2-21 The Pathaans join with Fateh Shah

Guru ji told the Pathaans that their salaries would be raised.  Guru ji tried to tell them what was good for them and how they would be praised.  He told them what the moral thing to do was and tried to convince them to stay, but the cowards did not trust Guruji.  They saw their death coming in the form of war.  The Khan leaders were stubborn and wanted to leave.  They spoke cowardly words: “we have many weddings in our community.  If we break away from our communities, what good is the money?  For who we collect the money, they will no longer love us.  When we are connected to our communities and relatives, that peace is not achieved by money.  We cannot stay here any longer.  Please give us leave so we may go to our homes.”  Mamma Kirpal ji heard this and got very angry.  He scolded the Pathaans: “Fools!  You are making excuses!  You are afraid because you feel the Pahari Rajas are bigger in numbers.  You are cowards.  You ate the salt of the Guru’s house and are deserting him in his time of war.  You are fat from eating the food of the Guru’s house.  Your skulls have gone thick as well.  Prabhoo ji!  Don’t deal with them.  Let them go.  Let these cowards go.  They came from their homes carrying their weapons but they saw war and became cowards.”  Mammaji continued, looked towards the Pathaans again: “You have stained the honor of Pathaans and your families.  No warrior does what you have done.  You are not true men.  It is the time for war and you are asking for leave.  When your employer needed you, you became cowards.  Nobody does what you are doing.  You look like lions but you are cowardly vultures.”  Bheekhan Khan felt bad, listening to Mammaji.  He looked towards the ground and spoke in a low voice: “ok Mammaji, you may say what you want.  You don’t understand our responsibilities.  We work for our own happiness.  If we don’t work, we will go home.  If we steal something, then we would be scared otherwise we will come back to Guru ji.  There are only two things that connect us to our communities: times of happiness and times of sadness.  We need to stand by our community.  If we don’t stand by them, then we look bad in front of them.  The relatives get mad.  This is how it works.  You don’t understand how many weddings we have to attend.”  Sri Kalgidhar ji then spoke: “get out of here your coward vultures!  Only that will happen which Sri Asdhuj ji wishes.  I don’t trust the Turks.  You don’t live up to your words.” 

Bheekhan Khan, Nijaabhat Khand and Hayaat Khan all got up and bowed their necks.  They didn’t look up and left Guru ji’s court.  They went to their camps, where their horses were.  They all had a discussion: “Guru ji was ready to pay us a lot more money.”  Hayaat Khan spoke: “stay close to the Guru as the pay would be good.  Stay here one more year as we will be paid five times more.  We can take so much money to our homes.”  Bheekhan Khan then spoke: “you don’t know why the Guru is giving us so much money.  He is afraid of the enemy.  We will have to stay a long time before we get paid.  We will have to fight and die.  We will be paid if we survive the war.  The war is upon us.  Hayaat Khan, if you are greedy, how will you go home?  I’ll tell you another way to make money: the Guru keeps all the money in the treasury.  I have seen where it is.  I know how much he has.  Be courageous and let’s join forces with the Paharis.  We will fight alongside the Paharis and make a deal with them that we will be able to loot the Guru.  We will join the Rajas and fight the Guru.  When we kill the Guru, we will take the money.  The Paharis will fight, we can stay in the back and loot Paonta.  When the Guru’s army will run away from the field, we will come straight to the treasuries.  Only we know where the treasuries are.  Once we do a charge, we will go straight to the treasuries.  We will take as much as our horses can take.  We will take all the money to our homes.  Let’s join the Paharis.  The money that you wish to earn over time from working with the Guru, you will make it all in one day.  We will not tell the Paharis about this.  All your needs will be met.  Khuddah will assist us to loot the Guru’s treasuries.”  The Khans all heard this and liked the idea.  They were full of greed.  They wanted to loot the Guru’s treasuries now.  They praised Bheekhan Khan’s wisdom and said: “let’s send a messenger to the Pahari Rajas.”

The Pathaans sent 5 of their mounted soldiers to the Pahari Rajas.  They met Fateh Shah and said: “Raja ji, we are 500 in numbers and want to join your ranks.  The Guru has no army.  He only had us, but we had decided to leave him.  We will all come to you.  We bring you this notice from all the Pathaans.  We know the secrets of the Guru.  We don’t want to be paid.  We only want you to sign a letter telling us that we may loot the Guru’s fort as much as we want to.  We don’t want anything else.  We will work for free.  We don’t want to be stopped when we loot the Guru with our strength.”  Fateh Shah was happy when he heard the Pathaans.  He was happy to see part of the Guru’s army joining his forces.  He thought he had already won: “I have beaten the Guru out of all the Pahari Rajas.  Everyone will praise me.  The Guru will lose.”  He quickly wrote a letter to the Pathaans giving them looting rights.  He also planned to give them rewards after they would win.  He was going to give them clothes and jewellery.  He signed the letter and gave it to the messengers.

