In this beautiful historical painting, the artist has shown the life of Guru Gobind Singh in nineteen stars. In the stars Guru’s life from birth, till he left for the heavenly abode has been shown.
On the top, in one corner, the Artist has shown Guru ji in deep meditation. In the Bachiter Natak, Guru ji has described in detail about his life before coming to this world and the real purpose of his coming to the world. He himself has written that he is a mere servant of Lord Supreme and has been sent to witness the drama of life. He completed the task started by the first Guru- Guru Nanak Dev. The Artist has shown Guru ji in deep meditation. The place is Hemkunt Sahib. It is a mountain area. There are many mountain peaks but seven mounts are very distinct. As the sun rises, the peaks glitter like gold. In the middle of these icy peaks, there exists a lake of water. Before taking birth in this world, Guru ji meditated in this area for many years (ਮਹਾਕਾਲ ਕਾਲਿਕਾ ਅਰਾਧੀ ) as he has written in the Bachiter Natak.
When Guru Teg Bahadur started his tour of Eastern part of the country, his family accompanied him. On reaching Patna, the Guru left his family at Patna, while he went to Bengal and Assam. Guru ji was in Assam, when Guru Gobind Singh (Gobind Rai) was born at Patna. There was lot of happiness in the Guru’s house. First few years of Gobind’s life were spent in Patna. There was hardly a house in Patna that did not have Gobind’s admirers.

Pir Bheekan Shah lived in a village, now in district Karnal in Haryana. He had intuitively visualized the birth of a prophet at Patna. It is said that the day Guru Gobind was born, he made a bow towards East. When his disciples asked the reason he replied that Allah’s light has appeared in human form in the city of Patna. He started towards Patna. Reaching there he prayed that he be allowed to have a glimpse of the child Guru. The maid brought the child Guru in her lap and the Pir touched Guru’s feet with his forehead. In the painting, the Artist has shown the child Guru in the attendant’s lap and the Pir is touching Guru’s feet with his forehead.

Ladies in those days had to bring water in pitchers to meet their daily needs. The child Guru used to play with his bow & arrows and used to pierce the pitchers with his arrows. The ladies used to go and complain to Mata Gujri about this. The Guru has been shown aiming an arrow.

Aurangzeb had vowed to convert the Non-Muslim population of his empire to Muslims. Conversion- campaign was especially severe in Kashmir. Kashmiri Pandits were the most well read scholars. So Aurangzeb decided to convert all the Brahmins into Muslims. A group of Pandits reached Anandpur Sahib to take help from Guru Teg Bahadur. Guru Teg Bahadur was very upset to hear about their sufferings. He felt that if a pure, holy and revered person offers to sacrifice himself in an attempt to rouse the sleeping soul of the Emperor, it might have a positive effect on the Emperor. It will also have a very ennobling and uplifting effect on the people. The child Guru entered the room when everybody was in a pensive mood and asked why they were sitting quietly. When he came to know about Guru Teg Bahdur’s suggestion, he immediately replied that who can be holier and purer than his father. This scene has been shown in the painting.

The Kashmiri Pandits were relieved to meet Guru Teg Bahdur and went back to Kashmir. The Guru started making preparations to go to Delhi. When he reached Delhi. He was arrested and put into jail. There he was asked to embrace Islam or perform a miracle. Guru Teg Bahadur refuged to perform a miracle or embrace Islam . He made the supreme sacrifice for the sake of protecting Hindu religion. After the execution, one Jaita, a Ranghreta Sikh belonging to sweeper class took the possession of Guru’s head and hurried towards Anandpur Sahib. He presented it to Guru Gobind Singh. Guru was deeply touched with the dauntless courage and devotion of Jaita. He hugged him and declared ‘Ranghretta Guru ka Beta’ Jaita is the true son.

Guru Gobind Singh had been sent into this world to teach the human beings to lead a righteous life, to free them from all crippling social evils like caste system, all forms of social, economic and political injustice. For achieving this, he decided to create a body of men who would be strong enough to free themselves from all kinds of oppressions and lead a worthy life. They have to be strong in mind and body. For this, morning and evenings were devoted to meditations, prayers to God and listing to the hymns. During the day, they were given the training in horse riding, use of various kinds of arms. This way, he trained his men so that they became mentally and physically very strong, prepared to fight and ready to die for a noble cause.

