The Sword's Longing Was Satisfied
S.S. Shanti Kaur Khalsa
Espanola NM, U.S.A.
Millions of Sikhs surged into the small village of Anandpur Sahib for the Tin Sau Sala Celebrations, the 300th Anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa. Extensive preparations had been made, with acres of fields covered with simple tents, and lungar kitchens set up every half mile throughout the city to feed and shelter the devotees as they streamed in to Anandpur Sahib. The buildings throughout the city had been painted white, giving an aura of grace and purity as far as the eye could see. Four hundred Sikhs from Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere came to bow their heads at Keshgarh Sahib, and to join in the festivities. Many prayers were offered and many prayers were answered, as the western Khalsa set up their camp in the center of the city on a school campus.
The noise levels were very high as we walked through the streets, moving through an ocean of people. Loud speakers were set up almost every fifty feet, and we moved from one sound explosion to another - speeches, kirtan, kata (religious talks), and Nitnem banis were broadcast in an extemporaneous progression that was so loud we had to shout to be heard above the noise. The streets were crowded with a press of bodies that were made up of streams of moving people. Step into the flow, and one moved forward unimpeded like a mechanical escalator. But in stepping out of the flowing channels, one became locked in the crowd. If we weren't careful, we were lifted off our feet and carried with the surge of the pressing crowd. Unlike a crowded city where people shuffle by while looking at their feet, the Sikhs who had come to Anandpur looked directly into our eyes as we passed - their eyes hot and burning with energy and nearness.
The spirit of the 10th Master, Guru Gobind Singh ji, was everywhere. His subtle body was so vast that it settled like a sweet smelling fog over the sangat, permeating all places and ringing each heart. A thin curtain of time separated 1999 from 1699, and the power of the sangat's projection threatened to tear the fabric of past and present.
To honor the occasion, Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere brought with them a sword to present to Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib. In the mid-seventeenth century, Guru Gobind Singh had issued a hukamnama to all His Sikhs telling them to bring Him presents of weapons of war to Anandpur, treasuring the beauty of a strong sword and a steady horse above that of gold and silver. In this spirit, the yatra brought with them a beautiful sword made by S.S. Jot Singh Khalsa, world-renowned knife maker from Massachusetts. This sword was unlike any other! With more than 1,000 diamonds set in a handle of beautifully carved jade and white gold, the sword carried a 36" blade of elegant Damascus steel. On the scabbard, the entire Jaap Sahib was engraved in yellow gold amidst six medallions showing scenes from the life of Guru Gobind Singh. It was a dazzling sword that spoke of love and devotion. It emanated a vitality and spirit of its own drawn from the meditation of the western Khalsa.
On April 14th, Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere came as a group to Takhat Keshgarh Sahib to present the sword to the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. The yatris (spiritual pilgrims) walked from their camp at 7:30 AM, carrying the sword in their midst. At the bottom steps of the Takhat, as the crowd around pushed and surged, the strongest men and women in the group locked arms around the rest of the yatris, forming a protective circle. By moving strategically, the entire western sangat was able to enter and entirely fill the small Gurdwara, which is the top-most level of Takhat Keshgarh Sahib. The Siri Singh Sahib joined the sangat, and the Gurdwara was filled to capacity.
The air was thick and hot with the sound of the sangat's chanting echoing off the walls. The sound current was so intense that it created a physical pressure that filled the empty spaces of every cell in your being. The Siri Singh Sahib moved through the pressing crowd and stood before the Siri Guru Granth Sahib with folded hands. He bowed, and the Granthi (priest) came forward to put a saropa (honorary scarf) on his neck and presented him with a gold plate inscribed on its face with words of grace and gratitude from Takhat Keshgarh Sahib. The Sword of the Khalsa was passed through the crowd to the Siri Singh Sahib, and with a low bow he presented it to the Granthi. The sangat erupted with loud cries of Bole So Nihal, Sat Siri Akal! in such rapid succession that it overwhelmed the human senses and threatened everyone's equilibrium. The power of this moment was so intense, the prayers focused with crystal clarity, that the sky over the Takhat seemed to swirl and churn with energy and power.
The yatris moved down to the terrace in front of the Gurdwara where a huge sangat had gathered. Here, Singh Sahib Manjit Singh showed the beautiful weapons of Guru Gobind Singh, one by one, telling the history and details of each one. At the end of the presentation, he presented the Sword of the Khalsa to the sangat and announced that this sword would remain with Guru Gobind Singh's weapons at Takhat Keshgarh Sahib for all time. When the Siri Singh Sahib stood to address the sangat, he turned his eyes to the western Khalsa and said, "Your hand has extended longer than you know. Time will tell, people will tell, 960 million we will be!"
Later in the day, I went to the Takhat to bow, and saw the Sword of the Khalsa lying on the altar with Guru Gobind Singh's weapons. These old beautiful weapons that were held in the grip of the Tenth Master, tested with blood and battle, and adored for 300 years, lay in honor with the Sword of the Khalsa arching at their feet. Steel touched steel showing a tender familiarity, like two Khalsa greeting each other. There seemed to be an instant welcoming and melding of spirit, as if there had never been a separation between these swords. Three hundred years lay between the weapons, but the illusion of time faded in the golden light that passed between the steel. The new steel, forged by the hands and prayers of those Sikhs who have been reborn in the west was charged with love, longing, and yearning for the touch of the 10th Master. Finally, as I saw steel touching steel, the sword's longing was satisfied. Tears streamed down my face as I cherished the mastery of the moment.