6-26 The Paharis Loot the Garbage Thinking it’s Treasure

Mata ji and other Sikhs tried to convince Satguru ji a lot.  They were trusting the Pahari Raja’s false promises but they didn’t know what was going to happen to them in the future.  Sri Kalgidhar ji then thought to himself: “I will need to show them what they are up against.”  He called Pamma and spoke so everyone could hear: “Auranga and all of the Pahari Rajas, if they want all of us to leave with all of our belongings then send 5,000 bulls with the Vanjaras.  We will send all of our belongings out.  First our wealth will go out.  We will then all leave afterwards.  We will keep the rest of the stuff with us.  I wish to go towards the Jungle Desh.”  Pamma heard this and went outside.  He told the Pahari Rajas.  The Rajas were happy to hear this and accepted all of the things Guru ji asked for.  The Umraavs and Soobas thought it was a good thing.  The siege will end, that was going on for many days, daily.  They could all go home now.  The bull carts with their Vanjaras that carried the luggage of the army; they were all gathered.  5,000 bulls with carts were sent to Satguru ji’s Darbar.  When they came, Prabhoo ji said: “as the Paharis and Turks have sworn upon their Dharmas and Imaans; bring me their written declarations.  Then I will believe them (that they will give us safe passage out of Anandpur).”  Pamma came back to his people and told them what Guru ji had said.  The Paharis swore upon the Shiv Thakur.  The Turks wrote their promise upon a Kuran and sent it to Guru ji.  They did what Prabhoo ji asked them to do. 

Satguru ji called his treasurer and told him what to do: “the broken shoes and old saddles; old and ripped clothes; the hides of dead horses; their bones; gather them all.  Also collect the old broken dishes, pots and pans; old clothes and broken musical instruments; fill all of the carts with these things.  Cover them with expensive cloths.  Take them all out at night.”  The guards did as Guru ji said.  They gathered all the old and broken things.  They went to the Chandaals to get all the hides of dead animals.  The Chumaars gathered the old leather.  They put the bones and skins in the carts.  Horse manure was filled.  Wet and dry skins were filled.  The things smelled really bad.  The carts were all tied up, which by touching, one commits some sort of blasphemy towards their Dharma.  The carts were all prepared.  5,000 carts were filled.  The manure was put in pots.  The other stuff was packed up in bundles tied in expensive cloths.  The covers were sewed on.  It was all prepared by night.  Guru ji commanded them to be loaded.  Guru ji sent them out with a letter: “we want to come out now.”  The news spread: “Satguru ji is leaving the fort.  First, he is taking out the treasury.  Prabhoo ji will come out next.”  Everyone inside heard.  The whole army came to know.  The Pahari Rajas and other Ranas were all happy that the ongoing war was going to come to an end.  Zerdast, Kwaja, and Wajeed Khan; they all found out too.  Their sorrows were all gone. They were happy.  It was like a drying field getting water.

The guard came to Guru ji and spoke with his hands folded: “the night is dark.  Nothing can be seen.  You can’t see any where to go.  We don’t have oil to light torches which could light the way.  They won’t be able to see the expensive cloths.  Command us now as you will.”  Sri Guru Gobind Singh Rai ji heard this and gave his spear to the guard.  He said: “take this Tomar to the well inside the home.  Place it one side; oil will come out.  The other side will remain water.  You will be able to eat and drink with that water as before.  These 5,000 bulls have 10,000 horns.  Tie torches to their horns using the oil from the well.”  The guard took Guru ji’s Tomar and placed it one side of the well.  He took oil out of the well.  Everyone was amazed to see this miracle.  They tied torches to the horns of the bulls.  Hundreds of people helped out in this task.  The torches were all lit, quickly.  Guru ji commanded: “the Kheen Khaab clothes that remain, put 2 yards of it on each cart.”  People brought the expensive cloth and covered the bull carts with it.  10,000 torches lit the night brightly.  The army of the Soobas saw this.  They were already eager to loot the treasuries of Guru ji.  Lakhs of warriors stood ready.  They wanted to see Guru ji take all his wealth out.  The bulls were sent from the higher posts.  Slowly, all of the bulls moved out.  Guru ji had the cannons prepared.  Satguru ji posted many Singhs there with rifles in hand.  Guru ji went inside to the Anandghar fort to expose the sinners.  The Lubanas drove the many carts out.  There was a lot of light.  The army of the Rajas came and slowly escorted the carts.  They saw the Keen Khaab and Zarri cloths covering the carts.  They thought there was treasure in there.  They were eager.  They thought: “gold, silver, diamonds and gems must be in there.  It looks like a lot of wealth.”  The Umraavs lost their faith listening to the greedy Rajas forget their Dharma: “we suffered for 7 months.  We lost thousands of men.  Wealth worth millions has come out of the fort.  The army will be satiated with this.  What will we get with empty forts?  The Guru will go to another land.”  The greed grew in their hearts.  They all lost their Dharma and Imaan.  The oaths upon Shiv Thakur and Kuran were forgotten, killed by greed.  First the Paharis looted the carts, causing chaos and noise.  Ten and twenty men first looted.  They took all of the bundles on top.  They had no idea what was in the bundles as it was dark.  They only saw the shine of the expensive cloths they were tied up in.  Hundreds came to rip the sewn coverings.  They pulled the bundles from each other with their strength, fighting among themselves.  They wouldn’t give it.  The fools started to fight with weapons and many ran away.  The noise could be heard miles away.  It sounded like the ocean was about to be churned.  As they started fighting, Guru ji had the cannons fired.  The cannons fired, sounding like thunder.  They killed many of the enemy gathered near the carts.  Many bullets were fired.  Thousands of Turks were killed.  Some fools died fighting each other.  Some died by Satguru ji’s firing.  Some took the bundles and went back to their Dheras.  They kept staring at the bundles, thinking there must be expensive things in there. 

