Shaster Naam Mala

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki fateh!

[One of my sisters from UK had asked abt purpose and history behind Baani of Shastarnaam maala. With Maharaj ji's and Shaheed Singha di Kirpa,i tried to explain reason and purpose of this Baani. i would like to share with rest of Sangat vichaar i sent to sister.If there is any Bhul-Chuk, sangat is bakshanhaar,forgive me and plz dont hesitate to correct me and pray that Maharaj ji bless me with Sumat to do service of Panth and stand up for Baani of Dasmesh pita Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj].

Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj Sache patshah was a Master, General, Poet, writer par excellence, but most importantly he was a Revolutionary! His entire composition is revolutionary in nature. His basic aim was to shake and wake up conscience of a Sleeping nation, which was being killed, looted, raped and destroyed from centuries. And the protectors, who were given duty of protecting the society and Nation, Kshatriyas (Khatris), had left this virtue of Bir-Ras and War and taken to business and other professions. Gautam Buddha was a Kshatriya himself, he started Buddhism and exhorted people to follow the path of Non-Violence. People gave up weapons, love of weapons, respect of warriors. For this very reason Brahmins like Shankaracharya went in jungles of Rajasthan, collected various tribes living in jungles at Mount Abu and gave them title of Rajputs, who were to fight for Dharam and nation after that. When Guru Nanak dev ji saw this situation, Kshatriyas, The warriors, defenders of Dharam had become slaves and money- minded, he had to say in his Baani:-
ਖਤ੍ਰੀਆ ਤ ਧਰਮੁ ਛੋਡਿਆ ਮਲੇਛ ਭਾਖਿਆ ਗਹੀ ॥
ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਸਭ ਇਕ ਵਰਨ ਹੋਈ ਧਰਮ ਕੀ ਗਤਿ ਰਹੀ ॥੩
The K'shatriyas have abandoned their religion, and have adopted a foreign language.
The whole world has been reduced to the same social status; the state of righteousness and Dharma has been lost. ||3||

