8-16 The Glory of Guru Hargobind ji

In this way, Painday Khan’s and the Badshah’s discussions occurred.  The Katha has been stated.  Now, listen to the Katha of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  Listen to this Katha with love.  Guru ji held Divaans everyday.  He looked great, like Inder amongst the Devatas.  Guru ji held a Mala in one hand and a Khanda in the other.  The Sikhs did the same.  The Sikhs came from every direction to do the Pooja of Guru ji’s lotus feet.  The Devata-like Sikhs were always gathered near Guru ji, in great numbers.  They did Seva and Simran.  Their minds were pure.  They brought many gifts for Guru ji and had their wishes fulfilled.  They sang the praises of Guru ji.  Guru ji sat on the throne like Vishnu.  He could do whatever he wanted to without delay.  He still pretended to be a human.  He acted like a normal human being.  He was like Ram Chander Bhagavan.  He loved the battlefield.  He would become like Krishan Chand ji then.  He was in Jog but lived through the normal ways of humans.  He was in bliss, all the time.  He was a king from the outside but a Jogi from the inside, totally detached from the wealth and pleasures.  He would destroy the illnesses and depressions of his deserving Sikhs.  The Sikhs that did Simran of Satnam, they were given Gyaan.  The 18 Siddhis and 9 Niddhis stood in front of Guru ji with their hands folded.  Guru ji did not use them.  They were ready to obey Guru ji’s command.  The Devatas would be eagerly waiting for Guru ji’s wishes.  All of the powers of Akaal Purakh were with Guru ji but Guru ji did not show anyone how powerful he was.  Guru ji had such thousands of Sikhs who had these powers too.  They came from other lands to meet Guru ji in Kartarpur.

There was a Sikh named Bhai Kuko ji.  He loved to recite and listen to Gurbani.  He had a son named Bhai Ananta ji.  The son loved to do Seva.  He was always ready for Seva.  He served in the Langar.  Both father and son helped the Langris.  Bhai Ananta ji would hold a slingshot and scare away crows that would fly into the Langar.  He would make them fly away.  His father had told him to do this.  This was the son’s Seva, so the crows wouldn’t put their beaks into the Langar.  One day when the Sikhs were kneading the dough, Bhai Ananta ji scared away a crow.  The crow kept coming back and Bhai Ananta ji kept scaring it away.  After a few times, Bhai Ananta ji shot a pellet at the crow and hit it in the thigh.  The crow couldn’t use one of its legs anymore.  It was limping.  Langar was ready for Guru ji.  Guru ji came to the Langar to eat with the Sangat.  He ate as much as he wished.  Guru ji took his roti and give it to the crows.  The crows came that day and ate the pieces of roti.  Guru ji saw the limping crow and became compassionate.  Guru ji said: “whoever hit this crow, will go to Hell.”  When Guru ji looked at the crow, the crow was healed.  Bhai Ananta ji heard this and got scared.  He knew that Guru ji’s words were solid.  He told his father about this.  Both became worried and depressed. 

Bhai Ananta ji stopped eating and became weak.  They continued doing Seva but was worried.  Bhai Kuko ji got weaker as well.  Bhai Kuko ji requested the senior Sikhs to ask Guru ji to forgive his son.  The Sikhs told him to go Bhai Bidhi Chand ji as he was really close to Guru ji.  Both father and son grabbed Baba Bidhi Chand ji’s feet and told him the whole situation: “Guru ji said my son will go to Hell.  Please have my son forgiven.  Please do something.  We come to your shelter.  Nobody else can help us.  We can’t go anywhere else, but you.  We have no other support.”  Baba Bidhi Chand ji heard this and became compassionate.  Baba ji said: “don’t worry.  I will speak to Guru ji when I get the chance.  I will do what it takes and have him forgive you.  It might take some time though.”

Baba Bidhi Chand ji went to Guru ji.  The father and son were happy.  Guru ji was ready to go hunting.  When Baba Bidhi Chand ji came, Guru ji told him to come along with him on the hunt.  The horses were saddled.  The hawks, dogs, Cheetahs and other animals were taken.  Guru ji hunted and gave Mukti to the animals that were killed.  Guru ji then came back.  Everyone was on their horses.  They all passed Chota Mir Village.  Guru ji stopped his horse.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji saw his opportunity and spoke about Bhai Ananta ji.  He told him the whole story of how the child hit the crow to protect the Langar.  Baba ji then said: “Guru ji, send me to Hell instead and forgive the boy.  Give him peace.”  Guru ji said: “the boy won’t go to Hell.  You are my beloved Sikh.  You will be in peace.  This (pointing to the village of Chota Mir) will go to Hell.  Corrupt people live here.  They will go to Hell.”  Guru ji forgave the boy in this way.  He took the curse and transferred it to the village of Painday Khan.  He then came back to Kartarpur.

