2-31 The Beneva Complain/ The Royal Army Arrests Ajeet Singh

There was an Aajri (goat herder) who was with his goats in the jungle.  He saw the Beneva fall into the well.  He saw the students of the Beneva looking for him.  They were upset and looking around for him.  The Ajari said: “I will tell you where your Fakir is.  He was killed.  I am afraid of the Singhs though.  I won’t survive if they find out that I told you.  Otherwise, I wouldn’t tell you.  The Singhs may come in the evening and kill me.”  The Benevas spoke to him giving hope: “we will stay with you and protect you.  We won’t let them kill you.  We will protect you, day and night.”  They gave the Ajari hope.  The Ajari took them to the jungle, where the Beneva was thrown into the well.  The Ajari took everyone there.  They all saw the dead Fakir in the well.  They Fakirs took the body out and cried out loud.  The people of the city all got together.  They followed them.  They took the dead body to the gate of the royal palace.  Thousands gathered there.  There was a lot of noise.  The Benevas all gathered to protest.  They ran and came to the Badshah to complain: “the Singhs have killed our Beneva.  We come to your door for justice.  Otherwise we will die.  We will not eat or drink anything.  We will stand by your door and cry.”  The yells and screams were heard inside.  The Badshah heard the yells.  He said: “the Singhs are not afraid of me?  They should be severely punished.  He was easily released for his previous crime.”  The Umraavs with him said: “he travels through the streets.  He comes with 60 mounted men.  The Naqeebs announce him in a loud voice, praising him.  He is not afraid of anyone in the city.  If he was away from the Badshah, he would cause chaos.  Arrest him and punish him.  He has a lot of ego.”  The Shah heard this and commanded: “go to his home right away.  Tie his hands with a cloth and bring him here.  Put an axe around his neck.  I will give him a rightful punishment.  Don’t delay.  Get him now!”  Two men from the court ran to Ajeet Singh.

Where Ajeet Singh was sitting, the Shah’s men came and told him the Shah’s harsh words: “get up and come with his.  You killed the Beneva Fakir.  The Shah is angry.  You are guilty.  You have been summoned.”  Ajeet Singh got scared and stayed in his home.  He didn’t leave to go to the Royal Fort.  He said: “I won’t go.  I didn’t kill the Beneva.  You are accusing me wrongly to raise a storm.”  The men came back and told the Shah: “we called for him but he didn’t come with us.”  The Shah said: “tell him to come here and we can then decide.  I will determine truth and lie.  I will see if there are any witnesses.”  The men went back to Ajeet Singh and said: “don’t be stubborn.  The Shah has called for you.  The Shah will make the final decision.  The truth will win.  What will happen with you sitting in your home?  There is chaos in front of the Shah’s door.  If you want what is good for you, obey what we say.  Otherwise, the army will come.  Who will protect you then?”  Ajeet Singh did not comply.  He told them he won’t go.  The men got angry and came back to the Shah.  They said: “he is being rebellious.  He didn’t come after we tried to speak reason to him.” 

The Shah sent a good person to Mata ji.  He said to her: “the revenge of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji; your son has killed a Beneva Fakir; if you agree that this was in revenge, forgive us and we will forgive your son.”  Mata ji said: “I have already written a Bidhava.  He was my adopted son but I have disowned him.  I didn’t like him.  Somebody else will take the revenge (of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji).  It will be at a different place.  Ajeet Singh has committed a crime.  Either you know this, or he does.  I have nothing to do with him.  You can do whatever you wish to do.”  The man sent this message back to the Shah.  The Shah got angry.  Everyone came to know this.  The Shah spoke with anger: “send two regiments of the army to him.  If he fights, then fight with him.  Don’t avoid it.  Fight till he is caught.  If he fights, fight with weapons.”  The army went right away.

Ajeet Singh heard of the army coming.  He gathered his Singhs and said: “it is right to fight now.  It is our Dharam to fight and die.  It is bad to die a death of a coward.”  He gathered his Singhs and made his decision.  They grabbed weapons and stood in attention.  When the army came close the rifles fired.  They took the shelter of the home.  A lot of noise started as the fight started.  They came to the top of the home to fight.  Rifles fired.  The Turks all came.  They held their posts and fired their rifles.  They fought and surrounded the home from all sides.  They advanced to come close.  The killing and being killed began.  The fight began and people were surprised.  The bullets busted the limbs.  The rifles were prepared right after being fired.  As the army came close, they charged.  The Singhs came out to fight with swords.  They cut heads and limbs.  They would scold and challenge others while fighting.  The first day ended in fighting.  It was evening.  The army stopped and kept guard.  They stayed in their post and fired bullets.  The way to go in and out was blocked.

Mata Sundri ji got worried.  She thought to herself: “the bad son did a crime.”  There was nothing she could do.  She was humbled and was in pain.  She spent the night in regret.  The Sangat all gathered and came to her.  They bowed their heads and said: “we are afraid of the Shah.  What crime he did; he destroyed his peace.  Your curse has become reality.  You are away from him and sitting here.  Why are you worried and thinking about this?”  They gave hope to Mata ji but she was still worried.  Ajeet Singh fought in his home.  The Turks had him surrounded.  Many died outside.  Some Singhs died fighting inside.  They fought all day.  The ones who came close, were killed.  The posts were dug.  They came close to the home.  The second day was spent in fighting.  They looked for a chance to kill or be killed.  It was evening again.  The Singhs knew it was time to die: “how can we fight the Shah’s army?  We Singhs are less in numbers in front of them.  How many of us Singhs are here in the city?  We will kill as many as we can.  We will kill them with our weapons and then die.  All we can do is kill as many as we can before we die.  The Turks have us surrounded.”  The warriors became stubborn and fought.  They roared like lions and attacked.  The Turks stood around, aiming their rifles.  Whoever came close, there were killed.  The Singhs came out and fought with swords.  Whoever came close, they cut them down.  They fought during the night for the first time.  Dead bodies piled upon each other.  They stood in their place and fought.  They held weapons till kill the strong enemy.  They spent 9 hours of night like this.  Some warriors died.  Some were in confused.

