4-21 Kesri Chand Takes an Oath

All of the Pahari Rajas came.  Raja Kesri Chand came with Raja Handooria, Katochia, Gavalari and other warriors.  They all came in together.  Bheem Chand had them seated with respect in the kitchen.  The Hindu Rajas ate where the food was prepared.  They removed their clothes before eating, as per their traditions.  They took off their Pugris as well.  They only wore their dhotis and their Janyows.  They had a long cloth in their hands.  They washed their hands and feet.  They would sit in a square that was marked by cow dung.  They all sat on their seats.  Banana leaves were placed in front of them.  Betelnut Paans were first given to the Rajas to clean their mouths.  Rice was first brought for them.  The food was placed on the banana leaves.  Many types of foods were prepared.  The cooks placed the food in their banana leaf plates.  The Rajas were going to eat their morsel of food when Kahiloori smiled and looked towards Kesri Chand Jasovaliya in a mischievous way.  He said to him laughingly: “you (swearing word)’s came here to eat rice?  Did you come here to eat or to take over the fort of Anandpur?  You were supposed to kick the Guru out.  You brought your army here to eat free food?  Why did you all come here?  For one month we have been here.  This fort, Logarh, is solid for the Singhs.  It’s so small for us but we haven’t’ been able to penetrate it yet.  We came to attack the Guru with eagerness but we have not been successful.  Thousands of our warriors have been killed by the Guru’s Singhs.  How will we show our faces to our people.  People will make fun of us.  Where did your warriorism go?  Where is your bravery?  You all fought together but failed.  There is one Guru in front of us who doesn’t even have a country.  We still can’t defeat him.  He doesn’t have proper fighters.  He started a new Panth which is fighting us.  Nobody has a solution for this.  We are losing.  The Emperor will find out about our situation.  Our reputation will be ruined.  There is no other place to fight.  We were in doubt.  Look how the Singhs came at night and broke our Morcha.  Thousands of our soldiers couldn’t face the few Singhs.  Us brothers need to figure this out.  We need to gather our armies and fight at once.  Let’s decide on how we can save our reputation.”  Kesri Chand heard this and got angry.  He said: “what discussion do we need to have?  We are Rajas.  Watch how I fight tomorrow.  I will rip the Singhs apart.  Logarh, which is known to be solid, I will destroy it like a paper castle.  I have a strong elephant.  What else is the elephant for?  Gather the army and send it with me.  I will attack.  I will take my elephant and break the main door of the Logarh fort.  I will play the Nagaras and dhols while attacking.  How many of the Singhs will fight me?  I will kill them all.  The remaining will run away.  Why are you all lazy?  Give me your armies.  Watch me fight tomorrow.”  As they spoke, the Rajas all ate.  They got up in anger after eating. 

The Rajas held a court with their ministers.  They wanted to talk about their plan.  Raja Gavalari spoke: “we have been fighting up till now but we haven’t won.  It was no use to surround the whole city.  The Singhs came and went, but we couldn’t stop them.  They have a lot of food and ammunition inside.  They have gathered stuff from outside and took it inside.”  Handooria said: “we surrounded them but it wasn’t solid.  We will gather the army now and attack together.  The elephant will lead and break the main door with its head.  We will take our guns, spears and swords behind it.  We will kill the Singhs right there.  Our army will attack together to avoid losses.  We will go in groups.  Let’s destroy the Logarh fort.  We will be half way to victory.  We can enter the Anandpur city then.  The Guru will either run away or meet with us to call a truce.  In this way, we can be successful.”  Raja Mandi was sitting there too.  The Raja of Mandi was wise and devoted to the Guru.  He saw the Rajas speaking with pride and said to them: “the throne of Guru Nanak Dev ji is supreme.  Rajas, Peers, Meers and Emperors bowed to Guru Nanak Dev ji’s Ghaddi.  How can the Guru lose from you?  Sri Guru Hargobind ji fought wars with Shah Jahan’s army.  The Emperor’s army lost 4 times and decided to stop fighting.  Why don’t we think about our battle?  You have fought the Guru before.  Have you won any one of the battles before?  You are hating the Guru for no reason.  You are getting together and becoming his enemies.  Why don’t you meet him and complete your tasks?  Whatever words come out of his mouth, become reality.  You want to gather the whole army and attack the Guru.  You think you can gather your strength and defeat the Guru?  You think you can kick the Guru out and keep your homes?  This will never happen.  Just as sinners never go to heaven, you can never defeat Guru ji.  Go and meet him now.  You will be happy.  You will go home with blessings.”  When the Raja of Mandi said this, Kesri Chand got angry and said: “what cowardly advice are you giving us?  You seem to be on the Guru’s side.  Watch me tomorrow.  I will gather the army and fight.  By sunset, if I don’t break the Logarh fort, then I am not my father’s son.  I won’t show my face to the Rajas.  I will be insulting the Shaligram if I return without winning.  It will be like kicking the cow.  Kicking the cow is a big sin.  To rape a chaste woman, swearing at the Devatas, killing a girl, killing a Brahmin and being enemies with a saint; I will have done a sin equal to these things if I don’t win.  If I return without winning, I will have all these sins on my head.  The Khalsa are few in numbers.  Look how many soldiers I have.  It’s like a little salt in the flour.  It’s a big difference.  We haven’t joined forces yet.  We spread our army far.  The Singhs fight together and win.  They go back to Anandpur then.  They fight like thieves.”  Bheem Chand heard this and got happy.  He said to Kesri Chand: “very good!  You are a brave warrior.  You’ve applied this effort before too.  You’ve won those battles when you applied your full effort.  We will remove the surrounding.  Gather the whole army in one place.  I liked your suggestion.  You will win tomorrow.  You will break the fort.  Give your elephant good spices and alcohol.  Take the whole army behind it.  Whoever comes in front, kill them.  Gather and reach together.  You will easily win the fort.”  It seemed as though death itself motivated them to their doom.  Kesri Chand took an impossible oath.

