6-1 Manglacharan/ Naarad Comes

The One Akaal Purakh who is Sat, Chetan and Anand; pervades through everything as the infinitely existing consciousness full of bliss.  Akaal Purakh is like space, that exists everywhere.  Akaal Purakh is the doer, the root of all beginnings.  I do the Mangal of Akaal Purakh.

The face of Sarasvati is pure like the moon; she makes the wisdom intelligent.  I bow to her lotus feet which gives bliss.

Satguru Nanak Dev ji accepts the obeisance of his servants and gives them independence.  He takes love and gives the bridge of peace and faith.  He accepts devotion and gives them radiance.  When he sees the virtues of purity in his servants, he gives them Mukti.  He takes very little from his servants and saves them from the Jumms.  Santokh Singh bows to such a Guru, that destroys the ego and makes them realize that they are the Brahm. 

Sri Guru Angad Dev ji, who is the giver of peace and joy; is the treasure of virtue.  He can tolerate his powers and doesn’t show them off.  He is patient like the Earth.  He gives his servants shelter.  I bow to him.

The Prabhoo, Satguru Amar Das ji, is benevolent.  I bow to him with my two hands folded.  He gives bliss in both Loks. 

Satguru Ramdas ji gives joy to all.  He is the treasure of all joys.  I bow to him.  He takes his servants’ fear away and fulfills their wishes. 

Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji is the giver of bliss.  He destroys the vices of his Sikhs and stops the radiance of the corrupt people.  I place my head on his feet to collect the dust.

The one who is above his body; in war and anger is like Ram Chander; saviour of the Sikhs; blesser of treasures like Vishnu; he illuminates the glory of Akaal Purakh like the moon; radiant like the sun; praised like Inder for being so handsome; patient like the earth; the great warrior Guru Hargobind ji showers blessings like a cloud showers rain. 

Guru Har Rai ji makes the Kalapbrish illuminate on earth.  Doing his Simran, one achieves the Kamdhenu cow, which grants all of the wishes.  His nails are the Chintamani.  His words are sweet like Amrit.

Sri Satguru Harkrishan ji’s feet are like two red lotus flowers.  The beauty of the lotus flower is lessened in front of him.  The Sikhs’ minds are like bees hovering over his feet, receiving joy. 

The blanket of the Hindus; he saved the Hindus and made them illuminate.  I bow to Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji, for he comes to anyone who calls him.

Parashuraam donated the kingdom of earth to the Brahmins.  The Brahmins lost their kingdom and beg for alms till today.  The donations that Ram Chander ji gave to the Brahmins during the Asmedh Yagna, that eventually finished.  Yudhishter’s and Karan’s donations finished.  Nobody can compare to the generosity of Guru Gobind Singh ji, whose donations grew many times by the day.  When the army of the Pahari Rajas and Aurangzeb came to attack, their Nagaras and flags were ferocious.  The Singh warriors fought back like lightening, throwing the black clouds back.  They hailed hard on the enemy.  They darkened the sky by making the dust fly from their rumbling.  Their ballads were sung throughout the land.  They made the enemy yell in fear.  Guru Gobind Singh ji’s arrows made the pride of the kings vanish. 

Listen oh listeners, the battles of the Guru will be stated in this Raas.  Whoever listens to this with faith and devotion, their sins will be washed away.  They will be rewarded.  Their wishes will be fulfilled.