The looter Turk and Pahari soldiers hid the bundles in their eating areas.  Where they did the Pooja of the Thakurs, they hid the bundles there.  They thought they looted a lot.  Their sons and grandsons could sit and eat now for generations, they thought.  They thought: “our fighting is now a success.  We got a lot of money with our hard effort.”  They hid the bundles and went to their camps.  They stayed quiet about it and were really happy, not knowing what was in the bundles.  They didn’t want to tell their comrades what they did.  The fools wanted to loot the omnipotent Guru.  The Wise Treasure of Bhuddi, the Guru, showed deception upon deception.  By not honoring their oaths, the Paharis lost their Dharma and became more guilty.  They made their path to Hell clearer.  They got nothing in the end.  The ones who deceive the great beings, they are deceived themselves.  They lose the honour in both Loks.  The fools looted everything in the night, not knowing what they were taking home.  They thought it was gold and silver with gems.  In reality, it was just garbage. 

6-27 An Ambassador Comes

Morning came.  The soldiers that looted the luggage, sent by Guru ji, had hidden the bundles in their own places.  They hid them where the idols of their Thakurs were.  They hid them where they did Pooja or ate food.  They sent their servants out before opening the bundles, fear of getting robbed or caught.  They were greedy of opening the bundles themselves.  When they put their hands into the bundles, they took out broken shoes, manure and garbage.  In anger, they tossed the items away from them in disgust.  Their hands were dirty with manure and feces.  They regretted their actions as they had unknowingly committed blasphemous acts, placing the garbage where they did Pooja.  In order to loot the garbage, they fought and killed some of their own.  They had touched things which they deemed as impure according to their Dharmas.  There were dead animal hides and feces in the bundles.  The fools died without being killed.  Their oaths upon their Dharma were false.  They were embarrassed and didn’t speak about this with their comrades.  They were upset and depressed.  They damned their lives in their hearts.  They regarding a life without Dharma as damn.  Everyone was made into a joke.  Satguru ji was happy to see this drama.  The Singhs that wanted to convince Guru ji to leave the fort, Guru ji called them and said: “have you seen their Dharma?  Have you seen these sinners’ oaths?  You all came to me saying the Paharis and Turks were swearing upon their Dharmas.  All of these Paharis have weak minds.  Since when has their word ever been true?  I was trying to tell you that they will deceive you.  If I had believed them and left the fort, the huge army of the Turks and Paharis would have attacked us.  My great warriors, my Singhs, they would have been killed.  Each Singh is special to me.  I don’t want any of them to be harmed.  The Lakhs of armies would have attacked.  We would have been helpless.  The whole Khalsa would have been destroyed.  You probably now believe me.  The enemy is unwise.  They have deception in their hearts.  To believe the Turks and the Paharis; my wise Sikh will not trust them (when it comes to war).  Tolerate the pain for a few more days.  It will be good if you hold your patience.  Seeing victory and defeat as the same; seeing joy and pain as one; the Guru sees all as one in the heart.  There is no wish for anything.  The Sat, Chetan, Brahm Atama is the Brahm form of the Guru.  Anything that stands in duality to this, it is just an illusion.  Whoever has such a determination in their heart; tell me how would they mix with this fragile garbage world?  For this reason Khalsa, understand that whatever is happening, this play is for the good of the Khalsa.  Whatever problems come, that is how joyous you will be.  Prabhoo’s will is like this.  This is the way it should be.  Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji has said this: Pain is the medicine for the illness of pleasure.  The pain destroys your bad Karma.  Be worry-free, strong and stay in the forts.  You can eat whatever you wish for after all this is done.  This is the drama of Sri Asdhuj.  The ways of Akaal Purakh are interesting and unique.  The most interesting illuminations will come from it.  I want the radiance and kingdom of the Khalsa to spread on this earth.  Your feet will be atop the heads of the enemy.  The few of you that you see now, will be the seeds that spread far and wide.  We will uproot the huge Bodh Trees.  In order to uproot the tree of tyranny, great Tapp is needed.  We are doing Tapasya to get to that state.  The ones who understand this; do the Tapasya of Tapps for their own good; you will be rewarded for this.  These sinners will be in pain.  They will lose their pleasures.  The Khalsa will take revenge on all.  It’s just a few days now.  It won’t be long.  Deceit is wrong.  Don’t sin.  Fight the enemy on the battlefield.”  Mata ji and the other people of the home; they all listened to Guru ji and had faith on his words now, seeing the deception of the enemy.  They believed Guru ji.  They saw the Paharis and Turks as corrupt.  Guru ji showed everyone the truth.  Guru ji told the Sikhs the rewards and results of all but still, everyone was not content.  They all saw a great pain over their heads.  They had some patience for a few days after hearing Guru ji’s words.  They understood their good.