2-32 Ajeet Singh, the Adopted Son Dies/ Mata ji Comes to Mathura

Ajeet Singh felt pain in his mind and thought to himself: “death is coming.  How can be saved from the Shah now?  We are surrounded by the royal army.”  He looked towards his wife and son.  He said to them: “wear dirty and ripped clothes.  Cover your body with old clothes.  Escape from her and go to Mata ji.  Stay hidden in her home.  If there is someone who can save you, it’s Mata ji.”  Ajeet Singh’s wife and son put on old clothes.  They left in disguise.  When they came to the Turks, the Turks asked them: “who are you and where are you going?”  The wife and son of Ajeet Singh said: “we are poor people going the shores of Jumana.  We are going to bathe there.”  After saying this, they headed towards Mata ji’s home.  They met Mata ji while crying in grief.  The woman dropped Hatthi Singh in front of Mata ji and said: “we come to your sanctuary.  Keep us in any way you can.  Save us in any way, Mata ji!”  When Mata ji saw them come inside, she became really worried.  A deep worry hit her heart.  She lost her patience: “if I keep them here, I will have to face problems from the Turks.  I won’t be able to stay here if I keep them with me.  If I kick them out, that won’t be good.”  She thought about all these things.  At that time, a leader Sikh was called by Mata ji.  Mata ji told him everything and boarded the son and mother on a chariot.  Mata ji went with them and came out of Delhi.  She came out of Delhi quickly.  After two days of travelling, they arrived in Bharatgarh. 

Ajeet Singh fought all night.  It was soon morning.  Ajeet Singh was scared seeing the army surrounding him.  A great battle happened with a lot of rifles firing.  Half of the Singhs with Ajeet Singh were killed in the firing battle.  Ajeet Singh got worried because of fear.  He lost his patience and thought to himself: “I should run away and hide somewhere.”  He thought of all this and became a coward.  The surrounding was strong.  There were only a few men to fight along Ajeet Singh.  The Turks came closer from every side.  It was soon evening, reaching slowly.  Only about 10 Singhs remained.  The others died.  Ajeet Singh quickly made a plan and left his home, creeping out of the area.  Many of the Kalaals who sold toori were his Sikhs.  He went to towards their homes.  He came to their home.  There was a room full of toori.  Ajeet Singh hid in that room. 

In the battle, all of the Singhs died.  The Turks entered the home and looted it.  In the morning, the Shah had the entire home searched.  They couldn’t find the body of Ajeet Singh.  Many of the people gathered and discussed: “he didn’t fight here nor was he killed.  He must have left and hid in someone’s home.  Otherwise, his body would have been found here.”  The Shah heard all of the this: “he ran away and hid in someone’s home.” 

Announcements were made throughout the city.  Everyone in the city heard the announcements: “whoever is sheltering Ajeet Singh in their home, tell us now.  They will be forgiven and won’t face any pain.  If this is revealed later on, they will be taken out of their homes and punished.  The whole family will be hung.  They will have no support nor will they be saved.”  The Kalaal heard this and got really worried in his heart.  He quickly went to the Shah and told him: “he is hiding in my home.  Send some soldiers with me.”  Seven soldiers were sent with the Kalaal.  He showed them his home.  The soldiers came and arrested Ajeet Singh right away.  They brought him to the Shah.  The Shah commanded in anger: “tie him to the foot of an elephant and drag him through the streets of Delhi.  When he dies, throw him away outside.”  Ajeet Singh was tied to the foot of an elephant with a rope.  The elephant was paraded through the streets of Delhi.  The elephant dragged its foot along with Ajeet Singh.  Many people came to see this.  Ajeet Singh yelled out in pain: “hai hai!”  He remembered the curse of Mata ji and was regretting his actions.  His skin ripped off and his bones could be seen.  He was dragged all day long.  The elephant walked through the Bazaars of Delhi.  Ajeet Singh’s Pranas still didn’t leave.  He received a lot of pain because of Mata ji’s curse.  It was evening and the elephant was taken towards the small mountains.  The terrain was high and low.  Within one of the bumps, Ajeet Singh’s head squished under the elephant’s foot, bursting it open.  In this way, Ajeet Singh was killed in Delhi.  The Sikhs felt a deep fear because of this. 

Mata ji had left Delhi and spent 12 days in Bharatgarh.  The Raja heard of this: “the wife of the Guru is in this city.”  The Raja found out that Mata ji was not on good terms with the Shah because of her adopted son, who was killed by the Shah.  The foolish Raja of Bharatgarh got scared and sent one of his men to Mata Sundri ji.  The messenger folded his hands and said: “don’t live here.  You are not on good terms with the Shah.  When the Raja heard of your story, he got scared.  Go live somewhere else.  Took all of your belongings and leave.”  Mata ji heard this and became worried.  She made preparations to leave.  She quickly boarded her chariot and left along with Ajeet Singh’s family. 

