4-6 Not Cursing a Man’s Face/ The Vanjara Mureed of Nigaha

It was morning and Satguru ji got dressed and fastened his weapons.  He put on his jewellery that had precious gems embedded into them.  Guru ji came to his court.  The Singhs heard about Guru ji coming and came to the Divaan.  They all bowed their heads and said the Fateh.  The court was in session and the Khalsa was present.  It looked as if Inder was sitting with the Devatas.  The Sangat that came to see Guru ji, they bowed their heads and sat down.  They all stared at Guru ji without blinking their eyes.  The Chaurs were being waived over his head.  There was Sangat sitting in every direction for quite a distant.  There was a Ficus tree that had dried up where Shaheedi Bhaag is present today for some reason.  The Parshaadi Hathi used to be tied to it at times.  Baba Gyaana Singh ji’s (the 6^th Jathedar of the Bhudda Dal) final resting place is there too.  Prabhoo ji made an announcement: “is there a woman sitting here who has never cursed a man?  She should not have cursed any male, young or old.  She should be wise who has never sworn.  She should be generous.  Is there anyone sitting here that is like that?”  When the women in the Sangat heard this, they all lowered their eyes, as they all had said the phrase “phittay moo” at least once in their lives.  One young woman stood up and said: “oh true king, I am a small servant of yours.  I have never yelled at my son or my husband.  I have never sworn to any man.  I understand the importance of men.”  Kalgidhar ji said: “shaabaash (well done)!  To show the Sangat, go and bathe under the dried Ficus tree.”  The young woman bathed under the dried tree.  As soon as the water from bathing went to the roots of the tree, it became green again. 

The young woman changed and came back to the court of Guru Sahib.  Everyone saw that the tree was green again.  Guru ji said to her: “now that everyone has seen your power, tell the Sangat, why you don’t swear at men.”  The name of the young woman was Bibi Bhaagan ji.  She spoke: “Maharaj, I will tell you what you asked for.  I am from Agra.  My father was a Divaan of the Emperor.  My father’s command was obeyed by all.  We were really rich.  My father was a good worker and so the Emperor respected my father.  My father worked for Shahjahan.  When my father died, the Emperor heard about it and told his officers to guard our house and other properties.  He ceased all the properties and had them locked up.  All of our assets were ceased.  He wanted the son of my father to be employed under him.  He wanted all of the assets to be transferred peacefully to the son of my father and wanted to educate him under his watch.  The soldiers came to our house right away.  All of the doors were locked of our home.  All of our servants were told to go home.  The soldiers sat in our home and made all the inquiries.  They went back to the Emperor and said: “the Divaan had 7 daughters but his wife is pregnant.  As he just died, his wife was pregnant.  The Divaan had no other nephew who can be his heir.”  The Emperor heard this and said: “lets wait till the child is born.  If there is a son born, he can be the new owner.  If another girl is born, then the house shall be ceased along with the other assets.  Stay on guard now.”  After a few months passed, a son was born.  The eighth child was a boy.  The assets and properties were all released; the doors were all unlocked.  Celebrations with Shehnais, Dhundhabs and instruments took place.  Relatives and friends came to celebrate.  The Emperor announced the property to the newborn son and restarted the income that was allotted to our father.  The guards all left the home and surrendered the property and the assets back to our family.  Everyone respected our family again.  I understood the importance of men.  I understood the greatness of the beard of men.  The whole family was free again because of the boy.  What can be better than this?  The beard that does Japp, Tapp and Jog, they receive all of the joys in life.  The beard is respected in the worldly courts as well as the courts of Akaal Purakh.  A man without a Dastaar and beard looks like a woman.  Oh true king, I know that the birth of my brother gave us freedom.  I understood his importance and decided never to swear at a man ever.  The boy that was born, gave us freedom.  We were seven sisters who were stuck.  Nobody came to our aide or came to see if we were alright.  People say that when girls are born, it is a sin.  People say bad things when a daughter is born.  When a boy is born, people congratulate everyone.  Keeping a beard is like doing Bhagti.  Without a beard, a person is the same as Satan.”  This was what the young woman felt about the way society saw women.  Guru Gobind Singh ji gave women a high importance in the Panth as well as writing Bani to honor the ultimate mother, the Shakti, in the Dasam Guru Granth Sahib ji.  These were one of the ideologies that Guru ji changed that was prevalent in society at that time.  The Sangat heard the young woman and said: “you are great.”  Guru ji said to the young woman: “you are good to respect all men.  Oh Sikhs, a man without hair or a beard is like a 7-year-old boy.  I don’t want to see a man with his beard and hair cut.”  Satguru ji had other discussions and completed the wishes of the Sangat.  The young woman Sikhni stayed in Anandpur for many days and then eventually returned to her home. 

