4-36 Joga Singh

The Katha of Bhai Ram Koer ji has been stated.  Kavi Santokh Singh ji did research on Bhai Ram Koer ji to write that Katha.  The Katha of Satguru ji continues. 

The Katha of a Sikh, listen to it as it happened.  He was a Sikh with faith and devotion.  His name was Joga Singh.  He was from Peshawar.  He came to Anandpur Sahib when he was 4.  When he bowed to Guru ji, Guru ji asked him his name.  The boy said: “my name is Joga Singh.”  Guru ji said to the boy: “whose Joga (deserving/eligible) are you?”  The boy replied: “I am the Guru’s Joga.”  Guru ji laughed and said: “alright, if you are the Guru’s Joga then the Guru is your Joga.”  Joga Singh had a deep love for Guru ji and spent most of his time with Guru ji in Anandpur.  He did Seva and listened to Katha and Keertan.  Sikhs from Peshawar were strict Sikhs.  Joga Singh did the Darshan of Guru ji like he ate food on a daily basis.  He had a deep faith in the Guru.  He did Seva of Prabhoo ji to make him happy.  After a few years, Joga Singh’s parents came.  His parents met Guru ji and presented gifts.  They folded their hands and did an Ardaas: “Maharaj, we wish to do the marriage of our son.  He has been living with you for a long time.  Please command him to come and get married.  We would like him to have him live at home for a little while.  He can return to you after that.”  Sri Kalgidhar ji heard this and said to Joga Singh: “so Joga Singh, what say you?”  Joga Singh folded his hands and said: “I have taken an oath to obey you.  I will do as you command.  I don’t care about anyone else.”  The ocean of blessings said: “go to your home and get married.  It is my command.”  He listened to Guru ji’s command and went home with his parents.  He was of age to get married. 

When Joga Singh went back home, his marriage was fixed right away and the preparations began.  Getting caught up in the celebration and being of age of marriage, Joga Singh looked forward to getting married: “I will meet my wife.”  Kaam had surrounded his mind.  Desires began to make him restless.  His marriage took place at his in-laws’ home. 

Sri Prabhoo ji sent a messenger with a message and said to the messenger: “give Joga Singh this message after 1 or 2 Feras (Laavan).”  The Sikh reached Peshawar.  The Laavan happened at night time so the messenger Sikh waited till 2 Feras had happened and gave the letter of Guru ji to Joga Singh.  He said to Joga Singh: “read this before doing the next Fera.”  Joga Singh read the Hukamnama: “as soon as you see this, day or night; standing or doing something, stop doing what you are doing.  Leave everything and come to Anandpur.”  Joga Singh was shocked to read the command but he obeyed the Guru.  He loved the Guru.  He said to his parents and relatives: “look, I have received this Hukamnama from Guru ji.  I can’t disobey his command.  I can’t complete the Feras.”  His father and elders said: “son, it is only a few more minutes.  Complete the Feras and then go.  This has never happened before.  No groom has left their Feras before.  It is against tradition and society to do this.  It is a matter of reputation.  People will make fun of us and taunt us.  It won’t be long, just complete the Fera.”  Joga Singh replied: “a Sikh and a Sati (chaste woman) are the same.  If the mind changes even a little bit, their Dharma is destroyed.  Complete the Feras with my Parna (Shawl).  Don’t stop me.”  Bhai Joga Singh left and headed towards Anandpur Sahib.

Joga Singh left the desires of his mind.  He left his new bride for the love of the Guru.  As he travelled from Peshawar, he reached Doaba in a few days.  Ego came into his mind: “I have earned a great Karma.  Who else can do what I did?  I left my first night of marriage to see the Guru.”  His mind was clean but a vice came into it.  Satguru ji did not tolerate this small amount of ego.  Satguru ji set up a Maya with his power.  He was observing everything from Anandpur.  The Maya covered Joga Singh’s wisdom.  In the area of Hoshiarpur, Joga Singh stopped and camped.  Where he sat in the evening, right in front of him was a prostitute standing in the balcony of a brothel.  She was young and beautiful.  She was wearing jewellery and looking towards Joga Singh.  Joga Singh saw the prostitute and got caught in lust.  He was surrounded by Madan (Kaam/lust/desire).  The prostitute was 16 years old.  Her face was beautiful like the full moon.  Joga Singh kept staring at her.  Her eyes were like the eyes of a fawn.  When she opened her mouth, her teeth looked like pearls.  Her speech was spell-bounding.  She was wearing a golden mala in her neck.  She was wearing attar (perfume).  Her hair was braided in a long pony tail that looked like a snake.  She was as fair as a jasmine flower.  She was clever and pretty.  The Singh saw her and got mesmerized.  He forgot about Guru ji.  He thought to himself: “I will surely go to her tonight and meet her to fulfill my desires.”  The night came and it was around 10 pm.  Joga Singh did not recite the Kirtan Sohila.  His whole body was restless.  Desire and engulfed him.  Joga Singh got ready and took his money with him.  He had a deep desire to be with the prostitute.  The Guru saw the state his Sikh was in.  Guru ji thought to himself: “Joga Singh has lost his way.  If I don’t help him, he will lose his Dharam.  If I don’t go and save him, no one else.  If his Dharma is broken, he will be without Sikhi.  Without Sikhi he will go to Hell.  The vices have come up in his mind suddenly so it is right that the Guru helps.”  In this way, the master of the universe used his Maya to change his form.  Guru ji grabbed a golden Asa (Chobe/ gurj) and wore a Chola with many Kalis (pleats).  He dressed as a guard and stood in front of the brothel where Joga Singh was about to enter.  Joga Singh noticed the guard at the doors of the brothel.  Joga Singh thought to himself: “this must be the bodyguard of some king or a rich person that may be inside the brothel.  It seems this person is keeping watch inside.  His master must be inside.  There is no way I will be able to go inside.  The prostitute is probably making the person happy.  I will come after when they leave.”  Joga Singh came back and sat by his horse.  He couldn’t sleep as Kaam was bothering him.  He kept wanting to meet the prostitute.  After 3 hours, Joga Singh went again but saw the guard with a golden Asa standing there.  Joga Singh was upset and returned again.  He though to himself: “the Navaab has not left yet.  I will meet her today and hold her tight.”  The arrows of Kaam got sharper.  He kept hoping to meet the prostitute.  After 3 more hours, it was about 3 am, he went again and saw the guard again.  He was shocked and wondered who the Raja was that was inside for 9 hours.  “He must go in the next little while.  I will meet her then.”  Joga Singh came back and waited.