Kahiloori prepared for the battle and thought he was going to succeed.  He sent his men and instructed them.  He said: “let go of the surrounding and get together.  Fight together and break the Logarh fort.  If we break this door, we can easily win Anandpur.  Make the Guru run away from the city.”  The soldiers all heard the command: “we will win the fort in the morning.”  The Rajas all went to sleep.  They thought they were going to win.  They thought of the battle and hoped to win the battle by the next evening: “we will know of our winning by tomorrow.”  Kesri Chand went to his camp and looked at his strong elephant.  He felt proud of his elephant.  He thought to himself: “my elephant is like a mountain.  He sways as he stands.”  Shields made of wootz metal were fastened to the elephant’s forehead.  The best metal shields were collected.  Alcohol was brought for the elephant.  Other things were brought for the elephant to go to war the next morning. 

4-22 Dhunni Chand feels Fear

The Paharis dismantled the surrounding Morchas.  When the Khalsa saw the Pahari army leaving their surrounding posts, the Singhs began to fire their guns onto the Pahari army.  As the Morchas dismantled, the bullets rained down on them.  Many Paharis were injured and some died by being shot in the head or chest.  The Singhs would go and snatch their horses and weapons.  They would fight whoever resisted.  The Singhs told Guru ji: “the Paharis are leaving their posts.  They are going to their bigger Morchas.  They seem to be collecting in one place.  They left their surrounding strategy.  They are gathered near the Logarh Fort.”  As the Singhs were speaking, one of Guru ji’s spies came.  He said: “Satguru ji, I have news for you, as it has been seen.  Prabhoo ji, after destroying the Morcha last night, Bheem Chand was very upset.  He called a meeting with the other Pahari Rajas.  He gathered them for dinner and spoke to them in the kitchen.  He was upset and told the other Rajas what he was feeling.  He was upset that his soldiers were dying off everyday.  In his court, Kesri Chand spoke with ego and made his declarations.  He said: “I will take my big elephant along with the whole Pahari army.  I will break the main gate of the Logarh fort.  If I don’t succeed, I won’t show my face to all of you.  Let go of the surrounding strategy.  Give me the whole army and I will have a battle at Logarh.  Bheem Chand, watch what I do.”  Guru ji, you are omnipotent.  You can do as you please.  You can make the ant kill the elephant.  We need to strategize our next move.  Please tell us what to do.  The elephant will destroy the font door.  The elephant is drunk.  It is really strong and doesn’t know what it’s doing.  They give it a lot of alcohol.  Once it hits its head, it will break anything.  It is a dangerous elephant.  The Emperor doesn’t even have such an elephant.  It is evening now and the attack will begin tomorrow morning.  We have 12 hours to find a solution.  We need to make sure the elephant doesn’t come here.  If the door is broken, then 157,000 soldiers of the Pahari army will enter.”  Rehraas Sahib was being recited.  Guru ji listened to the spy and didn’t speak.  Guru ji was fearless and worry-free.  The Singhs were worried as the elephant was dangerous.  The Singhs then thought to themselves: “the elephant may be strong, but Guru ji is the most powerful.  Nobody can face Guru ji’s power.  Guru ji’s love is the highest.  His blessing will protect us.  The elephant can’t be harmed with a weapon.  It is going to be covered with metal.  It won’t be affected by anything.  The Singhs stood around Guru ji, carrying their guns and looking towards his face for an answer.  Nobody had spoken yet.  They trusted that Guru ji was coming up with a great plan. 

