Prologue: The Scalping of Bhai Taru Singh Ji

The Khalsa serving "Langar" in jungles in the 18th century.

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
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ਸਾਵਣ ੧ (July 16): Part 1 - The Arrest of Bhai Taru Singh Ji.
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On the occasion of the Martyrdom day of Bhai Taru Singh Ji, Here is an excerpt from "Sri Gur Panth Prakash" on the events leading to Bhai Taru Singh Ji's Arrest:

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ਦੋਹਰਾ:
ਸਾਖੀ ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਕੀ ਸੁਨੋਂ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਨ ਲਾਇ ।
ਜੋ ਖਾਨ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਲੈ ਤੁਰਯੋ ਖੋਪਰੀ ਸਿਰੋਂ ਉਤਰਾਇ ।੧।
"Dear devout readers listen with concentration and devotion,
The episode about Bhai Taru Singh (a fearless Singh Martyr).
Who got Khan Bahadur damned in the Divine Court,
By getting his own scalp removed from his head."

ਜੋ ਮਾਝੈ ਮੈਂ ਬਸਤ ਥੇ ਭਲੇ ਸੁ ਪੂਲੇ ਗ੍ਰਾਮ ।
ਹਠੀ ਤਪੀ ਸਾਚੋ ਸਤੀ ਨਿਹੰਗ ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਨਾਮ ।੨।
"He being an inhabitant of the Majha region of Punjab,
Resided in village Poolha in perfect peace and piety.
Being a man of resolute, meditative, upright and abstemious disposition,
He was known by the name of Taru Singh Nihang."

ਚੌਪਈ:
ਨਵਾਬ ਮੌਤ ਜਬ ਨੇੜੇ ਆਈ । ਤਿਮ ਤਿਮ ਲਾਗੋ ਕਰਨ ਬੁਰਾਈ ।
ਸਾਲ ਅਠਾਰਾਂ ਸਈਏ ਦੋਇ । ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਕੀਓ ਸਾਕੋ ਸੋਇ ।੩।
"As the Lahore Nawab neared the end of his tether,
He started committing more and more wicked deeds.
It was in the year of 1802 of Bikrami Samvat,
That Bhai Taru Singh performed an act of supreme sacrifice."

ਦੋਹਰਾ:
ਨ੍ਵਾਬ ਮੁਲਖੱਯਨ ਕੋ ਪੁਛਯੋ ਸਿੰਘ ਰਿਜ਼ਕ ਕਹਾਂ ਤੇ ਖਾਂਹਿ ।
ਨਹਿਂ ਉਗਰਾਹੀ ਹਲ ਵਾਹੀ ਨਹਿਂ ਚਾਕਰੀ ਬਣਜ ਕਮਾਂਹਿ ।੪।
"Summoning his subjects, the Nawab made an enquiry,
Where from did the Singhs manage to get their wherewithal?
Neither did they collect any revenue or cultivate their fields,
Nor were they known to carry out any business or employment."

ਚੌਪਈ:
ਗੁਰਦ੍ਵਾਰੇ ਜੋ ਚੜਤ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਵੈ । ਸੋ ਭੀ ਮੈਂਨੇ ਦਏ ਹਟਾਵੇ ।
ਨਹਿਂ ਗੁਰੂਅਨ ਕੋ ਦੇਇ ਨਿਆਜ਼ । ਹਟਾਇ ਦਈ ਮੈਂ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਕਾਜ ।੫।
"Whatever they received by way of offerings in their shrines,
Had also been banned through a royal decree.
Whatever the Singhs, received in charity in the name of Sikh Gurus,
That too had been prohibited through his royal orders."

ਓਇ ਭੁੱਖੇ ਕਿਮ ਨਾਂਹਿ ਮਰਾਹੀਂ । ਦਾਣਾ ਪਾਣੀ ਜਿਨ ਲੱਭੈ ਨਾਹੀਂ ।
ਫੌਜ ਟੋਲੇ ਉਨ ਬੰਨ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਰਾਹੀਂ । ਖੋਜ ਟੋਲ ਕੈ ਮਾਰੈਂ ਤਾਹੀਂ ।੬।
"Why did they not die of starvation and hunger,
When all kinds of provisions had been made scarce.
With Mughal troops blockading all the highways,
The Singhs were being killed through search and shoot operations."

