6-16 The Singhs Attack at Night

Lohgarh was at a distance from Anandpur.  About 2.5km away.  The enemy that was posted there, they were getting closer to the fort by the day.  The Khalsa noticed.  One night, it was the night of a very dark night, Bhai Sher Singh ji and Bhai Nahar Singh ji discussed.  Bhai Sher Singh ji said: “Nahar Singh ji, listen to my wish with attention: Sri Anandpur is at quite the distance from here.  It’s not close.  The enemy is inching closer by the day.  Their eye is on Lohgarh as it’s the first line of defence for Anandpur.  Agampura, Holgarh and Keshgarh are in the back.  The other forts are far from the Turks but we are quite close to them.  It’s a very dark night tonight and the enemy is sleeping.  Many are sleeping and there aren’t many standing on guard.  Let’s strike our swords and cut them quickly.  Let’s do one charge, cause chaos and leave.  They won’t be able to tell who is next to them.  They will kill each other.  By morning, these camps that are coming closer, they will move back.”  Bhai Nahar Singh ji said: “what you say is good but it is not the command of Guru ji to attack.  He said: “don’t go out of the fort.  Stay alert inside the fort.”  We can’t even go to him at this time.  Prabhoo ji is resting right now.  We can’t wake him up.  What can I say to you?”  Bhai Sher Singh ji said: “this is a political strategy.  When we get the opportunity to kill the enemy, we shouldn’t let it go.  Guru ji wants us to kill the Turks.  This would be under his same command.  It is not good to ask Prabhoo ji right now.  He will hear about this by morning when he wakes up.  I have checked the enemy.  They are in deep sleep.  This opportunity won’t come again.  Let’s attack right now.  I had Afeem Chatterdhaara and went outside to see.  I saw the enemy sleeping without any worry.  It’s a good time to kill them.”  They slowly woke up the Singhs and had them drink Sukha Degh.  They all woke up and bathed.  They took their swords and shields and got ready as it was around 2:30am.  When night was only 2 hours left, they all told the others what the plan was.  They told everyone to only strike once.  Don’t stay too long in the enemy lines.  Go and come back quickly.”  The gates of Lohgarh were opened.  500 Singhs came out, secretly, with swords and shields in hand.  They walked quietly and went towards the enemy.  They stayed quiet and attacked the enemy all of a sudden.  The Turks necks were exposed as they slept.  The Singhs cut their heads like watermelons from the vines.  They killed the Turks and caused chaos.  The warrior Singhs jumped.  The Turks couldn’t even open their eyes, tired from sleep.  They were killed.  In about 15 mins, many heads of the Turks rolled.  The swords of the Turks remained by their bedsides.  The Singhs looted the weapons.  Some heads were cut; some limbs were cut.  Some shoulders were cut.  Some hands were cut.  Some stomachs were pierced.  Legs were cut, thighs were cut, eyes were blinded, ears were cut off.  They cut them in this way.  The Turks were cut like trees by a carpenter.  In the dark night, a lot of noise was made.  One could not see one’s own hand.  The Turks that were close by, they were all killed.  The ones that were far, they picked up their swords and came to fight.  The Singhs moves to the side in the meantime and headed back to Lohgarh.  The bullets were then fired.  The Turks couldn’t tell friend from foe.  They started killing their own.  Many were killed with bullets and many were cut with swords.  The Singhs were gone.  The Turks fought each other, not knowing who they were.  They thought the Singhs were still there.  A son killed a father; a brother killed a brother.  Swords and shields clashed.  Nobody knew who was who.  Some were still drunk from the night.  They killed their own in anxiety.  They fought hard.  They didn’t ask who was there but killed their own.  They couldn’t recognize their own.  Everyone in that post died by morning.  The blood flowed.  The earth was red.  The bodies piled up.  When the Soobas heard the noise, they got worried.  They found out that the post was destroyed.  The Sooba said: “a very bad thing happened!  The fools didn’t take the opportunity.  What could be done?  It’s really dark.  They didn’t stay awake at night, that’s why the enemy attacked.  The Singhs must have come.  Go and see them.”  In this way, the post was destroyed and the Khalsa was victorious.  The foolish Turks were destroyed in pain. 