The messengers came back to the Khans and told them everything: “the Raja was very happy and gave us the letter.  The Rajas gave us their word and said they will rewards us as well.”  The Pathaans were very happy and saddled their horses, right away.  They donned their weapons and left Paonta.  Kaalay Khan saw all this and said: “you are all greedy fools.  You are selling your morality and will die as a Nimak Haraami.  What answers will you give to Allah when you will be asked about this?  This is your bad fortune and is making you sin.  You said you wanted to go to your children’s weddings.  What happened to that?  Now you are joining forces with the Rajas.  You asked for holidays from Guru ji.  The Guru is the form of Akaal Purakh and the treasure of all powers.  He is the true king who will kill all the sinners. He is a true warrior.  Any words that come from his mouth become reality.  He will kill the enemy on the battlefield.  You are think-skulled cowardly vultures.  You will go to Hell because of your actions.  You have stained the honor of Pathaans.  You will die a dishonorable death.  The world will talk about your immoral actions.”  Bheekhan Khan yelled at Kaalay Khan in an angry voice: “you stay quiet and sit down.  What is it to you, what we do?  We can do what we want.  If we do good or bad, it’s our choice.”

Satguru ji was with his Sikhs.  He said to Sango Shah ji: “Sango Shah, tell the Pathaans that there’s still time.  They can stay.  They will be given a shield full of gold when the return victorious from the war.  Tell them not be afraid of war.  They will receive rewards when they go home.”  Sango Shah obeyed Guru ji’s command even though nobody wanted the Pathaans to stay; as they were running away from their duties, like cowards.  Sango Shah went to the Pathaans and tried to convince them: “Bheekhan Khan, why are you scared?  You will get shields full of coins when you come back from the war.  Warriors should not do what you are doing.  You are showing your backs to your employer.  This is not what real men do.  You are leaving us when war is upon us.  Guru ji has been very gracious with you.  Guru ji is still gracious towards you.  He will fulfill all your wishes.”  Bheekhan Shah, the fool, spoke: “you are saying all this because you are scared.  Guru ji is scared as well right now.  That is why he is offering us so much money.  He needs us.  Who wants to die?  You try to stop us from going, over and over again.  You want us to go and fight the war for you.  We will not be convinced by any method.  You may try many times but nothing you say or do will get us to stay.  We have to go to our children’s weddings.  Why is Guru ji consistently trying to convince us?” 

Sango Shah heard him and came back to Guru ji.  He said to Guru ji: “Maharaj, they want to leave.  They are saying foolish things now.  It seems as though they wish to loot our fort.  From their words, it seems they are our enemies now.”  Guru ji heard this and had forgiveness in his heart.  He forgave them and let them go.  He said: “let them go.  They aren’t going back home.  They will be back here.  Death is sitting on their heads right now.  They have only a few days to live.  Send a Sikh and tell those fools to leave right away.  Tell them to leave without playing the Nagara.  They must leave, with the Nagara facing downwards.  If they sound the Nagara, then they will be looted and killed here.  They will leave without their weapons and clothes if they play the Nagaras.”  Sikhs went to the Pathaans and told them to turn their Nagaras upside-down and leave at once.  They kicked them out of Paonta Sahib.  They ran away like deer, fearing the lion.  They were all happy to leave though, and said to each other: “listen my powerful Khans, it is because of your strength that the Guru gave you all the money and wanted you to stay.  We will now loot the Guru’s treasuries ourselves.  There is so much money, diamonds and pearls.  We will loot the treasuries as much as we want.  We will all be extremely rich and go to our homes.  We will never have to work again in our lives.  We will live our lives with all the pleasures we wish for.”

2-22 Buddhu Shah gets news/ Kaalay Khan

As the Pathaans left, Satguru ji wrote a letter to Peer Buddhu Shah.  Guru ji said in the letter: “the Pathaans that you had employed and gave your reference for have left me at a critical time.  They collected their pay on a monthly bases, but when the time came for war, they got scared and became cowards.  They got scared, looking at the size of the Pahari army.  They left Paonta, becoming cowards.  They went straight to the Pahari Rajas and joined their forces.  These were the people you had given a reference for.  The fools became Nimak Haramis.  They were of no use to me.”

Peer Buddhu Shah received the letter and read it.  He got worried and held his head: “this is very bad what the Pathaans did.  They requested me to get them a job.  Guru ji gave them a job after I asked him to.  Now, they ran away from war, like cowards.  Satguru ji sent me this letter, asking for my accountability in this matter.  He is right to do so.  I looked bad in front of Satguru ji.  I must do something.  I will put my mind and body on the line to impress Guru ji.  I will go to Guru ji.”  Peer ji collected all his students around the villages as soon as he could.  700 students of his came as fast as they could, on top of their horses.  All of them were great warriors and were eager to fight.  Peer ji had his own 4 sons join his army as well.  They all donned their weapons and saddled their horses and prepared for battle.  They left from Sadhora and headed towards Paonta to meet Guru ji.  Love was in their hearts.  They did not stop on the way.  Peer ji said to his students: “my mureeds, you will receive entry into Allah’s court for fighting this war, alongside Guru ji.”  Night had fallen and they rested. 

