Part 16 The Sakhi of Dasvay Paatshaah

Then, the conflict between the Tenth Paatshaah and the Turks got intense.  The Paharis caused more problems by fueling the fire.  They tattletaled and made the spark into a full-blown inferno.  The Qazis instigated the Mughal Turks.  They had forgotten all of the promises Babbar made to Guru Nanak Dev ji about keeping the peace and respect with the Guru’s household.  They said: “since when did the Hindus give us Hindustan?  The Prophet Pagambhers gave us the kingdom.”  Guru Gobind Singh ji heard about this and got angry.  He made the Panth to destroy the Turks.  He sacrificed his four sons.  He gave his whole family for the Panth.

Murray then asked me: “why did he not keep his family and the Panth?”  I said: “if his family remained, the Panth would not have grown.  There was Dattatreya and Gorakh Sidh.  They kept their Panths and didn’t start a family for this reason.  Mohammed sacrificed his family and made his Panth grow.  He held his Panth in greater regards and made it grow.”  Murray said to me: “why do you blame the Turks if the Guru sacrificed his family?  If this is what he wanted to do, then why the conflict.”  I responded to Murray: “the Sahibzadas were murdered by the Turks.  Were they not to be blamed for that?  Guru ji wanted to destroy the Turks.  For this reason, he made them guilty and created the Khalsa Panth.  The Sikhs were to be saved and the sinners were to be destroyed.  He even gave his own body as a sacrifice and made the Turks guilty even more.  He wanted his Panth to grow.  Either the Panth can remain or the family.  Even Ram and Krishan did not do both.  Sri Ram and Krishan ji kept their sons and gave them the kingdom with love.  Sri Satguru ji gave the kingdom to the Sikhs.  This tradition made him the greatest.  If one’s own family remains, the family does let the Panth grow.  Just as the child of the earth (grass) grows by itself; it does not let any other crop grew.  It must be sacrificed for the crops to grow. 

Part 17 Why was the Khalsa Created?

Murray asked me a question, to which I gave him many examples: “how was the Panth created by the Satguru and under which circumstances?  The Turks were really powerful then.  Their kingdom was huge and strong.  The command of the Turks passed really quickly through all 22 Soobas.  Within the ocean, they had control over many islands.  In the south, east and towards the mountains, the whole country was part of their public.  How did the Singhs grow in numbers?  How did they spread?  How did they rebel against such a powerful kingdom?  Where was the royal army during the rebellion?  Did they not know the Singhs were growing?  Weren’t the Gurus and the Emperors apposed to each other?  Did the Turks and the Singhs call a truce during that time?  Did they not know of the third Panth?  Weren’t there any wise Mughals?  Did they not recognize the Singhs?  Did the Panth not stake claim over the kingdom?  Was the Panth under hiding when it grew?”  Listen oh Sikhs as I answered Murray: “this Panth has never been under hiding since the day it was born!  Since when did the Panth of the Singhs hide?  It can’t be hidden.  It was made for war.  The Singhs were born from the weapons!  The Singhs were given the Pahul of the Khanda.  The first sweet it was given was from the Khanda when it was born.  Their personality is the same as a Khanda.  There are Chakkars on their heads.  They can’t be hidden just like the claws of a lion.  The complete Satguru created this Panth!  They have been created for war.  Without war, who has ever taken kingdoms?  The Satguru has made the plan of war since the beginning.  The conflict between the Turks and the Gurus grew since the beginning.  Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji gave his head; how can the Sikhs forgive this?  The Turks can never be on our side.  Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji gave his head in Delhi.  He pulled the roots of the Master of Delhi.  Guru Gobind Singh ji knew everything.  He knew that the root was dried up after giving of the head but the tree couldn’t fall till it was not completely dry.  Some storm needed to come.  He brought on the storm by the Khanda.  They were to cut the tree in this way.  The Satguru took his Tulwar and killed the Turks to take the kingdom.  The Satguru decided: “I don’t need this kingdom!  I have the throne of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.  The greatest kings bow before this Throne.  What do I need the throne for?  I will give the kingdom to my servants.”  Satguru ji thought about this: “I will kill the Turk kings first.  I will give the Khandas to the Pahari Rajas.”  Guru ji tested them and realised they weren’t deserving.  He thought: “they can’t become my Sikhs.  Why should I give them the power for free?  They are stuck in sensory pleasures.  How can you kiss the faces of other’s sons?  They worship stones.  They can’t be drenched with water.  The Pahari Rajas are ungrateful towards the generosity of the Guru’s home (Guru Hargobind Sahib ji helped release many of these Rajas but they have now forgotten this).  They call themselves Rajputs and think they are soldiers.  Why would they say that the Guru gave them the kingdom?  I will now give the kingdom to the poor by empowering them!  They will understand that the Guru gave them the kingdom.  It’s good to give to the poor.  They are grateful.  The Guru’s home is compassionate towards the poor.  The poor should be empowered.  There are 7 clans and 12 castes.  They don’t know politics.  They are known as Jatts and Boots in the world.  They are Baniyas, Bkaals, Kiraars and Khatris.  Lohars and Tarkhaans, they are all considered worker castes.  Cheembas, Kalaals are considered low castes; I will bless them.  The Gujjars, Gwaars and Aheers and lower castes; Kamboj and Shoodras; no one asks them.  Jheevars, Nayees, Aroras, Ghumyaars, Sainis, Suniyaras, Choorays and Chumaars; Bhatts, Bhamans who beg; Bhuroopeeas who change their dress; Lubanas and Ghumyaars; I will give all these low castes the kingdoms.  They will remember me as their Guru.”

