2-46 Dilaaver Khan’s Son Comes to Attack

Mata Jeeto ji would serve the Satsangat in the same way, by giving clothes and food, as she did before having her baby.  She made salty, sour and sweet foods for the Sangat.  Rice, kheer with dry fruits and other foods were given to the Sangat.  She wanted to make her husband happy by serving the Sangat.  She was always humble.  She would give new clothes to people who came with old and ripped clothes.  In this way she served Saints and Sikhs by giving food and clothes.  She had the form of her husband in her heart.  The faith, love and devotion for the Guru grew by the day.  She would always wish to see the Satguru everyday.  Laziness was never in her mind.  In this way, Mata Jeeto ji’s love and devotion was seen by Satguru ji.  He came to stay with her, in her home, and completed all her wishes.  It was the 9^th of the month, Thursday when Satguru ji came to stay with her.  He was bound by her love and fulfilled her wish for another son. 

In the morning, Guru ji bathed and visited the Sangat in the court.  Mata Jeeto ji was pregnant for the second time.  Baba Jujhar Singh ji was now bigger and played around in the house.  He wore jewellery that clanked as he ran around.  Baba Ajit Singh ji would play with the servants.  Both brothers would play together.  Both were very handsome young boys.  The Sangat would come and see them.  They would bow to them and say: “Guru ji’s family is getting bigger.”  Sangat from other lands were praising Guru ji and the Sahibzadas.  They would come to see the boys in Anandpur.

Mata Gujri would play with her grandsons and dress them in expensive clothes.  She would feed them with the best food.  She would love seeing them play.  Sometimes they would both come to her and sometimes they would come to their father and bow to him.  Guru ji would have both of them sit close to him and say: “my sons will carry weapons and be great warriors.  They will make the sinner Mughals scared.  They will destroy them in the battlefield.”  Both of the Sahibzadas were getting bigger as time passed.  The Sangat was always happy to see them. 

Guru ji would go hunting with his army everyday or every other day.  If anyone would oppose the army, they would straighten them out.  The ones that would come with love, the army of the Guru would protect them.  Guru ji’s radiance spread far.  The Pahari Rajas were afraid of Guru ji’s Nagara.  They would come and bow to him.  It was well known that Guru ji was the greatest warrior.  Everyone said: “Guru ji protected and helped Bheem Chand from Alaf Khan.  He made Alaf Khan run away.”  The Mughals thought about this and wanted to fight Guru ji.  They knew that Guru Gobind Singh ji was a brave and courageous warrior.  He did not let the enemy stand in front of him.  He was undefeated. 

There was a Pathaan named Dilaaver Khan.  He was a “Panj-Hazaari” general (allotted an army of 5000).  Someone told Dilaaver Khan of Guru ji.  He responded by saying: “I will send an army.”  He prepared his army with pride.  He prepared his son for war and gave him instructions: “take 1000 soldiers and arrest Guru Gobind Singh.  Win the Fort of Anandpur.  If the Guru gives you tax worth thousands, then you can leave him.  You should take 5 or 7 Lakhs from him.  Otherwise you should fight him.”  The son of Dilaaver Khan got ready to attack Anandpur.  He handed out weapons to his army and picked his best soldiers to go with him.  He sounded his Nagaras and headed towards Anandpur.  They wanted to take taxes from the Pahari Rajas and Guru ji.  Dilaaver Khan was going to come himself but he sent his son first.  With pride, Dilaaver Khan sent his son to collect the taxes.  He said: “attack at night when they’re sleeping.  Attack with hostility and arrest the Guru.”  The son of the Pathaan took his soldiers and reached the river to camp.  It was night time, around 10 pm, the army got ready and came near the river.  It was a cold winter night.  The hands and feet of the soldiers were numb from the cold. 