Many new people would take the Pahul of the Khanda and make Guru ji happy.  They would get a Siropa and return to their homes, singing the praises of Guru ji.  There was a lot of money coming into Anandpur and so, the expenses were just as equal.  The month of Kathak passed and Maghar came.  Guru ji’s Diwan was in session.  The Sikhs folded their hands and said: “oh true king, as everything happens by the will of Akaal Purakh, please keep everything running smooth.  There has been a lot of expenses and there was less money that came.  It is now winter and we need to buy a lot of things.”  When the Singhs told Guru ji this, a Vanjara Sikh came.  He brought 2,000 Rajitpuns and bowed his head.  He was a rich Vanjara.  He sat down with his hands folded.  Guru ji asked the Vanjara: “whose Sikh are you and where are you from?  Why did you bring this money?”  The Vanjara said: “I am from Multan and I follow the Peer of Nigaha.  I came to Punjab to do business.  It was hard to sell my merchandise and then I asked around for a Peer in Punjab who I can pray to.  I wanted to do an Ardaas to that Peer.  The people told me that the Guru is the greatest Peer in today’s time.  Guru Gobind Singh ji sits on Guru Nanak Dev ji’s throne.  I then prayed to you for my stock to sell.  My stock sold and I made 60,000 Rajitpuns.  I made more than I wanted to.  From that money, I brought Dasvand for you.”  Guru ji heard this and said: “whoever owns the field, they always own the crop.  Listen, there was a traveller that was walking by a field.  He saw a cow walk into that field and decided to stop the cow from grazing the field.  He took the cow out of the filed.  That traveller doesn’t become the owner of the field for helping.  Go and give your Dasvand to your own Peer.”  The Vanjara said: “oh master, I told you about my past.  When I saw the power and glory of the Guru’s home, I have become your Sikh.  Please forgive my past mistakes and make me your Sikh.”  Guru ji said to him: “the Hindus become Sikhs but the Turks have enmity towards me.  I am here to destroy the corrupt kings of the Turks.  That is why I have picked up the Khanda.  If you side with them, then you cannot become mine.  If you are mine, then you will not side with the corrupt government of the Turks.  If you wish to become a Sikh, stop cutting your hair.  Giving and taking money and gifts is an easy thing.  The one who stays natural and follows the will of Akaal Purakh, that is the hardest thing to do.  The ones who do not accept the will, have a bad smell to them.  The ones who do accept the will of Akaal Purakh, smell nice and kill the illness of their egos.  The Bemukhs will not be happy here or hereafter.  Faith destroys pain.  Unfaithfulness destroys homes.  The Guru and Peers are not of unfaithfulness, says Nanak, such a field is without water.”  When the Vanjara heard Guru ji’s words, his faith grew and he took the Pahul of the Khanda.  He joined the Khalsa and stayed with Guru ji in Anandpur.  He stayed there for many days and then returned to his home.  He started to send many unique items and money to Anandpur.  Satguru ji looks after the faith of his Sikhs.  The Vanjara would visit Guru ji often and bring thousands of others with him from Multan. 

The 2,000 Rajitpuns that the Vanjara Sikh first brought, Guru ji commanded: “take this money and make clothes and buy tarps.”  Clothes were bought and new rugs were laid out for the Sangat. 