Which Social Status Maharaj was talking abt? It was status of ‘’Vaishya’’, The baniya,the shopkeeper whose only aim in life was to make money. Kshatriyas had taken up profession of Vaishyas. As time changed, even Rajputs started giving their daughters to mughals in marriages. There was no pride or honour left in general Indian society that time.
Guru Nanak’s mission was not only spiritual awakening of Society, not just to make Saints or Bhagats, but he also dreamt of a society free from Injustice, Tyranny and atrocities, where all could profess their faith freely and breathe in free air. He wanted to create a society of God-conscious Sant-Sipahis who’ll be Spiritual Warriors, who with Name of Waheguru on their tongues and in their hearts and Swords in their hands will vanquish tyrants and create a Halemi Raaj-‘’Kingdom of Peace’’. But this mission took 230 years, from 1469 to 1699, when Guru Gobind Singh ji created Khalsa Panth-Army of Timeless Lord (Akaal). Guru Gobind Singh ji’s baani played a very important role in this mass awakening of a sleeping nation which was committed to Dharamyudh for its rights. It was at such time when Dasmesh Pita had declared:-
ਸਵੈਯਾ ॥
ਛਤ੍ਰੀ ਕੌ ਪੂਤ ਹੌ ਬਾਮਨ ਕੋ ਨਹਿ ਕੈ ਤਪੁ ਆਵਤ ਹੌ ਜੁ ਕਰੋ ॥
ਅਰੁ ਅਉਰ ਜੰਜਾਰ ਜਿਤੋ ਗ੍ਰਹ ਕੋ ਤੁਹਿ ਤਿਆਗ ਕਹਾ ਚਿਤ ਤਾ ਮੈ ਧਰੋ ॥
ਅਬ ਰੀਝ ਕੈ ਦੇਹੁ ਵਹੈ ਹਮ ਕਉ ਜੋਉ ਹਉ ਬਿਨਤੀ ਕਰ ਜੋਰ ਕਰੋ ॥
ਜਬ ਆਉ ਕੀ ਅਉਧ ਨਿਧਾਨ ਬਨੈ ਅਤਿ ਹੀ ਰਨ ਮੈ ਤਬ ਜੂਝ ਮਰੋ ॥੨੪੮੯॥੫੧੩॥
That was a time when talking about War by religious masters was considered a anathema, Gurus were supposed to be orange or white robed Sadhus who were to give sermons on how to reach God, or how to do Karam-Kands. Non-violence was considered a very great Virtue (Thanks to Buddha) and anyone speaking about War or weapons was seen as against the virtues of Love, peace and God. But Guru Gobind Singh ji didn’t care about this, he knew that without a strong committed force, backed by a strong united society, freedom was impossible. A Nation can only have freedom when it’s each and every constituent understands the value of Freedom and is ready to shed blood for this Aim (which we Sikhs of today lack in us). Gurus had tested each and every component of Indian society, The Brahmins, The Khatris, The Rajputs, The Vaishyas, the Shudras……but no one met the standard Sikh Gurus wanted them to be of, and all failed. For this very reason Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj was chosen by Lord Akaal WaheGuru to create a Panth, An Army of Akal Purakh which was to fight for Dharam! But that army was to be created out of Humans living on this planet, Gods were not going to come from heavens to be a part of it. It was a tough task, for this very reason Guru Gobind Singh ji had asked Waheguru ji in Sachkhand to help him and bless the Panth and always be its protector which He was going to create on this earth.
ਕਬਿ ਬਾਚ ॥ ਦੋਹਰਾ ॥
ਠਾਢ ਭਯੋ ਮੈ ਜੋਰਿ ਕਰ ਬਚਨ ਕਹਾ ਸਿਰ ਨਿਆਇ ॥
ਪੰਥ ਚਲੈ ਤਬ ਜਗਤ ਮੈ ਜਬ ਤੁਮ ਕਰਹੁ ਸਹਾਇ ॥੩੦॥
Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj had called upon Brahmins and Hindu Kings to take part in the revolution which was to take place in North India, but they simply refused to be a part of Guruji’s mission, for the sole reason that Guruji had abolished Caste system in Sikhi and all Gursikhs used to sit in one pangat and have langar, carried out their Shastarvidya together and did Simran together. They couldn’t tolerate Guruji giving equal status to all and refuses bluntly to support Maharaj. They put up two conditions before Dasmesh pita, that he’ll not ask them to sit with Shudras and he’ll let them worship their Gods. Guruji refused to accept these conditions which were against Sikh principles. That time Guruji had said
ਜਿਨ ਕੀ ਜਾਤ ਬਰਨ ਕੁਲ ਮਾਹੀ ,ਸਰਦਾਰੀ ਨ ਭਈ ਕਦਾਹੀੰਂ
ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਕੋ ਸਰਦਾਰ ਬਨਾਓੂਂ, ਤਬੈ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਨਾਮ ਕਹਾਓੂਂ
Earlier Nine Gurus had composed Baani which was in praise of Waheguru ,His Naam, His ‘Nadar and Karam’’Love and Peace, but Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj was given a mission to create a Fighting Force, an Army of Sant-Sipahis which was to face tyrants and butchers for centuries and crush them, and to infuse the warrior spirit in them, he undertook a heavy and momentous task of composing Bir-Ras Literature, unheard and Unmatched in history of world literature, after reading which even Cowards would take swords in their hands and fight like Lions in Battlefield. Every cut on their body, every drop of blood falling from their body was to arouse their fury in Battlefield, the fury seeing which enemies would just flee from Battle. For this, there was a need to arouse love for War, Dharamyudh in them, and for Dharamyudh to be fought and won, most important components are Weapons. Without weapons Wars cannot be fought, empires cannot be created, Nations cannot be freed. Weapons are needed to defend our self and others who cannot protect themselves. Sri Mukhvaak goes like this:-
ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਮੁਖ ਭਣਿਓ ਗਰੀਬ ਨਿਵਾਜ, ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰਨ ਕੇ ਅਧੀਨ ਹੈ ਰਾਜ
ਰਾਜ ਬਿਨਾ ਨਹ ਧਰਮ ਚਲੈ ਹੈਂ, ਧਰਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਸਭ ਦਲੇ ਮਲੇ ਹੈਂ
Thus Guruji composed Shastarnaam maala Puran, The first formal Granth in history of mankind dedicated entirely to Glory of Weapons.
Shastarnaam Maala Puran is now a part of Sri Dasam Granth Sahib ji. Puran means Ancient text. Ancient Indians had a way of glorifying their respective Devi-Devtas. 1400 years ago there was nothing such as Hinduism; there were various Sects like Vaishnavs, Shaivas and Shakats. All wrote books glorifying their Respective Gods, giving their various names, their deeds, their acts and their family history. Vaishnavs wrote for Vishnu, Vishnu puran, Bhagwat Puran, Varah Puran, Garurh Puran. Shiavs wrote Skand, Shiv and Ling puran for Shiv and Shakats had their own Devi puran and Markanday Puran. There are a total of 18 hindu purans.

