8-26 Bhai Lakhoo ji Dies

The armies stood face-to-face.  The bullets and arrows were being shot.  The warriors advanced, swinging their weapons.  They would strike and come back to their regiments.  Kutabh Khan made his horse go forward.  He mounted an arrow on his bow and pulled it tightly.  He released the arrow to show his strength and skill.  He released many arrows.  He pulled them tightly and killed Sikhs and horses.  Maaroo Raag (the Raag of Death) was playing along with the Nagaras.  Many warriors fell from their horses.  Guru ji was in the middle of his army, observing the battle.  He inspired his army to fight and gave them hope.  The Nagaras played from both sides, sounding like thunder.  Kaalay Khan was observing the battle on the other side.

Bhai Lakhoo ji, the brave warrior of the Guru, made his horse run.  He aimed at Kutabh Khan.  He released many arrows at him.  The Umraavs with Kutabh Khan faced Bhai Lakhoo ji.  When the Guru’s warrior came forward, the Umraavs noticed that he was releasing many arrows.  They noticed that Bhai Lakhoo ji was going towards Kutabh Khan.  Kutabh Khan had a golden helmet.  He had a sword with a golden hilt.  He wore jewellery with precious gems.  Bhai Lakhoo ji recognized Kutabh Khan by his expensive clothes and jewellery.  Bhai Lakhoo ji mounted an arrow and released it with force.  The arrow was flying fast.  Some other warrior came in front and took the arrow in the heart.  That warrior died and fell.  The Umraavs saw this and challenged Bhai Lakhoo ji to fight.  The Turks and Kutabh Khan were really angry.  They all headed towards Bhai Lakhoo ji.  Another Turk officer said: “you killed one of ours!  We will take revenge!  Where are you going?”  Bhai Lakhoo ji aimed at the officer but he was hit instead.  An arrow hit Bhai Lakhoo ji in his left shoulder.  Bhai Lakhoo ji gathered his courage and continued fighting after being seriously injured.  He got angrier and took his sword out.  He made his horse run fast and headed towards Kutabh Khan.  Another Turk stopped Bhai Lakhoo ji.  He was a brave warrior who came to save Kutabh Khan.  He didn’t let Bhai Lakhoo ji go ahead.  Both were angry.  Bhai Lakhoo ji took his sword and cut the Turks head off.  His head fell to the ground.  His body fell as well.  Bhai Lakhoo ji continued towards Kutabh Khan.  His eyes were red and his eyebrows were arched.  The Turks noticed that Bhai Lakhoo ji killed 2 officers and now he was running towards Kutabh Khan with great speed.  He had a scary sword in his hand, drenched in blood.  He had many arrows in his quiver.  He had an arrow stuck in his left shoulder.  There was no stopping him.  Kutabh Khan saw Bhai Lakhoo ji coming and mounted his bow with an arrow.  He released the arrow which hit Bhai Lakhoo ji’s horse.  The horse became a Shaheed.  Bhai Lakhoo ji got off his dying horse and scolded Kutabh Khan: “stay there!  I will kill you now!”  He ran at the same speed on foot, as his horse was running, previously.  Many Turks came and surrounded Bhai Lakhoo ji.  Some shot bullets at him and some shot arrows.  He dodged everything and ran like a cheetah.  He cut many horses in his path.  He cut their lips, nostrils and heads.  He flew through the field.  He wanted to get to Kutabh Khan.  He got surrounded among hundreds.  He killed many Turks.  The Umraavs said: “this warrior is alone and we can’t handle him.  Why are you afraid of him?  Attack him at once and kill him.” 

Kutabh Khan mounted an arrow and made his horse run.  He aimed at Bhai Lakhoo ji’s forehead and released the arrow.  The arrow hit Bhai Lakhoo ji in the forehead.  He fell to the ground right away.  The Turks came and chopped his head off.  In this way Bhai Lakhoo ji became a Shaheed.  Many Turks were killed.  The fairies from heaven came to take the Shaheed on their vessels.  They showed their bodies to the Shaheed and took him.