4-7 Giving the Wisdom of Seva to the Boy with Soft Hands

One day, Guru Gobind Singh ji was sitting with a few of his Singhs.  He was thirsty and started to look around.  His Gurvaee (personal attendant) wasn’t around.  He called out for Jaalam Singh: “Jaalam Singh, I am really thirsty.  Bring me some water in a Bata.”  When the benevolent Guru ji called out, a young, rich and handsome boy got up.  He was proud of his looks and spent a lot of time in front of the mirror.  He folded his hands and said: “if it be your command, may I bring you water?”  Guru ji agreed.  The boy brought water in a bata and approached Guru ji.  Guru ji took the bata of water and started to look at the boy’s hands.  He said to the boy: “your hands are very soft.  They are very fragile.  What do you do for work?  Your hands are quite fragile.”  The boy folded his hands and said: “I have never worked a day in my life.  I have many servants who work for me.  Guru ji, I have never served Sikhs or my family.  Today was the first time I filled water and brought it for someone.  I filled this bata myself for the first time.  Other than that, I have never worked for anyone or myself.”  Satguru ji heard this and spilled the water from the Bata at once.  Guru ji said: “this water was brought by a Kusikh (lazy Sikh).  This water is not up to my standards for drinking.”  The young boy got scared when he heard Guru ji.  He grabbed Guru ji’s feet.  He was embarrassed and said: “I am a Sikh whose family has been Sikhs from many generations.  I have taken your Charanpahul.  Prabhoo ji, please forgive my mistakes and faults.”  Satguru ji said to the boy: “one cannot become a Sikh by reading or by being educated.  A Sikh’s Dharam is to do Seva with faith and devotion.  You have never done this with your hands.  Listen Sikh, I am going to tell you the cream of Gurmat: do the Seva of the Satsangat.  The Seva will make your hands pure.  Travelling to the Guru’s court will make your feet pure.  To go to the home or Teeraths of Saints and doing Seva there, this will make your feet pure.  All of the Granths, Geeta, Puraan, Quran and Vedas say this.  Your body has 5 Gyaan Indriyas and 5 Karam Indriyas.  All of these become pure by doing Seva.  By doing good deeds and Seva, your Indriyas become pure.  There is no end to the list of good deeds and Seva.  Do any Seva and make your body pure.  You have never done any Seva in your life.  Your hands are not pure.  Your body is not pure.  Without Seva, your body is nothing but a corpse.  Nobody wants to touch a corpse.  Without Seva, a live person is the same as a dead person.  The body is impure.  Your hands are impure and so I can’t drink water brought by you.”  The boy understood Guru ji’s words and asked for forgiveness. 

The boy then started to do Seva of saints, Sikhs, Brahmins and visitors.  He served with his body, mind and wealth.  He wanted to be blessed by doing Seva.  The Sikh Sangat noticed the amount of Seva he did.  He did Seva in the Langar as well.  The Sikhs were happy and told Guru ji of how much Seva the boy did: “Guru ji, that boy that brought you water, he does a lot of Seva now.  He does Seva everyday and wishes to be blessed.”  Kalgidhar ji heard this and was really happy.  He blessed the boy and made him happy.  This Katha was stated by Bhai Ram Koer ji.  As Bhai Ram Koer ji said this Katha, he went into a Prem Samadhi.  He closed his eyes and sat still in Samadhi.  He stopped speaking and started thinking of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s feet.  The listeners also started to think of Guru ji.  The Singhs eventually went home.  It was evening when Bhai Ram Koer ji closed his eyes.  When the Singhs came to Bhai Ram Koer ji in the morning, that is when he opened his eyes again.  He sat in Samadhi all night long.  Bhai Ram Koer ji got up and did his morning cleansing routines.  He came back to his seat and sat down.  The Sikhs came back to listen to the Katha of Guru Gobind Singh ji.  The Singhs loved to hear about the personality of Guru ji.  It was 1781 Vikram, Jeth (May/June) when this Katha was said by Bhai Ram Koer ji.  Kavi Santokh Singh ji says: “I may be making mistakes as I write this.  I ask Satguru ji for forgiveness if I make a mistake.  The history of the Guru ji too great for the human mind to comprehend.  The water of the ocean cannot fit into one container.  The Guru’s Katha cannot be fully understood.  There are millions of stars in the sky, the Katha of the Guru cannot be fully said.  Only the Guru knows his own Katha.  The Katha gives joy to the Sikhs and completes their hearts’ wishes.  They achieve Sikhi and faith.  Guru ji gives them the 4 gifts.  Katha gives you everything.”

Listen all listeners, listen to the Katha with love.  Bhai Ram Koer ji is speaking the Katha.  The Katha continues.  Raja Bheem Chand and the other Rajas sent an ambassador to the Delhi Sooba.  They wanted him to mobilize the Emperor’s army.  The ambassador was told to bribe the Sooba to bring the army.  They wanted to have Guru ji killed.  The Hindu Rajas wanted to kill the Guru who only thought of their well-being.  Bheem Chand said: “although the Sooba wrote a letter to the Emperor, the Emperor would still want money.  He won’t send his army otherwise.”  Raja Bheem Chand had many meetings with the other Rajas and said: “let’s collect money to send to Delhi.”  They collected the money and wrote a letter to the Sooba with humility: “the Guru and his Khalsa bother us.  if you don’t help us, who else would?  You must help us.”  They wrote the letter and collected 100,000 Rajitpuns as a bribe.  When the Sooba received the money, the Rajas said to each other: “it’s only a matter of time now that the army from Delhi comes.  We will send a great army and kick the Guru out.”  They all talked and laughed: “our money that we sent will be beneficial.  This will finish our troubles forever.  We will be happy when the Guru is gone.”  The Rajas began to wait for news from Delhi.