Mata ji came to Mathura.  She set up her Dhera near the shores of the Jamuna.  When the Raja of Mathura heard of this, he came to meet Mata ji with gifts.  He folded his hands and bowed his head.  He said: “Mata ji, live in our city.  I will get you a beautiful home with everything you need.  The Raja of Jaipur is your servant.  I will send news to him that you are here.  He will provide for everything you need.  Spend your time here with joy.”  He took Mata ji inside the city.  He gave a beautiful home for Mata ji to stay in.  Whatever Mata ji needed, the Raja provided for her.  He served her with love and devotion.  The Raja of Mathura sent a message to the Raja of Jaipur, whom he paid allegiance to: “your Mata has come to my city.”  The Raja of Jaipur heard this and assigned two villages to Mata ji.  He wrote the deed for the villages and sent them to Mata ji.  He sent many other proclamations to the citizens and the Raja of Mathura: “serve Mata ji, day and night.  Make her a beautiful home.  Give her everything she needs.”  The Raja of Mathura read the proclamations and brought them to Mata ji: “two villages near Mathura have been gifted to you.  I have been commanded to build you a new and beautiful home.”  That Haveli still stands in Mathura.  I have done its Darshan which stands alone. 

Mata Sundri ji lived in the new Haveli.  All of her fears were gone.  She raised Hatthi Singh on a daily basis.  She fed him good foods with love.  The Sikh Sangat came and brought the Dasvands.  The Dasvand came to Mathura.  As Mata ji’s income was before, it was in the same way.  The expense was the same way.  Hatthi Singh grew up and Mata ji bought him a great horse.  She paid a lot of money for the horse.  Hatthi Singh employed servants Singhs with him.  He had the same wishes as his father Ajeet Singh.  Hatthi Singh would go out in the markets as his father did.  He also went hunting with his Singhs.  He spent a lot of money.  He made everything for himself as his father had done.  Mata ji would look at Hatthi Singh and be happy.  This gave her joy. 

For the place of the Ninth Guru to be built; the Tenth Guru had commanded the Sikhs there.  The Sikh Sangat spent a lot of money on the Mandir.  The building had high tops with beautiful Mandaps.  They looked radiant.  By the permission of the Turk Shah, the Beneva Fakirs took over the place of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  The building was torn down and a Maseet was built over it.  The Benevas gathered and spent their money on it.

2-33 Hatthi Singh’s Deed/ Mata ji Comes Back to Delhi

Mata ji raised Hatthi Singh ji like her own son.  She loved him a lot.  Mata ji stayed in Mathura for a long time.  She was calm and peaceful.  She had a long life.  Her body became old and weak.  The Sangat of Delhi and other places, they brought gifts with love and devotion.  They would do Pooja of Mata Sundri ji and do her Darshan.  They would praise Mata ji, seeing her as the wife of the Guru.  They were happy to be in her presence.  A lot of money would gather.  It would come from far away places.  Hatthi Singh would spend money and eat.  He wore jewellery with gems embedded into them.  He wore clothes that were really expensive.  They looked nice on him.  The Sikh Sangat gathered and respected him.  As he heard of his father’s assets and radiance, that is how began to sit, becoming a Guru.  He bought many horses and saddled them with beautiful saddles with Zarri.  He had gold and silver work done on his Shasters.  He kept many Singhs as his employees.  They rode with him, wherever he went.  He showed himself off to everyone.  He showed his radiance to all.  He hunted.  The Dhundhabs played in front of him.  He had many rifles with him.  He hunted many birds and animals.  He came to Mata ji, morning and evening.  He sat near her by bowing to her.  Mata ji would give him a lot of wisdom: “keep in mind what your father had done.  By the Guru’s radiance, you have no shortages.  A lot of gifts come everyday.”  Mata ji made him recite a lot of Sri Gurbani.  Mata ji would tell him about the greatness of Gurbani.  Hatthi Singh was 16 years old and his youthfulness was shinning through. 

The Sikhs of Delhi would come sometimes.  They would come to Mata ji and bow to her feet.  They told her about the state of the Guru’s Dehura.  They were in pain: “the Benevas did a very bad thing: they were filled with jealousy and tore down the place of the Guru.  They built a Maseet over top of it which costed a lot of their money.  Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji had ordered us to make the place.  He commanded us and gave us a lot of money to build the place of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji.  Who knows if such a place would be built again as it was before.  The fools did a horrible act.  The Sikhs are helpless.  There was nothing they could do.”  Mata Sundri ji heard this and said: “Sri Guru ji’s ashes are still there.  They were buried really deep into the ground.  The place of the Satguru is known because of that.  When the Panth Khalsa becomes radiant and strong, one Sardar will come there and make the Turkeshwar command the Maseet to be torn down.  He will take out the ashes of the Satguru and show everyone.  He will rebuild the place again.  The Sikh Sangat will come and do Pooja there.  The wish of the Prabhoo will never go without fruit.”  The people of Delhi were happy to hear this.  They bowed to her feet over and over again.

