2-26 Both Mata Sahibs Get News/ Banda Singh Surrounded

Balay Rai and his brother, Rustam Rai came to their home and decided to take a lot of money to the place of Guru ji.  They came to Abchalnagar with joy.  They did the Darshan and bowed their heads.  They gave a pouch of money.  Jathedaar Santokh Singh ji told the brothers the whole Katha of Guru ji.  He got up and did the Ardaas in front of Guru ji: “you are great, Prabhoo.  You are omnipresent.  You are everywhere where one does your Simran.  You come to help them and protect the honour of your Naam.”  Karah Prashaad was distributed.  The money was used for the Langar as well.  The Langar ran well.  The whole Desh came to know of how the Rai brothers were released.  Many came to the Darbar of Guru ji and brought many gifts and money.  They had all of their wishes fulfilled.

The Singhs that went back to Punjab Desh, first went to Delhi.  Mata Sundri ji and Mata Sahib Devi ji; the Singhs visited them and bowed to the both of them.  They brought sweets and gifts for them.  Seeing the Singhs, the Matas noticed that they were Hazoori Singhs who stayed with Guru ji, all the time.  She said: “you are always in the presence of the Guru.  Since when did you leave him?”  The Singhs’ eyes began to tear.  They folded their hands and told the Matas of the whole Gatha: “the Satguru has gone to his home.  We became orphans and came here.  He walked to his own pyre with his own feet.  Many people came there and were surprised.  Nothing came out of the burnt ashes.  There were only ashes, no bones or weapons (just one small Kirpan).  His horse from the stable was gone so everyone figured out that he took his horse.  As were Ramchand and Sri Krishan ji; the leaders of the Das Avatar; they left after finishing their age.  Nobody is here forever in this world.  After giving wisdom to all, the Satguru left for his own Desh.”  When both of the Matas heard this news of Guru ji; “he has gone to Sach Khand”; their eyes shed many tears.  They cried in grief, a lot.  They shouted out: “we have suffered a huge tragedy!  We didn’t get to see you at your end time.  Our mind is lost at this time.”  The Sikhs heard of the news.  Men and women came.  They sat with the Matas and cried.  They said: “where did the amazing Guru go?  He did a surprising thing.  He has given us grief.”  They thought of Guru ji’s virtues: “the ocean of Gyaan has left us!”  When Mata Sahib Devi ji heard this, she started a strict disciplined life from that day.  She spent most of the day doing Japp and Tapp.  She ate and slept very little.  She did the Dyaan of her husband.  She had become very weak.  Mata Sundri ji spoke to her and so she started to eat a little more.  The Sikhs and Sikhnis came and bowed their heads.  They would do her Seva in many ways.  The Matas spoke of the Katha of the Guru, everyday.  They did Simran, day and night. 

Bhai Ram Koer ji, spoke to the Singhs while saying the Katha of the Guru: I wasn’t with Guru ji during this time.  Bhai Bhaaloo Hasna Udaasi ji was there with Guru ji.  He and his Sadhoos were there with Guru ji.  He saw all of the events during Guru ji’s time in Hazoor Sahib.  He said it to me five times.  When he would come to see me, I would ask him about the events.  He would tell me.  After Guru ji, he left with his Sadhoos from Abchalnagar after a few days.  He came back to his Desh.  He told of me of the events of the Matas as well.  Mata Sahib Devi ji had a lot of love in her heart for Satguru ji.  Her body became a skeleton.  Her body dried up, as the years passed.  She spent the rest of her life in regret: “why didn’t I go with the Prabhoo?  I was unfortunate and that’s why I am alone.  I have been in pain since I was away from the Prabhoo.  I wanted to burn on his pyre.  I am in pain without my husband, day and night.”  She spent her time like this.  When her end time, she left her body on the day of Ekadashi.  She meditated on her husband and went to his realm.  Where the final place of Sri Guru Harkrishan ji is, Mata Sahib Devi ji was cremated near there by the servants.  Mata Sundri ji remained.  She lived a long life and led the Panth.  I will speak of her history after.

