11th Doharaa: "Thuhee Kataaree Dhaarr-Jum..."

Aaeenaa -

Dhan Dhan Kalgidhar Maharaj, Chittey Baja Wale Paatshah, Neela-Ghorh Asvaar, Sarbans Daani, Dasmesh Pita Ji Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Maharaj
–
ਤੁਹੀਂ ਕਟਾਰੀ ਦਾੜ੍ਹਜਮ ਤੂੰ ਬਿਛੂਓ ਅਰੁ ਬਾਨ॥
Thuhee[n] Kataaree Dhaarr-Jam Thoo[n] Bichhoo-O Ar[u] Baan
ਤੋ ਪਤ ਪਦ ਜੇ ਲੀਜੀਐ ਰੱਛ ਦਾਸ ਮੁਹਿ ਜਾਨੁ॥੧੧॥
Tho Path Padh Jae Leejeeai Ra-chh Dhaas Muh[i] Jaan[u]
–
The Mehron Wale Steek tells us that Kataaree and Jam-Dhaarr are the same shastars [a kataar or punch dagger]. Jam-Dhaarr is synonymous with the the King of Death (Dharam-Raaj)... so these Shastar names repeated can be interpreted as Oh Vaheguru Ji! You are both the act of taking away life and the one who takes away lives (Actor and Action). Vaheguru is everywhere... in the process of birth, life, and death. For the warrior, death is reminded over and over again. When the warrior is reminded that Vaheguru comes as the assailant and also, through the act of striking then the warrior will become liberated through training the mind for battle. When battle actually occurs and they physically pass away, death is also seen as the Form of Vaheguru. Vaheguru is the last thing on their mind.
ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਨਾਰਾਇਣੁ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥
A[n]th[i] Kaal[i] NaaraaiN[u] Simrai Aisee Chinthaa Mein Jae Marai...
If you remember Vaheguru during your final moments, if you die in this focus...
ਬਦਤਿ ਤਿਲੋਚਨੁ ਤੇ ਨਰ ਮੁਕਤਾ ਪੀਤੰਬਰੁ ਵਾ ਕੇ ਰਿਦੈ ਬਸੈ ॥੫॥੨॥
Badhath[i] Thilochan[u] Thae nar Mukthaa Peetha[m]bar[u] Vaa Kae Ridhai Basai
Bhagat Trilochan Ji says: know that being becomes liberated,
as Vaheguru comes and lives in their heart
(Raag Goojaree, Ang 526)

Kataar illustrated through the choice of alternating ink colours for a Puratan Dasam Guru Ka Granth Saroop

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ਤੁਹੀ ਕਟਾਰੀ/Thuhee Kataaree

Mehron Steek (Similar definition in Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi Steek, Pandit Narayan Singh Steek)

ਜਮਰਾਜ ਦਾ ਜਮਧੜ (ਕਟਾਰੀ) ਰੂਪ ਹੈ. 

ਭਾਵ-ਤੁਹੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਕਟਾਰੀ ਹੈਂ
King of Death/Jamraaj/Azraaeel/Grim Reaper’s Molar of Death = Kataari Form. Meaning : Only You are my KaTaar... You are my Everything, You are my Blade/Kirpaan.

Mahaan Kosh

ਕਟਾਰੀ; ਛੋਟਾ ਕੱਟਾਰ
Kataaree = Small Kataar

ਕਟਾਰ, ਸੰਗ੍ਯਾ- ਇੱਕ ਦੁਧਾਰਾ ਛੋਟਾ ਸ਼ਸਤੂ, ਜੋ ਕਮਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖੀਦਾ ਹੈ.
Kataar, meaning - a small double-edged shastar, that which is kept in the Kamarkassa

Kataar Artwork by @SundarSiaahi

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ਦਾੜ੍ਹ-ਜਮ/Dhaarr-Jum

Mehron Steek (similar definitions in Pandit Narayan Singh Steek, Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi Steek, Giani Bishan Singh Steek)

ਜਮ ਦੀ ਦਾੜ ਜਿਹੀ ਸਖਤ ਕਾਲ ਰੂਪ ਕਰਦ:
Like the molars of death, a hardened small dagger that comes as the form of death.

Mahaan Kosh

ਕਟਾਰ, ਜੋ ਯਮ ਦੀ ਦਾੜ ਜੇਹਾ ਹੈ:
Kataar: which is like the molars of death

2. ਬਿਛੂਆ, ਖਮਦਰ ਨੋਕ ਵਾਲਾ ਪੇਸ਼ਕਬਜ
Bichhooaa: Peshkabj with a bend to it

3. ਦੋ ਮੂੰਹਾਂ ਵਾਲਾ ਕਟਾਰ:
Kataar with two-faces (perhaps referring to double blade)

Giani Sher Singh Ambale Wale Katha Translation

Refer to Jamdharh as a Kataar.
Giani Ji makes a point to note that a lot of artisans making shastars today incorrectly label the Dhaiaa-Ainee Shastar as a Jamdharh.
The tooth of the death acts as a messenger of death. Just like a pistol is a common police weapon, the kataar was kept as a common emergency weapon

