm e d a p l an to i nduc e t h e Guru

aga i n t o l e av e An a ndpu r Th e y p rom i s e d that i n .
,

t h e e v e nt o fh i s do i ng so th e ir a rm i e s wou l d wi th ,

draw and t h e Gu ru m i ght aft e rw a rds re tu rn Wh e n

,

e v e r h e p l e as e d T h e Gu ru h e e d e d not th i s p ro
.

posal I t was re p e at e d s e v e ral t i m e s but t h e Gu ru

.
,

st il l re fus e d to acc e pt i t T h e S i khs n e v e r h e ard.

o fth e s e ov e rtu re s unt i l one day i n darbar Raj a

Aj m e r Chau d s e nvoy p roduc e d h i s mast e r s l e tt e r

.

Raj a Aj m e r Chand stat e d that i t contai n e d no

de c e pt i on but was hon e st l y i nt e nde d It wou l d h e
, .
,

s a i d b e w e l l i ft h e Gu ru and h i s t roops e vacuat e d

,

t h e c i ty a s e a rl y as poss i b l e Th e y m i ght tak e a l l .

th e i r p rop e rty wi th th e m T h e S i khs wh o h e ar d .

th i s p roposal w e nt to t h e Gu ru s moth e r to u rg e

i t on h e r and sh e p rom i s e d to u se h e r i nu e nc e
m
,

wi th h i S h e sa i d
. My son th i s i s a p rop i t i ous
, ,

of fe r Tak e us wi th th e e and l e av e Anandpu r I am

m
. .

thy moth e r and I ask th e e t o ob e y e and s e e k

,

sh e l t e r e l s e wh e re Thus shal t thou r e sto re l i fe to

.

thy starvi ng S i khs My son ght i ng w e re p e rhaps

.
,

we l l i fwe had wh e re wi thal to mai ntai n ou rs e l v e s ;

but now we a re i nvol v e d i n pov e rty and hardsh i ps
of e v e ry d e sc ri pt i on If thou l e t t h e oppo rtun i ty
.

pass i t wi l l not re tu rn agai n T h e h il l m e n and t h e

,
.

Tu rks are p re pare d to sw e ar that th e y wi l l gr a nt

us s a fe conduct so i t i s w e l l that we shou l d de p art
,
.

Mo re ove r Khwaj a M a rd u d hath now arri v e d f rom

,

t h e Emp e ro r wi th a m e ssag e that h e h a th vow e d ,

to c a ptu re th e e or di e i n t h e e f fo rt Al l t h e ra j as .

a re o n h i s S i d e Wh e re fo re my son l e t us wi th
.
, ,

draw from Anandpu r Th e re i s noth i ng mo re .

p re c ious or d e are r th a n l i fe Th e Gu ru re p l i e d

.
,

Moth e r d e ar t h e h il l m e n a re i do l at e rs and fal s e

,
.

Th e i r i nt e l l e ct i s l i k e th a t oft h e ston e s th e y wo rsh i p .

Th e re i s no re l i anc e to b e p l ac e d on th e ir p rom i s e s .

T h e Tu rks are e qual l y e v i l Th e i r v e ry fal s e hood

.

S I KH .
1 7 8 THE SI K H RE L I GI ON
wi ll d e stroy th e m al l T h e Khal sa S hall e xt e nd
.

and wr e ak v e ng e anc e on i t s e n e mi e s T h e Gu ru .

was unab l e to convi nc e h i s moth e r or h i s S i khs of

t h e wi sdom oft h e cours e h e wa s fol l owi ng He .

th e n h i t on a p l an by wh i ch th e y shoul d b e c on
v i nc e d that t h e ov e rtur e s mad e to h i had b e e n m
t re ach e rousl y i nt e nde d .

T h e Guru s e nt f or Raj a Aj m e r Ch an d s Brahman

e nvoy and to l d h i
,
m
h e wou l d e vacuat e Anandpu r
i ft h e al l i e d arm i e s woul d rst al l ow t h e r e mova l o f
h i s p rop e rty H e ask e d for pack bu l l ocks f
. or t h e -

pu rpos e Th e s e wi th t h e n e c e ssary sacks w e re re adil y

m m
.

suppl i e d h i T h e H i ndus swor e on t h e sal a g

. ra

and t h e Muhammadans on t h e Q uran that th e y

m
,

wou l d not d e c e i v e h i or mol e st h i s s e rvants d e

part i ng wi th h i s prop e rty T h e Guru th e n o rde re d .

h i s t re asu re r to co l l e ct al l t h e ol d sho e s worn out ,

-

cl oth e s bon e s of de ad an i mal s brok e n ut e nsil s

, , ,

ho rs e dung and s i m il ar o f ,
fal that cou l d b e found
i n t h e Anandpur bazar and l oad t h e sacks th e re ,

wi th On e ach sack was to b e p l ac e d a p i e c e of

.

b rocad e to mak e i t app e ar that t h e cont e nts w e r e

val uabl e To t h e bul l ocks horns w e re attach e d
.

to rch e s so that t h e e xc e l l e nc e oft h e cl oth wi th

,

wh i ch t h e sacks we r e cov e re d and al so t h e de par ,

tu re oft h e bul l ocks m i ght not e scap e t h e obs e rvat i on

o ft h e e n e my I t was arrang e d that t h e bul l ocks
.

wi th th e i r l oads w e re to start i n t h e d e ad ofn i ght .

N atu ral l y t h e b ril l i ancy oft h e proc e ssi on di d not

,

e scap e t h e e n e my s not i c e and th e y re j o i c e d l i k e a

,

parch e d e l d on re c e i vi ng rai n S i x thousand ofth e m .

we re i n ambush to pl unde r t h e suppos e d p rop e r ty of

t h e Gu ru Th e S i khs on d i scov e ri ng th i s d i scharg e d
.

th e i r cannon a nd caus e d g re at d e struct i on among

t h e s e rri e d r anks of t h e H i ndus and Muhammadans .

T h e sacks w e re how e v e r a l l s e i z e d by t h e e n e my
, , ,

and care ful l y guarde d unt il mo rn i ng as i t was th e n ,

too l a t e to e xam i n e th e i r cont e nts I t was onl y on .

t h e morrow th e e n e my di scov e re d t h e Gu ru s st rata

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 79

gem and
, pai nfull y r e al i z e d t h e fact that th e y had
comm i tt e d p e rj u ry f or t h e sak e o ft h e sw e e p i ngs of

t h e Anandpu r mark e t p l ac e ! T h e Gu ru avail e d

-

h i ms e l f of t h e i nc i de nt t o de monst rat e h i s own fo re

thought a n d t h e t re ach e ry of t h e e n e my H e tol d .

h i s t roops that e v e ryth i ng th e y had e ndu re d had

b e e n by t h e wi l l ofGod and b e quot e d Gu ru N a nak ,

Happ i n e ss i s a di s e as e t h e re m e dy f or wh i ch i s
,

unhapp i n e ss .

At l ast cam e an autograph l e tt e r from t h e Emp e ro r

to t h e Gu ru I hav e swo rn on t h e Q u ran not to

harm th e e If I do may I not nd a p l ac e i n God s
m
.
,

cour t h e r e aft e r ! C e as e warfar e and com e to e .

If thou d e si re not t o com e h i th e r th e n go wh i th e r ,

so e ve r thou p l e as e st T h e Emp e ro r s e nvoy add e d

.

on h i s own account O Gu ru al l wh o go to t h e
, ,

Emp e ro r s cou rt p rai s e th e e On that account t h e .

Emp e ro r f e e l e t h c e r ta i n that an i nt e rv i e w w i th th e e
wi l l add to h i s happ i n e ss H e hath swo rn by .

Muhammad and cal l e d God to w i tn e ss that h e wi l l

not harm th e e Th e h il l r ajas h av e al so swo rn by
.

t h e cow and cal l e d th e i r i dol s t o wi tn e ss that th e y ,

wi l l all ow th e e safe conduct B e a r not i n m i nd any .

th ing that hath occu rre d Th e attack on th i n e ox e n .

was not prompt e d by any r aj a T h e attack e rs hav e .

b e e n g e n e ral l y pun i sh e d an d t h e ring l e ad e rs are i n

,

pri son No one now O t ru e Gu ru d are t h do th e e

.
, ,

harm wh e r e fo re e vacuat e t h e fort at any rat e for

m
, ,

t h e p re s e nt and com e wi th e to t h e Emp e ror

.
,

Thou may e st aft e rwar ds do what thou p l e as e st .

T h e Gu ru on h e ari ng th i s sai d You a re a l l l i ars , ,

and th e re fo re a l l you r e mp i re a nd you r gl o ry shal l

de part You al l took oaths b e fo re th is and th e n
.

p e rj u re d you rs e l v e s Your t roops Whos e bus i n e ss

.
,

i t was to ght hav e b e com e robb e rs and th e re fo re

, ,

sha l l l l b damn d

y o u a e e .

T h e S i khs w e nt agai n to t h e Gu ru s moth e r t o

compl ai n of h i s re fusal t o l i st e n to re ason Upon

m
.

thi s sh e tol d h i that i fh e di d not l e av e Anandpur ,

N2
1 80 THE SI KH RE L I GI ON
he wou l d b e d e s e rt e d by h i s S i khs and e v e n by h i s
fam il y and h e woul d b e th e n l e ft al on e to t h e
,

m e rcy oft h e host i l e armi e s Som e S i khs al so made

m
.

a dire ct re pre s e ntat i on to h i and p l e ade d that ,

th rough hung e r th e y w e re unab l e to e ndu re any

l ong e r t h e fat i gu e oft h e S i e g e and t h e b runt ofwar .

And i fth e y we re now i n th e ir w e ak a nd e mac i at e d

condi t i on to mak e an e f for t to fo rc e th e i r way 1 1

th rough t h e e n e my s ranks th e y wou l d a l l b e i n e vi

tab l y m a ss a c re d Th e y th e r e fo re advi s e d cap i tu l at i on

. .

T h e Gu ru on h e a ri ng th e s e r e p re s e ntat i ons sai d to

h i s S i khs ,
My b re th re n th e y wh o l e av e t h e garri son
,

now w il l a l l b e k i l l e d and I do not de si re to b e

m
,

h e l d re spons ibl e Wh e re fo re gi v e e a stat e m e nt

m
.

i n wri t i ng that you hav e total l y r e nounc e d e and ,

th e n you may act as y ou p l e as e But i f on t h e .

,

oth e r hand you wi sh to ab i d e by my adv i c e I wi l l

, ,

suppo rt you and t h e i mmo rtal God wi l l e xt e nd H i s

m
,

p rot e ct i ng ar ov e r us al l Adopt what e v e r al t e r .

nat i v e you pl e as e On h e ari ng th i s t h e S i khs and

.

t h e Gu ru s moth e r h e s i tat e d H e r son wa s cl e ar to

.

h e r but so was h e r own l i fe S h e re sol v e d h ow e v e r

m
.
, , ,

that sh e wou l d not s e pa rat e from h i T h e S i khs .

t oo f e l t that hav i ng vow e d n e v e r to l e av e t h e Gu ru

m
,

th e y cou l d no t abandon h i or mak e a fo rmal

d e cl ara ti on th a t h e was not th e i r Gu ru and th e y ,

w e re not h i s S i khs .

Wh e n t h e Tu rks and t h e raj as h e ard from t h e

i mp e ri al e nvoy oft h e fai l u re ofh i s n e got i at i ons ,

th e y de ci de d to s e nd t h e Gu ru s moth e r an e mbassy

wi th a re qu e st that sh e a nd h e r g randch il dre n

shou l d abando n t h e fo rt Th i s was i n t h e hop e th a t
.

wh e n t h e Gu r u found h i ms e l f al on e h e wou l d fo l l ow
th e m T h e e nvoy rst p roc e e d e d to t h e Gu ru and
m
.

e nd e a vou re d to p e rsuad e hi to e vacuat e Th e .

Gu ru re p l i e d that h e coul d not re l y on any p rom i s e

made by t h e i do l at rous raj as or t h e hypoc ri t i c a l
Muhamm a dans H e th e n e xpat i at e d on t h e vi l l an i e s

.

and i nh e re nt turp i tude ofAurangz e b a man wh o

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 81

had no re gard f or an oath and whos e god wa s,

mon e y as was appare nt from h i s p e rs e cut i o n of

,

t h e K i ng of Gol k a nd a agai nst whom h i s op e r a t i ons

, .

w e re now di re ct e d .

T h e e nvoy s e e i ng th e re was no hop e f rom t h e

Gu ru th e n p roc e e de d t o t h e Gu ru s moth e r and ,

e mp l oy e d a l l h i s a rgum e nts to conv i nc e h e r that i t

wa s e xp e di e nt f or t h e Gu ru an d h i s S i khs to l e av e

An a ndpu r O l ady sav e thys e l f and a l l thy

,

fa m il y What w i l l i t avail th e e to re mai n h e re ;

.

and i fthou d e part what harm wi l l i t do th e e

T h e Gu ru s S i khs a re e v e rywh e re re ady to re c e i v e
th e e a nd Wh i th e rso e v e r thou d e ci d e st to go thou
, , ,

may e st ab i de i n happ i n e ss Th i s c i ty w il l st il l b e
.

thy p rop e rty but l e av e i t now and e nd t h e quarre l

,
.

Hundr e ds ofthousands a re wai ti ng to b e ho l d th e e

m
.

Expl ai n matt e rs to thy son and p e rsuade h i to

ob e y th e e If not th e n p re par e t o go thys e l f a nd
.
, ,

h e wi l l fo l l ow th e e of h i s own accord If thou l i st e n .

no t to th i s advi c e gr e at su f ,
fe ri ngs w il l re sul t .

T h e Gu ru s moth e r p rom i s e d to u se a l l h e r e ffo r ts

to p e rsuade h e r son and sai d sh e woul d p l ac e

,

cond e nc e i n t h e oaths oft h e Tu rks and t h e h il l

ra j as .

T h e S i khs so re st ri ck e n w i th hung e r suppo rt e d

, ,

t h e e nvoy s re p re s e ntat i on 0 tru e Gu ru knowi ng

.
,

us t o b e th i n e own g rant us t h e g i ft ofl i fe

,
If .

thou ag re e not to th i s l e t us r e t i re to som e fo re st

,

wh e re t h e Tu rks c a nnot re ach us H e re shut up .

in th i s fo r t many hav e di e d and many mo re w il l ,

die . No food can com e t o us from outsi de and we ,

hav e now b e e n ght i ng f or a l ong t i m e 0 g re at .

k ing h ow can we wh o a re fam i sh e d w i th hung e r

,

cont i nu e to do batt l e Acc e pt ou r a dvi c e

. Ob l ig e .

us not to re nounc e th e e , and e xp e l us not f rom thy

fai th If th ou adh e re to th i n e own re so l v e we must
.
,

pa rt company f or l i f e i s d e a r to e v e ry o ne
,
and ,

what wi l l a dy ing man not do Nay we p ray th e e ,

t o ass i st thy s e ct and sav e ou r l i v e s

.
1 82 THE SI K H RELI GI ON

T h e Gu ru re p l i e d My bre th re n wav e r not I

, ,
.

onl y d e si re you r w e l fare You know not that th e s e .

p e op l e a re d e c e i v e rs and de si gn to do us e vi l If .

u ho l d ou t a l i tt l e l ong e r as y ou hav e don e you

y o

,

shal l hav e food to you r h e art s cont e nt I ask you .

to wai t on l y thr e e w e e ks Wh e n t h e S i khs re fus e d .

to wai t so l ong t h e Gu ru ask e d th e m to wai t at l e ast

,

f or v e days and t h e g re at God wou l d s e nd th e m

,
.

succou r 1
.T h e S i khs re fus e d to wai t e v e n a s i ngl e
day and sai d i t wa s i mpossi bl e f
, or th e m to do so

i n th e i r di re di st re ss T h e Gu ru re p e at e d h i s re qu e st
.
,

and sai d that t h e e n e my woul d th e n re t i r e and ,

th e y shou l d al l b e happy If h i s S i khs w e r e to .

l e av e now th e y woul d i n e vi tab l y b e k il l e d As .

a ch il d cont i nu e d t h e Guru on s e e i ng re t ri e th

m
, , ,

to g rasp i t wh il e h i s par e nts re st rai n h i so 0 d e a r , ,

Khal sa y ou a re rush i ng to your de st ruct i on Wh il e

, ,

I am e nd e avou ri ng to sav e y ou
.

T h e S i khs re p l i e d O gre at k i ng we cannot b e

, ,

i n a wo rs e pl i ght outs i d e t h e c i ty than we a re wi th i n .

W e shal l a l l d i e ofhung e r h e re and i fwe sal l y ,

fo rth we may e scap e and k il l som e oft h e e n e my .

W e cannot r e mai n wi th th e e an i nstant l ong e r

.

Th e s e argum e nts w e r e re comm e nde d f or adopt i on

by t h e Gu ru s moth e r My son b e not obst i nat e ,
.

It i s b e st to l e av e t h e fo rt and sav e thy p e opl e .

T h e Tu rks and t h e r ajas wi l l gi v e th e e so l e mn oaths

o fsafe conduct and What mo re can th e y do
,
Now
i s t h e t i m e my son ,
thou shal t not agai n hav e th i s
oppo rtun i ty If t h e e n e my com e and tak e t h e fo rt
.

by sto rm what wi l t thou do Thy S i khs a re dyi ng

,

of hung e r and th e y wil l al l soon b e d e ad

.
,

T h e Guru re pl i e d 0 moth e r d e a r thou knowe st

, ,

no t t h e Tu rks and t h e h il l raj as I hav e al re ady .

shown th e e th e i r d e c e i t but y e t thou art not sat i s e d

,
.

Thou de si r e st to sav e thy famil y but h ow wil l t h e ,

1
T h e Gu ru wa s the n e xp e cti ng e i nf o ce m e nts o f the M al wa S i khs
o ce m e nts d id c o m
r r

a nd he nce his re q ue st f o de l ay a ct t he re i n f
In fr . e r ,

b u t a rrive d t oo l ate f e nc e of
or t h e d e f Anand p ur .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 83

e n e my all ow y ou al l to pass Thou th i nk e st what i s

good i s e vi l and what i s e vil i s good
, T h e Gu ru .

th e n tu rn i ng t o t h e S i khs sai d My b re th re n th e y
m
, ,

wh o de si re to go may now re nounc e e and d e pa r t

.

On h e ari ng th i s t h e Gu ru s moth e r was g re at l y d i s

t re ss e d and ros e and sa t apa rt to gi v e v e nt to h e r

,

gri e f T h e S i khs w e nt and sa t a round h e r T h e

. .

Gu ru s wi v e s th e n cam e forth and j o i n e d t h e so rrow

T h e Gu ru s moth e r wi p i ng away h e r

i ng gr oup
m
.
,

t e ars b rok e s il e nc e
,
T h e Guru d e e e t h i t no t
p rop e r to l e av e t h e fo rt O hol y Gu ru Nan a k di sp e l
.
,

my so rrow assi st us now and gi v e my son ri ght

, ,

und e rstandi ng that h e may prot e ct h i s p e opl e ! I

m
have g iv e n h i much advi c e but h e h e e d e t h i t not
m
.
,

Ev e n i ft h e S i khs r e nounc e h i and de part h e ,

t e l l e th th e m th e y shall all b e ki l l e d What h e sai th .

i s n e v e r utt e re d i n vai n and ofth i s I hav e abundant

,

p roof Ye t i fwe re mai n i n Anandpur t h e e n e my

.
,

wi l l soon com e and put us a l l to d e ath

Th e S i khs b e gan to re
.

e ct W e hav e sp e nt al l
ou r h v e s i n t h e Guru s s e r vi c e

How can we l e ave
m
.

hi now I t i s h e wh o assi st e t h us both h e re and

h e re aft e r H e ask e th us to r e mai n wi th h i
. f or

m
v e days mo re What wi l l happ e n i n v e days ?
.

W e shal l on l y l os e ou r l i v e s i n va in W e wil l c e r .

t ai nl y go fo r th I t i s b e tt e r to ght and die than

.

to starve W e w il l not formal l y re nounc e t h e Gu ru

. .

We re we to do so we shou l d i ncu r g re at ob l oquy

, ,

and t h e s e e d of S i kh i sm woul d p e ri sh Aft e r .

much re e ct i on and h e si tat i on howe v e r t h e S i khs , ,

chang e d th e i r m i nds and sai d I t i s b e tt e r f or us

m
,

t o b re ak wi th h i and w ri t e a docum e nt to t h e
,

ef fe ct that h e i s no mor e ou r Gu ru and we a re no

mo re h i s S i khs If we agai n m e e t h i ah v e we m
m
.
,

Shal l i nduc e h i

to pardon us .

T h e al l i e d arm i e s t oo h e ar i ng that t h e Guru s
,

moth e r was i n favour ofe vacuat ing t h e fo r t l ost ,

no t i m e i n th e ir n e got i at i ons Th e y cal l e d a Sai yi d .

( or r e put e d d e sc e ndant of Ah t h e Proph e t s so n n -

1 84 THE S I K H R E L I GI ON

l a w) ,
and a B rahman both ofwhom w e re to sw e ar
, ,

o n b e h a l f of t h e al l i e d arm i e s sol e mn oaths ofsafe ,

conduct f or t h e Gu ru shou l d h e e vacu a t e Anandpu r

m
.

T h e l i k e n e ss ofa c ow was mad e i n ou r a sa l a g ra ,

an d a kn i fe w e re p l ac e d i n f ront ofi t a nd th e s e ,

art i c l e s w e re s e nt to t h e Gu ru wi th a l e tt e r to t h e
ef fe ct that who e v e r m e di tat e d e vi l agai nst h i m
,

shoul d b e de e m e d a cow k il l e r or t h e wo rst fo rm -

o fassass i n Al l t h e H i ndu ch i e fs put th e i r s e al s to

.

th i s l e tt e r .

T h e Sai y i d took t h e Emp e ro r s l e tt e r and t h e

Q u r an on h i s h e ad and accompan i,
e d by s e v e r a l
Muhamm a dan o f c e rs p roc e e de d to t h e Gu ru
,
Th e .

Gu ru re fus e d to l i st e n to th e m Th e y th e n w e nt .

to Mata Guj ari and re p e at e d th e i r re p re s e ntat i ons .

Th e y ask e d h e r to l e av e Anandpu r i n wh i ch cas e ,

h e r son wou l d assu re dl y fo l l ow S h e wa s how e v e r

m
.
, ,

unabl e t o p re va il on h i Gul ab R ai and Sham.

.

S i ngh (Sham Das ) grandsons ofSu raj M al addre ss e d

m
,

t h e Gu ru a n d advi s e d h i to ob e y h i s moth e r T h e .

Guru st il l prove d obdu rat e Upon th i s h i s moth e r

.

pre pare d to d e part wi th h e r two y oung e st g randsons ,

J j
u h ar S i ngh and Fatah S i ngh On s e e i ng t h e .

Gu ru s moth e r tak e h e r d e partu re t h e S i khs b e gan

to wav e r i n th e i r al l e g i anc e to t h e Gu ru Pap e r .

,

p e ns and i nk w e re p roduc e d f
,
or thos e wh o w i sh e d

to wri t e l e tt e rs ofre nunci at i on and i n t h e e n d on l y ,

fo rty S i khs d e c i d e d to re mai n wi th th e i r re l ig i ous

Ch i e f and share h i s for tun e s Th e Gu ru to l d th e m
m
.

that th e y t oo m i ght de s e r t h i Th e y re fus e d and .

,

sai d that i fth e y d i d so t h e s e rvi c e th e y h a d al re ady

m
, ,

p e rfo rm e d f or h i wou l d p rov e unavail i ng Th e y .

wou l d e i th e r re mai n wi th i n t h e fo rt or fo rc e th e i r
wa y o u t as t h e Gu ru di re ct e d Th e Gu ru th e n kn e w .

that t h e s e e d of h i s re l i gi on wou l d g e rm i nat e and

ou ri sh H e k e pt t h e d e e ds ofre nunc i at i on and
.
,

al so took from t h e e nvoys t h e docum e nts th e y had

b rought H e th e n di sm i ss e d th e m and re qu e st e d
.

to b e l e ft al on e .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 85

Wh e n t h e Gu ru found h i ms e l f al on e h e se t re ,

t o h i s t e nts and oth e r i nammab l e a rt i c l e s Wh a t

was non i n mm
.

-
a a b l e b e bu ri e d i n t h e e a rth He .

now nal l y d e t e rm i n e d to l e av e Anandpu r and gav e

m
,

o rde rs to b i s e n th a t th e y w e re a l l t o march at
.

ni ght and du ri ng t h e da rkn e ss p roc e e d t o t h e e ast

as f ar as th e i r st re ngth wou l d a l l ow th e m Wh e n .

t h e Gu ru s moth e r Wi v e s and two young e st ch i l dr e n

, ,

had se t ou t t h e Gu ru w e nt t o vi si t h i s fath e r s
,

sh ri n e and e nt rust e d i t to one Gu rb a k h sh a hol y

m
,

Udas i t e l l ing h i that h e shou l d n e v e r su f

,
fe r d i s
t re ss as l ong as h e re mai n e d i t s custo di an .

Wh e n t h e Gu ru was re ady to de part Daya S ingh

m
,

and U d e S i ngh wal k e d i n front Ofh i t h e s e cond

m
,

batch ofbapt i z e d S i khs on h i s l e ft M u h a k a S i ngh ,

and Sah i b S i ngh on h i s ri ght H i s sons Aj i t S i ngh .

and Z ora wa r S i ngh fo l l ow e d wi th bows and arrows .

Th e n cam e Bh a i H i mmat S i ngh ca rryi ng ammun i t i on

and match l ocks Gu l ab R a i Sham S i ngh and oth e r
m
.
, ,

fri e nds and re l at i ons of t h e Gu ru accompan i e d h i .

Th e re st o ft h e Gu ru s s e rvants and camp fo ll ow e rs

about v e hundre d i n al l brought up t h e re ar ,

.

C H AP T E R XXI I I
Th e Gu ru ma rch e d by K i ratpu r and th e nc e to Ni r
m oh . m
Wh il e at Ni r oh h e gav e Gu l ab R a i and
Sham S ingh a l e tt e r to t h e Raj a of S i rmau r wh i ch ,

contai n e d a re qu e st that h e wou l d g i v e th e m a

vill ag e to ab i de i n From Ni r oh t h e Gu ru and
. m
h is pa rty p roc e e d e d to Ropa r Wh e n t h e al l ie d
.

t roops attack e d t h e re ar gua r d unde r Aj i t S ingh ,

U de S i ngh ask e d and obta i n e d p e rm i ss i on to re l i e v e

him . T h e e n e my su rround e d a nd k i l l e d t h e daunt
l e ss U d e S i ngh t h e h e ro o fmany a d e sp e rat e batt l e
, ,

t h e b rav e st oft h e Gu ru s b rav e wa rri o rs b e l i e v ing

'

that h e was t h e Gu ru h i ms e l f .

T h e Gu ru sa t down on t h e marg i n of a st re am
1 86 THE SI KH RELIGI ON
cal l e d S arsa to awai t t h e i ssu e of t h e con i ct Wh e n .

Aj i t S i ngh de l ay e d com i ng t h e Gu ru s e nt J i wan

m
,

S i ngh to f e tch h i J i wan S i ngh wa s k il l e d i n t h e

m
.

e nd e avou r B e fo re a rri vi ng at Ropar t h e Gu ru e t

.
,

h i s moth e r and two young e st ch i l dre n and e xhort e d ,

th e m to p roc e e d qu i ck l y on th e i r j ou rn e y A S i kh
m
.

wh o r e si d e d i n D ih l i al so e t t h e Gu ru on t h e way
m
,

and ask e d i fh e coul d p e rfo rm any s e rvi c e for h i !

.

T h e Gu ru sai d that h e m i ght tak e h i s fam il y to

D ih l i . T h e S i kh sai d h e had a r e l at i on i n Ropar
wh o wou l d k e e p t h e Gu ru s fam i l y th e re for t h e

p re s e nt T h e Gu ru s moth e r
.

e t a B r ahman a m ,

nat i v e ofKh e ri n e ar S arh ind and di scharg e d cook ,

of t h e Gu ru wh o o f fe re d to e nt e rtai n h e r party and

, ,

sh e de c i de d to tak e h e r g randsons w ith h e r and

acc e pt h i s sh e l t e r and p rot e ct i on H e r daught e rs .

i n l a w re mai n e d at Ropar f
-
or t h e n i ght and n e xt ,

day se t out f or D ih l i und e r t h e t rusty S i kh s p ro

t e c t i on .

Th e al l ie d forc e s cont inu e d to harass t h e Gu ru s
r e t re at H e l e ft som e ofh i s e n at Ropar to arre st
. m
th e i r progr e ss and w e nt h i ms e l f wi th th i rty v e
m
-
,

chos e n S i khs towards Ch a k au r On t h e way at .

a p l ac e cal l e d Baru Maj ara h e re c e i v e d i nfo rmat i on

that a fr e sh cont i ng e nt oft h e i mp e ri al army wa s c l os e
at hand to captu re h i m
In no wi s e di smay e d h e
m
.

cont i nu e d h i s j ourn e y towar ds Ch a k a u r On .

arr i vi ng n e ar that town h e took r e fug e i n a garde n ,

and was j o i n e d by v e ofth e S i khs h e had l e ft at

Ropar All t h e oth e rs had b e e n sl ai n
m
. .

T h e Guru s e nt to a J at ag ri cu l tu ri st to ask h i
for a p l ac e of r e st T h e J at t ri e d to put h i off m
m
.

wi th e xcus e s but t h e Gu ru p l ac e d h i unde r arr e st

,

for t h e mom e nt H e th e n took t h e J at s hous e

.

,

and turn e d i t i nto a m i n i atu re fo rt wh e r e h e

m
took S h e l t e r wi th h i s e n T h e al l i e d forc e s cou l d
m
.

nd no t rac e ofh i and we r e much di st re ss e d

,

at h i s di sapp e ar anc e But t h e troops march i ng

.

from Dih h discov e r e d t h e Guru s r e si de nc e and

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 87

p roc e e de d th i th e r T h e un i t e d fo rc e s now con

.
.

c e n t ra t e d th e i r attack on t h e Gu r u and w e re j o i n e d
by h i s anc i e nt e n e m i e s t h e R a ngh a rs and Guj ars
m
.

Th e Gu ru th e n addr e ss e d h i s en You wou l d ,

not l i st e n to my advi c e to re mai n i n Anandpu r .

Wh e n y ou took your d e partu re you d i d not c al c u ,

l at e that th i s t i m e oi p e ri l wou l d e v e r arri v e .

You t rust e d to t h e oaths o fMuhammadans on t h e

Q u r an and o f t h e h il l m e n on th e i r gods and cows ,

and th i s I s t h e re su l t Th e re I s no oppo rtun i ty now

.

o fe mp l oy i ng t h e t r ad i t i onal m e ans ofd e al i ng w i th

e n e mi e s . W e can on l y de f e nd ou rs e l v e s Th e r e are .

hundr e ds of thousands agai nst u s D i e not t h e .

d e ath ofj ackal s but ght b r av e l y a s you hav e

,

h i th e rto don e and av e ng e t h e d e c e i t p ract i se d by

,

thos e g re at si nn e rs T h e mo re y ou st ri v e t h e
.
,

gre at e r shal l b e you r re wa rd If you fal l ght ing

m
.

you shal l m e e t e as martyrs i n h e av e n If you .

conqu e r you shal l obtai n sov e re i gnty and i n e i th e r ,

cas e you r l ot shal l b e e nv i e d by mo rtal s .

Havi ng thus addr e ss e d h i s S i khs t h e Gu ru

m
,

appo i nt e d e i ght e n to guar d e ach of t h e fou r wal l s

ofh i s e xt e mpo riz e d fo r t Kotha S i ngh and Madan
.

S i ngh h e l d t h e doo r h e h i ms e l f h i s two sons

, , ,

D aya S i ngh and Sant S i ngh t h e top sto ry A l i m .

S i ngh and Man S i ngh w e re appo i nt e d s e nt i n e l s

m
.

Thus was mad e up t h e numb e r of fo rty wh o a cc o

p a n i e d t h e Gu ru F.i v e S i khs w e nt fo r th to cont e nd
wi th t h e e n e my Aft e r ght i ng wi th g re at brav e ry
.

th e y w e re k il l e d Th e n Khazan S i ngh D an S i ngh

.
, ,

and Dhyan S i ngh w e nt fo rth and aft e r k il l ing ,

s e v e ral oft h e e n e my w e re k il l e d th e ms e l v e s T h e
m
.
,

b rav e M u h a k a S i ngh fol l owi ng t h e e xampl e ofh i s

,

f e l l ows w e nt fo rth and fe l l p ie rc e d by score s of

,

bu l l e ts
m
.

Wh i l e t h e Gu ru was l audi ng M u h a k a S i ngh s

val ou r and sayi ng that h e shou l d b e e manc i pat e d

, ,

H i mmat S i ngh wh o wa s one oft h e rst S i khs bap

,

t i ze d ask e d p e rm i ss i on to g
, o forth t o re p e l t h e
1 88 THE SI K H RELI GION
e n e my . h e wa s s l ai n t h e s e cond batch ofv e
W he n
S i k h s b ap t iz e d by t h e Gu ru w e nt fo rth and so l d

th e ir l i v e s de arl y Ishar S i ngh and D e va S i ngh we re.

t h e n e xt to cont e nd w i th t h e Muh a mmadans Wh il e .

th e s e w e re al i v e and fought t h e e n e my thought ,

th e y w e re e ndow e d wi th sup e rnatu ral powe r .

D aya S i ngh and oth e rs p ray e d t h e Guru to e scap e

by som e m e ans and l e av e th e m to cont e nd wi th ,

t h e e n e my I f t h e Guru we re sav e d t h e s e e d of
.
,

r e l i g i on wou l d r e mai n S i x mor e oft h e Gu ru s

.

warri o rs Muhar S i ngh K i rat S i ngh Anand S i ngh

m
, , , ,

L a l S i ngh K e sar S i ngh and A ol a k S i ngh ask e d

, ,

p e rm i ssi on t o go forth and t ry th e i r st re ngth wi th

t h e Tu rks T h e si x b r av e wa rri o rs w e re a l l k i l l e d
. .

Nahar Khan one oft h e re c e nt l y a rri v e d i mp e ri al

,

of c e rs att e mpt e d to scal e t h e l i ttl e fort but was

, ,

shot down by t h e Gu ru Gh a i ra t Khan anoth e r .

,

of c e r oft h e ne w army th e n advanc e d and wa s , ,

al so sl ai n by t h e Gu ru Aft e r th i s non e of t h e .

Muhammadan of c e rs had t h e cou rag e to att e mpt

t h e fatal asc e nt Th e y fo rm e d a p l an how e v e r to
.
, .

r ush and s e i z e t h e Guru In th i s th e y utt e rl y fail e d .

,

for t h e Gu ru shot th e m down i n numb e rs and h e l d

at bay t h e mul t i tudi nous Muhammadan host .

T h e Gu ru s son Aj i t S i ngh now ask e d p e rm i ss i on

to go fo rth and ght si ngl e hand e d wi th t h e e n e my -

.

H e sai d h e was t h e Gu ru s S i kh and son and i t was

m
,

i ncumb e nt on h i to ght e v e n unde r d e sp e r at e

c i rcumstanc e s T h e Gu ru approv e d ofth i s p roposal
m
. .

Aj i t S ingh took wi th h i v e h e ro e s nam e l y A l i m , ,

S i ngh J awah i r S i ngh Dhyan S i ngh Sukha S i ngh

, , , ,

and Bir S i ngh Aj i t S i ngh p e rfo rm e d p rodi g i e s of

m
.

val ou r and Muhammadans f e l l b e fore h i a s sh rubs

,

b e fo re t h e wi nd H i s comp a n i ons a l l fought b rav e l y

.

and d e sp e rat e l y Z abardast Khan t h e Laho re vi c e

.
,

wa s g re at l y di st re ss e d on s e e i ng so many of
m
roy ,

h is e n s l ai n and cal l e d on h i s army to at onc e

,

d e st roy t h e handfu l of S i khs who w e re caus i ng

such havoc i n t h e i mp e ri al ranks Wh e n t h e .
 LI FE O F GURU GOBIND SI NGH 1 89

swo rds of t h e S i khs w e re b rok e n and th e i r arrows

sp e nt th e y sp i tt e d t h e e n e my wi th th e i r S p e a rs
, .

Aj i t S i ngh b rok e h i s sp e a r on a Muhammadan T h e .

e n e my th e n mad e a fre sh attack and fata l l y wound e d

him ,
'

de f
e nc e l e ss as h e was H e re al iz e d how e v e r.
, ,

that h e had act e d as b e tt e d h i s r ac e H e fe l l and .

sl e pt t h e s l e e p of p e ac e on h i s go ry b e d T h e Gu ru .

on h i s d e ath sai d O Go d i t i s Thou wh o s e nt e st

m
, ,

hi ,
and h e hath di e d ghti ng f or h i s fai th Th e .

t rust Thou gav e st hath b e e n re sto re d to Th e e

m
.

Th e v e S i khs wh o accompan i e d h i w e r e al so sl ai n .

Z ora war S i ngh t h e Gu ru s s e cond son on s e e i ng

, ,

h i s b roth e r s fat e cou l d not re st r ai n h i ms e l f a nd

ask e d h i s fath e r s p e rmi ssi on to go forth and ght

as Aj i t S i ngh had don e and av e ng e h i s d e ath T h e

m
.

youth took v e mo re S i khs wi th h i and p roc e e d e d

to comm i t havoc among t h e e n e my T h e ch ron i cl e r .

stat e s that Z ora war S ingh mad e h i s way th rough

t h e Muhammadan a rmy as a c rocodi l e th rough a
st re am T h e e n e my dropp e d l i k e r ai n i n t h e month
.

of Sawan and Bhadon unt i l Z ora wa r S i ngh and h i s,

v e compan i ons f e ll ov e rpowe re d by numb e rs .

H i s re m a i n i ng S i khs s e e i ng that a l l hop e wa s at

,

an e nd agai n advi s e d t h e Gu ru t o e f fe ct h i s e scap e

m
.
,

H e agre e d s e at e d n e ar h i
,
D aya S ingh Dharm ,

S ingh Man S i ngh Sangat S i ngh and Sant S i ngh

, , , ,

wh o al on e re mai n e d oft h e a rmy and p roc e e d e d to ,

e nt rust t h e Gu rush i p to th e m H e s ai d I shal l .

,

e v e r b e a mong v e S i khs Wh e re v e r th e re a re v e
.

S ikhs ofm i n e ass e mb l e d th e y sha l l b e pri e sts of

a ll p ri e sts W h e re v e r th e re i s a s i nn e r v e S i khs
m
.
,

can g i v e h i bapt i sm and absol uti on G re at i s t h e .

gl o ry of v e S i khs and what e v e r th e y do shal l no t

,

b e i n vai n Th e y wh o gi v e food and cl oth i ng to

.

v e S i khs shall obtai n f rom th e m t h e fu l l m e nt of

mm
,

th e i r de s ire s Sayi ng th i s t h e Gu ru c i rc u a
.

b u l a t e d th e m th re e t i m e s l ai d h i s p l um e and c re st
,

i n f ront ofth e m offe re d th e m h i s a rms a nd c ri e d

, ,

out S ri W a h gu ru ji k a Khal sa ! S ri W a gh u ru ji
,

1 9 0 THE SI K H RE L I GI ON
ki fatah S ant S i ngh and Sanga t S i ngh o f fe r e d to
re ma i n i n t h e fo r t wh i l e Daya S i ngh Dha rm S i ngh , ,

and Man S i ngh d e t e rmi n e d to accomp a ny t h e Gu ru .

T h e Gu ru gav e h i s pl um e to Sant S i ngh cl oth e d

m m
,

hi i n h i s a rmou r and s e at e d h i , i n t h e upp e r

room wh i ch h e was about to vacat e T h e Gu ru and .

h i s thr e e compan i ons e scap e d du ri ng t h e n i ght He

m
.

tol d th e m i fp e rchanc e th e y s e parat e d from h i

, ,

th e y w e re to go i n t h e di re ct i on of a c e rtai n star
whi ch h e i ndi cat e d
m
.

Wh e n t h e Guru was e scap i ng h e bade h i s e n

stand rm H e sai d h e was goi ng to awak e n t h e
.

e n e my so that th e y m i ght not say h e had abscond e d

, .

T h e Tu rk i sh s e nt ri e s w e r e i mm e di at e l y on t h e al e rt .

H e di scharg e d two a rrows at th e m Th e arro ws at .

rst struck torch e s wh i ch th e y h e l d i n th e i r hands

and th e n pass e d through th e i r bodi e s In t h e .

darkn e ss whi ch fo l l owe d t h e e xti ncti on of t h e

,

l amps t h e Guru and h i s c ompan i ons e scap e d but

, ,

di d not t r av e l tog e th e r H e p roc e e de d bare foot e d

.

on h i s j ou rn e y and on b e com i ng t i re d sat down to

,

re st on t h e margi n ofa l ak e i n t h e Machh i wara

,

for e st b e twe e n Ropar and Ludh i ana .

Sant S i ngh and Sangat S i ngh wh o w e r e l e ft b e h i nd ,

i n t h e l i tt l e fo r t i n i ct e d g re at l oss on t h e e n e my
, .

T h e Muhammadans how e v e r succ e e d e d i n sc a h ng

, ,

t h e bu il di ng and b e l i e v e d th e y w e re go i ng at l ast
t o captu re t h e Guru whos e p l um e and arrow Sant
S i ngh wo re Khwaj a M a rd u d gav e orde rs that Sant
.

S i ngh and Sangat S i ngh shou l d b e b e h e ade d and

th e i r h e ads s e nt to re gal e t h e Emp e ro r s e ye s Th e .

Muhammadans we r e much di sappo i nt e d to su b se

qu e ntl y l e arn that Sant S i ngh wa s not t h e Gu ru
m
,

and that t h e Gu ru had e scap e d Th e y s e nt e n t o .

t h e known abod e s ofal l faq i rs i n t h e count ry to

s e arch f or h i m
but i n vai n
,
.

Aft e r th i s t h e a rm i e s di sp e rs e d Z abardast Khan .

wh o wa s wounde d i n t h e re c e nt battl e re t i re d to
h i s vi c e royal ty ofL aho re Waz i r Khan de part e d
.
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 9 1

for S arh ind and Khwaj a M a rd u d w e nt wi t h t h e

,

r e mnant ofh i s a rmy to re info rc e t h e Emp e ror wh o

wa s st i ll campai gn i ng i n t h e south of Indi a .

T h e Guru s th re e S i khs fo l l ow e d t h e star h e had

po i nt e d out to th e m and th e y al l fou r e t at t h e

, m
pl ac e now cal l e d Bir Gu ru i n t h e Machh i wa ra fo re st
m
.

H i s S i khs found h i sl e e p ing wi th a wat e rpot f or h i s

pil l ow Th e y awake ne d h i and to l d h i that t h e

. m m
Muhammadan a rmy woul d probabl y b e on th e m by
dayb re ak T h e Gu ru sai d h e cou l d not sav e h i
. m
s e l f as h i s fe e t w e re bl i st e re d H e tol d t h e S i khs
,
.

that th e y m i ght s e e k sh e l t e r i n a n e i ghbou ri ng

garde n Man S ingh took t h e Gu ru on h i s back a nd
.

p roc e e d e d th i th e r T h e Guru found th e r e a S i kh

'

m
.

cal l e d Gul aba who t re at e d h i

, and h i s fai thfu l
att e ndants wi th k i ndn e ss and hospi tal i ty .

Gul aba gav e t h e Guru sh e l t e r i n a top sto ry

wh i ch h e had r e c e ntl y bu il t to h i s hous e T h e Guru .

want e d m e at t h e n e xt day and a h e goat was p ro

m
-
,

v id e d for h i wh i ch h e k il l e d by Sh oot ing Gul aba .

was al arm e d l e st som e oft h e n e i ghbouri ng B rahmans

and Sai yi ds m i ght have h e ard t h e r e po rt of t h e gun .

As a matt e r offact one B rahman d i d h e ar i t and ,

susp e ct e d t h e p re s e nc e oft h e Guru i n t h e vi ll ag e .

H e l ook e d and saw t h e Gu ru on t h e t op story of

Gu l ab a s hous e It tu rn e d ou t howe ve r that t h e

.
, ,

B rahman was fr i e ndl y H e had p re vi ousl y vi si t e d

.

t h e Guru i n Anandpu r and e nj oy e d h i s hosp i tal i ty .

H e now i n re tu rn put som e sw e e ts and a sac ri c i al

th re ad oft h e H i ndus on a p l at e and s e nt th e m as ,

an o f fe ri ng t o t h e Gu ru T h e o f fe ri ng oft h e sac ri
.

c i a l th re ad was a d e l i cat e h i nt to t h e Gu ru that

t h e B rahman wou l d l i k e to l e ad h i back to t h e m
anc i e nt re l i gi on ofIndi a T h e Guru r e turn e d t h e
.

sw e e ts and t h e th re ad wi th a p re s e nt of v e go l d
m u h a rs f rom h i ms e l f Gu l aba consul t e d wi th h i s
.

b roth e r as t o t h e disposal oft h e Gu ru Th e y fe ar e d .

for th e i r own saf e ty shou l d i t b e furth e r kno wn that

h e was among th e m .
1 9 2 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
To Gu l ab a s hous e now cam e t wo Muhammadans

Ghan i Khan and Nab i Khan wh o had p re vi ousl y ,

known and vi s i t e d t h e Gu ru On h e ari ng that t h e .

i mp e ri al t roops w e re scou ri ng t h e count ry i n qu e st

ofh i m th e y d e t e rm i n e d t o go and o f
,
fe r h i th e i r m
humbl e s e r v i c e s Th e Gu ru re qu e st e d th e m t o
m
.

r e mai n wi th h i and th e y re adil y cons e nt e d

, .

Gu l aba and h i s f a m il y sp e nt an anx i ous n i ght ,

In t h e e arl y mo rn i ng h e wai t e d on t h e Guru wi th

a p re s e nt of v e go l d u h ars wh i ch h e m e ant as m ,

a part i ng o f fe ri ng H e re p re s e nt e d t h e dang e r h e
.

had i ncu rre d i n e nt e rtai n i ng h i s gu e st and b e gg e d

m m
,

hi t o tak e compass i on on h i and arrang e for h i s

d e partu re .

I t happ e n e d that wh i l e t h e Guru was i n Gu l a ba s
hous e a S i kh woman al so cam e to vi si t h i Sh e m
m
.

had p re vi ousl y s e e n h i and vow e d th a t sh e woul d

sp i n and w e av e cl oth f or h i wh i ch sh e woul d k e e p m
,

unt i l h i s arri val i n h e r vil l ag e T h e Gu ru had t h e .

c l oth dye d bl u e and a rob e and sh e e t made f rom

,

i t i n i m i tat i on of t h e dre ss O f a Muhammadan p il

g ri m H e th e n de part e d from Gul aba s vil l a g e H e
.

.

was bo rn e on a l i tt e r wh i ch Ghan i Khan and N ab i

K han l i ft e d i n front a n d Man S i ngh and Dharm ,

S i ngh i n re ar wh il e Daya S i ngh wav e d a chau ri

m
,

ov e r h i Th e y i nfo rm e d al l i nqu ire rs that th e y

.

w e re e sco rt i ng Uch k a Pi r T h e e xp re ssi on Uch k a .

Pi r m e ant e i th e r h i gh p ri e st as a g e n e ra l re l i gi ous
t i t l e or p ri e st ofUch a w e l l known Muhammadan
, ,
-

c i ty i n t h e south e rn par t oft h e P a nj ab T h e Gu ru .

and h i s c arri e rs on arri vi ng at L al i n t h e Pat i al a

Stat e acc i de ntal l y c a m e on a de tachm e nt oft h e
i mp e ri al a rmy wh i ch had b e e n s e arch i ng f or h i m .

T h e g e n e r al susp e ct e d that t h e p il g ri m was no oth e r

than t h e Gu ru and d e t e rm i n e d to mak e t ri al of
m
,

hi by what h e a t e A sumptuous di nn e r wa s p re
.

pare d f or t h e par ty T h e Gu ru to l d h i s S i khs th a t

.

th e y m i ght e a t wh a t t h e Musal man cooks had

p re pare d and th e y d i d so aft e r touch ing t h e food
,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBI ND SINGH 1 93

w i th th e i r swords A fri e ndl y Sa iyi d from Nu rpu r

.

n e ar Machh iwara who was at t h e t i m e an of ce r i n

t h e d e tachm e nt stat e d that t h e Gu ru was re al l y
,

Uch k a P i r Upon th i s t h e g e n e ral gave an o rde r

.

for t h e Gu ru s i mm e d i at e re l e as e

.

C HAP T ER XXI V
Th e Gu ru no l on ge r t rav e l l e d wi th t h e i mp e ri a l
army but p roc e e de d to K a ne ch i n t h e e ast e rn p a rt
,

of what i s now t h e Ludh i ana di st ri c t Th e re one

m
.

Fatah cam e to pay h i h i s re sp e cts and ask i fh e

m
cou l d do h i any s e rvi c e T h e Gu ru ask e d f or h i s
m
.

b e st mare to a i d h i i n h i s e scap e Fatah wh o had .

,

not b e e n si nc e re i n h i s p rot e stat i ons of fri e ndsh i p

m
,

put h i o f fwi th e xcus e s I t i s sai d that wh e n h e

.

l e ft t h e Gu ru and w e nt hom e h e found t h e mare ,

had di e d of snak e b i t e Th i s was unde rstood to b e t h e

-
.

re su l t of h i s hypoc ri sy and chu rl i shn e ss to t h e Gu ru .

T h e Gu ru th e nc e p roc e e d e d to H e b ar al so i n t h e ,

Ludh i ana di st ri ct wh e re l i v e d K rip al t h e Udas i

, ,

Mahant wh o had so d i st i ngu i sh e d h i ms e l f i n t h e

batt l e ofBhangan i Th e Gu ru on m e e ti ng h i di s
. m
m i ss e d Ghan i Khan and Nab i Khan aft e r gi vi ng ,

th e m p re s e nts and a l e tt e r re comm e nd ing th e m to

t h e cons i d e rat i on oft h e fa i thfu l Though K ri p a l .

had b e e n p re v i ousl y so d e vot e d to th e Gu ru h e

m
,

now f e a re d to e nt e r ta i n h i l e st t h e Muhammadans
shoul d b e i nfo rm e d that h e wa s sh e l t e ri ng a n out
l aw . H e acco r di ngl y a d v i s e d t h e Gu ru t o mov e on
tow ards t h e vi l l a g e s ofLamma and J atpu ra
m
.

On t h e way th i th e r t h e Gu ru e t a Muhammadan
cal l e d K a l ha a ri ch and i mpo rtant p e rson wh o was
,

Chaudh ri ofJ ag raon a n d R a i kot t wo cons i d e ra b l e ,

to wns oft h e Ludh i a na di st ri ct Ka l h a e nt e rt a i n e d

m m
.

hi at J atpu ra T h e Gu ru re qu e st e d h i t o s e nd
.

a m e ss e ng e r to S a rh i nd to i n q u i re t h e fat e ofh i s
moth e r and h i s t wo young e st sons T h e Gu ru .

S I KH
. V O
1 94 THE S I K H RE L I GI ON
re main e d at J atpu ra unt il t h e m e ss e ng e r s re turn
.

J a tpura i s about fty m il e s di stant from S arh i nd .

Th i s di stanc e t h e m e ss e ng e r i s sai d to hav e t rav e rs e d

i n an i nc re di bl y sho r t spac e of t i m e .

T h e fo l l owi ng i s t h e m e ss e ng e r s sto ry one oft h e

most p a i nful i n h i sto ry I t has b e e n al re ady stat e d

.

that t h e Gu ru s moth e r e nt rust e d h e rs e l f and t h e
two g randsons wh o accompan i e d h e r to a B rahman
, ,
.

H e wi th sw e e t wo r ds took th e m to h i s hous e and

i nduc e d th e m to put fai th i n h i m
Wh e n t h e Gu ru s
.

moth e r w e nt to sl e e p h e stol e h e r mon e y wh i ch

, ,

sh e carri e d i n a sadd l e bag and bu ri e d i t

-
H e th e n .

w e nt to h e r and to l d h e r th e re w e re s e v e ral th i e v e s
p rowl i ng about t h e n e i ghbou rhood a n d sh e must b e ,

care fu l Ofh e r val uabl e s H e sai d h e gav e h e r th i s

.

i nfo rm a t i on so that sh e m i ght not a ft e rwar ds b l am e

hi m . S h e cal l e d h e r s e rvant a n d to l d h i what sh e m
had h e ard H e al most i mm e d i at e l y aft e rwa rds l n
.

fo rm e d h e r that h e r saddl e b a gwas m i ss i ng As no

-
.

o ne had e nt e re d t h e hous e but t h e l ady s par ty and

t h e B r ahman sh e i nt e rrogat e d t h e l att e r on t h e

,

subj e ct H e pre t e nd e d t o b e furi ous at susp i c i on

m
.

havi ng b e e n di re ct e d a gai nst h i and sai d that ,

that wa s t h e re sul t of doi ng good and ofe nt e r

tai n i ng hom e l e ss wayfare rs and outl aws H e had .

sav e d t h e Gu ru s moth e r and ch i l dr e n from de ath

m
,

and t h e re tu rn th e y made h i f or h i s t roub l e and

hosp i tal i ty was to charg e h i wi th th e ft as i fh e m
w e re a vul gar mal e facto r Th e n s a yi ng that h e
.

cou l d not t rust h e r and h e r ch il dre n h e o rd e r e d ,

th e m to l e av e h i s hous e .

T h e B r ahman wi th l oud c ri e s p roc e e d e d to t h e

Chaudh ri or ch i e f c i vil O f ci al ofKh e ri and i n
m
, ,

fo rm e d h i that t h e Gu ru s moth e r and sons had

j ust com e to h i s hous e and both h e and t h e Chaudh ri

,

woul d obtai n a l arg e re w a r d f or d e l i v e ri ng th e m t o

t h e i mp e ri al autho ri t i e s T h e B r ahman and t h e

.

Ch a udh ri th e n w e nt to t h e n e xt h i gh e st of c i al a ,

R a ng h a r t h e gov e rno r ofMu ri nda

,
H e p roc e e d e d
.
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 95

wi th th e m to t h e B rahman s hous e and th e nc e th e y ,

took t h e Gu ru s moth e r and h e r two g randsons to

Waz ir Khan V i c e roy of S arh i nd

, H e orde re d .

th e m to b e conn e d i n a tow e r P e op l e th rong e d

. .

n e xt d ay t o se e th e m and cu rs e d and abus e d ,

t h e t re ach e r ous B rahman to th e i r h e a r ts cont e nt

.

Waz ir Khan o rd e re d t h e ch il dr e n to b e b rought

b e fo re h i m
Wh e n t h e Gu ru s moth e r h e ar d t h e
.

ord e r i t stung h e r l i k e a sharp a rrow

,
.

One S u ch a n a nd Khat ri Who had va i n l y su e d f , or

one o f t h e Gu ru s sons a s a husband f or h i s daught e r

now cam e fo rwa r d and s a i d t h e ch il d re n w e re c e r

f ai n l y t h e p rog e ny oft h e s e rp e nt that i s sons o f , ,

t h e Gu ru and that wh e n th e y g re w up th e y wou l d

,

b e as d e st ruct i v e as th e i r fath e r T h e gov e rno r of .