Raja Ram Rai of Assam became a devotee of Guru Teg Bahadur. His son Rattan Rai heard about his father’s love and devotion towards Guru Teg Bahadur from his mother. When he was about twelve years old, he expressed his desire to meet Guru Gobind Singh. His Queen mother was also very happy for her son. So they decided to undertake a journey to meet the Guru. Preparations were started. The prince wanted to take some unique gifts for the Guru. He found a rare kind of elephant which is jet black but whose forehead is ivory white like the elephant’s teeth. The elephant was trained to perform various kinds of acts of service. The elephant could wave a chauri (fan) over the Guru, held a jug of water and fetched the arrows shot by the Guru. It could perform many astonishing acts. The Guru named it “Prasadi”. Everybody was delighted to see the elephant. Rattan Rai also brought many other beautiful presents. In the painting, the elephant is taking a garland for the Guru.

Sayid Budhu Shah, a Muslim saint lived in Sadhaura, a place close to Paunta Sahib. He was a great admirer of Guru Nanak and had heard about the work done by Guru Nanak and the successive Gurus. When he heard that the tenth incarnation of Guru Nanak is staying at Paunta. He had the longing to meet the Guru. His love and respect for the Guru grew when he meet him and felt blissful in the Guru's presence.
At the time, when Aurangzeb disbanded a troop of five hundred Pathans, they came to Sadhaura to seek the Pir’s help. On the basis of the Pir’s recommendations, the Guru recruited the Pathans into his army.
The Guru spent some peaceful time at Paunta which soon came to an end . Because of their jealousies and intolerance of the Guru’s growing influence on the people , the hill chiefs decided to settle the score with the Guru. So the hill Chiefs unanimously waged a war with the Guru. He was left with no time to make preparations. The pathan came to know about the impending war, they left the Guru's army and joined the enemy group. When Budhu Shah heard about the impending battle and the treachery of the pathans, he hurried to the Guru’s aid. He took with him, his two brothers and four sons and seven hundred soldiers.
It was a fierce battle, the Guru won it. Even in this first battle there were many acts of individual bravery shown by the Guru’s soldiers. Two of Budhu Shah’s sons died in the battle fighting bravely.
The Guru blessed Budhu Shah with Nam Dan, the gift of his name. He also gives a robe of honor, a sword, a turban, and a Hukamnama an order to Sikhs to treat Budhu Shah and his descendants with respect. The Guru at the time was combing his hair, Budhu Shah begged the Guru to give him the comb with hair as a sacred souvenir.
This is the scene the Artist has depicted in this star.
The Guru's comb, hair and Kirpan were later preserved as relics in the Sikh State of Nabha. Raja Bharpur Singh acquired these sacred souvenirs from the descendants of Pir Budhu Shah. Then these were kept at Kila Mubark Patiala. These were taken from Patiala on 6th. May 2015 to Ananpur Sahib.

Guru Gobind Singh had resolved to complete the work begun by Guru Nanak. He wanted to create saint-soldiers who will fear none and strike fear in none. As Baisakhi approached, he issued general invitation for all to come to Anandpur Sahib. So large number of devotees started towards Anandpur before Baisakhi. A large and beautiful tent was set up. Divine music lifted the mortal spirits to spiritual. Guru Gobind Singh entered holding a sword in his hand. He asked the devotees present there that if any one among them was ready to lay down his head for him. There was a dead silence for a moment. The Guru called forth twice. Nobody came forward. He repeated the same for the third time. At last , Bhai Daya Ram stood up and offered his head at Guru’s Service. ‘Desires thou to play the game of love with me. Then come, but thy head on thy palm should be.’ Bhai Daya Ram offered his head as asked by the Guru.
The scene is symbolically illustrated in the painting. At Guru's Call, Bhai Daya Ram is offering his head on his palm to the Guru. Guru Gobind Singh is shown asking for his devotee’s head in the scene. A large number of devotees are also shown in the painting.