I will now speak of the history of Banda Bahadhur.  He was surrounded from every direction by the army.  He fought a lot but his feet could not remain planted.  The lands that he had under his control, he ruled over them.  He started his own Panth as well.  He gave sermons to many.  They would meet and say: “Fateh Darshan,” to each other with love.  The people of many villages came to him.  They became the Sikhs of the Banda.  The Banda established his own Rehit and preached it.  He would give the Pahul of his own feet.  They became his Sikhs and brought him a lot of gifts.  They would sing his praises in many ways.  He became jealous of the Singhs.  Everyone knew of the Banda’s new Rehit.  Many people of many villages became his Sikhs and would say the Darshan Fateh.

The armies of the Badshah gathered.  Lakhs of them gathered and surrounded the Banda.  Baba Banda Singh ji’s Brahmacharj was destroyed and so; what would remain his support on the battlefield?  The Guru had said to him: “just as gold burns in the Kuthaali, that is how one rots with an open Langote.”  This is how the Guru commanded.  When the Banda saw many armies come towards him, he didn’t fight.  He ran towards a fort and went in.  There was no food storage there.  His companions and little storage were with him.  The army was huge that came.  A great battle happened at the fort, in Gurdas Nangal.  Baba Banda Singh ji fired from inside the fort.  Whoever came close, he shot them.  The Royal Army surrounded him.  They set up camp, far into the distance.  Nobody could go in or out of the fort.  Nobody could come close to fight.  After some days, the food finished.  The deep hunger made everyone anxious.  Baba Binod Singh ji was with him.  He understood that the surrounding was bad.  The hunger was going to kill.  He gathered his strength and made an effort: Baba Binod Singh ji had a strong horse.  He saddled it and fastened his weapons.  He took 20 Singhs with him and went to the army’s Bazaar.  He attacked and looted the sweets.  He fought and went back into the fort.  The Turks fought and were amazed with this.  They made their guard stricter and stood there.  Baba Binod Singh ji attacked again after about two days.  He looted the sweets from the Bazaar and went back into the fort.  The Turks were shocked with this style of warfare.  If you have horses who are strong as wind, who would be able to stop you?  The Singhs knew how to do this from the Battles of Anandpur.  Baba Binod Singh ji’s horse was really strong.  It couldn’t be stopped.  There were others who sided with Baba Banda Singh ji and remained hungry.  Baba Binod Singh ji’s men were happy with the food.  If the enemy tightened their guard in the morning, the Singhs attacked like lions in the evening.  If they would tighten their guard in the evening, then Baba Binod Singh ji attacked in the afternoon.  The Turks tried to catch him but failed every time.  They were shocked at this.  The whole army was amazed: “he can’t be killed nor caught.”  Baba ji fought with bravery.  The rest of the army was anxious with hunger. 

One day, Baba Binod Singh ji sat with Baba Banda Singh ji.  He scolded him and said: “you didn’t follow the Guru’s words.  This is the reason why you are facing so many problems.”  Baba Banda Singh ji said: “what is it to you?  If it was good or bad, I did it.  If you want to leave the battle, then go!  It won’t be any damage for us.”  Baba Binod Singh ji got angry and said: “your bad deeds have led to these huge problems.  I have come to understand this that all of us will have to suffer.  I have understood that this Kuthaali will rot.  If I would have killed you with the sword, this pain wouldn’t have come upon all.  I didn’t kill you because of the blessing of Guru ji.  When you received wealth, you became egotistical.”  In this way, they fought and argued.  The hatred and anger grew.  Bhai Kaan Singh ji stopped his father.  He brought him back after forgiveness. 

2-27 Baba Binod Singh and Kaan Singh Leave

Baba Kaan Singh ji spoke to his father: “you should leave.  It seems as the two factions within the army may get into a fight.  Go home to Goindwal and live there.  Don’t be angry with this fool.  Satguru ji sent me to help him all the time.  I can’t disobey Guru ji’s command.  I will stay with him.  You should mount your horse and leave.  His end is near.  Why would you want to kill him and be the bad one?”  Baba Binod Singh ji thought about what his son said.  He saddled his horse and left.  He came out of the main gate of the fort.  He left in the evening.  He made his horse run fast.  He sliced through the enemy army like wind.  The royal army tried to stop him but he was like a lion going through many deer.  He soon reached Goindwal and lived in his home. 