One time, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was sitting in his home.  Nobody: rich, poor, big or small, was with him.  Guru ji was sitting in his Samadhi.  Nobody could come.  He was filled with bliss like the cool cloud of winter.  He was white like Sharda.  Naarad Muni ji saw an opportunity and came to meet Guru ji.  He appeared in the home of Guru ji.  Guru ji got up and gave him respect.  They both bowed to each other and sat down.  Guru ji was the form of Parmeshwar.  Guru ji said: “welcome Dev Munni!  Sit with me and tell me the reason of your visit.  Whatever is in your heart say it.”  Naarad saw Guru ji’s big and mighty body.  He noticed how radiant and handsome he was.  He was happy to see the Avatar of Parmeshwar.  His face was more radiant than many suns.  His arms were like the trunks of elephants.  His face was handsome.  He had golden hoops in his ears.  Guru ji’s muscles were big and chiseled.  Naarad praised Guru ji: “you have come as the Guru.  I bow to you.  You are the full form of Gyaan.  You live in the Dyaan of the Dhyanis and in the Gyaan of the Gyanis.  You are the Brahm Saroop.  You are infinite.  You are the master of the universe.  Everything is in your control.  Nobody can understand you.  You are omnipotent and keep your powers hidden.  You rely on no one but everyone relies on you.  You are amazing and unique.  You are the Prabhoo Master and all-pervading.  You are fearless and pure.  You came in Kaliyuga to make the easy Panth.  You give your servants wisdom and save them.  The one who does Simran of the Name without fakeness, their ego dies and they go to the dimension of the Guru.  You are the lion that kills the elephant-like attachment in the minds of the Sikhs.  The vices are destroyed by you; like darkness is destroyed by the fire.  You came as Guru Nanak Dev ji in the house of the Bedis.  You then became Guru Angad Dev ji, like the moon.  You then came as the father of Baba Mohri ji, and illuminated as Guru Amar Das ji.  You became Guru Ramdas ji, the radiant one.  You recited Gurbani as Guru Arjan Dev ji, the calm.  You made the Sarovar and Harmandhir Sahib.  Your father, had the patience like the earth.  He spread Sikhi everywhere.  You are now in the 6^th form, wearing weapons.  You were calm in the 5 forms but now you wear the Meeree and the Peeree.  You started the new and pure tradition.  You must now kill the enemy.  Kill the corrupt sinners now.  You are gracious and the saviour of Dharma.  Kill the ones who bother the saints.  You are Parmeshwar but acting like a human.  You are the king of kings.  You are the friend of the poor and weak.  You complete the tasks of the saints.  I bow to you, oh master.  You are drenched in the warrior spirit.  You will be the winner of wars.  Start the war now.  Fight a fierce battle.  I came to say this request to you.  You must do what you came to do.  Start playing your Nagaras now.”  Naarad ji composed this 8 lined Chand (as in Sooraj Prakash Granth) in front of Guru ji.  He then sat down and started talking about Guru Nanak Dev ji: “Guru Nanak Dev ji spent time at the Modikhana.  Karta Purakh then called him by sending Varun Dev.  Varun Dev met him at the Vayee River.  Guru ji went to Sach Khand through the river.  Akaal Purakh ji said: “you are the Guru Purshotam.  Take the Mantra and go.”  Guru Nanak Dev ji left his tasks and established Sikhi.  He travelled to many lands.  Everyone heard his wisdom and came on the right path.  You are the same.  Guru Nanak Dev ji’s life can be divided into two parts.  Your time to live with the family is done.  It is now time to fight.  You are not starting it yet.  I came to remind you of your task.  This is why you came.  I feel happy seeing war.”  Satguru ji smiled and said: “see the war that will satiate the warriors.  War is just a few days away.  Metal will clash on both sides.  Warriors will fight and die.  I was waiting for you.  When Naarad comes, Kalha (conflict- the wife of Naarad) awakens.  War will be fought in Kaliyuga.  I will kill the sinners.  Wars will happen now.  I will fight 4 wars and then my grandson will fight many battles.  He will cut many heads.  The Joganis will drink blood.  Vultures will eat flesh.  The Khalsa Panth will roar.  The Khalsa will destroy the radiance of the Turks with one blow.  Watch the battles.  These battles will start and will carry on for many eras.”  Naarad heard this and was happy.  He bowed and got up.  He went back to the abode of the Devatas and told the Devatas about their conversation.

Guru ji had a Divaan the next day.  The warriors were all called to Akaal Takhat.  Guru ji looked at the whole army.  He gave everyone weapons.  The ones who were missing weapons, they were given what they needed.  He gave Teghas and Khandas to them.  He gave arrows, Saifs, Sirohis and Janabhis.  He gave Tulwars of Faulaad.  They were from Hulubh.  Gujarati Tulwars were given.  Big huge Khandas were given.  Rifles that fire like lightening, were given.  They had gold work on them.  The long-barreled rifles could kill the enemy at far distances.  The guns with small bullets were given.  Pistols were added to the Kumerkassas.  Spears, sailays and bows were given.  Arrows were given.  Gunpowder and bullets were distributed.  The warriors got their weapons ready.  Guru ji went to the stables and had the horses saddled.  They were beautiful.  Horses were given out to the warriors.  The warriors massaged their new horses and rode them.  Everyone was going hunting.  Satguru ji said: “take your things and get ready.”  The warriors thought they were going somewhere far: “looks like we are waiting for the wedding.  We seem to be going somewhere far.”  Everyone got ready.  The army was getting ready.  This never happened before.  The warriors met with each other and made-up theories of what’s going on.

The cooks were making sweets and Pakvaans for the wedding.  The ladoos, Nughdis and jaleebis were made with ghee.  They used sugar to make them.  Many Pakvaans were made and gathered in the stock house.  Since Mata Ganga ji left, Mata Damodri ji took over her tasks.  The servants and maid were afraid of Mata Damodri and did what she said.  Mata ji was happy to be working for her daughter’s wedding.  She wanted to have enough food for the Bharaatis.  Mata ji used a lot of ghee and sugar to cook the food.  The cooks made all the food. 

