Guru Gobind Singh's Firearm Training Instructions A Sikh woman from Jalalabad (Afghanistan) approached Guru Gobind Singh, crying and weeping that her husband was killed on their travels to receive the Guru's Darshan *divine sight*. The Guru replied: ਹੂਆ ਬਚਨ ਤਬਿ ਸੰਗਤੀ, ਆਯੁਧ ਬਾਂਧਹੁ ਨਿੱਤ । Then a command was given, "Congregation, always strap yourself with weapons." ਸੁਣਿਆਂ ਮੰਨਿਆਂ ਬਾਕ ਤਿਨ, ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਸੰਗਤੀ ਮਿੱਤ । That congregation who heard and obeyed this saying, befriended weapons. ਲੜਤੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਕੀ, ਸੁਨਿ ਪਿਖਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਦ੍ਯਾਲ । The combative congregation of the Guru, heard and saw the grace of the True Guru. ਵਾਰ ਭਗੌਤੀ ਪਠਨ ਕਰਿ, ਸੰਗਤਿ ਤੁਰਕਨਿ ਸਾਲ । They read the Ballad of Bhagauti *Chandi di Vaar*, and wounded the Turks. The Guru soon after instructed the congregation on firearms training: ਬਾਮ ਮੁਸ਼ਟ ਧਨੁ ਪਰ ਟਿਕੀ, ਤਥਾ ਤੁਪਕ ਕੇ ਸਾਥ । "Like how one's left hand holds a bow, in the same way hold a gun. ਬਲ ਪਰ ਨਿਹਚਲ ਹੋਤਿ ਹੈ, ਨਹਿਂ ਡੋਲਹਿ ਪੁਨ ਹਾਥ ।47। Using your strength steady the gun, don't allow it to shake with your other hand. ਦੀਦਮਾਨ ਮਨ ਦ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟ ਲੱਛ, ਮੱਖੀ ਜੁਤ ਸਭਿ ਸੋਇ । Align the rear sight, your mind, your vision, your target, your front sight, all together. ਪੰਚਹੁਂ ਜੇ ਇਕ ਸੂਤ ਹ੍ਵੈਂ, ਹਤ੍ਯੋ ਬਚੈ ਨਹਿਂ ਕੋਇ ।48। If all these five become in one line, you'll kill, no one will be saved." Gurpratap [[Suraj]] Prakash Granth *1843*, author: the Great Poet Santokh Singh Rut 5, Chapter 40 ![[firearms.jpg]]