Mountain of a Man (Baba Deep Singh)

Baba Deep Singh jee was a mountain of a man. Broad shouldered, clad from head to toe with weapons, the sun's rays were sliced on the mighty Khanda's edge as he rode his powerful steed across empty plains and thick jungles. Leading the Khalsa Army of Akali Nihangs, the warrior-saints of the Immortal One, he was on a mission to uproot the tyrants that had occupied the Guru King's Royal Court, Darbar Sahib better known as the Golden Temple. Resting under the all pervading hand of Guru Arjun Dev jee at the peaceful Gurdwara called Tarn Taran Sahib, the Akali Nihangs cooled their bodies one last time in the pure lake. As they dressed they added colorful decorations to their blue battle-dress. Why not be joyful? After all they were in a wedding procession on their way to marry their bride - Death. Reciting Kirtan Sohila - the final prayer, they rode like courageous long-haired warriors of old towards the rising sun, Darbar sahib would be reached before nightfall. 

Over 50 years earlier, a young wide-eyed man called Deepa, stood like a drop in an ocean of Sikhs. On the high platform ahead the King of Kings, over seven foot tall wearing a tall pointed turban, stood with a sharp sword dripping with blood and raised to the sky. He thundered "I now have 5 heads! Sikhs of Immortal God and Guru Nanak, you have passed the most difficult test." Deepa had never seen such a man, was it a man or was it a miracle called Guru Gobind Singh Jee? The ocean of Sikhs was waiting with baited breath, even the birds and jungle monkeys didn't dare to move. Five beautifully radiant souls stood alongside the Helper from God, the spiritual energy that flowed from them was more intense than thousands of blazing suns. By nightfall Deepa had kneeled in the warrior position, Bir-Asan, and gave his head along with 80,000 others that week. 20 year old Deepa, became Deep Singh, the Lion of Light. A lion the world would never forget.

A warrior, a saint and a scholar of the highest order, Baba Deep Singh jee was the one that provided Bhai Mani singh jee with ink, paper and pens as the Beloved of Waheguru Guru Gobind Singh Jee connected with the Divine Spirit and the Word of God rained down like nectar. Day after day, the Word passed from the Guru-Kings's mouth through Bhai Mani Singh Jee's hand. Many months passed like this until the complete message of Waheguru jee was finally completed in what later became Guru Granth Sahib Jee. In celebration the Khalsa gathered and served together in performing continuous reading, Akand Paat, which lasted 48 hours. The spiritual energy generated was immense and the lovers of Waheguru's word sat absorbed in a love and spiritual joy that is only found deep inside. Supernatural powers bowed at the feet of Bhai Mani singh jee and Baba Deep Singh Jee. As they sat next to Guru Gobind Singh jee, their bodies started rising up. Guru Gobind Singh jee, the Master, brought his students out of their intense love and back into the world. He told them they each had great sacrifices to make before they left this world. 

Bhai Mani Singh Jee and Baba Deep Singh Jee were given the responsibility of starting and running two Universities, or Taksals. Although the majority of Sikhs were fighting in the Khalsa Army, Guru Gobind Singh Jee wanted to share the message of the Supreme Being with the whole world. Bhai Mani Singh Jee and Baba Deep Singh Jee established two Damdami Taksals. Each taught correct pronunciation of Waheguru's word, the meanings of it, they produced qualified preachers and made beautiful hand-written copies which were distributed to Sikhs wherever they were. Baba Deep Singh Jee even translated Guru Granth Sahib jee into Arabic and sent it to the Sikhs in those lands. The utmost respect and devotion was given to the most precious jewel in the world - Waheguru's Word. 

After Guru Gobind Singh Jee physically left this world, the Guru-ship was passed onto Guru Granth Sahib jee for spiritual guidance and the Guru Khalsa for worldy guidance. The Guru Khalsa, or nation of Sikhs, decided that the best way to survive the Moghul onslaught was to regroup into two armies: Budda Dal and Tarna Dal. Budda Dal was for the over 40s (if any Sikhs lived that long) they were the home-guard. Tarna Dal

was the younger army and were sent into battles. The Tarna Dal had five troops, Baba Deep Singh Jee headed the ones known as Shahidi Missal - the martyrs. 

When the 80 year old Baba Deep Singh Jee received the message that Jahan Khan's Army had invaded the Guru's Royal court, Darbar Sahib. He left the duties of Damdami Takhsal and gave a roaring speech to the Shaheedi Missal. Raising his huge double-edged Khanda sword, he drew a line in the ground. "Khalsa today you have a choice of life and death. If Darbar sahib is precious to you, if it hurts you that a man sits on the Guru's throne, if you are sickened that prostitutes are dancing in the Guru's Court then step across the line and ride with me to the Death. Khalsa Jee, make no mistake, if you are still thinking about who will look after your children, if you are still thinking of growing old and having an easy life, then don't cross the line. The line is only for the ones that will not look back."

Every single Akali-Nihang, crossed the line. "Boleh so Nihal - SAT SRI AKAL (Speak be Joyous - ETERNAL HOLY GOD)". The storm of justice stirred into action, the Warrior-Saints rode to the wedding with Death. A few miles from Darbar Sahib, Baba Deep Singh was struck by a Moghul sword across the neck. His head was severed from its body. The body was dead, but Baba Deep Singh Jee spirit was indestructible. Guru Gobind Singh Jee's hand was above him. Baba Deep Singh Jee miraculously picked up his head and kept fighting until he finally threw his head onto the walkway around the lake of the Darbar Sahib. The Khalsa went on to reclaim Darbar Sahib. 

In honor of such a noble sacrifice, Gurudwara Shaheed Ganj is established in Amritsar. Baba Deep Singh, the Lion from God's Light received Amrit aged 20, led the Akali-Nihang warriors of the Shahida Missal and founded Damdami Taksal as a centre of excellence for preaching and sharing Waheguru's word as Guru Gobind Singh Jee, the King of Kings, had instructed. A Saint, a Soldier, a Scholar and always humble enough to consider himself no more than a servant of Guru Granth Sahib Jee and Guru Khalsa.