It was morning and the sun was about to come up.  Joga Singh went again and saw the guard.  As the sun came up, the darkness of Joga Singh’s wisdom was gone along with the darkness of the night.  He began to regret his desires and his pursuit of meeting the prostitute.  He thought to himself: “what did I do this night?  I was supposed to do Simran and recite Bani.  If this guard wasn’t there, I would have been drowning in Hell.  My Sikhi would have been stained.  I earned Sikhi by doing Guru ji’s Seva.  I stayed with Guru ji and did his Seva.  I took his command to go home and then came back by his command.  I was to marry a 16-year-old girl who was a Sikh.  Instead of having a night of passion with my wife which was pious and pure by all Vedic and societal traditions, I left all that for this sinful act.  Staying with my wife was going to be good karma.  Those same actions become sin outside of marriage.”  Joga Singh regretted his thoughts and mounted his horse.

Joga Singh travelled and crossed the Sutlej.  He reached Anandpur and tied his horse.  He went to the court and saw the Master of the Universe.  He bowed to Guru ji’s feet.  Guru ji said to Joga Singh: “welcome.  You have come.  You are a good Sikh who has earned good faith.”  Guru ji smiled and repeatedly said the same thing to him.  He was showering blessing from his eyes.  He was laughing and joking with Joga Singh.  Joga Singh was embarrassed and had his eyes lowered.  Other Singhs were present as well.  They folded their hands and said to Guru ji: “Sri Prabhoo ji, only you know why you are joking.  We don’t know anything.  Why are you laughing and joking with Joga Singh?”  Guru ji replied: “ask Joga Singh why I am laughing.  He will tell you what happened to him.  Ask him.  He made me stand in a place where I could never think of standing.  Ask him how he spent his night and how Prabhoo saved him.”  Joga Singh figured out that Guru ji was the guard standing with the golden Asa and wearing a chola with many Kalis.  Guru ji was the Chobdhaar.  He bowed to Guru ji’s feet and said: “you are great.  You saved me.  There is no other like you.  You save your servants by becoming their guards.  You don’t think of your greatness and stand in the places of ill repute to save your Sikhs.  You save your servants.  This is not a new thing for you.  You gave shade to Namdev’s Chappar; you took care of Dhanna’s cows and calves; you became a Vanjara for Kabir and took care of his daughter’s marriage.  In the same way, you became the guard at the brothel.  You saved your servants.  What can I say?  Would you please tell the Khalsa what I am.”  The Khalsa heard this and said: “please tell us Maharaj.”  Guru ji said: “Joga Singh is my son.  He left his Feras following my command.  When he came to Hoshiarpur, he saw a prostitute and got enticed.  If I didn’t become a guard, my obedient Sikh would have lost his Dharma and gone to Hell.  What would have been the advantage of making me his Guru?  Obedient Sikhs like him, if they lose their path, the Guru stops and saves them.  If the Sikh is faced by trouble, the Guru saves a Sikh like him.  Why wouldn’t such a Sikh reach the high Padhvi?”  In this way Guru ji protected Joga Singh and blessed him.  He made him into a Brahmgyaani.  He gave him Divya Drishti.  He told him: “go back home and complete the traditions of Ghrist.”  After living at home for some time, Joga Singh came back to Guru ji.  He stayed with Guru ji.  When he died, he went to Sach Khand to the feet of Guru Gobind Singh ji.