Guru ji sat in the evening Divaan.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji met Bhai Kuko ji and Bhai Ananta ji.  He told them that the curse was taken care of.  The father and son bowed to Guru ji and received Charanamrit as Guru ji was compassionate towards them.  They had the Amrit and their pains were gone.  The troubles of their bodies and minds were gone.  They became drenched in love as they were before.  Their fear of going to Hell was gone.  Guru ji spent time in Kartarpur and helped the Sikhs in every way.  He was always by their side. 

It was the month of Harr (June/July).  Guru ji went hunting on his white horse.  It was like the horse of Soorya.  Guru ji wore a fine-cloth Chola.  It was see-through.  He tied a beautiful Dastaar with a diamond studded Jigha.  The diamonds were shining in the sun.  He wore an expensive pearl necklace that shined.  He had a white hawk on his hand.  It looked like a swan from the mansarovar.  Everything was white.  Guru ji was more glorious than the moon.  Baba Sri Gurditta ji was in front and Baba Bidhi Chand ji was behind Guru ji.  The strong and handsome warriors were on their horses behind Guru ji.  Their arms were big and extremely powerful.  They held bows, arrows and rifles.  They were drenched in Bir Ras.  Sri Guru Hargobind ji held the reins of his horse.  He looked really radiant on the horse.  The horse looked like Ahravat’s child.  It walked slowly and without worry.  It was attractive.  It was like it was made of milk; it was so white.  It looked like Brahma made him during his free time.  Every body part was chiselled.  It looked like Kamadeva was the craftsman that made the horse.  It was like another form of Kamadeva.  The horse’s beauty was laced with Amrit.  The nostrils were sharp.  The neck was high and proud.  The two ears were small and pointy.  They would join at the top.  The eyes were high and sharp.  When the horse walked, the forelegs were round.  The tail was wagging.  The horse was one with Guru ji’s mind.  He went where Guru ji wanted it to go.  He went with the speed that Guru ji desired. 

Guru ji spent the whole day hunting.  At around 5 pm, Guru ji was coming back.  Two Sikhs came and met Guru ji.  They bowed to Guru ji’s feet.  Guru ji stopped his horse and asked: “where are you from?  What work do you do?  Where are you going?  What is your wish?”  The Sikhs heard this and folded their hands.  They said: “we are artists.  We are from the Tarkhan caste.  We wished to have your Darshan from many days.  We wish to do your Seva.  Please tell us what we can do for you.  We will do it with love.  This is our wish.”  Satguru ji did not give them any command.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji understood what Guru ji was thinking.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji said: “what Chola Guru ji is wearing, the horse is white, the hawk is white, Guru ji is wearing his weapons.  Make a painting of Guru ji like this for me.  I will keep it in my home.  Make your skill a success.  Your hands will be blessed.  Make a painting of his head to the toe of the horse.  Make this for me.”  The artist heard this and said: “Shaishnaag, Ganesh and Sharda cannot praise Guru ji’s form.  This is not easy.  Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva cannot quantify him.  How can I make his painting?  What I have heard in Sangat is: if Guru ji or the Sikhs wish, they can cross the ocean.  If Guru ji blesses me, I can make the painting.  We are limited Jeevs.  If Guru ji helps us, then it will be made.  Please bless us Guru ji.  My son can make the painting.”  Baba Bidhi Chand ji called the son over to him and said: “son, Guru ji will be with you.  He will illuminate in your mind.  Fulfill my wish.”  The father and son obeyed and sat down.  They made the picture and drew the horse first.  They painted Guru ji with all his weapons.  Sri Satguru ji can be seen hunting in the picture. 