At this time, Bhai Salo ji’s grandson, Bhai Dhunni Chand ji came.  Bhai Salo ji did Seva near Laachi Beri at the Amritsar Sarovar.  Bhai Dhunni Chand ji was a tall and thick person.  He was a Masand from Majha.  His chest was wide.  His arms were like elephant trunks.  His stomach was big.  He wore a Dhoti with a Kurta.  He was wearing a Dastaar with a “Shumla,” a plume.  When he heard about the elephant, he came to ask Guru ji to see what was the next command.  He wanted to know the strategy.  Other Singhs came as well.  Bhai Dhunni Chand ji bowed to Guru ji.  His legs were like tree trunks.  He had a sword with a golden hilt.  The Gatra was expensive too.  He was a leader in Majha for the Sikhs.  He ate a lot of Prashaad.  He was respected in the Sangat.  He commanded the Sikhs in Majha.  Sikhs listened to him like they listened to Guru ji.  He collected all the Dasvand.  He was the grandson of Bhai Salo ji, who people bowed their heads to, hearing his name.  Thousands would bow to him.  Bhai Dhunni Chand ji was respected by all and was kept in luxury in Amritsar.  Bhai Dhunni Chand ji was seen by Guru ji.  Guru ji smiled and said: “the elephant is nothing.  The elephant of the Guru is Dhunni Chand.  We will make him fight the elephant.  He is strong.  He will have the Guru’s power.  He is strong and will push the elephant away.  Kesri Chand’s elephant is an ant for him.  He will be the Jumm for the elephant.  He will control it in a second.  The strong Khalsa will be with him.”  The Khalsa heard Guru ji and remained quiet.  They all looked at Bhai Dhunni Chand ji for his reaction.  Bhai Dhunni Chand ji did not look so enthusiastic.  Guru Gobind Singh ji got up after speaking and went to his room.  He laid down to rest.  The other Singhs got up and went to their rooms.  They rested the night. 

Bhai Dhunni Chand ji, however, was like a dead zombie.  He wasn’t able to give his response.  He felt like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.  He lost his patience.  He went to his tent.  His mouth went dry.  He hydrated his lips with his tongue.  He looked pale.  He didn’t want to speak to anyone.  The other Singhs were worry-free, as they were assured by Guru ji to not worrying about anything, “Dhunni Chand will take care of the elephant,” this Singhs thought to themselves.  Dhunni Chand was taking deep breaths.  He was worried.  He thought to himself: “what did Guru ji say?”  Dhunni Chand was afraid.  He thought he was going to die.  He was dead without dying.  He couldn’t sleep the night.  At midnight, he thought to himself: “how do I save myself?  I will be sent towards the elephant.”  He dreamt of dying by the elephant’s feet.  He thought to himself: “Guru Nanak Dev ji, please save me.  I should go back home.  There is no other way to be saved.  The Singhs that came with me are also worried.  I will see if they will come with me.

Bhai Dhunni Chand went to see Bhai Daya Singh ji first.  He met him and said to him: “look what Guru ji did?  Look at the battle he is fighting.  He is making many Sikhs die everyday.  Guru ji is enemies with everyone.  There are damages everyday.  In the morning, the elephant is coming with many soldiers coming after it.  What will we do?  It’s alright if I die, the others will die too.  I am afraid for all of you.  We are all from Majha.  We need to call a truce with the Paharis before morning.  You should send a messenger to Bheem Chand and tell them to call a truce.  If Guru ji listens to us and calls a truce, we will stay with Guru ji.  If he doesn’t listen to us, what use is it to stay here?  We will go back home.  Otherwise, we will die from the elephant.”  Bhai Daya Singh ji figured out that Bhai Dhunni Chand got scared.  He gave hope to Dhunni Chand and said: “Guru ji is omnipotent.  He will always do good.  He is omniscient.  He knows what is to be done.  Don’t doubt his decisions.  Stay under the will of Guru ji.  You will be in bliss then.  Obey his command and follow it.  He will do everything.  We will walk the path he shows us.”  Bhai Dhunni Chand got up and went to meet other Singhs.

Bhai Dhunni Chand met Bhai Dharam Singh ji.  Bhai Dharam Singh ji gave him the same response.  Dhunni Chand then went to meet Bhai Sahib Singh ji and Bhai Mokham Singh ji.  He went to see the 5 Birs, 5 Muktay.  He wanted them to talk to Guru ji: “it would be good to call a truce.  Otherwise, we should leave Guru ji.  We won’t survive in the morning.  We need to do something now.  We don’t have conflicts with the Paharis.  Why should we fight him and lose our lives?”  After not getting the response he wanted, he went to Bhai Uday Singh ji’s home.  Bhai Uday Singh ji was the supreme commander.  Dhunni Chand was scared.  He spoke to Bhai Uday Singh ji: “why are you going to have your soldiers die?  The enemy will come on strong.  What will we do now?  We have pushed them till now.  Now we will die.  You are great that you have been commanding the Khalsa for this long.  You killed many enemies but now it is the other way around.  We will survive if you listen to me now.  Forget what happened.  We are now stuck.  It will be a fierce battle when the elephant comes.  It will kill me first.  I will die before my time.  It will crush everyone else’s heads then.  If the fort is destroyed, nobody will survive.  More than 100,000 soldiers will come.  I have come to you for help.  Get up!  Let’s go to Guru ji and tell him to think of the Sikhs.  If he listens to us that’s good.  Otherwise, we will go to our homes.  What will Guru ji do alone?  How will he fight.  If the Sikhs don’t help, what will Guru ji do?  We should speak to Guru ji and tell him to call a truce and live a life in peace.” 

