The Spirit of Guru Gobind Singh
SS Sat Nirmal Kaur Khalsa
Espanola, New Mexico, USA
On January 21st, 1996, an extraordinary event took place in the Gurdwara at Hacienda de Guru Ram Das in Espanola. The Battle of Bhangani Sahib - the first battle led by Guru Gobind Singh when he was only 19 years old - was reenacted and relived. All who participated and all who witnessed it felt the actual presence of Guru Gobind Singh and his brave warriors.
It seemed no less than a miracle and the actual hand of Guru Gobind Singh, that the result of our efforts was so spectacular. Each of 14 readers received written material several weeks earlier. In our first practice, some of us (myself definitely included) could not even follow the story. We had a hard time pronouncing the names of people and places. We tried to read with expression, making an effort to distinguish the 'good guys' from the 'bad guys' but there was so much confusion, we weren't sure who was who. During the third and final practice, we were all getting pretty excited. Still, we wondered what the final effect would be like.
The energy started building in the morning, as we cleaned and decorated the Gurdwara with hundreds of little lights. It was dark and cold outside, and while damalas were being tied, there were small bonfires, and luminaries placed along the walkway to the Gurdwara.
The blow of the conch and beat of the drum brought everyone into the Gurdwara. The energy was getting stronger and stronger. We started chanting 'Bole So Nihal' and 'Sat Nam Siri Wahe Guru' as loudly as we possibly could as Siri Guru Granth Sahib was led by the Panj Piare. The Gurdwara was packed and we knew right then that this experience would be more than any one of us could have imagined.
Everything flowed so smoothly. It seemed that each reader recited a part of the story that was perfect for that reader's voice. The background music gave just the right feeling from the time of Guru Gobind Singh’s birth, all the way to the Battle of Bhangani. The shabds, slides, and war drum all fit it in at the right times. Guru Gobind Singh was really there and we all knew it. Guru Gobind Singh promised us that when five of us are gathered, he will be there. We experienced the ease and truth of that promise. All we need is the longing for his presence - Guru Gobind Singh will make the arrangements and work out the details.