Guru ji then continued and brought the whole army back to Kartarpur.  A Sikh from Jalandhar came and met Guru ji.  He folded his hands and said: “Sri Prabhoo ji, Maharaj, listen: a great army has gathered around Jalandhar.  It is an army going for battle.  They have a lot of weapons and Nagaras.  They have canons and rifles.  Painday Khan is with them.  Some say that Painday Khan has brought this army.  They aren’t saying it outright.  They are being secretive about it.  They wish to cheat you.  I came to tell you this.”  Satguru ji said: “don’t worry.  Have patience.  They will come and go to the Jumms.  They won’t be stable in this world.  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji will do good.  He will destroy all of the obstacles in an instant.”  Guru ji said this and came to the garden with many trees.  This is the Guru-ka-Bhaag in Kartarpur.  Rugs were laid out.  Guru ji sat there.  The artists brought the painting of Guru ji and showed Baba Bidhi Chand ji.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji looked at the painting and was mesmerized.  He was in bliss.  He showed Guru ji.  Guru ji saw the pictures and smiled.  The painting was very detailed.  The horse was painted in detail.  Guru ji said: “this painting is very nice.  Your life is a success.  You will not be born again.  You are smart.”  The father and son heard this and were overcome with a sense of deep bliss.  Their pains were all gone.  They felt the Mukti.  They bowed to Guru ji many times.  They were blessed.  Sri Satguru ji took the painting and gave it to Baba Bidhi Chand ji as he wished to have it.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji took the painting at put it on his head, seeing it as a gift from Guru ji.  This painting is with the descendants of Baba Bidhi Chand ji, till this day.  The painting can be seen in their home (in Sursingh) with respect.  Seeing the picture is rewarding.  It fulfills your wishes. 

Baba Bidhi Chand ji was going to give the artists a lot of money but the Tarkhaan artists did not take it.  In this way Sri Satguru ji blessed the artists with patience.  Guru ji blessed many Sikhs.  Guru ji got up from the garden and came home.  He ate and then slept the night in peace. 

8-17 Khoja Anwar

The next day, Satguru ji sat in his Divaan.  Sooba Kaalay Khan had sent Khoja Anwar.  Khoja Anwar had come to Guru ji many times before, sent by Bhai Wazir Khan ji.  For this reason, Kaalay Khan sent him, knowing that he had met Guru ji many times before.  Khoja Anwar left Jalandhar and came close to Kartarpur.  He thought to himself in a deceiving way: “I will test the Guru; if he is the Avatar of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji or not.  I want to see if he has powers.  I had come to speak to him before on a royal visit but this time I am going to battle him.”  He took out 2 Dinars to present to Guru ji.  He kept one in each hand.  He hid one and showed the top one.  He wanted to see if Guru ji would know if he has two or just one.  He wanted Guru ji to ask for the 2^nd Dinar.  The coward reached the court of the Guru, thinking about this deception. 

He got off his horse and went ahead.  He had the Dinars in his hands.  When he presented the Dinar, Guru ji saw this and said: “come Khan!  I see that your wisdom has failed you.  You have gone into deception at the start.  You haven’t done this before.”  Khoja Anwar said: “I haven’t ever reached yet.  What have I done wrong in this time?  Please tell me?”  Guru ji said: “when the two burst, the enemies beat them up.  They don’t let them go home (referring to the game of choppar and politics).  They kill them quickly, the ones that separate.  It is bad for you.  Your omen is bad.  You can’t go back home.  The home of Guru Nanak ji is infinite.  Nobody can quantify it.  You made a mistake.  The deception does not work here.  Guru Nanak ji’s throne is the master of all powers.  You wanted to see the power.  This is the root of destruction.  If a coward like you wishes to see the powers, the ocean does not finish by losing 2 drops.”  When Khoja Anwar heard this, he was surprised.  He began to regret what he did and apologized.  He said: “you are Dhan!  You are omniscient.  You know what every heart is thinking.  Please forgive my mistake.  It is in the past.  You are a Sadhoo with a calm nature.”  Satguru ji signalled him to move out of the way and sit to the side. 