The 3 cowardly Khans: Bheekhan Khan, Nijaabhat Khand and Hayaat Khan, went to the Pahari Rajas but Kaalay Khan stayed.  He said he wanted to remain Nimak Halaal and didn’t want to double-cross Guru ji.  News reached Satguru ji that all the Pathaans were now gone but Kaalay Khan was still there.  He had courage and wanted to fight alongside Guru ji.  His regiment was with him as well.  They had not saddled their horses.  They hadn’t prepared their weapons either.  Kalgidhar ji sent one of his servants to Kaalay Khan to ask him: “why he didn’t leave with his people?  How is he going to go against his people?  Why is he still here and what is he thinking?”  The Sikh went to Kaalay Khan and gave him Guru ji’s message.  Kaalay Khan said: “I will not be a Nimak Haraami.  I will serve my master.  I have 100 people in my regiment and we will all fight for the Guru and die for him.  We will die and become martyrs.  We will go to heaven.  We will not leave his side.  If we remain alive, we will receive rewards from the Guru.  We will remain true to our word and stay Nimak Halaal.  I will make my life on earth and heaven a success.  I will walk the righteous path.”  The Sikh went back to Satguru ji and told him what Kaalay Khan said.  Devan Nand Chand was standing nearby and said: “I do not trust the Turks anymore.  I hope they don’t remain here and spoil something.  Prabhoo ji, please don’t keep any Pathaan here now.  They are after all, brothers of the same community.”  Satguru ji then said to the Sikh messenger: “tell Kaalay Khan to go as well.”  The Sikh went back to Kaalay Khan and said: “listen Khan, this is what Satguru ji said: “just as cranes, separated from their flock, suffer and regret being away from it; see yourself as the same.  The cranes are only happy when they are with their flock.  Look at yourself.  Don’t leave your community.  Go to them.  It doesn’t matter how they are; they are still your own.  I can’t keep you here now.  I can’t trust you as your companions became cowards and left.  Profit and loss are only with your own kind.  Don’t stay here, go to your people without any doubt.”  Kaalay Khan then said: “I ate the salt of the Guru.  I won’t leave at the time of war.  I will not be a fool like my companions.  It is up to Guru ji if he wants to pay me or not, going forward, but I will work for what I have been paid in the past.  I won’t ask for money.”  Kaalay Khan sat down after saying that.  Guru ji heard his message and was very happy.  He called Kaalay Khan to him and said: “Shaabaash Kaalay Khan, shaabaash!  This is how brave warriors are.”  He gave him a pair of golden bracelets with diamonds embedded in them.  Guru ji also gave him a very expensive shawl.  Guru ji said to him: “listen brave warrior, I am very happy with you.  I will always be happy with you.  I accept your service.  You have proven your loyalty to me.  You are truly Nimak Halaal.  You were ready to die in war but I am letting you go.  You will leave here with respect.  You will not be slandered or accused negatively in any way.”  Kaalay Khan folded his hands, bowed and said: “I cannot disobey you but I will not meet my companions.  How will I fight you?”  Kaalay bowed and went outside.  He did not go towards the Pahari Rajas.  He took his regiment and went somewhere else.

Bheekhan Khan, Nijaabhat Khand and Hayaat Khan, along with about 400 soldiers, met Fateh Shah.  They set up camp and tied their horses.  They donned their weapons and headed to the court of the Rajas.  Where the enemies of the Guru were seated, Fateh Shah was leading the court.  They were getting ready for war and strategizing.  Many thousands of soldiers were standing with their guns and weapons.  The Pathaans stood in the court and bowed to Fateh Shah.  Fateh Shah received them with great respect and had the three Khans sit next to him.  Fateh Shah was happy and said: “how big is the Guru’s army now?  Tell us how many horses and weapons he has?  Will the Guru even fight now?  The morale of the army is probably broken, now that you have all left.  How many soldiers are ready to fight and stand with the Guru during war?  How confident or worried was the Guru when you all left?”  Bheekhan Khan smiled.  He was about to spill all the secrets of the Guru’s army: “what other army is there with the Guru?  He only wanted to fight because he had us.  We all came for that reason.  The Guru asked us to stay many times.  He was ready to pay us 5 times our salary and give us a shield full of money.  The Guru was afraid of you.  We didn’t listen to the Guru.  The rest of the Guru’s army are just worshippers of Khuddah’s name.  They are all a bunch of rural folks who do not know how to fight.  They are all lower castes, worth laughing at.  Listen to me: they are all low caste labourers.  They are not warriors.  They are Nayees (hygienists), Brahmins, Shudras (untouchables) and Soniyaars (goldsmiths).  They are Baniyas (merchants), Aroras, Jaats (farmers) and Lohaars (blacksmiths).  They are Jheevars (fishermen), Kalaal (distillers), and Kumhaars (potters).  Tarkhaans (carpenters), Chimbas (cloth dyers), and Lubanas (merchants).  36 types of castes have been gathered.  There are no other castes that know how to fight.  The lowest of lower castes: Chumaars (leather/hide binders) and Bhangis (sewage cleaners) are there too.  They have never held a sword in their life.  They don’t know to use a spear or throw one.  They have never fired a gun or released an arrow.  They don’t know warfare.  Only the Guru, Guru Gobind Singh is a warrior.  He is a very good warrior.  He will be the only one that can stand in front of the army.  His Mamma, Kirpal Chand is also a good warrior.  The Guru’s 5 cousins are very strong as well and know Shaster Vidya very well.  Devan Nand Chand is a brave warrior who keeps a strong regiment of warriors.  Purohit Daya Ram is a Brahmin but can fight well.  Other than these people, there is no one else.  There are many fakirs and Sadhoos that meditate.  They don’t know how to fight.  They sit there all day long and eat Karah Prashaad.  What I have told you, cannot match your army.  We can kill the Guru and his army.  Khuddah will give you an easy win, Raja ji.  Bheem Chand doesn’t even need to go.  The Guru has many expensive items from many lands in his treasuries.  Even Emperors don’t have the things that the Guru has.  He has immense silver and gold coins along with a lot of Dinars.  The expensive clothes and jewellery cannot be counted, there is so much.  It is worth many Lakhs.  We should loot all that and fill our own treasuries.  Jewellery with gems embedded in them.  Priceless diamonds and precious stones are many.  We do not wish to be paid but we want to keep our loot.  We will kill and fight to loot the Guru’s treasuries.  Our sons and grandsons will never have to work.  We created a dispute with the Guru on purpose.  You may win the battle but we will take the money.  For this reason, we have come here to fight on your side.”  Fateh Shah was happy to hear the Khan’s words.  He felt as though he had already won.  He was eager to fight the war.  He kept Bheekhan Shah by his side. 