Mu ri nda to l d Mata Guj ari i n o rd e r t o pac i fy h e r , ,

that h e woul d s e nd t h e ch il dr e n back aft e r showing

th e m to Waz ir Khan Not b e l i e vi ng h i . sh e put m ,

one of th e m at e ach s i d e ofh e r and t ri e d to conc e a l ,

th e m wi th h e r dr e ss T h e Gu ru s son J u jh ar S i ngh
.

on h e ari ng t h e R angh ar s vo i c e stood up a nd sai d

to h i s g ran d moth e r Th e T u rk s h av e e v e r b e e n ou r
,
'

e n e mi e s . How can we e scape from th e m ? Th e re

for e l e t u s go to t h e vi c e roy Sayi ng th i s h e took .

h i s young e r b roth e r Fatah S i ngh and w e nt w i th t h e

R a ng h ar Wh e n th e y re ach e d t h e vi c e roy s cou rt
.

t h e R a ng h a r i n o rd e r t o add to th e i r suffe ri ngs

, ,

to l d th e m that th e ir fath e r th e i r two e l de st b roth e rs, ,

and th e i r compan i ons had al l b e e n kil l e d i n Cham

kau r H e adde d You r on l y hop e of e scap e now
.
,

i s to bow b e fo re t h e V i c e roy a n d acc e pt Is l am ;

and p e rhaps h e w il l spare you r l i ve s .

J j h S i ngh wh n conf ont d w i th t h v i c oy

m
u ar e r e e e r

thus addre ss e d h i : My fath e r t h e ho l y Gu ru

Gob i nd S i ngh i s not d e ad Who c a n k ill h i m H e
,

i s p rot e ct e d by t h e i mmo r tal God If any o ne sa y .

that h e can t e ar down h e av e n h ow i s that poss ibl e ,

We re a sto rm to att e mpt to dr iv e a mountai n b e fo re

i t cou l d i t e v e r do so ? W e re any one to t ry to
,

O 2
 1 9 6 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
grasp t h e sun and moon i t wou l d b e a f e at i , m
p oss i b l to accomp l i sh W r e t h e Gu r u to d e s i re i t

m
e e .
,

h e cou l d d e stroy e v e ry t rac e ofy ou but h e d e e e t h ,

i t h i s rst duty to O b e y t h e l aws ofh e av e n Wh e n .

we h av e d e di cat e d ou r h e ads to ou r fath e r wh o i s

such a Gu ru wh y shou l d we bow th e m b e fo re a
,

fal s e and d e c e i tfu l si nn e r ? On h e ari ng th i s t h e

.

p e op l e a l l c ri e d out that t h e ch il dre n ought to b e

al l ow e d t o go unharm e d T h e m i snam e d S u ch a na nd .

now i nt e rpos e d and re p e at e d that th e s e w e re t h e

,

of fsp ri ng ofa cob ra and from th e i r h e ads to th e i r

,

f e e t l l e d wi th v e nom S e e my fri e nds h e sai d

.
,

,

th e y hav e not t h e l e ast f e ar and a re so p roud that ,

th e y e v e n i nsu l t and d e fy t h e V i c e roy

.

Waz i r Khan th e n re e ct e d that i ft h e ch il dr e n

b e cam e Muhammadans i t woul d b e a gai n and gl o ry ,

t o h i s fai th H e to l d th e m that i fth e y wou l d

.
,

acc e pt h i s fai th h e wou l d g rant th e m an e stat e ,

marry th e m to t h e daught e rs of ch i e fs and th e y ,

woul d b e com e happy and b e honou re d by t h e

Emp e ror J u jh a r S i ngh th e n l ook i ng at h i s young e r
.

b roth e r sai d My b roth e r t h e t i m e to sac ri c e ou r

,
1

,

l i v e s a s ou r g randfath e r Guru T e g Bahadu r di d

, ,

hath now arri v e d What th i nk e st thou ? Fatah .

S i ngh re pl i e d B roth e r de ar ou r g randfath e r part e d

, ,

w i th h i s h e ad but not wi th h i s re l i gi on and h e

.
,

o r de re d us to fol l ow h i s e xamp l e Now t hat we hav e .

r e c e i v e d t h e bapt i sm oft h e sp i ri t and t h e swo r d ,

what care we f or d e ath Wh e re fo re i t i s b e st that

we shou l d g i v e ou r l i v e s thus sa i fe t h e S i kh r e l i g i on
, ,

and b ri ng down God s v e ng e anc e on t h e Tu rks .

J ju h a r S i ngh aga i n spok e o n t h e s a m e subj e ct :

My b roth e r ou r g randfath e r Gu ru T e g Bahadu r

,

spu rn e d t h e Muhammadan re l i gi on H e re i s th i s .

nobl e famil y ofou rs a man l i k e Gu ru Gob i nd S i ngh
ou r fath e r a man l i k e Gu ru T e gB a hadu r ou r g r and
,

fath e r a man l i k e Gu ru H a r Gob i nd ou r g re at

,

g randfath e r W e wh o a re th e i r de sc e nd a n t s can
.
, ,

not att a ch a st i gma to th e i r m e mo ri e s ! T h e young ,

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 1 97

b oy w a x i ng st i l l mo re ang ry H e ar O
, ,

vi c e roy I spu rn thy re l i gi on and wi l l not part w i th

,

m i n e own I t hath b e com e t h e custom ofo u r f a m il y

.

to fo rfe i t l i fe rath e r than fai th O fool wh y s e e k e st .

,

thou to t e mpt us wi th wo rl dl y amb i t i on W e wi l l

n e v e r b e l e d ast ra y by th e f a l s e ad v ant a g e s thou
of fe re st Th e i nd i gn i t i e s i n i ct e d by t h e Tu rks on
.

o u r g ra ndfath e r sh a l l b e t h e re to consum e th e m ,

and ou r d e a ths t h e w ind to f an t h e am e In th i s .

way we shal l d e stroy t h e Tu rks wi thout fo rfe i t ing

ou r ho l y fai th

.

T h e Muhammadan v i c e roy cou l d no t e ndu re out

sp ok e nne ss of th i s d e sc ri pt i on and i n t h e wo r ds of t h e
, ,

ch ron i cl e r b e gan to bu rn l i k e sand i n a e ry fu rnac e

,
.

H e sai d h e must put t h e ch il d re n to d e ath T h e y .

had no fe ar ofany one and th e i r wo rds w e re l i abl e

,

to caus e di saffe ct i on and re l i gi ous apathy i n oth e rs .

S u ch a na nd was re ady to suppo r t t h e v i c e roy and ,

sugg e st e d addi t i onal re asons for putt i ng t h e ch il dre n

t o d e ath H e sai d th e y had spok e n i nso l e nt l y
.

b e fo re t h e V i c e roy and wh e n th e y g re w up th e y
,

woul d fo l l ow th e i r f a th e r s e xamp l e and d e st roy

arm i e s What good cou l d b e e xp e ct e d from th e m

.

Th e y wou l d b e al ways e xc i t i ng re vo l ts Th e y w e re .

p ri son e rs wi th no ri ght of pardon ; and i fth e y ,

we re re l e as e d no one kn e w what th e y wou l d do

,
.

Th e re w e re no m e ans f or th e i r re p re ss i on but d e ath .

Th e n ou t spok e t h e Nawab ofMa l e r Kot l a O ,

V i c e roy th e s e ch i l d re n a re st il l dri nk ing m il k i n t h e

,

nu rs e ry and a re t oo young to comm i t an o f

,
fe nc e .

Th e y know not good from e v il Wh e re fo re b e .

p l e a s e d to al l ow th e m to de pa rt Th i s re p re s e nta.

t i on t h e V i c e roy h e e de d not but cast about f ,

or som e

one to k i l l t h e ch il dr e n H is s e rvants wh o w e re
.

pre s e nt sai d th e y w e re wi l l ing to sac ri c e th e i r l iv e s

for h i m ,but th e y w e re not e x e cut i on e rs H e tu rn e d .

t o ri ght and l e ft but a l l h i s staff hung down th e i r

,

h e ads i n tok e n of re fusa l a nd p i ty f or t h e -ch il dr e n

m
.
.

At l ast l ook ing b e h i nd h i h e e sp i e d a Gh il zai wh o ,

1 9 8 THE SI KH R E L I G I ON

wi th th e c ru e l ty ofh i s rac e o f fe re d to d o t h e sa n
,

g u i n ary d e e d I.t i s a g e n e r a l b e l i e f among t h e S i khs

t h at t h e ch i l d re n w e re b ri ck e d i nto a wal l and suffe re d
to d ie i n that posi t i on but t h e autho rs of t h e S u raj
,

P a rk a sh and o f t h e GW Bi l a s both stat e that

t h e ch i l d re n w e re put to d e ath i n t h e o r d e r of th e i r
a g e s by t h e swo r d of t h e Gh il zai e x e cut i on e r Th e y .

v i e d w i th e a ch oth e r as to wh o shoul d rst hav e

t h e honou r o fmar tyrdom T h e two ch i l dre n J u jh a r
.

S i ngh and Fatah S i ngh ag e d n i n e and s e v e n ye ars ,

re sp e ct i v e l y
p ,e ri sh e d on t h e 1 3 th o fPoh Sambat ,

1 7 62 ( A D. .

A ri ch S i kh cal l e d T o d a r M al as soon as h e h e a rd ,

of t h e i mp ri sonm e nt of t h e Gu ru s ch i l dre n hast e n e d

to t h e v i c e roy wi th t h e i nt e nt i on ofr ansom i ng th e m ,

but arri v e d too l a t e T h e ch i l dre n had b e e n a l re ady

.

put to d e ath H e th e n p roc e e de d to t h e Gu ru s

.

moth e r M a ta Guj ari wh o had not y e t h e ar d of t h e

,

e x e cut i on of h e r g r andch i l dre n but was at t h e sam e ,

t i m e su f fe ring e xtr e m e m e ntal agony S h e e v e ry .

now and agai n woul d pray to t h e Gu rus to p rot e ct

h e r l i tt l e on e s : O Gu ru N anak may no hai r of

,

my gra nd ch il d re n s h e ads b e touch e d ! O my son

,

Guru Gob i nd S i ngh pardon my s i ns and p rot e ct

m m
,

e now ! W oe i s e I I know not wh a t may happ e n

to my g randch il d re n to day T o d a r M a l sought

-
.

to b re ak t h e sa d i nt e l l ig e nc e to h e r but h i s vo i c e ,

wa s st i e d i n h i s th roat On s e e i ng th i s M a ta
.
,

Guj ari b e cam e e xt re m e l y al arm e d and standi ng up

m
,

at onc e sai d T e l l ,

e t h e t ruth Why a rt thou .

so rrowful P Wh e n w il l th e y al l ow my grandsons to
re tu rn ,
and what qu e st i ons hav e th e y put th e m P
T o d a r M a l th e n st re ngth e n i ng h i s r e so l v e addre ss e d ,

her I hav e m a d e my h e ar t har d e r than a ston e ,

and com e to t e l l th e e oft h e d e ath ofthy g rand

ch il dre n 0 moth e r t h e l i ght ofth i n e e y e s t h e
.
, ,

suppo rt of t h e wo rl d t h e l i f e of t h e S i khs t h e, ,

darl i ngs oft h e Guru hav e b e e n t o day massac re d -

by t h e Tu rks On r e c e i vi ng th i s n e ws Mata Guj ari

.

 L I F E OF GU R U GOBI ND SINGH 1 99

wa s st ruck down as i fa mounta i n h a d f a l l e n o n h e r .

T o d a r M a l b e gan to fan h e r i n h e r swoon w i th t h e

sk irt of h i s dre ss .

On re cov e ri ng consc i ousn e ss to som e e xt e nt sh e

b e gan to cal l upon h e r g randsons O J u jh a r S ingh
m
, ,

O Fatah S i ngh aft e r such l ov e f e wh i th e r hav e

m m
, or

you gon e Tak e e wi th you Who wi l l cal l now e

? .

moth e r or g randmoth e r Who wi l l com e a nd si t o n

my l ap How shal l I now b e hol d y ou P O youthfu l
warri o rs l i ght ofmy cou rtya rd su n of my fam il y
, , ,

I know no t what you r su f fe rings must hav e b e e n

to day O my g randch il d re n on whom I hav e
-
.
,

n e v e r tu rn e d my back e ve n wh e n a sl e e p T o day .
-
,

al as ! al as ! t h e Muhammadan ty rants hav e k il l e d

you t h e darl ings o fm i n e e y e s my b e a ut i ful on e s
, ,
.

I conc e al e d my g randsons from t h e gaz e ofoth e rs ,

and b e ho l d what hath happ e n e d t o day ! Wh a t

hav e I don e t o y ou O ch il dre n th a t you shou l d
m
,

hav e abandon e d e to m i s e ry ? Sayi ng th i s sh e ,

fe l l h e avil y to t h e g round and gav e up h e r sp iri t

,
.

T od a r M a l c re mat e d t h e bod i e s of t h e Gu ru s moth e r

and h e r g randch il dre n and bu ri e d th e i r ash e s

,
1
A .

S i kh t e mp l e now ca l l e d F a t a h ga rh was su b se
, ,

qu e ntl y e re ct e d on t h e spot .

Wh e n t h e Tu rks h e ard that t h e B rahman wh o

,

had b e t ray e d t h e Gu ru s moth e r and ch il d re n

poss e ss e d much w e al th th e y a rre st e d h i a nd a l l m

m
,

h i s fam il y and fo rc e d h i
,
by to r tu re to t e l l wh e re
h e had conc e al e d h i s t re asu re H e po i nt e d o u t t h e.

spot wh e re h e had bu ri e d Mata Gu ja ri s mon e y but

i t was not found th e re T h e Tu rks b e l i e v i ng that

.

h e was on l y d e c e i vi ng th e m cont i nu e d to to rtu re

him unt il h i s sou l took i ght to t h e i nfe rnal re g io ns .

W h il e t h e Gu ru was l i st e n ing to t h e na rra t i ve h e ,

was d i ggi ng up a sh rub wi th h i s kn i f e H e sai d .

,

As I d ig up th i s sh rub by t h e roots so sh a l l t h e ,

Tu rks b e e xt i rpat e d H e i nqu i re d i f any one

.

1
i s/z t
I n the S z7 r aj P a r l f i i s state d that it was T il ok S ingh a nd
mi m bo di e s ofthe Guru s m

Ra S ng h wh o cre ate d th e othe r and sons

.
 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
e xc e pt t h e N a wab of M a l e r Kot l a had spok e n on
b e hal f of t h e ch i l dr e n Th e m e ss e ng e r re p l i e d i n
.

th e ne g at i v e T h e Gu ru th e n sai d th a t a ft e r t h e
.

r oots of t h e opp re ss i v e Tu rks w e re a l l dug up th e ,

r oots oft h e Nawab shou l d st i l l r e ma i n H i s S i khs .

shou l d one day com e a n d l a y S a rh ind wast e .

B e fo re t h e Gu ru had se t ou t from J atpu ra b e p re

m
s e nt e d h is host Kal ha wi th a swo rd t o p re s e rv e i n
m e o ry of h i m
H e was to honou r i t w i th i nc e ns e
.

and owe rs As l ong as h e d i d so h e and h i s fam il y

.
,

shou l d ou ri sh but i fe ve r h e wo re i t h e shoul d

, , ,

l o se h i s poss e ss i ons Kal ha du ring h i s l i fe t i m e

.

t re a t e d t h e swo rd acco rding to t h e Gu ru s i nju nc

t ions and so d i d h i s son aft e r h i

,
But h i s g rand m .

son put o n t h e w e apon and e mpl oy e d i t i n t h e ,

ch a s e .In e nd e avou ri ng to k il l a d e e r wi th i t h e
st ruck h i s own th i gh and di e d oft h e wound Th e .

a utho r of t h e S u ra P a rk a sh w rot e that th i s i nc i d e nt

j
actual l y occu rre d wh e n h e was a boy and h e st il l ,

r e m e mb e re d i t .

C H AP TE R XX V
Th e Gu ru cont i nu e d h i s re t re a t from t h e Tu rks ,

and p roc e e de d on h i s l i tt e r from J atpu ra to D i na

m m
.

On t h e wa y h e e t a S i kh wh o p re s e nt e d h i wi th
a ho rs e and saddl e On arri v i ng at D ina t h e Gu ru
m m
.
,

e t Sham i r a L a k h
,
i ra and T a kht M a l g randsons
, ,

o fJ odh R a i wh o had re nd e re d mat e ri al ass i stanc e

,

to Gu ru H a r Gob i nd i n t h e batt l e ofGu rusar J odh .

Rai s fam il y at rs t l i v e d at Kangar H i s g rand

.

sons had now l e ft that vil l ag e and gon e to D i na

m
.

T h e Gu ru re p re s e nt e d t o t h e young e n th a t th e y

i ncu rre d dang e r i n e nt e rtai n i ng h i but th e y f e l t m

m
,

no a pp re h e nsi on and gav e h i hosp i tab l e t re atm e nt

m
.
,

Wh il e th e re t h e Gu ru gath e re d som e ght ing e n to

h i s standa r d .

Du ring t h e Gu ru s stay at D ina h e wa s vi si t e d

by Parm S ingh and Dharm S ingh d e sc e ndants of ,

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SI NGH 2 01

Bhai Rupa o fwhom m e nt i on has b e e n made i n t h e

,

l i fe of t h e s i xth Gu ru Parm S ingh and Dharm

.

S ingh made t h e Gu ru an offe ring ofa ho rs e and

a dr e ss T h e Gu ru took sp e c i a l not i c e of Sham i ra
and gav e h i mt h e ho rs e and t h e d re ss wh i ch P a rm
.
,

S ingh and Dharm S ingh had p re s e nt e d h i Th e m

.

Gu ru to l d Sham i ra that h e shou l d own l and as far

a s h e cou l d cou rs e h i s st e e d Sham i ra m e nt i on e d
.

th i s i n h is hous e ho l d H i s mat e rnal unc l e l augh e d

.

at t h e Gu ru s p rom i s e a nd sai d that i ft h e Gu ru

had b e e n abl e to wo rk m irac l e s h e woul d not now ,

b e a fug i t i v e Sham i ra wa s pa rt i al l y conv inc e d by

.

th i s a rgum e nt and m e re l y cou rs e d h i s st e e d round

,

h i s own v i l l a g e As t h e re su l t of h i s want of fai th

.
,

h e on l y r e mai n e d i n poss e ss i on oft h e l and wi th i n

t h e c i rc l e h e th u s d e sc ri b e d .

T h e V i c e roy o fS a rh i nd h e a rd that t h e Gu ru was

b e ing e nt e rtai n e d by Sham i ra a nd h is b roth e rs i n
D i na H e w rot e to Sham i ra on t h e subj e ct and
m
.
,

o rde re d h i und e r pai n ofh i s h i gh e st d i sp l e asu re

to arre st and su rre nde r t h e Gu ru Sh a m i ra re p l ie d .

that h e was on l y e nt e rtai n ing h i s p ri e st as t h e ,

Vi c e roy h i ms e l f or any one e l s e m i ght do Th e Gu ru .

wa s m e re l y v i s i t i ng h i s S i khs and mo l e st i ng no one .

Wh il e s e ndi ng th i s re p l y Sham i ra fe are d that t h e

,

V i c e roy wou l d s e nd t roops and arre st t h e Gu ru so ,

h e s e nt a spy to obtai n i nfo rmat i on o ft h e V i c e roy s

mov e m e nts and p roc e e d ings T h e V i c e roy k e pt t roops

.

re ady but di d no t s e nd th e m i mm e d i at e l y M e an
m
.
,

wh il e t h e Gu ru e n l i st e d s e v e ral e n and p re pa re d
for h i s d e f e nc e T h e Gu ru s stay a t D i na app e a rs
.

t o hav e b e e n som e what p rot ract e d f or i t was th e re

m
,

h e wr ot e h i s c e l e b rat e d Zaf or P e rs i an

a rn a a ,

e p i st l e to Au r angz e b I t b e g i ns as usu a l i n such

.
,

compos i t i ons w i th a n
,

I N V OCATI O N T O GO D
0 Tho u p e rfe ct i n m ira cl e s e t e rn al b e ne c e nt B e sto we r
ma i nt e n an ce s al va t ion and me rcy D isp e ns e r
, , ,

o f ra c e
g , , ,
 2 02 THE SI K H RELI GI O N
ofbl iss P a rdon e r S a v i o u r R e m
,
i tt e r ofs i ns d e ar to t h e
, , ,

h e art K i n g ofki ngs B e sto we r ofe x ce l l e n ce Indi c a to r of

, , ,

t h e way wi tho u t c ol o u r a nd wi tho u t e qu al Lo rd wh o

m
, , ,

g i v e th h v n l b l i ss to h i w h h th no p rop e r t y no
m
e a e o a
y
no a rm m
,

re t i n u e n d no o f o t s D i st i n ct f ro t h e
, y a c r , .

wo rl d po we rf ,
ul whos e l i ght i s e v e ry wh e re d i f
,
fuse d Tho u ,

b e st owe st g if ts a s i fTho u we rt p re s e nt i n p e rson P u re

Tho u a rt m
.

Ch e ri sh e r B e sto we r off , a vo u rs e rc i ful a nd , ,

P rovi d e r ofs u st e n a n ce i n e v e ry l a nd Tho u a rt Lo rd Of

e v e ry c l i m
. ,
,

e th e g re a t e st oft h e g re a t P e rf e c t in b e au t y

me rc i ful M ast e r ofknowl e dge S u ppo rt oft h e u nh appy

, .
,

, , ,

P rot e c to r oft h e F a i th Fo u nt a i n o fe l oqu e n ce S e a rch e r of

m
, ,

h e a rts Au tho r ofre v e l a t i on App re c i a to r ofwi sdo Lo rd

m
, , ,

of i nt e l l i e n ce D i v i n f s ts O n i p s e nt G od
g e r o e,
c re r e , ,

Tho u kno we st t h e a f f a i rs of t h e wo rl d Tho u re sol v e st i t s .

d i i cu l t i e s Tho u a rt i t s g , re a t O rg an i z e r .

AD D RE ss TO AURANGZ E B
I h a v e no f

a i th i n th i n e o a th to wh i ch tho u took e st t h e

o n e God a s wi tn e ss I h a v e not a p a rt i cl e ofcond e n ce i n

th e e Th y t re a su re r a nd t h y m
.

. i n i st e rs a re al l f al s e H e wh o .

p u tt e th f a i th i n t h i ne oa t h on t h e Q u ra n i s th e re b y a ru i n e d
'

ma n Th e insol e nt crow ca nnot to u ch h imwh o h a th

a l l e n u nd e r t h e sh a do w o ft h e h u m
.

f a H e wh o t a k e th t h e .

p rot e ct i on ofa po we rf ul t ig e r c a nnot b e a pp ro a c h e d b y

a g o at a bu f f
al o o r a d e e r H a d I e v e n s e cre t l y s wo rn on
t h e vo l u m e ofm
, ,
.

y c ho i c e fa i th to a c c e pt t h y re l i gi on I
sho ul d not h a v e h a d to wi thdra w m
,

y i n fa nt ry a nd ca v al ry

fro m An a ndp u r 1

As to m m rt y m
.

y d e fe a t a t C h a k a u r w h a t c o ul d fo e n do

wh e n a h u nd re d t ho u s an d c a m e on th e m
,

u n a wa re s Th e
o a th b re a k e rs a tt ack e d th e ma b ru pt l y wi th s wo rds a rro ws
-

a nd m I wa s c onst ra i n e d to e n gage i n t h e co m
, ,

u sk e ts bat
o u ght to t h e u t m ost ofm
.
,

a nd I f a b il i t y Wh e n an a f fai r
y
p a ss e th b e y ond t h e re gi on ofd i pl o m
.

i t i s l awf
'

a cy u l to ,

h a v e re co u rs e to t h e s wo rd H a d I b e e n a bl e to re pos e .

1
T he p re ce d n g p art i fth i s ad d re ss fs to Anandp u r ; wh at
m
o re e r

f
oll o ws to C h a k aur .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 20 3
ond e n ce i n th i n e o a th on t h e Q u ra n I wo ul d not h a v e
my city H ad I not known th a t tho u we rt
c ,

a b a ndon e d .

c ra f t y a nd d e c e i t ful a s a f ox I wo u l d n e v e r on a ny a cc o u nt

h a ve co m H e wh o c o m e th to m
,

e h i th e r e a nd s we are th on t h e

Q u ra n o u ght not to k il l or i m p ri son m Th i n e a rm m

.

e .
y c a e

cl oth e d l i k e bl u e bott l e s a nd a l l of
-
,
a s u dd e n ch arg e d wi th a

l o u d sho u t Ev e ry sol d i e r ofth i n e wh o a dv a n ce d b e y ond h is

e n ce s to a tt a ck m
.

de f y pos i t i on fe l l d e l u g e d i n b l ood T h y
t roops wh o h a d c o m mitt e d no aggre ssion re ce ive d no i nj ury a t
.
,

o u r h a nds Wh e n I saw th a t N ah a r Kh a n e nt e re d t h e ght

I qu i ckl y ga v e h i m my arro w M a ny sol die rs wh o
.
,

t h e t a st e of
cam e wi th h i m no m
.

a nd bo a st e d o fth e i r p ro we ss i g i n i o u sl y
d e s e rt e d t h e e l d ofb a ttl e Anoth e r Af gh a n o f ce r a d
m
.

v a nce d l i k e a ru sh i n ood o w sk t b l l
g a n a rr o r a u e a

He m a de m a n y a ss a u l ts re c e i v e d m
.
, ,

a n y wo u nds a nd a t l a st

wh il e i n t h e a ct ofk i l l i n gt wo Ofm m
, ,

y S i khs w a s k il l e d h i s e l f
Kh wa j a M a rd u d re m a i n e d b e h i nd a wa l l a nd c a m
.
,

e not

f o rth l i k e a m an H a d I b u t s e e n h is f a c e I wo u l d c e rt a i nl y

h a v e b e sto we d a n a rro w on h i mtoo At l ast m

.
,

. a n y we re

k i l l e d on both s i d e s b y sho we rs ofarro ws a nd b ul l e ts a nd

t h e e a rth b e ca m
,

e re d a s a r os e H e a ds a nd l e gs l ay i n
.

h e a ps a s i ft h e e l d we re cov e re d wi th b al l s a nd ho ck e y
st i c ks Th e wh i zz in g o fa rro ws t h e t wa n gi n g ofbo ws
.
, ,

a nd a u n i v e rs al h u bb u b re a ch e d t h e sk M n t h b r a v st
y e e e

o u ght l i k e m adm
.
,

o ft h e b ra v e f , en Bu t h ow c o ul d f
. o rt y
e v e n oft h e b ra v e st s u c c e e d wh e n oppos e d b a c o u nt l e ss
y
host Wh e n t h e l a m p ofd ay was v e i l e d t h e qu e e n ofn ight
ca m o rth i n all h e r spl e ndo u r a nd God wh o p rot e ct e d m
,

e f e

sho we d m ro mm i ne e ne m
,

e t h e wa y to e s c a p e f ie s Th e re
wa s not a h a i r ofm
.

y h e a d to u ch e d n o r di d,
I i n a n y w a y
su f f er

a i th l e s s m
.

Did I not kno w th a t tho u O f a n we rt a wor

, ,

sh i pp e r Ofwe al th a nd p e rj u re r Tho u k e e p e st no f a i th a n d

obs e rv e st no re l i gion Tho u kno we st not God a nd b e l ie v e st

not i n M u h a m ma d H e wh o h a th re gard for h is re l i gion
.
,

ro m h is p ro m
.

n e v e r swe rv e t h f is e Tho u h a st no i d e a ofwh a t

.

a n o a th on t h e Q u ra n i s a nd c a nst h a v e no b e l i e f
,
i n D i v i nc
P rov i d e n ce W e rt tho u to t a k e a h u nd re d o a ths on t h e '

Q u ra n I wo ul d not e v e n th e n t ru st th e e i n t h e s l i ght e st
,
.
 2 04 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
H a dst tho u a ny i nt e nt i on ofk e e p i n g th i n e o a th tho u
wo u l dst h a v e gird e d u p t h y l o i ns a nd c o m e to m
,

e Wh e n
tho u d idst s we a r b y M u h am ma d and cal l e d t h e wo rd of
.

God to wi tn e ss i t wa s i n cu m b e nt on th e e to obs e rv e th a t
We re t h e P roph e t h i m
,

oath s e l fp re s e nt h e re I wo ul d
make it m m m
p ,

y sp e c i a l obj e c t to i n f o r h i o f t h y t re a c h e r
y
Do wh a t is i n cu m
.

b e nt on th e e a nd a dh e re to t h y wri tt e n
p ro m
,

i s e Tho u sho ul dst h a v e ch e e rf ul l y f u l l l e d

a l so t h e v e rb al p ro m
.

i s e s ofth i n e e nvo y Ev e ry body o u ght

to b e a m
.

a n of h i s wo rd a nd not u tt e r o ne th i n gwh i l e h e
me dit at e th a nothe r Thou d i dst pro mis e to abi de b y t h e
,

I ftho u h a st spok e n t ru l y th e n c o m
.

wo rds oft h y q a z i e

to m I ftho u d e s i re to s e al t h y p ro m
.
,

e i s e on t h e Q u ra n
I ftho u c o m
.
,

I wi l l gl a dl y s e nd i t to th e e f or t h e p u rpos e : e

to t h e v il l a ge ofK a n ga r we sh al l h a v e a n i nt e rvi e w Tho u

, .

sh al t not ru n t h e s l i ght e st d an ge r on t h e wa y f or th e who l e

t ri b e ofBa i rars a re u nd e r m Co m e to m e th a t we m
,

1
e ay

sp e a k to e a ch oth e r a nd th a t I m
.

,
a y u tt e r k i nd wo rds to

th e e
I a ma s l a v e a nd s e rva nt oft h e K i n gofk i ngs a nd re a dy
.

to ob e y H is o rd e r wi th m
,

y l i f e Sho u l d H is o r d e r re a c h

me I wil l go to th e e with al l m
.

y h e a r t I f tho u h a v e a ny

b e l i e fi n God d e l ay not i n th i s m
.
,

,
a tt e r It i s t h y du ty to
.

kno w God H e n e ve r o rd e re d th e e to a nno y oth e rs Tho u

s e a t e d on a n e m
. .

a rt p e ro r s th ron e y e t h ow st ra n ge a re

,

t h y j u st i c e th i n e a tt ri bu t e s a nd t h y re ga rd f or re l i g i on !
Al a s a h u nd re d t i m
,

es al a s f or t h y sov e re i g nt y St ra n ge
P ro m i s e s not m
,

st ra n ge i s t h y d e cre e e a nt to b e f u l l l e d

i nj u re thos e wh o m a k e th e m S m i t e not a ny one m er

ro mon h i g
.

c il e ssl y wi th t h e s wo rd or a s wo rd f h sh al l
sm i t e th y s e l f 0 m
,

. a n b e not re c kl e ss f
,
e ar God
,
H e can
,

not b e a tt e re d or p ra i s e d Th e K i n gofk i ngs i s wi tho u t

H e i s t h e t ru e E m
.

f e ar p e ro r ofe a rth a nd h e a v e n God

is t h e m
. .

ast e r ofboth wo rl ds H e i s t h e C re a to r of a l l
a ni m ro m
.

al s f th e f e e bl e a nt to t h e po we rf u l e l e ph a nt He
i s t h e P rot e c to r o ft h e m
.

i s e ra bl e a nd D e st ro y e r oft h e re c k
l e ss H i s n am e i s t h e S u ppo rt oi t h e u nh a pp y It i s H e
wh o sh owe t h m
. .

a n t h e wa y h e o u g ht to go Tho u a rt bo u nd
who m
.

1
F ro m th e Ph l k ian ch i e f s and pe op l e are de sce nde d .
 LIFE OF GU R U GOBIND sI NGH 29 5

by th i n e o ath on t h e Q u ra n B rin gt h e m a tt e r to a g ood i ss u e

a cc o rd i n g to t h y p ro m It i s i n cu m
.

is e s . b e nt on th e e to a ct
wi s e l y a nd b e d i s c re e t i n a l l th i n e a ct i ons Wh a t tho u gh
my fo u r sons we re k i ll e d I re main b e h ind l i ke a co il e d
, .

1
,

sn a k e Wh a t b ra v e ry i s i t to qu e n ch a f e w S p arks of l if e

Tho u a rt m i n gre t h e m
.

e re l y e x c i t i n ga ra g o re H ow we l l .

spok e t h e s we e t ton gu e d F i rd au s i H a st e i s t h e d e vil s
- 2

I wo ul d h a v e gon e m a ny t i m
,

wo rk ! e s to th e e h a d t h y

p ro m i s e b e e n k e pt wh e n t h e b ul l o cks we re pl u nd e re d As .

tho u d i dst f o rge t t h y wo rd on th a t d ay so wi ll God f ,

o rge t
th e e God wi l l gra nt th e e t h e f
. ru i t oft h e e vi l d e e d tho u

d i dst de s i gn It i s good to a ct a c co rd i n gto t h y re l igi on a nd

I do not d e e mtho u
.
,

to kno w th a t God i s d e a re r th a n l i f e .

kno we st God s i n ce tho u h a st don e a cts ofOpp re ss ion

, .

Wh e re f o re t h e gre a t God kno we th th e e not a nd will not ,

re c e i v e th e e wi th a l l t h y we al th H a dst tho u s wo rn a
hu nd re d t i m
.

es on t h e Q u ra n I wo ul d not h a v e t ru st e d
or a m om
,

th e e i n t h e sl i ght e st e v e n f e nt I wil l not e nt e r

t h y p re s e n ce nor t ra v e l on t h e s a m
.

,
e ro a d wi th th e e b ut , ,

i fGod so will i t I wil l p ro ce e d to wa rds th e e

, .

Fo rt u n a t e art tho u Au ran gz e b k i n g ofk in gs e xp e rt

s wo rds m H a ndso m
, ,

a n a nd r i d e r e i s t h y p e rson a nd i nt e l l i

m
.
.
,

g e nt ar t tho u E p e ro r a n d ru l e r o f t h e c o u nt r y tho u a rt
c l e v e r to a d m do m a nd skil l e d to wi e l d
.
,

i n i st e r t h y k i n g ,

th e
s w o rd Tho u a rt g e n e ro u s to t h y co re l i g i on i sts a nd -

p ro m pt to cru sh th i n e e n e m
.
,

i e s Tho u a rt t h e gre a t d is
p e ns e r o fk i n gdo m
.

s a nd we al th Th y ge n e ros i t y i s p ro f us e

a nd i n b a tt l e tho u art rm as a m
.
,

o u nt a i n Ex al t e d i s t h y .

pos i t i on ; t h y l o f t i n e ss i s a s th a t oft h e Pl e i a d e s Tho u

m
.

a rt k i n
g o f k i n g s a n d o r n a e nt o f t h e th ron e s o f th e w o rl d
Tho u a rt m ro m

.
,

on a rch oft h e wo rl d b u t f ar f th e e i s re l i gi on
I wa nt e d to k i l l t h e h il l m
.
,

e n wh o we re f u l l of st ri fe Th e y .

wo rsh i pp e d i do l s a nd I was a n i do l b re a k e r B e ho l d t h e
-

po we r oft h e good a nd p u re God wh o b y m on e m

.
,

e a ns of an

k i l l e d h u nd re ds oftho u s a nds Wh a t c a n a n e n e m .
y do w h e n
1
twi ste d co nv o l ute d T h e m
P e c/zi da , o re c o il s a snak e h as t he
more po iso n it c ontains T he Guru he re di stinctly thre ate ns
.
,

th e
Em
.

p e ror
am
.

2
Af ous P e rs i an poe t autho r o fthe S /zd / ZNd wa
,
z-z - .
2 06 THE S I K H RELIGI ON .

Go d t h e Fri e nd i s k i nd ? H i s f un c t i o n i t i s, a s t h e g re a t

B e sto we r to b e sto w H e gi v e th d e l i ve ra n ce and p oint e t h

, .

ou t t h e wa y to H i s cre a t u re s H e t e a ch e th t h e ton g .u e to

u tt e r H i s p ra i s e s In t h e ho u r ofa ct i on h e bl i nde th t h e
m m m
.

e ne y H e re s c u e th t h e h e l p l e ss a nd p rot e c t e t h th e f o
m
r

m
.

i nj u ry T h e M e rci f u l sh owe t h e rcy to h i wh o a ct e t h

m
.

hon e st l y God b e st owe t h p e a ce on h i wh o h e art il y p e r

m m m
.

f o r e th H i s s e rv i ce H ow c an a n e n e y l e a d a st ra y h i
m
.

wi t h who t h e Gu i d e o ft h e wa y i s we l l p l e a s e d P Shoul d
t e ns oftho u s a nds p ro ce e d agai nst s u ch a p e rson , t h e Cre a to r
wi l l b e h i s gu ardi a n Wh e n tho u l ook e st to th i n e ar y a nd
. m
we a l th , I l ook to God s p rai s e s

Tho u a rt p ro u d o fth i n e
mpi I a mp ro u d oft h e k i n gdo moft h e immo t
.

e re ,
wh i l e r al

God h e e dl e ss th i s cara v a ns ary i s onl y f

Be not or a f ew

d a y s P e opl e l e a v e i t at al l t i m
.

. es B e hol d t h e re vo l u t i on .

wh i c h p a ss e th ov e r e v e ry d e n i z e n a nd ho u s e i n th i s f a i thl e ss

wo rl d Ev e n tho u gh tho u a rt st ron g a nno y not t h e we a k

L a y not t h e a x e to t h y k i n gdo m Wh e n Go d i s a f
. .
,

ri e nd

W h a t ca n a n e n e m m m
.
,

y do e v e n tho u gh h e u l t i p l y h i s e l f
a h u nd re d t i m e s P If an e ne m p r c t i s n mi t tho u s a nd
y a e e y a

tim e s h e c a nnot a s l on ga s God i s a f

,
ri e nd i nj u re e ve n a h ai r
, ,

of on e s h e a d
.

Th e Guru s e nt t h e abov e to t h e Emp e ror by

D aya S i ngh and Dharm S i ngh who had su rvi v e d
m
,

t h e batt l e ofCh a k a u r and e scap e d to D i na wi th

t h e Gu ru Th e y di sgu i s e d th e ms e l v e s as M u h a
. m
m a dan p il g ri ms and p roc e e d e d on th e i r j ou rn e y to
,

t h e so uth of In di a On re ach ing D ib l i th e y took .

sh e l t e r i n t h e S i kh t e mpl e and re c e i ve d t h e vi s i ts
ofs e v e ra l adm i ri ng S i khs N e xt mo rn i ng th e y se t .

ou t f or Ag r a Th e nc e th e y c ross e d t h e ri v e r Cham
.

b a l and p roc e e d e d to Uj j a i n wh e nc e th e y c ross e d ,

t h e Narb a da a n d t r av e l l e d by Bu rhanpu r to Au ran

g a b a d Th e nc e th
. e y p r oc e e d e d to Ahmadnaga r ,

wh e re t h e Emp e ro r wa s e ncamp e d Th e re D aya

m
.

S i ngh and Dharm S i ngh e t a S i kh cal l e d J e tha

S i ngh who to l d th e m i t wou l d b e v e ry d if
,
cu l t f
or

th e m t o obta i n a n a udi e nc e of t h e Emp e ro r Th e y .

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 207

sai d i t d i d not matt e r and ask e d h i t o summon

,
m
a l l t h e S i khs who w e re th e re to m e e t th e m and h e a r
th e i r sto ry Daya S ingh and Dharm S ingh to l d t h e
.

S i khs ofth e i r m i ss i on and re ad a l e tt e r sp e c i al l y

,

addr e ss e d to th e m by t h e Gu ru .

C H AP T E R XX V I
M e anwh il e t h e Gu ru was pre pari ng for h i s de fe nc e
at D i na but i n o rd e r that t h e i nnoc e nt vil l ag e rs
,

m i ght no t su f fe r from w arl i k e op e rat i ons d i re ct e d

agai nst h i m
h e p i tch e d h i s t e nt i n t h e n e i ghbou ri ng
,

fo re st It wou l d app e a r that h e app roach e d i fh e

.
,

di d not actu a l l y e nt e r t h e p re s e nt v i l l ag e ofJ a l al

, ,

for i t i s r e co r d e d that t h e i nhab i tants of that v i l l ag e

m
g a v e h i supp l i e s and a l a nc e f or d e f e nc e Th e y .

comp l ai n e d that t h e i nh a b i t a nts ofa n e i ghbou ri ng

v il l a g e bo re th e m e nm i ty Th e re we re a l ways a f . frays
b e tw e e n t h e t wo v i l l ag e s and t h e i nhab i tants of ,

J al al w e re al ways wo rst e d T h e Gu ru to l d th e m to
m
.

ob e y and b e l i e v e i n h i and th e y shou l d al ways

m
,

b e vi cto ri ous Th e y t rust e d h i and obta n e d s e v e r al

.
i

vi cto ri e s Subs e qu e nt l y how e v e r th e i nh ab i tants

.
, ,

of J al al fo rgot th e i r p rom i s e s to th e Gu ru and sto l e ,

ho rs e s b e l ong ing to t h e S i khs T h e o f fe nd e rs w e re .

pun i sh e d and e xp e l l e d from th e i r v il l ag e by thos e

whom th e y h a d wrong e d Th e y subs e qu e nt l y b e gg e d .

t h e S i khs par don and w e re al l ow e d to dw e l l at

Gu rusar wh e re t h e Gu ru had e ncamp e d

1
,
.

T h e Gu ru th e nc e p roc e e d e d t o t h e v i l l ag e of
Bhagta i n t h e p re s e nt stat e ofFari dkot T h e v il l ag e .

h a d b e e n cal l e d aft e r Bhai Bh a g t u a g ra ndson o f ,

Bhai Bah il o who wa s a d ist ingu i sh e d S i kh i n t h e

,

t i m e of Gu ru A rj a n Bh agt u h a d v e sons Gu rdas

.
, ,

T a ra Bha ra M ih ra and B a khta Th e y p re s e nt e d

, , ,
.

a fu l l y cap ari son e d st e e d t o t h e Gu ru Gu rdas a nd .

1
Th i s i s not th e Gu usar th e sce ne ofG u u H ar Gob ind s e ngag

m e nt wi th th e i m p e i al a m
r r e

r r
y .
2 08 THE SI K H RELI GION
Tara th e m
we hav e al re ady d e sc rib e d as
m
are en

a sa n ds of Ram R a i By th i s t i m e th e y had
.

r e tu rn e d to th e i r nat i v e v il l ag e Th e Guru r e mai n e d .

i n Bhagta f or th re e days and on t h e fou rth t r av e l l e d

,

to Wandar i n t h e p re s e nt di st ri ct of F irOZ p u r .

Th e nc e h e p roc e e d e d i nto a d e ns e fo re st wh e re h e
m e t a n e ph e w of Kapu r a t h e Chaudh ri ofs e v e ra l
,

vil l ag e s round Kot Kapu ra i n t h e p re s e nt sta te of

Fa ri dkot T h e n e ph e w comp l ai n e d that h i s u n c l e
m
.

had e xp e l l e d h i H e wa s h e sai d ma rch ing to do

m
.
, ,

batt l e wi th h i but on h e ari ng of t h e Guru s arri val

m
, , ,

h e rst w e nt to pay h i h i s re sp e cts that b e i ng ,

a mo re ho l y obj e ct than maki ng wa r on h i s unc l e .

T h e Gu ru sai d that K a p u ra s t roops wou l d arri v e

on t h e mo rrow but h i s n e ph e w must not at p re s e nt

,

e ngag e i n a combat w i th th e m H i s t roops wou l d .

subs e qu e nt l y c a u e r thos e ofKapu ra T h e n e ph e w .

fol l owi ng t h e Gu ru s advi c e d e c i de d to r e mai n at

hom e on t h e mo rrow H i s wi fe how e v e r , on s e e i ng

m
.
,

hi thus i ngl o ri ousl y i nact i v e ask e d f or h i s swo r d

m
,

and tu rban offe re d h i h e r p e tt i coat and sai d sh e

, ,

woul d go and ght h e rs e l f Th i s taunt rous e d h e r .

husband to a ct i on In di s re gar d of t h e Gu ru s
.

advi c e h e w e nt to battl e and wa s k il l e d by h i s

uncl e s forc e s

.

T h e Gu ru th e nc e p roc e e de d to Bahi wal and

Sarawan and b il l e t e d h i s S i khs on t h e v il l ag e s .

One S i kh nam e d M a l i a ga r S i ngh wa s f e d by a poo r

m
, ,

Vi l l ag e r on p i l u t h e t i ny fru i t of
,
t h e ja l t re e H e to l d -
.

t h e Gu ru that h e had had an e xc e l l e nt d i nn e r Th e .

Gu ru on subs e qu e nt l y d i scov e ri ng th a t h e had di n e d

on p i l u m
and thus re c e i v e d on l y i ndi f fe re nt food
m
,

compl i m e nt e d h i on h i s cont e ntm e nt and sai d ,

that S i khs ought e v e r to a c t as h e h a d don e and ,

n e v e r di sp rai s e food off e re d th e m T h e Gu ru con .

t i nn e d If any one com e to a S i kh and re c e i ve not

m
, ,

food from h i know that that S i kh hath s i nn e d

,
.

If any one b e gfood from a S i kh h e too hath s i nn e d ,

b e caus e ofh is gre e d .

 LI FE OF GU R U GO BI ND si NGH 29 9

Th e Guru th e n v i s i t e d Kot Kapu ra and put up ,

outs i de t h e c i ty unde r a p i pal t re e wh i ch i s st i l l -

,

po int e d out to t h e t rav e l l e r I t i s i n a l i tt l e p ro

.

monto ry i n t h e c e nt re of a l a k e fo rm e d by t h e
e xcavat i on of e arth to bu i l d t h e town Kapu ra
m m
.

cam e to se e h i and b rought h i

, a fu l l y capa ri
so ne d hors e and oth e r p re s e nts N e xt day Kapu ra
m m
.

ag a i n vi s i t e d h i and found h i s e at e d on one

couch wh il e h i s we a pons we re l ai d b e fo re h i
,
on m
anoth e r H e re v e re nc e d arms b e caus e h e sai d
.
, ,

th e y wh o wo re th e m and pract i s e d th e ir u se b e cam e

b rav e and conqu e re d th e i r e n e mi e s .

T h e Gu ru b e gg e d K a p u ra s p e rm i ss i on to tak e

sh e l t e r i n h i s fo rt Kapu ra re pl i e d that h e had no

.

pow e r to w i thstand t h e i mp e ri al army and no de s ire ,

to wande r a fug i ti ve l i k e t h e Gu ru T h e Gu ru th e n .

sai d t h e Muhammadans wou l d tak e h i s fo rt put h i s

m
,

h e ad i nto a b a gof ash e s and th e n hang h i ,

Kapu ra .

l e ft i n ang e r and go i ng hom e c l os e d t h e gat e s of

,

t h e fo r t so that t h e Gu ru m i ght not e nt e r by sur

,

pri s e .

T h e Guru h e a rd that Waz i r Khan s army wa s

now i n h o t pu rsu i t H e accor d i ngl y se t ou t from

.

Kapu ra and sought sh e l t e r i n Dh il wan a v il l ag e

, ,

a bout fou r m il e s to t h e south e ast of i t Th e re -

.

P ri t h i Ch a nd s d e sc e ndants had b e e n s e tt l e d for

som e t i m e One o fth e m cal l e d Kau l now a v e ry

m m
.
,

ol d a n v i s i t e d t h e Gu r u and mad e h i
,
a p re s e nt
o fa su i t o f c l oth e s Upon th i s t h e Guru th re w off
.

and bu rn e d t h e g re a t e r pa rt of t h e b l u e dr e ss wh i ch
h e had b e e n us i ng f or di sgu i s e In t h e Asa k i War.

occu rs t h e l i n e
Nil b a st a r l e k a p re p a h i re T u rk P a t h a ni a m
al ki a
y .

Th e T u rks a nd P a th a ns p u t on bl u e cl oth e s a nd re ign e d .

F or th is t h e Gu ru re ad
N l l b a st a r l e ka p re ph a re T urk P a t h a ni a m
,

al gay a .

I h a v e to rn t h e b l u e cl oth e s wh i c h I wo re t h e ru l e oft h e
T u rks a nd P ath a ns i s a t a n e nd .
210 T HE SI KH R ELI GI ON
Th e Gu ru m e ant t h e al t e rat i on as a cu rs e on t h e
Tu rks and Path a ns I t was d e e m e d an i mp i ous a c t
.

t o al t e r any p art o ft h e Granth Sah i b Thi s t h e .

Gu ru d i d n ot d e ny , but s a i d h e hop e d that t h e

mu rde r ofh i s fath e r and ofh i s own ch il dre n and
t h e g ri e vous su f
fe ri ngs of h i s S i khs w e re a sufci e nt
aton e m e nt A p i e c e ofh i s b l u e c l oth e s wh i ch t h e
.

Gu ru di d not consi gn to t h e re h e pr e s e rv e d i n
m e mo ry ofh i s t roub l e s I t i s sai d to hav e su b se
.

qu e ntl y sugg e st e d t h e b l u e dre ss oft h e Akal i s or

Nih angs .

Th e Gu ru soon l e ft Dh il wan and p i tch e d h is t e nt

i n a fo re st b e tw e e n Mal uka and Koth a Th e nc e h e .

p roc e e de d to J ai to i n t h e p re s e nt stat e of N abha .

Th e re Kapura arri v e d on a hunt i ng e xcursi on H e .

compl ai n e d ofp e rtu rbat i on ofm i nd on account of

t h e curs e t h e Guru had utt e r e d T h e Gu ru how.
,

e v e r re fus e d to r e tract h i s words

, On t h e contrary .

h e sai d that Kapura shou l d e v e r r e mai n a pup y

p
oft h e Muhammadans and hav e gr e at suff
, e ri ng i n
cons e qu e nc e .

Wh i l e t h e Guru wa s i n th i s l ocal i ty a m e ss e ng e r ,

a rr i v e d wi th t h e n e ws that Waz i r Khan s army wa s

march i ng h i th e r and wou l d arri v e i n a f

, e w days .

T h e Guru ask e d Kapura for a gu i de Kapu ra s e nt .

an of c e r c al l e d Khana and som e troop e rs wi th

i nstruct i ons to show h i m
t h e wa y as f a r as K h i d ra na ,

but not e ngag e i n any combat and i fpossi bl e h i nde r,

t h e Guru from do i ng so N e xt mo rn ing t h e Gu ru e s

m
.

cap e d to R a i a na i n t h e Fari dkot stat e On t h e wa y .

h e found a man gath e r i ng t h e fru i t of t h e wi l d cap e r .

T h e Guru tast e d but not re l i sh i ng i t to l d t h e man to

, ,

th row i t aw a y T h e man wou l d not do so al tog e th e r

. .

Th e Gu ru s a i d i t had b e e n h i s i nt e nt i on to ban i sh
d rought from that part of t h e count ry but now h e ,

cou l d not do so owi ng to t h e man s obst i nacy and

d i sr e gar d ofh is orde rs From R a i a na t h e Guru

. m
p roc e e d e d towards K h i dra na .

Al l th e cont e sts and su f fe ri ngs oft h e Guru b e cam e

AN A K A LI
 LI FE O F GURU GOBIND SINGH 21 1

known i n t h e Manj ha a n d th e S i khs who dw e l t ,

th e re c e nsu re d th e ms e l v e s f or hav i ng l i st e n e d to
Dun i Chand and abandon e d t h e Gu ru at Anandpur .

Th e y now b e gan to consi d e r how th e y coul d mak e

re pa rat i on and ass i st th e i r sp i ri tual mast e r i n h is d i r e

e xtr e m i ty Th e y w e r e how e v e r of t h e op i n i on of
.
, ,

t h e S i khs ofLaho re that t h e Gu ru shou l d adopt t h e

wa y of Baba N anak a n d c e as e a l l host il i t i e s Th e y
m
.

s e nt a l arg e de putat i on to p re ss th e i r advi c e on h i ,

and p rom i s e d that i fh e acc e pt e d i t th e y wou l d
m
, ,

u se i nu e nc e w i th t h e Emp e ro r to pardon h i ;
oth e rwi s e th e y wou l d not cons i de r th e ms e l v e s h i s
S i khs or h i th e i r Gu ru m .

T h e Gu ru on t h e wa y to K h i d ra na a rr i v e d at
a v il l ag e own e d by a Khat ri cal l e d Rupa wh o
m
,

warn e d h i of fth ro ugh f e ar oft h e Emp e ro r s d i s

p l e asu re T h e Gu ru had a Ba i ra r n a m e d D an S ingh

.

as h i s c l e rk and Chamb e rl ai n D an Si ngh s son sa w .

.

t h e e n e my app roach i ng and dul y i nform e d t h e ,

Gu ru T h e Gu ru took no not i c e but cont i nu e d to

.
,

wal k h i s ho rs e T h e warn ing wa s re p e at e d but th e

. .
,

Gu ru h e e de d i t not T h e youth th e n st ruck t h e .

Gu ru s ho rs e w i th t h e obj e ct of qu i ck e n ing h is pac e

.

At th i s t h e Guru b e cam e ang ry and utt e r e d wo rds

o f c e nsur e Dan S i ngh i nt e rc e de d f
. or h i s son .

T h e Gu ru r e p l i e d that h e tr e at e d D an S i ngh s
son a s h i s own and a fath e r s c e nsu re wou l d
,

not affe ct h i s ch il dr e n T h e Gu ru i nstanc e d t h e

.
.

cas e of a t i gre ss re movi ng h e r cubs from a burn ing

fo re st Wh e n sh e tak e s th e m i n h e r mouth e v e ry
.
,

o ne th i nks sh e i s go i ng to d e vou r th e m
'

but th i s is ,

not so H e r a c t i s p rompt e d by l ov e
. .

T h e d e putat i on o ft h e Manj ha S i khs found t h e

Gu ru aft e r much s e arch On h e ari ng th e i r re p re .

se n t a t i on h e sa i d If you w e re my S i khs y ou wou l d

m
, ,

re c e i v e and not g i v e i nst ruct i on I do not

m
e . .

r e qu ir e you You d e s e rt e d e fo rm e rl y Who hath

. .

s e nt f or you n ow ? You hav e com e to adj ust my

qua rre l s but wh e re w e re you wh e n I n e e d e d you r

,

P 2
212 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
ass i stanc e You us e d no i nu e nc e wi th t h e Emp e ro r
wh e n Gu ru A rj an wa s to rtu re d to d e ath or wh e n ,

Gu ru T e gBahadu r was b e h e ade d On th i s account

.
.
,

my b re th re n I cannot l i st e n to you r advi c e Wh e n

m
, .

I am agai n i n d if cul ty y ou wil l b e t ray as

m
e ,

b e fo re Put on re co r d that you re nounc e

. e and

g o to you r hom e s Upon th i s t h e. d e putat i on d r e w

up a fo rmal docum e nt to t h e e f fe ct that th e y re _

nou nc e d t h e Gu ru un l e ss h e c e as e d to cont e nd w i th
t h e Tu rks .

A S i kh wh o had b e e n put on a t re e to k e e p watch

sai d I se e t h e e ne my app roach i ng and th e y wil l
, ,

T h e Gu ru took up h is bow and arrows

soon se e us .

and mount e d h i s ho rs e H e was advi s e d by K a p u ra s

.

gu i d e to go to K h i d ra na wh e re th e re wa s wat e r of,

wh i ch h e cou l d hol d poss e ssi on and wh e re t h e ,

Muhammadans ifth e y v e ntu re d th i th e r wou l d di e

, ,

of th i rst T h e Gu r u sai d
. Th e re i s dust i n t h e ,

e y e s of t h e Muhammadans and e ar th i n th e i r mouths .

Th e y may star e as much as th e y p l e as e but wh e n ,

I r e m e mb e r t h e hol y Baba N anak th e y cannot se e

m e .

