Characters
Guru
ji
: Guru Gobind Singh, Patshahi 10 (10th Guru of Sikhs)
Bhai Daya Singh
:
One of five beloveds (Panj Piyare)
Bhai Dharam Singh
: One
of five beloveds (Panj Piyare)
Bhai Maan Singh : A Sikh
Companion of Bhai Daya Singh and Bhai
Dharam Singh
Gulaba
:
A Masand devotee of Guru ji and Owner of the Garden where Guru ji first comes
in Machhiwara.
Punjaba
: A Masand devotee of Guru ji and
Brother of Gulaba
Mahi
: The Sarvant of Gulaba and Punjaba
Mata
Hardei
: A devotee of Guru ji who
presented new white cloths to Guru ji
Dilawar
Khan
: Commander of Mogul army
Gani
Khan
: A Steed marchant and a
Pathan devotee of Guru ji
Nabi
Khan : A
Pathan devotee of Guru ji and Brother
Reshma : Wife
of Gulaba
Nazma :
Wife of Panjaba
Sayara :
Wife of Gani Khan
Razia
: Wife of Nabi Khan
Dina
: Dyer
who dyes clothes of Guru ji
Sayad
Noor Mohammad : Kazi and Resident of
Nurpur who used to teach Guru ji Persian.
Scene: It was dark night of Poh 8, 1761 Sambat (22nd December, 1704 AD). Guru Gobind Singh arrived at the dense jungle of
Machhiwara. The sky was overcast with clouds. A cool breeze was blowing. the
visibility was low on account of darkness. Guru ji was wondering here and
there. The howl of jackals was making the environment awesome. Suddenly, Guru
ji came by a rivulet. Its water was very cold and clear. Guru ji washed his
injured feet. He was extremely tired. He stood up and looked around
in search of some shelter in order to spend night. Guru ji saw a well nearby
the garden. He went there.
Guru
ji
: Thank God. I should get some
water from this well. (Looking around) Here are some earthen
bowls. I can now easily draw some water out of this well. (After quenching his thirst) it is better to take a
bowl with me to use as pillow.
Guru ji then noticed a thorny Jand tree near the
garden. He went there and lain to rest. The heart was filled with grief. In
spite of it, the face looked quite graceful and peaceful. Suddenly emotions
overcame him and he began to recite.
Guru
ji
: Mitter Piyare noon haal
mureeda da kehna.
Tudh
bin rog rajaya da odan nag niwasa de rehna.
Sul
surahi khanjar piyala bing kasaya da sehna.
Yarde
da sanu sather changa bhath kheria da rehna.
It was mid-night. The wild beasts were making
terrible sounds. His body was shivering with cold. He was feeling uneasy due to
injuries and tiredness. In addition to it, immense agony was also tormenting
his heart. Although everything looked unfavourable yet he was undisturbed. He
could not know when he fell asleep. The cold night was passing with a slow
pace.
ACt-2
Scene: The half moon was now overhead. Sometimes it peeped
through thick clouds. It might rain that day. Some Peacocks cawed nearby.
The twitter of Lapwing fell in the ears now and then. The wind was
whistling. All of a sudden, a herd of deer ran past Guru ji and went away
into jungle, when a whisper was heard at a distance. The disturbance made
Guru ji open his eyes. He took a quick look around. A group of three
people was seen wandering in the jungle as if they were in search of some one.
When they approached in close proximity to Guru ji, They turned out to be Guru
ji’s own men. Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh and Bhai
Mani Singh were looking for Guru ji here and there. They felt great pleasure
when they came across Guru ji.
Guru ji
: (Looking at them)Waheguru ji ka Khalsa,
Waheguru ji Fateh.
(All of them
wished in a body, bowing to Guru ji respectfully)
Bhai Daya
Singh : Waheguru
ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji Fateh.
Bhai Dharam Singh : Waheguru
ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji Fateh.
Bhai Maan
Singh : Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji Fateh.
Guru
ji
: Khlasa ji, It is pleasure to see
you. It is time to worship God. Let us take bath at the well.
All of them went
to well in the garden. Bhai Dharam Singh and Bhai Daya Singh drew water from
the well while Bhai Mani Singh supplied it to Guru ji for the purpose his bath.
Thereafter, they took bath one by one. All of them followed Guru ji and recited ‘Bani of Nanak’. When 'Path' and prayer to God was over, a person
namely Mahi appeared. He was the servant of the owners of that garden,
Gulaba and Panjaba.
Mahi
:
Addab, (Looking
towards them) May I know who you are?
Bhai Daya Singh : This is our Guru and we are his
Sikhs.
Mahi
:
What can I do for you?