The Guru gave a call for the devotee’s head. Bhai Daya Ram was the first one to come forward and offer himself for the Guru. The Guru took him to the tent. A blow and & thud were heard. The Guru came out of the tent. His sword dripping with fresh drawn blood and called for another head. Then Bhai Dharam Das offered his head. On the third call, Bhai Mohkam Chand came forward. On the fourth call, Bhai Sahib Chand and on the fifth call, Bhai Himmat Rai came and offered themselves for the sacrifice. They were all taken to the tent. This time Guru stayed longer in the tent. At last, he came out. The five, who had offered their head, were following the Master. They were dressed like the Master with a glow on their faces. Then the Guru poured pure water in an iron vessel, kept stirring it with a Khanda (two edged sword) and repeating the sacred verses. The mother of Khalsa (Mata Sahib Kaur) came and added Patashas (sugar crystals) in it. Then he baptized the five and called them the ‘beloved five’ (gzi fgnko/ ) He gave them nectar from the steel vessel. He said that from that day they belonged to Khalsa (Pure), God’s own people. So he prepared a nation of saint-soldiers, pure and true in thoughts. This way he infused courage and confidence in the down trodden masses. They were ready to lay down their lives for the sake of their principles.
In the painting, the Artist has shown the Guru sitting like a soldier. The beloved five are standing in front of him. First Guru baptized them and then he got himself baptized at their hands.

The Hill-chiefs were always jealous of the Guru and the Sikh’s ever growing power and religion. So the Hill-Chiefs alone and sometimes with the help of Moghul forces fought many battles with the Guru. The Sikhs had firm faith in the Guru and an unshakable determination to win or die but never to fly from the battlefield. One such battle scene has been illustrated here in the painting.
The Hill-chiefs started the fight. They were having a large army equipped with better armaments. The Sikhs fought valiantly and the Hill-chiefs were forced to retreat at the end of day’s fight. Then they decided upon a blockade. For over two months, they surrounded the city but with no success. At last, an intoxicated elephant with his body covered with steel and with a spear projecting from the forehead was directed towards the gate of the fort. Armies followed the elephant and were sure that they would occupy the Guru’s fort. The Guru blessed and sent Bachiter Singh to tackle the elephant. The elephant was severely wounded with Bachitar Singh’s spear, inspite of the steel armour. The furious animal turned around and ran about killing and wounding many soldiers. Then, the Sikhs fell on the hill armies and fought fircely.
In the painting Bachiter Singh is shown tackling the elephant. The light from Guru’s hand is falling upon Bachiter Singh, showering His blessings.

After leaving Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh along with forty Sikhs and his two elder Sahibzadas reached Chamkaur Sahib. The battle at Chamkaur Sahib is one of the greatest acts of courage and sacrifice in the annals of history. The Guru and his forty Sikhs had to face large combined armies of the Hill-Chiefs and Mughuls. The combined forces were certain that they will certainly kill or capture the Guru along with his Sikhs in a few hours. But they were greeted with a volley of bullets and arrows. The Guru’s gold tipped arrows killed large number of soldiers. Sikhs fought valiantly and courageously but for how long they could face the large enemy. Then the Sikhs decided that the Guru and his sons should go out to a safe place so that the Guru can raise many warriors like us. The Guru’s life is precious. So, they went to the Guru to urge him to escape from Chamkaur Sahib. But when they went to him they found that Sahibzada Ajit Singh standing before the Guru with folded hands and seeking his permission to go out and fight with the enemy along with other Sikhs. The Guru knew what the end of his son would be. The Guru not only gave him the permission to go out and fight with the enemy but also gave him bows, arrows, sword and shield. He embraced, blessed and kissed Ajit Singh for the last time and sent him into a certain death. Nowhere in the human history has a father prepared and sent his son to face the enemy like this. The Guru watched his son from the top storey. Admiring and rejoicing at his son’s marvelous, courage, bravery and skill. He had seen him get wounded. No regret or sorrow entered his mind. Rather, he thanked the Almighty God that his son had proved worthy of this noble cause.
Then Jujhar Singh, Guru’s second son, sought permission to go out and fight the enemy like his elder brother. Again, the Guru kissed him, blessed and sent him to face the enemy. Guru helped him to get ready by giving him arrows, bows, sword and shield. This kind of courage, bravery and spirit to fight for the right and noble cause has no parallel in the history.
This is the scene the Artist has shown in this star. The Guru is sitting and is lovingly helping his son with the sword and shield, bows and arrows. There is no pain or regret on his face, only happiness and admiration for his son’s courage.