Everyone praised Kutabh Khan: “you killed the enemy.”  The both sides fought.  Swords, arrows and rifles were used.  Kaalay Khan looked towards Painday Khan and said: “there’s no better time like now to get the Guru.  Use your strength and grab the Guru.”  Painday Khan heard this and got angry.  He said: “now watch my strength.  I will go now.  I will grab him once.  I will brag him from his horse.  Watch this drama of my strength.  Don’t doubt me.  Have faith in me.  I will bring him alive.”  Kaalay Khan said: “good.  This is what we expect from you.  Do what you told the Shah in his court.  You said that you will take the Guru to the Shah’s court.  Complete your task and take the Guru to the Shah’s court.”  Painday Khan said: “trust me.  I don’t fear anyone.  I will go and fight the Guru when the battle is fierce.  I need you to stop the other Sikhs.  I don’t want to the Sikhs to rescue the Guru.  I will squeeze my arms around the Guru and bring him here.  I will show you my strength.  The Guru won’t be able to release himself from my arms.  I don’t want any other Sikhs to come near me.  You need to help me.  Stay alert.  Keep an eye out for the Sikhs.”  Kaalay Khan heard the warrior’s words and gathered the best warriors.  He said to them: “we will all go with Painday Khan.  We will all support him and help him.  Stop the Sikhs of the Guru.  Painday Khan will catch the Guru.  Make sure no Sikh comes to rescue the Guru.”  When the Khans heard this, they got ready to go.  They fired their rifles.  They released many arrows.  They said: “we will be with you.  We will kill all the Sikhs.  You worry about your Task.”  Usmaan Khan was there too.  Painday Khan took Usmaan Khan with him.  He thought he was brave.  Usmaan Khan was the leader of the other warriors going with Painday Khan.  Usmaan Khan was proud of himself.  They all gathered and Painday Khan separated from them.  Painday Khan was being inspired by his own death.  He was the ungrateful “Nimak Harami” Turk.  He was going to be punished for his actions.  He was going to his death.  He thought he was really strong.  The fool was egotistical.

The omniscient Guru sensed Painday Khan coming and got his horse ready to ride forward.  He made his horse jump.  He came to the middle to fight with Painday Khan.  Guru ji told his Sikhs to not follow him.  He wanted the Sikhs to be away from him: “watch the drama.  Don’t shoot at Painday Khan.  Let him come to me.  Fight the other Turks that are coming.  Bidhi Chand ji, take your men and fight the enemy.  Attack the others.  They will charge us.  Stop them.  I will be alone.  I will see who comes to me.  I will kill the enemy today.”  Everyone obeyed and went to their posts.  They fired bullets and arrows to kill the Turks.  They advanced and killed the Turks.  Baba Gurditta ji showered many arrows.  He faced the enemy and stopped them in their tracks.  He killed many of the Turks.  He made his horse run and cut the limbs of the Turks.  Many warriors fought and died.  They were dying and going to Sach Khand.  The ones who thought of Guru ji, they went to Sach Khand.  The other warriors had all their sins washed away as they died on the battlefield, staring their death in the face. 

In the next part, listen to the Katha of how Painday Khan battled with Guru ji.  The warriors from both sides watched the battle.  They saw both of them as extremely strong warriors. 

