Prasadi

Prasadi was the name of a baby elephant, which was given to Guru Gobind Singh ji by Raja of Ratan of Assam. The young Raja (Prince) who was 12 at the time (the same age as Guru Gobind Singh ji) had traveled across India as his parents had done before his birth. His parents were great admirers of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji and having no male heir they had crossed India seeking Guruji's blessings for the birth of a son. The diminuative elephant was said to be blueblack in color with a white stripe that ran from his trunk to his tail. He had been trained to perform many acts.

The Raja and his mother had brought many wonderful gifts for Guruji. There was a mechanical chess set. Several marvelous horses with fine gold trappings and many items of gold and beautiful jewels of every sort. But of all the gifts it was the tiny elephant which held everyone's attention.

He would hold a jug of water and wash Guruji's feet, and then dry them with a towel. He wiped Guruji's shoes and arranged them properly for Guruji to put them on. He fetched an arrow discharged by Guruji. He would wave peacock feathers in a knot over Guruji. At night he would carry a torch to light the Guru's path, as he walked beside him. Some stories even recount that he carried two torches to do this. Prasadi became a popular attraction, many people came to see him.

The Royal party from Assam stayed for several months. The young Guru and Raja became good friends and even went hunting on several occasions.

Raja Bhim Chand of Kahlur admired Prasadi very much and offered to purchase him. The Guru pointed out that as he was a gift it would be improper for him to part with Prasadi. Later, thinking he had found a way that the Guru could not refuse, he suggested the talented elephant and some of the other gifts be loaned to him to be used in the upcoming marriage ceremony of his son.

Guru Gobind Singh ji saw through the Raja's scheming, he knew he would never return the items he had requested, so he politely refused. Just then an invitation from the ruler of Nahan Raja Medini Prakash arrived giving the Guru a chance to get to get away from his meddling neighbors the Pahari Rajas. He stayed at Nahan the area for about 3 years training his Sikhs, composing poetry, and sitting on the river's bank in meditation. A remarkable feat was accomplished during the visit. A fort built by the Guru's Sikhs and some of the Raja's men which was completed in the record time of 12 days. He is said to have written the major portion of the Dasam Granth along the Yamuna's edge at Paonta.

Now called Gurudwara Paonta Sahib the Guru was even able to add beautiful gardens during his stay. Today the fort of Paunta is a popular summer destination for Sikh Pilgrims and others seeking to get away from the heat of the plains. Paonta is about about 50kms from Dehradun.

During his stay at Paonta, a visitor by the name of Sayid Buddhu Shah, became a devotee of the Guru. On returning home he sent some Pathans who had been dismissed from service in the Mughal army who had heard of the Guru and wished to join his service. The band of Muslims were welcomed by the Guru. Some were soon among his trusted officers; Haiyatt Khan, Kale Khan, Nijabat Khan, Umre Khan and Bhikhan Khan. They fought well in several skirmishes, but it wasn't long before all of them except Kale Khan desserted the Guru and went over to fight with Raja Bim Chand who was after the Guru again.

It wasn't long until the Battle of Bhangani began.

After the Guru had returned to Anandpur Prasadi was to die of starvation during the long seige that lead to the abandonment of Anandpur.