Ajeet Singh had done a horrible act.  He received a curse and became shameless.  Hatthi Singh recited Gurbani and said: “I will compose such a Bani.”  He tried to write but was unable to compose a Padh.  He spent a lot of time pondering and writing.  He tried composing but was unable to write a Shabad.  He then wrote the Shabads of Gurbani.  Wherever the name of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji came, he wrote his own name instead.  He would recite it to the Sikhs.  He did this for some days.  One Sikh went to Mata ji and said to her: “he removed Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s name and wrote his own name instead.  He composed writings like this.  He gives wisdom to the Sikhs.  He tells them to recite and write it in that way.”  Mata Sundri ji heard this and called Hatthi Singh to her.  She scolded him in anger: “what did you do?  You have taken on bad wisdom.  You didn’t think of the Sri Satguru ji’s greatness, whose live Jot is evidently radiant.  The praise of the Jot is radiant in the 4 directions.  The Sikhs do Simran of the Bani with love and devotion.  Their tasks are fulfilled by the assistance of Satguru ji.  You removed his name and wrote your own name there, you fool!  The wise Sikhs that recite Gurbani, wouldn’t they be able to test this?  You would be spoken bad about.  You did a bad deed.  You tried to be clever but were shameless.  Whose name people hear and bow their heads; whom wise people know the greatness of; you disrespected his name.  I raised you with love and affection.  I raised you with difficulty.  You grew up to be a stubborn person.”  She spoke harsh words to Hatthi Singh.  She scolded him a lot.  Hatthi Singh heard this and said: “I composed new Shabads.  Listen Mata ji, somebody lied to you.”  He said this, got up and went away.  The old Mata knew that Hatthi Singh had become egotistical.  She tried to stop him but nothing affected his mind.  He was determined to continue what he was doing.  He wrote his own name in the Shabads of the Satguru.  He wrote it and recited it in many ways.  Mata ji heard this and was upset with all this.  She scolded him and stopped him by swearing at him: “you are doing bad deeds as your father did.  I have figured out that you are just like him.  Why aren’t you thinking of what happened to him?  He used to give me pain everyday as well.”  Hatthi Singh had become stubborn.  He didn’t stop after Mata ji told him to.  She scolded him a lot.  He only came to Mata ji sometimes.  He did as he wished to do.  Mata Sundri ji was upset at him.  She figured out that his mind was corrupt.  She couldn’t tolerate his deeds.  She got angry but it had no effect on Hatthi Singh.  She saw Hatthi Singh as the same as Ajeet Singh.  She emptied her heart from the love she had for Hatthi Singh.  She got angry at Hatthi Singh but he didn’t listen.  Mata ji thought to herself: “I will go back to Delhi now.”  She thought of this for many days and began to prepare to leave.  She got ready and boarded her chariot.  Hatthi Singh tried stopping her with his hands folded but Mata ji did not stop.  She was too angry. 

Mata ji travelled to Delhi.  The Sikh Sangat came ahead to welcome her into Delhi.  They took her into the city with a lot of respect.  They placed many gifts in front of her and bowed.  Mata ji came to her own home.  The Sikhs all came to do her Darshan.  The Shasters of the Sixth Guru, Mata ji brought them and did the Pooja of them.  The Shah of Delhi had a Vizier named “Raja Ram.”  He heard of Mata ji’s arrival and came to meet her.  He presented money and bowed to her.  Mata ji was happy and blessed him.  Raja Ram spoke of the past: “look how Ajeet Singh died.  What is going to happen cannot be stopped, no matter how much you try with your wisdom and strength.”  Mata ji then spoke about it: “he gave me a lot of problems.  When Ajeet Singh fought and died, my home was looted after him.  My belongings went to the treasury of the Shah.  Nobody stopped them, seeing it as my home.”  Raja Ram heard this and said: “I will speak to the Shah about this.”  After saying this, the Vizier went to the royal fort.  He spoke to the Shah: “your elder, Bahadhur Shah; the Satguru was happy with him.  He gave him the Sultanate which is now in your home.  He killed Tara Azam with one of his arrows.  That Guru’s wife lived here.  She is back now.  Her home was looted.  Her belongings were taken to the treasury.  This is very bad for you.  The Gurus and Peers should be respected a lot.  People receive a lot of joy and peace from them in both Loks.”  The Shah heard this and felt fear in his heart.  He said: “give all of her things back to her.”  Raja Ram was very happy to hear this.  He had all of Mata ji’s belongings taken out of the treasury.  Everything was taken to Mata Sundri ji’s home.  Requests were made and Mata ji was happy.  As she lived in Delhi before, the great and elderly Mata lived there again.

2-34 Mata ji Goes to Gur Puri

In this way, Mata ji lived in Delhi again.  The Sangat would gather in huge crowds to do the Seva of Mata ji.  The 1700s (Vikram) came to an end and 1800 (Vikram) came (approx. 1743 CE).  Nadar Shah came and went.  The Sultanate was destroyed.  Mata ji was really old.  Her body had become weak.  The Sangat did her Seva by staying with her.  Another 4 years passed and her end time came.  Her Pranas left on the Ekadashi.  She went to her husband which was the place of Mukti.  Where the Dehura of Sri Guru Har Krishan ji was; where Mata Sahib Devi ji was cremated; the Sangat of Delhi all gathered there.  They had a platform made that was made with a lot of money.  Golden flowers were made to shower over her body.  Expensive sheets were put upon it.  When Mata ji left her body, a lot of money was used by the Sikhs.  The body of Mata ji was taken through the streets of the Markets.  Everyone showered flowers and money over her body.  The Sikh Sangat took her body to Gurduara Bala Sahib.  Sandalwood was used for the pyre.  A lot of ghee was put on the pyre.  Mata ji’s body was placed upon the pyre with respect.  The pyre was lit with fire.  The cremation was done by the Sikhs.  A great Yagna was done with a lot of money.  Brahmins and Sadhoos were given food.  A lot of donations were given to them.  The servants of Mata ji, they kept all of the belongings of Mata ji’s home. 