4-37 Swearing upon the Cow/ Letting go of Anandpur

In this way Satguru ji spent many days in Anandpur after the battle with the Paharis.  He defeated the Paharis and gained praises for it.  The news and praise of Guru ji spread to far away lands.  They all knew that there was no other warrior like Guru Gobind Singh ji: “the Paharis brought 3 Lakhs of soldiers and fought hard.  Guru Sahib killed Lakhs and Lakhs were injured.  The Paharis were defeated.” 

Guru ji would sit in his Divaan.  The Chakras in his Dumalla would shine bright.  He held an arrow and a bow in his hand.  Guru ji’s praises spread like a large canopy in the world.  Every king and warrior knew about Guru ji.  His praises shined like diamonds and was radiant like Amrit.  His praise was like the Chaur over the heads of Kings.  Guru ji would sit with the Khalsa, the swans.  His praises were happening in every house, blooming like flowers.  When the Singhs would hear their Guru’s praises, they would be in bliss.  Just as Chakors look at the moon, that’s how the Singhs were. 

The Paharis were burning with jealousy.  The Pahari areas were in mourning still.  The Paharis couldn’t take the Guru’s victory.  The fools were burning.  The Paharis were feeling the pain of danger.  Bheem Chand, the fool, was upset.  The other Rajas got together.  Ghamand Chand was injured but came to the meetings.  Handooria, Bir Singh Jaspaali and the Raja of Mandi came to Kahloor.  Bheem Chand welcomed them all.

The next day, the court was in session and the Paharis all came, with their shields, swords and spears.  The expensive carpets and tarps were laid out.  Bheem Chand sat on a higher throne.  He said to the Pahari Rajas: “we couldn’t win Anandpur.  It is a thorn in our chest.  I can’t sleep at night and I don’t like to eat.  The Singhs come into my area and loot the fields.  I spent a lot of money to kick the Guru out but I failed.  My army is less than half.  The Guru killed my people.”  Ghamand Chand spoke: “Pamma, your Purohit, who calls himself wise, said to us while leaving Anandpur: “I know who to make the Guru leave Anandpur.”  We listened to him and came back.  Why is he not speaking now?  Listen to what he has to say.  We should think about what he says.  Do what it takes to get the Guru out of Anandpur.  It is best to get him to leave without fighting.  Fighting the Guru was of no use.  Our reputation is gone now.  We can’t gather the army now as we did before.  We are all scared of them now.  The Singhs are too fearless.”  Pamma heard Ghamand Chand and said: “the Guru follows Dharma, strictly.  He would never go against the Dharma.  If we swear upon the Cow, he will follow it.  We will give him the sake of the Cow to leave Anandpur.  We will make a Cow of flour and tell him to leave Anandpur for its sake.  We will tell him that we won’t bother him if he leaves.”  When Pamma said this, some of the Braver Rajas said: “that’s too low of thing to do.  Making the Guru leave Anandpur for the sake of the Cow is a cowardly act.  We have already lost our reputation.  This will make us look bad, even more.  We have nothing left now.  Listening to Pamma will finish us off.”  Some others said: “this is politics.  It is good what Pamma is saying.  Get rid of the threat of death first.  We will get rid of this daily conflict.  Our soldiers are dying everyday.  If the Guru leaves, this will stop.  If we have to stoop low in front of the Guru, this is good if the conflict stops.  What Pamma says is good.”  Bheem Chand and the other Rajas were in agreement with Pamma’s advice.  Bheem Chand said: “at night, do what you can to get the Guru out of Anandpur.  If the Guru leaves, we will make the story the way we want to.  We can say: “the Guru got scared and left.”  Only some people will know abut the cow’s sake.”

Pamma prepared a cow out of kneaded dough.  He made it nicely.  It looked like a small cow idol.  He made its ears and tail as well.  He placed it in a plate and headed for Anandpur.  He came in front of the entrance of Anandpur and smeared cow dung around the area.  He tied the flour cow to a peg.  He made a colourful rangoli around the cow’s idol.  The corrupt Pamma did everything he could.  He wrote a letter and placed it at the feet of the cow.  He wrote in the letter: “we are like the cow.  You are a warrior.  For the cow’s sake, please leave Anandpur.  We can still meet afterwards.  The reputation of the Rajas will remain intact.  You can come back to Anandpur after a year.”  Pamma left the letter near the cow.  He made sure the cow and the rangoli was visible for the Singhs in the morning.  He left in the dark night.  Nobody else saw him.  Everyone was sleeping.