A person heading towards Anandpur saw the army and quickly ran to Guru ji.  He reached the door of the Anandpur Fort.  There was a strict guard around the fort in every direction.  Bhai Aalam Singh ji “Nachna,” was guarding Guru ji’s room.  Bhai Aalam Singh was called “Nachna” because it looked like he was dancing when he was fighting in battle.  He had not slept ever, after being in Guru ji’s service.   The person who saw Dilaaver Khan’s army came to Bhai Aalam Singh ji and said to him: “why is everyone sleeping?  There is a great army of the Turks coming to loot Anandpur.  Please tell Guru ji that the army is coming.  We don’t have too much time.”  Bhai Aalam Singh ji heard this and went to wake up Guru Gobind Singh ji.  He went into his room and approached Guru ji’s bed.  Guru ji was sleeping on his bed.  Bhai Aalam Singh ji touched Guru ji’s feet and gently shook it.  Guru ji woke up and said: “who is it?”  Bhai Aalam Singh ji folded his hands and said: “Prabhoo ji, the army of the Mughals has come.  They want to enter Anandpur and are standing near the river right now.  Please command the army to get ready, right away.  They need to face the army right now.”  Guru ji said: “wake everyone up.”  Bhai Aalam Singh ji went right away to wake everyone up.  The Ranjit Nagara sounded and there was a lot of noise.  Bhai Nand Chand ji and others got ready.  They saddled their horses with anger.  They were mad that the Pathaans were going to attack at night.  This was seen as an unethical act.  Pandit Daya Ram ji grabbed his rifle and bowed to Guru ji.  Guru ji saw the Sikh soldiers and said: “take the soldiers and go on ahead.  Kill the Pathaans with your guns.  Take the three sons of my Bhooa ji (his father’s sister’s sons) as well.”  The whole army took their weapons and marched to the sound of the Nagaras.  The guns were fired and sounded like popcorn popping.  The soldiers shouted out Jaikaras of “Sat Sri Akaal.”  They made a lot of noise.  The Khalsa set out from Anandpur, with bullets firing in the air.  Guru ji sent more soldiers and gave them instructions: “stop the army by facing them head-on.  Kill them with your bullets.”  The soldiers were motivated and went forward by sounding the ransinghas, Napheeryas, Nagaras and vaajas.  It was really loud at night.  They shouted out jaikaras.  The sound of the horses galloping could be heard.  They fired their guns towards the sky. 

These sounds all echoed across the river to the other side, where the Pathaans were standing.  It was really cold.  The soldiers of Dilaaver Khan’s son were cold.  Their hands became like people who were disabled.  They were numb and had no energy in them.  They couldn’t pick up their weapons.  They heard the noises from the Sikh army.  The Sikhs came and aimed their guns towards the Pathaans.  Dilaaver Khan’s son got scared and realised that he could not win.  The generals of the Pathaan army came to the Khan’s son and said: “to fight the Guru’s army is not a good idea.  We will surely die.  It is cold and our hands are numb.  We can’t pick our weapons up.  When we get into the river, the river will freeze us and we will die.  Why should we die for nothing?  The Sikh army has woken up and are coming towards us.  We wanted to attack them while they were asleep.  That is no longer the case now.  They are making loud noises and it sounds like there are thousands of them.  We don’t know how many of them there are.  We are only a thousand right now.  They will take our weapons, horses and kill us if we face them.  People will call you naive and unskilled if we die.  They will say that we died for nothing.”  The senior Pathaans convinced the young one.  Seeing Guru ji as a brave and strong warrior, the son of Dilaaver Khan got scared.  He stayed on the other side of the river and did not cross the river, due to fear.

2-47 The Khanzada runs away and loots Barva

The son of Dilaaver Khan became a coward and ran away, fearing Guru ji.  Guru ji’s radiance was too much for him.  He let go of his desire to win the war.  It was really cold.  The Pathaans hands were numb.  Guru ji’s army was loud, as their Nagaras and Jaikaras scared the Pathaans.  The Khanzada got scared.  They became “shoom Soophis” (cheap lazy) and ran away.  They ran away like deer, without using their weapons.  They were coward fools who ran away.  “When Guru Gobind Singh ji comes into the battle, there is no other soldier that can face him.  We have heard that his arrows are scary.”  The Pathaans were talking amongst themselves and left their posts.  Just as a sleeping lion is woken up by the elephants, that is what the Pathaans did.  The elephant gets scared and discards its pride of its big size.  The Pathaans did not care that they were strong.  They were afraid of the Lion, Guru Gobind Singh ji.

The Pathaans came across a village named Barva.  They decided to loot this village.  They looted every house in the village.  People didn’t know that these people were cowards who ran away by fear.  The fools looted the helpless village out of anger.  They couldn’t do anything to Guru Sahib but used their strength to attack unarmed villagers.  Just as the cheap merchant wishes to eat expensive meat, but instead, sautés rocks and sucks on them to savour the taste of meat; that is how the Khanzada looted Barva and tried to taste victory.  They looted grains, livestock and food from the houses.  It was like elephants, fearing the lion, takes its anger off on deer and rabbits.  That is what these cowards did.  They saw Guru ji’s alertness and were terrified.  After Barva, they set up camp in the village Bhalaan.  They didn’t look towards Anandpur after that.  The treasure of blessings, whose flag has the Kirpan on it, what can someone do to such a Guru?  In the Bhalaan village, the Pathaans stayed for a few days.  They left after that and went back home. 

The Khanzada saw his father and looked towards the ground.  He was embarrassed to tell his father anything.  The court of the Khans was in session.  He was quiet in the court.  Dilaaver Khan had a slave who was highly ranked.  His name was Hussain Khan.  He saw that his master’s son had run away with fear.  He said to his master, to cheer him up: “Khan Sahib, send me.”  He was filled with ego and said: “I will fight Guru Gobind Singh and see how strong he is.  I will straighten out the Pahari Rajas and collect tax from the Guru and the Rajas.  I will punish the Guru and the Rajas.  If they give me the tax, then all is well.  Otherwise, they will have to see me in war.  Give me an army and permission.  I will go now and win everything.  My right arm is pumped.”  Dilaaver Khan said to Hussain Khan: “excellent.  You spoke like a man.”  He was given 2000 men with gunpowder, swords, guns and bullets.  The soldiers were hand-picked for his army.  Many horses were given to him, as the Pathaans were big and strong.  The saddles were tightly fastened.  They played Nagaras and headed towards Anandpur, looting villages along the way.

