T. V. Kapali Sastry provides an overview of Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Guru Nanak and Guru Govind Singh
The hill-chiefs were watching the growing and prospering condition of the Guru’s Durbar. The chief among them, Rajah Bhimchand himself, had once seen and coveted the curious elephant and made many treacherous but unsuccessful attempts to get possession of it. He now considered the beating of the Guru’s war-drum a challenge to his authority and objected to it. But the Guru did not stop the drum in spite of the nervousness of his men and his mother’s persuasion. He said to the Raja: “I live in a city which my father purchased with gold and not in your territory. I am not your subject. As for your threat of war, you will find me always ready. I cannot let go the pershadi elephant to anybody’s service, since the wishes of my Sikhs are dearer to me than life.” Meanwhile the Guru built a fortress on the Jumna and named it Paunta. Here he lived for three years devoting his time to literary work. One day when the Guru was engaged in conversing with two hill-chiefs, tidings came of the havoc of a fierce tiger; some say it was a white lion. The Guru and the party immediately started and were led into the forest where the animal had his lair. The Guru called upon anyone in the party who considered himself brave to engage the animal with sword and shield without discharging a single bullet or arrow. No one ventured. At last Guru Govind took the sword and shield and challenged the tiger. He rose with a roar and sprang on the Guru who received him on the shield and striking him with the sword on the flank cut him in twain. "The tiger has died like a hero and obtains deliverance,” said Guru Govind. “It is cowards who suffer transmigration. If a man dies in battle, it should be with his face to the foe.” Such was the bravery of Guru Govind.
The hill-chiefs were watching the growing and prospering condition of the Guru’s Durbar. The chief among them, Rajah Bhimchand himself, had once seen and coveted the curious elephant and made many treacherous but unsuccessful attempts to get possession of it. He now considered the beating of the Guru’s war-drum a challenge to his authority and objected to it. But the Guru did not stop the drum in spite of the nervousness of his men and his mother’s persuasion. He said to the Raja: “I live in a city which my father purchased with gold and not in your territory. I am not your subject. As for your threat of war, you will find me always ready. I cannot let go the pershadi elephant to anybody’s service, since the wishes of my Sikhs are dearer to me than life.”
Meanwhile the Guru built a fortress on the Jumna and named it Paunta. Here he lived for three years devoting his time to literary work. One day when the Guru was engaged in conversing with two hill-chiefs, tidings came of the havoc of a fierce tiger; some say it was a white lion. The Guru and the party immediately started and were led into the forest where the animal had his lair. The Guru called upon anyone in the party who considered himself brave to engage the animal with sword and shield without discharging a single bullet or arrow. No one ventured. At last Guru Govind took the sword and shield and challenged the tiger. He rose with a roar and sprang on the Guru who received him on the shield and striking him with the sword on the flank cut him in twain. "The tiger has died like a hero and obtains deliverance,” said Guru Govind. “It is cowards who suffer transmigration. If a man dies in battle, it should be with his face to the foe.” Such was the bravery of Guru Govind.
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