In the morning, the Singhs opened the gates and saw the Rangoli with the cow in the centre.  One Singh saw it and called a few more.  They went to Guru ji and told him what they saw: “Prabhoo ji, someone made a Rangoli and placed a cow made of flour in the center.  There is a piece of paper there too.  Shall we get the letter?  Someone has smeared the cow dung around the area in a ritualistic way for purification.”  Guru ji had someone get the letter.  The letter was brought back and Guru ji had it read.  Guru ji was a warrior of the highest standard.  The significance of the cow was a call to the warrior’s ethics.  Guru ji would never tolerate such an act, no matter how cowardly it was for the Paharis to do this. Guru ji then said: “Khalsa ji, get ready to leave.”  The Nagaras were sounded and the horses were saddled.  The carts were loaded.  Bhai Uday Singh ji, Bhai Daya Singh ji and other generals gathered near Guru ji.  They bowed and said: “Prabhoo ji, where are we going?  These Paharis are trying to cheat us.  They have lost their reputation.  They are embarrassed for losing.  They are trying to make you leave so they can say: “the Guru got scared and left.”  Guru ji, you are above, sin and virtue; sorrow or joy; pain or pleasure.  You are in the place where these things don’t affect you.  If you don’t follow through with the cow’s sake, you won’t be committing a sin.  It is the enemy that is giving you the sake of the cow.  This doesn’t count.  Your enemies are sinners.  They will be mixed with the dust one day.  You are above sin and virtue.  You didn’t promise anything.  They will come behind us and cause damages.”  Kalgidhar ji heard the Singhs’ words and said: “what you are saying is true but think about this: Lakhs of these sinners came and lost from us in many ways.  The ones that lost are begging us.  Their canons and guns couldn’t do anything to us.  They left their weapons, arrows, canons, rifles and swords to beg for mercy.  They couldn’t use their strength and so have resorted to such low acts.  They are scared.  They are now paupers and begging us by giving us the sake of the cow.  They are pitiful.  What kind of kings are they?  If a warrior like me doesn’t accept the sake of the cow, it is not good.  The Paharis used their strength and failed.  Now, they are weak and begging us to leave Anandpur.  If I don’t follow the sake of the cow, then who else will?  I am here to protect the Dharma.  Bhai Daya Singh ji, think about it: the enemy is alive but nothing more than dead.  The lives of the Rajas are damned.  It is an insult to be alive for them.  They are pitiful.  They don’t have the decency to hold a Shaster anymore.  Them holding a Shaster is an insult to the Shaster.  Anandpur is our home.  Anandpur will never be ruined.  Nobody else will be able to live here, ever.  Don’t worry.  Don’t let go of your Dharma.  Everything will be in your hands.  The Rajas will be talked bad about.  They will die and go to Hell with pain.”  Guru ji spoke to the Singhs and decided to leave Anandpur.  The Singhs said: “you are omnipotent.  Everything is in your hands.  Do as you wish.” 

Satguru ji collected everyone and everything, army and Singhs.  He got ready to leave Anandpur.  Guru ji mounted his horse.  The Nagara sounded and everyone started off, with Guru ji leading the way.  Nobody wanted to leave their home.  They were thinking to themselves: “so many fought and died.  We used our strengths to protect the city.  Today we are leaving.  We wonder what Guru ji is thinking.”  What the Singhs didn’t know was that this was a short-lived leave. 

4-38 The Battle after leaving Anandpur

Satguru ji mobilized the army and left Anandpur along with the Khalsa.  The Ranjit Nagara sounded the beat of victory.  The mountains trembled and the cowards got scared.  The Khalsa Singhs folded their hands and said: “the Pahari Rajas gave you the sake of the cow to leave the fort of Anandpur.  We should take revenge of this lowly act.  Please give us the command to loot their areas.  They caused us this trouble and didn’t let us live in peace.  You were doing Keertan and Katha in Anandpur.  The Paharis shouldn’t live in peace either.  Please let us go.”  Guru ji understood what the Khalsa was thinking.  Guru ji said: “go ahead and loot them.  Whoever comes to fight, shoot them.”  The Khalsa got ready to fight.

They reached a place called Nirmohgarh.  The wise Satguru ji set up camp there.  The field was plane without any fort or home.  When the Paharis found out that the Khalsa had camped in Nirmohgarh, Bheem Chand gathered an army with the other Rajas to attack.  Bhoop Chand Handooria was the leader of the army.  The Rajas were eager to attack.  They wanted to surround Guru ji in an open field.  The Rajas said: “he has no fort now or place to support themselves.  The Thakur Bhagavan did a great thing for us.  The Guru left Anandpur and set up his camp on a mountain.  We won’t need to try hard now.  We will kill his warriors who are gathered on the field.”  The Rajas were happy with the situation.  They took a cavalry and a foot regiment. 