Guru ji was living in Anandpur with bliss.  When Dilaaver Khan’s son ran away, fearing Guru ji, looting Barva and staying in Bhalaan; Divaan Nand Chand took his regiment and went to look for the Pathaans.  He couldn’t find them.  He had a great army with him.  The army was wandering the riverside, waiting for the army, in case they returned.  They were looking forward to a good battle.  They wanted to welcome the army.  Divaan ji found out that the enemy ran away.  They let out jaikaras and played the Nagaras.  They celebrated by firing into the air.  The sounds of the guns echoed far.  They were happy that Guru ji gave them victory.  They played vaajas and returned to Anandpur.  They were shouting Jaikaras in bliss as they came back.  They won without fighting.  They tied their horses and rested, along the way. 

It was Amritvela.  Guru ji got up and bathed.  He tied his Dumalla and dressed for war.  Guru ji was a very strong warrior.  He tied his kumerkassa.  Guru ji waited for his army.  He was ready to go for war.  Guru ji had been sitting, all dressed, since 2:30 am, waiting for war.  The Sikhs wondered why Guru ji was ready for war and not sitting in Samadhi as he usually is.  When the sun came up, the Sikhs came back home.  Divaan ji came and bowed to Guru ji.  He told him: “Guru ji, we waited for the Pathaans but they ran away.  They got scared and didn’t cross the river.  They ran away.  Your glory is great and your radiance is intimidating.  Your praises are known throughout the land.  They know that nobody can face you in war.  The Khanzada went back in fear.  They discarded the idea of fighting.”  Guru ji heard this and said: “Sri Akaal ji assisted us and gave us victory.  It was Akaal Purakh’s blessing that broke the pride of the enemy.  Weapons would break their ego.  The enemy will be back and we will fight them.  Keep the army on high alert.  Keep your weapons ready.  The horses should be replaced along with the soldiers’ weapons.”  Anandpur was full of joy.  Guru ji spoke to Divaan Nand Chand ji in this way.

Hussain Khan was on his way with a great army.  He was a slave to Dilaaver Khan.  He came to win the Pahari area.  He looted a village named Avaan.  Whoever came in front of him, he had them beaten up.  The army looted every home.  They took the livestock and other animals they had.  They took their possessions and food.  Hussain Khan showed his strength and went forward.  He fought the Dhudawalia Raja and defeated him.  He took thousands of Rupees of taxes and punishment.  Other Pahari Rajas came and met him ahead.  They paid him before hand and drafted agreements.  Hussain Khan gathered money and travelled in the Pahari area.  He arrested some of the Pahari king’s sons.  He wanted money in return for their sons.  He told the Rajas: “I will take money for your kids safe return.”  Kirpal Chand Katochia and Bheem Chand Kahiloori came to meet Hussain Khan.  Hussain Khan went deeper into the area and looted it badly.  Everyone in the area got scared of Hussain Khan.  The Rajas did not dare fight him.  They paid him off in return for peace.  Hussain Khan looted a lot of food and livestock, along with gold and money.

He did not know about the glory of Guru Gobind Singh ji.  His mind was corrupt.  He thought he could terrorize Guru ji.  He did many unethical acts of looting and killing.  His wisdom was a slave as well.  He was a foolish soul who didn’t know about the Guru.  He set up camp in the area.  He would loot people and punish them.  He made enemies out of everyone.  He wanted everyone to fear him in the Pahari area.  Many Rajas came ahead to give him money and gifts.  His ego grew by the day.  Some people ran away.  In this way he showed everyone his strength.  His mind wanted to go to Anandpur and face Guru ji. 

2-48 Sangteea Singh comes to call truce between Gopal and Hussaini

Raja Kirpal Chand Katochia, Bheem Chand and other Rajas went to Hussaini and become his slaves.  They were afraid of Hussain Khan and joined his army.  They all got together and wanted to attack Anandpur.  Hussaini wanted to attack Anandpur with a great army.  He wanted to defeat Guru ji in battle.  He was going to do a fierce attack.  “If the Guru agrees to my terms, I will take a great tax from him.  Dilaaver Khan sent his son.  He was a child and so he ran away because of fear.  I am Hussaini Khan.  I am not afraid.  I have 2000 soldiers.  If the Pahari army joins me, we will win.  Till I don’t win Anandpur, I will not go back.  The strength you have, we will find out in war.”  They strategized to attack Anandpur.  They enlisted more soldiers.  He was proud of his army.  He wanted to surround Anandpur.