The Satguru called all of the Sikhs of the world.  He said: “pick up the weapon and kill the Turks!”  The Sikhs didn’t accept this as they were afraid of the Turks.  They said: “their armies are huge!  When will they leave their land and kingdom?”  The Sikhs did not obey: “we can’t kill the Turks.  We are sparrows and they are lions and hawks.  We are goats and they are lions.  How can you make deer kill lions?  How can the water of the small river go up the mountain again?  The Mughals and Pathaans have been warriors from the beginning.  We are Jaats, Boots, Nayees and Tarkhans.  You picked all of the low castes.  We have no weapons.  You should call the Rajputs who rule and fight.  They will complete your tasks.”  Sri Satguru ji thought to himself: “what can they do?  They have no courage.  I want to give the kingdom to the Sikhs but they are refusing it.”  Guru ji was omniscient.  He understood everything: “the Charan Pahul makes the Sikh, calm and humble.  They have no power or strength.  They need immense power.  They wear the Saily Toppi on their heads and name themselves “Das” (servant).  They are filled with compassion.  They can’t hold weapons.  I need to change the form of the Sikhs.  They need to be sharp who will be feared by Lakhs.  I need to give power into their name.  I need to give them the Pahul of Power.”  Satguru ji thought of all this.  He made the effort.  He made the Kshatriya, form which was beautiful.  He gave them unshorn hair with a Pug tied on their head.  He gave them the name of Singhs, which were kept by Kshatriyas.  Sri Guru ji knew that this was the best thing.  He thought of giving them the Pahul of the Khanda: “in this way the Khalsa will be determined.  They will take the kingdom in this way.  Everyone of them will believe that they will all be kings.  They will be like metal; like weapons.  They will drink the Pahul of the Khanda and will not fear the weapons.  The Khalsa will be the Khuddah himself.  They will have the personality of Khuddah in them.  They will not submit to anyone other than the true Paatshaah.  They will not worship Bhoots, Prayts, crypts or cemeteries.  They will not worship Ghugo Sultaan.  They will not wear the Tikka, Janyow or the Dhoti.  They will eat from the same Sunehra; those of many different castes will be equals among equals. 