The 22 Paharis Rajas all came playing their Nagaras.  They came like a tidal wave forming the Ganga from the mountains.  They had thousands of guns and swords.  The Dhols and Pattas were played.  The Turiyas and drums played.  The Khalsa began to loot the villages.  The Khalsa destroyed villages.  They caused chaos in the Kahloor area.  The Paharis saw the Khalsa and charged them.  The Khalsa saw the deceiving Paharis and charged with great anger.  They became the Kaal form.  Whoever came in front of them, they killed them.  Guns fired.  The warriors made their horses dance like peacocks.  The Khalsa fought in groups.  They shot guns and killed the enemy.  There was a great battle from both sides.  The Paharis and the Khalsa came face-to-face and charged each other.  The bullets rained like hail.  The guns fired, looking like lightening.  The guns fired and sounded like popcorn popping in the Patthi (traditional oven).  The Khalsa was angry that they were deceived.  The Paharis were waiting for the Khalsa to come out of Anandpur.  They wanted to take revenge.  They loaded gunpowder and bullets.  The prepared the rifles with the ramrods.  They shot the gun after aiming.  They held the rifles with their left hands and fired with their right.  They would hold their breath while aiming.  When the Singhs fired, they were quick.  The Paharis fell off their horses after being shot.  The Khalsa rode fast and fired their rifles.  The Khalsa was quick to prepare their guns.  The guns fired and ripped the bodies.  The warriors fell and went to sleep.  It looked like they had red sheets and red blankets.  The blood made the earth red.  The ones that were shoot with bullets and arrows; their faces were scary.  Their souls came out as they bled to death.  The warriors came with anger.  They did not move back.  The Khalsa and the Paharis all fired.  Some got hit in the head and some got hit in the legs.  The regiments all charged.  It was chaos on the field.  Many soldiers died.  The warriors were brave and did not want to back down.  They came into close combat and fought.  They got caught in battle and fell to the ground.  The horses ran, as well as the warriors.  The swords danced on the field and cut the warriors limbs.  The warriors released arrows after aiming.  The Khalsa destroyed the enemy.  The warriors did not move back.  The all charged each other.  They warriors were applying their strength in battle as though churning butter with power.  They called each other and yelled at the enemy.  They struck their swords on the shields.  The guns were making popping sounds.  The warriors challenged each other to fight.  They made their horses ride fast.  Their eyes were red with anger.  It was a fierce battle.  The warriors used their full strength.  It looked like the 2^nd Mahabharat. 

Bhai Uday Singh ji, Bhai Dharam Singh ji, Bhai Sahib Singh ji, Bhai Mokham Singh ji, Bhai Tek Singh ji and Bhai Ishar Singh ji led a fierce charge.  Bhai Aalam Singh ji and Bhai Daya Singh ji stood together to release arrows.  Bhai Sahib Chand ji was full of Bir Ras who lost count of how many he killed.  Bhai Baksh Singh ji, Bhai Baksheesh Singh and Bhai Fateh Singh ji rode their horses into battle.  In this way the Singhs were fighting the battle with anger against the Pahari Rajas. 

The Paharis had Bhoop Chand Handooria and Bir Singh Jaspaali, going into battle at the motivation of Bheem Chand.  He called and influenced them to fight.  Rajas, Meeyas and Minas of the mountains gathered in the thousands to fight.  The people of the Paharis attacked as well.  The Rajas of Katochi, Chumbyaal, Kuloo, Kaintal, Ghularia, along with the Gujjars and the Rangars were there.  It was hard to count how many came.  They came playing the Nagaras and shouting Jaikaras of “Har Har Mahadev!”  The fought in groups.  The Khalsa was less in numbers.  It was like salt in the flour.  Although the salt is less, it can change the taste and properties of the flour.  The Singhs changed the courage and strength of the Paharis.  Metal clashed on metal.  Thousands of Paharis died.  The bodies piled up on the ground.  There were bodies all over the Nirmohgarh mountain.  Some of the injured asked for water.  There were so many bullets fired.  The Khalsa was very angry over being deceived.  They gave them the sake of the cow and then attacked.  The Paharis were cheats, liars and frauds.  The Khalsa killed whoever came.  The Kali, the Chandi came and shook the earth.  The Paharis were thrown in the air as they were killed.  The Kali drank the blood.  The Sword is the Kali.  The Kali laughed out loud and drank the blood of the warriors.  The Kaljognis ate the flesh of the warriors, showing their blood-drenched teeth.  They crunched through the bones.  They drank the blood and put the rest of the blood in their hair.  They were happy to be satiated.  (The Kali represents Death and the Sword).  They had their hair open and burped out loud.  They danced in joy.  The Bhoots and Prayts danced in joy.  The Masaans laughed out loud.  The ghosts clapped and danced.  They made garlands of skulls and put it around Kali.  Crows, vultures and dogs ate the flesh of the dead.  Hyenas came and dragged the bodies.  Some warriors were cut with swords and Khandas.  Some had limbs cut off their body.  Some were shot in the head with bullets.  Their heads exploded like a clay pot full of butter.  The insides of the warriors were hanging out.  Spears and Khandas were out and being swung.  Tomars, Sailays, Sahithis, Saangs and Kharags were out in the field.  The warriors were full of anger.  The warriors threw away the sheaths and only took their swords to the field.  There was a fierce battle going on.  Many died.  The field was full with weapons and dead bodies.  The warriors did not stop even though their bodies were ripped.  This was a golden chance for the Paharis; so they did not back down.  The Khalsa was angry for being deceived.

The sun set and the Paharis back down.  The Singhs gathered their brothers and came back to Guru ji.  The Singhs looted the horses and weapons.  They said to Guru ji: “we looted their villages and looted their army.”  The Khalsa was victorious and came back to the mountain.  It was like lions having a meeting in an open field.  Guru ji was sitting on a bed with all the top Singhs.  The Paharis were scared and went far to set up their camp.  They got tired fighting the Khalsa. 

