Translation:
May the Almighty help us. Mani Singh makes his humble prostration at the feet of the holy venerable mother. Further news is that the climate of this place has aggravated my rheumatism and my health deteriorates fast. I will have to listen to the healing parable of the tertian fever. But my illness has caused no slackness in the performance of the holy service of the Hari Mandir. The Khalsa no more hods away over the country and its power has waned. The Sikhs have migrated to the mountain retreats. The Malacchas reign supreme in the country. There is no security for the (Sikh) children and women in any habitation. They are hunted out and killed. The opposing states have also joined hands with them. The Hindalis spy on the Sikhs. All (the Sikhs) have deserted the Chak (the earliest name of Amritsar). The Mutsaddis (priests) have also fled. So far the Immortal Lord protects me. Tomorrow is uncertain. What is ordained by the Lord shall prevail. The adopted son of Binod Singh has passed away. Among the books I send per Jhanda Singh, there is one entitled “303 Chritra Upakhyans” by the Lord (Guru Gobind Singh Ji). Give this to Sihan Singh in the Mahal (Matia Mahal in the interior of Delhi city). So far there is no trace of the book “Naam Mala.” I found the first part of Krishan Avatar but not the second. I shall send it when available. There is a rumour in the country that Bundha (Singh Bahadur) has made his good escape from the Emperor’s jail. May the Guru protect him. The Guru’s family (the descendents of the Guru) at Khandur have sent five tolas of gold as a gift for your son’s bride (an adopted son of Mata Ji, as all four Sahibzadhay had been martyred). Recover seventeen rupees from Jhanda Singh. I gave him five rupees to meet the expenses of the journey. These expenses will be incurred by him. The Mutsaddis have not yet settled accounts, otherwise I would have sent a draft from the city (presumably Lahore). If my health improves I shall come in the month of Kartik.
Baisakh 22
Signed Mani Singh
Guruchak, Bunga
Reply in bamboo stick (it being confidential)
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