Guru Gobind singh ji maharaj saw the futility of worship of these fake gods and goddesses, the negative effect their worship was having on Society as a whole. There was no unity in society that time. And to unite the masses, to infuse a spirit of Dharamyudh in them, to make people love the weapons he wrote Shastarnaam maala Puran! Guruji saw Waheguru’s light, Akaal’s Power in every atom of Universe. Waheguru was everywhere and still Is, and best way to reach him, to be one with him is to see him in the thing u LOVE the MOST. Guruji glorified Three forms of Waheguru Akaal Purakh in his Baani the most, First as Gyaan saroop( Divine Knowledge, Baani) , second as a Shastardhari(Armed With Weapons) and Third as Shastars itself. When we believe Waheguruji to be in Gyaan Saroop, We love Gurbaani, we love it, respect it, try to be One with Waheguru ji! Second Saroop of Waheguru ji, Shastardhari saroop has been glorified in baani of Guru granth Sahib ji also, although it deals with merciful saroop of Waheguru ji. Guru Arjan dev ji says in Baani:-
ਬਨਮਾਲਾ ਬਿਭੂਖਨ ਕਮਲ ਨੈਨ ॥
ਸੁੰਦਰ ਕੁੰਡਲ ਮੁਕਟ ਬੈਨ ॥
ਸੰਖ ਚਕ੍ਰ ਗਦਾ ਹੈ ਧਾਰੀ ਮਹਾ ਸਾਰਥੀ ਸਤਸੰਗਾ ॥੧੦॥
He is adorned with garlands of flowers, with lotus eyes.
His ear-rings, crown and flute are so beautiful.
He carries the conch, the chakra and the war club; He is the Great Charioteer, who stays with His Saints. ||10|
ਪੀਤ ਪੀਤੰਬਰ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਧਣੀ ॥
ਜਗੰਨਾਥੁ ਗੋਪਾਲੁ ਮੁਖਿ ਭਣੀ ॥
ਸਾਰਿੰਗਧਰ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਬੀਠੁਲਾ ਮੈ ਗਣਤ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਸਰਬੰਗਾ ॥੧੧
The Lord of yellow robes, the Master of the three worlds.
The Lord of the Universe, the Lord of the world; with my mouth, I chant His Name.
The Archer who draws the bow, the Beloved Lord God; I cannot count all His limbs. ||11||

Guru Arjan dev ji Maharaj praises Waheguruji’s Sargun Saroop as wearing Yellow Baana, and holding Conch (used in wars in ancient times to start the war),Chakkar, Gada and Bow and arrows, its in Shingaar-Ras. Guru Gobind Singh ji in his Baani uses more of Bir-Ras in his definition of Akaal Purakh’s warrior form, thus he becomes Maha-Kaal or Sarab-Kaal Sri Dasam Granth Sahib ji. Guru ji uses many Bir-Rasi Shastardhari names of Waheguru ji, such as,Sri Asdhuj, Sri Asket, Kharag ket, Chakkardhar so that it infuses a warrior spirit in us. This form of Waheguru ji is present there in whole of Sri Dasam Guru Granth Sahib ji beginning with Jaap Sahib,
ਨਮੋ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਪਾਣੇ ॥ ਨਮੋ ਅਸਤ੍ਰ ਮਾਣੇ ॥
ਨਮੋ ਪਰਮ ਗਿਆਤਾ ॥ ਨਮੋ ਲੋਕ ਮਾਤਾ ॥ ੫੨॥
This Baani inspires us to be Shastardhari as our God. Waheguru Akaal is Shastardhari himself, loving him, his Bir-Ras saroop, one day we’ll become like him, Blissful Shastardhari Khalsa.
Guruji saw Shastars as manifestation of Divine Power ,Supreme power,Aadi Shakti! When we see Waheguru ji as Shastar Saroop, when we’ll see his light and his power in them, we’ll love them, we’ll respect them, we’ll always keep them with us, we’ll value them and we’ll use them as Gift of Waheguru for a Holy Purpose. Khalsa never did and will never use his Shastars against weak, helpless, women or children. So that his Sikh loves his Shastars, Guruji invoked blessings of Divine power, Aadi-Shakti, Param-Aatma in Shastar Roop. As in beginning of bhachittar Natak,
ਦੋਹਰਾ ॥
ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਖੜਗ ਕੋ ਕਰੋਂ ਸੁ ਹਿਤੁ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥
ਪੂਰਨ ਕਰੋਂ ਗਿਰੰਥ ਇਹੁ ਤੁਮ ਮੁਹਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਸਹਾਇ ॥੧
I pray you, O Supreme Lord (Sword as symbol), grant your divine assistance that this holy Book may be brought to completion. (1)