ਜਿਨ ਪਿੰਡਨ ਮੈਂ ਸਿੰਘ ਕੋ ਭਯੋ । ਸੋਈ ਪਿੰਡ ਉਜਾੜ ਮੈਂ ਦਯੋ ।
ਛੋਡ ਗਏ ਵੈ ਅਪਣੇ ਦੇਸ਼ । ਭੂਖੇ ਹੋਇ ਵਟਾਵੈਂ ਭੇਸ ।੭।
"In whatever village was a Singh reported to be residing,
He had ordered that village to be razed to the ground.
Singhs, having deserted their country (in desperation),
Had they been moving in the guise of starving mendicants."




ਮੈਂ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਕੇ ਸਾਕ ਭੀ ਗਾਰੇ । ਖੱਡਨ ਮੈਂ ਤੇ ਟੋਲ ਕੱਢ ਮਾਰੇ ।
ਮੁਗਲ ਬਾਜ ਹੈਂ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਟੇਰੇ । ਮਾਰੇ ਮੁਗਲਨ ਨੇ ਬਹੁ ਘੇਰੇ ।੮।
"He (the Nawab) had eliminated even the relatives of the Singhs,
By dragging them out from their underground hideouts.
Mughals, being ferocious falcons as compared to the timid quail like Singhs,
Mughals had slaughtered the Singhs after nabbing them everywhere."

ਰਿਜਕ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਕੋਈ ਜੀਵੈ ਨਾਹੀਂ । ਓਇ ਕਿਮ ਜੀਵੈਂ ਰਿਜ਼ਕ ਬਿਨਾਂਹੀ ।
ਪੱਤ ਸਾਗ ਖਾਇ ਮਨੁਖ ਕਬ ਜੀਵੈ । ਜੋ ਜੀਵੈ ਤੁਰਨ ਜੋਗ ਕਿਮ ਥੀਵੈ ।੯।
"As no human being could survive without taking food,
How were the Singhs still alive without any food to feed?
How long could a person survive on leafy vegetables alone,
How could one remain active even if one managed to survive?"

ਦੋਹਰਾ:
ਇਕ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਤਬ ਬੋਲਿਓ ਨਹਿਂ ਭੂਖੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਰਾਹਿਂ ।
ਇਸੀ ਦੇਸ਼ ਮੈਂ ਸਿਖ ਰਹੈਂ ਉਨ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਪੀਛੇ ਖਾਂਹਿ ।੧੦।
"At this, a wicked person let out the (whole) secret,
That the Singh were not dying of any starvation.
There were the Sikhs residing in their own country,
Who fed themselves only after feeding the (fugitive) Singhs."

ਚੌਪਈ:
ਹਰਭਗਤ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੀਏ ਯੌ ਭਾਖੀ । ਸੱਚ ਬਾਤ ਇਨ ਭਾਈ ਆਖੀ ।
ਐਸੇ ਐਸੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਜਗ ਮਾਂਹੀ । ਸਿੰਘ ਛਕਾਇ ਪੀਐਂ ਨਿਜ ਖਾਂਹੀ ।੧੧।
Harbhagat Niranjania (a rival to the Guru’s seat) remarked,
That whatever the earlier informer had reported was indeed true.
There was no dearth of such devoted Singhs in that country,
Who fed themselves only after feeding the (militant) Singhs."

ਆਪ ਸਹੈਂ ਵੈ ਨੰਗ ਅਰ ਭੁੱਖ । ਦੇਖ ਸਕੈਂ ਨਹਿਂ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਦੁੱਖ ।
ਆਪ ਗੁਜ਼ਾਰੈਂ ਅਗਨੀ ਨਾਲ । ਸਿੰਘਨ ਘਲੈਂ ਪੁਸ਼ਾਕ ਸਿਵਾਲ ।੧੨।
"They were prepared to face starvation and destitution themselves,
But they could not bear a Singh suffering for want of food.
They could keep themselves warm in winter by sitting around a fire,
But they got expensive garments stitched for the fellow Singhs."