Guru
ji
: Tell your masters Gulaba
and Punjaba that Gobind Singh along with his Sikhs have appeared in their
garden.
Mahi hit the road
to home and reported to Gulaba and Panjab. Both of the brothers felt
delight on getting the information. They at once left for the garden. It was
drizzling. The birds were chirping in the garden.
Gulaba
: O Allah! How lucky we are! I am surprised to know that Guru
ji is in our garden.
Both of
them wished Guru ji and others, they bowed to Guru ji with respect.
Panjaba
:
Guru ji, come to our home and bless us.
Guru
ji
: OK, as you wish.
All of them left
for home of Gulaba and Panjaba along with them. When they reached the vicinity
of Machhiwara, some people looked at them with curiosity.
Act-3
Scene: The wives Gulaba and Punjaba gave Guru ji
and his Sikhs a warm welcome. Children watched them with curiosity all the
time.
Gulaba
: Begum,
these are our guests, Guru Gobind Singh and his Sikh.
Reshma : (Bowing) Addab!
Nazma : (Bowing) Addab!
Panjaba
: Begum, prepare some food for the guests.
The women entered into kitchen to cook
food. Mata Hardei, a relative of Masand brothers, heard sounds of great
excitement downstairs. Mata Hardei was feverish and her head ached badly. She
guessed the presence of some familiar when she caught tone of voice. She grew
impatient. She went downstairs. She was astonished to see Guru ji. She felt
immense delight.
Mata Hardei
: (Bowing) Addab! I take great delight in seeing
you.
Guru
ji
: (Smiling) I think you show your love for us by
coming here.
Mata
Hardei
: My pleasure in life has been
visiting Anandpur. I could not pay a
visit to Anandpur on account of old age and illness.
Guru
ji
: (Smiling) I believe your desire is met.
Panjaba
: (taking a quick look at Guru ji) Guru ji, breakfast is ready. Please
allow me to serve it.
Guru Ji and Sikhs washed hands. Mata
Hardei got into kitchen to help the women. The meal was served. Every one
enjoyed it. Guru ji and others admired the women for delicious food. Mata
Hardei’s eyes were fixed on Guru ji all the time.
Mata
Hardei
: Guru ji, I have stitched new
cloths for you. I hope you will like it, Sache patishah.
Mata Hardei went upstairs to bring new
clothes for Guru ji. Guru ji accepted her present and blessed her.
Act-4
Scene: It was evening. By now, drizzling stopped.
However, Peacocks were cawing outside. Mogul Commander Dilawar Khan along with a troop of
soldiers reached Machhiwara in search of Guru ji. Gulaba and Panjaba became
nervous when they got the news.Mata Hardei was
most disappointed. Their pale faces and agitation alarmed all. For some minutes
they could not say a word. Both Gulaba and Panjaba were feeling very uneasy,
but perhaps Gulaba felt more so than Panjaba.
Gulaba
: (In cold politeness) Guru ji, you are not safe here. Mogul
forces are, at last, in this region. You have better to leave this place.
In his agitation, Gulaba uttered without
knowing what he was saying. Panjaba did not speak. He walked thoughtfully up
and down the room. There was a little friendliness in their manners now. Mata
Hardei was overcome with grief. All the Sikhs sat beside Guru ji without
opening their mouth. For a time, Guru ji was silent. Masand bothers stared at
Guru ji.
Guru
ji
: (Smiling) Your refusal does not offend me, on the
contrary, it increases my admiration for you.
Mata
Hardei
: (Looking in the direction of Guru ji) I am sorry to hear that.
Bhai
Dharam Singh : (Secretly to Bhai Daya Singh) such an increase in admiration surprises
me.
Bhai
Daya Singh : (Whispering) You must be very surprised. But when you
have had time to think over, you will think that Guru ji have acted sensibly.
Guru ji Thanked Gulaba and Panjaba for
their hospitality. Gulaba and Panjaba felt easier after this conversation with
Guru ji. They seemed pleased with Guru ji’s admiration. All eyes turned towards
Pathan Brothers Gani Khan and Nabi Khan when they entered the house of Masand
Brothers. Pathan Brothers bowed to Guru ji without say a word.
Gani
Khan
: Guru ji, My brother and I will
be honoured if you will come to our home.
Guru
ji
: (Smiling) Sure.
Guru ji felt that Pathan brothers were
really concerned. Weather was cold and wet. A cool breeze was blowing now.
Gulaba
: (In cold politeness) Khuda Hafiiz!
Panjaba
: (Gloomily) Allah Haffiz!
Guru ji expressed bye-bye by a wave of
hand but uttered no word. Mata Hardei followed Guru ji with her eyes when
everybody moved away.