F i v e of Manj ha S i khs r e p e nt e d of th e i r re
th e
nu nci a t i on o ft h e Gu ru and d e c i d e d to re tu rn and
m
,

re nd e r h i a l l ass i stanc e Th e y i nduc e d th i rty v e

.
-

mor e of th e i r numb e r to re tu rn wi th th e m T h e .

Gu ru thus obtai n e d an un e xp e ct e d re i nfo rc e m e nt of

fo rty good and e arn e st ght i ng en Th e y w e re m .

j o i n e d by a h e ro i n e nam e d Bhago wh o th rough z e al ,

for t h e S i kh caus e had donn e d man s att i re and vow e d

t o su f fe r d e ath i fn e c e ssary on t h e b l oodstai n e d e l d

o fdang e r on b e hal f oft h e Gu ru T h e Gu ru a nd .

h is p e rsonal guar d p re c e d e d th e m to K h i dr a n a i n
t h e p re s e nt F i rozp u r d i st ri ct oft h e Panj ab but on ,

nding no w a t e r t h e re t h e tank havi ng ru n dry , ,

mov e d on i nto t h e n e i ghbou ri ng fo re st wh e re th e y ,

d e e m e d th e y shoul d b e i n g re at e r safe ty and wh e nc e ,

th e y cou l d mor e e as il y e scap e i fov e rpow e re d T h e

m
.

forty e n oft h e Manj ha on arr i vi ng at K h i d ra na

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 21 3
d e c i de d to cov e r th e t re e s i n t h e n e ighbou rhood
wi th c l oth e s so that t h e e n e my m i ght th ink th e y
,

w e r e e ncamp e d i n g re at numb e rs and not mak e ,

a sudde n attack on th e m Kapu ra app e a re d i n t h e

.

H e ov e rt l y cam e to show th e m t h e

e n e m i e s ranks .

way by wh i ch h e had i nst ruct e d h i s o f c e r to tak e

t h e Gu ru and h i s forty S i khs t o th e i r d e st ruct i on .

Waz i r Khan o rd e re d h i s army to charg e t h e S i khs

wh o stood to oppos e h i m and i n whos e ranks h e
,

b e l i e ve d t h e Gu ru t o b e conc e al e d Th e y r e c e i v e d
m
.

t h e charg e wi th t h e utmost b rav e ry Th e M u h a

m
.

a d a ns w e re g i v i ng way wh e n Waz i r Khan r al l i e d

th e m by ask i ng i fth e y w e re not asham e d to y

b e fo re such a h andfu l of en m F i v e S i khs who
.

advanc e d to t h e front w e r e ri d dl e d wi th bu l l e ts .

T e n mor e advanc e d on t h e i mp e ri al a rmy and ,

c l e are d t h e e l d wh e re v e r th e y w e nt Wh e n th e y .

we re cut down t h e e n e my took cou rag e and advanc e d

,

n e are r t h e re mai n in g S i khs E l e v e n S i khs th e n

.

rush e d on t h e e n e my and smot e th e m down Th e y .

w e re how e v e r unab l e to cop e wi th sup e ri o r numb e rs

, ,

and fe l l und e r t h e swo r ds oft h e Muhammadans .

T h e woman Bhago fought h e ro i call y i n th e i r r anks ,

di spos e d ofs e ve ral ofh e r Muhammadan oppon e nts ,

and t ransm i tt e d h e r nam e as an Indi an h e ro i n e for

t h e adm i rat i on offutu re g e n e rat i ons .

Th e Gu ru and h i s body guar d had tak e n up th e i r

-

pos i t i on on a sand h il l about two m il e s di st a nt H e .

di scharg e d a rrows from th e re wi th fat a l e f fe ct

agai nst t h e Muhammad a ns wh o cou l d no t se e from
what qua rt e r d e st ruct i on was r ai n ing on th e m At .

t h e concl us i on o f t h e e ngag e m e nt Waz i r Khan

thought t h e Gu ru wa s k il l e d and o rde re d h i s e n
,
m
to s e arch f or h i s body .

T h e tank at K h i dra na as al r e ady stat e d havi ng ,

b e com e dry Waz i r Khan s army was i n g re at st rai ts

m
,

f or want of wat e r Kapu ra to l d h i that i t cou l d

.

on l y b e obtai n e d at a di stanc e ofth i rty m i l e s i n

front and t e n m i l e s i n re ar and advi s e d h i
,
to m
 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
m
21 4

ar ch b ack and sav e th e l i v e s of h i s e n and ho rs e s

m ,

ot h e rwi s e th e y wou l d al l p e ri sh To such di st re ss .

was t h e Muhammadan army re duc e d that th e y ,

abandon e d th e i r de ad and wound e d and re l i nqu i sh e d

m
,

th e i r s e arch f or t h e body Of t h e Gu ru Wazi r Khan .

boast e d that h e h ad k il l e d h i and that t h e Emp e ro r ,

on h e ari ng t h e j oyful i nt e l l i g e nc e wou l d g re at l y

honou r and re ward h i m
.

On nding that t h e Muhammadan army had

d e part e d , t h e Gu ru w e nt to se e t h e battl e e l d -
,

r e l i e v e t h e wounde d and p e rfo rm t h e obs e qu i e s of

,

t h e s l ai n H e w e nt about wi p i n t h e fac e s ofboth

.
g

d e ad and wounde d and e xtol l i n gth e i r un surpass e d

,

val our Cop i ous t e ars ow e d from h i s e ye s H e

m
. .

sai d t h e d e ad h ad gi v e n up th e i r l i v e s for h i and ,

th e y shou l d ab i de i n b l i ss i n t h e Gu rus paradi s e

.

H e found Mahan S i ngh b re ath i ng h e avi l y and

d e siri ng a l ast s i ght ofh i s sp iri tual mast e r T h e
m
.

Gu ru tol d h i to op e n h i s e ye s and wh e n h e di d
m
,

so h i s st re ngth re turn e d Th e Gu ru i nvi t e d h i

. to
ask f or any boon h e d e s i re d from e mp i re to sal va
.

t i on M ahan S i ngh thought i t was b e st to ask f

. or .

t h e canc e l l at i on oft h e d e e d ofre nunc i at i on oft h e

Gu ru drawn up by t h e Manj ha S i khs T h e Gu ru .
.

at rst re fus e d but on b e i ng p re ss e d cons e nt e d to

,

canc e l i t H e dre w t h e docum e nt from h i s pock e t

.

a n d d e st roy e d i t Mahan S i ngh th e n b re ath e d h i s

.

l ast . T h e Gu ru o r de re d t h e Ba i ra rs h e had r e c e nt l y
.

e n l i st e d to co l l e ct t h e s l ai n and c re mat e th e m He .

p romi s e d that al l S i khs wh o vi si t e d t h e p l ac e on

t h e rst of Magh t h e ann i v e rsary oft h e batt l e
. .
, ,

shoul d b e com e l l e d wi th t h e mart i al sp i ri t ofth e ir

s i re s K h i dran a has si nc e that t i m e b e e n cal l e d
.

Muktsar or t h e tank ofsal vat i on b e caus e thos e

, ,

wh o f e l l on that spot w e re no mo re subj e ct to t rans

'

m ig rat i on .

In t h e proc e ss ofcol l e ct ing t h e s l ai n i t wa s found

that anoth e r p e rson show e d s i gns of l i fe Th i s wa s .

the h e ro in e Bhago Th e Gu ru ad dre ss e d h e r :

.
. -
 LI FE OF GU R U GOBIN D SINGH 21 5

Taki ng of fthy woman s dr e ss thou di dst com e to

m e wi th t h e Manj ha S i khs I t i s w e l l that thou .

hast fought h e re B l e ss ings on thy l i fe ! A ri s e and

m
.

S h e d e tai l e d t h e sto ry of h e r

com e wi th e .

d e partu re from h e r hom e i n t h e company of t h e

S i khs of t h e Manj ha a n d th e n cont i nu e d : , I

obtai n e d poss e ssi on ofa st rong sp e ar Wh e n al l t h e

m
.

S ikhs we re de ad t h e Tu rks advanc e d on e .

I sp i tt e d s e v e ral of th e m Oth e rs di re ct e d th e i r
m
.

w e apons agai nst but thou di dst e xt e nd th i n e

m
e ,

arm to sav e e Now that I hav e s e e n th e e I am

.

happy and hav e no fu rth e r d e s i re than to ab i d e

,

wi th th e e .

C HAP T ER XX V I I
Th e Guru th e nc e p roc e e d e d to Saran and th e nc e
to Na u t h e h a T h e i nhab i tants oft h e l att e r v il l ag e
m
.

p ray e d h i to l e av e th e m H e th e n we nt to Tah l i a n .

Fatah Sammun a vi l l ag e about tw e nty m il e s south

,

we st ofMuktsar wh e re h e wa s w e l com e d
m
.
,

Som e S i khs from Hari k e cam e to h i wi th

an offe ri ng of a l ung i and a kh e s Th e Gu ru .

put t h e kh e s on h i s shou l de rs and t i e d t h e l ung i

r ound h i s l o i ns Man S i ngh re monst rat e d and re
m
,

m i nd e d h i ofh i s own p roh i b i t i on of t h e w e ari ng

ofa l ung i i n th i s fash i on and sai d h e was l i abl e to
,

a ne Th e Gu ru re p l ie d I am dr e ss e d acco rding
m
.
,

to t h e custom oft h e count ry ! e l de s te h a bk as

m
.

te r l u ng i odh a k h e s Ev e ry count ry hath i t s own

-

dr e ss ; a l ung i f
1
or t h e l o i ns and a kh e s ( shawl )
for t h e shou l d e rs .

T h e Gu ru f e e l i ng h i s i ns e cu ri ty ask e d that a guar d

shou l d b e p rovi de d f or h i m
T h e wa rl i k e S i khs put .

som e D oga rs on guard T h e Gu ru i nt e nde d t o .

1 Al though th e G uru all owe d h is S i khs to adopt th e d re ss ofe ve ry

country the y i nhab i te d ye t the y m ust not we ar hats b u t tu rb ans to

The y m
,

c onn e th e l on gh a i r the y a re stri ctl y e njo i ne d t o p re se rv e ust

d rawe rs) b ut ove r i t the y m

.

a l so pu t on a k arb ( ,
ay we a r tro use rs .
21 8 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
ft h e mon e y wh i ch h is p i ous fo l l ow e r had brought
m
o

hi .

A Muhammadan f a qi r cal l e d B ra hm i (Ib rah i m )

m m
,

who l i ve d on a n e ighbou ri ng ou n d c a e to t h e j

Gu ru wi th o f fe ri ngs and ask e d to b e bapti z e d T h e

, .

Gu ru e xpre ss e d h is sat i sfac t i on at t h e p roposal .

Thou a rt t h e rst Mos l e m t o b e bapt i z e d acco r di ng

to my ri t e s If any Mosl e m wh e th e r ofh i gh or
.
,

l ow pos i t i on i n good fai th d e s i re t o j o i n t h e Kh a l sa

, ,

i t i s p rop e r that h e shou l d b e b a pt i z e d and re c e i v e d

i nto ou r commun i ty T h e Muhammadan was

.

acco rdi ngl y bapt i z e d and re c e i v e d t h e nam e Aj m e r

S i ngh .
l

Th e Gu ru th e nc e w e nt to t h e v il l ag e of Sah i b
Chand and th e nc e to Kot Bhai On h i s way h e .

bapt i z e d s e v e ral p e op l e From th e re h e p roc e e de d to

m
.

Roh i l a and th e n to Ba b ih a wh e re h e re mai n e d ,

n i n e days Th e nc e h e re tu rn e d to Baj ak
. .

Wh e n t h e Gu ru was i n t h e n e i ghbou rhood of

Mal uka and Kotha one oft h e s e ct cal l e d D i wa n a s
m
,

( madm e n ) w h o ,
att e mpt e d fo r c i b l e acc e ss to h i ,

was cut down by h i s s e ntry Wh il e t h e Gu ru wa s .

i n Baj ak Gh u d d a t h e D i wa na s sp i ri tual gu i d e

, , ,

sought to av e ng e t h e de ath of h i s fo l l ow e r and

m
,

acco rdi ngl y s e nt fty e n o fh i s s e ct to assass i nat e

t h e G u ru On l e arn i ng howe v e r that t h e Gu ru had
.
, ,

a st rong body guard fo rty e ight of th e m tu rn e d

-
,
-

back and on l y two S u k k h u and Buddha p roc e e d e d

, ,

t o t h e Gu ru Th e y carri e d no w e apons but wh i l e d

.
,

away th e ir t i m e on t h e j ou rn e y wi th t h e musi c of
a sarangi On re ach i ng t h e Gu ru i nst e ad oft rying
m m
.

to k il l h i th e y b e gan to p l ay and si ng f or h i .

Th e y sang among oth e rs t h e fol l owi ng v e rs e s

T h e so u l re si d e t h i n a f ra il bod y .

P a re nts a re not f or e v e r nor doth y o u th a b i d e

W e m u st a l l m wh y sho u l d m
.
,

arc h on wa rds a n b e p ro u d

Th e Gu ru was much p l e as e d wi th th e m and th e y ,

1
S r j P a r M sf Ay n 1 Cha pte x n

zz a z, a ,
r v i.
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 21 9

w e re e qual l y p l e as e d wi th h i m
To show th e i r sat i s.

fact i on and t h e pl e asu re th e y fe l t i n h i s company ,

th e y took up h i s b e d on th e ir shoul d e rs and carri e d ,

it f or mo re than a m i l e T h e Gu ru gav e th e m a
.

square rup e e and to l d th e m to p re s e rve i t i n m e mo ry

m
,

of hi a n d p r om i s e d that th e y shou l d obta i n what

e v e r th e i r h e a r ts d e s i re d .

T h e Gu ru th e n p roc e e d e d to J ass i Ba g h wa l i and

th e nc e towa rds Tal wandi Sabo now cal l e d Dam ,

dama i n t h e Pat i al a stat e hal t i ng on t h e way at

, ,

a pl ac e cal l e d Pakka In Tal wandi Sabo re s i de d

m
.

h i s fri e nd Dal l a who ask e d h i wh y h e had not

m
,

p re vi ousl y appl i e d to h i f or ass i stanc e aga i nst t h e

t re ach e rous Muhammadans H e sa i d h e cou l d hav e
m
.

sav e d t h e Gu ru much suffe ri ng H e re t h e Gu ru e t .

som e S i khs who had com e from Laho re wi th a

musk e t as an o f fe ri ng H e ask e d Dal l a f or two
m
.

e n to s e rv e as ta rg e ts to mak e t ri a l of t h e w e apon

m
.

Al l wh o h e a r d h i thought h e wa s i nsan e and made

no r e p l y T h e Gu ru th e n sa w two R a ngh re t a S i khs
.

and i nvi t e d th e m to submi t to t h e t ri al Wh e n t h e .

Gu ru cal l e d th e m th e y w e re tyi ng on th e i r tu rbans

m
,

but so e ag e r w e re th e y to p l e as e h i that th e y
m
, ,

we nt b e for e h i wi th th e i r tu rbans onl y hal f bound -

,

and v i e d wi th e ach oth e r as to wh o shou l d rst b e

t h e subj e ct of h i s e xp e ri m e nt Th e Gu ru sai d h e .

on l y want e d one ofth e m a nd fu rth e r e xpl ai n e d ,

that h e m e re l y d e si re d to p rove t h e cowar di c e and .

di sl oyal ty ofD al l a s sol di e rs and show that had

m
.

, ,

th e y b e e n wi th h i i n Anandpu r th e y wou l d hav e

m
,

d e s e rt e d h i i n t h e hou r ofdang e r .

T h e Gu ru s wi v e s Mata Sundari and Sah i b Kau r h e re

m
j o i n e d h i i n h i s wande rings Th e y w e pt cop i ous l y
.

on h e a ri ng t h e fat e oft h e young ch il dre n T h e .

Gu ru e nd e avou re d to conso l e th e m and sai d Aj i t , ,

S i ngh Z ora wa r S i ngh J u jh a r S i ngh and Fatah

, , ,

S i ngh hav e b e e n sac ri c e d f or th e i r re l i g i on and

obt a i n e d e t e rnal l i fe so wh y shou l d t h e moth e rs
m
,

o fsuch h e roe s l a e nt ? Lo ! t h e who l e wo rl d i s

.
2 20 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
transi tory Th e re i s rst ch il dhood th e n youth
m
.
,

wh i ch di i ni sh e t h d a y by day and at l ast ol d a ge , ,

wh e n t h e body p e ri sh e th In t h e p re s e nc e of Go d .

what i s ol d a ge wha t ch i l dh ood and what youth

, ,

Th e y are a ll t h e sam e e qual l y of sho rt du rat i on .

T h e mo re we l ov e ou r bodi e s t h e mor e su f fe r i ng ,

we e ndu re Lov e f or . t h e body i s m e an i ngl e ss .

On l y thos e wh o appl y i t to good works p rot by

th e ir l i v e s You r sons hav e gon e wi th honour to
.

wh e re b l i ss e v e r ab i de th Havi ng p e rfo rm e d t h e .

work oft h e i mmo rtal Go d th e y hav e now re tu rn e d

m
x

to Hi Th e re fo re acc e pt God s wil l as t h e b e st

.

and most advantag e ous po rt i on Inst e ad ofyou r .

sons I p re s e nt y ou wi th my S i khs as a brav e and

wo rthy o f fsp ri ng .

D ayal Das a grandson ofBhai Bh agt u cam e

, ,

from Bh u ch ch o to v i s i t t h e Gu ru T h e Gu ru wi sh e d
m
.

to bapt i z e h i but h e re fus e d saying h e wa s a S i kh

, ,

oft h e anc i e nt fash i on and wi sh e d to re mai n so .

Ram S i ngh a gre at g randson of Bhai Bh a gt u cam e

,
-
,

from Ch a k k Bhai to i nvi t e t h e Gu ru to go and stay

wi th h i m Th e Gu ru p rom i s e d that h e wou l d go
m
.

som e day and re qu e st e d h i t o ho l d h i s hous e i n

m
,

r e adi n e ss to re c e i v e h i .

T h e woman Bhago wh o re mai n e d wi th t h e Gu ru

aft e r t h e batt l e of Muktsar i n a t ofde voti ona l ,

abstract i o n to re of fh e r cl oth e s and wande re d hal f

nak e d i n t h e fo re st T h e Gu ru re st rai n e d h e r gav e
.
,

h e r t h e kachh or S i kh draw e r s and al l owe d h e r ,

S h e attai n e d a good

agai n to w e ar man s costum e .

ol d a g e,
and di e d i n Ab ch a l a na ga r (Nande r ) r e v e re d
by t h e S i khs as a sai nt .

Whi l e t h e Gu ru was i n Tal wandi Waz i r Khan

s e nt a p e r e mpto ry not e to Dal l a to su rre nd e r h i m
,

or h e wou l d d i spatch an a r my and put th e m both

to d e ath Dal l a re p l i e d that t h e Gu ru was h is l i fe

m
.
,

and h e cou l d not par t wi th h i If Waz ir Khan .

s e nt an army t h e Gu ru and Dal l a wou l d go i nto

,

t h e r e c e ss e s of t h e fo re st wh e r e e ve n i fan a rmy , ,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SI N GH 221

p e n e t rat e d i t wou l d p e ri sh f
, or w a nt o f wat e r In .

ne Dal l a manfu l l y and cou rag e ous l y stat e d that h e

i nt e nd e d t h e Gu ru shou l d re s i d e w i th h i f or e v e r m
m
.

One day t h e Gu ru p robab l y not w i sh i ng to co ,

p rom i s e h i s fri e nd D al l a sai d h e wou l d l i k e to se e ,

t h e ol d fo rt of Bhat i nd a wh i ch had b e e n found e d

by Bi na ip a l H e rst how e v e r i n pu rsuanc e ofh i s
.
, ,

p rom i s e w e nt to v i s i t Ram S i ngh at Ch a k k Bha i .

Ram S i ngh i nfo rm e d D ayal Das oft h e Gu ru s vi s i t

m m
,

and sugg e st e d t o h i to p re pare di nn e r f or h i in

Bh u ch ch o H e d i d so but t h e Gu ru re fus e d h i s
.
,

hospi tal i ty a nd p roc e e d e d to Bh a gt u on h i s wa y to

Bhat i nda T h e Gu ru took up h i s re si d e nc e on t h e
.

top oft h e fo rt wh e re now i s a smal l t e mp l e d e di

c a t e d to h i m .

At n ight som e Bal och e s sang ofSassi and Punnu .

Sassi had b e e n b rought up by a wash e rman Punnu

-
.

wa s a Bal och m e rchant wh o cam e to t h e Panj ab

wi th m e rchandi s e for sal e He e t Sass i fe l l i n . m ,

l ov e w i th h e r and re mai n e d w i th h e r unt i l h i s

m
, ,

b roth e r cam e and took h i fo rc i b l y aw a y by n ight .

Sass i at daybr e ak h e ari ng ofh i s abduct i on fo l l ow e d

him ,
and on arri vi ng at a sandy d e s e rt was so ov e r
com e by t h e h e at that sh e e xp i re d T h e po e t .

re p re s e nt e d that sh e had e nt e re d t h e e a r th i n qu e st

o fPunnu N e xt day t h e Gu ru took occas i on to

.

H e sai d M e n may p e rfo rm

e xpat i at e on l ov e .
,

d e vot i on and p e nanc e f or hund re ds of thousands of

y e ars but i t wou l d b e a l l i n vai n wi thout t h e l ov e

,

of God .

T h e Ba i ra rs to l d t h e Gu ru a l e g e nd r e gardi ng t h e
foundi ng ofBhat i nd a One day as Binaip a l wa s .
,

hunt ing h e sa w a wo l f and a goat st ruggl ing T h e

,
.

goat wa s t ryi ng to sav e h e r young from t h e wo l f .

On t h e v e ry spot wh e re t h e st ruggl e b e tw e e n t h e

two an i m a l s took p l a c e Bi na i p a l caus e d t h e fo r t to

b e e re ct e d T h e Ba i ra rs to l d t h e Gu ru that th e re
.

wa s a subt e rran e an p a ssag e b e tw e e n Bhat inda a n d

Bh a t ne r i n B i kan e r Th e chron i c l e rs do not stat e
.
222 THE SI KH RELI G I ON
wh o wa s i n poss e ss i on o ft h e fo rt wh e n v i si t e d by
t h e Gu ru .
1
'

T h e Gu ru t h e nc e proc e e de d to Samma and th e nc e

re tu rn e d to Tal wand i Sabo Th e re h i s fri e nd Dal l a
m m
.

a gai n e t hi Dayal Das had b e e n fol l owi ng t h e

m
.

Gu ru for som e t i m e t o p re s e nt h i wi th t h e sac re d

food h e had p re par e d f

or h i and thus s e cu re t h e m ,

Guru s pardon On arri vi ng at Damdama Ram

.

S i ngh wh o was i n t h e Gu ru s s e rvi c e i nt e rc e de d f

,
or

D ayal D as and t h e Guru wa s pl e as e d to r e store

m
,

hi to h i s fri e ndsh i p .

Waz i r Khan s e nt anoth e r l e tt e r to D al l a to arr e st

t h e Gu ru or h e wou l d p l und e r h i s count ry and put
m
,

hi to de ath wi thout m e rcy Dal l a re p l i e d

O .
,

v i c e roy I f e ar th e e not how e v e r much thou thr e at

m
, ,

e n e st e w i th th i n e army Hav i ng d e stroy e d i t .

,

t h e Gu ru and I W il l r e t i re i nto t h e for e st wh e re

t h Ou shal t hav e no pow e r ov e r u s and wh e nc e thou

shal t hav e to re tu rn wh e n thy t roops hav e p e ri sh e d

of hung e r and th i rst I w il l by no m e ans hav e t h e
.

Guru arre st e d to p l e as e th e e Nay I wil l de fe nd

m
.
,

hi wi th my l if e .

7 ab a r d ast Khan t h e V i c e roy of Lahor e p l und e r e d

, ,

a party of S i kh s wh o w e re go ing to mak e o f f

e ri ngs

to t h e Gu ru Waz ir Khan t h e v i c e roy ofS arh i n d

.
, ,

p l unde r e d anoth e r party go i ng on t h e sam e e rrand .

T h e Gu ru th e n re p e at e d h i s e xho rtat i on to h i s S i khs

to w e ar arms and di l i g e ntl y p ract i s e th e i r u se In .

t h e e arl y days of S i kh i sm i t wa s di f fe re nt At that .

t i m e t h e Gu ru s t e ach i ng wa s to re m e mb e r t h e tru e

N a m e and not annoy anybody F ari d sai d I f any

m
.
,

one st ri k e th e e wi th h i s sts st ri k e h i not back ,
.

Wi th such t e a ch i ng t h e Gu ru s a i d t h e S i khs had

, ,

b e com e f a i nt h e art e d and e v e r suffe re d de fe at Now

-
.

that t h e t im e s had al t e r e d and t h e S i khs w e re ,

obl ig e d t o de fe nd th e ms e l v e s h e had e stabl i sh e d t h e ,

1
There i s a trad iti on i n Bhatin da that th e fort was p arti ally
de stroye d b y Shahab ul Di n Gho ri d uringhis cam
- - paign f
or th e re cove ry
o fth e P anj ab .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 22 3
Khal sa and who e v e r de s ire d to a b i d e i n i t shou l d
,

not fe ar t h e c l ash ofarms but b e e v e r re ady f or ,

t h e comb a t and t h e d e fe nc e of h i s fa i th At t h e .

sam e t i m e t h e N am e was st i l l to re mai n t h e ch i e f

obj e ct oft h e S i khs ado rat i on
.

C HAP T ER XX V I I I
Wh il e t h e Gu ru was at Damdama h e d i ctat e d t h e
who l e oft h e G ranth Sah i b to Bh a i Man i S i ngh and ,

a dd e d f or t h e rst t i m e t h e hymns and sl ok s o f h is

fath e r Gu ru T e gBahadur wi th a sl ok of h i s o wn 1
.

It i s sai d that t h e Gu ru us e d to hav e bapt i smal

wat e r p re pare d and th rown among t h e bush e s H e .

e xp l ai n e d that h e d i d so i n o r d e r that t h e M al wa

S i khs m ight i nc re as e i n numb e r and sp ri ng from

e v e ry fo re st sh rub

H e us e d a l so to hav e p e ns made

and scatt e re d i n di f fe re nt di re ct i ons By th i s h e .

m e ant th a t t h e i nhab i tants of t h e p l ac e shou l d

b e com e l e arn e d and e xp e rt p e nm e n .

T h e Gu ru wh i l e at D amd a ma us e d i n t h e aft e r
noon to go i nto t h e fo re st and si t unde r a j and t re e -
.

T h e p l ac e wa s h e nc e cal l e d J a nd i a na A t e mp l e .

was subs e qu e nt l y e re ct e d t h e r e At n i ght t h e Gu ru .

us e d to re turn to D amdama I t wa s wh il e i n th i s .

n e i ghbou rhood h e bapt i z e d D al l a and one hundre d

oth e r S i khs .

1
S l ok L I V . It my h
b e state d that the re we re thre e e d t ons
a e re ii
of th e G ranth i
S ah b T h e rst was wr tte n b y Bha G ur D as, the
. i i
se cond by Bha i
B anno , and th e th rd by Bha M an S ngh, unde r th e i i i i
'

supe r nte nde nce ofGuru Gob nd S ngh T he rst two are be e ve d
i i i . li
i ill i
to e x st st , one b e ngat K art arp u r n th e J a andha r D str ct, a nd t h e i l i i
othe r a t M angat n the G uj rat D str ct ofth e P anj ab G uru Gob nd
i i i i
m ml
.

S ngh s copy ofth e G ranth S ah b was th e ost co p e te It s u n

i
i . i
f l
o rtunate y not now e xtant I t was e the r de stroye d or tak e n a way i
m
.

as booty b y Ah a d Shah D uran whe n h e de spo e d a nd p ro f ane d i il

l
t h e G o de n T e ml
p e at A r tsar mi .

m
T he G ranth o fth e te nth G uru was re a y the D a swe zz P a dslza l z t a ll

Gr a /z T h e arg e vo u l l m
e wh ch no w b e a rs that t t e , was co i il m
m m m
.

p ed f
il ro v a r o us i
ate r a s twe nt -si x
y y e a rs a f
te i l
r h is d e se i .
224 THE S I KH RE L I GI ON
Th e Gu ru s e nt f or T il ok S i ngh and Ram S i ngh

who had p e rfo rm e d t h e obs e qu i e s ofh i s t wo sons

Aj i t S i ngh and Z ora wa r S i ngh fal l e n at Ch a k a u r m
m m
.
,

Th e y c a m e to vi si t h i and made h i l arg e o f fe r

i ngs T h e Gu ru wa s w e l l p l e as e d w i th th e m and
.

bl e ss e d th e m and th e n o f fsp ri ng It may b e h e re .

m e nt i on e d that Ram S ingh i s t h e a nc e sto r of t h e

Ch i e f of Pat i al a a n d Ti l ok S i ngh t h e anc e sto r of
,

t h e ch i e fs ofN abha and J i nd 1

.

One day t h e Gu ru sai d to D al l a That i s a ne

,

e l d ofwh e at I se e D al l a r e pl i e d That i s g rass

.

, ,

O t ru e Gu ru wh e at g row e th not h e re
,
Had we .

wh e at t h e Muhammadans woul d opp re ss u s Say

m m
.

th at oth a n d ba j
z
a re g rowi ng h e re Anoth e r .

day t h e Gu ru sai d O D al l a I se e e xc e l l e nt sugar

,

can e h e re Dal l a made t h e sam e re pl y as b e fo re

.

wh e n t h e Gu ru sai d h e had s e e n wh e at Th e Gu ru .

sai d Thou know e st not th i n e advant a g e

,
I d e si re .

to mak e thy l and as fe rt il e as S arh i nd T h e Tu rks .

whom thou f e are st shal l soon p e ri sh and t h e so il ,

of Mal wa i n t i m e b e ar W h e at and sugar can e -

.

Th i s proph e cy has b e e n ful l l e d Canal s made by .

t h e B ri t i sh Gov e rnm e nt hav e s i nc e f e rt il i z e d that

part oft h e count ry .

It wa s h e r e t h e Gu ru h e a rd that Kapura had b e e n

1 I t i s st t d
b y se e ral S i kh write rs that I l ok S i g h was p e s e nt

n
C h am
a e v i r

a t th e b attl e of k au r Though i ne xp e ri e nce d i n wa r he con

th e c o m
.
,

c e iv e d a de s i re t o e ng ag e i n i t a nd we nt i nto th e th i c k o f b at
A P athan e nde avou e d to p i e rce h imwith a l ance H e snatche d th e
.
,

ro m
r .

l ance f th e P athan s han ds and c u t o f

fh is he ad with h is s wo rd .

H e the n took th e he ad on the P athan s l an ce to th e Guru T h e Guru

on se e ing hi mapp ro ach c ri e d o ut A O Ti l ok S i ng f

.

a ng k ! d re
Co m h B ri de groo mofwa
, , ,
e

e T il ok S i ng
T il ok S ingh and RamS ingh h ad b e e n he re ditary S i khs and we e
, ,
r.

,
r

e v e r re g arde d a f fe cti onate l y b y th e G uru a s i s e i d e nce d b y h is l e tte r

nd ofBhadon S a m
v
,

of th e b at 1 7 5 3(A D i n whi ch h e wrote

d gl r ma I a z th at i s
a

b l m
. .
, ,

fr t ! k/ / l
' ' ' '

I amve ry we l l p l e ase d with y ou m

e z up ere ar a zu s zz za z, a ur ze r za er z , ,

ho s i s o s nd o
house i s m
u u r a y u r
y e y , ,

i ne Thi s l e tte r i s now p re se rv e d with othe r re li cs ofthe

.

G u u i n th e S i kh state o fN abh
e ri o r Indi an c e re al s on l y consum
r a .

a nd b j a are i nf e d b y th e
2 a r

poore st c l asse s .
 LI FE OF GU R U GOBIND S INGH 225

put t o d e ath by I sa Khan of K ot I sa Khan I n t h e

Fi rozpur di st ri ct T h e caus e and mann e r of h s

. i

d e ath w e re as fol l ows Kaul a de sc e ndant of ,

P ri t h i Chand had e stab l i sh e d a re l i g i ous fai r at

,

Dh il wan ; Kapu ra att e nde d i t and b e c a m e i nvo l v e d

i n a d runk e n b r awl wi th som e oft h e p il g ri ms Kau l .

s e nt a g re at gr a ndson ofh i s to i nt e rpos e but t h e

-
,

youth was k il l e d Anoth e r g re at g ra ndson whom

m
-
.

h e d i spatch e d on a s i m il a r e rrand e t w i th t h e sam e

fat e .On th i s Ab h a i Ram t h e fath e r oft h e youths ,

s l ai n b e cam e fu ri ous w i th Kapu ra d e si re d that t h e

m
, ,

Guru s cu rs e on h i m i ght sp e e d il y tak e e f

fe ct and ,

h i s l i n e b e e xt i rpat e d Isa Khan w i th a l l hast e

m
.

e mp l oy e d a pa rty of e n to attack Kapu ra whom ,

h e susp e cte d to b e a fri e nd of t h e Gu ru Th e .

l att e r tri e d to d e fe nd h i ms e l f but wa s worst e d and , ,

th e n t ri e d to conc e al h i ms e l f i n a haystack Isa

m m
.

Khan dragg e d h i fo rth and made h i a p ri son e r

m
.
,

Wh e n tak i ng h i away h e thought h e woul d b e

on l y an e ncumbranc e so h e o rd e re d h i to b e hang e d
,
m
on t h e n e ar e st t re e Kapura h i ms e l f re m e mb e re d
.

t h e Gu ru s cu rs e that h i s h e ad shou l d b e put i nto

a bag of ash e s so h e re qu e st e d that i t shou l d b e

,

don e b e for e h i s e x e cuti on that t h e words o ft h e ,

Gu ru m i ght b e fu l l l e d and that h e m i ght b e thus ,

sav e d from furth e r transm i g rat i on .

On one occas i on a qu e st i on aros e as to what t h e

e a rth r e st e d on T h e th e or i e s oft h e H i ndus and
.

oth e r s e cts w e re put fo rward T h e Gu ru conc l ud e d .

t h e di scuss i on by sayi ng that t h e e arth wa s sup

po r te d by t h e pow e r ofGo d who al on e wa s t ru e
and p e rman e nt H e on that occas i on re p e at e d t h e
.

s i xt e e nth pau ri of t h e J a p ji .

Daya S i ngh and Dharm S i ngh whom t h e Gu ru

m
~

had s e nt w i th t h e Z a f arn a a to t h e Emp e ro r su c ,

c e e d e d i n d e l i v e ri ng i t and w e re fu rn i sh e d wi th ,

a pa rwana o fsafe conduct f or th e i r re tu r n j ou rn e y

m
.

T h e p e rusal o f t h e Z a f a rna i s sa i d to hav e

m
a
soft e n e d t h e Emp e ro r s h e art and l e d h i to r e p e nt

KH
SI . V
Q
2 26 THE SI KH RE L I GION
h e nc e h i s p e rm i ssi on to t h e Gu ru s m e sse ng e rs to

re turn to th e i r own count ry i n p e ac e and saf e ty .

Th e y how e v e r re c e i v e d no v e rbal or wr i tt e n r e p l y
, ,

t o t h e Gu ru s l e tt e r
m
.

T h e Guru ask e d Dal l a to accompany h i to t h e

south of Indi a Dal l a re pl i e d that h e consi d e re d
.

h i s humbl e couch at Damdama was e qual t o t h e

thron e ofDi h l i and h e pr e ss e d t h e Guru and h i s
m
,

S i khs to re mai n wi th h i T h e Ba i rars i n t h e

m
~ ~

Gu ru s s e rvi c e al so e nde avour e d t o di ssuad e h i
from h i s cont e mpl at e d j ourn e y H e re fus e d to l i st e n.

to th e m and on th i s s e v e ral of th e m l e ft h i s s e rvi c e

, .

T h e Guru wa s now l e ft with on l y D al l a S i ngh ;

t h e t wo gr e at grandsons ofBhai Bh a g
-
t u nam e l y , ,

Ram S ingh and h i s broth e r Fatah S i ngh ; Param

S ingh and Dharm S i ngh de sc e ndants ofBhai Rupa ,

and Bhai Mani S ingh t h e S i kh b i ograph e r and a r

,

rang e r of t h e Ad Granth and t h e t e nth Gu ru s

Granth .

Th e i r rst march was to K e wal th e nc e t o J horar , ,

th e nc e to J handa and th e nc e to S arsa Param

,
.

S i ngh and Dharm S i ngh had a ne w b e d provi d e d

for t h e Guru at e v e ry march D all a S i ngh t o e v e ry .

on e s i nt e ns e amaze m e nt abscond e d dur i ng t h e march

i n t h e de ad ofn i ght and took wi th h i ,

a Sodh i m
and s e v e ral Ba irars T h e Guru di sm i ss e d F atah
.

S i ngh on Ram S i ngh s re pr e s e ntat i on th at h i s se r

vi c e s and ass i stanc e w e re re qu i r e d at hom e .

T h e Guru th e nc e proc e e d e d to Na u h a r a town ,

of B i kan e r about tw e nty m il e s south w e st of Sarsa -

.

Though t h e i nh ab i tants w e re v e ry ri ch th e y do not ,

app e ar to hav e b e e n forward i n provi di ng suppl ie s

for t h e Guru and h i s f e w r e ma i n i ng fo l l ow e rs On .

t h e contrary th e r e w as gr e at commot i on i n t h e town

,

b e c aus e one of h is S i khs had acc i d e ntal l y k il l e d

a p i g e on Wh e n t h e Gu ru w e nt i nto t h e mark e t
.

pl ac e h e saw that t h e i nhab i tants w e re v e ry proud

ofth e i r w e a l th and h e for e to l d that i t shoul d al l
,

s oon van i sh I n A D 1 7 5 6 a S ikh e xp e di t i on was

. . .
 LI FE OF GU R U GOBIND SINGH 2 27

di re ct e d agai nst Ch aru p u r (Chai npura ) but on ,

n di ng t h e wat e r on t h e march brack i sh t h e sol di e rs ,

mad e a di ve rs i on and p l unde re d Na u h a r .

, Th nce e t h e G u r u p r oc e e d e d t o Bahadur an Th e re .

h e gav e Pa ram S i ngh and Dharm S i ngh a ho rs e

e ach and al so arms f or th e i r d e fe nc e On arri v i ng .
j

at Sab e wa (Sai o ) t h e Gu ru not i c e d that through

re sp e ct f or h i m th e y w e re taki ng t h e arms on th e i r
h e ads and wal ki ng b e si d e th e i r cha rg e rs as b e i ng
a Gu ru s g i fts T h e Gu ru sai d that th e y shou l d

.

obtai n what e v e r th e y re qu i re d and that th e i r tongu e s

,

shoul d b e t o th e m as a rms On b i ddi ng th e m far e .

we l l h e pre s e nt e d t h e m wi th a r e li gi ous work con

tai n i ng t h e mo rn ing and e v e n i ng di vi n e s e rvi c e s of
t h e S i khs .

T h e Guru s n e xt ma rch wa s to Madhu S i ngh ana

.

H e th e nc e proc e e d e d to Pushkar a p l ac e of p il ,

gri mag e sac re d to Brahma A Brahman call e d .

Ch e tan showe d t h e Gu ru t h e sacr e d p l ac e s of Aj m e r .

T h e Gu ru wh i l e i n that n e i ghbou rhood was oft e n

s e v e r e l y h e ck l e d on t h e subj e ct ofh i s dr e ss P e op l e .

sai d i t was n e i th e r H i ndu nor Muhammadan T h e .

Guru adm i tt e d t h e fact and sai d i t wa s t h e d r e ss

,

of t h e th i rd di st i nct s e ct wh i ch h e had e stab l i sh e d .

Th e nc e t h e Gu ru proc e e de d to Narai npur g e n e ral l y ,

known as D a d u d wara wh e re t h e sai nt D adu had

,

l i v e d and ou ri sh e d . H i s shri n e had by th i s t i m e

d e sc e nde d t o a Mahant ca l l e d J ai t wh o quot e d t wo ,

l i n e s of Dadu to t h e Guru

D a d u s urre nd e r t h y cl ai mto e ve ry wo rl dl y th i n g p a ss
t h y d a y s wi tho u t cl a i m
,

s
H ow m
.

a n y h a v e d e p a rt e d a f
t e r t ra d i ng in th i s gro ce r s

shop 1

T h e Guru sai d th e s e l i n e s we re app li cab l e t o t h e

i nv e nt i on ofa r e l i gi on but i l l su i t e d t o i t s p re s e rva
,

t i on Rath e r shou l d t h e l i n e s b e re ad
.

1
That is , th e wo rl d .

Q 2
 2 28 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
Ass e rt i ngt h y cl a i mi n t h e wo rl d pl u nde r t h e w ck e d i
Ext i rp a t e h i mwh o do e th th e e e vil
.

Th e Mah a nt quot e d t wo oth e r l i n e s t o t h e Guru

D a du t a k i ng t h e t i m
, e s as th e y c o me b e s a t i se d wi th ,

thi s K al age .

I fa ny one thro w a cl od or a b ri c k a t th e e l i f t i t on t h y ,

he a d .

T h e Gu ru woul d not adm i t t h e l a st li n e ,

and al tere d
i t thus
I fa ny o ne th ro w a cl od or a b ri c k at th e e a n gril y st ri k e
mwith
,

hi a ston e .

T h e Guru th e n e xp l a i n e d t h e pri nc i p l e s of h i s
o wn re l i gi on to t h e Mahant : Th i s age i s v e ry e v il
.

T h e wi ck e d rul e i n i t and caus e suffe ri ng t o s a i nts

m
,

an d ho l y en Tyrants th e re fo re d e s e rv e to b e
.

pun i sh e d Th e y wi ll not re fr ai n as l ong as th e y

.

ar e pardon e d O Mahant th e y wh o be ar arms wh o

.
, ,

re m e mb e r t h e tru e N am e a n d sacri c e th e i r l i v e s
f or th e i r fai th sh al l go st r a i ght t o par adi s e Th e re
m
.
,

fo re I hav e e stabli sh e d t h e Khal sa re l i gi on gi ve n y ,

fo l l ow e r s arms and made th e m h e ro e s

,
.

T h e Gu r u was c e nsu re d by h i s staff for li ft in g hi s

arrow in sal utat i on of Dadu s shri n e Man S i ngh
.

quot e d t h e Gu ru s own wri tt e n i nst ruct i ons Gor

m m m
,

a rhi a t bh u l n a a ne Wo rsh i p not e v e n by

mi stak e Muhammadan or H i ndu c e m e t e ri e s or p l ac e s
of cr e mat i on T h e Gur u e xp l ai n e d that h e sal ut e d
.

t h e shri n e t o t e st h i s S i kh s d e vot i on and th e ir

r e coll e ct i on ofhi s i nstruct i ons Th e Guru howe ve r .

, ,

admi tt e d that h e had t e chn i cal l y re nde re d hi ms e l f

li ab l e to a ne and ch e e rft p ai d one hundr e d and
,

twe nty v e rup e e s

-
.

T h e Guru th e nc e w e nt to Lal i th e nc e to Mag

m
,

b aroda and th e nc e to K u l ai t H e re h e e t D aya

m
.
,

S i ngh and Dhar m S i ngh re turni ng from th e ir e

bassy to Aur angz e b I t i s p robabl e t h e e mbassy .

r e ach e d th e Emp e ror wh e n h e was il l T h e e nvoys .

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 229

to l d t h e Gu ru that wh e n th e y l e ft t h e Emp e ro r s

court th e y h e ar d h e had b e e n s e i z e d wi th a col i c .

T h e Gur u th e nc e p roc e e de d to Baghau r H e re .

h e h e ar d o fAu ra ng z e b s d e ath and t h e acc e ss i on o f

h i s s e cond son Ta r a Az i m cal l e d Muhammad Az i m ,

Shah by Muhammadan h i stori ans T h e i nhab i tants .

of Baghau r re fus e d suppl i e s and quarre l l e d wi th t h e

Gu ru s e sco rt A cam e l b e l ongi ng to t h e Gu ru

.

t re spass e d on one of t h e town garde ns Th e gar .

d e ne rs b e at t h e cam e l and abus e d t h e cam e l dr i v e r -

.

Upon th i s t h e S i khs w e nt i n a body and assau l t e d

t h e gar d e n e rs Th i s l e d t o a count e r assaul t and
.

ghti ng wh i ch l ast e d t wo days By th i s t i m e t h e .

S i khs had storm e d and p l und e r e d t h e c i ty but t h e ,

fo rt re mai n e d to b e captur e d By t h e advi c e of .

Ratan S i ngh a S i kh whom t h e Gu ru must hav e

m
,

e t on h i s trav e l s a cannon was pl ac e d on a h il l

,

commandi ng t h e fo rt Aft e r a bri e f cannonade t h e .

occupants h e l d ou t a ag of t ruc e P e ac e was p ro .

c l ai m e d but on t h e arri val oft h e raj a of t h e p l ac e

, ,

who had b e e n abs e nt wh e n t h e ght i ng b e gan ,

host i l i t i e s w e re re sum e d Dharm S i ngh k ill e d t h e .

ra ja s command e r i n ch i e f and t h e Gu ru k i l l e d t h e

- -

T h e Baghaur a rmy th e n
,

r aj a h i ms e l f . ed and ,

was pu rsu e d by t h e S i khs unt il t h e Guru r e cal l e d

th e m Upon th i s t h e Gu ru re sum e d h i s march On
. .

s e tt i ng ou t h e tol d t h e S i khs that t h e Tu rks shou l d

soon ght agai nst one anoth e r and that t h e usu rp e r , ,

Ta ra Az i m shou l d b e ki l l e d
,
.

C HAP T ER XXI X
Wh e n Au rangz e b di e d h is e l d e st son Bahadu r , ,

Shah was e ngag e d i n a m il i tary e xp e di t i on i n

,

Afghan i stan 1
Wh e n h i s young e r broth e r Tara Az i m
.

usurp e d t h e th ron e Ba d a d u r Shah hast e n e d back ,

1
T he E mp o A ngze b had th re e sons B ahadu r Shah M uham
md A i mShah ( ll e d T ara A zi mb y th e S i khs ) and M uh am
u ra

mad
_
er r , ,

K am
a z ca ,

B a khsh .
2 30 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
to Indi a to cl ai m and do battl e for h i s h e r i tage .

H e consul t e d Nand L al a fri e nd of h i s as to h ow

m
, ,

h e shou l d b e succ e ssfu l N and L al advi s e d h i t o

.

s e e k t h e Gu ru s assi stanc e T h e Gu ru on b e i ng

m
.
,

app e al e d to p rom i s e d h i not onl y assi stanc e but

,

sov e re i gnty i fh e agr e e d to a r e qu e st h e was about

to mak e and d i d not p rov e fal s e l i k e h i s fath e r
, .

Bahadu r S hah was p l e as e d to acc e pt th e s e vagu e

condi t i ons and i nfo rm e d t h e Guru accordi ngl y
,
.

T h e Gu ru s e nt Dhar m S i ngh wi th som e trusty

S i khs to r e nde r h i al l m
possi b l e assi stanc e and , ,

f e e l ing anx ie ty re ga rdi ng t h e grav e pol i t i cal c ir

cu m st a nc e s o ft h e count r y d e e m e d i t advi sab l e ,

to r e trac e h i s st e ps to t h e no rth in t h e hop e of

me e t i ng and confe rri ng wi th t h e E mp e ror .

Wh e n Bahadu r Shah had full y e qu i pp e d h i s army ,

h e march e d to Agr a Tara Az i m wh o was at t h e

.
,

t i m e i n di stant Ahmadnagar on h e aring of h i s ,

b roth e r s op e rat i ons march e d by Gu al i ar t o con

m
,

t e nd wi th h i for e mp ire Bahadur Shah advanc e d

m
.

to me e t h i and e ncamp e d at J aj u n e ar Dhau l pu r

( Dho l pu r ) wh e r e t h e oppos i ng a r m i e s e t 1
Aft e r m .

a ght of th re e days du rat i on not onl y Tara Az i m

, ,

but s e v e ral ofh i s p ri nci pal o f c e rs we re sl ai n Upon

th i s h i s army
.

e d and vi ctory r e mai n e d wi th B ahadu r

Shah H e now undi sput e d monarch ofIndi a re

.
, ,

turn e d to Agr a and di spatch e d Dharm S i ngh t o

i nfo rm t h e Gu ru of h i s vi cto ry .

m
On t h e Gu ru s arri val i n D i b l i h e e ncamp e d on

t h e l e ft bank oft h e J a na H i s S i khs thought i t

m
.

unsafe f or h i t o e nt e r that st rong Muhammadan

and i mp e ri al c e nt re H e e re ct e d a t e mpl e on t h e
.

spot wh e re h i s fath e r Gu ru T e g Bahadu r h a d b e e n

c re mat e d On h e ari ng ofBahadu r Shah s vi cto ry
.

t h e Gu ru re so l v e d to go t o Ag r a t o congr atu l at e
hi m ,
and mad e arrang e m e nts to l e av e h i s wi ve s i n
D ib l i und e r t h e p rot e ct i on ofh i s S i khs Upon h e ar .

i ng thi s Mata Sundari w e pt cop i ous l y T h e Gu ru .

ml H i
,

1
q nd .
 LI FE OF GU R U GOBIND SINGH 2 3
1

conso l e d h e r wi th t h e argum e nts and r e e ct i ons h e

had p re vi ousl y e mp l oy e d at Damdam a on t h e t ran .

si t ori ne ss of human l i fe and t h e b l i ss i n wh i ch h e r

son abod e as a m i ghty h e ro and re l i g i ous ma r tyr .

A gol dsmi th re si ding i n D ib l i cam e to t h e Gu ru

m
to p ray h i to grant h i t h e favou r of a son One m .

day as t h e Guru w e nt to t h e chas e accompan i e d

among oth e rs by t h e gol dsm i th th e y saw a woman ,

abandon h e r mal e i nfant i n th e for e st Th e Gu ru .

tol d th e gol dsmi th to tak e and re ar t h e ch il d T h e .

go l dsm i th sai d h e cou l d not a f ford a we t nu rs e

m
-
.

Th e Gu ru di re ct e d h i to tak e som e wat e r re c i t e ,

W ah g u ru ov e r i t and wash h i s w i f e s b re asts th e re

wi th Wh e n sh e took t h e ch il d i n h e r l ap m il k
.

wou l d at onc e com e i n abundanc e Th e gol d sm i th .

acc e pt e d t h e Gu ru s ad v i c e and t h e p rom i s e d re su l t
,

was obtai n e d Wh e n t h e ch il d was v e y e a rs o f

.

ag h e was s e e n by Mata Sunda ri wh o found i n

m
e
, ,

hi a marv e l l ous l i k e n e ss to h e r martyr e d son and

m
,

du l y adopt e d h i .

Sah ib Kaur i mpo rtun e d t h e Gu ru to al l ow h e r to

accompany h i m At l ast h e yi e l d e d to h e r e nt re at i e s
. .

Bahadu r Shah s e nt a m e ss e ng e r to t h e Gu ru to e x
p e d i t e h i s d e partur e T h e m e.ss e ng e r i nfo rm e d h i m
that t h e Emp e ro r fe ar e d t h e b i got ry of h i s c o
re l i g i on i sts w e re h e h ims e l f to pay t h e rst v i s i t .

T h e Guru on t h e th i rd day aft e r h i s d e partu re

from D ih l i arri ve d at Mathu r a and e ncamp e d at
Suraj Kund on t h e banks of t h e J amna H e made
,
.

a tou r through B i ndraban and v i si t e d al l i t s famous

and i nt e r e st i ng pl ac e s .

On h i s j ourne y t o Ag ra t h e Guru want e d wat e r .

One of h i s S i khs fe tch e d i t from t h e hous e ofa

ba rr e n woman oft h e pri e st l y cl ass and to l d t h e ,

Gu ru that th e re b e i ng no ch il dr e n th e re t h e wat e r
, ,

must b e pu re Th e Gu ru wou l d not adm i t that

.

ch il d re n d e l e d wat e r and ask e d i t t o b e b rought

m
,

hi from som e hous e wh e re th e r e we re sons and

,

daught e rs On that occas i on h e sai d A h e rm i t

.
,

2 3
2 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
i s b e st wh e n al on e ; pu re i s h i s body and pur e
h i s m i nd ; but wh e re th e re i s a hous e hol d e r wi th
a l arg e famil y h i s hous e i s stil l pu re r and so a re
, ,

h i s body m i nd and und e rstandi ng

m
.
, ,

T h e Gu ru du l y e t t h e Emp e r o r Bahadu r Shah i n

Ag ra Th e Emp e ror thank e d h i f or such ass i st m
m
.

anc e as h e had g i v e n h i i n obtai n i ng t h e th ron e

m m
,

mad e h i costl y p re s e nts and i nvi t e d h i to sp e nd

m
,

som e t im e wi th h i Th e Gu ru was p l e as e d to
.

acc e pt t h e i nvi tat i on .

One day as t h e Gu ru and a h i gh of c e r w e re

s e at e d tog e th e r a Sai yi d ofS arh i nd ask e d t h e Gu ru
,

i fh e cou l d p e rfo rm a m i racl e T h e Gu ru re p l i e d

.

that m i racl e s w e re i n t h e powe r oft h e Em p e ror H e .

cou l d r ai s e a humb l e p e rson to t h e h i gh e st o f ce

and di gn i ty or d e grade h i th e re fro
,
m
T h e S a i yi d m
.

sai d h e kn e w that but had t h e Gu ru h i ms e l f t h e

,

powe r ofwo rki ng any m ir acl e s ? Upon th i s t h e

Gu ru dre w fo rth a gol d co i n and sai d that i t wa s
a m iracl e f or e v e ryth i ng cou l d b e pu r chas e d w i th i t
, .

T h e Sai yi d ask e d i f h e cou l d show any fu rth e r

m i racl e s In re p l y t h e Gu ru dr e w h i s swo rd and
.
,

sai d that that al so was a m i racl e I t coul d cut of f.

h e ads and confe r thron e s and e mp i re s upon thos e

wh o wi e l de d i t wi th d e xt e ri ty Upon th i s t h e .

Sai yi d hung down h i s h e ad and ask e d no fu rth e r

qu e st i ons .

Som e raj as of Raj putana cam e to vi s i t t h e

Gu ru H e tol d th e m th e y di d one v e ry r e gr e t
.

tab l e th i ng nam e l y th e y gav e th e i r daught e rs i n

, ,

marri age to Muhammadan e mp e ro rs and p ri nc e s .

H e made th e m sw e ar that th e y wou l d f or t h e

futu re de s ist from t h e p ract i c e .

One d ay i n conv e rsat i on wi th t h e G u ru t h e

Emp e ror mai ntai n e d that i fany one w e re to r e p e at
t h e Muhamma d an c re e d h e shou l d not b e cons ig ,
ne d
to h e l l T h e Guru d e n i e d that t h e c re e d had that
.

ef cacy If any one aft e r re p e at ing i t w e re to do

m
.

e v il ,
t h e re p e t i t i on of t h e c re e d woul d not ava i l h i .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 33
Th e Emp e ro r ask e d how h e was to b e assu re d of
that T h e Gu ru re p l i e d T h e c re e d i s stamp e d on
.
,

thy rup e e ; we shal l se e t h e e f fe ct th e re of Th e .

Gu ru s e c re t l y s e nt a bad rup e e to t h e mark e t p l ac e -

t o b e chang e d T h e mon e y ch a ng e r app l i e d to at

.
-

onc e re j e ct e d i t as count e rfe i t I t wa s th e n tak e n .

to t h e oth e r mon e y chang e rs wi th t h e sam e re su l t

-
.