2-23 The Udaasis Leave

Some of the Sikhs had reached the fields of Bhangaani.  Fateh Shah had come closer.  The Sikhs sent a mounted soldier to Guru ji to tell him that the army of the Paharis was coming: “the Rajas are arrogant and will start the battle in the morning.  We should get ready too.  Kindly come and prepare the army.  We should not wait.  We all need to go to Bhangaani.  The battle will start tomorrow.”  Guru ji gave the order to mobilize the army.  There was another Sikhs standing besides Guru ji, whom Guru ji spoke to: “go to the camp of the Udaasi Sadhoos, where there are 500 of them, and give them my orders: tie Dastaars on your head and fasten weapons to your bodies with great enthusiasm.  It is time for war.  Whoever will fight, they will receive bhugti (worldly pleasures) and mukti (spiritual liberation).  Whatever wishes you make in your heart, they will be fulfilled, depending on the eagerness by which you kill the enemy.  You will receive great kingdoms; with elephants and wealth.  Whoever does less, they will receive less.  My Sikhs will have kingdoms on earth.  Whoever dies without desire, they will not return into the cycle of birth and death.  I will protect them in this world and in the next.  I will give them bhog (worldly pleasures) and moksha.  I will give them both.”  The Sikh went to the Udaasis camp.

The Sikh gave Satguru ji’s message to the Udaasi Sadhus: “Satguru ji has sent his command.  Be in bliss and be released from the cycle of life and death.  All the soldiers are ready.  Whatever horses, weapons and guns you want, you will get.  You will get great donations from Guru ji.  The battle will take place tomorrow morning.  Select your weapons now and get ready for war.”  The soldiers were pumped for war.  They went to the armory and picked up weapons and guns.  They went to the stables and got new horses.  The ones that were afraid of war, got scared.  They wanted to run away.  As it was evening, everyone ate.  The 500 Udaasis had discussions during the evening: “why should we die in the war?  Let’s leave from here.  We will beg for food and eat.  We don’t fight wars.  We are sadhoo fakirs.  The Guru won’t back down from war as he’s been preparing for many days.  It is good to ran away tonight.  Otherwise, if Guru ji finds out, he may stop us and arrest us.  He will put us in jail.”  The Udaasi Sadhoos ran away in the thick of the dark night.  They left their camp and scattered around to other countries and regions.  They begged for food for the rest of their lives.  The war, that they ran away from, would have given them everything they ever wanted.  Instead, they had to become beggars.  They didn’t pick up the sword.  The land is ruled by the power of the sword.  That person rules the land, who ties a sword to their waist.

When it was 2:30 am, the Soldiers were all ready.  Asa Di Vaar was sung by the Rababis.  Many conches were blown and the Nagaras were played continuously.  Many Sikhs recited Gurbani.  They bathed in the Jamuna.  They bathed their horses.  Divas (ghee lamps) were lit around the Shasters and incense was burnt.  The Aarti of the Shasters was performed.  They showered flowers on to the Shasters.  These Shasters were the form of Akaal Purakh.  There were conches, Nagaras and Jaikaras being heard everywhere.  The Bhatts were singing ballads of war, with great enthusiasm.  Guru ji bathed and sat down in a Samadhi.  He turned his focus inwards towards the light of Akaal Purakh inside of him and connected with his form.  That form which was Sat (existing in infinity), Chetan (consciousness) and Anand (bliss); he was one with that light.  That form was the support of the universe and the supreme of supreme.  It is completely still, indestructible and exists everywhere.  Guru ji’s eyes were closed.  He was in Samadhi and one with Akaal Purakh.  The Amrit Vela was in its last hour and Guru ji opened his eyes and came out of the extremely blissful state.  Guru ji tied a beautiful Dastaar with a Jigha and Kalgi, which was very radiant.  It was shiny and reflecting light everywhere.  Guru ji wore a fine cloth chola.  It was a very long and majestic chola, fit for the king of kings.  His arms were huge and looked like elephant trunks.  Navratans (9 types of gems: diamond, sapphire, yellow sapphire, emerald, pearls etc.) were hanging from the golden jewellery of his arm bands.  His arms were as strong as elephant trunks.  He wore golden bracelets with diamonds embedded into them.  The diamonds were expertly cut.  He wore golden hoops in his ears.  He had a small beard as he was about 20 years old.  He came out of his room and his radiance illuminated the area.  Everyone who saw him was mesmerized.  Guru ji came to the court as Asa Di Vaar was completed.  The Sangat did Ardaas and bowed to Guru ji.  One person came and spoke quickly: “listen Maharaj, the indestructible one, the Udaasi Sadhoos ran away last night.  When they heard your command for them to fight the war, they lost their courage and ran away.”  Guru ji laughed and said: “did you check thoroughly or just took a glimpse?  Did they all leave or did a brave soul remain?  Did a seed remain or is the whole plant uprooted?  Was there a strong plant amongst them or were they all empty rows on the planting fields?”  The Sikh folded his hands and said: “Guru ji, there is one remaining.  The leader, the Sri Mahant of the Udaasis, is still here.  He is in Samadhi with his eyes closed.  He is completely still, in his focus.  He stays in this state day and night.  He doesn’t even know if his followers left or not.  His name is Mahant Kirpal Das and his Samadhi is just like Shiva’s.  He sits for months at a time.”  Kalgidhar ji smiled.  He was happy and said: “the root survived so everything will be fine.  The branches and leaves will be green again.  If the root was gone, the Udaasis would have been lost from Sikhi.  Nothing would have been saved then.  They would have broken away from the Guru’s house.  Their group would have not progressed further and their traditions would have been lost forever.  (The two Nishans of Meeree and Peeree at Sri Harmandhir Sahib and Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib were mounted by two Udaasi Sadhoos: Mahant Preetam Das ji and Mahant Santokh Das ji.  The Udaasis have preached Sikhi in unprecedent ways) Since the head is there, the world will remain stable.  The war continues till the leader is alive.  The Mahant stayed with courage, so the Samprada (tradition) of the Udaasis will remain alive.  He will have new followers.  Go and call him.  He has saved his community and his form.  He kept the honor of his Samprada.”  The Sikh went to Mahant Kirpal Das ji to call him.