The Sangat had come after.  They did Guru ji’s Darshan and brought many gifts.  The gifts were unique and from far away lands.  They all bowed and folded their hands, while doing their Ardaas.  They brought weapons and clothes with jewels.  Many horses were brought.  As the gifts piled up, Khoja Anwar was amazed to see this.  He thought to himself: “the Badshah, who is the master of the land, he does not receive these many gifts or money.  He takes money from the subjects by force.  The people are upset when they pay their taxes.  Here, rich and poor both bring money.  They give the money and bow their heads with joy.  They fold their hands and request: “oh Khuddah, may more money come.”  In this way, Khoja Anwar thought about all this.  A goldsmith Sikh had come to meet Guru ji.  He brought an exquisite set of the Choppar game.  The cloth of the game had amazing work done on it.  There were gold and other gems on it.  The dice were colourful and made of precious gems.  The pawns were made of gold as well, 16 in total.  There were small diamonds in the pawns.  This set was very expensive.  The goldsmith gave this to Guru ji.  Guru ji saw it and folded it up.  He put it under his knee.  When the Sangat had all met Guru ji, then Anwar Khoja said: “listen Peer ji, what is in your mind?  You are upset with me this time.  You met me with joy the times I had come before.  You aren’t happy to see me today.  You met me with joy before.  You gave me gifts and accepted my gifts before.  You didn’t accept my gift, let alone speak to me this time.  You are paying attention to the poor and speaking to them.  You don’t speak to me.  You take the gifts and put them away.”  Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji said: “listen Khan, I will tell you.  This is the tradition of love.  It is like milk and water.  They meet and become one.  If there is sourness added to it, it doesn’t take long to separate the milk from the water.  This is how our love is.  The sourness of deception has been added.  Once the milk separates from the water, no one can combine them again.  When the hearts separate, they can’t be joined again, even if someone tries to.  Milk and water do not tolerate sourness.  Love does not tolerate deception.  Think about this and sit down quietly.  Otherwise, your deception will be revealed.”  Anwar Khan heard this and let go of this subject.  He tried to speak again and thought to himself: “if I speak to him, I may be able to get some secrets.  Nothing will be achieved if I stay quiet.”  He said to Guru ji: “listen Peer ji, I saw the beautiful Choppar set.  You put it under your knee.  This is the best set I’ve ever seen.  I wish to play with you.  We should bet some money on the game.  If I lose, I will pay.  If you lose, you will pay me.”  Guru ji heard this and said: “gamblers only gamble.  I am Allah’s fakir.  Why would I gamble?  I tell people not to gamble.  If you wish to play for fun, we can play.  Let’s play without money.”  Khoja Anwar Khan said: “it’s not fun to play without a bet.  I wish to play with some money.”  Guru ji understood the Khan’s deception and said: “I don’t wish to do this.  You can do as you wish, though.  You will lose.  You won’t be able to win.” 

The Choppar was taken out and set up.  Guru ji signaled the Turk to play.  Khoja Anwar sat in front and thought to himself: “I have played my whole life.  I am skilled at this game.  I will throw the dice and win.  I have won the Badshah many times and won money.  I’ve never lost.  I will defeat the Guru.  He will speak to me then.  I will get up with money.  I will think that the Guru will lose in battle as well.”  He said: “I bet 500 Rajitpuns, even if you accept it or not.”  Satguru ji laughed and threw the golden dice with diamonds.  The Khan then threw the dice.  The warriors were sitting in the court and watching.  There were soldiers with Khoja Anwar as well.  The pawns moved.  Guru ji kept killing the Khan’s pawns.  He played very well.  He didn’t let Khoja Anwar’s pawns go ahead.  He made his 8 pawns solid.  Khoja Anwar Khan’s 4 pawns were fragile, which Guru ji picked up and took them out of the game.  Guru ji said: “here, I’ve killed your pawns!”  Guru ji won the 500 Rajitpuns.  The fool Khoja Anwar lost.  He wanted to win.  He was embarrassed.  He got upset and put another bet for 500.  He lost the first and wanted to take his money back.  He thought he was going to win.  The beautiful golden pawns shined like the sun.  The emeralds, sapphires and pearls looked like the 9 planets.  They were going to start the second game.  Guru ji set his pawns again.  The Turk tried to use his skills but he couldn’t even kill one of Guru ji’s pawns.  When the Khan’s pawn came ahead, Guru ji would kill it quickly and say: “this one is gone too!”  The Turk tried but couldn’t win.  He got upset and became agitated.  The fool couldn’t understand the greatness of the Guru.  When Guru ji won the second time, it was as though he won the battle.  Guru ji’s words pierced Khoja Anwar.  He lost 1,000 Rajitpuns now.  The fool was upset and worried.  He was in pain.  He didn’t lift his eyes up.  He couldn’t speak with pride.  He played a third time; like a snake charmer taking his snake out and trying to scare the Garuda, who already eats snakes.