6-2 The Coming of Kalha

One day, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was sitting alone in his home.  He was in a state of joy and laying on his bed.  There was nobody else with him.  All of a sudden, the Sardarni, the leader, of the Joganis came.  She was the leader of the 64 Joganis.  She was ferocious-looking.  She was dark with long teeth.  Her name was Kalha.  Many Joganis were with her.  Their body parts were scary to look at.  They had reddish-brown hair that were open.  Their skins were dry and weak.  Their eyes were red that looked like pools of blood.  They were all holding skulls in their hands.  They had garlands of bones around their necks.  Their clothes were ripped and old.  They stood in front of Guru Sahib with their hands folded.  They were hungry for flesh and blood.  They had been hungry for a long time.  They licked their lips with their long tongues.  If someone were to see them, they would die from fright.  They bowed to Guru ji.  Guru ji said: “who are you?  You are standing in front of me without shame.  You seem to be in trouble.  You seem to be hungry.  You are scary looking.  Are you the death of the Turks?  What is your wish?  Tell me.”  The Sardarni spoke: “my name is Kalha, oh Gareeb Nivaaj.  I am hungry and thirsty.  Please feed me.  I come to your feet for shelter.  You can give me food.  Give me my food which I wish to eat.  It has been many years since I’ve eaten to satiation.  Hunger and thirst have made me mad.  Everyone else gets food from your Langar.  You fulfill everyone’s wishes.  You created everything.  Bless me as well.  All of the Joganis are my family.  They are all hungry.  They want food.”  Guru ji said: “you can eat Langar as much as you want.  Eat that.  Have as mush as you want.”  Kalha said: “I don’t eat food that you all eat.  This is not my food.  We eat flesh and blood.  We burp when we are full.”  Guru ji said: “I can bring you a bull.  Cook it and eat it.  Tell me how much you want.  I will bring you what you want.  I can give you goats and animals.  Tell me how many you need.  I’ll give you what you ask for.”  Kalha said: “we don’t eat animals.  They don’t satiate us.  Our food is in your hands.  There is no other way for us to be full unless you wish it.  Listen to what I eat: when warriors fight on the battlefield and strike their weapons; having ego and courage; when they get injured and die by the hands of one another; the ones that don’t run away; the ones that take a strike on their chest; they kill the enemy and die themselves; I eat their flesh.  All of us eat that.  That is our food.  It has been a long time since such a battle has happened.  We haven’t eaten for a long time.  My family is hungry.  We didn’t get the flesh and blood of warriors.  We are hungry and weak.  We have been waiting for warriors to fight.  Satiate our hunger, Maharaj.  Start a war with the Turks and kill them.”  Guru ji was happy to hear this.  He smiled and said: “a great battle will happen soon.  Many battles will happen for many years to come.  Warriors will be born in many houses.  I will give you the first feist myself, with my own hands.  The Khalsa will give you food.  You can burp after being full.  The time is very near for you to dance.  You can eat as much as you want.”  Kalha and the Joganis heard this and were happy.  They all bowed to Guru ji and began to dance.  They made noises and shouted out in joy.  The warrior spirit came.  They jumped and rolled on the battlefields.  They bowed to Guru ji and said: “we will finally get food.”  They all disappeared.

Guru ji ate at night and laid down.  He slept the night and woke up at Amritvela.  He did his biological routines and took a bath.  He sat down in Samadhi and connected with his real form.  He then recited Gurbani and did his Nit Nem.  He listened to Keertan and then ate.  Guru ji then sat on his throne in peace.  Bhai Tara Chand ji and Bhai Takhat Mal ji were two Masands from the West.  They collected Dasvands from Kabul and the surrounding areas.  They found out that Bibi Veero ji was getting married.  They knew that money was going to be needed.  The Masands said to the Sikhs of Kabul: “send your Dasvands and gifts.”  The 2 Masands brought the money and gifts to Guru ji.  They came and bowed to Guru ji’s feet, while placing the money and gifts.  They brought the Sangat with them as well.  Many other Sikhs bowed and presented their gifts.  They were all happy to see Guru ji.  Some brought clothes and some brought weapons.  Dry fruits and other foods were brought.  Expensive gifts were brought.  They all did Guru ji’s Darshan.  Guru ji blessed them all and fulfilled their wishes.  Their sins were washed away.  They became pure.  Many were blessed with getting married and many were blessed with having children.  Many Sikhs came for the wedding. 

Bhai Tara Chand ji and Bhai Takhat Mal ji had arrived in the afternoon.  They were hungry along with the Sangat that came with them.  The Langar had already been served before they came and was finished.  Guru ji asked how everyone was and said: “you must have begun your journey since morning.  You must be tired and hungry.”  Guru ji said to the Sikhs: “where the Pakvaans are kept for the wedding, go there and get that food.  These Sikhs are tired and hungry.  Bring the Pakvaans and feed them.” 

