3-16 Cheto Masand is Punished

The Sikh entered Guru ji’s court with love in his heart.  He met Kalgidhar ji, seeing him as the Master of the Universe, the Kartar (the doer).  He saw him as the form and light of Akaal Purakh.  Guru ji saw the love in the Sikh’s heart.  The Sikh bowed to Guru ji’s feet with great devotion.  He sat in front of Guru ji and was drenched in a deep bliss.  The gracious Guru said to the Sikh: “my beloved Sikh, what did you bring for me?”  The Sikh folded his hands and said: “I had brought a rare and precious bracelet.  I received it with your blessing.  I saw it befitting for you.  I kept it for a while and tried to sell it, but I then realised that the bracelet needed to be with you.  I sent the bracelet before coming here.  The bracelet came to me by fate.  It is very beautiful with many diamonds and precious gems.  The craftsman did a great job with it.  I wished to see you as I couldn’t stay any longer.  I came to see you now.”  Guru ji responded: “I have not received this rare bracelet you are talking about.  The one with lots of gems, I haven’t seen it.  Who did you give it to?  Tell me truthfully.  Don’t be afraid.  Tell me who you gave it to.”  The Sikh said: “Guru ji, I sent it with your most senior Masand, Cheto Masand.  He is a very big person.  I gave him the bracelet.  He was collecting a lot of money from the Sangat of our area.  He gathered a lot of gifts.  He brought all these gifts back to Anandpur.  Guru ji, you know everything.  You are asking like you don’t know.  You sent Cheto to our area.”  Guru ji said: “bring Cheto Masand to me.”  A Sikh was sent to get Cheto Masand.

Cheto Masand was sitting in his house, worry-free.  The Sikh Servant called Cheto and said: “you have been summoned by Guru ji.”  Cheto heard this and got worried.  He walked to Guru ji’s court with the Sikh Servant.  He stood in front of Guru ji.  The Sikh that brought the bracelet, looked towards Cheto and said: “I gave you a very expensive bracelet.  I told you to give that to Guru ji for one of the mothers.  You brought the bracelet with a lot of money.  Did you give Guru ji the bracelet?  Guru ji says he hasn’t seen it yet.  If you brought it, who did you give it to?  If you weren’t able to give it before, can you give it Guru ji now?”  The Maya (illusion) had surrounded Cheto’s wisdom.  He was drowning in the ocean of greed.  Greed has destroyed the best of humans and Munis.  Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva were cheated by Maya, Cheto was nothing in front of them.  Cheto lied and said: “you fool!  Are you not afraid of Guru ji?  Oh Sikh, you are naïve and foolish.  You have forgotten to whom you have given the bracelet to.  You didn’t give it to me.  Remember who you gave it to.  You must have given the expensive bracelet to someone else.”  Kalgidhar ji spoke in a sweet voice: “Cheto, you are a beloved of the Satguru.  The Sikh had given you a bracelet with devotion.  Go home and bring it once.  I want to see it once for the Sikh’s faith and love.  I will keep it for a day or two and then give it back to you.  If you want, I’ll look at it and give it right back to you.”  Cheto had two chances to come clean but he didn’t understand.  Cheto was very angry and spoke fearlessly: “this is not a Sikh; he is a sinner.  He has been struck by the Guru.  He came into your court and lied.  Guru ji, you did not understand what is the truth, and believed him.  Don’t trust him.  I am a great Masand of the Guru’s house.  You are trying to make me into a liar.  This is not the first time I am bringing you a gift.  I have brought you Lakhs of Rupees before.  I have a reputation of being the most senior Masand.  I have such a reputation that people who don’t wish to give their Dasvand, give it to me when I arrive in their area.  They give me the money with devotion for the Guru’s Seva.  I have completed many tasks for the Guru.  You are not giving me credit for that.  Truth and lie have many types.  You do not know the difference.  This Sikh is such a poor person.  Look at his clothes.  Where was he going to get such an expensive bracelet from?  You are accepting his statement as the truth and calling me a liar.  I have brought thousands of gifts for you.  Some I have shown you and some I didn’t show you.  They are all taken to the treasury.  We Masands have been doing this with the other Gurus as well.”  Guru ji had the warrior spirit awakened inside of him.  He was filled with Bir Ras.  Cheto had called the Sikh a sinner and a liar.  Guru ji could not tolerate this and said to Cheto: “Cheto, you are drowning in the tidal wave of greed.  Truth and lie can all be determined.  You are saying I don’t know the difference?  Let me show you.  I will give you what you deserve.  This is the house of Guru Nanak, whatever intentions one comes with, they receive their reward.  I will give you what you deserve.”  Guru ji called for 5 Sikhs and said: “go to Cheto’s house where there is a chabarra.  There is a closet near it with a lock on it.  He has kept the bracelet wrapped in a cloth there.  That is the bracelet that this Sikh gave.” The Sikhs ran to Cheto’s house right away.

