Zafarnama

Written in exquisite Persian verse; the Zafarnama or 'Epistle of Victory' was a defiant message composed by Guru Gobind Singh; the tenth Sikh guru; and addressed to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb; following a series of fierce battles between the imperial forces and Sikh warriors. Despite the ravages of the war and the loss of his four sons and many brave fighters; the guru felt that he had won a moral victory over the emperor. With wisdom and honesty; the guru indicts the emperor for the moral and spiritual bankruptcy of his empire; as exposed by the treachery of the emperor's commanders in battle. The 111 stirring stanzas in this timeless text form the core of the guru's spiritual philosophy; highlighting his espousal of morality in thought and action as well as his deep understanding of the true nature of God and Creation. In this brilliant new translation; Navtej Sarna brings to life the valiant voice of Guru Gobind Singh and the power of his poetic genius in a passionate disavowal of tyranny that remains ever relevant