The Sikh came to Mahant Kirpal Das ji and saw him in a state of Samadhi.  He was seated on a boulder, cross-legged.  His eyes were closed.  The Sikh bowed to Mahant ji and touched his feet.  Mahant ji opened his eyes.  His eyes were red, as they had been closed for a long time.  His eyes were radiant with the power of Akaal Purakh.  The Sikh bowed his head and folded his hands.  He spoke to the saint: “Prabhoo ji is calling you.  He sent me to bring you to him.  For this reason, I had awoken you from your Samadhi and had to disturb you.  Please forgive me for that.  Let’s go to Sri Satguru ji.”  Mahant Kirpal Das ji got up immediately, hearing Guru ji’s command.  His eagerness was like a lion’s.  He came to Guru ji quickly.  It was about half a kilometre away.  He came and saw the beautiful and mesmerizing form of Sri Satguru ji.  He folded his hands and bowed, paying his respects.  He came and sat down close to Guru ji.  He had really long dreadlocks that were tied in a top knot.  His body and his mind were in his complete control.  He saw and heard what he wished to.  He had control on Dumm (senses) and Summ (mind).  His body was covered in bipooti (ashes: the reason for rubbing ashes on the body was to remind them that ashes are what remain after the fire is out.  The fire is the fire of desire.  They wished to achieve the state of when the fire of desire is out.  The ashes also protected the body from cold, as they were forest-dwelling nomads).  He looked like Dattatray – the Guru of the Sanyasis.  Mahant Kirpal Das ji’s forehead was radiant from his immense Tapasya.  He was like August Muni (who was born from the horses) out of the Rishis.  He was a Bhramachaari (celibate) from birth; who never had any desires in his mind.  His attention was engrossed on to the feet of Guru Nanak Dev ji all the time.  The nails of his hands and toes were long.  He wore a single cloth around his waist.  The only possessions this saint had were: a toomba (cup to drink water) and a kutka (a think and heavy stick).  His beard was shiny and long.  It went down to his stomach.  He wore no other clothing except for the single cloth tied around his waist.  His belly was big and popping out from sitting in samadhi for long periods of time.  His arms were long and strong (celibates are known to have immense strength with solid bodies).  He came to Guru ji’s presence and bowed.  It looked like Tapasya came to visit Wisdom; like Shivji came to visit Bhagavan Vishnu ji; like August Muni came to visit Ram Chander ji.  Guru ji was sitting with the Sikhs when Mahant ji came.