Hatthi Singh lived in Mathura.  He took the taxes of the two villages gifted to Mata ji.  Some Sangat of his came to him to give money.  Many new people became his Sikhs.  He had a Sangat in this way.  They did his Darshan and gave him money.  He kept 60 mounted men with him.  He got himself married in the area.  He lived there for many years.  The Giljas from Kabul came to attack.  Krishan had Kaaljaman killed.  Kaaljaman’s wish to ruin Mathura had remained.  He died with this wish in his heart.  He then took a birth again as a Gilja.  The one named “Ahmed Shah,” the Tenth Guru had already spoke about him.  Ahmed Shah first used his strength in Majha.  He looted and destroyed from there.  The Singhs were very less in numbers then but were brave and courageous.  They fought the enemy on the battlefield, straight on.  The army was huge though so what could the Singhs do?  They still killed thousands.  They gave great pain to the enemy.  The Singhs did not count how many enemies there were.  They fought like fearless lions.  The Singhs were surrounded and arrested.  Their heads were cut.  About 20,000 were counted but many died in different areas.  The actual number was a lot more of how many Sikhs died.  People still know about that battle.  They refer to it as the “Ghullughara.”  The Malech lived in Lahore.  Singhs weren’t able to live there.  Nobody would become a Singh.  There was a reward for the head of the Sikhs of 5 Rajitpuns.  The corrupt people killed any Singh they saw.  They would cut the heads of the Singhs and place them in the Bazaars of Lahore. 

When Sri Amritsar was built, Guru Arjan Dev ji had spoken of a curse: “the roots of the Masands will be pulled as they used bad material for the construction of the Teerath’s foundation.  This building will be destroyed once.  My Sikhs will rebuild it then.”  For this reason, Ahmed Shah came and had the Harmandir destroyed with gunpowder.  The stairs were destroyed and the Sarovar was filled with soil from all sides.  He ran the ploughs on top and had crops planted.  He destroyed the land and eventually came to Mathura and set up camp.  Many Brahmins lived there.  The Brahmins, Baniyas and others came to Ahmed Shah.  They brought gifts in their hands and came to where Ahmed Shah was staying.  A stray brick came flying out of nowhere and hit Ahmed Shah in the face.  He got really angry and looked towards the people of Mathura.  He commanded for all the people to be killed.  The Malesh ran and attacked the people like lions attacking deer herds.  The people were murdered in Mathura.  The homes and markets were looted.  The women were captured. 

Hatthi Singh was there at that time.  He stayed inside his home.  He didn’t let anyone come close to his home.  He had many guns aimed outside.  Many people of the city came to his home.  Many stood outside to fight.  The Singhs were ready and stood at guard.  The enemy was far away, scared of bullets.  The fight lasted till midnight.  Hatthi Singh wanted to run away.  He saddled his horse.  The many Chobdhaars he had, they said to him: “if you want to be called a Guru, you shouldn’t leave like a thief.  Play your Nagara and leave then, just as the Tenth Guru did.”  Hatthi Singh was young.  He didn’t think of anything.  He mounted his horse and commanded: “have the Dhundhabs play out loud.  Give them the announcement.”  The Turks figured out: “the one who was staying inside with determination all day, is now planning to leave at night.”  A huge regiment came and attacked with strength.  The 60 Singhs were surrounded.  There was no where to get out.  The Singhs spoke to Hatthi Singh with anger: “you are a child and immature.  Why did you have the Nagara sounded?  If you can run away then go ahead.  We will kill the thousands of them and then die.”  Hatthi Singh got scared and ran away.

Hatthi Singh came to Bharatgarh.  The Singhs fought in Mathura.  The 60 Singhs fired all their rifles.  The Singhs then took out their swords.  They killed the Malesh like lions.  It was night.  Nothing could be figured out.  The Turks swung their swords upon each other.  There were about 12,000 men.  They fired at each other and got killed.  The Singhs died as well.  The 60 Singhs fought with strategy and had the 12,000 Turks die.  Hatthi Singh escaped.  He then went to Burhanpur.  He stayed there and had a huge home made.  The Sikh Sangat came to him.  Hatthi Singh had no son.  He spent the rest of his life there.  He had one daughter.  Hatthi Singh died there.  The signs are still there in Burhanpur.  Everyone knew of Hatthi Singh’s place. 

Ahmed Shah returned and the Singhs fought him in many ways.  They looted Ahmed Shah from the front or end.  They looted everything.  They gave a lot of pain to the enemy.  They attacked using guerilla warfare.  In this way, the Singhs pushed Ahmed Shah all they way across the Attock.  The Singhs came back to Sri Amritsar and had it rebuilt.  The Singhs used expensive cloths to take out the dirt from the Sarovar.  The Sikhs rebuilt the foundation on top of the original bricks placed by Guru ji.  The Sarovar was built with a lot of love [Sardar Jassa Singh ji Ahluwalia made the foundations by melting many tonnes of metal coins taken from Ahmed Shah].  The Harmandir was beautifully made.  Everything was made by the Maryada of Guru ji.  It was not less nor more.  It was made in the same place.  It was in the same radiance as before.  It was the same size.  The foundations were the same size.  People still come to do the Darshan there.  There is no other place like it on earth. 

At that time, the Singhs went to Delhi.  The Singhs had anger towards the Shah.  They began to look for the place of the Ninth Guru.  Jathedaar Sardar Baghel Singh ji came.  Where the corrupt Benevas made a Maseet over the place, the Singhs used a lot of strength to tear it down.  They located the signs of the Ninth Guru and proved to the Shah that the place was theirs.  There were two pots full of Ashes of Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji’s body.  They showed everyone.  The Benevas were proven liars.  Everyone believed that the place was Guru ji’s place.  The Dehura was rebuilt which still stands today.  They bought the place within the Bazaar where Guru ji sat and gave his Shaheedi (Chandni Chownk).  There were other places of the Guru which were also found and built.

