Sahibe Kamal – 10

In dedication to Guru Gobind Singh ji

On the day of Baisakhi thousands of people gathered to celebrate the festival in a large shamiana erected for the purpose. Hymns from granth Sahib were being sung by Bhai Mani Singh. The air was full of expectations and low murmurs were being heard as people were eager to know why Guruji summoned people in large numbers to come with their beards and hair inviolate, fully attired with weapons. The sub consciousness of the moment was being felt. Guru Gobind Singhji as usual rose early and sat in meditation. He prepared to go to Sangat and was greeted and hailed by the Sangat with large shouts. He stood before sangat with his sword unsheathed and spoke:” My sword wants today a head. Is there a Sikh of mine who will give his head for Guru and dharma( righteousness)? Let any one of my true Sikh come forward. Isn’t there a Sikh of mine who would sacrifice his head for his Guru and dharma?” There was silence in the audience and also fear because people didn’t understand what Guruji was asking for. They gazed in awed silence until he spoke again for third time repeating his demand. Daya Ram a khatri from Lahore rose and said with humility,”My head is at your disposal ‘O’ Sache Patshah. There could be no greater gain then to die for you under your sword.” He walked behind Guru in a smaller tent specially erected for the purpose. Guruji came out alone from this tent with his sword dripping with blood and demanded another head. Some weak hearted people started leaving in fear but a Jat from Hastinapur rose and offered his head and said: “This humble Sikh offers his head ‘O’ Sache Patshah (true lord) because it was yours when I became your Sikh.” Three more calls were made and now people rose with full enthusiasm first Bhai Mohkam Chand of Dwarka from Gujrat stood with his hand folded, then Himmat of Jagannath of Orrisa and lastly Bhai Sahib Chand from Bidar in Andhra. People saw that they rose cheerfully and offered their heads. In this specially erected tent Guruji dressed all five Sikhs in specially made dresses and head-gear of saffron colour and also wore himself the same attire. After a while he came out of this tent with five Sikhs dressed in saffron attire. The audience that thinned, out of fear now saw that all five Sikhs in flesh and blood alive. Guruji introduced the five chosen Sikhs to the audience as ‘Panj Piyare’ the ‘Five Beloved’ ones. He then addressed the audience and said;” that this event is the culmination of the faith of the revelation of truth that was revealed to Guru Nanak by the Almighty. These Five Beloved ones have blessed themselves and brought glory to the faith and these five will make the nucleus of the Order of Khalsa, God’s own that I will inaugurate now.”