Part 18 The Saakhi of Keshgarh, Sri Khalsa Panth Created

Guru ji thought of all this and carried out his plan.  He thought of all this in Keshgarh.  He called for a Pandit who was a great Jyotishi and found an auspicious day, the Mahoorat.  He sifted out 5 Bhujhangis and counted the 5 castes.  The 5 Bhujhangis were taken out of the crowd.  The 4 Varanas were made into brothers.  The first one, Bhai Daya Singh ji of the Sophti caste.  He was from Lahore.  The second was Bhai Dharam Singh ji from Hastinapur.  He was a Jatt; illuminated from the dreadlocks of Shiva.  The third was Bhai Mokham Singh ji from Dwarka.  He was the Avatar of Bhagat Namdev ji.  The fourth was Bhai Sahib Singh ji from the Nayee caste.  He lived where Bhagat Sain ji was from.  The fifth was Bhai Himmat Singh ji, Jheevar castes.  The 5 Bhujhangis were of 5 castes.  The Pahul of the Khanda was created.  Sweets were put in the centre.  A Karad was kept in the Bata.  The Satguru kept the sharp edge towards himself (and stirred the Khanda).  Sri Satguru ji said: “Satnam, Karta Purakh.  Akaal, Akaal; by your mercy.”  He recited the Pauri of Pritham Bhagauti from the Vaar.  He recited this, the Satguru joined this Pauri himself with the 9 Paatshaahs.  He asked them to bless the Tenth.  He chanted the 32 Svaiyas.  Sri Satguru ji recited this himself along with the powerful Bani of Chandi.  He read this over the Pahul.  He recited: “Khag Khand Bihandang Khal Dhal Khandang at ran Mandang Bar Bandang – The Kirpan and Khanda, the strong; destroyer of the army of the fools; it is powerful in fighting fierce battles.  Bhuj Dand Akhandang tej prachandang jot amandang Bhaan Prabang – it has the indestructible power which is in the indestructible arms.  The light never decreases.  Sukh Santan karnang durmat darnang kilvikh harnang as sarnang – it gives peace to the saints, destroys the unwise; kills the sins; I come to the shelter of the sword.  Jai jai Jag Karan Sristh ubaaran mam praitpaaran Jai Teghang – Victory to the cause of the word; the sustainer; the one who nurtures me.  Victory to the Tegh!  The Satguru called the 5 Bhujhangis and give them a fistful of the Pahul.  He then made them look straight and put the Pahul in their eyes.  He made them chant: “Akaal, Akaal!”  He then said the Fateh of the Vahiguru with each fistful.  He put 5 fistfuls in their hair.  All 5 were given 5.  They all took the Pahul from the same Sunehra.  They were all commanded not to have any differences.  The 4 Varanas and the 4 Ashrams were made into one.  The Janyows and Tikkas were taken off.  The Satguru gave them the instructions: “Do not meet with the Meenas and the Masands.  The girl-killers, Ram Rais, Tobacco users; if you meet with them, you will go astray.  Put money into the Guru’s Golak as much as you can.  Make Karah Prashaad and distribute it to the Khalsa.  Wear the Kachera and tie the Pugh to your head.  The words of Guru Granth Sahib ji; live by them.”  After saying this, Satguru ji made everyone wear Teghs.  He made them wear Kards and Chakkars on their heads and made them recite Akaal from their mouths.  He then said: “recite more Gurbani.  Recite Jap and Jaap both times.  Recite Anand Rehraas.  Recite the Chandi Bani while standing.  Tie your Dastaar two times.  Keep your weapons ready at all times, 8 Pahirs (24 hours).  Drink the Amrit and go hunting.  Practice Shaster Vidya.  Do the Jhatka of the goats and eat it.  Do not go close to the dead Kuttha meat (prepared in the tradition of Halal according to Islam).  Take care of your hair.  Wash it every four days.  Do not cut your hair with scissors.  Do not perform the Pittar Karams anymore.  Meditate on the feet of the Guru.  The ones who fall off the righteous path, give them the Tankhaa.”  As the Satgurus of the past did, so did the Satguru do again; where the previous Satguru becomes the first Sikh of the new Satguru.  The Satguru took the Pahul himself from the 5 Bhujhangis.  The Bhujhangis gave the Pahul to the Satguru ji in the same way as they were given.  The Guru was then known as the Guru and the follower.  This is how it was done from the beginning; as Guru Nanak Dev ji’s Jot resided inside Guru Angad Dev ji; the light of Guru Gobind Singh ji resided inside the Khalsa.  Guru Nanak Dev ji bowed to Guru Angad Dev ji; Guru Gobind Singh ji took the Pahul himself.  The Khalsa was the powerful Panth.  It was 1752 Vikram, Wednesday on the first of Vaisakh when the Khalsa Panth was born.

Part 19 The Khalsa Panth Spreads

From that day on, the Khalsa Panth spread.  From the 5 there were 50 and then hundreds and thousands; they stood to take Amrit.  The charge of the Guru’s home was given to the Khalsa (taken from the Masands).  The Khalsa was the leader in every place; the places of south, east and north.  The Singhs were sent to take the charge of the Sikh places.  5 Singhs were sent to the east to given Amrit to the Sikhs.  In Amritsar and Patna; where the Guru had stayed; Bhujhangis were sent there as leaders; giving them hope.  They were given the full authority.  They were to give the Pahul of the Khanda to the Sikhs.  Wherever there were 5 Bhujhangis, they were considered the Gurduara.  Wherever 5 Bhujhangis gathered, they were authorized to give Pahul.  They could do Ardaas for tasks which would be fulfilled.  The money of the Gurduara could be given to the Singhs.  Whatever was left could be sent to Anandpur.  Guru ji sent letters to all of the Sangats saying: “come and take the Khada Pahul.  Become radiant.  Kill the Turks now!  The Khanda Pahul has power.  The Turks will run away.  The Panth will establish rule.”  The people of Majha were the first ones to obey.  The others also obeyed and became fortunate.  In this way, the Khalsa Panth was spread after being born.  Satguru ji saw the Panth and was happy.  He gave the Khalsa weapons.  He made them wear beautiful royal clothes. 

Satguru ji would sit in the middle on a throne.  The Singhs stood all around him, holding weapons.  It was like Krishan in the middle of the Gopis, looking radiant.  Satguru ji was radiant among the Singhs.  Guru ji made the Singhs race horses everyday.  He made them practice weaponry.  He would make them stand and test their skills.  He would make some sit and make some stand and run around.  He built their stamina in this way.  He gave thick staffs to some.  He made two of them fight.  Guru ji would stand in fields and made the Singhs run in rough terrain.  He had the Singhs carry heavy bags and fight.  The Singhs wrestled and played kabaddi.  He would look at the Singhs and bless them with kingdoms in the future.  Satguru ji would say: “tell me what you want?  I will give you the kingdoms of countries wherever you wish.  I will give you those lands.”  The Singhs would hear this and ask for the leadership of their villages nearby.  They would wish for Punjab and want to rule it.  Satguru ji would say: “ask for foreign lands.  Ask for the Pahari areas and the east and west.”  The Singhs would respond: “how can we go far?  We wish to rule Punjab.”  They kept asking for Punjab.  Guru ji thought: “you will fight among yourself and ruin yourself.  Ask for big countries.  I’ll give you whatever you ask for.”  The Singhs were stuck in the relatives.  They just wanted to show off to their families.  They wanted to take revenge over their relatives that did them wrong.  They wanted to rule close to their homes.  They wanted their own villages after killing the leaders.  They were sons of poor people.  They didn’t know what it meant to be rich or kings.  They didn’t think big and long.  They wanted to impress their relatives and rule Punjab.  Satguru ji wanted to give them foreign lands but the Singhs didn’t want this.  Sri Satguru ji said to them: “you will fight among yourself if you stay in Punjab.”  Raja Jai Singh of Rajasthan had died.  Guru ji heard and said: “I will give you his kingdom.”  This Katha is written in Gurbilas.  You can read it there.  What Guru ji said to the Singhs, it’s all written there.  If you want to read, read the Gurbilas of Bhai Sukha Singh ji.  As the wars with the Paharis were fought, they are written in the Gurbilas.  The Paharis fought and earned sins.  This is written in the Gurbilas.  I will say here what was not written there.  It is a long Katha but I will summarize it.  The katha cannot be fully written.  I will write what I remember.  I will now say the Katha of the Singhs.  Listen of beloved Gurmukhs as they happened.  Satguru ji gave his commands to the Majhails.  He told them: “make the Khalsa spread and then fight battles.” 