2-35 Gulab Rai/ Shyam Singh

As Sri Anandpur was re-established, listen oh listeners.  In the age as a child, what the Tenth Guru said, I will say it now.  Guru ji and all of the other children were playing by splashing the water.  They were playing battles.  Gulab Rai’s eyes got filled with too much water.  He ran out of the water and took Guru ji’s Pugri and placed it on his head.  He didn’t realise whose Pugri it was.  The other people tried stopping him.  Satguru ji was in the Sutlej and spoke at that time: “leave it as it is.  I give you the Pugri of the Gurta.”  These words became true.  When Satguru ji left Anandpur, Shyam Singh and Rai Gulab (Singh) were with Guru ji in the battle.  Sri Satguru ji looked at the brothers and wrote a Hukamnama and gave it to them.  They were told to take it to the Raja of Nahn, Medni Parkash.  The Master sent both of the brothers there with the Hukamnama.  He wrote: “I am in conflict with the Turks.  Keep them in your kingdom with peace.”  Both brothers went to the Nahn Raja.  They took their families along with them. 

When they came to the Raja of Nahn, they gave him the Hukamnama.  He read the Hukamnama and gave the brothers the Girvi village.  The brothers lived there with their families.  They made their homes in that village.  When Baba Banda Singh Bahadhur ji’s campaign was complete, peace was eventually established (temporarily).  Gulab Rai came back to Anandpur at that time.  He wanted to re-establish it.  Gulab Rai met the Raja of Kahloor.  He said: “the land of Anandpur, I wish to buy it.”  Gulab Rai gave 60,000 Rajitpuns for it.  60 Ghummas of land was bought.  Shyam Singh and Gulab Singh brought their families.  They brought many people with them and established Anandpur.  They made their homes again.  Many other relatives came there.  Deepmala and Vaisakhi along with Holi was celebrated there.  The Sodhis sat there as the Tenth Guru sat.  They had their Pooja done.  The Sangat saw this and began to come.  Many followed and came.  They brought gifts and did the Pooja of their feet.  They worshiped them like Sri Satguru ji.  A lot of money began to come.  Melas began to happen.  The Kalgi, Jigha and jewellery; just as Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji wore them; Gulab Singh began to do the same.  He tied a Kamarkassa in the same way.  He would sit on a Manjhi among all.  Where the Sri Guru ji would sit radiantly, Gulab Singh sat in the same way in that place.  He sat with ego.  The wealth grew.  The ego grew.  He wanted to be the equal of Guru ji. 

Where the Dehura of the Ninth Guru was, there was a Sadhoo, Bhai Gurbaksh Singh ji, that did Seva there.  Guru ji had installed him there.  The Sadhoo performed the Dhoop, Diva and ghee there.  Bhai Gurbaksh Singh ji came to the place of Guru ji.  He saw Gulab Rai sitting on the place of Guru Gobind Singh ji.  He couldn’t tolerate this disrespect.  He folded his hands and spoke: “Pooja and taking of gifts; you can do it all.  I won’t stop you.  It is not right for you to sit on the place of the Guru.  It is to be worshiped by all.  Make another place for yourself.  Sit there and have your Pooja down.”  Gulab Rai heard this and became angry.  He said: “you Fukra, you see me and are jealous.  The city was destroyed.  Nobody established it.  Nobody kept the respect of the Guru then.  I made the effort and used my money.  I went around and established this place.  I spent money to make Guru ji’s place again.  I had people bow to me.  You are a servant and kept for Seva.  You should not try to be my equal.  You have no power to do anything.  If someone else does it, you are jealous.  Why didn’t anyone become jealous before?  Now that there is money coming here, you are becoming jealous.  Don’t show me yourself again.  If you don’t go, I will have you kicked out.”  Three or four got up and grabbed Bhai Gurbaksh Singh ji Udaasi.  They pushed him out of the court.  This disrespect was bad.  He got angry and cursed Gulab Rai: “in a few days, your roots will be pulled.  You will die along with your sons, quickly.”  He said this and went to his Dhera.  He did the Seva of the Dehura of the Guru.  The Sadhoo had a lot of pain in his heart: “he disrespected me for no reason.  I spoke up against the disrespect of the Guru’s place.  He was egotistical and didn’t listen to me in a good way.” 

Some days passed.  Gulab Rai’s eldest son was his beloved.  For some reason, he died.  He was cremated.  Gulab Rai felt a deep pain.  He was in mourning.  He didn’t wish to eat or drink anything.  His wife was in mourning.  She cried a lot.  After 3 days of his son dying, the soul of his son met a person.  The son’s soul gave a dead rabbit to the person and said: “give this message to my father: you are hungry and in pain.  I am still as good as alive.  You don’t eat food without meat.  I have killed this rabbit for you to eat.  Don’t mourn for me.  Eat and be in joy.”  The person heard this and came to Gulab Rai.  He told him what the son told him.  Gulab Rai heard this and was happy.  He saw his son as very powerful.  He took the dead rabbit and had it cooked.  He told everyone in the home of what had happened.  The boy’s mother heard this and became angry.  She spoke harsh words: “you have become anxious without eating meat.  You are making this up with corruption.  You don’t love your son.  You love eating meat.  What sorrow do you have in your heart?  The ones who have lost their son, they are never hungry.  My son was a great son.  He died.  His father is stone.  He thinks of eating meat.  He can eat the meat.  I am in pain from the sorrow.”  She spoke harsh words.  She said this towards Gulaab Rai.  The person told Gulaab Rai what his wife had said.  Gulaab Rai’s heart was pierced by the words.  He became anxious.  He couldn’t eat the food, nor could he stop.  He was worried.  He was in pain.  He became angry.  He cursed his own wife with anger: “my other son and myself, we won’t be seen in the home.  You will all be in sorrow for the rest of your life.  You will eat in pain now, forever.”  After some days of saying this, Gulaab Rai’s end time came close.  He went to Parlok with his other son.  There was a lot of sorrow after him.  The whole family finished.  Nobody remained.  No generations survived.  The wife of Gulaab Rai became the heir.  She sat on the Ghaddi.  The people that brought gifts, they bowed to her.  When she became old, she had no heir.  She looked towards Shyam Singh.  Surjan Singh was his son.  She adopted him and left this world.  Surjan Singh sat as the heir.  He was known to all the Singhs.  He had 3 sons.  When his end time came, his eldest son, Tilok Singh was the heir.  He was worshipped for many years.  When he died, Didar Singh sat on the Ghaddi.  He was Surjan Singh’s second son.  The Sangat did his Pooja for many years.  When he died, the third son, Divaan Singh sat on the Ghaddi.  He is still on the Ghaddi during my time.  He is famous.  The Sodhis of Anandpur are from the family of Shyaam Singh.  I have spoken about all of the ones that are on the Ghaddi.  The Singhs all know this.