In Bhagauti Chhand Guruji says
ਨਮੋ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗੌਤੀ ਬਢੈਲੀ ਸਰੋਹ
ਕਰੇ ਏਕ ਤੇ ਦਵੈ ਸੁਭਟ ਹਾਥ ਸੋਹੀ
Guruji says in Uggardanti Chhand
ਨਮੋ ਕਾਲਕਾ ਕਾਲ ਰੂਪੀ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨੀ
ਨਮੋ ਸੁੰਭ ਨੈਸੁੰਭ ਨਾਸਨ ਭਵਾਨੀ

SO what we see is that Guru Gobind Singh ji maharaj was setting a very high ideal before Khalsa Panth, getting his Sikhs attracted towards Shastars, Baana and Dharamyudh. Guruji always used to be tyar bar tyar, always having loads of Shastars on his body, looking at which, Sikhs also starting dressing up like Guruji. Guruji even ordered Sikhs in his Hukamnaamas and Baani to be tyar bar tyarand come to him.
ਬਿਨਾ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਕੇਸੰ ਨਰੰ ਭੇਡ ਜਾਨੋ
ਪਕੜ ਕਾਨ ਤਾਕੋ ਕਿਤੇ ਲੈ ਸਿਧਾਨੋ।।
ਇਹੈ ਮੋਰ ਆਗਿਆ ਸੁਨੋ ਤੁਮ ਪਿਆਰੇ
ਬਿਨਾ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਕੇਸੰ ਨ ਦੇਵਹੁ ਦਿਦਾਰੇ।।
Sikhs saw Guruji as their idol, their Master, their General and wanted to be like him, and it’s a very lovely concept of Sikhi, in which Guru transforms Sikh in his Saroop, his Form! And Guruji himself used to dress up as Akaal Purakh ordered him in Sachkhand. So we see, this Akali Baana, Shastardhaari Saroop of Khalsa has been blessed by Akaal Purakh himself. Guruji followed his Hukam and Khalsa followed its Guru’s Hukam. To immortalise this love of Shastars , Shastarvidya, Baana and Dharamyudh in His Khalsa Panth, Guruji composed Baani of Shastarnaam maala Puran
Shastarnaam Maala has various names and qualities of 5 important weapons.

1. Sword ( Kirpaan)
2. Arrow (Teer)
3. Chakkar
4. Paash( a leather or iron rope used to suffocate enemy in battlefield)
5. Pistol (Tupak)