Part 20 The Way of Nihangs

The Bhujhangis (Bhai Mani Singh ji and others) were first sent to Majha.  They gave Amrit to many and made them stay in Sri Amritsar.  The Panth of Nihang Bhujhangis spread in this way.  They kept a Salotar (thick stick) in their hands and wore a Khanda around their necks, held by a Gatra.  Some were Chakravarti (nomadic) and some stayed in the Gurdwaras.  Some made Dharamsalas in their villages, some made Boongas.  The Bhujhangis invited other Bhujhangis to come and eat.  They didn’t meet with others.  If a Bhujhangi was in need, they would come to the homes of Singhs and take what they needed with a scolding glance.  They weren’t greedy.  They picked up what they needed.  They saw the homes of the Singhs as their home own.  They would pick up ghee, flour and salt.  They would come to the door and say: “the Nihangs have come.  Sikhni, open the door without fear.”  The Sikhnis would agree and give.  They would give the Nihangs what they needed.  The Sikhs travelled in Majha and found the homes of Singhs.  The Sikhnis would run to give to the Singhs.  The Panth grew a lot in this way.

The Singhs needed more funds for their expenses.  The poor Singhs did not have enough.  They Singhs then went to the homes of others and picked up what they needed.  They didn’t touch gold or silver.  The Singhs scolded the people and then got into fights with the Chaudharys and leaders of the villages.  Most of the people were followers of the Sultani Sakhi Sarvaria and didn’t like the Sikhs.  They were always in conflict with the Singhs.  There were few homes of Singhs in the villages.  The Sultanis would want to kick the Sikhs out of their villages.  They said: “because of you, the Singhs come to our homes and bother us.”  The conflict got worse with the Sultanis and the Singhs.  They had fights and battles.  The Singhs were poor and the Sultanis had a lot.  They wouldn’t let the Khalsa come in to the villages.  They would only come in the morning.  If there were a few Singhs, they would fight them off.  The Sikhs would go at night to the jungles to give them food.  When the Jathas got big, they made their own Dheras outside of the villages.  If someone bothered them, the ones that didn’t give them what they needed; the Singhs would take their horses into the fields.  The Khalsa grew in this way.  Many days passed like this.  The Panth kept growing.  The Singhs began looting the governmental institutions.  The Panth grew by the day.  There was a shortage of food and clothes.  The Panth came to a decision: “let’s start taxing the villages.” 

Part 21 The Conflict of Singhs and Turks

The people didn’t want to pay taxes to the Singhs.  The Singhs would take by force.  This led to many conflicts.  The Sultanis went to the Turk officials and complained.  The armies of the Turks began to come.  They arrested the Singhs and sent them to Lahore.  The Turk Navaabs had them killed.  This happened during Guru Gobind Singh ji’s time.  The Singhs began to come back stronger.  They began to loot and kill the smaller regiments of the Turks.  They took their weapons and horses.  If the army was big, the Singhs would go into the jungles.  The conflict grew between the Turks and the Singhs.  They never really got along, ever.  The corrupted Hindus joined the Turks.  They became enemies of the Panth.  The Sultanis were half Muslims.  They claimed they were Hindus but they ate the leftovers of the Turks.  They began to squeal on the Singhs.  They had Singhs arrested.  The Singhs began to kill them too.  Whichever Singh was caught, the Sultanis killed them.  The Singhs and Sultanis were enemies.  The few Jatt Singhs in the villages couldn’t be tamed.  Bigger armies of Turks began to come.  The Singhs spent the nights in the jungles.  They took from the Turks and ate.  When the Turks couldn’t catch the Singhs, they bothered their parents and siblings.  The householder Sikhs were arrested and killed.  The Singhs living in the Gurduaras, Dharamsalas and Boongas; they were arrested by the Turks.  The Turks cut their heads off.  They killed any Singh they caught.  They were rewarded for this.  The Singhs still grew.  They didn’t stop.  The Majhails were not afraid of dying.  They lived in the Rehit.  They were wise and recited a lot of Bani.  Many Sultanis left their faith and joined the Satguru’s Panth.  The Panth grew, day and night.  Many Sikhs brought food for the Singhs at night.  Some gave their sons and grandsons to the Panth.  They recognized the radiance of the Khalsa and sent their children to join the Panth.  Some were hungry and without clothes.  They joined the Panth and became happy and joyous.  The ones who couldn’t pay the royal tax, the officials bothered them.  Those people joined the Panth.  The ones who were bothered by the government, they joined the Panth.  The ones who had no home, they came to the Panth.  They had nothing to lose.  In this way, the Khalsa grew from its creation.  The Panth was an ocean which could not be dried up.  The Panth was small and had less things.  The Singhs were hard to catch.  The country was in the hand of the Turks.  The army was huge.  The Turks had many forts and many canons.  The Khalsa had nothing at that time.  On top of that, the Sultanis bothered the Singhs.  Many Singhs lived in the jungles. 

