8th Dohara: "Sree Thoo[n] Kaaran Thuhee..."

Dhan Dhan Kalgidhar Maharaj, Chittey Baja Wale Paatshah, Neela-Ghorh Asvaar, Sarbans Daani, Dasmesh Pita Ji Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Maharaj
–
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਤੂੰ ਸਭ ਕਾਰਨ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੂੰ ਬਿੱਦਯਾ ਕੋ ਸਾਰ ॥
Sree Thoo[n] Kaaran Thuhee Thoo[n] Bidhyaa Ko Saar
ਤੁਮ ਸਭ ਕੋ ਉਪਰਾਜਹੀ ਤੁਮ ਹੀ ਲੇਹੁ ਉਬਾਰ ॥੮॥
Thum Sabh Ko Oupraajahee Thum Hee Laehu Oubaar
–
Everything within this Universe is You – Maharaj. Everything which You have manifested is comprised of different combinations of the 5 Elements. This also includes Shastars. Shastars are part of the collective manifestation. Shastars are the way for the warrior to spiritually introspect. No one else made this connection but Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji wove the spiritual ways into the martial life.

Sree/Sri is often defined as being a short form for Shiromani: the Ultimate/Highest. Sangat Ji, You will often see Sri in front of many different words in Gurbani. For example, Sri Raag is held in the highest esteem among other raags.
In Their Sri Sarbloh Prakash Katha, Giani Gurwinder Singh Ji Nangli explains another definition of Sri by referring to the terms of respect: Sri Maan or Sri Mathee. Sri Maan is used as a title in India to denote that this man holds/wields honour, wealth, or glory. Maan means honour and then Sri is put in front to show that this person has this trait. In the same way, Sri Mathee means the woman who holds/wields wisdom. So Sri could be interpreted in this instance as You are the Holder/Wielder of Maya.

This concept of Maya is quite difficult for many to understand. Many people hear Lakshmi, Chandi, Durga, Saraswathee etc, and get confused by thinking that this is a Hindu reference.
Daas cannot remember who has said this (please share if you know Sangat Ji) but it perfectly introduces this topic. Imagine explaining difficult concepts such as prosperity, destruction, wisdom, arts, etc. to the average illiterate person. It would be hard to wrap your head around all of these and at the same time engrain them. What if these concepts were represented by characters? Prosperity is personified by Lakshmi, Power/Strength is personified by Durga, Wisdom and Arts are personified by Saraswathee yet all of these Devi's are different aspects of the Originating Devi ~ Aad Shakti ~ Primal Power. This is the Ultimate Form of Worship for those of the Saakath tradition (Shaktism) yet even this Aad Shakti comes from Vaheguru. If you were to take away all of the names and only leave behind the concepts then you understand the truth. Guru Sahib blesses us with the understanding that all of these powers belong to Vaheguru. From Nirankaar (no creation/manifestation), Maharaj has created an Initial Power. From this Initial Power came multiple different sub-powers. In this Doharaa, Maharaj is telling us that Vaheguru is everything: the Cause of the Universe, the Initial Power, and the Powers which came as a result of that.
**Saakath is usually translated as a skeptic but what Saakath really refers to is someone who thinks that this creation/universe/manifestation is reality. The Gurmukh is able to transcend this creation by seeing the Truth: Vaheguru is everywhere and also outside of this creation while being within it.

