21st Doharaa: 'ThaiNeeraalai Sathr Ar[i]...'

Dhan Dhan Kalgidhar Maharaj, Chittey Baja Wale Paatshah, Neela-Ghorh Asvaar, Sarbans Daani, Dasmesh Pita Ji Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Maharaj
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ਤੈਣੀਰਾਲੈ ਸਤ੍ਰ ਅਰਿ ਮ੍ਰਿਗ ਅੰਤਕ ਸਸ ਬਾਨ॥
ThaiNeeraalai Sathr Ar[i] Mrig A[n]thak Sas Baan
ਤੁਮ ਬੈਰਣ ਪ੍ਰਥਮੈ ਹਨੋ ਬਹੁਰੋ ਬਜੈ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ॥੨੧॥
Thum BairaN Prathhmai Hano Bahuro Bajai Kirpaan
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As mentioned earlier, Shastar Naam Mala in its complete form is actually 5 adhiyayes. Most people refer to the first adhiyaye (that which we are translating and providing English commentary for) as Shastar Naam Mala but the full version is quite longer. The Adhiyaye’s that follow this first Adhiyaye will feature riddles that will bring the mind towards a specific shastar in question. In this Doharaa, Guru Maharaj refer to a few names together that feel like a preview for the future Adhiyaye’s. Here are a few riddles solved from which we can understand a bit better about how this Doharaa relates.

ਬਿਸਨੁ ਨਾਮ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮੈ ਉਚਰਿ ਪੁਨਿ ਪਦ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਉਚਾਰਿ ॥
Bisan[u] naam Prithhmai Uchar[i]; Pun[i] Padh Sasthr Uchaar[i]
First recite the name Bisn[u] = Vishnu, then say Shasthar
ਨਾਮ ਸੁਦਰਸਨ ਕੇ ਸਭੈ ਨਿਕਸਤ ਜਾਹਿ ਅਪਾਰ ॥੫੭॥
naam Sudharashan Kae Sabhai niksath Jaah[i] Apaar
All the names of the Sudarshan Chakkar will appear infinitely
(57th Chhand of Shastar Naam Mala)
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We can see by saying Vishnu’s Shastar, knowledgeable people will first think of the Divine Sudarshan Chakkar. Guru Maharaj are using previously known information to develop a hidden name.
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ਸਭ ਮ੍ਰਿਗਯਨ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਕਹਿ ਹਾ ਪਦ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਉਚਾਰ ॥
Sabh Mrigyan Kae naam kah[i] Haa Padh[u] Bahur[i] Uchaar
By saying any of the names that are used for deer, then saying ‘Haa’ = Killer
ਨਾਮ ਸਭੈ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਬਾਨ ਕੇ ਜਾਣੁ ਹ੍ਰਿਦੈ ਨਿਰਧਾਰ ॥੭੯॥
naam Sabhai Sree Baan Kae JaaN[u] Hridhai nirdhhaar
Know certainly in your heart that this is referring to the Arrow
(79th Chhand of Shastar Naam Mala)
Some names you might understand as they are straight forward. While others require a better understanding of traditional Sanskrit writings. For example, there might be an example where you must have read a story before in order to understand what shastar was used to kill a certain being. If one truly reflects on Gurbani then we realize that the way these Shastar’s are being broken down into references to make us remember them - in the same way, we may read Gurbani to see Vaheguru in other situations in other circumstances of our lives.

We hear about enemies over and over again in Gurbani but we also hear about the Quality of Vaheguru being Nirvair[u] (free from hate). How do these two things reconcile? The Brahmgiani also see the One Vaheguru within both the friend (nice person) and the enemy (harming person). In spiritual terms, the enemies of the Sikh walking on the path of Sikhi is the 5 Vikaar including Kaam (Lust), Krodhh (Anger), Lobh (Greed), Moh (Emotional Attachment), and Ahankaar (Ego).
On a worldly level, those who do the right thing are our friends and the enemies are those who impose their will cruelly upon those who cannot defend themselves. Just like Vaheguru took on Forms to protect Their Bhagats, so do we see the Khalsa come to protect.