Part 22 The Sakhi of Anandpur

Now listen to the Sakhi of Anandpur.  I had left it before but will say it now.  The conflict with the Pahari Rajas grew.  If I write about the Rajas in detail, the Granth will become really big.  It has been written in the Gur Bilas.  I will say what was not written there.  I didn’t write in detail.  If I write in detail, the Granth will get heavy.  Whoever wants to read it, they can read Gur Bilas.  I will write in summary.  I will speak of the past that connects to my current Katha.  When the Satguru picked up the sword and made efforts to make the Khalsa grow; he only loved the Khalsa and left the others behind.  Satguru ji loved the Khalsa.  He gave all of the good things to the Panth.  Wherever the Masands and Mevras were, the Singhs were sent there.  The Gurduaras and the places of the Gurus were taken over by the Amritdhari Singhs.  The Khalsa was given the authority to do the Ardaas in Sangat.  The treasury and Toshakhana; they were all given to the Khalsa to take care of.  The Mevras and the Masands were told to join the Khalsa if they wanted to do the Seva.  Otherwise they were to lose their honour or life, as they fought the Khalsa.  The Masands didn’t like this.  The Sikhs whom they threatened in the past, were now in charge as the Khalsa.  They overpowered the Masands.  The knife was at their throat. 

The Masands complained to Mata ji.  They said: “the Guru has lost his senses.  He is giving everything to the Singhs and looting it all.  How will they take over the country with the Singhs?  How will the Jatt Boots become kings?  He wants the goats to tear the lions apart; to have the sparrows kill the hawks.  Nobody in the Jatt Boots’ family has ever ruled.  If the Badshah hears of this, he will send his army here.  Guru ji will not be able to hide.  The army will kill everyone.”  Mata ji agreed and said: “you speak the truth.”  The older Divaans were all called.  The Masands said: “Guru ji seems to have lost his common sense.  Since he made the Chandi appear, the Chandi has been angry and everything has gone backwards.  He took on the enmity with the Badshah.  They will surround us all and kill us.  We need to get together and make an effort.  Let’s make Baba Jhujhaar Singh ji the Guru.”  Satguru ji heard of this and got angry.  He said: “the Masands have lost their senses.”  The Masands lost their senses and burnt a copy of Guru Granth Sahib ji.  They took the ashes and made it into a Samadhi.  They made people bow to it.  In the village that they did this; the Sangat of the Guru broke off and went to the Masands.  When Guru ji heard of this burning of the Guru Granth Sahib ji, Guru ji had the Masands captured and killed them.  Satguru ji commanded the Khalsa: “sacrifice the Masands to Chandi!”  Some were killed with weapons.  Some were bricked alive.  Some were dragged, tied behind horses and killed.  Some were fried in hot oil.  If I write in detail, the Granth will get really big.  You can read the Gur Bilas as much as you wish.

Part 23 The Jung of Anandpur

Mata Gujri ji said to Satguru ji: “why have you given the whole charge to the Panth Khalsa?  They are fighters and are always ready to fight.  They will fight and then put the problem on our heads.  When the difficult times come, they won’t stand with us.  The ones whom you call the Khalsa Khaas, they are sons of others who won’t complete your tasks.  You are keeping your own sons behind.”  Mata ji said all this to Guru ji but Guru ji knew that Mata ji was under the influence of the Masands.  Guru ji said: “listen Mata Gurjri ji, if you listen to them, you will be Ujri (ruined).  The Masands slander the Panth.  They came to your home.  These slanderers are leading you down the wrong path.  Don’t listen to their false words towards the Panth.”  Satguru ji gave the Khalsa permissions and commands: “don’t doubt anything.  Don’t be afraid.  Whatever you find, loot it and eat it.”  The Singhs looted many times.  Kamlote and other villages were looted by the Singhs.  Nirmoh, Jhakhi and Kamlote were looted.  The Doon plateaus were all looted for being bad to the Singhs.  The Paharis came and fought.  The Singhs made the Rajas run away.  They became upset and sat in their homes, depressed.  The Khalsa began to tax their areas. 

