They said, “It’s time to leave, it’s getting worse.
Our wives and children are awaiting our return.”
So they mounted and rode away from the Sun,
Forty souls lost in the dawn,
But the Guru’s mission still carried on.

Before the Guru, the forty came.
He said, “For your destiny, I’m not to blame.
Renounce me now and sign your name,”
And, in their hearts, they knew this chance might never come again.”

You who fear to die today, will you be any more willing tomorrow?
Put your life in the hands of Him who can free you from this world of sorrow.

So they reached their destination sadly.
Their minds troubled, their hearts pounding madly.
And their wives said, “This makes you lower than a worm.
We’ll go and fight ourselves if you don’t return.”
So they prayed, “Lord, give us another turn.”

You who turned your back on the Lord,
Forsaking His holy sword,
The time will come for your sacrifice,
Stand for truth, and give your life, and free your soul.

You who fear to die today, will you be any more willing tomorrow?
Put your life in the hands of Him who can free you from this world of sorrow.

Mai Bhago led them towards the Sun,
Their hearts filled with God’s song.
But the Lord placed a challenge in their journey,
To try their steel, and test their bravery;
And they fought until the last one was overcome.

By: Gurudass Singh Khalsa, Gurudass Kaur Khalsa, and Livtar Singh Khalsa

My skin crawls in anticipation
My head pounds
to the beat of the thousands of feet
and all I want to be is at yours

I engulf myself in my fake skin
trying to disappear from this sea
all who i know, all who know me
but I need to know you

My eyes wander, my heart races
I can’t calm myself
and I know what I need
so my search begins

I close my eyes
and the colours go away
I sing the wonderful words
and I can’t hear the cackles and gossip

So I breathe
and I am calm to the bone
So I sway
and I am free in this dance

And when my eyes open
My world is pulled into
one being and her aura
and I know it’s you

A vision of mercy
knowledge, power
and above all – grace
Glowing sharp in the foggy smudge

Distinct with your black crown
Eyes shut – head bowed
Looking inwards to your soul
The abode of my Beloved

You dedicate every breathing second
Your presence – an inspiration
Your living to serve and obey
You are my Beloved’s lover

Submitted by: D. Kaur

My mom…my queen

Submitted by: Manpreet Kaur

Starting from Bibi Nanki, my Guru Nanak Dev Jee’s sister
All the way to the Khalsa mothers who suffered every blister
Sacrificed their husbands, brothers and sons
Some to cruel swords, others to fanatic guns
Not a single cry was ever heard from their mouth
Their glory is sung today from the north to the south
Not a wrinkle on their foreheads, not a drop in their eyes
Bowing before their feet one sees the seven skies

But today when I look around it pains my soul
Seeing Gurujee’s daughters forget their goal
Disowning their history, faith and culture
Running after lust, that wretched dark vulture
Disrespecting their body in many disgusting ways
Shying away from all of the Eternal Lord’s plays
Losing their purity and then peace of mind
Falling prey to worldly pleasures that later get unkind

I am no one who has any license to teach
Can’t be a preacher as I am myself a leech
But this much prayer I shall offer at your feet
Wishing that someday the Lord we all can meet
This much prayer I offer with folded hands
That your fame stretches across all possible lands
And the last few words that I have got to express
Are from my inner being and not just to impress

Blessed are you, oh Kaur! For you have prepared
Lions for the battle from whom tyrants are scared
Blessed are you, oh Kaur! For yours is the glory
Which strikes terror within the merciless and the gory
Blessed are you, oh Kaur! Unaware of what is pain
Earning for martyrdom, not once but again and again
Blessed are you, oh Kaur! With you is my Guru Gobind Singh
Your True Father, True Mother, and True Eternal King

Feel proud! You are Gurujee’s princesses!

Submitted by: Mehtab Singh

‘Only the brave die a worthy death, they are accepted by the Lord after death.’
(Guru I Vadhans Raag : Guru Granth Sahib Jee)

‘Brave in this world is the one who is coloured by the dye of Nam.’
(Guru V, Jaitsari Raag : Guru Granth Sahib Jee)

‘Nanak says, the bravest of the brave is the one who has overcome inner ego.’
(Guru III, Salok : Guru Granth Sahib Jee)

After Guru Gobind Singh jee, in the 18th Century, the Khalsa had a price on their head in their own homeland of Punjab. They were forced to live on the run in jungles. But, they never shirked their responsibility – they were the police force, they were law and justice – they were God’s Army blessed by Guru Gobind Singh jee.

Awesome Warriors that pounce like panthers,
On mighty battle-horses against Moghul Forces,
An invisible breeze through the Jungle trees
Roar like thunder : God’s Army – Perfect Khalsa!

Khalsa spy in orange, blue and black,
Camouflaged he follows the Moghuls’ track,
Crawling under bushes like a venomous snake,
Perching like a hawk by the side of their Lake,
Hidden in a rock-cave small and compact,
It’ll soon be time, time to attack!

Around the lake like a poisonous snake,
Towards the tents of the Mullah and the Sheik,
Slips by the guards on his silent feet,
Sings Waheguru with each heartbeat,
Quick look left and a sharp look back,
It’ll soon be time, time to attack!

