Bhai Tiloka

Bhai Tiloka, a Suhar Khatri officer in the Mughal army at Ghazni, once waited on Guru Arjan and said, "Soldiering being my profession, violence is my duty. How shall I be saved ?" The Guru spoke, "Remain firm in your duty as a soldier, but let not your mind be touched by violence." Tiloka received initiation as a Sikh and went back to Ghazni. One day, as says Bhai Santokh Singh, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, Tiloka slayed during the chase a pregnant doe. As he slashed his prey, , twin embroys, almost fully developed, were discovered, both dying after a few convulsive movements. Bhai Tiloka was filled with remorse and took a vow never to kill again. He started wearing a sword with a wooden blade, but a proper hilt for show. A complaint reached the ears of the governor, who ordered a parade. As he started inspecting the soldiers' weapons, Bhai Tiloka prayed the Guru for succour. Amazingly, tells the chronicler, Tiloka's wooden sword, when unsheathed, turned out to be gleaming steel. When Bhai Tiloka next visited the Guru, he narrated the story to the sangat.

References

1. Mani Singh, Bhai, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala. Amritsar, 1955

2. Santokh Singh, Bhai, SriGur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1927-35

3. Gurdas, Bhai, Varan, XI. 18