Kahiloori went to Delhi to complain.  All of the Pahari Rajas complained about the Khalsa.  The 22 Rajas, the 7 Dharanas were under the Sooba of Jalandhar.  The Sooba took the 7 Dharanas and attacked Anandpur.  They all lost.  The 22 Rajas lost and were embarrassed.  They went to the Delhi government to give their Takas and complained.  They said: “help us!  Otherwise, we will pay them the tax and not to Delhi.  Their army has grown a lot.  They have a lot of money coming in.  He calls himself the Guru of Hind.  If he wishes, he can kill the Emperor.  He calls himself the Sacha Paatshaah, the true king.  He calls you the false Shah.  He has Krores of money.  He has no shortage.  Many Rasayans (goldsmiths) live with him.”  Raja Bheem Chand Kahloori said this.  Nauranga got worried hearing this: “I hope he doesn’t attack here.  He is raw still.  I should press him now.”  From Kabul, 1,000,000 men were stationed.  They were ordered to attack Anandpur.  They all surrounded Anandpur.  They came quickly.  The Sikhs that were in the army, they sent news to Guru ji as they heard it.  They told him everything.  The people of Anandpur panicked.  The subjects began to run away.  They didn’t know where to go.  Satguru ji gave them hope: “Guru Nanak Dev ji will protect you.”  Many people ran away without permission.  They didn’t listen to Guru.  Satguru ji gave them hope: “don’t go.  Kartar will protect us.”  The army surrounded Anandpur from all four directions.  The subjects began to fear the strength of the Emperor.  The Dogras, the 22 Pahari Rajas all came with their armies.  The 7 Dharas of Jaladhar came.  Sirhindi, Malerian Pathaans blocked Ropar.  Doaba was blocked by the Lahore Sooba.  Anandpur was surrounded.  They didn’t let food or grass go in.  The people in Anandpur were in pain.  They wanted to run away.  Satguru ji said to them: “if you run away, you won’t survive.  The Bhagwant will find a way, some how.  When the jungle catches fire, Parmeshwar makes it rain.  4,000 Singhs are with me.  They will be heavy on 400,000.  The enemy love their lives but the Singhs don’t fight with the love of their lives.”  The people would say to Mata ji: “please talk to the Rajas.”  Mata ji spoke to Guru but Guru ji said: “these Paharis are full of deceit.  They will loot and kill you.  They have always been deceitful.  Don’t trust them.  They will arrest everyone and put them in jail.”  Mata ji said: “they swore upon their Thakurs.  They won’t deceive us.”  Satguru ji said: “if you don’t trust me, I will show you their deceit.  Fill garbage and broken things into trunks.  Gather the horse manure and cow dungs.  Put them in carts ridden by bulls.”   The stuff was packed.  The message was sent: “the Guru’s belongings and treasures will leave first.”  When the Pahari Rajas heard this, they attacked to loot the treasures.  The deceitful were deceived.  They got broken shoes.  They also lost their Dharma.  They got old garbage and manure.  Their hands were dirty.  They were embarrassed as they got nothing.

Mata ji didn’t agree.  She became stubborn and said: “I will leave in the morning.”  The people influenced Mata ji.  Mata ji got ready to go.  The people said to Mata ji: “take us with you.”  Guru ji found out about this and thought to himself: “if they leave, they won’t survive.  The world will blame me for not protecting them.  What can I do if they don’t listen?  They are going to run in every direction.  They will die.”  Guru ji then thought: “I will have them write a statement so I am not responsible anymore.”  Satguru ji said to the people: “whoever wants to leave, they can, but write this: “Satguru ji told us to stop but we didn’t listen to him.”  Also write: “you are not our Guru and we are not your Sikhs.”  The people wrote all that Guru ji told them to write.  They wrote as they were told to.  The servants and employees became Bemukhs.  Satguru ji did this test of drama.  It was a hard time upon everyone.  Most people lost their faith.  They were beaten by the times.  As Satguru ji gave them hope, the people ran away. 

Satguru ji told the Singhs to write the same thing.  The Sri Khalsa did not write the letter.  They said: “we will not turn our backs on you.  We will keep our faith.  We will give our heads but not our faith.  What is one head, we will give a hundred heads to you.  We will not lose our Sikhi.  We will stand wherever you make us stand.  Till our breaths remain, we won’t move.”  Sri Satguru ji loved the Singhs after hearing this.  He was happy and said: “Dhan Khalsa, Dhan Panth of the Bhujhangis!  You kept the seed of Sikhi, seeing it good.”  The Khalsa then said: “where shall we set up our post?”  Sri Satguru ji said: “wherever I will be, you will be with me.”  The Khalsa obeyed.  The other people were anxious to leave. 