 The Singhs kept guard in the forts.  Some stayed awake at night to keep guard.  They were anxious without food.  Only the Guru’s Darshan was their support.  They tolerated pain by tying their Kumerkassas tight.  They kept a watch with weapons in hand.  Their hunger grew by the day.  They were empty from energy and strength.  Flesh and blood were depleted from their bodies.  They didn’t know what to do.  They didn’t know Guru ji’s way.  They couldn’t tolerate the pain of hunger.  They didn’t see food anywhere.  The enemy had the place surrounded.  The Turks and Paharis kept a strict perimeter. 

After a few days, Aurangzeb’s letter came.  He swore upon the Kuran, writing on the first page: “I would never want bad for you.  If I would think bad for you then may I never receive a place in Heaven.  Believe everything that I write to you.  Leave the battlefield and end the war.  Come to me and meet me with joy.  You will be happy.  If you don’t want to come to me, you can go wherever you wish to go.  Leave the fort, once.  If you accept this, we will meet then.”  Guru ji heard the ambassador read the letter of Aurangzeb and said: “this is not the truth.  You do one thing and say another.”  Guru ji wrote a response after hearing the letter.  It was sent with the ambassador.

The Paharis Rajas were gathered.  They all discussed and swore oaths.  Their ambassadors came.  A letter was written: “the looters that looted the luggage you sent, they have all been punished by the Rajas.  They have been dishonoured.  They saw the mistake.  Their assets have been taken away from them.”  The ambassadors of the Shah and the Pahari Rajas came into the fort for discussions.  They came to where Satguru ji was sitting.  They folded their hands and bowed their heads.  They sat next to Guru ji and said: “listen Guru Gareeb Nivaaj: The Badshah’s Parwana had come.  His majesty spoke from the heart.  He extends his hand with love.  He wishes to meet with you.  He is stuck in a siege in the Deccan, otherwise he would have come here himself.  He verbally said to me that he wishes to know the ways of meeting the Parvadhagar.  Your praises have been said to the Shah by many.  Many saints and great beings have praised your glories in many ways.  They say: “he is the strongest and most courageous.  He is the Peer of Peers.  He is known to be Khuddah himself in a body.”  Many Qazis and Umraavs in the Shah’s court praise you in front of the Shah.  Hearing them, the Shah wishes to meet you.  He sent me to you.  He wrote this letter with his hand.  The words are less but he said everything.  He sent me to say the rest of his wishes.  He has sworn upon Khuddah and Rasool Allah Hazrat Muhammed.  Whatever your heart wishes to do, you can do that.  You can go where you wish to go without being stopped.  If this is the Badshah’s wish, then who else could cause you harm?  The Pahari Rajas have all sent their ambassadors with written sworn oaths.  They swear upon the Thakurs and the cow.  Leave the battle.  This is the best.”  Pamma, the one who had sworn false oaths before, spoken with his hands folded: “Sri Prabhoo ji, all of the Rajas bow to you.  Don’t think of the past.  The task was ruined all of a sudden.  Some fools ruined it.  None of the Rajas wanted to loot your luggage.  Some thieves and looters looted you.  We had an inquiry and arrested the culprits.  Some were killed and some were jailed.  We took their assets away.  Everyone is scared now for doing wrong.  Nobody will look upon you with deceit.  Leave the fort once and you can go wherever you want to.”  In this way, the ambassadors all spoke repeatedly.  It was like poison in a golden bowl.  They all spoke with buttering words but the omniscient Guru could see every heart.  Everything is revealed to the Guru. 

6-28 The Discussion of Leaving Anandpur/ Bidhava

Satguru ji heard everyone and said: “you speak lies.  You are deceptive.  These sins will make your kingdom and radiance go away.  You swore oaths before and discarded your Dharma and Imaans.  You made your own looters and blamed it on others.  You will go to Hell and suffer great pains.  This is how you will lose your kingdom and radiance.  Your courts will be all gone.”  The Master then went quiet after saying this.  The Ambassadors all lost.  The news reached Mata Goojri ji’s home: “Guru ji did not accept the offer of the ambassadors.  He spoke to them in anger.”  Mata ji heard this and called the ambassadors to her.

