‘Shastar’ was made at the beginning of creation. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji has written,

Before creating the world, Nirankaar (the formless God) created the power of destruction (a Shastar weapon is the physical manifestation of this shakti/power of Vaheguru). This is mentioned in Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Baani and is why Guru Sahib bows down to the ‘Bhagauti’ (sword/form of Vaheguru) and says,

In His Gurbani, Kalgidhar Patshah Guru Gobind Singh Ji has continuously bowed down over and over to the shastar as the form of Vaheguru, saying, 

The Dussehra festival that Guru Sahib reinstated, the Khalsa Panth continued. Since the time of Dasam Patshah, this Purab has been being celebrated with great festivity at Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, with Nagar Kirtans and Shastar Seva. Mentions of this festival being part of our history from the time of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji is recorded in both the Sri Gurpartap Suraj Granth by Mahakavi Bhai Santokh Singh Ji and Bansavalinama by Bhai Kesar Singh Ji Chibbar. Bhai Santokh Singh Ji records in the fourth Rut of Sri Gurpartap Suraj Granth, that Guru Gobind Singh Ji instructed their Sikhs during the time leading to Dussehra, to bring out all the Shastar from the Toshakhana (treasury) and armouries to be cleaned by the Maarvarris (Sikligar Sikhs). Guru Sahib Ji instructed the Sikhs to read Chandi Charittar, Chandi Di Vaar and other Banis continuously for them nine days, and on the tenth to read Raam Avtar from Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji, to inspire Dharam Yudh in the Khalsa. 

In the Dussehra Mahaatam Pothi, it is written that during the early 19th Century, when the 10-day Jaap of Beer Rassi (warrior spirit) Dasam Gurbani would commence, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji would take part in the Arambh Ardaas and listen to the Gurbani Jaap for many hours. On the 10th day (the day of completion, the actual day of Dussehra), after the bhog of the Jaap had taken place, Sher-e-Panjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji would sit on an elephant and head a great procession in the celebration of Dussehra. On the right-hand side of Maharaja Ji was Akali Phoola Singh Ji (the head of the Budha Dal) and on the left-hand side the General of the Khalsa Army, Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa. Behind them were 2200 mounted horsemen known as the Akaal Regiment (named in the memory of Sri Guru Har Rai Ji who kept many horsemen in their army tyar-bar-tyar). The procession would end in an open ground where the warriors of the Khalsa Panth would show their skills on horseback and with weapons. The Maharaja would give rewards to the most skilled and give openly to the poor. 

The Maryada of Dussehra Paath that was blessed to the Khalsa by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, is being followed till this day at all asthaans of Dal Panth, Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib and in Puratan Sampardas. This Maryada is not 50 or 100 years old, this is carrying on from the time of Dasam Patshah Ji and documented in our Puratan Itihaas such as Suraj Parkash and Bansavalinama. 

According to this Maryada, on the first day of Navraatre in the month of Assu (September/October) the Khalsa Panth around the world, and in particular the Nihang Singhs and Singhs of Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib do arambh of the Dussehra Mahatam Paath in all the Bungas and Gurdwara Sahibs. At Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib, the Paath is commenced after Sohila Sahib Baani, from a handwritten Saroop of Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji. For the ease of the Khalsa Panth, Budha Dal, and later Sri Hazur Sahib printed all the Baani read during Dussehra into one volume. These were first prepared under Budha Dal and later by Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib, as it was difficult to do Parkash of Saroops in small bungas, and finding angs for the selections of Baani could often prove difficult. The Paath is completed on the tenth day, but on the tenth day, it is completed at Amrit Vela rather than after 12 pm. On the first 9 days, after Ardaas and Bhog of Degh, the Paath is to be started any time after 12 pm and to be read Akhand (without break), this can be done in Raul format. On the tenth day, the Paath is to be read in the morning (not after 12 pm), again to be read Akhand. Ardaas and Bhog to degh must be performed at the Aadh, Madh and Samapti of the Paath. On the first 9 Days the following Banis are read: 

1. Jaap Sahib 

2. Selections from Akaal Ustat 

3. Selections from Bachittar Natak 

4. Chandi Charitar Ukti Bilaas 

5. Chandi Charitar Doosra 

6. Chandi Di Vaar 

7. Selections from Giaan Parbodh 

8. Selections from Chaubis Avtar (selections from Ram Avtar, Krishna Avtar, Nihkalanki Avtar, Parasnath Rudra Avtar) 

9. Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10 

10. 32 Savaiye (starting from Sat Sadaiv Saroop Stabrat)

11. Khalsa Mehima 

12. Shastar Naam Mala (Adhyai 1) 

13. Selections from Pakhyan Charitar (Adhyai 1 and Chaupai Sahib) 

On the 10th Day the following Banis are read at Amritvela: 1. Jaap Sahib 2. Raam Avtar (Complete) 3. Dohra and Benti Chaupai Sahib (starting from Mahakaal Ki Je Saran Pare).