Eagle-eyed he finds the Punjabi pearls,
Kidnapped sisters are now slave-girls,
Chained together inside a dirty tent,
Soon to be owned by a Muslim ‘gent’,
In Afghanastan she’ll be up for sale,
To be wife number 4 of a Muslim male,
In his religion it’s a virtuous thing,
To make a Sikh animal into a Muslim.

Khalsa spy quickly scuttles around
Sketching a map of the enemies ground,
He disappears like a passing breeze
Moghuls think it’s just rustling leaves,
By Guru Gobind Singh’s grace he’ll be back,
Back when it’s time, time to attack!

Mighty Moghul’s fought long and hard today
Against innocent farmers stacking their hay,
Majestic Moghuls say its good for their soul
To slay parents and watch their children groan.
The village was eaten by a monster ‘s desire
The wild orange animal of the Moghuls’ fire.

Handsome Moghuls were so brave and strong,
They raped young girls – it didn’t seem wrong.
After a hard days work they sleep nice and warm,
Unaware of the rising Khalsa storm.

Inside the tent where the prisoners are kept,
Beside the sisters who’ve wept and wept,
Stands Princess Kaur with a saintly face
With her eyes closed in a spiritual place,
‘Guru jee we are your innocent children,
Merciful Master grant us freedom,
Save us from this sordid mess,
O Perfect Protector of the Powerless,
Honour and cherish Your daughter’s right
O Ocean of Love and Unknowable Light,
Bless us with Waheguru’s Naam and might,
Break our chains, make us stand and fight,
Invincible Power no one knows your limit,
Bless us now with Your Fighting Spirit!.

The Moghuls’ yawn at the crack of dawn,
Their blood stained clothes are still battle-torn,
They pray a little if they pray at all,
Swearing and pushing they walk real tall,
They reek of B.O. and have stinking breath,
But that wont be enough to scare away Death!

The Khalsa storm is almost upon their land,
The Goddess of Death is in the Khalsa’s hand,
Guru Gobind Singh jee no one knows Your limit,
The Khalsa is blessed with Your Fighting Spirit!

The Khalsa is beautiful, the Khalsa is bright,
The Khalsa protects and does what’s right,
Looking like mountains, roaring like thunder,
Riding on the wind singing God of Wonder!

Across the rivers and through the valleys,
Chasing the Moghuls like a swarm of bees,
Khalsa spy made them a lovely map,
The Moghuls will fall into a deadly trap.
Hiding in the jungle by the well-walked track,
Waiting for the time, time to attack!

Bahadur Singh, big , brave and strong
Leads 4 Khalsa singing the Naam song,
Riding into the middle of the track,
Infront of the marching Moghul pack.
The Moghuls dogs chase the Khalsa rabbit,
The 5 Singhs ride full of the Fighting Spirit,
Each one disappears into deep dark places,
The Moghuls are surrounded by Khalsa faces!

No place to run now, no place to hide,
Goddess of Death slashes Moghul pride,
Smashed falling heads land with a thud
The jungle ground soaks up their blood,
The Moghuls lived by their sinning culture,
They’re only good for a hungry vulture!

Sweet Princess Kaur with her saintly face,
Thanks Guru jee for his merciful grace,
Guru Gobind Singh jee no one knows Your limit,
The Khalsa is blessed with Your Fighting Spirit!

Submitted by: A. Kaur

With the world in destruction
Her glow brings happiness
She cares for the weak
And respects the different

Who is she we say
That brings the light when days are grey
With pride and a smile, she says
“I’m a Kaur”

By: Kulveen Kaur Bassi

Submitted by: R. Kaur

I remember when I looked into your eyes
It was like watching the sun rise
The thrashing waves, brought tears to my soul
Like cool breeze in the summer, love took its toll
Like heaven in the skies, crashing in to me
My life froze as I wanted to hold your feet
My beautiful sibling

Oh beautiful Child of my beautiful Guru
What a blessed existence and soul are you
Every step you take is sacred to me
Your feet are laced with immortality
And the arrows that your eyes shoot into my soul
Are the only way an empty heart can again feel whole
My beautiful sibling

Oh beautiful Child of my beautiful Guru
I could sacrifice my life, body, and soul to you
Just recognize that this beautiful light in you,
is so resplendent and stunning, I wish you knew
Like heaven in the skies, crashing in to me
My life froze as I wanted to hold your feet
I remember my fear, when I saw your eyes
It was like watching the sun rise
sun rise
sun set
sun rise
sun rise
My beautiful sibling

In loving memory of Baba Ajit Singh ji, my beautiful sibling
Submitted by: M. Kaur

