Siri Kaal Ji Ki Ustat is the first chapter of Bachitra Natak in Dasam Granth. Bachitra Natak is the autobiography of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Orignally, Bachitra Natak is the largest composition of Dasam Granth constituting 634 pages. Various other Banis like Chandi Charitra (both), Chaubis Avtar , Brahma Avtar and Rudra Avtar also form its parts. That’s why Dasam Granth was also known as Bachitra Natak by Puratan Singhs of 18th sentury. So, autobiography part of Guru Sahib forms the introduction part of all other Banis written above.
But now, we call Bachitra Natak only to the autobiography part of Guru Sahib. Other Banis written above are considered as separate Banis though we agree that they are basically a part of Bachitra Natak. So, the Bachitra Natak (autobiography of Guru Gobind Singh Ji) contains 14 chapters and the first chapter is Siri Kaal Ji Ki Ustat.
It contains 101 verses and 6 types of Chhands or styles are used. Swayas are also used in it. In this part, as the name suggests Guru Sahib writes about the glory and greatness of Waheguru .
Siri Kaal Ji- a manifestation of Sri Waheguru in form of All-Destructor
Ustat – praise.
So, it means glory of the God.
Please don’t relate Kaal with Shiv or Kaali godess or some other Devi.
He is indestructible Power which protects Saints and punishes wicked.
ਤ੍ਰਿਭੰਗੀ ਛੰਦ ||
ਖਗ ਖੰਡ ਬਿਹੰਡੰ ਖਲ ਦਲ ਖੰਡੰ ਅਤਿ ਰਣ ਮੰਡੰ ਬਰ ਬੰਡੰ ||
ਭੁਜ ਦੰਡ ਅਖੰਡੰ ਤੇਜ ਪ੍ਰਚੰਡੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਅਮੰਡੰ ਭਾਨ ਪ੍ਰਭੰ ||
ਸੁਖ ਸੰਤਾ ਕਰਣੰ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਦਰਣੰ ਕਿਲਬਿਖ ਹਰਣੰ ਅਸਿ ਸਰਣੰ ||
ਜੈ ਜੈ ਜਗ ਕਾਰਣ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਉਬਾਰਣ ਮਮ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਰਣ ਜੈ ਤੇਗੰ ||੨||
Tribhangi Chhandh
The sword (Energy or Shakti) hacks and breaks ruthlessly into pieces and destroys the hordes of fools and adorns the battlefield. It is like a long unbreakable forceful arm. Its awesome splendour overshadows the lustre of the Sun. It looks after the welfare of the Saints and punishes the wicked. It destroys the sins and I seek Its refuge. Hail, hail to the Creator of the world, the Saviour of the creation. My protector Scimitar, hail to Thee.(2)
This Power or Shakti is formless, shapeless, timeless and endless. This simply means that this Shakti is Sri Waheguru.
ਨ ਰੂਪੰ ਨ ਰੇਖੰ ਨ ਰੰਗੰ ਨ ਰਾਗੰ || ਨ ਨਾਮੰ ਨ ਠਾਮੰ ਮਹਾ ਜੋਤਿ ਜਾਗੰ ||
ਨ ਦੈ੍ਵਖੰ ਨ ਭੇਖੰ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਨਿਤਯੰ || ਮਹਾ ਜੋਗ ਜੋਗੰ ਸੁ ਪਰਮੰ ਪਵਿਤਯੰ ||੫||
ਅਜੇਯੰ ਅਭੇਯੰ ਅਨਾਮੰ ਅਠਾਮੰ || ਮਹਾ ਜੋਗ ਜੋਗੰ ਮਹਾ ਕਾਮ ਕਾਮੰ ||
ਅਲੇਖੰ ਅਭੇਖੰ ਅਨੀਲੰ ਅਨਾਦੰ || ਪਰੇਯੰ ਪਵਿਤੰ੍ਰ ਸਦਾ ਨ੍ਰਿਬਿਖਾਦੰ ||੬||
ਸੁ ਆਦੰ ਅਨਾਦੰ ਅਨੀਲੰ ਅਨਾਦੰ || ਅਦਵੈਖੰ ਅਭੇਖੰ ਮਹੇਸੰ ਮਹੰਤੰ ||
ਨ ਰੋਖੰ ਨ ਸੋਖੰ ਨ ਦੋ੍ਰਹੰ ਨ ਮੋਹੰ || ਨ ਕਾਮੰ ਨ ਕੋ੍ਰਧੰ ਅਜੋਨੀ ਅਜੋਹੰ || ੭||
He has no complexion, no streak, no pigment and no music. He is nameless and place less but His prominent halo is a glow. He has no rancour, no dress. He is formless and perpetual. He is a Supreme Yogi of all yogis and is extremely immaculate.(5) He is invincible, dauntless, nameless and abode less.He is the super Yogi among yogis and is the magnificent gratifier of intense passions. He is unaccountable, garb less, innumerable and without a beginning. He is beyond our reach, is sacred and uncontroversial. (6) He is the Origin of all but has no Origin. He is countless and endless. He is spite less, costume less and is the supreme Lord of the Universe. He has no rage; He does not wither away. He has neither rancour, nor infatuation.He has neither desire, nor wrath. He is unborn and invisible.(7)
He is One.