In Delhi, the Sooba had taken the money and began to mobilize his army.  Dina Beg, a proud Mughal general, whose title was “Panj Hazaari” and had an army of 5,000 soldiers; was called upon by the Sooba.  He was given golden weapons and gifts.  The Sooba told him: “take your army to the Doon of Kahloor.  Solve the problem of the Pahari Rajas.  Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji lives with his Singhs and family there.  He has made a very aggressive army that bother the Rajas.  The Emperor has approved to send the army.  Go and take the army.”  Another officer name Paindey Khan was also called.  He had the same title of “Panj Hazaari.”  He was given the same instructions of taking an army to Kahloor.  He got ready along with Dina Beg.  They were given new guns and canons to attack.  An army of 10,000 mobilized from Delhi to attack the Doon of Kahloor.  They played the Nagaras and unfurled their standards. Both of the Umraavs were proud soldiers full of ego.  They were well-skilled in warfare and combat.  They travelled 40-50 miles a day.  They reached close by to Anandpur.  The Rajas got news and started to get ready to fight the battle.  The Rajas went on ahead to receive the Mughals.  Bheem Chand of Kahloor, Beer Singh Jaspal, and Madanpal: the Raja of Shaarmohr, went as the receiving party.  They presented gifts to the Mughals as they met them.  They all updated the Mughals of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s situation.  They told them that the Khalsa gives them a lot of trouble, looting and hunting their area.  They felt threatened by the Khalsa.  They told them: “the army is not of brave warriors.  They are just low-caste people.  They have been collected from different areas.  We can defeat them easily and take the fort of Anandpur.  If the Guru wants to stay here, we can tell him to stay here with peace without hunting or raising an army.  You should stop the Guru from letting his army come into our area.  We want them to stop ruining our fields.  We want them to live in their area with peace.”  The Rajas were lying and were actually jealous of the glory of the Khalsa.  In this way, the Rajas spoke to Dina Beg and Paindey Khan.  They met at Ropar and then proceeded past Kiratpur.  They reached close to Anandpur Sahib. 

4-8 Battle with Dina Beg and Paindey Khan

When the army crossed Kiratpur, they sounded the Nagaras really loud.  The news reached Anandpur that the army of Turks was going to attack.  The Pahari rajas had called the army by spending Lakhs of Rajitpuns.  They wanted to kill Guru Gobind Singh ji, who was the son of the person who had saved their religion from the Turks.  “10,000 soldiers are coming from Delhi.  Two generals are commanding the army.”  When Guru ji heard this, he commanded: “the Khalsa is to get ready with their weapons.  This is the first battle with the Turks.  Fill your quivers with sharp arrows.”  The horses were saddled, the Kumerkassas were tightened.  The Ranjit Nagara sounded and the mountains echoed.  Everyone knew it was the time for war.  The bullets and gunpowder were distributed.  The guns were ready.  The Khalsa mounted their horses and faced towards the direction of Kiratpur.  They fired bullets to show the army they were being welcomed with fire.  When the Turks heard the bullets from Anandpur, they knew that battle was upon them.  They were on attention with their weapons.  They sounded their Nagaras and made their horses dance like peacocks.  The arrows were released, making swishing noises. 

Bhai Uday Singh ji and other Singhs were ready.  The launched a fierce charge on the army of Turks.  Many bullets fired at the same time, which sounded like popcorn popping.  Spears were thrown which got stuck into the enemy’s chest.  Many soldiers fell off their horses.  The bullets blew the heads off.  Bhai Daya Singh ji, Bhai Uday Singh ji and others attacked with a full charge.  It was like lions roaring and jumping for their prey.  The arrows flew like snakes.  The enemy fell to the ground.  Guru ji got ready to come to the battlefield.  The enemy had come.  Guru ji was wearing a thick Tegha and a big quiver.  His bow of 9 Tonkas was in his left hand.  It was the fiercest of all the bows in the world.  Neela, the blue horse, was decorated.  Guru ji mounted Neela.  He was the form of Mahakaal, the Great Death, for the enemy.  His Kalgi was high on his Jigha.  The Nagara was sounded when Guru ji came onto the battlefield.  The Nishans were unfurled.  The Nagara sounded with a double beat.  The Singhs without horses ran with Guru ji.  Others had horses and rode with him.  The Singhs rode with speed.  There was a small river where the battle coursed on.  The horses rode and the battle raged on.  It was like the hawk attacking its prey after being hungry.  The Singhs were the hawks of Guru Gobind Singh ji.  The Singhs attacked the Turks without fear.  It was a fierce battle.  Many died.  The blood made puddles on the ground.  The Five Muktas: Bhai Deva Singh ji, Bhai Ram Singh ji, Bhai Tahil Singh ji, Bhai Ishar Singh ji, Bhai Fateh Singh ji; along with Bhai Aalam Singh ji came to the battle and stopped the charge of the opposing army.  The army was stopped near the river.  Thousands died right there.  The bullets fired and the soldiers’ bodies were exploding.  They fell to the ground.  Both sides had brave soldiers who fought bravely.  They yelled out: “kill them!”  The Khalsa was giving a fierce response.  They did not look back.  They fired their guns and made their horses run.  They killed many.  The Turks saw their friends die and got scared.  Some horses fell being hit with bullets.  Some horses were running around without soldiers on their backs. 