8-27 Painday Khan’s End and Salvation

Painday Khan saw Guru Hargobind Sahib ji alone on his horse.  Painday Khan was happy as he saw his opportunity.  He heeled his horse and made it jump.  He then rode towards Guru ji.  Guru ji saw both armies and knew that the battle was going to get fierce.  The Nagaras, Ransinghas and conches sounded.  Painday Khan rode his horse, “Varola” (tornado), with great speed.  The wall of Kartarpur was not very high.  The wall was just a boundary.  Guru ji was standing close to the wall, releasing arrows in Bir Ras.  Painday Khan saw Guru ji’s Kalgi from far away.  He rode towards Guru ji.  The horse came fast.  He jumped over the wall and came into the Kartarpur boundary.  The horse’s feet did not touch the wall as it jumped over.  Everyone noticed how strong the horse was.  The horse showed his strength.  The horse was given to him by Guru Sahib.  It was 100,000 Rajitpuns and named Varola.  It showed its skills.  Painday Khan came close to Guru ji and pulled out his sharp Khanda.  The other warriors were moved back.  Nobody was to come close.  Everyone began watching the duel, eagerly.  Painday Khan came close to Guru ji and roared with pride: “Guru ji!  Attention!  Save yourself!  Gather your powers.  I will strike.  Don’t show mercy.  I am here to kill you.  You can strike.  You insulted me in your court.  I will catch you alive and take you to Shah Jahan.  The Badshah will do as he pleases.  If you want your life, drop your weapons and come with me.  I will have you meet with the Badshah.  I will have you forgiven.  The insults that you game me, I will have you forgiven.  If you don’t want to go, then get ready to fight.  Use your strength and skill to hit me with your Khanda.  When I strike, I will slice you in two.”  Guru ji came in Bir Ras and roared: “only cowards are scared!  Only cowards go to the Badshah and ask for support.  I love war!  I kill many enemies.  I don’t go to meet anyone.  I kill with weapons.  I will kill you!  Let’s see who will die.  I won’t be soft.  I won’t show mercy.  You are alive now but if you come forward, you won’t go home.  Death is standing on your head.  I can see it.  You can’t.  Your head will roll.  The tradition of the battle, listen to it with your ear: I won’t strike first.  You wanted to fight me.  I don’t want your wish to remain a wish.  You worked hard to come here.  If you don’t get a chance to fight, your effort would be useless.  If you are killed by me, your soul will regret it if you don’t get a chance.  I am telling you this because you are proud of your strength.  You have told the Turks that you are strong, many times.  You have been saying: “I am strong.  I will pick up the Guru and bring him.”  For this reason; Strike first!  Strike hard!  Show no mercy!  Use your strength and wisdom to fight.    Don’t keep any desire in your mind.  Do all of the sins you wish to do.”  The foolish Khan heard this and thought to himself: “if I sit on the horse and strike, I won’t be successful.  I won’t be able to use my full strength.  I need to be on the ground.  I will kill him or grab him with my arms.  I just need to grab him and take him to my army.  We can chain him up, once he is with us.  I won’t delay this now.  My whole army is watching.  This good work should be quick.  I won’t be able to use my strength on the horse.  We can fight on the horse but on the ground is better.”  Painday Khan thought about this and got off of Varola.  He jumped off and came close to Guru ji.  He swung his Khanda with his full strength.  He brought the Khanda from the back and swung it with his full strength.  He aimed for Guru ji’s thigh.  His arms were fully extended.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was watching carefully.  He analysed Painday Khan’s strike.  The stirrups of Guru ji’s horse was made of “Bhurat” (type of very hard brass).  The stirrups weighed 10 Sers.  Guru ji straightened the left stirrup and hit the Khanda.  The stirrup was really strong.  Guru ji stopped the strike with the bottom of his foot, with the Bhurat stirrup.  Painday Khan failed.  It was like a slap to Painday Khan’s face, stopping his strike with his foot.  Not a single scratch came onto Guru ji.  It was a failed attempt.  Painday Khan got angrier for missing.  He raised his Khanda and jumped like a lion onto Guru ji.  He wanted to hit Guru ji’s body.  Guru ji quickly turned his horse and put his shield, in his left hand, forward.  The boss weighed 5 Sers.  The second attempt failed again.  Guru ji sat on his horse with patience.  He was calm and radiant.  Painday Khan got worried: “I failed twice.”  He jumped again a third time.  He wanted to slice Guru ji, right through.  He changed directions and swung.  The brave warrior, Guru ji, blocked the third strike with his shield again.  The Khanda landed on the boss (made of Faulaad) and broke into two.  Painday Khan was left with the hilt in his hand.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji watched.  He could have killed him now.  Guru ji thought to himself: “he is without a weapon.  I can’t strike on him.”  Painday Khan decided to grab Guru ji with his arms.  He went to Guru ji’s left side and wanted flip Guru ji’s horse.  He put one hand where the “Tung” (belt of the horse) was and the other hand around the horse’s neck.  He locked both his hands.  He had Guru ji’s both legs around his arms.  He wanted to make Guru ji fall.  The omnipotent Guru, who can lift the Sumer Mountain and the whole universe, how could Painday Khan pick him up?  Painday Khan used his full strength and made the horse stay still.  The horse couldn’t move.  Guru ji realised that Painday was going to flip him.  Guru ji bragged the reins and heeled the horse to make it jump.  The horse was strong but Painday Khan did not let the horse jump.  The horse was stuck.  The horse was on the ground still.  The horse had eaten a lot of Karah and was really strong.  It rode with Guru ji’s mind.  Guru ji would just signal to move and it would go where Guru ji wanted to go.  Such a horse was immobilized by Painday Khan.  Painday Khan was really strong.  Such was his strength, that the horse could not move, along with Guru ji on it.  Guru ji realised the horse was stuck.  Painday Khan used his full strength.  Guru ji’s legs were locked too.  Guru ji couldn’t strike him with his Khanda.  He was on Guru ji’s left thigh.  Guru ji knew it was Painday Khan’s time to die.  He analysed the situation and picked up his shield in his left arm.  He raised the shield up high and struck Painday Khan’s head really hard with it.  Painday Khan let the grip go and got dizzy.  The world began to spin for him and he couldn’t walk straight.  He began to sway.  He fell to the ground after spinning 3 times.  Guru ji had hit him really hard.  Painday Khan was on his knees.  He fainted and fell to the side.  Guru ji saw that Painday Khan began to sweat and fainted.  He could have killed him but he didn’t.  Guru ji got off his horse.  He was on the ground and followed the Dharma of War. 

