Waheguru ji ka khalsa
Waheguru ji ki fateh

The following is part of a presentation I recently wrote for the Khalsa Council. I have taken some literary liberties by presenting this in first- person format. This requires some extrapolation of feelings and thoughts with very little research data available - especially with Guru Sahib's younger sons. I had to rely on my heart and my meditation. And, of course, who really knows what was in the mind of these incredible and brilliant incarnations! But, by taking the chance and putting the piece in first person - it creates a hologram effect and Baba Ajit Singh Maharaj seems to materialize before us.

I hope you understand the spirit in which it was done, and I apologize in advance for my errors and my arrogance.

Shanti Kaur

I, Baba Fateh Singh, was born in February 1699. I was barely eight weeks only on Baisakhi 1699 when the Khalsa was formed, but I was an old soul in a little body. I did not cry for food or comforts, but looked at the world with ethereal regard.

Even though I was very young during the early years of Anandpur Sahib, I retained the awareness and knowledge of my past incarnations as a warrior. By the time I was seven years old, I was regarded with respect for my wisdom and clarity. I was fully aware of the situation that was developing, and also fully aware of the future outcome. I spent hours in quiet reflection allowing my mind to roam freely with my father, only regretting that I had been born too late fight at his side.

During the evacuation of Anandpur Sahib, there was a great deal of confusion and fear as the women and children tried to forge the river to a position of relative safety. I had no fear of the events as they unfolded, for I had long ago seen it in my meditation. I felt how much my Grandmother worried about me, and how much responsibility my brother felt for me. In my own quiet way, with a squeeze of the hand, I tried to give them reassurance.

During the night at the treacherous Brahmin's house, I laid awake with my mind in sweet meditation on my father. My love for Guru Gobind Singh extended beyond time and space into the eternal realm of Such Kand. When the soldiers knocked on the door, I was neither surprised nor afraid.

As I walked with Baba Zorawar Singh to the governor's house, we came to the door of the palace. The huge gates were closed and only a very small servant's door was open. The soldiers roughly pushed us to go through the door, but to do so we would have to bend over and duck down to enter. I saw the evil trickery of Wazir Khan, and put my hand on my brother's arm.

"Brother, wait. See what this evil man is doing? We have to bend our necks and bow our heads to enter through this little door. We are the sons of the 10th Guru and we will never bow our heads to such a man!"

Even though the tension in the air was strong, Baba Zorawar Singh laughed when he saw my wisdom. With a mischief look, I turned my back to the door, and scooted through backwards with Zorawar Singh close behind. Wazir Khan was furious when he saw that he had been out-smarted by a seven-year-old boy.

When we stood before Wazir Khan, the governor offered to spare our lives if only we would convert to Islam. Even though Baba Zorawar Singh was confirmed in his resolve, he always respected me and he turned to me before answering the Khan. I replied to his unanswered question: " Dear brother, our grandfather gave his head, but not his religion. We are now given the same choice. You and I were both too young that Baisakhi Day when the Guru called for a head, but now we can claim our turn to answer the call. We have taken the Amrit of the double-edge sword, so what do we care for death?"

Without a moment's hesitation, or quick beat of the heart, I walked through the chaos to our execution. All around people were weeping as the wall was raised and my death grew near, but I was undisturbed. When the wall was up to my chin and the executioner was ready to swing his sword, we were asked one more time to save our lives and renounce our faith. I lifted my chin and said as loud as I could, "My father is Guru Gobind Singh, my grandfather is Guru Teg Bahadur, and my great-grandfather is Guru Hargobind. Death means nothing to me. Our death will fan the flames that will drive the tyrants from this land."

With that, I closed my eyes and surrendered to the sweet embrace of my father. This was the moment for which I had taken human birth.