Paindey Khan, the egotistical one, had never been defeated before.  He was pushed back this day.  He noticed his army moving back and so he charged on ahead.  He was angry and came to the front line.  He challenged the Singhs: “I am here to fight the battle of Deen and Mazhab.  I have heard your Guru is a very strong and skilled warrior.  My wish is to fight such a brave warrior.  Fulfill my wish and show me your skill.  I will show you my skill.  Let’s see who wins.  I will fight no one else except the Guru.”  He shouted this out in the middle of the battlefield for all to hear.  Guru ji heard his challenge and came to front line.  Guru ji was wearing royal clothes with his jewellery and armour.  Neela jumped and Guru ji was radiating on the field.  Guru ji spoke: “listen angry Khan!  You have hatred towards me and want to kill me.  I have come to fulfill your wishes.  I will see what you have been taught by your teachers.  I will show you mine then.  My grandfather’s rule was to never strike first.  Go ahead and strike first so you get a chance.”  Paindey Khan heard this and came in front of Guru ji.  He thought to himself: “the Guru is not afraid.  He is a brave soldier who will fight back.  Let me see if he can handle my arrows.  I want to see if he fights or runs away.  Paindey Khan said: “I don’t strike first either.  You should strike first.  You are the Peer of Hindus.  I want to give you the chance first.  You are a patient warrior.  If I shoot you, you won’t be able to fight back.  I shoot one arrow and make the enemy drop with their horse.  My arrows are ruthless.  It kills somebody at the blink of an eye.  A rose can be crushed without force.  I can crush you like that.  Go ahead and strike first.”  Guru ji responded: “you challenged me first.  You came to fight me.  You should strike first.  This is the tradition of war.  Only warriors know this.  The challenger always strikes first.”  As soon as Paindey Khan heard this, he felt he was undermined as a warrior, not knowing the traditions of war.  He got angry and prepared his arrow.  The two armies watched.  The Khalsa knew that Guru ji can kill Paindey Khan with one arrow.  They said to themselves: “Guru ji won’t let him leave alive.”  The Turks said to themselves: “Paindey Khan can take on a whole army by himself.  He is the top general in Delhi.  He has never lost.  He will kill the Guru with one arrow.  This conflict will end now.  We will be victorious and go to Delhi.  We will be rewarded.  Both are experts in warfare.”  Both warriors were masters of war.  They were brave and skilled.  The Khans looked on.  Paindey Khan released his arrows towards Guru ji.  He aimed for Guru ji’s forehead.  The arrow swished through the air with great speed.  It was like the snake of Takshak’s family.  Guru ji was standing and staring right at Paindey Khan.  Paindey Khan’s hands trembled slightly when he released the arrow.  He had been hit with Guru ji’s valiant stare.  Guru ji’s stare alone would send a person to their grave by scaring them.  The arrow flew by Guru ji’s ear, missing him all together.  Guru ji did not move at all as the arrow flew by.  Guru ji said: “from whom did you learn archery from?  I heard you were the greatest.  You said it yourself.”  When Paindey Khan heard this, he began to burn with regret.  He was angry that his arrow was off his target.  Guru ji said: “go ahead and try again.  I don’t want any regrets to remain in your heart.”  The Pathaan was embarrassed to hear this.  He couldn’t say anything.  His pride was crushed.  He thought to himself: “how did my arrow miss?  This is the first time this happened.”  Guru ji turned around Neela and said: “go ahead and fire again!”  Guru ji said it over and over again so he didn’t have any regrets of not getting a chance to shoot.  Paindey Khan said: “I can’t raise my eyes towards you because I am embarrassed.  I shot my arrow and you are still alive.  I am surprised how this happened.  I have practised a lot.  I am embarrassed at my skill.  Both of our armies are watching us.  My arrow missed.  Brave warriors only strike once but you are telling me to strike again.  I will obey your command because you are a Guru and are worshipped.  Otherwise, I only strike once.  You are compelling me to strike again.  I won’t refuse.  Hear comes my arrow!  Attention!  Watch out!”  He took out a sharp arrow and mounted it on his bow.  He aimed for Guru ji and pulled the arrow to his ear.  Guru ji was full of chainmail armour.  Paindey Khan aimed for Guru ji’s forehead as that was the only place without armour chainmail.  Paindey Khan was a huge Pathaan.  He used his might and released the arrow.  It flew like a snake.  The head of the arrow was 4 fingers thick and laced with poison.  Guru ji had a silk cloth tied to his Dumalla Dastaar.  The silk cloth had a small piece hanging out towards one side.  The arrow flapped that silk piece as it flew by.  The second arrow flew by again without any harm.  The soldiers on both sides were amazed at what happened.  Guru ji did not move at all.  The Pathaan was extremely embarrassed.  His pride was crushed as he missed a second time.  He thought to himself: “I have been called to fight the most difficult battles.  But today, my skills have not been gracious to me.  I have been deceived by my Vidya.  I am embarrassed by this.  I will have to give the Guru a chance to strike now.” 

