Bal Chutkyo Bandhan Paray Kachhoo Na Hoat Upaayay,
Kahu Nanak Ab Oat Har Gaj Jiu Hohu Sahay.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib jJi ang 1429)
(My Power is shattered and I am fettered : and lo there is no escape. Saith Nanank : O Lord, Though art my only refuge : Now Save me, as Thou saved Gaj Thy devotee.)
O My Lord! Help me, help me! How did get caught in this peril? What shall I do? What can I do? I am sinking-oh, oh, Kalghiwale Pita save me. Tell me what to do. How did I get here? Yes, it must be the result of my own actions. Take pity on me; oh, I'm going to faint.
After a while her consciousness returned.
O, Lord! Set me free from this horrible place. While I am sitting here in the dark, I can see my home is bright with lights. My father is reciting katha and my beloved mother, brother and sisters are all sitting listening to him. Now they are standing up for ardas. My brother - so soft-hearted and so devoted to Guru ji, for whom he is always ready to lay down his life - this angleic brother of mine, his cheeks are wet with tears. They are singing now... if I try hard, I am sure I can hear them:
Khet Ju Mandiyo Soorma Ab Joojhan Ko dao
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji ang 1105)
(The God's) Hero has descended upon (the life's) battlefield; now is the time to strike.)
Ah! How sweet the words sound!
The voice fell silent. Abruptly it began again, "What! Did I fall asleep? No, I am surely losing my head. I don't know what I am babbling about
Is there no one to help me? Who ever heard of young girls being treated so badly? And what was my fault? I tried to help and, in return, was taken away to be a slave. May God have pity on him who did this. Dhan Guru! My Faith will see me through all difficulties...and suffering. So much time has passed since I was captured so treacherously. My hands were tied behind my back and like cattle we were herded together. All the way from Khanna (in Punjab) to Kabul! How did we survive this arduous journey? Yes, there were other girls like me. At least we could cling to each other and share our tears and memories. But now, now there is no one... all have been sold... like animals.
My father used to say that the child of man is the most valuable of all God's creation; but here she is sold cheaper than a donkey! It must be the Lord's will...but, how am I to face all this? I have had no food or drink for the last three days. My stomach is paining with hunger, urging me to move towards the plate in the corner and eat whatever is in it. But how can I eat when I don't know what creature's flesh lies there? I am the daughter of a Sikh - I am a Sikhni! How can I eat this? But Oh Lord, I am so hungry! No, I must be strong. Let life go if it will, but I must protect my dharma... .
And she hurled the plate away.
(to be continued...)