Act-5
Scene: The
news of arrival of Guru ji and his Sikhs spread in Machhiwara like fire but
everyone kept silent for fear of atrocities of Mogul forces. Gani Khan and Nabi
Khan took Guru ji and his Sikhs towards their residence. The road was rough
and, in their impatience, they stepped into many puddles.
Sayara
:
Oh, Razia Bibi! Do hurry up and come here! You must come and see.
Razia
:
What is the matter?
Wife of Gani Khan ran to window, without
stopping to answer and wife of Nabi Khan followed her. Through the windows of
the room, they saw strangers with their husbands. They immediately covered
themselves with Yashmaks.
Gani
Khan
: Here is nothing but Guru ji
and his Sikhs. Go to kitchen and cook food for all.
Nabi
Khan
: Guru ji, we welcome you
heartily.
After supper, everyone went to bed.
They could not sleep at all that night, Many painful thoughts kept them awake.
Act-6
Scene: The
next morning, weather was normal with clear sky. Guru ji and his Sikhs were
involved in worship to God. They hardly slept at all last night. Reddish sun
was rising with majesty. The cry of peacocks was making the environment more
pleasant. Women were busy in the kitchen. Gani Khan was still sleeping while
Nabi Khan was out in the fields. Some dogs were barking outside home. After a
while, Nabi Khan came back with news of the town. By then, Gani Khan got up.
They seemed to be talking very seriously. The prayer was over.
Nabi Khan
: Oh! I have overheard the people talking. It
is rumoured that the spies are in action.
Gani
Khan
: I am sorry to hear that.
Nabi Khan
: What is your opinion, Guru ji?
Guru
ji : (Guru
ji listen to them attentively) Same as yours. We will be leaving
Machhiwara soon.
Gani Khan
: (At
once) We promise to do all we could.
This information alarmed Guru ji and
others. The Sikhs were sitting near Guru ji and watching them. Pathan brothers
were most anxious about Guru ji.
Nabi Khan
:
Guru ji, I fear if you go out, you may be identified.
Gani
Khan
: It would be better to change
the identity.
Guru ji
: (Thinking) It is a good
idea. There is no harm in doing so.
Nabi
Khan
: We have better to put on
azure clothes and take Guru ji and others out of town in guise of Uch da peer.
Gani
Khan
: It’s an excellent idea. But
it is not possible to arrange azure clothes in so short of time.
Nabi
Khan
: We have a few blue clothes
which we can use under these circumstances and we should get new clothes gifted
by Mata Hardei dyed azure for Guru ji.
Gani
Khan
: Correct!
Guru
ji
: (Thoughtfully) Call in a Dyer.
Guru ji and his Sikhs heartily agreed with
Gani Khan and Nabi Khan. Nabi Khan left for calling a Dyer in. After a few
minutes Nabi Khan was back.
Nabi
Khan
: Guru ji, Dyer Dina will
appear to dye the cloths in a little while.
Gani Khan
: (In
the posture of prayer) O Allah tala! Help us.
Their conversation was interrupted by the
arrival of Dyer.
Dina
: (wishes
everyone) Addab! (Bows
to Guru ji)
Nabi Khan
: (Handing
over the cloth to Dina) Dye these cloths azure as early as possible.
Dina
: (Examining
the cloths) Cloths are dyed in a ready pitcher
and it does so after three days of mixing colour.
Guru
ji
: (Meditating) The pitcher is ready.
Dina
: (Surprisingly) What a surprise!
Guru
ji
: Now dye the cloths.
Dina
: (Whispering) Guru ji is a really
saintly character, Let me ask for something.
Act-7
Scene: In
the evening, the Dyer presented himself before Guru ji with dyed clothes and
stood folded hands but he could not utter any word out of his mouth.
Guru
ji
: Let me pay for your service.
Here is the money.
Dina
: No, No. I don’t need any
money.
Guru
ji
: What do you want then?
Dina
: O lord! I am childless.
Kindly bless me with a child.
Guru ji
: (Smiling) Dina, you will no
longer be childless.
Dina
: Guru ji, I am very poor. It
is hard to make two ends meet. Debts due to colour are difficult to
redeem. Kindly vindicate me.
Guru
ji
: Mix no colour hereafter to
the Pitcher in which you dyed my clothes. When you dip a clothe in it with an
imagination of requisite colour, the same colour will materialise.
Dina
: (Growing
emotional) Thank you, Guru ji.
Guru
ji
: Keep the pitcher covered and
never disclose this secret.
Dina
: (Bowing
to Guru ji) As you wish.
The blessed Dyer went away happily and
hopefully. Gani Khan and Nabi Khan knelt in front of Guru ji and folded their
hands.