The Sikhs and servants went to the place where the food was being cooked.  Mata Damodri ji was supervising and directing the cooking.  She was storing all the food for the Bharaat.  The sweets and Pakvaans were all being cooked and stored in the store room.  She was delighted for the wedding of her daughter.  She wanted everything to be perfect.  The Sikhs came to her and folded their hands.  They said: “Mata ji, Guru ji has sent us.  Sikhs from the west have come, bringing many gifts and money.  The Langar has been distributed and is now finished.  The Sikhs are hungry now and can’t wait till night.  They haven’t eaten since morning.  Guru ji has told us to bring the Pakvaans for them.  They can eat little now and then have Langar at night.  This is what Guru ji said.”  Mata Damodri ji heard this and got angry.  She was born in the house of Sikhs with great patience but Kalha had set her series of events.  Kalha had influenced everyone into getting her food, at the permission of Guru ji.  Mata Damodri ji was from the family of Bhai Paro ji.  She had lived in the Guru’s home all her life.  She knew the glory of Sikhi the best.  She was affected by the power of Kalha.  Her wisdom was manipulated.  She said to the Sikhs: “these Pakvaans are for the auspicious occasions.  I am having them prepared carefully and storing them.  This food hasn’t been eaten yet and won’t be used yet.  The Bharaatis will first eat this food and then everyone else can eat.  Nobody will get it right now.  This is against tradition.  The Pakvaans cannot be given to anyone else besides the Bharaatis.  How can I give this food to the Sikhs first?  Till the Bharaatis don’t come, they won’t get it.” 

The Sikhs came back to Guru ji and said: “Mata ji says that the Pakvaans will be given to the Bharaatis first.  Once they eat, others can eat it after.  This will be against the traditions if someone else eats the Pakvaans first.  The Sikhs can’t eat them now.”  The Sikhs and the families heard this.  They were all sitting around Guru ji.  Guru ji got angry and said: “my command was not obeyed.  She wants the Bharaat to eat first.  Sikhs are always more beloved to me.  They are first for me.  I think of the Sikhs all day and all night.  I keep them in my heart.  Just as the trees and plants in a garden are looked after by the gardener with great care; that is how the Sangat is for me.  They are my garden and I am their gardener.  If trouble comes for the Sangat; if they are not happy, that is an obstacle for happiness.  I am not happy then.  My Sikhs have been disrespected and therefore, I have been disrespected.  How can joy be achieved then, when there is no trust?  Sikhs are dear to me.  Wherever my beloved Sikhs go, they should be given food with respect.  This will destroy all the obstacles.  Their wishes will be fulfilled.  If the Pakvaans of the Guru’s home aren’t for the Sikhs, then they will be eaten by the Malesh (the impure).  The Turks will eat this food with force.  Obstacles will arise.  Inauspicious things will happen.  The tasks will not be successful.”  Guru ji cursed his own home for such a deed.  The Sikhs heard this and trembled in fear.  They saw Guru ji’s body filled with anger.  Nobody spoke.  Everyone lowered their heads.  Guru ji had cursed for a big obstacle.  Everyone thought about this and got worried. 

One Sikh had come all of a sudden and brought 5 Rajitpuns worth of sweets.  The Sikh was a cook by profession.  He came in front of Guru ji, folded his hands and said: “Sri Guru ji, my wishes have been fulfilled by you.  I had promised you in my Ardaas that I would bring these sweets to you if my task was completed.  The task was a success and so I have now come.”  Guru ji was happy and said: “give these sweets to the Sangat.”  The Sikhs distributed the sweets to the Sangat.  The Sikhs were happy to receive something to eat.  They all sat down then.   

6-3 Hunting

Everyone was surprised to hear Guru ji’s curse.  When Mata Damodri ji found out about this, she regretted her actions.  She was upset and depressed about the problems that were going to approach them.  She said: “what have I done?  I didn’t think before speaking.  I didn’t obey my husband’s command.  Nobody liked what I did.”  At night time Guru ji came back to the house.  He came and sat on his beautiful bed.  Mata Damodri ji came to see Guru ji.  She was afraid of the curse.  She said to Guru ji: “she is not only my daughter.  She is born of you.  You cursed your own daughter’s wedding and spoiled the auspicious occasion.  Only you can turn your curse around.  Looks like a big problem is headed our way.  Please be compassionate and take your curse back, otherwise our home will be destroyed.  It’s our beloved daughter’s wedding.  May she live in peace and joy.  You created an obstacle.  Please forgive me for my mistake and fix this.  May the Bharaatis be safe and in peace.  May they come with joy and go back safely.”  She humbly requested Guru ji.  Guru ji saw her humility and said: “the root of the problem was in your mind.  Your intelligence was influenced by a bad choice.  Why do you not accept your fault?  You saw the Sikhs of the Guru as lower and didn’t find them deserving of the food.  Your mind fell prey to the ways of fate and now you are regretting it.  It is good that you have accepted your mistake.  You will be rewarded for this.  The Bharaatis and the family will be safe.  There will be problems though.  Whatever I said, was just an announcement of the future.”  Mata Damodri ji was a little relieved that the Bharaatis and the family will be safe.  She wanted the Bharaatis to be safe. 