Guru ji collected Divaan Nand Chand ji and others.  Mata Gujri ji and the other Masands were worried and sad.  Purohit Daya Ram ji and the 3 brothers (sons of Bibi Veero) were there.  Mata ji and the Masands would try to talk to Guru ji: “Guru ji you are sitting worry-free.  Hussain Khan wishes to fight you.  He is really strong.  He may attack at any time.  All the Pahari Rajas are with him now.  They gave him money and saved their kingdoms.  They are afraid of him and became his slaves.  We should do something as well.  We need to make our army bigger.  We should send Masands and call a truce with Hussain Khan, just like the Pahari Rajas did.  We should avoid war.  We should pay him and send him back.  He has a big army.  We won’t be able to face him.  We should send someone to him and give him money.”  When Mata ji and the Masands said this to Guru ji, the other Sikhs agreed.  Guru ji heard everyone and roared in his court: “I have come to pull their roots.  This is my duty from Akaal Purakh.  I am to take their kingdoms away from them.  I will not leave their Nagara players.  Only my Khalsa’s Nagara will remain.  Their wealth will be taken away.  They come to loot everyone.  They will need to do jobs for money one day.  My Sikhs will rule.  If this slave comes with an army and fights us, I will wage such a war that he will not look towards Anandpur again.  I will use weapons and release arrows to ruin him.  Why are you all afraid?  Watch the drama of Kharagket Akaal Purakh.  Watch what Akaal Purakh wishes to do.  Hussain Khan won’t reach here.  He will die somewhere else.  He won’t be able to come close to me.  These dark thunders that he is bringing, he doesn’t know what Death has decided for him.  Their will be a storm that will drive his clouds away.   People will forget his existence.  But Divaan ji, listen to me: prepare for war.  Give the weapons to the soldiers; guns and gunpowder.  Send spies to the enemy to see what they are up to.  Make strong preparations.  If he comes, we will fight him.”  Divaan ji looked at all the soldiers and gave them what they needed.  He made all the preparations and called all the soldiers on holidays.  Divaan ji mounted his horses and visited all the forts in Anandpur.  He made everyone ready for war.

Hussain Khan was very proud of his 2000 soldiers and the new soldiers that he enlisted.  He had thousands now.  He wanted to attack Anandpur.  Gopal Chand Gularia sent a messenger to him and sent money for him.  He didn’t want to be attacked by Hussain Khan.  When the messenger came, Hussain Khan stopped and said: “I want to see your Raja.  Tell him to come quick.  Just as other kings gave me taxes, you should give it as well.  Come see me.  Bheem Chand and others are with me.  Tell Gopal Chand to bring his army and go wherever I go.”  The messenger went back to Gopal Chand and told him.  Gopal Chand heard the message and took money along with gifts to see Hussain Khan.  Another Pahari Raja named Ram Singh went with Gopal Chand.  If this problem did not exist, Hussain Khan’s ego would have gotten bigger.  Ram Singh and Gopal Chand’s meeting diverted the attack on Anandpur, otherwise he was going to attack.  But because this meeting was to take place, this diverted the attack.  It would have been a fierce battle as Hussain Khan had a huge army now.  Only that happens which Satguru ji wishes to do.  Guru ji had said Hussain Khan would get distracted and not reach Anandpur.  The Sri Asdhuj (Akaal Purakh’s flag) assisted and diverted the problem.  The Pahari Rajas had a problem on their hands.  The Kaal Karma made such a situation.  They were jealous among themselves. 

Gopal Chand and Ram Singh reached in the evening to meet Hussain Khan.  Hussain Khan was full of pride.  He saw himself as too strong.  He saw the Pahari Rajas and became more egotistical.  He thought there was no one else like him.  He thought they were all afraid of him.  He thought he could become the King of the area if all the Pahari Rajas were under him.  He wanted to take their money and then take Kirpal Chand to attack Anandpur with a great army.  He wanted to take Anandpur and kick Guru ji out.  He wanted to make his master happy.  He told his ministers all this.  He wanted to fight Guru ji and talked about it day and night.  Gopal Chand came and was about to give money to Hussain Khan.  Hussain Khan said to him: “this money is not enough.  I can’t make truce with you.  Give me double this amount and then you can join me.  Otherwise, I will destroy your capital and take your kingdom from you.  I will arrest you.”  Gopal Chand did not agree but responded back with a deceitful plan: “Khan Sahib, if you want me to double the amount, I will need to go back home and get more money.  Take this money now.  If you want it all at once, I will need a few days.”  Gopal Chand took back the money and came out of Hussain Khan’s camp.  He talked to his ministers and said: “I will not give him any money now.  I will fight him.”  Gopal Chand went back home and prepared for war.  Hussain Khan found out about this and became very angry.  His eyes were red and did not see good or bad anymore.  He forgot politics in his rage of anger.  He lost his logic. He said: “sound the Nagara and attack Guler.”  He made everyone attack Guler.  He sounded the Nagaras and attacked Gopal Chand.  He surrounded the fort of Guler and strangled all passages to the fort.  No goods are people were allowed in or out of the fort.  He wanted to starve them out.  Feed for horses or food for people were not allowed.  He said: “attack and kill everyone.”  When the food inside the fort finished, the warriors became angry and said: “we will attack Hussain Khan, rather than starving to death.”  Gopal Chand heard this and said: “let’s try to call a truce once.”  A messenger was sent outside to speak to Hussain Khan.  Hussain Khan got angry and said: “now you will have to pay 10,000.  Then I will call a truce with Gopal Chand.  Otherwise I will fight him and take his kingdom.  I will throw him in jail and loot his country.”  The messengers passed back and forth a few times. 