4-39 Setting up camp outside

Satguru ji set up his Dera on a high place.  The Singhs set up camp around Guru ji after winning the battle.  They came and bowed to Kalgidhar ji’s feet.  They were filled with love when they saw Guru ji.  The Singhs rested after bathing and changing.  The injured ones were treated with Sail Patter.  The paste took the pain away and closed the wounds.  They were ready to fight again.  The ones that attained Shaheedi, their bodies were cremated.  Their fortunate souls went to Sach Khand.  Langar was distributed to everyone.  Everyone ate and went to sleep.  Some Singhs were on guard for the night and fired warning shots every so often.  The Namaskarni (rifle) was fired all night long.  The Rajas were afraid, hearing the shots. 

The Rajas were upset as they thought they would win because Guru ji was away from his fort.  They failed again.  Many of their relatives and friends had died.  There was crying and mourning in their camp.  The Paharis didn’t eat food.  They were in mourning.  Some lost brothers and some lost sons and fathers.  Their subjects and soldiers were crying for their dead relatives.  The night was hard for them.  Many who were injured were left on the field.  Nobody picked them up when the battle stopped.  The Singhs picked up their injured brothers.  The injured Paharis that came back to their camp were in pain.  They couldn’t eat.  They would speak to each other: “don’t cry.  This is what happens in war.”  The Paharis would swear at Bheem Chand for having their relatives die in this useless war: “Bheem Chand will have all of us killed.  He started a conflict with the Guru and is going to have us all killed.  It looks like nobody in the Pahari area will survive.  Bheem Chand stays back and makes others fight.  The women of the Paharis are becoming widows.  The Guru seems to have a lot of soldiers.  They are growing on a daily basis.  People from all around come and take the Khanda Pahul.  They fight for the Guru and don’t ask for pay.  They give their sons to the Guru along with weapons and horses.  The Rajas can’t compare themselves to the Guru.  The Rajas took up enmity with the Guru for no reason.  The Guru didn’t do anything to them for them to be his enemy.  The Rajas’ foolishness had many people killed.  Just as fire comes out of bamboos when they rub against each other, that’s how the Paharis are going to destroy themselves.”  In this way the Paharis spoke.  They didn’t sleep because of fear of the Singhs attacking at night.  Some of them ate, some didn’t.  Only some of them were brave.  They spent the night in pain. 

It was soon morning and the Khalsa woke up and bathed.  They recited Bani in loud voices.  The Singhs read Bani in the jungle like the Rishis of Satyuga read the Vedas in the jungles.  The Rababis sang Asa Vaar in various Raags and Raagnis.  The Rababs, Mridangs and Tauses were played.  Beautiful Raags and Raagnis were sung in high and low pitches.  They sang the great praises of Parmeshwar.  The Sikhs listened to the beautiful singing and felt a deep peace and joy in their hearts.  Satguru ji bathed and sat in Samadhi.  When the sun came up, Guru ji opened his eyes.  The Khalsa came to see Satguru ji.  The Divaan started on the mountain of Nirmohgarh.  The Singhs were focused on Gurbani.  They were the bees for the Guru’s honey-like feet.  Guru ji fastened his weapons and wore his jewellery.  The Singhs fastened their weapons as well.  They grabbed their rifles and asked Guru ji: “Prabhoo ji, please give us the command to attack.  We will fight them and kill them.  They are probably still hurting from the fierce blows we gave them yesterday.  Their dead still haven’t been picked up from the field.  Today we will finish them off properly.  When they run, we will shoot their heads and chests.  We fought with your strength, fiercely yesterday.  They are sinners.  Their day and night were painful for them.”  Guru ji said to the Singhs: “the fierce battle you fought yesterday, our Singhs and horses are tired.  You went far to fight yesterday and you fought all day long.  Rest today.  Massage the horses and eat proper food.  We will prepare for battle the next day.  You shouldn’t be too eager.  Use logic to fight battles.  We will kill them tomorrow.”  The Singhs calmed down and rested that day.  They stayed in the Dera and rested.