Like ancient Purans had various Names, kathas, Qualities of their respective Gods and goddesses, Guruji praised Shastars in his Baani, as he considered them as Form of Akaal, Mahakaal, Maha Loh, Sarabloh. Shastars were his ‘’Peer’’ (Master). So he used the best composing technique prevalent that time to show his love, his affection for shastars. Thus came into existence Puraan of Shastars, Shastar naam maala Puran! It starts with salutation to Supreme Power, Aadi-shakti Bhagauti.
ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਨਾਮ ਮਾਲਾ
ੴ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹ ॥ ਅਥ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਨਾਮ ਮਾਲਾ ਪੁਰਾਣ ਲਿਖਯਤੇ ॥
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਉਤੀ ਜੀ ਸਹਾਇ ॥ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ॥੧੦॥
ਦੋਹਰਾ ॥
ਸਾਂਗ ਸਰੋਹੀ ਸੈਫ ਅਸ ਤੀਰ ਤੁਪਕ ਤਲਵਾਰ ॥ ਸੱਤ੍ਰਾਂਤਕ ਕਵਚਾਂਤਿ ਕਰ ਕਰੀਐ ਰੱਛ ਹਮਾਰ ॥੧॥ ਅਸ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ ਧਾਰਾਧਰੀ ਸੈਲ ਸੂਫ ਜਮਦਾਢ ॥ ਕਵਚਾਂਤਕ ਸੱਤ੍ਰਾਂਤ ਕਰ ਤੇਗ ਤੀਰ ਧਰਬਾਢ ॥੨॥
ਅਸ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ ਖੰਡੋ ਖੜਗ ਤੁਪਕ ਤਬਰ ਅਰੁ ਤੀਰ ॥ ਸੈਫ ਸਰੋਹੀ ਸੈਹਥੀ ਯਹੈ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਪੀਰ ॥੩॥
ਤੀਰ ਤੁਹੀ ਸੈਹਥੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤਬਰ ਤਲਵਾਰ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਤਿਹਾਰੋ ਜੋ ਜਪੈ ਭਏ ਸਿੰਧ ਭਵ ਪਾਰ ॥੪॥
ਕਾਲ ਤੁਹੀ ਕਾਲੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੇਗ ਅਰੁ ਤੀਰ ॥ ਤੁਹੀ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨੀ ਜੀਤ ਕੀ ਆਜੁ ਤੁਹੀ ਜਗਬੀਰ ॥੫॥ ਤੁਹੀ ਸੂਲ ਸੈਹਥੀ ਤਬਰ ਤੂੰ ਨਿਖੰਗ ਅਰੁ ਬਾਨ ॥ ਤੁਹੀ ਕਟਾਰੀ ਸੇਲ ਸਭ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਕਰਦ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ ॥੬॥
ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਅਸਤ੍ਰ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਸਿਪਰ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਕਵਚ ਨਿਖੰਗ ॥ ਕਵਚਾਂਤਕ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਬਨੇ ਤੁਮ ਬਯਾਪਕ ਸਰਬੰਗ ॥੭॥
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਤੂੰ ਸਭ ਕਾਰਨ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੂੰ ਬਿੱਦਯਾ ਕੋ ਸਾਰ ॥ ਤੁਮ ਸਭ ਕੋ ਉਪਰਾਜਹੀ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਲੇਹੁ ਉਬਾਰ ॥੮॥

This Baani has a total of 1318 Chhands presently. Original saroop had 1455 Chhands but rest couldn’t be recovered from any source. The description of Chhands follows as:-
1-27 is the Salutation to all the Shastars as form of Akaal Waheguru.
28-56 – Names of Kirpaan
57-74- Names of Chakkar
75-252- Names of Arrow
253-460- Names of Paash (leather Rope)
461-1318- Names of Pistol
It’s a true fact that Guruji loved Weapons very much, He called his Kirpaan ‘’Siri Sahib’’! Siri Sahib is used for Waheguru in Guru Granth Sahib ji, and Guruji didn’t differentiate between Waheguru and Shastars, so Guruji called it ‘’Siri Sahib’’! He wanted his Sikhs to be Shastardhari, fully tyar bar tyar, and Kirpan was the minimum he wanted his Sikhs to be having all time. Kirpaan is the first Shastar praised in his Baani. It’s the name Guruji gave to this Shastar. It comes from Kirpa+ Aan ( Blessing+pride). Its Guru’s blessing to us, to protect our and our Panth’s pride and honour! Guruji always used to have many Shastars on him, he even had a kirpan in his Kesh, which sangat can see at Sri Hazoor sahib at diwan after Rehraas Sahib ji.
In Shastarnaam mala baani, second weapon to be glorifired is Arrow (Teer). In ancient times Bow-Arrow was the most used weapon after Kirpan. It was used by Ram, Arjun, Karna and other warriors of India in ancient times. But after them, this wasn’t used famously by anyone. It was Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj who glorified the Arrow, worshipped it as Mahakaal. Guruji was a skilled arrow-shooter, best of his time. No one used it like Guru Gobind Singh ji in ages. Guruji’s skill of using Bow-Arrow was unmatched. It was far greater than Raam, Arjun, Karna. Only one warrior who used it with perfection at Guruji’s time was Raja Harichand, about whom Guruji tells us in Bachittar Natak. Only Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj is magnanimous enough to praise even his enemy’s bravery and skill in Battlefield. Harichand could use his bows, shoot arrows with both his hands. When one of his arrows went past Guruji’s belt touching it and creating a small wound, Guruji depicts his awastha and scene in battlefield with these words of Bachittar Natak:-
ਜਬੈ ਬਾਣ ਲਾਗਿਯੋ ॥
ਤਬੈ ਰੋਸ ਜਾਗਿਯੋ ॥
ਕਰੰ ਲੈ ਕਮਾਣੰ ॥
ਹਨੰ ਬਾਣ ਤਾਣੰ ॥੩੧॥
ਸਬੈ ਬੀਰ ਧਾਏ ॥
ਸਰੋਘੰ ਚਲਾਏ ॥
ਤਬੈ ਤਾਕਿ ਬਾਣੰ ॥
ਹਨਿਯੋ ਏਕ ਜੁਆਣੰ ॥੩੨॥
ਹਰੀ ਚੰਦ ਮਾਰੇ ॥
ਸੁ ਜੋਧਾ ਲਤਾਰੇ ॥
ਸੁ ਕਾਰੋੜ ਰਾਯੰ ॥
ਵਹੈ ਕਾਲ ਘਾਯੰ ॥੩੩॥
ਰਣੰ ਤਿਆਗਿ ਭਾਗੇ ॥
ਸਬੈ ਤ੍ਰਾਸ ਪਾਗੇ ॥
ਭਈ ਜੀਤ ਮੇਰੀ ॥
ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਾਲ ਕੇਰੀ ॥੩੪॥
Guruji’s arrows were known as ‘’ Sonmukhi’’- Gold faced! Each arrow had 12.5 grams of gold on its tip! Guruji wanted victim of his weapon to be cremated respectfully and the one who got injured to be treated properly. That’s why he used this much gold on his arrow as that gold could be used for these reasons. Merciful Master Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj! Guruji’s skill of shooting arrows was unmatched; he had the quality to shoot 7 arrows at one time, each arrow having the power to pierce 100 enemies. His arrows used to strike at range of more than 1.5 miles. When Guruji blessed Baba Banda Singh ji was ordered by Guruji to destroy Mughal Empire, Maharaj blessed him with 5 arrows. It was through Baani and Shastars with which Guruji used to bless his Sikhs.