ਕਈ ਪੀਸਨਾ ਪੀਸ ਕਮਾਵੈਂ । ਵੈ ਭੀ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਪਾਸ ਪੁਚਾਵੈਂ ।
ਬਾਣ ਬੱਟ ਕਈ ਕਰੈਂ ਮਜੂਰੀ । ਭੇਜੈਂ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਪਾਸ ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ ।੧੩।
"Many of them, whatever little they earned through rigorous labour,
They sent their entire earnings to the Singhs (in the wilds).
Many others who engaged themselves in making mats and ropes,
They also sent their proceeds to Singhs without fail."

ਦੂਰ ਜਾਇ ਜੋ ਚਾਕਰੀ ਕਰਿਹੀਂ । ਆਇ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਕੇ ਆਗੈ ਧਰਿਹੀਂ ।
ਸਿੰਘ ਜੋਊ ਪਰਦੇਸ਼ ਸਿਧਾਰੇ । ਭੇਜੈਂ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਓਇ ਗੁਰੂ ਪਯਾਰੇ ।੧੪।
"Even those who were serving at distant places,
They also offered all their wages to the Singhs.
Even those among them who had gone abroad,
Were sending their money to their dear, devout Singhs."

ਦੋਹਰਾ:
ਸੁਨ ਨਵਾਬ ਸਿਰ ਫੇਰਿ ਕਹਿ ਕਠਨ ਪੰਥ ਭਯੋ ਯਾਹਿ ।
ਹਮ ਤੇ ਮਾਰੇ ਮਰਤ ਕਬ ਮਾਰੈ ਇਨ੍ਹੈਂ ਖੁਦਾਇ ।੧੫।
"Hearing this account, the Nawab shook his head in distress,
Remarking that the Khalsa Panth was indeed very formidable.
Since the Khalsa could hardly be eliminated by him,
God alone had the power to decimate the Khalsa Panth."

ਤਬ ਨਵਾਬ ਉਨ ਸੋਂ ਕਹਯੋ ਸੋ ਹਮ ਦੇਹੁ ਦਿਖਾਇ ।
ਜੋ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਕੋ ਭੇਜਤੇ ਉਨ ਹਮ ਦੇਹਿਂ ਖਪਾਇ ।੧੬।
"Thereafter addressing those whom he had called there,
The Nawab asked them to identity those harboring the Singhs,
He reiterated to decimate all those in his state,
Who had been sending provisions to the militant Singhs."

ਚੌਪਈ:
ਹਰਭਗਤ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੀਏਂ ਯੌ ਫਿਰ ਕਹੀ । ਪੂਲ੍ਹੋ ਪਿੰਡ ਇਕ ਮਾਝੇ ਅਹੀ ।
ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਤਹਿਂ ਖੇਤੀ ਕਰੈ । ਸਾਥ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਹਿ ਪੈਸੇ ਭਰੈ ।੧੭।
"Upon this, Harbhagat Niranjania made a disclosure,
That there was a village Poolha in the Majha region of Punjab.
There was a Singh named Taru Singh, engaged in agriculture,
Who paid state revenue along with all his fellow villagers."

ਦੇਹ ਹਾਕਮ ਕਛੁ ਥੋੜਾ ਖਾਵੈ । ਬਚੈ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਕੇ ਪਾਸ ਪੁਚਾਵੈ ।
ਹੈ ਉਸ ਤੇ ਇਕ ਭੈਣ ਅਰ ਮਾਈ । ਪੀਸ ਕੂਟ ਵੈ ਕਰੈਂ ਕਮਾਈ ।੧੮।
"After paying his dues and keeping a little bit for himself,
He had been sending the rest to the Khalsa Panth Singhs.
His mother and sister who lived with him in his home,
They also earned some money doing some odd jobs."

