Rishi Dusht Daman

     A long time ago there was a great war between the gods and the demons or 'dusht' as they were called. The goddess Shakti represents pure, female power. Shakti was losing the war to the demons. She was being chased by two huge demon brothers. They chased her all around the four corners of the universe, finally she came to the Himalayan mountains. The Himalayas are sacred mountains where many men of God dedicate their lives to meditation and devotion. When Shakti came to these mountains she found herself in a beautiful spot where she saw a golden light. Then she saw an old, old saint sitting in deep meditation, on a rock by the lake. The light was coming from him, he felt such bliss and was absorbed in the Divine like a drop of water in the ocean. She awoke him from his meditation and asked for his help. Just then the dusht, the demons arrived and said to her "Shakti, we have found you. We have killed your armies, now you are alone and we are going to kill you, this is your end!"

     The saint objected saying "Leave her alone, she is pure, she is God's creative power, do not harm her." The demons didn't take this old man seriously. As they went after her, they threatened him too. So the old saint stood up and shook the dear skin, which he was sitting on, in the air. From this skin came a beautiful looking man. It was Rishi Dusht Daman which means the Rishi who destroys the villains. Dusht Daman bowed to the saint who told him, "My son, this is Shakti-the divine life force-and these crooks over here want to kill her. Stop them." Dusht Daman obeyed and started towards the enemies. The evil brothers taking out their swords in an insane rage went to kill all of them. Rishi Dusht Daman, as quick as the wind, swang his sword and cut off both of their heads. The divine Shakti thanked Rishi Dusht Daman and the saint and went off doing her work in the universe.

     The saint told Dusht Daman "I am very old and it's time for me to leave the earth. You should stay here like I have, meditate, be one with God so God can bless this earth." Rishi Dusht Daman stayed there living in perfect union with God, killing demons whenever necessary. He was always very powerful, very joyful and forever fearless. His task on earth was finished and all he wanted was to join God in the spiritual realm. It was to this mighty soul that God, with a great voice, spoke to. God requested that he come once more as a human. "The earth is suffering, go destroy evil doers and spread the Dharma." So Rishi Dusht Daman went in to the womb of Mata Gujri and was born as Gobind Rai. Never did he lose his union with God. This pure child became known as Guru Gobind Singh, the father of the Khalsa.