ਮੰਗਲਾਚਰਨ
Meaning of Miri Piri - Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji

At the young age of 11, Guru Hargobind Sahib had the Akal Takht constructed, adorned weapons, took to hunting and kept an army. The passage below describes the first time Guru Hargobind Sahib sat on the Throne of Akal Takht wearing the two swords representing Miri and Piri. ਰਚ੍ਯੋ ਤਖਤ ਤਿਸ ਬੰਦਨ ਕੀਨਿ । ਚਢਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਬੀਰਾਸਨ ਆਸੀਨ । ਬ੍ਰਿਧ ਆਦਿਕ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ ਮਸੰਦ । ਅਵਿਲੋਕਤਿ ਬਿਸਮਾਇ ਬਿਲੰਦ ।੨੦। He saluted the [Akal] Takht which He had constructed, ascending to the Takht he sat in Vir Asan [Warrior Pose, one knee raised one leg flat]. Baba Budha Ji, Bhai Gurdas Ji and the other Masands were in great awe looking upon the Guru. ਹਾਥ ਜੋਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਬੂਝਨ ਲਾਗੇ । ਧਰਹਿ ਖੜਗ ਇਕ ਜੇ ਭਟ ਆਗੇ । ਦੋਇ ਆਪ ਲੇ ਨਿਜ ਗਰ ਪਾਏ । ਇਹ ਕ੍ਯਾ ਕਾਰਨ ਦੇਹੁ ਸੁਨਾਏ ।੨੧। With folded hands they wanted to understand [and asked], "Until now we have seen a warrior [only] adorned with one sword. You have adorned two swords around your body, what is the purpose of this? Please explain" ਧਰੇ ਤੇਜ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਬਚ ਕਹੇ । ਹਮ ਨੇ ਇਸ ਹਿਤ ਜੁਗ ਅਸਿ ਗਹੇ । ਇਕ ਤੇ ਲੇਂ ਮੀਰਨਿ ਕੀ ਮੀਰੀ । ਦੂਸਰ ਤੇ ਪੀਰਨਿ ਕੀ ਪੀਰੀ ।੨੨। The Guru valiantly replied, "For this reason I have adorned two [swords], One is a signifier of the Sovereignty over all Empires [Miran Ki Miri], and the other is a signifier of the Power of Spirituality [Piran Ki Piri]. ਮੀਰੀ ਪੀਰੀ ਦੋਨੋਂ ਧਰੈਂ । ਬਚਹਿ ਸਰਨਿ ਨਤੁ ਜੁਗ ਪਰਹਰੈਂ । I represent both Sovereignty and Spirituality; coming under My sanctuary you may be saved, if not we will take both away from you." Gurpratap Suraj Prakash Granth (1843), author: the Great Poet Santokh Singh Raas 4, Chapter 43