The room was made of gold on the walls (Bhai Aalam Singh ji had requested Guru ji’s room to be made of gold work).  There were diamonds and pearls on the walls.  The craftsmanship was very detailed.  Designs of trees and vines were made.  The Badooraj Manis and gems sparkled in the room.  In the summer the room was cool and warm in the winter.  Satguru ji slept on an ivory bed.  The bed was beautiful.  The four legs of the bed were made of gold, ivory and sandalwood.  Emeralds were embedded in the legs.  Opals were in the bed.  It was made in a far away land worth Lakhs.  The sheets were muslin.  They were tied with silk ropes.  Zarri tassels hung from all sides.  The Prabhoo rested on this bed.  Guru ji woke up from the noise.  The guard was called and told: “go and send someone to see where a battle has broken out.  Bring a Singh from there to me.  Tell me what happened.”  A Singh was sent to see where the noise was coming from.  The Singh came to Lohgarh and met Bhai Sher Singh ji and Bhai Nahar Singh ji.  He said: “Guru ji sent me to see why there was noise here.  He woke up to tell me this.  I came to get news.  Send one Singh from here.  Send the Singh quickly.”  When the Singhs heard Guru ji’s name, they gave the messenger a summary: “tell Guru ji: we were victorious by your blessing.”  Bhai Jawahar Singh ji was sent with the messenger to give Guru ji the update.  He quickly came to Guru ji’s home. 

Guru ji was sitting on his bed.  Guru ji asked: “what was the noise in your post?”  Bhai Jawahar Singh ji folded his hands and said: “Prabhoo ji, the noise was from the post of the Turks.  Bhai Sher Singh ji and Bhai Nahar Singh ji saw that the Turks were inching closer to the fort and were too close.  They noticed that all of the Turks were asleep.  They were afraid to ask you at this time.  Bhai Sher Singh ji then said: “we will fold our hands and ask for forgiveness.”  They attacked the post of the Turks seeing the dark night.  They picked up their naked swords and shields.  They cut the Turks while they were sleeping.  You could only hear: “Hai Khuddah, Allah!”  They only fought for about 10 minutes, cutting and killing some.  Now, the Turks are killing each other with swords and pistols, not knowing who they are killing.  With swords and shields, they are killing.  They are now looking by lighting torches.  They can now see what they did.  The Khalsa came back to their fort.  Not one Singh was hit with warm air.  The Khalsa played the Nagara of victory.  They looted the Turk camp as they came back.  They picked up food and weapons.  You were with them, assisting them.  The Khalsa is happy that they killed the Turks.”  During this time, the sun came up.  Guru ji bathed and got ready.

Guru ji called the two Jathedaars.  They came and bowed.  Guru ji was happy to see Bhai Sher Singh ji and Bhai Nahar Singh ji.  He said: “Shaabaash!  Shaabaash!  This is how you need to destroy them.  Save yourself and use strategy.  Punish these Turks like this.  Destroy their kingdom and radiance.  Slowly, they need to be destroyed.  They martyred the Guru and many saints.  They will all be destroyed.  Their Nagaras will not remain.  No Nagara player of theirs will remain.  The Paharis will become dependant on you.  They will be humble in front of the Khalsa.”  The complete Satguru called for beautiful Siropas and Teghas and gave them to the two Jathedaars: Bhai Sher Singh ji and Bhai Nahar Singh ji.  Guru ji commanded the Singhs: “your desires will be fulfilled.”  He was happy with everyone.  Guru ji then went with the Jathedaars to see the fort.  The guards were made stricter.  More bullets and arrows were made.  Guru ji then came to his court.  Seeing his form made the sins wash away.  His face was really handsome and mesmerizing.  The Sikhs that live by the faith of the Guru, they are Dhan!

6-17 The Cannonballs of Baghan and Bijghokh Fired

Bhai Sher Singh ji, Bhai Nahar Singh ji and other great warriors; Guru ji gave joy to all of the Singhs by fulfilling their wishes.  The 4 Padarthas that are rare for the Devatas to receive, they were all given to the Singhs.  In the end, Guru ji made the Singhs immerse into him by blessing them.  The posts were set up on various distances.  The Singhs stood on guard.  Guru ji said: “don’t let the enemy come close.  Kill them with your weapons.”  Other than the fear and support of the Guru, the Singhs had no other desires.  They were alert.  The enemy could not come close to the forts.  They were in the Lakhs but they were still scared.