8-18 Khoja Anwar get Beaten up

On the third game, the bet was put in place.  The fool couldn’t win.  He was about to lose the third game as well.  He had already lost 1,000 Rajitpuns.  Sri Satguru ji threw the dice and moved his pawns.  The Turk wasn’t able to release his pawns.  Guru ji didn’t let his pawns move.  He would kill them quickly.  He would roll 12, 18, 16 or 15s.  The Turk wouldn’t get more than two 4s.  He would get 3 or 5.  He would get 9 and move.  Rarely they would move in doubles or else, singles it was.  He began to cheat and move more or less.  He wanted to defeat Guru ji by cheating.  Just as Rukmi tried to cheat Balram, that is what Khoja Anwar was doing.  Guru ji kept forgiving him.  He would look at him with a sharp eye and kill his pawns.  Anwar Khan rolled a 12 but couldn’t do anything.  His pawn almost made it home on his 14th try.  He rolled 12 but Guru ji rolled 17.  When Guru ji was going to pick up the pawn he said: “you lost the third game as well.”  Khoja Anwar got angry and yelled: “you are a fake Peer!  You defeated me by cheating!”  Guru ji said: “why are you getting angry?  Where did I cheat?  I played in front of you.  Allah knows everything.  I didn’t cheat.  You have all the fraud.”  Khoja Anwar picked up the game and flipped it upside down in anger.  Then, he started to speak ill of Guru ji: “you have fraud in your home.  You pretend to be a man of Allah but the whole world knows of what you really are.  You used Mantras to possess Jahangir.  You controlled his mind.  You made him your follower.  You lied and captured Chandoo.  You killed him like a dog after torturing him for many days.  Everyone knows you are without compassion.  You took the Qazi’s daughter and possessed her with your Mantras.  You took the Baaz of Shah Jahan.  You made war and killed many.”  Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji smiled like Krishan (listening to Shishupal).  He stayed quiet to make Khoja Anwar guilty.  He sat there without moving.  Khoja Anwar was like Shishupal.  He said: “you keep an army of thousands; you hunt and kill animals; you indulge in the pleasures of the world like kings; you lie and loot others.”  Guru ji was calm.  He was very forgiving.  He saw Khoja Anwar as an ambassador/messenger and didn’t do anything to him.  Guru ji knew why he was here.  Anwar Khan was a fool and was proud of his army of 80,000.  He continued speaking: “you killed Gherard Bhagwan.  You killed Abdul Khan and his army.  You stole the Shah’s horses.  You killed thousands of soldiers.  You ride horses worth hundreds of thousands.  You are Ghristi.  You are married and have kids like normal people.  Everybody sees your ways.  You are a fraud of a Fakir.  You don’t take care of the name of Allah.  The men of Allah are detached from the world.  The one who is detached from the world and doesn’t stake any claims, that is a true Fakir of Allah.  Seeing your ways, looks like your elder Gurus were just like you.  The Gurus from Guru Nanak Dev ji seem to be all frauds.  They called themselves Gurus and looted the world.  Nobody understood your lie.”  When Guru Hargobind Sahib ji heard Guru Nanak Dev ji’s name, his chest pumped and his eyes went red in anger.  He looked at his warriors and said: “whoever beats his head with their shoe, the Guru will be happy with them!  Punch and kick him!”  Guru ji’s face was full of anger when he heard the blasphemous words towards the elder Gurus. 

The strong warriors quickly got up.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji got up and took Khoja Anwar’s Pugri off.  He kicked him in the side.  He and the warriors took him to the side and punched him.  They slapped his head with their shoes.  Khoja Anwar pleaded to be released.  Guru ji said: “from the mouth from which he spoke ill of the elder Gurus, slap him there with your shoes.  He has sinned gravely.  Give him what he deserves.”  The 7-foot warriors with huge arms beat up Khoja Anwar with their shoes.  Khoja Anwar got hit like a blacksmith pounding pots.  He was hit all over his body.  Some Sikhs didn’t get a chance to beat him.  When he got hit a lot, he went quiet.  He was worried that he was going to die.  He was in pain all over.  He began to shiver in fear.  Guru ji went home.  The Sikhs beat him up a lot.  Khoja Anwar thought he was going to die.  He shivered in fear and fell to the ground.  He got what he deserved.  Some kicked him on the floor and swore at him.  He rolled around on the floor and fainted.  Some said: “he looks like he’s dead.” 

Bhai Jatti Malik ji ran and said to Guru ji: “Maharaj, Painday Khan has come with an army of a Lakh.  He sent Khoja Anwar to get our secrets.  Instead, he slandered the Guru and got beaten.  Please let him go now.  He got what he deserved.  He was an ambassador.  We will kill him in battle.  If he dies here, it will be bad.  Please give him his money back.  Don’t take the money from the gambling.”  Guru ji was compassionate and told the Sikhs to let Khoja Anwar go.  Guru ji gave the 1,500 Rajitpuns to Bhai Jatti Malik ji and turned around to go to his home. 

Bhai Jatti Malik ji took the sacks of money and came to Khoja Anwar.  He stopped the Sikhs from beating him up.  He made him wear his Pugri.  Bhai Jatti Malik ji said: “Ravan was the king of the 3 Loks.  He was very strong.  Jarasandh had a big army and tried to fight 24 times; he lost.  Both died against Bhagwan.  What are you in front of the Guru?”  He gave Khoja Anway some water and said: “here, take this water.  Drink it and wash your face.”  Khoja Anwar woke up and got up.  He fixed his clothes.  When he saw the money, he got happy.  He was beaten up badly.  He quietly took the money and went back to Jalandhar with his men.