The fort was surrounded in Gurdas Nangal.  Many died from hunger.  Many died fighting in battle.  They killed as many as they could.  The Turks attacked and broke the gate.  The ones that came in front, died.  Other hungry Singhs were captured.  Baba Banda Singh ji was caught with about 200 Singhs.  The Turks arrested 500 more from other villages to make it look like thy had more.  An iron cage was made for Baba Banda Singh ji.  Baba Banda Singh ji was put into the cage.  Other Singhs were jailed.  They went to the Badshah Farrukhsiyar.  [Bahadhur Shah had died by this time] Many Singhs were taken.  They were kept in jail for many months.  The Badshah then commanded and called all of the Singhs.  Baba Banda Singh ji said: “you caught me and brought me here.  Nobody was powerful enough to catch me.  Nobody could kill me.  I am the one that spoiled it for me.  The Guru that gave you the Sultanate, gave me greatness.  I didn’t obey his command.  That is why I had to face many problems.  You only have 7 years left and that’s why the Satguru made you the Sultan.  After I die, you will die after 8 days.  Understand this.  When you die, you will go to the home of the Jumms; your kingdom will be spoiled and destroyed.  The radiance of the Turks will diminish by the day.”  Bahadhur Shah [according to historians, it was Farrukhsiyar] spoke: “take him out and kill him.  Kill all his companions slowly.  None should survive.  Kill them all.”  Baba Banda Singh ji was taken out and killed.  The Sikh Sangat heard this and were upset.  [Baba Banda Singh ji had asked for forgiveness from Guru ji.  He died a glorious death of a warrior.  He was tortured and made to watch his own son and Sikhs die in front of him.  He was martyred.]

The Sikhs went to Mata Sundri ji.  They folded their hands and said: “Baba Kaan Sing ji is in jail.  There is no hope for his freedom.  The Badshah has ordered them all to be killed.  Baba Banda Singh ji has been killed.”   Mata ji heard this and spoke: “we need to free Kaan Singh.  He is born in the family of the Guru.  He has many virtues and is a great and strong warrior.  Otherwise, if his blood falls, it would be a huge sin.  The Sikhi of the Singhs will be affected and it won’t be reversed.  He stayed in the presence of the Dasam Guru.  For this reason, make all the effort you can.”  Everyone heard Mata ji’s command.  The Sikhs thought of many plans.  They all gathered and went to the jail.  All of the captives were there.  They stood and spoke out loud: “whose name is Kaan Singh?”  Baba Kaan Singh ji heard this and came forward.  He came to the door and saw everyone.  The Sikhs saw him.  The Sikhs saw a Maulana coming.  They grabbed him and covered his mouth.  They threw the Maulana into the jail and had Baba Kaan Singh ji freed.  They quickly took Baba Kaan Singh ji onto a chariot and covered him with clothes.  They rode off in a flash.  Two Sikhs went with him.  When asked, the Sikhs answered: “we are taking a popular person’s wife.”  In this way, they took Baba ji within everyone.  They took him where there were many homes of Sikhs.  Baba Kaan Singh ji asked: “which Sangat is here?”  The Sikhs said: “this is the Sangat of Raja Ram.  They sit separately from the Pangat.”  Baba Kaan Singh ji said: “don’t make me stop here.  Take me to the next Sangat.”  The Sikhs covered the chariot again and went on ahead.  They went to the place of good Sangat.  They came to a home.  In this way, Baba Kaan Singh ji was saved.