Cheto was shocked to hear that Guru ji knew exactly where the bracelet was.  He lowered his head in shame, knowing that his lie was about to be revealed.  He didn’t raise his eyes.  He still didn’t ask for forgiveness.  His end was near, for this reason, his wisdom was dead.  The Sikhs went to Cheto’s home and went to the Chabarra.  They broke the lock to the closet and opened it.  They saw the bracelet wrapped in a cloth and came back to Guru ji’s presence with the bracelet.  Guru ji saw the rare and beautiful bracelet.  Guru ji looked towards the Sikhs and blessed him with many boons.  Guru ji said to him: “you will be in joy.  All your pain will be gone.  You will not see jumms, ever.”  Guru ji then looked towards Cheto and said: “you sinner!  What have you done?  You did not see my greatness.  You saw me as a normal person.  You kept greed in your heart.  You have stolen before as well.  You did this with the elder Gurus but you were forgiven.  Today you called my Sikh a liar and saw me as a child.  You say this to my mother as well.  You scolded my beloved Sikh in front of me.  I can only imagine what you do to my Sikhs behind my back.  You call my Sikh a liar but you are a liar and a sinner.  Your wisdom is dead, not my Sikh’s.  You are filled with ego and stole from my Sikhs.  You have given my Sangat a lot of pain.  Now, I will show you my childish wisdom by making it big.”  Guru ji said to his Sikhs: “go and bring a great big pot.  Put water and gurrh (sugar from sugar cane) in it.  Cook it.  Boil it.  Give Cheto a bath with it.  He has become impure.  He will become pure with it.  He will understand my childish wisdom now.  He will get what he deserves.”  The Sikhs already didn’t like Cheto’s ways.  They gladly followed Guru ji’s commands and got the pot.  They put a lot of water and gurrh in it.  They boiled it and then put it on the head of Cheto.  His sins were being washed away as the boiled gurrh was poured on his body.  After a few minutes, Cheto died.

The other Masands saw this and got scared.  All the other Masands got scared from doing anything bad.  They were afraid of Guru ji’s anger.  They didn’t want to make him angry.  Their minds were upset and spoke to each other: “look what he did.  He killed such a senior Masand.  Looks like the visit of Chandika has had the opposite affect that was hoped for.  He has started to kill people without pity.  He does not speak nicely to the Masands.  His ways have changed.  Look how red and radiant his face is since he has met the Chandi.  His eyes are full of radiance.  Nobody can say anything to him because they can’t take his radiance.  Everyone is afraid of him now.”

Guru ji wanted to test the Sangat next.  He wanted to test the Sikhi.  He wanted to test the seed of Sikhi.  He said: “I will seek the seed of Sikhi and create the Khalsa Panth.”  He was anxious to do this and thought about it a lot.  Sangat from far away came to Guru ji.  There were many Sikhs with love and devotion in their hearts.  Guru ji sent hukamnamas to every land.  The Sikhs left their homes and fastened weapons as they came to Anandpur.  They brought many gifts with them.  As they all heard the Hukamnamas, they all came to Guru ji.  There was a great Jor Mela in Anandpur as they all came to see Sri Kalgidhar ji. 

3-17 Testing Sikhi

The Vaisakhi Jor Mela was being celebrated in 1699 CE.  The Sikhs from every direction came.  It was a great crowd in Anandpur.  Thousands of Sikhs came to see Guru ji.  The Mevra came to Guru ji and said: “Maharaj ji, your Sangat has come from far away lands after receiving your Hukamnama.  They wish to see you, just as the Chakors wish to see the moon.  The Mela is really big this year.  It looks as though the ocean has descended onto Anandpur.  There are tents for many miles around Anandpur.”  Kalgidhar ji heard this and commanded: “where the highest point of the Damdama is (the place where Keshgarh Sahib is today), at the top of the mountain, clear the area and level it out.  Set up the Divaan there with the Kabuli Tent (the tent that was from Kabul worth 250,000 Rajitpuns).”  The Mevra bowed and came outside.  He delegated the tasks to the Sevadaars.  The Sevadaars went to work right away.  Whatever Guru ji commanded, the Sevadaars quickly completed the tasks.   The Tent had many rooms in it and was set up after the field was leveled.  The expensive tent was set up with a great border.  The canopy was red and made of silk.  The ropes were made of silk and gold wires.  The pillars were made of gold.  The dome was placed on top which was also made of gold.  Strands of pearls and diamonds hung from its sides.  It was a very mesmerizing tent for whoever saw it.  It was set up for thousands of people.  There was one way in and out.  Langar was distributed.

It was night and everyone rested.  The next day, Guru ji said: “tell everyone to come and see me in the court.  All your wishes will be fulfilled by Guru Nanak Dev ji.”  The Naqeebs and Bhatts went to the camps and announced Guru ji’s command.  They went to various places to announce: “Guru ji’s court is in session.  All young and old, high caste and low caste, come and see Guru ji in the Divaan.  Fasten your weapons as you come.”  The Singhs of the Guru went towards the court with great patience.

Guru ji had two Chaurs being waived over his head.  His Kalgi was very shiny.  Many brave and strong soldiers were standing around Guru ji.  Guru ji, the ocean of virtues, was sitting on his throne, in the middle.  Beautiful rugs and tarps were laid out.  Pashmina cloths hung from the walls of the tent.  Guru ji’s throne had diamonds and gems embedded in its legs.  It was a very big and expensive bed that was made of gold and precious gems.  Guru ji’s radiance was illuminating from there.  The Sikhs came to meet Guru ji with faith and devotion.  Sikhs came in the thousands to see the gem of the Sodhis.  They met him and fulfilled their hearts’ desires.  The Sikhs would see Guru ji as per their faith.  (Kavi Santokh Singh ji had the gift of divine vision to see this whole scene in front of him).  Guru ji’s feet were like 2 red lotus flowers.  The nails on his toes made the moon feel low.  His feet had natural lines and symbols that are normal for emperors who have conquered the whole earth.  Kavi ji says, only the people who were there, knew what a mesmerizing sight it was.  His legs were like a banana tree.  His kumerkassa was beautiful.  His biceps looked like two elephant trunks.  They had armlets tied around them.  There was a quiver tied to his shoulder.  The quiver had strands of pearls and diamonds hanging from it.  His Tegh on his waist had a golden hilt.  A bow was placed on his shoulder which had a very forceful release.  Guru ji was holding an arrow in his hands.  He would roll the arrow in his hands from left to right.  His shoulders were wide and high.  The chola he wore was very expensive.  He was wearing pearl necklaces that rested on his wide chest.  When Guru ji would move, his necklaces would move too.  His beard was very radiant.  His skin colour and beard were a deep contrast.  He wore golden hoops in his ear.  His eyes had love and grace in them.  Whoever he looked towards, their sins from many births were washed away.  His sight was sharp and deep.  He could change people by looking at them.  His eyebrows looked like two bows.  They were bows of blessings.  His hair was thick and shiny.  It looked like baby snakes.  His Dastaar had a Kalgi and Jigha.  The Kalgi would move to the sway of his head.  The Kalgi had precious gems in it.  He wore beautiful jewellery.  There were Chaurs all around him, being waived.  His whole body was bright and shiny.  It was a brave and powerful warrior sitting on the throne to protect the Dharma (Hindu Dharma).  He was going to pull the roots of the oppressive Mughals.  He had Gyaan in his heart.  Kavi ji says, if you think of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s form as described, mukti will be achieved without any effort. 