Gopal Chand sent a message to Guru ji: “please send me an army.”  The message reached Guru Gobind Singh ji which stated: “Raja Gopal Chand seeks your protection.  We have been surrounded by Hussain Khan.  The other Pahari Rajas are with him.  Please send a warrior or a diplomatic person to call a truce.”  Guru Gobind Singh ji then thought about this and called Sangteea Singh to him.  He sent 7 mounted soldiers with him to go to Gopal Chand.  He said: “go to Gopal Chand and help them come to an agreement.  Use your wisdom and make sure Gopal Chand is in beneficial terms.”  When Sangteea Singh left Guru ji, he soon met with Kirpal Chand and Bheem Chand.  He told them to protect Gopal Chand and not to listen to Hussain Khan.  The Pahari Rajas sent a message to Sangteea Singh: “take an oath to the Dharma and have Hussain Khan and Gopal Chand meet.  You are Guru ji’s Sikh and both will listen to you.  War will be avoided.”  Both sides swore an oath to Dharma.  Sangteea Singh went to see Gopal Chand.

2-49 Hussaini dies/ Gopal Chand wins/ Sahibzada Zoravar Singh ji is born

When Sangteea Singh met Bheem Chand and others, they sent him to Gopal Chand to meet him.  Sangteea Singh said to Gopal Chand: “come and speak to your other Pahari brothers.  Guru Gobind Singh ji has sent me for your benefit.  I have taken an oath to Dharma.  If these others don’t follow Dharma, they will fall to Hell.  They gave me their word that they will not deceive you.  I have spoken to everyone and thought about everything.  If they break their oath, Sri Satguru ji is the caretaker of Dharam.  He will punish the ones that breaks their oath.  Whoever stays righteous to their Dharam, they will win.  The enemy without Dharma will lose.”  In this way, Sangteea Singh spoke to Gopal Chand and his ministers.  When Gopal Chand heard Guru Gobind Singh ji’s name, he felt a deep peace.  He felt that Guru ji was on his side now.  He said: “if Satguru ji is between us, then I have no doubt.”  Gopal Chand went with Sangteea Singh along with his generals.  He came outside where Bheem Chand and Kirpal Chand were sitting.  He met everyone.  They all had a discussion.  Hussain Khan was in the middle.  Hussain Khan was egotistical and said: “I don’t want to hear anything.  I want 10,000 Rupees.  I will take him under my wing, otherwise I will fight him.”  Gopal Chand said: “I don’t have that kind of money.  You can fight me.”  Gopal Chand was not afraid anymore, knowing that Guru ji was on his side.  When Kirpal Chand sat separately, he spoke to Bheem Chand: “such an opportunity will not come again.  If we lose this opportunity, Gopal Chand will not be in our control.  We should arrest Gopal Chand and put him in jail.  We should kill him otherwise.”  Gopal Chand got a whiff of this planning.  He ran back to his fort.  He figured that his own people were not on his side.  Kirpal Chand saw Gopal Chand running back.  He saw him running out of his surrounding.  Kirpal Chand, Himmat and Kimmat, 2 Rajput warriors, attacked Gopal Chand.  Hussain Khan started fighting as well.  Kirpal Chand, Hussaini, Himmat and Kimmat, all attacked.  Gopal Chand, Ram Singh Jasvaali were on one side, who faced Hussain Khan’s army with courage.  Hussaini was fighting with Gopal Chand.  Kirpal Chand and Bheem Chand were with Hussaini.  Spears, bullets and arrows began to fly.  The battle was fierce.  The Teghas shined so bright that made the sun look dim.  Many soldiers died in a matter of minutes.  Guru Gobind Singh ji stated this katha in Bachiter Natak.  With 7 Sikhs, Sangteea Singh fought in this war and died.  Hussaini had a great army along with other Pahari Rajas.  Gopal Chand and Ram Singh had the 7 Sikhs on his side, along with Sangteea Singh.  Hussaini died in this war as well.  The strong warrior, Kirpal Chand, took a big regiment and died in this war.  Kirpal Chand died by his head being cut off by another warrior.  Himmat and Kimmat died as well.  When the 3 of these people died, Gopal Chand saw this and was really happy.  He saw this as his win.  He had his Nagaras of victory sound.  All his enemies died.  The enemies of the Guru died without being fought with.  When Kirpal Chand and Hussaini died, there was no leader on their side.  Their army got scared and ran away from the battlefield.  They ran towards their villages.  The 2000 soldiers that came with Hussain Khan and the other Raja’s armies, they all ran away. 

