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Father of Modem Punjabi Literature I 41
When all otherapothecaries and physicians hadfailed, a
long-haired unknown healerwas called in onthe suggestion
of Radha, the maidservant. As advised by him, a camp was set
up for Sundari in the open on the bank of the river Beas. The
camp was shifted away towards the jungle after a few days.
Sundari's fever abated. The officer who had been waiting for
this moment pressed the question of marriage. One day, as he
satplayingchess, Sikh horsemenmadetheirappearance ona
sudden and encircled Sundari's camp. Their leader Balwant
Singh challengedthe Mughals. He rescued his sister, butwith
a'serious stab wound on her leg received in the skirmish.
Radha, the maidservant, was in reality the Khatri's wife
DharamKaur, who hadenteredthe fold of the Khalsa after her
release from captivity. The long-haired, unknown healerwas
Bijla Singh.
Sundari did not recover from herwounds and died.
This is how Bhai Vir Singh ends the story:
Her death was mourned by the entire Sikh Panth. But
Dharam Kaur could not bear this separation from her
benefactor and protector. She grewweakday byday and
within eleven days was gone from this world. Balwant
Singh wished, in his sadness, to retire into isolation and
spend the rest of his time in prayer and contemplation.
But the Khalsa did not let him do so. They told him that
they were answerable both to this world and the next.
Renunciation was inwardly. They must live in constant
communion with the Divine name. Living in the world
andinactiontheymustremainuncontaminated. And then
there was news pouring in once again of the Durrani's
armies marching on. So Balwant Singh, obedient to the
Guru's dietum--in action shouldst thou have the feeling
of actionlessness--, remained on his post of duty.!
1. ibid., pp. 128-29.
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