The Sangat came into the tent and bowed to Guru ji.  Guru ji looked at them and blessed them.  The court was beautiful.  Guru ji took his arrow and put it back in his quiver.  He unsheathed his sword.  For the first time he took his sword out like this in the Sangat.  The sword shined like a flash of lightening.  Guru ji spoke with a thundering voice: “the Sangat is the beloved of the Guru.  I want one of you, who have great love and devotion for me, to give me your head.  My sword is thirsty and wants blood.  Such a task has come that cannot be completed without giving a head.”  In this way Guru ji said this and went quiet.  Guru ji kept looking at his sword.  He began to examine his sword; looking at its edge and at times looking at its hilt.  The crowd of the Sangat went into a pin-drop silence.  The Sangat was shocked and lost its calmness.  They lowered their heads and eyes.  They could not tolerate Guru ji’s radiance.  The Sikhs were scared.  For a few minutes, there was only silence.  Guru ji spoke again after a few minutes: “listen Sangat, I want some beloved Sikh to give me their head.  Chandi had appeared and now my sword wants a head.  Complete my task now.  You will need to renounce your body and ego to come forward.  This can only be done by one who sees the body and ego as a mere shell.  Have courage and give me your head.”  The Sangat was quiet and no one came forward.  Guru ji’s sword was shinning.  Nobody had the courage to face his sword.  A few more minutes passed as Guru ji looked towards the edge of his sword.  Everyone had their heads lowered still.  Guru ji spoke a third time in his thundering voice, saying the same thing.  He was testing the Sikhs.  There were Sikhs in the Lakhs.  Guru ji said: “is the seed of Sikhi still alive in this crowd or not?  From that seed, Sikhi can grow prosperous again.  There is only one lion in the jungle by which nobody else enters it.”  Guru ji’s third call went without a response.  Was there a saviour within the crowd?  Daya Singh, a resident of Lahore, was sitting in the Sangat.  He was the Kshatriya, who was going to be the head of the Singhs.  He thought in his mind: “oh life, no one has remained in this world forever.  How long can one live for?  Such an opportunity will never come again.  My head will fulfil the task of the Satguru.  There can be no better thing than this.  Why did I not rise at the Guru’s first call?  If should have got up at the master’s first call.”  After thinking about all this, Bhai Daya Ram ji stood up immediately.  He accepted death and gathered his courage.  He made a plea to Guru ji by folding his hands and walking up to Guru ji: “here you go Satguru ji!  Take my head!”  Guru ji got up from his throne after hearing Bhai Daya Ram ji and said: “come and give your head without any doubt.”  Guru ji grabbed Bhai Daya Ram ji by the arm and took him into the tent.  There were rugs laid down in the other tent.  Guru ji said to him, sit down here and don’t be seen by anyone.  Guru ji took his sword and sliced the head of a goat.  A fountain of blood came from the body of the goat and a red river of blood flowed outwards.  Everyone sitting outside in the Sangat heard the striking of the sword and saw the blood flowing outside.  Everyone was on high alert.  They had heard the strike of the sword and saw the blood, so they assumed that the Sikh was killed.  They were surprised.  Their faces went a pale yellow and they lost their courage.  They couldn’t stand Guru ji’s personality.  The people in the crowd began to tremble in fear, loosing their patience.  They began to imagine many stories of what had happened to Guru ji or why he was doing what he was doing.  (Other historians have recorded that Guru ji had actually cut Bhai Daya Singh ji’s head after asking him if he knew what it meant to give his head.  Bhai Daya Ram ji had responded by saying: “I don’t know what it means, but I know that it is your head, which I am giving to you.”  Guru ji said: “you will have to fight with the Mughals on the battlefield.”  Bhai Daya Ram ji responded: “I only know how to use a weighing scale.  I have never held an unsheathed sword.  I get scarred when a sparrow flies, how can I fight the Mughals?”  Guru ji said: “this is what I wanted to hear.”  Guru ji then struck his sword on Bhai Daya Ram ji’s head.)

