24th Doharaa: 'Jamdhhar Jamdhaarraa Jabar...'

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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ਜਮਧਰ ਜਮਦਾੜਾ ਜਬਰ ਜੋਧਾਂਤਕ ਜਿਹ ਨਾਇ॥
Jam-dhhar Jam-dhaarraa Jabar Jodhh-aa[n]thak Jih naa-i
ਲੂਟ ਕੂਟ ਲੀਜਤ ਤਿਨੈ ਜੇ ਬਿਨ ਬਾਂਧੇ ਜਾਇ॥੨੪॥
Loot Koot Leejath Thinai Jae Bin Baa[n]dhhae Jaa-i
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In the first Adhiyaye of Bachithar Naatak, Dhan Sri Guru Sahib Ji describe Akaal-Purakh Vaheguru coming down as the very Form of Physical Death (Sree Kaal Jee Kee Usthat). In this Gurbani, Death is highlighted as something not to be scared of. Instead of fear, a warrior will have grace when they have to face death on the battlefield. Vaheguru Ji’s Power of Physical Death is personified as a King. There is glory and grandeur attached to Death. So many people fear this Power of Death which is vast and takes all.
ਸਿਰੰ ਮਾਲ ਰਾਜੰ ॥
Sir[ng] Maal Raaj[ng]
The Garland of Heads are a Royal Decoration that Vaheguru Ji in the Form of Death wear
ਲਖੇ ਰੁਦ੍ਰ ਲਾਜੰ ॥
Lakhae Rudhr Laaj[ng]
It seems even Shivji feels self-conscious to see [so much more glory and many more heads than Shivji who is known for having a garland of heads (Munda-Mala) but not of this level!]
(22nd Chhandh)
ਸਿਰੰ ਸੇਤ ਛਤ੍ਰੰ ॥
Sir[ng] Saeth Chhathr[ng]
Over Vaheguru Ji in Their Form of Death is a White Canopy
ਲਸੰ ਹਾਥ ਅਤ੍ਰੰ ॥੪੧॥
Las[ng] Haathh Athr[ng]
While They Gracefully wield weapons in Their Hands
ਸੁਣੇ ਨਾਦ ਭਾਰੀ ॥
SuNae naadh Bhaaree
Hearing the Roar of Death
ਤ੍ਰਸੈ ਛਤ੍ਰਧਾਰੀ ॥
Thrasai Chhathr-Dhhaaree
Many worldly kings become fearful!
(41st-42nd Chhandh)
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In this Doharaa, Guru Sahib refer to Jam/Yam which means Jamraj/Yamraj/Azraaeel/Grim Reaper/King or Angel of Death OR the messengers/workers that work for Yamraj/Jamraj ie Yamdhooth/Jamdhooth. Ultimately, this entire department reports to Akaal Purakh Vaheguru - The Ultimate Jam. 

One can read this Doharaa and interpret it as a focus on the Kataar/Punch-Dagger or otherwise, a reflection on the forceful nature of Death. Death may take the physical body and begin the transition into the next lifeform but what about the spiritual oriented beings which have gone past that which is subject to death? Many times Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji teach us about the relationship between death and the Sikhs who do a lot of Bhagti and receive the Kirpa of Guru Sahib:
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਵਾਕਿ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਨਾ ਜਮ ਕਾਣਿ ਨ ਜਮ ਕੀ ਬਾਕੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Sathigur Vaak[i] Hirdhai Har[i] nirmal[u] naa Jam KaaN[i] na Jam Kee Baakee
Those who keep the Satguru Granth Sahib’s Vaak (Shabad) in their Heart, They become pure (without any blemish in their account) and joined to Vaheguru, They no longer have any business with Jam and nothing remains left accounted for with Jam
(Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj in Raag Goojaree, Ang 505)
ਆਪਿ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਿ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਪੋਹਿ ਨ ਸਕੈ ਜਮਕਾਲੁ ॥੨॥
Aap[i] Kirpaa Kar[i] Raakhah[u] Har[i] Jeeo[u] Poh[i] na Sakai Jam-Kaal
When Vaheguru-Themselves bless & protect them then they will not suffer at the time of physical death.
(Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Amardaas Sahib Ji Maharaj in Raag Prabhaathee, Ang 1333)
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So let us pray to Guru Sahib for Their Kirpa and a graceful death without punishment in the afterlife.