The Soobas sat with Bheem Chand.  Handooria Bhoop Chand, Jaswalia, Kainthal, Kulo, Kangra, Mandi and the other Rajas all came as well.  The senior officers of the Turks came as well.  They were all depressed.  They had lost the will to fight as they felt a huge blow the night before.  The ones that ran away from the late-night skirmish, only they survived.  They were all called.  They were questioned: “how did the enemy come?  Why were you not on guard?  You were asleep without worry or fear.  You lost.  We looked bad and people will talk bad about us.”  The soldiers spoke: “Navaab ji, listen, we stood on guard.  It was the time of Fajar and many were lazy.  Everyone does this everyday.  We were lazy at this time.  We were looking forward to morning so we could fight.  We get up at the same time everyday.  During this time, the Singhs came like thieves, gathered in groups.  We couldn’t even handle our Pugris, forget picking our weapons up.  They killed our men while they were sleeping.  They had no time to get up or put their clothes and armours on.  They are guilty of this crime for attacking us in the night like this.  That’s how they destroyed the post.  Oh Khuddah, what did we know that they are so deceptive?  They cheated us.  They didn’t take more than 20 minutes.  They caused chaos in that time.  The sleeping men can’t be compared to the awaken.  They swung their swords without warning.  After that, our men started fighting with our own, not knowing who they were fighting.  They killed their own people by mistake.”  Zabardast Khan and Wajeed Khan drowned in the ocean of shame.  They were filled with anger.  When they raised their eyes, they turned them towards to the Pahari Rajas and said: “you sat without worries!  You had the men of the Badshah killed!  Many thousands of men were killed last night.  We will be slandered in the world.  When you went to the Badshah, you said that the Satguru has no army.  Who is fighting now?  Why didn’t you say something about this?  When the Badshah hears that his great army has been burnt, he will be really angry.  Who will tolerate his anger?  Your kingdoms will be annexed!  The post was destroyed last night near you.  You didn’t come to help.  What were your spies doing?  You should have given us this news first.  You don’t use any of your strength to fight.  You stand on the sides and watch.  We are going back now.  They will kill you next.”  Bheem Chand and Bhoop Chand folded their hands and said: “oh Navaab ji, what is our fault?  We didn’t know anything.  We tell you everyday that the Guru has thieves and thugs in his army.  They are the best thieves from different places.  They call themselves the Guru’s army.  The post that was destroyed last night was at the front and they fell asleep.  They weren’t alert.  Nobody used their wisdom.  They should have been alert, being close to the enemy.  They got themselves killed.  Don’t go near to fight as Lakhs will be killed if we do.  Let’s stay far away.  Don’t go close.  Stop the food from going in.  That’s the best strategy.  Stay awake all night.  Fight where they attack.  We are under your command.  We will do what you say.  To fight, win and lose; whatever is Khuddah’s command, we will fight along your side.”  The Pahari Rajas gave thousands of Rajitpuns to the Khans to please them and calm them down.  When the Soobas got angry, the Paharis gave them money.  Many times, the Soobas did this. 

Everyone mounted their horses and went to the post to see the damage.  It was empty.  The men were dead.  The tents were destroyed.  Crows, vultures and dogs were eating the flesh.  It was a scary sight.  The scavengers were dragging the bodies around to eat the flesh.  When they all arrived, the Singhs fired their guns.  They Soobas and Rajas moved back.  They couldn’t bury the dead bodies so they decided to leave them on the field.  They said: “set up the post at a distance from here and stay alert.  We have not been victorious over the Guru.  We lost every time.”  The Rajas and the Soobas wandered around and went back to their tents.  The Nagaras didn’t play for them.

It was noon.  Satguru ji had his Shaheedi Degh as the servant brought it for him.  From a golden box with gems embedded into it, he had his daily serving of Afeem Chatterdhaara, rolled in a ball, enough to fit in the mouth.  After bathing and getting ready, Sri Bhagwant ji sat on a high place.  The Singhs got ready and came to the court.  The Divaan of the Khalsa was held.  Guru ji looked like Sri Krishan ji among the Yadavs.  Guru Gobind Singh ji was like Govind with weapons; like Kuber among the Yakshas, wearing jewellery; like Inder among the Devatas, looking radiant; like Ram Chander ji among the Munis with joy.  Sri Prabhoo ji sat on a high mountain to scope the whole city.  Wherever he looked, he saw the tents and flags of many colours of the Turks.  They were from Lahore, Multan, Kashmir and other places.  The tent of the Soobas caught Guru ji’s attention as he looked around.  The cloth was expensive.  It was made of silk and muslin.  Thousands of armed men stood around them.  Prabhoo ji smiled and said: “are they not afraid, being so close?”  Bhai Uday Singh ji folded his hands and said: “they’ve gone far away now.  When you fired your arrow and broke their bed, since then they’ve been afraid and gone far away.  They are happy now.  They sit now how they did before in joy.  They don’t think you will fire anymore arrows at them at that distance.  They don’t think you would fire arrows everyday.  They show themselves in pride that they aren’t any less.”  Sri Prabhoo ji commanded: “take the two cannons out!  Set them here and fire them with cannonballs.”  The Singhs obeyed and brought the cannons atop the mountain.  The Singhs were eager and brought them up quickly.  One was called Baghan and the other was called Bijghokh.  Guru ji did Pooja of the cannons with sandalwood and flowers when they were brought to the Divaan.  Guru ji bowed to them.  They were the ones that made the Guru’s radiance brighter; or they were the Guru’s form itself that took the forms of cannons.  The form of the Guru’s protection took the shape of the cannons.  They were the form of victory that stood in front of Guru ji.  They were the form of Kalika that saves her servants.  They were the protection of the Singhs.  They stood there.  They were the death of the sinners.  They were to protect the existence of the Hindu Dharam.  They were the protectors of the earth.  This is the praise of the cannons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji.  They are to destroy the great forts; to destroy the great armies; to motivate the Khalsa and to destroy the patience of the enemy.  The radiance of the Turks spread like grass.  To burn them, these cannons were lava.  The lightening within the clouds that thunders, this lightening is the Bijghokh.  They are the support of the servants, the destroyer of sinners; the form of death; Kalika. 