T h e Gu ru th e n addr e ss e d t h e Emp e ro r : S e e in

th i n e e mp ire e v e n i n th i n e own mark e t p l ac e no

,
-
,

one hath pai d any re ga r d to thy c re e d e ngrav e d o n

th i s rup e e so how shal l i t conduct e n to h e av e n

,
m
Thou to day e njoy e st e mp ire and canst do what
-
,

thou p l e as e st If h e re i n thy p re s e nc e th i s bad

.

rup e e e v e n wi th t h e c re e d on i t cannot pass h ow ,

can i t b e acc e pt e d by anoth e r monarch In God s

court gi l di ng avai l e th not T h e count e rfe i t and t h e

m
.

g e n ui n e a re th e r e di st i ngu i sh e d and e n obtai n t h e ,

r e ward or pun i shm e nt d u e to th e ir acts Thy c re e d .

,

th e re fo re as i n t h e p re s e nt cas e cannot avail th e e

, ,

f or adm i ssi on i nto h e av e n wi thout good wo rks .

Wh e n al l accounts a re cal l e d f or by t h e Gre at

Exam ine r i t i s onl y thos e wh o show bal anc e s to
,

th e i r c re di t wh o shal l b e d e l i v e re d .

T h e Gu ru and t h e Emp e ro r s conv e rsat i on tu rn e d

on t h e subj e ct ofH i ndu p il gr i mag e s T h e Gu ru .

sai d h e h i ms e l f had no conc e rn wi th th e m N e xt .

day wh e n h e vi si t e d t h e Emp e ro r t h e l att e r sai d

,

th e re w e re t wo ways t h e H i ndu and t h e Musal

man in t h e wo rl d and i nqu i r e d wh i ch t h e Gu ru
,

p re f e r re d to fol l ow Th e Gu ru sai d h e wa s w e l l
.

di spos e d towards both and h e i nst ruct e d e v e ry one

m
,

as h e found h i T h e Emp e ro r re p l i e d :

. Th e re i s
o ne God and o ne fa i th On what dost thou re l y ?

T h e Gu ru sm i l e d and sai d

My b roth e r th e re a re , ,

T h e Emp e ro r i nqu i re d wh e re that wa s

th re e Gods .

wri tt e n and adde d A ch i l d bo rn y e st e rday know e th

, ,

th e re i s onl y one God Th e Gu ru cont i nu e d

.

Why ,

di d th in e anc e sto rs h i nd e r t h e H i ndus from wor

sh ipp ing Ram Narayan and t e l l th e m th e y must
, ,
2 34 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
on l y utt e r Mau l a Pak or Khuda ? Thou p rocl ai e st 1
m
that h e av e n i s mad e f or Mos l e ms and h e l l for t h e
H i ndus H i ndus wil l not associ at e wi th any one
.

wh o a d ore t h Maul a Pak or Khuda Such i s t h e .

quarre l b e tw e e n t h e two s e cts Know that my .

re l i g i on i s that r e gar d i ng wh i ch th e re i s no con

t rov e rsy .T h e H i ndus hav e a God whom Mosl e ms
do not acknowl e dg e and I hav e a God whom n e i th e r
,

of th e m acknowl e dg e .

T h e Emp e ro r one day p re ach e d t h e Gu ru a s e rmon

agai nst H i ndu sup e rsti t i ons Th e Guru agr e e d wi th
m
.

hi ,
but at t h e sam e t i m e woul d not att e r t h e
Muhammadan re l i gi on H e sai d that as t h e H i ndu
.

wo rsh i pp e d ston e s so di d t h e Muhammadans wor

,

sh i p d e par t e d sai nts and e v e n a bl ack l i fe l e ss sl ab

at Makka ; and as t h e H i ndus wh e n at praye r
tu rn e d th e i r fac e s to t h e e ast t h e Muhammadans ,

tu rn e d th e i r fac e s t o th e w e st T h e Muhammadans.

suppos e d that th e ir p roph e t coul d m e di at e f or th e m ,

but h e had b e com e ash e s and what advantag e cou l d

m
,

h i s ash e s or thos e of h is sai nts confe r on en Th e

Gu ru thus found fau l t wi th both t h e H i ndu and
Muhammadan re l i gi ons and sai d that h e had st ruck
,

ou t a re l i g i on of h i s own t h e bas i s of wh i ch wa s t h e
,

wo rsh i p of t h e so l e i mmo rtal God Som e di scus .

si on aros e on t h e subj e ct of t h e Gu ru s di scou rs e ,

but h e prompt l y answe re d al l obj e cti ons .

T h e Gu ru now e xpl i c i t l y stat e d t h e re qu e st h e

had s e ve ral t i m e s hi nt e d that h e d e si re d t o mak e
m
.

It was t o de l i ve r up to h i Waz i r Khan wh o had

k il l e d h i s ch il dr e n at S arh in d Th e Emp e ro r natu r
.

al l y de si re d t o know what t h e Gu ru p ropos e d to do

wi th h i m T h e Gu ru can di dl y re p l i e d that h e
.

woul d hav e l i fe f or l i f e acco rdi ng t o t h e l aw of

,

re tal i at i on contai n e d i n t h e Emp e ro r s sacr e d book

.

T h e Emp e ro r shudd e re d on h e ari ng th i s re qu e st but ,

gave no dire ct re fusal H e s a i d h e wou l d re pl y

.

aft e r consu l ti ng h i s m i n i st e rs At t h e sam e t i m e

madan nam
.

1
M uham e s ofG od .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIN D SIN GH 2 35
he

fe l t that ifh e su rre nde r e d a vi c e roy t o t h e Gu ru
m
,

ma popul ar r e b e ll i on and a mut i ny ofh i s M u h a

adan army woul d b e t h e re sul t T h e Emp e ro r
th e re fo re re qu e st e d t h e Gu ru to wai t f
.

or a y e ar
unt il h i s ru l e was mo re rm l y e stabl i sh e d and th e n ,

h e wou l d cons i d e r t h e re qu e st mad e T h e Gu ru .

on th i s r e p roach e d t h e Emp e ro r wi th fal s e hoo d ,

and sai d that a S i kh shou l d ari s e wh o shou l d cal l

1

t h e fal s e and count e rfe i t to account wh o shou l d ,

s e i z e and k il l t h e Emp e ro r s v i c e roys p ri e sts and

, ,

magi strat e s and cont ri but e t o t h e ru in of t h e

,

Mu ghal e mp i re .

Notwi thstandi ng th i s b l unt l anguag e and undi s

gu is e d m e nac e t h e Emp e ro r i nvi t e d t h e Gu ru to go
m
,

wi th h i on a vi si t to J ai pu r and oth e r ci t i e s T h e
m
.

Guru p rom i s e d to j o i n h i on t h e march Aft e r .

a f e w days h e se t out and ov e rtook t h e Emp e ro r .

Th e y both vi si t e d J odhpu r and Ch i t au r Each .

raj a s e nt h i s e nvoy to conc i l i at e and do homag e

to th e Gu ru At Ch i t a u r th e re aros e a quarre l
.

b e twe e n t h e S i khs and t h e Raj puts on account of

som e g rass t h e fo rm e r had tak e n f or th e i r ho rs e s .

Th e Gu ru c e nsur e d h i s S i khs and o r d e re d th e m to

,

tak e noth i ng f or t h e futu re wi thout paym e nt .

Th e Emp e ro r and t h e Gu ru cont i nu e d th e i r

j ou rn e y t o t h e Narbada ri v e r Th e quarre l b e tw e e n
.

t h e S i khs and t h e Muhammadans was k e pt al i v e by

t h e Emp e ro r s e sco rt many ofwhom w e re re l at i ons

of t h e i mp e ri al sol di e rs sl ai n by t h e S i khs at Anand

p u r
. T h e Guru s e nt Man S i ngh o ne o f,
h i s F i v e
B e l ov e d t o adj ust t h e di ffe re nc e b e twe e n both
,

pa rt i e s Wh il e on h i s m i ssi on ofp e ac e t h e b rav e

.

Man S i ngh one of t h e survi vi ng h e ro e s of Cham

,

kau r wh o had n e v e r part e d from t h e Gu ru wa s

, ,

assassi nat e d by a fanat i c T h e Emp e ro r wa s much

.

di st re ss e d on h e a ri ng of h i s de ath and o r d e re d ,

that h i s murd e re r shoul d b e s e i z e d and gi v e n up t o

t h e Gu ru f or pun i shm e nt T h e Gu ru pa rdo ne d h i
. m ,

1
No do ubt B and a was m e a nt .
2 36 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
and thus gai n e d g re at prai s e from t h e M uh a m
m a d a ns f or h i s m e r cy a n d c l e m e ncy .

T h e Emp e ro r and t h e Gu ru cont i nu e d th e ir march

to Bu rh a npu r on t h e T ap t i ri v e r T h e i nhabi tants .

had p re pare d a hous e th e re f or t h e Gu ru wh e re h e

m
,

pass e d som e t i m e A ho l y man cam e t o v i si t h i

.

and sai d O Gu ru I was p re s e nt wi th thy fath e r on

,

,

t h e bank oft h e B r ahmaput r a wh e n thou w e r t bo rn

i n Patna H e sai d that thou shou l dst aft e rwa rds
!

trave l to t h e south ofIndi a Th e p roph e cy hav i ng .

now b e e n fu l l l e d I hav e com e to m e e t a n d we l

,

H e th e n gav e t h e Gu ru hosp i tab l e

com e th e e .

e nt e r ta i nm e nt .

Th e Emp e ro r cont i nu e d h i s j ou rn e y and l e ft t h e

Guru at Bu rhanpu r Aft e r som e days t h e Emp e ror
m m
.

wrot e t O h i to j o i n h i

and h e acc e de d t o h i s ,

r e qu e st
. Both th e n p roc e e de d to Puna and th e nc e
to Nand e r on t h e margi n oft h e ri v e r Godava ri in
t h e p re s e nt stat e of Ha i da r abad and about one
hundr e d and fty m i l e s no rth w e st of i t s cap i tal -
.

C HAP T ER XXX
T h e o ri g i nal nam e of Nand e r was Nau N and D e h ra ,

b e caus e i t i s sai d that n i n e ri k h i s dwe l t th e re i n

p re h i stor i c t i m e s I t i s suppos e d to occupy t h e
.

si t e oft h e an ci e nt c i ty of Tagara de scri b e d by

t h e author of t h e P e ri pl u s ofth e E ry th re a n S e a .

In t h e m i ddl e of t h e fou rth c e ntury i t was st il l

a pl ac e of i mportanc e and t h e cap i tal of a p e tty
k i ngdom Its fo rt i cat i ons hav e l ong si nc e b e e n
.

di smantl e d or hav e p e ri sh e d by l aps e of t i m e and

th e re i s now no t rac e of any anc i e nt bu il di ngs
save a f e w ol d t e mp l e p i l l a rs pr e s e rv e d i n a sma l l

mosqu e n e ar t h e cou r t oft h e su b col l e ctor T h e

-
.

count ry i s di v e rsi e d by dal e and h il l ock al ong t h e

l az il y owi ng Godava ri .

T h e Gu ru arri v e d i n Nand e r i n Sawan ( J ul y

August ) A D 1 7 0 7 wi th som e i nfant ry and two or

,
. .
,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 37
thr e e hundr e d caval ry e qu ipp e d wi th l anc e s He .

w e nt to t h e b u t ofMadho Das a Bai rag i h e rm i t , .

Fi ndi ng t h e Bai ragi abs e nt and h e ari ng that h e ,

poss e ss e d such sk il l i n magi c that h e cou l d ov e r

th row any one who sa t on h i s couch t h e Gu ru ,

p roc e e de d to si t th e re on and mak e h i ms e l f at

hom e H e shot o ne of t h e Bai ra g i s goats and

.

cook e d and a t e t h e e sh A di sc i p l e w e nt to i nfo rm

.

t h e Bai rag i oft h e Gu ru s p roc e e di ngs

It was a .

sac ril e g e to k il l an ani mal at t h e Bai ra gi s s e at and

anoth e r sac ril e g e to t a k e poss e ss i on oft h e couch

m
wh i ch s e rv e d h i as a th ron e H e cam e to d e mand
.

an e xpl anat i on of t h e i ntrude r s st rang e conduct

.

Th e B ai rag i r e p re s e nt e d that t h e p l ac e had b e e n

rst h i s gu ru s s e at th e n h i s own and h e d i d not

, ,

d e s ire to hav e i t usu rp e d by an unknown st rang e r ,

who mo re ov e r comm i tt e d vi o l e nc e and sac ril e g e .

T h e Gu ru re pl i e d that h e had arri v e d fat i gu e d i n

Nand e r and hav i ng h e ar d oft h e Ba ira gi s hosp i tal i ty
,

and ph i l anth ropy took t h e l ib e rty oft e st ing t h e

,

favou rab l e a ccounts h e had r e c e i v e d T h e Bai rag i .

acc e pt e d t h e Gu ru s e xp l anat i on re cogn i z e d from

h i s wo rds and mann e r that h e wa s a g re at man

,

and cal l e d h i ms e l f h i s B anda sl av e t h e nam e b V

wh i ch h e wa s subs e qu e ntl y known
m
.

Banda whos e o ri gi nal nam e was L a c h a n d e v was

m
, ,

son o f R a d e v Raj put and nat i v e ofRaj au ri i n t h e

H i m a l a yan Stat e of Punch B e fo re h e adopt e d a
m
.

re l i g i ous rol e h e had b e e n a z a i nd ar or cu l t i vato r .

In e arl y y e ars h e p ract i s e d t h e u se of re arms and

was d e vot e d to t h e chas e Onc e wh e n h e shot a
.

f e mal e de e r h e found two young on e s i n h e r womb .

H e was so di st re ss e d at what h e had don e that h e ,

d e c i d e d to r e nounc e t h e wo rl d and b e cam e a di sc i pl e

of a faqi r nam e d J ank i P rasad As a wande ri ng .

m e ndi cant h e made h i s wa y to t h e sou rc e oft h e

Godavari at Nas i k H e th e re mad e h i ms e l f a hut
.

and b e gan to p e rfo rm aust e ri ti e s

m m
.

A J ogi cal l e d Lun i v i si t e d h i and i nst ruct e d h i

2 38 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
in t h e sc i e nc e ofJ ogand i ncantat i ons B e i ng thus .

accomp l i sh e d h e se t out agai n on h i s t rav e l s and

, ,

fol l owe d t h e sourc e oft h e Godavari unt il h e arri v e d

i n N ande r . Th e re h e b e cam e known as a hol y man
i n poss e ss i on ofmany charms f or t h e acqu i s i t i on of

sp i ri tual and t e mpo ral advantag e s H e us e d to .

pr ay and p e rform p e nanc e on a l i tt l e mound ov e r

l ook i ng t h e Godavari and th e nc e at i nt e rval s watch
,

i t s s l ow and dr e amy mot i on as i fi t w e re l ot h to

l os e i ts e l f i n t h e op e n se a .

T h e Guru wa s p l e as e d wi th t h e pos i ti on and

s e cl usi on ofN ande r and de c i de d t o mak e i t h i s
,

p e rman e nt abode H e us e d to si t i n pray e r and

.

m e di tat i on on a smal l ston e st ructur e on t h e marg i n

of t h e ri v e r N e ar i t i s a l i ttl e l arg e r bu il di ng
.

wh e r e t h e Granth S a h i b wa s re ad I t i s now and .

has b e e n f or y e ars i n a stat e of d il ap i dat i on .

T h e Gu ru i nst ruct e d Banda i n t h e t e n e ts ofh i s

r e l ig i on and i n d u e t i m e bapti z e d h i acco r ding to
,
m
t h e ne w ri t e s . On that occasi on Banda re c e i v e d
t h e nam e Gu rb a k h sh S i ngh but cont i nu e d to b e ,

known as B anda H e conc e i v e d a g re at a f

. fe cti on
for t h e t ru e re l i g i ous gu i de h e had at l ast found
m
,

and one day ask e d h i i fth e re we re any s e rvi c e h e

coul d p e rfo rm for h i m
Th e Gu ru aft e r re e ct i on
.

found that h e had a n account to s e ttl e wi th t h e

Muhammadans o ft h e Panj ab and r e pl i e d I hav e , ,

com e i nto t h e wo rl d t o consol i dat e t h e fai th and

d e stroy opp re ssors Art thou pr e par e d to assi st
m
.

e Banda p rom i s e d to unde rtak e any e nt e rpri s e

sugg e st e d by t h e Gu ru Upon th i s h e was e nj o i n e d
.

to p roc e e d to t h e Panj ab and wr e ak v e ng e anc e on

t h e e n e m i e s of t h e Khal sa Thou hast c al l e d thy
.

s e l f my sl ave sai d t h e Guru but thou shal t b e

,

,

t h e most e xal t e d of al l
m
.

Sayi ng th i s t h e Guru p re s e nt e d h i wi th v e
arrows and thus addr e ss e d h i As l ong as thou m ,

r e mai n e st cont i n e nt thy gl ory shal l i ncr e as e

,
. He .

wh o is cont i n e nt turn e th not away from t h e combat

, ,
 LI FE OF GURU GOB I ND SIN GH 2 39
and h i s oppon e nts cannot wi thstand h i m
Th e .

cont i n e nt man su cc e e d e t h i n e ve ryth i ng Onc e thou

.

forsa k e st t h e Khal sa p ri nc i p l e s and assoc i a t e st u n

l a wf u w i th woman thy cou ag sha ll d pa t H

y r , e e r .e
th e n o rde re d Banda to proc e e d towards t h e J amn a ,

wai t at a l i tt l e di stanc e from Bu ri a f or re i nfo rc e

m e nts wh i ch h e woul d caus e to b e s e nt h i m

th e n

,

g o to Sa d hau r a Bu ri a and Sadhau r a ar e both i n

t h e p re s e nt di st ri ct of Ambal a and p l unde r and
d e vastat e i t T h e re ason was that t h e M u h a m
m
.

a d a ns of t h e p l ac e had caus e d Budhu Shah and

h i s di sc i p l e s to b e e x e cut e d by t h e Emp e ro r f or
th e of fe nc e of havi ng ass i st e d t h e Gu ru at t h e battl e
of Bhangan i Wh e n Banda had d i spos e d oft h e
.

Gu ru s e n e m i e s at Sadhaura h e was to p roc e e d to

'

sack som e mor e Muhammadan c i t i e s th e n march ,

to S arh i nd and put i t s gov e rno r Waz ir Khan to

m
,

de ath Th e Guru gave h i i nstruct i ons to cut of

. f
Waz i r Khan s h e ad wi th h i s own hands and not

,

e ntrust th i s p i ous duty to a ny subo r di nat e Th i s

.

don e Banda was comm i ssi on e d to go to t h e h i l l s and

s e arch for t h e h il l Raj as wh o had so oft e n and so
cru e l l y p e rs e cut e d t h e Guru and m e t e ou t t o th e m
,

t h e sam e j ust i c e as to t h e Mughal e n e m i e s of t h e

Khal sa .

Wi th Banda t h e Gu ru di spatch e d Baba B i nod

S i ngh h i s son Baba Kahn S i ngh de sc e ndants o f

,

Gu ru Angad and Baz S i ngh a de sc e ndant of Gu ru ,

Amar Das wh o we re al l th re e to g i v e Banda fur th e r

,

i nst ruct i ons i n t h e ne w re l i gi on h e had adopt e d .

Wi th th e s e t h e Guru s e nt v e oth e r S i khs to ass i st

i n t h e e nt e rpr i s e and suppo rt t h e mart i al fam e o f
t h e Khal sa .

Aft e r Banda s de partu re t h e Gu ru l iv e d at vari ous

p l ac e s i n t h e i mm e di at e n e i ghbou rhood a t t h e
Sh i kar Ghat or gam e fe rry wh e nc e h e us e d t o go
, ,

hunt i ng at t h e N agi na Ghat wh e re a S i kh p re s e nt e d

m
, ,

hi wi th a val u a b l e s i gn e t r i ng wh ich h e ung i nto

t h e r i v e r at t h e H i ra Ghat wh e r e h e di spos e d i n

,
2 49 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
a s i m i l ar mann e r of a val uabl e di amond ri ng pre
m
s e nt e d h i by t h e Emp e ro r whi l e i n N and e r a nd ,

at t h e spot now cal l e d t h e Sangat Sah i b wh e re h e ,

us e d to gi v e r e l i g i ous i nst ructi on to h i s fo l l ow e rs

and e xpound to th e m t h e Gra nth Sah i b .

Whi l e at t h e Sangat Sah i b a Mu l tan i S i kh brought

,

t h e Gu ru an offe ri ng of a bow and two arrows He .

wa s much p l e as e d and put t h e bow to t h e t e st b y

,

di scharg i ng one of t h e arrows from i t H e s e nt one .

o fh i s fo l l ow e rs to i nqu i re wh e re t h e arrow had

fal l e n On b e i ng i nfo rm e d oft h e spot h e sai d that
.

wa s wh e r e h e wi sh e d to re s i d e T h e Muhammadans .

obj e ct e d but th e i r obj e ct i on was ov e rrul e d by t h e

,

Emp e ro r who mad e t h e Gu ru a p re s e nt of t h e l and

,
.

H e w e nt and abode th e r e and ma de i t t h e sc e n e

,

of h i s p ropaganda I t i s t h e p l ac e on wh i ch h i s
.

sh ri n e was subs e qu e ntl y e r e ct e d .

Aft e r som e t i m e a Pathan one day cam e and

c l ai m e d from t h e Guru a sum ofe l e v e n thousand
rup e e s as t h e p ri c e of hors e s h e had supp l ie d h i m
T h e Gu ru had not su
.

i ci e nt funds to di scharg e t h e
d e bt . H e sai d that th i rty y e ars aft e r h i s de c e as e
t h e S i khs shou l d b e i n pow e r and t h e Pathan had ,

on l y to p re s e nt t h e Gu ru s acknowl e dg e m e nt oft h e

d e bt to th e i r l e ade rs wh e n h e shoul d re c e i v e t h e
,

amount m a ny hundre dfo l d T h e d e bt wa s dul y d i s

.

charg e d by t h e S i khs unde r happ i e r and mo re p ros

p e ro u s c i r cumstanc e s .

C HAP T E R XXXI
T h e Guru f e e l i ng that h i s e nd was app roach i ng
d e si re d to s e nd Sah i b Kau r to h e r c o wi fe Sund a ri
-
,

whom h e had l e ft i n D ib l i on h i s d e par tu re

to t h e south of Indi a H e kn e w that sh e cou l d
.

not e ndu re t h e shock wh i ch h i s de m i s e wou l d caus e

her . S h e at rst re fus e d to l e av e N ande r sayi ng ,

that sh e had made a vow n e v e r to tak e h e r dail y

food wi thout s e e i ng t h e Gu ru and how cou l d sh e ,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SIN GH 2 41

fu l l h e r vow ifsh e w e re to part from h i ? Th e m

Guru th e n gav e h e r si x we apons wh i ch had b e l ong e d
to h i s grandfath e r Guru H ar Gob i nd and to l d h e r ,

to l ook at th e m wh e n e v e r sh e d e si r e d to b e hol d
hi m Wi th th e s e and oth e r i nduc e m e nts h e at l ast
.

p e rsuade d h e r t o de part S h e was accompan ie d by .

Bhai Man i S i ngh and both we re e nj o in e d to com

fo rt and conso l e S undari .

T h e curr e nt S i kh account of t h e Gu ru s d e ath i s

that h e was stabb e d by Gu l Khan a grandson of ,

Pai nda Khan i n r e ve ng e f or t h e ,

de ath of t h e
l att e r at t h e hands ofGuru Har Gob i nd 1
Mor e .

p robabl e i s t h e account g i v e n i n one of t h e re

c e nsi ons of Ba h a d u r S h a h s h i story T h e Guru

was i n t h e hab i t of constant l y addr e ss i ng as

se m b li e s of wor l dl y p e rsons r e l i gi ous fanat i cs and , ,

i nde e d al l var i e t i e s ofp e op l e One day an Afghan .

,

who fre qu e nt l y att e nde d th e s e m e e t i ngs was si tt ing

m
,

l i st e n i ng to h i wh e n c e rtai n e xpr e ssi ons wh i ch

,

w e re di sagr e e ab l e to t h e e ars oft h e fai thful fe l l

from t h e Guru s tongu e T h e Afghan was e n
.

rag e d and r e gardl e ss of t h e Guru s di gn i ty and

m
,

i mportanc e stabb e d h i twi c e or thr i c e wi th a

,

pon i ard .

1 f
Thucydide s th e G re e k h i stori an c ite s a p rove rb to th e e fe ct th at

e e li n g a m ng m
, ,

rati c ati on o fre ve ng i s e swe e te st f o o rt al s

m
th e g e th
c'

Ap a 8 s d

i d

d p f i 6 A

and e e n one ofthe m

e o cv o v 1rov
.
x p p c
y
o p t va o at
y p
cx e o cv ov v, Ka 7

f
jdw i ost Ch i sti an ofpo ts thought i t
not unb e c o m
rov
'
e va t v r e

ingh is re li gi on and phil osophy to pp o e ofth e ng a r v a er

o fo ne oft h e de n i e ns o f h is I nf
e no f or h is un ave ng e d d e ath H is
e and h is re se ntm
z r .

pass i on f e e ng e nt a t th e i na ct i on o fh i poe ti c
l ative onl y e nhance d p ity and e sti m o h im
o r r v s

re ati on f r

ou d e t se n i
go
S e nza p arl a rmi 5 1 com10 sti m o

E d i n c io m
,

ba e f atto a se p i n p io

.

s I nf
e r no D ante

.

S e ve ral S i khs S uppose that Gui Khan was sp e c i all y de p ute d b y

th e E m p e ro r B ahadu r Shah to assassi nate t h e Guru be c ause he ha d
im portune d h imto f ul l a p ro m i se sol e mnl y m ade I t h as b e e n
thought the E m p e ro r be li e ve d that i fh e co u l d re m ro m
.

ove th e G uru f
h is p ath al l tro ub l e s woul d b e at an e nd
,
.

I KH
S . R
2 42 T H E sI K H RELI GI ON
Th e Emp e ror on h e ari ng oft h e out rag e di spatch e d
som e of h i s most skil ful su rg e ons t o att e nd to t h e
Guru s i nj u ri e s and so sk il ful l y did th e y p e rfo rm

th e i r duty that t h e Gu ru s wounds w e re n e arl y
h e al e d i n a fo rtn i ght aft e r wh i ch t h e surg e ons took
,

th e i r l e av e as b e i ng no l ong e r re qu i re d In a shor t t i m e .

t h e Emp e ro r agai n s e nt to i nqu i re aft e r t h e Gu ru s

h e al th and made h i s e v e ral o f m

fe ri ngs wh i ch i ncl ud e d
t wo bows A di scussi on aros e wh e th e r t h e Gii ru
.

cou l d b e nd th e m On th i s h e took up one and on

.

b e ndi ng i t bu rst op e n h i s i mp e rfe ctl y h e al e d wounds .

B l ood b e gan to ow cop i ousl y Th e wound was .

bound up by t h e Guru s att e ndants but th i s t i m e i t ,

wa s past m e di cam e nt .

T h e Guru se t apar t v e hundr e d rup e e s f or t h e

p re parat i on and di stri buti on ofsacre d food and one
hun d r e d rup e e s to pu rchas e sandal wood and what -

e v e r e l s e wa s n e c e ssary f or h i s obs e qu i e s H i s S i khs

m
.

cam e to h i and sai d that wh il e h e was al i v e th e y

,

had t h e b e n e t of h i s p re s e nc e but th e y re qu i re d
m
,

i nst ruct i on wh i ch m i ght r e m i nd th e m of h i h e re aft e r

and gu i de th e m t o sal vat i on T h e Gu ru re pl i e d O .
,

d e ar and b e l ov e d Khal sa t h e i mmortal God s wil l can ,

n e v e r b e re si st e d H e wh o i s bo rn must assur e dl y di e
. .

Guru Arjan hath sai d Eve ryth i ng we b e hol d shal l

,

p e ri sh N i ght and day are m e r e l y e xp re ssi ons of

t im e . I t i s t h e i mmortal Go d al on e who e v e r
ab i d e th Al l oth e r b e i ngs how e v e r hol y and e xal t e d
.
, ,

must d e part wh e n t h e l ast mom e nt al l ott e d th e m

a rri v e t h f
or non e can e scap e t h e pr i mo r di a l l a w o f
,

corpore al di ssol uti on Al l th i s worl d compos e d oft h e

.
,

v e e l e m e nts i s D e ath s p re y Wh e n t h e mat e ri al s

.
,

p e ri sh how can t h e fabr i c re mai n God t h e Cre ato r

,

and Ch e ri sh e r ofal l i s al on e i mmo rtal B rahma .

,

Vi shnu Sh i v and t h e oth e r gods of t h e H i ndus

, ,

p e ri sh e d at th e i r appo i nt e d ti m e Of what account .

i s man Wh e re fo re O my fri e nds i t i s not good to

, ,

b e undul y e namou re d ofth i s fragi l e body K now .

that t h e l i ght of t h e i mp e ri shab l e God whos e a t t r i

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 24 3
but e s a re p e rman e nc e consc i ousn e ss and happ i n e ss , , ,

sh i n e th e v e r i n you Wh e re fo re al ways abi de i n .

ch e e rfu l n e ss and n e v e r g i v e way to mou rn i ng God

, .

i s e v e r t h e sam e H e i s n e i th e r young nor ol d

. He .

i s not bo rn n e i th e r doth h e di e
, He fe e l e t h no t pai n .

o r pov e r ty Know that t h e t ru e Gu ru ab i de th as H e

. .

C re atu re s wh o a re st e e p e d i n bodil y p ri d e a re
v e ry unhappy and n i ght and day subj e ct to l ov e and
,

hat e . E v e r e ntangl e d and i nvo l v e d i n t h e d e adl y

si ns th e y p e ri sh by mutual e nm i ty and at l ast nd
,

th e ir abod e i n h e l l Ye t f or t h e l ov e of such c r e atu re s

.

t h e Gu r u assum e d b i rth to d e l i v e r th e m H e hath .

i nst ruct e d th e m i n t h e t ru e N am e and v e ry ,

fo rtunat e are th e y wh o hav e r e c e i v e d and t re asu re d

h i s i nst ruct i on By i t th e y a re e nab l e d to s a v e
.

th e ms e l v e s and oth e rs from t h e p e ril s of t h e wo rl d s

oc e an As wh e n aft e r drought rai n fal l e th and th e re

.

i s abundanc e so t h e Gu ru s e e i ng human b e i ngs

, ,

suffe ri ng and y e arn i ng f or happ i n e ss cam e t o b e stow ,

i t on th e m and re mov e th e i r so rrows by h i s t e ach i ng .

And as t h e r ai n re mai n e th wh e r e i t fal l e th so t h e ,

Gu ru s i nst ruct i on e v e r ab i d e th wi th h i s di sci pl e s

.

Th e S i khs wh o l ov e t h e t ru e Gu ru a re i n tu rn b e l ov e d
by h i m
. O Khal sa r e m e mb e r th e tru e N am e ,
.

T h e Gu ru hath arr ay e d y ou i n a rms to p rocu re y ou

t h e sov e re i gnty of t h e e ar th Thos e wh o hav e di e d .

i n batt l e hav e gon e to an abode o fb l i ss I h a ve .

attach e d you to t h e sk ir t of t h e i mmo rtal God and

e nt rust e d you to H i m
R e ad t h e Gr anth S a h i b or
.

l i st e n to i t so shal l you r m i nds re c e i v e conso l at i on

, ,

and y ou shal l undoubt e dl y obtai n an abode i n t h e

Gu ru s h e av e n Th e y wh o re m e mb e r t h e t ru e N am e

.

re nd e r th e i r l i v e s p rotab l e and wh e n th e y de part ,

e nt e r t h e mans i ons of e t e r nal happ i n e ss

.

W h e n t h e S i khs cam e agai n to tak e th e i r l ast fa re

we l l oft h e Gu ru th e y i nqu i re d wh o wa s to succ e e d
m
,

hi . H e re p l i e d I h a v e e nt rust e d y ou to t h e
,

i mmo rtal God Eve r re mai n unde r H is p rot e ct i on

.
,

and t rust to non e b e si de s Wh e re v e r th e re a re v e .

R 2
2 44 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
S i khs ass e mb l e d wh o ab i de by t h e Gu ru s t e ach ings

know that I am i n t h e m i dst ofth e m H e wh o

.

s e r v e th th e m sha obta n l l i t h e r e wa d th e re of
r th e
fu l l m e nt of al l h i s h e art s d e s ire s R e ad t h e h i sto ry

.

of you r Gu rus from t h e t i m e ofGu ru N anak H e nc e .

fo rth t h e Gu ru shal l b e t h e Khal sa and t h e Khal sa

t h e Gu ru I hav e i nfus e d my m e nt a l and bodil y
.

sp iri t i nto t h e G ranth Sah i b and t h e Khal sa .

Aft e r th i s t h e Gu ru bath e d and chang e d h i s dre ss .

H e th e n re ad t h e J a p ji and re p e at e d an Ar das or
supp l i cat i on Wh il e do i ng so h e gav e i nst ru o
.
,

t i ons that no cl oth e s shou l d b e b e stow e d as al ms

i n h i s nam e H e th e n put on a musl in wai st
.

band sl ung h i s bow on h i s shou l d e r and took

,

h i s musk e t i n h i s hand H e op e n e d t h e G ranth

.

Sah i b and p l aci ng v e pa i s e and a coco nut b e fo re i t

sol e mnl y bow e d to i t as h i s succ e sso r Th e n utt e ri ng .

W a hg u ru j i k a K h a l sa W a hg u ru i i k i fa ta h f .

h e c i rcumambu l at e d t h e sacre d vo l um e an d sai d

m
,

O b e l ov e d Khal sa l e t h i who d e si re th to b e hol d

m
,

e,
b e hol d t h e Gu ru Granth Ob e y t h e Granth .

Sah ib It i s t h e vi si bl e body of t h e Gu ru And

m m
. .

le t hi wh o de si r e th t o m e e t e d il i g e nt l y s e arch

i t s hymns

.

T h e Gur u w e nt t o an e ncl osur e fo rm e d o ft e nt

wal l s wh e re h i s b i e r had b e e n e re ct e d In t h e e nd

.

of t h e n i ght a watch b e fo re day h e l ay on h i s
b i e r and di re ct e d al l h i s S i khs e xc e pt Bhai San
m
,

tokh S i ngh wh o wa s sp e c i al l y attach e d to h i

1
,
to ,

go t o th e ir hom e s H e th e n gav e h i s l ast or de rs t o

.

h i s l ast att e ndant K e e p my k i tch e n e v e r op e n and

.
,

re c e i v e o f fe ri ngs for i t s m a i nt e n a nc e If any one.

e re ct a sh ri n e i n my honou r h i s offsp ri ng shal l p e ri sh

.
,

Bhai Santokh S i ngh re p re s e nt e d that t h e S i khs w e re

f e w at Nand e r and how w e re off e ri ngs t o b e obtai n e d ?
,

T h e Gu r u r e pl i e d O Bhai Santokh S i ngh hav e

, ,

pati e nc e S i nghs ofm in e ofv e ry gre at e m i n e nc e

.

sh al l com e h e re and mak e cop i ous o f

m
fe rings Eve ry
e re nt m
.

f
Th i s i s a d i f ro m
an f th e author of th e S ar aj F
1 / ar s7 .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 45

th i ng shal l b e obtai n e d by t h e favo ur of Guru

Nanak H e th e n i n grat e fu l acknowl e dg e m e nt of
,

t h e sp i ri tual b e n e fact i ons of t h e founde r o f h i s

r e l i gi on utt e r e d a P e rsi an di st i ch t h e t ransl at i on
, ,

of wh i ch i s
Gob ind S in g ro m
h obt a i n e d f Gu ru N a n a k
Hosp i t al it y t h e swo rd v i c tory a nd p rom
, pt ass ist a n c e
,
1
, .

Th e Guru th e n br e ath e d h i s l ast T h e S i khs made .

pre parat i ons for h i s obs e qu i e s as h e had i nstruct e d

th e m t h e S oh il a was sol e mn l y chant e d and sac re d
, ,

food di st ri but e d .

Wh il e a l l w e re mourn i ng t h e l oss of t h e Gu ru
a h e rm i t arr i v e d and sai d You suppos e that t h e

m
,

Guru i s d e ad I saw h i th i s v e ry morn i ng ri di ng

m
.
,

h i s bay ho rs e Wh e n I bow e d to h i h e sai d

m
.
,

Com e O h e rmi t l e t e b e hol d th e e Ve ry happy

m
.
, ,

am I that I have e t th e e at t h e l ast mom e nt

m
.

I th e n ask e d h i wh i th e r h e was w e ndi ng h i s way .

H e sm il e d and sa i d h e wa s go i ng to t h e fo re st on
a hunt i ng e xcu rsi on H e had h i s bow i n h i s hand .
,

and h i s arrows we re fast e n e d wi th a strap to h i s

wai st .

Th e S i khs wh o h e ard th i s stat e m e nt ar ri v e d at t h e

concl usi on that i t was al l t h e Gu ru s pl ay that h e

dwe l t i n un i nt e rrupt e d bl i ss and that h e show e d ,

h i ms e l f wh e re ve r h e was re m e mb e re d H e had .

m e re l y com e i nto t h e wo rl d th e y sai d to mak e t ri al , ,

of th e i r fai th and r e mov e t h e i l l s ofe xi st e nc e

,
.

Wh e re for e for such a Gu ru wh o had d e pa rt e d bodi l y

to h e av e n th e re ought to b e no mou rn i ng T h e
,
.

ash e s of h i s b i e r w e re co l l e ct e d and a p l atform bu il t

ov e r th e m T h e Khal sa to whom t h e Gu rush i p had
.
,

b e e n e nt rust e d de cl are d that a l l thos e wh o vi si t e d

,

t h e spot shou l d r e c e i v e d u e sp iri tual re ward .

T h e Gu ru d e part e d from t h e sc e n e of h i s e arth l y

1
The se line s we re i m p re sse d on a se al ma de b y t he S i khs a f
te r th e
G uru s de m i se and we re adopte d by R anjit S ingh f or his c o i nag

te r h e h ad a ssum
e
,

af e d th e ti tl e o fM ahat aja .
2 46 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
t ri umphs a nd re v e rs e s on T hursday t h e fth day of ,

t h e b ri ght hal f ofK a r t i k Sambat 1 7 6 5 ( A D ,

. .

h a vi ng e x e rc i s e d sp iri tual and t e mpo r al sov e re i gnty

ov e r t h e S i khs f or th re e and th i r ty y e a rs and re s i de d ,

i n Nande r f or fou r t e e n months and t e n days .

T h e S i kh t e mp l e at Nan d e r cal l e d Ab c h a l na g
m
ar , ,

i s an i pos i ng st ructu re wi th a cupo l a and two

m inare ts T h e i nt e ri o r i s su rround e d by a wal l of
.

ma rt i al i mp l e m e nts e mb l e mat i c of t h e m il i tant si de

of It wa s bu il t by Mah araj a

t h e Gu ru s charact e r .

Ranj i t S i ngh i n 1 8 32 i n d e anc e of t h e Gu ru s

i nt e r di ct i on Addi t i ons are b e i ng cont i nual l y mad e

.

to th e e di c e by t h e cont ribut i ons of d e vout S i khs 1

.

C HAP T ER XXXI I
W e now p roc e e d t o cont i nu e t h e h i sto ry of Banda .

Havi ng se t ou t f or t h e Pan ! ab I n acco r danc e w i th t h e

Gu ru s i nst ruct i ons and I n d u e t i m e tak e n up h i s post

on an e m i n e nc e n e ar Bu ri a h e found th e re t h e r e i n ,

fo rc e m e nts p rom i s e d by t h e Gu ru Th e y cam e i n .

numb e rs and cl amou re d f or food T o supp l y th e m .

s e l ve s th e y w e r e ob l i g e d t o re so r t t o fo rci bl e m e asu re s .

Upon th i s th e re aros e a vi ol e nt al t e rcat i on b e twe e n

t h e S i khs and t h e v il l ag e rs i n wh i ch t h e l att e r w e r e ,

1
T he state o f Ha i darab ad h as se t asi de th e re ve nu e of e vill age s
n am or th e m
v ,

e l y Bish anpu ri B a i B ansari M aso and E l k i f a i nte

nance ofth e sh i ne T h e y e a l y re v e nu e ofthe se ill age s am

, ,
r , ,
r, ,

r . r ounts to v

abo ut e i g hte e n thousand rup e e s T h e S i kh custo di ans ofth e sh ine

il ar sumfomth e State f o the i r own m
r

re c e i v e a s i m
.

a i nte n an c e

It m a y he re b e m
r r .

e nti one d th at al l p l a c e s o f wo rsh i p i n th e H ai dar

abad te rrito ry e ce i e
r state assi stan ce A H i n du te m
v p l e a t th e
.

c ap ita l re c e i e s a n annu a l subs i dy ofs e ve nty tho usand rup e e s In

e H i ndu as we ll a s M uh a m madan te mp l e s are t e ate d a s
v .

e ve y vill ag

obj e cts ofthe N i ams m

r r

Eve n Ch i sti an and P ars i

z u ni ce nc e . r

chu che s have to ac kno wl e dg

r e his b ounty .

The e a e t we l e hundre d S i khs inc l uding ca al ry and i nfntry

co m mande d by twe l e R i sal dars in the N i ams arm
r r v ,
v a ,

v , y T h e R i sal dars
z

.

re s i de at N an d e r e ach i n tu n f o r a who l e y e a r to p rotect t h e sh ri ne

ro m
r

and t h e S i khs wh o h ave g ath e re d roun d i t f di ff e re nt co untri e s .

The re are al so th e e or f r our hundre d S i khs i n th e State Constabu l ary .

THE S IK H T E M P L E (H A Z U R S A H IE ) Ar N AN D E R
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 47

put to t h e swo rd T h e i nhab i tants o ftwo or th re e

.

oth e r vi l l a g e s w e re s i m i l arl y t re at e d .

On s e e i ng t h e l i c e nc e g rant e d t o Banda s troops

a l l t h e robb e r s of t h e count ry ock e d t o h i s standard .

An outc ry e v e rywh e re aros e and t h e p e op l e we nt ,

i n l arg e numb e rs to comp l ai n t o t h e gov e rno r of

Mustafabad a c i ty v e or si x m i l e s to t h e w e st of

Bu ri a wh e re w e re t wo thousand i mp e ri al t roops
und e r arms and re ady for any e m e rg e ncy Th e s e .

we re d i spatch e d wi th two l arg e guns agai nst B a nda ,

wh e r e upon many of h i s m e rc e nary re c ru i ts d e s e rt e d

hi m . H e e ncou rag e d a l l wh o re mai n e d and p rom i s e d ,

th e m p rot e ct i on and p e cun i ary assi st a nc e H e th e n .

pu l l e d fo rth one oft h e Gu ru s arr ows dre w a l i n e

on t h e gr ound wi th i t and sai d that no bul l e t or

,

a rrow shoul d c ross t h e d e marcat i on thus made .

Upon th i s h i s t roops ral l i e d and made such a succ e ss

f u l d e f e nc e that t h e Muhammad a ns a l l e d l e av i ng ,

th e i r cannon b e h i nd th e m Aft e r th i s vi cto ry s e v e ral

.

of t h e d e s e rt e rs re tu rn e d and re j o i n e d Banda s

a rmy H i s fo rc e s th e n p roc e e d e d to Mustafabad

.

and l ai d i t wast e .

Banda s n e xt e xp e di t i on wa s agai nst Sadh a u ra

.

Th e i mp e ri al t roops stat i on e d th e re cam e fo rth to

oppos e h i m
but w e re e asi l y d e f e at e d Th e y
, ed .

and took sh e l t e r b e h i nd th e i r c i ty W al l s Banda s .

fo rc e s wi th g re a t b rav e ry captu re d t h e fo rt and ,

l e v e l l e d i t wi th th e g round Th e n e nsu e d a g e n e ra l
.

massac re oft h e i nh a b i t a nt s Banda n e xt march e d

'

a n d l a i d s i e g e to Samana a consi de rabl e town i n

,

t h e stat e o fPat i al a H e re th e re was a sangu i nary

.

batt l e T h e c i ty wa s sack e d and t h e mal e i nh a b i

.
,

tants put to t h e sword .

H e th e n proc e e d e d t o S a rh i n d On t h e march
.

h i s troops took suppl i e s fo rc i b l y from v il l ag e rs .

Waz i r Khan on h e ari ng that Banda wa s march ing

m
agai nst h i s e nt t o t h e vi c e roy ofLahor e f or ass i st

anc e . B anda pl und e r e d Ambal a on t h e way H e .

th e n march e d to Banu r wh e re h e was e ncount e r e d

2 48 T HE SI K H RELI GI ON
by Waz i r Khan s army wh i ch had march e d from

m
,

S arh i nd to oppos e h i T h e batt l e b e gan on t h e .

fol l owi ng day Wh e n s e v e ral of t h e Muhammadans

.

we r e sl ai n Waz ir Khan and Banda e ngag e d i n s i ngl e

m
,

combat Banda thus ad dr e ss e d h i

. . O si nn e r , ,

thou art t h e e n e my ofGu ru Gob i nd S i ngh Thou

m
.

hast shown h i no re sp e ct but on t h e contrary ,

hast put to de ath h i s i nnoc e nt ch i l dr e n and th e re by ,

comm i tt e d a gri e vous and unpardonabl e cri m e th e ,

pun i shm e nt for wh i ch I am now go i ng to d e al th e e .

Th i n e army and thy count ry shal l b e de st roy e d at

my hands Upon th i s Banda st ruck off h i s h e ad
.

w i th one bl ow ofh i s swo r d Th e n t h e whol e oft h e

Muhammadan army
.

e d fo l l ow e d by t h e S i khs wh o ,

poss e ss e d th e ms e l v e s of th e i r ho rs e s arms t e nts , , ,

cannon and oth e r mun i t i ons of wa r and th e n

, ,

advanc e d i n t ri umph to S arh in d Th e re th e y e f fe ct e d .

a g e n e ral massacre T h e S i khs captu re d S u ch ana nd .

who had i nst i gat e d t h e murde r of Guru Gobi nd

S i ngh s ch il dre n Th e y put an i ron r i ng i n h i s nose

m
.
,

and passing a rop e th rough i t l e d h i round t h e ,

st re e ts t o b e g At e v e ry shop h e was sho e b e at e n

.
-

unt il h e di e d Such oft h e i nhab i tants as w e re not

.

k il l e d p rostrat e d th e ms e l v e s b e fo re t h e conqu e ror .

H e wa s not di spos e d to m e rcy b u t gav e an o r d e r ,

.

to r az e t h e ci ty to t h e ground and pl ough up i t s

si t e In t h e p roc e ss l arg e tr e asur e wa s found wh i ch
m
.

mat e ri al l y assi st e d h i i n h i s furth e r ca re e r of

rap i n e b l oodsh e d and d e vastat i on
, ,
.

Banda th e n w e nt on an e xp e di t i on t o t h e e ast
and p l und e r e d most of t h e h il l raj as stat e s Aft e r
.

th i s h e mad e a p il gri mag e to Anandpu r and p e r ,

fo rm e d r e v e r e nt wo rsh i p at t h e sh ri n e ofGuru T e g
Bahadur H e th e n made p il g ri mag e s t o t h e pl ac e s
.

hal l ow e d by t h e vi si ts of Guru Gobi nd S i ngh T h e

m m
.

Raj a ofChamba i n ord e r to concil i at e h i s e nt h i a

, ,

sup re m e l y b e aut i fu l g irl S h e had l arg e e y e s h e r .

,

l i mbs w e r e grac e fu l and d e l i cat e and sh e i s d e sc ri b e d ,

by t h e e nthusi asti c chron i c l e r a s t h e v e ry i mag e of

 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 49

th e godde ss of l ov e Banda on s e e ing h e r part e d

.
,

wi th h i s caut i on and comp l e t e l y fo rgot t h e Gu ru s
,

i nj unct i ons H e di v e d i nto t h e oc e an o fs e nsual i ty

m
.
,

a n d thought not of t h e fat e that awai t e d h i on t h e

fo rfe i tu re ofh i s cont i n e nc e .

Havi ng subj e ct e d a l l t h e h i l l ch i e fs Banda p l ann e d ,

a tou r i n t h e B i st Doab and p roc e e de d to J al andhar

,

wh e re h e k il l e d t h e Muhammadan mal e i nhab i tants .

T h e Muhammadan wom e n w e re conv e rt e d to S i kh i sm ,

and b e cam e wi v e s oft h e S i kh so l die rs by t h e c e re

mony ofAnand .
1
H e th e nc e w e nt i nto t h e Manj ha
and p l und e re d Batal a Th e nc e h e march e d to
.

Lahore and put i t s vi c e roy Asl am Khan and all h i s

p ri nci pal o f c e rs to t h e swo r d H e th e re h e ard that
.

t roops s e nt by t h e Emp e ror Bahadu r Shah w e r e

march ing agai nst h i m
H e p roc e e d e d to m e e t th e m
.

as f ar as Ludh i ana and d e f e at e d th e m H e th e nc e .

we nt on a p il g ri mag e to t h e sh ri n e ofGuru Nanak i n

t h e Gu r daspu r di st ri ct wh e re h e ,
m
e t Bha i Ram Kaur ,

s i xth i n de sc e nt from Bhai Budha Banda i nduc e d

m m
.

hi to re mai n wi th h i p robab l y wi th t h e obj e ct

m
,

of p e rsuadi ng h i i n i m i tati on ofh i s p i ous anc e sto r

m
, ,

to i nv e st h i wi th t h e di gn i ty of Guru .

Banda had by th i s t i m e obtai n e d sup re m e powe r

from t h e n e i ghbou rhood of D ih l i on t h e south t o
Laho re on t h e no rth H e appo i nt e d h i s own pol i c e
.
,

l e v i e d r e v e nu e and ru l e d t h e count ry B a b a B i nod

m m
.
,

S ingh whom t h e Gu ru h a d s e nt wi th h i
, gav e h i ,

gr e at assi stanc e i n adm i n i strat i on H e e nde avou re d

m
.

to di ssuad e h i from t h e Chamba l i a i son and

anoth e r of a di sre putabl e ch ara c t e n wh i ch B anda
had al so cont ract e d On one occasi on wh e n B aba
m
.

B i nod S ingh re monstrat e d i n op e n darbar wi th h i

f or h i s d e pa r tu re from asc e t i c p ri nci p l e s and t h e
i nj unct i ons oft h e Gur u an al t e rcat i on aros e of such
,

a vi ol e nt charact e r that B i nod S i ngh dr e w h i s swo rd

and wou l d hav e cut of fh i s h e ad had not Kahn
S ingh i nt e rpos e d . Kahn S i ngh th e n fore to l d t h e
1
P a nt/z P a r l as/z
'
.
2 59 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
de partu re of Banda s gl o ry and h i s i gnom i n i ous

d e ath .

B a nda n e xt pai d a vi si t to t h e g re a t t e mp l e at
Am ri tsar H e gav e ou t th a t h e had b e e n e mpowe re d
.

by t h e Gu ru to c l ai m succ e ssi on to t h e Gu rush ip .

T h e S i khs th e n re e ct e d that h e d i d not l i v e ac

cordi ng to t h e ru l e s p re sc ri b e d for t h e Kh a l sa In
m
.

o rd e r to mak e t ri al of h i th e y put m e at b ef or e
m
,

hi ,
a t wh i ch h e as t h e r e sul t o fe arl y p re j udi c e
, ,

b e cam e ho rri e d H e fe l l i nto a passi on wi th t h e

m
.

S i khs wh o had thus made t ri al ofh i and th e y

m
,

i n turn g re w e n r ag e d wi th h i for r e fus i ng m e at

al l ow e d by th e i r re l i gi on and f or h i s man i fo l d i rre gu

l a ri t i e s . T h e re su l t wa s that t h e S i khs di v i d e d i nto

t wo fact i ons Thos e wh o re j e ct e d Banda w e r e
.

cal l e d t h e Tat Khal sa or re al S i khs and thos e wh o

m
, ,

acc e pt e d h i t h e Bandai Khal sa or fo l l ow e rs of

,

Banda F or t h e S i kh sal utat i on W a hgu ru ii k a

.
,

K h a l sa W a hg u ru i i k i f a ta h ! h e subst i tut e d F a ta h
a n al t e r at i on wh i ch

D a rsh a n Vi cto r y to t h e s e ct

,

wa s d e e m e d apostasy from t h e o rthodox fai th .

Anoth e r caus e oft h e di ssat i sfact i on oft h e S i khs

wi th Banda was that h e di sre garde d a l e tt e r of
Mata Sundari to t h e e f fe ct that h e had now ae com
p l i sh e d t h e m i ss i on i mpos e d on h i by t h e Gu ru m ,

nam e l y to b ri ng t h e Gov e rno r of S a rh ind t o j ust i c e

m
, ,

and i t was t i m e f or h i to arre st h i s care e r of carnag e

and spol i at i on B anda sai d that as Mat a Sundar i
.

was on l y a woman sh e was not comp e t e nt to

gi v e h i m advi c e or o rd e rs Many S i khs th i nk ing .

that th i s wa s a sl i ght t o t h e Gu ru s wi fe d e s e rt e d

Banda and from that t i m e h i s pow e r b e gan rap i dl y

,

to d e cl i n e .

Wh e n t h e de fe at of t h e army s e nt by t h e Emp e ror

agai nst Banda was h e ard of i n Nande r i t wa s a t t ri -

but e d to t h e Emp e ro r s fail u re to k e e p h i s p rom i s e

to t h e Gu ru .

Banda cont i nu e d to pu rsu e h i s vi o l e nt care e r unt il

Bahadur Shah h i ms e l f at t h e h e ad of a powe rfu l
,
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND sI NG H 251

ave ngi ng army p roc e e de d agai nst h i m

Banda not
m
.
,

d e e mi ng h is t roops su f c i e nt t o cop e wi th t h e i
p e ri al host e d to t h e mounta i ns and took r e fug e

i n a fo rt cal l e d Lohgarh T h e i mp e ri al a rmy b e

m
.

s i e g e d h i but t h e wi l y ch i e f e scap e d in a d e sp e rat e

sal l y A H i ndu wh o re mai n e d b e h i nd to p e rsonat e
m
.

hi wa s s e nt by t h e Subadar s o r d e rs t o b e e x e cut e d

i n Dih l i Ve ry soon aft e r th i s t h e Emp e ror di e d

.

i n Laho re and th e n e nsu e d t h e usual Ori e ntal

,

sc rambl e f or t h e th ron e H i s e l de st son J a h a nd ar

Shah wh o has b e e n d e scri b e d as a drunk e n p ro
.

,
igate ,

succ e e d e d but was mu r de re d by h i s n e ph e w Farrukh

,

S i yar son ofBahadu r Shah s s e cond son Az i m u l

,

-

Shan Wh il e th i s st ruggl e wa s i n prog re ss Banda

m
.
,

cam e fo rth from h i s h i di ng p l ac e and agai n c o

m
-

e nc e d h i s d e p re dat i ons .

B ayaz i d Khan t h e n e w vi c e roy of S a rh i nd w e nt

, ,

fo r th wi th h i s t roops to oppos e B anda but was k il l e d ,

wh il e at h i s p ray e rs by a fol l ow e r of t h e outl aw On .

th i s t h e Emp e ro r F arrukh S i yar s e nt Abd u l Samad - -

Khan al so known as D il e r J ang t o arre st Banda s
, ,

prog re ss Wh e n D il e r J ang thought h i s t roops had

.

su rround e d Banda th e re was no Banda to b e s e e n

H e and h i s fo l l ow e rs had agai n
.
,

e d and di sapp e are d

i n t h e mountai ns D il e r J ang took up h i s quart e rs
.

at Laho re to awai t t h e out l aw s re app e ar anc e

.

