5th Dohara: "Kaal Thuhee Kaalee Thuhee..."

Dhan Dhan Kalgidhar Maharaj, Chittey Baja Wale Paatshah, Neela-Ghorh Asvaar, Sarbans Daani, Dasmesh Pita Ji Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Maharaj
–
ਕਾਲ ਤੁਹੀ ਕਾਲੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੇਗ ਅਰੁ ਤੀਰ ॥
Kaal Thuhee Kaalee Thuhee Thuhee Thaeg Ar[u] Theer
ਤੁਹੀ ਨਿਸਾਨੀ ਜੀਤ ਕੀ ਆਜ ਤੁਹੀ ਜਗਬੀਰ॥੫॥
Thuhee Nisaanee Jeeth Kee Aaj Thuhee Jagbeer
–
This is the 5th Doharaa, please see previous sections for relevant context

To understand the importance of the word Thoohee/Tuhi, please read the 4th Dohara.

What is Kaal? Kaal refers to death, time, and/or darkness. Vaheguru Ji has described Themself as Akaal. Most of the time when 'A-' prefix is added to a word, it is to show the opposite of something. Ajoonee (away/free from birth), Apaar (un-crossable/un-reachable) & so on. So A-Kaal means Vaheguru is free from/away from death, time, and/or [spiritual or physical] darkness.
Everything in this world is subject to death, time, spiritual ignorance, and having colour. Vaheguru creates this world & destroys everything in it as well. Being free from/away from Kaal means that Vaheguru is not subjected to these things but rather the One who causes it to happen. Life and death seem like two opposite things but Maharaj commands it all. Do not think life is given by God and then death is given by another being. The Destroyer is Vaheguru (Kaal). The Process of Death is Vaheguru too (Kaalee). Vaheguru's Nirgun (Formless Saroop) is Akaal Purakh & then when Maharaj acts in the Manifestation (Kaal Purakh) (Sargun: Saroop which takes form) then they act within 3 gun/qualities (Creation, Sustaining, Destruction). To learn more about this relationship, please read Guru Sahib's Akaal Ustat & the first adhiyaye of Bachithar Naatak (Sri Kaal Jee Kee Usthath).

A Sikh sees Vaheguru in absolutely everything. In the last moments of breath – even if the Khalsa is dying a physical death (Shaheedi) – They think of Vaheguru in the Form of Death. Even at that final moment, Vaheguru is remembered. The Khalsa worships Vaheguru as a Destroyer in order to have support during battle. Daas recommends reading the first adhiyaye of Bachitar Naatak, here are some selected chhands:

ਸਿਰੰ ਮਾਲ ਰਾਜੰ ॥
Sir[ng] Maal Raaj[ng]
Reigning with a rosary of heads
ਲਖੇ ਰੁਦ੍ਰ ਲਾਜੰ ॥
Lakhae Rudhr Laaj[ng]
Seeing this, even Shiv Ji runs away
...
ਮਹਾ ਗਰਜ ਗਰਜੰ ॥
Mahaa Garj Garj[ng]
The Loudest Roarer among Roars
ਸੁਣੇ ਦੂਤ ਲਰਜੰ ॥
SuNae Dhooth Larj[ng]
Listening to which the Messengers of Death (Yama, Hades, etc) run away
(Chhand 22/23)

Those who are seen as the bringers of death, Shiv Ji, Yama, Grim Reaper, etc (& their related figures and imagery)... even they fear the Death of Death: the Real Mahakaal Vaheguru Ji.

ਕਿਤੇ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਸੇ ਕੀਟ ਕੋਟੈ ਬਨਾਏ ॥
Kithae Krishan Sae Keet Kotai Banaa-ae
Many like Krishna Ji have been created just like how millions of ants appear [around an ant hill]
ਕਿਤੇ ਰਾਮ ਸੇ ਮੇਟਿ ਡਾਰੇ ਉਪਾਏ ॥
Kithae Raam Sae Maet[i] Daarae Oupaa-ae
Many like Ram Chandra Ji have destroyed and then created again.
ਮਹਾਂਦੀਨ ਕੇਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਿਥੀ ਮਾਂਝ ਹੂਏ ॥
Mahaa[n]dheen Kaethae Prithhee Maa[n]jh Hoo-ae
Many like Prophet Muhammad Ji have come upon this earth
ਸਭੈ ਆਪਨੀ ਆਪਨੀ ਅੰਤਿ ਮੂਏ ॥੨੭॥
Sabhai Aapanee Aapanee A[n]th[i] Moo-ae
All of Them left their bodies at the end of Their lives.

Death comes to anything which takes manifestation. That which is born will also die.

In the third adhiyaye of Shastar Naam Maalaa (like the other adhiyayes), Maharaj introduces riddles that give us synonyms for the Bow/Arrow (Baan Ke Naam).
Here are a few examples with explanations:

ਸਭ ਮ੍ਰਿਯਨ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਕਹਿ; ਹਾ ਪਦ ਉਚਾਰ ॥
Sabh Mriyan Kae Naam Kah[i] Haa Padh Ouchaar
Saying the name of all types of deers, then say Ha (Killer) afterwards
ਨਾਮ ਸਭੈ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਬਾਨ ਕੇ; ਜਾਣੁ ਹ੍ਰਿਦੈ ਨਿਰਧਾਰ ॥੭੯॥
Naam Sabhai Sree Baan Kae JaaN[u] Hridhai Nirdhhaar
These are the Names of Sri Baan; understand this in the heart

In this chhand, the arrow is described as the killer of the deer.
Many stories are attached to hunting the deer. For example, Raja Dasrath was trying to kill a deer and ended up killing a man who was the sole-carer for his blind parents. Raja Dasrath was cursed by the parents as they were dying and said Raja would face the same separation and die as a result. Raja Ji's Son was Sri Ram Chandra Ji and he was forced to send his Son to exile in a forest (Banvaas). This one reference to killing a deer can open up so much. Sangat Ji, Aap Ji can read more about this in Chaubis Avatar.