When Painday Khan became conscious, he saw Guru ji standing in front of him.  The two armies were watching.  Guru ji’s family was watching from the Atari.  The people of Kartarpur were watching from their balconies.  The Matas were all doing Ardas to Guru Nanak Dev ji and the other Gurus for protection.  They said: “please help us from the army of the Turks.”  The other women of Kartarpur were praying.  The merchants were worried for Guru ji as well.  Only Guru ji could save them.  They wanted Guru Nanak Dev ji to protect Guru ji.  Everyone was scared.  They all prayed to Akaal Purakh for Guru ji’s victory: “Prabhoo Maharaj ji, protect our honour.  May the Turks lose and run away.”  Guru ji heard the Ardaas of everyone.  The omniscient Guru heard the prayers and was about to answer them.  The sun was hot and bright.  It was time to kill Painday Khan.  Painday Khan got up.  Guru ji roared: “listen Pathaan!  Attention!  I am about to strike now!  It’s my turn.  Protect yourself.  You struck three times.”  Painday Khan spoke with anger: “when will you strike?  I won’t let you strike.  I will take you.  You won’t be able to release yourself.  You’re on the ground now.  I will grab you and pick you up.  Use your strength.  I won’t leave you now.  You released your horse.”  Guru ji got angry.  His eyes were red.  Guru ji moved into different stances.  Painday Khan had a shield.  Guru ji only wanted to strike once.  He wanted to cut his body and kill him.  Painday Khan wanted to grab Guru ji.  He wanted to bear-hug Guru ji and take him back to his army: “my men will come and kill the Sikhs.”  He threw his shield down.  His hands were empty.  He came close to Guru ji.  Guru ji saw his opportunity and took his sword up, the sword flashed like lightening.  He sliced Painday Khan, from the shoulder to the opposite waist.  The sword was a clean strike; like a Tarkhan slicing wood; like soap cut with a steel wire.  When Painday Khan was about to fall, sliced in two, Guru ji said: “you were born in the home of Turks, say the Kalima now.”  As Painday Khan was going to fall, he said: “Sri Guru ji, the Tulwar in your hand is the form of my Kalima.  Save me!”

8-28 Usmaan Khan Dies

When Painday Khan became humble, he said: “Sri Guru Tumray Haath Ki, Misri Kalama Jaan, Sri Guru ji, the Misri (sword from Missar/Egypt) in your hand is my Kalima.”  Guru ji heard this and became overwhelmed with compassion.  Painday Khan was his adopted son.  Guru ji had to kill him with his own hands.  He had fed him with his own hands.  He gave him the best gifts and the best clothes.  He gave him the best food.  He was the jewel of his court.  Guru ji was happy to see him in his army, when Painday Khan stood radiantly among the other warriors in the Guru’s army.  Guru ji had given him gifts and respect.  He completed his every wish.  Seeing his adopted son’s state, the “Lotus-Eyed One” began to shed tears.  Painday Khan was sweating.  The sun was making him suffer as he was dying.  Guru ji gave him shade from the sun with his shield.  He looked at his face, standing there.  He was shedding tears from his eyes.  The tears landed onto Painday Khan ji’s face; like wood is taken care by the water and does not let it drown.  Wood is raised by the water.  Painday Khan suffered a little and then died quickly.  Satguru ji was filled with love.  He decided to let go of his weapons: “I’ve killed thousands of Turks.  This one I raised with my own hands, I had to kill.”  Guru ji thought of all this.  He looked around and thought again: “I can’t let go of my weapons.  It would be difficult.  The warriors would say: “he got scared and dropped his weapons.”  I won’t let go of my weapons.”  In this way, the tradition of weaponry continued.