Sri Guru ji commanded and the Singhs filled the cannons with gunpowder and cannonballs.  The cannons were aimed at the tent of the Soobas.  The gunners aimed the cannons and lit the wicks.  The cannons fired like lightening atop a mountain.  The cannonballs flew fast and blasted the head of the enemy.  Baghan first fired, followed by Bijghokh.  The flags of the Soobas were aimed at by the cannons and fired.  The cannons were prepared again, quickly.  The hearts of the enemy trembled.  The gunpower was added again.  The cannonballs were set and the cannon was fired.  The tent and domes of the enemy were blown away.  The enemy flag had fallen.  There was fire in the enemy tent.  There was chaos among the Soobas’ armies.  There was a lot of noise in the tent. 

6-18 The Surrounding Continues/ Bhai Kanhaiya ji

The cannonballs were fired and hit the army of the Turks.  The flags were broken and the tents were destroyed.  There was chaos in the army.  Wajeed Khan and the Sooba of Lahore saw the destruction of the cannonballs.  They left their places and ran at that time.  They didn’t take any weapon or clothes.  They left bare-headed.  Who was going to wait for a horse?  They ran barefoot.  They were fleeing for their lives along with their officers.  They didn’t stay in their regiment.  They ran to the sides.  The cannonballs caused a lot of damage.  Many times were the cannons fired.  Many Turks were killed.  The Soobas had no solution.  They and their men ran away to save their lives.  They left their clothes and weapons.  The Turks were really scared.  Some heads exploded; some limbs were cut.  Some burned to death.  They were in no condition to hold weapons.  These camps were really far away.  They didn’t think the cannonballs could come this far.  They couldn’t figure out how the Guru got such cannons: “we have been here for many weeks and no cannonball reached here.  What happened today?  Like the Guru shot arrows before, he fired cannons today.  The Hindu Peer has powers.  That’s how the cannonballs came here.”  Many horses had been hurt.  Many warriors were killed.  Some looked for hideouts to hide.  Some ran in fear.  Guru ji had both of the cannons fired till evening.  Baghan and Bijghokh kept firing, one after the other.  Guru ji stood by and had them aimed to fire.  The cannonballs flew fast and caused chaos.  Whoever they hit, they destroyed them.  Sri Guru ji then listened to So Dar.  It got dark so Guru ji came home.  The cannons were taken down.  The Khalsa said the Vahiguru ji ki Fateh out loud.  Langar was distributed.  The Khalsa ate and went to their places.  The Singhs stood guard at night.  They killed many but were never hit themselves.

Khan Wajeed and Zerdast Khan; they brought their Dheras even further away.  They came to a place where there was some cover.  They stayed there being alert.  The tents were all pulled and set in the new place, far away.  They stayed awake and alert at night.  They told the soldiers to stay on guard.  The Soobas were scared, day and night.  They brought their places far away.  The news spread to far away lands about what the Singhs had done.  They found out that the Singhs were in Anandpur, surrounded.  Many Singhs came to Anandpur while the tents of the Turks were being moved.  The Singhs ran their horses through the chaos and came to Anandpur.  The faith in the Guru allowed them to come through.  They had a deep love and devotion for Guru ji.  When the Turks would find out, they would get upset.  In this way, the Singhs caused a lot of damage for the Turks. 