As Khoja Anwar mounted his horse and rode back, he thought to himself: “I was humiliated.  I don’t want anyone to find out what happened to me.  I want revenge.  I want to kill the Guru.  It’s about to get dark and so there won’t be anyone going or coming.  I should do something where Kaalay Khan attacks right away.  He should attack in the night.  We can take the Guru while he is sleeping.  We will loot Kartarpur and the home.  We will kill the Guru’s army.  Thousands will die.  The Guru will run away in fear or be killed.  I need to protect my honour.  Nobody should find out about what happened to me.”  He thought about all this.  He went back in the evening to Jalandhar. 

Khoja Anwar arrived in Jalandhar and first changed his clothes and Pugri.  He went to Kaalay Khan.  He did his Salaam and sat in his court.  Painday Khan was praising Kaalay Khan and speaking sweetly.  Kutabh Khan was serving everyone.  He presented what was required. 

8-19 The Army Attacks

Anwar Khan thought about using his cleverness.  He said: “I went to the Guru and got some secrets.  The Guru has no idea that we are coming.  He has no spies informing him of this.  Let’s attack at night.  It will be an easy win.  His army is small.  They are clueless.  We can quickly defeat them.  The wise person would not delay.  You are much powerful, but don’t think the enemy is weak.  A spark can be quickly extinguished.  A small fire is difficult to blow out.  By morning, it would be like a full-scale forest fire.  Let’s not make it hard for ourselves.  Let’s take the easy way.  The Guru will gather people and weapons by morning.  He will either fight with bravery or run away.  We will have to chase him then.”  Painday Khan heard this and agreed: “this is the best way to kill him.  We should do the task when it’s easy.  Just as the lion does not let the deer run away, let’s defeat him and go to the Shah with joy.  Our salaries and statuses will increase.  We will take the Shah’s horse back too.”  Kaalay Khan said: “Kutabh Khan, what is your advice?  Is it better to fight at night or the day?  We need to get the Guru in any way we can.  I don’t want to lose like Lalla Beg and Kumber Beg.  It’s night.  He’s probably sleeping now.  We had our people killed before.  If you need to kill a deer, you should prepare to hunt a lion.  This is what wise people say.  This is a tried, tested and true thing.”  Kutabh Khan said: “whatever you have said is good.  Think about it: the Guru is a great warrior.  He is strong.  He does not wear bangles.  He won’t be easy to catch by one of us.  He will swing his sword and kill warrior and horse in one strike.  Guru Hargobind ji is not ready right now.  It is good to attack tonight.  Kill his army.  Make them all lay down on the ground.  Let’s attack after midnight.  We will attack with a full force.  Painday Khan will face the Guru.  He can fight him.  He can use his strength to get the Guru.  It will be easy to kill the small army he has.  We have a huge army.”  They decided to attack at midnight.  The warriors wanted to fight. 

As the warriors were deciding, Baba Dheermal’s letter came to Sooba Jalandhar.  He showed his bad wisdom.  He wanted to save himself.  He backstabbed his own grandfather.  He was the son of Baba Gurditta ji.  He left his father’s way and joined the Turks.  The Turks opened the letter and read it: “writer, Dheermal.  Painday Khan, I am on your side.  I can’t tolerate how you were insulted.  I didn’t like that.  Come without delay.  I want to meet the Badshah.  I don’t want to be his enemy.  I want to live by his rule.”  Everyone heard the letter being read out and became happy.  They found a spy within the Guru’s home.  They said: “write him a response.  Tell him to keep on giving us news of the Guru’s home.  We want to know what’s going on.  We will win the battle.”  Dheermal’s messenger was given a response.  The messenger came back and gave Dheermal the letter.  Dheermal was happy to read the letter.  He wanted to be friends with the Badshah. 

The army of the Turks was mobilized.  They told everyone not to make it clear that they are going to attack.  They said: “tell everyone we are going to Ropar.  We are going with Kaalay Khan to visit his Peer in Ropar.  His wish was fulfilled so now he is going to give his Peer the gift.  There is a Salaakhat Peer there.  Kaalay Khan is going with his army.”  Since they left Lahore, the whole operation was kept a secret.  The Pathaans of Doaba were collected by the army.  Some thieves joined to loot Kartarpur.  Kaalay Khan enlisted everyone and gave them respect.  He gave them food and drink.  He convinced them to stay.  The army got really big.  Kaalay Khan became over-confident.  His chest swelled with pride.  He wanted to fight now.  The Nagaras were sounded at night.  The horses were saddled.  Bullets and gunpowder were given to the soldiers.  They left the city and gathered the army.  They counted 52,000 with Kaalay Khan.  11,000 were with Kutabh Khan.  The Pathaans from Doaba were 12,000 in numbers.  The total was 75,000.  There were thousands of thieves that joined.  They couldn’t be counted.  They all had horses.  They were inspired by death to go towards their destruction.  The whole army was just under 100,000.  They all attacked at night.  They were in their own regiments.  Each regiment had their own Nagaras and battle standards.  The soldiers all drank alcohol and spoke nonsense.  They were drunk as they travelled.  It was like the ocean was splashing.  A lot of dust flew to the sky.  The dust got into people’s eyes.  The moon or stars could not be seen.  There was dust everywhere.  It was dark.  They whole army was like the swarm of insects, attacking the ocean.  They were all going to drown to their deaths.  They wouldn’t get a place to stand.  Kaalay Khan was happy with his huge army. 