Aft e r a ye ar Banda agai n e m e rg e d from h i s fastn e ss e s

and took poss e ssi on ofK al a nu ar and Santokhg a rh .

H e s e nt l e tt e rs i n a l l d i r e ct i ons i nv i t i ng t h e S i khs
to j o i n h i s standard In two months h e re c e i v e d
.

consi d e rab l e re i nfo rc e m e nts and d e fe at e d Sh e r M u

hammad Dai m t h e g e n e ral comman ding at Ambal a
,
.

T h e l att e r th e n w e nt to D il e r J ang at L a h ore t o com

p l ai n of Banda s l awl e ssn e ss and tyranny and conc e rt

more st ri ng e nt m e asu re s f or h i s re pr e ss i on D i l e r J ang.

s e nt t h e Ambal a g e n e ral s compl ai nt to t h e Emp e ror

.

Upon th i s t h e Emp e ro r o r d e re d M i r Ahmad Khan ,

t h e g e n e ral commandi ng at Aurangabad to j o i n ,

h i s fo rc e s wi th thos e of D il e r J ang and t h e oth e r

2 52 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
ge n e ral s i n t h e Panj ab and al l p roc e e d agai nst
Banda T h e l att e r took re fug e i n Gu rdaspur and
.
,

st rongl y e ntre nch e d h i ms e l f T h e Muhammadan

m
.

army b e si e g e d h i T h e S i khs w e re re duc e d to

.

such e xtr e mi t i e s that th e y kil l e d f or food al l an i mal s

m
i n th e i r poss e ss i on Baba B i nod S i ngh wh o had
m
.
,

h i th e rto acco pan i e d Banda now abandon e d h i ,

.

Banda wh e n re nde r e d total l y h e l pl e ss s e nt a l e tt e r

, ,

unde r ag oft ruc e to D il e r J ang o f fe ri ng t o su r

r e nde r i fh i s l i fe w e re spare d and h i s t roops tr e at e d
,

wi th consi d e rat i on D il e r J ang p romi s e d to in

m
.

t e rc e d e w i th t h e Emp e ro r f or h i and h e l d out ,

hop e s ofh i s pardon Wh e n Banda gave up h i s

.

arms h e was not al l owe d an i nt e rvi e w wi th D il e r J ang

, ,

but pl ac e d at onc e wi th a l l h i s fol l ow e rs und e r

re st r ai nt Th e y w e r e al l s e nt to D ib l i wi th many
.

ci rcumstanc e s ofdi sgrac e Banda h i ms e l f b e i ng put
i nto an i ron cag e to b e di spos e d of by t h e Emp e ro r .

H e r e Engl i sh t e st i mony i s avai l ab l e T h e m e mb e rs .

o fan Eng l i sh m i ss i on wh o w e nt f rom Cal cutta to

D ib li i n 1 7 1 5 to p e t i ti on t h e Emp e ro r f or c e rtai n

p ri vi l e g e s hav e l e ft on re cord that th e y saw a

,

p roc e ssi on of e i ght hundre d S i kh p ri son e rs m a rch e d

th rough D i h l i wi th two thousand bl e e di ng h e ads
bo rn e al oft on pol e s T h e S i khs vi e d wi th one
.

anoth e r f or p re c e d e nc e i n d e ath .

Wh il e t h e e x e cut i ons w e re i n p rog re ss t h e moth e r ,

of one oft h e pr i son e rs a young man j ust ar ri v e d

,

at manhood havi ng obtai n e d som e i nu e nt i al su p

,

por t pl e ade d t h e caus e ofh e r son wi th gre at fe e l i ng

,

and e arn e stn e ss b e fo re t h e Emp e ro r S h e re p re .

s e nt e d that h e r son had su f fe r e d i mp ri sonm e nt and

hardsh i p at t h e hands oft h e s e ct H i s prop e rty .

was p l und e re d and h e was made p ri son e r Wh i l e

,
.

i n capt i vi ty h e wa s wi thout any fau l t of h i s own

, , ,

i ntroduc e d i nto t h e s e ct and now stood i nnoc e nt ,

among thos e se nt e nc e d to d e ath Farrukh S i yar .

p i t ie d t h e woman and m e rc i ful l y s e nt an o f

,
c e r
wi th orde rs to re l e as e t h e youth S h e a rri v e d.
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 25 3
wi th t h e ord e r ofre l e as e j ust as t h e e x e cut i on e r
was standi ng wi th h i s bl oody swo r d uph e l d ov e r
t h e young man s h e ad

Wh e n sh e showe d t h e
.

i mp e ri al o r de r t h e youth b rok e ou t i nto comp l ai nts ,

sayi ng My moth e r sp e ak e th fal s e l y : I wi th h e art

,

and sou l j oi n my fe l l ow b e li e v e rs i n d e voti on t o

m
-

t h e Gu ru : s e nd e qu i ck l y aft e r my compan i ons

.

N e e dl e ss to say h i s re qu e st was ch e e rfu l l y g rant e d .

H e re Baba Kahn S i ngh and B aba Baz S i ngh ,

whom th e Gu ru had s e nt wi th B anda succ e e d e d ,

in e f fe ct i ng th e i r e scap e Ghul am Husai n Khan

.
,

autho r oft h e S i y a r u l M u ta a kk a ri n stat e s that ,

Banda s son was put on h i s l a p a nd B anda wa s

m
,

obli g e d to cut h i s throat i n t h e mann e r of M u h a

madan sac ri c e H e di d so not unw i l l ingl y l e st
.
, ,

t h e ch i l d shou l d aft e rwards b e c i rcumc i s e d and mad e

a Muhammadan .

Muhammad Am i n Khan wh e n h e had an i nt e r

m
,

vi e w w i th Banda sai d to h i ,
T h e marks of s e ns e
,

and i nt e l l i ge nc e are vi s ibl e on thy count e nanc e : how

is i t thou hast n e v e r thought about t h e r e comp e ns e
of thy d e e ds and that i n a sho rt span of l i fe wi th
,

a dr e adfu l futu ri ty thou hast b e e n gu il ty of such

c ru e l ty and ofsuch d e t e stabl e act i ons t o H i ndus
and Musu l mans H e re p l i e d In al l re l i g i ons
,

and s e cts wh e n e v e r di sob e di e nc e and re b e l l i on

m
,

among mo rtal e n p a ss e th a l l bounds t h e G re at

m
,

Ave ng e r rai s e th up a s e ve re man l i k e e for t h e

pun i shm e nt ofth e ir si ns an d t h e d u e r e wa rd of
th e ir d e e ds .

Wh e n H e wish e t h to d e sol a t e t h e wo rl d
H e p l a ce t h do m
,

i n i on i n t h e h a nds ofa t y ra nt .

Wh e n H e d e s ire th to g i v e t h e tyrant t h e re comp e ns e

o fh is wo rks H e s e nde th a pow e rfu l man l i k e th e e
m m
,

to p re va i l ove r h i and to g i v e h i h i s d u e re ward

,

i n th i s wo rl d : as thou a n d I can se e On th i s
.

Banda s e sh wa s to rn from h i s body by re d h o t -

p inc e rs and h e e xp i r e d und e r t h e ho rri b l e to rtu re

, .
2 54 T HE SI KH RELI GI ON
Du ri ng h i s e x e cut i on h e utt e r e d t h e fo l l owi ng
warn i ng to h i s f e l l ow cr e atu re s
Wh o h a th not su f fe re d for h i s a c ts ?

Wh o h a th not re ap e d wh a t h e h a th sown ?
Forge t not th a t y ou sh al l ob ta i n re t rib u t i on for
y o ur

de e ds
rom ro m
.

Wh e a t sp r i n ge th f wh e a t a nd b a rl e y f b a rl e y 1
, .

Though such wa s t h e fat e ofB anda y e t Gu ru ,

Gob i nd S i ngh had i nfus e d such ma rt i al sp i ri t i nto

h i s S i khs that th e y not l ong aft e r obtai n e d poss e ss i on
,

oft h e Panj ab and put an e n d t o Muhammadan

,

supre m acy .

C HAP T ER XXXI I I
Mata Sah i b Kau r t h e Gu ru s young e st wi f e di e d ,

o f g ri e f v e ry soon aft e r h e r husband S h e was .

c re mat e d at t h e sh ri n e of Gu ru H ar K ri shan i n D ih l i .

Wh e n Aj i t S i ngh t h e boy adopt e d by Mat a Sundari , ,

t h e Gu ru s re mai n i ng wi f e g re w up sh e p rovi d e d

m
, ,

hi wi th a wi f e H e b e got a son cal l e d Hath i S i ngh

. .

Aj i t S i ngh i m i tat e d t h e l at e Gu ru as much as possi bl e .

H e us e d to ho l d cou rt cal l h i ms e l f a gu ru and e nt e r , ,

tai n a re t i nu e H e e nde avou re d to obt a i n from

.

Mat a Sundari t h e arms b e l ongi ng to Gu ru H ar Gob i nd ,

wh i ch t h e l at e Gu r u had g i v e n to S a h i b K a u r on h e r
d e par tu re from Nande r Aj i t S i ngh b e l i e v e d th a t
m
.

i fh e wo re th e m e v e ry one wou l d h a i l h i ,
as Guru .

Wh e n h e mad e h i s d e mand for t h e arms h e wa s

sharpl y re p rov e d by Mata Sundari On th i s h e .

dre w h i s d a gg e r to ki l l h e r but som e fri e nds i nt e r

m
,

pos e d Mata Sundari th e n cu rs e d h i

. sai d h e ,

shou l d fo rf e i t h i s fai th and di e an unt i m e l y de ath ,

.

One day as h e was ri di ng i n t h e baza r h i s h e r a l d

sai d to h i m
O gu ru b e hol d t h e Muhammadans
,

prayi ng T h e Muhammad a ns ov e rh e a rd th i s and

.

T he P e si an h i sto ri an K h a K han gi e s m
, ,

1
r ny othe r de t il s
, ,
v a a

o fB an d a s ca e e r i n th e P anj ab b u t the y a re not ge ne a ll y ac ce pt e d

r ,
r

b y th e S i khs .
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 55

b e li e v i ng that h e ri di cul e d th e i r re l i g i on re po rt e d to ,

t h e Emp e ro r that unde r a Muhammadan adm i n i st r a

t i on t h e S i khs w e re mock i ng t h e fai thfu l T h e .

Emp e ror at t h e i nst i gat i on oft h e q a z is o rd e re d Aj i t

S i ngh t o cut of fh i s hair and app e ar thus humbl e d
b e fo re h i m If h e fai l e d i n th i s t h e Emp e ro r re s e rv e d
m
.
,

to h i ms e l f t h e ri ght to pun i sh h i as h e thought t .

Aj i t S i ngh f
,
e ar i ngd e a th cut o f fh i s hai r and g rov e l l e d
, ,

b e fo re t h e Emp e ro r Mata Sundari wa s e n rag e d o n

m
.

h e ari ng ofth i s act of apostasy and to l d h i n e v e r ,

agai n to show h e r h i s fac e S h e dre w up a .

docum e nt to t h e e ffe ct that though sh e had adopt e d ,

and ch e ri sh e d Aj i t S i ngh as a son sh e now re

m
,

S h e th e n e nt rust e d Gu ru H ar Gob i nd s

nou nc e d h i .

a rms to t h e fai thful S i khs ofD ib l i and e xp re ss e d h e r ,

de si re to l i v e no l ong e r i n such an e vi l and i l l om e n e d -

c i ty T h e S i khs how e v e r p re vail e d on h e r t o al t e r

.
, ,

h e r d e t e rm i nat i on Aj i t S i ngh now abandon e d by

.

t h e S i khs w e nt to b e g at Mata Sundari s doo r

Sh e
m
.

s e nt h i mon e y but wou l d n e v e r cons e nt to se e

m
,

hi .

A Muhammadan faqi r on whom Aj i t S i ngh wh e n

i n good c i rcumstanc e s us e d to b e stow mon e y one
m m
,

day e t h i i n t h e D i h l i bazar and ask e d f or al ms

m
.
,

Aj i t S i ngh i n h i s pov e rty cou l d on l y g i ve h i a f ew

copp e r co i ns T h e faqi r was not sati s e d but f ol

m
.
,

l ow e d h i to h i s hous e and fu rth e r i mpo rtun e d

m
,

hi . H e woul d not l e ave but dogg e d h i s st e ps as

h e w e nt shoot i ng du ri ng t h e aft e rnoon Aj i t S i ngh .

compl ai n e d to h i s s e rvants oft h e annoyanc e t h e

b e ggar was causi ng h i m
wh e re upon th e y b e at t h e
,

man so s e ve re l y that h e die d Th e y di spos e d of .

h i s body by th rowi ng i t i nto a w e l l for t h e purpos e

of conc e al m e nt .

T h e faqir s fat e g radual l y b e cam e known and

t h e Emp e ro r o rd e re d Aj i t S i ngh to b e a rr e st e d a n d
b rought b e fo re h i m
Aj i t Si ngh r e fus e d to ob e y t h e
.

o rde r and put h i ms e l f i n a postu re of d e fe nc e

, H is .

house was b e si e g e d and h i s adh e re nts fought b rav e l y

,
 2 56 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
to prot e ct h i m
H e cont ri v e d to s e nd h i s wi f e and
.

son Hath i S i ngh both di sgui s e d i n so i l e d c l oth e s t o

, ,

Mata Sundari H e th e n succ e e de d i n e scapi ng from h i s

.

hous e and conc e al e d h i ms e l f i n a straw stack b e l ongi ng

to H i ndus who l i v e d n e ar Th e own e r of t h e stack
m
.

di scov e r e d h i and on h e ar i ng that a p rocl amati on

had b e e n i ssu e d f or h i s ar re st i nform e d t h e autho ri t i e s
, .

Aj i t S i ngh was s e i z e d t i e d to an e l e phant s tai l and

,

dragg e d through t h e ci ty At a tu rni ng i n one oft h e .

str e e ts t h e e l e phant t rod on h i s h e ad upon wh i ch h i s ,

brai ns ooz e d out .

Mata Sundari thi nk i ng h e r pos i t i on unsafe i n

,

D ib l i on account of havi ng re c e i v e d Aj i t S i ngh s

wi fe and son put i nto e x e cuti on h e r l ong ch e ri sh e d

,
-

p roj e ct of abandon i ng that c i ty and p roc e e de d

wi th h e r charg e to Bhagatgarh T h e h e ad man of .

t h e p l ac e wou l d not al l ow h e r th rough f e ar of t h e ,

Emp e ro r to r e mai n i n h i s c i ty S h e th e nc e we nt to
,
.

Mathura wh e re sh e wa s re c e i v e d wi th g re at di st i n o
,

t i on T h e gov e rno r of t h e c i ty i nduc e d t h e Raj a of

.

J ai pur to grant h e r t h e re v e nu e of two vil l ag e s and

al so a su i tabl e p l ac e of re si de nc e In Mathu ra Hath i .

S i ngh gr e w up to manhood adopt e d h i s fath e r s ,

styl e and mai ntai n e d a r e t i nu e of s i xty mount e d

,

o r de rl i e s H e t ri e d to compos e hymns but i nsp ir at i on

m
.

fail e d h i H e th e n abstract e d som e from t h e

.

Granth S ah i b and wh e re v e r t h e nam e N anak occu rr ed

,

i ns e r t e d h i s own Mata Sundari on b e i ng i nform e d of

.

th i s b e cam e v e ry wroth abandon e d Hath i S i ngh ,

and h i s moth e r at Mathura and r e turn e d to D ib l i ,

.

Duri ng t h e i nvasi on ofAhmad Shah Hath i S i ngh

e d from Mathu r a to Burhanpu r wh e re h e su b se ,

qu e ntl y di e d l e avi ng no mal e i ssu e

,
.

Wh e n Mata Sundari arri v e d i n D ib l i sh e b y t h e

k i nd o f c e s of Raj a Ram t h e Emp e ro r s m i n i st e r ,

,

obtai n e d poss e ss i on ofh e r hous e and prop e rty wh i ch ,

had b e e n s e i z e d by t h e Muhammadans aft e r h e r

d e partu re S h e sp e nt t h e re mai nd e r of h e r days
th e re and di e d i n comparat i v e wor l d l y com f
.

,
ort i n
 LI FE OF GURU GOBIND SIN GH 2 57

Sambat 1 8 0 4 ( A D . H e r body wa s cr e mat e d

.

n e a r t h e sh ri n e ofGu ru H ar Kr i shan .

It wi l l b e re m e mb e re d that wh e n t h e Guru
e vacuat e d Anandpur h e s e nt Gu l ab R a i and Sham ,

S i ngh wi th a l e tt e r to t h e Raj a of Nahan re qu e sti ng

him to g rant th e m t h e m e ans ofsubs i st e nc e T h e .

r aj a gav e th e m two v il l ag e s Gu l ab R ai aft e rwards

.

pu rchas e d Anandpu r f or s i xty thousand r up e e s f rom

t h e Kah l ur Raj a a n d r e tu rn e d to l i v e th e re He .

caus e d h i ms e l f to b e worsh i pp e d by t h e S i khs and

carri e d h i s uns e e m l y p re t e nsi ons so f ar as to actual l y

i nstal h i ms e l f I n t h e Gu ru s s e at Sadhu Gu rb a k h sh

.
,

who had b e e n an att e ndant on t h e Gu r u and had by

hi m b e e n l e ft i n charg e of Gu ru T e gBahadu r s sh ri n e

r e monst rat e d agai nst t h e usu rpat i on wh e re upon

m
,

Gu l ab R a i b e cam e v e ry ang ry and addr e ss e d h i

m
,

i n offe ns i v e l anguag e Gu rb a k h sh th e n cu rs e d h i
.

sayi ng Thou and thy l i n e shal l p e ri sh ! In a short

,

t i m e Gu l ab R a i and h i s two sons di e d Aft e r that .

Gu l ab Rai s wi dow took t h e o f

fe ri ngs of t h e S i khs and ,

re mai n e d i n poss e ss i on of Anandpu r Wh e n sh e was.

on t h e po i nt ofd e ath sh e appo i nt e d Su rj an S i ngh ,

Sham S i ngh s son now ol d and e xp e ri e nc e d as h e i r

, ,

ofAnandpur H i s d e sc e ndants st il l occupy that

.

c i ty and r e c e i v e a y e arl y r e v e nu e from t h e Indi an

,

gove rnm e nt and t h e S i kh stat e s .

A S i kh wri t e r cal l e d Gurdas wh o l i v e d l ong aft e r,

t h e t i m e of Guru Gob i nd S i ngh wrot e a W ar i n h i s ,

prai s e wh i ch t h e S i khs app e nde d to t h e composi t i ons

ofBha i Gur D as and wh i ch now app e ars a s t h e
,

forty rst W ar T h e fo l l owi ng p au ri s are e xtract e d

-
.

from i t
P AURI 1 5

Gu ru Gob i nd wa s m a n ife st e d a s t h e t e nth a v a t a r

H e re p e a t e d t h e n a m
.

e oft h e C re a to r wh o i s u ns e e n ,

e t e rn al a nd st a i n l e ss
, .

H e e st a bl i sh e d t h e Kh al s a a s e c t ofh is own and gave i t

, ,

g r e a t l
g y o r .
2 58 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
W e a ri n gl on gh air h e gra sp e d t h e sword and s m ot e all h i s
e ne m ie s
c ont i n e n ce a nd p ra c t i s e d a rm
.

H e p u t on t h e k achh of s .

H e e st abl i sh e d t h e S i kh wa r cry a nd was v i cto ri o u s i n

-

mi ghty b a ttl e s
H e ca u s e d a l l d e m on e n e m
.

i e s to b e s u rro u nd e d and
t ra m pl e d u pon
Th e n h is e ndl e ss p rai s e was gra du all y p ro cl ai m
.

e d th ro u gh
ou t t h e wo rl d .

Th u s a ros e t h e ra ce ofS i nghs wh o wore bl u e cl oth e s

Who k i l l e d al l t h e host i l e Tu rks and re p e a t e d God s n am
,

e

No one c o ul d wi thst and th e mso t h e T u rk i sh l e a d e rs

, .

d e cam
,

pe d
R a j a s k i n gs a nd a m
,
i rs a l l b e c a m
,
e t h e d u st b e n e a th t h e

S in ghs f
eet

Gre a t h i l l s t re m
.

bl e d wh e n th e y h e a rd th e i r v i cto ri o u s
d rum s
Th e re wa s th e n gre a t c o m mot i on thro ughou t t h e whol e
.

wo rl d t h e e n e m y a b a ndon e d th e i r ho m e s ,

And p e ri sh e d i n t h e g re a t c on f u s i on a nd t ro u b l e th a t

e ns u e d .

Th e re i s non e so gre a t a de st roy e r off e a r a s t h e t ru e Gu ru .

H e h a ndl e d and d i spl ay e d s u c h a swo rd as non e c o u l d

wi thst a nd .

W e l l don e we l l don e Gob i nd S i n gh thou we rt a t on ce

Gu ru a nd d i s c i pl e

P AURI 1 6

By t h e o rd e r o f t h e i mmo t r al God t h e gre a t Gu ru obt ai n e d

i nsp i ra t i on .

Th e n h e gra du al l y es a t bl i sh e d t h e Kh al s a whol e -
bod i e d 1

m ly
,

a nd an .

Th e n aros e t h e ro arin goft h e S inghs (l i ons ) wh i ch t e rri e d

t h e whol e wo rl d .

Th e y l e v e l l e d with t h e e a rth t h e sh rin e s ofH i nd u s a nd

Muh am madans .

1
S aazl
'

. No t i m c i se d li k e th e M uham
c rcu madans ,
a nd not c u tti ng
the i r ha i r or shavingli k e th e Hi nd s u .
 LI FE OF GURU GOB I N D SIN GH 2 59

Th e y ca n ce l l e d t h e Ve d s t h e P u rans t h e s i x H i nd u
sy st e m
, ,

s and t h e Q ura n .

Th e y a bol i sh e d t h e call to p ra y e r a nd t h e pra y e r carp e t of

-

t h e M u h am ma d a ns and k ill e d t h e Turkish mon archs

Te m poral and sp i r i t u al l e a d e rs all h i d th e m s e l v e s or b e cam
.

c onv e rt e d t o S i kh i s m .

T h e M ul l a s a nd t h e Oa z i s g re w we a r
y o f re a d i n g b u
,
t
f o u nd not God s s e cre t

H u ndre ds of tho u s ands of P a nd i ts B rah m

.

a ns a nd

Ast rol oge rs h a d be co m

, ,

e e nt a n g l e d i n wo rl dl y a f f ai rs

Wo rsh i pp i n gston e s and t e m pl e s t h e y h a d b e c o m

.

e e x ce e d

i ng l y s u p e rst i t i o u s
Both t h e H in du s and t h e M u h am mad ans we re al toge th e r
.

e ng ag e d i n d e ce pt i on .

Cons e qu e nt l y a th i rd re l i gi on t h e Kh al s a a ros e a nd
be cam
, ,

e re no wn e d .

T h e S i n ghs b y t h e o rd e r ofGu ru Gob i nd S in g h se ize d t h e

sword and wi e l d e d i t
Th e y k i l l e d al l th e ir e n e m i e s and cau s e d t h e n a m
.

e of th e
Im mo rt al God to b e re p e a t e d
Th e n God s ord e r wa s p ro m
.

ul g a t e d i n t h e wo rl d

Th e d ru mofv i cto ry re so u nd e d a nd d ro wn e d t h e cry of

.

so rrow .

Th e g re a t s a ac i o u s Gu ru e st a bl i sh e d a th ir d s e c t
g .

We ll don e ! we l l don e Gob ind S in gh tho u we rt a t on ce

Gu ru a nd d i s c i pl e !
2 60 THE SI KH RELI GION

C O M P O S I T I O NS O F G U R U G O BI ND
S I NG H

y e ar A D 1 7 34 wh i l e I n Am ri tsar Bh a i Man i
I N th e
S i ngh comp il e d t h e composi t i ons a n d t ransl at i ons Of
. .

Gu ru Gob i nd S i ngh and of t h e bar ds wh o w e re

assoc i at e d wi th h i m T h e comp il at i on wa s su b se
.

qu e nt l y known a s t h e Gra nth oft h e t e nth Gu ru ,

though Man i S i ngh d i d not g i v e i t that t i tl e 1

W e .

1 Af te r M an i S i ngh s e xe cuti on th e S i khs took th e v ol u m

f
e x am
e or

inati on and a pp o a l to a v ill age i n th e P ati al a State c all e d

T al wandi S ab o now kno wn am dam da m
v

ongth e S i khs as D am
r

D am
o r e xa m
a

i nati on o fth e vo l m
,
a .

was se l e cte d f e as s e e al l e a rn e d S i kh s

e wa s a l so d e e m
u v r

re s i d e d th e re ,
a nd that d i stant vill ag e d a p l ac e o f

sa f e ty .

S e ve ra l i nte lli ge nt S i khs we re ofO p ini on th at the ta l e s and t ransl a

ti ons i n th e v ol um a s a t p re s e nt f ound ought not to hav e b e e n
or m the ma e o fH i nd u o ri gi n othe rs no t t f
e , ,

i ncl u de d I n it f any o f OI

p e ru sal and none c om p arab l e with th e hy m

,
r ,

ns c onta i ne d in th e A d
ore m
,

G I anth . T h e S i khs the re f a i ntai n e d th at th e H k a y a t o r P e rsi an

tal e s and th e whol e o fth e T7 221 Cb a r zta r or sto ri e s ill ustrating th e

wo m e n sho u l d b e o m itte d and i ncl ude d in a se p arate v o l u m

, ,

d e c e it o f
wh i ch m
, ,
e ,

i ght b e re ad not f or a re li g i ous p urp ose b u t f or t h e e nte rta i n

m
, ,

e nt a nd de l e ctati on of th e p u b li c .

W h il e th i s d i scu ss i on wa s i n p rogre ss o ne M ahtab S i ng h of

ro m B i k ane r at D am da m
,

M irank ot arri ve d f H e h a d o we d to k ill

o ne M assa R a m m m
a . v

gh M h d n o ff
i i l w h h d obt i n d
th e Go l de n T e m
a r a,
u a a a c a o a a e
, p o s

se ss i on o f p l e and wh o use d th e p l ace as a the atre

or d anc i ng wo m a nd h e wa s on h i s way to A m
,

f en ; rits ar to c arI
y
out h i s de s i g n M ahtab S i ngh v owe d that i fh e succe e de d a nd t e
turne d to D am d am M ani S i ngh s G ranth shou l d re m
.

a i n i n o ne

v o l um
a ,

e as h e h a d arrang e d it I f o n th e c ontrary M ass a k ill e d

h imt h e G ranth m
.
, ,

i ght b e arrange d accordi ng to th e wi she s o fth e

obj e cto rs M ahtab S ingh sl e w M as sa Rangh ar re tu ne d i n tri um
,

ph
t o D am dam h s Granth was a ll o we d to re m
.
,
r

a and M an i S ing ai n a cco rd

ingto h i s de si g n
The re are m em
.

any ob v i ou s de f e cts i n th e a rran g e nt ofth e te nth

Guru s G ranth a s i t stan ds F o r i n stanc e the re are se v e ra l q ue sti ons

.
,

i n ob ras 2 0 1 to 2 1 0 o fth e A M I Ds/a t t o wh i ch no answe r i s

'

p u t d a

i n C h h ands 2 1 1 to 2 3 0 are obvi ousl y ou t o f p l a nd b e l ongt o

g v e . ac e ,
COMPOS ITIONS OF GURU GOBIN D SIN GH 2 61

now p roc e e d to g i v e trans l at i ons from i t ofsuch

doct ri n a l and h i stori cal po rt i ons as we b e l i e v e to
re pr e s e nt t h e Gu ru s own op i n i ons and acts

.

J
1
AP

Th e re i s one God t h e t ru e t h e gr e at and t h e , , ,

bount e ous
T h e t e nth Gu ru spok e wi th h is ho l y m o u th 2

or m
God h a th no q u o i t 3
a rks no c ol o u r no ca st e no , , ,

l i n e age

o rmno c o m pl e x i on no o u t l i n e no c ost u m
,

No f e ; non e
ca n i n a ny wa y d e s c ri b e H i m
, , ,

H e is i m movabl e fe arl e ss l um i no u s a nd m
.

e a s u re l e ss i n

mi ght
, , ,

H e i s a cc o u nt e d K i n gofk i n gs Lo r d ofm ill i ons ofI nd a rs

H e i s Sov e re ign oft h e th re e wo rl ds d e m i gods m
,

e n a nd

de m ons ; t h e woods a nd d al e s d e cl are H imi nd e s cri b a bl e

, , ,

O Lo rd wh o can t e l l al l Th y n am
.

es t h e wi s e cal l Th e e
spe ci a l n a m
,

e s acc o rd i n g to Th y d e e ds .

A K AL U S T AT
(P ra i s e oft h e I m mo rt al )
M a y we h ave t h e p rot e c t i on oft h e im mo rt al B e ing 4

t h e se c ond Chand i C h arita ; a nd t h e l ast C h hand o fth e A M ! D /a t '

i s not com t i nco m

r s

p l e te T he Gyan P arb odh too h as b e e n l e f p l e te

T h e I e a re b e sI de s m em
. .

any d e f e cts o f a ra ng e nt r

h i s he l d by th e S i khs i n th e sam
.

1
T h e japjt o fGu ru G ob i nd S i ng
e st i m
e

ati on as th e J a fG u ru N anak T h H i n d s h v w ok

o

N m V i shnu s tho u sand n a m

i e u a e a

e nti tl e d Vz / mS
. r

es

b T h e Japji

a
was c o m pose d to s upp l y t he S i khs with a s i m il ar num
s a a
u a r r .

be r ofe p ithe ts
of t h e C re ato r
Thi s li ne i s Bhai M an i S i ngh s com
.

2
po siti on
.

3
C / a kr Thi s wo rd i s al so a pp li e d to de p re ssi ons i n th e body
or m a l astro l o i c a l o r c h e i rom
z .

noti ce d f st i g nt ic p urpo se s
T h e te nth G u ru i n e nte d ne w na m
y c a

.
, ,
4
es f G od Ak al ( t he
Im mo tal ) S a b l oh (All ste e l) M a hanloh (G re at ste e l ) S arb k al (All
v or
r r - -
, , ,

d e ath) M ahank al (
, G re at d e ath) A id h uj Asik e tu a nd K h a ragk e tu
-
,
s , ,

( hav ingth e swo rd on Hi s b anne r) Asipani (s wo rd i n H i s hand) that i s

G od a s th e i m
, , ,

p e rsonati on and sou rce o fb rave ry .

2 62 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
M ay we h a v e t h e p rot e c t i on ofAl l st e e l -

M ay we h a v e t h e p rot e c t i on ofAl l d e a th -

M av we h av e t h e p rot e ct i on ofAll st e e l -

I b ow to th e one p ri m al God

Who e xt e nd e d se a and l a nd the n e th e r re i

g ,ons a nd th e
mm t
,

r a en
1

p rim al B e i n g u ns e e n a nd i m mort al
.

H e is t h e
ht i s m
, ,

H i s l ig an i f
e st i n t h e f o u rt e e n wo rl ds .

H e i s c ont a i n e d i n t h e a nt a s i n t h e e l e ph a nt
H e de e m e t h t h e ri c h a nd t h e poo r al i k e ;

H e i s u n e qu al l e d u ns e e n and e t e rn al
, ,

H e is t h e S e arc h e r ofal l h e arts

H e i s i nvi s i bl e i nd e st ru c t i bl e a nd wi tho u t di sti ng
, , u i sh i ng

d re ss 2

H e i s wi tho u t p a ss i on c ol o u r f o rmor o u tl i n e
H e i s de v o i d ofc a st e m
, , ,

a rks ofe v e ry k ind

H e i s t h e p rim al B e i n g p e e rl e ss and ch a n g e l e ss

H e h ath no e n e m a th e r no m
,

y no fri e nd no f oth e r ;
ro m
, , ,

H e is f ar f all a nd n e ar al l

H i s dwe l l in g i s i n se a and l and t h e n e th e r a nd u pp e r ,

re gi ons
o rma nd bou ndl e ss H is vo i ce
.

Bo u ndl e ss i s H is f ,

In t h e sh e l t e r ofH i s f e e t d we l l e th Bh awa n i
3

B ra h m a a nd V i shn u h a v e not f o u nd H i s l i m i ts
Th e f o ur f a ce d B ra h m
-
a p oi nt e t h out th a t God i s i nd e s

c ri b a b l e

md mill i ons
.

He a e fI nd ars a nd Bawa ns ;
o
4

He c re a t e d a nd d e st ro e d B ra h m as a nd Sh i vs
y
m
.

Th e f o u rt e e n wo rl ds H e a d e a s a pl ay
m m
,

A nd a gai n b l e nde d th e wi th H i s e l f
He m m
.

a d e e ndl e ss d e ons de i t i e s s e rp e nts

, , ,

C e l e st i al s i n ge rs Ya k sh as e x ce l l e nt a nd b e a u t if
, , ul .

H e is spok e n ofi n t h e p a st t h e f
- u t u re , a nd t h e p re s e nt , ,

And H e kno we th t h e s e cre ts ofe v e ry h e a rt .

1
Thi s i s th e traditi onal m e an i ngof nza /zi a l b ut i t re c e i v e s no su p
ro m
,

port f di cti onari e s S e e P and it T ara S i ngh s ZVzrna z S aga n '

T h e word a l so m orm
.

e ans witho ut f
2
Anah e hh . .

3 P arb at
i or D urga th e con so rt ofSh iv
'

.
,
1
B awan was th e dwa rfincarnati on ofV i shnu .
COMPOSITI ONS O F GURU GOBIND S INGH 26 3
H e is not a tt a ch e d to a ny one l ov e
He is c ont ai n e d i n t h e l ight ofa l l so ul s
H e re cog ni ze t h a l l p e op l e a nd a l l p l ace s
H e is f re e f ro m d e a th a nd i m mort al
H e i s t h e i nvi s ib l e i m p e rce pt i bl e B e i ng d i st i n ct f
, ro m al l ,

t h e wo rl d
He is im mort al u nde cay in g imp e rish abl e and o f ch ange
.

, , ,

l e ss p u rpos e .

H e i s t h e D e st roy e r and C re a to r ofal l

H e is t h e Re m ov e r ofs i ckn e ss so rro w a nd sin
l e h e a rt m e d i ta t e t h on H i m
.
, ,

H e wh o wi th s i ng e ve n for

a m om e nt

Sh all not f al l i nto D e a th s noos e

.

Thou a rt wi tho u t so rro w wi tho u t f o rmy e t b e au t if

, ul t h e , ,

K i n gofk i n gs t h e Gi ve r ofgre a t gif ts

t h e Give r ofm
, .

Th e P re s e rve r ofl if e il k a nd sons t h e

Re m ov e r ofsi c kn e ss and so rro w so m e t im
, ,

e s hono u ra b l e a nd
,

i nsp i ri n ggre a t hono u r .

Tho u art a st u de nt ofs ci e n ce a n u n rival l e d i n ca rn a t i on , ,

Tho u ap p e a re st a s a S i dh Tho u art t h e gl o ry ofp u ri ty

Tho u a rt t h e ne t ofy o u th t h e d e a th ofD e ath t h e to rm
.
,

1 e nt

e ne m
, ,

of i e s t h e l if
, e offrie nds .

T h e fo l l owi ng t e n S a wa iy a s or quatra i ns are , ,

r e ci t e d at t h e adm i n i st rat i on of t h e p ah u l or bapt i sm

according to t h e ri t e s oft h e t e nth Guru
I
I h av e wa nd e re d a nd in th e ir own ho m e s s e e n c ro wds of

S a ra v a gi s S u d h s S id h s J ogi s a nd J a t is
2

B ra v e d e m ons d e m
, , , , ,

igods f
, e a st i n gon n e c t ar a nd c ro wds of ,

sai nts ofva ri o u s s e c ts .

1 Thi s i s s ai d to m e anTho u at trac te st th e wo l d b y T h y b e auty

S u dh s m
r .

e an th e c l e an i n c ont ra d i st i n cti on to th e S a I a a gi s wh o a re
2 v

re ute d to b e d i rty i n the i r h ab i ts

p .
2 64 THE SI K H RELI GION
I h a v e s e e n t h e re l i gi ons ofa l l c o u nt rie s b u t non e a pp e a re d ,

to b e th a t oft h e Lord ofl i f e .

Wi tho u t a p art i cl e oft h e l ov e a nd f av o u r of God th e y are

onl y worth a ra tt i 1

E m
p e rors be f ore wh o mst ong md king
r ar e s u e s d to l o wl y
b ow th e i r h e a ds in c o u nt l e ss n u m b e rs 2

Who poss e ss e d p ro u d e l e ph a nts wi th gol d e n t ra pp in gs

i n com
,

p a ra bl e t al l p ai nt e d with b right col o u rs ;

, ,

M i l l i ons of ho rs e s wh i ch bo u nde d l i k e d e e r a nd we re ,

e e t e r th a n t h e wi nd
Wh a t m a tt e re d i t h ow g re a t thos e e mp e rors we re th e y
a t l ast d e p a rt e d b a re f oot e d .

Tho ugh th e y ro a m e d a nd c onq u e re d a l l c o u nt ri e s be a t i n g

th e i r v a ri o u s d ru m s
Tho ugh m a n y b e au t ifu l e l e ph a nts t ru m p e t e d l o u d a nd
or th e m
,

tho usa nds ofho rs e s ofroy a l b re e d n e igh e d f

Who can n u m b e r s u ch k i ngs i n t h e p a st t h e f u t u re a nd , ,

t h e p re s e nt Th e y c annot b e c o u nt e d
Ye t wi tho u t wo rsh i pp i n g t h e n am e ofGod t h e Lo rd of

we al th th e y we nt a t l a st to th e i r n al ho m
, e .

IV
Me n b a th e a t p l ace s ofp il grim ag e e x e rc i s e e rcy ,c u rb m ,

th e i r p a ss i ons b e sto w gi f ts e x e rc i s e a bst i n e n ce a nd p e r

o rmv ari o u s sp e c i al c e re m
, , ,

f on i e s
T h e V e d s t h e P u rau s t h e Q u ra n a nd t h e oth e r books of
t h e M u sal m
, , ,

a ns t h e e a rth a nd h e a v e n a l l h a v e I s e e n
,

Tho u s a nds off a st e rs J a t

,
i s w h o p r a c t i s e d c ont i n e n ce a l l ,

h a v e I c are f u l l y obs e rv e d

1
T he se e d o fth e A hm /om
s pr e t a x i s( N O L e gum i nosae ) u se d in
Ind i a a s a sm
/ t . .

all we i ght (e e V ol I p 1 5 8 n
Al so transl ate d
s .
,
.
, .

ardl e ss o f the i r own positi on

2
re g .
COMPOSITION S OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 65

Ye t wi tho u t wo rsh i pp i n g t h e n am e oft h e one God a nd

l ov in gH i m
e v e n k in gs a re ofno a c c o u nt .

Tra i n e d sol d ie rs po we rf u l i rre s i st i b l e we l l a c c o u t re d wi th

ma i l cru sh th e i r e n e mi e s ;
, , ,

c o a ts o f

F il l e d wi th h i gh m a rt i a l S p i r i t th e y wo u l d p u t m o u nt a i ns
to i ght th e m s e l v e s u nsh a k e n
Th e y wo ul d sh a tt e r th e i r e n e m
,

i e s d e st roy re b e l s c ru sh
, ,

t h e p ri d e off u r i o u s e l e ph a nts

Ye t wi tho u t t h e f a vo u r ofGod t h e Lo rd of , we al th th e y ,

sho u l d al l d e p a rt a t l a st a nd l e a v e t h e wo rl d .

Co u nt l e ss h e ro e s v e ry v al i ant wi tho u t h e s it a t i on face t h e

e dg e of t h e s wo rd ,

S u bd u e c o u nt rie s c ru sh re b e l s a nd t h e p rid e off

, , u ri o u s

e l e ph a nts ,

B re a k po we rf ul f o rts a nd e v e n wi tho u t ght in g c onq u e r

1

i n e v e ry d i re ct i on
Bu t th e i r e orts a v a i l not t h e Lo rd i s t h e Co m ma nde r of
th e mal l t h e s u ppl i a nts a re m a n y wh i l e th e re i s b u t one

Gi v e r .

Ev e n t h e de m ons gods s e rp e nts and ghosts wh o re p e a t

God s n am
, , ,

e i n t h e p a st f
~

u t u re a nd p re s e nt

Al l t h e b e in gs wh ic h i n se a a nd l a nd e v e ry m om
, ,

e nt se t

up God i n th e i r h e a rts ,

Sh a l l nd th e i r good d e e ds a nd gl o ry i n cre a s e ; th e y
sh all h e a r t h e vo i ce s ofgra t ul a t i on a nd t h e m u l t i t u d e of

th e i r s i ns sh al l d e p a rt .

Th e c on g re g a t i ons ofs a i nts wa nd e r h appy in t h e wo rl d

a l l th e i r e n e m ie s on b e hol d i n gth e ma re c o we d .

1
S uhd l a nh z

. Al so t ansl ate dat a wo rd

r , ra p i dl y .
2 66 THE SI KH RELI GI O N
V II I
Lo rds ofm en a nd , e l e ph a nts
rul e rs wh o re i n in t h e
g ,

th re e wo rl ds
o rm mil l ions ofabl u t ions mak e gifts ofe l e ph ants
,

Who p e rf
a nd oth e r a n i m a nd m
,

al s arry b ri d e s a t v a ri o u s S p l e nd i d

m
,

sway a
1
v a rs

T h e y wi th B ra h ma Sh i v Vi shn u a nd Ind a r S h a ll a t l ast

, , ,

b e e nt a n gl e d a nd fal l i nto D e a th s noos e

Bu t th e y wh o to u c h t h e f e e t oft h e Lo rd ofwe al th sh a l l

not aga i n re s u m e a body .

Wh a t a v ail e th i t to sit cl os in gboth e y e s a nd m e d i ta t i n g

l i k e a c ra n e
Th i s wo rl d i s l ost a nd t h e n e xt al so f
, or thos e wh o g o

a bo u t b a th i n gi n t h e s e v e n s e a s

Th e y p a ss th e ir l i v e s in v a i n dwe l l ing i n t h e m
.

i dst of
,

si n
2

I sp e ak v e r i l y ; h e ar m p e opl e th e y
.

e al l y e wh o l ove
God h ave obt a i n e d H i m .

X
So m e wo rsh ipp i n g ston e s p u t th e m on th e i r h e a ds so m e

s u sp e nd l in ga m ro m
,

sf th e ir n e cks
So m e se e God i n t h e so u th so m
.

e b ow th e i r h e a ds to t h e
,

we st
So m ool s wo rsh i p i dol s oth e rs b u sy th e m
.

e f s e l v e s wi th
,

wo rsh i pp i n gt h e d e a d
al s e ce re m
.

Th e who l e wo rl d e nt a n g l e d in f on ie s h a th not
fo u nd God s s e cre t
.

God i s not s u bj e c t to b i rth or de a th ,

He i s ac qu a i nt e d wi th t h e e x c e l l e nt f
o u rt e e n s c i e n ce s 3
,

1
Asse m b l age s i n anc i e nt ti m e s at wh i ch y o ung wo m e n se l e cte d

the i r husbands
Al so transl ate ds ittingi n th e com
.

2
p any ofth e vi ci ous .

3 The se i n l ude d al l an ci e nt In di an kno wl e d e

g D i f
f re nt wri te rs

the m
c e .

hav e give n di f f e re nt li sts o f .

COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 67

H e is wi tho u t st a i n and i nn i t e ,

H e is ofu n f a d i n gb r i g htn e ss and ge n e ro u s

o rmi s not q u i ckl y re c ogn i z e d
,

H is f ,

H e i s h e a d oft h e s a i nts oft h e who l e wo rl d

H e i s t h e h igh e st obj e ct ofp rai s e ; by H i mt h e e arth
,

a nd su n a re s u ppo r t e d

H e i s t h e t re a s u ry oft h e e i g ht e e n s u p e rn a t u ral po we rs 1
,

H e i s t h e D i sp e ll e r ofso rro w i n al l t h e wo rl ds
H e i s not s u bj e c t to t im to d e a th or to k a rm
,

e a

H e i s v e rs e d i n al l re l i gi o u s ce re m
, , ,

on i e s ,

H is g l o ry i s i n f ra n g ibl e a nd u n e q u al l e d
H e e st abl i sh e d a l l e st a b l i sh m
,

e nt

H e i s wi tho u t so rro w i nd i v i s ibl e a nd i m

,

p e n e t ra bl e
B rah m
.
, ,

a b y h is f o u r Ve d s S i ngs H is p rai s e s
Th e V e d s sp e a k ofH im
,

a s i nd e s c ri b a bl e

B ra h m a sp e a ks ofH i m
,

as e ndl e ss

H is g l o ry i s u nkno wab l e a nd u n e q u al l e d
Ind i v i s i bl e im me asu rabl e and u n e st abl ish e d by a ny
.

, ,

one

He md t h xt nsion ft h wo l d
a e e e e o e r

t d it wi th t h t m
H e c re a e ost tho ght
e u u

o mi n dl ss d i n f ngibl
.

H is r f s e e an ra e ,

H is g l o ry i s p e e rl e ss a nd d a zzl i n g ,

H e i s i nv i s i bl e and nobl e
md m
,

He i l l i ons fI d
a e d k i n gs o n ars a n
M n y B h ms d Vi shn s wh md i t t m
,

a ra a an u o e a e on Hi
M ny R m
,

a s K ih a d p oph ts
,
r s a ns, a n r e

N is
0 one pt bl wi tho t d vot i on
a cc e a e u e

mny o ns mo nt ins g t
.

Th e re a re a ce a , u a re a as B i nd ,
2

M an y sh e s to rto i s e s a nd s e rp e nts 3
, , ,

The re a re n ra ll on l i ht s o r s u p e rn atu ral po we rs e nu m

1
h

g y g
rate d a nu m a t o b e co m e so s m
e

m
e e e

ah m
za
y s z

all a s to b e i nv i s i b l e

to b e
m m
a

m
,
z ,

a b l e to i n cre as e one s S i z e i n de n i te l

g / t k on l f
he av y ; l ag/ um to m
y ; a a o a e e se a ,

a k e one s e l f li ght ; p r ap/ to go whe re ve r one '

z a ,
z,

p l e ase s ; wa t ha r na to b e a b l e to re duce o the rs to subj e cti on i shta

l o ry or re gal gre atne ss ; hamto be ab l e to sati s f
s , ,

t o obta i n g one s
l l
A li st o ft h e e i ghte e n S upe rnatural powe rs m
a
y ,

de si e s ay b e l e f t to
th e re ade r s i m
r .

ag inati on
th e H i m
.

a ho l y p e a k o f al ay as
2 Bind h iac h a l .
,
3 T h e S h e s/ za of h H i n d s
g
zl t e u .
2 68 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
M a ny d e i t i e s a nd sons ofB ra h m a ,

M a n y i n ca rn a t i ons ofK ri sh a n a nd Vi shn u ,

M a ny I nd ars to s we e p b e f o re H i s doo r
M a ny V e d s and B ra h m
,

as ,

M a ny Ru d a rs a nd Bawans
1

And m a n y u n e qu al l e d R a m
,

s a nd K rish ans
Many m e n re c i t e a m
.

a to ry po e t r
y ,

M a ny t e l l t h e s e cre ts oft h e V e d s
M a ny re c i t e t h e S h ast a rs a nd S i m
,

ri t i s

And so m
,

e re a d t h e P u r a n s

o rmre s a cri c e s
.

M a ny p e rf ,

M a n y p a in f u l p e n a n c e s wi th bod i e s re v e rs e d

t th e i r a rm
,

M a ny l i f s i n th e f a sh i on of t h e S any a sis
So m
.

e don t h e g a rb of J ogi s a nd a b a ndon t h e wo rl d

So m ormt h e niwal i f
,

e p e rf e at

Som
,

e p ra c t i s e p a i n ful f a st i n g

So m ri m i v e bo u nd l e ss al m
,

e g o on p i l g ag e s a nd g s
So m
,

e a re g e n e ro u s i n th e i r wo rl d l a c ts
y
So m o rmu n e qu al l e d b u rnt o f
,

e p e rf fe ri ng s
So m
,

e obt a i n re g a l st a t e a nd d i sp e ns e j u st i c e

So m e a c t a cc o rd i n g to t h e S h ast a rs a nd t h e S i m
,

ri t i s

And so m
,

e i n O ppos i t i on to t h e V e d s .

M a n y wa nd e r i n d i f fe re nt c o u nt ri e s

And m a ny re m
,

a i n x e d i n one pl a c e

So m
.

e p ra y i n wa t e r

So m
,

e e nd u re v e re s on th e ir bod i e s

So m
,

e d we l l i n t h e f o re st
So m o rmt h e e ndl e ss du t ie s ofa f am ily m
,

e p e rf an

So m
,

e a re g e n e ro u s i n t h e f a sh i on of k in gs
So m ro m
,

e a re f re e f S i c kn e ss a nd e rro r

So m o rmgood a nd oth e rs b a d a c ts
,

e p e rf

So m e pos e a s Sh a i khs oth e rs a s B ra h m

,

a ns

So m ormt h e d u t i e s ofk i n gs i n a n i n c o m
, ,

e p e rf p a ra b l e
mann e r
So m ro m bod i l y a nd m
,

e a re f re e f e nt a l s u f f e ri n g

So m
,

e are s u bj e c t to t h e s e rv i c e ofa S p e c i a l g od

So m
,

e a re poo r oth e rs t h e sons of

, k i n gs ,

1
R ud ar wa s th e go d wh o w e de d t h e i l thunde r .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 69

And so m e a re t h e i n c a rn a t i ons ofVy a s

M a n y B rah m
.

a s re a d t h e V e d s

And m s re p e a t God s n a m
,

an

y S h e sh n a g e

So m
.

e are Ba ira g i s oth e rs S a n y a s i s

And so m
, ,

e wa nd e r i n t h e g u i s e ofU d a si s .

Know th a t al l th es e th i n gs a re v a i n ,

And th a t a l l s u ch r e l i gi on i s f ru i t l e ss

W i tho u t t h e s u ppo rt oft h e One N a m

.

D e e mal l re l i gi o u s c e re m on i e s a s s u p e rst i t i on .

God i s i n t h e wa t e r , God i s in t h e d ry l a nd ,
God i s i n t h e h e art God i s in t h e fo re st ,
is in t h e m
,

God o u nt a i n God i s in t h e c a v e , ,

God i s i n t h e e arth God i s i n h e a v e n

, ,

God i s h e re God i s th e re
i s i n sp a c e God i s i n t i m
, ,

God , e ,

God i s i nv i s i bl e God i s wi tho u t a g a rb

is wi tho u t S in God i s wi tho u t e n m

, ,

God ,
ity ,

God i s d e a th l e ss God i s u n ch e ri sh e d
is i m
, ,

God p e n e t ra bl e God i s i nv u l n e ra b l e 1

i s not m ov e d b y ch arm
.
,

God s or Sp e l l s
God h as H i s own l i g ht H e c a nnot b e m ov e d ,
b y i n ca nt a
ti ons .

God i s wi tho u t c a st e God is wi tho u t l i n e age

m
, ,

God i s wi tho u t f r i e nds God h a th no oth e r,

m
,

God f e e l e t h no ph y s i c a l or e nt al s u f f
e ri n g

m
.

God is wi tho u t do u bt God h a th no k ar a , ,

God i s i nv i n c i bl e God i s f e a r l e ss
, ,

God i s in f ra n i b l e
g G od i s i nd, i sso l u b l e .

G od ca nnot b e p u n i sh e d God i s ra d i a nt , ,

God i s t ra ns ce nd e nt God i s i ns cru t a b l e

, .

R e p e a t Gods n am e st a b l i sh God s n a me i n thy h e a rt

e

D O pe n a n ce u nto God a nd re p e a t H i s n a m
,

e ,
.

Tho u O God art i n t h e wa t e r Tho u a rt i n t h e d ry l a nd

, , , ,

Tho u art i n t h e ri v e r Tho u a rt i n t h e se a , ,

1
A bh e a
i s of
t nt e lt
ra ns a e d insc rutabl e .
 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
a rt in t re e Tho u art i n it s l e a v e s
th e
a rt i n t h e e a rth Tho u a rt i n t h e rm am
, ,

e nt

n am i s re p e a t e d a ga i n a nd a gai n Th y n am
.
,

e e

ma n s h e art
,

Thou a rt sp a ce Thou a rt t im
.

, e ,

Thou art t h e o ccu p a nt Thou art t h e pl a c e , ,

Tho u a rt u nborn Thou a rt f e arl e ss

Thou art i m
, ,

p al p abl e Thou art i nd e st ru ct i bl e

, ,

Tho u art c ont i ne n ce Tho u a rt f a st i n g

Tho u a rt d e l i v e ra n c e Tho u a rt wi sdo m

, ,

, ,

Tho u al one a rt Tho u a l on e art

, .

Th e fol l owi ng i s a sat ire on vari ous p e nanc e s and

aust e ri t i e s p ract i s e d by H i ndu s e cts i n Indi a
S wi n e e a t l th e l e ph a nts and donk e y s b e sp att e r th e m
s e l v e s wi th du st j a ck al s l i v e a t pl ac e s ofcre m a t i on

O wl s l i v e i n to m bs ; d e e r wa nde r al on e i n t h e f o re st ;
t re e s e v e r d i e i n S i l e n c e
Th e m
.

a n wh o re st r a i ne t h h i s se e d sho u l d on l h ave t h e

c re d i t oft h e h e rm monke y s e v e r wand e r b are

y
a ph rod i t e ;

foo te d
H ow sh al l t h e wre t ch wh o i s s u bj e c t to a wo m
.

a n a nd

d e vot e d to l u st and wra th b e s a v e d wi tho u t t h e knowl e dge

,

of t h e one God

It i s known th a t d e m ons l i v e i n t h e f o re st al l ch i l dre n

on e arth d ri nk m
,

i l k and s e rp e nts l i v e on ai r
,
.

Th e y wh o e at gra ss a nd re no u n c e t h e d e s i re ofwe al th
are no m
,

ore th a n cal ve s a nd ox e n .

Th e y wh o y i n t h e h e a v e ns h a v e on l
y t h e a tt ri b u t e of

b irds ; th e y wh o e n ga ge in m e d i t a t i on re s e mbl e cra n e s ,

c a ts a nd wo l v e s

o kn e w b u t a ss e rt e d not th e m
.
,

Al l gre a t g y a n i s w h ,
s e l ve s ,

n e v e r a l l o we d s u ch d e c e i t a s t h e a bov e to e nt e r th e i r h e arts
e ve n b y m i st a k e
.
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 27 1

Th e y wh o l ive i n t h e e arth sho u l d b e cal l e d t h e o f fsp ri ng

ofwo rm s ; th e y wh o l i v e i n t h e h e a v e ns sho ul d b e cal l e d
b i rds .

Th e y wh o e a t f ru i t S ho u l d b e c a ll e d t h e of fsp ri n g of
monk e y s ; th e y wh o wande r u nse e n Sho ul d b e a cco u nt e d
as g hosts .

Th e y wh o o a t on wa t e r are l i k e ga nge ri s 1
th e y wh o
e a t re l i k e c h a k ors

Th e y wh o wo rsh i p t h e su n h a v e t h e a tt ri bu t e oft h e
l ot u s th e y wh o wo rsh i p t h e m oon ofwa t e r l i l i e s -
.

Th e to rto is e t h e sh and t h e S h ark m

, , a y a l l b e c al l e d

N aray a n ; ify ou sp e a k ofGod a s K a ul nab h t h e l ak e i n

2
,

3
wh i ch th e re i s a l ot u s i s al so K a ul na b h .