4-9 Painda Khan Dies

Painda Khan was upset that his two arrows missed Guru ji.  Dina Beg and other soldiers were looking on with amazement.  Khan was standing, embarrassed by his mistake.  The soldiers were all watching the battle.  They were watching the two brave soldiers facing each other.  Both soldiers were generals of great armies.  Both had excellent and strong steeds.  Both were excellent archers.  Both were undefeated in battle and wanted to win.  Both were watching the battle.  Guru ji made Neela run.  Guru ji yelled out: “you have struck twice.  It is now my turn!  I have seen your skill.”  Paindey Khan said: “Guru ji, strike twice, just as I have.  It’s your turn now.”  Guru ji responded: “I never strike twice.  Warriors only strike once.  To strike over and over again is not good.  I will respond to both of your strikes only once.”  Guru ji turned Neela around and took an arrow out from his quiver.  Guru ji went around Paindey Khan, who was wearing armour as well.  Paindey Khan’s body was covered in chainmail.  Guru ji was looking for a spot to aim.  The Pathaan was 7 feet in height.  Guru ji turned around and mounted his arrow onto his bow.  He couldn’t find a place on his body to aim at.  He analysed his body and noticed a small naked area near Paindey Khan’s ear.  It was just over his neck on the side.  Guru ji aimed for that spot and pulled his khappra arrow.  He pulled it to his ear and released it.  It flew like a snake and struck Paindey Khan under his ear.  Paindey Khan fell straight to the ground and his horse ran away.  The earth shook when the strong Khan fell.  Guru ji took out is Saif and went towards Paindey Khan.  He stood next to Paindey Khan’s head.  Seeing Guru ji’s ferocious form, Paindey Khan got scared.  He saw his death coming and lost his patience.  He said: “please don’t kill me.  Save me.  Don’t cut my neck with the sharp sword.”  Prabhoo ji said: “Pathaan!  Gather yourself.  The time to save yourself has passed.  How can I save you now?  Remember your Kalma.  It is your time now.  You released two arrows and I struck once.  My arrow is stuck into your neck.  You will die from it even if I don’t kill you now.  I don’t want you to suffer.”  Guru ji swung his sword and severed Paindey Khan’s head from his body.  When Paindey Khan died, the army from Delhi lost their courage to fight.  The Khalsa saw their victory and shouted out Jaikaras.  The Nagaras and conches sounded.  Paindey Khan had been killed. 

The soldiers began to fight again.  Guru ji came back to his place.  Some pulled their sharp teghas and killed the enemy.  A fierce battle carried on.  The guns fired onto the Turks.  The two armies fought and charged each other.  Pistols were fired, spears were thrown and swords were swung.  The soldiers were falling onto the ground.  They looked like they were sleeping.  They came together and swung their fists.  The kataars and daggers came out.  They fought hand to hand and killed each other.  Raja Bheem Chand saw the fierce battle and was amazed to see the Khalsa kill the Pathaans.  He got scared along with the other Pahari Rajas.  They decided to run away because they thought the Khalsa was going to come for them next.  Hundreds of Singhs were fighting.  The Khalsa charged a strong front and ran after the Turks.  They charged like lions attacking deer.  Whoever stood their ground was killed.  Whoever ran away, survived.  The Turks got scared for the first time.  The vultures came and ate the flesh of dead soldiers.  Dogs came to eat and barked as they pulled the flesh.  Bigger vultures were flying.  The 64 Joganis were dancing with the hair out.  They had blood in their bowls and were drinking it.  Many limbs were spread around the battlefield.  The Turks were scared and running away.  Dina Beg was injured and retreated from the battlefield.  The Bhujhangi Khalsa was too strong for them.  The Turks lost their will to fight.  The Paharis ran away.  Dina Beg collected his army and retreated.  The Turk soldiers ran too.  The Khalsa chased them off the field.  They rode their horses behind them. 