4-23 Dhunni Chand runs away

Bhai Uday Singh ji figured out that the Masand had become a coward.  He knew that Dhunni Chand was afraid to die and wanted to run away.  Bhai Uday Singh ji gave hope to Dhunni Chand and said: “Dhunni Chand, why are you getting nervous?  You family have been Masands for many generations.  You have been raised by the Guru’s house.  Joy and sorrow are in the Guru’s hands.  You should stay with the Guru in good times and in bad times.  It is right for the two of us to offer our heads to Guru ji.  You should listen to Guru ji’s command.  If Guru ji wants you to fight the elephant, he will give you the power of a lion.  Guru ji wouldn’t want you to die.  The battle would be lost then.  Prabhoo will fulfill his promise of being great.  Dhunni Chand, you will be able to kill the elephant with a slap.  Guru ji is Parmeshwar.  He can do anything.  Guru ji will give you victory and everyone will praise you.  It is his work; he will do all the work.  He only wants to give you the glory.  When the master needs something done, the servant should do it right away.  The servants are lined up to do the master’s work.  Guru ji chose you for a reason.  When one is called upon out of Lakhs, that is a big glory.  The servant should consider himself or herself blessed to be chosen.  You should make the Guru happy by giving your mind and body.”  Dhunni Chand then said: “why don’t you think of others?  What glory will I receive when the elephant rips me apart with his leg and trunk?  I will be killed before my time.  I will be killed at the value of a mountain of cannabis.  So what if Vaars will be sung devoted to me?  So what if I will be praised after the elephant kills me?  The elephant will kill the whole army.  Guru ji’s father was calm.  This Guru is always talking about fighting.  He is fierce.  I have been watching him since he grew up.  He has always been in conflict.  He went to Shaarmohr and blocked the Bharaat of the Pahari Rajas.  He started the conflict with the Rajas there.  He then killed the Masands of Baba Ram Rai before coming to Anandpur.  He only likes to fight and kill.  He can’t sit down with peace in his home.  He has taken up fighting many times.  The glory of the Guru’s home is great but he is staining it.”  Bhai Uday Singh ji spoke up: “Dhunni Chand, you don’t have patience.  You’re speaking about the Satguru who is all-powerful and wise.  He is the creator and destroyer.  This is not right.  You are a Masand and wise.  Why are you staining the name of your Brahmgyaani ancestors?  You are born in the house of Bhai Salo ji, who made a boy into a girl with his words.  The boy turned back with his word again.  You need to have faith in the Guru.  The Guru is Parmeshwar.” 

