Poetry
A Singhni-at-Arms
by PRITAM SINGH GREWALTHE SAGA OF KHIDRANA DHAB
How dare you quit the fort,
O forty thankless cowards!
You love your lives more
Than the Guru, who ever fights
For your honor and rights.
He put his all at stake
And suffered for your sake,
You know the spirit of the Guru
Whom no one can subdue,
Go, get your error atoned
Lest forever you rue.
"We are shamed", the forty said,
"As from the Guru we've fled,
How can we face him again
Who has borne such loss and pain,
O Mai Bhago, take us to him!
With regret we are full to brim".
Anon, the Singhni rode a steed,
The forty galloped in her lead,
They sought the Guru in Malwa belt
Where with Mughals still he dealt.
As by Khidrana Pond they passed
And saw the Mughal army massed,
"The Guru must be here", they thought.
There for him they fiercely fought
And havoc on the Mughals wrought.
From atop a knoll nearby,
The Guru's arrows began to fly.
The enemy in panic ran,
Tho' forty fell to the last man.
The Guru bless'd the dead and dying
With love divine and grace,
Seeing Mahan Singh softly sighing
He held him in embrace.
Looking in the Guru's eyes,
The bleeding Singh did moan,
"Tear the disclaimer, O Forgiver,
Reclaim us as your own".
From a pocket of his robe
The Guru took a letter,
He then tore it up with grace
To end the painful matter.
This lit up the dying Singh's face
And broke his bodily fetter.
The wounded Bhag Kaur survived
And never quit the Guru's camp,
Heroism of the Singhni-at-Arms
Glows in history like a lamp.
[Photo at bottom of page: The Minar-e-Muktae at Muktsar, Punjab. Courtesy, Sonia K. Dhami.]
Conversation about this article
1: Raman and Jennifer Boparai (London, Canada), August 05, 2007, 8:59 PM.
It's a very beautiful poem. It makes me believe never to give up on someone, no matter how disappointed you are with him/her. Looking forward to more of your poems.
2: Tarlochan Singh Dhindsa (Toronto, Canada), August 15, 2007, 4:34 PM.
Enjoyed this poem and learnt a lot from it. Excellent!
3: S.Bal (Canada), August 17, 2007, 3:03 PM.
This poem celebrates a Sikh woman's exemplary devotion to the Guru and her commendable heroism on the battlefield. It is one of the best poems I've ever read. Its ballad-like effect lingers. I don't know much about Sikhi and try to learn from such interesting writings in sikhchic.com. Our youth should be encouraged to read these. I look forward to more contributions from S. Pritam Singh.
4: Jassneet (Guelph, Canada), August 23, 2007, 1:12 PM.
I am a young person born to a Sikh family. I am interested in learning Sikh philosophy and history. This poem has taught me about an important event in Sikh history. I feel proud to learn that Sikh women were strong leaders and freedom loving individuals. And how great our Guru was to forgive his followers who at one point had betrayed him! I would like to read some more insightful poems by this author.