25th Doharaa: 'Baa[n]k Bajr Bichhoo-O Bisikh[i] Birah...'

Last updated on Jan 19, 2026

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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ਬਾਂਕ ਬਜ੍ਰ ਬਿਛੂਓ ਬਿਸਿਖਿ ਬਿਰਹ ਬਾਨ ਸਭ ਰੂਪ॥
Baa[n]k Bajr Bichhoo-O Bisikh[i] Birah Baan Sabh Roop
ਜਿਨ ਕੋ ਤੁਮ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰੀ ਭਏ ਜਗਤ ਕੇ ਭੂਪ॥੨੫॥
Jin Ko Thum Kirpaa Karee Bha-ae Jagath Kae Bhoop

‘Baa[n]k Bajr Bichhoo-O’ also forms the beginning of the 12th Doharaa. You can read that section here. Here, we see additional interpretations of them. Bisikh is a word that always stands out to daas. In Summer of 2023, I remember accompanying Baba Surjeeth Singh Ji Mehronwale at a Paatt Bodhh program (held in Dr. Supreet Singh’s home) for Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s blissful version of Ramayana: Sree Raam Avthaar. Mahanth Thrilochan Singh Ji Tarnaa Dal were also there. The word ‘Bisikh’ came up and stood out. Mehronwale Babaji explained that this word is not to be pronounced as Bi-Sikh but Bisikh. People make this common mistake. Mahanth Thrilochan Singh Ji agreed to this point. It is important to make these distinctions because the meaning of the words can change based on their pronunciation. This was not mentioned during the Paatt Bodhh directly but looking at a breakdown of the word can help us. Why should it not be pronounced Bi-Sikh? Bi means ‘without’ in Farsi + Sikh[i] can mean Sikhi = Without Sikhi. Like how we use the words in many south asian languages borrowed from Farsi/Persian: Bae-Eemaan (Without Faith/Trust = Dishonest) or Bae-wakoof (Without Knowledge = Idiot) or Bae-Sharam (Without Shame = Shameless). Guru Maharaj refer to Akaal Purakh Vaheguru as ‘Ki Paak Bi-Aib Hai[n]’ (oh You who are Pure and without any flaws (Bi-Aib) in Jaap Sahib.

Previously, we briefly went over the use of Vajra in Budhhism. Vajrayana traditions use the Vajra as a symbol of spiritual enlightenment. When one reaches a state of enlightenment, they don’t return back to the earth. They are firm in their spiritual state. This weapon represents a strong, unmovable force. This hard and firm weapon is a lightning bolt that strikes down as a flash of spiritual enlightenment. Just as Guru Maharaj teach us:
ਘਨੁ ਗਰਜਤ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਰੂਪ
Ghan Garjath Gobi[n]dh Roop
The Thunder roars in the very Form of Vaheguru (Giaan Saroop ~ the Form of Spiritual Realization)
(Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji in Raag Malaar, Ang 811)

Resource	ਬਾਂਕ ਬਜ੍ਰ ਬਿਛੂਓ ਬਿਸਿਖਿ/ Baa[n]k Bajr Bichhoo-O Bisikh[i]
Mehron Steek	Baank is a crooked scythe Bajuu (Indra’s wrath-seeking rounded Bichhoo-O Shastar)
Giani Bishan Singh Steek	Baa[n]k = a crooked arrow, Bajar = hard/crisp arrow, Bichhoo-O = scorpion-like arrow
Pandit Narayan Singh Steek, Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi	Baank, Bajar, Bichoo-O, Bisikh...
Mahaan Kosh	ਬਾਂਕ (Baa[n]k) = 1) Crooked/Slanted 2) Crooked jewellery which is placed on the feet of women (Paazaeb/Anklet) 3) A Shastar which is curved like a lion’s nails 4) A Sword ਬਜ੍ਰ (Bajr) = Vajr = 1) Indra’s mace 2) Lightning 3) Diamond 4) Hard ਬਿਛੂਓ (Bichhoo-O) = Bichhooaa 1) Women’s Jewellery which is placed on the fee 2) A Peshkabz which looks like the Stinger of a Scorpion ਬਿਸਿਖਿ (Bisikh) = 1) (Bi = Without + Shikhaa = Flame/Crest/Tuft) = can be interpreted as without hair = bald 2) That arrow without any fletching (feathers) 3) Some refer to any arrow with this name

ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨ ਕਉ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਬਹੁ ਤਪਤੈ ਜਿਉ ਤ੍ਰਿਖਾਵੰਤੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਨੀਰ ॥੧॥
Har[i] Dharsan Ko[u] Maeraa Man[u] Bahu Thapthai; Jio[u] Thrikhaava[n]th[u] Bin[u] neer
My mind/heart is burning in yearning for the Sight of Vaheguru, just like the thirsty person without water
ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੁ ਲਗੋ ਹਰਿ ਤੀਰ ॥
Maerai Man[i] Praem[u] Lago Har[i] Theer
Within my mind/heart, an arrow of Divine Love has been struck
(Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Ramdaas Sahib Ji Maharaj in Raag Go[n]d, Ang 861)
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There is a state where Vaheguru blesses the spiritual seeker with: a state of detachment from the world and thirst for Vaheguru. The spiritual world becomes the only place of solace and the material world becomes bland. The spiritual seeker begs for Guru Maharaj’s Darshan until they receive it. This is an arrow of blessing that only the rare ones are blessed with and only the rarer ones who then receive Vaheguru Ji’s Darshan.
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ਬਿਰਹਾ ਬਿਰਹਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਬਿਰਹਾ ਤੂ ਸੁਲਤਾਨੁ ॥
Birhaa Birhaa Aakheeai Birhaa Thoo Sulthaan[u]
Oh This Feeling of Divine Separation, This Feeling is the King
(Salok Bhagat Fareed Ji, Ang 1379)
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Sure, warriors are tough but a lot of the warriors we celebrate in Sikhi were also steadfast in their Bhagti (loving worship). Their Bhagti is what gave them strength. They had gone through these states of worship in order to receive their strength.

The above video includes a recount of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji receiving Darshan of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Sri Hazur Sahib. This spiritual event occurred when they were younger and not yet the leader of the Damdami Taksal (Mehta Chowk). While doing Bhagti at Mata Sahib Devan Ji's Asthaan, they had Mata Ji’s Darshan from which they were crying and begging for Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj’s Darshan. Spiritual steadfast does not come from one’s own doing/capacity, it comes from Guru Maharaj directly. Imagine warriors like Baba Deep Singh that handwrote not one but many full saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The warriors that have this loving devotion only say the following: all of this Power is yours Vaheguru - I am simply your instrument to be used.

Resource	ਬਿਰਹ ਬਾਨ ਸਭ ਰੂਪ/ Birah Baan Sabh Roop
Mehron Steek	All of these Shastars come in the Form of the Bow of Divine Separation away from Vaheguru
Giani Bishan Singh Steek	Birah[i] = Cupid’s Arrow which can make someone unconscious
Pandit Narayan Singh Steek, Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi	Word-by-word: Birah = Pa[n]kh-dhaaree = Arrow with fletching (feathers)... ...All of these weapons are Your Form
Mahaan Kosh	(Birah) = 1) Separation 2) Something not happening 3) Feeling of separation 4) An arrow with fletching (feathers) ...

Singh from Cambridge, Ontario that brought back a leaf from Paonta Sahib. Hari Chand shot an arrow which skimmed Guru Maharaj's Kamarkassa then Guru Maharaj killed him after that shot. It is said that the tree where Guru Maharaj were standing under produces leaves that have holes on one side of the leaf. The Singh brought it back to Canada and preserved the leaf as a memento.

After Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj won the Battle of Bhangani, they modelled the ideal attitude of the Khalsa-warrior. They write in their autobiography - Bachithar Naatak:
ਭਈ ਜੀਤ ਮੇਰੀ ॥ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਾਲ ਕੇਰੀ ॥੩੪॥
Bhaee Jeeth Maeree ; Kirpaa Kaal Kaeree
I became victorious through the Blessings of the Destroyer-Vaheguru
(8th Adhiyaaye)

Resource	ਜਿਨ ਕੋ ਤੁਮ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰੀ ਭਏ ਜਗਤ ਕੇ ਭੂਪ/ Jin Ko Thum Kirpaa Karee, Bha-ae Jagath Kae Bhoop
Mehron Steek (Similar definition in Pandit Narayan Singh Steek, Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi)	Those who You (Oh Vaheguru Ji!) do Kirpa upon and make them unite with Yourself - They become the Kings of the World
Mahaan Kosh	(Kirpa) = Compassion, Mercy (Bhoop) = 1) Bhoo (Earth/Land) + Path[i] = Master/Husband = King/Leader 2) Bhopay = A King’s Soldier

In the world, we often idolize or have a sense of respect for political leaders but the glory is not theirs. Their glory belongs to Vaheguru. There is not a piece of grass that moves from one place to another without Vaheguru’s Kirpa so despite, tough times under cruel governments happen through Vaheguru’s Kirpa. At the same time, the courageous feeling that rises in righteous people to stand up and overthrow such governments is also part of Vaheguru’s Kirpa.
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Please forgive for any mistakes done in translating, researching, commenting, or presenting
Guru Panth Da Daas,
Haq Haq-Aaeenaa