When Painday Khan had come to fight with Guru ji, Usmaan Khan was with him in the charge.  Sri Baba Gurditta ji had intercepted him and stopped him, saying: “where are you going?  Stay here!”  Usmaan Khan shot an arrow towards Baba ji.  Baba ji fought with Usmaan Khan.  He was not afraid.  They moved their horses; sometimes further, sometimes closer.  They showed their Shastervidya skills.  Both were great warriors.  They released many arrows but missed.  Nobody was hit.  They protected themselves well.  Usmaan Khan got angry at his misses.  He mounted a big arrow on his bow.  He released it to kill Baba Gurditta ji but it hit the Baba ji’s horse’s saddle.  It was a failed shot.  Sri Gurditta ji got angry and took a Khapra arrow from his quiver.  He mounted it on his bow and pulled it to his ear.  He released the arrow.  Flying like a snake, the arrow hit Usmaan Khan in the forehead.  The arrow blasted his head.  The head of Usmaan Khan burst, with the arrow going right through it.  Usmaan Khan died and fell to the ground.  Baba Gurditta ji got off his horse and went to Usmaan Khan’s dead body.  Seeing him as his childhood friend, he began to shed tears.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji saw this and noticed that Baba Gurditta ji had become compassionate and was in mourning.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji quickly brought his horse to Baba Gurditta ji and said: “why are you standing by this Turk?  Look!  The army is coming towards you!  Be alert and get ready to fight again.  This is no time for mourning.  If you can’t fight, being in mourning, go home!”  Baba Gurditta ji heard this and said: “he used to play with me everyday.  He was my age.  We were good friends.  He went hunting with me and practiced Shastervidya with me.  He used to talk to me.  We hunted many deer and other animals together.  He’s not speaking to me now.  He’s not getting up anymore.  I am standing by him but he’s not speaking to me.”  Baba Bidhi Chand ji grabbed his arm and said: “he’s dead!  He was your friend.  He died by your hand so he will go to Sach Khand.  You’ve blessed him well when he was alive.  You are omnipotent like your father.  Take him out of the cycle of birth and death.  Bless him.  He received his punishment.”  Baba Gurditta ji heard this and said: “was this the fruit of keeping weapons?  I had to kill me friend.  There is no compassion in battle.  He was like my brother.  I killed him.”  He was depressed.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji took him to Guru ji. 

Guru ji was standing over the dead body of Painday Khan ji.  Baba Gurditta ji saw his father next to Painday Khan’s body and became depressed.  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji saw his son and understood his state right away.  He knew that his son had just killed his friend.  He gave him hope.  He told two soldiers: “take him home.  He won’t be able to fight anymore.  He is depressed now.”

Baba Gurditta ji came home and sat down.  He was quiet.  He didn’t speak to anyone.  His mind was quiet.  This was the state of a saint.  The saint only kills to relieve the sins.  The saint only has compassion.  Once the sin was washed away, the saint only blesses.  Just as Painday Khan, killed by the hands of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, went to Sach Khand; Usmaan Khan went to Sach Khand as well.

After Painday Khan and Usmaan Khan were killed, the battle got fierce.  Kutabh Khan and Kaalay Khan lost hope of victory.  They said to each other: “the one who brought the army at the command of the Badshah, he has died.  Who will kill the Guru now?  We won’t be able to catch him now.”  Kaalay Khan said: “Kutabh Khan ji, what do we do now?  Painday Khan has been killed.  The Guru will remain a rebel.  We will go back to Lahore.  How will we show him our face?  What will we say?  We said: “we will bring the Guru alive or kill him.”  That’s what we said to the Shah.  We failed on both attempts.  The court will laugh at us.  The Siropas, worth Lakhs; the expensive weapons and horses we received; the Umraavs saw this.  What shall we do now?  We should try to catch or kill the Guru.  Either that, or we should die.  Our army is dead.  They are all gone.  It’s as if they were never born to their mothers.”  Kutabh Khan heard this and said: “you are wise.  You should decide what we should do.  I want to catch the Guru or kill him.  There is no other way out of this.  We have to fight.  We should either kill or be killed.  We are Pathaans.  Gather the whole army and charge at the sound of the Nagaras.  The ones that are dead, they are dead.  Let’s take the ones that are alive.  Let’s fight the Guru.  Let’s surround him.  Let’s not delay.  We fought all night.  It’s now almost noon.  We are all tried.  The horses are tired too.  Let’s charge and win the field.”  Kaalay Khan gave the command to play the Nagaras.  The army was collected.  The best soldiers were at the front. 

The line was set.  Kaalay Khan said to all: “whoever values his life; whoever is attached to their home, wife or kids; let go of your weapons and go home.  Quit this job and do something else.  Whoever wants to fight like a warrior, come with us to fight the Guru.  We will try to catch him alive.  If not, we will kill him.  You will be praised and rewarded well.  You will be in pleasure.  If you die in battle, you will go to heaven.  You will get fairies and wine in heaven.  There will be only joy there.  The one who is afraid of dying, don’t come with us.  Find another job.  Don’t be a warrior.  We are all either Mughals, Pathaans or Syeds.  Your families are all very high and important.  You have worked for the Badshah and received a lot of joys.  Now the Shah has an important task.  Protect the honour of your family.  Make an effort and charge hard, once.  Let’s catch the Guru or kil him.”  The soldiers got ready and said: “we will fight hard!  We will kill or be killed.  We will catch the Guru.”  The army was inspired by Death towards their death.  The army got ready to charge. 