Bhai Gurbaksh Singh ji (the narrator, Bhai Ram Koer ji, as per Kavi Santokh Singh ji) said: “listen Khalsa ji, Bhai Uday Singh ji’s words had no effect on Dhunni Chand.  He was scared.  He left Bhai Uday Singh ji’s home and came to my (Bhai Ram Koer ji’s) home.  He sat near me and said: “Bhai Ram Koer ji, look who we made into the Guru?  We made the whole Sangat bow to his feet.  That Sangat follows me.  I have brought so many Sikhs from Majha.  Now Guru ji is rewarding me by having me killed by the elephant.  We are from the same area of Majha.  Our ancestors have been together for a long time.  We share each others joy and sorrow.  I am in trouble now, my brother.  Be on my side and save me.  We should tell Guru ji to stop this war.  Let’s call a truce.  Otherwise the Sikhs of Majha should leave here.  This Guru has no signs of being the Guru.  You have seen him by staying close to him.  Let’s go to Kartarpur to Baba Dheermal ji.  We will make him the big Guru and take the Sangat there.  We will have the Sangat give the gifts to Baba Dheermal ji.  The Masands can make anyone into the Guru.  It is in our hands to make the Guru.  Where the Sangat bows, that’s where the other Sangat will come to.  They will see Dheermal as the Guru and bow there.  Dheermal is already quite big.  He is the eldest son of the eldest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  He also has the Guru Granth Sahib ji.  Baba Dheermal ji sent Sikhs to your home many times to get the Guru Tilak.  He wanted you to send a Kalgi, Jigha and a hawk to him.  He wanted this favour from you and he was ready to send you as much money as you wanted.  He knew that only your house can give the Guru’s Tilak.  He wanted to be the big Guru.  He wanted this from you for a long time.  You made Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji the Guru.  Let’s leave from here and go to Baba Dheermal.  He will listen to whatever we say.  If you don’t listen to me now, then listen the trouble you will face: when the sun comes, the elephant will come to break the front gate.  More than 100,000 soldiers will come.  They will kill anyone in their way.  If we surrender, they will still kill us.  If they don’t kill us, they will keep us in jail and send us to Delhi.  Jahangir will torture us.  We won’t be able to appeal.  You will die in jail.  For this reason, think about what we should do.  It is dark now, let’s go right now.  The Singhs of Majha will listen to us and come with is.  We will climb the fort and tie a rope to come down the other side.  Once we leave, nobody can stop us.  This chance will not come again.”  After listening to his words, I realized how big Guru ji’s Maya actually was.  Guru ji has casted doubt on Devatas and humans.  Guru ji’s Maya has controlled Brahma and Vishnu.  This poor man is very small in front of them.  Dhunni Chand is about to destroy it for all the few remaining Masands.  He will mess up his life and afterlife.  He has eaten the money of Pooja.  This fool is in doubt.  He sees Sri Satguru ji as a normal man.  He is trying to run away from death.  He is ruining the reputation of Bhai Salo ji.  He will stain such a great family.  He wants me to join him.  He wants me to ruin Baba Bhudda ji’s family.  He will be ruined and ruin others as well.  It would have been better if he would have been a daughter.  The daughter would have been great for growing someone’s family line.  Dhunni Chand will pull the roots for the Masands, once and for all.  He was the last remaining Masand.  He is gone too.  Guru Arjan Dev ji’s words have come to completion of when he said: “the Masands will be finished because they used raw bricks in the Amritsar Sarovar.”  I thought long and heard and said to him: “the Guru is the form of Gur Kartar.  Parmeshwar has come himself.  He has all the unlimited powers of Akaal Purakh.  He is omnipotent and omniscient.  He is all-powerful.  He created the universe.  He is the destroyer of the universe as well.  He can do anything he wants to with one word.  The king of the Devatas, Inder, and other powers follow Guru ji’s command.  Death can’t come near him.  He won’t let you die.  He will be with you on the battlefield.  He will save you like the tongue is saved between the teeth.  Teeth can destroy anything but don’t bite the tongue.  Guru ji is always with the Sikhs.  He will save you from the enemy.  Have faith.  Your faith should be unmoved like the Sumer Mountain.  You are so wise.  Why are you worried?  You are the preacher that teaches the Sikhs to keep faith.  Don’t waiver.”  I spoke to Dhunni Chand in this way but he didn’t listen.  He left my home.  He was worried and couldn’t sit still.

Dhunni Chand then called his followers and said: “it is painful to stay here.  Why should we die here?  We will die in the morning.  We will need to do something or else we will die.  What use is it to stay with the Guru.  The whole day is spent in war.  Let’s go home.  We won’t survive here.  If we leave here now, we will see our families with joy.  We will make some other Sodhi the Guru.  Guru Ramdas ji’s family is big.  We will make anyone the Guru.”  The fool took five or six people and found ropes.  They were going to leave Anandpur in the middle of the night.  The Sikhs and servants of Guru ji were all resting.  Some were awake that were on guard.  A bullet would be fired here and there as warning shots.  They looked around to make sure nobody was around.  They saw an opportunity and made a run for it.  They couldn’t leave from the door as the Singhs would have caught them.  They went to the place where the Paharis weren’t.  They went to the place where the Majhails were.  They tied a rope.  The smaller people climbed over to the other side.  Dhunni Chand was about 7 feet tall and really wide.  When he grabbed the rope to climb down, he came down slowly.  He had about 20 feet left and the rope broke.  Dhunni Chand had no support and fell to the ground.  He broke the arms of a few of his men.  He fell on his own leg and broke it.  He was in pain but couldn’t scream out.  He was afraid that the Singhs would come.  His men tried to pick him up.  They put him on a bed and took him towards Amritsar like a dead corpse.  The people of Majha came and headed to Amritsar.  Dhunni Chand began to yell in pain as he travelled.” 

4-24 Dhunni Chand Dies

At Amritvela, Guru ji woke up and did his morning cleansing routines.  Guru ji got dressed and fastened his weapons.  The morning traditions took place.  The Nagaras, conches and Napheeryas were played.  The Rababis sang the Asa Vaar.  The Singhs bowed their heads at its completion.  The Ranjit Nagara was sounded.  The Nagara sounded, echoing the prediction of Guru ji’s victory.  The sound of the Nagara made the Singhs gather in one place, near Guru Gobind Singh ji.  They came and bowed to Guru ji.  They had their swords, Sippars, quivers, bows and Jamadars.  They had their spears, guns and axes ready with their kumerkassas tied.  They came and sat in Guru Gobind Singh ji’s court.  They curled their moustaches and straightened their beards.

The Pahari army sounded their Nagaras, dhols and Ransinghas.  The shehnais were played.  Other instruments were played.  There was a lot of noise as the whole army was together now.  The elephant was brought to the front with eagerness.