These people wanted to fight Satguru ji with a great army.  They wanted to take Anandpur from Guru ji.  The Karta Purakh killed all of them.  Akaal Purakh protected Guru Gobind Singh ji in every way.  The enemies all died, away from Anandpur.  The fight happened somewhere else.  The person who was proud of his army, he died on the battlefield.  He wanted to fight Sri Prabhoo ji, but died himself.  He would have never succeeded.  He died a useless death.  Kirpal Chand and Bheem Chand had sworn an oath to speak to Gopal Chand.  They didn’t fulfill their oath.  For this, they were punished.  Gopal Chand defeated them in battle.

After his victory, Gopal Chand went to Anandpur and set up camp.  When Prabhoo ji came to his court, the warriors, Masands, Scholars and Kavis came.  A beautiful Chaur was waived over his head.  The Sangat was bowing to Guru ji.  Guru ji sent someone to bring Gopal Chand to his court.  Gopal Chand was happy to come to Guru ji.  He came and bowed to Guru ji’s feet after placing money.  Guru Gobind Singh ji smiled when he saw him and said: “welcome, victorious one.  You are a great warrior.  You kept your patience.  For this reason, you killed the enemy.”  Gopal Chand then sat down.  Guru ji was on his throne.  Gopal Chand told Guru ji about the war: “Kirpal Chand wanted to deceive me.  I came at his sworn oath but with your blessing, he received his punishment.  With your blessing, we killed all the enemy.  We did not back down.  He fought like men.  It was a fierce battle.  Please give me permission to go back to my capital.  My soldiers who are injured, I need to have them treated.”  Satguru ji gave Gopal Chand a Siropa.  Gopal Chand went back home.  Guru ji was happy with this.  He saves his servants and kills the enemy.

It was the second half of Maagh (January/February).  It was a glorious Sunday, it was the first, the night was in its first hour, Mata Jeeto ji had her second son, Guru ji’s third son.  The midwives and servants served her.  There was a great celebration.  Mata Gujri ji was given congratulations.  The canons were fired in salute along with guns.  The Sikhs all fired to the skies in happiness.  The markets in Anandpur were celebrating.  The people of Anandpur were all happy.  The kids and elderly people were all happy.  The women of the city, with deer-like eyes sang songs of happiness.  They all came to congratulate Mata Gujri ji.  Mata ji accepted their well wishes.  Mata ji gave many donations to the poor.  Langar and sweets were made.  Keertan occurred, the singers and Kavis showed their art in happiness.  In the morning, the news spread far and wide.  The celebration got bigger.  The beggars all came to Anandpur to ask for money and clothes.  They were all given what they asked for.  They gave many blessings: “may the son of Guru ji live forever.”  Rightly so.  Although the physical ages of the Sahibzadas was young, their names and remembrance live on forever.  They praised the Guru and the Guru’s house. 

The Hijras came and played music.  They played the dhols and bells.  They clapped and danced in joy along with singing songs of celebration.  The bells tied to their feet matched the beat of the dhol.  There was a great celebration.  Everyone met with joy and saw this celebration.  Mata Gujri ji performed the traditions of the Sodhis.  The women of the city all came to meet Mata ji.  Sri Satguru ji named the child.  He said: “he avoided the enemy and had them killed away from here.  His name would be Zoravar Singh.  (Although Kavi Santokh Singh ji switches the names of Baba Jujhar Singh ji and Baba Zoravar Singh ji, this was later corrected as the confusion arose because of another boy, who was the son of Tarkhaans, would come to wrestle with the Sahibzadas.  He pinned one of the Sahibzadas which caught Guru ji’s attention. Guru ji re-named this boy as Zoravar Singh, and proclaiming him as his adopted son.    This Zoravar Singh was in Chamkaur Sahib, who was injured and was treated later.  He was considered Guru ji’s son as well.  His adopted son.  He died in a skirmish at Chittorgarh later).  The whole family was happy to hear the name.