2-36 The Final Mangal

Saraswati assisted her servant.  She blessed me.  This great Granth, that was like crossing an ocean, she helped me across.  She gives joy and destroys pain and poverty.  Her eyes are like the eyes of a fawn.  Her slanted eyebrows are radiant.  She is the possessor of good wisdom.  She is always youthful.  Whoever goes to her shelter, she saves them from obstacles.  Her beautiful eyes are like the lotus which are worship-worthy.  She destroys the pain and obstacles of her servants.  She is praised by the wise as the “One with Compassion.” 

She is white like the Kund flower.  She is radiant like the moon.  She destroys the snake-like obstacles, becoming the destroyer.  She removes the debt and gives bliss.  Whoever comes to her shelter, they are without pain.

Katha Mangal

I did the Simran of Hari while completing the Katha.  The elephants, which are like the sins of Kaliyuga, this Katha clashed with them like a lioness.  This Katha has been prepared like a strand of pearls put together.  When it fights with the bad wisdom, it destroys it right away. 

The Mangal of Guru Avatar

The Avatar of Parbrahm came to save the Bhagats in this world.  He killed the grave pains of this world.  Whoever took on Sikhi, they were saved in this world.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji Mangal

As never had been before, Guru Nanak Dev ji was the Jot that came.  Women and men, whoever followed his Panth, they were saved.  He gives the good virtues and destroys the vices.  Whoever ponders his words, Guru ji gives them Gyaan.  The Four Vedas, the cream of that, he has said it all.  I bow to him and ask him to bless me.

Sri Guru Angad Dev ji Mangal

Satguru Angad Dev ji saves the ones who are caught in the net of the world.  He meets all of his servants and destroys their vices like fire.  He gives many people wisdom and gives them the Jap Mala of Sri Satnam.  Guru Angad Dev ji is the master of the world and the weak.  By bowing to him, he blesses you.  They are blessed in the Parlok.  They are never caught in the net of the Jumms again.

Sri Guru Amar Das ji Mangal

Guru Amar Das ji, live in my heart, day and night.  Destroy my troubles.  Make me without attachment.  Oh father of Mohan, you are the complete Sri Guru.  You are the beloved of your servants.  I wish not be greedy for greed, nor desireful for desire; not egotistical nor angry.  You are like the support of a mountain for your servants.  You give them gifts to destroy their attachment.

Sri Guru Ramdas ji Mangal

The son of Hardas, you are known as the Das of Hari.  You are the from of Hari.  Whoever does your Pooja, becomes the form of Hari.  You destroy the vices of your servants.  You give them joy.  The hearts filled with attachment and vices; you clear them all.  You bless them.  You give them boons.  They are great people who are blessed.  They become stronger than the Jumms.  The Jumms get scared seeing them.  I fold my hands and bow to you.  Sri Guru Ramdas ji, you are the master of all virtues.  You are filled with Gyaan, unquantifiable. 

Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji Mangal

Listen to my request Sri Satguru Arjan ji: the enemies of your servants, you kill them.  You make them radiant and praiseworthy.  This Kavita that has been completed with the ways of the Ten Gurus; I have completed it by your compassion.  This Granth is complete.  The Katha is the ocean of virtues.  It kills the vices like a sharp arrow.  Guru ji, there is no other like you.  I come to your shelter.  The ones who chant your name and connect to it, you save them.  You take them out of the Pataals and save them.

Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji Mangal

You ride the elephant and sometimes the horse.  You kill the deer (sins inside the Sikhs) like a lion.  Your Sikhs are like the lotus.  You are like the sun that makes them bloom.  You are the light of Gyaan which is lit by fire.  You are the fire as well.  The Papeeha like servants, they call out to you, who is the Swanti drop for them.  You are the Garuda for the snake-like faults inside your Sikhs.  You hold the Sarang bow in your hand and are the form of Ishwar.  You came as the light of Sri Guru Hargobind ji.

Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib ji Mangal

This huge world ocean, who come to your shelter, they are saved.  The ones who saw the wealth of others and could tolerate it; did not show their own power; Guru Har Rai ji is like the lion who killed the deer-like faults of all.  The bad flowers became fragrant by your blessing, Sri Guru Har Rai ji.

Sri Guru Har Krishan ji Mangal

Sri Guru Har Krishan ji is like the fire that destroys the jungle of sins in the hearts of the Sikhs.  By the name and form, you are Bishan, Sri Guru Har Krishan ji.  By bowing to you, by doing your Simran; one is never destroyed.  The field of virtues, you are like the farmer.  You burn the bamboo that represents the bondages.  The one who is worshipped by Shiv ji, you are that form, Satguru Bhagvaan.