The next day, when the Shah called for all of the Singhs in the jail, all of the Singhs stood in front.  The Shah asked: “who among all of you is the great warrior Baaj Singh?  Make him separate and show me.”  Baba Baaj Singh ji came to the front.  He was courageous and said: “the servant of the Guru, Baaj Singh is I.  Whatever you wish to see, I can show you.”  The Shah said: “you are a strong warrior.  Can you show your courage now?”  Baba Baaj Singh ji said: “I can show you right now.  Cut the chains of my feet.  You can watch my courage then.  I can fight and kill many.”  The Shah commanded and had his feet unchained.  As soon as Baba Baaj Singh ji was unchained, the one with the huge and strong arms jumped and killed three guards with the ring chains around his arms.   There was a Navaab standing close by.  Baba Baaj Singh ji raised his hand but didn’t kill him.  The Navaab noticed that Baba Baaj Singh ji was clever like a lion.  He had many guards come to capture him again.  The Shah was impressed.  He had him released.  He came to Majha Desh [according to historians, Baba Baaj Singh ji was killed there]. 

Baba Kaan Singh ji was brought to the home of a Sikh who was a servant of a Pathaan.  The Pathaan’s land was where the Sikh worked.  When it came time to pay the Sikhs, the Pathaan lifted his hands.  The Sikhs were poor for this reason.  When Baba Kaan Singh ji heard about this, he said: “whatever money you want from him, I will get it for you.”  The Sikh said: “what can I say?  You can do as you please.”  Baba Kaan Singh ji left the home and went to the Pathaan’s land.  He came to the door of the Pathaan and looked for an opportunity to go in.  A maid came outside that worked there.  Baba ji asked the maid: “what is the Khan doing right now?”  The maid said: “he is doing the daattan.  He needed more water.  I am getting water for his bath.”  Baba Kaan Singh ji saw his chance and went inside the home with the maid.  He came to the Pathaan where he was alone.  He grabbed his arm and threw him down.  He climbed on top of the Pathaan’s chest.  He took out his Kataar and held it to the Pathaan’s abdomen.  Many people came running.  They wanted to hit Baba Kaan Singh ji with their sword.  Baba Kaan Singh ji shouted: “if you strike me, I will kill the Khan as well!”  The Pathaan heard this and made everyone back off.  He asked: “what task do you have with me?”  Baba ji said: “the Sikh that I know, he works for you.  You don’t pay him.  You lift your hands in front of him.  He is poor and can’t afford a living.  Give him all of his money.  Do what I say and you will be saved.”  The Pathaan called for the money.  Baba Kaan Singh ji said: “don’t cheat.  Swear upon the Koran.  I need a chariot with strong horses.  Seat your son and father with me.  Take me out of your rule.”  The Khan heard this and got scared.  He agreed.  He did as he was told to do.  When Baba ji came to another land, he took the money and freed the son and father of the Pathaan.  Baba ji gave the money to the Sikh.  Baba Kaan Singh ji then headed towards Amritsar.  In this way, the three Singhs were freed (according to Kavi ji, Baba Baaj Singh ji was freed).  The others were captured and decapitated.

2-28 Ajeet Singh the Adopted Son

Oh listeners, listen to the katha of Ajeet Singh now.  This was the adopted son of Mata Sundri ji.  He grew up with her from a child.  Mata ji made him beautiful clothes and jewellery of many kinds.  She got him a clever horse that was really expensive.  Mata ji raised the adopted son with deep affection.  She made him beautiful clothes and kept him happy.  From Sri Amritsar and other places, wherever there were great Masands, they would collect the money and gifts from the Sikhs.  A portion of the money and gifts would come to Mata ji.  Money came from all four directions.  The money would collect in Mata ji’s treasury.  Ajeet Singh’s expenses would be from Mata ji’s treasury.  Ajeet Singh kept 60 mounted men with him.  He bought horses for them.  He gave them many types of weapons and colourful clothes.  His employees were all young, the same age as him.  He would go hunting atop his horse with his men.  He would hunt with guns and spears.  Mata ji was happy with him as he enjoyed himself.  Ajeet Singh would sit and hold Divaans outside.  Many Sikhs would come to do his Darshan.

