The Turban Speaks

Read by: Supreet Singh

Written by: Inni Kaur
The Turban Speaks
For years I’ve kept silent
And watched the Khalsa grow
I’ve been the head at meetings
I’ve been the brunt of jokes.
 
I’ve taken all in stride
Never said a word
But now the time has come
For my voice to be heard.
 
When hearts were filled with terror
When tears filled the streams
When mothers clutched their daughters
When fathers hid in shame.
 
When hope was all gone
And despair ruled the land
Rose Guru Tegh Bahadur
To save the Hindu soul.

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The Turban Speaks
He asked for no help
He asked for no fee
For He knew what must be done
In the age of tyranny.
 
He left behind a wife
A son named Gobind Rai
A boy without a father
What would his future hold.
 
At the tender age of nine
He went into seclusion
Perhaps to mediate
On what lay in his future.
 
This boy became a man
A man of great style
A man of great courage
For the Mughals to reckon with.

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The Turban Speaks
A philosopher, a poet
A saint, a solider
This man called Gobind Rai
Became the hope of all.
 
He battled the forces of evil
He instilled a new pride
He worshipped with such humility
That brought all to their knees.
 
In 1699, He sent out a Call
Come my beloved brethren
And celebrate Vaishaki
With one and all.
 
They came from near and far
Punjab was on the move
For never had a man
Commanded the respect of all.

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 The Turban Speaks
On this fateful day
He stood before all
With a naked sword in hand
He asked for a head.
 
With thunder in His voice
He repeated the call twice
A khatri named Daya Ram
Gave his head for no prize.
 
The congregation thinned
They ran in fear
Some ran to his mother
For surely her son had lost reason.
 
He thundered four more times
Four heads answered His Call
Dharam Das, Mohkam Chand, Himmat Chand, Sahib Chand
Fell before His sword.

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The Turban Speaks
A hush fell over the crowd
For strange were the events
They knew not what was to come
From this man called Gobind Rai.
 
But low and behold
Before them stood
The Beloved Five
Dressed in splendid garments
Glowing with pride.
 
He prepared the sacred Amrit
Baptized his Beloved Five.
Gave them the name Singhs
And called them His Khalsas.
 
Along with this title
Came the Royal “K’s”.
To be worn with pride and honor
In memory of this day.
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The Turban Speaks
Wherever there is tyranny
My Khalsa will rise
To protect the weak
To honor all mankind.
 
He then took the sacred Amrit
From the hands of the Five
The Master became a disciple
An event unparalleled in history.
 
So great was His glory
So great was His reign
So great were the sacrifices
Of this man called Guru Gobind Singh.
 
How will coming generations view Him
This man I call my Guru
Will only Five Heads rise
To honor His sacrifices.

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 The Turban Speaks
My prayer for the young
Is one said with love
May you find the meaning
Of that day in 1699.
 
 
 
Inni Kaur
Fairfield, CT

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