Guru Gobind Singh ji looked all around the gathering of Singhs.  He noticed that the Singhs from Majha were not present.  Guru ji said: “Bhai Sewa Singh Mattoo and other Singhs from Majha are not here.  Did something happen?”  As Guru ji was speaking, 2 Singhs came and said to Guru ji: “Maharaj!  Dhunni Chand ran off and took the Majhail Singhs along with him last night.  You wanted to make him fight against the elephant.  The mighty drunk elephant was to fight him and so he got scared and ran away.  There is no other reason why he would run away.  He got scared of dying.  He is an unwise and unfortunate Masand.”  Satguru ji heard this and said: “the fool ran away being scared of death.  Death can come meet him where he is going.  He ran away from death but his death will meet him where is now.  Don’t worry.  Let him run away.  What’s the point of loving the one who is gone.  The ones who are here and ready to fight, meet them and be happy.  They will be happy.  The Majhails that ran away will get their results for running away.  They raw away from conflict, the Majhails will face battles day and night.  They will get roti only after fighting.  From what they ran away from, that problem will be with them day and night.  They will always fight.  Whoever is here, I will place my hand on their head.  That person will be able to fight Dharmaraja.  An elephant is nothing for that person.”  In this way, Guru ji cursed the Majhails and went quiet.  Guru ji looked towards the Singhs and casted a vision of blessings on them.

Listen now to the Katha of Dhunni Chand.  Dhunni Chand was on a bed as he was carried towards Amritsar.  His leg was broken.  Dhunni Chand was yelling in agony.  They reached his home in Amritsar.  He was placed down on the ground.  He thought to himself: “the Sikhs will come to see me when they find out I came from Anandpur Sahib.  When they find out that I ran away, they will embarrass me.”  Dhunni Chand said to his family: “I got hurt and I am in pain.  Put my bed in the back balcony so nobody comes to see me.  Don’t let anyone meet me.  You can come to give me food.  I am in pain.  I want to rest.  I don’t want to meet anyone.  I want to be in silence.”  His grandsons took Dhunni Chand to the back balcony.  The grandsons heard of Dhunni Chand’s cowardly deed: “he left Guru ji in battle, out of fear of dying.  His generations were raised by the Gurus.  He has gone old and fears death now.  He has stained the name of Bhai Salo ji.  He stayed with Guru ji and received so much joy.  Now this sinner ran away.  He was old and was going to die anyway.  He could have died a glorious death.  He thought he was going to live forever.  Now he showed his back to Kalgidhar ji.”  The Sikhs of Amritsar came to his home but Dhunni Chand would not meet them.  He made the excuse that he was hurt and couldn’t speak.  He was worried.  The other Majhails that ran away with him were also insulted and cursed by the other Sikhs.  Some were regretting their cowardly acts and didn’t show their faces to the Sangat: “we have done a very bad thing.  We have stained the Sikhs of Majha.” 

Many days passed and the Majhail Sikhs were upset.  Dhunni Chand stayed in the dark and didn’t show anyone his face.  One night, Dhunni Chand got up to eliminate his biological waster.  As he got up, there was a black snake under his bed.  Dhunni Chand stepped on the snake’s tail by mistake.  The snake hissed really hard as it was stepped on.  The snake turned around and bit Dhunni Chand.  Dhunni Chand ran out of his room yelling in pain.  His family saw what had happened.  They ran around to fetch doctors but the venom was too strong.  Dhunni Chand died after a few minutes.  Dhunni Chand was cremated in the morning.  In this way, he died with the stain of turning his back on his Guru.  He took birth in crocked lifeforms such as insects and animals after that.  Any Sikh that heard his Katha, cursed him: “he would have been fine if he stayed with Guru ji.  He would have been victorious and the whole Panth would have sung his praises.  Death is predestined and so he died as a fallen Sikh.  He fell to Hell now.” 

Dhunni Chand’s grandsons heard all theses curses and couldn’t tolerate their family’s stain.  One was named Bhai Saroop Singh and the other was Bhai Anoop Singh.  They tied their kumerkassas and headed towards Guru ji’s direction.  They took the stain of their grandfather and rallied other Majhail Singhs to come with them.  They all left Amritsar and went to Anandpur Sahib.  This was Dhunni Chand’s Katha.