Bheem Chand didn’t sleep that night.  He saw the state his army was in.  The Paharis brought a lot of soldiers and noticed that a lot were killed the day before.  The remaining army didn’t have good morale.  They were all tired.  They didn’t even pick up their comrades on the field.  Hundreds were injured and looked like they were about to die.  Bheem Chand’s army had no will to fight.  He looked after his soldiers.  He called his generals and gave them jewellery and pay.  He had to pay and bribe them to fight further.  He gave Siropas to many of his generals.  He held a big court and sat in the middle.  He called the other Rajas as well.  As the Rajas came, Bheem Chand got up to greet them.  He was afraid that the others Rajas may be upset with him.  The Rajas all came and sat down.  Bheem Chand started with his regular complaining: “we got the Guru to leave Anandpur.  He had less Singhs.  We fought hard yesterday.  We didn’t leave anything behind.  The Singhs still didn’t back down.  Many died and were injured.  The Singhs did not run away.  Our whole army has many damages.  The Khalsa looted our villages and ruined the houses and fields.  Fighting the Guru, we were not able to defeat him.  The Guru didn’t attack today.  He didn’t send his army today.  I have sent my ministers to the Emperor.  We got the approval from the Emperor.  He has told the Sooba of Sirhind to come and help us.  The letter to Sirhind was sent right away but I don’t know why the Sooba of Sirhind hasn’t come yet.  I will send a minister to Sirhind.  He will bring Wazir Khan here.  We will get the message by tomorrow.”  The Rajas heard Bheem Chand.  Bhoop Chand Handooria spoke: “we will need the Mughal King’s army to get the Guru.  We can’t defeat the Guru.  He used to be in his fort before but today he was in an open field.  He gave us a fierce battle yesterday.  He attacked our army and killed many.  Thousands were killed and injured.  Bheem Chand, don’t fight now.  Stay here and wait for the Sooba.  He will bring the Emperor’s army.  The Sooba’s army will defeat the Guru.  We have had many killed for no reason.  Nothing was accomplished by our efforts.”  In this way the Rajas made their decisions to wait.  They sent a minister to Sirhind to give him the message: “why haven’t you come yet?  Did you not receive the command from the Emperor?  Do your research and come with your army quickly.”  Many gifts were sent with the messenger for Wazir Khan.  Horses and weapons were sent.  They prepared their army in case the Singhs attacked.  The Paharis were scared and didn’t set down.  They kept a strict watch.  The horses were ready.  Both of the camps were on opposite ends.  Both camps kept an eye on each other.  There were camps set up everywhere.  The Nishans were unfurled and waving in the wind.  The nagaras were continuously playing to strike fear in the other armies.  The enmity was deep.  They all wanted to fight. 

4-40 Safe from the Canon fire

Guru ji was resting in the afternoon and woke up after his rest.  He rested for an hour.  Shaheedi Degh with black pepper, almonds, cannabis, and elachis was brought for Guru ji.  Chatterdhaara came for Guru ji.  Guru ji took the Chatterdhaara in his hand and ate it.  Guru ji had Shaheedi Degh and then went to relieve his biological wastes.  He bathed with pure and clear water.  He got dressed and fastened his weapons.  He had rugs and tarps laid out on the Nirmohgarh area.  A beautiful bed was laid out for Guru ji to sit on.  Guru ji sat on his bed.  There was a beautiful canopy over his head.  His hair was beautiful.  Guru ji combed his hair with his Kanga.  He tied his Dumaalaa with a Jigha and Kalgi.  The Kalgi had pearls and diamonds in it.  The Kalgi was high on his Dumaalaa.  Two Singhs stood with the Sorrajmukhi Nishans.  Two Singhs stood behind Guru ji with Chaurs.  Singhs were standing all around with their guns.  Some Singhs were doing their Kanga and some were already in the Darbar.  The Singhs tied there Dumaalaas and were ready.  They met Guru ji and bowed to his feet.  The Khalsa sat around Guru ji.  They curled their moustaches and straightened their beards.

Bheem Chand and his Pahari Rajas were looking with there binoculars.  They saw Guru ji’s Darbar set up with all its glory.  They saw the Khalsa all around Guru ji.  A Turk was standing next to Bheem Chand who controlled the canons.  He was a gunner.  He was watching Guru ji with his binoculars as well.  He said to Bheem Chand: “this is a good opportunity to kill the Guru.  I can easily kill him right now.  I can fire a canon from where we are standing.  I can blow up the Guru with his bed.  I am an expert and firing the canon.  I will only need to fire once.  I will aim at the Guru and fire.  The canon ball will hit the Guru and blow him up.  This fight will end today and all of you would be happy.  I will be rewarded by you.  Watch my skill.  Who will fight when the Guru dies?  Everyone will go to their homes.”  The Rajas all heard the gunner and become happy.  They said: “this will do what we want, quickly.”  Bheem Chand said: “I will give you 5,000 Rajitpuns for killing the Guru.  I will give you the Jagir of one village.  I will pay you a salary for the rest of your life.”  Bhoop Chand Handooria said: “if the Guru dies, we will all be at peace.  All of us will give you a Siropa.  We will all give you rewards.  You will be praised in the world for killing the great warrior-Guru.  Today the day is over.  Prepare the canon for tomorrow.  The Guru will sit there tomorrow.  Load the cannonball and fill it with gunpowder.  Don’t make any noise.  Don’t let any spy tell the Guru.  If the Guru finds out, he won’t sit there.  Aim right now and fire tomorrow.  Our long war will be over.  We can easily win now.”  It was evening and everyone went to their camps.  At night, they prepared the canon.  The big canon was brought and aimed at Guru ji.  Many people came and set it up.