The battle of Chamkaur Sahib is one the greatest acts of courage and sacrifice in the history. On one hand, there was Guru Gobind Singh, his elder sons and forty Sikhs facing ten lakhs of Mughul soldiers on the other side. The battle continued without any sign of letting up till the Guru’s force was reduced to five. His two sons had fought fiercely killing so many Moghul soldiers. Two of the Panj Pyare (Five beloved) were also killed. The five surviving Sikhs decided that the Guru’s life must be saved at all costs. They passed a resolution to say that Guru must leave Chamkaur Sahib and move to safe place. So the Guru had to bow to the resolution. Two Sikhs rode out to fight the enemy, one even wore Guru’s Kalgi and dressed in Guru’s clothes. Accompanied by Man Singh and the two surviving members of Panj Pyare, the Guru slipped out of Chamkaur. They tried to cover as much distance as they could and get as far away from Chamkaur as possible. Finally tired , they came to the forest of Machiwara between Chamkur and Ludhiana. Here, they rested for a while.
This is the scene, the artist has depicted beautifully in this beautiful painting. Here the Guru has been shown lying on the bed of grass, left arm is folded and used as pillow with support of shield and taking a rest. His eyes are closed. The Guru’s face is a picture of spiritual glow. Although he was tired after a long battle, his feet are wounded, clothes are torn. Even then, there is so much peace and shine on his face He has a sword in his right hand and ready to pounce on the enemy and ready to face any danger. The iron ring tied around the turban which is symbol of coming from battle field and ready for battle. The jungle scene is at its best, there are different types of trees, plants, cactus plants etc. A snake is shown with its raised hood as if to provide shade from some of the danger in the forest. Birds, insects are shown busy in their daily activities. An evil looking big tree is symbolic of the Mughul forces chasing the Guru. All the sufferings and difficulties can never touch him. Here he rested for a while. It was here that the Guru composed the beautiful hymn ‘Mitr pyare noo hall muridan da kahna’. ‘fwsq fgnko/ B{z jkb w[ohdK dk efjDKHHHHH..’ means ‘Tell the beloved friend (the Lord), the plight of his disciples…’.

The siege at Anadpur Sahib had been going on for a long time. The Mughul armies sent a message from Aurangzeb to the Guru to vacate Anandpur Sahib and they promised to leave the Guru alone (end the fight). The Sikhs also prevailed upon the Guru to leave the Anandpur fort. When the Guru left the fort, enemy forces forgot about their promise and chased the Guru. In the confusion, which followed the fight near Sirsa, Mata Gujri with her two younger grandsons got separated from the Guru and the Sikhs. Then they met Gangu Brahmin, a former employee in Guru’s home. He took Mata Gujri and the younger Sahibzadas to his village home. One night, when Mata Gujri was sleeping, Gangu came into the room and stole the bag containing money. Next morning, when Mata Gujri asked him about the bag, he became quite angry. Gangu complained to the village headman. He then informed the official of Morinda. The official arrived with some soldiers, arrested Mata Gujri along with her grandsons and took them away to Sirhind as prisoners. There, on the orders of the Nawab of Sirhind, they were kept as prisoners in the tower of the fort. Next day, the Sahibzadas were summoned before the Wazir. Mata Gujri urged them to be true to the ideals of their father and grandfather. Reaching the fort, they shouted in one voice ‘Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh (tkfjr[o{ ih ek ykb;k, tkfjr[o{ ih eh cfsj) ”. Diwan Sucha Nand asked the young one to bow before the Wazir. They refused to do so because they bowed their head only before the God. Wazir of Sirhind asked them to accept Islam. Both the Sahibzadas refused to do so. They told the Wazir that they were the Grandsons of Guru Teg Bahadur who gave up life rather than give up his faith. The blood of Guru Arjan, Guru HarGobind and Guru Gobind Singh runs in their veins. They were not afraid of death. Everybody, who heard them, was filled with awe and admiration for the young ones. But Sucha Nand advised the Wazir to kill the sons of cobra while they are still young. When the Wazir became sure that the young Sahibzadas will not change their religion, he ordered the Sahibzadas to be bricked alive as advised by the Qazi. The Nawab of Malerkotla advised the Wazir of Sirhind that not to kill Sahibzadas as they were very young but he refused to listen to this good advice. So the princes were bricked alive. Part of this wall still stands in the Gurudwara Fateh Garh Sahib. When Mata Gujri came to know about this, she thanked the God Almighty that the young one has proved to be the true sons of their illustrious father. She also left this world after some time. Todar Mal bought the required piece of land by paying as many Gold Mohars as placed closely together would completely cover up the land. He cremated the three bodies.
The Artist has illustrated the scene of Sahibzadas being bricked alive in the Painting. Both the Sahibzadas are standing and the masons have started erecting the wall. There is no fear on their faces. Rather there is the glow of happiness, truthfulness on their faces. Mata Gujri and Guru Teg Bahadur has been shown showering their love and blessings on the little Sahibzadas.