Nabi
Khan
: Guru ji, We are also
childless.
Gani
Khan
: Let us be kindly blessed with
a child.
Guru ji
: (With
a smile) You are both blessed. Both of you
will not be childless. In addition to it, I put the blessings in writing.
Guru ji wrote Hukkamnama which contained
well-wishes in it and pressed his stamp on it. The evening passed quietly. It
was dusk. Two days passed, Guru ji and his Sikhs saw nothing of Mogul forces.
The behaviour of Pathan brothers to Guru ji and his Sikhs was perfectly
charming.
Act-8
Scene: The
day was just dawning. The chirps of sparrows disturbed the silence of morning.
The dogs were barking in the street. Soon everything was ready for their
departure.
Nabi
Khan
: Guru ji, please, sit in this
bed.
Guru
ji
: As you like.
Gani Khan and Nabi Khan lifted the bed
from front legs while Bhai Daram Singh and Bhai Daya Singh from the rear. Bhai
Maan Singh was waving a chaur behind. They sneaked in the twilight. Some peasants
were on their way to fields carrying ploughs on their shoulders while others
were driving their bullock-carts to the place of work. The peasants paid a
quick look at them and passed by. They travelled as quickly as they could. They
had a walk of about one and half a mile across fields. While they were walking,
the neigh of horses was heard. The clatter of hoofs grew louder.
Guru
ji
: I expect everybody to act
sensibly.
Gani
Khan
: OK, Guru ji.
The grass was wet with dew. Weather was
foggy. Unexpectedly, they encountered Mogul forces. Dilawar Khan and his
Soldiers were riding down the way. They stopped to speak to Guru ji and others.
Guru ji and his men were surrounded by the Soldiers. Everybody looked calmly at
the Soldiers in front of them.
Dilawar
Khan : Who are you?
Guru ji smiled but made no answer. He
repeated his question, with some surprise at his silence.
Nabi
Khan
: This is our Uch da Peer.
Dilawar
Khan : Where are you left for?
Gani
Khan
: Our Peer is on pilgrimage to
pious places.
Dilawar Khan : I cannot agree with you. Your
Uch da Peer cannot advance without identification.
Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Daya Singh and
Bhai Maan Singh hardly opened their mouth. Dilawar Khan sent two soldiers for
Kazi Sayad Noor Mohammad to Nurpur. They rode away at a gallop.
Dilawar
Khan : It is time to take breakfast. Your
Peer should take breakfast with us.
Nabi Khan
: (Hesitating) Peer ji is on roza. We
accept your invitation.
Dilawar
Khan : Of course.
Muslim food was served. Guru ji shook
dagger in it and assumed it as prasad. Dilawar Khan and his Soldiers were
surprised, when they noticed it.
Dilawar Khan
: What does he do?
Bhai Daya
Singh : Peer ji got a massage from Macca saying food turn out to
be pious if a dagger is shook in it.
Dilawar
Khan : I see.
By now, mist vanished and sun was shining.
Guru ji and his Sikhs sat silent. Pathan brothers were, however anxious beyond
limit.
Act-9
Scene: The
sun was to set below the horizon. A cool breeze was now blowing. Guru ji
looked thoughtful but said nothing. At the same time, the soldiers brought Kazi
Sahib with them.
Kazi
: Salama Lekam! Khan Sahib.
Dilawar
Khan : Walekam Salam! Kazi Sahib.
Kazi
: What can I do for you?
Dilawar
Khan : Kazi Sahib, I have sent for you on
a matter of importance.
Kazi
: Is there anything that I can
do for you?
Dilawar
Khan : These people look like suspects.
Let us verify their identity.
Kazi
: Ya Allah! Can I speak plainer?
Be thankful to God that the Peer did not curse you for disturbing his journey
on bedstead. He is Peer of Peers.
Dilawar
Khan : (Thinking) Perhaps nobody else
ever dared to answer me in this way.
Dilawar Khan kept his thoughts to himself.
He bowed to Guru ji and begged his pardon and allowed them to proceed with
honour. Everyone fell suddenly silent. After a little Guru ji spoke.
Guru
ji
: Dilawar Khan, you made a
commitment to offer 500 golden coins to Uch da Peer. Now honour your obligation.
There was no room for doubt now. Dilawar
Khan became fully convinced; he instantly got 500 golden coins and a precious
shawl and tendered the same to Guru ji asking for forgiveness.
Dilawar Khan
: (Emotionally) we are very sorry for you,
Peer Sahib. You have suffered so much.
At last, they were able to overcome
Dilawar Khan’s doubts. Guru ji felt proud of Pathan Brothers. All of them
set out in high spirits for next journey.
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