The Turks ran to Ropar.  They ran to a village named Khidrabaad.  The Khalsa ran till there and killed whoever they could.  They took the weapons and horses of the Turks, whoever asked for merci.  The Singhs were confident after seeing the Turks run like cowards.  The good weapons and horses were looted.  The other items they had were also looted.  The Khalsa killed the soldiers as many as they could.  Guru ji noticed that the Khalsa went too far.  Guru ji sent a messenger to tell them to come back.  The Turks stayed at Khidrabaad and recollected themselves.  The Singhs wanted to go to Delhi but Guru ji called them back.  When the Khalsa returned, that’s when the Turks felt relief.  Some Singhs had brought back 4 horses; some had more.  They brought back nice weapons. 

The injured Turk soldiers were treated in their camps.  They were all scared and amazed at their defeat.  They said: “our Umraavs made us fought a battle and we couldn’t win.  There was no time to see what happened.  We had so many more warriors and still couldn’t win.”  Dina Beg laid on his bed, injured.  He was being treated for his injuries.  After he was treated, he set off towards Delhi.  He travelled slowly and reached Delhi.

The Khalsa came back to Guru ji and announced their Fateh to Guru ji.  They had looted the enemy and returned to their homes.  The Nagaras of victory and sounded.  They bowed their heads to Guru ji’s feet and said: “you are great!  We received your power and fought the Turks for the first time today.  You made us win.  We sent them to Khidrabaad.  We came back because of your orders, otherwise we were going to go further.  We were going to take everything from them.  These Turks were corrupt.  We were going to mix them into the dust.  The fools ran away as well as the Paharis.  They didn’t even fight.  They hid in their mountains.”  Guru ji heard this and said: “they will have to be defeated slowly.  As the Singhs grow in numbers, the Turks will be destroyed.”  The Singhs took back their fellow soldiers who were injured.  The ones who died went to Sach Khand.  Their bodies were collected and cremated. 

The Singhs returned to Anandpur after the victory.  The poets composed Kabits in praise of Guru ji’s victory.  When Guru ji got off his horse, The poets sang out their poetry of victory in the court.  The songs of victory were sung.  Everyone heard these songs and were happy.  Guru ji sat in his Divaan.  The Khalsa sat in the Divaan in full attention.  There was a celebration.  The men and women were giving Guru ji their blessings for uprooting the plant of tyranny. 

4-10 The Glory of the Satguru

Many Singhs came to take the Khanda Pahul.  They would go back to their homes and be in conflict with others.  The others were stuck in their ways of believing in castes.  They did not like the unshorn hair nor did they like the Kachera.  They were used to shaving their heads and wearing dhotis.  To shave their heads was their tradition.  They couldn’t let that tradition go.  Some of those people were Sikhs who had taken the Charan Pahul.  They had been Sikhs for many generations but did not want to keep the Rehit of Kard, Kesh, and Kachera.  They were stubborn and argued with the Singhs.  They would use tobacco and refuse to let it go.  The Singhs would tell the other Sikhs not to meet with them.  The Khalsa’s food and clothes were unique.  They had stayed with Guru ji and learnt the ways of the Khalsa.  They looked different from the Hindus and the Muslims.  It was like the cream of the world.  The ones who had taken Amrit lived by the Rehit.  They had become Devatas and received joy in this world and in the next.  They had stayed with Guru ji for many months and had done his Seva.  They took leave after doing Seva.  Some would only go home for special events and some didn’t go at all.  Some Singhs that stayed with Guru ji, they wanted to live and die by Guru ji’s side.  The Khalsa grew by the day; just as plants grow in a garden; like the moon growing after the new moon.  The Panth grew in this way.  They did not stay without their weapons.  They never backed down from battle.  Other people couldn’t stand in front of them.  The Singhs would punish the ones that would try their strength on them.  They were ready to die or kill, all the time.  They didn’t know how to run away.  Their reputation spread in the land.  Wherever there were 10 or 20 Singhs gathered, there was surely a battle to breakout.  They would come to Anandpur and meet the provider of joy.  They would gather from every direction.   The Singhs had become each other’s best friends; blood brothers.  The ones who died in battle went to Sach Khand.  The injured would come back to Anandpur.  Guru ji would administer the medicine himself.  They would be better in a few days.  They were ready for war again as they would not feel the pain. 