ਸਦਾ ਏਕ ਰੂਪੰ || ਸਭੈ ਲੋਕ ਭੂਪੰ ||
ਅਜੇਯੰ ਅਜਾਯੰ || ਸਰਣਿਅੰ ਸਹਾਯੰ || ੩੯||
He has always one unique form and is the sovereign of all regions. He is invincible and not liable to birth and death He renders refuge and assistance.(39)
He is the Creator, Controller and Destroyer of this world. He created the whole humanity and designed its destiny. He created hundreds and hundreds of Prophets and Spiritual Messengers and destroyed them in the form of Death. But none of these could acquire victory over Him (Death).
ਭੁਜੰਗ ਪ੍ਰਯਾਤ ਛੰਦ ||
ਸ੍ਰਿਜੇ ਸੇਤਜੰ ਜੇਰਜੰ ਉਤਭੁਜੇਵੰ || ਰਚੇ ਅੰਭਜੰ ਖੰਡ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ਏਵੰ ||
ਦਿਸਾ ਬਿਦਿਸਾਯੰ ਜਿਮੀ ਆਸਮਾਣੰ || ਚਤੁਰ ਬੇਦ ਕਥਿਅੰ ਕੁਰਾਣੰ ਪੁਰਾਣੰ || ੨੪||
ਰਚੇ ਰੈਣ ਦਿਵਸੰ ਥਪੇ ਸੂਰ ਚੰਦੰ || ਠਟੇ ਦਈਵ ਦਾਨੋ ਰਚੇ ਬੀਰ ਬਿੰ੍ਰਦੰ ||
ਕਰੀ ਲੋਹ ਕਲਮੰ ਲਿਖਿਓ ਲੇਖ ਮਾਥੰ || ਸਬੈ ਜੇਰ ਕੀਨੇ ਬਲੀ ਕਾਲ ਹਾਥੰ || ੨੫||
ਕਈ ਮੇਟ ਡਾਰੇ ਉਸਾਰੇ ਬਨਾਏ || ਉਪਾਰੇ ਗੜੇ ਫੇਰ ਮੇਟੇ ਉਪਾਏ ||
ਕ੍ਰਿਯਾ ਕਾਲ ਜੂ ਕੀ ਕਿਨੂ ਨ ਪਛਾਨੀ || ਘਨਿਯੋ ਪੈ ਬਿਹੈਹੈ ਘਨਿਯੋ ਪੈ ਬਿਹਾਨੀ || ੨੬||
ਕਿਤੇ ਕ੍ਰਿਸਨ ਸੇ ਕੀਟ ਕੋਟੈ ਬਨਾਏ || ਕਿਤੇ ਰਾਮ ਸੇ ਮੇਟਿ ਡਾਰੇ ਉਪਾਏ ||
ਮਹਾਦੀਨ ਕੇਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਿਥੀ ਮਾਂਝ ਹੂਏ || ਸਮੈ ਆਪਨੀ ਆਪਨੀ ਅੰਤ ਮੂਏ || ੨੭||
ਜਿਤੇ ਅਉਲੀਆ ਅੰਬੀਆ ਹੋਇ ਬੀਤੇ || ਤਿਤਿਓ ਕਾਲ ਜੀਤਾ ਨ ਤੇ ਕਾਲ ਜੀਤੇ ||
ਜਿਤੇ ਰਾਮ ਸੇ ਕ੍ਰਿਸਨ ਹੁਇ ਬਿਸਨ ਆਏ || ਤਿਤਿਓ ਕਾਲ ਖਾਪਿਓ ਨ ਤੇ ਕਾਲ ਘਾਏ || ੨੮||
ਜਿਤੇ ਇੰਦ੍ਰ ਸੇ ਚੰਦ੍ਰ ਸੇ ਹੋਤ ਆਏ || ਤਿਤਿਓ ਕਾਲ ਖਾਪਾ ਨ ਤੇ ਕਾਲ ਘਾਏ ||
ਜਿਤੇ ਔਲੀਆ ਅੰਬੀਆ ਗੌਸ ਹੁਐ ਹੈਂ || ਸਭੈ ਕਾਲ ਕੇ ਅੰਤ ਦਾੜਾ ਤਲੈ ਹੈਂ || ੨੯||
ਜਿਤੇ ਮਾਨਧਾਤਾਦਿ ਰਾਜਾ ਸੁਹਾਏ || ਸਭੈ ਬਾਂਧ ਕੈ ਕਾਲ ਜੇਲੈ ਚਲਾਏ ||
ਜਿਨੈ ਨਾਮ ਤਾ ਕੋ ਉਚਾਰੋ ਉਬਾਰੇ || ਬਿਨਾ ਸਾਮ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਲਖੇ ਕੋਟ ਮਾਰੇ || ੩੦||
Bhujang Prayat Chhand
He created sweat-born creatures, placental mammals and earth-born vegetable kingdom. He produced egg-born creatures and thus composed all the continents and the Universes. He created directions and semi-directions (corners), the earth and the sky. He narrated four Vedas, the Koran and the Puranas.(24). He made the night and the day and installed the sun and the moon. He created demigods and demons and produced numerous warriors. He prepared the tablet and pen of divine decrees and recorded the writ of destiny on the forehead of all. He has subjugated all with his mighty and deadly hands.