In Delhi, there were some Kalaals (distillers).  Sri Guru ji did not make them his Sikhs.  They became Ajeet Singh’s Sikhs though.  They would give him gifts and bow.  Some of the Sikhs sold Toori (grain husks) and earned money.  They had no patience nor faith.  Other than these people, he made more Sikhs.  They would come and give Ajeet Singh money.  In the evening, Ajeet Singh would decorate himself with nice clothes and weapons and go through the city.  He would take his 60 mounted men with him.  The Naqeebs would go ahead and announce his arrivals.  They spoke out loud to announce him.  Ajeet Singh would go wherever he wished to go.  Langar was huge and was made all the time.  Friend of foe, everyone was welcome to the Langar as Mata ji supervised it.  A lot of Sangat came for the Darshan of Mata Sundri ji.  Ajeet Singh would sit with Mata ji and have his Pooja done as well.  Some Sikhs would come and give him money too.  He gave Siropas to the Sangat.  He carried on the traditions of the Guru’s home.  It became popular to all the lands: “he is the son of the Guru and will become the Guru.”  Some wise Sikhs did not agree with this.  They saw him as Mata ji’s adopted son and said: “he has no qualities of the Gurta.”  The wise Sikhs knew this. 

Ajeet Singh spent time in Delhi.  As he grew into a young man, he became egotistical.  He didn’t listen to Mata ji anymore.  He did as he wished.  Mata ji would stop him from his bad deeds.  He was thick-skulled and egotistical.  When Mata Sahib Devi ji was sent to Delhi from Nanded, she was given 6 Shasters.  Mata ji would do the Pooja of the Shasters.  The Matas saw the Shasters as their husband’s form.  There were two Tulwars, two Kataars, a Pesh Kabaj and a Khanjar.  The handles were made from the bones of a rare fish.  The Myaans and the metal was of the highest quality.  They belonged to Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  The Matas lit sandalwood and Dhoop.  They sprinkled flowers and fragrances on the Shasters.  They kept them covered.  Ajeet Singh saw the Shasters and thought to himself: “I will wear these Shasters.”  He wanted to wear them as they were so beautiful.  He was afraid of Mata ji though.  He thought of taking the Shasters everyday.

One day, he said to Mata ji: “I will wear these Shasters and travel through the city.  I will put the Shasters back here again.  People will follow me more if I do this.  The Sikh Sangat will all follow me.  When they will see the Guru’s Shaster on my body, they will see me as great.  My praise and radiance will grow.”  Mata Sundri ji heard this and got angry.  She scolded him over and over again.  She said: “these weapons are worshipped!  The Sikhs see them as the Guru himself.  My husband’s grandfather, whose praise is known in the whole world, he wore these Shasters.  They touched his body so therefore they should be worshipped with love.  The Satguru worshipped these Shasters himself.  How do you not see the greatness of these Shasters?  Your bad wisdom does not have the power.  You want to wear them and become prouder.  You said it once but don’t say it again otherwise you will be in pain.  Why do you not see yourself as unwise and stop?  You are not deserving of these weapons.  Why don’t you stop, you fool?”  Mata ji spoke harshly and thought of what her husband said to her.  Her eyes filled with tears.  Ajeet Singh heard the words and became egotistical.  He couldn’t tolerate the harsh words.  He picked up a Kataar in his hand and pointed it towards Mata ji’s chest.  His bad wisdom wanted to kill Mata ji, without thinking of how she raised him.  There were some people there and saw the bad event.  They ran to Ajeet Singh and grabbed him.  They said: “you shouldn’t be doing this.  She raised you.  If you kill her, it will be a huge sin.  She is the wife of the Satguru.  She is old now.  The whole world bows to her.  She gives joy to all.  Do you not see the kingdom of the Turks?  You were about to do a bad deed.”  Ajeet Singh was in anger.  He said: “she’s always stopping me and scolding me.  I will kill her once.  I will take revenge for the cursing she does to me.  I will either live here or run away.  I will give money and have myself forgiven.  I wish to wear these weapons.  Why did she get so angry at me?  She can’t see my greatness.  She can’t tolerate my praises.”  Mata Sundri ji heard this and got angry.  She cursed Ajeet Singh: “you won’t experience youthfulness!  You will lose your Dharam and die with pain.  Your bad state will be seen in the city.  You will die a horrible death.  Men and women will see this.”  Mata ji cried and remembered her husband’s words: “don’t adopt him.  He will give you pain.”  She said: “I didn’t listen.  I am regretting this now.”  She saw herself as unfortunate.  She lowered her neck and went quiet.  The weapons were picked up and kept inside.  She didn’t give Ajeet Singh the weapons.  They were only for Pooja.  Ajeet Singh stopped talking.  He came outside in anger.  Mata ji didn’t eat that day.  She thought of her husband’s words and was upset, deeply. 