After the battle of Mukatsar, the Guru passing through the town of Bathinda, reached Talwandi Sabo. Bhai Dalla, a landlord, welcomed the Guru warmly and extended hospitality to the Guru and his followers. He made the Guru stay at his home. So the Guru decided to stay there for some time. Later on, Talwandi Sabo came to be known as Damdama Sahib. A large number of followers started bringing him gifts of horses and weapons. One day a devotee, Bhai Udhey Singh from Lahore brought some new guns and swords for the Guru and he wanted to test the weapon. The artist has shown a devotee keeping the gun and sword on the small table. The Guru wanted to test the weapon. The word spread around. Bhai Dalla had always boasted that his soldiers are ready to lay down their lives for the Guru. When Dalla asked his soldiers to come and be the target, everybody refused. Then the Guru asked his Sikhs to come for the test. Many people started running towards the Guru. Everybody wanted to come first and be the target. Baba Bir Singh and Baba Dhir Singh who was tying his turban, also heard about it and started running. Both of them wanted to be the first person on whom the Guru should take the aim and test at him. Bhai Dalla is looking surprised to see such devotion.
Then the Guru explained that Dalla’s soldiers are his paid servants. But Guru’s devotees are his beloved Sikhs. They are ever ready to lay down their lives for their Guru. This shows the true love and devotion of his Sikhs.
The Guru’s chair, his famous Baaz are also shown in the picture. A Nagara, type of big drum, is also kept on a small table. On one side, people with musical instruments, tabla, Rabab are shown performing Gurbani recitation. On the other side, fully armoured Sikhs are shown sitting ready to take on any enemy.

Guru Gobind Singh reached Nanded, he was charmed by the beauty of the place. So he decided to stay here. Here, he met a Baragi Madho Das, who later became Banda Bahadur, one of the most heroic figures in Sikh history.
Wazir Khan, Governor of Sirhind, had heard about the increasing friendship of the Guru and the Mughul King Bahadur Shah. He feared that the friendship between the two may prove to be dangerous for him. So he decided to take the situation in his own hands. He called upon the service of his two loyal Pathans. These two Pathans travelled from Sirhind to Nanded. They went to the Guru’s Darbar with murderous intentions. They became frequent visitors to Guru’s daily prayers meetings and even accepted Prasad from Guru’s hand. No suspicion arose in anyone’s mind. After a few days, one of the Pathans entered Guru’s room. Most of Sikhs had retired for the night. The Guru was sitting on his bed. After the Pathan’s arrival, the Guru lay down to rest. At this moment, like a tiger, the Pathan sprang to his feet, drew his sword and plunged into the belly of the Guru. As he was about to attack for the second time, with one stroke of the sword the Guru severed the head of the Pathan. Then Guru called out for the Sikhs. The other companion of the Pathan, who was seated at some distance, now tried to escape. He was caught and taken care of by the Sikhs. They called the doctor, who examined the wound, stitched it up and gave some medicines to the Guru. After a few days, the wound healed completely. One of Guru’s devotees brought a new bow for the Guru. The Guru was fond of weapons of all kinds. When he tried to stretch the bow, the wound burst open again. The Guru knew his end was near but he remained calm. He called the Sikhs and appointed Guru Granth Sahib as the Guru of Sikhs.
This is the scene, the artist has illustrated in the painting. First the Pathan attacked the Guru and then the Guru severed the Pathan’s head with his sword. One Sikh is shown entering the room, when he heard the noise from the Guru’s room.

