Sikhs and the Madho Das Bhairagi/ Banda Singh Bahadhur paradox

[Ranjeet01]

One of the things that fascinate me about how Banda Singh Bahadhur is how from being a reclusive ascetic and cutting himself from the rest of the world to joining Dashmesh Pita and engaging with the world. And by doing so, he erupted and made the Mughals shudder. 

I think that at some level I can understand the appeal of being a recluse where you just want to get away from the world and just engage in your own spiritual journey. But the world comes knocking at your door and you have no choice but to join the rest of the world.

I think to a large degree many of us Sikhs want to be left alone and be like Madho Das but we have to live in this world and do what must be done so we must transform ourselves.

Our history has shown us time and time again that we must tyar bar tyar but we prefer to be left in our slumber.

We fall into our hibernation but after getting prodded we explode into action and leave devastation in our wake before going back to sleep again.

We want to be the nice guys but the world will not allow that for us.

[dallysingh101]

By all accounts Madho Das was a warrior type (hunting knowing how to use weapons etc.) prior to becoming a recluse. So he did have training and experience with weaponry. 

 

Rattan SIngh's account of his administration is fascinating.