The Sikh Sangat heard of this event.  The wise ones gathered and came.  They bowed and sat with Mata ji.  They said to Mata ji: “listen Mata ji, Ajeet Singh has taken a curse from you.  He will be in pain now.  You raised him till now.  The Sangat sees him as the Guru.  He has been praised among all.  He did a bad thing and has become ungrateful.  Break your love for him.  He will die like hail melting on the earth.  We are folding our hands in front of you: calm down and eat food.”  Many Sikhs said this to Mata ji.  She then slowly ate some food.  She spent the whole night in regret.  The love that she had for Ajeet Singh as a son, she decreased it.  She loved him like her own son.  Not anymore.  Some days were spent like this.  The give and take went on.  Ajeet Singh wanted to travel the city upon his horse.  He travelled here and there.  Everyone saw Mata ji’s anger and said: “Ajeet Singh, bow to Mata ji.”  People told him to bow and so Ajeet Singh went and bowed to Mata ji.

2-29 Ajeet Singh the Adopted Son Disrespects his Hair

Some more days passed.  Ajeet Singh got older and more egotistical over his youthfulness.  He dressed in nice clothes and weapons; mounted his horse and wandered through the city.  He would go out in the evening, wandering through markets of Delhi and then come home again.  60 mounted men would go with him.  The Naqeebs would announce him and praise him ahead.  Mata ji had him married.  He soon had a son named Hatthi Singh.  A lot of Sangat came and went.  They brought a lot of gifts.  They saw Ajeet Singh as the son of Mata Sundri ji.  This became known in far away lands.  His name was known. 

One day, he dressed his weapons and went out in the evening for his stroll.  The Sooraj Mukhis went with him, being radiant.  The Naqeebs walked ahead, praising him.  The 60 men on their horse were with him; all dressed with clothes and weapons.  They moved slowly.  Ajeet Singh looked at the markets with ego.  He went through the roads of the market.  He was egotistical.  He came to the Jamma Masjid.  He went from one side to the other of the Masjid.  The Naqeeb announced him out loud: “look all!  The Jamma Masjid is bowing to the Sri Guru.”  As the Naqeeb said this, the Maulanas heard this.  They were really angry with this.  They all gathered and had a discussion.  They went to the Badshah’s palace.  They came into the main gate and met the Shah in the court of the Turks.  They spoke with jealousy and doubt: “here is your radiance!  There is a fault in the Shariya.  The Guru of the Hindus came to the Masjid today.  He looked around and was happy.  His companions announced out loud: “look, the Masjid is bowing.”  We can’t tolerate this.  We come to your court to tell you this.  This is a stain on the honour of the Turkana if he is not punished severely.”  Everyone heard this and said to the Shah: “we should arrest him and put him in jail.  He wouldn’t do such a thing like this again.  Otherwise make him come under your control, telling him to cut the hair on his head.  If he does one of these two things, then everyone will have respect.”  The Shah heard this and sent his men: “he spoke bad words near the Masjid.  He needs to put an axe around his neck and come to me with his hands tied.  He must be punished rightly.  Only the Maulanas can release him.  The other option is to cut his hair on top of his head and send it to me; never saying what he said again.” 

