Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Call to Arms - Suraj Prakash Granth
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The following is a passage from Gurpratap Suraj Prakash Granth written by Mahan Kavi Bhai Santhok Singh Ji. Kavi Ji describes a discourse by Guru Gobind Singh Ji towards the Khalsa Sangat. Guru Sahib outlines how Khasatriya Dharam [the warrior lifestyle] had declined in India which gave way for invaders [Turks] to enter India and commit horrendous atrocities. Guru Sahib then gives a call to arms to his followers.
The following should be taken in context however, because in the same granth [Suraj Prakash Granth] it talks about other Sikhs whose duty was not to maintain Khastriya Dharam, most noteably Bhai Ghanaiya Ji, where Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself takes away Bhai Ghanaiya Ji's talwar [sword] so that he may pursue his main calling which was to perform seva [selfless service]. In my humble opinion, I believe this discourse to be towards the Khalsa Fauj [Army] and not necessarily towards to entire Sikh Panth.
The Guru then said to his Sikhs, "All of the Khalsa should listen [to this directive], carrying weapons is the highest action.
ਜਬਿ ਹਮਰੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਕੋ ਆਵਹੁ । ਬਨਿ ਸੁਚੇਤ ਤਨ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਸਜਾਵਹੁ ।।੭।।
When you come to have my Darshan, adorn your body with weapons.
ਕਮਰ ਕਸਾ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਹੁ ਦਿਖਾਈ । ਹਮਰੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਹੋਇ ਅਧਿਕਾਈ ।
When showing yourself to me have your Kamar Kasa [waist band which holds weapons] tied, in such a way I shall be extremely happy. ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਕੇਸ ਬਿਨ ਪਾਉ ਲਖਹੁ ਨਰ । ਕੇਸ ਧਰੇ ਤਬਿ ਆਧੋ ਲਖਿ ਉਰ ।।੮।।
Those men who do not have Kesh [unshorn hair] or Shastars [weapons], do not recognize those men as full men. Those who have Kesh [unshorn hair], recognize those as half-men.
ਕੇਸ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਜਬਿ ਦੋਨਹੁਂ ਧਾਰੇ । ਤਬਿ ਨਰੁ ਰੂਪ ਹੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸਾਰੇ ।
Those who have adorned themselves with Kesh [unshorn hair] and Shastar [weapons], those men have attained their full form." ਅਸ ਉਪਦੇਸ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇ ਸੁਨਿ ਕਰਿ । ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਪਰਸਤਿ ਆਯੁਧ ਧਰਿ ਧਰਿ ।।੯।।
After listening to this discourse by the Guru, Sikhs would come to the Guru adorning various weapons.
ਸਿੰਘ ਰੂਪ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰਨ ਜੁਤਿ ਹੇਰੈਂ । ਹੋਤਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਕੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਬਡੇਰੈ ।
The appearance of a Singh [is complete] with weapons, when the Guru see's this He becomes extremely happy.ਕਮਰ ਕਸੇ ਬਿਨ ਜੋ ਸਿਖ ਜਾਇ । ਤਿਸ ਪਰ ਰੁਖ ਨਹਿ ਕਰੈਂ ਕਦਾਇ ।।੧੦।।
Those Sikhs who went towards the Guru without wearing a Kamarkasa [waist band which holds weapons], the Guru would never look towards them.
The following should be taken in context however, because in the same granth [Suraj Prakash Granth] it talks about other Sikhs whose duty was not to maintain Khastriya Dharam, most noteably Bhai Ghanaiya Ji, where Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself takes away Bhai Ghanaiya Ji's talwar [sword] so that he may pursue his main calling which was to perform seva [selfless service]. In my humble opinion, I believe this discourse to be towards the Khalsa Fauj [Army] and not necessarily towards to entire Sikh Panth.
ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਤਾਪ ਸੂਰਜ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ - ਰੁਤ ੩, ਅਧਿਾਇ ੨੩
Gurpratap Suraj Prakash Granth - Rut 3, Chapter 23
ਯਾਂਤੇ ਸਰਬ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸੁਨੀਅਹਿ । ਆਯੁਧ ਧਰਿਬੇ ਉਤੱਮ ਗੁਨੀਅਹਿ । Gurpratap Suraj Prakash Granth - Rut 3, Chapter 23
The Guru then said to his Sikhs, "All of the Khalsa should listen [to this directive], carrying weapons is the highest action.
ਜਬਿ ਹਮਰੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਕੋ ਆਵਹੁ । ਬਨਿ ਸੁਚੇਤ ਤਨ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਸਜਾਵਹੁ ।।੭।।
When you come to have my Darshan, adorn your body with weapons.
ਕਮਰ ਕਸਾ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਹੁ ਦਿਖਾਈ । ਹਮਰੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਹੋਇ ਅਧਿਕਾਈ ।
When showing yourself to me have your Kamar Kasa [waist band which holds weapons] tied, in such a way I shall be extremely happy. ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਕੇਸ ਬਿਨ ਪਾਉ ਲਖਹੁ ਨਰ । ਕੇਸ ਧਰੇ ਤਬਿ ਆਧੋ ਲਖਿ ਉਰ ।।੮।।
Those men who do not have Kesh [unshorn hair] or Shastars [weapons], do not recognize those men as full men. Those who have Kesh [unshorn hair], recognize those as half-men.
ਕੇਸ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਜਬਿ ਦੋਨਹੁਂ ਧਾਰੇ । ਤਬਿ ਨਰੁ ਰੂਪ ਹੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸਾਰੇ ।
Those who have adorned themselves with Kesh [unshorn hair] and Shastar [weapons], those men have attained their full form." ਅਸ ਉਪਦੇਸ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇ ਸੁਨਿ ਕਰਿ । ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਪਰਸਤਿ ਆਯੁਧ ਧਰਿ ਧਰਿ ।।੯।।
After listening to this discourse by the Guru, Sikhs would come to the Guru adorning various weapons.
ਸਿੰਘ ਰੂਪ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰਨ ਜੁਤਿ ਹੇਰੈਂ । ਹੋਤਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਕੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਬਡੇਰੈ ।
The appearance of a Singh [is complete] with weapons, when the Guru see's this He becomes extremely happy.ਕਮਰ ਕਸੇ ਬਿਨ ਜੋ ਸਿਖ ਜਾਇ । ਤਿਸ ਪਰ ਰੁਖ ਨਹਿ ਕਰੈਂ ਕਦਾਇ ।।੧੦।।
Those Sikhs who went towards the Guru without wearing a Kamarkasa [waist band which holds weapons], the Guru would never look towards them.
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