In 2019, Sant Surjit Singh Ji Mehron Wale attended SYF Camp. Daas was introduced to them by Bhai Satnam Singh Ji. Sant Ji were inspecting a Kataar which belonged to another Gursikh. In this opportunity, they briefly explained ways that a Kataar can be wielded. If you were striking downwards then you would tuck in your bottom three fingers like this and keep your index finger on the spine of the kataar like this:

If you were striking upwards, then you would keep your pinky up against the spine of the Kataar like this:

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ਤੂੰ ਬਿਛੂਓ/Thoo[n] Bichhoo-O

Mehron Steek (similar definition in Giani Bishan Singh Steek, Pandit Narayan Singh Steek, Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi)

[Only] You are the Bichhoo shastar

Mahaan Kosh

ਬਿਛੂ = Scorpion
ਬਿਛੂਆ = A peshkabz shaped like a Scorpion’s tail

A side-by-side comparison, so one can understand why it is called a bichhooaa

There are various types of arrowheads. Not all arrows have pointed tips. This video features a crescent shaped arrowhead. The purpose of this arrow is to rip through an enemy's bowstring and thus, preventing them from firing arrows of their own.

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ਅਰੁ ਬਾਨ/Ar[u] Baan

Mehron Steek (similar definition in Giani Bishan Singh Steek, Pandit Narayan Singh Steek, Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi)

ਅਤੇ ਤੁਹੀ ਭੱਥੇ ਵਿਚ ਪਾਕੇ ਰਖਣ ਵਾਲਾ (ਬਾਣ) ਹੈਂ

And [Only] You are the One who is placed in a Quiver in the Form of Arrows

Mahaan Kosh

ਬਾਨ = ਤੀਰ

Baan: Arrow

We hear Path[i] referred to in our Nitnem Baani... "Sri Path[i] Sree Bhagvaan Kripaa Bin Thiaag Jahaan Nidhaan Chalaingae" Without the Blessings of the Husband (Path[i]) of Maya (Sri), the Ultimate God, we will eventually leave this world...

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 ਤੋ ਪਤ ਪਦ ਜੇ ਲੀਜੀਐ/
Tho Path Padh Jae Leejeeai

Mehron Steek (similar in Pandit Narayan Singh Steek, Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi Steek, Giani Bishan Singh Steek)

ਤੂਹੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਤੀ ਹੈ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਚਰਨ ਫੜ ਲੈਂਦਾ 

[Only] You are my Husband whose Feet if someone falls upon..

Mahaan Kosh 

ਪਤ = ਇਜ਼ਤ, ਮਾਨ

Path: Honour, 

ਪਤਿ = ਕੁਲ, ਸੰਪਤਿ, ਸ੍ਵਾਮੀ
Path[i]: Family, Wealth, Master

ਪਦ = ਚਰਨ, ਖੋਜਨਾ, ਖੜੇ ਰਿਹਨਾ, ਪਰਾਪਤਿ, ਜਾਣਾ, ਪਦਵੀ
Padh: Feet, to search, staying standing, going, attaining, position

ਲੀਜੈ = ਗ੍ਰਹਿਣ ਕਰਨਾ
Leejai: accepting

Pathee is used in south asian languages nowadays synonymously with the word husband. This is true but in the past, this word had a deeper meaning. Kings were referred to as Path[i]. Seen as the protectors and the honour of the kingdom.  For example, Kavi Santokh Singh Ji refer to Raja Udhai Singh Ji as Kaithhal-Path[i]. Path[i] is a shortened version of Pathee.  You will see these used interchangeably in Gurbani as well. The husband was the protector & the honour of the grehasth (home). Guru Sahib is the Protector of the Land upon where we live, the Protector of our Homes, the Protector of our Bodies & our Hearts.

In 2011 when riots were happening in the London area of UK, Sikhs came to protect their community.

Likewise, when farmers were protesting in Delhi, the Nihung Singhs stood in protection of protesting civilians in front of government force.

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ਰੱਛ ਦਾਸ ਮੁਹਿ ਜਾਨੁ/Rachh Dhaas Muh[i] Jaan[u]


Mehron Steek (similar in Pandit Narayan Singh Steek, Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi Steek, Giani Bishan Singh Steek)

ਉਸਦੀ ਤੂ ਰੱਛਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ ਉਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਦਾਸ ਜਾਣਕੇ ਹੱਛਾ ਕਰੋ

The One who protects, in this way... recognize me as Your Slave... and make me free of disease/make me faultless

Mahaan Kosh

Dhaas: to do seva of, offering surrender, servant, worshipper
Jaan[u]: Know, Knower

Pandit Narain Singh explains: Whoever asks the Shastar-dhhaaree for help (enters their sanctuary), the Shastar-dhhaaree will be able to protect them... it is the duty of a Shastar-dhhaaree to protect those who ask for help.

If you ask any Sikh in their local police force or in their national army why they chose their profession... they almost feel like they don't need to explain much as to why. It is self-explanatory.
–
Maharaj, these Shastars are all You. Let us meditate upon them as Your Form!
Please forgive any mistakes, please send suggestions/corrections.