In this passage Guru Gobind Singh is speaking to the Khalsa, instilling with them the way of the warrior. The Guru described how the warrior lifestyle was in decline in India which allowed the Turks to defeat the Kshatriyas of old, establishing their kingdoms. The Guru speaks to a realist perspective in international relations:
ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰਨਿ ਕੇ ਅਧੀਨ ਹੈ ਰਾਜ । ਜੋ ਨ ਧਰਹਿ ਤਿਸ ਬਿਗਰਹਿ ਕਾਜ ।
(Guru Gobind Singh proclaimed) "Sovereignty is subordinate to weapons (military power), those who do not hold to this have their affairs ruined.
ਯਾਂਤੇ ਸਰਬ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸੁਨੀਅਹਿ । ਆਯੁਧ ਧਰਿਬੇ ਉਤੱਮ ਗੁਨੀਅਹਿ ।
Thus all of the Khalsa should listen [to this directive], carrying weapons is the highest action.
ਜਬਿ ਹਮਰੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਕੋ ਆਵਹੁ । ਬਨਿ ਸੁਚੇਤ ਤਨ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਸਜਾਵਹੁ ।।੭।।
When you come to have my Darshan, ready yourselves by adorning weapons on your body.
ਕਮਰ ਕਸਾ ਕਰਿ ਦੇਹੁ ਦਿਖਾਈ । ਹਮਰੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਹੋਇ ਅਧਿਕਾਈ ।
When showing yourself to me have your Kamar Kasa [waist band which holds weapons] tied, in such a way I shall be extremely happy.
ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਕੇਸ ਬਿਨ ਪਾਉ ਲਖਹੁ ਨਰ । ਕੇਸ ਧਰੇ ਤਬਿ ਆਧੋ ਲਖਿ ਉਰ ।।੮।।
Those without unshorn hair and weapons, understand them as only a quarter of a man.
If he has only unshorn hair [kesh] then understand him as only half of a man.
ਕੇਸ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਜਬਿ ਦੋਨਹੁਂ ਧਾਰੇ । ਤਬਿ ਨਰੁ ਰੂਪ ਹੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸਾਰੇ ।
When one has adorned themselves with both (kesh and shastar), then he becomes fully a man."
ਅਸ ਉਪਦੇਸ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇ ਸੁਨਿ ਕਰਿ । ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਪਰਸਤਿ ਆਯੁਧ ਧਰਿ ਧਰਿ ।।੯।।
After listening to these teachings of the Guru, Sikhs would come to the Guru adorning various weapons.
ਸਿੰਘ ਰੂਪ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰਨ ਜੁਤਿ ਹੇਰੈਂ । ਹੋਤਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਕੀ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਬਡੇਰੈ ।
The appearance of a Singh [is complete] with weapons, when the Guru see's this He becomes extremely happy.
ਕਮਰ ਕਸੇ ਬਿਨ ਜੋ ਸਿਖ ਜਾਇ । ਤਿਸ ਪਰ ਰੁਖ ਨਹਿ ਕਰੈਂ ਕਦਾਇ ।।੧੦।।
Those Sikhs who went towards the Guru without wearing a Kamarkasa [waist band which holds weapons], the Guru would never look towards them.
ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਤਾਪ ਸੂਰਜ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ - ਰੁਤ ੩, ਅਧਿਾਇ ੨੩
Gurpratap [[1843 Suraj Prakash/Suraj|Suraj]] Prakash Granth - Rut 3, Chapter 23
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