Mata ji was still worried though.  The depression could be seen on her face.  Her right eye would twitch, premonition of a bad omen.  The crows were cawing.  Vultures were flying above.  Mata ji saw all of this and became upset.  She saw bad times approaching.  The joy of the wedding turned into worry, quickly.  Mata ji thought of her mother-in-law, Mata Ganga ji: “when she was here, she did everything.  Nothing bad ever happened when she was in charge.  We were really happy under her protection.  We were never worried when she was here.  I can’t even speak to anyone about this.  If I had made a mistake, Guru ji did not forgive me.”  Mata Damodri ji spoke to Mata Marwahi ji and Mata Nanaki ji: “How will the wedding be like?  I can see all the bad omens.  I see bad times coming.  Guru ji did not call the family either.  Guru ji cursed me for a small mistake.”  In this way Mata Damodri ji was really worried.  The Guru’s home carried on.  The wedding preparations continued.

Now listen to how the problem arose by which a great battle was fought.  Many warriors died in the battle of Amritsar.  Shah Jahan was in Lavpur (Lahore).  There was a big army with the Badshah.  There were 2.2 million soldiers, 10,000 canons and 50,000 swivel guns with the Emperor.  Foot soldiers were camped far and wide.  The cavalry was many.  Many elephants with golden mats were present.  The Badshah had taxes coming to him from every direction.  Many kings and Navaabs. within the land, were afraid of him.  They would be punished for not paying the taxes on time.  Hindustan was a super power in the world at that time.  The kings of Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan were afraid of the Mughal Emperor and did not dare raise metal in front of him.  In Kaliyuga, Shah Jahan was the Chakravarti Raja.  10,000 canons, he had, which were very powerful; able to destroy mountains.  Forts and castles were nothing for them.  The earth would shake at their fire.  The 50,000 swivel guns were always ready.  They could fire as far as many miles.  A lot of items were with the Emperor.  The kings would serve the Emperor. 

One day, the Badshah came out of Lahore and headed towards Sri Amritsar to hunt.  He hunted wild animals.  Many cheetahs and dogs were with him to hunt deer.  He advanced ahead as he hunted.  It was afternoon and he got tired.  He spent the night between Lahore and Amritsar.  His camp was set up with the tents.  The tents were royal and very expensive.  His army was with him and set up its camp.  There were many elephants and horses there.  The jungle was destroyed by the army’s camp.  Many Umraavs, Navaabs and soldiers were there.  They would bow the Badshah everyday.  Everyone ate and slept the night. 

The Shah woke up in the morning.  He wanted to go hunting again.  He took cheetahs and other animals to hunt for him.  Those animals were raised by him and ate good and nourishing foods.  He had hunting hawks of various species with him.  They caught many birds and rabbits.  There were many hawks.  The Mirshikars watched the hunts.  The Shah came close to Amritsar.  He was only about 20 km away. 

Guru Hargobind Sahib ji also got ready to hunt.  He called for his strong steed.  Guru ji mounted his horse.  The warrior Sikhs also got ready.  They saddled their horses and came with Guru ji, wearing hunting clothes and weapons.  They came with Guru ji and travelled to the jungles.  They carried their rifles along with their bows.  Some held spears, some held bows.  They were all ready to hunt.  Satguru ji wore a Kharag sword.  Guru ji had his Kumerkassa tied to his waist and a quiver full of arrows hanging from his shoulder.  A fierce bow was with him.  Guru ji rode on his strong black steed.  It was dark brown actually, which looked black.  Guru ji had his hawk with him.  He took his warrior Sikhs with him.  Dogs, cheetahs and hawks were with him.  The Mirshikars came as well.  Guru ji travelled 9 km into the jungle and hunted wild bore and rabbits.  Guru ji headed towards where Shah Jahan was.  Guru ji and the Shah was only 12 km away from each other.  Guru ji hunted as much as he wanted to.  He killed birds, rabbits and deer.  Some animals were caught alive.  The horses ran around and the Sikhs hunted.  They went far to hunt.  Guru ji got tired in the day and wanted to rest.  Guru ji said to Bhai Bidhi Chand ji: “we hunted a lot today.  The horses are tired as well as the soldiers.  Let’s find a shade and rest for the afternoon.  Find trees.”  The Sikhs found some shade and came to Guru ji.  They said: “there are 2 Pippal trees past the Gumtala Village.  The trees have shed leaves though and the shade isn’t the best.  It looks like someone burnt it.”  The “Arindham” Guru- the destroyer of sinners, headed towards Gumtala.  Guru ji saw the narrow shade and got off his horse.  Guru ji hung some blankets and clothes on the tree to make a shade.  The Sikhs laid down some tarps, in case someone came.  Guru ji sat down there to rest.  A Sikh came with water for Guru ji to wash up with.  Guru ji washed his face and feet.  It was the mid of Jeth (May/June) and was very hot.  Satguru ji rested there in this way.  The other Sikhs rested all around the area as well.  Some sat near bushes and some rested under small trees.  They all tied their horses.  Everyone’s attention was towards Guru ji.  In this way, Guru ji rested.  Shah Jahan was hunting many animals as well.