If y o u sp e a k o f G o d a s G op i n a th a l l Gu j ar s a re G op i n a
, t h s ,

a l l c o wh e rds Gop a l s ; i fy ou c a l l God R ikh i k e sh th a t i s

a n am
,

e t a k e n b y s u p e ri o rs of re l i i o u s o rd e rs
g
I fy ou cal l God M a dh av th a t i s t h e b u m
.

bl e b e e K a n iy a -

i s t h e n am
,

e of t h e woodp e ck e r i fy ou sp e a k ofGod as t h e
D e st roy e r ofK ans y ou sp e a k oft h e m y r m i dons of D e a th
Fool s u tt e r n am b u t kno w not th e ir m
.
,

es e aning s a nd
wo rsh i p not H i m b y who m man is prot e c t e d
, ,

God is t h e P rot e c to r D e st roy e r oft h e wo rl d Com

a nd

p a ss i on a t e to t h e poo r P u n i sh e r of e n e m
,

ie s e v e r t h e
ro m
, ,

Ch e r i sh e r and f re e f D e a th s noos e

J o gi s we are rs o fm
, .

a tt e d h a i r c e l i b a t e s t h e t ru e g re a t

Brah m
, , , ,

a ch aris wh o u nd e rg o h u n ge r and th i rst i n th e ir

d i vi n e m e d i t a t i on

o rmt h e niwa l i f
,

Th e y wh o p e rf e a t wh o s acri c e to wa t e r
, ,

re a nd wi nd wh o hol d th e i r h e a ds do wn wh o st a nd or
, , ,

one l e
g a nd n e v e r s i t
Me n s e rp e nts d e i t i e s a nd d e m
,

ons nd not God s s e cre ts

t h e Ve d s a nd t h e books oft h e M u sal m

, , ,

a ns sa th t G od i s
y a

i nd e s cri b a bl e .

1
Sm a ll b l ac k i e s on Ind i an ri e rs
G o d wh o m
v .

s ppos
2
ove s i n th e wate rs
nam
.

3 One o ft h e
es fV i hnu H e o s . as u ed b y the H ind s
u

t o hav e a l ot us i n h i s nave l .
 272 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
P e ac o cks kip
bo u t d a n ci ng t h e th u nde r ro a re th and
S a

htn in gp re se nt e t h m
,

th e l ig a n y ph a s e s
1
.

If God be obta i ne d by be i ng col d or h ot th e re i s noth i n g

c o l d e r th a n t h e m
,

oon noth i n g hott e r th a n t h e su n i fby

be i nga ra ja God m
, ,

a y be obta i ne d th e re i s no k i n q l to
g e u a ,

Ind ar wh o l l e t h t h e whol e worl d .

No wh e re c a n b e f o u nd a p e n i t e nt l i ke a Sh i v a re a d e r
t h e Ve d s l i k e p ri m al B ra h m
,

of a or p e n i t e nts l i k e t h e sons

B ra h m
,

of a

Y e t wi tho u t d i v i n e kno wl e dge th e y a re a l l s u bj e c t to t h e

noos e ofD e a th and e v e r wa nd e r th ro ugh t h e cy cl e oft h e

One Sh i v wa s bo rn one d i e d a nd one wa s bo rn a ga i n

th e re h a v e al so b e e n m a n y i n c a rn a t i ons ofR a m
, ,

Ch and a r
a nd K r i sh a n

H ow m a n y B ra h m
.

a s a nd Vi shn u s h a v e th e re b e e n h ow
many Ve d s and F u ra ns h ow ma ny c ol l e ct ions ofS im ri t i s

h av e b e e n a nd p a ss e d away
H ow m a n y p re a ch e rs and M a d a rs
2
h ow m an y C a sto rs

h ow m a n y Ansav at a rs h a v e s u c c u m
3
a nd P ol l u x e s b e d to
d e ath
H ow m a n y p ri e sts a n d p roph e ts h a v e th e re b e e n th e y
a re so m a n y th a t th e y ca nnot b e c o u nt e d ro m
f d u st th e y
sp ra n gand to du st th e y re t u rn e d .

J ogi s J a t is Brah m a ch a r is a nd v e ry g
4
re a t k i n s
g t h e

S h a do w ofwhos e u m or m a ny m
, , , ,

b re l l a s e xt e nd e d f il e s
Who wa nde re d s u bd u i n gk in gdo m
,

s a nd cru sh i n g t h e p rid e
of v e ry gre a t k i n gs
Sov e re i gns l i ke M an a nd l o rds of t h e u m
,

5
b re l l a l ik e
1
T h e re fe re n ce i s t o d anc i nga nd ro ari ngf a qi s

M ona M a ar M ona di is unde rstoo d t o b e t h e A a b i c m

r .

2


a nd oz

a p rocl am M adar was a ce l e brate d M uham mad an

az a r ,

ati on o r p re ach i n g

saint l m om
.

f d t e t an l ati on
h w ill be H ow

d n nza ar b e re a

' '

n
ma3ny ortho dox M uhammadans and suppo te rs ofthe faith
-
. z z- z a r s ,

An i ncom
r

p l e te incarnati on ofV i shnu

Bra h m m
.

4
ach aris a re o un
g n w h p s v ont i n n d i ng
the i r stude ntshi p M anu th e H i ndu l a w gi v e r xe s i ts li m
y e o e e e c e c e u r r r

.
,
it a t -
,

twe nty e ye ars ofage

-

M andh at ri a son m
v .

5
i racu l ousl y bo n to Yu anash wa ofth e line o f
a hy m
,
r v

I k sh wak u and autho r o f

,
n i n t h e R i gV e d a .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 27 3
D il ip gre a t k i ngs wh o p ri d e d th e m
1
s e l v e s on t h e st re ngt h
th e ir arm
,

of s
P ro u d m
,

e n l i k e D a ra
2
l i k e t h e k in g s ofD ib l i a nd l i ke
, ,

D u rjod h a n h a v i n g e nj o y e d t h e e a rth i n th e i r t u rn a t
,

l a st we re b l e nd e d wi th i t .

A rt i l l e ry m en h u nts men we a ri n g d e c oy d re ss e s a nd
th e y wh o e at op i u mb ow th e ir h e a ds m a ny t i m
, ,

o rm
es

Wh a t a v a il e th it th a t m
.

e n p e rf p rost rat i ons o f d if f

e re nt

k i nds to God th e y a re l i k e wre st l e rs p ra ct i si n gt h e e x e rcis e

of d a nd 3

Wh a t a v a il e th i t th a t m
.

e n l i e wi th th e i r fa c e s t u rne d

up I f th e y do not h e art il y b ow to t h e s u p re m e God th e y

a re on l y a s s i ck m
,

en .

H o w can h e wh o is t h e s l a v e ofworl dl y d e s i re s a nd e v e r
cl e v e r in obt a i n i n gwe al th obt a i n t h e one Lo rd of t h e wo rl d
ai th in H i m
,

witho u t f

H e i nto whos e e a r an e ar wig h a th nt e re d S h ak e th h is

e

h e a d h e wh o ha th l ost a f
ri e nd son b e a t e th h is h e a d i n
mo
or

u rni ng .

F or g z i n g on t in g f
ru its a nd o we rs a nd e v e r
ak k

o re sts th e re is no a n im
r a , ea ,

wa nd e ringin t h e f al l i k e a
, go a t .

Wh a t i fa S h e e p ru b i t s h e a d aga i nst t re e s a nd th u s ta k e
ofi ts h a i r ? as f or e a t i n ge a rth cal l t h e l e e c h a nd a sk i t , .

H o w can h e wh o i s a s l a v e to wo rl d l y d e s i re s and a dd ict e d

to l u st a nd wrath nd God witho u t f ,
a i th

Th e pe aco cks d a n ce , th e f
ro gs o k
cr a , a nd th e cl o u ds e v e r
th u nd e r
T h e t re e v e r st a nd e th on one l e g i n t h e f
e o re st ; a s f or

th ose wh o ta k e not l i f e t h e S a ra v a gi b l o we th on t h e g
,
ro u n d

be fo re p u tt i ngh i s f e e t on i t

1
H e b e l onge d to th e sol ar race ,
and was nce sto r ofRamChandar
a .

2
D ari us
An ori e ntal e xe rc i se i n whi ch a m an rst li e s do wn
.

3
at on t he

gro und the n l e ans on h is hands so as to li f t his body and agai n

d e p re ss e s i t so a s a l m
, ,

ost to touch th e gro und with h is che st .

274 THE SI K H RE L I GI ON
Th e ston e s th ro ugh s e v e ra l a ge s re m a i n i n on e p l a c e the
ro m
ra v e ns a nd t h e k i t e s t ra v e l f c o u nt ry to c o u nt ry .

H ow can t h e wre t ch wh o i s wi tho u t d i v i n e kno wl e dg e

a nd wh o i s n e v e r a bso rb e d i n t h e g re a t B e n e f
ac to r b e s av e d

m
,

wi tho u t fa i th i n H i ?

Li k e a n a cto r m a n so m e t im e s p ose t h a s a J o g i or B a i ra gi
so m e t im e s h e a ssu m e th t h e g u i s e of a S a ny a s i

So m e t im on a i r so m e t im
.

e s he a pp e are th to l i v e e s he
!

s itt e th i n a n a tt i t u d e ofc ont e m pl a t i on so m e tim

,

e s in h i s

e th m me n
,

i nf a t u a t i on f or p e l f h e s in g a n y p ra i s e s of

So m e t im e s h e i s a B ra h m so m e t im
.

ac h a r i e s h e p rod u ce t h

ar d e n i n h i s h a nd so m e t im
,

e s h e ho l d e th a f a k i r s st a f f
a g

a nd d e c e i v e th m
,

e n s s e ns e s

.

H e wh o i s s u bj e c t to wo rl d l y d e s ire s d anc e t h wi th
g e st u r e s b u t b e i n g d e vo i d o f d i v i n e k n o w l e d g e h ow ,

sh al l h e obt a in h e a v e n ?

In t h e c ol d s e a son t h e j a c k al b ark e t h v e t i m es a nd t h e ,

e l e ph a nt a nd t h e donk e y u tt e r v ari o u s c ri e s .

Wh a t a v a i l e th it to b e cu t i n t wa i n b y t h e saw a t B a n a ra s ?
th i e v e s c u t m e n i n p i e c e s a nd k il l th e m wi th a x e s .

Wh a t a v a i l e th i t th a t a f ool h ath p u t a h al t e r ro u nd h i s
n e ck a nd d rown e d h i m s e l fi n t h e Ga n ge s T h ags p u t m en

to d e a th b y p u tt i n gh al t e rs ro u nd th e i r n e cks
W i tho u t m
.

e d i t a t i on on d i v i n e kno wl e d ge fool s a re d ro wn e d
i n h e l l s r i v e r ; a nd wi tho u t f a i th h ow ca n th e re b e a n

y
s u ch m e d i t a t i on

I fa n y on e we re to obt a i n b y p e n a n ce t h e Lo rd wh o

s uf fe re th not p a i n t h e wo u nd e d m an s u f fe re th p a i n of
many k i nds
,

I fa ny one we re b y re p e a t i n g God s n a m
.

e to obt a i n God

wh o c a nnot b e obt a i n e d b y l ip wo rsh i p - 1

t h e wa rbl e r e v e r
,

u tt e re th Tu h i tu hi
I fa ny one we re to obt a i n God b y y i n g i n t h e h e a v e ns
t h e b i rd c al l e d a n al wa nd e re th i n t h e rm am
,

e nt .

1
Ajap D e v , l o tran sl ate dGod
a s who re p e ats no nam
e .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 27 5

obt a in e d b y b u rn i ng on e s e l fi n t h e re
I fs al va t i on b e ,

wh y sho ul d not t h e S a t i a nd al so t h e se rp e nt wh i c h l i v e th
i n h e l l b e s av e d 1

fo l l owi ng i s a hom i l y o n t h e e qua l i ty of

Th e m en

and on t h e H i ndu and Muhammadan fo rms o f

wo rsh i p :
m b y sh ving h i h d i s pt d
One an S ny s i a s ea a c ce e as a a a

B hm h i
,

noth J o gi th i d J ti or a ra ac ar a r as a a

mongt h
e r as a

So mm H i nd s d oth s M l m
a , .

e n a re u an er u sa a ns a

I mm
e

kno w th t l l m
e

l tt R fi
e r a re s d S h fi a a z s,
2
a an a a S a a en

ft h s m st
a ,

e ca e

d K i m(
a re o e a .

K t (t h C to )
ar a th B t) th
e re a r an ar e e ne ce n a re e

s m R z k (t h P ov i d ) d R h i m(t h M i fl )
a e a a e r er an a e e rc u a re

s m l t no m v n b y m
,

th e a e i st k s ppos th
; i e an e e a e u e e re s

a diffe re n ce
3 .

Worsh i p t h e one God wh o is t h e one d iv i n e Gu ru f

or al l

kno w th a t H i s Fo rmi s one , a nd th a t H e is t h e one l ight

dif
fu s e d i n all .

Th e te m pl e a nd t h e m osq u e are t h e s a m e ; t h e H i nd u
wo rsh i p a nd t h e M u s al m a n p ra y e r a re t h e s a m e ; al l m en

a re t h e s a m e i t i s th ro u gh e rro r th e y a pp e a r d if f e re nt

D e i t i e s de m ons Ya k sh a s h e a v e nl y s i nge rs M u sal m

.

a ns

a nd H i nd u s a dopt t h e c u sto m
, , , , ,

a ry d re ss ofth e i r d i f fe re nt

c o u nt r i e s

Al l m e n h av e t h e s a m t h e s am t h e s am
.

e eyes e e a rs e

body t h e s a m a com
, ,

, e bu il d
4
po u nd ofe a rth a i r re a nd , , , ,

wa t e r
All ah a nd Ab h e k h are t h e s a m
.

e ; t h e P u ra ns a nd t h e

T h e G uru re j e cts t he b e e fth at a w do w who c re ate s h e rse f

1 li i m l
i
w th h e r h u sb and s c o rps e obta ns s a vat on T he se cond p art o ft h e i l i

m
.

ne ay a so b e trans ate d I fs a vat on we re obta ne d b y dwe ng

li l l l i i lli
b e ne ath th e e arth, th e snak e wh ch dwe l e th n the ne the r re gons i l i i
l
Sho u d a so b e s ave d l .

2
C e rta n Sh ahs or f o owe rs ofA wh o re nounce d the r a e gance
i i ll li i ll i
to Z a d , g randson of
i Husa n i .

3 The re s not one G od f or t h e H ndus and anothe r f

i o r th e i
m
,

M usa l ans
m
.

4
l
E ri n, a so t ra ns ate d c usto s, ha b ts l i .

T 2
276 T HE S I KH RELI GI ON
Q ura n a re th e s ame th e y a re al l al i ke it is th e one God
wh o cre a e t d al l .

Th e fo l l o wi ng gi v e s t h e S i kh conc e pt i on of t h e
mann e r i n wh i ch soul s e manat e d from God and a re
agai n abso rb e d i n H i m
As f ro m one re m i l l i ons ofsp a rks a ri s e ; tho ugh r i s in g
s e p a ra t e l y th e y u n i t e agai n in t h e re
ro mone h e a p ofd u st s e v e ral p a rt i cl e s ofd u s t l l
,

AS f
t h e a i r a nd on l l in gi t a g a i n b l e nd wi th t h e d u st ;

As i n one st re a mm
,

il l i ons ofwave s a re p rod u ce d ; t h e

wave s b e in gm a d e of wa t e r al l b e c o m e wa t e r

So f ro m God s f o rmnon s e nt i e nt a nd s e nt ie nt th i ngs

1 -

a re m an i f e st e d a nd sp ri n g i n gf ro m H i msh al l al l b e u n i t e d
i n H ima ga i n
, , ,

H ow mny to to is s d sh s d h w mny t s f
a r e an e an o a ea er o

th m! h w mny x l l nt y o n g n i ml s b o m st on g
e o a e ce e u a a ec e r

wi n g d e d an

m
y
H w mn y bi d f
o p y
a i t h am
r so t t t h x l
ra l nt n en ce

d h w mn y n i ml s
e r ea e e e

b i ds !
r an o t d d i g st th bi d
a fa a ea an e e r s o

p y
re w h n th ye th m e se e e

Wh t mt t th i t wh th th i n gs l iv i w t
a a e re l nd e er e n a e r or a

m m m m
,

or y i t h n t G
e d r d th a d w i l l
en d st o y o a e e an e r

th m ll
e a .

As l i ght b l d t h wi th d kn ss d d kn ss with l ight

en an

s h v p ng fo mG d d Sh l l b n i t d i
e ar e ar e ,

so a l l th i n g a S ru r an a e u e n
H im
e o

H w mn y g bo t ho wl i n g h w mny d i w p i n g
o a o a u o a e ee

h w mny
o a d o wn d i n t h w t
a re h w mn y
r e b nt e a er o a a re ur

i th
n e re

H w mn y d w l l b y t h G n g s
o a h w mny i M d in
e e a e o a n a a

an d M kk a h w mny w nd
a on ho ts a a e r as a c re

H w mn y
o nd go t h p i n fb in g t b y t h
a u er w! cu sa

h w mny fb y i n g th m th h w mn y
e a o e e

o a o s l v s i th ur e n e e ar o a

fb in gi m
e e

o e p l d a e .

1
A bh z7 /b/z17 t, a s l o tran l at dinco po e a l
s e r r a nd c orpo re a l b e ings .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 277

H ow my an
y i n the r mm t ! a en h ow my an dwe ll in
wa t e r b utth e y sh al l al l be b u rn t in t h e re 1
f
or wan t of

d i v i n e knowl e d ge .

Th e de m i gods h a v e gro wn we ary s e arch in gf or God th e

a rch d e m ons h a v e g ro w n w e a r
y st ri v i n g w i th H i m ; t h e

wi s e h a v e g r o wn we a ry e x e rc i s i n g th e i r wi sdo m th e y wh o

re p e a t H i s n a m e h av e g ro wn we a r f w t h i n g
y o a c .

M e n h av e gro wn we ary ofg ri nd i n g a n d a pp l y i n g s a nd al

to th e m s e l v e s th e y h av e gro wn we ary ofa ppl y i n ge x ce l l e nt

a t a r of ros e s th e y h ave gro wn we ary ofwo rsh i pp i n gston e s
a nd o f fe ri n gth e m p u ddi n g
Th e y h a v e gr own we a ry ofv i s it in gce m
.

e t e r i e s a nd J o g is

p l ace s ofb u ri al th e y h ave grown we a ry ofs m e ar in g wal l s

a nd ofb e i n gm
,

a rk e d wi th t h e b ran d of i dol s 2

T h e c e l e st i al m
.

u s i ci a n s h a v e g ro wn we a ry ofs i n g in g a l l
t h e K i nna rs h a v e g ro wn we a ry ofth e i r p e n a n ce bu t none
th e m
,

of h a th f ou nd God .

Th e fo ll owi ng i s Gu ru Gobi nd S i ngh s conc e pt i on

of t h e di vi n i ty
God i s wi tho u t p a ss i on wi tho u t c o l o u r wi tho u t f
, o rm , ,

wi tho u t o u t l i n e
H e i s wi tho u t wo rl d l y l ove wi tho u t a n g , e r wi tho u t e n m ity , ,

witho u t j e al o u sy
H e is wi tho u t k a rm a wi tho u t e rr o r wi tho u t b irt h and
, , ,

wi tho u t ca st e
H e h a th no f ri e nd no e n e m y no fa th e r no m oth e r

H e h ath no wo rl dl y l ov e no ho u s e no d e s i re s no ho m
, , ,

ri e nd no e n e m
, , ,

H e h a th no son no f , y ,no w i f
e ,

H e i s i nv i s i bl e wi tho u t d i st i n g
, u i sh i n gd re ss a nd u nbo rn ,

H e i s e v e r t h e B e sto we r ofS u p e rn at u ral po we r a nd

wi sdo m H e i s ofs i z e b e y ond m e a s u re

o rmand o u t l i n e ca nnot b e kno wn

.

His f ,

Nor wh e re H e dwe l l e th nor i n wh a t d i s gu i s e s H e ,

wand e re th ,

1
j h = hb T h gy an i s t ns l t obst i n
I n D warak a m
a za a e a a e ac
r y .

e n a e b ran de d with a h ot i ron b e ari ng th e e ns i g ns

2
r

of V i shnu .
27 8 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
Nor wh a t H i s n am e i s n or wh a t H e i s c a l l e d

H ow sh al l I d e s c ri b e H i m H e ca nnot b e d e s cr i b e d
, .

H e h a th no d i s e a s e or so rro w or wo rl dl y l ov e or m
.

oth er
No k arm
, , , ,

a no s u p e rst i t i on no b i rth no c a st e
, , ,

H e h a th no j e al o u sy no ga rb and i s u nbo rn
I b ow to H i ma s one I b ow to H imas one
, , .

H e i s b e y ond a l l mt h b gi i g t h
th i ngs a nd f
ro e nn n

m
, e e

D i sp e ns e r ofwisdo
t ibl p iml p l ss
.

H e i s i nd i v i s i b l e i nd st e d
ru c e, r a eer e an

mp
, , ,

i i sh abl e
er

o m
.

H e h a th no c a e st l in g f ol o
p i ml
, or ea e , or r ,
or c ur .

I b ow to t h e r d i f n gi b l O
a an n ra e ne .

H ow a n y m m ill i on s ofwo r s l i k e K ri sh a n m
H e c re a t e d b u i l t f a sh i on e d , a ga i n d e st r o y e d a nd c re a t e d

m m m
, , ,

H e i s u nf a tho abl e , f e arl e ss , p r i al u n r i v al l e d i p e ri sh , ,

a bl e

m
.

H e i s b e y ond al l th i n gs f ro th e be g ,i nn i n g, a nd p e rf e ct

i s H i s spl e ndo u r
m m
.

He f e e l e th nor e nt al nor bod i l y p ai n He i s u n f a tho

a bl e

m
.

H is g l o ry i s i n f ra n i b l e
g H e i s fr o t h e b e gi n ni n g a n d
m
,

Hi s a j e st y i s i nd e st ru c t i bl e .

H e h a th no b i rth no d e a th no st e no p a i n
ca

me rcib l e i mpossibl e to
, , , .

H e is i nf ra n i b l e
g ra d i a, nt u na ,
1
,
be
c ont rol l e d
H e h ath no wo rl d l y l ove no ho m e H e h ath a f f
e c t i on f or

me n and is H i s own mast e r

,

H e i s po we rf ul c a nnot b e a n y wh e re c ont a i n e d ra d i a nt

t h e To rt u re r ofe n e m
, , ,

ie s .

H e ca nnot b e d e p i ct e d i n t h e p a st t h e p re s e nt or t h e , ,

f u t u re

o rmor ou t l i n e
.

H e i s not ri ch or poo r H e h a th no f
e e l e t h not c ov e to u sn e ss or m
.

He f e nt al a nx i e t y ; He i s
not f o rm e d ou t of th e e l e me nts H e b e l on ge th to no s e c t
H e h a th no e n e m m
.

y no f
r i e nd, no w o r l d l y l ov e no ho,
e , .

1
He i s no t li ab l e t o b e ne d li k e m o rtal s as a p un i shm e nt .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 279

He i s e t e rn a l a nd e v e r c ont a i n e d i n al l th in gs H e b e a re th
l ov e to al l .

H e h a th no l u st no wra th no a v a ri ce no wo rl dl y l ov e
i s u nbo rn i nd e st ru c t i bl e p ri m
, , ,

He , al p e e rl e ss i n , , ,

v i s i bl e
H e i s not s u bj e c t to b i rth or d e a th H e h a th no cast e ,

no p a i n
H e h a th no S i ckn e ss no so rro w ; H e i s f e a rl e ss a nd wi th
, ,

ou t a f i ct i on 1

He i s im p e n e t ra bl e i nd iv i s ibl e wi tho u t k arm

.

, a an d with , ,

ou t d e a th

am
.

H e c a nnot b e d e st ro y e d or d e f ed ; H e is b ri ght a nd
wi tho u t a ch e ri sh e r ;
H e h ath no f a th e r no oth e r no cast e no body ; m
H e h ath no wo rl dl y l ove no ho m
, , ,

e no do u bt no f e ar

o rm th e re i s no k in g ov e r H i mH e h ath
, , ,

H e h ath no f
no body no acts a tta ch to H i m
, ,

H e h ath no f e a r ; H e c a nnot b e k i l l e d or p i e rce d ; He

h ath no do u bts
H e i s e t e rn al e ve r p e rfe ct a nd ofs i z e be y ond m
.

e a su re

I b ow to H i m m
.
, ,

a s one I b ow to H i a s one

H is g l o ry i s i n e xp re ss i bl e H e is f ro th e be g i nn i n g, m
m
H e i s u n a s so ci a t e d , i p e rish ab l e i p e rce pt i bl e , and u h m ,

t bl i sh e d
I b w to H im
es a

m
.

I b ow to Hi a s one o a s one

He h ath no wo rl dl y l ov e no ho m e no gri e f no re l at i on
fp u re u nd e l e d non e ca n b e ho l d H im
.
, , ,

H e i s af a r of

no m
.
, , ,

H e h a th no ca st e no l i n e age no f ri e nd ,
i n i st e r , ,
.

I b ow to t h e one i nd e p e nd e nt B e in g! I b ow to t h e one
i nd e p e nd e nt B e in gl

He h ath no re l i gi on no s u p e rst it i on no sh am
,
e no , ,
re l a

t i on
mo no S h i e l d no k arm
,

NO ar u r, a no f
e ar , , ,

1 Bi b/rad ; in mode n P anj ab i th i s wO d

r I mns ea a q uarre l .
2 80 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
No e n e m
y no fr i e nds no son

I b ow to t h e p ri m p rim
.
, ,

al B e i n g I b ow to th e al B e i ng .

Th e bod i e s ofso m e u nd e rg o c ol d h e at and rain

So m
, , ,

e S it i n one post u re f or a n a g e

So m e m
,

ak e e f f
o rts to st u dy t h e s cie n ce ofJ og
Me n st ri v e b u t e v e n th e n nd not God s l i m
.

i ts

Som e wi th th e i r a rm
.

s ra ise d wa nd e r i n d i f fe re nt c o u nt ri e s

So m e s c o rch th e m s e l ve s b e t we e n t h e su n and s u rrou nd in g

re s
So m e re ci t e t h e S i m ri t is t h e S h a st ars t h e V e d s

Som e e xpo u nd a m
, ,

o ro u s po e t ry oth e rs t h e book s oft h e

M u h am mad ans
,

So m e p e rf ormre sacri ce so m e l i v e on a i r

So m e m
,

i ll i ons e at c arri on
So m e c on su m e ve g e t a bl e s so m e m i l k so m e l e av e s

Bu t e ve n so God b e c om e th not m e st u nto th e m

, ,

an i f .

Th e fo l l owi ng sawa iy a s al so are som e t i m e s re ad at

th e adm i n i st rat i on of t h e p ah ul .

I
God e ve r ch e ri sh e th t h e poo r sa ve th s ai nts and d e st roye th
ne m
, ,

e ie s
B i rds b e asts m
.

,
ou nt ains sn ak e s and k i ngs al l h e e v e r
, , ,

c h e ri sh e th

H e c h e ri sh e th a n i m
.

al s i n se a a nd l a nd ; h e c ons i d e re th
not th e i r e v il a cts
Co m p as si on at e to t h e poo r an o ce a n ofm
.

e rcy He b e
hol de th m
, ,

a n s S i ns b u t we a ri e th not of i v i n

, g g .

He d e st roy e th mi s e ry and s i n H e cru sh e t h a n a rm f

me n in a mome nt
y o

e vi l

H e b re ak e th t hos e u nb re ak abl e b y h u m a n powe r ; he

sm i t e th t h e ve ry v al i ant b u t c h e ri sh e th l ov e f or thos e

wh o t ru l y l ov e H im
,

Vi shn u t h e l o rd ofL aksh m i c a nnot nd H is l im

.

, it th e
,
COMPOSITI ONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 81

Ve d s a nd th e books o ft h e M u sal m a ns c a nnot u tt e r H i s

s e cre t
v e r b e hol d e th m
.

Be ne ce nt One e n s s e cre ts ;

Th e e y e t
H e be c o m e th not a n g r
y a nd wi thho l d e th not th e i r d a i l y
,

b re a d .

II I
He m a d e wo rm s m oths d e e r s e rp e nts t h e p a st t h e
, , , , ,

fu t u re a nd t h e p re s e nt

Th e de m i gods a nd de m
, .

ons we re ru i n e d th ro ugh th e i r
p ri d e ; th e y kn e w not God s s e cre t and we re l e d a st ray
,

b y e rro r
Th e V e d s t h e P u rans t h e Q u ra n a nd oth e r M u h am ma d an
.

, , ,

books h av e gro wn we ary ofta ki ngGod s acc o u nt b u t th e y

,

h av e not f o u nd i t .

W i tho u t t h e l i ght oft ru e l ove h ath a ny one obt a in e d t h e

hono u r ofnd i n gGod
IV
H e i s p ri m al e ndl e ss u n f
, a tho mabl e wi tho u t e n m
,
i t y a nd , ,

fe a rl e s s i n t h e p a st f u t u re a nd p re s e nt

H e i s wi tho u t e nd One ou t ofm wi tho u t bl e m

.
, ,

any
,
i sh , ,

S i n or st a i n a nd i nd e st ru c t i b l e
, , .

H e i s t h e C re a to r and D e st roy e r ofwo rl ds ; H e sup

p o rt e t h l i f
e on s e a a nd l a nd

Co m p a ss i on a t e to t h e poo r a m in e ofm
.

e rcy b e a u t i f
ul is , ,

t h e ho l y Lo r d ofwe a l th .

V
H e h a th not l u st or wra th or c ov e to u sn e ss or wo rl d l y
l ov e o r s i ckn e ss or so rro w or e nj oy m
, , ,

, , e nt or f e ar , , .

H e i s witho u t a body H e b e are th l ov e to al l y e t i s H e

d e vo i d ofs e nsu al l ove H e is ho m
,

e l e ss a nd i nd e st ru c t i bl e

To thos e wh o kno w H imH e giv e th ; to thos e wh o kno w

.

H i mnot H e al so giv e th ; H e gi v e th to t h e e a rth ; H e

g i v e th to t h e h v ns 1

Om
e a e .

a n wh
y w
, a v e re s t tho u t h e b e a u t i f
u l a n d ho l y Lo r d
of we al th wi l l c a re f or th e e .

1
Za m an i s he re u nde rstood to be f
or as m '

an .
2 82 THE SI KH RELI GI ON

He p s v e th m
re er en in ma n y wa s fro m i c kn e ss fo m
y S

ro m
r

ro m
,

sorro w f wa t e r a nd f sp r i t e s
Wh e n e n e m i e s a imb l ows a t u s non e ofth e mm
, , .

re ach
a
y ,

ou r bod i e s ,

F or H e hol d e th ou t H i s h a nd to p rot e c t u s a nd h i nd e r
t h e arm y of S i n fr o m a pp r o a c h i n g u s

Wh a t e l s e n e e d I say to th e e 0 m
.

an ; God p ro t e c teth
th e e wi th t h e s cre e n oft h e wo m
,

b .

V II
T h e Ya k sh a s s e rp e nts d e m
, ons d e m i gods al l m
,
e d i t at e , ,

on Th e e t h e Ins cru t a bl e One

, .

On e a rth i n h e ave n and i n t h e n e th e r re gi ons ofh e l l

, ,
1
,

Ya k sh as s e rp e nts a l l b ow th e ir h e a ds u nto Th e e
Bu t th e y c a nnot nd t h e l i m
, ,

i t ofTh y g l o ry ; t h e V e d s
d e s crib e Th e e as i nde s c ri b abl e
Al l t h e d e m
.

igods wh o s e arch e d f or Th e e h a v e gro wn

we ary ofth e i r s e arch th e y h ave not f ou nd Th e e O God ,
.

VI I I
B e i ngs l i k e N ara d B ra h m , a Ru m na t h e R i kh i al l c om
,
2

b in e to singT h y p ra i s e s
T h e V e d s a nd t h e book s oft h e M u sal m
.

a ns h a v e not

fo u nd T h y s e c re t ; al l h ave gro wn we ary i n th e i r se arch

God h a th not b e e n f o u nd b y a ny one
Sh i v t h e l o rd ofU m c a nnot nd T h y l i m
.

a
3 i t Th e S i t
wi th th e ir S p ir i t u al l e a d e rs and t h e sons ofB ra h m a m
.
, ,

e d i t at e

on Th e e
Om en m e d i t a t e i n y o u r h e arts on H i m whos e i m me asu r
.

a b l e po we r i s d i f fu s e d th ro u g ho u t t h e whol e wo rl d .

IX
Th e V e d s, t h e F u ra ns t h e Q u ra n
, ,
a nd oth e r M u s al m
an

1
The re are sa i d to b e se v e n he ll s P atal i s the se ve nth a nd l o we st
Al so known as L om ash wh o was re m
. .

or h i s l on gli f
a rk a b l e f
2

t h e n am
,
e .

e s of
3 O ne of P arb a ti .
COMPOSITI ONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 28 3
books h a v e not f
,
o u nd H i s s e c re t a l l k i n gs h av e gro wn 1

so re we a ry se a rchi ngf or i t .

Th e y c o u l d not nd t h e s e cre t oft h e Ins c ru t a bl e a f te r

re a t t ra v a il th e y p ro cl a i me d H im i nv u l n e ra b l e
g
o rmno o u t l i n e no
.

Tho u O Lo rd h a st no p a ss i on no f
no so rro w no c o m
, , , , ,

c o l o u r no re l a t i on
, ,p a n i on , .

Tho u wast i n t h e b e gi nn i n ga nd y e t h a dst no b e gi nn i n g

Tho u a rt u n f a tho m abl e wi tho u t d i st i n gu i sh i n g d re ss a nd
2

wi tho u t j e al o u sy : h e wh o re p e a t e th T h y n a m
, ,

e S h al l s a v e

h i s re l a t i ons .

X
M e n h av e p e rf o rm ed m i l l i ons ofa bl u t i ons a t pl ace s of
p i l gri m ag e ; th e y h a v e m ad e m an y o f f
e ri ng s a nd e nd u re d
g r e a t f a sts .

P u tt i n gon t h e d re ss ofgre a t p e n i t e nts a nd we a ri n gl on g

h air th e y h a v e wa nde re d i n m
,
a n y c o u nt ri e s b u t th e y h a v e ,

not f o u nd t h e B e l ov e d God
Th e y h av e m ade m i l l i ons ofa tt i t u d e s ofc ont e m
.

p l at i on
a nd p rost ra t i ons m an y o f f e ri n g
,
s ofth e ir l im bs to t u t e l ary
d i v i n i t i e s and b l a ck e n e d th e ir f
3 a ce s

Bu t wi tho u t m e d i t a t i n gon t h e n a m t h e Co m
,

e of p ass i on a t e
to t h e poo r t h e D e a th l e ss th e y h a v e a t l a st gon e to D e a th s
, ,

a bod e .

Tho u D i s c h arge r ofarm

a rt th e s t h e Hol d e r oft h e e a rth
and t h e u m
,

b re l l a t h e B e t ray e r ofk in gs t h e gre a t T or

me nto r ofe ne mie s
, ,

T h e B e sto we r ofg ifts t h e gre a t Enh a n c e r ofhono u r t h e

, ,

Gi v e r ofa re st i n gp l a c e t h e C u tt e r ofD e a th s noos e

-

Conq u e ro r i n t h e ght R e m
,

ov e r ofobst acl e s gre a t Be

sto we r ofwi sdo mTho u a rt hono u re d e v e n a m on gt h e m
, ,

, ost
hono u re d .

Tho u a rt l e a rn e d i n d iv i n e kno wl e dge Tho u a rt t h e gre a t

Gi v e r ofwi sdo mt h e D e st roy e r oft h e god ofd e a th
,
.

1
S uch as H a i isc ha ndar a nd Othe r ,
s
.

2
W i tho ut th e d i t i ngu i sh i n g d e s o fa re li gi o us se ct
m ad e m
s
s r

a l o t ra n l ate d a
.

3 Ba b any nunc i ati ons

()
'

s h r
'

m m
a rzza a e, s s re ,

()
b a d ne
y e f
fo rts a .
2 84 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
Th e d we l l e rs oft h e E ast kno w not Th y l i m i t t h e godd e ss
H i n gul a wh o d we l l e th i n t h e H i m al ay a s m
,

e di t at e t h on
1

Th e e t h e Gu rd e zi s ofGho r Si n gt h e p rai s e s ofT h y n am

2
e .

T h e jo gi s p ra c t i s e J og to b e u n i t e d wi th Th e e ; h ow
many su sp e nd th e ir bre ath to obtai n The e Th e Arabs of
Ara b i a wo rsh i p Th y n am
.

e .

Th e F i rang is ofF ra n c e wo rsh i p Th e e t h e K and h a ris a nd ,

i kno w Th h s i d nts oft h e W e st re c o g n i z

Q u re sh s e e t e ,re e e

Th e e a s t h e obj e ct ofth e ir l ov e .

a dh i s
3 h e artil y do Th e e p e n an ce
T h e M ara th a s t h e M ag , ,

t h e n a t i v e s of Til a n g x Th e e i n th e i r h e arts and re co gn i z e

4
,

Th e e a s t h e abod e ofre l i gi on .

Li k e m i l k i n Ch i ra wa d h l ik e b u tt e rm il k in Chh at rane r
l ik e m oonl i ght on t h e b a nks oft h e J am
, ,

na
Li k e a fe m t h e Sh i ahs l i k e a d i am
,

al e s wa n i n T u rk e y of ond
i n H u s a i n ab a d l i k e t h e st re a mofth e Ga n g
,

, e s wh e n i t

b l e nd e t h wi th t h e s e ve n s e a s
Li k e qu i cks i l v e r in P al au garh l i ke s i l v e r in R a m
,

p u r l ik e
, ,

s al tp e t re i n S u rangab a d
L i k e t h e ch am p a o we r i n Ch and e rik ot l i k e m
,

oonl ight
ou rish e t h l i k e t h e m
,

in Ch and aga rh T h y p ra i s e al a t i owe r

5
.
,

Li k e cry st al i n K a il a s K a m a u ng a rh a nd K a sh i p u r l i k e

a m
, , ,

i rro r i n S u rang ab a d

L i k e sno w i n t h e H i m
,

al a a s
y l i k e Sh i v s n e c k l a
, c e
6
i n

H al b ane r l ik e a s wa n i n H a j i p u r on s e e i n gwh i ch t h e h e art

,

is f a s ci n a t e d

L i k e wh i t e s and al i n Ch am p a w a t i l i k e t h e moon i n Ch a n
ir l i k e m
,

d ra g , oonl ight i n Ch and agarh ,

L i k e t h e Gan ge s on Sh i v s h e a d l i k e cra n e s i n B ul and a

,

b a d sh i n e th t h e l i ght ofTh y p rai s e s .

1
H ingul a i s anothe r ofth e nam e s of Parb ati o r D urg
Am
a .

2
o untainous tract ofAf g h an i sta n so u th e ast o f H a r at -
.

3 N at i e s o f
v th e c o untry o f M a gadh a no w So uth B ihar .
,
4
T he T e l e g u co u nt r
y o n t h e e a st c o a st o f In d i a b e tw e e n U ri sa

ri ssa a nd M adras
(
O )
A k i nd ofj asm ra rant wh ite b l o ssom
.

5
in with f g s .

6
H a r h ar Sh i v was b e li e ve d to we ar a white snak e as a ne c k l ace
. .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 85

T h e P e rs i a ns , t h e ace d m
Engl i sh th e do u bl e f e n of Fra n c e -

th e m 1
, ,

ird a ng pl ay e rs ofM ak ra n s i n gTh y p ra i s e s .

Th e i nh ab i t ants ofBh a kh a r ofK a ndh ar a nd ofGho r

t h e Gak h ars t h e Gu rd e z is a nd thos e wh o l i v e on a i r m
, , ,

e di

t a t e on T h y n am
, ,

In t h e e a st i n P al au i n K a m ru p and K a m
.

a u n wh e re ve r

man go e th th e re Thou p re sid e st

, , ,

Th y g l o ry i s p e rfe ct ; wri tt e n a nd spok e n i n c a nt a t i ons

c a nnot a f f e c t Th e e O Lo rd and non e ca n nd t h e l i m
, i t of
,

T h y p ra i s e s .

God i s p e e rl e ss i m p e rish abl e H i s th ron e i s i m

,
mov abl e ;
H e i s p e e rl e ss e nd l e ss, H i s p ra i s e is u n ri v al l e d
H e i s i nd e st ru c t i bl e a nd t h e i nv i s i b l e Lo rd
H e i s e v e ry wh e re k i n g H e b l ossom
.

e t h in t h e f o re sts a nd
th e g l ade s .

H is Spl e ndo u r is l i k e t h e sp ri n g e v e ry wh e re d i f fuse d .

T h e Gre at One p e rv a d e th t h e woods and g l a d e s b irds ,

a nd q u a d ru p e ds

H e e v e ry wh e re b l ossom
.

e th H e i s b e a u t if ul a nd wi s e

H e b l ossom
,

e t h l i k e o we rs a nd g l i t t e re t h l i k e t h e p e a c o c k
C u p i d on re c ogn i z i n gH i mwav e t h a ch au ri ov e r H i m
.
,

H is po we r i s p e rf e ct H e i s t h e B e sto we r off
, ood t h e ,

M e rcif ul ,

T h e T re asu ry off a vo u r t h e P e rf e c t t h e Bo u nt e o u s
, , .

Wh e re v e r we l ook th e re a pp e a re th H i s S pl e ndou r
ro m
.

He is f re e f ang e r a nd a t re a s u ry of f a vo u r

H e e v e ry wh e re b l ossom
.

e th H e i s b e au t i f u l a nd wi s e .

H e is t h e g re a t k i n gof t h e woods a nd g l a d e s ofse a a nd ,

l a nd .

H i s Spl e ndo ur a pp e a re th e v e ry wh e re H e is t h e t re as u ry
of fa vo u r .

H i s l i ght d a zzl e t h H is gl o ry is p e rf e ct

T h e sk y a nd t h e e a rth re p e a t H i s n a m
.
,

e .

Ov e r t h e s e ve n h e av e ns a nd t h e s e v e n h e l l s
H is ne t ofk a rm a i s S p re a d u ns e e n .

A small d rumor ta m
bourine
1 .
2 86 THE S I KH RELI GI ON

V I GH I T AR NATA K
I
Gu ru Gob i nd S i ngh addr e ss e s God a s a swo rd to
de st roy h i s e n e m i e s .

I b ow wi th l ov e a nd d e vot i on to t h e Hol y S wo rd
Ass i st me th a t I m ay c o m
.

pl e t e th i s wo rk .

Tho u art t h e S u bd u e r ofc o u nt ri e s t h e D e st roy e r oft h e

a rm
,

i e s oft h e wi ck e d i n t h e b a tt l e e l d Tho u gre a t l y a d orne st

,
-

t h e b ra v e
Th i n e a rmis i nf
.

ra n gi b l e Th y b ri ghtn e ss re ful g
, e nt T h y ,

ra d i a n c e a nd S pl e ndo u r d a zz l e l i k e t h e su n .

Tho u b e st owe st h app i n e ss on t h e good Tho u t e rrie st t h e ,

e v il , Tho u sc a t t e re st S i nn e rs I s e e k Th y p rot e ct i on, .

H a il ! h a i l to t h e Cre a tor oft h e wo rl d t h e S av i o u r of

c re a t i on m
,

Ch e r i sh e r h a i l to Th e e O S w o rd
y , , ,

I b ow to Hi mwh o hol d e th th e a rr ow i n H is h a nd ; I
b ow to th e F e arl e ss One
I b ow to t h e God o fgods wh o is in t h e p re se nt a nd th e
f
u t u re .

I b ow to t h e S ci m i t ar t h e t wo e dge d S wo rd t h e F a l
,
-
,

c h i on a nd t h e D a g g e r

o rm; Tho u a rt e ve r u n
.
,

Tho u O God h a st e v e r one f

, ,

ch an g e a bl e

I b ow to t h e Hol d e r oft h e m
.

a ce

Who d i f fuse d l i ght th ro ugh t h e f o u rt e e n wo rl ds .

I b ow to t h e Arro w a nd t h e M u sk e t ,

I b ow to t h e S wo rd spot l e ss f e a rl e ss a nd u nb re a k a b l e
, , ,

I b ow to t h e po we rf ul M a c e a nd L a n ce

To wh i ch noth i n gis e qu al
I b ow to H i mwh o hol d e th t h e d i s cu s
.

Who i s not m th e e l e m
,

a d e of e nts a nd wh o i s t e rri bl e

I b ow to H i mwi th t h e st ron gt e e th
.

I b ow to H i mwh o is su p re m e l y po we rf ul ,

I b ow to t h e Arr o w a nd t h e C a nnon
COMPOSITI ONS OF -
GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 87

Wh ich d e st roy t h e e n e m y .

I b ow to t h e S wo rd and t h e R a p i e r
Wh i ch d e st roy t h e e v il
I b ow to a l l we apons c al l e d S h ast ar (W h ich m
.

ay b e h e l d
)
I b ow to al l we a pons c al l e d Ast ar (wh ich m
.

a y b e h u rl e d

or d i s c h a rge d) .

Tho u t u rn e st m e n l i ke me frombl a de s ofgrass i nto

mo u nt a ins ; th an Thou the re is non e oth e r ch e rishe r oft h e
poo r
O God do Tho u Th y s e l fp ardon m
.

i n e e rro rs ; th e re i s
non e wh o h ath e rre d l i k e m
,

e .

T h e ho u s e s ofthos e wh o h a v e s e rv e d Th e e a re a l l s e e n
ll e d with we al th
In th i s K al age a nd a t al l t i m
.

e s th e re i s g re a t c ond e n ce

i n t h e po we rf u l a rm of t h e S wo rd ,

Wh ich in one momnt d

e es r t oy e d mil l ions o fde mons l ik e
Su m
bh a nd Nisu mb h 1

Wh ich i n a n i nst a nt s u bd u e d de mons s uc h as Dhu m ar

l o ch a n Ch a nd M u nd and M ah i k h
Wh i c h in a t ric e re pe l l e d d e m Ch a m
, , ,

ons su c h as ar R an
c h i ch h a r a nd R a k t i ch h a n
Wh a t c a re th T h y Sl a v e s i n ce he h a th f
o u nd a good Lo rd
l i k e Th e e

Wh ich c ru sh e d mi l l ions l ik e M u nd M adh u

, , K it ab h , M ur ,

a nd Agh
Th ey n e v e r so ught sh e l te r in t h e b a tt l e e l d a nd
wh o -

wh o re t re a t e d not e v e n t wo p ac e s wh e n b l o ws we re d e a l t
a ro u nd th e m

Th e d e m
,

ons wh o c o ul d not b e d ro wn e d i n t h e se a a nd ,

wh o c o ul d not b e b u rnt b y e ry a rro ws

On b e hol d i n g t h y a sh 0 S wo rd c a st a s id e sh a m
,

, e a nd ,

ed .

1
that p art ofth e zl / ar ha ndey a P ur an whi ch tre ats ofthe e xp l o i ts
Se e
'

of Chandi T he nam . e s of th e d e m ons m e nti o ne d i n th e se q uatra i n s

will b e f
ound the re .
2 88 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
Tho u momnt d i dst d st oy s h h o s R w n
in a e e r uc er e as a a

K m
,

M h
a wa ra anbhk 1
u a ra n
2

d Ak m m
, ,

3
M gh d
e na p , i n w i
g g
an n w w i th who av n an , a ar e e

D th g w w i d
ea re e ar e

K m bh Ak m
u b h wh h v i ng onq u d t h whol wo l d o a u e re e r

ms i t h s v n s s
, , c e

w sh d th i
a e e r ar n e e e ea .
4

Th e y wh o we re i nv u l ne ra bl e a nd h uge we re al l wo u nd e d
a nd k i l l e d b y t h e s wo rd i n t h e h a nd ofGod .

I fany one e e to s a v e h i s e l ff
ro m
t h e D e st ro y e r, sa y m
in wh a t d ire c t i on S h al l h e ee

m m m t
.

Ca n an ru n a wa y f ro God wh o stopp e th h i wi h
a d ra wn s wo r d th u nd e ri n g a nd b ra nd i sh i n g i t

m
No c ont ri v a n c e h a th b e e n a d e b y wh i ch an ay e s cap e mm
from t h e wo u nd God i n i ct e t h
m
.

W hy , 0 f ool s e e k e st tho u not ch e e rf ul l t h s l u f

m m m
e a y o
, y
Hi fro who tho u c a nst not e s ca p e

Tho u h a st m ill i ons of t im e s re p e a t e d t h e n a m e s of K ri sh a n

a nd V i shn u and f , ul l y m e d i t a t e d on R a m Ch and ar a nd t h e
P roph e t
Thou h ast re p e a t e d B ra h m a s n am e and e st a b l i sh e d Sh i v

i n t h y h e art b u t non e ofth e m wil l s a v e th e e

o rm ed m or m
.
,

Thou h a st p e rf ill i ons ofp e n a n c e s f il l i on s of

d ay s b u t non e ofth e mwill a v a il th e e a k au ri
, .

In ca nt a t i on s to obt a i n t h y d e s i re s wi l l not b e wo rth th e e

h al fa p aisa non e ofth e mwil l s av e th e e f ro m t h e st rok e
of D e a th .

W h y p e rf or tho u f mt
a l s e p e n a n c e to t h e g
es ods i t wil l
not a v a i l th e e a k au ri

H ow c an th e y s av e th e e wh e n th e y c annot p rot e c t th e m
.

ro m
se l ve s f t h e st rok e ofD e a th
Th e y wil l s u sp e nd th e e in t h e e ry p i t oft e rri bl e wra th
as th e y a re s u sp e nd e d th e m se l ve s .

1
A rst cousin ofR awan .
2 Rawan s

b rothe r .

3 Rawan s sons
.

4
The y ne v e r agai n e xp e cte d to nd an a dve rsary .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SI NGH 2 89

Th ink th i nk e v e n to d ay i n t h y h e a rt
,
-
,
0 f
ool , wi tho u t
a vo u r of
th e f God noth i n gc an a v a i l th e e .

It is not p ract i ce ofp e rp e t u a l s i l e n c e nor b y t h e

b y th e
oste nsi bl e re l i nq u i sh m
,

e nt ofp ri d e nor b y t h e a dopt i on of

,

a re li gi o u s dre ss nor b y S h a v in gt h e h e a d
m
, ,

Nor b y we a ri n ga wood e n n e ck l a ce nor b y t wi st in g a tt e d ,

h air ro u nd t h e h e a d th a t God is f o u nd

.

I sp e a k t h e t ru th h e ar i t a tt e nt i ve l y wi tho u t e nt e rin g
t h e p rot e c t i on oft h e Co m
,

p a ss i on a t e to t h e poor
And l ovi n g H i mca n God b e f o u nd ? t h e M e rcif u l One

i s not pl e ase d wi th ci rcu m c i s i on .

W e re I to m a k e al l t h e i s l a nds m p p nd t h v n
m
y a e r a e se e ,

s e a s y i nk
We re I to cut do wn all t re e s and t u rn th e mi nto pe ns ,

for wr i t i n
g
W e re I to m a k e S ara s wa t i d i ct a t e f or m i l l ion s ofage s
we re I t o wri t e wi th t h e h and ofGa n e sh ,

0 Tho u wh o ho l d e st t h e d e st ro y i n g s wo rd I c o ul d not
e ri n gTh e e ho m
,

pl e ase Th e e e v e n a l i tt l e wi tho u t o f f ag e .

II
Th yg tn e s
re as i s e nd l e ss a n d bo u ndl e ss
No one h ath f o u nd it s l im i ts .

Thou a rt God ofgods K i n gofk i ngs

Co m
, ,

p ass i on a t e to poo r a nd Ch e ri sh e r oft h e l owl y

, .

Th e du m b wo ul d re ci e t th e S ix S h a st a rs, c ri ppl e s wo u l d
cl imbm o u nt ai ns ,

Th e bl i nd wo ul d se e ,
a nd th e d e afh e a r ,
i fGod wo u l d
onl y Sho w f a vo u r .

H ow c an m
y f b l ee e i nt e l l e c t , O God ,
D e s c rib e Th y gre a tn e ss
I c annot u tt e r Th y p ra is e s ,

Do Tho u c o rre c t th i s wo rk :
S I KH
. v U
2 90 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
H ow fa r c an th i s wo rm sp e a k
It is onl y Thou O God wh o kno we st Th i n e own p ra i s e s
As a son kno we th not t h e t im
, , .

e of his fa th e r s b i rt h

,

H o w can I t e l l T h y s e c re t
Th y g re a tn e ss b e c o m
e th Th e e

It ca nnot b e d e s crib e d b y oth e rs .

Tho u knowe st Th i n e own works 0 God , .

H ow sh al l h i gh or l ow d e s c ri b e Th e e ?

S h e sh na gwho m Tho u d i dst cre a t e wi th a tho u s and he a ds

m
,

Who t wo tho u s a nd ton gu e s a do rn 1

U nt i l now i s u tt e r i n gT h y bo u ndl e ss n am
,

es

Ye t e v e n st i l l h e c annot nd th e i r l i i t m .

H ow f a r c a n a ny one d e s c r i b e T h y wo rks

Th e i nt e l l e c t i s p e rpl e x e d i n t ry i n g to u nd e rst a nd th e m
ormc a nnot b e d e s cri b e d
.

T h y s u bt i l e f
I sh al l d e s cri b e Th y gre a t f or m .

Wh e n I h a v e obt a i n e d T h y l ov e a nd s e rv i c e ,

T h e n sh all I p u t a s i d e al l oth e r narra t i v e s and d e s crib e

Th e e .

Ih s al l now re l a e t m y ow n h i sto r
y
am
,

And h ow t h e Sodh i f i l y o rigi n a t e d .

At rst wh e n God e xt e nd e d H i m se l f
T h e wo rl d wa s cre a t e d b y H i m
,

Th e m
.

an wh o do e th g ood d e e ds
Is cal l e d a d e mi god in t h e wo rl d
H e wh o do e th b a d d e e ds i n t h e wo rl d
I S sty l e d a d e mon .

K al sai n wa s t h e rst k i n g
H i s st re n gth and f or we re m un su r p a ss e d ,
i n co mp
a ra bl e ,

a nd u n ri v al l e d .

K al k e t wa s t h e s e c ond k in g
K ru rb ara S was a ppo i nt e d t h e th i rd ki n gi n t h e wo rl d
K al dh u j was t h e f o u rth k i n gwh o gra c e d sov e re i gnty .

I n th i s l i n e R agh u was bo rn
Fro mwho mth e R agh u rac e wa s d e s ce nd e d
,

1
It is w itte n i n H i ndu bo ok s that S he sh nag h as two tongue s
r in
e ach he ad .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 291

Fro mth e man e xce ll e nt son Aj wa s bo rn ,

A gre a t c h ari ot e e r and arch e r

Wh e n h e a ss u m
.

e d th e g a rb of a J ogi
H e b e stowe d h i s e m
,

p ire a nd th ron e on D asara t h

Who al so b e c am
,

e a g r e a t a rc h e r

e l t d e s i re a nd m
.

He f arri e d th re e wiv e s

H i s rst son wa s t h e p r i n ce R a m
.

Th e se cond Bh ara t t h e thi rd L a c hh m

,

, an a nd t h e f
o u rth ,

S h a t ru gh an
or a l on gt i m
.

Th e y rul e d f e

Th e y th e n d i e d and we nt to h e av e n
m
.