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji Mangal

The vices of the Sikhs, you destroy them, bravely.  Your compassion makes the Sikhs respectable in every place.  By doing your Simran with the heart, you become present.  I bow to you, I bow to you, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadhur ji.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji Mangal

The garden of radiant praises that you have made, it is blooming like flowers.  Over and over again, saying your name, it saves you from this world ocean.  I am a sacrifice unto the Guru who made the Panth.  Don’t delay to come to his shelter.  Your words are the water which cleans the dirt of sins.  The Sikhs gather around to hear the words of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji.

The Mangal of the Ten Gurus

You came as the Bhaavan and tied Raja Bal.  You came as Narsingh, Kach, Mach and Varaah.  You killed the Rakshishes like a lion killing deer.  Ram came, Parshuram came, Krishan came, Narsingh came; in the Kaliyuga, the form of Guru Nanak Dev ji came in ten forms, till Guru Gobind Singh ji.

The compassion of the Ten Gurus came upon me and I stated the Katha of the Ten Gurus.  Upon the completion of this Katha, I bow my head with love, over and over again.

Poorbardh and Uttaraardh was how the Katha of Guru Nanak Dev ji was written.  The 12 Raas followed next which spoke till the Ninth Guru. 

The 6 Ruts and 2 Ains were made for the Katha of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji.  The total was 22, which were completed in 9 Rasses (poetic flavours).  The Katha of Sri Guru ji is like the Ganga which has the great waves of different Chands.  The miracles of the Gurus are stated in this.  This is the deep Katha of the Guru.  It was dictated by the throat of Ram Koer ji.  It became known among the Sikhs.  It has Jog, Vairagya, Bhagti and Gyaan; which live like sea life forms.  Japp, Tapp, Sanjam (restrain), Dhaan (charity), Ishnaan, patience, compassion, forgiveness, Nirmaan, Truth, contentment and other virtues are in this Katha.  They live like small fish in this Ganga.  The Ten Gurus’ Katha are like 10 Ghats where many have bathed and become pure.  The pain of birth and death; this Ganga has destroyed this and many other big sins.  The Gursikh is the Jogi, Muni and Rikhi.  They love this Ganga of praises of the Guru.  They read it, listen to it and ponder its meanings.  It is like drinking, bathing and sprinkling the water of the Ganga.  The Sikh Sangat who loves the Guru, they write, listen to and sing the praises of the Guru.  They received this Ganga of the praises of the Guru.  They became Mukat and the same form as the Guru. 

Now I fold my hands in front of everyone, over and over again and ask for a boon; the Sikhi is sharper than the sword and smaller than a hair; I ask you for the gift of Sikhi.  May it live in the consciousness of my heart.  May I live in the Sat.  I wish to have the Darshan of the Guru.  I ask for this boon by which I receive Brahm Gyaan in my heart.  The pain of being born and dying is huge.  I don’t wish to come back into this world.  Guru ji has saved Lakhs and gave bliss to them in both Loks.  Their praises are great in the world.  This is not hidden. 

Guru ji gives the wisdom by which one can know their real form.  The Ahangta and falseness is destroyed right away.  He tells us about the Chetna and shows us how to let go of the false Chetna.  He gives the detailed wisdom and shows the unknowable.  He makes us immerse into the great Anand.  He saves the Sikhs from bondages.  My real form is the Ast, Bhranti and Priya from.  Santokh Singh bows, over and over again. 

My real form has no Sajaati, Vajaati or Sughat difference.  I have suffered in the duality.  This is destroyed from the root by the Guru.  Just like seeing the snake in the rope, the temporary; the One Parmatma shows many forms.  By chanting the Satnam, the 3 illnesses are destroyed.  Sravan, Manan and Nidh Dhyasan are understood by the chanting of the Naam.  Whoever comes to the shelter of such a Guru, they will receive Mukti.  Whoever does Bhagti, their problems are destroyed. 

There is not such a donor as you.  There is not such a beggar like me, poorer.  You are the compassionate one.  There is no bigger one in pain than me.  There is no one more ungrateful than me.  There is no one more generous than you.  There is no one more helpless than me.  There is no bigger master than you.  There is no one with more faults than me.  There is no one more virtuous than you.  I have no Japp, Tapp or Vrath.  The Kavi comes to your shelter and grabs your feet.  Save me Guru ji by your hand.

Satguru ji, cut my bonds!  Board me upon your ship without delay and save me from this world ocean.  I wish this birth of mine to be a success.

The year of writing

In 1900 (Vikram), in the month of Chet, when conflict arose in Kaithal; there was looting and many thieves came.  Many ran away, leaving the city.  The Firangis captured the Singhs and arrested them.  They took all their belongings.  The places of the saints were looted, beaten and scared.  In the days of such pain, the Satguru assisted me.  Not a hair of mine was harmed.  The Satguru saved me with his hand.  In all four directions, friend and foe could not be identified.  The Satguru protected me. 

In the month of Saavan, the Granth was completed 1900 (Vikram).  The Sri Kartaar saved me from many problems. 

Seeing me as his servant, the Satguru gave me the joys of both Loks.  He protected me by extending his own hand.  Everything was peaceful then. 

Jaswinder Singh’s Completion

In the year of 2025 CE, in the month of October, it was the 14^th day, Tuesday, when the translations of this Katha were completed.  It was the 29^th day of Assu, 2082 (Vikram).  By the grace of the Satguru; by the blessing of my Gurudev, Sant Giani Sher Singh ji Ambala; by the support of my family; the translations of the great Gurpratap Sooraj Granth were completed.  It has been named the Gurupurshotam.  This translation was started in August 2021 and took 4 years to complete.

Thus ends the Uttarain.

Thus ends the Katha of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji.

Thus ends the Sri Gur Pratap Sooraj Granth.