ਆਪ ਖਾਂਇ ਵਹਿ ਰੂਖੀ ਮਿੱਸੀ । ਮੋਟਾ ਪਹਿਰ ਆਪ ਰਹਿਂ ਲਿੱਸੀ ।
ਜੋਊ ਬਚੇ ਸੋ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਦੇਵੈ । ਉਇ ਬਿਨ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਔਰ ਨ ਸੇਵੈਂ ।੧੯।
"Keeping themselves alive on the barest minimum victuals,
They covered their frail bodies with course clothes.
Offering whatever they could save from their earnings,
They reposed their faith in none else than the Singhs."

ਬਾਂਗ ਸਲਾਤ ਸੁਨ ਮੂੰਦੇ ਕਾਨ । ਰੋਟ ਸ਼ੀਰਨੀ ਪੀਰ ਨ ਖਾਨ ।
ਸ਼ਬਦ ਚੌਂਕੀ ਗੁਰ ਅਪਨੇ ਕੀ ਕਰੇ । ਸੋ ਮਰਨੇ ਤੇ ਨੈਕ ਨ ਡਰੇ ।੨੦।
"While plugging their ears against the loudly audible Muslim Azan,
They made no offerings of any kind to the Muslim or Sultani Pir.
Worshipping the Sikh Gurus and praying to the Gurus alone,
They were least scared of dying for their faith."

ਗੰਗਾ ਜਮਨਾ ਨਿਕਟ ਨ ਜਾਵੈ । ਅਪਨੇ ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਛਪੜੀ ਨ੍ਹਾਵੈ ।
ਜਗਨ ਨਾਥ ਕੋ ਟੁੰਡਾ ਆਖੈਂ । ਰਾਮ ਕਿਸ਼ਨ ਕੋ ਜਾਪ ਨ ਭਾਖੈਂ ।੨੧।
"Shunning to have immersion in the sacred Ganges and Yamuna rivers,
They were content to take a dip in the Sikhs’ sacred pool.
Branding Jagannath as a Hindu deity with arms maimed,
They did not recite hymns in praise of Lord Rama and Krishna."

ਦੋਹਰਾ:
ਰਾਤ ਤੁਰੈ ਦਿਨ ਬਹਿ ਰਹੈ ਤੁਰਕਨ ਆਂਖ ਬਚਾਇ ।
ਸਿਰ ਪਰ ਪੰਡ ਉਠਾਇਕੈ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਪੈ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਇ ।੨੨।
"Remaining still during the day, while moving at night,
They kept themselves unnoticed by the Mughal patrols.
Carrying a bundle on their heads, containing provisions,
They made those provisions available to the Singhs."

Bhai Mehtab Singh Ji

ਚੌਪਈ:
ਔਰ ਦੂਸਰੋ ਮਤਾਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਨਾਮ । ਮੀਰਾਂ ਕੋਟ ਤਾਸ ਕੋ ਗ੍ਰਾਮ ।
ਜਿਸ ਦਿਨ ਤੇ ਉਨ ਮਾਰਯੋ ਮੱਸਾ । ਛੋਡ ਪਿੰਡ ਰਹਿ ਝੱਲ ਮੈਂ ਨੱਸਾ ।੨੩।
"Mehtab Singh, being another member of the same fraternity,
He hailed from a village known by the name Mirankot.
Since the day he had beheaded Muslim feudal Massa Ranghar,
He had escaped into the wilds after deserting his own village."

ਕਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਕਦੇ ਜਾਵੇ ਦੂਰ । ਲੂਟ ਕੂਟ ਦਏ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ।
ਬੀਸ ਪਚਾਸ ਰਹੈਂ ਉਸ ਸਾਥ । ਲੋਕਨ ਕੋ ਵਹਿ ਲਾਵੈ ਹਾਥ ।੨੪।
"Carrying out his raids in local and distant helmets,
He supplied provisions to the Singhs through loot and plunder.
Always having a band of fifty odd Singhs under his command,
He waylaid the people and robbed them of their possessions."

ਕਿਸੈ ਮੰਗੈ ਕਿਸੈ ਲਏ ਡਰਾਇ । ਲੋਕਨ ਪਰ ਕਰ ਲਈ ਠਹਿਰਾਇ ।
ਜੋ ਉਸ ਕੀ ਨਹਿਂ ਕਰ ਠਹਿਰਾਇ । ਦੇਵੈ ਉਸ ਖੂਹ ਅਗਨ ਲਗਾਇ ।੨੫।
"Beseeching a few for contributions while threatening some others,
He had started collecting fixed amounts from the people.
Whosoever refused to pay the amount fixed by him,
He committed loot and arson at the offender’s property."