Where Ajeet Singh was sitting, the Shah’s men came to tell him the Shah’s command: “if you don’t obey, the army will come.  They will beat you up and take you.”  Ajeet Singh heard this and got scared.  He said to his companions: “what should I do now?  How can I be saved?  I don’t know what to do.”  His companions said: “listen son of the Guru, what can we say?  You can’t even run away.  There is no where to stay.  We don’t have the capability to fight.  The other option is to remove your hair and send it to the Shah to his home.  If you keep your Pranas, you lose your Dharam.  If you keep your Dharam, you lose your Pranas.”  Ajeet Singh heard this and got scared.  He wavered and spoke without bravery: “there is no way I can go to the Shah.  He will give a command and give me pain and death.”  He said this and went inside of his home.  He cut the Kes Joora from his head.  He called for a plate and placed them there.  He covered it with a white sheet.  He had the plate brought to the Shah’s man.  He gave him the plate.  He folded his hands and made many requests: “I have obeyed the command of the Shah with my mind.  It wasn’t even my fault.  The Naqeeb was a fool that said that.  Now, I stand here with my hands folded.  I didn’t disobey the Shah’s command.  I have obeyed the Shah’s command.”  He gave the Shah’s man some money and had the plate of hair sent to the Shah.  The Shah’s man went to the Shah and told him what happened.  The Shah let go of his anger. 

Mata Sundri ji heard of the bad deed, that Ajeet Singh destroyed his Dharam and became a fallen son.  Her heart became filled with a lot of anger.  She began to swear at Ajeet Singh a lot: “you have done a really bad thing!  You have ruined it for you in both Loks, you shameless person!  You are a fool who knew nothing!  You didn’t know of the greatness of the Kes.  This is the stamp of the Satguru.  My father-in-law gave his head but did not lose his Dharam by any means.  After that, huge battles were fought.  The Dasam Guru’s great battles are known to all.  All 4 Sahibzadas died.  They all kept their Dharam.  They tolerated many types of pains and problems.  They fought Lakhs and died.  There is one, Baba Fateh Singh ji Sahibzada, who was too young to understand Maryada and tradition but he spoke up, loudly in the court of the enemy.  He did not think twice to show his anger.  He wasn’t scared.  He didn’t give up his Dharam.  He gave his head, thinking nothing of it more than a piece of hay.   Then there is you, you fool!  What did you do?  You quickly gave up your Dharam out of fear.  You fool!  Why did you not die instead?  What horrible deed did you do, you fool?”  She spoke harsh words to Ajeet Singh.  She cursed Ajeet Singh and damned him.  She was in pain and became really angry.  There was nothing she could do.  She was helpless.  She couldn’t tolerate the bad deed.  She kept cursing Ajeet Singh.

Mata ji spoke among all of the Sikhs and made a declaration: “listen you fool: you are unwise and a fool!  Don’t ever show me your face again!  Stay away from me and never come close to me again!  I will not see you again from today onwards.  I raised you, suffering so much pain.  The Satguru stopped me but I didn’t listen to him.  I tolerated so much pain in raising you.”  Ajeet Singh was embarrassed.  He lowered his neck in shame.  Ajeet Singh never came in front of Mata Sundri ji again.  He did a very bad thing and was in regret.  It raised a lot of conflict.  Mata ji wrote a Bidhava, a declaration: “he was my adopted son.  I have disowned him.  He is not my son and I am not his mother.”  This was spread far and wide in the city.

2-30 Ajeet Singh Kills a Beneva Fakir

Mata Sundri ji was quite upset as she stayed in her home.  She then decided to leave Delhi.  She took all of her maids and some servants with her.  She left her home and came to live where the Sangat lived in great numbers.  She kept shedding tears.  She thought of her husband and was sad.  She gathered all of the Sikhs and told them her decision: “give me a chariot.  I am not going to live in this city.  The fool will die a horrible death.  He gave me a lot of pain.  I will not face him again.  I won’t give him my Darshan.  I will go to another city now.  I will spend the rest of my age there.”  The Sikhs folded their hands and said: “why are you so mad with the Sikh Sangat?  Tell us if we made a mistake.  We ask for forgiveness with our hands folded.  Why are you leaving Delhi in anger?  Where do you want to go?  Satguru ji commanded you to stay here and never leave.  Your (adopted) son did a bad deed.  Why do you want to leave the Sangat?  We will complete your problematic tasks.  If there is something wrong, we will fix it.  Please see everyone’s fault.  Stay here, please.”  Mata Sundri spoke in anger: “I am in pain with Ajeet Singh.  I don’t want to see his face.  I don’t want to live in this city.  The Sangat has no fault.  I am upset for not obeying the Guru.  That’s why I am in pain.  I will go live somewhere else.  I don’t want to keep Ajeet Singh with me.”  The Sangat heard this and folded their hands.  They said: “you are determined to not see your adopted son but stay in Delhi.  Don’t wish to leave Delhi.  We will collect all of the money from the Sangat and make another home here.  You can live there in peace forever.  Your task will be fulfilled in this way.”  Mata Sundri ji accepted this: “alright, make me another home.  I will stay there.”  From every home, 1 Rajitpun came for Mata ji’s home.  There were 1,700 homes of Sikhs in Delhi at that time.  The money was collected.  300 more was added to make 2,000.  The previous home was outside of the city but the new home was inside the city.  2,000 Rajitpuns were spent for the home of Mata ji to be built.

