Sahibe Kamal - 5

In dedication to Guru Gobind Singh ji

Sikh prayer or Ardas as we call it  and which is a composition by Guru Gobind Singh ji has a preamble: it begins with " Pratham bhagwati simar ke Guru Nanak lai dhiyaye", meaning; " having first remembered the sword meditate on Guru Nanak..... " Many try to explain that it meant remembering the Godess Durga. This is completely wrong and can be explained by an incident that happened when some Pundit told Guruji that with their chanting of Mantras and making offerings in the fire Godess Durga or Bhagwati with  one her many names will show her presence. Guruji allowed them to do this yagna to recall the Godess in her human form. After several days the Pundits could not present the Godess. Guruji was tired of this tamasha and removed his sword and said this is Bhagwati, this is the power that world likes to be afraid of. His spiritual upbringing did not allow him to wield its power in unworthy cause. So when he calls the Almighty as 'Sarbloh' or 'bhagwati' he was not oblivious of His characteristics of love and compassion. His composition Jaap Sahib has a verse that reads:

I bow to Thee, Lord, Who art the wielder of the sword!

I bow to Thee,Lord, Who art the possessor of the arms!

I bow to Thee,Lord, Who knowest the ultimate secrete!

I bow to Thee,Lord Who lovest the world like mother!

God is symbolised in the sword which is one of the weapons of war. This interchangeable term with God and sword only emphasizes Guru Gobind Singh's philosophy. God is presented by Guru Nanak as 'Nirbhay' -without fear and 'Prasad'- benevolent. He - the God is destroyer of the tyrant, punisher of the evil. Prasad -the benevolent aspect is equally emphasized as saviour of the downtrodden and poor, and bestower of his goodwill and mercy. This fusion of the spiritual and martial, devotional and heroic features was the unique mark of Guru Gobind Singh's philosophy. He never deviated from the house of Nanak by adopting this policy because in many of his verses Guru Nanak not only reprimands the tyrant, evil doers, jogis, Brahman, kings he does not even spare the God when he says in a verse:' Khurasan Khasmana kiya Hindustan daraya ll Appe dosh na deyin Karta jam kar Mogul charaya ll Eti mar pai kurlane tain ki dard na aiya.ll' GG.pg 360

Meaning: having conquered Khurasan, Babur terrified Hindustan.The creator does not take any blame on Himself and has send the Mogul as messenger of death.so much terror was inflicted upon people.'O' god didn't you feel any compassion? The sword thus stood for righteous and brave actions for the protection of truth and virtue, The sword became the symbol of self-respect because it was to be used only for self defence as a last resort. Guru Gobind ji said: when all others means have failed, It is but righteous to take the sword.