Learn how important just one woman can be to the benefit of the Khalsa Panth
(This story is taken from the times when Moghuls were invading and the Sikhs
had to hide in jungles...)
For the Khalsa, things moved smoothly for some days. There was joy and hectic
activity in the jungle. Under the shade of trees, these spiritual warriors
were quite busy, but on the alert. They followed the daily chores of camp
life. Some were reciting their prayers, some mending their clothes, some
collecting fuel for the Langar (Free kitchen), while some went far and near in
search of fruits. Altogether these lion-hearted Sikhs were enjoying themselves
in this comfortable and self-supporting shelter. They had forgotten about
their parents and their families. Their spirits were imbued with love for and
devotion to Guru Gobind Singh. They regarded the preservation and protection
of their faith as the goal of their lives. For this reason, they enjoyed their
stay in this spot, feeling mentally free like fearless lions.
One evening when the whole group had taken their Langar (dinner) and were
retiring to rest, Sardar Sham Singh talked to his companions thus:
Sham Singh: (addressing Surasti) "O respected lady! What is your plan
about your own future?"
Surasti: "Sir, I will follow your orders."
Sham Singh: "There is no such thing as an order. We shall do our best as
you desire. If you like, we can bring your husband and then you both live
together here. If you want to be taken to your husband's place, we can do
that. But the Moghuls will not leave our pursuit and you will be again under
the captivity of Moghuls. Whatever you desire will be done. Balwant Singh is
our brother. All the Sikhs love him. He is an ideal Sikh and a great warrior.
You are his sister and the entire group here regards you as their
sister."
Surasti: "Sir and my brethren! Married life does not appeal to me and as
you know my husband has also renounced me. It was his duty to protect me which
he has refused to do. I do not wish to return to that domestic kind of life
again from which the Guru has pulled me away. My sole aim is that my entire
life be dedicated to the service of the Khalsa. If you permit me, I shall live
amidst my brothers here. In peacetime, I shall work in the Langar (Free
Kitchen); in wartime I shall also stay with you and serve and look after my
wounded and disabled brothers. I cannot brook the idea that while my brave
brothers should offer their sacrifice for the protection of Sikh Dharma, I
should refrain from devoting my life to my religion. I want this gift from you
that I should read Gurbani, meditate on the Holy Word and serve the community.
If my life is dedicated to my faith, there will be none more fortunate than
me.
The eyes of a lion like Sham Singh were full of tears (of joy) and his body
shook with emotion. He thought for a while and said:
"Our life is very hard; we have always to face calamities and ordeals.
These days we can not move even in our own parts of the country. How will you
face the sufferings of the group?"
Surasti: "God will give me courage. I shall bear all the sufferings and
utilise my time in your service."
Sardar Sham Singh reflected for a while and replied:
"You are not an ordinary woman; you are a goddess. Blessed be your birth
that you are full of love for religion. O respected sister! May God fulfil
your wishes! From my side, there is no restriction or condition. You are free
to serve the Khalsa community in any way you like. You make your life useful
to others. But you must always have the courage of a man to face this kind of
hard life."
Balwant Singh: "O sister! You have expressed your sentiments so truly.
You have received the Guru's blessings. Truly you are the Guru's daughter.
Your courage is that of a lioness. God will help you! May the hand of Mai
Bhago bless you!
Surasti: "O my brother! This body is mortal and must perish. If it is
used up in the service of the Panth (Sikh community) there is nothing more
profitable for my soul than this. Remember how the children of Guru Gobind
Singh sacrificed their lives to uphold the teachings of the Guru and how
cheerfully Bhai Mani Singh had his body cut at every joint. O brother, if such
great souls made such tremendous sacrifices, why should we crave to preserve
our bodies. I have seen my parents, relatives and others and realised that all
these worldly affections are false. You saved me from the burning pyre and put
your life at risk and as such you have not acted like an ordinary brother.
There is religious zeal and devotion in you; there is love for the Guru in
your heart. You have a sense of self-respect. For this reason you have shown
so much compassion to me. Now I feel that religion is a very valuable thing
for it inspires one to true and noble action and, therefore, why should I turn
my back to it. Perhaps you have a notion that a woman is physically weak and
as such she must be mentally weak too. Please banish this idea from your mind.
The heart of a woman is soft like wax and also hard like a stone; when the
religious fervour inspires a woman, she becomes so firm that none can shake
her resolve. I am not saying this out of brag or arrogance, but on account of
a firm conviction in the Guru's grace. I know his blessings fill me with these
sentiments."
Hearing this, Sham Singh and Balwant Singh blessed the lady. It was rather
late in the night. All of them went to sleep after saying their prayers.
It was the season of spring and the early dawn was refreshing. The morning
prayers made the environment blissful and it seemed that the jungle-camp was a
heaven. Early in the morning, Guru Granth Sahib was ceremoniously installed
and the congregation was held. First, Sham Singh informed the gathering that
Surasti had decided to devote her life to the cause of Sikhism and that she;
indoor and outside and in times of peace or war, desired to serve the Sikh
community. For this reason, the lady should be baptised with Amrit and made
the Khalsa and she should be considered as a spiritual sister. The entire
congregation should regard her as a daughter of Guru Gobind Singh and Mata
Sahib Kaur. She should be treated like a sister. Then she was baptised
according to the ceremony of Amrit and given the name of Sunder Kaur and she
became popular as 'Sundri'.
The joy of the Khalsa congregation knew no bounds. This was a lucky day when
one of their own sisters who had been rescued from the jaws of a lion was
ready to devote her life to the cause of Sikhism and would hereafter be
sharing the hardships and sorrows of her brethren by dedication to their
service for the remaining portion of her life. Every one in this group had
been denied the sisterly affection and the tender love and intelligent
guidance of women-folk. There was not one who had not severed his connection
with his mother, sister and wife just for the preservation of his faith and
had been leading the rough and adventurous life of a patriot guerilla for
quite some time.
Dear reader! This young lady's vow of dedication produced such a radical
impact on this warrior-group, ever-ready for sacrifice for preservation of
moral and human values, that one and all began to look upon her as a sister or
mother and offered thanks to the Guru. On such occasions the Guru's Word is
understood in its true significance, when the human mind, free from sorrow,
unconsciously gets in tune with the Creator.
O friends of the Sikh religion! Remember this auspicious occasion with
devotion and you will for once shed tears of joy! How blessed and blissful
were those days! Even in the period of Kalyuga (The Age of Darkness), when
seeing a young maiden amidst them, the entire group looked upon her (Sundri)
as a holy goddess, as their foster-sister with the same brotherly feeling as
for their real sister. All of them greeted her with joy and bowed to her with
reverence. This was the purity and excellence of character which the Guru had
taught to the Sikhs. That is the reason why the community, overcome by the
love of the Guru was ready to sacrifice itself. It was linked with the Guru
through devotion and lived on the sustenance of the Holy Naam!
(This is an extract taken from Bhai Vir Singh's novel, 'SUNDRI')
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