The Ambassadors all came to Mata ji and spoke of the offers of the Pahari Rajas and the Shah.  The Ambassadors said: “Mata ji, trust us.  The Shah has sent a written promise.  It is all true.  Believe them.  Satguru ji does not agree with us.  The mistake that was done before, he is still angry about that.  We have caught all of the looters.  We punished them severely.  We all come for forgiveness with our hands folded.  Guru ji does not believe us in his mind.”  Mata ji heard this and was surprised.  She was a Bhagat and did not understand the deceptions of politics.  She thought to herself: “their oaths are true.”  All of the Singhs were on Mata ji’s side.  They thought it was better to leave the city: “we need to convince Guru ji to leave the city.  Then the battle will end.” 

They all came to Guru ji’s place and said: “Maharaj, we need to leave now.  We have tolerated hunger long enough.  We are helpless and come to you.  Our Pranas are leaving because of hunger.  How can we keep our patience?”  Mata ji came and sat near her son.  She said: “why do you want everyone to die?  What did the Sikhs ruin of yours?  Thousands have already died fighting.  The ones that have survived, they will die without food.  If there will be another attack, they won’t be able to fight.  They have Lakhs of armies.  The Shah and the Pahari Rajas have spoken.  How can they all be lying?  They will lose their Dharma.  If you don’t listen to me, we will all leave you, right in front of you.  Your family will leave you.  They will do what it takes to save their Pranas.  What will you do, being alone?  Everyone loves their lives.”  Hearing the words of his mother and the Singhs, Guru ji got angry and said: “whoever leaves now will not survive.  Don’t blame me for it then.  This will be known to all forever.  They will all say: “everyone died in battle.”  People will be shocked to hear this.  They will wonder how did the impossible happen.  They will say: “why did the Satguru not protect them?  He couldn’t save the ones that stayed with him.”  If this is your decision, then I want all of you to write a Bidhava.  You can go wherever your mind wishes to.  If you stay in my command then I will protect you.  Kharag Khet Prabhoo will be by your side.  He will save you from the enemy by extending his hand.  Out of the 2 things, do what you wish.  If you wish to go, I won’t stop you.”  Guru ji’s words were without attachment after seeing Mata ji’s anger.  Mata ji was anxious, being in pain.  There was nothing she could say or do.  She couldn’t leave her beloved son.  She couldn’t leave him, knowing they were all going to die.  The Singhs were in the same confusion.  They had promised never to leave the Guru: “we are not your Sikhs, you are not our Guru; how can write this?”  They all thought about this.  They were confused and upset. 

The Ambassadors were all told: “Satguru ji is determined.”  The ambassadors went back and said: “let’s try to convince the mother.  Let’s make a request form the Pahari Rajas.  Let’s gain her trust in every way.  She will convince her son.  She will need to convince him in any way she can.  If he doesn’t listen then the family will leave him.  She will take her grandsons and the family and leave.  We will convince her to leave the Guru.  The Guru’s home will be divided.  He will be alone then.  He will then come out if he is alone.  He will leave the battle.”  Bheem Chand and Kwaja Mardood (a name for Mehmood used by Kavi ji) discussed this with the ambassadors and said: “this is a good strategy.  Try this.”  Kahiloori said: “say my name and bow to the Mata ji’s feet for me.  Tell her: We will swear upon our Dharma.  Leave the fort once.  The wealth and money you have, take it with you.  I will go with her as well.  I am her son too and I will protect her.  I will take her through the huge armies.  You then go wherever you want to go.  If the army attacks the fort, I will feel the pain.  The lands of the Paharis are destroyed because of the Delhi army.  My subjects have been ruined.  The fields are destroyed.  I want this battle to end.  Listen to my request.  The Badshah was written a sworn oath as well.  He wants to meet you with love.”  The Ambassadors were told to say this and sent to Mata ji’s home.

The Ambassadors all first came to Guru ji.  They folded their hands and bowed their heads.  They sat down and said: “Sri Satguru ji, you are really wise.  The Umraavs and the Paharis Rajas all sat down in the same place and are of the same thought.  The Shah has written a Takeed and sent it to you.  He wishes to speak with you.  He has heard of your praises and qualities.  He wants you to come.  He would have come himself if he could.  If the Shah wishes for this, what else can anybody else do to you?  Leave the battle and do the right thing.  War is never good.  Everyone dies there.  Leave the fort once.  You can go wherever you wish to go.”  Satguru ji did not accept their words.  He said: “you speak lies.  The ones who do Poojas of stones, everyday, their wisdom is like rocks.  In terms of believing Aurangzeb, he killed his own father for the kingdom.  His elder brother Dara Shikoh, he was a Satsangi.  He killed him and his other brothers: Sujah Mohammed and Muraad Baksh.  He didn’t take long to kill them.  What does he know what a promise is?  He thinks wealth is Khuddah.”  In this way Satguru ji spoke.  The ambassadors then went to Mata ji’s place.