3-18 Panj Payaaray – The Five Beloveds

Bhai Daya Ram ji was told to sit in the tent with patience (as per Kavi Santokh Singh ji).  Guru ji went back outside with anger on his face.  The Sangat saw Guru ji’s sword, which was drenched in blood.  People saw that Guru ji had cut Bhai Daya Ram ji’s head.  Guru ji came out and sat on his throne again.  Everyone was shocked and had doubts in their minds.  Guru ji called out in a loud voice: “I need another beloved Sikh’s head.  Such a task has come upon me that needs to be fulfilled by the heads of Sikhs.”  Everyone was surprised and worried.  They were quiet and sitting there in fear.  During the first call, people had their doubts but now they were sure that Guru ji was cutting the heads.  People were now looking to see if another person would be killed.  After a while, Guru ji spoke again: “is there a beloved Sikh who will give their head?”  He said this 3 times.  A person by the name of Dharam Chand ji (or Dharam Das ji) then came forward.  He was a Jaat from Hastinapur.  He thought to himself: “oh mind, why are you breaking your promise?  You have given your whole body to the Guru.  You should do as Guru ji likes.  Why are you doubting the Satguru?  The Guru can do what he wants to with your head.  Why are you scared and just sitting there?  He has called out 3 times.”  Thinking like this, Bhai Dharam Chand ji got up and gathered his courage to give his life.  He spoke by folding his hands and going to Guru ji: “Satguru ji, please take my head.  It is yours.”  Guru ji got up again, seeing his beloved Sikh.  He grabbed his arm and took him into the tent.  Guru ji took his sword and chopped the head of another goat (or on the head of Bhai Dharam Chand ji himself, as per other historians).  People heard the sword being swung and a body part being cut.  The blood splattered outwards and a red river of blood flowed.  People saw that the other Sikh was killed.  Kavi ji says: Bhai Dharam Das ji was asked to sit next to Bhai Daya Ram ji and told not to come outside.  Guru ji came outside with his unsheathed sword and sat down on his throne.  The radiance on his face was very bright on this day.  Everyone was shocked and surprised.  After the second Sikh’s head was cut, the Sangat’s faces were gone yellow with fear.  They wanted to get up and leave but were scared to get up.  Guru ji’s radiance was unmatched by any Devata.  People began making up their own stories about Guru ji.  They said: “first Guru ji killed Cheto Masand, now he is cutting the heads of Sikhs.  His radiance is so bright that you can’t look at his face.”  Everyone heard Guru ji again: “I need another head of a beloved Sikh.”  Some people, who were sitting far away in the back, ran away.  They ran to Mata Gujri ji and said to her: “Mata ji, Guru ji has lost his wisdom.  He cut the heads of 2 Sikhs with his sword.  He is asking for a third.  He is saying that “whoever gives his head will be my beloved.”  It seems as though when Guru ji made the Chandi/ Kaali appear, he is not able to handle the power.  That is why he is behaving so harshly.  There is no other way; we should grab Guru ji and make him sit in a room.  He shouldn’t be able to leave the room.  We should have guards outside that room that won’t let him out of the room.  No Sikh should be able to see him and he shouldn’t be able to see any other Sikh.  We need to make your grandson sit on the Gurta Ghaddi and have him worshiped by the Sangat.  Sahibzada Ajit Singh ji should be the Guru.”  As Mata Gujri ji heard the words of the Masands, she became worried.  She told one of her servants to see what was happening in the court and what Guru ji was doing: “go and see what is happening.  Come back and tell me.  There is a lot of noise in the city.  All the men and women are worried and surprised.” 

After Guru ji’s third call, hearing Guru ji’s call, another Sikh got up and folded his hands.  His name was Mokham Chand ji, who was from the same caste as Bhagat Namdev ji.  He was a Cheemba from Dwarika.  He was a Sikh of the Guru.  He said to Guru ji: “please take my head, oh gracious Guru.  Please forgive me for my delay in getting up.”  Guru ji grabbed his hands and took him to the tent.  The master of the universe took him where the first two Sikhs were taken.  Guru ji used his sword on a third goat (or Bhai Mokham Chand ji’s head).  People witnessed the third killing.  There were three streams of blood coming from the tent.  Guru ji came outside again with his sword drenched in blood.  The sword was shinning as Guru ji sat on his throne.  Guru ji said: “whoever gives me their head, I will be very happy with them.”  A person by the name of Sahib Chand ji, who was a Naaee (Barber) from the same caste as Bhagat Sain ji, got up.  He was from the southern state of Bidhur.  He stood with his hands folded and said: “oh master of the universe, take my head please.  My body is for you.  If it completes your task, what am I going to do with my body that is better?”  Guru ji got up and took him by the arm to the tent.  The sword was swung a fourth time.  The Sangat was surprised again to see the fourth person die.  They did not know what Guru ji was doing: “who knows what Guru ji wants.  He is killing his Sikhs.  Four Sikhs have been killed.  It is not known what the master of the universe wants.”  Guru ji’s sword had blood dripping form it.  Guru ji sat on his throne and made the same call a fifth time: “who will give me their head with love?”  People were wondering what was happening.  They wondered if he wanted to kill all the Sikhs.   “He has killed four Sikhs and is asking for the head of a fifth.”  Great are those Sikhs who are giving their heads to Guru ji.  The ones that were sitting far, ran away to their homes.  The other Sikhs were being called upon.  Some didn’t look towards Guru ji and some lowered their eyes.  Guru ji’s radiance was unbearable for everyone.  The people were in doubt.  They were scared.  Guru ji made the call three times again for someone to give their head.  A person from Jagannath Puri, named Bhai Himmat Rai ji, stood up.  He was a jheevar.  He said to Guru ji: “Guru ji, please bless me and take my head.”  Guru ji took his hand and took him to the tent.  The sword was swung a fifth time.  Everyone heard the fifth strike and saw the fifth line of the flow of blood.  They all knew that the five Sikhs were decapitated.  They did not know what was in Guru ji’s heart.