Satguru ji sensed that the army was coming to fight again.  Guru ji called for more quivers full of arrows.  He made his army alert: “the big armies have been destroyed before.  Let’s kill the remaining, with one last charge and send them to Heaven.  The dead will go to Heaven.  The victorious ones will experience the pleasures of life.”  The Sikhs were all gathered in this way.  They were all standing in attention to fight the Turks.  The Nagaras were played.  The battle started. 

8-29 Mehra and Kutabh Khan Die

Guru ji said to Baba Bidhi Chand ji: “take the mounted warriors with you and attack the enemy with an equal charge.  Kill the Turks.”  Baba Bidhi Chand ji commanded his men to be in attention.  They all gathered.  The Turks came, shouting their Jaikaras and firing their rifles.  Many bullets were fired. It was a fierce attack.  Fire spewed from the rifles.  It was like black clouds, flown by the wind.  Only gunpowder was flying.  The sparks looked like lightening flashing.  The bullets fired like hail, destroying the crops.  The warriors were dying.  The horses rode.  The bullets were fired.  Both sides met each other to fight.  It was like they were playing Phagun.  They were like the red wood, drenched in blood.  The clothes were red.  They all attacked.  Nobody moved back.  They pushed each other ahead.  The proud warriors fell, holding big weapons in their hands.  It was a fierce battle with dust flying to the sky.  The sun was hidden from the dust.  The Raag Maaroo was playing.  The warriors fought.  The warriors from both sides fought hard, with anger in their hearts.  Their eyes were red.  They yelled at each other.  The enemy said: “where is the Guru?  Let’s go to him!  He has killed many of our men.  Let’s see how brave and strong he is.  Let’s catch him or kill him together.  Let’s win this battle now.  Don’t delay.”  The corrupt Turks spoke like this till they weren’t face by Guru ji or the other Sikhs.  The Turks attacked, riding their horses and killing everyone in their path.  The battle was fierce.  Many Turks came together and attacked.

Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji’s men could not take the attack.  There were too many Turks.  They fired their guns to stop them.  The bullets flew and hit many Turks.  They broke their limbs.  The Turks fell to the ground like trees being uprooted.  The Sikhs filled the bullets and gunpowder quickly.  The used the ramrod and fired 2 bullets at a time.  They fought with anger to stop the Turks.  They held the rifles and fired.  They killed them, far and near.  The Turks fell to the ground like addicts, high off of cannabis.  The handsome warriors laid on the ground.  The dead fell and the alive got shot and joined them.

Bhai Ameeya ji and Bhai Mehar Chand ji brought their men and aimed their guns and rifles.  When the enemy came near, they took out their swords and faced the enemy.  The swords flashed like lightening.  Just as lightening dances in the clouds, that’s how the swords danced.  The enemy was cut.  The warriors fought without fear, from both sides.  Nobody had the wish to go back home.  Shoulders were cut.  Thighs were cut.  Heads were cut.  Hands were cut.  Necks and legs were cut.  The swords cut many limbs.  They were red with blood.  The swords were like a princess, wearing a red sari.  The swords were the tongues of death, eating Paan (hence the red colour).  It looked like a wedding; both families meeting each other.  The radiance of the warriors, seeing this, the fairies from heaven came to wed the dead.  The instruments played and the warriors sang songs, saying “kill!”  It was like songs of joy.  It was like a joyous occasion.  Like people wear red clothes, the warriors wore clothes that were red from the blood.  The Turks all came at once. 

Bhai Mehar Chand ji was surrounded and trapped.  His eyes were red with anger.  He bit his lips out of anger.  His eyebrows were arched like a bow.  He cut many Turks with his sword.  He had a Dhope (long sword) sword in his hand.  He swung it in all 4 directions.  Whoever came close, got cut.  Bhai Mehar Chand ji’s horse died.  He jumped off and fought on the ground.  He was fearless and continued killing the enemy.  He took on many strikes.  His body was cut.  He fell but did not leave.  His limbs were stiff and wounded. Bhai Mehar Chand ji died a true warrior’s death.  

Bhai Ameeya ji saw this and brought his men to fight.  He fought a fierce battle.  The Turks came on strong.  Bhai Ameeya ji and his men killed many Turks and ruined their families.  Bhai Ameeya ji made his horse dance.  He and the Sikhs were hit many times but they continued killing anyone who came close.  Bhai Ameeya ji also attained martyrdom.  The fairies were blessed to see the battles of Bhai Mehar Chand ji and Bhai Ameeya ji.  They both killed many Turks before they died.  They died, fighting head on.  They had their swords in their hands.