Many posts were set around Anandpur Sahib, for miles around.  There were Lakhs of armies surrounding Anandpur.  Three months passed like this.  The posts of the enemy moved back, tired of being beaten by the Singhs.  They said: “we can’t fight the Guru.  Thousands of our men have died.  We should keep surrounding the city.  When they don’t get any food, they will come out and meet us.  How will they go on without food?”  Fearing the Singhs, the posts at the front still held back from the actual position they were supposed to be in.  They only had one strategy: don’t let the food go in along with gunpowder.  They knew the Singhs had less food stored inside: “they spend and eat as gifts and offerings come.  They need thousands of Maunds of food everyday to eat and keep their Pranas going.” 

There was a Sadhoo named Bhai Kanhaiya ji that stayed with Guru ji.  He had the Aatam Prakash.  He saw the Aatma everywhere.  He had no attachment, hatred, joy or sorrow.  He did not distinguish between enemy and friend.  Nobody was foreign to him.  They were all his own.  He kept a mashk (water skin) of water with him all the time.  He gave water to whoever asked him for it.  He gave water to the Singhs at the posts.  The posts of the Turks were close by.  They were also thirsty as they had not much water with them.  All day, the warriors would sit and fight.  They only went back at night.  They would come back before sun up.  The Singhs and Turks would stand on guard at their posts.  They tolerated hunger and thirst all day long.  They left to eat at night.  Bhai Kanhaiya ji helped everyone.  He filled his mashk with water and gave water to all, even the Turks.  The warriors that were in the posts, they were in hiding.  Water was scarce to both sides.  This Sadhoo went to both sides.  He gave water to Singhs and the Turks.  The Khalsa would see him and get angry: “why does he give water to the enemy?”  They stopped him many times but he didn’t stop giving water to the Turks. 

One day, the Ocean of Compassion was sitting at home.  The Khalsa did an Ardaas to Guru ji: “Prabhoo ji, the enemy bothers us.  We stand in our posts all day.  The Turks don’t let food and water come to us.  They give us pain all day.  The Sadhoo, Bhai Kanhaiya ji, he gives water to our enemy.  We stopped him many times but he doesn’t stop.  We are skeptical of him.  He must have joined the Paharis or he has been paid by them.  We want to bother the Turks and kill them.  The ones that we injure or kill, he goes to them and gives them water.”  Hearing the request of the Singhs, the Sadhoo was called to Guru ji. 

Guru ji had Bhai Kanhaiya ji sit close to him with a lot of respect.  Sri Guru ji said: “tell me oh Sadhoo, why do you tolerate pain?  Why don’t you sit in joy?  You wander around in the battle to give water to all.  The Singhs have complained against you.  You give the enemy water in times of pain.  If you don’t stop giving water then give it to the Singhs who are on your side.  There are many bullets and arrows flying in the field.  Our enmity is with the Paharis.  They fight with us for no reason.  We didn’t take any of their villages or land.  We sit on our land.  These fools are just jealous from the radiance of the Khalsa.  They went to the shelter of the Turks, complaining about us.  For their help, they called the army of the Badshah.  Look how many Lakhs of men have come to surround us.  They gathered so many with great efforts.  They surrounded the city.  I have the support of Akaal Purakh who is the creator and sustainer of the world.  He gives pain and joy.  The enemy has come to surround us.  The Singhs kill them.  Don’t give water to the enemy.  Understand this wisdom in your heart.”  Sadhoo Kanhaiya ji heard Guru ji’s words.  He folded his hands, bowed his head and said: “Sri Prabhoo ji, I keep your wisdom in my heart and I will always follow your command.  I will never disobey you.  Wherever I look, I only see your One form.  I have never seen any other.  This whole unconscious universe that you have made; the 84 Lakhs species you have made; I only see your light, equally in all.  I can’t tell who is the enemy and who is the friend.  I see you everywhere.  I don’t see any difference.  This is all I can see by your blessing.  I don’t see another other than you.  This is your wisdom.  I ingrained this in my heart without conflict.  I see you sitting in the Singhs.  I see you in the Turks as well.  The Paharis aren’t any different.  Wherever I look, they all do your Pooja.  In water, land and sky; this is all your beautiful play.”  Hearing the words of Sant Kanhaiya ji, Satguru ji was really happy.  Sri Guru ji smiled and said: “listen Khalsa, oh treasure of compassion: see his nature as Sadhoos’.  He has the sight of Brahm Gyaan.  He has obtained the status where he sees no friend or foe.  Nobody is to stop him from anything.  Let him do what his heart wants him to do.  He sees no enemy.  He sees the One Prabhoo in the whole drama.  His mind is in the highest Bhoomika, the Turiya.  He has destroyed duality.  He only sees the One.  His life is a success.  The blessing destroys pain.  His Panth will exist in the world (The Sevapanthis).  It will illuminate in the world.  It will destroy the bad wisdom of many.”  The Singhs heard the words of Prabhoo ji and were in bliss.  The Sadhoo had destroyed the duality and came to the bliss of the Brahm.  Nobody ever said anything to Bhai Kaniya ji again.  He gave water to all.  He went around to all the posts.  He was given bandages and ointments by Guru ji as well.  He kept a full mashk with him, all the time.  Nobody shot bullets at him, seeing him as a Sadhoo.  He wandered around while the battles carried on.  The Turks and the Singhs bowed to him, seeing him as a Sadhoo.  They drank water from him to extinguish their thirst.  In this way, the city was surrounded.  The stored food began to deplete.  The food began to finish, which was needed to survive everyday.