The three sons would play together and run around in joy.  The jewellery would clank when they would run.  Baba Ajit Singh ji was now learning to ride a horse.  His attended, Baba Gujghaah Singh ji, would hold the reins of the horse and take the horse around the city.  He taught Baba Ajit Singh ji how to ride the horse.  In the same way Baba Jujhar Singh ji would run around the home.  Baba Zoravar Singh ji was taken care of by servants.  Mata Gujri ji would made beautiful clothes for him with golden borders.  Their bodies were getting bigger by the day.  It was as though the 3 fires of Yagnas (out of 6) have been revealed in Anandpur.  They were to burn the roots of the Mughals, and give peace to the Sikhs.  Their walk and talk were like warriors.  People could see that they were going to be strong warriors.  They were going to be ready to die all the time.  They would hold their courage till death.  The whole world will bow to them.  All the Sikhs and others. bowed to the Sahibzadas.  Mata Gujri ji would love them dearly.  She would place them in her lap and give them delicious food to eat.

2-50 Respecting the Kavis/ the Birth of Baba Fateh Singh ji

Sri Kalgidhar ji was doing amazing things in Anandpur.  He was spreading the word of Seva, Simran and Shaster Vidya.  Many scholars and artists would come to Anandpur, hearing about Guru ji.  Many Kavis (poets) would come to see him and present their works from far and wide.  Whoever had an art or technique they were good at; they would come to see Satguru ji.  They knew that Guru ji would give artists a lot of money.  In an ideal society, the artists and craftsmen need to be taken care of by the government or the religious institution, as they need to focus on the development of their art and not to be worried about earning a subsistence.  This is what Guru ji did.  The artists would get money from Guru ji and on top of that, they got to meet the master of the universe.  They were given money, elephants and musical instruments.  They would sing the praises of Guru ji and show him their 9 genres of poems.  Other Kavis would come to Anandpur Sahib hearing this.  Scholars and Pandits from every direction would come to have discussions with Guru ji.  Guru ji would answer all their questions about spirituality.  The poets that would write poems in all 9 genres, they would all come to live with Guruji.  Guru ji would be happy with them and give them a lot of money and give them a place to live in Anandpur.  Kavi Keshavdas was from Bundelkhand.  He had a son named Kuvresh.  Both father and son were great poets.  Kuvresh’s greatness was heard by Aurangzeb as well.  Aurangzeb didn’t like that Kuvresh was Hindu and wanted to convert him to Islam.  Nauranga saw Kuvresh as one of the best poets among the Hindus.  When Kuvresh heard about this intention of Aurangzeb, he left Bundelkhand and wandered around in jungles.  He didn’t know where he could go, where he wouldn’t be found by Nauranga.  He eventually heard about Sri Guru ji, where only Akaal Purakh’s command is considered the highest and not Nauranga’s.  He decided to go to Guru Gobind Singh ji.  He knew about Guru ji’s power.  He hid and made his way to Anandpur, travelling through the jungles.

Kuvresh arrived in Anandpur.  As we was travelling, he composed many poems along the way.  When he met Guru ji, he spoke his work to him: “I have no other support in this world.  Guru ji, you are the Guru of the world, you are the support of the world.  You have all the skills and arts in the world.  I have heard they you are the home of the homeless and the glory of the glory less.  You are the power of the powerless.  I have heard your praises from the world: you tolerate everyone.”  Guru ji heard his poem and had him sit close to him.  Pandit Kuvresh told Guru ji his whole story of what he had been through: “the glory of the Mughals is bright like the sun.  Aurangzeb has done so much Tapasya which has made him undefeatable.  The Hindus do not have any power.  Our religion is in trouble.  It is being attacked by arrogant people who have interpreted their religion in a wrong way, for their own benefits.  The Emperor wanted to convert me.  I hid and came to you, to save my religion.”  Guru ji heard him and gave him hope.  Guru ji allotted him 5 Rajitpuns a day (equivalent to about 10 to 15k Rupees in today’s terms) and said to him: “your father was a great poet.  He has composed many great poems.  The Mahabharat is a masterpiece of a Granth, which I love to read.  I will have this Granth written in vernacular language which will be easier to read for the Sikhs.”  Amrit Rai, Heer and Sudama were some of its writers that Guru ji employed.  Many poets came to Guru ji.  They were given great salaries and kept in Anandpur.  Guru ji would have many discussions with them and stayed close to them to make sure they had what they needed.  Only Guru ji could fully understand and extract pleasure from the poets’ compositions.  Guru ji would recite Bani as well.  He wrote Chandi Charitar and other Banis there.  Guru ji would think about starting a great new Panth.  He wrote these Banis for them.  This Panth would destroy the Mughals, that would force conversions.  If someone converts to other religions out of their own will, that would be ok.  Forcing people to convert by bribery and threats is a sin.  The Mughals were committing blasphemy.  Their kingdom was going to finish.  The Panth Khalsa would give peace and happiness to all.  Guru ji wrote about the wars with Rakatbheej.  Guru ji would sit in dhyana (deep focus), connecting with Akaal Purakh, when he wrote about the history of the Shakti, Chandi.  As he was there during that war and received many blessings from the Mother of the world, he recalled as it all happened.  “The Shakti Mata gave me a blessing to create the new Panth at that time.  The time has come now to start that Panth.  That same situation in Satyuga, where the saints were being killed by the demons, has occurred now.  I will find a great scholar Pandit who knows how to call the Goddess by doing a great Havan.  I will have a Pandit who is connected to Chandi do this Havan.  They shall do this with the correct traditions.  Shakti will need to come in Kaliyuga.  After meeting her, I will take her blessings and then create the new Panth.  The Khalsa will protect all religions.  They will protect the Hindus and their traditions.  The knowledge of the Vedas and Shasters will be protected.  The scholars and saints will live in peace.  The Khalsa will destroy the sinners that want to finish other religions.”  In this way Guru ji would think all the time.  He would tell the other Pandits to find such scholarly Brahmins. 

