The Source Book On Sikhism

The Forty Martyrs

The forty deserters never saw the Master again, but they did resolutely fight with the enemy, breaking his march on the Guru. They all died in battle, but they succeeded in scattering the enemy forces. The Guru came on the scene, saw that this attack on the enemy was the performance of his old devotees, and went round lifting each of their dead bodies with fatherly affection, wiping their faces, and blessing them. Only one, Bhai Mahan Singh was yet alive, and the Guru took him in is lap and asked if he had any wish to be fulfilled, any prayers to offer life or immortality. “No, father! I have no wish. I only pray that forty of us may be reunited so that we may live at Thy Feet.” The Master tore the document they had given him at Anandpur, and said, “Dhan Sikh, Dhan Sikhi, Dhan Sikhi - How great is the discipleship!”