6-4 Guru ji catches the Baaz

Shah Jahan hunted a lot in the jungle.  He killed many animals and headed back to Lahore.  He had been given a Baaz, a hawk of a rare species from a foreign land.  It was a great gift as the Baaz was trained well.  The hawk would hunt and entertain the Emperor.  It was with Shah Jahan during the hunt.  When the Emperor headed back, a Surkhab (golden pheasant) in the jungle, flew all of a sudden because of the noise.  The Badshah let his hawk go to hunt the Surkhab.  The hawk flew after it but it was already full and had no wish to hunt.  The Baaz flew like an arrow but it didn’t hurt the Surkhab.  There is one fault common within a Baaz and a corrupt person: once they are satiated and full, they will never do any favours.  They cheat their own masters when they are full.  They won’t be obedient in that state.  The Badshah looked towards the Baaz for a long time.  It chased the Surkhab for a long time.  It didn’t kill it nor did it come back.  It flew in the sky, casually, in its own joy.  The Emperor got tired of waiting and headed to Lahore.  He left some of the mounted soldiers.  He told the Mirshikars: “find the Baaz and bring it back.”  The Emperor was tired and mounted a palanquin instead of riding his horse.

The Emperor came back to his palace.  The Mirshikars began to look for the lost hawk.  The Surkhab kept flying in fear.  The Baaz flew behind it.  The Mirshikars chased the hawk.  The Baaz and the Surkhab came to the place where Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was resting.  The Sikhs saw both of the birds and told Guru ji.  Guru ji released his own Baaz after the two.  Guru ji’s Baaz caught the Surkhab and came back to Guru ji.  The other Baaz followed Guru ji’s Baaz.  The Sikhs caught both of the hawks.  They brought both hawks to Guru ji.  The strong warrior-Guru saw both of the hawks.  He kept his own hawk near him.  He looked at the other hawk and said to the Sikhs: “great work!  I am very happy with this Baaz.”  Guru ji picked up the Baaz on his hand.  Guru ji appreciated the Baaz’s beauty.  It was from a foreign land.  Guru ji said: “only the Emperor would have such a Baaz.  I am keeping it.  I am not going to give it back.  This will be in my home.  The Emperor can get another one.  The Emperor took my horse once.  I will take his Baaz.  Guru Nanak Dev ji gave me back my horse.  This is my revenge now.  I have taken his Baaz.”  Guru ji was determined to keep the Baaz.  The work that he had taken an Avatar for, to pull the roots of the Turks from Hindustan and to reawaken the warrior sprit within the people, Guru ji wanted to instigate a fight.  Guru ji kept looking at the hawk and praised it.  Guru ji sat there without fear.  Guru ji wanted to instigate the war.

The Mirshikars came with speed.  They reached Guru ji’s camp quickly.  They got off their horses and asked the Sikhs who the person they saw ahead was.  The Sikhs said: “it is the Sacha Paatshaah, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji -the destroyer of sinners.”  The Turks heard this and got angry.  They couldn’t tolerate this and said: “who else can call themselves the Paatshaah?”  The Mirshikars came towards Guru ji.  Guru ji was sitting under a canopy.  They saw his tall height and arms the size of elephant trunks.  Guru ji was holding the Baaz and speaking to it.  The Turks said: “Guru ji, this is our Baaz that you are holding.  It is our Badshaah’s Baaz.”  Guru ji heard the Mirshikars and said: “who are you?  Whose Baaz?  I didn’t go anywhere to get it.  It came to my shelter by flying here.  I didn’t take it from your hands.  I have never seen the Baaz with you.  How do I know it’s yours?  The Baaz came to me by itself.  We caught the Baaz with great effort.”  The Mirshikars were proud of being the officers of the Badshah.  They spoke to Guru ji with anger: “Shah Jahan is the Emperor of the land.  He is powerful and radiant.  He is the most powerful leader in the world.  The other kings of the world bow to Shah Jahan.  Everyone fears him.  He has left no opponent.  He commands everyone.  Do you know about him or not?  We are his employees.  The Badshah was hunting in this area.  The Baaz was full but was released after the Surkhab.  It came here.  When the Badshah didn’t see the Baaz come back, he sent us to find it.  He has gone back to Lahore and we came to get the Baaz.  You have held the Baaz and have captured it.  Give us the Baaz quickly.  Don’t cause a conflict.  The Shah will be angry when he hears this.”  Guru ji responded: “I know the Shah.  I know you are his employees.  I am not giving the Baaz back.  I don’t care about the Emperor.  Your way won’t go here.  I don’t fear the Badshah and so I won’t give the Baaz back.  I will keep the Baaz now.  You can go and tell the Badshah that I have the hawk.  You speak of the Emperor’s power, I will see to his power.”  The Turks became angry and said: “you don’t fear the Badshah?  You sit under the tent and are causing a drama.  You are speaking like a person who is high on cannabis.  You should know who you are speaking to.  He is the Badshah of Hindustan.  He has thousands of soldiers.  They fear him and stand in front of him with their hands folded.  You say that you won’t give back the Baaz, how will you be safe when the army comes to fight you?  Who will fight from your end?  We will take the Baaz and arrest you as well.  Why aren’t you considering how powerful the Emperor is before saying this?  Why do you not fear him?”  Guru ji became filled with Bir Ras and said: “you cowards!  Why are you causing a problem?  These weapons and horses that you have with you, take them back now before we take everything from you.  If the Sikhs beat you up, you will regret it.  Go back to your Shah.  I have taken the Baaz.  You can tell the Shah.  I will figure it out with the Shah.  Go and complain to him about me.  If he tells you to attack, then come.  Don’t waste your time here.  If you want to maintain your honor, leave now.  Otherwise, we will take everything from you and make you run naked.”  The Sikhs saw Guru ji angry and came into attention.  They were ready for a fight.  Bhai Bidhi Chand ji and the other Sikhs rolled up their sleeves.  Bhai Bidhi Chand ji said: “you fools!  Do you not know who you are speaking to?  You are speaking without fear.  Make sure that you don’t lose your life and the Shah remains seated in Lahore.”  Bhai Jetha ji and other the Sikhs pulled out their swords and walked towards the Turks saying: “let’s take their weapons along with the Baaz.  They can complain about all of this to their Shah.”  The Turks saw the Sikhs coming towards them and got scared.  The Sikhs shouted out Jaikaras: “Akaal!”  The Turks saw the Sikhs raising their moustaches and coming towards them.  The Turks jumped on their horses and ran away.  They were shocked and angry at what happened to them.  No one has ever disrespected them in this way.  The Mughals ruled for 700 years and no one ever stood up to them before. 

