Page "Khalsa" Paragraph 19

Guru Gobind Singh addressed the congregation from the entryway of a tent pitched on a hill ( now called Kesgarh Sahib ).

He drew his sword and asked for a volunteer who was willing to sacrifice his head.

No one answered his first call, nor the second call, but on the third invitation, a person called Daya Ram ( later known as Bhai Daya Singh ) came forward and offered his head to the Guru.

Guru Gobind Singh took the volunteer inside the tent, and emerged shortly, with blood dripping from his sword.

He then demanded another head.

One more volunteer came forward, and entered the tent with him.

The Guru again emerged with blood on his sword.

This happened three more times.

Then the five volunteers came out of the tent unharmed.

These five, who were willing to sacrifice their lives for their Guru, were called Panj Piare (" the five beloved ones ").

These five volunteers were: Daya Ram ( Bhai Daya Singh ), Dharam Das ( Bhai Dharam Singh ), Himmat Rai ( Bhai Himmat Singh ), Mohkam Chand ( Bhai Mohkam Singh ), and Sahib Chand ( Bhai Sahib Singh ).