Guru ji put his sword back into its sheath.  His eyes were full of love.  He looked towards his five Sikhs and hugged them (and gave them life again).  He said to them: “you are the same as my form now.  I am in your form and you are in my form.  You will now have Brahm Gyaan in your hearts and will have the highest and most beautiful status in the Panth.”  Guru ji was really happy with them.  It was as though Krishan ji was blessing the 5 Pandavs.  They had all become one.  The sixth form was Krishan within the 5, in the same way Guru ji was within the Five Beloveds.  He gave the Panj Payaaray bliss, whose faces lit up with Brahmgyaan right away.  Guru ji was gracious and gave them the highest form of Brahmgyaan.  They were given a high status within the Panth.  Guru ji tested the Sangat and chose these five.  He made these 5, equal to him.  Guru ji took the five and came out of the tent.  He made the five sit right next to him.  He said to everyone out loud: “these five have kept the seed of Sikhi alive; just as Guru Angad Dev ji saved the seed of Sikhi.  These 5 have the ability to bless the whole Sangat just as I do.  See these five, just as you see me.  We have no difference.”  The Sangat heard this and were amazed: “the way of the Guru cannot be known.  He was testing all of us, we did not know this.  We saw Guru ji’s actions and got scared.  Great is the Guru and great are his ways.  Nobody knows his amazing ways.  All these Sikhs, high and low, are yours.  Who can pass your tests?”  People now regretted their previous thoughts.  They regretted not getting up.  The Sangat all bowed to the Panj Payaaray.  The Sangat said: “these five have saved the Sangat’s honour.  They gave their heads and achieved a very high status because of their bravery.”  Guru ji met with the Sangat for a while and then got up from his throne.  The Sangat was sill shocked and amazed.  Guru ji went to his home.  The Sangat went back to their camps as well. 

3-19 Giving Amrit

Guru ji tested the Sikhs and the day was done.  Mata Gujri ji’s servants came back to her and praised Guru ji: “Guru ji killed the Sikhs and made them alive again.  The weak liars did not see the great work that Guru ji was doing.  They began to slander him without understanding him.  We didn’t know what he was doing.  Guru ji was testing the Sangat.  He wants to create a new Panth now, with Shakti.  Guru ji is very strict and that’s why the test was hard.  Only some were to pass.  Only 5 passed.”  Mata Gujri Ji was happy to hear this.  She was worried before after hearing that Guru ji was killing the Sikhs.  Now she knew that he was making them alive again and only testing them.  It was night time now.  Everyone ate and went to sleep in peace.

Guru ji woke up at 2am and did his morning cleansing routines.  He took a bath and wore a Kachera.  He wore a new Kachera and a new chola today.  His clothes were brand new.  Guru ji combed his hair with a kanga and tied his hair in a top knot.  He tied his Dastaar with a Kalgi and beautiful Jigha.  Guru ji wore his sword and placed his bow on his shoulder.  He curled his moustache upwards.  The pure Guru sat down in a Samadhi and immersed himself into his real form.  He connected with the formless power of Akaal Purakh.  He was going to reveal the traditions of the Khalsa on this day.  When the sun came up, Guru ji got up from his Samadhi to make preparations and create the new Panth.  He tied his quiver full of arrows and his kumerkassa.  As he stepped outside his house, thousands of Sikhs were waiting for him at his door.  They all bowed and showered him with flowers.  The Shehnais and Naubats were playing.  The eyes were blessed who saw the sight of the Guru.  Guru ji mounted his horse and came to the place where he had tested the Sikhs.  This was the place of Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib, the birthplace of the Khalsa.  Guru ji sat under the Chanani (canopy) on his throne.  The warrior Sikhs were standing around Guru ji.  Guru ji’s face was radiant and his eyes had a lot of energy in them.  It was difficult to look at his face for long.  He destroyed the pains of the Sikhs, whom towards he glanced it.  Guru ji called for an iron vessel.  Bhai Chaupa Singh ji Chhibber, a Brahmin Sikh who would take care of Guru ji as a child, was ordered by Guru ji: “take the pot which has the Charanpahul in it and place it on your head.  Go to the Sutlej River and respectfully empty the pot of Charanpahul into the river.  Then, fill it with fresh water.”  Bhai Chaupa Singh ji followed the instructions, taking a few Sikhs with him.  Guru ji was going to change the tradition of the Charanpahul to “Khandi ki Pahul.” 

Once Bhai Chaupa Singh ji came back, the water was poured into the iron bowl that Guru ji had placed upon a stone mortar.  The Kirpan that was given to Guru ji by the Devi Chandi, Guru ji held it in one hand and held a Khanda in the other hand.  He sat in the Bir Aasan (the warrior pose, with one knee up and one knee on the ground) and placed the Khanda upside down, with the tip facing downwards, into the bowl full of water.  He reciting Gurbani and waived the Khanda in the bowl, back and forth.  Bhai Daya Singh and the other four Payaras were wearing blue cholas and blue Dastaars.  The 5 were standing close by with their hands folded and reciting “Satnam Vahiguru” as Guru ji prepared the Amrit.  They were wearing new blue clothes and expensive weapons.  They were given new and expensive weapons with golden hilts.   Their weapons had diamonds and other precious gems embedded into them.  They were wearing expensive jewellery.  They were dressed just as Guru ji was.  Guru ji gave them his own form.  Guru ji told them to say: “Vahiguru.”  They stood there with their hands folded.  Guru ji recited the Japji Sahib of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Guru ji then recited Jaap Sahib from Dasam Guru Granth Sahib ji along with Tva Prasaad Svaiyay from Akaal Ustat.  Sri Chaupai Sahib and Anand Sahib were recited next.  There was great power in the Amrit that Guru ji prepared. 