2-24 The Dal Mobilizes

Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji looked towards Mahant Kirpal Das ji.  His Kalgi would sway to the movement of his head.  He smiled and spoke: “Mahant ji, where are your students?  The ones that used to eat Karah Prashaad from the Guru’s house everyday, where are they now?  They were like animals running towards green leaves.  They would run towards Karah Prashaad that way.  They wanted Karah Prashaad everyday.  They would take twice the amount, coming to Sangat.  Now that they were needed, they ran away.  Just as a visitor peacefully stays the night and leaves in the morning, so did these sadhoos do.  So what if the star-like students are gone, the moon is still here.  The moon is illuminated in every direction.”  Kirpal ji Mahant folded his hands and said: “Guru ji, they are my students, but they are all yours.  You take care of the good and the bad.  You are the great and powerful Guru.  You are too great and no one else can be compared to you.  To be able to visit a great Avatar like you, is definitely because of good karma.  We are very fortunate to be in your presence.  My Tapasya of thousands of births lead to the reward of being in your presence.  The pain of the cycle of birth and death is gone, because of you.  Brahma, Brahma’s sons: Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatan and Sanat Kumar; Vishnu, Shivji, Shaishnaag, and Sarasvati cannot map your depth and greatness.  The Jogis in deep meditation are focusing on you.  Oh Brahm Saroop Satguru, Rishis and Naarad sing your glories and worship you.  Inder and the 330 million Devatas, Kinnaras (instrumentalists/singers of heaven), Juch (dancers of heaven), and skilled Gandarvs (singers of heaven) all sing the glory of your feet.  They all do Tapasya to meet you.  We are fortunate to have met you and see you with our own eyes.  I don’t think there is anyone more fortunate than me.  Your form is beyond words, sight and sound.  Your form could not by thought of in any mind nor can you be described by words.  The Simritees, Shastras and Vedas all confirm that your form is infinite.  (Mahant ji is describing Guru ji as the Brahm Saroop.  If a Sikh sees the Guru any less than this, than the Sikh is not a Sikh) Who would be so unfortunate as to leave the presence of your infinite form.  The Devatas beg to visit your feet.  We are your children.  We make mistakes but you are forgiving.  The ones who you give faith to, you absorb their soul into yours.  I don’t have the wisdom to sing your glories.  Only you know how great you are.”  Kirpal Das ji said the glories of Guru ji and praised him.  Guru ji smiled and said: “the entire army of the Pahari Rajas is coming to attack us.  The ones that follow Bheem Chand, the 22 Rajas of the mountainous regions, are all coming to battle us.  Fateh Shah is bringing a huge army.  They are coming to fight for no reason.  I have done nothing to them.  The arrogant fools are coming to fight without any logical cause.  They have made great preparations.  I am gathering the army to fight them.  We will see their strength and show them ours.  You are a complete saint with complete powers.  Tell me, who will win?  Who will stay standing and who will run away?  Who will go home as winners?”  Guru ji, wanting to give glory to his own Sikh, and said these words to Mahant Kirpal Das ji.  Guru ji continued: “your name is Kirpal Das and you are the form of Kirpal (the blesser).  Tell me your beautiful words.”  Mahant Kirpal Das ji heard Guru ji’s words and began to shed tears.  He said to Guru ji: “listen Guru ji, you are the one that controls the universe.  You created the universe and all life forms.  You are the one that set the whole drama of human.  You are the one that killed Madh and Kaitubh to protect the Devatas.  In Satyuga, you killed the sons of Ditti: Haranakash and Harinakashyup.  In Tretayuga, Raavan was a big sinner who had done such immense Tapasya which made heaven unstable.  He arrested Inder.  You battled and killed him and his brother Kumbkaran.  You also killed Raavan’s powerful sons: Meghnaad and Attakai.  You killed all the demons in Tretayuga.  In Dwaperyug you waged the great Mahabharat war.  You killed Jarasandh and other sinners.  You killed their vast armies as well.  You relieved the earth of this bad weight.  In Kaliyuga, you are now in your 10^th incarnation to destroy the sinners and their armies.  The strength in your arms is quite evident.  It is your strength that will win those great armies.  You can kill all the armies of all the worlds in one instance.  Brahma and the likes, you will destroy whom they fear.  You have killed many powerful demons in the past.  These men of Kaliyuga are nothing for you.  They can’t compare to your strength.  Juch, Devatas and other powerful beings are all under your command.  Vijay Laxmi (the goddess of victory) is with you.  She lives in your feet at all times.  If all the deer in the forest gather along with the other animals, it is the one lion’s roar which makes them all run away.  They do not face the lion.  When you roar, the other Rajas will run away.  They won’t be able to stand in front of you in war.  They will leave their shoes and run away like cowards.”  Mahant ji and Guru ji had such discussions about war and strategy.

Two other Sikhs came to Guru ji while he was speaking to Mahant Kirpal Das ji.  They bowed quickly and said: “listen Maharaj, our spy that was with the Pahari Rajas has returned with news.  He told us that Fateh Shah is approaching the fields of Bhangaani.  They are sounding the conches, nagaras and ransinghas as they come.  Countless armies are coming to battle you.  They wish to fight you.  The spy mounted his horse and came as fast as he could.  We are waiting for your orders Guru ji.  The army is awaiting your command.”  Guru ji came into attention and said: “sound the Ranjit Nagara.  Get the whole army ready.”  Guru ji called for his weapons. 