The Sahibzadas and the family were taken as they got ready to leave.  They left in the evening.  They left Anandpur and headed towards Ropar.  Some Singhs were at the back, the ones that Guru ji loved.  Some Singhs were at the front.  Some were posted on either side of Guru ji.  The family was with the Vaheer.  Satguru ji was with the people to help them.  The Paharis broke their oaths and attacked.  The Singhs fought them and killed them.  The Sirsa River rode high tide.  It was trouble from both ends.  The people lost their patience.  They ran around in every direction.  The Vaheer dismantled.  Some ran back to Anandpur and were looted or killed by the Paharis.  The ones that went into the Sirsa, they drowned and weren’t found.  The sun came up in the morning and the tide came down.  Some were ahead and some stayed back.  They all lost their patience.  The two elder Sahibzadas were with Satguru ji.  The younger Sahibzadas were with Mata Gujri ji.  It happened in this way.  A bad time came upon everyone.  Everyone went to different directions.  Such a thing happened there, just as it came upon Sri Krishan ji; when Bhagwan had to run away from Kal Jamun.  He hid in the cave of Machkanda Muni.  The Paharis attacked.  The posts and regiments all came.  Gunpowder and rifles of the Singhs got wet.  They couldn’t be fired anymore.  Nobody had their shoes anymore, such was the state.  The river that flowed ahead, it drowned the belongings of the Singhs.  The Vidya Sagar Granth was drowned.  The Vaheer soon came to Ropar.  The Pathaans of Ropar came and attacked.  The Singhs killed many Pathaans.  The past employees of Satguru ji were among the Pathaans but they attacked as well in greed of rewards from the Badshah.  These Pathaans were given horses by Guru ji as rewards.  They backstabbed Guru ji.  Satguru ji loved these Pathaans and gave them a lot of rewards in the past.  The Pathaans had fought the Paharis and so Guru ji helped the Pathaans in the past.  Guru ji went to the homes of his past employees in Ropar but those people deceived him.  There was a strong Haveli there.  Guru ji wanted to go in there and fight the enemy.  The Pathaans did not let Guru ji go into the Haveli.  They closed the gates.  The Haveli was drowned by the river soon after.  The Lodhi Pathaans deceived Satguru ji.  Satguru ji cursed them: “your homes will not remain here!”  Guru ji then went to Kotla Nihang Khan after.  Nihang Khan opened his doors and invited Guru ji in.  Satguru ji did not like the home as it was too small to fight from.  It wasn’t a Haveli to fight from.  Satguru ji went on ahead but blessed Nihang Khan.  Satguru ji saw the high Attari of Chamkaur.  Satguru ji headed that way.  There was a strong Haveli there.

Part 24 The Shaheedi of the Elder Sahibzadas/ The Battle of Chamkaur

The Singhs captured the owner of the Haveli in Chamkaur and made him open the gates.  Some Singhs went into the Haveli with Satguru ji.  The two Sahibzadas came as well.  The Malerians surrounded the Haveli.  There was no food in the Haveli.  There was no way to fight either.  The army of the enemy came close to the walls.  The Khalsa fired their rifles ahead.  The Singhs that survived, fought the Pathaans and pushed the armies back.  Nahar Khan attacked.  He asked: “where is the Guru?  Tell me where he is, I will go to him.”  Satguru ji yelled out to Nahar Khan: “get ready!  There is an arrow coming towards you!”  Nahar Khan was hit in the chest with Guru ji’s arrow.  It had pierced his chainmail and came out the other end.  Nahar Khan swung and fell to the ground.  His men picked his body up and went back.  The men that came with Nahar Khan, they were killed.  Some were killed by Guru ji and some were killed by the Khalsa.  The Sahibzadas killed many.  Nahar Khan’s brother found out.  Khwaja Khijjar was known to be brave.  He came like a carefree elephant.  He saw Nahar Khan’s dead body and went pale.  He saw the Lion Satguru and became embarrassed.  He hid his face by the wall of the Haveli.  Satguru ji challenged him by yelling out: “come out!  Let’s have a duel!”  Khijjar Khan lost his courage.  He saw Satguru ji’s arrow, how thick and dangerous it was.  He remained behind the wall.  He ran away and sent his men ahead to fight. 

