Taloka
Encyclopedia
Bhai Taloka was a GurSikh of Guru Arjan Dev
, the fifth Sikh Guru. He was also a General in Nawab
Ghazni
's army. Once Nawab called a meeting of senior officers including Bhai Taloka. He told everyone in the meeting that tomorrow all of us will be going for hunting expedition into the forest taking only swords but no guns.
Next day, Bhai Taloka went to the forest as ordered by Nawab for hunting even though he did not want to kill any animal. The herd of deer passed in front of Bhai Taloka and he used his sword to kill the last female deer in the herd. The female deer died along with two of her unborn fawns. Bhai Taloka was very upset watching the tragic scene in front of him. His intention was to kill just one deer and not three! He went home and as it was nearly 5:30 pm, started to recite Rehras Paath; the scenes of the killed female deer and her unborn calves were flashing before his eyes and he could not concentrate on Paath. Just before falling asleep, Bhai Sahib ji recited Kirtan Sohila
, and again the tragic scene of the three dead deer flashed continuously before his eyes.
He got up at Amrit
vela and the same scene started flashing in his mind again. He asked Waheguru to forgive him for what he had done and he replaced his iron sword with a wooden sword. Someone complained to Nawab that your General Bhai Taloka is keeping wooden sword and what he would do if there is a battle to be fought. The Nawab did not believe the complainer but the complainer asked Nawab to check everyone's sword at the parade that morning. The complainer further told the Nawab that if Bhai Taloka carries a wooden sword then he should be punished else the Nawab could punish the complainer.
Nawab went to the parade and announced that he wished to inspect everyone's swords. He said that as he approached each soldier, they should present their sword. Bhai Taloka knew someone has complained because Nawab never came before to inspect their swords. Nawab started inspecting from soldier and lower rank officers and finally to General. Bhai Taloka immediately started doing Ardas
to Waheguru
.
Bhai Taloka's Ardas was accepted. When Nawab came to inspect his sword, Bhai Taloka took out a shining iron sword out of the cover. The complainer was punished.
Guru Arjan Dev
Guru Arjan Dev Ji was the fifth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism. He was born in Goindval, Punjab, India, the youngest son of Guru Ram Das and Bibi Bhani, the daughter of Guru Amar Das. He became the Guru of the Sikhs on 1 September 1581 after the death of his father Guru Ram Das. Guru Arjan died in...
, the fifth Sikh Guru. He was also a General in Nawab
Nawab
A Nawab or Nawaab is an honorific title given to Muslim rulers of princely states in South Asia. It is the Muslim equivalent of the term "maharaja" that was granted to Hindu rulers....
Ghazni
Ghazni
For the Province of Ghazni see Ghazni ProvinceGhazni is a city in central-east Afghanistan with a population of about 141,000 people...
's army. Once Nawab called a meeting of senior officers including Bhai Taloka. He told everyone in the meeting that tomorrow all of us will be going for hunting expedition into the forest taking only swords but no guns.
Next day, Bhai Taloka went to the forest as ordered by Nawab for hunting even though he did not want to kill any animal. The herd of deer passed in front of Bhai Taloka and he used his sword to kill the last female deer in the herd. The female deer died along with two of her unborn fawns. Bhai Taloka was very upset watching the tragic scene in front of him. His intention was to kill just one deer and not three! He went home and as it was nearly 5:30 pm, started to recite Rehras Paath; the scenes of the killed female deer and her unborn calves were flashing before his eyes and he could not concentrate on Paath. Just before falling asleep, Bhai Sahib ji recited Kirtan Sohila
Kirtan Sohila
Kirtan Sohila: Three Gurus – Guru Nanak, Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan - contributed five shabads on the pain of separation and celebrating the bliss of union. The first three Shabads were uttered by Guru Nanak, the fourth by Guru Ram Das and the fifth by Guru Arjan Dev. This is the night prayer said...
, and again the tragic scene of the three dead deer flashed continuously before his eyes.
He got up at Amrit
Amrit
Amrit, also known as Marathos or Marathus, was an ancient city located near Tartous in Syria. It was founded during the Amorites period, 3rd millennium BC....
vela and the same scene started flashing in his mind again. He asked Waheguru to forgive him for what he had done and he replaced his iron sword with a wooden sword. Someone complained to Nawab that your General Bhai Taloka is keeping wooden sword and what he would do if there is a battle to be fought. The Nawab did not believe the complainer but the complainer asked Nawab to check everyone's sword at the parade that morning. The complainer further told the Nawab that if Bhai Taloka carries a wooden sword then he should be punished else the Nawab could punish the complainer.
Nawab went to the parade and announced that he wished to inspect everyone's swords. He said that as he approached each soldier, they should present their sword. Bhai Taloka knew someone has complained because Nawab never came before to inspect their swords. Nawab started inspecting from soldier and lower rank officers and finally to General. Bhai Taloka immediately started doing Ardas
Ardas
The Ardās is a Sikh prayer that is done before performing or after undertaking any significant task; after reciting the daily Banis ; or completion of a service like the Paath , kirtan program or any other religious program. In Sikhism, these prayers are also said before and after eating...
to Waheguru
Waheguru
Waheguru is a term most often used in Sikhism to refer to God, the Supreme Being or the creator of all. It means "The Good/Best Teacher" in the Punjabi language. Wahi means "good" and "Guru" is a term denoting "teacher"....
.
Bhai Taloka's Ardas was accepted. When Nawab came to inspect his sword, Bhai Taloka took out a shining iron sword out of the cover. The complainer was punished.