Angitha Sahib
On the top right side of the painting, the Artist has shown the pyre. In Guru’s last days, he had sent Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, five beloved and some Sikhs toward Sirhind. He gave Baba Banda five arrows from his quiver & Hukamnamas for the Sikhs. Bhai Daya Singh was with the Guru. The Guru Gobind Singh Installed Guru Granth Sahib as the Guru. He got a pyre prepared for him and gave instructions to Bhai Daya Singh to cremate him after his demise. Later on, Bhai daya Singh performed the last rites of the Guru as desired by Him.

At the bottom of the painting, the globe showing India has been shown. The Guru is writing. Vidya (Education ftfdnk), Vijay (Victory fti?), Vinay (Humility ftB?), Veerta (Bravery thosk) and waah waah (tkj[ tkj[[) has been written. Guru Gobind Singh always infused these qualities in the down trodden masses.

Vidya (Education ftfdnk)
He himself was Arabic, Persian, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Brij and Hindi scholar. His poetry in these languages is par excellence. Poets, scholar, musicians were always held in high esteem in his Darbar.

Vijay (Victory fti?)
The Hill Kings and Moghuls thrust so many battles on him. Guru was always victorious in the battles. But he always thanked the Almighty God for his victories in the battles (tkfjr[o{ ih ek ykb;k, tkfjr[o{ ih eh cfsj). He also praised the Khalsa for fighting bravely in the battles.

Vinay (Humility ftB?)
He was humility personified. He always called himself the mere servant of the Supreme God (ਮੈ ਹੋ ਪਰਮ ਪੁਰਖ ਕੋ ਦਾਸਾ ॥). He has just come to this world to see the drama of the world (ਦੇਖਨ ਆਯੋ ਜਗਤ ਤਮਾਸਾ ॥).

Veerta (Bravery thosk)
He was strong, brave and fearless as a lion. He single handily fought the Hill-kings and Moghul armies. He infused courage, determination to fight the tyrannies of the Moghul Empire. Fear not & frighten not was always his motto. He always practiced what he preached. His saint-soldier Khalsa was always ready to sacrifice their lives for the righteous beliefs and ideals. He vowed to make the sparrow hunt the falcon, to make one fight Lakhs and he succeeded in this impossible task.( ;tk bky ;/ J/e bVkT{A.sp? r'fpzd f;zx Bkw ejkT{A. )

Waah Waah (tkj[ tkj[[)
Waah- waah praise always to the supreme God. Guru Gobind Singh created Khalsa (pure), an army of saint-soldiers to fight for a noble cause. He worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the down trodden, low & weaker sections of the society. He became the Guru as well as the disciple. First he baptized the five beloveds and became their Guru. Then he asked the five beloveds to baptize him and became their disciple. He always called himself a servant of the Supreme lord who has been sent to this world to allay the sufferings of mankind.

In the nineteen stars, the whole life of Guru Gobind Singh has been beautifully illustrated by the Artist. In the centre, Portrait of the Guru has been shown. There is spiritual aura about him, with his handsome face, intense eyes and beautiful clothes. Guru is often referred to as ‘Kalgidhar’ one with a Kalgi (plume) in his turban. His famous white falcon has also been shown in the painting. He was brave, fearless, great poet scholar and an able military genius. He was also kind and compassionate even towards the enemies. People had seen his arrows mounted with solid gold to give support to the dependants of the enemy soldiers who would fall to these arrows. He never let his devotee chase the soldiers of defeated enemy. He did not stop Bhai Kanhaiya to offer water to the wounded soldiers, even asked him to put ointment on the wounds. The artist has shown the bow and the Gold arrows of the Guru in the painting.