Sri Guru Hargobind ji, the brave warrior, saw this fierce battle.  He took out his arrows and released them to kill the enemy.  He killed many Turks.  He fired where there were many Turks.  The arrows pierced many as they flew.  He killed horses and men.  He killed many with one arrow.  The arrows would only stop when they would hit the ground.  Many horses and men died by the arrows of Guru ji.  The arrows went right through them.  Some yelled for water and some got trampled by horses.  Some laid face down and some were face up.  Some yelled for help.  This was the state when Guru ji released his arrows.  Kartarpur was still protected.  Guru ji protected the boundary.  He piled up many bodies.  The Turks were stopped like a tsunami being stopped by a mighty mountain.  Only the mountain can stop the mighty tidal waves.  Only the Guru could stop the great armies, alone.  Many were wounded.  They fell to the ground.  Their hope was lost as they died.

Kutabh Khan got angry, seeing his men die.  He rode his horse ahead.  He went where Sri Guru ji was.  He fired arrows towards Guru ji.  He killed many Sikhs.  He challenged Guru ji: “Guru ji, stay there!  I am here to take revenge!”  The brave warrior mounted his arrow and released it with patience.  Guru ji changed his stance on his horse and dodged the arrow.  Guru ji took out a big arrow and released it towards Kutabh Khan.  The arrow hit the chest of the horse of Kutabh Khan.  It was like a snake going into its burrow.  The arrow went out the other end of the horse.  It was like the current of a river destroying the bank of the river.  The horse fell right away.  Kutabh Khan jumped off the dying horse.  He then ran towards Guru ji.  He had a sword in his hand.  He swung his sword to hit Guru ji’s horse.  Guru ji pulled the reins but Kutabh Khan sliced a piece of the horse’s nostrils.  Guru ji pulled out his sword and swung it with force.  To save himself, Kutabh Khan tried hard.  He was not successful.  Guru ji cut the head of Kutabh Khan off.  His head rolled on the ground.  Kutabh Khan’s body danced around a little while before it fell.  The body fell like a banana tree, uprooted by the wind.  The body shook for a while after it fell. 

When Kutabh Khan was killed, his men attacked Guru ji.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji saw this and brought his men to fight.  It was like the moths came into the fire to die.  The bullets, swords and arrows were used.  The rifles, pistols, axes, spears and Tulwars were used.  The men fought hard and pushed each other.  It was like many children playing.  Their clothes were red from blood.  They cut each other with weapons.

The vultures, Kaljognis, jackals and other scavengers ate the flesh of the fallen soldiers.  They were happy to eat the meat.  They were satiated.  They drank the blood with joy.  The Kaljognis danced and ate.  How can this be said in words?  The Guru killed many Turks.  The Turks fell and died.  Kartarpur became a scary sight.  The cowards would see this and get scared.  Thousands of limbs and bodies were piled up.  Heads and limbs were scattered.  Many Sikhs died.  They killed many Turks.  The bodies were piled up.  It was a scary sight to see.  Kaalay Khan took some of his remaining men, letting go fo the hope of victory.  He wanted to kill or be killed now. 

8-30 The Battle with Kaalay Khan

Only about 1,000 soldiers remained with Kaalay Khan.  He thought to himself: “I will fight with the Guru now.  I will either kill or be killed.”  He gathered his remaining soldiers in one place.  The men had lost the will to fight.  They said: “our army was destroyed in such little time.  Who killed our army?”  The vultures and crows came to eat the flesh of the dead.  The jackals barked.  The vultures shrieked.  Many injured were yelling in pain.  The remaining men went pale, seeing this.  They knew that they weren’t going home alive.  They looked towards Kaalay Khan and did not want to leave his said.  They wanted Kaalay Khan to not fight anymore.  They wanted to live.

The men in Guru ji’s army were fearless.  They were inspired to fight.  They said in a loud voice: “we’ve killed the enemy!  The Guru’s Nagaras will sound.  We will win!  The Shah is a fool who keeps sending an army towards Guru ji.  He wants to fight the master of the universe.  He should have folded his hands and bowed to the Guru.  Instead, the foolish Badshah fights him.  He sent a big army 3 times before this, which was all destroyed.  He still does not have love in his heart for the Guru.  He does not understand the Guru’s greatness.”  The Sikhs talked and got their weapons ready.  They fired bullets and released arrows.