The Turks talked amongst themselves: “what just happened?  The Badshah was close by and they captured his hawk.  They didn’t feel any fear.  They took the Emperor’s hawk.  The Emperor loves that hawk.  It is his best one.  Today, the Guru took our hawk.  They may try to take our kingdom from us.  We need to take that Baaz back.  The Guru needs to be arrested.  We will consider that a revenge.”  The Turks rode back quickly.  They didn’t stop along the way due to being angry.  They entered Lahore and wanted to tell the Shah quickly.

Guru ji mounted his horse and kept the Baaz with him.  He kept looking at the Baaz as he rode.  It was a rare and expensive one.  Guru ji said to his own Mirshikars: “have you ever seen such a Baaz before?”  The Mirshikars folded their hands and said: “we have spent our whole lives amongst these hawks.  We have seen many hawks in our life but never such a hawk like this one.  We have heard of this Baaz from someone, that it was brought from a foreign land.  It was given to Shah Jahan as a gift.  This Baaz is the famous one.  There is no other Baaz like this one in the land.  This Baaz is worth a lot of money.  This Baaz is deserving for you.  You received it casually, without effort.  The life of the Baaz will be a success.  Kartaar has made this Baaz for you.  The Baaz came to you because he wanted to do your Seva during your hunts.  He has come for Mukti.  That’s why he came to you.  The Baaz says: “watch my drama, Gareeb Nivaaj.”  In this way, the Mirshikars and the Sikhs spoke to Guru ji.  Guru ji came back home.  The Baaz was taken by the Sikhs.  Guru ji told the Sikhs to serve the Baaz well and keep it happy. 

6-5 The Shah’s Army comes

The Mirshikars wanted to tell the Badshah what had happened.  It was like their soldiers were killed and they were going to ask for more.  They stood in front of Shah Jahan.  When Shah Jahan looked at them, he asked them: “why are you standing here?  You went after the Baaz.  Did you catch it or did it fly away?  Your faces are depressed.  I think you lost the Baaz.”  The Mirshikars spoke: “Guru Hargobind ji was camped close by with his soldiers.  The Baaz flew and went to him.  We saw the Surkhab and your Baaz but the Guru released his Baaz.  His Baaz hunted the Surkhab.  Your Baaz followed the Guru’s Baaz and it got caught by the Guru.  The Guru was happy to catch it.  We reached after and saw the Guru holding your Baaz.  He was really happy with it.  We said to him: “this Baaz is the Badshaah’s.  He is here to hunt.  His Baaz came to you.  Give it back to us.  It was released when the Baaz was full, that’s why he didn’t hunt the Surkhab.”  The Guru said to us: “I am not going to give it back.  I caught it with great effort.”  We tried to scare him by saying your name but he spoke to us harshly.  He didn’t listen to us.  He didn’t fear your name.  He wasn’t even a little scared.  He was about to capture us.  We took our honor and ran.  They were going to take our horses, weapons and clothes.  He will fight you.  He won’t give you back the Baaz.  He has prepared for war.  If you had been close by, there would have definitely been a fight.  The Sikhs are ready to fight.  They fear no one.”  When Shah Jahan heard that his favourite Baaz was taken, and wasn’t given back to him when asked, Shah Jahan got angry.  He spoke in anger: “the Guru is staying close to me and is trying to start an opposition.  He has taken my Baaz today with force, later he will take over one of my forts.  He will start a rebellion and cause unrest in the nation.” 