Mrig Anthak can be interpreted as the deer killer - the arrow. Many stories one can think of where a deer is killed through the arrow.

In the Mahabharat, there is a King by the name of Pandu. His sons are referred to as the Pandav’s. They fight the great battle against their uncle’s children: the Kaurav’s. One time Pandu went out hunting and shot a pair of mating deers. The mating deers were actually Rishi/Sage Kindama and his wife. They transformed in order to have a private moment away from human eyes.  During their dying moments, Rishi Kindama cursed Pandu: you will die the moment you have intercourse with your wife. This death caused the Pandav sons to be brought to their uncle where they grew up in competition with their cousins and future enemies: the Kaurav’s. Even the physical death of Sri Krishna Ji occurs because a hunter mistook part of Krishna Ji’s Foot for that of a deer’s. Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji refer to this in 33 Savaiye:
ਕ੍ਯੋ ਕਹੋ ਕ੍ਰਿਸਨ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨਿਧਿ ਹੈ ਕਿਹ ਕਾਜ ਤੇ ਬਧਕ ਬਾਣੁ ਲਗਾਯੋ ॥
Kayo Kaho Krisan Kripa-nidhh[i] Hai; Kih Kaaj Thae Badhhak BaaN Lagaayo
Some say that Sri Krishna are the Treasury of Kirpa/BlessingsSo for what reason could they have been hit by the arrow of the hunter
When we get to that spiritual state, Guru Maharaj wants us to look beyond physical forms. Physical Divine forms help us to take this Maya-oriented mind towards something beyond. Eventually, the spiritual goal is to blend all physical form into One - the Manifestation of Vaheguru’s Energy and no duality as a result.

Sas Baan can be interpreted as the arrow which kills the rabbit. There is a Sakhi which started with Pehlay Patshah - Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji and is completed with Dasvae Patshah - Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. There was a Sikh of Guru Nanak Dev Ji by the name of Bhai Moolaa Ji. There was a time where Guru Nanak Dev Ji came to his home to see Moolaa Ji. Bhai Moolaa told his wife to tell Guru Sahib that he is not home. While Bhai Moolaa Ji was hiding inside, a snake bit him and he died. Guru Sahib told the family that in Their Tenth Form they would liberate Bhai Moolaa Ji. So Bhai Moolaa Ji suffered in various lives until they incarnated as a rabbit. In the meanwhile, Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji were in the Nanded area of modern day South India (around the area of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib). One time they went hunting and Guru Sahib fired an arrow at a rabbit. At that moment, Guru Maharaj liberated the soul (jeev-aatmaa) which used to be in the clothing of Bhai Moolaa Ji and the rabbit.

You destroy the enemies first and when You wrote down their the time of, place of, and cause of death. The individual may become anxious in trying to calculate their days of life left or attempt to hold their breath or breathe slower but this doesn't change anything. Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji bless us with this understanding:
ਙਣਿ ਘਾਲੇ ਸਭ ਦਿਵਸ ਸਾਸ ਨਹ ਬਢਨ ਘਟਨ ਤਿਲੁ ਸਾਰ ॥
ngaN[i] Ghaalae Sabh Dhivas Saas nah Batdan Ghatan Thil[u] Saar
One may put effort towards counting days and breaths [but] they don’t increase or decrease - even by the amount of a sesame seed [by this effort]
(Raag Gauree, Ang 254)

It is only after You have written the soul's cause of physical death that the death occurs. It is first that the Divine pen that flows then the physical form of that cause of death will appear - whether it be a shastar or another means of death.
However, whatever physically causes that death. Akaal Purakh Vaheguru are the ones who eliminate that cause of death as well. As we hear in Jaap Sahib:
ਨਮੋ ਕਾਲ ਕਾਲੇ॥
Namo Kaal Kaalae
Bowing down to the Death of deaths
(That which physically forms the cause of someone's death/destruction of a place/thing... Vaheguru are that Consciousness that gives existence to that death/destruction ~ thus, Mahakaal, the very Ultimate Form of Death... even the Killer of Shiv Ji, Dharam-Raaj/Jamdhooth, etc.)
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Please forgive any mistakes! Suggest any additions or omissions
Guru Panth Ka Daas,
Aaeenaa