I am Guru Ji’s daughter
I wear Guru Ji’s great crown
With my head held high
Honouring those great Singhnea
Who showed no fear
Showed no weakness
I honour those great Gursikhs
Who fought for the Khalsa
Those Great Mothers
Who watched their children
Being cut up into pieces
Wore their children around their necks
Yet did not forget the Naam
Did not forget Guru Ji
In their torture
They kept reciting Bani
I honour those great worriors
Who fought in the battles
Who fought for Guru Gobind Singh Ji
I honour Mata Bhag Kaur
Who led 40 Singhs into battle
Mata Bhag kaur showed no fear
I honour Bibi Deep Kaur
Who was known as Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Daughter
I honour Mata Sahib Kaur
Who is the Great Mother of Khalsa
I hounour Mata Tripta Ji
For giving birth so such a Great King
I honour Bebe Nanaki
Who realized Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Roop
I admire those Great Daughter of Khalsa
Who were fearless
These Singhnea took a stand
And lived a soldiers life
I honour their great souls
And am honoured being born a woman
I am Guru Ji’s daughter
I am a warrior Princess
Hear me roar

Mata Bhag Kaur was born in the village of Jhabal in Amritsar – the Majha region of Punjab. She grew up being trained in fencing, sparring, etc., and was a woman of extremely strong and noble character. Mata Bhag Kaur spent a great amount of her life in dedication to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in both Punjab and Maharastra (Hajoor Sahib). Mata Bhag Kaur was a great warrior and was the general of the battle of Khidrana (present day Mukatsar) and she was also able to obtain a large army of Sikh male and female warriors.

In Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh ji’s home was surrounded by invading Mughals and Hill Rajas, with rations for the Sikhs running out. Bhai Maha Singh and his army, after having defended the Guru for so long, decided to turn their back on Guru Gobind Singh Ji and return to their families. Bhai Maha Singh and the other Sikhs even signed a treaty saying “Guru Gobind Singh, you are no longer our Guru, and we are no longer your Sikhs!” What a sad day in Sikh history, when the Guru’s beloved warriors found no other option but to leave their Kalgidhar Patshah.

Mata Bhag Kaur, like a lioness on the prowl for her prey of injustice, could not believe that her brothers left Guru Gobind Singh Ji in such a difficult time for the Panth. She gathered an army and gained support from several Sikh women, including the wives and families of the 40 Muktay. Speaking bravely like the fearless Daughter of the King of righteousness, Mata Bhag Kaur awoke a new fervour of warrior spirit in the Sikh Sangat, the 40 Muktay hanging their heads in shame at leaving their Guru.

As an army was formulated and the 40 Muktay realized their mistake, the Sikhs joined together in Mukatsar, or “the pool of liberation”, occupying the only source of water in the land. In this battle of Mukatsar, Mata Bhag Kaur and Bhai Maha Singh were badly injured, Maha Singh and the other 40 Muktay being blessed with forgiveness by the Guru for turning their back.

Such was the legend of Mata Bhag Kaur – a true warrior general of the Khalsa that awoke a new spirit to fight injustice in the blood of the Sikhs. A poem written that depicts the relationship of Mata Bhag Kaur to Bhai Maha Singh as children of the Guru:

To My Brother, Maha Singh

When a Lion is deserted by His dear Cubs, what a sad day that is, Maha Singh
What kind of princes, losing their royalty, would desert their precious King?
What a sad day, alas, brother of mine – have you become blind?
With stones in your hearts, and exhausted bodies, you left your Guru behind.

Do you not remember, Bhai Mati Das, Sati Das and Dyala Ji?
They gave their bodies, lives, and souls, for their precious Guru Ji.
They desired naught to see family or relatives, they left this world in grace
Their last desire was to gaze at Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Face.

Guru Arjan Dev ji sacrificed, to fill your soul with spirit
The fire burned under the Hot Plate, tell me brother, can you hear it?
The Path of Sikhi is as difficult and as sharp as a sword
But it will be painted with the blood of Marytrs, forever more

What face will you show to the Khalsa of tomorrow?
Will this day be remembered as an eblem of sorrow?
How dare we call ourselves children of Guru Gobind Singh?
To this great Panth of glory, what name will you bring?

Wearing the great Bana and weaponry of our sweet Father,
This world will clearly think we are His proud Sons and Daughters,
But what great dis-service have you done, today, oh Maha Singh,
To this great Panth of glory, what name will you bring?

There is still time to beg for forgiveness, from our Guru of beauty
Recognize your mistakes, O Brother! May the True Guru forgive thee
May you never leave the side of this Niyara Khalsa Panth
May you always fight injustice, like a true Soldier-Sant

My brother, you must wake up, and correct your wrong actions
You left our Guru alone, with your senseless distractions
Please help me gather again an army of Great Power
We will fight for our Guru and die, like his precious saffron flowers

We must wake all of Punjab and help them rise from Slumber
The time has come to prove we are Sava Lakh in Number!!
Grab your weapons and come on your horse, oh my Brother of Might,
As children of Guru Gobind Singh, we are Vaheguru’s Knights!

We must gather every warrior soul to defend the Guru of Light
Wake up, Punjab, Wake Up My Brothers!!! The time has come to fight!!

BOLEYYY SO NIHAAAAAAAL
SAT SRI AKAAAAAL
GUR BAR AKAAAL
TERI MEHMA APAAAR! AKAAL AKAAL AKAAL

May we all treat our brothers the way that Mata Bhag Kaur treated Bhai Maha Singh, waking them up from slumber and helping them remain strong warriors of the Guru.