6-19 Bringing Food from the Enemy Markets

As the food stores depleted, many people began to starve.  The stronger Singhs began to think of plans.  Many Singhs were great warriors.  They got together to plan.  Wherever food was sold in great quantities, those places were strictly guarded.  The Singhs scoped the paths out carefully and made plans.  When the Turks had rested in laziness, the Singhs made desires to go where the markets supplying food to the enemy was sold.  They mounted their horses and fastened their weapons.  They quickly went to the bigger markets and entered, the great warriors.  Bhai Sher Singh ji was the leader of this pack.  He attacked the Turks with a lot of anger.  He said to the Singhs: “pick up food, ghee, sugar and rice!  Take everything you need and come back quickly.  Come back in front of everyone and don’t take too long.”  The Singhs attacked the markets in this way, taking many things back.  They looted the merchants.  The food was packed into big sacks.  Half of the Singhs carried them back.  When the Turks found out, they sounded their Nagaras quickly.  They took their weapons and mounted their horses.  Some fired bullets and faced the Singhs.  The Singhs had 200 rifles which were ready to go.  They fired them all at once.  Bhai Sher Singh ji had all the rifles fired at once.  Whoever came in front, fell to their death. 

The Pahari Rajas and the Soobas were getting the warriors ready for battle: “surround them so they can’t go back to their fort!  Kill them outside of the fort!”  The Turks were gathering their rifles, Tulwars and shields.  They had fear in their hearts.  First, many bullets and arrows were fired.  Then the warriors took out the swords.  They cut anyone who came in front.  They picked up their injured and dead; riding into the Lohgarh fort.  The Singhs aimed their cannons and fired them.  The Turks went back to their camps.  The Singhs came into Lohgarh, bringing back the looted food.  They prepared the food and ate it.  The Turks regretted their missed opportunity: “the Singhs caused chaos in a matter of moments.  They killed many of our men.  They looted the markets and took what they needed.  The Singhs went back to their forts, alive!  They used their force on us even though there are Lakhs of us.”

Bheem Chand came to the Sooba and did his Salaam.  He sat close to him.  He folded his hands and said: “the Singhs caused chaos.  They looted the market of the army.”  As he was speaking, many of the merchants came and told the Sooba what happened: “a lot of food, ghee, and sugar was looted by the swings of their swords.  They didn’t loot anything else.  The whole market is filled with other stuff.”  Bheem Chand heard this and said: “it seems as though they have a shortage of food now.  They are bothered by hunger that’s why they pounced like hawks.  Now, the Guru will come out of his fort.  He will go during the night.  There’s nothing left in the city.  We knew this was going to be the case.  It seems as though we will win this war.  They won’t have courage after no food.”  The Sooba was drowning in shame, knowing that their market and food storage was looted.  He called all of his Jathedaars and spoke to them very harshly: “you are in the Lakhs.  How are the few Singhs killing you?  You don’t fight out of fear.  You are cowards.  Stay alert from now on.  Keep your horses saddled.  Whenever you see Singhs coming, stop them by going ahead.  You were lazy.  You stayed sitting down quietly.  You had your things looted and you were beaten up.  You first had your post destroyed and were slandered for it.  The Singhs come and do their killings.  It’s like lions attacking an elephant.  What’s wrong with you all?  Where is your strength?  You didn’t win any battle!” 