They spoke works of division.  They tried to convince her by intimidating her with the worst scenario: “listen Mata ji, the Rajas and the Umraavs have all sworn oaths.  We will do what you believe.  You just need to trust the oaths.  Leave the fort and don’t have doubts.  We will make as many promises as you want.  Save your family.  If you stay here, what will be accomplished?  If you leave, what will be ruined?  The Sangat of the Guru lives everywhere.  They will come wherever you go.  Your city will remain forever.  You can always come back here.  You should leave now and stop the chaos.  Lakhs of people will be happy then.  Your Sikh Sangat will be in joy.  If you stay here, the conflict will continue.  Mata ji, finish this once.  First, convince your son in any way you can.  If he doesn’t leave his stubbornness, we know he is very stubborn; then you should get ready to leave.  You can go towards the Jungle Desh.  The Guru will come after you.  He may even go with you.  This conflict will stop then.  If you don’t agree with us then there will be a fierce battle.”  They said this to Mata Goojri ji.  They made sure she would leave.  Mata ji said: “you can leave.  Bring me written oaths of your Dharam.  I will show my son and convince him.  I will make him trust you.  Swear on the Thakur and the cow.  The Paharis should send this.  The Syed should come from the Shah.  The Brahmin should come from the Paharis.  The Syed should come with the Kuran.”  The ambassadors said: “that’s great!  We will do as you say.”  The ambassadors went and told their Rajas the plan.

6-29 Mata ji and the Singhs State their wish to leave

Joining Sri Mata Goojri ji, was all the hungry Singhs.  They discussed and came to where the King Guru was sitting.  The Sikhs first said: “Satguru ji, bless us.  See us as your own and give us the gift of life.  Let’s leave the battle.  We can promote battle of the Khalsa afterwards.  We will gather the Sikhs and fight again if we survive now.  Let’s go to the Jungle Desh where the Turk armies can’t come.  Here, everything is finished.  We can’t even buy food now.  How else can we buy anything else?  It has been a long time that we have been fighting.  If we leave, there will be many advantages.  If we survive, then everything is there.  If we die by hunger, we become dust.  Who will fight then?  Think of the best for the Sikhs.  They have given their best efforts.  Don’t make them write the Bidhava.  Don’t kick them out of Sikhi.  They will write a Bidhava because of hunger.  They will do it to save their lives.  What does a person not do to save themselves?  A person leaves everything for life.  Protect your Panth.  Save them from pain and death.”  Hearing the humble words of his Singhs, Guru ji said: “have patience.  Don’t let your minds waiver.  I wish for your joy.  You don’t know that these people are very deceptive.  If you leave, you will face really tough times and death.  I want to save you from that.  Just wait a little more time.  You will get all the food you wish to eat.  Stay here for 20 or 19 more days.  Do Simran of Jagdeesh for 18 more days.  (The Singhs said no) Then wait 17 days.  16 Days.  (The Singhs said no) Stay for 15 days in peace.  You will be in joy for both Loks.  Everything will be good.  Leave your sorrow and pains.”  The Singhs said: “listen oh complete Guru, it is important to leave now.  We can’t stay here for another day.  Everyone wishes to leave.  Hunger has made us anxious.  We have lost hope.  We fought the enemy for so long.  We weren’t as tired then as we are now with hunger.  We didn’t lose from the fools.  They are swearing many oaths.  It is good for you to leave from here.  This will save our lives.”  Guru ji said: “how long is 15 days?  If you can’t trust me for that long then wait 14 days.  (The Singhs said no) wait 13, 12 days.  11, 10, 9 days.  You will get what you wish to eat.  The enemy will leave and you will be in joy.  Oh beloveds, if you really wish to go then just have patience for 7 days.  If you leave now then there will only be chaos and death.  Nobody will survive.  They will kill everyone.  Just as a child looks at a fire and wants to touch it; it doesn’t understand that it will burn; the mother and father hold the child and stop if from going forward; in the same way I am trying to stop you.  You are not seeing the damage that lies in front of you.”  The Sikhs heard this and said: “you don’t see the bad right now?  There is only bad by staying inside the fort.  Without food, everyone will die.  The enemy will get together and kill us.  We will face one of the scenarios.  We won’t survive in any scenario.  We can’t stay here any longer oh Master.  Oh Omniscient One, see our pain.”  The Singhs said this to Guru ji.