Vazeer Khan, Sooba Sirhind, came ahead.  He fought but remained back.  The Paharis came and used their might.  They all used their strength and got tired.  They couldn’t break the fort of Chamkaur.  They had thousands of their men die.  They came back and set up their camps.  I will tell you what happened inside.  There was no food in the fort.  The walls were not strong.  There were no posts to make your weapons aim straight and fire.  There was no support to save your head.  There was not a seed to roast and eat.  Even if there was a seed, there was no time to eat.  Gunpowder and bullets were finished.  There were no more arrows in the quivers.  The injured Singhs had no water.  It was a tough time.  Their arms got tired, firing their weapons.  Their bodies were tired and had no strength.  The Singhs still did not leave their will to fight.  From the side the enemy attacked, the Singhs ran to that side to fight.  Satguru ji said to the Singhs: “the bullets and gunpowder have finished.  Take your swords out and go all around the fort.”  The Singhs obeyed.  The Singhs went in groups to fight outside.  When they died, the others would come out.  They fought with strategy, causing maximum damage to the enemy.  Many Singhs died in this way as they came out.  Guru ji noticed that there were only a few Singhs left.  He said: “don’t go out now.  Stay on the walls of the fort, holding your swords.”  The Turks figured out that the Singhs’ bullets were finished.  They all charged from every direction.  They shouted and attacked.  Some were on foot; some were on horse.  The dust flew and covered the sky.  They put up their ladders to climb but the Singhs cut them up as they came up.  The heads and arms were cut.  The Singhs cut the hands from every side.  The Turks couldn’t do anything.  They fell to the ground.  The Singhs had one or two bullets in their rifles.  Whoever came close, they were shot with the remaining bullets.  They shot the one or two bullets and dropped them.  The bodies of the Turks piled upon each other.  Such a noise arose.  Sahibzada Baba Ajeet Singh ji and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh ji thought to themselves: “there is no Dharma in life now.  If the son stays alive and the father dies by fighting, what’s the point?  Abhimanyu died while Arjan was alive.  Meghnaad died and Ravan stayed.  This is the way of the Kshatriyas.  We will give our lives before our father.”  They held their swords and fought on the battlefield.  Whoever came in front, they killed them.  They caused chaos wherever they went.  The whole enemy regiment would come towards them.  The dust flew.  Nobody could tell friend from foe.  The Turks killed their own men in the blinding dust.  Baba Ajeet Singh ji attained Shaheedi after killing many Turks.  Baba Jujhaar Singh ji came to the battlefield like a lion.  He saw his brother’s death and couldn’t tolerate it.  He held his Khanda and fought the enemy.  He fought like his brother.  He killed anyone who came in front of him.  Some were hit with his shield and some were cut with his sword.  Whoever was touched, they were cut.  Nobody could stand his sword.  He was killed with many bullets fired upon him.  Both brothers became Shaheeds.  Many Pathaans were killed by them.  It was 1762 Vikram when the two sons of the Guru died on the battlefield.

Part 25 The State of Chamkaur

The fight went on the whole day.  It went to evening.  The Sardars of the Turks went to their Dheras.  The guards kept watch in all 4 directions.  It was a strict watch in every direction.  Men stood along men to form a tight perimeter.  There were lines behind each other for a strict watch.  They didn’t want anybody leaving at night.  Some said: “the Guru will not stay here.”  Another said: “how will he leave?  Will he fly?”  Another said: “if the people of the 4 Kunts wish to catch him, Lakhs can’t catch him.  He can fly like having wings.”  Another said: “who has every ripped the earth to leave?  This is going to be hard for him.  We will see how the Guru leaves.  He won’t be able to leave.  He has no more soldiers to fight.  The Sahibzadas have been Shaheed.  This is hard for the Guru now.” 

Sri Satguru ji thought to himself: “I have given my sons to Akaal Purakh.  I don’t see my other sons surviving now.  This is the will of Akaal Purakh.  It’s good that the Turks are guilty from the deaths of my son.  The words of my elders have been fulfilled.  I will give the Gurta Ghaddi to the Khalsa now.  I will give the Tikka to the Khalsa now.”  Where Satguru ji was sitting, he made Bhai Sant Singh ji sit there.  He took his Pugri and tied it to Bhai Sant Singh ji’s head.  Bhai Sant Singh ji tied the Dastaar properly.  Guru ji gave his Kalgi to the Khalsa as well as his own Chola.  The Singhs were seated on the Gurta Ghaddi like Guru Nanak Dev ji gave the Ghaddi to Guru Angad Dev ji.  He called the Khalsa and made them bow to the Singhs.  In this way, Guru ji gave the Gurta Ghaddi to the Singhs.  Guru ji said to Bhai Sant Singh ji and the Singhs: “become a Shaheed.  Don’t be caught alive.”  Bhai Jeevan Singh ji Rangreta was an excellent marksman.  He sat alone in one Burj to stop the enemy.  The other Singhs were seated in different places.  They had no bullets or gunpowder.  They were tired and sleepy.  There were only 40 Singhs.  Some had died and some were injured.  Satguru ji was worried.  Bhai Gani Khan was with Guru ji.  His brother, Bhai Nabhi Khan, was outside and called his brother to come out: “come out, I will keep you.”  Guru ji heard this and said to Bhai Gani Khan: “I will go with you.  I will bless you.”  The Pathaans were brave.  He said: “we will take you out from here.”  They went out of a hidden door.  Guru ji held a Khanjar.  He had some gold coins in his pocket.  Satguru ji left the fort but there was no way to leave.  Guru ji made a lot of noise to confuse everyone: “the Peer of the Hindus has left!”  Guru ji kept on yelling and the Turks had no idea it was Guru ji.  Some Pathaans came whom Guru ji killed.  Guru ji headed towards the rivers.  He ran fast along the river.

Guru ji saw a Mahi who was tending his cows.  He recognized Guru ji and tried to have Guru ji caught.  Satguru ji gave him golden coins to stay quiet but he kept yelling.  Guru ji figured the enemy would come.  Guru ji threw more coins.  When the Mahi didn’t shut up, Guru ji showed him his Khanjar to tempt him.  As he came close, Guru ji stabbed the Mahi.  He tried to fight Guru ji but Guru ji threw him down.  He died instantly.