The Soobas and Pahari Rajas mounted their horses.  They rode all around in every direction.  They made the perimeter tighter.  More men were added to the posts: “guard this place with attention.  Don’t advance.  Don’t trust them.  Don’t be lazy.  Keep an eye on the enemy.  Keep your rifles ready at all times.  When the Singhs come out, kill them.  Make sure none of you are killed.  We don’t want you to die.”  In this way the posts were tightened in every direction.  The Soobas and the Paharis Rajas scoped the whole area.  They made everyone stand on guard.  They gave many types of instructions to the officers. 

When Bhai Sher Singh ji and Bhai Nahar Singh ji took all of the Singhs back to Satguru ji; they bowed and said the Fateh.  They told Guru ji how they looted the food: “the Singhs were very hungry.  We saw the Turk Market and attacked it.  We brought back a lot of food.  When the Turks came near us, we killed them.”  Sri Prabhoo ji said: “when you see an opportunity, attack!  Don’t go into an area where there are too many of the enemy.  Collect as much food you can but eat with restrain.” 

6-20 One does not Become a Turk by the Force of the Shariya

One Sikh was caught and arrested by the Turks.  The Turks cut his hair and circumcised him.  They forced him to convert to being a Turk.  They made him read the Kalima after beating him.  They made him eat Halal beef as well.  His mind did not accept though.  The Turks forced their Shariya on him and fed him their Halal food.  They made him cleanse himself in their “Gusal” tradition.  The Sikh chanted “Guru” in his mind.  After completing the Shariya rules, they let him go.  Depressed, the Sikh came back to Guru ji. 

It was the time of Rehraas when the Sikh returned to Guru ji.  (In history, his name is written as Bhai Ram Singh) the great Divaan was in session.  The Sikh folded his hands and said: “oh Sachay Paatshaah, I am a Sikh.  I fell in battle and fainted due to my injuries.  The Turks caught me.  When I woke up, I only saw the Turks.  I was arrested and forced into their Shariya.  What do I do now?  I was born a Hindu and my Sikhi Dharma has been desecrated.  Keep me as you will.  I will tolerate the pain.  Otherwise I will set up a pyre and burn myself alive.”  Guru ji asked: “what tradition of Shariya did they do with you when you were under the enemy’s force?”  The Sikh folded his hands and said: “they first circumcised me.  They made me read the Kalima and the Nimaaz.  They disrespected my hair and made me eat their Halal food.”  Guru ji said: “tell me the truth: were you saved from the (physical) company of a Turkani?”  The Sikh said: “Prabhoo, you saved me from that.  You extended your hand and saved me from being in the company of a Turkani.”  Guru ji said: “make Karah Prashaad and have it distributed to the Khalsa.  You were a pure Sikh during this whole time.  The Guru held your arm.”  The Singhs that were in the presence of Guru ji at that time said: “tell us, oh complete Guru: how does one become a Mussalmaan?  Can one be made one?”  Guru ji said: “listen Bhai, if the enemy forces the Shariya on one but the person’s faith is not in it; by force, one does not become a Turk.  If one falls prey to desire and sleeps with a Turkani, the body and mind then meet.  That is when one becomes a Mussalmaan.  (At that point, the desire would have overtaken the mind and therefore the process of becoming a Muslim would be complete) the mind is the cause of everything.  By force, one’s faith cannot change.  My Sikhs will never seek the company of the Turkanis.  If the Sikh sleeps with a Turkani once, they will become a Muslim right away.  Whoever takes on the Hindu Dharma, they are saved if they refrain from the company of a Turkani.  Whoever regrets from sleeping with a woman outside of marital life; they can repent and serve for the sin they have done.  They can also be forgiven from the Sikhs of the Guru.  They can be forgiven.  If a Sikh sleeps with a Turkani, that person can never be forgiven.  That person would be a permanent Muslim.  If they make a mistake, not knowing this is an issue and commit the act, after meeting the Turkani, they can become a Sikh.  They can be forgiven by meditating on the Guru.”  (Their punishments would be severe though) The Singhs then asked: “many Turks take the Hindu girls with them and rape them.  If the Sikhs wish to take revenge and take the Turkanis, why do the Guru’s Shasters stop us?”  Satguru ji heard this and said: “I want to take the Panth higher up.  I don’t want to take the Panth towards sin.  Don’t lower yourself to their level.  I want to stop them from doing sins.  The Panth of Bhootnas was taken care by Mohammed.  It is not good to follow the low.  The lower people (who commit sins) are worthy of disrespect.  The instructions of the Guru, what is said in the Shastras of Gurbani: all other women are your daughters, mothers and sisters; even if they are Muslim.  This is for all the Ashrams: Brahmachaari, Ghrist, Baanprast and Sanyaas.”  The Sikh was re-initiated into the Khalsa fold.  The Karah Prashaad was distributed.  In this way the Sikhs continued on with the battle. 