(25). The Immortal Lord erased many, He created and made many. He uprooted and forged many, again He destroyed and produced them None can comprehend the operations of the Lord of Destruction. It shall happen to the multitude and it has happened to the populace in the past.(26) He created millions of trivial Krishnas. He destroyed many Ramas and then produced them. Many Mohammeds existed on this earth. As and when the time of their doom drew near, all of them perished.(27) All the holy saints (Muslim) and prophets who existed in the past; They were conquered by Death but they could not defeat the Lord of Death. All the incarnations of Vishnu like Rama and Krishna were originated, They were consumed by Death but they could not destroy Death.(28.) As many Indras and moons have come into being, All of them were devoured by Kal (death) but they could not annihilate Kal.
Everyone who comes to the Earth is conquered by Death. But those who come under their protection are saved.
ਰਸਾਵਲ ਛੰਦ ||
ਜਿਤੇ ਰਾਮ ਹੂਏ || ਸਭੈ ਅੰਤ ਮੂਏ || ਜਿਤੇ ਕ੍ਰਿਸਨ ਹੁਐ ਹੈਂ || ਸਭੈ ਅੰਤ ਜੈਹੈਂ || ੭੦||
ਜਿਤੇ ਦੇਵ ਹੋਸੀ || ਸਭੈ ਅੰਤ ਜਾਸੀ || ਜਿਤੇ ਬੋਧ ਹੁਐ ਹੈਂ || ਸਭੈ ਅੰਤ ਛੈਹੈਂ ||੭੧||
ਜਿਤੇ ਦੇਵ ਰਾਯੰ || ਸਭੈ ਅੰਤ ਜਾਯੰ || ਜਿਤੇ ਦਈਤ ਏਸੰ || ਤਿਤਿਓ ਕਾਲ ਲੇਸੰ || ੭੨||
ਨਰਸਿੰਘਾਵਤਾਰੰ || ਵਹੈ ਕਾਲ ਮਾਰੰ || ਬਡੋ ਡੰਡ ਧਾਰੀ || ਹਣਿਓ ਕਾਲ ਭਾਰੀ || ੭੩||
ਦਿਜੰ ਬਾਵਨੇਯੰ || ਹਣਿਓ ਕਾਲ ਤੇਯੰ || ਮਹਾ ਮ੍ਨਛ ਮੁੰਡੰ || ਫਧਿਓ ਕਾਲ ਝੰੁਡੰ || ੭੪||
ਜਿਤੇ ਹੋਇ ਬੀਤੇ || ਤਿਤੇ ਕਾਲ ਜੀਤੇ || ਜਿਤੇ ਸਰਨਿ ਜੈਹੈਂ ||ਤਿਤਿਓ ਰਾਖ ਲੈਹੈਂ ||੭੫||
Rasaval Chhand
A good many Ramas incarnated but all of them ultimately passed away. A good many Krishnas came to this world, all of them departed in the end.(70) As gods will come into being, they will all breathe out ultimately. A great many Budha incarnates came into existence, ultimately all perished.(71) All Indras who came, reached their end. All the demon kings were grabbed by Death.