As the army moved, they saw bad omens.  Their left eyes twitched.  The vultures shrieked above.  The vultures showed fire from their mouths.  Owls hooted above.  They heard people crying as someone had died in the nearby village.  Painday Khan and Kutabh Khan saw the bad omens but they ignored them.  Usmaan Khan spoke to Painday Khan about battle strategies.  After they were half way there, they met Malik Dataar who had an army.  He was a cousin of Kutabh Khan’s.  He did his Salaam and asked: “where are you all going?”  Kaalay Khan spoke with ego: “there is a strong lion that lives nearby.  He has killed many.  Nobody was able to face him with their strength.  We are going to hunt him.  We will look for him and kill him.”  He laughed after saying that.  The others laughed too.  They went on ahead with enthusiasm.  They soon reached Chhotay Mir.  The army gathered in Chhotay Mir.  There was a lot of dust that flew on to the homes.  The whole village was dirty.  The thieves looted the homes in the village.  People were beaten up.  Some homes were torn down.  Nobody could tell what was happening in the dark of the night.  The whole village was destroyed.  Many were killed.  The Guru’s words became reality.  When Bhai Ananta ji’s curse was transferred to Chhotay Mir, that became reality this night.  Painday Khan and Usmaan Khan met Kutabh Khan and discussed: “tell the whole army not to speak or play the Nagara.  We need to attack in surprise.  Let’s kill them all.”  Painday Khan said: “I will lead the charge.  I will go to the door of the Guru’s home.  When the Guru comes out, I will grab him and make him my prisoner.  I am strong.  I will get him alive.  You can loot the whole village.  I will tell you where the Guru’s treasury is.  Kill the soldiers quickly.  The task will be competed easily.  The Guru has a small army.  This is good plan that I like.”  What they were unaware of, was that the Sikhs woke up at Amritvela everyday.

8-20 The Battle Begins

Sri Satguru Hargobind Sahib ji was a great and brave warrior with a lot of patience.  He beat up the Khan and had him kicked out of his court because he spoke bad about Guru Nanak Dev ji and that he was without a Peer.  The warriors were ready after eating Langar.  There was a great crowd in Kartarpur.  They knew they were going to be attacked.  They set up watch all around Kartarpur.  Half of the army was ready to fight and the other half was resting.  They were ready for the Turk army.  They knew they were coming.  The soldiers told each other: “when you hear the noise, come and fight.  Take bullets and gunpowder.”  The warriors all got their orders from Guru ji.  They were ready to fight.  They all roared for a great battle.  They curled their moustaches and said: “Guru ji gave us another opportunity to fight.”  They fastened their swords and shields.  They tied leather to their arms and legs.  Their horses were saddled.  They stood for watch all around the town.  The army could attack from any direction.  The warriors wanted to destroy the Turks.  They wanted to kill them all.  When it was around 2 am, the Sikhs woke up and bathed.  They began to recite Gurbani.  The Sikhs recited Gurbani in a loud voice.  The sound could be heard from afar.  Sikhs were all around Kartarpur, reading Gurbani out loud.

The Turks were quiet.  They heard the recitation of Gurbani.  Kaalay Khan heard it.  The sound of Gurbani purified the minds of the Turks.  Kaalay Khan’s idea of deception went away.  He said: “it seems we are close to Kartarpur.  We shouldn’t attack like cowards.  We should sound the Nagaras and fight like true warriors.  I don’t like what we are doing.  Let’s let go of the deception and fight like men.  Have the Nagaras sounded and let them know we are close.”  Kutabh Khan and Painday Khan said: “this is your wish.  We will do as you wish.  Don’t delay.  Let’s attack now.  We will attack at once so the Sikhs don’t get a chance to get ready.  Let’s enter the city and destroy it.  Kill everyone.  Don’t let the Guru’s army stand.”  The Nagaras were sounded at once.  All of the regiments played their Nagaras.  The Sikhs heard the Nagaras of the Turks.  They got ready to fight. 