Sant Giani Surjit Singh Mehron Wale explain this in a perfect manner within Pavithar Jeevan (Jeevani of Dhan Dhan Mata Sahib Devaan Ji). The following is a paraphrased selection of the introduction (bhoomikaa):
The Indivisible Nirgun (Formless) Akaal Purakh had a 'thought' and then They manifested the Expansion of Maya. From One word, They established Their Creation. From 5 elements came all of the different galaxies and Vaheguru became the Master of All Realms and became present in All Bodies.
That Initial Creative Energy (Kudhrath) created Incarnations of Creative Energy (like Brahmaa, etc). From One Maya, came 100,000s and then from 100,000s came 100,000 more, and so on. In Every Power of Kaal Purakh, there is 10,000,000 Brahmands (Universes). Every Brahmand has 10 Avatars, many like Vyas Muni, Vedic Scholars, Prophet Muhammad's, and Those Associated with Them. All of this is from The One Maya.
Akaal Purakh is watching this Entire Play of His & to save His Saints or to maintain order. Waheguru takes on the form of Chandikaa and Narsingh. Vaheguru is Agam (we can't comprehend what Vaheguru is) but They pervade throughout Their Kudhrath (Energy). Maharaj is the Holder of All Sorts of Power and give Their Lovers the Bibek Buddhee (mindset to be able to differentiate between what is Truth and what is not).
Maharaj comes in different forms to care for Their Mother Earth. In this same way, Waheguru took on the Form of 10 Guru Sahibs with Their Wives – as the Energy They wield (Aad Shakti, Bhavani, Kudhrath...).
There is a Katha from when Dhan Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj were about to leave Their Physical Body. A Gursikh named Bhai Santokh Singh tried to grasp Maharaj's Feet and he wasn't able to. This event was to teach that Waheguru's Form is not of the 5 elements. In Suraj Prakash, there is a reference to Maharaj Ji's Bachans: "In reality, I do not have any form... for your Love... for the saving of this Sansaar... for you to focus on... I have taken on 10 Forms... now you can see Me in the Form of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj. I was the Form of Shabad and I still am the Form of Shabad. Don't misunderstand that I am a physical body. I have taken on the Sargun Saroop (Form) for your benefit"
Maya (Energy) is what has developed this entire creation, the One who wields Maya also pervades within it. When Vaheguru are not in Manifestation then They are Pure Nirgun. In order to take Sargun form, Vaheguru takes on the Form/Qualities of Maya. In reality, it is all One but because of our ignorance, it seems different and we develop a Nirgun/Sargun divided way of approaching it.
So where do weapons come in? Maharaj has made the Path of Understanding these difficult spiritual concepts easier, especially for those who constantly surround themselves with a battle-ready mentality.
Nirgun Vaheguru = Warrior, Maya/Sargun = Weapons
The Warrior wields the Weapon, all of the Force comes from the Warrior. The Use of the Weapon is dependent on the Warrior but not the other way around.

Vaheguru Ji, the Spiritual Wisdom above is Priceless just like You!
Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj teaches us about attempting to value this Wisdom through Japji Sahib:
ਨਾਨਕ ਕਥਨਾ ਕਰੜਾ ਸਾਰ ॥੩੭॥
Naanak Kathhanaa Kararraa Saar
Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji:
Explaining Vaheguru's Game is as tough as [biting through] metal!
*metal/steel is another arth of Saar

Only Vaheguru knows the Value/Worth/Limit of this Knowledge. The poor human mind can only surrender and say Vaheguru is Infinite.

Vaheguru started everything from them and end everything returning back to them. So beautifully, Maharaj teach us in Benti Chaupai Sahib:
ਜਬ ਉਦਕਰਖ ਕਰਾ ਕਰਤਾਰਾ ॥
Jab Oudhkarakh Karaa Karthaaraa
When Vaheguru – the Doer – expanded all [of creation]
ਪ੍ਰਜਾ ਧਰਤ ਤਬ ਦੇਹ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥
Prajaa Dhharath Thab Dhaeh Apaaraa
Taking on the form of the subjects... then Vaheguru has countless bodies.
ਜਬ ਆਕਰਖ ਕਰਤ ਹੋ ਕਬਹੂੰ ॥
Jab Aakarkh Karath Ho Kabahoo[n]
Then whenever Vaheguru collapses/pulls [creation]
ਤੁਮ ਮੈਂ ਮਿਲਤ ਦੇਹ ਧਰ ਸਭਹੂੰ ॥੩੮੯॥
Thum Mai[n] Milath Dhaeh Dhhar Sabhhoo[n]
Then all of the bodies upon earth merge into You.

The game of taking 8.4 million incarnations is caused by You – Oh Vaheguru! – and then You are the One who saves us and liberates us from this cycle.

We can never know why this game was created, all we can do is enjoy the company of the One who made it all. Like a fish that can never find the end of the ocean... all it can do is enjoy swimming in the Infinite Waters. Maharaj is playful, let us play the Game of Love with Guru Sahib.
Dhan Dhan Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji Maharaj bless us with this teaching:
ਚੋਜੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਗੋਵਿੰਦਾ ਚੋਜੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਆਰਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਚੋਜੀ ਜੀਉ ॥
Chojee Maerae Govi[n]dhaa Chojee Maerae Piaariaa
Har[i] Prabh[u] Maeraa Chojee Jeeo[u]
My Protecting-Vaheguru is Playful, My Beloved-Vaheguru is Playful!
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Please forgive all mistakes and please make suggestions.
Guru Panth Da Daas,
~Aaeenaa