The Ocean of Light — Page 10
10 strength to protect its people from the evils of the tyranny of mischief-makers, aggressors, thieves and rogues. Bloodshed, murder, looting and rape was rampant. It became impossible to run the affairs of the state, and pain and suffering increased. Thus, the Mughal Empire lost its status. The chiefs of this land freed themselves of its yoke and refusing to render obeisance to any government, became independent like the T aw a iful-Mul u k 1 and became self-governing. In those days our lost state was temporarily returned to us, and so we targeted happiness with the bow of tranquillity and lived a joyous and comfortable life. We remained in this state as long as the Lord of Majesty and Generosity willed it. Then the era of the idolaters of India, who are termed as the Khalsa [Sikh], dawned. Those were the days when we were battered by tempests of tribulation 1 This refers to smaller territorial kingdoms that emerge at the decline of a larger state. [Publisher]