Guru ji listened to the So Dar Chownki.  He then got up and had Langar.  He went to go rest after.  The Khalsa ate Langar and went to sleep at night.  The lion is never scared, even in its dreams.  That is how fearless Guru ji was.  Gurbani recitations started at Amritvela.  Just as Pandits read Vedas out loud, that’s how Singhs read Gurbani.  They bathed in the water and recited Bani.  Keertan could be heard in the Dal.  The Rababis sang Asa Vaar where the court was.  The Naqeebs read the praises of Guru ji.  The Bhatts read out the Kabits.  Sitars, Rababs and Mridangs were played.  The Raags and Raagnis sang the Mangalchaars.  The Karah Prashaad was prepared.  As the first rays of the sun hit the earth, the Asa Vaar was completed.  Guru ji got dressed and the Khalsa surrounded Guru ji.  Guru ji sat on his Takhat and had discussions with the Khalsa about spirituality and Brahm Gyaan.  Guru ji would give examples and explanations from Gurbani and other Granths.  Guru ji was the ocean of Gyaan and Bibek.  The Singhs stood around with their guns and weapons.  They were eager to go for war.  They wanted Guru ji’s permission to go to war.  They had their swords and shields ready.  Guru ji stopped the Singhs from going to battle again.  He said: “listen Khalsa, be patient.  Don’t be too eager.  We will kill them with strategy.  I have made the Khalsa who will kill the sinners.  Wait for an opportunity.  Let their death come close to them.  Until that doesn’t happen, we can’t kill them.”  The Singhs calmed down the second day again.  They were not sent.  The Karah Prashaad came and everyone ate.  They had Langar.  Guru ji ate and rested in the afternoon.  Guru ji woke up at 3 pm.  He had his Shaheedi Degh and Chatterdhaara.  He went to bathe and got ready.  Guru ji went to the same place where his Darbar was set for the evening.  Guru ji met the Sangat.  A person came to tell Guru ji: “Prabhoo ji, please don’t sit here.  It is dangerous to sit here.  The enemy has aimed for this area.  The canon is aimed at this area.  A Pahari has received 5,000 Rajitpuns to fire a canon this way.  They have been preparing from last night.  They set the canon last night.  Please change spaces now.  They are planning to deceive you.  That’s why they got you to leave Anandpur.”  Guru ji said to the spy: “What’s the point of being scared now?  if I leave from this place and go to another place, will Kaal not come there?  It is not right to leave now.  The battle is day and night.  There is no point to leaving the battlefield.  Where can we hide from death?  The enemy will be happy seeing us leave from here.  They will think we are scared.  Sit and watch the drama of Kartar.  The sinners will be destroyed.”  Guru ji started to do his Kanga and Bhai Ram Singh ji started to unfold Guru ji’s Dumalla.  As Guru ji tied his Dumalla along with his Kalgi and Jigha, the Singhs were waving Chaurs over his head.

The Turk gunner on the side of the Paharis lit the canon.  The canon fired and set a cannonball over to the mountain.  The cannonball hit Bhai Ram Singh ji in the chest.  Bhai Ram Singh attained Shaheedi as he was looking at Satguru ji.  As he was doing Simran of Guru ji while he was looking at him, he went straight to Sach Khand.  Guru ji picked up his bow right away and mounted a Khapra arrow.  He released the arrow into the same direction from where the cannonball came from.  The gunner noticed that Guru ji was not hit and so he prepared a second cannonball.  As the Turk raised his head to aim the canon, Guru ji’s arrow hit the gunner in the forehead.  His head exploded and he fell to the ground.  Guru ji mounted another Khapra arrow and released it.  When the Turk died, his brother took over for aiming the canon.  Guru ji’s second arrow came and hit the other Turk in the chest.  That gunner died as well.  When the both of them died, the other Paharis along with Bheem Chand laid on the ground and squirmed away.  They knew Guru ji could aim for miles.  His arrows could travel many miles.  Only the canon remained, everyone else managed to escape.  Others hid.

The Rajas ran and came to Bheem Chand’s camp.  They said: “that didn’t work.  We thought that when the cannonball would be fired, the Guru would die and the Singhs would run away.”  The other Rajas got news as well: “the gunners who were firing the Canon have died.  They didn’t get a chance to fire a second shot.  The Guru’s arrow exploded one’s head.  The Guru killed his brother too.  Everyone ran away.”  After a half an hour, the Rajas went to see the canons.  They couldn’t think straight anymore.  They had failed again.  They thought they were going to win.  They looked at the arrows and recognized that they were Guru ji’s own arrows.  They knew that they travelled far.  They dug a grave for the two gunners.  Kavi Santokh ji says: “The name of the place where the two graves are is Siahi Tibbi.  There is still a sign there to mark the graves.  I have seen the graves.  The others in the area also tell us about it.  Guru ji cremated Bhai Ram Singh ji.  A Nishan Sahib is there today.  Where Guru ji used to sit and hold Divaan, that place still exists today.  Every Sikh should go and visit the place of Sri Nirmohgarh Sahib.”  It was night time and Guru ji rested after eating.  Guru Bhagavan ji went to sleep that day.