ਦੋਹਰਾ:
ਨਵਾਬ ਕਹਯੋ ਹਰਭਗਤ ਕੋ ਮਤਾਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਤੂੰ ਲਯਾਉ ।
ਹੈ ਉਸ ਕੇ ਸੰਗ ਸਿੱਖ ਬਹੁ ਬਹੁਤ ਫੌਜ ਲੈ ਜਾਉ ।੨੬।
"Addressing the informer Harbhagat Niranjania, the Nawab asked,
That the former should produce Mehtab Singh in his court.
Mehtab Singh being supported by many other Singhs,
The former must take a large battery of Mughal troops."

ਚੌਪਈ:
 ਔ ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਇਕੱਲਾ ਜੋਊ । ਅਹਿਦੀ ਜਾਇ ਲੈ ਆਵੈ ਸੋਊ ।
ਬੀਸ ਕੁ ਤਿਸ ਸੰਗ ਪਯਾਦੇ ਦੇਉ । ਰਸਤਯੋਂ ਚੌਕਸ ਉਸ ਕਰ ਲੇਉ ।੨੭।
"Bhai Taru Singh, being alone without any supporters,
A court official should be sent to summon the latter.
The court official be escorted by twenty odd foot-soldiers,
Who should escort him safely during their journey."

ਨਵਾਬ ਫਰਮਾਈ ਤਿਮ ਹੀ ਕਰੀ । ਤੁਰਤ ਦੋਨੋਂ ਪਰ ਫੌਜੈਂ ਚਰੀ ।
ਅਹਿਦੀਅਨ ਜਾਇ ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਫੜਯੋ । ਨਵਾਬ ਕਹਯੋ ਤਿਨ ਕਰਕੋ ਕਰਯੋ ।੨੮।
"Carrying out the orders of the Nawab of Lahore,
Mughal troops proceeded immediately to take on both the Singhs.
Reaching there, the Court official took Bhai Taru Singh into custody,
Thus promptly carrying out the orders of the Nawab."

ਡੇਰਾ ਮੋੜ ਭਡਾਣੇ ਲਾਏ । ਲੋਕ ਦੇਖਨੇ ਸੁਨਿ ਕੈ ਆਏ ।
ਅਹਿਦੀ ਲਾਗੇ ਬੁਰਾ ਸੁ ਮਾਨਨ । ਮਾਰੈਂ ਚਮਕੀ ਲੋਕਨ ਤਾਨਨ ।੨੯।
"As the troops camped at village Bhardana after Taru Singh’s arrest,
Many people rushed to see him after hearing the news.
The Mughal official, feeling offended at this intrusion,
They started beating the people with the whiplashes."

ਅਹਿਦੀਅਨ ਕੋ ਕਛੁ ਦੈ ਕੈ ਦਾਮ । ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਕਰਯੋ ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਗ੍ਰਾਮ ।
ਭੈਣ ਸਾਥ ਥੀ ਸੋ ਫੜੀ ਆਈ । ਸੋ ਦੰਮ ਦੈ ਲੋਕਨ ਛਡਵਾਈ ।੩੦।
"Offering some money by way of bribes to the court officials,
The residents of Taru Singh’s village had a glimpse of Taru Singh’s face.
Taru Singh’s sister who had been taken into custody along with him,
Her the people got released by greasing the palms of officials."

ਦੋਹਰਾ:
ਹੁਤੀ ਭੜਾਣੇ ਗੁਰ ਸਿਖੀ ਤਿਨ ਲਖ ਆਯੋ ਰੋਹੁ ।
ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਛੁਡਾਈਏ ਹੋਣੀ ਹੋਇ ਸੁ ਹੋਇ ।੩੧।
"The residents of village Bhardana, being guru’s devout Sikhs,
They felt outraged at the arrest of their fraternal Gursikh.
They resolved to get Bhai Taru Singh released from custody,
Whatever it might cost them in limb and property."