ਨਾਮ ਚਰਮ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਕਹਿ; ਛਾਦਕ ਬਹੁਰ ਬਖਾਨ ॥
Naam Charam Kae Prithham Kah[i] Chhaadhak Bahur Bakhaan
Saying the Name Charam (Skin) first then Chhaadhak (piercer/cutter) after...
ਨਾਮ ਸਭੈ ਹੀ ਬਾਨ ਕੇ; ਚਤੁਰ ਚਿੱਤ ਮੈ ਜਾਨ ॥੮੧॥
Naam Sabhai Hee Baan Kae Chathur Chith Mai Jaan
It becomes the Name of the Arrow, this is known in the clever mind

In this chhand, the arrow is described as the Piercer of Skin.

ਸੁਭਟ ਨਾਮ ਉਚਾਰਿਕੈ; ਹਾ ਪਦ ਬਹੁਰ ਸੁਨਾਇ ॥
Subhat Naam Ouchaarikai Haa Padh Bahur Sunaae[i]
Saying the Name Subhat (Great Warrior) first then Ha (Killer) afterwards
ਨਾਮ ਸਿਲੀਮੁਖ ਕੇ ਸਭੈ; ਲੀਜਹੁ ਚਤੁਰ ਬਨਾਇ ॥੮੨॥
Naam Sileemukh Kae Sabhai Leejah[u] Chathur Banaae[i]
These are all Names of the Arrow, the clever one will realize

In this chhand, the arrow is described as the Killer of Great Warriors.
Just like Dhan Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji killed the great warrior Hari Chand in the Battle of Bhangani with the bow.

Like this, Guru Sahib reveal hundreds and thousands of other Names for the Arrow in the third adhiyaye of Sri Shastar Naam Maalaa. These chhands are more of the easier ones to understand. Maharaj also makes deeper references that which can only be understood by a well-cultured scholar.

Maharaj's Nishaan Sahib could be referred to as a Sign of Victory. The Nishan Sahib also has a shastar on top of it. Wherever there is a Nishaan Sahib, it represents the Degh Tegh Fateh of the Khalsa (This is explained in the previous sections). In Sri Japji Sahib, Maharaj reveals that some see Vaheguru's Blessings as Maharaj's Sign:
ਗਾਵੈ ਕੋ ਦਾਤਿ ਜਾਣੈ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥
Gaavai Ko Dhaath[i] JaaNai neesaaN[u]
... and again:
ਅਮੁਲੁ ਬਖਸੀਸ ਅਮੁਲੁ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥
Amul[u] Bakhsees Amul[u] neesaaN[u]
Vaheguru's Blessings are Priceless; Vaheguru's Insignia/Nishaan are Priceless

We can see many things as Maharaj's Signs, the entire manifestation is a reflection of Vaheguru. Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Ramdas Ji Maharaj instructs us the mind to Jap Naam & see Vaheguru's Name as The Sign of Vaheguru. Through the Sign, we can find Vaheguru:
ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਜਪਿ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥
Maerae Man Jap[i] Raam Naam[u] neeSaaN[u]
(Raag Soratt, Ang 606)

Raja Rathan Rai of Assam had a stamp marked on his forehead with Ik-Oangkaar. This was the sign of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's Blessings to his parents who couldn't have an heir to take over their kingdom. Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji had told Raja Rathan Rai's father to make sure he keeps his Kes. This is also Maharaj's Insignia (we hear in punjabi commonly, Guru dhee Mohar)

These are signs of spiritual and political victory.

Vaheguru is the Ultimate Warrior. We gain our strength from Maharaj. A Warrior protects Their Own. If we become Vaheguru's then Maharaj will protect us.

Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji explain to us:
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬਿਨਾ. ਆਨ ਨ ਰਾਖਨਹਾਰਾ; ਨਾਮੁ ਸਿਮਰਾਵਹੁ ਸਰਨਿ ਸੂਰੇ ॥੧॥
Prabh Binaa Aan n Raakhanhaaraa Naam[u] Simraavah[u] Sarn[i] Soorae
Outside of Vaheguru, there is no other Protector coming,
Doing Naam Simran, we enter into the Protection of the Warrior.
(Ang 683)

Maharaj protects us from the 5 vices & the spiritually bad crowd:
ਪੰਚ ਬਿਖਾਦੀ, ਏਕੁ ਗਰੀਬਾ; ਰਾਖਹੁ ਰਾਖਨਹਾਰੇ ॥
Pa[n]ch Bikhaadhee Aek[u] Gareebaa Raakhah[u] Raakhanhaarae
There are 5 Vicious ones (Kaam/Lust/Desires, Krodh/Anger, Lobh/Greed, Moh/Emotional Attachment, Ahangkaar/Pride/Ego-itself)
& [I am] the poor weak one... please protect me Oh Protector!
(Ang 205)

In war too, Maharaj is the only Warrior, you need to ask.

In this section, we reflected on who causes death/destruction to happen. Hopefully, this allows us to see death in a better light than how most of the world sees it. Accepting death will make us reprioritize our lives here on earth. Being dead to our desires will create spiritual success and allows us to not fear death when our inevitable time comes.

–
Please forgive all mistakes and please make suggestions.
Guru Panth Da Daas,
~Aaeenaa