Guru ji’s weapons came and were fastened to his body.  Guru ji did an Ardaas to Sri Baghauti ji first and then to Guru Nanak Dev ji and the 8 Gurus after him.  He wore his Kharag with a gold and diamond hilt.  The edge was so sharp that an ant could not walk on it.  He fastened the sword to his strap.  He then picked up his quiver which had pearl strands hanging from it.  Many different types of arrows were placed into the quiver.  He tied the quiver around his waist and shoulders to secure it.  The quiver was like the burrow of a snake.  Guru ji had his 9 tonka (225 kg) draw strength bow and held it in his left hand.  Guru ji called for his horse.  Some soldiers stayed back at Paonta to protect the fort and the family.  He gave them instructions: “stay alert and be aware of every direction.”  Then the five brothers: Sango Shah, Maari Chand, Jeet Mal, Ganga Ram and Gulab Rai came.  The sons of Bibi Veero ji.  They donned their weapons.  They were tall, wide and strong.  They looked like the 5 Pandavs.  They were ready to go to war with great eagerness.  Sango Shah was a great warrior who was an expert in the use of every weapon.  He had met his maternal grandfather, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji as well.  Jeet Mal, his younger brother, was a brave warrior who would kill deer like an angry lion.  The third was Gulab Chand, an expert marksman.  The fourth, Ganga Ram donned his weapons and came for war.  The fifth was Maari Chand who was eager to destroy the enemy.  Many soldiers got ready to go.  Guru ji looked towards the soldiers.  They were all young, tall, strong and decked with weapons.  Guru ji addressed them: “we have placed the Ranthunba (battle standard) in the field of Bhangaani.  That is the best place to fight the war.  The enemy will be coming from this area.  We will go towards this path.  Go forth and stop the enemy from going on ahead.  We will fight a fierce battle there.”  Sango Shah heard Guru ji’s words and said with great courage: “Maharaj, these Paharis are nothing.  They won’t stay standing in front of us.  So what if they have thousands?  They are deer and we are lions.”  Sango Shah mounted his horse and set off towards the fields of Bhangaani.  A great regiment of soldiers followed behind him.  They were all eager for war.  All five brothers travelled and made their horses dance with joy and fired bullets towards the air.  They were going to face the enemy in Bhangaani.

The two armies met on the battlefield and the battle of Bhangaani started in the fiercest way. 

2-25 The Battle of Bhangaani Begins

Sri Guru Govind Singh ji made all the preparations.  He bowed to his horse and then mounted it (this tradition is still prevalent within the Nihang Dals, where Singhs bow to the horses before mounting them).  Guru ji impressed the Baghauti and headed towards the battle.  The Nagaras were sounded.  The mountains trembled from the sounds of the Nagaras.  The strong and courageous warriors donned their weapons and started off with eagerness. They were going to battle, alongside Guru ji and gathering praises.  The dust flew from the galloping horses.  There was so much dust that the sun couldn’t be seen.  The clever and fast horses would not let their feet stick to the ground.  The warriors would make their horses jump as they rode.  They shouted out Jaikaras and said to Guru ji: “the Paharis will die today!”  The army ran like the wind.  Just like the river’s current during a flood, that is how the army started off from Paonta.  All the omens of victory were seen everywhere.  One of the omens were that: the wind came from the back.  Secondly, Guru ji’s biceps and deltoids were twitching.  They twitched with eagerness.  The twitch in the biceps is seen as an omen as well.  The third omen was seen: a herd of deer was seen fearing the Dal and running to the right.  The Dal (army) reached the fields of Bhangaani with eagerness.  Bhai Daya Ram ji Purohit came to Guru ji and said: “look Guru ji, we can see the whole army of the Paharis from here.  They are here to fight you.  (Pointing to the Pathaans) Look Guru ji, there are the Pathaans!  They have joined the enemy.  They made excuses to go home but they were going to the enemy.  They are standing with the right flank.  They are Nimak Haramis.  They have come to fight you, their employer and provider.  They are shameless and corrupt.  Fateh Shah is at the back.  He is afraid to come forward.  He is scared.  He has no courage to face you.  Hari Chand Raja, Handooria, is a brave warrior.  He is in the front, eager for war.  Look how angry he is.  He is fearless.  He is the best archer out of all the Rajas.  Whoever is hit by his arrow, dies right away.  He is a proud and brave warrior.  He is proud of his skills.  The other Raja’s fear his skills of war.  He is hard to be defeated by them.  I have met the other Rajas when you have sent me, Guru ji.  I have heard Hari Chand’s praises from the other Rajas.”  Pandit Daya Ram ji showed the enemy lines to Guru ji and pointed out all the Rajas.  Prabhoo ji went to a high spot and scoped the whole army.  The war hadn’t started yet.

In an instant, a big regiment came and began to fire heavy rounds of bullets.  Devan Nand Chand ji folded his hands and said: “look Maharaj, a big regiment of warriors has just arrived!  Who are they?  They have injured many of the Pahari soldiers.  They came firing bullets and attacked the enemy.  Which country are these Sikhs from?  Who are they, that are fighting from our side?  They have taken up a side and are firing their bullets and caused a storm.  They showered their bullets on the Paharis.”  Guru ji looked towards the newly arriving regiment.  One soldier came to Guru ji from the regiment and bowed to Guru ji.  He said: “Guru ji, Peer Bhuddu Shah ji has come with his soldiers to fight on the battlefield.  700 Mureeds along with Peer ji have come.  He is here with his 4 sons, brothers and nephews as well.  Our regiment would like to go first.  We are here to serve you.  We have set up our regiment.  Maharaj, we heard about the betrayal of the 500 Pathaans that you had employed upon Peer ji’s request.  Peer ji was disheartened hearing that news.  The Pathaans have become Nimak Haramis and Peer ji has cursed their actions.  He received your letter and was upset at the situation.  For this reason, he has come to fight.  He is here to redeem his honor.  We heard about the battle and gathered the men as quickly as we could.”  Prabhoo Satguru ji heard the news and was extremely happy.  He looked towards the regiment and showered a glance full of blessings. 

Sango Shah ji was the head General.  He took his regiment and made a fierce charge towards enemy lines.  He fired many bullets towards the enemy.  Loud noises filled the air coming from the firing of the guns.  It sounded like popcorn popping.  The horses were running hard.  The battle was fierce.  Chests were pierced.

