SUNDRI by Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh

Translation by Bimal Kaur

PART X
As the evening shadows began to lengthen, a company of Mughal soldiers rode into the village.

The commanding officer called the village ‘Panch’ and asked if a battalion of Sikhs had passed that way.

Panch: "Yes, sir! They stopped here, had food and water and left only a short while ago.

Officer: "Who supplied them the food?

Panch : "The Hindus of the village, sir."

Officer: "Any Muslims also?"

Panch : "No, sir. As you know, sir, the Muslims never help any ‘Kafir’ willingly. But these Hindus were delighted to see the Sikhs.

At this, the officer became thoroughly enraged, and ordered his soldiers to capture the Hindus and bring them to him. Without questioning them, or giving them a chance to talk, he ordered them to be brutally beaten up, with the result that many died on the spot.

One of those killed was a newly - married young man, and the order was given to perform the ‘nikah’ (Muslim wedding ceremony) of the bride with the officer.

The young woman beseeched the officer to let her die with her husband, but who was there to pay heed to her pleas! Frustrated and in a fury, she turned towards the officer1 and lashed out at his face. Her fist hit him in the eye so hard that he fainted and fell off his horse. Seeing his officer’s plight, one of the Mughal Soldiers rushed up with his sword drawn. off the girl’s head, but unfortunately before he could stop himself, the point of his sword pierced the officers breast.

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A few days have passed since the above event. In one of the camps, in the heart of a deep forest, the Sikhs are moving about, doing various jobs, in an atmosphere of carefree joy. They seldom remember their homes and families. They are united in their love and devotion for Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and they are eager to spend their lives protecting their religion. This single-minded purpose gives them the courage to withstand all hardships, and to live in the deep jungles as fearlessly as the lions.

After the evening meal, they all gathered around Sardar Sham Singh, who was sitting with Balwant Singh and his sister.

Sham Singh :"So, Bibiji (politely turning to Saraswati), what do you want to do ?

Have you decided?"

Saraswati :"I would like to be guided by you."

Sham Singh: "You have to make the decision and we shall give all the help we can. If you like, we can bring your husband here. And if you want to go to him, we can escort you to his village. The only problem with the latter plan is that the Nawab will not let you live in peace, and you will be back in his clutches, So think carefully before you decide, You are our sister and we shall do everything to see that you are happy."

Saraswati : "Respected Bhraji, I have lost interest In my marriage as my husband has abandoned me. It was his duty to protect me, and he failed in his duty. Now, I don't want to get involved in a situation, from which my Guruji has liberated me. My only desire is to spend the rest of my life in the service of the Khalsa. If you allow me, I would like to live among my brothers. During peaceful days I can help with the cooking and other jobs, and when you set out to do battle, I would like to go along, so that I can help in taking care of the wounded. I can’t bear to sit idle, while my brave brothers face such ordeals for the sake of their religion. I, too want to be part of this struggle, and I beg you to teach me Gurbani, so that I can do the daily recitation, meditate en the Lords ‘name’ and be of service to everyone. I shall consider myself extremely lucky if you will let me lead such a life."

. . . Continued to Part 11.. .

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