Bhai Jatti Malik ji was keeping guard.  He said: “get ready!  I will tell Guru ji that the army is here.  Everyone should be ready to fight.”  Pandi Jatti Malik ji took his horse to Guru ji’s home, Guru ka Mahal.  Guru ji had already bathed and was sitting in Samadhi, connected to his Sat, Chit and Anand form.  When the Brahmin Purohit came to Guru ji, he bowed to him and said: “the Turks have brought a huge army.  Please command us.  The warriors you name will go to war.”  He was the commander of the army.  Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, the brave and patient warrior was reciting Japji Sahib with his full attention.  When he finished, the omnipotent Prabhoo Satguru bowed his head.  He heard the sounds of rifles firing. 

The Sikhs fired back at the Turks.  The first charge happened at around 2:30 am.  The bullets fired and sounded like popcorn popping.  Guru ji said to Pandit Jatti Malik ji: “go quick!  Tell Bhai Lakhoo ji to attack with his regiment.  In the last battle he killed a big warrior of the Turks with a spear.  He was promoted to “Senapati” for that.  Send 500 Sikhs with him.  He should attack.  Send Bhai Ameeya ji and Bhai Mehar Chand ji with him.  Send 400 warriors with them.  They are to keep their armies ready.  They are to go only if Bhai Lakhoo ji’s regiment is in trouble.  They should be ready.  They should be on either side of the Turks.  They will cause damage from both sides.  The 900 remaining warriors will protect Kartarpur.”  1,800 men were ready, that survived from the Battle of Phool Maraaj (Gurusar).  There were other Sikhs that had come from other lands.  They were all told to get ready for war as well.  Bhai Jatti Malik ji heard the commands and sent Bhai Lakhoo ji to battle. 

Bahi Ameeya ji and Bhai Mehar Chand ji were ready to attack.  There was a lot of running around everywhere.  The rifles were fired.  The warriors were in bliss; the cowards were scared.  The Guru’s Nagaras sounded loudly.  Baba Sri Gurditta ji came to Guru ji and bowed.  He wished to fight.  He had his Kumerkassa tied with his weapons all fastened.  He wanted his father’s permission to fight.  He held a fierce bow in his hand.  He had told the warriors: “Pitha ji never let me go to battle.  I wish to fight in battle.”  Guru ji saw the wish of his son and said: “till the darkness of the night is there, you can’t know who is your own and who is an enemy.  Stay with the army within the city till then.  Keep the soldiers ready.  We will fight on the battlefield at dawn.  We will kill the Turks then.  There will be many to kill.”  Baba Gurditta ji heard his father and bowed his head.  He respected Guru ji’s command. 

Baba Gurditta ji mounted his horse and kept the warriors ready.  Bhai Ameeya ji and Bhai Mehar Chand ji held the lines.  They pushed the Turks back.  Rifles and arrows were shot.  The arrows went through the Turks’ chests.  The Turks kept charging.  They were killed by the Sikhs.  The battle was fierce from both sides.  The ones that came, they were killed.  The bullets and arrows flew.  The enemies were killed.  The ones that were hit, screamed for help.  The horses’ limbs were broken.  Men and horses died.  Many left their dead horses and fought.  Many horses left the dead riders.  Many came from the back and attacked.  It was chaotic.  The warriors were running around.  The warriors were strong and brave.  They attacked with force.  Many were injured and fell.  The Turks couldn’t come close.  Bhai Lakhoo ji did not let the Turks enter the city.  All around the city, there was noise.  Many died.  Some ran away after being injured.  They attacked with anger.  The yelled: “kill them!”  The ones that were hit with arrows, the brave fell.  Men and horses died and mixed into the dust.  The ones that spent their lives in pleasure and joy, their bodies rolled around in the dust.  Their flesh was eaten by scavengers. 

It was really dark.  It was hard to see.  The dust from the ground was all around.  The warriors fell and got trampled by the horses.  Some died without getting hit.  They were trampled by the horses.  Their bones would break.  Some were hit with bullets, riding their horses.  The rifles made popping noises as they were fired.  The arrows made swishing noises as they flew.  The battle was fierce.  The brave warriors did not move back.  Some got scared and did not go to the front.  They would ignore orders and move away from the front line.  The bullets smashed the ego of the warriors.  The battle instruments played.  The Kanadas, ransinghas, Napheeryas, and Nagaras played.  The sound gave warriors the pump needed to fight.  The warriors challenged each other and fought saying: “come and fight!”  The both sides fired bullets and pierced chests without delay.  They fought without delay.  There was a lot of noise.  The dust flew up.  There was mud on the ground.  In this way the battle started.  It started after midnight.  Many rifles were fired.  It was scary to hear.  The echo was heard far into the distance.