Third Shastar eulogised in Shastar naam maala is Chakkar. Chakkar was used in ancient times by Durga and Krishna. We don’t find any other instance in Indian history or mythology of use of Chakkars by anyone, until Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj. Guruji had studied all Vedas, purans, shastars, and other books to carry out a research on ancient weapons. He wanted to revive the ancient Shastars and Shastarvidya. Chakkar was an important weapon, which could be used as Astra (weapon which strikes from far). Guruji honoured it by placing it on his Dastar. All four sahibzadey, Panj piare, Baba Deep Singh ji and other Singhs placed this on their Dastars. After wards this Shastar was used mainly by Nihang Singhs of ‘Misal Shaheedan’. History tells how this weapon was used destructively by Nihang Singh’s in their battles, especially in Battle of Gohalwarh, The Final Battle of Baba Deep Singh ji. In this Battle Sikhs counted 10,000 whereas Muslim army was around 42,000. This army was led by Generals like Jahaan Khan, Jamaal Khan, Yakoob Khan, Amir Jaan Khan, Zabardast Khan, Rustam Khan! Khalsa army was led by Babaji, other generals being Baba Gurbaksh Singh ji, Baba Naudh Singh ji, Baba Dyaal Singh ji, Baba Balwant Singh ji and others. Muslim generals were on elephants, except Jahaan Khan, all were killed in this battle, Jaamal khan and Yakoob Khan were cut by Baba Deep Singh ji with his Khanda, while all others were killed by using Chakkars by Baba Balwant Singh ji and Baba Dyaal Singh ji. Muslim army had canons, Khalsa ji attacked the Topchis( Cannon-men) with their Chakkars, cut them and re-turned the Cannon fire on muslim army. Thousands of enemies were killed by Khalsa army by using Chakkars. Baba Deep Singh ji had 10 Chakkars for use in Battlefield while one was placed on right side of his Dumalla always, as it had complete mool-Mantar on it and Babaji kept it as Guruji’s Nishan. All these 11 Chakkars can be seen at Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib ji.
Fourth weapon, Shastar, mentioned in Shastarnaam maala baani is ‘’ Paash’’- a very strong rope made up of leather or fibre. As Chakkar was an ancient weapon used by Vishnu, Krishna and Durga only, before being revived by Guru Gobind Singh ji for Battle use, Paash was also very little known Shastar, used mainly to suffocate or bind the Enemy. In Baani of Guru Granth Sahib ji, Maharaj mentions 'Paash' as ‘Kaal Faas’, whose other names are Faaha, Faahi, Faasi. There it has been described as weapon of Messenger of death (jamdoot). It was also firstly used by Durga and kaalika in Battle against demon Rakt-beej ( Shravanbeej) in Satyug. The demon, whose blood had the power to create lookalikes from every drop of it, was killed by Durga and Kaalika in battlefield. While kaalka drank blood of the demon, Durga used Paash to suffocate the clones of Demon. Second instance of its use is found in Ramayan, when Meghnaad, Son of Raavan used Paash to bind, suffocate and make unconscious Raam and Lakshman, and as he neared to capture them, they were saved by Hanumaan and Garurh(Eagle) which cut the ropes. After this we don’t find any other case of Paash being used in Battlefield in Indian (Hindu) History or mythology. As Guru Gobind Singh ji studied various Granths and old books, he came around this weapon, and saw its use in battles Khalsa Panth was to fight in future. Keeping this in mind, Guruji wrote Baani eulogising Paash as a form of Akaal!
Guru Gobind Singh ji taught how to use it to his Singhs. This weapon cannot be used as other weapons in a battle, but still Guruji ordered his Jathedar Singhs to always keep it with them. It was to be used to capture, tie, and suffocate ONLY the generals or commanders of enemy Army by the elite Khalsa forces. Guruji used to take his singhs with him for Shikaar in jungles and Singhs used Paash to capture wild animals, it was used by singhs to tire the animal, which made its shikaar easy and sometimes Singhs would just bring an tiger or lion or panther or wild boar to guruji,tied with Paash! In Sikh history, we don’t have record of many battles where Khalsa ji used this Shastar, but we come across a very important Battle in Sikh History where this was used by Khalsa, Battle of Sirhind on 12 May 1710. Nawab Wazeer Khan led the mughal army of 25,000 whereas Baba Banda Singh ji was commanding 12,000 Khalsa Army. Mughals had cannons, and it was looking tough for Khalsa Army to win this battle. Baba Banda Singh ji and Dal Khalsa was fighting to avenge Shaheedi of Sahibzadas and shaheeds of Chamkaur who were martyred fighting against Mughal and hindu army led by Wazeer Khan. Wazeer Khan was being guarded by an elite force of 2000 and was on an elephant. Baba Deep Singh ji, Baba Baaz Singh ji and Baba Fateh Singh ji attacked him, as both sides got busy fighting, these three brave Khalsa Gursikhs surrounded Wazeer khan’s elephant, Baba Baaz Singh ji hit Wazeer khan with an Arrow, which pierced his shoulder, and as his Gun fell down, Baba Fateh Singh ji and Baba Deep Singh ji threw ‘Paash’ at him, tied his arms and neck and he was brought down from elephant and arrested by Khalsa army, to be given death penalty in Sirhind, same sirhind where he had bricked alive innocent sons of Guru Gobind Singh ji.