People from every direction would come and bring many types of unique gifts.  They brought weapons, clothes and horses.  The rarest things would be brought.  Everyone’s wishes would be fulfilled by Guru ji.  All four castes would sing the glory of Guru ji.  Many powerful saints and peers would come to Guru ji for guidance.  They would see Guru ji as Khuddah and bow to him.  They would ask him questions and be happy with the answers.  Some would stay with Guru ji and do Seva.  Jogis and Sanyasis would come and stay with Guru ji, seeing his radiance.  Jappis, Tappis and Bairagis came to see Guru ji.  They were fortunate to see him. 

Guru ji would compose many masterpieces himself.  He would write Banis with “Shingaar Ras” (beauty) and “Bir Rass” (warrior spirit).  Reading these Banis would give rise to the warrior spirit inside them.  “Rodhr Ras” (chaotic war spirit) where the anger in war takes the highest form after being hit with weapons, Bani was written.  Reading this Bani would make the warrior’s biceps pump.  The reader and listener would read this and have the warrior spirit awaken in them.  If a coward was to read this Bani, they would become warriors.  Guru ji would tell the glory of battle.  Guru ji wanted everyone in Bharat to wield weapons.  Many Kavis came to Guru ji and composed great poems.  They received many gifts and ran their households.  The 18 sections of Mahabharat, especially where the history of battles is stated, was written by 18 Kavis.  This Granth was written in vernacular in beautiful Chands.

Baba Ajit Singh ji would play and sit with Guru ji in the court.  Baba Jujhar Singh ji would sit in the court of poets.  Baba Zoravar Singh ji would be in Guru ji’s lap.  The Sangat would see the sons of Guru ji with Guru ji and be mesmerized by them.  They would be dressed in golden jewellery and pearl necklaces.  Mata Jeeto ji had a lot of devotion towards her husband.  She served the Sangat with faith and devotion.  She had the form of Guru ji in her heart and worship him in her mind.  Her mind was still.  She would do Simran all the time.  Guru ji knew that Mata ji wished from another son.  He visited her home on a Saturday.  Mata Ji was given happiness as she served Guru ji with love.  This was the fourth time Guru ji stayed in the home.  He did not spend a fifth night with his wives.  He spent the rest of his life in celibacy.  Just as Ram Chander ji lived without Sita ji and lived a life of abstinence, that was how Guru ji was.  In the morning he woke up and bathed.  Mata Jeeto ji was pregnant for the third time.  The nine months were spent in happiness. 

It was Phagun (February/March) Sudhi, Wednesday, 1755 (Vikram), 1698 CE, when the fourth son of Guru ji was born.  The celebrations started.  It was the first of the Sudhi.  It was the Anuradha Nachattar (Beta, Delta and Pi Scorpions) when the third son of Mata Jeeto ji was born.  They were like the 3 fires, illuminating bright.  Dakhnatya, Ghrahpatya, and Maha Prasth Agni were there to burn the Mughals’ jungle.  When the Mughals were to open these fires, they were to burn.  They were able to destroy the Mughal kingdom in this way.

Mata Sundri Ji’s son was Baba Ajit Singh ji who was an expert in weapons.  He destroyed many Turks in battle.  No other warrior was able to stand in front of him.  The four sons of Guru ji were scholars, skilled and handsome.  They would practice Shaster Vidya all the time and live under Guru ji’s command. 

The 2^nd Rut of Gurpratap Sooraj Granth is completed here.  The history continues in the 3^rd Rut.  By the grace of the feet of the ten Gurus, the history shall be written.

I, Santokh Singh, did not meet with the Satsang and always spend time with bad company.  I have spent my life in sin and did not have patience.  I was not able to control my desires.  My heart is hard as stone and was not compassionate to others.  My mind did not go to Sadh Sangat.  I did not see Satguru ji close to me.  I did not think about Mukti and how to get it.  I am not a warrior nor a Bhagat.  I am like the fraud who married the princess; whose father wanted his daughter to be married to Vishnu.  Vishnu then came to save the fraud because he was dressed like Vishnu.  Satguru ji, please save me as well.

Thus ends the 2^nd Rut.