Guru ji called many specialists in weapon-making to Anandpur.  He directed them on how to make the weapons.  The Singhs would have their weapons custom-made as well.  Many types of arrows were made: Khapra teers, wootz, selay, ardhchandrakaar (half moon), tukay (long and sharp), meen-mukhay (fish shaped), badaamche (almond faced).  The arrows for Guru ji had 1 Tola of gold attached to it (so the dead person could have their cremation done).  Thousands of arrows were made for Guru ji which he would use to destroy the sinners with.  Bows from Multan would come for Guru ji.   They were strong and fierce bows.  The craftsmen would make them with great skill.  The Sikhs from that area would gift them to Guru ji and be blessed.  Tomars and Tulwars would come for Guru ji.  Expensive shields were brought.  The Sikhs would come and present them to Guru ji.  The craftsmen would receive a lot of money for their work.  Guru ji would be happy with the people who brought weapons.  The craftsmen in Anandpur would make rifles and pistols. 

Satguru ji would go and hunt, far into the Doon.  Sometimes he would go to other Doons.  Wherever there was a corrupt person, Guru ji would go there and punish them.  The ones who were jealous of Guru ji, they would come out and wage war with him.  Some would come with spears and some would come with swords.  They were foolish to fight with Guru ji.  The Khalsa would scold and disarm them.  For punishment, their fields would be taken away from them.  The Khalsa would grow and travel the Doons.  The people that would stop the Sangat from coming to Anandpur, the Khalsa would punish them.  Some had already heard about the 3 villages that suffered a terrible fate after trying to stop the Sangat.  They did not dare cast an evil-eye towards the Sangat.  The villages stopped bothering the Sangat from coming.  Some of the Sikhs in the Sangat had taken the Khanda Pahul and carried weapons.  They would come along with the Sangat and shout out “Fatehs.”  The ones who had been oppressed by the Turks; they had taken the protection of the Khalsa.  Some of them joined the Khalsa by taking the Pahul of the Khanda.  They started carrying weapons with them.  They were made into the Kings of Kings, blessed by Guru ji.  If someone opposed the Singhs, the Singhs would scold them and scare them.  There were great powers in the Khanda Pahul.  The Singhs always had weapons on them.  The ones who were poor and weak, they had become strong and royal.  The ones who never bathed, they had become purer than Brahmins.  The ones who were called low and uneducated castes, they had become Pandits; they had become wise by reading so much.  They had become so wise that Brahmins could no longer argue with them.  Guru ji’s love and grace was so great unto all 4 castes.  He was loving to all, equally.  He made lions from vultures.  The crows were taught how to be like cranes and swans.  They made hard efforts.  The ones who used to work dirty jobs, they were now mounted on horses and elephants.  They had become kings.  The ones who had no idea of the afterlife, they now did Simran of Satnam.  The praise of Kalgidhar ji could not be fully said.  There was no one like Guru Gobind Singh ji.  He was benevolent to the whole world.  There were Avatars like Ram Chander ji who was benevolent; he was known to the world; everyone knew his history; but if one thought hard though, nobody was more gracious than Guru Gobind Singh ji.  Ram Chander ji killed a Shudra for doing Bhagti, but Guru Gobind Singh ji made Shudras into kings.  The ones that were uneducated for many generations, Guru ji gave them the joy of both worlds.  The whole world was aware of Guru ji’s grace.  He was the greatest.  The ones who heard his praises and did not come to his sanctuary, they did not know what their birth meant.  The one who protected the Hindu Dharma and took the radiance of the Turks away; that is who the Guru was.  The Hindus who did not bow to Guru ji, they were ungrateful.  The Satguru is great that created the Khalsa Panth for the purpose of making the earth free from sinners.  He started the battle with corrupt kings.  The Paharis were corrupt and brought the Turks to kill Guru ji.  As the Turks came, Guru ji and the Khalsa destroyed them. 

Raja Bheem Chand and the other Pahari Rajas; rather than thanking Guru ji, they became his enemies.  It was Guru ji’s play, though, at work.  It was Guru ji that was making them fall under the spell of the Turks.  Guru ji wanted the Rajas to love the Turks so they could bring them to him.  Guru ji heard the cries of the people.  The Rajas would say to each other: “let’s go to Delhi and complain.  The Soobaydaar will be mad.  His Umarov, Paindey Khan, was killed by the Guru and Dina Beg was injured.  The army was destroyed and made to run away.  The Guru will not be afraid of us.  The Emperor is in the South.  The Sooba will tell the Emperor.  We will send our Viziers and tell the Sooba what the Guru is doing.  When the Emperor will hear of the Guru’s rebellious behaviour, he will send an army.  We will take Anandpur from the Guru then.  We will either kill him or make him run away.  That is how our kingdom will be stable.”  In this way the Rajas got ready to go to Delhi with expensive gifts.