Paash was used by Singhs in 18th and 19th century. In 1730’s, its more destructive version was created, wherein the handle part was covered by extra leather and the attacking part of Paash was made of harsh fibre, sometimes nails being fitted in it, which would seriously injure the enemy’s neck or other body parts and cut the veins. But as the hand to hand battles reduced with time, importance of Paash has been reduced, but still memory of a very important weapon, part of Khalsa Panth’s Shastar treasure, remains alive due to Guruji;s Baani’s Grace!
Tupak – means Gun. Guru Nanak dev ji mentioned about Gun in his baani, when he depicts the Battle of Emnabaad. Mughal king Babar had attacked India and Lodhis fought him, but Lodhi Pathans lost,because Babar’s Army had Guns and canons. It was babar who brought Guns to India first. With help of this new technology that time, Mughals were able to conquer whole of india. Indian kings had elephants or horses or chariots or Swords and bows and arrows as weapons. Guru Gobind Singh ji studied world history very carefully, and he came to conclusion that ‘The Nation’ which has a dedicated, motivated, inspired ,disciplined and brave army fully loaded with best arms and weapons and a united society to back it up can only create powerful and stable empire. Guruji knew it very well that
ਰਾਜ ਬਿਨਾ ਨਹ ਧਰਮ ਚਲੈ ਹੈਂ, ਧਰਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਸਭ ਦਲੇ ਮਲੇ ਹੈਂ।
But to create a Raaj, Empire, weapons are a must, Guruji says-
ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਮੁਖ ਭਣਿਓ ਗਰੀਬ ਨਿਵਾਜ, ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰਨ ਕੇ ਅਧੀਨ ਹੈ ਰਾਜ
Why was Shastar needed? To protect the Poor and weak and destroy the Tyrants and oppressors. Motto of a Sikh holding Shastars is:-
ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ- ਗਰੀਬ ਕੀ ਰਖਿਆ, ਜਰਵਾਣੇ ਕੀ ਭਖਿਆ
This was the only reason Guruji armed his Sikhs, with best of weapons, Shastras and Astras. Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj was TriKaal-Darshi, the one who could see in all the times, past, present and Future. He knew about the times to come, and he knew what an important role Gun-Tupak, was going to play in future wars. He knew future wars would be fought with Guns and Bombs and Missiles. But this technology was in its initial stages of development, so to make his Sikhs interested in this weapon, Guruji ordered best arm-makers ( Sikligar Sikhs) to prepare best quality guns for Him and his Sikhs. At Paonta Sahib, to popularise Weapons amongst his Sikhs, Guruji used to hold diwan at banks of Yamuna, here his Sikhs and poets sat and Guruji used to test intelligence of Sikhs and Poets. Guruji used to take sum un-common and difficult names of Shastars and ask his Sikhs to de-code them. Thus came into existence baani of Shastarnaam maala! Here Guruji asked his Sikhs and Poets hundreds of coded names of Gun-Tupak and other shastars.
28 Names of Kirpaan
17 Names of Chakkar
177 Names of Arrow
207 Names of Paash (leather Rope)
857 Names of Gun