Fateh Shah was standing at the back and observing the damage to his army.  He saw part of Hari Chand’s army fight an intense battle.  Fateh Shah spoke with pride: “where did the Guru bring this big army from?  We thought he had only 500 Pathaans.  They came to us.  Who are these people that are firing at us?  Hari Chand ji, you will need to go on ahead and fight with your sword.”  Hari Chand spoke: “the Pathaans are great.  They told us the secrets of the Guru.  They know the Guru more.  They should fight the Guru.  They wanted to loot the Guru, so they should go on ahead first.  Let’s try to win without our own armies fighting.  The Guru’s army will not be able to face the Pathaans.  The Pathaans are skilled.  Just as an uneducated person cannot stand in front of an educated person, the Guru’s army will not be able to take the Pathaans strength.  Let’s see how the Pathaans do.  I will go after, along with my regiment.”  Fateh Shah accepted Hari Chand’s advice and called for Bheekhan Khan to come to Fateh Shah.

Bheekhan Khan met Fateh Shah.  Fateh Shah said: “what are you waiting for?  Why are you standing at the back?  You wanted us to allow you to loot the Guru as much as you want.  Now you must earn it by fighting the Guru.  The Guru only has labourers.  He doesn’t have soldiers from soldier families.  Go and charge them once.  You will be able to keep all the loot and become rich.”  Bheekhan Khan obeyed his orders and mobilized his regiment to charge.  He was about to step closer to death.

Bheekhan Khan rallied his troops and said: “charge the enemy and get to the other side.  We will go straight to Paonta and begin our looting.  One charge is all we need.  We will get to Paonta in a half hour.  The Guru has low caste people.  They can’t face us.  We already know who those people are and how skilled they are.”  Bheekhan Khan and the Pathaans all started the charge and began to fire their guns and release their arrows.  An immense battle started.  Devan Nand Chand ji said to Prabhoo Guru ji: “the Pathaans have come first.  Please command as to who should stop them.  The Khans are double-crossers.  I can go and cut their heads off and make them pay for their sin.  You should stay here and watch.  We can handle them.”  Bullets were being fired from both sides.  When Guru ji heard that Bheekhan Khan and the Pathaans have come to attack, he gave his orders: “go forth with attention.  Take Daya Ram ji.”  Both Pandit ji and Devan ji lead the charge with their regiments.  They were both very skilled and brave warriors.  They were enthusiastic and picked up their bows.  They pulled their arrows to their ears as they released them onto the Pathaans.  The arrows made whooshing noises as they flew.  They would go through many bodies in one go.  They were like flying snakes, piercing the chests of the Pathaans.  The Pathaans fell to the ground from their horses and slept an eternal slumber.  The ground trembled as they all fell to the ground. 

A person named Lal Chand was standing beside Guru ji.  He would serve the cows and buffalos by cleaning, feeding and milking them in the Guru’s home.  His body was strong as he drank a lot of milk.  He was also a Halvaee (cook), as he used to make sweets from milk to feed the other Sikhs.  He came to Guru ji, folded his hands and said: “Guru ji, I would like to go where the battle is fierce.  I would like to go where your five brothers are fighting.  I want to go there to kill the Pathaans.”  Guru ji looked towards Lal Chand and smiled.  He said: “go forth.  Run towards the battle and release sharp arrows towards the Pathaans.”  Lal Chand grabbed his bow and mounted his horses.  He was happy to be given the command by Guru ji to go and fight.  He rode his horse, making it jump as he went.  Lal Chand was red with the warrior spirit.  He went into battle and destroyed the ego of many Pathaans.  He released many arrows and killed the Pathaan lions.  Where Sangho Shah ji was fighting, Lal Chand went there and challenged the Pathaans to fight him.  Lal Chand roared like a lion.  He was red with anger.  Many Pathaans fell, emptying the saddles of their horses.  The soldiers of both sides cut many arms and legs.  The sharp edges of the swords were striking everywhere, causing death everywhere.  The cowards fled the battlefield. 

Sangho Shah’s younger brother, Maari Chand, was fighting with great anger.  Maari Chand was very daring soldier.  He entered the enemy line and began fighting the army within their groups.  His horse was as fast as lightening.  He waived his sword and laid to rest two Pathaans as soon as he entered the enemy line.  The Pathaans showered Maari Chand with bullets from every direction.  Maari Chand kept dodging the arrows and bullets, by making his horse move back and forth; left and right.  He was great at deflecting the strikes and shots.  His horse was a clever one.  It was in sync and one with Maari Chand.  It knew exactly what Maari Chand wanted to do.  He was soon surrounded by the enemy but anyone that came in front of him was killed.  He began to fight fiercely.  Sangho Shah saw that his brother was surrounded.  Sangho Shah released arrows from where he was standing.  He took a small group of soldiers to rescue his brother.  Bullets and arrows flew everywhere.  Many Khans fell, many ran away.  Maari Chand used his skill to get out of the circle that was trying to engulf him.  His horse had a few cuts but Maari Chand came back to his regiment, safely.  He killed many Pathaans.  Maari Chand was responsible for the fist win of the battle.  The soldiers stood in front and fired bullets and arrows.  There were arrows and bullets flying everywhere.  An Immense and fierce battle was happening.