In the midst of worshipping and respecting Vaheguru Ji’s given-Shastars, it is important to look at government policy around the world. In this Doharaa, Guru Maharaj are telling us that if one doesn’t have a Shastar on them then they can be robbed, harmed and potentially - killed!

The United States of America - despite its current political failure - has something called the Second Amendment Rights guaranteed in their foundation document: the US Constitution (1791):
“ ...the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”
People cannot be forbidden to have and use Shastars. It is also important to note that the United States of America was founded upon distrust in the colonial governing structures at that time. So having a right like this embedded in the constitution assures citizens that they have the right to keep Shastars and create Militias (unformalized/non-government people’s armies) in order to hold the government accountable.
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We can look to Gurbilas Patshahi Dasveen (by Bhai Sukha Singh) for an account of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Bachans to the Khalsa [translation by Jwala Singh on Manglacharan.com:
ਭੁਜੰਗ ਪ੍ਰਯਾਤ ਛੰਦ ॥ Bhuja[n]g Prayaath Chha[n]dh
ਪੁਨੰ ਸੰਗ ਸਾਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਯੌ ਸੁਨਾਈ । ਬਿਨਾ ਤੇਗ ਤੀਰੰ ਰਹੋ ਨਾਹਿ ਭਾਈ ।
Pu[n]n Sa[n]g Saarae Prabhoo Yau Sunaaee; Binaa Thaeg Theer[n] Raho naah[i]
Then amongst everyone the Master Guru Gobind Singh proclaimed; Brothers, without a sword and arrows do not remain in my presence.
ਬਿਨਾ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਕੇਸੰ ਨਰੰ ਭੇਡ ਜਾਨੋ । ਗਹੇ ਕਾਂਨ ਤਾਕੌ ਕਿਤੇ ਲੈ ਸਿਧਾਨੋ । 98।
Binaa Sasthar Kaes[n] nar[n] Bhaed Jaano; Gahae Kaa[n]n Thaakau Kithae Lai Sidhhaano
Without long hair (kesh) and weapons a man is a sheep, grabbed by their ear they can be dragged anywhere.
ਇਹੈ ਮੋਰ ਆਗਿਆ ਸੁਨੋ ਲੈ ਪਿਆਰੇ । ਬਿਨਾ ਤੇਗ ਕੇਸੰ ਦਿਵੋ ਨ ਦਿਦਾਰੇ ।
Ihai Mor Aagiaa Suno Lai Piaarae; Binaa Thaeg Kaes[n] Dhivo na Dhidhaarae
This is my command listen my beloved ones, without a sword or long hair kesh do not come to see me.
ਇਹੈ ਮੋਰ ਬੈਨੰ ਮਨੈਗਾ ਸੁ ਜੋਈ । ਤਿਸੈ ਇਛ ਪੂਰੰ ਸਭੈ ਜਾਂਨ ਹੋਈ । 99।
Ihai Mor Bain[ng] Manaigaa Su Joee; Thisai Poor[ng] Sabhai Jaa[n]n Hoee
Whoever follows these words of mine will have all of their desires fulfilled and will become all-knowing!
Gurbilas Patshahi Dasvi (1797), author: Sukha Singh
Chapter 23, Verse 98-99.
Note: Here the use of ਤੇਗ ਤੀਰੰ is suggestive of not only those specific weapons but more broadly bladed weapons (shastar), and projectile weapons (astar) like arrows but also pistols and rifles.

We look at examples such as Julius Caesar - the Roman Emperor - who was murdered because he was unarmed. Indian political leader - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi became popular for leading a non-violent anti-colonial independence campaign but ended up being murdered by a man who attempted to kill him twice before he was actually successful. Many people will say: ‘Well, the Khalsa are not emperors or royals and don’t have to worry for their life’. But that is their own limited mindset. The Khalsa are Royals who stand up for what is right. The one who stands up for what is right and especially, during the time of Kalyug - will often have a target on their back. Khalsa Aid CEO Ravi Singh has received death threats for helping people of other backgrounds. Jaswant Singh Khalra was abducted and killed in extrajudicial activities by the Indian government (and its sub-bodies) for reporting 25,000 missing Sikhs in Punjab during the 1980s-1990s.
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We shouldn't need to ask why Guru Sahib were giving such importance to Shastars. It is very evident.
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Please forgive for any mistakes done in translating, researching, commenting, or presenting
Guru Panth Da Daas,
Haq Haq-Aaeenaa