The home was built and Mata ji began to live there.  She didn’t leave Delhi then.  Everything needed for the home was built.  Ajeet Singh was not called close.  She didn’t want to see his face.  She was determined for this.  The previous home and all of the belongings, she left everything and came to the new home.  She only took the Shasters with her to the new home.  The Sangat did their Pooja of the Shasters like Guru ji.

The Sangat didn’t respect Ajeet Singh.  The wise Singhs stopped following him.  The Sikhs of Amritsar and other places sent money for Mata Sundri ji.  From where would Ajeet Singh run his household?  How would he pay his servants?  When his money finished, his ego finished.  He thought to himself: “I have lost my respect.”  He was helpless.  He sent a person to Mata ji to make a request: “I made a mistake.  Please forgive me now.  It will be your name.  People know me as your son.  It’s because of you that people followed me.”  He sent many people with this request.  Mata ji was taken over with love.  She became compassionate and said: “he can come to my door.  Whatever he asks for, he can receive.  He can’t come inside my home.”  When she commanded this, Ajeet Singh came then.  He stood at the door and bowed.  He stayed there.  He asked for what he wanted.  The servant would tell Mata ji.  Mata ji would command to give Ajeet Singh what he needed.  In this way, he made his living.  He bowed at the door all the time.  He would go home after.  He came everyday like this.  He bowed at the door with love.  The 60 mounted men always stayed with him.  They came with their clever horses. 

One day, they crossed a Dhera of a Beneva Fakir.  When the Fakir saw Ajeet Singh coming, he spoke out loud to ask for 1 Rajitpun.  Ajeet Singh gave him the money.  This happened on a daily basis.  He asked from Ajeet Singh, and Ajeet Singh gave it.  Many days passed like this.  Ajeet Singh came the same way.  One day, the Fakir asked.  Ajeet Singh gave the Fakir 2 Paisas.  The Fakir did not accept them.  He threw them.  He walked along Ajeet Singh and came to the door of Mata ji’s home.  Ajeet Singh made his requests and so did the Fakir, asking Ajeet Singh.  After some time, Ajeet Singh left and so did the Fakir.  Ajeet Singh went to his home.  He ate and did his tasks.  He rested during the afternoon.  The Fakir was standing outside.  Ajeet Singh had Sukha and came outside.  The Beneva followed him.  The Fakir spoke harshly.  Ajeet Singh became upset.  There was nobody else there.  They came to a place where there was no one.  The Fakir kept swearing.  He followed Ajeet Singh.  Ajeet Singh got angry and noticed there was nobody else there.  He commanded his Singhs: “grab him and kill him!  Throw him into the well!  This fool doesn’t stop following me.  He keeps swearing at me.”  Where the Fakir was standing, two Singhs came and grabbed him.  They killed him right away.  They threw his body into a well, far away from Delhi.  They threw him and travelled on.  They cleaned up and went on their way.  Ajeet Singh came back to his home.  He ate and did all his personal tasks. 

When it was evening, the Fakir’s people waited for him.  His students didn’t see him come back so they began looking for him.  They looked around and asked around.  It was midnight and they couldn’t find him.  They didn’t see him anywhere in the city.  In the morning, they checked the markets and asked the people for news.  One person told them: “he was wandering behind Ajeet Singh.”  They asked the Singhs but they didn’t say anything.  The Fakirs began to cry and travelled the whole city.  The news spread but the Beneva Fakir was no where to be find.