Sacrifice of Sardar Nihal Singh Attariwala

Sardar Nihal Singh Atariwala was a great hero in 18^th century and during the times of Sikh Empire whose name is almost forgotten in our history. He was father of our great hero Sardar Sham Singh Atariwala who fought valiantly with British Army. His complete biography will be given sometime later but here I would like to give only an excerpt from his life.

He was one of the best Generals of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji. In 1817, Maharaja Ranjit Singh became very ill. Most efficient doctors were sent but failed. In Gurudwaras, Mosques and Mandirs, everywhere people used to pray for him according to their customs and practices. But there was no improvement in his condition. Finally, Saradar Nihal Singh Ji came and he did Ardaas for Maharaja Ranjit Singh from the core of his heart. Then he went to Maharaja Sahib and did prakarma three times around his bed and then he did Ardas,” Let the disease of Maharaja Ranjit Singh come to me and let him be cured”. (The same thing was done by Emperor Babur for his son Humayun) Then he returned to his village Attari. Soon, after his Ardas, he became ill with the same disease and Maharaja Ranjit Singh on the other hand, was getting better day by day. Finally, in January 1818, Saradar Nihal Singh Ji left for the abode of the Lord, thereby, saving Maharaja’s life.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji the Prophet of Humanity

In 1913, Punjab Historical Society, Lahore organized a seminar on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Shimla. British Governor of Punjab was the president of seminar. Sardar Joginder Singh, a famous Sikh scholar put light on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Then, Ram Sharan Dass, a famous Hindu leader, said, “Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj was a great reformer of Hindu religion”. Nawab Zulfi Ali Khan, Nawab of Malerkotla, criticized Ram Sharan Dass by saying, “I do not agree with it. Guru Sahib was a great Muslim saint. Bhai Mardana Ji, a low caste Muslim was always with him. His first disciple Rai Bular was a also a Muslim”. Then, the British Governor who was a Christian, said, “I don’t agree with both. I have studied the writings of Guru Sahib and I have no doubt in saying that Guru Sahib was a great Christian Saint”.

This simply shows that Guru Sahib was the prophet not only of Sikhs but for whole humanity. His teachings are for whole humanity not only Sikhs. That’s why this Prophet went to whole world to eradicate Darkness and give the Divine Message of Universal Brotherhood. He went to India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Arab, Africa, Europe, Tibet, China, Russia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Burma, Myanmar etc.

Shastar Naam Mala Puran

ShastarNaam Mala is one of the famous compositions of Guru Goind Singh Ji. It is a large composition and is from Ang 717 to 808 in Sri Dassam Granth Sahib Ji. It contains names of hundreds of weapons. Main language used is Braj. Punjabi, Persian and Arabian are also used at some palces. It has 1318 chhands which are divided into five chapters.

1. Ath Sri Shastra Naam Mala Puran- It is the first and introductory portion. It has 27 chhands. It contains praise of Almighty in the form of weapons, policies, education, day, night, various avtars etc.

2. Ath Sri Chakra Ke Naam- It contains names of Chakras and has 47 Chhands. It also contains names of swords, spears etc at some places.

3. Ath Sri Baann Ke Naam- It contains names of arrows and has 178 chhands. Many names are associated with those warriors who were either very perfect in archery or were killed with arrow.

4. Ath Sri Paas Ke Naam- It contains names of noose and has 208 chhands.

5. Ath Tupak Ke Naam- It contains names of guns and has 858 chhands. It is the largest of all the chapters.

Unfortunately, the last chapter has no ending statement as in case of previous chapters. So, it seems that this composition is incomplete and we may have lost its other remaining part. This Bani forms a separate Granth like Bachitra Natak, Gian Prabodh , Charitropakhian etc.

We can also find this Bani in various Gutkas published by Nihang Singhs, Hazoor Sahib etc but it is only the first part not all the parts.

As the name suggests, it is a dictionary or list of weapons. But it has much deeper meaning. This Bani is written in such a way that all the names of Shastars or weapons are related to God.

Shastar- weapon

Naam- name, Shabad Guru

Mala- rosary

Puraan- a religious text

So, it is a type of rosary in which beads are the names of weapons as all the weapons are related to God here. So in short, it is a Rosary of Weapons in the form of Words.

This Bani is a Bir rasi Bani (composition which induces bravery in the reader). This fills the heart of reader with bravery and on the same side it makes reader to realize and recognize God within himself and around him everywhere. It asks you to go under the shield of God and realize him everywhere and then fight for mankind fearlessly. The moment you realize that Almighty God is the only Super Power and is within you, with you at every step, then you become fearless and get ready to fight for mankind, brotherhood, Truth and Justice.

An interesting fact about this writing is that till now there is no any such writing which has list of weapons in whole India, perhaps not even in the whole world.

I would like to write down those verses which are very famous among Shastar Vidya or Gatka players and various scholars from the first chapter.

ਅਸਿ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ ਖੰਡੋ ਖੜਗ ਤੁਪਕ ਤਬਰ ਅਰੁ ਤੀਰ || ਸੈਫ ਸਰੋਹੀ ਸੈਹਥੀ ਯਹੈ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਪੀਰ ||੩||

ਤੀਰ ਤੁਹੀ ਸੈਥੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤਬਰ ਤਰਵਾਰਿ || ਨਾਮ ਤਿਹਾਰੋ ਜੋ ਜਪੈ ਭਏ ਸਿੰਧੁ ਭਵ ਪਾਰ ||੪||

ਕਾਲ ਤੁਹੀ ਕਾਲੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੇਗ ਅਰੁ ਤੀਰ || ਤੁਹੀ ਨਿਸਾਨੀ ਜੀਤ ਕੀ ਆਜੁ ਤੁਹੀ ਜਗਬੀਰ ||੫||

As (sword), Kripan (sword), Khanda, Khadag (sword), Tupak (gun), Tabar (hatched), Teer (arrow), Saif (sword), Sarohi and Saihathi, all these are our adorable seniors.3. Thou are the Teer (arrow), Thou are Saihathi (spear), Thou art Tabar (hatchet), and Talwaar (sword); he, who remembers Thy Name crosses the dreadful ocean of existence.4. Thou art the KAL (death), thou art the goddess Kali, Thou art the sword and arrow, Thou art the sign of victory today and Thou art the Hero of the world.5.

I apologize for any mistake and thanks to www.searchgurbani.com for meanings.