(72) Even Nar Singh (the man-lion-fourth incarnation of Vishnu-who killed Harnakas) was also destroyed by Death. Eminent Rulers were all butchered by the oppressive Death.(73) Vaman (Dwart) Incarnation in the guise of a Brahman, was also eliminated by Death. Wide-mouthed Fish Incarnation also fell into the noose of Death.(74) Those who came into being, were all conquered by Death. Those who seek his refuge He always saves them.(75)
No one can escape from Him and the only and only way is to seek His refuge.
ਭੂਜੰਗ ਪ੍ਰਯਾਤ ਛੰਦ ||
ਬਿਨਾ ਸਰਨ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਨ ਅਉਰੈ ਉਪਾਯੰ || ਕਹਾ ਦੇਵ ਦਈਤੰ ਕਹਾ ਰੰਕ ਰਾਯੰ ||
ਕਹਾ ਪਾਤਸਾਹੰ ਕਹਾ ਉਮਰਾਯੰ || ਬਿਨਾ ਸਰਨ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਨ ਕੋਟੈ ਉਪਾਯੰ || ੭੬||
ਜਿਤੇ ਜੀਵ ਜੰਤੰ ਸੁ ਦੁਨੀਅੰ ਉਪਾਯੰ || ਸਭੈ ਅੰਤ ਕਾਲੰ ਬਲੀ ਕਾਲ ਘਾਯੰ ||
ਬਿਨਾ ਸਰਨ ਤਾ ਕੀ ਨਹੀ ਔਰ ਓਟੰ || ਲਿਖੇ ਜੰਤ੍ਰ ਕੇਤੇ ਪੜ੍ਹੇ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਕੋਟੰ || ੭੭||
Bhujang Prayat Chhand
There is no other means of escape except to come under His refuge. Sundry gods, demons, paupers and kings; Sundry monarchs and aristocrats. They may make myriads of strenuous efforts, there is no protection without His Refuge.(76) All the creatures, created in the world by Him, They will be exterminated by the mighty Death at the time of their end. Without His protection, there is no other shelter, Although innumerable Yantras (charms) be written and myriads of Mantras (incantations) be recited.(77)
I seek for His protection by saluting Him.
ਭੁਜੰਗ ਪ੍ਰਯਾਤ ਛੰਦ ||
ਨਮੋ ਦੇਵ ਦੇਵੰ ਨਮੋ ਖੜਗਧਾਰੰ || ਸਦਾ ਏਕ ਰੂਪੰ ਸਦਾ ਨਿਰਬਿਕਾਰੰ ||
ਨਮੋ ਰਾਜਸੰ ਸਾਤਕੰ ਤਾਮਸੇਅੰ || ਨਮੋ ਨਿਰਬਿਕਾਰੰ ਨਮੋ ਨਿਰਜੁਰੇਅੰ || ੮੫||
Bhujang Prayat Chhand
I salute the most eminent god of gods. I salute the wielder of sword. He always has the same form. He is ever changeless. I salute the possessor of three qualities-Rajas (arising from passions), Sattva (purity or goodness) and Tamas (ignorance). Salutation to the Supreme Lord who is not subject to change and never becomes decrepit.(85)
I appologise for any mistakes and Thanks to Sikhi to Max for English Meanings.