The Sikhs began to starve more often.  The treasury was emptied into the Sutlej, previously.  The Pashmina and other expensive clothes were all burned by the patient Prabhoo.  The expensive Attars were burnt as well.  Guru ji was detaching everything in this way.  The assets were all thrown away.  They were either burned or thrown into the river.  The people of the city began to call upon Guru ji as they couldn’t tolerate the pain of hunger.  A lot of the inhabitants of Anandpur left to go somewhere else.  The warrior Singhs did not leave though.  They starved and continued to fight.  They killed the enemy and died themselves.  They said to each other: “we won’t run now!  We will give our heads to Guru ji!”  They were faithful in their devotion.  They tolerated many pains and problems.  Some people came to Mata Gujri ji and said: “Mata ji, the way of Guru ji cannot be known.  Without food, everyone will die.  Sometimes we get half or half of half to eat.”  Mata ji listened to and saw her son’s tasks.  She was really worried and upset.  She couldn’t say anything as she was afraid of Guru ji’s curses.  She thought: “Guru ji could say something in anger and it would become true.  It can’t be stopped.  What to say or what not to say, he is above all that.”  The servants near her would come and speak of their problems to her: “hundreds of Singhs have died.  The ones that are alive have no hope of surviving.”  One day, Mata ji gathered her determination, after suffering all the pain and came to the place of Kalgidhar ji.  She stood in front of him with worry and anger in her mind.  She said: “you are the Guru of the world, and call yourself the Guru; what is this effort that is causing the Sikhs to die?  The Singhs are fighting the enemy everyday.  The enemy stands above their heads.  They are all hungry.  They don’t get food, day or night.  You threw the money and wealth into the river before.  You still throw the money into the river now.  What was the fault of the Sikhs that they are facing such pain?  They get quarter of the food they used to.  How can they fight without strength in their body?  Their patience is gone.  The Turks and the Pahari armies have us surrounded.  If they all attack us once, they will kill us all.  It’s either that or the hunger will kill us.  I see the death of all.  How will we all survive?  I say you should forgive your Sangat.  Why are you putting them through pain and hunger?”  Guru ji heard his mother and said: “I have been commanded by the Kartaar, that’s why I have started this Panth.  I have filled the Panth with Naam, Ishnaan and Dhaan; among other qualities.  I will make this Panth greater.  I don’t want this Panth to rot.  If they eat the money of Pooja, they will rot.  The Panth will deteriorate and lose their strength.  Listen Mata ji, the wealth that was here was from the Pooja of others.  It is poison.  It destroys the strength and wisdom.  I started this Panth for battle.  It is better hungry and naked.  I won’t let this Panth go to Hell.  (Good food and expensive clothes will take one towards greed, leading to Hell) I am not doing bad with them.  I am teaching them good qualities.  Just as I am your son and you would never give me poison; in the same way these Sikhs are my sons.  How can I give them the poison of Pooja and kill them?  I want to nourish them and raise them well.  I want them to enjoy the joys of this Lok and the next.  The wealth I have kept in the Sutlej, I wish to purify it.  Just as poison is pacified and the item becomes medicine; it cures one; I am making the wealth of the Pooja pure.  When the sons of the Sikhs will give and take in this way; I will give it to them.  This wealth will give them joy then.  It will become medicine by the time it comes out.  I will have a great Sikh.  I will send him to take the wealth out.  His name will be Daleep Singh.  He will do a lot of Tapp.  He will take the wealth out.  The Khalsa will rise in the west and shine bright.  The sinners, Paharis, Monis and walkers of the unrighteous path will start their own Panths.  Whoever will stay with the Khalsa, they will be saved.  Breaking away from the Khalsa, they will break.  Everyone will be the friends of the Khalsa, the Hindus, Maulvis, Whites and Sunnis.  The Khalsa will be strong.  The Turks will destroy the Monis.  The ones that will loot the villages and public, making the people upset, the Khalsa will deliver justice upon them.  The Turks that will try to make the Sikhnis into women of ill-character, they will be served justice and will wish to become the Khalsa.”  Mata ji heard this and went quiet.  She didn’t say anything to her son then.  The omniscient Guru knew his mother’s wishes and said: “it looks like Mata ji likes wealth.  I understand this.  It would be better that you would spare my family.   You don’t let it grow.”