The haters of the Guru that were close to the Badshah, got a chance to say something: “the Guru causes a lot of problems.  He has done a lot of preparations to cause a rebellion.  He has made many promises and broken them.  You were forgiving to him.  Your father was warned about the Guru by Divaan Chandoo.  Your father called the Guru to him.  The Guru kept an army then too.  He was sent to Gwalior for this reason.  Even when he came back from Gwalior, your father kept him close to him to keep an eye on him.  He didn’t let him go anywhere.  He kept a small army there with him.  If he wanted to go hunting, the Badshah and his army always went with him.  Your father never trusted him.  The Guru stayed in Lahore and took the Qazi’s daughter with him.  You have been forgiving him up till now.  Look what he has done now.  He won’t stop unless you fight him now.  He will surely attack a fort.  Don’t forgive him anymore.  Arrest him and throw him in jail.  If you don’t do this, he will cause a big problem for you.  If he comes into a fort, nobody can stop him then.  He wants war, day and night.  If you forgive him now, this is not good politics.  He will cause another problem.”  The Shah heard this and thought about it.  He called Mughlas Khan to him. 

Mughlas Khan came and the Badshah had him sit down with respect.  He was given an expensive Siropa and a sword with a golden hilt.  A horse with a golden saddle was given to him.  A lot of money was given to him as well.  The Badshah said to him: “7,000 soldiers will go with you.  Prepare for war.  Take your army and go at the sound of the Nagara.  Sri Guru Hargobind ji is a strong warrior.  Fight him and arrest him.  Bring him to me.  Bring him with my Baaz.  Go quickly so they don’t get time to prepare.  Bring him to me in any way.  Bring him alive.  I will double your pay.”  Mughlas Khan was happy to hear this.  He folded his hands and said: “what battle can the Guru fight with me?  I will capture him as soon as I get to him.  My army is strong and in attention.  They are always looking for a good fight.  What soldiers does the Guru have?  That’s not an army.  How will they fight my army?”  Shah Jahan heard this and was pleased.  He said: “great!”  Mughlas Khan took his Siropa and went outside of the court. 

Mughlas Khan was seen by everyone.  Everyone saw a big general going off to war.  Mughlas Khan had his Nagaras played.  His warriors heard the Nagaras and got ready for war.  They were motivated to fight.  Their horses were saddled.  The soldiers fastened their gear and carried their, swords, rifles, spears and bows.  They tied their Kumerkassas and mounted their horses.  They took arrows, bullets, gunpowder and swivel guns from the armoury.  The stuff was loaded onto camels.  They shouted out their Jaikaras and made noise.  It was as though death was calling to them to come towards it.  The soldiers mounted their horses and set off.  Mughlas Khan was filled with anger.  He saw his army and became filled with ego.  The fool was headed towards his death.  He didn’t know that he wasn’t coming back.  When he set off, the Nagara started to play in an untuned pitch.  It was loose.  Vultures began to fly over their heads.  They saw a woman carrying wood (premonition of a funeral pyre).  The horses were neighing in a sorrow way and shed tears.  The horses stumbled as they walked.  Some of the soldiers’ Pugris fell off as the horses stumbled.  The vultures cried and a herd of deer ran towards the west.  The crows cawed. Theses were all bad omens that were seen by the soldiers.  They didn’t see their death coming.  They headed towards Amritsar. 

The Sikhs in Lahore found out as there were Sikh employees in the Badshah’s court.  The Sikhs wrote a letter to Guru ji: “Sri Guru ji, you are omniscient but we are still going to make a request to you.  You have taken the Badshah’s Baaz which has angered him.  He is sending an army towards you.  He has given a command in anger to arrest you and get his Baaz back.  Mughlas Khan is a big Umarov who is coming with a big army.  You are the wisest.  Kill these corrupt people and defeat them.  It is our duty to inform you of any news.  We send this letter to you.  Please handle this.”  A Sikh set off with the letter in the evening.  He was told to go quick.  This is what happened in Lahore.

Oh saints, listen to the Guru’s Katha now.  When Guru ji came back from the hunt, he ate and went to sleep.  In the morning, he bathed and went to where the Logarh Qila stands today.  It was a high place.  A wall was made.  It was made of wood and mud.  To kill the enemy, this preparation was made.  A regiment of the Sikhs stayed there to keep watch.  Guru ji came back to Akaal Takhat.  He sat there like Inder sitting with the Devatas.  The warriors started a Divaan.  They all knew that a battle was coming because Guru ji took the Badshah’s Baaz.  Satguru ji called for his weapons.  The weapons were placed on a Takhat and Dhoop was lit near them.  Flower garlands were placed on the weapons and Guru ji did the Pooja of the Shasters.  Sandalwood was sprinkled.  Chaurs were waived on the Shasters.  He was happy to do the Pooja of the Shasters.  The thick Teghas and Khappra arrows were fastened.  The fierce bows were strung.  Rifles with gold-work on them were ready.  Guru ji was preparing for war with joy. 

Mata Damodri ji was getting ready for the wedding.  She was preparing the food and other items needed for the wedding.  She prepared gifts for her daughter.  Jewellery was prepared along with expensive clothes.  The tailors were sewing the clothes.  In this way, the preparations were in full swing.