ਚੌਪਈ:
 ਤਬ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਯੌ ਮਤਾ ਪਕਾਇਆ । ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਕੋ ਆਨ ਸੁਨਾਇਆ ।
ਹਮ ਅਹਿਦੀਅਨ ਕੋ ਦੈ ਹੈਂ ਮਾਰ । ਕਰ ਜਾਵੈਂਗੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਉਜਾਰ ।੩੨।
"Thereafter, having resolved to get Bhai Taru Singh released,
They communicated their unanimous decision to Taru Singh.
Informing him of their decision to slaughter all the officials,
They told him of their decision to desert their village."

ਸਿੱਖ ਛੁਡਾਵਨ ਹੈ ਬਡ ਧਰਮ । ਗਊ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਨ ਤੇ ਸੌ ਗੁਨੋਂ ਕਰਮ ।
ਇਮ ਕਰਨੇ ਕੋ ਤਯਾਰ ਹੋ ਆਏ । ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੁਨ ਤੁਰਤ ਹਟਾਏ ।੩੩।
"Terming the securing of a Singh’s release as the noblest task,
The declared it hundred times nobler than protecting a cow or a Brahmin.
As these Singhs arrived with a resolve to accomplish their task,
Bhai Taru Singh prohibited them immediately from such a recourse."

ਅਸੀਂ ਨ ਮਰਨੋਂ ਨੱਠਨ ਵਾਰੇ । ਅਸੀਂ ਜੁ ਮਰਿ ਹੈਂ ਮੁਗਲ ਦੁਵਾਰੇ ।
ਹਮ ਸਿੱਖਨ ਕਾਰਨ ਗੁਰ ਸਿਰ ਲਾਏ । ਪੁਤ ਪੋਤਰੇ ਪੁਨ ਆਪ ਕੁਹਾਏ ।੩੪।
"Declaring that he would never flee from his impending death,
Definitely would he offer himself for sacrifice to the Mughals.
The Guru had not only sacrificed his own life for the Sikhs,
He had sacrificed his sons and grandsons as well."

ਪੰਥ ਬਧਾਵਨ ਖਾਤਰ ਤਾਈਂ । ਇਮ ਅਪਨੀ ਗੁਰ ਕੁਲ ਗਵਾਈ ।
ਉਸ ਕੇ ਪੰਥੀ ਹਮੈਂ ਸਦਾਏਂ । ਹਮ ਮਰਨੇ ਤੇ ਕਿਮ ਨਠ ਜਾਏਂ ।੩੫।
"It was for the glory and expansion of the Khalsa Panth,
That Guru had put an end to his own family line.
The Sikhs being the devout followers of the Sikh Gurus,
How could he flee from making a sacrifice?"

ਦੋਹਰਾ:
ਪੰਥ ਰਾਖਨ ਕੇ ਕਾਰਨੇ ਏਤੇ ਕੀਏ ਉਪਾਇ ।
ਦੂਖ ਸਹੇ ਨਿਜ ਸੁਤ ਦਏ ਸਿਰ ਤੁਰਕਨ ਦਏ ਲਾਇ ।੩੬।
"It was for the preservation of the glory and dignity of the Khalsa Panth,
That so many sacrifices were made by the Sikh Gurus.
The Guru not only suffered himself and sacrificed his sons,
He blamed the Mughals squarely for these sacrifices."

ਚੌਪਈ:
ਜੋ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਥੀ ਮੁਖ ਤੇ ਕਹੀ । ਸੋ ਸਿਰ ਦੈ ਗੁਰ ਲਾਜ ਨਿਬਹੀ ।
ਚੌਥੇ ਬਾਬਰ ਲਏ ਕਹਾਇ । ਉਨ ਬਚਨਨ ਭਏ ਆਪ ਬਿਕਾਇ ।੩੭।
"Whatever had the Guru professed from his sacred lips,
He fulfilled his sacred vow with a supreme sacrifice.
The Guru getting himself slaughtered by the fourth Babur,
Sacrificed his life for the sake of keeping his vow."