In that time, 2 sparrows came.  Guru ji saw them and put a few drops of the prepared Amrit into a smaller bowl.  Guru ji placed the smaller bowl in front of the sparrows.  The sparrows drank the Amrit.  As soon as they drank the Amrit, they were filled with the warrior spirit – Bir Rass.  They started to fight each other, pecking at each other.  They hit each other with their wings.  They did not feel the pain of their injuries.  They kept fighting.  Their cuts were bleeding and they went into Rudra Ras, which was past Bir Rass.  Guru ji kept reciting Bani and looked at the sparrows fighting.  Both of the sparrows died after fighting for a half an hour.  Both sparrows’ souls went to heaven.  Guru ji and the Sangat witnessed the whole fight.  Everyone was amazed.  Guru ji, the ocean of Gyaan, was happy.  He kept waiving the Khanda and reciting Bani.  He put a lot of energy into the Amrit.

Bhai Ram Koer ji says: “listen oh saints what I saw when I was a younger person.  I went to tell my mother of what Guru ji was doing.  My mother was sitting with Mata Jeeto ji, the mine of happiness.  I came to my mother and said: “Guru ji is making a very powerful Amrit with a lot of energy.  Guru ji gave a few drops to two sparrows.  The sparrows began to fight each other and eventually died.  Guru ji held a Kirpan and waived a Khanda in the water.  He is going to give this Amrit to the Sikhs.”  Mata Jeeto ji thought about this and knew that her child, Khalsa, was about to be born.  She realised that she should be with her husband at that moment.  She went to Guru ji and took along Pataasay (sugar balls) with her.  She recited Vahiguru and reached the place where Guru ji was preparing the Amrit.  She bowed to Guru ji.  Mata Jeeto ji placed the Pataasay into the Amrit.  Guru ji said to his wife: “it is good that you came.  You put sweetness into the Amrit.  If you hadn’t done this, the Panth would have been too harsh and without love.  They would have had a lot of anger and would have fought with one another all day long.  They wouldn’t have been able to tell friend from foe.  They wouldn’t have loved each other and would have struck each other with weapons.  Now that you have added the sweetness, the Sikhs will have love for each other.  A child is born of man and woman, this is the way, decided by Akaal Purakh, in this world.  This is obviously evident in the world.  The Khalsa is our child.  You came at the right time to do your part.” 

Guru ji then looked towards the Panj Payaaray.  They were standing in front of him.  Guru ji took the bowl of Amrit and said: “come and drink the Amrit.”  Guru ji told the beloveds to sit in the Bir Aasan and place their right hand on top of their left hand.  They were given Amrit to drink, five times.  Five times, they had Amrit sprinkled into their eyes and hair.  With each handful of Amrit, Guru ji made the Sikhs recite the Mool Mantra and told them to say: “Vahiguru ji ka Khalsa, Vahiguru ji ki Fateh.”  Guru ji asked each of the Panj Payaaray their names and where they were from.  The first one said: “I am from Lahore and my name is Daya Singh, which is the new name you gave me by adding Singh.”  The second one said: “I am from Hastinapur.  I am a Sikh of the Guru, named Dharam Singh.”  The third one said: “I am from Dwarka Puri and my name is Mokham Singh, named by you.”  The fourth Singh said: “I am from Bidhur and my name is Sahib Singh.”  The fifth Singh said: “I am from Jagannath Puri, Odisha and my name is Himmat Singh.”  In this way, Guru ji gathered Sikhs from the different directions of Hindustan and from all four castes.  They were all made as one.  Guru ji said to them: “from now on, you are the residents of Anandpur.  You are to add Singh to your names.”  Guru ji gave this Singhs the Rehani of Sikhi (the way of life) which would give them bliss: “you are not to sit with the Meenas (descendants of Prithi Chand), Masands, Dheermalis, Kurri Maar (killers of girls) and Ram Raiees.  Whenever you visit Sri Amritsar Sahib, give 1.25 Rajitpuns.  Recite Gurbani with love and do the great Seva of Singhs.  Meet each other with love.  Destroy the ones who slander the Guru.  Practice Shaster Vidya everyday and do not trust the Turks (enemies of the time).  Respect your hair and never be without a Kachera.  Do not call out to another Singh by only half his/her name.  Don’t be a coward.  Be brave and strong.  Warriors have heaven and the kingdom of the earth hanging from their biceps.  If they win the battle, they enjoy the kingdom of the world.  If the die in war, they will be in bliss in Sach Khand.  The warrior can cross the dimension of the sun and reach the abode of Akaal Purakh.  This is the way of the Kshatriya Dharma.  Fight in the battle with your face forward.  The ones who followed the Kshatriya Dharma, the only went to Sach Khand from the time of Satyuga.  They received high statuses in a short time.”  Guru ji told the Khalsa how to live in this way and said: “whoever lives like this, I will protect them in every dimension.”  Guru ji gave wisdom to the Sikhs.  Guru ji told the other Rehit afterwards. 

Guru ji did the Ardaas and said to everyone: “after taking Karah Prashaad, you are all one now.  No one is of higher or lower caste.  Your castes, creeds and family names are all destroyed.  Eat the same Karah Prashaad.  Keep your wisdom high and your ego low.  Do the Simran of Vahiguru and you will be happy.  Do not believe in the cemeteries or other religions.  Be wise and do not follow anyone else.”

