23rd Doharaa: 'Sees Sathr Ar[i] Aar...'

Dhan Dhan Kalgidhar Maharaj, Chittey Baja Wale Paatshah, Neela-Ghorr Asvaar, Sarbans Daani, Dasmesh Pita Ji Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Maharaj
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ਸੀਸ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਅਰਿ ਆਰ ਅਸ ਖੰਡੋ ਖੜਗ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ॥
Sees Sasthar Ar[i] Aar As Kha[n]do Kharrag Kirpaan
ਸਕ੍ਰ ਸੁਰੇਸਰ ਤੁਮ ਕੀਯੋ ਭਗਤ ਆਪੁਨੋ ਜਾਨ॥੨੩॥
Sakr Suraesar Thum Keeyo Bhagath Aapuno Jaan
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Throughout majority of the 1700s, Sikhs were living as outlaws. The Mughals and Pathans of the time were looting, abducting women, desecrating religious places in the name of government. One such example is Musalal Khan, the Muslim Rajput Chaudhary given the rank of ‘Rangarr’. He is most commonly known by Sikhs as Massa Rangarr. He was infamously known for turning the sacred place of Sri Darbar Sahib into a place for strippers to dance and for him to smoke shisha. When the Sikhs who were living in the jungles found out about this, they knew they had to put an end to this sacrilege. Bhai Mehtab Singh and Bhai Sukha Singh dressed up as farmers coming to pay tax. They used the sword to cut of the head of Massa Rangarr. After doing so they put his head on a spear and brought it back into the jungle dwelling of Buddha Jaurr in modern day North Rajasthan. The enemy of the enemy is the Shastar. in this instance, it was the Thalwar-sword which cut off Massa Rangarr’s head and the Neja-spear which his head was hung upon. This act boosted the morale of the persecuted Sikhs. Bhai Mehtab Singh’s grandson is Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu who wrote the original Panth Prakash (where a historical account of this event can be found).

On the very top of the Akaal Takht, Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib are Khanda swords.

Indra is a position as the King of the Heavens (Sur-lok). Like many traditions around the world, Heaven is portrayed as a place of worldly enjoyment. If someone has good karma then they will enjoy the pleasures of Heaven. Gurbani does not prescribe for a Sikh to want to go to a heaven of worldly enjoyment. Rather, the goal is to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death which is found through attaining spiritual realization and/or divine love. This role of Indra is attained through Akaal Purakh’s Hukam. Vaheguru bestowed that position knowing that soul to be a devotee of Vaheguru. In Sikhi, this material/worldly heaven which is mentioned in a few different religions, is not permanent - that which comes to be will also be subject to destruction. Only Vaheguru Ji are forever. Even the angels ask for liberation and loving devotion towards Vaheguru.

The following is an excerpt from Dr. Jwala Singh's website providing English commentary on a Shabad from Sri Sarbloh Prakash Granth (we've provided transliteration):
ਦੋ ਮਾਰਗ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕੇ ਕਹਿਯੈ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਹਰਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਹਰਿਜਨ ਕੀ ॥
Dho Maarag Mukath[i] Kae Kahiyae Prithham Har[i] Bhagath[i] Har[i]jan Kee
"It is said there are two paths of liberation, the first is the devotion towards Hari, attained by the servants of Hari
ਦੁਤੀਯ ਸੂਰੱਤ ਸੂਰਨ ਕੀ ਧਰਾ ਸੁਭ ਗਤਿ ਅਯੋਧਨ ਕੀ ॥
Dutheey Soo-rath Sooran Kee Dhharaa Subh Gath[i] Ayodhhan Kee
The second is heroic warriorhood; attained by the warriors who have attained the esteemed position of liberation in war.
ਮੁਕਤਿ ਮਾਰਗ ਕਹੇ ਦੋਊ ਸੁਲਭ ਸਭਿ ਕਾਲ ਭਗਤਨ ਕੀ ॥
Mukath[i] Maarag Kahae Do-oo Sulabh Sabh[i] Kaal Bhagathan Kee
These are called the two paths of liberation, which at the right time are found easily by the lovers of Hari"
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Please forgive for any mistakes done in translating, researching, commenting, or presenting
Guru Panth Da Daas,
Haq Haq-Aaeenaa