ਜੋ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਪਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਚਹਿ ਹੈ ਕੋਈ । ਸੀਸ ਦੀਏ ਬਿਨ ਫਿਰੈ ਨ ਸੋਈ ।
ਜਬ ਤੁਰਕ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਪਰ ਪਾਵੈਂ ਭਾਰ । ਲਾਯੋ ਉਨ ਸਿਰ ਸੀਸ ਉਤਾਰ ।੩੮।
"The Guru had ordained whenever the Hindus (Sikhs) wished to regain sovereignty,
It would never be regained without making a sacrifice.
Whenever the Mughals committed oppression on the Hindus,
The Sikhs should hold the Mughals responsible for their sacrifice."

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਅੰਗਦ ਕੋ ਕਹਿ ਗਏ । ਅੰਗਦ ਜੀ ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਸਮਝਏ ।
ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਰਾਮਦਾਸੈ ਕਹਯੋ । ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਰਜਨ ਸਿਰ ਊਪਰ ਸਹਯੋ ।੩੯।
"This message which Guru Nanak had given to Guru Angad Dev,
Had been passed over to Guru Amardas by Guru Angad Dev,
While Guru Amardas had communicated it to Guru Ram Das,
Guru Arjun had fulfilled this mandate with his own sacrifice."

ਹਰਿ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਔ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇ । ਬਨੀ ਨ ਬਿਧ ਵਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਤਕਾਇ ।
ਹਰੀ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਫੜੇ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਗਏ । ਤੁਰਕਨ ਬਦੀ ਲਗਾਵਤ ਭਏ ।੪੦।
"Thereafter Guru Hargobind and Guru Har Rai carried on,
But they did not get an opportunity to make sacrifices.
Guru Harkrishan, reaching Delhi after being arrested,
Sacrificed after putting the entire blame on the Mughals."

ਦੋਹਰਾ:
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਸਿਰ ਧਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਚਨ ਬਿਚਾਰ ।
ਆਪ ਜਾਇ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਖਈ ਤੁਰਕਨ ਤੇ ਤਲਵਾਰ ।੪੧।
"Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur accepted the Guru’s mandate gracefully,
After contemplating over Guru Nanak’s ordained message.
The Guru accepted Mughal’s persecution voluntarily at Delhi,
Getting himself beheaded by the Mughal’s oppressives sword."

ਚੌਪਈ:
ਤਿਮ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੂਰੇ । ਬਚਨ ਕੀਏ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਪੂਰੇ ।
ਸਣ ਪਰਵਾਰੇ ਦੇਹਿ ਲਵਾਈ । ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਚ ਗਏ ਬਿਕਾਈ ।੪੨।
"The great Guru Gobind Singh, following the glorious tradition,
Fulfilled the mendate as ordained by Guru Nanak, the same way.
Sacrificing his own life along with those of his whole family.
Guru Gobind Singh fulfilled the mandate of Guru Nanak."

ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਚੰਡੀ ਕੀ ਭੇਟ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਏ । ਤੁਰਕਨ ਸਿਰ ਬੁਰਿਆਈ ਲਾਏ ।
ਅਕੇ ਬੰਸ ਅਕੈ ਅੰਸ ਰਹਾਈ । ਏਕ ਮਿਆਨੋ ਛੁਰੀ ਨਹਿ ਦੋਈ ।੪੩।
"The Guru sacrificed his sons at the altar of Goddess of war,
Putting the blame squarely on the Mughals for those sacrifices.
Both one’s ideology and one’s progeny cannot be preserved at a time.
As two swords cannot be kept in a single sheath."

ਏਕ ਤਖਤ ਦੋ ਬਹੈਂ ਨ ਭੂਪ । ਕਲਜੁਗ ਭਵੈ ਨ ਦੋਇ ਅਨੂਪ ।
ਤਬ ਸਿੱਖਨ ਯਹ ਬਾਤ ਪੁਛਈ । ਕਿਮ ਗੁਰ ਸੀਸ ਲਗਾਵਨ ਠਈ ।੪੪।
"Neither can two sovereigns sit on a single throne at a time,
Nor can two rare powers rule at one time in Kaliyuga.
At this, the Sikh congregation enquired from Bhai Taru Singh,
Which cause made the Sikh Guru’s sacrifice their lives?"