S i t a s son s L a hu a nd K u shu a f
1
, t e rwards both b e c a e ,

k in gs
And gra ce d k i n gdo m
,

s and th ron e s

On th e ir m
.

a rr i age wi th t h e d au g ht e rs oft h e k i ng oft h e

P a nj a b
m
,

Th e y p e rf o r e d va ri o u s s a cr i ce s .

The y b u i l t th e re t wo c i t ie s ,

One K asu r t h e s e c ond L ah au r ( Laho re )

m am
.
,

Both b e ca e v e ry f ou s
m m m
.

C e y l on a nd A rawat i the ci ty of I nda r b e ca e ash a e d

m
, ,

on b e hol d i n gth e
or a l on gt i m
.

K u sh u a nd L a h u re ig ne d f e ,

Bu t we re at l e n g th cau ght in t h e noos e ofD e a th .

Th e ir son s and grandsons

Al so rul e d in th i s wo rl d .

H ow f ar sh al l I t e l l th e i r h isto ry

I cannot e v e n re c o u nt th e ir n a e s m .

3
It is t d th at K al k e t a nd K al ra i
re l a e 2

H a d i nn u m e ra b l e sons i n th e i r ho m es .

K a l k e t poss e ss e d p e e rl e ss st re n gth
ro m
,

And e xpe ll e d K al rai f t h e ci t y .

He e d to t h e S a na u dh
4
c o u nt ry

Wh e re h e m arr i e d a k i n
g s d a u ght e r

.

1
i
L av n th e K a a m
m ro m
y an .

2
D e s c e nd e d f
ro K ushu . sce nde d f
3 De L ahu .

4
N e ar B anaras I t s nhab . i i tants ,
th e S a naudhis we re af te rwards ,

ll
c a e d S o d h is .
292 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
Th e son bo rn in h i s hou s e ofth at m a rri a g e

H e n am e d Sodh i R a i

ro m th at t i m
.

Th e Sodh i ra c e b e g an f e

It was m a d e b y t h e s u p re m
.

e l y p u re C re a to r

ra ndsons wh o sp r a n gfrom
.

T h e sons and g S odhi Ra i

We re al l c al l e d S odh is i n th i s wo rl d
The y b e c am u i sh e d a m on gm
.

e v e ry d i st i n g en ,

And th e i r we al th i n cre a s e d d ay b y d a y .

Th e y e x e rci s e d i nd e p e nd e nt s way
And c onqu e re d t h e k in gs ofm an
y c o u nt ri e s .

Th e y e n f o rce d re l i gi on e v e ry wh e re
C au s e d u m
,

b re l l a s to wa v e ov e r th e ir h e a ds
And on m o rm
,

a ny o cca s i ons p e rf e d s a cri c e s a t r o y a l

c o ron a t i ons

t e rwa rds d i ss e ns i on a ros e a m on gth e m

.

Af
And no hol y m
,

an c o u l d a rre st i ts p r o g re ss .

H e ro e s and i nv i n ci bl e warri ors we nt a bo u t c ap ari son e d

Took a rm
,

s a nd we nt to g ht in t h e e l d ofb att l e .

F or we al th and l a nd a n ci e nt i s t h e st ru g g l e
1

To c o m p a ss wh ic h m
,

e n wi l l i ng l y die .

Wo rl dl y l ov e a nd p ri de h ave e xt e nd e d qu arre l s
Lu st a nd wra th h av e c onque re d t h e whol e wo rl d .

Nobody can c o m p u te t h e t i me

Wh e n e n m i t y d i ss e ns i on a nd p ri d e we re d if
, , f
use d .

In th i s wo rl d th e ir b a s i s is gre e d
or wh i ch e v e ry one k i l l e th h i m
,

By t h e d e s ire f se l f .

III
Th e S od h is t u rn e d to t h e P a nj ab a nd wage d war wi th
re

t h e d e sce nd a nts ofK u sh u wh o h a d b e e n l e f t b e h i nd Th e .

d e sce nd ants ofK u sh u b e i n gd e f e at e d

e d to B a n a ra s wh e re

th e y b e cam
,

e re a d e rs of t h e Ve d s .

IV
Those oft h e e xp e l l e d d e s ce nd a nts ofK u sh u wh o re a d t h e
Ve d s we re c al l e d Be d is .

1
C om p are t h e H industan i p o e rb zan za m
i n za r l i ne nj/zagr e ha
m an d and m am m
r v , , ,

h W o n l on e y a re th e sou rce s o fst ri f on

g ar e , , e g e n .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 29 3
Th e y f
ca re ul l y att e nd e d to th e ir re l igi o u s d u t i e s
k i n g oft h e P a nj a b d isp a t ch e d th e ma c on cil i a to ry
.

Th e
l e tt e r
To f o rge t t h e e n m i t y th a t p re va il e d a m on gth e m
Th e ra j a s m
.

e ss e n g e r a rri v e d i n B a n a ra s

And e xp l a i n e d t h e c ont e nts oft h e m

,

i s siv e to al l th e
Be dis .

U pon th i s a ll th e re a de rs oft h e Ve d s p ro ce e d e d to th e
P a nj ab ,
And on th e ir arriv al m a d e O b e i s a nce to t h e k i n g

H e c au s e d th e m
.

to re ci t e t h e Ve d s
Wh i l e al l h i s b re th re n we re s e at e d n e ar h i m i n t h e asse m
.

bl y
Th e y re ci t e d t h e S amVe d t h e Y a j u r Ve d
,

Th e n t h e R ig Ve d m
, ,

aking g
, e st i cu l a t i on s wi th th e i r

h a nds ,

And na l l y t h e At h arav Ve d .

Th e raj a was pl e a s e d
And ga v e th e mal l h i s poss e ss i ons .

H e e l e ct e d to l ive i n t h e f o re st
To re m ove h is gre a t Si ns
On giv in gth e mh is k in gdo m
.

H e ass u m e d th e g arb ofa R i kh i

T h e p e op l e t rie d to re st ra i n h i m
.

Bu t h e d i s m
,

iss e d all re g re t ,

And re l i nqu i sh i n gwe al th a nd p l a ce

B e ca m
, ,

e a bso rb e d i n God s l ov e

.

Th eB e d i c h i e fwa s pl e a s e d on obt a i n i n gt h e k i n gdo m ,

And i n th e joy of h is h e a rt bl e ss e d t h e Sodh i k i n g s a y i n g

Wh e n I c o m e u nd e r t h e n a m
, ,

e i n t h e K al a g e of N an ak
I wi l l m
,

a k e th e e wo rth y ofwo rsh i p i n t h e wo rl d a nd ,

tho u sh al t a tt a i n t h e h igh e st d i gn i t y .

ro m
Tho u h a st h e ard t h e th re e Ve ds f us ,

On h e arin gt h e f o u rth Ve d tho u ga v e st t h y t e rri to ry

H avin ga ss u m
.

e d th re e b i rths
1

m
,

1
W he n I have b e co m
e G uru N an ak , G uru Angad ,
and Gu ru A a r
 2 94 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
In m y f o u r th I w i l l m a k e th e e G u ru .

1

On t h e one h a nd t h e Sodh i k i n gwe nt to t h e f o re st ,

On t h e oth e r t h e B e d i k i n gwa s h appy in h is sov e re ignt y

a r sh al l I a m
.

H ow f pl i f
y th i s sto r

I ve ry m
y
u ch f e ar to s we l l m y book .

V
Af t e rwards agai n qu arre l s i n cre as e d a m ongth e Badi s ,

W h i c h no one c o ul d a dj u st .

It was t h e wil l ofGod

Th a t sove re ignt y sho ul d p ass f ro m am
th e i r f il y .

Onl y t we nt y v il l a ge s re m a i n e d to t h e Be d i s ,

Wh i c h th e y b e ga n to t il l
A l on gt i m
.

e p a ss e d i n th a t wa y
,

U nt il t h e e po ch f or t h e b i rth ofN a n a k arri ve d .

N a n a k R ai bo rn in t h e li n e ofthos e Be d is
e rre d h a pp i n e ss on al l h i s d i s ci p l e s a nd a ss i st e d th e m
, ,

Conf ,

i n th i s worl d and t h e ne xt .

He es a t bl ish e d re l i gi on in t h e K al age
And showe d t h e way u nto al l hol y m
,

en .

S i n ne ve r t ro u b l e th thos e
Who f oll o w in h is f oot st e p s
God re m
.

ove th al l s u f f e ri nga nd s i n

Fro mthos e wh o e m b race h is re l igi on

P a i n a nd h u n g e r ne ve r a nno y th e m ,

And th e y n e ve r f al l i nto D e a th s noos e

N a n a k a ss u m
.

e d t h e bod y of An ga d
And m
,

a d e h i s re l i gi on c u rre nt i n t h e wo rl d
t e rwards Na na k wa s c al l e d A m
.

Af ar D a s

As one l am ro m
,

p i s l it f a noth e r

Wh e n t h e t i m ul l m t h e b l e ssi n g c a m
.

e f or t h e f e nt of

Th e n R a mD as S odhi b e c a m
e ,

e Gu ru

Am av e h im
.

ar D a s g t h e Gu ru sh i p a c c o rd in gto t h e a n ci e nt
b l e ss i ng
,

T h e re f e re n c e i s to Gu ru Ram
1
D as .
COMPOSITI ONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 95

And took t h e ro a d to p ara d is e h i m se l f .

Th e ho l y N a n a k wa s re v e re d as Anga d
Anga d wa s re c ogn i z e d as A m
,

a r D as

And A m ar D a s b e c a m e Ram
,

D as .

Th e p i o u s saw th i s b u t not t h e f ool s

Who tho ught th e mal l d i st i n c t
, ,

Bu t so m e ra re p e rson r e c o g n i z e d th a t th e y we re a l l one .

Th e y wh o u nd e rstood th i s obt a i n e d pe rf e c t i on

Wi tho u t u nde rst a nd i n gp e rf e c t i on c a nnot b e obt a i n e d

Wh e n R a mD as wa s b l e nde d wi th God
.

H e ga v e t h e Guru sh i p to Arjan .

Wh e n Arj a n was go i n gto God s c i t y

H e a ppo i nt e d H a r Gob i nd i n h i s p l a ce .

Wh e n H ar Gob i nd was go i n gto God s c i ty

H e s e a t e d H a r R a i i n h i s p l a ce
t e rwa rds b e c a m
.

H a r K ri sh a n h i s son a f e Gu ru

t e r h i mc am
.

Af e T e g B ah a d u r

r ont al m
,

W h o p rot e ct e d t h e f a rks a nd s a c ri c i al th re a ds

of th e H i ndu s,
And d i spl ay e d gre a t brave ry i n t h e K al a ge
hol y m
.

Wh e n h e p u t a n e nd to h is l i f e f or t h e s a k e of en ,

H e ga v e h i s h e a d b u t u tt e re d not a g ro a n

e re d m a rt y r do m
.

He suf f for t h e s a k e of h i s re l igi on

H e gave h is h e a d b u t s we rv e d not f ro m h i s d e t e rm n
i a i t on 1

God s p e opl e wo ul d b e a sh am
.

ed

To pe rf o rmt h e t ri cks ofm o u nt e b a nks a nd ch e a ts 2

.

H a v in gbroke n h is potsh e rd on t h e he a d oft h e K i n gof 3

D i h l i h e d e p art e d to p ara d i s e
Non e cam o rm
.
,

e i nto th e worl d wh o p e rf e d su c h d e e ds as h e .

1
S zr a r i s i s a P anj b i word its m
Ifth e an ingi s as we h a e gi en
'

Am
. a ,
v v .

ongthe S i khs howe ve r the re i s curre nt what p u rpo ts to b e t h e

Pe si an o i gina l ofth e li ne as spok e n b y Guru T e gB ahadur hi m
, , r
r r
, se l f
on th e e v e of h is e xe c uti on

e ne ra ll y trans l ate dI
b l
r
r r J
a
.

) lb

m
l
J -
a

wh rch Is g gave y he a d b ut not G od s se c re t

m m m
.

2
That i s Guru T e gB ahadur i ght have p e rf o r e d a i racl e and
save d hi m
,

se l fb ut h e s c o rn e d to do so

Havi ngm
, .

3
ade th e K i ngof D i hl i re spons i b l e f
or h is de ath .
296 T HE S I K H RE L I GI ON
At h is d e p a rt u re th e re was mo u rn in gi n th i s worl d
The re was gri e fth ro u gh t h e wo rl d b u t joy i n p ara dis e , .

Guru Gob i nd S i ngh now sp e aks r e gard i ng h i ms e l f :

I sh al l now te l l m w n h i sto r

orm
y o y
b ro ught m
,

H ow God e i nto t h e wo rl d as I was p e rf ing

p e n an ce
On t h e m o u nt ai n ofH e mK u nt l
,

Wh e re t h e s e ve n pe aks are c onsp i cu o us

Th e pl ace i s c al l e d t h e S a pt S h ring 2

Wh e re K i n gP a nd u p ra ct i s e d J og
o rm
.

Th e re I p e rf e d v e ry g re a t a u st e ri t ie s

And wo rsh i pp e d Gre at de a th -

orm
.

I p e rf e d s u c h p e n a n ce

Th a t I b e ca m e bl e nd e d wi th God

a th e r a nd m
.

My f oth e r h ad al so worsh i pp e d th e U ns e e n
One
And st rov e i n m a n y wa y s to u n i t e th e m s e l ve s wi th H i m
,

T h e S u p re m
.

e Gu ru wa s p l e a s e d

W i th th e i r de vot i on to H im
Wh e n God ga v e m
.

e t h e o rd e r

I a s su m e d b i rth i n th i s K a l a g e

I d i d not d e s ire to c o m
.

As m
e ,

a tt e nt i on wa s x e d on God s f t

y e e

God re m onst ra t e d e arn e st l y wi th m

.

And se nt m
,

e i nto th i s wo rl d wi th t h e f - ol l o wi ngo rd e rs
Wh e n I cre a t e d th i s wo rl d
I rst m a de t h e d e m ons wh o b e ca m
, e e ne m i e s a nd o p
p re ssors
Th e y b e cam th ofth e i r ar m
.

e i ntox i ca t e d wi th t h e st re n g s
And ce a s e d to wo rsh i p Me t h e S u p re m
,

e B e in g

I b e ca m m
.
,

e an g r
y a n d a t on c e d e st ro y e d th e .

In th e ir pl a ce s I e st abl i sh e d t h e gods
1
In S ansk rit H e m ak uta th e gol de n p e ak hai n ofm
ountains
be twe e n th e H i m
, ,
a c
al ay as a nd Mount M e ru .

2
M e an ingse ve n horns .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 2 97

Th e y a l so b u s i e d th e m se l v e s wi th re ce i v i ngs a cri c e s a nd

worsh i p
And c al l e d th e m s e l v e s s u p re m
,

e be i ng s
M ah a d e v c al l e d h i m se l ft h e i m
.

pe ri sh abl e God
Vi shn u too de cl are d h i m
.

s e l fto b e God
B ra h m a c all e d h i m s e l ft h e s u pre m e B ra h m ,

And nobody tho u ght M e to b e God

Th e n I m
.

ade t h e e i g ht S ak h i s 1

Who we re a ppo i nt e d to k e e p wa t c h ov e r cre a t u re s

Th e y tol d p e opl e to wo rsh i p th e m
.

And s a i d Th e re i s no God b ut u s
Th e y wh o d i d not re c o gn i z e t h e P ri m
, .

a l Ess e n ce

Wo rsh i pp e d th e mas God

,

H ow m a n y wo rsh i pp e d t h e su n a nd m
.

oon
H ow m an
y m a d e b u rnt o f f e r i n g s h ow m a n y wo rsh ipp e d

t h e wi nd
So m e re c o g n i z e d a ston e a s God
H ow m
.

a n y b a th e d i n t h e wa t e r a cc o rd i n g to Sh a st ri k r i t e s !

H ow m a n y re c o g n i z i n gD h arm ra jas th e i r su pre m e j udg e

o rm i o u s c e re m
, ,

P e rf e d re l i g on ie s th ro u gh f e ar

Th e y who mI a ppo i nt e d to wat ch ove r cre a t u re s

On c o m i n gi nto th i s worl d c al l e d th e m
,

s e l v e s God .

Th e y a l toge th e r f orgot My o rd e rs
And b e ca m
,

e a bso rb e d e a c h i n h i s own p ra i s e .

Wh e n th e y d i d not re c o gn i z e M e
The n I cre a t e d m
,

en .

The y too f e ll u nd e r t h e i n u e n c e of p ri d e
And m
,

ade
g ods o u t o fston e.s
Th e n I cre a t e d t h e S idh s a nd t h e S a d h s
o u nd not t h e S u p re m
,

But th e y too f e B e i ng .

Who e ve r wa s c l e v e r i n t h e wo rl d
Est a bl i sh e d h is own s e ct ,

And no one f o u nd t h e C re a to r
En m
.

i t y c ont e nt i on a nd p r i d e i n cre a s e d
, ,
.

M e n b e ga n to b u rn t ru nk a nd l e a v e s i n th e i r own re 2
,

1
The se are b e li e ve d to b e th e D ik pals or re ge nts ofthe e i ght po ints
oft he co m p ass
An Indi an i di omf
.

2
o r anarch
y Big a
. nd li ttl e p e ri sh e d b y the i r

own conte nti on s .

2 98 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
And non e oft h e m w e nt M y wa y
'

j .

Th e y wh o obt a i n e d a l i tt l e sp i ri t u al powe r
St ru ck ou t th e ir own way
Non e ofth e mre c ogni z e d t h e S u p re m
.

e B e ing

Bu t b e ca m e m a d bo a st i n gofth e m
,

se l v e s
Non e ofth e mre c ogni z e d t h e Re al Esse n ce
.

Bu t e a c h b e ca m e a bso rb e d i n h i m
,

se l f
Th e n I cre a t e d t h e s u p re m
.

e R ik h is

Who a f t e rwards m a d e th e i r own S i m ri t i s cu rre nt

Th e y wh o we re s m i tt e n b y t h e S i m
.

rit i s

Ab a ndon e d My worsh i p .

Th e y wh o a tt a c h e d th e ir h e a rts to M y f e et

D i d not wal k i n t h e way oft h e S im ri t i s

1

B ra h m a m
.

ade t h e f o ur V e ds
And c a u s e d al l to a ct a cc o r di n gto th e m
But th e y whos e l ove wa s a tt a ch e d to My f eet

R e no u n ce d t h e Ve d s .

Th e y wh o ab a ndon e d t h e t e n e ts ofth e Ve ds and ofoth e r

re l igi o u s book s
B e cam t h e s u p re m
,

e d e vot e d to M e ,
e God .

Th e y wh o f ol l ow t ru e r e l igi on
Sh al l h ave th e ir s i ns ofv ari o u s k inds bl ott e d ou t .

Th e y wh o e ndu re bod il y s u f fe ri n g

And ce a s e not to l ov e M e ,

Sh al l al l to go p ara d i s e
e re n ce b e t we e n M e a nd th e m
,

And th e re S h all b e no d if f
ro m
.

Th e y wh o sh ri nk f s uf fe ri n g

ors a k i ngM e a dopt t h e way oft h e Ve ds a nd S i m

,

And f , ,
ri t i s

Sh al l f al l i nto t h e p i t of he l l
e r t ra ns m
,

And c ont i n u al l y s u f f i gra t i on .

Af t e rwards I cre a t e d D a t t at re
Who al so st ru c k ou t h is own p a th .

H e p are d not h is n g e r n ail s h e d e c o ra t e d h i s h e a d wi th

matte d h a i r
,

2
,

And p a i d no h e e d to M y wo rsh i p .

Th e n I cre at e d Gora k h
1
m
T h e S i ri tis p u rpo rt to f ll
o o w t h e V e ds
m
.

2 Th k ofth e e ave s ofthe b anyan-tre e

il l i s us e d b y f
a qi rs to we t
m
e

i
th e ha r . i i
I t s th e n s e are d w th ash e s .
COMPOSITI ONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 299

Who md g t k i
re a n g s h i s d i s c i p l s
And t e a ri n gth e i r e ars p u t ri n gs i n th e m
a e e ,

Bu t h e tho ught not oft h e way ofMy l ov e

Th e n I cre a t e d R a m
.

a n a nd

Who wo re t h e ga rb ofa B a i ra gi ,

P u t a wood e n n e ckl ac e on h is n e ck ,

And p ai d no h e e d to My wo rsh i p 1
.

Th e y wh o we re cre at e d b y M e
St ru ck ou t th e ir s e ve ral p a ths
I th e n cre at e d M u h am ma d
.

And m a de h im
,

k i n gofA ra b i a .

H e too e st ab l i sh e d a re l ig i on ofh i s own ,

Cu t of ft h e f o re sk i n s ofal l h i s f ol l owe rs
And m a d e e v e ry one re p e a t h i s n a m
,

2
e

Bu t no one x e d t h e t ru e N a m e in m a n s h e a rt

All th e s e we re wra pp e d u p in th e m
.

s e l ve s
And non e ofth e mre c o gn i z e d M e t h e S u p re m
,

, e B e ing .

I h a ve c h e ri sh e d th e e as My son ,

And cre a t e d th e e to e xt e nd My re l igi on .

Go a nd sp re a d My re l i g i on th e re
ro m
,

And re st ra i n t h e wo rl d f s e ns e l e ss a c ts
.

I stood up , cl as e p d my h a nds bo we d
, m
y h ea d , a nd

re p li e d

Th y re li
gi on h
s al l p re v a il i n t h e wo rl d wh e n Tho u vo u ch
s af
e st assi st an ce .

On th i s a cc o u nt God se nt m e

Th e n I took b irth a nd cam

.

e i nto t h e wo rl d

As H e Spok e to m e so I sp e a k u nto m
.

en

I be a r no e n m i t y to a ny one
Al l wh o c al l m e t h e S u p re m
.

e B e ing

Sh all fal l i nto t h e p i t of he l l

R e c ogni z e m
.

e as God s se rv ant on l

y
1
Thi s i s not th e R am anand who se hy m n is f ound i n th e Granth
S ah i b T h e autho r ofthat hym n live d l ongafte r thi s and s ubse que nt
M uham m
.

H e was th e G u ru ofK ab i r wh o
,

to th e e ra of ad . ouri she d
i n the fte e nth ce ntury A D
md
m
. .

2
M uha a , ra sal Al l a .
3
00 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
H av e no do u bt wh a t e v e r ofth i s
I a mt h e sl av e oft h e S u p re m
.

e B e ing

And h av e c o m
,

e to b e ho l d t h e wond e rs of t h e wo rl d
I t e l l t h e worl d wh a t God tol d m
.

And wil l not re m mort al s

,

a i n s il e nt th ro u gh f
e a r of .

As God Spok e to m e I sp e a k
,

I p ay no re gard to a ny one b e s i d e s
I a ms a t i s e d wi th no re l i gi o u s garb
.

I sow t h e s e e d oft h e Inv i s i bl e

I a mnot a wo rsh ipp e r ofston e s
.

Nor a mI s a t i s e d wi th a ny re l i gi o u s ga rb
,

I wil l S i n gt h e N a m
.

e of t h e Inn i t e
And obt a i n t h e S u p re m
,

e B e i ng

I wi l l not we ar m a tt e d h a i r on m h e a d
.

y ,

Nor wil l I p u t on e a rri n gs

I will p ay no re gard to a ny one b ut God
Wh a t God tol d m
.

e I wi l l do

I wil l re p e a t t h e one N a m
.

Wh i ch wil l b e e v e ry wh e re p rot a bl e
I wil l not re p e a t a ny oth e r n a m
.

Nor e st a b l i sh a ny oth e r God i n m

,

y h e a rt
I wi l l m e d i t a t e on t h e n a m
.

e of t h e End l e ss One
And obt a i n t h e s u p re m
,

e l ig ht
I a mi m b ue d wi th Th y n a m
.

e 0 God
I a mnot i ntox i c a t e d wi th a ny oth e r hono u r
,

I wil l m e d i t a t e on t h e S u p re m
.

And th u s re m
,

ov e e ndl e ss s i ns
I a me n a m o rm
.

o u re d ofT h y f
N o oth e r gi f t h a th ch a rm sf or m e

I wil l re p e a t T h y n a m
.

, e

And a vo i d e ndl e ss so rro w .

So rro w a nd S in h av e not a pp ro a ch e d thos e

Who h a v e m e d i t a t e d on T h y n a m e

Th e y wh o m
.

e d i t a t e on a ny one e l s e

Sh al l d ie ofa rgu m e nts a nd c ont e nt i ons

T h e d iv i n e Gu ru s e nt m
.

e f or re l i g i on s s a k e

On th i s a cc o u nt I h a v e c o m e i nto t h e wo rl d

Ext e nd t h e f a i th e ve ry wh e re
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 30 1
S e i z e a nd d e st roy t h e e v i l a nd t h e s i n ful

U nd e rst a nd th i s y e hol y m
.

e n i n y o u r so u l s

I a ssu m
.
, ,

e d b i rth for t h e p u rpos e

Ofsp re a d i n gt h e f a i th s a v i n gt h e s a i nts
, ,

And e xt irp a t i n gall t y r a nts .

Al l t h e rst i n carn a t i ons

C au se d m e n to re p e a t th e i r n a m es .

Th e y k i ll e d no on e wh o h a d o f fe nd e d a g a i nst God ,

And th e y st ru ck ou t no p a th ofre al re l i gi on .

T h e Gh a u se s and P roph e ts wh o e xi st e d
1

Le f t t h e worl d t al k i n gofth e m s e l ve s
Non e ofth e mre c o gn i z e d t h e gre at B e i n g
.

Or kn e w a n y th i n gofre al re l i gi on .

Noth i n gi s to b e obt ai n e d b y p u tt i n ghop e s i n oth e rs

P u t t h e hop e s ofy o u r h e arts i n t h e One God al on e .

Noth i n gi s obt ai n e d b y h Op ingi n oth e rs

P u t t h e hop e s ofy o u r h e arts i n H i m .

So m e m il l i ons re a d t h e P u ra ns to g e th e r

H ow m a n y S i l l y p e rsons re c i t e t h e Q u ra n

Bu t th e se books S h al l b e ofno a ss i st a n ce at l a st
ro m
,

And sh all s a ve no one f D e a th s to il s

W h y not 0 b re th re n re p e a t t h e n a m e ofH i m
.

Who wi l l ai d y ou a t t h e l a st m om
, ,

e nt

Cons i de r sp u ri o u s re l i gi on as s u p e rst i t i on .

No s u ch th i n gs will a v a il y ou
On th i s a cc o u nt God c re at e d m
.

H a vi n gc o m mu nic at e d to me t h e s e cre t 2

H e s e nt m
,

e i nto t h e wo rl d

I S h all p ro cl a i mto al l m e n wh a t H e to l d m
.

I wi l l re p e a t God s n a m

e

And al l m
,

y a f
fa i rs S h a l l p r osp e r

I wi l l not cl os e m
.

3
ine e y e s ,

Or do a n y th i n gf or S how .

1
M uh am m adan s a i nts o f e x ce s sive de v ot i on .

2
That S p uri ous re li gi on is ofno ava il
3 As so m
.

e In di an f aqi rs do .
3 02 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
Th e y wh o we ar a re l i gi o u s garb
Are de e m e d n au g ht b y t h e s a i nts ofGod
U nde rst an d th i s al l m
.

, e n i n y o u r h e arts
, ,

Th a t God i s not obt ai n e d b y hy po cri sy .

Th e y wh o a ct f or t h e s a k e of d i spl ay
,

Sh al l not obt a i n s al v a t i on i n t h e n e xt worl d

An d i t i s on l y f or l i f
e th e i r a ffa i rs p rospe r

K i n gs on se e i n gth e ir a ct i n gwo rsh i p th e m

.

;
Bu t God i s not to b e f o u nd b y m um me ry
m
.

Ye t e ve ry one wa nd e re th a bo u t th u s s e arch i n gf or Hi .
1

H e wh o k e e p e th h i s h e a rt i n s u bj e c t i on
R e cog ni z e t h t h e S u p re m e B e i ng
.

Th e y wh o b y we ar i n g a re l i gi o u s garb k e e p t h e
of t h e wo rl d i n s u bj e c t i on
,

Sh al l at l a st b e cu t wi th t h e Sh e ars ofD e a th and t ak e

u p th e i r a bod e i n h e l l .

Th e y wh o p re se nt a pp e ara n ce s t o t h e wo rl d
Exp e rie n ce e xt re m
,

e p l e a s u re i n e e cing oth e rs
2
.

Sp u ri o u s a nd not wo rth a k au ri i s t h e re l igi on

, ,

Oftho se wh o p ract i s e s u sp e ns i on ofb re a th b y stopp i n g

th e ir nos e s
.

Th e y wh o p rac t i s e sp u ri o u s re l igi on i n t h e wo rl d
Sh al l f al l i nto t h e p i t o f h e l l
.

H e wh o c an i n no way s u bd u e hi s h e art
Sh al l not go to h e a ve n b y ge st i cul at i on .

Wh a t God H i m s e l ftol d m e I p r o cl a i mto t h e wo rl d

Th e y wh o me d i t a t e on H i m
.

S h al l g o to h e a v e n a t l a st .

God a nd God s

s e rv a nt ar both on d e e mnot th a t
e re n ce be t we e n th e m
e e

th e re i s a ny d if
f
As wave s p rod u ce d f ro m wa t e r a re agai n b l e nd e d wi th i t .

1
o un d b y m
Al so transl ate dS i nce God i s not to b e f um m e ry why

or H i m
,

should e ve rybody wande r about thus se archi ngf ?

2
Al so transl ate d I n Shav ingth e he ads ofothe rs a nd the n m a ki ng

the mthe i r d i sc i p l e s
.
COMPOSITI ONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 30 3
God re mi n
a th a p art f
e ro m those
Who i ndul ge in wra n gl in ga nd p ri d e
o u nd in t h e V e d s or t h e books oft h e M uh a m
.

H e i s not f
ma dans .

Kno w th i s i n y o u r h e arts O s a i nts ofGod , .

Th e y wh o p ract i s e h y p oc ri sy b y c l os i n gth e i r e y e s
Sho ul d b e t re a t e d a s bl i nd m en .

S i n ce t h e ro a d i s not s e e n b y cl os i n gon e s e y e s

H ow c an s u ch pe rsons m re th re n m
,

y b e e t t h e Inn i t e
1

a r c o ul d a ny one a m
, ,

H ow f pl i fy th i s
M e n wo u l d gro w we ary t ry i n g t o u nd e rst a nd i t
Tho u gh one h a d a m
.

i ll i on ton gu e s ,

Ev e n th e n h e wo u l d f a i l to re c o u nt God s p ra i s e s

.

My fa th e r d e p a rt e d f
or t h e E a st

And b a th e d a t v ari o u s p l a c e s ofp il gri mg a e .

Wh e n h e a rri v e d at t h e Tr i b e n i (P ri y a g)
H e p ass e d h i s d ay s i n m e ri to ri o u s wo rks a nd a l m
,

s .

Th e re was I c on c e i v e d .

I was born i n P a tn a c i t y ,

And a fterwa rds t a k e n t o t h e P a nj a b

ondl e d m
,

Wh e re n u rse s ofdif f
e re nt k i nds f e

And t e nd e d m
,

y bod y i n e v e ry w a y
o rm
.

I re ce i v e d inst ru c t i on i n v a ri o u s f s
Wh e n I a rri v e d a t the a ge to perf or mm
.

y re l i gi o u s d u t i e s ,

My f a th e r d e p art e d to God s c i t
y

.

Wh e n I obt a i n e d sov e re i gnt y

I p ro mot e d re l i gi on to t h e b e st ofm
,

y po we r .

I h u nt e d v ari o u s so rts ofga m e in t h e f

o re st ,

And k il l e d be a rs n il g
, au s
2
an d e l k S
, .

I af t e rwards l e f t th a t c o u nt ry ,

And p roc e e d e d to t h e c i t y ofP au nt a .

1
W h o cannot be se e n at a l l .

2
i
T h e Ind an ante op e l .
349 THE SI K H R L L I GI ON

I e nj o y e d m y s e l f on t h b nk f t h e K l i n d i (J mn )
And saw a m use m
e a o a r a a ,

e nts of e v e ry k i nd

Th e re I s e l e ct e d a nd k il l e d m
.

a n y l i ons

And S l e w m
,

any n i l g a u s a nd b e ars

F a t ah Sh a h wh o wa s t h e k i n g b e c a m m
.

e an g r
y w i th e

And c am e to b l o ws wi th m
,

e wi tho u t c a u s e .

H e re fol l ow i n t h e Vi ch i t ar Na t ak an account of
t h e batt l e ofBhangan i t h e di spatch of M i an Khan
and Al i f Khan to J ammu and Nadaun re sp e ct i v e l y to
co l l e ct r e v e nu e t h e vi ctory gai n e d wi th t h e Gu ru s

assi stanc e by Raj a Bh i m Chand ov e r Al i f Khan ;

t h e di spatch ofG e n e ral D il awar Khan agai nst t h e
h il l ch i e fs and of h i s son agai nst t h e Gu ru wh o ,

wa s l e ft unmol e st e d owi ng t o t h e son s i ght

t h e di spatch by D il awar Khan o fHusai n Khan to

r e duc e t h e Gu ru to subj e ct i on t h e fail u re of Husai n
Khan to carry out h i s o rde rs ; h i s attack on t h e
w e ak e r o ft h e h il l ch i e fs t h e vi cto ry of Gopal K i ng ,

o fGu l e r and of Ram S i ngh

,
K ing ofJ a swan ov e r
, ,

H i mmat one of Husai n Khan S o f

,

c e rs whom th e y ,

put to d e ath ; t h e Si ngl e hand e d combat b e tw e e n

-

Raj a Ram S i ngh and J u jh ar S i ngh Raj a ofChand e r , ,

i n wh i ch t h e l att e r wa s sl ai n ; t h e d i spatch by
Aurangz e b ofh i s son to t h e Panj ab wh e re t h e
m
,

a sa n d s f e ari ng that h e wou l d attack t h e Guru

m and
, ,

de s e rt e d h i e d to t h e h i gh e st mount ai ns ;
t h e di spatch of an o f c e r nam e d M i rza Be gto suppo rt
t h e young p ri nc e and t h e subs e qu e nt e xp e di t i on of
an army unde r four oth e r o i c e rs wh o b e l i e vi ng that
m m
,

th e a sa n d s w e r e e n of w e al th de st roy e d th e i r,

hous e s and p l unde re d th e i r p rop e rty Al l th e s e .

d e tai l s hav e b e e n g i v e n at l e ngth i n t h e Guru s l i fe

.

IX
Th e y wh o t u rn a way f ro m t h e Gu ru
Sh al l h av e th e ir ho u s e s d e m ol i sh e d in th i s wo rl d and t h e
n e xt .

Th e y sh al l b e l au gh e d a t h e re h av e no dwe l l in gh e re a f
,
te r ,
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 30 5
And b e d e b arre d f ro m al l hop e .

So rro w a nd h u n ge r Sh al l e v e r a tt ac h to thos e
Who f ors a k e t h e s e rv i ce oft h e S a i nt .

Noth ingth a t th e y do sh all s u cc e e d i n th i s wo rl d ,

An d a t l a st th e y S h all f al l i nto t h e p i t of he ll
m
.

Th e y wh o t u rn a nd y fr o t h e G u ru s fe e t
,

Sh all h ave th e i r f a c e s b l a c k e n e d i n th i s wo rl d a nd

n e xt .

Th e s u cc e ssors ofboth B a b a N a n a k a nd B ab ar
We re c re at e d b y God H i m se l f
o rm
.

Re c og ni ze t h e f e r a s a S p i ri t u a l

And t h e l a tte r a s a t e m
,

po ra l k i n g .

B ab ar s s u c ce sso rs Sh al l s e i z e a nd p l u nd e r thos e

Who de l iv e r not t h e Gu ru s m on e y
.

Th e y wh o l ov e t h e Gu ru s f ee t

Sh al l n e v e r se e m i s e ry .

We al th a nd s u p e rn a t u ral po we r S h al l e nt e r th e i r ho u s e s ,

And sin and s uf f

e ri n gnot to u c h e v e n th e ir S h a do ws .

Wh a t i s a wre t ch e d e n e m y to h i m w ho
1
m t h e F r i e nd
p re se rv e th
An e n e m y c o u l d not e v e n to u c h h i s S h a do w ; t h e foo l
wo ul d l os e h i s l a bo u r .

Who can m e d i t a t e a n y th i n g a ga i nst thos e wh o e nt e r t h e

S a int s prot e ct i on

God p re se rv e th th e ma s t h e ton gu e i s p re s e rve d a m on g

t h e t e e th H e d e st ro y e th th e ir e n e m i e s a nd al l ay e t h th e ir
suf fe ri n g .

Wh a t c a n a mi s e ra b l e e n e my do to h i mwho m t h e F r i e nd

p re s e rv e th
H e ca nnot e v e n to u c h h is S h a do w ; t h e f
ool sh al l p a ss
a wa y .

1
Or -W hat are the de si gns o fa n e ne m
y g i nst
a h i
am?
srx n . v x
396 THE SI K H RELIGI ON
X
Al l d e a th s a v e th a l l H i s s a i nts
-

H e h a th to rt u re d a nd d e st roy e d a l l s i nn e rs
H e h a th S ho wn wond e rf ul th i n g s to H is s a i nts
And s a v e d th e mf ro m al l m
,

i s e ry
Kno wi n gm e to b e H i s S l a v e H e h a th a i d e d m
.

H e h a th gi v e n m e H i s h a nd a nd s a v e d m e .

GY AN P R ABO D H

N e i th e r t h e Ve ds nor B ra h m, a kno we th God s s e c re t

,

N e i th e r Vy a s nor h i s fa th e r P a ra sa r nor hi s son S h u k d e v

nor t h e sons ofB ra h m a nor Sh i v kno we th G od s l i m
, ,

it

o u r sons ofB rah m a kno w not God s t i m

.
,

Al l f

is l a khs ofV i shn u s a nd m

e

L a khs ofL aksh m

.

a n y K ri sh a ns

d e cl are H i mi nd e s cri b a bl e
, ,

Tho u art i n c o m
.

p re h e ns i bl e O God a nd f e a rl e ss ; Tho u
a rt m
, ,

ost po we rf ul t h e Cr e a to r ofse a a nd l a nd
Tho u art t h e u nsh a k e n e ndl e ss u n e q u al l e d i m me as ura bl e
, .

, , ,

Lo rd P u re One I s e e k T h y p rot e c t i on
, .

H e r e fo l l ow i n t h e t e nth Gu ru s Granth t ra nsl a

'

t i ons and abr i dg e m e nts oftal e s from t h e P u ra ns

on t h e tw e nty fou r H i ndu i nca rnat i ons
-
T h e fo l l ow .

i ngi s t h e Guru s i ntroduct i on to th e m

O God Tho u a rt t h e Cre a to r a nd t h e D e st ro y e r

Tho u k i l l e st a nd p u tt e st t h e bl a m
,

e on t h e h e a ds of oth e rs 1
.

Tho u dwe l l e st a p a rt a nd non e c an nd Th e e

Wh e re f o re Tho u a rt c al l e d t h e Endl e ss One ,

Th e y wh o are c al l e d t h e t we nt y f o u r i n c a rn a t i ons
-

H a v e not f o u nd e v e n a t ra c e ofTh e e O God

On s e e in gTh y s ai nts d ist re ss e d Tho u b e com
, .

e st u n e a sy

1 Co m
p are th e P anj ab i p rove rb
L a i n aia ap ;
Na m d h araia tap
m
.

D e ath c o e th to tak e one ,

But h e i s c all e d b y th e na e off e ve rm
m m
.

T he e an ingo fth e ve rse i n th e te xt i s, that al l a cts ul ti ate l y p ro ce e d

f
ro m God, thoug h the y a pp e ar to b e done b y Hi s hu an i nstru e nts m m .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 30 7
Wh e re fo re Tho u a rt st y l e d t h e k insm a n oft h e poo r .

At l ast Tho u sh al t d e st roy t h e whol e wo rl d

Wh e re fo re t h e worl d cal l e th Th e e D e a th .

Tho u a i d e st al l t h e s ai nts as o cc asi on re q uire t h

W h e re f
ore th e y c all Th e e th e i r h e l p e r
On b e hol d in g t h e poo r Tho u a rt co m
.

p a ss i on a t e to
th e m;
,

So we d e e mTh e e t h e Fri e nd oft h e poo r .

S i n ce Tho u S h e d d e st t h e j u ice off a vo u r on t h e s a i nts ,

Th e wo rl d c all e th Th e e t h e O c e a n off a vo u r

Tho u e ve r re m
.

ov e st t h e t ro u b l e s of t h e s a i nts
Wh e re f o re Tho u h a st obt a i n e d t h e n a m e of t h e Re m ove r
o f t ro u bl e
Tho u h ast c o m
.

e to d i sp e l t h e so rr o ws of t h e s a i nts
W h e re f ore O God Tho u a rt c a l l e d t h e D i sp e l l e r of sorro ws
Tho u re m
.
, ,

a i n e st e nd l e ss Th y e nd c a nnot b e f o u nd
Wh e re f o re Tho u h ast obt a i n e d th e n am e oft h e End l e s s

One
o rm
.

Tho u d i dst a ppo int t h e f s ofa ll th i n gs in t h e wo rl d

Wh e re f
o re Tho u art c al l e d t h e Cre a tor .

N 0 one h a th e v e r s e e n Th e e a ny wh e re
Wh e re f
o re Tho u ar t c al l e d t h e U ns e e n .

Tho u we rt n e ve r born i n t h e wo rl d 1

Wh e re f
o re e ve ry one de s crib e th Th e e a s U nbo rn
B ra h m
.

a a nd t h e re st a ll gro w we a r of se a rchi ngfor T h i ne

y
ori i
g n

.

Vi shn u a nd Sh i v wh a t a re t h e wre t c h e d b e i n gs
Af t e r c ons i d e ra t i on a nd d e l i b e ra t i on God ma de t h e moon
a nd su n

Wh e re f o re H e i s kno wn a s t h e C re a to r
m
.

Ev e r wi tho u t a garb H e re a i n e th wi tho u t a garb

Wh e re f m
o re t h e wo rl d c a ll e th H i t h e Ga rb l e ss
m m
.

Inv i s i bl e is H i s f o r , no one kno we th H i

On th i s a cc o u nt h e is c al l e d t h e U ns e e n
m m
.

His f or is i n c o p ara bl e and u n e q u all e d

H e h a th no c on c e rn wi th garbs or no garbs
m
.

H e b e st owe t h on al l b u t b e g g e t h fro non e

Wh e re f
o re H e is re co gn iz e d as t h e P rov i d e r .

1
Thi s i s a n e xp l anation ofthe word ajomi n the j apj r '

.
3 8
9 THE S I K H RELI GI ON
H e is not c on ce rn e d wi th ce l e st i al app e ara n c e s or o m e ns

Th is f a c t i s kno wn to t h e who l e wo rl d .

H e i s not a pp e as e d b y i n ca nt a t i ons wri tt e n or spok e n

m
, ,

or b
y c h a r s
o und H i mb y a dopt i n ga garb
.

No one h a th f .

M e n a re e nt an g l e d wi th th e ir own a f f a i rs

No one kno we th t h e S u p re m e God

Som H i ndu s ) go to pl a ce s ofcre m

.

e ( a t i on oth e rs (M u s al
mans) to ce me t e rie s
Bu t God i s a t n e i th e r .

Th e y wh o visi t e i th e r are rui n e d b y worl dl y l ove a nd

c ont e nt i on

And t h e Lo rd re m ro m th e m
,

ai n e th s e p ara t e f

Wh a t is a H ind u or a M usal m a n to h i m
.

Fro mwhos e he a rt do u bt d e p art e th

Th e M u h am mad ans use t asb is t h e H indus mal as
1 1

orm
,

Th e f e r re a d t h e Q u ra n a n d t h e l a tt e r t h e F ura ns .

Fool s h ave d ie d ove r t h e d i s cu ss i on

Th e y we re not i m b ue d wi th God s d e e p l ov e

m
.

Th e y wh o are i b u e d wi th l ove f or t h e one God

D i sre gard h u m
,

a n op i n i on a nd a re h a ppy

Th e y wh o re c ogniz e t h e P ri m
.

al B e i n gas t h e one God ,

Al l o w no oth e r b e l i e fto e nt e r t h e i r h e art s .

Th e y wh o ch e ri sh a ny oth e r be l i e f
ro m me e t ingt h e Fri e nd
,

Sh al l b e d e b arre d f
H e wh o kno we th t h e one S u p re m
.

e B e i n ge ve n a l i tt l e ,

Kno we th t h e R e al Th i ng .

Al l t h e J o gi s a nd S a n y a s i s
Th e m Sh a v e n h e a ds a nd Mu sal m
,

u l t i t u d e s of -
a ns ,

H a v e pl u nd e re d t h e wo rl d b y th e ir ga rbs
T h e hol y m e n whos e s u ppo rt i s God s n am e re m
.

ai n u n

known .

T h e u nh ol y p ra c t i s e hy po cri s y f or t h e s a k e of th e ir b e l l ie s
W i tho u t hy po cri sy th e y can obt a i n n au ght
Th e m e n wh o m
.

e d i t a t e on t h e one B e i n g

N e ve r pract i s e h y po cri sy on a ny one .

Wi tho u t h y po cri sy th e y wo ul d obt ai n noth in g

o re a ny ofth e m
,

F or no one wo ul d b ow be f .

1
M uh am m a dan a nd H i ndu n am e s of ro sari e s .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 39 9
I fno one h ad b e ll y
a ,

Who wo u l d d e s cri b e a ny one as ri ch or poo r

Th e y wh o h av e c on cl u d e d th a t God i s one
N e v e r pra ct i s e hy po cri sy on a ny one
Th e y give th e ir h e a ds b u t ab andon not th e i r de t e rm
.

, ina
t i on : 1

Th e y re gard th e ir bod ie s a s noth i n g .

M e n wh o S pl i t th e ir e ars are call e d J o g is

Wi th gre at d e ce i t th e y b e t ak e th e m s e l v e s to t h e fore st
Th e y wh o know not t h e vi rt u e oft h e One N a m
.

e ,

B e l on gn e i th e r to t h e f ore st nor to t h e ho u s e hol d .

In t h e b e gi nn i n gGod was t h e f a th e r of t h e whol e wo rl d

Fro mH iml ight rst p ro c e e d e d .

I h a v e not s u f ci e nt ab il i t y to t e l l t h e t al e
Or to m e nt i on t h e n a m
,

e s oft h e d i f f e re nt cre a t u re s H e

cre a te d .

Th i n gs st ron ga nd we a k we re p rodu ce d
Th i n gs h igh and l ow we re shown s e p ara t e l y
T h e p ri m
.

al l i ght wh i ch i s cal l e d t h e one God ,

H e at l ast i n f u s e d i nto a l l H i s cre a tu re s .

Know th a t t h e l ight oft h e one God

I s i n al l t h e so ul s wh i ch a re i n th i s wo rl d .

Th e whol e wo rl d sh al l b e bl e nd e d wi th God ,

W h o is d e scri b e d as K al ru p 2
.

Wh at e v e r is visi bl e a nd p e rce pt i bl e by t h e s e ns e s
M an c on si d e re th M ay a .

T h e one God is c ont ai n e d i n al l th i n g s

Bu t H e e st a bl i sh e d th e mal l se p a rat e l y
,

And H e p e rv ad e t h th e mall u ns e e n
.

H e wi ll call th e m all s e p ara t e l y to ac c o u nt

Th e y wh o h ave consi d e re d H i mas One

.

H a ve obt ai ne d t h e re al th i n g 3

ormoft h e one God is u n e qu al l e d

.

Th e f
H e i s so m e t ime s poo r so m e tim e s a p r i n c e or a k i n g

H e h a th giv e n to al l m lem
, .

e n th e i r s e v e ra l e nt a n g e nts

H e i s se p ara t e f ro m th e mand non e ofth e mh ath f o u nd

m
,

Hi .

1
As G uru T e g B ah ad u r d id .

2
Abso rbe r b y de ath .
3 De live ance
r .
3 19 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
He t d al l th i n gs s e p ara t e l y
cre a e

And wil l d e st roy th e mal l s e p ara t e l y

,

ro m
.

God a cce pt e th n ot ce ns u re f any one

1

It is H e wh o c a st e th ce ns u re on oth e rs .

W e now g i v e t h e Gu ru s re marks on t h e t ra nsl a

t i ons and ab ri dg e m e nts oft h e stori e s o ft h e H i ndu

i ncarnat i ons .

R AM A V ATAR
S i n ce I h ave e m b ra ce d T h y f e e t I h a v e p a i d re ga rd to

non e b e si d e s 2

T h e P u rans ofR a m(
.

t h e God oft h e H i nd u s ) a nd t h e
Q u ra n ofR ah im(t h e God oft h e Mu sal m ans) e xp re ss v a r i o u s

op i n i ons b u t I a cce pt non e ofth e m

Th e S im
.
,

ri t is t h e S h ast a rs a nd t h e Ve d s al l e xpo u nd

many d iffe re nt do ct rine s b ut I acce pt none ofthe m

, ,

.
,

0 hol y God b y T h y f , a vo u r i t i s not I wh o h a v e b e e n

sp e a k i n g al l th a t h a th b e e n s ai d h ath b e e n s ai d b y Th e e .

Fo rsak i n gal l oth e r doors I h ave cl u n gto Th i n e

It i s to Th i n e hono u r to p rot e ct me whos e arm
.

Thou h a st
sp d G ob i nd i s T h s l v 3
gra e y a e .

KRI S H AN AV ATAR
I do not a t t h e o u ts e t p rop i t i a t e Gan e sh ;
4

I n e ve r me d i t a t e on K r i sh a n or Vi shn u

de stroy inghim

1
F or
L ite rally I ha e not b rought any one unde r m
.

2 v e
y y e .

r at th e e nd o f
3 T h e Guru wi th th e o o f tho hi to il w
, jy a n a u s as ,

p l e ase d t o note th e date and p l ace ofthe concl us i on ofh i s H i story of

Ra m
O n th e rst day of th e dark h a f ofH ar, a d ay ofp e asure to e ,
l l m
m
I n th e S a b at ye ar se ve nte e n h nd e d a d ft
mi
u r n y
-
v e,

At th e b ase o fth e of ty N a na D e v , on th e argn ofth e S atl uj

l i i
wate rs,
Through God s he l p I ni she d th e h i sto ry o a

fR m
that i s th e transl ati on ofth e R amAv a tar into H indi f ro mS ansk rit
e Guru no dou bt m
.
,
4 AS i s u sual i n H i nd i lite rar wo rks T h e ant
y .

th e se ve rse s a s an i ntrodu cti on t o h is H i nd i transl ati on ofth e K ri shan

Avatar whi ch f
,
o rm s th e te nth ch apte r oft h e Bhagwat .
COMPOSITI ONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 31 1
I h a v e h e ard ofth e mb u t I know th e mnot
It i s onl y God s f e e t I l ov e

Gre a t d e a th b e Tho u m
.

-
y p rot e c to r

Al l st e e l I a m
,

-
T h y sl a ve
De e m i n gme Th i n e o wn p re s e rv e m
.
,

Th i nk ofm i n e hono u r whos e a rmTho u h a st t a k e n

,

De e m i n gme Th i n e own c h e r i sh m
, .

S i n gl e ou t a nd d e st roy m in e e n e m
, ,

ie s
M ay both m m
.

y k i t c h e n a n d y s w o r d p re v a i l i n t h e

wo rl d 1

P re s e rv e m e a nd l e t non e t ra m p l e on m
Be Tho u e ve r m
e

y c h e ri sh e r

Tho u art t h e Lord I a mTh y sl a v e

De e m i n gm r ac i o u s u nto m
, .

e Th i n e own b e g

or m
e

o rme ve ry th i n gf
,

P e rf e Th y s e l f

Tho u art t h e K i ngofk ings

It i s Tho u al on e wh o ch e rish e st t h e poo r
De e m i n gme T h y s l av e b e stow T h y f a vo u r on m

I h ave arri v e d and a ml y in gwe ary a t Th y doo r

, e

Tho u art m rd I a m
.

y Lo T h y s l a v e

De e m in gme Th y S l a v e r e ach m e T h y h and a nd s av e m

, .

i n e e ne m
e

D e st roy al l m
,

ie s .

Th e y wh o l ov e d not God wh il e p e rf o rm ing g re a t p e n a n c e

wh o e nd u re d s e l fto rm
, ,

e nt e x ce ss i v e l y h e a t e d th e i r bod i e s
-

We nt to B a n ara s a nd re a d t h e Ve d s v e ry m any t im
, ,

, es ,

obt a i n e d not t h e R e al Th i n g
Th e y ga v e al m s so th a t V i shn u m i ght co m
.

e i nto th e i r

po we r b u t th e y l ost a l l th e i r we a l th
o u nd H im
.
,

Th e y wh o l ove d God wi th h e art y a f f e c t i on f .

Wh a t a v a il e th i t ifa cran e S it l os i n g h i s
c eye s a nd d is
pl ay in ga re l igio u s garb to t h e wo rl d

1
T h e pot to f e e d the poo r a nd t h e stran g e r, re ga rd e ss o fcaste a nd l
re gon a nd th e swo rd to de st ro y t h e opp re sso rs of
li i , hu an ty An mi .

nsc r pt on on a swo rd i n the posse ss on ofth e R aj a ofN abha is,

i i i i
Ba d/re dagir f e y a l eg i m m
/z l o, that s , a n b e co e s gre at e the r b y e nte rta n i i
i ngh is f i
r e nds or de st ro n
y g h i sie n e e s mi .
3 12 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
If m ve r go a bo u t b a th i n g in wa t e r l ik e a sh h ow
an e ,

sh al l h e obt a i n poss e ss i on ofGod

I fm a n c r o a k d a y a nd n i g ro gan d l i k e a b ir d
ht l i k e a f y ,

h ow S h al l h e obt a i n poss e ss i on ofGod ?

S i a m a nd al l th e s e s a i nts say h a th any one wi tho u t l ov e
1
,

p l e a se d God

Ofthos e wh o th ro u gh g re e d of we al th c ont i n u e d to l o u dl y
S i n g a nd re c i t e G od s p ra i s e s ,

And wh o d a n ce d b u t ga v e not th e i r h e arts th e re to h ath ,

a ny f o u nd t h e way to God s wond e rf

u l wo rl d

Th e y e x c i t e d l au ght e r i n t h e worl d and kn e w not t h e

m m
,

e ss e n c e ofwi sdo e v e n i n th e i r d re a s
m sk
.

Th e po e t S i a a e th ifGod h a th b e e n obt a i n e d by an
y
one wi tho u t l ov e .

S e v e ral m e dit at e d i n t h e f ore st and re t u rn e d ho m e we a ry

S idh s i n m
, .

e d i t a t i on a nd M u n i s i n d e e p re s e a rc h h a v e

so u ght f or God b u t f o u nd H i mnot

S i ams a i th al l t h e V e d s a nd t h e M u h am ma d an books
.
,

a n d t h e wi sdo m
,

of t h e s a i nts h ave th u s d e c i d e d .

H e a rk e n O s a i nts t h e poe t spe ak e th t h e y wh o s e arch

, , ,

wi th l ov e obt a i n God .

I a mt h e fa b ra ve m
son o a n not ofa B ra h an ; h ow m
o rmau st e ri t ie s
,

c a n I p e rf

H ow c an I t u rn m y a tt e nt i on to Th e e O Lo rd nd f
s a k e do m
a o r , ,

e st i c a f
fa i rs

m
Now b e pl e a s e d to gra nt e t h e boon I cra v e with cl a sp e d
h a nds
Th a t wh e n t h e e nd ofm m m
,

y l i fe c o e th I a y d i e g ht i n g
in a m
,

i ght y b a ttl e .