Mata Goojri ji then came and spoke: “son, don’t be stubborn.  Let’s go.  Let’s leave between the enemy.  Save your family.  This is the last straw.  Just as you feel right, the Rajas will swear upon anything you wish.  Have them write all their oaths.  I told the Rajas to bring a Brahmin with the oath of a cow.  A Syed will come from the Shah’s side.  He will bring a Koran on his head.  They can’t break such huge oaths, who are standing outside.  It’s almost done.  We won’t get this opportunity again.  The strong enemy will attack with force.  Tell me, who will stop them?  We will be helpless then.  The army is scattered.  Everyone will die in an instant.  The women will take their kataars and stab themselves to death.  Why do you want such chaos to happen?  What will you get from the deaths of all these men and women?”  Hearing his mother, Guru ji said: “you’re not understanding their corruption.  I already showed you how much you can trust them.  You are still trusting them.  The family you wish to save, how would the enemy leave you?  What is going to be bad, you are seeing it as good.  I am trying to tell you what is good for you but you see that as bad.  If you want to leave, you can.  Anyone can go with you.  Write a Bidhava first then you can leave.  Everyone should know that the Guru was stopping you.  Whoever doesn’t listen, they will die.”  Hearing the harsh words of Guru ji, everyone was standing anxiously.  Mata Goojri ji looked at her younger grandsons.  They were her most beloved.  Mata Jeeto ji was the mother of Baba Jujhar Singh ji and the younger two Sahibzadas.  After she left her body, Mata Goojri ji raised the younger two Sahibzadas.  They were her most precious grandsons.  She was determined to take them with her out of the city.  She wanted to save them.  She was in pain.  She couldn’t speak.  She got up, left and sat in her home.  The Singhs all followed her.  It was a time of trouble for all.  They all faced the same pain.

Mata ji’s eyes was shedding tears.  She kept wiping her eyes in pain.  The two wives of Guru ji: Mata Sundari ji and Mata Sahib Deva ji were sitting with their mother-in-law and crying as well.  They sat together in pain, along with all the Singhs.  They were all upset.  Everyone cried seeing Mata ji cry.  They couldn’t do anything.  They all thought that leaving was the best idea.  They thought: “Satguru ji is not thinking about this world.  He has become detached from this world.  He doesn’t know his right from wrong.  It is a bad time.  He is being stubborn for battle.  He is not understanding that this is the time to leave.”  Mata ji was in regret.  She said: “oh Vidhata, what did you write in my Karma?  I want to die before anyone else.  How can I die before everyone else?  I won’t be able to live seeing my son and grandsons in pain.  Sri Baba Nanak ji, give us peace!  Destroy our problem and pain.  Sri Devi Mata, oh giver of peace, make my son wise so he saves his family.  He should think of this.  What can I do?  My son does not listen to me.  Oh Dev, what are you doing to us?  If we write the Bidhava we won’t survive because my son has said so.  Whatever he says comes out to be true.  I have tested this with my own eyes many times.  It is not right to stay in the fort.  Everyone wants us to leave.  Everyone wants to leave.  The enemy is agreeing to letting us leave.  If we don’t go now, they will come inside and kill us.” 

The Singhs had the same doubts.  They wanted to leave but didn’t want to leave Guru ji: “we made many efforts for him; we did his Seva with joy; the Guru that helps us in both Loks; how can we leave such a complete Guru?  Guru ji is being stubborn right now.  He doesn’t want to leave.  He wants the battle to go on.”  100 and 200 Singhs got together and talked about this.  It was a difficult situation.  Everyone lost their patience.  The pain of hunger could not be tolerated: “we came this far but we can’t suffer no longer.  We can’t stay here any longer.  We are suffering without food.  We didn’t get food because we are surrounded.  Where will food come from in 7 days?  Everyone will lose their lives.  We can’t stay here any longer.  We will die.  That is the only way to freedom.  We will die for no reason.  Why is Satguru ji not thinking about this?  If we all leave, would Guru ji stay here?  If we go, he will certainly follow.  That is the best thing.  It is not good to write a Bidhava.  We will leave without writing it.  If we write the Bidhava the seed of Sikhi will be destroyed.  We will be slandered in the world.  Let’s not even tell him.  Let’s just leave.  Everyone will be good then.  If not, then we can write a Bidhava and leave.  If we are alive, we will ask for forgiveness.”  Everyone in the fort had such discussions.  They all met and spoke about this.  Everyone wanted to leave.  They lost their patience because of hunger.

6-30 The Bidhava is Written/ Getting Ready to Leave

Aurangzeb sent an oath written on the Koran to Kwaja Mardood.  He swore upon Khuddah and his Paikamber.  He wrote a letter: “this letter written by my own hand should be delivered by a good Syed.  Take the Koran on top his head and meet the Guru.  He should speak to the Guru so that the Guru begins trusting us.  Do what it takes for the Guru to leave the fort.  Do anything it takes.  Tell him to come to me after leaving the battle.”  All of the Umraavs and the Pahari Rajas gathered in one place.  The ambassadors of all the Rajas and Soobas were there.  Kwaja Mardood then spoke: “his majesty, the Hazrat, has sent a Parwana as the Mata wished for the oaths upon the Dharam Imaans.  Write what the Mata wants.  All of the Rajas should call a good Brahmin.  The Guru does not come out nor does he accept loss.  The Badshah wants us to hurry up.  He sends a buffalo from far away.”  Zerdast Khan spoke: “only the mother will be able to come out and bring the Singhs.  They are without food.  The ambassadors saw their state.”  Bheem Chand said: “listen Navaab: do this task quickly.  My ambassador spoke to the Mata so make sure she doesn’t change her mind.”  Wajeed Khan said: “make preparations.”  The Syed and Brahmin came.  The Brahmin made a cow styled from flour and placed it on a plate.  He placed a Saalgram in front of it.  He wrote the oath of all on a paper and had it signed by them.  A naked knife was placed near the cow on the plate (signifying the killing of a cow if the oath is not fulfilled): “Sri Guru ji, if we seek your harm in any way, may we be sinned with the murder of a cow.  We will be damned from our Dharma if we lie to you or deceive you.  We swear upon the Saalgram.  If we wish for your harm, we will be cursed.”  The Rajas of Jammu, Kahloor, Handoor and the other Rajas; all signed the sworn oaths.  The Brahmin and the ambassadors were prepared to leave.  The Syed held the Koran on top his head.  He took the written oath of Nauranga.  The Syed and Brahmin lead the way followed by many ambassadors. 