ਦੋਹਰਾ:
ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਉਤਰ ਦਯੋ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮੁਖੋਂ ਫ੍ਰਮਾਇ ।
ਸੋ ਫੁਰਮਾਯੋ ਕਿਮ ਮਿਟੈ ਲਿਖਯੋ ਗਯੋ ਦਰਗਾਹਿ ।੪੫।
"Bhai Taru Singh answered the Sikhs’ query in the same vein,
As was given by the Gurus in their prophetic utterings.
How could the truth of the Guru’s utterings be effaced,
Since it had been ordained by the highest Divine Will."

ਸਿੱਖਨ ਕਾਰਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੀਨੇ ਸੀਸ ਲਗਾਇ ।
ਸੋ ਸਿਖ ਹਮ ਉਸ ਗੁਰੂ ਕੇ ਕਿਮ ਰਾਖੈਂ ਸੀਸ ਬਚਾਇ ।੪੬।
"As the Sikh Gurus had made the supreme sacrifice,
For the sake of their Sikhs and (the glory of their faith),
He being a devout Sikh of those revered Gurus,
How could he think of saving his life (at this juncture)."

ਚੌਪਈ:
ਤਬ ਸੰਗਤ ਸੁਨ ਅਚਰਜ ਭਈ ।ਕੌਣ ਵਖਤ ਗੁਰ ਗਏ ਬਿਕਈ ।
ਕੌਣ ਔਕੜ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਈ । ਕਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਵਹ ਦੇਹੁ ਸੁਨਾਈ ।੪੭।
"At this, the Sikh congregation, overawed with such a divination, wondered,
What unfortunate moment was it when the Guru had made such a vow?
Which exigency had compelled Guru Nanak to make such a pledge,
The congregation entreated Bhai Taru Singh to narrate it."

ਕਿਸੈ ਵਸਤੁ ਕੀ ਨਹਿਂ ਥੁੜ ਲੋੜ । ਤਜੀ ਪਸਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਉਨ੍ਹੈਂ ਕਰੋੜ ।
ਰਿੱਧ ਸਿੱਧ ਸਭ ਹਾਜ਼ਰ ਰਹੈਂ । ਮੁਖ ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਰੱਸਤੀ ਬਹੈ ।੪੮।
"When there was no dearth of material assets in the house of Guru Nanak,
Why did the Guru choose to renounce the temporal power?
As both the powers, material and spiritual, were at His command,
As well as the muse as sacred as Saraswati flowed from his own lips."

ਅਕਾਲਪੁਰਖ ਆਪ ਕਰੇ ਸਹਾਇ । ਅੰਨ ਦੇਵ ਆਪ ਲੰਗਰ ਵ੍ਰਤਾਇ ।
ਭਯੋ ਭੰਡਾਰੀ ਕੁਬੇਰ ਸੁ ਆਈ । ਸੁਰਤਰੁ ਸੁਰਸਰਿ ਭੀ ਰਹੇ ਸਦਾਈ ।।੪੯।
"Guru Nanak, being recipient of the grace of the Divine Lord Himself,
The God of sustenance (Vishnu) provided everything to Nanak’s House.
While Kuber, the god of wealth served as his storekeeper,
The sacred Ganges and Saraswati remained under Guru Nanak’s command."

ਤਬ ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਉੱਤਰ ਕਹੈ । ਅਪਨੀ ਗਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਆਪੇ ਲਹੈ ।
ਨਹੀਂ ਅੰਤ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਯਾ ਜਾਇ । ਉਨਕੇ ਭੇਦ ਹੈਂ ਉਨ ਹੀ ਪਾਹਿ ।੫੦।
"At this, Bhai Taru Singh answered the congregation’s query,
Saying that Guru Nanak alone knew the mystery of his act.
It is not for human beings to the extent of his majesty,
Since He alone was privy to the mystery of His Divine Will."


- Sri Gur Panth Prakash Vol.II, Episode 106
  Author: Rattan Singh Bhangoo (English Translation: Kulwant Singh)

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਿਹ!

(To Be Continued...)