Kaalay Khan was determined to fight with Guru ji: “I will fight the Guru.  If I leave the battle, this is not good.  Where will I show my face?  Where will I live?  The Khans will slander me.  If I run away like a coward, I will still die one day.  It will be a damned death.  If I am not praised, I won’t be happy.  I will go to Hell when I die.  Nobody lives forever.  Everyone completes their ages and die.  The warriors die in battle.  They are praised.”  He was worried and thought a lot.  He gathered his warrior spirit and faced the Sikhs.  He gathered his men and motivated them: “this is the last charge.  We need to go close and catch the Guru.  If we can’t catch him, kill him.  When this is done, we will go the Badshah and tell him everything.  We will enjoy many pleasures and be rewarded with clothes and horses.  We will get palanquins and elephants.  We will be praised.  We will get Jagirs.  You can go home and enjoy yourself with Jagirs.  Just fight one more time and catch the Guru.  Use your full strength and enjoy the rest of your life.  You will be given statuses.  I will give you alcohol and Kebabs.”  He spoke to his men, that ate and drank with Kaalay Khan.  They were his closest allies.  They were his personal regiment, in his presence.  They all got ready and fastened their weapons.  They had their rifles, swords, shields, Saangs and spears.  They threw their shields up and yelled jaikaras.  They loaded their rifles and fired.  They loaded their quivers with sharp arrows.  They moved their horses and charged. 

There was a lot of noise.  The Guru’s Sikhs were ready for them.  They welcomed the army with bullets.  They had the energy of Guru ji.  They were fearless.  They said: “when the Turks come, we will kill them.”  They loaded gunpowder and bullets in their rifles.  The Sikhs loaded their bows with arrows.  When the Turks charged, the Sikhs saw them.  They all fired bullets.  The Sikhs said: “fire your bullets first and then take out your swords.  We will cut them like wood with a saw.”  Guru ji gave weapons, gunpowder, spears and bullets to all.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji and Guru ji were in the middle of the army.  Pandit Jatti Malik ji was ready with his bow.  They were all waiting for the enemy to come close.  They didn’t want the enemy to survive.  They enemy was few in numbers.  The Sikhs said: “few will survive and run away.  They will tell the Shah about today.” 

Both sides were ready.  Kaalay Khan ran with his expensive horse.  He led the charge with a lot of noise.  The warriors fought with Bir Ras.  When the enemy came close, the Sikhs fired their rifles.  The Turks came straight onto Guru ji.  Both sides fired bullets.  The Turks fired their bullets that missed everyone.  They hit the walls of Kartarpur.  The Sikhs hit the Turks and busted their limbs.  Many heads exploded.  Legs and arms were broken.  Chests, guts and limbs were pierced.  Many horses and men fell.  The ones that fell died right away.  Guru ji released many arrows.  Whoever came in his arrows’ path, died.  Many men fell.  The survivors that came forward, the egotistical Kaalay Khan led them ahead.  He came close to Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  He saw Guru ji.  Guru ji was ready to fight with the other Sikhs.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji was fighting with anger.  He used his bow to release arrows.  They aimed and shot the arrows with wisdom and skill.  His mind and wisdom were instilled in Dharma.  He killed the enemy, destroying their hopes.  The land of the battle, the battle is fierce.  Baba Bidhi Chand ji had awareness like Devatas. He killed many Turks.  He pushed the enemy back.  The enemy got scared.  Baba ji scolded and killed many.  The rifles were fired.  The bows were aimed.  Many Turks were killed after being challenged.  The Khandas killed many.  The proud warriors were cut to pieces.  Many great warriors were killed.  Some got scared and ran.  Arrows flew.  Limbs were cut.  The clothes were red.  Many fell from the horses.  The swords were out.  They were swung with force.  The ground was plowed.  The bullets were fired.  Many fell.  Bullets were reloaded.  Guru ji saw this and made his horse run fast.  He released many arrows.  He killed many Turks with his strength.  The enemy fell and yelled in pain.  They wanted water but no one was there.

The fairies came from Heaven to marry the dead.  Their eyes were beautiful.  Their eyes danced.  Their eyes had Soorma in them.  They were like lotuses in the field.  They looked for the best warriors to marry.  They chewed on betelnut.  They laughed and talked to each other.  They were eager to marry the best warrior.  They congratulated each other.  They married the warriors.  They had henna on their hands and colour on their nails. 

In this way, the battle raged on.  Many men died.  They fought with each other.  Many horses and bodies piled up.  The place was scary to look at.  The ground was red for miles.  There was flesh and organs all over the place.  Rivers of blood flowed.  The smell was horrible.  Bones and flesh were scattered.  Limbs were cut.  The vultures ate the flesh.  The jackals fought for the meat.  They licked the flesh and ate till satiation.  The vultures shrieked.  The crows cawed and ate flesh.  The vultures ate with patience.  They ripped the bodies of the men and horses apart to eat them.  How can the war be described into words?  Both armies fought.  A lot were killed.  Few remained.  Kaalay Khan and Guru ji came face to face.  Listen oh saints, how they fought.  Listen with attention.