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Guru Nanak Dev Ji , the first Guru of the Sikhs, was born with a Sword in his
heart and soul. It was a sword which he used relentlessly against hypocrisy, cruelty and terror. With that Sword he denonced
religious thugs and condemned ruthless kings and ministers as they had never been condemned before.
Guru Angad Dev Ji, the second Guru of the Sikhs, was given the Sword by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, as described
by the Bards Satta and Balwand :
"Nanak placed the umbrella of sovereignty on the head of Angad. He also graced the heart of Angad with the mighty
Sword (Khaddag) of divine Wisdom." (page 966 SGGSJ)
Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru, following the martial tradition, used military metaphors throughout
his writings, which became a passionate ideal for Guru Gobind Singh. He used these military metaphors to arm his disicples
with the Sword of the Spirit without which no battle can be fought.
When Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the 6th Sikh Guru, succeeded his father at the age of 11, he put on
two Swords. The Sword of Spiritual Sovereignity (Piri) and The Sword of Political Sovereignity (Miri). He showed the Sikhs
to uphold both Religious and Political freedoms, wherever they existed. Religion without political freedom and dignity was
abject slavery; and politics without religion was organized barbarism.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, the great general, un-matched warrior, poet par
excellence showed that the Sword was the symbol of God's Power, Justice and Saving Grace, through which He protects the virtuous
and punishes the wicked.
Sword that smiteth in a flash,
That scatters the armies of the wicked,
In the great battlefield;
Thou symbol of the brave
Thine arm is irresistible thy brightness shineth forth,
The blaze of Thy splendor dazzling
like the sun.
Sword, Thou art protector of the saints,
Thou art the scourge of the wicked;
Scatterer of sinners
I take refuge in Thee.
Victory to Thee, Sword : Savior and Sustainer
Victory to Thee, Sword
: Sword Supreme
(Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Bachiter Natak)
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