This is the importance Gun held in Guruji’s eyes that he wrote so many names and characters of a Gun. Imagine Guruji being present in Human form today, how much he would have loved SLR’s, Kalashnikovs, Ak’s, Pistols, Shot guns, LMG’s, GPM’s. His first wish from Sikhs of today would have been that ‘O my Sons and daughters,
Bring me good guns’! How much he would have been pleased seeing his Khalsa Sikhs armed with the Shastars he loved so much, Fully Loaded!
Its not without any reason Santji used to stay Shastardhari!

I rememeber when we were kids, my father used to tell us that Santji had predicted what was going to happen in Delhi. When Santji went to delhi in 1981, he used to address sangat there! His oft repeated words there were ‘’ Khalsa ji, Guru Gobind Singh ji made us Shastardhari Khalse, when we were Shastardhari we had our own Raaj, world bowed before us, Our Guru, Our Gurudwaras, our Traditions were honoured, Why? Because we had Power, Shakti of Shastars. Listen to my words carefully, Buy a TV worth 10,000 rupees, buy a fridge worth 15,000, buy a scooter or motorcycle worth 40,000, buy a car worth 4 Lakh rupees, its ok, but don’t forget to buy a Kirpaan, a Revolver!Cars and motorcycles help u in times of peace and happiness, But Shastars will be ur friends in times of distress! These things will not help u when ppl come to kill u, only Shastars will help u! Be shastardhari, have guns, pistols and revolvers! Stay Tyar bar tyar’’! Those who heeded to his words saved themselves and their families! What is a Sikh without Shastars? I’m often asked here by ppl, some brainwashed by RSS, some by Communists, what is the use of a Kirpaan in this modern world? My answer usually is brother, u haven’t read Baani of Guru Gobind Singh ji, Our Guru Wants us to be Shastardhari at all the times, and Kirpaan is the MINIMUM , minimum he wants us to have at all the times, maximum we can park Tanks also in our parkings, have LMG’s fitted in our houses and carry AK-47’s and 56’s with us! And all this with order of our Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj! Guruji kept best Guns of his time, so did his Singhs! Till today u can see Pistols of Baba Deep Singh ji and Baba Gurbaksh Singh ji Nihang at Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib ji! Today also at all our Takhats, it’s the Shastars which are Parkash in Sanctum Sanctorum, not Guru Granth Sahib ji Maharaj! Maharaj ji is on Right side of Sanctorum, and Sri Dasam Guru Granth Sahib ji is on Left! And this was the maryada at all the takhats, till 1920! Till today at Akaal takhat, there is empty space on left side of Shastar Palki where Sri Dasam Maharaj was Parkash till 1920! Now its upto us how and when we again install Baani of Dasamesh pita at that very place from where it was removed by Giani Kartar singh party!

Sikhs love Shastars, These Shastars are our Peer (Master) as Guru Dasmesh pita ji said! The day Sikhs again start loving and respecting and learning How to use Shhastars (it’s most important), we’ll again be in Charhdi Kala! Panth will rise again! But as I say always, for every extra Shastar we carry on our body, One Extra Baani in addition to seven Baani Nitnem is important! Then only we will be able to live life of a Sant-Sipahi, as our beloved Dasmesh Pita ji wanted us to!

Akaaaaaaaaaaaallllluuuuuuuuuuuhh!

Akaal Ji Sahai!
Mahakaal Ji Sahai!

Kamaljeet Singh Khalsa Shaheedsar