The Divine Sword....

Below is an extract taken from an article by Dr. Trilochan Singh published in 1955 which is on www.patshahi10.org. Bhai Sahib explains the opening verse to Bachitar Naatak Granth, composed by Guru Gobind Singh jee:

PART III-THE BACHITER NATAK GRANTH

INTRODUCTION

The introduction to the Bachiter Natak Granth gives Guru Gobind Singh's personal faith and philosophy.

The opening lines state in the most vigorous and clear words Guru Gobind Singh's conception of God as the sword of dharma. Not only the sword but every weapon became an attributive symbol of God. He loved God and saluted Him through the attributive names coined by the Guru from the weapons of dharma. The opening line is:

ਦੋਹਰਾ ॥
dohraa.
Couplet.

ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਖੜਗ ਕੋ ਕਰੋਂ ਸੁ ਹਿਤੁ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥
namaskaar sri kharrag kai karo su hit chit laae.
I salute the Glorious SWORD with all my heart`s affection.

ਪੂਰਨ ਕਰੋਂ ਗਰੰਥ ਇਹੁ ਤੁਮ ਮੁਹਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਸਹਾਇ ॥੧॥
pooran karo granth eihu muhi karhu sahaae.
I shall complete this Granth only if Thou Helpest me. ||1||

And then he sings the glory of this sword of dharma and explains it in one remarkable verse which Dr. Gokal Chand Narang calls the finest verse in all the world literature:

ਤ੍ਰਿਭੰਗੀ ਛੰਦ ||
Tribhang Chhand.

ਖਗ ਖੰਡ ਬਿਹੰਡੰ ਖਲ ਦਲ ਖੰਡੰ ਅਤਿ ਰਣ ਮੰਡੰ ਬਰ ਬੰਡੰ ||
khag khand bihandun khal dal khandun at ran mandun bar bundun.
The sword breaks through and cuts down evil, branch and root; The sword destroys all satanic troops; Its sway over evil makes life's battle impressive and grand;

ਭੁਜ ਦੰਡ ਅਖੰਡੰ ਤੇਜ ਪ੍ਰਚੰਡੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਅਮੰਡੰ ਭਾਨ ਪ੍ਰਭੰ ||
bhug dand akhandun tej prachandun jot amandun bhaan prabhun.
It is as an extension of the arm, unbreakable, terribly fast, it’s awesome splendor overshadows even the sun.

ਸੁਖ ਸੰਤਾ ਕਰਣੰ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਦਰਣੰ ਕਿਲਬਿਖ ਹਰਣੰ ਅਸਿ ਸਰਣੰ ||
sukh santaa karnun durmat darnun kilbikh harnun as sarnun.
It protects the peace and happiness of the saints and destroys any powerful negative energy. It has erased the negativity and guilt that I carry. I seek its refuge.

ਜੈ ਜੈ ਜਗ ਕਾਰਣ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਉਬਾਰਣ ਮਮ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਰਣ ਜੈ ਤੇਗੰ ||੨||
jai jai jag kaarun srist ubaaran mam pratipaaran jai tegun.
Praise, praise be to the great doer of the world, savior of the creation, my great protector, praise be to the sword!

Here is Guru Gobind Singh's complete conception of the sword. This was the sword, 'the spirit of dharma," which Guru Gobind Singh received from Guru Nanak after it had been handled by the other Gurus. This was the sword Guru Gobind Singh gave to the Khalsa. Before writing the Bachiter Natak Granth, Guru Gobind Singh wanted to clarify two points, two conceptions which were new to the Indian masses. One was his conception of the sword and the other was his conception of the avatars and prophets in comparison with the infinite God.


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