The Pipal Tree

     Queen Victoria, was an English royalty who ruled India. This was long after the time of the Gurus, but she had heard some tales about the Sikhs and about the Guru. She thought, "These Sikhs seem to have special powers. I want to know more about them. God forbid the take me from power."She heard of a book written about the travels of Guru Gobind Singh. She heard it was called "Sakhi Pothi". It seemed very interesting so she had is  translated. From this book, the ‘Sakhi Pothi’ (book of stories),  she read a tale that caught her interest. The story goes like this:

     Once during the travels of Guru Gobind Singh, he and his Khalsa set up camp in a deserty area. Guru ji told one of his Sikhs, "Climb up that Jundh tree right there", he pointed to a large tree near by. “Go up there and look for a small plant which is actually a Pipal tree.” So the Singh climbed up the tree as high as he could so he could get a good look out for the plant. He looked and looked an looked for this other tree, the Pipal tree.

     After a while he wasn’t able to spot it, so he climbed back down the tree. When he got to the bottom he noticed a small Pipal tree growing in between the roots of the larger tree. So he ran back to the Guru and said, “Guru ji, there is a baby Pipal near the bottom of that big tree I climbed, is that the plant you wanted to know about?” Guru ji confirmed, and started to explain a really special situation to them. He told the Sikh that this sapling would grow to be a large tree too. “When it grows to the same height as the Jhand tree, that is when my Khalsa will spread to the four corners of the world and will sit as authority in government. When it grows over the Jhand tree, by the Will of God, the Khalsa order will make a community around the world which will last for 5,000 years. They will be very beautiful, they will take care of each other, they will have peace and prosperity.” The Guru had told the future about how the Khalsa will rise in authority and prosper for many, many years.

     As Queen Victoria read this story, she became concerned. She thought, "What if it's true!? What if that happens right now? I will no longer rule India!" So, after reading the words of the Guru, Queen Victoria sent an officer to the very village where this tree supposed to be. When the officer got there he found that the story told of a real place, with trees just as described. There was a large Jhund tree and a Pipal tree growing right next to it.

     He reported what he had seen back to the Queen. He said, "There is in fact trees in that vary village that match precicely what the story describes." She quickly asked, "Well, how high is it compared to the other tree??"she asked with royal impatience. “It is about 3 meters shorter than the original tree,” he told her. She "Well I must find out immediately how fast this kind of tree grows. If it grows too fast, I may have to find another job!" So she asked a very learned man who knew everything about plants and trees. "How long will it take for a Pipal tree to grow 3 meters in height?", she demanded. He told her, "It would take at least 100 years for it to grow as large as the other one." She relaxed and felt more comfortable that there would be no threats to her ruling India. If India became ruled by someone else it surely wouldn't happen in her life.

     Now the Jhand tree is hard. Do you know why it is hard to see. It's because the Pipal tree has almost completely taken it over. Now is the time of the Khalsa! "The Khalsa will spread to all four corners of the world and will have authority in government which will last for 5,000 years. The Khalsa community will take care of each other and will live in peace and prosperity." Let purity, love and service spread! May the Khalsa rise, may humanity flourish in peace and prosperity!