B l e st is h i s l if
e i n th i s wo rl d wh o re p e a t e th God s n am

e

wi th h i s m o u th a nd m e d it a t e t h wa r in h i s h e art .

Som e suppose that S i am i s th e Gu ru s ta hha l l a s or nom de p l u m

1

Othe s m a i nta i n th at i t wa s th e re a l nam

e .

r e of o ne o f th e f
ty two b a rds -

th e G u u e nte rtai ne d
r .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 31 3
Th e body is e e t i ng and sh al l not a b i d e f or e v e r ; man
em b ark in gin t h e sh i p off am e sh all cr oss t h e o c e a n oft h e

wo rl d .

M ak e th is body a ho u s e ofre s ign a t i on l i ght th in e u nd e r

st a nd i n ga s a l a mp
T ak e t h e b roo mofd iv i n e knowl e dge i nto t h y h and and
t im
,

swe e p away t h e l th of i di t y .

AV ATAR
P ARAS NAT H

O tho ught l e ss f ool wh y kno we st tho u not t h y M a k e r

0 m
,

a n wh y kno we st tho u not God

O h e e dl e ss be a st bo un d wi th wo rl dl y l ov e th e y on who m
,

tho u re p ose st cond e nce

R amK r i sh a n a nd t h e P roph e t whos e n a m
, ,
e s tho u con

t i nu al l y u tt e re st on r i s i n g
Wh e re l i v e th e y now i n t h e wo rl d a nd wh y singe st
1
,

tho u th e i r pra i se s
W h y re cog ni ze st tho u not H i mwh o i s now a n d e v e r

S h all b e

W h y i d l y wo rsh i p ston e s wil l th e y y i e l d th e e any

re t u rn

Wo rsh i p H imb y who se wo rsh i p t h y work sh al l b e a e co m

p l i sh e d
And b y t ak i n gwhos e n am
.

e al l thy d e sire s S h al l be f
ul l l e d .

O J ogi J ogc ons i st e th not i n m

,
a tt e d h a i r .

W h y we ar th y s e l fou t and k i l l th y s e l fwa nd e ri n g? Con

s i d e r th i s i n t h y m i nd
Th e m a n wh o kno we th t h e s u p re m
.

e d i v i n e kno wl e d g e

sh al l obt a i n t h e gre a t re wa rd
H e sh al l th e n r e st ra i n h i s m i nd in one pl a ce a nd not
m
,

ru n wa n d e r i n
g fr o doo r to doo r

Wh a t av a i l e th i t to l e a ve on e s ho m
.

ru n a wa y a nd

e , ,

d we l l in a f ore st
Wh e n on e s h e art e v e r re m a i n e th a t ho m
,

e S u c h a pe r
son i s I I ot an U d a s i .

1
That i s the y we re mo t l li k e othe rs a nd what is th e use f
wo rshi pp i ngthe m
, r a ,
o

?
34 1 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
Bo a st i n g oft h y re l i gi ou s f e rvo u r tho u d e ce iv e st t h e ,

wo rl d b y t h e e x e rc i s e ofgre a t de ce pt i on .

T ho u th i nk e st i n t h y h e art th a t tho u h a st a b andon e d

wo rl dl y l ove b u t wo rl dl y l ove h a th not a b andon e d th e e
, .

0 m
an wi th t h e garb ,
re l i gi on c ons i st e th not i n we ari n g
a g bar

It c ons i st e th not in we ari n g m

.

a tt e d h a i r a nd l on
g n a i l s
or i n s m m
,

e a ri n g a sh e s on th e body or d e i n
g yt h i nt
I fm
y r a ,e .

an o b t a i n J ogb y d we l l i n gi n t h e f o re st t h e b ird e ve r ,

dwe l l e th th e re .

Th e e l e ph a nt e v e r t h rowe t h d u st on h i s h e a d ; c ons i d e r
th i s in t h y h e art
F rogs and sh e s e ve r b a th e at pl ace s ofp i l gri m
.

ag e

T h e cat t h e wol f and t h e cra n e m

.

, , e d i t at e ; wh at know
the y ofre l igi on
As tho u e nd u re st p aI n to de ce iv e m en do so al so f or ,

G od s s ak e

,

Thu s sh al t tho u know gre at d i v in e kno wl e d ge and qu af f

t h e s u p re m e n e c t ar .

T h e fol l owi ng th i rty thr e e sa wa iy a s a re al so re ad

-

i n Ab ch al ang a r and oth e r p l ac e s wh i l e t h e S i kh

bapti smal wat e r i s b e i ng pr e par e d S e v e ral o rthodox .

S i khs S ay that th e s e are t h e sawai y a s wh i ch ought

al ways to b e re ad at t h e bapt i sm and ofth i s i nde e d ,

th e r e i s i nt e rnal e vi de nc e .

I
H e wh o re p e a t e th n ig ht and d ay t h e n a e ofH i whos e m m
e nd u ri n gl ig ht is u nq u e n ch abl e wh o b e st owe t h not a tho u ght
,

on any b ut th e one God

Who h ath f u l l l ov e a nd c ond e n c e i n God wh o p u tt e th

m m
,

not f a i th e v e n b y i st ak e i n f
as t i n g or worshi ppi ngce e

m
,

t e ri e s, pl a ce s ofcre a t i on or J o g i s pl ace s ofs e p u l t u re

m
,

Who onl y re cogniz e t h t h e one God a nd not p i l gr i age s

m
,

al s , t h e non de st ru ct i on of l if
-
e
1
H i ndu p e n a n c e s or
, ,

au st e ri t i e s
1
AS p racti se d b y the J ai ns .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 31 5
And I n whos e h e art t h e l i ght oft h e P e rf
e c t One sh i n e th

ni z e d a s a p u re m
em
,

h e i s re c o g be r ofth e Kh al s a .

II
God i s t ru e Et e rn a l t ru e to H i s p ro m ise ; He i s f ro m

a tho m
, ,

t h e be g i nn i n g wi tho u t b e gi nn i n g u nf
, ab l e a nd i n , ,

V i n c i bl e

Bo u nt y m s e l fcont rol a u st e ri t i e s d a i l y c e re m
.

e rcy -
on ie s
a st i n g cl e m
, , , , ,

c ont i n e n ce f e n cy re l igi o u s Obs e rv a n ce s a re a l l

c ont a i n e d i n t h e n a m e oft h e I m mu t abl e One
, , ,

r o mt h e
.

H e is f be gi nn i n g p u re wi tho u t a b e ginn i n g
i nni t e e nd l e ss wi tho u t e n m
, , ,

1
i t y wi tho u t f e ar

orm a nd i s witho u t f ormor o u t l i n e ; H e

, , , .

H e h a th f
s c om a t e a nd m
,

g r o w e th not o l d H e i p,a ss i on e r c i f
u l to t h e

poo r ,

God is f ro m t h e be g i nn i n g wi tho u t e n m i t y wi tho u t garb , , ,

t t re f l nt d sp l nd nt
g re a ru e u ge a n re e e

H e l l e t h t h e i n m ost h e arts ofal l m e d i t a t i on on H i m

, , , .

t h e R e al Th i n g c u rb e t h n a t u ra l i n cl i n a t i ons
, .

Tho u we rt i n t h e be gi nn i n g b e f o re t h e age s b e f o re t h e , ,

wo rl d O God Tho u art al l p e rv a d in gand d we ll e st in e ve ry

,
-

h e ar t
Co m p a ss i on a t e to t h e poo r m ul m i n e ofm ro m
,

e rc if e rcy f , ,

th e be g i nn i n g u nbo rn i nv i nc i bl e i nde st ru c t i bl e
, , , .

IV
In t h e b e gi nn in g i nd e st ru ct i bl e i m p e ri sh abl e e ve r
l a st n g 0 God t h e Ve d s a nd t h e books oft h e M u sal m
, , ,

i , ans

h av e f o u nd not T h y s e cre t
Co m p ass i on a t e to t h e poo r m O ce an ofm
.

e rc i f
ul e rc y , , ,

t ru e e v e rl a st i n g d i f
, fu s e d i n e v e ry h e ar t
, ,

S h e sh nag Ind a r G a n e sh and Sh i v h av e s e a rc h e d t h e

, , ,

Ve d s b ut f o u nd not T h y d e pth
ool i sh m
, .

O f an sa
y w h y h a st tho u f o rgott e n God wh o i s

e ve r m
,

an if e st

1
A na/ra d . Ifa nd /ra t b e re ad it must b e t ansl ate d i nvul n e bl e
r ra or

i nv inci bl e .
3 6
1 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
V
God i s i m
mov fro bl e
t h e be g
a
,
m
i nn i n g st a i n l e ss ih , ,

n i t e t ru e and e v e rl a st i n g
H e i s a do re d a s p rim
.
, ,

a e val u n c on ce i v e d u nbo rn f
m
re e

m s u pre m
, , ,

fro ol d a ge e l y p u re
,
il l i i t a bl e , .

H e i s we l l kno wn as t h e s e l fe x i st e nt re no wne d i n t h e
1 -
,

whol e wo rl d One y e t i n d if fe re nt pl a ce s

m
, , .

0 b ase an wh y re c o g n i ze not God wh o i s wi thou t st ai n

,

O Cre ato r tho u art i m ro mt h e

p e r i sh a bl e f be gi nn i n g
wi tho u t bl e m i sh wi tho u t l i m
, , ,

i ts t ru e a nd e t e rn al
or al l a n i m
.
, , ,

Tho u e ve r p rov i de st s u st e n a n ce f al s wh i c h are

i n se a a nd l and .

T h e Ve d s t h e P u rans t h e Q u ra n d e s cri b e Th e e in vari o u s

, , ,

way s .

In t h e re st oft h e worl d th e re is a t l a st n aught b u t

Th e e ; O d iv i n e One Thou a rt Sov e re ign R u l e r ove r a l l
, .

VI I
Tho u a rt known a s f ro mt h e be g i nn i n g u n fa tho m abl e

im p e ri sh abl e i nd i v i s i bl e i nv isi bl e i nv in ci bl e a nd i l l im
, ,

, ,
i t a bl e , ,
.

Tho u art i n t h e p ast t h e f u t u re t h e p re s e nt

,
Tho u art ,

a do re d i n e v e r p l
De m
y ac e

ods d e m
.

ig , ons S h e sh nag N ara d a nd S a raswa t i

, , ,

re c o gn i z e Th e e as t ru e and e t e rn al .

T h e F ura ns and t h e Q uran know not t h e s e cre ts oft h e

Co m p a ssi on at e to th e poor t h e O ce a n ofm e rcy ,
.

O t ru e and e t ern al One p e rpe t u al i s Th y do m i n i on ; i t

i s Tho u wh o m
,

a d e st t h e Ve d s a nd t h e Q u ra n

Tho u d i dst a ppo i nt d e m i gods d e m

.

ons S h e sh nagt h e p ast , ,

a nd t h e p re s e nt

Fro mt h e be gi nn i n g b e f
.

o re t h e a ge s t h e st a i n l e ss t h e
, , ,

i nd e st ru c t i bl e T h y l i ght i s s e e n tho u gh Tho u a rt u ns e e n

, ,
.

Some tran sl ate th i s wo d mi rac l e s

1
S i d/z . r .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 31 7
O f ool ish m an , wh o h ath c ome to t e ll t he e ft h e
o in
v i s i bl e God 1

IX
De m i gods d e m ons S h e sh nag s e rp e nts f
, am o u s S idh s , , ,

h av e don e gre a t p e n ance

Th e Ve ds t h e P u ra u s t h e Q u ran al l h a v e g
, ro wn we a r
y , ,

sing i n gTh y p ra ise s O G od b u t Tho u a rt not kno wn u nto

th e m
, ,

Thou kno we st al l h e arts on e arth in h e a v e n i n t h e , ,

n e th e r re gi ons a nd i n e v e ry d i re ct i on
Th y p ra i s e s l l t h e e a rt h ; th e y e nt e ri n g m
, .

h a rt to l d

me th i s
e
y
.

X
Th e Ve d s a nd t h e books oft h e M u sal m ans h a v e not

fo und God s s e cre t ; al l t h e S i dh s h a v e grown we ary con

mpl t i gHim
te n

S im
a .

Th it i Sh t as a rs, Ve d s, a nd P u ra u s all d e s cri b e

Him
e r s,

i v io s w y s
n ar u a ;
Bu t God wh o was i n t h e b e gi nn i n g and wh o h ad no
m
,

b e gi nning whos e s tory is u n f a tho abl e ca nnot be k nown

m
, , .

H e s a v e d s u c h as D h ru P rah l ad a nd Aja al
m
, , .

T h e c o u rt e s a n was s a v e d b y re pe a t i n gGod s n a e ; th a t

n ame is m
y su ppo r t , the obj e c t ofmy tho u ghts .

All ogni z e th a t God wa s i n t h e b e ginn i n g th a t H e h a d

re c

a tho m
,

no be ginn ing th a t H e i s u n f , a b l e e t e rn al a nd p e rf e ct , , .

T h e Gandh arb s t h e Yak sh as S h e sh nag t h e e a rt h

2

d we ll ing se rp e nts t h e rm am
, , ,

e nt a nd t h e f
,
o u r q u art e rs of ,

t h e wo rl d kno w God .

Th e v i s i bl e a nd i nv i s i bl e wo rl ds t h e e ight d i re c t i ons t h e
de m ons as we l l as t h e d e m
, ,

i gods all wo rsh ip God

0 m igno ra nt m or who m
.

an of ind th ro u gh re gard f h ast

orgott e n t h e O m
-
,

tho u f :

n is cie nt t h e S e l fe xi st e n t t h e ,
-
,

Tre as u re ?
1
T he ns we r th i s is f
ound i n th e l ast line ofth e f o l l o wi ng
m
a to
2 H e ave nl usi c i ans
y .
318 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
XI I
So m e fa st e n a n i do l rm ; so m
l y to th e ir b re asts
e say

th a t Sh i v i s God
So m e sa y th a t God i s i n t h e t e mp l e of th e H i ndu s oth e rs
b e l i e v e th a t H e i s i n t h e m osqu e of th e M u sa l m a ns

So m e say th a t R a m i s God ; so m e say K ri sh a n ; so m e

i n th e i r h e arts acce pt t h e i n ca rn a t i ons a s God

Bu t I h a v e f o rgott e n al l v ai n re l i gi on and kno w i n m y

h e a rt th a t t h e Cre a to r i s t h e on l y God .

Ye say th a t God i s u n con c e i v e d a nd u nbo rn h ow co ul d

H e h a v e b e e n bo rn f ro m t h e wo m b ofK au sal y a
I fH e who m we cal l K rish a n we re God wh y was h e su b ,

j c t to d e a th 1

W h y S ho u l d God who m
e

y e d e s cri b e a s ho l y a nd wi tho u t
e nm i t y h a v e d ri v e n A rj a n s ch ar i ot 2

Wo rsh i p as God H i mwhos e s e cre t non e h a th kno wn or

sh al l know .

XI V
S ay i fK ri sh a n we re t h e O c e a n ofme rcy wh y sho ul d t h e
h u nt e r s a rro w h a v e st ru ck h i m
,
3

If h e c a n s a v e oth e r f am i l i e s wh y d id h e d e st roy h i s own

S ay wh y d i d h e wh o cal l e d h i m
,

s e l ft h e e t e rn al and t h e
u n c on c e i v e d e nt e r i nto t h e wo m b ofD e va k i
a th e r or m
,

W h y d i d h e wh o h a d no f oth e r c al l Va su de v 4

h is f a th e r

XV
W hy ca l l Sh iv God , a nd wh y sp e a k ofB ra h ma a s God

1
Inthi s li ne i n t h e ori gi nal the rs t K al m
e ans G od and th e ,

se cond de ath
K ri shan wh o was Arj an s chari ote e r p rocl ai m hi m
.

2
,

ed se l f to
,

b e G od
hunte r was an incarnati on ofB ali whom
.

3 It i s suppose d that th e
Ra mChandar h ad sl ain K ri shan was suppose d to b e a n i ncarnati on
mChandar
.

of Ra .

4 F the r ofK ri shan

a .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 31 9
God i s not R a mCh a nd a r K rish a n or Vi shn u who my e
, ,

s uppos e to b e l o rds oft h e wo rl d .

S h u k d e v P ara sa r a nd Vy as e rre d i n a b a ndon i n gt h e one

God a nd wo rsh i pp i n gm
, ,

a ny g ods 1
.

Al l h a v e se t u p f al s e re l i gi ons ; I in e ve ry wa y b e l ie ve
th a t th e re i s b u t one God .

XV I
So m e wo rsh i p B ra h m a as God oth e rs po i nt to Sh i v as God

So m
,

e say th a t Vi shn u is t h e Lo rd oft h e wo rl d a nd

th a t b y worsh ipp ingh ima l l s ins are e ra s e d
,

Th i nk on th i s a tho u s a nd t i m
.

es O f ool a t t h e l a st ho u r
, ,

al l t h y g ods wil l f o rs ak e th e e
M e d i t a t e on H i mi n t h y h e a rt wh o was i s a nd e v e r
.

, ,

S h al l b e .

XVI I
H e wh o m ad e m il l i ons ofI nd ars H e wh o m a de a nd

d e st roy e d so m e m
,

ill i ons ofBawa ns

De m ons d e m
,

i gods s e rp e nts S h e sh nags b irds a nd b e a sts

i nn u m
, , , ,

e ra b l e

To who mt i l l to d ay Sh i v and B rah m

,

-
a a re do ingp e n a n c e

wi tho u t nd i n g H is l i m it ,

H e whos e s e c re ts t h e Ve d s a nd t h e Q ura n h a v e not

p e n e t ra t e d is t h e gre a t B e i n gwho mt h e Gu ru h a th sho wn
2

m
,

e .

X V I II
0 man b y a tt i t u de s of conte mpl at ion ma tte d h air
, , ,

a nd t h e ov e rgro wn n a il s oft h h a nds tho d i st l l

y u e ce v e a

p e opl e
bo u t wi th a sh e s s m
.

Tho u go e st a e a re d on t h y f a ce a nd

c h e a t e st a l l t h e d e m i gods a nd t h e d e m ons
ro m
.

Add i c t e d to a v a ri ce tho u wa nde re st f ho u s e to ho u s e

the m e a ns b y wh i c h J ogi s obt a i n e d tho u h ast a l l f o rgott e n
Tho u h a st l ost al l sh a m
.

e a nd s u c ce e d e d i n noth i n g wi th

o u t l ov e God c a nnot b e obt a i n e d .

1
Al so trans l ate dT h e abandonm e nt ofo ne G od a nd th e wo rsh i p

of se ve ral gods have be e n sho wn b y S hukde v Pa rasar and Vy as to , ,

b e va i n .
2
Gu ru T e gB ahadur .
3 20 THE SI K H RELI GI ON

O f ool i sh m an wh y pl ay t h e h y po cri t e ? tho u l os e st

,

th i n e hono u r b y p rac t i si n ghy po cri sy .

O c h e at wh y ch e a t pe opl e ? th i s wo rl d is l ost to th e e
,

a nd so i s t h e n e xt

Wh e re t h e Co m
.

p a ss i on a t e to t h e poo r dwe l l e th th e re ,

sh al t tho u nd no pl a ce .

Th i nk 0 th i nk thou thoughtl e ss a nd gre a t tool t h e

o u nd b y a ss um
, , ,

U n se e n i s not f i n gga rb s .

XX
W h y wo rsh i p a s t on e God i s not i n a ston e
m wo rsh ip ofwho mal l
.

Wo rsh i p H i as God , b y t h e th y
Sins sh al l b e e ra s e d
And b y u tt e ri ngwhos e n a m ro m
,

e tho u sh al t b e f re e d f al l

thy m e nt a l a nd bod i l y e nt a n glem e nts

M ak e t h e m
.

e d i t a t i on ofGod e v e r t h r u l e of c t i on no
y a

a dva nt ag e c a n b e obt a i n e d b y t h e p rac t i c e of fal s e re l i gi on .

XXI
Fal se re l igi on is wi tho u t f ru i t b y t h e wo rsh i p ofston e s
tho u h ast wa st e d m ill i ons ofag es .

H ow c an p e rf e c t i on b e obt a i n e d b y to u ch i ng ston e s ?
nay st re n g
, th a nd p rosp e ri t y th u s d e cre a s e a nd t h e n in e ,

t re a su re s are not obt a i n e d

Tim
.

e p a ss e th a way wh il e s ay i n g to d a y to d ay : tho u - -

sh al t not acc o m pl i sh th i n e obj e c t art tho u not a sh a m

,

ed

O f ool thou h a st not wo rsh ippe d God so t h y l i f

,
e h a th ,

b e e n p asse d in va i n .

XXII
I ff
or a g
es tho u do p e n a n ce to a ston e ,
i t wil l ne ve r
re j o ice th e e
t i ts a rmto re q u i t e th e e
.

Of ool i t will n e ve r ge n e ro u sl y l i f
,
.

S ay wh a t c onde n ce c an b e pl a ce d i n i t ? wh e n t r o u b l e
a ri s e th i t wil l not c o m e to s a v e th e e

O igno ra n t and obst i n a t e m

.
,

a n b e a ss u re d th a t t h y f
,
al s e

re l ig i on and su p e rst i t i on wil l ru in th e e .

COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 32 1
XXII I
Al l are bo u nd i n t h e m e sh e s of D e a th no R a mor Mosl e m
p roph e t wa s a b l e to s av e h i m se l f .

God h av i n gcre a t e d d e st ro y e d a nd wil l a ga i n c re a t e a nd

d e st roy d e m ons d e m
,

igods a nd S h e sh na g
, , s .

Th e y wh o we re cal l e d i n c arn a t i ons i n t h e wo rl d a t l a st die d

be f o re m e n s e ye s in re m o rs e
1

O ck l e m
.

a n wh y not ru n to to u c h t h e f
, e e t ofGod a bove .

XXI V
B ra h m a a pp e a re d b y God s o rd e r a nd t a k i n gh i s st a f

fa nd
wa t e rpot wa nd e re d u pon e a rth
W e know th a t Sh i v wa s bo rn at t h e a ppo i nt e d t i m
.

e a nd ,

v is i t e d al l c o u nt ri e s .

Th e wo rl d wa s cre a t e d a nd d e st roy e d a t t h e a ppo i nt e d

t im e ; wh e re f o re l e t al l re c ogn i z e God .

R e no u n c i n ga l l t h e s u bt l e t i e s oft h e V e d s a nd t h e Q u ra n
I wo rsh ip God al on e t h e Tre a s u ry ofm
.

,
e rcy .

XX V
O b l o ckh e a d t h y l i f
e h a th p a ss e d i n t h y p re s e nt o cc u p a

t i ons ; tho u h a st not tho u ght i n t h y h e a rt oft h e m

,

e rc i f ul God

Ab andon i n g sh a m tho u h a st grown sh am

.

e e l e ss a nd ,

l e a v i n gt h y prope r wo rk h a st don e u s e l e ss wo rk f or th y se l f .

Wh e n tho u h a dst ho rs e s a nd gre a t roy a l e l e ph ants tho u ,

f oo l i sh l y tho ught e st to r i d e on donk e y s 2

oo l a nd so d i dst S h a m
.

Tho u d i dst not wo rsh i p God 0 f , , e

f u l l y spo i l t h y good b u s i n e ss .

XX V I
Tho u h a st f or l on d h V d a nd t h e books oft h e
g re a t e e s

M u sal m a ns b u t not f
,
o u nd a s e cre t i n th e m 3
.

Tho u h a st wa nd e re d i n v a ri o u s p l ace s to worsh i p b u t ,

t h e one God tho u h a st n e v e r s e a t e d i n t h y h e a rt

Tho u h ast bo we d t h y h e a d to ston e s a nd ce m
.

e t e ri e s b u t ,

obt a i n e d n au ght .

1
L ite ra ll y0 11 e a rth .

2
L e avi ngG o d tho u hast tu rne d to i dol atry .

3 That i s the y have no se c re t .

,

S I KH . V Y
3 22 THE SI K H RELI GI O N

O f ool i sh m an f ors ak in gt h e
, mn ifst G d
a e o , wh y a rt thou
e nt a n gl e d i n th i n e obst i n a cy ?

XX V II
I fa ny one g o to a m on a st e ry ofJ o gis th e y wil l a sk h im
to re p e a t t h e n am
,

e of Gorak h
I fa ny one go to a m on a st e ry ofS a n y as is th e y wil l say
th at o nl y D at t at re i s t ru e a nd th e y will gi ve h imh i s
,

n am
,

e as t h e sp e l l of i n i t i a t i on ;
I fa ny one go to t h e M u sal m a ns th e y wil l s e i z e a nd
c onv e rt h i m M uh a mma d
,

to t h e f a i th of

Eve ry s e ct d e e m e t h th a t t h e C re a to r i s wi th i ts e l f al on e ;

b ut no one c a n d i s cl o se t h e C re a to r s s e cre ts

.

XX V II I
I fa ny one g o to t h e J o g i s th e y wi l l t e l l h i m to g iv e e v e ry
t h i n g ho u s e a nd p rop e rty to th e m;

I fa ny one h a st e to t h e S a n y a s i s th e y wil l t e l l h i m to p art
wi th h i s ho u s e i n t h e n a m
,

e of D a tt a t re
I fany one g o to t h e m a sa nds th e
y w il l t e l l h i m to b ri n g

i v e i t to th e m
,

al l h is p rop e rt y a t on c e a nd g

Ev e ry one sai th B ri n g m b rin g m

.

b u t nobod y wil l

e e

S ho w m
, , ,

e God .

XX I X
Ifany one se rve t h e m asand s th e y wil l say ,
F e t ch a nd ,

i v a l l th i n e o f
f i n s
g e u s e r g
G0 a t on ce a nd m
.

a k e a p re s e nt to u s of wh a t e ve r p ro
p e rty i s i n t h y ho u s e
Thi nk on u s n i ght a nd d ay and m
.

e nt i on not oth e rs

e ve n b y m
,

i st a k e

m
.

I fth e y h e a r ofa ny one g ivi n g th e y ru n to h i ,

e ve n a t

ni g h t th e y are not a t al l p l e a s e d a t not re ce i v i n g

1
, .

XXX
Th e y p ut oi l i ntoth e ir e y e s to mk a e p e op l e b e l ie v e th at
th e y a re sh e dd in g t e ars .

1
Al so transl ate dT h e ni ght l o ngthe y p re te nd to wo rsh i p .
COMPOSITI ON S OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 32 3
I fth e y se e fth e ir own wo rsh ipp e rs we al th y th e y
a ny o

e e d h im
,

s e rv e u p s a cre d f ood a nd f wi th i t
I fth e y se e h i mwi tho u t we al th th e y giv e h i mnoth i n g
.

m
, ,

tho ugh h e b e gf or i t ; th e
y w i l l not e v e n S ho w h i th e i r f
a c e s
Thos e b e a sts pl u nd e r m
.

e n a nd n e v e r s i n g t h e p ra i s e s of

t h e S u p re m
,

e B e in g .

XXXI
Th e y cl os e th e i r e y e s l ik e cra n e s a nd o f fe r t h e wo rl d a

sp e c t a cl e ofd e c e it .

Th e y go a bo u t with th e ir h e a ds bo we d do wn l i k e po a ch e rs
c a ts on s e e i n gs u ch a tt i t u d e s wo u l d b e a sh a m ed

Th e m
.

o re th e y go abo u t cl in gin gto t h e hop e ofwe al th t h e

mo re th e y l os e th i s worl d and t h e n e xt
,

Tho u h a st not re p e a t e d God s n a m

.

e O f ool ; wh y a rt

tho u e nt a n gl e d i n t h y do m
,

e st i c a f
fa i rs

XXXI I
W hy im r f
p e s s se e i gon on t e wo l d
a l r l i h r ? It wil l b e of
no s e rv i ce to i t .

W h y ru n a bo u t f or t h e s a k e ofwe a l th ? tho u sh a l t not

b e a b l e to fro m D th s m mi dons

y e a r
y
d is cipl e c o m
.

Son wi f , e fri e nds , ,

p a n i ons non e ofth e s e
,

wi l l b e a r wi tn e ss f or th e e .

Th i nk 0 th i nk tho u tho u ght l e ss a nd gre a t b ru t e tho u

sh al t a t t h e l a st m om
, , ,

e nt h a v e to d e p art al on e .

XXXII I
H e ar O f ,
ool wh e n l i f , e l e a v e th t h y bod y t h y wi f e c ry i n g ,

ou t Ghost g host will e e th e e

ri e nds a nd c o m
.
,

Th y son t h y wif e th y f p a n ions wil l gi ve

o rd e rs to re m
, , ,

ov e th e e qu i c kl y
e l e a v e th t h y bod y a l l t h y m
.

Wh e n l i f a ns i ons sto re ho u s e s

o rts wi l l b e c o m
, ,

l a nds a nd f e t h e p r op e r t y o f oth e rs
1 .
,

Th i nk 0 th ink tho u tho u ght l e ss a nd gre a t b ru t e tho u

sh al t a t t h e l ast m om
, , ,

e nt h a v e to d e p a rt a l on e .

1
A l so transl ate dho arde d and b uri e d sa ings v .

Y 2
3 24 THE SI KH RELI GI ON
B AZ AR E S H AR D
Om a n p rac t i s e a s c e t i c i s m i n th i s way
o re st a nd re m
,

Cons i d e r t h y ho u s e al toge th e r a s t h e f ain

,

a n a n cho re t a t h e a rt

M a k e c ont i n e n ce t h y m
.

a tt e d h a i r u n i on wi th God th i n e
,

a b l u t i ons t h y d a i l y re l i g iou s dut i e s t h e g r o wth of th y na i l s

D i v i n e kno wl e dge t h y sp i ri t u al gu i d e ; a d m
, ,

on i sh t h y
h e art a nd a ppl y God s n a m
e a s a sh e s to t h y bod y

E at l i tt l e s l e e p l i tt l e l ov e m
.

e rc y a n d f o rb e ara n ce
Ev e r p ra c t i s e m
.
, ,

i l dn e ss a nd p a t ie n ce a nd thou sh al t b e
ro m
,

fre e d f t h e th re e q u al i t i e s .

Att a ch not to t h y h e art l u st wra th c ov e to u sn e ss ob st i

, , ,

n acy a nd wo rl dl y l ov e
, .

Th u s sh al t tho u b e hol d t h e R e al So ul ofth i s wo rl d a nd

obt a i n t h e S u pre m
,

e B e i ng .

Om a n p ra c t i s e J ogi n th i s wa
, y
M a k e t ru th t h y ho rn s i n c e ri ty t h y n e ck l a ce a nd a pp l y
me dit a t ion as a sh e s to t h y body
, ,

M a k e re st ra i nt oft h y h e art t h y l y re a nd t h e s u ppo rt of

th e N am e th i n e a l m
,

s
P l ay t h e p r i m al e ss e n ce a s t h
y st ri n gs a nd tho u sh a l t
,

h e ar God s s we e t son g

.

By t h e p rac t i ce oft h e son gs ofd i v i n e kno wl e dge wa v e s

me l ody and e xqu i s i te pl e asu re sh al l b e produ ce d
,

of

Th e de m ons a nd t h e d e m
.

i gods i n th e ir c e l e st i al Ch a ri ots
wil l b e aston i sh e d a nd t h e m u n i s i ntox i c a t e d wi th d e l i ght
Ad m
.

on i sh t h y h e art don t h e garb ofse l fre st ra i nt and -

u tt e r God s n a m
, ,

e i n a u d i bl y

So sh al l t h y body e v e r re m
,

a i n l i ke go l d a n d D e a th,

n e v e r a pp ro ach th e e .

O mo t l to
r a h th e f
uc e e t oft h e S u p re me B e i ng

tho u t h e sl e e p ofwo rl dl y l ov e b e so m
.
,

W h y sl p st
ee e e

t ims w k fl
e a e u a nd a l e rt .

W h y i nst ru c t oth e rs 0 b e a st s i n c e tho u h a st no kno w

, ,

l e d ge th y s e l f
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 32 5
W hy e ve r a cc u ml u a e t sin e ve n now l ay a sid e t h e l ov e
fi t
D e e ms u ch th i n gs s i m
o .

pl y as e rro rs a nd l ov e tru l y re l i gi o u s
ac ts

Ev e r l ay u p t h e re m em
.

b ra n ce of God re no u n c e a nd ee

fro m mo rt al s i n
By th i s m
.

e a ns sh a l t tho u not e n c o u nt e r so rro w or s i n

ro m
,

a nd e s c a p e f D e a th s noos e
.

I ftho u d e s i re e v e r to h a v e h a pp i n e ss ofe v e ry k i nd b e ,

a bso rb e d i n God s l ov e

.

0 God , my hono st e th wi th Th e e
u r re

It i s Tho u wh o art t h e bl u e th ro a t e d m an l i on m
.

ov in g
-
,
-
,

i n t h e wa t e r b l u e rob e d we ar i n g a n e ck l a c e of
-
owe rs
1

It is Tho u wh o art t h e p rim al B e i n g s u p re m

.
, ,

e God Lo rd , , ,

p u re l iv i n gon a ir
It i s Tho u wh o art t h e Lord ofL aksh m
,

i g re a t L ig ht , ,

D e st roy e r ofth e p ri de ofM a dh u B e stowe r ofs a l v a t i on , ,

D e st roy e r ofMur 2
.

I t is Tho u wh o art ch an ge l e ss u nd e cay i n g s l e e p l e ss

ro m
, , ,

wi tho u t e v il p ass i ons P re s e rv e r f hel l

O ce a n ofm
, ,

e rc y S e e r oft h e p a st p re s e nt a nd f
,
u t u re , , ,

Ef face r of e v i l a c ts .

It i s Tho u wh o h a st t h e b ow in t h e h a nd wh o art p at i e nt , ,

S u ppo rt e r oft h e e arth ch a n ge l e ss Wi e l d e r oft h e swo rd

, ,
.

I off e e b l e i nt e l l e c t h a v e t a k e n t h e p rot e c t i on ofT h y

f ee t t ak e m y h a nd a n d s a v e m e .

0 mwo rsh i p non e b u t God not a th i n g a d e b y H i

a n, ,
m m .

Know th a t H e wh o wa s i n t h e b e ginn i n g, u nbo rn , i n

v i n cibl e , a nd i nd e st ru ct ibl e i s God
m m
.

Wh a t ifV i shn u c o in g i nto th i s wo rl d k ill e d so e of

th e de mons ,

And e x e rci s in g gre a t d e ce i t i nd u ce d e ve ry one to c al l

hi mG od

H ow can h e wh o h i ms l fd i d not
e e ro m
s ca p e f t h e st rok e
oft h e s wo rd ofd e a th ,

1
ni s transl ate ba nwar zl d we ll e r in the f
T he gya o re st
n am thi s hy m
.

e s i n th i s a nd th e p re c e d i ngli ne s o f n a re e p ithe ts
2
T he
ofShi V i shnu Bal hh adar (b rothe r ofK i shan) and K ri sh an
v,
,
r , .
 THE SI K H RELI GION
Be de e m e d God t h e D e st ro y e r t h e F a sh i on e r t h e O m
, ni ,

pot e nt t h e Et e rn al
,

H e ar O f ool h ow can h e wh o was dro wne d i n t h e o ce an

, ,

of t h e wo rl d s ave th e e
Tho u sh al t onl y e s cap e f ro mD e a th s noos e wh e n tho u

se i ze st t h e f e e t ofH i mwh o e x i st e d b e f
o re t h e wo rl d 1
.

Wh e n t h e Guru l e ft D amdama h i s di sc i p l e s s e nt
m m
,

a m e ss e ng e r aft e r h i to t e l l h i of th e ir sa d p l i ght .

T h e fol l owi ng i s t h e comp l ai nt as v e rsi e d by t h e

Gu ru Oth e rs say that t h e hymn wa s addre ss e d t o
.

God by t h e Gu ru h i ms e l f
T e l l t h e d e ar Fri e nd t h e c ond i t i on ofH i s d i s c i pl e s
Wi tho u t Th e e t h e we arin gofou r bl a nk e ts i s a d i s e a s e to
u s a nd dwe l l i n gi n ou r ho u s e s i s a s i f
,
we d we l t wi th s e rp e nts .

Our wa t e r pots a re st a k e s of
-
to rt ure ou r cups a re d agge rs
ro mu s i s l i k e wh a t a n i m
,

T h y t ur n i n g away f al s e nd u re

fro m b u t ch e rs .

Ou r B e l ov e d s p all e t wo ul d b e pl e a s ant to u s l i v in g in

to wn s is l i ke l iv i n gi n a f u rn ac e .

God on e is t h e Cre ato r

al ,

Th e b e gi nn i n g and t h e e nd ofal l th i n g s e ndl e ss t h e , ,

F a sh i on e r and t h e D e st roy e r
To who mbl am e a nd p rai s e a re t h e s a m
, ,

e wh o h ath no
e ne m
,

no f ri e nd

Wh a t n e ce ssi t y h a d H e to b e c o m
y ,
.

e t h e d ri v e r ofArj a n s

ch a ri ot

Th e B e sto we r ofs al v at i on h ath no f a th e r m oth e r c a st e , , ,

son or gra ndson

W h y sho ul d H e h a v e c o m
.
,

e i nto t h e wo rl d to b e c al l e d

t h e son ofD e v a k i
Wh e n H e wh o cre a t e d d e m igods d e m ons t h e e ight , ,

d i re c t i ons a nd al l e xt e ns i on
I S cal l e d b y t h e n am M u rar wh a t gl o ry is i t to H i m
, ,

e of ,

1
That th e G uru was a i
de c de d monoth i st e i s p rove d by al l h is
writings .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 32 7
H ow c an h um an f
God b e i n o rm
S i d h s h av e g r o wn we ary s i tt i n gi n c ont e m pl a t i on ofH im
b u t th e y h a v e not b e e n a bl e to se e H i mi n any wa y
,

S u ch p e rsons a s N ara d Vya s P arasar a nd D h ru h av e

d e e pl y m e d i t a t e d on H i m
, , ,

Th e Ve d s a nd t h e P u rau s h a v e g r o wn we ar
y a n d a b a n
do m e d th e i r p u rpos e S i n ce th e y c o u l d f o rmno c on ce pt i on
Him
,

of

De m ons de m i gods e nds sp ri t e s d e s cri b e H ima s in

.

, , , ,

d e s cri b abl e
T h e fa i th fu l c ons i d e r H i ma s t h e s u bt i l e st oft h e s u bt il e
.

a i n po i nt e d H i m
,

ou t a s t h e l a r e st o f l 1
a nd a g g t h a rge

Th e one God h av i n g m
e .

a d e t h e e a rth t h e h e a v e n a nd
i ons th e y cal l m
, ,

al l t h e n e th e r re g a ny

H e wh o e nt e re th God s a sy l u msh al l b e sa v e d f ro m
.

D e a th s noos e

.

I re c ogn i z e non e b u t t h e one God

I kno w God as t h e D e st r oy e r t h e F a sh i on e r t h e O m ni , ,

pot e nt and Et e rn al Cre a to r

Wh a t a v a i l e th i t to m
.

e n t o wo rsh i p ston e s i n v a ri o u s

way s wi th gre a t l ov e a nd d e vot i on

T h e h a nd g r o we th we a r
y b y to u c h i n g ston e s a nd no ,

sp i ri t u al po we r is obt a i n e d
R i ce i n ce ns e l a m
.

,
ps are o f f
e re d to ston e s
,
b u t th e y e at ,

noth i n g
Wh a t Sp i ri t u al po we r is in th e mO fool wh a t bl e ss in g
.

?
,

c a n th e y b e sto w on th e e

I fth e y h ad l if e th e y m i ght giv e th e e so m

, e th i n g; be
a ss u re d of th i s in tho u ght wo r d a nd d e e d , ,

Ex c e pt i n t h e p rot e c t i on oft h e one sol e God no wh e re

i s s al v a t i on .

W itho u t God s n a m e tho u c a nst not b e s a v e d

ro m H i mwh o ho l d e th t h e fo u rt e e n
.

H ow sh al t tho u ee f

wo rl ds i n H i s po we r
R a ma nd R a h i mwhos e na m e s tho u re p e a t e st c a nnot

s av e th e e .

1
S inc e He e xi sts i n e ve ryth ing .
3 28 THE SI K H RELI GI ON
B ra h m a Vi shn u Sh i v t h e su n a nd m
, ,
oon a re al l i n t h e
,

powe r ofD e a th .

T h e V e d s t h e P u rau s t h e Q u ra n a l l s e c ts Ind ar Sh e sh
, , , , ,

n ag t h e k i n g s oft h e M u n i s
or m e s on H i m
, ,

Me d i t ate d f a ny a g wh o i s cal l e d t h e I h
d e s cr i b abl e bu t cou l d f ormno c on c e pt i on ofH i m
o rma nd c ol o u r a re not kno wn
.
,

W h y S ho u l d H e whos e f
b e c al l e d b l a c k 1

Wh e n th ou sh al t s e i z e a nd cl i n gto God s f e e t tho u sh al t

ro m
,

be f re e d f t h e noos e ofD e a th .

0 God gi v e m Th y e h and a nd p rot e c t m e

And al l m
, ,

d e s i r e s sh al l b e f u l l l e d
y
M ay m
.

h a r t b e e v e r a tt a c h e d to T h y f e e t
y e

D e e mm e Th i n e own a nd c h e ri sh m e

D e st roy al l m i ne e ne m ie s
O C re a to r m ,
ay m y f a m i l y a n d a l l m y s e r v a nts a nd
d i s c i pl e s l i v e i n p e ace
D e st roy al l m i ne e ne m i e s to d ay -

And al l m
,

y hop e s S h al l b e f u l l l e d

or re p e a t i n gT h y n a m e a b i d e wi th m
.

M ay t h e th irst f e

And m a y I not fo rs ak i n g Th e e m
, e d i t a t e on a n
, y o n e

be s i de s !
M ay I obt a i n f ro m Th e e wh a t e ve r boon I cra v e
S av e m y s e rv a nts a nd m y d i s c i pl e s

S i n gl e ou t m in e e n e m i e s a nd s m i t e th e m
Re m ro m me t h e fe ar oft h e ho ur ofde ath
.
ov e f
Be Tho u al way s on m
.

y S i d e

O Tho u wi th t h e s wo rd on Th y b ann e r p rot e ct m e

P re s e rv e m
,

e 0 Tho u P re s e rv e r
, ,

B e l ov e d Lord P rot e c to r oft h e s a i nts

, ,

Fri e nd oft h e poor D e st roy e r oft y ra nts,

Tho u a rt Lo rd oft h e f o u rt e e n wo rl ds
At t h e p rop e r t i m e B ra h m
.

a obt a i n e d a bod
y
At t h e p rop e r t i m e Sh i v b e c a m
,

e i n ca rn a t e ,

1
T he f n ce he re i s
re e re to t h e H ind u god s V i shnu and K ri sh an .
COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 32 9
At t h e p rop e r t i m e Vi shn u a pp e are d
1

Th a t was a l l t h e pl ay ofGod .

My Obe i s a n ce to th a t God
Who m a d e Sh i v a J o g i
Who m a d e B rah m
,

a t h e k i n g of t h e Ve d s ,

And wh o f a sh i on e d a l l t h e wo rl d

Know th a t H e i s m
.

y G u ru

Who m a d e t h e who l e wo rl d

Who c re a t e d d e m i gods de m
,

ons and Yak sh as

ro m
, , ,

Who i s t h e onl y God i n carn at e f b e gi nn i n gto e nd

My Ob e i s a n ce to H i mal on e
,

Who H i m s e l fa do rn e th al l H i s s u bj e cts ,

Who b e st owe t h d iv i n e a tt r i b u t e s a nd h app in e ss on H is

s e rv a nts
Who de st roy e th th e i r e n e m i e s in a m om
,

e nt ,

Who knowe th wh a t i s wi th i n e v e ry h e art ,

And t h e s u f fe ri n gs oft h e good a nd h a d .

H e i s p l e a s e d as H e c a st e th a l ook off a vo u r on al l

Fro mt h e ant to t h e h u ge e l e ph a nt .

H e i s gr i e v e d wh e n H i s s a i nts a re g ri e ve d ,

And h a pp y wh e n H i s s ai nts are h app y .

H e kno we th e v e ry on e s s u f f e rin g s

And e v e ry s e cre t ofm a n s h e a rt

Wh e n t h e Cre ato r p roj e c t e d H i m

.

se l f
H i s c re a t u re s a ssu m
,

e d e nd l e ss sh a p e s

Wh e n e v e r Tho u d ra we st cre a t i on wi th i n Thy s e l f0 L ord

Al l e m
,

bod ie d b e in gs are a bsorb e d i n Th e e 2

.

Al l c re a t u re s e ndo we d wi th sp e e c h 3

Sp e a k ofTh e e a cc o rd i n g to th e i r u nd e rst and in g

ro m
.

Tho u d we l l e st a p a rt f e v e ry th i n g

1
T he exp re ssi on t al pot i n thi s and th e two p re ce di ngline s i s al so
tran sl ate dhaving rst d i e d
T h e un i v e rs e c o m ro m G od li ve s i n H ima nd re tu rns to
.

es f
2

H im i s a n e xp re ss i on c o m monly use d i n the Up a nisha ds and

, ,

M habhar a t I n t h e Bh ga v a t Gi l a c re ati on i s re p re se nte d as

m
a . a

e v o l v in
g f o G d h w o l d t t h pp ro a ch o f d a s l o wl
em
t
ro m
r o a s e r a e a y y
e rg es f t h e d a rkn e s s of n i ght a nd aga i n d i sso l ingor van i shing
i n H im
,
v

a s t h e wo l d d sa ft i n g t wili ght
th e m
r r
pp e a rs a e r e e n v

outh lite rallyall things i n c re ati on whi ch have

.

3 Ba da n

a m
, ,

outh .
33 9 T HE SI K H RELI GI ON
T h e wi s e a nd t h e l e arn e d know t h e s e cre t ofth i s 1

0 Fo rm
.

l e ss One Tho u art ch a n g e l e ss a nd i nd e p e nd e nt

Tho u a rt t h e P ri m
,

a l One st ai nl e ss wi tho ut b e gi nn i n g
, , ,

s e l fe x i st e nt
-

ool bo aste th th a t h e knowe th t h e s e cre ts ofH im

.

Th e f
Whos e s e cre ts a re not known e v e n to t h e Ve ds .

Th e g re a t f ool su pp ose t h th a t God is a ston e

e re n ce b e t we e n th e m
,

And knowe th not t h e d i f f

H e e v e r cal l e th t h e Et e rn al God Sh i v
And knowe th not t h e s e cre ts oft h e Fo rm
,

l e ss One .

M e n a cc o rd i n gto th e i r d if f e re nt u nd e rst a nd i n g s
Gi v e d i f f e re nt d e s cri pt i ons of Th e e 0 God , .

Th i n e e xt e ns i on c a nnot b e c on c e i v e d ,

Nor h ow Tho u d i dst rst f a sh i on c re a t i on

o rmand th a t f ormi s i n c o m
.

Tho u h a s t b u t one f p a ra b l e
e r e nt p l a c e s a poo r m
.
,

Tho u a rt i n d i f f a n a l o rd or a k i n g

Tho u m ro m m
, ,

a d e st l i fe f eg g s w o bs a n d p e r sp i ra t i on

And aga i n Tho u m a d e st a m

, , ,

i n e ofv e ge t a bl e s
So m e t im e s Tho u s i tt e st a s m
.

on arch on t h e l ot u s owe r
2

So m e t im
,

e s a s Sh i v Tho u g a th e re st u p cre a t i on

Tho u d i dst d i spl ay t h e whol e cre a t i on a s a m

.

i ra cl e
i nn i n g oft i m
I

Tho u art t h e P ri m al One f ro mt h e b e g e ;

Th y f o rmwa s u n cre a t e d
0 God p rot e c t m
.

e now

S a v e thos e wh o are m
,

y d i s c i p l e s ,

And d e st r oy thos e wh o are not

Th e e n e m
.

i e s wh o ri s e i n re b e l l i on
And al l ind e l s d e st roy Tho u th e min t h e b att l e e l d
,

Th e e n e m
.

i e s ofthos e wh o so u g ht Th y p rot e ct i on
O God h av e d ie d in m
,

i s e ry
Tho u h a st re m
.
,

ove d al l t h e t ro u bl e s ofthos e
Who f al l a t T h y f eet .

D e a th sh al l n e v e r a pp ro ach thos e
Who e v e n on ce m e d i t a t e on Th e e O God ,

Al so transl ate d Tho u k no we st th e s e c re t o fd i v i n e kno wl e dge and
m
1

of th e wo rl d O the rs suppos e th at be d and (7 12 a re e p ith e ts ofH ind us

m
.

a nd M usal ans re sp e cti v e l y

m
.

2
That i s, as B rah a through who se age ncy, according to the
,

H indus, th e worl d was c re ate d .

COMPOSITIONS OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 331
Th e y sh al l b e p rot e ct e d a t a l l t im es

And th e ir e n e m
,

i e s and th e i r t ro u bl e s sh al l i nst a nt l y v an ish

Tho u re m
.

ov e st i n a n i nst a nt t h e s u f f e ri n gs ofthos e
Who mTho u b e hol d e st wi th a l ook off a vo u r

Th e y poss e ss i n th e ir ho m e s all t e m
.

poral a nd sp irit u al
bl e ss i n gs 1

And no e n e m
,

i e s c a n to u ch e v e n th e i r sh a do ws
H im wh o e v e n on c e re m em
.

b e re th Th e e
Tho u s av e st f ro m t h e noos e ofD e a th
H e wh o re p e a t e th T h y n am
.

Sh al l b e fre e f ro m pove rt y a nd t h e a ss aul ts ofe n e m ie s .

O Tho u wi th t h e swo rd on T h y b ann e r I s e e k Th y

, ,

p rot e ct i on
Giv e m e Th i n e own h a nd a nd s a v e m e

Be Tho u e v e ry wh e re m y h e l p e r

And s av e m ro m ns ofm i ne e ne m
,

e f t h e d e s ig ie s .

Aft e r t h e comp l e t i on oft h e morn ing and e v e n i ng

ob l i gato ry di vi n e s e rvi c e s a nd of t h e un i nt e rrupt e d
r e adi ng or C hant i ng of t h e G r anth Sah i b t h e S i khs

re p e at a p ra y e r or supp l i cat i on cal l e d

A R D AS ,

wh i ch may now su i tab l y e n d ou r p re s e ntat i on of t h e

L i v e s and Wri t i ngs oft h e t e n Gurus
S R I W A H G U R U J I K I FATA H !
H a v in g rst re m em b e re d t h e S word m e d i t at e on Gu ru

N a n ak
Th e n on Gu ru An gad Am ar D a s a nd R a m
, , D as ; m ay

th e y a ss i st u s
Re m em b e r Arj a n H ar Gob ind and t h e hol y H ari R a i
M e d i t a t e on t h e hol y H ari K rish an a s i ght ofwho m
, ,

d i sp e l l e d al l so rrow
Re m em
.

b e r Te g B ah a d u r and t h e n in e t re as u re s Sh al l
co m r ho m
,

e h a st e n i n g to o u e s
y .

Ye ho l y Gu ru s e v e ry wh e re a ss ist u s
,
.

M a y t h e t e nth k i n g t h e ho l y Gu ru Gob ind S in g

,
h e v e ry ,

wh e re a ss i st u s .

1
13
t si dl r, lite rall y we al th and s up e natural powe r
r .
33 2 T HE S I K H RELI GI ON

God Hims e l fkno we th ,

He Hims e l fact e t h it is H e wh o
a d u st e t h
j
mk
.

St a nd i n gi n H i s p re s e n c e N an ak , , a e s u pp l ica t i on .

S i khs oft h e t ru e I m mort al God t urn y o ur tho ughts ,

to t h e t e ac h i n gs oft h e Gra nth S ah i b a nd t h e d e e ds oft h e

Kh al s a u tt e r W ah gu ru
M e dit a t i ngon t h e D e a thl e ss One e ndo we d wi th al l powe r
com
, ,

p a ss i on at e and j u st u tt e r W ah gu ru !
, ,

M e di t a t i n g on t h e d e e ds ofthos e wh o wo rsh i pp e d t h e
m
N a e pl i e d t h e s word at e a nd d i st ri b u t e d th e i r f ood i n
com
, ,

p a n i onsh i p and ov e rl ook e d oth e rs f

, a u l ts O Kh al s a
, ,

u tt e r W a h g u ru

O D e a th l e ss C re a to r i l l i m i t a bl e th i s cre a t u re f o rge tt i n g
Th y n am
, ,

e i s so a tt ach e d to wo rl d l y g oods th a t h e h ath

o rgott e n t h e R e al Th i n g Wi tho u t Th y s u p re m e m
,

f . e rc y

h ow sh a l l we cross t h e o ce a n oft h e wo rl d 0 g re a t K i n g ,

l u st wra th g re e d wo rl dl y l ov e j e al o u sy and oth e r e v i l

p a ssi ons gre a t l y t ro u b l e ou r m i nds b u t on c o m
, , , , ,

i n gto wards
Th e e wo rl dl y m
,

al a d i e s a nd a f i c t i ons are h e al e d a nd d i s
p e l l e d Sho w u s s u c h fa vo u r th a t w e m a y b y w o r d a nd

d e e d b e Th i n e a nd th a t i n al l th i n gs we m
.

, a y obt a i n Th i n e

a ss i st a n c e a nd s u ppo rt

t ofS i kh i s mt h e gi f
.

Gra nt t o Th y S i khs t h e g if t oft h e ,

Gu ru s i n st ru c t i on t h e g

if t off
, ai th th e g if t ofc ond e n ce
,

i n Th e e a nd t h e gi f
, t ofre a d i n ga nd u nde rst a ndi n gt h e hol y
Gra nth S a h i b
M ay t h e S i kh C ho i rs m
.

a ns i ons a nd b a nn e r s e v e r a b i d e

M ay t h e m t h e S i khs b e h u m
, ,

V i cto ry to t h e f a i th i nds of bl e
b u t th e ir i nt e l l e c ts e x al t e d U tt e r W ah gu ru W ah g u ru

W ah g u ru

W of f
ee r th i s Ar d a s i n Th y p re s e n ce a nd a t T h y l ot u s

feet P a r don ou r e rro rs a nd m i st ak e s M ay al l S ikhs wh o

re a d a n d h e a r t h e Gu ru s h m
. .

y ns b e p rot e d

Th ro ugh N a n ak m ay T h y n a m e
,
0 God b e e x al t e d , , ,

And al l p rosp e r b y T h y gra ce

S ri W a h g u ru ji k a Kh al s a S ri W ah gu ru ji k i F a t a h
T H E R AG S O F T H E G R A NT H S A H I B l

SRI R AG
S low .

1
As state d i n th e L i f e o fG u ru N an a k th e se R ag s are s ung
Indi a Ofe i ght ofthe mwe h ave
,

di ff
e re ntl y i n d i f f e re nt p rovi nce s o f

m
.

giv n l t n t i v s i ons xt t d f o R aj S i S i nd Moh n

T a go e s c o ll e cti on o fIn di an a i rs m
e a e r a v e e r e ra c e r a r u r ra a

a de f o r t h e Co ronat i on O ft h e

K i ngE m p e o T h e R aj a s m
r

us i c i s i n a hi g h p i tch a da pte d f
m us i c a l i nstru m
- r r. or

e nts ; t h e G u rus R ag

s a re i n a l ow p itch ad apte d f or

th e vo i ce .
334 T HE S I KH RELI GION

T he f
o l l o wi ngi s anoth e r ve rs i on o fth i s R ag
THE R AG S O F TH E G RANTH SAH IB 335

GA U R I

The f
o l l o wi ngi s anoth e r ve rs i on ofth i s R ag
336 THE S I K H RELI GION

G UJ A R I
S l ow
.

T he o l l o wi ngi s a noth e r ve rs i on o fth i s

f R ag