Listen now to Guru Kalgidhar ji’s Katha.  There was firing near the Logarh fort.  The Paharis advanced on to the fort.  A great big army came towards the fort with great strength.  They said: “we will win this fort today.  The Singhs won’t be able to stay in Anandpur then.”  Bheem Chand was eager and advanced with enthusiasm.  He called Kesri Chand, Handooria and others.  They all got together to fight.  They sat and called for the elephant.  The elephant came, swaying from side to side.  It was a very big and strong elephant.  The elephant would kill anyone that came close to him.  The 20 people that handled him had spears in their hands.  They kept chains in its feet.  Hundreds walked with the elephant.  They gave the elephant spices and potions that made it drunk.  Its eyes were red by the masalas.  It was really angry.  The guards would guide the elephant by poking it with spears.  The army got happy, seeing the elephant.  They called for a potent alcohol.  Then gave it 1.25 Maunds of alcohol.  They put shields of faulaad on its forehead.  They tied more on the rest of its body.  Only the trunk was left naked but the rest of the body had some sort of metal armour on it.  A Saif was called for, which was double-edged.  It was really long and sharp.  The Saif was tied to the end of the elephant’s trunk.  It was tied really tight.  A bullet could not pierce the faulaad shields on the elephant.  The armour covered its body which could not be penetrated by bullets or spears.  In this way, the elephant was ready to attack.  The elephant would spin its trunk and with it, the Said would spin around as well.  The Pahari Rajas looked at the elephant and got excited.  The elephant trumpeted out loud.  The Singhs heard the noise of the elephant.  The Singhs said to Guru ji: “Prabhoo ji, this trumpet noise is of the elephant which is drunk with alcohol.  We need to find a solution for the elephant.  Metal will clank at Logarh today.  There will be mud everywhere from the blood.  The Paharis will use all their might there.  A lot of soldiers are coming there.  Bullets are being fired.  They are bringing their morchas closer.  It will be a bloody day.  We will kill the enemy today but Guru ji, tell us how to fight the elephant.”

4-25 Preparing Bachittar Singh

Satguru ji heard the Singhs and looked towards them.  There were Singhs standing all around Guru ji.  They were tall and strong.  They all had their weapons fastened to them.  When Guru ji would lay down at night time, 25 Singhs would stay with him.  They were highly trained in warfare and weaponry.  They were exceptionally well trained in battle strategy.  They were always on guard as Guru ji’s personal guards.  They had left their homes and families to stay with Guru ji all day and all night.  They served Guru ji all the time.  All 25 of them were equally matched and equally aged.  They were the most dangerous warriors.  They had conquered their desires and fears.  Death was afraid of them.  Out of those 25, there was one, Bhai Bachittar Singh ji, who was a tall and wide warrior.  He was very handsome.  He was Bhai Uday Singh ji’s brother.  He was from the Rajput caste.  His family had been Sikhs from the time of Guru Amardas ji.  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji was Bhai Mani Singh ji’s son.  He kept a shield and sword with him all the time in his kumerkassa.  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji used to wear a new chola everyday.  He wore a different colour chola everyday.  Guru Gobind Singh ji used to refer to him as “Bohroopia Singh (one with many forms)” out of love.  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji was spotted as the most agile out of all the Singhs.  Guru ji looked at him.  He was listening to Guru ji.  He always recited Gurbani and stared at Guru ji’s face continuously.  He was mesmerized by Guru ji’s radiance.  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji was the best at striking with the spear.  He was trained by Guru Gobind Singh ji himself.  He could strike a spear while riding a horse or on foot.  He learnt this from Guru ji.  He was standing in front of Guru ji, holding a spear.  The spear was his favourite weapon.  Guru ji said: “come Bachittar Singh, the great warrior.  You have a big task ahead of you now.  The elephant of the Paharis is coming from that side.  You are to become a lion.  Your spear will become the lion’s teeth.  Go and kill the elephant.  Take your thick spear and strike it into the elephant’s forehead.  It won’t come towards Anandpur again.  It should kill its own people.  Gather your courage.  Let go of your doubts and insecurities.  Strike it hard.  Don’t be scared.  Make such an effort that will give you glory till the end of time.”  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji was extremely happy.  He said: “as you command Maharaj.  This elephant is nothing in front of me.  I have heard of Inder’s elephant, Ahravat, that lives in heaven.  If you command, I will destroy him.”  Guru ji brought the most expensive spears from the treasuries.  Thousands were spent on the spears.  They were made in a foreign country.  They were made of bamboo and faulaad.  The bamboo was filled with a metal melt.  They were extremely flexible.  Golden rings were added to the spear along with precious gems.  17,000 Rajitpuns were spent on the two spears.  Satguru ji grabbed the two spears first and analysed them.  He recognized one of them as the best to kill the elephant.  The head was made of faulaad.  Guru ji placed it firmly in Bhai Bachittar Singh ji’s hand.  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji bowed to the spear as he received it.  It was the “Naagani Barcha” which had a head shaped like a snake.  Guru ji gave him instructions on how to use the Naagani Barcha.  After showing Bhai Bachittar Singh ji the use of the weapon, Guru ji blessed him spiritually with the knowledge of the weapon’s utilization.  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji folded his hands and said: “Guru ji, I do not know what win or loss is.  Wherever you send me, I will go.  It is your knowledge and power that I will use.  I am not afraid of death.  I know that you are more concerned for me than I am.  You will protect your own reputation.  I am not worried.  I am just an excuse; it will be you who will be killing the elephant.  A servant’s job is to obey the master.  You are giving me the glory.  You want to make my name immortal.  You will take me to Sach Khand.  It is all your blessing.  Just as Sri Krishan ji gave strength to Bheem and had Jarasandh killed; Ram Chander ji gave strength to Sugreev to kill Baali; you will give me strength to kill the elephant.  Please give me the special opium by which I can kill the elephant.”  Guru Kalgidhar ji was really happy to hear Bhai Bachittar Singh ji’s words.  Opium, that was placed in a golden box, was called for.  The box was golden with diamonds and gems on it.  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji used to consume 5 pinches of it.  Guru ji gave him 7 pinches of it this day.  The opium was from a different land.  It was of the highest quality.  It was quite potent.  These substances were used in battle as a way to focus the mind towards its task.  Kalgidhar ji placed the opium in Bhai Bachittar Singh ji’s hand.  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji said the name of Guru ji and consumed the expensive item.  Shaheedi Degh with a potent amount of cannabis was prepared and given to Bhai Bachittar Singh ji.  (These intoxicants are strictly for warriors and not to be abused by regular householders.)  The other Singhs consumed the Shaheedi Degh as well.  The herbs took effect quickly.  The Singhs’ eyebrows were arched and their eyes were red.  They curled their moustaches.  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji had his sword and shield in his kumerkassa.  He grabbed the new spear and gently bounced it in the air to check its weight.  He felt the power and strength of the Guru running through his veins.  Guru ji asked him: “what do you see ahead?”  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji said: “all I see is an ant.  I see no elephant.”  Guru ji was happy with his response.  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji bowed to Guru ji.  Guru ji raised him, tapped his back and said: “go and fight!”  Bhai Bachittar Singh ji did 4 parkarmas of Guru ji and said the Fateh to the Khalsa.  The Lion, Baba Bachittar Singh ji, went to his horse and bowed to its leg.  He said the name of the Guru and mounted the horse.  He had his spear in one hand and the reins of the horse in the other.