They all came to Guru ji and bowed to his feet.  They bowed on behalf of the Shah: “look at the written letter by the Hazrat.  He wrote it for you.  This Koran the Syed carries on his head has the written oath of the Shah upon the Prophet and Khuddah on it.  He has sworn on the sake of Khuddah.  He wishes to meet you.  This Brahmin has been sent by all of the Rajas.  He carries the Saalgram on top of his head.  They all stamped the paper with their signatures.  They placed a flour cow on a plate and sent it.  You should trust us now.  Go and meet the Shah.”  Guru ji heard them and did not trust them.  He didn’t respond to them.  He didn’t acknowledge their words.

The Syed, Brahmin and the ambassadors then went to Mata Goojri ji.  They bowed their heads and sat down.  They said: “listen Mata ji, as you wished for, the Hazrat has sent his written sworn oath.  The Pahari Rajas have sworn upon their Dharam.  You can leave with your family.  You can go where you wish to go.  Satguru ji will not stay here if you leave.  He will surely follow you, where you go.”  Mata ji saw this and was really happy.  She went to go and convince her son.  How much can I write about this Katha?  She tried everything but Guru ji was not convinced. 

Baba Gulab Singh ji and Baba Shaam Singh ji (the grandsons of Baba Sooraj Mal ji), they spoke: “Chacha ji, Mata ji is right.  Listen to what she is saying.  We have fought great battles.  We should save the family by leaving.  Mata ji is getting really angry.  How can she write a Bidhava that says I am not your mother?”  Mata ji got angry and got up to leave.  (According to Kavi Santokh Singh ji, Mata ji wrote a Bidhava in anger) She got ready to leave.  She took her two younger grandsons and told her charioteer: “prepare my big chariot.  Feed the horses and have them saddled.  Let’s leave.”  The words that once came out of the mouth of Guru Gobind Singh ji when Mata ji wanted to keep the money: “Ree Goojri, ujri ujri,” was coming true today.  The chaos was going to begin, it was time. 