The Khalsa of Vahiguru was thus born and said the Fateh of Vahiguru to each other.  The other Peers with powers, kings and Hindu saints, their influence was removed from the Khalsa.  Seeing the new third religion, the enemy was worried.  They were worried that their kingdoms were in trouble.  The Khalsa will re-establish the ancient Dharma, destroy the sins, recite the Mantra of the Guru.  This was the new way.  The Panj Payaaray were given the Pahul of the Khanda, the same form as Guru Gobind Singh ji, Gyaan in their hearts and made equal to the Guru.

3-20 Guru ji Take’s Amrit

Guru ji gave Brahmgyaan to the Five and made them complete in every way.  He made them sit down on a high seat with respect.  Nobody could understand the ways of the Guru.  The light of Akaal Purakh got up from his seat and stood in front of the Five.  He was reciting Vahiguru from his mouth and was about to request Amrit from the Five with his hands folded.  His radiance was great.  He was wearing his weapons: Kataar, Jambiya, sword, jamdara, quiver of arrows, Karda, and chakras on his Dumalla.  He said to the Five: “just as I gave you Amrit, in the same tradition, give me the Amrit.  Do not doubt or see me as different than you.  Do the tradition with me in the same way.”  The Five were shocked.  Guru ji’s words were shocking.  The whole universe was watching.  They were shocked and amazed at what Guru ji was saying.  The Five Singhs said to Guru ji: “Guru ji, what are you saying?  We are low castes and poor.  We are weak and full of desire and anger.  Our minds are always wandering.  We are greedy and full of attachment.  Our ego is not in our control.  We only have one virtue, the fact that your hand is on our head.  We have no other skill of our own.  You have given us a new bliss today with the Amrit.  We have never experienced this peace and bliss in any other life.  You are the life support of all life.  You are the strength of all life and are boundless yourself.  You are the master of all three worlds.  All the Devatas sing your praises and bow to you.  The demons bow to you too.  Wind and water are in your command.  You can save anyone you wish; and destroy anyone you want to.  You hide your limitless power and act like a human.  You are putting a show on for the world.  You stay humble but the whole creation is in your command.  You are great, you always want to make your devotees look big.  This makes you happy.  You are omnipotent.  Why are you folding your hands in front of us?  How can the lower give the bigger Amrit?  You are the Guru.”  The complete and omnipotent Guru then spoke: “in the form of Akaal Purakh, there are millions of Brahmas, Vishnus, Shivas, Indras and suns.  Akaal Purakh is the source, the light of all.  Everything is in the command of Akaal Purakh.  Akaal Purakh is not in anyone’s command.  But Akaal Purakh is in the command of his/her Bhagats.  Death and time are in Akaal Purakh’s command, but Akaal Purakh is in the command of the Bhagats.  I am the son of Akaal Purakh.  I am in the command of my Sikhs.  Know me in the same way.  To create the Panth Khalsa was the command of the owner of the universe.  The Khalsa is the Guru and I proclaim the Khalsa as the Guru.  Just as Guru Nanak Dev ji made Guru Angad Dev ji the Guru, that is exactly what I did.  Don’t doubt this.  Stay in attention and give me Amrit just as you have received it.  The death of death, Akaal Purakh, Sri Asket is the most gracious, he has commanded me to do this.  Akaal Purakh wanted me to make the Panth that follows the Dharma.  I am to kill the sinners and sin.  I am to destroy the doubts and make everyone do the Simran of the name of Akaal Purakh.” 

The Panj Payaaray remembered their promise to their master that they would never disobey him.  Obeying Guru ji’s order, they gave Guru ji the Amrit.  They gave Guru ji Amrit and said “Bol Vahiguru ji ka Khalsa Vahiguru ji Fateh.”  Guru ji kneeled in the Bir Aasan and received the Amrit in the same way the Panj Payaaray did.  They said to Guru ji: “where are you from and what is your name?”  Guru ji said: “I was born in Patna and I live in Anandpur.  My name is Sri Gobind Singh.”  The Panj Payaaray gave Guru ji the Rehit in the same way that they had received it.  This tradition was thus established to take Amrit.  They said to Guru ji: “do not meet with Meenas (descendants of Prithi Chand), Masands, Dheermalis, Kurri Maar (killers of girls) and Ram Raiees; do the Simran of Satnam constantly.  Your duty is to always stay with your Khalsa, this is your task.  Stay with the Khalsa in war and fight beside them.  Destroy the Turks and assist the Panth.  You are the form of Parmeshwar.  Wield the Sri Asket and practice Shaster Vidya everyday.”  The Panj Payaaray gave Guru ji, the master of the universe, the Rehit and said the Fateh.  The Ardaas was done and then Guru ji came back to sit on his throne after bowing to them.  Guru ji commented on the Rehit: “keep the mind like a lion; do not meet with prostitutes; be pure, wake up at Amritvela to take a bath.  Do not ever be without the Shasters.  Kesh, Kachera and Kirpan – these are the stamps of the Guru, do not be without these.  Do not stay away from these.”  The task that Guru ji did, the Devatas and residents of the other dimensions all shouted out Jaikaras in Guru ji’s name and played their Nagaras.  All Devatas, celestial beings and life was celebrating the great task that Guru ji had done, giving the birth to the Khalsa.  The universe was celebrating the birth of the Khalsa. 

The Dharma will be saved now.  The Khalsa was born.  The Khalsa will protect the Dharma.  The Turks were going to be destroyed, who wished to destroy other religions.  The Panth was created and the Granth was going to give the Panth the Bhagti.  This was Guru ji’s goal.  There would be peace in the world.  The Apsaras (dancers in the world of the Devatas) danced and the Devatas showered flowers onto Anandpur.  They sang songs of celebrations being their traditions were going to be saved.  They sang the praises of Guru Gobind Singh ji.  The other dimensions were happy as well and celebrating this day.  The sinners were scared.