Guru Gobind Singh ji went to the highest Damdama to watch the battle.  Bhai Uday Singh ji and Bhai Aalam Singh ji stayed with Guru ji.  They listened to Guru ji and respected his every word.  Guru ji looked towards the Logarh fort.  Thousands of soldiers were there.  Nagaras, Dhols and Ransinghas were sounding.  The elephant was full of metal armour.  Its trunk had a Saif tied to it which shined in the sun.  157,000 soldiers were attacking the fort.  The elephant trumpeted out loud.  Kesri Chand was commanding the Pahari army.  Shuthri Nagaras, Napheeryas, dhols, Pattas, duffs, flutes and conches were sounding.  There was a lot of noise.  Bullets were being fired.  The soldiers yelled: “kill them!” They released arrows and bullets.  Kesri Chand was sitting on a golden saddle atop of his horse.  He said: “I promise to break the Logarh fort today.”  Bhai Aalam Singh ji recognized Kesri Chand through his binoculars and showed Guru ji: “look Guru ji!  This is the egotistical Kesri Chand Jasvaari who took an oath to defeat us today.  Guru ji, give someone the duty to chop his head off today.  Let’s kill him and destroy the Pahari army’s morale.  Please bless the Khalsa and send a brave soldier.  That person should only go to kill Kesri Chand.  Once Kesri Chand dies, they won’t want to fight anymore.”  Guru ji said: “that is a good thing you said.  It’s good you reminded me.  Just as Bachittar Singh is gone to kill the elephant, one warrior should go towards Kesri Chand.  Send a Singh that can kill him with one strike and bring me his head.  We need a confidant warrior.  Let’s send a warrior to kill him.”  Guru ji said this 3 times.  Bhai Uday Singh ji spoke after bowing his head: “Guru ji, please give me the task to kill him.  He is nothing.  I can kill him.  If he runs away and hides in his castle, I will kill him today with your blessing.  I won’t look towards anyone else.  I will go straight to Kesri Chand.  I will chop his head with one strike like a goat.  This Kesri Chand is the mischievous one.  He is a fool who has not felt the winds of this battle yet.  I will take your power and kill him.  I will give him his punishments for all his misdeeds.”  Guru Kalgidhar ji was happy to hear him and called for a strong steed.  Guru ji placed a golden saddle on it and said to Bhai Uday Singh ji: “ride this horse.”  Guru ji called for an expensive sword from the treasuries and gave it to Bhai Uday Singh ji.  The sword was so sharp that it would be able to slice through iron pipes.  The other spear that Guru ji brought with the Naagani Barcha, was given to Bhai Uday Singh ji.  The spear was a Karpa Barcha.  Guru ji put the sword in Bhai Uday Singh ji’s Gatra, the spear in his hand, fastened a wide shield made of the skin of a rhinoceros to his back and mounted him on a strong steed.  Bhai Uday Singh ji did parkarma of Guru ji.  Guru ji gave Bhai Uday Singh ji the Chatterdhaara as well.  He was given opium and Shaheedi Degh as well.  He curled his moustaches as his eyes turned red.  He mounted his horse and got ready for battle.  The Singhs headed for battle with all their swords, spears and guns.  They said: “we will fight with Guru ji’s strength today. So what if the Paharis have a lot of soldiers; they will die today.”  The two sons of Bhai Mani Singh ji headed for battle.