Seeing the actions of Mata ji, the Singhs decided to write a Bidhava, losing their patience.  With great pain, the Singhs wrote a Bidhava.  They brought a huge paper with ink and quills.  It was written near Guru ji.  They wrote the Bidhava, who wished to save their beloved lives.  A great pain come over them all.  The oaths they took for the Guru of never leaving him, they were all broken.  They were never going to leave the Guru even if they had to leave their bodies.  They regretted their actions as they lost their patience.  They looked at each other as they wrote with trembling hands.  Guru ji was really upset and depressed as he had it written.  As the Bidhava was being written, 40 Singhs refused and decided not to write the Bidhava.  They backed out from leaving.  They couldn’t write it.  Guru ji looked at them and said: “you should write it too and join your comrades.  Why are you being stubborn?  Join them all.”  Bhai Uday Singh ji, Bhai Aalam Singh ji, Bhai Daya Singh ji, Bhai Dharam Singh ji, Bhai Mokham Singh ji, Bhai Himmat Singh ji, Bhai Sher Singh ji, Bhai Nahar Singh ji, Bhai Sukha Singh ji, Bhai Bir Singh ji and others stood to the side.  They were all shocked at Guru ji and said: “we will not write it.  The efforts that we have made, they will all go to waste.  We spent our whole life with you.  We can’t leave you now.  You are our protector of both Loks.  How can we leave such a Guru?  Whether you leave or stay, we will never leave your side.  Never!”  Guru ji said it one or two more times to them: “why are you not writing this?  Don’t delay.”  The 40 Singhs folded their hands and bowed to Guru ji.  They said: “we will stay at your feet.”  Bhai Daya Singh ji, Bhai Dharam Singh ji, Bhai Himmat Singh ji, Bhai Mokham Singh ji and Bhai Sahib Singh ji – the Panch Singhs; Bhai Deva Singh ji, Bhai Ram Singh ji, Bhai Isher Singhs ji, Bhai Tahil Singh ji and Bhai Fateh Singh ji – the 5 Muktas; who were coloured in the colour of Sikhi along with 30 other Singhs: Bhai Uday Singh ji and the greatest warriors (Bhai Sunmukh Singh ji, Bhai Kirpa Singh ji, Bhai Naanu Singh ji Dhaliwal, Bhai Bakshish Singh ji, Bhai Gurbakshish Singh ji, Bhai Mukand Singh ji, Bhai Khajaan Singh ji, Bhai Lal Singh ji, Bhai Jawahar Singh ji, Bhai Keerat Singh ji, Bhai Shyam Singh ji, Bhai Hukam Singh ji, Bhai Kesra Singh ji, Bhai Dhanna Singh ji, Bhai Sukha Singh ji, Bhai Madan Singh ji, Bhai Bhudda Singh ji, Bhai Kaatha Singh ji, Bhai Anand Singh ji, Bhai Nahar Singh ji, Bhai Sher Singh ji, Bhai Sangat Singh ji, Bhai Mukand Singhji (2^nd), Bhai Anak Singh ji, Bhai Bachittar Singh ji, Bhai Ajaib Singh ji, Bhai Ajab Singh ji, Bhai Dhaan Singh ji, Bhai Aalam Singh ji Nachna, Bhai Vir Singh ji, Bhai Mohar Singh ji, Bhai Amolak Singh ji); these 40 (approximate) Singhs did not write the Bidhava (Sahibzada Ajit Singh ji and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh ji also did not write the Bidhava).  The other Singhs all wrote the Bidhava.  Guru ji thought to himself: “this is the seed of the Khalsa that will stay with me.  My Panth will grow greater now.”  Guru ji said: “whoever fights on the battlefield, they will rule the earth.”  Guru ji kept the Bidhava in his pocket.  Guru ji then asked the ambassadors to come.  He said: “show me the oaths you bring.  Give me the signed papers.”  The oaths written by Kahiloori and the others, Guru ji looked at those papers and read them.  He then called for the Koran written by Auranga.  He kept all of the papers in his pocket.  He said to everyone: “get ready!  Let’s leave!  We have to go far.” 

The huge Kabuli tent along with the small ones; the ones with paintings and craftmanship on it; Guru ji gathered it all (along with others) and set them on fire.  He burned all of the rolls of expensive cloths and gifts.  The perfumes were spilled on them and burnt.  Whatever was in the treasury, it was all thrown into the Sutlej.  The pots, dishes, glasses of gold and silver, were thrown into the river.  Some items were buried into the ground.  He didn’t want anything to be taken by the enemy.  Some things were burnt, some were thrown into the water and some things were buried.  Guru ji noted down everything that was burnt, thrown or buried.  He kept track of everything, what was given to Agni Dev, Jal Dev and Dharti Mata.  He told these 3 Devs: “keep them.  They are to be given back to the 96 Crore Khalsa.”  The sharp and expensive weapons were taken out of the armoury.  They were given to the Singhs to wear.  Sri Guru ji said to the Singhs: “leave in the dark night.  By morning, we should be far.  Keep alert as a warrior.” 

His kingdom was 2,100 Kos.  How can we count his wealth?  10,000 canons and 50,000 swivel cannons he had.  2.2 million horses.  His assets and wealth were unlimited.  His army and armouries were countless.  After having such a big kingdom, Aurangzeb lost badly, pounding his head.  To make Guru ji leave the Qila of Anandpur, all of the Pahari Rajas and Soobas brought their armies.  The fools tried, calling the warriors of far away lands.  Nobody’s strength succeeded.  They all sat, holding their heads.  They couldn’t take the Doon from Guru ji.  Guru ji kept his radiance and honour.  He didn’t let hot air touch his Sikhs.  He didn’t let the enemy sleep in peace.  The Pahari Rajas and the Soobas, Guru ji kept them pressured down with his radiance.  The Bahadhur Guru is greater than great!  He was the warrior of warriors; the saint of saints.  1,000,000 enemies couldn’t come close.  They had to set up their posts miles away.  Many Kos far, they were set up.  He destroyed thousands of soldiers.  Prabhoo ji was leaving the fort himself.  He wanted to go to the south.  He destroyed everyone’s egos.  He was the giver of joy to all of the saints.  He showed his great radiance to all.  He wanted to go south.  Just as Sri Krishan ji fought great battles and fought Jarasandh 24 times and then went south after leaving Mathura; Guru ji was detached from his Sikhs and his family, leaving love because of pain; leaving his wealth and home like Sri Ram Chander ji left Ayodhya.  How much can I speak of the greatness of the Guru?  His ways could not be known.  Nobody obeyed his command of staying in the fort.  When he saw everyone’s wish to leave, he said: “let’s get ready to leave.”  The ambassadors of the Shah and the Paharis were there at that time.  They continued to cause divisions and deceptions within all.  They tried to convince the flawless Guru, the one who never makes a mistake; but he only agreed to leave because it was the wish of his mother and the Khalsa.