Karah Prashaad was distributed in large quantities.  “Wear the Kachera, keep the Rehit that Guru ji described; do the Simran of the true name and board the ship of Sikhi.  Whoever keeps the Rehit is my Sikh.  The one who keeps the Rehit is my crown, do not doubt this.  Take and drink the Amrit and meditate on the timeless, Amrit Akaal Purakh.  Bath in the pool of Amritsar.  The one who goes to prostitutes will not be mixed into the Sangat.  He is not my Sikh; I am not his Guru.  He will destroy his life and afterlife.  He will need to admit to the Panj Payaaray from his mouth.  The Panj Payaaray will give him a punishment. He must promise not to think about doing the sin again.  He will have to go to Amritsar and bathe in the pool along with other Gurduaras.  His Seva will still not be accepted as equal to the real Sikhs.  He will be stained with this sin; like a broken dish put together by glue.  The crack does not disappear and can be seen forever, but still can be used.  So, do not go to prostitutes or have affairs outside of marriage.  See this is as an inerasable stain.  Do not go to the doors of brothels.  Do not cut your hair.  Do not use tobacco.  Keep the other Rehit engrained in your heart.  Have patience and be content.  Do not let go of the Rehit.    Do not even say the name of tobacco.  It is the dirtiest and most impure thing in the world.  It destroys the Dharam.  Don’t even touch it.  Bathe everyday with cold water and recite Satnam.  Give donations to the needy, that is the best Karma.  Take blessings from the Sri Asket.  Fight the Turks and become the kings.  Do not run away from the battlefield.  You will get the joy in both worlds by fighting the battle for Dharma.  You will enjoy kingdoms by fighting as warriors.  Run the kingdom according to the Dharma.  Do not discriminate between religions.  All religions are of Akaal Purakh.  Respect all the Granths of all religions.  You will get all the joys of the world.  When you leave this world, you will go to the feet of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  Keep faith that you are the Khalsa of the Guru and the supreme in the world.  The ones that cut their hair after promising to keep their hair as a Sikh, do not meet with them.  Give your Dasvand to the Guru and you will never be in any shortage.  You will be successful in life.  Do not trust the enemy as they will disrespect you.  Do not meet with them.  This is important to tell you this.  Keep my wisdom and you will never be defeated.”  Guru ji then called out for other Sikhs to take Amrit.

Five more men came foreword.  Guru ji named them the Panj Muktay.  Guru ji kept them with him, as well as the Panj Payaaray.  They became Singhs: Bhai Deva Singh ji, Bhai Ram Singh ji, Bhai Tahil Singh ji, Bhai Esher Singh ji and Bhai Fateh Singh ji.  These were the Five Muktay.  More men got up, seeing them.  They took the Amrit of the Khanda.  They stated their home towns and names.  The took the Amrit and erased their old castes and family names. 

11 Singhs were next that took Amrit after the Five Muktay.  They were filled with Bir Rass after taking Amrit.  They were Baksh Singh, Baksheesh Singh who were from the Kalaal caste (distillers).  They were from Bhaironval village.  They stayed with Guru ji for the rest of their lives after taking Amrit.  From Majha Sursingh, a man named Dyaal Singh who was from the Sidhu caste, came to take Amrit.  A Khatri Sikh named Gulab Singh was next.  Guru ji nicknamed him Gotam Rikhi.  Begh Singh and Ambreek Singh, Jambher Jatts from Maghyanay were next.  Bhandara Singh, Hazaara Singh and Darbara Singh were Baniyas (merchants) from Sirhind, who came next.  Bhai Darbara Singh ji was the second Jathedar of the Buddha Dal and was the Divaan of Guru ji.  They all took Amrit and followed the Rehit.  Ghan Singh stood up next with Baran Singh from Faalj village.  Aalam Singh Nachna was the eleventh.  Aalam Singh was an expert in Shaster Vidya who looked like he was dancing when he would fight on the battlefield, hence the name “Nachna.”  He was an expert marksman.  He was from Sialkot and was a Rajput.  He took Amrit and lived the Rehit of Guru ji.  Near Multan, a village named Alipur, the son of Bhai Mai Das (the son of Bhai Bhalloo ji), Bhai Mani Ram (brother of Bhai Dyala and Bhai Jetha) came to see Guru ji that day.  Bhai Mani Ram ji brought his five sons along with him.  They all took Amrit and became Singhs.  They stood up and added Singh with their names.  Bhai Mani Singh ji and his five sons: Bhai Uday Singh ji, Bhai Bachittar Singh ji, Bhai Ajab Singh ji, Bhai Anik Singh ji, and Bhai Ajaib Singh ji.  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji was the eldest, who killed the elephant of the Jasovaliay.  Bhai Uday Singh ji was next and became the commander of the Khalsa forces.  Bhai Anik Singh, Ajab Singh and Ajaib Sing was their order.  They were brave warriors and were just like the 5 Pandavs.  They did many great tasks in battles.  They killed many sinners with their sharp weapons. 

After these Singhs, thousands of others took Amrit.  They lived by the Rehit.  Who many can we count?  There were 20,000 people that took Amrit from various villages and areas.  They were from every caste who became radiant.  They did not follow any Peer or king from that day onwards.  They only followed Guru Gobind Singh ji.  They tied high Dumaalaas and became Sardaars.  They kept many weapons with them.  They wanted to fight wars, day and night.  They shouted Jaikaras all the time.